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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/12729-0.txt b/12729-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..dcb3c9c --- /dev/null +++ b/12729-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7167 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12729 *** + +The High School Boys in Summer Camp +or +The Dick Prescott Six Training for the Gridley Eleven + +By H. Irving Hancock + + + + + + + +CONTENTS + +CHAPTERS + I. The Man in the Four-Quart-Hat + II. Dick and Some High Finance + III. The Human Mystery of the Woods + IV. Dave Darrin is Angry + V. Dick Grapples in the Dark + VI. Danger Comes on the Hoof + VII. Fighting the Mad Stampede + VIII. Visitors for the Feast + IX. Dick's Woodland Discovery + X. Setting a New Trap + XI. A Hard Prowler to Catch + XII. "Tag" is the Game--Tag Mosher! + XIII. In a Fix! + XIV. Thrashing an Ambulance Case! + XV. The Interruption of a Training Bout + XVI. Ten Minutes of Real Daring + XVII. During the Big Storm +XVIII. Mr. Page's Kind of Father + XIX. Seen in a New, Worse Light + XX. Some Imitation Villainy + XXI. The Medical Examiner Talks Training + XXII. Plating Ragtime on Mr. Bull +XXIII. What Tag "Borrowed" from the Doctor + XIV. Conclusion + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE MAN IN THE FOUR-QUART HAT + + +"You'll find your man in the lobby of the Eagle Hotel or in the +neighborhood of the hotel on Main Street," said Dick Prescott. +"You can hardly miss him." + +"But how will I know Mr. Hibbert, when I see him?" pursued the +stranger. + +"I don't know that his name is Hibbert," Dick answered. "However, +he is the only young man who has just reached town fresh from +Europe. His trunks are pasted all over with labels." + +"You'll know the young man, sir," Tom Reade broke in, with a quiet +smile. "He always wears a spite-fence collar. You could bill +a minstrel show on that collar." + +"A collar is but a slight means of identification, in a city full +of people," remarked the stranger good-humoredly. + +"Well, then, sir, your man also wears a four-quart silk hat, and +a long black coat that makes you think of a neat umbrella covering," +Tom went on. + +"And lavender trousers," supplemented Greg Holmes. + +"Always wears these things, you say?" questioned the stranger. + +"He has, so far," Dick nodded. "Mr. Hibbert has been in town +only since late yesterday afternoon, and it's only four in the +afternoon to-day." + +"I shall be able to find my man all right," smiled the stranger. +"You've informed me that he is stopping at the Eagle Hotel. +Until now, I knew only that Mr. Hibbert was in Gridley. Thank +you, young gentlemen." + +"Now, I wonder how he knew that," murmured Tom reflectively. + +"Knew what?" demanded Dave Darrin. + +"That we're gentlemen," Tom responded. + +"Oh, he guessed that," suggested Harry Hazelton. + +"He's a good guesser, then," remarked Tom. "I always like to +see a man so discerning. I'm ashamed to confess it, but Dick +is the only fellow in our crowd who looks at all like a gentleman. +He is dressed in his Sunday best. Look at us!" + +The other five certainly looked neat enough, even though they +did not wear their "Sunday best." + +"Now, fellows, what's the lowest I'm to take for the canoe?" +Dick inquired, after a glance at his watch. "The train is due +in two minutes." + +Instantly his five chums looked thoughtful. + +"You'll get the most that you can, of course," Greg insisted. + +"I shall try to get a good price," Dick nodded, "but I may find +myself up against close bargainers. So hurry up and vote as to +the lowest price that I'm to accept under any circumstances." + +"What do you say?" asked Tom Reade, looking at Dave. + +"We ought to get sixty dollars for it, at the very lowest," Darrin +replied, slowly. "I'd like to pull in seventy-five dollars, for +we need every penny of the latter amount." + +"We might get along with seventy," hinted Harry Hazelton. "Suppose +we say seventy dollars as the lowest possible price that we can +consider." + +"Sixty-five dollars, anyway," urged Dan Dalzell, otherwise known +as "Danny Grin." + +"What's your own idea, Dick?" asked Tom Reade, as the distant +whistle sounded. + +"If you fellows are going to be content with a sixty or seventy-dollar +bottom price," suggested Prescott, "I wish you'd elect someone +else to go in my place." + +"Do you think we'll have to take fifty?" asked Tom Reade looking +aghast. + +"If you send me, and leave the trade in my hands," retorted young +Prescott, "then you'll have to accept ninety dollars as the very +bottom price, or there won't be any sale." + +"Hurrah!" chuckled Danny Grin. "That's the talk! Ninety---or +nothing!" + +"Do you think you can get that much?" asked Dave doubtingly. + +"I'll have to, or I won't make any trade," Dick smiled, though +there was a glint of firmness in his eyes. + +"Let it be ninety dollars or nothing, then," agreed Tom Reade, +adding, under his breath, "With the accept on the 'nothing.'" + +As Dick glanced about him at the faces of his chums they all nodded +their approval. + +"I have my final instructions, then," Dick announced, as the east-bound +train rolled in at the Gridley station. It had been from the +westbound train, a few minutes before, that the stranger seeking +Mr. Hibbert had alighted. + +"Wish you luck, old chap!" cheered Dave, as Dick ascended the +carsteps. + +"I wish us all luck," Dick called back from the car platform, +"and I'll try to bring it back to you." + +The train was moving as Dick entered one of the day coaches. +Silently his chums wished that they might all have gone with Dick, +instead of turning away from the station, as they were now doing. +Funds were low with Dick & Co., however, and all hands had contributed +to buy young Prescott's round-trip ticket to Porthampton, more +than an hour's ride away. + +"Do you believe Dick can get ninety dollars for the canoe?" asked +Dave at last, when the high school boys were half way to Main Street. + +"Why not? It's a six-paddle war canoe, a genuine one, and in +good condition for the water," Tom Reade replied. + +"But it's only a second-hand canoe," Darrin argued. "It was second-hand +when we bought it at the Wild West auction a year ago." + +"That canoe is in just as good order as it ever was," Greg maintained. +"It's a shame for us to sell it at all. We could have had a +lot of fun with it this summer." + +"Yes," sighed Danny Grin, "if only Harry and I hadn't been forbidden +by our parents to have anything more to do with the canoe." + +"One thing is certain," spoke up Tom promptly. "With two of our +fellows barred from entering the canoe we couldn't have any fun. +Dick & Co. have always pulled together, you know. There are +six of us, but we don't break up into smaller parties, and we +don't recruit our ranks with newcomers." + +"I don't see why my father had to kick so about the canoe," sighed +Harry Hazelton. "We enjoyed the good old canoe all last summer, +and not one of us got hurt in it, or from it." + +"I understand why your father objects, Harry," broke in Darrin. +"With five drowning accidents from canoes hereabouts, already +this summer, and two of those accidents on our own river, your +father has some right to be nervous about the canoe." + +"I can swim," argued Harry. + +"So could both of the fellows who were drowned right here in the +river," rejoined Reade. "Harry, I don't blame either your father +or Dan's mother for objecting. Anyway, think of the fun we're +going to have, this summer, of a different kind." + +"If we sell the canoe," Darrin laughed. "But we haven't sold +it yet." + +"Oh, Dick can get something for the canoe," insisted Reade. + +"Yes; but 'something' won't fill the bill, now, for you all heard +Dick say he wouldn't take less than ninety dollars for it. When +Dick says a thing like that he means it. He will bring back ninety +dollars, or-----" + +"Or nothing," finished Dave. "Somehow, I can't just figure out +what any man would look like who'd give ninety dollars for an +old second-hand war canoe, even if it is of Indian model." + +"And made of genuine birch bark, which is so hard to get these +days," added Reade. "Fellows, I can't believe that our old Dick +will come back whipped. Defeat isn't a habit of his, you know." + +So the "Co." of Dick & Co. wandered up on to Main Street, a prey +to suspense. Some hours must pass ere they could hope to know +the result of their young leader's mission at Porthampton. + +All the member of Dick & Co. are assuredly familiar enough our +readers. These six young Americans, Gridleyites, amateur athletes +and high school boys, were first introduced to the reader during +their eventful days of early chumship at the Central Grammar School. +Their adventures have been related in detail in the "_Grammar +School Boys Series_." How they made their start in athletics, +as grammar school boys, and, more important still, how they made +their beginnings in character forming, have all been related in +that series. We next came upon Dick & Co. in the "_High School +Boys Series_." All of our readers recall the rousing story of +"_The High School Freshmen_." Young Prescott and his chums were +bound to be "different," even as freshmen; so, without being in +the least "fresh," they managed to make their influence felt in +Gridley High School during their first year there. Though, as +freshmen, they were not allowed to take part in athletics, they +contrived to "boost up" Gridley High School athletics several +notches, and aided in putting the Athletic Association on a firmer +basis than it had ever known before. They did several other noteworthy +things in their freshman year, all of which are now wholly familiar +to our readers. Their doings in the second high school year are +fully chronicled in "_The High School Pitcher_." In this second +volume the formal and exciting entry of Dick & Co. into high school +athletics is splendidly described, with a wealth of rousing adventure +and humorous situations. + +This present series, which is intended to describe the vacations +of our Gridley High School boys in between their regular school +years, opened with the preceding volume, "_The High School Boys +Canoe Club_." Within the pages of that volume are set forth the +manner in which Dick & Co. secured, at an auction sale of a Wild +West show, a six-paddle Indian war canoe. All their problems +in getting this canoe into serviceable condition made highly interesting +reading. The host of adventures that surrounded their vacation +at Lake Pleasant proved thrilling indeed to our readers. How +they met and contested with the canoe clubs from other high schools +was delightfully set forth. The efforts of Fred Ripley to spoil +the fun of Dick & Co. during that vacation, formed another strong +feature of the tale. + +We now find our young high school friends, just after the Fourth +of July, at a very exciting point in their careers. As has been +intimated, Harry Hazelton's and Dan Dalzell's parents had grown +nervous about the canoeing sport, and had urged their sons not +to enter the craft again. As Dick & Co. had always been companions +in all forms of sport, the other four chums had promptly decided +to sell the canoe, if possible, and to devote the proceeds to +going off in the "real woods" to camp. + +And now a probable customer at Porthampton had been found, and +Dick had departed by train to see whether the sale could be effected. + +"I've twenty cents left. Is there money enough in the crowd to +buy five ice creams?" asked Tom Reade, displaying two dimes. + +"I've a whole half dollar, though you won't believe it until you +see it," laughed Dave Darrin. + +"Then there's enough for cream," decided Tom. + +"I'll put in my half, if you fellows say so," Dave went on. "But +we may soon be in need of quite a bit of money. Wouldn't it be +better to hold on to our fruit of the mint?" + +"When we sell the canoe we'll have plenty of money," suggested +Danny Grin. + +"Very true, old Smilax," nodded Dave. "But what if Dick doesn't +sell it?" + +"Then we won't have plenty of money," responded Greg promptly. + +"If Dick doesn't make a sale to the parties he has gone to see," +Dave went on argumentatively, "we may want money to buy him a +ticket to some other town. It won't be wise to spend our little +capital until we see some more money coming in." + +"That sounds like common sense," agreed Reade, dropping his dimes +back into his pocket. "Still, I'm sorry that we're not rich enough +to finance the ice cream proposition and still have enough capital +left." + +"So am I sorry," sighed Danny Grin. "This waiting for Dick Prescott +to get back with the news is a wearing proposition." + +"Come down to my house," suggested Dave. "I've got that catalogue +from the tent and camping goods house. Let's go and look over +the catalogue, and try to decide just what we want to buy for +our camp when Dick gets the money for the canoe." + +"That would be bully fun, if we really knew that Dick had sold +the canoe," smiled young Holmes wistfully. "However, until we +do know, I suggest that we avoid all false hopes and keep away +from all catalogues." + +At this instant Tom nudged Dave. Two men were passing, and one +of them was saying to the other: + +"Yes; I sold the double house for eighty-two hundred dollars---a +clear profit of twenty-two hundred. Then I put four thousand +more with that money and bought the Miller place. Within a couple +of years I'll get rid of the Miller place for at least sixteen +thousand dollars. I've never known a time when real estate money +came in as easily." + +"Is he talking about real money?" grunted Darrin. "He can't be!" + +"He is," Tom declared. "That's Buller, of Wrenville. He is a +very successful man in real estate. Father knows him." + +"Humph! Talking of thousands, when a few ten dollar bills would +fix us for the summer," muttered Dave Darrin. "I wonder if men +ever stop to think how it feels for a boy to go around broke." + +"I spoke to my dad along those lines once," smiled Tom. + +"What did he say?" asked Danny Grin. + +"Oh, dad told me there was no objection whatever to my starting +out and earning a lot of money. He explained that was how he +had gotten his." + +The other youngsters were smiling now, for, as was well known +to them all, Mr. Reade wasn't credited with possessing a great +deal of money. + +"Well, are you fellows coming down to my place to look over the +catalogue?" Dave proposed once more. "It'll help to kill time +during our suspense." + +Though they felt rather foolish about spending their dollars before +they obtained them, the four high school boys turned to follow +Darrin, when a voice behind them called: + +"Oh, boys! Just a moment, please!" + +"It's the man in the four-quart silk hat," Tom whispered, as the +five chums baited and turned. + +"Man?" echoed Darry, though also in a whisper. "Humph! Hibbert +looks more like a boy who has run away from home with his father's +wardrobe." + +Certainly, as he hurried toward them, Mr. Hibbert did look youthful. +He couldn't have been more than twenty-two---perhaps he was a +year younger than that. He was not very tall, nor very stout. +His round, rosy, cherubic, smoothly shaven face made him look +almost girlish. He was faultlessly, expensively dressed, though +on this hot July afternoon a black frock coat and high silk hat +looked somewhat out of keeping with the day's weather report. + +"I just wanted to ask you boys to do me something of a favor," +Mr. Alonzo Hibbert went on. + +"Name the favor, please," urged Tom with drawling gentleness. + +"Can you tell me what shop that is over there?" inquired Mr. Hibbert, +pointing, with a dapper cane, across the street. + +"That is Anderson's Ice Cream Emporium," Tom answered gravely. + +"Let's go over there," proposed Mr. Hibbert smiling, as he glanced +from one face to another. + +"That proposition was just before the house, and was voted down," +Tom continued. + +"What was the matter, boys?" demanded young Mr. Hibbert beamingly. +"Didn't you have the price?" + +"On the contrary, we had the price," Reade answered, as gravely +as ever. "However, after discussion, we decided that we had other +uses for our capital." + +"But I haven't any other uses for my present capital," pursued +Mr. Hibbert, as smiling as ever. "So come along, please." + +Instead of jumping at the offer, Dick's partners regarded the +man in the four-quart hat with some doubt. Often, when offered +a courtesy from strangers that they would like to accept, these +boys were likely to regard the offer with this same attitude of +suspicion. It was not that Dick & Co. meant to be ungracious +to strangers, but rather that their boyish experience with the +world had taught them that such offers from strangers usually +have strings attached to them. + +"Don't you young men like ice cream?" asked Mr. Hibbert, looking +fully as astonished as he felt. + +"Certainly we do, Mr. Hibbert," Tom responded. "But what's the +idea? What do you want us to do for you?" + +"I ask you for the pleasure of your company," explained Mr. Hibbert. +"I'm a stranger in this town, and I'd like a little company." + +"And---afterwards?" pursued Reade. + +"'Afterwards'?" repeated Alonzo Hibbert looking puzzled. + +"What do you want us to do for you by and by?" Tom asked. + +"Oh, I see," replied Hibbert, laughing with keen enjoyment. "You +think my invitation a bait for services that I expect presently +to demand. Nothing of the sort, I assure you. All I want is +someone to talk to for the next half hour. Won't you oblige me?" + +"Mr. Hibbert," broke in Dave suddenly, "I've just happened to +remember that there is a man in town who wants to talk with you. +We met him at the station, and he inquired where he could find +you." + +"I think I know whom you mean," admitted Hibbert. + +"We told him you were stopping at the Eagle Hotel," Greg added. + +"Then, if the man who is looking for me went to the Eagle Hotel, +he has already learned that I am elsewhere. It's his business +to find me, not mine to run about town seeking him. He can find +me as well in the ice cream shop as in any other place. Will +you young men oblige me with your company?" + +At a nod from Darrin the others fell in line. Mr. Hibbert led +the way across the street, entering the shop, which proved to +be empty of other customers. + +As the waitress approached the two tables to take the orders for +ice cream the host of the occasion turned to his guests. + +"Give the young woman your orders, gentlemen," said Alonzo Hibbert. + +"Strawberry," said Tom. + +"Vanilla," requested Dave. + +"Oh, fudge!" interposed their host. + +"We haven't any fudge ice cream, sir," remarked the waitress without +smiling. + +"I cried fudge on their orders," remarked Hibbert gayly. "They +are too modest. Young woman, have you still some of those cantaloupes, +which you cut open and fill with different flavors of cream and +water ice?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Then, young gentlemen, permit me to change the order to one of +those cantaloupes for each of you." + +The waitress departed on her errand, while Reade and Darrin glanced +at each other, somewhat aghast. The delicacy ordered by Mr. Hibbert +cost a quarter of a dollar a portion. + +When the orders were brought and placed on the table, Alonzo Hibbert +draw from his pocket a roll of bills, stripping off the outermost +and handing it to the waitress. Yet their host gave no sign of +attempting to make a vulgar display of his money. He seemed rather +unconscious of the possession of it. + +"Are these favorites of yours?" inquired Mr. Hibbert presently +of Greg, indicating the multi-colored load of ices, each resting +in a half of a cantaloupe. + +"Not exactly favorites," Greg replied. "We don't often have the +money to spend on such an expensive treat." + +"Don't you?" inquired Hibbert in a tone of considerable surprise, +as though wondering why everyone in the world wasn't as well supplied +with money as he himself was. + +Then, after a pause, their host asked of Greg: + +"Would you like always to have plenty of money?" + +"I suppose everyone would like that," murmured young Holmes. + +"Shall I make a prediction?" inquired Hibbert. + +"By all means, if it pleases you," Greg answered politely. + +"Then, Greg Holmes, I venture to assert that you will very shortly +find yourself a millionaire." + +This was said with so much earnestness, and apparent sincerity, +that all five of the chums now regarded their host intently. + +"How soon is that going to happen?" Greg laughingly inquired. + +"Within a week," Alonzo Hibbert replied as seriously as ever. +He glanced at Greg with a look full of friendly interest. + +Tom Reade snorted, almost audibly, then drew down the corners +of his mouth to keep himself from laughing outright. Dave, too, +took another swift look at their smiling young host. + +"I wish you were a sure prophet," murmured Greg trying hard not +to laugh. + +"I am," declared Mr. Hibbert seriously. "Mind what I tell you, +Greg Holmes, within a week you will know yourself to be a millionaire." + +"Real money?" demanded Greg. + +"Real money," nodded Hibbert positively. "Or else it will be +in stocks, bonds or real estate that could be converted into real +money." + +By this time, Tom, Dave and the others, Greg included, had taken +Alonzo Hibbert's measure or believed they had. Their host, then, +was a lunatic. A harmless and very amiable lunatic, to be sure, +yet none the less the victim of a deranged mind. + +"Eaten up your creams?" asked Mr. Hibbert, glancing around. "Then +we'll have another apiece." + +He signaled the waitress, giving the order. + +"Don't ask me---yet---how I know," continued their host, turning +once more to Greg Holmes, "but you're going to find yourself a +millionaire within a week. I know it. It's all in your ear." + +As he spoke Hibbert gave Greg's right ear a playful tweak. + +"All in Greg's ear?" muttered Tom Reade under his breath. "I +knew that from the outset." + +"All in your ear, Holmes!" Hibbert repeated. "Yet it will all +be very real money. Oh, won't you be astonished!" + +"I---I think I shall, when the wealth rains down upon me," murmured +Greg, now afraid to raise his eyes to meet the mocking glance +that Darry was sending toward him. + +At this moment the stranger of the railway station entered the +room, then came toward the table. + +"Mr. Hibbert, here is the man who was inquiring for you at the +station," Tom announced in a low voice. + +Hibbert turned, glancing inquiringly at the stranger. + +"Are you Mr. Hibbert?" asked the latter. + +"Yes," nodded the man in the four-quart hat. "My name is Colquitt," +explained the stranger. "I am from-----" + +"Er---yes, quite so," murmured Mr. Hibbert. "And here is the +boy. He is named Greg Holmes. Do you observe his right ear?" + +"I do," Colquitt assented, after a swift, keen glance. + +"He is the boy," Hibbert repeated after a moment's hesitation. + +"Where do you live, young man?" asked Colquitt. + +Greg supplied the name of his street and the number. + +"Name of your family physician?" went on the stranger. + +"Dr. Bentley." + +"Has he always been your family physician?" + +"Ever since I can remember," Greg declared. + +"Thank you," and Colquitt turned to leave. + +"Won't you stay and have an ice with us?" urged Hibbert. + +"Too much to do," replied Colquitt, shaking his head and walking out. + +Now the high school boys found themselves doubly, trebly puzzled. +If Mr. Hibbert were an amiable lunatic, what of Colquitt? Both +had appeared to know something mysterious about young Holmes. + +Tom Reade, also, was thinking deeply. Dave Darrin was frowning. +Dan Dalzell was grinning slightly, while Hazelton was giving +his whole attention to the second ice before him. + +Hibbert, however, passed to other topics as lightly as though +he had already forgotten all about fortunes and ears. The time +passed pleasantly until all of the five chums felt that they could +hold no more ices. Then Hibbert, having paid the bill, left the +ice cream place with them. + +Outside they encountered Mr. Colquitt once more. + +"May I have a word aside with you, sir?" demanded Colquitt. + +"A dozen," agreed Hibbert readily. + +The two walked apart from the boys, going down the sidewalk together +slowly. But the youngsters heard Hibbert say earnestly: + +"I tell you, Colquitt, that is the boy. He has the ear and all. +And he'll be in luck with the money he'll have!" + +"And I tell you, Mr. Hibbert, that he isn't the boy at all," retorted +Colquitt, with even greater positiveness. + +More was said, but the two passed out of hearing. + +"Greg," declared Tom Reade solemnly, "it appears that you're the +million-dollar kid!" + +"I know it," grinned young Holmes. "I am! Also it seems equally +certain that I am not!" + +"What do you make of the whole business, fellows?" Tom asked, +turning to the other chums. + +"I've my own idea," laughed Dave Darrin. + +"Give it us, quickly!" begged Danny Grin. + +"My idea," Dave declared, "is that Hibbert is a rather harmless +lunatic, yet one who has to be watched a bit." + +"Then what about Colquitt?" urged Hazelton. + +"Colquitt," guessed Darry, "is Hibbert's keeper." + +"The mild lunatic idea," Tom observed, "fits in well with a chap +who, in this sweltering July weather, will insist on wearing a +four-quart silk hat, a spite-fence collar and a long, black, +double-breasted coat." + +"There's only one part of the whole dream that I'd like to believe," +sighed young Holmes. "I'd be quite willing to have it proved +to me that I'm a young millionaire!" + +"What would you do if you had the million---right in your hand?" +quizzed Danny Grin. + +"I'd transfer it to my pockets," Greg answered. + +"What next?" pressed Dan. + +"I'd hurry to the bank with the money." + +"And---then?" Dan still insisted. + +"Then," supplied practical Tom Reade, "he'd end our suspense by +paying Dick ninety dollars for our war canoe!" + +"I would," Greg agreed. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +DICK AND SOME HIGH FINANCE + + +"I feel like a fellow without any manners," complained Dave Darrin. + +"What have you done now?" asked Greg, coming out of his million-dollar +trance. + +"It's what I haven't done," Darry answered. "It's also what none +of us have done. We haven't thanked our very pleasant, even if +slightly erratic, host for his entertainment." + +"We can't very well butt in," declared Reade, glancing down the +street. "Hibbert and his kee---I mean, his friend---are still +talking earnestly. I wonder if they lock poor Hibbert up part +of the time?" + +Colquitt and young Mr. Hibbert had now turned in at the Eagle +Hotel. Dave glanced at his watch, remarking: + +"Fellows, it's ten minutes after six. Those of you who want any +supper will do well to hurry home." + +"I'm certain that I can't eat a bit of supper," declared Hazelton, +looking almost alarmed. "I've eaten so much of that cream and +cantaloupe that I haven't a cubic inch of space left for anything +else." + +Nevertheless the high school boys parted, going their various +directions, after having agreed to meet by seven o'clock. All +wanted to be on hand when Prescott got back to town. + +After supper Greg had not been out of the house five minutes when +Mr. Hibbert appeared at the gate of the Holmes cottage, and passed +inside. The caller inquired for Greg's father, met that gentleman, +and the two remained in private conversation for some five minutes. + +Ere the first minute was over, however, Greg's father might have +been heard, from the sidewalk, laughing uproariously. Finally +Mrs. Holmes was called into the conference. She came forth again, +looking somewhat amused. + +From that meeting Hibbert went back to Main Street, where he fell +in with Tom Colquitt. + +"Are you satisfied, now?" demanded the latter. + +"I'm puzzled," replied Hibbert, with the air and tone of a man +who hates to give up a delusion. + +Colquitt and Hibbert had not gone a block and a half ere they +encountered Dave, Tom and the others, only Dick being absent from +the gathering of the chums. Curiously, too, the meeting took +place before the same ice cream shop. + +"Just in time to have some more cream, boys," suggested young +Mr. Hibbert. + +"And we'd enjoy it, too, thank you," responded Tom courteously, +"but there is a point, sir, past which it would be imposition +to go. So we are going to content ourselves with enjoying a very +pleasant recollection of the good time we had with you this afternoon." + +"Better come inside with us," urged Mr. Colquitt. "I notice a +table, away over in the corner, where we can be by ourselves. +You see, boys, after what Hibbert said to one of your number +this afternoon, we feel that an explanation is due to you. We +can explain inside much better than we could on a street corner." + +That crowbar of curiosity wedged the boys away from their fear +that they were accepting too much from strangers. So they followed +their mysterious conductors inside. Young Mr. Hibbert ordered +ices similar to those that had been enjoyed that afternoon. Then +Mr. Colquitt, with a brisk air, began: + +"Concerning that suspicion that young Holmes might be the missing +heir to a large sum of money, I'll tell you how Mr. Hibbert got +his idea." + +Then, as though fearing that he had made too great a promise, +Mr. Colquitt paused. + +"It's this way," he went on, at last. "Many years ago there was +a railway wreck in this part of the state. A good many passengers +were killed. Among them was the wife of a wealthy man. The husband +escaped with his life, but he was so badly hurt that, for a year +or so, his mind suffered. He had to be taken abroad. There were +a few babies among those killed in the wreck, and the infant son +of the couple was supposed to be one of them. The father is now +well and healthy, but a very lonely man. Within the last few +weeks this father has had some reason to believe that his son +didn't perish in the wreck, but that other people, believing both +parents had been killed, took charge of the infant. + +"That is all," continued Mr. Colquitt, "except that the missing +infant had a small v-shaped nick on the outer edge of his right +ear. Probably with the boy's growth, if he is still alive, the +nick has become so small as to be barely noticeable, like the +nick in Holmes' right ear. Mr. Hibbert came to Gridley only yesterday, +and it happened that one of the first young men he saw, close +to the hotel, was young Holmes. Rather by chance Hibbert saw +that very small nick, that usually would escape notice. In great +excitement Hibbert telegraphed the anxious father, and the father +wired Blinders' detective agency, which sent me down to Gridley." + +"It isn't possible that Greg can be the missing son," breathed +Tom Reade incredulously. + +"He isn't," declared Tom Colquitt promptly. "I made sure of that +very soon after I reached town to-day. First of all, I found +out the name of the family physician, Dr. Bentley. I saw that +gentleman, and he assured me he knew that young Holmes was the +son of Mr. and Mrs. Holmes, for Dr. Bentley told me that he signed +young Greg's birth certificate. That was proof enough, but I +also saw Mr. and Mrs. Holmes, a few minutes ago. The missing +son of the wealthy man in question had two other marks on his +body that would identify him." + +"What are those marks?" asked Dave Darrin deeply interested. + +Tom Colquitt hesitated, glancing at young Mr. Hibbert. + +"Tell 'em," nodded the young man of the four-quart hat. + +"The young man we are seeking," replied the detective, "will have +a brownish mole over his right shoulder blade and a reddish mark +to the left of his breast bone. The boy was born with those marks. +The nick in his ear resulted from an accident when the nurse +was handling the child." + +"We'll find the youngster for you," promised Danny Grin lightly. + +"And is Mr. Hibbert a detective, too?" asked Tom Reade. + +"No," replied Colquitt, with great promptness, while Mr. Hibbert, +grinning sheepishly, added: + +"I haven't brains enough for that, I guess. But, Master Holmes, +please tell me, to satisfy my last doubt. Have you any such marks +as Mr. Colquitt has described?" + +"I never noticed such marks on myself," Greg replied. + +"He hasn't them," Dave interjected, "or the rest of us would have +noticed the marks when we've been in swimming." + +"Then your last idea that Gregory Holmes is the missing young +man must vanish now, my dear Mr. Hibbert," smiled Mr. Colquitt. + +"I'm vanquished," confessed Alonzo Hibbert, with a sigh. "I'm +no good at anything. I wouldn't even make a detective." + +"I must leave you now," suggested Mr. Colquitt, rising. "I must +wire to---er---to my client. Poor man, he will be greatly disappointed." + +As the detective rose and passed outside Hazelton leaned over +to murmur to young Holmes: + +"Don't you wish it had turned out that you were the million-dollar +kid?" + +"Not if I had to give up my father and mother," Greg replied, +with great promptness. + +"I seem to be a fool at everything," sighed Alonzo Hibbert in +disgust. + +"No; I would say, sir," suggested Tom Reade, "that you made the +mistake of proceeding on one sign, instead of looking for all three." + +"Have another ice!" urged Mr. Hibbert, brightening at once. "You +have set me straight. I wasn't a fool, after all---merely too +swift" + +But the boys shook their heads as they murmured their thanks. + +So they were about to rise when a voice called cheerily behind +them: + +"Stay where you are, fellows. We'll have an ice cream all around." + +"Dick!" cried five eager voices at once, as Prescott came smilingly +to join them. Then their eyes all framed the same question, which +their lips refused to utter. + +"Did you sell the canoe?" + +As Dick glanced inquiringly at young Mr. Hibbert, Dave Darrin +presented him. Dick also learned that Hibbert had been a willing +host to five of the chums. + +"Now, you'll turn about and eat an ice cream with us, won't you, +Mr. Hibbert?" urged young Prescott. + +This the young man consented to do, though, as soon as the dainty +had been disposed of, he begged to be excused that he might go +and have further talk with Tom Colquitt. + +"You sold the canoe, I think, Dick?" said Tom, as soon as their +late host had left them. + +"Yes," beamed their leader. + +"You might tell us what you got for it," urged Danny Grin. + +"Guess," hinted Dick. + +"Fifty," said Dave promptly. + +"He said he wouldn't take less than ninety," retorted Hazelton. + +"Ninety dollars," guessed Tom. + +"Fellows," laughed Dick, "at one time on the train I was so +downhearted and glum over the chances of a trade that I believe I +would have jumped at fifty dollars. Then I remembered my promise +not to take less than ninety dollars. With that I soared to a +hundred dollars, then down, by degrees, to seventy. But my promise +pulled me back to ninety." + +"It wasn't exactly a promise," Dave broke in. "Anyway, Dick, +it wasn't the kind of promise that had to be kept." + +"Half the time I felt that the promise had to be kept, and the +other half of the time I felt that it might better be broken," +Prescott went on, laughingly. "Just as I reached Porthampton, +however, and saw all the fine summer homes there, my figures began +to rise. I realized, of course, that a birch bark canoe is a +good deal of a rarity in these days; that such a boat hasn't anything +like a hard-and-fast, staple value. A birch bark canoe, in other +words, is worth what it will bring." + +"And no more," nodded Dave Darrin. "So you were wise to take +the fifty dollars." + +"Who said that I took fifty dollars for the canoe?" Dick smiled +back. + +"What did you get?" insisted Harry Hazelton, his impatience increasing +with every minute. + +"Do you really want to know what I got?" teased Dick. + +"Of course I do," snorted Harry. "We all do!" + +"Then I'll tell you," nodded Dick. Instead, however, he began +feeling in his pockets. + +"Tell us, then!" ordered Hazelton gruffly. + +"I got a check," smiled Dick. + +"For how much?" pressed Hazelton. + +"Well, let me explain," said Dick, still laughing. "You see, +I didn't have to do any describing or praising of the canoe, for +Mr. Eades, who bought the canoe for his crowd, was here three +days ago, as you know, and looked the canoe over, in water and +out. It was just a question of settling the price of the canoe. +So, when I reached Mr. Eades, we started in to bargain. He asked +me how much I wanted for the canoe. I guess, fellows, my nerve +must have gone to my head, for I told him two hundred dollars." + +"You didn't get it?" gasped Hazelton. + +"I didn't," Dick answered soberly. + +"How much-----" + +"Mr. Eades told me he represented himself and associates, who +wanted the canoe to put on the little lake down at their country +club. I told him it seemed to me that a canoe like ours was an +expensive sort of thing to put in a pond. Then he offered me +seventy-five dollars." + +"That's a good, round sum, and will help us out a lot this summer," +nodded Dave Darrin. "I'm glad you accepted it." + +"I didn't," smiled Dick. "Mr. Eades finally offered eighty, and +I told him I regretted that we hadn't done the trading at the +time that he came over to Gridley to see the canoe. Mr. Eades +replied that at the time he came here he wasn't authorized to +speak for his friends, but merely to look at the canoe and report. +After that he made one or two more small increases in his price, +but I seemed to have lost interest in the subject of a trade +and looked at my time table to see when the next train left for +Gridley. Then we talked about other matters, and, fellows, I +was pretty glum, though I didn't allow the fact to show. Finally, +he offered me more money, and then a little more. At last I came +down on my price, and made him my final offer. Mr. Eades didn't +seem to like it, and then, all of a sudden, he took out his check +book and wrote a check for me." + +"Close to a hundred dollars?" asked Dave, with deep interest. + +For answer Dick threw the check on the table. There was a wild +scramble for it. + +"A hundred and fifty dollars!" gasped Tom Reade. + +"Let me see that check!" demanded Greg Holmes unbelievingly. + +The check went from hand to hand, each of the fellows looking +at it half bewildered. Yet certainly the check said one hundred +and fifty dollars. + +"See here, Dick," asked Tom anxiously, "are you sure---positive, +that is---that it was honest to charge a hundred and fifty for +that canoe of ours?" + +"You may be sure that I thought of that," Prescott answered. +"I don't want to defraud any man. But birch bark suitable for +canoes is getting to be a thing of the past in this country. +Our friend, Hiram Driggs, the boat builder, told me that a birch +bark canoe, nowadays, is simply worth all one can get for it. +But, after Mr. Eades had written the check and handed it to me, +he said: 'Now, the trade is made and closed, Prescott, what do +you really consider the canoe worth?' I answered him a good deal +as I've answered you, and offered to return the check if Mr. Eades +wasn't satisfied. Fellows, for just a moment or two my heart +was in my mouth for fear he'd take me up and ask for the return +of his check. But Mr. Eades merely smiled, and said he was satisfied +if I was." + +"I'll bet he'd have gone to a two hundred dollar price," declared +Hazelton. "Dick, weren't you sorry, afterwards, that you didn't +hold out flat for two hundred dollars?" + +"Not I," young Prescott answered promptly. "If I had been too +greedy I'd have deserved to lose altogether, and very likely I +would have lost. Fellows, I think we can be well satisfied with +the price we've obtained." + +"I am!" declared Dave Darrin promptly. "We've realized a hundred +dollars above my wildest dream." + +Incidentally it may be mentioned that Mr. Eades found, from his +friends, that he had a prize, indeed, in the fine old war canoe. +The grounds committee of another country club offered two hundred +and fifty for that same canoe a month later. + +"Now, fellows," Dick went on, "suppose we leave here and decide +how we're to lay out this money for our summer camp?" + +The vote was carried instantly. With a whoop of glee the chums +started for Dave's house. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +THE HUMAN MYSTERY OF THE WOODS + + +"Now, get to work!" shouted Dick Prescott. "Destruction to all +shirkers!" + +"Please may I beg off for five minutes?" begged Danny Grin, raising +one hand. + +"Why?" queried Prescott sharply. + +"I want to take that much time to convince myself that it's all +true," replied Danny. + +"You'll know that it's all true when you wake up to-morrow morning," +laughed Dick. "But it won't look half as real if any fellow shirks +any part of his work now. All ready, fellows?" + +"Ready!" came the chorus. + +"Tom Reade will make the best foreman, won't he?" appealed Prescott. +"Tom has a knack for just such jobs as this, and it's going to +be a tough one." + +The boys stood in the middle of a half acre clearing in the deep +woods, five miles past the town of Porter. Here the woods extended +for miles in every direction. As these young campers glanced +about them it seemed as though they possessed a wealth of camping +material---far more than they had ever dreamed of owning. + +The tent, twelve feet by twenty, and eleven feet high at the ridgepole, +with six-foot walls, was their greatest single treasure. It had +cost thirty-five dollars, and had been bought from the nearest +large city. + +"We'll get the tent up first," called Reade. + +"Of course," smiled Dave. "That's all you're boss of anyway, +Tom." + +"Come on, then, and spread the canvas out," Tom ordered. "Bring +it over this way. We want it under the trees at the edge of the +clearing. Dan, you bring the longest poles." + +Under Tom's further direction the canvas was spread just where +he wanted it. Then the ridge-pole was secured in place across +the tops of the highest two standing poles. + +"Run it in under the canvas," Tom directed. "We'll get the metal +tips of the poles through the proper roof holes in the canvas. +There, that's right. Dick, you and Greg stand by that long pole; +Dave, you and Dan by the other. Now, then---raise her!" + +Up off the ground went the two uprights and the ridge-pole, the +canvas hanging shapelessly from the ridge-pole. + +"Bring that wooden sledge over here, Harry," was Foreman Reade's +next order. "Now, drive in this stake while I hold it. Remember +to hit the stake, not my hands." + +The stake being soon driven into place Reade slipped the loop +of a guy-rope around it, partly tightening the rope. Then he +slipped to the next corner, where the process was repeated. + +"Hurrah!" burst from Danny Grin, as the fourth corner stake was +driven, and now the tent began to take shape. + +"You fellows holding the poles may let go of them now," called +Tom. "Come and help with the other stakes and guy-ropes." + +As soon as the ropes along a given side of the tent had been made +fast the side wall poles were stepped into place. At last the +task of tent-raising was completed, save for the final tightening +of all the ropes. Now Dick and Dave, under their foreman's orders, +began to drive the shorter stakes that held the bottoms of the +tent walls in place. + +"Hurrah!" went up from several throats, as the boys stood back +to take in the full dimensions of their big, new tent. + +"My but she's a whopper!" exclaimed Danny Grin, pushing back the +door flaps and peering inside. + +"We won't find the tent any too large for a crowd of our size," +Dick declared. "You all remember how crowded we were in the tent +that we used last summer. You'll find we can fill this tent up +when we get it furnished." + +"Dick," called Tom, "take all of my gang except Harry. He and +I will lay the floor." + +Reade and Hazelton thereupon began to carry in two-by-four timbers +and lay them where they wanted them on the ground inside the tent. +Next they nailed boards across. They had bought all of this +timber in Gridley secondhand at a bargain. + +"Dave, you and Dan can start the furnace, while Greg and I unpack +supplies," suggested Prescott. + +Thereupon Darrin and Danny Grin started in to move a small pile +of bricks. Next a tub of mixed mortar was carried to the level +spot decided upon as the place whereon to erect the "furnace." + +It was not much of a stove that Dave and Dan built, yet it was +fitted and destined for the preparing of many a meal in record +time. First of all, Dave marked off the space to be used. Four +parallel lines of bricks, each line five bricks long, were laid +on the ground. Dave, with a two-foot rule, measured a distance +of sixteen inches between each row. Then began some amateur +brick-laying. It was not perfectly done, by any means, yet these +four parallel walls of brick that were presently up afforded three +"stoves" lying side by side. As soon as the mortar was reasonably +dried---and fire would help---grates and pieces of sheet iron could +be laid across the tops of the walls over the three fires. It was +one of the simplest and most effective cooking devices that such a +camp could have. There was even a gas-stove oven, an old one, +furnished by Dick's mother. + +"It makes me hungry to look at the stove," declared Danny Grin. + +"It's four o'clock now, so you'll have two hours more to wait," +smiled Dick, as he glanced at his watch. + +Out of packing cases and some odds and ends of lumber Dick and +Greg had constructed some very fair cupboards, with doors. + +"Oh, if we only had ice for use in this hot weather!" sighed Greg. + +"But we haven't," returned Dick, "so what's the use of thinking +of it." + +In the tent Tom and Harry were putting in some of the last taps +of the hammer. They had made a very creditable job of the flooring. +It was now five o'clock. Dick & Co. had worked so briskly that +they were now somewhat tired. + +It had been an exciting day. They had left Gridley in the forenoon, +journeying for an hour and a half on the train. Arriving at Porter +the boys had eaten luncheons brought along with them. Then they +had hunted up a farmer, had bargained with him to haul their stuff +and then had tramped out to their camping place. + +But the camp looked as though bound to prove a success. It was +their camp, anyway, and they were happy. + +"I'm glad enough of one thing," murmured Dick as he rested, mopping +his brow. + +"I'm glad of several things I can think of," rejoined Darry. + +"The thing I refer to," chuckled Prescott, "is Fred Ripley." + +"It never occurred to me to feel glad about Ripley," muttered +Tom dryly. + +"I mean, I'm glad that he has gone to Canada with his father this +summer," Dick continued. "We shan't have a lot of things happening +all the time, as we did last summer. Rip was a hoodoo to us last +summer. This year we know that he's too far away to be troublesome." + +"It will seem a bit strange, at first," assented Reade, "to return +to our camp and not discover that, while we were away, Rip had +been along and slashed the tent to ribbons, or committed some +other atrocious act." + +"Let's not crow until we're out of the woods," suggested Darrin. +"Rip might come back from Canada, you know." + +"He's sure to, if the Canadians find out the kind of a chap that +he is," Danny Grin declared solemnly. + +"Come here, you fellows," summoned Dick, "and hold a council of +war over the supplies, to decide what we'll have for supper." + +"I thought the steak was to be the main item," Tom rejoined. +"With no ice it won't keep until morning." + +"What do you want to eat with the steak?" asked Dick briskly. + +The council---of six---quickly decided on the items of the meal. +Harry, catching up two buckets, started to the nearest spring +for water. Dave, with the coffee-mill between his knees, started +to grind. Dick, with an old knife, began to cut the steak up +into suitably sized pieces. Greg started a fire in one of the +stove spaces, + +Dan bringing more firewood. A task was at hand for each of them. + +When the first fire was ready an old grate was placed over it. +On this the pieces of steak were arranged. Dave was boiling +coffee on another grate over the second fire. + +"Wood is mighty scarce around here," complained Harry. + +Dick glanced about him. No one was immediately busy. + +"All scatter!" called Prescott. "Go in different directions. +Each fellow bring back an armful of dry wood. Hustle!" + +Dick himself was the first to return, about three minutes later. +He came in fast, for he expected that the steak would be ready +to remove from the grate. + +Long before he reached the stoves, however, Dick dropped his wood +and his lower jaw simultaneously. + +"Hurry up, fellows!" he called hoarsely. "Hurry and see what +has happened!" + +That note of real distress in his voice caused the others to come +running. + +"Well, if you haven't an appetite!" gasped Tom. "To go and eat +all the steak yourself!" + +"I didn't eat any of it," Dick retorted grimly. "From the looks +of things none of the rest of us will eat any of it, either." + +"A dog got it, or some wild animal!" guessed Greg. + +"No one animal could carry off four pieces of steak in his mouth +at a time," Prescott answered, thinking fast. "And the tin plate +I left here has gone with the meat. Animals don't lug off tin +plates." + +"Dick and I will stay behind to watch and take account of stock," +Tom called. "The rest of you scatter through the woods and try +to come up with the thief. If any fellow comes upon him, give +a whoop, and the rest of us will hurry along." + +The four scouts went off on the run. + +"Anything else missing?" asked Reade, as Dick looked among the +supplies. + +"Yes," Prescott raged; "one of the bottles of Worcestshire sauce +and two of the tins of corn. Oh, it's a two-legged thief that +has spoiled our supper!" + +"Perhaps you were too sure about Rip being off in Canada," grinned +Reade. + +"Fred Ripley would hardly steal food," Prescott retorted. "Rip +is seldom really hungry. Tom, I'd give a dollar to know just +who was hanging around this camp." + +"I'd give two dollars to know," snapped Reade, "but I'd take the +money from the camp treasury." + +"Queer that the fellow didn't take the potatoes, too," mused Dick, +turning back to the stove. + +"The potatoes weren't done," suggested Reade wisely, "and probably +our visitor didn't think it wise to wait until they were. The +hulled corn will serve his purpose very well, though." + +"It was a mean trick to play on us," quivered Dick. + +"Of course it was---unless the thief were really very hungry," +answered Tom. + +"In that case, I don't believe I'd blame the fellow so much," +Dick admitted. "But now, what are we going to have for supper?" + +"I've an inspiration," Tom declared, as he thrust a fork into +some of the potatoes in the pot. "These potatoes will be done +in two or three minutes more. Open three tins of the corned beef." + +"Tinned corned beef isn't so much of an inspiration, as inspirations +go," laughed Dick. + +"Open the three tins," Tom insisted. "Here are the onions. I'll +peel a few---and do the weeping for the whole camp." + +Tom was busy at once. Dick, after watching his friend start, +caught something of the spirit of quick work. + +"Dump the meat into this chopping bowl," Tom continued, as he +hastily dropped peeled onion after onion into the wooden bowl. +"Now, get the potatoes off the fire, and we'll drain and peel +'em." + +This work was quickly under way. + +"Do you see what the poem is to be?" grinned Reade. + +"Looks like corned beef hash," smiled Dick. + +"It will taste like it, too," predicted Reade. "Come on, now!" + +Potatoes were quickly made ready. Tom began to chop the mixture, +while Prescott got out one of the frying pans. + +"Get out the lard," urged Tom. "Let's have some of this stuff +cooking by the time that the fellows come in. It will console +them a bit." + +"It begins to smell good," murmured Dick presently, as he stirred +the cooking mixture. + +Tom busied himself with setting the table. + +"All ready, when the fellows come in," announced Dick, as he removed +the coffee pot and began to cut bread. "Better call 'em." + +Placing his hands over his mouth, megaphone shape, Tom sent several +loud halloos echoing through the woods. + +Dan was the first one in. Greg arrived next, Harry third. + +"Where can Dave be?" asked Tom, after several more halloos. + +"We'll go and find him, if he doesn't show up," suggested Harry. +"But first of all, let's stow some of this supper inside of us." + +"We'll wait for Dave before we eat," Dick retorted quickly. + +"Hello, Dave, hello!" roared Reade and Prescott in concert "Supper +is ready! Hurry up." + +"Queer there's no answer," said Greg, after a minute's wait. + +"Something must have happened to Dave," suggested Danny Grin anxiously. + +"What could happen to him?" demanded Hazelton scornfully. "Darry +can take care of himself. He'll be in presently." + +"Let's call him again!" urged Dan. + +They called in concert, their voices echoing through the woods. + +"Did you hear that?" asked Dick eagerly, after a pause of listening. +"There it goes again." + +"It's Dave, answering us," Harry declared. + +The hail sounded distant. + +"Come on!" cried Dick, leaping forward. "That yell was one of +trouble, or I'm a bad guesser. Dan, you and Hazelton stand by +the camp. Tom and Greg come along. If Dave is in trouble he'll +be sure to need some of us!" + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +DAVE DARRIN IS ANGRY + + +"Keep on calling, Dave!" shouted Dick, as they ran toward the +sound of the voice. + +"This way!" answered Darry, his voice sounding louder as they +neared him. + +"What's up?" Tom asked as they ran. + +Dave's voice sounded in wrathful explosion. + +"Eh?" Tom pressed him. + +"Wait until you get here, and you'll see," retorted Dave. + +"You're not hurt?" Dick shouted. + +"No; but my feelings are!" vented Darrin indignantly. + +Another minute and the trio headed by Dick, reached the spot. + +By this time darkness was coming on through the woods. Prescott, +who was in the lead, at first received the impression that Dave +was standing beside a tree. And so Dave was, though the reason +for his standing there was yet to be explained. + +A moment more and Tom and Dick had reached the spot where the +wrathful Darrin was standing. + +"Well, of all the-----" began Tom wonderingly. + +"Outrages!" finished Darry angrily. + +Prescott laughed outright. + +"I suppose I must be a comical-looking object," admitted Dave +Darrin ruefully. "But just wait until I lay my hands on the rascal +who played this trick on me! Oh, I'll make him ache for his +smartness." + +Though Darrin had an unusually quick temper, he generally had +it under excellent control. Now, however, he was so indignant +that he fairly sputtered, and the humorous side of the situation +did not appeal to him. + +What Dick saw was that Dave stood with his back to the trunk of +the tree. Around Darry's neck a noose was fast. Back of the +prisoner the rope had been wrapped once around the trunk of the +tree. Next, several folds of rope had been passed both around +Darrin and the tree trunk in such fashion that the boy's arms +were pinioned fast to his sides. In addition, a single turn of +rope had been taken around each arm. Finally, the rope had been +knotted several times at the opposite side of the tree from that +on which Darrin stood. + +"You must have stood pretty patiently for anyone to be able to +tie you up in that artistic fashion!" blurted Tom Reade. + +"Patient? Patient nothing!" growled Darry between his teeth. +"I was so angry all the time that I couldn't keep from sputtering, +but that rascal had me fast, and kept making me more secure." + +"How old a man was he?" asked Dick. + +"I don't know whether he was a man or a boy." + +"Is your eyesight failing, Dave?" asked Tom. + +"I haven't eyes in the back of my head," snapped Darry. "Say, +aren't you fellows going to hurry up and free me?" + +"Can't you free yourself?" suggested Reade. + +"If I could have done that I'd now be ranging these woods in search +of the perpetrator of this outrage," Darry declared. "Hurry up +and untie me!" + +"We will, but please be patient for a moment or two longer," begged +young Prescott. "This is such a cleverly artistic job that I +want to study out just how it was done. How did the fellow attack +you?" + +"From behind," muttered Darry. + +"But how?" + +"Wait, and I'll tell you," Dave went on, forcing himself to talk +a trifle more calmly. "When I'm free I'll show you the spot over +there, in the thicket between the two clumps of bushes. Well, +I had gotten this far when I saw the missing steaks. They rested +on a tin pan on the ground in the thicket. It looked as though +the thief of our supper had gone away to get water or something. +I had just stepped, on tiptoe, of course, past this tree when +I heard a soft step behind me. Before I could turn, the noose +was dropped over my head, and then down on my neck. It was jerked +tight, like a flash, and I was pulled against this tree. The +fellow took some kind of hitch around the trunk of the tree to +hold me-----" + +"Yes; I see the hitch," assented Dick. "It was well done." + +"So well done that it held me, for a moment," Dave went on. "The +noose choked me, for a brief space, so that I didn't have much +presence of mind. Before I recovered myself, the fellow had passed +the rope several times around my body and arms, and had taken +the extra loops on my arms. By that time I was so helpless that +I couldn't stir to free myself." + +"And you didn't see the fellow?" asked Dick. + +"Not a glimpse of him. He worked from behind, and did his trick +like lightning." + +"But there are no steaks, nor any plate, on the ground in the +thicket now," Reade reported, after looking. + +"No," Darry grunted. "The fellow who tried me up like this passed +over my eyes a dirty cloth that perhaps he would call a handkerchief. +Then I heard him over by the thicket. Next he was back here +and had whisked that cloth away from my eyes. That was the last +I heard of him." + +"Why didn't you set up a roar as soon as he attacked you?" demanded +Tom Reade. + +"The noose bound my throat so tightly, I couldn't," Darry explained. +"I was seeing stars, and I was dizzy. After he had taken a few +hitches of the rope around me he eased up on the noose a bit." + +"Did you 'holler' then?" questioned Dick. + +"No," Dave Darrin admitted honestly. "I used up all my breath +telling that unknown, unseen fellow just what I thought of him." + +"If you want to know what I think of the fellow," uttered young +Prescott, "it seems to me that the unknown chap is clever and +bright enough to be capable of better things than stealing supper +from other people. This tie-up is about the most ingenious thing +I've seen in a long time." + +"Maybe I'd appreciate it more," retorted Darry, "if I could see +it as you do, on another fellow. Are you going to hurry up and +cut away this rope?" + +"Not if you are able to wait calmly while I untie it," Dick answered. +"It's surely a good piece of rope. It will go part way toward +paying for the steaks." + +With that Prescott began to untie the knots. When his fingers +ached from this from of exercise, Greg took his place. Meanwhile, +Tom Reade explored the thicket where Dave had seen the plate of +steaks. There was no sign of the food taken from the camp. This +Tom made out by the aid of lighted matches, as the long shadows +were now falling in the woods. + +"I'm glad, now, that you didn't cut the rope," said Dave, as at +last he stepped free. "We'll save his rope, for I hope to find +that fellow again." + +"What will you do to him if you catch him?" grinned Reade. + +"Maybe I'll need the rope to lynch him with," uttered Darry grimly. + +Tom threw back his head, laughing heartily. + +"Our dear, savage, blood-thirsty old Darry!" Reade laughed. "You +talk as vindictively as a pirate, but if you found your enemy +hurt you'd drop everything else and nurse him back into condition. +Darry, you know you would!" + +"Let's get back to camp," urged Greg. "Supper is ready, but no +one has had any yet. My stomach feels like an empty balloon." + +"All right, then," agreed Darrin gruffly, "though I'd sooner catch +that fellow than eat." + +"That word, 'eat,' sounds like a poem!" sighed Greg, tightening +his belt as the quartette turned campward. + +"So you didn't get a single glimpse of your---your annoyer?" asked +Prescott. + +"Not what you could call a glimpse," Darrin responded. "Two or +three times I caught sight of the fellow's shirt sleeves as he +passed the rope around me. His shirt sleeves were of a light +tan color, so I suppose that is the color of his entire shirt. +That, however, is the sole clue I have to the scoundrel's description." + +"I'd like to meet the fellow," mused Dick. + +"Maybe you'll have that pleasure," hinted Darry with the nearest +approach to a smile he had yet shown. + +"You mean you'd like to see me tied up in the same fashion, and +then discover whether I could keep my temper under such circumstances?" +laughed young Prescott. + +"Never mind what I mean," Dave retorted. + +They were soon in camp, now, after calling to Dan and Harry two +or three times in order to locate their way. At last, however, +they came in sight of the glowing embers of fire and the rays of +the two lanterns that Dan had lighted and hung up. + +"I smell something that smells mighty good," sniffed Dave. "Did +any of you fellows recover the steaks? Have you been keeping +something back from me?" + +"I don't believe you'll find the steaks in camp," Dick retorted, +"but you'll find something that will taste fully as good." + +With that the quartette charged into camp. Everything was ready +for the table by the time each fellow had washed his hands and +face in the one tin basin that served the camp. + +"Put one of those lanterns on the table, Dan," called Dick, as +he finished drying himself on a towel. "Another night, if we +eat after dark, we'll try to have a campfire that'll light the +place up like an electric light." + +"Another night, unless some of our neighbors move," predicted +Darry, "we won't have food enough left to make it worth while +to try to have supper!" + +The boys sat down in great good humor, even Dave softening when +he saw the bountiful supper that had been prepared. Not one +of them felt nervous about the possible nearness of the late prowler. +The boys were six to one, whoever the prowler might be. Besides, +this mysterious stranger seemed to prefer humor to violence. + +Yet, all the time they were eating and chattering---and Dick did +his full share of both that young man, Prescott, was also busily +thinking up plans by means of which he hoped to be able to gain +a closer view of the recent prowler. + +Of these plans he said no word to his chums, for there was more +than a chance that the human mystery of the woods was even then +within earshot, off under the shadows among the trees. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +DICK GRAPPLES IN THE DARK + + +At last the meal was finished, this time without the help of the +prowler. Dave and Dan washed the dishes, while Tom and Harry +carried water enough to fill the hogshead that had been brought +along as part of their camp equipment. + +At the same time, Dick and Greg unstrapped and set up the six +light-weight folding canvas cots, standing them in a row in the +tent. Next they arranged the bedding that had been loaned by +mothers at home, and made up the six beds. Enough fuel to start +a fire in the morning was also brought in. + +"And now, what did we come out here in the woods for?" inquired +Dick smilingly. + +"To get our fill of sleep," yawned Tom. + +"To eat," suggested Hazelton hopefully. + +"To fish," added Dave Darrin promptly. + +"Just to lie down and take things easy," declared Danny Grin. + +"As for me," piped up Greg Holmes, "I'm not going to bother my +head, to-night, as to why we came here. I'm going to get a ten +hour nap, and in the morning I'll try to solve the riddle for +you, Dick, of why we came here." + +A tired lot of boys, not really ready, as yet, to admit that they +were used up, lay down on their cots without undressing. They +intended, later, to get into their pajamas. + +A single lantern, its wick turned low, hung from one of the posts. +Prescott did not trust himself to lie down, for his eyes, despite +his efforts to keep awake, were heavy, and he did not want to +sleep for some time yet. + +Within ten minutes Darrin alone had his eyes open, and even he +was making a valiant struggle against sleep. At last, however, +he yielded, and soon settled into sound slumber. + +"They're off in another world," smiled Dick, as he listened to +the deep breathing of his chums; then he slipped away from his +cot. + +From under a box in one corner of the tent he took out a large +cup of coffee that he had hidden some time earlier. It was still +warm and he drank it with relish, though his main purpose in using +the beverage was to make sure of keeping himself awake. + +His next move was to extinguish the lantern. Now he made his +way to the bucket of water and basin. Dashing the cold water +into his face, and wetting his eyes well with it, Prescott took +a few deep breaths. He now felt equal to keeping awake for some +time. + +Outside, by this time, all was darkness, save where a few embers +of the recent camp fire glowed dully. + +Dick threw himself down, resting his head on his elbows, in the +doorway of the tent. + +"Now, don't you dare go to sleep!" he ordered himself, repeating +the command frequently as a means of aiding himself to keep his +eyelids from closing. + +"You keep awake!" he half snorted, as he felt drowsiness getting +nearer. He pinched himself, inflicting more than a little pain. + +At last, however, the young leader of Dick & Co. found that his +drowsiness had passed for the time being, like the sentinel in +war time. + +"Now, I think I can keep awake until daylight, if I have to," +muttered young Prescott to himself. "At daylight it won't be +so very mean to wake one of the other fellows and let him take +my place." + +Yet, after an hour had passed, Dick was almost doomed to discover +that nature had some rights and knew how to assert them. + +His eyes had just closed when he awoke with a start. + +Someone was treading lightly past the wall of the tent, coming +toward the door. Dick had barely time to glide back behind the +flap of the tent when the unknown someone stopped at the doorway. + +It was too dark to make out anything distinctly under the canvas, +but the stranger listened to the combined snorings of five of +the six boys, then chuckled softly. + +"Oh! Funny, is it, to think that we're all asleep, and that you +may help yourself at will to the food that cost us so much money!" +thought Dick wrathfully. The stranger hearing no sound from the +apparently sleeping camp soon passed on in the direction of the +fire. + +Here much of the provisions had been stacked in the packing case +cupboards, for the reason that to store food in the tent would +seriously curtail the space that the boys wanted for comfort. + +Out of the tent crept Dick, crouching. His heart was beating +a trifle faster than usual, perhaps, for he saw at once that the +prowler was larger than himself. + +Before one of the box cupboards the prowler halted and rummaged +inside with his hands. + +"I guess this is where I need a light," mused the stranger, half +aloud. + +"Pardon me, but what do you want with a light?" inquired Prescott, +at the same time pushing the stranger forward on his face. Dick +now seated himself on the other's shoulders. + +"Don't make a fuss," Prescott advised. "I like to think myself +a gentleman, and I don't want to muss you up too much." + +The stranger laughed. It was an easy, confident laugh that destroyed +a bit of the Gridley boy's sense of mastery. + +"What are you doing, up at this time of night?" asked the stranger. + +"Minding my own business, in my own camp," Dick replied easily. +"And what are you doing here? Whose business are you minding?" + +"My own, too, I reckon," replied the prowler more gruffly. + +"In other words, attending to your hunger?" pressed Prescott. + +"I'm looking out that I don't have too much hunger to-morrow," +came the now half sullen answer. + +"Is this the way you usually get your food?" Dick demanded dryly. + +"This is the way I get most of it," came the reply. + +"Stealing it, eh?" + +"Well, what of it?" came the sulky retort. "The world owes me +a living." + +"To be sure it does," Dick answered blithely. "The world owes +every man a living. That's just why you don't need to steal. +Just sail in and collect that living by means of hard work. +Are you the chap who collected our steaks this evening?" + +"None of your business. And, now, if you've given me as much +chatter as you want, get off my shoulders!" + +"I've a little more to say to you yet," Dick responded. + +"Get off my shoulders!" + +"I will---when I'm through with you," Dick agreed. + +"You'll get off at once, or I'll roll you off!" came the now angry +threat. + +"Try it," Dick urged coolly. + +Right then and there the stranger did try it. He "heaved," then +attempted to roll and grapple with the young camper. He would +have succeeded, too, had Prescott relied upon his strength alone. +But Dick employed both hands in getting a neck-hold that hurt. + +"Now, quit your fooling," Prescott advised, "or I'll let out a +whoop that will bring five more fellows here. Do you know what +they would do to you? They'd just about lynch you---schoolboy +fashion. Do you know what a schoolboy lynching is?" + +"No," sullenly answered the stranger, as he started to renew the +struggle. + +"You will know, soon, if you don't stop your stupid fooling," +Dick told him. + +"Hang you, kid. Get off of me, and keep your hands away, or I'll +hurt you more than you were ever hurt in your life, and I'll get +away with it, too, before your friends come!" + +So lively did the struggle become that Dick was obliged to use +his clenched fist against the side of the prowler's jaw. That +quieted the stranger for an instant. + +Leaping lightly from his troublesome captive, Dick snatched up +a heavy club of firewood that lay nearby. + +"That's right," Dick agreed, swinging the club, as the other rose +to a sitting posture. "Sit up, but don't try to get up any farther +unless you want to feel this stake, which is tougher than those +other steaks!" + +Prescott kept nimbly out of reach of the other's arms, though +he took pains to keep himself where he could jump in with a handy +blow at need. + +"Now," remarked the high school boy, "you are getting an idea +as to who's boss." + +"Well, what do you want?" asked the other sullenly. He had already +drawn down a tattered, battered old cap so that it screened his +face. + +"I want to get a better look at you," Prescott replied. "I want +to be able to know you anywhere. Tan colored woollen shirt; brown +corduroy trousers; low-cut black shoes; cap defies description. +Now, let me see your face." + +With that Dick bent quickly, picking up an oil-soaked bunch of +faggots that he had prepared before the others had turned in for +the night and dropped them upon the campfire. + +Like a flash he was back, close to the stranger. "Don't you dare +try to get up!" Dick threatened, swinging the club. + +"Hit me, if you dare!" leered the other. "I'm going to get upright +now!" + +With that he made a lurching move forward. Prescott swung the +club, though of course he did not intend to beat the stranger +about the head. + +His indecision left him off his guard. The stranger closed in +on the club, wrenching it from Prescott's hand and tossing it +far away. But Dick dropped, wrapping his arms about the other's +legs and throwing him. + +Just as the two went down in a crash the fire, which had been +smoking, now blazed up. + +"I'll show you!" roared the stranger, now thoroughly aroused, +as he grappled with Prescott and the pair rolled in fierce embrace +over the ground. + +Dick was not afraid, but he didn't want this night hawk to get +away, so he bellowed lustily: + +"Fellows! Gridley! Gr-r-r-id-ley! Quick!" + +"Stop that!" hissed the stranger, who was now easily uppermost, +and holding Prescott with ease. + +"Quick!" yelled Dick. + +The stranger grasped the high school boy by the throat, then as +swiftly changed his mind, for someone was stirring in the tent. +Up leaped the prowler, yet, swift as he was, Dick was also on +his feet. + +"Keep back!" warned the prowler, as he turned to run. + +"You're mine---all mine!" vaunted young Prescott, making a gallant +leap at the unknown foe. + +But that brag was uttered just a few seconds too soon. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +DANGER COMES ON THE HOOF + + +Smack! + +Against Dick's face came the palm of the larger youth's right +hand. It was the old, familiar trick of "pushing in his face." +So quickly did that manoeuvre come that Dick, caught off his +balance, was shoved backward until he tripped and fell. + +Then the stranger vanished with the speed of one accustomed to +flight through the woods. + +His eyes full of sand from the fall, Dick struggled to his feet, +rubbing his eyelids, just as Dave Darrin came running up. + +"What was it?" demanded Dave. + +"Come on! We ought to catch him yet!" cried young Prescott, turning +and running into the woods. But Dick's eyes were not quite as +keen as they had been, and Darry, once he had the general direction, +outstripped his chum in the race. + +Once away from the blazing fire of oil-soaked wood, however, the +boys found themselves at a disadvantage in the woods. At last +Darry stopped, listening. Then, hearing sounds, he wheeled, dashing +at a figure. + +"Get out with you, Darry!" laughed Prescott good-humoredly. + +"I thought you were-----" + +"The other fellow! Yes; I know," laughed Dick. + +"Where is he? Listen!" + +But only the night sounds of the woods answered them. + +"We'd better put for camp," whispered Dick, "or that fellow will +slip around us and pillage the supplies before we get there." + +Dave started back at a dog trot, Dick following at a more leisurely +gait. Both were soon by the campfire again. + +"Was it the same fellow?" demanded Darry, in a low voice. + +"It must have been," Dick nodded, "though you didn't see him at +all when you encountered him, and I didn't get a view of his face. +But he had on a tan colored shirt. He also had on brown corduroy +trousers and low-cut black shoes. He kept his torn cap pulled +down over his eyes so that I couldn't get a look at his face that +would enable me to know it again if I saw it." + +"Hang the fellow!" growled Darry. "Does he take us for a human +meal ticket with six coupons?" + +"He must be hungry," rejoined Dick, "when he could get away with +all that steak and then come back, within a few hours, for more +of our food." + +"How did you come to catch him?" Dave asked curiously. + +Prescott explained how he had managed to remain awake and on guard, +against a possible second visit from the young prowler. + +"So we've got to stay up the rest of the night, and mount guard +every night, have we?" grunted Darry disgustedly. "Fine!" + +"We'll either have to watch, or part with our food," Dick assented. + +"We ought to have brought Harry Hazelton's bull-dog. That would +have spared us guard duty." + +"I'm glad we didn't bring the pup," Dick rejoined. "That pup +is growing older, and crosser. He'd bite a pound or two out of +some prowler's leg, and we don't want that to happen." + +"Why not?" demanded Dave grimly, opening his eyes very wide. + +Dick laughed softly by way of answer. + +"I'd just as soon have a tramp chewed up as have our food supplies +vanish," Darry maintained. + +"Little David, your temper has the upper hand of you at this moment," +laughed Prescott. + +"When that temper is on top you're dangerous---almost bloodthirsty. +When your temper is in check you're as kind and gentle as any +good-natured fellow. You wouldn't really want to see any human +being mangled by a bull-pup's teeth." + +"Well, maybe not mangled," Darry agreed. "But I don't believe +Harry's pup would do any more than take hold---and keep hold." + +"We won't have the pup, anyway," Dick replied, in a low voice. + +"Why not?" Dave again demanded. + +"Because, as you know well enough, Harry's father was afraid the +pup would only get us into trouble by chewing up someone, and +so declined to let us bring the dog." + +"That was a shame," Dave insisted. + +"I don't think so. If six of us can't take care of one stray +tramp, not much larger than any of us, then we're too tender, +and ought to be sleeping in little white cribs at home." + +"Oh, stop that talk!" urged Dave. + +"I mean what I said," Dick retorted. "We're big enough, and numerous +enough, to guard our own camp." + +"Of course we are; but we'll have to give up some sleep to accomplish +that," Dave contended. + +"Whoever loses sleep in the night time can make it up in the day +time. And now, Darry, get to bed!" + +"But we've got to remain on watch." + +"You'll feel bad, in the morning, if deprived of your sleep. +I'll stay up for a while yet, and then call Tom Reade." + +"So I'm no good for guard duty, eh?" snorted Darry. + +"Not a bit," said Dick cheerfully. "You're as sleepy and as cross +as can be, right at this minute. Go and tuck in, Davy." + +Darrin snorted again, then glared at Dick's placid face. Suddenly +Dave broke into a hearty chuckle, slapping his chum on the back. + +"You're all right, Dick," he declared. "You know how to keep +your temper, talk smoothly, and yet hit harder than if you used +a club. No, sirree! I'm not cross, even though I may be tired. +I'm not cross, and I can thrash into subjection any fellow who +dares hint that I'm cross, or that my temper is on a rampage. +You go and turn in, Dick." + +"Not yet." + +"Then we'll both stay up and watch together." + +"I'll tell you what," proposed Dick. + +"Well?" + +"Bring your cot out here. I'll let you sleep for an hour by my +watch. Then I'll call you, and you hold the watch and let me +sleep for an hour. There is no sense in both of us losing our +rest at the same time. Yet, if either fellow needs the other, +he'll have him right under his hand." + +"All right," nodded Dave. "Anything, as long as I'm not accused +of being a sleepy head." + +"A sleepy head?" Prescott repeated. "Why, when I called to you +fellows for help you were the only one who responded. No; I wouldn't +call you an incurable sleepy head, Darry." + +Now wholly restored to good humor Dave went back into the tent, +lifting his cot and bringing it out to within a few feet of the +campfire. + +"You take the first nap, Dick," begged Dave. + +"No; you take it." + +"But I'm not sleepy; honestly I'm not." + +So Prescott lay down on the cot, closing his eyes. + +The sunlight, streaming into his face, awakened him. + +"Why---why---where's Darry?" thought Dick, sitting up straight. + +The sound of deep breathing answered him. Dave sat with his back +propped against a tree, sound asleep. He had slept for hours, +evidently, having fallen asleep through sheer, uncontrollable +drowsiness. + +Rising from the cot Dick stretched himself for he was still drowsy. +Then he tip-toed over to where the food was stored, peering in. + +"I can't see that our friend, the enemy, has been here again," +Dick smiled. He glanced at Darry, but did not awake that tired +youngster. + +As noiselessly as he could Prescott busied himself with starting +a small campfire that could be made larger when needed. This +done, he set water to boil. + +"Ho-hum!" yawned Tom Reade, dressed only in underclothes and trousers, +as he stood in the tent doorway half an hour later. + +Dick placed his fingers to his lips, whispering: + +"Don't rouse the other fellows. They're tired." + +"Darry certainly looks tired," smiled Tom, regarding Dave in the +uncomfortable posture by the tree. + +Yet, though he must have been quite uncomfortable had he been +awake, Darry slumbered on. Greg came out, looked at Dave and smiled. +Then Hazelton, next Dalzell, came outside. + +"What is the cot doing out here?" Danny Grin was the first to +inquire. + +"We had a visit from the prowler in the night," Dick replied, +"and Dave and I stayed on guard." + +"Was Darry as efficient all through the guard tour as he is just +now?" demanded Reade ironically. + +"That's all right for you fellows," retorted Dick, "who even slept +right past my call for help. Let Dave alone. Let him finish +his nap, no matter how long he sleeps." + +But at that moment Darrin opened his eyes, then leaped to his +feet, a victim of red-faced confusion. + +"What are all you fellows laughing at?" Dave demanded. + +So far none had done more than grin, but now a very general roar +went up. + +"I'm a chump, on guard duty, and I admit it," Darrin went on, +looking sheepish. "Dick, when you found me asleep why didn't +you call me?" + +"Because," Prescott answered, "when you went to sleep I judged +that you did so because you needed the rest." + +"I must have been sound asleep from at least one o'clock in the +morning," Dave went on ruefully. "Oh, I am a fellow to be trusted, +I am!" + +"If you've been sleeping, with your back against that tree, from +one in the morning, you must be as stiff and lame as you could +possibly be," Reade suggested. + +"I am pretty lame," Darrin confessed. + +"Are you fellows ever going to hustle about and make some moves +toward getting breakfast?" inquired young Prescott. + +"What have you been doing in that line?" Danny Grin wanted to +know. + +For answer Dick Prescott pointed to the merrily blazing campfire +and the steaming kettle of water. + +"I am ready to do a lot more, too," Dick added, "as soon as the +rest of you will show signs of life." + +At that there was a general bustling. + +"Why didn't you wake me up in time to save me from all the joshing?" +Darry demanded, with a note of reproach in his voice, as soon +as he got a chance to speak with Dick alone. "Tom Reade won't +be through all summer with tormenting me about being asleep at +the switch." + +"No one would have known anything about it, if you hadn't given +it away yourself, both by look and words," Prescott returned. +"I hadn't said a word that enlightened anyone." + +Breakfast was soon ready, for hungry boys, in the woods, are always +ready to eat. + +While the meal was being disposed of Prescott told his chums of +the visit during the night, and of his own share and Dave's in +trying to nab the tantalizing prowler. + +"How many such regiments of guards as Darry, would it take to +guard this camp properly at night?" asked Tom dryly. + +"It seems to me," Prescott remarked, "that you fellows will do +very well to sing mighty low about Dave's drowsiness. When I +had to call for help last night he was the only one with an ear +quick enough to hear me and come to my support. What was the +matter with the rest of you, sleepy heads, or did you hear and +feel that it might be dangerous to turn out in the middle of the +night?" + +That last taunt had the desired effect. Darrin was allowed to +eat his breakfast in peace. + +After the meal was over the boys sat around the camp for a few +minutes. Each hated to be the first to make a move toward the +drudgery of dish-washing and camp cleaning. + +"After we get things to rights," inquired Reade, "what is to be +the programme for the day?" + +"There's a pond east of us that is said to hold perch," Dave answered. +"I'm going to take fishing tackle and go in search of a mess +of fish. Anyone going with me?" + +"I will," offered Danny Grin. + +"As for me," spoke up Tom, "I have a line on a place where blueberries +grow in profusion. Harry, will you go along with me and pick +berries?" + +"If it isn't over five miles away," Hazelton assented cautiously. + +"Then what are we going to do!" asked Greg Holmes, turning to +Prescott. + +"From the plans we've heard laid down," smiled Dick, "I think +we will have to stay right here and keep the prowler from dropping +in to carry away the rest of our provisions." + +"Bother such sport as that!" snorted Greg. + +"Humph! It may turn out to be the liveliest sport of all," declared +Dick dryly. "Certainly if that fellow turns up it will take two +of us to handle him with comfort. He's a tough customer." + +"Dan, you always were an artist with a shovel," suggested Darry +insinuatingly. "Suppose you get out the spade and see what sort +of perch bait you can turn up in this neighborhood." + +"Me?" drawled Dalzell protestingly. "Shucks! I'm no good at +finding bait. Never was." + +"Get the spade and try," ordered Darry. "If you don't find some +bait we'll have to put off fishing until some other day." + +That brought Dan to terms. He shouldered a spade, picked up an +empty vegetable can and started away, while Dave began to sort +tackle and to rig on hooks suitable for catching perch. Tom and +Harry started in to unpack supplies from a pair of six-quart pails +that they needed for the morning's work. + +"Say, hear that, fellows!" demanded Tom, straightening up suddenly. + +From the distance to the northward came a dull rumbling sound. + +"Thunder?" suggested Danny Grin, glancing wonderingly up at the +clear sky. + +"If there's a storm coming it will upset a day's berrying," Reade +announced. + +"Fellows," Dick broke in, "it's a rumbling, yet it doesn't sound +just like thunder, either. It sounds more like-----" + +"Cavalry on a gallop," suggested Greg. + +"Just what it does sound a lot like," Prescott nodded. Then he +dropped to the ground, holding one ear close to the earth. + +"And, whatever the rumble may be," Prescott went on, "it travels +along the ground. Just get your ears down, fellows." + +"It's something big, and it's moving this way," cried Dave. + +"It can't be cavalry," Tom argued. "There are no manoeuvres on; +there is no state camp ever held in this part of the state, either. +What do you-----" + +But Dick Prescott was up on his feet by this time. Furthermore, +he was running. He stopped at the base of the trunk of the first +tall tree. Up he went with much of the speed of a squirrel. +Higher and higher he made his way among the branches. + +"Say, be careful there, Dick!" called Tom Reade, warningly. "If +you get a tumble-----" + +"I'm not a booby, I hope," Dick called down, as he went to still +loftier heights. He was now among the slender uppermost branches, +where a boy would need to be a fine climber in order to make such +swift progress. Even Dick Prescott might readily enough snap +a branch now, and come tumbling to earth. + +"Stop!" warned Tom. "If you don't you'll butt your head into +a cloud, the first thing you know." + +"Can you see anything?" called Danny Grin. + +"I see quite a cloud of dust to the northward." + +"How far off?" asked Dave. + +"About a mile, I should say, and it's headed this way, coming +closer every minute." + +"What's behind the cloud? Can you make out?" Greg bawled up. + +"I'm trying to see," Dick replied. "There, I got a glimpse then. +It's some kind of animals, heading for this camp at a gallop." + +"It can't be cavalry," shouted Reade. "You don't see any men, +do you?" + +"No," Prescott called down, shielding his eyes with one hand. +"Say, fellows!" + +"Have you guessed what it is?" demanded Harry Hazelton. + +"I know what it is---now!" Dick answered. Then he began to descend +the tree with great speed. + +"Careful, there!" shouted Tom Reade. "That isn't a low baluster +you're sliding down." + +"Keep quiet, until I reach the ground," gasped Dick. As he came +nearer those below saw that he looked truly startled. + +Then Dick reached the low branches, and began to look for a chance +to jump. + +"We've got to get out of here, fellows!" he called. "You know +the trick that cattle---owners have in this part of the county +of turning their cattle out to graze in one bunch. That bunch +is headed this way---hundreds strong, and it's going to rush through +this camp, trampling everything in the way!" + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +FIGHTING THE MAD STAMPEDE + + +"Nothing doing, and don't get excited," replied Tom Reade, shaking +his head. + +"There will be a lot doing in three or four minutes," Prescott +retorted excitedly. "The cattle are stampeded, and they'll sweep +through here like a cyclone." + +"The trees will break up the stampede," Tom insisted coolly. + +"Not much they won't," Dick answered. "The cattle are headed +along a natural lane, where the trees are less thick than in other +parts of the forest." + +"The trees will stop 'em before they get here," Reade insisted. + +"The trees will do nothing of the sort," uttered Dick, glancing +swiftly about him. "The cattle are among the trees already. +Just hear that rumble. And it's a lot closer now." + +"I reckon we'd better move, do it now, and do it fast," cried +Hazelton, who knew that Dick's judgment was generally the best. + +"And leave our camp to be trampled down and made a complete wreck +by a lot of crazy cattle?" gasped Greg Holmes. + +"I'd rather have the camp trampled than my face," retorted Dalzell. + +"I don't want to flee from here and leave the camp to be destroyed, +and our summer's fun spoiled," protested Greg. "We must stop +the cattle, or split their stampede." + +"All right, Holmesy," agreed Tom ironically. "I appoint you to +do my full share in stopping a stampede of cattle." Reade's face +had suddenly grown very grave as he now realized that the trees +were not stopping the frenzied cattle. + +Dick, who had been thinking, suddenly wheeled, making a break +for the supplies. + +"Get a box of matches, each one of you!" he shouted. "Then sprint +with me for that patch of sun-baked grass just north of us." + +"What's the idea?" Dave asked, but Dick was already running fast. + +"Get your matches and come on!" Dick called back over his shoulder. + +As speedily as could be done the others followed suit. Dick reached +the sun-burned strip of grass, whose nearer edge was some two +hundred yards north of camp. + +"Hey! He's starting a forest fire!" gasped Dan Dalzell, as he +caught sight of young Prescott bending over the dried, yellowish +grass. + +"Scatter, all along the strip!" shouted Prescott, rising as soon +as he had ignited a clump of grass. "Get this whole strip of +burned grass blazing. It's the only chance to save the camp---or +ourselves!" + +Dalzell shivered. Nor could Dan understand how such a course +would serve to save their camp. But he saw the others following +their leader's orders. + +"Get over the ground, Dan!" bellowed Dick, as he sprinted to another +point. "Start a lot of blazes!" + +So Danny Grin fell in line with the movements of the others, though +he felt not a little doubt as to the wisdom of the course. + +Flame was now spurting up over more than an acre of the sun-baked +strip of grass. + +"Get a lot more of the grass going, fellows!" panted Dick, who +was working like a beaver and dripping with perspiration. "It's +our only hope. Hustle!" + +With the flames arose a dense cloud of smoke. As the wind was +from the southwest the smoke was in the faces of the onrushing +cattle. + +"There! We've done all we can!" bellowed Dick, running down the +line formed by his chums. "Now, get back out of this roasting +furnace." + +Close to the edge of the burning strip of grass the six high school +boys now stood side by side gazing at their work. + +"We'd better scoot!" counseled Danny Grin. + +"Where can we go?" Dick shouted, in order to make himself heard +over the crackling flames and the greater noise of the pounding +hoofs. "If we're not safe behind a curtain of flame, there is +no other place near where we'd be safer." + +Danny Grin turned to bolt, but Darry reached out, catching him +by the collar and throwing him to the ground. + +"Don't be a fool, Danny, and don't be panic stricken," Darrin +advised. "We're safer here, at least, than we can be anywhere +else within a quarter of a mile." + +The bellow of a bull through the forest---a bellow taken up by +other bulls---made all of the boys quake in their shoes. But +none of the lads ran away. + +Gazing between the trees they soon made out a stirring sight. + +On came the stampede, cattle packed so tightly that any animal +falling could only be trampled to death by those behind. + +"My, but that's a grand sight!" cried Tom Reade. + +Not one of the six boys but longed to take to his heels. To them +it seemed absolutely impossible for the cattle to turn aside as +they must dash on through the blazing grass, such was the pressure +from behind. Yet not one of Dick & Co. turned to run. + +Suddenly three of the bulls went down to their knees, snorting +and bellowing furiously. Half a dozen cows held back from the +flames, only to be trampled and killed. + +Somehow, the powerful bulls staggered to their feet, then broke +to one side. + +A dozen more cows plunged on into the blazing grass, then sank, +overcome by the heat. + +It seemed like a miracle as, following the bulls, the herd split, +some going east, others west, and carrying the swerving cattle +after them in two frantic streams. + +In some way that the boys could not understand, the pressure of +cattle from the rear accommodated itself to the movement of the +forepart of the herd. The herd divided now swept on rapidly, +going nearly east and west in two sections. + +Not until some six hundred crazy cattle had passed out of view +did the boys feel like speaking. Indeed, they felt weak from +the realization of the peril they had so narrowly escaped. + +"I think, fellows," proposed Dave Darrin huskily at last, "that +we owe a whopping big vote of thanks to good old Dick Prescott!" + +"After we pass that vote," proposed Hazelton, "we'd better make +all haste to get out of these woods before the owner of this +stretch of forest comes along to nab the fellows who set his timber +afire." + +"Do you see any trees ablaze?" Dick demanded. + +Now, for the first time, two or three of the fellows began to +realize the value of Dick's idea. The sun-burned grass, some +three acres in extent, was a clearing devoid of trees. Here +the July heat had baked the turf. On all sides, under the trees +beyond, the grass was still green. Any boy who has ever been +in the country knows that green grass won't burn. Hence the blaze +was limited to a small area. A few trees whose trunks were near +the edge of the clearing were smoking slightly, but no damage +was done to the timber. There was really no work to be done in +extinguishing this fire, which, furious while it lasted, was now +dying out. + +"Let's get back and see how our camp fared," proposed Hazelton. + +"We don't have to," Dick replied. "We saw the directions taken +by the cattle, and they didn't go anywhere near our camp. Let's +wait, and, as soon as the ground is cool enough, let's get out +to the injured cows, and see if we can help any of them." + +Hardly had Dick spoken when one of the cows, right at the edge +of the blackened clearing, rose clumsily, then moved slowly northward. +Presently another cow followed suit. + +"We can get over the ground now," said Dick. "Let's go out and +look at these animals." + +They counted eight dead cows, their unwieldy carcasses lying motionless +on the burned grass. + +"Probably killed by the hot air that they drew into their lungs," +commented Tom Reade. + +"We killed the poor beasts," said Danny Grin, with a catch in +his breath. + +"Perhaps we did," Dick admitted. "But we had to do something. +Anyhow, we broke the force of the stampede, and, if that hadn't +been checked, a still greater number of cows would have been killed. +They would have fallen, exhausted, and then they would have been +trampled on and killed by the plunging cattle behind them." + +"That's true enough," nodded Tom. "Even if we did kill a few, +I guess we're more entitled to praise than reproach." + +Two more cows presently got up and limped away, but there were +four others still alive, yet too badly hurt to attend to themselves. + +Nor could the high school boys help, further than by carrying +buckets of water to the suffering animals. Dick & Co. had no +firearms along, and could not put the injured cows out of their +misery. + +"Now, let's get out of here," urged Dick at last. "We can't do +any good here, and this is no pleasant sight to gaze upon." + +"It seems too bad to leave all this prime roast beef on the ground, +doesn't it?" hinted Tom. "And we fellows have such good appetites." + +"The cattle are not ours," Dick rejoined. "We have no right to +help ourselves to any cuts of meat from the dead animals." + +So they returned to the camp, which they found, of course, quite +undisturbed. + +It so happened that the four members of the party who had proposed +going to other scenes for the forenoon forgot their projects. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +VISITORS FOR THE FEAST + + +Bang! bang! sounded in the direction of the burned-over clearing. + +"Let's go over and see what that means," proposed Tom. + +He jumped up, ready to sprint over to the clearing. + +"If you want advice," Dick offered, "I'd say to wait until the +shooting is over. You might stop a stray bullet not intended +for us." + +"But what can the shooting mean" wondered Greg. + +"When anyone is turning bullets loose," remarked Darry, "I'm not +too inquisitive." + +So the boys waited until the firing had ceased. Then they heard +what sounded like the noise of a horse moving through the brush. + +"Hello, there!" called Dick. + +"Hello, yourself!" came the answer, and a mounted man rode into +view. He did not look especially ugly or dangerous; his garb +was plainly intended for the saddle. As he came into sight the +man slipped a heavy automatic revolver into a saddle holster. + +"What was up?" inquired Dick, rising and going forward to meet +the newcomer. + +"Stampede," replied the other briefly. + +"We know something about that," Dick rejoined. + +"Do you know anything about the burning of the clearing?" asked +the horseman, reining up and eyeing the lads keenly. + +"Yes, sir; we fired the grass," Prescott acknowledged. + +"To break the stampede?" + +"No, sir; to save our camp, which would have been destroyed." + +"Shake," invited the stranger, riding forward and bending over +to hold out his hand. "Your fire cost us a few cattle, but I +reckon it saved the destruction of a lot more, for there would +have been many of 'em killed if they had charged on into the deeper +forest." + +"Then the stampede has been stopped?" asked Prescott. + +"Yes; two of my men followed the parted trails, and came back +to report the two herds halted and grazing. My name is Ross. +I'm the owner of about a fourth of the cattle in the big herd." + +"I hope you don't feel angry with us for doing the best we could +to save our camp," Dick went on. + +"You saved myself and the other owners a greater loss," replied +Mr. Ross, "so I thank you." + +"You're quite welcome, Mr. Ross," smiled Tom Reade. "But what +was the shooting about?" + +"I shot some of the cattle that appeared to be still alive, to +put an end to their suffering. You boys haven't any ice here, +have you?" + +"No, sir," Dick replied. + +"Too bad," said Mr. Ross. "If you had ice I could offer you a +prime lot of beef that it will hardly pay me to move, as I can't +get the animals cut up quickly enough and on ice, after the long +haul I would have to make." + +"Are you going to leave the cattle on the clearing?" Dick asked +in sudden concern. + +"We'll bury the carcasses," smiled Mr. Ross. "If we didn't the +smell would soon force you boys to move your camp a mile or two. +But see here! Ever have a barbecue?" + +"No, sir," Dick made answer, his voice betraying sudden interest. + +"Would you like one?" went on the owner. "A barbecue, real western +style, with a whole cow on the fire?" + +"It would be great!" answered nearly all of Dick & Co. in concert. + +"Then we'll have one, as soon as I can call my men in," replied +Mr. Ross cheerfully. "I'm bound to get some good out of the dead +cattle." + +"We'll want a lot of firewood for that, won't we?" asked Dick, +his eyes gleaming. + +"More than a little," nodded Mr. Ross. "And big wood, at that." + +"Dave, you and Tom had better take the axes and get some real +wood," Prescott called. "Harry and Dan will help you and bring +it in. Where shall we put the wood, Mr. Ross?" + +"In the middle of the burnt clearing will be better," replied +the cattle owner. "Then the fire won't have a chance to spread +in any direction. Besides, you won't want the heat of a great +fire too close to your camp. After the meat is cooked we can +bring it over here. Have you boys plenty of canned vegetables +and the like?" + +"Plenty, sir," Dick answered cheerily, though his heart sank a +trifle as he thought of how the cattle owner and his helpers might +clean out their stock. + +Dick and Greg busied themselves with carrying over to the clearing +such things as Mr. Ross said that they would need. Then it was +decided that the vegetables should be cooked at the camp. + +"Let me see your stock of provisions and perhaps I may get another +idea," proposed the cattle owner. "I see that you have flour, +and oh, yes; you have all that will be needed for a pudding, +and one of my men knows how to make one of the best boiled puddings +you ever ate out under the sky." + +Drawing a small horn from one of his side pockets, Mr. Ross blew +a long, shrill blast. + +"Jim will come in as soon as possible, after hearing that sound," +smiled the cattle owner. + +Jim Hornby rode in within five minutes. He was a lean, long, +roughened and reddened farm laborer, but when told that a boiled +pudding was wanted he walked straight to the place where the +supplies were kept. + +"Everything here but berries," Jim explained. "Any of you boys +know where to get some blueberries?" + +Greg knew, and promptly departed with a pail. + +Crackle! Crackle! Two brisk fires were now going in the burnt +clearing, started by Dick at Mr. Ross' direction. By this time +Mr. Ross' other helper had come in, reporting that the cattle +were quiet and grazing, and now this helper and his employer began +to remove the hide from one of the cows. + +"This cow was overcome by smoke and hot air as soon as it rushed +into the blaze," explained Mr. Ross. "Therefore, this will be +safe meat to eat. When an animal, however, dies in pain, after +much suffering, its flesh should never be used for food. Bill, +now that we've gotten the hide off you mount and ride back to +the wagon. Bring it along." + +Dan and Harry were still bringing in heavy firewood and stacking +it up, while the ring of axes in the hands of Dave and Tom was +heard. It was a busy scene. + +"Prescott, you'd better begin piling on the big wood now," suggested +Mr. Ross, after noting the sun's position. + +Things moved rapidly along. + +"You might as well halt your wood cutters, unless you want their +product for your own camp," suggested the cattle owner, and Prescott +sent the word to stop chopping. + +Within twenty minutes the big wagon, drawn by a pair of mules, +came up with Bill Hopple driving and his horse tied to the tailboard. + +With a speed and skill born of long practice, Mr. Ross began to +cut up the carcass of the cow. Bill was busy making greenwood +spits and arranging them over the two fires, Dan and Harry helping +him. + +Almost at a dead run came Greg Holmes through the woods, with +two quarts of blueberries. Over at the camp, as soon as he saw +the berries, Jim Hornby began mixing his pudding batter. He had +already prepared his fire and had found a suitable kettle. + +From watching the pudding game, Tom strolled through to the two +fires in the clearing. + +"This begins to look like a fine chance to eat," sighed Tom full +of contentment. + +"Doing anything, Reade?" inquired the cattle owner, who had quickly +learned all their names. + +"No, sir." + +"Then suppose you take this heart of the cow over to your camp. +Put it on the fire in a kettle of salted water, and let it boil +slowly. By that means you will be able to serve up the heart +for your evening meal." + +"Is there no end to this cow?" gasped Tom. + +"Well, a good-sized cow provides several hundred pounds of meat," +replied Mr. Ross. "Oh, what a shame that you boys have no ice, +and no way of getting it or keeping it! I could fix you for a +month's supply of meat!" + +"Dick, do you remember what we came out here in the woods for?" +queried Tom. + +"To camp, and have a good time," Prescott laughed. "And, so far, +we win. We're having a bully time!" + +"What else did we come out here for?" + +"To harden and train ourselves so that we can make a hard try +for the Gridley High School football eleven this fall." + +"Will a week of training table undo the harm of to-day's big feasts?" +groaned Reade. + +"No fellow is obliged to make a glutton of himself," retorted +Dick. + +"Maybe not," quoth Tom, "but everyone of us will be sorely tempted. +You ought to see that pudding that Jim Hornby is putting up." + +"Young man, are you going to get that heart to cooking before +it goes bad in the sun?" asked Mr. Ross sharply. + +Tom meekly turned and started toward camp. + +"What's Greg doing?" Dick called after him. + +"Holmesy is watching, learning the way Jim Hornby puts up a boiled +pudding," Reade called back. + +Honk! honk! sounded an automobile horn from the rough trail +of a roadway an eighth of a mile away. The honking continued +until Dick, realizing that it was a signal, gave a loud halloo. + +"Is that Prescott's camp?" called a voice. + +"It's the camp of Prescott and his friends," Dick shouted back. + +"Get ready for visitors, then!" called the voice again, and this +time Dick recognized the voice as that of Dr. Bentley. + +"We won't eat you out of supplies, though," called the doctor, +now heading through the forest. "We're bringing with us our own +cold lunch." + +"Cold lunch!" Dick chuckled back. "You won't be able to eat it +after you see what we have!" + +Through the trees now the fluttering of skirts could be seen. +High school girls were on their way to share the barbecue, though +as yet they did not know of the treat in store for them. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +DICK'S WOODLAND DISCOVERY + + +"You couldn't have come at a finer time!" cried Dick joyously, +as he raced to meet the most welcome visitors. + +"We're barbecuing a whole cow." + +"Then I trust, Prescott, that you came honestly by the cow," rejoined +Dr. Bentley his eyes twinkling. + +Besides Dr. and Mrs. Bentley, there were eight girls. The visitors +quickly explained that, besides the Bentley touring car, that +of the Sharps was being used on this expedition, Susie Sharp being +one of the girls of the party. The Sharps did not employ a chauffeur, +but their general man knew how to run the car, and he was now +engaged in taking the cars to a spot well off the road. + +"I'll send one of the fellows to get him," Dick promised, as he +led the numerous though welcome guests to camp. + +"Lucky I made a special big pudding," grinned Jim Hornby. + +"The girls may have my share," gallantly offered Tom Reade, though +he groaned under his breath. + +"There's pudding enough for a lot more people than we have here," +returned Jim. "I don't bother making small puddings." + +The boys were all called in quickly to greet the girls and Dr. +and Mrs. Bentley. Of course, the girls had to see the interior +of the tent, and all the arrangements of the camp. + +"I wish I were a boy," sighed Laura Bentley enviously. + +"I'm glad you're not," spoke Dick gallantly. "You're ever so +much nicer as a girl." + +Honk! honk! sounded over by the road. The noise continued. + +"Greg," said Dick, "that's Miss Sharp's father's man. Evidently +he wants something. You'd better run over." + +In less than five minutes back came Greg with three other men, +all of them unexpected. Mr. Alonzo Hibbert, minus his four-quart +hat, and wearing a flat straw hat instead, as well as light clothes +and silk negligee shirt, came in advance of Tom Colquitt, the +man from Blinders' detective agency. Still to the rear of them +was a third man, slightly bent and looking somewhat old, though +there were no gray streaks in his light brown hair. + +"How do you do, boys?" called Mr. Hibbert airily, as he came swiftly +forward. "We saw a big smoke over this way, and so we stopped +to find out what was the matter. Young Holmes has asked us to +stop for your barbecue, but it looks to me like a terrible imposition +on you, and so-----" + +Here Mr. Hibbert paused, looking highly embarrassed as he caught +sight of Mrs. Bentley and the girls coming out of the tent. + +"You already have other company," murmured Hibbert apologetically. +"No; most decidedly we must not intrude on you." + +"How do you do, Mr. Colquitt?" was Dr. Bentley's greeting. Then +other introductions followed, and, ere he knew it, Hibbert and +his friends were members of the party and destined to partake +of the barbecue feast. + +The oldish-looking man with the new arrivals proved to be Mr. +Calvin Page. + +"He's the millionaire father of the missing boy that Colquitt +and I are trying to find," Hibbert explained to Dick. + +"Have you any clue, as yet?" Prescott inquired. + +"Nothing worth while," sighed Lon Hibbert. + +"It's too bad," murmured Dick. "Mr. Page is a fine-looking man, +but he must be lonely." + +"He is," agreed Lon Hibbert. + +"His wife is dead, isn't she?" + +"Yes; and Page would give the world to find that boy of his." + +"Perhaps if he doesn't find his son it may be as well," Dick hinted. + +"Why, as well?" + +"The missing son, brought up by others, might have turned out +badly," Prescott suggested. + +"Pooh!" quickly rejoined Lon Hibbert. "That missing son, no +matter how wild or bad he may be, is still young enough to reform. +Prescott, no matter how bad that son may be, it will be a blessing +for my friend Page to find his boy! I pray that it may be my +good fortune to run across that son, one of these days, and that +I may be the first to recognize the boy." + +"Prescott," broke in Mr. Ross, coming forward, "you don't begin +to have enough knives, forks and plates to take care of this crowd, +do you?" + +"I'm sorry to say that we haven't," Dick smiled. "But we'll manage +that all right. My friends and I will play waiters, and sit at +second table after the dishes have been washed." + +"You won't have to," replied the cattle owner. "I have a folding +table and dishes in my wagon, and I'll send Bill Hopple after +'em." + +So the tables were set under the shade of the trees, not far from +the campfire. The Sharps man came up, and was seated with Jim +and Bill. Everything being now cooked, the feast began. + +"I've never had anything as wonderful as this happen to me before," +cried Belle Meade, as she seated herself and looked over the two +tables with sparkling eyes. "Girls, we didn't look forward to +such a treat as this when we left Gridley this morning." + +"You intended to look in on us, didn't you?" inquired Darry. + +"Yes; but we brought our own luncheons," said Laura. "We didn't +expect you to do anything for us---unless you boys had happened +to catch a mess of fish." + +"We were planning to go fishing this morning," Tom Reade explained, +"although we do not know whether the fishing near here amounts +to much. May I pass you some of this sirloin, Miss Marshall?" + +Gay spirits ruled, as they usually do and always should when young +people are together out in the open, far from studies or from +any of the other cares of life. + +Dick told the story of the stampede, while Mr. Ross added much +about the peculiarities of stampeding cattle and the impossibility +of controlling the animals while their mad fright lasts. + +"I am certain that this is the finest meal I have ever eaten," +declared Mr. Page, who, up to the present, had been rather silent. + +"There is only one thing it needs," rejoined Mr. Ross. "If we +had about six roasted ears of corn for each diner then this barbecue +would be a huge success." + +"Not even the corn could improve it," declared Laura Bentley, +as Dick helped her to more of the roasted meat. + +"Don't forget that pudding, ladies and gentlemen!" called out +Jim Hornby, from where he sat. "That pudding is my best kind, +and the best one of its kind that I ever turned out. When you +have the pudding you won't be thinking of a little thing like +roasted ears of corn." + +"No more, thank you," replied Clara Marshall, as Greg tried to +secure her plate in order to help her to more food. + +"Until the pudding comes on," prompted Jim Hornby. + +"Until the pudding arrives," smiled Clara. + +"But no one may think of having pudding yet," insisted Mr. Ross, +with mock gravity. "I forbid that anyone should have pudding, +or even think of it, until we have tried the one really delicious +dish of this feast." + +"And what may that be?" called Dr. Bentley. + +"The best part of the cow," replied Mr. Ross. + +"A big rib roast, served with cracked bones with the marrow cooked +in them. Come along, Bill. We'll bring back the roast and the +marrow." + +Ross and his man moved briskly out of sight. Only a few moments +had passed when Mr. Ross' voice was heard from the clearing: + +"_Thieves_! The rib roast is gone---so is the marrow!" + +Dick glanced swiftly at his chums. The same idea was in the minds +of all the members of Dick & Co. + +"Our friend, the prowler, has been here," muttered Prescott, rising +hastily. "This thing has got to be stopped. Come along, fellows! +Friends, please excuse us for a few moments." + +At a dog trot Dick led the way to the clearing. There stood Mr. +Ross, looking the picture of indignation. + +"I didn't know there were tramps in these woods," muttered the +cattle owner. + +"Tramp, thief, or whatever he is," exclaimed Dick Prescott, "that +fellow must move on out of this part of the country. If he doesn't +we'll catch him. After we get through with him, he'll be glad +enough to move on." + +"If he's able," added Dave Darrin significantly. + +"Oh, what's the use of making a fuss, this time?" demanded Tom +Reade good-humoredly. "For once we have so much meat that we +could spare a hungry man two hundred pounds and not miss it." + +"It's the principle of the thing," muttered Dick, who was studying +the ground intently. "That big, hulking fellow doesn't care a +rap whether we have plenty, or whether he takes all we have. +We've got to suppress him. We must catch him, and put a stop +to his thieving. See! Here's where he went off through the woods. +Come on! We'll trail him!" + +"And, if we find him?" asked Greg. + +"We'll try to reason with the fellow," responded Prescott rather +grimly. + +Just as the boys started off on the trail that Prescott had discovered, +other figures appeared on the scene. + +"Now, may I ask what you girls are doing here?" asked Tom, his +tone more agreeable than his words. + +"We want to see the fun, whatever is going to happen," declared +Susie Sharp. + +"Oh, there will be plenty of that, I promise you, if we can find +the fellow," asserted Darry bluntly. + +"Come along, girls!" cried Belle Meade gleefully. + +"But there may be something disagreeable happen, you know, girls," +Dick warned them. "If we overtake this fellow there may be a +fight." + +"If you could call it a fight, when six Gridley high school boys +attack one man, then I shall have to change my mind about our +high school boys," hinted Laura Bentley teasingly. + +It was plain enough that the girls were bent on following them, +so no more objections were raised. + +"We'll travel so fast that the girls won't be able to keep up," +whispered Tom Reade to Dick. "We'll lose 'em, and they'll be +glad to hike back to the table." + +This, however, proved to be not quite as easy as had been expected. +The trail into the woods was rather a plain one, though it could +not be followed at a run. + +"Keep behind me, fellows," urged Dick. "If you keep up with me +you may blot out the trail." + +So his five chums came after him, with the girls in the rear, +in a straggling line. + +Into the deepest woods the trail led. "The girls will soon tire +of this chase, and face about," Tom told Darry. + +Which was precisely what happened. + +In the deepest part of the woods Dick parted a tangle of bushes +through which the trail led. Then, in a voice vibrant with agitation, +he shouted: + +"Come on, fellows! Quick!" + + + + +CHAPTER X + +SETTING A NEW TRAP + + +What Dick had caught sight of, and what had made him call to his +chums was the figure of the camp prowler partially dressed seated +on the edge of a pool of water fed by a forest brook where evidently +he had been bathing. + +He had heard Dick's cry, however. These few instants of time +had been enough for the bather to jump up, snatch up the remainder +of his clothes and set off through the woods with the speed of +an antelope. + +"Come on!" cheered Dick Prescott. "Full speed! We'll catch him. +He hasn't his shoes on, and his bare feet will soon go lame on +the twigs and stones that he'll step on in running. He can't +go far before we nab him." + +"Spread out, fellows!" called Tom Reade. "Don't let the rascal +slip through our line. Dick, did you get a good look at him?" + +"A fine peep," Prescott affirmed. + +"Was he the thief?" Dave demanded. + +"The very fellow!" Dick called back, for he was still in the lead. + +"Don't talk any more," Reade warned his friends cautiously. "We'll +use up our wind." + +As he ran Dick had an important secret on his mind. This was +not quite the time to impart it to his chums, however, so he held +his peace and did his best to save his wind. + +Thus half a mile, at least, was quickly traversed. By this time +the high school boys, running as they had done, began to feel +winded. + +"I can't go any further," gasped Hazelton, halting and leaning +against a tree. + +"I'm in the same fix," muttered Danny Grin. as he, too, came +to a stop. + +Reade, Darrin and Prescott ran on some distance farther, but at +last Dick called a brief signal for a halt. + +"Where are you, friend?" bawled Dick, using his last wind in one +resolute vocal effort. + +"Friend!" scoffed Reade. + +"Of course the fellow will call and tell us where he is!" jeered +Darry. + +"We won't hurt you---won't try to," Dick promised solemnly, again +sending his voice as far as he could make it travel. "All we +want to do is to talk to you---and we're friends honestly!" + +"Say, what are you trying to give that thief?" protested Tom, +in an indignant undertone. + +"Why are you telling him we're friends, and won't hurt him?" insisted +Dave Darrin. + +"Because I mean just what I say," retorted Prescott, so crisply +that, for the moment, no one pressed him with any more questions. + +Dick continued his calls, but received no response. + +"By this time that fellow's a mile from here, and still running," +mocked Dave. + +"Or else he doubled on us, somewhere, and is hidden where he can +watch us, and laugh at us slyly," suggested Tom, as the three +high school boys turned to walk back to camp. + +"If he's hiding on our trail, the thief had better not let me +catch him laughing at us!" growled Darry indignantly. + +"Now, see here, both of you," Dick Prescott went on, earnestly. +"If we come across that fellow, don't either of you make a grab +at him. Just let me handle him---and I'll do it by talking alone. +We mustn't use our fists." + +"You've changed your tune wonderfully within the last few minutes," +muttered Dave. + +"If I have," Dick answered impressively, "it's because I know +something now that I didn't know a little while ago." + +"And what's that?" asked Tom eagerly. + +"I'll tell all hands presently," Dick answered mysteriously. + +"Oh, fudge!" growled Darry, under his breath, for he was fully +as curious as Tom Reade had been. + +But Dick walked on as briskly as his almost winded condition would +permit. So they returned to the place where Harry and Dan awaited +them. To these two Dick repeated his instructions in the unlikely +case of their meeting the thief during their walk back to camp. + +Nothing was seen of the fugitive, however, and the boys picked +up Greg Holmes close to the little swimming pool. + +"I knew I could not catch up with you fellows," explained Holmes, +"so I took the girls back to camp and then put in my time prowling +about here and trying to locate the marrow bones that the sneak +stole." + +"Dick doesn't want us to hurt the fellow, if we run across him," +said Dave grimly. + +"Why not?" asked Greg, opening his eyes very wide. + +"I don't know," sighed Dave. "Ask Dick." + +"I'll tell you all by and by," smiled Dick. "But now, let us +hurry back to camp. I want to see Mr. Colquitt just as soon +as I can." + +"Bosh! A detective like Colquitt doesn't take up with such trifling +mysteries as missing marrow bones," jibed Reade. "Besides, we +can't afford to hire detectives." + +"I don't want to hire a detective," Dick replied enigmatically, +"but I'd like about one minute's talk with Mr. Colquitt, and I +mean to have it. Don't let us dawdle on the way back, fellows." + +So the six boys hurried on and soon came within sight of the camp. + +"There they come!" cried Belle Meade. "Did you get the thief, +boys?" + +"No," called Dave, "and it seems that the fellow is no longer +a thief, but a distinguished fellow citizen whom we must honor +at sight, like a bank draft." + +"What are you talking about?" half frowned Belle. + +"I haven't the least idea what I am talking about," Dave admitted +cheerfully. "You'll have to ask Dick for the map to my few remarks." + +"Where are Mr. Colquitt and his party?" Dick demanded. + +"Gone," replied Laura Bentley. + +"How long ago?" Dick asked, paling somewhat and looking troubled. + +"About two minutes ago," replied Dr. Bentley. "They excused themselves +and went away in their car." + +"Can't you take me in your car, Doctor, and help me to pursue +them?" asked Prescott anxiously. + +"Yes," agreed Dr. Bentley good-naturedly, "if you've any idea +which direction to take in looking for them. A mile to the east +three roads cross; half a mile to the west four roads cross. +Our friends may be on any one of the seven roads, or they may +have gone by a trail of their own." + +Dick came to an abrupt stop, clenching his hands tightly. + +"Isn't that luck for you?" he demanded ironically. Then, suddenly, +his face brightened. + +"No matter," he said. "They can be reached through the Eagle +Hotel, in Gridley." + +"Why should you want to reach them?" asked Laura curiously. + +"Will you mind if I keep that to myself, for just a little while?" +asked Dick, so pleasantly that Laura took no offense at all. + +"How about my pudding?" called Jim. "Anyone going to want any +of it?" + +Did they? It was enjoyed to the full, and there was pudding left +over, to be heated for another meal. + +"Now, you boys had better come with me, and I'll show you how +to keep some of the cooked meat over, in summer, without ice," +proposed Mr. Ross. + +"And my party must be getting along, or night will overtake us +here," declared Dr. Bentley, rising from what had been a most +hospitable board. + +"Then fellows, please excuse me if I write a short note and ask +Dr. Bentley to mail it," urged Dick. + +So Dave Darrin mustered the other chums, marching them off in +the wake of Mr. Ross, while Dick hastily scribbled a note, placed +it in an envelope, and addressed it to Alonzo Hibbert, or Thomas +Colquitt, Eagle Hotel, Gridley. + + As Dick came out his other chums halted their labors long +enough to take leave of Dr. Bentley and his party. They escorted +the departing guests to their automobiles, and saw them start +away. + +Such of the roast meat as was to be saved was packed in metal +pails, covered, and then the pails lowered into a brook, where +the cool water would to a certain extent take the place of ice. + +Then Mr. Ross and his helpers removed the folding tables and other +loaned articles. + +"Thank you, boys, for what you did to break the stampede of the +herd," said Mr. Ross, waving his hand after he had sprung up into +the saddle. + +Once more Dick & Co. had their camp all to themselves. + +"I wish we could have such visitors every day," cried Darry +enthusiastically. + +"Yes," grinned Tom, "but how long would our canned goods hold +out? We'd have to be rich, fellows, to entertain so many people +every day, even if the meat end of the feast did come to us without +cost." + +"We want to make the camp shipshape again," Dick remarked, looking +about. "There's a lot of refuse food to be burned. Greg, you +start a fire. Dan you gather up every scrap of food that must +be thrown away and burn it on said fire. Dave, you can set the +tent to rights. I'll take an axe and hustle after some firewood. +Dave, suppose you help me. Tom might put the camp to rights." + +With the labor thus divided all hands set briskly to work. By +the time that all the tasks had been performed the boys were glad +to lie down on the grass and rest until it was time to prepare +a light supper. After that meal was over Dave asked: + +"We're going to keep regular guard to-night, aren't we?" + +"Yes," Dick answered. "We'll turn in at nine o'clock and keep +guard until six in the morning. That will be nine hours---an +hour and a half of guard duty for each fellow. Suppose we draw +lots to decide the order in which we shall take our tricks of +guard duty." + +This was done. To Prescott fell the second tour, from ten-thirty +until midnight. Reade had the first tour. + +At a few minutes after nine all was quiet in the camp. Five tired +high school boys were soon sound asleep, with Reade, hidden in +the deep shadows, watching outside. + +It seemed to young Prescott that he had no more than dropped off +into slumber when Tom shook him by the shoulder. + +"Half-past ten," whispered Reade, as Dick sat up. "Go out to +the wash basin and dash cold water into your eyes. That will +open 'em and freshen you up." + +"Have you seen anything of the prowler?" whispered Dick, as he +got upon his feet. + +"Not a sign," declared Tom. + +"It would be too early for him to prowl about yet," whispered +Dick, as he passed out into the Summer night. "Good night, Tom." + +Only a faint stirring of the light breeze in the tree tops, the +droning hum of night insects, and the occasional call of a night +bird---these were all the sounds that came to the ears of the +young camp guard. + +Dick dashed the water into his eyes, then felt wonderfully wide +awake. + +"If Mr. Prowler comes, he'll probably go for the canned vegetables +and the biscuit," Prescott decided. "He must already have more +meat than he can handle all day to-morrow---if it doesn't spoil." + +So Dick posted himself where he could easily watch the approach +of any outsider toward the boxes that served as cupboards for +the canned supplies. + +The time slipped away, until it was nearly midnight, as Prescott +knew from stepping into the tent and lighting a match briefly +for a swift glimpse at his watch. + +As Dick came out of the tent he fancied he heard a distant step, +crackling on a broken twig. + +"If there's anyone coming I'd better slip into the shadow of the +canvas," Prescott told himself, acting accordingly. + +Presently the stealthy steps sounded nearer to the camp. + +"Someone is coming, as sure as fate," Dick said to himself. "Shall +I rouse one or two of the other fellows? But they might alarm +the prowler. I'll handle him myself." + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +A HARD PROWLER TO CATCH + + +It was the prowler. + +Close to the tent he stopped to listen to the heavy breathing +that came from the sound young sleepers. Dick crouched farther +back into the shadow. + +Uttering a low grunt, that was half chuckle, the prowler slipped +along in the darkness, making toward the cupboards. + +"My friend, I want a little talk with you," suddenly spoke Dick +Prescott, slipping up behind the uninvited visitor. + +The prowler wheeled quickly about. + +"You don't want anything to do with me," he corrected, in a harsh +voice. "I could eat two or three like you, and then have plenty +of appetite left." + +"Perhaps," smiled Dick Prescott undaunted. + +"And I'll do it, too, if you don't stand back." + +"But I want to talk with you, my friend," Dick insisted. + +"I don't want to talk with you," snapped the prowler. + +"You would, if you knew what I want to talk with you about," Prescott +continued. + +"Is it about food?" demanded the young stranger grimly. + +"Then it's about jail," sneered the other harshly. + +"Why about jail?" asked Dick. + +"Because that's where you'd like to see me!" + +"Why should I want to see you in jail?" Prescott demanded. + +"Because I've been visiting your kitchen," leered the other. +"But you can't stop me. Not all of your crowd can stop me!" + +"Why do you wish to clean us out of food?" Prescott asked. + +"Because I know how to eat," replied the young stranger significantly. + +"Is that the only reason you have for trying to clean us all out +of food?" + +"Why should I have any other reason? And why isn't being hungry +a good enough reason?" counter-queried the prowler. + +"It has struck me," smiled Dick, "that perhaps you don't want +us in these woods, anyway." + +"I don't just hanker after your company," admitted the stranger, +with gruff candor. + +"Are we bothering you any here?" + +"No matter," came the sullen retort. + +"To return to the first subject, that matter about which I want +to talk with you-----" + +"Not to-night," growled the young prowler. Turning on his heel, +he started to walk away. + +But Dick kept close at his side. + +"Shake my trail, you!" ordered the other gruffly. "If you don't +you'll be sorry!" + +With that the stranger broke into a loping run. At first glance +this gait didn't seem to be a swift one, but it was the long, +easy, loping stride of the wolf in motion. Young Prescott found +that he had to exert himself in order to keep up with the other. + +"Go back to your shack!" ordered the prowler. + +"Hold on a minute, so that I can talk with you," urged Prescott. + +By this time they were at a considerable distance from the camp. +Suddenly the prowler halted, wheeling about like a flash, glaring +into young Prescott's eyes. + +"Now, I'll learn you!" growled the prowler. + +"Do you mean that you'll _teach_ me?" queried Prescott. "What?" + +"I'll learn you," growled the other, "not to keep on banging around +me when I don't want you!" + +"Do you happen to have any idea," Dick persisted coolly, "that +your name is probably Page, and that you undoubtedly have a very +rich father, who is trying to find you?" + +"Where did you read that fairy tale?" sneered the prowler. + +"Partly on your skin to-day," Dick rejoined, "when I came upon +you as you were dressing near that pool." + +"Stop kidding me!" commanded the other sternly. "And now back +to you cosy little bed for you! Fade! Vanish! If you don't +then you'll soon wish you had!" + +But Dick held his ground, despite the very evident sincerity of +the other's threat, and gazed unflinchingly back at the prowler. + +"Let me tell you," Dick went on. "Of course I cannot be positive, +but there is a missing heir who has, on his chest and one shoulderblade +just such marks as I saw on you to-day when you were sitting by +the pool putting on your shirt?" + +"Oh, forget that thrilling stuff!" jeered the other. "Don't you +suppose I know who my father is? Old Bill Mosher hasn't suddenly +grown rich. How could Bill get rich when he is in jail for drunkenness?" + +"So you think your name is Mosher?" pursued Prescott. + +"I know it is," replied the prowler harshly. "And, around this +neck of the woods a fellow couldn't have a harder, tougher name +than Mosher." + +"But if your name were really Page-----" pressed Dick. + +"No use stringing me like that," snapped the other. Even in the +darkness, lit only here and there by starlight, the scowl on his +face was visible. "Tell you what," declared Mosher, an instant +later. + +"Well?" + +"Beat it!" + +"I don't under------" + +"Yes, you do," retorted the self-styled Mosher. "Vamoose! +Twenty-three in a hurry! Make your get-away!" + +"Until I've made you listen to reason," Prescott insisted, "I +won't leave you." + +"Oh, yes, you will, and right now, or-----" + +"No!" + +"See here!" + +Mosher held a hard, horny fist menacing before Dick's face, but +the high school boy failed to wince. + +"Git! Now, or crawl later!" warned Mosher. + +"I'm going to make you listen to-----" + +"Put up your guard!" + +At least Mosher was "square" enough to give warning of his intentions. +He threw himself on guard, then waited for perhaps five seconds. + +"Are you going to cool down and listen!" demanded Dick Prescott +firmly. + +Out shot the Mosher youth's left fist. Dick dodged. It was a +feint; Dick nearly stopped Mosher's right. + +Blows rained in thickly now. Not every one could Prescott dodge, +though he was more agile and better trained than this more powerful +youth. + +At last, smarting from a glancing blow on the nose, Dick darted +in and clinched with his adversary. It was bad judgment, but +punishment had stung him into desperate recklessness. + +"Stop it!" panted the high school boy. + +"Won't!" retorted Mosher, increasing his pressure about the smaller +boy's waist until Prescott felt dizzy. In that extremity the +Gridley boy worked a neat little trip. Down they went, rolling +over and over, fighting like wild cats until Mosher secured the +upper hand and sat heavily on the high school boy. + +"I gave you all the chance I could," growled Mosher, planting +blow after blow on Dick's head, face and chest, "and you wouldn't +help yourself anyway. Now, you'll take all your medicine, and +next time you meet me you'll know enough to leave me alone." + +Held as he was, without really a show, Dick Prescott fought as +long as he could, and with desperate courage. But at last he +felt forced to yell: + +"Fellows! Gridley! Here---quickly!" + +"They're too far away, and, besides, they're asleep," jeered Mosher, +to the accompaniment of three more hard blows. "Now, I reckon +you've had enough to know your own business after this and let +mine alone. If I had any cord I'd tie you here. As it is-----" + +Leaping suddenly to his feet, Mosher turned and ran swiftly through +the woods. + +Dick badly hurt, yet as determined as ever, pursued for a few +score of yards. Then realizing that he could hear no sound of +the other's steps to guide him in the right direction, the high +school boy halted. + +"I may as well give it up this time," he said to himself grimly. +"Besides, my main job is to guard the camp. If I go roaming +through the woods, Mosher, as he calls himself, will double back +on the camp and clean out our provisions while I'm groping out +here in the dark." + +So Dick paused only long enough to make sure of his course back. +Then he plodded along, wincing with the pain of many blows that +he had received. + +"I'm lucky, anyway, that I didn't get an eye bunged up," he reflected. +"I smart and I ache, but I can see straight, and I don't believe +I've received any blow that will disfigure me for the next few +days. My, what a steam hammer that fellow is in a fight! I wonder +if he really is the son of that hard character called Bill Mosher?" + +As Dick neared the camp he stepped more softly. He wanted to +see whether Mosher really had come back. + +But no figure was discernible in the clearing beyond the camp. +Dick walked in more confidently. His first care was to examine +the food supply. + +"Nothing gone," Dick murmured. Then he looked about for a stick +large enough to serve as a weapon at need. While doing so his +glance fell upon an axe. + +"I wouldn't use that," Prescott told himself. "But there is no +knowing what Mosher would do if he got cornered by more than one +of us. Hereafter we mustn't leave this thing outside." + +Dick carried the axe into the tent, hiding it without awaking +any of the other sleepers. Then he went outside, searching until +he found a club that he thought would answer for defense. + +Taking this with him he went over to the wash basin, where, wetting +a towel, he bathed his battered face. + +"Almost one o'clock," he remarked, after striking a match for +a look at his watch. "I won't call Dave at all, but will stay +up and call Harry at half-past one." + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +"TAG" IS THE GAME---TAG MOSHER! + + +"Now, come in with the sprint!" Dick sang out to Hazelton. + +"Greg, Dave and Tom, you block him. Get through, Harry---some +way! Don't let 'em stop you." + +It was three days later, and Dick & Co. were at work at their +main task during this summer camping, which was to train hard +and try to fit themselves for the football squad when high school +should open again. + +Hazelton came on, at racing speed. He ducked low, making a gallant +effort. He nearly succeeded in getting through, but Tom's tackle +brought him to ground just at the right moment. + +"Now, try that over again," Prescott said. + +So the work went on, vigorously, for another hour---until all +of the boys were tired out, hot and panting. + +"That's the most grueling work I ever did in the same space of +time," muttered Reade, mopping his face. + +"Yes; it's the kind of work for which football calls," rejoined +Prescott, also mopping his face. "Dan, get up off the ground!" + +"I'm hot," muttered Dalzell, "and I'm tired." + +"Then rest on a campstool. Don't chill yourself by lying on the +ground when you're so warm." + +After a few seconds of contemplated mutiny, Danny Grin rose and +found a seat on a stool. + +"As soon as you're cool, three of you go to the water and wash +off," Dick ordered. "The other three of us will stay here until +you get back." + +That was the order of the day now. At least two, and usually +three of Dick & Co. always remained near camp. If Mosher planned +to come again he would find a "committee" waiting to receive him. + +There were more supplies, too, to guard now than there had been. +On the morning after Dick's encounter, a farmer had driven into +camp. His wagon had been well laden with all manner of canned +food supplies, even to tins of French mushrooms. These had come +from Alonzo Hibbert, with a note of thanks for the entertainment +of himself and friends. + +"These provisions are mighty welcome," Prescott had remarked at +the time, "but I'm not sure but that I would rather have Hibbert +himself here---I've so much to tell him." + +"He'll come, in time, when he gets your letter at the Eagle House," +Reade had answered, for Dick had told all his chums his suspicions +regarding young Mosher. + +"What are we to do this afternoon?" asked Dave, seating himself +beside Prescott as three of the chums started for the swimming +pool. + +"Gymnastics," Dick replied. "Especially bar work. And some boxing, +of course." + +"You ought to be excused from boxing for the present," grinned +Darry. "You look as though you had had enough for a while." + +For Dick's left cheek was still decorated with a bruise that young +Mosher had planted there. The boxing of Dick & Co., this summer, +was real work. It was done with bare knuckles, though, of course, +without anger or the desire to do injury. Boxing with bare knuckles +was Prescott's own idea for hardening himself and his chums for +the rough work of the gridiron. + +"I'll take my share of the boxing," Dick retorted. "Having a +sore spot on my face will make me all the more careful in my guard." + +"Queer we don't hear from Hibbert," mused Greg Holmes. + +"Not at all," Dave contended. "Hibbert simply isn't back at the +Eagle House yet, and perhaps the hotel people have had no orders +about forwarding his mail It may be a fortnight before we hear +from him." + +"Thanks to the thoughtfulness of Hibbert we can remain in camp +a good deal more than a fortnight longer," observed Prescott, +glancing over the greatly increased food supply. "Perhaps it +was all right for Hibbert to repay our courtesy the other day, +but he has sent us something like twenty or thirty times as much +food as his party ate." + +"I guess Hibbert has more money than he knows what to do with," +mused Greg aloud. + +"Even if he has," Prescott smiled seriously, "there is no reason +why he should feel called upon to keep us in food. I'd give four +fifths of that food to know where to reach Hibbert, or any of +that party, in a hurry. Jupiter!" + +"What's up?" asked Dave, eyeing his chum in astonishment, for +Dick had suddenly leaped to his feet, and was now dancing about +like an Indian. + +"Say, but we must have fried eggs in the place of brains!" cried +young Prescott reproachfully. + +"What calls forth that severe remark?" demanded Darry. + +"Why, we know well enough where to get hold of Hibbert's party," +Dick went on. + +"Do we?" asked Greg. + +"Certainly," cried Dick triumphantly. "Just send a note to Mr. +Colquitt in care of Blinders' Detective Agency. I'm going to +write the note now!" + +Dick was half-way to the tent when Darry called after him: + +"By the way, in what city is the Blinders' agency located?" + +Dick halted short, looking blank. + +"I don't know," he admitted. "Do you fellows?" + +None of them did. Then they waited until the others came in from +the pool. But none of them knew what city had the honor to shelter +the Blinders' agency. + +"I'll write the note, anyway," Dick insisted. "If I can't do +better, I'll put the address as simply the United States, with +a request on the envelope for the post-office people to find the +right city and deliver the letter." + +"Go ahead with the letter," urged Tom. "After dinner I'll walk +over to Five Corners and mail the letter. Incidentally, I'll +make inquiries over there and see whether anyone knows the city +in which the Blinders' crowd has its headquarters." + +So Dick wrote the letter, while others were preparing the noon +meal. At one o'clock in the afternoon Tom started, on his round-trip +tramp of twenty-two miles. + +"A trip like that will take the place of training for one half +day," Reade explained. + +Hazelton offered to go with him, but Tom declined on the ground +that he could get over ground faster without Harry. + +It was an hour after dark when Reade returned that night, hot, +tired, dusty and hungry. But he had found the correct address +of the agency and the letter had started on its journey. + +"Your supper is all ready," Dick announced. + +"And I'm ready to meet any supper more than half way," Reade retorted. +"Just a minute, until I wash up." + +The other five boys sat and chatted by the table while Tom ate. + +"Dan, won't you throw a lot more wood on the fire?" asked Dick, +as the meal came to a close. "We ought to have the camp better +lighted than this." + +Greg sprang to help Dalzell. Soon the flames leaped up, throwing +their ruddy, cheerful glow over the camp and making dancing shadows +beyond under the trees. + +While they were still chatting over the day's doings, steps were +heard, followed by the arrival in camp of two rough-looking, +stern-faced men. Dave Darrin sprang to pick up a club. + +"You boys haven't been doing anything wrong, have you?" questioned +one of the men, with a trace of a smile. + +"Of course not," Dick indignantly replied. + +"Then you needn't be afraid of us, though I admit that we do look +rough," answered the same man, displaying a badge. "We're officers +of the law." + +"What can we do for you, sir?" Prescott inquired more respectfully. + +"Do you boys know anything about Tag Mosher?" demanded the same +speaker. + +"Son of Bill Mosher?" Dick counter-queried. + +"The same. Know anything about him?" + +"Nothing, except that he bothered us a good deal when we were +first camped here," Prescott replied. + +"Do you know him by sight, then?" + +"We all do." + +"When was Tag here last?" pressed the officer. + +"About three days ago," Dick answered. "He stole quite a bit +of our food supply." + +"That's an old trick of that young tough," rejoined the deputy +sheriff. "That's how the boy got the nickname of 'tag.' He won't +work, and lives on other people's work. Anything that he can +say 'tag' to he thinks belongs to him." + +"Then, in other words, sir," asked Dave Darrin, "Tag Mosher is +just a plain thief?" + +"A good deal that way," replied the deputy. "But with this difference: +Up to date Tag never stole anything except what he needed at the +moment for his own comfort. He never robbed people to enrich +himself, but just to save himself the trouble of working. Now, +however, we've a more serious charge against him." + +"What?" asked Dick, + +"I don't know whether the courts will call it felonious assault," +replied the deputy. "But Tag stole two chickens out of the chicken +coop of Henry Leigh, a new farmer in these parts. Leigh trailed +Tag to the woods and found him cooking the chickens. Leigh tried +to grab Tag, but Tag caught up a big stone and just slammed it +against Leigh's head. Leigh is now in bed at home, with a fractured +skull, and likely to die. He described Tag to us, and we're after +him. The county has put a reward of two hundred and fifty dollars +on Tag's head. After we've come up with him I guess it will be +many a year before Tag Mosher will have a chance to do any more +stealing or fighting. But if you haven't seen him here in three +days we may as well be moving on. Thank you. Of course, if you +see Tag, you won't tell him anything about our being here?" + +"Certainly not, sir," Dick answered. "By the way, do you want +any help?" + +"Meaning some of you boys?" asked the deputy. + +"Some of us will help you, if we can," Dick assured him. + +"How many?" + +"We ought to leave half our number to guard the camp, for Tag +may show up here and wreck things. Three of us can go with you." + +"You may run into some ugly fighting, if you go with us," warned +the deputy. "Tag Mosher is no coward!" + +"We're not afraid of fighting, when we're in the right," Prescott +replied promptly. + +"Besides, we've got a grudge of our own against Tag Mosher, anyway," +Dave said. + +"Not a grudge, I hope," Dick rebuked his chum. "But we'll stand +by to help the law, if we get a chance." + +"I reckon maybe we could use three of you," meditated the deputy +aloud. "Boys can beat up woods as well as men. But we may not +be able to get you back here before to-morrow noon. + +"That will be all right," Dick assured him. "Dave and Greg, you'll +join me in going with the officers, won't you?" + +Darry and Holmes both assented eagerly. + +"If you've any extra grub, then, put it up and come along," urged +the deputy. "There's room for five in the automobile we're using." + +"How did you men know that we were here?" Reade inquired, while +Dick and Greg made haste to get food together for the trip. + +"Saw your campfire," replied the deputy laconically. "We didn't +believe Tag would build such a large fire, but we took a chance +and looked in. If you haven't anything else to do, young Long-legs, +you might pick out three stout clubs for your friends." + +Laughing good-naturedly at the nickname, Tom bestirred himself. +Within three minutes all was ready. + +Dick, Dave and Greg stepped away after the officers. Not far +away was the road, where the automobile stood with the engine +running. + +"Does Tag know how to run a car?" Prescott inquired. + +"Don't know," replied the deputy. + +"If he does, and had happened to be about, he could have taken +your car in good shape," smiled Dick. + +"True," nodded the officer, "but there were only two of us, and +nabbing Tag Mosher is two men's work." + +"I ought to know that," laughed Dick. "He gave me a stiff enough +beating." + +"Here is where you can even the score," laughed Dave grimly. + +"I don't want to even any score," replied Prescott gravely. "I'm +sorry for the fellow, especially when he was so close to a chance +to turn about and make something of himself." + +"Do you mean to say that you don't hold even a bit of a grudge +for that severe beating you got?" demanded Darry wonderingly. + +"Of course I don't," Dick retorted. "When two fellows fight one +of them must receive a beating---that's the sporting chance. +All my feelings for Tag are of sympathy." + +"Not enough so you'd let him get away, if you met him?" put in +the deputy quickly. + +"Of course, not, sir," Dick answered quickly flushing. "That +would be as much as to say that I'm a bad citizen. If I find +Tag I'll do my best to hold him until help comes. You may be +sure of that." + +"Then get into the car," ordered the deputy briefly. "The back +part of the car is for you youngsters. That reminds me. We don't +know each other's names. Mine's Simmons." + +The other deputy's name proved to be Valden. The boys quickly +introduced themselves. + +Away went the car, over the rough roads. To avoid sending warning +too far ahead the lights were turned low. On account of the condition +of this rough forest road the speed was slow. + +"If Tag hasn't been to your camp within three nights," said Mr. +Simmons, leaning back while Mr. Valden ran the car, "then it's +because he isn't in this neighborhood. So we'll travel on a few +miles before we stop to do any real searching." + +"I don't understand how you can expect to find anyone out here +in the night time," Dick observed. + +"I've some plans in my mind," was all the explanation Simmons +offered. + +When the road became a little better, Valden put on a bit more +speed. + +"Better slow down," advised Simmons presently. "There's a bridge +ahead that isn't any, too strong." + +That bridge was closer than the deputy thought. Just then the +automobile top brushed heavily against foliage in making a wooded +turn in the road. + +"There's the bridge!" yelled Simmons almost excitedly. "Slow +down---stop!" + +Valden tried to obey, but the bridge was altogether too close +for stopping in time. Out over the planks ran the car. + +R-r-rip! Crash! + +Some of the boards were already missing from the rude bridge. +Others gave way almost like paper. Down through the structure +fell the car, then landed with a splash, overturning to the accompaniment +of cries of fright and of pain from its occupants. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +IN A FIX! + + +As the water in the creek was barely three feet deep, Officer +Valden sprang from the car, holding his right hand, which had +been caught in the brake mechanism. + +Deputy Simmons appeared to be uninjured. + +Greg Holmes went under water, his head striking a stone violently +enough to bring a splash of blood to his forehead. + +Dave Darrin's head struck against the side of the car, bringing +a cry of pain from him. + +Yet, though he was dizzy from the concussion, Darry displayed +the coolest head of any of them in the first few moments. + +"Where's Dick?" he called, when he saw the others accounted for. +Then Dave wrenched off one of the lamps, holding it to aid his +vision. + +"There he is!" shouted Darrin, as his foot touched something. +"His head is under water. Up with him, quickly!" + +Dave brought the rays of the lantern to bear more directly, while +Simmons sprang to the rescue. Greg, too, joined in. + +"He's pinned down by the car!" gasped Deputy Simmons after finding +Prescott's submerged body and giving it a hard tug. "Valden, +help me lift the car on this side! You two boys pull your friend +out when we lift the car. Now!" + +Though Deputy Valden was able to employ only his left hand, he +used it with all his strength. + +"Here he comes," panted Dave, tugging at Dick's body with all +his might. "Gracious! I hope he isn't drowned!" + +Greg, too, exerted all his strength. Though it seemed ages to +the anxious ones it was really but the work of a few seconds. + +As Dick's head emerged above the surface of the water he gave +a quick gasp. Then another. + +"Oh, the air seems good," he moaned. "I tried to keep from opening +my mouth or breathing, but it nearly burst my lungs!" + +"Are you all right now?" asked Darry, holding his chum up. + +"If you'll help me to the bank I shall be, I think," answered +Prescott weakly. + +"Why, what-----" began Dave anxiously. + +"I was badly bruised by being pinned under the car," Dick admitted, +in a still weaker voice. + +"No bones broken, eh?" broke in Greg Holmes. + +"I---I think not," Dick answered. + +"Don't keep him talking," ordered Dave sternly. "Put in your +strength and help me lift good old Dick up into the road." + +"I guess I can do that job better," interposed Simmons, who had +let go of the car. "Let me have the boy." + +Dick was borne up to the road in the deputy's strong arms. + +"Can you stand?" asked Simmons. + +"Put me on my feet, sir, and let me see," begged Dick. + +He took a few steps, wincing, his face white. + +"Dick, old fellow," faltered Dave, "I'm afraid you've broken a +leg." + +"No; or I couldn't stand on my legs and walk," Prescott replied. +"It hurts up here, where the side of the car rested." + +He placed one hand on his right hip. + +"Then your hip is broken," groaned Darry. + +"I don't believe that, either," argued Dick. "If my hip were +broken I don't believe I could move my leg or step." + +He took two or three steps, wincing painfully, to show what he +could do. + +"Nothing but a hip bruise, or I'm guessing wrong," smiled the +white-faced sufferer. + +"In any case, you're meat for a doctor," put in Deputy Simmons, +with rough sympathy. + +"All right," replied Dick. "I'll walk to the doctor's office. +How many miles is it?" + +"About fourteen," replied Simmons. "I'll bring the doctor to +you. It's only about six miles to Ross' farm. I'll borrow his +car. Then I can make good time getting the doctor and bringing +him here. But you'd better sit down before I start." + +"Aren't you going to do anything with the car in the creek?" inquired +Prescott. + +"What can we do?" demanded the deputy laconically. "There isn't +muscle enough in this crowd to hoist the car up the bank. Anyway, +her engine is damaged beyond a doubt. No, no, Prescott, you sit +down, or lie down, and the rest of you had better wait here until +I bring help. I can be back in three hours at the latest. Darrin, +will you place one of the lamps at either end of where the bridge +was? That may save some farmer from driving in on top of the +car." + +Dave complied willingly enough. Then Simmons turned to Prescott. + +"Now, you sit down, young man," ordered the deputy. + +"I'd rather not," Dick replied. "I haven't anything worse than +a bruise. If I keep too quiet the injury will stiffen all the +more. I must move my hip a bit, or I may be in for a worse time." + +"That may be true," nodded the deputy thoughtfully. "Well, be +good, all of you. I'll be back again, as soon as possible." + +With that he strode down into the creek, wading through and coming +out at the farther side. Then he was lost among the shadows. + +Though it hurt to keep on his feet, Dick, after some minutes, +found that he could move about a little more freely, despite the +pain. + +"That shows there are no bones broken," he assured his distressed +chums. + +"Does it?" asked Darrin. "Hang it, I wish I knew more about injuries +of this sort. Then I might be able to help you." + +"Why, I may be all right, and able to sprint in another half hour," +smiled Dick. + +"Yes, you will!" jeered Greg. "Dick, you won't run for a few +days to come, anyway." + +"A nice lot we are, to set out to aid the law's officers," remarked +Dave disgustedly. "Dick can take only a half a step per minute. +Mr. Valden can use only one hand. Greg's head looks gory. The +lot of us couldn't scare a baby now!" + +"I can still say, boo!" Prescott laughed. + +"Is it wise to try to do so much walking?" questioned Darry, as +Greg went back to the creek to wash the blood from the shallow +cut on his forehead. + +"Yes; for I don't want to grow stiff until I'm where I can take +care of myself," Dick answered, taking a few more steps. "No; +don't help me. I want to move alone, and I'm strong enough for +that." + +So Dave threw himself on the grass to rest until he bethought +himself that, wet as they all were, it might be a good idea to +build a fire for drying purposes. + +He busied himself in that way, while Dick started slowly, very +painfully, down the road. Only a step at a time could he go. +Greg, returning, ran after him, but Prescott sent him back, so +Holmes stretched himself on the ground near the fire. + +At times Dick found he could move about very easily. Then the +hip would stiffen and he would be obliged to lean against a tree +for a few moments. + +For ten minutes or longer he moved thus down the road. + +"I'd better be getting back soon, I guess," he mused, "or I may +find it too much of a job." + +Looking back, as he turned, he could just make out the glow of +the fire, very dim, indeed, from where he stood. + +"I've got a beacon," smiled Dick, as he rested against a tree +trunk just off the road. He was about to take a step when a figure +glided stealthily by. + +"By all that's astonishing, it's Tag Mosher!" Prescott gasped. +He clutched at the tree trunk again, watching, for Tag had halted +and appeared to be peering hard through the foliage at the fire +some distance away. + +"I wouldn't want him to find me, now!" thought Dick, a cold chill +running over him at the thought of Tag's desperate savagery. + +But at that moment Prescott accidentally made a sound, which, +slight though it was, caught young Mosher's ear. + +In a twinkling Tag wheeled about, listening, peering. Then, straight +toward Prescott he came. + +"Oh, it's you, is it?" demanded young Mosher harshly. + +"Yes," Prescott admitted, speaking as steadily as he could, though +his heart sank for the moment. He knew that Tag would have time +to give him a beating that would be doubly severe in his present +condition of weakness and pain. That beating could be given in +a few swift seconds, and the help within reach of Dick's voice +could not arrive until young Mosher had had time to slip away +among the trees of the forest that he knew so well. "What do +you want with me?" demanded Tag, bringing his leering face closer +to Prescott's. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +THRASHING AN AMBULANCE CASE! + + +"I want you to stand right where you are until some of my friends +come," Dick made answer. + +Then he braced himself for the violent assault that, he felt, +was sure to come. To his intense astonishment, however, Tag heaved +a sigh of dejection, then muttered: + +"I may as well do it. You owe me a grudge, anyway, and you've +got the upper hand this time." + +What on earth could it mean? For a brief instant Dick almost +believed that the exciting incidents of the night had been but +parts of a dream. But he raised his voice to shout: + +"Dave! Oh, Dave! Come here! You, too, Greg." + +"Coming," came the call, in Darry's voice. The sound of running +feet sounded on the road. + +Tag Mosher glanced uneasily about, as if meditating flight. Then +his keen eyes scrutinized Prescott's face. + +"What's up?" demanded Dave, as, even in the darkness he caught +sight of another figure. + +"Darry," smiled Dick, "I wish to present my friend, Mr. Tag Mosher." + +"What?" gasped Darrin. "This Tag Mosher. By Jove, it is, it? +How on earth did you make him wait for us?" + +Then, all in a flying heap Dave projected himself against young +Mosher, clinching with him and bearing him down to the ground. +In order to make doubly sure Greg joined in the assault. But +Tag, though he struggled, did not put up much of a fight. + +"Quit!" he ordered sullenly. "I'm all in. Can't you fellows +see that? But if I hadn't been sick I'd either have gotten away, +or would have given you fellows a fight that you'd never forget!" + +Quick-witted Dave was not long in discovering that Tag really +was weak, as though from a recent illness. + +"Say," demanded Darry, "have we been exerting ourselves to thrash +an ambulance case?" His voice rang with self disgust. + +"If I'd been a well one," growled Tag, "you never would have put +me down, or held me. But I'm like a kitten to-night----strength +all gone!" + +"What's going on here?" asked Deputy Valden, putting in a more +leisurely appearance. + +"Something right in your line," Dick answered. "Dave and Greg +are holding down Tag Mosher." + +"You're not fooling, are you?" demanded the deputy. "You're not +making any mistake, either?" + +"We know Tag Mosher when we see him," Darry retorted. "We've +good enough reason for knowing him." + +With his uninjured left hand Deputy Valden reached for his pair +of handcuffs, passing them to Dave. + +"Here you are, Darrin," said the officer. "You know how to put +these things on, don't you?" + +"I can figure the job out, sir," Dave made reply. + +Tag submitted, wearily, to having the steel bracelets snapped +over his wrists. Then he heaved a sigh that had something of +a sob in it. + +"I let you put these on, but I wish you'd take them off again," +he said, addressing Valden. "I know I'm bad, and I know I'm tough, +but I never had these things on my hands before. Take 'em off, +won't you? Please!" + +Such submission was tame, indeed. Deputy Valden, who had never +seen young Mosher before glanced sharply at young Prescott. + +"This fellow doesn't seem much like the hardened criminal I've +been told about," remarked the officer. + +"Did Prescott tell you I was tough?" demanded the prisoner. "He +ought to know! He had a touch of my style when I was feeling +better than I feel to-night. I suppose I've been nabbed for helping +myself to a sandwich or two from their camp." + +"Do you demand to know why you're under arrest?" inquired Deputy +Valden. + +Tag nodded. + +"Well, then," continued the deputy, "you're wanted for cracking +the skull of a farmer named Leigh. There's a doubt if Leigh will +live and you may be charged with killing him." + +"I? Killed a farmer?" demanded Tag, in what appeared to be very +genuine amazement. + +"Leigh says you're the chap that did it," Valden answered. + +"I never heard of a man of any such name," argued Tag. "Still, +if he says I did it, oh, well, he ought to know, and I suppose +it will be all right." + +"It'll have to be all right---whatever the courts may do to you, +Mosher," Deputy Valden rejoined curtly. "Darrin, will you help +the prisoner to his feet and lead him back to where the bridge +was? Simmons will expect to find us there when he gets back." + +So Darry and Greg Holmes assisted young Mosher to his feet. Dave +took hold of Tag's arm, though the latter did not resist, but +walked along like one in a dream. + +"Want any help, Dick?" asked Greg. + +"I believe I wouldn't object to having a friendly arm to lean +on," Prescott replied. "I've been standing here so long that +my hip is stiff again." + +As the leader of Dick & Co. moved down the road, Tag turned in +astonishment. + +"What's the matter?" Tag asked, at last. + +"We were in an automobile accident, and I was slightly injured," +Dick confessed. + +"And you can hardly walk?" + +"I can walk only with effort and considerable pain," said Dick. + +Tag Mosher whistled softly. + +"My luck is leaving me," declared Mosher ruefully. "Prescott, +when I saw you and looked you over I didn't see that you are a +cripple. I thought you were in as good shape as ever. As for +me, I can't do much to-night, I'm so weak. I thought that, if +I tried to fight, you'd handle me easily enough. If I ran, I +knew I couldn't run far, and you'd jump on my back and bear me +to the ground. So I thought it easier to let you have your own +way with me. Whee! I didn't do a thing but surrender to a cripple +that ought to be on crutches! My luck is gone!" + +This last was said with an air of great dejection, as though Tag +never looked to have any further pleasure in life. Presently +he muttered, half aloud: + +"And now they say that I've committed a murder! They'll prove +it on me, too. Tag Mosher, you're done for." + +"Anyway, you're in a rather bad fix, young man," confirmed Deputy +Valden. "Even with the best luck you'll be locked up for some +years to come." + +"That will kill me!" muttered Tag sullenly. "I can't live anywhere +outside of the big forest. In jail---why, I'd die of lack of +fresh air! My father, old Bill Mosher, can get along in jail +all right---he's used to it. But me? The first two weeks behind +bars will kill me!" + +"You should have thought of that before you cracked Leigh's skull," +retorted Deputy Valden. + +"I tell you that I didn't do it, and that I never before heard +of a man of that name!" cried Tag Mosher fiercely. + +"Leigh says you did," the deputy again informed the prisoner. + +"Oh, well, then, we'll say that I did," agreed Tag moodily. "I'm +as good as finished, if the charge has been made. No one around +here would think of believing anything that Tag Mosher might say." + +Somehow, despite the unsavory reputation of the prisoner, Dick +Prescott found himself feeling more than ordinary sympathy for +this dejected prisoner. Could it be possible that Tag really +was innocent of this last and most serious charge against him? +It didn't seem likely that the officers had gone after the wrong +young man. + +"Tag is bad, and yet there's also good in him that is very close +to the surface," Prescott told himself. "It seems really too +bad to think of this young fellow being locked up, away from the +sunshine and the fresh air of the woods. And yet, if he makes +a sport of manslaughter, of course he'll have to be put away where +he can't do any harm. Oh, dear! I wonder why I feel so much +sympathy for a fellow of this kind?" + +They were at the broken bridge, now, with the wreck of the automobile +lying in the creek. + +"Mosher," said the deputy sternly, "Officer Simmons suspects that +you believed we'd be after you, and that you tore up some of the +planks from this crazy old bridge, so that our car would be wrecked. +Did you do that?" + +"Oh, I suppose I must have," replied Tag, with the air of one +who feels it fruitless to deny what peace officers were prepared +to charge against one of his bad reputation. + +"Then you admit damaging the bridge?" asked Valden. + +"I admit nothing of the kind," Tag retorted. + +"Who ripped the boards up?" + +"I don't know." + +"We'll prove it against you," declared Valden positively. + +"Oh, I s'pose you will," grumbled Tag. "It's easy to prove anything +against old Bill Mosher's son. My dad's where he can't help me." + +"Are you going to play the baby act?" asked the deputy, +half-sneeringly. + +"Wait until I've had a week of good eating and sound sleeping, +and then see if you can find anything babyish about me," snapped +the prisoner. + +Dick Prescott watched the pair, feeling a rising resentment against +the deputy. Yet Valden was only resorting to tricks as old as +the police themselves---the taunting of a prisoner into talking +too much and thereby betraying his guilt. + +"Pardon me, Tag," Dick now interposed, "but it's a principle of +law that a prisoner doesn't have to talk unless he wants to. +I don't believe, if I were you, I'd say anything just now." + +"I'm not going to say anything more," Tag retorted moodily, yet +with a flash of somewhat sullen gratitude to Prescott. + +"Humph! You'd better talk, and get all you know out of your system," +advised Deputy Valden contemptuously. "And the first thing you'd +better own up to is pulling the missing planks up from this crazy +old bridge." + +Tag snorted, yet had no word to say. Instead, as best he could +with his hands in the steel bracelets, he helped himself to a +seat on the ground his back against a tree. Either he was extremely +weary, or he was pretending cleverly. + +"Come! I guess you can talk better standing up," admonished Deputy +Valden, seizing Tag by the coat collar and dragging him to his +feet. Mosher accepted the implied order in sullen silence. + +"Is it necessary, Mr. Valden, to torment the prisoner?" asked +Dick quietly. + +"The way I handle a prisoner is my business," replied Valden rather +crisply. + +"You'd rather sit down, wouldn't you, +Tag?" Dick inquired. Young Mosher answered only with a nod. + +"It makes you feel weaker to stand, doesn't it?" Prescott continued. + +Another nod. + +"Mr. Valden," Dick pressed, "I hope you won't think me too forward, +but I believe this prisoner, and I am going to urge you to let +him find comfort by sitting down and resting." + +"What have you got to say about it?" demanded Mr. Valden, so brusquely +that Dick flushed. + +"I'm not in a position of authority, and I admit it," Prescott +replied. "But I think I have a right to object when I see a human +being tormented needlessly, haven't I?" + +"You have no right to interfere in any way with an officer," rejoined +Valden less brusquely. + +"Nor do I intend trying to interfere with a peace officer in anything +proper that he does," Dick went on quietly, though with spirit. +"It seems that Tag Mosher has a right to rest himself by sitting +down. If he tries again to sit down, and if you stop him from +so doing, then Tag, if he wishes, may have me summoned to court +to tell how he was tormented. I'll be willing to tell just whatever +I may see here." + +Valden snorted, almost inaudibly, then turned away. Tag slid +down to the ground again, resting against the tree trunk, and +preserving absolute silence. + +The time passed slowly, but at last Deputy Simmons came in a car, +followed by another car which contained a young man whom he introduced +as Dr. Cutting. + +"I'll take you right back to camp," announced Dr. Cutting, after +Simmons had looked over his prisoner and then introduced the physician +to Prescott. "I can examine you better when I have you at your +summer home and handy to your bed. Can you get into the car?" + +"I can use my arms to draw myself up," Dick answered. + +"Then let me see how well you can do it," urged the young physician, +stepping back to watch Prescott, yet ready to assist him if necessary. + +Dick got himself into the tonneau of the car, after some painful +effort. + +"Doc, you'll take the boys back to their camp, won't you?" called +Simmons. + +"Certainly." + +"And remember, Prescott," called Simmons, "you've been aiding +the county to-night, and the county will pay Doctor Cutting's bill." + +Valden and Simmons exchanged some words in an undertone, after +which the latter deputy came over to where Prescott sat. + +"Valden tells me you have been interfering between him and Tag +Mosher," began the officer. "How was it?" + +Dick gave a quick, truthful account of his interference. + +"You did right, Prescott," agreed Simmons, gripping the boy's +hand. "Remember that any citizen has a right to interfere when +he sees a prisoner being abused. Valden is a good fellow at bottom, +and he's a brave fighter in time of real trouble. But he's just +like a lot of other policemen who feel that they have to get all +the evidence in a case. All a peace officer has to do is to find +a criminal and make the arrest. It's the district attorney's +business to get the evidence, but there are a good many peace +officers to whom you can't teach that. Prescott, the next time +you see a prisoner being abused you are to do the same as you +did this time. I hope your hip will soon be all right again. +I'll try to look in on you in a day or two at your camp. Thank +you for what you did for law and order to-night. Good night!" + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +THE INTERRUPTION OF A TRAINING BOUT + + +"Hazelton, the trouble with you is that you tackle a dummy just +the way you'd catch a sack of potatoes that was being thrown out +of a burning house!" laughed Dick. + +"I don't see any other way to tackle a dummy," grunted Harry, +looking puzzled. + +"Why, you are supposed to tackle the dummy just as you'd tackle +a running football player coming toward you," Prescott rejoined. +"Greg, stand off there about fifty yards. At the word, run straight +toward Harry. Hazelton, you grab hold of Holmes and don't let +him get by you. Just hang on, and try to put him on the ground +at that. All ready, Greg! Run. Tackle him, Harry!" + +This time Hazelton entered into the play with great zest. Just +in the nick of time he leaped at Greg, tackled him and bore him +to the ground. + +"That's the way!" cheered Dick. "Now, you look alive, Hazelton." + +"That was because I had something to tackle that was alive," Harry +retorted. "It's much easier to tackle a living fellow than a +stuffed dummy. What's the good of using the dummy, anyway, when +we have plenty of live fellows around here?" + +"Oh, the dummy has its uses," Dick replied wisely. "A lot of +faults can be better observed with a dummy for a background than +is the case when you tackle a live one. The dummy is better +for showing up the defects in your work. Now, Reade, you make +a few swift assaults on the dummy." + +Tom did his work so cleverly as to call forth admiration from +all the onlookers. + +A stout pole had been lashed across the space between two trees, +being made secure in the forks of the lower limbs of the trees. +The dummy itself had been made of old sail canvas and excelsior. +It was not a very impressive-looking object, but it made a good +substitute for the football dummies manufactured by sporting goods +houses. + +It was a little more than a week since the night when Tag Mosher +had been captured. Dick's hip which had been pronounced by Doctor +Cutting as only bruised and strained, had now mended so far that +nothing wrong could be observed in his gait. In fact, Prescott +had all but ceased to remember the accident. + +For the others, the days had been full of football training, with +long tramps and fishing and berrying jaunts thrown in for amusement. +Now that Tag Mosher was safely locked up in the county jail there +had been no more raids on the food supplies of the camp. It was +now necessary, therefore, to leave but one boy at a time in the +camp, and Dick, while his hip was mending, had usually been that +one. + +Every member of Dick & Co. was brown as a berry. Muscles, too, +were beginning to stand out with a firmness that had never been +observed at home in the winter time. Enough more of this camping +and hard work and training, and Dick & Co. were likely to return +to Gridley as six condensed young giants. Nothing puts the athlete +in shape as quickly as does camping, combined with training, in +the summer time. + +This morning the work had begun with practice kicks, passing from +that to the work of tackling the dummy. Two hours of hard work +had now been put in, and all were comfortably tired. + +"Let's keep quiet and cool off," urged Dick at last. "Then for +the swimming pool and clean clothes." + +"I wonder if Tag has died yet, as he expected to, now that he's +out of the forest and locked up in a jail?" mused Tom Reade aloud. + +"He must be in fearfully depressed spirits," muttered Dick +sympathetically. + +Dave Darrin regarded his chum curiously. + +"Dick, you seem to have a positive sympathy for that fellow." + +"I have," Prescott avowed promptly. + +"You even seem to like him," pressed Darry. + +"I do like him," Dick assented. "Darry, I believe that a lot +of good might be found in Tag Mosher if he could have the same +chance that most other fellows have. Usually, when a fellow says +he has had no chance in life, the fact really is that he has been +too lazy to take his chance. But I don't believe that Tag ever +had a real, sure-enough chance. He has spent his days with a +drunkard and a vagabond." + +"Yet Tag has been to school," objected Tom Reade. "Tag talks +like a fellow who has had a very fair amount of schooling. Schools +teach something more than mere book lessons. They give a fellow +some of the first principles of truth and honor. Despite his +schooling, however, Tag prefers to steal as a means of supplying +all his needs. And now, at last, he is in jail, charged, perhaps, +with killing a fellow being." + +"I wonder if Mr. Leigh is dead yet?" mused Dick. "I like being +off here in the deep forest like this, but there's one drawback. +We don't hear much news." + +"What news do you want?" asked a familiar voice behind him. +Soft-footed Deputy Simmons stalked into the circle. + +"We were just wondering, Mr. Simmons," spoke Prescott, rising, +"if Mr. Leigh is dead yet?" + +"Not yet," replied the peace officer, "but the doctors say that +he is likely to die any day now." + +"Then will Tag be charged with manslaughter---or murder?" + +"He may be charged with murder, if we can catch him," replied +the deputy. + +"If you can ca-----Why, what's up?" asked Dick eagerly. + +"Tag broke out of jail last night," replied the officer. + +"He's---at large?" + +"That's what he is," nodded Simmons. "Tag was looked upon as +a kid, and wasn't watched as carefully as he should have been. +So he got out. Not only that, but he visited the warden's office, +late at night. So, when he left, he took with him a sawed-off +shotgun---one of the wickedest weapons ever invented---and a revolver +and plenty of ammunition. That's what I'm doing in the woods +now. I came to see if you had seen Tag to-day, but your asking +for news of him shows me that you haven't." + +"Is Mr. Valden with you?" asked Dick. + +"Yes; he's over at the road, in the car. He wouldn't come to +camp. I guess the truth is"---Simmons' eyes twinkled---that Valden +is ashamed to see you after the rebuke you gave him the other +night, Prescott. After we got young Mosher to the jail and locked +up, I gave Valden a talking-to, and told him I'd report him to +the sheriff if I ever heard of his abusing a prisoner again." + +"So Tag escaped, with some field artillery, and you officers are +out after him?" Tom asked. + +"Yes; and three other pairs of deputies are out also," nodded +Mr. Simmons. + +"Did you get that car out of the creek?" asked Darry. "We never +heard." + +"That car was a complete wreck," replied the officer. "We got +it out of the creek, but left it in the woods nearby. The bridge +has been rebuilt, and is stronger than before. How's your hip, +Prescott?" + +"As well as ever, thank you," replied Dick. + +"I'm glad to know that, boy. Meant to drop in on you before. +I must hurry along now. Of course, if Tag shows up about your +camp, you won't tell him that you've seen me." + +"Certainly not, sir," nodded Dick. "We'll also try to get word +to you, if we see him. Where is your home?" + +"Five Corners is my address," replied the deputy. "So long, boys! +Glad to have seen you again." + +The cat-footed deputy was soon lost to sight among the trees. + +Dave was the first to speak, and that was some moments later. + +"Dick, you're foolish to feel any liking for Tag Mosher. He's +bad all the way through. As it was he was locked up on a charge +of possible manslaughter, and now he has escaped, taking with +him firearms and ammunition enough to rid the county of peace +and police officers. He'll do it, too, if he's cornered. Now, +where's the good in that kind of a pest?" + +"I don't know how to answer you," sighed Dick. "Perhaps I am +foolish, but I'm not yet prepared to admit it. Instead, I still +contend that I feel a sneaking liking for poor Tag." + +"'Poor Tag,' indeed!" mimicked Tom Reade. "Poor wives and kids +of the deputy sheriffs whom Tag may shoot down in their tracks +before he's cornered at last! Dick, young Mosher is a budding +outlaw and a bad egg all around." + +"No decent citizen should feel any sort of sympathy for him," +affirmed Harry Hazelton. + +"Let Dick alone," objected Greg Holmes. "Dick generally knows +what he's about, even in regard to his emotions and sympathies." + +"What do you say, Danny?" asked Dave. + +"May the sheriff deliver me from Tag Mosher!" replied Danny Grin. + +"You're a prejudiced lot," smiled Dick, as he rose from his camp +stool. "Who'll watch camp this time while the rest of us go to +swimming pool?" + +"I will," Darry volunteered. + +Carrying clean underclothing, soap and towels from the tent, the +other five started through the woods to a new swimming pool that +had been discovered lately. + +When they returned Dave went away alone for his bath. Tom Reade, +as the cook for the day, lifted the lid of the soup pot to examine +the contents. + +"I wish one of you fellows would go out into the woods and bring +in some of that flowering savory herb for the soup," called Tom. + +"I know the kind you mean," nodded Prescott. "I'll go and get it." + +He strolled off in the opposite direction from the pool. Yet, +truth to tell, his mind was very little on the herb he was seeking. +His mind dwelt almost completely on the thought of Tag Mosher, +once more at large, and most likely roaming about somewhere in +this vast expanse of woods. + +"I don't believe it's so much badness in Tag, as it is that he's +just a plain, simple savage, with the instincts and the passions +of the savage," Dick reflected. "I wonder if Tag ever did really +have a chance to be decent? Poor fellow! If he must be caught +and returned to jail, and by and by pay the penalty of his attack +upon Farmer Leigh, then I don't believe he ever will have a real +chance to try to be decent again. I wonder if I'm wrong and the +other fellows are right? Perhaps Tag would scorn a chance to +be an all-around decent fellow. I wonder. I wonder!" + +His musings led Prescott rather far afield. At last he halted, +looking about him in some bewilderment. + +"Humph! That's queer!" he muttered. "Now, I wonder if I can +really remember what it was I came out here for?" + +For a few moments the bewilderment continued. + +"Oh, yes! Now, I know," he laughed. "I am after some of that +savory herb for the soup." + +It was necessary to retrace his steps considerably, and to go +in a somewhat different direction. At last he came upon a patch +of the herb. + +"This stuff has been burned by the sun," he said to himself, turning +away from the first specimens of the herb. "Over there in the +shade it will be fresher and greener." + +Dick took a few rapid steps, halting before a fringe of bushes. +Bending over, he extended a hand to pick some of the herbs. + +Just then he heard a slight sound, like the catching of someone's +breath. Starting, Prescott raised his head just a trifle, to +find himself looking straight into the eyes of Tag Mosher, as +that youth lay flat on the ground. Two muzzles of a shotgun stared +Dick in the face, while the fingers of the fugitive rested on +the triggers of the gun. + +"If you're looking for me," grimaced Tag, "you've found me! I'm +right here, and this is going to be my dizzy day!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +TEN MINUTES OF REAL DARING + + +Still keeping his eyes turned on the fugitive, Dick took three +quick, backward steps. + +"Halt!" ordered Tag. + +"I was going to stop, anyway," smiled Dick. "Now, put your hands up!" + +"Why?" + +"Because I'm boss here!" remarked Tag. + +"I didn't know that you were boss of anything," Dick replied, +still smiling. + +"I'm telling you," declared Mosher. "Want me to make good?" + +"I wish you'd make something of yourself, instead," rejoined Prescott +in a voice of intense earnestness. + +"Get your hands up!" ordered Tag, with a decided increase in +emphasis. + +"That's a silly demand on your part," Dick retorted calmly. "Why +should you want my hands up? I'm not armed, and am in no position +to attack you. Are you such a coward, Mosher, that you're afraid +of an unarmed fellow that you could thrash even if you were unarmed? +I can't bring myself to believe that of you. + +"You've a mighty fine opinion of me, haven't you?" jeered Tag. + +"I'd like to have a fine opinion of you," Prescott declared. + +"Oh! And what must I do to win that fine opinion?" demanded Tag +mockingly. + +"If you want to know, I'll tell you," Dick continued. "Just put +down that gun and step away from it." + +"And then you'll pounce on it and hold me up!" jeered Tag. "Fine!" + +"You get away from your weapon," Prescott urged, "and I'll give +you my word of honor not to touch it without your leave." + +"Your word of honor?" asked Tag, driven to wonder despite himself. +"What good would your word of honor be?" + +"It would be as good as anything I'm capable of," Prescott responded. +"Tag, didn't you ever have any respect for a man's word of honor? +Didn't you ever respect your own?" + +"I got that game played on me at school, once," leered Mosher. +"As soon as I swallowed the bait the other fellow kicked me in +the shins and ran off and left me there. Now, Prescott, I don't +want any more nonsense. Put up your hands!" + +"I've already declined," Dick smiled calmly. "To that refusal +I'll add my thanks." + +"Put up your hands, or I'll keep the gun turned on you and pull +a trigger or two." + +"Then the gun isn't loaded," chuckled Dick. + +"Oh, isn't it?" + +"No, for you're not bad enough, Tag, to shoot down an unarmed +person who isn't your enemy." + +"You'll tell the officers you saw me here, won't you?" + +"Certainly." + +"Then you're my enemy," young Mosher argued, with thorough conviction. +"So you'll put up your hands, and take further orders, as long +as I give 'em, or you'll be found taking a long nap on the grass +here!" + +"That's another wrong guess you've made, Tag." + +Laughing softly, Dick dropped to a seat on the grass. + +"You're a mighty sassy fellow," scowled young Mosher. + +"I'm very disobliging sometimes," Prescott admitted. "For instance, +Tag, I won't believe that you're half as bad as you try to paint +yourself." + +"Bad?" snorted young Mosher, with something of sullen pride in +his voice. "I'm about as mean as they make them. You know what +they say I did to that farmer?" + +"Well, did you?" challenged Prescott. + +"I'm not saying," came the gruff answer. "For one thing, it wouldn't +do me a bit of good to deny it. When a fellow has a bad name +everywhere any judge and jury will hang him. Now, I happen to +object to being hanged, or even to being locked up for perhaps +twenty or thirty years. Queer in me, isn't it?" + +"What you ought to do," pursued Dick, "and what you will do, if +you are brave and manly, is to drop that gun, face about, and +march yourself back to jail." + +"And be locked up some more?" quivered Tag in excitement. + +"If you're guilty of assaulting Mr. Leigh, you should be also +brave and manly enough to walk back to jail, ready to pay the +price of your act like a man. If you're not guilty, then you +should be man enough to face the world and prove your innocence +like a real man. Don't be a cowardly sneak, Tag!" + +"A coward?" blurted the other angrily. "You ought to know better'n +that. And the officers know better, too; I may be only a boy, +but the officers are out in packs, hunting for me. I know, for +I've seen two pairs of those fellows go by on the road to-day." + +"Are you going to be a man, Tag, or just a sneaking coward?" asked +Dick, as he rose. + +"Sit down!" commanded Tag sharply. + +"If you really want to talk with me, and will say 'please,' I'll +sit down," Dick smiled back coolly at the angry boy. "But if +you're just simply ordering me to sit down, then I won't do anything +of the sort. Do you want to talk with me?" + +"Sit down!" + +"You didn't say 'please.'" + +"I'm not going to say it." + +"Then good-bye for a little while." + +Though the muzzles of the sawed-off shotgun stared wickedly at +him, Dick Prescott turned on his heel, walking off. + +"Are you going, now, to tip the officers off that you've seen +me?" called Tag. + +"Yes." + +Behind Dick, as he kept on his way back toward camp there came +a snort of anger. Prescott was not quite as cool as he appeared +to be. He knew there was at least a chance that savage Tag Mosher +would send the contents of one or both barrels of the gun into +his back. Dick, however, had mastered the first secret of bravery, +which is to conceal one's fear. + +Again snorting, young Mosher cocked both hammers of the shotgun, +Dick heard the clicks, but still walked on. + +"I hate to do it!" called Tag warningly. + +"Oh, you won't do it," Dick answered in a tone of calm self-assurance. + +Young Prescott kept on for another hundred yards. No sound came +from behind him. Unless young Mosher were creeping upon him, +Prescott knew that he was now out of range of the shotgun. + +Impelled by curiosity, Dick wheeled about Tag Mosher was nowhere +in sight. + +"Either that fellow isn't half as bad as he pretends to be, or +else not half as desperate as he likes to think himself," Dick +chuckled. + +Then, remembering, in a flash, the herbs that he had come to get, +the Gridley High School boy deliberately walked back to the spot +where he had left this strange vagrant of the forest. + +But Tag was no longer there---not in sight, at any rate. Bending +over, Prescott collected a goodly bunch of the herbs. Then, after +glancing at his watch, he started back to camp. + +It was late when he returned. Dave was back from his swim, the +table was set, and all was in readiness to sit down. + +"Too late to use the herbs to-day, I guess," said Tom, as Dick +laid them down. "You were gone a long time, old fellow." + +"I had quite a way to go," Dick replied quietly. Then he cut +a number of grass stalks, trimming them to different lengths. +"Fellows, I want you to draw lots. I don't feel any too much +like a walk to Five Corners after dinner, but if I get the short +straw I'll go." + +"No; you'd better not try it," warned Darrin. "Your hip might +begin to give you trouble before you get back. If someone has +to go, let the other five draw." + +But Dick insisted that the draw should decide it all. + +"What's the matter?" asked Tom Reade shrewdly. "Have you found +traces of Tag Mosher?" + +"I've seen him," Dick replied, "and talked with him. Come to +think of it, I believe two fellows had better go. The two who +are to go will be those who draw the shortest straws. All ready?" + +Dick covered one end of the grass stalks, so that no one could +be sure as to which lot he drew. The lots fell to Reade and Darrin. + +"Now, tell us about the meeting," begged Hazelton. + +"Let's sit down and begin to eat," Prescott proposed. "As we +eat I will describe the meeting." + +Plates passed rapidly until all were served. Then Dick told his +chums the story of the meeting with Tag Mosher. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +DURING THE BIG STORM + + +"Hoo-hoo! Hoo-hoo!" + +"Who's there?" cried Dick, starting up. + +Then, to the accompaniment of some giggling, came in feminine +tones, high-pitched, the famous battle yell of Gridley High School. + +"T-E-R-R-O-R-S! Wa-ar! Fam-ine! Pes-ti-lence! That's us! +That's us! G-R-I-D-L-E-Y H.S! Rah! rah! rah! rah! _Gri-i-idley_!" + +"A lot of mere girls trying themselves out as real war-whoop artists!" +uttered Reade in a tone of pretended disgust. + +But Dick and Dave had jumped up, and were now running for the +road as fast as they could. + +It was ten days after the last word from Tag Mosher. The officers +had been promptly notified by the messengers from Dick & Co., +and presumably were still scouring the great stretches of forest, +though so far without result. + +"How did we do it, boys?" called the laughing voice of Laura Bentley, +as Dick and Dave came in sight. + +"Don't ask me!" begged Dave. "Girls never ought to try school +yells. They ought to content themselves with waving handkerchiefs." + +"Mr. Smarty!" cried Clara Marshall. + +All eight of the girls were now in the burned clearing, surrounding +the two boys laughingly, while Greg and Dan now ran up. + +Out of the woods near the road came Dr. and Mrs. Bentley. + +"Prescott," called the doctor, "we forgot to write and secure +your permission for this latest vagary of mine." + +"I don't know what the vagary is, sir, but the permission is assured +in advance," laughed Dick. "What are you going to do, anyway, +sir?" + +"I'm afraid the idea will bore you," laughed Dr. Bentley, "but +back in the road are the same two automobiles, also two two-horse +wagons, loaded to the gunwales, so to speak. We've brought two +small, portable houses, a couple of tents, a lot of bedding and +supplies, and other things needed, and we're going to try to pitch +a camp not too far from yours. Does the information convey any +jar to your spine?" + +"Not a jar," answered Dick promptly, standing with his hat off +in the presence of Mrs. Bentley and the eight girls. "The only +thing I notice in the way of sensation over the news is a great +thrill of delight." + +"It's a pity that Dave and some of the other boys couldn't find +their tongues and make as good use of them as Dick has just done," +pouted Belle Meade. + +"Dick Prescott is our captain, always," replied Darry, with a +comical sigh, "and his sway extends even to the point of his +bartering away our liberties." + +"Let us go on, farther into the woods," urged Belle, turning to +Dr. Bentley. + +"I think not," replied the doctor dryly. + +"Since Prescott has been the only one to hold out the gracious +hand, I believe we'll settle right down here, as a reward to Prescott +and as a punishment to the others." + +"Hooray for punishment!" laughed Darry. "I can take a lot of it." + +"That's the first nice thing you've said," declared Miss Meade. + +"I'll say a lot more if you're going to be here for the rest of +the summer vacation," promised Darry. + +"Not quite as long as that," declared Dr. Bentley. "But we'll +be here for a few days. Then we'll go on to other camping places." + +"You're going to be just in time for dinner to-day," Dick informed +the new arrivals. + +"We'll be just in time to get our own dinner," smiled Laura. +"We have an abundance of supplies with us, and we're not going +to eat you boys out of the woods. The first meal with guests +will be when you come over to our camp and take revenge for the +descent that we made upon you the other day." + +"Dick," inquired the doctor, "where do you think we could pitch +camp best?" + +"It depends upon the size of your houses and tents," Prescott +answered. + +"Naturally. Your answer is a good deal more sensible than my +question." + +"Anyway," Dick suggested, in an undertone, "your camp should be +just far enough away so that neither camp will intrude on the +privacy of the other. I think I know a spot, if your houses are +not too large." + +Dr. Bentley mentioned the sizes of the two portable houses. + +"The spot that I have in mind will do finely," Dick declared. +"And I think you can drive the wagons in there." + +Dan Dalzell was sent to the road to instruct the teamsters to +drive in at the point which young Prescott mentioned. + +It was not long before the two wagons were at the spot. Reade +now remained at the boys' camp, to look out for things, while +the other five went over to the new camp to be of assistance. + +Dr. Bentley, having removed his coat, was now busily at work. +The two wagons were unloaded of a host of things, after which +the teamsters started, at once, to erect the portable houses. +As these were of a pattern requiring but little work, they were +up within a few hours. + +Dick & Co. pitched the tents, also busying themselves in various +other ways. Now, Mrs. Bentley, aided by the high school girls, +started in to prepare the noon meal. + +"We shall want you boys over here about tomorrow noon," said Laura. +"By that time we shall be all to rights and ready to act as hostesses." + +"Can't we come over again before to-morrow?" asked Dick, with +a wistfulness that caused a general smile. + +"If you don't come over except when you're especially sent for," +declared Miss Meade, "you'll wake up some morning in the near +future and find us gone on to the next camping place." + +Dick had already told Dr. Bentley of the fugitive, Tag Mosher, +and the fact that that young offender was at large in the woods, +and armed. + +"I'm not afraid of him," declared the doctor bluntly, "and I shall +always be within sound of the camp. It wouldn't take you boys +long to get over here, either, at need." + +Dick now reluctantly called his chums away, as Mrs. Bentley and +the high school girls might want a little time to themselves. + +"It's going to be great to have such company right at hand," declared +Darry gleefully. + +"Only I must warn you of one thing," retorted Dick. + +"What?" + +"You remember the errant that brought us into the woods?" + +"Football training!" + +"Exactly, and even the welcome presence of the girls mustn't be +allowed in the least to interfere with the serious and hard work +that we have ahead of us for the honor of good old Gridley High +School!" + +"That goes, too," nodded Greg. "Though I am afraid the girls +will feel almost neglected." + +"No, they won't," Darry retorted. "The girls all belong to Gridley +High School as much as we do, and they're just as big football +boosters when it comes to that. They'll endure a little neglect +when they know it's for the honor and glory of our school." + +"Besides," suggested Dick, "they may be glad to put in a little +time watching us train." + +There will be no objection to that, will there?" + +"Not a bit," declared the others. + +Tom Reade, having been left in charge of the camp, had also taken +upon himself the preparing of the dinner, though this was not +his day for such service. The others now turned to help him. + +"I'm glad the girls have come, and I'm also sorry," declared Reade. +"If we stick to training as conscientiously as we ought to they'll +feel that we're not showing them all the attention they've a right +to expect." + +"We won't neglect training," Dick retorted, "and the girls won't +feel neglected, either. We've talked that over on the way here, +and we'll explain it to the girls when we see them again. They're +Gridley High School girls, and they're sensible." + +It was not long ere dinner was ready. Six famished boys sat down +at the table. + +"I wonder what on earth is the reason that we haven't heard from +Mr. Hibbert, or from the Blinders agency, either?" spoke Dick, +when the meal was half over. + +"I had almost forgotten about those parties," Tom rejoined. "Not +hearing from Hibbert, as I take it, means that that generous young +friend of ours has broken off communication with the Eagle Hotel +in Gridley. But I can't understand why the agency hasn't communicated +with us in some way." + +Dinner was eaten in quicker time than usual. Dick and Dave, perhaps +some of the others, felt a secret desire to slip over to the other +camp, but no one mentioned any such wish. Instead, the dinner +dishes were washed, the cooking utensils cleaned, and the camp +put in a very good semblance of order. + +"In forty-five minutes more," remarked Prescott, glancing at his +watch, "we must be back at training work." + +"Not to-day," replied Tom. + +"What's the matter?" demanded Dick, looking sharply at him. + +"In forty-five minutes more," exclaimed Reade, "we'll be sitting +inside the tent, looking out at the weather." + +"What are you talking about, Tom?" asked Darry. + +"Read your answer in the skies," retorted Reade. + +Though none of the other five boys had noticed it, the sky had +been gradually clouding. The wind was becoming brisker, too, +and there was more than the usual amount of moisture in the air. + +"Pshaw! That's a shame," muttered Dick. + +"I wish we might arrange it with the weather clerk to have it +rain at night, after ten o'clock, and have dry ground in the day +time," sighed Dave Darrin. + +Yet none of the boys spoke the thought that was uppermost in more +than one mind---the wish that they might go over to the Bentley +camp to spend the time that it rained in the society of the girls. + +It was Reade, who was perhaps less attracted by girls' society +than the others who finally suggested: + +"We ought to send someone over to the other camp to see if they +are all fixed to stand the coming rain." + +"Good idea!" nodded Dick. "You run over, Tom." + +Reade was away less than ten minutes. + +"Dr. Bentley says they'll be as snug as can be in the biggest +kind of a summer rain that the weather clerk has on tap," Tom +reported. + +Flashes of lightning were now illumining the gradually darkening +sky. Distant rumblings of thunder also sounded. + +"I hope it won't be much of a thunderstorm," sighed Dick. "Some +girls are very uneasy in a thunderstorm." + +"Laura is afraid of one, I know," said Dave. + +In a few minutes more the big drops of rain began to fall. Soon +after swirling sheets of water descended. Dick & Co. had all +they could do to keep dry in such a downpour. + +"This is where the portable house has the advantage of a tent," +grunted Tom. "The portable houses yonder are even equipped with +some kind of rubber roofing. If this storm keeps up through the +night at this rate, we'll be washed out long before daylight." + +"I can stand it," retorted Prescott, "as long as I know that Mrs. +Bentley and the girls are protected from the weather. Yet I won't +mind if the storm does let up after an hour or two." + +Conversation ceasing, after a time, all but Reade and Dalzell +got out books to read from the slender stock of literature that +they had brought with them into the woods. + +The heavy storm made it a dull afternoon, where there might have +been so much fun. + +But not one of Dick & Co. had the least idea of the excitement +in store for them. The storm held more than rain for many people. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +MR. PAGE'S KIND OF FATHER + + +As though the heavy downpour did not sufficiently indicate that +the storm was still raging as heavily as ever, Harry Hazelton +went to the tent doorway to peer out at the sky. + +Just as suddenly he ducked back again. + +"Hist!" he called. "There's someone at our canned goods stock, +and I think it's Tag!" + +In a twinkling Dick and Dave were by Hazelton's side. The heavy +rain supplied a curtain like a light fog. + +"I think that's Tag!" muttered Dick. "We'll go after him." + +There was a quick diving into rubber coats. Dick and Dave were +first to get outside. + +But the figure seen through the rain was already under way, heading +away from the tent. This figure, just as it stole under the great +trees, turned to point a sawed-off shotgun their way. + +"That's Tag," muttered Dick. "Come on; we'll catch him." + +"Yes; if he'll kindly permit us to get close to him," rejoined +Darry, as he ran at Dick's side. + +Evidently the figure ahead had made a successful raid on the food, +for he carried a gunnysack, and that appeared to have a load inside. + +"We can catch him---if we can run fast enough," declared Dick, +for just then the fugitive darted ahead with renewed speed. + +"Unless he stops us with the gun," objected Dave. + +"Don't let him stop you with that. I don't believe he would dare +use it on us." + +"If it's only a question of 'daring,'" responded Dave, "I don't +believe there is anything that Tag Mosher would be afraid to do +at a pinch." + +Owing to the storm it was dark in the great woods. Shadows were +deceptive. Though Dick and Dave ran on at pell-mell speed they +presently came to a sudden halt, looking inquiringly at each other. + +"Which way did that fellow go?" demanded Dave. + +"Blessed if I know," Dick admitted. + +"Are we still on the right trail, and merely a mile behind him?" + +"I wish I knew even that," admitted Prescott. + +"We might as well go back," proposed Darry. "In these woods all +we'll get is---wet." + +"All right," nodded Prescott. Discouraged with the chase, they +turned to retrace their way nearly half a mile through the soggy, +dripping woods. They had not gone far on their return when they +came upon Tom and Greg. + +"Hello, where have you fellows been?" asked Reade. + +"We weren't very far ahead of you," Dick answered. + +"Greg and I didn't see or hear you ahead." + +"And Tag Mosher was just as invisible and unfindable to us," laughed +Dick, "so we came back." + +"I'm growing disgusted," muttered Dave, "with the stupid way that +we let that fellow carry off all of our property. It begins to +look as though we ought to camp in one of our own back yards, +where our parents can keep a watchful eye over us and protect +us!" + +There could be no doubt that Darry was completely angry. Had +he encountered young Mosher at that moment he would have "sailed +into" the thief with his fists, regardless of any consequences +that might follow. + +"Well, shall we go on hunting for him?" demanded Dick. + +"It's just as Darry says," offered Tom, "I'm willing to remain +out in this weather if Dave wants to." + +"Oh, what's the use?" grumbled Dave. "That fellow knows the woods +a hundred times better than we do, and he has made his get away. +Did you leave anyone back at the camp?" + +"Dan and Harry are there," nodded Tom. + +"We may as well join them," sighed Dave. So the party headed +toward camp. + +Just as they stepped out into the clearing, they sighted a rubber-coated +party of three men entering the clearing from the direction of +the road. + +"Why, that must be our friends, Hibbert, Colquitt and Mr. Page!" +announced Prescott, halting, then running forward. "They must +have gotten our note at last. Oh, Mr. Hibbert!" + +The three travelers waved their hands. Then it was the oldest +of the trio who ran at top speed in an effort to reach Prescott +quickly. + +"My boy!" panted Mr. Page, seizing Dick by the shoulders. "You +have found him? We received your note this morning, and have +been breaking the speed laws ever since in our effort to get here. +My boy! You know where he is! Perhaps he is now one of your +own party? You have told him, and have kept him here against +my coming?" + +"No, sir; he's not here just now," Dick answered, shaking his +head. "But come into the tent, sir. There is a lot to tell you." + +"I can hardly contain myself to wait for the news!" cried the +eager father tremulously. + +Nevertheless, silence was preserved until the tent had been entered. +Mr. Page, Hibbert and Colquitt were given seats on camp stools, +some of the boys finding seats on empty boxes. + +"Now, my boy---my son! Tell me all about him," pleaded Mr. Page. +"Is he well? Does he know that I am looking for him?" + +"I have hinted to him," Prescott answered, "that he is not the +son of the man whom he has grown up to regard as his father. +I have told him that you were looking for him, and-----" + +"Oh, my boy!" cried Mr. Page. "Was he pleased---or even curious?" + +Prescott swallowed hard, twice, and did some rapid thinking, ere +he went on, with all faces turned toward him: + +"Mr. Page, if this boy turns out to be your son-----" + +"Describe him to me---minutely!" ordered the father. + +Dick fell into a personal description of Tag Mosher. Others, +as they now watched Mr. Page closely, felt that Tag must be his +son. The description, as to complexion, features, hair and eyes, +all tallied closely with Mr. Page's own appearance. + +"Now, don't keep me in suspense any longer," begged Mr. Page. +"Take me to him, that I may help decide for myself." + +"If he is your son, sir," Dick went on solemnly, and hating his +task, "I am much afraid that you are going to be disappointed +in him. The boy is known as Tag Mosher. He believes a dissolute, +drunken, thieving fellow named Bill Mosher, who is now in jail, +to be his father. Tag is himself a wild young savage of the +forest, and maintains himself by st---poaching." + +"If this young man is, indeed, my son," murmured Mr. Page, his +eyes glistening, "how fortunate that I am about to come up with +him! He will have no need to steal hereafter. He shall have +comfort, protection, proper training at last! But where is he? +Why are you keeping me from him? How long since you have seen +him?" + +"Only a few minutes ago," Dick answered. "He had just robbed +our food supply. We pursued him, but lost him in the woods." + +"Then these woods must be scoured until the boy is found!" cried +Mr. Page. "Colquitt, this is a task for you. Employ as many +more of your force of detectives as you may need, but you must +find the boy without an hour's delay." + +"I must tell you something else, sir," Dick went on in a distressed +tone. "Even for my own peace of mind I must have it over with +as early as possible. Mr. Page, the boy is now roaming the woods +armed with a shotgun and a revolver. He is a fugitive from justice." + +"What is that you say?" cried Mr. Page, his face growing haggard +and ghastly. "My boy----my son---a fugitive from justice!" + +"He may not be your son, sir," broke in Tom Colquitt. + +Then the whole story came out. With it Dick described the birthmarks +he had seen on Tag when the latter was at the swimming pool. + +"That's my boy---my son!" declared Mr. Page. "And, oh! To think +of the fate that has come upon him. Wanted, perhaps for homicide!" + +Then suddenly the flash of determination returned to the father's +eyes. He rose, stood erect, and went on: + +"If he is my son, he needs guidance, aid---protection of such rights +as he may still have left. Above all, he must surrender himself +and go back to face the laws of the land like a man! If he has +done wrong, he must bow to the decision of a court, whatever that +may be. If this boy is my son, I will see to it that he does +all of this. If he is not my son, then-----" + +"Then you will do well to drop him like a piece of hot metal," +interposed the detective quietly. + +"Silence!" flashed Mr. Page. "If Tag Mosher is not really my +son, then I will stand by his last spark of manhood as though +he were my son, and in memory of my own boy!" + +"If you will permit me," proposed Tom Colquitt, "I will go back +to the road, get into the car and order your man to drive me to +the county jail. There I will see old Bill Mosher, and drag the +truth out of him. What Mosher has to say will be to the point." + +"Go, by all means!" pleaded Mr. Page, who had now sunk down into +his seat trembling. + +"And I'll go with him," declared Hibbert, jumping up. "Cheer +up, my old friend, and we'll find out all the facts that there +are to be learned. We'll be back here as speedily as possible." + +The hours passed---hours of rain at the camp. It was a deluge that +kept all hands in the tent, though even that place was wet. A +pretense of supper was prepared over two oil stoves. Mr. Page made +an effort to eat, but was not highly successful. + +The hours dragged on, but none thought of going to bed. At last +quick steps were heard outside. + +"That must be Colquitt and Hibbert!" cried Mr. Page, starting +up, trembling, though he soon recovered his self-control. + +"Don't go out in the rain. Wait for another moment, sir," begged +Dick, placing a hand on the man's shoulder. + +"Do you think I could wait another minute?" demanded Mr. Page +excitedly. Then he darted out into the downpour. + +"Hibbert, is that you?" he screamed. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +SEEN IN A NEW, WORSE LIGHT + + +"It's Hibbert," was the reply from the darkness. + +Then two figures came tramping through the rain, over the soggy +ground, next splashing into the tent, the flaps of which Dick +and Harry held aside. + +As they came in Mr. Page almost tottered toward them. + +"Well," he demanded impatiently. "What did you learn?" + +"I guess the boy is yours, Mr. Page," Colquitt answered. "Bill +Mosher told us a pretty straight story. He found the child at +the railway wreck, and he and his wife took it home, expecting +that parents or friends would soon claim it. Bill says his wife +was a good woman, and, when no one claimed the boy, she kept it +and loved it as her own. Bill admits that his part in the transaction +was due to the hope of receiving a reward. After his wife died, +Bill, it seems, went to the dogs, followed his naturally shiftless +bent, and, from a common vagrant, became a drunkard and common +thief. Yet Bill claims, with an air of a good deal of virtue, +that he never stole anything he didn't really need, and that he +brought Tag up the same way." + +Mr. Page, white-faced and trembling, listened to the detective's +dry recital. + +"You have taken pains to find further verification of the fact +that this unhappy boy is my son, haven't you?" + +"Oh, yes," the detective went on. "Bill described with great +minuteness the clothing the child wore when found, even to the +embroidered letter 'p' on the underclothing. And Bill tells me +that his sister has kept that clothing ever since, in the hope +that something might come of it. The sister also has two pictures +of Tag, taken when a baby." + +"Where does that sister live?" cried the father. "Take me to +her home at once!" + +"She lives in another state, some four hundred miles from here," +smiled Tom Colquitt. "Mr. Page, I advise that you find the boy, +first. There isn't any real doubt as to his being your son. +You had better wait for further proofs until after you have found +the boy---who, according to all accounts, stands badly in need +of a real father just now." + +"You are right---quite right," admitted Mr. Page. "Yes, we will +find my son first. But tell me something more. Didn't the boy +know that Bill Mosher wasn't his real father?" + +"No; it had never been hinted to him," Colquitt answered. "Bill +kept the truth from the child, and, after Bill's wife died, they +moved over into this part of the country, where no one knew their +past history." + +"And has my son never been in school?" + +"Oh, yes; the compulsory education law came to the rescue, and +the boy had a grammar school education before he took to the +woods altogether." + +"I know something definite, at last," sighed the unhappy father. +"I know that my boy is alive, and that he needs a father. Moreover, +I feel certain that he is at this moment not far away from me. +What shall we do next? Did you wire for more detectives from +your agency?" + +"There was no need to do so," Colquitt replied. "There are several +officers now looking for the lad, and they are certain to come +upon him. Hibbert and I will aid in the search. The chauffeur +will bring in four folding cots and some blankets. We shall have +to impose upon these young men for shelter to-night, as this is +the point from which we must take up the chase in the morning." + +At least one man in the tent lay with eyes wide open all night, +and that was Mr. Page. By daylight the rain had stopped. The +sun came up, drying the ground in the open spaces, raising a semi-fog +under the big trees as the moisture steamed up. It was a close, +humid morning, yet all rose so early that breakfast had been eaten +before six o'clock. + +Then Mr. Page's party went away in the automobile, on some errand +of their own. + +"I wonder how the girls got through the rain last night?" mused +Dave Darrin. + +"They must have gotten along all right," + +Dick replied. "They had two dry houses in, which to sleep." + +"I've a good mind to go over now, and make some inquiries," Dave +pursued. "Will you come with me?" + +"No, and I'd advise you not to go, either. Six in the morning +is too early to call on young women." + +"That's so," Dave assented. "What time should we go over?" + +"As this is camp life, I should say it might be all right for +us to drop over there soon after nine o'clock," Dick said slowly. +"How does that strike you?" + +"If that's too early," pondered Darry wonderingly, "then we might +go within sight of the camp, as if looking for firewood, but not +go over to them unless we get a hail." + +"That would be a subterfuge," Dick replied, shaking his head. +"Straight dealing is always the best rule in anything." + +However, Dr. Bentley settled the question of etiquette himself, +by coming over to the boys' camp shortly after eight o'clock. + +"Mrs. Bentley sent me to see if you got through the night without +being drowned," smiled the physician. + +"We look pretty healthy, don't, we, sir?" smiled Dick. + +"Speaking professionally, I would say that you do," agreed Dr. +Bentley. "However, I believe you must have had a pretty dismal +time in all that downpour. Have you been in the woods this morning? +They are pretty wet, aren't they?" + +"The woods are damp, sir," Prescott answered, "but not really +wet. The water has soaked fairly well into the ground since sun-up." + +"Are the woods dry enough for a little botanizing?" asked the +doctor. "Laura and Belle say they have a few plants in mind that +they want to add to their collection of botanical specimens. +Are you two young men ready to escort them?" + +"Certainly, sir," Dick nodded. "And the forenoon will be the +best time, as we must go through our training work this afternoon." + +"Hang my luck!" muttered Darrin in sudden disgust. "This is my +day to do the cooking here." + +"One of the other fellows will take your turn," suggested Prescott. + +"I won't ask anyone to do it," sighed Darry. "I'm man enough +to shoulder my own share of the camp work. Dick, you can look +after both girls, can't you? And you'll make my excuses satisfactorily +to Miss Meade?" + +"That's right---just right, David," spoke the physician. "Do +your own work like a man. I'll undertake to make your excuses +so well that Belle will have a higher opinion of you if that were +possible. Dick, shall the girls look for you within the next +few minutes?" + +"I'll be there soon, doctor." + +Five minutes later Dick presented himself at the other camp. +He went first to Mrs. Bentley and inquired as to her comfort during +the storm. + +"We know Dave can't come, but where are the other boys?" inquired +Clara Marshall. + +"Over at the camp," smiled Dick. + +"Don't they think that we need attention?" asked Susie Sharp. + +"Tom is hauling firewood," Dick explained. "Greg is chopping +it up. Harry is hauling the water supply and Dan is doing the +housework in the tent." + +"Laura and Belle have an escort for their trip into the forest, +but it's not a rosy outlook for the rest of us," Clara pouted. + +"Can't we all go together?" proposed Dick. "Surely, one guide +ought to be enough for a party of eight girls." + +Susie decided to join the botanizing party. The other girls made +up their minds to take a walk under Dr. Bentley's escort. So +Dick started away with the trio. + +Belle and Laura carried the regulation oval cans for holding such +plant specimens as they might collect. Prescott promptly offered +to carry both cans, but the two girls declared that they were +not going to permit him to impose upon himself. + +For fifteen minutes the young people went on, farther into the +forest. Though the girls wore overshoes, Dick went ahead to +pick out the drier paths. + +Collecting botanical specimens, though interesting to amateurs +or experts, is dull work for onlookers. As both Belle and Laura +were enthusiastic workers, Dick found himself walking chiefly +with Susie Sharp. There was much waiting while Laura and Belle +dug their mosses and plants. + +Finally, Dick and Susie found themselves standing together, some +feet from Laura and Belle, who were gathering wild flowers. + +"Look at those beautiful purple blossoms over there!" cried Susie +in sudden enthusiasm. + +"Are you going to turn collector, too?" smiled Dick. + +"To the extent of wanting a bouquet of those flowers," Susie declared. +"Will you help me?" + +"With great pleasure. If you will wait here, I will get the bouquet +for you. It will take me hardly a minute." + +Dick started away alone. By the time that he had picked a good-sized +handful, Susie started to meet him. For the moment she was out +of sight of the other girls. + +Dick came toward Miss Sharp, holding out the gorgeous blossoms. + +"Will these be enough?" he inquired. + +"Oh, yes! Thank you so much!" + +"It was a very slight service," Prescott laughed. "I am glad +to have pleased-----" + +A sudden scream brought his gallant speech to an abrupt stop. + +"Oh, Dick! Be quick!" sounded the voice. + +"Pardon me," said Prescott to Susie, as he sprang forward through +the brush. + +It was a startling scene that met the high school boy's gaze as +he bounded forward. + +Tag Mosher, holding his shotgun under his left arm, stood confronting +Laura and Belle. In his right, hand he held a gold chain and +locket that he had snatched from Laura Bentley's neck. In one +of his pockets, out of sight, now rested two valuable rings that +he had forcibly stripped from one of Belle's hands. + +"Sorry, girls," he was saying. "I never did anything quite as +bad as this before. But if you knew how badly I need to get away +from these parts you'd know why I'm holding up girls to get money +to pay my fare, and-----" + +Just then Tag Mosher caught sight of Dick Prescott. + +"Stand back!" warned Tag hoarsely. "I don't want to have to do +anything worse than I've just done. Stand back, or by the blue +sky-----" + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +SOME IMITATION VILLAINY + + +"Oh, Dick, do keep back. He won't harm us further," cried Laura. + +Prescott ran forward by leaps and bounds. + +"If you will have it-----" growled Tag, cocking both hammers of his +ugly weapon. + +Laura uttered another scream, then, with sudden frenzy, seized +the barrels of the gun. + +"Let go!" yelled Dick, racing up. "If he fires, even accidentally, +you'll be killed." + +"Then let him put down the gun," panted Laura without releasing +her hold. + +Belle seized Tag by his right arm, hanging on frantically. + +But Dick, reaching the spot, laid hands on the shotgun. + +"Let go, Laura," he commanded sternly. "I have hold of this gun." + +It was the tone of the high school boy, not her own fear, that +made Laura Bentley obey. + +"Let go of his arm, Belle," Dick insisted. "You girls get back +out of harm's way." + +"I won't let go," Belle insisted. Then she resorted, excusably +under the circumstances, to the somewhat feminine trick, of pinching +Tag Mosher's arm sharply. + +That started the real fight. Dick tripped the bigger fellow, +and the pair went down together as Belle leaped back. + +Click! click! sounded both descending hammers of the sawed-off +shotgun. For an instant---Prescott's heart was in his mouth, +for he knew something of the wicked scattering power of such a +weapon, when discharged, and he feared for the girls. + +The next instant, however, his common sense told him that the +hammers had descended harmlessly. By desperate force he wrenched +the piece out of Tag's hands, hurling it away. + +Laura's locket, and chain falling to the ground, Belle darted +in and rescued them. + +"He has my rings in his right-hand coat pocket," Belle announced. + +"He'll give them up, then!" predicted Dick grimly, making a dive +for that pocket. He was on top, in the mix-up, and secured the +rings, tossing them toward Belle. Then Tag, by a violent effort, +hurled Prescott from him and rose, ready for battle. + +But Dick landed close beside the sawed-off shotgun, which he snatched +from the ground as he rose to his feet. + +"You cur!" said Dick. "Robbing girls!" + +"I hated to do it," growled Tag, looking somewhat shamefaced. +"But I've got to have money to get away from this corner of the +world. The deputies are out after me, and they'll get me yet, +if I stay here." + +With a quick movement Dick threw the gun open at the breech. + +"It isn't loaded," Tag informed him grimly. "This is the piece +of iron that holds cartridges." + +From a hip pocket he brought a heavy, long-barreled revolver into +sight. + +"You can't scare me with firearms," declared Dick doughtily. +"Nor are you going to rob these young women, who are my best friends." + +"I'm not going to try again," announced Tag. "What I want is +for you to keep away from me, and not follow me. If you do---well, +you can guess the answer! Now, as I'm going, give me that gun." + +"I won't," Dick declared firmly, holding it by the muzzle and +ready to employ the weapon as a club. + +"You'll make a lot of trouble and danger for yourself and the +girls if you don't put the gun on the ground and walk away from +it," warned Tag, glowering. + +"I won't drop the only weapon that I have," Dick returned firmly. +"You could down me easily unless I had something like this to +swing. As long as these young women are under my protection I +will not give up the only weapon that I have." + +"If I press the trigger of this pistol," challenged Tag, "will +you be able to offer the girls much protection then?" + +"Perhaps not," Prescott rejoined. "But shooting me will be the +only way that you can get this gun from me." + +There could be no doubt that the high school boy meant just what +he said. Tag, who was not accustomed to wasting time in crises, +turned angrily on his heel. + +"Hold on there a moment," called Dick. The other boy baited, +turning about. "Do you remember what I told you the other day?" +demanded Prescott. + +"You've told me a lot of things I never took from any other kid," +growled Tag. + +"Do you remember what I told you about your father, his love for +you, and his desire to meet and claim you?" + +"Old Bill Mosher's love?" laughed Tag harshly. "I'd stay and +laugh a while at that, but I've other business for to-day." + +"No; your real father, Mr. Page!" Dick cried after him, as Tag +started away. "Bill Mosher found you in a railroad wreck. Your +real father is a man of wealth. He is nearly broken down from +the many anxieties of trying to find you. He spent last night +at our camp. This morning he and friends of his started off to +find you. Tag, come back here, and I'll take you into camp." + +"No, thank you!" leered the larger boy. "I've been taken into +camp before, and you're the lad that turned the trick. You turned +me over to Valden and Simmons, and they turned me over to the +warden at the jail. I'm not going back to that jail---_alive_!" + +"You foolish fellow! Can't you understand?" bellowed Dick, following +Tag as he once more turned away. "I'm telling you the truth, +and your father is only too anxious to employ all his wealth in +protecting whatever rights you may have. Bill Mosher was seen +at the jail yesterday, and he admitted that you were not his son, +but that he found you as a baby at a railroad wreck! Tag, use +your brains, for once, and come back to camp to meet your father!" + +"Good-bye!" laughed the larger boy derisively, increasing his +fast walk to a run. + +Desperately, Dick Prescott followed. As Tag sprinted, so did +the high school boy. + +Looking back, young Mosher tripped over a root, and fell heavily. +The revolver flew from his hand landing several feet away. Prescott +was now so close that Tag sprang to his feet and ran on without +making any effort to recover his lost weapon. + +Then the larger boy dived into a thicket. He did not appear again. +Master of every hidden path in these forests, he seemed likely +enough to get away without leaving a trace of a trail. + +Dick halted, brought to his senses by the realization that he +had deserted the three high school girls who had been entrusted +to his escort. He turned about. At the spot where Tag had tripped +he bent over to pick up the abandoned revolver. + +One glance into the cylinder was enough. There wasn't a cartridge +in the weapon. + +"Just as I thought," laughed Dick triumphantly. "Tag had no notion +of shooting anyone. For fear he might do so, if too closely cornered, +he threw away the ammunition. He relied on the bad reputation +of the Moshers to make officers hesitate if they encountered him +with firearms in his hands." + +Then Prescott called for the girls, whom he quickly rejoined. + +"You didn't catch him?" asked Laura. + +"Not I," laughed Dick. "He knows every trail in these woods and +in a sprint, Tag Mosher could leave me hitched to a tree." + +"I'm thankful you didn't catch him," quivered Miss Bentley. "He's +a terrible fellow." + +"Is he?" laughed Prescott good-humoredly. "As a bad man Tag Mosher, +or young Page, as he really ought to be called, is about the biggest +bluff that I've ever heard of. Look at these weapons. Both unloaded. +Yet, when Tag broke jail, he carried away ammunition enough to +hold a company of militia at bay. Tag doesn't want to shoot anyone. +All he wants to do is to scare pursuers." + +"He's a ruffian, anyway," Belle declared. + +"Why? Was he very rough with you?" Dick inquired. "Did he tear +your rings off recklessly, and hurt your hands?" + +"No; but be held my hand so firmly that I simply couldn't pull +it out of his clutch," Belle replied. "Then he took off my rings +as easily and in as matter-of-fact way as though they were his +own property." + +"He really didn't mean to hurt you," Dick explained. "He has +been trained, from babyhood, to make his living by appropriating +other people's belongings, and he was only obeying his training. +The officers are after him, and Tag, not wishing to be caught, +wants to put considerable distance between himself and these woods. +Yet no matter what he does, or where he goes, the officers will +finally find him. Law is supreme, and triumphs in the end. No +man may defy the police and courts of a nation and get away with +it for any great length of time." + +"Would you have tried to catch him, if we hadn't been with you?" +asked Laura. + +"Yes," Dick admitted. "Though under the circumstances I had no +right to do anything but stay here with you and try to protect +you. Shall we go on with the collecting?" + +"If the other girls want to do so," agree Susie Sharp. + +"If we want to?" Laura echoed. "After the fright we've had? +All that we want to do is to-----" + +"Get back to camp?" smiled Dick. "I'm wholly agreeable. Truth +to tell, I've had such a fright that my nerves are shattered." + +"Your nerves shattered?" echoed Belle scornfully. "Tell that +to someone who never lived in Gridley, Dick Prescott! You flew +at that fellow like a tiger." + +"But look at the magnificent help I had!" smiled Dick. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +THE MEDICAL EXAMINER TALKS TRAINING + + +"Do you want a suggestion, Prescott?" inquired Dr. Bentley. + +The physician and his party had been over at the high school boys' +camp for something like twenty minutes, that same afternoon, watching +the training work that the young athletes were undergoing. + +"Yes, sir," Dick answered promptly. Then a sudden thought striking +him, he added: + +"Perhaps I can make a suggestion, doctor, that is even more immediate +in its nature than yours." + +"Then I shall be glad to have it," smiled Laura's father. + +"Did you leave that chauffeur to watch your camp?" + +"No; he has gone to Five Corners to post the young women's numerous +letters. But the camp doesn't need a guard, does it?" + +"It does, as long as Tag Mosher is at large, sir. Harry, won't +you go over to the doctor's camp and stay there until the chauffeur +returns?" + +"Yes," agreed Hazelton. + +"If you sight Tag, or any other doubtful-looking characters, just +give a yell, and we'll all come over." + +"Would that young scamp bother our camp, really?" inquired the +physician. + +"Certainly he would," Dick went on promptly. "Mosher, Page, or +whoever he really is, is just as natural an anarchist as the world +ever saw. He has never had anything of his own, and whenever +he sees anyone else's property that will serve him, he just says, +'Tag, you're It!' That's the way he got his nickname." + +"I believe I'll go over with Harry and see if anything is missing," +declared Dr. Bentley. "In the meantime, Prescott, suppose you +and your squad rest until I return. Just make yourselves agreeable +to the girls. I'll endeavor to be back promptly. When I come +back I shall be prepared to offer you some training suggestions +that may be of value to you." + +So the flushed young athletes rested, except Harry, who departed +with the physician. + +In fifteen minutes Dr. Bentley returned. + +"Your warning came too late, Prescott," announced Laura's father +cheerily. "Our camp has been visited." + +"Tag Mosher?" gasped Prescott. + +"Impossible to say," was the smiling answer. "The caller forgot +to leave a card. But someone has cleaned us out of about a dozen +tins of food and some packages of biscuit. It must have been +quite a little load. Just by chance I also happened to think +to look at my medicine case. One vial is missing therefrom." + +"What medicine did he take, did you say, sir?" asked Dave Darrin +much interested. + +"I believe I didn't say," replied Dr. Bentley. "Perhaps later +on I shall tell you." + +"If the thief took only a dozen tins," said Mrs. Bentley, "there +is food enough left so that we needn't worry about immediate famine. +And we have two cars, either one of which may be despatched to +bring further supplies." + +"Tag is really going to move away from here, then," decided Dick +thoughtfully. + +"Why do you say that?" asked Dr. Bentley. + +"Because Tag has a fine appetite, and an abundance of muscle. +Instead of a dozen tins he would have taken three or four times +that amount. It is only his need for traveling in light marching +order that made him so moderate in the tax he levied." + +"It's only an incident," continued Dr. Bentley. "And I am glad +of it. It shows that the young scamp is still in this neighborhood, +and that means that there is still a fair chance of his being +captured." + +"I wonder why he stole one particular drug from your case?" Dick +mused aloud. + +Dr. Bentley smiled, not relieving Prescott's curiosity as to the +name of the missing drug. + +"It can't be that Tag means to commit suicide, as a last resort, +can it?" Dick suggested. + +"I think not," smiled Dr. Bentley. + +Then the leader of Dick & Co. gave up further effort along this +line to secure the desired information. + +"I started in to offer you a suggestion, Prescott," continued +the medical man. + +"Yes, sir; it had something to do with training, I believe." + +"Before I tell you what I have to say, Prescott, suppose you put +each of your 'men' through the stunts they were doing before." + +"Which one first, sir?" + +"Any one of the young men." + +"Dave!" called Dick. + +Darrin stepped forward. + +"One moment," said Dr. Bentley. He felt Dave's pulse, then nodded. +"Go ahead, Darrin." + +Dave started in with the work. + +"Speed it up!" ordered Dick. "Faster! Drive!" + +Darry continued at his training work until Dr. Bentley called: + +"Stop! Now, stand still, young man." + +Bending over, Dr. Bentley placed one ear against Dave's chest, +watch in hand, while the others looked on curiously. + +"Just what I thought," nodded the physician, looking up at last. +"Prescott, you have a lot of bright ideas in training, but you're +driving your squad too hard. Darrin's heart doesn't come down +to normal speed as soon as it should." + +"Anything wrong with the heart, sir" asked Darry. + +"Nothing. It's the trainer that's wrong," replied Dr. Bentley. +"It is a fault with a lot of trainers without long experience +that they work an athlete's heart overtime. Darrin's heart should +have slowed down in a little more than half the time required +in this instance. Set another man at work, Prescott. I can show +you how to do this properly. Let the others work as hard as Darrin +did. I want data to work on. Then I'll lay down a few suggestions +that will serve you well." + +This not being interesting to the high school girls, they chatted +among themselves. + +In the end Dr. Bentley read off some figures he had jotted down, +and explained to Prescott what he must regard as a satisfactory +heart performance after each bit of training work. + +"Now, whenever you don't bring your work, fairly close to these +limits you'll know that you're overdoing the training," Dr. Bentley +explained. "If you overdo on training then you injure the chances +of the men of your squad. The wise trainer keeps within limits. +Keep within such limits, and you'll find that, bit by bit, your +men can endure more and more, and still pass satisfactorily as +to diminishing heart speed after stopping grilling." + +"It's mighty good of you to explain all this to us, sir," Dick +protested, gratefully. + +"Not in the least," replied Dr. Bentley. "You may recall the +fact that I'm medical examiner to the High School Athletic +Association." + +"And I also recall, sir," Prescott rejoined, "that for your work +with the high school athletes you accept a salary of only one +dollar a year, in place of the hundred dollars that the Athletic +Association offered." + +"Well, if I cut prices in selected instances, that's my own affair, +isn't it?" smiled the physician. + +"Now, we'll go on with the training work," Dick soon announced, +stepping forward. "Reade! Darrin!" + +So the work went on, though it was not quite so grilling after +that. The girls looked on with interest, at first, but there +was no contest in hand---nothing for any "side" to win, so presently +the high school girls found the spectacle less interesting. + +Tom, standing by, mopping his face, turned to see that Miss Marshall, +her red parasol resting over one shoulder, had strolled away. + +"That was kind of Clara," laughed Tom. + +"What was?" inquired Belle. + +"To take that red sunshade further off. It made me perspire to +look at it." + +"Red silk shuts out some of the worst rays of the sun," Laura +explained wisely. + +"Does it?" asked Tom. "I know there must be some excuse for carrying +a red sunshade." + +Then suddenly he colored, remarking: + +"That wasn't very gallant of me, but I didn't mean it quite the +way it sounds." + +"And a red parasol helps throw a little tinge of color over a +face that hasn't any too much color of its own," added Susie. +"Clara is always more or less pale in summer." + +"She might be a lot more pale if any of those wild cattle were +to roam back this way," smiled Dr. Bentley. + +Hardly had he uttered the words when, from the edge of the woods, +there came a piercing scream, followed by a deep, bass bellow +that seemed to shake the ground. + +All hands turned instantly, to see Clara running frantically, +waving the parasol in her fright, while not very far behind her +charged a bull, its head lowered. + +"Drop your parasol!" cried Greg. "Throw it away." + +"Then turn and run in another direction!" shouted Darrin. + +Neither Dr. Bentley nor Dick Prescott uttered a word. They had +no advice ready at the instant, but turned and ran toward the +imperiled girl as fast as they could go. + +Unused to such exercise, Dr. Bentley, who got the first start, +was quickly panting and red of face. + +By him like a streak shot Dick Prescott, running with the speed +of the sprinter. + +To face the bull empty handed was worse than useless. Dick had +to form his plans as he ran. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +PLAYING RAGTIME ON MR. BULL + + +"Drop your parasol! Throw it away!" screamed her friends in unison. + +But Clara, emitting another shriek, seemed too frightened to +comprehend. She tried to redouble her speed, but the bull was +rapidly gaining on her in the pursuit. + +As all stood gazing at the panic-stricken girl, Dick Prescott +shot across the field. + +What happened next was that Dick snatched the flaming red parasol +from her hand, then swung her shoulders about, thus forcing the +girl to face in another direction. + +"Run---the way you're headed!" he yelled hoarsely. + +The bull was close upon them. Giving the parasol a flourish in +the maddened animal's face, Prescott started off in the direction +from which the bull had come. + +"Get up a tree, Prescott, as quickly as you can!" panted Dr. Bentley. + +But Dick, not even pausing to shake his head, put all his effort +into a fresh burst of speed. + +Running away from the camp, flaunting the red parasol, Dick was +followed closely by the bellowing bull. For a short distance, +anyway, the sprinter could run as fast as the pursuer. + +Dick swiftly decided, now that he had the bull in voluntary tow, +to lead the animal where the trees were thicker. Here an agile +candidate for football honors ought to be able to daze and exhaust +the bull by darting from tree to tree. + +The plan had its dangers, however, and Dick knew them well. + +Once in among the trees Dick tossed the parasol to one side, then +darted off on an oblique line. + +Bellowing, stumbling, the bull turned clumsily to follow him. + +Again Dick changed his course, though, purposely, he took pains +not to get too far from camp. + +Now he saw his chums running towards him. + +"Keep away! Don't get near the bull!" he yelled. + +"We've sent Dan to get the rope in the tent," Reade called back. + +"Now, what in the world do the boys think they're going to do +with a rope?" Prescott wondered. + +Suddenly, as he dodged off on a new track to escape the bull, +a plan flashed into Prescott's mind. + +"Get up a tree!" yelled Dave. + +"Hardly time enough," Dick retorted, dodging again and sprinting +briefly out of harm's way. "When Dan brings the rope throw it +so that one end will rest in the lowest fork of that young chestnut +tree." + +Dave Darrin heard, understood and nodded. + +"Rope's ready in the chestnut tree," he called, as Dick started +on still another track, pursued, clumsily, by the angry bull. + +"Get back out of harm's way," shouted Dick. "Get back, or you +will hinder me." + +In three changing sprints Dick manoeuvred to reach the chestnut +tree, though the clumsy bull was barely twenty feet behind him +and coming fast. + +As the rope hung from the crotch of the tree both ends trailed +on the ground. Seizing both lines Dick went up rapidly hand over +hand, his feet braced against the tree trunk. In this position +he was able to run nimbly up the side of the trunk. + +Bump! The bull's head landed against the tree, the shock nearly +bringing the high school boy to the ground. Dick managed to hold +on to the rope, though his feet slipped from the trunk. + +Rapidly he drew himself up into the crotch of the tree. Bump---again! +Any animal with a head less hard would have been stunned outright. + +Even Mr. Bull, after the second charge at the tree, backed off, +head lowered, pawing the ground, willing to consider ere making +a renewed attack. + +The tree was in no danger of snapping. It was too stout for that. +Prescott's only danger, just at present, was that of being dislodged +by the force of those mad charges. + +Turning, and beholding his friends closer than was safe, Prescott +shouted to them: + +"Get back, fellows! You can't do any good here now, and the bull +may turn on you. Get 'way back! I'll call you when I'm ready +for your help." + +"What do you think you're going to be able to do up that tree?" +jeered Danny Grin, as he nevertheless backed away with the others. + +"I'm going to do something, if there's any way to do it," Dick +answered. "How is Clara?" + +"Safe," pronounced Tom. + +"Hysterical?" + +"No; only trembling." + +Dick had hauled up the rope. Now, with a speculative air, he +was making a slip noose at one end. He still hadn't a very definite +idea of what he was going to do to the bull. Prescott was making +a lariat, though he had no skill in the use of such a thing. + +Presently, however, the mad animal came closer, stamping, head +lowered. + +"Nice fellow! Nice fellow!" Dick called mockingly. "Wouldn't +you like to have me come down to talk with you?" + +Attracted by the voice, the bull raised its head, showing its +flaming eyes. + +"I wonder!" mused Dick, half aloud, as he leaned out cautiously +over a limb. "I wonder." + +Then, by way of finding out, he dropped the noose suddenly. It +fell over the animal's head and around its neck. + +Warned by the touch of the rope, the bull backed hastily off, +nearly hauling the high school boy out of the tree. + +"There's just one chance to get you, and that's happening now," +mused Dick Prescott, as, still holding to the rope, he fairly +shot down the tree trunk. + +For an instant the bull watched as though incredulous. It gave +Dick time to touch his feet to the ground, passing the rope loosely +once around the tree trunk. + +As the bull lumbered forward Prescott pulled on his rope, while +retreating in the opposite direction. + +All in a twinkling the bull's head was close to the tree, and +Dick with the end of the rope in his hands, and aided by the twist +around the tree, had a leverage that enable him to hold the bull +there. + +For a few moments the dirt fairly flew before the maddened animal's +efforts to free itself. Then, finding itself a prisoner, with +its head fastened close to the tree, the bull again stopped to +consider. + +"You fellows can come over here now," Dick called. "The bull +is safely caught---provided neither the rope nor the tree break." + +With a yell of delight Dick's chums ran to the spot. Dr. Bentley +came, too, though he walked. + +Dick's success did not seem destined, how ever to last. A halt +and a rest seemed to give the bull strength far greater than it +had used in pulling against the rope before. With an angry snort +the animal dug its hind hoofs into the soil and began to back +away. + +"Help!" called Prescott, suddenly, for he found the rope slipping +through his fingers, the friction burning his flesh. Mr. Bull +had succeeded in backing four feet away from the tree. He would +speedily be able to free himself altogether. + +Tom and Dave now came running. They threw their weight and muscle +upon the rope to hinder the captive animal. But that great creature +seemed likely soon to overcome the strength of all those combined +against him. + +"Come on!" called Dick, backing away on a new course. "Off this +way, to the next tree behind me. Hold on and pull for every pound +you're worth." + +Seeing his opponents plainly engaged in making some new move the +wild animal halted, eyeing them balefully. That hesitation proved +fatal to his immediate freedom, for Dick had succeeded in getting +the rope around the tree behind him. Now he took another quick +hitch, supplementing this with a knot, then another and a third. + +"I guess we may all let go of the rope now," Prescott smiled. +"I don't believe the bull can pull successfully against that +triple knot." + +Mr. Bull was trying it, at any rate. His angry bellows were almost +as loud as the roaring of a lion. Dirt flew. The beast exerted +its whole power in its efforts to get free. + +"The knot will hold," pronounced Dr. Bentley, after a critical +survey. "The great danger is friction, which may wear out that +part of the rope hitched around the first tree. If that happens +we shall all have to run for our lives. Come back here, Prescott! +What are you going to do?" + +For Dick, leaving the little group, had started on a run for the +bull. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +WHAT TAG "BORROWED" FROM THE DOCTOR + + +"I want to see how the rope is faring," Dick explained. + +"If it fares badly," called Dr. Bentley dryly, "you will find +your curiosity possibly fatal. Come back here. It is time for +us to be getting away. I am sorry we have no fire arms, or we +could settle Mr. Bull very quickly. Come along, boys! Come, +Dick!" + +But Prescott, for once, didn't prove over, tractable. He went +closer, anxiously studying the condition of the rope wound around +the first tree. Until Dick was ready to go none of his chums +would leave the scene. Dr. Bentley had turned away; but when +he found himself unaccompanied, he wheeled about once more. + +"You can't do anything---except run in danger, Dick," the physician +called anxiously. + +"I am studying this business trying to find out if there isn't +something that I can do," Prescott replied. + +"There isn't," Dr. Bentley assured the boy, walking over to him, +"and by staying you're only putting your life in almost certain +jeopardy." + +But Prescott shook his head and went on studying the turn of rope +around the tree trunk. + +"You foolhardy fellow, I wish I had authority to order you away +from here," exclaimed the physician irascible. + +"I know you think I'm foolhardy, sir," Dick answered respectfully, +"but, from the way the rope is fraying, this beast is going to +be free presently. I feel that I simply have to find a way to +prevent his doing mischief. We boys can take to trees, but how +about the girls? How about Mrs. Bentley?" + +"They can get inside of the wooden houses at need," urged Dr. +Bentley. "It is hardly likely that even a crazy bull would attack +a wooden house." + +"He might charge through our camp, though, and frankly, doctor, +we can't afford to lose that camp," Prescott argued. + +"You other boys get back!" commanded Dr. Bentley, but Dick's chums +came closer. + +"Hoo-hoo! hoo-hoo!" sounded a masculine voice from the direction +of Dick & Co.'s camp. + +"Hoo-hoo!" Dick answered, in his loudest tone. "Who are you?" + +"Hibbert," came the reply. "I understand you are bull chasing!" + +"Yes." + +"Want any help?" + +"Yes; if you're an expert in handling wild bulls," Dick shouted +back, between his hands. + +"I guess that will hold him, for a little while," chuckled Dave. +"The idea of Hibbert handling wild bulls with those dainty little +white hands of his!" + +Soon the sound of running steps was heard. Then on the scene +came Hibbert, carrying a second rope that he had found. + +"A queer hitch-up you've got there," murmured the dapper little +man, as he halted near the group. + +"Yes; and the bull is going to get away pretty soon, according +to all predictions," replied Tom Reade. "Though, perhaps, Mr. +Hibbert, you may have an idea that hasn't occurred to our addled +brains." + +"That's hardly likely," murmured the young man, as he began to +tie a running noose in one end of the rope with an air of +preoccupation. "I don't know very much about cattle." + +"I suppose not," Tom nodded. + +"The very little that I know about the beasts," Hibbert went on +quietly, "was what I picked up during my college vacations, when +my good old Dad sent me west to rough it on a ranch. I'm not +a cowboy at all, you know. All I know about them I discovered +merely by sitting in saddle and watching the cowboys." + +Now Hibbert slipped around to the rear of the bull, which, for +the moment, was behaving very quietly. + +"Look out!" yelled Prescott suddenly, for Hibbert, slipping in +closer, had begun to tease the beast's left quarter. Mr. Bull, +as though resenting such familiarity with all his force, reared, +plunged, snorted. The rope hitched about the tree seemed likely +to snap at any moment. + +Just as the bull came down on its hind legs, its forefeet raised +in the air, Hibbert made a swishing throw. + +"Hurrah!" broke swiftly from the onlookers, for the dapper young +man had made a throw that had roped the animal's forelegs together. +Hibbert made a sudden haul-in on the rope, with the result that +the bulky beast crashed sideways, falling. + +Then, all in a twinkling Hibbert leaped in, hobbling the thrown +beast effectively. Having done this he made a few knots in the +rope with workmanlike indifference. + +"Now, the beast won't run about very fast, if he get's up," remarked +Mr. Hibbert, rising from his task. "For that matter, I hardly +believe he'll get up." + +Hibbert next busied himself with gathering in the rope that Dick +had used. Cutting this off beyond the point where some of the +strands had become frayed, Hibbert made a new cast about the bull's +head, then tied that animal effectively to the tree. + +"Fixed the way he now is," remarked Mr. Hibbert pensively, "I +believe Mr. Bull, unless he has human aid in freeing himself, +will still be here when the meat inspector gets around." + +"For a man who knows nothing about cattle," said Tom Reade, breaking +the silence of the on-lookers, "it seems to me that you've done +a most workmanlike job with that bull." + +"To an amateur like you or me," admitted Hibbert modestly, "it +looks like a very fair little tie-up. But I'm afraid my former +friends on the Three-Bar-X would feel decidedly ashamed of me. +Shall we now go back to camp, or were you intending to go further +into the woods?" + +"I believe we'd better go back to camp," said Dr. Bentley. "You +didn't come alone, did you, Mr. Hibbert?" + +"Oh, no, indeed," replied the dapper little man. "Mr. Page and +Colquitt are waiting back at the camp." + +As the party came in sight of the camp the women were plainly +still agitated. + +"We've treed the bull!" shouted Dr. Bentley. "At least, I mean, +he's safe." + +"He's been safe all along," cabled back Mrs. Bentley. "But are +we safe, too?" + +"The bull is roped so that he will do no harm," Dr. Bentley answered. +"None of you need feel the least uneasiness now. The work that +young Prescott started so well Mr. Hibbert has finished satisfactorily. +The bull cannot get loose and do you any harm. He will stay +just where he is until some of the local cattlemen come along +to take care of him." + +Just before dark, it may be added, two of the tenders employed +by the owners of the cattle were stopped in passing. They led +the bull away, the animal's legs being partly hobbled. + +"You haven't seen my boy," remarked Mr. Page wistfully, as Dick +and his chums reached the space before the tent. + +"I am afraid we hardly expected to see him again, sir," Prescott +answered. "As you've doubtless heard, sir, your son has been +back this way, and visited Dr. Bentley's camp. From there, I +take it, he meant to make his escape out of these woods for good +and all. I have an idea, Mr. Page, that a further hunt will lead +far away from here." + +"My son ought not to be able to get far away," went on the father, +holding out a handbill. "I have felt obliged to proclaim a reward +of a thousand dollars for the boy's discovery within a week, with +a further thousand if it happens within three days, and still +another thousand for his being brought to me within twenty-four +hours." + +"Then you can expect results, sir!" Dick went on, brightening. +"Money talks, I've heard." + +"And talks in every language," added Reade. "Mr. Page, a lot +of men who are not police or peace officers will be out hunting +for young Mr. Page. 'Tag Mosher' will be more eagerly sought +for than ever before in his life. + +"I don't see how Tag has a ghost of a show to get away," observed +Dave Darrin. + +"Whew, but I'm thirsty," remarked Dr. Bentley, going over to the +spot where the drinking dipper hung. "And it looks as though +it were my turn to go after water." + +"Is there no water there?" Prescott inquired. + +"Not a drop." + +"Then I'll get some water, doctor," offered Dick, coming forward +and taking up a pail. + +He went briskly away to the spring where the boys obtained their +water supply. The spring was some distance from camp. Dick reached +the little glade where the spring lay, and turned down into it. +As he did so he saw a movement of the bushes, as though some +animal had crawled into shelter. + +"Anyway, it wasn't anything as large as a bull," laughed Dick, +as he bent over the spring, bucket in hand. He filled the bucket, +then set it down on the ground. + +"I wonder what is under those bushes?" he muttered, boyish curiosity +coming to the surface. + +Prying the bushes apart, stepping forward, he suddenly halted, +a cry of astonishment coming to his lips. + +"You, Tag?" he questioned, in astonishment, gazing down at the +sullen face of the larger boy who lay on his back in the thicket. + +"Yes; it's Tag, and I'm It," mocked the other. + +"What are you doing here?" + +"Waiting for you to call your friends, the officers. There's +a reward offered for me, I suppose." + +"Yes; there is," answered Dick, wondering why Tag didn't leap +up and scurry away. "And guess who offers the reward?" + +"Who?" + +"Your father!" + +"Bill Mosher?" laughed Tag, despite his sulky air. "What does +Bill offer? The next dozen of eggs?" + +"Tag, Bill Mosher isn't your father, and he has admitted it. +You were a strange child that came into his care, and he kept +you, at first, hoping for a reward. Your real name is Page, and +your real father is now over at camp. I'll call him." + +"You may as well," agreed Tag sullenly. "But Page is a new name. +Is that what they call the sheriff now?" + +"Tag, aren't you ever going to be serious?" demanded Dick, flushing +with eagerness. + +"Not while you go on springing the same old line of fairy tales +on me," retorted the other lad. "Is my father, as you call him, +as rich as he was yesterday and the day before? Has he still +barrels of money that he's waiting to hand me? Money? Humph! +If it hadn't been for money I wouldn't be in the fix I am now. +Prescott, I'll tell you something. I've kept the cupboard full +by stealing. I'll admit that. But I never stole money before +to-day. I went through those dog-houses---what do you call them?" + +"Do you mean the portable houses of the Bentley party?" asked Dick. + +"I guess that's the right name. Anyway, I went through those +houses to gather in some food, for I was going to leave these +woods for good and all." + +"So I guessed," nodded Dick. + +"And I came across two twenty dollar bills. Prescott, I've always +helped myself to food, because, some way, it always seemed to +me that food belongs to the fellow who needs it most. But I had +never taken any money, before, from anyone. That's honest---flat! +But the twenties looked fine to me. They would carry me a long +way on the railroad, and I haven't had any notion to stay here +and go to jail for something I didn't do anyway. So I took the +money, the grub, too, and stepped off fast through the woods. +But, Prescott, you may believe me or not, that money got heavier +with every step. Remember, I've never had any practice in stealing +money. By the time I'd gone three or four miles that money in +my pocket got so heavy that I couldn't drag my feet another step. +I took the money out and threw it away. But that didn't help +me any, either, so I went back, found the money, and started back +this way to put that money back where I got it. I never knew +that anything I helped myself to would grow so heavy, but back +I had to come with that money. I can't understand what made me +feel that way about a little money. Maybe it was" + +"Conscience," suggested Dick promptly. + +"Conscience?" repeated Tag wonderingly. "What's that? I know +I've heard that word somewhere---some time." + +Dick was wondering how to make sure of Tag this time. If he shouted +to his friends in camp Prescott felt positive that Tag would leap +up, knock him down and glide away. Give him a start of a hundred +yards in these forests, and Tag Mosher, otherwise young Page, +was quite certain to distance and elude all pursuit. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +CONCLUSION + + +As a last resort the high school boy decided to make one more +effort to use persuasion. + +"Tag" he urged, "be a real fellow. Show some grit, and purpose. +No matter what you've done, or what you haven't done, show that +you've sand enough to get up and walk back into camp with me---to +meet your father. Come, get up and come along, like a real fellow +with real grit, won't you?" + +"Get up?" echoed Tag bitterly. "If I could, do you suppose I'd +be lying here talking to you now?" + +"Are you hurt?" cried Dick. + +"If I hadn't been, do you suppose I'd have stayed with you as +long as I have?" mocked the other indignantly. "It all came of +that money, too, and what you call 'conscience.' If I hadn't come +back with the money I wouldn't have had that nasty tumble over +the root, and my ankle would be as sound as ever." + +"Do you mean that you can't walk?" Dick demanded. + +"I can crawl, and that's all," Tag declared. "I was at the spring, +getting a drink, when I heard you coming. Then I crawled back +in here, but not fast enough to keep you from seeing something +moving here. It was right over yonder that I fell and wrenched +my ankle. I crawled over here so as to be near water until my +foot got so that I could use it again." + +"Hoo-hoo!" bellowed Prescott, through his hands. "Hoo-hoo the +camp! Hoo-hoo!" + +"That's right," jeered Tag. "Go in after the reward, when I can't +help myself. Serves me right for taking money when I should have +contented myself with my old game of stealing victuals only!" + +"Hoo-hoo the camp!" repeated Prescott. "Hoo-hoo!" + +"That you, Dick?" came in Darrin's voice. + +"Yes; come here on the jump, Dave. And bring the others." + +"Where?" + +"At the spring." + +"Say," remarked Tag shrewdly, "you oughtn't to call a whole crowd +that way. There will be more to get a share in the reward, and +you won't get as much for yourself." + +"Oh, bother the reward!" spoke Prescott impatiently. "All I'm +thinking of, Tag, is the bother you've given us, first and last." + +"I suppose I always have been a trouble to folks," Tag assented +glumly. "But I'll be game---now that I'm caught." + +All the chums save Hazelton came on a run. + +"Here's Tag, fellows," Dick hailed them. "He has hurt his ankle +and I guess we'll have to carry him to camp." + +"That'll be easy enough," declared broad shouldered Tom Reade. +"I believe I can pick, him up alone." + +Tom tried. The feat would have been possible, but it would not +make for the comfort of the injured boy. + +"You and I will make a queen's chair," suggested Dick. Then Dave, +Greg and Dan lifted Tag to the seat thus formed. + +"You'll find me heavy before you get me far," Tag informed them. + +"Pshaw!" retorted Tom. + +Greg, running ahead, informed the others in camp who was coming. +The bearers were met by Mr. Page, Hibbert and Colquitt, running +in the order named. + +"Here's the boy you want, Mr. Page," called Dick Prescott. "But +look out for his injured ankle, sir." + +This last caution was necessary, for the older man, in his eagerness +to embrace the lad whom he believed to be his son, almost crashed +into him. + +"So you're my son---my boy, Egbert!" cried the father. + +"That's the fairy tale that has been shied at me a good many times +lately," replied Tag gruffly. + +Mr. Page fell back, in some astonishment, at this ungracious reception. +Then, understanding, and remembering Tag's unhappy past, he +patted the boy's shoulder. + +"That's all right---all right, Egbert," declared the father. +"Perhaps the news has come upon you too suddenly. But you and +I will talk it over. It won't take us long to know each other, +my boy." + +As the party came into camp it was noted that Mrs. Bentley and +the girls had withdrawn, returning, through delicacy, to their +own camp. Hazelton, thus released from guard duty at the other +camp, soon came running over. + +But Dr. Bentley had slipped into the tent, quickly arranging one +of the cots with the skill of the hospital worker. + +"Bring the young man in here," called the physician, appearing +in the doorway of the tent. "We'll soon find out how bad the +injury is." + +Tag was lowered down upon the blanket. + +"Which foot is it?" asked Dr. Bentley. + +"Left," replied Tag. + +Dr. Bentley deftly removed the shoe, causing hardly more than +a trace of pain. Tag insisted on raising himself on his elbow +to look on. It was the first time he had ever been under a doctor's +care. + +Dick took one look at the wistful eyes of the father, as Mr. Page +stood by the head of the cot, resting one hand on his supposed +son's shoulder. + +"Come outside, fellows," called Dick. "Doctor, we'll be outside +if you want anything." + +The onlookers in the tent started to go outside, except the father +and the physician. + +"Come back, Hibbert," called Mr. Page softly. "You've been at +least a son to me during the last year. Now, remain and help +me to get acquainted with my own son." + +Tag was silent. He could take punishment, and Dr. Bentley was +now hurting him quite a bit in his effort to get at the exact +nature of the injury. + +"Reade," called the physician, "start a fire in a hurry. Heat +half a kettle of water for me as fast as you can. Prescott, run +over to my camp and ask Mrs. Bentley for my emergency case, the +two-quart bottle of bicarbonate of soda and a roll of four-inch +gauze." + +Dick sped toward the Bentley camp as though on wings. While Mrs. +Bentley was gathering the things for him the girls crowded about, +asking eager questions about Tag, or Egbert Page, as he might +prove to be. But Dick delayed to talk only until Mrs. Bentley +had placed the desired things in his hands. Then he sped back, +in time to hear the physician saying: + +"Only a sprain. A painful one, to be sure. But this young man +may be moved in an automobile in an hour or two. By to-morrow +morning he ought to be able to get about with the aid of a crutch." + +"In jail is where I'll do my moving about," grunted Tag. + +"No matter where it be, my boy," protested Mr. Page, "if they +lock you up they'll have to take me, too. Besides, I have money, +and bail is possible." + +"Bail?" repeated Tag. "Would you go my bail, and trust me not +to jump it?" + +"The Page honor would never permit you to jump bail," replied +the old man, with simple but positive belief in his tone. + +Hardly had Dr. Bentley finished dressing and bandaging the ankle +than a new arrival appeared. Deputy Valden had dropped in, alone, +to discover whether there was any news. + +"You may wait, deputy, and go with us," declared Mr. Page, as +though the sheriff's officer were some subordinate of his. "We +will go to the jail as soon as my son is rested and is comfortable +enough to be moved." + +"Humph! I like that!" jeered the deputy. "This boy is my prisoner, +and I'll take him when I please. See here, Tag, I don't want +you faking any injuries as a slick way to-----" + +"You get outside, my man!" broke in Detective Colquitt quietly, +but he took hold of the deputy so forcibly that Valden was quickly +on the outside of the tent. + +"Now, you come along with me, my man," Colquitt continued, "and +I'll tell you who's who. First of all, this boy is Mr. Page's +son. Mr. Page can produce all kinds of money merely by signing +a check. He is indignant with you, already, for maltreating his +son when you had him under arrest at another time. Mr. Page may +employ lawyers and bring proceedings to have you ousted from +your job by the sheriff. You-----" + +Here their voices died out in the distance, but Valden went along +willingly enough. When the pair returned the deputy seemed to +have lost his swagger. + +"Doc, you've been good to me," said Tag at last, "and now I'll +tell you how I came to hurt my ankle. You know, of course, that +I visited one of your shacks and helped myself to some of your +kitchen stuff. While I was there I came across a queer little +black bag. I opened it, and found a whole lot of queer little +bottles. Medicines, I guess, though I don't know, for I never +had any. Then I came across one little bottle that I couldn't +see inside of. I took out the cork, and inside I found some paper +rolled up and tucked away. Two twenties were what I found. Money +was just what I needed, to buy a railway ticket with, so I slipped +the money into a pocket. Then I started off, but, Doe, that money +got so heavy---so awfully heavy-----" + +From there on Tag repeated the story he had told young Prescott. +During the recital Dick had stepped into the tent. + +"I knew you had my money, my boy," smiled Dr. Bentley, "but I +didn't say anything about it." + +"You didn't start off to put the officers on my track?" demanded +Tag incredulously. + +"Not I," laughed Dr. Bentley. "I had a different idea. I suspected +you'd buy a railway ticket. This evening I had intended to drive, +to a telegraph station and telegraph about until I found where +and to what station a chap answering your description had bought +a ticket. Then I would telegraph to the sheriff just where you +were to be picked up as you left the train. I'll admit that I +wasn't very anxious to turn you over to the law. What I wanted +was to get on your trail, and then see you turned over to your +father." + +"You told me that Tag took a drug from one of your vials," Dick +murmured, smiling. + +"So he did," nodded the doctor. "Money is a drug in the market---in +some places." + +"What kind of places, sir?" Prescott inquired. + +"Such places as the United States Treasury, for instance," laughed +Dr. Bentley. "Or the National City Bank of New York." + +Then turning to Mr. Page, the physician completed his explanation. + +"Money is a strange thing perhaps, Mr. Page, to carry in a vial +in a doctor's drug case. But sometimes, when I've been on the +road, and a long way from home on the day's work, I've found that +I needed money just when I least expected to want it. So, for +some years, I've always had two twenty dollar bills tucked away +in an opaque vial, where it would not be seen and invite theft. +I never told anyone what I carried in that vial." + +What Dr. Bentley did not explain, however, was that, generally, +when he wanted extra money, it was for some charitable work the +need of which became apparent when he was visiting the sick and +needy. The generous physician had many "free patients." + +Some two hours later, Tag, his father, Hibbert, Colquitt and Valden +started for the county jail in the big Page car. On the way they +stopped at the home of Farmer Leigh, to which Dr. Bentley had +gone ahead of them. + +"Mr. Leigh is conscious and able to be seen," the physician reported +to Detective Colquitt. "Bring your prisoner inside at once." + +Then there came a dramatic surprise. Farmer Leigh, when confronted +by Tag, positively denied that Tag was the one who had assaulted +him. Mr. Leigh, it will be remembered, was a newcomer in the +neighborhood. He had never known Tag, but, after his injury, +and before brain fever came on, the farmer had described his assailant, +and that description had seemed to fit Tag Mosher to a dot. The +real criminal, however, a young tramp some years older than Tag, +was found later on, and punished according to law. + +Dick Prescott was the only one of the high school boys on hand +to see the clearing of Tag of the accusation against him. Dick +had come along in Dr. Bentley's car. + +"Prescott," whispered the physician, "slip downstairs. You'll +find my car all ready. All you need to do is to press the starting +button. Drive over to Porterville and get Mr. James, the district +attorney. Never mind if you have to drag him out of bed and thrash +him into submission---bring him here as quickly as possible. +Don't fail, you understand." + +With heart beating rapidly, but feeling wholly happy, young Prescott +slipped downstairs and out of the house. A few moments later +he was speeding over the lonely country road. At one o'clock +in the morning he came back with District Attorney James, who +heard Farmer Leigh's statement, reduced it to writing and had +it signed under oath before many witnesses. + +"Officer Valden," said the district attorney, "I authorize you +to take your prisoner to Porterville, not to the jail, but to +the Granite Hotel. As soon as court opens in the morning I will +secure the formal discharge of your prisoner." + +This was done. Dick, who returned to camp with Dr. Bentley just +before daylight, did not see Tag released, but heard of it. + +Proof came in rapidly after that to satisfy Mr. Page that "Tag +Mosher" was his son Egbert. Best of all, even young Egbert himself +was convinced. + +Young Page underwent a speedy and complete reformation. Later +he went to school to prepare for college. In time Egbert promises +to be a strong man in his community and a force for good. Old +Bill Mosher died soon after leaving jail. + +Mr. Page tried hard to make Dick & Co. accept the offered reward +of three thousand dollars, but neither the boys nor their parents +would listen to any such transaction. Dick & Co. had done their +duty in manly fashion, and that was reward enough. + +Dr. Bentley's party broke camp a few days later. Dick & Co., +however, remained for several weeks, training hard, putting on +tan and muscle and fitting themselves to compete for places on +the famous Gridley High School eleven in the coming fall. + +Just what happened to our boys in the school year that followed +will be found fully and thrillingly explained in the third volume +of the "_High School Boys Series_," which is published under the +title, "_The High School Left End; Or, Dick & Co. Grilling on +the Football Gridiron_." + +The further vacation doings of these splendid American boys will +be found in the next volume of this "High School Boys' Vacation +Series." The book is published under the title, "_The High School +Boys' Fishing Trip; Or, Dick & Co. in the Wilderness_." Our readers +will find it a story full of rousing incident, persistent adventure, +delightful humor and absorbing human interest. + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12729 *** diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0fb14eb --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #12729 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/12729) diff --git a/old/12729.txt b/old/12729.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..beee22b --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12729.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7559 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, The High School Boys in Summer Camp, by H. +Irving Hancock + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: The High School Boys in Summer Camp + +Author: H. Irving Hancock + +Release Date: June 25, 2004 [eBook #12729] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: US-ASCII + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS IN SUMMER +CAMP*** + + +E-text prepared by Jim Ludwig + + + +The High School Boys in Summer Camp +or +The Dick Prescott Six Training for the Gridley Eleven + +By H. Irving Hancock + + + + + + + +CONTENTS + +CHAPTERS + I. The Man in the Four-Quart-Hat + II. Dick and Some High Finance + III. The Human Mystery of the Woods + IV. Dave Darrin is Angry + V. Dick Grapples in the Dark + VI. Danger Comes on the Hoof + VII. Fighting the Mad Stampede + VIII. Visitors for the Feast + IX. Dick's Woodland Discovery + X. Setting a New Trap + XI. A Hard Prowler to Catch + XII. "Tag" is the Game--Tag Mosher! + XIII. In a Fix! + XIV. Thrashing an Ambulance Case! + XV. The Interruption of a Training Bout + XVI. Ten Minutes of Real Daring + XVII. During the Big Storm +XVIII. Mr. Page's Kind of Father + XIX. Seen in a New, Worse Light + XX. Some Imitation Villainy + XXI. The Medical Examiner Talks Training + XXII. Plating Ragtime on Mr. Bull +XXIII. What Tag "Borrowed" from the Doctor + XIV. Conclusion + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE MAN IN THE FOUR-QUART HAT + + +"You'll find your man in the lobby of the Eagle Hotel or in the +neighborhood of the hotel on Main Street," said Dick Prescott. +"You can hardly miss him." + +"But how will I know Mr. Hibbert, when I see him?" pursued the +stranger. + +"I don't know that his name is Hibbert," Dick answered. "However, +he is the only young man who has just reached town fresh from +Europe. His trunks are pasted all over with labels." + +"You'll know the young man, sir," Tom Reade broke in, with a quiet +smile. "He always wears a spite-fence collar. You could bill +a minstrel show on that collar." + +"A collar is but a slight means of identification, in a city full +of people," remarked the stranger good-humoredly. + +"Well, then, sir, your man also wears a four-quart silk hat, and +a long black coat that makes you think of a neat umbrella covering," +Tom went on. + +"And lavender trousers," supplemented Greg Holmes. + +"Always wears these things, you say?" questioned the stranger. + +"He has, so far," Dick nodded. "Mr. Hibbert has been in town +only since late yesterday afternoon, and it's only four in the +afternoon to-day." + +"I shall be able to find my man all right," smiled the stranger. +"You've informed me that he is stopping at the Eagle Hotel. +Until now, I knew only that Mr. Hibbert was in Gridley. Thank +you, young gentlemen." + +"Now, I wonder how he knew that," murmured Tom reflectively. + +"Knew what?" demanded Dave Darrin. + +"That we're gentlemen," Tom responded. + +"Oh, he guessed that," suggested Harry Hazelton. + +"He's a good guesser, then," remarked Tom. "I always like to +see a man so discerning. I'm ashamed to confess it, but Dick +is the only fellow in our crowd who looks at all like a gentleman. +He is dressed in his Sunday best. Look at us!" + +The other five certainly looked neat enough, even though they +did not wear their "Sunday best." + +"Now, fellows, what's the lowest I'm to take for the canoe?" +Dick inquired, after a glance at his watch. "The train is due +in two minutes." + +Instantly his five chums looked thoughtful. + +"You'll get the most that you can, of course," Greg insisted. + +"I shall try to get a good price," Dick nodded, "but I may find +myself up against close bargainers. So hurry up and vote as to +the lowest price that I'm to accept under any circumstances." + +"What do you say?" asked Tom Reade, looking at Dave. + +"We ought to get sixty dollars for it, at the very lowest," Darrin +replied, slowly. "I'd like to pull in seventy-five dollars, for +we need every penny of the latter amount." + +"We might get along with seventy," hinted Harry Hazelton. "Suppose +we say seventy dollars as the lowest possible price that we can +consider." + +"Sixty-five dollars, anyway," urged Dan Dalzell, otherwise known +as "Danny Grin." + +"What's your own idea, Dick?" asked Tom Reade, as the distant +whistle sounded. + +"If you fellows are going to be content with a sixty or seventy-dollar +bottom price," suggested Prescott, "I wish you'd elect someone +else to go in my place." + +"Do you think we'll have to take fifty?" asked Tom Reade looking +aghast. + +"If you send me, and leave the trade in my hands," retorted young +Prescott, "then you'll have to accept ninety dollars as the very +bottom price, or there won't be any sale." + +"Hurrah!" chuckled Danny Grin. "That's the talk! Ninety---or +nothing!" + +"Do you think you can get that much?" asked Dave doubtingly. + +"I'll have to, or I won't make any trade," Dick smiled, though +there was a glint of firmness in his eyes. + +"Let it be ninety dollars or nothing, then," agreed Tom Reade, +adding, under his breath, "With the accept on the 'nothing.'" + +As Dick glanced about him at the faces of his chums they all nodded +their approval. + +"I have my final instructions, then," Dick announced, as the east-bound +train rolled in at the Gridley station. It had been from the +westbound train, a few minutes before, that the stranger seeking +Mr. Hibbert had alighted. + +"Wish you luck, old chap!" cheered Dave, as Dick ascended the +carsteps. + +"I wish us all luck," Dick called back from the car platform, +"and I'll try to bring it back to you." + +The train was moving as Dick entered one of the day coaches. +Silently his chums wished that they might all have gone with Dick, +instead of turning away from the station, as they were now doing. +Funds were low with Dick & Co., however, and all hands had contributed +to buy young Prescott's round-trip ticket to Porthampton, more +than an hour's ride away. + +"Do you believe Dick can get ninety dollars for the canoe?" asked +Dave at last, when the high school boys were half way to Main Street. + +"Why not? It's a six-paddle war canoe, a genuine one, and in +good condition for the water," Tom Reade replied. + +"But it's only a second-hand canoe," Darrin argued. "It was second-hand +when we bought it at the Wild West auction a year ago." + +"That canoe is in just as good order as it ever was," Greg maintained. +"It's a shame for us to sell it at all. We could have had a +lot of fun with it this summer." + +"Yes," sighed Danny Grin, "if only Harry and I hadn't been forbidden +by our parents to have anything more to do with the canoe." + +"One thing is certain," spoke up Tom promptly. "With two of our +fellows barred from entering the canoe we couldn't have any fun. +Dick & Co. have always pulled together, you know. There are +six of us, but we don't break up into smaller parties, and we +don't recruit our ranks with newcomers." + +"I don't see why my father had to kick so about the canoe," sighed +Harry Hazelton. "We enjoyed the good old canoe all last summer, +and not one of us got hurt in it, or from it." + +"I understand why your father objects, Harry," broke in Darrin. +"With five drowning accidents from canoes hereabouts, already +this summer, and two of those accidents on our own river, your +father has some right to be nervous about the canoe." + +"I can swim," argued Harry. + +"So could both of the fellows who were drowned right here in the +river," rejoined Reade. "Harry, I don't blame either your father +or Dan's mother for objecting. Anyway, think of the fun we're +going to have, this summer, of a different kind." + +"If we sell the canoe," Darrin laughed. "But we haven't sold +it yet." + +"Oh, Dick can get something for the canoe," insisted Reade. + +"Yes; but 'something' won't fill the bill, now, for you all heard +Dick say he wouldn't take less than ninety dollars for it. When +Dick says a thing like that he means it. He will bring back ninety +dollars, or-----" + +"Or nothing," finished Dave. "Somehow, I can't just figure out +what any man would look like who'd give ninety dollars for an +old second-hand war canoe, even if it is of Indian model." + +"And made of genuine birch bark, which is so hard to get these +days," added Reade. "Fellows, I can't believe that our old Dick +will come back whipped. Defeat isn't a habit of his, you know." + +So the "Co." of Dick & Co. wandered up on to Main Street, a prey +to suspense. Some hours must pass ere they could hope to know +the result of their young leader's mission at Porthampton. + +All the member of Dick & Co. are assuredly familiar enough our +readers. These six young Americans, Gridleyites, amateur athletes +and high school boys, were first introduced to the reader during +their eventful days of early chumship at the Central Grammar School. +Their adventures have been related in detail in the "_Grammar +School Boys Series_." How they made their start in athletics, +as grammar school boys, and, more important still, how they made +their beginnings in character forming, have all been related in +that series. We next came upon Dick & Co. in the "_High School +Boys Series_." All of our readers recall the rousing story of +"_The High School Freshmen_." Young Prescott and his chums were +bound to be "different," even as freshmen; so, without being in +the least "fresh," they managed to make their influence felt in +Gridley High School during their first year there. Though, as +freshmen, they were not allowed to take part in athletics, they +contrived to "boost up" Gridley High School athletics several +notches, and aided in putting the Athletic Association on a firmer +basis than it had ever known before. They did several other noteworthy +things in their freshman year, all of which are now wholly familiar +to our readers. Their doings in the second high school year are +fully chronicled in "_The High School Pitcher_." In this second +volume the formal and exciting entry of Dick & Co. into high school +athletics is splendidly described, with a wealth of rousing adventure +and humorous situations. + +This present series, which is intended to describe the vacations +of our Gridley High School boys in between their regular school +years, opened with the preceding volume, "_The High School Boys +Canoe Club_." Within the pages of that volume are set forth the +manner in which Dick & Co. secured, at an auction sale of a Wild +West show, a six-paddle Indian war canoe. All their problems +in getting this canoe into serviceable condition made highly interesting +reading. The host of adventures that surrounded their vacation +at Lake Pleasant proved thrilling indeed to our readers. How +they met and contested with the canoe clubs from other high schools +was delightfully set forth. The efforts of Fred Ripley to spoil +the fun of Dick & Co. during that vacation, formed another strong +feature of the tale. + +We now find our young high school friends, just after the Fourth +of July, at a very exciting point in their careers. As has been +intimated, Harry Hazelton's and Dan Dalzell's parents had grown +nervous about the canoeing sport, and had urged their sons not +to enter the craft again. As Dick & Co. had always been companions +in all forms of sport, the other four chums had promptly decided +to sell the canoe, if possible, and to devote the proceeds to +going off in the "real woods" to camp. + +And now a probable customer at Porthampton had been found, and +Dick had departed by train to see whether the sale could be effected. + +"I've twenty cents left. Is there money enough in the crowd to +buy five ice creams?" asked Tom Reade, displaying two dimes. + +"I've a whole half dollar, though you won't believe it until you +see it," laughed Dave Darrin. + +"Then there's enough for cream," decided Tom. + +"I'll put in my half, if you fellows say so," Dave went on. "But +we may soon be in need of quite a bit of money. Wouldn't it be +better to hold on to our fruit of the mint?" + +"When we sell the canoe we'll have plenty of money," suggested +Danny Grin. + +"Very true, old Smilax," nodded Dave. "But what if Dick doesn't +sell it?" + +"Then we won't have plenty of money," responded Greg promptly. + +"If Dick doesn't make a sale to the parties he has gone to see," +Dave went on argumentatively, "we may want money to buy him a +ticket to some other town. It won't be wise to spend our little +capital until we see some more money coming in." + +"That sounds like common sense," agreed Reade, dropping his dimes +back into his pocket. "Still, I'm sorry that we're not rich enough +to finance the ice cream proposition and still have enough capital +left." + +"So am I sorry," sighed Danny Grin. "This waiting for Dick Prescott +to get back with the news is a wearing proposition." + +"Come down to my house," suggested Dave. "I've got that catalogue +from the tent and camping goods house. Let's go and look over +the catalogue, and try to decide just what we want to buy for +our camp when Dick gets the money for the canoe." + +"That would be bully fun, if we really knew that Dick had sold +the canoe," smiled young Holmes wistfully. "However, until we +do know, I suggest that we avoid all false hopes and keep away +from all catalogues." + +At this instant Tom nudged Dave. Two men were passing, and one +of them was saying to the other: + +"Yes; I sold the double house for eighty-two hundred dollars---a +clear profit of twenty-two hundred. Then I put four thousand +more with that money and bought the Miller place. Within a couple +of years I'll get rid of the Miller place for at least sixteen +thousand dollars. I've never known a time when real estate money +came in as easily." + +"Is he talking about real money?" grunted Darrin. "He can't be!" + +"He is," Tom declared. "That's Buller, of Wrenville. He is a +very successful man in real estate. Father knows him." + +"Humph! Talking of thousands, when a few ten dollar bills would +fix us for the summer," muttered Dave Darrin. "I wonder if men +ever stop to think how it feels for a boy to go around broke." + +"I spoke to my dad along those lines once," smiled Tom. + +"What did he say?" asked Danny Grin. + +"Oh, dad told me there was no objection whatever to my starting +out and earning a lot of money. He explained that was how he +had gotten his." + +The other youngsters were smiling now, for, as was well known +to them all, Mr. Reade wasn't credited with possessing a great +deal of money. + +"Well, are you fellows coming down to my place to look over the +catalogue?" Dave proposed once more. "It'll help to kill time +during our suspense." + +Though they felt rather foolish about spending their dollars before +they obtained them, the four high school boys turned to follow +Darrin, when a voice behind them called: + +"Oh, boys! Just a moment, please!" + +"It's the man in the four-quart silk hat," Tom whispered, as the +five chums baited and turned. + +"Man?" echoed Darry, though also in a whisper. "Humph! Hibbert +looks more like a boy who has run away from home with his father's +wardrobe." + +Certainly, as he hurried toward them, Mr. Hibbert did look youthful. +He couldn't have been more than twenty-two---perhaps he was a +year younger than that. He was not very tall, nor very stout. +His round, rosy, cherubic, smoothly shaven face made him look +almost girlish. He was faultlessly, expensively dressed, though +on this hot July afternoon a black frock coat and high silk hat +looked somewhat out of keeping with the day's weather report. + +"I just wanted to ask you boys to do me something of a favor," +Mr. Alonzo Hibbert went on. + +"Name the favor, please," urged Tom with drawling gentleness. + +"Can you tell me what shop that is over there?" inquired Mr. Hibbert, +pointing, with a dapper cane, across the street. + +"That is Anderson's Ice Cream Emporium," Tom answered gravely. + +"Let's go over there," proposed Mr. Hibbert smiling, as he glanced +from one face to another. + +"That proposition was just before the house, and was voted down," +Tom continued. + +"What was the matter, boys?" demanded young Mr. Hibbert beamingly. +"Didn't you have the price?" + +"On the contrary, we had the price," Reade answered, as gravely +as ever. "However, after discussion, we decided that we had other +uses for our capital." + +"But I haven't any other uses for my present capital," pursued +Mr. Hibbert, as smiling as ever. "So come along, please." + +Instead of jumping at the offer, Dick's partners regarded the +man in the four-quart hat with some doubt. Often, when offered +a courtesy from strangers that they would like to accept, these +boys were likely to regard the offer with this same attitude of +suspicion. It was not that Dick & Co. meant to be ungracious +to strangers, but rather that their boyish experience with the +world had taught them that such offers from strangers usually +have strings attached to them. + +"Don't you young men like ice cream?" asked Mr. Hibbert, looking +fully as astonished as he felt. + +"Certainly we do, Mr. Hibbert," Tom responded. "But what's the +idea? What do you want us to do for you?" + +"I ask you for the pleasure of your company," explained Mr. Hibbert. +"I'm a stranger in this town, and I'd like a little company." + +"And---afterwards?" pursued Reade. + +"'Afterwards'?" repeated Alonzo Hibbert looking puzzled. + +"What do you want us to do for you by and by?" Tom asked. + +"Oh, I see," replied Hibbert, laughing with keen enjoyment. "You +think my invitation a bait for services that I expect presently +to demand. Nothing of the sort, I assure you. All I want is +someone to talk to for the next half hour. Won't you oblige me?" + +"Mr. Hibbert," broke in Dave suddenly, "I've just happened to +remember that there is a man in town who wants to talk with you. +We met him at the station, and he inquired where he could find +you." + +"I think I know whom you mean," admitted Hibbert. + +"We told him you were stopping at the Eagle Hotel," Greg added. + +"Then, if the man who is looking for me went to the Eagle Hotel, +he has already learned that I am elsewhere. It's his business +to find me, not mine to run about town seeking him. He can find +me as well in the ice cream shop as in any other place. Will +you young men oblige me with your company?" + +At a nod from Darrin the others fell in line. Mr. Hibbert led +the way across the street, entering the shop, which proved to +be empty of other customers. + +As the waitress approached the two tables to take the orders for +ice cream the host of the occasion turned to his guests. + +"Give the young woman your orders, gentlemen," said Alonzo Hibbert. + +"Strawberry," said Tom. + +"Vanilla," requested Dave. + +"Oh, fudge!" interposed their host. + +"We haven't any fudge ice cream, sir," remarked the waitress without +smiling. + +"I cried fudge on their orders," remarked Hibbert gayly. "They +are too modest. Young woman, have you still some of those cantaloupes, +which you cut open and fill with different flavors of cream and +water ice?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Then, young gentlemen, permit me to change the order to one of +those cantaloupes for each of you." + +The waitress departed on her errand, while Reade and Darrin glanced +at each other, somewhat aghast. The delicacy ordered by Mr. Hibbert +cost a quarter of a dollar a portion. + +When the orders were brought and placed on the table, Alonzo Hibbert +draw from his pocket a roll of bills, stripping off the outermost +and handing it to the waitress. Yet their host gave no sign of +attempting to make a vulgar display of his money. He seemed rather +unconscious of the possession of it. + +"Are these favorites of yours?" inquired Mr. Hibbert presently +of Greg, indicating the multi-colored load of ices, each resting +in a half of a cantaloupe. + +"Not exactly favorites," Greg replied. "We don't often have the +money to spend on such an expensive treat." + +"Don't you?" inquired Hibbert in a tone of considerable surprise, +as though wondering why everyone in the world wasn't as well supplied +with money as he himself was. + +Then, after a pause, their host asked of Greg: + +"Would you like always to have plenty of money?" + +"I suppose everyone would like that," murmured young Holmes. + +"Shall I make a prediction?" inquired Hibbert. + +"By all means, if it pleases you," Greg answered politely. + +"Then, Greg Holmes, I venture to assert that you will very shortly +find yourself a millionaire." + +This was said with so much earnestness, and apparent sincerity, +that all five of the chums now regarded their host intently. + +"How soon is that going to happen?" Greg laughingly inquired. + +"Within a week," Alonzo Hibbert replied as seriously as ever. +He glanced at Greg with a look full of friendly interest. + +Tom Reade snorted, almost audibly, then drew down the corners +of his mouth to keep himself from laughing outright. Dave, too, +took another swift look at their smiling young host. + +"I wish you were a sure prophet," murmured Greg trying hard not +to laugh. + +"I am," declared Mr. Hibbert seriously. "Mind what I tell you, +Greg Holmes, within a week you will know yourself to be a millionaire." + +"Real money?" demanded Greg. + +"Real money," nodded Hibbert positively. "Or else it will be +in stocks, bonds or real estate that could be converted into real +money." + +By this time, Tom, Dave and the others, Greg included, had taken +Alonzo Hibbert's measure or believed they had. Their host, then, +was a lunatic. A harmless and very amiable lunatic, to be sure, +yet none the less the victim of a deranged mind. + +"Eaten up your creams?" asked Mr. Hibbert, glancing around. "Then +we'll have another apiece." + +He signaled the waitress, giving the order. + +"Don't ask me---yet---how I know," continued their host, turning +once more to Greg Holmes, "but you're going to find yourself a +millionaire within a week. I know it. It's all in your ear." + +As he spoke Hibbert gave Greg's right ear a playful tweak. + +"All in Greg's ear?" muttered Tom Reade under his breath. "I +knew that from the outset." + +"All in your ear, Holmes!" Hibbert repeated. "Yet it will all +be very real money. Oh, won't you be astonished!" + +"I---I think I shall, when the wealth rains down upon me," murmured +Greg, now afraid to raise his eyes to meet the mocking glance +that Darry was sending toward him. + +At this moment the stranger of the railway station entered the +room, then came toward the table. + +"Mr. Hibbert, here is the man who was inquiring for you at the +station," Tom announced in a low voice. + +Hibbert turned, glancing inquiringly at the stranger. + +"Are you Mr. Hibbert?" asked the latter. + +"Yes," nodded the man in the four-quart hat. "My name is Colquitt," +explained the stranger. "I am from-----" + +"Er---yes, quite so," murmured Mr. Hibbert. "And here is the +boy. He is named Greg Holmes. Do you observe his right ear?" + +"I do," Colquitt assented, after a swift, keen glance. + +"He is the boy," Hibbert repeated after a moment's hesitation. + +"Where do you live, young man?" asked Colquitt. + +Greg supplied the name of his street and the number. + +"Name of your family physician?" went on the stranger. + +"Dr. Bentley." + +"Has he always been your family physician?" + +"Ever since I can remember," Greg declared. + +"Thank you," and Colquitt turned to leave. + +"Won't you stay and have an ice with us?" urged Hibbert. + +"Too much to do," replied Colquitt, shaking his head and walking out. + +Now the high school boys found themselves doubly, trebly puzzled. +If Mr. Hibbert were an amiable lunatic, what of Colquitt? Both +had appeared to know something mysterious about young Holmes. + +Tom Reade, also, was thinking deeply. Dave Darrin was frowning. +Dan Dalzell was grinning slightly, while Hazelton was giving +his whole attention to the second ice before him. + +Hibbert, however, passed to other topics as lightly as though +he had already forgotten all about fortunes and ears. The time +passed pleasantly until all of the five chums felt that they could +hold no more ices. Then Hibbert, having paid the bill, left the +ice cream place with them. + +Outside they encountered Mr. Colquitt once more. + +"May I have a word aside with you, sir?" demanded Colquitt. + +"A dozen," agreed Hibbert readily. + +The two walked apart from the boys, going down the sidewalk together +slowly. But the youngsters heard Hibbert say earnestly: + +"I tell you, Colquitt, that is the boy. He has the ear and all. +And he'll be in luck with the money he'll have!" + +"And I tell you, Mr. Hibbert, that he isn't the boy at all," retorted +Colquitt, with even greater positiveness. + +More was said, but the two passed out of hearing. + +"Greg," declared Tom Reade solemnly, "it appears that you're the +million-dollar kid!" + +"I know it," grinned young Holmes. "I am! Also it seems equally +certain that I am not!" + +"What do you make of the whole business, fellows?" Tom asked, +turning to the other chums. + +"I've my own idea," laughed Dave Darrin. + +"Give it us, quickly!" begged Danny Grin. + +"My idea," Dave declared, "is that Hibbert is a rather harmless +lunatic, yet one who has to be watched a bit." + +"Then what about Colquitt?" urged Hazelton. + +"Colquitt," guessed Darry, "is Hibbert's keeper." + +"The mild lunatic idea," Tom observed, "fits in well with a chap +who, in this sweltering July weather, will insist on wearing a +four-quart silk hat, a spite-fence collar and a long, black, +double-breasted coat." + +"There's only one part of the whole dream that I'd like to believe," +sighed young Holmes. "I'd be quite willing to have it proved +to me that I'm a young millionaire!" + +"What would you do if you had the million---right in your hand?" +quizzed Danny Grin. + +"I'd transfer it to my pockets," Greg answered. + +"What next?" pressed Dan. + +"I'd hurry to the bank with the money." + +"And---then?" Dan still insisted. + +"Then," supplied practical Tom Reade, "he'd end our suspense by +paying Dick ninety dollars for our war canoe!" + +"I would," Greg agreed. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +DICK AND SOME HIGH FINANCE + + +"I feel like a fellow without any manners," complained Dave Darrin. + +"What have you done now?" asked Greg, coming out of his million-dollar +trance. + +"It's what I haven't done," Darry answered. "It's also what none +of us have done. We haven't thanked our very pleasant, even if +slightly erratic, host for his entertainment." + +"We can't very well butt in," declared Reade, glancing down the +street. "Hibbert and his kee---I mean, his friend---are still +talking earnestly. I wonder if they lock poor Hibbert up part +of the time?" + +Colquitt and young Mr. Hibbert had now turned in at the Eagle +Hotel. Dave glanced at his watch, remarking: + +"Fellows, it's ten minutes after six. Those of you who want any +supper will do well to hurry home." + +"I'm certain that I can't eat a bit of supper," declared Hazelton, +looking almost alarmed. "I've eaten so much of that cream and +cantaloupe that I haven't a cubic inch of space left for anything +else." + +Nevertheless the high school boys parted, going their various +directions, after having agreed to meet by seven o'clock. All +wanted to be on hand when Prescott got back to town. + +After supper Greg had not been out of the house five minutes when +Mr. Hibbert appeared at the gate of the Holmes cottage, and passed +inside. The caller inquired for Greg's father, met that gentleman, +and the two remained in private conversation for some five minutes. + +Ere the first minute was over, however, Greg's father might have +been heard, from the sidewalk, laughing uproariously. Finally +Mrs. Holmes was called into the conference. She came forth again, +looking somewhat amused. + +From that meeting Hibbert went back to Main Street, where he fell +in with Tom Colquitt. + +"Are you satisfied, now?" demanded the latter. + +"I'm puzzled," replied Hibbert, with the air and tone of a man +who hates to give up a delusion. + +Colquitt and Hibbert had not gone a block and a half ere they +encountered Dave, Tom and the others, only Dick being absent from +the gathering of the chums. Curiously, too, the meeting took +place before the same ice cream shop. + +"Just in time to have some more cream, boys," suggested young +Mr. Hibbert. + +"And we'd enjoy it, too, thank you," responded Tom courteously, +"but there is a point, sir, past which it would be imposition +to go. So we are going to content ourselves with enjoying a very +pleasant recollection of the good time we had with you this afternoon." + +"Better come inside with us," urged Mr. Colquitt. "I notice a +table, away over in the corner, where we can be by ourselves. +You see, boys, after what Hibbert said to one of your number +this afternoon, we feel that an explanation is due to you. We +can explain inside much better than we could on a street corner." + +That crowbar of curiosity wedged the boys away from their fear +that they were accepting too much from strangers. So they followed +their mysterious conductors inside. Young Mr. Hibbert ordered +ices similar to those that had been enjoyed that afternoon. Then +Mr. Colquitt, with a brisk air, began: + +"Concerning that suspicion that young Holmes might be the missing +heir to a large sum of money, I'll tell you how Mr. Hibbert got +his idea." + +Then, as though fearing that he had made too great a promise, +Mr. Colquitt paused. + +"It's this way," he went on, at last. "Many years ago there was +a railway wreck in this part of the state. A good many passengers +were killed. Among them was the wife of a wealthy man. The husband +escaped with his life, but he was so badly hurt that, for a year +or so, his mind suffered. He had to be taken abroad. There were +a few babies among those killed in the wreck, and the infant son +of the couple was supposed to be one of them. The father is now +well and healthy, but a very lonely man. Within the last few +weeks this father has had some reason to believe that his son +didn't perish in the wreck, but that other people, believing both +parents had been killed, took charge of the infant. + +"That is all," continued Mr. Colquitt, "except that the missing +infant had a small v-shaped nick on the outer edge of his right +ear. Probably with the boy's growth, if he is still alive, the +nick has become so small as to be barely noticeable, like the +nick in Holmes' right ear. Mr. Hibbert came to Gridley only yesterday, +and it happened that one of the first young men he saw, close +to the hotel, was young Holmes. Rather by chance Hibbert saw +that very small nick, that usually would escape notice. In great +excitement Hibbert telegraphed the anxious father, and the father +wired Blinders' detective agency, which sent me down to Gridley." + +"It isn't possible that Greg can be the missing son," breathed +Tom Reade incredulously. + +"He isn't," declared Tom Colquitt promptly. "I made sure of that +very soon after I reached town to-day. First of all, I found +out the name of the family physician, Dr. Bentley. I saw that +gentleman, and he assured me he knew that young Holmes was the +son of Mr. and Mrs. Holmes, for Dr. Bentley told me that he signed +young Greg's birth certificate. That was proof enough, but I +also saw Mr. and Mrs. Holmes, a few minutes ago. The missing +son of the wealthy man in question had two other marks on his +body that would identify him." + +"What are those marks?" asked Dave Darrin deeply interested. + +Tom Colquitt hesitated, glancing at young Mr. Hibbert. + +"Tell 'em," nodded the young man of the four-quart hat. + +"The young man we are seeking," replied the detective, "will have +a brownish mole over his right shoulder blade and a reddish mark +to the left of his breast bone. The boy was born with those marks. +The nick in his ear resulted from an accident when the nurse +was handling the child." + +"We'll find the youngster for you," promised Danny Grin lightly. + +"And is Mr. Hibbert a detective, too?" asked Tom Reade. + +"No," replied Colquitt, with great promptness, while Mr. Hibbert, +grinning sheepishly, added: + +"I haven't brains enough for that, I guess. But, Master Holmes, +please tell me, to satisfy my last doubt. Have you any such marks +as Mr. Colquitt has described?" + +"I never noticed such marks on myself," Greg replied. + +"He hasn't them," Dave interjected, "or the rest of us would have +noticed the marks when we've been in swimming." + +"Then your last idea that Gregory Holmes is the missing young +man must vanish now, my dear Mr. Hibbert," smiled Mr. Colquitt. + +"I'm vanquished," confessed Alonzo Hibbert, with a sigh. "I'm +no good at anything. I wouldn't even make a detective." + +"I must leave you now," suggested Mr. Colquitt, rising. "I must +wire to---er---to my client. Poor man, he will be greatly disappointed." + +As the detective rose and passed outside Hazelton leaned over +to murmur to young Holmes: + +"Don't you wish it had turned out that you were the million-dollar +kid?" + +"Not if I had to give up my father and mother," Greg replied, +with great promptness. + +"I seem to be a fool at everything," sighed Alonzo Hibbert in +disgust. + +"No; I would say, sir," suggested Tom Reade, "that you made the +mistake of proceeding on one sign, instead of looking for all three." + +"Have another ice!" urged Mr. Hibbert, brightening at once. "You +have set me straight. I wasn't a fool, after all---merely too +swift" + +But the boys shook their heads as they murmured their thanks. + +So they were about to rise when a voice called cheerily behind +them: + +"Stay where you are, fellows. We'll have an ice cream all around." + +"Dick!" cried five eager voices at once, as Prescott came smilingly +to join them. Then their eyes all framed the same question, which +their lips refused to utter. + +"Did you sell the canoe?" + +As Dick glanced inquiringly at young Mr. Hibbert, Dave Darrin +presented him. Dick also learned that Hibbert had been a willing +host to five of the chums. + +"Now, you'll turn about and eat an ice cream with us, won't you, +Mr. Hibbert?" urged young Prescott. + +This the young man consented to do, though, as soon as the dainty +had been disposed of, he begged to be excused that he might go +and have further talk with Tom Colquitt. + +"You sold the canoe, I think, Dick?" said Tom, as soon as their +late host had left them. + +"Yes," beamed their leader. + +"You might tell us what you got for it," urged Danny Grin. + +"Guess," hinted Dick. + +"Fifty," said Dave promptly. + +"He said he wouldn't take less than ninety," retorted Hazelton. + +"Ninety dollars," guessed Tom. + +"Fellows," laughed Dick, "at one time on the train I was so +downhearted and glum over the chances of a trade that I believe I +would have jumped at fifty dollars. Then I remembered my promise +not to take less than ninety dollars. With that I soared to a +hundred dollars, then down, by degrees, to seventy. But my promise +pulled me back to ninety." + +"It wasn't exactly a promise," Dave broke in. "Anyway, Dick, +it wasn't the kind of promise that had to be kept." + +"Half the time I felt that the promise had to be kept, and the +other half of the time I felt that it might better be broken," +Prescott went on, laughingly. "Just as I reached Porthampton, +however, and saw all the fine summer homes there, my figures began +to rise. I realized, of course, that a birch bark canoe is a +good deal of a rarity in these days; that such a boat hasn't anything +like a hard-and-fast, staple value. A birch bark canoe, in other +words, is worth what it will bring." + +"And no more," nodded Dave Darrin. "So you were wise to take +the fifty dollars." + +"Who said that I took fifty dollars for the canoe?" Dick smiled +back. + +"What did you get?" insisted Harry Hazelton, his impatience increasing +with every minute. + +"Do you really want to know what I got?" teased Dick. + +"Of course I do," snorted Harry. "We all do!" + +"Then I'll tell you," nodded Dick. Instead, however, he began +feeling in his pockets. + +"Tell us, then!" ordered Hazelton gruffly. + +"I got a check," smiled Dick. + +"For how much?" pressed Hazelton. + +"Well, let me explain," said Dick, still laughing. "You see, +I didn't have to do any describing or praising of the canoe, for +Mr. Eades, who bought the canoe for his crowd, was here three +days ago, as you know, and looked the canoe over, in water and +out. It was just a question of settling the price of the canoe. +So, when I reached Mr. Eades, we started in to bargain. He asked +me how much I wanted for the canoe. I guess, fellows, my nerve +must have gone to my head, for I told him two hundred dollars." + +"You didn't get it?" gasped Hazelton. + +"I didn't," Dick answered soberly. + +"How much-----" + +"Mr. Eades told me he represented himself and associates, who +wanted the canoe to put on the little lake down at their country +club. I told him it seemed to me that a canoe like ours was an +expensive sort of thing to put in a pond. Then he offered me +seventy-five dollars." + +"That's a good, round sum, and will help us out a lot this summer," +nodded Dave Darrin. "I'm glad you accepted it." + +"I didn't," smiled Dick. "Mr. Eades finally offered eighty, and +I told him I regretted that we hadn't done the trading at the +time that he came over to Gridley to see the canoe. Mr. Eades +replied that at the time he came here he wasn't authorized to +speak for his friends, but merely to look at the canoe and report. +After that he made one or two more small increases in his price, +but I seemed to have lost interest in the subject of a trade +and looked at my time table to see when the next train left for +Gridley. Then we talked about other matters, and, fellows, I +was pretty glum, though I didn't allow the fact to show. Finally, +he offered me more money, and then a little more. At last I came +down on my price, and made him my final offer. Mr. Eades didn't +seem to like it, and then, all of a sudden, he took out his check +book and wrote a check for me." + +"Close to a hundred dollars?" asked Dave, with deep interest. + +For answer Dick threw the check on the table. There was a wild +scramble for it. + +"A hundred and fifty dollars!" gasped Tom Reade. + +"Let me see that check!" demanded Greg Holmes unbelievingly. + +The check went from hand to hand, each of the fellows looking +at it half bewildered. Yet certainly the check said one hundred +and fifty dollars. + +"See here, Dick," asked Tom anxiously, "are you sure---positive, +that is---that it was honest to charge a hundred and fifty for +that canoe of ours?" + +"You may be sure that I thought of that," Prescott answered. +"I don't want to defraud any man. But birch bark suitable for +canoes is getting to be a thing of the past in this country. +Our friend, Hiram Driggs, the boat builder, told me that a birch +bark canoe, nowadays, is simply worth all one can get for it. +But, after Mr. Eades had written the check and handed it to me, +he said: 'Now, the trade is made and closed, Prescott, what do +you really consider the canoe worth?' I answered him a good deal +as I've answered you, and offered to return the check if Mr. Eades +wasn't satisfied. Fellows, for just a moment or two my heart +was in my mouth for fear he'd take me up and ask for the return +of his check. But Mr. Eades merely smiled, and said he was satisfied +if I was." + +"I'll bet he'd have gone to a two hundred dollar price," declared +Hazelton. "Dick, weren't you sorry, afterwards, that you didn't +hold out flat for two hundred dollars?" + +"Not I," young Prescott answered promptly. "If I had been too +greedy I'd have deserved to lose altogether, and very likely I +would have lost. Fellows, I think we can be well satisfied with +the price we've obtained." + +"I am!" declared Dave Darrin promptly. "We've realized a hundred +dollars above my wildest dream." + +Incidentally it may be mentioned that Mr. Eades found, from his +friends, that he had a prize, indeed, in the fine old war canoe. +The grounds committee of another country club offered two hundred +and fifty for that same canoe a month later. + +"Now, fellows," Dick went on, "suppose we leave here and decide +how we're to lay out this money for our summer camp?" + +The vote was carried instantly. With a whoop of glee the chums +started for Dave's house. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +THE HUMAN MYSTERY OF THE WOODS + + +"Now, get to work!" shouted Dick Prescott. "Destruction to all +shirkers!" + +"Please may I beg off for five minutes?" begged Danny Grin, raising +one hand. + +"Why?" queried Prescott sharply. + +"I want to take that much time to convince myself that it's all +true," replied Danny. + +"You'll know that it's all true when you wake up to-morrow morning," +laughed Dick. "But it won't look half as real if any fellow shirks +any part of his work now. All ready, fellows?" + +"Ready!" came the chorus. + +"Tom Reade will make the best foreman, won't he?" appealed Prescott. +"Tom has a knack for just such jobs as this, and it's going to +be a tough one." + +The boys stood in the middle of a half acre clearing in the deep +woods, five miles past the town of Porter. Here the woods extended +for miles in every direction. As these young campers glanced +about them it seemed as though they possessed a wealth of camping +material---far more than they had ever dreamed of owning. + +The tent, twelve feet by twenty, and eleven feet high at the ridgepole, +with six-foot walls, was their greatest single treasure. It had +cost thirty-five dollars, and had been bought from the nearest +large city. + +"We'll get the tent up first," called Reade. + +"Of course," smiled Dave. "That's all you're boss of anyway, +Tom." + +"Come on, then, and spread the canvas out," Tom ordered. "Bring +it over this way. We want it under the trees at the edge of the +clearing. Dan, you bring the longest poles." + +Under Tom's further direction the canvas was spread just where +he wanted it. Then the ridge-pole was secured in place across +the tops of the highest two standing poles. + +"Run it in under the canvas," Tom directed. "We'll get the metal +tips of the poles through the proper roof holes in the canvas. +There, that's right. Dick, you and Greg stand by that long pole; +Dave, you and Dan by the other. Now, then---raise her!" + +Up off the ground went the two uprights and the ridge-pole, the +canvas hanging shapelessly from the ridge-pole. + +"Bring that wooden sledge over here, Harry," was Foreman Reade's +next order. "Now, drive in this stake while I hold it. Remember +to hit the stake, not my hands." + +The stake being soon driven into place Reade slipped the loop +of a guy-rope around it, partly tightening the rope. Then he +slipped to the next corner, where the process was repeated. + +"Hurrah!" burst from Danny Grin, as the fourth corner stake was +driven, and now the tent began to take shape. + +"You fellows holding the poles may let go of them now," called +Tom. "Come and help with the other stakes and guy-ropes." + +As soon as the ropes along a given side of the tent had been made +fast the side wall poles were stepped into place. At last the +task of tent-raising was completed, save for the final tightening +of all the ropes. Now Dick and Dave, under their foreman's orders, +began to drive the shorter stakes that held the bottoms of the +tent walls in place. + +"Hurrah!" went up from several throats, as the boys stood back +to take in the full dimensions of their big, new tent. + +"My but she's a whopper!" exclaimed Danny Grin, pushing back the +door flaps and peering inside. + +"We won't find the tent any too large for a crowd of our size," +Dick declared. "You all remember how crowded we were in the tent +that we used last summer. You'll find we can fill this tent up +when we get it furnished." + +"Dick," called Tom, "take all of my gang except Harry. He and +I will lay the floor." + +Reade and Hazelton thereupon began to carry in two-by-four timbers +and lay them where they wanted them on the ground inside the tent. +Next they nailed boards across. They had bought all of this +timber in Gridley secondhand at a bargain. + +"Dave, you and Dan can start the furnace, while Greg and I unpack +supplies," suggested Prescott. + +Thereupon Darrin and Danny Grin started in to move a small pile +of bricks. Next a tub of mixed mortar was carried to the level +spot decided upon as the place whereon to erect the "furnace." + +It was not much of a stove that Dave and Dan built, yet it was +fitted and destined for the preparing of many a meal in record +time. First of all, Dave marked off the space to be used. Four +parallel lines of bricks, each line five bricks long, were laid +on the ground. Dave, with a two-foot rule, measured a distance +of sixteen inches between each row. Then began some amateur +brick-laying. It was not perfectly done, by any means, yet these +four parallel walls of brick that were presently up afforded three +"stoves" lying side by side. As soon as the mortar was reasonably +dried---and fire would help---grates and pieces of sheet iron could +be laid across the tops of the walls over the three fires. It was +one of the simplest and most effective cooking devices that such a +camp could have. There was even a gas-stove oven, an old one, +furnished by Dick's mother. + +"It makes me hungry to look at the stove," declared Danny Grin. + +"It's four o'clock now, so you'll have two hours more to wait," +smiled Dick, as he glanced at his watch. + +Out of packing cases and some odds and ends of lumber Dick and +Greg had constructed some very fair cupboards, with doors. + +"Oh, if we only had ice for use in this hot weather!" sighed Greg. + +"But we haven't," returned Dick, "so what's the use of thinking +of it." + +In the tent Tom and Harry were putting in some of the last taps +of the hammer. They had made a very creditable job of the flooring. +It was now five o'clock. Dick & Co. had worked so briskly that +they were now somewhat tired. + +It had been an exciting day. They had left Gridley in the forenoon, +journeying for an hour and a half on the train. Arriving at Porter +the boys had eaten luncheons brought along with them. Then they +had hunted up a farmer, had bargained with him to haul their stuff +and then had tramped out to their camping place. + +But the camp looked as though bound to prove a success. It was +their camp, anyway, and they were happy. + +"I'm glad enough of one thing," murmured Dick as he rested, mopping +his brow. + +"I'm glad of several things I can think of," rejoined Darry. + +"The thing I refer to," chuckled Prescott, "is Fred Ripley." + +"It never occurred to me to feel glad about Ripley," muttered +Tom dryly. + +"I mean, I'm glad that he has gone to Canada with his father this +summer," Dick continued. "We shan't have a lot of things happening +all the time, as we did last summer. Rip was a hoodoo to us last +summer. This year we know that he's too far away to be troublesome." + +"It will seem a bit strange, at first," assented Reade, "to return +to our camp and not discover that, while we were away, Rip had +been along and slashed the tent to ribbons, or committed some +other atrocious act." + +"Let's not crow until we're out of the woods," suggested Darrin. +"Rip might come back from Canada, you know." + +"He's sure to, if the Canadians find out the kind of a chap that +he is," Danny Grin declared solemnly. + +"Come here, you fellows," summoned Dick, "and hold a council of +war over the supplies, to decide what we'll have for supper." + +"I thought the steak was to be the main item," Tom rejoined. +"With no ice it won't keep until morning." + +"What do you want to eat with the steak?" asked Dick briskly. + +The council---of six---quickly decided on the items of the meal. +Harry, catching up two buckets, started to the nearest spring +for water. Dave, with the coffee-mill between his knees, started +to grind. Dick, with an old knife, began to cut the steak up +into suitably sized pieces. Greg started a fire in one of the +stove spaces, + +Dan bringing more firewood. A task was at hand for each of them. + +When the first fire was ready an old grate was placed over it. +On this the pieces of steak were arranged. Dave was boiling +coffee on another grate over the second fire. + +"Wood is mighty scarce around here," complained Harry. + +Dick glanced about him. No one was immediately busy. + +"All scatter!" called Prescott. "Go in different directions. +Each fellow bring back an armful of dry wood. Hustle!" + +Dick himself was the first to return, about three minutes later. +He came in fast, for he expected that the steak would be ready +to remove from the grate. + +Long before he reached the stoves, however, Dick dropped his wood +and his lower jaw simultaneously. + +"Hurry up, fellows!" he called hoarsely. "Hurry and see what +has happened!" + +That note of real distress in his voice caused the others to come +running. + +"Well, if you haven't an appetite!" gasped Tom. "To go and eat +all the steak yourself!" + +"I didn't eat any of it," Dick retorted grimly. "From the looks +of things none of the rest of us will eat any of it, either." + +"A dog got it, or some wild animal!" guessed Greg. + +"No one animal could carry off four pieces of steak in his mouth +at a time," Prescott answered, thinking fast. "And the tin plate +I left here has gone with the meat. Animals don't lug off tin +plates." + +"Dick and I will stay behind to watch and take account of stock," +Tom called. "The rest of you scatter through the woods and try +to come up with the thief. If any fellow comes upon him, give +a whoop, and the rest of us will hurry along." + +The four scouts went off on the run. + +"Anything else missing?" asked Reade, as Dick looked among the +supplies. + +"Yes," Prescott raged; "one of the bottles of Worcestshire sauce +and two of the tins of corn. Oh, it's a two-legged thief that +has spoiled our supper!" + +"Perhaps you were too sure about Rip being off in Canada," grinned +Reade. + +"Fred Ripley would hardly steal food," Prescott retorted. "Rip +is seldom really hungry. Tom, I'd give a dollar to know just +who was hanging around this camp." + +"I'd give two dollars to know," snapped Reade, "but I'd take the +money from the camp treasury." + +"Queer that the fellow didn't take the potatoes, too," mused Dick, +turning back to the stove. + +"The potatoes weren't done," suggested Reade wisely, "and probably +our visitor didn't think it wise to wait until they were. The +hulled corn will serve his purpose very well, though." + +"It was a mean trick to play on us," quivered Dick. + +"Of course it was---unless the thief were really very hungry," +answered Tom. + +"In that case, I don't believe I'd blame the fellow so much," +Dick admitted. "But now, what are we going to have for supper?" + +"I've an inspiration," Tom declared, as he thrust a fork into +some of the potatoes in the pot. "These potatoes will be done +in two or three minutes more. Open three tins of the corned beef." + +"Tinned corned beef isn't so much of an inspiration, as inspirations +go," laughed Dick. + +"Open the three tins," Tom insisted. "Here are the onions. I'll +peel a few---and do the weeping for the whole camp." + +Tom was busy at once. Dick, after watching his friend start, +caught something of the spirit of quick work. + +"Dump the meat into this chopping bowl," Tom continued, as he +hastily dropped peeled onion after onion into the wooden bowl. +"Now, get the potatoes off the fire, and we'll drain and peel +'em." + +This work was quickly under way. + +"Do you see what the poem is to be?" grinned Reade. + +"Looks like corned beef hash," smiled Dick. + +"It will taste like it, too," predicted Reade. "Come on, now!" + +Potatoes were quickly made ready. Tom began to chop the mixture, +while Prescott got out one of the frying pans. + +"Get out the lard," urged Tom. "Let's have some of this stuff +cooking by the time that the fellows come in. It will console +them a bit." + +"It begins to smell good," murmured Dick presently, as he stirred +the cooking mixture. + +Tom busied himself with setting the table. + +"All ready, when the fellows come in," announced Dick, as he removed +the coffee pot and began to cut bread. "Better call 'em." + +Placing his hands over his mouth, megaphone shape, Tom sent several +loud halloos echoing through the woods. + +Dan was the first one in. Greg arrived next, Harry third. + +"Where can Dave be?" asked Tom, after several more halloos. + +"We'll go and find him, if he doesn't show up," suggested Harry. +"But first of all, let's stow some of this supper inside of us." + +"We'll wait for Dave before we eat," Dick retorted quickly. + +"Hello, Dave, hello!" roared Reade and Prescott in concert "Supper +is ready! Hurry up." + +"Queer there's no answer," said Greg, after a minute's wait. + +"Something must have happened to Dave," suggested Danny Grin anxiously. + +"What could happen to him?" demanded Hazelton scornfully. "Darry +can take care of himself. He'll be in presently." + +"Let's call him again!" urged Dan. + +They called in concert, their voices echoing through the woods. + +"Did you hear that?" asked Dick eagerly, after a pause of listening. +"There it goes again." + +"It's Dave, answering us," Harry declared. + +The hail sounded distant. + +"Come on!" cried Dick, leaping forward. "That yell was one of +trouble, or I'm a bad guesser. Dan, you and Hazelton stand by +the camp. Tom and Greg come along. If Dave is in trouble he'll +be sure to need some of us!" + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +DAVE DARRIN IS ANGRY + + +"Keep on calling, Dave!" shouted Dick, as they ran toward the +sound of the voice. + +"This way!" answered Darry, his voice sounding louder as they +neared him. + +"What's up?" Tom asked as they ran. + +Dave's voice sounded in wrathful explosion. + +"Eh?" Tom pressed him. + +"Wait until you get here, and you'll see," retorted Dave. + +"You're not hurt?" Dick shouted. + +"No; but my feelings are!" vented Darrin indignantly. + +Another minute and the trio headed by Dick, reached the spot. + +By this time darkness was coming on through the woods. Prescott, +who was in the lead, at first received the impression that Dave +was standing beside a tree. And so Dave was, though the reason +for his standing there was yet to be explained. + +A moment more and Tom and Dick had reached the spot where the +wrathful Darrin was standing. + +"Well, of all the-----" began Tom wonderingly. + +"Outrages!" finished Darry angrily. + +Prescott laughed outright. + +"I suppose I must be a comical-looking object," admitted Dave +Darrin ruefully. "But just wait until I lay my hands on the rascal +who played this trick on me! Oh, I'll make him ache for his +smartness." + +Though Darrin had an unusually quick temper, he generally had +it under excellent control. Now, however, he was so indignant +that he fairly sputtered, and the humorous side of the situation +did not appeal to him. + +What Dick saw was that Dave stood with his back to the trunk of +the tree. Around Darry's neck a noose was fast. Back of the +prisoner the rope had been wrapped once around the trunk of the +tree. Next, several folds of rope had been passed both around +Darrin and the tree trunk in such fashion that the boy's arms +were pinioned fast to his sides. In addition, a single turn of +rope had been taken around each arm. Finally, the rope had been +knotted several times at the opposite side of the tree from that +on which Darrin stood. + +"You must have stood pretty patiently for anyone to be able to +tie you up in that artistic fashion!" blurted Tom Reade. + +"Patient? Patient nothing!" growled Darry between his teeth. +"I was so angry all the time that I couldn't keep from sputtering, +but that rascal had me fast, and kept making me more secure." + +"How old a man was he?" asked Dick. + +"I don't know whether he was a man or a boy." + +"Is your eyesight failing, Dave?" asked Tom. + +"I haven't eyes in the back of my head," snapped Darry. "Say, +aren't you fellows going to hurry up and free me?" + +"Can't you free yourself?" suggested Reade. + +"If I could have done that I'd now be ranging these woods in search +of the perpetrator of this outrage," Darry declared. "Hurry up +and untie me!" + +"We will, but please be patient for a moment or two longer," begged +young Prescott. "This is such a cleverly artistic job that I +want to study out just how it was done. How did the fellow attack +you?" + +"From behind," muttered Darry. + +"But how?" + +"Wait, and I'll tell you," Dave went on, forcing himself to talk +a trifle more calmly. "When I'm free I'll show you the spot over +there, in the thicket between the two clumps of bushes. Well, +I had gotten this far when I saw the missing steaks. They rested +on a tin pan on the ground in the thicket. It looked as though +the thief of our supper had gone away to get water or something. +I had just stepped, on tiptoe, of course, past this tree when +I heard a soft step behind me. Before I could turn, the noose +was dropped over my head, and then down on my neck. It was jerked +tight, like a flash, and I was pulled against this tree. The +fellow took some kind of hitch around the trunk of the tree to +hold me-----" + +"Yes; I see the hitch," assented Dick. "It was well done." + +"So well done that it held me, for a moment," Dave went on. "The +noose choked me, for a brief space, so that I didn't have much +presence of mind. Before I recovered myself, the fellow had passed +the rope several times around my body and arms, and had taken +the extra loops on my arms. By that time I was so helpless that +I couldn't stir to free myself." + +"And you didn't see the fellow?" asked Dick. + +"Not a glimpse of him. He worked from behind, and did his trick +like lightning." + +"But there are no steaks, nor any plate, on the ground in the +thicket now," Reade reported, after looking. + +"No," Darry grunted. "The fellow who tried me up like this passed +over my eyes a dirty cloth that perhaps he would call a handkerchief. +Then I heard him over by the thicket. Next he was back here +and had whisked that cloth away from my eyes. That was the last +I heard of him." + +"Why didn't you set up a roar as soon as he attacked you?" demanded +Tom Reade. + +"The noose bound my throat so tightly, I couldn't," Darry explained. +"I was seeing stars, and I was dizzy. After he had taken a few +hitches of the rope around me he eased up on the noose a bit." + +"Did you 'holler' then?" questioned Dick. + +"No," Dave Darrin admitted honestly. "I used up all my breath +telling that unknown, unseen fellow just what I thought of him." + +"If you want to know what I think of the fellow," uttered young +Prescott, "it seems to me that the unknown chap is clever and +bright enough to be capable of better things than stealing supper +from other people. This tie-up is about the most ingenious thing +I've seen in a long time." + +"Maybe I'd appreciate it more," retorted Darry, "if I could see +it as you do, on another fellow. Are you going to hurry up and +cut away this rope?" + +"Not if you are able to wait calmly while I untie it," Dick answered. +"It's surely a good piece of rope. It will go part way toward +paying for the steaks." + +With that Prescott began to untie the knots. When his fingers +ached from this from of exercise, Greg took his place. Meanwhile, +Tom Reade explored the thicket where Dave had seen the plate of +steaks. There was no sign of the food taken from the camp. This +Tom made out by the aid of lighted matches, as the long shadows +were now falling in the woods. + +"I'm glad, now, that you didn't cut the rope," said Dave, as at +last he stepped free. "We'll save his rope, for I hope to find +that fellow again." + +"What will you do to him if you catch him?" grinned Reade. + +"Maybe I'll need the rope to lynch him with," uttered Darry grimly. + +Tom threw back his head, laughing heartily. + +"Our dear, savage, blood-thirsty old Darry!" Reade laughed. "You +talk as vindictively as a pirate, but if you found your enemy +hurt you'd drop everything else and nurse him back into condition. +Darry, you know you would!" + +"Let's get back to camp," urged Greg. "Supper is ready, but no +one has had any yet. My stomach feels like an empty balloon." + +"All right, then," agreed Darrin gruffly, "though I'd sooner catch +that fellow than eat." + +"That word, 'eat,' sounds like a poem!" sighed Greg, tightening +his belt as the quartette turned campward. + +"So you didn't get a single glimpse of your---your annoyer?" asked +Prescott. + +"Not what you could call a glimpse," Darrin responded. "Two or +three times I caught sight of the fellow's shirt sleeves as he +passed the rope around me. His shirt sleeves were of a light +tan color, so I suppose that is the color of his entire shirt. +That, however, is the sole clue I have to the scoundrel's description." + +"I'd like to meet the fellow," mused Dick. + +"Maybe you'll have that pleasure," hinted Darry with the nearest +approach to a smile he had yet shown. + +"You mean you'd like to see me tied up in the same fashion, and +then discover whether I could keep my temper under such circumstances?" +laughed young Prescott. + +"Never mind what I mean," Dave retorted. + +They were soon in camp, now, after calling to Dan and Harry two +or three times in order to locate their way. At last, however, +they came in sight of the glowing embers of fire and the rays of +the two lanterns that Dan had lighted and hung up. + +"I smell something that smells mighty good," sniffed Dave. "Did +any of you fellows recover the steaks? Have you been keeping +something back from me?" + +"I don't believe you'll find the steaks in camp," Dick retorted, +"but you'll find something that will taste fully as good." + +With that the quartette charged into camp. Everything was ready +for the table by the time each fellow had washed his hands and +face in the one tin basin that served the camp. + +"Put one of those lanterns on the table, Dan," called Dick, as +he finished drying himself on a towel. "Another night, if we +eat after dark, we'll try to have a campfire that'll light the +place up like an electric light." + +"Another night, unless some of our neighbors move," predicted +Darry, "we won't have food enough left to make it worth while +to try to have supper!" + +The boys sat down in great good humor, even Dave softening when +he saw the bountiful supper that had been prepared. Not one +of them felt nervous about the possible nearness of the late prowler. +The boys were six to one, whoever the prowler might be. Besides, +this mysterious stranger seemed to prefer humor to violence. + +Yet, all the time they were eating and chattering---and Dick did +his full share of both that young man, Prescott, was also busily +thinking up plans by means of which he hoped to be able to gain +a closer view of the recent prowler. + +Of these plans he said no word to his chums, for there was more +than a chance that the human mystery of the woods was even then +within earshot, off under the shadows among the trees. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +DICK GRAPPLES IN THE DARK + + +At last the meal was finished, this time without the help of the +prowler. Dave and Dan washed the dishes, while Tom and Harry +carried water enough to fill the hogshead that had been brought +along as part of their camp equipment. + +At the same time, Dick and Greg unstrapped and set up the six +light-weight folding canvas cots, standing them in a row in the +tent. Next they arranged the bedding that had been loaned by +mothers at home, and made up the six beds. Enough fuel to start +a fire in the morning was also brought in. + +"And now, what did we come out here in the woods for?" inquired +Dick smilingly. + +"To get our fill of sleep," yawned Tom. + +"To eat," suggested Hazelton hopefully. + +"To fish," added Dave Darrin promptly. + +"Just to lie down and take things easy," declared Danny Grin. + +"As for me," piped up Greg Holmes, "I'm not going to bother my +head, to-night, as to why we came here. I'm going to get a ten +hour nap, and in the morning I'll try to solve the riddle for +you, Dick, of why we came here." + +A tired lot of boys, not really ready, as yet, to admit that they +were used up, lay down on their cots without undressing. They +intended, later, to get into their pajamas. + +A single lantern, its wick turned low, hung from one of the posts. +Prescott did not trust himself to lie down, for his eyes, despite +his efforts to keep awake, were heavy, and he did not want to +sleep for some time yet. + +Within ten minutes Darrin alone had his eyes open, and even he +was making a valiant struggle against sleep. At last, however, +he yielded, and soon settled into sound slumber. + +"They're off in another world," smiled Dick, as he listened to +the deep breathing of his chums; then he slipped away from his +cot. + +From under a box in one corner of the tent he took out a large +cup of coffee that he had hidden some time earlier. It was still +warm and he drank it with relish, though his main purpose in using +the beverage was to make sure of keeping himself awake. + +His next move was to extinguish the lantern. Now he made his +way to the bucket of water and basin. Dashing the cold water +into his face, and wetting his eyes well with it, Prescott took +a few deep breaths. He now felt equal to keeping awake for some +time. + +Outside, by this time, all was darkness, save where a few embers +of the recent camp fire glowed dully. + +Dick threw himself down, resting his head on his elbows, in the +doorway of the tent. + +"Now, don't you dare go to sleep!" he ordered himself, repeating +the command frequently as a means of aiding himself to keep his +eyelids from closing. + +"You keep awake!" he half snorted, as he felt drowsiness getting +nearer. He pinched himself, inflicting more than a little pain. + +At last, however, the young leader of Dick & Co. found that his +drowsiness had passed for the time being, like the sentinel in +war time. + +"Now, I think I can keep awake until daylight, if I have to," +muttered young Prescott to himself. "At daylight it won't be +so very mean to wake one of the other fellows and let him take +my place." + +Yet, after an hour had passed, Dick was almost doomed to discover +that nature had some rights and knew how to assert them. + +His eyes had just closed when he awoke with a start. + +Someone was treading lightly past the wall of the tent, coming +toward the door. Dick had barely time to glide back behind the +flap of the tent when the unknown someone stopped at the doorway. + +It was too dark to make out anything distinctly under the canvas, +but the stranger listened to the combined snorings of five of +the six boys, then chuckled softly. + +"Oh! Funny, is it, to think that we're all asleep, and that you +may help yourself at will to the food that cost us so much money!" +thought Dick wrathfully. The stranger hearing no sound from the +apparently sleeping camp soon passed on in the direction of the +fire. + +Here much of the provisions had been stacked in the packing case +cupboards, for the reason that to store food in the tent would +seriously curtail the space that the boys wanted for comfort. + +Out of the tent crept Dick, crouching. His heart was beating +a trifle faster than usual, perhaps, for he saw at once that the +prowler was larger than himself. + +Before one of the box cupboards the prowler halted and rummaged +inside with his hands. + +"I guess this is where I need a light," mused the stranger, half +aloud. + +"Pardon me, but what do you want with a light?" inquired Prescott, +at the same time pushing the stranger forward on his face. Dick +now seated himself on the other's shoulders. + +"Don't make a fuss," Prescott advised. "I like to think myself +a gentleman, and I don't want to muss you up too much." + +The stranger laughed. It was an easy, confident laugh that destroyed +a bit of the Gridley boy's sense of mastery. + +"What are you doing, up at this time of night?" asked the stranger. + +"Minding my own business, in my own camp," Dick replied easily. +"And what are you doing here? Whose business are you minding?" + +"My own, too, I reckon," replied the prowler more gruffly. + +"In other words, attending to your hunger?" pressed Prescott. + +"I'm looking out that I don't have too much hunger to-morrow," +came the now half sullen answer. + +"Is this the way you usually get your food?" Dick demanded dryly. + +"This is the way I get most of it," came the reply. + +"Stealing it, eh?" + +"Well, what of it?" came the sulky retort. "The world owes me +a living." + +"To be sure it does," Dick answered blithely. "The world owes +every man a living. That's just why you don't need to steal. +Just sail in and collect that living by means of hard work. +Are you the chap who collected our steaks this evening?" + +"None of your business. And, now, if you've given me as much +chatter as you want, get off my shoulders!" + +"I've a little more to say to you yet," Dick responded. + +"Get off my shoulders!" + +"I will---when I'm through with you," Dick agreed. + +"You'll get off at once, or I'll roll you off!" came the now angry +threat. + +"Try it," Dick urged coolly. + +Right then and there the stranger did try it. He "heaved," then +attempted to roll and grapple with the young camper. He would +have succeeded, too, had Prescott relied upon his strength alone. +But Dick employed both hands in getting a neck-hold that hurt. + +"Now, quit your fooling," Prescott advised, "or I'll let out a +whoop that will bring five more fellows here. Do you know what +they would do to you? They'd just about lynch you---schoolboy +fashion. Do you know what a schoolboy lynching is?" + +"No," sullenly answered the stranger, as he started to renew the +struggle. + +"You will know, soon, if you don't stop your stupid fooling," +Dick told him. + +"Hang you, kid. Get off of me, and keep your hands away, or I'll +hurt you more than you were ever hurt in your life, and I'll get +away with it, too, before your friends come!" + +So lively did the struggle become that Dick was obliged to use +his clenched fist against the side of the prowler's jaw. That +quieted the stranger for an instant. + +Leaping lightly from his troublesome captive, Dick snatched up +a heavy club of firewood that lay nearby. + +"That's right," Dick agreed, swinging the club, as the other rose +to a sitting posture. "Sit up, but don't try to get up any farther +unless you want to feel this stake, which is tougher than those +other steaks!" + +Prescott kept nimbly out of reach of the other's arms, though +he took pains to keep himself where he could jump in with a handy +blow at need. + +"Now," remarked the high school boy, "you are getting an idea +as to who's boss." + +"Well, what do you want?" asked the other sullenly. He had already +drawn down a tattered, battered old cap so that it screened his +face. + +"I want to get a better look at you," Prescott replied. "I want +to be able to know you anywhere. Tan colored woollen shirt; brown +corduroy trousers; low-cut black shoes; cap defies description. +Now, let me see your face." + +With that Dick bent quickly, picking up an oil-soaked bunch of +faggots that he had prepared before the others had turned in for +the night and dropped them upon the campfire. + +Like a flash he was back, close to the stranger. "Don't you dare +try to get up!" Dick threatened, swinging the club. + +"Hit me, if you dare!" leered the other. "I'm going to get upright +now!" + +With that he made a lurching move forward. Prescott swung the +club, though of course he did not intend to beat the stranger +about the head. + +His indecision left him off his guard. The stranger closed in +on the club, wrenching it from Prescott's hand and tossing it +far away. But Dick dropped, wrapping his arms about the other's +legs and throwing him. + +Just as the two went down in a crash the fire, which had been +smoking, now blazed up. + +"I'll show you!" roared the stranger, now thoroughly aroused, +as he grappled with Prescott and the pair rolled in fierce embrace +over the ground. + +Dick was not afraid, but he didn't want this night hawk to get +away, so he bellowed lustily: + +"Fellows! Gridley! Gr-r-r-id-ley! Quick!" + +"Stop that!" hissed the stranger, who was now easily uppermost, +and holding Prescott with ease. + +"Quick!" yelled Dick. + +The stranger grasped the high school boy by the throat, then as +swiftly changed his mind, for someone was stirring in the tent. +Up leaped the prowler, yet, swift as he was, Dick was also on +his feet. + +"Keep back!" warned the prowler, as he turned to run. + +"You're mine---all mine!" vaunted young Prescott, making a gallant +leap at the unknown foe. + +But that brag was uttered just a few seconds too soon. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +DANGER COMES ON THE HOOF + + +Smack! + +Against Dick's face came the palm of the larger youth's right +hand. It was the old, familiar trick of "pushing in his face." +So quickly did that manoeuvre come that Dick, caught off his +balance, was shoved backward until he tripped and fell. + +Then the stranger vanished with the speed of one accustomed to +flight through the woods. + +His eyes full of sand from the fall, Dick struggled to his feet, +rubbing his eyelids, just as Dave Darrin came running up. + +"What was it?" demanded Dave. + +"Come on! We ought to catch him yet!" cried young Prescott, turning +and running into the woods. But Dick's eyes were not quite as +keen as they had been, and Darry, once he had the general direction, +outstripped his chum in the race. + +Once away from the blazing fire of oil-soaked wood, however, the +boys found themselves at a disadvantage in the woods. At last +Darry stopped, listening. Then, hearing sounds, he wheeled, dashing +at a figure. + +"Get out with you, Darry!" laughed Prescott good-humoredly. + +"I thought you were-----" + +"The other fellow! Yes; I know," laughed Dick. + +"Where is he? Listen!" + +But only the night sounds of the woods answered them. + +"We'd better put for camp," whispered Dick, "or that fellow will +slip around us and pillage the supplies before we get there." + +Dave started back at a dog trot, Dick following at a more leisurely +gait. Both were soon by the campfire again. + +"Was it the same fellow?" demanded Darry, in a low voice. + +"It must have been," Dick nodded, "though you didn't see him at +all when you encountered him, and I didn't get a view of his face. +But he had on a tan colored shirt. He also had on brown corduroy +trousers and low-cut black shoes. He kept his torn cap pulled +down over his eyes so that I couldn't get a look at his face that +would enable me to know it again if I saw it." + +"Hang the fellow!" growled Darry. "Does he take us for a human +meal ticket with six coupons?" + +"He must be hungry," rejoined Dick, "when he could get away with +all that steak and then come back, within a few hours, for more +of our food." + +"How did you come to catch him?" Dave asked curiously. + +Prescott explained how he had managed to remain awake and on guard, +against a possible second visit from the young prowler. + +"So we've got to stay up the rest of the night, and mount guard +every night, have we?" grunted Darry disgustedly. "Fine!" + +"We'll either have to watch, or part with our food," Dick assented. + +"We ought to have brought Harry Hazelton's bull-dog. That would +have spared us guard duty." + +"I'm glad we didn't bring the pup," Dick rejoined. "That pup +is growing older, and crosser. He'd bite a pound or two out of +some prowler's leg, and we don't want that to happen." + +"Why not?" demanded Dave grimly, opening his eyes very wide. + +Dick laughed softly by way of answer. + +"I'd just as soon have a tramp chewed up as have our food supplies +vanish," Darry maintained. + +"Little David, your temper has the upper hand of you at this moment," +laughed Prescott. + +"When that temper is on top you're dangerous---almost bloodthirsty. +When your temper is in check you're as kind and gentle as any +good-natured fellow. You wouldn't really want to see any human +being mangled by a bull-pup's teeth." + +"Well, maybe not mangled," Darry agreed. "But I don't believe +Harry's pup would do any more than take hold---and keep hold." + +"We won't have the pup, anyway," Dick replied, in a low voice. + +"Why not?" Dave again demanded. + +"Because, as you know well enough, Harry's father was afraid the +pup would only get us into trouble by chewing up someone, and +so declined to let us bring the dog." + +"That was a shame," Dave insisted. + +"I don't think so. If six of us can't take care of one stray +tramp, not much larger than any of us, then we're too tender, +and ought to be sleeping in little white cribs at home." + +"Oh, stop that talk!" urged Dave. + +"I mean what I said," Dick retorted. "We're big enough, and numerous +enough, to guard our own camp." + +"Of course we are; but we'll have to give up some sleep to accomplish +that," Dave contended. + +"Whoever loses sleep in the night time can make it up in the day +time. And now, Darry, get to bed!" + +"But we've got to remain on watch." + +"You'll feel bad, in the morning, if deprived of your sleep. +I'll stay up for a while yet, and then call Tom Reade." + +"So I'm no good for guard duty, eh?" snorted Darry. + +"Not a bit," said Dick cheerfully. "You're as sleepy and as cross +as can be, right at this minute. Go and tuck in, Davy." + +Darrin snorted again, then glared at Dick's placid face. Suddenly +Dave broke into a hearty chuckle, slapping his chum on the back. + +"You're all right, Dick," he declared. "You know how to keep +your temper, talk smoothly, and yet hit harder than if you used +a club. No, sirree! I'm not cross, even though I may be tired. +I'm not cross, and I can thrash into subjection any fellow who +dares hint that I'm cross, or that my temper is on a rampage. +You go and turn in, Dick." + +"Not yet." + +"Then we'll both stay up and watch together." + +"I'll tell you what," proposed Dick. + +"Well?" + +"Bring your cot out here. I'll let you sleep for an hour by my +watch. Then I'll call you, and you hold the watch and let me +sleep for an hour. There is no sense in both of us losing our +rest at the same time. Yet, if either fellow needs the other, +he'll have him right under his hand." + +"All right," nodded Dave. "Anything, as long as I'm not accused +of being a sleepy head." + +"A sleepy head?" Prescott repeated. "Why, when I called to you +fellows for help you were the only one who responded. No; I wouldn't +call you an incurable sleepy head, Darry." + +Now wholly restored to good humor Dave went back into the tent, +lifting his cot and bringing it out to within a few feet of the +campfire. + +"You take the first nap, Dick," begged Dave. + +"No; you take it." + +"But I'm not sleepy; honestly I'm not." + +So Prescott lay down on the cot, closing his eyes. + +The sunlight, streaming into his face, awakened him. + +"Why---why---where's Darry?" thought Dick, sitting up straight. + +The sound of deep breathing answered him. Dave sat with his back +propped against a tree, sound asleep. He had slept for hours, +evidently, having fallen asleep through sheer, uncontrollable +drowsiness. + +Rising from the cot Dick stretched himself for he was still drowsy. +Then he tip-toed over to where the food was stored, peering in. + +"I can't see that our friend, the enemy, has been here again," +Dick smiled. He glanced at Darry, but did not awake that tired +youngster. + +As noiselessly as he could Prescott busied himself with starting +a small campfire that could be made larger when needed. This +done, he set water to boil. + +"Ho-hum!" yawned Tom Reade, dressed only in underclothes and trousers, +as he stood in the tent doorway half an hour later. + +Dick placed his fingers to his lips, whispering: + +"Don't rouse the other fellows. They're tired." + +"Darry certainly looks tired," smiled Tom, regarding Dave in the +uncomfortable posture by the tree. + +Yet, though he must have been quite uncomfortable had he been +awake, Darry slumbered on. Greg came out, looked at Dave and smiled. +Then Hazelton, next Dalzell, came outside. + +"What is the cot doing out here?" Danny Grin was the first to +inquire. + +"We had a visit from the prowler in the night," Dick replied, +"and Dave and I stayed on guard." + +"Was Darry as efficient all through the guard tour as he is just +now?" demanded Reade ironically. + +"That's all right for you fellows," retorted Dick, "who even slept +right past my call for help. Let Dave alone. Let him finish +his nap, no matter how long he sleeps." + +But at that moment Darrin opened his eyes, then leaped to his +feet, a victim of red-faced confusion. + +"What are all you fellows laughing at?" Dave demanded. + +So far none had done more than grin, but now a very general roar +went up. + +"I'm a chump, on guard duty, and I admit it," Darrin went on, +looking sheepish. "Dick, when you found me asleep why didn't +you call me?" + +"Because," Prescott answered, "when you went to sleep I judged +that you did so because you needed the rest." + +"I must have been sound asleep from at least one o'clock in the +morning," Dave went on ruefully. "Oh, I am a fellow to be trusted, +I am!" + +"If you've been sleeping, with your back against that tree, from +one in the morning, you must be as stiff and lame as you could +possibly be," Reade suggested. + +"I am pretty lame," Darrin confessed. + +"Are you fellows ever going to hustle about and make some moves +toward getting breakfast?" inquired young Prescott. + +"What have you been doing in that line?" Danny Grin wanted to +know. + +For answer Dick Prescott pointed to the merrily blazing campfire +and the steaming kettle of water. + +"I am ready to do a lot more, too," Dick added, "as soon as the +rest of you will show signs of life." + +At that there was a general bustling. + +"Why didn't you wake me up in time to save me from all the joshing?" +Darry demanded, with a note of reproach in his voice, as soon +as he got a chance to speak with Dick alone. "Tom Reade won't +be through all summer with tormenting me about being asleep at +the switch." + +"No one would have known anything about it, if you hadn't given +it away yourself, both by look and words," Prescott returned. +"I hadn't said a word that enlightened anyone." + +Breakfast was soon ready, for hungry boys, in the woods, are always +ready to eat. + +While the meal was being disposed of Prescott told his chums of +the visit during the night, and of his own share and Dave's in +trying to nab the tantalizing prowler. + +"How many such regiments of guards as Darry, would it take to +guard this camp properly at night?" asked Tom dryly. + +"It seems to me," Prescott remarked, "that you fellows will do +very well to sing mighty low about Dave's drowsiness. When I +had to call for help last night he was the only one with an ear +quick enough to hear me and come to my support. What was the +matter with the rest of you, sleepy heads, or did you hear and +feel that it might be dangerous to turn out in the middle of the +night?" + +That last taunt had the desired effect. Darrin was allowed to +eat his breakfast in peace. + +After the meal was over the boys sat around the camp for a few +minutes. Each hated to be the first to make a move toward the +drudgery of dish-washing and camp cleaning. + +"After we get things to rights," inquired Reade, "what is to be +the programme for the day?" + +"There's a pond east of us that is said to hold perch," Dave answered. +"I'm going to take fishing tackle and go in search of a mess +of fish. Anyone going with me?" + +"I will," offered Danny Grin. + +"As for me," spoke up Tom, "I have a line on a place where blueberries +grow in profusion. Harry, will you go along with me and pick +berries?" + +"If it isn't over five miles away," Hazelton assented cautiously. + +"Then what are we going to do!" asked Greg Holmes, turning to +Prescott. + +"From the plans we've heard laid down," smiled Dick, "I think +we will have to stay right here and keep the prowler from dropping +in to carry away the rest of our provisions." + +"Bother such sport as that!" snorted Greg. + +"Humph! It may turn out to be the liveliest sport of all," declared +Dick dryly. "Certainly if that fellow turns up it will take two +of us to handle him with comfort. He's a tough customer." + +"Dan, you always were an artist with a shovel," suggested Darry +insinuatingly. "Suppose you get out the spade and see what sort +of perch bait you can turn up in this neighborhood." + +"Me?" drawled Dalzell protestingly. "Shucks! I'm no good at +finding bait. Never was." + +"Get the spade and try," ordered Darry. "If you don't find some +bait we'll have to put off fishing until some other day." + +That brought Dan to terms. He shouldered a spade, picked up an +empty vegetable can and started away, while Dave began to sort +tackle and to rig on hooks suitable for catching perch. Tom and +Harry started in to unpack supplies from a pair of six-quart pails +that they needed for the morning's work. + +"Say, hear that, fellows!" demanded Tom, straightening up suddenly. + +From the distance to the northward came a dull rumbling sound. + +"Thunder?" suggested Danny Grin, glancing wonderingly up at the +clear sky. + +"If there's a storm coming it will upset a day's berrying," Reade +announced. + +"Fellows," Dick broke in, "it's a rumbling, yet it doesn't sound +just like thunder, either. It sounds more like-----" + +"Cavalry on a gallop," suggested Greg. + +"Just what it does sound a lot like," Prescott nodded. Then he +dropped to the ground, holding one ear close to the earth. + +"And, whatever the rumble may be," Prescott went on, "it travels +along the ground. Just get your ears down, fellows." + +"It's something big, and it's moving this way," cried Dave. + +"It can't be cavalry," Tom argued. "There are no manoeuvres on; +there is no state camp ever held in this part of the state, either. +What do you-----" + +But Dick Prescott was up on his feet by this time. Furthermore, +he was running. He stopped at the base of the trunk of the first +tall tree. Up he went with much of the speed of a squirrel. +Higher and higher he made his way among the branches. + +"Say, be careful there, Dick!" called Tom Reade, warningly. "If +you get a tumble-----" + +"I'm not a booby, I hope," Dick called down, as he went to still +loftier heights. He was now among the slender uppermost branches, +where a boy would need to be a fine climber in order to make such +swift progress. Even Dick Prescott might readily enough snap +a branch now, and come tumbling to earth. + +"Stop!" warned Tom. "If you don't you'll butt your head into +a cloud, the first thing you know." + +"Can you see anything?" called Danny Grin. + +"I see quite a cloud of dust to the northward." + +"How far off?" asked Dave. + +"About a mile, I should say, and it's headed this way, coming +closer every minute." + +"What's behind the cloud? Can you make out?" Greg bawled up. + +"I'm trying to see," Dick replied. "There, I got a glimpse then. +It's some kind of animals, heading for this camp at a gallop." + +"It can't be cavalry," shouted Reade. "You don't see any men, +do you?" + +"No," Prescott called down, shielding his eyes with one hand. +"Say, fellows!" + +"Have you guessed what it is?" demanded Harry Hazelton. + +"I know what it is---now!" Dick answered. Then he began to descend +the tree with great speed. + +"Careful, there!" shouted Tom Reade. "That isn't a low baluster +you're sliding down." + +"Keep quiet, until I reach the ground," gasped Dick. As he came +nearer those below saw that he looked truly startled. + +Then Dick reached the low branches, and began to look for a chance +to jump. + +"We've got to get out of here, fellows!" he called. "You know +the trick that cattle---owners have in this part of the county +of turning their cattle out to graze in one bunch. That bunch +is headed this way---hundreds strong, and it's going to rush through +this camp, trampling everything in the way!" + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +FIGHTING THE MAD STAMPEDE + + +"Nothing doing, and don't get excited," replied Tom Reade, shaking +his head. + +"There will be a lot doing in three or four minutes," Prescott +retorted excitedly. "The cattle are stampeded, and they'll sweep +through here like a cyclone." + +"The trees will break up the stampede," Tom insisted coolly. + +"Not much they won't," Dick answered. "The cattle are headed +along a natural lane, where the trees are less thick than in other +parts of the forest." + +"The trees will stop 'em before they get here," Reade insisted. + +"The trees will do nothing of the sort," uttered Dick, glancing +swiftly about him. "The cattle are among the trees already. +Just hear that rumble. And it's a lot closer now." + +"I reckon we'd better move, do it now, and do it fast," cried +Hazelton, who knew that Dick's judgment was generally the best. + +"And leave our camp to be trampled down and made a complete wreck +by a lot of crazy cattle?" gasped Greg Holmes. + +"I'd rather have the camp trampled than my face," retorted Dalzell. + +"I don't want to flee from here and leave the camp to be destroyed, +and our summer's fun spoiled," protested Greg. "We must stop +the cattle, or split their stampede." + +"All right, Holmesy," agreed Tom ironically. "I appoint you to +do my full share in stopping a stampede of cattle." Reade's face +had suddenly grown very grave as he now realized that the trees +were not stopping the frenzied cattle. + +Dick, who had been thinking, suddenly wheeled, making a break +for the supplies. + +"Get a box of matches, each one of you!" he shouted. "Then sprint +with me for that patch of sun-baked grass just north of us." + +"What's the idea?" Dave asked, but Dick was already running fast. + +"Get your matches and come on!" Dick called back over his shoulder. + +As speedily as could be done the others followed suit. Dick reached +the sun-burned strip of grass, whose nearer edge was some two +hundred yards north of camp. + +"Hey! He's starting a forest fire!" gasped Dan Dalzell, as he +caught sight of young Prescott bending over the dried, yellowish +grass. + +"Scatter, all along the strip!" shouted Prescott, rising as soon +as he had ignited a clump of grass. "Get this whole strip of +burned grass blazing. It's the only chance to save the camp---or +ourselves!" + +Dalzell shivered. Nor could Dan understand how such a course +would serve to save their camp. But he saw the others following +their leader's orders. + +"Get over the ground, Dan!" bellowed Dick, as he sprinted to another +point. "Start a lot of blazes!" + +So Danny Grin fell in line with the movements of the others, though +he felt not a little doubt as to the wisdom of the course. + +Flame was now spurting up over more than an acre of the sun-baked +strip of grass. + +"Get a lot more of the grass going, fellows!" panted Dick, who +was working like a beaver and dripping with perspiration. "It's +our only hope. Hustle!" + +With the flames arose a dense cloud of smoke. As the wind was +from the southwest the smoke was in the faces of the onrushing +cattle. + +"There! We've done all we can!" bellowed Dick, running down the +line formed by his chums. "Now, get back out of this roasting +furnace." + +Close to the edge of the burning strip of grass the six high school +boys now stood side by side gazing at their work. + +"We'd better scoot!" counseled Danny Grin. + +"Where can we go?" Dick shouted, in order to make himself heard +over the crackling flames and the greater noise of the pounding +hoofs. "If we're not safe behind a curtain of flame, there is +no other place near where we'd be safer." + +Danny Grin turned to bolt, but Darry reached out, catching him +by the collar and throwing him to the ground. + +"Don't be a fool, Danny, and don't be panic stricken," Darrin +advised. "We're safer here, at least, than we can be anywhere +else within a quarter of a mile." + +The bellow of a bull through the forest---a bellow taken up by +other bulls---made all of the boys quake in their shoes. But +none of the lads ran away. + +Gazing between the trees they soon made out a stirring sight. + +On came the stampede, cattle packed so tightly that any animal +falling could only be trampled to death by those behind. + +"My, but that's a grand sight!" cried Tom Reade. + +Not one of the six boys but longed to take to his heels. To them +it seemed absolutely impossible for the cattle to turn aside as +they must dash on through the blazing grass, such was the pressure +from behind. Yet not one of Dick & Co. turned to run. + +Suddenly three of the bulls went down to their knees, snorting +and bellowing furiously. Half a dozen cows held back from the +flames, only to be trampled and killed. + +Somehow, the powerful bulls staggered to their feet, then broke +to one side. + +A dozen more cows plunged on into the blazing grass, then sank, +overcome by the heat. + +It seemed like a miracle as, following the bulls, the herd split, +some going east, others west, and carrying the swerving cattle +after them in two frantic streams. + +In some way that the boys could not understand, the pressure of +cattle from the rear accommodated itself to the movement of the +forepart of the herd. The herd divided now swept on rapidly, +going nearly east and west in two sections. + +Not until some six hundred crazy cattle had passed out of view +did the boys feel like speaking. Indeed, they felt weak from +the realization of the peril they had so narrowly escaped. + +"I think, fellows," proposed Dave Darrin huskily at last, "that +we owe a whopping big vote of thanks to good old Dick Prescott!" + +"After we pass that vote," proposed Hazelton, "we'd better make +all haste to get out of these woods before the owner of this +stretch of forest comes along to nab the fellows who set his timber +afire." + +"Do you see any trees ablaze?" Dick demanded. + +Now, for the first time, two or three of the fellows began to +realize the value of Dick's idea. The sun-burned grass, some +three acres in extent, was a clearing devoid of trees. Here +the July heat had baked the turf. On all sides, under the trees +beyond, the grass was still green. Any boy who has ever been +in the country knows that green grass won't burn. Hence the blaze +was limited to a small area. A few trees whose trunks were near +the edge of the clearing were smoking slightly, but no damage +was done to the timber. There was really no work to be done in +extinguishing this fire, which, furious while it lasted, was now +dying out. + +"Let's get back and see how our camp fared," proposed Hazelton. + +"We don't have to," Dick replied. "We saw the directions taken +by the cattle, and they didn't go anywhere near our camp. Let's +wait, and, as soon as the ground is cool enough, let's get out +to the injured cows, and see if we can help any of them." + +Hardly had Dick spoken when one of the cows, right at the edge +of the blackened clearing, rose clumsily, then moved slowly northward. +Presently another cow followed suit. + +"We can get over the ground now," said Dick. "Let's go out and +look at these animals." + +They counted eight dead cows, their unwieldy carcasses lying motionless +on the burned grass. + +"Probably killed by the hot air that they drew into their lungs," +commented Tom Reade. + +"We killed the poor beasts," said Danny Grin, with a catch in +his breath. + +"Perhaps we did," Dick admitted. "But we had to do something. +Anyhow, we broke the force of the stampede, and, if that hadn't +been checked, a still greater number of cows would have been killed. +They would have fallen, exhausted, and then they would have been +trampled on and killed by the plunging cattle behind them." + +"That's true enough," nodded Tom. "Even if we did kill a few, +I guess we're more entitled to praise than reproach." + +Two more cows presently got up and limped away, but there were +four others still alive, yet too badly hurt to attend to themselves. + +Nor could the high school boys help, further than by carrying +buckets of water to the suffering animals. Dick & Co. had no +firearms along, and could not put the injured cows out of their +misery. + +"Now, let's get out of here," urged Dick at last. "We can't do +any good here, and this is no pleasant sight to gaze upon." + +"It seems too bad to leave all this prime roast beef on the ground, +doesn't it?" hinted Tom. "And we fellows have such good appetites." + +"The cattle are not ours," Dick rejoined. "We have no right to +help ourselves to any cuts of meat from the dead animals." + +So they returned to the camp, which they found, of course, quite +undisturbed. + +It so happened that the four members of the party who had proposed +going to other scenes for the forenoon forgot their projects. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +VISITORS FOR THE FEAST + + +Bang! bang! sounded in the direction of the burned-over clearing. + +"Let's go over and see what that means," proposed Tom. + +He jumped up, ready to sprint over to the clearing. + +"If you want advice," Dick offered, "I'd say to wait until the +shooting is over. You might stop a stray bullet not intended +for us." + +"But what can the shooting mean" wondered Greg. + +"When anyone is turning bullets loose," remarked Darry, "I'm not +too inquisitive." + +So the boys waited until the firing had ceased. Then they heard +what sounded like the noise of a horse moving through the brush. + +"Hello, there!" called Dick. + +"Hello, yourself!" came the answer, and a mounted man rode into +view. He did not look especially ugly or dangerous; his garb +was plainly intended for the saddle. As he came into sight the +man slipped a heavy automatic revolver into a saddle holster. + +"What was up?" inquired Dick, rising and going forward to meet +the newcomer. + +"Stampede," replied the other briefly. + +"We know something about that," Dick rejoined. + +"Do you know anything about the burning of the clearing?" asked +the horseman, reining up and eyeing the lads keenly. + +"Yes, sir; we fired the grass," Prescott acknowledged. + +"To break the stampede?" + +"No, sir; to save our camp, which would have been destroyed." + +"Shake," invited the stranger, riding forward and bending over +to hold out his hand. "Your fire cost us a few cattle, but I +reckon it saved the destruction of a lot more, for there would +have been many of 'em killed if they had charged on into the deeper +forest." + +"Then the stampede has been stopped?" asked Prescott. + +"Yes; two of my men followed the parted trails, and came back +to report the two herds halted and grazing. My name is Ross. +I'm the owner of about a fourth of the cattle in the big herd." + +"I hope you don't feel angry with us for doing the best we could +to save our camp," Dick went on. + +"You saved myself and the other owners a greater loss," replied +Mr. Ross, "so I thank you." + +"You're quite welcome, Mr. Ross," smiled Tom Reade. "But what +was the shooting about?" + +"I shot some of the cattle that appeared to be still alive, to +put an end to their suffering. You boys haven't any ice here, +have you?" + +"No, sir," Dick replied. + +"Too bad," said Mr. Ross. "If you had ice I could offer you a +prime lot of beef that it will hardly pay me to move, as I can't +get the animals cut up quickly enough and on ice, after the long +haul I would have to make." + +"Are you going to leave the cattle on the clearing?" Dick asked +in sudden concern. + +"We'll bury the carcasses," smiled Mr. Ross. "If we didn't the +smell would soon force you boys to move your camp a mile or two. +But see here! Ever have a barbecue?" + +"No, sir," Dick made answer, his voice betraying sudden interest. + +"Would you like one?" went on the owner. "A barbecue, real western +style, with a whole cow on the fire?" + +"It would be great!" answered nearly all of Dick & Co. in concert. + +"Then we'll have one, as soon as I can call my men in," replied +Mr. Ross cheerfully. "I'm bound to get some good out of the dead +cattle." + +"We'll want a lot of firewood for that, won't we?" asked Dick, +his eyes gleaming. + +"More than a little," nodded Mr. Ross. "And big wood, at that." + +"Dave, you and Tom had better take the axes and get some real +wood," Prescott called. "Harry and Dan will help you and bring +it in. Where shall we put the wood, Mr. Ross?" + +"In the middle of the burnt clearing will be better," replied +the cattle owner. "Then the fire won't have a chance to spread +in any direction. Besides, you won't want the heat of a great +fire too close to your camp. After the meat is cooked we can +bring it over here. Have you boys plenty of canned vegetables +and the like?" + +"Plenty, sir," Dick answered cheerily, though his heart sank a +trifle as he thought of how the cattle owner and his helpers might +clean out their stock. + +Dick and Greg busied themselves with carrying over to the clearing +such things as Mr. Ross said that they would need. Then it was +decided that the vegetables should be cooked at the camp. + +"Let me see your stock of provisions and perhaps I may get another +idea," proposed the cattle owner. "I see that you have flour, +and oh, yes; you have all that will be needed for a pudding, +and one of my men knows how to make one of the best boiled puddings +you ever ate out under the sky." + +Drawing a small horn from one of his side pockets, Mr. Ross blew +a long, shrill blast. + +"Jim will come in as soon as possible, after hearing that sound," +smiled the cattle owner. + +Jim Hornby rode in within five minutes. He was a lean, long, +roughened and reddened farm laborer, but when told that a boiled +pudding was wanted he walked straight to the place where the +supplies were kept. + +"Everything here but berries," Jim explained. "Any of you boys +know where to get some blueberries?" + +Greg knew, and promptly departed with a pail. + +Crackle! Crackle! Two brisk fires were now going in the burnt +clearing, started by Dick at Mr. Ross' direction. By this time +Mr. Ross' other helper had come in, reporting that the cattle +were quiet and grazing, and now this helper and his employer began +to remove the hide from one of the cows. + +"This cow was overcome by smoke and hot air as soon as it rushed +into the blaze," explained Mr. Ross. "Therefore, this will be +safe meat to eat. When an animal, however, dies in pain, after +much suffering, its flesh should never be used for food. Bill, +now that we've gotten the hide off you mount and ride back to +the wagon. Bring it along." + +Dan and Harry were still bringing in heavy firewood and stacking +it up, while the ring of axes in the hands of Dave and Tom was +heard. It was a busy scene. + +"Prescott, you'd better begin piling on the big wood now," suggested +Mr. Ross, after noting the sun's position. + +Things moved rapidly along. + +"You might as well halt your wood cutters, unless you want their +product for your own camp," suggested the cattle owner, and Prescott +sent the word to stop chopping. + +Within twenty minutes the big wagon, drawn by a pair of mules, +came up with Bill Hopple driving and his horse tied to the tailboard. + +With a speed and skill born of long practice, Mr. Ross began to +cut up the carcass of the cow. Bill was busy making greenwood +spits and arranging them over the two fires, Dan and Harry helping +him. + +Almost at a dead run came Greg Holmes through the woods, with +two quarts of blueberries. Over at the camp, as soon as he saw +the berries, Jim Hornby began mixing his pudding batter. He had +already prepared his fire and had found a suitable kettle. + +From watching the pudding game, Tom strolled through to the two +fires in the clearing. + +"This begins to look like a fine chance to eat," sighed Tom full +of contentment. + +"Doing anything, Reade?" inquired the cattle owner, who had quickly +learned all their names. + +"No, sir." + +"Then suppose you take this heart of the cow over to your camp. +Put it on the fire in a kettle of salted water, and let it boil +slowly. By that means you will be able to serve up the heart +for your evening meal." + +"Is there no end to this cow?" gasped Tom. + +"Well, a good-sized cow provides several hundred pounds of meat," +replied Mr. Ross. "Oh, what a shame that you boys have no ice, +and no way of getting it or keeping it! I could fix you for a +month's supply of meat!" + +"Dick, do you remember what we came out here in the woods for?" +queried Tom. + +"To camp, and have a good time," Prescott laughed. "And, so far, +we win. We're having a bully time!" + +"What else did we come out here for?" + +"To harden and train ourselves so that we can make a hard try +for the Gridley High School football eleven this fall." + +"Will a week of training table undo the harm of to-day's big feasts?" +groaned Reade. + +"No fellow is obliged to make a glutton of himself," retorted +Dick. + +"Maybe not," quoth Tom, "but everyone of us will be sorely tempted. +You ought to see that pudding that Jim Hornby is putting up." + +"Young man, are you going to get that heart to cooking before +it goes bad in the sun?" asked Mr. Ross sharply. + +Tom meekly turned and started toward camp. + +"What's Greg doing?" Dick called after him. + +"Holmesy is watching, learning the way Jim Hornby puts up a boiled +pudding," Reade called back. + +Honk! honk! sounded an automobile horn from the rough trail +of a roadway an eighth of a mile away. The honking continued +until Dick, realizing that it was a signal, gave a loud halloo. + +"Is that Prescott's camp?" called a voice. + +"It's the camp of Prescott and his friends," Dick shouted back. + +"Get ready for visitors, then!" called the voice again, and this +time Dick recognized the voice as that of Dr. Bentley. + +"We won't eat you out of supplies, though," called the doctor, +now heading through the forest. "We're bringing with us our own +cold lunch." + +"Cold lunch!" Dick chuckled back. "You won't be able to eat it +after you see what we have!" + +Through the trees now the fluttering of skirts could be seen. +High school girls were on their way to share the barbecue, though +as yet they did not know of the treat in store for them. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +DICK'S WOODLAND DISCOVERY + + +"You couldn't have come at a finer time!" cried Dick joyously, +as he raced to meet the most welcome visitors. + +"We're barbecuing a whole cow." + +"Then I trust, Prescott, that you came honestly by the cow," rejoined +Dr. Bentley his eyes twinkling. + +Besides Dr. and Mrs. Bentley, there were eight girls. The visitors +quickly explained that, besides the Bentley touring car, that +of the Sharps was being used on this expedition, Susie Sharp being +one of the girls of the party. The Sharps did not employ a chauffeur, +but their general man knew how to run the car, and he was now +engaged in taking the cars to a spot well off the road. + +"I'll send one of the fellows to get him," Dick promised, as he +led the numerous though welcome guests to camp. + +"Lucky I made a special big pudding," grinned Jim Hornby. + +"The girls may have my share," gallantly offered Tom Reade, though +he groaned under his breath. + +"There's pudding enough for a lot more people than we have here," +returned Jim. "I don't bother making small puddings." + +The boys were all called in quickly to greet the girls and Dr. +and Mrs. Bentley. Of course, the girls had to see the interior +of the tent, and all the arrangements of the camp. + +"I wish I were a boy," sighed Laura Bentley enviously. + +"I'm glad you're not," spoke Dick gallantly. "You're ever so +much nicer as a girl." + +Honk! honk! sounded over by the road. The noise continued. + +"Greg," said Dick, "that's Miss Sharp's father's man. Evidently +he wants something. You'd better run over." + +In less than five minutes back came Greg with three other men, +all of them unexpected. Mr. Alonzo Hibbert, minus his four-quart +hat, and wearing a flat straw hat instead, as well as light clothes +and silk negligee shirt, came in advance of Tom Colquitt, the +man from Blinders' detective agency. Still to the rear of them +was a third man, slightly bent and looking somewhat old, though +there were no gray streaks in his light brown hair. + +"How do you do, boys?" called Mr. Hibbert airily, as he came swiftly +forward. "We saw a big smoke over this way, and so we stopped +to find out what was the matter. Young Holmes has asked us to +stop for your barbecue, but it looks to me like a terrible imposition +on you, and so-----" + +Here Mr. Hibbert paused, looking highly embarrassed as he caught +sight of Mrs. Bentley and the girls coming out of the tent. + +"You already have other company," murmured Hibbert apologetically. +"No; most decidedly we must not intrude on you." + +"How do you do, Mr. Colquitt?" was Dr. Bentley's greeting. Then +other introductions followed, and, ere he knew it, Hibbert and +his friends were members of the party and destined to partake +of the barbecue feast. + +The oldish-looking man with the new arrivals proved to be Mr. +Calvin Page. + +"He's the millionaire father of the missing boy that Colquitt +and I are trying to find," Hibbert explained to Dick. + +"Have you any clue, as yet?" Prescott inquired. + +"Nothing worth while," sighed Lon Hibbert. + +"It's too bad," murmured Dick. "Mr. Page is a fine-looking man, +but he must be lonely." + +"He is," agreed Lon Hibbert. + +"His wife is dead, isn't she?" + +"Yes; and Page would give the world to find that boy of his." + +"Perhaps if he doesn't find his son it may be as well," Dick hinted. + +"Why, as well?" + +"The missing son, brought up by others, might have turned out +badly," Prescott suggested. + +"Pooh!" quickly rejoined Lon Hibbert. "That missing son, no +matter how wild or bad he may be, is still young enough to reform. +Prescott, no matter how bad that son may be, it will be a blessing +for my friend Page to find his boy! I pray that it may be my +good fortune to run across that son, one of these days, and that +I may be the first to recognize the boy." + +"Prescott," broke in Mr. Ross, coming forward, "you don't begin +to have enough knives, forks and plates to take care of this crowd, +do you?" + +"I'm sorry to say that we haven't," Dick smiled. "But we'll manage +that all right. My friends and I will play waiters, and sit at +second table after the dishes have been washed." + +"You won't have to," replied the cattle owner. "I have a folding +table and dishes in my wagon, and I'll send Bill Hopple after +'em." + +So the tables were set under the shade of the trees, not far from +the campfire. The Sharps man came up, and was seated with Jim +and Bill. Everything being now cooked, the feast began. + +"I've never had anything as wonderful as this happen to me before," +cried Belle Meade, as she seated herself and looked over the two +tables with sparkling eyes. "Girls, we didn't look forward to +such a treat as this when we left Gridley this morning." + +"You intended to look in on us, didn't you?" inquired Darry. + +"Yes; but we brought our own luncheons," said Laura. "We didn't +expect you to do anything for us---unless you boys had happened +to catch a mess of fish." + +"We were planning to go fishing this morning," Tom Reade explained, +"although we do not know whether the fishing near here amounts +to much. May I pass you some of this sirloin, Miss Marshall?" + +Gay spirits ruled, as they usually do and always should when young +people are together out in the open, far from studies or from +any of the other cares of life. + +Dick told the story of the stampede, while Mr. Ross added much +about the peculiarities of stampeding cattle and the impossibility +of controlling the animals while their mad fright lasts. + +"I am certain that this is the finest meal I have ever eaten," +declared Mr. Page, who, up to the present, had been rather silent. + +"There is only one thing it needs," rejoined Mr. Ross. "If we +had about six roasted ears of corn for each diner then this barbecue +would be a huge success." + +"Not even the corn could improve it," declared Laura Bentley, +as Dick helped her to more of the roasted meat. + +"Don't forget that pudding, ladies and gentlemen!" called out +Jim Hornby, from where he sat. "That pudding is my best kind, +and the best one of its kind that I ever turned out. When you +have the pudding you won't be thinking of a little thing like +roasted ears of corn." + +"No more, thank you," replied Clara Marshall, as Greg tried to +secure her plate in order to help her to more food. + +"Until the pudding comes on," prompted Jim Hornby. + +"Until the pudding arrives," smiled Clara. + +"But no one may think of having pudding yet," insisted Mr. Ross, +with mock gravity. "I forbid that anyone should have pudding, +or even think of it, until we have tried the one really delicious +dish of this feast." + +"And what may that be?" called Dr. Bentley. + +"The best part of the cow," replied Mr. Ross. + +"A big rib roast, served with cracked bones with the marrow cooked +in them. Come along, Bill. We'll bring back the roast and the +marrow." + +Ross and his man moved briskly out of sight. Only a few moments +had passed when Mr. Ross' voice was heard from the clearing: + +"_Thieves_! The rib roast is gone---so is the marrow!" + +Dick glanced swiftly at his chums. The same idea was in the minds +of all the members of Dick & Co. + +"Our friend, the prowler, has been here," muttered Prescott, rising +hastily. "This thing has got to be stopped. Come along, fellows! +Friends, please excuse us for a few moments." + +At a dog trot Dick led the way to the clearing. There stood Mr. +Ross, looking the picture of indignation. + +"I didn't know there were tramps in these woods," muttered the +cattle owner. + +"Tramp, thief, or whatever he is," exclaimed Dick Prescott, "that +fellow must move on out of this part of the country. If he doesn't +we'll catch him. After we get through with him, he'll be glad +enough to move on." + +"If he's able," added Dave Darrin significantly. + +"Oh, what's the use of making a fuss, this time?" demanded Tom +Reade good-humoredly. "For once we have so much meat that we +could spare a hungry man two hundred pounds and not miss it." + +"It's the principle of the thing," muttered Dick, who was studying +the ground intently. "That big, hulking fellow doesn't care a +rap whether we have plenty, or whether he takes all we have. +We've got to suppress him. We must catch him, and put a stop +to his thieving. See! Here's where he went off through the woods. +Come on! We'll trail him!" + +"And, if we find him?" asked Greg. + +"We'll try to reason with the fellow," responded Prescott rather +grimly. + +Just as the boys started off on the trail that Prescott had discovered, +other figures appeared on the scene. + +"Now, may I ask what you girls are doing here?" asked Tom, his +tone more agreeable than his words. + +"We want to see the fun, whatever is going to happen," declared +Susie Sharp. + +"Oh, there will be plenty of that, I promise you, if we can find +the fellow," asserted Darry bluntly. + +"Come along, girls!" cried Belle Meade gleefully. + +"But there may be something disagreeable happen, you know, girls," +Dick warned them. "If we overtake this fellow there may be a +fight." + +"If you could call it a fight, when six Gridley high school boys +attack one man, then I shall have to change my mind about our +high school boys," hinted Laura Bentley teasingly. + +It was plain enough that the girls were bent on following them, +so no more objections were raised. + +"We'll travel so fast that the girls won't be able to keep up," +whispered Tom Reade to Dick. "We'll lose 'em, and they'll be +glad to hike back to the table." + +This, however, proved to be not quite as easy as had been expected. +The trail into the woods was rather a plain one, though it could +not be followed at a run. + +"Keep behind me, fellows," urged Dick. "If you keep up with me +you may blot out the trail." + +So his five chums came after him, with the girls in the rear, +in a straggling line. + +Into the deepest woods the trail led. "The girls will soon tire +of this chase, and face about," Tom told Darry. + +Which was precisely what happened. + +In the deepest part of the woods Dick parted a tangle of bushes +through which the trail led. Then, in a voice vibrant with agitation, +he shouted: + +"Come on, fellows! Quick!" + + + + +CHAPTER X + +SETTING A NEW TRAP + + +What Dick had caught sight of, and what had made him call to his +chums was the figure of the camp prowler partially dressed seated +on the edge of a pool of water fed by a forest brook where evidently +he had been bathing. + +He had heard Dick's cry, however. These few instants of time +had been enough for the bather to jump up, snatch up the remainder +of his clothes and set off through the woods with the speed of +an antelope. + +"Come on!" cheered Dick Prescott. "Full speed! We'll catch him. +He hasn't his shoes on, and his bare feet will soon go lame on +the twigs and stones that he'll step on in running. He can't +go far before we nab him." + +"Spread out, fellows!" called Tom Reade. "Don't let the rascal +slip through our line. Dick, did you get a good look at him?" + +"A fine peep," Prescott affirmed. + +"Was he the thief?" Dave demanded. + +"The very fellow!" Dick called back, for he was still in the lead. + +"Don't talk any more," Reade warned his friends cautiously. "We'll +use up our wind." + +As he ran Dick had an important secret on his mind. This was +not quite the time to impart it to his chums, however, so he held +his peace and did his best to save his wind. + +Thus half a mile, at least, was quickly traversed. By this time +the high school boys, running as they had done, began to feel +winded. + +"I can't go any further," gasped Hazelton, halting and leaning +against a tree. + +"I'm in the same fix," muttered Danny Grin. as he, too, came +to a stop. + +Reade, Darrin and Prescott ran on some distance farther, but at +last Dick called a brief signal for a halt. + +"Where are you, friend?" bawled Dick, using his last wind in one +resolute vocal effort. + +"Friend!" scoffed Reade. + +"Of course the fellow will call and tell us where he is!" jeered +Darry. + +"We won't hurt you---won't try to," Dick promised solemnly, again +sending his voice as far as he could make it travel. "All we +want to do is to talk to you---and we're friends honestly!" + +"Say, what are you trying to give that thief?" protested Tom, +in an indignant undertone. + +"Why are you telling him we're friends, and won't hurt him?" insisted +Dave Darrin. + +"Because I mean just what I say," retorted Prescott, so crisply +that, for the moment, no one pressed him with any more questions. + +Dick continued his calls, but received no response. + +"By this time that fellow's a mile from here, and still running," +mocked Dave. + +"Or else he doubled on us, somewhere, and is hidden where he can +watch us, and laugh at us slyly," suggested Tom, as the three +high school boys turned to walk back to camp. + +"If he's hiding on our trail, the thief had better not let me +catch him laughing at us!" growled Darry indignantly. + +"Now, see here, both of you," Dick Prescott went on, earnestly. +"If we come across that fellow, don't either of you make a grab +at him. Just let me handle him---and I'll do it by talking alone. +We mustn't use our fists." + +"You've changed your tune wonderfully within the last few minutes," +muttered Dave. + +"If I have," Dick answered impressively, "it's because I know +something now that I didn't know a little while ago." + +"And what's that?" asked Tom eagerly. + +"I'll tell all hands presently," Dick answered mysteriously. + +"Oh, fudge!" growled Darry, under his breath, for he was fully +as curious as Tom Reade had been. + +But Dick walked on as briskly as his almost winded condition would +permit. So they returned to the place where Harry and Dan awaited +them. To these two Dick repeated his instructions in the unlikely +case of their meeting the thief during their walk back to camp. + +Nothing was seen of the fugitive, however, and the boys picked +up Greg Holmes close to the little swimming pool. + +"I knew I could not catch up with you fellows," explained Holmes, +"so I took the girls back to camp and then put in my time prowling +about here and trying to locate the marrow bones that the sneak +stole." + +"Dick doesn't want us to hurt the fellow, if we run across him," +said Dave grimly. + +"Why not?" asked Greg, opening his eyes very wide. + +"I don't know," sighed Dave. "Ask Dick." + +"I'll tell you all by and by," smiled Dick. "But now, let us +hurry back to camp. I want to see Mr. Colquitt just as soon +as I can." + +"Bosh! A detective like Colquitt doesn't take up with such trifling +mysteries as missing marrow bones," jibed Reade. "Besides, we +can't afford to hire detectives." + +"I don't want to hire a detective," Dick replied enigmatically, +"but I'd like about one minute's talk with Mr. Colquitt, and I +mean to have it. Don't let us dawdle on the way back, fellows." + +So the six boys hurried on and soon came within sight of the camp. + +"There they come!" cried Belle Meade. "Did you get the thief, +boys?" + +"No," called Dave, "and it seems that the fellow is no longer +a thief, but a distinguished fellow citizen whom we must honor +at sight, like a bank draft." + +"What are you talking about?" half frowned Belle. + +"I haven't the least idea what I am talking about," Dave admitted +cheerfully. "You'll have to ask Dick for the map to my few remarks." + +"Where are Mr. Colquitt and his party?" Dick demanded. + +"Gone," replied Laura Bentley. + +"How long ago?" Dick asked, paling somewhat and looking troubled. + +"About two minutes ago," replied Dr. Bentley. "They excused themselves +and went away in their car." + +"Can't you take me in your car, Doctor, and help me to pursue +them?" asked Prescott anxiously. + +"Yes," agreed Dr. Bentley good-naturedly, "if you've any idea +which direction to take in looking for them. A mile to the east +three roads cross; half a mile to the west four roads cross. +Our friends may be on any one of the seven roads, or they may +have gone by a trail of their own." + +Dick came to an abrupt stop, clenching his hands tightly. + +"Isn't that luck for you?" he demanded ironically. Then, suddenly, +his face brightened. + +"No matter," he said. "They can be reached through the Eagle +Hotel, in Gridley." + +"Why should you want to reach them?" asked Laura curiously. + +"Will you mind if I keep that to myself, for just a little while?" +asked Dick, so pleasantly that Laura took no offense at all. + +"How about my pudding?" called Jim. "Anyone going to want any +of it?" + +Did they? It was enjoyed to the full, and there was pudding left +over, to be heated for another meal. + +"Now, you boys had better come with me, and I'll show you how +to keep some of the cooked meat over, in summer, without ice," +proposed Mr. Ross. + +"And my party must be getting along, or night will overtake us +here," declared Dr. Bentley, rising from what had been a most +hospitable board. + +"Then fellows, please excuse me if I write a short note and ask +Dr. Bentley to mail it," urged Dick. + +So Dave Darrin mustered the other chums, marching them off in +the wake of Mr. Ross, while Dick hastily scribbled a note, placed +it in an envelope, and addressed it to Alonzo Hibbert, or Thomas +Colquitt, Eagle Hotel, Gridley. + + As Dick came out his other chums halted their labors long +enough to take leave of Dr. Bentley and his party. They escorted +the departing guests to their automobiles, and saw them start +away. + +Such of the roast meat as was to be saved was packed in metal +pails, covered, and then the pails lowered into a brook, where +the cool water would to a certain extent take the place of ice. + +Then Mr. Ross and his helpers removed the folding tables and other +loaned articles. + +"Thank you, boys, for what you did to break the stampede of the +herd," said Mr. Ross, waving his hand after he had sprung up into +the saddle. + +Once more Dick & Co. had their camp all to themselves. + +"I wish we could have such visitors every day," cried Darry +enthusiastically. + +"Yes," grinned Tom, "but how long would our canned goods hold +out? We'd have to be rich, fellows, to entertain so many people +every day, even if the meat end of the feast did come to us without +cost." + +"We want to make the camp shipshape again," Dick remarked, looking +about. "There's a lot of refuse food to be burned. Greg, you +start a fire. Dan you gather up every scrap of food that must +be thrown away and burn it on said fire. Dave, you can set the +tent to rights. I'll take an axe and hustle after some firewood. +Dave, suppose you help me. Tom might put the camp to rights." + +With the labor thus divided all hands set briskly to work. By +the time that all the tasks had been performed the boys were glad +to lie down on the grass and rest until it was time to prepare +a light supper. After that meal was over Dave asked: + +"We're going to keep regular guard to-night, aren't we?" + +"Yes," Dick answered. "We'll turn in at nine o'clock and keep +guard until six in the morning. That will be nine hours---an +hour and a half of guard duty for each fellow. Suppose we draw +lots to decide the order in which we shall take our tricks of +guard duty." + +This was done. To Prescott fell the second tour, from ten-thirty +until midnight. Reade had the first tour. + +At a few minutes after nine all was quiet in the camp. Five tired +high school boys were soon sound asleep, with Reade, hidden in +the deep shadows, watching outside. + +It seemed to young Prescott that he had no more than dropped off +into slumber when Tom shook him by the shoulder. + +"Half-past ten," whispered Reade, as Dick sat up. "Go out to +the wash basin and dash cold water into your eyes. That will +open 'em and freshen you up." + +"Have you seen anything of the prowler?" whispered Dick, as he +got upon his feet. + +"Not a sign," declared Tom. + +"It would be too early for him to prowl about yet," whispered +Dick, as he passed out into the Summer night. "Good night, Tom." + +Only a faint stirring of the light breeze in the tree tops, the +droning hum of night insects, and the occasional call of a night +bird---these were all the sounds that came to the ears of the +young camp guard. + +Dick dashed the water into his eyes, then felt wonderfully wide +awake. + +"If Mr. Prowler comes, he'll probably go for the canned vegetables +and the biscuit," Prescott decided. "He must already have more +meat than he can handle all day to-morrow---if it doesn't spoil." + +So Dick posted himself where he could easily watch the approach +of any outsider toward the boxes that served as cupboards for +the canned supplies. + +The time slipped away, until it was nearly midnight, as Prescott +knew from stepping into the tent and lighting a match briefly +for a swift glimpse at his watch. + +As Dick came out of the tent he fancied he heard a distant step, +crackling on a broken twig. + +"If there's anyone coming I'd better slip into the shadow of the +canvas," Prescott told himself, acting accordingly. + +Presently the stealthy steps sounded nearer to the camp. + +"Someone is coming, as sure as fate," Dick said to himself. "Shall +I rouse one or two of the other fellows? But they might alarm +the prowler. I'll handle him myself." + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +A HARD PROWLER TO CATCH + + +It was the prowler. + +Close to the tent he stopped to listen to the heavy breathing +that came from the sound young sleepers. Dick crouched farther +back into the shadow. + +Uttering a low grunt, that was half chuckle, the prowler slipped +along in the darkness, making toward the cupboards. + +"My friend, I want a little talk with you," suddenly spoke Dick +Prescott, slipping up behind the uninvited visitor. + +The prowler wheeled quickly about. + +"You don't want anything to do with me," he corrected, in a harsh +voice. "I could eat two or three like you, and then have plenty +of appetite left." + +"Perhaps," smiled Dick Prescott undaunted. + +"And I'll do it, too, if you don't stand back." + +"But I want to talk with you, my friend," Dick insisted. + +"I don't want to talk with you," snapped the prowler. + +"You would, if you knew what I want to talk with you about," Prescott +continued. + +"Is it about food?" demanded the young stranger grimly. + +"Then it's about jail," sneered the other harshly. + +"Why about jail?" asked Dick. + +"Because that's where you'd like to see me!" + +"Why should I want to see you in jail?" Prescott demanded. + +"Because I've been visiting your kitchen," leered the other. +"But you can't stop me. Not all of your crowd can stop me!" + +"Why do you wish to clean us out of food?" Prescott asked. + +"Because I know how to eat," replied the young stranger significantly. + +"Is that the only reason you have for trying to clean us all out +of food?" + +"Why should I have any other reason? And why isn't being hungry +a good enough reason?" counter-queried the prowler. + +"It has struck me," smiled Dick, "that perhaps you don't want +us in these woods, anyway." + +"I don't just hanker after your company," admitted the stranger, +with gruff candor. + +"Are we bothering you any here?" + +"No matter," came the sullen retort. + +"To return to the first subject, that matter about which I want +to talk with you-----" + +"Not to-night," growled the young prowler. Turning on his heel, +he started to walk away. + +But Dick kept close at his side. + +"Shake my trail, you!" ordered the other gruffly. "If you don't +you'll be sorry!" + +With that the stranger broke into a loping run. At first glance +this gait didn't seem to be a swift one, but it was the long, +easy, loping stride of the wolf in motion. Young Prescott found +that he had to exert himself in order to keep up with the other. + +"Go back to your shack!" ordered the prowler. + +"Hold on a minute, so that I can talk with you," urged Prescott. + +By this time they were at a considerable distance from the camp. +Suddenly the prowler halted, wheeling about like a flash, glaring +into young Prescott's eyes. + +"Now, I'll learn you!" growled the prowler. + +"Do you mean that you'll _teach_ me?" queried Prescott. "What?" + +"I'll learn you," growled the other, "not to keep on banging around +me when I don't want you!" + +"Do you happen to have any idea," Dick persisted coolly, "that +your name is probably Page, and that you undoubtedly have a very +rich father, who is trying to find you?" + +"Where did you read that fairy tale?" sneered the prowler. + +"Partly on your skin to-day," Dick rejoined, "when I came upon +you as you were dressing near that pool." + +"Stop kidding me!" commanded the other sternly. "And now back +to you cosy little bed for you! Fade! Vanish! If you don't +then you'll soon wish you had!" + +But Dick held his ground, despite the very evident sincerity of +the other's threat, and gazed unflinchingly back at the prowler. + +"Let me tell you," Dick went on. "Of course I cannot be positive, +but there is a missing heir who has, on his chest and one shoulderblade +just such marks as I saw on you to-day when you were sitting by +the pool putting on your shirt?" + +"Oh, forget that thrilling stuff!" jeered the other. "Don't you +suppose I know who my father is? Old Bill Mosher hasn't suddenly +grown rich. How could Bill get rich when he is in jail for drunkenness?" + +"So you think your name is Mosher?" pursued Prescott. + +"I know it is," replied the prowler harshly. "And, around this +neck of the woods a fellow couldn't have a harder, tougher name +than Mosher." + +"But if your name were really Page-----" pressed Dick. + +"No use stringing me like that," snapped the other. Even in the +darkness, lit only here and there by starlight, the scowl on his +face was visible. "Tell you what," declared Mosher, an instant +later. + +"Well?" + +"Beat it!" + +"I don't under------" + +"Yes, you do," retorted the self-styled Mosher. "Vamoose! +Twenty-three in a hurry! Make your get-away!" + +"Until I've made you listen to reason," Prescott insisted, "I +won't leave you." + +"Oh, yes, you will, and right now, or-----" + +"No!" + +"See here!" + +Mosher held a hard, horny fist menacing before Dick's face, but +the high school boy failed to wince. + +"Git! Now, or crawl later!" warned Mosher. + +"I'm going to make you listen to-----" + +"Put up your guard!" + +At least Mosher was "square" enough to give warning of his intentions. +He threw himself on guard, then waited for perhaps five seconds. + +"Are you going to cool down and listen!" demanded Dick Prescott +firmly. + +Out shot the Mosher youth's left fist. Dick dodged. It was a +feint; Dick nearly stopped Mosher's right. + +Blows rained in thickly now. Not every one could Prescott dodge, +though he was more agile and better trained than this more powerful +youth. + +At last, smarting from a glancing blow on the nose, Dick darted +in and clinched with his adversary. It was bad judgment, but +punishment had stung him into desperate recklessness. + +"Stop it!" panted the high school boy. + +"Won't!" retorted Mosher, increasing his pressure about the smaller +boy's waist until Prescott felt dizzy. In that extremity the +Gridley boy worked a neat little trip. Down they went, rolling +over and over, fighting like wild cats until Mosher secured the +upper hand and sat heavily on the high school boy. + +"I gave you all the chance I could," growled Mosher, planting +blow after blow on Dick's head, face and chest, "and you wouldn't +help yourself anyway. Now, you'll take all your medicine, and +next time you meet me you'll know enough to leave me alone." + +Held as he was, without really a show, Dick Prescott fought as +long as he could, and with desperate courage. But at last he +felt forced to yell: + +"Fellows! Gridley! Here---quickly!" + +"They're too far away, and, besides, they're asleep," jeered Mosher, +to the accompaniment of three more hard blows. "Now, I reckon +you've had enough to know your own business after this and let +mine alone. If I had any cord I'd tie you here. As it is-----" + +Leaping suddenly to his feet, Mosher turned and ran swiftly through +the woods. + +Dick badly hurt, yet as determined as ever, pursued for a few +score of yards. Then realizing that he could hear no sound of +the other's steps to guide him in the right direction, the high +school boy halted. + +"I may as well give it up this time," he said to himself grimly. +"Besides, my main job is to guard the camp. If I go roaming +through the woods, Mosher, as he calls himself, will double back +on the camp and clean out our provisions while I'm groping out +here in the dark." + +So Dick paused only long enough to make sure of his course back. +Then he plodded along, wincing with the pain of many blows that +he had received. + +"I'm lucky, anyway, that I didn't get an eye bunged up," he reflected. +"I smart and I ache, but I can see straight, and I don't believe +I've received any blow that will disfigure me for the next few +days. My, what a steam hammer that fellow is in a fight! I wonder +if he really is the son of that hard character called Bill Mosher?" + +As Dick neared the camp he stepped more softly. He wanted to +see whether Mosher really had come back. + +But no figure was discernible in the clearing beyond the camp. +Dick walked in more confidently. His first care was to examine +the food supply. + +"Nothing gone," Dick murmured. Then he looked about for a stick +large enough to serve as a weapon at need. While doing so his +glance fell upon an axe. + +"I wouldn't use that," Prescott told himself. "But there is no +knowing what Mosher would do if he got cornered by more than one +of us. Hereafter we mustn't leave this thing outside." + +Dick carried the axe into the tent, hiding it without awaking +any of the other sleepers. Then he went outside, searching until +he found a club that he thought would answer for defense. + +Taking this with him he went over to the wash basin, where, wetting +a towel, he bathed his battered face. + +"Almost one o'clock," he remarked, after striking a match for +a look at his watch. "I won't call Dave at all, but will stay +up and call Harry at half-past one." + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +"TAG" IS THE GAME---TAG MOSHER! + + +"Now, come in with the sprint!" Dick sang out to Hazelton. + +"Greg, Dave and Tom, you block him. Get through, Harry---some +way! Don't let 'em stop you." + +It was three days later, and Dick & Co. were at work at their +main task during this summer camping, which was to train hard +and try to fit themselves for the football squad when high school +should open again. + +Hazelton came on, at racing speed. He ducked low, making a gallant +effort. He nearly succeeded in getting through, but Tom's tackle +brought him to ground just at the right moment. + +"Now, try that over again," Prescott said. + +So the work went on, vigorously, for another hour---until all +of the boys were tired out, hot and panting. + +"That's the most grueling work I ever did in the same space of +time," muttered Reade, mopping his face. + +"Yes; it's the kind of work for which football calls," rejoined +Prescott, also mopping his face. "Dan, get up off the ground!" + +"I'm hot," muttered Dalzell, "and I'm tired." + +"Then rest on a campstool. Don't chill yourself by lying on the +ground when you're so warm." + +After a few seconds of contemplated mutiny, Danny Grin rose and +found a seat on a stool. + +"As soon as you're cool, three of you go to the water and wash +off," Dick ordered. "The other three of us will stay here until +you get back." + +That was the order of the day now. At least two, and usually +three of Dick & Co. always remained near camp. If Mosher planned +to come again he would find a "committee" waiting to receive him. + +There were more supplies, too, to guard now than there had been. +On the morning after Dick's encounter, a farmer had driven into +camp. His wagon had been well laden with all manner of canned +food supplies, even to tins of French mushrooms. These had come +from Alonzo Hibbert, with a note of thanks for the entertainment +of himself and friends. + +"These provisions are mighty welcome," Prescott had remarked at +the time, "but I'm not sure but that I would rather have Hibbert +himself here---I've so much to tell him." + +"He'll come, in time, when he gets your letter at the Eagle House," +Reade had answered, for Dick had told all his chums his suspicions +regarding young Mosher. + +"What are we to do this afternoon?" asked Dave, seating himself +beside Prescott as three of the chums started for the swimming +pool. + +"Gymnastics," Dick replied. "Especially bar work. And some boxing, +of course." + +"You ought to be excused from boxing for the present," grinned +Darry. "You look as though you had had enough for a while." + +For Dick's left cheek was still decorated with a bruise that young +Mosher had planted there. The boxing of Dick & Co., this summer, +was real work. It was done with bare knuckles, though, of course, +without anger or the desire to do injury. Boxing with bare knuckles +was Prescott's own idea for hardening himself and his chums for +the rough work of the gridiron. + +"I'll take my share of the boxing," Dick retorted. "Having a +sore spot on my face will make me all the more careful in my guard." + +"Queer we don't hear from Hibbert," mused Greg Holmes. + +"Not at all," Dave contended. "Hibbert simply isn't back at the +Eagle House yet, and perhaps the hotel people have had no orders +about forwarding his mail It may be a fortnight before we hear +from him." + +"Thanks to the thoughtfulness of Hibbert we can remain in camp +a good deal more than a fortnight longer," observed Prescott, +glancing over the greatly increased food supply. "Perhaps it +was all right for Hibbert to repay our courtesy the other day, +but he has sent us something like twenty or thirty times as much +food as his party ate." + +"I guess Hibbert has more money than he knows what to do with," +mused Greg aloud. + +"Even if he has," Prescott smiled seriously, "there is no reason +why he should feel called upon to keep us in food. I'd give four +fifths of that food to know where to reach Hibbert, or any of +that party, in a hurry. Jupiter!" + +"What's up?" asked Dave, eyeing his chum in astonishment, for +Dick had suddenly leaped to his feet, and was now dancing about +like an Indian. + +"Say, but we must have fried eggs in the place of brains!" cried +young Prescott reproachfully. + +"What calls forth that severe remark?" demanded Darry. + +"Why, we know well enough where to get hold of Hibbert's party," +Dick went on. + +"Do we?" asked Greg. + +"Certainly," cried Dick triumphantly. "Just send a note to Mr. +Colquitt in care of Blinders' Detective Agency. I'm going to +write the note now!" + +Dick was half-way to the tent when Darry called after him: + +"By the way, in what city is the Blinders' agency located?" + +Dick halted short, looking blank. + +"I don't know," he admitted. "Do you fellows?" + +None of them did. Then they waited until the others came in from +the pool. But none of them knew what city had the honor to shelter +the Blinders' agency. + +"I'll write the note, anyway," Dick insisted. "If I can't do +better, I'll put the address as simply the United States, with +a request on the envelope for the post-office people to find the +right city and deliver the letter." + +"Go ahead with the letter," urged Tom. "After dinner I'll walk +over to Five Corners and mail the letter. Incidentally, I'll +make inquiries over there and see whether anyone knows the city +in which the Blinders' crowd has its headquarters." + +So Dick wrote the letter, while others were preparing the noon +meal. At one o'clock in the afternoon Tom started, on his round-trip +tramp of twenty-two miles. + +"A trip like that will take the place of training for one half +day," Reade explained. + +Hazelton offered to go with him, but Tom declined on the ground +that he could get over ground faster without Harry. + +It was an hour after dark when Reade returned that night, hot, +tired, dusty and hungry. But he had found the correct address +of the agency and the letter had started on its journey. + +"Your supper is all ready," Dick announced. + +"And I'm ready to meet any supper more than half way," Reade retorted. +"Just a minute, until I wash up." + +The other five boys sat and chatted by the table while Tom ate. + +"Dan, won't you throw a lot more wood on the fire?" asked Dick, +as the meal came to a close. "We ought to have the camp better +lighted than this." + +Greg sprang to help Dalzell. Soon the flames leaped up, throwing +their ruddy, cheerful glow over the camp and making dancing shadows +beyond under the trees. + +While they were still chatting over the day's doings, steps were +heard, followed by the arrival in camp of two rough-looking, +stern-faced men. Dave Darrin sprang to pick up a club. + +"You boys haven't been doing anything wrong, have you?" questioned +one of the men, with a trace of a smile. + +"Of course not," Dick indignantly replied. + +"Then you needn't be afraid of us, though I admit that we do look +rough," answered the same man, displaying a badge. "We're officers +of the law." + +"What can we do for you, sir?" Prescott inquired more respectfully. + +"Do you boys know anything about Tag Mosher?" demanded the same +speaker. + +"Son of Bill Mosher?" Dick counter-queried. + +"The same. Know anything about him?" + +"Nothing, except that he bothered us a good deal when we were +first camped here," Prescott replied. + +"Do you know him by sight, then?" + +"We all do." + +"When was Tag here last?" pressed the officer. + +"About three days ago," Dick answered. "He stole quite a bit +of our food supply." + +"That's an old trick of that young tough," rejoined the deputy +sheriff. "That's how the boy got the nickname of 'tag.' He won't +work, and lives on other people's work. Anything that he can +say 'tag' to he thinks belongs to him." + +"Then, in other words, sir," asked Dave Darrin, "Tag Mosher is +just a plain thief?" + +"A good deal that way," replied the deputy. "But with this difference: +Up to date Tag never stole anything except what he needed at the +moment for his own comfort. He never robbed people to enrich +himself, but just to save himself the trouble of working. Now, +however, we've a more serious charge against him." + +"What?" asked Dick, + +"I don't know whether the courts will call it felonious assault," +replied the deputy. "But Tag stole two chickens out of the chicken +coop of Henry Leigh, a new farmer in these parts. Leigh trailed +Tag to the woods and found him cooking the chickens. Leigh tried +to grab Tag, but Tag caught up a big stone and just slammed it +against Leigh's head. Leigh is now in bed at home, with a fractured +skull, and likely to die. He described Tag to us, and we're after +him. The county has put a reward of two hundred and fifty dollars +on Tag's head. After we've come up with him I guess it will be +many a year before Tag Mosher will have a chance to do any more +stealing or fighting. But if you haven't seen him here in three +days we may as well be moving on. Thank you. Of course, if you +see Tag, you won't tell him anything about our being here?" + +"Certainly not, sir," Dick answered. "By the way, do you want +any help?" + +"Meaning some of you boys?" asked the deputy. + +"Some of us will help you, if we can," Dick assured him. + +"How many?" + +"We ought to leave half our number to guard the camp, for Tag +may show up here and wreck things. Three of us can go with you." + +"You may run into some ugly fighting, if you go with us," warned +the deputy. "Tag Mosher is no coward!" + +"We're not afraid of fighting, when we're in the right," Prescott +replied promptly. + +"Besides, we've got a grudge of our own against Tag Mosher, anyway," +Dave said. + +"Not a grudge, I hope," Dick rebuked his chum. "But we'll stand +by to help the law, if we get a chance." + +"I reckon maybe we could use three of you," meditated the deputy +aloud. "Boys can beat up woods as well as men. But we may not +be able to get you back here before to-morrow noon. + +"That will be all right," Dick assured him. "Dave and Greg, you'll +join me in going with the officers, won't you?" + +Darry and Holmes both assented eagerly. + +"If you've any extra grub, then, put it up and come along," urged +the deputy. "There's room for five in the automobile we're using." + +"How did you men know that we were here?" Reade inquired, while +Dick and Greg made haste to get food together for the trip. + +"Saw your campfire," replied the deputy laconically. "We didn't +believe Tag would build such a large fire, but we took a chance +and looked in. If you haven't anything else to do, young Long-legs, +you might pick out three stout clubs for your friends." + +Laughing good-naturedly at the nickname, Tom bestirred himself. +Within three minutes all was ready. + +Dick, Dave and Greg stepped away after the officers. Not far +away was the road, where the automobile stood with the engine +running. + +"Does Tag know how to run a car?" Prescott inquired. + +"Don't know," replied the deputy. + +"If he does, and had happened to be about, he could have taken +your car in good shape," smiled Dick. + +"True," nodded the officer, "but there were only two of us, and +nabbing Tag Mosher is two men's work." + +"I ought to know that," laughed Dick. "He gave me a stiff enough +beating." + +"Here is where you can even the score," laughed Dave grimly. + +"I don't want to even any score," replied Prescott gravely. "I'm +sorry for the fellow, especially when he was so close to a chance +to turn about and make something of himself." + +"Do you mean to say that you don't hold even a bit of a grudge +for that severe beating you got?" demanded Darry wonderingly. + +"Of course I don't," Dick retorted. "When two fellows fight one +of them must receive a beating---that's the sporting chance. +All my feelings for Tag are of sympathy." + +"Not enough so you'd let him get away, if you met him?" put in +the deputy quickly. + +"Of course, not, sir," Dick answered quickly flushing. "That +would be as much as to say that I'm a bad citizen. If I find +Tag I'll do my best to hold him until help comes. You may be +sure of that." + +"Then get into the car," ordered the deputy briefly. "The back +part of the car is for you youngsters. That reminds me. We don't +know each other's names. Mine's Simmons." + +The other deputy's name proved to be Valden. The boys quickly +introduced themselves. + +Away went the car, over the rough roads. To avoid sending warning +too far ahead the lights were turned low. On account of the condition +of this rough forest road the speed was slow. + +"If Tag hasn't been to your camp within three nights," said Mr. +Simmons, leaning back while Mr. Valden ran the car, "then it's +because he isn't in this neighborhood. So we'll travel on a few +miles before we stop to do any real searching." + +"I don't understand how you can expect to find anyone out here +in the night time," Dick observed. + +"I've some plans in my mind," was all the explanation Simmons +offered. + +When the road became a little better, Valden put on a bit more +speed. + +"Better slow down," advised Simmons presently. "There's a bridge +ahead that isn't any, too strong." + +That bridge was closer than the deputy thought. Just then the +automobile top brushed heavily against foliage in making a wooded +turn in the road. + +"There's the bridge!" yelled Simmons almost excitedly. "Slow +down---stop!" + +Valden tried to obey, but the bridge was altogether too close +for stopping in time. Out over the planks ran the car. + +R-r-rip! Crash! + +Some of the boards were already missing from the rude bridge. +Others gave way almost like paper. Down through the structure +fell the car, then landed with a splash, overturning to the accompaniment +of cries of fright and of pain from its occupants. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +IN A FIX! + + +As the water in the creek was barely three feet deep, Officer +Valden sprang from the car, holding his right hand, which had +been caught in the brake mechanism. + +Deputy Simmons appeared to be uninjured. + +Greg Holmes went under water, his head striking a stone violently +enough to bring a splash of blood to his forehead. + +Dave Darrin's head struck against the side of the car, bringing +a cry of pain from him. + +Yet, though he was dizzy from the concussion, Darry displayed +the coolest head of any of them in the first few moments. + +"Where's Dick?" he called, when he saw the others accounted for. +Then Dave wrenched off one of the lamps, holding it to aid his +vision. + +"There he is!" shouted Darrin, as his foot touched something. +"His head is under water. Up with him, quickly!" + +Dave brought the rays of the lantern to bear more directly, while +Simmons sprang to the rescue. Greg, too, joined in. + +"He's pinned down by the car!" gasped Deputy Simmons after finding +Prescott's submerged body and giving it a hard tug. "Valden, +help me lift the car on this side! You two boys pull your friend +out when we lift the car. Now!" + +Though Deputy Valden was able to employ only his left hand, he +used it with all his strength. + +"Here he comes," panted Dave, tugging at Dick's body with all +his might. "Gracious! I hope he isn't drowned!" + +Greg, too, exerted all his strength. Though it seemed ages to +the anxious ones it was really but the work of a few seconds. + +As Dick's head emerged above the surface of the water he gave +a quick gasp. Then another. + +"Oh, the air seems good," he moaned. "I tried to keep from opening +my mouth or breathing, but it nearly burst my lungs!" + +"Are you all right now?" asked Darry, holding his chum up. + +"If you'll help me to the bank I shall be, I think," answered +Prescott weakly. + +"Why, what-----" began Dave anxiously. + +"I was badly bruised by being pinned under the car," Dick admitted, +in a still weaker voice. + +"No bones broken, eh?" broke in Greg Holmes. + +"I---I think not," Dick answered. + +"Don't keep him talking," ordered Dave sternly. "Put in your +strength and help me lift good old Dick up into the road." + +"I guess I can do that job better," interposed Simmons, who had +let go of the car. "Let me have the boy." + +Dick was borne up to the road in the deputy's strong arms. + +"Can you stand?" asked Simmons. + +"Put me on my feet, sir, and let me see," begged Dick. + +He took a few steps, wincing, his face white. + +"Dick, old fellow," faltered Dave, "I'm afraid you've broken a +leg." + +"No; or I couldn't stand on my legs and walk," Prescott replied. +"It hurts up here, where the side of the car rested." + +He placed one hand on his right hip. + +"Then your hip is broken," groaned Darry. + +"I don't believe that, either," argued Dick. "If my hip were +broken I don't believe I could move my leg or step." + +He took two or three steps, wincing painfully, to show what he +could do. + +"Nothing but a hip bruise, or I'm guessing wrong," smiled the +white-faced sufferer. + +"In any case, you're meat for a doctor," put in Deputy Simmons, +with rough sympathy. + +"All right," replied Dick. "I'll walk to the doctor's office. +How many miles is it?" + +"About fourteen," replied Simmons. "I'll bring the doctor to +you. It's only about six miles to Ross' farm. I'll borrow his +car. Then I can make good time getting the doctor and bringing +him here. But you'd better sit down before I start." + +"Aren't you going to do anything with the car in the creek?" inquired +Prescott. + +"What can we do?" demanded the deputy laconically. "There isn't +muscle enough in this crowd to hoist the car up the bank. Anyway, +her engine is damaged beyond a doubt. No, no, Prescott, you sit +down, or lie down, and the rest of you had better wait here until +I bring help. I can be back in three hours at the latest. Darrin, +will you place one of the lamps at either end of where the bridge +was? That may save some farmer from driving in on top of the +car." + +Dave complied willingly enough. Then Simmons turned to Prescott. + +"Now, you sit down, young man," ordered the deputy. + +"I'd rather not," Dick replied. "I haven't anything worse than +a bruise. If I keep too quiet the injury will stiffen all the +more. I must move my hip a bit, or I may be in for a worse time." + +"That may be true," nodded the deputy thoughtfully. "Well, be +good, all of you. I'll be back again, as soon as possible." + +With that he strode down into the creek, wading through and coming +out at the farther side. Then he was lost among the shadows. + +Though it hurt to keep on his feet, Dick, after some minutes, +found that he could move about a little more freely, despite the +pain. + +"That shows there are no bones broken," he assured his distressed +chums. + +"Does it?" asked Darrin. "Hang it, I wish I knew more about injuries +of this sort. Then I might be able to help you." + +"Why, I may be all right, and able to sprint in another half hour," +smiled Dick. + +"Yes, you will!" jeered Greg. "Dick, you won't run for a few +days to come, anyway." + +"A nice lot we are, to set out to aid the law's officers," remarked +Dave disgustedly. "Dick can take only a half a step per minute. +Mr. Valden can use only one hand. Greg's head looks gory. The +lot of us couldn't scare a baby now!" + +"I can still say, boo!" Prescott laughed. + +"Is it wise to try to do so much walking?" questioned Darry, as +Greg went back to the creek to wash the blood from the shallow +cut on his forehead. + +"Yes; for I don't want to grow stiff until I'm where I can take +care of myself," Dick answered, taking a few more steps. "No; +don't help me. I want to move alone, and I'm strong enough for +that." + +So Dave threw himself on the grass to rest until he bethought +himself that, wet as they all were, it might be a good idea to +build a fire for drying purposes. + +He busied himself in that way, while Dick started slowly, very +painfully, down the road. Only a step at a time could he go. +Greg, returning, ran after him, but Prescott sent him back, so +Holmes stretched himself on the ground near the fire. + +At times Dick found he could move about very easily. Then the +hip would stiffen and he would be obliged to lean against a tree +for a few moments. + +For ten minutes or longer he moved thus down the road. + +"I'd better be getting back soon, I guess," he mused, "or I may +find it too much of a job." + +Looking back, as he turned, he could just make out the glow of +the fire, very dim, indeed, from where he stood. + +"I've got a beacon," smiled Dick, as he rested against a tree +trunk just off the road. He was about to take a step when a figure +glided stealthily by. + +"By all that's astonishing, it's Tag Mosher!" Prescott gasped. +He clutched at the tree trunk again, watching, for Tag had halted +and appeared to be peering hard through the foliage at the fire +some distance away. + +"I wouldn't want him to find me, now!" thought Dick, a cold chill +running over him at the thought of Tag's desperate savagery. + +But at that moment Prescott accidentally made a sound, which, +slight though it was, caught young Mosher's ear. + +In a twinkling Tag wheeled about, listening, peering. Then, straight +toward Prescott he came. + +"Oh, it's you, is it?" demanded young Mosher harshly. + +"Yes," Prescott admitted, speaking as steadily as he could, though +his heart sank for the moment. He knew that Tag would have time +to give him a beating that would be doubly severe in his present +condition of weakness and pain. That beating could be given in +a few swift seconds, and the help within reach of Dick's voice +could not arrive until young Mosher had had time to slip away +among the trees of the forest that he knew so well. "What do +you want with me?" demanded Tag, bringing his leering face closer +to Prescott's. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +THRASHING AN AMBULANCE CASE! + + +"I want you to stand right where you are until some of my friends +come," Dick made answer. + +Then he braced himself for the violent assault that, he felt, +was sure to come. To his intense astonishment, however, Tag heaved +a sigh of dejection, then muttered: + +"I may as well do it. You owe me a grudge, anyway, and you've +got the upper hand this time." + +What on earth could it mean? For a brief instant Dick almost +believed that the exciting incidents of the night had been but +parts of a dream. But he raised his voice to shout: + +"Dave! Oh, Dave! Come here! You, too, Greg." + +"Coming," came the call, in Darry's voice. The sound of running +feet sounded on the road. + +Tag Mosher glanced uneasily about, as if meditating flight. Then +his keen eyes scrutinized Prescott's face. + +"What's up?" demanded Dave, as, even in the darkness he caught +sight of another figure. + +"Darry," smiled Dick, "I wish to present my friend, Mr. Tag Mosher." + +"What?" gasped Darrin. "This Tag Mosher. By Jove, it is, it? +How on earth did you make him wait for us?" + +Then, all in a flying heap Dave projected himself against young +Mosher, clinching with him and bearing him down to the ground. +In order to make doubly sure Greg joined in the assault. But +Tag, though he struggled, did not put up much of a fight. + +"Quit!" he ordered sullenly. "I'm all in. Can't you fellows +see that? But if I hadn't been sick I'd either have gotten away, +or would have given you fellows a fight that you'd never forget!" + +Quick-witted Dave was not long in discovering that Tag really +was weak, as though from a recent illness. + +"Say," demanded Darry, "have we been exerting ourselves to thrash +an ambulance case?" His voice rang with self disgust. + +"If I'd been a well one," growled Tag, "you never would have put +me down, or held me. But I'm like a kitten to-night----strength +all gone!" + +"What's going on here?" asked Deputy Valden, putting in a more +leisurely appearance. + +"Something right in your line," Dick answered. "Dave and Greg +are holding down Tag Mosher." + +"You're not fooling, are you?" demanded the deputy. "You're not +making any mistake, either?" + +"We know Tag Mosher when we see him," Darry retorted. "We've +good enough reason for knowing him." + +With his uninjured left hand Deputy Valden reached for his pair +of handcuffs, passing them to Dave. + +"Here you are, Darrin," said the officer. "You know how to put +these things on, don't you?" + +"I can figure the job out, sir," Dave made reply. + +Tag submitted, wearily, to having the steel bracelets snapped +over his wrists. Then he heaved a sigh that had something of +a sob in it. + +"I let you put these on, but I wish you'd take them off again," +he said, addressing Valden. "I know I'm bad, and I know I'm tough, +but I never had these things on my hands before. Take 'em off, +won't you? Please!" + +Such submission was tame, indeed. Deputy Valden, who had never +seen young Mosher before glanced sharply at young Prescott. + +"This fellow doesn't seem much like the hardened criminal I've +been told about," remarked the officer. + +"Did Prescott tell you I was tough?" demanded the prisoner. "He +ought to know! He had a touch of my style when I was feeling +better than I feel to-night. I suppose I've been nabbed for helping +myself to a sandwich or two from their camp." + +"Do you demand to know why you're under arrest?" inquired Deputy +Valden. + +Tag nodded. + +"Well, then," continued the deputy, "you're wanted for cracking +the skull of a farmer named Leigh. There's a doubt if Leigh will +live and you may be charged with killing him." + +"I? Killed a farmer?" demanded Tag, in what appeared to be very +genuine amazement. + +"Leigh says you're the chap that did it," Valden answered. + +"I never heard of a man of any such name," argued Tag. "Still, +if he says I did it, oh, well, he ought to know, and I suppose +it will be all right." + +"It'll have to be all right---whatever the courts may do to you, +Mosher," Deputy Valden rejoined curtly. "Darrin, will you help +the prisoner to his feet and lead him back to where the bridge +was? Simmons will expect to find us there when he gets back." + +So Darry and Greg Holmes assisted young Mosher to his feet. Dave +took hold of Tag's arm, though the latter did not resist, but +walked along like one in a dream. + +"Want any help, Dick?" asked Greg. + +"I believe I wouldn't object to having a friendly arm to lean +on," Prescott replied. "I've been standing here so long that +my hip is stiff again." + +As the leader of Dick & Co. moved down the road, Tag turned in +astonishment. + +"What's the matter?" Tag asked, at last. + +"We were in an automobile accident, and I was slightly injured," +Dick confessed. + +"And you can hardly walk?" + +"I can walk only with effort and considerable pain," said Dick. + +Tag Mosher whistled softly. + +"My luck is leaving me," declared Mosher ruefully. "Prescott, +when I saw you and looked you over I didn't see that you are a +cripple. I thought you were in as good shape as ever. As for +me, I can't do much to-night, I'm so weak. I thought that, if +I tried to fight, you'd handle me easily enough. If I ran, I +knew I couldn't run far, and you'd jump on my back and bear me +to the ground. So I thought it easier to let you have your own +way with me. Whee! I didn't do a thing but surrender to a cripple +that ought to be on crutches! My luck is gone!" + +This last was said with an air of great dejection, as though Tag +never looked to have any further pleasure in life. Presently +he muttered, half aloud: + +"And now they say that I've committed a murder! They'll prove +it on me, too. Tag Mosher, you're done for." + +"Anyway, you're in a rather bad fix, young man," confirmed Deputy +Valden. "Even with the best luck you'll be locked up for some +years to come." + +"That will kill me!" muttered Tag sullenly. "I can't live anywhere +outside of the big forest. In jail---why, I'd die of lack of +fresh air! My father, old Bill Mosher, can get along in jail +all right---he's used to it. But me? The first two weeks behind +bars will kill me!" + +"You should have thought of that before you cracked Leigh's skull," +retorted Deputy Valden. + +"I tell you that I didn't do it, and that I never before heard +of a man of that name!" cried Tag Mosher fiercely. + +"Leigh says you did," the deputy again informed the prisoner. + +"Oh, well, then, we'll say that I did," agreed Tag moodily. "I'm +as good as finished, if the charge has been made. No one around +here would think of believing anything that Tag Mosher might say." + +Somehow, despite the unsavory reputation of the prisoner, Dick +Prescott found himself feeling more than ordinary sympathy for +this dejected prisoner. Could it be possible that Tag really +was innocent of this last and most serious charge against him? +It didn't seem likely that the officers had gone after the wrong +young man. + +"Tag is bad, and yet there's also good in him that is very close +to the surface," Prescott told himself. "It seems really too +bad to think of this young fellow being locked up, away from the +sunshine and the fresh air of the woods. And yet, if he makes +a sport of manslaughter, of course he'll have to be put away where +he can't do any harm. Oh, dear! I wonder why I feel so much +sympathy for a fellow of this kind?" + +They were at the broken bridge, now, with the wreck of the automobile +lying in the creek. + +"Mosher," said the deputy sternly, "Officer Simmons suspects that +you believed we'd be after you, and that you tore up some of the +planks from this crazy old bridge, so that our car would be wrecked. +Did you do that?" + +"Oh, I suppose I must have," replied Tag, with the air of one +who feels it fruitless to deny what peace officers were prepared +to charge against one of his bad reputation. + +"Then you admit damaging the bridge?" asked Valden. + +"I admit nothing of the kind," Tag retorted. + +"Who ripped the boards up?" + +"I don't know." + +"We'll prove it against you," declared Valden positively. + +"Oh, I s'pose you will," grumbled Tag. "It's easy to prove anything +against old Bill Mosher's son. My dad's where he can't help me." + +"Are you going to play the baby act?" asked the deputy, +half-sneeringly. + +"Wait until I've had a week of good eating and sound sleeping, +and then see if you can find anything babyish about me," snapped +the prisoner. + +Dick Prescott watched the pair, feeling a rising resentment against +the deputy. Yet Valden was only resorting to tricks as old as +the police themselves---the taunting of a prisoner into talking +too much and thereby betraying his guilt. + +"Pardon me, Tag," Dick now interposed, "but it's a principle of +law that a prisoner doesn't have to talk unless he wants to. +I don't believe, if I were you, I'd say anything just now." + +"I'm not going to say anything more," Tag retorted moodily, yet +with a flash of somewhat sullen gratitude to Prescott. + +"Humph! You'd better talk, and get all you know out of your system," +advised Deputy Valden contemptuously. "And the first thing you'd +better own up to is pulling the missing planks up from this crazy +old bridge." + +Tag snorted, yet had no word to say. Instead, as best he could +with his hands in the steel bracelets, he helped himself to a +seat on the ground his back against a tree. Either he was extremely +weary, or he was pretending cleverly. + +"Come! I guess you can talk better standing up," admonished Deputy +Valden, seizing Tag by the coat collar and dragging him to his +feet. Mosher accepted the implied order in sullen silence. + +"Is it necessary, Mr. Valden, to torment the prisoner?" asked +Dick quietly. + +"The way I handle a prisoner is my business," replied Valden rather +crisply. + +"You'd rather sit down, wouldn't you, +Tag?" Dick inquired. Young Mosher answered only with a nod. + +"It makes you feel weaker to stand, doesn't it?" Prescott continued. + +Another nod. + +"Mr. Valden," Dick pressed, "I hope you won't think me too forward, +but I believe this prisoner, and I am going to urge you to let +him find comfort by sitting down and resting." + +"What have you got to say about it?" demanded Mr. Valden, so brusquely +that Dick flushed. + +"I'm not in a position of authority, and I admit it," Prescott +replied. "But I think I have a right to object when I see a human +being tormented needlessly, haven't I?" + +"You have no right to interfere in any way with an officer," rejoined +Valden less brusquely. + +"Nor do I intend trying to interfere with a peace officer in anything +proper that he does," Dick went on quietly, though with spirit. +"It seems that Tag Mosher has a right to rest himself by sitting +down. If he tries again to sit down, and if you stop him from +so doing, then Tag, if he wishes, may have me summoned to court +to tell how he was tormented. I'll be willing to tell just whatever +I may see here." + +Valden snorted, almost inaudibly, then turned away. Tag slid +down to the ground again, resting against the tree trunk, and +preserving absolute silence. + +The time passed slowly, but at last Deputy Simmons came in a car, +followed by another car which contained a young man whom he introduced +as Dr. Cutting. + +"I'll take you right back to camp," announced Dr. Cutting, after +Simmons had looked over his prisoner and then introduced the physician +to Prescott. "I can examine you better when I have you at your +summer home and handy to your bed. Can you get into the car?" + +"I can use my arms to draw myself up," Dick answered. + +"Then let me see how well you can do it," urged the young physician, +stepping back to watch Prescott, yet ready to assist him if necessary. + +Dick got himself into the tonneau of the car, after some painful +effort. + +"Doc, you'll take the boys back to their camp, won't you?" called +Simmons. + +"Certainly." + +"And remember, Prescott," called Simmons, "you've been aiding +the county to-night, and the county will pay Doctor Cutting's bill." + +Valden and Simmons exchanged some words in an undertone, after +which the latter deputy came over to where Prescott sat. + +"Valden tells me you have been interfering between him and Tag +Mosher," began the officer. "How was it?" + +Dick gave a quick, truthful account of his interference. + +"You did right, Prescott," agreed Simmons, gripping the boy's +hand. "Remember that any citizen has a right to interfere when +he sees a prisoner being abused. Valden is a good fellow at bottom, +and he's a brave fighter in time of real trouble. But he's just +like a lot of other policemen who feel that they have to get all +the evidence in a case. All a peace officer has to do is to find +a criminal and make the arrest. It's the district attorney's +business to get the evidence, but there are a good many peace +officers to whom you can't teach that. Prescott, the next time +you see a prisoner being abused you are to do the same as you +did this time. I hope your hip will soon be all right again. +I'll try to look in on you in a day or two at your camp. Thank +you for what you did for law and order to-night. Good night!" + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +THE INTERRUPTION OF A TRAINING BOUT + + +"Hazelton, the trouble with you is that you tackle a dummy just +the way you'd catch a sack of potatoes that was being thrown out +of a burning house!" laughed Dick. + +"I don't see any other way to tackle a dummy," grunted Harry, +looking puzzled. + +"Why, you are supposed to tackle the dummy just as you'd tackle +a running football player coming toward you," Prescott rejoined. +"Greg, stand off there about fifty yards. At the word, run straight +toward Harry. Hazelton, you grab hold of Holmes and don't let +him get by you. Just hang on, and try to put him on the ground +at that. All ready, Greg! Run. Tackle him, Harry!" + +This time Hazelton entered into the play with great zest. Just +in the nick of time he leaped at Greg, tackled him and bore him +to the ground. + +"That's the way!" cheered Dick. "Now, you look alive, Hazelton." + +"That was because I had something to tackle that was alive," Harry +retorted. "It's much easier to tackle a living fellow than a +stuffed dummy. What's the good of using the dummy, anyway, when +we have plenty of live fellows around here?" + +"Oh, the dummy has its uses," Dick replied wisely. "A lot of +faults can be better observed with a dummy for a background than +is the case when you tackle a live one. The dummy is better +for showing up the defects in your work. Now, Reade, you make +a few swift assaults on the dummy." + +Tom did his work so cleverly as to call forth admiration from +all the onlookers. + +A stout pole had been lashed across the space between two trees, +being made secure in the forks of the lower limbs of the trees. +The dummy itself had been made of old sail canvas and excelsior. +It was not a very impressive-looking object, but it made a good +substitute for the football dummies manufactured by sporting goods +houses. + +It was a little more than a week since the night when Tag Mosher +had been captured. Dick's hip which had been pronounced by Doctor +Cutting as only bruised and strained, had now mended so far that +nothing wrong could be observed in his gait. In fact, Prescott +had all but ceased to remember the accident. + +For the others, the days had been full of football training, with +long tramps and fishing and berrying jaunts thrown in for amusement. +Now that Tag Mosher was safely locked up in the county jail there +had been no more raids on the food supplies of the camp. It was +now necessary, therefore, to leave but one boy at a time in the +camp, and Dick, while his hip was mending, had usually been that +one. + +Every member of Dick & Co. was brown as a berry. Muscles, too, +were beginning to stand out with a firmness that had never been +observed at home in the winter time. Enough more of this camping +and hard work and training, and Dick & Co. were likely to return +to Gridley as six condensed young giants. Nothing puts the athlete +in shape as quickly as does camping, combined with training, in +the summer time. + +This morning the work had begun with practice kicks, passing from +that to the work of tackling the dummy. Two hours of hard work +had now been put in, and all were comfortably tired. + +"Let's keep quiet and cool off," urged Dick at last. "Then for +the swimming pool and clean clothes." + +"I wonder if Tag has died yet, as he expected to, now that he's +out of the forest and locked up in a jail?" mused Tom Reade aloud. + +"He must be in fearfully depressed spirits," muttered Dick +sympathetically. + +Dave Darrin regarded his chum curiously. + +"Dick, you seem to have a positive sympathy for that fellow." + +"I have," Prescott avowed promptly. + +"You even seem to like him," pressed Darry. + +"I do like him," Dick assented. "Darry, I believe that a lot +of good might be found in Tag Mosher if he could have the same +chance that most other fellows have. Usually, when a fellow says +he has had no chance in life, the fact really is that he has been +too lazy to take his chance. But I don't believe that Tag ever +had a real, sure-enough chance. He has spent his days with a +drunkard and a vagabond." + +"Yet Tag has been to school," objected Tom Reade. "Tag talks +like a fellow who has had a very fair amount of schooling. Schools +teach something more than mere book lessons. They give a fellow +some of the first principles of truth and honor. Despite his +schooling, however, Tag prefers to steal as a means of supplying +all his needs. And now, at last, he is in jail, charged, perhaps, +with killing a fellow being." + +"I wonder if Mr. Leigh is dead yet?" mused Dick. "I like being +off here in the deep forest like this, but there's one drawback. +We don't hear much news." + +"What news do you want?" asked a familiar voice behind him. +Soft-footed Deputy Simmons stalked into the circle. + +"We were just wondering, Mr. Simmons," spoke Prescott, rising, +"if Mr. Leigh is dead yet?" + +"Not yet," replied the peace officer, "but the doctors say that +he is likely to die any day now." + +"Then will Tag be charged with manslaughter---or murder?" + +"He may be charged with murder, if we can catch him," replied +the deputy. + +"If you can ca-----Why, what's up?" asked Dick eagerly. + +"Tag broke out of jail last night," replied the officer. + +"He's---at large?" + +"That's what he is," nodded Simmons. "Tag was looked upon as +a kid, and wasn't watched as carefully as he should have been. +So he got out. Not only that, but he visited the warden's office, +late at night. So, when he left, he took with him a sawed-off +shotgun---one of the wickedest weapons ever invented---and a revolver +and plenty of ammunition. That's what I'm doing in the woods +now. I came to see if you had seen Tag to-day, but your asking +for news of him shows me that you haven't." + +"Is Mr. Valden with you?" asked Dick. + +"Yes; he's over at the road, in the car. He wouldn't come to +camp. I guess the truth is"---Simmons' eyes twinkled---that Valden +is ashamed to see you after the rebuke you gave him the other +night, Prescott. After we got young Mosher to the jail and locked +up, I gave Valden a talking-to, and told him I'd report him to +the sheriff if I ever heard of his abusing a prisoner again." + +"So Tag escaped, with some field artillery, and you officers are +out after him?" Tom asked. + +"Yes; and three other pairs of deputies are out also," nodded +Mr. Simmons. + +"Did you get that car out of the creek?" asked Darry. "We never +heard." + +"That car was a complete wreck," replied the officer. "We got +it out of the creek, but left it in the woods nearby. The bridge +has been rebuilt, and is stronger than before. How's your hip, +Prescott?" + +"As well as ever, thank you," replied Dick. + +"I'm glad to know that, boy. Meant to drop in on you before. +I must hurry along now. Of course, if Tag shows up about your +camp, you won't tell him that you've seen me." + +"Certainly not, sir," nodded Dick. "We'll also try to get word +to you, if we see him. Where is your home?" + +"Five Corners is my address," replied the deputy. "So long, boys! +Glad to have seen you again." + +The cat-footed deputy was soon lost to sight among the trees. + +Dave was the first to speak, and that was some moments later. + +"Dick, you're foolish to feel any liking for Tag Mosher. He's +bad all the way through. As it was he was locked up on a charge +of possible manslaughter, and now he has escaped, taking with +him firearms and ammunition enough to rid the county of peace +and police officers. He'll do it, too, if he's cornered. Now, +where's the good in that kind of a pest?" + +"I don't know how to answer you," sighed Dick. "Perhaps I am +foolish, but I'm not yet prepared to admit it. Instead, I still +contend that I feel a sneaking liking for poor Tag." + +"'Poor Tag,' indeed!" mimicked Tom Reade. "Poor wives and kids +of the deputy sheriffs whom Tag may shoot down in their tracks +before he's cornered at last! Dick, young Mosher is a budding +outlaw and a bad egg all around." + +"No decent citizen should feel any sort of sympathy for him," +affirmed Harry Hazelton. + +"Let Dick alone," objected Greg Holmes. "Dick generally knows +what he's about, even in regard to his emotions and sympathies." + +"What do you say, Danny?" asked Dave. + +"May the sheriff deliver me from Tag Mosher!" replied Danny Grin. + +"You're a prejudiced lot," smiled Dick, as he rose from his camp +stool. "Who'll watch camp this time while the rest of us go to +swimming pool?" + +"I will," Darry volunteered. + +Carrying clean underclothing, soap and towels from the tent, the +other five started through the woods to a new swimming pool that +had been discovered lately. + +When they returned Dave went away alone for his bath. Tom Reade, +as the cook for the day, lifted the lid of the soup pot to examine +the contents. + +"I wish one of you fellows would go out into the woods and bring +in some of that flowering savory herb for the soup," called Tom. + +"I know the kind you mean," nodded Prescott. "I'll go and get it." + +He strolled off in the opposite direction from the pool. Yet, +truth to tell, his mind was very little on the herb he was seeking. +His mind dwelt almost completely on the thought of Tag Mosher, +once more at large, and most likely roaming about somewhere in +this vast expanse of woods. + +"I don't believe it's so much badness in Tag, as it is that he's +just a plain, simple savage, with the instincts and the passions +of the savage," Dick reflected. "I wonder if Tag ever did really +have a chance to be decent? Poor fellow! If he must be caught +and returned to jail, and by and by pay the penalty of his attack +upon Farmer Leigh, then I don't believe he ever will have a real +chance to try to be decent again. I wonder if I'm wrong and the +other fellows are right? Perhaps Tag would scorn a chance to +be an all-around decent fellow. I wonder. I wonder!" + +His musings led Prescott rather far afield. At last he halted, +looking about him in some bewilderment. + +"Humph! That's queer!" he muttered. "Now, I wonder if I can +really remember what it was I came out here for?" + +For a few moments the bewilderment continued. + +"Oh, yes! Now, I know," he laughed. "I am after some of that +savory herb for the soup." + +It was necessary to retrace his steps considerably, and to go +in a somewhat different direction. At last he came upon a patch +of the herb. + +"This stuff has been burned by the sun," he said to himself, turning +away from the first specimens of the herb. "Over there in the +shade it will be fresher and greener." + +Dick took a few rapid steps, halting before a fringe of bushes. +Bending over, he extended a hand to pick some of the herbs. + +Just then he heard a slight sound, like the catching of someone's +breath. Starting, Prescott raised his head just a trifle, to +find himself looking straight into the eyes of Tag Mosher, as +that youth lay flat on the ground. Two muzzles of a shotgun stared +Dick in the face, while the fingers of the fugitive rested on +the triggers of the gun. + +"If you're looking for me," grimaced Tag, "you've found me! I'm +right here, and this is going to be my dizzy day!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +TEN MINUTES OF REAL DARING + + +Still keeping his eyes turned on the fugitive, Dick took three +quick, backward steps. + +"Halt!" ordered Tag. + +"I was going to stop, anyway," smiled Dick. "Now, put your hands up!" + +"Why?" + +"Because I'm boss here!" remarked Tag. + +"I didn't know that you were boss of anything," Dick replied, +still smiling. + +"I'm telling you," declared Mosher. "Want me to make good?" + +"I wish you'd make something of yourself, instead," rejoined Prescott +in a voice of intense earnestness. + +"Get your hands up!" ordered Tag, with a decided increase in +emphasis. + +"That's a silly demand on your part," Dick retorted calmly. "Why +should you want my hands up? I'm not armed, and am in no position +to attack you. Are you such a coward, Mosher, that you're afraid +of an unarmed fellow that you could thrash even if you were unarmed? +I can't bring myself to believe that of you. + +"You've a mighty fine opinion of me, haven't you?" jeered Tag. + +"I'd like to have a fine opinion of you," Prescott declared. + +"Oh! And what must I do to win that fine opinion?" demanded Tag +mockingly. + +"If you want to know, I'll tell you," Dick continued. "Just put +down that gun and step away from it." + +"And then you'll pounce on it and hold me up!" jeered Tag. "Fine!" + +"You get away from your weapon," Prescott urged, "and I'll give +you my word of honor not to touch it without your leave." + +"Your word of honor?" asked Tag, driven to wonder despite himself. +"What good would your word of honor be?" + +"It would be as good as anything I'm capable of," Prescott responded. +"Tag, didn't you ever have any respect for a man's word of honor? +Didn't you ever respect your own?" + +"I got that game played on me at school, once," leered Mosher. +"As soon as I swallowed the bait the other fellow kicked me in +the shins and ran off and left me there. Now, Prescott, I don't +want any more nonsense. Put up your hands!" + +"I've already declined," Dick smiled calmly. "To that refusal +I'll add my thanks." + +"Put up your hands, or I'll keep the gun turned on you and pull +a trigger or two." + +"Then the gun isn't loaded," chuckled Dick. + +"Oh, isn't it?" + +"No, for you're not bad enough, Tag, to shoot down an unarmed +person who isn't your enemy." + +"You'll tell the officers you saw me here, won't you?" + +"Certainly." + +"Then you're my enemy," young Mosher argued, with thorough conviction. +"So you'll put up your hands, and take further orders, as long +as I give 'em, or you'll be found taking a long nap on the grass +here!" + +"That's another wrong guess you've made, Tag." + +Laughing softly, Dick dropped to a seat on the grass. + +"You're a mighty sassy fellow," scowled young Mosher. + +"I'm very disobliging sometimes," Prescott admitted. "For instance, +Tag, I won't believe that you're half as bad as you try to paint +yourself." + +"Bad?" snorted young Mosher, with something of sullen pride in +his voice. "I'm about as mean as they make them. You know what +they say I did to that farmer?" + +"Well, did you?" challenged Prescott. + +"I'm not saying," came the gruff answer. "For one thing, it wouldn't +do me a bit of good to deny it. When a fellow has a bad name +everywhere any judge and jury will hang him. Now, I happen to +object to being hanged, or even to being locked up for perhaps +twenty or thirty years. Queer in me, isn't it?" + +"What you ought to do," pursued Dick, "and what you will do, if +you are brave and manly, is to drop that gun, face about, and +march yourself back to jail." + +"And be locked up some more?" quivered Tag in excitement. + +"If you're guilty of assaulting Mr. Leigh, you should be also +brave and manly enough to walk back to jail, ready to pay the +price of your act like a man. If you're not guilty, then you +should be man enough to face the world and prove your innocence +like a real man. Don't be a cowardly sneak, Tag!" + +"A coward?" blurted the other angrily. "You ought to know better'n +that. And the officers know better, too; I may be only a boy, +but the officers are out in packs, hunting for me. I know, for +I've seen two pairs of those fellows go by on the road to-day." + +"Are you going to be a man, Tag, or just a sneaking coward?" asked +Dick, as he rose. + +"Sit down!" commanded Tag sharply. + +"If you really want to talk with me, and will say 'please,' I'll +sit down," Dick smiled back coolly at the angry boy. "But if +you're just simply ordering me to sit down, then I won't do anything +of the sort. Do you want to talk with me?" + +"Sit down!" + +"You didn't say 'please.'" + +"I'm not going to say it." + +"Then good-bye for a little while." + +Though the muzzles of the sawed-off shotgun stared wickedly at +him, Dick Prescott turned on his heel, walking off. + +"Are you going, now, to tip the officers off that you've seen +me?" called Tag. + +"Yes." + +Behind Dick, as he kept on his way back toward camp there came +a snort of anger. Prescott was not quite as cool as he appeared +to be. He knew there was at least a chance that savage Tag Mosher +would send the contents of one or both barrels of the gun into +his back. Dick, however, had mastered the first secret of bravery, +which is to conceal one's fear. + +Again snorting, young Mosher cocked both hammers of the shotgun, +Dick heard the clicks, but still walked on. + +"I hate to do it!" called Tag warningly. + +"Oh, you won't do it," Dick answered in a tone of calm self-assurance. + +Young Prescott kept on for another hundred yards. No sound came +from behind him. Unless young Mosher were creeping upon him, +Prescott knew that he was now out of range of the shotgun. + +Impelled by curiosity, Dick wheeled about Tag Mosher was nowhere +in sight. + +"Either that fellow isn't half as bad as he pretends to be, or +else not half as desperate as he likes to think himself," Dick +chuckled. + +Then, remembering, in a flash, the herbs that he had come to get, +the Gridley High School boy deliberately walked back to the spot +where he had left this strange vagrant of the forest. + +But Tag was no longer there---not in sight, at any rate. Bending +over, Prescott collected a goodly bunch of the herbs. Then, after +glancing at his watch, he started back to camp. + +It was late when he returned. Dave was back from his swim, the +table was set, and all was in readiness to sit down. + +"Too late to use the herbs to-day, I guess," said Tom, as Dick +laid them down. "You were gone a long time, old fellow." + +"I had quite a way to go," Dick replied quietly. Then he cut +a number of grass stalks, trimming them to different lengths. +"Fellows, I want you to draw lots. I don't feel any too much +like a walk to Five Corners after dinner, but if I get the short +straw I'll go." + +"No; you'd better not try it," warned Darrin. "Your hip might +begin to give you trouble before you get back. If someone has +to go, let the other five draw." + +But Dick insisted that the draw should decide it all. + +"What's the matter?" asked Tom Reade shrewdly. "Have you found +traces of Tag Mosher?" + +"I've seen him," Dick replied, "and talked with him. Come to +think of it, I believe two fellows had better go. The two who +are to go will be those who draw the shortest straws. All ready?" + +Dick covered one end of the grass stalks, so that no one could +be sure as to which lot he drew. The lots fell to Reade and Darrin. + +"Now, tell us about the meeting," begged Hazelton. + +"Let's sit down and begin to eat," Prescott proposed. "As we +eat I will describe the meeting." + +Plates passed rapidly until all were served. Then Dick told his +chums the story of the meeting with Tag Mosher. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +DURING THE BIG STORM + + +"Hoo-hoo! Hoo-hoo!" + +"Who's there?" cried Dick, starting up. + +Then, to the accompaniment of some giggling, came in feminine +tones, high-pitched, the famous battle yell of Gridley High School. + +"T-E-R-R-O-R-S! Wa-ar! Fam-ine! Pes-ti-lence! That's us! +That's us! G-R-I-D-L-E-Y H.S! Rah! rah! rah! rah! _Gri-i-idley_!" + +"A lot of mere girls trying themselves out as real war-whoop artists!" +uttered Reade in a tone of pretended disgust. + +But Dick and Dave had jumped up, and were now running for the +road as fast as they could. + +It was ten days after the last word from Tag Mosher. The officers +had been promptly notified by the messengers from Dick & Co., +and presumably were still scouring the great stretches of forest, +though so far without result. + +"How did we do it, boys?" called the laughing voice of Laura Bentley, +as Dick and Dave came in sight. + +"Don't ask me!" begged Dave. "Girls never ought to try school +yells. They ought to content themselves with waving handkerchiefs." + +"Mr. Smarty!" cried Clara Marshall. + +All eight of the girls were now in the burned clearing, surrounding +the two boys laughingly, while Greg and Dan now ran up. + +Out of the woods near the road came Dr. and Mrs. Bentley. + +"Prescott," called the doctor, "we forgot to write and secure +your permission for this latest vagary of mine." + +"I don't know what the vagary is, sir, but the permission is assured +in advance," laughed Dick. "What are you going to do, anyway, +sir?" + +"I'm afraid the idea will bore you," laughed Dr. Bentley, "but +back in the road are the same two automobiles, also two two-horse +wagons, loaded to the gunwales, so to speak. We've brought two +small, portable houses, a couple of tents, a lot of bedding and +supplies, and other things needed, and we're going to try to pitch +a camp not too far from yours. Does the information convey any +jar to your spine?" + +"Not a jar," answered Dick promptly, standing with his hat off +in the presence of Mrs. Bentley and the eight girls. "The only +thing I notice in the way of sensation over the news is a great +thrill of delight." + +"It's a pity that Dave and some of the other boys couldn't find +their tongues and make as good use of them as Dick has just done," +pouted Belle Meade. + +"Dick Prescott is our captain, always," replied Darry, with a +comical sigh, "and his sway extends even to the point of his +bartering away our liberties." + +"Let us go on, farther into the woods," urged Belle, turning to +Dr. Bentley. + +"I think not," replied the doctor dryly. + +"Since Prescott has been the only one to hold out the gracious +hand, I believe we'll settle right down here, as a reward to Prescott +and as a punishment to the others." + +"Hooray for punishment!" laughed Darry. "I can take a lot of it." + +"That's the first nice thing you've said," declared Miss Meade. + +"I'll say a lot more if you're going to be here for the rest of +the summer vacation," promised Darry. + +"Not quite as long as that," declared Dr. Bentley. "But we'll +be here for a few days. Then we'll go on to other camping places." + +"You're going to be just in time for dinner to-day," Dick informed +the new arrivals. + +"We'll be just in time to get our own dinner," smiled Laura. +"We have an abundance of supplies with us, and we're not going +to eat you boys out of the woods. The first meal with guests +will be when you come over to our camp and take revenge for the +descent that we made upon you the other day." + +"Dick," inquired the doctor, "where do you think we could pitch +camp best?" + +"It depends upon the size of your houses and tents," Prescott +answered. + +"Naturally. Your answer is a good deal more sensible than my +question." + +"Anyway," Dick suggested, in an undertone, "your camp should be +just far enough away so that neither camp will intrude on the +privacy of the other. I think I know a spot, if your houses are +not too large." + +Dr. Bentley mentioned the sizes of the two portable houses. + +"The spot that I have in mind will do finely," Dick declared. +"And I think you can drive the wagons in there." + +Dan Dalzell was sent to the road to instruct the teamsters to +drive in at the point which young Prescott mentioned. + +It was not long before the two wagons were at the spot. Reade +now remained at the boys' camp, to look out for things, while +the other five went over to the new camp to be of assistance. + +Dr. Bentley, having removed his coat, was now busily at work. +The two wagons were unloaded of a host of things, after which +the teamsters started, at once, to erect the portable houses. +As these were of a pattern requiring but little work, they were +up within a few hours. + +Dick & Co. pitched the tents, also busying themselves in various +other ways. Now, Mrs. Bentley, aided by the high school girls, +started in to prepare the noon meal. + +"We shall want you boys over here about tomorrow noon," said Laura. +"By that time we shall be all to rights and ready to act as hostesses." + +"Can't we come over again before to-morrow?" asked Dick, with +a wistfulness that caused a general smile. + +"If you don't come over except when you're especially sent for," +declared Miss Meade, "you'll wake up some morning in the near +future and find us gone on to the next camping place." + +Dick had already told Dr. Bentley of the fugitive, Tag Mosher, +and the fact that that young offender was at large in the woods, +and armed. + +"I'm not afraid of him," declared the doctor bluntly, "and I shall +always be within sound of the camp. It wouldn't take you boys +long to get over here, either, at need." + +Dick now reluctantly called his chums away, as Mrs. Bentley and +the high school girls might want a little time to themselves. + +"It's going to be great to have such company right at hand," declared +Darry gleefully. + +"Only I must warn you of one thing," retorted Dick. + +"What?" + +"You remember the errant that brought us into the woods?" + +"Football training!" + +"Exactly, and even the welcome presence of the girls mustn't be +allowed in the least to interfere with the serious and hard work +that we have ahead of us for the honor of good old Gridley High +School!" + +"That goes, too," nodded Greg. "Though I am afraid the girls +will feel almost neglected." + +"No, they won't," Darry retorted. "The girls all belong to Gridley +High School as much as we do, and they're just as big football +boosters when it comes to that. They'll endure a little neglect +when they know it's for the honor and glory of our school." + +"Besides," suggested Dick, "they may be glad to put in a little +time watching us train." + +There will be no objection to that, will there?" + +"Not a bit," declared the others. + +Tom Reade, having been left in charge of the camp, had also taken +upon himself the preparing of the dinner, though this was not +his day for such service. The others now turned to help him. + +"I'm glad the girls have come, and I'm also sorry," declared Reade. +"If we stick to training as conscientiously as we ought to they'll +feel that we're not showing them all the attention they've a right +to expect." + +"We won't neglect training," Dick retorted, "and the girls won't +feel neglected, either. We've talked that over on the way here, +and we'll explain it to the girls when we see them again. They're +Gridley High School girls, and they're sensible." + +It was not long ere dinner was ready. Six famished boys sat down +at the table. + +"I wonder what on earth is the reason that we haven't heard from +Mr. Hibbert, or from the Blinders agency, either?" spoke Dick, +when the meal was half over. + +"I had almost forgotten about those parties," Tom rejoined. "Not +hearing from Hibbert, as I take it, means that that generous young +friend of ours has broken off communication with the Eagle Hotel +in Gridley. But I can't understand why the agency hasn't communicated +with us in some way." + +Dinner was eaten in quicker time than usual. Dick and Dave, perhaps +some of the others, felt a secret desire to slip over to the other +camp, but no one mentioned any such wish. Instead, the dinner +dishes were washed, the cooking utensils cleaned, and the camp +put in a very good semblance of order. + +"In forty-five minutes more," remarked Prescott, glancing at his +watch, "we must be back at training work." + +"Not to-day," replied Tom. + +"What's the matter?" demanded Dick, looking sharply at him. + +"In forty-five minutes more," exclaimed Reade, "we'll be sitting +inside the tent, looking out at the weather." + +"What are you talking about, Tom?" asked Darry. + +"Read your answer in the skies," retorted Reade. + +Though none of the other five boys had noticed it, the sky had +been gradually clouding. The wind was becoming brisker, too, +and there was more than the usual amount of moisture in the air. + +"Pshaw! That's a shame," muttered Dick. + +"I wish we might arrange it with the weather clerk to have it +rain at night, after ten o'clock, and have dry ground in the day +time," sighed Dave Darrin. + +Yet none of the boys spoke the thought that was uppermost in more +than one mind---the wish that they might go over to the Bentley +camp to spend the time that it rained in the society of the girls. + +It was Reade, who was perhaps less attracted by girls' society +than the others who finally suggested: + +"We ought to send someone over to the other camp to see if they +are all fixed to stand the coming rain." + +"Good idea!" nodded Dick. "You run over, Tom." + +Reade was away less than ten minutes. + +"Dr. Bentley says they'll be as snug as can be in the biggest +kind of a summer rain that the weather clerk has on tap," Tom +reported. + +Flashes of lightning were now illumining the gradually darkening +sky. Distant rumblings of thunder also sounded. + +"I hope it won't be much of a thunderstorm," sighed Dick. "Some +girls are very uneasy in a thunderstorm." + +"Laura is afraid of one, I know," said Dave. + +In a few minutes more the big drops of rain began to fall. Soon +after swirling sheets of water descended. Dick & Co. had all +they could do to keep dry in such a downpour. + +"This is where the portable house has the advantage of a tent," +grunted Tom. "The portable houses yonder are even equipped with +some kind of rubber roofing. If this storm keeps up through the +night at this rate, we'll be washed out long before daylight." + +"I can stand it," retorted Prescott, "as long as I know that Mrs. +Bentley and the girls are protected from the weather. Yet I won't +mind if the storm does let up after an hour or two." + +Conversation ceasing, after a time, all but Reade and Dalzell +got out books to read from the slender stock of literature that +they had brought with them into the woods. + +The heavy storm made it a dull afternoon, where there might have +been so much fun. + +But not one of Dick & Co. had the least idea of the excitement +in store for them. The storm held more than rain for many people. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +MR. PAGE'S KIND OF FATHER + + +As though the heavy downpour did not sufficiently indicate that +the storm was still raging as heavily as ever, Harry Hazelton +went to the tent doorway to peer out at the sky. + +Just as suddenly he ducked back again. + +"Hist!" he called. "There's someone at our canned goods stock, +and I think it's Tag!" + +In a twinkling Dick and Dave were by Hazelton's side. The heavy +rain supplied a curtain like a light fog. + +"I think that's Tag!" muttered Dick. "We'll go after him." + +There was a quick diving into rubber coats. Dick and Dave were +first to get outside. + +But the figure seen through the rain was already under way, heading +away from the tent. This figure, just as it stole under the great +trees, turned to point a sawed-off shotgun their way. + +"That's Tag," muttered Dick. "Come on; we'll catch him." + +"Yes; if he'll kindly permit us to get close to him," rejoined +Darry, as he ran at Dick's side. + +Evidently the figure ahead had made a successful raid on the food, +for he carried a gunnysack, and that appeared to have a load inside. + +"We can catch him---if we can run fast enough," declared Dick, +for just then the fugitive darted ahead with renewed speed. + +"Unless he stops us with the gun," objected Dave. + +"Don't let him stop you with that. I don't believe he would dare +use it on us." + +"If it's only a question of 'daring,'" responded Dave, "I don't +believe there is anything that Tag Mosher would be afraid to do +at a pinch." + +Owing to the storm it was dark in the great woods. Shadows were +deceptive. Though Dick and Dave ran on at pell-mell speed they +presently came to a sudden halt, looking inquiringly at each other. + +"Which way did that fellow go?" demanded Dave. + +"Blessed if I know," Dick admitted. + +"Are we still on the right trail, and merely a mile behind him?" + +"I wish I knew even that," admitted Prescott. + +"We might as well go back," proposed Darry. "In these woods all +we'll get is---wet." + +"All right," nodded Prescott. Discouraged with the chase, they +turned to retrace their way nearly half a mile through the soggy, +dripping woods. They had not gone far on their return when they +came upon Tom and Greg. + +"Hello, where have you fellows been?" asked Reade. + +"We weren't very far ahead of you," Dick answered. + +"Greg and I didn't see or hear you ahead." + +"And Tag Mosher was just as invisible and unfindable to us," laughed +Dick, "so we came back." + +"I'm growing disgusted," muttered Dave, "with the stupid way that +we let that fellow carry off all of our property. It begins to +look as though we ought to camp in one of our own back yards, +where our parents can keep a watchful eye over us and protect +us!" + +There could be no doubt that Darry was completely angry. Had +he encountered young Mosher at that moment he would have "sailed +into" the thief with his fists, regardless of any consequences +that might follow. + +"Well, shall we go on hunting for him?" demanded Dick. + +"It's just as Darry says," offered Tom, "I'm willing to remain +out in this weather if Dave wants to." + +"Oh, what's the use?" grumbled Dave. "That fellow knows the woods +a hundred times better than we do, and he has made his get away. +Did you leave anyone back at the camp?" + +"Dan and Harry are there," nodded Tom. + +"We may as well join them," sighed Dave. So the party headed +toward camp. + +Just as they stepped out into the clearing, they sighted a rubber-coated +party of three men entering the clearing from the direction of +the road. + +"Why, that must be our friends, Hibbert, Colquitt and Mr. Page!" +announced Prescott, halting, then running forward. "They must +have gotten our note at last. Oh, Mr. Hibbert!" + +The three travelers waved their hands. Then it was the oldest +of the trio who ran at top speed in an effort to reach Prescott +quickly. + +"My boy!" panted Mr. Page, seizing Dick by the shoulders. "You +have found him? We received your note this morning, and have +been breaking the speed laws ever since in our effort to get here. +My boy! You know where he is! Perhaps he is now one of your +own party? You have told him, and have kept him here against +my coming?" + +"No, sir; he's not here just now," Dick answered, shaking his +head. "But come into the tent, sir. There is a lot to tell you." + +"I can hardly contain myself to wait for the news!" cried the +eager father tremulously. + +Nevertheless, silence was preserved until the tent had been entered. +Mr. Page, Hibbert and Colquitt were given seats on camp stools, +some of the boys finding seats on empty boxes. + +"Now, my boy---my son! Tell me all about him," pleaded Mr. Page. +"Is he well? Does he know that I am looking for him?" + +"I have hinted to him," Prescott answered, "that he is not the +son of the man whom he has grown up to regard as his father. +I have told him that you were looking for him, and-----" + +"Oh, my boy!" cried Mr. Page. "Was he pleased---or even curious?" + +Prescott swallowed hard, twice, and did some rapid thinking, ere +he went on, with all faces turned toward him: + +"Mr. Page, if this boy turns out to be your son-----" + +"Describe him to me---minutely!" ordered the father. + +Dick fell into a personal description of Tag Mosher. Others, +as they now watched Mr. Page closely, felt that Tag must be his +son. The description, as to complexion, features, hair and eyes, +all tallied closely with Mr. Page's own appearance. + +"Now, don't keep me in suspense any longer," begged Mr. Page. +"Take me to him, that I may help decide for myself." + +"If he is your son, sir," Dick went on solemnly, and hating his +task, "I am much afraid that you are going to be disappointed +in him. The boy is known as Tag Mosher. He believes a dissolute, +drunken, thieving fellow named Bill Mosher, who is now in jail, +to be his father. Tag is himself a wild young savage of the +forest, and maintains himself by st---poaching." + +"If this young man is, indeed, my son," murmured Mr. Page, his +eyes glistening, "how fortunate that I am about to come up with +him! He will have no need to steal hereafter. He shall have +comfort, protection, proper training at last! But where is he? +Why are you keeping me from him? How long since you have seen +him?" + +"Only a few minutes ago," Dick answered. "He had just robbed +our food supply. We pursued him, but lost him in the woods." + +"Then these woods must be scoured until the boy is found!" cried +Mr. Page. "Colquitt, this is a task for you. Employ as many +more of your force of detectives as you may need, but you must +find the boy without an hour's delay." + +"I must tell you something else, sir," Dick went on in a distressed +tone. "Even for my own peace of mind I must have it over with +as early as possible. Mr. Page, the boy is now roaming the woods +armed with a shotgun and a revolver. He is a fugitive from justice." + +"What is that you say?" cried Mr. Page, his face growing haggard +and ghastly. "My boy----my son---a fugitive from justice!" + +"He may not be your son, sir," broke in Tom Colquitt. + +Then the whole story came out. With it Dick described the birthmarks +he had seen on Tag when the latter was at the swimming pool. + +"That's my boy---my son!" declared Mr. Page. "And, oh! To think +of the fate that has come upon him. Wanted, perhaps for homicide!" + +Then suddenly the flash of determination returned to the father's +eyes. He rose, stood erect, and went on: + +"If he is my son, he needs guidance, aid---protection of such rights +as he may still have left. Above all, he must surrender himself +and go back to face the laws of the land like a man! If he has +done wrong, he must bow to the decision of a court, whatever that +may be. If this boy is my son, I will see to it that he does +all of this. If he is not my son, then-----" + +"Then you will do well to drop him like a piece of hot metal," +interposed the detective quietly. + +"Silence!" flashed Mr. Page. "If Tag Mosher is not really my +son, then I will stand by his last spark of manhood as though +he were my son, and in memory of my own boy!" + +"If you will permit me," proposed Tom Colquitt, "I will go back +to the road, get into the car and order your man to drive me to +the county jail. There I will see old Bill Mosher, and drag the +truth out of him. What Mosher has to say will be to the point." + +"Go, by all means!" pleaded Mr. Page, who had now sunk down into +his seat trembling. + +"And I'll go with him," declared Hibbert, jumping up. "Cheer +up, my old friend, and we'll find out all the facts that there +are to be learned. We'll be back here as speedily as possible." + +The hours passed---hours of rain at the camp. It was a deluge that +kept all hands in the tent, though even that place was wet. A +pretense of supper was prepared over two oil stoves. Mr. Page made +an effort to eat, but was not highly successful. + +The hours dragged on, but none thought of going to bed. At last +quick steps were heard outside. + +"That must be Colquitt and Hibbert!" cried Mr. Page, starting +up, trembling, though he soon recovered his self-control. + +"Don't go out in the rain. Wait for another moment, sir," begged +Dick, placing a hand on the man's shoulder. + +"Do you think I could wait another minute?" demanded Mr. Page +excitedly. Then he darted out into the downpour. + +"Hibbert, is that you?" he screamed. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +SEEN IN A NEW, WORSE LIGHT + + +"It's Hibbert," was the reply from the darkness. + +Then two figures came tramping through the rain, over the soggy +ground, next splashing into the tent, the flaps of which Dick +and Harry held aside. + +As they came in Mr. Page almost tottered toward them. + +"Well," he demanded impatiently. "What did you learn?" + +"I guess the boy is yours, Mr. Page," Colquitt answered. "Bill +Mosher told us a pretty straight story. He found the child at +the railway wreck, and he and his wife took it home, expecting +that parents or friends would soon claim it. Bill says his wife +was a good woman, and, when no one claimed the boy, she kept it +and loved it as her own. Bill admits that his part in the transaction +was due to the hope of receiving a reward. After his wife died, +Bill, it seems, went to the dogs, followed his naturally shiftless +bent, and, from a common vagrant, became a drunkard and common +thief. Yet Bill claims, with an air of a good deal of virtue, +that he never stole anything he didn't really need, and that he +brought Tag up the same way." + +Mr. Page, white-faced and trembling, listened to the detective's +dry recital. + +"You have taken pains to find further verification of the fact +that this unhappy boy is my son, haven't you?" + +"Oh, yes," the detective went on. "Bill described with great +minuteness the clothing the child wore when found, even to the +embroidered letter 'p' on the underclothing. And Bill tells me +that his sister has kept that clothing ever since, in the hope +that something might come of it. The sister also has two pictures +of Tag, taken when a baby." + +"Where does that sister live?" cried the father. "Take me to +her home at once!" + +"She lives in another state, some four hundred miles from here," +smiled Tom Colquitt. "Mr. Page, I advise that you find the boy, +first. There isn't any real doubt as to his being your son. +You had better wait for further proofs until after you have found +the boy---who, according to all accounts, stands badly in need +of a real father just now." + +"You are right---quite right," admitted Mr. Page. "Yes, we will +find my son first. But tell me something more. Didn't the boy +know that Bill Mosher wasn't his real father?" + +"No; it had never been hinted to him," Colquitt answered. "Bill +kept the truth from the child, and, after Bill's wife died, they +moved over into this part of the country, where no one knew their +past history." + +"And has my son never been in school?" + +"Oh, yes; the compulsory education law came to the rescue, and +the boy had a grammar school education before he took to the +woods altogether." + +"I know something definite, at last," sighed the unhappy father. +"I know that my boy is alive, and that he needs a father. Moreover, +I feel certain that he is at this moment not far away from me. +What shall we do next? Did you wire for more detectives from +your agency?" + +"There was no need to do so," Colquitt replied. "There are several +officers now looking for the lad, and they are certain to come +upon him. Hibbert and I will aid in the search. The chauffeur +will bring in four folding cots and some blankets. We shall have +to impose upon these young men for shelter to-night, as this is +the point from which we must take up the chase in the morning." + +At least one man in the tent lay with eyes wide open all night, +and that was Mr. Page. By daylight the rain had stopped. The +sun came up, drying the ground in the open spaces, raising a semi-fog +under the big trees as the moisture steamed up. It was a close, +humid morning, yet all rose so early that breakfast had been eaten +before six o'clock. + +Then Mr. Page's party went away in the automobile, on some errand +of their own. + +"I wonder how the girls got through the rain last night?" mused +Dave Darrin. + +"They must have gotten along all right," + +Dick replied. "They had two dry houses in, which to sleep." + +"I've a good mind to go over now, and make some inquiries," Dave +pursued. "Will you come with me?" + +"No, and I'd advise you not to go, either. Six in the morning +is too early to call on young women." + +"That's so," Dave assented. "What time should we go over?" + +"As this is camp life, I should say it might be all right for +us to drop over there soon after nine o'clock," Dick said slowly. +"How does that strike you?" + +"If that's too early," pondered Darry wonderingly, "then we might +go within sight of the camp, as if looking for firewood, but not +go over to them unless we get a hail." + +"That would be a subterfuge," Dick replied, shaking his head. +"Straight dealing is always the best rule in anything." + +However, Dr. Bentley settled the question of etiquette himself, +by coming over to the boys' camp shortly after eight o'clock. + +"Mrs. Bentley sent me to see if you got through the night without +being drowned," smiled the physician. + +"We look pretty healthy, don't, we, sir?" smiled Dick. + +"Speaking professionally, I would say that you do," agreed Dr. +Bentley. "However, I believe you must have had a pretty dismal +time in all that downpour. Have you been in the woods this morning? +They are pretty wet, aren't they?" + +"The woods are damp, sir," Prescott answered, "but not really +wet. The water has soaked fairly well into the ground since sun-up." + +"Are the woods dry enough for a little botanizing?" asked the +doctor. "Laura and Belle say they have a few plants in mind that +they want to add to their collection of botanical specimens. +Are you two young men ready to escort them?" + +"Certainly, sir," Dick nodded. "And the forenoon will be the +best time, as we must go through our training work this afternoon." + +"Hang my luck!" muttered Darrin in sudden disgust. "This is my +day to do the cooking here." + +"One of the other fellows will take your turn," suggested Prescott. + +"I won't ask anyone to do it," sighed Darry. "I'm man enough +to shoulder my own share of the camp work. Dick, you can look +after both girls, can't you? And you'll make my excuses satisfactorily +to Miss Meade?" + +"That's right---just right, David," spoke the physician. "Do +your own work like a man. I'll undertake to make your excuses +so well that Belle will have a higher opinion of you if that were +possible. Dick, shall the girls look for you within the next +few minutes?" + +"I'll be there soon, doctor." + +Five minutes later Dick presented himself at the other camp. +He went first to Mrs. Bentley and inquired as to her comfort during +the storm. + +"We know Dave can't come, but where are the other boys?" inquired +Clara Marshall. + +"Over at the camp," smiled Dick. + +"Don't they think that we need attention?" asked Susie Sharp. + +"Tom is hauling firewood," Dick explained. "Greg is chopping +it up. Harry is hauling the water supply and Dan is doing the +housework in the tent." + +"Laura and Belle have an escort for their trip into the forest, +but it's not a rosy outlook for the rest of us," Clara pouted. + +"Can't we all go together?" proposed Dick. "Surely, one guide +ought to be enough for a party of eight girls." + +Susie decided to join the botanizing party. The other girls made +up their minds to take a walk under Dr. Bentley's escort. So +Dick started away with the trio. + +Belle and Laura carried the regulation oval cans for holding such +plant specimens as they might collect. Prescott promptly offered +to carry both cans, but the two girls declared that they were +not going to permit him to impose upon himself. + +For fifteen minutes the young people went on, farther into the +forest. Though the girls wore overshoes, Dick went ahead to +pick out the drier paths. + +Collecting botanical specimens, though interesting to amateurs +or experts, is dull work for onlookers. As both Belle and Laura +were enthusiastic workers, Dick found himself walking chiefly +with Susie Sharp. There was much waiting while Laura and Belle +dug their mosses and plants. + +Finally, Dick and Susie found themselves standing together, some +feet from Laura and Belle, who were gathering wild flowers. + +"Look at those beautiful purple blossoms over there!" cried Susie +in sudden enthusiasm. + +"Are you going to turn collector, too?" smiled Dick. + +"To the extent of wanting a bouquet of those flowers," Susie declared. +"Will you help me?" + +"With great pleasure. If you will wait here, I will get the bouquet +for you. It will take me hardly a minute." + +Dick started away alone. By the time that he had picked a good-sized +handful, Susie started to meet him. For the moment she was out +of sight of the other girls. + +Dick came toward Miss Sharp, holding out the gorgeous blossoms. + +"Will these be enough?" he inquired. + +"Oh, yes! Thank you so much!" + +"It was a very slight service," Prescott laughed. "I am glad +to have pleased-----" + +A sudden scream brought his gallant speech to an abrupt stop. + +"Oh, Dick! Be quick!" sounded the voice. + +"Pardon me," said Prescott to Susie, as he sprang forward through +the brush. + +It was a startling scene that met the high school boy's gaze as +he bounded forward. + +Tag Mosher, holding his shotgun under his left arm, stood confronting +Laura and Belle. In his right, hand he held a gold chain and +locket that he had snatched from Laura Bentley's neck. In one +of his pockets, out of sight, now rested two valuable rings that +he had forcibly stripped from one of Belle's hands. + +"Sorry, girls," he was saying. "I never did anything quite as +bad as this before. But if you knew how badly I need to get away +from these parts you'd know why I'm holding up girls to get money +to pay my fare, and-----" + +Just then Tag Mosher caught sight of Dick Prescott. + +"Stand back!" warned Tag hoarsely. "I don't want to have to do +anything worse than I've just done. Stand back, or by the blue +sky-----" + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +SOME IMITATION VILLAINY + + +"Oh, Dick, do keep back. He won't harm us further," cried Laura. + +Prescott ran forward by leaps and bounds. + +"If you will have it-----" growled Tag, cocking both hammers of his +ugly weapon. + +Laura uttered another scream, then, with sudden frenzy, seized +the barrels of the gun. + +"Let go!" yelled Dick, racing up. "If he fires, even accidentally, +you'll be killed." + +"Then let him put down the gun," panted Laura without releasing +her hold. + +Belle seized Tag by his right arm, hanging on frantically. + +But Dick, reaching the spot, laid hands on the shotgun. + +"Let go, Laura," he commanded sternly. "I have hold of this gun." + +It was the tone of the high school boy, not her own fear, that +made Laura Bentley obey. + +"Let go of his arm, Belle," Dick insisted. "You girls get back +out of harm's way." + +"I won't let go," Belle insisted. Then she resorted, excusably +under the circumstances, to the somewhat feminine trick, of pinching +Tag Mosher's arm sharply. + +That started the real fight. Dick tripped the bigger fellow, +and the pair went down together as Belle leaped back. + +Click! click! sounded both descending hammers of the sawed-off +shotgun. For an instant---Prescott's heart was in his mouth, +for he knew something of the wicked scattering power of such a +weapon, when discharged, and he feared for the girls. + +The next instant, however, his common sense told him that the +hammers had descended harmlessly. By desperate force he wrenched +the piece out of Tag's hands, hurling it away. + +Laura's locket, and chain falling to the ground, Belle darted +in and rescued them. + +"He has my rings in his right-hand coat pocket," Belle announced. + +"He'll give them up, then!" predicted Dick grimly, making a dive +for that pocket. He was on top, in the mix-up, and secured the +rings, tossing them toward Belle. Then Tag, by a violent effort, +hurled Prescott from him and rose, ready for battle. + +But Dick landed close beside the sawed-off shotgun, which he snatched +from the ground as he rose to his feet. + +"You cur!" said Dick. "Robbing girls!" + +"I hated to do it," growled Tag, looking somewhat shamefaced. +"But I've got to have money to get away from this corner of the +world. The deputies are out after me, and they'll get me yet, +if I stay here." + +With a quick movement Dick threw the gun open at the breech. + +"It isn't loaded," Tag informed him grimly. "This is the piece +of iron that holds cartridges." + +From a hip pocket he brought a heavy, long-barreled revolver into +sight. + +"You can't scare me with firearms," declared Dick doughtily. +"Nor are you going to rob these young women, who are my best friends." + +"I'm not going to try again," announced Tag. "What I want is +for you to keep away from me, and not follow me. If you do---well, +you can guess the answer! Now, as I'm going, give me that gun." + +"I won't," Dick declared firmly, holding it by the muzzle and +ready to employ the weapon as a club. + +"You'll make a lot of trouble and danger for yourself and the +girls if you don't put the gun on the ground and walk away from +it," warned Tag, glowering. + +"I won't drop the only weapon that I have," Dick returned firmly. +"You could down me easily unless I had something like this to +swing. As long as these young women are under my protection I +will not give up the only weapon that I have." + +"If I press the trigger of this pistol," challenged Tag, "will +you be able to offer the girls much protection then?" + +"Perhaps not," Prescott rejoined. "But shooting me will be the +only way that you can get this gun from me." + +There could be no doubt that the high school boy meant just what +he said. Tag, who was not accustomed to wasting time in crises, +turned angrily on his heel. + +"Hold on there a moment," called Dick. The other boy baited, +turning about. "Do you remember what I told you the other day?" +demanded Prescott. + +"You've told me a lot of things I never took from any other kid," +growled Tag. + +"Do you remember what I told you about your father, his love for +you, and his desire to meet and claim you?" + +"Old Bill Mosher's love?" laughed Tag harshly. "I'd stay and +laugh a while at that, but I've other business for to-day." + +"No; your real father, Mr. Page!" Dick cried after him, as Tag +started away. "Bill Mosher found you in a railroad wreck. Your +real father is a man of wealth. He is nearly broken down from +the many anxieties of trying to find you. He spent last night +at our camp. This morning he and friends of his started off to +find you. Tag, come back here, and I'll take you into camp." + +"No, thank you!" leered the larger boy. "I've been taken into +camp before, and you're the lad that turned the trick. You turned +me over to Valden and Simmons, and they turned me over to the +warden at the jail. I'm not going back to that jail---_alive_!" + +"You foolish fellow! Can't you understand?" bellowed Dick, following +Tag as he once more turned away. "I'm telling you the truth, +and your father is only too anxious to employ all his wealth in +protecting whatever rights you may have. Bill Mosher was seen +at the jail yesterday, and he admitted that you were not his son, +but that he found you as a baby at a railroad wreck! Tag, use +your brains, for once, and come back to camp to meet your father!" + +"Good-bye!" laughed the larger boy derisively, increasing his +fast walk to a run. + +Desperately, Dick Prescott followed. As Tag sprinted, so did +the high school boy. + +Looking back, young Mosher tripped over a root, and fell heavily. +The revolver flew from his hand landing several feet away. Prescott +was now so close that Tag sprang to his feet and ran on without +making any effort to recover his lost weapon. + +Then the larger boy dived into a thicket. He did not appear again. +Master of every hidden path in these forests, he seemed likely +enough to get away without leaving a trace of a trail. + +Dick halted, brought to his senses by the realization that he +had deserted the three high school girls who had been entrusted +to his escort. He turned about. At the spot where Tag had tripped +he bent over to pick up the abandoned revolver. + +One glance into the cylinder was enough. There wasn't a cartridge +in the weapon. + +"Just as I thought," laughed Dick triumphantly. "Tag had no notion +of shooting anyone. For fear he might do so, if too closely cornered, +he threw away the ammunition. He relied on the bad reputation +of the Moshers to make officers hesitate if they encountered him +with firearms in his hands." + +Then Prescott called for the girls, whom he quickly rejoined. + +"You didn't catch him?" asked Laura. + +"Not I," laughed Dick. "He knows every trail in these woods and +in a sprint, Tag Mosher could leave me hitched to a tree." + +"I'm thankful you didn't catch him," quivered Miss Bentley. "He's +a terrible fellow." + +"Is he?" laughed Prescott good-humoredly. "As a bad man Tag Mosher, +or young Page, as he really ought to be called, is about the biggest +bluff that I've ever heard of. Look at these weapons. Both unloaded. +Yet, when Tag broke jail, he carried away ammunition enough to +hold a company of militia at bay. Tag doesn't want to shoot anyone. +All he wants to do is to scare pursuers." + +"He's a ruffian, anyway," Belle declared. + +"Why? Was he very rough with you?" Dick inquired. "Did he tear +your rings off recklessly, and hurt your hands?" + +"No; but be held my hand so firmly that I simply couldn't pull +it out of his clutch," Belle replied. "Then he took off my rings +as easily and in as matter-of-fact way as though they were his +own property." + +"He really didn't mean to hurt you," Dick explained. "He has +been trained, from babyhood, to make his living by appropriating +other people's belongings, and he was only obeying his training. +The officers are after him, and Tag, not wishing to be caught, +wants to put considerable distance between himself and these woods. +Yet no matter what he does, or where he goes, the officers will +finally find him. Law is supreme, and triumphs in the end. No +man may defy the police and courts of a nation and get away with +it for any great length of time." + +"Would you have tried to catch him, if we hadn't been with you?" +asked Laura. + +"Yes," Dick admitted. "Though under the circumstances I had no +right to do anything but stay here with you and try to protect +you. Shall we go on with the collecting?" + +"If the other girls want to do so," agree Susie Sharp. + +"If we want to?" Laura echoed. "After the fright we've had? +All that we want to do is to-----" + +"Get back to camp?" smiled Dick. "I'm wholly agreeable. Truth +to tell, I've had such a fright that my nerves are shattered." + +"Your nerves shattered?" echoed Belle scornfully. "Tell that +to someone who never lived in Gridley, Dick Prescott! You flew +at that fellow like a tiger." + +"But look at the magnificent help I had!" smiled Dick. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +THE MEDICAL EXAMINER TALKS TRAINING + + +"Do you want a suggestion, Prescott?" inquired Dr. Bentley. + +The physician and his party had been over at the high school boys' +camp for something like twenty minutes, that same afternoon, watching +the training work that the young athletes were undergoing. + +"Yes, sir," Dick answered promptly. Then a sudden thought striking +him, he added: + +"Perhaps I can make a suggestion, doctor, that is even more immediate +in its nature than yours." + +"Then I shall be glad to have it," smiled Laura's father. + +"Did you leave that chauffeur to watch your camp?" + +"No; he has gone to Five Corners to post the young women's numerous +letters. But the camp doesn't need a guard, does it?" + +"It does, as long as Tag Mosher is at large, sir. Harry, won't +you go over to the doctor's camp and stay there until the chauffeur +returns?" + +"Yes," agreed Hazelton. + +"If you sight Tag, or any other doubtful-looking characters, just +give a yell, and we'll all come over." + +"Would that young scamp bother our camp, really?" inquired the +physician. + +"Certainly he would," Dick went on promptly. "Mosher, Page, or +whoever he really is, is just as natural an anarchist as the world +ever saw. He has never had anything of his own, and whenever +he sees anyone else's property that will serve him, he just says, +'Tag, you're It!' That's the way he got his nickname." + +"I believe I'll go over with Harry and see if anything is missing," +declared Dr. Bentley. "In the meantime, Prescott, suppose you +and your squad rest until I return. Just make yourselves agreeable +to the girls. I'll endeavor to be back promptly. When I come +back I shall be prepared to offer you some training suggestions +that may be of value to you." + +So the flushed young athletes rested, except Harry, who departed +with the physician. + +In fifteen minutes Dr. Bentley returned. + +"Your warning came too late, Prescott," announced Laura's father +cheerily. "Our camp has been visited." + +"Tag Mosher?" gasped Prescott. + +"Impossible to say," was the smiling answer. "The caller forgot +to leave a card. But someone has cleaned us out of about a dozen +tins of food and some packages of biscuit. It must have been +quite a little load. Just by chance I also happened to think +to look at my medicine case. One vial is missing therefrom." + +"What medicine did he take, did you say, sir?" asked Dave Darrin +much interested. + +"I believe I didn't say," replied Dr. Bentley. "Perhaps later +on I shall tell you." + +"If the thief took only a dozen tins," said Mrs. Bentley, "there +is food enough left so that we needn't worry about immediate famine. +And we have two cars, either one of which may be despatched to +bring further supplies." + +"Tag is really going to move away from here, then," decided Dick +thoughtfully. + +"Why do you say that?" asked Dr. Bentley. + +"Because Tag has a fine appetite, and an abundance of muscle. +Instead of a dozen tins he would have taken three or four times +that amount. It is only his need for traveling in light marching +order that made him so moderate in the tax he levied." + +"It's only an incident," continued Dr. Bentley. "And I am glad +of it. It shows that the young scamp is still in this neighborhood, +and that means that there is still a fair chance of his being +captured." + +"I wonder why he stole one particular drug from your case?" Dick +mused aloud. + +Dr. Bentley smiled, not relieving Prescott's curiosity as to the +name of the missing drug. + +"It can't be that Tag means to commit suicide, as a last resort, +can it?" Dick suggested. + +"I think not," smiled Dr. Bentley. + +Then the leader of Dick & Co. gave up further effort along this +line to secure the desired information. + +"I started in to offer you a suggestion, Prescott," continued +the medical man. + +"Yes, sir; it had something to do with training, I believe." + +"Before I tell you what I have to say, Prescott, suppose you put +each of your 'men' through the stunts they were doing before." + +"Which one first, sir?" + +"Any one of the young men." + +"Dave!" called Dick. + +Darrin stepped forward. + +"One moment," said Dr. Bentley. He felt Dave's pulse, then nodded. +"Go ahead, Darrin." + +Dave started in with the work. + +"Speed it up!" ordered Dick. "Faster! Drive!" + +Darry continued at his training work until Dr. Bentley called: + +"Stop! Now, stand still, young man." + +Bending over, Dr. Bentley placed one ear against Dave's chest, +watch in hand, while the others looked on curiously. + +"Just what I thought," nodded the physician, looking up at last. +"Prescott, you have a lot of bright ideas in training, but you're +driving your squad too hard. Darrin's heart doesn't come down +to normal speed as soon as it should." + +"Anything wrong with the heart, sir" asked Darry. + +"Nothing. It's the trainer that's wrong," replied Dr. Bentley. +"It is a fault with a lot of trainers without long experience +that they work an athlete's heart overtime. Darrin's heart should +have slowed down in a little more than half the time required +in this instance. Set another man at work, Prescott. I can show +you how to do this properly. Let the others work as hard as Darrin +did. I want data to work on. Then I'll lay down a few suggestions +that will serve you well." + +This not being interesting to the high school girls, they chatted +among themselves. + +In the end Dr. Bentley read off some figures he had jotted down, +and explained to Prescott what he must regard as a satisfactory +heart performance after each bit of training work. + +"Now, whenever you don't bring your work, fairly close to these +limits you'll know that you're overdoing the training," Dr. Bentley +explained. "If you overdo on training then you injure the chances +of the men of your squad. The wise trainer keeps within limits. +Keep within such limits, and you'll find that, bit by bit, your +men can endure more and more, and still pass satisfactorily as +to diminishing heart speed after stopping grilling." + +"It's mighty good of you to explain all this to us, sir," Dick +protested, gratefully. + +"Not in the least," replied Dr. Bentley. "You may recall the +fact that I'm medical examiner to the High School Athletic +Association." + +"And I also recall, sir," Prescott rejoined, "that for your work +with the high school athletes you accept a salary of only one +dollar a year, in place of the hundred dollars that the Athletic +Association offered." + +"Well, if I cut prices in selected instances, that's my own affair, +isn't it?" smiled the physician. + +"Now, we'll go on with the training work," Dick soon announced, +stepping forward. "Reade! Darrin!" + +So the work went on, though it was not quite so grilling after +that. The girls looked on with interest, at first, but there +was no contest in hand---nothing for any "side" to win, so presently +the high school girls found the spectacle less interesting. + +Tom, standing by, mopping his face, turned to see that Miss Marshall, +her red parasol resting over one shoulder, had strolled away. + +"That was kind of Clara," laughed Tom. + +"What was?" inquired Belle. + +"To take that red sunshade further off. It made me perspire to +look at it." + +"Red silk shuts out some of the worst rays of the sun," Laura +explained wisely. + +"Does it?" asked Tom. "I know there must be some excuse for carrying +a red sunshade." + +Then suddenly he colored, remarking: + +"That wasn't very gallant of me, but I didn't mean it quite the +way it sounds." + +"And a red parasol helps throw a little tinge of color over a +face that hasn't any too much color of its own," added Susie. +"Clara is always more or less pale in summer." + +"She might be a lot more pale if any of those wild cattle were +to roam back this way," smiled Dr. Bentley. + +Hardly had he uttered the words when, from the edge of the woods, +there came a piercing scream, followed by a deep, bass bellow +that seemed to shake the ground. + +All hands turned instantly, to see Clara running frantically, +waving the parasol in her fright, while not very far behind her +charged a bull, its head lowered. + +"Drop your parasol!" cried Greg. "Throw it away." + +"Then turn and run in another direction!" shouted Darrin. + +Neither Dr. Bentley nor Dick Prescott uttered a word. They had +no advice ready at the instant, but turned and ran toward the +imperiled girl as fast as they could go. + +Unused to such exercise, Dr. Bentley, who got the first start, +was quickly panting and red of face. + +By him like a streak shot Dick Prescott, running with the speed +of the sprinter. + +To face the bull empty handed was worse than useless. Dick had +to form his plans as he ran. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +PLAYING RAGTIME ON MR. BULL + + +"Drop your parasol! Throw it away!" screamed her friends in unison. + +But Clara, emitting another shriek, seemed too frightened to +comprehend. She tried to redouble her speed, but the bull was +rapidly gaining on her in the pursuit. + +As all stood gazing at the panic-stricken girl, Dick Prescott +shot across the field. + +What happened next was that Dick snatched the flaming red parasol +from her hand, then swung her shoulders about, thus forcing the +girl to face in another direction. + +"Run---the way you're headed!" he yelled hoarsely. + +The bull was close upon them. Giving the parasol a flourish in +the maddened animal's face, Prescott started off in the direction +from which the bull had come. + +"Get up a tree, Prescott, as quickly as you can!" panted Dr. Bentley. + +But Dick, not even pausing to shake his head, put all his effort +into a fresh burst of speed. + +Running away from the camp, flaunting the red parasol, Dick was +followed closely by the bellowing bull. For a short distance, +anyway, the sprinter could run as fast as the pursuer. + +Dick swiftly decided, now that he had the bull in voluntary tow, +to lead the animal where the trees were thicker. Here an agile +candidate for football honors ought to be able to daze and exhaust +the bull by darting from tree to tree. + +The plan had its dangers, however, and Dick knew them well. + +Once in among the trees Dick tossed the parasol to one side, then +darted off on an oblique line. + +Bellowing, stumbling, the bull turned clumsily to follow him. + +Again Dick changed his course, though, purposely, he took pains +not to get too far from camp. + +Now he saw his chums running towards him. + +"Keep away! Don't get near the bull!" he yelled. + +"We've sent Dan to get the rope in the tent," Reade called back. + +"Now, what in the world do the boys think they're going to do +with a rope?" Prescott wondered. + +Suddenly, as he dodged off on a new track to escape the bull, +a plan flashed into Prescott's mind. + +"Get up a tree!" yelled Dave. + +"Hardly time enough," Dick retorted, dodging again and sprinting +briefly out of harm's way. "When Dan brings the rope throw it +so that one end will rest in the lowest fork of that young chestnut +tree." + +Dave Darrin heard, understood and nodded. + +"Rope's ready in the chestnut tree," he called, as Dick started +on still another track, pursued, clumsily, by the angry bull. + +"Get back out of harm's way," shouted Dick. "Get back, or you +will hinder me." + +In three changing sprints Dick manoeuvred to reach the chestnut +tree, though the clumsy bull was barely twenty feet behind him +and coming fast. + +As the rope hung from the crotch of the tree both ends trailed +on the ground. Seizing both lines Dick went up rapidly hand over +hand, his feet braced against the tree trunk. In this position +he was able to run nimbly up the side of the trunk. + +Bump! The bull's head landed against the tree, the shock nearly +bringing the high school boy to the ground. Dick managed to hold +on to the rope, though his feet slipped from the trunk. + +Rapidly he drew himself up into the crotch of the tree. Bump---again! +Any animal with a head less hard would have been stunned outright. + +Even Mr. Bull, after the second charge at the tree, backed off, +head lowered, pawing the ground, willing to consider ere making +a renewed attack. + +The tree was in no danger of snapping. It was too stout for that. +Prescott's only danger, just at present, was that of being dislodged +by the force of those mad charges. + +Turning, and beholding his friends closer than was safe, Prescott +shouted to them: + +"Get back, fellows! You can't do any good here now, and the bull +may turn on you. Get 'way back! I'll call you when I'm ready +for your help." + +"What do you think you're going to be able to do up that tree?" +jeered Danny Grin, as he nevertheless backed away with the others. + +"I'm going to do something, if there's any way to do it," Dick +answered. "How is Clara?" + +"Safe," pronounced Tom. + +"Hysterical?" + +"No; only trembling." + +Dick had hauled up the rope. Now, with a speculative air, he +was making a slip noose at one end. He still hadn't a very definite +idea of what he was going to do to the bull. Prescott was making +a lariat, though he had no skill in the use of such a thing. + +Presently, however, the mad animal came closer, stamping, head +lowered. + +"Nice fellow! Nice fellow!" Dick called mockingly. "Wouldn't +you like to have me come down to talk with you?" + +Attracted by the voice, the bull raised its head, showing its +flaming eyes. + +"I wonder!" mused Dick, half aloud, as he leaned out cautiously +over a limb. "I wonder." + +Then, by way of finding out, he dropped the noose suddenly. It +fell over the animal's head and around its neck. + +Warned by the touch of the rope, the bull backed hastily off, +nearly hauling the high school boy out of the tree. + +"There's just one chance to get you, and that's happening now," +mused Dick Prescott, as, still holding to the rope, he fairly +shot down the tree trunk. + +For an instant the bull watched as though incredulous. It gave +Dick time to touch his feet to the ground, passing the rope loosely +once around the tree trunk. + +As the bull lumbered forward Prescott pulled on his rope, while +retreating in the opposite direction. + +All in a twinkling the bull's head was close to the tree, and +Dick with the end of the rope in his hands, and aided by the twist +around the tree, had a leverage that enable him to hold the bull +there. + +For a few moments the dirt fairly flew before the maddened animal's +efforts to free itself. Then, finding itself a prisoner, with +its head fastened close to the tree, the bull again stopped to +consider. + +"You fellows can come over here now," Dick called. "The bull +is safely caught---provided neither the rope nor the tree break." + +With a yell of delight Dick's chums ran to the spot. Dr. Bentley +came, too, though he walked. + +Dick's success did not seem destined, how ever to last. A halt +and a rest seemed to give the bull strength far greater than it +had used in pulling against the rope before. With an angry snort +the animal dug its hind hoofs into the soil and began to back +away. + +"Help!" called Prescott, suddenly, for he found the rope slipping +through his fingers, the friction burning his flesh. Mr. Bull +had succeeded in backing four feet away from the tree. He would +speedily be able to free himself altogether. + +Tom and Dave now came running. They threw their weight and muscle +upon the rope to hinder the captive animal. But that great creature +seemed likely soon to overcome the strength of all those combined +against him. + +"Come on!" called Dick, backing away on a new course. "Off this +way, to the next tree behind me. Hold on and pull for every pound +you're worth." + +Seeing his opponents plainly engaged in making some new move the +wild animal halted, eyeing them balefully. That hesitation proved +fatal to his immediate freedom, for Dick had succeeded in getting +the rope around the tree behind him. Now he took another quick +hitch, supplementing this with a knot, then another and a third. + +"I guess we may all let go of the rope now," Prescott smiled. +"I don't believe the bull can pull successfully against that +triple knot." + +Mr. Bull was trying it, at any rate. His angry bellows were almost +as loud as the roaring of a lion. Dirt flew. The beast exerted +its whole power in its efforts to get free. + +"The knot will hold," pronounced Dr. Bentley, after a critical +survey. "The great danger is friction, which may wear out that +part of the rope hitched around the first tree. If that happens +we shall all have to run for our lives. Come back here, Prescott! +What are you going to do?" + +For Dick, leaving the little group, had started on a run for the +bull. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +WHAT TAG "BORROWED" FROM THE DOCTOR + + +"I want to see how the rope is faring," Dick explained. + +"If it fares badly," called Dr. Bentley dryly, "you will find +your curiosity possibly fatal. Come back here. It is time for +us to be getting away. I am sorry we have no fire arms, or we +could settle Mr. Bull very quickly. Come along, boys! Come, +Dick!" + +But Prescott, for once, didn't prove over, tractable. He went +closer, anxiously studying the condition of the rope wound around +the first tree. Until Dick was ready to go none of his chums +would leave the scene. Dr. Bentley had turned away; but when +he found himself unaccompanied, he wheeled about once more. + +"You can't do anything---except run in danger, Dick," the physician +called anxiously. + +"I am studying this business trying to find out if there isn't +something that I can do," Prescott replied. + +"There isn't," Dr. Bentley assured the boy, walking over to him, +"and by staying you're only putting your life in almost certain +jeopardy." + +But Prescott shook his head and went on studying the turn of rope +around the tree trunk. + +"You foolhardy fellow, I wish I had authority to order you away +from here," exclaimed the physician irascible. + +"I know you think I'm foolhardy, sir," Dick answered respectfully, +"but, from the way the rope is fraying, this beast is going to +be free presently. I feel that I simply have to find a way to +prevent his doing mischief. We boys can take to trees, but how +about the girls? How about Mrs. Bentley?" + +"They can get inside of the wooden houses at need," urged Dr. +Bentley. "It is hardly likely that even a crazy bull would attack +a wooden house." + +"He might charge through our camp, though, and frankly, doctor, +we can't afford to lose that camp," Prescott argued. + +"You other boys get back!" commanded Dr. Bentley, but Dick's chums +came closer. + +"Hoo-hoo! hoo-hoo!" sounded a masculine voice from the direction +of Dick & Co.'s camp. + +"Hoo-hoo!" Dick answered, in his loudest tone. "Who are you?" + +"Hibbert," came the reply. "I understand you are bull chasing!" + +"Yes." + +"Want any help?" + +"Yes; if you're an expert in handling wild bulls," Dick shouted +back, between his hands. + +"I guess that will hold him, for a little while," chuckled Dave. +"The idea of Hibbert handling wild bulls with those dainty little +white hands of his!" + +Soon the sound of running steps was heard. Then on the scene +came Hibbert, carrying a second rope that he had found. + +"A queer hitch-up you've got there," murmured the dapper little +man, as he halted near the group. + +"Yes; and the bull is going to get away pretty soon, according +to all predictions," replied Tom Reade. "Though, perhaps, Mr. +Hibbert, you may have an idea that hasn't occurred to our addled +brains." + +"That's hardly likely," murmured the young man, as he began to +tie a running noose in one end of the rope with an air of +preoccupation. "I don't know very much about cattle." + +"I suppose not," Tom nodded. + +"The very little that I know about the beasts," Hibbert went on +quietly, "was what I picked up during my college vacations, when +my good old Dad sent me west to rough it on a ranch. I'm not +a cowboy at all, you know. All I know about them I discovered +merely by sitting in saddle and watching the cowboys." + +Now Hibbert slipped around to the rear of the bull, which, for +the moment, was behaving very quietly. + +"Look out!" yelled Prescott suddenly, for Hibbert, slipping in +closer, had begun to tease the beast's left quarter. Mr. Bull, +as though resenting such familiarity with all his force, reared, +plunged, snorted. The rope hitched about the tree seemed likely +to snap at any moment. + +Just as the bull came down on its hind legs, its forefeet raised +in the air, Hibbert made a swishing throw. + +"Hurrah!" broke swiftly from the onlookers, for the dapper young +man had made a throw that had roped the animal's forelegs together. +Hibbert made a sudden haul-in on the rope, with the result that +the bulky beast crashed sideways, falling. + +Then, all in a twinkling Hibbert leaped in, hobbling the thrown +beast effectively. Having done this he made a few knots in the +rope with workmanlike indifference. + +"Now, the beast won't run about very fast, if he get's up," remarked +Mr. Hibbert, rising from his task. "For that matter, I hardly +believe he'll get up." + +Hibbert next busied himself with gathering in the rope that Dick +had used. Cutting this off beyond the point where some of the +strands had become frayed, Hibbert made a new cast about the bull's +head, then tied that animal effectively to the tree. + +"Fixed the way he now is," remarked Mr. Hibbert pensively, "I +believe Mr. Bull, unless he has human aid in freeing himself, +will still be here when the meat inspector gets around." + +"For a man who knows nothing about cattle," said Tom Reade, breaking +the silence of the on-lookers, "it seems to me that you've done +a most workmanlike job with that bull." + +"To an amateur like you or me," admitted Hibbert modestly, "it +looks like a very fair little tie-up. But I'm afraid my former +friends on the Three-Bar-X would feel decidedly ashamed of me. +Shall we now go back to camp, or were you intending to go further +into the woods?" + +"I believe we'd better go back to camp," said Dr. Bentley. "You +didn't come alone, did you, Mr. Hibbert?" + +"Oh, no, indeed," replied the dapper little man. "Mr. Page and +Colquitt are waiting back at the camp." + +As the party came in sight of the camp the women were plainly +still agitated. + +"We've treed the bull!" shouted Dr. Bentley. "At least, I mean, +he's safe." + +"He's been safe all along," cabled back Mrs. Bentley. "But are +we safe, too?" + +"The bull is roped so that he will do no harm," Dr. Bentley answered. +"None of you need feel the least uneasiness now. The work that +young Prescott started so well Mr. Hibbert has finished satisfactorily. +The bull cannot get loose and do you any harm. He will stay +just where he is until some of the local cattlemen come along +to take care of him." + +Just before dark, it may be added, two of the tenders employed +by the owners of the cattle were stopped in passing. They led +the bull away, the animal's legs being partly hobbled. + +"You haven't seen my boy," remarked Mr. Page wistfully, as Dick +and his chums reached the space before the tent. + +"I am afraid we hardly expected to see him again, sir," Prescott +answered. "As you've doubtless heard, sir, your son has been +back this way, and visited Dr. Bentley's camp. From there, I +take it, he meant to make his escape out of these woods for good +and all. I have an idea, Mr. Page, that a further hunt will lead +far away from here." + +"My son ought not to be able to get far away," went on the father, +holding out a handbill. "I have felt obliged to proclaim a reward +of a thousand dollars for the boy's discovery within a week, with +a further thousand if it happens within three days, and still +another thousand for his being brought to me within twenty-four +hours." + +"Then you can expect results, sir!" Dick went on, brightening. +"Money talks, I've heard." + +"And talks in every language," added Reade. "Mr. Page, a lot +of men who are not police or peace officers will be out hunting +for young Mr. Page. 'Tag Mosher' will be more eagerly sought +for than ever before in his life. + +"I don't see how Tag has a ghost of a show to get away," observed +Dave Darrin. + +"Whew, but I'm thirsty," remarked Dr. Bentley, going over to the +spot where the drinking dipper hung. "And it looks as though +it were my turn to go after water." + +"Is there no water there?" Prescott inquired. + +"Not a drop." + +"Then I'll get some water, doctor," offered Dick, coming forward +and taking up a pail. + +He went briskly away to the spring where the boys obtained their +water supply. The spring was some distance from camp. Dick reached +the little glade where the spring lay, and turned down into it. +As he did so he saw a movement of the bushes, as though some +animal had crawled into shelter. + +"Anyway, it wasn't anything as large as a bull," laughed Dick, +as he bent over the spring, bucket in hand. He filled the bucket, +then set it down on the ground. + +"I wonder what is under those bushes?" he muttered, boyish curiosity +coming to the surface. + +Prying the bushes apart, stepping forward, he suddenly halted, +a cry of astonishment coming to his lips. + +"You, Tag?" he questioned, in astonishment, gazing down at the +sullen face of the larger boy who lay on his back in the thicket. + +"Yes; it's Tag, and I'm It," mocked the other. + +"What are you doing here?" + +"Waiting for you to call your friends, the officers. There's +a reward offered for me, I suppose." + +"Yes; there is," answered Dick, wondering why Tag didn't leap +up and scurry away. "And guess who offers the reward?" + +"Who?" + +"Your father!" + +"Bill Mosher?" laughed Tag, despite his sulky air. "What does +Bill offer? The next dozen of eggs?" + +"Tag, Bill Mosher isn't your father, and he has admitted it. +You were a strange child that came into his care, and he kept +you, at first, hoping for a reward. Your real name is Page, and +your real father is now over at camp. I'll call him." + +"You may as well," agreed Tag sullenly. "But Page is a new name. +Is that what they call the sheriff now?" + +"Tag, aren't you ever going to be serious?" demanded Dick, flushing +with eagerness. + +"Not while you go on springing the same old line of fairy tales +on me," retorted the other lad. "Is my father, as you call him, +as rich as he was yesterday and the day before? Has he still +barrels of money that he's waiting to hand me? Money? Humph! +If it hadn't been for money I wouldn't be in the fix I am now. +Prescott, I'll tell you something. I've kept the cupboard full +by stealing. I'll admit that. But I never stole money before +to-day. I went through those dog-houses---what do you call them?" + +"Do you mean the portable houses of the Bentley party?" asked Dick. + +"I guess that's the right name. Anyway, I went through those +houses to gather in some food, for I was going to leave these +woods for good and all." + +"So I guessed," nodded Dick. + +"And I came across two twenty dollar bills. Prescott, I've always +helped myself to food, because, some way, it always seemed to +me that food belongs to the fellow who needs it most. But I had +never taken any money, before, from anyone. That's honest---flat! +But the twenties looked fine to me. They would carry me a long +way on the railroad, and I haven't had any notion to stay here +and go to jail for something I didn't do anyway. So I took the +money, the grub, too, and stepped off fast through the woods. +But, Prescott, you may believe me or not, that money got heavier +with every step. Remember, I've never had any practice in stealing +money. By the time I'd gone three or four miles that money in +my pocket got so heavy that I couldn't drag my feet another step. +I took the money out and threw it away. But that didn't help +me any, either, so I went back, found the money, and started back +this way to put that money back where I got it. I never knew +that anything I helped myself to would grow so heavy, but back +I had to come with that money. I can't understand what made me +feel that way about a little money. Maybe it was" + +"Conscience," suggested Dick promptly. + +"Conscience?" repeated Tag wonderingly. "What's that? I know +I've heard that word somewhere---some time." + +Dick was wondering how to make sure of Tag this time. If he shouted +to his friends in camp Prescott felt positive that Tag would leap +up, knock him down and glide away. Give him a start of a hundred +yards in these forests, and Tag Mosher, otherwise young Page, +was quite certain to distance and elude all pursuit. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +CONCLUSION + + +As a last resort the high school boy decided to make one more +effort to use persuasion. + +"Tag" he urged, "be a real fellow. Show some grit, and purpose. +No matter what you've done, or what you haven't done, show that +you've sand enough to get up and walk back into camp with me---to +meet your father. Come, get up and come along, like a real fellow +with real grit, won't you?" + +"Get up?" echoed Tag bitterly. "If I could, do you suppose I'd +be lying here talking to you now?" + +"Are you hurt?" cried Dick. + +"If I hadn't been, do you suppose I'd have stayed with you as +long as I have?" mocked the other indignantly. "It all came of +that money, too, and what you call 'conscience.' If I hadn't come +back with the money I wouldn't have had that nasty tumble over +the root, and my ankle would be as sound as ever." + +"Do you mean that you can't walk?" Dick demanded. + +"I can crawl, and that's all," Tag declared. "I was at the spring, +getting a drink, when I heard you coming. Then I crawled back +in here, but not fast enough to keep you from seeing something +moving here. It was right over yonder that I fell and wrenched +my ankle. I crawled over here so as to be near water until my +foot got so that I could use it again." + +"Hoo-hoo!" bellowed Prescott, through his hands. "Hoo-hoo the +camp! Hoo-hoo!" + +"That's right," jeered Tag. "Go in after the reward, when I can't +help myself. Serves me right for taking money when I should have +contented myself with my old game of stealing victuals only!" + +"Hoo-hoo the camp!" repeated Prescott. "Hoo-hoo!" + +"That you, Dick?" came in Darrin's voice. + +"Yes; come here on the jump, Dave. And bring the others." + +"Where?" + +"At the spring." + +"Say," remarked Tag shrewdly, "you oughtn't to call a whole crowd +that way. There will be more to get a share in the reward, and +you won't get as much for yourself." + +"Oh, bother the reward!" spoke Prescott impatiently. "All I'm +thinking of, Tag, is the bother you've given us, first and last." + +"I suppose I always have been a trouble to folks," Tag assented +glumly. "But I'll be game---now that I'm caught." + +All the chums save Hazelton came on a run. + +"Here's Tag, fellows," Dick hailed them. "He has hurt his ankle +and I guess we'll have to carry him to camp." + +"That'll be easy enough," declared broad shouldered Tom Reade. +"I believe I can pick, him up alone." + +Tom tried. The feat would have been possible, but it would not +make for the comfort of the injured boy. + +"You and I will make a queen's chair," suggested Dick. Then Dave, +Greg and Dan lifted Tag to the seat thus formed. + +"You'll find me heavy before you get me far," Tag informed them. + +"Pshaw!" retorted Tom. + +Greg, running ahead, informed the others in camp who was coming. +The bearers were met by Mr. Page, Hibbert and Colquitt, running +in the order named. + +"Here's the boy you want, Mr. Page," called Dick Prescott. "But +look out for his injured ankle, sir." + +This last caution was necessary, for the older man, in his eagerness +to embrace the lad whom he believed to be his son, almost crashed +into him. + +"So you're my son---my boy, Egbert!" cried the father. + +"That's the fairy tale that has been shied at me a good many times +lately," replied Tag gruffly. + +Mr. Page fell back, in some astonishment, at this ungracious reception. +Then, understanding, and remembering Tag's unhappy past, he +patted the boy's shoulder. + +"That's all right---all right, Egbert," declared the father. +"Perhaps the news has come upon you too suddenly. But you and +I will talk it over. It won't take us long to know each other, +my boy." + +As the party came into camp it was noted that Mrs. Bentley and +the girls had withdrawn, returning, through delicacy, to their +own camp. Hazelton, thus released from guard duty at the other +camp, soon came running over. + +But Dr. Bentley had slipped into the tent, quickly arranging one +of the cots with the skill of the hospital worker. + +"Bring the young man in here," called the physician, appearing +in the doorway of the tent. "We'll soon find out how bad the +injury is." + +Tag was lowered down upon the blanket. + +"Which foot is it?" asked Dr. Bentley. + +"Left," replied Tag. + +Dr. Bentley deftly removed the shoe, causing hardly more than +a trace of pain. Tag insisted on raising himself on his elbow +to look on. It was the first time he had ever been under a doctor's +care. + +Dick took one look at the wistful eyes of the father, as Mr. Page +stood by the head of the cot, resting one hand on his supposed +son's shoulder. + +"Come outside, fellows," called Dick. "Doctor, we'll be outside +if you want anything." + +The onlookers in the tent started to go outside, except the father +and the physician. + +"Come back, Hibbert," called Mr. Page softly. "You've been at +least a son to me during the last year. Now, remain and help +me to get acquainted with my own son." + +Tag was silent. He could take punishment, and Dr. Bentley was +now hurting him quite a bit in his effort to get at the exact +nature of the injury. + +"Reade," called the physician, "start a fire in a hurry. Heat +half a kettle of water for me as fast as you can. Prescott, run +over to my camp and ask Mrs. Bentley for my emergency case, the +two-quart bottle of bicarbonate of soda and a roll of four-inch +gauze." + +Dick sped toward the Bentley camp as though on wings. While Mrs. +Bentley was gathering the things for him the girls crowded about, +asking eager questions about Tag, or Egbert Page, as he might +prove to be. But Dick delayed to talk only until Mrs. Bentley +had placed the desired things in his hands. Then he sped back, +in time to hear the physician saying: + +"Only a sprain. A painful one, to be sure. But this young man +may be moved in an automobile in an hour or two. By to-morrow +morning he ought to be able to get about with the aid of a crutch." + +"In jail is where I'll do my moving about," grunted Tag. + +"No matter where it be, my boy," protested Mr. Page, "if they +lock you up they'll have to take me, too. Besides, I have money, +and bail is possible." + +"Bail?" repeated Tag. "Would you go my bail, and trust me not +to jump it?" + +"The Page honor would never permit you to jump bail," replied +the old man, with simple but positive belief in his tone. + +Hardly had Dr. Bentley finished dressing and bandaging the ankle +than a new arrival appeared. Deputy Valden had dropped in, alone, +to discover whether there was any news. + +"You may wait, deputy, and go with us," declared Mr. Page, as +though the sheriff's officer were some subordinate of his. "We +will go to the jail as soon as my son is rested and is comfortable +enough to be moved." + +"Humph! I like that!" jeered the deputy. "This boy is my prisoner, +and I'll take him when I please. See here, Tag, I don't want +you faking any injuries as a slick way to-----" + +"You get outside, my man!" broke in Detective Colquitt quietly, +but he took hold of the deputy so forcibly that Valden was quickly +on the outside of the tent. + +"Now, you come along with me, my man," Colquitt continued, "and +I'll tell you who's who. First of all, this boy is Mr. Page's +son. Mr. Page can produce all kinds of money merely by signing +a check. He is indignant with you, already, for maltreating his +son when you had him under arrest at another time. Mr. Page may +employ lawyers and bring proceedings to have you ousted from +your job by the sheriff. You-----" + +Here their voices died out in the distance, but Valden went along +willingly enough. When the pair returned the deputy seemed to +have lost his swagger. + +"Doc, you've been good to me," said Tag at last, "and now I'll +tell you how I came to hurt my ankle. You know, of course, that +I visited one of your shacks and helped myself to some of your +kitchen stuff. While I was there I came across a queer little +black bag. I opened it, and found a whole lot of queer little +bottles. Medicines, I guess, though I don't know, for I never +had any. Then I came across one little bottle that I couldn't +see inside of. I took out the cork, and inside I found some paper +rolled up and tucked away. Two twenties were what I found. Money +was just what I needed, to buy a railway ticket with, so I slipped +the money into a pocket. Then I started off, but, Doe, that money +got so heavy---so awfully heavy-----" + +From there on Tag repeated the story he had told young Prescott. +During the recital Dick had stepped into the tent. + +"I knew you had my money, my boy," smiled Dr. Bentley, "but I +didn't say anything about it." + +"You didn't start off to put the officers on my track?" demanded +Tag incredulously. + +"Not I," laughed Dr. Bentley. "I had a different idea. I suspected +you'd buy a railway ticket. This evening I had intended to drive, +to a telegraph station and telegraph about until I found where +and to what station a chap answering your description had bought +a ticket. Then I would telegraph to the sheriff just where you +were to be picked up as you left the train. I'll admit that I +wasn't very anxious to turn you over to the law. What I wanted +was to get on your trail, and then see you turned over to your +father." + +"You told me that Tag took a drug from one of your vials," Dick +murmured, smiling. + +"So he did," nodded the doctor. "Money is a drug in the market---in +some places." + +"What kind of places, sir?" Prescott inquired. + +"Such places as the United States Treasury, for instance," laughed +Dr. Bentley. "Or the National City Bank of New York." + +Then turning to Mr. Page, the physician completed his explanation. + +"Money is a strange thing perhaps, Mr. Page, to carry in a vial +in a doctor's drug case. But sometimes, when I've been on the +road, and a long way from home on the day's work, I've found that +I needed money just when I least expected to want it. So, for +some years, I've always had two twenty dollar bills tucked away +in an opaque vial, where it would not be seen and invite theft. +I never told anyone what I carried in that vial." + +What Dr. Bentley did not explain, however, was that, generally, +when he wanted extra money, it was for some charitable work the +need of which became apparent when he was visiting the sick and +needy. The generous physician had many "free patients." + +Some two hours later, Tag, his father, Hibbert, Colquitt and Valden +started for the county jail in the big Page car. On the way they +stopped at the home of Farmer Leigh, to which Dr. Bentley had +gone ahead of them. + +"Mr. Leigh is conscious and able to be seen," the physician reported +to Detective Colquitt. "Bring your prisoner inside at once." + +Then there came a dramatic surprise. Farmer Leigh, when confronted +by Tag, positively denied that Tag was the one who had assaulted +him. Mr. Leigh, it will be remembered, was a newcomer in the +neighborhood. He had never known Tag, but, after his injury, +and before brain fever came on, the farmer had described his assailant, +and that description had seemed to fit Tag Mosher to a dot. The +real criminal, however, a young tramp some years older than Tag, +was found later on, and punished according to law. + +Dick Prescott was the only one of the high school boys on hand +to see the clearing of Tag of the accusation against him. Dick +had come along in Dr. Bentley's car. + +"Prescott," whispered the physician, "slip downstairs. You'll +find my car all ready. All you need to do is to press the starting +button. Drive over to Porterville and get Mr. James, the district +attorney. Never mind if you have to drag him out of bed and thrash +him into submission---bring him here as quickly as possible. +Don't fail, you understand." + +With heart beating rapidly, but feeling wholly happy, young Prescott +slipped downstairs and out of the house. A few moments later +he was speeding over the lonely country road. At one o'clock +in the morning he came back with District Attorney James, who +heard Farmer Leigh's statement, reduced it to writing and had +it signed under oath before many witnesses. + +"Officer Valden," said the district attorney, "I authorize you +to take your prisoner to Porterville, not to the jail, but to +the Granite Hotel. As soon as court opens in the morning I will +secure the formal discharge of your prisoner." + +This was done. Dick, who returned to camp with Dr. Bentley just +before daylight, did not see Tag released, but heard of it. + +Proof came in rapidly after that to satisfy Mr. Page that "Tag +Mosher" was his son Egbert. Best of all, even young Egbert himself +was convinced. + +Young Page underwent a speedy and complete reformation. Later +he went to school to prepare for college. In time Egbert promises +to be a strong man in his community and a force for good. Old +Bill Mosher died soon after leaving jail. + +Mr. Page tried hard to make Dick & Co. accept the offered reward +of three thousand dollars, but neither the boys nor their parents +would listen to any such transaction. Dick & Co. had done their +duty in manly fashion, and that was reward enough. + +Dr. Bentley's party broke camp a few days later. Dick & Co., +however, remained for several weeks, training hard, putting on +tan and muscle and fitting themselves to compete for places on +the famous Gridley High School eleven in the coming fall. + +Just what happened to our boys in the school year that followed +will be found fully and thrillingly explained in the third volume +of the "_High School Boys Series_," which is published under the +title, "_The High School Left End; Or, Dick & Co. Grilling on +the Football Gridiron_." + +The further vacation doings of these splendid American boys will +be found in the next volume of this "High School Boys' Vacation +Series." The book is published under the title, "_The High School +Boys' Fishing Trip; Or, Dick & Co. in the Wilderness_." Our readers +will find it a story full of rousing incident, persistent adventure, +delightful humor and absorbing human interest. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS IN SUMMER +CAMP*** + + +******* This file should be named 12729.txt or 12729.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/1/2/7/2/12729 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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