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diff --git a/13717-h/13717-h.htm b/13717-h/13717-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..cf8dd96 --- /dev/null +++ b/13717-h/13717-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,12205 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content= + "text/html; charset=UTF-8"> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Ted Strong's Motor Car, by Edward C. Taylor. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + P { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + } + HR { width: 33%; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; + } + BODY{margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 5%; + } + .linenum {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */ + .note {margin-left: 2em; margin-right: 2em; margin-bottom: 1em;} /* footnote */ + .blkquot {margin-left: 4em; margin-right: 4em;} /* block indent */ + .pagenum {position: absolute; left: 92%; font-size: smaller; text-align: right;} /* page numbers */ + .sidenote {width: 20%; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 1em; font-size: smaller; float: right; clear: right;} + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + .poem br {display: none;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem span {display: block; margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 2em;} + .poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 4em;} + .poem .caesura {vertical-align: -200%;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13717 ***</div> + +<center> +<img src='images/cover.jpg' width='415' height='600' alt="cover of The Western Story Library No. 41, Ted Strong's +Motor Car, by Edward C. Taylor" title="cover of The Western Story Library No. 41, Ted Strong's +Motor Car, by Edward C. Taylor"> +</center> + +<h1>Ted Strong's Motor Car</h1> + +<h3>OR, FAST AND FURIOUS</h3> + +<h2>By EDWARD C. TAYLOR</h2> + +<h4>Author of the Ted Strong Stories</h4> +<br /> + +<h4>STREET & SMITH CORPORATION<br /> +PUBLISHERS</h4> + +<h4>1915</h4> + +<br /> + +<h3>Table of Contents</h3> +<h4> <a href='#CHAPTER_I'>CHAPTER I.—TALKING ABOUT SMART HOGS!</a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_II'>CHAPTER II.—BUD'S BAD BRONCHOS.</a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_III'>CHAPTER III.—STELLA GOES TO THE "RENT RAG."</a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_IV'>CHAPTER IV.—THE TROUBLE IS STARTED.</a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_V'>CHAPTER V.—SHOTS FROM THE DARK.</a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_VI'>CHAPTER VI.—THE "FLYING DEMONS'" MESSAGE.</a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_VII'>CHAPTER VII.—SONG SHOOTS A WOLF.</a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_VIII'>CHAPTER VIII.—THE BATTLE WITH THE BULL.</a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_IX'>CHAPTER IX.—TED GETS AN ASSIGNMENT.</a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_X'>CHAPTER X.—A VISITOR IN THE NIGHT.</a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XI'>CHAPTER XI.—TED STRONG HAS A THEORY.</a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XII'>CHAPTER XII.—ALOFT AFTER A PRISONER.</a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XIII'>CHAPTER XIII.—THE ANONYMOUS LETTER.</a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XIV'>CHAPTER XIV.—THE ABANDONED MOTOR CAR.</a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XV'>CHAPTER XV.—THE LODGING-HOUSE BATTLE.</a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XVI'>CHAPTER XVI.—THE MAN IN THE YELLOW CAR.</a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XVII'>CHAPTER XVII.—MURDER IN THE HAUNTED HOUSE.</a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XVIII'>CHAPTER XVIII.—STELLA ADOPTS A BROTHER.</a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XIX'>CHAPTER XIX.—EZRA, THE LIFE-SAVING GOAT.</a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XX'>CHAPTER XX.—THE COUNTERFEIT BANK NOTE.</a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XXI'>CHAPTER XXI.—A CRIME WITHIN A CRIME.</a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XXII'>CHAPTER XXII.—TED IN THE TOILS.</a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XXIII'>CHAPTER XXIII.—STELLA IMITATES SANTA CLAUS.</a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XXIV'>CHAPTER XXIV.—TED HOLDS A PROFITABLE BAG.</a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XXV'>CHAPTER XXV.—THE MAGPIE PONY.</a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XXVI'>CHAPTER XXVI—"VAMOSE!"</a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XXVII'>CHAPTER XXVII.—THE GREAT CHIQUITA.</a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XXVIII'>CHAPTER XXVIII—TED'S GREAT VICTORY.</a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XXIX'>CHAPTER XXIX.—KIT MAKES A CAPTURE.</a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XXX'>CHAPTER XXX.—KIT'S TROUBLESOME PRISONER.</a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XXXI'>CHAPTER XXXI.—STELLA A CAPTIVE.</a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XXXII'>CHAPTER XXXII.—A HOLE IN THE HERD.</a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XXXIII'>CHAPTER XXXIII.—LITTLE DICK IN TROUBLE.</a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XXXIV'>CHAPTER XXXIV.—A MESSAGE FROM STELLA.</a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XXXV'>CHAPTER XXXV.—"HOLE IN THE WALL."</a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XXXVI'>CHAPTER XXXVI.—THE ALTERED BRAND.</a></h4> + +<br /> +<br /> + +<a name='Ted_Strongs_Motor_Car'></a><h1>Ted Strong's Motor Car</h1> + +<a name='CHAPTER_I'></a><h2>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<h3>TALKING ABOUT SMART HOGS!</h3> +<br /> + +<p>Carl Schwartz burst into the living room of the Moon Valley Ranch house +with fire in his eye and pathos in his voice:</p> + +<p>"As sheur as I standing here am, dot schwein I'm going to kill!"'</p> + +<p>"I'll jest bet yer a million dollars ter a piece o' custard pie yer +don't," said Bud Morgan, rising from the lounge where he had been +resting after a strenuous day in the big pasture.</p> + +<p>"I'll pet you," shouted Carl. "Der pig pelongs mit me der same as you."</p> + +<p>"Go ahead, then," said Bud, lying down again. "But I want ter tell yer +this, and take it from me, it's ez straight ez an Injun's hair, yer kin +kill yer own part o' thet hawg if yer want ter, but if my part dies I'll +wallop yer plenty. I've spent too much time teachin' thet pig tricks ter +lose it now."</p> + +<p>"Vich part der pig you own, anyvay?"</p> + +<p>"Ther best part; ther head."</p> + +<p>"Den I dake der tail. By Chiminy, I get skvare yet so soon. I cut der +tail off, und dot vill make der pig not able to valk straight ven he +can't der tail curl in der opposite direction. Den ve see how mooch der +tricks he done. Vat?"</p> + +<p>"I'll hev ther law on yer if yer interfere with thet pig."</p> + +<p>"What's the matter with you two fellows?" asked Ted Strong, the leader +of the broncho boys, who was writing some letters at the big oak table +in the center of the room.</p> + +<p>"Der pig, he moost die," cried Carl tragically.</p> + +<p>"Why, what has 'Oof' done now?"</p> + +<p>"He has ate all mein gabbages," answered Carl, with almost a sob.</p> + +<p>"Well, s'posin' he hez," said Bud. "What in thunder is cabbages fer, if +they ain't ter be et by pigs?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, you, but not fer dose kind of pig. Maybe you might eat dem und it +vould be all right, but not der pig mit four feet."</p> + +<p>Carl had a small garden back of the ranch house, in which he had been +raising cabbages, devoting all his spare time to them and good-naturedly +taking the joshing the boys gave him. They were of the opinion that a +cow-puncher was degrading himself by working in a garden.</p> + +<p>"Jumpin' sand hills, he'll be takin' up knittin' when winter comes on, +an' makin' of his own socks," said Bud, in disgust.</p> + +<p>"No, he's going in for tatting," said Ben Tremont. "He's going to make a +lot of doilies for the chairs so we won't soil the satin upholstery with +our oily hair."</p> + +<p>As all the chairs in the living room were very plain, made of solid oak, +with bullhide seats and backs, this remark was received with laughter.</p> + +<p>"Go aheadt!" said Carl. "Ven you ain'dt drough, let me know. I know your +own bizziness. Ven der vinter comes und I haf dot deliciousness +sauerkraut, und am eating it, und ven your mouts vater so dot you +slobber like a colt off der clover, den—ah, den, I gifs you der ha-ha, +ain'dt it? Den you see who der knitting und der tatting do, eh?"</p> + +<p>Carl laughed at the thought of how the boys would miss the sauerkraut +which he was going to make. But now "Oof," the pet pig of the +establishment, had eaten them nearly all, and was standing in his sty +too full even for the utterance of his usual lazy grunt. He looked like +an animated keg of sauerkraut with four pegs at the corners for him to +stand on, so full was he of Carl's cherished and esculent cabbages.</p> + +<p>"How in the world did he get into the cabbage patch?" asked Ted. "I +thought you had made it pig tight."</p> + +<p>"So did I," answered Carl. "No pig but vun mit der teufel inside him +vould haf got der fence over."</p> + +<p>"Got over ther fence!" snorted Bud. "Why, yer feeble-minded son of a +downtrodden race, thet thar pig couldn't hev got over ther fence without +a balloon. Thet fence is six feet high. A deer couldn't jump it."</p> + +<p>"I didn't saying so. He cannot yump, dot pig. He cannot moof, so full +mit gabbages are he. No, he didn't yump, he yoost sving himself over mit +dot fence."</p> + +<p>"Slush! Yer gittin' plumb dotty. No pig could swing hisself over thet +fence."</p> + +<p>"But it's der only vay vat he could, und Song, der Chineser cook, saw +him did it."</p> + +<p>"You don't believe what a Chinyman tells yer, do yer?"</p> + +<p>"What did Song say? How did the pig do it?" asked the boys, roused to +interest in the squabble by this statement.</p> + +<p>"Vell, Song he say dot he vos looking der vinder ouid und he saw der pig +take der end of dot long rope vot hangs down mit der roof of der hay +house in his teeth, und he svings on it some. Song say he t'ought it vas +some of Pud's foolishment he vas teaching dot pig, und didn't no more +look at him for a leetle vile. Ven he looked again der pig vas svinging +avay oop high by der rope. Den I coom along und see der pig in der +gabbages, und I takes me a stick und vallops him goot ofer der hams, +und drife him his pen into."</p> + +<p>"Shucks! Is that all ther story? That don't prove nothin'. Thet pig, +Oof, is a animile of high intelligence. He wuz needin' exercise before +dinner. He found a hole in ther fence, er maybe he tunneled one fer +hisself, an' he wuz jest kinder doin' some gymnasium work ter git up a +good appetite. Yer cain't make me believe a Chinyman, nohow."</p> + +<p>"I don't know," said Ben thoughtfully, "pigs are mighty smart. He might +have swung himself over by the rope, and, if so, I think he was entitled +to his dinner as a reward for his ingenuity."</p> + +<p>"I don't pay for no pig's inchenoomity mit my gabbages," said Carl +hotly. "Vere I get more gabbages fer der sauerkraut, tell me dot?"</p> + +<p>"Yer don't git no sauerkraut, that's all," growled Bud. "But speakin' +about pigs bein' smart, I jest reckon they aire."</p> + +<p>"There are three animals that people persist in calling stupid, when +they are only strong-minded and more intelligent than the other +animals," said Kit Summers, quietly breaking into the conversation.</p> + +<p>"What aire they?" asked Bud.</p> + +<p>"The pig, the mule, and the goose," answered Kit.</p> + +<p>"Come ter think o' it, yer right ez a book," said Bud, rising from the +lounge and joining the other boys in front of the fireplace. "Why, I +remember onct down on the Pecos—"</p> + +<p>Ben Tremont rose lazily and stretched himself.</p> + +<p>"Well, so long, boys," he said. "If I ain't back for supper don't wait +for me."</p> + +<p>"Whar yer goin'?" asked Bud, with a black look from under his brows.</p> + +<p>"I've got some work to do this evening, and I don't want to be getting +drowsy," answered Ben, with a wink at Kit.</p> + +<p>"Go then, yer varmint," said Bud savagely. "This yere incerdent what +I'm goin' ter relate is fer intelligent persons only."</p> + +<p>"In that case I shall have to remain," said Ben, throwing his huge bulk +into a chair, that creaked like a house in a high wind.</p> + +<p>"How about that Pecos story?" said Ted.</p> + +<p>"'Tis erbout pigs."</p> + +<p>"I didn't know there were any pigs down in that country," said Ted, with +a sly smile.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, there aire. Some folks calls them peccaries, an' others +alludes ter them ez wild hawgs. Yer pays yer money an' chooses what yer +likes best."</p> + +<p>"Well, what about them?"</p> + +<p>"'Tain't noways what ye'd call much o' a story, but it 'lustrates ther +intelligence o' ther hawg, which in my 'pinion ez almost ez great ez +thet o' some collidge gradooates what I hev mixed with."</p> + +<p>Bud stopped and looked hard at Ben, who seemed to be taking a nap in his +big chair.</p> + +<p>With a snort of disgust Bud turned his back on the big fellow and began:</p> + +<p>"Me an' 'Peep-o'-day' Thompson wuz ridin' herd on a bunch o' cattle +belongin' ter ole man Bradish. All we hed ter do wuz ter keep 'em from +driftin' too fur, which nat'rally left us much time fer meditation an' +conversation.</p> + +<p>"But it wa'n't long before I'd told all my stories, an' Peep bed plumb +fergot I'd tole them ter him, an' wuz tellin' them all over ter me, +claimin' they'd happened ter him.</p> + +<p>"I stood it fer a spell because I didn't want ter make no friction +betwixt him an' me, but it made me sore jest ther same, because ther +derned lump allays got ther story balled up so's I hed trouble in +reconnizin' it sometimes. An' he inveribly got ther p'int o' ther story +hindside fore, which made me jest bile. But when yer on a long watch +with a feller, an' got ter see him from sunup ter moonrise, it's better +ter overlook a lot o' things.</p> + +<p>"Well, 's I wuz sayin', we wuz on this stunt, an' had been out all o' +three month, takin' turns cookin' an' watchin' so's one o' us could git +erway from ther other fer a spell, an' go off an' sit down an' tell +hisself what a awful chump ther other wuz, an' how yer hated him.</p> + +<p>"We hed a chuck wagon with us filled with flour, salt sowbelly an' +saleratus, with some coffee an' a few pounds o' fine terbaccer fer +makin' cigareets. I ain't sayin' nothin' erginst sowbelly ez ther +national food o' ther plains an' ther staff o' life in farmin' +communities, but ez a steady diet it begins ter pall when taken day in +an' day out with nothin' ter wash it down with but weak coffee made +outer alkali water.</p> + +<p>"I reckon both me an' Peep wuz gittin' tired o' one another's cookin', +if ther truth wuz knowed, fer Peep could make ther wust biscuit I ever +et.</p> + +<p>"My biscuit jest suited me ter a ty-ty, an' I reckon Peep felt ther same +way erbout hisn. Every time we set down ter vittles, if it wuz my week +ter cook, Peep w'd begin ter talk o' ther fine cookin' his wife uster do +before she run erway with er Sant' Fe conductor down ter Raton, Noo Mex. +He'd tell me how she'd make beef stoo an' hot biscuit thet would melt in +yer mouth. 'I don't like them kind,' sez I, one day. 'I like somethin' I +kin chew on. What'd ther Lord give us teeth fer if grub is ter melt in +ther mouth? No, sir; give me mine gristle an' hide. Ther tougher they be +ther better I like 'em,' sez I.</p> + +<p>"'Is thet thar meant ez a reflection on my wife?' sez Peep, bristlin' +up.</p> + +<p>"'I never met yer wife,' sez I, 'an' we'll let thet part o' it pass, fer +ye knows me well enough thet I never make no remarks erbout wimminfolks +what ain't smooth an' complimentary. But I stands on ther +gristle-an'-hide propersition ontil I'm ready ter fight fer it.'</p> + +<p>"Yer see, I wuz gettin' some peevish erbout Peep. Ole man Bradish hed +left us alone tergether too long. It ain't right fer two fellers ter +camp side by each fer so long without a third party buttin' in ter break +ther monotony.</p> + +<p>"'All right,' sez he, unlimberin' his six foot three o' len'th from ther +ground. 'Thet,' sez he, real dignified, 'is either a challenge or a +invitation ter fight.'</p> + +<p>"'It be,' sez I. 'Either way yer wanter take it.'</p> + +<p>"We both riz up.</p> + +<p>"'How d'yer want it?' sez he.</p> + +<p>"'Please yerself,' sez I. 'Any ole holt is my fav'rite.'</p> + +<p>"'Anythin' goes, then,' sez he, makin' a rush at me.</p> + +<p>"Jest then we hear a turrible noise, gruntin', squealin', an' sich. We +both stopped an' looked eround, an' thar stood watchin' us a big band o' +wild hawgs.</p> + +<p>"'Fresh meat!' we both hollers simultaneous. At this ther hawgs ups an' +runs.</p> + +<p>"It wuz my day off, an' hostilities stopped right thar ez I runs an' +gits my rifle an' leaps my cayuse an' takes after ther hawgs, Peep +hollerin' after me ez friendly ez yer please.</p> + +<p>"I chased them hawgs a couple o' miles ter ther river bank, whar they +hid in ther canebrake. I couldn't get ther cayuse ter go in after them, +so I gits down an' breaks my way in tryin' ter git a shot at one o' +them, my mouth waterin' fer fresh pork so's I wuz almost wadin' in it.</p> + +<p>"Purty soon I come in sight o' them. A ole boar wuz in charge o' them, +an' he wuz a hard-lookin' citizen, I want ter tell yer. He hed tushes +five inches long an' both o' 'em ez sharp ez razors. I took a shot at +him, but his hide wuz so tough thet ther ball just glanced off him, an' +he made a break fer me. I turned an' fled. Ther river wuz not fur erway, +an' I knowed thet if I beat them hawgs ter it I wuz safe.</p> + +<p>"I jest did it, an' waded out ez fur ez I could an' started ter swim. +'When I gits ter ther other side I'll take some long shots at yer,' +thinks I, 'an' we'll hev hawg meat yit.'</p> + +<p>"I gits out inter ther middle o' ther stream when I hears a puffin' an' +a gruntin' behind me. I looks over my shoulder an' here comes ther whole +herd swimmin' right after me as—"</p> + +<p>"That settles it," said Ben, as he rose with a snort of disgust.</p> + +<p>"What's ther matter with yer?" asked Bud calmly.</p> + +<p>"Yer story is what I thought it would be—wild and woolly and full of +cockleburs."</p> + +<p>"How is thet ag'in?"</p> + +<p>"It's rotten. Don't you know, as long as you have been on earth, that +swine cannot swim without committing suicide?"</p> + +<p>"Go ahead. Will you kindly tell us fer why, perfessor?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly. The hoofs of pigs are so sharp, and their forelegs are set +so far under their bodies, that when they attempt to swim their hoofs +strike their fat throats, cutting them, and they die from loss of +blood."</p> + +<p>"Thet's c'rect, my son. Every schoolboy knows thet thar p'int in nat'ral +history."</p> + +<p>"Then why are you insulting our intelligence by stating that a herd of +hogs followed you into the water and swam after you? Now don't spring +any such flower of your fancy on us as to say that the hogs all killed +themselves crossing and that you and Peep-o'-day had all the fresh meat +you wanted during the rest of your stay on the Pecos, for we won't +stand for it. I don't believe there is any such thing as a Pecos, +anyway."</p> + +<p>Bud looked so crestfallen that the other boys felt sorry for him.</p> + +<p>"You think you're smart, don't you?" said Kit, taking Bud's finish out +of his own mouth. "You big chump, it wasn't your story, anyhow."</p> + +<p>"Don't worry, Kit," said Bud, smiling confidently. "Ben's so +intellectooal thet it hurts him ter pack his knowledge eround in thet +pinhead o' hisn. But he didn't finish ther story none. I knows ez well +ez him thet hawgs can't swim fer ther reasons he give. But these yere +hawgs I am tellin' erbout wuz different."</p> + +<p>"How was that?"</p> + +<p>"Yer see, thet thar ole boar wuz ez smart ez a copperation lawyer. He'd +fixed them hawgs ter swim. First they got thar hoofs all balled up with +gumbo, er sticky clay, then they worked ther dry grass inter ther clay +and mixed 'em good an' stiff, lettin' 'em dry in ther sun. This made a +hard ball on their toes thet jest slipped off their throats when they +struck."</p> + +<p>Ben slipped into his chair with a grunt.</p> + +<p>"O' course, I didn't know thet when I was swimmin'," continued Bud, 'an' +I thinks I've run ercross a new web-footed breed o' hawgs. When we come +ter ther other side I waited fer them ter land, then I turns an' swims +back, ther hawgs follerin'. Back ercross I goes erg'in, an' ther pork +keeps right on my trail.</p> + +<p>"Purty soon I see they ain't swimmin' so spry, an' I allow they're +gittin' some tired. Ther last time over ter our side o' ther river they +come slow, an' I picks out ther kind o' pork I likes best, an' ez they +land I nails what I want an' slits thar throats, an' I hev my pork. But +when ther rest o' them lands they's full o' fight ez ever, an' I takes +ter ther water ag'in, but they won't foller me. This seems strange, an' +I looks ter see what ther matter is.</p> + +<p>"Ther ole boar wuz mighty smart, but he'd overlooked one p'int. He'd +fergot thet ther water would melt his balls o' clay, which it did, an' +they couldn't swim no more. I jest stood hip high in the water with my +Winchester an' popped erway at them until they got tired an' run off, +leavin' me enough fresh pork ter start a packin' house."</p> + +<p>A hollow groan escaped from Ben.</p> + +<p>"What's the use?" he moaned. "You can't beat him."</p> + + + +<br /> +<a name='CHAPTER_II'></a><h2>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<h3>BUD'S BAD BRONCHOS.</h3> +<br /> + +<p>It was time for the fall round-up, and Stella had written from her +uncle's ranch, in New Mexico, that she and her aunt, Mrs. Graham, were +coming North to do their winter shopping in Denver, and would visit the +Moon Valley Ranch to take part in the round-up and the festivities which +the boys always held at that time.</p> + +<p>Her letter did not say when she would be there, but the boys knew her +well enough to expect her at any moment following the letter.</p> + +<p>Therefore they were not surprised to hear a clear, high imitation of the +Moon Valley yell one morning while they were all sitting at the +breakfast table.</p> + +<p>They did not need to be told that Stella Fosdick had come, and without +ado they sprang from the table, overturning chairs in their haste to get +out of the house to greet her and her aunt.</p> + +<p>"Hello, boys!" she called from the carriage, in which she and Mrs. +Graham had driven over from Soldier Butte. "You're a gallant lot of +young fellows not to meet us at the station, particularly when I wrote +you that I was coming this morning. I'm real mad." But her smiling face +belied the statement.</p> + +<p>"You didn't say when you were coming," said big Ben, who was the first +to reach the carriage step and was helping Mrs. Graham to descend. "If +we had taken your general statement that you were coming, to meet you at +the station we would have camped right there forever. Never can tell +about your movements, young lady."</p> + +<p>"But I did write that I was coming this morning, and to meet us and +take breakfast with us in the Butte."</p> + +<p>"We didn't get that letter. When did you write?"</p> + +<p>"Last night."</p> + +<p>"That's good. Always take time by the fetlock. We'll get that letter +some time to-morrow. Why didn't you wait and write us to meet you after +you got here?"</p> + +<p>"Saucy as ever, Ben. But we're positively starved. Hello, Song!" she +called to the Chinese cook, who was standing on the veranda grinning +like a heathen idol, "got anything good to eat?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, missee, plenty good glub. Mebbeso you likee some fried ham and +eggs?" said Song, shaking hands with himself and bowing low.</p> + +<p>"Ham and eggs! No! Positively, no! I'll be turning into a ham and egg if +I get any more of it. That's all the cook at the ranch knows how to do. +Anything else?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, missee. Plenty paltlidge, what Misto Ted shootee lesterday. I +cookee you some plenty quick."</p> + +<p>"All right, Song, cook us some partridges."</p> + +<p>The boys stood around in a group of admiring servitors waiting to carry +Stella's hand bag and gun and saddle and other things with which she was +burdened.</p> + +<p>Suddenly she looked toward the porch.</p> + +<p>"Who's that?" she asked breathlessly, pointing to a little girl who +stood shyly beside a post looking on.</p> + +<p>"Why, that's Lilian," said Ted. "I didn't know you were up yet," he +called to the little girl. "Come here, dear, and see Stella. You haven't +forgotten Stella, have you?"</p> + +<p>"If it isn't Lilian!" cried Stella, rushing toward the child with +wide-open arms and folding her within them.</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't have known you, honey," said Stella. "What have you boys +been doing to her? She's improved so much. Where did you get all these +clothes, and who takes care of her?"</p> + +<p>"Isn't she a little beauty?" asked Ted Strong proudly, patting the head +of the blushing little girl.</p> + +<p>"But how did you do it?" persisted Stella.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I went over and saw Mrs. Bingham, the major's wife, at the fort, +and asked her to come and advise us what to do. She came and was +delighted with Lilian, and promised to oversee her wardrobe. She was +going down to Omaha, and when she returned she had a trunk full of +things for Lil. She also brought a colored woman to look after her, and +Mirandy has proved a blessing and a treasure."</p> + +<p>"But the clothes didn't make themselves."</p> + +<p>"No, and none of us made them, either, although Bud said he could sew, +and insisted upon trying. He cut up several yards of cloth, and at the +end of the week, when we saw the product of his needle, he narrowly +escaped lynching. If Lilian had not interceded for Uncle Bud, of whom +she is very fond, I'm afraid we'd have no little Buddy now. No, we sent +down to Omaha for a dressmaker and boarded her in town until she had Lil +all fixed up, as becomes the heiress of the La Garita Mines."</p> + +<p>"Whose idea is this way of making the things?" demanded Stella, who was +looking Lilian over with critical eyes.</p> + +<p>"Oh, we all had a finger in it. I sent away for a lot of fashion +magazines and things of that sort, and we sat up nights as a board of +strategy and picked out the sort of thing we wanted, and I reckon there +isn't a better-dressed kid in the State."</p> + +<p>"I agree with you. Well, Ted Strong, you're a constant wonder to me. +Where in the world did you learn to do all the things you do so well?"</p> + +<p>"The honeyed flatterer. Quit your joshing, Stella; hand it to Ben. He +likes it, and the thicker it is the more he can stand of it."</p> + +<p>"Hello! Breakfast!" called Song from the veranda, and they all trooped +back to the living room to finish breakfast and talk about the things +they had passed through, and to lay plans for the coming round-up +festivities.</p> + +<p>After breakfast Ted and Stella went out to the corral to look at the +saddle stock.</p> + +<p>"Why, there's old 'Calamity Jane,'" cried Stella, as a bay pony came +trotting across the corral and put its velvet nose in the hand she held +out.</p> + +<p>"Jane knows you, all right," said Ted.</p> + +<p>"Sure. Why shouldn't she? I rode her all one season down here. I believe +she wants me to choose her for my own again. Do you, Calamity, old +girl?"</p> + +<p>Calamity Jane, which had at one time been the wickedest and stubbornest +mare on the ranch, nickered and again rubbed Stella's hand with her +nose.</p> + +<p>"Talk about your smart horses," said Stella. "Calamity can do everything +except talk. Who's been riding her?"</p> + +<p>"Kit. He's wrangler, and he won't let any one on her. He's light, you +know, and he was saving her for you. You'll find that she hasn't been +spoiled at all."</p> + +<p>"Then, if Kit has been riding her, she's all right, for if there ever +was a horseman it's Kit."</p> + +<p>"Isn't she getting fierce?" said a quiet voice behind them. "Say, she's +getting to be one of these regular society jolliers. She didn't used to +be that way."</p> + +<p>They wheeled around to see Kit, who had come up to them in his usual +quiet manner.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Ted. "She tried to hand me a package this morning."</p> + +<p>"You mean things. That's what a girl gets for being civil and +confidential, and talking as she would like to fellows she thinks are +her friends. I'm going back to the house. I don't like you very much +this morning."</p> + +<p>The boys winked at one another.</p> + +<p>"Say, Kit, I want Sultan after a while. I'm going to ride down to the +lower end of the ranch to look at that bunch of new horses," said Ted +carelessly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, may I go with you?" asked Stella eagerly.</p> + +<p>"I thought you were mad at us, or I would have asked you."</p> + +<p>"I was only fooling. I'll be ready in ten minutes. Let's take Lilian +with us."</p> + +<p>"That was what I was going to do. It is time for Lilian's regular riding +lesson. I am trying to make her as good a rider and all-around cowgirl +as you, Stella, but I doubt if ever she will."</p> + +<p>"Who is jollying now, Mister Ted?" cried Stella, with a laugh, but she +was blushing with pleasure at the compliment.</p> + +<p>That is the difference between a boy and a girl. A healthy, +well-conditioned boy becomes embarrassed and cross at a well-meant +compliment spoken in the presence of another, believing that the person +who is complimenting him is making fun of him in some unknown and covert +way. But to a girl a compliment that is sincere is as grateful as dew to +a rose, and Stella always felt much elated when Ted complimented her on +her prowess in any of the arts of the range.</p> + +<p>They rode away with Lilian, who was learning to ride well for her age +and experience under the best of riding teachers, Ted Strong.</p> + +<p>As they were nearing the lower pasture they observed a great commotion +among the horses that were huddled in a fence corner.</p> + +<p>"Hello, what's going on there?" exclaimed Ted.</p> + +<p>"Looks like the worst sort of a riot," said Stella. "I believe those +boys need help."</p> + +<p>They could see Bud and Ben and several cowboys circling around the +bunch of ponies, evidently trying to get into it, and break it up and +scatter it.</p> + +<p>"What's the row?" asked Ted, galloping up.</p> + +<p>"Thar's a cayuse in thar thet I'd plumb like ter electrocute," said Bud, +who was mad clear through. "My, but he's got er bad dispersition."</p> + +<p>"Which one?" asked Ted, laughing. "From what I can see there isn't one +of them you could call angelic."</p> + +<p>"Thar's ther meanest bunch o' horse meat thet ever come ter this man's +ranch, bar none, an' ther prize devil o' ther lot is thet black demon in +thar. He near broke my pony's leg a minute ago with a stem-windin' kick +sech ez I never see before. Thet hoss is shore double-j'inted."</p> + +<p>The horses were bunched, heads in, heels out, around a splendid-looking +black stallion, which was biting and kicking at everything that came +near him.</p> + +<p>"Let him kick his foolish head off," said Ted, viewing the squealing, +struggling throng.</p> + +<p>"I reckon they're just showin' off because Stella got here this +mornin'," said Bud disgustedly. "They're tryin' ter knock us, Stella, by +showin' yer thet we aire a bum lot o' horsemen fer not makin' them +behave first off."</p> + +<p>Stella laughed and nodded. She understood.</p> + +<p>"Where did you pick up such a mean bunch of horses?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Them hosses is intended fer ther tourneymint what takes place after +ther round-up. We're goin' ter hev some roughridin' fer fair here, an' +if we all git out with whole bones we shore kin send up a balloon in +celebraytion."</p> + +<p>"But where did you get them? Were they bred mean on purpose?"</p> + +<p>"I reckon not. I bought 'em from ther wild range in Montana. They ain't +seen men closer than a mile, except'n' it wuz Injuns, an' they don't +count, until we butted in on 'em. They belonged ter ole man Stallings. I +reckon you remember him, what we met on our way ter Fort Grant, when yer +run erway an' got lost on Red Mesa."</p> + +<p>Stella nodded.</p> + +<p>"I wuz lookin' fer a bunch o' cow hosses. We sold a big run o' 'em ter a +Newbrasky cowman who was short o' saddle stock, an' who said he'd heard +we had the best-broke cow ponies in ther West, an' I reckon we had. He +was willin' ter pay a good price fer our spare stock, an' we unloaded."</p> + +<p>"Then you will have to break in a lot of new ones. Isn't that a waste of +time?"</p> + +<p>"Young woman, we're ranchmen, not rockin'-chair gents. It's part o' our +business ter take somethin' what ain't much good, an' make it better. +That's the way we earn our bread an' bacon."</p> + +<p>"So I see."</p> + +<p>"Ted says ter me ter go up inter Montana an' pick up a lot o' good, +gingery hosses, an' I struck John Stallings. He says ter me, when I made +my wants known, 'Go out on ther range an' he'p yerself,' says he. +'They're all mine, an' Ted Strong an' his boys kin hev anythin' I've got +except my fam'ly. But,' says he, 'you'll find some purty lively stock +out there.'"</p> + +<p>"Well, you did," said Stella, laughing.</p> + +<p>"I reckon I picked out ther orneriest hosses in the whole West, an' I'm +savin' them fer some o' these Smart-aleck cowboys who'll be here from +ther ranches round, who think they kin ride," and he winked wisely.</p> + +<p>"Gracious, look there!" she cried. "What's Ted trying to do. He'll be +hurt, Bud."</p> + +<p>"No, I reckon not, but I'll git in thar handy ter help him if he needs +it. Keep the kid outer ther way if that bunch breaks."</p> + +<p>Ted had done what none of the others had succeeded in doing.</p> + +<p>He had forced his way into the very center of the bunch of wild horses, +wheeling and doubling and riding like a circus performer, to avoid the +batteries of flying heels, until he was close to the wicked black +stallion, which was all that held the bunch together and prevented it +from being broken up and driven to the upper end of the ranch, where it +belonged.</p> + +<p>There was not a moment when he was not in danger. A chance kick might +break his leg, or bring down his horse, in which event he must be kicked +to death or badly hurt by being trampled on.</p> + +<p>But so far they had not been able to reach him.</p> + +<p>"Be careful, Ted," cried Stella.</p> + +<p>He waved his hand at her with a smile, and she hurried Lilian beyond the +reach of danger.</p> + +<p>Ted wheeled his horse to face the black brute, which stood looking at +him with wicked eyes, its ears flattened like those of a panther. In +spite of its evil temper Ted admired it for its lithe beauty. It was as +clean of limb as a thoroughbred, and its black skin shone like polished +ebony. While he was looking at it thus it suddenly sprang at him, reared +on its hind legs, striking at him like a boxer. Had he not wheeled on +the instant it would have killed him. Ted was thoroughly angry, and went +to the attack himself, beating the horse about the head with his quirt. +When the horse rushed at him through a rain of blows across its nose Ted +retreated beyond reach of its hoofs, then attacked it again.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the black horse wheeled and presented its heels, and Ted rode +around it, lashing it well, everywhere the whip could reach.</p> + +<p>Although the horse continued to lash out with his heels he struck +nothing, and always his enemy was at his side or in front.</p> + +<p>At last Ted resolved to bring the unequal combat to an end, as Sultan +was tiring of the exercise, so instead of riding around the enraged +horse, he pivoted with it, keeping in front of it all the time and +whipping it on the nose.</p> + +<p>The "insurgent" stopped kicking at last and stood with drooping head, +trying to shield its face from that cruel, relentless, stinging thing +which the man creature wielded. He was cowed, but not conquered.</p> + +<p>Taking advantage of the moment, Ted drove him backward and clear of his +companions. Seeing their leader retreat, the other horses broke their +close formation, and allowed themselves to be driven down the valley, +not without an occasional rebellious kick, however.</p> + + + +<br /> +<a name='CHAPTER_III'></a><h2>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<h3>STELLA GOES TO THE "RENT RAG."</h3> +<br /> + +<p>"Oh, joy, an' pickled pelicans!" said Bud Morgan, skipping onto the +veranda one evening, when all the boys were sitting around Stella and +Mrs. Graham.</p> + +<p>Bud had just returned from Soldier Butte, where he had been spending the +afternoon.</p> + +<p>"What's devouring you now?" asked Ben Tremont. "Or is it just one of +your weekly sillies?"</p> + +<p>"Who are yer alludin' at?" asked Bud loftily.</p> + +<p>"As you were going to say—" suggested Kit, looking at Bud.</p> + +<p>"Boys, thar's goin' ter be a 'rent rag' in the Butte ter-morrer night, +an' we all have an urgent bid ter be present."</p> + +<p>"A what?" asked Stella.</p> + +<p>"A 'rent rag.'"</p> + +<p>"Who tore it?" asked Stella innocently.</p> + +<p>At this the boys laughed loud and long, then apologized when they saw +Stella's embarrassment.</p> + +<p>"It ain't tore yet," said Bud, "but it's lierble ter be before ther rosy +dawn."</p> + +<p>"What are you talking about?" said Stella impatiently. "I never saw such +provoking boys. You say such strange things, then cackle over it as +though there was a joke in it, which nobody seems to see except +yourself."</p> + +<p>"A 'rent rag' is a—'rent rag,'" said Kit, trying to explain.</p> + +<p>"That sounds as sensible as the conundrum, 'Why is a hen?'" said Stella. +"Must I ask the question and get caught? All right, here goes. What is a +'rent rag'? Now, don't tell me, some one, that it is a rag that has been +torn, for I exploded that one myself."</p> + +<p>"A 'rent rag,'" said Bud slowly and carefully, "is a rag for rent. +A—a—er—well, it's a—"</p> + +<p>"Tell me, Ted," said the girl, turning to the leader of the outfit, who +was leaning back in his chair smiling at the ridiculous conversation.</p> + +<p>"Well, as near as I can make out it is a bit of slang that means this: +The word 'rag' is the slang for a public dance. When a man in town who +is popular enough falls behind in paying his rent, through some +misfortune or other, and owes so much he cannot hope to pay it, he hands +out a flag that he wants help. In other words, it is an invitation to +his friends to organize a public ball for his benefit. It depends upon +his honesty and popularity whether or not they do so."</p> + +<p>"That's the strangest thing I ever heard of."</p> + +<p>"Well, if the thing goes through, a hall is rented and music is engaged, +the cost of which is to be deducted from the money taken at the door. +Then the man for whose benefit the ball is given and his wife prepare a +lot of sandwiches, fried chicken, and other eatables, and a tub or two +of lemonade, and help their profits along."</p> + +<p>"So that is a 'rent rag,' eh? Who is the man for whom the dance is to be +given, Bud?" asked Stella.</p> + +<p>"A feller named Martin, whose wife has been sick all summer," answered +Bud. "From what they say, I reckon he's all right. Jest ter be a good +feller I bought ten tickets, at one bean per ticket."</p> + +<p>"Is that all they are?" asked Stella. "Only one bean? Gracious, they'll +have to dispose of an awful lot of tickets to get enough beans to sell +to pay their rent with! Why don't they make it something else? I'd like +to contribute a dollar, at least. A bean a ticket, pshaw! How awfully +cheap! I guess he doesn't owe much."</p> + +<p>At this remark the boys fairly cackled.</p> + +<p>"Now, what are you laughing at?" cried Stella, almost angry. "I seem to +be more humorous to-night than I ever thought possible. I can hardly say +a word but you all start to laugh at me."</p> + +<p>This was too much for the boys. They couldn't restrain themselves and +went off into peals of laughter. When they saw the danger signals of two +bright spots in Stella's cheeks, they realized that they had gone too +far, and all hastily tried to explain. But Ted was before them, and +quietly told Stella that in the expressive, if scarcely lucid, language +of the day a "bean," in the sense in which Bud had used it, meant a +dollar.</p> + +<p>"Such silly slang," said Stella, restored to good humor once more. "I +don't mind slang if it's clever and reveals or conceals or twists a word +in some sensible way, but a bean for a dollar—no, it won't do. The +fellow who invented that should try again. The only fun I can see in +slang is its aptness."</p> + +<p>The boys murmured something to the effect that it wasn't a particularly +witty bit of slang, but they continued to grin at one another.</p> + +<p>"Suppose we all go to the 'rent rag,'" said Stella suddenly. "I never +saw anything of the sort, and I'm crazy to go."</p> + +<p>"It's likely to be pretty rough, and break up in a row before its +natural time," said Ted.</p> + +<p>"We'll only stay a short while," said Stella. "But I should like to do +my share toward helping the poor fellow."</p> + +<p>"It's done already. I bought ten tickets. Thet's as much ez they expect +from ther Moon Valley Ranch, an' it goes inter ther running expenses o' +ther ranch, anyhow, in ther charity account."</p> + +<p>"I don't care, I want to go."</p> + +<p>"I move we go," said Ben. "It will add some tone to the proceedings."</p> + +<p>"Ben wants to air his spike-tailed coat and low-neck vest," said Kit.</p> + +<p>"Not for me," said Ben, laughing. "I wonder what those cow-punchers and +miners and gamblers would do with a chap who sauntered in there in +evening dress."</p> + +<p>"He shore would come up ter Stella's conception of a rent rag, which is +a torn rag," said Kit.</p> + +<p>"Ted, won't we go?" pleaded Stella.</p> + +<p>"Sure, if you want to; you are our guest, and whatever you want, all you +have to do is to ask for it," answered Ted.</p> + +<p>It was agreed that they should wear their everyday uniforms, and Stella +was for going in her distinctive cowgirl costume, but this Mrs. Graham +would not permit, and insisted that she should wear a frock which she +had had made in Denver.</p> + +<p>When, the next night, Stella walked into the living room, where the boys +were waiting to escort her and Mrs. Graham to the ball, there was a +general exclamation of wonder and admiration, at which Stella hesitated +with a blush, then came forward with smiling assurance.</p> + +<p>Instead of the bold and dashing Stella in her bifurcated riding skirt +and bolero jacket, the boys saw a beautiful young woman in a pale-blue +gown of silk and chiffon, with her pretty hair piled on top of her head, +instead of flowing over her shoulders.</p> + +<p>For a moment they were awed. They had never seen her so, and perhaps had +never thought of her as being a young lady. Most of them were content to +regard her just as Stella, their girl pard, and to-night she had given +them a surprise.</p> + +<p>At her throat was a superb sapphire set in a brooch, which had come out +of the broncho boys' sapphire mines on Yogo Creek, and in her hair was +an ornament of diamonds and rubies which the boys had made from jewels +which had come as their share of the treasures of the Montezumas, which +they had discovered beneath the castle of Chepultapec, near the city of +Mexico.</p> + +<p>Altogether Stella was very stunning, and in their admiration of her in +this new rôle of society girl the boys were between two preferences, as +she was now, and as they knew her in the saddle, throwing her lariat or +handling her revolver.</p> + +<p>Most of them, however, came to the conclusion that she was still Stella, +no matter what she wore.</p> + +<p>"Say, Stella, that's not fair," drawled Ben, "to dress up like that and +make us wear our working togs. I've got a good mind to go and get into +my spike."</p> + +<p>"If you do, I won't go," said Stella. "Unless the other boys wear theirs +also. You and I would look fine going in there dressed up, and the other +boys as they are now. No, I wouldn't have worn this dress if aunt hadn't +insisted upon it, and this time I couldn't shake her determination. I +hate it, and would much rather have my working clothes on. But, never +mind, it won't be for long. How do you like me in this?" She revolved +slowly before them.</p> + +<p>"Scrumptious!" said Ben appreciatively.</p> + +<p>"Prettier than a basket of peaches," ejaculated Kit.</p> + +<p>"Thar ain't nothin' in art er nature what kin show up more gaudy," said +Bud. "Except, mebbe, it might be a pink rose in er garden at airly +mornin' with ther dew on it."</p> + +<p>"Say, hasn't Bud got us all faded?" said Ben. "I didn't know the old +sandpiper had so much poetry in his soul."</p> + +<p>"So perfectionately lofely a younk lady nefer did I saw," exclaimed +Carl, clasping his hands and holding them before him, while he rolled +his eyes toward the ceiling.</p> + +<p>"She's all thet," said Bud. "But come down ter airth. Stella ain't up +among ther rafters."</p> + +<p>Ted had said nothing, and Stella looked at him. He was regarding her +attentively.</p> + +<p>Her look said: "What do <i>you</i> think?"</p> + +<p>He answered it with a look of admiration that satisfied her that he +thought her perfect.</p> + +<p>"I think I like you best in the everyday clothes," he said quietly. "But +that gown is as if you were made for it and it was made for you."</p> + +<p>The thought had come into Ted's mind that some day, in the far future, +they would lose their girl pard, and society or duties elsewhere would +claim her.</p> + +<p>Stella understood him and agreed with him.</p> + +<p>Soon they were ready to start for the ball. The carriage was got out and +Carl volunteered to drive the horses, while the other boys rode.</p> + +<p>Just as they were about to start Stella cried: "Where is Jack Slate? I +don't see him. Isn't he coming to the ball?"</p> + +<p>"Haven't saw him," said Bud. "I reckon he'll be moseyin' erlong after a +while. We won't wait fer him. He knowed when we wuz goin' ter start."</p> + +<p>"He came in a little while ago from the lower pasture," said Kit, "and +went to his room. He said he had been thrown by his horse, and that the +jar had given him a headache."</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't let us wait for him," said Ben. "If he gets to feeling better +he'll be along. You couldn't keep Jack away from a ball with an +injunction."</p> + +<p>So they proceeded to town, the boys acting as outriders to the girl, +whom they were convinced would be the belle of the ball.</p> + +<p>When they arrived at the hall in Soldier Butte they found the people +flocking in, as Martin, the beneficiary, was a very popular fellow, and +any man in hard luck in the West always gets all the help he needs, if +he deserves it.</p> + +<p>Ted escorted Stella into the ballroom, while Ben followed with Mrs. +Graham, the other boys taking the horses around to the corral.</p> + +<p>As Ted and Stella entered the room there was a hum of admiration, and +conversation stopped as men and women craned their necks to look at the +handsome couple.</p> + +<p>Ted was both proud and pleased, but a little bit embarrassed at the +attention they received, while Stella held her head up proudly, with a +look of indifference on her face, as if she had been used to admiration +all her life.</p> + +<p>The ball certainly was a mixed affair.</p> + +<p>In one corner were a lot of army officers and their ladies.</p> + +<p>All down the sides of the ballroom cowboys were sitting with girls from +the ranches. Town girls and boys had a corner to themselves. The +gamblers flocked together, and miners and others wandered here and +there, mixing with cavalrymen from the fort.</p> + +<p>When the boys returned from the corral they found that Mrs. Graham and +Stella and their escorts had preëmpted a vacant corner.</p> + +<p>There was a piano in the room, but no one to play it. Soon, however, a +fellow dressed after the cowboy fashion entered and took a seat on a +raised platform, producing a fiddle from a green bag.</p> + +<p>A round of applause greeted him.</p> + +<p>He tuned his instrument, and after a few preliminary scrapes began to +play a monotonous tune, repeating over and over again the same few bars.</p> + +<p>At the first scrape the cowboys and their girls leaped to the floor and +began to dance, but none of the people from the fort cared to dance to +such music.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the door flew open and a band of a dozen cow-punchers walked +into the room, and were greeted by joyous shouts by the other cowboys in +the hall.</p> + +<p>At their head was a handsome young fellow, slender and dark, with a +resolute face and a pair of piercing eyes that flashed around the room +for the purpose of seeing and locating his possible enemies.</p> + +<p>"Who is that?" asked Stella.</p> + +<p>"That's Billy Sudden," answered Ted.</p> + +<p>"And who is he?"</p> + +<p>"Foreman at 'Cow' Suggs' ranch. That's the Suggs bunch of cow-punchers. +There'll be something doing here to-night."</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"There are a lot of fellows in this part of the country who don't like +Billy, and some of them are liable to tread on his feet."</p> + +<p>"Oh, is he quarrelsome?"</p> + +<p>"No, Billy is the best sort of a fellow, but he won't let any one hobble +him. When he first went to the Dumb-bell Ranch, as the Circle-bar Circle +is called, they took him for a kid and tried to run over him. He kicked +them, then fired them, and they don't like him."</p> + +<p>"Did you see him look around the room?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, he has every man who is likely to make trouble for him spotted and +located. But we won't wait long enough to see the trouble. I never did +like trouble myself."</p> + +<p>"Well, for a chap who gets into it as often as you do—"</p> + +<p>"What's the trouble now, over there?" interrupted Ted, looking at the +door.</p> + +<p>Around the entrance to the hall was a crowd of young town fellows led by +a youth named Wiley Creviss, the son of the local banker, a dissipated +and reckless young man, and a crowd of cow-punchers.</p> + +<p>They were shoving some one here and there, making a punching bag of him, +at the same time laughing uproariously.</p> + +<p>Just then Ted saw the head of Jack Slate in the mix-up.</p> + +<p>"Excuse me," said Ted, turning to Stella. "Ben, take care of the ladies +until I return."</p> + +<p>He strode across the floor toward the door.</p> + +<p>As he neared it he heard Billy Sudden say:</p> + +<p>"Be careful, there. That is one of Ted Strong's fellows."</p> + +<p>"I don't care if it is," said some one. "I'd give it to Strong just as +hard if he was here."</p> + +<p>"Here I am," said Ted, pushing through the crowd.</p> + + + +<br /> +<a name='CHAPTER_IV'></a><h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<h3>THE TROUBLE IS STARTED.</h3> +<br /> + +<p>The crowd of men and youths opened out in front of Ted, and he strode +into the circle.</p> + +<p>There he saw Jack Slate in a much disheveled condition, dressed in his +evening clothes.</p> + +<p>Ted gasped as he stared for an instant at the youth from Boston.</p> + +<p>He wanted to tell Jack that "it served him right," but that was not the +part of loyalty, and in the presence of the enemy it did not make any +difference to a broncho boy if his pard was right or wrong, if he was in +need of help.</p> + +<p>"Where is the fellow who was going to throw me around?" asked Ted, +looking into the faces about him.</p> + +<p>No one replied, although Ted waited for a moment or two before looking +at Billy Sudden.</p> + +<p>Billy winked at him, but said nothing.</p> + +<p>"Seems as if somebody's sand has run out," said Ted contemptuously.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't know," said Wiley Creviss. "There's plenty of sand left if +you need any to prevent your wheels from slipping downhill."</p> + +<p>"No, my sand box is always full," said Ted quietly. "But there is some +sneak in this bunch who hasn't the nerve to back up his brag."</p> + +<p>"Are you talking to me?" said Creviss, swelling up as to chest.</p> + +<p>"Oh, are you the misguided chump whom I heard make the remark about +pushing me about, as I came up?" said Ted, in a tone of surprise.</p> + +<p>The cowboys from Suggs' ranch were snickering.</p> + +<p>"Well, what if I was?"</p> + +<p>"I'm going to make you try it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I can do it, all right."</p> + +<p>"Well, why don't you? I'm the easiest proposition you ever saw to be +hazed by a bunch of hoodlums, such as you and your pals are!"</p> + +<p>"For two cents I'd punch your nose."</p> + +<p>"You're too cheap. I'll give you a heap more than that if you will. It's +been so long since my nose was punched that it feels sort of lonesome. +I'll pay you well for the job, if you succeed in pulling off the stunt."</p> + +<p>"You think you're the whole works because you've got a crowd of dudes +around you. You're not the only dent in the can."</p> + +<p>Ted flushed at this allusion to his pards.</p> + +<p>"I'll put a dent in you if you open your face to remark about my friends +again," he said, with some heat.</p> + +<p>"See here, you town rough, you better take in your slack and clear out +for home, or you'll begin to taste the sorrows that come from +inexperience and bad judgment," said Billy Sudden to Creviss.</p> + +<p>"It's up to you to mind your own business," snarled Creviss. "What are +you but a lot of greasy cow-punchers. We haven't much use for your sort +in this town, anyway."</p> + +<p>"Now, son, keep quiet and behave yourself," said Billy paternally. "If +you get me riled I won't be as patient with you as Ted Strong has been. +I'll fix you so as to keep two doctors busy the best part of the night."</p> + +<p>"What are you fellows butting in for, anyhow?" said Creviss angrily. +"Can't this freak that comes here in a dress suit and tries to lord it +over us take care of himself?"</p> + +<p>"Surest thing you know," drawled Jack Slate. "But there are ladies here, +a thing you don't seem to realize. If you'll step outside, I'd be glad +to whip you right and propah."</p> + +<p>"What's the use, Jack, of fussing with these rowdies?" said Ted. "Let it +go until some other time."</p> + +<p>"You bet," said Creviss, courage returning when he heard Ted propose +peace. "I guess you'd like to let it go forever."</p> + +<p>"That settles it," said Ted. "Go to him, Jack, and if you don't give him +what's coming to him, I'll finish the job."</p> + +<p>"Git!" said Billy Sudden, opening the door and shoving Creviss out into +the street. The rest followed.</p> + +<p>As Jack stepped into the open air he peeled off his swallow-tailed coat +and threw it over Ted's arm.</p> + +<p>He had no sooner done so than Wiley Creviss made a rush at him from the +front, while one of the crowd ran in on him from the rear.</p> + +<p>It seemed an unequal beginning, and Ted was preparing to take on the +second fellow.</p> + +<p>But Jack had seen him out of the corner of his eye, and as he came on +the Boston boy stepped backward and threw his right elbow up.</p> + +<p>It was a timely and masterly trick, for the sharp elbow caught Creviss' +ally full in the nose, and he dropped like a limp rag to the ground, +with a howl of anguish.</p> + +<p>At the same moment Jack swung his left. Creviss had struck at him and +missed when he back-stepped, and coming on swiftly ran into Jack's fist +with a thud that jarred him into a state of collapse.</p> + +<p>"Finish him!" shouted the cow-punchers, who stood about the fighters in +a circle.</p> + +<p>"Go to him," said Ted, in a low voice. "I saw him signal his pal to +tackle you from behind."</p> + +<p>Creviss had partially recovered from the blow and was getting ready for +another rush, when Jack slipped in and to one side and hit like a +blacksmith at the anvil.</p> + +<p>This time Creviss went down and out.</p> + +<p>"Hooray fer ther bantam!" shouted a big cow-puncher, slapping Jack on +the back. "Say, I hear them say you're from Bosting. I'm goin' ter buy a +hundred-pound sack o' beans myself ter-morrer an' begin trainin'. If +beans'll do that fer you, a sack o' them will make me fit ter lick Jess +Willard."</p> + +<p>But Jack was busy smoothing down his ruffled hair and pulling his white +lawn tie around into its proper place, and when he had put on his coat +he and Ted walked into the ballroom as calmly as if they had just +stepped out to view the stars.</p> + +<p>"What was the trouble?" asked Stella, when they reached her side.</p> + +<p>"Some town rowdies became noisy, and they were put out," answered Ted +carelessly.</p> + +<p>But Jack's dress suit was the joy of the cow-punchers, who had never +seen anything like it before, although they all knew that it was the way +well-groomed men dressed for evening in the big cities.</p> + +<p>"Say, pard," said a cowboy to Jack, as he crossed the room, "I axes yer +pardon fer buttin' in, but yer lost ther front part o' yer coat tails."</p> + +<p>"That's all right," answered Jack. "Can't help it, don't you know. I +left the blooming coat hanging on the line at home to air, and a goat +came along and ate the front half of the tails off before I could get to +it. I was just on my way to apologize to the master of ceremonies for +it. You see, it is the only coat I have, and I was bound to come to the +ball."</p> + +<p>"Ha, ha! that's on you, 'Honk,'" laughed the cowboy's friends, who had +overheard the conversation, and Jack passed on, the boys alluding to him +as a "game little shrimp," for the news of his summary punishment of +Creviss had got abroad.</p> + +<p>But Jack was not through yet. He went into the men's dressing room to +leave his hat. As he was coming out he was met by a crowd of town +youths, friends of Creviss. There was no one else about.</p> + +<p>They scowled and sneered at Jack, and one of them bumped into him.</p> + +<p>"Heah, fellah, that will do," said Jack, with his Bostonese drawl. +"You're solid; you're no sponge."</p> + +<p>"I ain't, eh?" answered the bully. "I'll tell yer, Mr. Slate, you're +covered with bad marks what I don't like, an' I'm just the sponge to +wipe them off."</p> + +<p>"Step lively, then," said Jack, "for I've an engagement to dance the +next waltz."</p> + +<p>"I'll waltz you all you'll need this evenin'."</p> + +<p>But before he had finished speaking Ben Tremont stepped around the +corner.</p> + +<p>"Hello, Jack! What is this I see?" said Ben. "Disgracing yourself by +talking with these hoodlums."</p> + +<p>"Yas, deah boy," drawled Jack. "This—er, what shall I call +him?—stopped me to tell me he was going to rub the marks off me, at the +same time wittily making a pun on my name. I was just telling him to +hurry, or I'd miss the next waltz."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll take the job off your hands. Stella was asking for you a +moment ago."</p> + +<p>"Yes, run along to your Stella," said the hoodlum. "I reckon she's +pining for the sassiety o' another dude."</p> + +<p>That was where he made the mistake of his life.</p> + +<p>It didn't really make much difference what these fellows said about +themselves, but the boys would not permit Stella's name to be bandied +about by the roughs.</p> + +<p>So swiftly, that they didn't know what had happened to them, both Ben +and Jack sailed into them.</p> + +<p>They went sprawling like tenpins before the ball as Ben jumped in among +them and mowed them down with his powerful blows, while Jack, hovering +like a torpedo boat around a battleship, sent in several of the telling +blows Ted had taught him during the boxing lessons at Moon Valley.</p> + +<p>The fight was soon over, and Ben and Jack slipped quietly back into the +ballroom, leaving a well-thrashed crowd to stanch bloody noses, and +patch up swollen lips and black eyes as best they could.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, a diversion had been created in the hall by the joshing that +the Suggs' ranch outfit had directed toward the fiddler, who knew only +one tune, and sawed that off for a waltz, quadrilles, and two-steps, +without fear or favor.</p> + +<p>The musician had been engaged because he was a friend of the +beneficiary, and had volunteered his services. As the ball grew more and +more hilarious the cow-punchers felt the restraint of the folks from the +fort and Moon Valley the less, and began to take it out of the fiddler, +who paid no attention to them, but kept on scraping.</p> + +<p>Suddenly there was a crack from a revolver and the top of the fiddler's +bow was knocked off, and the playing and dancing stopped simultaneously.</p> + +<p>There was more or less commotion, but the women did not scream or get +panic-stricken. They were used to that sort of thing.</p> + +<p>Nobody knew who had fired the shot, but the cowboys and soldiers were +mad clear through because there was no more music to dance by.</p> + +<p>The shot had come from the part of the hall in which the coatroom was +situated, and directly afterward two slender young fellows climbed out a +rear window, and a few moments later Billy Sudden and Clay Whipple came +calmly through the front door and joined the throng about the musician, +who said:</p> + +<p>"Honest, folks, I don't blame no hombre fer takin' a shot at thet fiddle +bow o' mine, fer I never could make it work right. I know it was bum +music, but it was the best I could do."</p> + +<p>Ted Strong had observed the quiet entrance of Billy and Clay directly +after the shooting, and he put this and that together. He knew that both +of them were finished musicians. Clay Whipple was an exceptionally good +violin player, and Ted had often heard Billy Sudden make a piano fairly +sing. Evidently they had got to the point where they could stand the +fiddler's music no longer, and had put a stop to it.</p> + +<p>But for all the badness of the music the people should not be deprived +of their dance.</p> + +<p>He hunted up the culprits, who were hovering on the outskirts of the +crowd, listening to the threats against and denouncing the vandals who +had "shot up" the fiddler.</p> + +<p>"See here, you hombres, I'm on to you," said Ted. "Now you've got to do +the square thing. You've beaten the dancers out of the music, and you've +got to get in and furnish it, or I'll tell these punchers who plugged +the fiddler's bow."</p> + +<p>"How did you get on to it?" said Clay, with a grin.</p> + +<p>"Never mind. Is it a go?"</p> + +<p>"I reckon it'll have to be," said Clay, looking suggestively at Billy +Sudden.</p> + +<p>"All right," said Billy.</p> + +<p>The cow-punchers, who had come to dance with the girls from the ranches, +were growing angry, and were telling what they would do to the fellow +who had spoiled their fun if they caught him, when Ted Strong stepped +upon the platform, and, holding up his hand for silence, said:</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen, please do not get obstreperous. You shall have all the +dancing you want. Ladies, please be patient; the music that is to follow +is such as has never been heard at a dance in this part of the country. +Mr. Clay Whipple, of the Moon Valley Ranch, and Mr. Billy Sudden, of +the Dumb-bell Ranch, will play the violin and piano respectively. Both +of them are cow-punchers, so don't take any liberties with them, or some +one will get hurt."</p> + +<p>There was such cheering that the roof almost went off as Clay hunted up +a violin and tuned it.</p> + +<p>Then began a waltz such as they had never heard, and in a moment the +floor was covered with dancers, the officers in their uniforms, and the +ladies in their light dresses, adding beauty to the scene. But the +finest-looking couple on the floor was Stella and the leader of the +broncho boys.</p> + +<p>Just before the dance began Bud approached Stella, and said:</p> + +<p>"See that gal over thar? Ther one with ther corn-silk bang? She is mine, +an' I'm goin' ter dance this with her; see? She's ther kind o' girl I +admire. She's shore corn-fed, an' some woman."</p> + +<p>"Don't you know who that is?" asked Stella.</p> + +<p>"'Deed an' I don't, but I soon will. Who is she?"</p> + +<p>"That's Sophy Cozak, from over on the Bohemian prairie. She's rich, +Bud."</p> + +<p>"I don't care nothin' erbout thet. She's shaped up jest erbout right. +Yaller hair, and soft as feathers. Watch my smoke."</p> + +<p>Bud sauntered over to the girl, who was really pretty and fat and pink. +Apparently he was talking his usual nonsense to her, for she smiled, +then arose from her chair, and went sailing around the room, Bud's +partner in the waltz, and every time they passed Ted and Stella in the +waltz Bud winked at them.</p> + +<p>Later, however, he met the irate escort of the girl, when he took her +back to her seat, and they glared at one another for a moment; then the +escort walked off, leaving Bud master of the situation.</p> + +<p>After this came the "sour-dough" quadrille, in which only old-timers +were permitted to dance, and Bud led it with Mrs. "Cow" Suggs to the +tune of "Turkey in the Straw."</p> + +<p>But finally, as the ball was drawing to a close, Ted heard Stella utter +a slight scream, and saw her trying to draw her hand away from a young +fellow, whose back was turned to him.</p> + +<p>He was across the room in an instant, and had the fellow by the +shoulders and swung him around. It was Wiley Creviss, who had been +drinking.</p> + +<p>"What has this cur been doing?" asked Ted.</p> + +<p>"He insisted on dancing with me, and when I told him I would not, he +said he'd make me," answered Stella. "Then he caught hold of me, and I +suppose I cried out, although I didn't mean to. That is what comes of +wearing these clothes. If I'd had on my others, I'd have had my gun with +me."</p> + +<p>Ted had heard enough. There was a window close by, which was about ten +feet above the sidewalk. Ted rushed the struggling and cursing Creviss +toward it, and by sheer strength lifted him to the sill and threw him +out.</p> + +<p>"I guess we've had about enough of this," he said quietly, when he +returned to Stella. "No more mixed balls for mine."</p> + +<p>As Ted was escorting Stella to the carriage, Billy Sudden ranged up +alongside of him.</p> + +<p>"Look out for Creviss and his bunch on the way home. They're telling +around what they're going to do with you. Want any help?"</p> + +<p>"No, I reckon not, Billy. Our bunch can take care of them."</p> + +<p>"They are going to try to kill you to-night."</p> + + + +<br /> +<a name='CHAPTER_V'></a><h2>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<h3>SHOTS FROM THE DARK.</h3> +<br /> + +<p>As the broncho boys swung through the streets of Soldier Butte, after +leaving the ball, Ted Strong was in the lead, and Bud, Ben, Kit, and +Clay were riding on either side of the carriage, while Jack Slate, with +his black coat tails flapping in the breeze, brought up the rear.</p> + +<p>They were passing an alley, at the corner of which an electric lamp shed +a path of light across the street, when a revolver shot cracked out, and +Ted's hat left his head.</p> + +<p>The ball had just grazed his scalp, and the merest fraction of an inch +lower would have killed him.</p> + +<p>Instantly every one pulled up, and Ted, wheeling suddenly, rode at full +speed for the mouth of the alley.</p> + +<p>As he did so another shot came from the alley.</p> + +<p>Ted's revolver was in his hand, and he fired at the spot where he had +seen the flash from the muzzle of the assassin's weapon.</p> + +<p>He heard Mrs. Graham scream, and turned back to the side of the carriage +only to find that one of the horses attached to it had been hit by the +bullet, and was down, but that neither Stella nor Mrs. Graham had been +injured, and he rode straight into the dark alley, followed by Bud and +Kit, leaving Ben and the other boys to guard the carriage, for he did +not know from what direction another attack might come.</p> + +<p>The alley was as dark as a pocket, and as Ted rode into it he well knew +that he was taking his life in his hands.</p> + +<p>At the far end of the alley he heard the beat of feet running swiftly, +and fired his revolver several times in that direction, and heard a yell +of pain.</p> + +<p>"Come on, fellows," he called. "I think I got one of them that time."</p> + +<p>As he said this they saw two dark figures dart out of the alley into the +street at the end opposite that at which the boys had entered, and they +spurred in that direction.</p> + +<p>But when they came to the street there was no one in sight, but +splotches of blood on the sidewalk testified to the fact that a wound +had been inflicted upon some one.</p> + +<p>They rode up and down the block, but without discovering where their +attackers had taken refuge.</p> + +<p>It was a low part of the town, and there was scarcely a house on either +side of the street into which a criminal would not be taken and +concealed.</p> + +<p>"We'll have to give it up," said Ted, at last. "We could hunt here all +night without being any the wiser."</p> + +<p>Disappointed, they rode back, after tracing the bloodstains along the +sidewalk to where they were lost in the dusty street.</p> + +<p>They found that the carriage horse had been so badly hurt that its +recovery was impossible, and Ted mercifully put a bullet into its brain.</p> + +<p>The carriage was surrounded by people from the dance hall, who had been +brought by the shots.</p> + +<p>Among them was Billy Sudden.</p> + +<p>"I reckon I called the turn," said he, as Ted came up.</p> + +<p>"You sure did," said Ted.</p> + +<p>"I ain't presuming to give advice none," said Billy, "but if it was me +that got his sky piece knocked off and had a horse shot I believe I'd +almost be tempted to round up this yere man's town and capture every +hoodlum in it, and sweat them to find out who fired them shots."</p> + +<p>"It wouldn't do any good, Billy," said Ted. "The people in this town +have got it in for the ranch people. They think the ranches are taking +trade away from them. They'd sooner see the ranches split into farms of +forty acres each. They'd have so many more farmers to rob that way."</p> + +<p>"I reckon so. But what are you going to do? I want to tell you that me +and my boys stand with you till the burning pit freezes over, whenever +and wherever you need us."</p> + +<p>"May have to call on you one of these days, but not now."</p> + +<p>"Ain't you going after that young imp, Creviss? Say, he's the meanest +boy I ever saw. If I was his father I'd make him behave, or I'd bust him +wide open."</p> + +<p>"I understand his father thinks Wiley is just smart and spirited, and is +ready to back him up in anything he does."</p> + +<p>"Ought to make the old man popular."</p> + +<p>"Not so you can see it. But that boy is a tough citizen, and getting +tougher every day."</p> + +<p>"I'm hearing a good deal about that kid these days. He trains with a +bunch of bad ones over at Strongburg."</p> + +<p>"For instance?"</p> + +<p>"Lately he's been running with 'Skip' Riley, a crook who has the +reputation of having made more money out of holding up trains than by +working."</p> + +<p>"I know his record. How long has he been there?"</p> + +<p>"Several months. He came there from the Nebraska penitentiary, and he +was smooth enough to work the reformed-criminal, first-offense racket on +the women there until they finally got him a job in the fire department. +He seems to be a hero in the eyes of a lot of tough young fellows here +and in Strongburg, and they follow him in anything he suggests."</p> + +<p>"That's not a healthy proposition for a boy. Mr. Riley ought to be +conducted out of town."</p> + +<p>"The worst of it is he has banded them into some sort of secret +organization."</p> + +<p>"What do they call it?"</p> + +<p>"I did know, but I've plumb forgotten. There's a young fellow uptown +whom I'm trying to keep straight on account of his folks back East. I +know his sister." Ted could see Billy's face get red as he said this. +"His name is Jack Farley. Perhaps you know him."</p> + +<p>Ted shook his head.</p> + +<p>"Well, he's a good kid, but he got into bad company at home and skipped. +I corresponded once in a while with his sister, and she wrote me about +him, and one day I run across him in a gambling house here. I hadn't +seen him since he was a kid, but I knew him straight off because he +looks so much like Kate—Miss Farley I mean—and I called him outside +and had a talk with him. He was mighty uppy at first, and threw it into +me so hard that I had to turn in and whale some sense into him."</p> + +<p>"That's one way of doing it," said Ted dryly.</p> + +<p>"It was the only way for him. He thought he'd get sympathy by writing +home about it, but all he got was that they reckoned he deserved it or +he wouldn't have got it. After that he was good. But he'd got in with +that Creviss bunch and didn't seem able to get out of it, so I let him +stay, only I made him come to me every day or two and tell me what he'd +been up to, and that's as far as I've got."</p> + +<p>"Send him out to me."</p> + +<p>"He won't work on a ranch, or I'd had him out at the Dumb-bell long ago. +He likes to work in town, so I got him a job, and so far he has stuck to +it. But the gang keeps him from doing any good for himself. He knows the +name of this organization of boys under Skip, and the next time I see +him I'll find out what it is. Then you keep your eye peeled for it, for +Creviss is one of the leaders, and I'm afraid, after to-night, he'll do +all he can to make things lively for you. He's a mean, vindictive little +cuss."</p> + +<p>"I'll keep a weather eye out for him, never fear. Thank you for the tip. +This is the first time I've heard of the bunch, I've been away from the +ranch so much lately."</p> + +<p>The boys had hitched Jack Slate's horse into the carriage, and he got on +the seat with Carl, and they were ready to start.</p> + +<p>With an "Adios" to Billy Sudden and his boys, they were off, and arrived +at the ranch house without further incident.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Graham and Stella had retired for the night, and the boys were +sitting before the fire in the living room, for the night was chilly and +Song had built up a good blaze against their return.</p> + +<p>Naturally, the conversation drifted to the shots fired at them from the +alley.</p> + +<p>"While I wuz ambulatin' eround ter-night I overheard some conversation +what wuz interestin'," remarked Bud, who was sprawling on a bearskin in +front of the fire.</p> + +<p>"What was it?" asked Ted, who had been turning over in his mind what +Billy Sudden had told him of the organization of tough boys under the +guidance of the ex-convict.</p> + +<p>"I wuz standin' clost ter one o' ther winders what opens out onter ther +alley when I hears two fellers talkin' below me," said Bud.</p> + +<p>"What were they saying?"</p> + +<p>"I wuzn't aimin' ter listen ter no one's privut conversation, but I +caught your name, an' I tried ter hear what wuz said erbout yer."</p> + +<p>"Naturally."</p> + +<p>"One feller wuz talkin' pritty loud, ez if he'd been hittin' up ther +tangle juice, an' ther other feller wuz tryin' ter make him put on ther +soft pedal, what Clay calls talkin' pianissimo. But when the booze is in +ther wit is out, an' ther feller would shut it down some fer a while, +then he'd get a good lungful o' air an' bust out ergin."</p> + +<p>"What was it all about?"</p> + +<p>"Erbout runnin' us off'n ther reservation."</p> + +<p>"They'd have a fine chance to do that," said Ted, laughing.</p> + +<p>"It seems they hev some sort o' a club, ther 'Flyin' somethin' er +other'—I couldn't jest catch what. To hear them fellers talk they're +holy terrors."</p> + +<p>"How do they propose to run us off? Did you hear that?"</p> + +<p>"No; they didn't discuss ways an' means, but they said as how ther boss, +they mentioned his name, but it's clear got erway from me, hed riz up on +his hind legs an' hed give it out straight to ther gang thet ez long ez +we wuz in ther country they couldn't do no good fer theirselfs, +consequentially we must skidoo, ez they needed this part o' ther country +fer their own elbowroom. They wuz real sassy erbout it, too."</p> + +<p>"I suppose they thought all they had to do was to serve notice on us, +and we'd vacate."</p> + +<p>"I reckon thet's ther way they hed it chalked up."</p> + +<p>"Well, that bears out what Billy Sudden told me to-night after we were +shot at."</p> + +<p>Then Ted related what Billy had told him about Skip Riley and his +influence on the boys of Soldier Butte and Strongburg.</p> + +<p>"Thet thar's ther very feller they wuz talkin' erbout, thet Skip Riley. +Now I recolict it, an' ther name o' their sweet-scented aggergation is +ther 'Flyin' Demons.'"</p> + +<p>"Oh, mercy! Aren't they just awful?" said Ben, with a grin. "But which +way are they expected to fly, toward you or from you?"</p> + +<p>"If they come monkeyin' eround these broad acres they'll be flyin' fer +home," said Bud.</p> + +<p>"Or to jail, if we can prove what I believe against them," said Ted +thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>"What is that?" asked Kit.</p> + +<p>"You haven't forgotten the mysterious robbery of the Strongburg Trust +Company's office, have you?"</p> + +<p>"Nope."</p> + +<p>"You remember that a great many people to this day disbelieve that the +office was robbed at all, because everything was found locked and +barred, and the most careful examination showed that no one could have +broken into the room from which a box containing twenty thousand dollars +in currency and a package of negotiable bonds was stolen."</p> + +<p>"Shore, I remember. That's allays been ther greatest mystery in these +parts."</p> + +<p>"You haven't forgotten the robbery soon afterward of the Soldier Butte +post office and the disappearance of the registered mail pouch that came +in on the train at two o'clock in the morning. It was thrown into the +inner office by the carrier, and the office securely locked. Yet in the +morning it could not be found, and there was nothing to show that the +post office had been entered."</p> + +<p>"I reckon I haven't. We lost a bunch o' money in it ourselves."</p> + +<p>"But we got it back."</p> + +<p>"That's so, but the carrier is still in jail, awaitin' trial fer +stealin' the sack, an' I don't believe he had any more ter do with it +than I had."</p> + +<p>"And yet the most careful examination by the post-office inspectors +failed to show that the place had been forcibly entered, and, although +the carrier, Jim Bliss, had witnesses to show that he went into the post +office with the sack, and came right out without it, still he is in +jail, accused of stealing it," said Kit.</p> + +<p>"There are several other cases of mysterious robberies which I might +cite, but those are enough," said Ted. "But the curious thing about it +all is that the robbers left not the slightest trace, not a broken lock, +not a mark to show that a window was forced or a hole bored. When the +place is closed up at night there is the money, when it is opened in the +morning the money is gone. And again, these robberies only occur when +valuables are accidentally left out of the vaults."</p> + +<p>"It is curious. Everything yer say is true, but I never thought erlong +it ez much ez you, an' I didn't figger out how near they wuz alike."</p> + +<p>"Well, what's your theory?" asked Ben. "You started to tell us."</p> + +<p>"Yes, who do you think committed these robberies?" asked Kit.</p> + +<p>"Who but a gang of bad boys under the leadership and tutelage of a +criminal?" answered Ted. "Who but the gang of Strongburg and Soldier +Butte young toughs who go by the silly name of 'The Flying Demons'? If +they get gay around this ranch, we'll have to tie a can to them and head +them for the reform school or the penitentiary."</p> + + + +<br /> +<a name='CHAPTER_VI'></a><h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<h3>THE "FLYING DEMONS'" MESSAGE.</h3> +<br /> + +<p>When Ted Strong stepped out on the veranda the morning after the ball he +found Stella staring curiously at a large, square piece of paper stuck +on the wall of the ranch house.</p> + +<p>Nobody in the house had risen early, as they had all been up very late, +except Song, the cook, who, when he saw that no one was disposed to turn +out for an early breakfast, had gone out to work in the garden, in which +he had with much skill raised an abundance of vegetables that year.</p> + +<p>"Good morning, Stella; what is so interesting?" said Ted.</p> + +<p>"It beats me," answered Stella. "I wonder if this is one of Ben's +witticisms. If it is, he ought to be spanked."</p> + +<p>Ted was standing by her side, reading what had been printed on the +paper.</p> + +<p>"H'm! this is good," said he, and read aloud, as if to himself, the +following warning:</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p>"TED STRONG AND BRONCHO BOYS: You ought to know by this time that + you are not wanted in this part of the country. Advise you to sell + out and skip. If you stay your lives will be made a hell on earth, + and we have the stuff that will do it. This is no bluff, as you + will find out if you disregard this word of friendly warning. You + will be given a short time to sell your stock, then git. This means + business.</p> + +<p> "THE FLYING DEMONS."</p></div> + +<p>"That's a pretty good effort for a lot of kids," said Ted. "Wait, here's +a watermark in the paper. Let's see what it is?"</p> + +<p>Ted took the paper from the wall and held it up to the light.</p> + +<p>In the paper was the representation of the fabulous monster, the +griffin, and woven into the paper were the words "Griffin Bond."</p> + +<p>"That's as easy as shooting fish in a tub," said Ted, as he folded the +paper and put it in his pocket.</p> + +<p>"The fellow who put that warning up certainly left his footprints behind +him," said Stella, with a smile.</p> + +<p>"He did, but even without that I should have known the authors of it."</p> + +<p>"How?"</p> + +<p>Ted then told Stella the substance of the conversation between the boys +the night before, and of his suspicions as to the guilt of Creviss and +his gang in the mysterious robberies that had occurred in the two towns. +"But," he concluded, "it is not up to me to get at the matter. It is +work for the sheriff. However, if those boys try any of their +foolishness with us, we'll turn in and send them to the reform school, +where they belong."</p> + +<p>"They're certainly a bad lot. I was talking to a lady at the 'rent rag' +last night, and she was telling me what a horrid boy young Creviss is."</p> + +<p>"I wish I knew at what time this notice was put up here. It must have +been done in daylight, for it was getting light in the east when we +turned in."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps some one was so quiet as to put it there while you were all +inside talking."</p> + +<p>"I hardly think so, for we were all sitting near the fireplace, and the +room was so warm that Kit opened the door, and it stood open until we +separated to go to bed."</p> + +<p>"Sure you could have heard them? Some of you were talking pretty loud, +for I heard you in my room just before I went to sleep."</p> + +<p>"Well, of course, I couldn't be certain about it; but I came out on the +veranda to take a look at the sky just before I turned in, and I didn't +see it then. Surely, as I turned to come back into the house my eye +would have caught that big piece of white paper beside the door."</p> + +<p>"What time was it that the most important part of your conversation took +place?"</p> + +<p>"Just before we broke up. I remember we were going over the mysterious +robberies, and I expressed the opinion that they were the work of the +gang under Skip Riley and Creviss."</p> + +<p>"That was probably the time the fellow who put up that notice was about. +You see, if he followed you from Soldier Butte he wouldn't get here much +earlier than that, for he wouldn't dare ride a pony the length of the +valley at that time of the morning, so he had to walk from the south +fence."</p> + +<p>"By Jove! I believe you are right."</p> + +<p>"If my theory is true, the fellow who brought the warning also carried +back your conversation to the gang."</p> + +<p>"Then they surely will have something to fight us on."</p> + +<p>"Yes, fear that you will get on their trail will compel them to try to +make their bluff good, as expressed in that message."</p> + +<p>"I'd give something to know when this thing was put up."</p> + +<p>"Let's see; it was about four o'clock when you turned in, wasn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Just about."</p> + +<p>"And just about that time Song gets up to cook for the boys in the bunk +house who get out to relieve the night watch in the big pasture. Doesn't +he?"</p> + +<p>"Those are the orders."</p> + +<p>"Then have Song in, and we'll ask him if he saw a strange man around the +place when he got up. He might have seen him and thought nothing of it, +and would never think of reporting it."</p> + +<p>"Good idea. Wait here and I will call him."</p> + +<p>In a few minutes the Chinaman came shuffling in from the garden."</p> + +<p>"See here, Song," said Ted. "Did you see a strange man here early this +morning?"</p> + +<p>"Stlange man!" said Song meditatively, with a smile of innocence on his +broad, yellow face. "No savvy stlange man."</p> + +<p>"Man no b'long here," said Stella,</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I savvy. No see stlange man."</p> + +<p>"What time you get up?"</p> + +<p>"Me gettee up fo' clock."</p> + +<p>"Did you go outside?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, me go out an' call cowbloy. Tell gettee up, P. D. Q. No gettee up, +no bleakfast."</p> + +<p>"What did you see outside that you don't see every morning?"</p> + +<p>"Evely moling? No savvy."</p> + +<p>"Yesterday morning, day before that, day before that, all mornings."</p> + +<p>"Lesterday moling, evely moling?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, the deuce! You try him, Stella."</p> + +<p>"Say, Song, you see something makee you flaid this moling?" said Stella, +imitating Song's pidgin English.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, me lookee out, plenty jump in."</p> + +<p>"What you see?"</p> + +<p>"Plenty wolf. He sneakee lound side house. I lun like devil."</p> + +<p>"What wolf look like?"</p> + +<p>"Plenty big wolf. When he see me he lise up on hind legee, and lun likee +man."</p> + +<p>"Ah ha! There's your clew," said Stella, turning to Ted. "The fellow who +posted this notice was disguised in a wolfskin so that he could sneak up +to the house unnoticed by the Chinaman, or, if seen, he would make a +bluff at scaring Song."</p> + +<p>"Stella, you're a wonder."</p> + +<p>"Say, Song, you no likee wolf?"</p> + +<p>"No, me plenty flaid wolf," answered the Chinaman, shaking his head +violently.</p> + +<p>"All right, Song. I givee you shotgun. Next time you see wolf, plenty +shoot. Savvy?"</p> + +<p>"All light. You givee me gun, I shootee wolf plenty. Makee go 'ki-yi' +and lun belly fast."</p> + +<p>Song went away with a grin on his face like a crack in a piece of stale +cheese.</p> + +<p>"Stella, you've solved it. I believe whoever put that message there +heard our conversation, and at least they'll hate us a bit worse than +before, if that is possible."</p> + +<p>"Let them bark, the wolves. I never was afraid of a wolf, anyhow. If you +want to throw me into spasms show me a bobcat. That's the fighting +animal."</p> + +<p>During breakfast the boys were shown the warning that had been posted +beside the door, and it was decided to pay no attention to it, but to +watch for the appearance of a messenger from the "Flying Demons," and if +one was caught to make it hot for him.</p> + +<p>Ted had no doubt but Creviss and his gang would try to injure the +broncho boys by every means in their power, but until they committed +some overt act the boys could hardly afford to become the aggressors.</p> + +<p>For several days nothing happened, and the Moon Valley Ranch went the +even tenor of its way.</p> + +<p>Preparations were under way for the fall round-up, and Ted had received +letters from several heavy stock buyers that they would be present at +that time to make their selections of such cattle as they desired to +buy.</p> + +<p>It had always been the custom at the ranch to have an entertainment of +some sort at the ranch afterward. This was started for the purpose of +amusing the buyers with cowboy tricks and that sort of thing, but it had +developed into something far greater, until now all the world was +invited to the barbecue and the "doings" afterward. No one was barred +who behaved himself.</p> + +<p>This year Ben Tremont had charge of the entertainment, and he was not +limited as to expense, for every fellow was on his honor to provide the +best entertainment for the least money.</p> + +<p>The manager's plans were generally kept secret from every one except Ted +and Stella, who were the exceptional ones and were in every one's +secrets and confidence.</p> + +<p>Ben had declared himself as to the superlative excellence of his show +this year.</p> + +<p>"It's going to be hard to beat," said he, in boasting about it. "We've +had some pretty good shows, but nothing like the one I'm getting up +now."</p> + +<p>Kit had charge of the cowboy end of it, the races, the bronchobusting, +the roping and tying contests; in fact, all the arena acts.</p> + +<p>This year Clay Whipple attended to the inner man, and was to provide a +genuine old Southern barbecue, with trimmings.</p> + +<p>The round-up was to begin in less than a week, and the festivities were +to follow immediately.</p> + +<p>Invitations had been sent broadcast into Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, +Idaho, Montana, and the Pacific coast States; everywhere, in fact, where +the boys had friends, and from the responses received an enormous crowd +would be present.</p> + +<p>Three days elapsed after the finding of the warning beside the door +before anything more was heard from the Flying Demons.</p> + +<p>Then Ted found another message from them near the front door.</p> + +<p>It was as follows:</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p>"TED STRONG AND OTHERS: You think you know who committed the + mysterious robberies, but you are on the wrong track. You will + never find out, while your secrets are known to us. This is warning + number two. The third and last will come soon; then look out.</p> + +<p> "THE FLYING DEMONS."</p></div> + +<p>"Now, why in the world do they call themselves the Flying Demons?" asked +Ted reflectively, as they were reading the second screed from their +enemies. "It seems to me that there is the secret of the whole thing. +You never can tell what a pack of boys like that are going to do. They +are more to be feared than older criminals, for they have no judgment, +and will rush into the most reckless things just to show off before one +another."</p> + +<p>"Pay no attention to them," advised Stella. "That's what I think they +are doing now—showing off. I doubt if they think they can frighten us, +but they are afraid of us."</p> + +<p>"Oh, by the way," said Ted, suddenly thinking of something. "You +remember I looked at the watermark on that first warning we received +from these terrible demons. Well, this screed has the same +mark—'Griffin Bond.' When I was in town to-day I went into the bank. +Old man Creviss was behind the counter, and that precious son of his was +beside him. I had a check cashed, and Mr. Creviss asked me why we didn't +keep our bank account there. I told him we had thought something about +it, but I didn't mention that we had decided not to. Then I asked him +for a couple of sheets of paper on which to write a note, and he handed +them to me. I took them to the window and held them up to the light to +see the watermark."</p> + +<p>"And what was it?" asked Stella eagerly.</p> + +<p>"The griffin."</p> + +<p>"Then the paper on which these things were written came from the bank?"</p> + +<p>"They certainly did. After I had looked at the watermark I turned to +young Creviss and looked him square in the eye. He turned as white as +chalk, and his lip trembled."</p> + +<p>"He's a coward," said Stella positively. "Why didn't he bluff it out?"</p> + +<p>"He had nothing to stand on; but, as you say, he's a rank coward, and +it's my opinion that it's only fear of Skip Riley that keeps him at it, +anyway. At all events, I gave him a good scare, for instead of writing +the note I folded up the paper and put it into my pocket. He stepped +forward as if he would interfere and make me give the paper back, not +having used it, but I gave him a glassy glare and walked out."</p> + +<p>"Then it was he who wrote the warnings."</p> + +<p>"Of course, and he knows that I have him dead to rights. That is another +mark against me with the gang."</p> + +<p>"Better watch out."</p> + +<p>"They can have me if they can get me."</p> + + + +<br /> +<a name='CHAPTER_VII'></a><h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<h3>SONG SHOOTS A WOLF.</h3> +<br /> + +<p>Early one morning the broncho boys were startled out of their beds by +the double explosion of a shotgun, followed by excited yells and screams +of agony.</p> + +<p>"That Chinaman has shot somebody," thought Ted, as he rapidly skipped +out of bed and pulled on his trousers.</p> + +<p>In the living room he met all the boys, as scantily clad as himself, +hurrying out to see what the noise was all about.</p> + +<p>They could hear Song behind the house screaming in Chinese at the top of +his voice, and in an ear-splitting falsetto, which showed that he was +tremendously excited.</p> + +<p>Thither they rushed, and for a moment the ludicrous scene far +outbalanced the seriousness of what had happened.</p> + +<p>On the ground was a young fellow about seventeen years of age. He was +writhing with pain, and the blood was oozing through his clothes in +fifty places.</p> + +<p>"Ha, ha!" shrieked Song. "Me shootee wolf, turnee into man light away. +Ha, ha, me allee same plenty smart man, likee magician."</p> + +<p>"Yes, you're a hot magician," said Bud; "You've made this feller second +cousin ter a porous plaster. That's what you've done."</p> + +<p>"Who is he, Song?" asked Ted.</p> + +<p>"Me no savvy him. Me comee out chicken house getee eggs fo' bleakfast. I +cally gun, shotee plenty wolf all samee Mliss Stella say."</p> + +<p>"But this is not a wolf."</p> + +<p>"All samee wolf. I open chicken house do'. I see wolf. Plenty glowl at +Song. I no likee gun. Shutee my eye. Pull tligger, an' gun goee off. All +samee wolf no mo' glowlee, him yellee like thundeh. When smokee blow way +wolf gonee, all samee man comee. I plenty magician, I thinkee."</p> + +<p>Ted looked in the chicken house, and on the floor lay the dried hide of +a big gray wolf.</p> + +<p>Now he understood. The message had come the third time from the Flying +Demons.</p> + +<p>"Kit, run around to the front door and see if there is a message there +for us from our friends the Demons."</p> + +<p>In a moment Kit was back, holding a piece of paper in his hand.</p> + +<p>Ted took it from him, and read it.</p> + +<p>It was the third and last warning. It said:</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p>"TED STRONG: We have warned you twice before to leave this part of + the country, but you have made no move to do so. This is the third + warning. If you are not away from here in a week the vengeance will + fall upon you. Beware!</p> + +<p> "THE FLYING DEMONS."</p></div> + +<p>"Did you bring this?" asked Ted, of the wretched youth, who still lay +upon the ground groaning from his numerous wounds.</p> + +<p>There was no reply. The fellow could only toss his head from side to +side and rub his legs, into which the bulk of the shot had been fired by +the excited Chinaman.</p> + +<p>"You won't answer, eh? Well, we'll find a way to make you. I'm glad +you've given us a week," said Ted, laughing. "That will at least give us +time to hold our round-up and festivities."</p> + +<p>"Oh, if I live through this I'll never go into anything like it again," +moaned the youth upon the ground.</p> + +<p>"Here, stand up," said Ted to him. "You're not badly hurt. You're only +stung, twice. Get on your feet and we'll see what we can do for you. +You're a long way from dead yet. What's your name?"</p> + +<p>"Jack Farley. Oh, if I could only be sure that I wasn't going to die!" +exclaimed the youth.</p> + +<p>He was the young fellow Billy Sudden had spoken about.</p> + +<p>"We can't tell how badly you are hurt until you get up," said Ted. +"Rise, and we'll go into the house and examine your wounds."</p> + +<p>Slowly young Farley got to his feet, but when he tried to walk he +uttered a howl of pain, and sank down again.</p> + +<p>"Yellow all through," said Ben, in a tone of disgust.</p> + +<p>"Ever have about three ounces of duck shot pumped into yer system +through yer hide?" asked Bud.</p> + +<p>"Never had."</p> + +<p>"Then yer don't know all ther joys o' life. I've had one ounce shot +inter my leg, an' if ther contents o' two shells gives double ther pain +one does, then excuse me. An' mine wuz only snipe shot, at that."</p> + +<p>"Pick him up, boys, and lay him on the lounge in my room," said Ted. +"I'll take a look at him after a while, meantime some of you watch him +to see that he doesn't get away. We need him for evidence."</p> + +<p>When Bud and Ben had carried the wounded boy into Ted's room and laid +him on the lounge, Bud stood over him regarding him with interest.</p> + +<p>"I sorter envy yer, kid," he said at last.</p> + +<p>"You can have 'em, but I don't see why you envy me," said Farley.</p> + +<p>"I wuz thinkin' how happy you'll be all through these lonesome winter +evenings, pickin' ther shot out o' yer legs."</p> + +<p>When Farley had been carried into the house, Ted called Kit to him and +said:</p> + +<p>"Kit, I wish you'd ride over to Suggs' ranch and tell Billy Sudden that +his protégé is over here with his hide peppered with bird shot, and ask +him to ride over and take a look at him."</p> + +<p>During breakfast they related to Stella the story of Song's wolf hunt in +the chicken house, and the result.</p> + +<p>Song was as proud as a peacock, and wore "the smile that won't come off" +as he flitted around the table waiting on every one.</p> + +<p>"Say, Missee Stella," he said, "Song all samee one cowbloy now, eh? What +you sayee?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Song, you have certainly followed instructions. You got your wolf +that time, sure. How you likee shootee?"</p> + +<p>"No likee, Missee Stella. Makee too much noisee, all samee too much +plenty fiahclackers. Kickee like blazes. Plitty near knockee arm outee +Song."</p> + +<p>The boys stripped Farley after breakfast, and found his legs in pretty +bad condition. They looked as if Song's gun had been loaded with +smallpox, and all of it had lodged in the lad's legs.</p> + +<p>"Boys, we'll have to take relays in picking the shot from our first +victim," said Ted. "There's too much work here for one man."</p> + +<p>"He's a turrible-lookin' demon now with a hide full o' shot. Ther +punctured demon of Demonville! Say, kid, I'd hate ter laugh at yer, but +yer a sight. Why didn't yer fix it so's them two charges o' shot would +hev been distributed among ther gang? Then yer could sit down o' +evenings an' pick shot out o' one another instid o' plottin' agin' ther +whites."</p> + +<p>"Let him be, Bud, he's having all he can do to think about these shots, +as it is. The things for us to do now is to pick them out of him."</p> + +<p>"We'll let him count 'em ez they come out. That'll help take his mind +off his troubles, but he'll hev ter hev a great head fer figgers."</p> + +<p>They went to work on him with their penknives, as most of the shot were +just beneath the skin. But it was painful enough, at that, and every +time a shot came out Farley groaned deeper. While they were engaged in +this, to them, pleasing occupation, Billy Sudden arrived.</p> + +<p>"Hello, kid," he said to Farley. "So you got it at last. I could have +told you to keep away from Ted Strong and his bunch. They're bad +medicine for a herd o' mavericks like you to graze with. You tackled the +wrong outfit. They're too many fer you, and if you'll all take a fool's +advice you'll keep away, or else some of you will be looking through a +griddle in a door up at the penitentiary."</p> + +<p>Farley made no reply, only hid his face and groaned at every extracted +shot.</p> + +<p>"Say, kid, what about this gang you belong to?"</p> + +<p>The boy shook his head.</p> + +<p>"D'ye mean to say you're not going to tell me about it?"</p> + +<p>The boy nodded.</p> + +<p>"What's the reason you won't?"</p> + +<p>"The oath."</p> + +<p>"Slush with the oath. You had no business to take it. What'll the home +folks think when I tell them about this. Shot by a Chinaman in the +chicken house at dawn!"</p> + +<p>Billy paused to let the ignominy of it sink in. It did sound pretty bad +and mean and cheap. There were no heroics in this, such as Farley had at +first considered his rôle.</p> + +<p>He hid his face on his arm, and his body shook. Billy had probed deep +into his pride.</p> + +<p>"Well, come on," said Billy. "This is no time for a conspirator to do +the baby act. I suppose you thought it was to be a spotlight scene where +you stood in the center doing the heavy stunt, and all the rest sat on +the bleachers and applauded. By gee! Peppered by a Chinaman, and with +snipe shot, at that."</p> + +<p>"Oh, quit it!" said Farley. "I know I was a chump for sticking with +those fellows, but I needed the money."</p> + +<p>"What money?"</p> + +<p>"My share of the—"</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, nothing."</p> + +<p>"Yes, there is something. What robbery was it you shared in?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't steal anything."</p> + +<p>"I suppose not. You did the dirty work of being lookout, or something +like that, and they threw you the bone while they kept the meat and fat, +eh?"</p> + +<p>"What shall I do with him?" asked Ted.</p> + +<p>"Keep him locked up as a hostage. That may bring those young fools to +their senses," said Billy. "I'm disgusted with him for not making a +clean breast of the whole foolish business, and if it wasn't for his +sister, I'd toss him up in the air and forget him."</p> + +<p>The rest of the day was spent in picking shot out of Farley, and by +evening he was relieved of the last one.</p> + +<p>"We'll put him in that empty room at the corner of the house, and take +turns watching him through the night," said Ted.</p> + +<p>Until bedtime Farley sat in the living room with the rest of them, and +they were unusually guarded in their conversation.</p> + +<p>When it came time to retire Farley was conducted to the room which was +to be his prison, and it fell to Carl to take the first watch, and to +call Ben at one o'clock.</p> + +<p>In the room there was a lounge and a pair of blankets for Farley, a +table and a lamp, and a chair for the watch.</p> + +<p>"Whatever you do, don't go to sleep, Carl," said Ted. "The reason I'm +putting you on the first watch is because you're such a sleepyhead."</p> + +<p>"Don'd vorry aboud me," said Carl, with a yawn. "I pet you I vas der +sleepinglessness feller in der whole bunch. If he gets avay on my vatch +it vill not be pecause I don'd sleep."</p> + +<p>"I guess you mean all right, but I swear I can't understand you. Only +keep awake."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yah; I avake keeping all der time."</p> + +<p>Carl sat in the chair watching his prisoner, and soon saw Farley's chest +heaving regularly and heard his deep breathing as he slept. Then things +seemed to waver and fade away.</p> + +<p>Carl started up at hearing some one beating on the door, and sat rubbing +his eyes. It was broad daylight.</p> + +<p>"All right, I'll get up pooty soon yet. Is preakfast retty?"</p> + +<p>"Here, open the door. This is Ted."</p> + +<p>"Vait a minute."</p> + +<p>Carl staggered sleepily to the door and unlocked it.</p> + +<p>"Where is your prisoner?" asked Ted, stalking into the room, and looking +at the open window.</p> + +<p>"My vat? Ach, Gott in himmel, vat haf I dided? I am schoost coming +avake. He iss gone! I haf slept on vatch. I am foreffer disgraced. Kill +me, Ted! I haf no appetite to live any more alretty," cried Carl.</p> + +<p>Ted had been angry at discovering the escape of Farley, for he had +conceived a plan to use him against Creviss. He had risen early, and +when he found that all the boys were in bed except Carl, he immediately +suspected the truth.</p> + +<p>But Carl's despairing manner turned him from anger.</p> + +<p>"Never mind, Carl," he said. "It was my fault for putting you on watch. +You were not cut out for a watchman. Or, perhaps, you were, according +to the funny papers, but not of prisoners."</p> + +<p>During breakfast Carl was compelled to endure the jokes of the boys at +his failure to guard the prisoner, which he did with a lugubrious +countenance; then, at a signal from Ted, the subject was dropped.</p> + +<p>About ten o'clock Billy Sudden rode up to the ranch house.</p> + +<p>There was something in his manner that betokened news of importance, and +he strode unbidden into the living room, where Ted was sitting at his +desk.</p> + +<p>"Where's the kid?" he asked abruptly.</p> + +<p>"Who, Farley?" asked Ted, looking up from his work.</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Skipped."</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"I said skipped."</p> + +<p>"Great Scott! I'd give a hundred dollars if he hadn't."</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"What time did he get away?"</p> + +<p>"Don't know, exactly. Carl was watching him, but he fell asleep almost +as soon as they were in the room together, and didn't wake up until six +o'clock this morning, and Farley was gone. No one knows how he got away +or at what time. It might have been any time. He probably woke up in the +night and saw that Carl was dead to the world, and opened the window, +dropped to the ground, and hit the trail. That's all I know about it. +But what makes you so anxious about it?"</p> + +<p>"Then you haven't heard the news?"</p> + +<p>"Guess not. What is it?"</p> + +<p>"The First National Bank was robbed last night."</p> + +<p>"Great guns! Creviss' bank! That's the United States depository!"</p> + +<p>"The same."</p> + +<p>"What are the details?"</p> + +<p>"I rode through town this morning on my way over here to see if being +confined for the night wouldn't make the kid talk, when I saw a bunch of +men standing in front of the bank. I butted in and asked what the +excitement was, and they told me that the bank had been robbed."</p> + +<p>"But how?"</p> + +<p>"That's what nobody knows. When the cashier, Mr. Henson, got to the bank +this morning everything apparently was all right. The doors and windows +were fastened, and there was no sign anywhere that the bank had been +forcibly entered. Of course, he didn't look at these things first. He +went to the vault and opened it at the proper time and examined its +contents casually. Everything seemed to be as usual. But when, a few +minutes later, he went to get out the currency, it was all gone. He +hadn't counted up when I left there, so no one knows the exact amount, +but it was large."</p> + + + +<br /> +<a name='CHAPTER_VIII'></a><h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<h3>THE BATTLE WITH THE BULL.</h3> +<br /> + +<p>The excitement incident to the mysterious robbery of the Creviss bank +was intense.</p> + +<p>How had it been done? This was the question that every one was asking +his neighbor. But none could answer it.</p> + +<p>The evening before the robbery had taken place the bank had been closed +by the cashier, and by Mr. Creviss himself.</p> + +<p>The money, books, and papers, with which the business of the day had +been conducted, had been carried into the vault by the cashier, and Mr. +Creviss, who was an unusually cautious man, looked into the vault after +the cashier came out, to see that everything was in. Then he closed the +vault doors, and turned the handle of the combination, setting the time +lock, thus securing the doors from being opened until nine o'clock the +next morning.</p> + +<p>The only way in which it could be opened, and an almost impossible way, +at that, was by blowing it open.</p> + +<p>And yet the vault had been robbed, and the vault lock had apparently not +been tampered with.</p> + +<p>It had the appearance of necromancy.</p> + +<p>Ted rode into town with Billy Sudden, arriving about noon.</p> + +<p>Billy rode on to the Dumb-bell Ranch, and Ted stopped at the bank. It +seemed deserted. But as he entered the door he saw a big man, dressed in +the flashy clothes affected by managers of cheap circuses and fake +shows, standing at the end of the counter talking to Wiley Creviss.</p> + +<p>"I can't do anything with that check," Ted heard Creviss say. "You'll +have to come in when the cashier is here. The safe is locked, and I +can't get into it, anyway, and all the currency is in it. I'm only +staying here until the cashier gets back from dinner."</p> + +<p>"When will that be?" asked the stranger.</p> + +<p>"In about half an hour."</p> + +<p>The stranger picked up his valise, which seemed to be heavy, and walked +out grumbling about banks that closed up for dinner.</p> + +<p>Ted said nothing to Wiley, but he took a good look about the bank, +disregarding the other lad's scowls.</p> + +<p>He observed that the vault door stood open, but that there was no money +in sight, and the place had an air of desertion, as if business was +slack.</p> + +<p>When Strong had seen all that he wanted of the apparent entrances to the +bank that a criminal might use to force his way in, he left with two +distinct impressions on his mind. One was that the vault door had been +open when he came in, and that Wiley Creviss had abruptly closed it when +he saw Ted staring at it. The other was the remarkable appearance of the +showman, for without doubt he was that.</p> + +<p>As before, the mysterious robbery of the bank proved to be too hard a +nut for the citizens to crack, and when they had thrashed out all the +theories advanced and knocked them to pieces again, they forgot it.</p> + +<p>Not so Ted Strong. This succession of robberies, none of them leaving +behind the slightest clew to the perpetrators, interested him. Its very +difficulty of solution, which had made the lesser brains abandon it, +compelled his attention and interest.</p> + +<p>Had it been his business to tackle the problem, he gladly would have +done so. But the only Federal end to it was the robbery of the post +office, which the inspectors of that department were working on, unless, +perhaps, it might be found that the funds of the government for general +purposes at Fort Rincon had been stolen. Then the case would come under +the operations of the United States marshal's office.</p> + +<p>But other and more pressing things of a personal nature gradually took +his attention from crime, and he devoted himself to the coming round-up.</p> + +<p>All the spare room in the Moon Valley Ranch house was occupied by +visiting cattle buyers, who had come to the round-up. The rooms of the +boys had been given up to guests, while they camped on the prairie +behind the house.</p> + +<p>At last the great day came.</p> + +<p>Early in the morning the boys were out, and with them was Stella.</p> + +<p>Cow Suggs had loaned Ted his outfit for the day, and Ted was glad to +have the boys, for there was no cleverer cowman in the country at a +round-up, saving Ted himself, who was king of them all, and so conceded, +than the dark, lithe cow-puncher, Billy Sudden, who had been through +college and had traveled in Europe before he deserted the East for the +toil, freedom, and excitement of the range.</p> + +<p>It was now time to round up all the stock on the Moon Valley Range, cut +out the marketable stuff, and brand the yearlings.</p> + +<p>This is not only a troublesome task, but it is dangerous, and not a +moment of the time until the task is accomplished but has its exciting +adventures and escapes from death.</p> + +<p>The boys did not know exactly how many head of cattle they owned. They +had been selling and replenishing their stock from time to time, and the +increase of calves had been very large, for Moon Valley, situated in the +lee of Dent du Chien, or Dog Tooth Mountain, with its rich grass, the +richest in the Black Hills, and its abundance of fresh, clear spring +water, was an ideal breeding place.</p> + +<p>There were on the ranch at that time several dangerous bulls, and this +added to the hard work of the day, because the monarchs of the range did +not like to be disturbed and have their following broken up and +scattered.</p> + +<p>In the big pasture, which lay at the foot of Deni du Chien Mountain, was +the largest herd in the valley.</p> + +<p>The king of this herd was known as "Gladiator." He was always looking +for a fight, and never refused a challenge, whether from another bull or +from what he considered his natural enemy, man.</p> + +<p>A man on foot in that pasture would have stood no more chance for his +life than if he tried to stand in front of the engine that hauls the +Empire State Express going at top speed. Gladiator would kill him just +as quickly and as surely.</p> + +<p>So it was that strangers were kept out of the big pasture, whether they +were mounted or not, unless they were escorted by some member of the +broncho boys, or one of the older cowboys about the place. Stella, with +her red bolero, nearly caused a tragedy one day by coming within the +vision of Gladiator, who took the bolero for a challenge.</p> + +<p>Stella turned in time and fled, and had it not been for the fleetness of +her pony and her own superb riding, there had been no more to relate of +the adventures of the girl pard of the Moon Valley boys.</p> + +<p>The morning of the round-up Ted undertook personally to turn the herd to +the rendezvous.</p> + +<p>Stella insisted upon accompanying him, and at last he was persuaded to +give his consent, but only on the condition that she wear subdued +colors, which she did, with skirt and jacket of a light-dun color.</p> + +<p>The herd was grazing in the noble range that stretched for miles along +and across the valley in the shadow of the splendid mountain.</p> + +<p>It was widely scattered, and as the band of horsemen rode out toward it +the cattle lifted their heads for a moment and took a quiet survey, then +returned to their feeding.</p> + +<p>Not so Gladiator.</p> + +<p>The great white-and-black bull raised his head proudly, and his fierce, +steady eyes regarded them without fear.</p> + +<p>Indeed, Gladiator knew no fear, whether of man or beast, wolf pack or +mountain lion, serpent or bird of prey.</p> + +<p>He was monarch of that herd, and no one said him nay except Ted Strong, +who ruled the ranch and all that was on it, by the general consent of +his comrades and his own fitness for his rulership.</p> + +<p>Ted and Gladiator had had numerous differences, and it was the bull that +had backed down every time.</p> + +<p>Yet he did not fear Ted. Rather he hated him because he could not +conquer this quick, brave, and resourceful fellow.</p> + +<p>"That bull will be the death of you some of these days," said Stella to +Ted once when Gladiator, resenting Ted's intrusion into the herd for the +purpose of cutting out some calves, charged him. But Ted in the end +threw the bull with his rope, humiliating him before all the herd. From +that time forth Gladiator's eyes always became red with anger when he +saw Ted, but he did not misbehave, because he respected Ted's lariat and +quirt, and the strong arm that wielded them.</p> + +<p>When they got to the herd the boys circled it from behind, riding in +slowly.</p> + +<p>Ted and Stella were on the left point, with Bud and Kit opposite.</p> + +<p>Bill Sudden was in the rear to drive, while the other Moon Valley +cowboys and Billy Sudden's boys came in from the sides.</p> + +<p>At the first interruption of their grazing the cattle moved along +sluggishly, but Gladiator did not move.</p> + +<p>The big bull stood his ground, with eyes gazing steadily at Ted and +Stella, who were approaching him slowly and persistently.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Gladiator threw up his head and gave a low, menacing bellow.</p> + +<p>"The old chap is waking up," said Ted.</p> + +<p>"Be careful, Ted," said Stella. "He's not in very good humor."</p> + +<p>"I see he isn't. But if we go at him easily he'll be all right."</p> + +<p>"Don't take any chances with him alone, Ted."</p> + +<p>"Still, I'm not going to let him boss this job. He's got to lead this +herd out, and that's all there is to it, for it's a cinch that they +won't go without him."</p> + +<p>Stella knew that it was useless to say anything more, as when Ted made +up his mind to do a thing, it would be done if everything broke.</p> + +<p>Billy Sudden had got the herd moving up from the rear, but the forward +end of the herd was stagnant.</p> + +<p>Gladiator refused to budge, and stood with his stubborn forefeet planted +on the sod, his head raised insolently.</p> + +<p>But it could be seen that his anger was working within him, and would +soon break forth.</p> + +<p>Bud was working the cattle nearest him gently on the move, but when they +saw that their leader was standing still they ceased their progress and +began to crowd and mill, and the steers were getting reckless and +beginning to throw their tails in the air and utter low, growling +bellows.</p> + +<p>It was a critical moment. Who was to be the master must be decided +quickly. If the bull conquered then the cattle would get to milling +generally, and the mischief would be to pay.</p> + +<p>It would not take long for them to stampede, if the bull started the +panic, or made a charge. Ted saw the danger, and knew that the condition +must be treated diplomatically, which was the easier way, or with force, +of which the outcome was most uncertain.</p> + +<p>It depended, in a measure, on the temper of the bull himself.</p> + +<p>The cattle were crowding up from the rear, and those nearest the bull +were beginning to feel the pressure and were pushing toward Gladiator, +who was fifteen feet in advance of the herd.</p> + +<p>When he noticed that the herd was moving, his anger increased, and he +lowered his head and began to paw the ground.</p> + +<p>Ted held up his hand to Billy Sudden as a signal to cease pushing the +animals, but they had got the impetus and would not stop.</p> + +<p>In a moment they had begun to crowd upon the bull, who, with legs +planted stubbornly, would not be crowded, and began to gore aside those +who were being pushed upon him.</p> + +<p>Ted saw instantly that this was going to result in disaster if not +stopped, as the frightened steers, feeling Gladiator's sharp horns, +turned back on the herd, and were pushing their way frantically into the +center of it, while others, coming up, were forced upon the bull's +horns.</p> + +<p>"Darn a stubborn bull, anyhow!" exclaimed Ted. "I've got to get in and +put a stop to that, or Gladiator will have the herd to milling or +running in less than ten minutes."</p> + +<p>"Be careful," was all Stella said, but there was a world of anxiety in +her voice.</p> + +<p>"You better get out of the way, Stella," said Ted "Ride to the rear. +You will see it all, and have just as much fun, and will be out of +danger."</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do?"</p> + +<p>"I'm going to make that bull move along or bust a string."</p> + +<p>Ted's jaw was set with determination, and when Stella saw that she knew +that it would be useless for her to say anything more.</p> + +<p>Ted loosened his rope, grasped his quirt firmly, and rode slowly toward +the bull, while Stella signaled to Billy Sudden to ride up to the head +of the herd.</p> + +<p>The boys, observing Ted's actions, knew what he was about to do, and +ceased moving the cattle and sat on their horses to watch for the +outcome of the contest.</p> + +<p>Most of them felt like spectators at a performance of a specially +hazardous feat, and held their breath. But each was on the alert to rush +to Ted's assistance the moment he seemed to need it.</p> + +<p>As the bull looked up, and saw Ted approaching him, he ceased pawing, +and stood with watchful eyes. Occasionally he sent forth a challenging +bellow. His tail was switching from side to side, like that of an angry +cat.</p> + +<p>Ted was coming alertly. No one knew the danger of openly attacking the +bull better than himself, and yet it must be done.</p> + +<p>It was rule or kill, so far as the bull was concerned, for if the boys +could not manage him they would be compelled to kill him so that they +might be able to handle the herd, substituting a more amiable bull in +his place.</p> + +<p>A cowman cannot always tell what a bull is going to do when it is faced +on the range. It may dodge the issue or it may attack, and Ted was wary +enough to be on the watch for the latter contingency.</p> + +<p>Therefore, when Gladiator, without so much warning as the lowering of +his head, sprang at Ted when he was not more than ten feet away, he +covered the distance in two or three lumbering bounds, and Ted had just +sufficient time to wheel his pony to one side to avoid being bowled +over. But the horns of the bull struck the gaiter on his left leg, as it +rushed past, and tore it off, almost unseating him. Stella, breathlessly +watching the encounter, gasped as she saw Ted reel in his saddle. But +she breathed easier as she saw him straighten up and turn his horse +rapidly to face the bull again.</p> + +<p>With almost incredible agility, the bull turned and came rushing at Ted +again, but the leader of the broncho boys rode swiftly away from him, +tolling him away from the herd.</p> + +<p>Finally the bull stopped and began to paw the earth. Ted, to tempt him +to another attack, directed Sultan toward him at full speed, intending +to swerve when he got close to his bullship, and dodge him and infuriate +him further, so that he would follow. He knew that Sultan could outrun +Gladiator.</p> + +<p>But, as he got close to the bull, in spite of the warning cries from +Stella and Bud, Gladiator swerved to meet the attack, and before the +fleet-footed pony could escape he was struck, and went rolling over the +ground.</p> + +<p>A cry of horror went up from the boys as they all dashed to the scene. +Ted Strong was on the ground. The pony had scrambled to his feet, and +stood trembling a few feet distant. The bull, with lowered head, was +charging upon Ted.</p> + + + +<br /> +<a name='CHAPTER_IX'></a><h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<h3>TED GETS AN ASSIGNMENT.</h3> +<br /> + +<p>To the horror-stricken onlookers it appeared that Ted's end had come. He +lay prone upon the sod with his face turned to the sky, evidently +stunned.</p> + +<p>The bull, with all the ferocity of his kind when goaded to anger, was +charging upon him, his needle-like horns a few inches from the ground, +and the foam flecking from his lips.</p> + +<p>Stella, her face white and drawn, was galloping toward him as fast as +her pony could go, while Bud was lashing his pony to the height of its +speed as he crossed the face of the herd. Billy Sudden was neck and neck +with Stella, calling to her to hold back.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Ted Strong came to life, and looked over his shoulder.</p> + +<p>He saw his danger, and quick as thought he rolled over, away from the +bull.</p> + +<p>But that was all. Every one could see that it would do no good. He could +not expect to escape from the infuriated beast in that manner, and a +hollow groan escaped the lips of more than one.</p> + +<p>Ted surely was doomed.</p> + +<p>The bull's horns caught Ted in the side as he continued to roll away +from it, and it stopped for an instant, settling itself to toss him. +Stella turned her head away with a muttered prayer, and even the +cowboys, used to accidents in the round-up, gasped.</p> + +<p>But suddenly they saw a cloud of dust fly upward, and thought at first +that Ted had fired his revolver into the face of the infuriated beast, +and it seemed strange that they had not heard the report of the weapon.</p> + +<p>Then, miracle of miracles, the bull, with a snort of pain, threw up its +head, and Ted was not impaled upon its horns.</p> + +<p>There was another cloud of dust, and the bull began backing away, slowly +but surely, shaking its head, as if in pain.</p> + +<p>"Screamin' catamounts, did yer see thet, Stella?" cried Bud Morgan, as +he rode alongside the girl,</p> + +<p>"What did he do?" asked Stella.</p> + +<p>"He's saved hisself by blindin' ther bull. He throwed dust inter its +eyes. I'm dinged if I see how thet feller kin think o' things like thet +when he's down an' out. Look at him!"</p> + +<p>As the bull rubbed its face in the grass Ted rolled over twice, then +leaped to his feet and ran to where Sultan was awaiting him.</p> + +<p>A mighty cheer went up from the boys, and the color came back into +Stella's face with a rush, but she could not have uttered a sound to +save her life.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, the bull had recovered, having rubbed the dust from its +eyes in the short grass, and looked about for its enemy.</p> + +<p>It caught sight of Ted in the act of mounting, and sprang toward him +with the swiftness of a deer.</p> + +<p>Then Stella recovered her voice.</p> + +<p>"Run, Ted! Run!" she cried.</p> + +<p>But Ted had seen the necessity of that himself, and, wheeled Sultan and +dashed off, looking over his shoulder at the enraged monster that was +following him, while he rapidly uncoiled his lariat.</p> + +<p>Having run several hundred yards and outdistanced the bull, he turned +and stopped with his rope in his hand, closely calculating the animal's +distance and speed.</p> + +<p>Bud and Stella were following the bull closely, both of them preparing +their lariats for the throw.</p> + +<p>As the bull charged, Ted's rope was seen to leave his hand and go +sailing through the air in graceful loops and curves that lengthened out +one after the other.</p> + +<p>One of the most difficult throws a cow-puncher can make with a lariat +was that which Ted attempted. He had to calculate to a degree the speed +with which the bull was advancing toward him, and that at which the rope +was leaving him. To calculate the point where the two would come +together would seem an almost impossible task.</p> + +<p>But so nicely had Ted estimated it, that the open noose fell over the +bull's head and settled down, and, turning swiftly, Ted spurred Sultan +to one side, and the bull, shaking his head and emitting short, angry +bellows, rushed past.</p> + +<p>The intelligent pony had suddenly come to a stop, bracing himself for +the shock, and when Gladiator came to the end of the rope he turned +completely over, and landed on his back with a thud that shook the +earth.</p> + +<p>Bud had galloped forward, and was about to throw himself from the saddle +to tie the brute, when, with the agility of a cat, the bull was on its +feet, shaking its head and stamping the earth in a perfect fury of anger +and desperation. But it was by no means beaten, and ran at Bud, who took +to his heels. When again it arrived at the end of the rope, it went head +over heels, much to its loss of wind and dignity.</p> + +<p>This time it did not rise so briskly, and Ted gave it all the time it +wanted.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Stella dashed out and rode toward the bull, and when a few feet +from it curved off, with the angry brute in full pursuit. Had her pony +stumbled it would have been all up with her, for Gladiator was wild with +rage, and when it was again thrown its fury knew no bounds.</p> + +<p>"A few more throws like that will settle him, I think," shouted Ted. +"Bait him again, Bud."</p> + +<p>Again Bud rode out, and the bull took after him as before, and, when he +was jerked onto his back by the rope, he lay there.</p> + +<p>Ted rode rapidly up to him, and, detaching a rope which had been knotted +around his waist, tied the bull's legs fore and aft, and the exhausted +brute did not make an objection.</p> + +<p>For several minutes the bull lay panting, then it recovered.</p> + +<p>When it came to its normal condition at last, it struggled furiously to +get to its feet, but each time it got up Ted jerked it to its side, +standing close to it so that it could see him.</p> + +<p>Time and again it thus fruitlessly struggled.</p> + +<p>It seemed to realize suddenly that it had been a very foolish bull, and +that it had met its master, who now stood over him ready to tumble him +over at any moment.</p> + +<p>So he lay quite still, following Ted's movements with its great, dark +eyes, out of which all the ferocity had vanished.</p> + +<p>Ted stepped up to it and patted its head, and it made no objection to +these attentions. Then he began to untie the bonds that held its legs +together.</p> + +<p>"Look out fer him, he's treacherous," called Bud.</p> + +<p>"He's all right," answered Ted. "I'll bet he'll eat out of my hand."</p> + +<p>When it felt that it was free again, the bull got slowly to his feet and +walked sedately in the direction of the herd.</p> + +<p>"You've broken the spirit of that bull," said Stella.</p> + +<p>"You bet I have," said Ted. "That's just what he needed. He'll be a good +bull now. If he isn't, I'll give him some more."</p> + +<p>Ted now rode to the head of the herd with Stella, and the other boys +took their places.</p> + +<p>"All right, Billy. Send them forward," shouted Ted to the rear of the +herd.</p> + +<p>Skillfully Ted set the herd to moving toward the south, where the other +herds were gathering under the management of the boys.</p> + +<p>At first Gladiator threw up his head arrogantly, and did not stir.</p> + +<p>Ted again rode toward him, swinging his lariat. The bull saw him as well +as the rope, and, recognizing the agents of his defeat, moved off +briskly at the head of the herd.</p> + +<p>"Say," said Bud, across the head of the herd, "yer could slap that old +duffer across the face with your hat, and he'd apologize."</p> + +<p>They were almost at the rendezvous, where thousands of cattle had been +gathered into a huge herd, and in every direction could be seen dust +clouds announcing that others were on the way.</p> + +<p>"Here comes Carl hotfoot," said Stella. "He looks as if something had +happened, and he was an extra edition with 'a full account of the +terrible disaster.'"</p> + +<p>"Hello, Carl! What is it?" asked Ted.</p> + +<p>"Der United States marshal vaiting for you on der veranda iss," answered +Carl solemnly.</p> + +<p>"Well, what do I care?" asked Ted. "He's come at a mighty busy time if +he just wants to swap a little conversation. Did he say what he wanted?"</p> + +<p>"No, but he say it is very important vork, an' for you to hurry."</p> + +<p>"My compliments to the marshal, and tell him I'm busy, and will see him +as soon as I get through. You entertain him for a while."</p> + +<p>"But he der boss iss."</p> + +<p>"Not on this ranch. This is a free and unadulterated republic, where +there are no bosses. Tell him to make himself at home, and I'll be +there as soon as I can."</p> + +<p>Now the cattle were all rounded up, and the cutting out of the two and +three-year olds began.</p> + +<p>This was intensely exciting work, in which Stella joined, as she was as +skilled at it as any of the boys. Outside of the big herd, the cowboys +were picking up the cut-outs and driving them to the branding pens, for +many of them were acquired stock, and even many of the home yearlings +had never been branded.</p> + +<p>Then the cows with calves were cut out, so that the youngsters might get +a touch of life by feeling the sting of the hot iron with the Crescent V +brand on it.</p> + +<p>The buyers were circulating in the herds, looking over the stock.</p> + +<p>Several of the buyers had brought their own cow-punchers with them, and +these went to work cutting out the selections of their employers.</p> + +<p>The sky was thick with dust, and the air rang with the shouts of the +cowboys and the lowing and bellowing of the cattle.</p> + +<p>The rattle of countless hoofs on the hard soil added to the din, and the +cattle weaving in and out ceaselessly, and the dashing riding of the +cowboys as they swooped out of the mass occasionally to drive back an +escaping steer, made a scene of excitement, movement, and noise never +seen anywhere, except at a Western cattle round-up and cut-out.</p> + +<p>Soon the work was pretty well in hand, and, leaving Bud Morgan as +segundo, Ted went to the house to see the marshal.</p> + +<p>He found that officer sitting on the veranda, quietly smoking a cigar, +an interested witness of the proceedings.</p> + +<p>"How are you, Mr. Easton?" said Ted, shaking hands with the marshal. "I +must apologize for not coming sooner, but my hands were full."</p> + +<p>"So I see," said the marshal cordially. "I was watching you work out +there. Say, I believe I'd like to be a cow-puncher if I wasn't so old."</p> + +<p>"It's a young man's job," said Ted, laughing; "and even at that it is +about all a young fellow can stand at times. But this to-day is a mere +picnic to what we are up against sometimes."</p> + +<p>"Well, you seem to be right in it."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I love my business. I wouldn't be anything in the world except a +cow-puncher."</p> + +<p>"But, remember, you are also a government officer."</p> + +<p>"I never forget that. But, if it came to being compelled to quit one or +the other of the occupations, I'd still be a cow-puncher, and let the +marshalship go."</p> + +<p>"That's the very thing I came to see about."</p> + +<p>"You want my resignation?" asked Ted, his spirits falling to zero.</p> + +<p>"By no means," laughed the marshal. "Not that, but to ask you to +undertake a somewhat difficult job. It transpires that when the Soldier +Butte bank was robbed the other night, a large amount of money belonging +to the government was taken. I didn't know this until early this +afternoon, when I received a telegram from Washington to go after the +robbers and land them."</p> + +<p>"That'll be somewhat of a job," said Ted, drawing his chair closer to +the marshal, so that he couldn't be overheard by passing people.</p> + +<p>"I'm well aware of that, and that's the reason I come to you. You and +your boys must undertake the duty of clearing up the mystery of the +robbery, and, if possible, recovering the money."</p> + +<p>"I have a very probable theory as to who the robbers are, but it will be +entirely another matter to fasten it on them."</p> + +<p>"I leave it all to you. I don't want to have anything to do with it. All +I want are results."</p> + +<p>"But I shall not have time to tackle it for a day or two. Unfortunately +our fall round-up is in progress, and, as this is the time we sell the +product of our business, we can't leave it until everything is cleared +up."</p> + +<p>"That's all right, Mr. Strong. But when you do get busy, don't come back +home until you land the thieves."</p> + + + +<br /> +<a name='CHAPTER_X'></a><h2>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<h3>A VISITOR IN THE NIGHT.</h3> +<br /> + +<p>A great deal of money changed hands that day. The stock buyers had their +wallets loaded with cash when they came a-buying, for, when they had cut +out the cattle they wanted, and the price was struck, they were prepared +to drive them off at once.</p> + +<p>The sales at the round-up had been large, and Ted and the boys sat up +late that night, after those guests who had elected to remain over for +the festivities of the next day were safely in bed, counting the money +and going over the books.</p> + +<p>"It has been a mighty good year for us, boys," said Ted, as he +contemplated the total of their sales.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and, best of all, it leaves us with all the old stock disposed of, +and nothing but young and vigorous animals with which to begin building +up again," said Kit, who had a great head for the cattle business and a +faculty for seeing into the future.</p> + +<p>"What aire we goin' ter do with all this yere mazuma?" asked Bud, +looking over the stacks of fifties, twenties, tens, and fives that lay +on the table around which they were sitting in the living room, and +which was flanked by piles of gold and a few hundred-dollar bills.</p> + +<p>"Can't get it into the bank until day after to-morrow," said Ted. "We'll +be too busy to-morrow looking after our guests, and I don't suppose +we'll be free until after the dance to-morrow night. Still, I'm not +worrying about it. We know everybody here to-night, and I'll take care +of it till we can ride over to Strongburg and bank it."</p> + +<p>Just then the door blew open with a bang, and big Ben scurried in, +bringing with him a blast of prairie wind, crisp and chill from the +mountain, that scattered the greenbacks all over the room, and two or +three of the fives were blown into the fire and incinerated before any +one could rescue them.</p> + +<p>"Close that door!" shouted Bud, grasping frantically at the money that +was capering over the top of the table.</p> + +<p>Ben closed the door with a slam that shook the house.</p> + +<p>"'A fool and his money is soon parted,'" quoted Ben, when he saw the +havoc wrought by the wind.</p> + +<p>"You bet," said Kit "Three fives blew into the fireplace, and are no +more. We'll just charge them to your account."</p> + +<p>"Like dolly, you will!" said Ben.</p> + +<p>"If it hadn't been for you they wouldn't be there. What's the reason we +won't?"</p> + +<p>"Because you won't. I didn't make the wind."</p> + +<p>"No, but consarn ye, ye let it in, an' ye're an accessory before er +after ther fact. I reckon both," said Bud.</p> + +<p>"Let it go, boys," said Ted. "Pick up the bills, and we'll count and +stack them again."</p> + +<p>"Where have you been, anyway?" asked Kit, addressing Ben.</p> + +<p>"Down beddin' my show for the night. They're about all in now. All +except the music, which will be here in the morning," replied Ben. "I'm +not at all stuck on myself, but—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, you've got a very poor opinion of yourself, I guess," said Kit.</p> + +<p>"But I want to say that I think I got the bunkie-doodelest show that +ever paced the glimmering, gleaming, gloaming grass of Moon Valley."</p> + +<p>"Listen to the hombre explode," said Bud. "He's tryin' ter be a feeble +imitation o' a real showman. I'll bet he shows up ter-morrer like a +ringmaster in a sucuss, with high, shiny boots an' a long whip an a +tall, slick hat, an' crack his whip an' say: 'What will ther leetle lady +hev next?'"</p> + +<p>Ben blushed, for his ambitions in the show line, now that he had had a +taste of it, had really been in that direction, only he wouldn't have +had the boys know it for the world.</p> + +<p>"How about the show, anyhow, Ben?" asked Ted.</p> + +<p>"What have you got? You might as well let us know now."</p> + +<p>"Not on your autobiography," answered Ben haughtily. "I want to say, +though, that your eyes will bulge like the knobs on a washstand drawer +when you see what I've got, and then come to look at the bill for such a +stupendous, striking, and singularly successful aggregation of freaks, +acts, and divertisements embodied in this colossal and cataclysmic +congregation of—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, cheese it," said Kit. "You give me the pip."</p> + +<p>"All right, have it your own way," sighed Ben. "This is what a fellow +gets for serving his country, from Thomas Jefferson to John D. +Rockefeller."</p> + +<p>"Come on," said Ted persuasively. "Loosen up and tell us what we are to +have to-morrow. This is an executive session of the whole."</p> + +<p>"You're like a lot of kids the day before Christmas. You've just got to +see what mamma's hidden in the closet," said Ben. "Well, I'll let you in +on a little of it."</p> + +<p>"Shoot when you're ready," said Kit.</p> + +<p>"I was over at Strongburg about a month ago, and, knowing that I'd have +to rustle up a show soon, I wrote to a theatrical agent in Chicago to +let me know if he could furnish me with a good amusement company at +small cost. He wrote me that he had the very thing, and offered me one +of these bum 'wild west' shows, with a bunch of spavined ponies, a lot +of imitation cowboys, fake Indians, and Coney Island target shooters."</p> + +<p>"An' yer didn't take 'em?" asked Bud, in surprise.</p> + +<p>"Tush! Well, I was up against it, when Morrison, the hotel man, told me +that there was a showman in town, and perhaps I might get something out +of him.</p> + +<p>"I hunted him up. He was a typical showman. Big fellow, large as a +Noah's ark, dressed like a sunset, and loud as an eighteen-inch gun."</p> + +<p>"I saw the fellow in Soldier Butte the other day. He was talking to +Wiley Creviss in the bank," said Ted. "You've described him more +picturesquely than I should, but I'm convinced he's the same man."</p> + +<p>"I asked him what he had, and he told me he could furnish me on short +notice anything from a three-ring circus to a hand organ and monkey," +continued Ben. "I told him how much money I wanted to spend, and he said +he'd fix me up a show that would make everybody delighted, and I told +him to go ahead. The show blew in to-night, and ran up their tents down +near the corral."</p> + +<p>"How many have you got in it?"</p> + +<p>"I've got a balloon ascension for the afternoon, a giant and a midget, a +magician, an Egyptian fortune teller, a trick mule, a Circassian beauty, +and a strong man." Ben looked around proudly, and the boys burst into +peals of laughter.</p> + +<p>"Have you scraped the mold off of them yet?" asked Kit.</p> + +<p>"How's that?" asked Ben haughtily.</p> + +<p>"Have you pulled the burs off the chestnuts?"</p> + +<p>"See here, what do you mean? Are you casting aspersions on my show?"</p> + +<p>"Not exactly, but I think you've been stung by some old stranded side +show that was taking the tie route back home. Circassian beaut! Ho-ho, +likewise ha-ha! and some more."</p> + +<p>"Ter say nothin' o' a Egyptian fortune teller from Popodunk, Ioway, an' +a wild man from ther Quaker village. Oh! give me ther smellin' salts. +I'm goin' ter hev ther histrikes," laughed Bud.</p> + +<p>"Haf you not got a echukated vooly pig und a feller vot 'eats 'em +alife'?" asked Carl.</p> + +<p>"That's right, Dutchy. It's a bum show what ain't got them," laughed +Bud.</p> + +<p>The boys were laughing until the house rang with it, and Stella poked +her pretty head out of the door to ask to be told the joke. Bud +complied, with many humorous embellishments.</p> + +<p>"Don't pay any attention to them, Ben," said Stella sympathetically, +"I'll take in the show from start to finish."</p> + +<p>"Could friendship go any farther than that?" asked Kit pathetically.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you fellows give me a pain," said Ben, rising and stalking off to +bed.</p> + +<p>He was soon followed by the others, Ted and Kit remaining behind to +gather up the money and slip rubber bands around each of the packages of +currency.</p> + +<p>"We ought to have a safe in the house, Ted," said Kit, looking over the +pile of money. "We often have large sums of money in the house, and some +time we might get robbed."</p> + +<p>"There's not much danger of that, Kit," answered Ted. "There are not +many fellows who would have the nerve to come into this house. Too many +guns, and too many fellows who are not afraid to shoot them. I'm not +afraid."</p> + +<p>"What was that?"</p> + +<p>Kit was staring at the rear window.</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"I just looked up and thought I saw a face at the window."</p> + +<p>"You're getting imaginative."</p> + +<p>Just then the clock struck twelve.</p> + +<p>"No, I don't think so. I heard a slight cracking noise and looked up. +Something white appeared at the window for an instant. It looked like +the face of a child."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense. A child couldn't look through that window. It's seven feet +from the ground."</p> + +<p>"Well, I suppose I was mistaken. Let's hide that money and go to bed."</p> + +<p>"Where shall we put it?"</p> + +<p>Kit looked around the room, then smiled.</p> + +<p>"Why, in the cubby-hole, of course. There's a safe for you. We haven't +used it for so long that I'd almost forgotten it."</p> + +<p>"The very thing. Nobody'd find it there in a blue moon."</p> + +<p>They crossed over to a corner of the room and threw back the corner of a +rug. Where the baseboard was mortised at the corner there appeared to +have been a patch put in. Ted placed his hand against this, near the +top, and it tipped back. It was hung on a pivot, and, as its top went in +and the bottom came out, there was revealed a boxlike receptacle about +two feet long and six inches deep.</p> + +<p>"This is a bully place," said Ted, placing the packages of money within +it. "It is known to only five of us, and I'll bet that most of us have +forgotten its very existence."</p> + +<p>The board was turned back into place and the rug spread out again.</p> + +<p>"Safe as in the Strongburg Bank," said Kit. "Well, me for the feathers. +We're going to be kept humping to-morrow. <i>Buenas noches</i>."</p> + +<p>In a few minutes the big ranch house was dark and quiet; every person +in it was sound asleep.</p> + +<p>Ted Strong had sunk into a deep and untroubled sleep, for his day had +been very active, and he was tired when he lay down.</p> + +<p>But he had not been sleeping more than a half hour when he found himself +sitting straight up in bed, very wide-awake, and wondering why.</p> + +<p>"Something wrong in the house," he muttered to himself.</p> + +<p>He sniffed the air to discover the smell of smoke. But it was not that.</p> + +<p>Had he locked up? He went over his actions just before retiring, and was +sure that he had attended faithfully to everything.</p> + +<p>The money! The thought came to him like a blow.</p> + +<p>Something had happened to the money.</p> + +<p>He was out of bed in a jiffy and slipped into his trousers, and, +grabbing his revolver from beneath his pillow, he opened the door and +walked softly along the hall in his bare feet.</p> + +<p>The hall opened into the living room through an arch in which a +portière, made of small pieces of bamboo strung together, was hung.</p> + +<p>As he looked cautiously into the living room his elbow struck this, and +it rattled sharply in the stillness.</p> + +<p>He had heard a faint creak, and, as he peeped around the corner of the +arch, he saw dimly the figure of a man near the door, evidently just in +the act of opening it.</p> + +<p>With a succession of noiseless leaps Ted was across the room, and +arrived at the door just as it swung open and the man was about to +depart.</p> + +<p>But Ted was upon his back with the swiftness of a bobcat, and they came +together to the floor with? a crash.</p> + +<p>The burglar was beneath, but this did not prevent him from fighting +with a desperation that lent strength to his already strong and lithe +body.</p> + +<p>He was slenderer and younger than Ted, who could feel it in the fellow's +build as they struggled.</p> + +<p>"Let me out, or I'll kill you," said the burglar, and Ted saw the flash +of a knife.</p> + +<p>At the same moment something rushed past them in the dark, and out of +the door.</p> + +<p>As Ted saw it dimly it was small, and its motions were awkward and +lumbering. He thought it was a dog, and was about to raise his revolver +to fire at it when he thought better of it, as he did not want to arouse +the household if he could conquer his man without making a noise.</p> + +<p>"Don't shoot," said the man, who had observed Ted's motion with the gun.</p> + +<p>At this extraordinary request Ted paused.</p> + +<p>He had twisted the man's wrist until he dropped the knife, and then +shoved it beyond reach with the muzzle of his revolver.</p> + +<p>His strong left hand was in the nape of the fellow's neck, and Ted had +his nose ground into the rug. He had found a gun in the fellow's hip +pocket, and relieved him of it.</p> + +<p>Then Ted rose, and told his captive to get up</p> + +<p>Slowly he did so, and Ted made him move to the center of the room.</p> + +<p>Bud's golden head appeared around the corner of the doorway.</p> + +<p>Ted could just distinguish it.</p> + +<p>"Who's that?" asked Bud.</p> + +<p>"It's Ted. Come in and strike a light. I've caught something."</p> + +<p>In a moment a light flared up.</p> + +<p>"Jack Farley!" exclaimed Ted, in astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Yes, blast you, Jack Farley," replied the youth.</p> + +<p>"Couldn't keep away, eh?"</p> + +<p>"A feller'd think thet once was enough," said Bud.</p> + +<p>"I couldn't help myself. I had to come," growled Farley.</p> + +<p>"Well, this time you'll stay. You shan't abuse our hospitality again. +Bud, get a rope and tie our friend. He's skittish, and is likely to run +away if he's turned loose."</p> + +<p>Farley was soon tied securely.</p> + +<p>"Keep an eye on him, Bud," said Ted. "I want to look over the premises."</p> + +<p>Ted went directly to the corner and pushed back the pivot door, struck a +match, and looked into the box.</p> + +<p>It was empty.</p> + +<p>Then, turning back to Farley, he searched him thoroughly.</p> + +<p>There was no money in his pockets.</p> + +<p>Ted called up Kit, and the three of them ransacked the living room +thoroughly, but not a dollar could be found. "What did you do with the +money you stole from that hole?" said Ted, gazing fiercely into Farley's +eyes.</p> + +<p>"I haven't seen a dollar of it," was the reply.</p> + + + +<br /> +<a name='CHAPTER_XI'></a><h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<h3>TED STRONG HAS A THEORY.</h3> +<br /> + +<p>After Farley had been securely locked up in a storeroom without windows, +they went to bed, feeling secure that there would be no further attempt +to enter the house that night.</p> + +<p>At breakfast they discussed the robbery after their guests had left the +house.</p> + +<p>"I don't understand what became of the money," said Ted. "It looks to me +like one of those mysterious robberies, and the capture of Farley puts +it up to the Riley and Creviss gang. Now that we've been touched +personally we will take some interest in the gang, and I have a large +crayon picture of about a dozen hitherto respectable young fellows +learning useful trades in a reformatory institution."</p> + +<p>"But that doesn't bring back our money, neither does it tell us how it +was stolen or what became of it," said Ben.</p> + +<p>"I can't get a thing out of Farley," said Ted. "I tackled him this +morning as soon as I got up, but he wouldn't open his mouth. My belief +is that he is in deadly fear of some one, probably Skip Riley."</p> + +<p>"Well, we've got him where the hair is short, anyway," said Kit. "He was +caught in the act, and will come out of prison an older and a wiser +man."</p> + +<p>"What else besides Farley did you see in the room, Ted?" asked Stella.</p> + +<p>"I really couldn't say what it was," said Ted. "It was dark, and there +was only the faintest kind of light outside from the stars. The room was +perfectly dark. I was sitting on Farley's back holding him down. He had +thrown the door open, and we were in the doorway, but there was a space +between us and the door-jamb.</p> + +<p>"Suddenly I heard a faint noise beside me and could just see something +scud past me onto the veranda."</p> + +<p>"What did it look like?"</p> + +<p>"It was about as high as a small dog, only shorter and thicker than a +dog, and ran with a clumsy, heavy, sideways motion."</p> + +<p>"Are you sure it was a dog?"</p> + +<p>"No, I'm not sure, for I didn't see it plainly. All I could see was that +it looked like some kind of an animal, but just what kind I couldn't +determine."</p> + +<p>"Your description would lead me to believe that it was a coon."</p> + +<p>"No, I don't think it was a coon, or I would have been able to +distinguish it by its smell."</p> + +<p>"I didn't know but that it might be a coon trained to steal and sneak +out. I've heard of such things, and it is by no means impossible, for +you know that coons, like crows, are natural-born thieves."</p> + +<p>"By Jove, that gives me an idea. I think it was a dog, and that its +strange gait was due to the fact that the money had been tied upon him +so that he would get away with it in case Farley was caught."</p> + +<p>"No, the dog theory is wrong. What about a trained monkey?" Stella +looked around the table to see how this was taken.</p> + +<p>"C'rect!" shouted Bud. "Stella, yer struck ther problem a solar plexus +thet time."</p> + +<p>"That does seem reasonable, and if it is true it solves the mysterious +robberies of the Strongburg Trust Company's office, the post office, and +Creviss' bank," said Ted.</p> + +<p>"It's worth looking into, anyway," said Ben. "Now I wonder if there is +such a thing as a trained monkey in my marvelous and magnificent +gathering of the splendors of the Orient out there. By Jove, I'm going +through that camp with a fine-tooth comb, and if I find a monk, I'll +habeas-corpus him, and we'll hang him to the rafters."</p> + +<p>"Well, mum's the word about the money," warned Ted. "We don't want this +thing to leak out. If it does, there's a chance against us."</p> + +<p>Although they all felt pretty blue about the loss of the money, they had +nothing but hearty welcomes and smiles for their guests, who began to +arrive from all parts of the county, and from far-distant States and +Territories, to help rejoice with the boys for a prosperous year, not +knowing that all the prosperity had fallen into the hands of thieves.</p> + +<p>The grounds about the ranch house had been gayly decorated for the +occasion. An enormous American flag flapped and snapped in the fresh +breeze from the top of a tall staff in front of the house, and the Belle +Fourche band was playing in a gayly decorated stand. The showmen had +erected their tents, and already the boys and girls from the ranches and +towns were going in and out, witnessing the wonders to be beheld in +them.</p> + +<p>Stella was receiving her girl guests on the veranda, for she was a great +favorite among the cowgirls in the country on account of her +friendliness and unaffected ways.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Graham was welcoming the older women, while Ted and Jack Slate were +shaking hands with the ranchmen and cowboys.</p> + +<p>Clay's fires were going well, and the steer and sheep were being roasted +for the noontime feast.</p> + +<p>Ben had gone on a still-hunt among the tents belonging to the showman, +and, while he found three small dogs, there was no sign of a monkey, and +by adroit questioning he learned that they had had a monkey, but that +it had died at Leadville, because the air in that altitude was too cold +and rare for it.</p> + +<p>These facts he communicated to Ted, and seemed to explode the +monkey-thief theory.</p> + +<p>During the morning there was a baseball game between the cowboys and the +clerks from the stores in Soldier Butte and Strongburg, in which the +score was forty-one to three in favor of the clerks. The cowboys +couldn't play ball any more than a rabbit, encumbered as they were by +their chaps, high-heeled boots, and spurs. It took a home-run hit to get +one of them to first base.</p> + +<p>After dinner the cowboy sports were to come off.</p> + +<p>When Ted could get away from his duties as host for a few minutes he +sauntered through the crowd, extending greetings to all whom he knew, +but at the same time keeping a close watch over everything.</p> + +<p>The theft of the money from the cubby-hole had aroused in him all his +detective instincts.</p> + +<p>He saw two or three of the young fellows who had been with Wiley Creviss +the night of the ball, but he paid no attention to them. They were +welcome to come to the festivities, and to remain so long as they +behaved themselves.</p> + +<p>But he determined to have them watched.</p> + +<p>Soon he came upon some more of the Creviss gang and saw them mingle with +several boys, whom he knew to be tough characters, from Strongburg.</p> + +<p>"The clan is gathering," he said to himself. "We're likely to have +trouble with those fellows before the day is over. I'll put Bud next to +them, and have the boys watch them."</p> + +<p>"Whom do you suppose I saw just now?"</p> + +<p>It was Stella's voice, and she was standing at his elbow.</p> + +<p>"Who?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Wiley Creviss."</p> + +<p>"Is that so? I have been watching for him to come along. A lot of his +fellows are here, and they are sticking pretty well together. Where did +you see him?"</p> + +<p>"I told Ben I'd take in his show even if no one else did, and I've kept +my promise. When I was in that biggest tent I suddenly came upon Creviss +in close conversation with the boss showman. When they saw me looking at +them they separated in a hurry, and Creviss left the tent."</p> + +<p>"H'm! I wonder if Ben knows this fellow who owns the show."</p> + +<p>"Don't know, I'm sure. It wouldn't be a bad scheme to find out something +about him in view of the robbery last night."</p> + +<p>"You're right, Stella. Another thing I've been thinking about: I've been +looking for Skip Riley, the Strongburg fireman, the supposed leader of +the Flying Demons. If they are going to try any of their monkey business +to-day he ought to be here."</p> + +<p>"Haven't you heard the news? I intended to tell you, but must have +forgotten. The last time I was in Strongburg I heard that Riley had +resigned, and left the town for the East."</p> + +<p>"I hadn't heard it. Then that puts it up to Creviss."</p> + +<p>"But who is the fellow who runs the show? Ben says his name is Colonel +Ben Robinson, and that he is an old circusman down on his luck +temporarily."</p> + +<p>"Look around and find out what you can. They will not suspect you if you +ask questions as they would me. If you find out anything, let me know."</p> + +<p>"All right, Ted, I'll circulate, and report."</p> + +<p>Ted wandered over to the show tents, and entered them all, with kindly +greetings to the performers, who all knew him as the leader of the +broncho boys, and asked him if they could be excused from performing +while the riding and other cowboy stunts were going forward, and Ted +told them to lay off if they wanted to, as most of the guests would be +out in the grand stand, anyhow.</p> + +<p>In the last tent he entered he found the strong man lifting weights +against a lot of husky cow-punchers, and the giant and midget.</p> + +<p>But it was the midget that struck him most forcibly. He had a sly, +cunning face and a bad eye, and when Ted came in he tried to hide behind +the giant, who picked him up as one would a baby in arms. But the little +fellow wriggled free and climbed down the big man like a monkey down a +tree. Then he slipped across to the middle of the tent and shinned up +the pole to the top, and hung there, looking down at Ted.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter with the little fellow?" Ted asked the giant.</p> + +<p>"Oh, he ain't got real good sense," rumbled the giant. "His brain +stopped growing with his body, I reckon. But you can teach him tricks +the same as you can a dog or a monkey, and he'll do them all right. I +reckon he's afraid of you. He is of some people, the boss in +particular."</p> + +<p>"How long have you been with the boss?"</p> + +<p>"Not very long. He just took the show over from the old boss a month +ago. We were going to pieces over to Cheyenne, and he come along and +bought us. He's been a showman in his time, but says he hasn't been in +the biz for several years. He knows the biz, though, and has scads of +money. We are well fed and get our salaries regular. Him and Prince +Carl, that's the midget, are great pals. The midget sleeps in his tent, +and the boss seldom lets him out of his sight."</p> + +<p>"Say, Bellows, how many times have I got to tell you not to stand there +gassing with patrons of the show? Every one don't want to bother with +your theories and troubles." Ted turned, to face the boss showman.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's you, Mr. Strong?" he went on. "I didn't recognize your back. +It's all right to talk to you. But I've got to call the giant down once +in so often for taking up people's time, for he's an awful gabber."</p> + +<p>He walked away, but when Ted tried to get the giant to tell him some +more about the midget and the boss, he would not say a word.</p> + +<p>But the giant had planted the seed of a theory in Ted's mind.</p> + +<p>Presently Ted saw Stella beckoning to him in the crowd, and forced his +way to her side.</p> + +<p>She took his arm, and they got out of the crowd. Ted saw that she had +something to communicate.</p> + +<p>"Well?" he said, smiling down on her.</p> + +<p>"There's going to be something doing here," said she. "The boss showman +has been talking with several of the gang."</p> + +<p>"All right. Did you hear anything about Skip Riley?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. He's been gone from Strongburg about a month."</p> + +<p>"Learn anything else about him?"</p> + +<p>"Skip Riley is not his name at all."</p> + +<p>"That so? What is it? Did you learn?"</p> + +<p>"I was talking to a lady from Strongburg, one of those who got him a job +on the fire department."</p> + +<p>"What did she know about him?"</p> + +<p>"She said that she was appointed a committee of one by the Ladies' Aid +Society over there to look up the new fireman's career."</p> + +<p>"And I suppose she ran onto some hot stuff?"</p> + +<p>"It seems that the ex-convict, Skip Riley, had been a circus performer +once upon a time, before he took to being a burglar."</p> + +<p>"Was burglary the crime for which he was put in prison?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, so she says. He was an aëronaut and acrobat."</p> + +<p>"Good! And what was his stage name? Did she say?"</p> + +<p>"Robinson—Ben Robinson. She says that she was told that he was quite +famous in his day as a circus performer, but that he couldn't resist the +temptation to steal, and so had to quit the business, as none of the +circus proprietors would have him around."</p> + +<p>"Did she say where she got this information?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. It was sent to her by the warden of the penitentiary in which +Riley was confined before he came to Strongburg."</p> + +<p>"Then her information is probably correct. Stella, thanks to you, we've +got them dead to rights. We've solved the mystery hanging around all +these recent robberies."</p> + +<p>"Nearly, but not quite. How were they accomplished?"</p> + +<p>"That I don't know positively, but I have a theory which I believe will +turn out to be correct."</p> + +<p>"But about Riley?"</p> + +<p>"Ben Robinson, the proprietor of this show, and Skip Riley, burglar and +ex-convict, are one and the same man."</p> + + + +<br /> +<a name='CHAPTER_XII'></a><h2>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<h3>ALOFT AFTER A PRISONER.</h3> +<br /> + +<p>"All ready for the big show," cried Kit, riding up to Ted. "When will we +begin the sports?"</p> + +<p>Ted looked over the grand stand, which was built around an arena in +which the cowboy sports were to come off.</p> + +<p>This was the most important event of the day, for while bronchobusting +and cattle roping are a cowboy's business, yet he finds unending +amusement in doing these same things if his girl and friends are there +to witness his skill.</p> + +<p>After some ordinary feats of trick riding by the visiting cowboys, +several really dangerous steers were turned loose in the arena, and for +several minutes a very fair imitation of a Spanish bullfight, minus the +killing of the animals, took place.</p> + +<p>After several of the steers had been roped, thrown, and tied, there +still remained in the arena a sullen and difficult brute, which was as +tricky as a rat, and the boys gave him up one at a time.</p> + +<p>"Why don't you give the girls a chance at him?" shouted a cowgirl +derisively, from the seats.</p> + +<p>"Any girl who wants to tackle him is at liberty to do so," Ted shouted +back through his megaphone.</p> + +<p>Instantly three girls leaped into the arena, and borrowed ponies from +their cowboy acquaintances.</p> + +<p>Ted motioned to Sophy Cozak, the pretty and buxom girl from the Bohemian +prairie, whom Bud had admired at the dance; she rode forward on Bud's +own particular horse, Ranger.</p> + +<p>Sophy had several brothers who had taught her the cow business, and she +had few equals on the range.</p> + +<p>As she rode out she was greeted with a round of applause from her +admirers. She gathered up her rope and sent the horse forward at an easy +lope toward the steer, which looked at her a moment and trotted off.</p> + +<p>Sophy followed him, and made three casts of the rope, and every time the +brute dodged it, and the rope fell to the ground.</p> + +<p>That settled it with Sophy, and she rode in, and another girl took her +place. She, too, was unsuccessful, as was the third, and the audience +was distinctly disappointed.</p> + +<p>"Ladies and gentlemen," cried Ted, through the megaphone. "It was not +the intention of any one living on the Moon Valley Ranch to take part in +these contests, but if there are no other young ladies in the grand +stand who would like to try their ropes on the steer, we can produce one +whom we think can rope and tie it at the first trial. I refer to Miss +Stella Fosdick. I have not consulted her wishes in the matter, but will +ask her if she will undertake it."</p> + +<p>At this a wild cheer went up, and Ted dashed out of the arena to find +Stella. In a moment he was back, and announced that Miss Fosdick would +try it.</p> + +<p>Presently Stella rode in on Custer at a hard gallop, gathering up her +rope as she rode. There was a sort of gay self-confidence in her manner +that captivated the throng, and the cheers split the air.</p> + +<p>Stella rode straight at the steer, which, seeing her approach; galloped +down the arena with her in pursuit.</p> + +<p>Swinging her rope above her head, she chased it back until it was about +in the middle of the field, and suddenly the rope left her hand +unerringly and shot through the air, seemed to hesitate for an instant, +then fell over the steer's head.</p> + +<p>Custer came to a stop the moment the rope left her hand, with his body +well braced. The steer went to the end of the rope as fast as it could +go, then was flung in the air, and lay upon his back sprawling like some +ridiculous four-legged crab, while the girl leaped from her saddle, ran +swiftly across the intervening space, tied his legs together, and held +up her hand.</p> + +<p>The crowd fairly went wild with enthusiasm at her feat, as she mounted +again, leaving the steer to the tender mercies of the cow-punchers, who +flocked about her. Then she dashed out of the arena, waving her hat in +recognition of the applause.</p> + +<p>Then the bunch of wild Montana horses, which never had felt the saddle, +were driven in, and Ted offered a twenty-dollar gold piece to any +puncher who could rope, saddle, and bridle, and ride one of the bronchos +ten minutes without being thrown.</p> + +<p>"Easy money!" shouted the cowboys, flocking into the arena.</p> + +<p>The black, which had caused Ted so much trouble when the bunch first +came to the ranch, was not with them. He was considered too dangerous an +animal to be handled at an entertainment where there were so many women +and children.</p> + +<p>Only two cow-punchers succeeded in even getting their saddles on the +bronchos without throwing them and hog-tying them, and only one, Billy +Sudden, stayed the required ten minutes, and he said afterward that it +wasn't his fault, because the broncho wouldn't let him get off.</p> + +<p>Ted then announced that there was another animal in the herd that he +would ask no man to ride, but that he would try to do so himself.</p> + +<p>Another great cheer went up as Ted rode away after the black demon, to +whom the boys had given the name Lucifer, for his supposed resemblance +to his satanic majesty.</p> + +<p>But it was found impossible to drive Lucifer into the arena.</p> + +<p>"Never mind," said Ted, "we'll throw the saddle on him here, and I'll +ride him in."</p> + +<p>A crowd of men and boys was standing around, and Ted removed his saddle +and handed it to a young fellow in the crowd to hold until he had thrown +Lucifer. The animal was standing in the center of the circle, his wary +eyes taking in the crowd, and letting fly with his heels at the approach +of any one.</p> + +<p>"Now, Bud," called Ted, "ride in on him and rope him. You, Kit, get him +by the leg and throw him, and I'll slip a bridle on him."</p> + +<p>It was not much of a trick to rope and hold him so that he couldn't +kick. But when Ted tried to slip the bit between his teeth, he fought +like the demon that he was, biting and kicking, so that he had to be +thrown to his side and his head held down before the bridle could be put +on him.</p> + +<p>Then he was allowed to rise. There was no doubt but that the horse was +insane with rage and fear, and several cowmen came forward and tried to +persuade Ted from attempting to ride him, but Ted was as obstinate as +the horse, and said that he would conquer the black, or die in the +attempt.</p> + +<p>He finally found the fellow who had been holding his saddle, although he +had left his stand and was found back behind the crowd talking to a gang +of young fellows, among whom Ted recognized several of Creviss' +companions. This delayed and angered him, and he called the saddle +bearer down for deserting his post, and was answered with sneers and +laughter.</p> + +<p>After many trials, and the exertion of a great deal of patience, Ted got +the saddle on Lucifer and hastily cinched, and as he sprang to the +brute's back the ropes were loosed. With a bound and a snort of terror +the black dashed forward, and it was with the greatest difficulty that +Ted swung it so it went through the gates and into the arena without +dashing him against the posts.</p> + +<p>Once inside the arena, the brute began to exhibit terrible ferocity.</p> + +<p>Stella and Bud had followed in his wake, and when the girl saw how the +brute was behaving, she whispered to Bud:</p> + +<p>"That demon will kill him yet."</p> + +<p>"If he don't kill it," answered Bud.</p> + +<p>"Why did you let him ride it? I got there a moment too late, and he was +already in the saddle, or I should have stopped it."</p> + +<p>"What could I do? He had told the people he would ride it, and that +settled it with him."</p> + +<p>Lucifer was exercising all the tricks known to wild and terrified +bronchos when they first feel saddle and bridle, and which seem to be +inbred in them. He bucked, but there was never a horse that could buck +Ted off. He reared, he kicked, rolled, and fell backward. But every time +he stopped for a moment to note the result, there the unshakable enemy +was on his back again. Clearly he was puzzled.</p> + +<p>Then a new paroxysm of rage would shake him, and he would go through the +same performances again, but with no better success.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Ted brought his quirt down on the brute's flanks, and it leaped +high into the air in an agony of fear and pain. It had felt that +stinging thing before, and hated it.</p> + +<p>Then it started to run away from this terrible thing that bestrode its +back.</p> + +<p>"By Heaven! it's running away," muttered Bud. "It'll be an act o' +Providence if Ted isn't killed."</p> + +<p>Down the arena they dashed, Ted sitting in the saddle as if he and it +and the stallion were all of a piece.</p> + +<p>When the brute came to the arena's end, and saw before him the shouting +multitude, it suddenly swerved to come back, and Ted realized that +something had happened to the saddle. It was slipping, and yet he was +sure he had cinched it tight. Back they came tearing again, and passed +Stella and Bud like a rocket.</p> + +<p>"Great guns!" cried Bud, "his saddle's loose. He's a goner now, shore."</p> + +<p>Every one saw Ted's danger, for Ted was leaning well over, and the +saddle was on the horse's side. A hollow groan went up.</p> + +<p>At Bud's first words Stella was off after Ted like a shot.</p> + +<p>The horse, as every one could now see, was trying its best to kill Ted, +and many of the spectators were positive that it would do so.</p> + +<p>Now the cinch had parted.</p> + +<p>"The cinch has broken," the shout went up. "It will kill him, sure!" Ted +was now leaning far over on the horse's side, his left leg well under +the horse's belly and his foot in the stirrup, while the heel of his +left, boot was clinging to the edge of the tipped saddle. It was a most +precarious position, for if the saddle slipped farther he would go under +and be trampled and kicked to death before any one could reach him.</p> + +<p>The powerful brute was bent on Ted's destruction, and seemed about to +accomplish it, when Stella galloped to his side, and, grasping his hand, +held him safe.</p> + +<p>"The cinch is off," she called to him. "I'll help you up, then kick the +saddle loose."</p> + +<p>Slowly but surely Ted worked himself up until he could release his foot +from the stirrup. Then, with a sudden wrench that almost pulled Stella +to the ground, he was again on top. With a kick he sent the saddle to +the ground, and was riding bareback, while the brute stumbled and +almost went to his knees as the saddle fell between his legs.</p> + +<p>But now Ted took charge of the situation. With quirt and spur he drove +the beast here and there, punishing it, giving it no rest, allowing it +to do nothing in its own way until it staggered and heaved and swayed +with fatigue and lack of breath, and yet he urged it.</p> + +<p>"He'll kill that horse yet," said Billy Sudden.</p> + +<p>"No, he knows what that horse will stand, and he's going to make him +stand it," said Bud.</p> + +<p>The people had never seen such riding as this, and when they realized +that Ted had conquered the stallion and was now rubbing it in, they +shouted until their throats cracked.</p> + +<p>At last the horse could go no farther, and Ted let it stop, as he +slipped to the ground and gave the brute a slap with his hand.</p> + +<p>"I reckon you'll know better next time, old fellow," was all he said, +and walked to where his saddle was lying.</p> + +<p>As he picked it up, he was seen to stop and look at the cinch carefully, +then hurry to where the boys were awaiting him.</p> + +<p>"Fellows," he said solemnly, throwing the saddle on the ground, "that +cinch did not break, it was cut."</p> + +<p>A dozen of the boys leaped to the ground and examined the cinch.</p> + +<p>It was true. The cinch had been cut almost through with a sharp knife, +and the strain upon it had parted it. There could be no doubt as to what +had been intended.</p> + +<p>As Stella came riding up, she shouted:</p> + +<p>"The cinch was cut. I saw it. Wiley Creviss did it. I didn't realize at +the time what he was doing or know that it was Ted's saddle, and when I +did find out, he was mounted and away."</p> + +<p>A howl of indignation went up at this.</p> + +<p>"Scatter out, boys, and round up Creviss," shouted Billy Sudden. "We +know what to do with him when he's caught."</p> + +<p>Ted's adventure with Lucifer ended the performances in the arena, and, +as the balloon was inflated and ready to ascend, the people flocked to +where it was straining at the ropes.</p> + +<p>Ted had mounted Sultan again, and left the arena surrounded by Stella +and the boys.</p> + +<p>"Who's going up in her?" asked Ted.</p> + +<p>"Ben Robinson, the boss," answered Ben.</p> + +<p>"Do you know who he is?" asked Ted.</p> + +<p>Ben stared at him without replying.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you," said Ted. "He's Skip Riley, thief and ex-convict, the +leader of the Flying Demons. He is the man who caused us to lose our +money last night, and who engineered all the mysterious robberies +hereabouts. Do you reckon he intends to come back?"</p> + +<p>Ben's eyes started from their sockets in surprise.</p> + +<p>"I—I don't know," he stammered. "By Jove! we must stop him. Maybe he's +going to skip."</p> + +<p>The boys had crowded about Ted as he spoke.</p> + +<p>"We'll have to hurry if we get him," shouted Ben. "He's in the basket +now."</p> + +<p>With shouts of warning Ted and the boys pushed their horses through the +crowd, which rushed aside to let them through.</p> + +<p>They could see Skip Riley lift a large tin box into the basket from the +ground. As he was getting ready to start there was a shrill cry, and the +midget came waddling through the crowd and climbed over the side of the +car and up Riley's body until it clung to his shoulder like a monkey. A +great many of the thoughtless laughed at this. They did not understand +the significance of the move.</p> + +<p>"Get ready to cut her loose," shouted Riley.</p> + +<p>Two or three men stood by with sharp knives in their hands.</p> + +<p>Riley saw Ted and the boys pushing rapidly through the crowd.</p> + +<p>"Cut her loose!" shouted Riley, and the balloon shot upward, amid the +shouts of the people.</p> + +<p>"Too late,'" said Ben.</p> + +<p>"Not yet," cried Ted, spurring through the crowd.</p> + +<p>A long guide rope was dragging from the car of the balloon.</p> + +<p>"Follow me, Bud. The balance of you catch Creviss and the rest of them. +I'm going with Riley."</p> + +<p>Before they knew exactly what he meant, Ted grasped the guide rope as it +passed over his head, and was swung out of the saddle and dangled in the +air, to the horror of the people, who expected to see him fall and be +dashed to pieces at any minute, for the balloon had shot up rapidly and +was now several hundred feet above the ground.</p> + +<p>But Riley, looking over the country and taking account of the direction +in which the balloon was traveling, was unaware that he had taken on +another passenger.</p> + +<p>Hand over hand Ted climbed steadily, until at last he reached the car +and looked over the edge of it.</p> + +<p>Riley's back was toward him, and noiselessly Ted slipped over the side +and into the basket.</p> + +<p>Then the midget happened to turn his head, and saw Ted and uttered a +frightened cry, which brought Riley around so that he found himself +looking into the cold, dark bore of Ted's forty-four.</p> + +<p>"Got you!" said Ted coolly.</p> + +<p>"How did you get here?" said Riley, trying to smile. "If I'd known that +you wanted to come I'd have waited for you."</p> + +<p>"I don't think," said Ted. "But now we'll go down."</p> + +<p>"No, I've got to give the people a run for their money. We must go a +little farther."</p> + +<p>"I said we'd go down."</p> + +<p>"But we can't until the gas gets cool and exhausts. I have no escape +valve."</p> + +<p>"Then I'll shoot a hole in the bag. I guess we'll go down then."</p> + +<p>"For Heaven's sake, don't do that! You'd blow us all to pieces."</p> + +<p>"Then down with her. I mean what I say."</p> + +<p>Riley looked at Ted for a moment, then pulled a string. There followed a +hissing noise, and the balloon began to sink, slowly at first, then more +rapidly.</p> + +<p>Ted did not dare take his eyes off Riley to see how close they were to +the ground. But he heard the Moon Valley long yell, and knew that they +were near the earth, and that Bud Morgan was not far away.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the car bumped on the ground, bounced and struck again, then +stopped, and Ted heard Bud's cheerful voice right behind him.</p> + +<p>"Jumpin' sand hills, so yer got him, eh? Come, climb out," said Bud to +Riley, "we need yer on terry firmy."</p> + +<p>"Cover him, Bud, while I search him. If he makes a break, kill him. He's +an ex-convict, so don't take any chances with him," said Ted.</p> + +<p>Riley yielded up a gun and a knife and then he was hustled out of the +car, with the midget still clinging to him, and Ted took charge of the +tin box.</p> + +<p>Billy Sudden and some of his men had come up, and so had Ben and Kit, +and Riley was conducted back to the ranch house strongly guarded.</p> + +<p>Once inside with their prisoners and the boys, Ted closed the doors on +the curious crowd. The first thing he did was to open the tin box. On +top were the packages of bills stolen from the cubby-hole, and beneath +it a large amount of money and the bonds taken from the Strongburg +Trust Company, as well as registered letters from which the money had +not yet been extracted, and a large amount of brand-new treasury notes +which answered the description of the government funds stolen from +Creviss' bank.</p> + +<p>"It's all here," said Ted, "and the evidence is complete."</p> + +<p>"But how did he manage to do it without leaving a mark or a broken lock +behind him?" asked Ben.</p> + +<p>"How? By means of this," and Ted placed his hand on the head of the +midget, who shrank from him with a snarling cry.</p> + +<p>"Still I don't understand it."</p> + +<p>"The day I saw him in the Creviss bank he marched out with the plunder +under my very eyes. The day before the robbery this fellow went into the +bank with the dwarf in his valise. Wiley Creviss was alone. The valise +was opened, and the dwarf slipped out of the valise and into the vault, +and concealed himself.</p> + +<p>"During the night the dwarf collected all the money and bonds he could, +and made himself comfortable. When it came time for the bank to open in +the morning he again concealed himself, and remained in hiding until +noon, when Wiley Creviss again came on watch while the cashier went to +dinner. Then Riley, here, entered with his valise, and the dwarf crept +into it, and was carried out of the bank with the money."</p> + +<p>"But what had the midget to do with the theft of our money?"</p> + +<p>"That's simple. Farley and the dwarf were to do the job. The dwarf was +sent up to the roof, for he can climb like a monkey, and came down the +chimney and opened the door for Farley. That was a mistake, for they +would not have been caught, except for Farley."</p> + +<p>"How did they know where you hid the money?"</p> + +<p>"The dwarf saw us through the window, and Kit saw him, but I thought it +was all imagination. That was how they robbed the post office. The dwarf +was lowered down the chimney. That is about the size of it. Am I +correct, Riley?"</p> + +<p>"Correct enough, so far as I'm concerned. I guess it's back to 'the +stir' for me. But this midget didn't know what he was doing, and ought +to be sent to an asylum instead of the prison," said Riley.</p> + +<p>At that moment there was a great commotion without, and a crowd of +cowboys rode up. In the center of the circle made by them was Wiley +Creviss and several of his gang. In all, with Riley and the dwarf, there +were eight of them in custody, and without ado they were hurried to the +Strongburg jail.</p> + +<p>The United States marshal was in Strongburg when Ted came in with his +prisoners.</p> + +<p>"What is all this, Strong?" asked the marshal.</p> + +<p>"That bank-robbing gang you ordered me to bring in," answered Ted.</p> + +<p>"You made quick work of it. Get any of the money?"</p> + +<p>"All of it. It is in the Strongburg bank. You see, they made the mistake +of robbing us last night. But for that they would have got away, and we +would have had a hard time catching them. As it was, they walked right +in to us."</p> + +<p>Skip Riley went back to the penitentiary for a long term of years, and +the midget was sent to an asylum for the feeble-minded.</p> + +<p>Jack Farley turned State's evidence, and Creviss and ten other young +reprobates were sent to a reformatory.</p> + +<p>As for Lucifer, he turned out, next to Sultan and Custer, the best horse +on the ranch.</p> + + + +<br /> +<a name='CHAPTER_XIII'></a><h2>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<h3>THE ANONYMOUS LETTER.</h3> +<br /> + +<p>A very short time after the capture of Skip Riley, Ted Strong was +standing in the waiting room of the Union Station at St. Louis, the +metropolis of Missouri, whither he had been summoned by a letter from +the chief of the United States secret service.</p> + +<p>He was waiting for Bud Morgan, who had gone to the baggage room to +inquire about a trunk which had become lost on the way from Moon Valley, +and which contained a number of valuable papers, including both their +commissions as deputy United States marshals.</p> + +<p>The enormous waiting room was crowded with passengers from the incoming +trains, with which the numerous tracks were full from end to end.</p> + +<p>As Ted Strong leaned over the iron railing, looking down into the lower +waiting room, he was conscious that a woman had stepped to his side. +Glancing up sideways, he saw that close to him was a very beautiful +young girl, who wore a traveling cloak of pearl gray, and a long feather +boa, which the draft had blown across his sleeve.</p> + +<p>His glance intercepted one from her, and not wishing her to think that +he was idly staring at her, he directed his gaze once more to the +surging crowd below. As his eyes wandered over the throng, he saw a man +look up, and make the most imperceptible gesture with his head.</p> + +<p>He did not know the man. Turning swiftly to the young lady at his side, +he caught sight of a smile and a slight uplifting of her eyebrows.</p> + +<p>Undoubtedly a signal had passed between the two, and Ted, not wishing +to be an eavesdropper, looked away again. But in the swift glance he had +given the young girl—for now he saw that she was little else—he made a +mental note of her. The gray eyes with the long, dark lashes, the oval +face, beautiful in shape and of an ivory tint; the scarlet, curving +lips, the slender, trim figure, and the strange, subtle perfume which +she exhaled, one would never forget.</p> + +<p>He also noted the appearance of the man who had signaled the girl.</p> + +<p>The man was five feet seven inches in height; his face was well rounded, +but not too fat. He had a brown, pointed beard; the eyes were pale, +almost colorless; the forehead, broad and high, a fact which Ted noted +when the man lifted his hat to wipe his brow. He had the air of a +well-bred man of the world, and was probably a resident of New York. +There was something familiar about the man that made Ted think that he +had seen him before.</p> + +<p>Ted saw Bud come through the door into the waiting room from the midway +of the station, look up and wave his hand, with a frown and a shake of +the head that told him his pard's quest for the missing baggage had been +fruitless.</p> + +<p>At the same time, the girl at his side seemed to bump into him, and as +he turned to her she muttered an apology and hurried away. Although he +followed her with his eyes a few moments, she was soon lost in the +crowd.</p> + +<p>He slipped his hands into the pockets of his jacket, and, with his back +to the railing, prepared to wait until Bud reached him.</p> + +<p>As his left hand sank into his pocket, his fingers came in contact with +a piece of paper.</p> + +<p>He knew that he had not placed the paper in his pocket, and glanced +around with his usual caution to see if any one was watching him. He saw +that wonderful pair of gray eyes with the dark lashes—Irish eyes, he +called them—watching him over the shoulders of a man a dozen feet away +in the crowd. But the moment the woman realized that she was being +observed, she disappeared.</p> + +<p>"Deuced strange," he muttered to himself, fumbling with the paper, which +he had not withdrawn from his pocket. "That girl placed this paper in my +pocket. I wonder why. There is something out of the way here, for the +paper was not there before she stood beside me."</p> + +<p>One less wise than Ted, and not so modest, might have thought that the +girl was trying to flirt with him. But to Ted there was something more +important and mysterious than that in her actions.</p> + +<p>If he read them aright, she had placed the paper in his pocket when she +apparently accidentally bumped into him, and had gone away only to come +back to see if he had discovered it.</p> + +<p>Although he searched the crowd with eager eyes, he did not see her +again, and was confident that she had disappeared as soon as she had +accomplished her mission, which was to convey some message to him.</p> + +<p>Although he was somewhat curious to know what, if anything, was written +on the paper, he restrained himself until he could be alone, for he did +not know who might be in that crowd looking for just such a move on his +part.</p> + +<p>Just then Bud brushed his way through the crowd and came up to Ted.</p> + +<p>"Them things ain't come yit," he said, in a tone of discontent, "an' me +stranded in St. Looey with no more clean shirt than a rabbit."</p> + +<p>"You can easily get a clean shirt," said Ted, "but it's not so easy to +get a new commission. That's what's worrying me, for there is no +telling how soon we may need one."</p> + +<p>"Well, let's git out o' this mob, er I'll begin ter beller an' mill, an' +if they don't git out o' my way I'll cause sech a stampede thet it'll +take ther police all day ter round 'em up ag'in."</p> + +<p>Ted said nothing to Bud about the paper he had discovered in his pocket, +but picked up his valise. They then made their way to the street and +rode uptown in a car, where they registered at a quiet hotel.</p> + +<p>Ted went immediately to the room assigned to him, locked the door, and +drew out the paper.</p> + +<p>He could not conceive what it would contain, for he was far above the +vanity of thinking that the young woman who had stood by his side would +interest herself in him enough to write him a silly note.</p> + +<p>"The man with the pointed beard!" thought Ted.</p> + +<p>Of course, it was he who had caused the note to be slipped into his +pocket.</p> + +<p>But why?</p> + +<p>Taking a chair by the window, he slowly opened the note, observing at +the time that the same fragrance came from it as had filled the air +while the girl stood beside him in the station.</p> + +<p>It was a sheet of pale-blue letter paper folded three times.</p> + +<p>In the upper left-hand corner was an embossed crest, the head of a lion +rampant, and beneath it a dainty monogram, which he made out to be +"O. B. N.," or any one of the combinations of those letters. He could +not tell which combination was the correct one.</p> + +<p>The writing was in a fashionable feminine hand, and written with a +pencil.</p> + +<p>It was as follows:</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p>"T. S.: This is a friendly warning from one who dare not + communicate with you personally, for reasons which you will + discover and understand later on, if things turn out as we"—the + word "we" had been scratched out and "I" written above + it—"anticipate. Be very careful while you are in St. Louis. Do not + go on the streets alone, and go armed. Your mission is known, and + you will be watched by persons who will seek to get you out of the + way. We—that is, I, also know of your mission, and take this means + of warning you of your danger, as you have done me services in the + past without knowing it. Now, the sting of this note lies in this, + and don't forget it, don't get into any fights, no matter what the + provocation, for I have it straight that that, is the lay to do + you. If you do so, not being able to avoid it, shoot straight, and + you will come out all right in the end. I will see to that part of + it at the right time.</p> + +<p> "A FRIEND."</p></div> + +<p>Ted read the letter through three times, trying to clarify it, but each +time his mind became more confused over it.</p> + +<p>What did it mean, and how could any stranger know his business when he +had not told a soul about it?</p> + +<p>Even Bud did not know why they were in St. Louis; that is, he did not +know the real reason. Ostensibly, they were there to inspect the local +horse market.</p> + +<p>There was a loud rap on the door, and Ted went to it and unlocked it. +Throwing the door open, he saw a stranger standing on the threshold, +just about to step in.</p> + +<p>He looked at Ted in apparent surprise, then up at the number on the +door, but his eyes fell to the letter which Ted still held in his hand, +and he stared at it like one fascinated.</p> + +<p>Ted noticed this, and put the letter behind his back.</p> + +<p>As the stranger did not speak, Ted broke the spell by saying, in a +sarcastic tone:</p> + +<p>"Well?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I beg your pardon," said the stranger hastily, "but isn't Mr. Fowle +in? I expected him to come to the door, and was surprised to see you, +don't you know."</p> + +<p>"I don't know any Mr. Fowle," said Ted, with a smile that must have told +the stranger that he was not taken in by the question.</p> + +<p>The fellow threw a quick glance around the room, but did not retreat +from his place in the doorway.</p> + +<p>Ted was starting to shut the door, considering the incident closed, when +the stranger, who was a large, powerful man, well dressed and with the +air of a prosperous business man, started to enter.</p> + +<p>"This is not Mr. Fowle's room; it is mine," said Ted, blocking the way,</p> + +<p>"I'll just step in and wait for him," said the man. "The clerk +downstairs said it was his room."</p> + +<p>"Wait a minute," said Ted sternly. "I don't know you, and I don't know +Fowle. If you have any business with me, state it from the hall."</p> + +<p>The warning in the letter flashed through his mind.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the man sprang upon Ted, and they fell to the floor together.</p> + +<p>"Give me that letter, curse you!" hissed the man, "I saw you get it, and +I saw it just now. Give it to me, I tell you."</p> + +<p>Ted had managed to put the letter back into his pocket. His right arm +was twisted under his body, and he could not release it.</p> + +<p>He looked up into the face of the man, who was straddling his body, and +saw a gleam of malignant hatred in his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Let me up, you cur," said Ted.</p> + +<p>"After I get the letter," was the reply.</p> + +<p>"It's a private letter, and not for you. Let me up!"</p> + +<p>Now Ted saw that the man had a knife in his hand—a long, keen knife, +with a pearl hilt and a silver guard.</p> + +<p>"If you don't give me that letter at once, you'll not get another +chance, but I'll have it," snarled the man.</p> + +<p>Ted began to struggle, but he soon saw that he could do nothing with one +arm out of commission. The man was not only powerful, but heavy, and it +was all Ted could do to more than wriggle his body.</p> + +<p>"I tell you you shan't have it," said Ted.</p> + +<p>The knife went above the man's head, and in the wielder's face was a +look of the most diabolical hatred Ted had ever seen in a human +countenance.</p> + +<p>"For the last time," said the man hoarsely.</p> + +<p>There was something about the fellow's actions that told Ted he was +desperate, yet at the same time afraid of the act he was about to +commit.</p> + +<p>The knife was about to descend when Ted cried out an alarm, the first he +had sounded.</p> + +<p>He heard some one running in the hall. His assailant heard it, also, and +hesitated, looking around with frightened eyes.</p> + +<p>"Yi-yipee!" It was Bud's voice, and Ted breathed a prayer of +thankfulness.</p> + +<p>"I'll give it to you, anyhow," muttered the man, and again the knife +went up in the air.</p> + +<p>But it did not make a strike, for at that moment Bud bounded into the +room, and, taking in the situation with a lightning glance, his foot +flew out, and the toe of his heavy boot struck the man on top of Ted +fairly in the ribs. There was a cracking sound, and with a groan the +fellow dropped the knife and struggled to his feet.</p> + +<p>Rushing at Bud, he bowled that doughty individual over like a tenpin, +and dashed into the hall, along which he ran swiftly and lightly, for +so large a man.</p> + +<p>When Bud had picked himself up and run to the stairway, he could hear +the fellow clattering down the stairs three flights below.</p> + +<p>"Well, dash my hopes," said Bud, "if he didn't get clear away. He shore +treated me like a leetle boy. But I reckon he's in sech a hurry because +he's on his way ter a drug store fer a porious plaster fer them ribs o' +hisn."</p> + +<p>Ted had picked himself up and was rubbing his arm, which had been +strained by his falling on it.</p> + +<p>"What's this yere all erbout?" asked Bud. "I'm comin' up ter call on yer +when I hears yer blat, an' I come runnin', an' what do I see? A large, +pale stranger erbout ter explore yer system with er bowie. Yer mixin' in +sassiety quicker'n usual, seems ter me."</p> + +<p>Ted had picked up the knife, which had fallen beneath the bed, and was +looking at it.</p> + +<p>"I wonder where this came from," he said, turning it over in his hand.</p> + +<p>"Wherever it came from, it's a wicked-lookin' cuss," said Bud. "But what +wuz ther feller goin' ter explore yer with it fer?"</p> + +<p>"This letter," said Ted, taking the crumpled paper from his pocket and +handing it to Bud.</p> + +<p>"Jumpin' sand hills, ther plot thickens," said Bud, when he had finished +reading it. "I don't seem ter be in it at all. What's it all erbout? +Ye've got my coco whirlin' shore."</p> + + + +<br /> +<a name='CHAPTER_XIV'></a><h2>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + +<h3>THE ABANDONED MOTOR CAR.</h3> +<br /> + +<p>"I'll tell you," said Ted, "if you'll take a seat and keep quiet until I +get the thing straightened out in my own mind, for the incidents of the +past hour certainly have got me going."</p> + +<p>Bud sat down and waited patiently for Ted, who was thinking deeply.</p> + +<p>"I didn't tell you the precise object of our visit to St. Louis," began +Ted, "not because I didn't trust your ability to keep a secret, but in +order to keep every one else in the dark."</p> + +<p>"D'yer mean ter say that ye hev stalled me along ter this town ter give +me a leetle airin', an' not ter sell hosses?" asked Bud indignantly.</p> + +<p>"Not exactly. I want to sell the horses for the top price, but there was +something else behind it."</p> + +<p>"A large man astraddle o' ye with a keen an' bitin' bowie at yer throat. +Yer must be hard up fer amoosement."</p> + +<p>"Not that, either," said Ted, laughing. "I manage to get all the +amusement that's coming to me."</p> + +<p>"I'm still gropin' fer enlightenment."</p> + +<p>"Here goes, then. For a couple of months the trains on the Union +Pacific, in Nebraska and Wyoming, have been running the gantlet between +bands of train robbers. If a train missed being robbed at one place, it +was almost sure to get it at another, especially if it carried wealth of +any description."</p> + +<p>"But ther railroads is erbout ther biggest chumps ter stand fer all this +monkeydoodle business o' train robbin' ez long ez they hev. Why don't +they get inter ther exterminatin' business, an' clean up ther last o' +them?"</p> + +<p>"Too busy making money, I guess. But this time it is not the railroads +who are going after them."</p> + +<p>"Who is it, me an' you?"</p> + +<p>"Almost. By orders of the government."</p> + +<p>"That's more like it. I don't hev no love fer a train robber, fer all I +ever come in contact with wuz a bunch o' cowardly murderers, who fight +like rats when they're cornered, an' kill innercent express messengers +fer amoosement er devilment. But if Uncle Sammy sez so, an' needs my +help, he's got it right swift an' willin'."</p> + +<p>"Well, he seems to need it, for just before we left Moon Valley I +received a letter from the United States secret service, telling me +about the robberies, of which I had heard something, but not much, as +they have been kept away from the newspapers as much as possible."</p> + +<p>"Hev there been so many of them?"</p> + +<p>"As I tell you, they have been so numerous as to lead one to believe +that there was a chain of train robbers clear across the continent, and +strong and capable robbers they have proved themselves to be."</p> + +<p>"Did they git much?"</p> + +<p>"They have got away with a vast amount of money belonging to +individuals. They seem to have had information in advance of all the big +shipments of treasure leaving San Francisco and Carson City, Nevada, as +well as of private shipments."</p> + +<p>"Wise Injuns, eh?"</p> + +<p>"I should say so. They have even been able to spot shipments of United +States gold en route from the mints in Frisco and Carson to Washington, +and in two instances have got away with it."</p> + +<p>"Wow! There's where your Uncle Samuel reaches out his long arms and +takes a hand in the game. How much did they get away with?"</p> + +<p>"The chief did not say. That is not for us to know, I guess, or he +doesn't think it will make any difference with us in our enthusiasm for +our work of running down and capturing that gang, or gangs, as the ease +may be."</p> + +<p>"But it wouldn't do a feller no harm ter know. I'd feel a heap more +skittish if I wuz runnin' after a million than if it wuz thirty cents."</p> + +<p>"There's something in that, but we won't let it interfere with the +performance of our duty."</p> + +<p>"How does the chief put it up to us?"</p> + +<p>"He tells the facts briefly, and says: 'Go and get the robbers.'"</p> + +<p>"That's short an' ter ther p'int. Anything else?"</p> + +<p>"He says that the worst bunch of train robbers in ten years has been +organized, with men operating on various railroads, and that from past +performances it would seem that they had inside and powerful friends who +were keeping them informed as to what trains to rob. In other words, the +thing seems to be a syndicate of robbers operated and directed from a +central point by men of brains and resource."</p> + +<p>"An' whar's ther central p'int?"</p> + +<p>"St. Louis."</p> + +<p>"Ah, I begins ter smell a mice. So yer gradooly led up ter this place, +pretendin' ter sell hosses, eh?"</p> + +<p>"No; we'll kill two birds with one stone. We'll sell the horses if we +can get our price for them, and it will be an excellent cloak to hide +our real purpose, which is to try to get next to the headquarters of the +train robbers."</p> + +<p>"Good idee. But how aire yer goin' ter go erbout it?"</p> + +<p>"To tell you the truth, I haven't an idea. We will have to do our own +scouting. If the chief knew, it is not likely that he would employ us to +find out."</p> + +<p>"Thet's so. Well, let's be on ther scout."</p> + +<p>"We'll still pose as ranchers with pony stock to sell, and let folks +know it. We'll go over to the stockyards right now."</p> + +<p>"All right, but the stunt is ter keep our eyes peeled fer ther +train-robber syndicate's office."</p> + +<p>"That's it. One never can tell when he will run onto just the thing he's +looking for when he least expects it."</p> + +<p>"We're being shadowed," said Ted, a short time after they had left their +hotel and were walking through the streets toward the bridge that spans +the Mississippi River to East St. Louis.</p> + +<p>"How d'yer know?" asked Bud, sending a cautious eye around.</p> + +<p>"See that fellow with the checked suit, on the opposite side of the +street?"</p> + +<p>"Uh-huh!"</p> + +<p>"He's on our trail. Don't give him a hint that we're on to him, and if +he chases us all day he'll see that we are what we represent ourselves +to be, just plain cow-punchers."</p> + +<p>"I'm on."</p> + +<p>The man in the checked suit got on the same trolley car with them at the +bridge, and while they were walking through the stockyards they saw him +frequently, not always in evidence, but always somewhere in their +vicinity.</p> + +<p>They visited the offices of the commission merchants who dealt in +horseflesh, and got their prices for the sort of stock the boys had to +sell, and before the day was over they had disposed of six carloads of +horses for immediate delivery.</p> + +<p>While they were talking the deal over with the purchaser, they noticed +that the man in the checked suit hovered around, and Ted purposely +permitted him to overhear part of the conversation about the delivery of +the ponies.</p> + +<p>Ted then sent a telegram to Kit Summers, informing him of the sale, and +telling him to select the sort of horses from the herds that were +wanted, and to come through with them, bringing a sufficient number of +the boys with him to protect the stock and deliver it.</p> + +<p>When the operator took the message and began to send it, Ted noticed +that the man with the checked suit was leaning against the wall, +apparently not paying any attention to what was going on. But Ted knew +by the way he was holding his head that he was a telegraph operator +also, and that he was reading the message as it went onto the wire.</p> + +<p>"Say, Bud, we've had enough of that gentleman for one day, haven't we?"</p> + +<p>"I shore hev."</p> + +<p>"Then let's give him the slip."</p> + +<p>"Easier said than done. Thet thar feller sticks like a leech ter a black +eye."</p> + +<p>"I think we can do it."</p> + +<p>"And how?"</p> + +<p>"See that automobile over there? In front of that office."</p> + +<p>"I see a long, low, rakish craft painted like an Eyetalian sunset. If +thet is yer means o' communication with ther other side o' ther river, +oxcuse me."</p> + +<p>"Why, what's the matter with that? That's a mighty fine car."</p> + +<p>"I reckon it is, but walkin's good ernuf fer me."</p> + +<p>"But you'll never walk away from that shadow."</p> + +<p>"I'll bet I kin run erway from 'his checkers' before we're halfway ter +St. Looey, even if I am a cow-puncher, an' muscle bound from straddlin' +a saddle fer so many years."</p> + +<p>"What's the use, when we can run away from him in a gasoline wagon. That +machine is standing in front of the office of Truax & Wells, and they +have sold a lot of cattle for us in times past. It wouldn't surprise me +if the car belonged to one or the other of them, and that if we asked +for a lift to the other side they would be glad to let us have it."</p> + +<p>"All right, if you're so keen on it, tackle 'em. You'll find me game ter +ride ther ole thing. I've rid everything from a goat ter a huffier, an' +yer kin bet yer gold-plugged tooth I ain't goin' ter welsh fer no ole +piece o' machinery."</p> + +<p>They entered the office, and were at once greeted by an elderly man, Mr. +Truax, in a warm manner. After talking over things in general, Ted said:</p> + +<p>"That's a fine car of yours out there, Mr. Truax."</p> + +<p>"Funny thing about that car," said the commission merchant. "That's not +my car, and nobody seems to know whose car it is."</p> + +<p>"That certainly is strange," said Ted. "How does it come to be standing +out there?"</p> + +<p>"It was this way, and it's a good story, but none of the newspaper boys +have been in to-day, and so I couldn't give it out: Right back of us +here is a railroad station. There's an eastbound train through here at +seven-thirty every morning. She was just pulling into the station this +morning as I was unlocking the office door, and I heard a chugging +behind me. I looked up, and here came the car with only one man in it. +He pulls up short, picks up a bag, which was very heavy, for it was all +he could do to stagger along with it.</p> + +<p>"The bell on the engine was ringing for the start when he runs through +the arcade there as fast as he could with the heavy bag, and just +catches the rear of the train as it comes along. He manages to hoist the +bag onto the rear platform steps, and is running along trying to get on, +and the train picking up speed with every revolution of the wheels. I +thought sure he would be left, or killed, for he wouldn't let go, when +the conductor came out on the rear platform, saw him, and jerked him +aboard by the collar."</p> + +<p>"Didn't he say anything about his machine?" asked Ted.</p> + +<p>"Not a word. That's what I thought so strange about it. But, thinks I, +some one will come for it after a while. Perhaps, thinks I, he was in +such a hurry to make the train that he left home without a chauffeur, +who will be along when he wakes up."</p> + +<p>"And no one has appeared?"</p> + +<p>"There she lays, just as he left her. When my partner came down, I spoke +to him about it. He's a fan on motoring. That's his car over there; that +white one. When I spoke to him about it, he went out and looked it over.</p> + +<p>"'That car don't belong here,' says he. 'There's no number of the maker +on it, and everything that would serve to identify it has been taken +off. Besides, I don't think the license number is on the square.'</p> + +<p>"That excited my curiosity, and I called up the license collector's +office and asked him whose motor car No. 118 was. In a few minutes he +calls me and says it belongs to Mr. Henry Inchcliffe, the banker. I gets +Mr. Inchcliffe on the phone and asks him if his car is missing, and he +says he can look out of the window as he is talking and see it beside +the curb with his wife sitting in it. 'What is the color of your car?' +says I. 'Dark green, picked in crimson. Why do you ask?' says he. I +tells him that an abandoned car is standing in front of our place with +his number on it. But he says he guesses not, for his number looms up +like a sore thumb, hanging on the axle of his car in front of the bank, +and I rings off. That's the story of the car."</p> + +<p>"Since it belongs to no one in particular, I've a mind to borrow it, and +put it in a garage over on the other side. It'll be ruined if it stays +out here in the weather," said Ted.</p> + +<p>"I don't care," said Mr. Truax. "It wasn't left in my care, and I +haven't got much use for the blamed thing, anyhow. Take it along. If the +owner comes and proves property, I suppose you'll give it up?"</p> + +<p>"Sure thing. I'll telephone you the name and address of the garage where +I leave it, so that if there is any inquiry for it you may direct +inquirers there. But I've got a hunch that this car was thrown away, +having served its purpose."</p> + +<p>"Great Scott! that's a valuable thing to throw away."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but the man who abandoned it probably thought it a good +sacrifice."</p> + +<p>"How is that?"</p> + +<p>"What do you suppose was in that bag he carried?"</p> + +<p>"Couldn't say, but it was pretty heavy."</p> + +<p>"It would hold a good deal of paper money, wouldn't it?"</p> + +<p>"If the bills were of big enough denomination, I should say you could +pack away a million in it, for it was a powerful big sack."</p> + +<p>"Well, suppose the man whom you saw jump out of the car and get aboard +the train had stolen the car, or even if he had owned it, and had made a +big haul, and it was contingent upon his getting away with the money +that he abandon the car."</p> + +<p>"That's possible. But there has been no big robbery to cover that part +of the theory."</p> + +<p>"You don't know. There may have been a big robbery, and it has not been +made public. Not all robberies are reported to the public. If they were, +there would be slim chance for the authorities to catch the thieves."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps so. Say, Mr. Strong, you're a deputy United States marshal, +ain't you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. Both Mr. Morgan and I are in the government service."</p> + +<p>"I've been thinking over what you said about a possible robbery, and +perhaps you've got it right. I believe you'd better take that car along. +You might need it as evidence some day."</p> + +<p>"That occurred to me."</p> + +<p>"Can you run the pesky thing."</p> + +<p>"Yes; I learned to run a motor car long ago. It is, like everything else +a fellow can know, mighty useful to me in my business."</p> + +<p>"All right, take her along."</p> + +<p>The man in the checked suit was nowhere in sight, but as Ted started up +the abandoned motor car he came running out of a doorway.</p> + +<p>"Hi, there! Come back with that car!" he yelled, running after them in +the middle of the road. But Ted let her out a couple of links, and in a +moment the man in checks was out of sight.</p> + + + +<br /> +<a name='CHAPTER_XV'></a><h2>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + +<h3>THE LODGING-HOUSE BATTLE.</h3> +<br /> + +<p>"What aire ye goin' ter do with ther blamed thing, now yer got it?" +asked Bud, as they sped across the Eads Bridge into St. Louis.</p> + +<p>"I haven't made up my mind yet. It certainly doesn't belong in this +town, and if we use it here we will have to get a local license."</p> + +<p>"Jumpin' sand hills, yer not goin' ter run it yere?"</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"Whoever owns it is li'ble ter come erlong some day, an—"</p> + +<p>"Then I'll give it to him, if he can prove it is his, but I don't think +it will ever be claimed."</p> + +<p>"How's that?"</p> + +<p>"Because the owner is a thief, and if he finds it is in the hands of an +officer he will let it go rather than face an investigation. Besides, I +need it."</p> + +<p>"Ted Strong, aire yer goin' dotty over them derned smell wagons, too?"</p> + +<p>"No, I can't say that I am, but if I lived in a town like this, and +could afford it, you bet I'd have one."</p> + +<p>"But where aire yer goin' ter keep it? We shore can't take it up ter our +room."</p> + +<p>"Not exactly," laughed Ted. "You forget that we have friends in this +man's town."</p> + +<p>"Not a whole heap."</p> + +<p>"What's the matter with Don Dorrington?"</p> + +<p>"By ginger, that's so. Ther young feller what was with us down in Mexico +when we found ther jewels and things under ther president's palace."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and we're heading right for his house now."</p> + +<p>"What fer? Goin' ter try ter git him inter trouble, too?"</p> + +<p>Ted piloted the machine through the thronged downtown streets, and +coming at last to Pine Street Boulevard, he let her out, and went +skimming over the smooth pavement until he came to Newstead Avenue, and +was ringing the bell of Don Dorrington's flat before the astonished Bud +could recover his breath from the swift ride.</p> + +<p>Dorrington himself came to the door, having looked through the window +and seen Ted arrive.</p> + +<p>"Well, by all that's glorious," exclaimed Don, as he grasped Ted by the +hand. "Where are you from, and why? Hello, Bud, you old rascal! Get out +of that car and come in. Where did you get the bubble?"</p> + +<p>Ted and Bud entered the house and were taken into Don's workroom, where +he was soon put in possession of the facts concerning the motor car, +although Ted said nothing about the real object of his visit lo St. +Louis.</p> + +<p>"Well, what can I do for you?" asked Don.</p> + +<p>"Have you a place where I can store this car for a while?" asked Ted.</p> + +<p>"I sure have," said Don. "You can run it right into the basement from +the back yard. When these flats were built it was intended that the +basement be used as a garage, but so far none of the tenants have shown +a disposition to get rich enough to buy one. No one will be able to get +the machine out of there,"</p> + +<p>"That's the only thing I fear," said Ted. "It's a cinch that the owner, +if he is a thief who has escaped with a pot of money, as I strongly +suspect, will have his pals try to get it back. And I don't want them to +get it until I have used it to try to trace them."</p> + +<p>"I'll bet a cooky ther feller with ther checked suit wuz after ther +machine himself," said Bud. "When we eloped with it he came holler in' +after us ter bring it back, but we gave him the glazed look an' left him +fannin' ther air in our wake."</p> + +<p>The boys rolled the motor car into the basement, which was securely +locked. Then Ted and Bud returned to town on a street car.</p> + +<p>As they got closer to the downtown section, they could hear the shouts +of the newsboys announcing an "extra" newspaper in all the varieties of +pronunciation of that word as it issues from the mouths of city +"newsies."</p> + +<p>"Wonder what the 'extra' is all about?" said Ted.</p> + +<p>"Oh, same old thing, I reckon," said Bud. "'All erbout ther turribul +disaster.' An' when yer buys a paper yer see in big letters at ther top, +'Man Kills,' and down below it, 'Mother-in-law!' But in little type +between them yer read ther follerin', to wit, 'Cat to spite.' I've been +stung by them things before."</p> + +<p>"I'm going to buy one, anyway," laughed Ted. "I don't mind being stung +for a cent."</p> + +<p>He beckoned to a newsboy, bought a paper, and opened it.</p> + +<p>"What's this?" he almost shouted.</p> + +<p>Great black letters sprawled across the top of the page.</p> + +<p>"Express Messenger Found Dead," was the first line, and below it was the +confirmation of Ted's belief that a great robbery had taken place. It +was "Forty Thousand Dollars Taken from the Safe."</p> + +<p>"There's the owner of the abandoned automobile, the fellow who boarded +the train with the heavy grip," said Ted to Bud, who was staring over +his shoulder.</p> + +<p>The article following the startling headlines told the circumstances of +the robbery.</p> + +<p>The train that entered the Union Station at six o'clock that morning had +been robbed in some mysterious manner between a junction a short +distance out of St. Louis, where the express messenger had been seen +alive by a fellow messenger in another car. When the car was opened in +the station, after being switched to the express track, the messenger +was found lying on the floor of the car with a bullet through his head. +The safe had been blown open and its contents rifled.</p> + +<p>The express company had kept silent about the murder and robbery until +late in the day, when the body of the messenger was found by a reporter +in an undertaker's establishment.</p> + +<p>As for the other details, a policeman at the Union Station said that he +had noticed a man come out of the waiting room carrying a grip that +seemed more than ordinarily heavy. A red motor car was waiting outside +the station, and the man got into it and drove away at a fast pace. The +policeman had not noticed the number on the car.</p> + +<p>How the robber and murderer got into the express car was a mystery, as +the car was locked when it was switched into the express track, and +there were no marks of a violent entry on the outside of the car.</p> + +<p>"What aire yer goin' ter do erbout it?" asked Bud. "Aire yer goin' ter +turn over ther motor car an' give yer infermation ter ther police?"</p> + +<p>"Not on your life," answered Ted. "At least, not yet. I'm going to work +on it a bit myself first."</p> + +<p>"But won't Mr. Truax tip it off?"</p> + +<p>"I'll warn him not to."</p> + +<p>"But how erbout ther feller in ther check suit what wuz so kind an' +attentive ter us?"</p> + +<p>"He's hiding out, now that the robbery has become public. I'm not afraid +of him."</p> + +<p>"What's ther first move?"</p> + +<p>"Locate and identify the car."</p> + +<p>Ted called Mr. Truax up on the telephone. The commission merchant had +read about the express robbery, and had connected the man in the red car +with it, but promised to say nothing about it until Ted had had an +opportunity to unravel the mystery.</p> + +<p>Ted lay awake a long time that night thinking the matter over, and in +the morning awoke with a plan in his mind.</p> + +<p>"Well, hev yer determined what ter do erbout ther red car?" asked Bud at +the breakfast table. "I'm shore gittin' sore at myself fer a loafer, +sittin' eround here doin' nothin' but eat an' look at ther things in +ther stores what I can't buy."</p> + +<p>"I've got a scheme that I'm going to try," answered Ted.</p> + +<p>"What is it?"</p> + +<p>"I'm going to run that car all over this town until I get some of the +train-robbing syndicate anxious about it and to following it. Then I'm +going to get on to their place of doing business and their methods."</p> + +<p>"Wish yer luck," was Bud's cheerless comment.</p> + +<p>Bud had been out wandering restlessly around the streets all morning, +and Ted was writing letters. When he got through he thought about the +missing trunk, and concluded that he would go to the Union Station to +see if it had been received.</p> + +<p>The words of warning in the note not to go on the street alone were +clear in his memory; but this he took to mean at night, for in a crowded +street in the daytime he could see no danger.</p> + +<p>After he had waited an hour or more for Bud, and the yellow-haired +cow-puncher had not returned, Ted decided to delay no longer, and +started off at a brisk walk for the station, which was six or seven +blocks distant.</p> + +<p>His hotel being on Pine Street, he chose that for his route.</p> + +<p>He had walked three blocks when he stopped to watch a man who was +slightly in advance of him.</p> + +<p>It was the fellow he had seen in the checked suit.</p> + +<p>He had just come out of a saloon.</p> + +<p>In the middle of the block he stopped to talk with another man, who +looked as if he worked on the railroad, and Ted loitered in a doorway +until the two separated, and the man in the checked suit continued on +his way.</p> + +<p>A block farther on Ted observed two men standing on the corner talking. +A policeman stood on the opposite corner.</p> + +<p>The two men on the corner Ted knew instantly for "plain-clothes men," as +the headquarters detectives are called.</p> + +<p>He was well aware that the police by this time were on the alert to find +the express robber and murderer, and knew that every available man on +the city detective force was on the watch, like a cat at a rat hole.</p> + +<p>To capture the train robber meant a reward and promotion.</p> + +<p>Ted stood on the corner opposite the detectives and watched proceedings.</p> + +<p>When the man in the checked suit had gone about ten paces beyond the +detectives, one of them started after him, and the other signaled the +policeman in uniform to cross over.</p> + +<p>The detective called to the man in the check suit to halt, but instead +of obeying he started to run.</p> + +<p>But he had not gone more than ten feet when he was seized by the +detective, and was dragged back to the corner.</p> + +<p>"Take him to the box, Casey," said the detective, turning his prisoner +over to the policeman.</p> + +<p>At that moment the two detectives were joined by a third, and they +entered into an earnest conversation, drawn closely together and looking +over their shoulders occasionally in the direction of the house into +which the man in the checked suit was about to enter when arrested.</p> + +<p>"I have stumbled right into it," said Ted to himself. "The check-suit +man is the spy for the train robbers, and their headquarters are in that +house. The detectives are going to raid it, and I'm in on it. This +certainly is lucky."</p> + +<p>He was glad now that he had not waited for Bud.</p> + +<p>The three detectives moved slowly down the street, The policeman stood +on the corner holding his man, waiting for the patrol wagon.</p> + +<p>The scene was vividly impressed on Ted's mind, for it had happened so +quickly, so easily, so quietly, and not at all like his own strenuous +times when he had gone after desperadoes in his capacity of deputy +marshal.</p> + +<p>The detectives did not notice that they were being followed by a youth, +and it is doubtful if they would have paid any attention to him if they +had.</p> + +<p>The foot of the first detective was on the lower step of the stairway +leading to the door of the suspected house when suddenly a shrill +whistle cut the air from the direction of the corner, and Ted turned to +see the policeman strike the man in the check suit a blow with his club.</p> + +<p>"Curse him, he's tipped us off," said the detective. "Come on, we've got +to rush them now."</p> + +<p>Quickly the three sprang up the steps, threw the door open, and entered +a long hall.</p> + +<p>"Back room," said one.</p> + +<p>Ted was following them as closely as he could without being noticed and +warned away.</p> + +<p>He saw a big, fine-looking policeman entering by a back door.</p> + +<p>"That's it," said one of the detectives, motioning to a door.</p> + +<p>The policeman walked boldly to the door and threw it open.</p> + +<p>As he did so a shot rang out, and the policeman staggered back and +fell, a crimson stain covering his face.</p> + +<p>He was dead before he struck the floor.</p> + +<p>Without a word, the three detectives ran to the door, and within a +moment or two at least fifteen shots were fired within the room.</p> + +<p>They were so many and so close together that it sounded like a single +crash. Then there was silence for a few moments, followed by a few +desultory shots which seemed to pop viciously after the crash that had +gone before.</p> + +<p>It all happened so suddenly that Ted had hardly time to think, and stood +rooted to the spot until he was aroused by the cry of "Help!" in a +feeble voice, and, drawing his revolver, he sprang into the room.</p> + +<p>As he did so, a shot rang out, and a ball sped close to his head.</p> + +<p>The room was so dense with suffocating powder smoke that he could not +see across it, but he had seen the dull-red flash from the muzzle of a +revolver and shot in that direction.</p> + +<p>"I'm done," he heard, followed by a deep groan.</p> + +<p>"Get me out of here," said a man, trying to struggle to his feet, and +Ted hurried to his side. It was one of the detectives, and Ted helped +him to his feet and supported him to the hall.</p> + +<p>"Let me down. I've got mine. Go in and help Dunnigan," said the wounded +man. There was a spot, red and ever widening, on his breast.</p> + +<p>Ted laid him on the floor and reëntered the room. Another shot came in +his direction, and missed, although he could feel the wind of it as it +passed close to his head, and he returned it with two shots, and there +was silence.</p> + +<p>The smoke had by this time cleared away somewhat, and Ted saw five men +lying prone in the room.</p> + +<p>One of the detectives lay on his face across the bed, and Ted tried to +raise him up, but he was a dead weight. Ted finally got him turned over +on his back, and then he saw that the detective was dead.</p> + +<p>Kneeling on the floor with his head in his arms, which were thrown +across a chair, was the third detective. He was breathing hard, and +every time he moved the blood gushed from his mouth. He had been shot +through the stomach.</p> + +<p>But on the other side of the bed lay three men, apparently all of them +dead.</p> + +<p>While he was observing this there was a commotion in the hall, and a +policeman rushed in, followed by a large man who wore an authoritative +air.</p> + +<p>"Oh, this is too bad; this is too bad," he kept repeating, as he went +from man to man. It was Chief of Detectives Desmond. Turning to the +policeman, he said:</p> + +<p>"They've killed the boys, but the boys got the whole gang except two, +'Checkers' out there, and a man in the red automobile."</p> + + + +<br /> +<a name='CHAPTER_XVI'></a><h2>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + +<h3>THE MAN IN THE YELLOW CAR.</h3> +<br /> + +<p>A patrol wagon full of policemen had dashed up in front of the house, +and they came running down the hall, followed by a horde of eager +reporters, who stood aghast at the slaughter of a few minutes.</p> + +<p>The only participant in the fight who could talk was the detective whom +Ted had carried to the hall, and he was telling the chief of detectives +in whispers what had occurred.</p> + +<p>"That young fellow followed us in," he said, pointing to Ted. "He took +me out, and then went in and finished the gang. He's a game one, he is. +I don't know who he is, but, by Jove! he's a game un."</p> + +<p>"Who were the gang?" asked the chief.</p> + +<p>"'Big Bill' Minnis, 'Bull' Dorgan, and 'Feathers' Lavin," was the reply. +"Checkers we caught on the corner, and the other member of the gang, +Dude Wilcox, got away. I guess it was him that rode off with the swag in +the automobile, but where he went we couldn't get."</p> + +<p>"I can tell you about that," said Ted quietly to the chief.</p> + +<p>Desmond looked up at him curiously.</p> + +<p>"Not now," he said. "Don't go. I want to talk to you after a while. Now, +brace up, Tom; you're going to come out all right. The ambulance is out +here, and we'll get you to the hospital."</p> + +<p>"It ain't no use to jolly me, chief," said the man on the floor. "I'm +all in. I'm bleedin' inside. I've seen too many fellows with a shot like +this ever to have any hopes. Send for my wife and a priest. I ain't +afraid to go, chief, but I hate to leave Maggie like this."</p> + +<p>"We'll take care of her, Tom. Get that off your mind."</p> + +<p>"All right, chief. If you say so, I know it'll be all right. Poor girl, +it's hard luck for her."</p> + +<p>"That's right, Tom, but brace up and don't let her see that you're +worried."</p> + +<p>A woman's scream sounded through the hall, and a slender, girlish figure +pushed its way toward the prostrate man.</p> + +<p>"Tom," she cried, and knelt beside him. "Are you hit? Did they get you +at last?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I ain't bad, Maggie," said the dying detective bravely. "The +chief's going to have me sent to the hospital, and I'll be all right in +a week."</p> + +<p>But before midnight he died.</p> + +<p>An hour later Ted met the chief of detectives.</p> + +<p>"Get into my car," said the chief, "and come down to my office, and +we'll have a talk."</p> + +<p>In a short time they were at the Four Courts, the big central police +station of St. Louis, and when they were in the chief's private office +and the door barred to intruders the great detective turned inquiringly +to Ted.</p> + +<p>"Now, who are you, and how did you happen to be mixed up in that mess?" +asked Desmond.</p> + +<p>"My name is Ted Strong," began Ted.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Chief Desmond sat up straight and looked at Ted sharply.</p> + +<p>"Not the leader of the broncho boys, are you?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"The same," said Ted.</p> + +<p>"I know about you. What were you doing near those detectives, that you +should have got in so handily?"</p> + +<p>"I'm a deputy United States marshal, as perhaps you know."</p> + +<p>Desmond nodded. "Yes, I know," he said.</p> + +<p>"I was working on this very case," said Ted, "and I had got hold of one +end of it, and was about to follow it to a conclusion, when I saw the +man Checkers on the street, and was following him. He led me to the +detectives. The minute I saw them and him, I knew there would be +something doing."</p> + +<p>"What did you know of Checkers?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing at all, except that he knew somehow that I was working on the +express-robbery cases, and yesterday he shadowed my partner and me to +East St. Louis, where we left him behind in an automobile."</p> + +<p>Ted then told the chief how he had come about taking possession of the +red car, to which Desmond listened carefully. When Ted had finished, +Desmond rose and paced the room for a minute.</p> + +<p>"Young man, you've got the big end of the chase," he said. "Dude Wilcox +is the man who we are positive killed the messenger and got away with +the swag. If it were you who found out how he got away with it, you will +have got the last of the gang."</p> + +<p>"Is that all there is to it?" asked Ted.</p> + +<p>"Lord bless you, no. That's only the bunch that has been working in St. +Louis. The big end of it is operating from some town farther west. +There's where Dude Wilcox came from. I don't know where they make their +headquarters, and it is out of my territory. I have all I can do to take +care of St. Louis."</p> + +<p>"The government officers were of the opinion that St. Louis was +headquarters."</p> + +<p>"That was true up to a few weeks ago, but we made it so hot for them +here that they emigrated."</p> + +<p>"Well, there's no use in my staying here any longer. I might as well +hike out west. I'm not much good in a big town, anyway. I suppose you'll +have no trouble in handling Checkers without any word from me."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes. But let's have Checkers up and hear what he has to say for +himself."</p> + +<p>The chief pushed a button and presently an officer entered.</p> + +<p>"Go down to the hold-over and bring Checkers to me," ordered the chief.</p> + +<p>In less than ten minutes the officer was back again.</p> + +<p>"The jailer says he has no such man, chief," was the report.</p> + +<p>"Where is he?"</p> + +<p>"I'll inquire."</p> + +<p>Back he came in a few minutes.</p> + +<p>"Casey had him on the corner waiting for the wagon, sir, but in the +excitement during the fight Casey let go of Checkers for a moment, and +he got away."</p> + +<p>Ted could see that the chief was very angry, but he controlled his +temper admirably.</p> + +<p>"Very well," was all he said.</p> + +<p>He turned and gave Ted a sharp look.</p> + +<p>"If you stay around here much longer, you'll have to look out for +Checkers. He's a dangerous man, as well with a knife as with a gun."</p> + +<p>"I guess I can take care of him," answered Ted.</p> + +<p>"You look as if you could, lad," said the chief.</p> + +<p>After a few more minutes of conversation regarding the red motor car, +during which the chief advised Ted to keep the car until he was through +with it, Ted took his leave, and returned to the hotel.</p> + +<p>There he found Bud pacing the floor.</p> + +<p>"Peevish porcupines," grunted the old cow-puncher, "but you've got +yourself in up to ther neck in printer's ink."</p> + +<p>"How's that?" asked Ted.</p> + +<p>"Haven't you seen the evening papers?"</p> + +<p>"I've been too busy to look at them."</p> + +<p>"I reckon you be. Busier than a cranberry merchant. Look at this."</p> + +<p>Bud handed Ted a bundle of evening papers.</p> + +<p>Of course, the fight between the detectives and the bandits was given an +immense amount of space in the extras which followed one another rapidly +from the presses. In all of them were accounts of Ted's going to the +rescue of the detectives, and the statement that balls from Ted's +revolver had killed two of the gang.</p> + +<p>"Rubbish!" said Ted. "I didn't kill any bandits. I took a couple of +shots at them after they had fired on me, that's all."</p> + +<p>"Well, yer won't be able to get away from these newspaper stories. If +any of ther gang run across yer, they'll shore go after yer with a hard +plank. Ye've placed ther black mark on yerself with ther gang."</p> + +<p>"All right. I can stand it if they can. I've got a few up my sleeve for +them."</p> + +<p>Then Ted related exactly how the thing happened, and of his talk with +Desmond.</p> + +<p>"And they let that fellow Checkers get away," sighed Ted. "The chief +says he's the most dangerous of them all, and warned me to look out for +him. Bud, I've got a hunch."</p> + +<p>"Let her flicker. I'm kinder stuck on yer hunches; they pay dividends +right erlong."</p> + +<p>"The fellow in the check suit was the man who tried to stab me because I +wouldn't let him see the anonymous letter. I don't know which was the +real man, Checkers or the other. But there were many points of +similarity between them, and when Checkers called for us to stop the +automobile, it was the voice of the man who commanded me to give him the +letter. Keep Checkers in your mind."</p> + +<p>The next morning they went out to Don Dorrington's house and got out the +automobile.</p> + +<p>"We'll circulate around pretty well in this," said Ted, "and if +Checkers is in town he'll spot us, and we may get a chance at him yet."</p> + +<p>"What do you want with him?"</p> + +<p>"I'm depending on him to lead us to headquarters."</p> + +<p>For an hour or more they rode about the town, making the machine as +conspicuous as possible.</p> + +<p>"Bud, we're being followed," said Ted, nodding toward a yellow car that +had been in evidence oftener than mere chance made possible.</p> + +<p>"Yep. I've had him spotted fer some time," answered Bud.</p> + +<p>"Why didn't you say something about it?" Ted laughed at Bud's silence.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I knew that you were on to it, too," was the characteristic reply.</p> + +<p>"What do you suppose he's chasing us for? He must know that he can't +harm us."</p> + +<p>"He don't want us. He wants that red car. It's a beautiful piece of red +evidence against him an' his gang. Yer see, it's ther best kinder a +clew."</p> + +<p>"Right again. But he needn't think he can steal it, for he can't."</p> + +<p>They put the car up during the middle of the day.</p> + +<p>"We'll let it rest for a while," said Ted, as they ran it into a public +garage. "This evening we'll take it out again, and if we're followed +then we'll be sure that it is Checkers, and that he is on our trail."</p> + +<p>It was seven o'clock when they trundled forth again.</p> + +<p>A bright moonlight night made motoring highly enjoyable, and after they +had run about for a couple of hours Bud got out, saying that he was +tired of the sport, and would return to the hotel, and leave Ted to take +the machine back to Don Dorrington's basement.</p> + +<p>They had been followed by the yellow car again, but in going through +Forest Park they had managed to give their trailer the slip among the +intricate roads and bypaths, and had seen nothing of him for half an +hour.</p> + +<p>As soon as Ted had let Bud out, he hit up the speed, for the boulevard +was comparatively free of traffic, and he fairly spun along to the +western part of the city.</p> + +<p>Cutting off the boulevard, he entered upon a side street to make a short +cut to Dorrington's house.</p> + +<p>He noticed, as he turned into the side street, a light-colored car +standing close to the curb as he passed, but so many cars were standing +in front of houses here and there that he paid no attention to it.</p> + +<p>But he had no sooner passed than the light-colored car glided after him +noiselessly. Ted's own machine was making so much noise that he was not +aware of the presence of another car until it was abreast of him, and so +close that he could reach out his hand and touch it.</p> + +<p>He thought the car was trying to pass him close to the curb, and started +to turn out to give it more steerage room.</p> + +<p>"Sheer off, there," he called, "until I can get out of here."</p> + +<p>Suddenly something wet struck him in the face. He gave a gasp, as a +fearful suffocating pain filled his head and lungs, and he sank down +into the bottom of the car, insensible.</p> + +<p>At the same instant the man in the other car reached over and throttled +the red car, then stopped his own.</p> + +<p>Leaving his own car in the middle of the road, he leaped into the red +car and gave her her full head.</p> + +<p>In half an hour the red car had left the city and was speeding along a +smooth country road in the moonlight.</p> + +<p>Ted still lay in a stupor in the bottom of the car, and the only sound +that came from him was an occasional gasp as his lungs, trying to +recover from a shock, took in short gulps of air.</p> + +<p>It was midnight before the red car slowed down.</p> + +<p>Ahead in the moonlight rose the black bulk of a building.</p> + +<p>It presented the appearance of a country house of some pretensions.</p> + +<p>The house was dark. Not a light appeared at any of the windows.</p> + +<p>The red car approached it cautiously, running into the deep shadow cast +by a high brick wall. A dog on the other side of the wall barked a +warning.</p> + +<p>The man in the red car whistled softly in a peculiar way.</p> + +<p>A window was raised somewhere, and the whistle was answered by another.</p> + +<p>In a few minutes there was the sound of a man walking on a graveled +path, then the creak of rusty iron and a gate swung open.</p> + +<p>"All right?" asked a voice at the gate.</p> + +<p>"You bet. Got them both," answered the man in the red machine.</p> + +<p>"Bully for you. Run her in."</p> + +<p>The red machine, with Ted still lying in the bottom, ran into a large +yard, and the gate was closed again, and the car was stopped in front of +the house.</p> + +<p>"Come, help me carry him in," said the man in the car. "He'll be coming +around all right in a few minutes, then we may have some trouble with +him, for he's the very devil to fight."</p> + +<p>Ted was dragged out of the car in no gentle manner, and carried into the +house, which was unlighted save where the moonlight shone through the +windows.</p> + +<p>"Into the strong room with him," said the man of the house.</p> + +<p>Ted was carried into a room and dumped upon a lounge. Then a light was +struck, and both men bent over the prostrate form of the leader of the +broncho boys.</p> + +<p>Both of them started back.</p> + +<p>"Whew! You must have given him an awful dose, Checkers," said the man of +the house.</p> + +<p>"Had to do it, Dude. If I hadn't, I'd never got him here, that's a +cinch."</p> + +<p>"Well, get his gun off before he comes to."</p> + +<p>Ted was stripped of his weapons, a glass of water was thrown into his +face, and he began to regain consciousness.</p> + +<p>He had been shot down with an ammonia gun, and the powerful alkaloid gas +had almost killed him. For a long time he breathed in gasps, but his +splendid constitution pulled him through.</p> + +<p>When they saw that he was recovering, the two men left the room, after +examining the iron-barred windows, and as they went out they locked and +barred the door behind them.</p> + + + +<br /> +<a name='CHAPTER_XVII'></a><h2>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> + +<h3>MURDER IN THE HAUNTED HOUSE.</h3> +<br /> + +<p>Ted lay for a long time only half conscious.</p> + +<p>But gradually his senses returned, and he opened his eyes to find +himself in darkness, trying hard to think what had happened to him.</p> + +<p>He knew that he had been felled by something powerful and terrible, that +had knocked him in a heap so suddenly that he hardly knew what had +happened to him.</p> + +<p>Slowly the consciousness of it all came to him. Some one in an +automobile had ridden alongside him and thrown ammonia in his face.</p> + +<p>His eyes were still smarting with it, and he wondered, seeing no light, +if it had blinded him, and he was now lying in the dark when there was +light all around him.</p> + +<p>He struggled with this thought for a moment, because the idea of going +blind was terrible to him.</p> + +<p>He wondered where he was, and felt around and learned that he was lying +on a couch.</p> + +<p>Then he swung his feet to the floor and sat up. The ammonia had left him +still weak, but gradually he became stronger, and got to his feet and +began to explore the room with his fingers.</p> + +<p>He found a chair and a table, and presently came to the door, which he +tried to open, but could not.</p> + +<p>Passing around the room, he arrived at the window, and, looking through +the glass, saw a star, and thanked Heaven that he could see.</p> + +<p>He tried the fastenings of the window, unlocked it, and threw it up, +stretching out his hand. The window was closed with iron bars.</p> + +<p>He had made the circuit of the room, and had discovered that he was +securely shut in.</p> + +<p>He went back to the lounge and lay down to think matters over.</p> + +<p>He felt quite sure that the man Checkers had been his assailant. The +warning had not been without reason, after all.</p> + +<p>As he lay quietly he heard footsteps in the next room. Two men evidently +had entered it. They were talking, and occasionally, when their voices +rose higher than usual, he could catch a word or two.</p> + +<p>From the tones of their voices he learned that the conversation was not +of the most pleasant nature. They were quarreling about something.</p> + +<p>By degrees their voices grew higher, and occasionally Ted caught such +words as "money," "half," "thousand," enough to tell him that they were +dividing something.</p> + +<p>"They're quarreling over the swag," said Ted to himself. "Good! 'When +thieves fall out, honest men get their dues,'" he quoted. "Keep it up, +and I'll get you yet."</p> + +<p>They did keep it up.</p> + +<p>It was the voice of Checkers that rose high.</p> + +<p>"I tell you I'll have half or I'll split on you, if I go to the 'stir' +for the rest of my life."</p> + +<p>"If you do split, you won't go to the 'stir.' The boys will kill you +before you get the chance."</p> + +<p>"Well, what's your proposition?"</p> + +<p>"I'll give you five thousand. That's enough for putting me next to the +train. What do you want? The earth? Didn't I do the dirty work? If I'd +been caught, who'd have been soaked? You? I guess not. It would have +been me who would have been killed, for I'm like the other fellows—I'd +have fought until they killed me. You're not entitled to more than five +thousand, and that's all you'll get."</p> + +<p>"I won't take it. Half or I squeal."</p> + +<p>"Squeal, then."</p> + +<p>There was a sudden trampling of feet in the other room, the crash of an +overturning table, followed by a yell of death agony, and the thud of a +falling body.</p> + +<p>"Great Scott, one of them is dead," said Ted, with a shudder.</p> + +<p>He was listening intently, and heard a scuffle of feet, then hurried +footsteps died away and a door slammed somewhere.</p> + +<p>Deep silence followed.</p> + +<p>Then the horror of the situation burst upon Ted, The house had been +deserted by the only living creature, except himself, who was left to +starve to death in this prison, with a dead man in the next room.</p> + +<p>One or the other of the two men who had held him captive had done murder +and escaped with the stolen money.</p> + +<p>Ted lay speculating which was dead and which had escaped, but he could +make nothing of it.</p> + +<p>The night dragged wearily on for Ted could not sleep, for thinking of +the dead man in the next room, and his own precarious position.</p> + +<p>He reviewed the chances of his being rescued. They were very slim, +indeed.</p> + +<p>Bud and Chief Desmond would start a hunt for him about the city, but +would not find him, and no one would think of looking for him in this +deserted house.</p> + +<p>But at last the night passed, and Ted watched with a grateful heart the +gradual dawning of the day.</p> + +<p>At last it was light enough to see, and he looked around the room.</p> + +<p>It was old-fashioned and high. Through the window he could see a bit of +the high brick fence, and a few trees and long, tangled, dead grass. +That was the extent of his view from the window.</p> + +<p>He examined the door, which was the only other means of exit from the +room.</p> + +<p>It was very heavy, and made of oak. The lock on it was massive and +old-fashioned, and set into the oak frame so that an examination of it +dispelled all hope of getting it off.</p> + +<p>If he was to escape there was only one way, to cut a hole in the door. +He felt for his knife. It was gone, and Ted wandered disconsolately to +the couch and sat down to ponder. But the more he racked his brains the +further he got from a plan of escape.</p> + +<p>The day dragged slowly on, but he would not sleep for fear that he might +miss some one passing to whom he could call and bring assistance.</p> + +<p>Late in the afternoon he stepped to the window and looked at an apple +tree in the grounds beyond. It was full of red apples, and he was very +hungry, but they were not for him.</p> + +<p>He wondered that he had not heard any one pass along the road on the +other side of the brick wall.</p> + +<p>Suddenly he noticed that the leaves in an apple tree were being +violently agitated, although there was not a breath of wind stirring.</p> + +<p>Some one was in the tree, and his first impulse was to yell for help, +then he reflected that if it was a boy pilfering apples the cry would +scare him, and his only chance for rescue would be ruined by the boy +running away.</p> + +<p>He would wait for the boy to come to the ground, and would then speak to +him.</p> + +<p>But as he was watching the tree intently the movement of the leaves +ceased, and soon he perceived a peering face and two dark, roguish eyes. +They reminded him of a bird, so bright and inquiring were they.</p> + +<p>Ted smiled at the eyes, and thought he saw an answering twinkle in them.</p> + +<p>They disappeared after a few moments. The leaves shook again, and a boy +of about ten years, incredibly ragged, with a dirty face, hands, and +bare feet and legs, dropped to the ground. His head was covered with a +tangled mop of brown hair in lieu of a hat.</p> + +<p>The boy stared at the window, all the while munching an apple, while +from the bulges in his scant trousers it was evident that he had others +for future consumption.</p> + +<p>"Hello, boy!" said Ted, with a friendly way.</p> + +<p>"Hello! Who are you?" said the boy, coming a few steps nearer, to get a +better view.</p> + +<p>"Do you mean what's my name?"</p> + +<p>"Uh-huh!"</p> + +<p>"My name is Ted Strong. What's yours?"</p> + +<p>"Napoleon Bonaparte."</p> + +<p>Ted laughed at the solemnity of the boy when he gave this answer.</p> + +<p>"Well," said the boy, "it's just as much Napoleon as yours is Ted +Strong."</p> + +<p>"But my name is Ted Strong."</p> + +<p>"Aw, come off."</p> + +<p>"All right, if you don't believe me, ask me any questions you like to +prove it."</p> + +<p>"Where do you come from?"</p> + +<p>"Moon Valley, South Dakota."</p> + +<p>"That's right. What's the names of some of Ted Strong's fellers?"</p> + +<p>Ted named them all, the boy giving a nod after every name.</p> + +<p>"Now, what's the name of your horse? The one you ride most?"</p> + +<p>"Sultan. You seem to know something about me."</p> + +<p>"You bet. Well, maybe you're all right, but what are you doing here? I +always thought you stayed out West—away out West."</p> + +<p>"Usually I do."</p> + +<p>"Then what are you doing in the haunted house?"</p> + +<p>"Is this a haunted house?"</p> + +<p>"You bet. There was a feller killed there once, and nobody will live in +it no more."</p> + +<p>"Honest, now, what <i>is</i> your name?"</p> + +<p>"My name's— Say, are you sure enough Ted Strong?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly I am."</p> + +<p>The boy came closer, looking at Ted fixedly.</p> + +<p>"Gee, I wouldn't go inter that house fer a hundred million dollars."</p> + +<p>"I've been here all night, and it didn't scare me any."</p> + +<p>"That settles it. I reckon you must be Ted Strong. He's the only feller +I ever heard of that wouldn't be scared to stay in a haunted house. How +did you get there?"</p> + +<p>Without hesitation, Ted told the boy how he had been held up by a man in +an automobile, and knocked out by ammonia fumes, and then locked up in +the house. But he said nothing about the murdered man in the next room.</p> + +<p>"Now I've told you all about myself, it's only fair that you should tell +me about yourself."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I ain't nothin'. I'm just 'Scrub.'"</p> + +<p>"Haven't you got any other name?"</p> + +<p>"Nary one that I know of that's fastened to me all the time."</p> + +<p>"How's that?"</p> + +<p>"When I'm living with old man Jones, I'm Scrub Jones, and when I'm with +Mr. Foster, I'm Scrub Foster, and that way. I don't belong to nobody, +an' I just live around doing chores for my keep. Just now I ain't got no +place to stop, and I'm sleeping in hay-stacks and living on apples and +turnips and potatoes, when I make a fire and bake 'em, and once in a +while I trap a rabbit. But, gee, what a good time you must have!"</p> + +<p>"How would you like to go with me out to Moon Valley?"</p> + +<p>"Aw, quit your kiddin'."</p> + +<p>"I mean it I'd just like to take you out there and give you a good time +for once in your life."</p> + +<p>"Would you? By golly, you can."</p> + +<p>"Then I'll tell you what to do. Go around to the front door and come in, +and back to this room, and unlock the door and let me out, and we'll go +together."</p> + +<p>"Gee, I wouldn't go into that house for four thousand barrels of +hoarhound candy. Say, are you a prisoner?"</p> + +<p>"I am, and if you don't come in and let me out I can't take you with me +to Moon Valley."</p> + +<p>"That's so. But I'm scared of the ghost."</p> + +<p>"Oh, so you're afraid, are you?"</p> + +<p>At this the boy flushed and fiddled with his toes in the grass.</p> + +<p>"No kid that's afraid could live in Moon Valley. He'd be scared to death +in a week."</p> + +<p>"Are there ghosts there?"</p> + +<p>"There are no such things as ghosts. Bet you never saw one yourself."</p> + +<p>"No, I never did. But all the folks around here say there is ghosts in +that house."</p> + +<p>"Well, say there are, they wouldn't come out in the daytime, would +they?"</p> + +<p>"I reckon not. Gee, I'll come in."</p> + +<p>The boy disappeared like a flash, and in a few moments Ted heard the +front door open, then a scream.</p> + +<p>"I'll bet he's found the dead man," said Ted, aloud, in a tone of +annoyance. "That's just my luck."</p> + +<p>The door slammed, and all was silent. The boy evidently had run away, +and Ted was left alone in the house with the dead man.</p> + +<p>Once more darkness descended upon the earth, and Ted took up another +hole in his belt, and tried to believe that he was not hungry.</p> + +<p>About nine o'clock Ted, who was lying on the couch looking at the +ceiling, saw a faint flicker of light pass across it, and sprang to his +feet. It was the light cast by a lantern somewhere outside.</p> + +<p>He sprang to the window and looked out.</p> + +<p>Behind the brick wall he could see the reflection of a bobbing lantern, +and hear the shuffle of many feet.</p> + +<p>"Ho, there!" he cried.</p> + +<p>The shuffle stopped, and a voice that was trembling with fear answered +him.</p> + +<p>"Come in here, and let me out," called Ted.</p> + +<p>"We'll be thar in a minute," was the answer, and presently the front +door was thrown open, followed by exclamations, as whoever had come in +viewed the body in the next room.</p> + +<p>Then the voices were outside his door.</p> + +<p>"You open it an' go in," said a voice. "You're the constable."</p> + +<p>"Well, supposin' he's got a gun?" asked the constable tremulously.</p> + +<p>"Don't be afraid," said Ted. "I have no gun. They took everything away +from me."</p> + +<p>"There! Ain't that enough? Open the door."</p> + +<p>Ted heard the bar being taken down, then the key grate in the lock, and +the door was thrown open with a bang. He found himself looking into the +barrels of a shotgun.</p> + +<p>"If yer makes a motion, I'll blow yer head plumb off, blame yer," +shouted the man with the gun.</p> + +<p>"Honest," said Ted, "I'm not armed."</p> + +<p>"How come yuh here?"</p> + +<p>"I was made insensible by ammonia fumes and brought here last night."</p> + +<p>"How come yuh ter kill that man in ther next room?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't kill him."</p> + +<p>"That's a likely story. I find yuh alone in ther house with him. Yuh'll +hev ter answer ter ther magistrate fer this."</p> + +<p>"See here, my friend, how could I have killed that man, then come in +here, and locked and barred the door on the outside?"</p> + +<p>"He's got yuh there, Si," said one of the men.</p> + +<p>"Look here," said Ted, showing his star. "I'm an officer of the law. The +fellows who captured and brought me here were robbers, and I was on +their trail. That's all there is to it. Now, let me pass. I want to see +what is in the next room."</p> + + + +<br /> +<a name='CHAPTER_XVIII'></a><h2>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> + +<h3>STELLA ADOPTS A BROTHER.</h3> +<br /> + +<p>Taking up a lantern, Ted entered the room. Beside the overturned table +lay the body of a man. It was not Checkers. There was nothing in the +room except the table, two chairs, a broken lamp, which lay in a pool of +kerosene on the floor, and the body of the murdered man.</p> + +<p>Wait, what was this?</p> + +<p>Beneath the table was a scrap of green.</p> + +<p>It was a bank bill, and, drawing it forth, Ted found it to be a +fifty-dollar note issue'd by the First National Bank of Green River, +Nebraska. A valuable clew, this.</p> + +<p>When he had searched the body of the dead man, and found several letters +and a small memorandum book, he left the room and locked it.</p> + +<p>"Notify the coroner," said he to the constable, "and give him this key. +If he wants me as a witness in his inquest, he will find me at the +Stratford Hotel, in St. Louis."</p> + +<p>The constable promised to carry out Ted's instructions.</p> + +<p>"Where is that boy Scrub?" asked Ted.</p> + +<p>"Here I am," said the boy, emerging from the crowd.</p> + +<p>"Who knows anything about this boy?" Ted asked.</p> + +<p>"He's just a loose kid," said the constable. "His father died when he +was young, and his mother left him a few years ago. Since then no one +has claimed him."</p> + +<p>"Then I will. Do you want to come with me?" Ted asked the boy. "I will +give you a good home and clothes, teach you something, and make a +useful man of you. Is he a good boy?"</p> + +<p>Ted turned to the men about him.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Scrub is a good boy, only he never ain't had no chance," seemed to +be the universal verdict.</p> + +<p>"Say the word, Scrub. Do you want to come with me?"</p> + +<p>"You bet," said Scrub fervently.</p> + +<p>"Good! Come along! We'll be getting back to St. Louis."</p> + +<p>"But yuh can't get back to-night. The last train has gone."</p> + +<p>"Never mind. I'll get there somehow. Some one lend me a lantern for a +few minutes."</p> + +<p>Ted was given one, and he went out into the yard and outhouses to search +for the red motor car. He could not find it anywhere.</p> + +<p>"Did any of you folks see a red automobile going down the road any time +to-day?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes, there's a red machine down in the lane running over to the Rock +Road," said one of the men. "But I reckon it's bust."</p> + +<p>"Come on, Scrub, we'll take a look at it," said Ted, Leading off with +the man who had seen the car, and followed by the whole crowd, Ted made +his way to the lane.</p> + +<p>Standing in the middle of it was the red car with its No. 118 swaying +from the rear axle in the wind.</p> + +<p>Evidently Checkers had started away in it, using it as a swift means of +escape, but it had stopped, and, as he could go no farther in it, he had +abandoned it in the road.</p> + +<p>Ted examined the machinery carefully, but could find nothing wrong with +it until he discovered that it had exhausted its supply of gasoline.</p> + +<p>But he learned that the grocer at the village, half a mile away, had +gasoline for sale, and two young fellows volunteered to go after some +while Ted overhauled the car.</p> + +<p>In half an hour he was ready to start. He made Scrub get into the seat, +and, shaking hands with the constable and shouting a merry good-by to +the others, he started for St. Louis.</p> + +<p>It was past midnight when he drew up in front of the Stratford Hotel, +hungry and tired. Scrub was fast asleep, and, taking him in his arms, +Ted entered the hotel.</p> + +<p>As he stepped inside, the clerk stared at him as if he had seen a ghost.</p> + +<p>"How's everything?" asked Ted of the clerk.</p> + +<p>"Great Scott, where did you come from?" asked, the clerk, and added +hastily: "Better hurry upstairs to your room. Everybody is crazy about +your disappearance."</p> + +<p>Ted went up in the elevator with the boy still sleeping in his arms. +There was a light in his room and a confused murmur of voices.</p> + +<p>Without the formality of a knock he opened the door and entered. As he +appeared in the doorway there was silence for a moment, then such a +bedlam of shouts and laughter burst forth that every one on the floor +was aroused.</p> + +<p>"It's Ted! It's Ted!" they shouted, and crowded around him.</p> + +<p>The place was full of them. Across the room he saw the shining face of +Stella, smiling a welcome at him. Ben and Kit, Carl, Clay, and all of +them were there, and sitting at the table was the chief of detectives.</p> + +<p>"Hello! Holding a post-mortem over me?" asked Ted.</p> + +<p>"It comes pretty near that," said Bud. "Dog-gone you, what do you mean +by goin' erway an' hidin' out on us that way? What in ther name o' Sam +Hill an' Billy Patterson hev yer picked up now?" Bud was looking +curiously at the bundle of rags in Ted's arms, for the boy still slept.</p> + +<p>"This is a new pard," said Ted. "If it hadn't been for this kid you'd +probably never seen me again."</p> + +<p>"Erlucerdate," demanded Bud.</p> + +<p>"Not until some one goes out to the nearest restaurant and orders up a +stack of grub for Scrub and me. I haven't had anything to eat or drink +for thirty-six hours, and I'm almost all in, and this kid has been +living on apples and water for a couple of weeks. Now, hustle somebody +and let me put this kid on the bed—-my back's nearly broke—or maybe +it's my stomach, they're so close together now I can't tell which it is +that hurts."</p> + +<p>While Ted was laying the boy on the bed he woke up, and, finding himself +in a strange place, and a finer room than he had ever been in before, +surrounded by a lot of rather boisterous young men, he leaped to the +floor and started to the door. But Ted caught him by the arm and drew +him back.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter with you, you young savage?" said Ted.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm all right now," said the boy. "When I woke up I got rattled, I +guess, but as long as you're here it's all right."</p> + +<p>The food came up now borne by two waiters and piloted by Kit. There were +oysters and steak and potatoes and biscuit and a lot of what Missouri +folk call "fixin's," and a big pot of coffee.</p> + +<p>Scrub's eyes stood out like doorknobs as he viewed this wonderful array +of things to eat. The table was cleared, the waiters set out the food, +and the boys stood back to give Ted and the boy "room to swell," as Bud +expressed it. The way they tucked into the good things was a caution.</p> + +<p>After their hunger was satisfied and the waiters had restored order to +the table, Ted began the story of his adventures since he had let Bud +out of the automobile. As he talked, Stella wooed the small boy to her +side, and listened to the story with her arm around his shoulder, and +long before it was done Scrub was her worshiper forever.</p> + +<p>Chief Desmond listened with close attention, and when Ted finished and +exhibited the bill of the Green River Bank, which he examined carefully, +he said:</p> + +<p>"Mr. Strong, you've beaten us all to it. I will go out to-morrow—I mean +to-day, for it's one o'clock now—and view the body myself. If it is, as +seems almost certain to be, Dude Wilcox, one of the most dangerous men +in the West is gone, but he has left behind for us to fight, and you to +find, the man Checkers. This bill is your clew to the gang, but it is a +counterfeit. As I have the thing figured out, the gang knew that forty +thousand dollars was going to be shipped, but for some reason or other +they dared not hold up the train out there, and telegraphed the gang in +St. Louis to get it. Dude was at the head of the bunch here, and as it +was a one-man game so near to St. Louis, Dude was elected to pull it +off, which he did to the queen's taste. Perhaps the bill you have is the +only counterfeit in the lot. Perhaps not. That is for you to work out."</p> + +<p>"But how he managed to get away with the swag I haven't managed to +figure out yet," said Ted.</p> + +<p>"Of course, I don't know either, but deducing facts from what I know of +the gang's methods, and from long experience with gentlemen of the road, +I would say that the members of the gang who were killed in their +rendezvous in Pine Street by my unfortunate men were awaiting the +arrival of Dude with the swag. Checkers had secret knowledge that you +had been put on their trail, and when he saw you pick up that red car +in East St. Louis he was sure that you knew about the robbery and that +you were on to Dude."</p> + +<p>"That's likely," said Ted. "I hadn't thought of that."</p> + +<p>"Well, he got into communication with Dude, and warned him against +coming to the Pine Street place. You see, they had another rendezvous +out in the country, a haunted house, the reputation of which would keep +prying country boys away from it."</p> + +<p>"Best sort of a place for a criminal hangout," said Ted.</p> + +<p>"You're right, and now that you have discovered it, I'll take pains to +see that it's never used for such again. But, as I was going to say, +Dude's intention was to get out of town, return, go to the Pine Street +room, divide the swag, and skip. He probably left the train at Somerset, +or some other little town down the line, hid in the cornfields until +dusk, stole a horse and buggy, and drove across the country to the +haunted house, and later was joined by Checkers, who had been trailing +you, and later succeeded in getting you. Had it not been for the quarrel +between Dude and Checkers, it is more than likely that you would have +been murdered by Checkers. But one murder was enough for his nerve, and, +forgetting you, he vamosed."</p> + +<p>The detective arose to take his departure, again congratulating Ted on +the outcome of his adventure.</p> + +<p>"Keep your eye peeled for Checkers, and if you do run across him, have +your gun at half cock," he said, and, bidding good night to all, went +away.</p> + +<p>"And now, good fellows, all to bed," said Ted. "To-morrow we start for +the West, and the capture of the head men of the train-robber syndicate, +and the extermination of the business."</p> + +<p>In the morning, before the others were up, Ted made Scrub take a bath, +and then they sallied forth to a clothing store. When they came out, +instead of the ragged and dirty little boy, there walked proudly by +Ted's side a fine, clean, fresh-looking lad in a well-fitting serge +suit, and other appointments that transformed him completely.</p> + +<p>When they arrived at the hotel the boys professed not to know Scrub.</p> + +<p>"Hello, picked up another kid?" asked Bud. "I swow, yer allers goin' +round pickin' up mavericks. I reckon yer aim ter brand this one as well +ez ther one yer brought in last night."</p> + +<p>"Why, here's another kid," said Ben, looking over Scrub's new outfit +with interest. "He don't look much like the one you brought in last +night. I reckon that one has run away, I don't see him anywhere."</p> + +<p>Poor Scrub was standing first on one foot and then on the other, fairly +squirming with embarrassment.</p> + +<p>Ted gave the boys the nod to cease teasing the boy.</p> + +<p>"Don't mind those fellows, they're only joshing," said Ted.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't mind it if they can get any fun out of it," said Scrub, +with a smile. "Maybe, some day I can get back at them, when I know them +better."</p> + +<p>Stella came down in the elevator at that moment, and, catching sight of +Scrub, gave a little scream of astonishment at his altered appearance.</p> + +<p>"Goodness, what a fine-looking addition to the family!" she said, +shaking hands with the boy, who blushed and looked pleased. "I don't +like the name Scrub a bit. I'm going to change his name."</p> + +<p>"This isn't leap year, Stella," said Ben.</p> + +<p>"You hush! What name would you rather have than Scrub? That's no name +for a broncho boy," she said to the boy.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," answered the boy. "What name do you like?"</p> + +<p>"I think she likes Ben better than any," said Ben, posing in a very +handsome manner.</p> + +<p>"Don't listen to him, he's always teasing. You want something short and +easy to say."</p> + +<p>"What's the matter with 'Say'?" said Ben. "That's always easy to +remember. I notice that when a man wants to call another on the street +he just hollers 'Say,' and half a dozen fellows turn around."</p> + +<p>"Then that makes it too common," decided Stella. "What name would you +suggest, Ted? He's got to have two names."</p> + +<p>"Let us get one of the newspapers to start a voting contest on it."</p> + +<p>"Ben, if you don't stop your foolishness, I won't play," said Stella.</p> + +<p>"You name him, Stella," said Ted. "Anything you say goes."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll call him Dick, after my father," said Stella. "He never had +a boy, and always wanted one. I'm going to adopt this boy as a brother. +His name shall be Dick Fosdick. That sounds funny, doesn't it, but I +didn't do it on purpose."</p> + +<p>There was a tear in her eye at the thought of her father, and the boys +looked rather solemn, for while they hoped for the best, they didn't as +yet know the lad, and perhaps they had saddled themselves with a future +regret, but Stella trusted and believed in the little chap, who was very +proud that at last he had thrown off and buried forever the name of +Scrub.</p> + +<p>That evening they took the train for the West, their destination being +Green River.</p> + +<p>The automobile Ted sent on by express that he might have it not only for +use, for he was becoming attached to it, but as a clew to the detection +of the express robbers.</p> + + + +<br /> +<a name='CHAPTER_XIX'></a><h2>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> + +<h3>EZRA, THE LIFE-SAVING GOAT.</h3> +<br /> + +<p>Ted had engaged several sections on the through sleeping car to North +Platte, Nebraska, the old home of Colonel William Cody, known all over +the world as "Buffalo Bill."</p> + +<p>But they were to leave the train at Green River, ostensibly to buy +cattle for their ranch. This, of course, was to avert suspicion from +their real purpose of hunting down the express robbers.</p> + +<p>For Mrs. Graham and Stella the stateroom of the car <i>Orizaba</i> had been +engaged, and the boys made it a sort of ceremonial chamber.</p> + +<p>The car was well filled with other passengers, many of them tourists on +the way to Colorado or the Pacific coast, and they were much amused at +the free-and-easy spirit with which the boys conducted themselves, and +when it became generally known that they were the broncho boys, with Ted +Strong at their head, they received a great deal of attention, which was +not particularly to Ted's liking.</p> + +<p>As usual, wherever they were, Bud Morgan, Ben Tremont, and Carl Schwartz +provided a fund of amusement for everybody.</p> + +<p>Little Dick Fosdick had never known such happiness as he was now +experiencing. He worshiped Stella, admired Ted, and looked upon Bud as +the greatest pal a boy ever had.</p> + +<p>He and Bud were inseparable, and Bud never tired of telling him yarns +about cow-punching and Indian fighting, while the boy proved a +breathless listener, hanging upon every word that fell from the +yellow-haired cowboy's lips.</p> + +<p>He knew by heart many of the adventures through which Ted Strong had +passed, and often surprised Ted by correcting some inaccuracy which, +through a lapse of memory, Ted had made.</p> + +<p>They were sailing across Missouri toward the West, and the boy kept his +face glued to the window, watching for the first glimpse of the golden +West of his fancy. Just at present he saw only farms and little towns, +through which the fast train whizzed without stopping.</p> + +<p>The boy knew this sort of country well, and was rather disappointed that +the boundless prairie did not roll before him from horizon to horizon.</p> + +<p>Then he turned his attention to the luxury of the car, but being a +healthy boy, this did not impress him long, and he turned to his heroes +for relief.</p> + +<p>Bud was sitting comfortably sprawled out on two seats, singing softly to +himself. Bud could not sing a little bit, but he thought he could, which +served his purpose personally quite as well as if he could.</p> + +<p>Ben was in the seat behind him, reading. After a while Bud's music, or +the lack of it, got on Ben's nerves, and he reached over and poked Bud +on top of his golden head with the corner of his book.</p> + +<p>"Say," said he, "put on the soft pedal, won't you? Perhaps you can sing, +and maybe some one told you you could, but take it from me you have no +more voice or musical ability than a he-goat."</p> + +<p>"Oh, mercy!" retorted Bud. "Does my music annoy you?"</p> + +<p>"It certainly does," snapped Ben.</p> + +<p>"Then why don't yer move away?"</p> + +<p>"Bah! You're an old goat."</p> + +<p>"Thanks fer ther compliment, although yer don't mean it thet away. But +when yer likens me ter a goat yer do me proud. If yer were more goatlike +yerself ye'd be a heap more wiser."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad you like it. The pleasure's all yours. But if a fellow called +me a goat, I know what I'd do."</p> + +<p>"Maybe, perhaps. But yer needn't be afraid that any one will liken yer +ter a goat. Any self-respectin' goat would get sore at it. If I wuz ter +pick out yer counterpart in ther animile world, I'd say yer most +resembled the phillaloo?"</p> + +<p>"What's a phillaloo?"</p> + +<p>"A phillaloo is a cross between a penguin and a jassack."</p> + +<p>"Say, you long-haired lobster!" cried Ben, leaping to his feet, +apparently in great anger, "don't you call me anything like that."</p> + +<p>"Well, didn't yer jest call me a goat?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but—"</p> + +<p>"Then sit down an' git back ter yer love story; we're square. Nothin' is +lost on both sides. But callin' me a goat don't make me sore none. I +jest dote on goats. If I wasn't jest what I am, I'd sooner be a goat +than a collidge gradooate."</p> + +<p>"I've heard about enough, if you're alluding to me."</p> + +<p>"Take it er leave it. But, ez I wuz goin' ter say before my conversation +was cut inter by a loud an' empty noise, speakin' o' goats reminds me o' +a time down on ther Pecos—"</p> + +<p>"By Jove! I'm going to ask the conductor to move me into another car. +This is too much. I might, perhaps, stand for being called a phillaloo, +but I swear I'll not be compelled to stay here and listen to one of +those silly and impossible stories of this insane cow-puncher."</p> + +<p>At first some of the passengers thought that Bud and Ben were really +angry at one another, but the wise ones soon saw that it was all bluff, +as, of course, the broncho boys knew.</p> + +<p>But it was very real to Dick Fosdick, who had yet many things to learn +about the boys and their ways, and while the little chap was far too +clever naturally to show his feelings, he sided with Bud, and thought +that Ben was very unreasonable, especially as the boys, and some of the +passengers, had flocked around Bud, who appeared not to notice them.</p> + +<p>"I reckon, Dick, you'd like ter hear thet thar story erbout the time I +lied down on ther Pecos in the summer o'—"</p> + +<p>"Conductor," said Ben, detaining that official as he was passing through +the car, "is there no way of stopping the noise this person is making? I +cannot take my nap on account of his chatter."</p> + +<p>Several persons who were not in the secret were for interfering in +behalf of Bud and his story, which they wanted to hear, but were headed +off by the conductor, who said:</p> + +<p>"Sorry, but I cannot interfere with the gentleman. He does not seem to +be annoying the other passengers. If you wish to take a nap you are at +liberty to go up ahead in the smoking car."</p> + +<p>At this Bud began to gloat.</p> + +<p>"I hear they've put a cattle car up next ter ther injine fer sech +sensitive people like you. Yer might enj'y a leetle siesta on ther +straw."</p> + +<p>Ben sank back into his seat, and began to snore gently.</p> + +<p>"What about the story down on the Pecos, Bud?" said Dick.</p> + +<p>"You'd like to hear it, eh? Then I'll tell it to you. Of course, the +other folks may listen to it, but it is understood betwixt me an' you +thet it's all yours, an' whatever goes inter their ears is jest ther +leavin's. Is that a go?"</p> + +<p>The boy nodded eagerly, even though he didn't understand the drift of +Bud's remarks.</p> + +<p>"What's the story about?" asked the boy.</p> + +<p>"The goat, my boy. Perhaps you don't know it, but the goat is one of +the noblest animals what walks. He is also one o' ther smartest, an' in +former years used ter be able ter talk, but ez soon ez he got ter be so +popular in secret societies ther gift o' speech was withdrawed from him, +so thet he wouldn't be able ter give erway ther secret things what he +saw an' heard at ther meetin's."</p> + +<p>"But, Bud, are they really smart?" asked Dick.</p> + +<p>"Smart ain't no name fer it. All yer got ter do to find out if they're +smart is ter look at their whiskers. The smartest o' all animiles is +man, an' don't he wear whiskers? An' I want ter ast yer what other +animile hez whiskers exceptin' ther goat. Ther goat knew what he was +about when he begin ter raise whiskers. He says ter hisself—"</p> + +<p>"What bosh!" exclaimed Ben, snorting in his sleep.</p> + +<p>"Aire you addressin' yer remarks ter me?" asked Bud, looking over the +back of the seat at Bud. But the only answer was a gentle snore.</p> + +<p>"What did he say?" asked Dick eagerly.</p> + +<p>"'Why,' says he, 'if they won't let me talk they can't keep me from +bein' ez near a man ez I kin go; by gravy, I'll raise whiskers like +Deacon Smith,' who was a member o' ther lodge in which ther goat +officiated; and, by jinks, he did, an' ther fashion wuz follered, an' +they wear them ter this day.</p> + +<p>"There ain't no question o' their smartness, an' their prominence. Ain't +one o' ther signs o' the zodiac up in ther heavens named after ther +goat—Capricornus is ther feller ter what I refer—an' them heathen +chaps what wuz half man an' half goat? Didn't they come pretty near +bein' ther whole thing?"</p> + +<p>"But about the Pecos?" inquired Dick, who was not partial to preaching, +but wanted to get at the heart of the story.</p> + +<p>"Oh. yes. I wuz leadin' up ter it gradooal, fer what I'm goin' ter +relate—if thet yap will choke off on thet moosical snore—"</p> + +<p>"Here, wake up, you're snoring so loud we can't hear ourselves holler," +said Kit, reaching over and shaking Ben.</p> + +<p>"I can't keep awake while that fellow persists in yarning away like a +fanning machine. It's so monotonous I can't keep awake," and Ben +stretched and yawned.</p> + +<p>"Let's get away from here and go to some other part of the car," +whispered Dick.</p> + +<p>"No, we'll just stay here an' spite him. He'll wake up after a while an' +be glad to listen to ther story. So here goes!</p> + +<p>"I was punchin' cow's down on the Pecos one summer fer ther Crazy B +Ranch. We had eight punchers in ther bunch, a good chuck wagon, an' easy +work, so I wuz pretty well suited, an' thet summer I gained twelve +pounds, even if it wuz a hundred an' forty in ther shade, which we hed +forgotten ter bring along with us."</p> + +<p>"Forgotten to bring what?" asked the boy.</p> + +<p>"Our shade. Yer see, down in thet country ther sun is so strong thet +every one carries his own shade, fer there isn't a tree in ther whole +country big enough ter cast a shadder o' any sort. Out on ther ranches, +at certain seasons o' ther year, they serve out shade ter ther men jest +ther same ez they do bacon an' saleratus ter ther outfit thet goes out +herdin'."</p> + +<p>Dick looked seriously at Bud for a moment, hardly knowing whether or not +to doubt him, but Bud's face was as grave as a deacon's.</p> + +<p>"I don't understand it, I'm sure," he said. "But where do they get the +shade to give to the men?"</p> + +<p>"That's easy enough. It's always gathered on dark nights, generally late +in ther fall er in ther winter, so thet it'll be real cool."</p> + +<p>"But where do they get it?"</p> + +<p>"What—ther shade? Why, they just go out an' gather it off the ground in +thin shapes, kinder longer than broad. It can be rolled up just like a +blanket, an' carried behind ther saddle. It's gathered in ther cold +months. Ye've heard o' ther 'cool shade.' Well, that's why they gather +it late in the year. Summer shade is no good, because it's too warm."</p> + +<p>"But what is it like?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's black, an' I hear they strip it off close ter ther ground. We +don't get no shade like it in this part o' ther country. Ther only place +what hez it is ther West, whar it's needed most."</p> + +<p>"But how about the Pecos?"</p> + +<p>"Sho! I almost fergot it, didn't I, while teachin' yer something erbout +ther way they do things in Arizony an' her sister-in-law, Noo Mexico? +Now I'm off, shore.</p> + +<p>"Ping-pong Martin wuz in ther outfit thet year. Mebbe yer knows him?" +Bud looked at the small boy inquiringly, much to his embarrassment.</p> + +<p>"No, sir, I never heard of him before."</p> + +<p>"Well, no matter, but this Ping-pong cuss, he had a personal friend, a +goat, what couldn't no more be shook than a sore thumb, and had follered +Ping off ter ther wars, so to speak.</p> + +<p>"Ping run off from home on ther quiet ter join our outfit, leavin' ther +goat to home, locked up in ther barn. Ping thought he hed ther goat +faded, but one day, when we wuz half asleep in our saddles, a feller +over on ther other side come a-runnin' in.</p> + +<p>"'What's ther matter?' sez I.</p> + +<p>"Thar's a funny animile over here. He shore is ther devil, fer he wears +horns, an' hez a face exactly like thet o' ole man Pillsbury. I ain't +bettin' none it ain't him. But if it is Pillsbury, he better not go +home lookin' like thet 'thout lettin' his wife know first.'</p> + +<p>"Ping an' me rode over ter ther other side, an' thar stood a goat, +lookin' so nice an' socierble.</p> + +<p>"'Great hevings!' shouted Ping, makin' a rush fer ther goat, 'thet's my +goat Ezra, ain't you?'"</p> + +<p>"Did the goat understand him?"</p> + +<p>"Did he understand him? Well, I should whisper sweetly. Why, thet goat +jest jumped all over Ping, a-runnin' his whiskers inter his eyes, an' +laughin', he wuz so glad ter see him. He'd traced Ping plumb ercross +ther desert ter get ter us, an', o' course, we couldn't sic him home +after that.</p> + +<p>"We all got ter love Ezra fer his lovely ways; that is, all except +'Boney Bill' Henderson."</p> + +<p>"Why? Didn't the goat like him?"</p> + +<p>"Well, it wuz this way: Boney Bill had a habit o' beggin' ther grease +from ther fryin' pan every night ter ile his boots. This made 'em good +an' strong, ez well ez easy ter chew on. One night, Ezra bein' fond o' +boots, finds 'em an' chews ther tops off'n 'em. They wuz ther only boots +Bill hed, an' we wuz two hundred mile ter another pair, so Bill hed ter +go through ther season barefoot, an' ther sun jest nacherly warped his +feet out o' all shape.</p> + +<p>"But thet wuzn't what I wuz goin' ter tell yer erbout. That fall ther +Utes went on ther warpath, an' wuz headin' our way, an' I want ter tell +yer we wuz some scared. We hed several brushes with ther Injuns, an' +ther courier we sent ter ther fort fer help wuz killed an' scalped.</p> + +<p>"Thar we wuz, in a little valley entirely surrounded by Injuns thirstin' +fer our gore. How long we could hold out agin' 'em wuz ther problem. But +whenever one o' 'em showed his head we took a pop at it, an' they +returned ther compliment. We wuz prayin' fer ther comin' o' ther +soldiers, which wuz ther only thing what could save us from a horrible +death.</p> + +<p>"Ther Injuns got next ter ther fact thet our ammunition wuz runnin' +short, an' they wuz gittin' some gay; sorter takin' advantage o' us in a +way. I could see thet they wuz gettin' ready ter make a rush down inter +ther valley an' massacree us all, an' we prepared ter sell our lives +dearly.</p> + +<p>"One mornin' we missed Ezra, ther goat. I'll never fergit ther misery on +ther face o' Ping-pong when he finds it out.</p> + +<p>"'Bud,' he says ter me, 'I'm goin' out ter find Ezra, an' if them Injuns +hez got him, I'm goin' ter bust ther whole tribe wide open.'</p> + +<p>"I tried ter persuade him not ter go, but he will, so I goes with him. +We sneaks up ther side o' ther hill, an' looks over ther ridge right +down inter ther Injun village. The sight what met our gaze almost, but +not quite, made me bust open with laughin'.</p> + +<p>"Ther Injuns wuz all down on their hands an' knees, bowin' ter Ezra, who +wuz walkin' eround on his hind legs, sashayin' sideways an' noddin' his +head jest like a live bock-beer sign. Yer see, ther Injuns hed never +seen a goat before, an' when Ezra walks onto them, waggin' his whiskers +in a wise sort o' way, they thinks he's some kind o' a god, er somethin' +like that. But when he got up on his hind legs an' begin ter sashay thet +settled it. They wuz shore o' it then.</p> + +<p>"We watched ther performance fer a while, then ther Injuns got up an' +begin ter mosey. In an hour thar wuzn't a Injun within twenty mile. They +jest hit ther high places fer home.</p> + +<p>"Thet wuz ther way Ezra saved our party. After thet he could hev et +every boot in ther outfit, an' thar wouldn't hev been a kick."</p> + +<p>"What became of him?" asked Kit.</p> + +<p>"Oh, he went back home with Ping an' raised a large family, an' they +wuz talkin' o' runnin' him fer ther legislature an account o' his +whiskers an' his smartness."</p> + +<p>"He was a smart goat, wasn't he?" said Dick.</p> + +<p>"You bet. Thet's why I said that some goats wuz jest ez smart ez lots o' +collidge gradooates what I hev met."</p> + + + +<br /> +<a name='CHAPTER_XX'></a><h2>CHAPTER XX.</h2> + +<h3>THE COUNTERFEIT BANK NOTE.</h3> +<br /> + +<p>When they arose in the morning the train was speeding over the prairie, +and Dick could hardly be pulled away from the window long enough to go +to breakfast with Stella and Mrs. Graham, so great was his delight at +being in the "really and truly" wild West.</p> + +<p>When they were all back in the car again, Ted, for the first time, +noticed a large man, flashily dressed, who wore a flaming red necktie, +and who evidently thought himself irresistible to the ladies.</p> + +<p>He walked up and down the aisle on the slightest pretext, ogling every +pretty woman in the car, and Ted was getting very tired of it, +especially as once or twice he had the impertinence to stop and look +into the stateroom in which Stella and Mrs. Graham were sitting.</p> + +<p>"I'll take a fall out of that fellow if he keeps up that sort of thing +much longer," said Ted, who was sitting beside Kit.</p> + +<p>"I was thinking of the same thing," said Kit. "He makes me tired. I +wonder what he is, anyway?"</p> + +<p>"He has the make-up of a gambler or a saloon keeper," answered Ted. "He +better keep away from me if he knows when he's well off."</p> + +<p>At a town farther down the line a young lady entered the car, and took a +seat directly in front of Kit, who was alone, Ted having gone to the +front of the train to consult the conductor about a mistake that had +been made in their tickets.</p> + +<p>Presently the flashy man with the red necktie spied her and sauntered +past her down the aisle. In a few moments he came back, twirling his +black mustache, which evidently was dyed, and casting glances at the +young lady.</p> + +<p>Stopping in front of her, he said:</p> + +<p>"Is this seat taken, lady?"</p> + +<p>The young lady looked up, and answered coldly:</p> + +<p>"No, sir; but there are plenty of other seats in the car which are +unoccupied."</p> + +<p>"This one looks good to me," said the fellow, with a smile which was +supposed to be very fetching.</p> + +<p>Without further excuse he plumped himself down in the seat beside her, +and threw his arm familiarly over the back of it, at the same time +hitching closer to her.</p> + +<p>Then he tried to draw her into conversation, but she turned from him and +looked out of the window.</p> + +<p>But he persisted, and she showed that his attentions were annoying her.</p> + +<p>Kit watched the proceedings, and was boiling with anger, but he did not +feel that he had the right to interfere until the young lady showed by +her manner that she desired assistance.</p> + +<p>Presently the man said something to the young lady in a low voice that +seemed to arouse her anger, for she rose hastily to her feet, her face +burning.</p> + +<p>"Let me pass!" she said.</p> + +<p>"Don't leave me like this," said the fellow, blocking the way with his +knees. "Sit down. We'll soon be good friends. You'll find me a good +fellow."</p> + +<p>"I insist, sir, that you allow me to pass," said the girl, growing pale, +her voice rising a little.</p> + +<p>Kit could stand it no longer. He reached over and tapped the fellow on +the shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Allow the lady to pass," he said quietly.</p> + +<p>The hawk turned his head and sized Kit up. This did not take much time, +for Kit was small and slender, his black eyes being the largest part of +him, proportionately.</p> + +<p>"What the deuce have you got to do with this?" he sneered, looking +savagely at Kit.</p> + +<p>"Just enough to make sure that you do it," said Kit, rising.</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't allow no pups like you to interfere with me. You sit down +an' let this gal an' me attend to our own business, er I'll bend you an' +tie you into a knot an' throw you out of the window."</p> + +<p>Kit did not reply, but he reached over and got the fellow by the coat +collar and jerked him into the aisle, and, twisting him around, planted +his toe between his coat tails with a force that sent him halfway down +the length of the car.</p> + +<p>"You're on the wrong train," said Kit. "The cattle train is on the other +track."</p> + +<p>The fellow soon regained his balance, and came rushing back like a +charging bull.</p> + +<p>"You little snipe!" he roared, "I'll kill you for that."</p> + +<p>But as he got near Kit dodged into the space between the seats, and as +the fellow rushed past, carried on by the momentum of his run, Kit swung +at him with his right fist.</p> + +<p>It caught the fellow back of the ear, and the force behind the blow, as +well as the rate at which he had been coming, sent him headlong between +two seats, where he lay crumpled up like a rag.</p> + +<p>The commotion had attracted the attention of Bud and Ben, and they were +by Kit's side in a moment.</p> + +<p>"Need any help?" asked Bud.</p> + +<p>"Not a bit," replied Kit. "I'm not very large, but no man of that sort +can call me a pup."</p> + +<p>The fellow lay where he fell, and Bud warned away several passengers who +wanted to go to his assistance.</p> + +<p>"He's all right," he said. "A crack like that never injured any one +permanently, but sometimes it wakes them up ter ther foolishness of +insulting a lady when ther broncho boys are around."</p> + +<p>Kit lifted his hat to the young lady.</p> + +<p>"Pardon me for making a disturbance," he said. "I don't think you'll be +bothered again."</p> + +<p>The young lady was profuse in her thanks, and resumed her seat.</p> + +<p>Presently the fellow on the floor got up and sneaked into another car, +without looking again at either Kit or the young lady.</p> + +<p>"Hello, Kit! What was it all about?" asked Ted entering the car.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I never could stand for red neckties, nohow," answered Kit +apologetically.</p> + +<p>When the train stopped for dinner they all trooped into the station +dining room, and secured for themselves a long table, around which they +sat like a big and happy family.</p> + +<p>As Ted and Kit were walking along the platform toward the dining room +Ted suddenly halted and stared at a man who was leaning against the wall +of the station.</p> + +<p>"By Jove, I believe it's him!" he muttered.</p> + +<p>"Who's him?" asked Kit.</p> + +<p>"The express robber, Checkers," answered Ted. "And yet I'm not sure. If +it is him it's one of the best disguises I ever saw. Look at your friend +of the red necktie hurrying up to him. By Jove, they're a good pair! I +wish I could hear that fellow in the checked suit speak."</p> + +<p>"That fellow will get caught up yet if he persists in wearing checked +suits," said Kit. "It seems to be his badge, or a disease with him."</p> + +<p>"I suppose that's why they call him Checkers," said Ted. "I wish I knew. +I'd take a chance at arresting him."</p> + +<p>At that moment the man in the checked suit looked up and caught Ted and +Kit staring at him.</p> + +<p>Hastily calling the attention of the man with the red necktie to them, +he hurried around the corner, and the other followed.</p> + +<p>Ted ran to the corner of the station, but all he could see of either was +through a swirl of dust as the motor car in which they were riding flew +up the street.</p> + +<p>"By crickey! I'll bet anything that was Checkers," grumbled Ted. "I'm +always too late to get to him. But next time I'll take a long chance +with him."</p> + +<p>The train pulled into Green River at eight o'clock that night, and they +all went to the leading hotel, and Ted registered them as coming from +the ranch.</p> + +<p>During the evening the boys mingled with the crowd in the hotel lobby, +talking cattle, and met many of the representative women of the section.</p> + +<p>They were out after a bunch of stockers, and promised to be in the +neighborhood for several days and to visit the ranches and look over the +stock.</p> + +<p>One of the men whom they met was introduced to them as Colonel Billings, +ranch owner and speculator in cattle.</p> + +<p>He was a middle-aged man of most pleasant features—benign, +good-natured, and yet shrewd. He dressed well for a cowman, and from his +pink, bald crown and gray chin whiskers down to his neat shoes, he +looked the part of the prosperous business man.</p> + +<p>"I have a lot of stock such as I think you boys need out at my ranch," +he said to Ted, when he learned that they wanted to buy. "I'd like to +have you bring your party out to the place and stay several days as my +guests. You would then have plenty of time to look the stock over, and +if you like them I'm sure we can strike a bargain."</p> + +<p>Ted thanked him and promised to go out to look at the stock, but as for +the invitation for the whole party to stop at the ranch, he would have +to consult the wishes of the party. He rather liked the colonel, who +was, apparently, bluff and sincere.</p> + +<p>As Ted was on his way to the bank which had issued the bill which he had +found in the haunted house, he stopped suddenly. He had just seen a +young woman enter a store hurriedly, and look at him over her shoulder +as she did so. She it was who had slipped the note of warning into his +pocket in the Union Station, in St. Louis.</p> + +<p>Evidently she was trying to avoid him. But why? He wanted to thank her +for that kindly service, and, quite naturally, he had some curiosity to +know who she was.</p> + +<p>Without apparently hurrying he followed her into the store, and looked +around for her. She was not in sight, and he walked up and down the +aisles between the counters, but could not find her.</p> + +<p>Then he observed that there was a back door to the store, which opened +onto an arcade. She had escaped him through that, and Ted looked up and +down the arcade. At the far end, where it opened out into the public +square, a carriage stood, and a young lady was getting into it.</p> + +<p>It was the young lady of the subtle perfume and the note.</p> + +<p>In a moment she was gone.</p> + +<p>He was not far from the bank, and giving the young woman no more +thought, for he was sure he would see her again, for she seemed to be +mixed up in his fortunes in some manner, he made his way to the +financial institution and asked for the president.</p> + +<p>"You will find Mr. Norcross in his private office at the end of the +corridor," said the clerk.</p> + +<p>At the door of the office Ted found a colored messenger, who stopped him +and asked his business.</p> + +<p>"Is Mr. Norcross in his office?" asked Ted.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sah, but he is busy," answered the messenger.</p> + +<p>"Well, take my card in to him, and tell him I would like to see him +when he is at leisure."</p> + +<p>The negro went away, and in a few moments returned to say that Mr. +Norcross would be glad to see Mr. Strong presently.</p> + +<p>While Ted waited he stood looking out of the window into the street. The +door behind him opened, and he turned.</p> + +<p>Walking rapidly down the corridor was the man with the pointed beard, +whom he had seen in the Union Station in St. Louis give the signal to +the girl who had slipped the note into his pocket.</p> + +<p>Ted stared after him. The mystery of the note was getting thicker. But +he would try to think it out later.</p> + +<p>He found Mr. Norcross an elderly, but active man.</p> + +<p>"What can I do for you, Mr. Strong," said the banker, referring to Ted's +card.</p> + +<p>"I come to you for information concerning a recent robbery and the +murder of an express messenger in an express car in St. Louis," said +Ted.</p> + +<p>"In what capacity do you come?"</p> + +<p>"As an officer of the government."</p> + +<p>"Oh, ah, rather young for such work, aren't you?"</p> + +<p>"Pardon, but that has nothing at all to do with it. I am a deputy United +States marshal, and have received instructions to examine into certain +matters regarding the recent robberies from express trains in this part +of the country."</p> + +<p>"I suppose you have your credentials as an officer."</p> + +<p>"I think I can convince those who have the right to know that I am what +I profess to be."</p> + +<p>"Very well. I meant no offense, but there have been so many violent +things done out here, that naturally a banker desires to at least know +something of his callers. What can I do for you?"</p> + +<p>"Did your bank make a shipment of currency to the East, last week?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir, that is a well-known fact."</p> + +<p>"What was the amount?"</p> + +<p>"Forty thousand dollars. It was to meet some paper which was due in St. +Louis."</p> + +<p>"And it was stolen from the express car?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. The express company has reimbursed us for it."</p> + +<p>"What sort of currency was it?"</p> + +<p>"Mostly of our own issue."</p> + +<p>"Do you recognize this bill?"</p> + +<p>Ted took from his pocket the counterfeit bill of the bank, and handed it +to the president, who looked at it a moment and handed it back.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that is one of the bills. The money sent was all in that series of +numbers."</p> + +<p>Ted picked the bill up, and put it in his pocket.</p> + +<p>"Here, you mustn't take that," said the president. "That is the property +of the bank. Give it to me. The express company will need it for +evidence."</p> + +<p>"Then I will keep it. It will be safer with me."</p> + +<p>A suspicion had entered Ted's mind, which was strengthened by the +conduct of the president, who was white-faced and trembling.</p> + +<p>"From your examination of the bill, you are positive that it was one of +those shipped to St. Louis?"</p> + +<p>"I am not certain, of course, but as I said, it is within the series of +numbers which we sent. Why do you ask?"</p> + +<p>"Because it is a counterfeit."</p> + +<p>The president sank down in his chair. He had suddenly become pale, and +was trembling like a leaf.</p> + +<p>"What will you take for that bill, young man? Name your own price," said +Mr. Norcross.</p> + +<p>"It is not for sale, and you have not money enough to buy it," replied +Ted Strong.</p> + + + +<br /> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXI'></a><h2>CHAPTER XXI.</h2> + +<h3>A CRIME WITHIN A CRIME.</h3> +<br /> + +<p>"Well, friend, have you decided to come out to my ranch, and look my +stock over?"</p> + +<p>It was Colonel Billings, the genial ranchman, who addressed Ted, meeting +him in the lobby of the hotel.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I think I will," answered Ted. "When will it be convenient for you +to be there?"</p> + +<p>"I am going out to-morrow, and will be glad to see you and your +friends."</p> + +<p>"There are a good many of us," said Ted, laughing.</p> + +<p>"The more the merrier. The house is large, and I could drop you all down +into it, and the house would hardly know it."</p> + +<p>"How do we get out there?"</p> + +<p>"I see you have a couple of ladies with you, and I shall telephone over +to my manager to send a carriage in for them, and horses for the use of +you boys. How many horses and saddles will you need? There are plenty at +the ranch."</p> + +<p>"We will need eight horses. One of the ladies prefers to ride, and we'll +need a gentle pony for the small boy, whose experience is limited."</p> + +<p>"Sidesaddle for the lady?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Ted, with a grin, "this young lady will not use one. She is a +cowgirl, and rides a man's saddle."</p> + +<p>"All right, my boy. The outfit will be here in the morning. By the way, +I am going to have some other guests. I suppose you will not object."</p> + +<p>"Certainly not."</p> + +<p>"One of them is a young New Yorker, who has come West to invest in ranch +property, and who has brought his sister with him. Charming people. The +other is a rather uncouth person, but you will forgive his +eccentricities, I am sure. To tell you the truth, he often grates on me, +but I overlook it because he has lacked advantages. He made his money in +the liquor business, in which he has been all his life. But he is a good +fellow at heart, and is my partner in a way, having invested a large sum +of money with me in cattle."</p> + +<p>"I shall be very glad to meet them, although, I'm afraid I shall not be +able to see much of them, as I shall be very busy."</p> + +<p>"When you are under my roof, sir, you are as free as if you had been +born there. I am glad you and your friends are coming. It does my old +heart good to have young people around me. I will see you in the +morning, and shall feel honored to escort you to my home."</p> + +<p>With this they parted.</p> + +<p>"Jolly old chap," said Ted to himself. "I know just how he feels about +having a lot of people come to visit him. I like it myself."</p> + +<p>Stella had been out for a ride with little Dick. She had secured a +couple of ponies from the stable connected with the hotel, and had given +Dick his first riding lesson.</p> + +<p>Ted met them as they were dismounting in front of the hotel.</p> + +<p>"Ted, that boy is going to be a second edition of you in the saddle," +cried Stella enthusiastically. "I never saw such a seat for a kid. Why +he takes to a horse like a young duck to water."</p> + +<p>"That's good," said Ted. "Do you like to ride, Scrub, I mean Dick?"</p> + +<p>The boy flushed at the name Scrub, but he recovered himself immediately.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's fine," he answered. "I like horses, and they seem to take to +me. I'd like to ride a horse all the time."</p> + +<p>"Well, you'll have all you want of it when you get out to Moon Valley," +said Ted. "Would you like to go out again? If you do, go ahead. I guess +we can trust you not to break your neck."</p> + +<p>The boy smiled and nodded, and climbed into his saddle again, and was +off.</p> + +<p>"Ted, that boy is going to be a credit to us all," said Stella. "But he +must have an education. Although he speaks well and doesn't use much +slang, that is, for a boy, he knows absolutely nothing that he hasn't +picked up. He must go to school some day, but not now, for he hardly +knows his alphabet, and as for other branches of knowledge, why, he +doesn't know they exist, and he is as full of superstition as a Cocopo +squaw. Wherever he got his beliefs, I can't imagine."</p> + +<p>"All right, Stella, he shall go to school. It doesn't really matter +much, that he has never been to school before. He'll learn so fast that +he'll make up for lost time, don't fear. That boy has a good head."</p> + +<p>"I'm going to teach him myself until he is able to take his place in +school with boys of his own age. He's just crazy to learn."</p> + +<p>"His early education is up to you. I'm not afraid he will learn anything +he shouldn't from you. Go at him slowly and sensibly. Don't try to stuff +it all into him at once. Meanwhile, I'll teach him to ride, shoot, herd, +rope, and all that, occasionally impressing upon him the cardinal +principles of the broncho boys—truth, honesty, sincerity, courage, and +kindness."</p> + +<p>"He'll be a fine fellow some of these days, Ted, and a good-looking and +good-tempered one."</p> + +<p>"I think he will. Suppose we take a little walk, if you have nothing +better to do. I want to get your opinion on some matters."</p> + +<p>"The very thing. I saw a pretty little park on the bank of a river. +We'll walk there."</p> + +<p>"I have promised to go out to Colonel Billings' ranch to-morrow, and I +took the liberty of accepting the invitation for you all, as there is +nothing to do around here, and I have a hunch that something good will +come of it."</p> + +<p>"I'll be glad to go. You know how much I like the town. I wouldn't care +if I never saw one again."</p> + +<p>"It's all right, then. We'll start in the morning. I am more than +anxious to go now, especially as Billings tells me he has invited +several other people to be his guests."</p> + +<p>"Who are they?"</p> + +<p>"You remember the girl who slipped the note into my pocket in the St. +Louis station, and the young fellow with the pointed beard. Well, I saw +them both in town this morning. The girl ran away from me on the street, +jumped into a carriage, and drove away."</p> + +<p>"There's nothing about you to cause a girl to run." Stella looked up at +Ted in a teasing way.</p> + +<p>"That'll be all right," said he. "But a few minutes after I saw the +fellow with the pointed beard coming out of the private office of +Norcross, the president of the bank that was robbed of the forty +thousand dollars. He went by me like a rocket, as if he were afraid of +me."</p> + +<p>"Sure it was he?"</p> + +<p>"Positive. But the strange part of it was my interview with the banker. +He acknowledged that the bank had been robbed of the money, and +identified the bill dropped by Checkers in his flight, as one of the +shipment, but when I announced that it was a counterfeit, he went all to +pieces, and, after trying to bluff me into giving him the note, wanted +to buy it, asking me to name my own price."</p> + +<p>"What does that mean, I wonder?"</p> + +<p>"It means, that this case of the robbery and the murder of the express +messenger is not the simple thing I thought. There is a crime within a +crime."</p> + +<p>"What in the world do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"Just this, Norcross, the banker, is mixed in the crime, and Heaven only +knows how many more men quite as prominent as he. The express-robbing +syndicate is a strong one, and hard to beat."</p> + +<p>"But you'll beat it yet. I know you."</p> + +<p>"Thank you for your faith and encouragement, Stella. But it's going to +be a hard pull, and it will take all of us to do it."</p> + +<p>"What do you think of it now?"</p> + +<p>"My idea is, that the alleged forty thousand dollars was not real money +at all, and that Norcross was trying to double-cross the very men he was +standing in with."</p> + +<p>"Still, I hardly understand."</p> + +<p>"Well, Norcross agreed with the members of the syndicate to ship forty +thousand dollars to St. Louis, which was to be stolen en route by the +syndicate's own men. They would then have their forty thousand back, and +the forty thousand which they could make the express company pay them. +The original forty thousand would come back to Norcross, and he would +get his share of the money which the express company would pay."</p> + +<p>"That was easy."</p> + +<p>"It would have been, but for the fact that Norcross insisted upon being +insured for the use of his forty thousand in case anything else happened +to it. In this way he got another large sum."</p> + +<p>"I see. But from what you have found out so far, I don't quite +understand how you figure it out."</p> + +<p>"All I have to go by is my own way of deducing things. The forty +thousand dollars which was to be stolen was supposed by the other +members of the syndicate to be real money. It was for this that the +syndicate insured Norcross. But, instead, he substituted counterfeits, +if, indeed, most of the supposed money was not just blank paper."</p> + +<p>"He is a real financier, eh?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but he didn't take into consideration that he had scoundrels just +as shrewd as himself to deal with. For instance, I believe when the +truth is known, it will be found out that the syndicate was going to +beat Norcross. But that is mere supposition. The tug of war is coming +soon. It will take place at the ranch of Colonel Billings."</p> + +<p>"I thought you believed in him."</p> + +<p>"I do. I have made a few inquiries about him. I wanted to find out what +sort of a chap he was before taking you and your aunt out to his place. +Every one speaks of him as one of the leading men in the county and +State."</p> + +<p>"Then why should he be drawn into this mess?"</p> + +<p>"I think he has done it unconsciously. He has a partner who has invested +money in Billings' cattle. Do you remember the fellow in the train whom +Kit knocked down? The chap who insulted that pretty girl."</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"From the description given me of one of his coming guests by the +colonel, I believe the man with the red necktie is he."</p> + +<p>"What? That horrid thing."</p> + +<p>"I didn't tell you, but Kit and I saw him talking to a man at the +station where we stopped for dinner, whom I am convinced was no other +than Checkers himself."</p> + +<p>"Whew! That looks suspicious."</p> + +<p>"In addition to that, the colonel has invited a man and his sister to +visit him while we are there. This man is a New Yorker; I don't know his +name, but the colonel says he is out here to buy a ranch. Who do you +suppose it is?"</p> + +<p>"Haven't an idea."</p> + +<p>"The girl who dropped the warning note into my pocket, and the young man +with the pointed beard."</p> + +<p>"Whew! again."</p> + +<p>"Looks pretty complicated, doesn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Worse than that. Ted, are you sure about this Colonel Billings?"</p> + +<p>"One is sure of nothing in this world, but I have taken a fancy to +Billings, and when I like a man he generally turns out all right, making +allowances for minor faults and habits. Yes, I think I can trust +Billings."</p> + +<p>"But not his friends. Ted, do you want to know what I think?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly."</p> + +<p>"I feel that the invitation out there is a trap to catch you, and +possibly keep you away from the town."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense! Why should they want to keep me away from the town? There +doesn't seem to be anything wrong in town that I could bother them in, +except the Norcross incident, and if, as I suspect, he has duped his +partners, he will say nothing to them about me."</p> + +<p>"Suppose they want to get out there to do away with you."</p> + +<p>"They wouldn't ask all of you out there with me in that case."</p> + +<p>"That is where you are mistaken. They are too shrewd to excite your +suspicions by inviting you alone. It will not be hard for them to get +you away from the ranch to look at some cattle and then kill you. Ted, +you are too dangerous to them to be let alone."</p> + +<p>"Well, it can't be helped now, and being right in among them is a hope I +did not expect to see realized so easily. But they will have no +advantage over me, for none of the syndicate, I take it, know of the +counterfeits as yet, except Norcross and the inevitable Checkers. But at +that, I don't think they will resort to violence. We are too strong for +them, at the ranch, at least I believe they will use diplomacy."</p> + +<p>"Well, we can play at the game ourselves. There, perhaps, I can help +you."</p> + +<p>"You bet you can. But let us go down to the station and see if the red +motor car, 118, has arrived yet."</p> + +<p>When they reached the station, Ted went to the express agent and asked +for the car.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said the agent, "the car arrived this morning, Mr. Strong, and I +delivered it according to your instructions. The charges are not paid +yet. Your messenger said you would call later and settle for them, and, +knowing you by reputation, I let it go."</p> + +<p>Ted was staring at the agent.</p> + +<p>"You delivered it according to my instructions?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"I didn't give any one an order for the car."</p> + +<p>"Why, you must have forgotten it. Here it is. I happened to see one of +your boys down here, and called him to one side and asked him if it was +your signature, and he very promptly identified it."</p> + +<p>"Let me see that order."</p> + +<p>The agent produced an order written on the note paper of the hotel.</p> + +<p>Ted stared at it incredulously.</p> + +<p>"It looks like my writing, but I didn't write it. I'll swear to that. +Look at this, Stella. Is that my hand?"</p> + +<p>Stella looked at the paper studiously for a minute or two, then handed +it back.</p> + +<p>"A casual look at it would deceive me, but you did not write it. It +lacks several of your individualisms, and has others that are not +yours."</p> + +<p>"That is right. This order is a forgery. I did not write it. The +express-robber syndicate is getting bolder every minute. They'll come in +and steal you some day," Ted said to the agent. "Notify your company +that my car has been stolen, and that I want it restored to me."</p> + +<p>"Great Scott!" was all the agent could say.</p> + +<p>"What sort of looking chap was it that presented the order?" asked Ted.</p> + +<p>"Well, he was an ordinary-looking chap. He had on a—"</p> + +<p>"Checked suit?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir. How did you know?"</p> + +<p>"Checkers has come into his own at last," said Ted, turning to Stella.</p> + + + +<br /> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXII'></a><h2>CHAPTER XXII.</h2> + +<h3>TED IN THE TOILS.</h3> +<br /> + +<p>The following morning an impressive cavalcade set out for the ranch of +Colonel Billings, led by the genial owner himself. Behind him came Ted +and Stella, between whom rode little Dick.</p> + +<p>Then came Mrs. Graham in a well-appointed carriage, and acting as her +outriders and escorts were the boys. When they arrived at the ranch, +after passing numerous herds of fine cattle on the way, they found one +of the finest ranch houses in the West.</p> + +<p>It was a great, white modern structure that could be seen for miles +across the level prairie, which showed hardly a single rise or +depression in all the miles they had ridden.</p> + +<p>None of the guests whom the colonel had told Ted would be present +accompanied the party. The colonel explained this by saying that other +matters had detained them in town, and that he preferred to permit them +to follow, rather than defer the pleasure of being their escort.</p> + +<p>This was said with so much sincerity that Ted could not doubt him. Mrs. +Graham and Stella were ensconced in a large apartment on the first +floor, with large windows opening upon a wide veranda.</p> + +<p>Both expressed themselves as delighted with their room, much to the +gratification of their host. The broncho boys found quarters in the +spacious second floor, which had as many rooms as the average hotel.</p> + +<p>"Well, what do you think of Colonel Billings now?" Ted asked of Stella, +when they met on the broad lawn in front of the ranch house after they +had seen their rooms.</p> + +<p>Stella simply shook her head.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean by that?" asked Ted. "That you don't know, or that you +don't care to say?"</p> + +<p>"I can't tell you yet, Ted. I like him somehow for his genial ways, and +yet something tells me to beware."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'd sooner trust your intuition than my judgment. I'll keep an +eye on him. And—yet, I feel the same as you in a way. But I hate to +distrust any one."</p> + +<p>"I know you do, Ted, and that is why you get fooled on some people +sometimes."</p> + +<p>"But not on all people all the time?"</p> + +<p>"That's it."</p> + +<p>"Then what does one's first impression amount to, anyway?"</p> + +<p>"Not much, unless they can make good a good first impression."</p> + +<p>"I'm not going to worry about him. The other fellows are the ones for +that."</p> + +<p>"That's what I think."</p> + +<p>"I'm going to ride out over the range, and take a look at the cattle. +Want to go along?"</p> + +<p>"Of course I do."</p> + +<p>They found their horses in the corral, and after telling Colonel +Billings that they would be back for dinner, departed.</p> + +<p>"When you go through the west gate into the big pasture, look out for a +big Hereford bull in there," Colonel Billings called after them.</p> + +<p>Ted nodded and waved his hand, and they were off. Colonel Billings +certainly did have a splendid ranch. They rode for miles within the +fences before they came to the west gate.</p> + +<p>"Think we better go any farther?" asked Ted, when they had come this +far.</p> + +<p>"Yes. Let us go on," replied Stella. "We have plenty of time, and I +would like to see just how big this ranch is."</p> + +<p>"Don't forget the red bull," said Ted, as he closed the gate behind +them.</p> + +<p>"I've seen many a dangerous bull before," laughed Stella.</p> + +<p>"If we find him and he takes after us, keep on the far side of me. I +don't much fancy that pony you're on."</p> + +<p>"I don't myself. I wish we had a bunch of Moon Valley ponies here to +ride. I've never seen any that could come up to them."</p> + +<p>They were following a trail that led directly into the west. It was a +cattle trail, and Ted's practiced eye told him that it led to water. +Several miles to the west he saw the plain became broken.</p> + +<p>"There's water over there," he said.</p> + +<p>"That's where we'll find the cattle," answered Stella. "Do you want to +go that far and look at them?"</p> + +<p>"I will if you think you can stand it."</p> + +<p>Stella looked at him scornfully.</p> + +<p>"I guess this beast will go the distance," she answered, giving the +little gray a clip with her quirt, and galloping ahead of Ted, who was +not slow to follow.</p> + +<p>As they proceeded the ground became more and more broken.</p> + +<p>"I believe there is a bit of 'bad land' over there," said Ted, pointing +forward.</p> + +<p>Still they saw no cattle, although Colonel Billings had told him that +morning that his greatest herd, the one he wished the boys to examine +with the view to purchase, lay in the big west pasture.</p> + +<p>But all they could see so far was the broad stretch of green prairie and +the low line of the rough land in the distance. Not a living thing was +in sight.</p> + +<p>The only movement was the flying shadows of the white clouds over the +prairie, and the waving of the deep, rich grass when a vagrant breeze +swept by.</p> + +<p>But suddenly Ted pulled in his pony, and shaded his eyes with his hand, +staring into the west.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked Stella, reining in.</p> + +<p>"I thought I saw something red shoot across the horizon to the west, +where you see those gray rocks," answered Ted.</p> + +<p>"A cow—or, perhaps, the dangerous red bull," laughed Stella.</p> + +<p>"Nothing like that. It wasn't the right color. Did you ever see a +scarlet cow?"</p> + +<p>"Never did."</p> + +<p>"Well, the thing I saw was scarlet, and it was not shaped like a cow."</p> + +<p>He was still looking intently into the west.</p> + +<p>"There it is again!" he exclaimed, unlimbering his field glasses.</p> + +<p>After a moment of intense scrutiny, he raised the glasses suddenly to +his eyes.</p> + +<p>"By Jove!" he cried, "it's a motor car, and I believe it's 118."</p> + +<p>"Impossible!" cried Stella.</p> + +<p>"No, entirely possible," said Ted intensely. "Don't you see if it was +this fellow Checkers who got the machine from the agent by false +pretenses he would take it as far away from town as possible?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I see that."</p> + +<p>"Then which direction would he take if, as I think, he is in league with +the train-robbing syndicate, which we have persuaded ourselves to think +made their headquarters at Green River, but in this direction? We have +learned that others of those we believe to be in it are to be the guests +of this ranch, and—"</p> + +<p>"I see. He could not well bring the red car to the ranch house."</p> + +<p>"That's it."</p> + +<p>"Then where do you suppose he's going with it?"</p> + +<p>"There's no better place to hide it than in those very 'bad lands,' if I +am guessing right, at the rough land yonder."</p> + +<p>"True. What are you going to do about it?"</p> + +<p>"I'm going to find that red car and my friend, Checkers."</p> + +<p>"Not alone, Ted. You're going to get the other boys to help you, aren't +you?"</p> + +<p>"Now is the accepted time. I'm going right away now. But it would be a +good scheme for you to ride back to the ranch and tell Bud and the boys +quietly what I am about, and have them come out in case I should need +help."</p> + +<p>"I hate to see you ride away alone, Ted. You can't tell what there is +over there. Better let me go along."</p> + +<p>"No, Stella, it would be no use. You know that I appreciate your courage +and skill in every way, but this, probably, will be no work for girls."</p> + +<p>Stella pouted at this. She did not like the idea of the long ride back +to the ranch house alone.</p> + +<p>She looked at Ted to see if he really was in earnest, and when she saw +the look in his face she turned back with a wave of the hand and a "So +long!" and started for the ranch house.</p> + +<p>"Tell Bud to bring three or four of the boys out here with him," shouted +Ted after her. "Thank you, Stella."</p> + +<p>But she only nodded her head and pursued her way, and Ted, after looking +after her for a moment, rode forward. He had not seen the red car for +several minutes, it having disappeared behind a rocky butte.</p> + +<p>Having a fair horse, he gave it the gad and struck into a gallop. Soon +he entered upon the rough land, and from a rise saw a stream below and a +herd of cattle beyond, where the prairie began again; the railroad, and +a small red station house, with two or three low buildings about it.</p> + +<p>He now understood that he had seen the red car on the far side of the +ravine, through which the stream flowed, and went down to the stream, +his horse sliding on its haunches amid a clatter of broken clay and +pebbles.</p> + +<p>He was soon across and clambered up the other wall of the ravine, and +there in the clay found the impression of the tires of the red car.</p> + +<p>"I'm all right now," he muttered to himself. "On the track of Checkers +and the robbers' automobile. I wonder where it will end."</p> + +<p>He had no difficulty in following the tracks of the automobile for a +considerable distance, when the ravine ran out on that side and the bank +of the stream flattened; and he rode along it, following the trail with +ease.</p> + +<p>Then the bank of the stream rose again, and the water flowed through a +ravine, into which the red car had entered. It could not escape him, and +Ted chuckled, and examined his revolver, loosening it well in its +holster, for he had not forgotten the warning against Checkers given him +by Chief Desmond.</p> + +<p>The ravine grew deeper as he advanced, and soon it became tolerably dark +at the bottom where the high walls shut out the light. Suddenly his +horse stumbled, and, as Ted shot over its head, he heard the twang of a +broken wire that had been stretched across the path.</p> + +<p>He had fallen into a trap. As he struck the earth, he was stunned for a +moment, then a heavy weight was upon him.</p> + +<p>He twisted around and felt for his revolver, but it had fallen from his +holster, and he felt his arms grasped and a thong passed around his +wrists, and then around his ankles.</p> + +<p>The weight was lifted from him and he rolled over on his back. Standing +above him was the man whom he knew as Checkers.</p> + +<p>"Well, my lad, you delivered yourself like a lamb to the slaughter," +said Checkers, with a smile.</p> + +<p>Ted could say nothing. He was too busy wondering how easily he had +fallen into the toils.</p> + +<p>"You went up against a tough proposition when yon tackled me," continued +the man. "It would have been a good thing for you if you had never run +across me. You know too much to be left alive. I shall see that you are +properly taken care of."</p> + +<p>Checkers issued a shrill whistle.</p> + +<p>"Come," he said to Ted, "get to your feet."</p> + +<p>Ted arose as three men came around an elbow of the wall of the ravine.</p> + +<p>"Take care of this boy," said Checkers to them. "And if he escapes—"</p> + +<p>He finished the sentence with a smile that made the men wince.</p> + + + +<br /> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXIII'></a><h2>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2> + +<h3>STELLA IMITATES SANTA CLAUS.</h3> +<br /> + +<p>"Come on, fellow," said one of the men, jerking Ted along by hops.</p> + +<p>"We'll attend to him all right, boss," said another.</p> + +<p>"He'll get all that's coming to him," said the third, with a grin that +was almost as diabolical as that of Checkers.</p> + +<p>Around the elbow of the ravine wall, in a small cove was a log cabin +with a lean-to shed, under which was sheltered the fatal red car which +had lured him to captivity.</p> + +<p>The cabin was backed up against the wall of the ravine, and was small +and dirty as to interior. A fire burned in a big stone fireplace at one +end, filling the room with a suffocating smudge.</p> + +<p>The room was almost dark, but Ted, from the corner into which he had +been flung, was soon able to make out that the men were cooking +something over the glowing embers, at the same time taking swigs from a +black bottle, and smoking reeking pipes of vile tobacco.</p> + +<p>After the food was cooked they began to eat, but did not offer Ted any +of it, all the while making jokes at his expense, and vaguely hinting at +his fate.</p> + +<p>Ted wished now that he had taken Stella's advice, and had not rushed in +so rashly. Had he waited for Bud and two or three of the boys to come to +his assistance, he could easily have caught the whole lot for their +cabin was in a perfect pocket from which they could not have escaped.</p> + +<p>Who were these rough fellows with whom Checkers would not associate, for +Ted could hear his archenemy pacing up and down outside, and he had not +forgotten how he had addressed these men?</p> + +<p>Probably they were only ordinary villains who did the dirty work planned +by the wiser heads of the syndicate. He wondered if the boys would be +able to find him before they settled with him, as they had promised.</p> + +<p>After the men had finished their meal the voice of the leader summoned +them outside. Ted could hear commands being given in a low voice, and +mumbles from the men.</p> + +<p>It appeared from what Ted could gather from the tones of the voice, +rather than from any words that he caught, that one of the men was +protesting against what Checkers was ordering.</p> + +<p>Suddenly there was a cry of agony.</p> + +<p>"Don't do that, boss," said one of the men.</p> + +<p>"Shut up, or you'll get a taste of the same knife," came the voice of +Checkers in a tone of rage. "When I say a thing must be done it is as +good as done. Now go ahead and do as I tell you."</p> + +<p>"But, boss—"</p> + +<p>"Go on, and do it. Are you a coward? You've done it before," Ted heard +Checkers say. "I'm going away now, and if you can't show me what I want +when I get back, well—you know."</p> + +<p>In a moment Ted heard the chug of the motor car, then the grating of the +tires on the earth as it started away.</p> + +<p>"Remember what I said," the voice of Checkers came floating back.</p> + +<p>"Say, Bill, this is a derned outrage," said one of the men outside. "I, +fer one, am not in favor of standin' for it."</p> + +<p>"Well, if yer don't, you'll get the same," said other man.</p> + +<p>"I never see any one so handy with that bloomin' knife o' his."</p> + +<p>"Look out you don't get a taste o' it, then."</p> + +<p>"Is he dead, Bill?"</p> + +<p>There was a shuffling of feet outside, and Ted knew that they were +turning a body over.</p> + +<p>"Yes, he's stone-dead."</p> + +<p>"Pore Dick! He had his faults, but he was a good pal."</p> + +<p>"He wuz, but too derned soft-hearted. He didn't want ter kill a feller +in cold blood never."</p> + +<p>"An' yet he wa'n't no coward. I never see ther time Dick w'd refuse ter +fight if ther other feller had some show, an' he wa'n't squeamish about +holdin' up a train er runnin' off a bunch o' cattle, but I always hear +him say thet he didn't take no stock in plain, straight murder."</p> + +<p>"That's so, but it's not murder, Tom, when yer kills ther feller what's +yer enemy. Now, honor bright, is it?"</p> + +<p>"I dunno. I was brought up ter fight, an' fight like ther devil hisself +when it come ter fightin', but I reckon I'm too much o' a derned coward +ter murder cold."</p> + +<p>"Well, this is one o' ther times when it's got ter be did, an' I reckon +we might as well be about it. Git ready."</p> + +<p>"No, sir, I'm not goin' ter do it."</p> + +<p>"Tom, yer a fool. Do yer know what'll happen when ther boss comes back +an' finds out that it ain't been did?"</p> + +<p>"I do."</p> + +<p>"An' aire yer goin' ter resk it?"</p> + +<p>"I be."</p> + +<p>"Then ye're a bigger fool than I am. I'm goin' ter carry out orders. +What's ther difference? A couple of good slashes an' it's all over."</p> + +<p>"But think o' the death cry, Bill. I've heerd too many o' them already. +I hears them when I sleep and they wake me up."</p> + +<p>"Tom, yer talk ter me like a sick canary peeps. I always thought yer wuz +a man."</p> + +<p>"An' don't yer think so now, Bill?"</p> + +<p>"Not from ther way yer talkin'."</p> + +<p>"Well, if yer has any doubts erbout it I'll give yer a chanct ter prove +it, any way yer like."</p> + +<p>"Now, what's ther use o' talkin' that away, Tom? Dick's dead by ther +hand o' ther boss. What's thar in it fer you or me if ther cub in thar +dies er not? Be sensible."</p> + +<p>"It ain't matterin' a chaw o' terbaccer ter me whether he dies er not, +but he's got a right ter die in a natural way, so to speak."</p> + +<p>"An' how is that, my Sunday-school friend?"</p> + +<p>"In a fair fight, by gosh!"</p> + +<p>"An' who's goin' ter give him a fair fight? I don't want none o' it."</p> + +<p>"So that's ther way yer built, is it, Bill? I always thought yer was a +game man."</p> + +<p>"I reckon I be, but that's not in this question. Here's an enemy ter +ther gang what lays bound in the cabin. Why should I resk my life in a +fight with him er fer him. It's so derned easy fer a feller ter go in +thar an' stick a knife inter him, an' then, yer see, it's all over +with."</p> + +<p>"Yer wrong, Bill."</p> + +<p>"I'd sooner do that than have ther boss come back an' stick his knife +inter me."</p> + +<p>"Aire yer afraid ter fight ther boss?"</p> + +<p>"He's ther only man I be afraid of."</p> + +<p>There was a long silence following this, and Ted understood the terrible +power of Checkers over his men, and Desmond's warning.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm tired o' chewin' erbout ther virtue o' killin' a man one way +or another, an' I'm goin' ter foller orders. If you don't want ter jine +in I reckon as how I'll have ter tell ther boss that yer flunked."</p> + +<p>There was no response to this, and a few moments elapsed in which Ted +listened hopefully for his champion's voice.</p> + +<p>Suddenly something dropped in the fireplace, and Ted, straining his eyes +in that direction, saw a tiny pair of tan riding boots come into view, +followed by a tan skirt, and Stella dropped noiselessly into the room.</p> + +<p>She held up a warning finger as she saw Ted in the corner.</p> + +<p>"Sh, sh!" she whispered, as she felt for his bonds and cut them.</p> + +<p>Ted was on his feet on the instant, and Stella pressed a revolver into +his hand.</p> + +<p>"I didn't go back to the ranch house, but followed you here. I saw the +red car go out, and hid. Then I sneaked along until I heard those +fellows quarreling. I was on the top of the bluff here, and guessed that +you were inside the cabin, as I couldn't see you anywhere outside, so I +just dropped in." As Stella whispered this she smiled, and Ted could +only look his thanks.</p> + +<p>The fellow named Tom, who had been opposed to killing Ted, had evidently +been doing some hard thinking, and the threat of his mate to expose him +to Checkers evidently convinced him that he would rather be alive than +perish for a mere sentiment.</p> + +<p>"All right, Bill," he said; "I don't like it, but we've got to share +it."</p> + +<p>"Sure," said the other. "It'll be blow and blow. We both strike +together."</p> + +<p>"Come on, then."</p> + +<p>"Now," said Ted, putting Stella behind him and crouching in the +darkness.</p> + +<p>The two men entered the cabin noisily, knowing that they had nothing to +fear from an unarmed boy bound hand and foot and lying in the corner +with nothing to hope for.</p> + +<p>As they approached the corner they were surprised to see a stalwart +young form arise suddenly and a pair of revolvers gleam through the +darkness as a voice rang out commandingly:</p> + +<p>"Hands up!"</p> + +<p>The hands of both went up very promptly.</p> + +<p>"Drop those knives!"</p> + +<p>A pair of knives clattered to the floor.</p> + +<p>"Face about, both of you, and go out. The first to make a break gets a +shot in the back."</p> + +<p>At Ted's command both men obeyed. When they were outside in the +sunlight, Ted looked them over. Both had revolvers in their holsters.</p> + +<p>"Take their revolvers away from them, Stella," said Ted.</p> + +<p>As the girl moved forward to comply with the request of Ted Strong, the +men stared at her in amazement.</p> + +<p>"Now, which of you is Tom?" asked Ted.</p> + +<p>"I am," said one of them.</p> + +<p>"You lie!" answered Ted. "I know you by your voice. You are not +Tom:—you are Bill."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'm Tom," said the other fellow.</p> + +<p>"That's right," said Ted.</p> + +<p>"Now, see here, Tom, if I give you the chance will you dig out of this +and escape? It won't be very long before you are caught, anyway, and you +know what that means."</p> + +<p>"You bet I will," said the fellow, who had protested against the murder +of Ted.</p> + +<p>"All right, I'll give you the chance. I'll take your friend in charge +myself. You can take down your hands, Tom."</p> + +<p>The fellow was in a state of wonderment as he did so.</p> + +<p>"Who are you, anyway?" asked the fellow called Bill.</p> + +<p>"I am Ted Strong."</p> + +<p>"Then it's all up. We're done for," said the train robber, in a resigned +voice.</p> + + + +<br /> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXIV'></a><h2>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2> + +<h3>TED HOLDS A PROFITABLE BAG.</h3> +<br /> + +<p>Tom signaled to Ted to step aside, and, telling Stella to keep the other +fellow covered with her revolver, Ted accompanied him.</p> + +<p>"Thank yer fer turnin' me loose," said Tom. "I've been tryin' ter get +away fer months, but couldn't. Here's a tip: They're goin' ter rob ther +Overland Express t'-night right out yon at that little station yer can +see from ther top o' ther rise. Ther loot is ter be hid near Bubbly +Spring until things blow over, but ther gang will come here. Thar's my +tip. Good-by. I'm off."</p> + +<p>The fellow disappeared up the bank of the stream.</p> + +<p>Ted bound the other upon the back of his pony, which he found not far +from the scene of his own downfall, and conveyed him to Green River, +where he placed him in jail, with instructions that he should be allowed +to communicate with no one.</p> + +<p>Then he and Stella returned to the Billings ranch house.</p> + +<p>"Say nothing whatever about our adventure," said Ted, as he and Stella +rode along discussing the matter. "I think there will be something doing +there to-night."</p> + +<p>When they got back to the ranch, Ted simply explained their absence by +saying that they had ridden farther than they had at first intended.</p> + +<p>Ted was introduced to the other guests, who had arrived in his absence. +There was Mr. Norcross, the banker, who looked a little sheepish when +Ted shook hands with him and acted as if he had never seen him before. +The man with the black mustache and the red necktie was Mr. Dennis +Corrigan, of Chicago, and neither he nor the boys appeared to have seen +him before. The young man with the pointed beard was Mr. van Belder, of +New York.</p> + +<p>Colonel Billings was full of hospitable notions, and made the afternoon +pass delightfully.</p> + +<p>"They tell me there is very good shooting in the neighborhood at times," +said Mr. Corrigan, as they all sat on the veranda in the afternoon.</p> + +<p>"Excellent," said the colonel. "At this time of the year the snipe +shooting is fine."</p> + +<p>"What is the best time to shoot them?" asked Van Belder.</p> + +<p>"I should say after dark," said the host, with an imperceptible wink at +Mr. Corrigan.</p> + +<p>"I don't see how you can shoot snipe after dark," said Ted.</p> + +<p>"You don't exactly shoot them," explained Mr. Corrigan. "It's this way, +and a fine game, and often practiced in South Chicago: The party goes +out, and one holds the bag while the rest go along and drive the birds +in, and the fellow who holds the bag catches them in it. It's lots +easier than shooting them, and you get more birds."</p> + +<p>"By Jove, that's a new experience to me!" said Ted. "I'd like to try +it."</p> + +<p>Mr. van Belder looked at him curiously, but drawled that he thought it +very fine sport. So it was agreed that that night they should go on a +snipe-bagging expedition.</p> + +<p>The party was to be made up of Ted, who was eager to hold the bag for +the snipe to run into; Mr. Corrigan, the colonel, Mr. van Belder, and a +few others.</p> + +<p>Most of the boys declined absolutely to go.</p> + +<p>"Say, aire ye gittin' plumb dotty?" asked Bud, when he got Ted out of +hearing. "Tell me, is it possible thet yer eyeteeth aire so far +secreted up inter yer head thet yer don't know erbout baggin' snipe?"</p> + +<p>But all the answer Bud got was a wink.</p> + +<p>"Now, what hez ther hombre got up his sleeve, I wonder?" said Bud, as he +wandered off.</p> + +<p>Ted and Stella had an animated conversation a few minutes later out of +the sight and hearing of the others. But Stella walked off, smiling. She +knew.</p> + +<p>It was just getting dark when the party left the ranch house.</p> + +<p>Ted carried a large, empty sack over his shoulder. With the organizers +of the party went Bud, Ben, Kit, Carl, and Clay.</p> + +<p>The maddest person in the house that evening was Stella, because she +couldn't go, too. But as she said good-by to the party from the steps of +the ranch house she smiled comprehensively at Ted.</p> + +<p>A walk of a half mile brought the party to the edge of a small creek.</p> + +<p>"Now," said Mr. Corrigan, "here's where you wait with the bag while we +go up to the creek and chase them down. You may have to wait a little +while, and you must have patience."</p> + +<p>"Don't worry about me," answered Ted; "I have plenty of that. I'll be +here when the snipe come down, and if any of them get away, charge them +to me."</p> + +<p>After they had been gone some time Ted lit a match and looked at his +watch. It was a quarter to nine.</p> + +<p>The Overland Express was due in Green River at nine-twenty. The little +red station of Polifax would foe passed by ten minutes after she left +Green River.</p> + +<p>While he was in Green River that afternoon Ted had been very careful to +find the exact location of Bubbly Spring. He was more than two miles +from it in his blind to wait for the snipe.</p> + +<p>As soon as the crashing of the feet of the snipe drivers and the shouts +and laughter had died away, Ted left his hiding place and darted through +the dark woods and swampy ground for Bubbly Spring.</p> + +<p>Long before he got there he heard the long screech of the whistle of the +Overland Express announcing its approach at Green River, and a few +minutes later its whistle that it was on its way. He had just reached +Bubbly Spring and concealed himself in the bushes when the whistle gave +a long shriek of danger.</p> + +<p>The signal of the train robbers had been given at Polifax. The engineer +had seen the red light and had whistled to the trainmen that danger was +ahead, and that he was going to stop.</p> + +<p>In a few moments Ted heard a few pops, and knew that the train robbers +were firing their revolvers alongside of the train to prevent +interference.</p> + +<p>What if the train robbers should fail?</p> + +<p>The train started up again, and Ted knew by that that nobody had been +killed, and it added to his anxiety as to the success of the robbery. He +wanted it to occur, for if he could secure the loot he could destroy the +train robbers surely.</p> + +<p>All he wanted now was tangible evidence. He lay back breathlessly in the +bushes, waiting. Soon he heard the rapid hoofbeats of horses, then a +crashing in the bushes.</p> + +<p>These noises were approaching him rapidly. The crisis was at hand.</p> + +<p>In a moment the moon burst through the clouds, illuminating the little +valley through which the small stream from the spring flowed, and Ted +crept into closer cover. Then into the glade galloped ten men.</p> + +<p>Between two of them was swung a small, square thing, which was dropped +at the foot of a cottonwood tree not a dozen feet from where Ted was +concealed.</p> + +<p>A man leaped from the back of a horse. He had a spade in his hand, and +as he advanced Ted drew in his breath sharply.</p> + +<p>It was Corrigan, the Chicago millionaire. Behind him was Norcross, the +banker.</p> + +<p>Ted looked vainly for Checkers. If he had been with the robbers at the +holdup, he had not come here with them. Meanwhile, the dirt was flying, +and a hole was being dug at the foot of the cotton wood.</p> + +<p>After it was deep enough an iron box was dropped into it and covered +with earth, and silently the men remounted and rode away.</p> + +<p>Ted waited about fifteen minutes to be sure that none of them would +return. Then he dug into the freshly laid earth and soon had exhumed the +iron box. It was somewhat of a heavy load, but he packed it manfully, +and in about half an hour carried it in his bag into the living room of +the ranch house.</p> + +<p>He was greeted with shouts of laughter from Corrigan and several of the +others. But Stella looked at him anxiously, and he gave her a reassuring +glance.</p> + +<p>"Ha, ha!" laughed Corrigan. "What do you think of snipe hunting now?"</p> + +<p>"It was a good joke," said the colonel, "but I'm sure you will take it +good-naturedly."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Mr. Norcross, the banker. "It's quite a favorite amusement +out here."</p> + +<p>Only the New Yorker said nothing, but gave Ted a peculiar glance. Ted +looked around at the group with a foolish smile.</p> + +<p>"It was a good joke, gentlemen," said he, "and I have never been sore +because I have been handed one."</p> + +<p>Another burst of satisfied laughter greeted this from the big +three—Corrigan, Norcross, and the colonel. But Stella and the boys +looked glum that Ted was being made the butt of a joke.</p> + +<p>Then Ted put his sack on the floor and opened it and lifted something +out and placed it on the table. It was the iron box he had dug from the +earth at Bubbly Spring, with the fresh earth still sticking to it.</p> + +<p>Corrigan's face turned white. Norcross had to lean against the corner of +the table to keep from falling.</p> + +<p>Ted easily opened the lock of the box, and threw it open.</p> + +<p>"You left me to hold the bag, did you?" he asked of the astounded +conspirators. "Well, what do you think of these for snipe?"</p> + +<p>The room was as quiet as a church.</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen, you are all under arrest. Boys, get into your saddles. We +are going to ride to the rendezvous of the gang of robbers which +to-night robbed the Overland Express and stole the money I have here," +and he lifted out package after package of stolen currency.</p> + +<p>Stella was laughing and waving her hat.</p> + +<p>"I knowed yer had somethin' up yer sleeve when yer consented ter go +snipe huntin'! Yer ther limit," said Bud.</p> + +<p>Only Mr. van Belder of all the conspirators was calm. He ripped a beard +from his face, and there stood Darby O'Neill, the United States secret +agent!</p> + +<p>"Say, Ted, give me that counterfeit of the Green River National Bank. It +is all I need to take Norcross away for a long term. I've been working +on him for a long time, but you knocked the persimmon at last."</p> + +<p>"You had me guessing," said Ted. "When I got that note that was slipped +into my pocket in St. Louis I ought to have guessed that it was you, but +you are so clever at disguise that you always fool me."</p> + +<p>"But you've never fooled me yet," was the reply. "I've banked on you +every time, and every time you've come back with the goods."</p> + +<p>"But who was the young lady who slipped me the note?"</p> + +<p>"My sister, who is a very clever girl detective, as you may know some +day."</p> + +<p>After the boys had made secure the three men at the head of the train +robbers' syndicate, they went to the cabin in which Ted had so nearly +lost his life, and secured the rest of the robbers.</p> + +<p>Next morning at daylight they found the body of Checkers lying beside +the fatal red car not far from the scene of the holdup. He had been +killed by a stray shot fired by one of his own men.</p> + +<p>Thus was the train robbers' syndicate wiped out through the acumen and +courage of Ted Strong, and the loyal backing of his comrades.</p> + +<p>The broncho boys decided that more stock was needed at the Moon Valley +Ranch, and the entire outfit set out for No Man's Land, in northern +Texas.</p> + + + +<br /> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXV'></a><h2>CHAPTER XXV.</h2> + +<h3>THE MAGPIE PONY.</h3> +<br /> + +<p>"Say, podner, might I be so free an' onquisitive ez ter inquire ez ter +whar yer got thet thar palfrey yer ridin'?"</p> + +<p>The speaker was a tall, gaunt old man with a tangled mass of grizzled +whiskers, and the "podner" he addressed was Bud Morgan.</p> + +<p>"Yer might," answered Bud, eying the questioner keenly.</p> + +<p>"Well!"</p> + +<p>"Why don't yer?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I see. Whar did yer git it?"</p> + +<p>"I traded a Waterbury watch fer it, an' ther feller what made ther trade +throwed in a pack o' cigareets."</p> + +<p>"Oh!"</p> + +<p>"Anything else ye'd like ter know?"</p> + +<p>"Well, seein' ez yer so communicative, I'd like ter hev yer tell me how +fur it's ter Yeller Fork."</p> + +<p>"Betwixt grub."</p> + +<p>"Come ergin."</p> + +<p>"Ez fur ez yer kin ride betwixt 'arly breakfast an' dinner."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm obleegin' ter yer. I reckon we'll be hikin'."</p> + +<p>"Who's ther kid?"</p> + +<p>"Thet boy is my grandson. We come outer Missouri ter see what could be +did in this yere new country, an' it's mighty hard sleddin'."</p> + +<p>"What's ther trouble?"</p> + +<p>"Well, stranger, so long ez yer kind ernuff ter inquire, I'll tell yer."</p> + +<p>"I'm listenin'."</p> + +<p>"I'm too old ter work at ther only thing what seems ter be out +yere—cow-punchin'—an' ther kiddie is too young. Now, if 'twas farmin', +we'd be in it."</p> + +<p>"Thar ain't no more farmin' out yere than a rabbit, thet's shore. What +might yer bizness be at home?"</p> + +<p>"I'm a hoss trader."</p> + +<p>"Thar ought ter be somethin' doin' out yere fer yer, then. All thar is +in this country is hosses an' cattle."</p> + +<p>"They ain't my kind o' hosses."</p> + +<p>"Yer don't seem ter fancy cow ponies, eh?"</p> + +<p>"I reckon they're all right in their way, podner, but they're a leetle +too wild fer me to break, an' the kid's not strong enough."</p> + +<p>"Askin' questions seems ter be fash'n'ble. Whar did yer git thet magpie +hoss?"</p> + +<p>Bud was looking over the old man's mount, a beautiful little +black-and-white-spotted pony, as clean limbed as a racer, and with a +round and compact body. It was a bizarre-looking little animal, with a +long, black mane and tail, at the roots of which was a round, white +spot. It was the sort of animal that would attract attention anywhere.</p> + +<p>"Magpie! Podner, I riz her from a colt."</p> + +<p>"She's shore a showy beast."</p> + +<p>"She is some on ther picture, ain't she?" asked the old man, looking the +pony over admiringly.</p> + +<p>"She's all right, but—"</p> + +<p>"But what, podner?" The old man looked at Bud with a frown.</p> + +<p>"Well, I ain't none on knockin' another man's hoss, but I never see one +o' them black-an'-white-spotted animiles what could do more than lope, +an' out in this yere country hosses hez got ter run like a scared coyote +ter be any good in ther cow business."</p> + +<p>"Yer reckon this yere Magpie can't run?" asked the old man, bristling.</p> + +<p>"I ain't said so."</p> + +<p>"Well, yer alluded ter a magpie hoss as couldn't do nothin' but lope."</p> + +<p>"I ain't never see none what could do much more."</p> + +<p>"You ain't never see Magpie split ther wind, then."</p> + +<p>"I ain't."</p> + +<p>"Mebbe ye'd like ter."</p> + +<p>"Mebbe I would."</p> + +<p>"I reckon yer thinks ther cow what yer a-straddlin' of now kin run +some."</p> + +<p>"A leetle bit. But, yer see, when I got him he was a broken-down cow +hoss what hed been ridden ter death an' fed on sand an' alkali water so +long thet he wa'n't much good nohow."</p> + +<p>"Jest picked him up wanderin'?"</p> + +<p>"Not eggsactly. Yer see, it wuz this way: I was coming ercross Noo +Mexico about a month back, when I runs foul o' a hombre what is all in. +He hadn't et fer so long thet yer could see ther bumps made by his +backbone through his shirt. I hed some grub in my war bag, an' I fed an' +watered him. This yer nag wuz all in, too, an' he hed a long way ter go, +so when ther feller ups an' perposes ter trade ponies I give him ther +merry cachinnation."</p> + +<p>"Ther what?"</p> + +<p>"Ther laugh."</p> + +<p>"Go ahead, podner, yer shore hez a splendid education."</p> + +<p>"I see thet he'll never git ter whar he's goin' on ther nag, an' I +thinks I'll do him a favor by sittin' him on a piece o' live hossmeat, +an' I said I'd trade if he hed anythin' ter boot. Now, what do yer think +he hed?"</p> + +<p>"I ain't got a notion."</p> + +<p>"A pack o' Mexican cigareets what burned like a bresh fire an' smelled +like a wet dog under a stove."</p> + +<p>"Haw, haw! An' yer traded?"</p> + +<p>"I thought some fust, an' then I thinks what's ther odds? Thar's plenty +o' hosses in camp, an' it'll probably save ther feller's life ter let +him hev ther pony, what ain't none out o' ther common, so I says, 'It's +a go, pard.' I clumb down an' we changed saddles, an' he handed over +ther pack o' cigareets an' we went our ways."</p> + +<p>"Yer shore is a kind-hearted man."</p> + +<p>"I ain't, neither. I jest knows a hoss when I sees one."</p> + +<p>"Yer don't call thet a hoss yer a-straddlin', I hope?"</p> + +<p>"I shore do. He ain't much fer ter gaze on admirin', I agree, but he's a +good little cayuse. I reckon, now, yer some proud o' thet magpie hoss."</p> + +<p>"I be. It kin outrun anythin' this side o' ther State o' Newbrasky."</p> + +<p>"P'r'aps yer lookin' fer a race ter see what ther best we've got in camp +kin do, no?"</p> + +<p>"Thar ain't nary time what I won't run a race if I think thar's ary +merit in my hossflesh. How erbout ther animile what yer sits on so +graceful?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I reckon he kin ride rings eround ther magpie hoss," said Bud, who +was a trifle nettled at the old man's jeering tone.</p> + +<p>"Yer certain got a lot o' confidence in a dead one."</p> + +<p>"I reckernize ther fact that he ain't none pretty, but handsome is as +handsome does. Hatrack is some shy on meat an' he's got a temper like a +disappointed woman, ter say nothin' o' havin' had ther botts, ringbone, +heaves, an' spavin', but he's a good nag, fer all thet, an' would be +good-lookin' ernough if his wool wasn't wore off in so many places."</p> + +<p>"Haw, haw! He ain't what ye'd call a show animile."</p> + +<p>"He ain't, but, say, stranger, he <i>kin</i> run."</p> + +<p>"What d'ye say ter a leetle brush betwixt Magpie an' yer Hatrack?"</p> + +<p>"I'm ther gamest thing what ever yer see when it comes ter a hoss +race."</p> + +<p>"What'll we race fer?"</p> + +<p>"Nag an' nag. If yer beats me, yer takes Hatrack, an' if he gits away +with ther spotted pony, why, yer turns her over ter me. Is it a go?"</p> + +<p>"If yer throw in a six-shooter fer odds."</p> + +<p>"All right, pard, jest ter show yer thet I ain't no shorthorn, I'll go +yer. I've got a shooter in my war-bag up ter camp what'll kick ther arm +outer yer socket every time yer pulls ther trigger, but she'll send a +bullet through a six-inch oak beam."</p> + +<p>"Anything, so it's odds. I'll go yer. I reckon I could sell it fer a +dollar er so."</p> + +<p>"I reckon yer could," said Bud sarcastically. "I wuz offered ten dollars +fer it by a hombre down ter Las Vegas a month ago. But he was a husky +feller, an' wanted a strong shooter. He wanted ter go out huntin' fer a +feller with it, an' I wouldn't let him hev it. Is it a go, shore +enough?"</p> + +<p>"It be."</p> + +<p>"All right; come over ter ther camp an' stay overnight, an' fill yer +pale American hides with ther best grub what ever wuz cooked on ther +range. Our cook is an artist."</p> + +<p>Bud led the way on his little, flea-bitten skeleton of a pony that +snorted and reared, kicked, and showed the whites of its eyes when he +woke it from the drooping position it had held while he was talking to +the old man.</p> + +<p>In half an hour they were in sight, from the hill they had topped, of a +vast band of cattle grazing in a broad valley.</p> + +<p>In a sheltered spot below the hill was a typical cow camp. A +white-covered chuck wagon shone in the rays of the departing sun, and +the smoke arose from the cook's fire, where he was baking biscuit in a +Dutch oven, while the fragrant odors of frying bacon and steaming +coffee filled the air.</p> + +<p>"What have you found this time?" asked Ben Tremont, as Bud came into +camp.</p> + +<p>"This yere gent is a maverick from Missouri what I found wanderin' +across the peerarie searchin' fer Yaller Fork, an' he hez bantered me +ter a hoss race, I ast him ter come in an' stay overnight, an' eat, an' +we'll run ther hosses in ther mornin'."</p> + +<p>"What horses?"</p> + +<p>"I'm goin' ter run Hatrack agin' thet magpie mare o' hisn, an' throw in +a six-shooter with Hatrack if I lose."</p> + +<p>"Say, are you going altogether dippy?" growled Ben. "Why, that little +mare will run away from you as if Hatrack was tied to a post."</p> + +<p>"Reckon so? Well, maybe I want to lose Hatrack, an' maybe all I want is +ter capture thet magpie pony."</p> + +<p>"Oh, what a lovely pony!"</p> + +<p>Stella Fosdick had ridden into camp, and her exclamation of admiration +for the magpie pony drew the attention of the boys to her.</p> + +<p>"D'ye like thet thar pony?" asked Bud.</p> + +<p>"I think it's beautiful," answered Stella enthusiastically.</p> + +<p>"Then it's yours."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"This old gent an' me is goin' ter hev a race in ther mornin', hoss fer +hoss, an' when it's over ther magpie hoss is yours."</p> + +<p>A peal of rippling laughter greeted this.</p> + +<p>"See yere, gal, what is all this noise about?" asked Bud huffily. "If +yer laughin' at ther idea o' Hatrack beatin' ther magpie hoss, don't yer +do it, fer thet's showin' ignerance o' hossflesh, an' I thought yer wuz +too well brought up at Moon Valley ter think thet pretty spots on a +hoss hez anythin' ter do with his ability ter make a race er hold a +cow."</p> + +<p>"Forgive me, Bud, I didn't mean to laugh at Hatrack, but, really, he +doesn't look as if he could run any faster than a lame dog."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I reckon he'll git over ther ground fast ernough," said Bud, with a +sly wink at the girl. "But he won't do it with me on his back. I'm a +trifle heavy fer fast work. I'll hev ter git Kit ter pilot him, I +reckon."</p> + +<p>"I reckon you won't," said Stella. "If any one rides him it will be me. +I'm a good many pounds lighter than Kit."</p> + +<p>"All right, Stella. I wanted yer ter ride him, but I didn't like ter +impose on good nature by askin' yer ter do it."</p> + +<p>"Why, I'd love to ride the race. You ought to know me by this time."</p> + +<p>"It's a go, an' if yer win, as win yer must, ther magpie hoss is yours."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Bud, you don't mean it! Then I'll certainly ride to win."</p> + +<p>So it was settled, and the old man and his grandson were accorded the +hospitality of the camp.</p> + +<p>After a hearty supper, while they were all sitting around the fire, and +the old man was telling stories of his trip into the Southwest, for the +broncho boys were now herding a big bunch of range cattle in what is +known as No Man's Land, an arm of northern Texas lying west of Oklahoma, +and claimed by both, the day watch rode into camp, and, stripping their +saddles from their ponies, turned them loose. Then the boys threw +themselves upon the ground to rest after several hours of constant +riding.</p> + +<p>One of the cowboys in the outfit, Sol Flatbush by name, stood staring at +the old man and the boy.</p> + +<p>He was scratching his forelock in a meditative sort of way, as if +trying to remember something.</p> + +<p>"What is it, Solly? I reckon what yer tryin' ter think of is that ye've +forgot yer supper," said Bud.</p> + +<p>"No, 'tain't that," said the cow-puncher, staring harder at the old man.</p> + +<p>"Hear about ther race, Sol?" asked Ben.</p> + +<p>"Now, don't yer expect me ter ask yer what race an' then spring thet ole +gag about ther 'human race.' I won't stand fer it. I've got troubles +enough. Thet buckskin pony o' mine hez hed ther very divil in him all +day, an' I ain't feelin' none too amiable."</p> + +<p>"This is on the square."</p> + +<p>"Well, cut loose."</p> + +<p>"Bud is going to race Hatrack against that magpie horse grazing out +there, and throw in a six-shooter if the old gent wins."</p> + +<p>Sol Flatbush turned and looked at the magpie pony, then at the old man. +Suddenly a gleam of intelligence illuminated his face, and he grinned.</p> + +<p>"Say, Bud, I wisht ye'd come over yere an' look at this buckskin's off +hind foot, an' tell me what ye thinks o' it. He's been actin' powerful +queer on it all day."</p> + +<p>Bud rose lazily and followed Sol out of camp. The buckskin was grazing +peacefully a few hundred yards away, and as they walked toward it Sol +Flatbush said:</p> + +<p>"Bud, d'ye know that ole maverick?"</p> + +<p>"I shore don't. Never even ast him his name," answered Bud.</p> + +<p>"Well, I do. That's ole 'Cap' Norris. He's a hoss sharp fer fair. He an' +that boy don't do nothin' but ride the country with that magpie hoss, +pickin' up races at cow camps an' ranches an' in towns. That hoss o' +hisn is a 'ringer.' His real name is Idlewild, an' he's a perfessional +race hoss. Boy, yer stung!"</p> + + + +<br /> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXVI'></a><h2>CHAPTER XXVI</h2> + +<h3>"VAMOSE!"</h3> +<br /> + +<p>"Oh, I don't know," said Bud quietly, as Sol Flatbush made this +announcement of the ability of Magpie, or Idlewild, as he was known +elsewhere.</p> + +<p>"But I do," urged Sol. "I see that hoss run at Ponca City on ther Fo'th +o' July a year ago, an' he jest run away from ther best Indian racers +what ther Osages could bring over, an' yer knows they kin go some."</p> + +<p>"Sol, my son, don't git excited. Yer Uncle Bud knows what he's doin' +when he's going inter this yere race. He ain't tellin' ther ole man, nor +none o' you fellers, what thar is in thet Hatrack hoss."</p> + +<p>"Got somethin' up yer sleeve?"</p> + +<p>"I reckon I hev. If I was a bettin' man, I'd wager my share o' Moon +Valley that Hatrack would win this yere race."</p> + +<p>"Sho; yer don't say!"</p> + +<p>"Ted seen him run. Ask him. Now, don't you worry none about me. I know a +hoss when I see one standin' on its four legs. That magpie hoss is a +good one, whether his name is Magpie or Idlewild. Ther name don't make +him run no better. But Hatrack is some, too, an' I want that magpie pony +for Stella. She ain't got no hoss of her own down yere, an' that spotted +pony is jest ther sort o' showy hoss what a gal likes."</p> + +<p>"Well, I ain't wantin' ter be buttin' in none," said Sol, in a +crestfallen way.</p> + +<p>"Yer ain't butted in none, Sol. I'm obliged ter yer fer givin' me ther +tip erbout ther old sharp. When he fust braced me I sized him up fer a +sharp, an' when he told me he was a hoss trader from Missouri I had a +straight line on him."</p> + +<p>They returned to camp, where the old man was still regaling the boys +with anecdotes, having proved himself a most entertaining story-teller.</p> + +<p>The boy sat close beside him listening, but never saying a word, except +when he was addressed. He was small and slender, and evidently weighed +much less than a hundred pounds.</p> + +<p>His face was small and thin, and apparently youthful, but his eyes were +old and shrewd, and there was a crafty look about his face at times when +the old man brought out a point in a story. Evidently he had heard these +stories many times before. When he smiled it was in a sly and furtive +way.</p> + +<p>Ted Strong had come in from riding around the herd, having inspected it +before it was bedded down for the night. He had heard all about the +proposed race, and smiled quietly as Ben joshed Bud about the loss of +his pony Hatrack on the morrow.</p> + +<p>He had looked the boy over carefully, and his impression was not +pleasant.</p> + +<p>"I tell yer what, boys," said the old man, when conversation began to +lag. "S'posin' we put this race off until to-morrow afternoon, an' run +it over at Snyder, across the line in Oklahomy?"</p> + +<p>"What's ther occasion?" asked Bud.</p> + +<p>"Jest ter give ther people over thar a chance ter see a real live race. +Besides, I'm out o' money, an' I reckon we could have a reg'lar race, +an' charge admission. That would enable me an' my grandson ter git back +ter ole Missou' again. We ain't much use out here. What d'yer say?"</p> + +<p>"I ain't no professional racer," said Bud slowly, "an' I ain't in this +race fer what I kin make out o' it. Yer made yer brag about yer hoss an' +slurred mine, an' I'm jest game enough ter lose him if he can't beat +that calcimined hoss o' yours, but I don't go in fer bettin' er none o' +thet sort o' thing."</p> + +<p>"I ain't said nothin' about bettin'," said the old man, in an injured +tone.</p> + +<p>"I know yer ain't, an' I ain't accused yer o' it none. What I wuz goin' +ter say wuz thet if yer hard up an' need ther money ter take yer home +I'm ther first feller ter jump in ter help yer."</p> + +<p>"We're all willing to help on a thing like that," said Ted.</p> + +<p>"Then ye'll consent ter pull off ther race in Snyder?" asked the old man +eagerly.</p> + +<p>"I am, if ther other boys will consent ter it," said Bud.</p> + +<p>"All right with me," said Ted, and the other boys voiced their assent.</p> + +<p>It looked as if there was a good bit of fun in prospect.</p> + +<p>"Thanks, boys," said the old man, with a catch in his voice, as if he +was deeply touched. "Ye'll do a good turn fer me an' little Bill here. +Bill, we'll git home fer Christmas yit."</p> + +<p>"If you're going to make it a public race, you'll have to get over to +Snyder early to make arrangements," said Ted.</p> + +<p>"I'll leave before sunup in ther mornin', an' we'll have the race at +three o'clock. Is that all satisfactory?"</p> + +<p>This proved satisfactory to the boys, and, having agreed to be on hand +in time with Hatrack, every one turned in.</p> + +<p>When the boys turned out in the morning the blankets which the old man +and the boy had occupied were empty and cold, showing that they had +departed long before daylight.</p> + +<p>"There's something fishy about that old chap," said Ben Tremont, as they +were at breakfast.</p> + +<p>"Of course, there is," said Ted. "He's an old horse sharp. Sol Flatbush +knows him. He wants a race in town, thinking he can draw us into +betting. He doesn't know that we never gamble, but he evidently believes +that in the excitement of the moment he will be able to get some of our +money."</p> + +<p>"Well, he'll get fooled on that," said Ben.</p> + +<p>"He'll git fooled in several other ways, too," grunted Bud.</p> + +<p>After breakfast Bud went out and roped Hatrack, and after a tussle that +lasted several strenuous minutes, brought him into camp. Hatrack +certainly was a sorry-looking beast.</p> + +<p>His long, dirty, yellowish-brown hair was rumpled and fluffed up. His +ribs showed sharp, and his tail was full of burs, while his short and +scraggy mane was missing in spots.</p> + +<p>His flanks had been rubbed bare of hair where he had lain for many +nights on the rocks and in the sands of the desert.</p> + +<p>"Well, dog my cats, if he ain't ther orneriest-lookin' beast what ever +toted a saddle," said Bud, looking him over, as Hatrack stood with +drooping head and ears.</p> + +<p>"Bud, he isn't worth making cat's meat out of," said Ben. "I guess you +made that race to get rid of him. It's easier and more humane than +shooting him or abandoning him to the prairie wolves."</p> + +<p>"Reckon so?" asked Bud, looking at Ben out of the corner of a twinkling +eye.</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear me, but he's awfully ugly," said Stella, coming from the tent +which she and her aunt, Mrs. Graham, occupied a short distance from the +camp.</p> + +<p>She was as spick and span as a new dollar, nattily dressed in a +bifurcated riding skirt, from beneath which peeped a pair of high tan +riding boots.</p> + +<p>Her white Stetson had just the right curl of brim to be most becoming, +and her wavy hair fell in profusion over her shoulders.</p> + +<p>She was pulling on a pair of fringed gauntlets, and her braided quirt, +with a silver knob for a handle, hung by its thong from her slender +wrist.</p> + +<p>"Now, see here, Stella, don't yer go ter feelin' knocky about yer mount, +er yer won't hev no confidence in him, an' will lose. I want ter say ter +yer right now that this hoss what looks like ther last rose o' summer, +ther last run o' shad, an' ther breakin' up o' a hard winter in a last +year's bird's nest, is all right, an' he can't lose this race. Ride him +true, an' don't give him ther gad none. All yer got ter do is ter +encourage him by a word now an' then, an' pilot him straight ter ther +wire."</p> + +<p>"All right, Bud. I was only joking," laughed Stella. "It isn't the +prettiest horse that wins the race. I know that well, but, you see, like +every girl, I like pretty things, and a horse might as well look good as +run fast. It has always seemed to me that the two go together."</p> + +<p>During the middle of the forenoon the broncho boys started for the town +of Snyder to attend the race.</p> + +<p>Bud led Hatrack, and a troublesome job he had of it, for the animated +skeleton objected to being on the halter, as any self-respecting range +horse would, and he pulled back and sideways and almost dragged Bud from +his saddle several times.</p> + +<p>"Ding bat yer," Bud would shout, "yer ornery, unsanctified, muley, +harebrained, contaminated son o' a zebra, git down on yer feet an' +foller. Ye'll git all that's comin' ter yer when ther race starts. Save +yer sweat until then."</p> + +<p>But Hatrack thought differently, and before they were halfway to Snyder +it took all the efforts of Bud in the lead and Ben, Kit, and Clay +Whipple in the rear, to keep him moving in a forward direction.</p> + +<p>Only enough boys were left with the herd to keep it from scattering. +Ted and Stella rode in the lead as they entered the town, which was +crowded with a motley assemblage of cow-punchers, gamblers, and Indians +in their gay blankets and with painted faces.</p> + +<p>The Indians of the plains are keen on horse racing, and among the +various tribes are to be found some of the fleetest horses in the West, +many of them trained to all the tricks of racing. An Indian jockey is +the shrewdest of his class, and is an adept at all the tricks of the +trade.</p> + +<p>"Hi! Look at the livin' skeleton!"</p> + +<p>Bud swung around in his saddle and stared at a cow-puncher standing on +the sidewalk in Snyder, as he rode into town dragging behind him the +dejected Hatrack, who looked as if he had been living on two oats for +dinner and a spear of grass for supper all his life.</p> + +<p>He ambled along like a tired and footsore dog behind Bud, with his ears +drooping and his toes kicking up the dust. He was a sad-looking animal, +and the word having gone abroad that he was the horse that was to enter +the race with Magpie, he was jeered from one end of the street to the +other, as Bud led him to the corral at the edge of the town. Bud +pretended to be angry at the joshing his steed received, but when he had +turned his back upon the jokers he would wink gently to himself in a way +that would have been puzzling to the supporters of the spotted horse.</p> + +<p>Cap Norris had done his work well.</p> + +<p>Every one in town knew of the coming race, and word had been sent to the +ranches in the surrounding country, so that before noon the streets were +crowded with people.</p> + +<p>"Say, fellows," said Ted, when the boys met at the hotel for dinner, +"this fellow Norris is sure a sharp. That talk about his wanting to get +enough money to take him back home was a lie. He's a gambler, and is in +league with a bunch of gamblers in this town."</p> + +<p>"How do you know?" asked Ben.</p> + +<p>"How do I know? Why, man alive, they're betting on Magpie all over town. +The tip seems to have gotten out that Bud Morgan and the broncho boys +have a surprise up their sleeves, and that they are going to ring in +another horse than Hatrack."</p> + +<p>"How is that?"</p> + +<p>"They believe we're going to slip in another horse, a professional +racing horse with a record."</p> + +<p>"Let 'em think so. It won't be a professional race horse—at least, not +in this country—that we will put in, but jest ole Hatrack, an' if he +don't win the race by a city block I'll eat him, hoofs an' all."</p> + +<p>"Put us next, Bud," said Ben.</p> + +<p>"That's what," said Kit. "You've sure got a trick concealed somewhere. +What is it?"</p> + +<p>"No, I haven't," said Bud. "But if I wuz a bettin' man I know what hoss +I'd back to win."</p> + +<p>That was all the boys could get out of him on the subject, but they were +convinced none the less that Bud had a secret concerning the horse, and +that they would learn what it was in good time.</p> + +<p>The race was to be held at the fair grounds, and was to be a dash of +three hundred yards.</p> + +<p>Cap Norris would not consent to a longer race, although Bud said he +would run Hatrack any distance up to a quarter of a mile, but the +innocent old man with the long whiskers objected to running his horse a +long distance.</p> + +<p>As the hour approached for the race, the grounds began to fill up. +Several races between Indian ponies took place to keep the crowd amused +until the big race of the day was to come off.</p> + +<p>"They've been working us," said Ted, coming up to where Stella and the +boys were standing beside Hatrack, which looked more sad and dejected +than ever.</p> + +<p>"In what way?" asked Bud.</p> + +<p>"This race is a gambling game to get the money away from the innocents," +answered Ted. "They've had men going among the people from the country +and the cow-punchers, telling them that it is a put-up job on our part, +and that we're sure to win. In that way they have got a lot of people to +bet on Hatrack. I've a good mind to draw out of it altogether and spoil +their game."</p> + +<p>"For fear the innocents will lose their money?" asked Bud.</p> + +<p>"Yes. I don't want to be a party to robbing those fellows."</p> + +<p>"Don't you worry. If you want to punish Norris and his friends, don't +interfere. Let it go on, I tell you. They'll be the worst-beaten lot o' +crooks that ever robbed a town."</p> + +<p>"All right, Bud, if you say so."</p> + +<p>It was now time for the race of the day, and Bud and Norris marked off +the course.</p> + +<p>Ben was appointed judge, with a large man, apparently a stranger in the +town, who was chosen by Norris, and the two selected a third.</p> + +<p>The third man was a stranger to Ben, but he picked him out of the crowd, +and the other judge accepted him.</p> + +<p>As Stella climbed into the saddle, Hatrack gave two or three kittenish +jumps, and the crowd yelled. It had not expected this added feature to +the race, a girl jockey.</p> + +<p>Shout after shout went up as she rode over the course slowly, Hatrack +having settled down into his usual dejected manner. The cheers and some +of the jeers that greeted him came from the men who had been induced to +bet on him.</p> + +<p>"Now, Stella," said Bud, as Stella rode back again, "when you start, +shout 'Vamose!' in Hatrack's ear. That's the word he has always been +sent away with. Stick tight, an' let him go. Don't forget the word +'Vamose!'"</p> + + + +<br /> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXVII'></a><h2>CHAPTER XXVII.</h2> + +<h3>THE GREAT CHIQUITA.</h3> +<br /> + +<p>Hatrack and Magpie were now brought up to the starting point.</p> + +<p>The boy who traveled with old man Norris was on the back of the latter +horse, sitting in a regular jockey's saddle and stripped of all +superfluous clothing.</p> + +<p>He was the typical jockey now. He had put away all the appearance of +youth, and was a crafty and sly man.</p> + +<p>It was apparent that the whole outfit was in the racing business, and as +the crowd looked at the discrepancy between the two horses, and observed +that on the best-looking horse was a professional jockey, while on the +crowbait was only a girl, something like a groan went up.</p> + +<p>But some of them were game, and cheered Stella to the echo.</p> + +<p>"You're all right!" shouted her supporters.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah fer ther girl jockey," yelled the cow-punchers. "I got a month's +wages that says she'll win the race."</p> + +<p>But the other side had something to say, also. They made all sorts of +fun of Hatrack, and roars of laughter went up as he ambled, +stiff-legged, onto the course.</p> + +<p>Clay Whipple was chosen to start the race, and stood beside the track +with a red flag in his hand. The two horses were jockeyed back and forth +for several minutes.</p> + +<p>"Are you ready?" shouted Clay, as they came up.</p> + +<p>"No!" shouted Stella.</p> + +<p>"No!" answered the jockey.</p> + +<p>Back again they went, and came up neck and neck, the riders nodding to +Clay.</p> + +<p>"Go!" cried Clay, bringing down the red flag with a swish through the +air.</p> + +<p>"Vamose!" Stella's clear young voice rang out.</p> + +<p>Then an amazing thing happened. Hatrack seemed to be suddenly galvanized +into life. He straightened out, and shot to the front with great, long +horizontal leaps. His body seemed to be gliding close to the earth.</p> + +<p>His head was between his legs, and he was running like a greyhound. +Stella was bent low upon his neck, and every moment or two she would +shout in Spanish, "Go it! Vamose!" or, "You're winning! Vamose!"</p> + +<p>And winning Hatrack surely was. Now he was half a length ahead of the +fleet Magpie, who was running the race of her life.</p> + +<p>Behind her Stella could hear the crowd yelling like mad. The air fairly +shook with the shouts of the multitude as the two horses shot forward. +But it was a short race, and seemed to Stella to have ended almost as +soon as it began.</p> + +<p>As she flew past Bud, she got a fleeting glimpse of him jumping up and +down in a very ecstasy of glee, and she knew that she had won, and began +pulling in Hatrack. Looking over her shoulder, she saw that Magpie was +already down to a walk a short distance from the wire, and that Cap +Norris and the jockey were talking earnestly.</p> + +<p>In a moment she had Hatrack turned, and was going back to where Bud was +waiting for her.</p> + +<p>"Bully for you, Stella," shouted Bud. "Yer rode a great race. Jest ez I +wanted it run. Nobody couldn't hev done it better. I told yer ye'd win."</p> + +<p>"That was too easy," laughed Stella. "I wish it had been four times as +long."</p> + +<p>"That makes it all the better."</p> + +<p>"How much did I beat him?"</p> + +<p>"A whole length."</p> + +<p>"That ought to be enough."</p> + +<p>"It was, but I'll bet a cooky they'll make a kick. These crooks always +lay out to win, and won't race unless they can win. If they don't, they +set up a cry of foul, or something of that sort."</p> + +<p>"But they can't do that in this case, because I didn't foul him."</p> + +<p>Stella became indignant at the very thought.</p> + +<p>"Sure you didn't, but that won't keep those wolves from claiming some +sort of a foul."</p> + +<p>"You're not going to stand for it, are you?"</p> + +<p>"Not in a blue moon. I've got the boys posted. Here comes Norris and his +jockey back."</p> + +<p>The old racing sharp walked up to Bud, leading Magpie.</p> + +<p>"Well, Magpie's mine," said Bud, not giving the other a chance to speak +first. "Sorry for your sake that you lost, Cap, but the fortunes of +racing often turn unexpectedly, eh?"</p> + +<p>"You haven't won," said the old man excitedly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I reckon we won, all right," answered Bud lazily, although there +was an ugly gleam in his eye.</p> + +<p>"No, sir, you didn't win fair. Thar wuz a foul at ther start. I see it, +all right; I wasn't shore until I talked with my boy thar, an' he says +as how ther young lady bumped him outer his stride jest ez they wuz +gittin' off."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, you can't work me like that, Cap. They were five feet apart +when the flag fell."</p> + +<p>"I tell yer I see it with my own eyes. 'Twas a foul, an' I claim ther +race, er it hez got ter be run over ag'in."</p> + +<p>"Never, on yer life. The race goes to the young lady. But I'm not going +to stand here and chew the thing over with you. It's up to the judges."</p> + +<p>They all approached the judges' stand, where apparently a lively +argument was in progress.</p> + +<p>Ben and the big man who had been chosen by Norris were talking +excitedly, and the other man was listening.</p> + +<p>All about the stand an angry crowd of men was surging, all talking at +once, so that nothing could be made out of the babel of shouts, except +when some person with unusually good lungs made himself heard in a +denunciation of one or the other riders.</p> + +<p>Ted had joined the crowd, waiting for the arrival of Bud and Stella. Bud +was walking by the side of Stella, whose face showed the disappointment +she felt at not being declared at once the winner.</p> + +<p>It was so evidently a job to steal the race from Hatrack that the leader +of the broncho boys was both angry and disgusted.</p> + +<p>"This is what you get for having anything to do with this mob of +gamblers and thieves," he said to Kit, who was standing by his side.</p> + +<p>"What's that you said, young feller?" said a man, edging up.</p> + +<p>"I wasn't talking to you, my friend," answered Ted coolly.</p> + +<p>"No, but you was talkin' at me," said the other.</p> + +<p>"Why, are you a thief and a gambler?" asked Ted, with a lifting of his +eyebrows that expressed a great deal that he did not say.</p> + +<p>"I guess it's the other way around," answered the fellow, snarling.</p> + +<p>"I don't see how you make that out."</p> + +<p>"Well, I do. The gal bumped the rider o' Magpie."</p> + +<p>"She did nothing of the sort. I stood beside the starter of the race, +and I was nearer to the horses than you were, and if any one could see +them I could. The horses were several feet apart when they started."</p> + +<p>"Why, sure. You and your pals are interested in the bone heap that went +in first through a foul."</p> + +<p>"That will be about enough of that."</p> + +<p>A bright red spot burned on each of Ted's cheeks, the danger signal of +his wrath.</p> + +<p>"Now, see here, young fellow, you can't throw any bluff into me," said +the fellow, approaching Ted with one shoulder raised.</p> + +<p>"You let him alone. He's all right, and has got as much right to talk as +you have," said another man, elbowing his way up.</p> + +<p>He was one of those who had bet on Hatrack, and Ted recognized him as +the foreman of the Running Water horse ranch.</p> + +<p>"Well, the gal stole the race fer these fellers, an' we ain't goin' ter +stand fer it. They needn't think they kin bring any o' their gals in +here to do their dirty work. They all look alike to us."</p> + +<p>"See here," said Ted coolly, "let me give you a piece of advice. Leave +the young lady out of it, or I'll give you something else to think about +for a while."</p> + +<p>"Rats fer you," said the fellow, snapping his fingers under Ted's nose.</p> + +<p>He picked himself from the ground ten feet away, wiping his bleeding +nose and wondering what had happened to him.</p> + +<p>"Say, boy," said the foreman of the Running Water, "that was as pretty +and clean a blow as ever I see. You can handle them mitts o' yours right +handy."</p> + +<p>A score of men had rushed up and surrounded Ted and Kit, all shouting +and gesticulating at the same time.</p> + +<p>Meantime, Ben was having his troubles in the judges' stand.</p> + +<p>He had, of course, decided in favor of Hatrack, while the big man had +declared for a foul and no decision, and the third judge stood wavering.</p> + +<p>On the face of it the whole thing was a steal on the part of the +gamblers, who had evidently decided beforehand that if the race went +against them to claim a foul and bluff it through.</p> + +<p>But they had argued without their host. They did not know what they were +opposing when they ran against Ted Strong.</p> + +<p>Ted was sorry that he had gone into the affair at all, but once in he +was there to stick to the finish. The fellow whom he had knocked down +had retired to the rear to attend to his broken nose, and to give his +friends an opportunity to fight his battle.</p> + +<p>The foreman of the Running Water had disappeared. He had foreseen +trouble when the gamblers got together, and attempted to force the race +through, and had gone to collect the cow-punchers and others who had +been induced to bet on Hatrack.</p> + +<p>Ted stood his ground patiently, waiting until a decision should be +handed down by the judges before declaring himself.</p> + +<p>Stella was sitting in her saddle on Hatrack a few feet away from the +stand watching the proceedings, and listening to the arguments on both +sides made by the angry men.</p> + +<p>Bud and Kit stood on either side of her, to protect her from the remarks +of the disgruntled gamblers.</p> + +<p>Suddenly a man pushed his way through the throng, mounted on a Spanish +mule.</p> + +<p>He was a fine-looking man, dressed after the manner of the plainsman, +and might have been either a cow-puncher in prosperity or a ranch owner.</p> + +<p>As the crowd made way for him he caught sight of Bud, and stopped and +stared for several moments without speaking.</p> + +<p>Bud had not noticed him, but when he did look up he returned the stare, +and his forehead was wrinkled in thought.</p> + +<p>Somewhere in the back part of his head he carried a picture of this +man, but under different circumstances.</p> + +<p>Who could he be, and where had he been met, were the things that were +puzzling Bud.</p> + +<p>"Hello, pard, you don't seem to place me," said the man on the Spanish +mule. "But I haven't forgotten you by a dern sight. Think hard."</p> + +<p>"I've saw yer som'er's," said Bud thoughtfully, "but it wa'n't like +this. You're som'er's in my picture gallery o' faces, but yer ain't ther +same as when I saw yer last."</p> + +<p>"Right ye are," said the man. "How's Chiquita getting along?"</p> + +<p>"Ah, I've got yer now. How did yer come out? Middlin' well, ter jedge +from ther mule yer ridin', an' yer ginral appearance o' prosperity."</p> + +<p>"You bet I be," said the man, "an' if it hadn't been fer you I wouldn't +have been nowhere. I've come a long ways ter hunt yer up, ter thank yer, +an' to get better acquainted with yer."</p> + +<p>"Well, ye've got me inter a heap o' trouble," said Bud, laughing.</p> + +<p>"So I see, an' I'll help yer get out o' it. What seems ter be the +trouble?"</p> + +<p>"Well, old Chiquita, er Hatrack, ez ther boys in ther outfit calls him, +won a race just now, an' ther gamblers won't stand by it. They sent out +word that Hatrack was a sure winner, an'—"</p> + +<p>"Same old thing. Chiquita fooled them all."</p> + +<p>"I didn't know he could do it myself, but I remembered what you said +about him, an' when an ole maverick come along an' banters me fer a race +I jest took him up, an' this is how it come out. He took us fer a bunch +o' gillies, an' used us to try to fleece the people."</p> + +<p>"What's his name?" asked the man on the Spanish mule softly.</p> + +<p>"Cap Norris."</p> + +<p>"Oh, ole Pap Norris, eh? Calls hisself Cap now, does he?"</p> + +<p>"That's what he does, an' he's a derned ole skin."</p> + +<p>"None skinnier. But where is he? I should like to see him."</p> + +<p>"He's sashayin' around here som'er's attendin' ter his dirty work. +Lookin' after his grandson, little Willie, I reckon."</p> + +<p>"What, is that thief still hangin' on to him?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. I see you seem to know him."</p> + +<p>"Know him! Well, I should gurgle I do know him. I thought every hoss man +in the country knew him. Little Willie, the orphaned grandson, is almost +old enough to be a grandfather himself. He's an outlawed jockey, an' he +an' Pap go about the country skinning countrymen and cow-punchers with +his fake races. He never won a square race in his life. I should say I +did know him. Here he comes now. Watch me wake him up."</p> + +<p>The old fellow was bustling up to the crowd.</p> + +<p>"See here, young fellow, get ther gal offen that hoss, he's mine, er as +good as mine in a moment. The jedges are goin' ter award ther race ter +me on account o' ther foul," he shouted to Bud.</p> + +<p>"I reckon ther hoss stays right with me," said Bud smoothly. "But I want +ter tell yer thet yer better bring in that magpie hoss so's I kin git +him quick. He ain't yours no more."</p> + +<p>"Come, come! None o' yer foolishness with me," blustered the old man. +"Git ther gal off before she's pulled off."</p> + +<p>"You or any other man put your finger on thet young lady if yer dare," +said Bud. "Jest try it once if yer think I'm bluffin', men."</p> + +<p>"Hello, Pap," said the man on the Spanish mule. "Up ter yer ole tricks, +I see."</p> + +<p>The old man looked up at the man on the mule, then turned pale and +slunk away without another word.</p> + +<p>"Men," said the man on the mule, addressing the crowd, "you've been +stung. This old bag o' bones is Chiquita, the best race horse ever +produced in Mexico, an' I brought him over here, where I traded him for +a plain cayuse an' gave something ter boot. If any o' you men know +anything about hosses ye'll recognize ther great Chiquita, what made an' +lost more money fer ther people o' Mexico than any one other thing. Pap +didn't know it until he see me, then he suddenly remembered a little +deal me an' him was in. I know this Magpie hoss well, an' it couldn't +stand no more show of winnin' a race from Chiquita than a snail would. +Take it from me that ye've been caught at yer own game, an' have been +done."</p> + +<p>At the name of Chiquita a groan went up from the gamblers.</p> + +<p>"And who are you?" asked Bud.</p> + +<p>"Come nearer, an' I'll tell you in your ear," was the reply.</p> + +<p>Bud went close to him, and the man stooped in his saddle and whispered a +word in his ear, at which the old cow-puncher looked startled, then +burst into a fit of laughter.</p> + + + +<br /> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXVIII'></a><h2>CHAPTER XXVIII</h2> + +<h3>TED'S GREAT VICTORY.</h3> +<br /> + +<p>"I tell you I'll never stand for it."</p> + +<p>The voice of big Ben Tremont could be heard roaring above the noise made +by the crowd around the judges' stand.</p> + +<p>"It's a go. The race goes to Magpie on a foul."</p> + +<p>The big man in the stand made this announcement in a voice of thunder.</p> + +<p>"Bully for you, Shan Rhue!" yelled the gamblers, crowding to the stand +in a body.</p> + +<p>At the same moment Bud caught Hatrack by the bridle and led him out of +the crowd, for he knew what was impending.</p> + +<p>"I say it don't go," shouted Ben. "This man, who is in league with that +old crook, Norris, declares a foul. I say there was no foul."</p> + +<p>"How does the other judge go?" called a voice.</p> + +<p>"He declines to give a voice in the matter," answered Ben.</p> + +<p>"Throw the coyote down here, and we'll help him make up his mind," +called the foreman of the Running Water. "If he's too much of a coward +to decide for the right, we'll help him. Throw him over."</p> + +<p>The foreman of the Running Water was a formidable-looking man.</p> + +<p>He was tall and sinewy, with a seamed and scarred face, a map of many +battles with the elements, the wild animals of mountain and plain, and +with his fellow men.</p> + +<p>He was heavily armed, and the town gamblers knew him for a bad fighter +when he was aroused.</p> + +<p>"Stick fer ther big show," he said to Ted, who was standing beside him. +"I've got the boys bunched back there on the edge of the crowd. When it +comes to a show-down we'll all be here. But it's no place fer wimmin an' +children."</p> + +<p>"I don't want to get into a fight if we can help it," said Ted.</p> + +<p>"Yer ain't afraid o' these cattle, aire ye?" asked the foreman, looking +at Ted curiously, but with a shade of disappointment in his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Not for a minute," said Ted, throwing a straight glance into the +other's eyes. "There's nothing to be afraid of, that I can see. But +what's the use if we can get at it in some other way?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I reckon yer right, bub," said the other slowly. "Some one is +shore liable ter git hurt. But I'd sooner see ther whole crowd hurt than +have this bunch o' thieves git away with their game."</p> + +<p>"They won't do that. Never fear."</p> + +<p>The crowd was now watching the men in the judges' stand.</p> + +<p>Evidently Ben and Shan Rhue were wrestling in spirit with the third +judge, who was still wavering. He knew that the right was with Ben, but +he was afraid of the big bully Shan, and the gamblers, who were most in +evidence.</p> + +<p>He did not know that the cow-punchers and the townspeople who had bet on +Hatrack were being organized on the outskirts of the crowd, and that Kit +and Clay and the other broncho boys were with them to direct them to the +attack when it might seem necessary to assert their rights.</p> + +<p>Suddenly there was a roar from the crowd. Shan Rhue had struck Ben +Tremont a staggering blow. They heard Ben let out a roar like a wounded +bull, as he threw the great bulk of his body upon the man who had struck +him.</p> + +<p>Now they were wrestling, and the frail stand in which they were, +fifteen feet above the ground, swayed with their struggle.</p> + +<p>"Kill him!" shouted the gamblers.</p> + +<p>"Throw him down here!"</p> + +<p>"Let us finish him!"</p> + +<p>"Stay with him, Shan!"</p> + +<p>These and other cries and threats were shouted by the mob. But Ted +Strong said nothing. He was watching the struggle intently and quietly.</p> + +<p>He had no fear but that Ben would be able to hold his own. His great +strength hardly matched that of Shan Rhue, who was a giant, and the most +feared man in the Wichita Mountains. But Ben was more than his match in +wrestling skill, and, moreover, he was younger and more supple for all +his bulk, and his work on the football gridiron when in college had +taught him tricks of the tackle of which the big bully did not dream.</p> + +<p>He had a hold on the bully now, and was gradually forcing him backward +toward the frail railing that inclosed the floor of the stand.</p> + +<p>Ted saw his intention. It was to throw Shan Rhue against the railing, +then spring away. Rhue evidently divined the same thing, for he +struggled with all his force against it, striking Ben in the ribs and +occasionally in the face.</p> + +<p>But his blows were not very effective, as Ben had him caught so closely +that his blows lost their power. Thus the struggle went on for a few +moments. Then, when it was least expected, there was a crash of breaking +wood.</p> + +<p>A yell went up from the crowd as it surged back, and the gigantic body +of Shan Rhue came hurtling through the railing, which went into +splinters from the impact of his bulk.</p> + +<p>Shan Rhue grasped at the air, as with a roar he went over. He turned a +complete somersault as he descended and landed on his shoulders. For a +moment he lay quivering, half stunned.</p> + +<p>There was dead silence in the crowd and none dared go to his assistance. +But presently the bully sat up and passed his hand over his eyes. With a +roar of pain and rage he sprang to his feet and looked around.</p> + +<p>The nearest person to him was the leader of the broncho boys, who stood +on the edge of the crowd, alert and smiling. Ted knew that it meant +fight now.</p> + +<p>He was convinced that Ben was in the right, but right or wrong, Ben had +started it, and it was now up to the broncho boys to see that their side +did not get the worst of it.</p> + +<p>Realizing that Ted was an enemy, Shan Rhue made a rush at him. Those +beside Ted turned and ran. But Ted did not move. He only stood a little +tenser.</p> + +<p>It took but a moment for the bully to cross the distance that lay +between him and Ted. His rush was like that of a bull, and as +irresistible. But Ted did not propose to take the brunt of it. He knew +several tricks better than that.</p> + +<p>As Rhue was about to launch himself upon Ted, the latter stepped lightly +aside. So sure was Rhue of landing on Ted and bearing him to the ground +that he had leaped into the air, and, finding nothing to stop his +progress, was overbalanced. A sweep of Ted's foot completed it, for the +legs of the bully were swept from under him, and he went to the sod on +his face with a crash that seemed to shake the earth.</p> + +<p>Like an eagle upon its prey, Ted was on the back of the bully. The crowd +shouted like mad, eager to go to the rescue of their champion. But Ted +heard the voice of the foreman of Running Water high above the din.</p> + +<p>"It's the boy's fight, an' any man that breaks through the line will get +a ball from my forty-four plumb through him. Stand back, you cattle!"</p> + +<p>"Let 'em go, fellers. Shan will kill him in a minute," shouted one of +the gamblers.</p> + +<p>Shan Rhue had been badly shaken up by the jolt that had been his when he +struck the ground. For several moments he did not stir, and Ted thought +he had been knocked out.</p> + +<p>Many of the men in the crowd knew things about Shan Rhue which Ted did +not.</p> + +<p>Rhue was considered the strongest man in the Southwest at that time. He +was barely forty years old, in the prime of his life, and a man who had +never dissipated. But he was a thoroughly bad man for all that, and the +number of men whom he had killed had been forgotten.</p> + +<p>His feats of strength were the talk of barrooms and bunk houses. He had +been seen many times to break horseshoes with his hands, and as for +bending a bar of iron by striking the muscles of his forearm with it, +that was one of his ordinary tricks.</p> + +<p>But the thing of which he was proudest was his ability to buck a man off +his back. In this feat he barred none, no matter how heavy. He would get +on his hands and knees, place a surcingle around his body under his arms +for his rider to hold on by, and then proceed to buck.</p> + +<p>It would seem impossible for a man to stick to him under such +circumstances, and no one had been found yet who could do so.</p> + +<p>Thus it was that those of the crowd who had witnessed this feat +sometimes in a fight, and more often in friendly contest, looked to see +Ted sailing through the air, and then the finish, for Shan Rhue was a +merciless enemy.</p> + +<p>Ted was now straddling the prostrate bully, who was breathing heavily, +his body heaving as his lungs tried to get back into commission.</p> + +<p>Presently he was all right again, and, feeling a weight upon him, shook +himself. This not having the effect of relieving him of his burden, he +twisted his head around and saw Ted sitting on him.</p> + +<p>With a growl like a wounded bear he slowly lifted himself to the height +of his arms, then slowly rose to his knees.</p> + +<p>"By golly, he's goin' ter buck him off," shouted one in the crowd.</p> + +<p>"Look out fer some fun, lads," cried another.</p> + +<p>"He'll kill ther kid sure," said a third.</p> + +<p>In a moment Ted realized what was coming off. The hold he had on the +back of Shan Rhue was none of the most secure at best, but he got a +clutch on the fellow's shirt under the arm, just back of the armpits, +and he felt that he had in his fingers great bunches of the bully's +muscles.</p> + +<p>By the merest chance he had secured the only hold by which he could hope +to stick to the giant's back. Then the fun began. Shan Rhue plunged back +and forth, sideways and up and down.</p> + +<p>The movement was incessant. He reared and pitched, and, having cunning +and intelligence, he was able to distinguish when Ted's seat was least +secure and take advantage of it.</p> + +<p>Ted had ridden many bucking bronchos, but Shan Rhue beat any of them in +the surprises which he furnished. But Ted stuck grimly to him.</p> + +<p>He knew that if the bully succeeded in throwing him off his life would +not be worth a rushlight, for Shan was a rough fighter and would not +hesitate to kick him brutally, if he did not shoot him to death before +the boys could come to his assistance.</p> + +<p>Thus the struggle went on for several minutes, Shan doing his utmost and +Ted hanging on. But the big fellow was getting winded by his exertions.</p> + +<p>He was not in the best condition, for all his tremendous power. He was +going fast, and Ted was badly shaken up and out of breath, also. If +Shan held out a few minutes longer Ted must be thrown, for his hold on +the muscles under his antagonist's arms had begun to loosen, and he +dared not let go for an instant to get a fresh grip.</p> + +<p>It was close to the finish, and the crowd knew it.</p> + +<p>"He's goin', Shan. A few more will finish him," shouted the gamblers.</p> + +<p>"Stick to him, Ted. He's almost in," cried the boys.</p> + +<p>Ted took heart at this, although his body was racked with pains, caused +by the innumerable wrenchings to which it had been subjected.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Shan Rhue was all in. His body flattened out upon the ground, +and he lay there panting laboriously. Ted sprang to his feet gasping. +Thus for a few minutes both remained, amid intense silence from the +crowd.</p> + +<p>Shan Rhue's body was heaving painfully. It was evident that he had never +had before a struggle like this.</p> + +<p>Little by little he recovered, but Ted's recovery was quicker than that +of the man. His youth and strength were responsible for this.</p> + +<p>But finally Shan Rhue was himself again, and suddenly he leaped to his +feet and glared around. His eyes fell upon Ted, and he looked him up and +down in a sort of amazement.</p> + +<p>Had this stripling accomplished what older and stronger men had failed +in?</p> + +<p>Shan Rhue could hardly believe it, but it took some of the conceit out +of him at that. However, his anger at Ted had not been in the least +assuaged by the fact that the first honors had gone to this youth who +now stood watching him with a smile on his lips, but with the light of +battle in his eyes.</p> + +<p>With a sneer Shan Rhue rushed at Ted. This time he would annihilate him.</p> + +<p>But Ted was crouching, awaiting him. His muscles were like steel +springs. His breath had come to him again, and he was ready to fight for +his life, for it had come to that now. Suddenly there was a smack, sharp +and clear in the silence that hung over the crowd.</p> + +<p>Shan Rhue staggered back on his heels. The blow from Ted's fist had +struck him fairly below the eye. Before he could recover Ted was upon +him like a panther.</p> + +<p>One, two, three, blows fell with a sharp, sickening sound upon the face +and throat of the famous Shan Rhue, as he lurched backward, vainly +trying to defend himself.</p> + +<p>His body went to the earth with a crash, and he lay there moaning and +quivering, beaten, discredited, and no more the hero, for he had been +conquered by a boy.</p> + + + +<br /> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXIX'></a><h2>CHAPTER XXIX.</h2> + +<h3>KIT MAKES A CAPTURE.</h3> +<br /> + +<p>Shan Rhue lay prostrate for a long time, but no one went to his +assistance. As he fell the gamblers raised a shout, and made a motion to +attack Ted.</p> + +<p>But the foreman of Running Water sprang in front of them, and as if by +magic the broncho boys and the cow-punchers and other supporters of +Hatrack were by his side.</p> + +<p>Ted had leaped to the fore and was standing shoulder to shoulder with +the foreman of Running Water. He heard a ripple of laughter, and looked +up to see Stella standing by his side.</p> + +<p>"Bully for you, Ted," she said. "You did that fine."</p> + +<p>Ted smiled back at her, then turned his eyes upon the surprised and +angry gamblers. There was something there that demanded all his +attention. The gamblers only needed a leader to make them a dangerous +proposition.</p> + +<p>But their leader was down and out by reason of a few neat and handy +blows, and none other had the courage to come to the front. It was the +psychological moment.</p> + +<p>Ted Strong took advantage of it. Without a moment's hesitation, he +stepped in front of the foreman of Running Water, who moved back to give +him the place of vantage.</p> + +<p>Ted had not even taken his six-shooter from its holster, but stood with +his hands resting lightly on his hips, while his eyes roved inquiringly +over the menacing crowd.</p> + +<p>"Any of you gentlemen like to have some of the same sort of medicine?" +he asked, nodding toward the prostrate Rhue.</p> + +<p>There was no reply.</p> + +<p>"Because if any of you would, I, or any of my friends, will be glad to +accommodate you," he added.</p> + +<p>An ominous growl came from some one back in the crowd.</p> + +<p>"Would you like some of it?" asked Ted, turning suddenly in that +direction.</p> + +<p>He waited for several moments for an answer, but none came.</p> + +<p>"Now, you fellows, I want to say that this incident is closed," said he +firmly. "You are beaten every way from the jack, as you would say. You +put up this race to skin innocent parties, and you thought to use my +friends for your purposes, and have failed. The face was fairly won by +our horse, and that goes. If any man doubts it, I will prove it to him +by any means he wishes, from fists up to howitzers. You have made a lot +of fools of yourselves by allowing an old crook like Norris to play in +with you. I haven't a bit of sympathy for you. I'm glad you lost your +money, and I'd feel gladder if you all went broke. This is the end of +this adventure. Where's Norris? We want that magpie horse which we won."</p> + +<p>The men dispersed after this speech, which closed with a ringing cheer +from the broncho boys and the cow-punchers and other friends of Hatrack.</p> + +<p>But Norris could not be found. He and the horse and the jockey had +disappeared. Ted rounded the boys up, and all were present except Kit.</p> + +<p>"Where's Kit?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Don't know," said Bud. "He was around here a few minutes ago. Reckon +he's somewhere about."</p> + +<p>The crowd having dispersed uptown, a search was made for Kit, but he +could not be found.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if some of that gang hasn't got square with us by some foul +play on Kit," said Ted. "It would be like the coyotes. Kit was the +smallest of the lot, and naturally the cowards would pick him."</p> + +<p>"Kit's small, all right," said Stella stoutly, for she and Kit were +great friends, and Stella was always one to stick up for those she +liked. "If they pick Kit for his size, and think they have got an easy +thing, they will find that they have gathered up a red-hot Chile pepper. +He'll give them the hottest fight they ever had, as long as he lasts."</p> + +<p>"Hurray fer you, Stella," exclaimed Bud. "You speak for fair. Kit's not +much on size, but he's a whirlwind."</p> + +<p>Shan Rhue was slowly getting on his feet. His broad, brutal face was +badly discolored where Ted's fists had come in contact with it.</p> + +<p>One of his eyes was bloodshot and rapidly taking on a green-and-purple +hue, and his upper lip stuck out like an overhanging roof. As he looked +around and saw that the broncho boys were alone, and that he had been +left to recover as best he might by those whom he had called his friends +and supporters, he growled deep in his chest.</p> + +<p>"The skunks," he muttered, between his swollen lips. "They'd make me +fight an' steal fer them, an' then leave me in the hole, would they? +Well, I'll make them hump fer this."</p> + +<p>Then he looked unsteadily at Ted out of his good eye, as if he was +wondering how it all had happened. But while his glance was not as +belligerent as it had been, still there was nothing but hatred in his +expression.</p> + +<p>Ted eyed him back fearlessly, but this time his hand rested upon the +handle of his revolver, and Stella, by his side, was on the alert also. +Shan Rhue was not one to be trusted, especially after he had met defeat. +After staring for a moment he spoke.</p> + +<p>"I reckon yer beat me fair, young feller," he said, "although I don't +know yet how yer did it. But I want ter say ter yer now that this ain't +the end, by no means."</p> + +<p>"That's all right," said Ted easily. "You keep out of my way, and you +will be all right."</p> + +<p>"I go where I please, an' do what I please, an' ask ther right o' no +man," retorted Shan Rhue truculently.</p> + +<p>"All right, go where you please, but don't run afoul of me," said Ted +sharply. "I don't want to have anything to do with such cattle as you, +and I don't propose to. Keep off my trail if you know when you're well +off. This is a friendly tip—take it or leave it."</p> + +<p>"I don't want none o' yer tips," growled Shan Rhue. "Ye've beaten me, +an' I hate yer. Look out fer me next time, that's all."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's all. Skidoo! You're not pretty to look at."</p> + +<p>Ted turned his back upon the defeated bully, but Stella did not, and had +Shan Rhue made a motion toward his gun there would have been one with a +pearl handle and trimmed with silver in commission in an instant.</p> + +<p>With a long, malignant look after Ted, the bully turned and hobbled +slowly from the fair grounds.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to start on the trail of Norris," said Ted. "Want to come +along, Stella?"</p> + +<p>"You bet I do," said the girl. "Wait till I catch my pony."</p> + +<p>"Ben, you and Bud ride through the town and see if you can't get on to +the movements of that old rip Norris, also, and look out for Kit. If we +don't get Norris, and make him give up that magpie pony, our work has +not been half done. As long as we have won out all around, we might as +well have the fruits of our victory," said Ted.</p> + +<p>"What'll we do to ther coyote?" asked Bud.</p> + +<p>"Part his coat tails and give him a good, swift kick," answered Ted. +"But don't get into any fights with these town gamblers. We can't afford +anything of that sort, you know."</p> + +<p>"All righty; but I'd shore like ter git a crack at some o' them +mavericks," said Bud grudgingly.</p> + +<p>"They're all licked in their minds already," said Ted. "Of course, +they're sore at losing their money, and if a dozen or more of them were +to tackle you, you'd have a hard time getting away with it. When the +fight comes off, if ever it does, we all want to be in on it."</p> + +<p>They parted, and Ted and Stella rode into the town.</p> + +<p>"Say, friend, have you seen anything of that old skin Norris?" asked +Ted, meeting one of the Running Water outfit on the street.</p> + +<p>"Yep. I wuz jest goin' ter look yer up an' post yer," was the reply.</p> + +<p>"Which way did he go, or is he still in town?"</p> + +<p>"Jest after yer put ther finish onto Shan—an', say, that wuz a beaut, +if any one should ask you—I see Norris an' ther jock makin' fer ther +gate, leadin' ther magpie bronc. I thinks they're goin' ter put him in +ther corral fer yer, an' didn't pay much 'tention ter him."</p> + +<p>"Then he's up at the corral?"</p> + +<p>"No, he ain't. He's foggin' along to'rds ther Wichita Mountains as fast +as he kin go."</p> + +<p>"How do you know?"</p> + +<p>"I met one o' our outfit a bit ago, an' he was sore because yer let ther +old feller git away with ther magpie, after yer won him fair. Yer see, +he thinks ye flunked on collectin' ther pony."</p> + +<p>"Not on your life. We don't do business that way."</p> + +<p>"That's what I was thinkin', so I ast him whichever way ther ole man was +headin'. He says inter ther east, tickity-brindle."</p> + +<p>"Which road?"</p> + +<p>"Right out ther east end o' ther main street."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, pard."</p> + +<p>"Yer almighty welcome. Good luck. If yer ketch up with ther coyote, +bring him in an' let us have a good squint at him."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'll bring him in, all right, if I get him."</p> + +<p>"So long!"</p> + +<p>"So long! Come on, Stella, we'll have to kick dust if we're going to +connect with that old party."</p> + +<p>They dashed down the street, followed by an equal mingling of smiles and +frowns. Smiles from the cow-punchers and townspeople whose champion he +had been, and frowns from the gamblers.</p> + +<p>But they saw neither, for they were intent upon their business. They +made a mighty handsome couple as they dashed along, for they were well +mounted and both were perfect riders.</p> + +<p>Many a young girl walking along the street looked enviously after +Stella, and wished she could ride as well and was as beautiful. And many +a lad looked after his ideal of a hero of the West, dashing and brave +Ted Strong, who had so lately vanquished the bully who had been feared +of all men, and who could ride like a centaur, and shoot perfectly.</p> + +<p>It did not take long for them to clear the town, and dash out onto the +prairie road which led into the Wichita Mountains.</p> + +<p>They did not spare their horses, for Ted knew that if Norris once +succeeded in reaching the mountains it would be almost impossible to +find him among the many fastnesses and deep and rough cañons which +abound in those most picturesque hills and peaks.</p> + +<p>While Ted knew the Wichita Mountains well, he was also aware that even +the most expert scout did not know all about them, and that there were +places in them that had never been explored, unless, perhaps, by +renegade Indians and white outlaws, with which the mountains had at +times been infested.</p> + +<p>They had ridden an hour or more when Ted pulled in his pony.</p> + +<p>"No use riding our ponies to death the first heat," he said to Stella, +with a smile.</p> + +<p>"My cayuse is good for another hour," said Stella; "I can tell by the +way he's going under me."</p> + +<p>"Yours would last because you're such a light and easy rider. You take +weight off a pony. But I'm a good deal heavier, and I can feel this +fellow tiring, although he'd go until he dropped in his tracks if I'd +let him."</p> + +<p>They walked their ponies over the springy sod beside the road, which was +becoming fainter the farther they got from the town. In the distance +they could see the mountains, a dark mass against the sky.</p> + +<p>"Some one on the road," said Stella, pointing ahead.</p> + +<p>"It is a little hazy. Dust, I guess," said Ted. "I think we better hit +it up a bit. Perhaps it is Norris and his precious 'grandson,' and if it +is we'll get to them before they get to the mountains."</p> + +<p>They put their ponies, at a lope, and seemed to be catching up with the +dust cloud rapidly. Soon they were able to distinguish two riders.</p> + +<p>"By Jove, I believe we are on the right track," said Ted.</p> + +<p>Stella's bright eyes had been watching the riders in front of them for +some time.</p> + +<p>"Ted, it's not Norris. There are two riders, one behind the other, and +they are coming this way," she said.</p> + +<p>Ted reined in his pony, and took a long look.</p> + +<p>"You're right, Stella," he said. "But, perhaps, we can get some news of +the fugitives from them."</p> + +<p>Again they spurred forward.</p> + +<p>"Ted, that's Kit, as sure as you live," cried Stella, "I'd know him +anywhere."</p> + +<p>In a few minutes they were within hailing distance, and Ted gave the +long yell, which was answered, and in a few minutes they were reining in +beside Kit. Behind him, securely bound to the back of Magpie, was old +man Norris, who looked very crestfallen.</p> + +<p>"Hello, Kit, you rascal, I see that you got him," said Ted.</p> + +<p>"You bet, and a merry chase I had after him," answered Kit.</p> + +<p>"Why, Kit, what's the matter with your arm?" cried Stella.</p> + +<p>Kit's arm was hanging by his side, and his coat sleeve near his shoulder +was stained with blood.</p> + +<p>"Shot!" answered Kit laconically.</p> + +<p>"Bad?" asked Stella anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Not so very. Just touched the bone. But it has been bleeding like the +deuce."</p> + +<p>"Ted, take charge of the prisoner. Kit, get off that horse and let me +see that wound."</p> + +<p>Stella's commands were promptly obeyed, and Kit groaned slightly as +Stella helped him off with his coat and cut away his sleeve. He had +received a nasty flesh wound near the shoulder, made by a ball of large +caliber, which had passed clear through.</p> + +<p>As soon as she had washed the wound with water from Ted's canteen, and +had bound it up, Kit felt much more comfortable.</p> + +<p>"How did it happen?" asked Stella.</p> + +<p>"I heard that the old man and the jockey had made a sneak from the +grounds when Ted was having his fun with the big fellow, and I got my +bronc and followed them. I came up with them a ways back, and made the +old duffer halt, but the jock potted me and got away. That's all."</p> + + + +<br /> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXX'></a><h2>CHAPTER XXX.</h2> + +<h3>KIT'S TROUBLESOME PRISONER.</h3> +<br /> + +<p>"Kit, you're the most reckless boy I ever knew," said Stella, as he +climbed into his saddle with some effort, for his arm was stiff and +swollen, and it was all he could do to keep from groaning with every +jump of his pony.</p> + +<p>"What in the world made you start after them alone?" asked Ted.</p> + +<p>"Well, you were busy with the big bully, and, although I felt certain +that you would get the best of him in the end, I thought it wouldn't be +good policy to take any of the boys with me, in case there should be a +general fight. I know you would need all the fellows."</p> + +<p>"Well, but, dog-gone you, you ought to have taken some one," said Ted. +"How did you know but the old man and the jockey were not dangerous +fellows? Men in their business are generally bad actors when it comes to +a scrimmage."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I thought I could handle them," laughed Kit. "And I could, too, +only I got careless, and let that jockey get the drop on me. The old man +knuckled under gracefully when I presented my card."</p> + +<p>"Did you get the old man after you were shot?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. You see, this was how it was: I got sight of them a short ways +ahead of me. They were evidently saving their horses, for they were +traveling slowly."</p> + +<p>"Didn't they get next that they were being followed?"</p> + +<p>"I don't think so. They saw only one rider, and I suppose they thought +that if they were pursued at all it would be by several men, and they +were confident that with their horses they could run away from anything +we had except Hatrack."</p> + +<p>"It's a wonder they didn't light out quick."</p> + +<p>"I think they figured to save their horses until they were sure they +were being followed."</p> + +<p>"Then what happened?"</p> + +<p>"I saw them look back at me several times, but they did not hit up their +speed any."</p> + +<p>"Were you fogging along pretty fast?"</p> + +<p>"Not so very. You see, I didn't want them to think that I was on their +trail. I went just fast enough to overtake them gradually. If they had +got on to me they would have been out of sight before I could gather up +my reins."</p> + +<p>"Foxy Kit," said Stella.</p> + +<p>"And they let you come right up with them?" asked Ted.</p> + +<p>"Yep. I was right up on them before they got on to me."</p> + +<p>"They recognized you, eh?"</p> + +<p>"They did when I was about twenty feet away. Then I heard the old man +holler, 'It's one o' them dern broncho boys.'"</p> + +<p>"And then what?"</p> + +<p>"Well, you see, I didn't have my gun out, and, as he says that, the +jockey pulls and fires one shot, which landed in my arm. Then, before I +can reach around and get my gun out with my left hand, he gets away. But +the action was too quick for the old man, and he sat still until I had +him covered, when I had sent a couple of balls after the jock to make +him hit up the pace a bit."</p> + +<p>"The old man was easy, eh?"</p> + +<p>"Easiest kind. But he might have got away from me if he had the nerve."</p> + +<p>"Well, Kit, you did a great stunt. I'm mighty glad you landed the old +coot. But I don't know what to do with him now that we have him."</p> + +<p>"Well, we better take him to town, anyway. He'd get lost if we turned +him loose out here. Let his friends take care of him, when he gets +there."</p> + +<p>"All right; let's move on."</p> + +<p>Not much was said as they made their way back to town. Old man Norris +did not open his mouth, but looked dejected and sad, as if he was +brooding over what would happen to him when he arrived at his +destination. He was plainly uneasy, and probably wished they would turn +him loose.</p> + +<p>When they were within a mile of the town they saw a cloud of dust +approaching them rapidly, and watched it curiously. It was a horseman, +fogging along at a rapid pace.</p> + +<p>Finally out of the dust emerged Bud Morgan, and as he came abreast of +them he pulled his horse down on its haunches.</p> + +<p>"Howdy?" he said.</p> + +<p>"How?" answered the others.</p> + +<p>"So yer got ther ole pelican, eh?" said Bud, with a grin.</p> + +<p>"Kit did," said Ted.</p> + +<p>"Bully for you, Kit," said Bud heartily. "I was in town, an' a feller +from over to Running Water told me you and Stella had come out this way, +an' I follered. What's the matter with your arm, Kit?"</p> + +<p>"Got a shot through it."</p> + +<p>"Sho! Did that old pirate give it to you?"</p> + +<p>"No, the jockey, and then he flew."</p> + +<p>"I've got a good mind to go after him, an' bring him in."</p> + +<p>"Wouldn't do any good. At the rate he was going when I sent a message +after him, he's clear into the suburbs of Chicago by this time."</p> + +<p>They were soon on the outskirts of the town, and as they entered the +main street they saw a crowd of men coming toward them.</p> + +<p>"Here comes a reception committee," said Ted. "Wonder who they are, and +what they want."</p> + +<p>"By Jove, there's that big fellow Shan Rhue," exclaimed Kit. "I wonder +what he's after."</p> + +<p>"I thought he had enough o' our kind o' medicine not to want ter tackle +us so soon again," said Bud.</p> + +<p>"I don't like the looks of that gang," said Ted.</p> + +<p>"Neither do I," said Stella. "I've a hunch that they mean mischief."</p> + +<p>"In what way?" asked Ted.</p> + +<p>"Well, I can't exactly define the feeling I have, but somehow I think +they don't want <i>us</i>."</p> + +<p>"Eh? Whom do they want?"</p> + +<p>For reply Stella made a motion toward Norris. Ted looked at her +thoughtfully for a moment, then comprehended.</p> + +<p>"I see," he said seriously. "Well, they won't get him."</p> + +<p>"Bud, where are the other boys?" asked Stella.</p> + +<p>"Uptown som'er's. Why?" said Bud.</p> + +<p>"They ought to be here," said the girl seriously. "I think we'll be +needing them soon."</p> + +<p>"I tumble, an' I'll jest fog on ahead an' gather them up."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Ted. "and while you're about it see if you can't find that +foreman of the Running Water Ranch, and have him round up his boys or a +few good fellows who will back us up if it comes to trouble. I don't +know what his name is, do you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, his name is Andy Bowles, an' he's as good as three ordinary men."</p> + +<p>"Then fly. There's no telling what's coming off."</p> + +<p>Bud gave his pony the rowels, and in a moment was out of sight in a +cloud of dust. Ted and the others rode steadily forward, the two +parties approaching nearer every moment.</p> + +<p>The party headed by Shan Rhue had taken to the middle of the road, and +soon they had come together, and both halted. For a moment nothing was +said.</p> + +<p>Ted was in advance, holding the reins of the pony on which Norris was +tied hand and foot, Stella was on one side of Norris, and Kit on the +other.</p> + +<p>"Well?" said Ted inquiringly, as they came face to face.</p> + +<p>He looked directly at Shan Rhue as he said it, then allowed his eyes to +wander over the crowd. In it he saw some of the toughest characters in +that part of the country.</p> + +<p>They were men who bore the reputation of being cattle rustlers on +provocation, and who had been suspected of horse stealing and other +crimes.</p> + +<p>"We want that man," said Shan Rhue shortly and roughly.</p> + +<p>"Is that so?" said Ted, with feigned surprise.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's so," was the surly reply.</p> + +<p>"Then why didn't you go out and get him?"</p> + +<p>"We left that to you," said Shan, with a nasty laugh.</p> + +<p>"Then you'll still leave him to me."</p> + +<p>"Well, we want him, and that's all there is to it."</p> + +<p>"What do you want with him?"</p> + +<p>"We'll show you when we get him."</p> + +<p>"It's a cinch you won't get him until you do show me."</p> + +<p>"Now, I don't want to have any trouble with you, young feller, but—"</p> + +<p>"I shouldn't think you would."</p> + +<p>At this retort a snicker went up in the crowd, and Shan turned upon his +followers with a brow like a thundercloud. But he said nothing, as the +snicker subsided as soon as it began.</p> + +<p>"And I don't want any of your lip, either. Give us the old man +peaceable, an' you can go."</p> + +<p>"Say, that's real good of you. But I want to tell you one thing, Shan +Rhue, before you lose any more breath in conversation, you don't get him +unless you tell me what you propose doing with him, and perhaps not +then. It's up to me to say who gets him, or what is done with him. You +seem to forget that he's my prisoner, not yours."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll tell you what we're going to do with him," said the bully, +with a blustering air. "We're goin' to hang him as high as that +telegraph pole out thar."</p> + +<p>"Bet you anything you've got you don't," said Ted, with a pleasant +smile.</p> + +<p>There was a murmur of anger in the crowd.</p> + +<p>"Don't let them get me," wailed old Norris.</p> + +<p>"Dry up!" said Stella sternly. "Don't you see he's trying to save you."</p> + +<p>"Why do you want to hang this old man?" asked Ted.</p> + +<p>"Because he whipsawed us all. He's the only one who got any money out of +that race. We gave him five hundred dollars to pull it off. He was +broke, and couldn't have bet a cent on it, anyway. That's why. He said +his horse would win in a walk, and every one of us went broke on it."</p> + +<p>"Good! I'm glad to hear it," said Ted heartily. "You ought to have lost. +But I'll tell you one thing, the old man really thought his horse would +win. He didn't know that Bud's horse was the old Mexican racer, +Chiquita; neither did any of us except Bud, who kept the matter to +himself, and there you are. The old man is a professional skin, I'm free +to confess, but he was out to skin us, not you. You've got nothing +against him. You were beaten by gambler's luck, and now you're not game +to stand by it. But there is one sure thing, you'll not get old Norris +from me until you kill me. That's a cinch."</p> + +<p>"You're a game kid, all right," said Shan Rhue, "but you're committing +suicide with that kind o' talk. I didn't lose so much myself, an' I +ain't got nothin' agin' the ole man; it's you I'm after—"</p> + +<p>"Why didn't you come alone if you wanted me? Was it necessary for you to +bring a whole posse with you?"</p> + +<p>"Now, the less I hear of that kind o' talk, the easier it will be for +you. Hand over the old gaffer, an' go your way peaceful. You'll get that +much chance."</p> + +<p>"Thank you for nothing. I stay by the old man."</p> + +<p>Farther up the street Ted saw a commotion out of which evolved a party +of men moving in his direction. He had no doubt it was Bud and Andy +Bowles, the foreman of the Running Water Ranch.</p> + +<p>"For the last time, give up that man!" commanded Shan Rhue.</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll take him."</p> + +<p>Kit had cut the old man's bonds, and thrust a revolver into his hand.</p> + +<p>"Fight for your life," he said.</p> + +<p>With a roar the mob was upon them. Revolvers were drawn, and as they +rushed forward the dauntless three surrounded Norris—three against +fifty.</p> + +<p>"Halt!" cried Ted. "The first man to lay a hand on any of us is a dead +one."</p> + +<p>"Go on an' take him. I'll attend to the kid," shouted Shan Rhue.</p> + +<p>"Get him!" "String him up!" "Lynch the old thief!"</p> + +<p>These were the cries with which the mob advanced.</p> + +<p>Out of the mob came several shots. Ted heard a cry of pain behind him, +and turned to see Stella reel in her saddle, pale to the lips, with her +hand pressing her head, Then she fell.</p> + +<p>With a cry of horror and rage, Ted turned toward her, but just then he +felt himself seized and dragged from his saddle. Something struck him on +the back of the head, and all became black.</p> + +<p>But as he was going off into unconsciousness he heard a shout. It was +the old Moon Valley yell, and he knew that Norris would be safe.</p> + +<p>Bud was coming with reënforcements. Ted had dropped to the road under +the feet of the terrified ponies, and it was a miracle that he was not +trampled to death.</p> + +<p>All about him the fight was going on.</p> + +<p>Bud and Andy Bowles, and about twenty men whom they had hastily got +together, had come to the rescue, and the gamblers' gang was soon on the +run. They had not been able to get near Norris, for Kit had fought them +off with his one good arm until, finding themselves attacked in the +rear, the would-be lynchers ran for their lives.</p> + +<p>The fight was swift and decisive, and several men lay in the dust when +it was over, for Andy Bowles and Bud and Ben had fought like tigers.</p> + +<p>When Ted recovered consciousness again he found himself lying in the +road beside Shan Rhue, who had been knocked senseless by a blow from the +butt of Bud's pistol.</p> + +<p>Ted staggered to his feet.</p> + +<p>"Where's Stella?" he cried.</p> + +<p>The other boys looked around. Just before the fight began they had seen +her, Kit, and the old man, but now she was gone.</p> + +<p>"Stella was wounded," cried Ted. "Where is she? Scatter, men, and find +her. She cannot be far away. If anything has happened to her, some one +will suffer."</p> + + + +<br /> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXXI'></a><h2>CHAPTER XXXI.</h2> + +<h3>STELLA A CAPTIVE.</h3> +<br /> + +<p>We will leave Ted and the broncho boys, to follow the misadventures of +Stella.</p> + +<p>After securing Magpie, which was taken back to the cow camp by Kit, who, +much against his inclinations, was compelled to go into retirement until +his arm healed, Ted released old man Norris, who secured a pony and rode +rapidly out of town.</p> + +<p>When Stella fell from the back of her pony to the road she became +insensible. A ball from the weapon of one of Shan Rhue's gang had +clipped a lock of hair from her forehead, creasing the skull. By a +miracle her life was saved, for the merest fraction of an inch lay +between her and death.</p> + +<p>During the hurly-burly of the fight, and as Ted was grasped in the +powerful arms of Shan Rhue, one of the gang rushed up to her as she lay +in the dust and picked her up.</p> + +<p>He was a powerful man, and carried Stella's light body as if she had +been a child. That he was not seen by some member of the Running Water +outfit was due to the fact that they were too busily engaged in fighting +to pay attention to anything else.</p> + +<p>When Stella regained her senses she was conscious of a racking headache, +and, placing her hand to her forehead, brought it away wet and sticky. +It was quite dark, and she groaned feebly. The pain was excruciating, +and the motion of her body made her deathly sick.</p> + +<p>She felt around her, and her hand came in contact with a cold, hard, yet +yielding substance. Then she heard the rumble of wheels, and knew that +she was in a vehicle of some sort. The motion of the couch on which she +was lying was such that she came to the conclusion that she was in one +of those old stagecoaches hung on leather springs, which were so much in +use in the West before the advent of the railroads.</p> + +<p>As her mind grew clearer she tried to remember all that had occurred. +Suddenly it flashed upon her. The capture of old Norris, the attempt of +Shan Rhue and his gang to take him away to lynch him, and the beginning +of the fight. How it had been finished she did not know.</p> + +<p>Neither did she know whether or not she was in the care of her friends +or in the custody of her enemies. Probably the latter, for if Ted and +the boys were taking her somewhere, surely she would have more +attention, and the blood would have been washed from the wound on her +forehead.</p> + +<p>The curtains of the stage were down, and she did not know whether it was +day or night.</p> + +<p>Outside she heard the voices of men.</p> + +<p>"Hurry up them mules, Bill," a man's voice came to her gruffly.</p> + +<p>"Can't get any more out o' them. We've come nigh twenty mile on the run. +I tell you, the mules is 'most all in," said a man, evidently the driver +of the stage.</p> + +<p>"Well, we ain't got much farther to go," said the other. "But we got to +get there before moondown, er we'll be up against it."</p> + +<p>"What time is the bunch goin' to be at the lone tree?"</p> + +<p>"Ten o'clock."</p> + +<p>"Then we've got just about an hour, eh?"</p> + +<p>"Just about. But we're a long ways off yet. Git all y'u can out o' them +mules. Kill 'em if y'u have to get them there on time."</p> + +<p>"They're doin' all they can. Y'u don't want me to kill them before we +get there, do y'u?" asked the driver crossly.</p> + +<p>"No, but if y'u miss the bunch y'u know what will happen. Shan ain't +much on the sweet temper since the kid bumped him so hard, an' he don't +like y'u too well, nohow. I'm just givin' y'u a friendly tip."</p> + +<p>"Keep it. I ain't so stuck on Shan myself as I used to be."</p> + +<p>"Only don't let him know it. We ain't none of us in love with him, an' +yet we come up an' eat out o' his hand when he calls us, just like a lot +o' hound dogs."</p> + +<p>The conversation told Stella the truth she had dreaded. She had been +captured by Shan Rhue's ruffians, and she knew that she was in a +precarious predicament, for she could hope for no mercy from Ted's +merciless and beaten enemy.</p> + +<p>She would be used to punish Ted, and she sighed at the thought of what +grief her disappearance would cause her aunt and the boys.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the curtain on the window was drawn aside. It was bright +moonlight without, and in it she saw the villainous face of a man +looking in upon her.</p> + +<p>Her eyes met his, and she uttered an exclamation.</p> + +<p>"Hello!" he exclaimed, in surprise. "Come to, have y'u?"</p> + +<p>Stella made no reply.</p> + +<p>"Thought fer a while that y'u'd slipped over the Great Divide," the +fellow continued.</p> + +<p>"No fault of yours that I didn't," said Stella weakly, for the pain and +nausea to which she was being subjected had taken all her strength.</p> + +<p>"I ain't had nothin' to do with it, lady. I'm just guidin' the outfit. I +don't know y'u, er how y'u got hurt. Feelin' better?"</p> + +<p>"I would be much better if I could get out and walk. The motion of this +carriage makes me deathly sick."</p> + +<p>"Can't let y'u do that, lady. We're in too much of a hurry to stop +now."</p> + +<p>"But you might let me have a drink of water. I am dying of thirst."</p> + +<p>"I reckon I can do that."</p> + +<p>The flap over the stage window dropped, and in a moment she heard hushed +voices outside. Then a canteen was thrust through the window.</p> + +<p>"Take all y'u want, lady, an' drink hearty," said her guide.</p> + +<p>Stella wet her handkerchief and bathed her throbbing forehead, then took +a deep draft, and felt much refreshed.</p> + +<p>"Here's your canteen," she said.</p> + +<p>Again the flap was thrust aside, and the ugly face looked in upon her +with a leer.</p> + +<p>"Where are we, and where are we going?" asked Stella.</p> + +<p>"We're in the Wich—"</p> + +<p>"Hey, Jack, stow that," cried the driver.</p> + +<p>"But it won't do no harm—"</p> + +<p>"You know what the orders is," said the other significantly.</p> + +<p>"Sorry I can't tell y'u, lady. Orders is orders."</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, I don't suppose it would do me any good to know where I am, +anyway, but you might as well tell me what you are going to do with me. +It would relieve my anxiety, and make me feel better."</p> + +<p>"There ain't no harm comin' to y'u, lady, while I am with y'u," said the +fellow, with a hateful leer that made Stella shudder.</p> + +<p>"Thank you," she said faintly, as with a sigh she laid her head back +again with her wet handkerchief on her brow.</p> + +<p>So the stage rumbled on for almost an hour, with Stella the prey of +sickness and pain. She doubted if she could have walked even if she had +been permitted to leave the stage.</p> + +<p>But as she lay there she thought, and from the scraps of conversation +she had heard, and from what her guide was about to tell her when he was +interrupted by the driver, she knew that she had been captured and +abducted during the fight by Shan Rhue's men, and that she was in the +Wichita Mountains.</p> + +<p>That much, at least, she knew, but what caused her much anxiety was that +she did not know the result of the fight.</p> + +<p>She came to the conclusion that the broncho boys and their friends must +have lost in the encounter, else she would not be in her present +predicament.</p> + +<p>But what of poor old Norris, for in spite of his rascality she was sorry +that he had fallen into the hands of the ruthless Shan Rhue.</p> + +<p>"Keep off to the left," shouted the guide. "We're almost there. Down +into that coulee y'u go. There ain't another crossin' this side o' three +mile, an' we ain't got time to go so far out o' our way."</p> + +<p>"Say, we're liable to turn over down there. Better get the gal out, an' +let her walk down. I can get safe up the other side."</p> + +<p>"All right. Stop 'er."</p> + +<p>The stage stopped, and the cessation of the swaying, swinging motion was +a blessed relief to the tortured girl.</p> + +<p>"Come on out," said the guide, as he threw the door open. "We'll have to +ask you to walk to the bottom o' this coulee, if y'u don't want to be +scrambled about on the bottom o' the coach."</p> + +<p>Stella was glad to get out, but when her feet were on the ground she +swayed and staggered like a drunken person from sheer sickness and +weakness.</p> + +<p>Beside her was her guide on his horse, and she was compelled to lean +against it for a moment until she recovered herself.</p> + +<p>The stage had gone lumbering and swaying down the bank of the coulee, +and before it reached the bottom it turned on its side.</p> + +<p>The driver leaped in safety to the ground, and the guide went scrambling +down the bank to his assistance.</p> + +<p>The mules were plunging and kicking, and threatened to break their +harness to pieces.</p> + +<p>Stella was mutely thankful that she had not been in the stage when it +went over, as she sat down on a rock to rest and watch the efforts of +the swearing and angry men to right the stage.</p> + +<p>Once she thought of trying to escape while the men were engrossed in +their work, and she arose eagerly.</p> + +<p>But when she got to her feet she realized the impossibility of such a +thing, for she almost fell. Then she sank down again, and resigned +herself to her fate.</p> + +<p>But soon the stage was put back on its wheels again, and the guide +called to her to come down.</p> + +<p>This was a slow and painful operation, during which the driver swore +impatiently at the delay. But she accomplished it, and crawled into the +stage and sank down on the pallet which had been made for her with the +seat cushions.</p> + +<p>Now they were off again, faster than before, and with correspondingly +more discomfort to Stella. Oh, if the journey would only end, she +thought.</p> + +<p>"Here we are," she heard the guide's voice in a shout.</p> + +<p>The stage stopped, and Stella heard a rush of feet.</p> + +<p>"Got her?" some one demanded gruffly.</p> + +<p>"Yep, but she's all in," replied the guide. "Her forehead was creased by +a bullet, an' the trip has about finished her."</p> + +<p>"Can't help that. Get her out. We've got to be moving. The soldiers are +out to-night."</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?"</p> + +<p>"Injuns.".</p> + +<p>"Uprisin'?"</p> + +<p>"Not yet, but the agent over to Fort Sill has a tip that they are +putting on paint."</p> + +<p>"What's the trouble?"</p> + +<p>"Somethin' about beef issue. The last cows issued to the Injuns were no +good, an' the Injuns made a kick, an' the agent told them to go to the +deuce. Old Flatnose an' his son Moonface, the Apache chiefs, have always +been bad actors, an' now they are tryin' to scare up a muss."</p> + +<p>"Reckon they'll do it?"</p> + +<p>"The commandant at Fort Sill seems to think they will, for he's got two +companies out on the scout."</p> + +<p>"The boys better look out, then. The Injuns don't like the gang over at +the Hole in the Wall none too good."</p> + +<p>"We stand all right with Flatnose and his son, an' it's their band +that's actin' bad."</p> + +<p>"Well, y'u better get a move on y'u. The moon will be down in an hour."</p> + +<p>"Get the gal out, then, an' we'll be movin'."</p> + +<p>"All right," said the guide, poking his head into the coach. "Here's +where you get out. Boss said to treat her well," he continued, turning +to the man with whom he had been talking.</p> + +<p>"Oh, we'll do that, all right," was the reply.</p> + +<p>Stella scrambled painfully out of the coach. All about her were mounted +men, both whites and Indians. There were a score or more of them.</p> + +<p>"Can you ride?" asked one of them of Stella.</p> + +<p>"Yes," she replied, "if you don't go too fast. I'm sick and weak."</p> + +<p>"We'll do the best we can," said the man shortly.</p> + +<p>Then he called back to his followers:</p> + +<p>"Jake, bring up that spare hoss."</p> + +<p>In a moment, and with a staggering weakness, Stella climbed into the +saddle. With a man on each side of her, she took up the march again.</p> + +<p>Through dark defiles in the black mountains the cavalcade made its way, +Stella clinging to the saddle, and often in danger of falling off. +Presently they came into a glade, or park, which was surrounded by +towering mountain walls. For half an hour they traversed this, then came +to the end, and before them yawned an opening in the wall less than ten +feet wide.</p> + +<p>They entered this, and after traversing it a short distance Stella found +herself in a circular chamber in the mountains with the starry sky for a +roof. Several fires were burning in the chamber, around which Indians +and white men were sprawling, playing cards, talking, or silently +smoking.</p> + +<p>In one corner was a corral, in which many horses were confined.</p> + +<p>"You can get down now," said the leader of the party that had conducted +her to the place. "There is a shelter for you over there."</p> + +<p>He pointed to a small tent on the farther side of the chamber.</p> + +<p>"You will be perfectly safe here. You do not seem well. I will send you +assistance."</p> + +<p>"Where am I?" asked Stella.</p> + +<p>"You are a prisoner in the Hole in the Wall," was the reply.</p> + +<p>"Then Heaven help me," said Stella, sobbing.</p> + + + +<br /> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXXII'></a><h2>CHAPTER XXXII.</h2> + +<h3>A HOLE IN THE HERD.</h3> +<br /> + +<p>The herd of cattle which Ted and the broncho boys were herding in No +Man's Land he had branded Circle S, named after Stella.</p> + +<p>There were more than two thousand head of them, which Ted was feeding on +the rich range grasses of the Southwest to drive to the Moon Valley +Ranch to winter, for it was well known to cowmen that a Southern or +Southwestern beef animal will do better for a winter on the Northern +range.</p> + +<p>After Stella's disappearance Ted and the boys searched every nook and +cranny of the town of Snyder, but were unable to get the slightest trace +of her. Dividing into bands, they scoured the country roundabout, being +assisted by the cow-punchers and the ranchers in the neighborhood.</p> + +<p>But Stella had disappeared as if the earth had opened and swallowed her. +With all his ingenuity, backed by the strong desire he had to find her, +Ted was making no headway, and he hardly slept or ate during the long +days and nights, but was in the saddle almost continuously.</p> + +<p>Naturally, he suspected Shan Rhue of knowing something about Stella's +absence, if, indeed, he was not actually responsible for it.</p> + +<p>But he could not fasten anything on the man whom he had come to regard +as his greatest enemy, and whom he knew hated him. Whenever he sought +Shan Rhue, he was always to be found at his haunts.</p> + +<p>Tired of the inaction, Ted met Shan Rhue on the street one day, and +resolved to have it out with him.</p> + +<p>"Shan Rhue, I want to speak with you," said Ted, stopping him.</p> + +<p>"Well, what is it you want?" asked Shan Rhue.</p> + +<p>"I want you to tell me where Stella is," said Ted.</p> + +<p>Shan Rhue stared at him in apparent amazement.</p> + +<p>"How should I know where she is?" asked Shan Rhue, with a wicked +twinkling in his eye.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," answered Ted; "but I think you do know."</p> + +<p>"So I supposed, from the way in which you have had me followed. I +suppose you miss her a good deal."</p> + +<p>"Her aunt, Mrs. Graham, is distraught with grief and anxiety. Surely you +have no fight on her, or on Miss Fosdick, either, that you should keep +them apart."</p> + +<p>"No. I have no fight with a woman. But why should I know where the young +lady is?"</p> + +<p>"There are several reasons why you should have had her taken away. But I +think the principal reason is that you think you can get square with me +by doing so."</p> + +<p>"There might be something in that. Mind me, I am not confessing that I +took her away, or that I know who did take her away, or where she is. +You have seen me in town every day since the little trouble we had over +that old thief Norris, haven't you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but that tells me nothing. It might not be necessary for you to +leave this town to have her hidden somewhere."</p> + +<p>"But you and your friends searched the town from one end to the other, +and you did not find her."</p> + +<p>"True, but for all that I am satisfied that you know where she is. +Suppose we call it off, and that you tell me where she is."</p> + +<p>"If I knew, I would not tell you," said Shan Rhue, his voice intense +with hatred.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean? Are you such a coward that you will punish a woman +for your spite against a man? I did not think that of you. I believe +Stella Fosdick was carried off by you, of your men, acting under your +instructions."</p> + +<p>Shan Rhue's only reply was a sneering laugh.</p> + +<p>"If I discover that what I say is true," said Ted, in a low voice so +full of purpose that it was in itself a warning, "you will be the +sorriest man in all this country. I will make you suffer by it even as +you have caused suffering to others."</p> + +<p>"So you have suffered, eh? That is good! Now I am a little better +satisfied. But my debt to you is not yet paid. There are other things in +store for you."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean, you dog? By Heaven, I know now that you did cause her +abduction, and I shall find her. You cannot keep me away from the place +in which you have hidden her. I shall find her if she is at the end of +the earth. When I do find her, if anything has harmed her, you, Shan +Rhue, gambler, thief, and murderer, shall pay for it, and pay heavier +than for any amusement you have had in all your miserable lying, +thieving career."</p> + +<p>As the epithets addressed to Shan Rhue left Ted's lips, the bully sprang +back, and made a motion to draw his six-shooter.</p> + +<p>But before he had his hand on his hip his eyes were looking into the +bore of Ted's forty-four. Instead of drawing a gun, therefore, he pulled +out his handkerchief and wiped his dry lips.</p> + +<p>Shan Rhue feared Ted Strong.</p> + +<p>"Remember," said Ted, before turning away, "I know that you have +spirited Stella Fosdick away. But I shall find her, and when I am sure +of it you better leave the country before I reach the place where you +are, for as sure as I am standing here I will make my previous +experience with you so tame that you will be glad to crawl in the dust +on your face to be forgiven."</p> + +<p>"Ha, ha!" laughed Shan Rhue. "So it hurts as bad as that, eh? Good!"</p> + +<p>He went away laughing, and it was all Ted could do to control himself, +and keep from leaping upon him and punching him. Instead, he jumped into +his saddle and rode Sultan like the wind out to the cow camp.</p> + +<p>For several days he had paid no attention to the herd, leaving it under +the general direction of Bud, while he stayed in town trying to hear +some news of Stella, or was riding all over the country with one or +another of the boys, searching for her.</p> + +<p>As he rode into camp with disappointment and dejection written on his +face, he was met by Mrs. Graham, who had grown pale and wan with +anxiety.</p> + +<p>"Any news of her?" she asked Ted.</p> + +<p>"None, but I haven't given up hope by any means. Don't worry so, Mrs. +Graham. I think I am on the track at last, and that we shall soon have +her with us again."</p> + +<p>But Mrs. Graham only walked away with the tears coursing down her +cheeks. The herd was grazing to the west of the camp, and Ted rode out +to it, and to where Bud was sitting quietly in his saddle watching it.</p> + +<p>There was an air of dejection about Bud, also. Indeed, every fellow in +the outfit was secretly worrying and grieving for Stella.</p> + +<p>"Say, Ted," said Bud, as Ted rode up, "I think thar's somethin' wrong +with ther dogies."</p> + +<p>Cow-punchers call the small Southwestern cattle "dogies."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" asked Ted. "I was looking them over this morning. +Rode through the bunch. They seemed to be all right then."</p> + +<p>"Oh, they're eatin' well, an' aire as likely a lot o' beef ez ever I +see," replied Bud.</p> + +<p>"Well, what then?"</p> + +<p>"Thar ain't so many o' them ez there wuz, er my eye hez gone back on +me."</p> + +<p>"Any of them get away?"</p> + +<p>"I figger it so."</p> + +<p>"What have you found out?"</p> + +<p>"Some one is liftin' our cattle. That's what I mean."</p> + +<p>"Great Scott! What makes you think so?"</p> + +<p>"Ted, ther herd has shrunk."</p> + +<p>"You judge by the eye, I suppose."</p> + +<p>"Yes. That is the only way I have o' judgin'. We hev never had a count +o' them since we drove them onto this range."</p> + +<p>"How many do you think we are shy?"</p> + +<p>"My eye tells me erbout five hundred."</p> + +<p>"Great guns! How could five hundred head get away from us? And right +under our noses, too."</p> + +<p>"Easy enough. You must remember that since Stella has been gone we've +paid no more attention to the herd than if we didn't own them."</p> + +<p>"That's true. As for myself, I confess that I've given them no +attention. And I've kept you fellows so busy that we've left the cattle +to take care of themselves, almost."</p> + +<p>"Well, it's time we woke up ter ther situation, er soon we won't hev no +more cattle than a rabbit."</p> + +<p>"That's so. We'll run a count of them in the morning."</p> + +<p>"It's shore got me puzzled. I can't think whar they could hev gone."</p> + +<p>"Strayed, possibly."</p> + +<p>"P'r'aps. Ever hear o' there bein' any rustlers in this part o' ther +country?"</p> + +<p>"No, I never have. But there are some pretty bad citizens in this +section, who, if they never have rustled cattle, certainly are capable +of it."</p> + +<p>"Alludin' to who?"</p> + +<p>"Well, there's Shan Rhue and his gang, for instance."</p> + +<p>"They're pretty bad actors, fer shore. But I ain't positive thet they're +ther kind what would rustle. They're jest plain town thieves an' +gamblers. They ain't cow-punchers. It gen'rally is fellers what has been +in ther cow business at some time er another what rustles stock."</p> + +<p>"Oh, it doesn't take much of a man to steal cattle. A thieving gambler +could do it as well as another."</p> + +<p>"But our brand and ear crop? They shore couldn't get away from them."</p> + +<p>"They're not so hard, Bud. A good man could run our stock out of this +part of the country and alter the brand without any trouble."</p> + +<p>"Shore, ther brand is not so hard to alter."</p> + +<p>"Let's ride back to camp and look at the brand book, and see if any one +has a similar brand to ours, or one that they could alter without +trouble. But, remember, I'm not going to give myself any uneasiness in +the matter, and I think we will find the herd all there. I can't see how +so many cattle as you think could get away from us."</p> + +<p>"I do."</p> + +<p>"In what manner could they?"</p> + +<p>"Well, yer see, thar ain't ary o' us fellers been ridin' herd at night +since Stella was taken away."</p> + +<p>"Yes; go on."</p> + +<p>"Ther fellers what hev been guardin' ther herd at night we picked up +around here when we drove ther herd up from ther South."</p> + +<p>"True. They were all local cow-punchers. I realize that we have made a +mistake. One of us ought to have had charge of every night watch since +we have been on this range."</p> + +<p>"Shore. It's a cinch they wouldn't attempt to run 'em off in ther +daytime."</p> + +<p>"That's the idea. It would be as easy as shooting fish in a rain barrel +for a crooked night foreman to drift a few cattle away from the herd in +the dark, to be picked up by fellows waiting on the outside, and driven +into the hills until the brands and marks could be changed."</p> + +<p>They were at the camp now, and Ted got out the brand book and turned its +leaves over in an attempt to find a brand similar to their own, the +Circle S, which was a circle with the letter S in the center.</p> + +<p>In every Western State or Territory in which cattle-raising is a +business the law makes it imperative that every ranchman who uses the +open range shall select a brand for his cattle which is registered. This +brand is his own, and every head of cattle found with his brand on it +belongs to him.</p> + +<p>On the open range the cattle get mixed more or less, and in the spring +there is a general round-up of the cattle, after the calves have been +born and are following their mothers.</p> + +<p>The cow-punchers go into the vast herds and drive out the calves. Of +course, the mother follows the calf, lowing piteously for it.</p> + +<p>When the cow is out with the calf, it can be plainly seen to whom she +belongs by the brand on her. Her owner, or his men or representatives, +promptly throw her and the calf into their own herd, and later put their +brand on the calf.</p> + +<p>Calves which are motherless and are unbranded are known as mavericks, +and belong to whoever finds them. The cowman who finds a maverick +promptly puts his own brand on it and it belongs to him.</p> + +<p>The safety of the system is in choosing a brand that cannot be easily +altered, and which will not be easily confounded with the brand of +another.</p> + +<p>When the boys had chosen the brand Circle S for this herd in honor of +Stella, they had spoken of this, and Bud had remarked that it would be +easily altered by making an eight of the S, but they had found no Circle +8 in the brand book, and took the chance, especially as Stella now +insisted upon having no other brand for the herd than Circle S, her "own +brand," as she called it.</p> + +<p>Ted and Bud could find no brand in the Texas or Oklahoma brand books at +all like theirs, and dismissed the matter from their minds.</p> + +<p>The next morning early all hands turned out for a count of the herd. The +herd was split, and the broncho boys took turns at the count, as the +bunches of cattle were split and driven slowly past them on the point.</p> + +<p>From the books, there should be two thousand three hundred cattle, or +thereabouts, in the herd. A few cattle more or less would not have been +surprising, for a great herd of cattle will, like a magnet, draw to it +all the individual strays in the country roundabout.</p> + +<p>It was well in the afternoon before the count was finished, and the boys +rode into camp to count up and compare with the books. Ted totaled the +figures, while the boys hung eagerly over him to learn the result.</p> + +<p>"Well, what d'yer make it?" asked Bud, as Ted, with an expression of +perplexity on his face, looked up from his work.</p> + +<p>"The count is seventeen hundred and fifty," answered Ted slowly.</p> + +<p>"Gee! And that's how many shy?"</p> + +<p>"Five hundred and fifty. Bud, you have a good eye."</p> + +<p>"Orter hev. I've been runnin' my eye over herds fer many a year. So, +we've been done out o' more'n five hundred head, eh? Well, Stella comes +fust, an' then ther man what thinks he kin rustle cattle from the +broncho boys had better take a runnin' jump outer this man's country."</p> + + + +<br /> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXXIII'></a><h2>CHAPTER XXXIII.</h2> + +<h3>LITTLE DICK IN TROUBLE.</h3> +<br /> + +<p>Little Dick Fosdick had been forgotten by Ted and the broncho boys in +their anxiety over the absence of Stella.</p> + +<p>They had seen him around the camp, but as it was impossible for him to +accompany them on their hard rides, he had been left to his own devices.</p> + +<p>He spent his days riding with one of the cowboys on the herd, and +grieving in his own way for Stella.</p> + +<p>He was a sensible little chap, and seldom complained at his loneliness. +His life alone had made him patient, and he took it out in thinking.</p> + +<p>He was now well able to take care of himself, although Stella insisted +in "mothering" him when she was in camp.</p> + +<p>Little Dick, as most of the boys called him, felt himself quite a man, +for he could now catch his own pony and saddle it whenever he wanted to +ride, and no one paid any attention to him as he came and went.</p> + +<p>Ted had bought for him a little, wiry bay cayuse, and both he and Stella +had taught him to ride, and Dick could now throw a rope with reasonable +accuracy and speed.</p> + +<p>Ted had given him a small revolver, and they had had great fun learning +to shoot at a target, which was usually a bleached skull of a cow that +had died long since on the prairie, and its bones picked clean by the +coyotes.</p> + +<p>Dick's revolver was only of thirty-two caliber, as befitted his +strength, but the youngster had a good eye and the steady nerves of +youth, and he soon got so that he could hit the skull with reasonable +accuracy.</p> + +<p>"Putting the shot through the eye" was one of the jokes of these +shooting tournaments, in which Stella, and sometimes Bud, joined.</p> + +<p>One day when they were shooting at a skull target, Bud missed—probably +intentionally, for Bud was a crack shot.</p> + +<p>Dick jumped up and down in glee, for he had just knocked a chip of bone +from the skull himself.</p> + +<p>"Bud missed! Bud missed!" he shouted, in glee. "Bud, you're an old +tenderfoot. Couldn't hit a skull as big as the head of a barrel a +hundred feet away."</p> + +<p>"Didn't miss, neither," said Bud, in a tone of mock anger. "There's +where you're fooled. That is what I call a good shot. See that left eye +hole? Well, I aimed at that, and the bullet went through it. Ha! That's +where the joke is on you." He grinned, and winked at Stella.</p> + +<p>A few minutes later Dick shot and missed the skull.</p> + +<p>"Yah!" shouted Bud. "Goody! You missed. You shoot like a hayseed. +Couldn't hit a skull as big as the head of a barrel."</p> + +<p>"That's where you're left," said the boy. "See that right eye hole? +That's what I aimed at."</p> + +<p>The laugh was on Bud.</p> + +<p>"All right, kiddie," he laughed. "You're on. We'd be in a dickens of a +fix if that ole cow hadn't left two eye holes when she died."</p> + +<p>So it was that Dick had made great progress in the rudiments of a +cow-puncher's life, and it exactly suited him, but, in the meanwhile, +Stella was teaching him to read, and telling him the story of the rise +and grandeur of his own country, and of the lands that lay beyond the +seas.</p> + +<p>So it was that Dick was unconsciously getting a better education than if +he had gone to school, for he had a mind for the absorption of all sorts +of knowledge like a sponge, and once a thing was told him he never +forgot it.</p> + +<p>The morning of the count he had started onto the range with the other +boys, but as there would be great confusion, and perhaps danger of a +stampede, Ted sent him back to camp.</p> + +<p>"Run on back, Dick," Ted said kindly. "I'm afraid that pony of yours +isn't quick enough to get out of the way if these dogies should take it +into their heads to act ugly."</p> + +<p>Dick never thought of rebelling when Ted spoke, for he knew that Ted was +boss, and that he knew what was good for him.</p> + +<p>"All right, Ted," he said. "Would it be any harm if I took a ride away +from the camp?"</p> + +<p>"Of course not, Dick," answered Ted kindly. He felt a little sore at +himself for sending the boy away, but he knew that it was for the best. +There would be plenty of time and many occasions for Dick to run into +danger when he grew up.</p> + +<p>Dick went back to camp, which was deserted save for Bill McCall, the +cook, who was asleep under the chuck wagon, and Mrs. Graham, who was +lying down in her tent.</p> + +<p>Dick buckled on his belt and holster, and, mounting his pony Spraddle, +set out for a long ride across the prairie.</p> + +<p>In the boot of his saddle rested his little Remington, a present from +Stella. He was going to look for an antelope, and he thought how proud +Ted would be if he brought one back with him.</p> + +<p>He knew how hard it was to get close enough to an antelope to shoot it, +but he had just enough gameness to think that he could get one if he +came within range of it.</p> + +<p>Anyhow, there were coyotes and jack rabbits.</p> + +<p>He rode across the prairie at a smart gallop, occasionally changing his +course to chase a jack rabbit, which generally disappeared over a rise +in the ground like a streak of gray dust, and was seen no more.</p> + +<p>At noon he stopped for a few minutes to eat the biscuit and piece of +bacon which he had taken from the rear of the chuck wagon before setting +forth. He found a spring not far away, and, having given Spraddle a +good, deep drink, and filling his small canteen, which was tied to the +cantle of his saddle, he set forth again.</p> + +<p>It was about two o'clock when he came in sight of the first real game of +the day. On the top of the rise ahead of him he saw an animal about the +size of a dog. As he rode toward it, it raised its head and gave a long, +low, mournful howl.</p> + +<p>"Coyote," exclaimed Dick to himself breathlessly. "I'll get that fellow, +and take him back to camp. Won't Ted be surprised when he sees it?"</p> + +<p>He took his Remington out of the boot, slipped in the necessary +cartridges to fill the magazine, and rode forward slowly and cautiously.</p> + +<p>The coyote watched him sharply, occasionally raising its head to utter +its mournful cry. When Dick thought he had got within shooting distance, +he stopped Spraddle, took a good, long aim at the coyote, and fired.</p> + +<p>The ball kicked up the dust several feet in advance of the coyote, +which, with another howl, this time one of derision, as it seemed to +Dick, turned and trotted away.</p> + +<p>"That was a bum shot," muttered Dick. "I'm glad Ted or Stella did not +see it. Better luck next time."</p> + +<p>The coyote ran a short distance, then stopped and looked over its +shoulder to see if Dick was following, and, seeing that he was, took up +its lope again.</p> + +<p>It had got some distance from Dick, when, on the top of another rise, +it stopped again, and Dick heard once more its luring cry.</p> + +<p>It seemed to be an invitation to follow him. Dick had not paid any +attention to the direction in which he was going, and had kept no track +of time.</p> + +<p>That he was following game, and that he intended to get it if it took +all day, was all he thought of. Soon the coyote stopped again, and +looked at Dick in a tantalizing sort of way, and again Dick approached +it cautiously.</p> + +<p>When he thought he was within range, he raised his Remington, and, +taking a long, deliberate aim, fired. Again he missed. But he had the +satisfaction of seeing that the ball had struck the earth several feet +nearer the coyote than the first.</p> + +<p>The coyote realized it, too, for he did not wait for another invitation, +but started on his way in a hurry, with Dick riding pell-mell after him.</p> + +<p>Dick for the first time realized that the day was going when he noticed +the long shadow cast by himself and the pony on the prairie sod. He had +not the slightest idea how far he had come, and there crept into his +mind a sort of dread.</p> + +<p>He pulled Spraddle down to a walk, and looked about him. Behind him +there was no trace of the cow camp, nothing but the everlasting rise and +fall of the prairie.</p> + +<p>But ahead was the ragged line of the blue mountains. These he knew to be +the Wichita Mountains, for, although he had never seen them before, he +had heard the boys talking about them in camp.</p> + +<p>Then he saw the coyote on a hill a little ways ahead, looking at him in +the most aggravating way. The coyote's lips were curled back from his +teeth in a contemptuous sort of a smile, it seemed to Dick, and as he +started forward again the coyote threw up its head and actually laughed +at him.</p> + +<p>That settled it with Dick. No coyote that ever trotted the plains could +laugh at him, but as this thought came to him he felt the dread of being +lost on the prairie, or even having to stay alone in this waste all +night.</p> + +<p>Dick had heard the boys talk of the danger of being alone at night, for +there were wolves and other animals that would daunt a man, to say +nothing of a small boy.</p> + +<p>He thought he would follow the coyote only long enough to get another +shot at him, and then retrace his way back to the camp. By putting +Spraddle through his paces he ought to be able to reach it before dark.</p> + +<p>So he set forth again in the wake of the coyote, which was becoming more +and more aggravating every minute. Suddenly the coyote disappeared +altogether. It had done this before when it had gone down into the +trough between two of the great, rolling swales of the prairie, but +always it had come into sight again in a few minutes.</p> + +<p>This time, however, it did not, and Dick wondered why.</p> + +<p>In a few minutes he understood why, for he found himself at the edge of +a coulee which had been washed deep by the storms of many winters.</p> + +<p>Dick looked up and down the coulee for the wolf, and saw a form, gray +and lithe, slinking among the bowlders with which it was filled. Dick +forced Spraddle down the steep bank of the coulee, and was soon at the +bottom.</p> + +<p>Hastily he set after the coyote, but suddenly stopped, for a man stepped +from behind a shoulder of rock and clay and caught his bridle.</p> + +<p>Spraddle stopped so quickly that Dick was almost unseated. But he soon +recovered himself, and stared in amazement at the man who had thus +stopped him.</p> + +<p>He was an Indian.</p> + +<p>Dick had often seen Indians in the towns through which the broncho boys +had passed, and occasionally they had come into the camps they had +established on the drive of the herd up from Texas.</p> + +<p>But this was the first time Dick had ever come in contact with an Indian +when he was alone. For a moment his heart stopped beating, for he was +afraid.</p> + +<p>"How?" grunted the Indian.</p> + +<p>It was all Dick could do to reply with a feeble, quavering "How?"</p> + +<p>Many times around the camp fire, with the boys all about, when Bud was +telling one of his tales of Indians, Dick had thought what he would do +if he ever came in contact with a real, live, sure-enough redskin, and +always he had thought how brave he would be. But now that he had +actually met one, he felt his nerve ooze away.</p> + +<p>However, the Indian was not aware of it, for Dick had a way of keeping +his feelings to himself, and he seldom showed whether he was surprised +or angry, although he never hesitated to let his friends know his +pleasure at their kindness, or gratitude for what they did for him.</p> + +<p>He was looking at the Indian steadily, taking stock of him, and this is +what he saw: A broad, dirty face, in which burned two small, narrow +eyes. The cheek bones were prominent, and on each one was a spot of red +paint. The long, black, coarse hair was braided with pieces of otter +fur, and covered with an old cavalry cap, in which was stuck a crow's +wing feather, and around his neck hung a small, round pocket mirror +attached to a red string, by way of ornament.</p> + +<p>The Indian wore a dirty cotton shirt and a pair of brown overalls, and +his feet were covered with green moccasins, decorated with small tubes +of tin, which jingled every time he took a step.</p> + +<p>A belt and holster hung at his hip, and the handle of a Colt forty-four +was within easy reach.</p> + +<p>"White papoose where go?" asked the Indian, showing a row of sharpened +teeth.</p> + +<p>"Hunt coyote," replied Dick, in a voice that trembled.</p> + +<p>"Heap fool. No catch coyote," said the Indian, reaching over and lifting +Dick's Remington from the saddle.</p> + +<p>He sighted it, turned it around in his hand, and then coolly slung it +over his shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Here, give that to me," said Dick sturdily. With this act of theft all +his courage came back to him. No dirty Indian should have the rifle +Stella had given him.</p> + +<p>But the Indian only grinned.</p> + +<p>"Me heap brave," said the Indian. "Me Pokopokowo."</p> + +<p>He looked at Dick as if he expected the boy to be deeply impressed.</p> + +<p>"I don't care who you are. I want my rifle," cried Dick.</p> + +<p>"Papoose heap fool. Get off pony." The Indian was scowling now, and +looked very ferocious, and once more Dick's courage oozed. The Indian +did not seem to be a bit frightened.</p> + +<p>As Dick was slow in descending from the saddle, the Indian grasped him +by the arm and jerked him to the ground.</p> + +<p>Dick was as angry as he ever got, but was sensible enough to know that +he could not fight the Indian, and that all he could do was to escape as +rapidly as possible.</p> + +<p>He turned and ran up the coulee.</p> + +<p>But he had not gone far when he was overtaken, and knocked flat with a +cuff on the side of the head. As he rose slowly with his head ringing, +Pokopokowo grasped him by the shoulder, and bound his hands behind him.</p> + +<p>In a moment he was back at the pony's side, and was thrown upon its +back, but not in the saddle. This was occupied by the Indian, who +directed it down the coulee, and in the direction of the mountains.</p> + +<p>Dick Fosdick was a prisoner.</p> + + + +<br /> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXXIV'></a><h2>CHAPTER XXXIV.</h2> + +<h3>A MESSAGE FROM STELLA.</h3> +<br /> + +<p>Dick had some difficulty in keeping his seat on the pony's back, for he +could not hold on to the cantle of the saddle, and Spraddle wabbled +dreadfully, as he stumbled among the bowlders in the coulee.</p> + +<p>But before long they were out on the prairie again, and Dick observed +that they were headed toward the mountains.</p> + +<p>They had several miles to go to reach the mountains, and it was just +getting dusk when they entered upon a broad and beautiful valley, which, +as it ran east and west, was flooded with the light from the setting +sun.</p> + +<p>Here the Indian turned in the saddle and looked at Dick with a +malevolent smile.</p> + +<p>"Turn white boy loose," he grunted.</p> + +<p>Dick twisted around, and the Indian untied the cord that bound his +wrists.</p> + +<p>"White boy try to run away, I kill um," said the Indian, showing his +teeth in a horrible look of ferocity that chilled Dick to the bone.</p> + +<p>"All right," he said; "I'll not try to run away again."</p> + +<p>"Kill um if do," growled the Indian, hissing, at the pony, which is the +Indian way of making a pony go forward, and means the same as a white +man's "Get up!"</p> + +<p>Dick was dreadfully hungry, but he said nothing, clinging to the cantle +of the saddle with both hands, for the pony was now loping.</p> + +<p>They had gone up the valley for several miles, when suddenly the Indian +turned aside down a dark and narrow defile, still at a lope.</p> + +<p>Even Dick realized the danger of this, for the floor of the defile was +covered with large, loose stones, over which Spraddle was continually +stumbling, for he had come a long way and was tired, besides the added +weight of the Indian was more than he was accustomed to carry.</p> + +<p>It had grown very dark, and Dick could not see the pony's ears when he +twisted around to look past the Indian.</p> + +<p>He knew that it was to be a moonlight night, but the moon was not up +yet, and would not be for an hour or more. In fact, it was doubtful if +the light of the moon would penetrate to the bottom of the defile until +it was high in the heavens, so deep was the defile and so steep its +walls.</p> + +<p>Dick had given up wondering and worrying, and had forced himself to be +content with his situation, as he knew that he could not better it any.</p> + +<p>Suddenly he became aware that the Indian was asleep, for he was drooping +in the saddle, and was breathing deeply and steadily.</p> + +<p>Now, thought Dick, was the time to escape, if any. He tried to slip from +the pony's back, but in an instant the Indian was awake, and, reaching +around, grasped Dick's wrist, twisting it until the boy gave a sharp cry +of pain.</p> + +<p>The Indian slipped from the back of the pony, and again bound Dick's +wrists behind him, and with a grunt climbed into the saddle and urged +Spraddle on, slapping him across the face with the end of the rein.</p> + +<p>"Don't you do that," cried Dick, who never abused Spraddle himself, and +couldn't stand it to see any one else, particularly a dirty Indian, beat +his pet.</p> + +<p>"White boy shut up, or Pokopokowo beat him plenty," growled the Indian.</p> + +<p>"If you dare beat me, Ted Strong will fix you when he gets you," said +Dick hotly.</p> + +<p>But the Indian only laughed, and continued to beat poor Spraddle over +the face, to the pain and anger of Dick, who, however, realized that he +was absolutely helpless.</p> + +<p>But Pokopokowo was soon to be paid for his cruelty, and by poor Spraddle +himself.</p> + +<p>Spraddle, stung by the blows, was stumbling along at a good pace over +the bowlders that lay in his way, with the Indian urging him faster all +the time.</p> + +<p>Suddenly there was a great heave. Spraddle went down, almost turning a +somersault, as his tired feet struck a larger bowlder than he had +encountered before.</p> + +<p>The Indian, who was dozing again, shot over his head as if from a +catapult, and Dick went sprawling forward over the saddle onto the neck +of the pony.</p> + +<p>Fortunately, the pony righted itself in time to save Dick from a hard +fall, and he stayed on Spraddle's back, talking to him gently.</p> + +<p>At the sound of Dick's voice the pony became quiet, and Dick half +sprawled, half fell to the ground. The boy was in a pretty bad fix, for +the Indian had tied his hands securely. He thought of ways by which he +might cut the cord, but it seemed hopeless. He had heard somewhere of +bound men releasing themselves by wearing their bonds asunder against +the rough edge of a rock, and determined to try it for himself.</p> + +<p>If he could only get his hands free, he might escape yet. Backing up to +the wall of the cañon, he felt with his hands for a rock, and soon knew +that he was against one. As he sawed his hands back and forth, he was +listening for some sound from the Indian, but heard none.</p> + +<p>Could it be that the fall had killed Pokopokowo?</p> + +<p>To his joy, he felt the cord part, and his hands were free. At that +moment there came a flood of light into the defile, for the moon had +risen overhead.</p> + +<p>Lying on the floor of the defile, lay the Indian, with a deep gash +across his forehead, where it had struck a sharp rock. His ugly face was +covered with blood, making it additionally hideous.</p> + +<p>By the side of the Indian lay Dick's precious rifle, and he stooped to +pick it up. As he did so, something glistened beside it, and Dick picked +it up.</p> + +<p>It was the little, round mirror that the Indian had worn around his +neck. Dick pocketed it for proof of his adventure when he should again +reach camp, and, picking up his rifle, climbed upon Spraddle's back, +turned him around, and drove down the defile.</p> + +<p>When he reached the open valley it was as bright as day, and under his +coaxing and kind words the tired little pony, relieved of the Indian's +weight, picked up his feet and set forth at a brisk pace into the west, +in which direction Dick knew the cow camp lay.</p> + +<p>It was almost daylight when Bill McCall, the cook, roused from his +blankets to begin the preparations for breakfast. He leaped to his feet +and listened.</p> + +<p>Not far away he heard the sound of the pony's footsteps approaching. +Bill was an old cow-puncher, and he knew instantly that the pony was +tired, and that he was under saddle, and also that the saddle was +occupied.</p> + +<p>The footsteps came nearer, and just as they were close to the camp +daylight came on with a rush, as it does on the plains, and Bill gave a +great shout of joy which brought every puncher in camp scrambling out of +his blankets, for there rode in a very tired little boy on a very tired +little, pony.</p> + +<p>The boy was pale and tired from hunger and his long hours in the saddle, +and it was all the pony could do to stagger in.</p> + +<p>"It's little Dick," shouted Bud. "Well, jumpin' sand hills, whar +you-all been all night? Takin' a leetle pleasure pasear?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Bud, I'm so tired and hungry," said Dick, as Bud lifted him from +the saddle.</p> + +<p>"Here you, Bill, git busy in a hurry. This kid ain't hed nothin' ter eat +in a week. He's 'most starved. Bile yer coffee double-quick, an' git up +a mess o' bacon an' flapjacks pretty dern pronto, if yer don't want me +ter git inter yer wool."</p> + +<p>Bud was rubbing the cold and chafed wrists of the boy beside the fire, +which one of the boys had replenished. The boys surrounded little Dick +with many inquiries, but Bud shooed them away.</p> + +<p>"Don't yer answer a bloomin' question until yer gits yer system packed +with cooky's best grub. I reckon, now, yer could eat erbout eighteen o' +them twelve-inch flapjacks what Bill makes, an' drink somethin' like a +gallon o' ther fust coffee what comes out o' ther pot."</p> + +<p>Little Dick smiled, as he watched with glistening eyes the rapid +movements of Bill McCall as he hustled over his fire, the air redolent +with the odors of coffee and bacon and griddle cakes, so that his mouth +fairly watered.</p> + +<p>When Bill shouted breakfast, Ted and Bud sat Dick down and loaded his +plate with good things, which he caused to disappear in a hurry.</p> + +<p>But after a while he was stuffed like a Christmas turkey, and put his +tin plate away with a sigh, and absolutely cleaned.</p> + +<p>"Now," said Ted, when he saw this good sign, "where have you been all +day and all night? We've been scared about you. Thought we had lost you, +too."</p> + +<p>Dick went ahead with his story from the very beginning, and told of the +downfall of Pokopokowo, and his escape, and of his all-night ride into +the west, to accidentally stumble, at daylight, into camp.</p> + +<p>The boys listened in amazement to this record of courage on the part of +its youngest member, and some seemed to doubt the Indian part of it.</p> + +<p>"Sho, yer dreamin', kid," said Sol Flatbush, the cow-puncher. "Thar +ain't no Injuns like that in this yere part o' ther country. Why, an +Injun wouldn't dare carry off a kid like that."</p> + +<p>"You don't believe it, eh?" exclaimed Dick hotly.</p> + +<p>"I believe yer," said Bud soothingly, for the boy was very nervous from +being up all night and his hard ride, which would have taxed the +energies of a grown man. "Don't yer mind what thet ole pelican says. He +ain't got no more sense than a last year's bird's nest, nohow."</p> + +<p>"The Indian had this around his neck," said Dick, "and when he fell it +came loose from his neck, and I picked it up, for I thought some one +might think I wasn't telling the truth. Now, I'm tired, and I can't keep +my eyes open."</p> + +<p>His head began to nod, and his eyes closed.</p> + +<p>Bud picked him up and carried him to a pair of blankets which had been +spread on the shady side of Mrs. Graham's tent, and laid him down and +left him dead to the world.</p> + +<p>Dick had placed the little, round looking-glass in Ted's hand.</p> + +<p>As he took it, Ted uttered an exclamation.</p> + +<p>"By Jove," he exclaimed, "I believe this is the little glass Stella used +to carry in her pocket. Why, what is this?"</p> + +<p>Ted was holding the little mirror up to the sky, apparently in an +endeavor to look through it.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked Bud, approaching the fire.</p> + +<p>"Dick has brought back Stella's little pocket mirror," said Ted. "I'd +know it anywhere. But the back has been torn off it."</p> + +<p>"Tooken off ther neck o' an Injun?" said Bud, dropping his usual jolly +manner. "I thought yer said thar wa'n't no bad Injuns eround yere, Sol +Flatbush. What d'yer make o' that?"</p> + +<p>Sol Flatbush got a little pale.</p> + +<p>"Thar ain't none," he said. "All ther Injuns on the reservation is +peaceable. They knows they couldn't do no monkey business with all them +sojers at Fort Sill."</p> + +<p>"Yet here's a kid run off with by an Injun, and he brings back a pocket +mirror what belonged to Stella Fosdick. Sol Flatbush, ye've got ter give +a better defense o' ther Injuns than that."</p> + +<p>"What hev I got ter do with ther Injuns?" asked Flatbush defiantly.</p> + +<p>"Search me. But ye've made a wrong diagnosis, an' I don't like yer brand +o' talk none. I think myself thet yer too friendly ter ther redskins."</p> + +<p>"What d'ye mean?" cried Flatbush, springing to his feet.</p> + +<p>"I mean thet I don't trust yer none. I think ye're a skunk, an' I don't +like ter see yer face eround this yere camp. How much do this outfit owe +yer?"</p> + +<p>"Three months' wage," answered the cow-puncher sourly.</p> + +<p>Bud went down into his leather pouch and extracted a roll of bills, and +skinned off several.</p> + +<p>"Thar it is. Skidoo! An' don't try ter mingle with this outfit none +hereafter. Thar'll be a new foreman o' ther night herd what ain't got so +many friends in this yere locality."</p> + +<p>"What d'yer mean by that?" Flatbush's hand sprang to his side.</p> + +<p>But Bud was quicker, and in the flash of an eye had the muzzle of his +six-shooter under the nose of the night foreman, who shrank from it.</p> + +<p>"I mean thet yer a crook, an' I'll give yer jest three minutes ter rope +yer hoss an' git."</p> + +<p>Flatbush turned and hurried to the remuda, caught and saddled his horse, +and rode out of camp.</p> + +<p>"I've had my eye on that maverick fer quite some time," said Bud, +turning to the boys after he had watched Flatbush fade into the +distance. "I've suspected him o' turnin' off our cattle every night. I +haven't caught him at it, or thar wouldn't've been no necessity o' +chasin' him out. He'd've gone feet foremost."</p> + +<p>"What do you think of it, Bud?" asked Ted, handing the little mirror +over to the golden-haired puncher.</p> + +<p>Bud took it in his hand, and looked at it a long time.</p> + +<p>"It shore is Stella's," he said. "I reckernize it by this leetle dent on +ther side o' it."</p> + +<p>He was holding it in the palm of his hand, looking down at it intently.</p> + +<p>"Hello, what's this?" Bud held the mirror against the sleeve of his blue +shirt.</p> + +<p>"Pipin' pelicans," he muttered, "if thar ain't some kind o' a pitcher on +it."</p> + +<p>Ted went to his side and looked at the mirror.</p> + +<p>"I believe you're right," he said. "Let me look at it."</p> + +<p>"What do you make of it?" asked Bud.</p> + +<p>All the boys crowded around, watching Ted eagerly.</p> + +<p>"This is evidently intended for the picture of a stone wall," said Ted, +"and that wavy line behind it is meant for mountains."</p> + +<p>"What's that?" asked Bud, pointing to the picture.</p> + +<p>"I guess it is meant for a hole in the stone wall," said Ted.</p> + +<p>"Wow!" said Bud. "That's as easy as livin' on a farm. Don't yer see? It +is a message from the Hole in the Wall."</p> + +<p>"By Jove, you're right. The Hole in the Wall in the Wichita Mountains."</p> + +<p>"What is that right below it?"</p> + +<p>"It looks like a star. It is a star."</p> + +<p>"It is Stella's signature," said Ben. "Stella is the Latin for star. +Don't you see, she has sent this message out from the Hole in the Wall, +where she is a prisoner? It's as plain as day to me."</p> + +<p>"You're right," shouted Ted. "Into your saddles, boys; we're off to the +Hole in the Wall at once."</p> + + + +<br /> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXXV'></a><h2>CHAPTER XXXV.</h2> + +<h3>"HOLE IN THE WALL."</h3> +<br /> + +<p>"Kit, you will stay and take care of the herd," said Ted, just before +the boys galloped off.</p> + +<p>"All right, but I'd mighty well like to go with you," said Kit, who, +although he was eager to be in the fight that he knew would come off if +Ted found that Shan Rhue had anything to do with the abduction of +Stella, was not one to get disgruntled.</p> + +<p>Ted would have been well pleased to have Kit with him, but Kit's arm was +not yet well enough to risk in a possible rough-and-tumble adventure.</p> + +<p>"Say, Ted," Kit called after the leader of the broncho boys.</p> + +<p>"What?" asked Ted, riding back.</p> + +<p>"Don't you think you better take Stella's pony, Magpie, along with you? +She'll have to have something to ride coming back."</p> + +<p>He did not say "if you find her," for he knew that if she was anywhere +in the Wichita Mountains Ted would find her.</p> + +<p>"Glad you spoke of it," said Ted.</p> + +<p>It did not take long to rope the magpie pony and throw Stella's saddle +on it.</p> + +<p>Now they were off into the northeast, where the Wichita Mountains lay. +None of them knew just where the Hole in the Wall was, but Ted felt +confident of finding it if there was such a place.</p> + +<p>They rode so hard, only stopping at noon to water the ponies, that early +in the afternoon they entered the mountains.</p> + +<p>As they were going up the valley they saw the flying figure of a man on +horseback coming toward them.</p> + +<p>As he approached, they saw that he was a cavalryman.</p> + +<p>"Hello, what's up?" said Bud. "I never see a sojer goin' so fast, except +there was somethin' doin'."</p> + +<p>A few minutes later the soldier rode up to them.</p> + +<p>He proved to be a sergeant of cavalry.</p> + +<p>"Where are you going?" he asked, pulling his horse to its haunches.</p> + +<p>"What's that ter you?" asked Bud jovially.</p> + +<p>"Just this: The Indians are threatening to rise, perhaps to-night, +perhaps not until to-morrow. But when they do, this will be no place for +white men."</p> + +<p>"Where is the place called the Hole in the Wall?" asked Ted.</p> + +<p>"Do you want to go there, or do you want to avoid it?" asked the +sergeant.</p> + +<p>"We want to go there as soon as we can."</p> + +<p>"I'd advise you to keep away until the troops get there and clean things +up."</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"That is where the dissatisfied Indians are camped. I do not know it +officially, but I understand that Flatnose and Moonface, the two chiefs, +are there now, and that the orders from Washington are to send us in to +drive them out."</p> + +<p>"When is this to take place?"</p> + +<p>"The Indians have made no open declaration of war as yet, but it is +looked for at any time."</p> + +<p>"How will it be announced?"</p> + +<p>"By the signal fires on the hills. A detachment of our men picked up +early this morning a wounded Indian, named Pokopokowo. He was wounded, +and was taken to the post surgeon to be cared for. He has just confessed +that it is the intention of the Indians to rise and kill all the white +settlers they can lay their hands on. I am on my way to send out the +alarm."</p> + +<p>"And you say the Indians are camped at the Hole in the Wall?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, the detachment sent out early this morning were on a scouting +expedition when they picked up Pokopokowo."</p> + +<p>"Where is this Hole in the Wall, and how do you get there?"</p> + +<p>"You are bound to go there? I would advise you not to."</p> + +<p>"We must go. A young lady belonging to our party has been captured and +taken there. We did not know there were any Indians there, but only +white outlaws."</p> + +<p>"That is different. I suppose you must go. But why don't you wait and go +in with the troops? The Hole in the Wall is the rendezvous for all the +white outlaws in this part of the country, and they are believed to be +in league with the Indians, and will use the uprising of the Indians as +a cover under which to run off all the stock in the country."</p> + +<p>"There is no use of our waiting for the troops when the young lady is in +there, we don't know under what indignities. The troops put off +attacking the Indians as long as they can for the sake of policy. We are +all deputy United States marshals, and we get quicker action. Tell us +where the Hole in the Wall is, and we will go in and get our own. The +troops can do what they please later."</p> + +<p>"Weil, pardner, you talk straight, and you feel about the young lady as +I would if she was a friend of mine. But they are a bad bunch in there."</p> + +<p>"I appreciate your warning, but it will not stop us."</p> + +<p>"All right; go ahead, and good luck to you. About a mile farther on you +will come to a narrow defile leading to the north, cutting the range. +That leads into a broad valley, at the west end of which is the place +called the Hole in the Wall. It is practically impregnable. It is +entered by a narrow passage which one man could hold against an army. +It can be approached at night by riding down the valley, dismounting, +and crawling over the mountain until you are above the Hole in the Wall, +when every man can be wiped out by a few rifles."</p> + +<p>"Thanks, sergeant. We will take to the hills."</p> + +<p>With mutual good wishes, they parted, and the boys were soon riding in +single file up the defile.</p> + +<p>In the valley they secreted themselves and their horses, while Ted and +Bud went forward to reconnoiter. It was rapidly growing dark in the +mountains as Ted and Bud crawled along the mountain paths toward the end +of the valley.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Ted placed his hand on Bud's arm.</p> + +<p>"Some one right ahead of us," he whispered.</p> + +<p>"Sentinel, I reckon," answered Bud.</p> + +<p>Ted nodded: "You stay here. I'm going forward. I'll be back soon."</p> + +<p>Ted glided away into the gloom. Presently Bud heard a muffled cry. Then +all was still again.</p> + +<p>He waited a few minutes, and was about to go forward, when he heard a +slight rustle beside him, and there stood Ted.</p> + +<p>"It was a guard," he said. "I jumped him, and gagged him, but he gave me +a pretty good fight. I've rolled him away where his pals won't find him. +I guess we can go on now, but we must go slowly and quietly. I don't +know how many more of them are about."</p> + +<p>"Get a line on where the hole is?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, we're on the right track. It is ahead of us."</p> + +<p>On they went, and, having proceeded about half a mile, they suddenly +became aware of the neighing of horses and the voices of men, which +seemed to come from beneath them, and it was not long before they saw a +glare of light against the rocks not far ahead.</p> + +<p>They went more cautiously now, crawling forward on their hands and +knees. Ted, in advance, soon threw up his hand and lay flat on the +rocks, and Bud crawled to his side.</p> + +<p>They found themselves looking down into a circular little valley, in +reality a hole in the wall of the mountain.</p> + +<p>Several camp fires were burning here and there, and about fifty Indians +and white men were lounging about.</p> + +<p>Near the rear wall was a small tent, before which sat a fat old squaw.</p> + +<p>As Ted was looking, the flap of the tent was pushed aside, and Ted +clutched Bud's arm, for Stella had come forth, and stood looking up at +the sky.</p> + +<p>"By Jove, if we could only attract her attention," muttered Ted.</p> + +<p>"It would help her a lot if she knew we were so close to her," said Bud.</p> + +<p>The glare from the fires flaring upward fell full upon their faces, and +they knew that if she looked in their direction she would not fail to +see them.</p> + +<p>They saw her cast her eyes all around the sky, and in their direction. +Ted dared not make a noise, but he nodded his head several times so that +she would know who it was, should she chance to see him.</p> + +<p>Evidently she did not, for she turned away, and again her eyes swung +around in the circle with her back to them.</p> + +<p>"I've a mind to throw somethin' down at her, and attract her attention +ter us," said Bud.</p> + +<p>"And have every one of those cutthroats get on to us. Don't you do it," +said Ted.</p> + +<p>In a moment Stella looked up again, and this time they saw her start, +then stare fixedly at them. Ted nodded his head again, and this time she +made a gesture that told them that she had seen them, and knew that they +were there.</p> + +<p>"Duck yer head quick," said Bud, rapidly getting out of sight himself.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked Ted.</p> + +<p>"I saw Shan Rhue walking toward Stella."</p> + +<p>"But she saw us, just before she ducked into her tent. Now it's up to us +to get her out of there."</p> + +<p>"You bet. But it will be a big job to get in there."</p> + +<p>"I've got a plan that ought to work out."</p> + +<p>"What is it?"</p> + +<p>"You go back and get the boys. Put Ben and Clay down in the valley to +hold the entrance to the Hole in the Wall. Bring the rest up here. +Hurry! I'll stay here on guard. If any man attempts to touch Stella, +I'll pot him from here. Bring your lariat with you."</p> + +<p>Bud hurried away as he was bid, and in the course of half an hour, +during which Ted, looking over the edge of the Hole, saw the men +preparing to retire for the night, he returned with seven of the boys.</p> + +<p>"Now, fellows," said Ted, "I'm going down into the hole to send Stella +up on the rope."</p> + +<p>"Jeering jackals!" exclaimed Bud. "Don't you ever do that. It means sure +death ter you, an' p'r'aps ter Stella, too."</p> + +<p>"No, I don't think so. At any rate, I'm going to take a chance. It will +be up to you fellows to keep the bunch down there busy while I'm at +work. Three of you will stay on this side of the hole, and four on the +other. If you do your firing right, you will keep those fellows jumping +from side to side so fast that they won't have any time for me."</p> + +<p>"I see yer scheme, but I wouldn't like ter undertake it myself."</p> + +<p>"Did you bring the rope?"</p> + +<p>"Here it is," said Bud, unwinding it from around his waist.</p> + +<p>Ted took it from him while the boys distributed themselves in their +firing positions as he had directed.</p> + +<p>Ted looped the rope under his arms. "You'll lower me down, Bud," he +said. "Maybe I'll come up hand over hand if I can, and you will pull +away when I give the rope two jerks."</p> + +<p>He took another look over the edge. All the men were rolled up in their +blankets asleep, except an old Indian who sat crouched over the fire.</p> + +<p>Ted carefully lowered himself over the edge for the descent.</p> + +<p>Down he went slowly and quietly, and soon his feet touched the ground +just back of Stella's tent.</p> + +<p>"Hiss-t!" He gave a low, sibilant warning of his presence, and in a +moment the corner of the tent moved aside, and he saw Stella's bright +eyes looking into his. He motioned her to come out, and the flap was +gently lowered again.</p> + +<p>In a few moments, which seemed hours, the flap was raised again, and +Stella crawled forth.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Ted," she whispered, pressing his hand. He held up a warning finger +as he rapidly tied the rope beneath her arms.</p> + +<p>"Bud will pull you up. Good luck," he whispered.</p> + +<p>"Are you going to stay down here?" she whispered back.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I must. Hurry!" He gave the rope two jerks, and it at once began +to tighten, and Stella's feet left the ground as she slowly ascended +skyward.</p> + +<p>Ted, concealed against the wall back of the tent, saw her go up and up. +She was more than halfway to the top when an old Indian woman crawled +out of the tent, and, casting her eyes aloft, saw Stella.</p> + +<p>A sudden scream rang through the hole. It was the Indian's warning. The +rope began to go faster, and before the sleepy men in the hole had been +able to sit up and rub their eyes, Ted saw Stella reach the top and +disappear over its edge.</p> + +<p>But the old Indian woman had run among the men crying out something in +her native tongue. Evidently she was telling of the escape of Stella, +for in an instant all sleep vanished and the place was full of men +running about or staring up at the edge of the wall over which Stella +had gone.</p> + +<p>Then Shan Rhue came forth, swearing horribly. He caught the old squaw by +the arm and threw her down.</p> + +<p>"So you let the white squaw go, did you?" he asked. "And how much was +you paid for it?" But the poor old wretch only shrank closer to the +ground and moaned her protests that she had nothing to do with the +escape of the white squaw.</p> + +<p>Shan Rhue strode toward the tent, behind which Ted was crouching with +his hand on his revolver.</p> + +<p>Shan Rhue threw open the front of the tent and looked within. Then he +straightened up, and caught a glimpse of Ted, whom he did not at first +recognize in the gloom.</p> + +<p>He reached in his powerful right arm to pull the intruder out, and +looked into the muzzle of Ted's six-shooter, behind which he now saw +Ted's smiling face.</p> + +<p>At that he straightened up with a loud laugh that filled the Hole in the +Wall and reverberated from side to side.</p> + +<p>"Well, of all the luck," he shouted. "This has worked out just as I +expected. I knew that if I got ther gal in yere that you'd be after her, +an' here you are. Well, my bucko, you remember what I said about getting +even with you. Now is the time. You've come to the end."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't know," said Ted coolly. "I'm a long ways from a dead one +yet. Be careful what you do. This six-shooter of mine is mighty +sensitive on the trigger."</p> + +<p>He heard a soft, swishing noise behind him, and knew that Bud was +lowering the rope again. As he thrust his gun forward into the face of +Shan Rhue, the bully backed away a few feet.</p> + +<p>At that moment the rope swung down in front of his face, and, hastily +putting his revolver into his pocket, Ted grasped it and went sailing up +into the air hand over hand, assisted by Bud and Carl, who were pulling +on the rope for all they were worth.</p> + + + +<br /> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXXVI'></a><h2>CHAPTER XXXVI.</h2> + +<h3>THE ALTERED BRAND.</h3> +<br /> + +<p>As Ted went up into the air, Shan Rhue shouted a command, and the white +men in the Hole in the Wall ran to him.</p> + +<p>"That boy must not get to the top," he shouted. "I want him."</p> + +<p>"What will we do?" asked one of them.</p> + +<p>"Here, Sol Flatbush, you are the best shot of us all. See if you can't +bring him down. But don't shoot him. I need him for other things. Shoot +the rope in two."</p> + +<p>This was easier said than done, for the rope was so high that it was +almost out of the light cast by the fires.</p> + +<p>Flatbush was, indeed, a splendid shot, and he fired twice at the rope +with his revolver, but missed each time on account of the uncertain +light and the swaying motion of the rope.</p> + +<p>"Give me my rifle," he called, and one of the men fetched it for him.</p> + +<p>Ted was within fifteen feet of the top when Flatbush, leaning against +the opposite wall, took deliberate aim and fired.</p> + +<p>At the second shot Ted, who was aware that some one was trying to cut +the rope, felt it vibrate suddenly beneath his hand.</p> + +<p>Before the last thread was severed he reached up and began to climb, +hand over hand. In a few seconds he was at the top, and the boys were +helping him over the edge.</p> + +<p>For a moment or two he could say nothing; he could only listen to the +yells of rage and disappointment below. Now he was surrounded by his +friends, and Stella was free. Away on a mountain peak a light flared +up.</p> + +<p>"What does that mean?" asked Stella, pointing to it.</p> + +<p>"It is the signal that the Indians have gone on the warpath," said Ted. +"The sergeant was right. It is up to us now to do stunts."</p> + +<p>"In what way?" asked Stella.</p> + +<p>"We must keep those Indians and renegades confined in the Hole in the +Wall. If we can keep them there until the arrival of the troops we can +end the uprising without shedding a drop of blood. See, there is another +fire!"</p> + +<p>Ted pointed to a blaze upon another peak, and this was followed by +others until there was a ring of fires on the crests of the mountains +for miles around.</p> + +<p>"It is up to us to do a good thing here," he said. "Bud, take two or +three of the boys and go to Ben's assistance. Hold the mouth to the +entrance to the hole at all hazards. From what the sergeant said I have +no doubt but the troops will be here at least by daylight. We will keep +them busy down there from this place."</p> + +<p>Bud hurried away with two of the boys, and Ted and the others composed +themselves to await developments. In the meantime, Stella told Ted the +details of her capture. Since she had been a prisoner she had been well +treated, so far as most of the men were concerned, although Shan Rhue +had insisted on seeing her every day, and had told her that he was going +to take her away to the North and make her marry him. She had defied +him, and had scorned him so scathingly that he had put many petty +persecutions on her, and had deprived her of her liberty for revenge.</p> + +<p>"How did you happen to find me?" asked Stella, after she told all that +had happened to her.</p> + +<p>"Little Dick was captured by an Indian, and while he was being brought +here the pony Spraddle stumbled and threw him. A small looking-glass +which was slung around his neck fell off, and Dick picked it up and +brought it to camp."</p> + +<p>"The Indian was Pokopokowo," said Stella.</p> + +<p>"That was his name."</p> + +<p>"I tried in every way to get a message out to you, but it seemed +impossible. Then I hit upon the mirror, ripped the back off it, and made +my cryptogram on it with a pin. I let Pokopokowo see it, and when he saw +that there was a picture on it, and I told him it was good medicine, he +wanted it. Of course, I let him take it, hoping that it would be taken +outside, and that you would chance to see it, and so learn where I was."</p> + +<p>"It was a very clever idea, and I doubt but for the mirror we should +have been able to get here in time. It was little Dick who saved you."</p> + +<p>"Yes, little Dick and big Ted. Ted, you are wonderful!"</p> + +<p>Below, in the hole, there were signs of activity. Men were rushing here +and there, saddling horses, packing mules, filling their cartridge +belts, and getting ready for some sort of action.</p> + +<p>"They have seen the war fires on the hills," said Ted, "and are getting +ready for their raid upon the settlers. Evidently they do not know that +the gate to the outside is guarded, and they think that we are gone, +having succeeded in getting you."</p> + +<p>Having finished their preparations for departure, an old Indian rode +forth on a pony decorated with eagle feathers.</p> + +<p>"That is old Flatnose, the head chief," said Ted.</p> + +<p>Flatnose was painted for war, and as he rode toward the passage from the +Hole in the Wall he swung his rifle above his head and shouted a +guttural command, at which a war whoop, shrill and terrifying, went up +from the Indians, followed by a hoarse shout from the white renegades.</p> + +<p>"Now, we'll see some fun," whispered Ted to Stella, who was lying on the +crest of the hole beside him, watching the proceedings below. "I guess +Bud has got there by this time, and is ready to protect the opening out +to the valley."</p> + +<p>Only a few minutes had passed before there came to their ears a volley +of rifle shots, followed by yells of fear, and the whites and Indians +came rushing back into the hole, scrambling and falling over one another +in confusion.</p> + +<p>"I thought so," chuckled Ted. "They are trapped and they know it. They +can defend the hole against all comers by that passage, but it didn't +seem to occur to them that they might be made prisoners by the same +means."</p> + +<p>The inmates of the hole were in the confusion of terror, but at last +Flatnose and his son, Moonface, succeeded in pacifying them, and a +consultation was under way.</p> + +<p>"Where is Shan Rhue?" asked Stella. "I haven't seen him for some time."</p> + +<p>"That's so," answered Ted. "I don't see him." He scanned the hole +carefully, but Shan Rhue was not there.</p> + +<p>"Is there any secret passage by which he might escape?" asked Ted.</p> + +<p>"Do you see that little shelter of canvas over against the wall?" said +Stella.</p> + +<p>Ted nodded.</p> + +<p>"I believe there is a way out there known only to Shan Rhue. That is +where he slept," she continued.</p> + +<p>"Then he has escaped by it. Sol Flatbush is not in evidence, either. +I'll bet a cooky they've skipped."</p> + +<p>It was getting light in the east, and the Indians rode once more into +the passage, firing their rifles. Then they charged.</p> + +<p>But soon they came rushing back; the boys at the entrance had again +repulsed them.</p> + +<p>From far away came the soft but clear call of a bugle.</p> + +<p>"The troops!" cried Ted, springing to his feet. "The cavalry is coming +from Fort Sill. This thing will soon be over now."</p> + +<p>He and Stella went to the edge of the cliff overlooking the valley, and +far away saw a dark mass, in the midst of which they caught the flash of +the rising sun on polished swords and carbines, and a gleam of color +from the flag that fluttered in the fresh morning breeze.</p> + +<p>The Indians in the hole had heard the bugle also, and now there was +confusion indescribable. On came the troops, and Ted and Stella went +down to meet them.</p> + +<p>Captain Hendry was in command, and it did not take him long to get in +possession of the facts.</p> + +<p>"So you've got them bottled up, eh?" he said to Ted.</p> + +<p>"Yes; all you have to do is to make them surrender," answered Ted.</p> + +<p>"Which I don't think will be such an easy thing."</p> + +<p>"I don't think you'll have any trouble about it. Come with me, and bring +a firing squad of your men."</p> + +<p>The captain gave the order, and followed Ted to where he could look down +into the hole.</p> + +<p>Then the captain laughed. "You have done better than I expected," he +said.</p> + +<p>Raising his voice, Captain Hendry shouted:</p> + +<p>"Flatnose, you know me. This is Captain Hendry. I have got you in that +hole like a rat in a trap. If you are wise, you will throw down your +arms and surrender. I have my men here with me, and if you do not +surrender, we will have to shoot you to death one by one. Will you +surrender?"</p> + +<p>The old chief looked up and saw the captain leaning over the edge above. +For several minutes he stared upward, then he threw his rifle to the +ground and gave a hoarse command, and his followers threw their arms +upon that of their leader.</p> + +<p>One of the troopers ran down into the valley with a command, while those +above lay flat on the edge with their carbines in a ring pointed at the +throng below.</p> + +<p>In a few minutes the bugle sounded again, and the troops were seen +marching into the hole. The war was at an end without a fatal shot +having been fired.</p> + +<p>As Captain Hendry marched away with his prisoners, he thanked Ted for +the great service which he had done the government by holding the +Indians and renegades until the arrival of the troops.</p> + +<p>"Well, that's over," said Ted, as the last of them faded out of sight at +the end of the valley. "But <i>our</i> work is just begun. We've got to find +those five hundred head of stolen Circle S cattle."</p> + +<p>"I suggest that we take a look behind that shelter of Shan Rhue's, and +see if there is a passage leading from it," said Stella.</p> + +<p>"Good idea," said Ted, and they climbed down into the valley and entered +the Hole in the Wall, where the other boys were waiting for them.</p> + +<p>Ted went at once to the shelter, which was only a piece of canvas which +had been at one time a wagon cover, and tore it away.</p> + +<p>There was revealed a hole in the rock wall, and beside it a small mound +of earth.</p> + +<p>Evidently the hole had been known to the white desperadoes who had used +the hole as a hiding place for many years, and that it had been their +habit to conceal it by means of a stopper of earth. This Shan and Sol +had removed, and had made their escape while the Indians and renegades +were preparing for their raid on the settlements.</p> + +<p>Ted at once showed it to the other boys, and it was decided to follow +the passage and find out what was at the other end.</p> + +<p>The hole was so small that Ted was compelled to enter it on his hands +and knees. Bud followed him, and then came Stella. Ben remained with +Carl to guard the entrance in case any of the white renegades should +return.</p> + +<p>A short distance in, the passage, or tunnel, became larger, and soon +opened out into a natural cave, so that they were able to assume an +upright position.</p> + +<p>Ted lighted his pocket electric searchlight and led the way. They walked +for some distance when they saw a gleam of light ahead, and a few +minutes later walked out of the cave into another valley, larger than +that which they had just left.</p> + +<p>"Great Scott! Look at that," said Ted, pointing to where a large herd of +cattle was grazing.</p> + +<p>"What?" asked Stella, who could see nothing unusual in a bunch of cattle +grazing in the valley.</p> + +<p>"I believe they're ours."</p> + +<p>Ted strode toward the cattle, which seemed to become uneasy at seeing a +man on foot, which range cattle will not tolerate.</p> + +<p>"Don't go any closer, Ted," said Stella. "Wait until Bud goes back after +the horses."</p> + +<p>"I just want to get a glimpse of the brand. By Jove, here's our lost +Circle S brand, I believe. But look at it. It has been altered."</p> + +<p>"How?"</p> + +<p>"See those two perpendicular lines drawn through the S, making the brand +Circle Dollar-mark. That's a most ingenious thing. It has been done with +a running iron. The fellow who stole our cattle has just changed it by +running a curved hot iron through the S."</p> + +<p>"Yer shore right," said Bud. "That Circle Dollar brand hez been +registered somewhere. It's up to us ter find out who registered it, an' +we've got ther thief. I'll skip out fer ther hosses an' ther boys. I +reckon we kin git in here by ridin' across ther backbone o' ther hills."</p> + +<p>"All right, get back as soon as you can, and we'll wait for you in the +cave."</p> + +<p>Bud and the boys were back within half an hour, having found a pass into +the valley through the hills which inclosed it.</p> + +<p>"It's as plain as the face of the sun to me," said Ted, when they were +mounted and were riding toward the cattle. "Shan Rhue would have had +those cattle over the border in a day or two, had he not been so unwise +as to have abducted Stella. It's up to us now to get that bunch back to +the herd."</p> + +<p>It did not take the boys long to get the bunch together, and Ted and +Stella rode out to the front of it to point it down the valley, while +the other boys started back to the rear to drive up.</p> + +<p>Suddenly they heard yells in the rear, accompanied by pistol shots and +the cracking of quirts. In an instant the herd was up with distended +eyeballs and lifted tails. The poison of fear was in them.</p> + +<p>Looking back, Ted saw several men riding toward the herd at a terrific +pace. At the head of the band rode Shan Rhue and Sol Flatbush.</p> + +<p>Then a remarkable thing happened: Every man of them produced a red +blanket. They dashed among the cattle waving the blankets in the faces +of the now terrified cattle.</p> + +<p>"Look out for trouble," shouted Ted, for he saw at once the intention of +Shan Rhue. It was to stampede the herd.</p> + +<p>The effort was immediately successful, for the terrified animals, with +a deafening roar that expressed abject fear, started forward on a +gallop, with a front as resistless as the prow of a battleship.</p> + +<p>Stella was on the side of the herd opposite Ted.</p> + +<p>She heard his warning cry, and then looked back at the herd. If she +stayed where she was, there was no escape from death, for by her side +was the sheer wall of the valley. There was only one way to safety, to +ride across to the side of Ted.</p> + +<p>She gave one look, then started.</p> + +<p>Stella rode quartering the path of the stampede, and would have made it +in safety had it not been for a prairie-dog hole, into which her pony's +foot went. Magpie went down. The thundering host of frantic cattle was +upon her when she felt herself caught in mid-air.</p> + +<p>The thought of death was still ringing in her head, and everything swam +before her eyes.</p> + +<p>"You're all right! Stick close!" It was the reassuring voice of Ted, +who, at the imminent risk of his own life, had ridden out and plucked +her from the jaws of death.</p> + +<p>Behind them, as Sultan, straining every nerve and muscle to carry them +to safety, galloped ahead of the cattle, the boys rode into the ruck, +beating the brutes with their quirts in an endeavor to stop them.</p> + +<p>But they went a mile before they began to slow down, and Ted was able to +deflect the course of Sultan, who was beginning to tire from the double +burden and the terrific pace.</p> + +<p>But at last the steers calmed down, and permitted themselves to be +driven quietly to where the rest of the herd were grazing.</p> + +<p>As soon as Ted had restored the stolen cattle, he and Bud started back +into the valley in search of Shan Rhue and Sol Flatbush, but, although +they searched everywhere, the renegades could not be found.</p> + +<p>In the cave through which they had come from the Hole in the Wall they +found a running branding iron, and fastened to the wall the following +notice:</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p>"To TED STRONG AND OTHERS: You win this time, but there will be + others, and I am a lucky man in the end. You can't beat me.</p> + +<p> "S. R."</p></div> + +<p>Later they discovered that Shan Rhue had recently registered in Colorado +the Circle Dollar brand, and evidently it was his purpose to steal +nearly all of the Circle S herd.</p> + +<p>But although he escaped with his lieutenant, Sol Flatbush, the men of +his band, who had been captured by the soldiers, were convicted and sent +to prison for long terms, after they had confessed that Shan Rhue's +organization had made a business of rustling cattle all through the +Southwest for many years.</p> + +<p>Ted received several letters from the authorities in Washington +commending his services in averting an uprising of the Indians, and the +capture of the white renegades, but while this was gratifying, he felt +disappointed that Shan Rhue and Sol Flatbush were not in prison, also. +However, Ted believed in the motto, "I bide my time," and he felt in his +bones that some time in the future his path and that of the bully, Shan +Rhue, would cross again.</p> +<br /> + +<center>THE END.</center> + +<br /> + +<div class='blkquot'><p>No. 42 of the WESTERN STORY LIBRARY, by Edward C. Taylor, is + entitled "Ted Strong in Montana."</p></div> + +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13717 ***</div> +</body> +</html> + + |