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diff --git a/19016.txt b/19016.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6b4bdbe --- /dev/null +++ b/19016.txt @@ -0,0 +1,8973 @@ +Project Gutenberg's Dave Porter at Star Ranch, by Edward Stratemeyer + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Dave Porter at Star Ranch + Or, The Cowboy's Secret + +Author: Edward Stratemeyer + +Illustrator: Lyle T. Hammond + +Release Date: August 9, 2006 [EBook #19016] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAVE PORTER AT STAR RANCH *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + +[Illustration: As Dave clucked again, Hero shot ahead.--Page 121.] + +----------------------------------------------------------------------- + +Dave Porter Series + +DAVE PORTER AT STAR RANCH +OR +THE COWBOY'S SECRET + +BY +EDWARD STRATEMEYER + +Author of "Dave Porter at Oak Hall," "The Gun Club Boys of Lakeport," +"Old Glory Series," "Colonial Series," "Pan-American Series," etc. + +_ILLUSTRATED BY LYLE T. HAMMOND_ + +BOSTON +LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO. + +----------------------------------------------------------------------- + +Published, August, 1910 + +COPYRIGHT, 1910, BY LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO. + +_All rights reserved_ + +DAVE PORTER AT STAR RANCH + +----------------------------------------------------------------------- + +Norwood Press +BERWICK & SMITH CO. +Norwood, Mass. +U. S. A. + +----------------------------------------------------------------------- + + + + +PREFACE + + +"Dave Porter at Star Ranch" is a complete tale in itself, but forms the +sixth volume in a line issued under the general title of "Dave Porter +Series." + +In the first book of the series, called "Dave Porter at Oak Hall," the +reader was introduced to a typical American lad of to-day, and was +likewise shown the workings of a modern boarding school--a little world +in itself. + +There was a cloud over Dave's parentage, and to solve the mystery he +took a long sea voyage, as related in the second volume, called "Dave +Porter in the South Seas." Then he came back to Oak Hall, to help win +several important games, as the readers of "Dave Porter's Return to +School" already know. + +So far, although Dave had heard of his father, he had not met his +parent. He resolved to go on a hunt for the one who was so dear to him, +and what that led to was related in "Dave Porter in the Far North." + +When Dave returned to America he was sent again to school--to dear old +Oak Hall with its many associations. Here he met many friends and some +enemies, as narrated in "Dave Porter and His Classmates." The lad had no +easy time of it, but did something for the honor of the school that was +a great credit to him. + +While at Oak Hall, Dave, through his sister, received an invitation to +spend his coming summer vacation on a ranch in the Far West. He was +privileged to take some friends with him; and how the invitation was +accepted, and what happened, I leave the pages which follow to relate. + +It has been an especial pleasure for me to write this book. During the +past summer I covered about seven thousand miles of our great western +country, and I have seen many of the places herein described. I have +also been touched by our warm western hospitality, and have had the +added pleasure of meeting some of my young readers face to face. + +Once again I thank the many who have praised my books in the past. I +trust that this volume may prove to their liking, and benefit them. + + EDWARD STRATEMEYER. +April 12, 1910. + +----------------------------------------------------------------------- + + + + +CONTENTS + +CHAPTER PAGE + + I. Dave and His Chums 1 + II. A Stray Shot 11 + III. An Interview of Interest 21 + IV. Caught in the Act 31 + V. At Niagara Falls 41 + VI. Nat Poole's Little Game 51 + VII. In Which Dave is Robbed 61 + VIII. The Youth in the Balcony 71 + IX. Only a Street Waif 81 + X. Off for the Boundless West 91 + XI. The Arrival at Star Ranch 101 + XII. A Race on Horseback 112 + XIII. The Crazy Steer 122 + XIV. A Face Puzzles Dave 132 + XV. Among the Cowboys 142 + XVI. A Meeting on the Trail 152 + XVII. In Which Some Horses Are Stolen 162 + XVIII. Out in the Wind and Rain 172 + XIX. A Fruitless Search 182 + XX. Fishing and Hunting 192 + XXI. A Wildcat Among the Horses 202 + XXII. Cowboy Tricks and "Bronco-Busting" 212 + XXIII. Dave on a Bronco 222 + XXIV. The Cattle Stampede 232 + XXV. The Beginning of the Grand Hunt 242 + XXVI. After Deer 253 + XXVII. The Mountain Lion 263 + XXVIII. Up to the Mountain Top 273 + XXIX. Two Elk and a Bear 283 + XXX. To the Rescue--Conclusion 292 + +----------------------------------------------------------------------- + + + + +DAVE PORTER AT STAR RANCH + +CHAPTER I + +DAVE AND HIS CHUMS + + +"Why, Dave, what are you going to do with that revolver?" + +"Phil and Roger and I are going to do some target shooting back of the +barn," answered Dave Porter. "If we are going to try ranch life, we want +to know how to shoot." + +"Oh! Well, do be careful!" pleaded Laura Porter, as she glanced +affectionately at her brother. "A revolver is such a dangerous thing!" + +"We know how to handle one. Phil has been painting a big door to +represent a black bear, and we are going to see if we can do as well +with a revolver as we did with the rifle." + +"Do you expect to shoot bears on the ranch? I didn't see any when I was +out there." + +"We don't expect to see them around the house, but there must be plenty +of game in the mountains." + +"Oh, I presume that's true. But I shouldn't want to hunt bears--I'd be +afraid," and Laura gave a little shiver. + +"Girls weren't meant to be hunters," answered Dave, laughing. "But I +shouldn't consider the outing complete unless I went on at least one big +hunt--and I know Phil and Roger feel the same way about it." + +"Hello, Dave!" cried a voice from an open doorway, and a handsome lad +with dark curly hair showed himself. "Coming?" + +"Yes, Roger. Where is Phil?" + +"Gone to the field with his wooden bear." Roger Morr looked at his +chum's sister. "Want to come along and try your luck?" he questioned. "A +fine box of fudge to the one making the most bull's-eyes--I mean +bear's-eyes." + +"No, indeed, I'd be afraid of my life even to touch a revolver," +answered the girl. "But I'll hunt up Jessie, and maybe we'll come down +after a while to look on." + +"Oh, you want to learn to shoot!" cried Roger. "Then, when we get to +Star Ranch, you can dress up in regular cowgirl fashion, and ride a +bronco, and fire off your gun in true western style." + +"And have a big bear eat me up, eh?" answered Laura. "No, thank you--I +want to come back East alive. But I'll come down to the field as soon as +I can find Jessie," answered Laura, and walked away. + +A long, melodious whistle was floating through the outside air, and Dave +and Roger knew it came from Phil Lawrence. They hurried from the broad +porch to the garden path, and around the corner of the carriage shed. +Here they came upon their chum, carrying on his shoulder an old door +upon which he had painted the upright figure of what was supposed to be +a bear. + +"Hurrah for the great animal painter!" cried Dave, as he ran up and took +hold of one end of the door. "Phil, you ought to place this in the +Academy of Design." + +"It's superb!" was Roger's dry comment. "Best picture of a kangaroo I +ever saw. Or is it a sheep, Phil?" + +"Humph! It's a good deal better than you could have painted," grumbled +the amateur artist. + +"Sure it is--best photo of a tiger I ever saw," said Dave, adding to the +fun. "Why, you can almost hear him growl!" + +"See here, if you're going to poke fun at me I'll throw the target away. +I put in two hours of hard work, and three cans of paint, and----" + +"We won't say another word, Phil," interrupted Roger. "Here, let me take +hold. You've carried it far enough," and he relieved Phil of his burden. + +"I wonder where would be the best place to set it?" mused Dave, gazing +across the field. + +"Up against the tree over there," answered Phil, pointing. "I had that +spot picked out when I painted it. We'll set it so that it will look as +if his bearship was trying to climb the tree." + +"It's rather close to the back road," protested Dave. "We might hit +somebody." + +"Oh, hardly anybody uses that road,--so the stableman told me," answered +Roger. "Besides, we can watch out. One always wants to be careful when +shooting, at a target or otherwise." + +The three youths soon had the target placed to their satisfaction, and +then began a lively blazing away with the three revolvers that had been +brought along. They aimed for the eyes of the painted creature, and for +other vital spots, and all did fairly well. + +"You're the best shot, Dave," announced Roger, during a lull in the +practice, when all had gone to inspect the "damage" done. "You've +plugged him right in the eyes three times and once in the heart. Had he +been a real bear, he'd be as dead as a salt mackerel now." + +"Provided he had consented to stand still," answered Dave. "Shooting at +a stationary object is one thing, and at a moving, living creature quite +another." + +"I have it!" cried Phil. "Let us get a rope and throw it over one of the +tree limbs. Then we can tie the door to it and swing it to and fro. +We'll try to hit the bear while he's swinging." + +"That's the talk!" returned Dave, enthusiastically. "I'll get the rope!" +And he ran off to the barn for it. Little did he dream of what trouble +that swinging target was to make for himself and his chums. + +Many of my old readers already know Dave Porter, but for the benefit of +others a brief outline of his past history will not be out of place. +When he was a wee boy he had been found one day wandering along the +railroad tracks outside of the village of Crumville. Nobody knew who he +was or where he came from, and consequently he was put in the local +poorhouse, there to remain until he was nine years old. Then a +broken-down college professor named Caspar Potts, who was doing farming +for his health, took the lad to live with him. + +Caspar Potts gave Dave the rudiments of a good education. But he could +not make his farm pay, and soon got into the grasp of Aaron Poole, a +miserly money-lender, who threatened to sell him out. + +Things looked exceedingly black for the old man and the boy when +something very unexpected happened, as has been related in detail in the +first volume of this series, called "Dave Porter at Oak Hall." In +Crumville lived a rich manufacturer named Oliver Wadsworth, who had a +beautiful daughter named Jessie, some years younger than Dave. Through +an accident to the gasoline tank of an automobile, Jessie's clothing +took fire, and she might have been burned to death had not Dave rushed +in and extinguished the flames. + +Mr. Wadsworth was profuse in his thanks, and so was his wife, and both +made inquiries concerning Dave and Caspar Potts. It was found that the +latter was one of the manufacturer's former college professors, and Mr. +Wadsworth insisted that Professor Potts give up farming and come and +live with him, and bring Dave along. Then he sent Dave to boarding +school, where the lad soon proved his worth, and made close chums of +Roger Morr, the son of a United States senator; Phil Lawrence, the +offspring of a wealthy shipowner, and a number of others. + +The cloud concerning his parentage troubled Dave a great deal, and when +he saw what he thought was a chance to clear up the mystery, he took a +long trip from home, as related in "Dave Porter in the South Seas." +After many adventures he found his uncle, Dunston Porter, and learned +much concerning his father, David Breslow Porter, and his sister, Laura, +then traveling in Europe. + +Dave was now no longer a "poorhouse nobody," as some of his enemies had +called him, but a well-to-do youth with considerable money coming to +him when he should be of age. While waiting to hear from his parent he +went back to Oak Hall, as related in "Dave Porter's Return to School." +Here he added to his friends; yet some boys were jealous of his +prosperity and did all they could to injure him. But their plots were +exposed, and in sheer fright one of the lads ran away to Europe. + +Much to Dave's disappointment, he did not hear from either his father or +his sister. But he did receive word that the bully who had run away from +Oak Hall had seen them, and so he resolved to go on another hunt for his +relatives. As told in "Dave Porter in the Far North," he crossed the +Atlantic with his chum, Roger, and followed his father to the upper part +of Norway. Here at last the lonely lad met his parent face to face, a +meeting as thrilling as it was interesting. He learned that his sister +had returned to the United States, and with some friends named Endicott +had gone to the latter's ranch in the Far West. + +Mr. Oliver Wadsworth's mansion was a large one, and by an arrangement +with him it was settled that, for the present, the Porters should make +the place their home. All in a flutter of excitement, Laura came back +from the West, and the meeting between brother and sister was as +affecting as had been that between father and son. The girl brought +with her some news that interested Dave deeply. It was to the effect +that the ranch next to that of the Endicotts was owned by a Mr. Felix +Merwell, the father of Link Merwell, one of Dave's bitterest enemies at +Oak Hall. Link had met Laura out there and gotten her to correspond with +him. + +"It's too bad, Laura; I wish you hadn't done it," Dave had said on +learning the news. "It may make trouble, for Merwell is no gentleman." +And trouble it did make, as the readers of "Dave Porter and His +Classmates" know. The trouble went from bad to worse, and not only were +Laura and Dave involved, but also pretty Jessie Wadsworth and several of +Dave's school chums. In the end Dave "took the law in his own hands" by +giving Link Merwell a sound thrashing. Then some of the bully's +wrongdoings reached the ears of the master of the school, and he was +ordered to pack his trunk and leave, and a telegram was sent to his +father in the West, stating that he had been expelled for violating the +school rules. He left in a great rage. + +"This is the work of that miserable poorhouse rat, Dave Porter," Link +told some of his cohorts. "Just wait--I'll fix him for it some day, see +if I don't!" Then he wrote a most abusive letter to Dave, but in his +rage he forgot to address it properly, and it never reached the youth. + +The term at Oak Hall came to an end in June and then arose the question +of what to do during the vacation. In the meantime letters had been +flying forth between Laura and her warm friend, Belle Endicott, who was +still at Star Ranch, as Mr. Endicott's place was called. It may be said +in passing that Mr. Endicott was a rich railroad president, and the +ranch, while it paid well, was merely a hobby with him, and he and his +family resided upon it only when it suited their fancy to do so. + +"The Endicotts want me to come out again," said Laura to Dave. "They +want me to bring you along with some of your chums, and they want me to +bring Jessie, too, if her folks will let her come." + +"Oh, that would be jolly!" Dave answered. When he thought of Jessie's +going he blushed to himself, for to him the girl whose life he had once +saved was the nicest miss in the whole world. Dave was by no means +sentimental, but he had a warm, manly regard for Jessie that did him +credit. + +More letters passed back and forth, and it was finally arranged that +Laura and Dave should visit Star Ranch during July and August, taking +with them Jessie and Phil and Roger. Dunston Porter was to accompany the +young folk as far west as Helena, near which the Endicotts were to meet +the travelers, and then Dave's uncle was to go on to Spokane on +business, coming back to take the young folks home about six weeks +later. + +The thoughts of spending their vacation on a real ranch filled the young +folk with delight. All anticipated a "Jim-dandy" time, as Phil expressed +it. + +"We can go out hunting and fishing, and all that," declared the +shipowner's son to his chums. "And maybe we'll bring down a bear or +two." And then he suggested that they get revolvers and perfect +themselves in marksmanship. + +"Maybe we'll run into Link Merwell out there," said Roger. "My, but he +was mad when he left Oak Hall! He'd like to chew your head off, Dave!" + +"I don't want to see him," answered Dave, soberly. But this wish was not +to be fulfilled. He was to meet Link Merwell in the near future, and +that meeting was to be productive of some decidedly unpleasant results. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +A STRAY SHOT + + +Dave soon returned to the field with a rope, and the representation of a +bear was swung from the lower limb of an old apple tree. Then another +smaller line was fastened at one side, so that the "bear" could be swung +to and fro. + +"You can do the first shooting," said Dave to his chums. "I'll play +bellman." And he pulled on the side rope, so that the door swung like +the pendulum of a clock. + +"Hi! don't swing too fast!" called out Phil. "Sixty seconds to the +minute, remember." + +He took his position, and watching his chance, fired. + +"How's that?" he asked, after the report had died away. + +"Hit his bearship in the left ear," announced Dave. + +"Humph! I aimed for his right eye!" + +The senator's son now tried his luck and managed to hit the +representation of a bear in the tail. This made all the lads laugh, and +Roger and Phil called on Dave to show his skill. + +"I don't think this revolver works very well," said the senator's son, +handing the weapon to Dave. "The trigger seems to catch in some way." + +"Oh, don't blame the pistol for your poor shooting, Roger!" cried Phil, +good-naturedly. + +"Well, examine the pistol for yourself, Phil." + +Dave took the weapon and snapped the trigger. There was no report, and +he tried again, aiming at some brushwood not far from the apple tree. +The brushwood was close to the back road. + +"It's all right now, I guess," he said, as the pistol went off with +ease. "But that trigger ought to be looked after," he added. "You +wouldn't want it to miss fire at a critical moment." + +He stepped forward and, while Roger swung the representation of a bear, +he fired another shot. + +"Good for you!" exclaimed the senator's son in admiration. "You took him +right in the throat, Dave!" + +"Hold up there! Stop that! Do you hear me, you young rascals! Do you +want to kill me?" + +The call came from the back road, and looking in that direction, the +three boys saw a well-dressed man coming toward them on the run. He was +carrying a whip, and his face was full of sudden passion. + +"It's Aaron Poole, Nat's father!" said Dave, as he lowered the pistol in +his hand. + +"I say, are you trying to kill me?" cried the miserly money-lender of +Crumville, as he came closer, and he shook his whip at Dave. + +"Why, no, Mr. Poole," answered Dave, as calmly as he could. "What makes +you think that?" + +"Oh, you needn't play innocent," snarled Aaron Poole. "You just fired a +shot at me! It went through my buggy top." And the money-lender pointed +to the back road, where stood his horse and carriage. "Nice doings, I +must say!" + +"Mr. Poole, I didn't fire at you," answered Dave. "I didn't know anybody +was out there on the road,--and I didn't fire in that direction." + +"You fired into the bushes, when you tried the pistol," said Roger, in a +low voice. + +"Maybe the bullet went through the bushes," suggested the shipowner's +son. + +"You fired at me--I heard the shot and saw you with the pistol!" stormed +Aaron Poole. "I've a good mind to have you arrested!" + +"Mr. Poole, why should I fire at you?" asked Dave. "I----" + +"Oh, you needn't try to smooth it over, you young rascal! I know you! +You are down on me because I made Caspar Potts pay me what was due, and +you are down on my son Nat because he is more popular at Oak Hall than +anybody else." + +"Well, to hear that!" whispered Phil. He knew, as well as did the +others, that overbearing Nat Poole had scarcely a friend left at the +school the lads attended. On several occasions Nat had tried to harm +Dave, but each time he had gotten the worst of it. + +"I didn't fire at you--didn't know anybody was on the back road," +protested Dave. "If a bullet went through your buggy top I am sorry for +it, but I am also glad it didn't go through your head." And Dave had to +shudder as he thought of what might have happened. "After this I'll be +more careful when I shoot." + +"Oh, don't you try to smooth it over!" snarled Aaron Poole. "I know you +of old, Dave Porter! You are always up to some underhanded tricks. Nat +knows you, too! Maybe you didn't mean to kill me, but you meant to scare +me, and you took a big chance, for I might have been hit. I think I'll +swear out a warrant for your arrest." + +"Oh, Mr. Poole, don't do that!" cried Phil, in alarm. "Dave didn't know +anybody was back there. It was purely an accident." + +"Humph! Who are you, I'd like to know?" + +"I am Phil Lawrence. I go to Oak Hall with Dave. I think we have met +before." + +"Oh, yes, I've heard of you--through my son, Nat. You sided with Porter +against my son. Of course you'll stick up for Porter now. I think I'll +go right down to town and get a warrant, and have it served." And the +money-lender made as if to walk away. + +"If you have Dave arrested we can testify that it was nothing but an +accident," said Roger. + +"Bah! it was no accident--he either meant to hit me or scare me! I'll +have the law on him!" stormed Aaron Poole, and then he hurried away. +Dave followed, wishing to argue the matter, but the money-lender would +not listen, and leaping into his buggy he drove off at a rapid gait in +the direction of Crumville Center. + +"Now, I wonder what I had better do?" said Dave, soberly, after the +angry man had departed. + +"Do you really think he'll have you arrested?" questioned the senator's +son. + +"More than likely." + +"But you didn't shoot at him. It was nothing but an accident." + +"You can trust Mr. Poole to make out the blackest kind of a case against +me," answered Dave, bitterly. "He has been down on me for years, and you +know how Nat is down on me, too. He'll have me sent to prison, if he +can!" + +"We'll stand by you," said Phil. "We know you didn't shoot at him--or at +anybody." + +"I think I had better tell my father about this," went on Dave. All his +interest in target-shooting had ended. "He will know what is best to +do." + +"We'll leave the target where it is," said Roger. "Then we can explain +just how the thing occurred." + +With downcast heart Dave left the field and approached the mansion, and +his chums went with him. Just as they reached the piazza, the door +opened and Laura came out, accompanied by Jessie Wadsworth. + +"Oh, are you coming back?" asked Laura. "We were just going to join +you." + +"Maybe you've killed the bear!" cried Jessie, with a mischievous twinkle +in her eyes. "I heard that Phil had manufactured one." + +"No," answered Dave. "We--that is. I--had some trouble with Mr. Poole." +He turned to his sister. "Where is father?" + +"Gone out of town on business. He'll be back this evening." + +"And Uncle Dunston?" + +"Uncle went with him." + +"Oh, that's too bad!" And Dave's face showed more concern than ever. + +"What was the trouble about?" asked Jessie, who was quick to see that +Dave was ill at ease. + +"Oh, Mr. Poole thought I shot at him--but I didn't," replied Dave, and +then told the story. + +"Oh, Dave, do you really think he'll have you locked up!" burst out his +sister, while Jessie's face showed her deep concern. + +"I don't know what he'll do," was the slow answer. + +"Oh, maybe he won't do anything--after he calms down," said the +shipowner's son. "He'll realize that Dave wouldn't do anything like that +on purpose." + +"You don't know Mr. Poole," said Jessie. "Father says he is one of the +most hard-hearted men around here." + +"Well, let us hope for the best," said the senator's son. He wanted to +cheer up Laura and Jessie quite as much as Dave. + +The boys put the pistols away and then went out in a summerhouse to talk +the affair over. + +"If he has me arrested, I suppose that will stop my going out to Star +Ranch," said Dave, gloomily. "Too bad! And just when I was counting on +having the time of my life!" + +"Oh, don't take it so to heart, Dave!" cried Phil. "Maybe you'll never +hear of it again." + +"He'll hear of it if Mr. Poole tells Nat," said the senator's son. "Nat +will want his father to make all the trouble possible for Dave." + +"Where is Nat now? At home?" + +"Yes," answered Dave. "I saw him yesterday, down at the post-office." + +"Then he'll surely hear about it." + +At first Dave thought to tell Caspar Potts about the affair, but then he +realized that the professor was too old to aid him. Besides, the aged +man was not well, and the boy hated to disturb him. + +The middle of the afternoon came and went, and nothing was heard from +Aaron Poole. Mrs. Wadsworth went out carriage-riding, taking the girls +with her. + +"Let us take a walk," proposed Phil. "No use in hanging around the house +for nothing." + +"I don't want Mr. Poole to think I ran away," answered Dave. + +Nevertheless, he agreed to go with his chums, and they started off, +leaving word that they would be back in time for dinner, which was +served at the Wadsworth mansion at half-past six. + +"I'd like to see that place where you used to live with Professor +Potts," said the senator's son to Dave. "Is it far from here?" + +"Quite a distance, but we can easily walk it," was the reply. + +They passed out on the country road and were soon tramping along in the +direction of the old Potts place. As they went on they talked over the +proposed trip to the West. + +"We ought surely to have the time of our lives," said the shipowner's +son. "Just think of riding like the wind on some of those broncos!" + +"Or getting flung heels over head from a bronco's back," added Roger. +"I rather think we'll have to be careful at first." + +"One thing I don't like about this trip," said Dave. + +"The fact that Link Merwell's father owns the next ranch to the Star?" + +"Exactly." + +"Oh, ranch homes out there are sometimes miles apart," said Roger. "You +may not see the Merwells at all." + +"That will just suit me,--and I know it will suit Laura, too. She is +awfully sorry that she once corresponded with Link." + +"Well, she didn't know what he was," answered the senator's son. Ever +since he had met Laura he had been much interested in Dave's sister. + +The three chums had covered about half the distance to the old Potts +place when they saw a horse and buggy approaching. As it came closer +they saw that it contained two men. + +"It's Mr. Poole!" cried Dave, and then, as he caught sight of the other +man's face, he turned a trifle pale. "Step behind here!" he called to +Phil and Roger, and pulled them back of some handy bushes. + +The horse and buggy soon came up to them and passed on, the three boys +keeping out of sight until the turnout was gone. Dave gave a deep sigh. + +"I guess Mr. Poole means business," he said. + +"What do you mean?" questioned the senator's son. + +"I mean he is going to have me locked up." + +"Why?" asked Phil. + +"That man in the buggy with him was Mr. Mardell, the police justice." + + + + +CHAPTER III + +AN INTERVIEW OF INTEREST + + +"Well, I shouldn't go back home until your father and your uncle +return," said the senator's son. "Then, if you are arrested, they'll +know exactly what to do." + +"It's too bad it happened!" murmured Dave. "I wish I had gotten off to +the West without seeing Aaron Poole. But I suppose there is no use in +crying over spilt milk. I'll have to face the music, and take what +comes." + +The three lads went on, and presently came in sight of the farm where +Caspar Potts and Dave had once resided. The ground was now being +cultivated by the man who had the next farm, and the house was +tenantless. + +"I've got the key of the house," said Dave. "If you'd like to take a +look inside I'll unlock the door. But it's a very poor place--a big +contrast to the Wadsworth residence." + +"And so you used to work here, Dave?" said Phil, gazing around at the +fields of corn and wheat. + +"Yes, I've plowed and worked these fields more than once, Phil. And in +those days, I didn't know what it was to have a nice suit of clothes and +good food. But Professor Potts was kind to me, even if he was a bit +eccentric." + +"It was a grand thing that you found your folks--and your fortune," said +Roger. + +"Yes, and I am thankful from the bottom of my heart." + +The three boys entered the deserted house, and Dave showed the way +around. There was the same little cot on which he had been wont to +stretch his weary limbs after a hard day's work in the fields, and there +were the same simple cooking utensils with which he had prepared many a +meal for himself and the old professor. Conditions certainly had +improved wonderfully, and for the time being Dave forgot his trouble +with Aaron Poole. No one could again call him "a poorhouse nobody." + +From the cottage the boys walked to the barn. As they entered this +building they heard earnest talking in the rear. + +"You are a mean lad, to tease an old man like me!" they heard, in Caspar +Potts's quavering tones. "Why cannot you go away and leave me alone?" + +"Don't you call me mean!" came in Nat Poole's voice. "I'll do what I +please, and you can't stop me!" + +"I want you to leave me alone," reiterated the old professor. + +"I will--when I am done with you. How do you like that, old man?" And +then Nat Poole gave a brutal laugh. + +"Oh! oh! Don't smother me!" spluttered Caspar Potts. "Please leave me +alone! You have ruined my clothes!" + +"I wonder what's up?" said Dave to his chums, and ran through the barn +to the rear. There he beheld Caspar Potts in a corner. In front of him +stood Nat Poole, holding a big garden syringe in his hands. The syringe +had been filled with a preparation for spraying peach trees, and the son +of the money-lender had discharged the chalk-like fluid all over the +aged professor. + +"Nat Poole, what are you up to!" cried Dave, indignantly, and, leaping +forward, he caught the other youth by the shoulder and whirled him +around. "You let Professor Potts alone!" + +"Dave!" cried the professor, and his voice showed his joy. "Oh, I am +glad you came. That young man has been teasing me for over a quarter of +an hour, and he just covered me with that spray for the peach-tree +scale." + +"What do you mean by doing such a thing?" demanded Dave. "Give me that +syringe." And he wrenched the article from the other youth's grasp. He +looked so determined that Nat became alarmed and backed away several +feet. + +"Don't you--you--er--hit me!" cried the money-lender's son. + +"What a mean piece of business," observed Roger, as he came up, followed +by Phil. "Nat, you ought to be ashamed of yourself!" + +"Oh, you shut up!" grumbled Nat, not knowing what else to say. + +"I always thought you were a first-class coward," put in Phil. "Now I am +sure of it." + +"This is none of your affair, Phil Lawrence!" + +"I should think it was the affair of any person who wanted to see fair +play," answered the shipowner's son. + +"Nat, you take your handkerchief and wipe off Mr. Potts's clothes," said +Dave, sternly. + +"Eh?" queried the money-lender's son in dismay. + +"You heard what I said. Go and do it, and be quick about it." + +"I--er--I don't have to." + +"Yes, you do. If you don't----" Dave ended by walking over to a barrel +and filling the syringe with the spraying fluid. + +"Hi! don't you douse me with that!" yelled the other youth in alarm. +Then he started to run away, but the senator's son caught him by one arm +and Phil caught him by the other. + +"You've got no right to hold me!" + +"Well, we'll take the right," said Roger, calmly. "Now, Nat, do as Dave +told you." + +There was no help for it, and with very bad grace the money-lender's son +drew from his pocket a silk handkerchief and removed what he could of +the fluid from Caspar Potts's clothing. Many spots remained. + +"I am afraid the suit is ruined," said the aged professor, sorrowfully. +"Anyway, it will need a thorough cleaning." + +"If it is ruined, Nat can pay for it," said Dave, firmly. + +"I'll pay for nothing!" grumbled the boy who had done the mischief. He +was short of spending-money, and knew how hard it was to get an extra +dollar from his parent. + +"He certainly ought to pay for it," said Caspar Potts. "Some men would +have him locked up for what he has done." + +"Humph! Don't talk foolish! It was only a little fun!" grumbled Nat. "I +didn't mean any harm. You can easily get those spots out of your +clothes." + +"Did he do anything else to you?" asked Dave of the professor. + +"Yes, he plagued me a good deal, and he shoved me down in the cow-yard," +was the reply. "I was hoping some one would come to drive him away. I +said I'd have the law on him, but he laughed at me, and said nobody else +was around and his word was as good as mine." + +"If that isn't Nat to a T!" murmured the senator's son. "Doing the sneak +act every time!" + +"Well, we are witnesses against him," put in Phil. He looked at Dave and +suddenly began to grin. "Oh, but this is great!" he cried. + +"What's struck you?" queried Dave. + +"Oh, nothing, only I reckon we've got a good hold on Mr. Aaron Poole +now--in case he tries to make a complaint against you." + +"To be sure we have!" burst out Roger. "He won't dare to do it--after he +knows what Professor Potts can do." + +"What are you talking about?" demanded Nat, curiously. "Is my father +going to make a complaint against Dave? What is it for?" + +"Maybe you'll learn later--and maybe you won't," answered the senator's +son. "But if you see your father you had better tell him to call it off +as far as Dave is concerned--if he wants to save you." + +"Then you've had trouble, eh?" + +"No worse than this--if as bad." + +"Humph! In that case my father won't believe what you say about me!" +cried Nat, cunningly. And then of a sudden he leaped back, turned, and +ran around a corner of the barn at top speed. He made for the road, and +was soon hidden from view by trees and bushes. Phil and Roger attempted +to catch him, but Dave called them back. + +"No use in doing that," said Dave. "Let him go. It will be time enough +to say more when Mr. Poole makes his complaint." + +The three youths assisted Caspar Potts in rearranging his toilet, and in +the meantime the aged professor told the lads the details of his trouble +with Nat. The money-lender's son had certainly acted in a despicable +manner, and he deserved to be punished. + +"I will leave the matter to Mr. Wadsworth, and to your father and your +uncle," said Professor Potts to Dave. "They will know better what to do +than I." + +On the way back to the Wadsworth mansion the boys told of the pistol +incident and the professor became much interested. He agreed with Phil +and Roger that Nat's doings were much worse. + +Dave's father and his uncle had returned, and the youth went straight to +them with his tale. Then Mr. Wadsworth came in and was likewise told. +All the men were also informed of what had happened to Caspar Potts. + +"I think I see a way of clearing this matter up--if Mr. Poole attempts +to act against Dave," said Mr. Wadsworth. And then he had a long talk +with Professor Potts. + +The folks at the mansion had just finished dinner when visitors were +announced. They proved to be Aaron Poole and an officer of the law, +brought along to arrest Dave. + +"I think you had better let me engineer this affair," said Mr. +Wadsworth, and so it was agreed. He entered the reception room and shook +hands formally with Aaron Poole. + +"I came to get Dave Porter," said the money-lender, stiffly. "I am going +to have him locked up." + +"Mr. Poole, will you kindly step into the library with me?" answered Mr. +Wadsworth. + +"What for?" + +"I wish to have a little conversation with you." + +"It won't do any good. I'm going to have that Porter boy arrested, and +that is all there is to it." + +"I wished to see you about your son, Nat. Do you know that he stands in +danger of arrest?" + +"Arrest! Nat?" queried the money-lender, and the officer of the law +looked at the rich manufacturer with interest. + +"Yes. Come into the library, please." + +"Want me?" asked the officer. + +"No," returned Mr. Wadsworth, shortly, and the man settled back in his +chair, his face showing his disappointment. + +Once in the library the manufacturer shut the door with care. He +motioned his visitor to a chair. But Aaron Poole was too impatient to +sit down. + +"Now, what's this about my son, Nat?" growled the money-lender. + +"I'll tell you," was Mr. Wadsworth's reply, and he related what had +occurred at the old Potts place. + +"You expect me to believe this?" snarled Aaron Poole. + +"Believe it or not, it is the truth, and I have the three boys to prove +it, and likewise Professor Potts's ruined suit of clothing. Now," +continued the manufacturer, "I know all about your charge against Dave. +I'll not say that he wasn't careless, because he was. But he meant no +harm, and it is going too far to have him arrested. It would be much +fairer for Professor Potts to have your son locked up, and make you pay +for the suit of clothing in the bargain. Now, the professor thinks a +great deal of Dave, and he is willing to drop his complaint against Nat +if you'll drop your complaint against Dave." + +"Oh, so that's the way the wind blows, eh?" snarled Aaron Poole. "Well, +I won't do it!" he snapped. "I'm going to have Dave Porter arrested!" + +"If you do, Professor Potts will have Nat arrested, and we'll push our +case just as hard as you push yours, Mr. Poole." + +"Humph! I guess this is a plot to free Dave Porter!" + +"You can think what you please. This is the way I look at it: Dave was +careless, and his father can give him a lecture on his carelessness. Nat +was brutal, and it is up to you to take him in hand. If he were my son, +I'd give him a good talking to--and maybe I'd thrash him," added the +rich manufacturer, warmly. + +"Oh, you are all down on my son--just as you are down on me!" cried +Aaron Poole. "I'll look into this! I'll--I'll----" + +"Don't do anything hasty," advised Mr. Wadsworth. "Better talk the +matter over with Nat." + +"I'll do it. But I'll not drop this matter! I'll get after Dave Porter +yet!" cried Aaron Poole, and then he stalked out of the library, and, +motioning for the officer of the law to follow him, he left the +mansion. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +CAUGHT IN THE ACT + + +"I don't think he'll do anything--that is, if he gets the truth out of +Nat," said Mr. Wadsworth, as he rejoined the others. "Of course, if his +son denies the attack on the professor, it may be different." + +"If Nat does that, we'll have the testimony of the professor, Phil, and +Roger against him," said Mr. Porter. + +It must be admitted that the next day was an uncomfortable one for Dave, +for he did not know at what moment an officer of the law might appear to +arrest him. In the afternoon he and his chums went fishing, but he had +little heart for the sport. + +Early on the day following Ben Basswood called to see Dave and the +others. As my old readers know, Ben had been a friend to Dave for many +years, and had gone from Crumville to Oak Hall with him. + +"Was coming before, to meet you and Roger and Phil," said Ben. "But I +had to go out of town on business for dad. How are you all? Say, I hear +you are going out West on a ranch. That's great! Going to shoot +buffaloes, I suppose." + +"No, hippopotamuses," put in the senator's son, with a grin. + +"And June bugs," added Phil. + +"You'll sure have the time of your lives! Wish I was going. But I am +booked for the Great Lakes, which isn't bad. Going to take the trip from +Buffalo to Duluth and back, you know. But say, I came over to tell you +something." + +"What is it, Ben?" questioned Dave. + +"Come on outside." + +The boys walked out into the garden and down to the summerhouse, where +they proceeded to make themselves comfortable. + +"It's about Nat Poole," continued Ben Basswood. "I guess you had some +kind of a run-in with him, didn't you?" + +"Not exactly," answered Roger. "We caught him tormenting Professor Potts +and we put a stop to it." + +"Well, you had some trouble with Nat's dad, didn't you?" + +"Yes," answered Dave. "Did Nat tell you?" he added quickly. + +"No, I know of the whole thing by accident. I had to go to the building +where Mr. Poole has his new office. While I was waiting to see a man +and deliver a message for my dad I overheard some talk between Mr. Poole +and Nat. It was mighty warm, I can tell you!" + +"What was said?" demanded Phil. + +"Mr. Poole accused Nat of something and Nat, at first, denied it. Then +Mr. Poole said something about arrest, and Professor Potts, and Nat got +scared and begged his father to save him. Then Mr. Poole mentioned Dave +and a pistol and said he couldn't do anything if that's the way matters +stood, and Nat began to beg for dear life, asking his father to let Dave +alone this time. At last Mr. Poole said he would, but the way he +lectured Nat was a caution. He said he wouldn't give Nat a cent more of +spending-money this summer." + +"Hurrah, that lets you out, Dave!" cried Roger. "The case against you is +squashed." + +"The Pooles will have to let it drop," added the shipowner's son. "And I +am mighty glad of it." + +"I hope you are right," said Dave, and his face showed his relief. + +They had to tell Ben all about what had happened. Then the latter wanted +to see the bear target, and the crowd ended by doing some more target +practicing. But this time Dave was very careful how he shot, and so were +the others. + +It had been decided that the start for the West was to be made early +the following week, and for several days the boys and the girls were +busy getting ready. Laura had traveled a great deal, so the journey +would not be a novelty to her, but with Jessie it was different. + +"I know I shall like it, once I am there," said Jessie. "But, oh, it +seems such a distance to go!" + +"We'll take good care of you," answered Dunston Porter. + +"And I am sure you'll like Mrs. Endicott and Belle," added Laura. "Belle +is as full of fun as a--a--oh, I don't know what." + +"Shad is of bones," suggested Dave, who stood by. + +"Oh, what a comparison!" cried Jessie, and then giggled in the +regulation girl fashion. + +They were to take a local train to Buffalo and change at that city for +Chicago. Ben Basswood decided to go with them as far as Buffalo, so +there would be quite a party. The boys gathered their things together +and were ready to start a full day beforehand. The buying of railroad +tickets and berths in the Pullmans was left entirely to Dunston Porter. + +A farewell gathering had been arranged for the young people by Mrs. +Wadsworth, to take place on the afternoon previous to their departure +for the West. About a dozen boys and girls from Crumville and vicinity +were invited. The party was held on the lawn of the Wadsworth estate, +which was trimmed for the occasion with banners, flags, and lanterns. A +small orchestra, located in the summerhouse, furnished the music. + +Of course Dave and his chums donned their best for this occasion, and +Laura and Jessie appeared in white dresses that were as pretty as they +could be. Jessie's wavy hair was tied up in new ribbons, and as Dave +looked at her he thought she looked as sweet as might a fairy from +fairyland. He could not help smiling at her, and when she came and +pinned on his coat a buttonhole bouquet he thought he was the happiest +boy in the whole world. + +"Oh, but won't we have the grand times when we get out West!" he said to +her. + +"I hope so, Dave," she answered. "But----" + +"But what, Jessie?" he questioned, as he saw her hesitate. + +"I--I can't get that Link Merwell out of my head. I am so sorry his +father's ranch is next to that we are going to visit." + +"Oh, don't worry. We'll make Link keep his distance," he returned, +lightly. Yet it must be confessed that he was just a bit worried +himself. + +Among the first boys to arrive was Ben Basswood, and he lost no time in +calling Phil and Roger aside. + +"I don't want to worry Dave or the others," said Ben. "But I think +somebody ought to be told." + +"Told what?" asked the senator's son. + +"About Nat Poole. I got the word from a friend of mine, Joe Devine. Joe +was talking with Nat Poole, and he said Nat was very angry at all of us, +and angry because Mrs. Wadsworth was giving us the party, especially as +he wasn't invited. Joe said Nat intimated that he was going to make the +affair turn out a fizzle." + +"A fizzle?" queried Phil. "How?" + +"Joe didn't know, but he told me, on the quiet, that I ought to watch +out, and ought to warn the others. But I don't like to say anything to +Mrs. Wadsworth, or the girls. You see, it may be only talk, and if it +is, what's the use of getting the ladies excited?" + +"It would be just like Nat to play some dirty trick," said the +shipowner's son. "The question is, What will it be?" + +"Somebody ought to stand guard," was Roger's advice. "And I think we +ought to tell Dave." + +This was readily agreed upon, and Dave was told a few minutes later. His +face at once showed his concern. + +"It mustn't be allowed!" he said, earnestly. "I don't care so much on my +own account, but think of Mrs. Wadsworth and the girls! Yes, we must +keep our eyes open, and if anything goes wrong----" He finished with a +grave shake of his head. + +"What are you boys plotting about?" asked Laura, as she came up. "Come, +it won't do to stick together like this, with all the girls arriving. +Dave, go and make folks at home,--and you do likewise," she added, with +a smile at Phil and Roger. + +The boys dispersed and mingled with the arriving guests. Dave did all he +could to make everybody feel at home, but all the while he was doing it +he kept his eyes wide open. + +Presently, chancing to look in the direction of the automobile house, +Dave saw somebody skulking along a hedge. The person was visible only a +second, so the youth could not make out who it was. + +"Maybe it's all right, but I'll take a look and make sure," he told +himself, and excused himself to a girl to whom he had been talking. As +he hurried across the lawn he passed Phil. + +"Come with me, will you?" he said, in a low voice. + +"See anything?" demanded the shipowner's son. + +"I saw somebody, but I am not sure who it was." + +Taking care not to make his departure noticeable, Dave walked toward +the automobile house and Phil followed him. Soon the pair were behind +some rose bushes and then they gained the shelter of the heavy hedge. + +"There he is!" said Dave, in a low voice. "It's Nat Poole, sure enough!" + +"What's he doing?" asked Phil. + +"Nothing just now. But I guess he is up to something." + +Keeping well out of sight behind the hedge, the two boys watched the son +of the money-lender. Nat was sneaking past the automobile house and +making for a washing-shed adjoining the kitchen of the mansion. + +"I think I know what he is up to," murmured Dave. "Come on after him, +Phil." + +As silently as shadows Dave and Phil followed the money-lender's son to +the shed. Once Nat looked around to see if the coast was clear, and the +followers promptly dropped down behind a lilac bush. Reassured, Nat +entered the shed, and Dave and Phil tiptoed their way up and got behind +the open door. + +The hired help were in the kitchen, so the shed was empty. On the floor +stood an ice-cream freezer full of home-made ice-cream, and on a shelf +rested several freshly baked cakes, all covered with chocolate icing, +set out to harden. + +"Now I'll fix things," Dave and Phil heard the money-lender's son +mutter. "Salt in the cream and salt in the layer cakes will do the +trick! Some of the boys and girls will think they are poisoned!" + +Nat took up a bag of salt that was handy,--used for making the +cream,--and proceeded to open the can in the freezer. Dave watched him +as a cat does a mouse. + +Just as Nat was on the point of dumping some of the salt into the +ice-cream he felt himself jerked backwards. The salt dropped to the +floor, and Nat found himself confronting Dave, with Phil but a few steps +away. + +"You contemptible rascal!" cried Dave, his eyes flashing. + +"Why--I--er----" stammered the money-lender's son. He did not know what +to say. + +"Going to spoil the cream, eh?" came from Phil. "It was a mighty dirty +trick, Nat." + +"On a level with what you did to Professor Potts," added Dave. + +"I--er--I wasn't going to do nothing!" cried Nat, with little regard for +grammar. "I--er--I was looking at the ice-cream, that's all." + +"A poor excuse is worse than none," answered Dave, grimly. "You were +going to put salt in the cream and spoil it, you needn't deny it." + +"See here, Dave Porter, I want you to understand----" + +"Don't talk, Nat, we know all about it," broke in Phil. "You planned to +come here yesterday, and we can prove it. We were on the lookout for +you." + +At this assertion the face of the money-lender's son changed. He grew +quite pale. + +"I haven't time to waste on you--I want to enjoy this party," said Dave. +"Come along with me." + +"Where to?" demanded Nat. + +"I'll show you," answered Dave, and caught the money-lender's son by the +arm. "Catch hold of him, Phil, and don't let him escape." + + + + +CHAPTER V + +AT NIAGARA FALLS + + +"See here, I want you to let me alone!" stormed Nat Poole, and he tried +to jerk himself free. + +"Listen, Nat," said Dave, sternly. "If you make a noise it will be the +worse for you, for it will bring the others here, and then we'll tell +about what you tried to do. Maybe Mrs. Wadsworth will call an officer, +and anyway all the girls and the boys will be down on you. Now, if you +want Phil and me to keep this a secret, you've got to come along with +us." + +"Where to?" grumbled Nat, doggedly. + +"You'll soon see," returned Dave, briefly, and with a wink at his chum. + +Somewhat against his will, Nat walked toward the end of the garden. He +wished to escape from Mrs. Wadsworth and the others, but he was afraid +Dave and Phil contemplated doing something disagreeable to him. Maybe +they would give him a sound thrashing. + +"Don't you touch me--don't you dare!" he cried, when the barn was +readied. "Remember, my father can have you locked up, Dave Porter!" + +"Well, don't forget what Professor Potts can do to you, Nat," answered +Dave. + +"What are you going to do?" asked Phil, in an aside to his chum. + +Dave was trying to think. He had been half of a mind to lock Nat in the +harness closet until the party was over--thus preventing him from making +more trouble. Now, however, as he heard a locomotive whistle, a new +thought struck him. + +"Come on down to the railroad tracks, Nat," he said. + +"What for?" + +"Maybe you can take a journey for your health--if the freight train +stops at the water tank." + +"I--er--I don't understand." + +"You will--if the train stops--and I think it will." + +The three boys pushed off across the fields to where the railroad tracks +were located. Here was the very spot where Dave had been picked up years +before. Not far off was a water tank, where the locomotives usually +stopped for their supply. A long freight train was just slowing down. +Many of the cars were empty and the doors stood wide open. + +"Up you go, Nat!" cried Dave. + +"Me? Where?" + +"Into one of the empty cars. You are going to have a ride for your +health." + +"Not much! Why, that train don't stop short of Jack's Junction, twelve +miles from here!" + +"I know it. You can walk back--the exercise will do you good." + +"I--er--I don't want to go!" And Nat made as if to run away. But Dave +and Phil held him. + +"But you are going!" cried Dave. "In you go!" + +He and Phil forced the money-lender's son toward one of the open cars. +Still protesting, Nat was shoved up and through one of the open doors. +The door on the other side was closed. He ran to it, but found it locked +from the outside. + +"Hi, you let me off!" he cried, as the train gave a jerk and commenced +to move. + +"Don't jump, you might hurt yourself!" cried Dave, and shoved the door +shut. + +"Hope you have a pleasant journey!" called out Phil, merrily. + +"And a nice walk back!" added Dave. + +The freight train quickly gathered headway. Dave and Phil ran down by +the side of the tracks. They saw Nat shove back the door about a foot +and peer out. He did not dare to jump, and, seeing them, shook his fist +wildly. + +"He's off!" cried the shipowner's son, and then commenced to laugh. +"Dave, that was just all right! He's booked for quite a journey." + +"Twelve miles, or more, and he'll either have to wait for a train, and +pay his fare back, or walk." + +"Exactly. And if the train hands catch him, maybe they'll give him the +thrashing he deserves." + +"They'll hustle him off pretty lively, that's sure. Well, one thing is +certain, he won't bother this party any more," added Dave. "Let us get +back." + +They hurried to the house, and as they did so the freight train passed +out of sight and hearing. They thought they had seen the last of Nat, +but they were mistaken. + +"Where have you boys been?" asked Laura, when they reappeared, after +having brushed off their clothing. + +"I'll tell you later," answered her brother. + +"Anything serious?" + +"Not very. It's all over now, Laura." + +The party was now in full swing and proved a big success. The boys and +girls played all sorts of games, and also did a little dancing. Then +refreshments were served. When the ice cream and cake were passed +around, Phil and Dave could not help but look at each other, and the +shipowner's son winked suggestively. + +"Why are you winking at Dave?" demanded Roger. + +"Did I wink?" questioned Phil, solemnly, and then Dave began to laugh +and almost choked on a piece of cake in his mouth. + +After the refreshments came more games and some singing, and it was nine +o'clock before the lawn party came to an end. The girls and boys from +the town went home mostly in pairs, but Ben remained behind, for he knew +Dave and Phil had something to tell. All the lads congregated in the +summerhouse and Laura and Jessie went with them. + +"Wanted to spoil the ice-cream and chocolate layer-cakes!" cried Jessie. +"Oh, how mean!" + +"It served him right, to put him on the freight train!" was Laura's +comment. "I hope he was carried about fifty miles, and has to walk +back." + +"He'll be trying another trick before we leave," said Roger. "We must +keep our eyes open." + +"Isn't it a shame he can't be nice?" came from Jessie. "If he keeps on +like this, he'll not have a friend in the world." + +"Well, he hasn't many friends now," answered Dave. "At Oak Hall the +majority of the fellows turned him down just as they turned down Link +Merwell." + +"Oh, that Link Merwell!" sighed Laura. "I trust I never see or hear of +him again!" + +Bright and early the next day the boys arose and packed the last of +their baggage. The girls were up, too, and joined the lads at the +breakfast table. Dave's father was there, and also Uncle Dunston, as +well as Mr. and Mrs. Wadsworth. + +"Well, I certainly hope you all have a grand time," said the rich +manufacturer. + +"And I hope the outing does Jessie good," said his wife. Jessie was not +very strong and the doctor had said that a trip to the Far West might do +much towards building up her constitution. + +"You must write often," said Mr. Porter to his daughter. "And make Dave +write, too." + +"I'll not forget," said the daughter, and Dave nodded. + +It was rather a sober meal, although every one tried to be cheerful. The +big touring-car, Mr. Wadsworth's latest purchase, was at the door, and +the baggage had gone on ahead. Soon it was time to go. + +"Good-by, everybody!" cried Dave, and shook hands with his father and +Mrs. and Mr. Wadsworth. The lady of the house gave him a warm kiss, and +kissed all the others. + +"Wish you were going too, daddy!" cried Laura to her father. + +"Well, I'll go the next time," was the answer, with a smile. + +In another five minutes the boys and girls and Dunston Porter were off +for the depot, the others waving their hands as the travelers +disappeared. Tears came to Mrs. Wadsworth's eyes, at the parting with +Jessie, yet she did her best to smile. + +"We'll be back in six weeks!" called out Dave. "And as brown as berries +and as strong as oxen!" And this caused everybody to laugh. Little did +any of them realize what adventures those six weeks were to contain. + +The train for Buffalo was on time, and when it rolled into the station +they climbed on board, and the boys found the right seats in the parlor +car and settled the girls. Ben was there, and had a seat with the crowd. + +"I've got news," said Ben, as the train went on its way. "Nat Poole +isn't back yet." + +"Who told you?" + +"Tom Marvin. He called this morning to see Nat about something. Nat had +sent a telegram home from a place called Halock, stating he had been +carried off on a freight train." + +"Humph! then he went further than we supposed he would," mused Phil. +"Where is Halock?" + +Nobody knew, and they consulted a time-table taken from a rack in the +car. + +"It's a flag-station not far from Buffalo," announced Roger. "Say, he +certainly was carried some distance!" + +"What if he didn't have any money to get home with?" asked Laura. + +"Maybe he telegraphed for some," said Phil. + +"He could pawn his watch--he always wears one," added Ben. "But it is +queer that he didn't get off at Jack's Junction." + +"Perhaps he liked to ride--after he once got used to it," returned the +senator's son. + +On and on went the train, stopping at several towns of more or less +importance. The girls and boys amused themselves studying the time-table +and in gazing out of the window, and Dunston Porter told them of some of +his experiences while roving in various portions of the globe, for, as +my old readers are aware, he was a great traveler. At noon they went +into the dining-car for lunch, and Dave and Roger sat at one table with +Laura and Jessie opposite to them. + +"Say, this puts me in mind of a story, as Shadow Hamilton would say," +said the senator's son, as the train rushed along while they ate. "A +little girl had a sandwich on a train like this, once, and then boasted +afterwards that she had eaten a sandwich three miles long." + +"Well, I think I'll eat some roast beef ten miles long," said Dave. "And +two miles of apple pie to boot!" And this caused the girls to giggle. + +They reached Buffalo in the middle of the afternoon and there had to +wait until half-past ten for the night express to Chicago. Here Ben left +them, for the boat he was to take was waiting at the dock. + +"Send me a letter to Duluth," he said, on parting, and Dave promised to +do so. + +"I'll tell you what we might do," said Dunston Porter. "We can take a +trolley trip to Niagara Falls and come back on a train. We have plenty +of time." + +"Oh, yes, I'd like to see Niagara!" cried Jessie, clapping her hands. + +The others all voted the suggestion a good one, and soon, having checked +their baggage at the depot, they boarded a trolley car bound for the +Falls. + +"We can look at the Falls for an hour, get supper, and still have time +in which to return to Buffalo," said Mr. Porter. "When we get there we +can get a carriage to drive us around." + +The trolley car made good time and it was still daylight when Niagara +was reached. Hackmen were numerous, and Dunston Porter soon engaged a +turnout to take them around Goat Island and other points of interest. +They could hear the roaring of the Falls plainly, and the sight of the +great cataracts impressed them deeply. "Want to go down under the +Falls?" asked Phil, as they were riding along. + +"No, indeed!" answered Laura. + +"We haven't time, anyway," answered Roger. "We've got to get back or +we'll miss that train for Chicago, and that won't do, for our berths +have been engaged ahead." + +At the bridge leading to the Three Sisters Islands the whole party +alighted, so as to get a better view of the upper rapids of the river. +As they did so, a youth seated on a rock near by looked at them in +amazement. Then of a sudden he slipped off the rock and dodged out of +sight. + +The youth was Nat Poole. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +NAT POOLE'S LITTLE GAME + + +It may not be out of place here to relate how Nat Poole happened to be +at Niagara Falls, and how he chanced to have with him a man who was +willing to do almost anything for the sake of a little money. + +When Nat was placed aboard of the freight train by Dave and Phil he was +in a great rage, yet powerless, for the time being, to help himself. The +train moved so swiftly that he did not dare to jump off, and soon +Crumville was left far behind. + +As soon as he had cooled off for a little, Nat found out that he was +very tired. He had been out the night before with some of the fast young +men of the town, playing cards and pool, and had had but two hours' +sleep in twenty-four. He found a pile of old bagging in one end of the +freight car and sat down to rest. Presently his eyes closed, and before +he knew it he was sound asleep. He continued to sleep during the stop at +Jack's Junction, and he did not notice another party enter the freight +car, nor did he notice the door being closed and locked. + +When Nat awoke it was with a sense of pain. The other party in the car +had stepped on his ankle. He gave a cry and this was answered by an +exclamation of astonishment. + +"Who are you?" asked Nat, sitting up and then leaping to his feet. + +"I reckon I can ask the same question," returned the stranger. + +"Are you a train hand?" + +"Are you?" + +"No." + +"Neither am I." + +There was a moment of silence after this, and then the unknown lit a +match and held it close to Nat. Both gave a cry of astonishment. + +"Hello! You are Nat Poole, the boy I met at Rally's Pool Parlors," said +the stranger. + +"Yes, and you are Tom Shocker, the traveling salesman." + +"Right you are--but I'm not a traveling salesman any longer," answered +Tom Shocker, and gave a short laugh. + +"Why?" asked Nat. + +"Lost my job." + +"I suppose your boss found out that you were spending your time playing +cards and pool," said Nat. "How did you make out after I left you?" + +"Lost all I had. That's the reason I am stealing a ride on this +freight," answered the man. "But what are you doing here?" he continued +in curiosity. + +In his own fashion Nat related how he had been attacked by two of his +former school enemies, dragged to the car and thrown in. He added that +he had been next to unconscious, and so was unable to fight off Dave and +Phil. Then he asked how Tom Shocker happened to be on board. + +"I got on at Jack's Junction," said the man. "I haven't got but fifty +cents left and I thought I'd beat my way to Buffalo, where I think I can +get some more cash. But I didn't think they'd lock the door of the car." + +During the ride to Halock, Tom Shocker managed to learn a good deal +about Nat and his trouble with Dave and the others, and he also learned +that the youth had considerable spending-money with him. The car was +opened at Halock and run off on a siding, and the pair got off. + +"Let us take a trolley to Buffalo," said Shocker. "There we can get a +room at a hotel--that is, if you'll put up the price." + +"All right; I might as well go to Buffalo, now I am so close," answered +Nat. "But I'll send word home first," he added, and this was done. + +After resting at a hotel in Buffalo, Tom Shocker proposed a trip to +Niagara Falls, Nat, of course, to pay the way. + +"I'll pay you back some day," said Shocker, offhandedly. "When I strike +another situation I'll have plenty of cash. And, in the meantime, if you +want me to do anything for you, say the word. I am open for any +proposition that you may offer." + +On the way to the Falls, Tom Shocker told much about himself, and Nat +learned that the fellow was one of those shiftless mortals who change +from one situation to another. He had been a salesman on the road for +five different concerns, had run a restaurant, a poolroom, and a +moving-picture show, and had even been connected with a prize-fighting +affair. He did not care what he did so long a it paid, and many of his +transactions had been of the shady sort. + +Nat did not enjoy the visit to the Falls as much as he had anticipated. +He found Tom Shocker rather coarse, and the man wanted to drink whenever +the opportunity afforded. From the rapids below the Falls the pair +walked to Goat Island, and there Nat was on the point of giving Shocker +the slip when he chanced to see Dave and the others of the party. + +"What's the matter?" demanded Shocker, who stood close by, as he saw the +money-lender's son dart out of sight behind the rocks. + +"Do you see that boy?" demanded Nat, pointing with his hand. + +"Yes." + +"That is Dave Porter, the fellow who put me on the freight car. And over +yonder is Phil Lawrence, the other chap." + +"You don't say! What brings them here?" + +"They are on their way out West, and I suppose they ran up here to see +the sights. I--I wish I could do something to 'em!" added Nat, bitterly. + +"Maybe you can," answered Tom Shocker, always open for action. "I'll +tell you one thing," he continued, in a low tone. "If they had treated +me as they treated you, I'd not let them off so easily." + +"Will you help me, if I--er--try to fix that Dave Porter?" asked Nat. +"He started it. I don't care so much about Lawrence." + +"Sure I'll help you. Anything you say goes," answered Tom Shocker, +readily. He thought he saw a chance of getting another dollar or two out +of Nat. + +The two walked behind some bushes and there talked the matter over for +several minutes. + +"Fargo's is the place to go to," said Shocker, presently. "I know we can +trust him." + +"Of course, I don't want to hurt Porter," said Nat, nervously. "I only +want to scare him." + +"Sure, I understand. We'll scare the wits out of him," returned Tom +Shocker. "Now, let me see. I have it--we'll catch him on the bridge. His +carriage is bound to come that way, to get off Goat Island." + +Dave and his friends spent the best part of a quarter of an hour around +the Three Sisters Islands and then returned to their carriage. + +"Now we can go to the hotel and have dinner," said Dunston Porter. "And +then we can take a local train back to Buffalo." + +The carriage was just crossing the bridge that connects Goat Island with +the city of Niagara Falls when a man stepped up and stopped the turnout. +It was Tom Shocker. + +"Excuse me, but I reckon this is the number, 176," he said. "Is there a +young man here named David Porter?" + +"Yes, I am Dave Porter," answered Dave, and looked at Shocker curiously. +The fellow was a total stranger to him. + +"Got a note for you," went on Shocker, and produced it. It was sealed +and marked _Private_ in plain letters. + +Wondering what the note could contain, Dave opened and read it. His face +changed color and he gave a little gasp. + +"Excuse me, I'll have to--to leave you for a little while," he stammered +to the others. + +"What's the matter?" asked Roger. + +"I--I can't tell you just now." Dave turned to his uncle. "Where will +you get dinner, Uncle Dunston?" + +"At the International." + +"All right--I'll be there before long," answered Dave, and sprang to the +ground. + +"But what's up?" cried Phil. He could see that his chum was much +disturbed. + +"I--I can't tell you, Phil. But I'll be back before you finish your +dinner." + +"Don't you want some one along?" asked Laura, who did not like to see +her brother depart in the company of such a looking stranger as Tom +Shocker. + +"No, Laura. Oh, it's all right. I'll be at the International on time," +said Dave, and then he hurried over the bridge and down a side street of +the city, in company with Tom Shocker. + +The note Dave had received was written in a cramped hand and ran as +follows: + + "DEAR DAVE:--You will be surprised to receive this, but I saw you + in town to-day and noted the number of your carriage. I am in deep + trouble and would like you to come and see me in private, if only + for five or ten minutes. You can aid me a great deal. Please don't + tell any of the others of your party. The man who brings this to + you will take you to me. Please, _please_ don't disappoint me. + + "Yours truly, + "ANDREW DALE." + +Andrew Dale was the first assistant teacher at Oak Hall, and an +instructor who had made himself very dear to Dave and some of the other +boys. He had sided with Dave when the latter was termed "a poorhouse +nobody," and this had made teacher and pupil close friends. + +"What's the matter with my friend?" asked Dave, as he and Tom Shocker +hurried through several side streets of the city. + +"I don't know exactly," was the reply. "Money matters, I think, and the +gent is sick, too. He wanted it kept very quiet--said it might ruin his +reputation if it got out." + +"Well, I didn't say anything to anybody," answered Dave. "How much +further have we to go?" + +"Only a couple of blocks." + +But the "couple of blocks" proved to be five, and they had to make +another turn or two. Then they came to the side door of a building used +as a lodging house and a pool and billiard parlor. This resort was run +by a man named Bill Fargo, a sport who had once had dealings with +Shocker in a prize-fighting enterprise. + +"He's got a room here--up on the third floor," said Shocker, as he saw +Dave hesitate. "Come on, I'll show you." + +He went ahead, up the somewhat dilapidated stairs, and Dave followed. In +the pool and billiard parlors below some men were laughing and talking, +and clicking the ivory balls together, but upstairs it was silent, and +nobody seemed to be around. + +During the past few years of his life Dave had had a number of stirring +adventures, and he was by no means as green as he had been when first he +had set out for Oak Hall. He did not like the looks of his surroundings, +and he resolved to keep his wits about him and be on his guard. + +"Why should Mr. Dale come to a place like this?" he asked himself. He +knew the teacher to be a model man, who did not drink or gamble. + +"Here we are," said Tom Shocker, as he stopped in front of a door at the +back of the hallway on the third floor of the building. "I guess you can +go right in. He's on the bed with his broken ankle." + +"His broken ankle?" repeated Dave. "Why didn't you tell me of that +before?" + +"I thought I did," returned Shocker, smoothly. "Here you are. It's dark, +isn't it? I'll light the gas," and he commenced to fumble in his pocket, +as if hunting for a match. + +It was dark, and for several seconds Dave could see little or nothing. +He heard a faint groan. + +"Is that you, Mr. Dale?" he asked, kindly. + +A low reply was returned--so low that Dave could not make out what was +said. He went into the room a few steps further. As he did so Tom +Shocker closed the door and locked it. Dave heard the click of the +lock's bolt and wheeled around. + +"What did you do?" he demanded sharply. + +"I guess I've got you now, Dave Porter!" cried another voice, and now +Dave recognized the tones of Nat Poole. "You played me a scurvy trick by +putting me aboard the freight train. I guess it's about time I paid you +back; don't you think so?" + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +IN WHICH DAVE IS ROBBED + + +Dave found himself in a decidedly unpleasant situation. The door of the +room was locked and Tom Shocker stood against it. The man lit the gas, +but allowed it to remain low. Dave saw Nat Poole standing close to a +bed. The money-lender's son had a small bottle and some cotton in his +hand. + +"I suppose this is a trick?" said Dave, as coolly as he could. + +"Rather good one, too, isn't it?" returned Nat, lightly. + +"That depends on how you look at it, Nat. Did you forge Mr. Dale's +name?" + +"Why--er--I--er----" + +"That isn't a nice business to be in." + +"Humph! you needn't preach to me, Dave Porter! You played a dirty trick +on me and I am going to pay you back." + +"What are you going to do?" + +"You'll see soon enough." + +"I want you to open that door!" cried Dave, wheeling around and +confronting Tom Shocker. "Open it at once!" + +"This is none of my affair, Mr. Porter," answered the man, with a slight +sneer. "You can settle it with Mr. Poole." + +"I'll settle with you, you rascal!" cried Dave, and leaping forward he +caught Tom Shocker by the shoulder and forced him aside. "Give me that +key!" + +"Don't you do it!" cried Nat. "Here, wait, I'll fix him! Hold him!" + +Nat poured some of the stuff in the bottle on the cotton and advanced on +Dave. At the same time Tom Shocker caught Dave by both arms and essayed +to hold him. + +Dave was strong, and a sudden fear gave him additional strength. He +might have been a match for his two assailants, but for the stuff on the +cotton. This was chloroform, and when Nat clapped the saturated cotton +to his mouth and nose he was speedily rendered all but unconscious. + +"Don't give him too much!" he heard Tom Shocker say. + +"You watch him, while I tie his hands," answered Nat, and then Dave was +forced back and onto the bed. He struggled weakly, but could not free +himself, and before he realized it he was a close prisoner, with his +hands tied fast to the head of the bed and his feet fast to the lower +end. He was flat on his back. + +"Now, you can stay there until somebody comes to release you," said +Nat, mockingly. "I reckon that will teach you a lesson not to send me +off on freight trains!" + +"Nat, I've got to get back to Buffalo to catch my train for Chicago." + +"Humph. Not to-night. You'll stay here." + +"The others will worry about me." + +"Let them worry. I'll be glad of it." + +"Better destroy that note," suggested Tom Shocker. Then he noticed +Dave's watch and chain, and valuable stickpin, and his eyes glistened. +He began to wonder how much money the lad had in his pocket. + +The note was taken by Nat. Then the money-lender's son took a soft pillow +and placed it over Dave's face. + +"That will keep you from calling too loudly," he said. "I guess it won't +hurt your breathing though. Come," he added to the man. "Let us get out +of here, before somebody comes." + +"All right," answered Tom Shocker. He gazed wistfully at Dave's +watchchain and at the stickpin. "I--er--all right," he added, and +followed Nat to the door. + +The pair walked outside and the man locked the door. Then both hurried +below and out of the side door to the street. They went as far as the +corner. + +"Let us make for the depot," said Nat, who was plainly nervous. Now +that the trick had been played he was becoming alarmed over the possible +consequences. "You don't think he'll smother?" he asked, anxiously. + +"Smother? Not a bit of it," answered Tom Shocker. "He'll be out of that +room inside of an hour. He wasn't tied very hard, and he's sure to make +a racket sooner or later." + +Tom Shocker went with Nat a distance of two blocks more and then came to +a sudden halt. + +"By jove, I forgot!" he cried. "I must see my old friend, Dickson, +before I leave town. It won't take me but a few minutes. You go to the +depot and wait for me." And before the money-lender's son could reply, he +was off, down another side street. + +Tom Shocker was well acquainted with the thoroughfares of Niagara Falls +and it did not take him long to double on his tracks and return to +Fargo's resort. He mounted the stairs, pulling his hat far down over his +forehead as he did so. Then he tied his handkerchief over the lower +portion of his face. He had the key of the room still in his possession, +and with it he unlocked the door. + +The light was still burning, and on the bed he could see Dave struggling +to free himself of his bonds and of the pillow which still rested +lightly over his head. Holding the pillow in place with one hand +Shocker gained possession of the watch and chain and stickpin with the +other. Then he took from Dave's pocket a small roll of bank-bills. He +tried to appropriate the lad's ring, but could not get it off the +finger. + +Dave, finding himself being robbed, struggled harder than ever. But the +bonds held and he was helpless to protect himself. In less than two +minutes Tom Shocker accomplished his purpose, and then he glided out of +the room silently, once more locking the door. Once on the street he set +off on a brisk walk, but he did not go in the direction of the depot. + +"I reckon I can afford to part company with Poole now," the man told +himself. "Won't there be a row when that Porter gets free! But he can't +blame me!" he added, with a chuckle. + +Left once more to himself, Dave continued to struggle, and at last he +managed to toss the pillow from his face. Then he breathed more freely, +for which he was thankful. + +"What a mean trick!" he murmured, as he saw that his watch was gone. + +Presently he heard footsteps passing along the hallway, and he uttered a +call. The footsteps came to a stop. + +"Come in here, please!" he called. "I need help." + +"What's up?" asked somebody outside, and then the door was tried. Soon +a key was inserted in the lock, the door was opened, and a chambermaid +showed herself. + +"Untie me at once!" cried Dave. + +The maid turned up the gas and then uttered a cry of astonishment. +Without waiting to question the youth she flew out of the room and down +the stairs, to return, a few minutes later, with a burly man. + +"What's this mean?" asked the man, as he commenced to untie the ropes +that held Dave. + +"It's a trick that was played on me," answered Dave, thinking rapidly. +He was on the point of stating that he had been robbed, but he did not +wish to create too much of a scene. He felt sure that Nat would, sooner +or later, return his belongings to him. + +"A trick, eh?" said the hotel proprietor. "Certainly a queer one. Where +are the fellows who hired this room?" + +"I don't know. They tied me fast and left." + +"Did you know them?" + +"I knew one of them--he goes to boarding school with me." + +"Oh, I see, a schoolboy's trick, eh? You schoolboys are up to all sorts +of pranks." + +"You don't know where they went to, do you?" questioned Dave, as he +leaped up from the bed and stretched himself. + +"No, I haven't the least idea. They hired this room for to-night, that's +all." + +"I think I'll try to catch them," said the youth. "Much obliged for +setting me free." + +"You are welcome. But say, I don't want any more skylarking around +here," added the proprietor of the resort, as Dave hurried out of the +room and down the stairs. + +He had found his hat on the floor, and, after brushing up a little, he +started on a brisk walk for the hotel where the others were to have +dinner. He did not, of course, know the way, and so hired a newsboy for +a dime to act as guide. + +"Dave! you have been away a long time!" cried Laura, as he appeared. "We +have almost finished eating." + +"Never mind, I can get all I wish in a few minutes," he answered. + +"Why, your stickpin is gone!" cried Jessie. "And your watchchain, too." + +"Dave, have you been robbed?" questioned his uncle, quickly. + +"Yes and no," he answered, with a grim smile. "I suppose I might as well +tell you what happened," he continued, and then gave a few of the +details. Then he had to tell his uncle how Nat had been put aboard the +freight car. + +"Well, it's a case of tit for tat, I suppose," said Dunston Porter. "You +can thank your stars that you got away so quickly. A little later and +you would have missed the train,--and we would have missed it, too--for +I should not have gone on without you." + +"I suppose Nat thinks he has the laugh on you," said Roger. "But what of +your watch and pin and money? Are you going West without them?" + +"I suppose I'll have to. But I'll make him give them up in short order. +I'll send him a telegram." + +"Tell him if he doesn't send them on by express at once that you will +put the case in the hands of the law," said Phil. "That will scare him." + +Dave was quickly served with a meal, and he lost no time in eating what +he wanted. Then the entire party walked toward the railroad station, to +catch the train for Buffalo. + +"I was a chump to follow that man up into that room," said Dave to his +chums. "Next time I'll be more on my guard. But I thought Mr. Dale must +be in some dire trouble." + +"It was a nervy thing to do--to forge his name," was the comment of the +senator's son. "It's a pity you didn't keep the note." + +"I couldn't. After I was tied up they had me at their mercy." + +"Who was the man?" + +"I don't know. I never saw him before." + +"He must have been some friend of Nat's." + +"I suppose so." + +Arriving at the station, they found they had several minutes to wait. +When the train rolled in all got on board but Roger, who was buying a +late newspaper from a boy on the platform. + +"Hurry up, or you'll get left!" cried Dave. + +"I'll get on the car behind!" cried the senator's son, and did so. He +did not rejoin his companions until the train was on its way towards +Buffalo. + +"What do you think!" he cried. "Nat Poole is on board!" + +"Nat!" ejaculated Dave. "Is that man with him?" + +"No, Nat seems to be alone." + +"Did he see you?" + +"I don't think so. He was crouched down in a seat, as if in deep +thought." + +"I'll interview him," said Dave, and left the car, followed by Phil, +Roger, and his uncle. + +"Don't quarrel on the train," cautioned Dunston Porter. "But insist upon +it that Nat return your belongings." + +Roger readily led the way to where the son of the Crumville money-lender +sat, crouched down, and with his eyes partly closed. When touched on the +shoulder Nat sat up, and a look of fright came into his face. + +"Why--er--why----" he stammered and was unable to proceed. + +"Didn't expect to see me quite so soon, did you?" returned Dave, +pleasantly, and dropped into the seat beside him. "Nat, if it's all the +same to you, I'll take my watch, my stickpin, and my money," he added, +coldly. + +"Your what?" exclaimed Nat. Then he stared blankly at Dave. "I--er--I +don't understand you." + +"Yes, you do. I want my things, and I want them at once!" + +"I haven't got your things, and you needn't say I have!" retorted the +money-lender's son. "Oh, I see how it is," he added, struck by a sudden +thought. "You want to play another joke on me, don't you? Well, it won't +work this time. I didn't touch your things, and you know it." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE YOUTH IN THE BALCONY + + +For a moment Dave stared at Nat Poole in perplexity. He saw that the +money-lender's son was in earnest. Like a flash he realized that +something was wrong. + +"See here, I want no more fooling, Nat," he said, sharply. "My watch and +chain, my scarfpin, and thirty-three dollars in bills were taken from +me, either by you or your companion. I want them back, and now!" + +"Dave, you--er--you don't mean that you--you were--robbed?" Nat could +hardly utter the words. His teeth were fairly chattering with sudden +fright. + +"I certainly was, if you want to call it by such an ugly name." + +"But I didn't touch the things, you know I didn't!" + +"Then your companion did." + +"No, he didn't, he came away with me, you know that. All we did was to +tie you fast and throw that pillow over your face. Then we came away +and locked the door. It was only a bit of fun, to pay you back for +putting me on the freight car." + +"One of you came back and took the things. I couldn't see who it was, +for the pillow was still over my head." + +"I didn't come back--I give you my word of honor. Shocker must have done +it! Oh, the rascal!" And now Nat's face showed his concern. + +"Who was that man?" asked the senator's son. + +"A fellow I met in Crumville a few days ago. He appeared to be straight +enough." And then Nat told his story from beginning to end. He said that +he had hung around the depot waiting for Tom Shocker to come, but that +the fellow had failed to show himself. + +"It's as plain as day," said Phil. "If Nat's story is true, this Shocker +went back and robbed Dave." + +"Yes, but if he did, Nat is partly responsible, for he left me tied up," +said Dave. + +"Of course he is responsible," came from Roger. + +"I don't see how," grumbled the money-lender's son, but his uneasiness +showed that he thought as did the others. + +"You'll see how, if that Shocker doesn't show up with my things," said +Dave, sternly. "I'll hold you and your father responsible for every +dollar's worth." + +This threat almost caused Nat to collapse, and he felt even worse when +Dave added that the scarfpin and the watch and chain were worth about +one hundred dollars. + +"I'm going to hunt up Shocker's address as soon as I get home," said +Nat. "I'll run him down, see if I don't--and I'll make him give the +things up, too!" + +"Well, I'll give you a fair amount of time," answered Dave. "After that +I'll look to you and your father to make good." + +Fortunately for Dave, he could easily get along without the watch and +the scarfpin, and his uncle let him have some money in place of that +taken. But Mr. Porter told Nat that his father would have to settle the +matter if Tom Shocker was not brought to book. + +At Buffalo the others separated from Nat Poole, who said he was going to +take the early morning train home. Nat felt very bad over the outcome of +his joke, and to a certain extent Dave and his chums felt sorry for him. + +"I was a big fool to take up with a stranger like Shocker," said the +money-lender's son. "You'll not catch me doing it again! I only hope I +can lay my hands on him!" Then, just as he was about to leave, he turned +back and beckoned Dave to step to one side. + +"What do you want now?" asked Dave. + +"I want to show you that I--er--that is, I am not the enemy you think, +Dave," was the low answer. "I am going to give you a warning. I wasn't +going to say anything, at first. It's about a letter I got from Link +Merwell." + +"Merwell?" And now Dave was all attention. + +"Yes, he sent it to me from Chicago, where he is stopping on his way to +his father's ranch. He said he had heard that you were going to the +Endicott ranch, and he added that if you came out West he would see to +it that you got all that was coming to you--those are his very words." + +"When did you get this letter?" + +"A couple of days ago. Take my advice and beware of him, for he means +business. When he left Oak Hall he was the maddest boy I ever saw. He +will do something awful to you if he gets the chance." + +"I'll be on my guard--and I am much obliged for telling me," said Dave; +and then he and Nat separated, not to meet again for many weeks. + +The train for Chicago was already standing in the station, and the +Porters and their friends were soon on board. The two girls had a +private compartment and the others several sections, and all proceeded +to make themselves at home. + +"I never get into a sleeping car without thinking of old Billy Dill, the +sailor who went with me to the South Seas," said Dave to Laura and +Jessie. "He thought we'd have to sleep in the seats, and when the porter +came and made up the berths he was the most surprised man you ever saw." + +"And where is he now?" asked Jessie. + +"In a home for aged sailors. Father and Uncle Dunston have seen to it +that he is comfortably cared for." + +"I must visit him some day," said Laura. "Just think! if it hadn't been +for him we might never have met, Dave!" And she gave her brother a tight +hug. + +The train was a comfortable one, and all of the party slept well. When +they arose, they found themselves crossing the level stretches of +Indiana. The boys and Mr. Porter took a good wash-up and were presently +joined on the observation end of the car by Laura and Jessie. + +"What a beautiful morning!" cried Jessie. + +"I feel just as if I'd like to get out and walk," added Laura, and this +caused the others to laugh. + +They had an appetizing breakfast of fruit, fish, eggs, and rolls, with +coffee, and took their time over the repast. Then Dunston Porter pointed +out to them various points of interest. Before long, they reached a +small town and then came to the suburbs of the great city by the lakes. + +"Here we are!" cried Roger, at last, as they ran into the immense train +shed. Here all was bustle and seeming confusion, and they picked their +way through the crowd with difficulty. The boys rather enjoyed this, but +it made Laura and Jessie shrink back. + +"Why, it's as bad as New York!" said Jessie. + +"Almost," answered Dunston Porter. "Come, we'll soon find a couple of +carriages to take us to the hotel." + +That the girls and the others might see something of Chicago, it had +been arranged to remain in that city two days. They were to stop at a +new and elegant hotel on the lake shore, and thither they were driven +with their baggage. + +"It certainly is as bustling as New York," was Roger's comment, as they +drove along. "Just look at the carriages, and autos, and trucks!" + +"This afternoon we'll hire an automobile to take us around," said +Dunston Porter. "It is the only way to see a good deal in a little +time." + +They were fortunate in getting good accommodations at the new hotel, and +the boys and girls were struck by the elegance of the rooms, and, later, +by the sumptuousness of the dining-hall. + +"Why, it's fit for a palace!" declared Jessie. + +"Beats the Crumville Hotel, doesn't it?" said Dave, dryly, and this +caused the girls to giggle and the other boys to laugh. + +An automobile was engaged at the stand in the hotel, and immediately +after lunch the whole party went sightseeing, visiting the lake front, +Lincoln Park, and numerous other points of interest. At the park they +alighted to look at the animals, and this pleased the girls especially. + +"To-morrow morning I'll have a little business to attend to," said +Dunston Porter, "and I'll have to let you take care of yourselves for a +few hours. I propose that you boys take the girls around to some of the +big department stores." + +"Oh, yes!" cried Laura, who had a woman's delight for finery. Jessie was +also interested, for her opportunities for visiting big stores were +rare. + +Mr. Porter had already purchased tickets for one of the theaters, where +they were playing a well-known and highly successful comedy drama, and +this they attended that evening after dinner at the hotel. Their seats +were on the right in the orchestra, so they had more or less of a chance +to view the opposite side of the auditorium. + +"They certainly have a full house," said Roger, who sat on one side of +Dave, while Jessie sat on the other. "I believe every seat is taken." + +"That shows that a good drama pays," answered Dave. "This is clean as +well as interesting." His eyes were roving over the sea of faces, +upstairs and down. "I wonder how many a theater like this can hold?" + +"Two thousand, perhaps." + +"It certainly looks it, Roger. That gallery--Well, I declare!" + +"What is it?" asked the senator's son. + +"Do you see that fellow in the front row in the balcony? The one next to +the aisle?" + +"Yes. What of him?" + +"Looks to me like Link Merwell." + +"Oh, Dave, you must be mistaken." + +"I don't think so. It looks like Merwell, and Nat Poole said he was in +Chicago." + +"So he did. Now you speak of it, he does look like Merwell. Wish we had +an opera glass, we might make sure." + +"I'll see if we can't borrow a glass," said Dave. + +He looked around and saw that a lady directly in front of Jessie had a +pair of glasses in her lap. He spoke to Jessie, and the girl asked the +lady to lend her the glasses for a minute, and the favor was readily +granted, for it was between the acts, and there was nothing on the stage +to look at. Dave adjusted the glasses and turned them on the balcony. + +"It's Merwell, right enough," he announced. + +"Let me see," said the senator's son, and took the glasses from Dave. As +he pointed them at the youth in the balcony, the latter looked down on +Roger and those with him. He gave a start and then leaned forward. + +"It's Merwell, and he sees us!" cried Roger. + +"What's up?" asked Phil, who was some seats away. + +"Link Merwell,--up in the balcony," answered Dave, and pointed with his +finger. Phil turned in the direction, and as he did so, Link Merwell +doubled up his fist and raised it in the air for an instant. + +"Merwell, sure as you're born," said the shipowner's son. "And full of +fight!" + +"Oh, Dave, you mustn't quarrel here!" whispered Laura, who sat on the +other side of Roger. + +"We'll not quarrel here," answered her brother. "But I am glad I saw +him," he added to his chums. "Now we can keep on our guard." + +The play went on, and, for the time being, the boys and the girls paid +no further attention to Link Merwell. Just as the final curtain was +being lowered, Dave looked up toward the balcony. + +"He has gone," he announced. + +"Perhaps he was afraid we'd come after him," suggested Phil. + +"Maybe he came downstairs to watch for us," added Roger. "Keep your eyes +open when we go out." + +They did as the senator's son suggested. They saw nothing of Merwell in +the foyer, but came face to face with the former student of Oak Hall on +the sidewalk. He glared at them, but then seeing Dunston Porter at +Dave's side, slunk behind some other people, and disappeared from view. + +"My, what an ugly look!" said Laura, with a shiver. + +"He looked as if he wanted to eat somebody up," was Jessie's comment. +"Oh, Dave, you must be careful!" + +"I wish his father's ranch wasn't so close to Mr. Endicott's," continued +Dave's sister. "I declare, the more I think of it, the more nervous it +makes me!" + +"Don't you worry, Laura, or you either, Jessie," answered Dave. "We'll +take care of Link Merwell. If he tries any of his games, he'll get the +worst of it--just as he got the worst of it at Oak Hall." + +But though Dave spoke thus bravely, he was much disturbed himself. He +could read human nature pretty closely, and that look in Merwell's face +had showed him that the fellow meant to do harm at the first opportunity +that was afforded. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +ONLY A STREET WAIF + + +In the morning Dunston Porter left the hotel early, stating that he +would not return until lunch time. The boys and girls took their time +over their breakfast, and then started out for a tour of the big stores +located on State Street. + +Two hours were spent in a way that pleased Laura and Jessie greatly. The +girls purchased several things, to be mailed to the folks left behind. +Then all walked around to the post-office, both to see the building and +to send the things away. + +It was while the others were addressing their packages and also some +picture postcards, that Dave saw a sight that interested him greatly. +Near one of the doorways was a small and ragged newsboy with half a +dozen papers under his arm. An older youth had him by the shoulder and +was shaking him viciously. + +"I say it was a five-dollar gold piece I gave you yesterday by mistake!" +the older boy was saying. "I want it back." + +"No, it wasn't, mister," the boy answered. "It was a cent, nothing but a +cent." + +"I know better, you little thief! Give me that gold piece, or I'll call +a policeman." And again the big youth shook the ragged newsboy, causing +the papers to fall to the sidewalk. + +"Why, it's Link Merwell!" murmured Dave to himself, and he stepped in +the direction of the pair who were disputing. Merwell had his back to +Dave and did not see him. + +"Are you going to give me my gold piece or not?" demanded Link Merwell, +and now he gave the newsboy such a twist of the shoulder that the ragged +lad cried out with pain. + +"I don't know anything about your gold piece!" cried the boy for at +least the tenth time. "Let me go, please, mister! I ain't no thief!" + +"I'll twist your little neck off for you!" muttered Merwell, and was on +the point of hitting the boy in the face when Dave stepped up behind him +and caught his arm. + +"Don't you know better than to hit a little chap like this, Merwell?" he +demanded. + +"Porter!" muttered the western youth, and his face took on a sour look. +"Say, this ain't none of your affair!" he burst out. "You keep your +hands off." + +"Please don't let him hurt me!" pleaded the ragged newsboy. "I didn't do +wrong, mister. I ain't seen no gold piece. He gave me a cent yesterday +for a newspaper, that's all." And the boy looked imploringly at Dave. + +"He's got a five-dollar gold piece of mine," cried Link Merwell. "I want +it. And what's more, Dave Porter, I want you to keep your nose out of my +business!" he added, fiercely. + +"Merwell," answered Dave, as calmly as he could, "I have no desire to +interfere in your business. But I am not going to stand by and see you +abuse this boy, or anybody else. I know just the sort you are--a bully." + +"Bah! Just because you had me expelled from Oak Hall you think you can +do anything, don't you? Well, just wait till you get out West, that's +all! I'll show you a thing or two you won't forget as long as you live!" + +"Take care that you don't get the worst of it, Merwell. Now let that boy +go." And Dave came a step closer and clenched his fists. + +"Going to help the rascal steal five dollars from me?" + +"He says he knows nothing of your gold piece and he looks honest to me. +Why aren't you more careful of your money?" + +"He's got my gold piece and I know it!" declared Link Merwell, loudly. +"If he don't pass it over, I'm going to have him arrested." + +Quite a war of words followed, the loud talking attracting a crowd, +including Phil and Roger and the girls. The ragged newsboy broke down +completely and commenced to cry bitterly. + +"This is a shame, Merwell," said the senator's son. "I think as Dave +does, that the newsboy is honest. If you are so hard up, I'll give you +five dollars out of my own pocket," and he produced a roll of bills. + +"I don't want your money, Morr!" answered Merwell, in a rage. "I am +going to make this boy give me back my gold piece." + +"Say, you," said a man who had listened to the talk for several minutes. +"When did you lose that five-dollar gold piece?" + +"Yesterday morning," answered Link Merwell. "I bought a newspaper from +this boy and after a while I found out I had given him a five-dollar +piece in place of a cent." + +"Did you buy any postage stamps about the same time?" went on the man. + +"Why--er--yes, I did." Link Merwell gave a start. "Say, did----" + +"You did," answered the man, with a sarcastic grin. "I'm the clerk at +that window and I'm just going to lunch," he explained to the crowd. +"You bought five two-cent stamps and threw down a nickel and what I +supposed were five pennies. When I looked at them I saw one was a +five-dollar gold piece. I tried to call you back, but you got out in +such a hurry I couldn't locate you. If you'll come back with me I'll +give you the gold piece in exchange for one cent." + +"There you are, Merwell!" cried Dave. "Now you can see how you were +mistaken in this boy." + +Link Merwell's face was a study. He felt his humiliation keenly, and it +is safe to say he would rather have lost his five dollars than have been +shown up in the wrong. + +"All right, I'll go back and get my gold piece," he muttered. + +"I think you owe the newsboy an apology," said Phil. + +"Oh, you go to thunder!" snapped Merwell, and pushed out of the crowd as +fast as he could. Several followed him and saw him get his gold piece, +and they passed all sorts of uncomplimentary remarks on his actions. + +The girls had become interested in the ragged newsboy, and after he had +picked up his newspapers, they took him to an out-of-the-way corner and +questioned him. He said his name was Charley Gamp and that he was alone +in the world. + +"My mother died some years ago," he said. "I don't know where my father +is. He left us when I was a baby." + +"And do you make your living selling newspapers?" asked Laura. + +"Mostly, but sometimes I carry bundles and run on other errands," +answered Charley Gamp. + +"And where do you live?" questioned Jessie. + +"Oh, I live with an old woman named Posey--that is, when I can pay for +my bed. When I haven't the price I go down to the docks and find a bed +among the boxes and things." + +"You poor boy!" murmured Jessie, and something like tears came into her +eyes. She turned to Laura. "Can't we do something for him?" + +"Perhaps," answered Laura. "At any rate, we can give him some money." + +The boys came over, and all had a talk with Charley Gamp, who told much +about his former life, when his mother had been alive. Of his father he +knew little or nothing; excepting that he had not treated his mother +fairly according to the story told by some former neighbors. + +"I wish we could get him some sort of regular employment and give him a +chance to go to school," said Dave. "Let us ask Uncle Dunston about it. +He knows quite a number of people in Chicago." + +"If you want to do something for me, I'll tell you what," said Charley, +eagerly. "I need a new pair of shoes." And he looked down at his foot +coverings, which were full of holes. + +"And I should say that you needed a new suit of clothes, too," said +Laura. + +"And a new cap," added Jessie. "I'll get you the cap," she went on. "A +real nice one, too." + +In spite of his rags and his dirty face and hands Charley Gamp had a +winning way about him, and the boys and girls easily induced him to +follow them to the hotel. Here they waited for the return of Dunston +Porter, and then asked what might be done with the waif. + +"You'll have your hands full if you want to help every waif that comes +along," said Dave's uncle, with a smile. "Every big city has hundreds of +them." + +"Well, we can't aid every one, but we do want to aid Charley," answered +Laura. And then she and the others told of what had occurred at the +post-office. + +"I don't know exactly how much we can do," said Dunston Porter, slowly. +"I know a number of people here, it is true, but whether any of them +will want to bother with this lad is a question. However, after lunch +I'll look into the matter." + +As the urchin was too dirty and ragged to eat in the hotel, he was given +a quarter of a dollar for his dinner and told to come back in half an +hour. This he did willingly, and a little later Mr. Porter, Dave, and +the two girls sallied forth to see what could be done for the homeless +boy. + +The quest was more successful than they had anticipated. Mr. Porter knew +a certain Mr. Latham, who was in the wholesale fruit business, and this +gentleman agreed to give Charley Gamp a job, at two dollars a week and +his board. He was to live with a man who had charge of a warehouse where +fruit was unloaded, and was to be sent to night school. + +This settled, the waif was fitted out with new clothing and other +things, and the boys and girls and Mr. Porter made up a purse for him of +twenty dollars. + +"You had better put the money in a bank," said Dave. "Then you can use +it as you need it,--or put more to it." + +"Twenty dollars!" gasped Charley Gamp, when he saw the money. "Wow! Say, +I'll be a millionaire before you know it, won't I?" And this remark +caused a laugh. He promised to put the money in a savings bank, where it +would draw interest, and said he would try his best to add to it from +his weekly wages. + +"And will you go to school regularly?" asked Mr. Porter. + +"Yes, sir, I'll give you my word," replied the street boy, promptly. + +"And as soon as you learn to write, you must send us letters," put in +Jessie. "I shall wish to hear from you very much." + +"I'll write, miss. I can write a little already--printing letters," +answered Charley Gamp. + +"Then here is my address," and Jessie handed over her card, and Laura +did the same. Mr. Latham promised to let Mr. Porter know how the boy got +along, and also promised to make some inquiries in the hope of locating +the lad's father. Charley Gamp was extremely grateful for all that had +been done for him, and when he parted from his new friends there were +tears in his eyes. + +"My mother used to tell me there was angels," he said to Jessie and +Laura. "I didn't believe it much. But I do now, 'cause you're angels!" +And he nodded his head earnestly, to show that he meant what he said. + +"And now, ho, for the boundless West!" cried Dave, when the party was on +its way to the depot. "Now for the plains and the mountains, the canyons +and the rivers, the cattle and the broncos, the campfires and the +cowboys, and the lasso and the rifle, the----" + +"Hello, Dave is wound up!" interrupted the senator's son. + +"Must have some of that ranch air in his lungs already," added Phil. "I +suppose the first thing you'll want to do will be to break in a bronco, +ride a couple of hundred miles, and lasso a couple of dozen buffaloes." + +"Sure thing," answered Dave. "Then we'll build a roaring campfire, cook +a ten-pound bear steak and eat it, shoot half a dozen Apache Indians, +find a few fifteen-pound nuggets of gold, and--wake up and find the +mince pie you had for supper didn't agree with you." And this unexpected +ending brought forth a roar of laughter, in which even Mr. Porter +joined. + +"You won't find it so exciting as all that at Star Ranch," said Laura, +after the others had quieted down. "But I think you'll be able to put in +the time doing one thing or another." + +"I reckon we'll hunt up some excitement," said the senator's son. And +they did, as we shall speedily see. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +OFF FOR THE BOUNDLESS WEST + + +"This is certainly the boundless West!" + +It was Dave who spoke, and he addressed the others, who were on the rear +of the observation car with him. As far as the eye could reach were the +prairies, dotted here and there with hillocks and clumps of low-growing +bushes. Behind were the glistening rails and the wooden ties, stretching +out until lost in the distance. + +A night and the larger part of the next day had been spent on the train. +They had crossed the Mississippi and made several stops of more or less +importance, including those at St. Paul and Minneapolis, and now they +were rushing westward through North Dakota to Montana. + +It was a warm, sunshiny day, and the young folk and Mr. Porter enjoyed +the trip to the utmost. Dave's uncle had traveled through that section +of the country several times, and he pointed out various objects of +interest. + +"I haven't seen any Indians yet," said Jessie, with a pout. "I thought +we'd see some by this time." + +"We'll see them a little further west," answered Dunston Porter. +"They'll come down to the railroad stations, to sell trinkets," and his +words proved true. They saw a dozen or more redmen and their squaws the +following morning, at a station where they stopped for water. But the +Indians were so dirty that neither Jessie nor the others wanted to trade +with them, although one Indian had a set of polished horns Roger admired +very much. + +"Never mind, we'll get some horns at Star Ranch," said Laura. "The +cowboys know how to polish them just as well as these Indians, and +they'll sell their work just as cheaply, too." And this proved to be +true. + +They passed Livingston, which, as Dunston Porter told the young folks, +was the transfer point for Yellowstone Park, and then continued on their +way to Helena. Here the young folks left the train, to continue their +journey on a side line running northward. + +"Sorry I am not going further with you," said Dunston Porter, as he +kissed his niece and shook hands warmly with the others. "I hope you get +to the ranch in safety, and don't forget to send word to me at Spokane +as well as to send word home." + +"And you'll be sure to come to the ranch for us in about a month?" asked +Laura. + +"Yes, unless some special business detains me, and then I'll wire when I +can come," was the reply, and then the train rolled off, Dunston Porter +standing at the end, waving the boys and girls adieu. + +"Now we have got to take care of ourselves," remarked the shipowner's +son. "Girls, you don't feel afraid, do you?" + +"Oh, we are not so very far from Star Ranch," answered Laura. "And +you'll remember, I asked Mr. Endicott by telegraph to have somebody meet +us. If he's at the ranch, maybe he'll come himself, and bring Belle. I +know Belle will be just wild to see what sort of a brother I have +found," she added, with a warm glance at Dave. + +"I hope she likes me, Laura. I know I am going to like her. She's a +jolly-looking girl, by her picture." + +"Oh, I know she'll like you. Jessie, you had better look out!" went on +Laura in a whisper, and this made Jessie turn very red. Dave heard the +words and grew red, too, and commenced a lively conversation with Phil +and Roger, about nothing in particular. + +The train on the side line was a big contrast to the luxurious coaches +they had just left. The cars were of the old-fashioned variety and but +two in number, and drawn by an old mountain engine that had seen better +days. Moreover, the roadbed was very uneven, and the cars rocked from +side to side as they rolled between the hills towards Bramley, where the +young folks were to get off. The cars were about half filled with miners +and cattlemen, and a sprinkling of hunters and sightseers, and the boys +and girls overheard a good deal of talk about steers and horses, mines +and new discoveries, and about the outlook for hunting and fishing. + +"Why, Mr. Todd, is that you!" cried Laura, suddenly, as a cowboy was +passing through the car where she sat. + +"It sure is me, Miss Porter," answered the cowboy, coming to a halt with +a broad grin on his weatherbeaten face. "Must be you are on your way to +the ranch," he added. + +"We are," answered Laura. "I am glad to see you." She held out her hand, +which the cowboy took very gingerly, removing his sombrero at the same +time. "This is my friend, Miss Wadsworth, and this is my brother, Dave, +and his two school friends, Mr. Morr and Mr. Lawrence. This is Mr. +Sidney Todd, Mr. Endicott's head man," she explained. + +"Just Sid Todd, miss, that's good enough for me," said the cowboy, as +the others shook hands with him, one after the other. "I ain't used to +no handle, I ain't. The boss thought you might be on this train, but he +wasn't sure when I left. He told me to keep an eye open for you, +though. I hope you had a nice trip." + +"We have had a lovely trip, Mr.--Todd," said Jessie. She could not quite +bring herself to drop the mister. + +"I've heard of you," said Dave to the cowboy. "My sister told me how you +taught her to ride and do a lot of things. I hope you'll take me and my +chums in hand, too, when we get settled at Star Ranch." + +"Ride, don't you?" + +"Oh, yes, but not in the fashion that cowboys can," said Dave, and then +he invited Sid Todd to sit down with them, which the cowboy did. He was +a man of about forty, tall and leathery. His eyes were bubbling over +with good humor, but they could become very stern when the occasion +demanded it. Laura had become well acquainted with him during her former +visit to the ranch, and knew that the Endicotts trusted him implicitly. +While he had taught her how to ride, cowgirl fashion, she had taken a +number of snapshot photographs for him, to be sent to some relative in +the South, and for these he had been very grateful. + +"We want to do a lot of riding, and a lot of hunting and fishing, too," +said the senator's son. "Do you think we'll have a chance for much +sport?" + +"I dunno," answered Sid Todd, dryly. "Might be the game will hear of +your coming and move on to the next State," and his eyes twinkled over +his little joke. + +"I'd like to see some kind of a round-up," said Phil. "Will there be one +while we are here?" + +"Might be, Mr.--I didn't quite catch your handle." + +"Phil Lawrence. Just call me Phil." + +"I will if you'll call me Todd, or Sid. I can't git used to this mister +business nohow. Besides, the boys would have the laugh on me, if they +heard you a-mistering me all the time." + +"All right, Sid it is," said Dave. "And I'm Dave." + +"And I am Roger," added the senator's son. + +"About that round-up," continued the cowboy. "Might see something of the +sort, for Mr. Endicott is goin' to sell some cattle the end of the +month, and they'll be driven off to another range. But you'll see enough +of cattle anyway, before you go home, if you are going to stay a month +or six weeks." + +"Any fishing?" queried the shipowner's son. + +"Yes, plenty of fishing, back in the mountains. One place there you can +catch a barrel or two of fish in ten minutes--if you've got lines +enough," and once more Sid Todd chuckled at his joke. + +It was a three hours' run to Bramley, for the train stopped at many +little stations and at some crossings where there were no stations at +all. At one point they came to a halt where there was a large corral, +and the boys and girls watched the efforts of several cowboys to lasso a +bronco that was untrained. The bronco eluded the rope with apparent +ease. + +"Some of 'em are mighty tricky," explained Sid Todd. "I remember two +years ago, we had one bronco nobody at the Star could touch. I reckon he +was sure mad, for finally he bit Hank Snogger, and Hank had to treat him +to a dose of lead." + +"Is Hank Snogger still with Mr. Endicott?" questioned Laura. + +"No, he ain't," answered Sid Todd, shortly. "He left two months ago. A +good job done, too," added the cowboy. + +"Who was this Hank Snogger?" asked Dave, in a low voice of his sister, +for he saw that the subject was distasteful to Todd. + +"He was one of the cowboys working for Mr. Endicott," answered Laura. +"He was rather a queer kind of a man." + +"Bramley's just ahead," announced Sid Todd, presently. "Maybe you can +catch sight of somebody you know," he added to Laura, as the train +rounded the curve of a small hill. + +"I see a young lady on horseback, and a man!" cried Dave's sister a few +minutes later. "It's Belle, and her father! They came to meet us! Oh, I +must signal to them!" And she waved her handkerchief from the car +window. Soon Belle Endicott saw it, and waved her big straw hat in +return. + +"Welcome to the West!" she cried, merrily, as she dashed up on her pony +beside the railroad tracks. "Oh, I was so afraid you wouldn't come!" + +"And I was so afraid you'd miss our telegram and wouldn't meet us," +returned Laura. + +As soon as the train came to a stop the boys hopped down and assisted +the girls to alight. Sid Todd followed, with the hand baggage, and the +whole party gathered in a group, while Mr. Endicott and Belle dismounted +to greet them. + +"Very glad to know you," said the railroad president, with a genial +smile overspreading his features. "I feel as if I knew Morr already. I +have met his father and mother several times in Washington." + +"Yes, so dad wrote," answered the senator's son. + +"And I feel as if I knew you, and Miss Belle," said Dave. "I've heard so +much about you from Laura." + +"And we've heard so much about you!" cried Belle. "Oh, wasn't it simply +wonderful how you found your folks! Why, it's almost like a page out of +a fairy book!" + +"Not quite," put in Phil. "Fairy stories aren't true, while this really +happened." + +"Some day Dave has got to tell me the whole story from beginning to +end," said Belle. "You see, I'm going to call you Dave, and you must +call me Belle." + +"Well, we can't stop for stories just now," said Mr. Endicott. "It's a +long ride to the ranch, and they'll be more than hungry by the time we +get there. Todd, bring up the horses, and tell Jerry to dump all the +baggage in the wagon. Do you all want to ride horseback, or does +somebody prefer a seat in the wagon?" + +"Oh, let us ride horseback, if you have animals enough!" cried Laura. +"You're willing, aren't you, Jessie?" + +"I--I guess so," said Jessie, rather timidly. "That is, if you don't +ride too fast." + +"We'll take it easy," said Belle. "And if you get tired you can wait for +the wagon." + +A number of sturdy-looking animals were brought up, and the entire party +proceeded to mount, the boys assisting Laura and Jessie. In the meantime +Sid Todd went off, to return with a ranch wagon, driven by an old man +smoking a corncob pipe. + +"Hello, Uncle Jerry!" cried Laura, pleasantly, and the others soon +learned that the old man was known by that name and no other. He had +been attached to the ranch when Mr. Endicott purchased the place, and +knew no other home. He and Todd placed the baggage in the wagon, and +then the cowboy swung himself into the saddle of his own steed, that had +been brought to the station for him. + +Just as the party was about to leave, a tall, thin, and well-dressed man +dashed up, riding a coal-black steed. As he came closer Laura gave a +start and motioned for Dave to come closer. + +"Who is it?" asked Dave, in a low voice. + +"That is Mr. Merwell," answered his sister. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +THE ARRIVAL AT STAR RANCH + + +Mr. Felix Merwell bowed stiffly to Mr. Endicott, and, on seeing Laura, +raised his hat slightly. Both of the others bowed in return. Then the +eyes of the newcomer swept the vicinity of the little railroad station. + +"See anything of my son, Link?" he asked, of Sid Todd. + +"No, sir," was the short reply. It was quite evident that the cowboy and +the ranch owner were not on very friendly terms. + +"Humph! I thought sure he'd be on this train," muttered Mr. Merwell, to +no one in particular. He looked at the boys. "You came in on the train +that just left, I suppose," he said. + +"We did," answered Dave. + +"See anything of a boy about your own age in Helena, at the depot? He +was coming on the eastern train." + +"Your son wasn't on the train," answered Dave. + +"Ah! you know him?" + +"Yes." + +"Who are you, may I ask? I do not remember seeing you before." + +"I am Dave Porter. Link and I went to Oak Hall together." + +"Ah, I see!" Mr. Merwell drew a long breath and nodded his head +knowingly. "Dave Porter, you said. And who are these young men?" + +"My school chums, Roger Morr and Phil Lawrence." + +"Indeed! Then you are the young men who caused my son so much +trouble--caused him to be sent away, in fact," continued Mr. Merwell, +and he glared hatefully at the three lads. + +"It was Link's own fault that he was sent away," answered the senator's +son. "If he had behaved himself he would have had no trouble." + +"Oh, of course, it is natural that you should shield yourselves. But I +know my son, and I know he is not the person he has been made out to be +by Doctor Clay and others. It was an outrage to allow the other boys at +the school to get him into trouble as they did, and I have written to +Doctor Clay to that effect." + +"Your son was entirely to blame," said Phil, bound to stand up for +himself. + +"He can be thankful that he was let off so easily," added Dave. "If it +hadn't been for the honor of Oak Hall, there might have been a public +exposure." + +"Bah! nonsense! But it is useless to continue this discussion here, in +the presence of these young ladies. Perhaps I'll see you again about the +matter--after I have interviewed my son personally." + +"Mr. Merwell, these young gentleman are my guests," put in Mr. Endicott, +bluntly. "While they are stopping at my ranch I trust they will not be +annoyed by any one." + +"Mr. Endicott, I shall respect your wishes so far as I can," returned +Felix Merwell, with great stiffness. "But if these young men have done +my son an injustice, they will have to suffer for it. I bid you +good-day." And having thus delivered himself, the man wheeled around his +coal-black steed and was off in a cloud of dust down the road. + +"Oh, Dave, what do you think he'll do?" asked Jessie, in alarm. + +"I don't know," was Dave's reply. "Of course, he is bound to stick up +for Link." + +"I never liked him very much, and now I despise him," said Laura. + +"One can readily see where Link gets his temper from," was Phil's +comment. "He is nothing but a chip of the old block." + +"I am sorry that Mr. Merwell is my neighbor," came from Mr. Endicott. +"But it can't be helped, so we'll have to make the best of it. My +advice is, while you are out here, keep off his lands, and if he annoys +you in any way, let me know." + +"We'll have to learn what his lands are," said the senator's son. + +"Todd and the others can readily tell you about that, and about +Merwell's cattle, too. But come, we have wasted too much time already. +You'll all be wanting supper long before we reach the ranch." + +Old Jerry had gone ahead with the wagon, and now the others followed +along the road taken by the turnout and by Mr. Merwell. It was a winding +trail, leading up and down over the hills and through a dense patch of +timber. Two miles from the station they had to cross a fair-sized stream +by way of a bridge that was far from firm. + +"We've got to have a new bridge here some day," said Mr. Endicott. "I am +willing to bear my share of the expense, but Merwell won't put up a +cent. He doesn't go in for improvements." + +"He seems to like good horseflesh," remarked Phil. + +"That was one of his best mounts. His horses aren't half as good as +those we have; eh, Todd?" + +"No better bosses in these parts than those at the Star," answered the +cowboy. + +"I have been giving our horses my especial care for three years," +explained the railroad president. "It has become a hobby with me, and +some day I may turn the ranch into something of a stock farm for +raising certain breeds of horses and ponies. While you are here you'll +not suffer for the want of a mount." + +"I'd like to see you break in some of the horses," said Roger. + +"Well, you'll have the chance." + +"Maybe you'd like to break in a bronco yourself," suggested Belle, with +a twinkle in her eye. + +"And get sent skyhigh!" returned the senator's son. "No, thank you, not +until I've learned the business." + +"A bronco is all right if you understand him," remarked Sid Todd. "But +if you don't, you'd better monkey with the business end of a gun,--it's +just as healthy." + +The woods left behind, they commenced to ascend a long hill. Far off to +the westward loomed the mountains, covered with pines and bordered below +with cottonwoods. + +"There is where you'll get your hunting when you want it," said Mr. +Endicott. "How is it, can you shoot?" + +"We can," answered Phil, and then told of some of their experiences in +the South Sea islands. Then Roger told of the adventures which Dave and +he had in Norway, and Dave ended by telling of the target practice with +the swinging board. + +"Well, I'll tell you right now a big bear out in them mountains ain't no +swingin' board," said Sid Todd. "He's a whole lumber yard, when he's +cornered." And at this remark there was a general laugh. + +It was getting dark when they came in sight of Star Ranch. They made out +a long, low building on the southern slope of a small hill. It was built +in modern bungalow fashion, having been erected by Mr. Endicott after +the original log dwelling had been destroyed by fire. It was divided +into a sitting-room fifteen feet by twenty-five, an office, a good-sized +dining-hall, a kitchen, and eight bedrooms, and a bath. Water was pumped +from a brook at the foot of the hill, and the rooms were lighted by a +new system of gasoline gas. The ranch home was comfortably furnished, +and in the sitting-room were a bookcase filled with good reading, and a +new player piano, with a combination cabinet of sheet music and music +rolls. + +"I play by hand," said Belle, when the boys noticed the player piano, +"but papa plays with his feet." + +"That's the kind of playing I do, too," answered Phil, with a grin. + +"But you sing, don't you?" asked the young hostess of the ranch. + +"Oh, yes, we all sing." + +"Belle is a beautiful player," said Laura. "Wait till you hear her play +some operatic selections." + +Supper was in readiness, having been ordered in advance by Mrs. +Endicott, a sweet woman who looked like Laura, and as soon as the girls +and boys had had a chance to brush up and wash, all sat down to partake +of the good things provided. Jessie was much astonished by the things +spread before her. + +"Why, I thought we were going to live in regular camping style!" she +declared. "This is as good as what we had at the hotel in Chicago, if +not better." + +"The Wild West of to-day is not the Wild West of years ago," explained +Mrs. Endicott. "People from the East have a wrong impression of many +things. Of course some things are still crude, but others are as +up-to-date as any one could wish." + +"What I like best of all is the general open-heartedness of the people +you meet," declared Dave. "They are not quite so frozen-up as in some +places in the East." + +"That is true, and it is readily explained," answered the ranch owner. +"In the pioneer days everybody had to depend upon everybody else, and +consequently all were more or less sociable. The feeling has not yet +worn off. But I am afraid it will wear off, as we become more and more +what is called civilized," added Mr. Endicott, with something of a sigh. + +Everybody was hungry, and all did full justice to the repast. As they +ate, the boys and girls asked many questions concerning the ranch and +the neighborhood generally, and Mr. and Mrs. Endicott and Belle were +kept busy answering first one and then another. The railroad president +told how he had come to purchase the place--doing it for the sake of his +health--and mentioned the many improvements he had made. + +"We used to simply corral the horses and cattle," said he. "But now I +have a fine stable for the horses, and numerous sheds for the cattle. We +have also big barns for hay and grain, and a hen-house with a run fifty +feet by two hundred." + +"The chickens are my pets," said Belle. "I have some of the cutest +bantams you ever saw." + +"I'll help you feed them," said Jessie. At Crumville she had always +taken an interest in the chickens. + +The trunks and dress-suit cases had been brought in by old Jerry and one +of the Chinese servants, and placed in the proper rooms, and after +supper the boys and girls spent an hour in getting settled. Laura and +Jessie had a nice room that connected with one occupied by Belle, and +Dave, Phil, and Roger were assigned to two rooms directly opposite. + +"You boys can divide up the rooms to suit yourselves," said Mrs. +Endicott. + +"Thank you, we will," they answered, and later arranged that Dave was to +have one apartment and Roger the other, and Phil was to sleep one week +with one chum and the next with the other. + +"Say, but this suits me down to the ground!" cried the senator's son, +after the boys had said good-night to the others. "It's a complete +surprise. Like Jessie, I had an idea we'd have to rough it." + +"I knew about what to expect, for Laura told me," answered Dave, with a +smile. "I didn't say too much because I wanted you to be surprised. But +it's better even than I anticipated. If we don't have the outing of our +lives here, it will be our own fault." + +"The Endicotts are certainly fine folks," said the shipowner's son, as +he sat on the edge of a bed to unlace his shoes. "And Belle is--well, as +nice as they make 'em." + +"Hello, Phil must be smitten!" cried Roger. "Well, I don't blame you, +old man." + +"Who said I was smitten?" returned Phil, his face growing red. "I said +she was a dandy girl, that's all." + +"And she is," said Dave. "I don't wonder Laura likes her." + +"We ought to be able to make up some fine parties," continued Phil, as +he dropped a shoe on the floor. "Dave can take out Jessie, and you can +take out Laura, and I'll----" + +"Take out Miss Belle," finished the senator's son. He caught Phil by the +foot. "Say, you're smitten all right. Come on, Dave, let us wake him out +of his dream!" And he commenced to pull on the foot. + +"Hi! you let up!" cried the shipowner's son, clutching at the bed to +keep himself from falling to the floor. "I haven't said half as much +about Belle as you've said about Laura, so there!" + +"Never said anything about Laura!" answered Roger, but he, too, turned +red. Dave commenced to laugh heartily, and Phil wrenched himself free +and stood up. + +"What's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander," cried Dave. +"Better both quit your knocking and go to bed. I suppose the girls are +tired out and want to go to sleep." + +"Sounds like it, doesn't it," murmured Roger, as a shriek of laughter +came from across the hallway. + +"Maybe they are knocking each other the same way," suggested Phil. + +"Never!" cried Dave. "Girls aren't built that way." + +But Dave was mistaken. + +A little later quietness reigned, and one after another the newcomers to +Star Ranch dropped asleep. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +A RACE ON HORSEBACK + + +"What a beautiful spot!" + +It was Dave who uttered the words, as he stood out in front of the ranch +house on the following morning. He had gotten up early, and Laura and +Belle had joined him, leaving the others still at rest. + +Dave spoke with feeling, for the grand and sublime things in Nature had +always appealed to him. He was gazing toward the east, where the rising +sun was flooding the plains with a golden hue. Beyond the cottonwoods he +caught a glimpse of the winding river. Then, when he turned, he saw the +foothills and the mountains in the west, with their great bowlders and +cliffs and their sturdy growths of pine. + +"Aren't you glad you came, Dave?" said his sister, as she placed an +affectionate hand on his shoulder. + +"Indeed I am, Laura," he replied. "Why, it looks to me as if I was going +to have the outing of my life! In fact, all of us ought to have the best +time ever!" + +"Does it put you in mind of your trip to Norway?" questioned Belle. + +"Hardly. That was taken during cold weather, and everything was covered +with snow and ice. Besides, the scenery was quite different." Dave +paused to sweep the horizon. "In what direction is the Merwell ranch?" +he asked. + +"Over yonder," answered Belle, pointing up the river. "The little brook +flowing down between those rough rocks marks the boundary line." + +"And whose cattle are those on yonder hills?" + +"I am not sure, but I think they belong to papa. When you ask about +cattle you must go to Sid Todd. He knows every animal for miles around." + +"I suppose your cattle are all branded?" + +"Oh, yes, with a star and the letter E on either side of it. That's why +this is called Star Ranch." + +"What is the Merwell brand?" asked Laura. + +"A triple cross." + +Breakfast was soon announced, and all the girls and boys assembled in +the dining-hall. While they ate the meal, Mr. Endicott told the +newcomers much about his ranch, and also about the people working for +him. + +"I am sorry to hear that you have had trouble with Mr. Merwell's son," +said the railroad president. "I am afraid it will make matters worse out +here--and they are bad enough as it is." + +"But I am sure Dave and his chums are not to blame, Mr. Endicott," said +Laura, hastily. + +"Oh, I am sure of that myself--for I know something of Link Merwell and +his headstrong temper,--a temper he gets largely from his father. If it +were not for that temper, I think Mr. Merwell and myself might be on +better terms." + +"We have had trouble over one of the hired men, Hank Snogger," explained +Belle. "Snogger used to work for us, but Mr. Merwell hired him away." + +"That wasn't a very nice thing to do," was Roger's comment. + +"If it had been done openly it would not have been so bad," said Mr. +Endicott. "But it was done secretly, and Snogger was gone almost before +I knew it. He was a valuable man and I felt his loss keenly." + +"I suppose Mr. Merwell offered him more wages," said Phil. + +"Probably, although I paid Snogger a good salary. I don't know what game +Merwell played to get the fellow, but he got him." + +"It's exactly like some of Link's underhanded work at Oak Hall," was +Roger's comment. "Father and son must be very much alike." + +"While you are here I would advise you to steer clear of the Merwells," +was Mr. Endicott's advice. "I'd not even go on their land if you can +help it. There are plenty of other places to go to." + +"I'll not go near his ranch, if I know it," answered Dave. + +"It is queer that Link did not come on the train with you, if his father +was expecting him." + +"Oh, most likely he stopped off somewhere to have a good time," answered +the senator's son. "A fellow like Link would be apt to find life slow on +a ranch." + +After breakfast Mr. Endicott and Belle took the boys and girls around +the ranch buildings, which were quite numerous. The girls were +interested in some fancy chickens and pigeons Belle owned, and the boys +grew enthusiastic over the horses. + +"I never saw better animals!" cried Dave, his eyes resting on a black +horse that was truly a beauty. "What's his name?" he asked. + +"Hero," answered Mr. Endicott. "He can go, let me tell you. You can try +him this afternoon, if you wish." + +"Thank you, perhaps I will." + +"And if you like him, you can use Hero during your stay here," went on +the railroad president, and then he pointed out various horses that the +others might use. + +"No busting broncos here, I suppose," said Phil, with a grin. + +"No. If you want to try a bronco, you'll have to see Todd. But I advise +you to be careful. Some day I'll have Todd give you an exhibition of +bronco busting, as it is called." + +During their tour of the place they met several cowboys and other +helpers, and soon became well acquainted. In the past, visitors to Star +Ranch had been numerous, consequently the most of the men were not as +shy as they might otherwise have been. They gladly answered all the +questions the boys and girls put to them, and offered to do all sorts of +things to render the visit of the newcomers pleasant. + +After lunch the girls felt like resting, for it was rather warm, but all +the boys were anxious to get into the saddle. They had heard that Sid +Todd was going to a distant part of the range, to see about two steers +that had fallen into a ravine, and asked to be taken along. + +"All right, my boys," said the cowboy. "Come ahead. But you'll have to +do quite a bit of riding to get there and back by nightfall." + +"Well, we may as well get used to it," answered Phil. "I expect to about +live in the saddle while I am here." + +Todd had several things to attend to before starting, so they did not +leave the stables until nearly three o'clock. Dave was mounted on the +steed he had so admired, and the others had equally good horses. + +"Shall we take our guns?" asked Roger. + +"What for?" asked the cowboy. + +"Oh, I thought we might get the chance to shoot something." + +"We'll not have much time to look for game," answered Sid Todd. +"However, if you want to take your shootin' irons, there ain't no +objections." So each of the lads provided himself with a shotgun. Todd +carried a pistol, of the "hoss" variety and nearly two feet long, the +same being deposited in the holster of his saddle. + +The course was to the westward, to the foothills of the distant +mountains. Here, the cowboy explained, was a treacherous ravine, the +sides overgrown with a tangle of low bushes. The cattle loved to get in +the bushes, finding something there particularly appetizing to eat, and +often the rocks and dirt would give way and a steer would go down in the +hollow and be unable to get out. + +"They don't seem to know how to climb the rocks," said Sid Todd. "And +you've got to fairly drive 'em the right way, or they'd stay in the +hollow till they died." + +Dave felt like "letting himself loose," as he expressed it, and with a +level stretch of several miles before them, he called on Phil and Roger +for a race. + +"Done!" cried the shipowner's son. "But I know you'll beat," he added. +"You've had more practice on horseback than I have had." + +"Take care and keep to the trail!" sung out Sid Todd. He had no desire +to join in the sport, for horseback riding was no novelty to him. + +Over the soft ground thundered the three horses, the boys at the start +keeping in a bunch. But gradually they spread out and then Roger forged +ahead. + +"Here is where I win!" sang out the senator's son. + +"Not much!" answered Phil. "Just wait till my horse gets his muscles +limbered up a bit!" And then he urged his animal to a better gait, and +slowly but surely crawled up closer to Roger. + +Dave said but little, for he was paying all his attention to Hero. He +had studied horses from childhood, and he thought he saw in the steed he +rode better staying qualities than in either of the other animals. He +kept on directly behind his chums, but made no effort for the first half +mile to pass them. + +"How far do we race?" cried the senator's son, presently. + +"To the patch of woods," answered Dave, indicating a growth about a mile +distant. + +"All right--and--good-by to you!" returned Roger, merrily. + +"Dave, you aren't in it a little bit!" added Phil. And he sped after the +senator's son, leaving Dave a full fifty yards in the rear. + +Dave saw that Hero was gradually warming up to his task. He clucked +softly, and the little black horse pricked up his ears and increased his +gait. Then Dave clucked again--he had heard Todd do this--and Hero went +a little faster. + +On went the three boys, the fresh air of the plains and the mountains +filling their lungs and causing their eyes to snap with pure delight. At +that moment each of them felt as if he hadn't a care in the world. + +Phil and Roger were now neck-and-neck, with not quite half a mile of the +race still to cover. Sixty yards behind was Dave. Still further to the +rear was Sid Todd, now urging his horse forward, that he might see the +finish of the contest. + +"Now, then, my little beauty, go!" cried Dave to his horse, and he +clucked several times to Hero, and dug his heels into the steed's ribs. + +He had not miscalculated, and Hero responded instantly. Up he went into +the air, and when he came down his ears were laid far back, and forward +he shot like an arrow from a bow. Dave kept him to it, and gradually he +ranged up between the others. + +"Hi, get back there!" yelled Roger, who was now slightly in advance. +"You can beat Phil, but you can't beat me!" + +"Not much! He's not going to beat me!" put in the shipowner's son, and +he urged his horse to do better. But this was impossible, and, inch by +inch, Dave overtook him, and went to the front. + +It now seemed to be a race between Hero and the brown horse that the +senator's son rode. Roger's mount was still in fine condition, but it +must be confessed that the senator's son did not know exactly how to +race him to the best advantage. He sawed a little on the reins, thus +worrying the animal, and causing him to lose his gait. Then, with a +bound, Dave came up, and the pair were neck-and-neck for the finish. + +"Go! go!" yelled Phil. "May the best horse win!" + +"Whoopee!" came unexpectedly from Sid Todd, and, grabbing his pistol +from the holster, he sent three shots into the air, just to add to the +excitement. + +As the pistol went off, both horses gave an extra bound forward. The two +young riders were almost unseated, but each quickly recovered. Then they +bent low over their steeds' necks and went forward for the finish. + +It was a thrilling moment, Dave and Roger side by side, Phil at their +heels, and Sid Todd further back, firing another shot or two, "just for +fun," in true cowboy fashion. + +But Roger had urged his horse to the limit and could do no better. As +Dave clucked again, Hero shot ahead, a foot, a yard, and soon several +yards. Then Phil came up abreast of the senator's son, and thus they +kept until the edge of the woods was gained. + +"Dave wins!" cried Sid Todd. "An' a good race, boys,--a good race all +around." + +"Yes, Dave wins!" answered Phil. "My, but your horse did go it at the +finish!" he added, admiringly. + +"A fine animal," said Roger. "But mine is fine, too, even if he didn't +come in first," he added, loyally. + +"You all rode well--better nor I expected," was Sid Todd's comment. "It +was a good race. I wish the others on the ranch had seen it,--they +wouldn't call you tenderfeet no more!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE CRAZY STEER + + +In the shade of the woods the boys rested their steeds for a few +minutes, and as they did this the cowboy told them of some of the races +he had seen in the past on Star Ranch. + +"One of the greatest races was between one o' the cowboys and an Indian +named Crowfoot Joe," said the cowboy. "The Indian was sure he was going +to win, but he lost by a neck. That race took place two years ago, but +the boys in these parts ain't done tellin' about it yet. We had a full +holiday the time it come off." + +"I think your horse is just as good as mine," said Dave to Roger. "But I +fancy you pressed him a little too hard at the start." + +"He is just as good, an' so is the hoss Phil is ridin'," came from Sid +Todd. "It was the ridin' did it. Dave managed his mount just right." And +this open praise made the youth from Crumville blush. + +"Just wait till Jessie hears how he won," said the shipowner's son. +"She'll weave a laurel crown for his brow and----" + +"Don't you say a word about it!" cried Dave, and blushed more than ever. +"I didn't win by so very much, anyway." + +Forward the party went, through the woods, and then in the direction of +the foothills beyond. The race had not hurt the horses in the least, for +all of them were tough and used to hard usage. They were following a +well-defined trail, but presently branched off to the southward and +commenced to climb the first of the hills. + +"That hollow is about quarter of a mile from here," explained the +cowboy. "Be careful now, or your horse will get into a hole, an' maybe +break a leg." And then they went forward with added caution, into the +midst of a growth of low bushes, dotted here and there with sagebrush. + +Presently the cowboy uttered a long, loud whistle and this was answered +by somebody near the edge of the ravine. Then another ranch hand named +Tom Yates showed himself. He was on foot, but his horse was tethered not +far away. + +"Well, where are they?" asked Todd, of the other cowboy. + +"Where are they?" growled Tom Yates. "Where they always are when they go +over, hang 'em! Say, we're going to have a fierce job this time," he +added. + +"Why?" asked Todd. + +"Because that big steer--the spotted one--went over with two of the +others. He got hurt a few days ago in the woods, and he's as ugly as sin +because of it." + +"Well, we'll have to drive 'em up, same as we did before," answered Sid +Todd, briefly. + +"I don't think you'll drive that steer," answered Tom Yates. "Blinky and +I tried it, and we couldn't do a thing with him. Blinky wouldn't stay +here. He thinks the steer is crazy." + +"Got a rope?" + +"Sure," was the answer, and the cowboy who had been working to get the +cattle out of the ravine, swung a strong lasso into view. "But you ain't +goin' to use that on that steer," he continued. "Leas'wise, not if you +want to live to tell it." + +"We'll see," answered Sid Todd, briefly, as he dismounted and took the +lasso. + +"Can we help?" asked Dave. + +"Sure you can," answered the cowboy who had accompanied the boys. "Just +you keep out of the way, an' that will be all the help we need." + +"But perhaps we could do something," grumbled Roger. "I want to get into +a regular round-up of cattle some day." + +"This ain't no round-up, my boy. If you go down into the hollow those +cattle will be wuss frightened nor ever. You just stay up here and watch +things. I'm going to get 'em out--or know the reason why," finished Sid +Todd, and he walked away with Tom Yates, and presently the pair were +joined by a third hand, the fellow who had said he thought one of the +steers was crazy. + +With nothing else to do, the three boys dismounted, tethered their +steeds, and walked slowly and cautiously to the edge of the ravine. The +ground was very uneven, and treacherous holes were numerous. + +"You would think there would be a lot of game around here," was Dave's +comment. "But so far I haven't seen a thing." + +"I think the cattle and the cowboys have scared the animals away," +answered Roger. "For hunting we'll have to go where it is even wilder +than this--Todd said so." + +"My, but this air is the finest ever!" cried Phil. "I declare, it makes +me feel young!" + +"As if he were old!" protested the senator's son. "But the air is +great!" he added. + +"I know what it does to me," declared Dave. "Makes me mighty hungry." + +"Same here," answered the shipowner's son. "I think I could eat about +six square meals a day. When we go out hunting, for a full day or more, +we mustn't forget to take plenty of food along." + +"Oh, we'll eat what we shoot, Phil," said Dave, with a wink at Roger. +"They always do that out West, you know." + +"Huh! And if we don't shoot we can starve, eh? Not much! I'm going to +take plenty of good things along when I go out." + +"I wonder if we'll see much of Link Merwell," said Roger, after a pause. + +"I don't want to see him," answered Dave. + +"But he'll see you, Dave. Didn't he say he'd square accounts out here? +He'll keep his word--when it comes to doing anything mean and dirty." + +"Roger is right," said Phil. "I shouldn't want to alarm the girls, or +Mr. and Mrs. Endicott, but I'd surely keep my eyes open for Link +Merwell. He'll try some kind of a game--it's his nature." + +With caution the boys approached the edge of the ravine and looked over. +They saw a spot where the dirt, rocks, and bushes had torn loose and +slid down to the bottom of the hollow, carrying with the mass three of +Mr. Endicott's herd of cattle. Two of the herd had been driven up to +safety by the cowboys, but the third--the vicious steer--was still +below, unable to help himself, and showing fight whenever approached by +the ranch hands. + +"I see him!" announced Phil, pointing with his hand to some rocks below. +"He looks peaceful enough." + +"So does a bomb--until it goes off," answered Dave. "The cowboys +wouldn't be afraid of him unless he was a bad one. Maybe he is really +crazy. I've heard of a crazy horse." + +"Say, that puts me in mind of a story Shadow Hamilton told," came from +the senator's son. "A boy in school was a regular blockhead, and one day +the teacher asked him what made him so foolish. 'I dunno,' he answered, +'excepting that my mother makes me sleep under a crazy quilt.'" + +"Say, that's like Shadow!" cried Phil, after a laugh all around. "Wish +he was here--what stories he would tell!" + +For some little time the boys could not see the men, who were hidden by +the rocks and brushwood. But presently they caught sight of Sid Todd. He +was flourishing a stick at the steer. The animal paid no attention at +first, but presently commenced to shake his head from side to side. + +"Doesn't like it," was Roger's comment. + +"He seems to be saying 'No' quite forcibly," added Dave. + +"Now Todd is after him," cried the shipowner's son a minute later. "See, +the steer is on the move at last." + +"Yes, but he is going after Todd!" answered Roger. + +Such was the fact, and presently man and beast disappeared behind some +brushwood. Then, when they emerged again, it was seen that the cowboy +had lassoed the animal by one of the forelegs. He was mounting the +rocks, and the steer was limping behind, trying vainly to shake himself +free. He did not seem to know enough to hold back altogether. + +"Well, I think that rather dangerous!" declared Phil. "Supposing the +steer should run for him?" + +"I guess the cowboy knows what he is doing," answered Dave. "If he is +pursued, he can easily scramble up on some of the steep rocks and get +out of the way." + +For fully ten minutes they watched the scene below them with interest. +At one time the cowboy would appear to have the best of the situation, +then it looked as if the steer would have his own way. But gradually man +and beast worked up toward the top of the ravine. + +"He'll worry the steer along, if he doesn't get too tired," said Dave. +"But it must be a fearful strain on him." + +The strain was heavier than the boys anticipated and several times Sid +Todd was on the point of giving up the struggle. Perhaps, had he been +alone, he might have done so. But, with the others looking on, he felt +that his reputation was at stake, and so he worried along, until he +suddenly slipped on some rocks and fell flat. + +As he went down, the steer appeared to realize the man's helplessness, +and with a weird snort he rushed forward, the lasso becoming tangled up +on the front leg as he advanced. + +"Look out, Sid!" yelled Yates. "He's goin' to hook yer!" + +Todd had been a little stunned by his fall, and a bit of brushwood hid +the animal from his view. But at the cry of alarm from the other ranch +hand he realized his peril and rolled over, between two tall rocks. + +On came the steer and struck one of the rocks a blow that resounded +loudly through the ravine. Then the beast gave a leap, directly over +Todd's body, and landed on the rocks beyond. + +"Is he hurt?" asked Roger, anxiously. + +"I don't know, but I don't think so," answered Dave. + +"See, the steer is coming right up the side of the ravine!" cried Phil. +"He is dragging the lasso after him." + +"Yes, and he is coming this way!" put in the senator's son. "Perhaps we +had better get out of the way!" he added, in alarm. + +"Oh, I don't think he'll tackle us," answered Phil. + +"There is no telling what he will do," said Dave. "He is coming to the +top, that is sure. Maybe we had better get into the saddle. We'll be +safer on horseback." + +The horses of the three boys were tethered some distance away, and as +mentioned before, the lads had to move slowly, for fear of stepping into +some hole. As they advanced they heard loud cries coming up from the +bottom of the ravine. + +"What can be wrong down there now?" questioned the shipowner's son. + +"I don't know," returned Roger. "Perhaps they are shouting to warn us." + +"That is just what they are doing!" added Dave, quickly. "Listen!" + +"Look out, up there!" came from the ravine. "Look out! The steer is +coming!" + +The boys quickened their pace, but hardly had they covered half the +distance to where the horses were tied when Roger suddenly slipped and +went down. + +"Hurry up!" called out Phil, who was near. + +"Oh!" moaned the senator's son, and his face took on a look of pain. + +"What's wrong?" asked Dave, coming up. + +"My foot! It got twisted, and now it is fast in the hole!" answered +Roger. "Gracious! how it hurts!" he went on, making a wry face. + +"Come! come!" urged Dave. "That steer is coming! There he is now!" And +he pointed to the lower end of the ravine, where the animal had just +bobbed up among the bushes, shaking his head from side to side in a +queer, uncanny way. + +Roger tried to pull his foot from between the rocks, but was unable to +do so. Phil had run on, thinking his chums would follow. Dave stopped +short. + +"Can't you make it, Roger?" he asked, anxiously, and with another glance +in the direction of the steer. The animal was now in full view. + +"I--I--don't seem to be--be able to!" panted the senator's son. "Oh, if +only that steer doesn't come this way!" he went on, in fresh alarm. + +"He is coming this way!" exclaimed Dave. "Oh, Roger, let me help you!" +And now he bent over and tried with might and main to get his chum's +foot free. As he did this the steer came forward slowly. Then the animal +gave an unexpected snort of rage and charged full tilt at the helpless +youth. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +A FACE PUZZLES DAVE + + +It was a time of extreme peril for Roger, and no one realized it more +fully than did Dave. The angry steer was still some distance away, but +coming forward at his best speed. One prod from those horns and the +senator's son would be killed or badly hurt. + +As said before, Phil had gone on, thinking his chums would follow. He +was already at the side of his horse, and speedily untied the animal, +and vaulted into the saddle. + +"Why, what's up?" he cried, in dismay, as he turned, to behold Roger in +the hole and Dave beside him. + +"Roger's foot is fast!" answered Dave. "Oh, Phil, see if you can't scare +the steer off!" + +"I'll do what I can," came from the shipowner's son, and rather timidly, +it must be confessed, he advanced on the animal in question. He gave a +loud shout and swung his arm, and the steer looked toward him and came +to a halt. + +"You've got your gun--if he tries to horn Roger, shoot him," went on +Dave. + +"I will," answered Phil, and riding still closer he swung his firearm +around for action. + +Dave made a hasty examination and saw that Roger's foot was caught by +the toe and the heel, and would have to be turned in a side-way fashion +to be loosened. He caught his chum under the arms and turned him partly +over. + +"Now try it," he said quickly, at the same time turning once more to +look at the steer. The beast had finished his inspection of Phil and was +coming forward as before, with head and horns almost sweeping the +ground. Behind him trailed the long lasso, which was still fast to one +of his forelegs. + +"Phil! Phil!" cried Dave, suddenly. "I have it! Catch the lasso if you +can and hold him back!" + +"I will--if I can," was the ready response. And making a semicircle the +shipowner's son came up behind the steer, leaped to the ground, caught +hold of the lasso, and sprang back into the saddle, almost as quick as +it takes to tell it. Then he made the rope fast to his pommel and turned +his horse back. + +The steer was but two yards away from Roger and Dave when the rope on +his foreleg suddenly tightened, and he found himself brought to a halt. +He gave a wild snort, and, just as Roger found himself at liberty, he +turned and gazed angrily at Phil and his steed. Then he charged in that +direction. + +"Ride for it, Phil!" called Dave, but this warning was unnecessary, for +the shipowner's son was already galloping across the field as rapidly as +the nature of the ground permitted. The horse easily kept the lasso +taut, thus worrying the steer not a little. + +By Dave's aid Roger managed to hobble to where the other horses were +tethered, and soon both boys were in the saddle and riding after Phil +and the steer. + +"I guess the steer is getting winded," said Dave, coming closer. "He +doesn't seem to have as much fight in him as he did." + +Around and around, in a broad circle, went Phil and his horse and the +steer. But the steps of the latter were slower and slower, and presently +the beast dropped into a walk and then refused to take another step. +Phil came to a halt also, but kept the lasso tight. Then the steer lay +down on his side. + +"I guess he is conquered," was Roger's comment. + +The three boys kept at a safe distance and waited for the appearance of +Sid Todd and the other cowboys. Presently Todd came over the rim of the +ravine and looked around anxiously. + +"Anybody hurt?" he questioned, as he ran forward. + +"Roger got his ankle twisted, running away from the steer," answered +Dave. + +"What did the critter do?" went on the cowboy, and Phil and the others +told their story, to which Sid Todd listened with interest. The other +cowboys also came up, to look the fallen steer over. + +"He sure is a crazy one," said Yates. "If I was the boss, I'd shoot +him." + +"I'll report about him as soon as I get back," answered Todd. "Say, you +had a nerve to take hold of this lasso," he went on to Phil. + +"Dave told me to do it," was the answer of the shipowner's son. "It was +easy enough--when I was on horseback. I shouldn't have done it if I had +been on foot." + +"Not much--unless you're a staving good runner," said Yates, with a +grin. + +The steer was too exhausted to make further resistance just then, and +the cowboys had but little trouble in taking the lasso from his foreleg. + +"He'll be all right after a bit," said Todd, in answer to a question +from Dave. "But I think myself he isn't just O. K. in his head, and the +next time we want some fresh meat we might as well kill him off and be +done with it." + +The cowboy insisted upon looking at Roger's ankle. The member was +somewhat swollen, but the senator's son said it would not bother him to +ride home. In a little while they were off in a bunch. When quite a +distance from the ravine they gazed back and saw that the steer had +gotten up and was grazing as if nothing out of the ordinary had +happened. + +"Well, we have put in a rather strenuous day for a starter," remarked +Dave, when they came in sight of the ranch home. "If this keeps up----" + +"But it won't," interrupted Phil. "I reckon some days will be dull +enough." + +The girls were awaiting their return, and they listened with keen +attention to what the boys had to tell. + +"You must bathe your ankle with liniment," cried Belle. "I'll get some +for you," and soon she presented Roger with the stuff. He did as +directed, and soon the swollen member felt far more comfortable. During +the evening the senator's son took it easy on the wide veranda and in +the sitting-room. + +"I wish I had seen the race!" cried Jessie, smiling at Dave. "Some day +you'll have to have another and let us girls look on." + +"What's the matter with you girls having a race?" queried Dave. "That +would be dead loads of fun--for us boys." + +"Belle would be sure to win--she can ride like the wind," answered +Laura. + +As soon as it grew dark that evening the girls and boys went indoors, +and played and sang. Belle showed her skill on the piano, and Dave and +Phil tried the mechanical arrangement of the instrument, with perforated +music rolls. Almost before they realized it, it was time to go to bed. + +The next morning Roger still limped a little, and it was agreed to take +it easy. All wanted to write letters, and the entire day was spent in +doing little else. + +"How will the letters be posted?" asked Dave. + +"Todd will take them over to the railroad station to-morrow," answered +Mrs. Endicott. + +Shortly after dinner the next day, the cowboy announced that he was +ready to take the mail to the station. Phil and Roger had wandered off +to the barns, to look at some calves. + +"If you don't mind, I'll go with you to the station," said Dave to the +cowboy. "The ride would just suit me." + +"Glad to have you along," answered Sid Todd. He had taken a strong fancy +to the boys and to Dave in particular. + +They were soon on their way, Todd carrying the mail in a bag slung over +his horse's neck. Man and boy were in the best of spirits, and both made +rapid time over the dusty roads. + +"Maybe you'll meet a friend of yours at the station when the train comes +in," said Todd. + +"A friend? Who?" asked Dave. + +"That Merwell boy. Yates heard he was coming to-day. One of the cowboys +from Merwell's ranch said so." + +"I don't know that I care to meet him," answered Dave. "He is no friend +of mine." + +"That boy ought to have his hide tanned good and proper," growled the +cowboy. "He's been a sore spot here for years." + +"Have you had trouble with him?" + +"Yes, and so has everybody else on this ranch, and on his own ranch, +too, for the matter of that. Not that he did anything very bad," +continued Todd. "But it's jest his mean, measly ways. He don't know how +to treat a hand civilly." + +"Isn't his father the same way?" + +"Sometimes, but not always. The old man knows that the boys won't stand +for too much of that thing." + +"Who is at their ranch besides Mr. Merwell?" + +"Oh, the regular hands, that's all." + +"No young folks?" + +"No." + +"I should think it would be lonely for Link." + +"Maybe it is. But that ain't no reason why he should act so mean," added +Sid Todd. + +"I should think he'd want to invite some of his friends to visit him." + +"Maybe Mr. Merwell don't want it. He's putty close, you must remember, +and it costs money to entertain." + +"Well, I pity Link if he has got to stay there alone." + +"He don't stay all the time. He rides to town, and smokes and gambles, +and gets into all sorts of trouble, and then he gets scared to death for +fear the old man will find it out," concluded Sid Todd. + +They were soon at the station, and there found they would have to wait +half an hour for the train to come in. Several cowboys were present and +also a gentleman with a white, flowing beard. + +"That is Mr. Hooper," said Sid Todd. "He owns a ranch up the river--the +Bar X. He's a fine man." And a few minutes later he introduced Dave to +the ranch owner. + +"Glad to know you," said Mr. Hooper. "I heard that my friend, Endicott, +had a lot of boys and girls at his place. Tell Belle she must bring all +of you over to my place some day." + +"Thank you, I will," answered Dave. + +"We haven't any boys and girls there, but I reckon we can give you a +good time," went on Mr. Hooper. + +Among the cowboys at the station, Dave noticed one tall and particularly +powerful fellow. His face looked somewhat familiar, and the Crumville +youth wondered if he had met the man before. + +"That is Hank Snogger, the fellow who left our place to work for Mr. +Merwell," said Sid Todd, in a low voice. + +"His face looks familiar to me, but I can't place him," returned Dave. +"Did he come from the East?" + +"I think he did, years ago. Think you know him?" + +"It seems to me I've met him before--or met somebody that looked like +him," answered Dave, slowly. He was trying in vain to place those +features. + +"Don't you remember the name?" + +"No." + +"We ain't on very good terms any more, otherwise I'd give you a +knock-down to him," went on the cowboy. + +"I don't know that I care for an introduction," answered Dave. "He +doesn't look like a person I'd want for a friend--he looks rather +dissipated." + +"He was a good man when he worked for Mr. Endicott. But he's not so good +since he went over to Merwell." + +There the talk about Hank Snogger ended. Once or twice the man looked +curiously at Dave. + +Each time something in his face struck the youth as decidedly familiar. +Yet, try his best, the boy could not place the fellow. + +"It's no use," he told himself at last. "Perhaps I don't know him, after +all. But I've seen a face like that somewhere--I am sure of it." + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +AMONG THE COWBOYS + + +"Here she comes!" + +It was an enthusiastic cowboy who uttered the words, and by way of +emphasis he fired his revolver in the air, as he rode up beside the +incoming train. It was the one moment of excitement at the station. + +The cars came to a halt, and Sid Todd went forward to give his letters +to the railway mail clerk. Dave watched the cars and saw two men and a +boy alight. The boy was Link Merwell. + +The former bully of Oak Hall looked haggard, as if his dissipation in +Chicago and elsewhere had done him much harm. His eyes were heavy as he +stood and stared about him. Hank Snogger had gone forward, to care for +the mail from the Merwell ranch. + +"Hello, you here!" cried Link, stepping forward and confronting Dave. + +"I am," was the cool answer. + +"Got here ahead of me, eh?" + +"So it would seem." + +"Going to make a spread out here, I suppose," went on Link, with a +sneer. "Paint the plains red, and all that." + +"I came for a good time, but I don't intend to paint anything red." + +"Bah, I know you, Dave Porter! You want to crow over everybody, no +matter where you go. But you'll find things are different out here from +what they were at Oak Hall," added the bully, significantly. "You can't +pull the wool over people's eyes here like you did there." + +"I have no more intention of pulling wool than I have of painting +anything red," answered Dave, as calmly as before. He could see that +Link was in a bad humor and spoiling for a fight. + +"I said I was going to get square with you, and I am," continued the +bully, loudly. + +"You keep your distance, Link Merwell," answered Dave, and now his tone +was sharper. "Don't forget what I did at Oak Hall. If you want another +thrashing like that I can give it to you." + +"Get out! Don't you talk to me!" howled Link. "You attacked me when I +was sick!" He spoke in a loud voice, for the benefit of the cowboys and +others who were gathering around. The train had started away and was +soon out of sight among the hills. + +"You were as well as you ever were," answered Dave. + +"What's the row, Link?" asked Hank Snogger, as he pushed his way to the +front. + +"Here's a fellow used to go to school with me. I've got it in for him, +and I've a good mind to give him a thrashing." + +"You put your hand on me, and you'll take the consequences," said Dave. +"I didn't come here to fight, but I can defend myself." + +"You don't want to fight, do you, Dave?" asked Sid Todd, in a low voice. +To him it looked as if the Crumville lad might be no match for Merwell, +who was larger and heavier. + +"I am not afraid, Todd. I thrashed him once and I can do it again--if I +have to." + +"You licked him?" + +"Yes." + +"With your fists?" + +"Yes." + +"Where?" + +"At school. He played a dirty trick on me and some others, and I +wouldn't stand for it." + +"You shut your mouth!" roared Link Merwell, and without warning he +rushed forward and struck Dave a blow in the chest that sent the +Crumville youth staggering against Mr. Hooper. + +"Wait! wait! This won't do!" said the ranchman. + +"If you are going to fight, fight fair," put in Sid Todd. + +"Now don't you butt in here, Sid!" growled Hank Snogger, with an ugly +look at the other cowboy. + +"I'll see fair play," answered Todd, sharply, and he elbowed his way +between Snogger and Dave. + +Having delivered his unexpected blow, Link Merwell sprang back and stood +on the defensive. Dave was not wearing any coat or vest, and he merely +threw his hat to his friend. Then, as quick as lightning, he sprang +forward, knocked aside Merwell's guard, and planted a telling blow on +the bully's left eye. + +"As you are so anxious to fight, take that!" cried Dave, and before the +other could recover he landed a second blow on Merwell's chin. This +caused the bully to stagger against Hank Snogger, who kept him from +falling completely. + +"Well! well! well!" sang out one of the cowboys in the crowd. "Just look +at that! Merwell, keep your eyes open, or you'll git knocked into a +jelly!" + +The former bully of Oak Hall was staggered, but only for a moment. Then, +with a hoarse cry of rage, he leaped at Dave, and for fully a minute the +blows came thick and fast from each side. Then the pair clinched, swung +around and around, and finally went down, with Dave on top. + +"Break away there!" sang out Hank Snogger, and caught Dave by the ear. +"Git up off him!" + +"Leave Porter alone!" yelled Sid Todd, and caught Snogger by the hair. +"This is the boys' fight, 'tain't yours." + +"That's right! That's right!" came from several. "Leave the kids alone." + +"He ain't goin' to hit Link when he's down," growled Snogger. + +"I don't intend to," answered Dave, and got up. He turned to Hank +Snogger. "You keep your hands off of me," he added, sharply. "This is +not your quarrel." + +"Ah, don't talk to me," growled the cowboy. + +"I will talk to you," went on Dave. "You keep out of this." + +Dave stood back, while Link slowly arose to his feet. The bully was +somewhat dazed. But there was still a good deal of fight left in him, +and suddenly he charged on the Crumville lad, making a heavy swing for +Dave's jaw. Dave ducked, and, as Merwell swung around, caught the bully +in the right ear. Then he followed the blow by one on the neck and +another directly in the mouth. The latter loosened two teeth and sent +the bully into the arms of Hank Snogger. + +"Well, have you had enough?" asked Dave. He was panting for breath, and +his eyes were blazing with determination. + +A look full of the bitterest kind of hatred filled the face of Link +Merwell, but he was too staggered to attack Dave again. He leaned on +Hank Snogger and then turned his face away. + +"I say, have you had enough--or do you want another dose?" demanded +Dave. + +"I'll--fight this out some other time," answered Merwell, weakly. He +realized that the eyes of the crowd were on him, and this made him +furious. But he did not dare to risk another attack from the Crumville +youth, fearing what fighters call "a knockout." + +"Then you have had enough, eh?" went on Dave. "Very well. And now, +Merwell, I advise you to keep your distance. If you don't--well, you'll +catch it worse, that's all." + +"Link is tired out from his long train ride," remarked Hank Snogger. "He +ain't in no fit condition fer a scrap. Wait till he has rested up a week +or two--then he'll show thet tenderfoot what's what." And with these +words he led Link away to where a couple of horses were tied. He leaped +on one and the bully leaped on the other, and in a moment more both were +off for the Merwell ranch. + +"Well, youngster, I reckon you can hold your own," remarked Mr. Hooper. +He had led a rough-and-tumble life himself and did not look on a fight +as a dreadful matter. "You had him going." + +"So you did, Dave," added Sid Todd, while several other cowboys nodded +in assent. + +"He forced the fight," answered Dave. "I suppose he'll try it again some +day." + +"Merwell always was scrappy," said one of the cowboys. + +"Takes after his dad," added another; and then there was a general +laugh. Several came up to shake hands with Dave and congratulate him on +the outcome of the little bout. Some of the cowboys were not very +refined, and to them such a fist-fight seemed a great thing. + +There were a number of letters for those at Star Ranch, including two +for Dave,--from his father and from Ben Basswood. With the epistles in +their pockets, Dave and Sid Todd started on the return to the Endicott +place. They had to follow, for some distance, the trail taken by Link +and Snogger, their road branching off after the bridge over the river +was crossed. + +Considerable time had been lost waiting for the train and because of the +set-to with Merwell, and the sun was now going down over the mountains +in the west, casting long shadows over the plains. + +"You'll have a late supper to-night," said Todd, as they moved on at a +brisk pace. "And I reckon you'll have an appetite for it. The way you +polished off that cub was great!" And he shook his head +enthusiastically. + +"I wish you'd do me a favor, Todd," returned Dave. + +"Sure thing, son. What do you want?" + +"Please don't say too much at the ranch about the fight. I don't want to +scare my sister and the other girls." + +"Can't I tell the boys how you polished off young Merwell? Most of 'em +will be glad to hear it." + +"Well, don't say too much, that's all. If they learn that Link is on the +watch to do harm, the girls will be almost too afraid to go out." + +"Do you think that cub would be mean enough to harm the gals?" + +"He'd be mean enough to scare them half to death." + +"If he does that--well, I reckon I'll take a hand in lickin' him +myself." + +"We came out here to have a good time, and I want to forget Link +Merwell, if possible. But I'll keep my eyes open for him--and I'll tell +Phil and Roger to watch out, too," added Dave, soberly. + +Sid Todd was anxious to know more of Link's doings at Oak Hall, and Dave +told how Link had tried to get Gus Plum and himself into trouble. He did +not mention the trouble Laura and Jessie had had, for he did not wish +to drag the names of the girls into the affair. + +"He sure is a bad egg," said the cowboy, at the end of the recital. +"Keep an eye on him by all means." + +By the time they reached the vicinity of the bridge it was quite dark. +Remembering the bad condition of the structure spanning the stream, Sid +Todd cautioned Dave to let his horse walk. + +"Look!" cried the youth, a second later, and pointed around a rise of +rocks to the bridge. He had seen two figures leaving the structure. They +disappeared behind a high clump of brushwood. + +"What did you see?" questioned Todd, who had been gazing off to one side +of the trail. + +"Two persons on the bridge. They just ran away into the bushes." + +"On foot?" + +"Yes." + +"Humph! Didn't know anybody was out on foot around here," mused the +cowboy. "Sure it wasn't a bear, or some other animal?" And he felt for +his horse-pistol. + +"No, they were men, or boys," answered Dave. "They ran off the bridge +the minute we came in sight." + +"Huh! I wonder if it's possible them hoss-thieves is around again." + +"Have you horse-thieves in this territory?" + +"We sure have. Lost two hosses last spring and two last summer. I'll +have to tell the boss about seeing them fellows. But maybe--say, hold +on, Dave." + +"What now?" + +"I may be mistaken, but--don't go on the bridge on hossback." + +"Why not?" + +"I'll tell you--after I've examined the bridge," answered Sid Todd, and +in a manner that mystified Dave very much. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +A MEETING ON THE TRAIL + + +Arriving at the bridge, Sid Todd told Dave to halt, and the pair +dismounted. As they did so they heard a sound in the bushes beside the +stream. They looked in the direction, but saw nobody. + +The cowboy had drawn his pistol, and with this in hand he walked closer +to the bridge. His eyes were on the planking, and presently he uttered +an exclamation: + +"The rascals!" + +He pointed to two of the planks, and Dave saw that they were loose and +so placed that the slightest jar would send them down into the stream. + +"Do you think those men I just saw did this?" questioned Dave. + +"Certainly they did! They ought to be hung for it, too!" answered the +cowboy, wrathfully. + +"But what for--to cripple our horses?" + +"Either that, or to cripple us. Dave, we've got to be on our guard. If +those hoss-thieves are watching us----" + +"I don't think they were horse-thieves, Todd." + +"You don't? Then----" The cowboy broke off into a low whistle. "Do you +mean to say Link Merwell would play such a dirty trick?" + +"Yes, I do. You haven't any idea how that fellow hates me." + +"Hum!" mused Sid Todd. "Well, maybe, but I thought it must be the +hoss-thieves." + +"Why would horse-thieves want to hurt our horses?" + +"They wouldn't want to do that, but they might be thinking our horses +would fall and throw us. But I see that reasoning is weak. Maybe it was +young Merwell--and Hank Snogger. If it was, they ought to be punished +good an' proper, hear me!" went on the cowboy, with emphasis. + +"I am going to look around the bushes," went on Dave, determinedly. + +"Look out that you don't get into trouble, son. Anybody who would do +this would do worse." + +Dave had seen a heavy stick lying beside the road, and arming himself +with this, he walked to the bushes and around them. In the soft soil he +made out a number of hoof-prints, and he called Todd's attention to +these. + +"On hossback, both of 'em," said the cowboy, after an examination. +"Dave, you was right," he announced, a little later. "It must have been +Merwell and Snogger, fer see, they have taken the old trail along the +river. That leads to another trail that runs to the Merwell ranch." + +"Well, they are gone, that's certain," answered the youth, after another +look around. "We may as well be on our way. But we ought to mend the +bridge." + +"We'll do that,--an' post a warning, too," said the cowboy. + +Not without difficulty, they managed to fasten the planks into place +once more. Then, at either end of the rickety structure, they set up a +stick in the road. + +"That's the usual warning in this country," explained Todd. "It means +'Go slow and look out.'" + +When the pair arrived at Star Ranch they found the boys and girls +waiting for them. + +"You must have walked back," said Belle. "We have been waiting for you +ever since we heard the locomotive whistle." + +"Oh, we had to stop to fix the bridge," answered Dave, and then handed +around the letters, which instantly claimed attention, so no more +questions were asked. Then the Crumville youth had supper, and by that +time it was late enough to go to bed. + +"You've got a cut on your cheek, Dave," said Phil, when the three boys +were undressing. "Did you scratch yourself?" + +"Thereby hangs a tale, Phil," quoted Dave, and then, in a low voice, +told of the encounter at the railroad station, and gave the true +particulars of the trouble at the river. + +"It's the same old Link!" murmured Roger. "We'll have to watch out for +him!" + +"I really think the girls ought to be warned," said Phil. "There is no +telling what mean thing Link might do--if he met them alone." + +"Well, we don't want to frighten them," answered Dave. + +"Better frighten them than give Link the chance to annoy them," answered +the senator's son. + +"Say, I wish I had seen you polish off Link!" cried Phil. "It would have +done my heart good. I'll wager he was as mad as he could be!" + +"Oh, he was mad enough," replied Dave, with a grim smile. "But say, when +you get the chance, I want you to look at that Hank Snogger. He looks +like somebody I've met somewhere, but for the life of me I can't place +him." + +"Is he handsome?" quizzed the shipowner's son. + +"No, he looks melancholy--as if he had something on his mind. It's a +peculiar face, and for the life of me I can't get it out of my mind." + +Several days passed and nothing of importance happened. The boys and +girls enjoyed themselves thoroughly, and the Endicotts did all in their +power to make the visitors feel at home. At first, Jessie was inclined +to be a little shy, but soon this wore away and she felt as happy as +anybody. + +"It certainly is a splendid spot," said she to Dave. "I don't wonder +Laura was anxious to get back, and to have you see it." + +"It suits me--I wouldn't ask for a better vacation, especially"--Dave +dropped his voice a little--"with you along, Jessie." + +"Oh, Dave!" she cried, and blushed. + +"It wouldn't be half so much fun if you hadn't come along, Jessie," he +went on. "I am very, very glad that we are here--together." + +"Well, so--so am I," answered the girl, and then, still blushing, she +ran off to join Belle and Laura. But the look she gave Dave warmed his +heart as it had never been warmed before. + +Sunday passed, with a little home service, in which all those in the +house and also a few of the cowboys joined. The boys and girls sang some +of the familiar church songs, and this the cowboys greatly enjoyed. + +"We don't git much in the way of entertainment here," explained Sid +Todd, "and that singin' sounds mighty good to us. It touches a fellow +here, too," he added, with his finger over his heart. + +"If Mr. Endicott will permit it, we'll give you boys an entertainment +before we go home," answered Dave. "We give them at Oak Hall, you +know,--and the girls can help." + +"Say, that sure would be fine!" answered the cowboy, enthusiastically. + +The boys had found out from Mr. Endicott where good fishing could be +had, and early of the second week at Star Ranch they went out, taking +the girls with them. All were on horseback, and carried lunch along, for +they were to remain out all day. + +"Now keep out of trouble," said Mrs. Endicott, as they rode away. "And be +sure to come back before dark." + +"We'll be back by six, mamma," answered Belle. "And you needn't worry +about us, for we'll be perfectly safe." + +They were bound for a spot among the foothills, about six miles away. +Here was located a mountain torrent, said to be filled with the gamiest +kind of specimens of the finny tribe. Sid Todd had told them of a +particularly good bend in the stream, where fishing was bound to be +excellent, and Belle said she knew the trail, having gone to the +locality several times with her father. She was a true young +sportswoman, and could fish almost as well as her parent. She carried +the same kind of an outfit as did the boys. Jessie and Laura did not +expect to fish, but said they would watch the others, and pick wild +flowers, and also prepare the lunch when it came time to eat. + +All were in the best of health and spirits when they departed. It +promised to be an ideal day, with the sun shining clearly, and a gentle +breeze blowing from the northwest. They passed along at a smart gait, +for the boys and Belle were anxious to try their luck with their lines +and poles. + +"If we catch enough, right from the start, we can fry some fish for +lunch," said Dave. "I love fish just from the water." + +"Oh, so do I!" cried Belle. "They seem so much sweeter." + +"In the city one gets them all packed in ice, and then half the flavor +is gone," added Laura. + +They started in a bunch, but gradually drifted into pairs, Dave riding +beside Jessie, Roger escorting Laura, and Phil taking the lead with +Belle. The senator's son and Dave's sister had become very "chummy," and +it can be said that Phil and Belle were fully as attentive to one +another as the occasion warranted. All told stories and sang, and the +boys whistled. + +Half an hour of riding brought them to the edge of a woods, and here +they had to proceed in single file, or "Indian fashion," as Belle +expressed it. + +"By the way, are there any Indians around here?" asked Jessie, timidly. + +"A few, and they are very peaceable," answered the ranch owner's +daughter. "Our only enemies are the cattle- and horse-thieves." + +They were passing through some dense underbrush when Belle suddenly +called a halt. The trail was very narrow, and on either side grew dense +clumps of trees. + +"Somebody is coming," announced the girl. + +"On this trail?" asked Laura. + +"Yes." + +"We'll have some fun passing each other, especially if it's a fat man," +remarked Roger, dryly, and this caused a laugh. + +They waited, and presently saw a boy approaching on horseback, followed +by a lean-looking man who wore a tattered cowboy dress and a +much-battered sombrero. + +"It's Link Merwell!" exclaimed Phil. + +He was right, and the bully did not stop until his horse stood directly +in front of that ridden by Belle. Then he came to a halt, and his +companion halted directly behind him. + +"I want to pass," growled Link, without so much as raising his hat or +bidding the time of day. + +"All right, pass," answered Phil, stiffly. "We are not keeping you." + +"You are blocking the trail." + +"Can't you pass around the ladies?" questioned Roger. + +"I've got as much right on this trail as you," returned the bully, +shooting a dark look at the others. "You needn't think you own +everything!" + +"Oh, let us ride to one side and let him pass!" whispered Jessie. "He +may want to fight if we don't!" + +"He won't fight with so many against him," answered Dave. + +"You are very considerate of the ladies, I must say," said Roger. "We'll +give you half the trail and no more," and he urged his horse a little to +one side and Dave and Phil did the same. The girls moved still further +over, so that Link Merwell might not touch them as he passed. + +"Where are you going?" demanded the bully, as he moved slowly forward. + +"That is our affair, not yours," answered Dave, sharply. + +"You keep off my father's land!" + +"We don't intend to go near your land," said Belle, coldly. + +"Oh, I didn't mean you, Belle, I meant Dave Porter and his cronies." + +"Mr. Porter and his friends are my guests, Mr. Merwell. When you insult +them, you insult me." And Belle held her head high in the air. + +"All right; have your own way, if you want to. I haven't got anything +against you and your folks. But I don't intend these outsiders shall +ride over me," growled Link. He faced Dave. "I'm not done with you yet, +remember that!" he added, bitterly. Then he rode on, and the +lean-looking man behind him followed. Belle looked at the man curiously, +but the fellow kept his face averted as he slipped by. Soon boy and man +had disappeared from view. + +"Talk about a lemon!" cried Phil. "Say, isn't Link the sourest ever!" + +"He certainly is," answered Roger. + +"Let's forget him," said Dave. "We are out for fun to-day, not for +trouble." And then they moved forward as before. Little did any of them +dream of what that unexpected meeting in the woods was to bring forth. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +IN WHICH SOME HORSES ARE STOLEN + + +A half hour more of riding brought the little party to the bank of the +stream at a point where Belle said they would be sure to find good +fishing. Here there was something of a pool, the river tumbling from +some rocks above. The pool was lined with rocks and brushwood, and +behind these was a glade, backed up by the woods. + +"What a lovely spot!" cried Jessie, enthusiastically, as Dave assisted +her to dismount, and took charge of her horse. "Just look at the wild +flowers among the rocks! One would not believe that they could grow in +such a place!" + +"I am glad I brought my camera with me," said Laura. "I am sure I shall +get some fine pictures." + +Belle showed the boys where the animals might be tethered, and they took +particular care to fasten the steeds properly, as Sid Todd had +instructed them. Then they got out their fishing-rods, and also that of +Belle, and baited up with the artificial flies they had brought along. + +"We'll fish for an hour," announced Dave. "And then I'll knock off and +start up a campfire." + +"When you do that be careful and not set fire to the woods," said Belle. +"Papa is very much afraid of fire." + +"I don't blame him," put in Roger. "A fire out here would do a terrible +amount of damage." + +The boys and Belle were soon busy fishing, in the pool and along the +lower part of the river. The stream was about thirty feet in width and +from a foot to four foot deep, with great rocks sticking up here and +there. Trout and some other fish were plentiful, and all had but little +difficulty in getting bites, and it was great sport to play their +catches and land them. + +"This is the best fishing I ever saw!" cried Phil, as he succeeded in +landing an extra fine mountain trout. "I don't wonder that fishermen +come many miles to gratify their taste for such sport." + +"Here's another!" exclaimed Belle, merrily, and brought in a fish that +was a beauty. Roger and Dave both leaped to help her, and soon the catch +was dropped into a side pool with the others. + +While the boys and Belle were fishing, Laura and Jessie wandered up and +down the rocks and the grassy glade beyond, gathering wild flowers and +also some blackberries that grew in that vicinity. Dave's sister also +succeeded in getting several photographs, including two of the others +with their fishing outfits. + +"Now, I want you all to stand in a group, with your fish on strings," +said Laura, a little later, when the fishing seemed to slow up a little. +And then she arranged them to suit herself and took two snapshots. + +"Now, let me take a snapshot of you and Jessie, with your bunches of +wild flowers," said Dave, and this was soon added to the other films. + +They had great fun building a campfire and preparing lunch. The boys cut +the wood and started the blaze, and even made coffee, while the girls +spread a tablecloth that had been brought along, and put out tin plates +and tin cups, and the various good things to eat. Then some of the fish +were cleaned by the boys and fried by the girls, and all sat down to +enjoy what every one declared was better than a feast at a hotel. In the +meantime the horses were tethered in a new place, so that they could +crop the luxurious grass. + +"I can tell you one thing, life in the open air gives one a great +appetite," remarked the senator's son, as he smacked his lips over a +particularly dainty portion of trout. + +"As if there was ever anything the matter with Roger's appetite," cried +Phil. + +"How about yourself, Phil?" questioned Dave, with a grin. + +"Oh, I reckon I can get away with my share," answered the shipowner's +son calmly, as he reached for another portion of the fish. + +As there was no hurry, the boys and girls took their time over the meal, +and many were the stories told and the jokes cracked while the food was +disappearing. + +"If only some of the Oak Hall boys could see us now!" cried Dave. +"Wouldn't they envy us!" + +"They certainly would," answered Roger. + +"And what of the girls at home?" asked Jessie. "I rather think they'd +like to be in our place." + +"Crumville seems a long way off, doesn't it?" said Laura. + +Besides the fish, they had chicken sandwiches, cake, pie, and half a +dozen other things to eat, and coffee, and water from a sparkling spring +to drink. When they had finished, they took it easy for a while, and +then fished some more, and went strolling. + +"I think we had better be thinking of returning," said Belle, at length. +"It is a long ride back, remember, and unless I am mistaken there is a +storm coming up." + +"A storm!" cried Jessie. "Oh, I hope not!" + +"We don't want to get wet," added Laura. + +"I don't think the storm will come right away. But I don't like the +looks of the clouds yonder." + +"They certainly do look bad," remarked Dave, casting his eyes in the +direction to which Belle pointed. "It didn't look like rain this +morning." + +"It may be more wind than rain, Dave. Sometimes we have great windstorms +around Star Ranch." + +They were quite a distance up the river shore when Belle called +attention to the clouds. They had gone up to get a view of a small but +picturesque waterfall, and Laura had taken several snapshots, with the +boys and girls in the foreground, seated on a fallen tree trunk. Now all +started back in the direction of the temporary camp. + +"Say, Roger, you help the girls pack up," said Dave. "Phil and I can +get the horses ready. Be sure to see that the fire is out, too," he +called back. + +"All right," answered the senator's son. "The fire is out--I saw to that +before," he added. + +The horses had been tethered at some distance from the camping-out spot, +behind some heavy brushwood, where the grass was extra thick and +nutritious. Dave hurried in that direction, with Phil at his heels. + +When the two youths reached the spot, both stared around in perplexity. + +"Why, Dave----" stammered the shipowner's son. "I thought----" + +"We left the horses here!" cried Dave. "I'm sure of it." + +"Then where are they now?" + +"Maybe they broke loose and wandered away." + +"Or else they have been stolen!" + +"Stolen!" + +"Yes,--it couldn't be otherwise. They wandered away or they have been +stolen." + +"We'll take a look around." + +Both boys hurried, first in one direction, and then another. They could +see hoof-prints in the grass, leading towards the rocks back of the +bushes, but that was all. The horses had been tethered to some saplings. + +"The halters didn't break, that's certain," said Phil, soberly. "For if +they did, we'd find the broken ends." + +"I can't understand it," returned Dave, and his face grew thoughtful. + +"Hello!" came in Roger's voice. "Why don't you bring those horses? We +are all ready to go." + +"Come here!" called back Dave. "Something is wrong!" + +The senator's son answered the summons on a run, and the three girls +trailed behind him. The newcomers to Star Ranch did not know what to +say, but Belle uttered a cry of dismay: + +"Horse-thieves!" + +"Oh, Belle, do you really think somebody has stolen the horses?" queried +Laura, while Jessie turned very pale. + +"Yes, I do," was the blunt response. "That is, if they were tied +properly." + +"Yes, they were well tied--I saw to that myself," said Dave. + +"I know mine was tied fast, and so was Laura's," added the senator's +son. + +"And I put a double knot in the rope to Belle's and mine," came from +Phil. + +"One thing is sure," said Laura. "They couldn't very well all break away +at once." + +"I am sure it is the work of horse-thieves," responded Belle. "Papa has +been afraid they might come back." + +"But how did they know about our horses being here?" asked Phil. + +"They must have watched us and seen us ride away from the ranch, and +then they followed, and took the horses while we were up the river." + +"If only we could follow them, and get the horses back!" said the +senator's son, with a sigh. + +"They must be worth a lot of money," murmured Jessie. "Oh, supposing +they had shot us!" she added, tremblingly. + +"Horse-thieves are usually cowards," answered Belle. "They won't shoot +unless they are cornered. I'd like to follow them myself, but we can't +do it on foot." + +"What are we to do?" asked Laura, and looked at her brother. + +"I don't know," answered Dave. "One or two of us boys might walk back to +the ranch and tell the folks of what has happened." + +"But it is such a distance, Dave!" cried Jessie. "And see how black the +sky is getting!" she added. + +"It is quite a number of miles to the ranch house," said Belle. "You +would not be able to reach there until long after nightfall." + +"I shouldn't mind that," answered Dave. "But what will the rest of you +do in the meantime? You can't stay out here in the open very well, with +that storm coming on." + +"Dave, you're not going to the house alone," cried Laura. "I'll not +allow it. Supposing those horse-thieves should be watching you? They +might attack you, and rob you!" + +"Yes, please don't think of going alone," pleaded Jessie, and her eyes +began to fill with tears. + +"Dave is not going alone. I am going with him," declared Roger. + +"No, I'll go," volunteered Phil. "You can stay with the girls." + +"Well, both of you can't go," answered Dave, with a grim smile. +"Somebody has got to stay here,--in fact, I think it would be better +that both of you stay with the girls--in case I don't get back with help +by morning." + +"Of course, if it wasn't for the loss of the horses we could all stay +here," said Belle. "Papa will be sure to send somebody out to look us up +when it gets late and we are not back. But I think he ought to know +about the horses just as soon as possible." + +"Is there any sort of a shelter around here?" questioned Roger. + +"Yes, there is a shack about a quarter of a mile up the river," answered +the ranch owner's daughter. "Papa stayed there several nights, once upon +a time. It isn't much of a place, but it will shelter us from the +storm." + +"Are you sure you can find it?" + +"Oh, yes, I've been there twice." + +"Then you and the others had best put up there for the night, and I'll +start at once for the ranch house," went on Dave. "I am not afraid, and +I'll keep my eyes wide open for those horse-thieves," he continued. + +But to this plan the girls would not listen, and at last it was arranged +that Roger should remain with the girls, while Dave and Phil walked to +the house for aid. The crowd left behind were to hurry to the shack up +the river, and there make themselves as comfortable as possible until +help arrived. + +"Do be careful now, Dave!" said his sister, as he was on the point of +departing. + +"Yes! yes!" added Jessie. "I shall worry every minute until you get +back!" + +"Don't be alarmed," answered Dave. "We'll get through all right, and +have help here before you know it." + +"Are you sure of the trail?" asked Belle. + +"Oh, yes, that's easy," answered Phil. + +Without another word the two chums started off in the direction of the +ranch house, so many miles distant. The others, watched them out of +sight, and then turned and walked up the river bank toward the shack +Belle had mentioned. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +OUT IN THE WIND AND RAIN + + +"Dave, what do you suppose those six horses were worth?" questioned +Phil, as the two youths hurried along the back trail on a dog-trot,--the +same dog-trot they used when on a cross-country run at Oak Hall. + +"At least two thousand dollars, Phil," was the reply. "The horse I used +was a dandy, and so was that Belle had--and yours was a good one, too." + +"What do you suppose those horse-thieves will do with them?" + +"Drive them a long distance, hide them for a while, and then, when they +get the chance, sell them. Of course they don't expect to get full value +for them, but they'll get a neat sum." + +"You don't suppose this can be a trick of Link Merwell's?" + +"I thought of that, but I don't think so. Taking a horse in this section +of the country is a serious business. Why, they used to hang +horse-thieves, and even now a ranchman wouldn't hesitate to shoot at a +fellow who had his horse and was making off with it. No, I don't think +Link would quite dare to play such a trick. But of course we can +investigate,--after we have reported to Mr. Endicott." + +"You are not going to try to keep up this dog-trot all the way to the +house, are you?" questioned the shipowner's son, after about a mile had +been covered, and when they were passing over a rather rough portion of +the trail. + +"Winded?" + +"Not exactly, but I shall be if I keep this up," panted Phil. "Besides, +I don't want to tumble over these tree roots." + +"I wanted to get as far as possible on the way before that storm broke," +went on Dave, glancing anxiously upward, between the branches of the +trees. "When it comes, I rather think it will be a corker. I hope the +others reach that shack before it rains." + +"Oh, they ought to be there by this time." + +The boys kept on, sometimes running and sometimes dropping into a walk. +As they advanced, the sky kept growing steadily darker, both on account +of the storm and because the day was drawing to a close. + +"Here's the spot where we passed Link and that man with him," said Dave, +presently. "Wonder who that fellow was?" + +"Oh, some hand from the Merwell ranch, I suppose. He didn't seem to be +very sociable. He kept his head turned away all the time Link was +talking to us." + +"If he's from the Merwell place, they can't have very nice fellows up +there." + +"Well, who would want to work for a man like Mr. Merwell? He and Link +are just alike, dictatorial and mean." + +The two boys kept on for a short distance further. Then Phil caught his +foot in a tree root and went sprawling. + +"Wow!" he spluttered, as he arose. "Hi, Dave, wait for me!" he added, +for his chum had continued on the run. + +"What's wrong?" + +"I tripped and fell--just as I was afraid I'd do. Better go slow--unless +you want to break an ankle or skin your nose." + +"The storm is coming," said Dave, as he came to a stop. "Much hurt?" + +"Not very,--scratched my hand, that's all. Phew! listen to the wind!" + +The sky overhead was black with clouds, but to the north and the south +were great patches of light. The wind was increasing steadily. + +"Maybe it will be more wind than rain," said Dave. "I hope so, too, for +I have no fancy for getting drenched to the skin." + +"I don't like a wind storm--when I am in a big woods like this," +answered the shipowner's son. "I am always afraid a tree will come down +on me." + +"Well, we have got to look out for that--if we can," answered Dave, +gravely. "I don't like it myself, but it can't be helped." + +They continued on their way. The wind increased rapidly, and soon it +grew so dark they could see little or nothing under the thickest of the +trees. They came to an open space, and there the wind struck them with +great force, almost hurling them flat. + +"Say, I think--we had--had better wait a--a bit!" panted Phil, as he +clutched Dave by the arm. + +"Let us get over to yonder rocks," answered Dave. "We'll be a little +safer there than between the trees." + +Hand in hand the chums crossed the glade and made for a series of rocks +looming between the trees beyond. The wind was now blowing with almost +tornado force, and with it came a few scattering drops of rain. Just as +they gained the rocks something whizzed past their heads. + +"What was that?" gasped Phil, ducking after the object had passed. + +"It was a small tree limb," answered Dave. "We've got to watch out. +Hark!" + +They listened, and above the whistling of the wind heard a great crash. + +"It's a tree being blown down!" cried Phil. "Come on, let us get between +the rocks, before something hits us on the head!" + +Much alarmed, both boys leaped for the shelter of the rocks, and in the +darkness felt their way until they reached a split that was seven or +eight feet deep and a foot wide at the bottom and twice that at the top. + +"I guess this is as good a place as any, Phil," remarked Dave, when he +had regained his breath sufficiently to speak. + +"It won't be much protection if it rains hard," grumbled the shipowner's +son. + +"Well, I don't see that we can do better." + +"Neither do I." + +Further conversation was cut off by the wind and the rain. The former +shrieked and whistled through the woods, sending down branch after +branch with tremendous crashes that awed the boys completely. The rain +was light, but the drops were large and hit them with stinging force. + +For fully half an hour the blow continued, and then it appeared to let +up and the rain stopped entirely. + +"Shall we go on?" questioned Phil, standing up and trying to pierce the +darkness around them. + +"Better hold up a while, Phil," answered Dave. "This is as safe a spot +as any, with the wind blowing down the trees all around us." + +They waited, and it was well that they did so, for presently the wind +started to whistle once more, growing louder and louder. A small tree +branch came down on them, and then came a crash that made them both +jump. + +"It's coming this way!" yelled Phil. "The tree behind the rocks!" + +"Get down!" cried Dave, and threw himself flat. + +Both boys crouched as low as possible. They heard the tree bend and +crack. Then came a tremendous crash, and they felt one of the rocks +moving. + +"Maybe we'll be crushed to a jelly!" groaned the shipowner's son. + +There was no time to say more, for an instant later the tree came down, +directly over the top of the opening. Several small branches thrust +themselves down upon the lads, pinning them to the bottom of the +crevice. The rocks trembled, and for the moment the boys were afraid +they would be crushed to death, as Phil had intimated. + +"Safe, Phil?" asked Dave, as the rocking of the stones and the big tree +ceased and the wind seemed to die down once more. + +"I--I guess so! A tree limb is on my back, though." + +"I've got one across my legs." + +With caution both boys crawled from beneath the branches and out of the +split in the rocks. They could see where the big tree had been uprooted, +leaving a hole in the soil fifteen feet in diameter. The top of the tree +was all of a hundred feet away from this hole. + +"We were lucky to be between the rocks, Phil," said Dave, with a grave +shake of his head. "Otherwise, if that tree had come down on us----" + +"We wouldn't be here to tell the tale," finished the shipowner's son. +"Ugh! it makes me shiver to look at it." + +"Now it is down, we may as well get between the rocks until we are sure +this blow is over," went on Dave, after standing several minutes in the +rain. + +This appeared the best thing to do, and they crawled back into the +crevice and partly under the tree. Here the thick branches protected the +lads, so that but little rain reached them. + +A dismal hour went by, and then the storm came to an end. The wind died +down into a gentle breeze and the rain was reduced to a few scattering +drops, to which they paid no attention. + +"If only that wind didn't blow the shack down on the other folks' +heads," said Dave. He was thinking of how frightened the girls, and +especially Jessie, must have been. + +"I'll wager the trail is now a mass of mud and water," said Phil, and he +was right, and as they progressed, they frequently got into the mud up +to their ankles. + +It was eleven o'clock when they gained the edge of the woods and came +out on the plains. The sky was still overcast, only a few stars being +faintly visible. + +"Are you sure of the right direction, Dave?" asked the shipowner's son, +as both paused to look around. + +"I think this is the trail, Phil, don't you?" and Dave pointed with his +finger to a deep rut in the soil. + +"Yes. But that doesn't make it right," and Phil gazed around in some +perplexity. + +"What do you mean? This is the only trail around here." + +"So I see. But, somehow, this edge of the woods doesn't look familiar to +me. I thought we entered at a point where I saw a clump of four trees on +the left." + +"Hum! I rather think I saw those trees myself," mused Dave. "But I don't +see them now." + +"Neither do I, and that makes me think that perhaps we came out of the +woods at the wrong spot." + +Much perplexed, the two lads walked around the edge of the woods for a +considerable distance. But they saw nothing of any other trail and so +came back to the point from which they had started. + +"This must be right, after all," was Phil's comment. "Anyway, it's the +only trail here, so we may as well follow it." + +They hurried on, the halt under the rocks having rested them a good +deal. Out on the prairie the trail grew a bit drier, for which they were +thankful. They got into their dog-trot once more, and thus covered all +of two miles in a short space of time. Then, of a sudden, both came to a +halt in dismay. + +"Which one?" asked Phil, laconically. + +"Don't know," was Dave's equally laconic answer. + +Before them the trail branched out in three different directions, like +three spokes within the right angle of a wheel. + +"This is a regular Chinese puzzle," said Dave, after an inspection of +the trails. "The one to the right looks to be the most traveled." + +The two boys made every possible effort to pierce the darkness ahead of +them, and presently Phil fancied he saw a light in the distance. Dave +was not sure if it was a light or a star just showing above the clearing +horizon. + +"Well, we may as well go ahead," said the shipowner's son. "No use in +staying here trying to figure it out." + +They went on, taking the center one of the three trails. They had +covered less than quarter of a mile when Phil gave a shout. + +"It is a light, I am sure of it--the light of a lamp or lantern! Hurrah! +we must be on the right trail after all!" + +"Go slow, Phil," cried Dave, a sudden thought striking him. "That may +not be a ranch light." + +"Yes, but----" + +"It may be something much worse--for us." + +"What do you mean?" + +"It may be the light from the camp of the horse-thieves." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +A FRUITLESS SEARCH + + +Phil stared at Dave in consternation. + +"Do you really think that?" he cried. + +"I don't say I think so, I only say it may be," returned the youth from +Crumville. + +"If they are the horse-thieves, and we watch our chances, we may get the +animals back!" + +"Not unless it is a single thief, Phil. We don't want to run the risk of +getting shot in the dark." + +"That's true." + +With great caution the two lads advanced along the muddy trail. As they +got closer to the light they saw that it came from a log house, low and +rambling. Not far away were several other buildings, and also a corral. + +"We are on the right trail after all!" sang out the shipowner's son, +joyfully, and commenced to run at the best speed he could command. + +"Hold on!" called Dave, but Phil was so eager to get to the house first +that he paid no attention to the words. Not until he had reached the +very piazza of the building did he pause to stare around him. + +"Why, it's not Mr. Endicott's place at all!" he exclaimed. + +He had made considerable noise ascending the piazza, and now a door was +flung open, letting a stream of light flood his face, momentarily +blinding him. + +"Hello! what do you want?" demanded a man Phil had never seen before. + +"Why--er--what place is this?" stammered the youth, and as he asked the +question Dave came up behind him. + +"This is the Triple X Ranch," was the man's answer. + +"What! Mr. Merwell's place?" stammered Phil. + +"That's it. Want to see him? Why, say, you're all out of wind,--anything +wrong?" + +"I--I didn't know this was the Merwell place," murmured Phil. He knew +not what else to say, he was so taken back. + +"Who is that, Jerry?" asked another voice, and a moment later Felix +Merwell stepped into view. As he saw Dave he scowled slightly. + +"Why, Mr. Merwell, we--er----" commenced Phil, and then he looked at +Dave. + +"We were out and we lost our way in the darkness and got on the wrong +trail," said Dave, quickly. "Will you be kind enough to direct us to the +trail to Mr. Endicott's ranch?" + +"Endicott's ranch is a good bit from here," growled Felix Merwell. + +"But, Dave----" interrupted Phil, when a meaning look from his chum +silenced him. + +"Haven't you got no hosses?" asked the man who had first come to the +door. + +"No, but we don't mind that," said Dave. "We can walk." + +"Jerry, show them the trail," said Mr. Merwell, shortly, and turned his +back on the boys. + +The ranch hand came out without waiting to get his hat or coat, and +walked to a point back of the corral. + +"It's a long, lonely way," he said, kindly. "You ought to have horses." + +"How many miles?" asked Dave. + +"About one and a half." + +"Oh, that is not so far." + +"Got caught in the storm, eh?" + +"Yes." + +"Link is out too and the old man is kind of worried about him. He sent +Hank Snogger out to look for him." + +"Then Link didn't come back this afternoon?" said Dave, quickly. + +"No, he's been out since early morning. You met him, eh?" + +"Yes, but that was about the middle of the forenoon. He was over in the +woods." + +"It was such a blow the old man is worried, thinking Link might have got +caught under a tree in the woods, or something like that. There's your +trail. Keep to that and it will take you right to the Endicott corral." + +"Thank you," said both boys, and a moment later they and the man had +separated. The ranch hand watched them out of sight, then returned to +the house. + +"Dave, why didn't you tell them about the horse-thieves?" asked Phil, as +soon as he deemed it safe to ask the question. + +"I didn't want to ask any favors of Mr. Merwell, that's why," was the +reply. "I don't believe he'd want to go after them, and I didn't want to +borrow any horses from him." + +"Well, I don't blame you for looking at it that way. But we may be +losing valuable time." + +"We ought to be able to reach Mr. Endicott's place inside of twenty +minutes. Come on," and Dave increased his speed. + +"Did you note the fact that Link has not yet returned?" said the +shipowner's son. + +"Yes, but that doesn't prove anything. He may have crept into some place +for shelter from the storm, just as we did." + +The two youths kept on steadily and before long saw another light in the +distance. Then they heard hoofbeats, and soon several forms on +horseback loomed out of the darkness. + +"Hello!" sang out the voice of Sid Todd. "Who are you?" + +"Todd!" called Dave, and a moment later the cowboy rode up, followed by +another ranch hand and Mr. Endicott. + +"What is wrong?" demanded the railroad president, quickly. "Where are +the others?" and his face showed his extreme anxiety. + +"The others are safe, so far as we know," answered Dave. "But we have +had quite an adventure." And then he and Phil told of how the horses had +been stolen, and of how they themselves had been caught in the woods +during the great blow. + +"The horse-thieves again!" exclaimed Mr. Endicott, wrathfully. "We must +get after them this time and run them down! Todd, tell the other men at +once! We must lose no time in getting after them! And send word around +to the other ranches!" + +The railroad president smiled grimly when the boys told him of the brief +stop at the Merwell place. + +"I don't blame you for not wanting aid from Mr. Merwell," said he. "I +want to leave him alone myself. I am only sorry I have him for a +neighbor. I'd help him to sell out, if he wished to do so." + +The boys went to the house and were speedily given something to +eat,--for they had had nothing since noon. They also donned some dry +clothing. + +"It won't do any good for you to go out again," said Mr. Endicott. "I'll +go out, and so will most of the hands. You can remain here with Mrs. +Endicott, who is very nervous because of the storm and the absence of +Belle." + +"As you think best, sir," answered Dave; and so it was arranged. Truth +to tell, both Dave and Phil were glad to rest, for the long walk and the +experience in the woods during the storm had tired them greatly. Each +threw himself on a couch, and almost before he knew it was sound asleep. + +When the two boys awoke it was morning. They found that Mrs. Endicott +had covered them up with light blankets. A sound outside had aroused +them. + +It was the other young people returning, on horses Sid Todd had taken to +them. Dave and Phil sprang up to meet them. + +"Oh, I am so glad to get back!" cried Belle, as she ran to embrace her +mother. "Such a time as we have had!" + +"Oh, yes, we were safe enough, after we got to the shack," said Laura, +in answer to a question from her brother. "But, oh, how it did blow!" + +"We were afraid the shack would be carried right up into the air," said +Jessie. "And we were so worried about you--thinking a tree in the woods +would come down on you." + +"Well, one did, pretty nearly," answered Dave, and gave the particulars. + +"The men have all gone off after the horse-thieves," said Roger. "But +Todd hasn't much hope of tracing them, for the rain washed out all the +hoofmarks." + +The newcomers were tremendously hungry, and a hearty meal was gotten +ready with all the speed of which the Chinese cook was capable. As they +ate, the boys and girls told the details of their experience at the +shack up the river. + +"Did you see anything more of Link or that man with him?" asked Dave. + +"No," answered the senator's son. "We've been wondering if they had +anything to do with the disappearance of the horses." + +"We have been wondering the same thing," said Phil. + +"I spoke to papa about it, and he says he will interview Mr. Merwell--if +they get no trace of the thieves," said the ranch owner's daughter. + +Those who had been at the shack all night were so tired that they went +to bed directly after eating, and Dave and Phil were glad enough to rest +some more; so that the balance of the day passed quietly. It was not +until after sundown that Mr. Endicott showed himself, followed by about +half of the ranch hands. + +"We thought we found the trail, but we lost it again," said the ranch +owner. "Todd and some of the others are still at it, but I am afraid the +thieves are out of our reach. I have sent word to the sheriff, and I +suppose he'll put some men on the trail to-morrow." + +"Did you stop at the Merwell ranch?" asked Belle. + +"Yes, I stopped there less than an hour ago. Mr. Merwell had just come +in from a hunt for Link." + +"What! then Link isn't back yet?" cried Dave. + +"No, and his father was a good deal worried about his absence. When I +told about the loss of the horses, Mr. Merwell was worried more yet. He +said we needn't think that his son touched them." + +"It is queer where Link is keeping himself," mused Roger. + +"That's true--unless he was hurt by the storm," answered Phil. + +"Have you any idea who these horse-thieves are?" asked Dave. + +"We have a general idea, yes," answered Mr. Endicott. "The gang who took +the other animals was led by a bold cowboy named Andy Andrews. Andrews +is a thoroughly bad egg, and there had been a reward offered for his +capture for several years. More than likely this raid was made by him or +under his directions." + +"Then I sincerely hope they round up this Andy Andrews," remarked Dave. + +"So do I--and that we get our horses back." + +The night and the next day passed quietly. When it grew dark Sid Todd +came in, followed by several of the ranch hands. The look on the +foreman's face showed that he had had no success in his hunt. + +"We got the trail once, but lost it ag'in," said the cowboy. "The +sheriff has got a posse of six men working on the trail now,--but I +don't think they'll make anything out of it." And then he told the story +of how the woods had been scoured, and of a hunt along the river and +over the plains. The men had ridden many miles and were all but +exhausted. + +"Did you see anybody from the Merwell ranch?" asked Dave. + +"Saw Link and his father just as we were coming home," answered Sid +Todd. "Merwell said he had seen nothing of the thieves." + +"Did Link say anything?" + +"No. He was dead tired and he looked scared." + +"Scared?" queried Roger. + +"Yes. When he saw me I thought he was going to run away. I asked him if +he had seen anything, and when he answered me his face went almost +white. I reckon he was scared--thinking of the way he treated you folks +on the trail. Maybe he thought I was goin' to pitch into him for it." + +"Maybe," said Dave, slowly. "He hadn't seen anything of the thieves?" + +"No. He said he didn't know the hosses was gone until his father told +him. He said he got lost in the woods, and stayed in a certain spot till +the blow was over." + +"Humph!" murmured Dave, and there the talk came to an end. But Dave was +not satisfied. He still wondered if Link Merwell knew anything about the +taking of the horses. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +FISHING AND HUNTING + + +The remainder of the week went by, and the boys and girls amused +themselves as best they could. During that time, Mr. Endicott received a +visit from the sheriff of the county, and Dave and his chums were called +upon to tell all they could about the missing horses. Then, after some +whispered talk between the county official and the ranch owner, the lads +were requested to describe the man who had been seen on the trail in +company with Link Merwell. + +"I really think the fellow was Andy Andrews," said the sheriff. "But if +so, he had a big nerve to show himself in these parts." + +"Didn't you ask Link about the man?" asked Dave. + +"Yes. He says the fellow was a stranger to him, and they were just +riding together for company. He says they were together about half an +hour before he met you on the trail, and that the fellow left him about +a quarter of an hour later and headed in the direction of the railroad +station. He said the fellow didn't give any name, but said he was +looking up some ranch properties for some Chicago capitalists." + +This was all the sheriff could tell, and on that the matter, for the +time being, rested. Fortunately, Star Ranch possessed a good number of +horses, so none of the young folks were deprived of mounts. But Belle +mourned the loss of her favorite steed, to which she had become greatly +attached. + +"I don't care so much for the others, but I do hope papa gets back Lady +Alice," she said, dolefully. + +A spell of bad weather kept the young folks indoors for the time being, +and one day they were reminded by a cowboy of the entertainment they had +promised. + +"As soon as it clears, we'll give you an exhibition of fancy ridin'," +said the cowboy. "But jest now the boys are dyin' fer some good singin' +an' music, and such." + +Dave and the others got their heads together, and the upshot of the +matter was that an entertainment was arranged, to be given in the big +dining-hall of the ranch house. One end of this room was elevated to +form a stage, with big portieres for curtains, and Roger, Phil, and Dave +rehearsed several of the "turns" they had done at various times at Oak +Hall. The girls practiced a number of songs, and Laura and the senator's +son decided to give a dialogue, which they called "Which Mr. Brown +Lives Here?" + +Word was passed around about the coming entertainment, and it was +announced that it would be for the benefit of an old lady, the mother of +a cowboy who had been killed in a cattle stampede the season before. The +tickets were placed at one dollar each, the entire proceeds to go to the +old lady. This charity appealed to the cowboys, and every one on the +place took a ticket, and then got the cowboys from neighboring ranches +to do likewise. + +"We'll have to let some of them sit on the veranda and look in through +the windows," said Mrs. Endicott, when she heard how many tickets had +been sold. "The room won't hold half of them." + +"If we have to, we'll give a double performance," said Dave. "We want +everybody to get his money's worth." And then it was arranged that +tickets should be good for either the "matinee" or the night +performance. + +The first performance was given in the afternoon and lasted from three +to half-past five o'clock. Every number on the programme went off +without a hitch, and the cowboys applauded uproariously. During the +intermission one cowboy got up very gravely and marched to the stage, +where he deposited a round Indian basket. + +"Fer extra contributions, boys!" he sang out, loudly. "Don't be tight +when thar's an old lady to help!" And he dropped two silver dollars in +the basket. At once the other cowboys sprang up and marched to the +front, and a steady stream of silver poured into the basket, much to the +delight of everybody. + +"Financially, this is going to be a great success," said Dave, his face +beaming. "I only hope they really like the show." + +"They do, or they would soon let you know," answered Belle. "A cowboy +isn't so polite as to make believe he likes a thing when he doesn't." + +The evening crowd was even larger than that which had gathered in the +afternoon, and the seating capacity of the dining-room and the veranda +near the windows was taxed to its utmost. The boys and girls started in +to give exactly the same show as during the afternoon, and the first +part went off very well. The Indian basket was again brought into play, +and once more a shower of silver was poured into it. + +"Mrs. Chambers will be more than delighted," said Belle. + +"How much money do you think we will have for her?" asked Jessie. + +"Oh, ticket money and extra contributions, at least two hundred dollars. +It will be a splendid aid to the old lady." + +During the first part of the evening's entertainment, Dave had been much +surprised to note the entrance of Hank Snogger, accompanied by two other +cowboys from the Merwell ranch. Snogger looked a bit sheepish, as if +realizing that he was out of his element. The other two cowboys were +rough and hard-looking men, and had evidently been drinking. + +"I didn't think we'd have anybody here from the Merwell place," +whispered Phil. + +"Well, I suppose some of our cowboys sold them the tickets," answered +Dave. "I certainly didn't think that fellow, Snogger, would show +himself." + +"The men with him are pretty loud," said Roger. "I hope they don't try +to break up the show." + +The second half of the entertainment was in full swing when one of the +men with Snogger commenced to laugh uproariously. His companion joined +in, and both made such a noise that not a word spoken on the stage could +be heard by the rest of the audience. + +"Say, keep quiet there!" called out Sid Todd, who was acting as a sort +of usher. + +The two cowboys paid no attention to this request, but continued to +laugh, and presently one of them joined in the chorus of one of the +songs the girls and boys were rendering. He sang badly out of tune, and +made such a discord that the song had to come to a stop. + +"Go on! Go on!" he yelled, loudly. + +"Whoop her up, everybody!" called his companion. "All join in the glad +refrain!" And he started to sing in a heavy, liquor-laden voice. + +"You shut up or git out!" cried Sid Todd, striding forward. + +"They don't mean no harm," put in Hank Snogger, but he did not speak in +positive tones. + +"You keep out of this, Snogger," answered Todd, coldly. "Those men have +got to behave themselves or git out. I said it, an' I mean it." + +"That's right--put 'em out!" shouted several. + +"Ain't we got a right to laff?" demanded one of the cowboys who were +making the disturbance. + +"Yes, but not so as to drown everything else," answered Sid Todd. "An' +you can't sing." + +"We come here fer some fun," said the other cowboy from the Merwell +ranch. "An' we are going to have it. Whoop her up, everybody!" And he +commenced to sing once more. + +There were cries from all sides, and for a minute it looked as if the +entertainment would end in a general row. But then Sid Todd gave a +signal to some of the other Endicott hands, and in a twinkling the two +boisterous cowboys were grabbed and hustled from the house. One tried to +draw his pistol, but was given a blow in the face that all but sent him +flat. + +"You brought those fellows over here--you take 'em away--an' mighty +quick, too," said Sid Todd to Hank Snogger. And he gave the other cowboy +such a black look that Snogger sneaked out of the house in a hurry. +Outside, the three men were surrounded by a dozen of the Endicott hands, +and they were forced to mount their horses and ride away; and that was +the last seen of them for the time being. + +The interruption made Laura and Jessie so nervous that they could not +sing any more, so the programme had to be changed. Dave thought of a +funny monologue Shadow Hamilton had once given at Oak Hall, and he gave +this, as far as he could remember it, and put in a few stories that were +new. The youth worked hard, and the cowboys applauded him vigorously +when he had finished, and soon the unpleasant incident was practically +forgotten. When the show was over, the cowboys all said it was the +finest thing they had ever seen outside of a city theater. + +"Worth the money," said one old cowboy. "An' I'd go ag'in to-morrow +night, ef I could." Entertainments in that locality were rare, and the +show was a grand treat to all. + +"Oh, but those men who laughed and sang were horrid!" said Laura. "And I +was so afraid they would start to shoot, I didn't know how to control +myself!" + +"I believe they came over here on purpose to spoil the entertainment," +said Phil. + +"But why should they do that?" asked Jessie, innocently. + +"More than likely Link Merwell got them to do it," answered Roger. "It +would be of a piece with his meanness." + +"I believe they were brought over by that Hank Snogger," said the +shipowner's son. + +"Yes, but I think Snogger is in some way under Link's thumb," put in +Dave. "Anyway, the two seem to have a good deal in common." + +"Well, it was a mean piece of business," said Belle. "Oh, I do wish the +Merwells would sell out to some nice people! It would be splendid to +have real good neighbors." + +On the following Monday the boys went fishing "on their own hook," as +Phil expressed it, although Jessie said he had better say "hooks," since +they proposed to use several of them. The boys rode over to the river +and took with them their shotguns. While fishing they kept their horses +in sight and their firearms ready for use, and had any horse-thieves +shown themselves they would have met with a hot reception. Fishing +proved good, and inside of three hours they had all the fish on their +strings that they cared to carry. + +"Let us ride up the river a bit," suggested Phil, after they had eaten +their lunch. "I'd like to look at the country, and it is possible we may +be able to stir up some game." + +As it was a clear day, the others agreed, and soon they were riding +slowly along a trail which wound in and out among the rocks bordering +the stream. They passed the shack which Roger and the girls had used as +a shelter from the storm, and then reached an open spot. Beyond was a +high hill, covered with a primeval forest. + +"There ought to be some game in that woods," said Dave, as they +continued to move forward. + +"If the cowboys haven't shot everything worth shooting," answered the +senator's son. "There used to be good hunting in Maine and in Upper New +York State, but you have got to tramp a good many miles these days +before you catch sight of anything worth while." + +After a ride in the sun it was cool and pleasing in the forest, and they +took their time riding under the great trees, some of which must have +been fifty to a hundred years old. They saw a number of birds flitting +about, but did not attempt to bring any down. + +"If we want any big game we must keep quiet," said Dave, and after that +they moved along without speaking, and with their eyes and ears on the +alert for the first sign of something worth shooting. + +Presently Dave held up his hand and all came to a halt. Not far away +could be heard a curious drumming sound. + +"What's that?" whispered Phil. + +"Sounds like grouse," answered Dave. "They drum like that sometimes. +They must be over in the trees yonder. Let us dismount and see." + +The others were willing, and leaving their horses tied to the trees, the +three boys crept forward to the spot from which the drumming proceeded. +They came up abreast, and soon all caught sight of a number of grouse of +the sharp-tailed variety, huddled in a little opening among the bushes. + +"Get ready and fire when I give the word," whispered Dave, and a few +seconds later all three of the chums blazed away simultaneously. There +was a fluttering and more drumming, and several grouse thrashed the +ground. + +"Hurrah! we've got four!" cried Roger, rushing forward. + +"And this one makes five!" said Phil, and dispatched one that was +fluttering around. Then Dave killed a sixth, and by that time the rest +of the game was out of sight. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +A WILDCAT AMONG THE HORSES + + +The bringing down of the grouse filled the boys with satisfaction, and +they inspected the game with much interest. + +"They'll make fine eating," declared Roger. + +"Let us see if we can't get some more," pleaded Phil. The "fever" of +hunting had taken possession of him. + +"We'll not find much in this neighborhood," said Dave. "But I am willing +to go a little further," he added, seeing how disappointed the +shipowner's son looked. + +Placing the game over their shoulders, they reloaded their weapons and +continued on through the forest, taking a trail that seemed to have been +made by wild animals. Twice they had to cross a winding brook, and at +the second fording-place Dave, who was in the rear, called a halt. + +"What do you want?" questioned Roger, as he and Phil turned back. + +"I want you to look at these hoofmarks," answered Dave, and he pointed +up the stream a short distance. + +All passed to the locality indicated, and each youth looked at the +hoofmarks with interest. They were made by a number of horses, probably +six or eight, and though the marks were washed a little, as if by rain, +they could still be plainly seen. + +"Do you think they were made by the horses that were stolen, Dave?" +questioned Phil. + +"I don't know what to think." + +"The horse-thieves might easily have come this way," said the senator's +son. "They would be more apt to go away from the ranch than towards it." + +"Maybe they stopped here during the big blow," said Phil. + +"I think you are right, for here are marks where the animals were tied +to trees," went on Dave. "I wonder--well, I declare!" + +Dave stopped short and picked up a bit of a leather halter lying on the +ground. It was of curious Mexican design, having a light leather thong +entwined in a dark one. + +"I don't know that I have ever seen a halter like that before," mused +Roger, as he took the bit of halter from Dave, and then passed it to +Phil. + +"I have," answered Dave. + +"So have I!" cried the shipowner's son. "Link Merwell's horse had one +on, the day we met on the trail!" + +"Just what I was going to say," added Dave. "I noticed it particularly." + +"Then this must belong to Link," came from the senator's son. + +"Perhaps not," answered Dave, slowly. "There may be other such halters +around. We'll have to give Link the benefit of the doubt, you know." + +"See here!" burst out Phil. "You may think as you please, but I have +always thought that Link had something to do with the taking of our +horses." + +"Do you think he would deliberately steal six horses, Phil?" + +"Well, maybe not deliberately steal them, but--but--I think he took +them, anyhow." + +"He may have taken them intending to drive them to our ranch, and +perhaps the horses got away from him in the storm," suggested Roger. + +"That may be true--it would be just like one of Link's mean tricks," +answered Dave. + +"I think we ought to tax him with it," said Phil. + +"He'd deny it point-blank if you did," returned the senator's son. "This +bit of halter is no proof against him. No, you'd only get into hot water +if you accused him without proofs." + +"What Roger says is true," declared Dave. "We'll not say a word against +Link, or accuse him, until we have some good proof that he is guilty." + +Taking the bit of halter with them, the three chums continued on their +way along the trail. They covered another quarter of a mile, but saw no +game excepting some birds on which they did not care to waste powder and +shot. + +"We'll have to go back, I suppose," said Phil, with a sigh. "Gracious, I +wish we'd see a bear, or something!" + +"How would an elephant and a few lions do?" quizzed Roger, with a grin. + +"Or a couple of man-eating tigers," suggested Dave. + +"I don't care! You can make fun if you want to, but I came out to this +ranch to have some hunting," said Phil, stubbornly. "I'm going to the +mountains and get something worth while some day." + +"So are we all going, Phil," answered Dave, quickly. "I want to bring +down some big game just as much as you do." + +"Sid Todd said he'd take us," said Roger. "We'll make him keep his +word." + +They took a look around the locality where they were standing, and then +turned back to where they had left their horses. They were still some +distance from the animals when they heard one of the steeds give a +sudden snort of alarm. Looking through the trees, they saw Phil's horse +leap and plunge, and then the others did likewise, as if trying to break +from their halters. + +"Something is wrong!" cried Dave. "Come on, before the horses break +away!" + +"Something has scared them," put in Roger. "Keep your guns ready for a +shot. It may be a bear!" + +"No such luck!" declared Phil. Nevertheless, he swung his shotgun into +position for firing, and his chums did likewise. + +As the boys entered the opening where the horses were tied, Dave caught +sight of what was causing the disturbance. Out on the branch of a tree, +directly over the animals, was a chunky and powerful looking wildcat, +commonly called in that section of the country a bobcat. Its eyes were +gleaming wickedly, its teeth were exposed, and it acted as if ready to +leap at the throat of one of the horses. + +"Look!" cried Dave, and then, as quickly as he could, he leveled his +shotgun, took aim, and fired. The report of the firearm was followed by +a blood-curdling cry from the wildcat, and down from the tree limb it +tumbled, to roll over and over on the ground between the horses. + +"Oh, what a savage beast!" gasped Phil, and for the instant he was so +taken aback that he did not know what to do. + +"He'll drive the horses crazy!" shouted Roger. "Oh, if I could only get +a shot at him!" + +What the senator's son said about the horses was true. The wildcat had +been badly, but not mortally, wounded, and now it was rolling and +twisting on the ground, sending the dirt and leaves flying in all +directions. The steeds were in a panic, and leaped and plunged hither +and thither, doing their best to break away. + +"I should have waited until we all had the chance to shoot," said Dave. +"If I can catch my horse----" + +He got no further, for just then Roger, seeing a chance, rushed in +between two of the steeds and pulled both triggers of his shotgun in +quick succession. His aim was true, and, hit in the side, the wildcat +rolled over and then started to crawl back into some bushes. + +"He is going!" shouted Dave. + +"I must have a shot!" put in Phil, recovering somewhat, and now he +blazed away. When the smoke rolled off, the boys saw that the wildcat +had disappeared. + +"Where is he?" + +"He went into yonder bushes!" + +"Is he dead, do you think?" + +"I don't know. Be careful, or he may leap out at us." + +Such were some of the remarks made as the three boys reloaded, in the +meantime keeping their eyes on the spot where the wildcat had last been +seen. The horses were still plunging, but gradually they quieted down. + +"I am going to see if the wildcat is really dead," said Dave, boldly. +"Even if he's alive, I don't think there is much fight left in him." + +"You be careful!" warned Phil. "A wounded beast is always extra savage. +He may fly at your throat, and then it will be all up with you." + +"I guess we plugged him pretty well," said Roger. + +With great caution Dave approached the bushes into which the wildcat had +disappeared, and rather gingerly his chums followed him. They could see +a trail of blood, which led to the bottom of a hollow between some +rocks. Here they beheld the wildcat, stretched out on its side. + +"Dead as a stone!" announced Dave, after a brief examination. + +"Are you sure?" questioned Phil. "He may be shamming--some wild beasts +do, you know." + +"No, he's dead,--you can see for yourself." + +"What shall we do with him?" questioned Roger, after all were convinced +that the wildcat was really dead. "He isn't good for much." + +"We could keep the skin--or have him stuffed," suggested Phil. + +"Let us take him back to the ranch--so that the folks can see we really +killed him," said Dave. "Then we might have him stuffed and sent to Oak +Hall, to put in the museum." + +"Just the thing!" cried the senator's son. "That will please Doctor +Clay, I am sure." + +They dragged the wildcat out into the open, and laid it where the horses +might see that it was dead. As soon as they were aware of this, the +steeds quieted down completely, and the boys had no more trouble with +them. Dave and Phil carried the grouse and the fish, and Roger slung the +wildcat up behind his saddle, and then off they set for Star Ranch at a +gallop. + +"Here come the fishermen!" cried Laura, who was out in front of the +ranch house. "I hope you had luck!" + +"We did," answered Dave, gayly. "How is that?" and he held up a string +of fish. + +"Splendid, Dave!" + +"And how is that?" he went on, holding up two of the grouse. + +"I declare, some game, too! Why, you've had good luck, haven't you!" + +"Let me see!" said Belle, as she appeared, followed by Jessie. + +"And how is this?" asked Phil, showing his fish and the rest of the +game. + +"Oh, how grand!" murmured Belle. + +"What is that Roger has?" questioned Jessie. + +"A wildcat!" cried the senator's son, and, leaping down, he brought the +dead beast into full view. All the girls shrieked, and Jessie started to +run back into the house. Hearing the commotion, Mrs. Endicott appeared, +and then her husband. + +"A bobcat!" cried the railroad president. "I didn't know there were any +near this place. A big fellow, too," he added, as he inspected the +animal. + +"Did you shoot him, Roger?" asked Laura. + +"We all had a hand in it," answered the senator's son. "Dave gave him +the first dose of shot, and then Phil and I got in our work. It was a +hard job to kill him, I can tell you," and then Roger told of how the +wounded beast had fallen down among the horses. + +"You can be thankful your horses didn't get away," said Mr. Endicott. "I +knew of a horse once that was scared by a bear and he ran several miles, +and wasn't caught until the next day." + +"Oh, Dave, weren't you scared when you saw him on the tree?" whispered +Jessie. She felt proud to think her hero had been the first to shoot at +the beast. + +"I didn't give myself time to get scared," he answered. "I just fired as +quickly as I could." + +"But supposing the wildcat had jumped on you!" And the girl shivered and +caught him by the arm. + +"I should have defended myself as best I could, Jessie." + +"You--you mustn't take such risks," the pretty girl whispered, and +looked wistfully into Dave's eyes. "I--I can't stand it, Dave!" And then +she blushed and turned her face away. + +"I'll be very careful after this, Jessie--for your sake," he answered, +softly and tenderly. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +COWBOY TRICKS AND "BRONCO-BUSTING" + + +"You boys sure did have a day of sport," said Sid Todd, after he had +inspected the fish, the grouse, and the wildcat. "And you've proved that +you can shoot," he added, nodding toward the slain beast. "I've known +many a putty good hunter to get the shakes when he see a bobcat +a-glarin' at him from a tree. It ain't no tender sight, is it now?" + +"Not much!" answered Phil, warmly. He had been as close to getting the +"shakes" as any one of the three. "I was glad when I knew he was dead." + +"Something about a bobcat I don't like," went on the cowboy. "We used to +hunt 'em--when they got after the sheep some years ago. Once one of 'em +jest about got me by the throat, an' I ain't forgitting it! I'd rather +face a bear, I think." + +"You mustn't forget that you are to take us to the mountains on a +hunting expedition," came from Roger. "We want to get some deer, or an +elk, before we go back East." + +"I'll take you--don't worry," answered the cowboy. + +The news soon spread around the ranch that the "tenderfeet" had killed a +big bobcat, and all the hands came to get a look at the beast. They +praised the boys, and said they must be nervy hunters or they could not +have done it. Of course the lads were correspondingly proud, and who can +blame them? The animal was prepared for stuffing, and then sent off by +express to a taxidermist in the city. + +After talking the matter over among themselves, the boys decided to tell +Mr. Endicott about the piece of Mexican halter they had picked up. He +listened gravely to what they had to say, and looked at the bit of +leather curiously. + +"I am afraid it is not much in the way of evidence," said he. "But I'll +remember it, and we'll have to watch Link Merwell--that is, as well as +we can. There would be no gain in speaking to Mr. Merwell, it would only +stir up the bad feeling that already exists. I understand that he has +had an offer for his ranch from somebody in the East, and I trust he +sells out and moves somewhere else." + +"So do I," echoed Dave, heartily. "Some place where none of us will ever +hear of him or his son again." + +Two days after the shooting of the wildcat, Sid Todd announced that the +cowboys of Star Ranch and Hooper Ranch, up the river, were going to hold +a contest in "bronco-busting" and in fancy riding. All the young folks +were invited to be present and a little stand was to be erected, from +which they might view what was going on in comfort. + +"Hurrah! that suits me!" cried Dave. "I've been wanting to see them +break in a real bronco." + +"And I want to see some of their fancy riding," added the senator's son. +"It will be a real Wild West show." + +"And no fifty cents admission, either," said Phil, with a grin. + +"I hope nobody gets hurt," said Jessie, timidly. + +"Oh, they are generally more careful than you think," answered Mr. +Endicott. + +"But bronco-busting is dangerous, isn't it?" questioned Laura. + +"Yes,--for anybody who has had no experience. But Todd and some of the +others can saddle and ride any pony in these parts." + +All went out to the stretch of plain where the contest was to take +place. The little stand was there, true enough, and to the four corners +were nailed four flags--two of the Stars and Stripes, and one each of +the two ranches, that of the Endicotts having a blue field with the +words, Star Ranch, in white. + +The word had been passed around for a good many miles, and consequently +a crowd numbering over a hundred had assembled on the field, including +half a dozen ladies and several children. The cowboys were out "on +parade," as Mr. Endicott expressed it, and each wore his best riding +outfit, and had his horse and trappings "slicked up" to the last degree. +All wore their largest Mexican sombreros, and, taken together, they +formed a truly picturesque assemblage. + +"Puts me in mind of gypsies," said Laura. "Only they haven't their wives +and children with them." + +"And they aren't telling fortunes," added Jessie. + +The sport began with some fancy riding in which eight of the cowboys, +four from each ranch, participated. The cowboys would ride like the wind +and leap off and on their steeds, turn from frontwards to backwards, +slide from the saddle under their horses' necks and up into the saddle +again, and lean low to catch up handkerchiefs and hats left on the grass +for that purpose. Then they did some fancy vaulting, over bars and +brushwood, and while riding two and even four horses. + +"Good! good!" shouted Dave. "Isn't that fine!" + +"Best I ever saw!" answered Roger, and everybody in the crowd applauded +vigorously. + +After the fancy riding came some shooting while in the saddle, both at +stationary objects and at things sprung into the air from a trap. The +repeated crack! crack! crack! of the pistols and rifles scared some of +the girls a little, but the boys enjoyed the spectacle thoroughly, and +marveled at some of the shots made. + +"Game wouldn't stand much chance with those chaps," remarked Dave. "They +could hit a running deer or a flying bird without half trying." + +The shooting at an end, the cowboys brought out their best lassoes and +showed what could be done in landing the circlets over running steers +and horses. Here Sid Todd was in his element, and the way he managed his +lasso, one of extra length at that, brought out tremendous applause. + +"He is the best lasso-thrower in these parts," said Mr. Endicott. "No +one can compare with him." + +"Well, he is a good shot, too," said Dave. "And he rides well also." + +"Yes, he is a good all-around fellow," answered the ranch owner. "I am +mighty glad I have him,--and I am glad I got rid of that Hank Snogger," +he added. + +"Are any of the men from the Merwell ranch here?" + +"No, I warned them to keep away--after that trouble we had at your +entertainment,--and Mr. Hooper, the owner of the other ranch,--told them +to keep away, too. Some of those fellows drink, and if they got to +quarreling there might be some shooting, and then there would be no +telling where the thing would end. I made up my mind I'd take no +chances." + +The "bronco-busting," as it is called, was reserved for after lunch. +Several wild-looking ponies were tethered at a distance, and it was the +task of those who proposed to do the "busting" to take a saddle, fasten +it on a pony, and then get up and ride around the field at least twice. +The ponies were unbroken, and of the sort usually designated as vicious +and unreliable. + +It was truly a thrilling exhibition and one the boys, and the girls, +too, for the matter of that, never forgot. As soon as a bronco was +approached he would begin to plunge and kick, and to get a saddle on him +was all but impossible. Then, if at last he was saddled, and the cowboy +who had been successful got in the seat, the pony would leap and plunge +some more, sometimes going straight up into the air and coming down with +legs as stiff as posts. Then, if this did not throw the cowboy off, the +pony would start to run, only to stop short suddenly, in the hope of +sending the rider over his head. + +"Oh, somebody will be killed!" screamed Jessie, and often turned her +face away to shut out the sight. "Oh, why do they do such dreadful +things?" she added. + +"They've got to break the ponies somehow," answered Dave. "Those broncos +will be all right after they get used to it." + +"Say, do you know, I'd like to try that," remarked Roger. "I think I +could sit on one of those ponies, if he had the saddle on." + +"I think I could do it, too," added Dave. + +"Oh, Dave!" exclaimed his sister, while Jessie gave a little shriek of +horror. + +"It's not as bad as it looks--after the pony is saddled," answered Dave. + +"We'll try it to-morrow--on the quiet," whispered Roger. + +After the "busting" of the broncos had come to an end, there was a +two-mile race, for a first and a second prize, put up by the two ranch +owners. In this race nine of the cowboys started, amid a wild yelling +and the cracking of numerous pistols,--for the average cowboy is not +enjoying himself unless he can make a noise. + +"They are off!" yelled Phil. + +"Yes, and see them go!" added Dave. + +"I'll bet our ranch wins!" came from Roger. + +"What will you bet?" asked Belle, mischievously. + +"A box of candy against a cream pie." + +"That's fair,--but I can't bet against our ranch," answered Belle, +gayly. + +On and on thundered the horses across the plains, to a spot a mile +distant. At first three of the cowboys from the other ranch were in the +lead, and their followers cheered them loudly. + +"Oh, we are going to lose!" said Belle, with a pout, as the leaders in +the race started on the return. + +"No! no!" answered Dave. "See, Sid Todd is coming to the front." + +"Yes, and Yates is crawling up, too," added Phil. + +Nearer and nearer to the finish line swept the cowboys, those in the +rear doing their best to forge ahead. Now Sid Todd, Yates, and two +cowboys from the Hooper ranch were neck-and-neck. + +"It will be a tie," murmured Laura. + +"No, Todd is gaining!" cried Mr. Endicott, who was as much excited as +anybody. "See, he and Hooper's man are now ahead!" + +"Here they come, on the homestretch!" was the general cry. + +On and on thundered the horses, nearer and nearer to the finishing line. +When the leaders were less than fifty yards off Sid Todd made a spurt. + +"Here comes Todd!" + +"Todd wins! Todd wins!" + +"Galpey is second!" + +"Yes, and Yates is third!" + +"Say, that's riding for you!" And so the cries rang out. Sid Todd had +indeed won, and all of his friends from Star Ranch congratulated him. +The second prize went to the cowboy from the Hooper ranch. Yates got +nothing, but was content to know that he had come in third and only five +yards behind the leader. + +"Well, that certainly was an entertainment worth looking at," said Dave, +when it was over, and they were returning to the ranch house. + +"I've never been so stirred up," answered Roger. "But, say, I am going +to try one of those broncos to-morrow," he added. + +"Not for me!" said Phil. "I value my neck too much." + +"What about you, Dave?" And the senator's son looked anxiously at the +Crumville lad. + +"Well, I'll see," answered Dave. He was not afraid to try riding a +bronco, but he did not wish to worry Jessie and his sister. + +"You are not afraid, are you?" + +"No." + +"Well, I am not afraid, either," came quickly from Phil, and his face +grew red. "You needn't think----" + +"Oh, don't get mad, Phil; I didn't mean anything," interposed Roger. +"If you don't care to try it, you don't have to." + +"But you needn't insinuate that I----" + +"I am not insinuating anything, Phil. I merely wanted to know if Dave +will try riding with me, that's all." + +"Well, I--er--I know what you think. And if you try this bronco-busting +business, why--I'll try it too, so there!" answered Phil, defiantly. + +At the house the talk was entirely of the things they had seen. Jessie +was rather glad it was over, for rough things made her somewhat afraid. +Belle was enthusiastic and said she had once tried "bronco-busting" +herself. + +"But I didn't do much," she said. "The pony started to run and then +stopped suddenly, and I went over his head into a stack of hay. I was +glad the hay was there, otherwise I might have broken some of my bones." + +"It is dangerous sport at the best," said Mrs. Endicott. "But the +cowboys feel that the ponies must be broken in, and there is no other +way to do it." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +DAVE ON A BRONCO + + +Dave had his doubts about doing any "bronco-busting" on his own account, +but he did not say anything to Roger and Phil about it. He was not +afraid, but he knew Jessie would be greatly worried if he attempted +anything dangerous. + +However, his chums got him up early the following morning, and, directly +after breakfast, Roger led the way down to the corral. + +"I am going to try it, even if you are not," said the senator's son, and +insisted upon it that one of the unbroken ponies be brought forward. The +saddle was adjusted by Sid Todd, who held the animal while Roger leaped +into the saddle. + +The experience was not as exciting as had been anticipated, for the +reason that the animal chosen by Todd was somewhat tame. The cowboy was +attached to the boys, and did not wish to see any of them run the risk +of breaking his neck. + +After Roger came Phil, and he was timid enough to ask for a horse "that +didn't look as if he wanted to eat somebody up." Phil had more of a +time of it than Roger, but managed to keep in the saddle and ride around +the corral several times. + +"It's not so hard as I supposed," said the shipowner's son, as he leaped +to the ground, and the pony, freed of the saddle, galloped off. "I +thought I'd be half-killed." + +"Those ponies were not so wild as those used yesterday," answered Dave. +"Not but that they were bad enough," he continued, with a smile. + +Sid Todd had remained to hold the pony ridden by Phil and had then been +called away to attend to some business at another part of the ranch. He +had told Yates to help the boys. + +Now, as it happened, Yates was full of fun and always up to practical +jokes. It had disgusted him to see Todd bring out such comparatively +safe ponies as those ridden by Roger and Phil. He had been told to bring +out a certain animal for Dave, but instead led forth a bronco that was +as wild and fiery as any used the day previous. + +"If he rides that beast, he's a good one," Yates murmured to himself, +and then he beckoned to some other cowboys to watch the fun. Half a +dozen quit work to draw closer, each with a broad grin on his sunburnt +face. They expected to see Dave get the shaking-up of his life and felt +positive he would not be able to stay on the bronco's back two minutes. + +"He certainly is a wild one," said Dave, as he advanced and eyed the +pony. + +"Oh, he's no worse than the others," answered Yates, smoothly, and then +he rolled his eyes and winked at the other cowboys. + +Dave looked critically at the saddle and saw to it that it was properly +buckled. Then he flung his cap to Roger. + +"Say, Dave, that pony looks half-crazy," said Phil. "You be careful." + +"He certainly does look wild," added Roger. + +"Well, I'm going to ride him anyway--or know the reason why!" cried +Dave, and a look of strong determination came into his face. "Get around +there!" he called sharply to the pony, and then, with a quick leap, he +gained the saddle and dug his knees into the pony's sides. "Let him go!" + +Yates released his hold and everybody in the crowd backed away. For a +moment the bronco stood stock-still, his eyes gazing straight ahead. +Then he gave a vigorous shake and took a few steps forward. + +"Hurrah! see him ride!" shouted Yates, and winked again at the other +cowboys, who grinned more than ever. + +Five steps forward and the bronco halted. Then up in the air he went, a +distance of six or eight feet. He came down "on all fours," good and +hard, and had Dave been resting in the saddle he would have had the wind +knocked out of him completely. But the youth was standing in the +stirrups, and he allowed his body to spring with that of the animal he +hoped to conquer. + +[Illustration: Then up in the air he went.--Page 224.] + +Three times the bronco tried this trick, and the third time Dave came +close to falling off. Then the bronco gave a dart forward, like an arrow +from a bow. + +"There he goes!" yelled the senator's son, but the words were not yet +out of his mouth when the bronco stopped short. Dave slid to the +animal's neck, but there he clung, his face pale and determined, and his +teeth set. + +"Hi! hi! what's this!" shouted a voice, and, turning, the crowd saw Sid +Todd approaching on the run. "Yates, what do you mean by letting him git +up on that critter?" he demanded, indignantly. + +"Ain't that the bronco you wanted him to try?" asked the other cowboy, +innocently. + +"No--an' you know it!" stormed Todd. "Do you want him to break his neck? +Hi, Dave, jump down! You can't tame that beast, nohow!" + +"I--I'm all--ri--right!" jerked out Dave, between his teeth. "Ke--keep +away," he added, as Todd came closer, to lend his assistance. + +"He's a bad one, boy--one o' the worst on the ranch. Yates had no call +to offer him to you." + +"Ke--keep away," was all Dave replied. He could not say more, for the +bronco claimed all his attention. + +"Yates, if that boy is hurt, you'll have an account to settle with me," +said Sid Todd, and shook his fist at the other cowboy. + +"I--er--I was sure you wanted me to bring out that beast fer him," +murmured Yates, uneasily. He was sorry now that he had played the trick +on Dave. + +The bronco had taken another run, coming to as sudden a halt as before. +Dave slid up almost to the animal's ears, but still clung on, and +quickly regained his seat in the saddle. Then, without warning, the pony +dropped to the ground and started to roll over. + +"Look out! you'll have your leg broken!" yelled Phil. But Dave was on +his guard, and, as the pony dropped, he leaped away to safety. Then, as +the animal arose once more, the youth grabbed the saddle and vaulted +into the seat. + +"Say, that's goin' some, I tell you!" roared one of the cowboys in +delight. "He ain't givin' in yet, he ain't!" + +"Look out that he don't bang you into a fence, or one of the buildings!" +yelled Sid Todd. He was alarmed, yet delighted at the manner in which +Dave clung to his difficult and dangerous undertaking. + +With Dave once more on his back, the pony tried new tactics. Around and +around he went in a circle, sending the dust of the corral flying in all +directions. Then, like lightning, he reversed, nearly breaking his own +neck, and causing Dave to slip far down on the outer side. But the youth +hung to the saddle, and, leaning forward, slapped the bronco a smart +crack on the neck. This he followed up with a blow on the head. + +The effect was just what the boy desired. The pony forgot all his +tricks, and leaping high into the air, he shot off like a streak toward +the corral gate. Once outside, he headed for the open plains, going with +the speed of a racer on the track. + +"They're off!" cried Roger. + +"Don't let him throw you!" yelled Todd. + +"Can't we ride after 'em?" queried Phil. + +"Sure we can ride after 'em," responded Todd. "An' we better do it, too, +fer there ain't no tellin' what that pony will do to Dave," he added, +anxiously, and with a black look at Yates, which made the other cowboy +cast his eyes to the ground. + +On and on sped the bronco, with Dave sitting firmly in the saddle. So +long as the pony kept going, the lad felt he had nothing to fear. But he +was on the alert, for he did not know but that the animal would play +another trick at any instant. + +"Go on, old boy!" he muttered. "We've got miles and miles of prairie +ahead of us. Run till you are tired! But remember, you've got to carry +me back," he added, grimly. + +Soon the ranch house and the corral were mere specks in the distance, +and then even these faded from view. The pony kept to the open country, +and not once did he slacken his speed. + +"I guess he'll drop into a walk when his wind is gone," thought Dave. +But the pony's breathing apparatus showed no sign of giving out. Dave +allowed his eyes to turn back, and calculated he had gone two or three +miles. "Maybe we had better turn back now," he murmured, and tried to +guide the steed in a circle. But this was a failure. The pony kept +straight ahead, running due eastward, as the youth could see by the sun. + +"All right, go as far as you please," said Dave, grimly. "If you can +stand it, so can I," and he settled in the saddle. + +Another two miles were covered, and then the bronco commenced to slacken +his speed. Dave was on guard at this, and it was well to be, for, a +second later, the pony once more tried the trick of flinging his rider +over his head. But the effort was a failure, and in return Dave dug his +knees deeply into the steed's ribs. Then off went the pony on a run +again. + +This time the bronco did not cover over a mile before dropping into a +walk. Then Dave tried again to turn the animal, but without success. + +"Don't want to go back, eh?" said the youth. "Well, you've got to, and +that is all there is to it!" And he hit the pony a sharp slap on the +neck and dug his knees into the animal's ribs as before. + +The bronco was now losing courage. He commenced to run, but did not keep +it up for more than a hundred yards. But when he dropped into a walk, +Dave urged him up, and again he ran, but now only a dozen steps. Then +the youth pulled on the left rein, and the bronco came around with +scarcely any trouble. + +"You aren't mastered yet, but you're pretty close to it," said the boy. +"We are going home, understand, home!" + +The bronco moved forward about a hundred feet. Then he deliberately +dropped on the prairie and lay on his side, as quiet as a lamb. + +"Want to rest, eh?" said Dave. "Well, not out here. You brought me here +and you've got to take me back. Get up!" + +He gave the animal a prod in the side. The bronco kicked out. Then Dave +gave a harder prod. This the pony would not stand, and up he came with +surprising agility. He tried to bolt, but Dave caught the saddle and +clung there. They headed again eastward, away from the ranch. + +"All right, now run for it, and keep it up as long as you please!" cried +the boy, and urged the steed forward. Over the prairie the pony sped, +as if he had just started in the race. Thus another mile was covered, +and now Dave calculated he must be six or seven miles from Star Ranch. +The country about him looked strange, and he wondered where he was. +Nothing in the shape of a trail had come to view during the last run. + +When the bronco stopped his racing, the youth turned him around again. +He now showed signs of fatigue, but Dave urged him on, digging his knees +into the animal's ribs as tightly as ever. Dave was almost "used up" +himself, but he resolved to make the bronco take him back to the corral +or die in the attempt. + +"They shan't have the laugh on me," he argued. "It's back to the ranch +or nothing!" + +Dave steered the best course he could for the corral, but with nothing +to guide him he did not know if he was moving exactly in the right +direction or not. He kept on, with his eyes trying to look beyond the +wide-stretching prairies. + +Presently he saw in the distance what looked to be a row of low +buildings. He headed in that direction, and then saw that the objects +were moving towards him. + +"They can't be buildings, for buildings don't move like that," he mused. +"Must be cattle, or horses. Cattle, most likely." + +To avoid the cattle, he turned slightly southward. But the animals kept +coming closer, and now he saw that they were running in something of a +semicircle. + +"Can anything be wrong with them?" he asked himself, and watched the +approaching herd with interest. The bronco, too, pricked up his ears, +and gave a sudden snort of alarm. + +Then to Dave's ears came the thunder of the herd's hoofs, and he saw +that the cattle were on a mad run. He drew rein and stood up in his +stirrups. + +The sight that met his gaze was truly alarming. At least a thousand head +of steers were coming toward him, running swiftly, and with their horns +bent low. + +"They have stampeded!" he gasped. "And they are coming straight this +way! What shall I do to escape them?" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +THE CATTLE STAMPEDE + + +Dave had often heard of cattle stampedes, and he knew how truly +dangerous such a mad rush can become. Sometimes, from practically no +cause whatever, a herd of cattle will start on a wild run, going they +know not where, and carrying all down before them. + +What had started the present stampede did not interest the youth, but he +was interested in the question of how he might get out of the herd's +way, so that he would not be run down and trodden to a jelly. To scare +the leaders off might be easy, but would not those in the rear push on +until he was simply overwhelmed? + +"I've got to get away somehow!" he reasoned, and turned his pony at +right angles to the approaching cattle. For the moment the bronco seemed +too frightened to budge, but at a cry from Dave, he leaped forward, and +then went streaking across the prairies as if he knew his life and that +of his rider depended on his speed. + +It was now a race for life, for the cattle were still moving in +something of a semicircle, and Dave did not know whether or not he would +be able to clear the end of the line before it reached him. He called to +the pony, but this was unnecessary, for the bronco evidently understood +the peril fully as well as his rider. + +Suddenly, when it looked as if pony and youth could not escape, Dave +heard a whistle float across the prairie. Looking in the direction, he +made out the form of Sid Todd, riding like the wind toward him. Behind +him came Roger and Phil, but the two boys were soon stopped and told to +go back. + +"I'll head 'em off!" yelled Todd, coming closer. And waving his big +sombrero in one hand he commenced to fire his pistol with the other. He +shot rapidly, aiming for the ground and sending streaks of dust into the +air. All the time he yelled at the top of his lungs, and, understanding +the move, Dave yelled too, and swung one arm wildly. + +Soon the leaders of the herd took notice and came to a sudden halt. The +rest of the cattle shoved from behind, and then the leaders broke, some +going to the right, and the others to the left. + +"Look out, Roger! Phil! They are coming your way!" screamed Dave. + +He was right, and for the minute it looked as if Dave had been saved at +the expense of his chums. But only a few cattle were headed for the +other boys, and as soon as Roger and Phil commenced to yell and wave +their arms, these broke again, and thus the herd was completely +scattered. They ran a short distance further, then halted, and a little +later began to graze as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. + +"Are you all right, son?" asked Sid Todd, anxiously, as he ranged up +beside Dave. + +"Yes, but--I--I am a lit--tle wi--winded," answered Dave, when he could +speak. + +"Good enough! Then you mastered the bronco, eh? Didn't he throw you at +all?" + +"No." + +"Didn't he roll?" + +"Oh, yes, and I got off and on pretty quick, I can tell you." + +"It's wonderful! I never would have thought it!" And Sid Todd's face +showed his great admiration. "Why, don't you know that that is one of +the wickedest ponies on this ranch? Yates and some of the others have +tried to ride him more than once." + +"And they couldn't do it?" + +"Not much they couldn't! Why, that pony bit one of the men in the arm +when he got too near!" + +"He snapped at me once." + +"Did, eh?" + +"Yes, and I slapped his face." + +"Well, that's the best way--show 'em you ain't afraid. But it's +wonderful! When I see you on this pony I was sure you'd be killed, and I +made up my mind to give Yates the wust lickin' he ever had." + +"He's as mild as a lamb now," went on Dave, as he eyed the pony. + +"Don't you go for to trustin' him too much, yet," were Sid Todd's words +of warning, and Dave took them to heart, and it was well he did so, for +while returning to the ranch, the bronco tried several tricks to get rid +of his rider, but without success. + +"I never thought you would do it," said Roger, earnestly. "Are you sure +he is safe now?" he added, anxiously. + +"I wouldn't try to ride that beast for a million dollars," was Phil's +comment. "When he went off with you I thought you'd never get back to +tell the story. Roger and I and Todd were so worried we rode after you +just as fast as we could." + +"I hope the girls don't hear of this," said Dave. "If they do, they'll +worry themselves sick every time we go out." + +"Oh, we've got to let folks know how you busted that bronco!" cried Sid +Todd. "Why, son, you don't understand, but it's the finest bit o' +bustin' ever done on this ranch!" he added, vehemently. + +"Well, I am glad I won out, for one thing," answered Dave, dryly. "You +won't have to give Yates that licking." And this remark made the cowboy +laugh in spite of himself. Nevertheless, later on he gave Yates a +lecture that the latter never forgot. + +"The boy had one chanct in a hundred o' winning out," was what he said. +"One chanct in a hundred, an' you knew it! If he had broken his neck I'd +'a' held you responsible, an' so would the boss." + +"But he's a great rider," pleaded Yates. + +"Sure he is, better nor you'll be if you live to be a hundred, Yates. +But it was wrong to pile such a thing up his back,--an' don't you go for +to do it again." + +The news soon spread that Dave had "busted" the wild bronco, and this, +coupled with the fact that he had aided in bringing down the bobcat, +gave him an enviable reputation among the cowboys. But the girls were +quite alarmed, Jessie and Laura especially. + +"Oh, Dave, how could you!" cried Jessie, when they were alone. + +"Well, Jessie, you wouldn't want me to appear like a coward, would you?" +he asked. + +"No, of course not, Dave! But--if you had been--killed!" + +"I was watching out, I can tell you that," he answered, and then +changed the subject, for he did not like to see the girl he admired so +distressed. + +After the excitement of the bronco riding, the boys were glad enough to +take it easy for several days. Belle had a tennis court and a croquet +ground, and they played each game for hours at a time. The girls were +all good players and won the majority of the games. + +"Tennis and croquet are all well enough when you have nice girls to play +with," remarked Roger. "But otherwise I fancy I'd find them dead slow." + +"He'd play twenty-four hours at a stretch with Laura," was Phil's +comment. + +"Not to mention how long you'd play with Belle," retorted the senator's +son. + +"Dave doesn't care to play at all when Jessie is around," went on Phil, +slyly. + +"Neither of 'em cares to play--if there's a hammock and a chair handy," +added Roger. + +"I noticed yesterday, when Jessie and I were playing tennis, you fellows +were so busy talking to the girls you forgot all about your games," +retorted Dave. "And one of you was spouting poetry, about 'eyes divine,' +or something like that." + +"Not me!" cried Roger. + +"Then it must have been Phil!" + +"No, it was Roger," protested the shipowner's son. "I saw him writing +poetry when he should have been sending a letter home." + +"You go on, you manufacturer of bombastic fairy tales!" cried the +senator's son, and he commenced to chase Phil around the piazza. The +other boy leaped the rail and Roger followed, and then both commenced to +wrestle on the grass. + +"Mercy me! What's going on?" cried Laura, coming from the sitting-room. + +"Greatest exhibition on the globe!" called out Dave, in showman style. +"The two marvelous lightweights of the United States, Master Hitem Morr +and Lamem Lawrence. They will fight to a finish, without gloves, weather +permitting. Walk up, tumble up, or crawl up! Admission ten cents, one +dime; young ladies with grandfathers in arms, half-price!" + +"Oh, Dave!" cried his sister, and burst out laughing. The noise brought +Jessie and Belle to the scene, and seeing what was going on, all of the +girls commenced to pelt the boys on the grass with tennis balls. The +"attack" lasted for several minutes, and then the girls ran away, and +the boys went after them, into the house and out again, and across the +yard, and then through the kitchen, much to the astonishment of the +Chinese cook. Here Phil scooped up a ladleful of soup. + +"Halt, base enemy!" he cried, holding the soup aloft. "One step closer +and thou shalt be----" And then he slipped and the soup slopped over his +hand and his shoes. He ran for the yard again, dropped on a bench, in +mock exhaustion; and there the others joined him; and the fun, for the +time being, came to an end. + +"We are going to the railroad station this afternoon with papa," said +Belle. "Want to go along?" + +"Will a duck drink ice-cream soda!" cried Roger. "Of course we will go +along." + +"Then you had better get ready now--for we are to start directly after +lunch." + +"Anything special at the station?" questioned Dave. + +"Papa is going to see a man about some horses. He wants to buy a few +more good ones, if he can." + +"It's a pity we can't find out what became of the others," went on Dave. + +It took the girls some time to prepare for the journey to the railroad +station, so the start from Star Ranch was not made until after two +o'clock. Mr. Endicott rode in advance, and the young folks paired off in +couples after him. + +When they got to the bridge Dave was much surprised to see a couple of +men at work repairing the structure. They were putting down some +planking that was bound to last a long while. + +"Mr. Merwell must have opened his heart at last," said Dave, to the +railroad president. + +"Not at all, Dave; I am having this work done," was Mr. Endicott's +reply. + +"But I thought you said it was up to Mr. Merwell to keep this bridge in +repair." + +"So it is, but as he won't do anything, rather than have a quarrel, I am +repairing it myself." + +"Do you think he wants to sell out? Maybe that is his reason for not +spending money in repairs." + +"He will sell out, but his price is very high--too high to suit the man +who wants to buy." + +Leaving the vicinity of the bridge, the party continued on the way to +the railroad station. The train was not yet in, but it soon arrived and +on it came the man Mr. Endicott wished to see. From the train also +stepped Hank Snogger. The ranch hand had evidently been to a barber in +the city, for he was shaven and his hair was closely trimmed. + +"He looks like quite a different person," remarked Belle. "He always +wore his hair long and straggly before." + +"Yes, and he wasn't any too clean," answered Dave. "Now he is well +washed and brushed." + +Hank Snogger walked around the station on an errand, and then came up to +where a horse was waiting for him. As he did this he passed quite close +to the boys and girls and gave the former a cold stare. + +"Do you know, I feel sure I have seen somebody that looks like him," +said Dave in a whisper. "I said so before. But I can't place the man." + +"Yes, I've seen somebody that looked like him, too," added Roger. "It +was while we were coming out here. Now let me think." And he rubbed his +chin reflectively. + +"Here's a letter about that boy we helped, Charley Gamp," said Phil, who +had just received the mail. + +"Charley Gamp!" cried Dave. "That's it--that's the same face! This Hank +Snogger looks exactly like Charley Gamp!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +THE BEGINNING OF THE GRAND HUNT + + +Dave's announcement produced a little sensation, and for the moment his +chums stared at him in astonishment. + +"Come to think of it, that man does look like the little newsboy," said +Roger, slowly. "Do you suppose they can be related?" + +"I'd hate to think that Charley Gamp was related to such a fellow," said +Phil. "Snogger isn't a nice sort to have anything to do with." + +"Mr. Endicott said he didn't use to be so bad," answered Dave. "It is +only lately--since he went to work for Mr. Merwell--that he has grown +dissolute." + +"Maybe he is sorry that he left the Endicott place," said the senator's +son. "I'll wager he has no such nice times at the Triple X Ranch as he +had at the Star." + +"Not if all the cowboys are like those who came to our entertainment," +said Phil. "But, Dave, if you think he's related to Charley Gamp, why +not speak to him about it?" + +"You may get into trouble if you do," interposed Roger, hastily. "Some +of these Western characters don't like to have their past raked up." + +"But Charley Gamp wants to find his relatives," went on the shipowner's +son. + +"I'll bring it around--when I get the chance," said Dave. "But I can't +do it now," he added. "He's gone." And Dave was right. Hank Snogger had +leaped on his horse, and was off, on a trail that led up the river +instead of across it. + +"What are you boys confabbing about?" cried Belle, coming up, with a box +of candy in her hand. + +"We were just wondering where we'd get some candy," answered Dave, +innocently. He did not think it wise to mention Snogger just then. + +"Indeed! Well, I bought this from the candy man of the train. He is +waiting for the down train." + +"Where is he?" questioned Roger. + +"Down the track--by the water tower." + +"We'll raid him!" cried the senator's son, and then he and Dave and Phil +set off on a footrace in the direction of the man who sold candy, +cigars, and magazines. They found that he had a pretty fair stock of +candy and magazines, and each boy purchased what he thought would suit +the others and himself. In the fun and good spirits that followed Hank +Snogger was, for the time being, forgotten. + +Two days later there was a rounding-up of some of the cattle and the +boys were allowed to participate. They went out with Sid Todd, who had +charge of the round-up, and were in the saddle from early morning until +late at night. The cattle were gathered in a valley up the river, sorted +out from some belonging to Mr. Merwell and Mr. Hooper, and then driven +off to a stockyard along the railroad line. + +"Not so exciting as I thought it would be," said Dave, after the +round-up was over. + +"I've had all the riding I want for one day," answered the shipowner's +son. + +"That's right," grumbled Roger. They had had only a quarter of an hour's +rest for lunch. "I reckon some of us will be stiff in the morning," and +he was right, all felt somewhat sore. + +The round-up had been a careful one, for Mr. Endicott had heard that Mr. +Merwell was finding fault over the way some of his cattle were being +chased by the cowboys. The following afternoon the Merwells--father and +son--met Mr. Endicott as he and Belle were riding along the trail, +talking over the family's plans for the coming winter. + +"See here, I want to speak about my cattle," cried Mr. Merwell, +wrathfully, as he drew rein. + +"Some time when I am alone, Mr. Merwell," answered the railroad +president. He quickly saw that his neighbor was "spoiling for a fight." + +"Your men took three or four of my steers," went on Mr. Merwell. "I +won't stand for it." + +"That can't be so, Mr. Merwell. My man, Todd, is a careful rounder, and +he told me he was sure of the brands." + +"He ain't careful at all," broke in Link. "He drinks and he don't know +what he is doing." + +"This is an affair between your father and myself," said Mr. Endicott, +stiffly. "You will kindly keep out of it." + +"Huh! I guess I can have my say!" growled Link. + +"I shall hold you responsible for every head of cattle of mine that is +missing," continued Mr. Merwell, with a dark look. + +"I am willing to pay for every head that Todd drove off that did not +belong to us," answered Mr. Endicott. "But he assured me that he took +only our own. I will look into the matter when I get back to the ranch." +And, bowing stiffly, the railroad president rode on, with Belle beside +him. As they passed, Link "made a face" at Belle, but the young lady +refused to notice him. + +As soon as he returned to the ranch, Mr. Endicott called up Sid Todd, +and then some of the other cowboys, and questioned them closely about +the cattle sent off. The head herder indignantly denied that he had +included any outside cattle, and his story was corroborated by the +others. + +"I can leave it to Bill Parker, Mr. Hooper's man," said Todd. "He was +there. If Merwell didn't want to take our word, why didn't he send a man +down? We notified him that we was going to make a shipment." + +"Have the steers been shipped yet?" + +"No--not till to-morrow." + +"Then ride down to the yard and have Harrison go over them and write out +a declaration that they are all ours," added the ranch owner. + +"It's a good deal of work," grumbled the cowboy. + +"I know it, but I'll pay Harrison. With a declaration from Harrison, Mr. +Merwell will have no claim." + +The ranch owner's orders were carried out, and the next day a duplicate +of the stockyard man's declaration,--that the cattle were all of the +Star Ranch brand,--was delivered to Mr. Merwell. + +"Huh! needn't tell me!" he sniffed, after reading the paper. "I guess +Harrison is playing into Endicott's hands." + +"You tell Harrison that--if you dare," answered the messenger, who had +delivered the paper. Harrison was known to be a fair and square but +high-tempered individual, and one who could shoot, and shoot straight. + +"Oh, I--er--I didn't mean--er--anything against Harrison," answered +Felix Merwell, hastily. "I think Endicott is deceiving him, that's all. +But it is not his fault. I--er--suppose, though, I'll have to let the +matter drop. Just the same, I think some of my cattle slipped into that +drove." And there the matter rested. Mr. Merwell knew he was in the +wrong, but he was too mean a man to acknowledge it. Truly, father and +son were equally despicable. + +"I wish he would sell out," said Belle, to the other girls. "But I am +afraid he won't--he'll stay here just so he and Link can worry us." + +"Maybe he wants you to sell out," said Jessie. + +"Well, we'll not do it," answered Belle, with spirit. + +On the following day the boys and girls went out on a picnic, taking a +generous lunch with them. They persuaded Mr. and Mrs. Endicott to go +along with them, and after they returned home the ranch owner and his +wife said they felt ten years younger. They had joined in all the games +played, helped to build a campfire and make coffee, and "cut up" just as +if they were young themselves. + +"Oh, if only papa and mamma were here!" sighed Jessie. "I must write +them a long letter, telling them all about it!" And the letter was +penned the next morning. On that day came a letter from Dunston Porter, +stating he would stop at Star Ranch for them ten days from date. + +"Only ten days more!" cried Dave. "My, how the time flies!" + +There was also a letter from Nat Poole, in which Nat stated that he had +been looking for the fellow who called himself Tom Shocker and had at +last located the rascal in a town not far from Buffalo. He had accused +the man of the robbery at the hotel, and caused the fellow to give up +the stickpin and also a pawn-ticket for the watch. The timepiece had +been recovered, and both articles were now at the Wadsworth home, +waiting for Dave. + +"Well, I am glad Nat got the things back," said Dave. + +"Maybe that will be a lesson to him, not to trust strangers in the +future," was Phil's comment. "But how about the money?" + +"Nat says Shocker spent that." + +"Then Nat will have to make it good," said Roger. + +"Yes, he says he will," answered Dave. + +"What about that grand hunt we were to have?" questioned Roger. "Only +ten days more, remember." + +"I'll see Todd about it at once," was Dave's answer. + +The matter was talked over, not only with the cowboy, but with the +others, and it was finally decided that the boys and Todd should leave +the ranch home two days later, for a hunt that was to last three and +possibly four days. They were to go on horseback, and carry with them a +small tent and a fair supply of provisions, as well as two rifles and +their shotguns, and the cowboy's pistol. + +"We'll strike out straight for the mountains," said Todd. "To be sure, +we may find some game in the hills close by, but in the mountains we'll +be certain to run down something worth while." + +"Well, you look out that something doesn't run you down--a bear, for +instance," said Laura. + +"Boys that can kill a bobcat can kill a bear, if they try," answered Sid +Todd. + +The boys were in great delight, and spent every minute of their time in +getting ready for the trip. Guns were cleaned and oiled, and they sorted +and packed their ammunition with care. Mr. Endicott had a compact +camping outfit, consisting of dishes and cooking utensils, and the +little tent, and these were made into convenient packs for the horses, +and the provisions were likewise strapped up properly. Todd aided in +all, and the lads had to admire how deftly he put things together so +that they might be carried with comparative ease. + +"He has been there before, that is plain to see," said the senator's +son. + +"A fine man," declared Dave, heartily. "I shall feel perfectly safe with +him along." + +The girls were sorry to see the boys go, yet every one of them wished +the lads the best of luck. + +"Please don't run into any danger!" pleaded Jessie. + +"Don't shoot at a bear unless you know you can get away from him if you +miss him," cautioned Laura. + +"And, above all, don't get lost in the mountains," was Belle's advice. + +It had looked like rain the night before, and the boys were worried, not +wishing to depart in the wet. But the sun came out full in the morning, +and their spirits at once arose. Roger could not contain himself and +whistled merrily, while Phil did a double shuffle while waiting for +breakfast. Dave was also happy, although sorry that the girls, and +especially Jessie, would not be along. + +"All ready!" cried Todd, half an hour later, when the horses had been +brought around to the piazza. + +"I am!" cried Dave. + +"So am I," came from Phil and Roger. + +"Then good-by, everybody!" shouted the cowboy, swinging his sombrero, +and off he galloped. The boys said farewell, the girls waved their +handkerchiefs, one of the hands fired off his pistol, and away the lads +went after Todd; and the grand hunt was begun. + +It was still early and delightfully cool, with a faint breeze blowing +from the distant mountains, for which they were headed. Todd had already +told them that they were to keep on steadily until exactly noon, +crossing the river, and following a brook that came from the upper +hills. + +"I know a fine spot to stop for dinner," he said. "And we can make it if +you'll keep up with me." He always took his dinner at noon, having no +use for "lunch" at any time. + +On and on over the smooth plains the party galloped, and by the middle +of the forenoon reached the river. + +"No use in stopping for a mess of fish, I suppose," said the senator's +son, wistfully. + +"You can catch 'em up in the hills just as well," answered the cowboy. +"Sweeter, too, maybe," he added. Many fishermen think that the higher up +a stream you go for fish, the sweeter they are to the taste. + +The cowboy had certainly set a smart pace, but none of the boys +grumbled, for they were as anxious as he to reach the mountains and look +for game. + +"Of course you can keep your eyes open around here," he said, as they +galloped along. "But you won't see much, I'm afraid." + +"I see some grouse!" cried the shipowner's son, a few minutes later. "We +might bring some of those down and cook them for supper. We won't want +to wait to do it for dinner." + +He pointed to some grouse far away, and all agreed that the fowls would +make good eating. They rode behind some bushes, tied their horses, and +went forward with caution. All fired together, and when the smoke +cleared away they saw that four of the game had been laid low. The rest +had flown away, and to follow them would have been useless. + +"Well, four are all right!" cried Roger, and was about to rush forward +to pick up the grouse when of a sudden Dave yelled to him to stop. + +"What's the matter?" asked the senator's son. + +"A snake!" screamed Phil. And as he spoke all in the party saw what Dave +had first discovered. A rattlesnake had appeared from a hole in a tree, +close to where the dead grouse lay! + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +AFTER DEER + + +"A rattlesnake!" + +"Take care that he doesn't bite you!" + +"My, what a big fellow!" + +"He is heading this way!" + +Such were some of the cries uttered by the young hunters and Sid Todd as +all beheld a large-sized snake crawling from a hole under the tree. That +it was a rattler there was no doubt. + +All leaped back, for the sight momentarily stunned them. But then Dave +recovered his presence of mind and blazed away with his shotgun, hitting +the reptile in the middle, and inflicting several ugly but not mortal +wounds. The rattlesnake gave a hiss, glided under some leafy bushes, and +there commenced to sound his rattles. + +"He's going to strike!" cried Phil, and as he spoke the shotgun in Sid +Todd's hands was discharged. He fired among the leaves, and whether or +not he hit the snake, nobody could tell. + +"Don't go near him," called out Roger. He hated snakes about as much as +he hated anything. + +All waited, and while doing so, Dave and Todd took the opportunity to +reload. They were just finishing when Phil, chancing to look behind +them, uttered a yell that would have done credit to an Apache Indian. + +"Look out! One of 'em is behind us!" + +The others all took his word for it, and leaped to one side. True +enough, a second rattlesnake had appeared, and now a third was coming to +light, from under a rock near by. + +"It's a den of rattlers!" screamed Sid Todd. "Run for it, boys! No use +of trying to kill 'em off! They are too many for us!" + +The boys were already running at top speed, and the cowboy joined them. +In order to gain the horses, they had to move in a semicircle. When they +reached the animals, they found the steeds exceedingly nervous and +inclined to bolt. + +"Reckon they smell the snakes," was Todd's comment. "A hoss ain't got no +use for rattlers--and I ain't nuther," he added, and rode away, with the +boys beside him. + +"What about the grouse?" asked Phil, mournfully. + +"Do you want to go back after them?" questioned Dave, with a grim smile. + +"Not for a thousand dollars!" + +"Then I guess we'll have to let the snakes have them," went on Dave. +"Let us be thankful that we weren't bitten." + +"Rattlesnakes is the one drawback to this country," said the cowboy, +when they were a safe distance from the reptiles. "I don't mind wild +beasts, but I do draw the line on snakes. But there ain't near so many +as there used to be, an' some day there won't be any at all." + +"After this I am going to beware of holes that look snaky," was Roger's +comment. "I think if a rattlesnake got close to me I'd be paralyzed with +fright." + +As they went on, they kept their eyes open for more game, and just +before resting for dinner Dave saw some grouse high up in a tree in a +hollow. With caution they advanced, this time on horseback, and all +fired together as before. Out of the tree fluttered seven grouse, for +they had been close together and the shot had created great havoc. All +but one were dead and the seventh was quickly dispatched by Todd. + +"We'll have some good eating to-night, after all," said Roger, with a +grin. He liked fowl of all kinds. + +The stop for dinner was made beside a mountain spring, where the water +was icy cold and as clear as crystal. They took their time eating, thus +allowing the horses a chance to rest and to crop the nearby grass. + +"We have covered about twenty miles," said the cowboy, in reply to a +question from Phil. + +"Then, if we do as well this afternoon, we'll be forty miles from the +ranch by the time we camp to-night." + +"We'll not make over ten or twelve miles this afternoon, lad," was the +answer. "It will be hard climbing up the hills." + +"But harder climbing to-morrow," put in Dave. + +"Yes, to-morrow will test the horses, and test you, too," said Todd. + +It was very pleasant to rest in the shade after such a long ride in the +sun, but the cowboy was anxious to reach a certain camping spot for the +night, and so he allowed only three-quarters of an hour for the midday +halt. + +As soon as they left the spring, the youths realized what was before +them. The trail now led constantly upward, and was in parts stony and +uncertain. In several places they had to leap brooks of fair size. + +"This isn't so nice," remarked Phil, as they came to a halt, to allow +the horses to rest after a particularly difficult hill had been climbed. + +"Oh, this is nothing to the traveling we'll do to-morrow," answered Sid +Todd. "We are only in the foothills now--to-morrow we'll be right in the +mountains." + +About four o'clock they gained the top of another hill. As they came out +in a cleared spot all gazed around with interest. + +"Look!" cried Dave, pointing with his hand. "Am I mistaken, or are those +deer?" + +He was pointing to the top of another hill about half a mile distant. +There, outlined against the sky, could be seen a number of animals +grazing. + +"Deer, my boy!" cried Sid Todd. "A fine lot of 'em, too, or I'm +mistaken!" + +"Oh, let us go after them!" exclaimed Roger, impulsively. + +"I'm willing," answered the cowboy. "But I don't know if you can get any +of 'em to-night. It will be a hard climb to where they are. I don't know +as we can go all the way on hosses." + +"Then we'll go on foot," cried Dave. He was as anxious as his chums to +get a shot at the big game. + +The cowboy studied the situation for several minutes, meanwhile +withdrawing himself and the others to a spot where the distant deer +might not see them. Then he led the party down the hill and in the +direction of the game. + +If traveling had been hard before, it was doubly so now, and the chums +realized that to get to where the deer were grazing would be no easy +matter. They had to slip and slide over the rocks, and once or twice +they reached places where further progress seemed impossible. + +"If we get any of those deer, we'll earn them!" panted Phil, as he half +climbed, half slid, over some rocks. "If my horse goes down, I don't +know what will happen to me!" he added. + +"We'll not go much further on hossback, I'm thinking," answered Todd. +"We can't afford to injure our animals." + +Between the hills was a small valley and here the cowboy said they had +better tether their steeds and leave them. + +"Even if we don't get back, they'll likely be safe till morning," he +added. + +"If we have to remain away all night, we had better take some eating +with us," said Phil. + +"We sure will," answered Todd, and he gave each of the party something +to carry on his back and in his gamebag. + +"Now for a climb that is a climb!" cried Dave. "Roger, this puts me in +mind of some climbing I did in Norway." + +"Were you in Norway?" questioned Sid Todd, curiously. + +"Oh, yes, I once went there to find my father," answered Dave. + +Before them was a steep incline, covered with stones and a stunted +growth of cedars. Up this they went with care, for some of the stones +were loose and afforded only an uncertain footing. Once Phil slipped and +commenced to roll. He bumped against Dave, and both went flat. + +"Grab a tree!" sang out Roger. But there was no need to offer this +advance, for Dave had already done so. He saved himself and Phil from +rolling further. But a frying-pan the shipowner's son carried broke +loose from the pack on his back and went clattering down the rocks to +the very foot of the hill. + +"For the love of flapjacks, stop that noise!" cried Sid Todd, in a low +voice. "Time you get to the top of the hill them deer will be ten miles +away!" + +"I--I couldn't help it," answered Phil, as he arose and gazed +sorrowfully after the frying-pan. "Shall I go back after it?" he asked. + +"Where is it?" + +"I see it--sticking in the fork of a cedar tree," answered Roger, and +pointed out the pan. + +"Let it alone--we can get it when we come back," said the cowboy. "Now +don't make any more noise, or you won't get no chanct at them deer, mark +my words!" + +All of the boys understood the importance of keeping quiet, and as they +neared the top of the hill where the deer had been discovered, they +moved with great caution and spoke only in whispers. + +"The wind is blowing toward us, and that's in our favor," said Sid Todd. + +"I know it," answered Dave. "Deer can scent a fellow a long way off if +the wind is towards them." + +The cowboy now took the lead and told the lads not to make a sound that +was unnecessary. Thus they covered another hundred yards. Here was a +ridge of rocks and beyond the top of the hill. + +"They are gone!" murmured Roger, as his eyes discovered that the top of +the hill was abandoned. + +"I'll crawl forward and take a look," said Todd. "Keep quiet now, or we +won't git nuthin'." + +The cowboy disappeared over the top of the hill, crawling forward on his +hands and knees. He was gone fully ten minutes--a time that to the boys, +just then, seemed like an age. They looked to their weapons, to see that +the firearms were ready for use. + +Presently Dave, who was on the watch, saw Todd arise in a clump of +bushes on the other side of the hilltop. He was beckoning for the boys +to advance. One hand he held over his mouth, to enjoin silence. + +With their hearts beating more rapidly than usual, the three young +hunters wormed their way over the top of the hill and joined the cowboy. +In silence Todd pointed to a distance below them. There, on a sort of +cliff on the hillside, were the deer, ten in number, grazing +peacefully. + +"Oh, what a shot!" whispered Dave, and his eyes brightened as he swung +his gun into position. + +"Wait!" said Todd, in a whisper. "I'll take the one on the right. You +take the one on the left." + +"I'll take the one close to the tree," whispered the senator's son. + +"And I'll take the one by the big rock," added Phil. + +"All right," agreed the cowboy. "Now, remember, if some are only +wounded, shoot at 'em again, any one of you. And be quick, for they'll +streak it like greased lightning as soon as the guns go off." + +All took aim with care, resting their gun-barrels on the bushes before +them. Then the cowboy gave the order to fire. + +As if by instinct the deer looked up just as the order to fire was +given. They were fairly close to hand and afforded good targets for the +hunters. The firearms rang out almost simultaneously, and two of the +deer leaped into the air, to fall back dead. The others started to run, +some jumping from the top of the cliff to the rocks far below. Again the +weapons were discharged, and this time a third deer fell. The fourth was +badly wounded and toppled down in a split of the cliff. + +"Hurrah! we've got 'em! We've got 'em!" cried Phil, and commenced to +leap about in pure joy. + +"We've got 'em--to get!" answered Sid Todd. "But you did well--all of +you!" he added, admiringly. + +"How are we to get down to the cliff?" questioned Roger, anxiously. + +"The deer got down--we had better follow their trail," answered Dave. + +They made an examination, and presently found a run leading to one end +of the cliff. The walking was dangerous and they had to be careful, for +fear of going further than intended. But inside of a quarter of an hour +all were standing where the deer had stood. They found three of the game +dead and quickly put the fourth out of its misery. + +"This is worth coming for," declared Dave, with pride. + +"It is indeed--even if we don't get anything else," added Phil. + +"But we are going to get more," cried Roger, the fever of the hunter +taking possession of him. "Just wait till we strike an elk, or a bear!" + +"No more hunting this day," sang out Todd. "Time we take care of these +animals and make a camp it will be dark." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +THE MOUNTAIN LION + + +"What are we to do with so much venison?" questioned the senator's son. +"We can't eat it, and it seems a shame to allow it to go to waste." + +"I wish we could send some to the ranch," said Dave. "I'd like the girls +to know how lucky we have been the first day out." + +"If you wanted to stay here and camp for a day, I could take some of the +game to the ranch," said Sid Todd. + +"But it is such a ride," argued Phil. "We don't want to impose on good +nature." + +"I won't mind the ride. But can you boys take care of yourselves while I +am gone?" + +"To be sure we can," answered Dave. + +"Then I'll take three of the deer with me and come back as soon as I +can. One deer will be all you will need," answered Sid Todd. + +To get the deer from the cliff they had to use a long lariat the cowboy +had brought with him. By this means the game was hoisted to the +hilltop. Then they "toted" their loads down to where they had left +their horses. + +"I'll take two of the hosses, if you don't mind," said the cowboy, and +it was agreed that he should take Dave's animal along with his own. He +decided to start for the ranch that night, stating he would camp at the +spot where they had had dinner. + +The boys found a locality that pleased them, and there erected the tent +and started a campfire. The frying-pan had been recovered from where it +had landed and restored to the outfit. Before leaving them, Todd showed +the boys how to skin the deer and cut up the meat. + +For a little while after they were left alone the chums felt somewhat +lonely. They piled the wood on the fire, thereby creating a lively +blaze, and fixed themselves a substantial meal of venison steak, +flapjacks and coffee, and took their time over the repast. By the time +they had finished, night had fallen over the hills and mountains, and +one by one the stars showed themselves in the heavens. + +"This certainly is Lonesomehurst!" was the comment of the shipowner's +son, as he gazed around the camp. "When you really get to think of it, +it gives one the shivers!" + +"Then don't think about it," answered Dave. "Let us be cheerful and tell +ghost stories. I know a dandy story--about four travelers who were +murdered in some lonely mountains by brigands, and----" + +"You shut up!" cried Roger. "Don't you want a fellow to sleep to-night?" + +"But I thought you wanted me to tell a story," went on Dave, innocently. + +"I don't want to listen to such a story as that!" + +"Nor do I!" added Phil. "Let's talk about schooldays, and the last game +of football, or baseball, or something like that." + +"If only the other fellows were here," murmured Dave. "Shadow Hamilton, +and Buster Beggs, and Polly Vane, and Luke Watson, and----" + +"Luke could give us a tune on his banjo," put in the senator's son. + +"Yes, and Shadow would tell funny stories, not ghost stories," added +Phil. + +"We'll have a story or two to tell, when we get back to Oak Hall," +continued Dave. "I wish we could have had one of the deer stuffed for +the museum." + +"Too late now. But maybe we'll get another," answered Phil. + +All of the boys were tired, yet it was nearly ten o'clock before any of +them felt like turning in. As the night wore on the place seemed to +become more lonely. + +"Might as well go to bed," said Dave, at last. "We need a good rest." + +"Anybody going to stay on guard?" asked the senator's son. + +"Do you think it necessary, Roger?" + +"I don't know." + +"What do you say, Phil?" + +"I am too sleepy now to remain on guard," answered Phil. "You can do so +if you wish." + +"Oh, what cheek!" murmured Roger. "All right, we'll all turn in and +chance it." + +"Let's fix the fire first," said Dave. "A blaze usually helps to keep +away wild beasts." + +"Oh, if any come, I reckon the horses will give us warning," said Phil. +"We can tie them close by." And this plan was carried out. + +Some cedar boughs had been strewn on the floor of the tent, and on these +the chums laid down, and did their best to go to sleep. Dave dropped off +first, and was presently followed by Roger. But Phil was restless and +turned from one side to the other. + +"Oh, pshaw! why can't I sleep?" murmured the shipowner's son to himself +in disgust, and then out of curiosity he looked at his watch. By the +glare from the campfire he saw that it was nearly one o'clock. + +He was just straightening out again when a peculiar rustling among the +horses caught his ears. He listened for a moment, then sat up straight. + +"Something doesn't suit them," he reasoned. "Wonder what it can be?" + +He hesitated, then turned over on his hands and knees and crawled to the +opening of the tent and peered around outside. The campfire had burned +rather low, so that objects a short distance away were indistinct. He +saw that the horses were huddled together and had their heads turned +toward a clump of bushes at one side of the shelter. + +"Something must be over yonder," reasoned the youth. "Wonder if I had +better arouse the others?" + +He looked at Dave and Roger. Both were sleeping so peacefully Phil hated +to disturb them. He reached for his gun and looked out again. + +There was a brushing aside of the clump of bushes and a pair of eyes +glared forth, glistening brightly in the firelight. The eyes were those +of some wild beast, but what, Phil could not tell. + +The animal was not looking at Phil, but at the carcass of the deer, +which had been hung up in a low tree not far from the clump of bushes. +Stealthily the animal came into the opening, and with the ease of a cat, +leaped into the tree. + +"It's a wildcat--or something like it," thought Phil, and raised his gun +to fire. Then of a sudden he commenced to shake from head to foot, so +that to aim was entirely out of the question. He had what is commonly +called among hunters "buck fever," a sudden fear that often overtakes +amateur hunters when trying to shoot at big game. + +"Oh, what a fool I am!" the boy told himself, and tried vainly to steady +his nerves. He hit the front tent pole with his foot, making +considerable noise. + +"What's the matter?" cried Dave, waking and leaping to his feet. "What +are you doing, Phil?" + +"Noth--nothing," stammered the shipowner's son. "I--I--there is +something in the tree!" And then, raising his gun, Phil banged away +blindly. + +The echo of the shot was followed by an unearthly scream from the tree, +and Phil and Dave saw the wild animal slip down from a branch and then +try to regain its footing. Then Dave caught up one of the rifles and +blazed away, and the beast dropped to the ground, where it twisted and +snarled and yelped in a fashion that served to drive the horses frantic. + +"What's going on?" cried Roger, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. "Who is +shooting?" And he got up and felt around in a haphazard manner for a +gun. + +"Wild animal outside--I don't know what it is," answered Dave. + +Roger joined the others, and blazed away at the beast, and more +snapping and snarling followed. The animal rolled clear over the fire, +scattering the burning brands in all directions. Then it rolled among +the horses. One steed after another kicked at it, and a flying hoof sent +it against the tree with a thud. Then it lay quiet. + +"Must be dead," said Dave, after a pause. + +"Don't go near it!" screamed Phil. + +"I won't--not yet," answered Dave. "We'll fix up the fire first." And he +kicked the dying embers together and put more wood on the blaze. While +he did this, Phil and Roger watched the huddled-up form at the foot of +the tree. The horses still snorted and did their best to get away. + +"I guess it is dead after all," said Phil, after he had poked the beast +with a stick. "Wonder what it can be?" + +"Looks a little like a big wildcat," said Roger. + +"I know what it is," answered Dave, after all were certain the beast was +dead and they had dragged it over to the fire. "It's a cougar, or +mountain lion,--one of the worst wild beasts to be found in the West." + +"Then it's no wonder I got scared when first I saw it," said Phil. "My, +what a powerful animal! And it must weigh fifty or sixty pounds." + +"All of that, Phil." + +"Is this the beast some call a panther or painter?" asked Roger. + +"Yes, Roger. I was reading about them in a natural history, and the +cougar, mountain lion, puma, panther, and painter are all the same +beast. Years ago they were common all over the United States, but now +they are to be found only in the Far West and in the South. I think we +can count it a big feather in our cap that we killed a cougar." + +"Do you think he was going to attack us?" asked the senator's son, with +a shiver. + +"He was after the deer. But there is no telling what he might have done. +I am glad he is dead. Phil, it was lucky you heard the beast." + +"Talk about excitement!" cried the shipowner's son. "I rather think we +are getting it! Rattlesnakes, deer, and a panther, all in one day and +night!" + +"That is certainly piling it on some," admitted Dave. "But to-morrow may +pass without a thing doing." + +"More than likely," returned Roger. "Things always happen in bunches, +you know." + +The boys examined the cougar with interest. It was about four and a half +feet in length and not unlike a young lion in appearance. It had been +hit in the face and in the forelegs, and had died hard. Evidently it had +hoped to carry off the slain deer while the young hunters slept. + +"A cougar has been known to carry off a little child," said Dave. "They +are very crafty as well as brave, and will attack both a horse and a +man. I think we can count ourselves lucky to come out of this fight +without a scratch." + +"No more sleeping for me without a guard," said Roger. "Let us take +turns at staying up and looking after the fire and the horses." And to +this the others readily agreed. + +Morning found them still tired out and willing enough to rest. They got +a late breakfast and tethered the horses in a new spot, and cut +sufficient firewood to last for twenty-four hours. Nobody thought of +doing anything until after lunch, and then Roger suggested they try +their hand at fishing in a mountain brook which ran down between the two +hills. + +"All right," answered Dave. "But do you think we ought to leave the camp +all alone?" + +"Oh, I don't think anybody will hurt it in the daylight," answered the +senator's son. + +They had to tramp about a quarter of a mile to reach the stream and then +an equal distance to gain a spot that looked suited to their purpose. +Phil was the first to throw in, and was rewarded almost immediately by a +bite. + +"This looks as if it was worth while," said Dave, and baited up. Fish +were there in plenty, and for an hour the boys amused themselves to +their hearts' content. By that time each had a string of fifteen to +twenty mountain brook trout of fair size. + +"We'll have a dandy fish supper!" cried Roger, smacking his lips. + +"It will be a change from the venison, and I'll be glad of it," returned +Dave. + +"I am going to try my luck for a short while up the stream," called out +Phil, who was some distance away from the others. + +"Don't go too far," said Dave. "I am going to rest here," and he threw +himself on the grass, and Roger followed his example. + +The two boys left behind rested for the best part of half an hour. Then, +thinking it was time for Phil to rejoin them, they called their chum's +name. + +No answer came back, and, walking up the stream a short distance, Dave +repeated the call. Still there was no reply. + +"That's queer," he told Roger. "I wonder why he doesn't reply?" + +"I am sure I don't know," said the senator's son. "Let us look for him." +And both started after Phil, wondering what could be wrong. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +UP TO THE MOUNTAIN TOP + + +Dave and Roger walked up the stream a distance of several hundred yards. +They continued to call Phil's name, but as before, no answer came back. + +"I must confess, Roger, I don't like the looks of things," said Dave, +gravely. "If Phil was all right, he'd surely answer us." + +"I think so myself, Dave--unless he was only fooling us." + +"I don't think he'd do that, under the circumstances. He'd know we would +be greatly worried." + +On walked the two chums, until they reached a point where the mountain +stream came tumbling over some great rocks. Here they found Phil's +fishing rod and also the string of fish he had caught. + +"Gracious, Dave! Supposing some wild animal has carried him off!" +ejaculated the senator's son. + +Dave did not reply, for he knew not what to say. He advanced to the top +of the rocks and peered over on the other side. + +"There he is!" he shouted. "Phil! Phil! Are you hurt?" he called. + +Only a faint moan came back, and scrambling up the rocks beside Dave, +Roger saw the trouble. Phil had slipped from the rocks into the mountain +torrent. In going down his legs had caught in an opening below, and +there he was held, in water up to his knees, while the water from some +rocks above was pouring in a steady stream over his left shoulder. + +"Can't you get up, Phil?" asked Dave. + +"Hel--help!" was the only answer, delivered in such a low tone that the +boys on the rocks could scarcely hear it. + +"He can't aid himself, that is sure," murmured Dave. "Roger, we have got +to get him out of that--before that water pouring over his shoulder +carries him down!" + +Both boys looked around anxiously. Phil was all of fifteen feet below +them and there seemed to be no way of reaching the locality short of +jumping, and neither wanted to risk doing that. + +"If we only had a rope," said Roger. + +"We might double up a fishing line," mused Dave. Then his face +brightened. "I have it--the pole!" + +He ran back and speedily brought up Phil's pole, and around it he wound +the line, to strengthen it and hold the joints together. Then he leaned +down. + +"Phil, can you take hold?" he questioned. + +The youth below raised his hands feebly. But his strength was apparently +gone, and he could do little to save himself. + +"Hold the pole, Dave, I'll go down!" cried Roger. "But don't let me +slip!" + +While Dave braced himself on the rocks as best he could and gripped the +pole and line, the senator's son went over the rocks and down, hand over +hand. This was easy, and in a minute he stood beside Phil in the water. +The torrent from above poured over his back, but to this he paid no +attention. He saw that Phil was on the point of fainting, and if he sank +down he would surely be drowned. + +Letting go his hold on the fishing pole, Roger felt down in the water, +and then discovered that Phil's feet were crossed and held by a rock +that was balanced on another rock. In coming down, Phil's weight had +caused the space between the two rocks to widen, then the opening had +partly closed, holding the feet as if in the jaws of some big animal. + +It was no easy matter for Roger to shift the upper rock, and once he +slipped and went flat on his back in the water with a loud splash. + +"Be careful!" warned Dave from above. "Maybe I had better come down and +help you," he added. + +"No, I--I'm all ri--right!" spluttered the senator's son, freeing his +mouth of water. + +At last one of the rocks was moved and Phil staggered forward in the +water. But he was too weak to help himself and had to lean on Roger. + +"You can't pull us up!" shouted the senator's son. "We'll wade down the +stream a bit." + +Supporting the shipowner's son, Roger commenced to move down the +mountain torrent. He had to pick his way with care, for the bottom was +rocky and treacherous. Dave followed along the rocks above, until a spot +was gained where he could leap down. Then he and the senator's son +picked up Phil between them and carried him out, and up to a patch of +grass, where they set the sufferer down in the sunlight. + +"We'll take off his shoes and see how his feet and ankles look," said +Dave, and this was done. They found the feet and ankles slightly swollen +and discolored, but not seriously injured. + +"Phil, supposing Roger and I carry you back to camp?" suggested Dave. +"We can make an armchair and do it easily enough." + +"If it isn't too much trouble I'd be glad to have you do it," answered +the boy who had slipped over the rocks. "I can't walk yet." + +The chums had often carried each other "armchair fashion" while at +school, and soon Dave and Roger started off with Phil between them, and +carrying the fishing pole and fish. On the way they rested several times +and also gathered up their own outfits and catches. + +Arriving at the camp, the fire was stirred up, and the lads hung up the +most of their clothing to dry, while they took a good rubbing-down. +Phil's feet and ankles were bathed in hot water and then soaked in some +liniment Mrs. Endicott had made them bring along in case of accident. +The injured lad was content to rest on a bed of cedar boughs, but +declared that he would be as well as ever in the morning. + +"But I am mighty glad you came when you did," he said, with deep +feeling. "I could not have held up much longer--with that stream of +water rushing down over my shoulder. I yelled and yelled, until I +couldn't yell any longer." + +"That must have been before we started to look for you," returned Dave. +"After this you want to be careful how you climb around. Some of the +rocks are loose and very treacherous." + +Dave and Roger prepared a fine supper of broiled fish, and to this meal +even Phil did full justice. As there was nothing else to do, the boys +took their time eating. They had almost finished when they heard a shout +from a distance. + +"What's that?" cried Roger, and instinctively he leaped up and moved for +his gun. + +"It's Todd!" answered Dave. "Hello, Todd!" he yelled. "This way!" + +The others joined in the cry, which was answered from a distance, and +presently the cowboy appeared on his horse and leading Dave's animal. + +"I reckon I'm just in time for a fish supper!" he cried, with a broad +smile on his face. "Well, I'm hungry enough, with such a stiff ride. +What's the matter with your feet?" he questioned, gazing at Phil's +bandages. + +The boys told the story of the trouble up the stream, and then related +how they had shot the cougar, and exhibited the body of the slain beast. +In the meantime they broiled some more fish, and made an extra pot of +coffee and some flapjacks for the newcomer. + +"Well! well! well!" cried Sid Todd, after a look at the dead cougar. "I +reckon you youngsters know how to take care of yourselves. A mountain +lion! Why, don't you know, most o' the cowboys would run a mile if they +see that beast a-lookin' at' em? Such shootin' is great!" + +"Well, we don't want to meet any more of them," answered Dave. + +"No, the rest of them can keep their distance," added Phil. + +"Did you get the deer home all right?" questioned Roger. + +"Oh, yes, and the folks were a good deal surprised and pleased. The +girls are going to have one of the deer stuffed and mounted, for the +Wadsworth home. They said it would please Mr. Wadsworth and +Professor--let me see--I reckon it's Professor Pans." + +"No, Professor Potts," said Dave. + +"Well, I knew it had something to do with cookin'-things," answered the +cowboy. "Mr. Endicott told me to be careful and tell you not to shoot +everything there was in the mountains, as he wanted to come out later +for a shot or two." + +"I guess there will be enough left after we get through," said Dave, +with a smile. + +The cowboy had had a hard ride and he was willing enough to eat his +supper in peace. Then he smoked a pipe of tobacco and turned in. He said +the boys could keep a guard if they wished, but he scarcely deemed it +necessary. + +"Won't another mountain lion, or anything else, come around in a year," +said he. "That jest happened that way, that's all." And after some talk +among themselves the chums concluded to turn in, all hands, and let the +camp and the horses take care of themselves. + +The night passed quietly and all slept until the sun was well up in the +heavens. Then, while the boys prepared breakfast and Phil attended to +his bruised feet--which felt much better--Sid Todd told of some +happenings at the ranch. + +"The girls went out for a horseback ride, along with Mrs. Endicott," +said he, "and, coming back, they met Link Merwell. They said he acted so +disagreeable that they were afraid of him. Mrs. Endicott was very angry, +and I think the boss will speak to Mr. Merwell about it." + +"Link ought to be hammered good and hard!" cried Roger. + +"The boss wishes the Merwells would sell out. But Mr. Merwell doesn't +seem to want to budge. The girls were so afraid of Link they said they +wouldn't go out again unless Mr. Endicott was along," continued the +cowboy. + +"If he molests the girls, he'll have another account to settle with me!" +cried Dave. + +"And me!" came promptly from his chums. + +"He wanted to know where you fellows were, and said he was going out +hunting himself." + +"He needn't come near us," cried the senator's son. "We don't want him." + +"Oh, he won't come near us--unless to make trouble, you may be sure of +that," answered Dave. + +The cowboy had left word at Star Ranch that the young hunters might +remain out longer than originally intended, so the chums did not worry +about getting back. All rested during the morning, and after dinner +started on the trail up into the mountains. + +"How is it, Phil?" asked Dave, on the way. + +"Oh, I can ride very well," was the reply. "But I am rather glad I +haven't much walking to do. But I think I'll be O.K. by to-morrow." + +Sid Todd had been right about the climbing to be done during the last +stage of the journey, and often the boys, as they looked ahead at the +rocks before them, wondered how they were going to make progress. But +the cowboy knew the trail, and up they went, the scenery every moment +growing wilder and more impressive. + +"This is an ideal spot for wild animals," said Dave. "I should think +hunting would be very good." + +Once they stopped to let the horses rest. They were out on a cliff and +at a distance Sid Todd pointed out two nests perched up on the top of +rocky crags. The nests were several feet in diameter. + +"What are they?" questioned Dave. + +"Eagles' nests," was the answer. "There are two of the eagles now," and +the cowboy pointed out the big birds, floating lazily around between two +distant mountain tops. + +"A fellow would have difficulty in getting to those nests," was Phil's +comment. + +"Eagles usually build where nobody can git at 'em," returned Todd. + +"I shouldn't care to shoot an eagle," said Dave. "Somehow, I'd feel a +good deal as if I had shot at our flag." + +"I think I'd feel that way, too," answered the senator's son. + +"The eagle and Old Glory seem to be linked together," added Phil. "But I +wouldn't mind catching a young eagle and taming him." + +"You'd have your hands full doing it," said Sid Todd. "I know a cowboy +who once caught an eagle, but the bird scratched him terribly and nearly +took off one of his ears." + +On they went again, until, an hour later, they gained the top of the +mountain. Here they found a stiff breeze blowing, and it was much cooler +than below. + +"I see some game!" cried Dave, and pointed to a slope on the other side +of the mountain. Two deer were in view. + +Scarcely had Dave spoken when a shot rang out and one of the deer jumped +as if hit. The other ran off and disappeared in the bushes. Then, slowly +and painfully, the second deer limped away. A second shot rent the air, +but the wounded animal was not touched, and a second later it followed +its mate to cover. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +TWO ELK AND A BEAR + + +"I guess that hunter, whoever he is, will lose that deer," was Dave's +comment. + +"He won't if he knows how to follow the game up," answered Sid Todd. +"That deer was badly wounded, and game can't run far over these rough +rocks." + +"Wonder who it was?" mused Phil. + +"Can't tell that--so many folks come out here to hunt," answered the +cowboy. "It might be some ranchman or cowboy, and it might be some city +sportsman trying his luck." + +"We may fall in with him later," said Dave. "If we do, I hope he proves +a nice sort." + +"Folks out here usually hunt on their own hook," said Todd. + +The cowboy had in mind to pass to the north of the mountain top, and +this they did, soon leaving behind the locality where the two deer had +been seen. They saw nothing of the party who had fired the two shots. + +"I hope he doesn't take us for game and shoot this way," said Roger, +who had heard of just such accidents more than once. + +"Well, we don't want to mistake him for game either," said Dave. +"Whenever you shoot, be sure of what you are shooting at." + +"Right you are," cried Sid Todd. "If hunters weren't too hasty there +wouldn't be any accidents." + +A little over half a mile was covered, and by that time the sun was +sinking over the hills to the westward. A suitable spot was selected and +the tent was pitched, and they prepared a supper of fish and venison, +meat and crackers, washing it down with some chocolate that Roger made. + +Early in the morning Sid Todd left the camp, to be gone the best part of +two hours. He came back showing his excitement. + +"A chance for elk, boys!" he cried. "But you must hurry and do a good +bit of tramping." + +"Can you walk, Phil?" asked Dave, anxiously. + +"Just as well as ever," was the answer, and Phil took a turn around the +camp to prove his words. + +No time was lost in preparing for the hunt, and in less than ten minutes +all were off, having tethered the horses in a spot they deemed safe. +Their provisions they tied in skins and hung in the trees, so they might +be safe from wild marauders. + +It was a hard climb, over the rocks and among the bushes, and once the +boys had to call a halt, to catch their breath. But Todd was afraid the +elk would take themselves off, so he urged them on as much as possible. + +"There were two elk, big fellows, too," he said. "If we don't bag at +least one of 'em, we may not get another such chance all the time we are +out here." + +Presently they came to something of a hollow on the mountain side. Here +was a fine spring of sparkling water, and all stopped long enough to get +a refreshing drink. It was hot in the sun and all were beginning to +perspire freely. + +"If we get those elk we'll earn 'em," was Roger's comment. + +"Right you are!" panted Phil. + +"How much further have we to go?" questioned Dave. + +"Not over a quarter of a mile," answered the cowboy. He was still in the +lead and he had his eyes on the alert for the first glimpse at the big +game. + +The boys were pretty well winded when Sid Todd called a halt. They had +reached a clump of cedar trees and beyond was an open spot among a +number of loose rocks, with patches of rich mountain grass between. + +"Gone!" said the cowboy, with a deep sigh. + +"Gone!" echoed the three boys, in dismay. + +"Yes, gone. They were right out yonder, grazing as peacefully as could +be. Now I don't see 'em anywhere," continued the cowboy, mournfully. + +"It's too bad!" murmured Dave. "Maybe you would have done better if you +had fired on them." + +"I wanted you lads to have a chance." + +"Perhaps they are still in this vicinity," suggested Roger. "Let us take +a look around." + +The others were willing, and slowly and cautiously they made their way +among the cedars and the big rocks, exposing themselves as little as +possible, and speaking only in a whisper. They had the rifles and +shotguns ready for action. + +Half an hour's search took them to another dent in the mountain side. +Here the grass was extra thick and inviting and a spring of water flowed +quietly over the rocks. + +"That's an ideal spot for a camp," said Phil to Dave, as they halted to +view the scene. + +Dave did not answer, for he had seen something moving in the bushes +close to the water. He pointed in silence, and all gazed in the +direction. Slowly a magnificent pair of antlers arose behind the bushes. + +"One of the elk!" whispered Sid Todd. + +"And there is the other!" came from Roger, and pointed to a rock twenty +yards beyond the bushes. + +"Now, boys, be careful," directed the cowboy. "This is the chance of +your lives. Divide up the game to suit yourselves. I won't shoot unless +I see the elk getting away from you." + +The chums consulted among themselves, and Roger and Phil decided to aim +at the elk nearest to them. + +"Then I'll aim at the elk near the rock," said Dave. "I think I've got +the best rifle anyway," he added. + +All crawled forward, followed by Todd, and thus covered half the +distance toward the game. The nearest elk was now less than a hundred +yards away. + +"They see us!" cried Phil, and hastily raised his firearm, and the +others did the same. Then, as the elk bounded away, all three of the +young hunters fired. + +Both the animals were hit, but neither mortally, and as soon as possible +the boys fired a second time. The elk were now together, and a bullet +and some shot meant for one hit the other. One of the animals staggered +and fell, got up, and staggered again, coming down on the rocks with a +loud thud. + +"You've got this one!" cried Sid Todd, in triumph. "Go after the other!" + +The boys were not loath to do this, and away they went pell-mell, over +the grass and around the rocks and bushes. The second elk was limping +along, occasionally holding his left hind leg in the air. He did not +seem to be going fast, but he dodged in and out among the rocks so +quickly that to get another shot at him seemed impossible. + +"If we can only get him into the open we'll have him!" cried Dave. + +The trail now led down the mountain side and then into a thicket of +cedars. As they entered the thicket, Dave gave a yell. + +"Look out!" + +He leaped to one side and the other lads did the same. A second later +the wounded elk rushed almost on them, his antlers lowered as if to +crush all in his path. The boys fired as quickly as they could, and hit +in the side, the animal swerved and dashed off at a right angle to the +course he had been pursuing. + +"Phew! but that was a narrow escape!" gasped Phil. + +"It's different when the game hunts you, isn't it?" queried the +senator's son. + +"We must keep our eyes open, and our guns ready," said Dave. "Come +ahead, that elk must be pretty hard hit by this time." + +Again they went on. They could hear the big game crashing among the +cedars. Evidently the elk was in such pain he did not know where to go. + +"I see him!" cried Dave five minutes later, and pointed to a rocky +elevation ahead. At the foot of the rocks stood the elk, glaring in +rage at them. All of the young hunters elevated their firearms, and as +they did this the big game charged them full tilt. + +Crack! bang! crack! went the weapons, and the elk was halted in his +course. He tried to come on, but in vain, and slowly swayed from side to +side. Then he tried to retreat, but it was too late. With a snort he +went over, kicking up big clods of grass as he did so. Then he gave a +shiver and breathed his last. + +"We've got him! We've got him!" cried Roger, exultantly, and began to +caper about in his joy. "Just think of it, Dave, two elk! Isn't that +something to be proud of?" + +"I think so," answered Dave, his face beaming. + +"I suppose the other elk is dead," said Phil. "But we'd better go back +and make sure." + +"We don't want to leave this here," said Roger, wistfully. "That other +hunter might come along and claim him." + +"I'll go back to where we left Todd, and you can watch this elk," said +Dave. "I'll ask Todd what we had best do with both animals." + +"Can you find the way?" questioned Phil. + +"I think so." + +Reloading his rifle, Dave set off for the spot where they had left the +cowboy and the first elk. For a few minutes he followed the back trail +with ease, then, almost before he was aware, he became mixed up and +scarcely knew in what direction to turn. + +"I suppose I might call out, or fire my rifle," he mused. "But if I do +that the others may think I am in trouble." + +Looking around carefully, Dave set off once more, and presently reached +a spot that looked familiar. On the ground he could see footprints and +these he commenced to follow. But in a few minutes he found himself in a +thicket he was sure he had never seen before. + +"I am mixed up, and no mistake," he murmured, his face falling. "I +shouldn't have been so sure of myself at the start. It isn't so easy as +one thinks to find a trail among these rocks and bushes. I guess I had +better call to Todd, and to the others." + +He set up a shout and waited for a reply. None came, and he shouted a +second time. Then, from a distance, came a call. + +"Well, I didn't think Todd was in that direction," he said to himself. +"I am twisted and no mistake." + +Again he started off, and this time found himself skirting a series of +loose rocks of various sizes. He was going down hill and occasionally +loosened a round stone with his foot and sent it crashing to a thicket +of cedars below. + +A hundred yards were covered when Dave heard the cry again. Now it was +plainer, and it sounded a little like a call for help. + +"Maybe Todd is in trouble," he mused. "Perhaps that elk got up and +attacked him!" And with this thought in his mind he set off on a dog-trot +in the direction of the voice he had heard. + +It was dangerous among the loose stones, and once Dave went down and +rolled over and over, coming pretty close to hitting his face and +shooting off his rifle. As he picked himself up he heard a call quite +plainly. + +"Help! help! Somebody help me!" + +"It must be Todd!" burst from the youth's lips, and now, in spite of the +danger, he bounded from rock to rock down the slope. The call came from +the left, and thither he made his way, halting in dismay as he came out +on a little cliff. + +At the foot of the cliff he saw the man who had uttered the call for +aid. It was Hank Snogger. He was having a fierce face-to-face tussle +with a big bear. His gun was on the ground and so was his sombrero, and +in his hand he held his hunting knife. As Dave viewed the scene in +horror, the bear made a pass with one forepaw and sent the hunting knife +whirling from the cowboy's grasp. Then the bear closed in, as if to hug +Snogger to death! + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +TO THE RESCUE----CONCLUSION + + +It was a time for quick action and nobody realized this more than did +Dave, as he saw the shaggy brute close in on the cowboy. One squeeze of +those powerful forepaws and Hank Snogger's ribs would be crushed in and +he would be killed. + +With hardly a second thought concerning what he was doing, Dave raised +his rifle, took quick aim and fired at the bear. Then he fired a second +shot, and followed this up with a third. + +At the first shot the bear dropped his hold and swung around, uttering a +loud snort of pain as he did so. He had been struck in the back, for the +youth had not dared to aim too close to Snogger. Then, thinking that he +had been hurt by the man before him, the animal made a leap and sent the +cowboy sprawling. As he stood over his victim the second shot hit him in +the hind quarters, causing him to whirl around. Then the third shot +landed in his side, and made him double up like a ball and roll over and +over. + +[Illustration: Dave seized a fair-sized stone and hurled it at the bear. +--Page 293.] + +"Kill him! Kill him!" came faintly from Hank Snogger. "Don't let him git +at me ag'in!" + +Dave tried to fire another shot, but for some reason then unknown the +rifle refused to work. The bear was rolling over and over and threatened +each instant to roll on the cowboy and crush him. Snogger was so weak he +was unable to save himself or do anything in his own defense. + +Dave glanced around and his eye fell on the loose stones, some of which +had caused him a fall. He dropped his rifle, seized a fair-sized stone +and hurled it at the bear. The youth's aim was good, and the missile +landed on bruin's head, all but stunning him. + +"That's it! Gi--give him ano--another!" gasped Hank Snogger. He had +raised himself up on one elbow and was looking at Dave pleadingly. He +was too weak to get to his feet, for his fight with the bear had lasted +for some time before Dave had put in an appearance. + +The boy from Crumville was not slow to pick up and throw another stone, +and this took the bear in the side, causing him to grunt and snort in +pain and rage. Then Dave got a stone of extra size and aimed again for +the animal's head. The missile went true, and with his skull crushed, +bruin stretched out and lay still. + +"Is he--is he dead?" gasped Hank Snogger, hoarsely. + +"I think so," answered Dave. He was trembling from the excitement and +his breath came thick and fast. + +"I--I thought I--I was done for!" added the cowboy, and sank flat on his +back and closed his eyes. + +Not without difficulty Dave got down to where the man lay. He found the +bear stone dead and that the cowboy had fainted. He procured some water +from a nearby brook and washed Snogger's face and soon revived the man. +Then came a shout from a distance and Sid Todd showed himself, having +been attracted to the spot by the rifle shots. + +The situation was explained, and Dave came in for a good deal of praise +over the killing of the bear. + +"You saved my life!" said Hank Snogger. "I shan't forget it, never!" and +he gave the youth a grateful look. "I fired on the bear, but only hurt +him enough to make him ugly. I fell right over him while I was after a +deer I had wounded some time before." + +"Oh, then you were the hunter we heard shoot," said Todd. "The deer got +away, eh?" + +"Yes, I lost track of the deer when I hit the bear," answered the cowboy +from the Merwell ranch. "I'm mighty glad you came up!" he added to +Dave. + +"It's all right, I am glad I did too," answered the youth. "I was +wishing I'd get a chance at a bear." He saw that Snogger was deeply +affected, and was swallowing a lump that came up in his throat. + +"And to think it was you, boy!" went on the cowboy, feelingly. "You--and +after what I did to you!" + +"Let us forget that, Snogger." + +"I ain't going to forgit it. I was a low-down hound, that's what I was," +said the man, with energy. "I listened to what that Link Merwell had to +say against you, and I planned to do you all the harm I could,--jest to +please that fellow." + +"Hank, you made a mistake to go over to Merwell," put in Sid Todd. "I +don't like to hit at a fellow when he's hurted, but I've got to speak my +mind." + +"Well, you are only telling the truth," answered Snogger, shortly. "I +know it as well as you do. I'm going to quit Merwell the first chance I +git." + +Dave and Todd made Snogger as comfortable as possible, and the cowboy +said he would be all right after he got his wind back. Then Todd went +off to locate Roger and Phil and apprise them of what had occurred. + +"Mr. Snogger, I'd like to ask you a question," said Dave, when the two +were alone and the man was resting comfortably against a tree. "You +look very much like a boy I and my friends met in Chicago. Do you know +the lad? His name is Charley Gamp." + +"Charley Gamp!" exclaimed the man, and stared wildly at Dave. "Say, what +do you know about him?" + +"Then you know him?" And now Dave was deeply interested. + +"Do I know him! He is my son!" + +"Your son? Then where did the name Gamp come from?" + +"Gamp was his mother's name afore she married me. Tell me, is he safe?" + +"Yes." And then Dave related how he and the others had fallen in with +Charley at the post-office. + +"And Link Merwell was abusin' him--callin' him a thief!" cried Hank +Snogger, and his eyes commenced to blaze. "How did he dare! Why, Link +Merwell is a thief himself!" + +"A thief!" echoed Dave. + +"Yes. But let that pass now--I'll tell you later. Tell me of my boy, my +Charley," pleaded Hank Snogger. + +Dave told all that he knew, and the man listened eagerly. Then Snogger +told something of his life's history, how he and his wife had quarreled +and how some neighbors had gotten them to separate. He had drifted to +the West, and remained there for three years. Then he had gone back to +look for his wife, but had found out that she was dead. He could get no +trace of his little boy, and finally had gone West again. At first he +had carried himself straight, but presently he had gotten in with the +wrong set and had drank and gambled, and left Mr. Endicott to go to work +for Mr. Merwell. + +"But I am going to turn over a new leaf," he said. "Only let me find my +boy! I'll show him what a good father I can be to him!" And his face +took on a look of hope. + +"And now I am going to tell you about Link Merwell," went on Hank +Snogger, a little later. "I feel you ought to know, for you are the one +who has suffered most because of his doings. You remember how your +horses were stolen." + +"Yes." + +"Well, Link took 'em. He says he didn't mean to steal 'em, but that is +what it amounted to. He took 'em, and while the storm was on some +cattle-thieves, headed by Andy Andrews, came along. Link says Andrews +and his gang took the horses away, but I think Link made a deal with the +hoss-thieves, for the next day I see Link with a roll of bank-bills, and +I know Mr. Merwell didn't give him the money. He had about two hundred +dollars, and I think he got the wad from Andrews--on his promise not to +open his mouth." + +"How did you learn this?" + +"I was out, rounding up some stray steers, and I saw him just before the +storm with the hosses. I wasn't near enough to talk to him, but that +night I spoke to him, and he couldn't deny that he took 'em in the first +place. He was terribly afraid I'd give him away, and he said if I did +he'd say I took 'em. Well, you can believe me or not, but he took 'em." + +"I believe you," answered Dave. "And we'll have this matter sifted just +as soon as we return to Star Ranch." + +It was some time ere Todd, Roger, and Phil showed themselves. In the +meantime Dave made Snogger promise not to say anything about the stolen +horses to the others. + +"Perhaps the matter can be fixed up between Mr. Endicott and Mr. +Merwell," he said. "It would be terrible to have Link publicly branded +as a horse-thief." + +Hank Snogger had been out alone and he readily consented to join the +others at their camp. The two elk and the bear were brought in, and it +was decided to start back for the ranches the next morning. + +"I must see Mr. Endicott on important business," said Dave to Sid Todd, +and then, in private, he told his chums what he had heard concerning +Link Merwell. Todd was told about Charley Gamp, and said he hoped that +the finding of the son would make a new man of Snogger. + +The return to the ranches was begun at sunrise. They carried with them +the skin of the bear and also the pelts and heads of the elk. They +camped that night in the foothills, and reached Star Ranch about noon +the next day. + +"I want you to come with me," said Dave to Hank Snogger, after the boys +had received a warm greeting from the girls and Mrs. Endicott. And he +led the way to Mr. Endicott's office, a small affair located in the +ranch home. Here the cowboy told his story once more, just as he had +related it to Dave. + +"I have suspected something of this sort all along," said Mr. Endicott. +"One of our own men saw young Merwell with some horses on that day, but +he was not sure if they were our animals. Andrews took the horses up +into Canada and sold them at several places, so I don't think I'll be +able to get them back. But, if I can prove Link guilty, I shall most +certainly hold his father responsible." + +Hank Snogger was anxious to go East, to find his son, but was persuaded +to remain where he was until the young folks should bring their visit to +an end. In the meantime, however, a telegram was sent to Charley and he +sent one in return, stating he would be glad to meet his parent. + +"Dave, you can go with me to the Merwell house," said Mr. Endicott the +next day. "And you can go, too, Snogger." + +The three set out, and when within sight of the other ranch home they +caught sight of Link Merwell, riding slowly along on his pony. He +scowled as he recognized them. + +"What do you want here?" he asked, looking at Dave. + +"We came for our horses," answered Dave, boldly. + +At these words Link grew pale and shot a swift glance at Hank Snogger. +Then, in a sudden rage, he shook his fist at the cowboy. + +"What have you been saying about me?" he cried angrily. + +"Telling the truth," answered Snogger. + +"It's false! I didn't touch the horses!" gasped Link, but he grew whiter +than ever. + +"You took them, and you might as well confess," said Mr. Endicott, +sternly. "If you won't confess, and get your father to square up, I'll +call on the sheriff of this county to arrest you." + +"I--I--didn't mean--that is--I----" commenced Link, and then he broke +down completely. He acknowledged that he had taken the horses, but said +he did it in fun. Then the cattle-thieves had come along and taken the +steeds from him. + +"And you got paid for letting them go," said Mr. Endicott. "You got +several hundred dollars from Andrews." + +"Who say--says so?" faltered Link. + +"Never mind, we'll prove it," answered the railroad president, coldly. + +"I only got seventy-five dollars!" shouted Link. "I--I didn't sell the +horses. Andrews gave me that money because--because----" And then he +stopped short, not knowing how to go on. + +"He gave you the money so you would keep silent," said Dave. + +"We have heard enough--come to the house," said Mr. Endicott, and +against his will, Link was made to accompany the others back to his +home. + +Mr. Merwell was met at the door, and a bitter quarrel took place in his +office, lasting the best part of an hour. At first the ranch owner would +not believe his son was guilty, but when he saw Link break down he had +to give in. He said he would pay for the horses that had been stolen, +and also pay to have the whole matter hushed up. + +"You cannot pay me for hushing the matter up," said Mr. Endicott. "I +have no desire to ruin your son's future. If you will pay for the +horses, that is all I ask--that and one thing more. I have no desire to +live next door to a man who has a son who is a horse-thief. I +understand that you have received a good offer for your ranch. My advice +is that you sell out." + +"I will!" snapped Mr. Merwell. "I'll get out just as soon as the title +can be passed! I never liked to live here, anyway!" And then in a rage +he made out a check for the value of the horses, handed it to Mr. +Endicott, and showed his visitors to the door. + +"Phew, but he was mad!" was Dave's comment, as the three rode over to +Star Ranch. + +"If he sells out, that is all I ask," said Mr. Endicott. It may be added +here that, two weeks later, Mr. Merwell sold his place and moved to +parts unknown, taking his son with him. The purchaser of the ranch +proved to be an agreeable man, and he and Mr. Endicott got along very +well together. + +"Well, I hope that is the last of Link Merwell," said Roger, when he +heard about the affair. But it was not the last of the fellow, as Dave, +later on, found out. Link crossed his path again, and what happened will +be told in the next volume of this series, to be called, "Dave Porter +and His Rivals; or, The Chums and Foes of Oak Hall." In that volume we +shall meet all our old friends and learn the particulars of a peculiar +mystery and a stirring struggle on the gridiron. + +At last came the time to leave Star Ranch. Mr. Dunston Porter arrived, +and listened to the many tales the young folks had to tell. + +"Well, you certainly have crowded things," he declared. "I wish I had +been on that hunt." + +Belle was going East with Laura and Jessie, and Snogger accompanied the +boys and Mr. Porter. All received a warm send-off at the railroad +station. + +"Come again!" shouted Sid Todd, and to show his spirits fired his +revolver into the air, and the other cowboys did the same. + +At Chicago the party were met by Charley Gamp. Hank Snogger hugged his +boy to his breast and wept for joy, and Charley cried too, and so did +the girls. Then it was learned that Snogger was really a carpenter by +trade. He said he would settle down in the city, and did so, and to-day +he is a steady workman, and he and Charley have a good home. The father +is giving the son a good education, hoping to make a first-class +business man of him. + +"Well, all told, we had the outing of our lives," declared Roger, on the +way to Crumville. + +"It couldn't have been better!" cried Dave. "I tell you what, Star Ranch +is all right!" + +And the others agreed with him. And here, for the time being, let us say +farewell. + +THE END + +----------------------------------------------------------------------- + + + + +DAVE PORTER SERIES + +By EDWARD STRATEMEYER + + +"Mr. Stratemeyer has seldom introduced a more popular hero than Dave +Porter. He is a typical boy, manly, brave, always ready for a good time +if it can be obtained in an honorable way."--_Wisconsin, Milwaukee, +Wis._ + +"Edward Stratemeyer's 'Dave Porter' has become exceedingly +popular."--_Boston Globe._ + +"Dave and his friends are nice, manly chaps."--_Times-Democrat, New +Orleans._ + +DAVE PORTER AT OAK HALL + Or The School Days of an American Boy + +DAVE PORTER IN THE SOUTH SEAS + Or The Strange Cruise of the _Stormy Petrel_ + +DAVE PORTER'S RETURN TO SCHOOL + Or Winning the Medal of Honor + +DAVE PORTER IN THE FAR NORTH + Or The Pluck of an American Schoolboy + +DAVE PORTER AND HIS CLASSMATES + Or For the Honor of Oak Hall + +DAVE PORTER AT STAR RANCH + Or The Cowboy's Secret + +DAVE PORTER AND HIS RIVALS + Or The Chums and Foes of Oak Hall + +DAVE PORTER ON CAVE ISLAND + Or A Schoolboy's Mysterious Mission + +DAVE PORTER AND THE RUNAWAYS + Or Last Days at Oak Hall + +DAVE PORTER IN THE GOLD FIELDS + Or The Search for the Landslide Mine + +DAVE PORTER AT BEAR CAMP + Or The Wild Man of Mirror Lake + +DAVE PORTER AND HIS DOUBLE + Or The Disappearance of the Basswood Fortune + +DAVE PORTER'S GREAT SEARCH + Or The Perils of a Young Civil Engineer + +DAVE PORTER UNDER FIRE + Or A Young Army Engineer in France + +DAVE PORTER'S WAR HONORS + Or At the Front with the Fighting Engineers + +For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the +publishers. + +Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co. 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