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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/19120-h.zip b/19120-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9849f81 --- /dev/null +++ b/19120-h.zip diff --git a/19120-h/19120-h.htm b/19120-h/19120-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..326e9f7 --- /dev/null +++ b/19120-h/19120-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,8523 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<HTML> +<HEAD> + +<META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<TITLE> +The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Saddle Boys of the Rockies - Lost on Thunder Mountain, by James Carson +</TITLE> + +<STYLE TYPE="text/css"> +BODY { color: Black; + background: White; + margin-right: 10%; + margin-left: 10%; + font-size: medium; + font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; + text-align: justify } + +P {text-indent: 4% } + +P.noindent {text-indent: 0% } + +P.poem {text-indent: 0%; + margin-left: 10%; + font-size: small } + +P.letter {font-size: small } + +p.dedication {text-indent: 0%; + margin-left: 15%; + text-align: justify } + + + +</STYLE> + +</HEAD> + +<BODY> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's The Saddle Boys of the Rockies, by James Carson + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Saddle Boys of the Rockies + Lost on Thunder Mountain + +Author: James Carson + +Release Date: August 25, 2006 [EBook #19120] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES *** + + + + +Produced by Al Haines + + + + + +</pre> + + +<A NAME="img-front"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG SRC="images/img-front.jpg" ALT="THE BIG POWERFUL BLACK ACTED AS THOUGH HE HAD GONE WILD." BORDER="2" WIDTH="384" HEIGHT="631"> +<H3> +[Illustration: THE BIG POWERFUL BLACK <BR> +ACTED AS THOUGH HE HAD GONE WILD.] +</H3> +</CENTER> + +<BR><BR> + +<H1 ALIGN="center"> +The Saddle Boys of the Rockies +</H1> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Or +</H3> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +Lost on Thunder Mountain +</H2> + +<BR> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +BY +</H3> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +CAPTAIN JAMES CARSON +</H2> + +<BR><BR> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +AUTHOR OF +<BR> +"THE SADDLE BOYS IN THE GRAND CANYON,"<BR> +"THE SADDLE BOYS ON THE PLAINS,"<BR> +"THE SADDLE BOYS AT CIRCLE RANCH," ETC.<BR> +</H3> + +<BR><BR> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +ILLUSTRATED +</H3> + +<BR><BR> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +NEW YORK +<BR> +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY +<BR> +PUBLISHERS +</H4> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H5 ALIGN="center"> +Copyrighted 1913, by +<BR> +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY +<BR><BR> +THE SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES +</H5> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +CONTENTS +</H2> + +<BR> + +<CENTER> + +<TABLE WIDTH="80%"> +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">CHAPTER</TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> </TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">I. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap01">ACCEPTING A CHALLENGE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">II. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap02">THE STRANGE ACTIONS OF DOMINO</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">III. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap03">OLD HANK COOMBS BEARS A MESSAGE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">IV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap04">A NOTE OF WARNING AT THE SPRING HOLE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">V. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap05">THE VOICE OF THE MOUNTAIN</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap06">A SECOND ALARM</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap07">THE "RUSTLERS"</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VIII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap08">A STARTLING DISCOVERY</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">IX. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap09">WHAT HAPPENED TO PEG</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">X. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap10">THREATS OF TROUBLE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap11">THE BLACK NIGHT</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap12">LOSING THEIR BEARINGS</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap13">THE SMOKE TRAIL</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap14">A CALL FOR HELP</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap15">SPANISH JOE DROPS A HINT</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap16">THE VENT HOLE IN THE WALL</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap17">FRANK HOLDS THE HOT STICK</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVIII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap18">A GUESS THAT HITS THE BULLSEYE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIX. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap19">THE WORKING OF THE GOLD LODE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XX. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap20">TRAPPED IN THE CANYON</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap21">A CLOSE CALL</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap22">ONCE MORE AT CIRCLE RANCH—CONCLUSION</A></TD> +</TR> + +</TABLE> + +</CENTER> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap01"></A> +<H1 ALIGN="center"> +THE SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES +</H1> + +<BR> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER I +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +ACCEPTING A CHALLENGE +</H3> + +<P> +"Hello! what brought you here, Frank Haywood, I'd like to know?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I reckon my horse, Buckskin, did, Peg." +</P> + +<P> +"And who's this with you—your new chum; the boy from Kentucky?" +</P> + +<P> +"That's who it is, Peg—Bob Archer; and he's come out West to see how +life on the plains suits him." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! a greenhorn, eh?" +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps some people might call him that, though he knows a heap about +horses. But seems to me, Peg, 'twasn't so very long ago that you +yourself dropped in on us here. Since when did you climb up out of the +tenderfoot class, tell me?" +</P> + +<P> +The boy who answered to the name of Frank Haywood was a rather chunky, +well set-up lad of about sixteen. He had blue eyes, that were usually +sparkling with mirth; and a mop of yellow hair; while his skin was +darkened by long exposure to sun and wind. +</P> + +<P> +Frank was the son of a rancher, who not only owned a large tract of +land with many herds, but had interests in paying mines located among +the mountains of the Southwest. Of course he knew more or less +concerning such things as cowboys practice; though never a day passed +on which Frank could not pick up new ideas connected with life in the +open. +</P> + +<P> +His companion, Bob Archer, was considerably taller than Frank, straight +as an Indian, though rather inclined to be slender; but with a +suppleness that indicated such strength and agility as the panther +displays. +</P> + +<P> +Coming from Kentucky, Bob could at least boast of long familiarity with +horses; and his cleverness in this line promised to make him a crack +horseman when he had picked up a few more of the tricks known to range +riders. +</P> + +<P> +Both of the boys were especially fond of roaming the country, mounted +on their favorite steeds; and indeed, they were becoming known far and +near as the "Saddle Boys" because of their being seen so frequently, +dashing over the prairies at top-notch speed. +</P> + +<P> +Peg was the nick-name which had followed Percy Egbert Grant all the way +from the Chicago suburb, where, for some years, he had played the part +of both dude and bully. His father was very wealthy, and Peg always +had more money than was good for him. +</P> + +<P> +When he came to the great X-bar-X ranch, not so very far distant from +the Haywood home place, Peg had adopted the same tactics that had +carried the day for him in the past. The cowboys belonging to his +father's estate seemed to knuckle under to him from the first. However +much they might ridicule Peg behind his back, they cringed when he gave +orders; because he was a liberal paymaster, and no one wished to incur +his enmity. +</P> + +<P> +So it came to pass that Peg actually began to believe himself of great +importance in the community. He assumed airs that ill became one who +was really ignorant of many things connected with ranch life. +</P> + +<P> +He and Frank had never become friends. There was something about the +fellow that the saddle boy could not tolerate. More than once they had +almost come to blows; and, only for the peace-loving nature of Frank, +this must have occurred long ago. +</P> + +<P> +The two chums had taken the long gallop to the town on the railroad on +this particular day to do a little important business for Mr. Haywood, +who was associated with Bob's uncle in certain large mining +enterprises. And it was while entering the town that they met Peg, +who, with his customary assurance, had halted them with the question +that begins this chapter. +</P> + +<P> +When Frank give him this little cut, the face of Peg Grant showed signs +of anger. He knew very well that he was making wretched progress along +the line of becoming an accomplished rider and cowboy. And the easy +manner in which the other boys sat their saddles irritated him greatly. +</P> + +<P> +"What does it matter to you, Frank Haywood, when I left the greenhorn +class and moved up a pace? All the boys of the X-bar-X outfit say I'm +full-fledged now, and able to hold my own with nearly any fellow. +It'll be some time, I reckon, before your new friend can say the same. +But I will own that he's got a horse that takes my eye, for a fact." +</P> + +<P> +"That's where you show good judgment, Peg," said Frank, laughing. "He +brought that black horse with him from Kentucky. And he can ride some, +you'd better believe me. When he gets on to the ways we have out here, +Bob will hold his own against heaps of boys that were born and brought +up on the plains." +</P> + +<P> +"Say, I don't suppose, now, you'd care to sell that animal, Archer?" +asked Peg, as he eyed the handsome mount of the Kentucky boy enviously. +"Because I fancy I'd like to own him more than I ever did that frisky +buckskin Frank rides. If you'd put a fairly decent price on him now—" +</P> + +<P> +"I raised Domino from a colt, I broke him to the saddle, and we have +been together five years now. Money couldn't buy him from me," replied +the tall boy, curtly. +</P> + +<P> +It was not Bob Archer's habit to speak in this strain to anyone; but +there seemed to be a something connected with Peg Grant that irritated +him. The manner of the other was so overbearing as to appear almost +rude. He had had his own way a long time now; and thus far no one +connected with the big ranch owned by his father had arisen to take him +down. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! well, there are plenty of horses just as good, I guess," Peg went +on; "and some people don't appreciate the value of money, anyway. But +see here, Frank, you let your eyebrows travel up when I mentioned the +fact that I'd graduated from the tenderfoot class. I could see that +you doubted my words. Now, I'm going to tell you something that will +surprise you a heap. Are you ready for a shock?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh; I can brace myself for nearly anything, Peg," replied Frank, +easily; "so suppose you tell us your great news. Have you entered for +the endurance race at the annual cowboy meet next month; or do you +expect to take the medal for riding bucking broncos?" +</P> + +<P> +"Any ordinary range rider might do that, even if he lost out," Peg went +on; "but my game is along different lines; see? I'm on my way right +now to run down the mystery of Thunder Mountain! I understand that for +years it's puzzled the whole country to know what makes that roaring +sound every now and then. Many cowboys couldn't be hired to spend a +single night on that mountain. As for the Indians, they claim it is +the voice of Great Manitou; and steer clear of Thunder Mountain, every +time. Get that, Frank?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, Peg, you have given me a jolt, for a fact," answered the saddle +boy, as his face expressed his surprise. "I allow that you show a lot +of nerve in laying out such a big plan; and if you only find out what +makes that trembling, roaring sound, you'll get the blessing of many a +range rider who believes all the stories told about Thunder Mountain." +</P> + +<P> +Peg stiffened up in his saddle, as though he realized that he was +engineering a tremendously important thing; and had a right to be +looked up to as a hero, even before the accomplishment of the deed. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, that's always the way with you fellows out here, I find," he +remarked, loftily; "you leave all the big things to be done by fellows +with real backbone. But then, I don't mind; in fact I'm obliged to you +for neglecting your opportunities so long. Just you wait, and you'll +hear something drop. Couldn't I induce you to name a price on that +black beauty, Archer?" +</P> + +<P> +"Domino is not for sale at any price," replied the other, quietly. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! all right then. So long, Frank. Go back home, and wait till I +send you word about what I've found out!" and with a careless wave of +his arm Peg whirled his horse around, and galloped off. +</P> + +<P> +"Now, I wonder did he mean that; or was he just bluffing?" said Frank, +as he turned to his chum. +</P> + +<P> +"He looked as if he might be in dead earnest," replied Bob; "but you +know him better than I do, and ought to be able to say whether he'd +have the sand to take up such a job as that." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! nobody doubts his grit, when it comes to that," Frank went on, as +though trying to figure the matter out. "And he seems to want to do +something everybody else lets alone. You know what I told you about +Thunder Mountain, Bob; and how it has been a mystery ever since the +country hereabout was settled by people from the East?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," the Kentucky boy replied, "and somehow, what you told me seemed +to shake me up as I don't ever remember being stirred before. It was +like a direct challenge—just like somebody had dared me to look into +this queer old mountain, and find out what it all meant." +</P> + +<P> +"That's just it," said Frank, watching the face of his chum with a show +of eagerness. "It struck me the same way long ago, and I can remember +often thinking what a great time a few of the right kind of fellows +might have if they took a notion to go nosing around that old pile of +rock, to see what does make all that row every little while." +</P> + +<P> +"And you tell me nobody knows what it is?" demanded Bob. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, don't you understand, the cowboys all keep away from Thunder +Mountain as much as they can. They're worse than the Injuns about it, +because while the reds say that is the voice of Manitou talking, these +fellows just up and declare the mountain is haunted. Lots of 'em +couldn't be hired to spend a night on the side of that big uplift." +</P> + +<P> +"But Frank, we don't believe in any such thing, do we?" pursued Bob, as +if he had begun to suspect what all this talk was leading up to, and +wished to draw his chum on. +</P> + +<P> +"We sure don't, and that's a fact," declared Frank. "Twice, now, one +of our boys has made out that he saw a ghost, but both times I managed +to turn the laugh on him. All the same, if you offered a lump sum for +any fellow to go and camp out half-way up the side of Thunder Mountain +for a week, I don't believe he could be found, not at Circle Ranch, +anyhow." +</P> + +<P> +"I've seen the same kind of men myself; and the coons around our old +Kentucky home always carried a foot of a graveyard rabbit, shot in the +full of the moon, as a sure talisman against ghosts. I've seen many a +rabbit's foot. No use talking to any of them; it's in the blood and +can't be cured. But about that offering a sum for any fellow to go and +camp on the side of that old fraud of a haunted mountain, if you happen +to hear about such a snap you might just think of me, Frank." +</P> + +<P> +The other saddle boy smiled broadly. He believed he knew Bob pretty +well by this time, and could no longer doubt what the Kentucky lad was +hinting at. +</P> + +<P> +"Say, look here, would you take me up if I proposed something right +now?" asked Frank, his face filled with sudden animation. +</P> + +<P> +"If you mean that we try and beat Peg Grant at his own game, and learn +what the secret of Thunder Mountain is, I say yes!" answered Bob, +steadily. +</P> + +<P> +"Shake on that!" he exclaimed. "I'm just primed for something that's +out of the common run; and what could be finer than such a game? I saw +Billy Dixon in town; and we can send back word to father that we've +gone off for a big gallop; so he won't worry if we don't turn up for a +few days. Is it a go, Bob?" +</P> + +<P> +"Count on me," replied the other. "I don't know how it is, Frank; but +it strikes me that I'd like to cut in on that boaster in this thing. +If we managed to find out what makes that fearful booming in the +mountain, and told about it before he got a chance to blow his horn, +he'd feel cheap, wouldn't he?" +</P> + +<P> +"He sure would, now," Frank said. "And when you look at it, he just +the same as gave us the challenge direct, because he hinted that we +didn't have the nerve to attempt such a big thing as this. Bob, we'll +call it a go! Wonder what Peg will say when he runs across us out +there in that lonely place? Wow! I reckon he'll be some mad." +</P> + +<P> +"Let him," remarked Bob, carelessly. "He has no claim on Thunder +Mountain; has he? And we want to call his bluff, if it was one. So +just make up your mind we're in for a new experience. It may pan out a +heap of fun for us. And it will be worth while if we can settle the +question that has been giving these superstitious cowmen the creeps all +these years." +</P> + +<P> +"Then let's get through with our business, send word by Billy, though +not telling what we've got in the wind, and then pick up a few things +we might need on a trip like this. After that we can drop out of town, +and take our time heading for the mountain; because I think I'd like +Peg to get there first, so that he couldn't say we'd stolen his +thunder." +</P> + +<P> +Half an hour later the saddle boys, having finished their business, and +sent the Circle ranch cowboy galloping homeward bearing the message to +Mr. Haywood, were moving slowly through the main street of the town, +heading toward a store where they could pick up a couple of blankets, a +simple cooking outfit, and some of the substantials in the way of +bacon, coffee and the like, when they came upon a scene that instantly +attracted their attention. +</P> + +<P> +It was a terrified cry that reached their ears at first, and caused +both boys to pull in their horses. Glancing in the direction whence +the sound of distress seemed to spring, they saw a small Mexican girl +struggling with an over-grown fellow, garbed in the customary range +habit, even to the "chaps" of leather covering his trousers. +</P> + +<P> +Both Frank and Bob jumped from their saddles, for the little affair was +taking place in the courtyard of an inn that fronted on the street. +Whether the brute was simply playing the bully, and trying to kiss the +girl; or meant to strike her for getting in his way, Bob Archer did not +stop to inquire. +</P> + +<P> +His warm Kentucky blood on fire, he made a swoop for the fellow, and +managed to give him a tremendous blow that toppled him over in a heap. +</P> + +<P> +"Lie there, you coward!" he exclaimed. +</P> + +<P> +And then, as the fellow whom he had knocked down struggled to his +knees, to stare up at him, Bob discovered, not a little to his +surprise, and satisfaction as well, that he was looking into a familiar +face. +</P> + +<P> +It was Peg Grant! +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap02"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER II +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE STRANGE ACTIONS OF DOMINO +</H3> + + +<P> +"Well, I declare!" exclaimed Frank; which remark showed how much +surprised he was to recognize the youth whom his chum had sent to the +ground. +</P> + +<P> +"What do you mean by hitting me like that?" snarled the rich man's son, +as he managed to scramble to his feet again, though he seemed a bit +"groggy," and one of his eyes was already turning dark, as if it had +come in violent contact with a stone when he struck the ground. +</P> + +<P> +"What do <I>you</I> mean, hurting that poor little Mexican girl?" demanded +Bob, who stood on his guard, as though he might not be averse to trying +conclusions with the bully, if so be the other felt like seeking +satisfaction for his upset. +</P> + +<P> +"She sassed me when I ordered her to get out of my way, that's what she +did;" declared Peg, wrathfully, "and I'd look nice now, wouldn't I, +letting a little greaser kid talk back to me? So I was just giving her +a good shaking when you broke in. Guess you didn't know who you were +hitting when you did that, Bob Archer!" +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps I didn't," replied the Kentucky lad, calmly; "though that +wouldn't have made any particular difference. Any cur who would lay +his hands on a child like that ought to get knocked down every time. +I'd do it again if you gave me the chance!" +</P> + +<P> +Peg stared at him. Perhaps he had never been treated in this manner +before. All his life his acquaintances had truckled to him on account +of the great wealth of his father, and the liberal way he himself, as a +boy, rewarded those who were allowed the privilege of being his cronies +or mates. +</P> + +<P> +"You—would, eh?" he gasped, as if hardly daring to believe his ears. +"Even if you knew it was Peg Grant you'd treat me that way; would you? +I'll remember that! I'm not the one to forget in a hurry. Some day, +perhaps, you'll wish you'd never tried to play the hero part, and hit +me when my back was turned. I've got a good notion to teach you a +lesson right now; that's what!" +</P> + +<P> +"All right," remarked Bob, coolly. "Suppose you begin. I was never in +a better humor for trouble. Somehow I seemed to just know we'd hit it +up sooner or later if our trails crossed. I give you my word, my +friend here won't put a finger on you, if so be you get the better of +the row; will you Frank?" +</P> + +<P> +"I should say not," declared the lad, instantly, adding: "and unless I +miss my guess there won't be any need of it, either." +</P> + +<P> +"Are you coming on, Peg?" asked the Kentucky lad, temptingly. +</P> + +<P> +From under his drooping eyebrows Peg observed how easily the other had +assumed a position of self-defense. Somehow Peg did not fancy the +athletic build of his antagonist; for, while Bob was rather slender, he +had the marks of one accustomed to exercise; possessing at least +ordinary ability to take care of himself. +</P> + +<P> +"It'll keep, and be all the better for the delay," Peg grumbled, as he +clenched one fist furiously, and used the other hand to feel of his +injured optic. "Besides, I don't feel fit to fight right now, with +this bunged-up eye. But just wait till the right time comes, and see +what you get then for doing this." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! well, suit yourself," returned Bob, with a laugh. "If the little +brown-faced girl hadn't vamoosed I declare if I wouldn't feel like +making you get down on your knees, and asking her to excuse you. Bah! +you're not worth bothering about, Peg. Get out!" +</P> + +<P> +The other moved away. He did not like the manner in which Bob said +this; and he seemed to be afraid that perhaps the other might yet +decide to press some further indignity on him. +</P> + +<P> +When, however, he had reached the door of the inn, so that he could +have a way of escape open to him in case of need, he stopped and shook +his fist threateningly toward the saddle boys. +</P> + +<P> +"You're both going to pay dear for this little fun, hear that?" he +called, his voice trembling with passion. "I'll find a way to get +even, see if I don't! And when Peg Grant says that he means it, too! +Just you wait till I——" +</P> + +<P> +And then, as Bob started to advance toward the hostelery Peg retreated +in a panic, slamming the door after him. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, what d'ye think of that?" asked Frank, who had been an amused +observer of this curious scene. +</P> + +<P> +"He's turned out just what I thought he would," remarked Bob, as he +once more gained the side of his comrade, a grim smile on his face. +"Whenever you run across a fellow who likes to boast of the way he does +things, make up your mind he's a rank coward, every time. No matter +what he claims he will do, there's a yellow streak in him <I>somewhere</I>, +and sooner or later it's bound to show." +</P> + +<P> +"I believe you're just about right, Bob," said Frank; "and it agrees +with my own opinion exactly. Still, that fellow can be dangerous if he +wants." +</P> + +<P> +"So can a rattlesnake; but at any rate the reptile is honest, for he +gives plenty of warning before he tries to strike; and that's more'n +Peg would do, if I read him straight." +</P> + +<P> +"You must keep an eye out for him after this, Bob. He'll never forgive +you that crack. My! but didn't it drop him, though! Just like a steer +would go down when the loop of a lariat closes on his foreleg. That +fellow will lie awake nights trying to get even with you." +</P> + +<P> +"Let him," remarked Bob, carelessly; "next time perhaps I'll put a +little more steam back of my fist, if he pushes me too hard. That's +the way they treat cowards back where I was brought up; and they call +anybody by that name who will put his hand in anger on girl or woman. +But see here, Frank, is this little affair going to force us to change +our plans?" +</P> + +<P> +"Whew! I forgot all about that," said the other, with a whistle, and +an uplifting of his eyebrows. "If we go poking around Thunder +Mountain, and Peg is there, with a couple of the tough cowboys he has +trailing after him most of the time, Spanish Joe and Nick Jennings, +perhaps we'll run up against a peck of trouble." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, how about it?" asked Bob, with a shade of annoyance on his face. +</P> + +<P> +"What do you say?" asked Frank, in turn. +</P> + +<P> +"Go, by all means," came the quick response. "You don't think so mean +of me as to believe I'd be frightened off by the bare chance of running +across that fellow's trail out there; do you, Frank?" +</P> + +<P> +"All right, call it a bargain, then. I'm with you through thick and +thin, Bob. Let Peg have a care how he meddles with us. We're going to +pay attention to our own business, and he'd better do the same. But +what became of the little Mex? I thought I'd seen her face before, +somewhere, but she skipped out before I could take a second look. Some +cowboy, or cattle rustler's child from beyond the Rio Grande, I reckon. +Well, come along, let's get in the saddle again, and finish our +shopping. Then we'll go out to the country along the river, and put in +a day waiting for Peg to have his chance at finding out what makes +Thunder Mountain groan and shake just so often, and scare the Injuns +out of their seven senses." +</P> + +<P> +As the two chums swung themselves into their saddles, and cantered +away, a head was thrust cautiously out from behind a pile of boxes near +by; and then, finding the coast clear, the small girl who had been the +cause of all the trouble darted across the courtyard, vanishing beyond +the gate. +</P> + +<P> +Frank and Bob went about making their purchases, first fastening their +horses to a rail in front of the general store, where everything they +needed could be bought. +</P> + +<P> +More than one cattleman in passing would cast an envious eye toward +those two splendid mounts, for they could not fail to catch the +attention of anyone accustomed to judging horseflesh, as these Western +men were. Still, it would be a bold man indeed, white or Indian, who +would dare attempt to steal a horse in broad daylight, in a country +where such a thief was treated to a rope when caught. +</P> + +<P> +Frank had had considerable experience in roughing it, while his comrade +was, in a measure, new to such a life. Consequently it was Frank whose +judgment was called into play when making a selection of the things +that would be essential to their comfort when on this new campaign. +</P> + +<P> +Many articles they could do without; but a blanket apiece was +absolutely necessary, as was a frying pan and coffee pot, two cups, as +many platters, as well as common knives, forks and spoons such as +prospectors and cattlemen use. +</P> + +<P> +For food they took some bacon, coffee, dried meat, hard-tack in place +of bread, a can of condensed milk, and several other things which would +carry well. +</P> + +<P> +"We must make them up in two packs," Frank went on; "so that each of us +can fasten one to his horse, back of the saddle. And, as I'm an old +hand at this business, just watch me get a hustle on. Next time you'll +know how to go about it for yourself, Bob." +</P> + +<P> +The Kentucky boy always studied everything his comrade showed him, for +it was his ambition to excel in the many little tricks connected with +the free life of the plains. Things were done so differently here from +what he had been accustomed to in his old Kentucky home, before his +father died, that they often puzzled him; but Bob was a persistent boy, +and would never rest content until Frank could teach him no more. +</P> + +<P> +Neither of them suspected what was going on outside, while they busied +themselves in purchasing the supplies needed for the little campaign in +the neighborhood of the mysterious mountain. And yet all was not as +quiet as it might be. +</P> + +<P> +The saddle boys had hardly been inside the general store ten minutes +before a slinking figure might have been observed drawing nearer and +nearer to the horses ranged along the bar. There were several besides +the animals of our two young friends; but, somehow, the handsome black +seemed to attract the entire attention of this shadowy form. +</P> + +<P> +Twice he stopped, and assumed an attitude that would indicate his utter +indifference to such commonplace things as horses. Then, finding that +it must have been a false alarm, he would edge closer. +</P> + +<P> +Finally he was beside the black horse, uttering low words such as +cowboys make use of to soothe a restive steed when they mean to throw a +saddle across his back, and cinch the girth. +</P> + +<P> +Two men came out from the store, and drew near. The slim figure, +finding it out of the question to flit hurriedly away, without +attracting attention, which was just the thing he wished to avoid, +commenced stroking the sleek side of the big black Kentucky +thoroughbred, as though he might be a cowboy connected with the far +famed Circle ranch of Frank's father. +</P> + +<P> +Casting just one casual glance toward him, the men threw themselves +into their saddles with the rapidity and grace of true plainsmen, and +went galloping off. +</P> + +<P> +Two minutes later the shadowy figure of the man flitted away from the +line of horses that remained. If his purpose had been to steal the +black he must have changed his mind, for there was no break in the +chain of horses that stood there, impatiently scraping the ground with +their forefeet. +</P> + +<P> +A little later out came Frank and Bob, each bearing a compact bundle +which they quickly fastened back of their saddles. +</P> + +<P> +Bob was the first to mount, and this action was hurried because he +hardly knew what to make of the restless actions of Domino. The animal +seemed to be dancing up and down as though he had stirred up a hornet's +nest, and the little insects were charging his exposed legs. +</P> + +<P> +No sooner was Bob in the saddle than the horse gave a shrill neigh, and +dashed off like a crazy creature. Indeed, a less experienced rider +than Bob would have been instantly thrown by the sudden and unexpected +move, something that Domino had never been known to attempt before. +</P> + +<P> +Frank looked up in astonishment. His practiced eye told him in an +instant that the sudden violent dash had not been engineered in the +least by his chum; but was altogether the result of fright on the part +of Domino. Why, the big and powerful black acted as though he had gone +wild, jumping madly about, now fairly flying off to one side, only to +whirl and dance and leap high in the air, until every one within seeing +distance was staring at the strange spectacle. And this, too, in a +town where bucking broncos were a common sight. +</P> + +<P> +Frank had gained his saddle, and was chasing after his friend, but just +then the black had taken a notion to run, and apparently nothing in +that country could overtake him while his present savage mood held out. +</P> + +<P> +"What ails the beast?" Frank asked himself, as he drew rein and watched +the other passing beyond range of his vision among the stunted +mesquites outside of the edge of the town. "He acts like a locoed +horse; but there isn't a bit of the poison weed growing within twenty +miles of here. And why was Peg Grant standing on the stoop of the +tavern grinning as I rode past? Can he have had a hand in this sudden +crazy spell of the black? Spanish Joe knows all the tricks of putting +a thorn under a saddle, that will stab the horse when the rider mounts. +Is that the trouble now? If it is then it's lucky my chum knows as +much as he does about managing a horse, or he would never come back +alive from that mad ride. And all I can do is to sit here, wait for +his return, and watch Peg Grant and his cronies!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap03"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER III +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +OLD HANK COOMBS BEARS A MESSAGE +</H3> + + +<P> +If there was one thing Bob could do well, it was to ride. Born in +Kentucky, where horses take a leading part in the education of most +boys, Bob had always spent a good part of his time in the saddle. +</P> + +<P> +Hence, when he came out here to the plains, the cowboys of the ranch +found that, in his own way, he was well versed in managing the fine +black horse he brought along with him. +</P> + +<P> +Of course there were dozens of tricks which these daring riders of the +plains could show the tenderfoot from the South; but when it came down +to hard riding Bob was able to hold his own. +</P> + +<P> +When his powerful horse bolted in such a strange fashion Bob simply +kept his seat, and tried to soothe Domino by soft words. For once the +remedy failed to produce any immediate effect. The animal seemed +fairly wild, and tore along over the open country like mad. +</P> + +<P> +"He never acted like this before in all his life," thought Bob, as he +found considerable difficulty in keeping his saddle, such were the +sudden whirls the black made in his erratic course. +</P> + +<P> +But although he had by no means learned all the things known to old +cowmen, Bob had picked up quite a few points since arriving at the +ranch. He had even heard of a mean trick practiced by revengeful +Mexicans, and others, when they wished to place a rival's life in +danger. +</P> + +<P> +"Something has happened to him since we went into that store," Bob said +again and again, as he puzzled his wits to hit upon an explanation for +the animal's remarkable antics. "Now, what could it have been? Would +any fellow be so mean as to fasten some of those prickly sand burrs +under his tail? Or perhaps it's a poison thorn under the saddle!" +</P> + +<P> +This last idea seemed to strike him as pretty near the truth. He began +to investigate as well as he was able during the rushing of the runaway +horse. When, in pursuing his investigations, he ran his hand under the +flap of the saddle, he could feel the horse start afresh, and his queer +actions seemed worse than ever. +</P> + +<P> +"That's just what it is, as sure as anything!" Bob declared, his whole +frame quivering with indignation at the thought of anyone being so +cruel and treacherous; "but how in the wide world am I going to get at +the thing?" +</P> + +<P> +His first impulse was to ease the strain all he could by removing his +weight from the point where he believed the thorn to have been hidden. +This he did by leaning forward after the manner of a clever jockey in a +race, throwing pretty much all his body upon the shoulders and neck of +the horse. +</P> + +<P> +Then he again began to speak soothingly in the ear of Domino. By +degrees the horse seemed to slacken his wild pace. +</P> + +<P> +Encouraged by this fact, Bob continued the treatment. It appeared as +though the intelligent animal must comprehend what was wanted, for, +although evidently still in more or less pain, he gradually ceased his +runaway gait, until, finally, at the command of "whoa!" Domino came to +a complete stop. +</P> + +<P> +Bob was on the ground immediately. His horse was trembling with +excitement and other causes. Bob continued to pat him gently, and +speak soothing words. All the time he was working toward the buckle of +the band by means of which the saddle was held firmly on the beast's +back. +</P> + +<P> +Once he had a grip on this he made a sudden pull. Domino squirmed, and +for the moment Bob feared the animal would break away. +</P> + +<P> +"Easy now, old fellow; take it quiet! I'll have that saddle off in a +jiffy; and see what is wrong. Softly, Domino! Good old Domino!" +</P> + +<P> +While he was talking in this manner Bob was releasing the band; and, +with a sudden jerk, he threw the saddle to the ground. +</P> + +<P> +His quick eye detected signs of blood on the glossy back of the +Kentucky horse. +</P> + +<P> +"That's what it was!" he exclaimed, angrily. "A thorn of some kind, +put there so that when I jumped into my seat my weight would drive it +in. And I reckon, too, it would be just like the cowardly sneak to +pick out one that had a poison tip! Oh! what a skunk! and how I'd like +to see some of the boys at the ranch round him up! But I wonder, now +could I find it? I'd like to get Frank's opinion on it." +</P> + +<P> +The horse had by now ceased his mad prancing. This proved that the +cause for his strange actions had been removed when Bob cast the saddle +off. And it did not require a hunt of more than two minutes to +discover some little object clinging to the cloth under the saddle. It +was, just as Bob had suspected, a thorn with several points that were +as sharp as needles, and very tough. +</P> + +<P> +Bob put it away in one of his pockets. Then he once more replaced the +saddle, carefully adjusting the girth so as to avoid any more pressure +on the painful back of Domino than was absolutely necessary. +</P> + +<P> +The horse seemed to understand his master's actions, and, although +still restive, allowed Bob to mount. +</P> + +<P> +Cantering along over the back trail, in half an hour Bob came in sight +of his chum heading toward him. +</P> + +<P> +"Well," said Frank, as they finally met, "I was beginning to get +worried about you, even though I knew you could manage a horse all +right. It was a lively run, I should say," as he glanced at the +foam-streaked flanks of the gloss black. +</P> + +<P> +"As fierce a dash as I ever want to take," answered Bob, patting his +horse gently. +</P> + +<P> +"Did you find out what ailed him?" asked the other. +</P> + +<P> +"After I'd spent some time trying to keep from being thrown, I did." +</P> + +<P> +As he said this Bob drew the thorn from his pocket, and held it before +Frank, who took the vicious little thing in his hand. +</P> + +<P> +"I thought so," he muttered. "That's Peg's idea of getting even with +us; the coward!" +</P> + +<P> +"But you don't mean to say Peg did that?" exclaimed Bob, astonished. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, not with his own hand. He wouldn't know how, you see; but he +had a Mexican cowboy along with him who is up to all these +tricks—Spanish Joe. When we were busy in that store, he crept up and +fixed this thorn under your saddle. Of course, as soon as you sprang +into your seat, your weight just drove one of these tough little points +in deeper. And, as the horse jumped, every movement was so much more +torture. Get onto it, Bob?" +</P> + +<P> +"Sure I do; and I guessed all that while riding back. But tell me, why +did he pick out <I>my</I> horse, instead of your Buckskin?" asked the +Kentucky boy. +</P> + +<P> +"Look back a little. Who was it gave Peg his little tumble when he was +striking that child? Why, of course it was nobody but Bob Archer. I +saw Peg standing on the porch of the tavern as I galloped after you; +and give you my word, Bob, he had a grin on his face that looked as if +it would never come off. Peg was happy—why? Because he had just seen +you being carried like the wind out of town on a bolting nag. And I +guess he wouldn't care very much if you got thrown, with some of your +ribs broken in the bargain." +</P> + +<P> +Bob proceeded to tell how he had figured on what caused the queer +antics of his horse, and then what his method for relieving the +pressure had been. +</P> + +<P> +"Just what you should have done!" exclaimed Frank, enthusiastically. +"Say, you're getting on to all the little wrinkles pretty fast. And it +worked too, did it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Thanks to the smartness of Domino, it did," replied Bob, proudly. +"Some other horses might have broken away as soon as their rider +dismounted; but he's mighty near human, Frank, I tell you. He just +stood there, quivering with excitement, and pain, till I got the thing +off. But do you know what kind of thorn this is?" +</P> + +<P> +"I know it as well as you would a persimmon growing on a tree in Old +Kentucky; or a pawpaw in the thicket. It's rank poison, too, and will +breed trouble if the wound isn't taken care of in time. +</P> + +<P> +"That's bad news, old fellow. I'd sure hate to lose my horse," +remarked Bob, dejectedly, as he threw an arm lovingly over the neck of +the black. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! I don't think it'll be as bad as that; especially since I happen +to have along with me in my pack some ointment old Hank Coombs gave me +at a time I fell down on one of the same kind of stickers, and got it +in my arm," and Frank opened the smaller of the two packs he had +fastened behind his saddle. +</P> + +<P> +When the ointment was being thoroughly rubbed into the spot where the +barb of the thorn had pierced the flesh of the animal, Domino seemed to +understand what their object was. He gave several little whinnies, +even as he moved uneasily when his master's hand touched the painful +spot. +</P> + +<P> +"Now what's the programme?" asked Bob, after he had replaced the saddle. +</P> + +<P> +"Just what we decided on before," replied his chum; "a little rest +before we make a start. Twenty-four hours will do Domino considerable +good, too. How did you come out about the duffle you were carrying; +any of it get lost?" +</P> + +<P> +"None that I've noticed. I'll make a round-up and see, before we go +any further," Bob remarked, examining the packages secured behind his +saddle. +</P> + +<P> +"How?" queried Frank, in the terse, Indian style, as he saw that the +other had gone carefully over the entire outfit. +</P> + +<P> +"Everything here, right side up with care. And now I'll have to mount +again, a thing that may not appeal very much to Domino. But it's lucky +I long ago learned the jockey way of riding, with most of the weight +upon the withers of the horse. In that manner you see, Frank, I can +relieve the poor beast more than a little." +</P> + +<P> +Together they rode off slowly. Really, for one day it seemed that the +big black must have had all the running his fancy could wish. Besides, +neither of the boys knew of any reason for haste. As Frank had +suggested, it would perhaps be just as well to allow a certain amount +of time to elapse, before pushing their intended investigation of the +mysteries supposed to hover around Thunder Mountain. +</P> + +<P> +The afternoon had almost half passed when Frank's sharp eyes discovered +a single horseman riding on a course that would likely bring him across +their trail soon. +</P> + +<P> +"Seems to me there's something familiar about that fellow's way of +sitting in the saddle," he observed; and then, reaching for the field +glasses which he carried swung in a case over his shoulder, he quickly +adjusted them to his eyes. "Thought so," he muttered, and Bob could +see him smile as he said it. +</P> + +<P> +"Recognize the rider, then? Don't tell me now that it's Peg, or one of +those slippery cowboy friends he has trailing after him," remarked Bob. +</P> + +<P> +"Here, take the glasses, and see what you think," replied the other, +laughingly. +</P> + +<P> +No sooner had the Kentucky lad taken a single good look than he called +out: +</P> + +<P> +"Who but old Hank Coombs, the veteran cow puncher of the Southwest! I +suppose your father has sent him on an errand, Frank." +</P> + +<P> +"Just as likely as not, because he trusts old Hank more than any man on +the entire ranch. You can see he's headed in a line that will fetch up +at the Circle Ranch by midnight, if he keeps galloping on. Look there, +he sees us, and is waving his arm. Yes, he's changed his course so as +to meet us, Bob." +</P> + +<P> +"But if we needed the glass to find out who he was, how does it come +that an old man like Hank could tell that we were friends, at such a +distance?" asked the young tenderfoot, always eager to learn. +</P> + +<P> +"Because his eyes are as good as ever they were. Some of these fellows +who have lived in the open all their lives have eyes like an eagle's, +and can tell objects that would look like moving dots to you. Let's +swing around a bit, so as to keep old Hank from doing all the going." +</P> + +<P> +As he spoke Frank veered more to the left, and in this fashion they +speedily drew near the advancing horseman. He proved to be a cowman in +greasy chaps, and with many wrinkles on his weather-beaten face. But +Hank Coombs was as spry as most men of half his age. He could still +hold his place in a round-up; swing the rope in a dexterous manner; +bring down his steer as cleverly as the next man; ride the most +dangerous of bucking broncos; and fulfill his duties with exactness. +Few men grow old on the plains. Most of them die in the harness; and a +cowboy who has outlived his usefulness is difficult to find. +</P> + +<P> +The veteran eyed the additional packs back of the saddles of the two +boys with suspicion in his eyes. He knew the venturesome nature of his +employer's son; and doubtless immediately suspected that Frank might +have some new, daring scheme in view, looking to showing his friend +from the East the wonders of this grand country, where the distances +were so great, the deserts so furiously hot, the mountains so lofty, +and the prairies so picturesque. +</P> + +<P> +"Ain't headin' toward home, are ye, Frank?" was the first question Hank +asked, as they all merged together, and rode slowly onward in company. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! not thinking of such a thing, Hank," replied the boy. "Why, we +only left the ranch yesterday, you know, and meant to be away several +days, perhaps a week. But I'm glad we ran across your trail right now, +Hank, because you can take a message to dad for me." +</P> + +<P> +"Glad to do that same, Frank," the veteran cowman replied, and then +added: "but jest why are ye headin' this way, might I ask? It's a wild +kentry ahead of ye, and thar be some people as don't think it's jest +the safest place goin', what with the pesky cattle-rustler crowd as +comes up over the Mexican border to give the ranchers trouble; and +sometimes the Injuns off their reservation, with the young bucks primed +for a scrap." +</P> + +<P> +"Is that all, Hank?" asked Frank, turning a smiling face upon the old +rider. Hank moved uneasily, seeming to squirm in his saddle. +</P> + +<P> +"No, it ain't," he finally admitted, with a half grin; "that's Thunder +Mounting about twenty mile ahead o' ye. None o' us fellers keers a +heap 'bout headin' that-a-way. Twice I've been 'bliged to explore the +canyons thar, arter lost cattle; but I never did hanker 'bout the job. +It's a good place to keep away from, Frank." +</P> + +<P> +"You don't say, Hank!" chuckled the boy. "Too bad; but you see that's +just the very place we expect to head for to-morrow—Thunder Mountain!" +</P> + +<P> +The old man looked closely at him, and shook his head. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't like to hear ye say that, Frank," he muttered, uneasily; "an' +I kinder reckons as how yer father'll feel oneasy when I tell him what +yer up to. 'Cause, I opine, ye wants me to carry thet same news back +home; don't ye?" +</P> + +<P> +"Sure," answered the other, laughing. "That's what I meant when I said +I was glad we'd met up with you, Hank." +</P> + +<P> +"But ye didn't expect to take a turn thar when ye left home, did ye?" +the veteran cowman went on. +</P> + +<P> +"Never entered my head, Hank. Fact is, we weren't thinking of Thunder +Mountain up to an hour or two ago, when we ran across Peg Grant, who +was in town with his two followers, Spanish Joe and Nick Jennings." +</P> + +<P> +"The wust as ever throwed a leg over leather," muttered Hank, between +his teeth. "We been talkin' it over, some o' us boys, an' 'bout kim to +the conclusion as how them fellers must be in touch with the Mendoza +crowd o' rustlers as draps over the Rio Grande every leetle while, to +grab a bunch o' long horns." +</P> + +<P> +"My opinion exactly, Hank," went on Frank. "But listen till I tell you +what they are thinking of doing about finding out the secret of Thunder +Mountain." +</P> + +<P> +Quickly he related the incident of their meeting Peg, and of his boast. +</P> + +<P> +"They'll never do it, mark me," declared Hank, after he had been put in +possession of the main facts. "Thet noise ain't human! I been +a-hearin' it for the last forty years, an' I give ye my word it's +gittin' wuss right along. The reds believe as how it's the voice of +the Great Spirit talkin' to 'em. An' honest now, Frank, thems my +sentiments to a dot." +</P> + +<P> +"In other words, Hank, you believe the mountain is haunted, and that +anyone bold enough to wander into the unknown country that lies back +there is going to get into a peck of trouble?" Frank asked, seriously. +</P> + +<P> +"Reckon as how that kivers the ground purty well," replied the cowman, +grimly. +</P> + +<P> +"Well," Frank went on, "we happen to believe something different, and +we mean to look into the thing a bit. It wouldn't surprise me to find +that some sharp crowd has been taking advantage of the bad name Thunder +Mountain has always had, to hide among those canyons. And, Hank, I'm +going to look for the trail of some cattle while I'm there!" +</P> + +<P> +"Which I take it to mean," Hank continued thoughtfully, "that you +kinder think them rustlers might be usin' the ha'nted mounting for a +hiding place to keep the cows which they run away with? Um! wa'al now, +I never thort o' that afore. But stands to reason no Mexicans'd ever +have the nerve to go whar white cowmen kept away from." +</P> + +<P> +"Not unless they had solved the strange mystery of the mountain, and no +longer saw any reason to be afraid of the thunder. But listen while I +tell you something else that happened to my friend here." +</P> + +<P> +Frank then described the sudden bolt of Domino. At his first words the +experienced western man looked wise. He had immediately guessed what +caused the unexpected action of the usually tractable black horse. +</P> + +<P> +"As low down a trick as was ever carried out," he remarked, finally, as +he looked at the thorn. "And jest sech as thet sneakin' coyote, +Spanish Joe, would be guilty of tryin'. I've seen it done more'n a few +times; and twict the critter was rounded up, and treated like he'd been +a hoss thief; 'case ye see, in each case 'twar a woman as rid the +animile as got the thorn. But ye must let me rub somethin' on thet +wound right away, Bob." +</P> + +<P> +"Don't bother," sang out Frank, cheerfully; "because we happened to +have with us that ointment you gave me, and I used it a while ago. +I'll put on more to-night when we get the saddles off, and once again +in the morning." +</P> + +<P> +"Then ye mean to go into camp soon?" inquired Hank. +</P> + +<P> +"See that timber over yonder, where a stream runs? We'll settle down +for the night there. Better hold over with us, Hank, unless you're in +a terrible hurry to get back home," Frank observed. +</P> + +<P> +"I'd like to fust rate, Frank; and p'raps thar aint no sech great need +o' gittin' back to the ranch to-night. Yes, I'll hang over. P'raps I +kin coax ye to give up that crazy ijee 'bout Thunder Mounting." +</P> + +<P> +And when they had settled down under the trees, with the westering sun +sinking toward the horizon where, in the far distance, Frank pointed +out to his chum the towering peak toward which they were bound, old +Hank did try to influence his employer's son into giving up his +intended trip. +</P> + +<P> +It was useless, however. Frank had made up his mind, and obstacles +only served to cause him to shut his teeth more firmly together and +stick to his resolution. And so they spent the night very comfortably, +under the twinkling stars. +</P> + +<P> +"Tell dad not to worry about us at all, Hank," Frank said to the +veteran, on the following morning, as they were bidding him good-bye. +"We'll turn up all right in the course of a few days. And perhaps, who +knows, we might be able to tell you all about the queer noise that +shakes the earth every little while around the big uplift. So-long, +Hank!" +</P> + +<P> +The old cowman sat in his saddle, and looked after the two boys as +their horses went prancing away, each of the riders turning once or +twice to wave a jolly farewell, with uplifted hats. +</P> + +<P> +"As fine a pair o' happy-go-lucky boys as ever drawed breath," Hank +muttered, as his eyes followed their vanishing forms beyond the +mesquite thicket. "But I sure feel bad 'bout them goin' into that 'ere +Thunder Mounting territory. I hopes Mr. Haywood'll start out with a +bunch o' cowmen to round 'em up. But he thinks that Frank kin hold his +own, no matter what comes along. If he don't show signs o' bein' +worried, I'm goin' to see if the overseer, Bart Heminway, won't take +the chances of sendin' several of us out to hunt for strays; an' it'll +be funny now, how them mavericks all run toward Thunder Mounting." +</P> + +<P> +Chuckling, as if the new idea that had appealed to him gave him +considerable satisfaction, the old cow-puncher stirred his little +bronco into action, and was soon galloping away. But, more than a few +times, he might have been observed to turn in his saddle and cast a +look of curiosity, bordering on apprehension, toward the dimly-seen +mountain that arose far away on the Southwestern horizon. +</P> + +<P> +For to Hank Coombs that peak stood for everything in the line of +mystery and unexplained doings. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap04"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER IV +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A NOTE OF WARNING AT THE SPRING HOLE +</H3> + + +<P> +"Pull up, Bob; I sure glimpsed something moving, out there in the sage +brush!" +</P> + +<P> +Both horses came to an immediate stop as the bridles were drawn taut. +</P> + +<P> +"Which way, Frank?" asked the Kentucky lad, eagerly, as he threw back +his shock of black hair, and waited to see where the finger of his +companion would point. +</P> + +<P> +"Whatever it was disappeared behind that spur of the low foot hills +yonder. I just caught a peep of the last of it. Here, Bob, take the +glasses, and wait to see if it shows up again on the other side of the +rise," and Frank thrust the binoculars into the hand of his chum. +</P> + +<P> +"Think it could have been a prowling coyote; or perhaps a bunch of +antelope feeding on the sweet grass around some spring hole, as you +were telling me they do?" asked Bob, holding himself in readiness. +</P> + +<P> +"Well," returned Frank, quickly, "the sun was in my eyes some, you see, +and so I wouldn't like to be too sure; but somehow, Bob, I just have a +notion that it was a horse." +</P> + +<P> +"With a rider on it, of course!" exclaimed the other lad, as he raised +the glasses to his eyes, training them on the further end of the squat +elevation that stood up in the midst of the sage level like a great +hump on a camel. +</P> + +<P> +"There, looks like I was right, Bob!" ejaculated Frank, a minute or so +later, as something came out from behind the low hill, moving steadily +onward. +</P> + +<P> +"Indians! as sure as anything!" fell from the lips of the one who held +the field glasses to his eyes. +</P> + +<P> +"One—two—three—a heap of the reds in that bunch, I reckon," muttered +Frank, watching with his naked eye; although the distance, separating +them from the spot where the figures were passing steadily into view, +was considerable. +</P> + +<P> +"Say, these glasses are jim-dandy ones, all right!" remarked Bob, +presently, as he turned to offer them to his chum, who immediately +clapped them to his own eyes. +</P> + +<P> +"Huh!" grunted Frank a moment later, "squaws along; each cayuse +dragging poles on which they heap their lodges, blankets and such; +reckon there's no war party about that, Bob." +</P> + +<P> +"I should think not, if what you've told me about the Indians is a +fact, Frank. But look here, what d'ye suppose they're doing so far +away from their reservation?" and Bob gripped his quirt, which hung, as +usual, from his wrist, in cowboy fashion; and with a nervous slash cut +off the tops of the rattlesnake weed within reach. +</P> + +<P> +"That's where you've got me, Bob," replied the one who had been brought +up on a ranch, and who was supposed to know considerable about the life +of the plains; "unless they've just got desperate for a good old hunt, +and broke loose. Pretty soon the pony soldiers will come galloping +along, round 'em up, and chase the lot back to their quarters. Uncle +Sam is kind, and winks at a heap; but he won't stand for the Injuns +skipping out just when the notion takes 'em." +</P> + +<P> +They sat there in their saddles a while longer, watching the long +procession pass out beyond the low hill, and track along the plain +through the scented purple sage. +</P> + +<P> +"Navajos, ain't they?" asked Bob, who, of course, depended on his +comrade for all such information, since one Indian was as much like +another as two peas to him. +</P> + +<P> +"Sure thing," replied the other, carelessly. "Tell 'em as far as I can +glimpse the beggars. And I just reckon now that's old Wolf Killer +himself, ridin' at the head of the line, with his gay blanket wrapped +around him. Wonder what he'd say if he knew Frank Haywood was here, so +far away from the home ranch?" and Frank chuckled as though amused. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you know the old chief, then?" asked Bob. +</P> + +<P> +"Say, do I?" replied Frank, with a laugh. "Remember me telling you how +the boys on our place caught a Navajo trying to run away with one of +our saddle herds about three years ago, when I was hardly more'n a kid? +Well, I chased him with the rest of the outfit, and saw old Hank throw +his rope over his shoulders. He snaked the fellow over the ground and +through the short buffalo grass like a coyote, 'till he was punished +enough; and then my dad made 'em let him go. But you just ought to +have seen the way he folded his arms, stared at each of us, and, never +saying a single word, walked away. I've often wondered if he didn't +mean to come back some day, and try to get his revenge." +</P> + +<P> +"And that was the chief himself?" asked Bob. +</P> + +<P> +"Just who it was," Frank went on. "He'd left the reservation, and got +too much fire-water aboard, they said; so he thought the good old days +had come back, when a Navajo always tried to get away with any horses +he ran across. They say Wolf Killer used to rustle cattle long ago, +till Uncle Sam put his hand down heavy on his tribe, and shut the lot +up." +</P> + +<P> +"Then, if he has reason to remember everybody connected with Circle +Ranch in that way, I reckon it's just as well we don't try to let him +know we're here," remarked Bob, uneasily. "We didn't come out on this +little picnic for trouble with the reds. There they go, pushing +through the sage brush, Frank. So-long, Navajo, and good luck to you +on your hunt," waving a hand after the departing string of distant +figures. +</P> + +<P> +"Our way lies yonder, along the foot of the mountains," said Frank, as +he turned his head to look toward the grim range that stood out boldly +against the skyline. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," observed his companion, as he allowed his black horse his head, +once more advancing in a Southerly direction, "and, unless all signs +fail, that's Thunder Mountain towering above the rest of the peaks." +</P> + +<P> +"You're right, Bob, that's what it is; and we're going to camp at its +foot unless something goes wrong," and as he spoke Frank urged Buckskin +on again. +</P> + +<P> +The yellow bronco was a true range pony. He had been taught many of +the clever tricks for which his kind are noted. A stranger would have +had a hard time keeping his seat on the back of the animal, such was +his dislike for unknown parties. He could dance almost as well as a +circus horse; and when Frank had tended the saddle herd at night, as +horse-wrangler, he was accustomed to depend on Buckskin to give ample +warning of trouble, whether in the shape of a storm, a threatened +stampede, or the presence of cattle-rustlers. +</P> + +<P> +Both boys were, of course, dressed pretty much as cowboys are when on +the ranch; leather "chaps" covering their corduroy trousers; with boots +that mounted spurs; flannel shirts; red handkerchiefs knotted around +their necks; and with their heads topped by felt hats, such as the men +of the range delight in. +</P> + +<P> +Slung to their saddles were a couple of up-to-date guns of the +repeating type, which both lads knew how to use at least fairly well. +Of course both carried lariats slung from the pommels of their high +Mexican saddles. Frank was accustomed to throwing a rope; while Bob, +naturally, had much to learn in this particular. +</P> + +<P> +"Say," remarked the latter, who had fallen a trifle behind his comrade, +"to see the way we're just loaded down with stuff makes me think of +moving day in the old Kentucky mountains. But no use talking, if a +fellow wants to be half way comfortable, he's just got to lug all sorts +of traps along." +</P> + +<P> +"That's right, Bob," assented the other, laughing. "And that applies +in an extra way when he means to be out in the Rockies for perhaps a +week." +</P> + +<P> +"No telling what he may run up against there, eh?" queried Bob. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, if it isn't a grizzly, it may be an avalanche, or a +cloud-burst," remarked the boy who had spent his whole life in the open. +</P> + +<P> +"Not to speak of Indians, or Mexican rustlers looking for a chance to +drop down on some peaceful ranch, and carry off a bunch of long horns; +eh, Frank?" +</P> + +<P> +"Sure; and a lot more besides, Bob," was the reply. "But the sun's +getting kind of low, you notice." +</P> + +<P> +"In other words, we'd better be looking around for a place to camp, +Frank?" +</P> + +<P> +"You've hit the nail on the head," the other replied. "Suppose we hold +up here for a bit, and let me take another squint up yonder through the +glass." +</P> + +<P> +"Meaning at old Thunder Mountain?" observed Bob, as his eye traveled +upward toward the bare crown of the great uplift, that had so long +remained a source of mystery to the entire community. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes. Just look at the pinons growing up the sides like tufts, along +with the funny looking clumps of stunted cedars. Then you can see the +aspens and silver spruce next. And over the whole outfit is a silence +that beats the desert itself. Whew! the closer you examine the place +the more it impresses you." +</P> + +<P> +Bob accepted the glasses after Frank had used them and focussed them on +the slope. +</P> + +<P> +"So that's old Thunder Mountain, is it?" he remarked. "Well, I must +say it shows up right well. I've tried to picture the place from all +we've heard." +</P> + +<P> +"But you don't feel disappointed, do you?" asked Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"Not a bit, Frank," his companion continued. "I've seen some +mountains, even before I came out here to your Rockies; but there's +something about this thing that just staggers a fellow. Wow! but we'll +sure have our troubles climbing that wild slope." +</P> + +<P> +"Never could make it if it wasn't for the canyons," Frank added. "They +all tell me that. Here, let me put the field-glasses away. Half an +hour's gallop, and we'll jump off. That ought to bring us to the foot +of the slope. Here you go, Buckskin; show us you're not tired after +your day's run. Whoop-la!" +</P> + +<P> +Frank brought his hat down on the flank of the horse, accompanying the +action with a real cowboy yell. Instantly the spirited steed bounded +off, with Bob's Domino close behind, snorting, and giving signs of +astonishing animation. +</P> + +<P> +So they sped along, with clanking sounds from the various packages +fastened behind the saddles; but after a few minutes both boys +gradually drew upon the lines, knowing full well that their mounts had +done a fair day's work already; and, besides, there was no possible +need of haste. +</P> + +<P> +"How's this for a camping place?" asked Frank, as he suddenly brought +Buckskin upon his haunches in a quick stop. +</P> + +<P> +"Suits me first rate," replied his chum, after giving a glance around. +"Let's see if I remember all you told me about what a fellow has to +look for when he expects to go into camp. Water handy, grass for the +horses, wood for a fire, and shelter from a hidden mountain storm. +What better could we ask, I'd like to know? Is it a go, Frank?" +</P> + +<P> +For answer the shorter lad jumped from his seat. His first act was to +remove the saddle, and then, with a handful of dead grass, rub the +sweaty back of the mettlesome animal, as every true son of the plains +always does before he thinks of his own comfort. +</P> + +<P> +Next he hobbled the animal, and drove the stake pin, to which the +lariat was attached, deeply into the ground. After that the bridle +came off; and Buckskin's first natural act was to drop to the ground, +and roll over several times. +</P> + +<P> +Bob was following this procedure with Domino. The intelligent animals +seemed to understand just what the programme was to be; for after +rolling, they walked down to the little watercourse to slake their +thirst; and then set about eagerly nibbling the sweet grass that grew +all around. +</P> + +<P> +The two chums went about preparing to spend a night under the bright +stars, with a readiness that told of long practice. Bob, of course, +knew less than his companion about such things, but Frank had often +accompanied the cowboys on his father's ranch on their expeditions, and +had even spent nights in the company of old Hank, when off on a hunt +for fresh meat; so that he knew pretty well what ought to be done to +add to their comfort. +</P> + +<P> +It pleased him to show Bob some of the things he had learned. There +might be no real reason why he should start a cooking fire in a hole he +dug, rather than make a roaring blaze that could be seen a mile away; +but Bob was tremendously interested, and would never forget all that he +learned. +</P> + +<P> +"Besides," Frank explained, after he had the small fire started, "it is +easier for cooking, once you get a bed of red ashes; because in this +warm country a fellow doesn't much like to get all heated up, standing +over a big blaze." +</P> + +<P> +Bob had, meanwhile, opened some of the bundles. One of these contained +a small coffee pot, as well as the frying pan without which camping +would be a failure in the minds of most Western boys. +</P> + +<P> +"Look out for rattlers," advised Frank, as his chum went to the spring +hole to fill the coffee pot. "They often come to such places in dry +season We haven't had rain for so long now, that, when it does come, I +expect a regular cloud-burst. That's often the way in this queer +country, along the foothills of the Rockies." +</P> + +<P> +Hardly had he spoken than there sounded a sudden and angry whirr, +similar to the noise made by a locust, and which Frank knew only too +well meant a rattlesnake! +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap05"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER V +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE VOICE OF THE MOUNTAIN +</H3> + + +<P> +"Hey! take care there, Bob!" shouted Frank, starting up from beside his +little cooking fire in something of a panic; for that alarm signal is +apt to send the blood bounding through the veins like mad, whenever +heard. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't bother!" came the reassuring reply of the unseen Bob, from a +point near by; "I think I've got the beggar located, all right. Say, +don't he sing though, to beat all creation? He's mad clean through, +all right. I'm looking for a stick, so as to knock him on the head." +</P> + +<P> +"Go slow, and keep your eye out for a second one," advised Frank, +uneasily; "because they generally hunt in couples. That isn't a measly +little prairie rattler either; but a fellow that's come down from +Thunder Mountain." +</P> + +<P> +"Nice warm reception for visitors, I should remark," laughed Bob, +immediately adding: "there, I've found just the stick I want. Now, old +chap, look out for yourself! I'm going to have that rattle of yours to +take home, unless you give me the slip." +</P> + +<P> +"No danger of that," remarked Frank; "because a rattler seldom runs +away, once he shakes his old box, and gives warning. Hit him just back +of the head, and let it be a good smart blow too, so that you break his +neck." +</P> + +<P> +Then came a swishing sound, twice repeated. The thrilling rattle +immediately subsided. +</P> + +<P> +"Get him?" demanded Frank, ready to take up his task once more, upon +receiving a favorable reply from his friend. +</P> + +<P> +"He's squirming some, but helpless," returned Bob, composedly. "I'll +cut his head off, so that he can't turn around and jab me while I'm +getting that rattle box of his." +</P> + +<P> +Two minutes later he came back into camp, carrying the coffee pot, +which he proceeded to place upon the fire Frank had started. The +latter noticed that his chum was trembling a little, and could give a +shrewd guess that Bob had been more startled than he had thus far +admitted. +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps I'll get used to it in time," Bob remarked, presently; "but it +sure does give a fellow a nasty shock to hear that sound burst out +close by your feet, knowing as you do what a bite from those fangs +means." +</P> + +<P> +"Then it was a narrow squeak, was it?" asked Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"I guess I never want to be closer to a diamond-back than that," Bob +admitted, with a shake of his head. +</P> + +<P> +Soon a delightful aroma began to steal through the air in the immediate +vicinity of the little camp near the foot of the towering, mysterious +mountain; as some bacon sizzled in the pan, and the crushed berry from +Java boiled and bubbled most cheerily. +</P> + +<P> +Besides, upon some splinters of wood Frank had thrust small pieces of +venison, the last fresh meat they had brought from the ranch. As the +heat from the red coals began to turn these to a crisp brown, Bob +sniffed the added fragrance in the air after the manner of a hungry +range-rider, or a boy with a healthy appetite. +</P> + +<P> +"Seems to be plenty of game around here," he remarked. "I jumped two +rabbits near the spring, and they went up the rise, as usual." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," remarked the cook, "the place looks good for game, and you'd +wonder why those Injuns passed it by, only I happen to know. Ten to +one there's a deer in that thicket of wild plum over there. And you +can just believe an old grizzly wouldn't want a better hang-out than up +yonder among the cliffs and crags of the mountain side." +</P> + +<P> +"But to return to our mutton, which after all is antelope meat, when do +we start operations? I'm nearly wild, with all these smells, and never +a bite. The water just drips from my tongue, I give you my word, +Frank." +</P> + +<P> +For answer the other picked up the coffee pot, and set it aside for a +minute, to let the contents settle. +</P> + +<P> +"Grub's ready, Bob," he said, laughingly; "and I reckon we'll not +bother banging on the frying pan with a big spoon to-night, range +fashion. Sit down, and get your pannikin ready for some of this bacon +and meat. How does that coffee look?" +</P> + +<P> +"Say, it's got the color, all right, and if it only tastes half as fine +as it looks you'll hear no kick coming from me," replied Bob, as he +poured his tin cup full of the liquid. +</P> + +<P> +As the boys ate they chatted on various topics, most of which talk had +of course some connection with the big cattle ranch they had so +recently left. +</P> + +<P> +"I'd give a heap to know if Peg Grant meant business when he said we +were riding to a fall if we thought we were the only pebbles on the +beach," Bob remarked. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh!" replied Frank, "I reckon he's going to make a try to solve that +Thunder Mountain puzzle. But just think of a tenderfoot like Peg let +loose on that fierce slope up yonder; will you?" +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps he's here already," suggested Bob. +</P> + +<P> +"Wouldn't be one bit surprised," Frank continued, readily enough, as +though he considered that a foregone conclusion anyway. "He and his +cronies had time enough, unless Peg changed his mind. He might be +wondering what happened to you, and thinking how the X-bar-X ranch +would be safer, in case some of our boys chased after him to give him +the tar and feathers he deserves for playing such a mean trick." +</P> + +<P> +"But supposing they did come," said Bob; "Peg and Spanish Joe, and that +other treacherous cowboy you told me about; we're pretty apt to meet up +with them if we go prowling around here for the next few days." +</P> + +<P> +"Just so, and we'll try to mind our business all the time," remarked +Frank; and then his eyes flashed a little as he continued: "but if they +try any of their ugly little tricks on us, Bob, they're likely to get +hurt." +</P> + +<P> +"I'm with you there, Frank," the other added, shutting his teeth in a +determined way. "I can stand a certain amount of fun, and, I hope, +take it the right way. Your cow punchers said that when they hazed me, +you know. But I certainly do object to any such rough-house business +as fastening a poisoned thorn under a fellow's saddle." +</P> + +<P> +"That game has cost more than a few people their lives," Frank declared +vehemently. "Cowmen draw the line at it. You noticed how angry old +Hank became when he heard about that same thing. But your horse seems +to be getting on all right, Bob." +</P> + +<P> +"Sure he does. That ointment made by old Hank's like magic. Domino +won't suffer much from that jab. But that was a bully good supper all +right, and I don't care how soon we repeat it," he concluded with a +laugh. +</P> + +<P> +Finally both lads lay down to secure such rest as they needed after a +long and tiresome day. +</P> + +<P> +The drowsy chirp of crickets, and shrill voices of katydids in the lush +grass near by, told of the summer night. Many times had Frank listened +to this same chorus as he lay in his blanket on the open prairie, +playing the part of night-wrangler to the herd of saddle horses +belonging to the round-up party of cow-punchers. +</P> + +<P> +He could hear some lurking rabbit slinking through the hazel bushes +over at one side. Somewhere off on the level, where the sage grew so +heavily, there must have been a prairie dog village; for the sound of +the peculiar barking of these queer little animals frequently floated +to his ears as the breeze changed. +</P> + +<P> +The two horses were still feeding at the time Frank dropped off into a +sound and refreshing sleep, but doubtless they would soon lie down. +Bob was already breathing heavily, which would indicate that he had +passed beyond the open door to slumber-land. +</P> + +<P> +The minutes passed, and several hours must have gone. +</P> + +<P> +Frank was dreaming of the excitement attending some of the many dashing +gallops he had lately enjoyed in company with his chum, looking up +stray cattle, helping to brand mavericks, watching the cowmen mill +stampeding herds, or chasing fleet-footed antelopes just to give the +horses a run. +</P> + +<P> +He was suddenly aroused by a strange sound that seemed to cause the +very earth under him to tremble. The trample of a thousand hoofs would +make such a noise; if one of those old-time mighty herds of bison could +have come back to earth again; or a stampede of an immense herd of +long-horns might cause a similar vibration. +</P> + +<P> +But Frank Haywood knew that neither of these explanations could be the +true one, even as he thus sat upright on his blanket to listen. The +ominous, growling, grumbling noise was more in the nature of +approaching thunder, just as though one of those furious summer storms, +tropical in their nature, and often encountered in this country where +plains and mountains sharply meet, had crept upon them as they calmly +slept. +</P> + +<P> +And yet, strange to say, neither of the two boys jumped quickly to +their feet in wild dismay, seeking to prepare for the rain that might +soon burst upon them. On the contrary they continued to sit there, +straining their ears to catch the rumbling reverberations that kept +coming, with little respites between. +</P> + +<P> +"Say, now, what d'ye think of that, Bob?" asked Frank, when silence +again held sway for a brief period. "Nary a cloud as big as your hand +in the sky; and yet all that grumbling oozing out of old Thunder +Mountain! Looks like we might have the biggest job of our lives +finding out the secret of that pile of rocks. There she starts in +again, harder than ever. Listen, Bob, for all you're worth!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap06"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VI +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A SECOND ALARM +</H3> + + +<P> +"It's stopped again!" remarked Bob, after possibly five minutes had +passed, during which time the ominous rumbling, accompanied by earth +tremors, had kept up, now rising to a furious stage, and then almost +dying away. +</P> + +<P> +Frank gave a big sigh. +</P> + +<P> +"It sure has," he admitted; "and I don't wonder now, after I've heard +the racket with my own ears, that the reds for a hundred years back +have always declared the Great Manitou lived in Thunder Mountain, and +every little while let them hear his awful voice." +</P> + +<P> +"Then this thing has been going on forever, has it?" asked Bob. +</P> + +<P> +"The Navajos say so; though even they admit that, of late, it's got a +brand new kink to the growl," Frank answered. "They believe it's sure +unlucky for any brave to be caught near the mountain after dark, and +especially when Manitou scolds. You see, that accounts for the hurry +of that hunting party to climb out before sunset." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," Bob went on. "And now I understand what you said about the +Indians never hunting near Thunder Mountain. Perhaps they believe all +the game that hides along the slopes, and in the deep gullies, belongs +to the Great Spirit, and that he'll punish any warrior bold enough to +try and get a line on it. But see here, Frank, do white men—cowboys, +prospectors, and the like—believe this mountain is haunted?" +</P> + +<P> +"Heaps of 'em do, and that's a fact," replied the other, chuckling. +"I've heard some of our cowpunchers talking about it more'n a few +times; and you remember how old Hank took it when we told him what we +had in mind?" +</P> + +<P> +"They're a superstitious lot, as a whole, I take it," Bob ventured. +"Now, as for me, I never could believe in ghosts and all that sort of +thing. If there ever came a time when something faced me that I +couldn't understand, I just set my teeth together and vowed I'd never +rest easy till I had found out what it meant." +</P> + +<P> +"Same here, Bob; and that's why I just jumped at the chance to beat Peg +out in his game. The funny part about it is why I never thought of +this racket before. But perhaps that was because I didn't have a chum +to stand back of me." +</P> + +<P> +"None of the boys on the ranch would go with you, then?" asked Bob. +</P> + +<P> +"I should say not! Even old Hank would balk at that, and he's never +been afraid of thing that flies, runs or crawls. It was old Hank who +taught me all I know about range life. He showed me how to shoot, +throw a rope, and do heaps of other things a prairie boy ought to know. +Hank thinks lots of me, and honest now, Bob, that gruff old fellow +would willingly lay down his life for me." +</P> + +<P> +"I reckon he would," assented the other, readily enough. +</P> + +<P> +"But Hank's a rank believer in the Injun story of the mountain, and +would never come here of his own accord; but to keep an eye on me, and, +stand between me and danger, he'd just crawl down the crater of a live +volcano." +</P> + +<P> +"Seems like the show might be over for tonight," Bob suggested. +</P> + +<P> +"The row has stopped, sure enough," Frank remarked, looking up at the +dimly-seen outlines of the far-away crest of the rocky elevation, where +it stood out against the starry heavens. +</P> + +<P> +"You don't believe, then, that there could have been some kind of storm +up there; do you?" questioned Bob. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, it's sure a great puzzle," replied his chum, with a long breath. +"My eyes are reckoned prime, but I can't glimpse any sign of a cloud +that would bring out all that noise. A mystery it's been these many +years; and if so be we can learn the cause for all that queer roaring +that shakes the earth, we'll be doing more'n anyone else has ever done +in the past." +</P> + +<P> +"That's what we're here for, if Peg gives us half a chance," remarked +Bob, with the healthy assurance of youth. "And as neither of us takes +any stock in the fairy story about the Manitou's anger, we ought to +stand some chance of locating the thing; or 'bust the b'iler trying' as +old Hank would say." +</P> + +<P> +Frank had crawled out of his blanket, and stood erect. +</P> + +<P> +"What's on?" asked his camp-mate, presently, noticing that he was +holding up his hand, after wetting his finger, a method much in vogue +when one wished to learn the direction of the passing air currents. +</P> + +<P> +"Southeast; and blowing strong a bit ago up there on the mountain, I +reckon," Frank remarked. "You notice we happen to be sheltered more or +less down here, when she comes out of that same quarter?" +</P> + +<P> +"Meaning the wind," Bob remarked. "Yes, you're right, Frank. But what +has that got to do with the measly old grumble of the mountain, tell +me?" +</P> + +<P> +"Huh! I don't know that it's going to have anything to do with it," +came the answer; "but we want to know every little point as we go on. +And Bob, just remember that the wind was coming out of the Southeast; +and a clear sky overhead!" +</P> + +<P> +"But look here, Frank, you've heard your dad talk about this Thunder +Mountain business, I take it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, now, I reckon I have, heaps of times; but then you know, he +isn't much on bothering about things that don't concern him. Thinks +he's got his hands full, looking after the stock, keeping tabs on the +doings of those rascally Mexican rustlers, that have been running off +batches of cattle every little while; and fighting that big syndicate +of Eastern capitalists, headed by the millionaire, Mr. Grant, Peg's +father, that wants to throw all the Southwestern ranches into a close +trust." +</P> + +<P> +"But what I wanted to remark is this: you must have heard him give an +opinion about this thunder sound?" Bob persisted in saying. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! he thinks the same as several gentlemen did who came out here a +few years ago on some business. They declared that once, hundreds of +years ago, perhaps, old Thunder Mountain must have been a volcano; and +that it still grumbles now and then, as the fires away down in the +earth begin to kick up some of their old monkeyshines." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I heard one man say that," laughed Bob. "He declared that +there's going to be the biggest rumpus some fine day, when the fires +inside get to going out of bounds. Then the whole cap of the mountain +will go flying into a million pieces; and good-bye to any unlucky +cow-puncher caught napping near this place." +</P> + +<P> +"Well," remarked Frank, as he prepared to settle down again into his +snug blanket, "I reckon we're not going to be scared away by a little +thing like that growl. Unless we hit a snag, or Peg Grant and his +guides break up our game, a few days ought to see us heading back to +Circle Ranch with a story calculated to make the boys sit up and take +notice; or else——" +</P> + +<P> +"Just pull up right there, Frank," interrupted his chum, with a laugh. +"There's nothing going to happen to knock us out. If that same Peg +comes around, making a nuisance of himself, why, he's due for a nice +little surprise, mark me. Besides that; what could there be to make +trouble?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I'm not bothering my head over it, Bob," declared the other, as he +dropped into the nest he had made in his blanket. "But say, did you +take notice of the way our horses acted while that thing was going on?" +</P> + +<P> +"Just what I did," the other replied. "They must have been trembling +all over. I could hear your Buckskin snorting to beat the band, and +pawing just like he does when he's worried. Reckon they didn't know +what to make of it, either, seeing that there's nary a sign of a storm +cloud around. But both horses have quieted down again. They think all +danger of a howler has passed away." +</P> + +<P> +Frank made no reply. He was already getting ready to resume his +interrupted nap; and Bob lost no time in following his example, both +confident that in the alert Buckskin they had a sentry capable of +giving ample warning should peril threaten. +</P> + +<P> +Once more Frank composed himself for sleep. The many noises of the +night, which had seemed to cease while that mysterious rumbling was +going on in the heart of the lofty mountain, had again resumed sway. +The hum of insects; the melancholy hooting of the lonely owl, in some +willow or cottonwood tree near the base of the mountain; the far-off +howl of the prairie wolf; or the more discordant voice of the skulking +coyote—all these things were as familiar music in the ears of the boy +whose cradle had been the rich black earth of the grazing country ever +since he was old enough to remember anything. +</P> + +<P> +They all did their share in lulling him to sleep. And, no doubt in +dreams, he was once more galloping across the wide prairie on the back +of his mount, his nostrils filled with the life-giving air of the +sage-covered level. +</P> + +<P> +Frank slept, he never knew just how long. +</P> + +<P> +This time it was not the rumbling sound and the fearful vibration of +the ground that aroused the two saddle boys; but a far different cause. +</P> + +<P> +When Bob sat up he found his comrade already erect, and apparently +listening as though keenly alive to some approaching peril. +</P> + +<P> +"Buckskin's uneasy, you see," remarked Frank in a whisper; "he's pawing +the ground and snorting as he always does when he scents danger." +</P> + +<P> +As he said this, Frank dropped back again, and seemed to place his ear +to the ground, a trick known and practiced among the Indians from the +days of the early pioneers along the Ohio down to the present time; +since sound travels much better along the earth than through the +air—at least, in so far as the human ear, unaided by wireless +telegraph apparatus, is concerned. +</P> + +<P> +"A bunch of horses coming out of the Northwest!" announced the prairie +boy, almost immediately; "and we can't get our nags muzzled any too +soon, Bob." +</P> + +<P> +Apparently the other lad had been coached as to what this meant. He +sprang to his feet, snatching up his blanket as he did so. Together +they were off on the jump toward the spot where their animals had been +staked out at the end of the lariats. +</P> + +<P> +Arriving at the pins which had been driven into the ground each boy +sought to clutch the rope that held his restlessly moving horse; and +hand over hand, they moved up on the animals, the blankets thrown over +their shoulders meanwhile. +</P> + +<P> +A few low-spoken words served to partly soothe Buckskin and his black +mate; then the blankets were arranged about their heads, and secured in +such fashion that no unlucky snort or whinny might betray their +presence to those who passed by. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap07"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE RUSTLERS +</H3> + + +<P> +At a word from his master the well trained Buckskin doubled up, and lay +down on the ground. Most cowboy ponies are taught to do this trick by +their masters, and it is in common use; so that the punchers believe it +is a poor animal that has not learned to roll over and play dead on +occasion. +</P> + +<P> +Bob, too, managed to induce his mount to do the same thing; but to make +it absolutely certain that no unwise flounder on the part of Domino +might betray them, he sat upon the horse's head, soothing him by little +pats on his glossy hide. +</P> + +<P> +"I hear 'em coming," announced Frank, presently. +</P> + +<P> +The sounds reached him against the wind, so that it was quite natural +to believe the approaching horses must by now be very close. There was +a confused pounding that could only spring from a large body of +animals. The trained ear of Frank caught a significance in the clash +of hoofs that told him much more than Bob was able to make out. +</P> + +<P> +"All horses, Bob," he whispered across the little gap that separated +him from his chum; "and two thirds of 'em running free, without saddles +or riders. Lie low, now, and see if you can glimpse 'em as they go +past." +</P> + +<P> +"Won't they be apt to run over us?" asked Bob, a bit nervously. +</P> + +<P> +"Nixy. I looked out to pick a place they'd be apt to avoid. They'll +brush past a little further to the south," and Frank ended his words +with a hiss of warning. +</P> + +<P> +The pounding of many hoofs continued. Frank, straining his eyes, +believed he was now able to make out a confused moving mass at some +little distance away, heading directly toward the foot of Thunder +Mountain. +</P> + +<P> +As the starlight was so vague he could not make out more than that here +and there a figure was mounted on a galloping horse, with several +unridden animals trailing along behind, as though led by ropes. +</P> + +<P> +The little caravan passed quickly. Already they were vanishing in the +deeper shadows lying closer to the base of the mountain that towered +aloft several thousand feet. +</P> + +<P> +Still the two boys continued to sit there, guarding their horses; +although all danger of discovery seemed absolutely past. +</P> + +<P> +"Whew!" exclaimed Bob, presently, as the sound of retreating hoofs +began to die away; "what d'ye think of that, eh, Frank?" +</P> + +<P> +"Indians?" queried the Kentucky boy, eagerly. +</P> + +<P> +"Well," replied his chum, "not so's you could notice. Say, now, you +didn't see any feathers on their heads, did you? And I sure heard the +fellow nearest us say something that only a white man would remark, +when his horse stepped into a hole, and almost threw him over its head." +</P> + +<P> +"Cow punchers; or perhaps rustlers?" continued Bob, anxious to know. +</P> + +<P> +"What would cowmen be doing away off here, tell me that, Bob? And +lugging along a bunch of extra mounts, too, in the bargain? No, I +rather think, Bob, that those fellows must have some of Mendoza's +cattle rustlers. And they've been making a dandy raid on some ranch's +saddle herd; or I miss my guess." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps the Circle outfit had gotten careless," suggested Bob. +</P> + +<P> +"I sure hope not, for the boys have had plenty of warning; and I reckon +Bart Heminway is some too good an overseer to permit such a raid. I'd +rather believe it was the X-bar-X outfit that has gone and got nipped +this time. But stop and think Bob; what d'ye expect takes these +cattle-rustlers over this way right now, headed straight for the +canyons of Thunder Mountain?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I see what you mean!" exclaimed the taller lad, immediately. +"Perhaps the secret hiding place of Mendoza and his crowd of cattle +thieves may be somewhere around this same old rock pile. It'd be just +like the tricky rustler to have a hide-out where nobody else ever came!" +</P> + +<P> +"Now, why didn't somebody ever think of that before?" ejaculated Frank, +in a tone of mingled surprise and disgust. +</P> + +<P> +"Looks easy, doesn't it, after we've run across a clue?" admitted Bob, +laughing softly. "You remember what they said about discovering +America, after Columbus did it. But supposing this thing <I>does</I> turn +out to be true; how's it going to affect our little business, Frank? +Oh! say, I wonder if that crowd can have anything to do with the +rumbling of the mountain?" +</P> + +<P> +Frank laughed heartily at the suggestion. +</P> + +<P> +"Well," he remarked, "they're a pretty tough lot, all right; but even +such a bad bunch could hardly get enough hot air together to make a +mountain shake and groan like that. Besides, don't you see, Bob, they +must have been out yonder, riding this way with their stolen horses, +when that little circus came off." +</P> + +<P> +"But one thing is sure," the other went on, sturdily; "they don't seem +to take any stock in that notion about a volcano, because, as we saw, +they headed straight for Thunder Mountain. That gives it away; they're +so used to the row that they don't pay any attention to it any longer." +</P> + +<P> +"Correct!" echoed Frank, as though his mind was made up. +</P> + +<P> +"Do we need to hold the horses down any longer?" asked Bob, who could +feel that Domino was becoming very restless under his enforced silence. +</P> + +<P> +"I reckon not," replied the other, at the same time taking the blanket +from Buckskin's head; whereupon the animal, recognizing this as a sign +to rise, quickly gained his feet and shook himself. +</P> + +<P> +"It's back to the blankets again for another nap," remarked Bob, when +he, too, had seen his animal regain an upright position. "Wonder +what's next on the programme for us. Twice, now, we've been waked up; +and I don't know whether it's really worth while trying to get any more +sleep to-night. It isn't a great ways from dawn, is it, Frank?" +</P> + +<P> +The other cast a quick look up at the stars. Accustomed to reading +these heavenly sign posts of the night, he was able, from their +positions, to give a pretty fair guess as to the hour; just as the sun +served him in place of a watch during the day. +</P> + +<P> +"Three hours yet to dawn, Bob; no use staying up all that time," he +said, presently. "We expect to be on the move again at peep of day; +because, after what's happened, it'll be wise for us to get off the +level here before broad daylight comes along. There might be curious +eyes on the watch up yonder, on Thunder Mountain; and that, you see, +would just spell trouble for our crowd." +</P> + +<P> +"Whew! things are thickening, for a fact!" exclaimed Bob. +</P> + +<P> +"I was only thinking," Frank continued, "whether we ought to try and +get word back to the ranch about our discovery. If they knew Mendoza +and his rustlers were hiding somewhere about this place they'd comb the +whole mountain range so they could run him to earth. He's been the +pest of the border too long now, and something's just got to be done to +chase him back where he belongs, south of the Rio Grande." +</P> + +<P> +"But you don't want to go back just yet, do you, Frank?" asked Bob, +uneasily. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm ready to do what you say, though I'd like to stay," came the +prompt answer. +</P> + +<P> +"Then I say, let's stick it out," declared Bob, with animation. "It +might turn out to be a false alarm, after all; and we'd feel pretty +cheap to bring all the boys along, and then not be able to show 'em any +game. No, I say it'll be time enough to go after 'em, when we make +dead sure!" +</P> + +<P> +"That settles it, then," remarked Frank, with a little laugh, as though +pleased to learn that his saddle chum looked at the matter in such a +sensible light. +</P> + +<P> +This time, after they had lain down in their blankets, there was no +further alarm. Frank, from long habits of early rising on the range, +awakened just as the first faint streaks of dawn began to show in the +eastern horizon. +</P> + +<P> +It required but a touch to arouse Bob; and saddling up, with packs in +place, the boys soon left the scene of their night bivouac, heading +toward the heavy growth of timber directly at the foot of the mountain. +</P> + +<P> +The early morning mists concealed their movements until they had +entered among the timber; when they left they were safe from any +suspicious eye, should the bold Mexican rustler have posted any watcher +upon the side of the mountain. +</P> + +<P> +Again did the saddle boys build a small fire in a hole, over which they +proceeded to cook their breakfast; while the horses cropped the grass +near by, secured by the ever useful lariats, or riatas. +</P> + +<P> +"There's where this leads into a big gully," remarked Bob, later on, +pointing as he spoke to where the ground became broken. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," Frank went on, thoughtfully, "and the chances are ten to one +that it changes into a regular canyon, where the water rushes down +whenever they have one of those gushers, or cloud bursts, that come +along once in a while around here. Now, I wonder if those riders hit +it up this way?" +</P> + +<P> +He jumped to his feet as he said this. Passing back and forth, Frank +seemed to be examining the ground, marking the stepping stones of the +mountain. +</P> + +<P> +"Signs aplenty around here," he remarked. "Wish old Hank was along to +read 'em. I reckon I can tell what they stand for, though." +</P> + +<P> +"Then they went on up that canyon, you believe?" asked Bob. +</P> + +<P> +"Reckon there isn't any doubt about that part of it," chuckled Frank; +"though just where that same canyon leads I can't say. P'raps it may +be a short-cut across the big range here, leading to the prairie on the +other side. P'raps it doesn't go anywhere, but just leads to a blind +hole that I've heard prospectors call a <I>cul de sac</I>. Anyhow, we ought +to find out, Bob." +</P> + +<P> +"<I>They</I> knew all right," remarked the other, positively. "Wouldn't get +any riders going up there in the dark, unless they were mighty familiar +with every foot of the way. That's my idea, Frank." +</P> + +<P> +"And I reckon it's the true one," asserted the other. "They know this +place as well as I do all around old Circle Ranch." +</P> + +<P> +"There's the sun coming up; and perhaps we'd better be getting a move +on about now?" suggested Bob. +</P> + +<P> +"Wait!" +</P> + +<P> +Something in the tone which his saddle chum used caused Bob to turn his +head, and look out toward the plain. +</P> + +<P> +"Huh! what does that mean?" he ejaculated. "A single rider heading +this way; and he seems to be leading a burro loaded with supplies. +Must be a bold prospector, bound to look into the secrets of Thunder +Mountain as we're bent on doing; only he hunts for gold, while we're +just bent on finding things out." +</P> + +<P> +"But look now," Frank said a little later, as the other came closer. +"Don't you see that it's only a little Mexican boy on that bag of bones +of a horse? Tell you what, Bob, he must have been sent to town for +fresh supplies by some party of gold hunters located right now over the +range." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, and how do we know but what this Mexican boy is hooked up with +that Mendoza crowd?" asked the other, seriously. "They might send him +off for grub, and such things as they happen to need. And he pays for +it with money they get from selling stolen cattle and horses! Nobody +would suspect him, Frank, and try to follow. I hope our horses don't +give us away now. I'd like to see what that little fellow does." +</P> + +<P> +The boy indeed looked weary as he drew closer, leading his tired burro, +upon which a fair-sized load was strapped and roped. +</P> + +<P> +"Get down, Bob," said Frank. "He hasn't glimpsed us, and, luckily +enough, our horses are feeding out of sight just now. Doesn't he look +sleepy and tuckered out though? See him nodding in his saddle, poor +little runt! Oh! what's that moving there among those rocks just +ahead?" +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps it may be one of the rustlers coming down to interview him," +said Bob. +</P> + +<P> +"Hist!" Frank uttered almost in his chum's ear as he craned his own +neck in order to see better. +</P> + +<P> +The small boy on the tired broncho, and leading the patient burro, kept +on steadily advancing, apparently allowing his animal to follow its +nose, as though it knew the way fairly well from having passed along it +before. +</P> + +<P> +"Look! look!" ejaculated Frank suddenly, jumping to his feet. "Great +guns! Bob, would you see what is coming out from among those loose +rocks there? A great big grizzly bear; and making straight for the +pack mule, sniffing the air as if he smelled grub! There, the horse +has scented him. See him rear up, will you? Oh! he's gone and done +it, as sure as you live—thrown the boy over his head! And the poor +burro is caught fast, with his leading rope held in a crotch of the +rocks. The boy will be killed if ever he meets up with that monster! +Quick! We must do something to save him, Bob, but whatever shall it +be?" and Frank leaped to his feet. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap08"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VIII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A STARTLING DISCOVERY +</H3> + + +<P> +The Mexican boy had apparently escaped serious injury at the time the +frightened cayuse made a sudden bolt upon sighting the bear, and threw +him over his head onto the rocks. +</P> + +<P> +The lad was already sitting up, and rubbing his knee in a dazed way, as +if not fully understanding what had happened. The pony rushed wildly +away, heading up the wide gully, as though with a full knowledge of +where it was going. And the poor little burro would doubtless have +been only too glad of a chance to follow, if only it could break loose +from the detaining rope. +</P> + +<P> +Meantime the ugly monster, that had been the cause of all this +commotion, was shuffling closer with each passing second, eager to +strike down the burro with one savage blow from his mighty paw with its +long claws, after which he could proceed to help himself to what those +various packages contained. +</P> + +<P> +All this Frank Haywood saw in that one glance he shot toward the scene +of action. The boy was apparently directly in the path of the hungry +bear. And when his pony had fled in such a panic he must have also +carried off the rifle, if the boy possessed so valuable a weapon. +</P> + +<P> +Thus the little fellow was at the mercy of the most feared wild beast +to be found in all the territory between the Atlantic and the Pacific. +</P> + +<P> +A wild inclination to hurl himself between that brute and his +prospective victim surged over Frank. With but a knife, or even a +revolver to back him up, such a rash act would have been little short +of madness. Fortunately it was not needed. +</P> + +<P> +"Let me try for him, Frank!" said a trembling voice at his side. +</P> + +<P> +And then, all at once, Frank Haywood discovered his chum was crouching +close by, and that he was clutching a rifle in his shaking hands. How +he had managed to get hold of the weapon Frank could not even guess, +because his own was a dozen feet away just then. +</P> + +<P> +Now Bob Archer had certainly never before set eyes on a ferocious bear +outside of the circus or museum. And doubtless that brownish-colored +beast looked as big as a house to him, for he was very much excited. +But he had true Kentucky pluck, and even that circumstance did not make +him quail. If the monster had seemed to equal two houses, still would +Bob have tried to do his duty. And just then it was to save that poor +little Mexican boy. +</P> + +<P> +The grizzly had advanced so rapidly that he was already almost upon the +crouching boy, who stared at him as if in dire dismay, as well he +might. It was not too late, even then, for the boy to have escaped, +could he have understood the real situation, and that it was the food +in the packs the bear craved, rather than his life; but he did not seem +to realize the fact. +</P> + +<P> +They had seen him fumbling about his sash, and now he drew something +forth that glistened in the early morning sun. Why, the little chap +had actually drawn his knife, as though that trifling bit of steel +could avail anything more than the prick of a pin against that shaggy +monster. +</P> + +<P> +The boy was shivering as with terror, but all the same he showed +himself game. Frank was amazed by the sight, and not apt to forget it +in a hurry. +</P> + +<P> +But by now Bob had stepped forward, uttering a sharp "hello" as he did +so. His object, of course, was to attract the attention of the bear +toward himself. This might cause the grizzly to change his course, and +allow of a few more seconds' delay. It would also divert the attack +from the helpless boy to one who was at least better armed, even though +not professing to be a bear-hunter. +</P> + +<P> +Frank aroused himself. He remembered that he, too, had a repeating +rifle, leaning against the trunk of a tree not far off. He sprang to +secure the firearm, in the belief that possibly his assistance would be +needed in order to finish the dreaded animal. +</P> + +<P> +However good Bob's intentions were, when he sought to draw the +attention of the grizzly toward himself, they did not succeed as he had +hoped. Bruin seemed to know that a feast awaited him as soon as he +could clear a way to that frantic little burro with the big load. And +he declined to be turned aside on any account. +</P> + +<P> +Seeing this, the Kentucky boy dropped on one knee. He felt that he +must find some sort of rest for his gun, since his shaking hands could +hardly be expected to hold the weapon steady when it came time to pull +the trigger. +</P> + +<P> +Even as Frank swept up his gun he heard the weapon of his chum speak +sharply. The report was instantly drowned in a tremendous roar. +Looking, even as he drew back the hammer of his rifle, Frank saw that +the bear had finally turned away from temptation in the way of meat and +supplies. He had started to rush Bob, whom he evidently recognized as +the cause of that sudden pain which had shot through his bulky body. +</P> + +<P> +Bob was pumping another cartridge into the firing chamber of his +repeater. He seemed cool, although perhaps only he himself knew how +his heart was pounding away like mad against his ribs. +</P> + +<P> +Both guns spoke together, it seemed. The grizzly gave another roar, +even more furious than before. At the same time, however, he stumbled, +and fell over sideways. Then he tried desperately to scramble back to +his four feet, still full of fight. +</P> + +<P> +Both the boys again put their guns in a firing condition. Even if +tremendously excited at the moment, they seemed to remember what was +necessary to do in order to accomplish this result. +</P> + +<P> +But the bear was apparently unable to get up again. One of the bullets +must have most luckily reached a vital point in the region of his +heart. He was floundering about unevenly, while the little Mexican boy +sat and stared, still gripping that ridiculously small blade in his +hand. +</P> + +<P> +"We got him that time, Frank!" exclaimed Bob just then, though he could +hardly believe his eyes at seeing the monster growing weaker. "He's a +goner, as sure as shooting! Look at him wobble! Wow! there he goes +over, to make his last kick! Frank, just think of me having a hand in +the killing of such royal game! A real grizzly! Oh! I can hardly +believe it!" +</P> + +<P> +They now approached the spot where the little Mexican boy was getting +on his feet again. He was no longer white. The threatening monster +had been placed where he could do no more harm; but the little chap +stared uneasily at the two saddle boys. Evidently he was possessed of +a new cause for alarm in the mere fact of their unexpected presence. +</P> + +<P> +The burro, meanwhile, had somehow managed to effect his release from +the rope that had become fast in the crevice of the rock. Still in a +panic because of the wild animal odor so close at hand, the laden +animal hurried off after the cayuse that had fled along the gully, +heading for where Frank had declared the canyon must undoubtedly lie. +</P> + +<P> +And the boy really looked very much as though he, too, would like to +depart with equally scant ceremony. +</P> + +<P> +"Hi! there goes the burro!" called out Bob. "Head him off, Frank; or +shall I jump on my horse and try to rope him?" +</P> + +<P> +To the astonishment of both the saddle chums the Mexican boy threw out +a detaining hand, crying earnestly: +</P> + +<P> +"Senors, all, there is no need to chase them. They know where to go, +believe me, and surely I must soon overtake them. You have saved my +life, Senors. Lopez, he thanks you both. Before now have I seen such +a bear; but this time I was caught dreaming. He would surely have +killed me if it had not been for the brave Americanos." +</P> + +<P> +Frank was struck with the soft tones of the small chap, who did not +look as if he could be much more than twelve years of age. His +features were regular, if thin, and the big black eyes seemed to be +filled with a courage beyond the ordinary. Indeed, they could not +doubt this, having seen how he had drawn that small knife on finding +himself confronted by the Rocky Mountain terror. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, we were only too glad to have been of help to you, Lopez," Frank +remarked, as he advanced with outstretched hand. +</P> + +<P> +The boy looked embarrassed, as though hardly knowing what to do. It +seemed to Frank that he had been staring very hard at Bob, and he +wondered why. Then again he imagined that the boy must be keeping +something back. This would account for the worried look on his small, +pinched, but good-looking face. +</P> + +<P> +But undoubtedly Lopez realized that it ill became him to decline to +take the hand that had helped save his life. +</P> + +<P> +"You understand that we are your friends, Lopez, don't you?" asked +Frank, as he held the small palm of the Mexican in his own strong one +for a moment, and looked with a puzzled expression into the big black +eyes that quickly fell under his gaze. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, yes, Senor, surely you have proved it more than enough," the +little fellow hastened to say; and Frank was astonished to hear what +good language he used. +</P> + +<P> +"You go across mountains, eh?" asked Bob, indifferently; truth to tell +he was just then more interested in the size of the great grizzly that +had fallen before the guns of himself and his saddle chum, than the +mere fact of this stripling being entrusted with such a task as +bringing supplies to prospectors, or rustlers, as the case might prove. +</P> + +<P> +A flash crossed the face of the boy, just as though he saw a sudden +opening whereby his presence here might be explained without entering +into details. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! yes, across the range. I get supplies for prospectors in camp," +he replied, with an intake of his breath, while he watched Bob +narrowly, as if, somehow, he believed he had more to fear from that +source than from the tawny-haired prairie lad. +</P> + +<P> +"That's kind of queer, seems to me," remarked Bob, slowly, turning to +again survey the boy; "for them to send so small a chap on so long a +trail. I should think it was more of a man's work, toting supplies +across these mountains, through the canyons. And with the chances of +running foul of such dangers as bears, not to speak of rustlers." +</P> + +<P> +At that Lopez drew his diminutive figure up, and tried to assume a bold +look. The Spanish blood was proud, Bob could see. +</P> + +<P> +"This have I done a long while, Senors, believe me," he said, calmly; +"and until to-day never have I met with trouble. Had I not been so +tired and sleepy, perhaps even I might have shot the bear, who knows? +It would not be the first I have seen, no, nor yet the second; but the +horse ran away with my gun. But Senors, I must go on after my animals; +they will be waiting for me farther along." +</P> + +<P> +"Then you won't wait for us?" asked Frank. "My friend, he would like +to get the claws of this fellow, to remember him by. It will not take +very long, Lopez." +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you, Senors, but I must not delay. Perhaps you may overtake me +farther along the trail. There is no more danger; and my pack burro +might scrape off his load if I am not there to watch. Again I thank +you, Senors." +</P> + +<P> +The boy bowed to each of them in turn, just as though he might have +been an actor in some old-time play. Frank believed he had never seen +such remarkable grace in any half-grown lad. Generally, at that age, +boys are apt to be about as clumsy as bear cubs at play. He looked +after Lopez with a frown on his face. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter, Frank?" demanded Bob, as he noticed this +expression. "Are you huffed just because the independent little rascal +wouldn't let us mother him? Say, look at his strut, will you? If he +was heir to the throne of Alfonso he couldn't walk finer. Give me a +whack between the shoulders, won't you, Frank? Perhaps I've been +asleep, and dreamed all this." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, rats! Take a look at the bear, and that'll show you what's what. +There, he's disappeared behind that clump of mesquite yonder," and +Frank turned to look at his saddle mate with an expression of +bewilderment on his face, as though he might be trying to clutch some +idea that kept eluding him. +</P> + +<P> +"Suppose you help me cut these awful claws off, Frank. You see I don't +know the first thing about how it's done; and I think your idea about +keeping 'em for trophies is just immense." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, for that matter," replied Frank, "I don't know as I ever did a +job like that, myself; but I've watched old Hank do it, so I reckon +we'll get along." +</P> + +<P> +For a few minutes they worked away in silence. Then Bob looked up to +remark: +</P> + +<P> +"He said it was prospectors he was taking those supplies to, didn't he; +and that he'd been doing the same a long while?" +</P> + +<P> +"That was about the size of it, Bob," returned his chum, thoughtfully. +</P> + +<P> +"Well," Bob went on, "between you and me, Frank, I'd rather believe +little Lopez was in touch with the rustlers. I mentioned that word +just on purpose to see if he would turn red, or give himself away." +</P> + +<P> +"And did he?" asked the other, quickly. +</P> + +<P> +"Well," replied Bob, "not so you could notice; but then he seemed such +a smart chap, like as not he knew how to hide his feelings. He looked +frightened when we talked of wanting him to stay with us. Mark me, +there's a heap of mystery bound up in that little fellow." +</P> + +<P> +"He sure puzzles me, all right," remarked Frank. "Did you notice how +he had a silk handkerchief bound around his head, regular Mex fashion?" +</P> + +<P> +"Sure I did," laughed Bob, without glancing up, as he used his knife +industriously after the fashion set by his chum. "And I also took +notice that he had a fine, glossy bunch of hair under that same colored +silk bandana." +</P> + +<P> +"Great governor!" ejaculated Frank, suddenly. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter—you didn't cut yourself, I hope?" demanded his +comrade, uneasily, starting up. +</P> + +<P> +"Shucks! no. Something just struck me, that's all," replied Frank, +with an air of disgust, and a quick look up the gully where the little +Mexican had last been seen. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! Is that so?" mocked Bob. "Must have hurt right bad then, to make +you peep like that. Now, I reckon it might have been something about +Lopez?" for he had noted that hasty glance, and the disappointed frown. +</P> + +<P> +"That's just what it was, Bob," Frank continued, in an even tone. +"Fact is, I just remembered who Lopez put me in mind of. Only perhaps +you'll laugh when I tell you. Remember that poor little girl Peg Grant +was cuffing when you knocked him down? Well, if you took that colored +handkerchief off Lopez, and let his black hair fall down, I give you my +word he'd be a ringer for that Mexican child!" +</P> + +<P> +Bob stared as if dazed, and then the light of a great discovery dawned +upon him. +</P> + +<P> +"Say, Frank!" he exclaimed presently. "Honest Indian, now, I believe +you've sure struck pay dirt, and that's what!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap09"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER IX +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +WHAT HAPPENED TO PEG +</H3> + + +<P> +"Then you think the same as I do, eh, Bob?" asked the saddle boy, as if +pleased. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, now a heap of things seem to point that way, Frank," replied the +other, slowly. "Only for the life of me I can't get it through my poor +old head just why a girl like that would want to carry on in such a +queer way." +</P> + +<P> +"Nor me, either," laughed his chum. "That's something else for us to +lie awake nights puzzling our wits over. Everything around this +Thunder Mountain just seems to be plastered with mystery—who little +Lopez is; what he, or she may be doing away off here in the canyons of +the Rockies; and more particularly the mystery of the mountain that the +reds look on as sacred; where Mendoza and his band of rustlers have +gone with those stolen horses; and also who the prospectors can be that +this pile of grub was meant for—it's all a blank, that's what!" +</P> + +<P> +"Say, I guess that's pretty near the way it sizes up," grumbled Bob. +"I don't like to run against a stone wall like this. If I was alone +now, d'ye know what I'd likely be doing, Frank?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, say, perhaps I might hit close to the bull's-eye, since I've +come to know you pretty well these days, Bob," replied the other. "I +wouldn't be surprised one bit but what you'd go rushing after Lopez, +and demand to know all about it. But Bob, I look at it in another +light. That's his own private business." +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose so; and I was brought up to mind my own affairs, too," said +Bob. +</P> + +<P> +"Wouldn't you put up a great howl now," continued Frank, "if somebody +grabbed hold of you, and insisted on your giving him the whole story of +your life, where you were born, what your dad did for a living, when +you cut your first tooth, how much it cost your father to let you +gallop around the country in the saddle with me, and all that? Say, +honest now, would you knuckle down like a meek kid; or give the +questioner to understand that he was poking his nose into affairs that +didn't concern him one whit?" +</P> + +<P> +Thereupon Bob laughed heartily. +</P> + +<P> +"I give up, Frank," he admitted. "You go at a fellow, and put him in a +hole as a lawyer might. We'll just let little Lopez alone, no matter +whether he's girl or boy; the grub-getter of prospectors; or agent for +that sly Mendoza, the cattle-rustler. And, on the whole, I reckon +we've got about all the business we can attend to right now on our +hands." +</P> + +<P> +"That sure sounds good to me, Bob," said Frank, turning once more to +get his horse, the task of securing the grizzly's claws having been +completed. +</P> + +<P> +Naturally enough, while the excitement was on, both horses had +exhibited the greatest alarm, even though they were out of sight behind +some trees. The near presence of that terrible monster had caused them +to strain at their ropes, prance wildly, and try in every way possible +to break loose; but those lariats had been selected with a view to +wonderful strength. After the death of the grizzly the animals had +gradually quieted down. +</P> + +<P> +Ten minutes later, and the two saddle boys were slowly picking their +way along the gully, heading upward. Frank, as one born to the +country, and familiar with many of its peculiarities, amused himself by +pointing out to his comrade the various positive signs that as a rule +marked these strange water-courses. +</P> + +<P> +"You see, Bob," he remarked, "this is really what might be called a +<I>barranca</I>." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I've heard you tell about them before," observed the other. +</P> + +<P> +"Most of the year it's only a dry ravine, with high walls; but once in +a while there happens to be a tremendous downpour of rain in the +mountains, when a heavy cloud breaks against the wall above. When that +comes about, this gully is going to be bank-full of roaring, rushing +water; and anything caught by the flood is apt to be battered and +bruised and drowned before it's swept out below." +</P> + +<P> +"Whew!" observed Bob, with a shrug of the shoulders. "Let's hope then, +that the next cloud-burst will have the kindness to hold off till we +get out of this hole. If it caught us here, Frank, I reckon we'd just +have to let our nags shift for themselves, and take to climbing the +sides. And wouldn't I hate to lose Domino the worst way; even if he +does give me a raft of trouble at times?" +</P> + +<P> +Frank patted the satiny flank of Buckskin affectionately, as he said: +</P> + +<P> +"And it would just about break me up if anything happened to this +fellow, Bob. I've tried heaps of mounts, seeing that we always have +hundreds on the ranch; but I never threw a leg over one I fancied like +my Buckskin. Why, there are times, Bob, when the game little fellow +seems next door to human to me. We understand each other right well. +He knows what I'm saying now; listen to him whinny, soft-like, at me." +</P> + +<P> +Possibly Bob, knowing considerable about horses himself, may have had a +strong suspicion that the animal understood the touch of his young +master's hand much more readily than he did spoken words; but this was +a subject which he never debated with Frank. The latter had a habit of +talking confidentially with his horse, and seemed satisfied to believe +the animal understood. +</P> + +<P> +Slowly they made their way along. Now and then Frank would dismount to +examine the rocks and scanty earth that formed the trail over which +they were passing. +</P> + +<P> +"Always plenty of signs to tell that horses have been going along here +off'n on, both ways—stacks of 'em," he announced, when perhaps an hour +had elapsed since they left the scene of the encounter with the grizzly. +</P> + +<P> +The ravine, or gully, which he called a <I>barranca</I>, had gradually +changed its character. It was now more in the nature of a canyon; +though there were still places where the walls, instead of towering +high above their heads, sloped gradually upwards. +</P> + +<P> +"Smart horses could easy climb out of here up that rise," remarked +Frank, thoughtfully eyeing one of these places. +</P> + +<P> +"Are you thinking that perhaps we'd better get out with our nags, while +we have the chance, and leave them, while we keep up the game on foot?" +asked Bob, suspecting that his chum might be considering such a move. +</P> + +<P> +"Well," remarked the other, "it stands to reason that our horses aren't +going to be of much use in the mountains. If we shook 'em now, we'd be +able to climb almost anywhere, and peek into places we'd never be able +to find as long as we stuck to our mounts. So, if you're of the same +mind, Bob, we'll try and find a place where we might rope 'em out, an' +take the chances of finding 'em again when we're done poking around." +</P> + +<P> +"I hope then, none of the rustlers will run across them while we're +away," said Bob, as he looked across a deep little pool that lay just +at the foot of a very high slope; and then fastened his gaze on a +peculiarly twisted cedar that seemed to cling to the bank, half way up. +</P> + +<P> +"Leave that to me, my boy," returned his chum, confidently. "I'll make +sure they leave no trail behind to catch the eye of a horseman riding +past. Besides, we're not dead sure, you know, that the rustlers have +really got a camp around these diggings. P'raps now, they just push +through the canyon to get to some other point across the divide. Or it +may be a favorite trail for them to carry off the cattle they rustle. +In some hidden valley, you see, they can change the brands; and then +openly drive the steers to a shipping station on the railroad." +</P> + +<P> +"All right, then," agreed his companion, who was ready to put the +utmost faith in any plan proposed by his saddle chum. "We'll keep our +eyes peeled for a chance to get the horses out of this place. Here's a +slope they might climb, as you say; but it looks as if they'd have to +swim that pool first." +</P> + +<P> +"No use trying it," remarked Frank, casting a rapid glance upward to +where, at a distance of possibly a hundred feet, he could see little +bushes growing on the edge of the top of the rise, which slope formed +an angle of something like forty-five degrees; "sure to be better +places further on, where the holding is firmer." +</P> + +<P> +"And yet," remarked Bob, suddenly, "horses have made this climb only a +short time ago, Frank!" +</P> + +<P> +"What makes you say that?" asked the other, interested at once. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, there are tracks going up slantingly, you see; and even if I am +next door to a greenhorn I can tell that the marks look fresh," Bob +declared, pointing. +</P> + +<P> +"Say, I take a back seat, Bob," Frank remarked, laughingly. "That's +the time you saw my lead, and went me one better. Sure there have been +horses climbing that slope—one, two, three of 'em. And Lopez, he had +only two; so it can hardly be him. I wonder now if that measly +tenderfoot, Peg——" +</P> + +<P> +"Look up yonder!" interrupted Bob, suddenly pointing again. "I saw the +bushes moving along the edge of the top there. Somebody's got an eye +on us right now, Frank. D'ye reckon it could be one of those rustlers; +and would they try to hold us up so as to get our mounts?" +</P> + +<P> +Bob instinctively snatched his rifle, and began to make a +demonstration, as though half tempted to shoot. His action looked so +decidedly hostile that it naturally created something of a panic in the +breast of the unknown who was lying concealed behind the fringe of +bushes. +</P> + +<P> +They saw a sudden hasty movement, as though, in alarm, the hidden one +had started to change his position. Then something not down on the +bills occurred. +</P> + +<P> +The loose earth at the edge of the top of the long slope seemed to give +way in a treacherous manner. Immediately a human figure came into +view, struggling, clawing desperately, and trying in every way possible +to clutch at something firm in order to halt his downward progress. +</P> + +<P> +But it was all of no avail. A second figure attempted to grasp the +imperiled one in time, but evidently failed to secure a firm hold. And +so the fellow started to roll down the slope. He came much after the +manner in which a bag of corn might turn over and over. Sometimes he +was head-first; and then again resuming the side motion, he whirled +around in a way that was enough to make anyone dizzy. +</P> + +<P> +All the while he kept letting out shrill squeals of real alarm; as +though the prospect of a final plunge into that deep dark pool at the +base filled him with dread. +</P> + +<P> +By some rare chance the rolling man struck the twisted little cedar +that tried to keep its dying hold on the scanty soil half way up the +rise. Caught by the seat of his stout trousers on one of the scrubby +tree's broken branches, the unfortunate one was suspended in midair, +kicking, floundering and yelling at a tremendous rate. +</P> + +<P> +"Say!" exclaimed Frank, when he was able to catch his breath again, +"What d'ye think of that, now? Our friend Peg is so glad to see us he +couldn't wait to walk down, but tried to skate. And see what's +happened to him! Next thing he wants is a bath; and I sure reckon he's +due for one when that cedar pulls out its last root. Wow!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap10"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER X +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THREATS OF TROUBLE +</H3> + + +<P> +"Splash!" +</P> + +<P> +Hardly had Frank ventured upon his prediction before it came true. The +stout cloth of which Peg's garments were composed might have sustained +his weight indefinitely, and had it depended on his trousers giving +way, his friends above must have been compelled to use their ropes in +order to release him from so unfortunate a predicament. +</P> + +<P> +But the roots of the little stunted cedar were soon torn from their +hold. And when this came about, of course the unfortunate Peg +continued his roll down the balance of that steep slope, clawing at +every object which he thought might stay his progress. +</P> + +<P> +He certainly did drop into the pool with a tremendous splash that sent +the water flying in every direction. +</P> + +<P> +At first he vanished entirely from view. Then his head emerged, and it +could be seen that he was swimming furiously to keep afloat. Somehow +his awkward movements made Bob Archer think of a hippopotamus he had +once seen in a tank. +</P> + +<P> +Peg must have had his mouth open when he struck. Perhaps he was trying +to shout for somebody to stop him, and in this manner he swallowed a +quantity of water. At any rate he spouted forth quite a little fluid +as he floundered about, kicking and beating with feet and hands, as +though he were being run by an engine that had gone wild. +</P> + +<P> +Both of the saddle boys grinned. They could not help it, the thing +looked so laughable. Had it been a dear friend, instead of an enemy, +they must have enjoyed the sight just the same. +</P> + +<P> +Twice Peg bobbed under, to come up again, paddling for all the world +like a puppy that was having its first swim. His face had taken on a +look of terror. +</P> + +<P> +"Help! Can't keep up much longer! Something pulling me down!" he +spluttered. +</P> + +<P> +Frank and Bob exchanged a quick glance. Of course this put quite +another face on the matter. If Peg was really in danger they had no +business to stand there, laughing. It might seem funny to them, but to +Peg the matter was not at all comical. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't believe the critter knows how to swim, Bob!" exclaimed Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"That's what," answered the other, seriously. "He's just keeping up +because he's crazy with fright. We've got to get him out of there, +Frank." +</P> + +<P> +"We sure have; come along," echoed the western boy. +</P> + +<P> +Fortunately Frank was possessed of a quick mind. He never wasted any +time in wondering what methods he should use in order to accomplish +things. +</P> + +<P> +The pool was of considerable width, and even though he bent over its +border he would not be able to come within five feet of the struggling +Peg. +</P> + +<P> +Without hesitation he stepped into the water, holding his gun. Two +feet from the bank and it was to his knees. But he believed he had now +reached a point where he could hold out his rifle and touch Peg. +</P> + +<P> +"Take hold, and I'll pull you out!" he called, as he extended the gun. +</P> + +<P> +It was laughable to see how eagerly the other seized upon the chance. +And, when Peg had fastened himself to the other end of the rifle Frank +easily drew him shoreward. +</P> + +<P> +The bully came out, dripping wet, and in anything but an angelic +temper. It was bad enough, in his eyes, to have fallen into the pool; +but to be rescued by a fellow he hated, as he did Frank Haywood, added +to the aggravation. +</P> + +<P> +After spluttering for a minute or two, so that he could get rid of the +balance of the water he had swallowed, Peg faced the two chums. +</P> + +<P> +Strange to say he did not seem to consider that Frank had placed him +under any obligations in the least when he dragged him out of the water. +</P> + +<P> +"See what you did," Peg exclaimed, now spluttering with burning anger. +"What d'ye mean pointing your old gun up at me, and making as if you +meant to shoot?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh!" remarked Bob, elevating his eyebrows; "was that what forced you +to take that header down the slope? Well, now, we had an idea you were +so glad to see us that you just couldn't wait to walk down, but wanted +to fly! But, if I was to blame at all for your trouble, I'm sure I'm +sorry. But you see, we didn't know whether we were going to be held up +by rustlers or Indians. That's what comes from hiding, Peg." +</P> + +<P> +"Bah! guess I'll do just whatever I want," spluttered the other, wiping +his dripping face on his sleeve without doing either much good, +however. "And do you know what I think?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, no, I must say I don't happen to be a mind reader, Peg. Suppose +you tell me," replied the unruffled Bob, who had taken the measure of +the other, and knew he might be set down as a great boaster, but one +not particularly dangerous when it came to a show-down. +</P> + +<P> +"I believe you just did that on purpose, that's what," Peg went on, +hotly. "You've got it in for me ever since that time we had our little +affair, when I laid a hand on the Mexican girl who sassed me. You just +knew I'd jump up in a hurry if you made out you was going to shoot; and +I bet you even remembered this lake at the bottom of the slope. Oh! it +worked all right; but don't you forget; my time will come. I'm going +to pay you back in full! I've got friends who'll stick by me, all +right. Bah! what're you two fellers doing here on Thunder Mountain, +anyhow?" +</P> + +<P> +A new suspicion had apparently seized upon Peg. He viewed their +presence as a personal insult; just as though they might have plotted +to forestall him in the glorious adventure he had planned to carry out. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, if the old mountain belongs to you," spoke up Frank, thinking it +time he took a hand in the talk, "we'll ask you to excuse us, and back +out. But I don't think you have any claim on it; so we'll hang around +as long as we see fit. And remember this, Peg, we're going to mind our +own business; but we don't stand for any bother from you, or those with +you. Understand that?" +</P> + +<P> +Peg looked at him long and steadily. The eyes of Frank never wavered +in the slightest degree. +</P> + +<P> +"All right," said Peg, finally, as his own eyes dropped. "You wait and +see; that's what! This thing's been hanging fire a long time now; and +some day we're bound to have it out, Frank Haywood. My dad's after +yours with a sharp stick; and perhaps the trouble is going to come down +to the next generation. You'll get yours good and plenty when the +right time comes!" +</P> + +<P> +He turned away, and, limping to where the slope could be reached by +skirting the edge of the pool, laboriously commenced to climb, +following the tracks of the three horses. +</P> + +<P> +"There's one of his guides up yonder, Frank," remarked Bob; "sitting on +the top of the bank. Looks to me like he was grinning to beat the +band." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, that's Nick Jennings," replied Frank. "Used to work on the +Circle Ranch, but he got his walking papers because he was caught +stealing from the other men. He's got a grudge against me because I'm +a Haywood. But Nick likes a joke as well as any cowboy; and who could +keep a straight face after seeing what happened here? Look a little +farther on, and you'll just glimpse the colored handkerchief Spanish +Joe wears on his head." +</P> + +<P> +"I see him peeping at us from behind the bushes," returned Bob. "And +say, he's handling that gun of his just like he'd be glad to use it if +anybody gave him the dare. I reckon Spanish Joe is some ugly customer, +Frank." +</P> + +<P> +"That's just what he is; but let's be moving on. If Peg takes another +flop and splashes in this puddle again, he'll have to swim for it, or +else depend on his own guides to yank him out. No more for me. I'm +wet to the knees; and did you hear him thank me for it? He's sure the +limit." +</P> + +<P> +So the two boys went on. +</P> + +<P> +They were not interfered with, which pleased Frank not a little. +Knowing the nature of Spanish Joe, and the revengeful character of Nick +Jennings, he would not have been much surprised had they attacked him +and Bob, and carried things with a high hand. +</P> + +<P> +Presently a turn in the canyon shut out the scene of their late +adventure. The last glimpse they had of Peg Grant, he had nearly +arrived at the top of the slope, and it seemed possible that he would +not make a slip that might cause him to repeat his recent circus act. +</P> + +<P> +"Why do you think they left the trail, and made their horses climb up?" +asked Bob, presently. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, they might have talked it over just as we did, and chosen to +leave the horses so they could look around on foot," Frank replied. +</P> + +<P> +"But you suspect they might have another reason, too?" Bob insisted. +</P> + +<P> +"That's a fact," replied his chum, seriously. "For all we know they +may have run across some sign of the rustlers, and thought it best to +get out of the beaten rut here before they got caught." +</P> + +<P> +"Then you don't believe that little Lopez had anything to do with it, +Frank?" +</P> + +<P> +"What, that Mex boy? Oh! he's out of the business long ago," replied +the other. +</P> + +<P> +"In what way? Didn't he come along this trail ahead of us?" asked Bob. +</P> + +<P> +"Sure thing," Frank went on. "But you see I've missed the marks of +that burro's little hoofs for nearly twenty minutes. I made up my mind +Lopez had some slick way of climbing out of the <I>barranca</I> a ways back, +without leaving much of any trail. I told you he was a sly one, and I +say the same now, no matter whether he's a brother to the girl you +defended against Peg, or the girl herself." +</P> + +<P> +"All right, Frank. Get us out of this as soon as you can," Bob +remarked, looking ahead, as though he did not much fancy the appearance +of things there. +</P> + +<P> +Ten minutes later Frank drew rein sharply. +</P> + +<P> +"What's doing?" asked Bob, nervously, as he half raised his rifle, +which he had insisted on holding in his hand all the time since that +meeting with Peg. "Think you see signs of trouble from Peg and his +bunch; or is it something else?" +</P> + +<P> +"Something else this time," remarked Frank. "Fact is, our chance has +come to get up out of here with the nags!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap11"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XI +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE BLACK NIGHT +</H3> + + +<P> +"How does this suit you, Bob?" +</P> + +<P> +Frank asked this question as he and his comrade sat there in their +saddles, and glanced around at the peaceful scene. They had climbed +the bank of the <I>barranca</I>, and reached a spot where the grass was +growing under a cluster of mesquite trees. +</P> + +<P> +"It looks good enough for me," replied the young Kentuckian. +</P> + +<P> +"Plenty of forage for the horses," Frank went on, nodding his head as +he looked; "and do you see that little trickling stream of water that +crawls along? All we have to do is to hide the horses here. When we +want 'em, the chances are we'll find 'em safe." +</P> + +<P> +"I hope so," remarked Bob, as he alighted. +</P> + +<P> +In a short time they had removed saddles and bridles, hiding these +among the neighboring rocks, together with their supplies, and had +picketed the horses by means of the lariats. +</P> + +<P> +"Now what?" asked Bob. +</P> + +<P> +"You sit down here, and wait till I come back," Frank remarked. +</P> + +<P> +"What are you going to do?" the Kentucky lad inquired; "something that +I might lend a hand at?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, I reckon you're a little shy on knowing how to hide a trail, Bob. +Old Hank showed me, and I've practiced it often. This promises to be a +chance to see whether I learned my lesson half-way decent." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! all right, Frank. But some day I expect you to show me all about +that sort of thing. You know I want to be in the swim, and learn how +to do everything there is. I'll wait here by the water," and Bob +dropped down to rest. +</P> + +<P> +"I won't be gone long," Frank observed. "Pretty much all the slope was +made up of stone; and what a great time the horses did have, trying to +hang on. Once I thought your nag was going to take a nasty plunge, +because he isn't as used to the work as a Western pony would be. But +he recovered, thanks to the help you gave him, and made the top all +right. So-long, Bob." +</P> + +<P> +"I notice you're taking your gun along," remarked the one who was to +stay. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, when you're in the mountains it's just as well to be prepared +all the time. You never can tell when you'll run slap into something. +It might be a big grizzly like the one we met; then perhaps a hungry +panther might take a notion to tackle you. I knew a cowman who had +that happen to him. Yes, and perhaps you heard him tell the story." +</P> + +<P> +"You must mean Ike Lasker," Bob replied, quickly. "Yes, I remember how +he said he was lying down, waiting for some feeding deer off to +windward to work closer, when, all of a sudden, something struck him on +the back, and nearly knocked the wind out of him for keeps. He managed +to get his knife out, and they had it there, good and hard." +</P> + +<P> +"Ike said he nearly cashed in his checks that time," Frank added. +"Some of his mates found him, after they discovered his horse feeding +near by. The panther was dead as a stone, and Ike was clawed and bit +till he looked like a map of the delta of the Mississippi—anyhow, +that's the way he told it. Keep your shooter handy, too, Bob." +</P> + +<P> +"I will that," returned the Kentucky boy, impressed by his chum's +earnestness. +</P> + +<P> +After a little while Frank came back again. His manner told that he +was quite satisfied with what he had done. +</P> + +<P> +"A sharp-eyed trailer might find where we left the canyon," he +admitted; "but I don't believe any ordinary fellow would notice the +marks. So I think our horses stand a first class chance of being here +when we come back for 'em." +</P> + +<P> +Bob got on his feet. +</P> + +<P> +"I've fixed up some grub, just as you told me," he remarked. "It isn't +much, but ought to serve in a pinch." +</P> + +<P> +"And as it's nearly noon now," observed Frank. "Why not take a snack +before we leave our base of supplies? Let's get the stuff out of the +cache again, and have a round of bites." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't see the use of hurrying away from here right now, anyhow," Bob +remarked, while they were eating. +</P> + +<P> +"You mean," said Frank, "that we only came here to see what we could +find out about the secret of old Thunder Mountain, and why it kicks up +such a rumpus every little while?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, and seems to me that since we're right on the ground now, we +might just as well start business, here," Bob asserted. +</P> + +<P> +"That is, hang around until night, and wait to see if the grinding +begins again, as it did when we were in camp below?" +</P> + +<P> +"We'd be in a position to guess what it was, better than before," Bob +went on. +</P> + +<P> +"That's a fact," laughed Frank. "And if, as lots of people think, this +old mountain is a played-out volcano, perhaps we might even smell the +sulphur cooking, by sticking our noses down into some of these crevices +in the rocks." +</P> + +<P> +"Now you're joshing me, Frank!" declared the Kentucky lad, reprovingly. +</P> + +<P> +"I am not," replied the other, immediately. "Suppose there was any +truth in that fairy story about the fires away down in the earth here; +don't you think a fellow might get a whiff of the brimstone if he was +Johnny on the spot? Why, honest now, Bob, it was on my mind to find +some sort of cave up here, and go in just as far as we could. Don't +you see the point?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! I reckon I do, Frank. You take little stock in that yarn; but, +all the same, you think we ought to look into it, now we're on the +ground?" +</P> + +<P> +"That's it, Bob. Why, even my dad kind of favors that idea, and I want +to either prove it a fake, or learn that there's something to it." +</P> + +<P> +So they lay there, lazily enough, instead of climbing farther up the +side of the mountain. It was very pleasant to keep in the cool shade +of the trees, with that trickling little stream so near, for, as the +afternoon advanced, it seemed as though the air became very oppressive. +</P> + +<P> +Frank was looking up at the sky many times, and finally his companion +asked him what was on his mind. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't pretend to be a weather sharp," Frank replied; "but, all the +same, there are signs up there that've got me guessing." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, it <I>is</I> clouding up some," replied Bob, as he swept a look +around at what they could see of the arch overhead. "Perhaps the long +drought is going to be broken at last, Frank. Your father will be +tickled, if it turns out that way. He's been complaining of late about +the stock having to hunt twice as far away from the ranch for forage. +A rain would make things green again." +</P> + +<P> +"Sure it would," replied Frank; "but, as I said to you before, a rain +storm up in the Rockies is sometimes no joke. We may have to do some +tall climbing if it gets a whack at us when we're in the canyon." +</P> + +<P> +The day was passing. They had seen nothing more of Peg Grant and his +two guides, but could easily believe the others were not a great way +off. Perhaps they, too, were only waiting for night to come in order +to start their investigation. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't think either Spanish Joe, or Nick, could be depended on, if +the thing began to look too spooky," Frank had said more than once, +showing that his thoughts must be running in the direction of the rival +party. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! this is easy," chuckled Bob. "If all we've got to do is to squat +here and take notes when the menagerie begins to wake up, it's going to +be a snap." +</P> + +<P> +Frank did not want to make his chum nervous by confessing that he had +another reason for agreeing to remain there idle the balance of the +day, besides the fact of there being no hurry, and that they could take +notes just as easy there as farther up the mountain. +</P> + +<P> +The fact was, he had concluded, it would be safer for them to remain in +hiding while daylight lasted, and do what searching they expected to +accomplish in the darkness of night. +</P> + +<P> +It was too easy, for anyone who had no scruples, and wished to do them +injury, to drop a rock down from the wall of the canyon. Against this +sort of attack their rifles would be useless; and terrible damage might +result. +</P> + +<P> +As to who would be guilty of such an outrage, Frank only remembered +that Peg was in a white heat of indignation, and fully capable of doing +some madcap prank in order to frighten off the two saddle boys. He was +also not a little worried about the rustlers, supposed to be lurking +somewhere not far distant. +</P> + +<P> +Last, but not least, there were the prospectors to whom little Lopez +had admitted he was carrying the supplies that were secured on the pack +burro. Frank had not heard of any treasure-hunters having invaded the +slopes and valleys around Thunder Mountain; but this did not mean it +could not be true. +</P> + +<P> +If these men were secretly taking out possibly large quantities of +precious ore, and did not wish to be discovered, or disturbed in their +operations, even they might try to alarm the invaders by hostile +demonstrations. +</P> + +<P> +"It's as pretty a mixup as ever I heard tell of," Frank had said +several times that afternoon, while they were exchanging confidences in +connection with the remarkable possibilities around them. "What with +the rustlers, Peg and his crowd of thunder investigators, the little +Mex. boy and his unknown prospector bunch; and last but not least, Bob, +ourselves, it sure has me going some." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," the other had returned, "but I hope we'll keep clear of the +whole lot, and be able to find out something worth while. I wish the +next night was over, and we were galloping along over the plains headed +for good old Circle Ranch." +</P> + +<P> +"Me too, Bob, always provided we carried with us an explanation for +those deep grumblings that shake the earth, and seem to come out of the +heart of Thunder Mountain. I'm a stubborn fellow, as I reckon you +know; and when I throw my hat into the ring I like to stick it through +till they carry me out." +</P> + +<P> +"The same here," Bob had declared, after which the chums had to shake +hands on it again, thus sealing the compact to stick. +</P> + +<P> +And so the day went, and night came on apace. +</P> + +<P> +The air did not seem to cool off to any extent as darkness approached. +Frank took pains to call the attention of his comrade to this fact. +</P> + +<P> +"You can guess what that means, Bob," he remarked. "It's sure going to +bring on a whopper before a great while. All the signs point that way +right now. So we can expect to get ready for a ducking." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! that doesn't bother me," declared Bob. "I've been through many a +one. All I hope is that we don't happen to be in the old canyon when +that cloudburst you mentioned comes along. I'm not hankering after a +ride on a forty foot wave, and down that crooked old canyon, too. +Excuse me, if you please!" +</P> + +<P> +"Of course if we only stick it out here, there's going to be no +danger," Frank remarked, indifferently. +</P> + +<P> +"I see that you're just itching to be on the move, old fellow," +ventured Bob, who knew the restless nature of his chum. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you? Well, Bob, to tell the truth, if I was alone now, I suppose +I'd be making for the top of the old hill, bent on finding out whether +there was any sign of smoke oozing from the cracks and crevices at just +the time the rumblings came on." +</P> + +<P> +"Then what's to hinder both of us going at it?" demanded the proud +Kentucky lad, fearful that Frank might think him timid because he had +suggested their remaining out of the danger zone. +</P> + +<P> +"We may, later on. Just now it's our business to get some supper; and +hot or not, I'm going to make a cooking fire back of this big boulder, +where nobody could ever glimpse the blaze." +</P> + +<P> +"Did you say coffee?" remarked Bob. "All right, I'll go you, old +fellow. I feel a little that way myself, and that's no yarn." +</P> + +<P> +So Frank got things started, and it was not a great while before the +coffee pot was bubbling as merrily as ever, with that appetizing odor +wafting from it. +</P> + +<P> +The darkness kept on increasing while they ate. An hour later it was +very black all around them, and Bob viewed the possibility of their +venturing into the unknown perils around them with anything but a +comfortable feeling. +</P> + +<P> +It was just when he was wondering whether Frank would not conclude to +remain in the safe position they occupied that he heard his comrade +give a sharp cry. +</P> + +<P> +"What have you discovered, Frank?" asked Bob, starting to get up. +</P> + +<P> +"A light up the side of the mountain yonder," replied the other, "and, +Bob, perhaps if we could only manage to climb up there, we'd learn +something worth while. The question is, have we the nerve to try it?" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap12"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +LOSING THEIR BEARINGS +</H3> + + +<P> +Bob chose to consider this a direct challenge. +</P> + +<P> +"I expect that it would be queer if we didn't make some sort of effort +to find out what the light means. Where is it, Frank?" he remarked, +with perfect coolness. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, it must have gone out while you were speaking, Bob, as sure as +anything," the other replied. "But I saw it, I give you my word I did. +Huh! there she comes again, just like it was before. Step over here; +the spur of the rock is in your way there. Now look straight up. Get +it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Easy, Frank. A fellow might think it was a star, if he didn't know +the mountain was there. Now it's getting bigger right along." +</P> + +<P> +"That's so, Bob. And yet it doesn't seem to be a fire, does it?" +</P> + +<P> +"More like a lantern to me," declared the Kentucky boy. "Say, what +d'ye reckon anybody could want a lantern up there for? Can you see any +swinging motion to the light Frank?" +</P> + +<P> +"It does seem to move, now and then, for a fact," admitted the other, +after watching the gleam for a short time. +</P> + +<P> +"About like a brakeman might swing his lantern if he was on a freight +train in a black night, eh?" continued Bob. +</P> + +<P> +"Hello! I see now what you're aiming at, Bob; you've just got a notion +in your head that the lantern is being used for signalling purposes." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, does that strike you as silly?" demanded Bob Archer. +</P> + +<P> +"Silly? Hum! well, perhaps not, because it may be the right +explanation of the thing. But whatever would anybody up there be +signalling for, and who to, Bob?" +</P> + +<P> +"There you've got me," laughed the other. "I'm not so far along as +that yet. P'raps it might be one of the rustlers, telling something to +another of the same stripe, who is located in camp out yonder on the +plain. Then, again, how do we know but what it might be that Peg Grant +lot? And Lopez. Don't forget little Lopez, Frank. Prospectors could +have a lantern; in fact, I understand they often do carry such a thing +along with 'em when they go into the mountains to pan for dust in the +creek beds." +</P> + +<P> +"So," said Frank, who evidently was doing considerable thinking. +</P> + +<P> +They stood there for some little time, looking up at the light. Bob +was merely indulging in various speculations regarding its source. On +the other hand Frank busied himself in locating the strange glow, so +that he might be able to know when he reached the spot, in case it was +invisible at the time they arrived. +</P> + +<P> +"Do we go?" asked Bob, when he, too, found his impatience getting the +better of him; whereupon Frank, who had evidently been waiting for some +sign, immediately took him up on it. +</P> + +<P> +"If you're ready, we'll start right away," he said, quietly. "Luckily +I've been studying the face of Thunder Mountain at times during the +afternoon, and I reckon I can pilot the expedition all right." +</P> + +<P> +But when Frank said this so confidently he failed to consider the +intense darkness that might baffle all his plans of campaign. Still, +Bob had the utmost confidence in his chum's ability to pull out of any +ordinary difficulty. And, since his Kentucky spirit had been fully +aroused, he was ready to accompany Frank anywhere, at any time. +</P> + +<P> +Before they had been ten minutes on the way each of the boys sincerely +wished that the idea to investigate had never appealed to them, for +they began to have a rough time of it. But both were too proud to +admit the fact, and so they kept crawling along over the rocks with +their rifles slung on their backs, at times finding it necessary to +clutch hold of bushes or saplings in order to save themselves from some +tumble into holes, the actual depth of which they had no means of even +guessing in the darkness. +</P> + +<P> +The light was gone. Of course that might not mean it had vanished +entirely; but at least it could no longer be seen by the boys who were +climbing upward. +</P> + +<P> +Bob was hoping his comrade would propose that they call it off, and +proceed to spend the balance of the night in the first comfortable nook +they ran across. But Frank himself was loath to give the first sign of +a backdown. Consequently they continued the laborious task which was +likely to bring no reward in its train, only the satisfaction of +knowing they had accomplished the duty which they had in mind at the +time of the start. +</P> + +<P> +An hour must surely have gone since they first left the little green +glade where the horses were staked out, and their supplies cached. +</P> + +<P> +Bob found himself blown, and trembling all over with fatigue, because +of the unusual exertion. The heat, too, was troublesome. But not for +worlds would he be the first to complain. Frank was setting the pace, +and he must be the one to call a halt. +</P> + +<P> +"Phew! this is rough sledding," remarked Frank, finally, as he stopped +to wipe his streaming face. +</P> + +<P> +Of course Bob also came to a halt. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, it is for a fact," he admitted with a little dry chuckle; for he +felt really pleased to think that he had held out so long, and forced +Frank to "show his hand." +</P> + +<P> +"Seems to me we ought to have struck something," suggested Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you really mean you think we've come far enough for that?" +questioned Bob. +</P> + +<P> +"I reckon we have, though it's so dark I can't be dead sure. You don't +happen to glimpse anything queer around here, do you, Bob?" and while +speaking Frank, perhaps unconsciously, lowered his voice more or less. +</P> + +<P> +"Nary a thing," replied the other, breathing fast, as if to make up for +lost time. +</P> + +<P> +"And I don't get any whiff of smoke, do you?" continued Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! you're thinking about that volcano business again, eh?" chuckled +Bob. "Nothing doing, Frank. Gee! we must be up pretty high here!" +</P> + +<P> +"Feels like it," returned the prairie boy, accustomed to the heavier +air of the lower levels at all times. "Makes me breathe faster, you +know. But that was a hot old climb, Bob." +</P> + +<P> +"All black up yonder in the sky, with never a star showing," observed +the boy from Kentucky. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! we're going to get it, sooner or later," declared Frank, +cheerfully. "Can't escape a ducking, I take it. But here we are, half +way up old Thunder Mountain, and not a thing to show for our work. +That's what I call tough!" +</P> + +<P> +"Got enough?" asked his chum, invitingly. +</P> + +<P> +"You mean of course for to-night only, because you'd never think of +such a thing as giving up the game so early, Bob?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I was only going to make a little suggestion," returned the +other. +</P> + +<P> +"Hit her up, then; though perhaps I could guess what it's like, Bob." +</P> + +<P> +"All right then. You know what I mean—and that since we're away up +here, we might as well make up our minds to hunt an overhanging ledge, +and take a nap. But say, what're you sniffing that way for, Frank?" +</P> + +<P> +"Just imagined that I got a faint whiff of smoke; but of course it was +all in my eye," replied the other. +</P> + +<P> +"Was it? I tell you I had a scent of it myself right then," declared +the taller lad, showing signs of considerable excitement. +</P> + +<P> +"Seems to come and go, then, for I don't get it any more. What was it +like, Bob? Did you ever smell sulphur burning?" +</P> + +<P> +"Lots of times, and helped to use it too, disinfecting," replied Bob, +readily. "Spent months with my uncle, who is a doctor in Cincinnati, +during an epidemic, and he often had to clean out rookeries just to +stamp out the disease. But this wasn't any sulphur odor I caught, +Frank." +</P> + +<P> +"Then you could recognize it; eh?" asked his chum. +</P> + +<P> +"It was burning wood, I give you my word for that," replied Bob, firmly. +</P> + +<P> +"Hum. That sounds more like it. We'll let the volcano matter sizzle +for a little while, and look around for something smaller. Burning +wood must mean a fire, Bob!" +</P> + +<P> +"That's what they say, always; where there's smoke there must be fire. +But it seems to me we ought to see such a thing on this black night, +Frank." +</P> + +<P> +"Unless it's hidden, as we make our cooking fire; or else the blaze is +at the last gasp. Then, after all, we may have been a little off about +that light we saw," Frank continued. +</P> + +<P> +"The one we said was a lantern? Then you think, now, it might have +been a fire?" questioned the Kentucky lad. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I just don't know what to think. But let's look around a bit, +and see if we can locate this fire," Frank suggested. +</P> + +<P> +After moving around for a short time as well as the darkness allowed +the two boys came together again. +</P> + +<P> +"No luck, eh?" questioned Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"Didn't find a thing; but I stumbled over a creek and came near taking +a header down-grade that would have made that plunge of Peg's take a +back seat. Just in the nick of time I managed to grab a little tree. +Phew! it shook me up, though," and Bob rubbed one of his shins as +though he might have "barked" it at the time of the encounter. +</P> + +<P> +"Same here; only I didn't happen to fall," replied Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"So it seems as if we were no better off than before," remarked Bob, +dejectedly. +</P> + +<P> +"We've learned where the fire isn't, if that's any satisfaction to us," +chuckled his chum, trying to make the best of a bad bargain. +</P> + +<P> +"And that smoke smells so meaning-like, it's sure a shame we can't just +get a line on where it comes from," Bob went on to say. +</P> + +<P> +Frank seemed to catch a significance in his words, for he turned +sharply on his companion, saying: +</P> + +<P> +"Look here, have you been getting a whiff of it again, Bob?" +</P> + +<P> +"Why, yes, several of 'em in fact, Frank," replied the other, in what +seemed to be a surprised tone. "But what does that matter, when +neither of us can find any fire around? I sniffed and sniffed, but +although I just turned my eyes in every direction not even a tiny spark +could I see. And that happened just three times, Frank." +</P> + +<P> +"What! do you mean you smelled smoke three separate times since you +left me?" demanded the saddle boy. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm sure it must have been three, because it was between the first and +second times that I tripped. Yes, and always in just the same place +too, which was queer enough." +</P> + +<P> +"That sounds kind of encouraging, Bob," declared Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you think so?" asked the other, puzzled to account for Frank's +newly awakened interest. "Tell me why, won't you, please, Frank?" +</P> + +<P> +"Sure, after you have answered me a question," Frank promptly remarked. +</P> + +<P> +"All right, let's have it, then," his chum returned. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you think you could find that exact spot again?" asked Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"Meaning where I sniffed that smoke each time? Why, I guess I can, +because I went back there twice, all right. Couldn't be quite +satisfied that there wasn't <I>something</I> around there I ought to +discover. But it turned out a fizzle, Frank." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps it wouldn't be so unkind to me, though," the Western boy +declared. "Take me to that place, Bob, and right away. It strikes me +I'd just like to get another little whiff of that same wood smell, +myself. It wouldn't be the first time I'd followed up a smoke trail." +</P> + +<P> +"Gracious! that sounds interesting, and I hope you can do it, Frank!" +breathed Bob, his admiration for his chum awakening once more. +</P> + +<P> +"First of all, get me to that place. Lead off, and I'll be close at +your heels. And, Bob, don't forget that spot where you came near +having your tumble. Keep your level head about you." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll sure try to, Frank. Come on then." +</P> + +<P> +Bob led the way through the darkness. Although he had been out West +for so short a time Bob Archer was rapidly learning the ways practiced +by those who live close to Nature. He began to observe always all that +he saw, and in such a way that he could describe it again, in every +detail. +</P> + +<P> +And so it chanced that, having marked his course when coming back after +his unsuccessful search for the fire, he was able, not only to lead his +comrade thither, but to warn him every time they approached a dangerous +slide, where a trip might hurl one some hundreds of feet down the face +of Thunder Mountain. +</P> + +<P> +"Here is the place, Frank," Bob suddenly said, in a cautious whisper. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap13"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XIII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE SMOKE TRAIL +</H3> + + +<P> +"Are you sure of it?" asked Frank, in the same low voice. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, try for yourself, and see if you can't get a whiff of smoke right +now," Bob replied. +</P> + +<P> +"You're right, because I caught it just then; but I reckon the wind +must be changing some, for it's gone again," Frank remarked. +</P> + +<P> +"You never spoke truer words, Frank, because I can hear the breeze +beginning to shake the leaves in the trees up yonder, and it wasn't +doing that before." +</P> + +<P> +Bob pointed upwards as he said this cautiously. And Frank, always +watchful, noticed a certain fact. The trees were so situated that they +could be said to lie almost in a direct Southeast line from where he +and Bob stood! This might appear to be a very small matter, and hardly +worthy of notice; but according to Frank's view it was apt to prove of +considerable moment, in view of what was likely to follow. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, as the smoke's gone again, let's see if we can locate it by +moving a little this way," and Frank led off as he spoke, with Bob +following. +</P> + +<P> +Both lads were very cautious now. Even Bob, greenhorn as he was, so +far as Western ways were concerned, understood the need of care when +approaching a camp that might be occupied by enemies. And as for +Frank, he had not been in the company of an old ranger like Hank Coombs +many times without learning considerable. +</P> + +<P> +They had not been moving in the new direction more than five minutes +when Bob reached out his hand and clutched the sleeve of his chum's +jacket. +</P> + +<P> +"What is it?" asked the leader, stopping short, and crouching there. +</P> + +<P> +"I got it again, Frank," whispered the Kentucky boy, eagerly. +</P> + +<P> +"Sure," replied his comrade, immediately. "Why, I've been smelling +smoke for more'n a whole minute now. And I'm following it up, foot by +foot." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh!" murmured Bob, taken aback by this intelligence. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't say a word above your breath, Bob. Whoever it is can't be far +away now. We may run in on 'em any minute, you know," and as if to +emphasize the need of caution Frank drew his chum close while he +whispered these words directly in his ear. +</P> + +<P> +Bob did not make any verbal reply; but he gave the other's sleeve a +jerk that was intended to tell Frank he understood, and would be +careful. Then they moved along again. +</P> + +<P> +It was no easy task making progress through the darkness, and over such +rough grounds, without causing any sound. Bob found that he had almost +to get down on his hands and knees and creep, in order to accomplish +it. But his chum had not forgotten that he was new to this sort of +business, and hence he gave Bob plenty of time. +</P> + +<P> +Then Bob in turn began sniffing, and Frank knew that now he, too, had +caught the trail-odor, which was constantly becoming stronger. Thus +they were positive that while they moved forward they must be gradually +drawing nearer the source of the smoke. +</P> + +<P> +Another tug came at Frank's sleeve, at which signal he bent his head +low so that his chum might say what he wanted in his ear. +</P> + +<P> +"Sounds like voices!" whispered the excited Kentucky lad. +</P> + +<P> +Frank gave a little affirmative grunt. +</P> + +<P> +"Rustlers, maybe?" Bob went on. +</P> + +<P> +The other made a low sound that somehow Bob seemed to interpret as +meaning a negative to his question. +</P> + +<P> +"Then prospectors—Lopez and his bunch?" +</P> + +<P> +"Uh!" Frank replied; and then himself lowering his lips to the ear of +Bob he went on: "What's the matter with Peg and his crowd? They might +have got up here ahead of us. Quiet now!" +</P> + +<P> +Bob did not attempt to say another word. He had new food for thought. +Yes, to be sure, Peg and his two cowboy guides had had plenty of time +to climb that far up the side of Thunder Mountain. If they had taken +daylight for the task of course they avoided the danger of getting +lost, such as had overtaken the saddle boys. And if the nerve of +Spanish Joe and Nick Jennings continued to hold out, when strange +things began to happen, the boastful tenderfoot from the East stood a +chance of making a discovery. +</P> + +<P> +As the two crept closer, on hands and knees, they could hear the murmur +of voices grow louder, even though the speakers were evidently talking +in low tones. While the experience was altogether new to Bob, he +enjoyed it immensely. Why, after all, it was not so very hard to place +his hands and knees in such fashion that he felt able to move along +almost as silently as a snake might have done. +</P> + +<P> +Now he was even able to locate the spot from which the murmur of voices +came. Yes, and when he looked closer he saw a tiny spark that glowed +regularly, just as a firefly might sparkle every ten seconds or so. +</P> + +<P> +Bob solved that little mystery easily. Of course it was Spanish Joe, +smoking one of the little cigarettes which he was so frequently rolling +between his fingers. +</P> + +<P> +To be sure, the odor of tobacco smoke mingled with that of burning +wood. And if Spanish Joe, why not the other cowboy who was in bad +repute among the ranches; yes, and Peg himself? +</P> + +<P> +Bob began to wonder what the programme of his chum might be. Surely +they would not take the chances of crawling up much closer now. If +discovered they would run the risk of being fired upon; and besides, +there was no necessity for such rashness. +</P> + +<P> +Then Bob discovered that when the wind veered a little, as it seemed to +be doing right along, he could actually catch what was being said. +</P> + +<P> +Peg was talking at the time, and grumbling after his usual manner about +something or other. +</P> + +<P> +"Ten to one the fellow's gone and deserted us, Nick!" he remarked, +suspicion in every word. +</P> + +<P> +Apparently the lounging cowboy did not share in his opinion, for he +laughed in a careless way as he drawled out: +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! I reckon not, Peg. Me and Joe has hit up the pace fur some years +in company, and I knows him too well to b'lieve he'd break loose from a +soft snap like this here one. Jest lie low, an' he'll be back. Let's +hope Joe's found out somethin' wuth knowin'." +</P> + +<P> +"But he's been gone nearly an hour now," complained Peg. +</P> + +<P> +"What of that? It ain't the easiest thing gettin' around on this rocky +ole mounting in the pitch dark, let me tell ye, Peg," Nick remarked; +and by the way he seemed to puff between each few words, Bob understood +that it must be Nick who was using the cigarette, and not Spanish Joe. +</P> + +<P> +"Say, that's so," admitted Peg, as if a new idea had come to him. +"Perhaps he's slipped, and fallen down into one of those holes you +showed me when we were coming up!" +</P> + +<P> +This also amused the cowboy, for he chuckled again. +</P> + +<P> +"Too easy an end for Spanish Joe," he said, carelessly. "Born fur the +rope, and he can't cheat his fate. Same thing's been said 'bout me. +Don't bother me none, though, and sometimes it's a real comfort; +'specially when a landslide carries ye down the side of a mounting like +a railroad train, like I had happen to me. Nawthin' ain't agoin' to +hurt ye if so be yer end's got to come by the rope." +</P> + +<P> +"A landslide! Do they often have that sort of thing out here?" asked +Peg, showing some anxiety, as though he had read about such terrible +happenings, and did not care to make a close acquaintance with one. +</P> + +<P> +"Sure we does, every little while," remarked Nick, cheerfully. "Why, +jest last year the hull side of a peak 'bout forty mile north of here +broke away, and a Injun village was wiped out. Never did hear anything +from a single critter after that slip bore down on 'em." +</P> + +<P> +"It might happen here on Thunder Mountain, too, couldn't it, Nick?" +pursued Peg, as if the subject, with all it pictured to his active +mind, held his interest gripped in such a fashion that he could not +shake himself free. +</P> + +<P> +"Easiest thing goin', Peg. And let me tell ye, if it ever do happen +here, thar's agoin' to be a slide to beat the band!" Nick asserted, +positively. +</P> + +<P> +"But what makes you say that, Nick?" demanded the boy. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! lots of people says the same thing," replied the other, as if +carelessly. +</P> + +<P> +"That a landslide is going to start things going on Thunder Mountain +any time—is that what you mean?" Peg insisted on repeating. +</P> + +<P> +"Any day, er night. Things have been lookin' that way for some time +now. I reckon she's due with the next big cloud-burst that sails this +way." +</P> + +<P> +It was evident that, for some reason, Nick was trying to frighten his +young employer. Perhaps he himself really wished to get away from the +mountain with the bad name; and took this means of accomplishing his +end without showing his hand. If that were true, then he was gaining +his end, for Peg certainly gave evidence of increasing uneasiness. +</P> + +<P> +"But why didn't you tell me all this before?" he demanded, indignantly. +</P> + +<P> +"What was the use, boss? Ye was sot on comin' here, and ye made Joe +and me a rattlin' good offer. 'Sides, it didn't matter much to me. I +had my life insured. A rope might have skeered me; but say, I don't +keer that for landslips," and Nick snapped his fingers contemptuously. +</P> + +<P> +But Frank, who knew the sly cow puncher so well, believed that more or +less of his indifference was assumed. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I do!" declared Peg, with emphasis; "and if I'd only known about +that sort of thing before, blessed if I'd a come. I've heard what +happens when the side of a mountain tears away, and how everything in +the path goes along. They showed me the bare wall where one broke +loose up in Colorado. Say, it was the worst sight ever. You'll have +to excuse me from nosing around here another day, if that sort of thing +is hanging over this place. Me for the ranch on the jump. Get that, +Nick?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! now, what's the use botherin'? Chances are three to one they +ain't agoin' to be any sech upsets as that yet awhile," the cowboy said. +</P> + +<P> +"Only three to one!" burst out Peg. "All right, you can stick it out +if you want, and I'll pay you all I agreed; but just you understand, +Nick Jennings, when to-morrow comes, I want you to get me down on the +prairie, where I can make a blue streak for the X-bar-X ranch house." +</P> + +<P> +"But ye sed as how ye was detarmined to find out what made them roarin' +n'ises, up here on old Thunder Mountain!" protested the guide, although +he evidently expressed himself in this way only to further arouse the +obstinate boy. +</P> + +<P> +"I've changed my plans, that's all," Peg announced. "Any fellow can do +that. It's always the privilege of a gentleman to alter his mind. I'd +like to crow over Frank Haywood and that greenhorn chum of his mighty +well; but I ain't going to run the chance of being carried down in a +landslip just for that. Huh! I guess not! What I said, stands, Nick. +And I hope the old slide comes while those two chaps are on the +mountain; yes, and gives them a dandy free ride, to boot!" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! jest as ye say, Peg! I'm willin' to do anythin' to please ye. +But p'raps we ain't goin' to git off so easy arter all," remarked Nick, +suggestively. +</P> + +<P> +"Now, what do you mean by hinting in that way? And I've noticed you +twisting your neck to look up at the sky more'n a few times. Think +it's going to rain, do you?" demanded Peg. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't <I>think</I> nawthin' 'bout it; I <I>know</I> it be." And, Nick added, +with emphasis, "I reckons as how it'll be jest a <I>screamer</I> when she +comes." +</P> + +<P> +"A storm, you mean?" +</P> + +<P> +"A howler. Allers does when the wind backs up that way into the +sou'east. 'Sides, if so be ye air still sot on findin' out what makes +that thunder up this ways, p'raps ye'll have the chanct to look into +the same afore long, Peg." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! was that what I felt just now?" cried the boy, scrambling to his +knees. "It seemed to me the old mountain was trembling just like I did +once, when I had the ague. And Nick, I believe you're more'n half +right, because I sure heard a low grumble just then, like far-away +thunder. I wish I hadn't been such a fool as to come up here. Never +get me doing such a silly thing again as long as I live. Listen! It's +coming again, Nick, and louder than before. Don't you feel how the +ground shivers? Perhaps there's going to be a terrible landslip right +now! Do you think so, Nick?" +</P> + +<P> +Frank and Bob, crouching close by, had also felt that quiver under +them. It gave the saddle boys a queer feeling. When the solid earth +moves it always affects human kind and animals in a way to induce fear; +because of the confidence they put in the stability of the ground. +</P> + +<P> +And then there arose gradually but with increasing force a deep +terrible rumble. +</P> + +<P> +Thunder Mountain was speaking! +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap14"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XIV +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A CALL FOR HELP +</H3> + + +<P> +"Oh! what shall we do, Nick?" cried Peg. +</P> + +<P> +His voice was now quivering with fear. Evidently whatever little +courage the fellow possessed, or the grit which had caused him to start +upon this mission of attempting to discover the cause of the mystery +connected with Thunder Mountain, had suddenly disappeared. +</P> + +<P> +"Nawthin' 'cept stick it out, I reckons," replied Nick Jennings. +</P> + +<P> +The superstitious cowboy was more or less anxious, himself. Frank, +eagerly listening, could tell this from the way in which the fellow +spoke. But Nick did not mean to fall into a panic. To try and rush +down the precipitous side of that mountain in the dark would be +madness. And with all his faults Nick was at least smart enough to +understand what it meant by "jumping from the frying pan into the fire." +</P> + +<P> +Another roar, louder than any that had yet broken forth, interrupted +the excited conversation between the son of the mining millionaire and +his guide. The whole mountain quivered. Bob himself was much +impressed, and began to wonder more than ever what it could mean. +</P> + +<P> +The noise died away, just as thunder generally does, growing fainter, +until silence once more brooded over that wonderful mountain. Then +again the two crouching lads caught the complaining voice of Peg. +Bully that he was under ordinary conditions, he now showed his true +colors. That awful sound, coming from the heart of the rocky mountain, +as it seemed, had terrified Peg. +</P> + +<P> +But Frank was not surprised, for he had all along believed that a +fellow who could lift his hand to strike a small girl must be a coward +at heart, no matter how much he might bluster and brag. +</P> + +<P> +"This is terrible, Nick!" exclaimed Peg. "Can't you think of some way +we might get out of this? Oh! I'd give a thousand dollars right now +if only I was safe down on the plains again! What a fool I was to come +here!" +</P> + +<P> +"Well," drawled Nick, possibly with a touch of real envy in his voice, +"I'd like right smart to 'arn that thousand, sure I would, Peg. But +hang me if I kin see how it's agoin' to be done. We can't slide down; +walkin's a risky business, and likely to take hours; an' right now I +don't feel any wings asproutin' out of my shoulders, even if you do." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh stop joking, Nick, and talk sense," complained Peg. "We've just +got to do something. Why, the old mountain might take a notion to +slide, and carry us along with it." +</P> + +<P> +"I sure hopes not, at least right now," replied Nick, uneasily. "But I +do reckons as how we're agoin' to git that storm afore mornin'." +</P> + +<P> +"But see here, Nick," Peg went on, anxiously; "didn't you notice +anything when you were leading me up here like a lamb to the slaughter? +I mean, you ought to have seen whether this side of the old mountain +was more likely to drop off than any other." +</P> + +<P> +"Ye never kin tell nawthin' about such things," returned the cowboy. +"Reckons all we kin do is to root around, an' see if we might find some +sorter cave, where we'd be safe from the rain, if so be she comes arter +a while." +</P> + +<P> +"A cave!" echoed the other, as though startled. "What under the sun do +we want to get inside the mountain for? Don't you understand that all +that noise is coming <I>out</I> of this old thing? I tell you, I believe it +is a volcano, just as they told me, and perhaps she's going to break +loose this very night!" +</P> + +<P> +"Hey! what ye a sayin' that for?" demanded Nick. "Supposin' she is +what ye tell, that ain't any reason the explosion's got to come this +particular night, is it? She's kept on a growling for a hundred year +now, an' nawthin's happened. Reckons it ain't agoin' to come off jest +acause we pilgrims happens to be up here." +</P> + +<P> +"But you said we ought to find a cave, and go in, Nick," continued the +youth. "Suppose we do, and the sulphur fumes suffocate us? They must +be just awful inside the mountain. This is a nice pickle for me to get +into! If I stay out here I'm in danger of being drowned, or swept away +by a landslide; if I go inside there's all the chance in the world that +I'll be soaking in poisonous sulphur gas till I keel over. I'm up +against it good and hard." +</P> + +<P> +"We're all in the same boat, remember, Peg," declared the cowboy. +</P> + +<P> +"But you knew more about this thing than I did, Nick. Why'd you let me +come? It was all a fool business, and you're most to blame," protested +Peg. +</P> + +<P> +"Aw! let up on that kind of talk, will ye?" growled the cowboy, who was +himself losing his respect for his employer, owing to the presence of +those things which he did not understand, and the nearness of which +aroused his own fears. +</P> + +<P> +"I will, Nick; only get me out of this hole safe and sound, and I give +you my word I'll pay you that thousand dollars. But where do you +suppose Joe can be all this time? Has he run away, or dropped over +into one of those pits we saw on the way up here? I wish he'd show up. +Three would be better than two; and perhaps Joe might have a plan for +us to get out of this." +</P> + +<P> +Again did the low grumbling sound begin again, and silenced the +conversation between Peg Grant and his cowboy guide, every word of +which had come distinctly to the ears of the crouching saddle boys near +by. +</P> + +<P> +The rumble grew rapidly in volume, until once more the whole great +mountain seemed to tremble. Bob was shivering partly from the +excitement, and because he felt a touch of alarm. +</P> + +<P> +But he could not help noticing the actions of his chum. When the +thunderous roar was about at its height Frank had thrown himself flat +on the ground. Bob could not see what he was doing, but his groping +hand came in contact with the head of his comrade; and he discovered +that it rested on the ground, with one ear pressed to the rock. +</P> + +<P> +Frank was listening! +</P> + +<P> +He knew how the ground carried sounds more distinctly than the air, and +evidently he hoped to discover something concerning the thunder by this +method of wireless telegraphy. +</P> + +<P> +Then, as the volume of sound gradually decreased, just as a lion's roar +dies away, Bob discovered that Peg and Nick were undoubtedly moving +off. He supposed that Nick had made up his mind to hunt for an +outcropping ledge, or some friendly opening, where he could be +sheltered from the storm; and as Peg dared not stay alone, he was +compelled to accompany his guide. The complaining voice of the rich +man's son could be heard for a minute or so. Then even that ceased. +</P> + +<P> +"They're gone, Frank!" exclaimed Bob. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I know it," replied the other, as he arose from his position flat +on the rocks. "And Peg is badly rattled, too. Say, I always told you +he lacked real grit, and this proves it. He's scared at that noise. +Think of him wanting to fly down to the plain! I reckon he's had about +all of the exploring he wants. It's 'take me back to my daddy!' now +with Peg." +</P> + +<P> +"Well," remarked Bob, with a sigh, "I don't blame him so very much, +Frank. I tell you what, that noise is enough to give anybody fits. +I'm all of a tremble myself, and I'm honest enough to admit it." +</P> + +<P> +"That's all right, Bob," replied his chum, quickly; "but are you ready +to give the game up here and now?" +</P> + +<P> +"Who, me?" answered the Kentucky boy, instantly; "well, I should say +not—not by a long sight! No matter what comes, I'm ready to stick it +out on this line if it takes all summer!" +</P> + +<P> +"Just what I thought," chuckled Frank. "That's what makes all the +difference between a brave fellow and a coward. Why, to tell you the +truth, Bob, I'm shaking all over right now myself; but it isn't with +fear. I'm excited, curious, and worked up; so are you. When you say +you don't want to back out it tells the story that you're not afraid." +</P> + +<P> +"But it wouldn't make any difference, Frank, seeing that we couldn't +get away from here, even if we wanted to just now," remarked Bob. +</P> + +<P> +"That's so," returned his chum; "just as Nick said; we're here, and +we've just got to stick it out, no matter what comes." +</P> + +<P> +"But do you take any stock in what Peg said about an avalanche?" asked +Bob. +</P> + +<P> +"Mighty little," Frank replied. "This mountain is made up mostly of +solid rock. That's what makes lots of people believe in the volcano +idea. A slide would be hard to start here, and it just couldn't carry +much along with It. Where mountains have sides made up of earth and +loose rocks, that happens sometimes." +</P> + +<P> +"I'm glad to hear that," remarked the other. "But there comes another +shake. Whew! feel how she trembles, Frank! Whatever sort of power can +it be that makes this noise and shivering sensation?" +</P> + +<P> +Frank waited until the convulsion had passed before replying. +</P> + +<P> +"I've got a strong suspicion, Bob," He said, finally; "and it's +something that came into my mind since <I>feeling</I> the sound, for that's +the only way I can express it. Now, what does it make you think of, +most of all?" +</P> + +<P> +"I did think it was thunder," declared Bob; "but now it seems to me the +only thing I can compare it to is the beating of the terrible billows +against the coast away up in Maine, when a fierce northeast storm is +blowing. They seemed to make the rocks quiver just as this does now." +</P> + +<P> +If Frank had intended to reply to this remark he was prevented by +something unexpected that happened just then. This time it was not the +furious roar of the unknown force within the mountain that disturbed +him; but a cry that rang out shrilly. +</P> + +<P> +"Help! Help!" +</P> + +<P> +Bob clutched his companion's arm. +</P> + +<P> +"Something has happened to Peg!" he exclaimed. "Perhaps the guide has +thrown him over, and he's lost, and scared nearly to death!" +</P> + +<P> +But Frank was more accustomed to reading voices in the open than was +his chum. +</P> + +<P> +"No, you're wrong there!" he cried, "that's Spanish Joe yelping; and he +must be in a bad hole to call for his companions. Come on, Bob, we've +just got to see what we can do to help him. Rascal that he is, he's +human. Follow me!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap15"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XV +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +SPANISH JOE DROPS A CLUE +</H3> + + +<P> +"Where can he be, Frank?" cried Bob, after they had been climbing for +several minutes up the side of the rough mountain, almost groping their +way, such was the darkness around them. +</P> + +<P> +"Listen!" +</P> + +<P> +"Help! Nick, this way, quick, or I'll go under!" came a shrill shout, +only a little way above them. +</P> + +<P> +They started for the spot; but before they had taken half a dozen steps +once more the thunderous sound was heard; and under them the mountain +quivered. As the boys were not more than human, it was only natural +that they should halt until the convulsion had passed. Bob could not +help clutching a spur of rock as though he feared that something +dreadful was about to happen. +</P> + +<P> +As the roaring noise began to die out the boys caught the cries of +Spanish Joe once again. He seemed to be nearly frantic with fear, and +was calling upon his cowboy crony not to forsake him in his extremity. +</P> + +<P> +"It's going to tumble on me the next shake! Hurry, Nick, or I'm a +goner!" they heard him pleading. +</P> + +<P> +"Whatever can have happened to him?" asked Bob, awed by the exciting +incidents by which they seemed to be surrounded. +</P> + +<P> +"I reckon he's caught in some sort of trap, judging from his talk," +Frank sent back over his shoulder; for both of them were climbing +upward as rapidly as the conditions allowed. +</P> + +<P> +It was no wonderful feat for Frank to make straight for the spot where +the loud voice came from. He had located it; and even when Joe ceased +calling for a minute or two, Frank was able to continue right on. +</P> + +<P> +Apparently the cowman had heard some sound that told him of their +coming. That accounted for his silence, since he was listening +eagerly. And of course he fully expected that it must be Nick Jennings +hastening to his assistance, perhaps with Peg at his heels. At least +his words would indicate as much, when he cried again. +</P> + +<P> +"Hurry, boys! There ain't any too much time. This way, right straight +ahead! Oh! I'm in a hole, I tell ye. Ye ain't stopping, are ye? +Come on! come on!" +</P> + +<P> +They were now close to where the speaker must be located. Frank was +already straining his eyes to make out his figure, so as to get some +idea as to the nature of the new task that confronted them. +</P> + +<P> +He presently could make out some object that squirmed and tugged +between groans. +</P> + +<P> +Then he knew that his first guess was probably correct. Spanish Joe, +in making his way along over the rocks, had in some way managed to +catch his foot in a crack, and was unable to get it out again. Perhaps +the more he struggled the firmer it became fastened. And, considering +the surroundings, his fright could hardly be wondered at. +</P> + +<P> +So Frank crept up alongside the prisoner of the rock. +</P> + +<P> +"It's my leg, Nick," cried the man, eagerly. "I can't get it loose and +I've twisted and pulled till it's near jerked out of the socket. See +if ye can't do somethin'. Every time she shakes, that rock up there +just starts to drop down on me! If it comes I'll be smashed." +</P> + +<P> +Frank knew Spanish Joe. The man from across the Rio Grande had worked +on the Circle Ranch for many months, until he was discharged after +being caught in the suspicious business of conveying information to the +cattle rustlers. +</P> + +<P> +"Wait 'till I strike a match, so I can see what things look like," +Frank said. +</P> + +<P> +And as the match suddenly flared up the dark-faced Spanish-American +stared with astonishment into the countenance of the one who had come +in answer to his frantic calls for assistance. +</P> + +<P> +"You, Senor Frank?" he exclaimed. +</P> + +<P> +"Sure," replied the rancher's son, as he bent over to examine the way +in which the prisoner's foot had become caught. +</P> + +<P> +Although the match only shone for a few seconds, Frank's quick eyes had +sized up the situation. +</P> + +<P> +"How is it, Senor Frank; can you get me out, <I>camerado</I>?" asked Joe, +with a quiver in his voice. +</P> + +<P> +Something of a desperado the man might be under ordinary conditions; +but just then, when facing death, he proved very tame indeed. +</P> + +<P> +"I reckon I can, Joe, if that tottering rock up there only holds off +long enough. Let's hope it will. Now, do just what I tell you; and +when I say pull, again, get busy for all you're worth!" +</P> + +<P> +While Frank was talking he had been manipulating the foot of the +Mexican, who had worked so long on American ranches that he had lost +much of his national ways, though retaining a few of the +characteristics of dress that always distinguish his kind. +</P> + +<P> +Frank himself was not wasting time. He did not like the looks of that +over-hanging rock any too well. It seemed to be about ready to crash +down, and when it did come the result would be disastrous to anything +human caught underneath; for it surely weighed many tons. +</P> + +<P> +"Now, draw easily at first, and then increase gradually," Frank said. +"I'll hold onto the foot, and keep it in this position. I think that's +the way it first slipped into the crack!" +</P> + +<P> +Spanish Joe eagerly obeyed. He groaned several times as he felt his +leg hurt, but desperation lent him new determination; for if this +attempt failed, as others had done, he believed that he was doomed. +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly the foot came free. Joe fell over on the ground, but his last +groan turned into a cry of delight. It was almost comical to see how +quickly he rolled over several times, so as to get away from the danger +zone. +</P> + +<P> +Frank, turning, clutched his companion, and also drew him back. It was +none too soon, it seemed. As if the release of Spanish Joe might have +been the signal for the groaning mountain to once again take up its +strange action, they felt the quiver with which all the performances. +seemed to begin. Then the grumble commenced, rapidly advancing into a +fearful stage, until Bob could feel himself trembling violently because +the rocks under him were moving. +</P> + +<P> +"There she comes!" cried Frank. +</P> + +<P> +His words were drowned in a deafening crash close by. Had Peg Grant +been there he must have believed that the top of the mountain had blown +off, and that fire and boiling lava would immediately begin to pour +down the sides. But Bob had not forgotten about that swaying rock. +And he understood that it had fallen with a crash just at the spot +where the three of them stood a minute before. +</P> + +<P> +"What a narrow escape!" exclaimed Frank, after the clamor had in some +measure died away again. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! I should say it was," echoed Bob, feeling quite weak as he +realized what must have happened to them had they not gotten away in +time. +</P> + +<P> +"How about your leg, Joe; can you walk?" asked Frank, turning to the +cowman, who was scrambling to his feet close by. +</P> + +<P> +"Seems like I can, Senor Frank. But it was a close call for Spanish +Joe. Only for you coming, where would I be right now? Let us get away +from here!" exclaimed the man, limping around as he tried his crippled +limb. +</P> + +<P> +"You are free to go, if you want, Joe," remarked Frank; "but Bob and +myself mean to stick it out. We came here to learn the cause of all +this racket, and we'll do it, or know the reason why." +</P> + +<P> +"Excuse me, <I>companero</I>, I know when I have had enough. This mountain +is surely bewitched. There must be an evil spirit living inside. Do I +not know it? And even the door is guarded by demons that spring at a +man and tear him. My clothes, once so handsome, Senors, are torn into +tatters, just because Joe, he was fool enough to step into that black +opening above!" +</P> + +<P> +Frank started as he heard the Mexican say this. It seemed to him that +possibly here was a clue worth following up. +</P> + +<P> +"Tell us what you mean, Joe," he asked, quickly. "What black opening +did you try to enter; and what happened to you, <I>amigo</I>? We have done +you a service, saved your life, perhaps. In return, tell us this." +</P> + +<P> +"It is little enough, Senor Frank. Up above, not more than seventy +feet from here, lies a hole in the ground. I was looking for shelter +from the storm, because Senor Peg wished it. I entered. Hardly had I +taken ten steps than something flew at me. I think it was a demon, for +it had sharp claws, and I thought I could smell brimstone and sulphur. +Just then the mountain yawned, and what with the terrible noise, and +having to fight off that unseen enemy, I climbed out of there fast, but +with all my fine clothes ruined. That was why I came down the side of +the mountain in such haste that I caught my foot. I thought that fury +was chasing me. Nothing in this wide world could tempt Spanish Joe to +go back there. The storm, it is a joke besides that terror of the +darkness!" +</P> + +<P> +If he expected to alarm Frank, the Mexican cowman mistook the character +of the boy. Frank believed that the fellow's fears had made him +imagine more than half of what he declared had happened to him. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, we leave you here, then, Joe," the boy remarked, sturdily; +"because we're going to find that cave, and see what lies inside it. +If you want to come along, all right; if not <I>adios</I>!" +</P> + +<P> +He turned and started to climb, Bob tagging at his heels. But Spanish +Joe could not bring himself to accept the invitation. He looked after +the disappearing figures of the two saddle boys, and shook his head. +</P> + +<P> +"No, not for Joe," he muttered. "He knows when he has had enough. +Money could not drive him to enter there again, and meet that unseen +thing. Out here the danger can be understood, but Joe he takes off his +hat to the young Senors; for grit they surely possess. <I>Adios</I>, Senor +Frank; but I doubt much whether we ever meet again." +</P> + +<P> +But staunch of heart, Frank was leading the way upward, determined to +accept of the challenge which the cowboy's due seemed to throw at his +feet. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap16"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XVI +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE VENT HOLE IN THE WALL +</H3> + + +<P> +The way grew rougher with every yard they traversed. How Spanish Joe +had come dashing down over this ground at headlong speed without +breaking his neck was a puzzle. +</P> + +<P> +Frank was feeling his way along carefully when he heard Bob call his +name. The rattle of falling shale at the same time gave him a pretty +strong suspicion as to what had happened. +</P> + +<P> +"Hello! what's the matter Bob?" he cried. +</P> + +<P> +"I slipped, and fell over the edge of some sort of place here," came +back the answer. "Luckily I've managed to get hold of a rock and +stopped my tumble. But don't waste any time lending me a hand, Frank, +because it seems to me I feel the thing move. If another quake comes +it'll let me drop; and perhaps the ground may be a full dozen feet +below." +</P> + +<P> +By this time Frank had reached the edge of the drop. He remembered +skirting it in climbing upward just a minute before; but had been more +successful about doing so than Bob, who was less accustomed to this +kind of work. +</P> + +<P> +Frank again had recourse to his handy match-safe. Leaning over he +struck a match on the face of the rock. Immediately he drew a quick +breath. It was not because he could see the face of his chum only a +couple of feet away, as the latter clung to a spur of rocks; it was +something else that thrilled him. +</P> + +<P> +As far down as his eyes could see there was only a black void! Instead +of the simple dozen feet mentioned by Bob, the yawning precipice +extended perhaps a full hundred feet downward! +</P> + +<P> +But there was no need of telling Bob that it might alarm the boy and +cause him to weaken, so that his grip would give way. +</P> + +<P> +Frank was quick to understand what must be done. He could just touch +the hand of his chum by bending far down; but that was not enough. +Instantly he wrapped one leg about a sturdy, if dwarfed, little cedar +that chanced to grow at that very spot, as if designed for the very +purpose to which he was putting it. Then he was able to thrust himself +still further down the face of the wall. +</P> + +<P> +"Take hold, and grip like iron, Bob," he managed to say. +</P> + +<P> +He felt the other obeying him, and thus they caught hold of hands. +</P> + +<P> +"Now, try and dig your toes into the face of the wall if you can," +Frank went on, calmly, so far as Bob could know. "It'll help me get +you up. Climb over me. I've got a leg around a cedar, and nothing can +break away. Now!" +</P> + +<P> +"Say, perhaps you'd better let me drop down." said Bob, thinking his +comrade was going to unnecessary trouble in order to save him from a +little jolt. +</P> + +<P> +"Climb, I tell you!" snapped Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! all right, Frank, if you say so," and Bob started to obey. +</P> + +<P> +Fortunately he was an agile lad, and a very fair climber, for the task +which he had set himself was no ordinary one. But, by wriggling more +or less, Bob managed to finally get a grip on the cedar. After that it +was easy work; and having succeeded in reaching solid ground himself, +he aided the almost exhausted Frank to draw back. +</P> + +<P> +"Whew! that was some work, now, and all because I was so silly as to +slip over the edge of that little hole!" remarked Bob, as though +disgusted with himself. +</P> + +<P> +"Look here," said his chum; "lean over carefully, while I drop this +match down." +</P> + +<P> +As he struck the match, and then cast it from him it went downward +twenty, thirty, forty feet before it was extinguished. +</P> + +<P> +"Ugh!" shuddered Bob, "why, it must be all of a thousand feet down to +the bottom, Frank! It scares me just to think of the narrow escape I +had." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I reckon it's all of one hundred feet," replied Frank; "and +that's enough to settle a fellow. But let's lie back here, and get our +breath a bit before going on up. The cave can't be far off now, if +what Joe said is so." +</P> + +<P> +Both of the boys were panting after their unusual exertion, and Bob was +glad of a chance to rest for even a brief time. Besides, another burst +of thunder was starting in, and he fancied that it was louder than any +that had gone before; just as if they might be drawing closer to the +place from whence all this clamor came. +</P> + +<P> +The cave that Spanish Joe had found and entered—could it have anything +to do with the mystery of the mountain? Frank seemed to think so, and +was bent upon ascertaining the facts. +</P> + +<P> +"Listen to that, Frank?" shouted the Kentucky lad in the ear of his +mate, while the racket was at its height. "I can hear rocks dropping +all around, just like the one did where Joe was grabbed by the leg. Do +you think this always happens when the old mountain breaks loose; or is +this an extra big celebration?" +</P> + +<P> +"I was trying to get that myself, Bob," admitted Frank; "but we can +only guess at it, because you see, nobody's ever been up here when the +thunder was rocking the whole range, and so we don't know. But, +honest, now, I'm of the opinion this happens only once in a great +while; else the mountain would have been racked to pieces long ago." +</P> + +<P> +"And just to think, we had the nerve to come here at a time when it was +bound to do its worst," said Bob. +</P> + +<P> +"Glad of it," Frank immediately returned. "It gives us a better chance +to learn a few things worth while. I always did like to be in where +the roping was fastest. Are you feeling better, Bob?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! yes, I reckon I'm all right now," returned the other, rising. +</P> + +<P> +"Ready to go on, then?" continued Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"Try me, that's all. If I turn tail and run, don't ever speak to me +again," came the steady, but not boastful, answer. +</P> + +<P> +"Good boy! All right, let's be off again; and be mighty careful how +you move. There may be more of those drops lying around loose. And +next time you mightn't be so lucky about grabbing a spur of rock." +</P> + +<P> +"That's so, Frank. Wow! but it makes me shiver to even think of it. +Talk about Joe's narrow squeak, it wasn't any worse than mine," and Bob +started to crawl after his better-trained chum. +</P> + +<P> +Two more evidences came to them of the violence of the unseen force +that was making Thunder Mountain shake, before Frank stopped to let his +chum reach his side, so that he might exchange a few sentences. +</P> + +<P> +"Looks like that might be the hole ahead," he ventured. +</P> + +<P> +"I can see something that seems blacker than the night itself; is that +what you mean, Frank?" asked Bob. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," his chum continued. "When Joe pointed up this way I took note +of just the line, and followed it closely. That was why we came so +near the precipice. And if that is the opening to the cave, we want to +lie here and listen." +</P> + +<P> +"Why, do you really believe the racket comes out of that hole?" +demanded Bob, astonished at the very idea of such a thing. +</P> + +<P> +"Wait and see," replied the other, confidently. "In the meantime, +here's our opportunity to pick up a few candles that will come in +handy." +</P> + +<P> +They had come to a halt directly under a tree; and Bob had already +discovered that the ground was thickly strewn with broken branches. +Some of these were apt to be fat with the inflammable gum that exudes +from certain species of cedar, and would, as Frank said, make splendid +torches. +</P> + +<P> +Frank was already on his hands and knees searching for suitable ones; +and as Bob grasped the idea he, too, set to work. +</P> + +<P> +"I have four already; how do you stand?" asked Frank, presently. +</P> + +<P> +"Just as many—no, here's the fifth one, and the best of the lot," came +the reply from the Kentucky lad, who went into everything with ardor +and enthusiasm. +</P> + +<P> +"That ought to do for us," Frank went on. "And now, listen for all +you're worth, because the war is on again!" +</P> + +<P> +Lying there, Bob heard what seemed to be the first signal. It was as +though some giant hand had tapped the solid rock with his club. Then +faster came the blows, and more and more did the din increase, until it +was fairly deafening. Only for his intense eagerness to hear every +sound Bob might have been tempted to thrust his fingers into his ears +in order to shut out the awful clamor. +</P> + +<P> +To him it seemed as though a thousand anvils were being beaten in +chorus, with a few other minor chords thrown in for good measure. +</P> + +<P> +And what interested Bob most of all, as he crouched there listening, +was the fact that all this dreadful noise seemed to be coming directly +from the spot where his comrade had pointed out as the opening of a +cave. +</P> + +<P> +There was not the faintest trace of lightning accompanying the +manifestation; and this proved, beyond all question of dispute, that +the mystery connected with Thunder Mountain had nothing to do with an +electrical storm. Possibly the observing Indians had many years ago +discovered this same thing; and it had strengthened their belief that +the great Manitou spoke to his red children through the voice of the +wonderful mountain. +</P> + +<P> +It took longer, this time, for the noise to die away; just as though, +whatever its cause, there was increasing reluctance to subside again. +</P> + +<P> +"That was a screamer, sure enough!" said Frank, when he could make +himself heard above the declining roar. +</P> + +<P> +"And Bob, you noticed, didn't you, that it seemed to come right out of +that hole? All right, it begins to look now as if we were Johnny on +the spot, if we've got the nerve to push things. Somewhere in there, +Bob, lies the explanation of the mystery. Do we take the dare; or stay +out here and wait till the fuss is over before entering?" +</P> + +<P> +Bob possibly swallowed hard before replying. It was no easy thing for +him to say the words that would thrust them up against so terrible a +thing as this unknown peril awaiting them in the gloom of that crack of +the great mountain. But his hesitation was brief. In fact, he only +wanted to catch his breath, shut his teeth hard together, and summon +his Kentucky blood. +</P> + +<P> +"It's a go, Frank!" he said, with determination in his voice; "the +chance may never come to us again. Let's go in, and discover for +ourselves the secrets of the Indian god they say is guarding Thunder +Mountain. I'm ready, so lead on!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap17"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XVII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +FRANK HOLDS THE HOT STICK +</H3> + + +<P> +"No hurry," said Frank, who realized that his comrade was worked up to +a high pitch of excitement, and thought it the part of wisdom to do +something in order to quiet Bob's nerves. +</P> + +<P> +"But if we've got to try it, Frank, what's the use of waiting?" +demanded the impetuous one. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, for one thing, we don't want to be carrying these candles +without making use of one, you see," replied Frank, who was again +getting out his handy matchsafe. +</P> + +<P> +"What a silly I am, to be sure," laughed Bob; "why of course we want a +light, if we're going to invade that den of the demon Joe told us +about. What do you think about that yarn, Frank; did he meet up with +anything; or was he just scared out of his seven senses? Perhaps +there's a strong current of air in that place, along with the noise, +and that took hold of Joe." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I wouldn't like to say," replied the other, cautiously. "This I +do know, and I saw it with my own eyes. Joe's fancy Mexican jacket was +torn nearly into ribbons; and I could see marks of blood, too." +</P> + +<P> +"Whew! you don't say?" ejaculated Bob. "Then something <I>did</I> get hold +of him; didn't it, Frank?" +</P> + +<P> +"Looked like it," admitted the other. +</P> + +<P> +"His jacket was torn into ribbons, you said—then I reckon whatever +tackled Joe had pretty sharp claws, Frank!" Bob continued. +</P> + +<P> +"I thought as much myself. In other words, Bob, the man was attacked +by some wild beast that has its den in yonder. In the dark, with all +that terrible noise going on, Joe thought it was a monster from the +underworld. If he keeps on telling that story, ten to one, after a +while, he'll vow it had eyes of fire, and a tongue of blue flame. Joe +was frightened half to death, and a man in that condition gets to +seeing things that never did exist. Now, how's that?" +</P> + +<P> +While speaking Frank had managed to light one of the cedar torches he +carried. The wood burned readily, and with persistence. It would make +a good substitute for a lantern. Indeed, Bob was enthusiastic over the +success attending his chum's effort. +</P> + +<P> +"Couldn't be beat, that's what!" he cried. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, there's nothing to keep us now," declared Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"But what can I do?" asked the other. "Want me to light a torch too, +Frank?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, one ought to be enough. You fall in just behind me, and Bob, +perhaps you'd better keep your gun handy." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! you're thinking now of that demon Joe told about, eh, Frank?" +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps. If it jumps out at us give a center shot, if you can," the +saddle boy advised, as he led the way forward toward the black spot +which they had guessed must be the cave entrance spoken of by Spanish +Joe. +</P> + +<P> +They were quickly at the wall, and had no difficulty in learning that, +just as they had guessed, the yawning hole was there. Frank, without +the slightest hesitation, stepped through the opening. Bob did +likewise, holding his gun in readiness for immediate use. +</P> + +<P> +The light of the blazing torch lighted up the interior. They could see +that, so far, there was nothing remarkable about the cave, save that it +seemed to stretch away into dim distance, with various twists and +curves. +</P> + +<P> +"What are you sniffing about, Frank?" demanded Bob, who, in the +silence, heard what his comrade was doing. +</P> + +<P> +"I think I scent something, that's all," replied the other. +</P> + +<P> +"Not brimstone and sulphur, I hope?" cried Bob. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, hardly," chuckled the other. "In fact, it seemed to me that it +was only such an odor as you can always detect around the den of a wild +beast!" +</P> + +<P> +"Glory! then Joe didn't dream it, after all; and there may be an old +grizzly in this cave!" ejaculated Bob. +</P> + +<P> +"Not a grizzly," declared Frank, quickly. "If anything, I think it +must be a panther. But he may have left after attacking Joe, so that +we'll have no trouble with the beast." +</P> + +<P> +"I hope so," Bob remarked, as he strove to look seven ways at once, +keeping his finger on the trigger of his repeating rifle all the while. +</P> + +<P> +They were now advancing into the cave. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you think Joe had a torch?" asked Bob, as a new idea came to him. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, he isn't the man to take chances, and he couldn't help but see +the good torch material at the door yonder. But the beast may have +jumped on his back, so he lost his torch before he could see. And then +he fought in the dark. Joe has always been known as a hard fighter, +and with his knife I reckon he could give a good account of himself. +Hello! see here!" +</P> + +<P> +Bob started when his chum gave this sudden exclamation. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! I thought you had sighted the panther!" he gasped as he lowered +the gun, which had, perhaps through mere instinct, gone up to his +shoulder. +</P> + +<P> +Frank was bending down. He held his torch in such a fashion that he +could see better; and he appeared to be examining something on the rock. +</P> + +<P> +"What is it?" asked Bob, eagerly; "footprints?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, just a little spot of blood," came the reply. +</P> + +<P> +"Fresh, too, I can see," declared the tenderfoot, as he looked. "Does +that mean this is the exact place where Joe had his little circus, +Frank?" +</P> + +<P> +"I reckon it is," replied the other. +</P> + +<P> +"Then if that beast hasn't cleared out we might run across him before +long!" remarked Bob. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh!" +</P> + +<P> +Frank gave utterance to this cry. He had seen some object flash +through the air, and knew it could be nothing else than the lithe body +of a panther making a leap. +</P> + +<P> +The animal must have had a place of hiding close by, from which it had +probably jumped upon the shoulders of Spanish Joe, and now sought to +repeat that act. +</P> + +<P> +Bob was struck by the descending body of the animal; and while he did +not suffer serious injury from the blow, it jarred his arm, and caused +him to drop his rifle. He instantly leaped forward to recover the +weapon, but through chance picked it up by the end of the barrel. +</P> + +<P> +The panther had recovered, and was crouching as though to repeat its +jump. Only a yard lay between the fierce beast and the boy who held +the gun. Perhaps a veteran hunter would have proceeded to reverse the +weapon, and discharge it without taking the trouble to throw the stock +to his shoulder. But Bob did not dream that he would be given enough +time for all this. +</P> + +<P> +He saw the beast there close to him, and his first thought was to poke +the butt of the rifle directly at its head, striking with all his +force. The blow landed heavily, but as the beast gave way, Bob lost +his balance, and fell directly toward the panther. +</P> + +<P> +It looked as though the boy might be in for a terrible clawing, and so +it must have turned out had he been alone. But he had a comrade close +at hand who did not hesitate an instant about taking part in the affair. +</P> + +<P> +Frank could not get at his gun, which was slung across his back; but he +knew he had a better weapon than that in hand. Wild animals dread fire +above all things; and every lad brought up on the prairie knows this +fact. +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly Frank brought down his torch upon the beast with all the force +he was capable of using. There was a snarl and the animal jumped +aside, evidently not fancying the closeness of the stick that burned. +The lad again raised his torch, but evidently the panther had already +endured quite enough of the conflict. It was bad enough fighting two +human beings at a time; but when one of them persisted in belaboring +him with such a hot weapon he drew the line. +</P> + +<P> +And so with a parting snarl, that was full of defiance and venom, the +panther sprang back out of sight, departing just as silently as he had +come. +</P> + +<P> +"That's just like the luck," grumbled Bob. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter now?" asked Frank, looking sharply to make sure that +the treacherous beast did not sneak back in order to attack them from +another quarter. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, I'd just got my gun slewed around, and was ready to fire when he +skipped out. I'd liked to have bagged him, I reckon. A grizzly and a +panther, all on one trip, would be worth talking about." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! I don't know that you'd have been so very proud over it," +observed Frank. +</P> + +<P> +Bob looked at him as he said this. +</P> + +<P> +"Now, you've got some reason for making such a remark as that," he +observed. +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps I have," answered his chum, nodding wisely. +</P> + +<P> +"Then out with it, Frank, and don't keep me wondering. Besides, I +reckon that we'll have another bellow from the old mountain at any time +now." +</P> + +<P> +"I guess you didn't notice something queer about that animal, then, +Bob?" +</P> + +<P> +"About the panther, you mean?" came the reply. "Well, to tell the +honest truth I was knocked all in a heap when I missed hitting him, and +didn't have time to bother looking at him close enough to see anything. +But what was so funny about him, Frank? Did he have only one eye; or +was he three-legged?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! nothing of that sort," declared the other; "so far as I know he is +in possession of all his members. It was about his neck." +</P> + +<P> +"What about it? Did he have a rubber neck, you mean?" demanded Bob, +trying to be a little humorous so as to conceal the fact of his +excitement. +</P> + +<P> +"The beast had a collar on!" Frank remarked, positively; "and that +means he must be the pet of somebody who has a hiding place in this +cave!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap18"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XVIII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A GUESS THAT HIT THE BULLSEYE +</H3> + + +<P> +As Frank made this astonishing declaration his chum looked blankly at +him, the information having evidently surprised him not a little. +</P> + +<P> +"A tame panther, you mean, Frank?" he exclaimed, weakly. +</P> + +<P> +"That's just what I'm hinting at," replied the other, positively. +</P> + +<P> +"With a collar around his neck, too?" murmured Bob. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes. I saw it as plain as I see you now," Frank went on. "It was +when I jumped forward, and gave him the first crack that made him fall +away in a hurry. A collar that was broad and stout. Why, Bob, when he +threw back his head to avoid punishment I could even see where a chain +could be fastened, and the animal kept in confinement." +</P> + +<P> +"Whew! but he acted like a wild one, all right," protested Bob. +</P> + +<P> +"He sure did, Bob; but that was because he had already been stirred up +by the fight with Spanish Joe. I reckon the cowboy must have give him +a few jabs with that handy knife he owns. Anyhow, the panther was +spoiling for a scrap, and didn't care a cent how many there were." +</P> + +<P> +"That was before you gave him his finish with that fire-stick, Frank. +Didn't that knock the old chap silly, though? Why, it took all the +fight out of him, for a fact. He was the tame panther all right when +he ran away, with his tail between his legs. Think he'll tackle us +again?" +</P> + +<P> +"No telling; but I don't believe the beast cares much for running +against my torch again. It might pay for both of us, though, to keep +on the watch," Frank replied, always on the side of caution. +</P> + +<P> +"But I say, Frank, is the fact that he's private property going to make +any difference; that is, do I shoot straight if I get the chance again?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I say yes," answered the other. "Given half a chance and he'd +maul us the worst way. No matter who's property he may be, I'd advise +him to keep clear of Haywood and Archer. They're marked, +dangerous—hands and claws off, but come along, Bob; let's be moving." +</P> + +<P> +"Wait, there it comes again, Frank. Don't you think we'd better lie +down till the worst is over?" ventured Bob, as he caught the opening +notes of the mighty anvil chorus that would soon be in full blast. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, now, perhaps that wouldn't be a bad idea, Bob. Suppose we do +stretch out here, you facing one way and I another." +</P> + +<P> +The two crouched there. Frank had thrust the torch into a crevice, for +he wanted the use of both hands in gripping his rifle. If the wild +beast guardian of the cave tried to attack them again, he felt that he +would like to be in a position to shoot. +</P> + +<P> +"Feel the wind, will you?" called Bob, as the sounds mounted higher and +higher. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm afraid our torch is going to be blown out," Frank replied, +pointing to the flaring light, which was being hard pressed by the +suction that seemed to rush through the cave, heading always toward the +mouth. +</P> + +<P> +"Say, Frank, the air feels wet!" shouted Bob, while the racket was at +its height. +</P> + +<P> +Of course this was no special news to Frank. He, too, had noticed the +same thing, and mentally commented on it. And as it was in line with +certain suspicions which he already entertained, he had felt amply +repaid for taking such hazards in plunging into that black cave. +</P> + +<P> +Then suddenly an extra strong blast put the torch out. +</P> + +<P> +"Wow! there she goes, Frank! What will we do now?" yelled Bob, of +course feeling a new uneasiness because of the intense darkness, the +presence of an angry animal near by, and the general air of mystery +that hung over the scene. +</P> + +<P> +"Nothing. Just wait till the storm blows by; and then we'll light up +again," was what Frank shouted back at him. +</P> + +<P> +Already it was diminishing. Like the receding waves of the great ocean +the uproar died down, growing fainter with each pulsation. +</P> + +<P> +And finally there came again the silence that in one way was almost as +dreadful as the clamor; during which Frank proceeded to light the torch +again, though not without some difficulty. +</P> + +<P> +"Frank, you felt that wet sensation, like fine spray, didn't you?" +demanded Bob, as soon as he could speak with comfort. "Why, touch your +face right now; and you'll find it moist. Whatever can it mean?" +</P> + +<P> +"I think I know," Frank said, slowly. "I suspected it before, and this +seems to make it look more than ever that way." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you mean that you've guessed what makes all that frightful noise?" +asked Bob, astonished. +</P> + +<P> +"I believe I have," came the reply. +</P> + +<P> +"And it has to do with this misty feeling in the air; has it?" +continued the Kentucky boy. +</P> + +<P> +"If my idea proves the right one, and I'm bound to find out before I go +away from this place, it's got everything to do with it, Bob." +</P> + +<P> +"Where there's smoke you'll find fire; and where there's mist I reckon +water can be looked for," remarked Bob, quickly. +</P> + +<P> +"Just so. Now Bob, have you ever been up in the Yellowstone Park +region?" +</P> + +<P> +"I can't say that I have, Frank." +</P> + +<P> +"Then you see I've got the advantage over you; and that's what gave me +a point in the game. Because I've stood and watched Old Faithful and +the other great geysers play every half hour or so," Frank went on, as +they slowly advanced into the passage which seemed possibly to act as +one of many funnels through which the tremendous roaring sound was +carried to the outside world. +</P> + +<P> +"Geysers!" cried Bob. "Oh! now I get onto what you mean. You think, +then, that in the heart of Thunder Mountain a giant geyser spouts every +once in a while; and that as the water is dashed against the rocky +walls it makes the ground shake. Is that it, Frank?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," replied the other, "and the noise is so like thunder that when +it is forced out through several queer, funnel-shaped openings like +this one, it has puzzled the Indians for hundreds of years. Bob, more +than that, I believe that every once in so many years, when an extra +convulsion shakes things up here, the water bursts out through some +passage, and rushes down that <I>barranca</I> in a wave perhaps twenty feet +high." +</P> + +<P> +"But they call it a cloud burst, Frank," suggested Bob. +</P> + +<P> +"I know they do, but still I stick to my idea," Frank went on. +</P> + +<P> +"And this promises to be an extra strong outburst. Nick said so +anyhow; didn't he, Frank?" Bob queried, a new anxiety in his tone. +</P> + +<P> +"Just what he did. You're wondering now, that if what I said is true, +whether this passage right here is one of those through which all that +water dashes, on its way to the rocky <I>barranca</I>?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, that's the truth. How about it? Could you see any signs here to +tell about that?" +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose I could if they were here, but I don't discover any. +Besides, I thought of that before we entered, and I give you my word +that I don't believe any big volume of water ever went out through +here. It couldn't do it and not leave some sign behind." +</P> + +<P> +Bob heaved a big sigh. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I'm right glad to hear you say that, Frank, seeing that we're so +far in now, we wouldn't have any chance to escape if it came along. +Whew! I wouldn't like being carried through here, and shot out of the +muzzle like a bullet. But seems to me the place is getting bigger +right along, Frank." +</P> + +<P> +"Just what it is. Now you can see how like the neck of a bottle the +cave is; and I think that has had a heap to do with the way that +thunder noise gets loose. Why, they say that some days, or nights, it +can be heard more than twelve miles away. I've seen Navajo Injuns drop +flat on their faces, and lie there all the time we could hear the +distant thunder in a clear sky over our way." +</P> + +<P> +"But is it possible that some hermit is living in this cave?" asked +Bob, thinking that it must be a queer sort of person who would remain +where he must listen to such fearful sounds every once in a while. +</P> + +<P> +"I told you to notice when we heard the noise the first time," Frank +went on; "while we were in camp on the plain, that the night was clear, +and the wind almost in the Southeast. Well, I made sure that it was in +exactly the same quarter tonight when we were climbing the mountain. +That means something, Bob." +</P> + +<P> +"To you; but to me it's only a blank," admitted the tenderfoot, +regretfully. +</P> + +<P> +"I fancy that the direction of the wind has something to do with the +working of this queer old geyser in the heart of Thunder Mountain. It +only rears up when the wind is in the Southeast, as it is now. But +say, you said something about a hermit just now?" +</P> + +<P> +"I only said I thought it strange a fellow could live here through all +the racket, year in and year out, just to get away from his kind," Bob +remarked. +</P> + +<P> +At that Frank laughed. +</P> + +<P> +"But what if he had a big object in it, Bob? What if some daring +prospector, taking his life in his hands, had plunged into one of these +caves of the winds, this one right here, for instance, and struck it +rich. Gold will make men do nearly anything. I've seen 'em go crazy +over finding a nugget, or yellow sand in their pan. Don't you see what +I mean, Bob? Have you forgotten little Lopez, and how frightened he +looked when we spoke about keeping him company?" +</P> + +<P> +Bob uttered a cry that might stand for either astonishment or delight, +perhaps both. +</P> + +<P> +"Frank, it just takes you to see through the mill stone, even if it +hasn't got any hole in it," he declared. "I understand what you mean +now. Little Lopez has been coming here for a year or more, always +bringing supplies. Perhaps he carries away the gold dust the miner has +gathered in that time, and no one the wiser. It has all been a dead +secret. And the terror of the Indians for this haunted mountain, as +well as the way the cowboys leave it alone, has helped this bold miner. +Frank, your shot hit the bull's eye, and who knows but what we may be +on the way to find out the truth right now?" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap19"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XIX +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE WORKING OF THE GOLD LODE +</H3> + + +<P> +"Now you know what I think, Bob; but after all I may be on the wrong +track," said Frank, after his companion had expressed himself so freely. +</P> + +<P> +"Of course," Bob went on saying; "but all the same I don't think you +are. After you've shown me, it's just like that egg Columbus stood up +on end, after cracking the shell a bit—as easy as jumping off a log, +once you know how. But now we're in here, I hope we find out the truth +soon, don't you, Frank?" +</P> + +<P> +"Honest now, Bob, I don't care how quick it comes," replied his chum, +frankly. +</P> + +<P> +"This is a terrible place, with panthers hanging around, and that +thunder banging to beat the band every minute or so. I'm only +wondering, Frank, what would become of us if that old geyser should +take a notion to explode suddenly, and flush every avenue out of the +heart of the mountain." +</P> + +<P> +"Don't mention it, please," Frank answered, with a shrug of his +shoulders. "If such a thing happened we wouldn't know what hurt us, +I'm afraid." +</P> + +<P> +"Huh! some consolation in that, anyhow," grunted Bob. "If a fellow has +to go up against the buzz-saw, the sooner it's over the better." +</P> + +<P> +"But nothing of the kind is going to happen," Frank insisted; "and you +want to get the idea clean out of your head. We're making fine +progress, and any minute, now, I expect we'll run across the party who +occupies this cave." +</P> + +<P> +"But every time the blowout comes, away goes our light; and another +spouting is about due now, I reckon," ventured Bob. +</P> + +<P> +"I've got an idea I may be able to save the torch," Frank remarked. "I +don't know just how it's going to work; but anyhow the thing's worth +trying." +</P> + +<P> +"Then here comes your chance," his chum called. +</P> + +<P> +As before, the grumbling began with an earth tremor. It was as though +some giant, whose mighty limbs were shackled, was trying to break +loose; and in so doing made things near him tremble. +</P> + +<P> +Rapidly the noise increased, until it became terrifying. Bob had +dropped flat, and cowered there, almost holding his breath with awe. +Not so Frank, in whose care was the burning torch. +</P> + +<P> +He had whipped off his coat at the first sign of the disturbance. This +he hastily arranged so as to partially protect the burning brand. Of +course in such a violent draught the suction was enough to make the +flame flare and flicker until at one time Frank feared it could not +stand the struggle. But just as he was ready to give up the attempt, +the furious wind seemed to slacken. +</P> + +<P> +Bob raised his head to see the torch still burning, and it soon +recovered its full capacity for illumination. +</P> + +<P> +"Bully!" he exclaimed, beginning to rise from his position of hugging +the rocky floor of the cave; "you did it that time, Frank. But hurry +up, and get your coat on. Gee! but this air feels chilly in here, and +damp too!" +</P> + +<P> +Frank had found that out for himself. He was even shivering; and made +haste to don his jacket. +</P> + +<P> +"Now let's be moving while we have the chance," he said. "I hope that +before the next rush comes we'll sight what we're looking for." +</P> + +<P> +Perhaps his sharp eyes had discovered certain signs that told him they +were near the working part of the cave. Men cannot mine a lode of +precious ore without leaving many traces behind to tell of their +presence. And the stream of clear water that passed across the place +seemed to offer a splendid chance for panning any golden treasure that +might be found in the shape of soft quartz. +</P> + +<P> +Now and again Frank would place the torch behind him. Bob wondered +what he did this for until he saw his chum bending his head forward as +though endeavoring to discover what lay ahead. Then he realized that +the light blinded him while it was before his eyes, and he sought to +avoid the trouble in this way. +</P> + +<P> +"There's another bend ahead, Bob," Frank remarked, presently. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes?" said the Kentucky lad, eagerly, suspecting what was coming. +</P> + +<P> +"And I can see signs of light at the curve," Frank went on. +</P> + +<P> +"Hurrah! Everything seems to be coming out just as you figured, Frank. +When I get back to the ranch I'm going to write to the president, +proposing that he put you in charge of the weather bureau. Every old +farmer will know then when to look out for storms." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, we may be in for one now," observed Frank, dryly. +</P> + +<P> +"Look here, you mean something by that remark," Bob cried. "Do you +expect we're going to have a peck of trouble with these miners?" +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know. It all depends on what sort of men they are," Frank +replied. +</P> + +<P> +"But we wont let 'em drive us out of here until we know all about that +geyser, if there is such a thing; will we, Frank?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I reckon it won't take a great deal of driving to get both of us +out; but of course I do hope we'll learn something about the real cause +of all this awful racket. Are you ready to turn the bend, Bob?" +</P> + +<P> +"Sure," and the Kentucky boy ranged alongside his chum, by this +movement plainly indicating that he did not mean to let Frank take any +more risk than he himself was ready and willing to assume. +</P> + +<P> +No sooner had the two saddle boys turned the bend in the passage than +they saw a singular spectacle. +</P> + +<P> +A couple of lanterns were hung from wooden pins driven in the wall. +These lights, being protected by glass, could safely resist the +tremendous suction that accompanied each successive convulsion, as the +rocks trembled, and the air swept through toward the outer exit. +</P> + +<P> +Only two figures were in sight—a man and a boy. In the latter they +recognized little Lopez, the hero of the adventure with the grizzly; +and if their suspicions proved true also, the little girl whom Bob had +rescued from the anger of the bully, Peg Grant. +</P> + +<P> +The man was a rugged specimen, with long, iron-gray hair. Frank +recognized him as Lemuel Smith, whom he remembered to have met several +years ago when in a border town with his father. +</P> + +<P> +Smith had always been a rolling stone, a prospector who spent his time +in hunting new strikes, and who lived year in and year out in the wild +hope of sometime or other hitting it rich. Frank suddenly remembered +that Smith had had one daughter, who, he believed, had married a +Mexican. And that would make the little girl his grand-daughter. +</P> + +<P> +"They're packing up," remarked Frank, whose quick eye had noticed the +fact. +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps he's done his work here, and means to vamoose the ranch," Bob +suggested. "Then again," he added, as another thought raced through +his brain, "maybe he doesn't altogether like the looks of things, and +wants to get out of this rat-hole before it all goes to smash. He must +have been here a long time, and ought to know something about that +geyser, Frank." +</P> + +<P> +"There, they have discovered us!" the other exclaimed, as he waved his +torch in what he meant to be a friendly way, and kept on advancing. +</P> + +<P> +"Whew! I just hope he doesn't try to fire on us," muttered Bob, who +was nervously fingering his rifle, and wondering how dreadful it would +feel to be compelled, even in self-defense, to shoot at a fellow human +being. +</P> + +<P> +But the old miner held up both hands. It was the Indian peace sign, +understood by every savage tribe on the face of the globe. +</P> + +<P> +Quickly the two boys hurried forward, for the first symptoms of another +burst of thunder and furious wind began to make themselves felt. +</P> + +<P> +This time Frank did not take off any of his outer clothing in order to +protect the torch. He had noted that the old miner had <I>two</I> lanterns, +and he expected to borrow one, if necessary. +</P> + +<P> +Of course his torch was snuffed out while the furious blast swept by. +Bob noted that each successive outbreak tried to beat the record, and +he was wondering just when the limit of endurance might be reached. +</P> + +<P> +The old miner, after the roar had subsided, offered the two boys his +hand. +</P> + +<P> +"How are ye, young Haywood?" he asked, recognizing Frank. "I heard +about what you done for my little gal here, Inez Lopez, whose father +was once a cowboy on the Circle ranch, and lost his life in a fight +with some of his countrymen when they quarreled. I'm glad to see you. +Found a nice little pocket here a year or so back. Kept it on the +quiet; and the gal, playing the part of a boy, has been fetchin' me +supplies once in two months, an' takin' away the dust I winnowed. +Pocket's played out now, but I reckons as how I've got plenty. 'Sides, +I just don't like the way things is agoin' here. That spoutin' geyser +that rises up inside the old mountain every once in a while acts like +it meant to break loose. Never saw it carry on that bad before; and +we're just ready to cut and run, leavin' most of the truck behind. +What brings ye here, Frank?" +</P> + +<P> +So Frank had to explain in a few words, while the old miner looked +admiringly at the boys, and grinned. +</P> + +<P> +"I admire your nerve, young fellers," he declared, at the conclusion of +the explanation. "And, Frank, ye guessed the true facts, blessed if ye +didn't! I got onto the same by accident. Fell in through a hole, and +just had to creep along this passage to the end. Then havin' guessed +what made the roar, I wondered if so be I could find any stuff in here. +So I took a lot of wood along, and made my discovery." +</P> + +<P> +"And you say you're bound out now?" asked Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"That's what we are, little Lopez and me; and we can't get to the open +any too soon, either, to please both of us," Smith replied, shouldering +his pack. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! say, Mr. Smith," cried Bob, "have you lost a pet that wears a +collar?" +</P> + +<P> +"Meanin' my pet painter, Nero, I take it," replied the miner. "I +raised him up from a cub, and he's as fond of me as my dog. But he's +gone somewhar. We ain't seen him for hours, and like as not the +critter knowed it was gettin' dangerous in here. Trust animal sense +for that. But wait till this next whoop gets by, and then we'll make +for the door. Here's hopin' we'll all be smart enough to get to the +open. Bend your backs to the wind, boys; ye wont feel it so much +then," and all of them carried out his instructions as, with a rapidly +rising roar, the spouting geyser that played in the heart of Thunder +Mountain again started to break loose. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap20"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XX +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +TRAPPED IN A CANYON +</H3> + + +<P> +Once the little party started toward the opening, they made rapid +progress. The turmoil was at their backs, for one thing. Then, again, +each time the noise broke forth it seemed so much worse than before, +that every one felt anxious to get beyond the portal of the cave before +the climax came. +</P> + +<P> +And when finally this opened before them, Bob drew a long sigh of +relief. +</P> + +<P> +"Glory!" he burst out. "Maybe I'm not glad we've arrived! But I +reckon your pet, Nero, has skipped, Mr. Smith, or he would have come +out when you and the little Lopez passed. Sorry for you; but perhaps +it's just as well for the rest of us; because you see the fellow might +have had it in for us." +</P> + +<P> +So they passed into the outer air. +</P> + +<P> +"Seems pretty much the same as when we left," remarked Bob, as he +stared up at the dark sky against which they could see the rocky crown +of Thunder Mountain dimly outlined. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, what did you expect?" asked Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"I didn't know but what some of that thunder might be the genuine +article, and we'd find the rain coming down to beat the band. Glad it +isn't, because we want to get down from this to where our horses are." +</P> + +<P> +"Little Lopez has our burro and bronco quartered in a small ravine +where they can't escape," remarked the old miner, as he handed Frank +the lantern he had been carrying, the girl taking the other. +</P> + +<P> +"But would they be in danger in case of a storm-burst?" asked Bob. +</P> + +<P> +"We counted on that when we arranged the exit by piling up stones," +came the ready reply. "There is little danger, for the ravine has high +banks, where they are able to go in case of hard luck. But now we have +a tough job ahead, boys. Mind your steps all the time. A slip might +cost you dear." +</P> + +<P> +"Reckon I know that, Mr. Smith," remarked Bob. "I've had experience, +you see. And only for the helping hand of my trusty chum here, I'm +afraid I wouldn't be alive right now. Oh! I'll be careful, I give you +my word." +</P> + +<P> +And he was, seldom putting a foot forward without first making certain +how the land lay below, and that the stone he expected to step upon was +firmly planted. +</P> + +<P> +They were making fair progress when the old miner called out: +</P> + +<P> +"We've reached the parting of the ways, boys. Little Lopez and me have +to turn to the left here, so as to hit the place whar our animals are +cached. You keep right on. Wish you the best of luck, Frank. Hope to +see you some time at my shack. And I tell ye, son, thar's agoin' to be +a ranch soon, with hosses for the gal, an' an ottermobile for the old +couple. I struck it rich in this here lode and pocket. So-long, boys!" +</P> + +<P> +He shook hands with each of them, as did also the girl, whose +astonishing nerve, when facing that terrible grizzly, Bob would never +forget. Then they separated. And a minute afterward there came +another of those fearful shocks that seemed to make the very rocks of +the mountain quiver, as the pent-up force of that great geyser beat +against its prison walls. +</P> + +<P> +"We must be getting down somewhere near the canyon, aren't we, Frank?" +asked Bob, after they had been a long while descending the side of the +rough mountain. +</P> + +<P> +"That's right, we are," replied his chum. "And I've been wondering +whether we ought to take the chances of going along that <I>barranca</I> +just now." +</P> + +<P> +"It's the shortest way to where we left our horses, I reckon," remarked +Bob. +</P> + +<P> +"And the only way we happen to know of," Frank went on; "but if that +flood just happened to break loose while we were between those high +walls we'd have an experience that would be fierce, let me tell you!" +</P> + +<P> +"But then, it may not come for hours yet?" remonstrated the Kentucky +boy, who was anxious to be once again in the saddle, and leaving the +haunted mountain well in the rear. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! for that matter, it may not come at all," Frank went on. +"Although Smith did say he really believed that this was going to +finish the old geyser, which he believed empties into one of those +queer underground rivers we know are to be found all through the +Southwest. And Smith ought to know something about it, for he's been +watching this business a whole year now, from close quarters." +</P> + +<P> +"I'm willing to take the chances, if you are," declared Bob. +</P> + +<P> +Frank was not at all surprised when he heard his chum say this. He +knew that the Kentucky boy was apt to be rash; and that meant more +caution on his part, in order to counteract this spirit, that might +border on recklessness. +</P> + +<P> +A quick decision had to be made, for delay could do them no good. He +cast one last look up at the dark heavens, as though questioning how +long they might remain mute. +</P> + +<P> +"All right, we'll risk it, Bob," he declared, suddenly; for even if the +worst came Frank believed he knew how to avoid a calamity. +</P> + +<P> +"Good for you, Frank!" exclaimed the other; but Bob understood the +nature of the risk they were taking, and he was not quite so buoyant as +usual. +</P> + +<P> +The canyon was just below them now, and fortunately there seemed a +narrow bit of slope down which they might make their way. This they +did with considerable difficulty. Indeed, Bob was secretly sorry, +after they had started, that he had urged his companion to take this +step; but there could be no going back now. +</P> + +<P> +Finally, after several slips, and more or less excitement, they managed +to gain the bottom of the canyon. +</P> + +<P> +"Say, I don't remember this place any, Frank!" declared Bob, as he +stared about him as well as he could by the flickering light of the +lantern which his companion still carried, and which had served them +well through all their descent. +</P> + +<P> +"For a mighty good reason," replied Frank. "We were never here before." +</P> + +<P> +"But this is the same old turtle crawl, isn't it; the <I>barranca</I> we +followed up to the time we climbed the slope with our horses?" Bob +asked. +</P> + +<P> +"It sure is, only a lot farther along, Bob. Notice how the walls tower +upon each side. I knew something about this, and that was why I held +back when you wanted to come down here. But let's hurry. We've got to +make that slope as soon as we can." +</P> + +<P> +"Supposing the thing broke loose before we could find any place to +climb out?" suggested Bob, looking up again with awe, as he stumbled +along after his chum, who was already hurrying down the canyon. +</P> + +<P> +"We might try to outrun it first," Frank replied, over his shoulder. +</P> + +<P> +"And if that didn't work, what then?" the other continued. +</P> + +<P> +"Nothing left but to climb the walls, Bob." +</P> + +<P> +"Whew! then perhaps I'd better be keeping an eye out as we go along, +and see how the land lies?" suggested the boy from Kentucky. +</P> + +<P> +"A good idea, Bob. Just notice where the chances look half-way decent +for a climb. And remember, at the same time, that the wave may be all +of thirty feet deep when it sweeps through here." +</P> + +<P> +"You don't say? That would mean some hustling then to get up out of +reach, Frank." +</P> + +<P> +"I reckon it would. Look out for that nasty rock; it nearly tripped +me, Bob." +</P> + +<P> +"What was that flash, Frank? Don't tell me it was lightning, real +lightning, and that the long delayed storm is going to break right now, +when it's got us cooped up in this hole?" +</P> + +<P> +"It was lightning, all right. There, that proves it!" +</P> + +<P> +Frank's words were drowned in a crash of genuine thunder that made the +foundations of the mountain shake just as much as the mad efforts of +the imprisoned geyser had ever done. +</P> + +<P> +"No mistake about that sort of thing," cried Bob, as he stumbled along +after his chum. "There it comes again, Frank. I guess I'd better be +picking out a good way up the wall somewhere, for it looks like we'd +have to climb!" +</P> + +<P> +Frank was doubtless sizing up the situation in his mind. He was also +listening for some sound which he expected to hear, but which was going +to prove a very unwelcome one. +</P> + +<P> +"No use going any further, Bob, if so be you've seen anything that +looks promising here," he declared, when the reverberations of the +thunder had ceased to echo through the canyon. +</P> + +<P> +"Then you think we're going to get caught here, Frank?" questioned the +other. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm afraid to take the chances of keeping on any further. It may be a +long run to the next broken wall, that offers us a chance to climb. +Some places the sides go up as smooth as glass. Have you see an +opening here, Bob?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, yes, right on the left, Frank!" exclaimed Bob, eagerly. "I +couldn't see so very far up, but it looks good to me." +</P> + +<P> +Frank turned his gaze up to where his comrade pointed. +</P> + +<P> +"I think it's rough as far as that ledge," he said; "and let us hope +that will be out of the reach of the water. Come on, Bob; let's see +how you can climb; but be careful, boy, be mighty careful!" +</P> + +<P> +"Frank, that roaring sound didn't seem like the others we've been +hearing; d'ye think it means anything has happened?" Bob called, as he +started to clamber up the rough face of the wall, taking advantage of +every jutting rock, and showing a nimbleness a mountain goat might +almost have envied. +</P> + +<P> +"I reckon it does, Bob," replied the other. "Get along as fast as you +can with all caution." +</P> + +<P> +"Has the cloudburst arrived?" demanded Bob, who was already ten feet +from the floor of the canyon. +</P> + +<P> +"Either that, or else with that last shock the geyser burst its bonds, +and the flood Smith expected is rushing out from all the passages into +this same channel! Perhaps both things have happened at the same +time," Frank replied. +</P> + +<P> +"Wow! then we'd better be climbing some, I reckon, if that's the case!" +cried the Kentucky boy, as he increased his efforts to ascend to the +ledge. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap21"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXI +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A CLOSE CALL +</H3> + + +<P> +"It's sure coming down on us, Frank!" cried Bob, shortly, as he caught +a strange mixture of terrifying sounds. +</P> + +<P> +"Climb!" shouted back the other; for he knew they would have about all +they could do to reach the shelf of rock before the mighty wave swept +through that narrow channel between the high walls of the canyon, with +a force utterly irresistible. +</P> + +<P> +Bob was doing his best. He realized that the ledge was just above his +head now, and also how necessary it was that they reach it before the +rushing flood arrived to fill the gap. +</P> + +<P> +Now his eager fingers clutched the edge, and he strove to pull himself +up higher. But his breath was exhausted from his violent efforts, and +the excitement attending the occasion. +</P> + +<P> +Bob realized that the torrent was very close at hand. Its roar dinned +in his ears so that he could hear nothing else. The rocks seemed to be +quivering under the impact of the released forces. He felt a cold +shiver pass over him as he was seized with a dreadful fear that the +rock to which he clung was giving way. +</P> + +<P> +Then something seized him by the back of the neck, and Bob found +himself being helped up to a firm foundation. Frank had succeeded in +gaining the ledge ahead of his chum; and naturally enough his first +thought was to assist Bob. +</P> + +<P> +Panting, and completely exhausted, Bob lay there on the shelf of rock. +He could look down, and when the lightning played, see the oncoming of +that foam-crested bank of mad waters that rushed pell mell down the +canyon. +</P> + +<P> +Now it was speeding past them, rising higher and higher with each +second, until a new fear began to grip at Bob's anxious heart. He +dreaded lest the wave might attain such a height that he and his chum +would be swept from their perch, to be carried away, helpless victims +on the crest of the flood. +</P> + +<P> +It was raining now, in sheets. The boys were quickly soaked to the +skin; but neither of them paid the least attention to this fact, which, +after all, was of minor Importance. +</P> + +<P> +"Frank, do you think it's going to reach up here?" called Bob, as he +watched the rising line of water come within three feet of the ledge. +</P> + +<P> +"I hope not," came the reply, and then Bob saw that his chum was moving +along the ledge looking carefully above as though in hopes of finding +it possible to climb higher, in case of necessity. +</P> + +<P> +"Any chance of getting up the rocks, Frank?" he asked again, a minute +later. +</P> + +<P> +"Mighty little, Bob," replied the other, dropping beside him; "how's +the water coming along?" +</P> + +<P> +"Less'n two feet from us now, and still rising," reported Bob, +disconsolately. +</P> + +<P> +"But it comes slowly, you notice," Frank declared, with hope in his +voice. +</P> + +<P> +"I could just touch it the last time the lightning played; now I can +put my hand clear in it!" Bob called, uneasily. +</P> + +<P> +Another minute passed. The lightning was of considerable assistance to +the trapped saddle boys, for it enabled them to see. Frank had lost +his lantern during the climb, as it was torn from his belt by a rock he +struck; so that only for this heavenly illumination they must have been +in utter darkness. And when peril threatens it is some satisfaction at +least to see the worst. +</P> + +<P> +"Now it's only one foot down, Frank!" cried Bob. +</P> + +<P> +"That's so," replied the other, instantly; "but I reckon it's about +reached its limit. You see, the higher it rises the broader the +channel becomes, and that takes a heap of the water. Bob, cheer up, +I'm nearly sure it won't reach the ledge!" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! don't I hope it won't!" cried the Kentucky boy, a little +hysterically; for his nerves had indeed been sorely tried during this +night. +</P> + +<P> +Five minutes more passed, during which the torrent continued to rush +downward through the gorge with all the attendant clamor. +</P> + +<P> +"It's at a stand!" shouted Frank, who had himself been making soundings +with his hand. +</P> + +<P> +"And only six inches from the shelf!" echoed Bob. "That's what you +could call a close call; eh, Frank?" +</P> + +<P> +"It sure is, old fellow," replied the prairie boy, himself more +relieved than his words would indicate; for he had discovered, during +his brief search, that there was absolutely no hope of ascending any +farther up that blank wall. +</P> + +<P> +"Shake hands, Frank! We're as lucky as ever, I tell you!" said Bob; +and when their hands clasped neither of them thought it strange that he +could feel the other trembling. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, what are we going to do about it?" asked Bob, when some time had +passed, and the flood still rushed through the canyon, although in +diminished fury. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know that we can do anything except camp out right here on +this rock-shelf, and wait for the storm to pass by," replied Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"Even if it takes till morning?" Bob went on. +</P> + +<P> +"Nothing else left to us; and morning won't be so very long coming, +perhaps, Bob. You notice, don't you, that the thunder now is about all +natural?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, that's a fact," declared Bob. "The geyser has stopped beating +against the inside of the mountain, hasn't it? Got tired of the job, +and quit for another rest, perhaps." +</P> + +<P> +"I've got my idea about that," Frank said "You can see how the water is +still rushing along down there. It must be nearly ten feet deep, and +for some time, now, I don't believe it's varied. Don't you understand +what that means, Bob?" +</P> + +<P> +"Good gracious! do you mean that the old geyser has turned into a +river, and will keep on running like this right along?" cried the other. +</P> + +<P> +"Looks that way to me," Frank replied. "It is a great big syphon, and +once started, the water that has for centuries been wasting in some +underground stream is now flowing down this canyon. Perhaps long ago +it did this same thing, till some upheaval—an earthquake it might have +been—turned things around." +</P> + +<P> +"But I say, Frank!" Bob exclaimed; "If what you tell me turns out to be +true, it looks as if we were bottled up in a nice hole, doesn't it? We +can't get up any farther; and if we go down we'll just have to swim in +a torrent that'll knock us silly. This is what I call tough!" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! don't look a gift horse in the mouth, Bob. This is a pretty good +sort of a shelf after all; and we'll be glad to stick to it till +morning comes. Time enough then to plan what we're going to do to get +away." +</P> + +<P> +"That's right, and I'm ashamed of complaining," the taller lad burst +out. +</P> + +<P> +"It is a grand old shelf; and if I wasn't afraid of rolling off I +believe I could even snatch a few winks of sleep, wet clothes or not." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! I'll prop you up with some loose rocks If you want to try it," +declared Frank; "but the chances are you'll get to shivering. Better +sit up, and whack your arms around as I'm doing every little while. It +makes the blood circulate, you see, and keeps you from going to pieces." +</P> + +<P> +Bob saw the wisdom of this advice. He was beginning to shudder every +minute or so. They were up the side of the mountain a considerable +distance; and after the electrical storm the air had changed from hot +to cold. +</P> + +<P> +Time passed very slowly. Every now and then the boys would go through +that motion of slapping their arms across their chests; and it never +failed to start the chilled blood into new life. +</P> + +<P> +"Was there ever such a long night?" groaned Bob, as he stretched his +neck for the thirtieth time to look up at the narrow strip of sky that +could be seen between the overhanging walls of the canyon, in hopes of +discovering signs of the coming dawn. +</P> + +<P> +"It won't be long now," said Frank, who carried a little watch along +with him, and had several times struck a match to consult its face. +"One good thing, Bob; it has cleared up. You can see the stars +overhead." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, and how bright they look from here in this black hole. How long +did you say now, Frank?" asked the anxious and weary Bob, yawning. +</P> + +<P> +"Half an hour ought to see us through, and bring daylight." +</P> + +<P> +"But Frank, that river is still running below us. However in the wide +world will we get out of this?" asked Bob. +</P> + +<P> +"No use crossing till you get to the bridge," laughed Frank. "Just you +make up your mind there's going to be some way open for us to get out +of this. And if the worst comes, I'm a boss swimmer, remember, Bob." +</P> + +<P> +After another spell of waiting the Kentucky lad cried out: +</P> + +<P> +"I believe it's getting light! Yes, you can see things now that were +hid before!" +</P> + +<P> +The morning came. Overhead the sun shone, for they could see that the +sky was clear. And looking down they saw the rushing torrent that had +not filled the bed of the canyon for perhaps centuries back. +</P> + +<P> +When another hour had elapsed Bob began to grow impatient, and +suggested various wild schemes for getting out of the difficulty. To +all of these Frank shook his head. He himself was considering +something, when he suddenly lifted his head as though listening. +</P> + +<P> +"Some one shouting up yonder!" exclaimed Bob, pointing upward to the +top of the canyon wall; whereupon Frank seized upon his gun, and fired +several shots in rapid succession. +</P> + +<P> +Then came answering shouts, upon which Frank repeated his signal for +help. +</P> + +<P> +"They hear you; they're coming closer! Oh! Frank, I believe that's +Old Hank Coombs hollering!" exclaimed the excited Bob. +</P> + +<P> +"Hello! down there, air ye all safe?" came a hail; and looking up the +two boys on the shelf saw the grizzled head of the old cowman thrust +into view. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap22"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +ONCE MORE AT CIRCLE RANCH—CONCLUSION +</H3> + + +<P> +After all, it was not a very great task, getting the two saddle boys up +from the friendly shelf. Old Hank lowered his lariat; and after Bob +had slipped the loop under his arms, he was pulled to safety. Then +Frank followed. +</P> + +<P> +They found that Hank had half a dozen cowboys with him, some of the +most daring connected with Circle Ranch. Overtaken by the storm while +at the base of the mountain, they had waited for daylight, and then +started afoot to make the ascent. The presence of the new river in the +bed of the long empty <I>barranca</I> astonished these cowmen exceedingly. +And when they heard all that the boys had to tell they were almost of +the opinion that they must have been dreaming. +</P> + +<P> +But there was the evidence before their very eyes, and nobody could +deny that the old-time river, that had been bottled up underground for +so long, had finally found a way to break forth once more, aided by the +geyser that for a century had beaten that tremendous tattoo every +little while against the inner walls of the rocky mountain. +</P> + +<P> +"Then there won't be no more racket, will there?" old Hank asked, as he +lay there, looking down at the rushing current of the new stream that +would no doubt readily follow its long abandoned course, until it +reached the distant Colorado, somewhere along the Grand Canyon. +</P> + +<P> +"The chances are against it," replied Frank. +</P> + +<P> +"But let's try and find our horses," Bob suggested, after he had +finished eating what food the newcomers had taken the pains to prepare +for the lost ones. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I'm anxious myself to find out how Buckskin's weathered the +gale," Frank put in. +</P> + +<P> +The two horses were found in good shape, but glad to once more see +their masters, if the whinnies that greeted the coming of Frank and Bob +might be looked upon as evidence of this. +</P> + +<P> +And then another difficult task awaited them. To get the animals down +to the level plain, now that the canyon was out of commission, taxed +the ingenuity of even so expert a plainsman as Hank Coombs; but it was +finally accomplished. +</P> + +<P> +Then the horses of the cowboys were found, and the entire party started +for the distant ranch, expecting to complete their jaunt before sundown. +</P> + +<P> +Old Hank was deeply interested in what the boys had to tell about the +band of rustlers passing, with all the led horses. +</P> + +<P> +"Didn't git 'em from our ranch," he declared; "an' I reckons the +X-bar-X must 'a suffered; or it might be the Arrowhead, over on the +creek, was the one. But if so be Pedro Mendoza has been usin' that +canyon to cross over the range with his stolen cattle an' horses, he'll +hev to go further away now to do the same, 'cause his road's a rushin' +river." +</P> + +<P> +"We sure have had a great time of it," declared Bob, as they came in +sight of the buildings of the ranch, and heard the loud calls of the +cowboys who were driving some of the stock in from the range, to get it +ready for shipment later. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, and think what we found out," Frank pursued. "First of all the +mystery of Thunder Mountain is known, and from this time on those +roaring sounds will never again be heard." +</P> + +<P> +"And the Indians will be wondering why the Great Spirit is angry with +his red children, so that he refuses to speak to them," Bob continued. +</P> + +<P> +"And then there is that little affair about Lopez," Frank remarked, +smiling at the recollection. "We have learned who Lopez is, and what +his grandfather, Lemuel Smith, was doing in that cave. Think of Peg +and his two guides getting out of the region without finding out a +thing!" +</P> + +<P> +"Say won't they be just as mad as hops, though, when they learn about +what we saw and heard," chuckled Bob. "It's been a great time, all +right. And Frank, we'll never again have anything like the fun we had +in that old <I>barranca</I>. It makes my blood just jump through my veins +to think of it." +</P> + +<P> +"You're right," said Frank, "I don't believe we ever will!" +</P> + +<P> +But like many other persons who cannot look ahead even one hour, and +know what the future holds for them, both the saddle boys were very +much mistaken. There were plenty of stirring adventures awaiting them +ere many weeks had passed, some of which will be related in the next +volume of this series, called "The Saddle Boys in the Grand Canyon; Or, +The Hermit of the Cave." And those of our boy friends who have found +more or less interest in the present story of life in the far +Southwest, will doubtless be glad to read more of the doings of Frank +Haywood and his brave Kentucky chum, Bob Archer. +</P> + +<P> +That Peg and his guides reached home safely Frank knew shortly, when he +happened to meet the bully on the trail. Peg was eager to hear at +first hand all that had happened, and made friendly overtures with that +design in view; but this did not deceive Frank in the least. He +realized that Peg was more bitter than ever, and believed that if the +opportunity ever came the bully would not hesitate to do anything that +he thought would annoy the chums. +</P> + +<P> +Frank had also found that the prospector, Smith, and his little Mexican +granddaughter, had reached home in safety. The successful lode hunter +purchased a ranch; and when Frank met him some time later he was riding +around the country in a fine automobile, buying stock. Inez was with +him, and never again would the brave little girl have to dress as a boy +in order to carry supplies up into the canyons of the mountains. +</P> + +<P> +Thunder Mountain never again uttered a sound of warning. The Indians +marveled much, and consulted their greatest medicine men as to why the +voice of Manitou called no more. But the whites knew; and a load was +thereby taken from the mind of many a superstitious cowboy, who, when +watching his charges through the vigils of the night, could look toward +the rocky height without that feeling of uneasiness that had always +been present when he believed the mountain to be haunted. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE END +</H3> + +<BR><BR><BR><BR> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Saddle Boys of the Rockies, by James Carson + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES *** + +***** This file should be named 19120-h.htm or 19120-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/9/1/2/19120/ + +Produced by Al Haines + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Saddle Boys of the Rockies + Lost on Thunder Mountain + +Author: James Carson + +Release Date: August 25, 2006 [EBook #19120] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES *** + + + + +Produced by Al Haines + + + + + + + + + + +[Illustration: THE BIG POWERFUL BLACK ACTED AS THOUGH HE HAD GONE WILD.] + + + + + + +The Saddle Boys of the Rockies + +Or + +Lost on Thunder Mountain + + +BY + +CAPTAIN JAMES CARSON + + + +AUTHOR OF + + "THE SADDLE BOYS IN THE GRAND CANYON," + "THE SADDLE BOYS ON THE PLAINS," + "THE SADDLE BOYS AT CIRCLE RANCH," ETC. + + + +ILLUSTRATED + + + +NEW YORK + +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY + +PUBLISHERS + + + + +Copyrighted 1913, by + +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY + + +THE SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAPTER + + I. ACCEPTING A CHALLENGE + II. THE STRANGE ACTIONS OF DOMINO + III. OLD HANK COOMBS BEARS A MESSAGE + IV. A NOTE OF WARNING AT THE SPRING HOLE + V. THE VOICE OF THE MOUNTAIN + VI. A SECOND ALARM + VII. THE "RUSTLERS" + VIII. A STARTLING DISCOVERY + IX. WHAT HAPPENED TO PEG + X. THREATS OF TROUBLE + XI. THE BLACK NIGHT + XII. LOSING THEIR BEARINGS + XIII. THE SMOKE TRAIL + XIV. A CALL FOR HELP + XV. SPANISH JOE DROPS A HINT + XVI. THE VENT HOLE IN THE WALL + XVII. FRANK HOLDS THE HOT STICK + XVIII. A GUESS THAT HITS THE BULLSEYE + XIX. THE WORKING OF THE GOLD LODE + XX. TRAPPED IN THE CANYON + XXI. A CLOSE CALL + XXII. ONCE MORE AT CIRCLE RANCH--CONCLUSION + + + + +THE SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES + + +CHAPTER I + +ACCEPTING A CHALLENGE + +"Hello! what brought you here, Frank Haywood, I'd like to know?" + +"Well, I reckon my horse, Buckskin, did, Peg." + +"And who's this with you--your new chum; the boy from Kentucky?" + +"That's who it is, Peg--Bob Archer; and he's come out West to see how +life on the plains suits him." + +"Oh! a greenhorn, eh?" + +"Perhaps some people might call him that, though he knows a heap about +horses. But seems to me, Peg, 'twasn't so very long ago that you +yourself dropped in on us here. Since when did you climb up out of the +tenderfoot class, tell me?" + +The boy who answered to the name of Frank Haywood was a rather chunky, +well set-up lad of about sixteen. He had blue eyes, that were usually +sparkling with mirth; and a mop of yellow hair; while his skin was +darkened by long exposure to sun and wind. + +Frank was the son of a rancher, who not only owned a large tract of +land with many herds, but had interests in paying mines located among +the mountains of the Southwest. Of course he knew more or less +concerning such things as cowboys practice; though never a day passed +on which Frank could not pick up new ideas connected with life in the +open. + +His companion, Bob Archer, was considerably taller than Frank, straight +as an Indian, though rather inclined to be slender; but with a +suppleness that indicated such strength and agility as the panther +displays. + +Coming from Kentucky, Bob could at least boast of long familiarity with +horses; and his cleverness in this line promised to make him a crack +horseman when he had picked up a few more of the tricks known to range +riders. + +Both of the boys were especially fond of roaming the country, mounted +on their favorite steeds; and indeed, they were becoming known far and +near as the "Saddle Boys" because of their being seen so frequently, +dashing over the prairies at top-notch speed. + +Peg was the nick-name which had followed Percy Egbert Grant all the way +from the Chicago suburb, where, for some years, he had played the part +of both dude and bully. His father was very wealthy, and Peg always +had more money than was good for him. + +When he came to the great X-bar-X ranch, not so very far distant from +the Haywood home place, Peg had adopted the same tactics that had +carried the day for him in the past. The cowboys belonging to his +father's estate seemed to knuckle under to him from the first. However +much they might ridicule Peg behind his back, they cringed when he gave +orders; because he was a liberal paymaster, and no one wished to incur +his enmity. + +So it came to pass that Peg actually began to believe himself of great +importance in the community. He assumed airs that ill became one who +was really ignorant of many things connected with ranch life. + +He and Frank had never become friends. There was something about the +fellow that the saddle boy could not tolerate. More than once they had +almost come to blows; and, only for the peace-loving nature of Frank, +this must have occurred long ago. + +The two chums had taken the long gallop to the town on the railroad on +this particular day to do a little important business for Mr. Haywood, +who was associated with Bob's uncle in certain large mining +enterprises. And it was while entering the town that they met Peg, +who, with his customary assurance, had halted them with the question +that begins this chapter. + +When Frank give him this little cut, the face of Peg Grant showed signs +of anger. He knew very well that he was making wretched progress along +the line of becoming an accomplished rider and cowboy. And the easy +manner in which the other boys sat their saddles irritated him greatly. + +"What does it matter to you, Frank Haywood, when I left the greenhorn +class and moved up a pace? All the boys of the X-bar-X outfit say I'm +full-fledged now, and able to hold my own with nearly any fellow. +It'll be some time, I reckon, before your new friend can say the same. +But I will own that he's got a horse that takes my eye, for a fact." + +"That's where you show good judgment, Peg," said Frank, laughing. "He +brought that black horse with him from Kentucky. And he can ride some, +you'd better believe me. When he gets on to the ways we have out here, +Bob will hold his own against heaps of boys that were born and brought +up on the plains." + +"Say, I don't suppose, now, you'd care to sell that animal, Archer?" +asked Peg, as he eyed the handsome mount of the Kentucky boy enviously. +"Because I fancy I'd like to own him more than I ever did that frisky +buckskin Frank rides. If you'd put a fairly decent price on him now--" + +"I raised Domino from a colt, I broke him to the saddle, and we have +been together five years now. Money couldn't buy him from me," replied +the tall boy, curtly. + +It was not Bob Archer's habit to speak in this strain to anyone; but +there seemed to be a something connected with Peg Grant that irritated +him. The manner of the other was so overbearing as to appear almost +rude. He had had his own way a long time now; and thus far no one +connected with the big ranch owned by his father had arisen to take him +down. + +"Oh! well, there are plenty of horses just as good, I guess," Peg went +on; "and some people don't appreciate the value of money, anyway. But +see here, Frank, you let your eyebrows travel up when I mentioned the +fact that I'd graduated from the tenderfoot class. I could see that +you doubted my words. Now, I'm going to tell you something that will +surprise you a heap. Are you ready for a shock?" + +"Oh; I can brace myself for nearly anything, Peg," replied Frank, +easily; "so suppose you tell us your great news. Have you entered for +the endurance race at the annual cowboy meet next month; or do you +expect to take the medal for riding bucking broncos?" + +"Any ordinary range rider might do that, even if he lost out," Peg went +on; "but my game is along different lines; see? I'm on my way right +now to run down the mystery of Thunder Mountain! I understand that for +years it's puzzled the whole country to know what makes that roaring +sound every now and then. Many cowboys couldn't be hired to spend a +single night on that mountain. As for the Indians, they claim it is +the voice of Great Manitou; and steer clear of Thunder Mountain, every +time. Get that, Frank?" + +"Well, Peg, you have given me a jolt, for a fact," answered the saddle +boy, as his face expressed his surprise. "I allow that you show a lot +of nerve in laying out such a big plan; and if you only find out what +makes that trembling, roaring sound, you'll get the blessing of many a +range rider who believes all the stories told about Thunder Mountain." + +Peg stiffened up in his saddle, as though he realized that he was +engineering a tremendously important thing; and had a right to be +looked up to as a hero, even before the accomplishment of the deed. + +"Well, that's always the way with you fellows out here, I find," he +remarked, loftily; "you leave all the big things to be done by fellows +with real backbone. But then, I don't mind; in fact I'm obliged to you +for neglecting your opportunities so long. Just you wait, and you'll +hear something drop. Couldn't I induce you to name a price on that +black beauty, Archer?" + +"Domino is not for sale at any price," replied the other, quietly. + +"Oh! all right then. So long, Frank. Go back home, and wait till I +send you word about what I've found out!" and with a careless wave of +his arm Peg whirled his horse around, and galloped off. + +"Now, I wonder did he mean that; or was he just bluffing?" said Frank, +as he turned to his chum. + +"He looked as if he might be in dead earnest," replied Bob; "but you +know him better than I do, and ought to be able to say whether he'd +have the sand to take up such a job as that." + +"Oh! nobody doubts his grit, when it comes to that," Frank went on, as +though trying to figure the matter out. "And he seems to want to do +something everybody else lets alone. You know what I told you about +Thunder Mountain, Bob; and how it has been a mystery ever since the +country hereabout was settled by people from the East?" + +"Yes," the Kentucky boy replied, "and somehow, what you told me seemed +to shake me up as I don't ever remember being stirred before. It was +like a direct challenge--just like somebody had dared me to look into +this queer old mountain, and find out what it all meant." + +"That's just it," said Frank, watching the face of his chum with a show +of eagerness. "It struck me the same way long ago, and I can remember +often thinking what a great time a few of the right kind of fellows +might have if they took a notion to go nosing around that old pile of +rock, to see what does make all that row every little while." + +"And you tell me nobody knows what it is?" demanded Bob. + +"Why, don't you understand, the cowboys all keep away from Thunder +Mountain as much as they can. They're worse than the Injuns about it, +because while the reds say that is the voice of Manitou talking, these +fellows just up and declare the mountain is haunted. Lots of 'em +couldn't be hired to spend a night on the side of that big uplift." + +"But Frank, we don't believe in any such thing, do we?" pursued Bob, as +if he had begun to suspect what all this talk was leading up to, and +wished to draw his chum on. + +"We sure don't, and that's a fact," declared Frank. "Twice, now, one +of our boys has made out that he saw a ghost, but both times I managed +to turn the laugh on him. All the same, if you offered a lump sum for +any fellow to go and camp out half-way up the side of Thunder Mountain +for a week, I don't believe he could be found, not at Circle Ranch, +anyhow." + +"I've seen the same kind of men myself; and the coons around our old +Kentucky home always carried a foot of a graveyard rabbit, shot in the +full of the moon, as a sure talisman against ghosts. I've seen many a +rabbit's foot. No use talking to any of them; it's in the blood and +can't be cured. But about that offering a sum for any fellow to go and +camp on the side of that old fraud of a haunted mountain, if you happen +to hear about such a snap you might just think of me, Frank." + +The other saddle boy smiled broadly. He believed he knew Bob pretty +well by this time, and could no longer doubt what the Kentucky lad was +hinting at. + +"Say, look here, would you take me up if I proposed something right +now?" asked Frank, his face filled with sudden animation. + +"If you mean that we try and beat Peg Grant at his own game, and learn +what the secret of Thunder Mountain is, I say yes!" answered Bob, +steadily. + +"Shake on that!" he exclaimed. "I'm just primed for something that's +out of the common run; and what could be finer than such a game? I saw +Billy Dixon in town; and we can send back word to father that we've +gone off for a big gallop; so he won't worry if we don't turn up for a +few days. Is it a go, Bob?" + +"Count on me," replied the other. "I don't know how it is, Frank; but +it strikes me that I'd like to cut in on that boaster in this thing. +If we managed to find out what makes that fearful booming in the +mountain, and told about it before he got a chance to blow his horn, +he'd feel cheap, wouldn't he?" + +"He sure would, now," Frank said. "And when you look at it, he just +the same as gave us the challenge direct, because he hinted that we +didn't have the nerve to attempt such a big thing as this. Bob, we'll +call it a go! Wonder what Peg will say when he runs across us out +there in that lonely place? Wow! I reckon he'll be some mad." + +"Let him," remarked Bob, carelessly. "He has no claim on Thunder +Mountain; has he? And we want to call his bluff, if it was one. So +just make up your mind we're in for a new experience. It may pan out a +heap of fun for us. And it will be worth while if we can settle the +question that has been giving these superstitious cowmen the creeps all +these years." + +"Then let's get through with our business, send word by Billy, though +not telling what we've got in the wind, and then pick up a few things +we might need on a trip like this. After that we can drop out of town, +and take our time heading for the mountain; because I think I'd like +Peg to get there first, so that he couldn't say we'd stolen his +thunder." + +Half an hour later the saddle boys, having finished their business, and +sent the Circle ranch cowboy galloping homeward bearing the message to +Mr. Haywood, were moving slowly through the main street of the town, +heading toward a store where they could pick up a couple of blankets, a +simple cooking outfit, and some of the substantials in the way of +bacon, coffee and the like, when they came upon a scene that instantly +attracted their attention. + +It was a terrified cry that reached their ears at first, and caused +both boys to pull in their horses. Glancing in the direction whence +the sound of distress seemed to spring, they saw a small Mexican girl +struggling with an over-grown fellow, garbed in the customary range +habit, even to the "chaps" of leather covering his trousers. + +Both Frank and Bob jumped from their saddles, for the little affair was +taking place in the courtyard of an inn that fronted on the street. +Whether the brute was simply playing the bully, and trying to kiss the +girl; or meant to strike her for getting in his way, Bob Archer did not +stop to inquire. + +His warm Kentucky blood on fire, he made a swoop for the fellow, and +managed to give him a tremendous blow that toppled him over in a heap. + +"Lie there, you coward!" he exclaimed. + +And then, as the fellow whom he had knocked down struggled to his +knees, to stare up at him, Bob discovered, not a little to his +surprise, and satisfaction as well, that he was looking into a familiar +face. + +It was Peg Grant! + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE STRANGE ACTIONS OF DOMINO + +"Well, I declare!" exclaimed Frank; which remark showed how much +surprised he was to recognize the youth whom his chum had sent to the +ground. + +"What do you mean by hitting me like that?" snarled the rich man's son, +as he managed to scramble to his feet again, though he seemed a bit +"groggy," and one of his eyes was already turning dark, as if it had +come in violent contact with a stone when he struck the ground. + +"What do _you_ mean, hurting that poor little Mexican girl?" demanded +Bob, who stood on his guard, as though he might not be averse to trying +conclusions with the bully, if so be the other felt like seeking +satisfaction for his upset. + +"She sassed me when I ordered her to get out of my way, that's what she +did;" declared Peg, wrathfully, "and I'd look nice now, wouldn't I, +letting a little greaser kid talk back to me? So I was just giving her +a good shaking when you broke in. Guess you didn't know who you were +hitting when you did that, Bob Archer!" + +"Perhaps I didn't," replied the Kentucky lad, calmly; "though that +wouldn't have made any particular difference. Any cur who would lay +his hands on a child like that ought to get knocked down every time. +I'd do it again if you gave me the chance!" + +Peg stared at him. Perhaps he had never been treated in this manner +before. All his life his acquaintances had truckled to him on account +of the great wealth of his father, and the liberal way he himself, as a +boy, rewarded those who were allowed the privilege of being his cronies +or mates. + +"You--would, eh?" he gasped, as if hardly daring to believe his ears. +"Even if you knew it was Peg Grant you'd treat me that way; would you? +I'll remember that! I'm not the one to forget in a hurry. Some day, +perhaps, you'll wish you'd never tried to play the hero part, and hit +me when my back was turned. I've got a good notion to teach you a +lesson right now; that's what!" + +"All right," remarked Bob, coolly. "Suppose you begin. I was never in +a better humor for trouble. Somehow I seemed to just know we'd hit it +up sooner or later if our trails crossed. I give you my word, my +friend here won't put a finger on you, if so be you get the better of +the row; will you Frank?" + +"I should say not," declared the lad, instantly, adding: "and unless I +miss my guess there won't be any need of it, either." + +"Are you coming on, Peg?" asked the Kentucky lad, temptingly. + +From under his drooping eyebrows Peg observed how easily the other had +assumed a position of self-defense. Somehow Peg did not fancy the +athletic build of his antagonist; for, while Bob was rather slender, he +had the marks of one accustomed to exercise; possessing at least +ordinary ability to take care of himself. + +"It'll keep, and be all the better for the delay," Peg grumbled, as he +clenched one fist furiously, and used the other hand to feel of his +injured optic. "Besides, I don't feel fit to fight right now, with +this bunged-up eye. But just wait till the right time comes, and see +what you get then for doing this." + +"Oh! well, suit yourself," returned Bob, with a laugh. "If the little +brown-faced girl hadn't vamoosed I declare if I wouldn't feel like +making you get down on your knees, and asking her to excuse you. Bah! +you're not worth bothering about, Peg. Get out!" + +The other moved away. He did not like the manner in which Bob said +this; and he seemed to be afraid that perhaps the other might yet +decide to press some further indignity on him. + +When, however, he had reached the door of the inn, so that he could +have a way of escape open to him in case of need, he stopped and shook +his fist threateningly toward the saddle boys. + +"You're both going to pay dear for this little fun, hear that?" he +called, his voice trembling with passion. "I'll find a way to get +even, see if I don't! And when Peg Grant says that he means it, too! +Just you wait till I----" + +And then, as Bob started to advance toward the hostelery Peg retreated +in a panic, slamming the door after him. + +"Well, what d'ye think of that?" asked Frank, who had been an amused +observer of this curious scene. + +"He's turned out just what I thought he would," remarked Bob, as he +once more gained the side of his comrade, a grim smile on his face. +"Whenever you run across a fellow who likes to boast of the way he does +things, make up your mind he's a rank coward, every time. No matter +what he claims he will do, there's a yellow streak in him _somewhere_, +and sooner or later it's bound to show." + +"I believe you're just about right, Bob," said Frank; "and it agrees +with my own opinion exactly. Still, that fellow can be dangerous if he +wants." + +"So can a rattlesnake; but at any rate the reptile is honest, for he +gives plenty of warning before he tries to strike; and that's more'n +Peg would do, if I read him straight." + +"You must keep an eye out for him after this, Bob. He'll never forgive +you that crack. My! but didn't it drop him, though! Just like a steer +would go down when the loop of a lariat closes on his foreleg. That +fellow will lie awake nights trying to get even with you." + +"Let him," remarked Bob, carelessly; "next time perhaps I'll put a +little more steam back of my fist, if he pushes me too hard. That's +the way they treat cowards back where I was brought up; and they call +anybody by that name who will put his hand in anger on girl or woman. +But see here, Frank, is this little affair going to force us to change +our plans?" + +"Whew! I forgot all about that," said the other, with a whistle, and +an uplifting of his eyebrows. "If we go poking around Thunder +Mountain, and Peg is there, with a couple of the tough cowboys he has +trailing after him most of the time, Spanish Joe and Nick Jennings, +perhaps we'll run up against a peck of trouble." + +"Well, how about it?" asked Bob, with a shade of annoyance on his face. + +"What do you say?" asked Frank, in turn. + +"Go, by all means," came the quick response. "You don't think so mean +of me as to believe I'd be frightened off by the bare chance of running +across that fellow's trail out there; do you, Frank?" + +"All right, call it a bargain, then. I'm with you through thick and +thin, Bob. Let Peg have a care how he meddles with us. We're going to +pay attention to our own business, and he'd better do the same. But +what became of the little Mex? I thought I'd seen her face before, +somewhere, but she skipped out before I could take a second look. Some +cowboy, or cattle rustler's child from beyond the Rio Grande, I reckon. +Well, come along, let's get in the saddle again, and finish our +shopping. Then we'll go out to the country along the river, and put in +a day waiting for Peg to have his chance at finding out what makes +Thunder Mountain groan and shake just so often, and scare the Injuns +out of their seven senses." + +As the two chums swung themselves into their saddles, and cantered +away, a head was thrust cautiously out from behind a pile of boxes near +by; and then, finding the coast clear, the small girl who had been the +cause of all the trouble darted across the courtyard, vanishing beyond +the gate. + +Frank and Bob went about making their purchases, first fastening their +horses to a rail in front of the general store, where everything they +needed could be bought. + +More than one cattleman in passing would cast an envious eye toward +those two splendid mounts, for they could not fail to catch the +attention of anyone accustomed to judging horseflesh, as these Western +men were. Still, it would be a bold man indeed, white or Indian, who +would dare attempt to steal a horse in broad daylight, in a country +where such a thief was treated to a rope when caught. + +Frank had had considerable experience in roughing it, while his comrade +was, in a measure, new to such a life. Consequently it was Frank whose +judgment was called into play when making a selection of the things +that would be essential to their comfort when on this new campaign. + +Many articles they could do without; but a blanket apiece was +absolutely necessary, as was a frying pan and coffee pot, two cups, as +many platters, as well as common knives, forks and spoons such as +prospectors and cattlemen use. + +For food they took some bacon, coffee, dried meat, hard-tack in place +of bread, a can of condensed milk, and several other things which would +carry well. + +"We must make them up in two packs," Frank went on; "so that each of us +can fasten one to his horse, back of the saddle. And, as I'm an old +hand at this business, just watch me get a hustle on. Next time you'll +know how to go about it for yourself, Bob." + +The Kentucky boy always studied everything his comrade showed him, for +it was his ambition to excel in the many little tricks connected with +the free life of the plains. Things were done so differently here from +what he had been accustomed to in his old Kentucky home, before his +father died, that they often puzzled him; but Bob was a persistent boy, +and would never rest content until Frank could teach him no more. + +Neither of them suspected what was going on outside, while they busied +themselves in purchasing the supplies needed for the little campaign in +the neighborhood of the mysterious mountain. And yet all was not as +quiet as it might be. + +The saddle boys had hardly been inside the general store ten minutes +before a slinking figure might have been observed drawing nearer and +nearer to the horses ranged along the bar. There were several besides +the animals of our two young friends; but, somehow, the handsome black +seemed to attract the entire attention of this shadowy form. + +Twice he stopped, and assumed an attitude that would indicate his utter +indifference to such commonplace things as horses. Then, finding that +it must have been a false alarm, he would edge closer. + +Finally he was beside the black horse, uttering low words such as +cowboys make use of to soothe a restive steed when they mean to throw a +saddle across his back, and cinch the girth. + +Two men came out from the store, and drew near. The slim figure, +finding it out of the question to flit hurriedly away, without +attracting attention, which was just the thing he wished to avoid, +commenced stroking the sleek side of the big black Kentucky +thoroughbred, as though he might be a cowboy connected with the far +famed Circle ranch of Frank's father. + +Casting just one casual glance toward him, the men threw themselves +into their saddles with the rapidity and grace of true plainsmen, and +went galloping off. + +Two minutes later the shadowy figure of the man flitted away from the +line of horses that remained. If his purpose had been to steal the +black he must have changed his mind, for there was no break in the +chain of horses that stood there, impatiently scraping the ground with +their forefeet. + +A little later out came Frank and Bob, each bearing a compact bundle +which they quickly fastened back of their saddles. + +Bob was the first to mount, and this action was hurried because he +hardly knew what to make of the restless actions of Domino. The animal +seemed to be dancing up and down as though he had stirred up a hornet's +nest, and the little insects were charging his exposed legs. + +No sooner was Bob in the saddle than the horse gave a shrill neigh, and +dashed off like a crazy creature. Indeed, a less experienced rider +than Bob would have been instantly thrown by the sudden and unexpected +move, something that Domino had never been known to attempt before. + +Frank looked up in astonishment. His practiced eye told him in an +instant that the sudden violent dash had not been engineered in the +least by his chum; but was altogether the result of fright on the part +of Domino. Why, the big and powerful black acted as though he had gone +wild, jumping madly about, now fairly flying off to one side, only to +whirl and dance and leap high in the air, until every one within seeing +distance was staring at the strange spectacle. And this, too, in a +town where bucking broncos were a common sight. + +Frank had gained his saddle, and was chasing after his friend, but just +then the black had taken a notion to run, and apparently nothing in +that country could overtake him while his present savage mood held out. + +"What ails the beast?" Frank asked himself, as he drew rein and watched +the other passing beyond range of his vision among the stunted +mesquites outside of the edge of the town. "He acts like a locoed +horse; but there isn't a bit of the poison weed growing within twenty +miles of here. And why was Peg Grant standing on the stoop of the +tavern grinning as I rode past? Can he have had a hand in this sudden +crazy spell of the black? Spanish Joe knows all the tricks of putting +a thorn under a saddle, that will stab the horse when the rider mounts. +Is that the trouble now? If it is then it's lucky my chum knows as +much as he does about managing a horse, or he would never come back +alive from that mad ride. And all I can do is to sit here, wait for +his return, and watch Peg Grant and his cronies!" + + + + +CHAPTER III + +OLD HANK COOMBS BEARS A MESSAGE + +If there was one thing Bob could do well, it was to ride. Born in +Kentucky, where horses take a leading part in the education of most +boys, Bob had always spent a good part of his time in the saddle. + +Hence, when he came out here to the plains, the cowboys of the ranch +found that, in his own way, he was well versed in managing the fine +black horse he brought along with him. + +Of course there were dozens of tricks which these daring riders of the +plains could show the tenderfoot from the South; but when it came down +to hard riding Bob was able to hold his own. + +When his powerful horse bolted in such a strange fashion Bob simply +kept his seat, and tried to soothe Domino by soft words. For once the +remedy failed to produce any immediate effect. The animal seemed +fairly wild, and tore along over the open country like mad. + +"He never acted like this before in all his life," thought Bob, as he +found considerable difficulty in keeping his saddle, such were the +sudden whirls the black made in his erratic course. + +But although he had by no means learned all the things known to old +cowmen, Bob had picked up quite a few points since arriving at the +ranch. He had even heard of a mean trick practiced by revengeful +Mexicans, and others, when they wished to place a rival's life in +danger. + +"Something has happened to him since we went into that store," Bob said +again and again, as he puzzled his wits to hit upon an explanation for +the animal's remarkable antics. "Now, what could it have been? Would +any fellow be so mean as to fasten some of those prickly sand burrs +under his tail? Or perhaps it's a poison thorn under the saddle!" + +This last idea seemed to strike him as pretty near the truth. He began +to investigate as well as he was able during the rushing of the runaway +horse. When, in pursuing his investigations, he ran his hand under the +flap of the saddle, he could feel the horse start afresh, and his queer +actions seemed worse than ever. + +"That's just what it is, as sure as anything!" Bob declared, his whole +frame quivering with indignation at the thought of anyone being so +cruel and treacherous; "but how in the wide world am I going to get at +the thing?" + +His first impulse was to ease the strain all he could by removing his +weight from the point where he believed the thorn to have been hidden. +This he did by leaning forward after the manner of a clever jockey in a +race, throwing pretty much all his body upon the shoulders and neck of +the horse. + +Then he again began to speak soothingly in the ear of Domino. By +degrees the horse seemed to slacken his wild pace. + +Encouraged by this fact, Bob continued the treatment. It appeared as +though the intelligent animal must comprehend what was wanted, for, +although evidently still in more or less pain, he gradually ceased his +runaway gait, until, finally, at the command of "whoa!" Domino came to +a complete stop. + +Bob was on the ground immediately. His horse was trembling with +excitement and other causes. Bob continued to pat him gently, and +speak soothing words. All the time he was working toward the buckle of +the band by means of which the saddle was held firmly on the beast's +back. + +Once he had a grip on this he made a sudden pull. Domino squirmed, and +for the moment Bob feared the animal would break away. + +"Easy now, old fellow; take it quiet! I'll have that saddle off in a +jiffy; and see what is wrong. Softly, Domino! Good old Domino!" + +While he was talking in this manner Bob was releasing the band; and, +with a sudden jerk, he threw the saddle to the ground. + +His quick eye detected signs of blood on the glossy back of the +Kentucky horse. + +"That's what it was!" he exclaimed, angrily. "A thorn of some kind, +put there so that when I jumped into my seat my weight would drive it +in. And I reckon, too, it would be just like the cowardly sneak to +pick out one that had a poison tip! Oh! what a skunk! and how I'd like +to see some of the boys at the ranch round him up! But I wonder, now +could I find it? I'd like to get Frank's opinion on it." + +The horse had by now ceased his mad prancing. This proved that the +cause for his strange actions had been removed when Bob cast the saddle +off. And it did not require a hunt of more than two minutes to +discover some little object clinging to the cloth under the saddle. It +was, just as Bob had suspected, a thorn with several points that were +as sharp as needles, and very tough. + +Bob put it away in one of his pockets. Then he once more replaced the +saddle, carefully adjusting the girth so as to avoid any more pressure +on the painful back of Domino than was absolutely necessary. + +The horse seemed to understand his master's actions, and, although +still restive, allowed Bob to mount. + +Cantering along over the back trail, in half an hour Bob came in sight +of his chum heading toward him. + +"Well," said Frank, as they finally met, "I was beginning to get +worried about you, even though I knew you could manage a horse all +right. It was a lively run, I should say," as he glanced at the +foam-streaked flanks of the gloss black. + +"As fierce a dash as I ever want to take," answered Bob, patting his +horse gently. + +"Did you find out what ailed him?" asked the other. + +"After I'd spent some time trying to keep from being thrown, I did." + +As he said this Bob drew the thorn from his pocket, and held it before +Frank, who took the vicious little thing in his hand. + +"I thought so," he muttered. "That's Peg's idea of getting even with +us; the coward!" + +"But you don't mean to say Peg did that?" exclaimed Bob, astonished. + +"Well, not with his own hand. He wouldn't know how, you see; but he +had a Mexican cowboy along with him who is up to all these +tricks--Spanish Joe. When we were busy in that store, he crept up and +fixed this thorn under your saddle. Of course, as soon as you sprang +into your seat, your weight just drove one of these tough little points +in deeper. And, as the horse jumped, every movement was so much more +torture. Get onto it, Bob?" + +"Sure I do; and I guessed all that while riding back. But tell me, why +did he pick out _my_ horse, instead of your Buckskin?" asked the +Kentucky boy. + +"Look back a little. Who was it gave Peg his little tumble when he was +striking that child? Why, of course it was nobody but Bob Archer. I +saw Peg standing on the porch of the tavern as I galloped after you; +and give you my word, Bob, he had a grin on his face that looked as if +it would never come off. Peg was happy--why? Because he had just seen +you being carried like the wind out of town on a bolting nag. And I +guess he wouldn't care very much if you got thrown, with some of your +ribs broken in the bargain." + +Bob proceeded to tell how he had figured on what caused the queer +antics of his horse, and then what his method for relieving the +pressure had been. + +"Just what you should have done!" exclaimed Frank, enthusiastically. +"Say, you're getting on to all the little wrinkles pretty fast. And it +worked too, did it?" + +"Thanks to the smartness of Domino, it did," replied Bob, proudly. +"Some other horses might have broken away as soon as their rider +dismounted; but he's mighty near human, Frank, I tell you. He just +stood there, quivering with excitement, and pain, till I got the thing +off. But do you know what kind of thorn this is?" + +"I know it as well as you would a persimmon growing on a tree in Old +Kentucky; or a pawpaw in the thicket. It's rank poison, too, and will +breed trouble if the wound isn't taken care of in time. + +"That's bad news, old fellow. I'd sure hate to lose my horse," +remarked Bob, dejectedly, as he threw an arm lovingly over the neck of +the black. + +"Oh! I don't think it'll be as bad as that; especially since I happen +to have along with me in my pack some ointment old Hank Coombs gave me +at a time I fell down on one of the same kind of stickers, and got it +in my arm," and Frank opened the smaller of the two packs he had +fastened behind his saddle. + +When the ointment was being thoroughly rubbed into the spot where the +barb of the thorn had pierced the flesh of the animal, Domino seemed to +understand what their object was. He gave several little whinnies, +even as he moved uneasily when his master's hand touched the painful +spot. + +"Now what's the programme?" asked Bob, after he had replaced the saddle. + +"Just what we decided on before," replied his chum; "a little rest +before we make a start. Twenty-four hours will do Domino considerable +good, too. How did you come out about the duffle you were carrying; +any of it get lost?" + +"None that I've noticed. I'll make a round-up and see, before we go +any further," Bob remarked, examining the packages secured behind his +saddle. + +"How?" queried Frank, in the terse, Indian style, as he saw that the +other had gone carefully over the entire outfit. + +"Everything here, right side up with care. And now I'll have to mount +again, a thing that may not appeal very much to Domino. But it's lucky +I long ago learned the jockey way of riding, with most of the weight +upon the withers of the horse. In that manner you see, Frank, I can +relieve the poor beast more than a little." + +Together they rode off slowly. Really, for one day it seemed that the +big black must have had all the running his fancy could wish. Besides, +neither of the boys knew of any reason for haste. As Frank had +suggested, it would perhaps be just as well to allow a certain amount +of time to elapse, before pushing their intended investigation of the +mysteries supposed to hover around Thunder Mountain. + +The afternoon had almost half passed when Frank's sharp eyes discovered +a single horseman riding on a course that would likely bring him across +their trail soon. + +"Seems to me there's something familiar about that fellow's way of +sitting in the saddle," he observed; and then, reaching for the field +glasses which he carried swung in a case over his shoulder, he quickly +adjusted them to his eyes. "Thought so," he muttered, and Bob could +see him smile as he said it. + +"Recognize the rider, then? Don't tell me now that it's Peg, or one of +those slippery cowboy friends he has trailing after him," remarked Bob. + +"Here, take the glasses, and see what you think," replied the other, +laughingly. + +No sooner had the Kentucky lad taken a single good look than he called +out: + +"Who but old Hank Coombs, the veteran cow puncher of the Southwest! I +suppose your father has sent him on an errand, Frank." + +"Just as likely as not, because he trusts old Hank more than any man on +the entire ranch. You can see he's headed in a line that will fetch up +at the Circle Ranch by midnight, if he keeps galloping on. Look there, +he sees us, and is waving his arm. Yes, he's changed his course so as +to meet us, Bob." + +"But if we needed the glass to find out who he was, how does it come +that an old man like Hank could tell that we were friends, at such a +distance?" asked the young tenderfoot, always eager to learn. + +"Because his eyes are as good as ever they were. Some of these fellows +who have lived in the open all their lives have eyes like an eagle's, +and can tell objects that would look like moving dots to you. Let's +swing around a bit, so as to keep old Hank from doing all the going." + +As he spoke Frank veered more to the left, and in this fashion they +speedily drew near the advancing horseman. He proved to be a cowman in +greasy chaps, and with many wrinkles on his weather-beaten face. But +Hank Coombs was as spry as most men of half his age. He could still +hold his place in a round-up; swing the rope in a dexterous manner; +bring down his steer as cleverly as the next man; ride the most +dangerous of bucking broncos; and fulfill his duties with exactness. +Few men grow old on the plains. Most of them die in the harness; and a +cowboy who has outlived his usefulness is difficult to find. + +The veteran eyed the additional packs back of the saddles of the two +boys with suspicion in his eyes. He knew the venturesome nature of his +employer's son; and doubtless immediately suspected that Frank might +have some new, daring scheme in view, looking to showing his friend +from the East the wonders of this grand country, where the distances +were so great, the deserts so furiously hot, the mountains so lofty, +and the prairies so picturesque. + +"Ain't headin' toward home, are ye, Frank?" was the first question Hank +asked, as they all merged together, and rode slowly onward in company. + +"Oh! not thinking of such a thing, Hank," replied the boy. "Why, we +only left the ranch yesterday, you know, and meant to be away several +days, perhaps a week. But I'm glad we ran across your trail right now, +Hank, because you can take a message to dad for me." + +"Glad to do that same, Frank," the veteran cowman replied, and then +added: "but jest why are ye headin' this way, might I ask? It's a wild +kentry ahead of ye, and thar be some people as don't think it's jest +the safest place goin', what with the pesky cattle-rustler crowd as +comes up over the Mexican border to give the ranchers trouble; and +sometimes the Injuns off their reservation, with the young bucks primed +for a scrap." + +"Is that all, Hank?" asked Frank, turning a smiling face upon the old +rider. Hank moved uneasily, seeming to squirm in his saddle. + +"No, it ain't," he finally admitted, with a half grin; "that's Thunder +Mounting about twenty mile ahead o' ye. None o' us fellers keers a +heap 'bout headin' that-a-way. Twice I've been 'bliged to explore the +canyons thar, arter lost cattle; but I never did hanker 'bout the job. +It's a good place to keep away from, Frank." + +"You don't say, Hank!" chuckled the boy. "Too bad; but you see that's +just the very place we expect to head for to-morrow--Thunder Mountain!" + +The old man looked closely at him, and shook his head. + +"I don't like to hear ye say that, Frank," he muttered, uneasily; "an' +I kinder reckons as how yer father'll feel oneasy when I tell him what +yer up to. 'Cause, I opine, ye wants me to carry thet same news back +home; don't ye?" + +"Sure," answered the other, laughing. "That's what I meant when I said +I was glad we'd met up with you, Hank." + +"But ye didn't expect to take a turn thar when ye left home, did ye?" +the veteran cowman went on. + +"Never entered my head, Hank. Fact is, we weren't thinking of Thunder +Mountain up to an hour or two ago, when we ran across Peg Grant, who +was in town with his two followers, Spanish Joe and Nick Jennings." + +"The wust as ever throwed a leg over leather," muttered Hank, between +his teeth. "We been talkin' it over, some o' us boys, an' 'bout kim to +the conclusion as how them fellers must be in touch with the Mendoza +crowd o' rustlers as draps over the Rio Grande every leetle while, to +grab a bunch o' long horns." + +"My opinion exactly, Hank," went on Frank. "But listen till I tell you +what they are thinking of doing about finding out the secret of Thunder +Mountain." + +Quickly he related the incident of their meeting Peg, and of his boast. + +"They'll never do it, mark me," declared Hank, after he had been put in +possession of the main facts. "Thet noise ain't human! I been +a-hearin' it for the last forty years, an' I give ye my word it's +gittin' wuss right along. The reds believe as how it's the voice of +the Great Spirit talkin' to 'em. An' honest now, Frank, thems my +sentiments to a dot." + +"In other words, Hank, you believe the mountain is haunted, and that +anyone bold enough to wander into the unknown country that lies back +there is going to get into a peck of trouble?" Frank asked, seriously. + +"Reckon as how that kivers the ground purty well," replied the cowman, +grimly. + +"Well," Frank went on, "we happen to believe something different, and +we mean to look into the thing a bit. It wouldn't surprise me to find +that some sharp crowd has been taking advantage of the bad name Thunder +Mountain has always had, to hide among those canyons. And, Hank, I'm +going to look for the trail of some cattle while I'm there!" + +"Which I take it to mean," Hank continued thoughtfully, "that you +kinder think them rustlers might be usin' the ha'nted mounting for a +hiding place to keep the cows which they run away with? Um! wa'al now, +I never thort o' that afore. But stands to reason no Mexicans'd ever +have the nerve to go whar white cowmen kept away from." + +"Not unless they had solved the strange mystery of the mountain, and no +longer saw any reason to be afraid of the thunder. But listen while I +tell you something else that happened to my friend here." + +Frank then described the sudden bolt of Domino. At his first words the +experienced western man looked wise. He had immediately guessed what +caused the unexpected action of the usually tractable black horse. + +"As low down a trick as was ever carried out," he remarked, finally, as +he looked at the thorn. "And jest sech as thet sneakin' coyote, +Spanish Joe, would be guilty of tryin'. I've seen it done more'n a few +times; and twict the critter was rounded up, and treated like he'd been +a hoss thief; 'case ye see, in each case 'twar a woman as rid the +animile as got the thorn. But ye must let me rub somethin' on thet +wound right away, Bob." + +"Don't bother," sang out Frank, cheerfully; "because we happened to +have with us that ointment you gave me, and I used it a while ago. +I'll put on more to-night when we get the saddles off, and once again +in the morning." + +"Then ye mean to go into camp soon?" inquired Hank. + +"See that timber over yonder, where a stream runs? We'll settle down +for the night there. Better hold over with us, Hank, unless you're in +a terrible hurry to get back home," Frank observed. + +"I'd like to fust rate, Frank; and p'raps thar aint no sech great need +o' gittin' back to the ranch to-night. Yes, I'll hang over. P'raps I +kin coax ye to give up that crazy ijee 'bout Thunder Mounting." + +And when they had settled down under the trees, with the westering sun +sinking toward the horizon where, in the far distance, Frank pointed +out to his chum the towering peak toward which they were bound, old +Hank did try to influence his employer's son into giving up his +intended trip. + +It was useless, however. Frank had made up his mind, and obstacles +only served to cause him to shut his teeth more firmly together and +stick to his resolution. And so they spent the night very comfortably, +under the twinkling stars. + +"Tell dad not to worry about us at all, Hank," Frank said to the +veteran, on the following morning, as they were bidding him good-bye. +"We'll turn up all right in the course of a few days. And perhaps, who +knows, we might be able to tell you all about the queer noise that +shakes the earth every little while around the big uplift. So-long, +Hank!" + +The old cowman sat in his saddle, and looked after the two boys as +their horses went prancing away, each of the riders turning once or +twice to wave a jolly farewell, with uplifted hats. + +"As fine a pair o' happy-go-lucky boys as ever drawed breath," Hank +muttered, as his eyes followed their vanishing forms beyond the +mesquite thicket. "But I sure feel bad 'bout them goin' into that 'ere +Thunder Mounting territory. I hopes Mr. Haywood'll start out with a +bunch o' cowmen to round 'em up. But he thinks that Frank kin hold his +own, no matter what comes along. If he don't show signs o' bein' +worried, I'm goin' to see if the overseer, Bart Heminway, won't take +the chances of sendin' several of us out to hunt for strays; an' it'll +be funny now, how them mavericks all run toward Thunder Mounting." + +Chuckling, as if the new idea that had appealed to him gave him +considerable satisfaction, the old cow-puncher stirred his little +bronco into action, and was soon galloping away. But, more than a few +times, he might have been observed to turn in his saddle and cast a +look of curiosity, bordering on apprehension, toward the dimly-seen +mountain that arose far away on the Southwestern horizon. + +For to Hank Coombs that peak stood for everything in the line of +mystery and unexplained doings. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +A NOTE OF WARNING AT THE SPRING HOLE + +"Pull up, Bob; I sure glimpsed something moving, out there in the sage +brush!" + +Both horses came to an immediate stop as the bridles were drawn taut. + +"Which way, Frank?" asked the Kentucky lad, eagerly, as he threw back +his shock of black hair, and waited to see where the finger of his +companion would point. + +"Whatever it was disappeared behind that spur of the low foot hills +yonder. I just caught a peep of the last of it. Here, Bob, take the +glasses, and wait to see if it shows up again on the other side of the +rise," and Frank thrust the binoculars into the hand of his chum. + +"Think it could have been a prowling coyote; or perhaps a bunch of +antelope feeding on the sweet grass around some spring hole, as you +were telling me they do?" asked Bob, holding himself in readiness. + +"Well," returned Frank, quickly, "the sun was in my eyes some, you see, +and so I wouldn't like to be too sure; but somehow, Bob, I just have a +notion that it was a horse." + +"With a rider on it, of course!" exclaimed the other lad, as he raised +the glasses to his eyes, training them on the further end of the squat +elevation that stood up in the midst of the sage level like a great +hump on a camel. + +"There, looks like I was right, Bob!" ejaculated Frank, a minute or so +later, as something came out from behind the low hill, moving steadily +onward. + +"Indians! as sure as anything!" fell from the lips of the one who held +the field glasses to his eyes. + +"One--two--three--a heap of the reds in that bunch, I reckon," muttered +Frank, watching with his naked eye; although the distance, separating +them from the spot where the figures were passing steadily into view, +was considerable. + +"Say, these glasses are jim-dandy ones, all right!" remarked Bob, +presently, as he turned to offer them to his chum, who immediately +clapped them to his own eyes. + +"Huh!" grunted Frank a moment later, "squaws along; each cayuse +dragging poles on which they heap their lodges, blankets and such; +reckon there's no war party about that, Bob." + +"I should think not, if what you've told me about the Indians is a +fact, Frank. But look here, what d'ye suppose they're doing so far +away from their reservation?" and Bob gripped his quirt, which hung, as +usual, from his wrist, in cowboy fashion; and with a nervous slash cut +off the tops of the rattlesnake weed within reach. + +"That's where you've got me, Bob," replied the one who had been brought +up on a ranch, and who was supposed to know considerable about the life +of the plains; "unless they've just got desperate for a good old hunt, +and broke loose. Pretty soon the pony soldiers will come galloping +along, round 'em up, and chase the lot back to their quarters. Uncle +Sam is kind, and winks at a heap; but he won't stand for the Injuns +skipping out just when the notion takes 'em." + +They sat there in their saddles a while longer, watching the long +procession pass out beyond the low hill, and track along the plain +through the scented purple sage. + +"Navajos, ain't they?" asked Bob, who, of course, depended on his +comrade for all such information, since one Indian was as much like +another as two peas to him. + +"Sure thing," replied the other, carelessly. "Tell 'em as far as I can +glimpse the beggars. And I just reckon now that's old Wolf Killer +himself, ridin' at the head of the line, with his gay blanket wrapped +around him. Wonder what he'd say if he knew Frank Haywood was here, so +far away from the home ranch?" and Frank chuckled as though amused. + +"Do you know the old chief, then?" asked Bob. + +"Say, do I?" replied Frank, with a laugh. "Remember me telling you how +the boys on our place caught a Navajo trying to run away with one of +our saddle herds about three years ago, when I was hardly more'n a kid? +Well, I chased him with the rest of the outfit, and saw old Hank throw +his rope over his shoulders. He snaked the fellow over the ground and +through the short buffalo grass like a coyote, 'till he was punished +enough; and then my dad made 'em let him go. But you just ought to +have seen the way he folded his arms, stared at each of us, and, never +saying a single word, walked away. I've often wondered if he didn't +mean to come back some day, and try to get his revenge." + +"And that was the chief himself?" asked Bob. + +"Just who it was," Frank went on. "He'd left the reservation, and got +too much fire-water aboard, they said; so he thought the good old days +had come back, when a Navajo always tried to get away with any horses +he ran across. They say Wolf Killer used to rustle cattle long ago, +till Uncle Sam put his hand down heavy on his tribe, and shut the lot +up." + +"Then, if he has reason to remember everybody connected with Circle +Ranch in that way, I reckon it's just as well we don't try to let him +know we're here," remarked Bob, uneasily. "We didn't come out on this +little picnic for trouble with the reds. There they go, pushing +through the sage brush, Frank. So-long, Navajo, and good luck to you +on your hunt," waving a hand after the departing string of distant +figures. + +"Our way lies yonder, along the foot of the mountains," said Frank, as +he turned his head to look toward the grim range that stood out boldly +against the skyline. + +"Yes," observed his companion, as he allowed his black horse his head, +once more advancing in a Southerly direction, "and, unless all signs +fail, that's Thunder Mountain towering above the rest of the peaks." + +"You're right, Bob, that's what it is; and we're going to camp at its +foot unless something goes wrong," and as he spoke Frank urged Buckskin +on again. + +The yellow bronco was a true range pony. He had been taught many of +the clever tricks for which his kind are noted. A stranger would have +had a hard time keeping his seat on the back of the animal, such was +his dislike for unknown parties. He could dance almost as well as a +circus horse; and when Frank had tended the saddle herd at night, as +horse-wrangler, he was accustomed to depend on Buckskin to give ample +warning of trouble, whether in the shape of a storm, a threatened +stampede, or the presence of cattle-rustlers. + +Both boys were, of course, dressed pretty much as cowboys are when on +the ranch; leather "chaps" covering their corduroy trousers; with boots +that mounted spurs; flannel shirts; red handkerchiefs knotted around +their necks; and with their heads topped by felt hats, such as the men +of the range delight in. + +Slung to their saddles were a couple of up-to-date guns of the +repeating type, which both lads knew how to use at least fairly well. +Of course both carried lariats slung from the pommels of their high +Mexican saddles. Frank was accustomed to throwing a rope; while Bob, +naturally, had much to learn in this particular. + +"Say," remarked the latter, who had fallen a trifle behind his comrade, +"to see the way we're just loaded down with stuff makes me think of +moving day in the old Kentucky mountains. But no use talking, if a +fellow wants to be half way comfortable, he's just got to lug all sorts +of traps along." + +"That's right, Bob," assented the other, laughing. "And that applies +in an extra way when he means to be out in the Rockies for perhaps a +week." + +"No telling what he may run up against there, eh?" queried Bob. + +"Well, if it isn't a grizzly, it may be an avalanche, or a +cloud-burst," remarked the boy who had spent his whole life in the open. + +"Not to speak of Indians, or Mexican rustlers looking for a chance to +drop down on some peaceful ranch, and carry off a bunch of long horns; +eh, Frank?" + +"Sure; and a lot more besides, Bob," was the reply. "But the sun's +getting kind of low, you notice." + +"In other words, we'd better be looking around for a place to camp, +Frank?" + +"You've hit the nail on the head," the other replied. "Suppose we hold +up here for a bit, and let me take another squint up yonder through the +glass." + +"Meaning at old Thunder Mountain?" observed Bob, as his eye traveled +upward toward the bare crown of the great uplift, that had so long +remained a source of mystery to the entire community. + +"Yes. Just look at the pinons growing up the sides like tufts, along +with the funny looking clumps of stunted cedars. Then you can see the +aspens and silver spruce next. And over the whole outfit is a silence +that beats the desert itself. Whew! the closer you examine the place +the more it impresses you." + +Bob accepted the glasses after Frank had used them and focussed them on +the slope. + +"So that's old Thunder Mountain, is it?" he remarked. "Well, I must +say it shows up right well. I've tried to picture the place from all +we've heard." + +"But you don't feel disappointed, do you?" asked Frank. + +"Not a bit, Frank," his companion continued. "I've seen some +mountains, even before I came out here to your Rockies; but there's +something about this thing that just staggers a fellow. Wow! but we'll +sure have our troubles climbing that wild slope." + +"Never could make it if it wasn't for the canyons," Frank added. "They +all tell me that. Here, let me put the field-glasses away. Half an +hour's gallop, and we'll jump off. That ought to bring us to the foot +of the slope. Here you go, Buckskin; show us you're not tired after +your day's run. Whoop-la!" + +Frank brought his hat down on the flank of the horse, accompanying the +action with a real cowboy yell. Instantly the spirited steed bounded +off, with Bob's Domino close behind, snorting, and giving signs of +astonishing animation. + +So they sped along, with clanking sounds from the various packages +fastened behind the saddles; but after a few minutes both boys +gradually drew upon the lines, knowing full well that their mounts had +done a fair day's work already; and, besides, there was no possible +need of haste. + +"How's this for a camping place?" asked Frank, as he suddenly brought +Buckskin upon his haunches in a quick stop. + +"Suits me first rate," replied his chum, after giving a glance around. +"Let's see if I remember all you told me about what a fellow has to +look for when he expects to go into camp. Water handy, grass for the +horses, wood for a fire, and shelter from a hidden mountain storm. +What better could we ask, I'd like to know? Is it a go, Frank?" + +For answer the shorter lad jumped from his seat. His first act was to +remove the saddle, and then, with a handful of dead grass, rub the +sweaty back of the mettlesome animal, as every true son of the plains +always does before he thinks of his own comfort. + +Next he hobbled the animal, and drove the stake pin, to which the +lariat was attached, deeply into the ground. After that the bridle +came off; and Buckskin's first natural act was to drop to the ground, +and roll over several times. + +Bob was following this procedure with Domino. The intelligent animals +seemed to understand just what the programme was to be; for after +rolling, they walked down to the little watercourse to slake their +thirst; and then set about eagerly nibbling the sweet grass that grew +all around. + +The two chums went about preparing to spend a night under the bright +stars, with a readiness that told of long practice. Bob, of course, +knew less than his companion about such things, but Frank had often +accompanied the cowboys on his father's ranch on their expeditions, and +had even spent nights in the company of old Hank, when off on a hunt +for fresh meat; so that he knew pretty well what ought to be done to +add to their comfort. + +It pleased him to show Bob some of the things he had learned. There +might be no real reason why he should start a cooking fire in a hole he +dug, rather than make a roaring blaze that could be seen a mile away; +but Bob was tremendously interested, and would never forget all that he +learned. + +"Besides," Frank explained, after he had the small fire started, "it is +easier for cooking, once you get a bed of red ashes; because in this +warm country a fellow doesn't much like to get all heated up, standing +over a big blaze." + +Bob had, meanwhile, opened some of the bundles. One of these contained +a small coffee pot, as well as the frying pan without which camping +would be a failure in the minds of most Western boys. + +"Look out for rattlers," advised Frank, as his chum went to the spring +hole to fill the coffee pot. "They often come to such places in dry +season We haven't had rain for so long now, that, when it does come, I +expect a regular cloud-burst. That's often the way in this queer +country, along the foothills of the Rockies." + +Hardly had he spoken than there sounded a sudden and angry whirr, +similar to the noise made by a locust, and which Frank knew only too +well meant a rattlesnake! + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE VOICE OF THE MOUNTAIN + +"Hey! take care there, Bob!" shouted Frank, starting up from beside his +little cooking fire in something of a panic; for that alarm signal is +apt to send the blood bounding through the veins like mad, whenever +heard. + +"Don't bother!" came the reassuring reply of the unseen Bob, from a +point near by; "I think I've got the beggar located, all right. Say, +don't he sing though, to beat all creation? He's mad clean through, +all right. I'm looking for a stick, so as to knock him on the head." + +"Go slow, and keep your eye out for a second one," advised Frank, +uneasily; "because they generally hunt in couples. That isn't a measly +little prairie rattler either; but a fellow that's come down from +Thunder Mountain." + +"Nice warm reception for visitors, I should remark," laughed Bob, +immediately adding: "there, I've found just the stick I want. Now, old +chap, look out for yourself! I'm going to have that rattle of yours to +take home, unless you give me the slip." + +"No danger of that," remarked Frank; "because a rattler seldom runs +away, once he shakes his old box, and gives warning. Hit him just back +of the head, and let it be a good smart blow too, so that you break his +neck." + +Then came a swishing sound, twice repeated. The thrilling rattle +immediately subsided. + +"Get him?" demanded Frank, ready to take up his task once more, upon +receiving a favorable reply from his friend. + +"He's squirming some, but helpless," returned Bob, composedly. "I'll +cut his head off, so that he can't turn around and jab me while I'm +getting that rattle box of his." + +Two minutes later he came back into camp, carrying the coffee pot, +which he proceeded to place upon the fire Frank had started. The +latter noticed that his chum was trembling a little, and could give a +shrewd guess that Bob had been more startled than he had thus far +admitted. + +"Perhaps I'll get used to it in time," Bob remarked, presently; "but it +sure does give a fellow a nasty shock to hear that sound burst out +close by your feet, knowing as you do what a bite from those fangs +means." + +"Then it was a narrow squeak, was it?" asked Frank. + +"I guess I never want to be closer to a diamond-back than that," Bob +admitted, with a shake of his head. + +Soon a delightful aroma began to steal through the air in the immediate +vicinity of the little camp near the foot of the towering, mysterious +mountain; as some bacon sizzled in the pan, and the crushed berry from +Java boiled and bubbled most cheerily. + +Besides, upon some splinters of wood Frank had thrust small pieces of +venison, the last fresh meat they had brought from the ranch. As the +heat from the red coals began to turn these to a crisp brown, Bob +sniffed the added fragrance in the air after the manner of a hungry +range-rider, or a boy with a healthy appetite. + +"Seems to be plenty of game around here," he remarked. "I jumped two +rabbits near the spring, and they went up the rise, as usual." + +"Yes," remarked the cook, "the place looks good for game, and you'd +wonder why those Injuns passed it by, only I happen to know. Ten to +one there's a deer in that thicket of wild plum over there. And you +can just believe an old grizzly wouldn't want a better hang-out than up +yonder among the cliffs and crags of the mountain side." + +"But to return to our mutton, which after all is antelope meat, when do +we start operations? I'm nearly wild, with all these smells, and never +a bite. The water just drips from my tongue, I give you my word, +Frank." + +For answer the other picked up the coffee pot, and set it aside for a +minute, to let the contents settle. + +"Grub's ready, Bob," he said, laughingly; "and I reckon we'll not +bother banging on the frying pan with a big spoon to-night, range +fashion. Sit down, and get your pannikin ready for some of this bacon +and meat. How does that coffee look?" + +"Say, it's got the color, all right, and if it only tastes half as fine +as it looks you'll hear no kick coming from me," replied Bob, as he +poured his tin cup full of the liquid. + +As the boys ate they chatted on various topics, most of which talk had +of course some connection with the big cattle ranch they had so +recently left. + +"I'd give a heap to know if Peg Grant meant business when he said we +were riding to a fall if we thought we were the only pebbles on the +beach," Bob remarked. + +"Oh!" replied Frank, "I reckon he's going to make a try to solve that +Thunder Mountain puzzle. But just think of a tenderfoot like Peg let +loose on that fierce slope up yonder; will you?" + +"Perhaps he's here already," suggested Bob. + +"Wouldn't be one bit surprised," Frank continued, readily enough, as +though he considered that a foregone conclusion anyway. "He and his +cronies had time enough, unless Peg changed his mind. He might be +wondering what happened to you, and thinking how the X-bar-X ranch +would be safer, in case some of our boys chased after him to give him +the tar and feathers he deserves for playing such a mean trick." + +"But supposing they did come," said Bob; "Peg and Spanish Joe, and that +other treacherous cowboy you told me about; we're pretty apt to meet up +with them if we go prowling around here for the next few days." + +"Just so, and we'll try to mind our business all the time," remarked +Frank; and then his eyes flashed a little as he continued: "but if they +try any of their ugly little tricks on us, Bob, they're likely to get +hurt." + +"I'm with you there, Frank," the other added, shutting his teeth in a +determined way. "I can stand a certain amount of fun, and, I hope, +take it the right way. Your cow punchers said that when they hazed me, +you know. But I certainly do object to any such rough-house business +as fastening a poisoned thorn under a fellow's saddle." + +"That game has cost more than a few people their lives," Frank declared +vehemently. "Cowmen draw the line at it. You noticed how angry old +Hank became when he heard about that same thing. But your horse seems +to be getting on all right, Bob." + +"Sure he does. That ointment made by old Hank's like magic. Domino +won't suffer much from that jab. But that was a bully good supper all +right, and I don't care how soon we repeat it," he concluded with a +laugh. + +Finally both lads lay down to secure such rest as they needed after a +long and tiresome day. + +The drowsy chirp of crickets, and shrill voices of katydids in the lush +grass near by, told of the summer night. Many times had Frank listened +to this same chorus as he lay in his blanket on the open prairie, +playing the part of night-wrangler to the herd of saddle horses +belonging to the round-up party of cow-punchers. + +He could hear some lurking rabbit slinking through the hazel bushes +over at one side. Somewhere off on the level, where the sage grew so +heavily, there must have been a prairie dog village; for the sound of +the peculiar barking of these queer little animals frequently floated +to his ears as the breeze changed. + +The two horses were still feeding at the time Frank dropped off into a +sound and refreshing sleep, but doubtless they would soon lie down. +Bob was already breathing heavily, which would indicate that he had +passed beyond the open door to slumber-land. + +The minutes passed, and several hours must have gone. + +Frank was dreaming of the excitement attending some of the many dashing +gallops he had lately enjoyed in company with his chum, looking up +stray cattle, helping to brand mavericks, watching the cowmen mill +stampeding herds, or chasing fleet-footed antelopes just to give the +horses a run. + +He was suddenly aroused by a strange sound that seemed to cause the +very earth under him to tremble. The trample of a thousand hoofs would +make such a noise; if one of those old-time mighty herds of bison could +have come back to earth again; or a stampede of an immense herd of +long-horns might cause a similar vibration. + +But Frank Haywood knew that neither of these explanations could be the +true one, even as he thus sat upright on his blanket to listen. The +ominous, growling, grumbling noise was more in the nature of +approaching thunder, just as though one of those furious summer storms, +tropical in their nature, and often encountered in this country where +plains and mountains sharply meet, had crept upon them as they calmly +slept. + +And yet, strange to say, neither of the two boys jumped quickly to +their feet in wild dismay, seeking to prepare for the rain that might +soon burst upon them. On the contrary they continued to sit there, +straining their ears to catch the rumbling reverberations that kept +coming, with little respites between. + +"Say, now, what d'ye think of that, Bob?" asked Frank, when silence +again held sway for a brief period. "Nary a cloud as big as your hand +in the sky; and yet all that grumbling oozing out of old Thunder +Mountain! Looks like we might have the biggest job of our lives +finding out the secret of that pile of rocks. There she starts in +again, harder than ever. Listen, Bob, for all you're worth!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +A SECOND ALARM + +"It's stopped again!" remarked Bob, after possibly five minutes had +passed, during which time the ominous rumbling, accompanied by earth +tremors, had kept up, now rising to a furious stage, and then almost +dying away. + +Frank gave a big sigh. + +"It sure has," he admitted; "and I don't wonder now, after I've heard +the racket with my own ears, that the reds for a hundred years back +have always declared the Great Manitou lived in Thunder Mountain, and +every little while let them hear his awful voice." + +"Then this thing has been going on forever, has it?" asked Bob. + +"The Navajos say so; though even they admit that, of late, it's got a +brand new kink to the growl," Frank answered. "They believe it's sure +unlucky for any brave to be caught near the mountain after dark, and +especially when Manitou scolds. You see, that accounts for the hurry +of that hunting party to climb out before sunset." + +"Yes," Bob went on. "And now I understand what you said about the +Indians never hunting near Thunder Mountain. Perhaps they believe all +the game that hides along the slopes, and in the deep gullies, belongs +to the Great Spirit, and that he'll punish any warrior bold enough to +try and get a line on it. But see here, Frank, do white men--cowboys, +prospectors, and the like--believe this mountain is haunted?" + +"Heaps of 'em do, and that's a fact," replied the other, chuckling. +"I've heard some of our cowpunchers talking about it more'n a few +times; and you remember how old Hank took it when we told him what we +had in mind?" + +"They're a superstitious lot, as a whole, I take it," Bob ventured. +"Now, as for me, I never could believe in ghosts and all that sort of +thing. If there ever came a time when something faced me that I +couldn't understand, I just set my teeth together and vowed I'd never +rest easy till I had found out what it meant." + +"Same here, Bob; and that's why I just jumped at the chance to beat Peg +out in his game. The funny part about it is why I never thought of +this racket before. But perhaps that was because I didn't have a chum +to stand back of me." + +"None of the boys on the ranch would go with you, then?" asked Bob. + +"I should say not! Even old Hank would balk at that, and he's never +been afraid of thing that flies, runs or crawls. It was old Hank who +taught me all I know about range life. He showed me how to shoot, +throw a rope, and do heaps of other things a prairie boy ought to know. +Hank thinks lots of me, and honest now, Bob, that gruff old fellow +would willingly lay down his life for me." + +"I reckon he would," assented the other, readily enough. + +"But Hank's a rank believer in the Injun story of the mountain, and +would never come here of his own accord; but to keep an eye on me, and, +stand between me and danger, he'd just crawl down the crater of a live +volcano." + +"Seems like the show might be over for tonight," Bob suggested. + +"The row has stopped, sure enough," Frank remarked, looking up at the +dimly-seen outlines of the far-away crest of the rocky elevation, where +it stood out against the starry heavens. + +"You don't believe, then, that there could have been some kind of storm +up there; do you?" questioned Bob. + +"Well, it's sure a great puzzle," replied his chum, with a long breath. +"My eyes are reckoned prime, but I can't glimpse any sign of a cloud +that would bring out all that noise. A mystery it's been these many +years; and if so be we can learn the cause for all that queer roaring +that shakes the earth, we'll be doing more'n anyone else has ever done +in the past." + +"That's what we're here for, if Peg gives us half a chance," remarked +Bob, with the healthy assurance of youth. "And as neither of us takes +any stock in the fairy story about the Manitou's anger, we ought to +stand some chance of locating the thing; or 'bust the b'iler trying' as +old Hank would say." + +Frank had crawled out of his blanket, and stood erect. + +"What's on?" asked his camp-mate, presently, noticing that he was +holding up his hand, after wetting his finger, a method much in vogue +when one wished to learn the direction of the passing air currents. + +"Southeast; and blowing strong a bit ago up there on the mountain, I +reckon," Frank remarked. "You notice we happen to be sheltered more or +less down here, when she comes out of that same quarter?" + +"Meaning the wind," Bob remarked. "Yes, you're right, Frank. But what +has that got to do with the measly old grumble of the mountain, tell +me?" + +"Huh! I don't know that it's going to have anything to do with it," +came the answer; "but we want to know every little point as we go on. +And Bob, just remember that the wind was coming out of the Southeast; +and a clear sky overhead!" + +"But look here, Frank, you've heard your dad talk about this Thunder +Mountain business, I take it?" + +"Well, now, I reckon I have, heaps of times; but then you know, he +isn't much on bothering about things that don't concern him. Thinks +he's got his hands full, looking after the stock, keeping tabs on the +doings of those rascally Mexican rustlers, that have been running off +batches of cattle every little while; and fighting that big syndicate +of Eastern capitalists, headed by the millionaire, Mr. Grant, Peg's +father, that wants to throw all the Southwestern ranches into a close +trust." + +"But what I wanted to remark is this: you must have heard him give an +opinion about this thunder sound?" Bob persisted in saying. + +"Oh! he thinks the same as several gentlemen did who came out here a +few years ago on some business. They declared that once, hundreds of +years ago, perhaps, old Thunder Mountain must have been a volcano; and +that it still grumbles now and then, as the fires away down in the +earth begin to kick up some of their old monkeyshines." + +"Yes, I heard one man say that," laughed Bob. "He declared that +there's going to be the biggest rumpus some fine day, when the fires +inside get to going out of bounds. Then the whole cap of the mountain +will go flying into a million pieces; and good-bye to any unlucky +cow-puncher caught napping near this place." + +"Well," remarked Frank, as he prepared to settle down again into his +snug blanket, "I reckon we're not going to be scared away by a little +thing like that growl. Unless we hit a snag, or Peg Grant and his +guides break up our game, a few days ought to see us heading back to +Circle Ranch with a story calculated to make the boys sit up and take +notice; or else----" + +"Just pull up right there, Frank," interrupted his chum, with a laugh. +"There's nothing going to happen to knock us out. If that same Peg +comes around, making a nuisance of himself, why, he's due for a nice +little surprise, mark me. Besides that; what could there be to make +trouble?" + +"Oh, I'm not bothering my head over it, Bob," declared the other, as he +dropped into the nest he had made in his blanket. "But say, did you +take notice of the way our horses acted while that thing was going on?" + +"Just what I did," the other replied. "They must have been trembling +all over. I could hear your Buckskin snorting to beat the band, and +pawing just like he does when he's worried. Reckon they didn't know +what to make of it, either, seeing that there's nary a sign of a storm +cloud around. But both horses have quieted down again. They think all +danger of a howler has passed away." + +Frank made no reply. He was already getting ready to resume his +interrupted nap; and Bob lost no time in following his example, both +confident that in the alert Buckskin they had a sentry capable of +giving ample warning should peril threaten. + +Once more Frank composed himself for sleep. The many noises of the +night, which had seemed to cease while that mysterious rumbling was +going on in the heart of the lofty mountain, had again resumed sway. +The hum of insects; the melancholy hooting of the lonely owl, in some +willow or cottonwood tree near the base of the mountain; the far-off +howl of the prairie wolf; or the more discordant voice of the skulking +coyote--all these things were as familiar music in the ears of the boy +whose cradle had been the rich black earth of the grazing country ever +since he was old enough to remember anything. + +They all did their share in lulling him to sleep. And, no doubt in +dreams, he was once more galloping across the wide prairie on the back +of his mount, his nostrils filled with the life-giving air of the +sage-covered level. + +Frank slept, he never knew just how long. + +This time it was not the rumbling sound and the fearful vibration of +the ground that aroused the two saddle boys; but a far different cause. + +When Bob sat up he found his comrade already erect, and apparently +listening as though keenly alive to some approaching peril. + +"Buckskin's uneasy, you see," remarked Frank in a whisper; "he's pawing +the ground and snorting as he always does when he scents danger." + +As he said this, Frank dropped back again, and seemed to place his ear +to the ground, a trick known and practiced among the Indians from the +days of the early pioneers along the Ohio down to the present time; +since sound travels much better along the earth than through the +air--at least, in so far as the human ear, unaided by wireless +telegraph apparatus, is concerned. + +"A bunch of horses coming out of the Northwest!" announced the prairie +boy, almost immediately; "and we can't get our nags muzzled any too +soon, Bob." + +Apparently the other lad had been coached as to what this meant. He +sprang to his feet, snatching up his blanket as he did so. Together +they were off on the jump toward the spot where their animals had been +staked out at the end of the lariats. + +Arriving at the pins which had been driven into the ground each boy +sought to clutch the rope that held his restlessly moving horse; and +hand over hand, they moved up on the animals, the blankets thrown over +their shoulders meanwhile. + +A few low-spoken words served to partly soothe Buckskin and his black +mate; then the blankets were arranged about their heads, and secured in +such fashion that no unlucky snort or whinny might betray their +presence to those who passed by. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE RUSTLERS + +At a word from his master the well trained Buckskin doubled up, and lay +down on the ground. Most cowboy ponies are taught to do this trick by +their masters, and it is in common use; so that the punchers believe it +is a poor animal that has not learned to roll over and play dead on +occasion. + +Bob, too, managed to induce his mount to do the same thing; but to make +it absolutely certain that no unwise flounder on the part of Domino +might betray them, he sat upon the horse's head, soothing him by little +pats on his glossy hide. + +"I hear 'em coming," announced Frank, presently. + +The sounds reached him against the wind, so that it was quite natural +to believe the approaching horses must by now be very close. There was +a confused pounding that could only spring from a large body of +animals. The trained ear of Frank caught a significance in the clash +of hoofs that told him much more than Bob was able to make out. + +"All horses, Bob," he whispered across the little gap that separated +him from his chum; "and two thirds of 'em running free, without saddles +or riders. Lie low, now, and see if you can glimpse 'em as they go +past." + +"Won't they be apt to run over us?" asked Bob, a bit nervously. + +"Nixy. I looked out to pick a place they'd be apt to avoid. They'll +brush past a little further to the south," and Frank ended his words +with a hiss of warning. + +The pounding of many hoofs continued. Frank, straining his eyes, +believed he was now able to make out a confused moving mass at some +little distance away, heading directly toward the foot of Thunder +Mountain. + +As the starlight was so vague he could not make out more than that here +and there a figure was mounted on a galloping horse, with several +unridden animals trailing along behind, as though led by ropes. + +The little caravan passed quickly. Already they were vanishing in the +deeper shadows lying closer to the base of the mountain that towered +aloft several thousand feet. + +Still the two boys continued to sit there, guarding their horses; +although all danger of discovery seemed absolutely past. + +"Whew!" exclaimed Bob, presently, as the sound of retreating hoofs +began to die away; "what d'ye think of that, eh, Frank?" + +"Indians?" queried the Kentucky boy, eagerly. + +"Well," replied his chum, "not so's you could notice. Say, now, you +didn't see any feathers on their heads, did you? And I sure heard the +fellow nearest us say something that only a white man would remark, +when his horse stepped into a hole, and almost threw him over its head." + +"Cow punchers; or perhaps rustlers?" continued Bob, anxious to know. + +"What would cowmen be doing away off here, tell me that, Bob? And +lugging along a bunch of extra mounts, too, in the bargain? No, I +rather think, Bob, that those fellows must have some of Mendoza's +cattle rustlers. And they've been making a dandy raid on some ranch's +saddle herd; or I miss my guess." + +"Perhaps the Circle outfit had gotten careless," suggested Bob. + +"I sure hope not, for the boys have had plenty of warning; and I reckon +Bart Heminway is some too good an overseer to permit such a raid. I'd +rather believe it was the X-bar-X outfit that has gone and got nipped +this time. But stop and think Bob; what d'ye expect takes these +cattle-rustlers over this way right now, headed straight for the +canyons of Thunder Mountain?" + +"Oh, I see what you mean!" exclaimed the taller lad, immediately. +"Perhaps the secret hiding place of Mendoza and his crowd of cattle +thieves may be somewhere around this same old rock pile. It'd be just +like the tricky rustler to have a hide-out where nobody else ever came!" + +"Now, why didn't somebody ever think of that before?" ejaculated Frank, +in a tone of mingled surprise and disgust. + +"Looks easy, doesn't it, after we've run across a clue?" admitted Bob, +laughing softly. "You remember what they said about discovering +America, after Columbus did it. But supposing this thing _does_ turn +out to be true; how's it going to affect our little business, Frank? +Oh! say, I wonder if that crowd can have anything to do with the +rumbling of the mountain?" + +Frank laughed heartily at the suggestion. + +"Well," he remarked, "they're a pretty tough lot, all right; but even +such a bad bunch could hardly get enough hot air together to make a +mountain shake and groan like that. Besides, don't you see, Bob, they +must have been out yonder, riding this way with their stolen horses, +when that little circus came off." + +"But one thing is sure," the other went on, sturdily; "they don't seem +to take any stock in that notion about a volcano, because, as we saw, +they headed straight for Thunder Mountain. That gives it away; they're +so used to the row that they don't pay any attention to it any longer." + +"Correct!" echoed Frank, as though his mind was made up. + +"Do we need to hold the horses down any longer?" asked Bob, who could +feel that Domino was becoming very restless under his enforced silence. + +"I reckon not," replied the other, at the same time taking the blanket +from Buckskin's head; whereupon the animal, recognizing this as a sign +to rise, quickly gained his feet and shook himself. + +"It's back to the blankets again for another nap," remarked Bob, when +he, too, had seen his animal regain an upright position. "Wonder +what's next on the programme for us. Twice, now, we've been waked up; +and I don't know whether it's really worth while trying to get any more +sleep to-night. It isn't a great ways from dawn, is it, Frank?" + +The other cast a quick look up at the stars. Accustomed to reading +these heavenly sign posts of the night, he was able, from their +positions, to give a pretty fair guess as to the hour; just as the sun +served him in place of a watch during the day. + +"Three hours yet to dawn, Bob; no use staying up all that time," he +said, presently. "We expect to be on the move again at peep of day; +because, after what's happened, it'll be wise for us to get off the +level here before broad daylight comes along. There might be curious +eyes on the watch up yonder, on Thunder Mountain; and that, you see, +would just spell trouble for our crowd." + +"Whew! things are thickening, for a fact!" exclaimed Bob. + +"I was only thinking," Frank continued, "whether we ought to try and +get word back to the ranch about our discovery. If they knew Mendoza +and his rustlers were hiding somewhere about this place they'd comb the +whole mountain range so they could run him to earth. He's been the +pest of the border too long now, and something's just got to be done to +chase him back where he belongs, south of the Rio Grande." + +"But you don't want to go back just yet, do you, Frank?" asked Bob, +uneasily. + +"I'm ready to do what you say, though I'd like to stay," came the +prompt answer. + +"Then I say, let's stick it out," declared Bob, with animation. "It +might turn out to be a false alarm, after all; and we'd feel pretty +cheap to bring all the boys along, and then not be able to show 'em any +game. No, I say it'll be time enough to go after 'em, when we make +dead sure!" + +"That settles it, then," remarked Frank, with a little laugh, as though +pleased to learn that his saddle chum looked at the matter in such a +sensible light. + +This time, after they had lain down in their blankets, there was no +further alarm. Frank, from long habits of early rising on the range, +awakened just as the first faint streaks of dawn began to show in the +eastern horizon. + +It required but a touch to arouse Bob; and saddling up, with packs in +place, the boys soon left the scene of their night bivouac, heading +toward the heavy growth of timber directly at the foot of the mountain. + +The early morning mists concealed their movements until they had +entered among the timber; when they left they were safe from any +suspicious eye, should the bold Mexican rustler have posted any watcher +upon the side of the mountain. + +Again did the saddle boys build a small fire in a hole, over which they +proceeded to cook their breakfast; while the horses cropped the grass +near by, secured by the ever useful lariats, or riatas. + +"There's where this leads into a big gully," remarked Bob, later on, +pointing as he spoke to where the ground became broken. + +"Yes," Frank went on, thoughtfully, "and the chances are ten to one +that it changes into a regular canyon, where the water rushes down +whenever they have one of those gushers, or cloud bursts, that come +along once in a while around here. Now, I wonder if those riders hit +it up this way?" + +He jumped to his feet as he said this. Passing back and forth, Frank +seemed to be examining the ground, marking the stepping stones of the +mountain. + +"Signs aplenty around here," he remarked. "Wish old Hank was along to +read 'em. I reckon I can tell what they stand for, though." + +"Then they went on up that canyon, you believe?" asked Bob. + +"Reckon there isn't any doubt about that part of it," chuckled Frank; +"though just where that same canyon leads I can't say. P'raps it may +be a short-cut across the big range here, leading to the prairie on the +other side. P'raps it doesn't go anywhere, but just leads to a blind +hole that I've heard prospectors call a _cul de sac_. Anyhow, we ought +to find out, Bob." + +"_They_ knew all right," remarked the other, positively. "Wouldn't get +any riders going up there in the dark, unless they were mighty familiar +with every foot of the way. That's my idea, Frank." + +"And I reckon it's the true one," asserted the other. "They know this +place as well as I do all around old Circle Ranch." + +"There's the sun coming up; and perhaps we'd better be getting a move +on about now?" suggested Bob. + +"Wait!" + +Something in the tone which his saddle chum used caused Bob to turn his +head, and look out toward the plain. + +"Huh! what does that mean?" he ejaculated. "A single rider heading +this way; and he seems to be leading a burro loaded with supplies. +Must be a bold prospector, bound to look into the secrets of Thunder +Mountain as we're bent on doing; only he hunts for gold, while we're +just bent on finding things out." + +"But look now," Frank said a little later, as the other came closer. +"Don't you see that it's only a little Mexican boy on that bag of bones +of a horse? Tell you what, Bob, he must have been sent to town for +fresh supplies by some party of gold hunters located right now over the +range." + +"Yes, and how do we know but what this Mexican boy is hooked up with +that Mendoza crowd?" asked the other, seriously. "They might send him +off for grub, and such things as they happen to need. And he pays for +it with money they get from selling stolen cattle and horses! Nobody +would suspect him, Frank, and try to follow. I hope our horses don't +give us away now. I'd like to see what that little fellow does." + +The boy indeed looked weary as he drew closer, leading his tired burro, +upon which a fair-sized load was strapped and roped. + +"Get down, Bob," said Frank. "He hasn't glimpsed us, and, luckily +enough, our horses are feeding out of sight just now. Doesn't he look +sleepy and tuckered out though? See him nodding in his saddle, poor +little runt! Oh! what's that moving there among those rocks just +ahead?" + +"Perhaps it may be one of the rustlers coming down to interview him," +said Bob. + +"Hist!" Frank uttered almost in his chum's ear as he craned his own +neck in order to see better. + +The small boy on the tired broncho, and leading the patient burro, kept +on steadily advancing, apparently allowing his animal to follow its +nose, as though it knew the way fairly well from having passed along it +before. + +"Look! look!" ejaculated Frank suddenly, jumping to his feet. "Great +guns! Bob, would you see what is coming out from among those loose +rocks there? A great big grizzly bear; and making straight for the +pack mule, sniffing the air as if he smelled grub! There, the horse +has scented him. See him rear up, will you? Oh! he's gone and done +it, as sure as you live--thrown the boy over his head! And the poor +burro is caught fast, with his leading rope held in a crotch of the +rocks. The boy will be killed if ever he meets up with that monster! +Quick! We must do something to save him, Bob, but whatever shall it +be?" and Frank leaped to his feet. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +A STARTLING DISCOVERY + +The Mexican boy had apparently escaped serious injury at the time the +frightened cayuse made a sudden bolt upon sighting the bear, and threw +him over his head onto the rocks. + +The lad was already sitting up, and rubbing his knee in a dazed way, as +if not fully understanding what had happened. The pony rushed wildly +away, heading up the wide gully, as though with a full knowledge of +where it was going. And the poor little burro would doubtless have +been only too glad of a chance to follow, if only it could break loose +from the detaining rope. + +Meantime the ugly monster, that had been the cause of all this +commotion, was shuffling closer with each passing second, eager to +strike down the burro with one savage blow from his mighty paw with its +long claws, after which he could proceed to help himself to what those +various packages contained. + +All this Frank Haywood saw in that one glance he shot toward the scene +of action. The boy was apparently directly in the path of the hungry +bear. And when his pony had fled in such a panic he must have also +carried off the rifle, if the boy possessed so valuable a weapon. + +Thus the little fellow was at the mercy of the most feared wild beast +to be found in all the territory between the Atlantic and the Pacific. + +A wild inclination to hurl himself between that brute and his +prospective victim surged over Frank. With but a knife, or even a +revolver to back him up, such a rash act would have been little short +of madness. Fortunately it was not needed. + +"Let me try for him, Frank!" said a trembling voice at his side. + +And then, all at once, Frank Haywood discovered his chum was crouching +close by, and that he was clutching a rifle in his shaking hands. How +he had managed to get hold of the weapon Frank could not even guess, +because his own was a dozen feet away just then. + +Now Bob Archer had certainly never before set eyes on a ferocious bear +outside of the circus or museum. And doubtless that brownish-colored +beast looked as big as a house to him, for he was very much excited. +But he had true Kentucky pluck, and even that circumstance did not make +him quail. If the monster had seemed to equal two houses, still would +Bob have tried to do his duty. And just then it was to save that poor +little Mexican boy. + +The grizzly had advanced so rapidly that he was already almost upon the +crouching boy, who stared at him as if in dire dismay, as well he +might. It was not too late, even then, for the boy to have escaped, +could he have understood the real situation, and that it was the food +in the packs the bear craved, rather than his life; but he did not seem +to realize the fact. + +They had seen him fumbling about his sash, and now he drew something +forth that glistened in the early morning sun. Why, the little chap +had actually drawn his knife, as though that trifling bit of steel +could avail anything more than the prick of a pin against that shaggy +monster. + +The boy was shivering as with terror, but all the same he showed +himself game. Frank was amazed by the sight, and not apt to forget it +in a hurry. + +But by now Bob had stepped forward, uttering a sharp "hello" as he did +so. His object, of course, was to attract the attention of the bear +toward himself. This might cause the grizzly to change his course, and +allow of a few more seconds' delay. It would also divert the attack +from the helpless boy to one who was at least better armed, even though +not professing to be a bear-hunter. + +Frank aroused himself. He remembered that he, too, had a repeating +rifle, leaning against the trunk of a tree not far off. He sprang to +secure the firearm, in the belief that possibly his assistance would be +needed in order to finish the dreaded animal. + +However good Bob's intentions were, when he sought to draw the +attention of the grizzly toward himself, they did not succeed as he had +hoped. Bruin seemed to know that a feast awaited him as soon as he +could clear a way to that frantic little burro with the big load. And +he declined to be turned aside on any account. + +Seeing this, the Kentucky boy dropped on one knee. He felt that he +must find some sort of rest for his gun, since his shaking hands could +hardly be expected to hold the weapon steady when it came time to pull +the trigger. + +Even as Frank swept up his gun he heard the weapon of his chum speak +sharply. The report was instantly drowned in a tremendous roar. +Looking, even as he drew back the hammer of his rifle, Frank saw that +the bear had finally turned away from temptation in the way of meat and +supplies. He had started to rush Bob, whom he evidently recognized as +the cause of that sudden pain which had shot through his bulky body. + +Bob was pumping another cartridge into the firing chamber of his +repeater. He seemed cool, although perhaps only he himself knew how +his heart was pounding away like mad against his ribs. + +Both guns spoke together, it seemed. The grizzly gave another roar, +even more furious than before. At the same time, however, he stumbled, +and fell over sideways. Then he tried desperately to scramble back to +his four feet, still full of fight. + +Both the boys again put their guns in a firing condition. Even if +tremendously excited at the moment, they seemed to remember what was +necessary to do in order to accomplish this result. + +But the bear was apparently unable to get up again. One of the bullets +must have most luckily reached a vital point in the region of his +heart. He was floundering about unevenly, while the little Mexican boy +sat and stared, still gripping that ridiculously small blade in his +hand. + +"We got him that time, Frank!" exclaimed Bob just then, though he could +hardly believe his eyes at seeing the monster growing weaker. "He's a +goner, as sure as shooting! Look at him wobble! Wow! there he goes +over, to make his last kick! Frank, just think of me having a hand in +the killing of such royal game! A real grizzly! Oh! I can hardly +believe it!" + +They now approached the spot where the little Mexican boy was getting +on his feet again. He was no longer white. The threatening monster +had been placed where he could do no more harm; but the little chap +stared uneasily at the two saddle boys. Evidently he was possessed of +a new cause for alarm in the mere fact of their unexpected presence. + +The burro, meanwhile, had somehow managed to effect his release from +the rope that had become fast in the crevice of the rock. Still in a +panic because of the wild animal odor so close at hand, the laden +animal hurried off after the cayuse that had fled along the gully, +heading for where Frank had declared the canyon must undoubtedly lie. + +And the boy really looked very much as though he, too, would like to +depart with equally scant ceremony. + +"Hi! there goes the burro!" called out Bob. "Head him off, Frank; or +shall I jump on my horse and try to rope him?" + +To the astonishment of both the saddle chums the Mexican boy threw out +a detaining hand, crying earnestly: + +"Senors, all, there is no need to chase them. They know where to go, +believe me, and surely I must soon overtake them. You have saved my +life, Senors. Lopez, he thanks you both. Before now have I seen such +a bear; but this time I was caught dreaming. He would surely have +killed me if it had not been for the brave Americanos." + +Frank was struck with the soft tones of the small chap, who did not +look as if he could be much more than twelve years of age. His +features were regular, if thin, and the big black eyes seemed to be +filled with a courage beyond the ordinary. Indeed, they could not +doubt this, having seen how he had drawn that small knife on finding +himself confronted by the Rocky Mountain terror. + +"Well, we were only too glad to have been of help to you, Lopez," Frank +remarked, as he advanced with outstretched hand. + +The boy looked embarrassed, as though hardly knowing what to do. It +seemed to Frank that he had been staring very hard at Bob, and he +wondered why. Then again he imagined that the boy must be keeping +something back. This would account for the worried look on his small, +pinched, but good-looking face. + +But undoubtedly Lopez realized that it ill became him to decline to +take the hand that had helped save his life. + +"You understand that we are your friends, Lopez, don't you?" asked +Frank, as he held the small palm of the Mexican in his own strong one +for a moment, and looked with a puzzled expression into the big black +eyes that quickly fell under his gaze. + +"Oh, yes, Senor, surely you have proved it more than enough," the +little fellow hastened to say; and Frank was astonished to hear what +good language he used. + +"You go across mountains, eh?" asked Bob, indifferently; truth to tell +he was just then more interested in the size of the great grizzly that +had fallen before the guns of himself and his saddle chum, than the +mere fact of this stripling being entrusted with such a task as +bringing supplies to prospectors, or rustlers, as the case might prove. + +A flash crossed the face of the boy, just as though he saw a sudden +opening whereby his presence here might be explained without entering +into details. + +"Oh! yes, across the range. I get supplies for prospectors in camp," +he replied, with an intake of his breath, while he watched Bob +narrowly, as if, somehow, he believed he had more to fear from that +source than from the tawny-haired prairie lad. + +"That's kind of queer, seems to me," remarked Bob, slowly, turning to +again survey the boy; "for them to send so small a chap on so long a +trail. I should think it was more of a man's work, toting supplies +across these mountains, through the canyons. And with the chances of +running foul of such dangers as bears, not to speak of rustlers." + +At that Lopez drew his diminutive figure up, and tried to assume a bold +look. The Spanish blood was proud, Bob could see. + +"This have I done a long while, Senors, believe me," he said, calmly; +"and until to-day never have I met with trouble. Had I not been so +tired and sleepy, perhaps even I might have shot the bear, who knows? +It would not be the first I have seen, no, nor yet the second; but the +horse ran away with my gun. But Senors, I must go on after my animals; +they will be waiting for me farther along." + +"Then you won't wait for us?" asked Frank. "My friend, he would like +to get the claws of this fellow, to remember him by. It will not take +very long, Lopez." + +"Thank you, Senors, but I must not delay. Perhaps you may overtake me +farther along the trail. There is no more danger; and my pack burro +might scrape off his load if I am not there to watch. Again I thank +you, Senors." + +The boy bowed to each of them in turn, just as though he might have +been an actor in some old-time play. Frank believed he had never seen +such remarkable grace in any half-grown lad. Generally, at that age, +boys are apt to be about as clumsy as bear cubs at play. He looked +after Lopez with a frown on his face. + +"What's the matter, Frank?" demanded Bob, as he noticed this +expression. "Are you huffed just because the independent little rascal +wouldn't let us mother him? Say, look at his strut, will you? If he +was heir to the throne of Alfonso he couldn't walk finer. Give me a +whack between the shoulders, won't you, Frank? Perhaps I've been +asleep, and dreamed all this." + +"Oh, rats! Take a look at the bear, and that'll show you what's what. +There, he's disappeared behind that clump of mesquite yonder," and +Frank turned to look at his saddle mate with an expression of +bewilderment on his face, as though he might be trying to clutch some +idea that kept eluding him. + +"Suppose you help me cut these awful claws off, Frank. You see I don't +know the first thing about how it's done; and I think your idea about +keeping 'em for trophies is just immense." + +"Well, for that matter," replied Frank, "I don't know as I ever did a +job like that, myself; but I've watched old Hank do it, so I reckon +we'll get along." + +For a few minutes they worked away in silence. Then Bob looked up to +remark: + +"He said it was prospectors he was taking those supplies to, didn't he; +and that he'd been doing the same a long while?" + +"That was about the size of it, Bob," returned his chum, thoughtfully. + +"Well," Bob went on, "between you and me, Frank, I'd rather believe +little Lopez was in touch with the rustlers. I mentioned that word +just on purpose to see if he would turn red, or give himself away." + +"And did he?" asked the other, quickly. + +"Well," replied Bob, "not so you could notice; but then he seemed such +a smart chap, like as not he knew how to hide his feelings. He looked +frightened when we talked of wanting him to stay with us. Mark me, +there's a heap of mystery bound up in that little fellow." + +"He sure puzzles me, all right," remarked Frank. "Did you notice how +he had a silk handkerchief bound around his head, regular Mex fashion?" + +"Sure I did," laughed Bob, without glancing up, as he used his knife +industriously after the fashion set by his chum. "And I also took +notice that he had a fine, glossy bunch of hair under that same colored +silk bandana." + +"Great governor!" ejaculated Frank, suddenly. + +"What's the matter--you didn't cut yourself, I hope?" demanded his +comrade, uneasily, starting up. + +"Shucks! no. Something just struck me, that's all," replied Frank, +with an air of disgust, and a quick look up the gully where the little +Mexican had last been seen. + +"Oh! Is that so?" mocked Bob. "Must have hurt right bad then, to make +you peep like that. Now, I reckon it might have been something about +Lopez?" for he had noted that hasty glance, and the disappointed frown. + +"That's just what it was, Bob," Frank continued, in an even tone. +"Fact is, I just remembered who Lopez put me in mind of. Only perhaps +you'll laugh when I tell you. Remember that poor little girl Peg Grant +was cuffing when you knocked him down? Well, if you took that colored +handkerchief off Lopez, and let his black hair fall down, I give you my +word he'd be a ringer for that Mexican child!" + +Bob stared as if dazed, and then the light of a great discovery dawned +upon him. + +"Say, Frank!" he exclaimed presently. "Honest Indian, now, I believe +you've sure struck pay dirt, and that's what!" + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +WHAT HAPPENED TO PEG + +"Then you think the same as I do, eh, Bob?" asked the saddle boy, as if +pleased. + +"Well, now a heap of things seem to point that way, Frank," replied the +other, slowly. "Only for the life of me I can't get it through my poor +old head just why a girl like that would want to carry on in such a +queer way." + +"Nor me, either," laughed his chum. "That's something else for us to +lie awake nights puzzling our wits over. Everything around this +Thunder Mountain just seems to be plastered with mystery--who little +Lopez is; what he, or she may be doing away off here in the canyons of +the Rockies; and more particularly the mystery of the mountain that the +reds look on as sacred; where Mendoza and his band of rustlers have +gone with those stolen horses; and also who the prospectors can be that +this pile of grub was meant for--it's all a blank, that's what!" + +"Say, I guess that's pretty near the way it sizes up," grumbled Bob. +"I don't like to run against a stone wall like this. If I was alone +now, d'ye know what I'd likely be doing, Frank?" + +"Well, say, perhaps I might hit close to the bull's-eye, since I've +come to know you pretty well these days, Bob," replied the other. "I +wouldn't be surprised one bit but what you'd go rushing after Lopez, +and demand to know all about it. But Bob, I look at it in another +light. That's his own private business." + +"I suppose so; and I was brought up to mind my own affairs, too," said +Bob. + +"Wouldn't you put up a great howl now," continued Frank, "if somebody +grabbed hold of you, and insisted on your giving him the whole story of +your life, where you were born, what your dad did for a living, when +you cut your first tooth, how much it cost your father to let you +gallop around the country in the saddle with me, and all that? Say, +honest now, would you knuckle down like a meek kid; or give the +questioner to understand that he was poking his nose into affairs that +didn't concern him one whit?" + +Thereupon Bob laughed heartily. + +"I give up, Frank," he admitted. "You go at a fellow, and put him in a +hole as a lawyer might. We'll just let little Lopez alone, no matter +whether he's girl or boy; the grub-getter of prospectors; or agent for +that sly Mendoza, the cattle-rustler. And, on the whole, I reckon +we've got about all the business we can attend to right now on our +hands." + +"That sure sounds good to me, Bob," said Frank, turning once more to +get his horse, the task of securing the grizzly's claws having been +completed. + +Naturally enough, while the excitement was on, both horses had +exhibited the greatest alarm, even though they were out of sight behind +some trees. The near presence of that terrible monster had caused them +to strain at their ropes, prance wildly, and try in every way possible +to break loose; but those lariats had been selected with a view to +wonderful strength. After the death of the grizzly the animals had +gradually quieted down. + +Ten minutes later, and the two saddle boys were slowly picking their +way along the gully, heading upward. Frank, as one born to the +country, and familiar with many of its peculiarities, amused himself by +pointing out to his comrade the various positive signs that as a rule +marked these strange water-courses. + +"You see, Bob," he remarked, "this is really what might be called a +_barranca_." + +"Yes, I've heard you tell about them before," observed the other. + +"Most of the year it's only a dry ravine, with high walls; but once in +a while there happens to be a tremendous downpour of rain in the +mountains, when a heavy cloud breaks against the wall above. When that +comes about, this gully is going to be bank-full of roaring, rushing +water; and anything caught by the flood is apt to be battered and +bruised and drowned before it's swept out below." + +"Whew!" observed Bob, with a shrug of the shoulders. "Let's hope then, +that the next cloud-burst will have the kindness to hold off till we +get out of this hole. If it caught us here, Frank, I reckon we'd just +have to let our nags shift for themselves, and take to climbing the +sides. And wouldn't I hate to lose Domino the worst way; even if he +does give me a raft of trouble at times?" + +Frank patted the satiny flank of Buckskin affectionately, as he said: + +"And it would just about break me up if anything happened to this +fellow, Bob. I've tried heaps of mounts, seeing that we always have +hundreds on the ranch; but I never threw a leg over one I fancied like +my Buckskin. Why, there are times, Bob, when the game little fellow +seems next door to human to me. We understand each other right well. +He knows what I'm saying now; listen to him whinny, soft-like, at me." + +Possibly Bob, knowing considerable about horses himself, may have had a +strong suspicion that the animal understood the touch of his young +master's hand much more readily than he did spoken words; but this was +a subject which he never debated with Frank. The latter had a habit of +talking confidentially with his horse, and seemed satisfied to believe +the animal understood. + +Slowly they made their way along. Now and then Frank would dismount to +examine the rocks and scanty earth that formed the trail over which +they were passing. + +"Always plenty of signs to tell that horses have been going along here +off'n on, both ways--stacks of 'em," he announced, when perhaps an hour +had elapsed since they left the scene of the encounter with the grizzly. + +The ravine, or gully, which he called a _barranca_, had gradually +changed its character. It was now more in the nature of a canyon; +though there were still places where the walls, instead of towering +high above their heads, sloped gradually upwards. + +"Smart horses could easy climb out of here up that rise," remarked +Frank, thoughtfully eyeing one of these places. + +"Are you thinking that perhaps we'd better get out with our nags, while +we have the chance, and leave them, while we keep up the game on foot?" +asked Bob, suspecting that his chum might be considering such a move. + +"Well," remarked the other, "it stands to reason that our horses aren't +going to be of much use in the mountains. If we shook 'em now, we'd be +able to climb almost anywhere, and peek into places we'd never be able +to find as long as we stuck to our mounts. So, if you're of the same +mind, Bob, we'll try and find a place where we might rope 'em out, an' +take the chances of finding 'em again when we're done poking around." + +"I hope then, none of the rustlers will run across them while we're +away," said Bob, as he looked across a deep little pool that lay just +at the foot of a very high slope; and then fastened his gaze on a +peculiarly twisted cedar that seemed to cling to the bank, half way up. + +"Leave that to me, my boy," returned his chum, confidently. "I'll make +sure they leave no trail behind to catch the eye of a horseman riding +past. Besides, we're not dead sure, you know, that the rustlers have +really got a camp around these diggings. P'raps now, they just push +through the canyon to get to some other point across the divide. Or it +may be a favorite trail for them to carry off the cattle they rustle. +In some hidden valley, you see, they can change the brands; and then +openly drive the steers to a shipping station on the railroad." + +"All right, then," agreed his companion, who was ready to put the +utmost faith in any plan proposed by his saddle chum. "We'll keep our +eyes peeled for a chance to get the horses out of this place. Here's a +slope they might climb, as you say; but it looks as if they'd have to +swim that pool first." + +"No use trying it," remarked Frank, casting a rapid glance upward to +where, at a distance of possibly a hundred feet, he could see little +bushes growing on the edge of the top of the rise, which slope formed +an angle of something like forty-five degrees; "sure to be better +places further on, where the holding is firmer." + +"And yet," remarked Bob, suddenly, "horses have made this climb only a +short time ago, Frank!" + +"What makes you say that?" asked the other, interested at once. + +"Why, there are tracks going up slantingly, you see; and even if I am +next door to a greenhorn I can tell that the marks look fresh," Bob +declared, pointing. + +"Say, I take a back seat, Bob," Frank remarked, laughingly. "That's +the time you saw my lead, and went me one better. Sure there have been +horses climbing that slope--one, two, three of 'em. And Lopez, he had +only two; so it can hardly be him. I wonder now if that measly +tenderfoot, Peg----" + +"Look up yonder!" interrupted Bob, suddenly pointing again. "I saw the +bushes moving along the edge of the top there. Somebody's got an eye +on us right now, Frank. D'ye reckon it could be one of those rustlers; +and would they try to hold us up so as to get our mounts?" + +Bob instinctively snatched his rifle, and began to make a +demonstration, as though half tempted to shoot. His action looked so +decidedly hostile that it naturally created something of a panic in the +breast of the unknown who was lying concealed behind the fringe of +bushes. + +They saw a sudden hasty movement, as though, in alarm, the hidden one +had started to change his position. Then something not down on the +bills occurred. + +The loose earth at the edge of the top of the long slope seemed to give +way in a treacherous manner. Immediately a human figure came into +view, struggling, clawing desperately, and trying in every way possible +to clutch at something firm in order to halt his downward progress. + +But it was all of no avail. A second figure attempted to grasp the +imperiled one in time, but evidently failed to secure a firm hold. And +so the fellow started to roll down the slope. He came much after the +manner in which a bag of corn might turn over and over. Sometimes he +was head-first; and then again resuming the side motion, he whirled +around in a way that was enough to make anyone dizzy. + +All the while he kept letting out shrill squeals of real alarm; as +though the prospect of a final plunge into that deep dark pool at the +base filled him with dread. + +By some rare chance the rolling man struck the twisted little cedar +that tried to keep its dying hold on the scanty soil half way up the +rise. Caught by the seat of his stout trousers on one of the scrubby +tree's broken branches, the unfortunate one was suspended in midair, +kicking, floundering and yelling at a tremendous rate. + +"Say!" exclaimed Frank, when he was able to catch his breath again, +"What d'ye think of that, now? Our friend Peg is so glad to see us he +couldn't wait to walk down, but tried to skate. And see what's +happened to him! Next thing he wants is a bath; and I sure reckon he's +due for one when that cedar pulls out its last root. Wow!" + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THREATS OF TROUBLE + +"Splash!" + +Hardly had Frank ventured upon his prediction before it came true. The +stout cloth of which Peg's garments were composed might have sustained +his weight indefinitely, and had it depended on his trousers giving +way, his friends above must have been compelled to use their ropes in +order to release him from so unfortunate a predicament. + +But the roots of the little stunted cedar were soon torn from their +hold. And when this came about, of course the unfortunate Peg +continued his roll down the balance of that steep slope, clawing at +every object which he thought might stay his progress. + +He certainly did drop into the pool with a tremendous splash that sent +the water flying in every direction. + +At first he vanished entirely from view. Then his head emerged, and it +could be seen that he was swimming furiously to keep afloat. Somehow +his awkward movements made Bob Archer think of a hippopotamus he had +once seen in a tank. + +Peg must have had his mouth open when he struck. Perhaps he was trying +to shout for somebody to stop him, and in this manner he swallowed a +quantity of water. At any rate he spouted forth quite a little fluid +as he floundered about, kicking and beating with feet and hands, as +though he were being run by an engine that had gone wild. + +Both of the saddle boys grinned. They could not help it, the thing +looked so laughable. Had it been a dear friend, instead of an enemy, +they must have enjoyed the sight just the same. + +Twice Peg bobbed under, to come up again, paddling for all the world +like a puppy that was having its first swim. His face had taken on a +look of terror. + +"Help! Can't keep up much longer! Something pulling me down!" he +spluttered. + +Frank and Bob exchanged a quick glance. Of course this put quite +another face on the matter. If Peg was really in danger they had no +business to stand there, laughing. It might seem funny to them, but to +Peg the matter was not at all comical. + +"I don't believe the critter knows how to swim, Bob!" exclaimed Frank. + +"That's what," answered the other, seriously. "He's just keeping up +because he's crazy with fright. We've got to get him out of there, +Frank." + +"We sure have; come along," echoed the western boy. + +Fortunately Frank was possessed of a quick mind. He never wasted any +time in wondering what methods he should use in order to accomplish +things. + +The pool was of considerable width, and even though he bent over its +border he would not be able to come within five feet of the struggling +Peg. + +Without hesitation he stepped into the water, holding his gun. Two +feet from the bank and it was to his knees. But he believed he had now +reached a point where he could hold out his rifle and touch Peg. + +"Take hold, and I'll pull you out!" he called, as he extended the gun. + +It was laughable to see how eagerly the other seized upon the chance. +And, when Peg had fastened himself to the other end of the rifle Frank +easily drew him shoreward. + +The bully came out, dripping wet, and in anything but an angelic +temper. It was bad enough, in his eyes, to have fallen into the pool; +but to be rescued by a fellow he hated, as he did Frank Haywood, added +to the aggravation. + +After spluttering for a minute or two, so that he could get rid of the +balance of the water he had swallowed, Peg faced the two chums. + +Strange to say he did not seem to consider that Frank had placed him +under any obligations in the least when he dragged him out of the water. + +"See what you did," Peg exclaimed, now spluttering with burning anger. +"What d'ye mean pointing your old gun up at me, and making as if you +meant to shoot?" + +"Oh!" remarked Bob, elevating his eyebrows; "was that what forced you +to take that header down the slope? Well, now, we had an idea you were +so glad to see us that you just couldn't wait to walk down, but wanted +to fly! But, if I was to blame at all for your trouble, I'm sure I'm +sorry. But you see, we didn't know whether we were going to be held up +by rustlers or Indians. That's what comes from hiding, Peg." + +"Bah! guess I'll do just whatever I want," spluttered the other, wiping +his dripping face on his sleeve without doing either much good, +however. "And do you know what I think?" + +"Well, no, I must say I don't happen to be a mind reader, Peg. Suppose +you tell me," replied the unruffled Bob, who had taken the measure of +the other, and knew he might be set down as a great boaster, but one +not particularly dangerous when it came to a show-down. + +"I believe you just did that on purpose, that's what," Peg went on, +hotly. "You've got it in for me ever since that time we had our little +affair, when I laid a hand on the Mexican girl who sassed me. You just +knew I'd jump up in a hurry if you made out you was going to shoot; and +I bet you even remembered this lake at the bottom of the slope. Oh! it +worked all right; but don't you forget; my time will come. I'm going +to pay you back in full! I've got friends who'll stick by me, all +right. Bah! what're you two fellers doing here on Thunder Mountain, +anyhow?" + +A new suspicion had apparently seized upon Peg. He viewed their +presence as a personal insult; just as though they might have plotted +to forestall him in the glorious adventure he had planned to carry out. + +"Well, if the old mountain belongs to you," spoke up Frank, thinking it +time he took a hand in the talk, "we'll ask you to excuse us, and back +out. But I don't think you have any claim on it; so we'll hang around +as long as we see fit. And remember this, Peg, we're going to mind our +own business; but we don't stand for any bother from you, or those with +you. Understand that?" + +Peg looked at him long and steadily. The eyes of Frank never wavered +in the slightest degree. + +"All right," said Peg, finally, as his own eyes dropped. "You wait and +see; that's what! This thing's been hanging fire a long time now; and +some day we're bound to have it out, Frank Haywood. My dad's after +yours with a sharp stick; and perhaps the trouble is going to come down +to the next generation. You'll get yours good and plenty when the +right time comes!" + +He turned away, and, limping to where the slope could be reached by +skirting the edge of the pool, laboriously commenced to climb, +following the tracks of the three horses. + +"There's one of his guides up yonder, Frank," remarked Bob; "sitting on +the top of the bank. Looks to me like he was grinning to beat the +band." + +"Yes, that's Nick Jennings," replied Frank. "Used to work on the +Circle Ranch, but he got his walking papers because he was caught +stealing from the other men. He's got a grudge against me because I'm +a Haywood. But Nick likes a joke as well as any cowboy; and who could +keep a straight face after seeing what happened here? Look a little +farther on, and you'll just glimpse the colored handkerchief Spanish +Joe wears on his head." + +"I see him peeping at us from behind the bushes," returned Bob. "And +say, he's handling that gun of his just like he'd be glad to use it if +anybody gave him the dare. I reckon Spanish Joe is some ugly customer, +Frank." + +"That's just what he is; but let's be moving on. If Peg takes another +flop and splashes in this puddle again, he'll have to swim for it, or +else depend on his own guides to yank him out. No more for me. I'm +wet to the knees; and did you hear him thank me for it? He's sure the +limit." + +So the two boys went on. + +They were not interfered with, which pleased Frank not a little. +Knowing the nature of Spanish Joe, and the revengeful character of Nick +Jennings, he would not have been much surprised had they attacked him +and Bob, and carried things with a high hand. + +Presently a turn in the canyon shut out the scene of their late +adventure. The last glimpse they had of Peg Grant, he had nearly +arrived at the top of the slope, and it seemed possible that he would +not make a slip that might cause him to repeat his recent circus act. + +"Why do you think they left the trail, and made their horses climb up?" +asked Bob, presently. + +"Well, they might have talked it over just as we did, and chosen to +leave the horses so they could look around on foot," Frank replied. + +"But you suspect they might have another reason, too?" Bob insisted. + +"That's a fact," replied his chum, seriously. "For all we know they +may have run across some sign of the rustlers, and thought it best to +get out of the beaten rut here before they got caught." + +"Then you don't believe that little Lopez had anything to do with it, +Frank?" + +"What, that Mex boy? Oh! he's out of the business long ago," replied +the other. + +"In what way? Didn't he come along this trail ahead of us?" asked Bob. + +"Sure thing," Frank went on. "But you see I've missed the marks of +that burro's little hoofs for nearly twenty minutes. I made up my mind +Lopez had some slick way of climbing out of the _barranca_ a ways back, +without leaving much of any trail. I told you he was a sly one, and I +say the same now, no matter whether he's a brother to the girl you +defended against Peg, or the girl herself." + +"All right, Frank. Get us out of this as soon as you can," Bob +remarked, looking ahead, as though he did not much fancy the appearance +of things there. + +Ten minutes later Frank drew rein sharply. + +"What's doing?" asked Bob, nervously, as he half raised his rifle, +which he had insisted on holding in his hand all the time since that +meeting with Peg. "Think you see signs of trouble from Peg and his +bunch; or is it something else?" + +"Something else this time," remarked Frank. "Fact is, our chance has +come to get up out of here with the nags!" + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +THE BLACK NIGHT + +"How does this suit you, Bob?" + +Frank asked this question as he and his comrade sat there in their +saddles, and glanced around at the peaceful scene. They had climbed +the bank of the _barranca_, and reached a spot where the grass was +growing under a cluster of mesquite trees. + +"It looks good enough for me," replied the young Kentuckian. + +"Plenty of forage for the horses," Frank went on, nodding his head as +he looked; "and do you see that little trickling stream of water that +crawls along? All we have to do is to hide the horses here. When we +want 'em, the chances are we'll find 'em safe." + +"I hope so," remarked Bob, as he alighted. + +In a short time they had removed saddles and bridles, hiding these +among the neighboring rocks, together with their supplies, and had +picketed the horses by means of the lariats. + +"Now what?" asked Bob. + +"You sit down here, and wait till I come back," Frank remarked. + +"What are you going to do?" the Kentucky lad inquired; "something that +I might lend a hand at?" + +"No, I reckon you're a little shy on knowing how to hide a trail, Bob. +Old Hank showed me, and I've practiced it often. This promises to be a +chance to see whether I learned my lesson half-way decent." + +"Oh! all right, Frank. But some day I expect you to show me all about +that sort of thing. You know I want to be in the swim, and learn how +to do everything there is. I'll wait here by the water," and Bob +dropped down to rest. + +"I won't be gone long," Frank observed. "Pretty much all the slope was +made up of stone; and what a great time the horses did have, trying to +hang on. Once I thought your nag was going to take a nasty plunge, +because he isn't as used to the work as a Western pony would be. But +he recovered, thanks to the help you gave him, and made the top all +right. So-long, Bob." + +"I notice you're taking your gun along," remarked the one who was to +stay. + +"Well, when you're in the mountains it's just as well to be prepared +all the time. You never can tell when you'll run slap into something. +It might be a big grizzly like the one we met; then perhaps a hungry +panther might take a notion to tackle you. I knew a cowman who had +that happen to him. Yes, and perhaps you heard him tell the story." + +"You must mean Ike Lasker," Bob replied, quickly. "Yes, I remember how +he said he was lying down, waiting for some feeding deer off to +windward to work closer, when, all of a sudden, something struck him on +the back, and nearly knocked the wind out of him for keeps. He managed +to get his knife out, and they had it there, good and hard." + +"Ike said he nearly cashed in his checks that time," Frank added. +"Some of his mates found him, after they discovered his horse feeding +near by. The panther was dead as a stone, and Ike was clawed and bit +till he looked like a map of the delta of the Mississippi--anyhow, +that's the way he told it. Keep your shooter handy, too, Bob." + +"I will that," returned the Kentucky boy, impressed by his chum's +earnestness. + +After a little while Frank came back again. His manner told that he +was quite satisfied with what he had done. + +"A sharp-eyed trailer might find where we left the canyon," he +admitted; "but I don't believe any ordinary fellow would notice the +marks. So I think our horses stand a first class chance of being here +when we come back for 'em." + +Bob got on his feet. + +"I've fixed up some grub, just as you told me," he remarked. "It isn't +much, but ought to serve in a pinch." + +"And as it's nearly noon now," observed Frank. "Why not take a snack +before we leave our base of supplies? Let's get the stuff out of the +cache again, and have a round of bites." + +"I don't see the use of hurrying away from here right now, anyhow," Bob +remarked, while they were eating. + +"You mean," said Frank, "that we only came here to see what we could +find out about the secret of old Thunder Mountain, and why it kicks up +such a rumpus every little while?" + +"Yes, and seems to me that since we're right on the ground now, we +might just as well start business, here," Bob asserted. + +"That is, hang around until night, and wait to see if the grinding +begins again, as it did when we were in camp below?" + +"We'd be in a position to guess what it was, better than before," Bob +went on. + +"That's a fact," laughed Frank. "And if, as lots of people think, this +old mountain is a played-out volcano, perhaps we might even smell the +sulphur cooking, by sticking our noses down into some of these crevices +in the rocks." + +"Now you're joshing me, Frank!" declared the Kentucky lad, reprovingly. + +"I am not," replied the other, immediately. "Suppose there was any +truth in that fairy story about the fires away down in the earth here; +don't you think a fellow might get a whiff of the brimstone if he was +Johnny on the spot? Why, honest now, Bob, it was on my mind to find +some sort of cave up here, and go in just as far as we could. Don't +you see the point?" + +"Oh! I reckon I do, Frank. You take little stock in that yarn; but, +all the same, you think we ought to look into it, now we're on the +ground?" + +"That's it, Bob. Why, even my dad kind of favors that idea, and I want +to either prove it a fake, or learn that there's something to it." + +So they lay there, lazily enough, instead of climbing farther up the +side of the mountain. It was very pleasant to keep in the cool shade +of the trees, with that trickling little stream so near, for, as the +afternoon advanced, it seemed as though the air became very oppressive. + +Frank was looking up at the sky many times, and finally his companion +asked him what was on his mind. + +"I don't pretend to be a weather sharp," Frank replied; "but, all the +same, there are signs up there that've got me guessing." + +"Well, it _is_ clouding up some," replied Bob, as he swept a look +around at what they could see of the arch overhead. "Perhaps the long +drought is going to be broken at last, Frank. Your father will be +tickled, if it turns out that way. He's been complaining of late about +the stock having to hunt twice as far away from the ranch for forage. +A rain would make things green again." + +"Sure it would," replied Frank; "but, as I said to you before, a rain +storm up in the Rockies is sometimes no joke. We may have to do some +tall climbing if it gets a whack at us when we're in the canyon." + +The day was passing. They had seen nothing more of Peg Grant and his +two guides, but could easily believe the others were not a great way +off. Perhaps they, too, were only waiting for night to come in order +to start their investigation. + +"I don't think either Spanish Joe, or Nick, could be depended on, if +the thing began to look too spooky," Frank had said more than once, +showing that his thoughts must be running in the direction of the rival +party. + +"Oh! this is easy," chuckled Bob. "If all we've got to do is to squat +here and take notes when the menagerie begins to wake up, it's going to +be a snap." + +Frank did not want to make his chum nervous by confessing that he had +another reason for agreeing to remain there idle the balance of the +day, besides the fact of there being no hurry, and that they could take +notes just as easy there as farther up the mountain. + +The fact was, he had concluded, it would be safer for them to remain in +hiding while daylight lasted, and do what searching they expected to +accomplish in the darkness of night. + +It was too easy, for anyone who had no scruples, and wished to do them +injury, to drop a rock down from the wall of the canyon. Against this +sort of attack their rifles would be useless; and terrible damage might +result. + +As to who would be guilty of such an outrage, Frank only remembered +that Peg was in a white heat of indignation, and fully capable of doing +some madcap prank in order to frighten off the two saddle boys. He was +also not a little worried about the rustlers, supposed to be lurking +somewhere not far distant. + +Last, but not least, there were the prospectors to whom little Lopez +had admitted he was carrying the supplies that were secured on the pack +burro. Frank had not heard of any treasure-hunters having invaded the +slopes and valleys around Thunder Mountain; but this did not mean it +could not be true. + +If these men were secretly taking out possibly large quantities of +precious ore, and did not wish to be discovered, or disturbed in their +operations, even they might try to alarm the invaders by hostile +demonstrations. + +"It's as pretty a mixup as ever I heard tell of," Frank had said +several times that afternoon, while they were exchanging confidences in +connection with the remarkable possibilities around them. "What with +the rustlers, Peg and his crowd of thunder investigators, the little +Mex. boy and his unknown prospector bunch; and last but not least, Bob, +ourselves, it sure has me going some." + +"Yes," the other had returned, "but I hope we'll keep clear of the +whole lot, and be able to find out something worth while. I wish the +next night was over, and we were galloping along over the plains headed +for good old Circle Ranch." + +"Me too, Bob, always provided we carried with us an explanation for +those deep grumblings that shake the earth, and seem to come out of the +heart of Thunder Mountain. I'm a stubborn fellow, as I reckon you +know; and when I throw my hat into the ring I like to stick it through +till they carry me out." + +"The same here," Bob had declared, after which the chums had to shake +hands on it again, thus sealing the compact to stick. + +And so the day went, and night came on apace. + +The air did not seem to cool off to any extent as darkness approached. +Frank took pains to call the attention of his comrade to this fact. + +"You can guess what that means, Bob," he remarked. "It's sure going to +bring on a whopper before a great while. All the signs point that way +right now. So we can expect to get ready for a ducking." + +"Oh! that doesn't bother me," declared Bob. "I've been through many a +one. All I hope is that we don't happen to be in the old canyon when +that cloudburst you mentioned comes along. I'm not hankering after a +ride on a forty foot wave, and down that crooked old canyon, too. +Excuse me, if you please!" + +"Of course if we only stick it out here, there's going to be no +danger," Frank remarked, indifferently. + +"I see that you're just itching to be on the move, old fellow," +ventured Bob, who knew the restless nature of his chum. + +"Do you? Well, Bob, to tell the truth, if I was alone now, I suppose +I'd be making for the top of the old hill, bent on finding out whether +there was any sign of smoke oozing from the cracks and crevices at just +the time the rumblings came on." + +"Then what's to hinder both of us going at it?" demanded the proud +Kentucky lad, fearful that Frank might think him timid because he had +suggested their remaining out of the danger zone. + +"We may, later on. Just now it's our business to get some supper; and +hot or not, I'm going to make a cooking fire back of this big boulder, +where nobody could ever glimpse the blaze." + +"Did you say coffee?" remarked Bob. "All right, I'll go you, old +fellow. I feel a little that way myself, and that's no yarn." + +So Frank got things started, and it was not a great while before the +coffee pot was bubbling as merrily as ever, with that appetizing odor +wafting from it. + +The darkness kept on increasing while they ate. An hour later it was +very black all around them, and Bob viewed the possibility of their +venturing into the unknown perils around them with anything but a +comfortable feeling. + +It was just when he was wondering whether Frank would not conclude to +remain in the safe position they occupied that he heard his comrade +give a sharp cry. + +"What have you discovered, Frank?" asked Bob, starting to get up. + +"A light up the side of the mountain yonder," replied the other, "and, +Bob, perhaps if we could only manage to climb up there, we'd learn +something worth while. The question is, have we the nerve to try it?" + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +LOSING THEIR BEARINGS + +Bob chose to consider this a direct challenge. + +"I expect that it would be queer if we didn't make some sort of effort +to find out what the light means. Where is it, Frank?" he remarked, +with perfect coolness. + +"Well, it must have gone out while you were speaking, Bob, as sure as +anything," the other replied. "But I saw it, I give you my word I did. +Huh! there she comes again, just like it was before. Step over here; +the spur of the rock is in your way there. Now look straight up. Get +it?" + +"Easy, Frank. A fellow might think it was a star, if he didn't know +the mountain was there. Now it's getting bigger right along." + +"That's so, Bob. And yet it doesn't seem to be a fire, does it?" + +"More like a lantern to me," declared the Kentucky boy. "Say, what +d'ye reckon anybody could want a lantern up there for? Can you see any +swinging motion to the light Frank?" + +"It does seem to move, now and then, for a fact," admitted the other, +after watching the gleam for a short time. + +"About like a brakeman might swing his lantern if he was on a freight +train in a black night, eh?" continued Bob. + +"Hello! I see now what you're aiming at, Bob; you've just got a notion +in your head that the lantern is being used for signalling purposes." + +"Well, does that strike you as silly?" demanded Bob Archer. + +"Silly? Hum! well, perhaps not, because it may be the right +explanation of the thing. But whatever would anybody up there be +signalling for, and who to, Bob?" + +"There you've got me," laughed the other. "I'm not so far along as +that yet. P'raps it might be one of the rustlers, telling something to +another of the same stripe, who is located in camp out yonder on the +plain. Then, again, how do we know but what it might be that Peg Grant +lot? And Lopez. Don't forget little Lopez, Frank. Prospectors could +have a lantern; in fact, I understand they often do carry such a thing +along with 'em when they go into the mountains to pan for dust in the +creek beds." + +"So," said Frank, who evidently was doing considerable thinking. + +They stood there for some little time, looking up at the light. Bob +was merely indulging in various speculations regarding its source. On +the other hand Frank busied himself in locating the strange glow, so +that he might be able to know when he reached the spot, in case it was +invisible at the time they arrived. + +"Do we go?" asked Bob, when he, too, found his impatience getting the +better of him; whereupon Frank, who had evidently been waiting for some +sign, immediately took him up on it. + +"If you're ready, we'll start right away," he said, quietly. "Luckily +I've been studying the face of Thunder Mountain at times during the +afternoon, and I reckon I can pilot the expedition all right." + +But when Frank said this so confidently he failed to consider the +intense darkness that might baffle all his plans of campaign. Still, +Bob had the utmost confidence in his chum's ability to pull out of any +ordinary difficulty. And, since his Kentucky spirit had been fully +aroused, he was ready to accompany Frank anywhere, at any time. + +Before they had been ten minutes on the way each of the boys sincerely +wished that the idea to investigate had never appealed to them, for +they began to have a rough time of it. But both were too proud to +admit the fact, and so they kept crawling along over the rocks with +their rifles slung on their backs, at times finding it necessary to +clutch hold of bushes or saplings in order to save themselves from some +tumble into holes, the actual depth of which they had no means of even +guessing in the darkness. + +The light was gone. Of course that might not mean it had vanished +entirely; but at least it could no longer be seen by the boys who were +climbing upward. + +Bob was hoping his comrade would propose that they call it off, and +proceed to spend the balance of the night in the first comfortable nook +they ran across. But Frank himself was loath to give the first sign of +a backdown. Consequently they continued the laborious task which was +likely to bring no reward in its train, only the satisfaction of +knowing they had accomplished the duty which they had in mind at the +time of the start. + +An hour must surely have gone since they first left the little green +glade where the horses were staked out, and their supplies cached. + +Bob found himself blown, and trembling all over with fatigue, because +of the unusual exertion. The heat, too, was troublesome. But not for +worlds would he be the first to complain. Frank was setting the pace, +and he must be the one to call a halt. + +"Phew! this is rough sledding," remarked Frank, finally, as he stopped +to wipe his streaming face. + +Of course Bob also came to a halt. + +"Well, it is for a fact," he admitted with a little dry chuckle; for he +felt really pleased to think that he had held out so long, and forced +Frank to "show his hand." + +"Seems to me we ought to have struck something," suggested Frank. + +"Do you really mean you think we've come far enough for that?" +questioned Bob. + +"I reckon we have, though it's so dark I can't be dead sure. You don't +happen to glimpse anything queer around here, do you, Bob?" and while +speaking Frank, perhaps unconsciously, lowered his voice more or less. + +"Nary a thing," replied the other, breathing fast, as if to make up for +lost time. + +"And I don't get any whiff of smoke, do you?" continued Frank. + +"Oh! you're thinking about that volcano business again, eh?" chuckled +Bob. "Nothing doing, Frank. Gee! we must be up pretty high here!" + +"Feels like it," returned the prairie boy, accustomed to the heavier +air of the lower levels at all times. "Makes me breathe faster, you +know. But that was a hot old climb, Bob." + +"All black up yonder in the sky, with never a star showing," observed +the boy from Kentucky. + +"Oh! we're going to get it, sooner or later," declared Frank, +cheerfully. "Can't escape a ducking, I take it. But here we are, half +way up old Thunder Mountain, and not a thing to show for our work. +That's what I call tough!" + +"Got enough?" asked his chum, invitingly. + +"You mean of course for to-night only, because you'd never think of +such a thing as giving up the game so early, Bob?" + +"Well, I was only going to make a little suggestion," returned the +other. + +"Hit her up, then; though perhaps I could guess what it's like, Bob." + +"All right then. You know what I mean--and that since we're away up +here, we might as well make up our minds to hunt an overhanging ledge, +and take a nap. But say, what're you sniffing that way for, Frank?" + +"Just imagined that I got a faint whiff of smoke; but of course it was +all in my eye," replied the other. + +"Was it? I tell you I had a scent of it myself right then," declared +the taller lad, showing signs of considerable excitement. + +"Seems to come and go, then, for I don't get it any more. What was it +like, Bob? Did you ever smell sulphur burning?" + +"Lots of times, and helped to use it too, disinfecting," replied Bob, +readily. "Spent months with my uncle, who is a doctor in Cincinnati, +during an epidemic, and he often had to clean out rookeries just to +stamp out the disease. But this wasn't any sulphur odor I caught, +Frank." + +"Then you could recognize it; eh?" asked his chum. + +"It was burning wood, I give you my word for that," replied Bob, firmly. + +"Hum. That sounds more like it. We'll let the volcano matter sizzle +for a little while, and look around for something smaller. Burning +wood must mean a fire, Bob!" + +"That's what they say, always; where there's smoke there must be fire. +But it seems to me we ought to see such a thing on this black night, +Frank." + +"Unless it's hidden, as we make our cooking fire; or else the blaze is +at the last gasp. Then, after all, we may have been a little off about +that light we saw," Frank continued. + +"The one we said was a lantern? Then you think, now, it might have +been a fire?" questioned the Kentucky lad. + +"Well, I just don't know what to think. But let's look around a bit, +and see if we can locate this fire," Frank suggested. + +After moving around for a short time as well as the darkness allowed +the two boys came together again. + +"No luck, eh?" questioned Frank. + +"Didn't find a thing; but I stumbled over a creek and came near taking +a header down-grade that would have made that plunge of Peg's take a +back seat. Just in the nick of time I managed to grab a little tree. +Phew! it shook me up, though," and Bob rubbed one of his shins as +though he might have "barked" it at the time of the encounter. + +"Same here; only I didn't happen to fall," replied Frank. + +"So it seems as if we were no better off than before," remarked Bob, +dejectedly. + +"We've learned where the fire isn't, if that's any satisfaction to us," +chuckled his chum, trying to make the best of a bad bargain. + +"And that smoke smells so meaning-like, it's sure a shame we can't just +get a line on where it comes from," Bob went on to say. + +Frank seemed to catch a significance in his words, for he turned +sharply on his companion, saying: + +"Look here, have you been getting a whiff of it again, Bob?" + +"Why, yes, several of 'em in fact, Frank," replied the other, in what +seemed to be a surprised tone. "But what does that matter, when +neither of us can find any fire around? I sniffed and sniffed, but +although I just turned my eyes in every direction not even a tiny spark +could I see. And that happened just three times, Frank." + +"What! do you mean you smelled smoke three separate times since you +left me?" demanded the saddle boy. + +"I'm sure it must have been three, because it was between the first and +second times that I tripped. Yes, and always in just the same place +too, which was queer enough." + +"That sounds kind of encouraging, Bob," declared Frank. + +"Do you think so?" asked the other, puzzled to account for Frank's +newly awakened interest. "Tell me why, won't you, please, Frank?" + +"Sure, after you have answered me a question," Frank promptly remarked. + +"All right, let's have it, then," his chum returned. + +"Do you think you could find that exact spot again?" asked Frank. + +"Meaning where I sniffed that smoke each time? Why, I guess I can, +because I went back there twice, all right. Couldn't be quite +satisfied that there wasn't _something_ around there I ought to +discover. But it turned out a fizzle, Frank." + +"Perhaps it wouldn't be so unkind to me, though," the Western boy +declared. "Take me to that place, Bob, and right away. It strikes me +I'd just like to get another little whiff of that same wood smell, +myself. It wouldn't be the first time I'd followed up a smoke trail." + +"Gracious! that sounds interesting, and I hope you can do it, Frank!" +breathed Bob, his admiration for his chum awakening once more. + +"First of all, get me to that place. Lead off, and I'll be close at +your heels. And, Bob, don't forget that spot where you came near +having your tumble. Keep your level head about you." + +"I'll sure try to, Frank. Come on then." + +Bob led the way through the darkness. Although he had been out West +for so short a time Bob Archer was rapidly learning the ways practiced +by those who live close to Nature. He began to observe always all that +he saw, and in such a way that he could describe it again, in every +detail. + +And so it chanced that, having marked his course when coming back after +his unsuccessful search for the fire, he was able, not only to lead his +comrade thither, but to warn him every time they approached a dangerous +slide, where a trip might hurl one some hundreds of feet down the face +of Thunder Mountain. + +"Here is the place, Frank," Bob suddenly said, in a cautious whisper. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE SMOKE TRAIL + +"Are you sure of it?" asked Frank, in the same low voice. + +"Why, try for yourself, and see if you can't get a whiff of smoke right +now," Bob replied. + +"You're right, because I caught it just then; but I reckon the wind +must be changing some, for it's gone again," Frank remarked. + +"You never spoke truer words, Frank, because I can hear the breeze +beginning to shake the leaves in the trees up yonder, and it wasn't +doing that before." + +Bob pointed upwards as he said this cautiously. And Frank, always +watchful, noticed a certain fact. The trees were so situated that they +could be said to lie almost in a direct Southeast line from where he +and Bob stood! This might appear to be a very small matter, and hardly +worthy of notice; but according to Frank's view it was apt to prove of +considerable moment, in view of what was likely to follow. + +"Well, as the smoke's gone again, let's see if we can locate it by +moving a little this way," and Frank led off as he spoke, with Bob +following. + +Both lads were very cautious now. Even Bob, greenhorn as he was, so +far as Western ways were concerned, understood the need of care when +approaching a camp that might be occupied by enemies. And as for +Frank, he had not been in the company of an old ranger like Hank Coombs +many times without learning considerable. + +They had not been moving in the new direction more than five minutes +when Bob reached out his hand and clutched the sleeve of his chum's +jacket. + +"What is it?" asked the leader, stopping short, and crouching there. + +"I got it again, Frank," whispered the Kentucky boy, eagerly. + +"Sure," replied his comrade, immediately. "Why, I've been smelling +smoke for more'n a whole minute now. And I'm following it up, foot by +foot." + +"Oh!" murmured Bob, taken aback by this intelligence. + +"Don't say a word above your breath, Bob. Whoever it is can't be far +away now. We may run in on 'em any minute, you know," and as if to +emphasize the need of caution Frank drew his chum close while he +whispered these words directly in his ear. + +Bob did not make any verbal reply; but he gave the other's sleeve a +jerk that was intended to tell Frank he understood, and would be +careful. Then they moved along again. + +It was no easy task making progress through the darkness, and over such +rough grounds, without causing any sound. Bob found that he had almost +to get down on his hands and knees and creep, in order to accomplish +it. But his chum had not forgotten that he was new to this sort of +business, and hence he gave Bob plenty of time. + +Then Bob in turn began sniffing, and Frank knew that now he, too, had +caught the trail-odor, which was constantly becoming stronger. Thus +they were positive that while they moved forward they must be gradually +drawing nearer the source of the smoke. + +Another tug came at Frank's sleeve, at which signal he bent his head +low so that his chum might say what he wanted in his ear. + +"Sounds like voices!" whispered the excited Kentucky lad. + +Frank gave a little affirmative grunt. + +"Rustlers, maybe?" Bob went on. + +The other made a low sound that somehow Bob seemed to interpret as +meaning a negative to his question. + +"Then prospectors--Lopez and his bunch?" + +"Uh!" Frank replied; and then himself lowering his lips to the ear of +Bob he went on: "What's the matter with Peg and his crowd? They might +have got up here ahead of us. Quiet now!" + +Bob did not attempt to say another word. He had new food for thought. +Yes, to be sure, Peg and his two cowboy guides had had plenty of time +to climb that far up the side of Thunder Mountain. If they had taken +daylight for the task of course they avoided the danger of getting +lost, such as had overtaken the saddle boys. And if the nerve of +Spanish Joe and Nick Jennings continued to hold out, when strange +things began to happen, the boastful tenderfoot from the East stood a +chance of making a discovery. + +As the two crept closer, on hands and knees, they could hear the murmur +of voices grow louder, even though the speakers were evidently talking +in low tones. While the experience was altogether new to Bob, he +enjoyed it immensely. Why, after all, it was not so very hard to place +his hands and knees in such fashion that he felt able to move along +almost as silently as a snake might have done. + +Now he was even able to locate the spot from which the murmur of voices +came. Yes, and when he looked closer he saw a tiny spark that glowed +regularly, just as a firefly might sparkle every ten seconds or so. + +Bob solved that little mystery easily. Of course it was Spanish Joe, +smoking one of the little cigarettes which he was so frequently rolling +between his fingers. + +To be sure, the odor of tobacco smoke mingled with that of burning +wood. And if Spanish Joe, why not the other cowboy who was in bad +repute among the ranches; yes, and Peg himself? + +Bob began to wonder what the programme of his chum might be. Surely +they would not take the chances of crawling up much closer now. If +discovered they would run the risk of being fired upon; and besides, +there was no necessity for such rashness. + +Then Bob discovered that when the wind veered a little, as it seemed to +be doing right along, he could actually catch what was being said. + +Peg was talking at the time, and grumbling after his usual manner about +something or other. + +"Ten to one the fellow's gone and deserted us, Nick!" he remarked, +suspicion in every word. + +Apparently the lounging cowboy did not share in his opinion, for he +laughed in a careless way as he drawled out: + +"Oh! I reckon not, Peg. Me and Joe has hit up the pace fur some years +in company, and I knows him too well to b'lieve he'd break loose from a +soft snap like this here one. Jest lie low, an' he'll be back. Let's +hope Joe's found out somethin' wuth knowin'." + +"But he's been gone nearly an hour now," complained Peg. + +"What of that? It ain't the easiest thing gettin' around on this rocky +ole mounting in the pitch dark, let me tell ye, Peg," Nick remarked; +and by the way he seemed to puff between each few words, Bob understood +that it must be Nick who was using the cigarette, and not Spanish Joe. + +"Say, that's so," admitted Peg, as if a new idea had come to him. +"Perhaps he's slipped, and fallen down into one of those holes you +showed me when we were coming up!" + +This also amused the cowboy, for he chuckled again. + +"Too easy an end for Spanish Joe," he said, carelessly. "Born fur the +rope, and he can't cheat his fate. Same thing's been said 'bout me. +Don't bother me none, though, and sometimes it's a real comfort; +'specially when a landslide carries ye down the side of a mounting like +a railroad train, like I had happen to me. Nawthin' ain't agoin' to +hurt ye if so be yer end's got to come by the rope." + +"A landslide! Do they often have that sort of thing out here?" asked +Peg, showing some anxiety, as though he had read about such terrible +happenings, and did not care to make a close acquaintance with one. + +"Sure we does, every little while," remarked Nick, cheerfully. "Why, +jest last year the hull side of a peak 'bout forty mile north of here +broke away, and a Injun village was wiped out. Never did hear anything +from a single critter after that slip bore down on 'em." + +"It might happen here on Thunder Mountain, too, couldn't it, Nick?" +pursued Peg, as if the subject, with all it pictured to his active +mind, held his interest gripped in such a fashion that he could not +shake himself free. + +"Easiest thing goin', Peg. And let me tell ye, if it ever do happen +here, thar's agoin' to be a slide to beat the band!" Nick asserted, +positively. + +"But what makes you say that, Nick?" demanded the boy. + +"Oh! lots of people says the same thing," replied the other, as if +carelessly. + +"That a landslide is going to start things going on Thunder Mountain +any time--is that what you mean?" Peg insisted on repeating. + +"Any day, er night. Things have been lookin' that way for some time +now. I reckon she's due with the next big cloud-burst that sails this +way." + +It was evident that, for some reason, Nick was trying to frighten his +young employer. Perhaps he himself really wished to get away from the +mountain with the bad name; and took this means of accomplishing his +end without showing his hand. If that were true, then he was gaining +his end, for Peg certainly gave evidence of increasing uneasiness. + +"But why didn't you tell me all this before?" he demanded, indignantly. + +"What was the use, boss? Ye was sot on comin' here, and ye made Joe +and me a rattlin' good offer. 'Sides, it didn't matter much to me. I +had my life insured. A rope might have skeered me; but say, I don't +keer that for landslips," and Nick snapped his fingers contemptuously. + +But Frank, who knew the sly cow puncher so well, believed that more or +less of his indifference was assumed. + +"Well, I do!" declared Peg, with emphasis; "and if I'd only known about +that sort of thing before, blessed if I'd a come. I've heard what +happens when the side of a mountain tears away, and how everything in +the path goes along. They showed me the bare wall where one broke +loose up in Colorado. Say, it was the worst sight ever. You'll have +to excuse me from nosing around here another day, if that sort of thing +is hanging over this place. Me for the ranch on the jump. Get that, +Nick?" + +"Oh! now, what's the use botherin'? Chances are three to one they +ain't agoin' to be any sech upsets as that yet awhile," the cowboy said. + +"Only three to one!" burst out Peg. "All right, you can stick it out +if you want, and I'll pay you all I agreed; but just you understand, +Nick Jennings, when to-morrow comes, I want you to get me down on the +prairie, where I can make a blue streak for the X-bar-X ranch house." + +"But ye sed as how ye was detarmined to find out what made them roarin' +n'ises, up here on old Thunder Mountain!" protested the guide, although +he evidently expressed himself in this way only to further arouse the +obstinate boy. + +"I've changed my plans, that's all," Peg announced. "Any fellow can do +that. It's always the privilege of a gentleman to alter his mind. I'd +like to crow over Frank Haywood and that greenhorn chum of his mighty +well; but I ain't going to run the chance of being carried down in a +landslip just for that. Huh! I guess not! What I said, stands, Nick. +And I hope the old slide comes while those two chaps are on the +mountain; yes, and gives them a dandy free ride, to boot!" + +"Oh! jest as ye say, Peg! I'm willin' to do anythin' to please ye. +But p'raps we ain't goin' to git off so easy arter all," remarked Nick, +suggestively. + +"Now, what do you mean by hinting in that way? And I've noticed you +twisting your neck to look up at the sky more'n a few times. Think +it's going to rain, do you?" demanded Peg. + +"Don't _think_ nawthin' 'bout it; I _know_ it be." And, Nick added, +with emphasis, "I reckons as how it'll be jest a _screamer_ when she +comes." + +"A storm, you mean?" + +"A howler. Allers does when the wind backs up that way into the +sou'east. 'Sides, if so be ye air still sot on findin' out what makes +that thunder up this ways, p'raps ye'll have the chanct to look into +the same afore long, Peg." + +"Oh! was that what I felt just now?" cried the boy, scrambling to his +knees. "It seemed to me the old mountain was trembling just like I did +once, when I had the ague. And Nick, I believe you're more'n half +right, because I sure heard a low grumble just then, like far-away +thunder. I wish I hadn't been such a fool as to come up here. Never +get me doing such a silly thing again as long as I live. Listen! It's +coming again, Nick, and louder than before. Don't you feel how the +ground shivers? Perhaps there's going to be a terrible landslip right +now! Do you think so, Nick?" + +Frank and Bob, crouching close by, had also felt that quiver under +them. It gave the saddle boys a queer feeling. When the solid earth +moves it always affects human kind and animals in a way to induce fear; +because of the confidence they put in the stability of the ground. + +And then there arose gradually but with increasing force a deep +terrible rumble. + +Thunder Mountain was speaking! + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +A CALL FOR HELP + +"Oh! what shall we do, Nick?" cried Peg. + +His voice was now quivering with fear. Evidently whatever little +courage the fellow possessed, or the grit which had caused him to start +upon this mission of attempting to discover the cause of the mystery +connected with Thunder Mountain, had suddenly disappeared. + +"Nawthin' 'cept stick it out, I reckons," replied Nick Jennings. + +The superstitious cowboy was more or less anxious, himself. Frank, +eagerly listening, could tell this from the way in which the fellow +spoke. But Nick did not mean to fall into a panic. To try and rush +down the precipitous side of that mountain in the dark would be +madness. And with all his faults Nick was at least smart enough to +understand what it meant by "jumping from the frying pan into the fire." + +Another roar, louder than any that had yet broken forth, interrupted +the excited conversation between the son of the mining millionaire and +his guide. The whole mountain quivered. Bob himself was much +impressed, and began to wonder more than ever what it could mean. + +The noise died away, just as thunder generally does, growing fainter, +until silence once more brooded over that wonderful mountain. Then +again the two crouching lads caught the complaining voice of Peg. +Bully that he was under ordinary conditions, he now showed his true +colors. That awful sound, coming from the heart of the rocky mountain, +as it seemed, had terrified Peg. + +But Frank was not surprised, for he had all along believed that a +fellow who could lift his hand to strike a small girl must be a coward +at heart, no matter how much he might bluster and brag. + +"This is terrible, Nick!" exclaimed Peg. "Can't you think of some way +we might get out of this? Oh! I'd give a thousand dollars right now +if only I was safe down on the plains again! What a fool I was to come +here!" + +"Well," drawled Nick, possibly with a touch of real envy in his voice, +"I'd like right smart to 'arn that thousand, sure I would, Peg. But +hang me if I kin see how it's agoin' to be done. We can't slide down; +walkin's a risky business, and likely to take hours; an' right now I +don't feel any wings asproutin' out of my shoulders, even if you do." + +"Oh stop joking, Nick, and talk sense," complained Peg. "We've just +got to do something. Why, the old mountain might take a notion to +slide, and carry us along with it." + +"I sure hopes not, at least right now," replied Nick, uneasily. "But I +do reckons as how we're agoin' to git that storm afore mornin'." + +"But see here, Nick," Peg went on, anxiously; "didn't you notice +anything when you were leading me up here like a lamb to the slaughter? +I mean, you ought to have seen whether this side of the old mountain +was more likely to drop off than any other." + +"Ye never kin tell nawthin' about such things," returned the cowboy. +"Reckons all we kin do is to root around, an' see if we might find some +sorter cave, where we'd be safe from the rain, if so be she comes arter +a while." + +"A cave!" echoed the other, as though startled. "What under the sun do +we want to get inside the mountain for? Don't you understand that all +that noise is coming _out_ of this old thing? I tell you, I believe it +is a volcano, just as they told me, and perhaps she's going to break +loose this very night!" + +"Hey! what ye a sayin' that for?" demanded Nick. "Supposin' she is +what ye tell, that ain't any reason the explosion's got to come this +particular night, is it? She's kept on a growling for a hundred year +now, an' nawthin's happened. Reckons it ain't agoin' to come off jest +acause we pilgrims happens to be up here." + +"But you said we ought to find a cave, and go in, Nick," continued the +youth. "Suppose we do, and the sulphur fumes suffocate us? They must +be just awful inside the mountain. This is a nice pickle for me to get +into! If I stay out here I'm in danger of being drowned, or swept away +by a landslide; if I go inside there's all the chance in the world that +I'll be soaking in poisonous sulphur gas till I keel over. I'm up +against it good and hard." + +"We're all in the same boat, remember, Peg," declared the cowboy. + +"But you knew more about this thing than I did, Nick. Why'd you let me +come? It was all a fool business, and you're most to blame," protested +Peg. + +"Aw! let up on that kind of talk, will ye?" growled the cowboy, who was +himself losing his respect for his employer, owing to the presence of +those things which he did not understand, and the nearness of which +aroused his own fears. + +"I will, Nick; only get me out of this hole safe and sound, and I give +you my word I'll pay you that thousand dollars. But where do you +suppose Joe can be all this time? Has he run away, or dropped over +into one of those pits we saw on the way up here? I wish he'd show up. +Three would be better than two; and perhaps Joe might have a plan for +us to get out of this." + +Again did the low grumbling sound begin again, and silenced the +conversation between Peg Grant and his cowboy guide, every word of +which had come distinctly to the ears of the crouching saddle boys near +by. + +The rumble grew rapidly in volume, until once more the whole great +mountain seemed to tremble. Bob was shivering partly from the +excitement, and because he felt a touch of alarm. + +But he could not help noticing the actions of his chum. When the +thunderous roar was about at its height Frank had thrown himself flat +on the ground. Bob could not see what he was doing, but his groping +hand came in contact with the head of his comrade; and he discovered +that it rested on the ground, with one ear pressed to the rock. + +Frank was listening! + +He knew how the ground carried sounds more distinctly than the air, and +evidently he hoped to discover something concerning the thunder by this +method of wireless telegraphy. + +Then, as the volume of sound gradually decreased, just as a lion's roar +dies away, Bob discovered that Peg and Nick were undoubtedly moving +off. He supposed that Nick had made up his mind to hunt for an +outcropping ledge, or some friendly opening, where he could be +sheltered from the storm; and as Peg dared not stay alone, he was +compelled to accompany his guide. The complaining voice of the rich +man's son could be heard for a minute or so. Then even that ceased. + +"They're gone, Frank!" exclaimed Bob. + +"Yes, I know it," replied the other, as he arose from his position flat +on the rocks. "And Peg is badly rattled, too. Say, I always told you +he lacked real grit, and this proves it. He's scared at that noise. +Think of him wanting to fly down to the plain! I reckon he's had about +all of the exploring he wants. It's 'take me back to my daddy!' now +with Peg." + +"Well," remarked Bob, with a sigh, "I don't blame him so very much, +Frank. I tell you what, that noise is enough to give anybody fits. +I'm all of a tremble myself, and I'm honest enough to admit it." + +"That's all right, Bob," replied his chum, quickly; "but are you ready +to give the game up here and now?" + +"Who, me?" answered the Kentucky boy, instantly; "well, I should say +not--not by a long sight! No matter what comes, I'm ready to stick it +out on this line if it takes all summer!" + +"Just what I thought," chuckled Frank. "That's what makes all the +difference between a brave fellow and a coward. Why, to tell you the +truth, Bob, I'm shaking all over right now myself; but it isn't with +fear. I'm excited, curious, and worked up; so are you. When you say +you don't want to back out it tells the story that you're not afraid." + +"But it wouldn't make any difference, Frank, seeing that we couldn't +get away from here, even if we wanted to just now," remarked Bob. + +"That's so," returned his chum; "just as Nick said; we're here, and +we've just got to stick it out, no matter what comes." + +"But do you take any stock in what Peg said about an avalanche?" asked +Bob. + +"Mighty little," Frank replied. "This mountain is made up mostly of +solid rock. That's what makes lots of people believe in the volcano +idea. A slide would be hard to start here, and it just couldn't carry +much along with It. Where mountains have sides made up of earth and +loose rocks, that happens sometimes." + +"I'm glad to hear that," remarked the other. "But there comes another +shake. Whew! feel how she trembles, Frank! Whatever sort of power can +it be that makes this noise and shivering sensation?" + +Frank waited until the convulsion had passed before replying. + +"I've got a strong suspicion, Bob," He said, finally; "and it's +something that came into my mind since _feeling_ the sound, for that's +the only way I can express it. Now, what does it make you think of, +most of all?" + +"I did think it was thunder," declared Bob; "but now it seems to me the +only thing I can compare it to is the beating of the terrible billows +against the coast away up in Maine, when a fierce northeast storm is +blowing. They seemed to make the rocks quiver just as this does now." + +If Frank had intended to reply to this remark he was prevented by +something unexpected that happened just then. This time it was not the +furious roar of the unknown force within the mountain that disturbed +him; but a cry that rang out shrilly. + +"Help! Help!" + +Bob clutched his companion's arm. + +"Something has happened to Peg!" he exclaimed. "Perhaps the guide has +thrown him over, and he's lost, and scared nearly to death!" + +But Frank was more accustomed to reading voices in the open than was +his chum. + +"No, you're wrong there!" he cried, "that's Spanish Joe yelping; and he +must be in a bad hole to call for his companions. Come on, Bob, we've +just got to see what we can do to help him. Rascal that he is, he's +human. Follow me!" + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +SPANISH JOE DROPS A CLUE + +"Where can he be, Frank?" cried Bob, after they had been climbing for +several minutes up the side of the rough mountain, almost groping their +way, such was the darkness around them. + +"Listen!" + +"Help! Nick, this way, quick, or I'll go under!" came a shrill shout, +only a little way above them. + +They started for the spot; but before they had taken half a dozen steps +once more the thunderous sound was heard; and under them the mountain +quivered. As the boys were not more than human, it was only natural +that they should halt until the convulsion had passed. Bob could not +help clutching a spur of rock as though he feared that something +dreadful was about to happen. + +As the roaring noise began to die out the boys caught the cries of +Spanish Joe once again. He seemed to be nearly frantic with fear, and +was calling upon his cowboy crony not to forsake him in his extremity. + +"It's going to tumble on me the next shake! Hurry, Nick, or I'm a +goner!" they heard him pleading. + +"Whatever can have happened to him?" asked Bob, awed by the exciting +incidents by which they seemed to be surrounded. + +"I reckon he's caught in some sort of trap, judging from his talk," +Frank sent back over his shoulder; for both of them were climbing +upward as rapidly as the conditions allowed. + +It was no wonderful feat for Frank to make straight for the spot where +the loud voice came from. He had located it; and even when Joe ceased +calling for a minute or two, Frank was able to continue right on. + +Apparently the cowman had heard some sound that told him of their +coming. That accounted for his silence, since he was listening +eagerly. And of course he fully expected that it must be Nick Jennings +hastening to his assistance, perhaps with Peg at his heels. At least +his words would indicate as much, when he cried again. + +"Hurry, boys! There ain't any too much time. This way, right straight +ahead! Oh! I'm in a hole, I tell ye. Ye ain't stopping, are ye? +Come on! come on!" + +They were now close to where the speaker must be located. Frank was +already straining his eyes to make out his figure, so as to get some +idea as to the nature of the new task that confronted them. + +He presently could make out some object that squirmed and tugged +between groans. + +Then he knew that his first guess was probably correct. Spanish Joe, +in making his way along over the rocks, had in some way managed to +catch his foot in a crack, and was unable to get it out again. Perhaps +the more he struggled the firmer it became fastened. And, considering +the surroundings, his fright could hardly be wondered at. + +So Frank crept up alongside the prisoner of the rock. + +"It's my leg, Nick," cried the man, eagerly. "I can't get it loose and +I've twisted and pulled till it's near jerked out of the socket. See +if ye can't do somethin'. Every time she shakes, that rock up there +just starts to drop down on me! If it comes I'll be smashed." + +Frank knew Spanish Joe. The man from across the Rio Grande had worked +on the Circle Ranch for many months, until he was discharged after +being caught in the suspicious business of conveying information to the +cattle rustlers. + +"Wait 'till I strike a match, so I can see what things look like," +Frank said. + +And as the match suddenly flared up the dark-faced Spanish-American +stared with astonishment into the countenance of the one who had come +in answer to his frantic calls for assistance. + +"You, Senor Frank?" he exclaimed. + +"Sure," replied the rancher's son, as he bent over to examine the way +in which the prisoner's foot had become caught. + +Although the match only shone for a few seconds, Frank's quick eyes had +sized up the situation. + +"How is it, Senor Frank; can you get me out, _camerado_?" asked Joe, +with a quiver in his voice. + +Something of a desperado the man might be under ordinary conditions; +but just then, when facing death, he proved very tame indeed. + +"I reckon I can, Joe, if that tottering rock up there only holds off +long enough. Let's hope it will. Now, do just what I tell you; and +when I say pull, again, get busy for all you're worth!" + +While Frank was talking he had been manipulating the foot of the +Mexican, who had worked so long on American ranches that he had lost +much of his national ways, though retaining a few of the +characteristics of dress that always distinguish his kind. + +Frank himself was not wasting time. He did not like the looks of that +over-hanging rock any too well. It seemed to be about ready to crash +down, and when it did come the result would be disastrous to anything +human caught underneath; for it surely weighed many tons. + +"Now, draw easily at first, and then increase gradually," Frank said. +"I'll hold onto the foot, and keep it in this position. I think that's +the way it first slipped into the crack!" + +Spanish Joe eagerly obeyed. He groaned several times as he felt his +leg hurt, but desperation lent him new determination; for if this +attempt failed, as others had done, he believed that he was doomed. + +Suddenly the foot came free. Joe fell over on the ground, but his last +groan turned into a cry of delight. It was almost comical to see how +quickly he rolled over several times, so as to get away from the danger +zone. + +Frank, turning, clutched his companion, and also drew him back. It was +none too soon, it seemed. As if the release of Spanish Joe might have +been the signal for the groaning mountain to once again take up its +strange action, they felt the quiver with which all the performances. +seemed to begin. Then the grumble commenced, rapidly advancing into a +fearful stage, until Bob could feel himself trembling violently because +the rocks under him were moving. + +"There she comes!" cried Frank. + +His words were drowned in a deafening crash close by. Had Peg Grant +been there he must have believed that the top of the mountain had blown +off, and that fire and boiling lava would immediately begin to pour +down the sides. But Bob had not forgotten about that swaying rock. +And he understood that it had fallen with a crash just at the spot +where the three of them stood a minute before. + +"What a narrow escape!" exclaimed Frank, after the clamor had in some +measure died away again. + +"Oh! I should say it was," echoed Bob, feeling quite weak as he +realized what must have happened to them had they not gotten away in +time. + +"How about your leg, Joe; can you walk?" asked Frank, turning to the +cowman, who was scrambling to his feet close by. + +"Seems like I can, Senor Frank. But it was a close call for Spanish +Joe. Only for you coming, where would I be right now? Let us get away +from here!" exclaimed the man, limping around as he tried his crippled +limb. + +"You are free to go, if you want, Joe," remarked Frank; "but Bob and +myself mean to stick it out. We came here to learn the cause of all +this racket, and we'll do it, or know the reason why." + +"Excuse me, _companero_, I know when I have had enough. This mountain +is surely bewitched. There must be an evil spirit living inside. Do I +not know it? And even the door is guarded by demons that spring at a +man and tear him. My clothes, once so handsome, Senors, are torn into +tatters, just because Joe, he was fool enough to step into that black +opening above!" + +Frank started as he heard the Mexican say this. It seemed to him that +possibly here was a clue worth following up. + +"Tell us what you mean, Joe," he asked, quickly. "What black opening +did you try to enter; and what happened to you, _amigo_? We have done +you a service, saved your life, perhaps. In return, tell us this." + +"It is little enough, Senor Frank. Up above, not more than seventy +feet from here, lies a hole in the ground. I was looking for shelter +from the storm, because Senor Peg wished it. I entered. Hardly had I +taken ten steps than something flew at me. I think it was a demon, for +it had sharp claws, and I thought I could smell brimstone and sulphur. +Just then the mountain yawned, and what with the terrible noise, and +having to fight off that unseen enemy, I climbed out of there fast, but +with all my fine clothes ruined. That was why I came down the side of +the mountain in such haste that I caught my foot. I thought that fury +was chasing me. Nothing in this wide world could tempt Spanish Joe to +go back there. The storm, it is a joke besides that terror of the +darkness!" + +If he expected to alarm Frank, the Mexican cowman mistook the character +of the boy. Frank believed that the fellow's fears had made him +imagine more than half of what he declared had happened to him. + +"Well, we leave you here, then, Joe," the boy remarked, sturdily; +"because we're going to find that cave, and see what lies inside it. +If you want to come along, all right; if not _adios_!" + +He turned and started to climb, Bob tagging at his heels. But Spanish +Joe could not bring himself to accept the invitation. He looked after +the disappearing figures of the two saddle boys, and shook his head. + +"No, not for Joe," he muttered. "He knows when he has had enough. +Money could not drive him to enter there again, and meet that unseen +thing. Out here the danger can be understood, but Joe he takes off his +hat to the young Senors; for grit they surely possess. _Adios_, Senor +Frank; but I doubt much whether we ever meet again." + +But staunch of heart, Frank was leading the way upward, determined to +accept of the challenge which the cowboy's due seemed to throw at his +feet. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +THE VENT HOLE IN THE WALL + +The way grew rougher with every yard they traversed. How Spanish Joe +had come dashing down over this ground at headlong speed without +breaking his neck was a puzzle. + +Frank was feeling his way along carefully when he heard Bob call his +name. The rattle of falling shale at the same time gave him a pretty +strong suspicion as to what had happened. + +"Hello! what's the matter Bob?" he cried. + +"I slipped, and fell over the edge of some sort of place here," came +back the answer. "Luckily I've managed to get hold of a rock and +stopped my tumble. But don't waste any time lending me a hand, Frank, +because it seems to me I feel the thing move. If another quake comes +it'll let me drop; and perhaps the ground may be a full dozen feet +below." + +By this time Frank had reached the edge of the drop. He remembered +skirting it in climbing upward just a minute before; but had been more +successful about doing so than Bob, who was less accustomed to this +kind of work. + +Frank again had recourse to his handy match-safe. Leaning over he +struck a match on the face of the rock. Immediately he drew a quick +breath. It was not because he could see the face of his chum only a +couple of feet away, as the latter clung to a spur of rocks; it was +something else that thrilled him. + +As far down as his eyes could see there was only a black void! Instead +of the simple dozen feet mentioned by Bob, the yawning precipice +extended perhaps a full hundred feet downward! + +But there was no need of telling Bob that it might alarm the boy and +cause him to weaken, so that his grip would give way. + +Frank was quick to understand what must be done. He could just touch +the hand of his chum by bending far down; but that was not enough. +Instantly he wrapped one leg about a sturdy, if dwarfed, little cedar +that chanced to grow at that very spot, as if designed for the very +purpose to which he was putting it. Then he was able to thrust himself +still further down the face of the wall. + +"Take hold, and grip like iron, Bob," he managed to say. + +He felt the other obeying him, and thus they caught hold of hands. + +"Now, try and dig your toes into the face of the wall if you can," +Frank went on, calmly, so far as Bob could know. "It'll help me get +you up. Climb over me. I've got a leg around a cedar, and nothing can +break away. Now!" + +"Say, perhaps you'd better let me drop down." said Bob, thinking his +comrade was going to unnecessary trouble in order to save him from a +little jolt. + +"Climb, I tell you!" snapped Frank. + +"Oh! all right, Frank, if you say so," and Bob started to obey. + +Fortunately he was an agile lad, and a very fair climber, for the task +which he had set himself was no ordinary one. But, by wriggling more +or less, Bob managed to finally get a grip on the cedar. After that it +was easy work; and having succeeded in reaching solid ground himself, +he aided the almost exhausted Frank to draw back. + +"Whew! that was some work, now, and all because I was so silly as to +slip over the edge of that little hole!" remarked Bob, as though +disgusted with himself. + +"Look here," said his chum; "lean over carefully, while I drop this +match down." + +As he struck the match, and then cast it from him it went downward +twenty, thirty, forty feet before it was extinguished. + +"Ugh!" shuddered Bob, "why, it must be all of a thousand feet down to +the bottom, Frank! It scares me just to think of the narrow escape I +had." + +"Well, I reckon it's all of one hundred feet," replied Frank; "and +that's enough to settle a fellow. But let's lie back here, and get our +breath a bit before going on up. The cave can't be far off now, if +what Joe said is so." + +Both of the boys were panting after their unusual exertion, and Bob was +glad of a chance to rest for even a brief time. Besides, another burst +of thunder was starting in, and he fancied that it was louder than any +that had gone before; just as if they might be drawing closer to the +place from whence all this clamor came. + +The cave that Spanish Joe had found and entered--could it have anything +to do with the mystery of the mountain? Frank seemed to think so, and +was bent upon ascertaining the facts. + +"Listen to that, Frank?" shouted the Kentucky lad in the ear of his +mate, while the racket was at its height. "I can hear rocks dropping +all around, just like the one did where Joe was grabbed by the leg. Do +you think this always happens when the old mountain breaks loose; or is +this an extra big celebration?" + +"I was trying to get that myself, Bob," admitted Frank; "but we can +only guess at it, because you see, nobody's ever been up here when the +thunder was rocking the whole range, and so we don't know. But, +honest, now, I'm of the opinion this happens only once in a great +while; else the mountain would have been racked to pieces long ago." + +"And just to think, we had the nerve to come here at a time when it was +bound to do its worst," said Bob. + +"Glad of it," Frank immediately returned. "It gives us a better chance +to learn a few things worth while. I always did like to be in where +the roping was fastest. Are you feeling better, Bob?" + +"Oh! yes, I reckon I'm all right now," returned the other, rising. + +"Ready to go on, then?" continued Frank. + +"Try me, that's all. If I turn tail and run, don't ever speak to me +again," came the steady, but not boastful, answer. + +"Good boy! All right, let's be off again; and be mighty careful how +you move. There may be more of those drops lying around loose. And +next time you mightn't be so lucky about grabbing a spur of rock." + +"That's so, Frank. Wow! but it makes me shiver to even think of it. +Talk about Joe's narrow squeak, it wasn't any worse than mine," and Bob +started to crawl after his better-trained chum. + +Two more evidences came to them of the violence of the unseen force +that was making Thunder Mountain shake, before Frank stopped to let his +chum reach his side, so that he might exchange a few sentences. + +"Looks like that might be the hole ahead," he ventured. + +"I can see something that seems blacker than the night itself; is that +what you mean, Frank?" asked Bob. + +"Yes," his chum continued. "When Joe pointed up this way I took note +of just the line, and followed it closely. That was why we came so +near the precipice. And if that is the opening to the cave, we want to +lie here and listen." + +"Why, do you really believe the racket comes out of that hole?" +demanded Bob, astonished at the very idea of such a thing. + +"Wait and see," replied the other, confidently. "In the meantime, +here's our opportunity to pick up a few candles that will come in +handy." + +They had come to a halt directly under a tree; and Bob had already +discovered that the ground was thickly strewn with broken branches. +Some of these were apt to be fat with the inflammable gum that exudes +from certain species of cedar, and would, as Frank said, make splendid +torches. + +Frank was already on his hands and knees searching for suitable ones; +and as Bob grasped the idea he, too, set to work. + +"I have four already; how do you stand?" asked Frank, presently. + +"Just as many--no, here's the fifth one, and the best of the lot," came +the reply from the Kentucky lad, who went into everything with ardor +and enthusiasm. + +"That ought to do for us," Frank went on. "And now, listen for all +you're worth, because the war is on again!" + +Lying there, Bob heard what seemed to be the first signal. It was as +though some giant hand had tapped the solid rock with his club. Then +faster came the blows, and more and more did the din increase, until it +was fairly deafening. Only for his intense eagerness to hear every +sound Bob might have been tempted to thrust his fingers into his ears +in order to shut out the awful clamor. + +To him it seemed as though a thousand anvils were being beaten in +chorus, with a few other minor chords thrown in for good measure. + +And what interested Bob most of all, as he crouched there listening, +was the fact that all this dreadful noise seemed to be coming directly +from the spot where his comrade had pointed out as the opening of a +cave. + +There was not the faintest trace of lightning accompanying the +manifestation; and this proved, beyond all question of dispute, that +the mystery connected with Thunder Mountain had nothing to do with an +electrical storm. Possibly the observing Indians had many years ago +discovered this same thing; and it had strengthened their belief that +the great Manitou spoke to his red children through the voice of the +wonderful mountain. + +It took longer, this time, for the noise to die away; just as though, +whatever its cause, there was increasing reluctance to subside again. + +"That was a screamer, sure enough!" said Frank, when he could make +himself heard above the declining roar. + +"And Bob, you noticed, didn't you, that it seemed to come right out of +that hole? All right, it begins to look now as if we were Johnny on +the spot, if we've got the nerve to push things. Somewhere in there, +Bob, lies the explanation of the mystery. Do we take the dare; or stay +out here and wait till the fuss is over before entering?" + +Bob possibly swallowed hard before replying. It was no easy thing for +him to say the words that would thrust them up against so terrible a +thing as this unknown peril awaiting them in the gloom of that crack of +the great mountain. But his hesitation was brief. In fact, he only +wanted to catch his breath, shut his teeth hard together, and summon +his Kentucky blood. + +"It's a go, Frank!" he said, with determination in his voice; "the +chance may never come to us again. Let's go in, and discover for +ourselves the secrets of the Indian god they say is guarding Thunder +Mountain. I'm ready, so lead on!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +FRANK HOLDS THE HOT STICK + +"No hurry," said Frank, who realized that his comrade was worked up to +a high pitch of excitement, and thought it the part of wisdom to do +something in order to quiet Bob's nerves. + +"But if we've got to try it, Frank, what's the use of waiting?" +demanded the impetuous one. + +"Well, for one thing, we don't want to be carrying these candles +without making use of one, you see," replied Frank, who was again +getting out his handy matchsafe. + +"What a silly I am, to be sure," laughed Bob; "why of course we want a +light, if we're going to invade that den of the demon Joe told us +about. What do you think about that yarn, Frank; did he meet up with +anything; or was he just scared out of his seven senses? Perhaps +there's a strong current of air in that place, along with the noise, +and that took hold of Joe." + +"Well, I wouldn't like to say," replied the other, cautiously. "This I +do know, and I saw it with my own eyes. Joe's fancy Mexican jacket was +torn nearly into ribbons; and I could see marks of blood, too." + +"Whew! you don't say?" ejaculated Bob. "Then something _did_ get hold +of him; didn't it, Frank?" + +"Looked like it," admitted the other. + +"His jacket was torn into ribbons, you said--then I reckon whatever +tackled Joe had pretty sharp claws, Frank!" Bob continued. + +"I thought as much myself. In other words, Bob, the man was attacked +by some wild beast that has its den in yonder. In the dark, with all +that terrible noise going on, Joe thought it was a monster from the +underworld. If he keeps on telling that story, ten to one, after a +while, he'll vow it had eyes of fire, and a tongue of blue flame. Joe +was frightened half to death, and a man in that condition gets to +seeing things that never did exist. Now, how's that?" + +While speaking Frank had managed to light one of the cedar torches he +carried. The wood burned readily, and with persistence. It would make +a good substitute for a lantern. Indeed, Bob was enthusiastic over the +success attending his chum's effort. + +"Couldn't be beat, that's what!" he cried. + +"Well, there's nothing to keep us now," declared Frank. + +"But what can I do?" asked the other. "Want me to light a torch too, +Frank?" + +"No, one ought to be enough. You fall in just behind me, and Bob, +perhaps you'd better keep your gun handy." + +"Oh! you're thinking now of that demon Joe told about, eh, Frank?" + +"Perhaps. If it jumps out at us give a center shot, if you can," the +saddle boy advised, as he led the way forward toward the black spot +which they had guessed must be the cave entrance spoken of by Spanish +Joe. + +They were quickly at the wall, and had no difficulty in learning that, +just as they had guessed, the yawning hole was there. Frank, without +the slightest hesitation, stepped through the opening. Bob did +likewise, holding his gun in readiness for immediate use. + +The light of the blazing torch lighted up the interior. They could see +that, so far, there was nothing remarkable about the cave, save that it +seemed to stretch away into dim distance, with various twists and +curves. + +"What are you sniffing about, Frank?" demanded Bob, who, in the +silence, heard what his comrade was doing. + +"I think I scent something, that's all," replied the other. + +"Not brimstone and sulphur, I hope?" cried Bob. + +"Well, hardly," chuckled the other. "In fact, it seemed to me that it +was only such an odor as you can always detect around the den of a wild +beast!" + +"Glory! then Joe didn't dream it, after all; and there may be an old +grizzly in this cave!" ejaculated Bob. + +"Not a grizzly," declared Frank, quickly. "If anything, I think it +must be a panther. But he may have left after attacking Joe, so that +we'll have no trouble with the beast." + +"I hope so," Bob remarked, as he strove to look seven ways at once, +keeping his finger on the trigger of his repeating rifle all the while. + +They were now advancing into the cave. + +"Do you think Joe had a torch?" asked Bob, as a new idea came to him. + +"Well, he isn't the man to take chances, and he couldn't help but see +the good torch material at the door yonder. But the beast may have +jumped on his back, so he lost his torch before he could see. And then +he fought in the dark. Joe has always been known as a hard fighter, +and with his knife I reckon he could give a good account of himself. +Hello! see here!" + +Bob started when his chum gave this sudden exclamation. + +"Oh! I thought you had sighted the panther!" he gasped as he lowered +the gun, which had, perhaps through mere instinct, gone up to his +shoulder. + +Frank was bending down. He held his torch in such a fashion that he +could see better; and he appeared to be examining something on the rock. + +"What is it?" asked Bob, eagerly; "footprints?" + +"No, just a little spot of blood," came the reply. + +"Fresh, too, I can see," declared the tenderfoot, as he looked. "Does +that mean this is the exact place where Joe had his little circus, +Frank?" + +"I reckon it is," replied the other. + +"Then if that beast hasn't cleared out we might run across him before +long!" remarked Bob. + +"Oh!" + +Frank gave utterance to this cry. He had seen some object flash +through the air, and knew it could be nothing else than the lithe body +of a panther making a leap. + +The animal must have had a place of hiding close by, from which it had +probably jumped upon the shoulders of Spanish Joe, and now sought to +repeat that act. + +Bob was struck by the descending body of the animal; and while he did +not suffer serious injury from the blow, it jarred his arm, and caused +him to drop his rifle. He instantly leaped forward to recover the +weapon, but through chance picked it up by the end of the barrel. + +The panther had recovered, and was crouching as though to repeat its +jump. Only a yard lay between the fierce beast and the boy who held +the gun. Perhaps a veteran hunter would have proceeded to reverse the +weapon, and discharge it without taking the trouble to throw the stock +to his shoulder. But Bob did not dream that he would be given enough +time for all this. + +He saw the beast there close to him, and his first thought was to poke +the butt of the rifle directly at its head, striking with all his +force. The blow landed heavily, but as the beast gave way, Bob lost +his balance, and fell directly toward the panther. + +It looked as though the boy might be in for a terrible clawing, and so +it must have turned out had he been alone. But he had a comrade close +at hand who did not hesitate an instant about taking part in the affair. + +Frank could not get at his gun, which was slung across his back; but he +knew he had a better weapon than that in hand. Wild animals dread fire +above all things; and every lad brought up on the prairie knows this +fact. + +Suddenly Frank brought down his torch upon the beast with all the force +he was capable of using. There was a snarl and the animal jumped +aside, evidently not fancying the closeness of the stick that burned. +The lad again raised his torch, but evidently the panther had already +endured quite enough of the conflict. It was bad enough fighting two +human beings at a time; but when one of them persisted in belaboring +him with such a hot weapon he drew the line. + +And so with a parting snarl, that was full of defiance and venom, the +panther sprang back out of sight, departing just as silently as he had +come. + +"That's just like the luck," grumbled Bob. + +"What's the matter now?" asked Frank, looking sharply to make sure that +the treacherous beast did not sneak back in order to attack them from +another quarter. + +"Why, I'd just got my gun slewed around, and was ready to fire when he +skipped out. I'd liked to have bagged him, I reckon. A grizzly and a +panther, all on one trip, would be worth talking about." + +"Oh! I don't know that you'd have been so very proud over it," +observed Frank. + +Bob looked at him as he said this. + +"Now, you've got some reason for making such a remark as that," he +observed. + +"Perhaps I have," answered his chum, nodding wisely. + +"Then out with it, Frank, and don't keep me wondering. Besides, I +reckon that we'll have another bellow from the old mountain at any time +now." + +"I guess you didn't notice something queer about that animal, then, +Bob?" + +"About the panther, you mean?" came the reply. "Well, to tell the +honest truth I was knocked all in a heap when I missed hitting him, and +didn't have time to bother looking at him close enough to see anything. +But what was so funny about him, Frank? Did he have only one eye; or +was he three-legged?" + +"Oh! nothing of that sort," declared the other; "so far as I know he is +in possession of all his members. It was about his neck." + +"What about it? Did he have a rubber neck, you mean?" demanded Bob, +trying to be a little humorous so as to conceal the fact of his +excitement. + +"The beast had a collar on!" Frank remarked, positively; "and that +means he must be the pet of somebody who has a hiding place in this +cave!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +A GUESS THAT HIT THE BULLSEYE + +As Frank made this astonishing declaration his chum looked blankly at +him, the information having evidently surprised him not a little. + +"A tame panther, you mean, Frank?" he exclaimed, weakly. + +"That's just what I'm hinting at," replied the other, positively. + +"With a collar around his neck, too?" murmured Bob. + +"Yes. I saw it as plain as I see you now," Frank went on. "It was +when I jumped forward, and gave him the first crack that made him fall +away in a hurry. A collar that was broad and stout. Why, Bob, when he +threw back his head to avoid punishment I could even see where a chain +could be fastened, and the animal kept in confinement." + +"Whew! but he acted like a wild one, all right," protested Bob. + +"He sure did, Bob; but that was because he had already been stirred up +by the fight with Spanish Joe. I reckon the cowboy must have give him +a few jabs with that handy knife he owns. Anyhow, the panther was +spoiling for a scrap, and didn't care a cent how many there were." + +"That was before you gave him his finish with that fire-stick, Frank. +Didn't that knock the old chap silly, though? Why, it took all the +fight out of him, for a fact. He was the tame panther all right when +he ran away, with his tail between his legs. Think he'll tackle us +again?" + +"No telling; but I don't believe the beast cares much for running +against my torch again. It might pay for both of us, though, to keep +on the watch," Frank replied, always on the side of caution. + +"But I say, Frank, is the fact that he's private property going to make +any difference; that is, do I shoot straight if I get the chance again?" + +"Well, I say yes," answered the other. "Given half a chance and he'd +maul us the worst way. No matter who's property he may be, I'd advise +him to keep clear of Haywood and Archer. They're marked, +dangerous--hands and claws off, but come along, Bob; let's be moving." + +"Wait, there it comes again, Frank. Don't you think we'd better lie +down till the worst is over?" ventured Bob, as he caught the opening +notes of the mighty anvil chorus that would soon be in full blast. + +"Well, now, perhaps that wouldn't be a bad idea, Bob. Suppose we do +stretch out here, you facing one way and I another." + +The two crouched there. Frank had thrust the torch into a crevice, for +he wanted the use of both hands in gripping his rifle. If the wild +beast guardian of the cave tried to attack them again, he felt that he +would like to be in a position to shoot. + +"Feel the wind, will you?" called Bob, as the sounds mounted higher and +higher. + +"I'm afraid our torch is going to be blown out," Frank replied, +pointing to the flaring light, which was being hard pressed by the +suction that seemed to rush through the cave, heading always toward the +mouth. + +"Say, Frank, the air feels wet!" shouted Bob, while the racket was at +its height. + +Of course this was no special news to Frank. He, too, had noticed the +same thing, and mentally commented on it. And as it was in line with +certain suspicions which he already entertained, he had felt amply +repaid for taking such hazards in plunging into that black cave. + +Then suddenly an extra strong blast put the torch out. + +"Wow! there she goes, Frank! What will we do now?" yelled Bob, of +course feeling a new uneasiness because of the intense darkness, the +presence of an angry animal near by, and the general air of mystery +that hung over the scene. + +"Nothing. Just wait till the storm blows by; and then we'll light up +again," was what Frank shouted back at him. + +Already it was diminishing. Like the receding waves of the great ocean +the uproar died down, growing fainter with each pulsation. + +And finally there came again the silence that in one way was almost as +dreadful as the clamor; during which Frank proceeded to light the torch +again, though not without some difficulty. + +"Frank, you felt that wet sensation, like fine spray, didn't you?" +demanded Bob, as soon as he could speak with comfort. "Why, touch your +face right now; and you'll find it moist. Whatever can it mean?" + +"I think I know," Frank said, slowly. "I suspected it before, and this +seems to make it look more than ever that way." + +"Do you mean that you've guessed what makes all that frightful noise?" +asked Bob, astonished. + +"I believe I have," came the reply. + +"And it has to do with this misty feeling in the air; has it?" +continued the Kentucky boy. + +"If my idea proves the right one, and I'm bound to find out before I go +away from this place, it's got everything to do with it, Bob." + +"Where there's smoke you'll find fire; and where there's mist I reckon +water can be looked for," remarked Bob, quickly. + +"Just so. Now Bob, have you ever been up in the Yellowstone Park +region?" + +"I can't say that I have, Frank." + +"Then you see I've got the advantage over you; and that's what gave me +a point in the game. Because I've stood and watched Old Faithful and +the other great geysers play every half hour or so," Frank went on, as +they slowly advanced into the passage which seemed possibly to act as +one of many funnels through which the tremendous roaring sound was +carried to the outside world. + +"Geysers!" cried Bob. "Oh! now I get onto what you mean. You think, +then, that in the heart of Thunder Mountain a giant geyser spouts every +once in a while; and that as the water is dashed against the rocky +walls it makes the ground shake. Is that it, Frank?" + +"Yes," replied the other, "and the noise is so like thunder that when +it is forced out through several queer, funnel-shaped openings like +this one, it has puzzled the Indians for hundreds of years. Bob, more +than that, I believe that every once in so many years, when an extra +convulsion shakes things up here, the water bursts out through some +passage, and rushes down that _barranca_ in a wave perhaps twenty feet +high." + +"But they call it a cloud burst, Frank," suggested Bob. + +"I know they do, but still I stick to my idea," Frank went on. + +"And this promises to be an extra strong outburst. Nick said so +anyhow; didn't he, Frank?" Bob queried, a new anxiety in his tone. + +"Just what he did. You're wondering now, that if what I said is true, +whether this passage right here is one of those through which all that +water dashes, on its way to the rocky _barranca_?" + +"Yes, that's the truth. How about it? Could you see any signs here to +tell about that?" + +"I suppose I could if they were here, but I don't discover any. +Besides, I thought of that before we entered, and I give you my word +that I don't believe any big volume of water ever went out through +here. It couldn't do it and not leave some sign behind." + +Bob heaved a big sigh. + +"Well, I'm right glad to hear you say that, Frank, seeing that we're so +far in now, we wouldn't have any chance to escape if it came along. +Whew! I wouldn't like being carried through here, and shot out of the +muzzle like a bullet. But seems to me the place is getting bigger +right along, Frank." + +"Just what it is. Now you can see how like the neck of a bottle the +cave is; and I think that has had a heap to do with the way that +thunder noise gets loose. Why, they say that some days, or nights, it +can be heard more than twelve miles away. I've seen Navajo Injuns drop +flat on their faces, and lie there all the time we could hear the +distant thunder in a clear sky over our way." + +"But is it possible that some hermit is living in this cave?" asked +Bob, thinking that it must be a queer sort of person who would remain +where he must listen to such fearful sounds every once in a while. + +"I told you to notice when we heard the noise the first time," Frank +went on; "while we were in camp on the plain, that the night was clear, +and the wind almost in the Southeast. Well, I made sure that it was in +exactly the same quarter tonight when we were climbing the mountain. +That means something, Bob." + +"To you; but to me it's only a blank," admitted the tenderfoot, +regretfully. + +"I fancy that the direction of the wind has something to do with the +working of this queer old geyser in the heart of Thunder Mountain. It +only rears up when the wind is in the Southeast, as it is now. But +say, you said something about a hermit just now?" + +"I only said I thought it strange a fellow could live here through all +the racket, year in and year out, just to get away from his kind," Bob +remarked. + +At that Frank laughed. + +"But what if he had a big object in it, Bob? What if some daring +prospector, taking his life in his hands, had plunged into one of these +caves of the winds, this one right here, for instance, and struck it +rich. Gold will make men do nearly anything. I've seen 'em go crazy +over finding a nugget, or yellow sand in their pan. Don't you see what +I mean, Bob? Have you forgotten little Lopez, and how frightened he +looked when we spoke about keeping him company?" + +Bob uttered a cry that might stand for either astonishment or delight, +perhaps both. + +"Frank, it just takes you to see through the mill stone, even if it +hasn't got any hole in it," he declared. "I understand what you mean +now. Little Lopez has been coming here for a year or more, always +bringing supplies. Perhaps he carries away the gold dust the miner has +gathered in that time, and no one the wiser. It has all been a dead +secret. And the terror of the Indians for this haunted mountain, as +well as the way the cowboys leave it alone, has helped this bold miner. +Frank, your shot hit the bull's eye, and who knows but what we may be +on the way to find out the truth right now?" + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +THE WORKING OF THE GOLD LODE + +"Now you know what I think, Bob; but after all I may be on the wrong +track," said Frank, after his companion had expressed himself so freely. + +"Of course," Bob went on saying; "but all the same I don't think you +are. After you've shown me, it's just like that egg Columbus stood up +on end, after cracking the shell a bit--as easy as jumping off a log, +once you know how. But now we're in here, I hope we find out the truth +soon, don't you, Frank?" + +"Honest now, Bob, I don't care how quick it comes," replied his chum, +frankly. + +"This is a terrible place, with panthers hanging around, and that +thunder banging to beat the band every minute or so. I'm only +wondering, Frank, what would become of us if that old geyser should +take a notion to explode suddenly, and flush every avenue out of the +heart of the mountain." + +"Don't mention it, please," Frank answered, with a shrug of his +shoulders. "If such a thing happened we wouldn't know what hurt us, +I'm afraid." + +"Huh! some consolation in that, anyhow," grunted Bob. "If a fellow has +to go up against the buzz-saw, the sooner it's over the better." + +"But nothing of the kind is going to happen," Frank insisted; "and you +want to get the idea clean out of your head. We're making fine +progress, and any minute, now, I expect we'll run across the party who +occupies this cave." + +"But every time the blowout comes, away goes our light; and another +spouting is about due now, I reckon," ventured Bob. + +"I've got an idea I may be able to save the torch," Frank remarked. "I +don't know just how it's going to work; but anyhow the thing's worth +trying." + +"Then here comes your chance," his chum called. + +As before, the grumbling began with an earth tremor. It was as though +some giant, whose mighty limbs were shackled, was trying to break +loose; and in so doing made things near him tremble. + +Rapidly the noise increased, until it became terrifying. Bob had +dropped flat, and cowered there, almost holding his breath with awe. +Not so Frank, in whose care was the burning torch. + +He had whipped off his coat at the first sign of the disturbance. This +he hastily arranged so as to partially protect the burning brand. Of +course in such a violent draught the suction was enough to make the +flame flare and flicker until at one time Frank feared it could not +stand the struggle. But just as he was ready to give up the attempt, +the furious wind seemed to slacken. + +Bob raised his head to see the torch still burning, and it soon +recovered its full capacity for illumination. + +"Bully!" he exclaimed, beginning to rise from his position of hugging +the rocky floor of the cave; "you did it that time, Frank. But hurry +up, and get your coat on. Gee! but this air feels chilly in here, and +damp too!" + +Frank had found that out for himself. He was even shivering; and made +haste to don his jacket. + +"Now let's be moving while we have the chance," he said. "I hope that +before the next rush comes we'll sight what we're looking for." + +Perhaps his sharp eyes had discovered certain signs that told him they +were near the working part of the cave. Men cannot mine a lode of +precious ore without leaving many traces behind to tell of their +presence. And the stream of clear water that passed across the place +seemed to offer a splendid chance for panning any golden treasure that +might be found in the shape of soft quartz. + +Now and again Frank would place the torch behind him. Bob wondered +what he did this for until he saw his chum bending his head forward as +though endeavoring to discover what lay ahead. Then he realized that +the light blinded him while it was before his eyes, and he sought to +avoid the trouble in this way. + +"There's another bend ahead, Bob," Frank remarked, presently. + +"Yes?" said the Kentucky lad, eagerly, suspecting what was coming. + +"And I can see signs of light at the curve," Frank went on. + +"Hurrah! Everything seems to be coming out just as you figured, Frank. +When I get back to the ranch I'm going to write to the president, +proposing that he put you in charge of the weather bureau. Every old +farmer will know then when to look out for storms." + +"Well, we may be in for one now," observed Frank, dryly. + +"Look here, you mean something by that remark," Bob cried. "Do you +expect we're going to have a peck of trouble with these miners?" + +"I don't know. It all depends on what sort of men they are," Frank +replied. + +"But we wont let 'em drive us out of here until we know all about that +geyser, if there is such a thing; will we, Frank?" + +"Well, I reckon it won't take a great deal of driving to get both of us +out; but of course I do hope we'll learn something about the real cause +of all this awful racket. Are you ready to turn the bend, Bob?" + +"Sure," and the Kentucky boy ranged alongside his chum, by this +movement plainly indicating that he did not mean to let Frank take any +more risk than he himself was ready and willing to assume. + +No sooner had the two saddle boys turned the bend in the passage than +they saw a singular spectacle. + +A couple of lanterns were hung from wooden pins driven in the wall. +These lights, being protected by glass, could safely resist the +tremendous suction that accompanied each successive convulsion, as the +rocks trembled, and the air swept through toward the outer exit. + +Only two figures were in sight--a man and a boy. In the latter they +recognized little Lopez, the hero of the adventure with the grizzly; +and if their suspicions proved true also, the little girl whom Bob had +rescued from the anger of the bully, Peg Grant. + +The man was a rugged specimen, with long, iron-gray hair. Frank +recognized him as Lemuel Smith, whom he remembered to have met several +years ago when in a border town with his father. + +Smith had always been a rolling stone, a prospector who spent his time +in hunting new strikes, and who lived year in and year out in the wild +hope of sometime or other hitting it rich. Frank suddenly remembered +that Smith had had one daughter, who, he believed, had married a +Mexican. And that would make the little girl his grand-daughter. + +"They're packing up," remarked Frank, whose quick eye had noticed the +fact. + +"Perhaps he's done his work here, and means to vamoose the ranch," Bob +suggested. "Then again," he added, as another thought raced through +his brain, "maybe he doesn't altogether like the looks of things, and +wants to get out of this rat-hole before it all goes to smash. He must +have been here a long time, and ought to know something about that +geyser, Frank." + +"There, they have discovered us!" the other exclaimed, as he waved his +torch in what he meant to be a friendly way, and kept on advancing. + +"Whew! I just hope he doesn't try to fire on us," muttered Bob, who +was nervously fingering his rifle, and wondering how dreadful it would +feel to be compelled, even in self-defense, to shoot at a fellow human +being. + +But the old miner held up both hands. It was the Indian peace sign, +understood by every savage tribe on the face of the globe. + +Quickly the two boys hurried forward, for the first symptoms of another +burst of thunder and furious wind began to make themselves felt. + +This time Frank did not take off any of his outer clothing in order to +protect the torch. He had noted that the old miner had _two_ lanterns, +and he expected to borrow one, if necessary. + +Of course his torch was snuffed out while the furious blast swept by. +Bob noted that each successive outbreak tried to beat the record, and +he was wondering just when the limit of endurance might be reached. + +The old miner, after the roar had subsided, offered the two boys his +hand. + +"How are ye, young Haywood?" he asked, recognizing Frank. "I heard +about what you done for my little gal here, Inez Lopez, whose father +was once a cowboy on the Circle ranch, and lost his life in a fight +with some of his countrymen when they quarreled. I'm glad to see you. +Found a nice little pocket here a year or so back. Kept it on the +quiet; and the gal, playing the part of a boy, has been fetchin' me +supplies once in two months, an' takin' away the dust I winnowed. +Pocket's played out now, but I reckons as how I've got plenty. 'Sides, +I just don't like the way things is agoin' here. That spoutin' geyser +that rises up inside the old mountain every once in a while acts like +it meant to break loose. Never saw it carry on that bad before; and +we're just ready to cut and run, leavin' most of the truck behind. +What brings ye here, Frank?" + +So Frank had to explain in a few words, while the old miner looked +admiringly at the boys, and grinned. + +"I admire your nerve, young fellers," he declared, at the conclusion of +the explanation. "And, Frank, ye guessed the true facts, blessed if ye +didn't! I got onto the same by accident. Fell in through a hole, and +just had to creep along this passage to the end. Then havin' guessed +what made the roar, I wondered if so be I could find any stuff in here. +So I took a lot of wood along, and made my discovery." + +"And you say you're bound out now?" asked Frank. + +"That's what we are, little Lopez and me; and we can't get to the open +any too soon, either, to please both of us," Smith replied, shouldering +his pack. + +"Oh! say, Mr. Smith," cried Bob, "have you lost a pet that wears a +collar?" + +"Meanin' my pet painter, Nero, I take it," replied the miner. "I +raised him up from a cub, and he's as fond of me as my dog. But he's +gone somewhar. We ain't seen him for hours, and like as not the +critter knowed it was gettin' dangerous in here. Trust animal sense +for that. But wait till this next whoop gets by, and then we'll make +for the door. Here's hopin' we'll all be smart enough to get to the +open. Bend your backs to the wind, boys; ye wont feel it so much +then," and all of them carried out his instructions as, with a rapidly +rising roar, the spouting geyser that played in the heart of Thunder +Mountain again started to break loose. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +TRAPPED IN A CANYON + +Once the little party started toward the opening, they made rapid +progress. The turmoil was at their backs, for one thing. Then, again, +each time the noise broke forth it seemed so much worse than before, +that every one felt anxious to get beyond the portal of the cave before +the climax came. + +And when finally this opened before them, Bob drew a long sigh of +relief. + +"Glory!" he burst out. "Maybe I'm not glad we've arrived! But I +reckon your pet, Nero, has skipped, Mr. Smith, or he would have come +out when you and the little Lopez passed. Sorry for you; but perhaps +it's just as well for the rest of us; because you see the fellow might +have had it in for us." + +So they passed into the outer air. + +"Seems pretty much the same as when we left," remarked Bob, as he +stared up at the dark sky against which they could see the rocky crown +of Thunder Mountain dimly outlined. + +"Why, what did you expect?" asked Frank. + +"I didn't know but what some of that thunder might be the genuine +article, and we'd find the rain coming down to beat the band. Glad it +isn't, because we want to get down from this to where our horses are." + +"Little Lopez has our burro and bronco quartered in a small ravine +where they can't escape," remarked the old miner, as he handed Frank +the lantern he had been carrying, the girl taking the other. + +"But would they be in danger in case of a storm-burst?" asked Bob. + +"We counted on that when we arranged the exit by piling up stones," +came the ready reply. "There is little danger, for the ravine has high +banks, where they are able to go in case of hard luck. But now we have +a tough job ahead, boys. Mind your steps all the time. A slip might +cost you dear." + +"Reckon I know that, Mr. Smith," remarked Bob. "I've had experience, +you see. And only for the helping hand of my trusty chum here, I'm +afraid I wouldn't be alive right now. Oh! I'll be careful, I give you +my word." + +And he was, seldom putting a foot forward without first making certain +how the land lay below, and that the stone he expected to step upon was +firmly planted. + +They were making fair progress when the old miner called out: + +"We've reached the parting of the ways, boys. Little Lopez and me have +to turn to the left here, so as to hit the place whar our animals are +cached. You keep right on. Wish you the best of luck, Frank. Hope to +see you some time at my shack. And I tell ye, son, thar's agoin' to be +a ranch soon, with hosses for the gal, an' an ottermobile for the old +couple. I struck it rich in this here lode and pocket. So-long, boys!" + +He shook hands with each of them, as did also the girl, whose +astonishing nerve, when facing that terrible grizzly, Bob would never +forget. Then they separated. And a minute afterward there came +another of those fearful shocks that seemed to make the very rocks of +the mountain quiver, as the pent-up force of that great geyser beat +against its prison walls. + +"We must be getting down somewhere near the canyon, aren't we, Frank?" +asked Bob, after they had been a long while descending the side of the +rough mountain. + +"That's right, we are," replied his chum. "And I've been wondering +whether we ought to take the chances of going along that _barranca_ +just now." + +"It's the shortest way to where we left our horses, I reckon," remarked +Bob. + +"And the only way we happen to know of," Frank went on; "but if that +flood just happened to break loose while we were between those high +walls we'd have an experience that would be fierce, let me tell you!" + +"But then, it may not come for hours yet?" remonstrated the Kentucky +boy, who was anxious to be once again in the saddle, and leaving the +haunted mountain well in the rear. + +"Oh! for that matter, it may not come at all," Frank went on. +"Although Smith did say he really believed that this was going to +finish the old geyser, which he believed empties into one of those +queer underground rivers we know are to be found all through the +Southwest. And Smith ought to know something about it, for he's been +watching this business a whole year now, from close quarters." + +"I'm willing to take the chances, if you are," declared Bob. + +Frank was not at all surprised when he heard his chum say this. He +knew that the Kentucky boy was apt to be rash; and that meant more +caution on his part, in order to counteract this spirit, that might +border on recklessness. + +A quick decision had to be made, for delay could do them no good. He +cast one last look up at the dark heavens, as though questioning how +long they might remain mute. + +"All right, we'll risk it, Bob," he declared, suddenly; for even if the +worst came Frank believed he knew how to avoid a calamity. + +"Good for you, Frank!" exclaimed the other; but Bob understood the +nature of the risk they were taking, and he was not quite so buoyant as +usual. + +The canyon was just below them now, and fortunately there seemed a +narrow bit of slope down which they might make their way. This they +did with considerable difficulty. Indeed, Bob was secretly sorry, +after they had started, that he had urged his companion to take this +step; but there could be no going back now. + +Finally, after several slips, and more or less excitement, they managed +to gain the bottom of the canyon. + +"Say, I don't remember this place any, Frank!" declared Bob, as he +stared about him as well as he could by the flickering light of the +lantern which his companion still carried, and which had served them +well through all their descent. + +"For a mighty good reason," replied Frank. "We were never here before." + +"But this is the same old turtle crawl, isn't it; the _barranca_ we +followed up to the time we climbed the slope with our horses?" Bob +asked. + +"It sure is, only a lot farther along, Bob. Notice how the walls tower +upon each side. I knew something about this, and that was why I held +back when you wanted to come down here. But let's hurry. We've got to +make that slope as soon as we can." + +"Supposing the thing broke loose before we could find any place to +climb out?" suggested Bob, looking up again with awe, as he stumbled +along after his chum, who was already hurrying down the canyon. + +"We might try to outrun it first," Frank replied, over his shoulder. + +"And if that didn't work, what then?" the other continued. + +"Nothing left but to climb the walls, Bob." + +"Whew! then perhaps I'd better be keeping an eye out as we go along, +and see how the land lies?" suggested the boy from Kentucky. + +"A good idea, Bob. Just notice where the chances look half-way decent +for a climb. And remember, at the same time, that the wave may be all +of thirty feet deep when it sweeps through here." + +"You don't say? That would mean some hustling then to get up out of +reach, Frank." + +"I reckon it would. Look out for that nasty rock; it nearly tripped +me, Bob." + +"What was that flash, Frank? Don't tell me it was lightning, real +lightning, and that the long delayed storm is going to break right now, +when it's got us cooped up in this hole?" + +"It was lightning, all right. There, that proves it!" + +Frank's words were drowned in a crash of genuine thunder that made the +foundations of the mountain shake just as much as the mad efforts of +the imprisoned geyser had ever done. + +"No mistake about that sort of thing," cried Bob, as he stumbled along +after his chum. "There it comes again, Frank. I guess I'd better be +picking out a good way up the wall somewhere, for it looks like we'd +have to climb!" + +Frank was doubtless sizing up the situation in his mind. He was also +listening for some sound which he expected to hear, but which was going +to prove a very unwelcome one. + +"No use going any further, Bob, if so be you've seen anything that +looks promising here," he declared, when the reverberations of the +thunder had ceased to echo through the canyon. + +"Then you think we're going to get caught here, Frank?" questioned the +other. + +"I'm afraid to take the chances of keeping on any further. It may be a +long run to the next broken wall, that offers us a chance to climb. +Some places the sides go up as smooth as glass. Have you see an +opening here, Bob?" + +"Yes, yes, right on the left, Frank!" exclaimed Bob, eagerly. "I +couldn't see so very far up, but it looks good to me." + +Frank turned his gaze up to where his comrade pointed. + +"I think it's rough as far as that ledge," he said; "and let us hope +that will be out of the reach of the water. Come on, Bob; let's see +how you can climb; but be careful, boy, be mighty careful!" + +"Frank, that roaring sound didn't seem like the others we've been +hearing; d'ye think it means anything has happened?" Bob called, as he +started to clamber up the rough face of the wall, taking advantage of +every jutting rock, and showing a nimbleness a mountain goat might +almost have envied. + +"I reckon it does, Bob," replied the other. "Get along as fast as you +can with all caution." + +"Has the cloudburst arrived?" demanded Bob, who was already ten feet +from the floor of the canyon. + +"Either that, or else with that last shock the geyser burst its bonds, +and the flood Smith expected is rushing out from all the passages into +this same channel! Perhaps both things have happened at the same +time," Frank replied. + +"Wow! then we'd better be climbing some, I reckon, if that's the case!" +cried the Kentucky boy, as he increased his efforts to ascend to the +ledge. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +A CLOSE CALL + +"It's sure coming down on us, Frank!" cried Bob, shortly, as he caught +a strange mixture of terrifying sounds. + +"Climb!" shouted back the other; for he knew they would have about all +they could do to reach the shelf of rock before the mighty wave swept +through that narrow channel between the high walls of the canyon, with +a force utterly irresistible. + +Bob was doing his best. He realized that the ledge was just above his +head now, and also how necessary it was that they reach it before the +rushing flood arrived to fill the gap. + +Now his eager fingers clutched the edge, and he strove to pull himself +up higher. But his breath was exhausted from his violent efforts, and +the excitement attending the occasion. + +Bob realized that the torrent was very close at hand. Its roar dinned +in his ears so that he could hear nothing else. The rocks seemed to be +quivering under the impact of the released forces. He felt a cold +shiver pass over him as he was seized with a dreadful fear that the +rock to which he clung was giving way. + +Then something seized him by the back of the neck, and Bob found +himself being helped up to a firm foundation. Frank had succeeded in +gaining the ledge ahead of his chum; and naturally enough his first +thought was to assist Bob. + +Panting, and completely exhausted, Bob lay there on the shelf of rock. +He could look down, and when the lightning played, see the oncoming of +that foam-crested bank of mad waters that rushed pell mell down the +canyon. + +Now it was speeding past them, rising higher and higher with each +second, until a new fear began to grip at Bob's anxious heart. He +dreaded lest the wave might attain such a height that he and his chum +would be swept from their perch, to be carried away, helpless victims +on the crest of the flood. + +It was raining now, in sheets. The boys were quickly soaked to the +skin; but neither of them paid the least attention to this fact, which, +after all, was of minor Importance. + +"Frank, do you think it's going to reach up here?" called Bob, as he +watched the rising line of water come within three feet of the ledge. + +"I hope not," came the reply, and then Bob saw that his chum was moving +along the ledge looking carefully above as though in hopes of finding +it possible to climb higher, in case of necessity. + +"Any chance of getting up the rocks, Frank?" he asked again, a minute +later. + +"Mighty little, Bob," replied the other, dropping beside him; "how's +the water coming along?" + +"Less'n two feet from us now, and still rising," reported Bob, +disconsolately. + +"But it comes slowly, you notice," Frank declared, with hope in his +voice. + +"I could just touch it the last time the lightning played; now I can +put my hand clear in it!" Bob called, uneasily. + +Another minute passed. The lightning was of considerable assistance to +the trapped saddle boys, for it enabled them to see. Frank had lost +his lantern during the climb, as it was torn from his belt by a rock he +struck; so that only for this heavenly illumination they must have been +in utter darkness. And when peril threatens it is some satisfaction at +least to see the worst. + +"Now it's only one foot down, Frank!" cried Bob. + +"That's so," replied the other, instantly; "but I reckon it's about +reached its limit. You see, the higher it rises the broader the +channel becomes, and that takes a heap of the water. Bob, cheer up, +I'm nearly sure it won't reach the ledge!" + +"Oh! don't I hope it won't!" cried the Kentucky boy, a little +hysterically; for his nerves had indeed been sorely tried during this +night. + +Five minutes more passed, during which the torrent continued to rush +downward through the gorge with all the attendant clamor. + +"It's at a stand!" shouted Frank, who had himself been making soundings +with his hand. + +"And only six inches from the shelf!" echoed Bob. "That's what you +could call a close call; eh, Frank?" + +"It sure is, old fellow," replied the prairie boy, himself more +relieved than his words would indicate; for he had discovered, during +his brief search, that there was absolutely no hope of ascending any +farther up that blank wall. + +"Shake hands, Frank! We're as lucky as ever, I tell you!" said Bob; +and when their hands clasped neither of them thought it strange that he +could feel the other trembling. + +"Well, what are we going to do about it?" asked Bob, when some time had +passed, and the flood still rushed through the canyon, although in +diminished fury. + +"I don't know that we can do anything except camp out right here on +this rock-shelf, and wait for the storm to pass by," replied Frank. + +"Even if it takes till morning?" Bob went on. + +"Nothing else left to us; and morning won't be so very long coming, +perhaps, Bob. You notice, don't you, that the thunder now is about all +natural?" + +"Well, that's a fact," declared Bob. "The geyser has stopped beating +against the inside of the mountain, hasn't it? Got tired of the job, +and quit for another rest, perhaps." + +"I've got my idea about that," Frank said "You can see how the water is +still rushing along down there. It must be nearly ten feet deep, and +for some time, now, I don't believe it's varied. Don't you understand +what that means, Bob?" + +"Good gracious! do you mean that the old geyser has turned into a +river, and will keep on running like this right along?" cried the other. + +"Looks that way to me," Frank replied. "It is a great big syphon, and +once started, the water that has for centuries been wasting in some +underground stream is now flowing down this canyon. Perhaps long ago +it did this same thing, till some upheaval--an earthquake it might have +been--turned things around." + +"But I say, Frank!" Bob exclaimed; "If what you tell me turns out to be +true, it looks as if we were bottled up in a nice hole, doesn't it? We +can't get up any farther; and if we go down we'll just have to swim in +a torrent that'll knock us silly. This is what I call tough!" + +"Oh! don't look a gift horse in the mouth, Bob. This is a pretty good +sort of a shelf after all; and we'll be glad to stick to it till +morning comes. Time enough then to plan what we're going to do to get +away." + +"That's right, and I'm ashamed of complaining," the taller lad burst +out. + +"It is a grand old shelf; and if I wasn't afraid of rolling off I +believe I could even snatch a few winks of sleep, wet clothes or not." + +"Oh! I'll prop you up with some loose rocks If you want to try it," +declared Frank; "but the chances are you'll get to shivering. Better +sit up, and whack your arms around as I'm doing every little while. It +makes the blood circulate, you see, and keeps you from going to pieces." + +Bob saw the wisdom of this advice. He was beginning to shudder every +minute or so. They were up the side of the mountain a considerable +distance; and after the electrical storm the air had changed from hot +to cold. + +Time passed very slowly. Every now and then the boys would go through +that motion of slapping their arms across their chests; and it never +failed to start the chilled blood into new life. + +"Was there ever such a long night?" groaned Bob, as he stretched his +neck for the thirtieth time to look up at the narrow strip of sky that +could be seen between the overhanging walls of the canyon, in hopes of +discovering signs of the coming dawn. + +"It won't be long now," said Frank, who carried a little watch along +with him, and had several times struck a match to consult its face. +"One good thing, Bob; it has cleared up. You can see the stars +overhead." + +"Yes, and how bright they look from here in this black hole. How long +did you say now, Frank?" asked the anxious and weary Bob, yawning. + +"Half an hour ought to see us through, and bring daylight." + +"But Frank, that river is still running below us. However in the wide +world will we get out of this?" asked Bob. + +"No use crossing till you get to the bridge," laughed Frank. "Just you +make up your mind there's going to be some way open for us to get out +of this. And if the worst comes, I'm a boss swimmer, remember, Bob." + +After another spell of waiting the Kentucky lad cried out: + +"I believe it's getting light! Yes, you can see things now that were +hid before!" + +The morning came. Overhead the sun shone, for they could see that the +sky was clear. And looking down they saw the rushing torrent that had +not filled the bed of the canyon for perhaps centuries back. + +When another hour had elapsed Bob began to grow impatient, and +suggested various wild schemes for getting out of the difficulty. To +all of these Frank shook his head. He himself was considering +something, when he suddenly lifted his head as though listening. + +"Some one shouting up yonder!" exclaimed Bob, pointing upward to the +top of the canyon wall; whereupon Frank seized upon his gun, and fired +several shots in rapid succession. + +Then came answering shouts, upon which Frank repeated his signal for +help. + +"They hear you; they're coming closer! Oh! Frank, I believe that's +Old Hank Coombs hollering!" exclaimed the excited Bob. + +"Hello! down there, air ye all safe?" came a hail; and looking up the +two boys on the shelf saw the grizzled head of the old cowman thrust +into view. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +ONCE MORE AT CIRCLE RANCH--CONCLUSION + +After all, it was not a very great task, getting the two saddle boys up +from the friendly shelf. Old Hank lowered his lariat; and after Bob +had slipped the loop under his arms, he was pulled to safety. Then +Frank followed. + +They found that Hank had half a dozen cowboys with him, some of the +most daring connected with Circle Ranch. Overtaken by the storm while +at the base of the mountain, they had waited for daylight, and then +started afoot to make the ascent. The presence of the new river in the +bed of the long empty _barranca_ astonished these cowmen exceedingly. +And when they heard all that the boys had to tell they were almost of +the opinion that they must have been dreaming. + +But there was the evidence before their very eyes, and nobody could +deny that the old-time river, that had been bottled up underground for +so long, had finally found a way to break forth once more, aided by the +geyser that for a century had beaten that tremendous tattoo every +little while against the inner walls of the rocky mountain. + +"Then there won't be no more racket, will there?" old Hank asked, as he +lay there, looking down at the rushing current of the new stream that +would no doubt readily follow its long abandoned course, until it +reached the distant Colorado, somewhere along the Grand Canyon. + +"The chances are against it," replied Frank. + +"But let's try and find our horses," Bob suggested, after he had +finished eating what food the newcomers had taken the pains to prepare +for the lost ones. + +"Yes, I'm anxious myself to find out how Buckskin's weathered the +gale," Frank put in. + +The two horses were found in good shape, but glad to once more see +their masters, if the whinnies that greeted the coming of Frank and Bob +might be looked upon as evidence of this. + +And then another difficult task awaited them. To get the animals down +to the level plain, now that the canyon was out of commission, taxed +the ingenuity of even so expert a plainsman as Hank Coombs; but it was +finally accomplished. + +Then the horses of the cowboys were found, and the entire party started +for the distant ranch, expecting to complete their jaunt before sundown. + +Old Hank was deeply interested in what the boys had to tell about the +band of rustlers passing, with all the led horses. + +"Didn't git 'em from our ranch," he declared; "an' I reckons the +X-bar-X must 'a suffered; or it might be the Arrowhead, over on the +creek, was the one. But if so be Pedro Mendoza has been usin' that +canyon to cross over the range with his stolen cattle an' horses, he'll +hev to go further away now to do the same, 'cause his road's a rushin' +river." + +"We sure have had a great time of it," declared Bob, as they came in +sight of the buildings of the ranch, and heard the loud calls of the +cowboys who were driving some of the stock in from the range, to get it +ready for shipment later. + +"Yes, and think what we found out," Frank pursued. "First of all the +mystery of Thunder Mountain is known, and from this time on those +roaring sounds will never again be heard." + +"And the Indians will be wondering why the Great Spirit is angry with +his red children, so that he refuses to speak to them," Bob continued. + +"And then there is that little affair about Lopez," Frank remarked, +smiling at the recollection. "We have learned who Lopez is, and what +his grandfather, Lemuel Smith, was doing in that cave. Think of Peg +and his two guides getting out of the region without finding out a +thing!" + +"Say won't they be just as mad as hops, though, when they learn about +what we saw and heard," chuckled Bob. "It's been a great time, all +right. And Frank, we'll never again have anything like the fun we had +in that old _barranca_. It makes my blood just jump through my veins +to think of it." + +"You're right," said Frank, "I don't believe we ever will!" + +But like many other persons who cannot look ahead even one hour, and +know what the future holds for them, both the saddle boys were very +much mistaken. There were plenty of stirring adventures awaiting them +ere many weeks had passed, some of which will be related in the next +volume of this series, called "The Saddle Boys in the Grand Canyon; Or, +The Hermit of the Cave." And those of our boy friends who have found +more or less interest in the present story of life in the far +Southwest, will doubtless be glad to read more of the doings of Frank +Haywood and his brave Kentucky chum, Bob Archer. + +That Peg and his guides reached home safely Frank knew shortly, when he +happened to meet the bully on the trail. Peg was eager to hear at +first hand all that had happened, and made friendly overtures with that +design in view; but this did not deceive Frank in the least. He +realized that Peg was more bitter than ever, and believed that if the +opportunity ever came the bully would not hesitate to do anything that +he thought would annoy the chums. + +Frank had also found that the prospector, Smith, and his little Mexican +granddaughter, had reached home in safety. The successful lode hunter +purchased a ranch; and when Frank met him some time later he was riding +around the country in a fine automobile, buying stock. Inez was with +him, and never again would the brave little girl have to dress as a boy +in order to carry supplies up into the canyons of the mountains. + +Thunder Mountain never again uttered a sound of warning. The Indians +marveled much, and consulted their greatest medicine men as to why the +voice of Manitou called no more. But the whites knew; and a load was +thereby taken from the mind of many a superstitious cowboy, who, when +watching his charges through the vigils of the night, could look toward +the rocky height without that feeling of uneasiness that had always +been present when he believed the mountain to be haunted. + + + + +THE END + + + + + + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Saddle Boys of the Rockies, by James Carson + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES *** + +***** This file should be named 19120.txt or 19120.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/9/1/2/19120/ + +Produced by Al Haines + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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