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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/20223-h.zip b/20223-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..cb8dd26 --- /dev/null +++ b/20223-h.zip diff --git a/20223-h/20223-h.htm b/20223-h/20223-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3082beb --- /dev/null +++ b/20223-h/20223-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,8778 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Two Boys In Wyoming, by Edward S. Ellis + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .linenum {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */ + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;} + .pagenum {position: absolute; left: 92%; font-size: smaller; text-align: right;} /* page numbers */ + .sidenote {width: 20%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; margin-left: 1em; + float: right; clear: right; margin-top: 1em; + font-size: smaller; background: #eeeeee; border: dashed 1px;} + + .bb {border-bottom: solid 2px;} + .bl {border-left: solid 2px;} + .bt {border-top: solid 2px;} + .br {border-right: solid 2px;} + .bbox {border: solid 2px;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + .footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + .footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + .fnanchor {vertical-align: super; font-size: .8em; text-decoration: none;} + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + .poem br {display: none;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem span.i0 {display: block; margin-left: 0em;} + .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 2em;} + .poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 4em;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Two Boys in Wyoming, by Edward S. Ellis + +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: Two Boys in Wyoming + A Tale of Adventure (Northwest Series, No. 3) + +Author: Edward S. Ellis + +Release Date: December 30, 2006 [EBook #20223] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TWO BOYS IN WYOMING *** + + + + +Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously +made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + + + + +<h1><span class="smcap">Two Boys in Wyoming</span></h1> + +<h3>A TALE OF ADVENTURE</h3> + +<h2>BY EDWARD S. ELLIS</h2> + +<h4>AUTHOR OF "DEERFOOT SERIES," "LOG CABIN SERIES," ETC.</h4> + +<h4>PHILADELPHIA<br /> +HENRY T. COATES & CO.<br /> +1898</h4> + +<h4><i><span class="smcap">Northwest Series, No</span>. 3</i></h4> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="tbw001" id="tbw001"></a> +<img src="images/tbw001.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + + +<h3>"They had come a goodly distance since morning."</h3> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> + +<!-- Autogenerated TOC. Modify or delete as required. --> +<p> +<a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I. <span class="smcap">Jack and Fred</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II. <span class="smcap">Riding Northward</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III. <span class="smcap">On Guard</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV. <span class="smcap">Visitors of the Night</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V. "<span class="smcap">Now for the Ranch</span>"</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI. <span class="smcap">At the Ranch</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII. <span class="smcap">The First Game</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII. <span class="smcap">Look Before You Leap</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX. <span class="smcap">Night in the Mountains</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X. <span class="smcap">The Signal-Fires</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI. <span class="smcap">A King of the Forest</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII. <span class="smcap">The Tug of War</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII. <span class="smcap">A Strange Occurrence</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV. <span class="smcap">Missing</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV. <span class="smcap">Tozer</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI. <span class="smcap">Watching and Watched</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII. <span class="smcap">Into and Out of the Canyon</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII. <span class="smcap">The Quest of the Cowman</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX. <span class="smcap">Into the Cavern</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX. <span class="smcap">A Climb for Liberty</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI. <span class="smcap">How It All Ended</span></a><br /> +</p> +<!-- End Autogenerated TOC. --> + + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><span class="smcap">List of Illustrations</span></h2> + + +<p><a href="#tbw001">"They had come a goodly distance since morning."</a></p> + +<p><a href="#tbw002">"On the projecting ledge stood a noble buck."</a></p> + +<p><a href="#tbw003">"He was sweeping down upon them like a cyclone."</a></p> + +<p><a href="#tbw004">"He was looking in the direction of the break in the canyon."</a></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>TWO BOYS IN WYOMING.</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<h3>JACK AND FRED.</h3> + + +<p>You should have seen those youths, for it gives me pleasure to say that +two manlier, more plucky and upright boys it would be hard to find +anywhere in this broad land of ours. I have set out to tell you about +their remarkable adventures in the grandest section of the West, and, +before doing so, it is necessary for you to know something concerning +the lads themselves.</p> + +<p>Jack Dudley was in his seventeenth year. His father was a prosperous +merchant, who intended his only son for the legal profession. Jack was +bright and studious, and a leader in his class at the Orphion Academy; +and this leadership was not confined to his studies, for he was a fine +athlete and an ardent lover of outdoor sports. If you witnessed the game +between the eleven of the Orphion Academy and the Oakdale Football Club, +which decided the championship by a single point in favor of the former, +you were thrilled by the sight of the half-back, who, at a critical +point in the contest, burst through the group which thronged about him, +and, with a clear field in front, made a superb run of fifty yards, +never pausing until he stooped behind the goal-posts and made a +touchdown. Then, amid the cheers of the delighted thousands, he walked +back on the field, and while one of the players lay down on the ground, +with the spheroid delicately poised before his face, the same youth who +made the touchdown smote the ball mightily with his sturdy right foot +and sent it sailing between the goal-posts as accurately as an arrow +launched from a bow.</p> + +<p>That exploit, as I have said, won the championship for the Orphions, and +the boy who did it was Jack Dudley. In the latter half of the game, +almost precisely the same opening presented itself again for the great +half-back, but he had no more than fairly started when he met an +obstruction in his path. The gritty opponent tackled him like a tiger, +and down they went, rolling over in the dirt, with a fierce violence +that made more than one timid spectator fear that both were seriously +injured. As if that were not enough, the converging players pounced upon +them. There was a mass of struggling, writhing youths, with Jack +underneath, and all piling on top of him. The last arrival, seeing +little chance for effective work, took a running leap, and, landing on +the apex of the pyramid, whirling about while in the air so as to alight +on his back, kicked up his feet and strove to made himself as heavy as +he could.</p> + +<p>The only object this young man seemed to have was to batter down the +score of players and flatten out Jack Dudley, far below at the bottom; +but when, with the help of the referee, the mass was disentangled, and +Jack, with his mop-like hair, his soiled uniform, and his grimy face, +struggled to his feet and pantingly waited for the signal from his +captain, he was just as good as ever. It takes a great deal to hurt a +rugged youth, who has no bad habits and is in sturdy training.</p> + +<p>The active lad who had downed Jack when going at full speed, and nipped +in the bud his brilliant attempt, was Fred Greenwood, only a few months +younger. He was full-back for the Oakdales and their best player. +Furthermore, he was the closest friend of Jack Dudley. In the game it +was war to the knife between them, but in the very crisis of the +terrific struggle neither had a harsh thought or a spark of jealousy of +the other. Fred led the cheering of the opposing eleven when Jack kicked +such a beautiful goal, but gritted his teeth and muttered:</p> + +<p>"You did well, my fine fellow, but just try it again—that's all!"</p> + +<p>And Jack <i>did</i> try it again, as I have explained, and, tackling him low, +Fred downed him. While the two were apparently suffocating under the +mountain, Fred spat out a mouthful of dirt and said:</p> + +<p>"I got you that time, Jack."</p> + +<p>"It has that look, but——"</p> + +<p>Jack meant to finish his sentence, but at that moment the mountain on +top sagged forward and jammed his head so deeply into the earth that his +voice was too muffled to be clear. Besides, it was not really important +that the sentence should be rounded out, since other matters engaged his +attention. The two friends went through the game without a scratch, +except that Jack's face was skinned along the right cheek, one eye was +blackened, both legs were bruised, and half his body was black and blue, +and it was hard work for him to walk for a week afterward. The condition +of Fred, and indeed of nearly every member of the two elevens, was much +the same.</p> + +<p>But what of it? Does a football-player mind a little thing like that? +Rather is he not proud of his scars and bruises, which attest his skill +and devotion to his own club? And then Jack had the proud exultation of +knowing that it was he who really won the championship for his side. As +for Fred, it is true he was disappointed over the loss of the deciding +game, but it was by an exceedingly narrow margin; and he and his +fellow-players, as they had their hair cut so as to make them resemble +civilized beings, said, with flashing eyes and a significant shake of +the head:</p> + +<p>"Wait till next year, and things will be different."</p> + +<p>Fred Greenwood was the son of a physician of large practice, whose +expectation was that his son would follow the same profession, though +the plans of the parents were in a somewhat hazy shape, owing to the +youth of the boy. As I have already said, he and Jack Dudley had been +comrades or chums almost from infancy. They were strong, active, +clear-brained lads, who had not yet learned to smoke cigarettes or +cigars, and gave no cause to fear that they would ever do so. It is not +necessary to state that neither knew the taste of beer or alcoholic +drinks, nor did they wish to learn. They understood too well the baleful +effects of such indulgences to be in danger of ruining their bodies and +souls, as too many other youths are doing at this very time.</p> + +<p>Doctor Greenwood had been the family physician of the Dudleys for many +years. The heads of the families were college mates at Harvard, and +continued their intimacy after the marriage of each, so that it was +quite natural that their sons should become fond of each other. The +fathers were sensible men, and so long as their boys' fondness for +athletic sports did not interfere with their studies the gentlemen +encouraged them, and, when possible, were present at the contests +between the representatives of the schools.</p> + +<p>When Jack Dudley was presented with a shotgun and allowed to make an +excursion down the Jersey coast Fred was his companion, and the two had +rare sport in shooting duck and wild fowl. They became quite expert for +boys, and before the hunting season set in did considerable fishing in +the surrounding waters, and both learned to be skilful swimmers and +boatmen.</p> + +<p>Mr. Dudley was wealthier than his professional friend, though the large +practice of the physician placed him in comfortable circumstances. In +one of his many business transactions Mr. Dudley found that he had to +choose between losing a considerable sum of money and accepting a +half-ownership in a ranch in the new State of Wyoming. There seemed +little choice between the two horns of the dilemma, for he saw no +prospect of ever getting any money out of the Western land, but he +accepted the ownership, the other half of which was divided among three +gentlemen, one of whom lived in Cheyenne, and the others in Chicago.</p> + +<p>It is perhaps worth noting that although the fathers of Jack and Fred +were great admirers of athletics, and, as I have said, encouraged the +devotion to them shown by their sons, yet neither was inclined that way +in his youth.</p> + +<p>"I never expected to own a foot of ground west of the Mississippi," +remarked Mr. Dudley, when making a call upon the doctor, "and here, +before I fairly knew it, I have become a half-owner in a ranch away out +in Wyoming."</p> + +<p>"Eventually it may prove worth something," suggested Doctor Greenwood, +"for that section has enormous capabilities, and a tide of emigration +has been moving that way for years."</p> + +<p>"It will take a long time to fill up that country with people. Meanwhile +I'll sell out cheap, doctor, if you feel like investing."</p> + +<p>The physician laughed and thought the joke was on his friend. He said he +would think the matter over, which was another way of saying he would do +nothing more than think of it.</p> + +<p>Jack and Fred were present at this interview, and listened with keen +attention to the discussion of the Western purchase. By and by Fred gave +his chum a significant look, and, excusing themselves to their parents, +they passed out of the room and up stairs to the sleeping-quarters of +Fred. The door was carefully closed behind them, and, drawing their +chairs close together, they talked in low tones, as if some dreadful +penalty would follow a discovery of what was passing between them. Had +any one been able to see the two attractive countenances, he would not +have had to be told that the same thought was in the mind of each.</p> + +<p>"I tell you, Jack," said Fred, with impressive solemnity, "it would be a +shame; it will never do; we must not allow it."</p> + +<p>"Allow what?"</p> + +<p>"Why you heard your father say that he never expected to go out to +Wyoming to look at that ranch he has bought."</p> + +<p>"I could have told you that much, without waiting for him to say it. It +will be just like him to give it away for a song."</p> + +<p>"And who knows but that it contains valuable gold or silver mines? I +have heard of treasures being bought in that way."</p> + +<p>"That may be," was the thoughtful response of Jack, "though I believe +most of Wyoming—that is the valleys and plains—is a grazing country."</p> + +<p>"I don't know much about the country, but I have read enough to learn +that the greatest discoveries of gold and silver have been in places +where no one expected to find them. What I am getting at, Jack, is that +your father should make up his mind not to part with his interest in the +ranch till he knows all about it."</p> + +<p>"How is he to learn, when he won't go near it? Of course he can write to +the people out there, but likely they will not tell him the truth."</p> + +<p>"He must send some one whom he can trust, and let him investigate."</p> + +<p>"That does seem to be a sensible plan," remarked Jack, as if the thought +had not been in his mind from the first.</p> + +<p>"A sensible plan!" repeated the enthusiastic Fred, "it is the <i>only</i> +plan; nothing else can make it sure that he is not being swindled out of +a big fortune."</p> + +<p>Jack was silent a moment, while he looked steadily into the brown eyes +of his chum, who half-smilingly met the scrutiny. Then the whole scheme +burst forth.</p> + +<p>"And whom can your father trust before <i>us</i>? He must see that the best +thing he can do is to send us out there to make a full investigation. We +won't charge him anything like what he would have to pay other folks."</p> + +<p>"Of course not; only our travelling expenses and supplies."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean by supplies?"</p> + +<p>"Say a Winchester rifle and a revolver apiece, with the proper +ammunition; what sort of supplies did you think I meant?"</p> + +<p>"I thought it was food, while we were out hunting."</p> + +<p>Jack turned up his nose.</p> + +<p>"If we can't keep ourselves supplied with food, when we are in a country +that has the finest game in the world, we deserve to starve."</p> + +<p>"My sentiments exactly;" and as if the coincidence required something in +the nature of a compact, the boys shook hands over it.</p> + +<p>"What a splendid treat it would be for us to spend some weeks out in +Wyoming!" exclaimed Jack Dudley, his eyes sparkling and his cheeks +glowing; "it looks as if it were providential that father got hold of +that ranch."</p> + +<p>"There can't be any doubt about it; but how much more providential it +will be if we are sent to learn all that should be learned about it! I +wonder if that can be brought about?"</p> + +<p>Enough has been told for the reader to understand the plot formed by +these two youths. There could be no question of the grand treat it would +prove to both, provided their parents could be persuaded to take the +same view of the matter; <i>there</i> was the rub.</p> + +<p>Jack crossed his legs and thoughtfully scratched his head. Unconsciously +Fred did the same.</p> + +<p>"It's a tougher problem than we ever attacked in Euclid," remarked the +younger. Then a bright thought struck him.</p> + +<p>"Don't I look a little pale, Jack?"</p> + +<p>"You look as if a month's vacation in the autumn would be acceptable; +but the fact is, Fred, I never saw you look better than you do this +minute."</p> + +<p>Fred sighed.</p> + +<p>"I am afraid I can't work that on father. He's too good a doctor for me +to worry him about my health."</p> + +<p>"How about <i>me</i>?"</p> + +<p>Fred shook his head.</p> + +<p>"You look as strong as an oak knot, and you are, too; no, we can't make +them think we are in need of a month in Wyoming. We shall have to try +another tack. Now, there is no doubt that if we spend the month of +September putting in extra work on our studies, we can stand the +following month in laying off. We shall come back with new vigor and +appetite, and soon catch up with our class."</p> + +<p>"There isn't a particle of doubt about that, but it still remains that +we must convince our fathers that it will be a wise course to send us +away from home. We can't do it by looking pale and weak, for we can't +look pale and weak. We must fix on something else or it's no go."</p> + +<p>"Why not fall back on what we first talked about?"</p> + +<p>"What's that?"</p> + +<p>"Make your father think it will be a prudent thing for him to send you +out there to look after his property."</p> + +<p>"Suppose I should convince him on that point, how about <i>you</i>?"</p> + +<p>"You will need some one to look after you, and I'm just the fellow."</p> + +<p>"We are both satisfied in our own minds; in fact we were from the first; +but our fathers are very hard-headed men."</p> + +<p>Now, a couple of boys may be very shrewd, but it often happens that +their parents are a good deal shrewder, a fact which my young readers +will do well to remember.</p> + +<p>Unsuspected by Jack Dudley and Fred Greenwood, their parents read on the +instant the momentous problem which assumed form in the brains of their +sons. When the younger signalled to his chum to follow him out of the +room, the two gentlemen understood what it meant as clearly as if they +overheard all the conversation that followed. Waiting until they were +beyond hearing, Doctor Greenwood looked at his friend and remarked, with +a smile:</p> + +<p>"They are hit hard."</p> + +<p>"No doubt of it; their hearts are set on making a visit to the ranch, +and it would be singular if it were otherwise. We can feel for them, for +we were once boys."</p> + +<p>"Yes, John, and it's longer ago than we like to recall. What do you +think of it?"</p> + +<p>"You know we have always agreed that many parents injure their children +by undue indulgence."</p> + +<p>"True, and we have been indulgent to ours, but not improperly so. A +great deal depends upon the children themselves. Jack and Fred are +obedient, studious, and have good principles. If we should say 'No' to +this scheme of theirs they would be disappointed, almost beyond what we +can understand, but neither would protest or sulk. They would study just +as hard as ever. It is that which appeals to us. If they were sullen and +dissatisfied we wouldn't care; but, John, you and I have each been +blessed with model sons, and they are entitled to privileges which it +would not be safe to grant to other boys. I confess I feel like sending +both out to Wyoming for an outing."</p> + +<p>"Of course it would spoil the enjoyment of Jack unless he could take +Fred with him, but what excuse shall we make, Doc?"</p> + +<p>How reluctant a father is to appear weak and too conciliatory toward his +child! These two men had virtually decided to grant the fervent wish of +their sons, but it must be done in a common-sense way. They could not +say "Boys, since you have set your hearts on this we grant it," but they +must fix upon some scheme that would made it seem a necessity that they +should go thither.</p> + +<p>And now observe how ludicrously similar their thoughts were to those +that were agitating their offspring up stairs.</p> + +<p>"I have been thinking," observed the physician, "of suggesting to them +that they are in need of an extension of their vacation; but what a +farce it would be! School opens next Monday, and they are the types of +rugged health, strength and activity. If I undertook to make such a +proposition I couldn't keep my face straight, and I am sure both would +burst out laughing."</p> + +<p>"I know <i>I</i> should, if I were present."</p> + +<p>"Parents must not make dunces of themselves before their children," was +the philosophical remark of the physician; "some other plan must be +adopted."</p> + +<p>Mr. Dudley leaned forward in his chair and slapped the shoulder of the +physician, his face aglow.</p> + +<p>"I have it, Doc!"</p> + +<p>"Let me hear it, for I admit that I am cornered."</p> + +<p>"I will take the ground that, since I have become part owner of this +large tract of land, my first duty is to learn the truth about it. I can +write to parties out there, but they are all strangers to me, and there +is no saying how much reliance can be placed on their reports. What is +necessary is an agent who will make an intelligent and honest report; +and surely we can trust our own sons to do that."</p> + +<p>"But, John," remarked the doctor, with his pleasant smile, "there are +scores of people right here at home who will do that for you. Suppose +Jack reminds you of the fact?"</p> + +<p>"If he hasn't any more sense than to make such a suggestion, then, by +gracious! I'll punish him by sending some one else."</p> + +<p>"Little fear of Jack saying anything of that nature. Even if he +undertook to do so, Fred would place his hand over his mouth. But, John, +let's understand the matter before we say anything to them. Your plan of +sending out Jack to inspect the property is a good one. It sounds +business-like, and must strike them that way; so that difficulty is +removed. You and I don't know anything about the region, nor the best +time for hunting game, but it is fair to believe that the month of +October will be suitable. Suppose we keep them in school throughout +September, and then give them a month's leave of absence, to examine and +report upon your property. If all goes well, they are to appear here, +ready to resume their studies on the first Monday in November."</p> + +<p>"I can suggest no improvement upon that. No doubt the young rascals are +up-stairs, plotting how to bring us round to their way of thinking. +Suppose you call them down, Doc. Shall you or I unfold our brilliant +scheme?"</p> + +<p>"You, by all means, since the property is yours."</p> + +<p>The physician opened the door of his office and called "Fred!" There was +instant response, "Yes, sir." "I would like to see you and Jack for a +few minutes in the office."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; we are coming."</p> + +<p>And a minute later they arrived, handsome, glowing and expectant.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Dudley has something to say to you, Jack."</p> + +<p>Both boys turned their faces expectantly toward the gentleman named, who +crossed his legs, cleared his throat and looked very grave.</p> + +<p>"My son, Doctor Greenwood and I have been discussing that property of +mine in the new State of Wyoming. We have agreed that I ought to learn +something about it before selling my interest in the same. To secure +such reliable information it is necessary to send some one thither whom +we know to be truthful and honest. The doctor thinks, and I agree with +him, that the right one to go is you, Jack—that is, if you have no +objections."</p> + +<p>The parent paused for a reply, and Jack, as if the matter was too +important to be disposed of hastily, answered:</p> + +<p>"I don't think of any objections just now, father."</p> + +<p>"Very well; I am glad to hear it. If any occur to you, you will let me +know, so that I can engage some one else."</p> + +<p>"I'll let you know at once, if I think of any."</p> + +<p>"Very well. Our plan is that you and Fred shall resume your studies next +Monday, and keep right at them to the close of the month. On the first +of October you will start for Wyoming——"</p> + +<p>"Alone?"</p> + +<p>"I am surprised, my son, that you should interrupt me with that +question. Do you suppose I would allow you to spend a month in that wild +region without a companion to look after you? No, sir! Fred goes with +you. I entrust you to his care, and expect him to bring you back in time +to resume your studies on the first Monday in November. It is very kind +in the doctor to consent to the arrangement. I hope you appreciate it, +sir."</p> + +<p>"I thank him very much," said Jack, looking toward the physician, who +just then drew his hand across his mouth to suppress the smile that was +tugging at the corners.</p> + +<p>"Of course," continued Mr. Dudley, still with the manner of a +philosopher, "in visiting such a section, inhabited by large and fierce +game, you must take every precaution. I shall furnish each of you with a +repeating Winchester, a revolver, and such other articles as may be +necessary. We will now excuse you, with the understanding that if any +objections occur to either, you will let us know at once, so that you +may continue your studies, while I engage other parties to attend to +this business."</p> + +<p>"I'll think it over," replied Jack, tremulous with delight.</p> + +<p>And then he and his chum withdrew and went up-stairs again to the room +of Fred Greenwood, who hastily closed the door. The next instant they +were hugging each other, and dancing about as if their senses had +forsaken them; and indeed it may be said that for a brief while such was +the fact.</p> + +<p>"Fred," said the happy Jack, when there was a lull in the excitement, +"we must fix upon a name for ourselves."</p> + +<p>"I thought our parents attended to that a good many years ago."</p> + +<p>"You know what I mean; we need some title that will distinguish us from +all other young gentlemen of our acquaintance. How does 'W. R.' strike +you?"</p> + +<p>"'W. R.'? What does that mean?"</p> + +<p>"The 'Wyoming Rangers;' that sounds rather high-toned."</p> + +<p>Fred shook his head.</p> + +<p>"We are not going West to reduce the aboriginal population; I hope we +shall have no trouble with the red men. When we get among the people who +have always lived there, such a title will make us ridiculous, for it +smacks of conceit; it assumes too much."</p> + +<p>"Suppose <i>you</i> suggest something?"</p> + +<p>"Let's call ourselves the 'V. W. W.'; that surely will be appropriate."</p> + +<p>"What do those letters mean?"</p> + +<p>"The 'Verdant Wanderers of Wyoming;' that is precisely what we shall +be."</p> + +<p>Jack Dudley laughed, and at first protested, but finally agreed to +accept the title as fitting and appropriate, and it was so ordered.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<h3>RIDING NORTHWARD.</h3> + + +<p>And so it came about that on a sharp, crisp day early in the month of +October, two sturdy youths left the Union Pacific train at Fort Steele, +which is situated in a broad depression between two divisions of the +Wind River Mountains, themselves forming a part of the vast Rocky +Mountain chain, which, under different names, stretches along the +western portion of the two continents from the Arctic Ocean on the north +to the extreme southern end of South America.</p> + +<p>Like the sensible youths they were, Jack Dudley and Fred Greenwood had +made the fullest preparation possible for the experience which was +destined to prove tenfold more eventful than either anticipated. Mr. +Dudley, in accordance with his promise, had presented each with a fine +repeating Winchester rifle, an excellent revolver, an abundant supply of +cartridges, and various knick-knacks which the hunter is sure to find +are more in the nature of necessities than luxuries.</p> + +<p>They had tough corduroy suits, a material which, as everyone knows, +wears like leather, though it is unpopular in the West because of its +unpleasant odor when wet. From the knees downward the lower part of the +legs were protected by strong leathern leggings, and the shoes were made +for wear rather than display. The coats were rather short and gathered +at the waists by a belt, while beneath the garment it was intended to +wear the cartridge-belt. The revolver rested in a sheath, instead of +being thrust into a trouser's-pocket at the hip, while their hats +suggested the sombrero pattern, so popular among cowboys and cattlemen. +The brim was broad and stiff, so that it was not liable to bother their +vision when the wind was blowing, and it could be depended upon to +protect the eyes and face from the sun and rain. Their whole outfit, in +short, was strong, comfortable and serviceable.</p> + +<p>The two were generously furnished with money, while Mr. Dudley arranged +with a banker at Laramie City to furnish the boys with whatever funds +they might need through accident or robbery. They were going into a +region where there were many lawless characters, and everything was done +to provide against all possible contingencies.</p> + +<p>Their extra clothing and articles were contained in a couple of valises, +which were put off the train upon the lonely platform at Fort Steele. +But while this marked the farthest distance they could travel by rail, a +long ride still confronted them before reaching the ranch, which was +almost half-way between the railroad and the Big Horn Mountains to the +northeast. Several streams had to be crossed, the country in many places +was rough, and there was no stage line to help them. All this, however, +had been discounted before the boys left the city of Chicago, and what +they encountered was only what was expected, and only that for which +they were prepared.</p> + +<p>Word having been sent in advance of their expected arrival, the first +act of the youths was to look around for the man or men who were to meet +and conduct them to the ranch. A few people were moving about the long, +low platform, several in the uniform of United States infantry and +cavalry, while a couple of Indians in blankets, untidy and sullen, +surveyed them with scowls. Few passengers were in the habit of leaving +the train at this point, so that some curiosity on the part of the +loungers was natural. Perhaps the agent at the station suspected them of +being runaways whose heads had been turned by stories of wild adventure, +and who had set out to annihilate the aborigines of the West; but if +such a fancy came to the man, it must have vanished when he noticed +their intelligent appearance and the completeness of their outfit. Boys +who start on such whimsical careers are never rightly prepared, and have +no conception of the absurdity of their schemes until it is forced upon +them by sad and woeful experience.</p> + +<p>"Are you looking for any one?" asked the agent; respectfully.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," replied Jack Dudley; "we are on our way to a ranch which +lies to the eastward of Camp Brown, not far from Wind River."</p> + +<p>"May I ask your errand thither?"</p> + +<p>"My father is part owner of the ranch, and we wish to visit it for a few +weeks."</p> + +<p>"Ah, you are the young men that Hank Hazletine was asking about +yesterday. He has charge of Bowman's ranch."</p> + +<p>"That's the place. What has become of Mr. Hazletine?"</p> + +<p>"I think he is over at the fort, and will soon be here. He brought a +couple of horses for you to ride. Ah, here he comes now."</p> + +<p>The boys saw the man at the same moment. He was walking rapidly from the +direction of the fort, and looking curiously at the youths, who surveyed +him with interest as he approached. He was full-bearded, tall, and as +straight as an arrow, dressed in cowboy costume, and the picture of +rugged strength and activity. His manner was that of a man who, having +made a mistake as to the hour of the arrival of the train, was doing his +best to make up for lost time.</p> + +<p>Stepping upon the long, low platform, he walked toward the lads, his +Winchester in his left hand, while he extended his right in salutation.</p> + +<p>"Howdy?" he said, heartily, as he took the hand of Fred Greenwood, who +advanced several paces to meet him. "I reckon you're the younkers I'm +waiting for."</p> + +<p>"If you are Hank Hazletine, you are the man."</p> + +<p>"That's the name I gin'rally go by; which one of you is Jack Dudley?"</p> + +<p>"I am," replied that young gentleman.</p> + +<p>"Then t'other one is Fred Greenwood, eh?" he asked, turning toward the +younger.</p> + +<p>"You have our names right."</p> + +<p>"Glad to know it; I got your letter and looked for you yesterday; have +been loafing 'round here since then."</p> + +<p>"We were not sure of the exact time of our arrival and missed it by +twenty-four hours," said Jack; "I hope it caused you no inconvenience."</p> + +<p>"Not at all—not at all. Wal, I s'pose you're ready to start for the +ranch, younkers?"</p> + +<p>"We are at your disposal; we have quite a long ride before us."</p> + +<p>"We have; it'll take us two or three days to git there, if all goes +well."</p> + +<p>"Suppose all doesn't go well?" remarked Fred.</p> + +<p>"We shall be longer on the road; and if it goes too bad we'll never git +there; but I ain't looking for anything like that. Where's your +baggage?"</p> + +<p>Jack pointed to the two plump valises lying on the platform, near the +little building.</p> + +<p>"That and what we have on us and in our hands make up our worldly +possessions."</p> + +<p>"That's good," said Hazletine. "I was afeard you might bring a load of +trunks, which we'd had a purty time getting to the ranch; but there +won't be any trouble in managing them; I'll be right back."</p> + +<p>He turned away, and soon reappeared, mounted on a fine, wiry pony, and +leading on either side a tough little animal, saddled and bridled and +ready for the boys.</p> + +<p>"There ain't any better animals in Wyoming or Colorado," he explained; +"they can travel fast and fur a long time. We'll strap on that stuff and +be off."</p> + +<p>There was no trouble in securing the baggage to the rear of the saddles, +when Jack and Fred swung themselves upon the backs of the ponies, +adjusted their Winchesters across the saddles in front, following the +suggestions of Hazletine, and announced themselves ready to set out on +the long ride northward. The animals struck into an easy canter, and a +few minutes later all signs of civilization were left behind them.</p> + +<p>The boys were in buoyant spirits. There was just enough coolness in the +air to make the exercise invigorating. Here and there a few snowy flecks +dotted the blue sky, but the sun shone with undimmed splendor, the +warmth slightly increasing as the orb climbed the heavens. To the +northward the undulating plain was unbroken by hill or stream, so far as +the eye could note, while to the eastward the prospect was similar, +though they knew that the North Platte curved over in that direction, +and, after winding around the upper end of the Laramie Mountains, joined +the main stream far over in Nebraska.</p> + +<p>To the westward the prospect was romantic and awe-inspiring. The Wind +River range towered far up in the sky in rugged grandeur, following a +course almost parallel with their own, though gradually trending more to +the left, in the direction of Yellowstone Park. The snow-crowned peaks +looked like vast banks of clouds in the sky, while the craggy portions +below the frost-line were mellowed by the distance and softly tinted in +the clear, crystalline atmosphere. The mountains formed a grand +background to the picture which more closely environed them.</p> + +<p>As the three galloped easily forward they kept nearly abreast, with the +ranchman between them. He was in a pleasant mood, and seemed to have +formed a fancy for the youths, who felt a natural admiration for the +big, muscular veteran of the plains and mountains.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said he, in answer to their inquiries; "I've spent all my life as +a cattleman, cowboy, hunter or trapper. I left the States with my +parents, when a small younker, with an emigrant train fur Californy. +Over in Utah, when crawling through the mountains, and believing the +worst of the bus'ness was over, the Injins come down on us one rainy +night and wiped out nearly all. My father, mother and an older brother +was killed, and I don't understand how I got off with my scalp, but I +did, with half a dozen others."</p> + +<p>"Did you go on to California?"</p> + +<p>"No; I've never been in that country, which I s'pose you'll think +strange; but I was on my way there, when I met the great scout Kit +Carson and several hunters. They took me along with 'em, and the next +twenty years of my life was spent in New Mexico, Arizona and Texas. +Since then I've ranged from the Panhandle to Montana, most of the time +in the cattle bus'ness."</p> + +<p>"At what are you engaged just now?" inquired Jack.</p> + +<p>"The same—that is, the cattle bus'ness. You may know that after +thousands of the critters have spent the summer in Texas, New Mexico and +Arizona, they drive 'em north into Wyoming, Montana and the Dakotas, to +git their finishing touches. The grazing is so much better than in the +south that in a few months they're ready for the market, and are either +killed and their carcasses shipped to the East, or they are took there +by train in as fine condition as anybody could ask. You obsarve that the +grass under our feet is powerful good."</p> + +<p>The boys replied that it seemed to be.</p> + +<p>"Wal, there's hundreds of thousands of acres better than this; there's +thirty thousand of 'em in Bowman's ranch, where we're going, and it's +the best kind of grazing land."</p> + +<p>"I believe it extends to the Wind River Mountains," said Jack.</p> + +<p>"It takes in a part of the foot-hills; there are plenty of streams +there, and some of the finest grass in the world."</p> + +<p>Jack Dudley did not forget the real object of the coming of himself and +companion to this section, and he could not gather the information too +soon.</p> + +<p>"How does Bowman's ranch compare with others in Central Wyoming?"</p> + +<p>"You may ride over the whole State without finding a better. If you +doubt it, look at the country for yourself."</p> + +<p>"We don't doubt anything you tell us," said Fred Greenwood. "I suppose +you know that Mr. Dudley, the father of my friend, owns half the ranch?"</p> + +<p>"I've heerd that."</p> + +<p>"He didn't intend to buy it, but matters so shaped themselves that he +couldn't help doing so. Before selling it, he sent us to take a look at +it and find out whether it is all that was claimed. We have come to do +that, but, at the same time, are eager to have some hunting among the +mountains."</p> + +<p>"You won't have any trouble about that. As I was saying, we're close to +the mountains, and when you're ready I'll go with you, and promise that +you'll have something to talk about as long as you live."</p> + +<p>The eyes of the boys sparkled as they looked across at each other, and +Jack said:</p> + +<p>"Nothing could delight us more. We need a veteran like yourself, and are +happy to know you can serve us."</p> + +<p>"How many months can you stay in Wyoming?"</p> + +<p>"How many months?" laughed Jack. "We are under promise to be back at +school in New York on the first of November."</p> + +<p>"Whew! I wish the time was longer."</p> + +<p>"So do we; but we had a hard enough task to get the month, so we must +make the best use of it."</p> + +<p>"Wal, we can crowd a good 'eal into two or three weeks, and I won't let +you go to sleep in the daytime—I'll promise you that."</p> + +<p>Hazletine produced a brierwood pipe and pressed some tobacco in the +bowl. Although the motion of their ponies caused quite a brisk breeze, +he lighted a match and communicated the flame to the tobacco without +checking the speed of his animal. Then he glanced admiringly to the +right and left, at his companions.</p> + +<p>"You're a couple of as fine-looking younkers as I've seed in a long +time; but you're almost as tall as me, and it seems to me you orter be +through with school."</p> + +<p>"We expect to stay in school another year and then spend four in +college, after which several years will be needed to get ready for some +profession."</p> + +<p>"Great Jiminy!" exclaimed the astonished ranchman; "you must be powerful +dumb, or else there's more to larn than I ever dreamed of."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Jack, with a laugh at the simplicity of the fellow, "there +are plenty of boys a great deal smarter then we, but the smartest of +them can spend their whole lives in study and not learn a hundredth part +of what is to be learned."</p> + +<p>Hank puffed his pipe slowly and looked seriously at the youth for a +minute without speaking. Then he said, as if partly speaking to himself:</p> + +<p>"I s'pose that's so; a chap can go on larning forever, and then die +without knowing half of it. I never had much chance at eddycation, but +managed to pick up 'nough to read and write a letter and to do a little +figgering, but that's all."</p> + +<p>"That is what you may call your book education; but how much more you +know of the rivers, the mountains, the climate, the soil, the game, the +Indians, and everything relating to the western half of our country! In +that respect we are but as babes compared with you."</p> + +<p>"I s'pose that's so, too," replied the hunter, evidently impressed by +the fact that these youths were destined, if their lives were spared, to +become excellent scholars. He was so thoughtful that they did not +interrupt his meditations, and for a considerable while the three rode +in silence.</p> + +<p>It need not be said that Jack and Fred kept their wits about them and +took note of everything in their field of vision. The season had been an +unusually favorable one for Wyoming, the rains having been all that was +required to make the grass succulent, nourishing and abundant. They +could have turned their ponies loose at any point, after leaving the +railway behind them, and the animals would have been able to crop their +fill. It was the same over hundreds of square miles, a fact which +readily explains why many portions of Wyoming rank as the best grazing +country in the world.</p> + +<p>It was not yet noon when they rode down a slight declivity to a stream +several rods in width. The water was so clear that the bottom could be +plainly seen from their saddles, the depth being no more than two or +three feet. The ponies paused to drink, and, as they emerged on the +other side and started up the gentle slope, Hazletine suggested that for +a time at least they should be held down to a walk.</p> + +<p>One anxiety began to impress itself upon the minds of Jack and Fred. +They were not only hungrier than they had been for months, but that +hunger was increasing at an alarming rate. Neither had brought any lunch +with them, and they wondered how food was to be obtained. Jack almost +fainted at the awful suspicion that perhaps their friend intended to +break them in by making the two or three days' journey to the ranch +without eating anything at all!</p> + +<p>"I suppose it would be no trouble for <i>him</i>," was the lugubrious thought +of the youth, "but it will be the death of us!"</p> + +<p>Happily this dread proved unfounded. The sun had hardly crossed the +meridian when both lads were thrilled by the declaration of Hazletine:</p> + +<p>"Wal, if you younkers are as hungry as me, we'll have a bite."</p> + +<p>They were in the middle of the undulating plain, with no wood or water +in sight; but that was a small matter. In a twinkling all three were out +of their saddles, and the guide unstrapped a large bundle from its +fastening to the saddle of his pony. This, being unwrapped, disclosed a +goodly portion of cooked and tender steak and plenty of well-baked brown +bread. Furthermore, there were a couple of bottles of milk—enough for +two meals at least.</p> + +<p>These having been placed on the grass, the bits were removed from the +mouths of their horses, who were allowed to graze while their masters +were partaking of one of the most enjoyable meals they had ever eaten.</p> + +<p>"If I'd expected to be alone," explained Hazletine, "I wouldn't have +brought this stuff with me, but we may not see a maverick or any game +all the way home. I wouldn't mind it, but I don't s'pose you are used to +it."</p> + +<p>"I should say not," replied Jack, as well as he could, while his mouth +was filled with bread, meat and milk; "I'm hungry enough to eat a mule."</p> + +<p>"And I feel as if I could chew his saddle," added Fred, laboring under +the same difficulty in speaking clearly. "If our appetites keep up at +this rate, there will be a shrinkage among the cattle in Wyoming before +we go home."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean by a maverick?" asked Jack of their guide.</p> + +<p>"It's an unbranded cow or calf that don't b'long to nobody, and +consequently it don't make no difference whether nobody or somebody +brands or kills it."</p> + +<p>The rhetoric of this sentence may not have been faultless, but its +meaning was clear to the boys. They ate until they wished no more, and +were vastly relieved to note that something was left for another meal.</p> + +<p>"That'll see us through till morning," said Jack, "but how about +to-morrow and the next day?"</p> + +<p>"If we don't see anything to kill, we must wait till we git to the +ranch."</p> + +<p>Fred groaned.</p> + +<p>"You'll have to tie me in the saddle, for I shan't be able to sit up."</p> + +<p>The smile on the face of the guide raised the hope that he was not in +earnest in making this dreadful announcement, but neither Jack nor Fred +were quite easy in mind.</p> + +<p>The halt was less than an hour, when the three were in the saddle again. +Hazletine, instead of pressing directly toward the ranch that was their +destination, bore to the left, thus approaching the Wind River range.</p> + +<p>"There's a little settlement off to the right," he said, "of the name of +Sweetwater; we could reach it by night, but it takes us a good many +miles out of our path, and there's nothing to be gained by losing the +time."</p> + +<p>"Are you following a straight course to the ranch?"</p> + +<p>"Pretty near; but I'm edging to the left, toward the foot-hills, 'cause +there's better camping-ground over there."</p> + +<p>This was satisfactory, and the youths were not the ones to question a +decision of so experienced a guide and mountaineer. Besides, they had +hope that one reason for the slight change of course was that it +increased the chance of obtaining game. For the present, the question of +food supply was the most absorbing one that demanded attention. Other +matters could wait, but a sturdy, growing lad finds his appetite +something whose cravings can be soothed only by the one method that +nature intended.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<h3>ON GUARD.</h3> + + +<p>The beautiful weather continued unchanged throughout the afternoon. As +the sun declined in the sky there was a perceptible coolness in the air, +but the exercise of riding removed all necessity for using their +blankets.</p> + +<p>Although the party had been edging toward the foot-hills for hours, it +seemed to the boys that they were as far off as ever. They had covered +many miles, but those who have travelled in the West know the deceptive +character of the crystalline atmosphere, so far as distances are +concerned. However, as twilight began closing in they reached a small +grove of trees, which was the destination of the guide from the first. +It was there he meant to camp for the night, and he could not have +selected a better place had he spent a week in looking for it.</p> + +<p>The grove covered less than an acre, the trees standing well apart, and +wholly free from brush and undergrowth. Thus even the horses could pass +back and forth freely. Over this shaded space the dark-green grass grew +luxuriantly, with a soft juiciness of texture which made it the ideal +food for cattle and horses. In the middle of the grove bubbled a spring +of clear cold water, whose winding course could be traced far out on the +plain by the fringe of deeper green which accompanied it.</p> + +<p>Saddles and bridles were removed, and the ponies turned free to crop the +grass until they were filled, when they would lie down for the night. +The blankets were spread on the ground near the spring, and then, at the +suggestion of Hazletine, all three joined in gathering dried branches +and limbs with which to start a fire. It was now cool enough to make the +warmth welcome, while the flame would add to the cheerfulness of the +occasion.</p> + +<p>Jack and Fred had never ridden so far at one stretch, and when they +reclined on their blankets to watch Hank start the fire they were +thoroughly tired out; but it seemed to them their hunger was more +ravenous than ever. Each forbore to speak of it, but the deliberation of +their friend in preparing the meal was almost intolerable.</p> + +<p>The first night spent by the boys in camping out in the wilds of Wyoming +was one that can never be forgotten. When the meal was finished and the +last vestige of food eaten, the three stretched out where they could +feel the grateful warmth of the fire that had been kindled against the +trunk of a large oak. Hank had again lighted his pipe, and deeply +interested Jack and Fred by his reminiscences of a life that had been +filled to overflowing with strange experience and adventure. They +listened, unconscious of the passage of the hours, until he abruptly +asked:</p> + +<p>"What time is it?"</p> + +<p>Each youth looked at his watch, and, to his astonishment, saw that it +was nearly half-past ten. They had supposed that it was fully two hours +earlier.</p> + +<p>"One of the rules that must always be follered," said the guide, "when +hunting or away from home, is that all the party mustn't sleep at the +same time."</p> + +<p>"Then one has to stand watch?"</p> + +<p>"It looks that way. Now, we'll divide the time atween us, each taking a +part, so that it won't come heavy on any one."</p> + +<p>"That will suit us," Fred hastened to say, while Jack nodded his head.</p> + +<p>"All right. You, Jack, will keep watch till twelve—that is midnight; +then you'll rouse t'other younker, and he'll stand guard till two; then +he'll give me a kick, and I'll run things till daylight."</p> + +<p>"What are we likely to see?" asked Jack, who naturally desired to learn +all the points concerning his new duties.</p> + +<p>"How should I know?" asked Hank, with a grin. "There may be wild +animals, sich as grizzlies, cinnamon or black bears; there may be +wolves, or dog Injins looking for a chance to steal our ponies."</p> + +<p>"Why do you call them 'dog Indians?'"</p> + +<p>"A dog Injin is a tramp 'mong the other tribes; he don't live much with +any of 'em, but sneaks round the country, looking for a chance to steal +something, and it don't matter what it is."</p> + +<p>"Suppose I catch sight of one of the animals you name, or a dog +Indian—what shall I do?"</p> + +<p>"Shoot him quicker'n lightning."</p> + +<p>This was a startling order, but the guide was in earnest.</p> + +<p>"Are you afeard to do it?" he asked, half contemptuously.</p> + +<p>"No; I'll shoot the instant it is necessary, but I don't fancy the idea +of picking off an Indian without warning."</p> + +<p>"If you give him warning you won't pick him off. If you're so squeamish, +you might argufy the matter with him."</p> + +<p>"Leave that to me; I'm on duty now; go to sleep."</p> + +<p>Without another word the guide wrapped his blanket about him and +stretched out in front of the fire, with his feet toward it. Judging +from his heavy breathing, it was barely five minutes before he became +unconscious.</p> + +<p>"It strikes me this is rushing things," remarked Jack to Fred, as the +two sat beside each other. "Last night the 'V. W. W.' were in the +sleeper of the Union Pacific; to-night they are looking out for a chance +to shoot Indians."</p> + +<p>"I don't believe there's any likelihood of finding it. I suspect that +Hank is having some sport at our expense. If there was any danger he +would stay awake himself, instead of trusting two tenderfeet like us."</p> + +<p>"It may be, but we are in a wild country, where danger is likely to come +at any time, and we may have our hands full. It seems to me that it +would have been better to let the fire go out, and not attract +attention."</p> + +<p>"He's running this affair; he wouldn't have had so much wood gathered if +he didn't mean to keep the blaze going."</p> + +<p>With this Fred rose to his feet and flung an armful of wood on the +flames, which brightened up until their reflection was thrown against +the branches overhead and well out toward the edge of the grove. A faint +whinny proved that the horses had been disturbed by the increase in the +illumination.</p> + +<p>Before lying down, Fred looked at his chum.</p> + +<p>"I wonder, Jack, whether there's any risk of your falling asleep?"</p> + +<p>"There would be if I remained seated on the ground, but I shall not do +that."</p> + +<p>"It will be dangerous to walk back and forth, where the fire shows you +plainly."</p> + +<p>"My plan is to move out in the grove, where the firelight will not +strike me, and stand close to the trunk of one of the trees. I have +heard of folks sleeping on their feet, but there's no fear of my doing +it. Since I am to call you in less than two hours, Fred, you would +better get sleep while you can."</p> + +<p>The younger lad bade his friend good-night and imitated the action of +Hank Hazletine, wrapping his blanket around himself and lying down near +the fire. He was not quite so prompt in sinking into slumber, but it was +not long before Jack Dudley was the only one of the little party in +command of his senses.</p> + +<p>Jack, like his companions, felt the need of sleep, but the fact that he +had but a brief while to remain awake, and the consciousness that the +safety of others, as well as his own, rested upon himself, made him very +alert. He believed he could sit or recline on the ground and retain his +wits, but, fortunately, he had too much prudence to run that risk. Sleep +is so insidious a foe that we can never recall the moment when it +overmasters us, nor can we fight it off when in a prone or easy posture.</p> + +<p>He adhered to the plan he had formed. Winchester in hand, he moved away +from the fire until, by interposing the large trunk of a tree between +himself and the light, he was invisible from that direction. He stood +erect, taking care not to lean against the trunk for partial support, +and concentrated his faculties into those of listening and looking.</p> + +<p>The stillness was profound. From the distant mountains to the westward +came a low, soft, almost inaudible murmur, such as one hears when many +miles from the calm ocean, and which has been called the voice of +silence itself. In the stillness he heard the faint crackle of one of +the embers as it fell apart, and, though the night wind scarcely stirred +the leaves over his head, he caught the rustle. The fact that there was +nothing from the direction of the ponies showed they had ceased to crop +the grass and were lying down. The safety of the camp was in his hands. +If he forgot his duty, it might be fatal to all.</p> + +<p>The sense of this responsibility and the newness of his position made +Jack Dudley more wakeful than he could have been under any other +circumstances. To these causes, also, was due a suspicious nervousness +which made him see danger where it did not exist. The rustling of a +falling leaf caused him to start and glance furtively to one side, and +at a soft stir of the leaves under a breath of wind, or a slight +movement of the sleeping ponies, he started and grasped his rifle with +closer grip.</p> + +<p>All this was natural; but there came a moment, not far from midnight, +when there remained no doubt that some person or animal was moving +stealthily through the grove, near where he was standing. It will be +remembered that his position was such that the trunk of the large oak +acted as an impenetrable screen between him and the camp-fire, which was +burning so vigorously that its rays penetrated to a greater or less +degree beyond him. Thus he could see anything moving within the circle +of illumination, while he was as invisible to the keenest-eyed warrior +as if the night was without a ray of light.</p> + +<p>The first warning was through the sense of hearing. He had been deceived +so many times that he suspected his fancy was playing with him again, +but the faint <i>tip, tip</i> continued until such explanation was amiss.</p> + +<p>"It is an Indian or a wild beast," was his belief.</p> + +<p>The next minute he knew that, whatever it was, its position was between +him and the outer edge of the grove. Since the ponies were on the +opposite side of the fire, Jack was nearer the intruder than either they +or his friends, sleeping by the camp-fire. Recalling that his place was +the most favorable possible, he remained as motionless as the tree-trunk +behind him, and to which he stood close enough to touch by moving his +foot a few inches backward.</p> + +<p>The situation being thus, it followed that if the man or beast continued +its advance it must come into sight, while Jack himself was invisible. +He therefore held his Winchester ready for instant use and waited.</p> + +<p>He was standing in this expectant attitude when a remarkable thing took +place. The fire, having remained unreplenished for some time, had +subsided to a considerable extent, when one of the embers fell apart and +caused such a displacement of the burning wood that the light flared up +and penetrated with its former vigor beyond the tree which sheltered the +sentinel.</p> + +<p>Jack was as immovable as a statue, his weapon grasped in both hands, +when this sudden brightening occurred. He was peering out among the dark +trees, in the effort to identify the danger, when he saw the +unmistakable figure of an Indian, hardly twenty feet away.</p> + +<p>The buck had entered the grove with the silence of a shadow, and was +making his way to the camp-fire, when betrayed in this singular manner +to the watcher. In the reflection of the firelight, his naturally +hideous countenance was repulsive to the last degree. The features were +irregular, with prominent cheek-bones, a huge nose, and a retreating +chin. Ugly as nature had made him, he had intensified it himself by +daubing black, red and white paint in splashes over the front of his +countenance. His coarse, black hair dangled loosely about his shoulders, +and a single stained eagle's feather protruded from the crown. It was +gathered back of the neck by a thong of some sort, so as to prevent the +hair getting in his eyes when there was such imminent need for their +use.</p> + +<p>The chest was bare to the waist, and was also fantastically painted. In +the girdle which encircled his waist was thrust a knife, whose handle +protruded, while the leggings and moccasins were gayly ornamented and +fringed. He held a formidable rifle in his right hand, in a trailing +position, and was leaning well forward, with his body bent, as he drew +near the camp with that stoical patience which the American race shows +in the most trying crises. If necessary, he would continue this cautious +advance for hours without showing haste, for it is often that his people +circumvent and overthrow an enemy by their incomparable caution and +care.</p> + +<p>One peculiar feature of the unexpected flaring-up of the light was that +its strongest force impinged directly upon the painted face of the +Indian, which was seen as plainly by Jack Dudley as if the sun were +shining. The youth felt that he could not forget that countenance if he +saw it a hundred years afterward.</p> + +<p>Had Jack followed the instruction of their guide he would have leveled +his Winchester and shot the Indian dead in his tracks. The fellow was +stealing into camp in such a manner that there could be no doubt the +least crime he meant to commit was to steal. No ranchman or hunter would +hesitate a moment, under the circumstances, to give him his eternal +quietus.</p> + +<p>But Jack Dudley could not do such a thing. To him it was an awful act to +shoot a person, even though a savage, and his conscience would never +permit him to do so until there was no choice left to him. He would much +prefer to frighten away this intruder than to kill him.</p> + +<p>The youth was so confident of his command of the situation that he would +have felt hardly a thrill of alarm, but for the fear that the redskin +belonged to a party near at hand who had sent him forward as a scout. +Manifestly the right course for the sentinel was to discharge his gun, +thus scaring the Indian and awaking Hazletine; but, while debating the +question with himself, he became aware that the hostile was advancing.</p> + +<p>The fellow did this with such marvellous cunning that Jack perceived no +movement of his legs or feet. The latter were partly shrouded in shadow, +but the Indian himself suggested a statue set up among the trees. +Nevertheless he was inching toward the camp-fire, and was already a +couple of yards nearer Jack than when the latter first noticed him.</p> + +<p>Had he approached from the other side the youth never would have +discovered his danger; but now he had his eye on the enemy, and meant to +keep it there until the crisis was over. It was perhaps ten minutes +later that the buck was within six feet of the youth, who, noiselessly +bringing his Winchester to a level, took one step toward him and asked:</p> + +<p><i>"Well, my friend, what do you want?"</i></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<h3>VISITORS OF THE NIGHT.</h3> + + +<p>It takes a good deal to startle an American Indian, but if there ever +was a frightened red man it was the one who heard himself thus +addressed, and, glancing like a flash to his right, saw Jack Dudley step +forward, with a Winchester rifle leveled at him.</p> + +<p>In the language of the West, the youth "had the drop" on the intruder, +and he knew it. Had he attempted to raise his own weapon, or to draw his +knife and assail the youth, that instant the trigger of the rifle would +have been pressed and the career of the buck would have ended then and +there, and he knew that, too; but the fact that the gun was not fired, +and that a direct question was addressed to him, told the Indian that +his master was less merciless than he would have been had their +situations been reversed.</p> + +<p>The camp-fire was still burning brightly, and the reflection showed on +the painted visage. Jack, having stepped forward into the circle of +light, was also plainly discerned by the Indian, who, turning his black, +serpent-like eyes upon him, said, without a tremor in his voice:</p> + +<p>"Me good Injin; me friend of white man; me no hurt him."</p> + +<p>"It doesn't look as if you would; but what is your business? Why do you +steal into our camp like a thief of the night?"</p> + +<p>"Me hungry—want somethin' eat."</p> + +<p>This was too transparent a subterfuge to deceive one even so +unaccustomed to life in these solitudes as Jack Dudley. An Indian +wandering through a country so well stocked with game as this portion of +the new State of Wyoming never suffers for food; and, were such a thing +possible, the present means was the last that he would adopt to procure +it.</p> + +<p>"If you want something to eat, why did you not come forward openly and +ask for it?"</p> + +<p>The fellow did not seem fully to grasp the question, but he repeated:</p> + +<p>"Me hungry."</p> + +<p>Jack recalled that there was not a mouthful of food in camp. Had there +been, he probably would have invited the visitor to walk to the fire and +partake. It was fortunate for the youth that their larder was empty, for +had the two started among the trees in the direction of the camp, the +opportunity for which the Indian was doubtless waiting would have been +secured. There would have been an interval in the brief walk when the +advantage would have been shifted to him, and he would have seized it +with the quickness of lightning.</p> + +<p>The manifest duty of Jack was to shout to Hank Hazletine and bring him +to the spot. He would read the truth on the instant and do the right +thing; but the situation, as the reader will admit, was peculiar, and +the motive which prevented the youth from adopting this line of action +was creditable to him. He believed that the moment the guide appeared he +would shoot the intruder, and that was too frightful an issue for Jack +to contemplate. He did not want this warrior's life, and would not take +it except to save his own or that of his friends.</p> + +<p>Jack believed that enough had been gained in thoroughly frightening the +Indian, and the thing desired now was to get rid of him with the least +possible delay. He did not think he would intrude again, even if he had +companions within call.</p> + +<p>"We have no food; we can give you nothing; you must go elsewhere."</p> + +<p>"Then me go;" and, as if the business was concluded, the buck turned +about and began walking toward the edge of the grove. Yielding to a whim +which he did not fully understand, Jack Dudley followed him with the +warning words:</p> + +<p>"If you stop, or turn about, or make a move to shoot, I will kill you."</p> + +<p>It is probable that the savage contemplated some movement of the kind, +but he must have known the fatal risk involved. Quick as he was, he +could not whirl about and bring his gun to a level before the young man +would pull the trigger of the Winchester, which was held pointed toward +him. He knew that so long as he obeyed orders he would be unharmed, and +he would have been a zany had he hesitated to do so.</p> + +<p>He did not hesitate, but with a deliberate step that was not lacking in +a certain dignity he walked slowly between the trees, with his captor +only a few paces behind and keeping pace with him.</p> + +<p>Almost on the edge of the grove Jack Dudley made an interesting +discovery. A pony, smaller than the one he had ridden from Fort Steele, +stood motionless in the shadow, awaiting the return of his master. He +was not tethered or tied, for he was too well-trained to make that +necessary. He showed his fine training further by merely pricking his +ears and elevating his head upon the approach of his master and +companion. A whinny or neigh might have betrayed both.</p> + +<p>The two were now so far removed from the glow of the camp-fire that they +could see each other only dimly. There was no moon in the sky, though +the stars were shining brightly. The Indian, from the force of +circumstances, was compelled to hold his disadvantageous position, +inasmuch as he had to move out from among the trees, while Jack remained +within their shadows.</p> + +<p>Realizing that this was a critical moment, he stood motionless, with his +weapon still at a dead level.</p> + +<p>"My gun is aimed at your heart," he said, "and I am watching every +movement you make. Go in peace, and you shall not be harmed, but on your +first attempt to injure me you die."</p> + +<p>The words, perhaps, were unnecessary, for it may be said that the action +of the youth was more eloquent. Be that as it may, the redskin showed a +commendable promptness in all that he did. He vaulted lightly upon the +bare back of his pony, whose bridle consisted of but a single thong, and +turned the head of the brute outward. He did not speak, for it was not +required. The pony knew what was wanted; and, with his nose pointed out +on the prairie, he emerged from among the trees into the open, with the +warrior astride.</p> + +<p>Even in that trying moment Jack Dudley was surprised at one fact—that +was the wonderful silence of the animal. It would seem that his hoofs +should have given out sounds that could have been heard for a +considerable distance in the stillness of the night, but it was as if he +were treading on velvet. The noise was so faint that it was easy to +understand how he had come to the spot without betraying himself to the +intently listening sentinel. No wonder that the Indian ponies sometimes +display a sagacity fully equal, in some respects, to that of their +masters.</p> + +<p>The Indian showed in another direction his perception of the situation. +Had he been leaving the presence of one of his own race, or of a veteran +white scout, he would have thrown himself forward on the back of his +animal and ridden off on a dead run, for, despite the unexpected mercy +shown him, he would have expected treachery at the last minute; but he +had seen his master and knew that he was a young tenderfoot, inspired by +a chivalrous honor which is the exception in that section of the +country. He would not shoot until good cause was given, and therefore he +took care not to give such cause.</p> + +<p>As if in harmony with the spirit of his rider, the pony walked away in a +direct line, until the figure of himself and master disappeared in the +gloom. When he could see him no more, Jack lowered his gun, and stooping +down, pressed his ear against the earth. He could hear the soft +hoof-beats of the horse growing fainter and fainter, until at the end of +a minute or two the impressive silence once more held reign. Then the +youth arose to his feet.</p> + +<p>"I suppose Hank will tell me I did wrong," he mused, "but my conscience +does not; it would be a woeful memory to carry with me that on my first +night in Wyoming I took the life of a human being. Perhaps it will be as +well that Hank should not know it; I will think it over."</p> + +<p>Now, while Jack Dudley had conducted himself in some respects like a +veteran, yet he had shown a dangerous short-sightedness in another +direction. It will be noted that he had busied himself wholly with the +single intruder, and at the moment of losing sight of him the young man +was a comparatively long distance from the camp-fire. Had it been that +there were two or more hostiles stealing into camp, they could not have +asked a better opportunity, for it was left wholly unguarded. A single +warrior would have had no trouble in creeping undiscovered to a point +from which he could have sent a bullet through the unconscious forms of +Hank Hazletine and Fred Greenwood. This probability never occurred to +Jack until he started on his return to the fire, from whose immediate +vicinity he should never have allowed himself to have been tempted.</p> + +<p>Even then his strange remissness would not have impressed itself upon +him but for a startling discovery. The fire was beginning to smoulder +once more, but enough of its glare penetrated the wood for him to note +the black, column-like trunks of the trees between it and him. With his +gaze upon the central point, he saw a figure moving in the path of light +and coming toward him. It looked as if stamped in ink against the yellow +background, and, like the former intruder, was advancing without noise.</p> + +<p>An awful fear thrilled Jack Dudley as he abruptly halted and partly +raised his Winchester.</p> + +<p>"While I have been busy with one Indian, another has entered the camp +and slain Fred and Hank! He is now after me! There will be no hesitation +<i>this</i> time in my shooting!"</p> + +<p>Before he could secure anything like an aim, the other stepped behind +one of the trunks on his right. Jack waited for him to reappear, ready +to fire, but unwilling to do so until the truth was established.</p> + +<p>While waiting thus, a low, faint, tremulous whistle reached his ears. It +was the most welcome of all sounds, and raised him from the depths of +woe to blissful happiness, for it was the familiar signal of Fred +Greenwood that had been employed many times in their hunting excursions +nearer home.</p> + +<p>Instead of an enemy, it was his chum and dearest friend who was +approaching him. Jack instantly answered the guarded hail, and the next +minute the two came together.</p> + +<p>"How is it you are awake?" was the first question of Jack.</p> + +<p>"Because it is <i>time</i> for me to awake; it was agreed that I should go on +duty at a little after twelve, and it must be near one o'clock."</p> + +<p>"But what awoke you?"</p> + +<p>"Nonsense! Haven't you and I travelled together long enough to know that +when you go to sleep with your mind fixed on a certain time to awake you +are sure not to miss it by more than a few minutes?"</p> + +<p>"You are right; I had forgotten that. How was it you knew where to look +for me?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't. I've been prowling around camp for fifteen minutes, groping +here and there and signaling to you, without the first inkling of where +you were. I didn't want to awake Hank, and therefore was as careful as I +could be. I began to suspect you had sat down somewhere and fallen +asleep."</p> + +<p>"I have had enough to keep the most drowsy person awake."</p> + +<p>And thereupon Jack gave the particulars of all that had occurred while +he was acting as sentinel. It need not be said that Fred Greenwood was +astonished, for the manner of their guide before lying down convinced +them that no danger of any nature threatened them.</p> + +<p>"Do you think I acted right, Fred?"</p> + +<p>"Most certainly you did. Hank and the like of him out in this country +talk about shooting down an Indian as if he were not a human being, but +they have souls like the rest of us, and we have no more right to take +the life of one of them than I have to take yours. I am sure I should +have done just as you did."</p> + +<p>"I am glad to hear you say that. I wonder whether, if we stayed out here +a few years, our feelings would change?"</p> + +<p>"No; for the principle of right and wrong cannot change. Do you remember +what that old settler told us on the train, a couple of days ago?"</p> + +<p>"I do not recall it."</p> + +<p>"He said that at a little town in Montana they had a great moral +question under debate for a long time without being able to decide it. +It was whether it was wicked for the men to go out hunting for Indians +on Sunday. It was all right on week days, but most of the folks seemed +to think it was a violation of the sanctity of the day to indulge in the +sport on the Sabbath. But, Jack, you are tired and in need of sleep. +I'll take charge of matters until two o'clock."</p> + +<p>"I wonder whether anything will happen to you? It does not seem likely, +for I must have given that fellow such a scare that he will not show +himself again."</p> + +<p>"But you mustn't reason on the basis that he is the only red man in +Wyoming. However, I shall do my best. Good-night."</p> + +<p>Thus summarily dismissed, Jack returned to the camp-fire in quest of the +slumber which he needed. Fred had thrown additional wood on the blaze, +and that accounted for the increase in illumination. Hank Hazletine did +not seem to have stirred since lying down. He breathed heavily, and +doubtless was gaining the rest which men of his habits and training know +how to acquire under the most unfavorable circumstances. The youth +wrapped his blanket about his figure, for he was now sensible that the +air was colder than at any time since leaving the railway station. He +was nervous over the recollection of his experience, though it would +have been deemed of slight importance to one who had spent his life in +the West. The feeling soon passed off, however, and he joined the +veteran in the land of dreams.</p> + +<p>And thus the burden of responsibility was shifted to the shoulders of +Fred Greenwood, the junior by a few months of Jack Dudley. No one could +have been more deeply impressed with his responsibility than Fred. He +knew that a hostile red man had entered the grove while two of the party +were asleep, and, but for the watchfulness of the sentinel, might have +slain all three.</p> + +<p>"I don't know much about Indians," reflected Fred, "but I have been told +that they are a revengeful people. That fellow must be angered because +he was outwitted by Jack, and it will be just like him to steal back for +the purpose of revenge. It won't do for me to wink both eyes at the same +time."</p> + +<p>This was a wise resolution, and the youth took every precaution against +committing what was likely to be a fatal mistake. Although his sleep was +broken, and he could have consumed several hours additional with +enjoyment, he was never more wide-awake. The temptation was strong to +sit down on the ground with his back against a tree, but he foresaw the +consequences. The man who yields only for a few minutes to the creeping +drowsiness is gone.</p> + +<p>Fred was more circumspect, even, than his chum. Instead of taking his +position beside the trunk of one of the trees, he walked silently around +in a circle, keeping the camp-fire as a centre. By this means he not +only kept his senses keyed to a high point, but made his espionage +nearer perfect than his friend had done.</p> + +<p>That the night was not to pass without a stirring experience to the +younger lad was soon evident. As nearly as he could guess, without +consulting his watch, it was about one o'clock, when he became aware +that some person or animal was astir in the grove. He heard the faint +footfalls on the ground, though for a time he was unable to catch so +much as a shadowy glimpse of the intruder.</p> + +<p>"I believe it is that Indian, who has come back to square accounts with +Jack for getting the better of him. The wisest thing for me to do is to +not allow him to see me."</p> + +<p>This was wise; and, to prevent such a disaster, Fred adopted the precise +tactics that had been used by his friend. He stationed himself beside a +friendly trunk, which so interposed between himself and the fire that he +was invisible, no matter from what direction approached. Standing thus, +he peered into the surrounding gloom and listened with all the intensity +of which he was capable.</p> + +<p>Suddenly he caught a glimpse of the intruder. The relief was unspeakable +when he saw that it was not an Indian, but some kind of a wild animal. +It was but a short distance off, and between him and the outer edge of +the grove.</p> + +<p>There being no one to replenish the fire, the light had grown dimmer, +but a quick, shadowy flitting told Fred the brute was moving briskly +about, only a few paces from where the lad was straining his vision to +learn its nature.</p> + +<p>"We might as well wind up this business," reflected Fred, as, with his +hand on the trigger of his Winchester, he started abruptly in the +direction of the stranger. The latter was quick to perceive him and +whisked away. The lad followed, breaking into a trot despite the +intervening trees. The beast continued fleeing, for nothing so +disconcerts an animal as the threatening approach of a foe.</p> + +<p>It was but a few paces to the edge of the timber, when the brute leaped +out into full view in the star-gleam.</p> + +<p>One glance was sufficient for the youth to recognize it as an immense +wolf, which had probably been drawn to the spot by the odor of the meat +that composed the dinner of the party. Fifty feet off the wolf stopped, +turned partly about, and looked back at his pursuer, as if to learn +whether he intended to follow him farther.</p> + +<p>Fred did not, but the opportunity was too good to be lost. The aim was +inviting, and, bringing his rifle to his shoulder, he sighted as best he +could and pulled the trigger. He could not have done better had the sun +been shining. The bullet passed directly through the skull of the wolf, +which uttered a sharp yelp, leaped several feet into the air, and, +doubling up like a jack-knife, fell upon his side, where, after several +convulsive struggles, he lay still.</p> + +<p>Naturally enough, the boy was elated over his success, for the shot was +certainly an excellent one.</p> + +<p>"There!" he said. "Jack frightened off the Indians, and I think I have +given the wild animals a good lesson. At any rate, <i>you</i> won't bother us +any more."</p> + +<p>He supposed that the report of the gun would awaken Hazletine and bring +him to the spot to learn the explanation, but nothing of that nature +followed. If the report disturbed him, he merely opened and closed his +eyes, and continued to slumber, after the manner of one who appreciates +the value of rest.</p> + +<p>In truth, it was always a matter of wonderment to the boys that their +veteran guide adopted the course he followed that night. That actual +danger impended was proven by the incidents already narrated, and yet he +entrusted the safety of one of the boys, as well as his own life, to +another, who, until then, had never been in a similar position. Why he +did so would be hard to explain, but he never admitted that his course +was a mistake. Sometimes, as is well known, a boy is taught to swim by +flinging him into deep water, where he must choose between keeping +afloat and drowning; and it may be the guide believed that, by tossing +his young friends into the midst of danger at the very beginning of +their experience as Western hunters, they would acquire the needed skill +the more quickly.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<h3>"NOW FOR THE RANCH."</h3> + + +<p>One of the singular features connected with the experience of our young +friends during the first night they spent in Wyoming was that all the +danger which threatened them came from one Indian and from one <i>lupus</i>. +After Jack Dudley had expelled the prowling buck, the intruder took good +care to remain away. Neither he nor any of his companions troubled the +campers further. The presumption, therefore, was that this solitary +specimen was a "dog Indian," or vagrant, wandering over the country on +his own account. Such fellows, as already explained, claim no kinship +with any tribe, but are, like the tramps of civilized society, agents +for themselves alone.</p> + +<p>Had the season been winter, with the snow deep on the ground, the +trouble from the wolves would have been more serious. Those gaunt +creatures, when goaded by hunger, become exceedingly daring, and do not +hesitate to attack even armed bodies of men; but it was autumn time, +when the ravenous brutes, who seem always to be hungry, find the least +difficulty in procuring food, and they remained true to their cowardly +disposition and refrained from everything in the nature of true courage.</p> + +<p>The curious fact, as we have remarked, was that, as in the case of the +Indian, only a single wolf intruded upon the little company. The animals +generally travel in droves, and when one is seen it is quite safe to +count upon a dozen, or a score, or even more. It is possible that the +victim of Fred Greenwood's Winchester was also a sort of tramp, +prospecting for his own benefit. It is more likely, however, that he was +what might be considered a scout or advance agent of others. His pack +was probably waiting among the foot-hills for him to return with his +report. If so, the report is now considerably overdue.</p> + +<p>Fred was a model sentinel for the remaining hours that he continued on +duty. He continued circling about the camp-fire, silent, stealthy, +peering here and there, and listening for the first evidence of danger. +Nothing of the kind was seen or heard, and he finally came back to the +smouldering fire and looked at the face of his watch.</p> + +<p>Could it be possible? It lacked a few minutes of three o'clock. +According to agreement, he should have called Hazletine an hour before.</p> + +<p>"I don't suppose he will object," said Fred, aloud; "I'm sure I +shouldn't, if allowed to sleep an hour beyond my time——"</p> + +<p>"I ain't doing any kicking, am I?"</p> + +<p>Looking around, he saw the guide had flung aside his blanket and was +sitting erect, with a quizzical expression on his face.</p> + +<p>"What made you fire your gun 'bout two hours ago?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Did you hear me?"</p> + +<p>"How'd I know if I hadn't heard it?" was the pertinent question.</p> + +<p>"A wolf was sneaking among the trees. I followed him out to the edge of +the timber and let him have it between the eyes."</p> + +<p>"Did you hurt him?"</p> + +<p>"Since he flopped over and died, I have reason to believe he <i>was</i> +hurt."</p> + +<p>"Good! That's the style—always to shoot. Never waste your ammunition. +You didn't kill any Injins?"</p> + +<p>"I saw none at all."</p> + +<p>Hank looked at the unconscious figure of Jack Dudley.</p> + +<p>"Wonder how it was with him?"</p> + +<p>"He did not fire his gun at anything."</p> + +<p>Fred did not wish to tell his friend about that alarming visit earlier +in the evening. That was Jack's concern.</p> + +<p>"But he may have seed something. Howsumever, we can wait till morning. +Wal, younker, if you've no 'bjection you can lay down and snooze till +morning. I go on duty now."</p> + +<p>There was vast comfort in this knowledge. It relieved the youth from the +last remnant of anxiety, and he lost no time in abandoning himself to +slumber. The man who was now acting as sentinel was a past master at the +art, and there need be no misgiving while he was on duty. Thus it came +about that neither Jack Dudley nor Fred Greenwood opened his eyes until +the sun was shining into the grove.</p> + +<p>Each had had a refreshing night, but it cannot be said that their +awakening was of the most pleasant nature. The hunger that had been +twice satisfied the day before was not to be compared to that which now +got hold of them. With the insatiate craving was the knowledge that +there was not a scrap of meat, a crumb of bread nor a drop of milk in +camp.</p> + +<p>"We can fill up on water," remarked Jack, after they had bathed faces +and hands and quaffed their fill.</p> + +<p>"But what good will that do? We might bubble over, but we should be just +as hungry as ever."</p> + +<p>"It seems to me that when a fellow is chock-full of anything he oughtn't +to feel much hunger."</p> + +<p>"I've often thought that, but you can't fool nature that way."</p> + +<p>"If it gets any worse we can shoot the ponies and devour them."</p> + +<p>"Why both of them?"</p> + +<p>"Because it would take a whole one to satisfy me. I don't know how <i>you</i> +feel, Jack, but if we are to have appetites like this I shall go in for +buying a drove of cattle and spending the few weeks we have in these +parts in eating."</p> + +<p>The youths looked in each other's face and laughed. Truly they were +ahungered, but could never quite lose their waggishness.</p> + +<p>"I wonder what's become of Hank," suddenly exclaimed Fred, looking +beside and behind them; "the fire is nearly burned out, and he is +nowhere in sight. <span class="smcap">Halloo</span>!"</p> + +<p>The hail was uttered in a loud voice, and was responded to, but from a +point a considerable distance out upon the prairie, in the direction of +the foot-hills. The open nature of the wood permitted the boys to see +quite clearly in that direction.</p> + +<p>"Yonder he comes," said Jack.</p> + +<p>"And, by gracious, he's carrying something on his shoulders. I wonder if +it is that Indian you chatted with last night."</p> + +<p>"Better than that. It's <i>something to eat</i>!"</p> + +<p>Jack Dudley was right. The guide was laden with the carcass of some +animal. Its bulk was proof that he possessed an accurate idea of the +appetite of these young gentlemen.</p> + +<p>"How careless in him to leave us thus alone," remarked Fred, with mock +reproof.</p> + +<p>"Do you wish he hadn't done so?"</p> + +<p>"Don't name it!" exclaimed Fred, with a shudder; "he knew the only way +of saving our lives. It wouldn't have done for him to postpone it +another hour."</p> + +<p>Hank Hazletine was never more welcome than when he entered the grove and +let fall from his shoulders the carcass of a half-grown calf, plump, +juicy, tender, and in the best of condition.</p> + +<p>"I don't s'pose you care much 'bout it, but I feel like having something +worth while for breakfast," he remarked, proceeding to prepare the +coals, for he had dressed the veal before starting on his return.</p> + +<p>"Well," said Fred, with assumed indifference, "I suspect that since you +intend to partake of food yourself, we may as well join you for the sake +of sociability."</p> + +<p>Men like the old hunter are adepts at preparing a meal. The smouldering +fire was in good condition for broiling, and when raked apart afforded a +bed of live coals, over which generous slices were suspended on green +twigs, cut from the nearest trees. It took but a few minutes to prepare +the meat. Hank always carried with him a box of mixed pepper and salt, +whose contents were sprinkled over the toothsome food, of which the +three ate their fill.</p> + +<p>"Are there any more of these animals left in the neighborhood?" asked +Jack, when their appetites were fully satisfied.</p> + +<p>"S'pose you go out on the edge of the timber and larn for yourselves."</p> + +<p>The lads followed the suggestion. Looking off in the direction of the +Wind River Mountains, it seemed to them that tens of thousands of cattle +were browsing among the foot-hills and on the grassy plain, while many +more must have been beyond sight. This was one of the choicest regions +of Wyoming, so widely celebrated for its grazing facilities.</p> + +<p>It was an impressive sight, and the boys, each of whom was provided with +a good spy-glass, surveyed the scene for some minutes in wondering +silence. The cattle were several miles distant, and seemed to be brown, +undulating hummocks of dirt, kept in constant motion by some force +beneath. On the outer fringe they were more scattered, but were +constantly moving, as if the pasturage was so excellent that they were +continually tempted to give up that which was good for that which looked +better.</p> + +<p>"Are they left wholly to themselves?" asked Fred, as the youths came +back to where the guide was saddling his pony.</p> + +<p>"No. There are always two or three men looking after them. I seed Bart +Coinjock, one of our own cowboys, 'tending our animals, and he told me +to take my ch'ice from the lot. You mustn't forgit that we're purty +close to the Wind River Injin Reservation, where the Government has +several tribes under charge."</p> + +<p>This was news to the boys. Hazletine explained that a large tract of +land to the northwest and close to the mountains had been set apart some +years before by the United States Government for exclusive occupancy by +several tribes of Indians. They owned the land, and no white man had the +right to intrude upon them.</p> + +<p>In the Southwest, where the Apaches were placed on reservations, there +had been the most frightful trouble, for those Indians are the worst in +North America. All our readers know how many times the fierce Geronimo +and a few of his hostiles broke away from their reservation, and, riding +swiftly through Arizona and New Mexico, spread desolation, woe and death +in their path. Not until Geronimo and his worst bucks were run down in +old Mexico and transported bodily to the East was the danger to the +Southwest terminated.</p> + +<p>Nothing of the kind has taken place in Wyoming, Montana, the Dakotas and +other reservations further east, but there is always a certain number of +malcontents on the reservations who cause trouble. They steal away +unnoticed by the authorities, and engage in thieving, and, when the +chances are favorable against detection, commit graver crimes.</p> + +<p>"That Injin that come into the timber last night was a sort of dog Injin +that had come down from the Wind River Reservation to find out what he +could steal."</p> + +<p>The boys looked at each other in astonishment. They had made no +reference to the visitor in the hearing of the guide, and could not +understand where he had gained his knowledge. He noticed their surprise, +and smiled.</p> + +<p>"I seed the tracks of his pony, as well as his own. It was as plain to +me as the words of a printed book. Why didn't you shoot the chap?"</p> + +<p>Thus appealed to, Jack told the story. Hazletine listened with an +expression of amused contempt on his bearded face.</p> + +<p>"You'll git over that afore you've been here long. I think I know who he +was. Tell me how he looked."</p> + +<p>Jack was able to give a good description of his visitor, and before it +was finished the guide nodded his head several times.</p> + +<p>"It was him, Motoza, one of the worst scamps west of the Mississippi."</p> + +<p>"What do you suppose he was after?"</p> + +<p>"He'll steal anything he can lay his hands on. If he'd found us all +asleep he'd shot every one of us. That's the kind of a feller Motoza is. +You played it well on him, catching him as you did, but you'd played it +a hanged sight better if you'd put a bullet through him afore you asked +any questions."</p> + +<p>"What tribe does he belong to?"</p> + +<p>"That's a queer part of it. Gin'rally it's easy to tell from the dress, +paint and style of an Injin what his tribe or totem is, but there's +nothing of the kind 'bout Motoza to guide you. I think he's a Sioux."</p> + +<p>"I understood those red men live further to the eastward."</p> + +<p>"So they do; but Motoza has wandered from his people. He was under +Sitting Bull, and went with him into British America when it got too hot +on this side of the line; but Sitting Bull come back, and Motoza +follered. He tries to make b'leve he's a good Injin, and sometimes he is +for months at a time on the reservation. Then the devil gits into him, +and he's off somewhere."</p> + +<p>While this conversation was going on the three had mounted their ponies +and were galloping northward, this time trending to the right, so as to +draw away from the mountains and follow an almost direct line to +Bowman's ranch, their destination. The animals were so fresh and +spirited that Hazletine said he was hopeful of sleeping that night in +the ranch itself, as he called the low, flat building where he and +several cowmen made their home when in that part of the country +attending to their duties.</p> + +<p>It would take hard riding, and would lead them into the night to +accomplish the long journey, but the guide saw no reason why it should +not be done. If a storm came up—and they break with amazing suddenness +at times in that part of the world—or if any mishap befell their +ponies, a stop would have to be made for the night before reaching the +ranch.</p> + +<p>Jack Dudley decided to ask a question that had been in his mind for some +time.</p> + +<p>"Hank, that Indian last night was in my power, and he knew it as well as +I, but I spared his life and allowed him to ride away without a hair of +his head harmed. Now, don't you think he will feel some gratitude for +that?"</p> + +<p>Hazletine threw back his head with uproarious laughter. He seemed to +have heard the best joke of a twelvemonth.</p> + +<p>"What give you that idee?" he asked, when he succeeded in mastering his +exuberant mirth.</p> + +<p>"Why, the event itself. I know that an Indian is revengeful by nature, +but I have always believed that he was capable of gratitude for +kindness."</p> + +<p>"You've read that in story-books, but you never seed it in life. I won't +be quite as rough as that," added the guide, in the same breath; "I have +seen a redskin that didn't furgit that a man had saved him from dying or +being shot, but such redskins are as scarce as hen's teeth. The rule is +that they take all such kindnesses as signs of cowardice, and despise +the one that shows 'em. Let me tell you something that I know," +continued Hazletine, seriously. "Three years ago, when I was down in +Arizona, Jim Huber was the owner of the ranch where I was working. He +b'leved in treating Injins kindly. I've seen him give the 'Paches water +to drink when they was thirsty, meat to eat, 'bacca to smoke, and even +powder and ball for their guns. He kept that up right along, and when he +was warned agin it, he said an Injin was human like the rest of us, and +he was willing to take his chances. The 'Paches wouldn't furgit what +he'd done fur 'em.</p> + +<p>"Wal, they didn't. The fust thing we knowed, Geronimo and a dozen of his +devils was off their reservation and coming down through them parts like +a Kansas cyclone. It happened that me and the boys was several miles off +when we heerd the news, and knowing that Huber was alone at the ranch, +we rid like all mad fur the place. We got there too late to save him. +The ranch was on fire, and he was mangled so we hardly knowed him. But +he had died game, and killed two of the 'Paches afore he went under. The +three laid aside one another, and the two Injins was the very ones that +had set at his table, eat of his food, been given powder and ball, and +been treated like brothers."</p> + +<p>"Are all red men as bad as that?"</p> + +<p>"I've just said they wasn't. There's lots of 'em that would make an +ordinary white man ashamed of himself. But most of 'em are alike. What +I'm driving at is to knock out of your head any idee that this Motoza +that you let up on last night thinks any more of you for it. It's +t'other way. He despises you fur a coward, and if he ever gits the +chance he'll prove what I say is true."</p> + +<p>This was depressing information for the youths, but they did not think +it seeming to express any doubts of the sentiments of one who was so +much better informed than they. They hoped that their own experience +would be of a different nature.</p> + +<p>Having set out with the intention of reaching the ranch that evening, +the guide had made the necessary preparations. He rolled up enough +cooked pieces of veal to avert the need of starting another fire and +looking for more food. So it came about that when the boys began to +consult their watches and hint of it being near meal time, he drew rein +at another stream of water, where the ponies were allowed to rest and +graze while their masters refreshed themselves. The animals had been +pressed as much as was prudent; and Hazletine, looking at the sky and +their surroundings, said they were making better progress than he had +counted upon.</p> + +<p>The weather remained all that could be desired, though he assured them +that a heavy rain-storm was impending, and would break within +twenty-four hours—an additional incentive for pushing forward.</p> + +<p>They were hardly ever out of sight of cattle. Sometimes they were few in +numbers, and then they suggested the droves of buffaloes, which, before +the animals were extirpated, numbered hundreds of thousands. Once the +horsemen approached so close that the cattle were frightened and a +partial stampede followed. That Hazletine was among acquaintances was +proved by the hails which he received from cowmen, most of whom were so +distant that the wonder was how they recognized one another. The boys +studied them through their spy-glasses, but, of course, all were +strangers to them.</p> + +<p>When the afternoon was about half gone they came upon a stream that +looked formidable. It was a hundred yards in width, with a roiled and +rapid current, which, so far as the eye could determine, might be a +score of feet in depth. The prospect of having to swim their ponies +across was anything but pleasant, but the boys saw that a well-marked +trail led down to the bank where they approached it, showing that it had +been crossed and recrossed many times.</p> + +<p>"There are places in that stream, which flows into the Platte," said the +guide, "where it is a hundred feet deep. It has whirlpools and eddies +where the best swimmer couldn't save himself, and even a grizzly bear +would drown."</p> + +<p>"I hope those places are a good way off," said Jack.</p> + +<p>"There's one of 'em right over there to the left."</p> + +<p>"How are we going to reach the other side?" asked Fred, in dismay.</p> + +<p>"Foller me."</p> + +<p>As he spoke the guide spurred his animal into the muddy water, with the +boys timidly at his heels and closely watching him.</p> + +<p>At no time during the fording did the ponies sink above their knees. It +was a surprise and vast relief when they rode out on the other side +without having been compelled to draw up their feet during the passage.</p> + +<p>"And yet," explained their companion, "if you'd gone three yards to the +right or left your critters would have had to swim for their lives, and +you'd have had the worst soaking you ever knowed. Now fur the ranch!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<h3>AT THE RANCH.</h3> + + +<p>The night was well advanced, and the boys, despite their fine physique, +felt the effects of the prolonged ride. They had come a goodly distance +since morning, the tough little ponies most of the time maintaining a +sweeping canter, which placed many miles behind them. Jack and Fred were +stiffened, tired and hungry, for no halt was made for supper, it being +the intention of the guide to take that meal at the ranch, which he +meant to reach before drawing rein.</p> + +<p>In the midst of the monotonous gallop of the animals the youths were +startled by the sound of a laugh, which suddenly rang out on the still +air. It was brief and hearty, such as a man emits who is highly pleased +over something said by a companion. There was no moon in the sky, but +the starlight was as bright as on the previous evening. Peering ahead in +the gloom, nothing was to be seen that explained the singular sound.</p> + +<p>"Did you hear that?" asked Jack of Hazletine.</p> + +<p>"I s'pose you mean that laugh? Not being deaf, it would have been cur'us +if the same hadn't reached my ears."</p> + +<p>"What was the meaning of it?"</p> + +<p>"It meant, I s'pose, that somebody was pleased."</p> + +<p>The lads had to be satisfied with this indefinite answer, but they did +not have to wait long for the explanation. Suddenly, from the obscurity +ahead, loomed the outlines of a building. It was long, low, and flat, +consisting of a single story, like most of the structures in that +section of the country.</p> + +<p>At the same moment that it was observed, a tiny point of light shone +through the gloom, and some one called to them:</p> + +<p>"Is that you, Hank?"</p> + +<p>"I reckon," was the reply.</p> + +<p>At the same moment a tall man, rising from the stool on which he had +been seated, came forward. He was smoking a pipe, and the gleam of the +fire in the bowl was what had been noted before he became visible.</p> + +<p>"These are the younkers we expected," explained Hazletine, "and, if I +ain't mistook, they've brought a purty healthy appetite with 'em."</p> + +<p>"I've heard of such things afore. Howdy?"</p> + +<p>The man, who was known as "Kansas Jim," his full name being James +Denham, extended his hand to each boy in turn, and they dismounted.</p> + +<p>"I'll look after the animals," he explained. "Go inside, and I reckon +Ira can give you some medicine fur that appetite Hank spoke about."</p> + +<p>Hazletine led the way to the small covered porch where Ira Garrison, +another cattleman, rose to his feet and shook hands with the boys, +expressing his pleasure at receiving a visit from them. All three of the +arrivals sat down at the front, while Ira passed inside and lighted an +oil-lamp. It seemed that he was not absent ten minutes when he called +out that the meal was ready—a most welcome announcement to our young +friends. The three were quickly seated at the pine table and feasting +with keen enjoyment. While they were thus engaged, Ira Garrison sat on a +stool a few paces away, smoking his pipe, and was soon joined by Kansas +Jim, who brought the saddles and belongings of the ponies that he had +turned loose to look after their own wants.</p> + +<p>Jack and Fred found their new acquaintances typical cowboys, dressed +similarly to Hazletine, though neither wore as much beard as he. Both +had long hair, pushed behind their ears, while Jim displayed a luxuriant +tawny mustache and goatee, had fine blue eyes, and was thin almost to +emaciation. Garrison was short and stockily built, with a powerful +physique. His hair, eyes and mustache were as black as coal. He had a +fine set of even white teeth, and was so full of jest and humor that it +was safe to conclude it was something said by him that had caused Jim to +break into laughter.</p> + +<p>The structure, as has been said, was a low, flat building, similar to +the majority found in that part of the country. It was made wholly of +wood, with only a single door at the front, where was a shaded porch, +provided with seats, most of which were occupied at times by the cowmen +through the day and late into the night.</p> + +<p>There were five men employed at the ranch in looking after the immense +herd of cattle grazing over the surrounding country and acquiring the +plumpness and physical condition which fitted them for the Eastern +market. Hank Hazletine was in charge of the four men, and would so +remain until the task was finished and the stock disposed of. Barton +Coinjock and Morton Blair were absent looking after the animals, whose +wanderings in quest of food sometimes took them fifteen or twenty miles +from the house. Most of the time, however, the cattle obtained their +grazing on the ranch, a half of which belonged to Mr. Dudley, and which +extended into the foot-hills of the Wind River Mountains.</p> + +<p>It has already been made clear that little was to be apprehended from +the hostility of the red men in Wyoming. Rarely is anything of the kind +known north of Arizona and New Mexico, and in those Territories it +seldom manifests itself since the conquest of the Apaches. There have +been fierce collisions of late years between the cowmen and rustlers of +the West, and at one time there was considerable bloodshed, but the +quarrel seems to have been adjusted.</p> + +<p>The reader need hardly be told that in the new States, where grazing has +become so important an industry, a perfect system prevails among the +cattlemen. Large associations, with their enormous herds of cattle, have +their own peculiar brands by which their stock is stamped with their +sign of ownership. All these brands are registered, and the cattleman +who uses the same, or is found in possession of cattle with the brand of +another, is subject to a severe penalty.</p> + +<p>Comparatively slight friction, therefore, takes place in those sections. +It is a stirring time when the wonderful horsemen are engaged for days +in branding the calves that have been added to their herds during the +previous months. Sometimes some of the branded cattle wander off while +grazing, but if a cattleman from Central Wyoming came upon an animal +hundreds of miles north in Montana, bearing his brand, he would promptly +cut out the brute from another herd, whose owner would not think of +making objection.</p> + +<p>It happens now and then that some of the cattle stray off before they +are branded. The difficulty of their owners identifying them will be +understood. Such cattle are mavericks, and whoever comes upon them loses +little time in scorching his brand into their shoulders or hips, after +which no one cares to dispute their ownership.</p> + +<p>The cowmen whose duty it was to look after the large herd browsing over +the thousands of acres composing Bowman's ranch had two annoyances to +guard against. It was their duty, as may be said, to keep the animals +well in hand. But for this precaution hundreds of them would gradually +drift apart until, when the time came for rounding them up, they would +be gone beyond recovery. Great loss, therefore, was averted by looking +after them.</p> + +<p>A more aggravating annoyance, however, brings loss to the owners of the +herds. Despite the stringent law, there is always a certain number of +desperate men who take perilous chances in stealing cattle and running +them off beyond recovery by their owners. This practice is not so +prevalent as formerly, for since the brands are registered, and the +agents well known at Cheyenne, Helena, and other shipping-points, the +thieves find it hard to explain their possession of the carcasses thus +marked and escape the arrest and imprisonment provided as a penalty.</p> + +<p>One feature of this annoyance comes from the Indians. By far the greater +majority of those on the reservations are law-abiding. Under the patient +and skilful tutorship of the Government agents they are advancing in +civilization, and in a knowledge of the trades and of agriculture. +Rarely is there any trouble with them; but it would be strange indeed +if, among these people not yet fairly emerged from barbarism, there were +not a number sullen because of the change, and who cling to the +traditions and practices when the Indian looked upon every white man as +his enemy, whom it was his duty to kill upon the first opportunity. The +watchfulness of the authorities prevents grave crimes, but no vigilance +can keep the dusky thieves from stealthily raiding upon the cattle and +property of their white neighbors.</p> + +<p>One of the tasks, therefore, of the cowmen of Bowman's ranch was to +guard against aboriginal thieves. Since those fellows were sure to have +the same trouble as white pilferers in disposing of their stolen stock, +they were fond of stampeding the cattle when not under the eyes of their +caretakers. About all that resulted from this amusement was extra +exasperation and work on the part of the cowmen.</p> + +<p>A more serious mischief was that of killing the animals. Having +satisfied themselves that they were safe from detection, three or four +Indians would entertain themselves for an hour or two in shooting down +cattle in pure wantonness, and then making off before they were seen. +True, this brought the dusky scamps no gain, but it served as a partial +outlet for their enmity of the white man, and that sufficed.</p> + +<p>That this peculiar feature of ranch life sometimes assumed grave phases +was proved by several narrations made by the cowmen to the boys on their +first night at the ranch. Less than a year previous, Kansas Jim shot +from his horse an Indian whom he caught killing his cattle; and, not +many months previous, the five cowmen, under the leadership of Hank +Hazletine, had a running fight for half an afternoon with a dozen +Bannocks, engaged in the same sport. At that time Barton Coinjock and +Kansas Jim were severely wounded, but three of the marauders were slain, +and the mischief nearly ended for a time.</p> + +<p>But Jack and Fred were tired, and, though interested in the +reminiscences of the cowboys, they longed for rest. The house consisted +of four rooms, one being generally reserved for visitors or to serve as +a spare apartment. This contained a wooden bedstead and some simple +furniture, for luxuries are not popular on cattle-ranches. Surely no bed +ever felt more luxurious, however, than the blankets upon which the +wearied youths flung themselves, sinking almost immediately into deep, +dreamless sleep. There were no wolves or dog Indians to guard against +now, and their sense of security was as strong as if in their own beds +at home.</p> + +<p>The night was well past, when both lads were awakened by the sound of +rain pattering upon the roof, which, although they were on the ground +floor, was but a brief space above their heads. The storm foretold by +Hank Hazletine had come.</p> + +<p>There are few sounds more soothing at night than the falling of +rain-drops upon the shingles over one's head, but in the present +instance the music was anything but welcome to Jack and Fred. It meant +that there could be no hunting on the morrow, and probably not for +several days. Their time in Wyoming was so limited that they begrudged +an hour of enforced idleness.</p> + +<p>"But what's the use of kicking?" asked Fred, after they had fully +discussed the situation; "it can't be helped."</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, they condoled with each other for some time, until, lulled +by the gentle patter, they floated off once more into the land of Nod, +from which they did not emerge until morning.</p> + +<p>The first doleful fact that impressed them was that it was still +raining. A peep through the single front window with which their room +was provided showed the dull leaden sky, with its infinite reservoir, +from which the drops were descending in streams that bid fair to last +for days and weeks. The air was chilly, and the wood fire burning in the +adjoining room was grateful.</p> + +<p>The boys were surprised by a characteristic fact. At some time previous +to their emerging from their sleeping-room Jim and Ira had departed to +take their turn in looking after the cattle, while Bart and Mort, as +they were called, had come in to spend the day and night at the +building. When they saw the boys they greeted them pleasantly and +conversed for some time. Blair showed himself a man of education, and it +came out afterward that he was a college graduate, who, having been +threatened with pulmonary trouble, had gone to Arizona and engaged in +the cattle business. The experiment wrought a cure, and he was now one +of the sturdiest of the five men, not afraid to face the more rigorous +climate of the North and to expose himself to all sorts of weather. It +was a surprise, indeed, to Jack Dudley and Fred Greenwood, in the course +of the day, when the conversation happened to drift to the subject of +higher mathematics, to find this cowboy could give them instruction in +the most abstruse problems they had ever attempted to solve. Thus, +although they would have preferred to be away on a hunt, they found the +time less monotonous than anticipated.</p> + +<p>"This will let up afore night," said Hank, much to the delight of his +young visitors, "and to-morrow will be clear."</p> + +<p>"I hope it will last several days," ventured Fred.</p> + +<p>"So it will," remarked the cowman, with that air of assurance which +showed he was more reliable than the Government in his forecasts of the +weather.</p> + +<p>Hazletine examined the Winchester repeating-rifles of the boys with +great care. He pronounced them excellent weapons, as were the Smith & +Wesson revolvers with which they were furnished.</p> + +<p>"Your outfit is all right," he said, "but it remains to be seed whether +you know how to handle 'em."</p> + +<p>"We cannot claim to be skilful," was the modest remark of Jack, "but we +have had some experience at home, though when we hunted there it was +mostly with shotguns."</p> + +<p>"The main thing, younker, is not to git rattled. Now, if you happen to +see old Ephraim sailing for you, all you have to do is to make your aim +sure and let him have it between the eyes, or just back of the foreleg; +or, if you don't have the chance to do that, plug him in the chest, +where there's a chance of reaching his heart."</p> + +<p>By "old Ephraim" the hunter referred to the grizzly bear, as the boys +knew.</p> + +<p>"I have heard that it generally takes several shots to kill a grizzly."</p> + +<p>"That's 'cause the bullets are not put in the right place. You see, old +Ephraim don't take any trouble to give you a better show than he has to, +and you must look out fur yourself."</p> + +<p>"There are other kinds of bears in Wyoming?"</p> + +<p>"Rather—several of 'em. For instance, there's the cinnamon, which, in +my 'pinion, is about as bad as Ephraim. I've fit both kinds, and the one +that left that big scar down the side of my cheek and chawed a piece out +of my thigh was a cinnamon, while I never got a scratch that 'mounted to +anything from Ephraim."</p> + +<p>"What about the black bear?"</p> + +<p>"He's less dangerous than any of 'em. A black bear ain't much more than +a big dog. Last fall I killed one with my revolver."</p> + +<p>"What other kinds of game are we likely to meet?"</p> + +<p>"Wal, it would be hard to name 'em all. There's the deer and antelope, +of course, which you find in all parts of the West. Then there's the +mountain lion, that is fond of living on beef."</p> + +<p>"I never saw one of the creatures."</p> + +<p>"Have you ever seen the Eastern panther?" asked Garrison.</p> + +<p>"No; though they used to be plentiful in the northern part of the State +of New York."</p> + +<p>"Well, the mountain lion is the same animal. Our climate and conditions +have made some changes in his appearance and habits, but there is no +doubt the two are identical."</p> + +<p>"There's one kind of game that I wish we could meet," resumed Hazletine, +"but they've got so scarce that I haven't seen one fur three years. +That's the big-horn sheep."</p> + +<p>"He seems to be disappearing from certain sections, like the buffalo +from the country," remarked Garrison.</p> + +<p>"There's plenty of 'em in the mountains of Arizona and old Mexico, and +I've no doubt there's thousands of 'em in the Wind River and other parts +of the Rockies, but it's mighty hard to find 'em. Then there's the black +wolf."</p> + +<p>"Is he fiercer than the gray one?"</p> + +<p>"He's ten times worse. Whenever he meets the gray wolf he tears him to +smithereens. You never seen a wolf of any kind that wasn't as hungry as +you younkers was yesterday."</p> + +<p>"He couldn't be any hungrier," said Fred, with a laugh.</p> + +<p>"I have knowed one of them critters to foller a steamboat down the upper +Missouri fur two days and nights, howling and watching fur a chance to +git something to eat."</p> + +<p>"The buffaloes have disappeared."</p> + +<p>"The right name of the animal is the bison," suggested Garrison; "they +have been slaughtered in pure wantonness. It is a crime, the way in +which they have been extirpated."</p> + +<p>"There are a few of 'em left, deep among the mountains," said Hazletine, +"where no one has happened to find 'em, but it won't be long afore +they'll all be wiped out. Do you know," he added, indignantly, "that +last year our boys found a herd of eighteen buffaloes some miles back in +the mountains. Wal, sir, we was that tickled that we made up our minds +to watch 'em and see that they wasn't interfered with. We kept track of +'em purty well till their number had growed to twenty-four. Then one +afternoon a party of gentlemen hunters, as they called themselves, from +the States, stumbled onto 'em. Wal, as true as I'm a settin' here, they +s'rounded that herd and never stopped shooting till they killed every +one of 'em!"</p> + +<p>The cowman was so angry that he smoked savagely at his pipe for a minute +in silence. His friends shared his feelings, and Kansas Jim remarked:</p> + +<p>"Hank and me hunted two days fur them folks, and if we'd have got the +chance to draw bead on 'em not all of 'em would have got home. Why, the +rapscallions just shot the whole twenty-four, and left 'em laying on the +ground. They didn't even take their hides. If there ever was such a +thing as murder that was."</p> + +<p>"Yes," assented Garrison; "and although the Government is doing all it +can to protect the few in Yellowstone Park, somebody is continually +shooting into the herd. The bison will soon be an extinct animal."</p> + +<p>"It's too bad, but I don't see that we can help it," observed Hazletine, +rousing himself; "there's plenty of other game left, and it'll last +longer than any of us, but it don't make the killing of the buffaloes +any better. We're likely to find a good many animals that I haven't told +you 'bout and that I don't think of."</p> + +<p>"How is it, Hank, that you don't keep any dogs?"</p> + +<p>"'Cause they're no use. The hunters from the East seem to think they +must have a dozen or more sniffing at their heels, but I don't like 'em. +We had a big hound a couple of years ago that I took with me on a hunt. +The first critter we scared up was a cinnamon bear, and that dog hadn't +any more sense than to go straight for him. Wal," grinned Hank, "we +haven't had any dog since that time."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<h3>THE FIRST GAME.</h3> + + +<p>It was an ideal day for hunting among the mountains. The sun shone from +an unclouded sky, and the air had just enough crispness to make exercise +enjoyable. In short, it was a perfect copy of that day which saw the V. +W. W. start from Fort Steele on their long ride northward to Bowman's +ranch.</p> + +<p>The other cowmen would have been glad to join in the hunt, but they +could not be spared from duty. Thus it came about that, as in the first +instance, Hank Hazletine was the guide and only companion of Jack Dudley +and Fred Greenwood on that which was destined to prove the most +memorable hunt of their lives.</p> + +<p>The three had ridden briskly through a part of the foot-hills until they +reached the more elevated portion, when the hunter led the way up a +winding trail until, early in the afternoon, they arrived at what may be +called the limit of "horse navigation," which is to say their ponies +could give them no more help, since the way was too broken for them to +climb further.</p> + +<p>Accordingly the three dismounted and removed all the trappings of the +animals. Hazletine was so familiar with the country that he came to this +favored spot without mistake or hesitation. It was a broad, irregular +inclosure, in the form of a grassy plateau, where grass grew abundantly, +and was walled in on nearly every side by immense rocks and boulders. A +tiny stream of icy water wound along one side, disappearing at a corner +among the rocks, which were so craggy and eccentric in their formation +that a cavity or partial cavern was found, in which the party placed +their bridles, saddles and blankets, and which was capable of giving +them shelter against the most furiously driving rain-storm.</p> + +<p>"Surely we couldn't have found a better spot if we had hunted for a +month," said Jack, admiringly surveying their surroundings.</p> + +<p>"This is to be our headquarters," explained Hazletine, "during the few +days or the week that we spend in hunting here."</p> + +<p>"You mean that we are to spend each night in this place?"</p> + +<p>The guide nodded his head.</p> + +<p>"I don't know of any better arrangement," said Fred; "we can gather +enough wood to keep a fire going, and, if rain should set in, shall have +as good shelter as if in the house on the ranch."</p> + +<p>"That's it; and you mustn't furgit one thing," added Hazletine; "we +fetched along just 'nough stuff fur dinner. We haven't anything left fur +supper. None of the cattle git this fur into the mountains, so we can't +count on them. Therefore, we've the ch'ice atween shooting game or +starving to death."</p> + +<p>"That's enough to make us all do our best, but we cannot suffer so long +as we have you for our companion."</p> + +<p>"But you ain't going to have me fur your companion."</p> + +<p>The boys stared at their friend in astonishment. He explained:</p> + +<p>"There ain't much show fur three persons to find game as long as they +stick together. The right way is fur 'em all to part and each keep it up +on his own hook. A chap isn't in half the danger of being seen by the +deer or sheep, or whatever it may be he's after; and he has the chance, +too, to show what stuff he's made of."</p> + +<p>"Then you intend to leave us?"</p> + +<p>"You've hit it the first time. I'll start out on my own bus'ness, +meaning to be back here while the night's young."</p> + +<p>Observing significant looks passing between the boys, the man hastened +to add:</p> + +<p>"Now, don't you folks make the mistake of thinking I'll get your supper +fur you, fur I don't mean to do nothing of the kind. I don't intend to +do any hunting, but to git away from you so as to let you have the +chance. I don't say that if a big horn or a antelope or buck walks up in +front of me and asks me to take a shy at him that I won't pop him over, +though some folks that I know wouldn't do the same if the buck happened +to be a two-legged one; but such things don't often happen; and, if you +don't fetch in any game, them appetites of your'n are likely to bother +you as much as they did t'other day when we was riding from the fort."</p> + +<p>"Do you wish Fred and me to part company?"</p> + +<p>Hank's eyes twinkled and a quizzical expression lit up that part of his +countenance which was visible.</p> + +<p>"'Twouldn't be safe."</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"You'd each take the other fur a wild donkey and plug him afore you +found out the mistake, which the same wouldn't be such a mistake after +all."</p> + +<p>The boys could well afford to laugh at the pleasantry of the man who, it +was evident, felt a partiality for them. He added, more seriously:</p> + +<p>"You'd have more show to shoot game if you parted, but I'd not advise +you to do it till after you've hunted for some days together. It's +mighty easy for younkers like you to git lost in these mountains. You +must keep your bearings, so it won't be any trouble fur you to find your +way back to this spot when it's dark. If you happen to catch sight of +any game, try to not let it see you till you git a fair shot at it; and +there ain't much good in wounding a critter in these parts, fur it's +sure to git away from you."</p> + +<p>After some further instructions, Hank bade his young friends good-by and +left them. He strode off in the direction of the trail over which they +had come to reach this interesting spot in the mountains, and +disappeared without once looking back to see what they were doing.</p> + +<p>It was odd thus to be left alone in this wild region, and the chums +looked in each other's face with smiles. It certainly was a curious +experience to be set down in one of the greatest mountain spurs of the +West, and to be told that now they must take care of themselves. It was +like being cast into deep water and ordered to choose between swimming +and drowning.</p> + +<p>"It's just as well," said Jack, "or he wouldn't have done it. Surely the +V. W. W. ought to be able to take care of ourselves, with our repeaters +and pistols. There's nothing to be feared from wild animals, or he would +have warned us."</p> + +<p>"It strikes me that the most important thing to do is to keep our +bearings, for if we should happen to lose our way it would go hard with +us."</p> + +<p>"We took care to bring spy-glasses, as well as everything else that we +thought we were likely to need, but forgot about a compass, which may be +worth all the rest."</p> + +<p>"Well, we must be careful not to stray too far until we become familiar +with the country. Let's not delay our start."</p> + +<p>The plateau where their ponies were cropping the grass was several acres +in extent, nearly half of it sloping abruptly; but the grass was +abundant enough to furnish the animals with all they could need, no +matter how long they stayed, since it had plenty of opportunity to renew +itself.</p> + +<p>Side by side the boys moved across the space, the ponies not raising +their heads to look at them, as they passed near. Instead of following +the course taken by their guide they bore to the right, but at the same +time proceeded nearly westward, which led them deeper into the +mountains. Remembering the caution of their friend they studied the +landmarks around them, in the hope of not losing their way when it +should become time to return to camp.</p> + +<p>When fairly clear of the plateau, where they must have been at a +considerable elevation above the sea, they found the way so rough that +travelling became a task. There was nothing in the nature of a path or +trail to follow, and they were compelled to pass around boulders and +rocks, sometimes turning back and retracing their steps, and making long +detours, so as to flank impassable chasms. All this tended to confuse +their knowledge of the points of the compass, but they did not forget to +note everything that could serve as a guide, and were confident of +finding their way whenever it should become necessary to return.</p> + +<p>Most of the time Jack Dudley was in the lead, for it was not easy to +walk beside each other. He was perhaps a half-dozen paces in advance of +Fred, when he abruptly stopped with an exclamation of affright.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked his friend, hardly less startled.</p> + +<p>"Look at that!"</p> + +<p>He pointed downward, almost at his feet. Still unaware of what he meant, +Fred stepped guardedly forward to his side.</p> + +<p>There was good cause, indeed, for the alarm of the elder, for he had +checked himself on the edge of a ravine or canyon fully a thousand feet +deep. One step further and he would have dropped into eternity.</p> + +<p>The peculiar formation of the canyon accounted for this peril. The chasm +was barely a dozen feet wide, but the other side was depressed, so that +it was not noticed by the youth until on the edge of the danger. The +walls were of solid rock, showing the numerous strata of sandstone and +other formations, worn so unevenly that it looked possible for a person +to use them as stairs in climbing the sides. Pausing on the edge and +peering cautiously down the dizzy steep, the youths could see a stream +of water, winding its course far down at the bottom, where the roughness +of its bed churned it into foam, and gave it the appearance of a white +ribbon that had been strung along the course. The murmur was so soft and +faint that at times they were not sure they heard it, and when it +reached their ears the voice of the distant ocean was suggested.</p> + +<p>A striking feature of this phenomenon was the exceeding narrowness of +the canyon. It has been stated that directly opposite to where the boys +had halted it was scarcely a dozen feet wide, and there were places in +sight with the width still less, though most of it was greater. The ages +that it had taken this stream to erode such a bed for itself was beyond +imagination.</p> + +<p>"Jack," said his companion, with that elasticity of spirits natural to +one of his years, "if you had pitched down there, how in the world could +I have pulled you up to the top again?"</p> + +<p>"Why would you wish to do that?"</p> + +<p>"Well, you would have been pretty well bruised and would have needed +help."</p> + +<p>"Possibly; but I wonder whether there are many such pit-holes in this +part of the world. It resembles the fissures in the mountains of ice +which I have read that the Arctic explorers sometimes find."</p> + +<p>However, since the youths were on one side of the canyon, naturally they +were seized with the belief that it was necessary immediately to place +themselves on the other side. Why it was so they would have found hard +to explain, but they were unanimous on the point; and, since there was +but the single method of crossing the chasm, they set out to find it.</p> + +<p>"It looks narrower over there to the left," said Jack, turning in that +direction.</p> + +<p>He did not have to go far when he paused, where the width was barely six +feet—not enough to afford much of a leap for sturdy lads of their +years.</p> + +<p>"That's easy," added Jack, measuring it with his eye.</p> + +<p>"You must remember one thing, Jack. There's something in the air of this +part of the world which makes a mile look no more than a few hundred +yards. Suppose that that other bank is fifty feet off!"</p> + +<p>It was an alarming thought, and Jack recoiled as if again on the edge of +the brink. But he was quick to see the absurdity of the idea.</p> + +<p>"If that is so, then the canyon must be several miles deep. But we would +better make sure."</p> + +<p>It was easy to do this. Hunting around until a chip from one of the +boulders was found, Jack tossed it across the abyss. It fell as he +expected, proving that, wonderfully deceptive as is the atmosphere of +the West, it cannot mislead in instances like that which confronted +them.</p> + +<p>"That makes it right. I am not afraid to make the leap; are you?"</p> + +<p>"Not a bit; but wait."</p> + +<p>Near them lay a stone, so large that it required their united strength +to move it. By hard work they rolled it to the edge of the canyon and +tumbled it over, carefully watching its descent. A curious thing +followed. At first it shot straight downward for a hundred feet, when it +impinged against a projecting point of the mountain wall, knocked the +fragments in every direction, as if it were a ball fired from a +thousand-pounder, and bounded against the opposite side, further down, +scattering fragments again. By this time it had achieved an almost +inconceivable momentum, and was shooting downward at a terrific rate.</p> + +<p>In the depths of this narrow canyon, where the sunlight never penetrated +for more than a few minutes at a time, it was always twilight. At the +bottom it was almost dark, so that the stream would hardly have been +visible but for its yeasty foam. At some point near the base, when the +flinty stone was speeding forward like a meteor, it abraded a harder +portion than before. Instantly a stream of fire shot out, such as +sometimes flashes from a murky cloud in the sky, and, as if it were an +echo of the impact, the splash and thunderous thump were heard by the +boys at the top.</p> + +<p>It was a tempting theme for the imagination, but they were too practical +to linger. Having agreed that the canyon could be readily jumped, they +did not hesitate. Running a few steps, Jack Dudley cleared the passage +and landed on the other side, with several feet to spare. He did not +take the trouble to toss his rifle in advance, but kept it in his hand.</p> + +<p>"I had a queer feeling," he said, as Fred joined him, "when I was right +over the middle of the canyon, and knew, if I had made any +miscalculation, I should never stop until pretty well down toward the +centre of the earth."</p> + +<p>"It doesn't take long to do a deal of thinking at such time, but what +bothered me was whether I was going to make as good a jump as you. I +believe I beat you by two or three inches."</p> + +<p>"You wouldn't have done it if I had tried. But, Fred, since we are on +this side of that split in the mountain, we have got to jump it again to +get back to camp."</p> + +<p>"And we must manage to do it before dark, for it isn't safe to take +chances where there is so much variance in the width."</p> + +<p>"Fact of it is," remarked Jack, expressing that which had been clear to +both from the first, "there was no need of our jumping it at all. But we +are here, and must make the best of it. It's time we found some game."</p> + +<p>And Jack looked sharply around, as if he expected to see a fat deer or +big horn step forward and sacrifice himself for their good.</p> + +<p>But they were more fortunate than they were warranted in expecting. +While surveying the rocks and heights which seemed to wall them in, Fred +exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"There's our game!"</p> + +<p>He pointed to a cliff fully two hundred yards distant, and of half that +height. On this projecting ledge stood a noble buck, with antlers and +head raised, while he seemed to be gazing over the wild expanse of +country below him. They knew he was a fine animal, though the distance +made him appear diminutive.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="tbw002" id="tbw002"></a> +<img src="images/tbw002.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + + +<h3>"On the projecting ledge stood a noble buck."</h3> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + +<p>"I wonder if he sees us?" said Jack in a whisper, as if afraid of being +overheard.</p> + +<p>"If he does, he knows we are too far off to harm him."</p> + +<p>The next instant the boys had unslung their glasses and leveled them at +the fellow, who formed a striking picture, as he stood out in bold +relief, with his spreading antlers, his fine head, and his brown, sinewy +limbs. The next remark by Jack may not have been romantic, but it was +characteristic:</p> + +<p>"What a fine meal he will make for us!"</p> + +<p>"Provided we can secure him. We must get a good deal nearer."</p> + +<p>"Our rifles will carry a bullet that far."</p> + +<p>"No doubt; but if we hit him he would be only slightly wounded and would +make off. We must go closer."</p> + +<p>This necessity was self-evident, but the task was certain to be a +difficult one. As they approached the animal they were likely to expose +themselves to his keen gaze, when he would disappear on the instant.</p> + +<p>"Remember what Hank said. There is twice the chance for one that there +is for two. I'll stay here, Fred, while you go on. If I see him move +I'll try it, and you must do the same. Between us, we may bring him +down."</p> + +<p>The plan was acted upon. It was agreed that Fred should steal as near to +the buck as possible, in the hope of securing him, while Jack should +hold himself in readiness to make a shot, with precious little prospect +of success.</p> + +<p>If the game would maintain his position it looked as if there was a good +prospect of the younger lad getting within shooting distance, for the +way was so rugged, and offered so many opportunities for screening his +approach, that he did not believe he would be detected if he used proper +care. Meanwhile Jack took position behind the nearest boulder, where he +could keep an eye on the animal and it was impossible for the latter to +see him.</p> + +<p>Fred was lost to sight almost immediately. He grew so anxious as the +interval decreased that he trembled, and it was hard to fight off an +attack of what is called "buck fever," and which is fatal to the best +hunter; but by and by his nerves settled, and he became as cool and +self-possessed as Hank Hazletine himself would have been under the +circumstances.</p> + +<p>It seemed improbable that the buck would wait where he was, even if not +alarmed, for the time necessary to afford a good shot for his enemy. It +was some whim that had led him out upon the top of the towering bluff, +where he was in view of the young hunters. It is not to be supposed that +his kind appreciate such a thing as beauty in a landscape or scene +spread before them, and yet the action of the buck almost indicated +something of that nature; for he stood motionless, minute after minute, +as if absorbed, and suggesting a statue carved from the rock itself.</p> + +<p>Foot by foot Fred Greenwood stole forward, crouching behind boulders, +creeping beside immense rocks which shut him from the gaze of the +watchful animal, until with a rapidly beating heart he whispered:</p> + +<p>"I'm near enough to try a shot."</p> + +<p>He was making ready, when he observed a well-screened point a few rods +in advance, which impressed him as the right place. Once there, he could +ask no better opportunity to test his skill. Was it safe to wait a +minute or two longer? Yes, he would make the attempt.</p> + +<p>With infinite care, and holding his nerves in superb control, he worked +his way to the spot without alarming the buck.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<h3>LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP.</h3> + + +<p>Crouching behind the friendly boulder, Fred Greenwood rested the barrel +of his Winchester upon it and took careful aim at the buck, which seemed +scarcely to have moved from the moment he was seen by the youths. That +he maintained his pose thus long was certainly remarkable, and the fact +was due to a cause suspected by neither of the boys.</p> + +<p>That the antelope has the bump of curiosity developed to a most amazing +degree is well known. It is this peculiarity which has proved fatal to +the animals in numberless instances. The curiosity of the <i>cervus</i> +species, while much less, sometimes manifests itself in an extraordinary +fashion. Fred Greenwood managed his approach with so much skill that he +was not noticed; but his comrade, further away, was seen by the vigilant +animal, when Jack, becoming impatient over the delay, began the attempt +to follow him. The sight of the young hunter startled the buck. He was +on the point of whirling about and making off, but waited to learn +something more definite. The caution of Jack rendered this difficult, +and it was because of the animal's hesitation that Fred succeeded in +reaching the spot from which to try a shot.</p> + +<p>The lad sighted at the front of the game and his finger was pressing the +trigger, when, perhaps because of a sudden sight of Jack, the buck +turned about to flee. It was at this juncture that Fred fired.</p> + +<p>The result was better than he expected. It is almost impossible to kill +a deer instantly, instances being known of one running a number of rods +with a bullet through his heart; but in this instance the buck, +gathering his forelegs under him, as if to leap a high obstruction, +bounded straight up in air and dropped back so close to the edge of the +cliff that he toppled over and came tumbling downward like a log of +wood.</p> + +<p>The point where he fell was some distance away and out of sight of the +young hunter, who, with a delighted exclamation, rose to his feet and +began scrambling toward his prize. But for his excitement Fred would +have noted a singular thing. When the report of his rifle rang out in +the stillness, the echo from the face of the cliff sounded as sharp and +loud as the crack of his own weapon. The explanation of this speedily +became manifest.</p> + +<p>Although the way was rough, the distance was so short that it took Fred +only a brief time to reach the inanimate body of the buck.</p> + +<p>"Hank couldn't have beaten that shot himself! I must have driven the +bullet through his heart, which I shouldn't have done if he hadn't +started to flee at the instant I pulled trigger——"</p> + +<p>At that moment an Indian, rifle in hand, stepped into view from among +the rocks, and with a grin on his face came toward the youth. Fred was +not dreaming of anything of the kind, and looked at the red man in +astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Eh! howdy, brother? That my buck," said the Indian, with his painted +face still bisected by a tremendous smile.</p> + +<p>The lad flared up on the instant.</p> + +<p>"How do you make that out? I just shot him."</p> + +<p>"No; me shoot him—he mine."</p> + +<p>Fred's gorge continued to rise.</p> + +<p>"You are not speaking the truth. I fired at him a few minutes ago and +saw him spring in air and fall over the cliff."</p> + +<p>"Where you hit him?"</p> + +<p>Ready to prove the truth of his own words, the youth stooped over the +carcass, which was lying on its left side. A crimson orifice was seen +just back of the foreleg, which showed where the tiny messenger of death +had entered.</p> + +<p>"That's where I struck him! What have you to say to <i>that</i>?"</p> + +<p>"I shoot at the same time as brother. That where my bullet go in. Dere +where it come out."</p> + +<p>Reflection convinced Fred of the unpleasant fact that this Indian was +speaking the truth. The relative position of the lad and the dead buck +had been such that it was impossible for his bullet to take the course +of the one that had slain the animal. The decisive shot, therefore, was +not his.</p> + +<p>"But I know mine struck him somewhere," was Fred's desperate +exclamation; "could it have taken the same course as yours?"</p> + +<p>The tantalizing smile came back to the face of the red man, who shook +his head.</p> + +<p>"My brother's bullet strike dere—hurt antler bad."</p> + +<p>The Indian thrust the toe of his moccasin against the buck's antlers. It +was plain that one of the prongs had been chipped off, as if by the +impact of a glancing bullet. Fred could no longer deny the mortifying +fact that his shot had no more to do with the death of the animal than +if it had been a pebble tossed up the cliff by hand.</p> + +<p>The discovery did not add to his temper, and he was in an unreasonable +mood.</p> + +<p>"You hadn't any business to fire at the buck when I did! I had picked +him out for my game and it was a mean act on your part. We both struck +him, and I shall claim one-half of him, for I'm hungry, and it will soon +be supper-time."</p> + +<p>A dangerous light shone in the black eyes of the Indian. Evidently he +had no liking for the race of the young man, and his resentment was +roused by his words and manner.</p> + +<p>"He mine; me take him; you thief!"</p> + +<p>It occurred to Fred Greenwood at this moment that it would be unwise as +well as perilous to quarrel with this denizen of the wilderness. He was +in middle life, active, powerful, wiry and unscrupulous. The youth was +no match for him in a personal encounter; besides which he noticed that +the fellow carried a Winchester like his own, not to mention the +formidable knife at his waist.</p> + +<p>Still the lad was too proud to yield the point without protest. Besides, +he was growing anxious about that supper which hung suspended in the +balance.</p> + +<p>"It's only fair that you should give me a part of the body; you can't +eat a tenth part of it. You must divide."</p> + +<p>"He mine—me take all—white dog have none—me kill him."</p> + +<p>"You will, eh? I shall have something to say about that."</p> + +<p>It was Jack Dudley who uttered these words as he strode into view from +the direction taken a few minutes before by his comrade.</p> + +<p>The Indian had detected the approach of Jack before he spoke and before +Fred knew of his coming. He raised his head like a flash, and the dark, +threatening expression vanished, succeeded by the grin that was there +when he first appeared to the younger lad.</p> + +<p>"Howdy, brother?" he said, extending his hand, which was taken rather +gingerly by the surprised youth, who recognized him as Motoza, the +vagrant Sioux, with whom he had had the singular experience some nights +before, when encamped in the grove on the prairie.</p> + +<p>"Why, I didn't suspect it was <i>you</i>," added Jack, hardly knowing how to +address him.</p> + +<p>Motoza would have lacked ordinary perception had he failed to see that +the boys were friends. What impulse led him to do what he did it would +be hard to explain, but without making any response to the remark of +Jack he drew his knife, stooped over the carcass, and dextrously cut two +large pieces from the haunches. Straightening up, he handed one to Jack +and the other to Fred, with the words:</p> + +<p>"Take, brothers."</p> + +<p>"Thank you very much," replied Fred, accepting the "peace offering," +while his friend made similar acknowledgment.</p> + +<p>"Brothers want more?"</p> + +<p>"That is plenty. We are obliged, and hope you will pardon our hasty +words."</p> + +<p>With the chronic grin on his painted face Motoza stood silent, as if the +business was closed between them.</p> + +<p>"That gives us our supper, Fred, and we may as well go back to camp. +Good-by, Motoza."</p> + +<p>The Sioux slightly nodded, but did not speak. Each boy, carrying his +food, turned his back upon him and moved away in the direction of the +camp. When they had gone a slight distance, Jack looked back and saw the +Indian bent over the carcass of the buck and busy with his knife in +securing a meal for himself. A few minutes later the parties were out of +sight of each other.</p> + +<p>At the first water they reached the lads carefully washed and dressed +the venison and resumed their return to camp.</p> + +<p>"What do you make of it, Jack?" asked Fred.</p> + +<p>"I don't know enough about Indians to judge them correctly, but I think +their nature must be similar to our own. Motoza formed a respect for me +because of the manner in which I handled him the other night."</p> + +<p>"That is my belief; and it is not only respect, but friendship. He likes +you, and will never do you harm."</p> + +<p>"What about <i>you</i>?"</p> + +<p>"I am not so clear there. He and I were quarrelling when you came up. I +thought it was I who killed the buck, but he proved it was himself, and +that I had no claim to him. But I had set my heart on making a supper +off venison to-night, and did not like the thought of giving it up. He +was ugly, and if you hadn't come up just when you did there would have +been trouble, with the chances against me."</p> + +<p>"It was a mistake on your part."</p> + +<p>"I fear it was. It may be, however, that Motoza feels better disposed +toward me since he has learned we are friends."</p> + +<p>"That is my belief. But it is rather curious that we should run across +him again, so many miles from the spot where we last met; but, Fred, we +must keep our bearings."</p> + +<p>They were in a wild section of the mountains, which they had not seen +before, but by carefully noting the position of the sun in the sky and +observing a towering, snow-covered peak that had been fixed upon as a +landmark, they agreed as to the right direction. They were confirmed in +their belief shortly after by coming to the edge of the canyon which +they had leaped on their outward trip; but the width was fully twenty +feet, with no diminishing, so far as they could see, to the right or +left.</p> + +<p>"I hardly think it will do to make the venture here," remarked Jack, +with a shake of his head.</p> + +<p>"No; for not only is it too wide, but the other side is several feet +higher than this."</p> + +<p>They cautiously approached the edge and peered down into the frightful +depth. There was the same foamy stream, apparently a half-mile below, +clashing over the rocky bottom, and sending up the faint roar that +impressed them when the canyon was first seen. It was, in short, a +reproduction on a reduced scale of the magnificent Grand Canyon of the +Yellowstone, which is a source of admiring wonder to thousands of +tourists.</p> + +<p>Something away down in the bottom caught the attention of Fred, and, at +his suggestion, they laid aside their rifles and venison and crept +forward on their faces until their heads projected over the edge of the +dizzying depth.</p> + +<p>"Do you see him?" asked Fred.</p> + +<p>"Yes; who would have thought of such a thing?"</p> + +<p>At many points in the yeasty foam black masses of rocks rose so high +above the roaring stream that the water whirled and eddyed around them. +It was mostly these obstructions that kept the current in a state of +turmoil, and made it show distinctly in the twilight gloom of the +canyon. On one of the dripping rocks was a man, standing so like a +statue that in the indistinct light Fred Greenwood took him for some +fantastic formation of stone, worn by the eroding action of the angry +waters, but the suggestion of a living person was so striking that the +two called their spy-glasses into use.</p> + +<p>The result was astounding. Instead of being an Indian, as they had +believed at first, it was a white man. Furthermore, the instruments +proved beyond question that he was their old friend, Hank Hazletine.</p> + +<p>"What in the name of wonder is he doing down there?" exclaimed the +amazed Jack.</p> + +<p>"Standing on a rock," was the reply. "He finds some amusement in that, +or he wouldn't do it."</p> + +<p>"He must have entered at the mouth of the canyon, which cannot be far +off."</p> + +<p>"That may be so. The sides are so broken and rough that he could use +them for stairs in going down or coming up."</p> + +<p>"Whew!" exclaimed Jack, with a shudder; "the thought scares me. I +wouldn't undertake it for the world! Suppose, when you had picked your +steps half-way down, you couldn't find a place to rest your hands or +feet; or, in climbing up, you should be stopped within a yard or two of +the top?"</p> + +<p>"It would be the end of the chapter for us; but Hank knows the country +so well that he is in no danger of making such a mistake; but none for +us."</p> + +<p>In the hope of attracting the notice of their friend the boys shouted to +him, but the roar of the waters was in the ears of the hunter, who would +not have heard the boom of a cannon fired on the cliffs above. He did +not look up or give any heed to their hail. Fred thought of throwing +down a piece of rock, but it was too dangerous. It was liable to be so +deflected from its course as to kill the unsuspicious hunter, who had +assumed great risk as it was.</p> + +<p>"Do you see that?" asked Jack.</p> + +<p>The question was caused by the action of Hank, who made a leap that +carried him to the top of the boulder nearest him. Then he sprang to a +second and a third, when, to the astonishment of the watchers, he +disappeared.</p> + +<p>The reason was apparent. After his last leap he had passed under a +projecting ledge, from which, of course, he would emerge whenever he +chose to do so. But, though the boys watched for a considerable time, he +did not appear; and, realizing that the afternoon was drawing to a +close, they rose to their feet, with the purpose of pushing on to camp.</p> + +<p>But to do that they must find a place where the canyon could be crossed, +and they set out on their hunt, which proved less difficult than was +anticipated. Not far off a portion of the rocks on their side projected +like a tongue so far over the ravine that it was barely two yards from +its extremity to the other bank. Moreover, the sides of the canyon were +on a level, so that a more favorable spot for crossing could not have +been desired.</p> + +<p>An examination of this formation showed that twenty feet below them the +canyon was as wide as at the point from which they had watched their +friend. The ledge, therefore, arched over, and was in the nature of a +partial bridge, whose thickness would have sustained a great many tons.</p> + +<p>They peered downward in quest of Hank, but the gorge had taken an abrupt +turn since they saw him and he was not in sight.</p> + +<p>The task before them seemed so simple that the two gave it scarcely a +thought, but it brought them an experience which, in some respects, was +the most terrifying of their lives.</p> + +<p>While the banks were substantially on the same level, the opposite one +was fringed with a species of stunted bush, two or three feet high, +quite dense, and bearing a species of red berry such as is found on the +fragrant wintergreen. Hazletine had cautioned the lads against eating +any vegetable whatever in this section, since many are violently +poisonous and have caused the death of more than one thoughtless +tenderfoot.</p> + +<p>Fred Greenwood made ready for the first jump. As in the former instance, +the distance was so slight that it was not necessary to toss any of +their impedimenta in advance of their own passage. It was easy to jump +with the Winchester in one hand and the goodly piece of meat in the +other. Since Fred had beaten his friend some time before, Jack quietly +resolved to turn the tables by doing his best, and he was confident of +far surpassing him, especially as Fred had no suspicion of his +intention.</p> + +<p>"Go ahead," said Jack; "night isn't far off, and it will be dark by the +time we reach camp."</p> + +<p>Fred took only a couple of paces for a start, when he bounded across the +chasm with the ease of a chamois. Jack had sauntered a rod back, as if +with no special purpose in mind, when his object was to secure the +impetus that would land him far in advance of his comrade. Standing +thus, he complacently watched Fred, as his body rose in air, gracefully +curved over, and landed at a safe distance beyond the edge of the +canyon.</p> + +<p>It was while Jack Dudley was standing thus that he fancied he saw a +disturbance in the bushes where Fred was about to alight. It was so +slight that he did not think it meant anything; and, without noticing it +further, he started on a series of quick, short steps, which were to +give him the necessary momentum to win the victory over his friend. At +that instant Fred landed and emitted a cry of terror and warning.</p> + +<p>"Look out, Jack! Don't jump! Stop! stop!"</p> + +<p>But, though Jack heard the cry, it was too late to heed it. He was so +near the edge of the canyon that had he checked himself he would have +gone spinning to death down the abyss. The leap must be made, and, +gathering his muscles, he rose in the air, with his legs gathered under +him, and with the certainty that the jump would far surpass the one that +he had just witnessed.</p> + +<p>In that critical moment, when his body rose and seemed suspended over +the gorge, Jack's attention was fixed upon the strange actions of Fred. +The instant he landed he darted to one side, and with his rifle struck +at something in the bushes which Jack could not see. As he did so he +recoiled, and was in the act of advancing and striking again, when Jack +landed upon the ground beyond.</p> + +<p>As he did so he heard a vicious, locust-like whir, whose meaning he +recognized. An immense rattlesnake was in the bushes, and Fred had +descended almost upon it. But for the tremendous effort of Jack he would +have dropped squarely upon the velvety body, with consequences too +frightful to be thought of; but his great leap carried him over it, +while the attack of Fred upon the reptile, in the effort to save his +companion, diverted the attention of the rattlesnake for an instant.</p> + +<p>Jack saw the flat, pitted head, the gleaming coil, the distended jaws, +while the slightly elevated tail vibrated so rapidly with the warning +which, once heard, can never be forgotten, that it looked hazy and +mist-like. Before Fred, at imminent risk to himself, could bring down +his clubbed gun with crushing force, Jack felt a sharp sting in his +ankle and called out, in the extremity of terror:</p> + +<p><i>"I'm bitten!"</i></p> + +<p>He was not only terrified but angered, and whirling about, he brought +down his gun with spiteful violence on the writhing body. The reptile +struck again, but it was already wounded to that extent that its blow +was erratic, and, though it came near reaching the hand of Jack, it +missed by a safe margin.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<h3>NIGHT IN THE MOUNTAINS.</h3> + + +<p>One of the singular facts connected with the <i>crotalus</i> species is the +ease with which it is killed. The writer once ended the career of a huge +specimen with a single blow of a whip-lash. The first impact of Fred +Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub +bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly +striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the +attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times +after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past. A person's +first impulse, after being bitten by a snake, is to kill it, after which +he looks after the wound he may have received.</p> + +<p>But Fred had heard the dreadful exclamation of his comrade and caught +him by his arm as he was about to bring down his last blow upon the +reptile.</p> + +<p>"O Jack, are you sure he bit you?" he asked in a tremulous voice.</p> + +<p>"Yes; I felt the sting in my left ankle, like the prick of a needle."</p> + +<p>Dropping upon the ground, he hastily unfastened and turned down his +legging. There, sure enough, was a tiny red spot, with a single drop of +blood oozing from it.</p> + +<p>"The rattlesnake has two fangs," said Fred; "but there is only one wound +here."</p> + +<p>"It wasn't a direct blow, I suppose," said the white-faced Jack, who had +good reason to be terrified over the occurrence, for the rattlesnake, +although ranking below the cobra in the virulence of its venom, is the +most deadly serpent in America, and the veteran hunter fears it more +than the most savage of wild animals.</p> + +<p>Fred stooped down and examined the wound closely. A thrilling suspicion +was becoming certainty in his mind.</p> + +<p>"When did you feel that bite?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"At the moment I landed on my feet. What a dreadful poison it is! I can +feel it all through my body; and don't you see that my ankle has begun +to swell?"</p> + +<p>Fred continued to study the wound, pressing his finger around it and +bending close to the limb. Had the hurt been caused by the fang of a +serpent he would have tried to suck out the venom. Suddenly he looked up +with glowing face.</p> + +<p>"Now, Jack, my dear fellow, don't be frightened; you haven't been bitten +at all."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"At the moment you landed on your feet I was beating the life out of the +snake, and he was giving his whole attention to me. He did not try to +bite you till you turned about and began striking at him."</p> + +<p>"But what made that wound?" asked Jack.</p> + +<p>"I suspect the cause."</p> + +<p>He drew up the legging and examined the part that covered the spot in +the ankle which had received the blow.</p> + +<p>"There! I knew it! That's what did it!"</p> + +<p>He had plucked out a small, needle-pointed thorn. The bushes abounded +with similar prongs, one of which had been torn off and pierced the +legging of Jack when he was crashing through the tops of the bushes.</p> + +<p>"Sure there isn't any mistake about that?" asked the youth, feeling as +if a mountain were lifted from his shoulders.</p> + +<p>"There can't be."</p> + +<p>"Wait a minute!"</p> + +<p>With one bound the happy fellow came to his feet, and throwing his arms +about his comrade, hugged him into temporary breathlessness.</p> + +<p>"Thank the Lord! Richard's himself again! The V. W. W. are born to good +fortune."</p> + +<p>And joining hands, the two danced with delight. Many in the situation of +Fred Greenwood would have laughed at Jack and "guyed" him over his +blunder, but the incident was too dreadful and the terror of his friend +too intense for Fred to wish to amuse himself at his expense. However, +he could not help indulging just a trifle. Suddenly pausing in his +antics he looked down at the feet of Jack.</p> + +<p>"I suppose in a few minutes your ankle will be so swelled that the +buckles will fly off the legging. By this time, too, you must feel the +poison in your head."</p> + +<p>By way of answer, Jack, who, like Fred, had laid aside his Winchester +and venison, seized his friend and tried to lay him on his back. They +had had many a wrestling bout at home and there was little difference in +their skill. Fred was always ready for a test, and he responded with +such vigor that before Jack suspected he received an unquestioned fall, +since both shoulders and hips were on the ground at the same time, with +his conqueror holding him motionless.</p> + +<p>"It was hardly fair," remarked Fred, allowing him to rise to his feet.</p> + +<p>"Why not?" asked Jack, also coming up.</p> + +<p>"The venom of the rattlesnake so weakened you that you are not +yourself."</p> + +<p>"I'll show you whether I am or not!"</p> + +<p>At it they went again, and this time Jack was the victor, after which +they brushed off their clothing and agreed to leave the deciding bout +for a more convenient season. Night was rapidly closing in.</p> + +<p>"That exercise has added to my appetite," remarked Jack, as they +gathered up their belongings and moved off.</p> + +<p>"It would have done the same for me, if the thing were possible."</p> + +<p>Mindful of the danger of going astray, they carefully studied the +landmarks, so far as they could see them. Their main reliance was the +lofty peak that was visible for so great a distance, but with that help +they saw it growing dark, while they were in a region totally strange to +them.</p> + +<p>"My gracious!" said Fred, as they came to a halt; "in the face of all +that Hank told us, we have lost our way!"</p> + +<p>"It has that look," replied Jack, removing his hat and drawing his +handkerchief across his moist forehead; "but I don't see that it is such +a serious thing, after all. We can spend the night here as well as +anywhere."</p> + +<p>"What will Hank think, when he goes to camp to meet us?"</p> + +<p>"I reckon he'll not be disappointed; besides, we can't be far from the +place, and can look it up to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"I don't suppose it will hurt us to build a fire among these rocks and +spend the night; but the air is pretty cool and we shall miss our +blankets."</p> + +<p>"Old hunters like ourselves must become used to such things," +complacently observed Jack, who began preparations at the same moment +for carrying out his own proposal. It was no trouble to find enough +brush and wood to serve them, and they had brought such a goodly supply +of matches from the ranch in their rubber safes that they soon had a +vigorous fire going, over which they broiled their venison.</p> + +<p>The meal of itself would not have been enjoyable at their home, for it +was too "new," lacking a certain tenderness that forms one of its chief +attractions. Besides, it was unavoidably scorched in the preparation; +but the mixed pepper and salt sprinkled over it improved the flavor. But +the great thing was their insatiate appetites, for it is a homely truth +that there is no sauce like hunger. So it came about that they not only +made a nourishing meal, but had enough left to serve them in the +morning.</p> + +<p>It was fully dark when the repast was finished. The fire had been +started against the face of a boulder, and only a small quantity of wood +remained—not sufficient to last half through the night. With the going +down of the sun the air became colder. It seemed at times as if a breath +of wind from the snowy peaks reached them, and it caused an involuntary +shiver. The prospect of remaining where they were through the dismal +hours of darkness was anything but cheering.</p> + +<p>"Jack," suddenly said Fred in a guarded undertone, "there's some wild +animal near us."</p> + +<p>"How can you know that?"</p> + +<p>"I heard him moving about."</p> + +<p>"In what direction?"</p> + +<p>"Just beyond the ridge there. Hark! Didn't you hear it?"</p> + +<p>"You are right," whispered Jack; "let's find out what it is."</p> + +<p>Gun in hand, they moved stealthily up the slight ridge near by. It was +only a few feet in height. Their experience had taught them that danger +was likely to break upon them at any time, and they did not mean to be +caught unprepared. Neither spoke as they cautiously climbed the ridge, +like a couple of Indian scouts on the alert for the first appearance of +peril.</p> + +<p>But they reached the crest of the slight elevation without having heard +anything more of that which had alarmed them. The next moment, however, +both caught the dim outlines of a large animal moving slowly from them. +Before they were certain of its identity the creature neighed, as if +frightened by the stealthy approach of the youths.</p> + +<p>"It's a horse!" exclaimed Fred, who, suspecting the whole truth, moved +over the ridge and called, in a coaxing voice:</p> + +<p>"Dick! Come here, Dick!"</p> + +<p>The animal stopped, looked inquiringly around, and then came forward +with a pleased whinny. He was Fred's pony, and, brief as their +acquaintance had been, recognized his voice. Fred stroked his nose and +patted his neck, and the horse showed his pleasure at receiving the +endearments.</p> + +<p>When the youths made their halt and cooked their supper they were on the +edge of the grassy plateau for which they were hunting, and whose +features they would have been quick to recognize were the sun shining. +Soon after, Jack's pony came out of the gloom as if to claim attention, +and he received it.</p> + +<p>"We are more fortunate than I dared hope," said Jack; "here we are at +home, after all. I wonder whether Hank is ahead of us?"</p> + +<p>This was unlikely, since, if he had reached the spot fixed upon as their +headquarters, he would have kindled a fire, whereas it was dark in every +direction. The partial cavern was on the other side of the plateau, and +the boys walked rapidly to it, the route being clear, now that they had +located themselves.</p> + +<p>They appreciated the wisdom of Hank, who had made them help gather +enough firewood to last through the night. He said (what proved to be +the fact) that they were not likely to return till late, when it would +be hard to collect the right kind of fuel.</p> + +<p>In a brief while a second fire was under way. It was started in front of +the cavern, which was of so slight extent that it received and held much +of the warmth. Seated within the opening, with their heavy blankets +wrapped about them, the boys were thoroughly comfortable. They had met +with enough stirring adventure and had had sufficient rough experience +to make the rest highly acceptable. They naturally wondered when nine +o'clock passed without bringing Hank Hazletine.</p> + +<p>"Maybe he has lost his way in the canyon," suggested Fred, giving +expression to a fancy which was not serious.</p> + +<p>"You mean that he has forgotten where the stairs lead up to the top?"</p> + +<p>"I guess that's what I mean, though I never thought of it before. If +that is the fact, he may have to pick his way for two or three hundred +miles to the mouth of the canyon and then walk back to us."</p> + +<p>"That will delay his arrival."</p> + +<p>"Yes. He can hardly be expected before morning."</p> + +<p>"Let me see," said Jack, becoming more serious; "Hank warned us that no +matter where we went into camp, we must keep one person on duty as +sentinel."</p> + +<p>"Suppose we are separated, and there is only one of us in camp?"</p> + +<p>"Then, I presume, he must sit up and watch over himself. But what's the +use of one of us keeping guard here?"</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"We are in this cavern-like arrangement, where no one can come upon us +from the rear, while the fire will ward off danger from the front."</p> + +<p>"Suppose that danger comes in the form of an Indian; what would he care +for half a dozen fires?"</p> + +<p>"But there are no unfriendly Indians in these parts."</p> + +<p>"You are thinking of Motoza. We have agreed that he is friendly, but +sometimes I suspect we are making a mistake about him."</p> + +<p>The boys would have been glad to convince themselves that it was safe to +dispense with guard duty, for a night of undisturbed rest was +exceedingly tempting, but no one who starts out with the set purpose of +deceiving himself can do so. The result of it all was that the two +decided that they must stand guard between them until the sun rose.</p> + +<p>On such occasions the sentinel whose turn comes first has the preferable +task, since every one will admit that it is easier to keep awake before +midnight than afterward. The division was made more equitable by +arranging that Jack Dudley should serve until two o'clock, and Fred +Greenwood for the remainder of the morning. Before the hour of ten the +younger lay down on the flinty floor, with his heavy blanket gathered +around him, and sank into slumber. They had matched pennies for the +first turn, else the elder would not have claimed it.</p> + +<p>Jack found his duty similar in many respects to that of his first night +on the prairie, but the surroundings and circumstances were in wide +contrast. In the former instance they had the companionship of the +cowman and veteran hunter, while now they could not know whether he was +within a half-dozen miles of them. Jack, however, did not believe that +anything in the nature of danger impended, and that to a great extent he +was taking upon himself an unnecessary hardship.</p> + +<p>So far as he could judge, the only possible thing to fear was wild +animals. There were always some of them prowling through this region, +but at that season of the year the wolves and other brutes were not +pressed by hunger, and no matter how fierce the creature, he would not +attempt to pass the mouth of the cavern so long as the fire was burning. +Jack flung a number of sticks on the blaze and then passed outside, +where he was beyond the circle of light. Standing thus, in the gloom of +the night, he felt that the experience of that hour was worth the +journey across the continent.</p> + +<p>There was an impressive grandeur in the solitude that he had never felt +before. On every side towered the immense peaks of one of the loftiest +spurs of the grandest mountain chain of America. The crests resembled +piles of blackness, with the stars gleaming behind them, while he, an +insignificant atom, stood with gun by his side in one of the tiny +hollows, as if to guard against attack from the sleeping monsters.</p> + +<p>As is always the case, the stillness of the vast solitude seemed unlike +silence, for a low, deep murmur was ever brooding in the air, varied now +and then by the soft voice of some waterfall, borne across the vasty +depths by an eddy in the gentle wind. Once the bark of a wolf sounded so +sharp and clear that the youth started and looked to one side, expecting +to see the animal steal forward from the gloom, but a moment's +reflection told him the brute was a mile or more distant. Then, some +time later, a mournful, wailing cry rose and fell from some remote +point. He suspected that that, too, came from the throat of a wolf, but +he was not sure.</p> + +<p>Just a touch of homesickness came over Jack Dudley, and he felt lonely +for the first time since leaving home. As he looked up at the clear sky +he wondered whether his father and mother were well and asleep; whether +they were dreaming of him; whether they missed him from that loved home +and longed for the day when he should return to them.</p> + +<p>"Suppose something happens that will prevent my ever seeing them?" he +said to himself, while the tears filled his eyes. "I thought when I +believed that rattlesnake had bitten me to-day that death was sure; and +I was near it, though I was unharmed. We are in more danger here than I +expected; but we are in danger every hour, no matter where we are. I +hope nothing will befall Fred or me."</p> + +<p>And standing alone in the midst of that wild, rugged scene, he silently +lifted his heart to the only One who could protect and save them from +the hundreds of perils that beset them.</p> + +<p>His eye was fixed on the stupendous mountain beyond the plateau, at +whose base wound the canyon, when he observed a growing light on its +crest. The twinkling stars beyond grew dimmer, and the white blanket of +snow that had lain there for centuries rapidly came out in bolder +relief, until it sparkled and gleamed much as he had seen it do when the +sun was shining. Then a curved yellow rim emerged from behind the +mountain, its climbing of the sky so rapid that the progress was readily +noted. In a brief while the whole form of the round full moon appeared +clear of the peak, and its silvery rays began filling the gorges and +chasms below.</p> + +<p>The scene was picturesque and beautiful beyond description. As the moon +climbed higher, the lower peaks, one after the other, leaped into view, +while the hollows between became blacker and more awesome from contrast. +Most of these were so deep that the illumination made them appear +stronger by the contrast. As the orb ascended it seemed to shrink in +size and to climb more slowly; but the shifting of the wonderful +panorama, progressing as it did in complete silence, was impressive to +the last degree.</p> + +<p>It was as if the angels of the sky were noiselessly casting their fleecy +veils of light over and into the awful depths below, and driving away +the crouching monster of blackness that was thus roused from his slumber +and forced to flee. Grand as was the scene, it was soothing in its +effect upon the awed lad, who, leaning against the rock behind him, the +stock of his rifle resting at his feet, surveyed it all with feelings +that drew him nearer to heaven, and gave him a more vivid knowledge of +the greatness and majesty of the Author of all that he saw and felt.</p> + +<p>Standing thus, with his emotions stirred to their profoundest depths, +Jack Dudley took no note of the passage of time. Midnight came and +passed, and still he held his post, wondering, admiring and worshipping, +as must puny man when brought face to face with such exhibitions of +Omnipotence.</p> + +<p>It was an unromantic ending to this experience that, forgetful of the +consequences of what he did, he finally became sensible of the +irksomeness of his standing position, and sat down, with his back to the +rock, that he might enjoy it all without fatigue of body.</p> + +<p>Need it be said what followed? He had not been seated ten minutes when +his senses left him and he became as unconscious as Fred Greenwood, +asleep in the cavern, on the other side of the smouldering fire. The +hours passed until the light of the moon paled before the rosy hues of +the rising sun, and still the boys slumbered and knew naught of what was +passing around them.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<h3>THE SIGNAL-FIRES.</h3> + + +<p>Jack Dudley was awakened by the sound of laughter. Opening his eyes, he +stared about him confusedly, unable for some moments to recall his +situation. Fred Greenwood stood in front of him, shaking so much with +mirth that he could scarcely stand.</p> + +<p>"O faithful sentinel!" he said; "how well thou hast kept thy trust!"</p> + +<p>"I don't see anything to laugh at," replied Jack, rising to his feet and +rubbing his eyes; "you would have done the same if you had been in my +place."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps I should, and then the laugh would have been on me. But we have +cause to be thankful that, while no harm has come to us, we have had a +good night's rest. I suppose you dropped into slumber almost as soon as +I did."</p> + +<p>"No, I didn't," persisted the elder; "I stood here a long time, but made +the mistake of sitting down for a few minutes, just before it was time +to call you. I ought to have known better, and shall never do the like +again."</p> + +<p>"Well, we have been fortunate and it has taught us both a lesson. Let's +attend to our toilet and have breakfast."</p> + +<p>They laved their faces and hands in the cold stream of clear water +running near them, combed their hair, stretched and limbered arms and +legs by a series of gymnastics to which they were accustomed, and then, +returning to the mouth of the cavern, found, by raking over the ashes, +that enough live embers remained to broil the venison more acceptably +than any meal that had been prepared since coming to the region.</p> + +<p>By that time Jack had recovered his usual good nature, and was as ready +to jest as his companion over his dereliction of duty.</p> + +<p>"I don't know what time it was when I fell asleep," he said, "but it +must have been past midnight. The moon had risen over that high mountain +yonder, and I was admiring the wonderful picture its rays made as they +shot out over the lower peaks and lit up the chasms between. I never saw +anything so beautiful."</p> + +<p>"You ought to have called me to share the pleasure with you."</p> + +<p>"I have no doubt it was time to do so, but I knew you preferred to sleep +rather than look upon Niagara Falls or the Yellowstone."</p> + +<p>"If so, I am not the only younker, as Hazletine says, who has such a +preference. That reminds me, Jack, that it's mighty lucky we are not +vegetarians."</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"What should we do for our meals? So long as we stay in these mountains +we must live on game. This seasoning that Hank was thoughtful enough to +give us makes it palatable, but coffee, bread and a few vegetables would +help a good deal."</p> + +<p>"It doesn't make much difference, so long as we are blessed, or rather +tortured, with such appetites as we have had ever since we struck +Wyoming."</p> + +<p>From where they sat at the mouth of the cavern they saw all three of +their ponies cropping the succulent grass. It was evident that nothing +could add to their enjoyment of this outing.</p> + +<p>Naturally the boys speculated over the absence of their guide.</p> + +<p>"He must have expected to spend the night with us. And, Fred, perhaps it +will be just as well, when he does come, that we don't tell him how I +passed the time when trying to act the sentinel."</p> + +<p>"I surely shall not, unless he questions us so closely that we cannot +help letting him know the truth."</p> + +<p>"He will have a small opinion of us."</p> + +<p>"Why of '<i>us</i>?'"</p> + +<p>"Because you would have done the same as I."</p> + +<p>"That has not yet been proven."</p> + +<p>"Well, say 'myself,' if that suits better."</p> + +<p>"It is a very good amendment. I wonder whether anything can have +befallen him?"</p> + +<p>"He is too much of a veteran to make such blunders as we."</p> + +<p>"That is true, and yet the most skilful hunter in the world is liable to +accident. What's frightened the ponies?"</p> + +<p>One of the animals had raised his head, with the grass dripping like +green water from his jaws, and was looking off to the side of the +plateau as if he scented danger of some kind. He was near the further +boundary, thus being considerably removed from the boys, who grasped +their Winchesters and rose to their feet.</p> + +<p>"It's Hank's horse," said Jack, in an undertone; "the others do not seem +to be interested in what disturbs him."</p> + +<p>"And there comes Hank himself!" was the delighted exclamation of Fred, +as they saw their old friend step into view from behind the rocks and +walk with his peculiar silent stride toward them.</p> + +<p>The movement of the beard under the broad sombrero showed that the guide +was smiling, and doubtless he was as pleased as the boys over the +meeting. He advanced with the same lengthy step and extended his hand +with his hearty "Howdy?" to each in turn.</p> + +<p>"Glad to see you, younkers; you seem to have got along as well without +me as if I'd been with you."</p> + +<p>"Nothing has come amiss; but, Hank, we're glad indeed to see you."</p> + +<p>"Where did you git your breakfast?" he asked, glancing at the signs of +the meal of which they had partaken.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I thought it best yesterday afternoon to shoot a buck," said Fred, +airily; "for the main thing for us to do in this part of the world is to +look out that we don't starve to death."</p> + +<p>"You shot a buck, eh? How was it?"</p> + +<p>Thereupon the younger lad gave the particulars of the incident. Hank +listened attentively, and when he learned of the part played by Motoza, +the vagrant Sioux, his interest deepened.</p> + +<p>"So that scamp is in the mountains? I s'pected it; he claimed to have +shot the buck and wouldn't divide till Jack took a hand. Why did you let +him have any of it?"</p> + +<p>"Because he had the right. I thought it was my shot that killed the +game, but the bullet only grazed one of his antlers; it was Motoza who +killed the buck, and he was entitled to him. Have you been to +breakfast?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied the veteran, whose manner showed that he was displeased +with the story he had just heard.</p> + +<p>"Hank," said Jack, "why did Motoza give us any of the venison?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," was the unexpected reply; "I'd give a good deal to +know."</p> + +<p>"Do you suppose he was frightened when he found there were two instead +of one to face?"</p> + +<p>"It looks that way, but I can't believe it. The Sioux is a scamp mean +enough to do anything; but he has grit, and I don't believe that two +young tenderfeet like you could scare him."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he felt a respect and friendship for Jack because of what took +place in the grove on the prairie," suggested Fred.</p> + +<p>The boys expected their friend to ridicule this idea, but he did not. On +the contrary, he admitted that it was the most reasonable explanation +that presented itself; and because of this admission, both of the lads +were confirmed in their faith that the right cause had been named.</p> + +<p>"One of you stood guard last night while the other slept?"</p> + +<p>The question was so abrupt that Jack's face flushed. Fred was silent, +but his comrade thought the best course was to make a clean breast of +it, and he did so. Hank won the gratitude of the boys by not uttering a +word of reproof or showing any displeasure. More than that, he made the +astounding comment:</p> + +<p>"I'm glad you slept most of the night."</p> + +<p>The two looked at him in astonishment.</p> + +<p>"If the Sioux meant you harm, you gave him the best chance in the world. +He carries as good a repeating Winchester as yours, and there was +nothing to keep him from stealing up in the night and shooting you both; +or, if he liked the knife better, it would have been the easiest thing +in the world for him to wipe you out when your eyes was closed."</p> + +<p>This was a view of the matter that had not presented itself to the +youths, for the reason, as will be remembered, that they had accepted +the friendship of Motoza as a fact.</p> + +<p>"But he could have followed and picked us off when we were on our way +here," suggested Jack.</p> + +<p>"Yes, he's had all the chances he wanted."</p> + +<p>"Then it's safe to set Motoza down as a friend?"</p> + +<p>But Hank shook his head.</p> + +<p>"The safest thing to do when an Indian is afore the house is to set him +down as an enemy waiting for a chance to lift your scalp. That +confounded Sioux is one of the cunningest imps that ever stole a white +man's pony or helped to stampede a drove of cattle. Everything that he's +done since we come into the mountains looks as if he was a friend to us +all. I can't help saying that, but it mustn't be furgot that the whole +bus'ness may be meant to close our eyes, and that he's got some deviltry +in mind back of it all, that neither of you younkers has thought about."</p> + +<p>"Have <i>you</i> thought of it?"</p> + +<p>The hunter would not reply to this direct question except to say:</p> + +<p>"We'll have to wait and see."</p> + +<p>And so Jack and Fred were left as much in doubt as before; but, it may +be added, with their belief in the friendship of the Sioux unshaken. +They reasoned that their guide was so accustomed to seeing the worst +side of the red men that he found it hard to believe any good of them. +As for themselves, they would feel no further anxiety over the enmity of +Motoza, for had he not shown the best possible proof that could be asked +of his good-will?</p> + +<p>Inasmuch as Hank had given them a series of surprises by his questions +and remarks, Jack Dudley now turned the tables on him by saying:</p> + +<p>"Yesterday afternoon, when we looked down into that deep canyon over +yonder, we shouted to you at the bottom, but suppose the noise of the +water prevented your hearing us. At any rate, you gave us no attention."</p> + +<p>The hunter was astonished, as he showed by his start and inquiring look.</p> + +<p>"So you seen me, did you?"</p> + +<p>"We did, and wondered what you were doing there."</p> + +<p>Hank laughed in his silent way, as if it were all a joke, but did not +offer any explanation. Evidently he had some business down there, but, +like most of his kind, was not inclined to make known his secrets when +the necessity did not exist.</p> + +<p>"What a tremendous climb that was! And it must have been dangerous to +pick your way down the side of the canyon."</p> + +<p>"I s'pose it would have been if I'd done it, but I didn't."</p> + +<p>"Then the canyon cannot be as extended as we thought?"</p> + +<p>"That depends on how long you thought it was. As near as I can find out, +it is between sixty and seventy miles."</p> + +<p>Not wishing to persist in speaking in riddles, Hank added:</p> + +<p>"Howsumever, though it's as long as I said, there's a break not fur +away, where the banks ain't more than a few feet above the stream. The +break isn't large, but it don't have to be. You obsarved that the stream +runs into the mountains. It seems to be making a dive fur t'other side, +as if it meant to make fur the Pacific, but it gives it up and comes +back after a while, and finds its way into the Wind River, and so on to +the Big Horn and the Missouri."</p> + +<p>"Then you came up the canyon from the break and went back again?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't say that. I come up to where you seed me, but instead of going +back I climbed the side to the top."</p> + +<p>"Gracious, what a task! It must be a thousand feet."</p> + +<p>"It isn't much less, but the sides of the canyon are so rough that it's +just like so many steps. I've done it often, and ain't the only one. +Bart and Mort tried both ways and like the climb better, though Kansas +Jim would never take it. Don't furgit one thing, younkers. When you have +a job like that afore you it's a good deal easier to climb up than it is +to climb down. If you should find yourself at the bottom of the canyon +and hit the right spot, you'll larn that the work is easier going up +than you think, but it's too resky going down for any one to try."</p> + +<p>The boys hoped their friend would tell them why he had entered the +gorge, when the act at best was exhausting and accompanied by more or +less peril, but he ignored their curiosity, and they did not feel +warranted in questioning him. When he thought it well he would tell +them, and they could afford to wait until then.</p> + +<p>The day was as perfect in its way as its predecessor. The blue sky +showed only a few fleecy clouds at wide intervals, and the sun shone +with a strength that made its warmth perceptible even in that elevated +region. The boys began to feel impatient to be moving. A good many days +yet remained to them, but they were all too few to satisfy their longing +for the inspiriting life they had entered upon with so much zest.</p> + +<p>As the three stood, the backs of Jack and Fred were toward the cavern, +in which the fire had been burning, while the hunter faced them. He now +turned and looked off over the wild, precipitous mountains by which they +were surrounded. The youths, who were observing him, saw him fix his +eyes on a point to the right, at which he gazed so long and steadily +that it was evident he had discovered something of more than usual +interest. Following the same direction they looked keenly, but were +unable to detect anything out of the ordinary.</p> + +<p>Despite his own fixity of gaze, Hank noted what they were doing, and +turning abruptly toward them, asked:</p> + +<p>"Do you obsarve anything 'tic'lar?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing more than what we have seen," replied Jack. "There are the +mountain peaks, most of them reaching above the snow-line; the dark +masses below; the scrubby pines, with more abundant vegetation, still +further down."</p> + +<p>"Do you see that crag that juts out from the side of the lower part of +that peak?" asked Hank, extending his hand in the direction indicated.</p> + +<p>Thus aided, both boys looked at the exact spot. It was below the +snow-line, where only a few of the rocks showed, because of the numerous +pines which grew luxuriantly; but, keen as was their eyesight, they were +unable to detect the first sign of moving thing or life.</p> + +<p>"Try your glasses on it," said Hank.</p> + +<p>The boys brought the instruments round in front and levelled them at the +point of interest. As they did so they made a discovery. From the very +centre of the clump of wood rose a thin, shadowy line of vapor, which +was dissolved in the clear air before it ascended more than a few feet +above the tree-tops.</p> + +<p>"So you obsarve it at last," said the hunter, after they had told what +they saw. "Wal, now study it closer, and tell me if you notice anything +queer 'bout the same."</p> + +<p>Wondering what he could mean, they did as he requested. A minute later +Fred said:</p> + +<p>"The smoke does not ascend steadily; first it shows plainly, then there +is none, and then it shows again."</p> + +<p>"Seems to keep it up, eh?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, like the puffs from the smoke-stack of a locomotive, only they are +a great deal slower," explained Jack; "but the smoke soon dissolves in +the clear air."</p> + +<p>"Not soon enough, though, to keep you from obsarving what we've been +talking about?"</p> + +<p>"No; it is too plain to be mistaken."</p> + +<p>"Did you ever see the smoke of a camp-fire act like that?"</p> + +<p>"Never; have you?"</p> + +<p>"Many a time; that's an Injin signal-fire."</p> + +<p>This was interesting, but caused nothing in the nature of fear on the +part of the boys. It was Fred who remarked:</p> + +<p>"The Indians must be signaling to some one."</p> + +<p>"Exactly."</p> + +<p>"It can't be to <i>us</i>?"</p> + +<p>"Not much; it's to another party of Injins, and that other party is +calling back to 'em. See whether you can find t'other signal."</p> + +<p>The boys moved the points of their glasses back and forth and up and +down, but it was not until their guide again pointed out the right spot +that they located the second signal. Indeed the vapor was so fine and +feathery that it was wonderful how Hank himself had been so quick to +note it.</p> + +<p>The points were of about the same elevation, and separated by a distance +of some two miles. Peak and valley, gorge and canyon, rock and boulder +in profusion lay between. No doubt could remain that two parties of +Indians were telegraphing messages back and forth, and that they were +understood by each party.</p> + +<p>As yet the boys failed to see that the matter was of any special concern +to them, though it was interesting to know that they were not the only +ones who were hunting in that section.</p> + +<p>"I suppose," said Jack, "that the parties are from the reservation and +are signaling to each other about the game."</p> + +<p>"That may be," replied Hank, after some hesitation, "but I ain't quite +sure <i>we</i> ain't the game they're signaling 'bout."</p> + +<p>"They wouldn't dare disturb us!" exclaimed Fred.</p> + +<p>"Not in the open; but don't furgit what I obsarved to you some time ago +that an Injin, when he feels purty sartin of not being found out, ain't +to be trusted. Now, younkers, I may be all wrong, but if I am, nothing +won't be lost by acting as if I was right; whereas if I'm right and we +don't act that way, the mischief will be to pay."</p> + +<p>"How shall we make sure?"</p> + +<p>"By keeping our eyes open; when we're hunting fur game, look out that +some of the redskins ain't hunting fur us. I think that confounded +Motoza has a finger in this pie."</p> + +<p>Without explaining further, the hunter rested the stock of his gun on +the ground and leaned upon it in profound meditation. He paid no +attention to his companions, but continued gazing in the direction of +the first signal-fire he had noticed, and was evidently turning over +some scheme in his mind.</p> + +<p>Had he been alone he would have given no further attention to the signs, +which might mean nothing or a good deal, for he felt able to take care +of himself, no matter in what situation he was placed; but he considered +that to a large extent the safety of the two boys, who were totally +without experience in these solitudes, rested upon him. He must take no +chances that were avoidable.</p> + +<p>"Younkers," he suddenly said, rousing himself, "I must larn more 'bout +this bus'ness; I'm off; don't go so fur from this place that you can't +git back to-night; I'll be here and have some news fur you."</p> + +<p>And with this parting he strode across the plateau on his way deeper +into the mountains.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<h3>A KING OF THE FOREST.</h3> + + +<p>The boys remained standing at the mouth of the cavern until the guide +disappeared on the other side of the little plateau. Then they looked at +each other and smiled.</p> + +<p>"Well, it appears that we are to have another day to ourselves," said +Jack; "and we can't gain anything by waiting, so let's be off."</p> + +<p>Nothing could be more satisfactory to Fred, and the two took nearly the +same course as their friend, who passed from sight but a short time +before. They had no intention, however, of following him, for that would +have been displeasing to the veteran, who, had he desired their company, +would have asked for it.</p> + +<p>Without any definite object in mind, they took substantially the route +of the previous afternoon. Sooner than they anticipated, they found +themselves on the margin of the canyon that had been the scene of so +stirring an experience, but the point where they reached it was deeper +in the mountains.</p> + +<p>"Jack, we can't be very far from that break that Hank spoke of; let's +hunt it up."</p> + +<p>"I am willing; but before we do so we'll peep over the side, to see +whether he or anyone else is there."</p> + +<p>No change was to be noted in the appearance of the tiny stream at the +enormous depth, but neither friend nor stranger was in sight. They did +not expect to see any one, and began moving along the side of the +stupendous fissure in their search for the place where Hank had entered +it. From what he said it could not be far off, but they were +disappointed before reaching the right point. A gradual descent of the +sides was notable, and continued until the depth of the canyon was +decreased one-half, while the roar became more audible.</p> + +<p>"We can't be far from the break," said Jack; "that is, if this descent +continues."</p> + +<p>They found, however, a few minutes later, that it did not continue, but +began to increase, until they were fully as elevated above the bottom of +the gorge as at the point where they had leaped it. The width also +varied continually, sometimes being only three or four feet, while in +others it expanded to nearly ten times that extent. They did not pause +to look over the margin again, for their aim was to reach the place +referred to by their friend.</p> + +<p>At the moment when they began to wonder whether a mistake had not been +made they came upon the break. Both banks sloped downward so abruptly +that it would have been laborious for the two to work their way to the +bottom, or from the bottom to the top, though the masses of boulders, +with the tough pines growing almost the whole distance, offered secure +foothold.</p> + +<p>The picture was an interesting one. At the point where the stream issued +from the canyon, its width was about twenty yards. It flowed swiftly, +but quickly slackened its pace, since its expansion was fully a hundred +feet. This flowed for probably double that distance, when the high banks +again appeared, and what may be called the regular canyon was resumed.</p> + +<p>Jack and Fred sat down to survey the curious picture. They noticed that +the canyon seemed to be dotted at intervals with rocks, some of which +rose to a considerable height above the current. Many were near one side +or the other, while others were in the middle of the swift stream, which +dashed against them with a violence that threw the spray and foam high +in air. It was easy to believe that Hank Hazletine had made his way up +the canyon by leaping from rock to rock, with little more result than +the wetting of his shoes.</p> + +<p>"It might be done in the daytime," said Jack, "but I should not want to +try it at night."</p> + +<p>"The water must be very deep in many places; and flows so fast that the +strongest swimmer couldn't help himself. I should prefer to climb the +wall, as Hank did."</p> + +<p>"But that would be dangerous in the darkness."</p> + +<p>"The best thing we can do is to do neither," observed Fred, with a +laugh. "I have a good deal of curiosity to know what led Hank to pick +his way up the canyon, but I haven't enough to lead me to follow +him——"</p> + +<p>Jack Dudley suddenly gripped the arm of his friend and drew him back +from the boulder on which they had been sitting. Fred nearly lost his +balance, and did not know what to make of the proceeding until both +checked themselves at a safe distance and cautiously peeped forth. Then +the cause of Jack's excitement became apparent.</p> + +<p>From the pines on the other side of the stream, and near the middle of +the depressed portion, three Indians stepped into view. The first +anxiety of the youths was to learn whether Motoza was one of them; but +he was not. All were strangers.</p> + +<p>They were dressed much the same as the vagrant Sioux, and, like him, +their faces were painted, and their coarse black hair dangled loosely +about their shoulders. They were armed with rifles; but two of the +weapons seemed to be the long, old-fashioned muzzle-loaders, while the +third carried a Winchester. Although they emerged from the pines in +Indian file, they spread apart and walked beside one another to the edge +of the broad stream, where they stopped, as if that were the end of +their journey.</p> + +<p>Their gestures showed they were talking energetically, though of course +not the slightest murmur reached the youths, who took care to screen +themselves from view while cautiously peeping forth. Even after the +warning words of their guide they felt no special alarm, for they +believed the red men were from the reservation near by, and would not +harm any one. If they attempted it, Jack and Fred felt they had the +advantage of position, sheltered behind the rocks, far above their +enemies, down upon whom they could fire with their Winchesters, should +the necessity arise.</p> + +<p>It was quite certain that the three belonged to one of the hunting +parties whose signal-smoke the boys had seen earlier in the day. Their +action was curious. They did not look up the bank, so that the boys +might have been more careless without being discovered; but it was +apparent that two of them were arguing with the third, who was more +excited than either of his companions. Finally he turned away and made +as if to pass up the canyon, after the manner of Hank Hazletine. He +leaped out upon one of the rocks, then bounded as lightly to another, +and then to a third, which took him within the canyon. The others +watched him without protest or action.</p> + +<p>Evidently the Indian who had started off so hurriedly was more impulsive +than his companions, for after his third leap he remained standing on +the rock; and, although it would have been easy for him to spring to the +next leading up the canyon, he refrained from doing do. Instead, he +looked around, and then deliberately rejoined his friends, who showed no +surprise over his reverse movement. They spoke only a few words to one +another, when they moved back in Indian file toward the growth of pines, +among which they passed from sight and were seen no more.</p> + +<p>"That was a queer performance," remarked Jack; "it looked to me as if +that first fellow wanted his companions to go up the canyon with him, +and when they refused he started off by himself."</p> + +<p>"Only to change his mind."</p> + +<p>"There can be no doubt of that; but it strikes me as strange that there +should be something up there to attract them as well as Hank."</p> + +<p>"Some day Hank will tell us about it. Do you observe, young man, that +the forenoon is well along and we haven't had a sight of any game?"</p> + +<p>With no thought of the Indians whom they had just seen, the boys began +retracing their steps. Inasmuch as it was on the other side of the gorge +that they had gained the shot at the buck, the feeling was strong that +they should pass it again and push their hunt in that direction.</p> + +<p>It did not require long to find a spot where the fissure was easily +leaped. In fact, the exploit was becoming quite an everyday thing with +them.</p> + +<p>"We are not far from the spot where we killed that rattler yesterday," +said Fred, recognizing several landmarks. "I wonder whether there are +any more near us——"</p> + +<p>At that instant Fred uttered a gasp and leaped several feet from the +ground, while his companion was hardly a second behind him. Both had +heard the well-remembered whir at the same moment, and bounded away +several steps before pausing to look back.</p> + +<p>Remarkable as it might seem, a second specimen of the <i>crotalus</i>, fully +as large as the other, lay on the flat surface of a rock only a few +inches above the ground. Evidently it was sunning itself when thus +disturbed by the approach of the young hunters, at sight of whom it +threw itself into coil. The boys were not in danger, for the warning was +sounded while they were still a number of paces distant.</p> + +<p>Feeling safe, they stood still and surveyed the hideous thing. They +agreed that it was larger than the other, and seemed to be darker in +color. But for the fact that the reptiles were on opposite sides of the +canyon, it might be believed they were mates. The head and tail were +elevated, the latter vibrating with the swift, hazy appearance at the +end of the rattles which they had noted before.</p> + +<p>Jack repeated the oft-quoted expression: "The heel of the woman shall +bruise the serpent's head," and added: "I suppose nine persons out of +every ten, when they see any kind of a snake, are seized with an impulse +to kill it."</p> + +<p>"Even though many are harmless and useful."</p> + +<p>"I think the best use you can put a rattlesnake to is to blow him into +smithereens, which is what I am going to do."</p> + +<p>As he spoke, Jack brought his Winchester to a level and sighted +carefully at the pitted head of the serpent. He was deliberate, and did +not press the trigger until sure his aim was accurate to a hair.</p> + +<p>Fred kept his eye on that head. At the instant the sharp crack of the +rifle rang out the frightful object vanished, and the long body broke +into fierce writhings. Jack had clipped off the head as neatly as if +with the blow of a scimitar, the bullet shattering the neck just below, +and at its narrowest portion.</p> + +<p>"That's as well as I could have done myself," commented Fred, as his +friend lowered his weapon and watched the struggles of his victim, which +quickly ceased, for, as has been said, the <i>crotalus</i> species is easily +killed, and when one of them has been decapitated he cannot keep up +appearances very long.</p> + +<p>When it became certain the reptile was dead the boys drew near for a +closer inspection. They counted the rattles, which were seventeen in +number, proving the reptile of extraordinary size.</p> + +<p>"We didn't think to count those of the other," said Fred, "but I am sure +it was not so large as this."</p> + +<p>"No; but I wonder whether we are going to stumble over them at every +step?"</p> + +<p>"This is only the second one; we may not see another for a week."</p> + +<p>"I hope we shall not; but so long as they are kind enough to give us +notice of their intentions we ought to be able to avoid their bites."</p> + +<p>It looked as if their experience of the previous day was to be repeated, +for within a hundred yards from the spot an animal was discovered on a +rock, a considerable distance above them. Fred was the first to see it, +and exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"There's another buck, Jack! It's your turn."</p> + +<p>But before Jack could bring his weapon to a level the animal saw them +and was off like a flash. In fact they had no more than a glimpse of +it—barely enough to see that it had no antlers, and probably was not a +deer at all.</p> + +<p>"It isn't going to be as easy work as we thought," said Fred; "I +shouldn't be surprised if we fail to get a shot to-day."</p> + +<p>"Well, we shall have the fun of tramping ourselves tired. It seems to me +that when any sort of game shows itself it comes out in plain sight and +is not scared up by us. Let's sit down a while and watch things around +us."</p> + +<p>This singular proposal was acted upon. After picking their way some +distance further among the rocks they chose a seat, and then looked +searchingly here and there at the different elevations and prominent +points, in the hope of catching sight of some game which would give them +a shot before dashing off with headlong haste.</p> + +<p>"Right over that part of the mountain peak yonder," said Jack, pointing +at the place, "I saw the moon rise last night. I have watched it come +out of the ocean many a time, but never saw anything so beautiful +before."</p> + +<p>He described as best he could the impressive scene, while Fred listened, +and for the first time felt regret that he had not been awakened that +he, too, might have enjoyed the view.</p> + +<p>When he had studied the mountain peak for some minutes, he raised his +glass and surveyed it steadily for a while longer.</p> + +<p>"I thought so," he remarked; "turn your glass, Jack, in that direction."</p> + +<p>Jack did as requested, and saw to what his comrade referred. Perched on +the highest portion was an immense gray-headed eagle. Sailing thither +from the depths of space, he had paused for a while, with the grand view +spread out before him, and what a view it must have been!</p> + +<p>It was easy to identify the bird with the aid of their glasses, which +were kept pointed for some time at him.</p> + +<p>"I wonder whether he sees us?" said Fred.</p> + +<p>"There can be no doubt of it, for their eyes detect the smallest object +on a landscape. He is probably studying us with as much interest as we +are watching him."</p> + +<p>"Our rifles couldn't carry a ball half-way to him."</p> + +<p>"And what if they could? Would you wish to harm the emblem of our +country?"</p> + +<p>"No; unless he attacked us, which I don't think is likely. Halloo!"</p> + +<p>Just then the immense bird spread his wings and began skimming through +the air with majestic grace. More than that, he was coming in the +direction of the boys.</p> + +<p>"I believe he means to make a meal off of us!" exclaimed Fred; "we would +better be ready for him."</p> + +<p>"There's nothing to be frightened at. If he intends to attack us we have +only to wait until he is near, when we can puncture him."</p> + +<p>If the king of birds held any such intention he changed his mind. +Swooping far across the intervening space, seemingly aiming straight at +them, he suddenly changed his course, and, ascending high in the sky, +swept around in a wide circle and finally disappeared over the peak +where first seen.</p> + +<p>The boys sat for a while in silence, gazing away in the distance, where +the noble bird had vanished, half-expecting it to reappear and probably +press its attack; but it had taken its flight for good and was seen no +more.</p> + +<p>"I wonder whether we would have done any better if we had brought a dog +with us?" said Jack, beginning to feel a trifle discouraged over their +failure to secure a shot at any game.</p> + +<p>"I proposed bringing my dog, you remember, when we left home, but you +thought we could do better out here. Hank and the rest of them don't +seem to place much value on the animals in hunting. Did you hear that?"</p> + +<p>From some point not very far off came the report of a rifle, though +whether it was the weapon of Hank Hazletine or one of the Indians that +had been discharged, neither could guess.</p> + +<p>"Somebody else is in luck, and I don't see why we should not——"</p> + +<p>Before Fred could finish his sentence both heard the rustling of bushes +behind them. They turned on the instant, and saw a sight which held them +transfixed, for never had they expected to view anything of the kind.</p> + +<p>They had read and heard much of grizzly bears. They knew they grew to an +enormous size, and are the most formidable animals found in the great +West, but had they been told that there were such monsters as the one +before them they could not have believed it had it been related by +Hazletine himself.</p> + +<p>To Jack and Fred he seemed fully four times the size of the largest +black bear they had ever seen in any zoological garden. Had his legs +been longer, Fred Greenwood would have pronounced him the equal of Jumbo +himself.</p> + +<p>Where this Colossus among beasts had come from it was impossible to say, +but the terrifying fact was self-evident that he was advancing to attack +the boys!</p> + +<p>He must have caught sight of them as they sat on the rock with their +backs toward him, and, angered at the intrusion, he was sweeping down +upon them like a cyclone, furious and determined to crush them out of +existence.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="tbw003" id="tbw003"></a> +<img src="images/tbw003.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + + +<h3>"He was sweeping down upon them like a cyclone."</h3> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + +<p>The gait of the animal was awkward, but speedier even than the youths +suspected. He swung along with a swaying motion, and his claws, striking +the flinty rocks as he passed over them, rattled like iron nails. His +vast mouth was open, his long red tongue lolling out, and his white +teeth gleaming. As if no element of terror was to be omitted he uttered +a deep, cavernous growl at every step or two, while his comparatively +small black eyes seemed to glow with a savage light, altogether foreign +to the species.</p> + +<p>All this was taken in at the first glance of the boys, who, petrified +for one moment, realized in the next their fearful peril.</p> + +<p>"There's no time to shoot!" exclaimed Jack; "we must run!"</p> + +<p>"But he can run faster than we!" replied Fred, who stood his ground long +enough to bring his Winchester to his shoulder and let fly straight at +the front of the beast. That he struck the bear was certain, but it +served only to add to his towering rage, and he plunged forward without +halt.</p> + +<p>Jack had made no attempt to fire, but was running at headlong speed. +Fred was eager to thrust another cartridge into the chamber of his +Winchester from the magazine, but to do so would detain him until old +Ephraim was upon him, and even then it was not likely the bullet would +stay or affect his attack.</p> + +<p>Accordingly, instead of firing a second shot he whirled about and dashed +after Jack, who was thus placed about a rod in advance. Although the +ground was not favorable for running, it may be safely said that neither +Jack Dudley nor Fred Greenwood ever gave such an exhibition of speed. +They held fast to their rifles, for it looked as if the weapons were to +be their final reliance.</p> + +<p>Fred glanced over his shoulder to learn how he was making out in the +race. With an awful sinking he saw that the grizzly was gaining fast +upon him. Still he dared not pause long enough to fire, but redoubled +his energies, only to catch his foot in a running vine and plunge +forward on his face.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<h3>THE TUG OF WAR.</h3> + + +<p>Jack Dudley, being some paces in advance of Fred Greenwood, and alarmed +for him because of his greater peril, had slightly slackened his speed, +for he was not the one to seek safety at the expense of his comrade. The +instant he saw him fall he stopped short, and, wheeling about, fired at +the grizzly, and pumping a second cartridge into the chamber of his +Winchester, let fly again, both shots striking the beast, who was so +close that a miss was impossible.</p> + +<p>It need not be said that Fred, having pitched forward on his hands and +knees, did not remain thus. No hunter, even if a youth, gives up so long +as there is a fighting chance for life. He instantly leaped to his feet, +and a couple of bounds placed him beyond reach, for the moment, of his +terrible enemy.</p> + +<p>The bear seemed to understand who had wounded him last, and, although +closer to Fred than to his companion, he swerved to the left and headed +for Jack Dudley. The latter did not stay on the order of his going, but +made off at his highest speed. Brief as was the halt, it wrought a +complete change of situation. Whereas Fred had been in the greatest +danger, Jack was now thus placed, because the grizzly was closer to him. +Not only that, but, ignoring the younger lad, he gave his whole +attention to Jack.</p> + +<p>Events were going with such a rush that the boys were almost overwhelmed +before they could help themselves. Fred supposed the bear was at his +heels until, having run a couple of rods, he glanced over his shoulder +and saw the imminent peril of Jack. Then, with a thrill of alarm, he in +his turn checked his flight, and bringing his Winchester to a level +drove a bullet into the immense head of the brute, which by that time +had received a respectable amount of lead in his carcass.</p> + +<p>But "old Ephraim" seemed to have determined to dispose of the fugitives +in the reverse order of their ages; that is to say, having changed his +attentions to Jack Dudley, he did not mean to be diverted therefrom, +even though the younger lad was showing disagreeable interest in him.</p> + +<p>This peculiar turn of affairs gave Fred his favorable chance; and, +standing motionless, he continued his miniature bombardment as fast as +he could shove the cartridges into the chamber of his weapon, aim, and +fire. Surely the bullets, all of which found a lodgment somewhere in the +anatomy of the monster, must have produced an effect, but they could not +divert him from his main purpose. He bore down upon the apparently +doomed Jack Dudley as if he would not be denied.</p> + +<p>This fact caused Fred to be thrown partly to the rear, so that the +remarkable combat took the form of the grizzly pursuing one of the boys, +while the other boy was pursuing the grizzly. The position of Fred, +however, thus became unfavorable, for he was unable to aim at any +vulnerable portion of the creature. He continued firing into his body, +but the bullets produced no perceptible effect in this fight for life.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the situation of Jack Dudley became perilous to the last +degree. To stop and fire insured his certain seizure by the grizzly, who +would require but a moment to tear the life from him. Jack saw him so +near, indeed, that he did that which no person would do except in the +last extremity. He flung away his rifle, that it might not impede his +flight, and concentrated all his energies into the one effort of +running.</p> + +<p>He had no time to look where he was going. He could only strive with the +desperation of despair to preserve the distance between him and his +pursuer, in the faint hope that something would intervene to save him. +Fred was not only firing his gun as fast as he could, but he shouted to +the bear, in the hope of diverting his attention from Jack, who could +not keep up the unequal flight much longer.</p> + +<p>The terrified fugitive leaped over boulders, dashed around interposing +rocks, and bounded across open spaces, hardly daring to look over his +shoulder, for he knew from the sounds of pursuit that the animal was at +his heels. It seemed every moment as if the prodigious paw of the +grizzly would smite him to the earth, when no human power could save +him.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the fugitive, while dashing forward in this blind, headlong +fashion, found himself confronted by the canyon with which he and Fred +had already had a memorable experience. It yawned at right angles to the +course he was following, its width so great that it was impossible for +him to leap it at that point. But he knew there must be some such place, +and he continued his flight along the side of the chasm, hunting for a +spot that would permit him to reach the other bank.</p> + +<p>He did not stop to think how this could benefit him, for it was to be +supposed that if the grizzly could outrun he could also outleap him, and +the moment the fugitive landed on the further bank the brute would do +the same, without losing an inch of the advantage already gained. In +fact, Jack Dudley had no time to think of anything except to run with +all the vigor which nature had given him.</p> + +<p>All at once he saw a spot where the feat looked possible. There was no +time for him to turn off to gain the momentum, but, measuring the +interval with his eye, he gathered his muscles and leaped outward. The +jump was diagonal, and made under most difficult circumstances.</p> + +<p>Who shall describe the awful thrill that shot through Jack Dudley when, +at the moment of leaving the rocky edge of the rocky wall, he was sure +he was about to fail in his last effort? The other margin of the canyon +wall appeared to recede, and he uttered a despairing cry, certain that +the next instant he would go spinning down the frightful abyss.</p> + +<p>It is at such critical times that the question of life and death is +often decided by incidents so trifling that they are unnoticed. Had Jack +Dudley retained his Winchester in his grasp he would have been lost. It +would not have been alone the weight of the weapon, but its interference +with the free use of his hands. As it was, the latter were untrammeled, +and, though his feet missed a firm hold, he instinctively clutched the +craggy projections, and, with a supreme effort, drew himself over the +margin and beyond all danger of falling back into the canyon.</p> + +<p>And where, all this time, was old Ephraim?</p> + +<p>The remark just made concerning the effect of trifles was shown as +strikingly in his case as in that of the fugitive. Despite his enormous +weight and awkwardness of action, the grizzly without special exertion +could have made the leap that had just been exhibited before his eyes +had he been in his usual condition, but it has been shown that he had +been struck by several bullets. Though most of these inflicted little +more than flesh wounds, which under the circumstances were trifling, yet +others did effective work. This was especially the case with those that +found a lodgment in his head, which, big and tough as it was, lacked the +power of turning aside a rifle-ball, as the indurated back of an +alligator often does.</p> + +<p>It is to be supposed that the enraged grizzly did not comprehend the +possible weakening of his colossal power through the effect of these +pellets, and it is quite likely that even with such weakening he would +have accomplished the leap of the canyon, but for the interference of an +incident which cannot be considered in any other light than +providential.</p> + +<p>Fred Greenwood's anguish was for his companion, whom it seemed +impossible to help, despite the desperate effort he was making to do so. +He saw the grizzly lumbering after Jack, giving no heed to the shots he +sent after him, but steadily gaining upon the fugitive, whose fate hung +in the passing of the seconds. Fred knew what it meant when his friend +abruptly changed his course and began skirting the canyon in his frantic +hunt for a narrower place. The bear was so close upon him for several +paces that the terrified Fred stopped short, ceased shooting, and held +his breath, expecting the great beast to strike down his comrade. The +younger lad could do no more, and, staring at the two, he asked in agony +that heaven would not desert his friend.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Jack Dudley rose like a bird in air. At the instant the monster +was upon him he made the leap, landing on the further edge, as has been +told, and quickly scrambling upon solid foundation. Had he been ten +seconds later nothing could have saved him, for the grizzly showed no +more hesitation than he in making the jump.</p> + +<p>At the instant Fred read the brute's intention he brought his rifle to +his shoulder. Unsuspected by himself, the last cartridge in the magazine +of his Winchester was in the chamber of the weapon, so that, if it +failed to help, the service of the younger lad was at an end for the +time, for it would be all over before he could bring into use any +cartridges from his belt.</p> + +<p>To make the leap to which we have referred the grizzly changed his +position. Until that moment he had been running straight away from Fred, +but now, of necessity, he turned partly toward him. Recalling the words +of Hank Hazletine, Fred aimed at a point just back of the foreleg, as it +reached forward. The ball sped true to its aim, and entering, perhaps, +the most vulnerable point of the body, did more than all the other +bullets that had found a lodging-place in the grizzly, for it inflicted +a mortal wound.</p> + +<p>It was this fact that destroyed the effort of the bear at the crisis of +its inception. The attempt already put forth carried him well beyond the +side of the canyon, but it failed to land him firmly on the other +margin. His forepaws went over the top, precisely as the hands of Jack +Dudley had done, and began a furious scratching of the flinty surface, +while the hind feet clawed with equal fierceness the inner side of the +wall. The brute was striving to save himself, and it is to be presumed +would have done so but for the cause named.</p> + +<p>That last shot told the story. The shot had seriously weakened the bear, +and his mighty strength was fast oozing away. His struggles grew less +vigorous, though they continued up to the last moment. Jack Dudley had +become aware of what was going on, and, stopping in his flight, shouted:</p> + +<p>"Shoot him, Fred, before he can climb out!"</p> + +<p>Fred attempted to do so, but discovered he had no more cartridges at +command. Since the bear at best could not harm the younger, he ran +forward to the side of the canyon, just behind the beast. Jack had +paused, so that both were looking at the grizzly, whose huge head and +massive shoulders protruded above the edge of the canyon. While they +looked the head dropped from sight, followed by the forefeet, whose +claws scratched over the flinty surface as they slipped backward.</p> + +<p>Knowing what had occurred, Jack and Fred ran to the edge and looked +down. They were in time to see the mountainous bulk tumbling into the +vast chasm. The body maintained a horizontal posture, as in life, until +it struck a projecting point which sent it bounding against the other +side, where the impact added to the tendency of the first blow, and the +body turned over and over, like an immense log rolling down hill. +Despite the gloom of the abyss the sun was shining so brightly, and was +in such a favorable position, that everything was seen with +distinctness.</p> + +<p>Peering downward, the awed and grateful boys saw the black mass suddenly +strike the foamy waters and send the spray flying in all directions. It +disappeared for a moment and then popped up like a rubber-ball, and went +dancing down the current toward the break in the walls which they had +visited a brief while before.</p> + +<p>Still silent and watching, they observed it dancing up and down with the +violence of the stream until its motion was arrested by striking an +obstruction, which held it motionless. There it stayed for the remaining +minutes spent in peering into the abyss.</p> + +<p>Jack and Fred looked up and across the canyon at the same instant. They +were directly opposite, and hardly twelve feet apart. The elder took off +his hat and called:</p> + +<p>"Are you ready?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Fred, removing his head-gear.</p> + +<p>"All together!"</p> + +<p>And then they swung their hats and hurrahed with the vim which, all +things considered, was justified by events. They were happy and +grateful, and neither forgot to thank, with all the fervency of his +nature, the One who had delivered them in safety from the very jaws of +death. No matter what other dangers might come to them, there could be +none narrower or more striking than that through which they had just +passed.</p> + +<p>"Do you intend to stay on that side of the canyon?" asked Fred.</p> + +<p>"I don't know that there is any choice between our places, but if you +feel lonely I'll come over to your help."</p> + +<p>"I thought you might want to pick up the gun you threw away."</p> + +<p>Jack looked at each of his hands in turn and laughed.</p> + +<p>"Do you know I had forgotten all about that? I don't remember having +thrown it aside."</p> + +<p>"I saw you do it, and it was a lucky thing you did."</p> + +<p>The two walked beside the canyon until they came to a straight place, +where Jack easily made the leap and joined his friend. Then they set out +to recover the Winchester, which, as matters stood, was almost beyond +value to them.</p> + +<p>"I can't recall the spot where I dropped it," remarked Jack, allowing +his companion to take the lead.</p> + +<p>"I do; you and I were doing such tall running then, and for some minutes +afterward, that we covered more ground than would be supposed. That's +the spot, just ahead."</p> + +<p>He indicated an open space, thirty or forty feet in width, lying between +a ridge of boulders, over which it was astonishing how the fugitive had +managed to make such good progress.</p> + +<p>"We shall find it right there——"</p> + +<p>Fred checked his words, for at that moment they came upon the spot he +had in mind and both swept their gaze over it. Their dismay may be +imagined when they saw nothing of the Winchester.</p> + +<p>"You must be mistaken as to the place," said Jack.</p> + +<p>"I can't be; it was just after you had leaped down from that low boulder +that you gave your right arm a swing and away the gun went."</p> + +<p>"Did you notice where it landed?"</p> + +<p>"I can put my hand on the very spot."</p> + +<p>"Do so."</p> + +<p>Fred led the way a few paces and said:</p> + +<p>"It was there, and nowhere else."</p> + +<p>Jack bent over and carefully studied the earth.</p> + +<p>"My gracious! you are right; that dent in the ground was made by the +stock of my gun, and it couldn't have gone its own length further."</p> + +<p>The space was clear for several yards, and they would have discerned a +small coin lying anywhere on it, but nothing suggesting a weapon was in +sight.</p> + +<p>A momentary consternation took possession of them. Only one conclusion +was possible: some person had taken the Winchester.</p> + +<p>"Do you suppose it was Hank, who wanted to have some fun with us?" asked +Fred.</p> + +<p>Jack shook his head.</p> + +<p>"At any other time I might believe it, but Hank isn't one to look for +fun when the lives of two persons are in danger. It wasn't he."</p> + +<p>"Who, then, could it be?"</p> + +<p>Again Jack shook his head.</p> + +<p>"You know there are a number of Indians hunting in this neighborhood. +Some of them may have been near us, and, hearing our cries and the +reports of our guns, started to find out what it meant. Coming upon my +Winchester, they carried it off."</p> + +<p>This was the most reasonable explanation they could think of, but it did +not lessen their disappointment at the loss of the indispensable weapon.</p> + +<p>"I won't stand it!" exclaimed Jack, whose indignation was rising; "the +man who took that gun must give it back!"</p> + +<p>It was impossible to know in what direction to look for the pilferer, +but the youth's long strides led him toward the break in the walls of +the canyon where they had seen the three Indians earlier in the +forenoon. Whether it was reasonable to expect to find them, or rather +the thief, there, would be hard to say, but Jack did find the one for +whom he was looking.</p> + +<p>Half the intervening distance was passed, when he turned his head and +said in an excited undertone to his companion:</p> + +<p>"He's just ahead, and as sure as I live the thief is Motoza!"</p> + +<p>Before Fred, slightly at the rear, could gain sight of the Indian, Jack +broke into a lope and called:</p> + +<p>"Hold on there, Motoza! You have something that belongs to me."</p> + +<p>The dusky vagrant was alone and walking at a moderate pace from the +youth. Although he did not look around until hailed he must have known +he was followed, but he stopped short and wheeled about with a wondering +expression on his painted face.</p> + +<p>There could be no mistake by Jack Dudley, for Motoza was carrying two +Winchesters, one in either hand, and a glance enabled the youth to +recognize his own property.</p> + +<p>"Howdy, brother?" asked Motoza, with the old grin on his face.</p> + +<p>Jack was too angry to be tactful. He continued his rapid strides, and as +he drew near reached out his hand.</p> + +<p>"Never mind how I do; give me my rifle."</p> + +<p>But with the fingers of Jack almost on the weapon, Motoza shifted his +hand backward, so that the gun was held behind his body. He did not +stir, but continued grinning.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" demanded Jack, his face flushed, and his anger +greater than before; "didn't you hear me ask for my gun?"</p> + +<p>"Whooh! brother frow way gun—me pick him up—he mine."</p> + +<p>"I threw it down so as to have a better chance of getting away from the +grizzly bear; I intended to pick it up again. I know you are a great +thief, Motoza, but you can't steal that Winchester from me; hand it +over!"</p> + +<p>And Jack extended his hand again; but the Sioux persisted in keeping the +weapon behind him, though his own was in front, where the lad might have +been tempted to snatch it from his grasp.</p> + +<p>The youth was fast losing his self-command. He had learned the character +of this vagrant from Hazletine, and it was plain that he meant to retain +the valuable weapon, while Jack was equally determined he should not.</p> + +<p>"I tell you for the last time to give me my gun! <i>Do you hear?</i>"</p> + +<p>The demand was made in a loud voice and accompanied by a threatening +step toward the Indian, who showed no fear. The grin, however, had left +his face, and he recoiled a step with such a tigerish expression on his +ugly countenance that his assailant ought to have been warned of his +danger. Motoza, the Sioux, was ready to commit murder for the sake of +retaining that which did not belong to him.</p> + +<p>"Stop!" commanded Fred Greenwood, whom both seemed to have forgotten in +the flurry of the moment.</p> + +<p>The younger was standing a little to the rear and to one side, but his +Winchester, it will be remembered, was in his hand, and was now pointed +at the dusky scamp.</p> + +<p>"Motoza, if you want to preserve that sweet countenance of yours, hand +that gun to my friend before I let daylight through you!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<h3>A STRANGE OCCURRENCE.</h3> + + +<p>Once more Motoza had allowed an American youth to get the drop on him, +for he could not mistake the meaning of that command, nor the deeper +eloquence of the pose of Fred Greenwood with his rifle at a dead level. +The Sioux must have despised himself for his forgetfulness.</p> + +<p>But he had already proven the readiness with which he accepted a +situation, no matter how unwelcome. The hand that held the weapon of +Jack Dudley whipped round to the front with a deft movement, which, +however, was not quicker than the return of the grin to his countenance.</p> + +<p>"Motoza friend—he not want gun of brother," he remarked.</p> + +<p>"You wouldn't get it if you <i>did</i> want it," said Jack, not to be +mollified by this sudden change of front. Instead of accepting the +hypocritical proffer, the youth was imprudent enough to add, as he felt +his Winchester once more in his grasp:</p> + +<p>"You are the meanest thief in the country, Motoza, and this must be the +last time you try your hand on us."</p> + +<p>"Off with you!" added Fred, beginning to tire with the constraint of his +position; "good-by, Motoza, and I hope we shall not meet again."</p> + +<p>At the moment of obeying, the Sioux glanced at the lad who had thus +turned the tables on him. The expression of his face was frightful. +Ferocious hate, thirst for revenge and flaming anger shone through the +coat of paint and were concentrated on the younger of the youths. Fred +saw it and cared not, but Jack was so alarmed that he almost wished his +comrade would fire his weapon and thus shut out the fruition of the +horrible threat that gleamed through that look.</p> + +<p>It lasted, however, but an instant. Much in the same manner as in the +grove, when caught at a disadvantage by Jack Dudley, the Sioux walked +off and was quickly lost to view.</p> + +<p>Neither of the boys spoke for several minutes. Then Jack asked, in an +awed voice:</p> + +<p>"Did you see his face when he turned toward you just before walking +away?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; and I have seen handsomer ones."</p> + +<p>"You may make light of it, Fred, but I was much nearer than you, and +that expression will haunt me for many a day and night to come."</p> + +<p>To the astonishment of the elder, Fred began laughing, as if he found it +all very amusing. Jack, in surprise, asked the cause of his mirth.</p> + +<p>"If Motoza had only known the truth! There isn't a cartridge either in +the magazine or the chamber of my rifle, which reminds me."</p> + +<p>And still laughing, the younger proceeded to fill the magazine from his +belt and to put his Winchester in condition for immediate use.</p> + +<p>"We have been told many times, Jack, that the first thing to do after +firing a gun is to reload, and I see how much more important it is here +than at home."</p> + +<p>When Jack came to examine his weapon he found a half-dozen cartridges +remaining in the magazine, and he, too, placed the weapon in the best +form for use. They changed their position, returning to the spot where +the crisis had taken place with the grizzly, for both felt some +misgiving concerning the Sioux, who could not be far off.</p> + +<p>"Jack, what about the feelings of Motoza <i>now</i>?"</p> + +<p>"It begins to look as if Hank was right. I am sure the Indian doesn't +hold much friendship for either of us. He is bad clean through."</p> + +<p>"He may have some regard for <i>you</i>, but there wasn't much tender +affection in the last lingering look he gave <i>me</i>."</p> + +<p>Jack shuddered.</p> + +<p>"I never saw anything like it. If he had had the power he would have +killed you with that look. I feel like urging Hank, when we next see +him, to make a change of quarters."</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"That we may find some section where we are not likely to meet Motoza +again. I don't understand why so many Indians are off the reservation. +There must be a number of them that are friends of Motoza, and they will +try some other trick on us."</p> + +<p>"He has tried one or two already," replied Fred, much less impressed +with the danger than his friend.</p> + +<p>"True, we have had remarkably good fortune, but it can't last. Motoza +will learn to be more cunning next time."</p> + +<p>"If you feel that way, Jack, the best thing for us to do is to go home."</p> + +<p>"Your words are hardly worthy of you, Fred," replied Jack, hurt at the +slur.</p> + +<p>"I ask your pardon. I know it is your friendship for me that speaks, but +I cannot feel the fear that disturbs you. Suppose we drop the question +till we see Hank. We will let him know everything that has taken place +and rely upon him."</p> + +<p>This was a wise conclusion, but the fact remained that there was no +expectation of seeing their guide until night, which was a number of +hours distant, and, since the Indians were in the vicinity, there was +plenty of time for a great many things to happen. It would seem, indeed, +that the advantage was almost entirely on the side of Motoza, for, with +his superior woodcraft, he could keep track of the movements of the boys +without their discovering or suspecting his presence. Altogether, it +looked as if a meeting with their guide could not take place too soon.</p> + +<p>From a point perhaps a mile away came the faint report of a rifle, +followed in the same second by another report. The fact suggested more +than one startling supposition, but the youths were in no mood to +speculate thereon, for it will be admitted that the incidents of the +forenoon were sufficient to engage their thoughts.</p> + +<p>It was a hard fact, however, that when they looked at their watches and +found that it was noon, the most interesting subject that presented +itself was as to how they could secure the meal which they felt was +overdue.</p> + +<p>"Let's make a hunt in a different direction," said Fred. "It is best to +keep away from the neighborhood of those Indians, so far as we can +locate them from the shots we occasionally hear, for the game isn't +likely to stay where they are."</p> + +<p>"Off yonder to the north appears to be a valley," remarked Jack, after +the two had studied their surroundings for some minutes through their +glasses. "I can't tell how extensive it is, for it is shut out by that +mountain peak on the right, but I suppose one place is as good as +another."</p> + +<p>Having agreed as to their course, they wasted no time. It was a long and +severe tramp to the locality, for again the peculiar purity of the +atmosphere misled them, and what they took to be one mile proved to be +fully double that length. Finally the hungry lads reached a ridge from +whose top they could look down in the valley that had first caught their +attention, but which for the last hour had been excluded from their +sight by the intervening obstacles.</p> + +<p>"Now, we can't tell whether any game is below waiting for us," said +Jack, "but we can't lose anything by acting as if there is."</p> + +<p>It was a wise precaution, as speedily became apparent. As carefully as a +couple of Indians they picked their way up the slope, and just before +reaching the crest sank upon their knees, and, crawling a little +further, peeped over the top as if they expected to discover a hostile +camp within a hundred yards.</p> + +<p>The prospect caused an involuntary exclamation of pleasure from both. +The valley was two or three hundred yards in width, and, after winding +past, curved out of sight behind the mountain range already referred to. +It was one emerald mass of rich grass, in which ten thousand cattle +could have found abundant pasturage. No trees appeared anywhere except +at the furthest bend in the valley, where a small grove stood near the +middle, and seemed to surround a spring of water, which, flowing in the +other direction, was not within sight of the young hunters.</p> + +<p>What lent additional beauty to this landscape was the singular +uniformity of the valley. The slope was gentle on each side, without any +abrupt declivities, and there was hardly any variation in its width. The +dark-green color of the incline and bottom of the valley gave the whole +scene a softness that would have charmed an artist.</p> + +<p>The young men admired the picturesque prospect, the like of which they +had never before viewed, and yet it must be confessed that one feature +of the landscape appealed more strongly to them than all the rest. +Perhaps a half-mile away six or eight antelope were cropping the grass, +unconscious of the approach of danger. They were near the small clump of +trees alluded to, and may have lately drank from the water flowing +therefrom. They were in a bunch, all their heads down, and had evidently +taken no alarm from the occasional distant reports of guns.</p> + +<p>"I say, Jack, there's a splendid dinner!" whispered Fred, excitedly.</p> + +<p>"What good will it do us, so long as it is <i>there</i>? I should like to +have it <i>here</i>."</p> + +<p>"It ought to be easy to pick off one of those creatures; Hank told us +they make fine eating."</p> + +<p>"That is all true, but it is also true that the antelope is one of the +most timid of creatures, and the best hunter finds it hard work to get +within reach of them."</p> + +<p>"You know how curious they are? The men at the ranch told the other +night about lying down in the grass in the middle of a prairie and +holding up a stick with a handkerchief at the end of it. Timid as was +the antelope, it would gradually draw near to find out what the thing +meant, and pay for its curiosity with its life."</p> + +<p>Such incidents are quite common in the West, but neither of the boys +felt it safe to rely upon the stratagem. They feared that at the first +attempt the antelope would take fright and make off beyond recovery, and +Fred Greenwood's proposition was adopted.</p> + +<p>"There doesn't seem to be any wind blowing, but if we try to steal down +the side of the valley we are sure to frighten them off. Now, if you +will stay here, Jack, I'll pick my way round to the other side, so that +the herd will be between us. Then I'll do my best to get near enough for +a shot; if I fail, they will run for this point and come within range of +you. Between us two, one is certain to get a shot at them."</p> + +<p>"It's putting a big lot of work on you, Fred," said the chivalrous Jack.</p> + +<p>"It won't be half as hard to bear as the hunger I'll feel in the course +of an hour or two if we don't get one of them."</p> + +<p>The plan was so simple that no explanation was necessary. Jack Dudley +had only to remain extended on the ground where he was, with his +Winchester ready, and keep an eye on the little herd, which could not +observe him unless he was unusually careless. He could easily judge of +Fred's success or failure by watching the animals, and it would seem +that success was almost certain for one of the young hunters. The only +thing to be feared was that Fred would betray himself before reaching +the other side of the game that was so tempting to both.</p> + +<p>The comrades looked at their watches at the moment of separating, and +found it was precisely one o'clock. Fred gave himself an hour to reach a +point from which to start on his return, though it was possible that +double that time would be required. Before the interval had expired Jack +had his glass to his eyes, and was studying the valley below.</p> + +<p>As the antelope cropped the rich grass they occasionally took a step in +the direction of the watcher; but the largest one, evidently the leader, +changed his course so as to work back toward the little grove of trees, +the others following. Now and then the leader raised his head and looked +around, as if suspecting danger, though his fears were not confirmed. At +longer intervals other members of the herd did the same, but it was +evident that they neither saw nor scented anything amiss.</p> + +<p>Jack's constant fear was that Fred would betray himself through some +accident. His course would bring him nearer the game and the risk was +considerable; but as the minutes passed without anything of that nature +taking place, his hope increased.</p> + +<p>"More than likely Fred himself will get the shot instead of me. It makes +no difference, so that we don't lose our supper; for," he added, +dismally, "the dinner is already gone."</p> + +<p>When another half-hour had passed, he was sure his chum was on the other +side of the herd.</p> + +<p>"There must be a break pretty soon. Suppose that instead of coming +toward me," added Jack, giving expression to a dread that had not +occurred to him until then, "they dash off into the mountains on either +side. Then we shall be doomed to starvation!"</p> + +<p>He thought that with the aid of his glass he would be able to follow +Fred as he stole down the side of the valley, since the position of the +spectator was much more elevated than that of the antelope. It would +require sharp scrutiny even with the aid of the instrument to do this, +and, look as keenly as he might, he could discover nothing that +suggested anything of that nature.</p> + +<p>When three o'clock went by without any evidence of alarm among the +animals browsing in the middle of the valley, Jack Dudley began to +wonder what it could mean.</p> + +<p>"Fred was sure that a single hour was enough to place himself on the +further side of them, and double that time has passed. He ought to be +well down the slope, but I can see nothing of him."</p> + +<p>One fact, however, was apparent: the antelope were steadily though +slowly working toward the ridge on which the young man lay. At the rate +they were advancing it would not be long before it would be safe to try +a shot.</p> + +<p>This progress could not be laid to any alarm coming from the other side. +If the animals received fright they would be off with the speed of the +wind, instead of inching along in the fashion they were now following.</p> + +<p>"It begins to look as if I am to secure the meal, after all," thought +Jack, forgetting his slight uneasiness for his friend in his growing +excitement.</p> + +<p>The following minute gave proof of the timidity of the American +antelope. With all the care possible, the youth extended his gun in +front of him over the slope, but the herd took the alarm on the instant, +though it seemed impossible that they should have seen or heard +anything. The leader raised his head, and whirling to one side, started +at a swift gallop toward the other end of the valley, the rest of the +animals being hardly a second behind him.</p> + +<p>The peculiar panic and stampede of the creatures gave Jack Dudley the +best possible target, though the shot was a long one. He did not aim at +the leader, but at a smaller animal that immediately followed him. The +bullet pierced the heart of the antelope, which made a frenzied leap +high in air, staggered a few paces, and dropped to the ground without a +particle of life.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" exclaimed the delighted Jack, springing up and dashing down +the side of the valley toward his prize; "I beat you, after all, Fred!"</p> + +<p>Not doubting that his comrade would speedily appear, Jack gave no +further thought to him, but continued running until he reached the +prize. He had learned the art so rapidly that it took but a few minutes +to cut all he could need for himself and friend. Then he hurried to the +little grove near by, washed and dressed the food, which seemed to be +juicy and tender, and started a fire for the purpose of broiling it.</p> + +<p>He had not paused in his work up to this point, but now he stopped with +the first real thrill of alarm for his friend.</p> + +<p>"Four o'clock!" he exclaimed to himself; "what can have become of him?"</p> + +<p>He walked to the edge of the trees and looked out, anxiously peering in +different directions, but nothing was seen of his friend. Knowing Fred's +waggish nature, Jack hoped that he was indulging in some jest, but he +could not quite convince himself that such was the fact. The hunger of +Fred would have prevented his postponing the meal one moment longer than +was necessary.</p> + +<p>When an abundance of food was browned and crisped and ready the appetite +of Jack Dudley was less than it was two hours before, the cause being +his growing alarm over the unaccountable absence of Fred.</p> + +<p>"I can't understand it," he repeated for the twentieth time; "some +accident must have befallen him. Can it be Motoza has had anything to do +with it?"</p> + +<p>It was the first time that Jack had expressed this fear in words, but it +was by no means the first time he had felt it. Rather curiously, from +the moment his friend passed out of sight, several hours before, the +vague misgiving began to shape itself in his mind. He fought it off and +succeeded in repressing it for a time, but he could do so no longer.</p> + +<p>"Fred didn't seem to give any meaning to that awful look of the Sioux +when he started to walk away, but I saw what it meant, though I never +dreamed the blow would fall so soon."</p> + +<p>His heart was depressed almost beyond bearing, and the anguish was +deepened by the fact that he could see no way of helping his friend. The +only thing possible was to follow as nearly as he could the course taken +by Fred, but there was no certainty of that. He knew he had turned to +the right when he left the crest of the ridge, after which there had +been no glimpse of him.</p> + +<p>"But he made for a point over yonder," reflected Jack, "and there I'll +search for him."</p> + +<p>This was exceedingly indefinite, but it was better than standing idle. +The antelope had long since vanished, and there was no need of care in +his progress—rather otherwise, since he desired to attract the notice +of his friend. Jack broke into a loping trot, emitting the familiar +signal so often used by both, calling his name, and even firing his +rifle in air; but there came back no response, and his fears deepened.</p> + +<p>Jack was in the mood to be unjust.</p> + +<p>"I don't understand Hank Hazletine's action. He sets out to take us on a +hunt among the mountains, and then goes off and leaves us alone. Why +doesn't he stay with us? If he had done that, this never could have +happened. Fred and I can generally take care of ourselves, but we are +not used to this plagued country, which I wish neither he nor I had ever +set foot in."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + +<h3>MISSING.</h3> + + +<p>The minute quickly arrived when Jack Dudley could no longer doubt that a +great misfortune had befallen his comrade, Fred Greenwood.</p> + +<p>In the anguish of anxiety Jack's imagination pictured many mishaps that +might account for the disappearance. He must have heard the report of +the elder's Winchester, and, since Fred's attention was centred upon the +herd of antelope, he could not fail to know that his friend had secured +one of them for their evening meal. The only thing to prevent his +hastening to join Jack must have been his inability to do so. There was +the remote possibility that his accident had been of a nature that +involved no one else—such, for instance, as sudden illness, though Jack +had never known anything like that to overtake his friend.</p> + +<p>All that the youth could do was to attempt to follow the route that Fred +had taken when he set out to place himself on the other side of the +game. It was guesswork to trace his footsteps, but the elder youth made +the effort. When he had progressed half the distance, however, he +paused, convinced that his labor was utterly useless. He called to Fred, +repeated their familiar signals and fired several charges in air, with +no more response than at first.</p> + +<p>"He has been either killed or carried off by a party of Indians," was +the conclusion that forced itself upon him.</p> + +<p>And with this conviction came the certainty that it was out of the power +of Jack Dudley to do anything for his friend. He might tramp back and +forth for nights and days, but with no success, for Fred Greenwood was +gone—whither?</p> + +<p>Had Jack been skilled in woodcraft, possibly he might have discovered +some signs along the valley that would have enlightened him, but he was +untrained in the ways of red men and was not equal to the task. A dog +that knew how to track a person would have been of immeasurable value, +but such a canine was not to be had.</p> + +<p>One memory clung tormentingly to the searcher. It was the demoniac face +of Motoza, the Sioux, when Fred Greenwood compelled him to return the +Winchester of Jack. There could be but one interpretation of that +expression, and it boded the worst for the missing youth.</p> + +<p>"Motoza feels no affection for me, but his hatred of Fred is so intense +that he is bent on revenging himself; yet I did not think he would +strike so soon."</p> + +<p>The afternoon was drawing to a close, and Jack was fully two miles from +camp. If he wished to reach their rendezvous before night he had no time +to waste. The problem was now in the shape that Hank Hazletine's help +was indispensable. If anyone could assist Fred Greenwood, the guide was +the man.</p> + +<p>"He promised to meet us this evening, and if I wait I shall lose my +way."</p> + +<p>Accordingly the lad faced in the direction of the plateau and pressed +forward with energy. In his haste he kept the former landmarks in view, +and his previous experience had given him a certain familiarity with the +region which prevented his going astray. Once more he leaped the canyon, +without pausing longer than to glance into its depths as he swung over +it. He saw nothing of the bulky carcass of the grizzly bear that had +fallen a victim to the marksmanship of himself and friend, and just as +night was shutting in he reached the edge of the small plateau where the +ponies were contentedly grazing.</p> + +<p>In one respect better fortune than he anticipated awaited him. Instead +of being compelled to pass the intolerable hours in waiting for the +coming of the guide, he saw he had already reached the spot. A fire was +burning at the mouth of the cavern, and the sinewy figure of the veteran +was observed as he moved to and fro before it. Detecting the approach of +Jack, he stood erect and silently watched him as he drew near.</p> + +<p>A person as agitated as Jack Dudley finds it hard to conceal his +feelings. Something in the action and the expression of his white face +as he came near enough to be seen distinctly gave the hunter the +knowledge that matters had gone amiss with the boy. True to his word, +Hank had brought no food back to camp. He had eaten his evening meal +before going thither, leaving his young friends to provide for their own +wants.</p> + +<p>"Where's the younker?" was his question, before Jack halted.</p> + +<p>"O Hank! I do not know what has happened; I fear we shall never see Fred +again!"</p> + +<p>And, unable to restrain his grief that had been pent up so long, Jack +broke down and sobbed like a child. The veteran showed a delicacy that +would hardly have been expected from him. He knew it would do Jack good +to yield to his sorrow for a brief while, for he would soon become +cooler and more self-possessed. Accordingly the hunter remained silent +until the youth mastered his emotions, when he laid his hand tenderly on +his shoulder and said:</p> + +<p>"Now, set down here beside me and let me know all about it."</p> + +<p>Jack appreciated his consideration, and taking the seat to which he was +invited, he told, in a choking voice, the story of the incident beside +the little valley, when Fred Greenwood, in high spirits, walked away and +vanished as if the earth had opened and swallowed him. Jack did not +break down again, for he was resolved to be manly and brave. He would +not think of his young friend as wholly lost, nor allow himself to +consider the awful possibility of returning home with the message that +Fred would never be seen again. Jack felt it was time for action, not +for lamentation.</p> + +<p>Hazletine was grave and thoughtful, but the youth had hardly finished +his narrative when he said:</p> + +<p>"You haven't told me all."</p> + +<p>"I do not think of anything I have omitted."</p> + +<p>"Your story begins with the first sight of the antelope; what happened +afore that?"</p> + +<p>"A good deal; I did not think you would care to hear it."</p> + +<p>"I want every word."</p> + +<p>So it was that Jack began with their departure in the morning from camp, +and made clear every occurrence down to the start for the valley where +the great misfortune overtook them. He realized, while describing the +meeting with Motoza, the important bearing that it had upon the +disappearance of Fred Greenwood.</p> + +<p>When the story was completed the guide emitted a low whistle, followed +by an exclamation of so vigorous a character that it startled Jack. Hank +sprang excitedly to his feet and strode back and forth until able to +control his feelings. Then with a voice and expression of scornful +contempt, he asked:</p> + +<p>"What do you think of Motoza's love for you and Fred?"</p> + +<p>"I admit that you were right and we were wrong about him; I feared for +Fred, not for myself, and you see he has not tried to harm <i>me</i>."</p> + +<p>"That ain't 'cause he loves you like the brother he calls hisself, but +'cause he hates Fred more'n he does you. If he hadn't had such a good +chance to grab the other younker, he would have grabbed you."</p> + +<p>"Then you have no doubt that Motoza is the cause of it all?"</p> + +<p>"No more doubt than that you're a setting on that stone there."</p> + +<p>"I can't understand it; Fred is not the one to let a single Indian make +him prisoner, when one is as well armed as the other."</p> + +<p>"Who said there was only one of the imps?"</p> + +<p>The abrupt question meant a good deal. It had already been proven that a +number of other Indians were in the vicinity; but Jack had not thought +of associating them with the vagrant Sioux in his hostility to the young +hunters, although there was scarcely a doubt that Motoza had had one +helper or more in his designs against Fred Greenwood. This put a new +face on the matter, and Hazletine discussed the question more freely.</p> + +<p>"There must be a half-dozen varmints or so in the mountains; they've +sneaked off the reservation and are hunting here without permission from +the folks that have 'em in charge. It ain't likely they started out with +any other idee than to have a little frolic of their own, meaning to go +back when they was through; but, as I remarked afore, when an Injin sees +a good chance to raise the mischief with just as good a chance of not +being found out, he's pretty sartin to do it. Wal, things took such a +queer shape when you younkers and Motoza seen each other that all the +ugliness in him has come out, and that's what's urging him now."</p> + +<p>"It seems to me, Hank, that if he meant to punish Fred for humiliating +him, the method was simple."</p> + +<p>"How?"</p> + +<p>"By shooting him from ambush; he could do it without being seen, and I +can think of no way by which the guilt could be brought home to him."</p> + +<p>"You're off there. Motoza knows that you and me are in these parts, and +that we're the friends of the younker; what had took place afore, with +what I'd swear to, would hang Motoza, and he knows it."</p> + +<p>This declaration was not quite clear to Jack, but it sounded as if the +guide was willing to so modify his testimony in court as to insure the +conviction of the Sioux in case he followed the plan named by the youth.</p> + +<p>The veteran would have considered it right, under the circumstances, to +do such a thing.</p> + +<p>"Since the fear of our testimony restrained him, why did he not seek to +remove <i>us</i> in the same manner, when he has had more than one +opportunity?"</p> + +<p>"And there you're off again. Motoza wouldn't have had any trouble in +wiping out two young tenderfeet like you, but he'd likely run agin a +snag when he tried it on <i>me</i>!"</p> + +<p>The hunter shut his lips and shook his head with eloquent earnestness.</p> + +<p>"S'pose he'd done such a thing," he added, angrily; "don't you see that +when the Government larned, as it would be sure to larn, that three +persons had been killed near the reservation by some of the Injins, +there would be the biggest kind of excitement? It would put its best +officers at work, and never let up till everything was brought to light. +You see that, Motoza not being the only Injin in these parts when the +thing was done, the officers would have some of the other varmints to +work on, and they'd got the whole story from 'em, which would mean the +hanging of the Sioux."</p> + +<p>Jack saw the force of his friend's words. Even in this wild region, +where one would naturally suppose he was beyond reach of the law, the +man who committed a grave crime faced a serious risk. Certainly there +was much less danger in "removing" one person than three.</p> + +<p>"As it is, Motoza has placed himself in a bad position, but it would +have been tenfold worse had he shot you and me."</p> + +<p>Hank nodded his head, but qualified his assent:</p> + +<p>"He could have picked you off, but not <i>me</i>, and he knows that he would +have had me on his trail without waiting for the officers to help."</p> + +<p>"But he must face the same thing as it is."</p> + +<p>"Don't you see that he had to make the ch'ice atween doing nothing at +all or tackling the younker? The Sioux is such an imp and is so crazy +for revenge that he made up his mind to chance it the least he could, +and he went for the tenderfoot that he hates the most."</p> + +<p>Jack tremblingly asked the question that had been in his mind for some +minutes.</p> + +<p>"Do you think he shot Fred?"</p> + +<p>The guide slowly turned his head and looked fixedly at the youth before +replying:</p> + +<p>"Wouldn't you've heerd his gun?"</p> + +<p>The question sent a thrill of hope through the heart of Jack, but it was +quickly succeeded by the dull torture that was there before. True, he +would have heard the report of a rifle if fired anywhere near him during +the afternoon, but a treacherous Sioux like Motoza was too cunning to +expose himself in that manner, and would have resorted to a different +method.</p> + +<p>"He could have slain poor Fred in some other way, but do you believe he +has done so?"</p> + +<p>"Younker," replied the sympathetic guide, "I ain't the one to trifle +with your feelings, fur you don't feel much worse than me, but I own up +that I don't know anything more 'bout this bus'ness than you. I mean by +that," he hastened to explain, "that I can't figger out in my mind what +that varmint has done till I pick up more knowledge than you've been +able to give me, and I can't do that afore to-morrow morning."</p> + +<p>This sounded reasonable, but it was trying beyond imagination, for it +indicated that the long night must be spent in idleness, without the +raising of a finger to help the one who perhaps was in the most imminent +need of such assistance. There was no help, however, for it, and Jack +accepted the decision of his friend without a murmur.</p> + +<p>The two sat at the mouth of the cavern, talking in low tones, until the +night was well advanced, when Hank said, with a voice that sounded +wonderfully low and tender for him:</p> + +<p>"Now go in and lay down, younker, fur there'll be plenty of work fur you +to do to-morrer, and there's no saying when you'll git the chance to +sleep agin."</p> + +<p>"Call me when it is my turn to go on guard."</p> + +<p>"All right; and don't show yourself till I <i>do</i> call you."</p> + +<p>Jack walked into the cavern, first pausing to fling some wood on the +fire. Mingled with his feeling of despair was a dread of being alone in +the gloom. He did not believe he would sleep a wink through the night, +for never were his emotions wrought to a more keenly torturing point. It +was almost impossible to remain still, but he forced himself to lie +down, with his heavy blanket gathered around him.</p> + +<p>It would be distressing to dwell upon the anguish and grief of the +youth, as he lay wide awake, his brain alert and his blood at +fever-heat. At times it all seemed so like a dream that he turned his +head to make sure Fred Greenwood, his loved chum and comrade, was not +lying at his side. But no, it was all a dreadful reality, and he groaned +in spirit.</p> + +<p>As the minutes passed he appeared to grow more wakeful, until he was in +as full possession of his faculties as when fleeing from the grizzly +bear. And it was while lying thus, wondering what the hour could be, +that he became aware that Hank Hazletine was standing at the mouth of +the cavern, on the other side of the smouldering fire. The light was +reflected so clearly from his bearded face that it was seen distinctly, +while the position of Jack, muffled in his blanket, threw his own +countenance in shadow, which prevented the guide seeing it clearly.</p> + +<p>Something prompted Jack to lie still and feign sleep, while he kept his +gaze on the man, who was looking fixedly at him. Suddenly Hank +pronounced his name in a low voice, repeating the call in a louder tone. +He wished to learn whether his young friend was unconscious, and, since +Jack made no reply, must have concluded he was sleeping.</p> + +<p>The guide next threw more wood on the blaze, which burned up so brightly +that the reflection reached far out on the grassy plateau. Then, with a +single glance at the prostrate figure, the hunter turned away, his +footsteps as noiseless as if he were stepping on velvet.</p> + +<p>Jack was mystified by the proceeding, but, suspecting its meaning, he +arose from his hard couch and passed outside. The moon had not yet +risen, but the bright stars were in the sky, and shining with the +brilliancy that he had noticed and admired on the previous evening. He +looked around for Hazletine, and, not seeing him, imitated his action by +pronouncing his name, but, as he suspected, he was not within hearing.</p> + +<p>"He has gone off to make some investigations between now and morning. I +am glad of it, for he may learn something which he desires to know, and +which he would never find out by staying here. I wish I could have gone +with him, but no doubt he will do better alone."</p> + +<p>It was demonstrated, therefore, that the guide had violated the very +rule which he had impressed more than once upon his young friends, for +he had left Jack Dudley sound asleep, as he believed, without any one +standing sentinel over him. But it was because the circumstances were so +exceptional and extraordinary that it justified such suspension of the +rules.</p> + +<p>Jack did not hesitate to make himself as comfortable as the situation +would permit. He folded his blanket on the ground, and sat with his back +against the very rock where he had fallen asleep the night before.</p> + +<p>"No danger of my doing it again," he reflected; "and it wouldn't make +any difference if I did, since Hank believes I am dreaming."</p> + +<p>Jack supposed he threw the wood on the flame to keep away the possible +danger from wild animals that might be prowling in the neighborhood; +though, because of the reasons named, there was little to be apprehended +from them. The youth was so alive to the situation that he heard a cough +from one of the ponies lying on the ground near the further side of the +plateau, and beyond sight. Twice the watcher fancied he detected a +shadowy figure stealing here and there in the gloom, and he grasped his +rifle, ready for instant use; but it must have been a mistake on his +part, for nothing materialized, and, curious as it may seem, he finally +sank into a fitful slumber, which lasted a long time without +interruption.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + +<h3>TOZER.</h3> + + +<p>Meanwhile Hank Hazletine was busy. He had formed several theories to +account for the disappearance of the youth, of whom he had grown +extremely fond, brief as was their acquaintance, but the data upon which +he based these theories were so vague and meagre that he could do +nothing until more definite knowledge was obtained.</p> + +<p>When first talking with Jack Dudley, the hunter expected to retain his +place near the cavern until morning, for it would seem that there was +little hope of doing anything until the sun shone, but reflection +convinced him that there was a possibility of accomplishing something +during the long interval that must intervene. Still it is not probable +he would have made the attempt had not something invited it.</p> + +<p>Standing in the gloom on the outside of the cavern, he saw a point of +light against the side of the nearest mountain peak, less than half a +mile distant. It could not be a star, for his familiarity with the +country told him the background must prevent an orb showing at that +height above the horizon. It came from a fire burning at the place, and +that fire had been kindled by Indians.</p> + +<p>Hank's decision was to visit the camp, in the hope of picking up some +information about the missing boy. It has been shown that he was so +convinced that no danger threatened Jack Dudley that he did not hesitate +to leave him alone, believing him asleep. As a precaution, however, he +flung additional fuel on the fire, with a view of keeping away any wild +animals that might be in the vicinity. Had Jack answered to his name +when called by the guide he would have been invited to accompany him for +a portion at least of the way on the reconnaissance, as it might be +termed—a most welcome relief. Thus, trifling as was the deception, it +operated unfavorably for our young friend.</p> + +<p>The progress of the veteran through and over the rough country was a +very different proceeding from that of the two boys. He seemed never to +hesitate or be in doubt as to the shortest and easiest course, and his +advance, therefore, was much the same as if he were striding across the +grassy plateau near camp. As he went forward his shifting position +frequently shut out the beacon-light, but he made no mistake at any +point in his walk. It was a striking proof of his woodcraft that when he +reached the canyon it was at a spot where it was so narrow that he +appeared merely to lengthen his step when he placed himself on the other +side. Progressing in this manner, it did not take him long to reach the +immediate vicinity of the camp.</p> + +<p>The blaze had been kindled among a clump of cedars which were a +continuation of a growth that extended with more or less vigor for miles +among the mountains, gradually disappearing as the snow-line was +reached. Hazletine recalled the particular spot so clearly that he knew +precisely what to do.</p> + +<p>It was not very late in the evening, else there would have been one of +the Indians on guard. As it was, the three were lolling in lazy +attitudes, smoking their long-stemmed pipes and talking in a disjointed +fashion. If they had eaten anything in camp, there were no evidences of +it.</p> + +<p>Having reached a point from which he could survey the party without +being observed, the hunter proceeded to do so. His first feeling was of +disappointment, for Motoza was not one of the three bucks, who appeared +to be in middle life, and were dressed and painted similarly to that +individual. In fact, the trio were the ones seen by the youths earlier +in the day, at the point where the break in the canyon occurred.</p> + +<p>Hazletine had set out with the belief that the vagrant Sioux was the one +chiefly concerned in the disappearance of Fred Greenwood. His absence +from camp confirmed that belief, while the indifferent manner of the +three, and the apparent lack of subjects of discussion among them, +indicated that they knew nothing of the abduction or death, as it might +be, of the missing one. Had they known of it, the guide was confident it +would have been betrayed by their manner, since they could have no +suspicion that they were under surveillance at that time, and therefore +would act their natural selves.</p> + +<p>What would have been the course of Hazletine had he seen Motoza, not +doubting, as he did, the guilt of the miscreant? He would have walked +directly forward to the camp and warned the Sioux that if he harmed a +hair of the youth's head his life should pay therefor.</p> + +<p>Since Motoza was not in the situation thus to be warned, the hunter did +the next best thing. With no attempt to veil the sound of his footsteps, +he strode into the circle of light thrown out by the Indian camp-fire. +The bucks looked up curiously at him, but betrayed no emotion beyond a +few grunts. They did not invite him to be seated or to join them in +smoking, and had they done so, neither invitation would have been +accepted.</p> + +<p>Hank knew nothing of the lingo of the red men, but it was presumed they +had a fair understanding of English, taking which for granted, he +proceeded to carry out his self-imposed mission. He told the bucks they +had no business off their reservation, although it was a matter of +indifference to him. He knew there were others in the mountains, and +Motoza was among them. It was concerning this scoundrel, as Hank +characterized him, that he had something to say. A white youth, while +hunting that afternoon not far off, with his companion, had disappeared. +Hazletine had looked into the matter far enough to discover that he had +been stolen by Motoza. The white man was hunting for Motoza, but in the +brief time at his disposal had not been able to find him, though he was +confident of doing so on the morrow.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, the white man wanted these three, or any one of them, if they +should meet the aforementioned scoundrel, to repeat what he had said +about him. If any harm had befallen the missing boy, Hazletine would +take it upon himself to hunt down Motoza and "execute" him himself, +without waiting for the United States authorities to do it. Such a +summary course would save expense and make the white man feel better.</p> + +<p>If Motoza should return the stolen boy within twenty-four hours, and it +was found he was unharmed, the whole matter would be treated as a joke, +and no punishment would be visited upon Motoza, provided he didn't do it +again.</p> + +<p>This was the substance of Hank Hazletine's communication to the three +bucks, to whom he repeated and discussed it until there was no fear of a +misunderstanding, after which the visitor strode out of camp, without so +much as bidding the trio good-night. His whole manner was that of +contempt, for, had it been otherwise, he would not have dared to turn +his back upon them, when they could have shot him down with impunity.</p> + +<p>The cowman had accomplished something, though less than he hoped. While +he failed to gain definite knowledge of the missing youth, he had +brought a message which was certain to be delivered to the right party +before the next set of sun. But Hank knew the men with whom he was +dealing, and could not feel assured that any ultimate good would result +until nearer the end.</p> + +<p>"I wish I knowed whether them imps know anything about that younker; +they don't act as if they did, and yet they may be as deep in the +bus'ness as Motoza."</p> + +<p>The last remark suggested a possibility which the cowman shrank from +considering. It was that the Sioux was wholly innocent, and that all the +mischief had been done through unsuspected parties. It has been shown +that other Indians, not yet encountered, were in the vicinity, and it +was not absolutely certain that they were not the criminals. The +thought, however, opened the illimitable fields of speculation, and the +hunter was wise in determining to hold to his original belief until +assured it was an error.</p> + +<p>Before he was half-way back to camp the moon appeared above the mountain +peak behind him, and the rugged scenery was lit up by the rays that +streamed on every side. He paused where he could observe the gleam of +his own camp-fire at the mouth of the cavern, while, by turning his +head, he saw the twinkle of the one he had left behind. All between lay +as silent as the tomb.</p> + +<p>"I bluffed it pretty heavy," he reflected, "and I guess it'll work with +them bucks; I ain't so sartin of Motoza, fur if he has had anything to +do with the taking off of that younker he's covered up his tracks pretty +well and it'll be hard work to run him down, but <i>I'll do it</i>!" he +savagely exclaimed, as he resumed his strides toward his own camp.</p> + +<p>As he drew near he caught sight of the unconscious figure of Jack +Dudley, sitting with his back against the rock. The moon revealed him +clearly, and the cowman approached him with noiseless step.</p> + +<p>"Poor fellow! he come out here to watch, thinking he couldn't sleep, and +now he's good for nothing till sunup."</p> + +<p>Hank leaned over and tenderly adjusted the blanket around the figure of +the handsome youth, as his mother might have done had she been present. +Then passing within the cavern, he lay down and slept until the night +was ended.</p> + +<p>The presence of the lad on the outside of the cavern showed that he knew +of the departure of the guide. Hank, therefore, explained his reason for +leaving him, and told him all that had occurred.</p> + +<p>"The first thing to do, younker, is to find Motoza; that's what I'm +going to do. You can't stand it to be alone with yourself, so you can +come with me, though I hain't no idee that you'll be able to give any +help."</p> + +<p>"I hope I shall; though, if you think there is more chance of success in +making the hunt alone, I'll do the same."</p> + +<p>Hank was silent a moment, as if considering the matter, but he quickly +added:</p> + +<p>"Come along. But how about breakfast?"</p> + +<p>"I haven't the least appetite."</p> + +<p>"I thought so by your looks," he said, sympathizingly. "I'm blamed sorry +fur you, and hope your appetite will soon come back to you."</p> + +<p>"It will as soon as we find Fred," said Jack, with a faint smile; "but +what about yourself?"</p> + +<p>"It's all the same; if we had meat here I'd cook and eat it; but I'm +willing to go a day or two, if I haven't the time to take any meals."</p> + +<p>"That's strange!" broke in Jack; "yonder comes a white man; he must be +one of your acquaintances, though I never saw him before."</p> + +<p>Hazletine turned round in surprise. A tall white man, dressed as a +cowboy, with long dangling yellow hair and a thin mustache and goatee, +and with rifle slung over his shoulder, had appeared on the further side +of the plateau, and was approaching the couple at a deliberate pace.</p> + +<p>"Wal, I'm hanged!" exclaimed Hazletine; "if there isn't Bill Tozer! He's +the last man I expected to meet in these parts."</p> + +<p>These words did not bring Jack Dudley much enlightenment, but he felt no +special curiosity concerning the individual, and silently waited till he +came up. The youth judged from the manner of the guide, however, that he +was not overly pleased with the new arrival, whose countenance was not +attractive. Nevertheless, the two shook hands with seeming cordiality, +and the new-comer looked inquiringly at Jack.</p> + +<p>"This is a friend of mine, Bill, that I took out on a hunt t'other day +with another younker; Jack Dudley, Bill Tozer."</p> + +<p>"Glad to know you," said the man heartily; "I see you're a tenderfoot."</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Jack; "less than two weeks ago I had never set foot in +Wyoming."</p> + +<p>"Wal, now that's funny; you'll like the country after you get used to +it."</p> + +<p>"Would to heaven I had never seen it!" was the bitter exclamation of the +youth, hardly able to keep back his tears.</p> + +<p>"Sorry to hear that, my young friend; but cheer up; it'll come out all +right."</p> + +<p>It struck Jack that this was a singular remark for the man to make, for +it sounded as if he knew the cause of Jack's emotion; but before the boy +could seek enlightenment the man made a more extraordinary remark:</p> + +<p>"You'll excuse us for a few minutes, my young friend; I've some words to +say in private to Hank."</p> + +<p>"Certainly," replied Jack, turning on his heel and walking beyond +earshot. He gave the men no further attention, for he did not suspect +the new-comer had anything to impart of interest to him. The boy felt +more like resenting this interference with the momentous business he and +the guide had on hand.</p> + +<p>But Jack was mistaken. Hardly was he a hundred feet from the couple when +Hazletine asked:</p> + +<p>"What's up, Bill?"</p> + +<p>"One of them young tenderfeet is missing, eh?"</p> + +<p>"How did you find that out?"</p> + +<p>"I reached the camp of Bok-kar-oo last night within a half-hour after +you'd gone; he and two other bucks are out on a hunt, which they haven't +any business to be, but that's nothing to us. Bok-kar-oo told me what +you had told him; it's queer business, isn't it?"</p> + +<p>"I should say it was. That Motoza has had a hand in it, and I've set out +to find him and settle the account."</p> + +<p>"Why are you so sure about Motoza?"</p> + +<p>"'Cause I <i>know</i> him!" said Hank, savagely; "and I've knowed him fur a +good many years; there isn't a worse Injin in Wyoming."</p> + +<p>Instead of commenting on this remark, Tozer stood silent a moment, and +then made a flirt with his head as a request for Hank to step aside with +him. The cowman obeyed, and they seated themselves still further from +Jack Dudley.</p> + +<p>"What makes you so afeard he'll hear us?" asked Hazletine, impatiently, +noting the suspicious glances which the man cast in the direction of the +youth.</p> + +<p>"For the reason that I don't want him to hear us; I've something to say +about him and his friend."</p> + +<p>"His father owns half of Bowman's ranch."</p> + +<p>Bill Tozer started with an angry exclamation.</p> + +<p>"Is that so?" he asked in amazement. "I thought it was the other +fellow's father."</p> + +<p>"How should you know anything about it anyway?" demanded Hazletine, who +made no attempt to conceal his dislike of the man. "I'd like to know +where you picked up so much knowledge 'bout these two younkers."</p> + +<p>"There's no need of getting huffy about it, Hank; it seemed to me that I +was to be on your heels for the last few days, for I stopped at the +ranch and had a talk with the fellows only a short time after you left +with the tenderfeet for this hunt. I understood Kansas Jim to say that +it was the father of the Greenwood boy that owned half the ranch."</p> + +<p>"If Jim told you that, which I don't believe he done, he told you what +ain't so."</p> + +<p>"But the father of the other boy—the one that's missing—he's rich too, +ain't he?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know nothing 'bout it; what are you driving at? Bill, you know +that my 'pinion of you is 'bout the same as it is of that tramp Motoza, +so, if you've got anything to say to me, out with it! I hain't any time +to fool away."</p> + +<p>"I <i>have</i> something to say, Hank, and it's about them young tenderfeet: +I've seen Motoza."</p> + +<p>"When?"</p> + +<p>"This morning."</p> + +<p>"Did you give him my message?"</p> + +<p>"Every word of it, as I received it from Bok-kar-oo; I made it as strong +as I could."</p> + +<p>"You couldn't make it any too strong; how did he take it?"</p> + +<p>"It didn't seem to worry him much; he says he don't know anything about +the missing boy and your threats don't scare him. But, Hank," added +Tozer, lowering his voice almost to a whisper and glancing furtively +around, "I suspect Motoza was lying."</p> + +<p>"I <i>know</i> he was, fur he doesn't know how to tell the truth."</p> + +<p>"If he's treated right, I believe he'll produce the missing youngster."</p> + +<p>Hank Hazletine was keener mentally than most of his friends suspected. +He had more acumen than even Bill Tozer suspected. A great light flashed +upon the cowman, and the questions and answers which fell from his lips +during the next few minutes were intended to hide his real purpose.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean by treating Motoza right? If he was treated right he'd +be kicking the air this very minute."</p> + +<p>"I agree with you," said Tozer, laughing; "but Motoza doesn't, and he's +the one who asks to be treated right, as he considers it."</p> + +<p>"I've said that if he produces the younker, and we find he hain't been +harmed, why we'll call it a joke and drop the whole thing."</p> + +<p>Tozer gazed at a distant mountain peak and thoughtfully chewed tobacco +for a minute. He was approaching delicate ground and needed all his +<i>finesse</i>.</p> + +<p>"That's fair on your part, and is more than he ought to expect, but I've +a suspicion it isn't what he means."</p> + +<p>"Do you know what he means, Bill?"</p> + +<p>"No; he hasn't told me a word, but I think I can guess it."</p> + +<p>"Wal, then, guess."</p> + +<p>"Remember it's only a guess, and I may be away off."</p> + +<p>Hazletine nodded his head.</p> + +<p>"I'm listening."</p> + +<p>"I suspect Motoza has the tenderfoot in hiding somewhere, where there's +no chance of his getting away or of any of his friends finding him."</p> + +<p>"What does the scamp mean by doing that?"</p> + +<p>"He must have had an idea that the father of the Greenwood boy has +enough money to pay a good sum to recover him unharmed."</p> + +<p>"That's a new scheme! I've heard of such things in the East, but never +knowed 'em to be tried in this part of the country."</p> + +<p>"Bear in mind," Tozer hastened to add, "that it's all guesswork on my +part."</p> + +<p>"You've said that afore, but it's powerful good guessing, Bill. It's my +'pinion you ain't a thousand miles from the truth, but you can see this +makes a mighty different thing of the bus'ness."</p> + +<p>"How so?"</p> + +<p>"The younker's father lives in New York; he's got to be reached, and the +question laid afore him. How much money will Motoza ask to produce the +younker?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly not much—something like five thousand dollars, I should +say."</p> + +<p>"That is rather a healthy pile for you or me, but I don't 'spose it's +more than a trifle for them folks in the East."</p> + +<p>"Of course not; they'll raise it at once, and be glad to do so."</p> + +<p>"But it'll take two weeks at least."</p> + +<p>"Not necessarily; you can telegraph from Fort Steele, and two or three +days ought to wind up the whole business."</p> + +<p>"But you can't telegraph the money."</p> + +<p>"Yes, you can; nothing is easier."</p> + +<p>Hazletine was silent a minute or two.</p> + +<p>"It sounds easy 'nough, the way you put it, but it won't be so powerful +easy after all. I s'pose the Sioux will want the money afore he turns +over the younker?"</p> + +<p>"Of course; that's business."</p> + +<p>"How can we know he'll give up the younker after he gits the money?"</p> + +<p>"In a matter of this kind, a point must be reached where one party has +to trust the other, and Motoza wouldn't dare play you false."</p> + +<p>"He wouldn't, eh? Just give him the chance."</p> + +<p>"Then we won't let him. I'll guarantee that he shall keep his part of +the agreement in spirit and letter."</p> + +<p>It was on Hazletine's tongue to ask who should guarantee the honesty of +Bill Tozer, but for reasons of his own he kept back the question.</p> + +<p>"Wal, now, to git down to bus'ness, as you say; s'pose Doctor Greenwood +sends word that he won't or can't raise the money you ask—what then?"</p> + +<p>Tozer shrugged his shoulders suggestively.</p> + +<p>"Don't forget that I am guessing all the way through. I should say, +however, that Doctor Greenwood would never see his boy again."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid he never will, as the matter now stands."</p> + +<p>"That depends on the parent. If he is not rich, the father of that young +man over yonder is, and he would let him have the money."</p> + +<p>"No doubt he'd do that very thing; but s'pose the thing is all fixed and +carried out as you've been saying—does Motoza fancy there won't be some +accounts to be squared with him afterwards?"</p> + +<p>"You know what a cunning fellow he is. He wouldn't go through with the +job until he was guaranteed against any punishment for his part in it."</p> + +<p>"The father of the younker would give the pledge, and he'd keep it, too, +if he's anything like his son. But what 'bout Hank Hazletine?"</p> + +<p>"He would have to make the same promise—that is, I presume he would. It +might be, however, that Motoza would feel able to take care of himself, +so far as you are concerned. But we are talking blindly."</p> + +<p>"Is there any other way to talk?"</p> + +<p>"You say you were just about starting out to hunt up Motoza. You won't +be able to find him, for he'll keep out of your sight. Leave that part +of the business to me."</p> + +<p>"What'll you do?"</p> + +<p>"I'll explain the situation to him, and then come back and have another +talk with you."</p> + +<p>"All right; you can't do it any too soon."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + +<h3>WATCHING AND WATCHED.</h3> + + +<p>Bill Tozer rose to his feet. The interview was over, and little remained +to be said between the two.</p> + +<p>"Then, Hank, you'll leave matters with me till I see you again?"</p> + +<p>"When will that be?"</p> + +<p>The man stood a moment in thought.</p> + +<p>"In order that there shall be no mistake, let us agree that I shall call +here to-morrow morning—twenty-four hours from now. How does that strike +you?"</p> + +<p>"That will do."</p> + +<p>"I can make it less time than that, if you wish it."</p> + +<p>"That suits; it's a go; good-by."</p> + +<p>"Good-by," and the visitor turned on his heel and strode across the +plateau, disappearing on the further margin, where he had first shown +himself.</p> + +<p>Hank Hazletine stood looking after him as long as he was in sight. When +at last he vanished, an expression of scornful contempt darkened the +bearded face of the cowman, and he muttered:</p> + +<p>"Bill Tozer, you think you're smart, but <i>I understand you</i>!"</p> + +<p>In the interview which has just been recorded the visitor believed he +had outwitted the guide at every step, and yet exactly the reverse was +the fact. Hank Hazletine had pretended a stupidity which was not real. +He noted the contradictions in the declarations of Tozer the instant +they were made, but gave no evidence of it, his object being to draw out +the miscreant, in which purpose he succeeded perfectly.</p> + +<p>The whole truth was manifest to the guide. Fred Greenwood had been +abducted not by Motoza alone, but by him and Bill Tozer. Beyond a doubt +the daring scheme was the invention of the white man, who found a +willing partner in the vagrant Sioux, who burned with enmity toward the +youth. It was Tozer who made the mistake of supposing that the father of +Fred was half-owner of the ranch, and, therefore, presumably a rich man. +Tozer had formed the plan of the abduction while at Bowman's ranch, and +showed by his promptness that he had not allowed the grass to grow under +his feet.</p> + +<p>These meditations occupied but a few minutes, when the cowman walked +toward Jack, who, seeing him approaching, advanced to meet him. +Hazletine felt that the change of conditions made it necessary to talk +more freely than heretofore with the boy.</p> + +<p>"Hank, it seems to me we are throwing away time," said the youth, a +trifle impatiently.</p> + +<p>"I'm not so sure of that, younker. I've news fur you."</p> + +<p>The guide had a good memory, and he repeated, almost word for word, all +that had been said by Tozer and himself. Jack was astounded. His first +emotion was of profound gratitude and delight, for the interview seemed +to establish that Fred Greenwood was alive, and consequently within +reach of recovery.</p> + +<p>"He's not dead!" exclaimed the happy lad; "thank Heaven for that! I +shall soon see him! It seems too good to be true."</p> + +<p>"It isn't best to be sartin of anything in this world," remarked his +friend, with a gravity of expression that ought to have chilled the +ardor of Jack, but it did not. The tidings were too exhilarating for +that.</p> + +<p>"Now, younker," added the man, "we've got more time on our hands than we +know what to do with. Come over by the fire and set down fur a while. +How's that appetite of yours?"</p> + +<p>"I am beginning to feel hungry."</p> + +<p>"I thought so," observed Hank, with a smile.</p> + +<p>"But there's no hurry. I can wait a little while."</p> + +<p>"You'll have to."</p> + +<p>"Now tell me who this man Tozer is?"</p> + +<p>"Wal, he's a reg'lar Motoza, except in blood. I run across him five +years ago in Arizona, where he had been in the stage-robbin' bus'ness. +Things got so hot he had to git out. I didn't hear anything more of him +till I was driving cattle in Montana, when I discovered he was one of +the worst rustlers in that part of the world. I'm sartin he has done a +good many things fur which he ought to hang, but he's more cunning in +his way than the Sioux, and has kept out of the penitentiary when anyone +else would have been doing a life-term. Bill is a great gambler, and has +made and lost fortunes, but he is always out of money and figgering how +to git it ag'in. There isn't anything too mean fur him to do fur money. +He doesn't care any more fur the feelings of others than Geronimo."</p> + +<p>"It looks as if the plan of abducting Fred and holding him for ransom is +his."</p> + +<p>"There ain't no doubt of it; he come to the ranch soon after we'd gone +and larned all 'bout you tenderfeet from the boys themselves. The +thought come to him at once that one of the chances of his lifetime was +his. It's queer he made the mistake of believing that it was the father +of the other younker as owned part of the ranch, but he got matters +twisted in some way. You can see that if it hadn't been fur that blunder +of his, it would be <i>you</i> that your friend and me would be looking fur."</p> + +<p>"I wish it were," was the honest exclamation of Jack Dudley; "but how +was it he came to form his partnership with Motoza?"</p> + +<p>"You've heard it said the devil takes care of his own; Bill and Motoza +are old friends and have been in more than one shady job. I can't know, +but I think Bill must have larned or suspicioned that the Sioux warn't +fur off and he set out to hunt him up. Anyway they managed to come +together, and the job was fixed up atween 'em. Howsumever," said the +guide, "there ain't no use of talking and guessing over what <i>has been</i>, +but we must face what <i>is</i>. Now, if Doctor Greenwood has word by +telegraph that he must pay five thousand dollars to git his younker back +agin, what'll he think?"</p> + +<p>"He will think that this has been a pretty expensive outing for Fred," +replied Jack, whose buoyancy of spirits prompted his trivial answer.</p> + +<p>"Will he pay the money?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and twice as much more, if it is necessary; but won't he be +startled and puzzled to know the meaning of it all! He will come right +out here himself and bring some of the best detectives in the country."</p> + +<p>"And if he does that, he'll never see his boy alive."</p> + +<p>Jack looked at Hazletine in alarm and amazement. The cowman saw phases +of this extraordinary business that had not presented themselves to the +youth, and he now proceeded to impress them upon him. In the first +place, the cunning Tozer would make sure of protecting himself and +Motoza, though the last was purely a matter of policy and self interest, +since he was always ready to sacrifice a comrade. In arranging the +ransom or exchange, Tozer would take no chances. The friends of Fred +Greenwood would have to remain out of sight and in the background. It +would be impossible for any of them to try to checkmate him without his +quickly learning it, whereupon he would abandon the job and turn over +the boy to the savage will of the Sioux.</p> + +<p>"And you know what <i>that</i> means," added the cowman, impressively. "I +should tell you something else, too. It's my belief that if the money is +give to Tozer, and the Sioux is ordered to surrender the younker, he +hates him that bad that he'll try to bring about his death and run the +chances of hanging for it. Where two such wretches as him and Tozer are +in a job there's bound to be crooked work, and I won't never believe +you're going to shake the hand of t'other younker till I see it done +with my own eyes."</p> + +<p>The emphasis of this declaration sent a thrill of alarm through the +frame of Jack Dudley, though it could not wholly destroy the +exhilaration caused by the knowledge that Fred Greenwood was alive.</p> + +<p>It was proof of the kindliness of Hank Hazletine that he made no mention +of a strong suspicion that had been in his mind from the first. This was +that when Tozer met Motoza he learned that the Sioux had already slain +his prisoner, for Hank knew of the furious hate the fellow held toward +the youth. Consequently, Tozer had arranged to carry out his original +scheme, and was now seeking to gain a large sum of money, knowing that +it was out of his power ever to fulfill his part of the bargain.</p> + +<p>Hazletine, we repeat, strongly believed that this ghastly phase of the +business was true, but, inasmuch as there was no certainty of it, he was +too considerate to bring additional grief to the heart of Jack Dudley.</p> + +<p>But the cowman had formed a resolution which he carefully held back from +his companion. An interval of twenty-four hours must pass before the +second interview with Tozer, during which, as the latter was given to +understand, the negotiation would be left wholly with him. Hank and Jack +were to remain quiescent, at least until after the next meeting. But the +cowman nursed a very different determination. He intended to employ all +the time and the utmost ability he possessed in defeating the atrocious +plot of the miscreants. It will be seen that the easiest plan for him +was quietly to help forward the negotiations, but his nature forbade +such meek submissiveness on his part.</p> + +<p>This course, however, was perilous to the missing boy; for, if Tozer or +Motoza saw himself in danger of losing the prize, he would make short +work of the prisoner. It was clear that all the skill and woodcraft of +which the cowman was master would be needed in the delicate task he had +assigned to himself.</p> + +<p>"Younker," he said, when the conversation had continued a while longer, +"after thinking over this bus'ness, I've made up my mind it's better we +should keep apart fur the day."</p> + +<p>"Follow your own judgment. I shall try to be back this evening."</p> + +<p>"To-morrer morning will be time 'nough. I had my supper last night not +fur from here, and if the wild animals haven't visited the spot since, +we shall find 'nough to make a square meal."</p> + +<p>This was acceptable news, and the result all that could be desired. Hank +had cooked a considerable quantity of venison at a romantic place among +the rocks, his first intention being to carry enough of it to +headquarters to supply his young friends with what they needed. +Afterward he changed his mind and decided that it was time they learned +to provide for themselves. Upon making his way to the spot he found +everything as it had been left the previous evening, and thus much more +readily than Jack had dared to expect he secured the needed food.</p> + +<p>"Right here we part," said Hank at the conclusion of the meal.</p> + +<p>"How am I to spend the time?"</p> + +<p>"As your fancy strikes you. As I told you, it will be soon 'nough fur +you to git back to camp to-morrer morning, but you must keep your eyes +open. It may be that Tozer, having larned that your father is the man he +meant to bleed, will try to make a prisoner of you."</p> + +<p>Jack Dudley's eyes flashed.</p> + +<p>"Let him try it! I should like to be in Fred's company."</p> + +<p>"Mebbe you wouldn't be so well suited as you think, but look out fur +snares in your path—that's all I've got to say. I'm off."</p> + +<p>It was characteristic of the cowman to take his departure in this abrupt +manner, his intention being to undertake without delay the difficult +task he had set out for himself, but five minutes later he gave over his +purpose, and, to the surprise of Jack Dudley, came back to him.</p> + +<p>In doing this, Hazletine was wise. His purpose, as already intimated, +was to discover if possible Motoza and Tozer, but especially the former. +There was little doubt that the Sioux would communicate with his +prisoner during the day, or, if Fred Greenwood was not among the living, +his unrelenting enemy was likely to give some evidence of where his +taking off had occurred. Hazletine's belief, therefore, was that by +shadowing the Sioux he had a good chance of securing the information +that would overturn all the calculations of the abductors.</p> + +<p>But this task was tenfold more delicate than would seem at first, for +not only had the cowman to learn the whereabouts of the Sioux, but he +must do it undetected and dog the fellow without discovery on his part. +When it is remembered that Motoza would be on the alert against this, +one is almost ready to declare the cowman had attempted an impossible +thing.</p> + +<p>When he left his young friend, however, it was with the firm purpose of +doing, or rather trying to push through this purpose. Within a hundred +yards of the point where he left Jack the guide had a glimpse of what +may be called the shadow of a movement. Something flickered among the +rocks a short distance ahead and then vanished before he could identify +it.</p> + +<p>But he knew what it meant. Some one was watching him. If the watcher was +not Motoza or Tozer, he was an ally of theirs. He was holding the cowman +under surveillance, ready to report or shoot on the first proof of his +real purpose. The truth flashed upon Hank, and pausing in his walk, +without any evidence of what he had discovered, he began a hasty +examination of his pockets after the manner of a man who suddenly misses +some prized article that he believed to be in his garments.</p> + +<p>The little farce was cleverly acted. Each receptacle was examined +several times, some of the pockets being turned wrong side out, while +the face of the cowman, or rather his eyes, betrayed his excitement. +Then he looked at the ground in front and at the rear, apparently to +learn whether he had dropped the missing treasure. Failing to find it, +he uttered an angry exclamation and walked hurriedly back to his +companion. No one observing the performance would have doubted its +meaning.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to stay a while with you," he remarked, seating himself upon +the ground and lighting his pipe.</p> + +<p>"It was a sudden change of mind," replied Jack, glad to have his +company.</p> + +<p>"Yes; a redskin helped me to make it," and he explained the nature of +his discovery. Inasmuch as the guide had turned back because of the +same, it was easy to understand what his original intention was; for had +it not existed, why should the cowman care if he was kept under +surveillance? He would not be betraying himself any more during an +innocent walk and hunt through the mountains than by sitting on the +ground and smoking his pipe.</p> + +<p>The result to a certain extent was a disappointment to Jack himself, for +he had quietly resolved upon a venture in the same line. Of necessity he +would be governed almost entirely by guesswork, but it was his +determination to spend the day, and if possible the night, in trying to +gather some trace of his missing friend. And while it must be said that +his prospect of success was exceedingly meagre, it should be borne in +mind that he would possess one great advantage over the veteran while +similarly engaged—neither Tozer nor Motoza would fear anything from +what he did, and would give him no attention. He therefore would be left +comparatively free to do what he chose. Despite the warnings of Hank, +Jack was confident nothing was to be feared from the enmity of the two +miscreants while the negotiations were in progress. They were not the +men to destroy the hen that was expected to lay the golden egg.</p> + +<p>For hours Hazletine and Jack lolled in this primitive camp, the cowman +smoking his pipe most of the time, while the two discussed over and over +again the various phases of the momentous business that engaged their +thoughts and to which they yearned to devote their utmost energies. The +guide longed to be off, and as the sun descended the heavens it was one +of the hardest tasks of his life to restrain his impatience, but he had +been trained in a school where patience is one of the greatest of all +the virtues. Suddenly he rose to his feet, stretched his arms and +yawned.</p> + +<p>"I'd like to borrer that spy-glass of yours fur a few minutes."</p> + +<p>"You are welcome," replied Jack, slipping the string over his head and +passing the instrument to him. The cowman sauntered off, taking the same +direction as before. His first wish was to learn whether he was still +under surveillance. So far as he could determine the watcher had grown +weary and withdrawn, though there could be no certainty that he was not +in the neighborhood.</p> + +<p>Jack Dudley, without leaving camp, was able to keep an eye on the +movements of his friend. He saw him make his way to a jutting rock, +partly screened by a growth of cedar. Concealing himself as well as he +could, he raised the glass to his eyes and spent several minutes in +studying the wild country spread below him. He was looking in the +direction of the break in the canyon, beyond which, as will be +remembered, was the plateau where the ponies had been left to crop the +grass while their masters were engaged elsewhere.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="tbw004" id="tbw004"></a> +<img src="images/tbw004.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + + +<h3>"He was looking in the direction of the break in the canyon."</h3> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + +<p>Jack did not attempt to survey the same field, but kept his gaze upon +Hazletine. He could see that he directed his attention toward a +particular point, as if he had either discovered something or expected +to do so. The study continued only a few minutes, when he came back and +handed the glass to the youth, with the remark:</p> + +<p>"I'm going to try it agin. I won't expect to see you till to-morrer +morning."</p> + +<p>The lad bade him good-by, and he took his departure; but instead of +descending the mountain toward the point that had interested him, he +followed the opposite course, as if he intended to push through to the +other side of the Wind River range. This was so transparent a subterfuge +that it did not deceive Jack.</p> + +<p>"He has discovered something," was his conclusion; "he doesn't choose to +tell me, and it makes little difference. I wonder whether he believes I +intend to idle my time till night and then go back to headquarters and +wait for him? If he thinks so, he makes a mistake."</p> + +<p>Waiting until sure his friend was beyond sight, Jack carefully picked +his way to the rock from which Hank had made the observation that +decided his line of action. The better to screen himself the youth lay +down on his face, as when peering over the ridge into the valley where +the antelope were grazing, and held the glass to his eyes.</p> + +<p>Thus looking out, he saw the plateau in the distance, seemingly but a +few rods in extent. Only one of the ponies was visible, and he resembled +a small dog, standing with head down, in the middle of the grassy plot. +Beyond and between were foot-hills, peaks of varying heights, gorges, +ravines and hollows, with rocks, boulders and stunted trees scattered in +profusion. The picturesqueness of the scene was deepened by a thin, blue +column of vapor in the distance, ascending from an invisible camp-fire. +The smoke rose steadily, so it was not to be supposed that it was meant +for a signal, like those already described.</p> + +<p>The most attractive point was the break in the canyon, already +described. This was in plain sight, with the expanse of swiftly-flowing +water, which soon disappeared between the walls on the opposite side.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Jack started. Two Indians were visible, though they were in +view for only a few minutes. They came from the base of the incline +where the boys had seen three of them the day before, and passed out of +sight before the interested observer could decide whether Motoza, the +Sioux, was one of them.</p> + +<p>"I believe Hank has gone down there," was the conclusion of Jack, "and I +shall do the same."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> + +<h3>INTO AND OUT OF THE CANYON.</h3> + + +<p>Jack Dudley's enforced idleness had become intolerable. He could stay no +longer in the place from which Hank Hazletine had departed a half-hour +before. It was a waste of time to speculate over the intentions of the +veteran, and the youth made no attempt to do so. He had set out to see +whether he could act even an insignificant part in the recovery of his +loved comrade.</p> + +<p>It has been said that the boy had the advantage over the man in that it +was not to be supposed any importance would be attached to his actions. +At the same time he was liable to "put his foot in it" in more ways than +one.</p> + +<p>Somehow or other the conviction clung to Jack Dudley that the key to the +situation was in the neighborhood of the canyon. There must be hundreds +of places among the mountains where a prisoner could be hidden from +human eyes, but Hazletine's interest centred in that wild gorge, and +Jack was certain he had gone thither.</p> + +<p>Then there was the fact of the cowman's visit two days before, +concerning which he would have said nothing but for his discovery by the +boys. Why Hank should have picked his way up that dangerous place was +known only to himself. Jack could form no theory to explain it. But he +did not forget the dispute of the three Indians in front of the break +and the start which one of them made to follow the footsteps of the +white man. There must be some attraction in the canyon for them all.</p> + +<p>Jack's dread was that Hazletine, despite his undoubted skill, would +frighten Tozer and Motoza by his efforts to defeat their purpose, and +drive them into slaying Fred and making off before they could be +punished. But the cowman had his own views, and it was too late to +dissuade him.</p> + +<p>Keeping in mind the warning of his friend to use all possible +circumspection in his actions, Jack was so guarded that a full hour had +passed when he once more reached the break in the canyon, which had +already afforded them more than one interesting experience.</p> + +<p>So far as he could judge, he was the only living person within miles. +The two Indians that had flitted across his field of vision were gone, +and it was impossible to say what had become of Hazletine. Determined, +however, to run no unnecessary risk, Jack remained among the trees and +rocks on the upper side of the break, where he could not be seen unless +some one almost stepped upon him. Not satisfied with his first position, +he shifted further to the right, and lay down to wait and watch.</p> + +<p>A gradual obscuring of the sky caused him to look at his watch. Could it +be possible? The autumn afternoon was almost gone. Night was at hand, +whereas he had supposed several hours of daylight remained. Thus +valuable time had slipped past and nothing had been done for Fred +Greenwood.</p> + +<p>From where Jack lay he had a perfect view of the upper gate, as it may +be called, of the canyon. The gorge has already been described as narrow +at the point where the foamy waters dashed through and expanded into the +broad pool, after which they flowed a short way and reunited, to make +their next plunge between the mountain walls on their journey to the sea +thousands of miles distant. Looking across this break, the boy could +penetrate with his eye for a dozen yards into the upper canyon. He saw +the dripping rocks upon which the angry buck sprang, only to pause and +turn back to join his companions below.</p> + +<p>A curious thing happened. Jack was looking in the direction named, when, +with startling suddenness, an Indian shot into sight on the furthest +rock, beyond which the canyon made a sweeping curve that shut off +further view. His appearance was like the upleaping of a Jack-in-the-box +at the touch of the spring, but the explanation was evident: he was +making his way down the gorge from above, when his leap from one rock to +another brought him thus abruptly into view.</p> + +<p>This was interesting of itself, but a still more interesting discovery +came with the second glance at him. He was Motoza, the Sioux!</p> + +<p>It looked as if Hank Hazletine, with all his subtlety and woodcraft, had +failed to do that which came of itself to Jack Dudley.</p> + +<p>The actions of the Sioux showed he was unusually careful about being +seen as he emerged from the canyon into fuller view, for, after leaping +to the rock which stood at the door of the gorge, he stood a minute, +then leaned forward and peered around the sides as far as he could +without losing his balance. He next stood erect and looked keenly across +the pool, and apparently at the very spot where the boy lay hiding.</p> + +<p>"What a face!" muttered Jack; "I never saw one so ugly, with those daubs +of paint; and his eyes shine just like that rattlesnake's we killed. It +can't be he sees me," added the youth in alarm, as he cowered still +lower; "one would think he could look through a stone."</p> + +<p>But nothing less than the Roentgen ray would have revealed the young +man, who was stealthily watching the ferocious buck. The latter must +have decided that the coast was clear, for with another bound he landed +upon a rock quite a way from the opening of the canyon, and a second +leap placed him on the shore where three of his race had been standing +when discovered by Jack and Fred.</p> + +<p>Motoza did not linger, but moved with a very rapid stride across the +open space, where he was in full view of anyone in the vicinity.</p> + +<p>"If I were sure you had done any harm to Fred," muttered Jack, never +removing his eyes from the repellant countenance, "I believe I could +treat you as we did the grizzly bear without a sting of conscience. The +idea of your harming a hair of the head of Fred Greenwood, who showed +you tenfold more mercy than you deserved—my gracious! he must have seen +me."</p> + +<p>This involuntary exclamation was caused by the fact that the Sioux was +following a bee-line for the spot where Jack lay. Believing a meeting +inevitable, the youth placed his hand on his revolver, the preferable +weapon in the event of coming to close quarters.</p> + +<p>But at the last moment Motoza turned to the left and passed among the +rocks within a couple of paces of the youth, who held his breath until +he was gone.</p> + +<p>For some reasons Jack Dudley would have welcomed a meeting with this +miscreant, for he held him in no fear. For one moment he meditated +"holding him up," with the threat of death unless he produced Fred +Greenwood; but fortunately the youth had time in which to see the wild +absurdity of the thing, which could have done no possible good and +probably would have brought great harm. So it was that Motoza passed out +of sight and the youth was once more left alone.</p> + +<p>But Jack's thoughts had taken a new turn. Hazletine had expressed the +belief that in the interval between the first and second meeting with +Tozer either he or Motoza would hold communication with their prisoner; +consequently, if the Sioux could be kept under surveillance without +exciting his suspicion, he was likely to give some involuntary and +useful information.</p> + +<p>"I wonder where Hank is; can it be that he, too, is watching in the +neighborhood and has seen Motoza come out as I saw him? If so, the next +fellow to pass in review before me will be my esteemed friend."</p> + +<p>When, however, a half-hour had gone by without anything being seen of +the cowman, Jack was warranted in believing that he was the only one who +was aware of the coming and going of the red man.</p> + +<p>Following out Hazletine's theory, it would seem that the prison of Fred +Greenwood, instead of being among the mountains, was within the gorge. +This was a startling conclusion, but the more Jack reflected upon it the +more strongly did he believe it.</p> + +<p>"At any rate, I mean to find out whether it is so."</p> + +<p>But on the verge of setting out he hesitated. There was more than one +reason why he should do so. In the first place, it was exceedingly +dangerous to attempt to make his way up the canyon even by daylight, and +the sun had already disappeared. He was totally unfamiliar with the +windings and would be in constant danger of drowning. Moreover, he was +liable, in the event of Fred being held a prisoner in the gorge, to +place himself with him, or to defeat the negotiations for restoring him +to liberty.</p> + +<p>And yet, in the face of these and other obstacles, the youth decided to +make the foolhardy attempt.</p> + +<p>First of all he fastened his Winchester to his back, both he and his +comrade having made provision for doing that before leaving Bowman's +ranch. Then he thrust his revolver more firmly into its resting-place. +This left his hands free, in case a sudden emergency should call for +their use, and gave him an opportunity of saving the more important +weapon. Then, night being fully come, he stepped into the open space +which marked the bank at the break of the canyon. The stars were +shining, but it would be a long time before the moon rose.</p> + +<p>A quick glance to the right and left revealed nothing to cause alarm, +and Jack pressed on until he stood on the spot where the Sioux had +landed when making his last leap. There was enough star-gleam to show +the black mass of stone, like a crouching monster gathering to spring +upon him. It will not be forgotten that the youth was an exceptionally +fine athlete, and, pausing but a moment, he easily made the leap that +carried him to the rock. In fact the task was easy, and he would not +have hesitated to follow in the footsteps of the white man and Indian, +could he have had the twilight of mid-day to assist him.</p> + +<p>The next bound placed him within the walls of the canyon, where he +paused with the question whether it would do to venture further. The +rushing waters were on all sides of him, and the cool spray was dashed +in his face and over his clothing. It was to be supposed that where this +furious current was compressed into such a narrow compass its depth was +considerable, and within its grasp the most powerful swimmer would be +helpless.</p> + +<p>Peering into the gloom, the youth saw the top of the next rock which was +used as a stepping-stone by other visitors. If he were mistaken it would +be bad for him, but, with only a few minutes' pause, he gathered his +muscles and proved he was right. He was now fairly within the canyon and +still standing on solid support, while there had been no trouble to +maintain his foothold from the moment he made the first leap.</p> + +<p>His success thus far gave him renewed courage.</p> + +<p>"What one person has done another can do," was his thought. "Fred and I +agreed that there is a good deal of risk in this, but if I had a little +more light nothing could be easier. These rocks seem to be placed at the +right intervals, and so long as I can locate them I'll go ahead."</p> + +<p>The belief of Jack was that somewhere in the side of the canyon was a +cave in which his comrade was held captive. The sight that the two boys +had obtained of Hank Hazletine, when he disappeared so suddenly from +sight, lent strength to the theory. If the youth was right, the time of +his attempt to ascend the gorge, with the exception of the darkness, +could not have been more favorable, for Motoza was absent, and it was +hardly to be supposed that his place had been taken by Tozer or anyone +else. What a happy meeting it would be if the elder could find the +younger!</p> + +<p>The natural reasoning was that, if one boy was able to ascend the canyon +to where the other was imprisoned, the latter ought to be able to leave +his prison when the gaoler was absent. Jack's explanation was probably +the right one—either that Fred did not know how readily the thing could +be done, or Jack was soon to find himself unable to complete his +journey.</p> + +<p>Spurred on by the hope of doing so much for the one he loved, Jack +paused only long enough to locate the next rock, when he again leaped +with the easy strength and grace that were natural to him. His success +did not render him careless. He was almost in utter darkness, and was +surprised that the way proved so easy. By leaning forward and peering +into the gloom he could generally distinguish the most shadowy outlines +of the nearest part of the support, which, had it been slightly further +removed, would have been altogether beyond his reach.</p> + +<p>It was unreasonable to expect the favorable conditions to continue, and +they did not. The time came very soon when, after one of his leaps, the +youth paused to collect himself, and was unable to distinguish the next +rock projecting above the roaring current. The canyon just there was +wider than usual, and he stooped over and gazed to the right and left in +turn, hoping to discover the indispensable support.</p> + +<p>"It must be somewhere near," he reflected, "else Hank and the rest of +them could have ascended no further; perhaps they did not do so."</p> + +<p>He gazed up the walls of darkness, but saw nothing that could help solve +the question. If there was a cave near at hand its presence was betrayed +by no friendly light. Although the tumult of the current was almost +deafening, he shouted the name of Fred and listened for the response +which came not.</p> + +<p>It was not difficult for Jack Dudley to form the explanation of why he +failed to discern the next support. Hitherto his leaps had been +comparatively trifling. It would have been no trouble to make them +several feet longer. This was a spot where such a jump was necessary, +and therefore he could not discern the rock which would have been +visible with the help of the sun or moon.</p> + +<p>What should he do? Turn back or keep on? It was a most serious question, +and he debated it a long time before forming a conclusion.</p> + +<p>It is remarkable how readily, at times, we can convince ourselves of the +truth of that which we wish to believe. By and by Jack Dudley was sure +he made out the dim outlines of the lower point of a huge rock, just +where it ought to have been.</p> + +<p>"I can't be mistaken, so here goes!"</p> + +<p>And go he did, with a vengeance. It was the finest leap yet made, but, +unfortunately, the support upon which he so confidently counted had no +existence. Instead of landing on solid stone, he dropped into the raging +torrent and went spinning down stream like a cork in a whirlpool.</p> + +<p>He kept his presence of mind, and did not exhaust his strength by trying +to stem the current. His great peril was in being hurled against some of +the rocks and killed or having a limb broken. Throwing out his arms just +in time he averted this calamity, and feeling himself scraping swiftly +past one of the masses of stone that had served him as a support, he +desperately gripped it and drew himself out of the water.</p> + +<p>He was uninjured, but became immediately conscious of a great +misfortune. In the flurry his Winchester had become displaced and was +irrecoverably gone. It was with an exclamation of relief that he found +his revolver in place at his hip.</p> + +<p>"This expedition of mine, considered strictly <i>as</i> an expedition, is a +failure," he grimly muttered, thankful for his own escape, and still +convinced that it was not as bad as it might have been with his friend. +"It won't do to try it again, and it remains for me to get out of the +canyon altogether."</p> + +<p>He had landed upon the extreme upper end of the most immense rock of all +that had been used to help in the ascent. He remembered it well. The +upper portion was depressed and sloping, being three or four feet above +the current. Thus it happened that the point to which he was clinging +allowed him to be deluged with spray, and he strove to climb to the +higher part.</p> + +<p>He was thus engaged, conscious of a number of severe bruises, when an +object whisked past his shoulder, taking a direction up the gorge. He +felt it graze his face, and detected something that can only be +described as a deepening of the dense gloom as it shot over his head. It +came and vanished like the flitting of a bird's wing.</p> + +<p>The youth for the moment was amazed beyond expression, and was at a loss +to explain what it could be. Then the truth flashed upon him. Some one +else was also going up the canyon, and had leaped from the rock to which +Jack was clinging, on his way to the next one. He strove to pierce the +darkness, but the effort was useless.</p> + +<p>"I would give a good deal to know who he was; I couldn't make out +whether it was a white man or an Indian. It may have been Motoza, Tozer, +Hank, or a stranger; but whoever he was, he has no use for me."</p> + +<p>Half suspecting a third party might put in an appearance, Jack waited on +the rock for some minutes, but nothing of the kind occurred, and he +prepared to continue his retreat.</p> + +<p>The water was almost icy cold, the temperature being perceptibly lower +between the walls of the canyon and the clear air outside. With his +saturated garments, the youth was chilled and anxious to reach a point +where he could start a fire and obtain warmth for his body. He had given +over the expectation of seeing any more persons in the gorge and wished +to look after his own comfort.</p> + +<p>To this haste was to be attributed the second accident that overtook the +young man. He had no difficulty in locating the place to land, but he +put too much vigor in the effort, so that when he struck the slippery +rock his momentum carried him forward, and despite his resistance he +took another plunge into the raging current before he could check +himself.</p> + +<p>The place was preferable to the previous one, for it was almost at the +mouth of the canyon. He was guiding himself as best he could, and on the +alert to grasp something to check his swift progress, when he debouched +into the broad, open pool or miniature lake at the break in the banks, +where the current became so sluggish that he swam with ease.</p> + +<p>"This is growing monotonous," he muttered, as, after a few strokes, his +feet touched bottom and he walked out on dry land. "My rifle is gone, +but luckily I have kept my revolver for emergencies——"</p> + +<p>He got no further with the remark, for his hand had gone back to his hip +with the result of discovering that the smaller weapon had been lost +during his last bath. But it was impossible wholly to lose his good +spirits.</p> + +<p>"Whew! but that puts me in a fine condition to hunt grizzly bears and +meet bad Indians; I'm not so anxious to see Motoza as I was."</p> + +<p>His teeth were chattering, and to start his blood in circulation he +began climbing the sloping bank, at the top of which, as will be +remembered, he had remained hidden with Fred Greenwood when looking down +upon the three Indians.</p> + +<p>It was a laborious task, and he was panting when he reached the summit, +where he paused for a few minutes' rest. The prudent course was to +return as speedily as he could to the cavern by the plateau and start a +fire. His blanket had been left there, and would be of great use in his +present condition.</p> + +<p>"I wonder, now, if somebody has been there and stolen them?" he +muttered, resuming his homeward tramp; "this thing ought not to stop, +and it seems to me Hank takes big chances in leaving the blankets and +ponies where some of these Indians can steal them."</p> + +<p>Jack had still to leap the canyon in order to reach his destination, but +the task had become an easy one and caused him no anxiety. All was going +well, when his first shock of alarm came with the discovery that a wild +animal was following him. His first thought was that it was one of the +Indians, but a glimpse, on the edge of a slight clearing, showed that it +was a quadruped.</p> + +<p>Jack paused and looked intently at the creature. He could see it only +dimly, but sufficiently so to identify it as a wolf of unusually large +size. He suspected it was of the black species, one of those savage +brutes to be dreaded tenfold more than the ordinary grey kind.</p> + +<p>"I wonder whether he knows I haven't got a firearm about me? Ah, old +fellow, if I had my Winchester it wouldn't take me long to settle you."</p> + +<p>It was no jesting matter, and Jack kept close watch of him while +threading his way to camp, as their headquarters were called. Several +times, when he turned quickly, he was startled to observe that the +animal had stolen quite close to him, as if to leap upon his shoulders; +but he showed his cowardly nature by darting back, only to return the +moment the youth turned his face away.</p> + +<p>The question with Jack was whether he should stop and kindle a fire, or +wait until he reached the cavern. He preferred to do the latter, but it +looked unsafe to defer the precaution. The distance, however, was short, +and he hurried on until he clambered over to the plateau and was greeted +by a whinny from his pony, Dick, who was quick to recognize him. Instead +of keeping up the pursuit, or attacking one of the horses, the wolf +seemed to conclude it best to turn his attention elsewhere. He slunk +off, and was seen no more.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> + +<h3>THE QUEST OF THE COWMAN.</h3> + + +<p>It was Hank Hazletine, the cowman, who leaped over the head of Jack +Dudley when he was crouching on the rock in the canyon, and it happened +in this way:</p> + +<p>It has been intimated that when the veteran left the boy at the +temporary camp on the mountain side his intention was to learn the +whereabouts of Motoza, the Sioux, hoping thereby to gain knowledge of +the missing Fred Greenwood.</p> + +<p>This was a task of extreme difficulty, inasmuch as it was certain the +vagrant red man would be on his guard against such strategy. The Indian +whom Hank saw with the aid of the spy-glass was not he whom he wished to +trace, but, suspecting he was in the vicinity, the cowman made his way +thither by a roundabout course. He was on the alert for the fellow, or +for his ally, Bill Tozer. Should either or both of them discover Hank, +he might well assume that it was an accident. It could hardly be +expected of him that he would remain at the cavern for twenty-four +hours, awaiting the time for Tozer to meet him. His most natural course +would be to engage in hunting with his youthful companion, and he could +reasonably claim to be thus engaged if a meeting took place.</p> + +<p>Should events prove that the plotters were too watchful to be caught off +their guard, then the second phase of the business was to be considered; +but it remained to be seen whether such was the fact. The ransom was to +be agreed to when it was apparent that no other course could save the +lad.</p> + +<p>Advancing with the care and stealth of a trained Indian scout, Hazletine +remained but a short time near the break in the canyon, for suspecting, +as did Jack Dudley, that it was in that neighborhood the key to the +situation was to be found, he was exposing himself to discovery. He +climbed the same ascent, leaped the canyon, and ensconced himself on the +further side. His intention was to peer over the edge into the depths +below, instead of taking the course followed later by his young friend.</p> + +<p>He was acting on this idea, when he came within a hair of spoiling +everything by committing the very blunder against which he had sought +with so much pains to guard. At his height above the torrent, as will be +remembered, no one was disturbed by the roar of the waters far below. +Because of his susceptibility to sounds, he heard an exclamation uttered +by some one near him. The point whence it came was a clump of rocks +hardly fifty feet distant, and he fancied he recognized the voice as +Bill Tozer's. To his relief he could see no one, and it was safe, +therefore, to assume that no one as yet saw him.</p> + +<p>The ground was favorable, and by using the utmost care he secured a +position from which he discovered Tozer and Motoza in conversation. The +white man was sitting on a boulder, while the Sioux was standing in +front of him, gesticulating as if angry over something that had been +proposed or said. Tozer was smoking a pipe, and seemed cool and +collected, though the exclamation which had betrayed him indicated that +it had not been thus from the beginning.</p> + +<p>It was an important discovery for Hazletine to make, but it was attended +by two exasperating facts: the interview was nearly over, and the words +that remained to be spoken were uttered in such moderate tones that he +could not hear a syllable. If the couple had been obliging enough to +raise their voices, it is probable that the knowledge sought by the +eavesdropper would have soon been at his command.</p> + +<p>But nothing of that nature took place. Within five minutes after the +arrival of the cowman, prepared to act his part as spy, Motoza turned +about and walked away in the direction of the canyon, while Tozer took a +course which, if continued, would lead him to the plateau.</p> + +<p>"I don't think he'll go there, fur he's no reason to look fur me in that +place afore to-morrer morning."</p> + +<p>But the white man was not the important factor in the problem. Hank +waited for some minutes after he had passed from sight, and then set out +to regain sight of Motoza, which task proved more difficult than he +expected. The fellow had vanished, and it was impossible to tell whither +he had gone. The rocky surface left no trail which even an Apache could +follow, and it only remained for the cowman to fall back upon what may +be called general principles.</p> + +<p>The experience of the cowman was another illustration of how much +depends in this world on what is called chance.</p> + +<p>Jack Dudley, without any preliminary training in woodcraft, discovered +Motoza as he emerged from the canyon, while the veteran of the West, +skilled in all the ways of his venturesome life, spent hours in looking +for the Sioux without obtaining the first glimpse of him. That he missed +him by a margin that could not have been narrower was a fact; but "a +miss is as good as a mile," and the autumn afternoon drew to a close +without the first glimmer of success on his part. He had gone so far, +even, as to visit a distant camp-fire, whose smoke still faintly showed +against the clear sky, but failed to see a living person.</p> + +<p>He was on the point of giving over his quest, when the unexpected +happened. Within a few hundred yards of the break in the canyon he +caught sight of Motoza and Tozer holding another consultation. They had +evidently just met, and the configuration of the ground enabled +Hazletine to steal near enough to catch some of the words spoken by the +couple.</p> + +<p>The two were standing face to face, and their actions were peculiar. +Motoza was in the act of handing his Winchester rifle to Tozer, who, +accepting the weapon, turned it over and examined it with interest. +Since he could not speak the Sioux he used the English language, of +which, as will be remembered, Motoza possessed a fair knowledge.</p> + +<p>"You're lucky," he said; "the gun is worth more than yours. So you made +a trade with the young man?"</p> + +<p>"Yes—me trade," replied the Sioux, his painted face relaxing with the +grin that had become almost chronic.</p> + +<p>"I don't s'pose he made any objection—that is, he gave you his gun +without making a kick?"</p> + +<p>The Sioux nodded his head and still grinned, Tozer joining him in the +last expression of his feelings.</p> + +<p>"How about his revolver?"</p> + +<p>"He gib me that," said the scamp, drawing forth the handsome weapon, +where Hazletine had not observed it, thrust into the girdle about his +waist.</p> + +<p>There was no mistaking the meaning of these words and proceedings. All +doubt was removed as to the abduction of Fred Greenwood. Motoza was the +agent in the outrage, though whether Tozer had taken an active part in +the same was yet uncertain. He scanned the smaller firearm, and then, +instead of returning it to the Sioux, deliberately shoved it into his +hip-pocket.</p> + +<p>"I think I'll take charge of that, Motoza."</p> + +<p>The buck was about to make angry objection, when the white man +explained:</p> + +<p>"When I meet Hank to-morrow he'll want some proof that I can turn over +the youngster to him. He won't believe I can do so till he sees that +proof. I'll show him this revolver, and he'll know it belongs to the +youngster. That will be all the proof he'll ask. The rest will come +easy; and, Motoza, you and I will be rich."</p> + +<p>There was an emphasis in this declaration that was convincing to the +dusky partner in crime. He nodded his head and made no further protest. +Evidently he was under the influence of his white ally.</p> + +<p>At this juncture the couple turned their backs upon the eavesdropper, +who had stolen to within a few paces of them. They continued talking, +but the change of position prevented his hearing what was said. It was +peculiarly exasperating, for, though he had gained considerable +information, he still lacked the most important news of all. He had +heard no intimation of where the prisoner was held. Could he but learn +that, he would have lost no time in attempting his rescue. It must be +said, furthermore, that had such knowledge come to him he would not have +hesitated to draw bead on the two miscreants in turn, and shoot them +down in their tracks. He was thoroughly enraged, and they deserved the +fate.</p> + +<p>A few minutes after the change of position the couple walked away, side +by side, still conversing. Certain discovery would have followed any +attempt on the part of the cowman to keep at their heels or nigh enough +to overhear their words, so he held his place and saw them pass from +sight. He had noted the direction, however, and observed that it led +from the canyon and deeper into the mountains.</p> + +<p>This was puzzling. It seemed to Hank that one or both would make their +way to the prison of the youth, for it was unlikely that he would be +left alone through the night. Having no thought of being under +surveillance, Motoza and Tozer would take a direct course to the place +of confinement, which now seemed to be deeper in the mountains, and at +some point of which the cowman had no suspicion.</p> + +<p>It was of the highest importance that the couple should not be allowed +to pass beyond sight, and the cowman began a cautious search for them. +But once more he was doomed to disappointment. In the gathering twilight +it was impossible to regain sight of them, and, convinced of the +uselessness of the attempt, he gave it up.</p> + +<p>"It begins to look as if Tozer holds the winning hand," he angrily +muttered; "there ain't no question that the two have the younker safe, +and I've no idee where to hunt fur him—but hold on!"</p> + +<p>The conviction, or rather suspicion, that the prison of the youth was +within the canyon returned to the hunter with redoubled force. Why had +he not searched there before? If it was a mistake, no harm could follow; +if it was not a mistake—well, he should see.</p> + +<p>Wondering at himself because of his oversight, he abandoned all attempt +to regain sight of the couple and headed for the break in the canyon. He +arrived only a brief while after Jack Dudley attempted and failed to +follow up the gorge, and except for the mishap of the youth the two +would have met within the following few minutes. It has already been +shown how narrowly they missed doing so.</p> + +<p>The familiarity of the cowman with the canyon averted the mistake made +by his young friend. He ascended it with scarcely any hesitation, +although in the dense gloom his vision was almost useless. It was +because of that that he well-nigh stepped upon the crouching figure +without suspecting it. Reaching the stone where Jack had been +overwhelmed by failure, the cowman paused for a minute and peered round +in the gloom. Not until he had glanced upward and studied the projecting +crags over his head as outlined against the starlit sky was he +absolutely sure of his location. That glance made everything clear.</p> + +<p>The next rock upon which it was necessary to leap was within easy reach, +and had Jack Dudley known its location he would have fallen into no +trouble. It lay to the left, close to the side of the canyon, and really +carried one no further up the gorge; but from its surface he readily +bounded to one beyond, and continued his leap-frog performance until he +had ascended another hundred yards.</p> + +<p>He was now close to the point he had in mind. It was there that he had +been picking his way when the wondering boys, looking down from the top, +saw him. Hazletine would have explained his action to them but for a +certain feeling of shame which was not unnatural.</p> + +<p>There had been rumors for years among the cattlemen of Southwestern +Wyoming of a cavern in the canyon which was studded with gold. Many +searches had been made for it, but without success. Hank Hazletine was +among those who engaged in the hunt, but neither he nor his friends +succeeded in finding the place. The veteran was not quite ready to +abandon hope, and when he found himself in the section once more, on the +hunt in which he acted as guide for the boys, he determined to make a +decisive exploration without letting any one know his secret.</p> + +<p>It was on this expedition that he succeeded in finding the cavern, but +his trained eye immediately told him the marvellous legend was a myth. +It was a romantic and picturesque spot, but there was not a grain of +auriferous metal or ore in sight. Hoping that a second cavern was in the +vicinity, he extended his search. When he emerged from the gorge, at the +point where the break occurred, it was with the certainty that the whole +thing was a fable. With a grim smile he dismissed the matter and +resolved not to think of it again. He felt that he had acted foolishly, +and his reluctance to tell his story to his young friends, therefore, +was only natural.</p> + +<p>But once more the cowman was on his way to the mysterious cavern, drawn +by the hope, rather than the belief, that it was there he would find +Fred Greenwood a prisoner and awaiting the completion of the bargain for +his release by his abductors.</p> + +<p>Determined to make no mistake, he halted under the projecting ledge and +spent several minutes in peering around in the gloom. It looked as if he +was right; but the darkness was too profound for him to make sure, and +even the scrutiny of the ribbon of sky that showed above the narrow +opening a thousand feet above his head failed to remove the last vestige +of doubt.</p> + +<p>Like the boys, Hank carried a rubber safe of matches. Producing this, he +struck one of the tiny bits on the corrugated bottom of the little black +box, and, shading the flame with his fingers from the moist wind caused +by the dashing waters, he glanced at his immediate surroundings. He had +strapped his Winchester to his back, and his arms were free.</p> + +<p>A thrill of pleasure went through him, for the first scrutiny showed he +was right. Directly over his head projected a thin ledge within ready +reach. It was what might be termed the doorstep to the cavern. He had +come to the exact spot for which he was searching.</p> + +<p>Flinging the extinguished match into the waters at his side, he reached +upward, and without difficulty drew himself upon the ledge. He was now +in front of the cavern which he had visited by daylight, and whose +interior was impressed so vividly on his memory that he knew every foot +of it.</p> + +<p>"Is the younker in there?" was the question he asked himself after +regaining his feet. To test the matter, he called his name. The fierce +torrent roared below and around him, but he was sure his words must have +penetrated into the dismal recesses. He repeated the call several times +without response.</p> + +<p>"It may be the younker is asleep, or, if he hears me, he may take me fur +Motoza; and yet that couldn't be, for our voices don't sound alike."</p> + +<p>Once more he produced his rubber safe and struck a match, holding the +twinkling flame above his head as he slowly moved forward into the +cavern. Before the light expired he had another, for he intended to make +his search thorough.</p> + +<p>The opening in the side of the canyon had a width of ten or twelve feet, +was of the same height, and extended back for more than double the +distance. Side, floor and roof were of irregular formation, and the +craggy stones rough and wet. Had there been any gleaming stalactites or +stalagmites in sight, the cause of the legend attaching to the place +would have been understood, but there was nothing of that nature. The +cavern was simply a rent in the side of the canyon wall, created by some +convulsion of nature, and all that was visible was damp limestone.</p> + +<p>By the time the visitor had burned three matches his examination of the +place was completed and he had made the discovery that he was the only +occupant. Fred Greenwood was not there, nor did the cavern show signs of +having been visited by person or animal.</p> + +<p>But hold! When Hank threw down the last expiring match, he caught a +glimpse of something white on the flinty floor. He had not thought of +looking for anything, and it was the accidental following of the match +with his gaze that revealed the object. Instantly another match was +sending out its feeble rays, and he stooped down and picked up that +which had arrested his attention.</p> + +<p>It was a piece of paper, apparently the blank leaf of a letter. There +was no writing or mark on it to indicate its ownership, but had it been +the visiting-card of Fred Greenwood, Hank Hazletine could not have been +more positive that it belonged to the young man.</p> + +<p>It was impossible that Motoza should carry writing-paper with him. The +cowman never did so, consequently he could not have dropped it on his +late visit. It was equally improbable that Bill Tozer had anything to do +with it. He knew that both of the boys had paper and pencils with them, +for he had seen them figuring over some problems they were discussing, +and with a thrill of conviction he remembered that the paper they used +was of precisely the same pattern as the piece he held in his hand.</p> + +<p>"The younker has been here, but what the mischief has become of him?" +and the mystified cowman looked right and left, on the floor and at the +roof, as if he suspected the youth was hiding in one of those places.</p> + +<p>An explanation suggested itself. After taking the lad to the cavern, his +captor from some cause had changed his mind and transferred him to +another place of confinement.</p> + +<p>No; there was another theory which would explain the mystery: it was +that Motoza, yielding to his implacable enmity of the youth, had placed +him beyond all reach of his friends. The spirit of revenge with an +American Indian is tenfold stronger than cupidity. It was not improbable +that the miscreant, having committed the unspeakable crime, was +concealing it from Tozer, his ally in the dreadful business.</p> + +<p>The work of the cowman was finished for the time. He carefully let +himself down from the ledge to the rock immediately beneath, and began +working his way through the canyon to the opening at the break. His +familiarity stood him in as good stead as before, and he reached the +place without mishap. Climbing the steep slope to the higher ground, he +sat down for a few minutes' thought.</p> + +<p>It was well into the night, and it was useless to attempt to do anything +more. He was as firmly resolved, however, as before not to be outwitted +by the ruffians with whom he was dealing. He would consent to no attempt +to pay them a ransom until he knew beyond peradventure that their part +of the contract would be fulfilled.</p> + +<p>"If they try any crooked work," he muttered, with deadly earnestness, +"both of 'em have got to settle with Hank Hazletine."</p> + +<p>He gave no thought to Jack Dudley, for he took it for granted that he +had been able to look out for himself during the day. Following the +route so well known to him, he reached the plateau within an hour after +the arrival of the youth, who had started a fire and was doing his best +to dry his clothing and gain some warmth for his chilled body.</p> + +<p>It need not be said that the cowman was interested in the story told by +the youth, and was astonished beyond measure to learn that both had +taken the same route, one actually passing the other without either +suspecting it. On his part, Hazletine related all that he had passed +through, and explained the reason of his ascent of the canyon some time +before, when he was observed by the wondering lads.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, where was Fred Greenwood?</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> + +<h3>INTO THE CAVERN.</h3> + + +<p>Hank Hazletine and Jack Dudley having failed to find the missing Fred +Greenwood, let us try our hand at the task.</p> + +<p>Going back to that afternoon when the elder youth from his concealment +on the crest of the ridge fired down into the little herd of antelope +grazing in the valley in front of him, and secured a supper for the two, +it will be remembered that Fred had started along the side of the +valley, with a view of placing himself beyond the game and rendering the +success of himself and friend certain.</p> + +<p>He never dreamed of danger to himself. His attention was fixed upon the +pretty animals, and, hungry as he was, he felt a sympathy for them, +knowing that in all probability one of the number would be sacrificed. +Nevertheless, he put forth the utmost pains to prevent their taking +alarm, and there is hardly a doubt that he would have succeeded in his +purpose but for the catastrophe which overtook him when half the +distance had been passed.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, while he was stealing forward in a crouching posture, a low, +threatening voice reached his ear. Only the single word, "<i>Stop!</i>" was +uttered, but it could not have startled the youth more than the whir of +a rattlesnake under his feet. Before he could straighten up he turned +his head like a flash. Not a rod distant, kneeling upon one knee, was +Motoza, the Sioux, with his Winchester aimed at him!</p> + +<p>Believing that he would press the trigger of his weapon the next moment, +Fred Greenwood was transfixed. He could only look at his enemy and await +the end. He was without the power to raise a finger in his own defence.</p> + +<p>"Drop gun!" commanded his master. The words showed the lad that he had a +few minutes at least to live, but the "drop" was on him and he promptly +obeyed.</p> + +<p>"Drop little gun!" added the Sioux, who never wavered in keeping his +rifle pointed at the chest of the young man.</p> + +<p>Fred withdrew his revolver and flung it at his feet. He was now without +a single firearm. An infant could not have been more helpless.</p> + +<p>As yet he had not spoken a word. He recalled the warning of Jack Dudley, +and knew the ferocious hatred this vagrant redskin held toward him. To +appeal for mercy would delight the miscreant and not aid the prisoner. +He tried another tack.</p> + +<p>"What do you want with me, Motoza?"</p> + +<p>The question pleased the Sioux, who, partly lowering his rifle, still +held it ready for instant use. His ugly countenance was broken by the +old grin.</p> + +<p>"Huh! You call Motoza tief, eh?"</p> + +<p>"That's what I called you, and that's what you are!"</p> + +<p>"Huh! Me kill you!"</p> + +<p>"<i>You</i> can do that easily enough, but you'll never live to brag about +it. If the officers don't hang you, Hank Hazletine will make daylight +shine through your hide! He is only waiting for an excuse."</p> + +<p>"White man dog—me not afraid—me kill <i>him</i>!" said the Sioux, with a +dangerous glitter in his snake-like eyes.</p> + +<p>"You can't do it too soon. But what are you waiting for?"</p> + +<p>Motoza had not counted upon such defiance; but if it lessened his +contempt it did not diminish his hate nor weaken his purpose.</p> + +<p>"You go; me follow; me point rifle if you run; if you call, me shoot!"</p> + +<p>"Which way do you wish me to travel?"</p> + +<p>The Sioux pointed toward the bend in the valley for which Fred was +making when checked in this peremptory manner. To obey was to take him +further from his comrade, but he obeyed.</p> + +<p>As he moved off, Motoza picked up the two weapons from the ground, +thrusting the revolver into the girdle at his waist, while he carried +the Winchester in his other hand. Fred heard him a few paces in the +rear, as well as the repetition of his threats to fire on the least +attempt of the prisoner to regain his freedom or to attract the +attention of his friends.</p> + +<p>The youth never doubted that he would carry out this threat, and he +would have been a zany to draw the explosion of wrath. He walked forward +and did his best to obey the orders of his enemy in spirit and letter.</p> + +<p>The young man thought intently. The shock of the belief that instant +death impended was somewhat softened by the knowledge that the crisis +was deferred for a time at least, though it was impossible to guess for +how long.</p> + +<p>What was the ultimate intention of the Sioux? It seemed probable to Fred +that he was afraid to slay him at the spot of capture, since the body +would be sure of discovery by his friends, with a good chance of +learning the identity of the assassin. What more likely, therefore, than +that he was conducting him to some remote place, where his body would +never be found?</p> + +<p>It was not natural that an active, sturdy youth like Fred Greenwood +should submit to be led thus meekly to slaughter, but in what possible +way could he help himself? If he wheeled about to assail the buck he was +without a single weapon, while the Sioux was doubly armed. A glance over +his shoulder showed his enemy almost within arm's reach.</p> + +<p>Not the least trying feature of this extraordinary proceeding was that +Fred had to hear the report of Jack Dudley's rifle, followed by his +shouts, which plainly reached the ears of the one who dared make no +reply. He could only continue walking until the bend in the valley was +passed, when a change of direction took place.</p> + +<p>It was no longer necessary to conceal themselves from observation, for +there was no one to be feared. From the facts that afterward came to +light there is little doubt that Tozer and Motoza had held a conference +previous to the capture and fixed upon a definite line of procedure, for +otherwise it is not conceivable that the Sioux would have spared the +life of his captive.</p> + +<p>With numerous turnings, and with the sounds of Jack Dudley's shouts and +firing faintly reaching his ears, young Greenwood continued marching in +front of his captor long after the sun had set and night closed in. He +had lost all idea of the points of the compass, but the fact that the +tramp continued and that no harm was done him inspired the prisoner with +a degree of hope that was altogether lacking at the opening of his +strange adventure.</p> + +<p>Suddenly a roaring noise struck him, and a short distance further he +reached the break in the canyon with which he had become familiar. This +enabled him to locate himself, and he looked around to learn the further +wishes of his master. From the moment of starting Fred had been on the +alert for a chance to make a break for liberty, but none occurred. The +Sioux was too vigilant to tempt him.</p> + +<p>The long immunity from harm had given the lad a certain self-assurance. +As yet he had formed no suspicion of the real purpose of the Sioux, but, +somehow or other, he believed his own death was not likely to be +attempted for a number of hours to come.</p> + +<p>"Well, Motoza, here we are! What's the next step?"</p> + +<p>The Indian raised one of the hands grasping a Winchester and pointed +toward the canyon.</p> + +<p>"Go dere—jump on rock!"</p> + +<p>"My gracious! I can't do that!"</p> + +<p>"Den me kill!"</p> + +<p>As if angered beyond restraint, he made a leap toward the startled +youth, who recoiled a step, and, esteeming a death by drowning +preferable to the one which threatened him, made haste to reply:</p> + +<p>"All right; I'll try it."</p> + +<p>But it was necessary that the miscreant should give some instructions to +his prisoner. These were simple. He was to leap upon the rock nearest to +shore, and then, by the same means, ascend the canyon until ordered to +stop. From what has already been related concerning Jack Dudley's +experience, it will be seen that the task was difficult and dangerous.</p> + +<p>There was no choice, however. He had gained a general knowledge of the +canyon and felt almost certain he would be overtaken by accident; but in +many respects his experience was so similar to that which was afterward +undergone by his comrade that the particulars need not be dwelt upon. He +found the work less laborious than he expected. The Sioux by gesture +indicated the rocks, when they were not clear to the boy, who found no +trouble in making the leaps. In every case he had hardly landed when the +buck dropped lightly at his side.</p> + +<p>A desperate scheme was half-formed more than once while this singular +progress was going on. It was purposely to miss his footing and allow +himself to be carried away by the tumultuous torrent. He was restrained +by two good reasons. Motoza was likely to seize him before he was swept +beyond reach, and if he did not he would inevitably drown. Accordingly, +Fred kept at it until finally they reached the ledge up which Hank +Hazletine climbed twenty-four hours later.</p> + +<p>By this time a suspicion of the partial truth had penetrated the mind of +Fred. There must be some cavity in the rocks where his captor meant to +hold him for awhile as prisoner. The plan of securing a large ransom in +payment for his freedom was not dreamt of by the youth. No one would +think of looking in this place for him, and he would be secure for an +indefinite period.</p> + +<p>Motoza had learned several things from his association with those of +Caucasian blood, one of which was that a rubber match-safe is preferable +to rubbing two dry sticks together when in need of fire, or using the +old-fashioned steel and flint.</p> + +<p>He managed with some trouble to make Fred understand he was to climb up +the ledge, and he followed so deftly that the prisoner was given no +chance to try to prevent him. A minute after they stood side by side, +Motoza struck a match, and his captive had a glimpse of the cavern which +has already been described.</p> + +<p>Here, then, was the end of the journey. This was to be the prison of +Fred Greenwood until when? When was he to be released, or was he not to +be released at all?</p> + +<p>Passing well back in the gloom the two sat down, so far removed from the +roar and tumult of the torrent that they could talk without difficulty. +Fred was still apprehensive of some sudden violence from the Sioux, and, +though in the gloom he could see nothing of him, he was ready to make +the best struggle possible.</p> + +<p>"Am I to stay here, Motoza?" he asked, raising his voice to a high +pitch.</p> + +<p>Instead of replying directly, the Indian asked:</p> + +<p>"Huh! you fader hab heap money, eh?"</p> + +<p>This simple question revealed the whole plot and confirmed the statement +already made that the scheme for holding Fred Greenwood for ransom by +his relatives was arranged before his abduction took place.</p> + +<p>It was a great discovery for Fred Greenwood to make. On the instant +nearly all his fears vanished and his heart glowed with hope. This being +remembered, he can hardly be blamed for drawing matters with rather a +long bow.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he made haste to say, "my father has money; a hundred times more +than I have," all which was true without involving more than a moderate +sum.</p> + +<p>"He gib heap money fur <i>you</i>, eh?"</p> + +<p>"Of course; I come high."</p> + +<p>"He gib thousand—gib ten thousand—hundred thousand—million +dollar—eh?"</p> + +<p>"Well, that's a pretty good sum; I'm afraid my father wouldn't think I +am worth as much as that; but there's no doubt, Motoza, he will pay you +a good price; is it your plan to sell me to him?"</p> + +<p>The Sioux made no answer to this, though Fred repeated the question. The +sullen silence of the Indian brought back the misgivings of the captive. +He could not doubt that he had been abducted with a view of being +ransomed, but it was impossible to credit Motoza with the whole scheme. +He must have allies, and, knowing nothing of Bill Tozer, Fred suspected +that a half-dozen vagrant Indians, more or less, were engaged in it, +though it seemed singular that no one else had shown himself thus far.</p> + +<p>Although the prisoner had been in better spirits than would be +suspected, his situation was uncomfortable and he lost hope with the +passage of the hours. Motoza refused to hold any further conversation, +and was evidently brooding over something of an unpleasant nature. By +and by he lit his pipe and silently puffed. He was sitting on the flinty +floor, with his back against the side of the cavern and his legs thrust +out in front of him.</p> + +<p>Now and then, when he drew a little harder on the pipe, the glow in the +bowl revealed the tip of his nose, a part of the painted forehead, and +the glittering black eyes. It was a gruesome picture, for, even when he +was invisible, it seemed to Fred he could see the gleam of those eyes +fixed upon him.</p> + +<p>"Now, I know he hates me beyond expression," mused the youth, "and +nothing would delight him more than to torture me to death. If he agrees +to give me my liberty, it will be just like him to kill me as soon as he +gets the money which father will gladly pay for my safety."</p> + +<p>It will be seen that the trend of Fred's thoughts was similar to those +of Hank Hazletine, when considering the same matter. Whatever project +might be in the minds of others, the youth would be in danger so long as +he was in the power of the wretch whom he had unpardonably insulted.</p> + +<p>Naturally, Fred had asked himself more than once whether it was possible +for him to make his escape from the cavern. It was out of the question +so long as the Sioux was his companion, but if he should leave him +alone, even for a short time, the youth was resolved to make the +attempt.</p> + +<p>These and similar thoughts were chasing one another through his brain +when he fell asleep. He was very tired from his long tramp and did not +open his eyes until the faint light of morning penetrated his prison. He +had not forgotten to wind his watch, and when he looked at it he saw to +his astonishment that it was nearly eight o'clock. He had slept for more +than ten hours.</p> + +<p>The next cause of his surprise was to find he was alone. Motoza had left +while he was asleep, though how long previous it was impossible to +guess. But the hunger which Fred Greenwood had felt on more than one +previous occasion was as naught compared to the ravenous appetite that +now had possession of him. It was a long time since he had eaten, and it +looked as if it would be a long time before he ate again. There was +absolutely nothing in the cavern beside himself. He felt in his pockets +in the weak hope of finding a forgotten fish-hook that could be used, +though he possessed nothing in the nature of bait; but, inasmuch as he +had not brought a hook with him, it would not do to say he succeeded in +his search, though he displaced the piece of writing-paper afterward +found by his friend.</p> + +<p>Forcing all thought of food from him for the time, he asked why, now +that his gaoler was absent, he should not pick his way down the canyon +and make a break for liberty. At the same time he could not forget that +one of the most improbable acts of the Sioux would be to give him any +chance at all to escape.</p> + +<p>It was more than likely that Motoza had laid the temptation in his way, +that it might serve him as a pretext for shooting his prisoner. Fred +resolved, therefore, to be careful in all that he did. The necessity of +drinking and bathing his face was his excuse for walking out to the +border of the ledge and letting himself down to the rock underneath. +There he dipped up what water he needed in the palms of his hands, and +while doing so scanned every part of the canyon in his field of vision.</p> + +<p>He noted the narrow strip of sky far aloft, the tumbling waters above +and below where he stood, the black boulders protruding their heads +above the torrent which flung itself fiercely against them, the craggy +walls of the canyon, but nowhere did he catch sight of the Sioux who had +brought him hither. None the less, Fred felt so certain his black eyes +were watching him from some hidden point that he did not yield to the +temptation to leap to the nearest boulder and start on his flight for +liberty. Instead, he grasped the margin of the ledge and drew himself up +to his former place.</p> + +<p>There, however, he paused with folded arms and surveyed the strange +scene more leisurely than before. He was anxious to discover the Sioux +if anywhere in sight, but the fellow did not show himself.</p> + +<p>The roar of the canyon had been in his ears so long that it seemed like +silence, and it had lulled him to sleep hours before. He was still +suffering from hunger and longed for the return of his captor, for he +thought he would bring food with him.</p> + +<p>Providentially the lad had stood in this position but a short time when +he looked aloft toward the sky. At the moment of doing so he uttered an +exclamation of affright and leaped back into the mouth of the cavern. +The next instant a boulder that must have weighed a ton crashed upon the +ledge where he had been standing, splintered off a number of pieces, and +plunged into the torrent below.</p> + +<p>Fred did not try to make himself believe that the falling of this mass +of stone was an accident. Motoza or one of his allies had been on the +watch above for the appearance of the youth, and when the boulder had +been adjusted as well as possible it was tumbled over into the canyon. +Had Fred remained on the spot a few moments longer he would have been +crushed like an insect under the wheel of a steam-engine.</p> + +<p>It was a startling occurrence, and in his weakened condition made him so +faint that he withdrew still further into the cavern and sat down, +trembling like a leaf. His hunger had vanished and hope almost departed.</p> + +<p>"It will not do for me to leave the cavern in the daytime, for he is +waiting for me to do so. I can't do it at night without some one to +guide me. He means to keep me here until I die of starvation."</p> + +<p>Fred had come really to believe this. He knew enough of Indian nature to +understand that the race rarely inflict instant death upon an enemy when +it is in their power to subject him to torture or slay in some horrible +fashion. Motoza had not slain him before because he was unwilling that +the one whom he hated so intensely should receive such mercy. It would +be a hundredfold sweeter to the Sioux to see his prisoner dying by +inches.</p> + +<p>"If he has a plan for making father pay a ransom for me it will take a +number of days to bring the thing to an end. During all that time I am +to be left without a morsel of food; he would deprive me of water, too, +if he could."</p> + +<p>It was a shocking conclusion to form, but the usually clear-headed boy +became convinced he was right.</p> + +<p>"Poor Jack must be worried almost to death," he murmured, sitting on the +stones and giving rein to his fancies; "he will know that something has +gone wrong with me, but he can never know what it was. Hank will lay it +to Motoza, for he has said there is nothing too wicked for him to do, +but the cowman has no way of finding what has become of me, and he can't +make Motoza tell him. He and Jack may hunt for weeks without suspecting +where I am."</p> + +<p>In this declaration Fred Greenwood, as is known, was not quite correct, +though the search of his friends was fruitless.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX.</h2> + +<h3>A CLIMB FOR LIBERTY.</h3> + + +<p>A youth in the situation of Fred Greenwood cannot reason clearly, even +though he be right in his main conclusions. He had settled into the +belief that Motoza, the Sioux, had determined to subject him to a +lingering death through starvation; and yet if it were he—as +undoubtedly it was—who rolled the boulder into the canyon, it indicated +a wish to put the most sudden end possible to his existence.</p> + +<p>It would be painful to attempt to describe the experience of the lad in +the cavern at the side of the canyon. As is often the case, his hunger +diminished and was succeeded by a dull indifference, in which the +suffering of the mind outweighed that of the body. The dreadful day at +last drew to an end, and his situation and condition were much the same +as earlier in the forenoon. He had not seen a living person, and had +given over all hope of another visit from his merciless enemy.</p> + +<p>"He means that I shall perish for want of food, and there is no help for +it."</p> + +<p>But with the coming of darkness the energy of the boy's nature asserted +itself. It was impossible now for the Sioux or his allies to maintain a +watch upon the mouth of the cavern, where the lad was observed the +moment he showed himself, and Fred determined that as soon as it was +fairly dark he would make an attempt that should be crowned with success +or that would end his sufferings and wretchedness.</p> + +<p>His plan was to let himself down from the ledge to the top of the +nearest rock, and then try to reach the break in the canyon as he had +ascended it under the guidance of his captor. It was not to be supposed +that the vigilant Motoza would leave the way open for him, though his +actions pointed to the belief that it was utterly impossible for the +prisoner to escape by that means.</p> + +<p>Nor in truth was it possible, for in the impenetrable gloom he was +certain to miss his foothold sooner or later and be flung into the +torrent, with no possibility of the good fortune that attended Jack +Dudley, who had a much less distance to traverse.</p> + +<p>It was yet early in the evening when Fred came once more and for the +last time to the front of the cavern. With that attention to trifling +matters which a person sometimes shows in the most trying crises he +wound up his watch, examined his clothing to see that everything was +right, adjusted his hat so that it was not likely to be displaced, and +looked out in the gloom. All that he could see was when he gazed upward +and observed a few stars twinkling in the thin streak of sky.</p> + +<p>"Two things are certain," he mused: "that Indian does not think it +possible for me to make my way out of the canyon; and, if I should +succeed, he will be on the watch for me and shoot or try to force me to +return. He shall never get me back here, for I will take the risk of +drowning, and then——"</p> + +<p>A thought flashed through him like an inspiration and fairly took away +his breath.</p> + +<p>Why not climb the side of the canyon?</p> + +<p>He was so overcome by the question, which seemed born of heaven, that he +stood dazed and bewildered. Then he became cool again and asked:</p> + +<p>"Is it possible?"</p> + +<p>He recalled that Hank Hazletine had told him he had done it during the +daytime, and it must have been somewhere in this neighborhood. The task +would seem easy if the sun were shining, but if it were shining Fred +Greenwood would not have been permitted to make the attempt.</p> + +<p>He was convinced of another thing: the depth of the canyon had been +repeatedly referred to as being a thousand feet, but there were places +where it was less than half that extent, and he remembered a depression +in the earth, almost directly overhead, which must have lessened the +prodigious height found at other points.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, a climb of several hundred feet up the perpendicular side +of a canyon or mountain wall is severe work to the most powerful and +best trained man, and its formidable nature was proved by the fact that +some of the cowmen would not try it by daylight.</p> + +<p>Nothing could be clearer than that Motoza had not hesitated to leave his +prisoner alone in the cavern for the reason that he was certain he could +not effect his escape therefrom. The last means the youth would think of +employing was that of climbing the side; therefore, as Fred reasoned, +that was the very means to adopt, and the only one that could possibly +succeed.</p> + +<p>"I'll try it!" was his conclusion, after a few minutes' thought.</p> + +<p>Before setting out on the unparalleled task he fervently asked the help +of the only One who could extricate him from his peril. Then he summoned +his strength and courage to the tremendous work.</p> + +<p>His dread now was that Motoza would put in an appearance before he was +clear of the mouth of the cavern. Had the lad thought of the daring +scheme earlier in the day he would have studied the stupendous stairs +upon which all his hopes now rested, but it was too late to think of +that.</p> + +<p>Reaching upward, he grasped one of the projecting points of rock and +drew himself clear of the opening in front of the cavern. Naturally +muscular and active, with all his nerves in superb control, the effort +was trifling. Within less time than would be supposed he had climbed +fully fifty feet without meeting with any difficulty. Then the first +thrill of alarm shot through him as one foot slipped and he narrowly +missed falling.</p> + +<p>He found a good place to rest, and immediately adopted a sensible +precaution. Removing both shoes, he tied the strings together and slung +them over his shoulder, with the fastening under his chin. This would +make it rough for his stockinged feet, but it was worth it all. He was +not discommoded by rifle or pistol, and could not have been better +prepared for climbing.</p> + +<p>He felt as yet no fatigue, and resumed his work as soon as he was ready. +If he continued to find projections such as he had found thus far, there +was no reason why he should not reach the level ground above in safety. +As an evidence of how fate sometimes plays fast and loose with us, it is +certain that Hank Hazletine entered the cavern while his young friend +was climbing the wall overhead, without either dreaming of the actual +situation.</p> + +<p>Fred Greenwood, at the beginning of his climb for liberty, was subjected +to a peculiar peril. He had rested but a moment, when he was seized with +an extraordinary "panicky" feeling. He was sure that Motoza was standing +on the ledge below, peering upward in the gloom, and holding his rifle +ready to fire at him on the instant he could make his aim certain.</p> + +<p>Like all such emotions, it was opposed to common sense. According to his +belief it was out of the power of the Sioux to obtain the most shadowy +glimpse of him, and the youth ought to have felt as secure against being +picked off as if in his home, hundreds of miles away; but the feeling +for a time was uncontrollable, and, yielding to it, he began frantically +climbing, never abating his efforts until he had gone fully fifty feet +higher. By that time he was all a-tremble, and so weak that he was +forced to pause for rest. Thus far he had been extremely fortunate in +meeting with no difficulty, the projections affording abundant support +for hands and feet. Moreover, he had again attained a ledge where he was +able to sustain himself with comparative ease.</p> + +<p>He paused, panting, trembling and exhausted. Thrusting out his head as +far as was safe, he looked downward. Nothing but impenetrable gloom met +his eye. He could hear the torrent rushing against the rocks and +boulders in its path, and flinging itself against the walls of the +canyon, but he could distinguish nothing, and his strong sense now came +to his rescue.</p> + +<p>"If he is down there he cannot see me; he will not dream I have started +to climb the wall, and therefore will not follow. If he does, he must +appear below me, and I will kick him loose the minute I see him. How +foolish to be afraid!"</p> + +<p>In a few minutes his nerves became calmer, but he began to realize the +nature of the terrifying task before him. There was no thought of +retreat on his part, and he was determined to keep on, so long as the +work was possible.</p> + +<p>His feet were paining him, and were certain to pain him a good deal more +before he reached the top; but healthy, rugged youth has elastic +muscles, and in a short time Fred was ready to resume his work. His +panic was gone, and he exerted himself with the deliberate care which he +should have shown from the first.</p> + +<p>As nearly as he could judge he had climbed some twenty paces, when he +was startled, upon extending his hand upward, to encounter only the +smooth face of the wall. Hitherto there had been more projections than +he required, but now the steps appeared to vanish, leaving him without +any support.</p> + +<p>Could it be he would have to abandon his effort after making so fine a +start? Must he pick his way down the side of the canyon, again, to the +cavern, and there meekly resume the torture of waiting for death from +starvation? Failure was too terrible to be thought of, and he resumed +his searching for the indispensable support.</p> + +<p>Certainly there was nothing directly above him that would serve, and he +passed his right hand to one side. Ah! he caught the sharp edge, after +groping for a few seconds. Leaning over, he reached out as far as +possible and found the projection extended indefinitely.</p> + +<p>"It will do!" he muttered, with a thrill, and, without pausing to +reflect upon the fearful risk of the thing, he swung himself along, +sustained for an instant by his single hand; but the other was +immediately alongside of it, and it was easy to hold himself like a +pendulum swaying over the frightful abyss. But there was nothing upon +which to rest his feet. He did not wish anything, and, swinging +sideways, threw one leg over the ledge beside his hands, and, +half-rolling over, raised himself securely for the time on his perch.</p> + +<p>"Gracious!" he exclaimed, pausing from the effort; "if I had stopped to +think, I shouldn't have dared to try it. If this ledge had been smaller +I shouldn't have found room for my body, and there is no way of getting +back to the stone on which I was standing. I <i>must</i> go on now, for I +cannot go back."</p> + +<p>It was plain sailing for a few minutes. The flinty excrescences were as +numerous as ever, and he never paused in his ascent until prudence +whispered that it was wise to take another breathing spell. It was a +source of infinite comfort to feel that when he thus checked himself he +was not compelled to do so for lack of support.</p> + +<p>There was no way of determining how far he had climbed, and he based his +calculation on hope rather than knowledge. The roar of the canyon was +notably fainter, and, when he looked aloft, the ribbon of starlit sky +appeared nearer than at first. There could be no doubt that he was +making his ascent at the most favorable point, for the height was much +less than at most of the other places, and he believed this was the +portion where Hank Hazletine had climbed from the bottom to the top of +the gorge. Could he have been certain of the latter, all misgiving would +have vanished.</p> + +<p>Not a trace of his panic remained. If Motoza had returned to the cavern, +and, discovering the flight of his prisoner, set out to follow him, +there was little prospect of his success, for the fugitive had varied +from a direct line, and the Sioux might pass within arm's length without +being aware of the fact.</p> + +<p>There was one peril to which Fred was exposed, and it was fortunate it +never entered his mind. Supposing Motoza was standing on the ledge at +the bottom of the canyon and gazing upward, weapon in hand, it was quite +probable that he would be able to locate the youth. This would be not +because of any superiority of vision, but because of that patch of sky +beyond, acting as a background for the climber. With his inky figure +thrown in relief against the stars, his enemy could have picked him off +as readily as if the sun were shining.</p> + +<p>This possibility, we say, did not present itself to Fred Greenwood, and, +more providential than all, Motoza was not in the canyon.</p> + +<p>The slipping of one foot tore most of the sole from the stocking, and +his foot had henceforth no protection against the craggy surface.</p> + +<p>"I don't mind the stocking," grimly reflected the youth, "for there is +another pair in camp and plenty of them at the ranch, but how it hurts!"</p> + +<p>He would have been altogether lacking in the pluck he had displayed thus +far had he been deterred by physical suffering from pushing his efforts +to the utmost. He would have kept on through torture tenfold worse, and +he showed himself no mercy.</p> + +<p>Few people who have not been called upon to undertake such a work can +form an idea of its exhausting nature. It would be hard to think of +anyone better prepared than Fred Greenwood to stand the terrific draught +upon his strength; but while a long way from the top, and while there +was no lack of supports for his hands and feet, and in the face of his +unshakable resolve, he was compelled to doubt his success. It seemed as +if the dizzy height did not diminish. When he had climbed for a long +time and stopped, panting and suffering, the stars appeared to be as far +away as ever. He felt as if he ought to have been out of the ravine long +before, but the opening looked to be as unattainable as at the +beginning.</p> + +<p>His whole experience was remarkable to that extent that it can be +explained only on the ground that the intense mental strain prevented +his seeing things as they were. He had subjected his muscles to such a +tension that he was obliged to pause every few minutes and rest. One of +his feet was scarified and bleeding, and the other only a little better. +When he looked upward his heart sank, for a long distance still +interposed between him and the ground above.</p> + +<p>"I must have picked the place where the canyon is deepest," was his +despairing conclusion; "I feel hardly able to hang on, and would not +dare do what I did further below."</p> + +<p>He now yielded to a curious whim. Instead of continually gazing at the +sky, that he might measure the distance remaining to be traversed, he +resolved not to look at it at all until he had climbed a long way. He +hoped by doing this to discover such a marked decrease in the space that +it would reanimate him for the remaining work.</p> + +<p>Accordingly he closed his eyes, and, depending on the sense of feeling +alone, which in truth was his reliance from the first, he toiled +steadily upward. Sometimes he had to grope with his hands for a minute +or two before daring to leave the support on which his feet rested, but +one of his causes for astonishment and thankfulness was that such aids +seemed never to be lacking.</p> + +<p>He continued this blind progress until his wearied muscles refused to +obey further. He must rest or he would drop to the bottom from +exhaustion. He hooked his right arm over the point of a rock, sat upon a +favoring projection below, and decided to wait until his strength was +fully restored.</p> + +<p>He could not resist the temptation to look up and learn how much yet +remained to do.</p> + +<p>Could he believe his senses? He was within a dozen feet of the top!</p> + +<p>He gasped with amazement, grew faint, and then was thrilled with hope. +He even broke into a cheer, for the knowledge was like nectar to the +traveller perishing of thirst in the desert—it was life itself.</p> + +<p>All pain, all suffering, all fatigue were forgotten in the blissful +knowledge. He bent to his work with redoubled vigor. If the supports +continued, his stupendous task was virtually ended.</p> + +<p>And they did continue. Not once did the eagerly-feeling hands fail to +grasp a projection of some form which could be made to serve his +purpose. Up, up he went, until the clear, cool air fanned his temples, +when, with a last effort, he drew himself from the canyon, and, plunging +forward on his face, fainted dead away.</p> + +<p>He lay in a semi-conscious condition for nearly an hour. Then, when his +senses slowly returned, he raised himself to a sitting position and +looked around. It was too early for the moon, and the gloom prevented +his seeing more than a few paces in any direction.</p> + +<p>But how the pain racked him! It seemed as if every bone was aching and +every muscle sore. The feet had been wholly worn from each stocking, and +his own feet were torn and bleeding. He had preserved his shoes, but +when he came to put them on he groaned with anguish. His feet were so +swollen that it was torture to cover them, and he could not tie the +strings; but they must be protected, and he did not rise until they were +thus armored.</p> + +<p>He was without any weapons, but the torment of his wounds drove that +fact from his mind. All that he wanted now was to get away from the spot +where he could not help believing he was still in danger of recapture. +But when he stood erect and the agony shot through his frame, he asked +himself whether it was possible to travel to the plateau without help; +and yet the effort must be made.</p> + +<p>He had a general knowledge of his situation, and, bracing himself for +the effort, he began the work. It was torture from the first, but after +taking a few steps his system partly accommodated itself to the +requirement and he progressed better than he anticipated. He was still +on the wrong side of the canyon, which it was necessary to leave before +rejoining his friends. He was wise enough to distrust his own capacity +after the fearful strain, and did not make the attempt until he found a +place where the width was hardly one-half of the extent leaped by him +and Jack Dudley. As it was, the jump, into which he put all his vigor, +landed him just clear of the edge, a fact which did much to lessen the +sharp suffering caused by alighting on his feet.</p> + +<p>He yearned to sit down and rest, but was restrained by the certainty +that it would make his anguish more intense when he resumed his tramp +toward camp. Furthermore, as he believed himself nearing safety, his +impatience deepened and kept him at work when he should have ceased.</p> + +<p>As he painfully trudged along, his thoughts reverted to his climb up the +side of the canyon and he shuddered; for, now that it was over, he could +not comprehend how he dared ever make the effort. Not for the world +would he repeat it, even by daylight.</p> + +<p>"Heaven brought me safely through," was his grateful thought.</p> + +<p>But as he drew near the plateau his musings turned thither. He had +counted upon finding Jack Dudley and the guide there; but they might be +miles away, and he would not see them for days. He knew he needed +attention from his friends and could not sustain himself much longer. If +he should be unable to find them——</p> + +<p>But all these gloomy forebodings were scattered a few minutes later by +the glimmer of the camp-fire on the other side of the plateau. One of +his friends at least must be there, and providentially it proved that +both were present.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI.</h2> + +<h3>HOW IT ALL ENDED.</h3> + + +<p>At last the clothing of Jack Dudley was dried, and he felt thoroughly +comfortable in body. While he was employed in the pleasant task, Hank +Hazletine went away in quest of food. It took time and hard work to find +it, but his remarkable skill as a hunter enabled him to do so, and when +he returned he brought enough venison to serve for the evening and +morning meal. No professor of the culinary art could have prepared the +meat more excellently than he over the bed of live coals. The odor was +so appetizing that the youth was in misery because of his impatience, +but the guide would not let him touch a mouthful until the food was done +"to the queen's taste." Then they had their feast.</p> + +<p>And yet the two were oppressed by thoughts of the absent one. The +attempts of his friends during the day to help or to get trace of Fred +Greenwood had been brought to naught, and it looked as if they would +have to consent to the humiliating terms of Tozer and Motoza, with +strong probability that the missing youth was never again to be seen +alive.</p> + +<p>"I think, Hank," said Jack, when the cowman had lit his pipe, "that we +should run no more risks."</p> + +<p>"How can we help it?"</p> + +<p>"When you meet Tozer to-morrow morning by appointment, tell him the +price he asks will be paid, but everything must be square and above +board."</p> + +<p>The guide looked at his companion a moment in silence. Then he said:</p> + +<p>"If you'll turn the matter over in your mind, younker, you'll see that +this bus'ness can't be put through without giving the scamps the chance +to swindle us the worst sort of way. They won't give up the boy on our +promise to pay 'em the money and no questions asked, for they don't +b'leve we'll do it; so we've got to give 'em the money and trust to +their honor to keep their part. Trust to their <i>honor</i>," repeated Hank, +with all the scorn he could throw into voice and manner; "as if they +knowed what it means."</p> + +<p>"I know from what you have said that Tozer and Motoza are cunning, +but——"</p> + +<p>In order to receive all the warmth possible, Jack Dudley was sitting +within the cavern and facing outward, while his companion faced him, +with his back toward the plateau and mountains beyond. Jack suddenly +broke off his remark, for in the gloom behind the cowman he saw +something move. That something quickly took the form of a white-faced, +exhausted youth trudging painfully forward and ready to sink to the +ground with weakness.</p> + +<p>"Heavens! can it be?" gasped Jack, half-rising to his feet and staring +across the camp-fire. The next moment, and while Hazletine was looking +in the same direction, as astounded as the youth, the elder made one +bound and was at the side of Fred Greenwood, whom he caught in his arms +as he sagged downward in a state of utter collapse.</p> + +<p>In the course of the following hour everything was made clear. Under the +tender ministrations of Jack Dudley and Hank Hazletine the returned +wanderer recovered to a great degree his strength, and to the fullest +degree his naturally buoyant spirits. The faint odor of the broiling +meat which lingered in the air awoke his ravenous appetite, but knowing +how long he had been without food, the cowman would not permit him to +eat more than a tithe of what he craved. After a time he gave him more, +until his appetite was fairly well satisfied.</p> + +<p>"Jack," said Fred, with something of his old waggishness, as he looked +across the fire into the face of his comrade, "let's go home."</p> + +<p>"You forget that we have a month's vacation, and it is hardly half gone. +We can stay another week and then be sure of being back to school in +time. You lamented more than I because we could not have a longer +play-spell. Your sentiments have changed."</p> + +<p>The younger lad pointed to his feet.</p> + +<p>"There's the reason. If I were like you I shouldn't think of leaving +this delightful country until the last day; but I shall need all the +vacation to get on my feet again. Do you comprehend?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; your demonstration is logical. True, you have lost your rifle and +pistol, the same as myself, but we could get others at the ranch, and no +doubt meet with plenty more enjoyable adventures, but not as you are. I +shall be very willing to start home with you to-morrow morning. What do +you think of it, Hank?"</p> + +<p>"I'm blamed sorry this bus'ness has to wind up as it does, but there's +no help fur it, and we'll leave fur the ranch after breakfast."</p> + +<p>"Will you keep your appointment with Tozer?"</p> + +<p>"I've been thinking of that; yes, I'll meet him."</p> + +<p>There was a peculiar intonation in these words that caused both boys to +look into that bearded face, but they could not be sure of his meaning.</p> + +<p>It was Fred who spoke:</p> + +<p>"Hank, there is one matter as to which I cannot feel certain; I want +your opinion of it."</p> + +<p>"Wal, I'm listening."</p> + +<p>"After Motoza forced me into the cavern at the side of the canyon he +went off and has not returned yet, unless he did so after I left. Now, +why didn't he go back?"</p> + +<p>"Why should he go back? He felt sartin there was no way fur you to git +out, and if I'd been told that your only chance was to climb the wall +I'd 'greed with him, though you struck the spot where I done it myself."</p> + +<p>"He must have known I hadn't a mouthful of food?"</p> + +<p>"He couldn't help knowing it."</p> + +<p>"The question in my mind is this: what he said to me, as well as what +you have told, proves that he understood the whole scheme of my being +ransomed. Tozer must have known where I was; he knew that to bring the +ransom business to a head would require several days, even with the use +of the telegraph; they expected me to stay in the cavern all the time. +How long would they have left me there without bringing me anything to +eat?"</p> + +<p>"They'd never brought you anything."</p> + +<p>"Then when the time came to surrender me to my friends I should have +been dead."</p> + +<p>The cowman nodded his head.</p> + +<p>"There ain't no doubt of that."</p> + +<p>"And they couldn't have carried out their part of the agreement."</p> + +<p>"Which the same they knowed."</p> + +<p>"But it seems unreasonable. It would have placed both in peril, from +which I cannot see how it was possible for them to escape. If they gave +me up after receiving the money they would be safe against punishment. +Why, then, should they place themselves in such great danger when they +had nothing to gain and all to lose by doing so? That is what I can't +understand, and I am sure my brain has become clearer."</p> + +<p>It was the same view of the question that had puzzled Jack Dudley, and +the two boys listened with interest to the explanation of the veteran.</p> + +<p>"Tozer of himself would turn you over sound in limb and body; but, since +it was the Sioux who done all the work, as you have showed us, Bill had +to make a sort of compromise with the villain, and that compromise was +that you should be left with Motoza till the hour come fur you to be +produced. That was the price Bill had to pay Motoza fur what he done. It +wasn't Tozer, but the Sioux, that was fixing things so as to starve you +to death."</p> + +<p>The cowman spoke with a deliberation and seriousness that left no doubt +he believed every word uttered, and the boys were convinced he was +right.</p> + +<p>"Bill is as mean as they make 'em," added Hazletine, "but he'd rather +grab a pile of money than kill a chap he don't like. It's t'other way +with the Sioux. He likes money well 'nough, fur he knows it'll buy +firewater, but the sweetest enjoyment he can have is to revenge himself +on a person he hates, and from what I've heard he hates you as hard as +he knows how."</p> + +<p>"There is no doubt of that," said Jack; "I shall never forget the +expression of his face when Fred made him give up my rifle."</p> + +<p>Fred was thoughtful a moment, and then asked:</p> + +<p>"Hank, what do you mean to do about Tozer?"</p> + +<p>"Wal, until I larned your story I was fixed to shoot him on sight."</p> + +<p>"But what of the agreement you would have to make before he gave me up?"</p> + +<p>"I'd kept that the same as the other folks, but it wouldn't be long +afore I'd git a chance to pick a quarrel with him over other matters, +and then it would be him or me; and," added the cowman, with a grim +smile, "I don't think it would be me."</p> + +<p>"Do you still hold to that resolve?"</p> + +<p>"I can't say that I do. I don't see that Bill meant any hurt except to +make some money out of you, and he couldn't help taking chances on that. +If he could have had his way he'd turned you over to us as well as when +you left; so I think I'll wait to see what his next trick is to be afore +I draw a bead on him. I'll take another plan—I'll give him the laugh."</p> + +<p>"Give him the laugh!" repeated the wondering Jack Dudley; "what do you +mean by that?"</p> + +<p>"I'll meet him here to-morrer morning, and, after we've talked a while, +let him see you or know how things stand, and then I'll just laugh at +him till I drop to the ground and roll over on my back. Won't he feel +cheap?"</p> + +<p>The conceit was so odd that both boys smiled.</p> + +<p>"That certainly is a curious way to punish a man for doing a wrong. It +seems to me that, since he had so much to do with abducting Fred, he +ought to be arrested, tried, and punished. He should be made to suffer +for his crime."</p> + +<p>Hank showed his hard sense by replying:</p> + +<p>"I don't deny that, but there's no way of punishing him. He hasn't done +a thing fur which you could make the court say he's guilty. The younker +there that spent more time than he liked in the canyon has never even +seed Bill Tozer. What reason, then, has he fur saying Bill had anything +to do with the bus'ness?"</p> + +<p>"Didn't he admit as much to you?"</p> + +<p>"Not a word! He give himself away in his talk, but whenever he said +anything 'bout things he reminded me it was all guesswork."</p> + +<p>"Could not Motoza be made to swear against him?"</p> + +<p>"He might, and he might not. If he did, why, Bill would swear t'other +way, and make it look as if he was trying to play the friend for the +younker. It would be like some folks, after the thing was over, +proposing to buy Bill a gold medal fur showing himself such a good and +noble man. No; my plan is best. When I give him the laugh he'll feel +worse than if he was sent up fur ten years."</p> + +<p>"It looks as if there is no other way of punishing him," remarked Fred; +"but the case is different with Motoza."</p> + +<p>"Wal, <i>rather</i>!"</p> + +<p>It would be impossible to convey a true idea of the manner of Hank +Hazletine when he uttered these words. He nodded his head, clinched his +free hand, and his eyes seemed to flash fire.</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to kill him, Hank?"</p> + +<p>"O, no," was the scornful response; "I'm going to take his hand and tell +him how much I love him. I'll wipe the paint off one cheek, so as to +make room fur a brotherly kiss. I'll send him to your folks, that you +may have him for a playmate. He'll be so sweet and nice among the little +younkers. <i>That's</i> what I'll do with dear Motoza!"</p> + +<p>It was impossible not to read the terrible purpose that lay behind all +this. The boys made no mistake. Jack Dudley shuddered, but was silent. +He knew the miscreant richly merited the threatened retribution, and yet +he wished it were not impending.</p> + +<p>Surely, if anyone was justified in calling down vengeance upon the head +of the vagrant Sioux it was his victim—he who had felt his hatred, and +whose physical sufferings must remind him of the same for weeks to come. +But Fred Greenwood was in a gracious and forgiving mood. His heart +throbbed when he recalled what he had so recently passed through, but he +could not lose sight of the blessed fact that he <i>had</i> passed through it +all. He was with his beloved comrade again, not much the worse for his +experience. In truth he was a little homesick, and was stirred with +sweet delight at the thought that, if all went well, he should be with +his parents within the coming week.</p> + +<p>And yet he was oppressed by the thought that one of the results of his +short visit to Wyoming was to be the death of a human being. He was sure +he could never shake off the remembrance, and should he ever wish to +return in the future to renew his hunt under more favorable conditions, +the memory would haunt him. It mattered not that the wretch deserved to +be executed for the crime, in the commission of which he had been +interrupted before he could complete it. He was a savage, a heathen, a +barbarian, who was following the light as he understood it. Why, +therefore, should not mercy be shown to him?</p> + +<p>There are many things which Jack Dudley and Fred Greenwood have done +during their youthful lives that are creditable to them, but there is +none which gives the two greater pleasure than the remembrance of the +moral victory gained in their argument with Hank Hazletine. Fred opened +the plea, and his comrade quickly rallied to his help. Their aim was to +convince their guide that it was wrong for him to carry out his purpose +regarding the Sioux. That the fellow should be punished was not to be +questioned, but it should be done in a legitimate way and by the +constituted authorities. Hazletine insisted that the conditions were +such that Motoza would never be thus punished, at least not to the +extent he ought to be; therefore, it was the duty of Hazletine to attend +to the matter himself.</p> + +<p>The argument lasted for two hours. The boys were able, bright and +ingenious, but they had <i>truth</i> on their side, and by and by the grim +cowman showed signs of weakening. What knocked the props from under him +was the fact which he was compelled to admit that the Sioux was only +following the teachings he had received from infancy; that he lacked the +light and knowledge with which Hazletine had been favored; that it was +the duty of the white people to educate, civilize and Christianize the +red men, who have been treated with cruel injustice from the very +discovery of our country.</p> + +<p>It cannot be said that the guide yielded with good grace, but yield he +did, and the victory was secured. He pledged the boys not to offer any +harm to Motoza for his last crime, and indeed would never harm him, +unless it should become necessary in self defence.</p> + +<p>"But I s'pose you hain't any 'bjection to my giving the laugh to Bill?" +he said, with ludicrous dismay; "there ain't nothing wrong in <i>that</i>, is +there?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing at all," replied the pleased Fred; "we shall enjoy it as much +as you."</p> + +<p>"Which the same being the case, it's time you went to sleep; I'll keep +watch and call you when I git ready."</p> + +<p>Bidding their friend good-night, the boys wrapped themselves in their +blankets and speedily sank into slumber.</p> + +<p>The kind-hearted guide did not disturb either, and when they opened +their eyes the sun was in the sky. Fred Greenwood was in a bad shape +with his swollen and lacerated feet, but his naturally rugged frame +recovered rapidly from the trying strain to which it had been subjected. +He proved that his appetite was as vigorous as ever, and was eager to +reach the ranch with the least possible delay. Hank promised him no time +should be wasted.</p> + +<p>A lookout was kept for Bill Tozer, the boys remaining in the cavern, +where they could not be seen. There was the possibility, of course, that +the man had learned of the escape of the young prisoner, but all doubt +was removed when, at the appointed time, he appeared on the edge of the +plateau and strode confidently to the point where Hazletine, just +outside the cavern, awaited his coming.</p> + +<p>The two shook hands and immediately got down to business. The scamp felt +that he commanded the situation and he was disposed to push matters.</p> + +<p>"I've been thinking over what you said yesterday," remarked the guide, +"and have made up my mind that I can't do it."</p> + +<p>"You can't, eh? It's the only thing you <i>can</i> do; Motoza insists that +the price shall be ten thousand dollars, but I'll stick by the original +agreement and call it half that sum."</p> + +<p>"Let me see," said the cowman, thoughtfully; "you promise to give us +back the younker safe and sound, provided his friends hand you five +thousand dollars?"</p> + +<p>"That's it; you understand the whole business. You know, of course, +Hank, that I'm only acting as the friend——"</p> + +<p>"Don't git over any more of that stuff, Bill. Are we to give you the +money afore you produce the younker?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly; that's the only way to do business."</p> + +<p>"S'pose you bring him, and then I'll ask his folks if they want to make +you a present of five thousand dollars—how'll <i>that</i> work?"</p> + +<p>Tozer broke into laughter.</p> + +<p>"You ought to be ashamed to talk such nonsense. The only way by which +you can see your young friend again is to hand us the money, give a +pledge not to ask any questions or try to punish Motoza or me——"</p> + +<p>The jaw of the man suddenly dropped and he ceased speaking, for at that +moment he saw Jack Dudley and his limping companion walk out from the +cavern and smilingly approach.</p> + +<p>The whole truth flashed upon him. He was outwitted as he had never been +outwitted before in all his life. Without speaking a syllable, he +wheeled around and started at a rapid stride across the plateau toward +the point where he had first appeared, with feelings which it is +impossible to imagine.</p> + +<p>And didn't Hank Hazletine "give him the laugh?" He bent over with mirth, +staggering backward until he had to place his hand against the side of +the cavern to save himself from falling. It really seemed as if his +uproarious mirth must have penetrated a mile in every direction, and it +did not cease until some minutes after the discomfited victim had +disappeared. Jack and Fred laughed, too, until their sides ached; and +who shall deny that there was not full cause for their merriment?</p> + +<p>An hour later, the ponies, saddled and bridled, were threading their way +out of the foot-hills for the ranch, which was reached without further +incident. There the boys remained several days until Fred had recovered +to a large extent from his hurts, when they rode to the station at Fort +Steele, where they shook hands with the honest Hank Hazletine and bade +him good-by.</p> + +<p>And thus it came about that on the first Monday in the following +November Jack Dudley and Fred Greenwood were in their respective seats +at school, as eager and ambitious to press their studies as they had +been to visit Bowman's ranch, in Southwestern Wyoming, in which ranch, +by the way, they advised Mr. Dudley to retain his half-ownership.</p> + +<p>"It's worth all it cost you, father," said Jack, "and perhaps one of +these days you will want the V. W. W. to go out and take another look at +it."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps," was the dubious reply of the parent.</p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Two Boys in Wyoming, by Edward S. 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Ellis + +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: Two Boys in Wyoming + A Tale of Adventure (Northwest Series, No. 3) + +Author: Edward S. Ellis + +Release Date: December 30, 2006 [EBook #20223] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TWO BOYS IN WYOMING *** + + + + +Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously +made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + + + + + Two Boys in Wyoming + + A TALE OF ADVENTURE + + BY EDWARD S. ELLIS + + AUTHOR OF "DEERFOOT SERIES," "LOG CABIN SERIES," ETC. + + +PHILADELPHIA +HENRY T. COATES & CO. +1898 + +_Northwest Series, No. 3_ + + + + +[Illustration: "They had come a goodly distance since morning."] + + + + +CONTENTS. + + + I. Jack and Fred + + II. Riding Northward + + III. On Guard + + IV. Visitors of the Night + + V. "Now for the Ranch" + + VI. At the Ranch + + VII. The First Game + + VIII. Look Before You Leap + + IX. Night in the Mountains + + X. The Signal-Fires + + XI. A King of the Forest + + XII. The Tug of War + + XIII. A Strange Occurrence + + XIV. Missing + + XV. Tozer + + XVI. Watching and Watched + + XVII. Into and Out of the Canyon + + XVIII. The Quest of the Cowman + + XIX. Into the Cavern + + XX. A Climb for Liberty + + XXI. How It All Ended + + + + +List of Illustrations + + +"They had come a goodly distance since morning." + +"On the projecting ledge stood a noble buck." + +"He was sweeping down upon them like a cyclone." + +"He was looking in the direction of the break in the canyon." + + + + +TWO BOYS IN WYOMING. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +JACK AND FRED. + + +You should have seen those youths, for it gives me pleasure to say that +two manlier, more plucky and upright boys it would be hard to find +anywhere in this broad land of ours. I have set out to tell you about +their remarkable adventures in the grandest section of the West, and, +before doing so, it is necessary for you to know something concerning +the lads themselves. + +Jack Dudley was in his seventeenth year. His father was a prosperous +merchant, who intended his only son for the legal profession. Jack was +bright and studious, and a leader in his class at the Orphion Academy; +and this leadership was not confined to his studies, for he was a fine +athlete and an ardent lover of outdoor sports. If you witnessed the game +between the eleven of the Orphion Academy and the Oakdale Football Club, +which decided the championship by a single point in favor of the former, +you were thrilled by the sight of the half-back, who, at a critical +point in the contest, burst through the group which thronged about him, +and, with a clear field in front, made a superb run of fifty yards, +never pausing until he stooped behind the goal-posts and made a +touchdown. Then, amid the cheers of the delighted thousands, he walked +back on the field, and while one of the players lay down on the ground, +with the spheroid delicately poised before his face, the same youth who +made the touchdown smote the ball mightily with his sturdy right foot +and sent it sailing between the goal-posts as accurately as an arrow +launched from a bow. + +That exploit, as I have said, won the championship for the Orphions, and +the boy who did it was Jack Dudley. In the latter half of the game, +almost precisely the same opening presented itself again for the great +half-back, but he had no more than fairly started when he met an +obstruction in his path. The gritty opponent tackled him like a tiger, +and down they went, rolling over in the dirt, with a fierce violence +that made more than one timid spectator fear that both were seriously +injured. As if that were not enough, the converging players pounced upon +them. There was a mass of struggling, writhing youths, with Jack +underneath, and all piling on top of him. The last arrival, seeing +little chance for effective work, took a running leap, and, landing on +the apex of the pyramid, whirling about while in the air so as to alight +on his back, kicked up his feet and strove to made himself as heavy as +he could. + +The only object this young man seemed to have was to batter down the +score of players and flatten out Jack Dudley, far below at the bottom; +but when, with the help of the referee, the mass was disentangled, and +Jack, with his mop-like hair, his soiled uniform, and his grimy face, +struggled to his feet and pantingly waited for the signal from his +captain, he was just as good as ever. It takes a great deal to hurt a +rugged youth, who has no bad habits and is in sturdy training. + +The active lad who had downed Jack when going at full speed, and nipped +in the bud his brilliant attempt, was Fred Greenwood, only a few months +younger. He was full-back for the Oakdales and their best player. +Furthermore, he was the closest friend of Jack Dudley. In the game it +was war to the knife between them, but in the very crisis of the +terrific struggle neither had a harsh thought or a spark of jealousy of +the other. Fred led the cheering of the opposing eleven when Jack kicked +such a beautiful goal, but gritted his teeth and muttered: + +"You did well, my fine fellow, but just try it again--that's all!" + +And Jack _did_ try it again, as I have explained, and, tackling him low, +Fred downed him. While the two were apparently suffocating under the +mountain, Fred spat out a mouthful of dirt and said: + +"I got you that time, Jack." + +"It has that look, but----" + +Jack meant to finish his sentence, but at that moment the mountain on +top sagged forward and jammed his head so deeply into the earth that his +voice was too muffled to be clear. Besides, it was not really important +that the sentence should be rounded out, since other matters engaged his +attention. The two friends went through the game without a scratch, +except that Jack's face was skinned along the right cheek, one eye was +blackened, both legs were bruised, and half his body was black and blue, +and it was hard work for him to walk for a week afterward. The condition +of Fred, and indeed of nearly every member of the two elevens, was much +the same. + +But what of it? Does a football-player mind a little thing like that? +Rather is he not proud of his scars and bruises, which attest his skill +and devotion to his own club? And then Jack had the proud exultation of +knowing that it was he who really won the championship for his side. As +for Fred, it is true he was disappointed over the loss of the deciding +game, but it was by an exceedingly narrow margin; and he and his +fellow-players, as they had their hair cut so as to make them resemble +civilized beings, said, with flashing eyes and a significant shake of +the head: + +"Wait till next year, and things will be different." + +Fred Greenwood was the son of a physician of large practice, whose +expectation was that his son would follow the same profession, though +the plans of the parents were in a somewhat hazy shape, owing to the +youth of the boy. As I have already said, he and Jack Dudley had been +comrades or chums almost from infancy. They were strong, active, +clear-brained lads, who had not yet learned to smoke cigarettes or +cigars, and gave no cause to fear that they would ever do so. It is not +necessary to state that neither knew the taste of beer or alcoholic +drinks, nor did they wish to learn. They understood too well the baleful +effects of such indulgences to be in danger of ruining their bodies and +souls, as too many other youths are doing at this very time. + +Doctor Greenwood had been the family physician of the Dudleys for many +years. The heads of the families were college mates at Harvard, and +continued their intimacy after the marriage of each, so that it was +quite natural that their sons should become fond of each other. The +fathers were sensible men, and so long as their boys' fondness for +athletic sports did not interfere with their studies the gentlemen +encouraged them, and, when possible, were present at the contests +between the representatives of the schools. + +When Jack Dudley was presented with a shotgun and allowed to make an +excursion down the Jersey coast Fred was his companion, and the two had +rare sport in shooting duck and wild fowl. They became quite expert for +boys, and before the hunting season set in did considerable fishing in +the surrounding waters, and both learned to be skilful swimmers and +boatmen. + +Mr. Dudley was wealthier than his professional friend, though the large +practice of the physician placed him in comfortable circumstances. In +one of his many business transactions Mr. Dudley found that he had to +choose between losing a considerable sum of money and accepting a +half-ownership in a ranch in the new State of Wyoming. There seemed +little choice between the two horns of the dilemma, for he saw no +prospect of ever getting any money out of the Western land, but he +accepted the ownership, the other half of which was divided among three +gentlemen, one of whom lived in Cheyenne, and the others in Chicago. + +It is perhaps worth noting that although the fathers of Jack and Fred +were great admirers of athletics, and, as I have said, encouraged the +devotion to them shown by their sons, yet neither was inclined that way +in his youth. + +"I never expected to own a foot of ground west of the Mississippi," +remarked Mr. Dudley, when making a call upon the doctor, "and here, +before I fairly knew it, I have become a half-owner in a ranch away out +in Wyoming." + +"Eventually it may prove worth something," suggested Doctor Greenwood, +"for that section has enormous capabilities, and a tide of emigration +has been moving that way for years." + +"It will take a long time to fill up that country with people. Meanwhile +I'll sell out cheap, doctor, if you feel like investing." + +The physician laughed and thought the joke was on his friend. He said he +would think the matter over, which was another way of saying he would do +nothing more than think of it. + +Jack and Fred were present at this interview, and listened with keen +attention to the discussion of the Western purchase. By and by Fred gave +his chum a significant look, and, excusing themselves to their parents, +they passed out of the room and up stairs to the sleeping-quarters of +Fred. The door was carefully closed behind them, and, drawing their +chairs close together, they talked in low tones, as if some dreadful +penalty would follow a discovery of what was passing between them. Had +any one been able to see the two attractive countenances, he would not +have had to be told that the same thought was in the mind of each. + +"I tell you, Jack," said Fred, with impressive solemnity, "it would be a +shame; it will never do; we must not allow it." + +"Allow what?" + +"Why you heard your father say that he never expected to go out to +Wyoming to look at that ranch he has bought." + +"I could have told you that much, without waiting for him to say it. It +will be just like him to give it away for a song." + +"And who knows but that it contains valuable gold or silver mines? I +have heard of treasures being bought in that way." + +"That may be," was the thoughtful response of Jack, "though I believe +most of Wyoming--that is the valleys and plains--is a grazing country." + +"I don't know much about the country, but I have read enough to learn +that the greatest discoveries of gold and silver have been in places +where no one expected to find them. What I am getting at, Jack, is that +your father should make up his mind not to part with his interest in the +ranch till he knows all about it." + +"How is he to learn, when he won't go near it? Of course he can write to +the people out there, but likely they will not tell him the truth." + +"He must send some one whom he can trust, and let him investigate." + +"That does seem to be a sensible plan," remarked Jack, as if the thought +had not been in his mind from the first. + +"A sensible plan!" repeated the enthusiastic Fred, "it is the _only_ +plan; nothing else can make it sure that he is not being swindled out of +a big fortune." + +Jack was silent a moment, while he looked steadily into the brown eyes +of his chum, who half-smilingly met the scrutiny. Then the whole scheme +burst forth. + +"And whom can your father trust before _us_? He must see that the best +thing he can do is to send us out there to make a full investigation. We +won't charge him anything like what he would have to pay other folks." + +"Of course not; only our travelling expenses and supplies." + +"What do you mean by supplies?" + +"Say a Winchester rifle and a revolver apiece, with the proper +ammunition; what sort of supplies did you think I meant?" + +"I thought it was food, while we were out hunting." + +Jack turned up his nose. + +"If we can't keep ourselves supplied with food, when we are in a country +that has the finest game in the world, we deserve to starve." + +"My sentiments exactly;" and as if the coincidence required something in +the nature of a compact, the boys shook hands over it. + +"What a splendid treat it would be for us to spend some weeks out in +Wyoming!" exclaimed Jack Dudley, his eyes sparkling and his cheeks +glowing; "it looks as if it were providential that father got hold of +that ranch." + +"There can't be any doubt about it; but how much more providential it +will be if we are sent to learn all that should be learned about it! I +wonder if that can be brought about?" + +Enough has been told for the reader to understand the plot formed by +these two youths. There could be no question of the grand treat it would +prove to both, provided their parents could be persuaded to take the +same view of the matter; _there_ was the rub. + +Jack crossed his legs and thoughtfully scratched his head. Unconsciously +Fred did the same. + +"It's a tougher problem than we ever attacked in Euclid," remarked the +younger. Then a bright thought struck him. + +"Don't I look a little pale, Jack?" + +"You look as if a month's vacation in the autumn would be acceptable; +but the fact is, Fred, I never saw you look better than you do this +minute." + +Fred sighed. + +"I am afraid I can't work that on father. He's too good a doctor for me +to worry him about my health." + +"How about _me_?" + +Fred shook his head. + +"You look as strong as an oak knot, and you are, too; no, we can't make +them think we are in need of a month in Wyoming. We shall have to try +another tack. Now, there is no doubt that if we spend the month of +September putting in extra work on our studies, we can stand the +following month in laying off. We shall come back with new vigor and +appetite, and soon catch up with our class." + +"There isn't a particle of doubt about that, but it still remains that +we must convince our fathers that it will be a wise course to send us +away from home. We can't do it by looking pale and weak, for we can't +look pale and weak. We must fix on something else or it's no go." + +"Why not fall back on what we first talked about?" + +"What's that?" + +"Make your father think it will be a prudent thing for him to send you +out there to look after his property." + +"Suppose I should convince him on that point, how about _you_?" + +"You will need some one to look after you, and I'm just the fellow." + +"We are both satisfied in our own minds; in fact we were from the first; +but our fathers are very hard-headed men." + +Now, a couple of boys may be very shrewd, but it often happens that +their parents are a good deal shrewder, a fact which my young readers +will do well to remember. + +Unsuspected by Jack Dudley and Fred Greenwood, their parents read on the +instant the momentous problem which assumed form in the brains of their +sons. When the younger signalled to his chum to follow him out of the +room, the two gentlemen understood what it meant as clearly as if they +overheard all the conversation that followed. Waiting until they were +beyond hearing, Doctor Greenwood looked at his friend and remarked, with +a smile: + +"They are hit hard." + +"No doubt of it; their hearts are set on making a visit to the ranch, +and it would be singular if it were otherwise. We can feel for them, for +we were once boys." + +"Yes, John, and it's longer ago than we like to recall. What do you +think of it?" + +"You know we have always agreed that many parents injure their children +by undue indulgence." + +"True, and we have been indulgent to ours, but not improperly so. A +great deal depends upon the children themselves. Jack and Fred are +obedient, studious, and have good principles. If we should say 'No' to +this scheme of theirs they would be disappointed, almost beyond what we +can understand, but neither would protest or sulk. They would study just +as hard as ever. It is that which appeals to us. If they were sullen and +dissatisfied we wouldn't care; but, John, you and I have each been +blessed with model sons, and they are entitled to privileges which it +would not be safe to grant to other boys. I confess I feel like sending +both out to Wyoming for an outing." + +"Of course it would spoil the enjoyment of Jack unless he could take +Fred with him, but what excuse shall we make, Doc?" + +How reluctant a father is to appear weak and too conciliatory toward his +child! These two men had virtually decided to grant the fervent wish of +their sons, but it must be done in a common-sense way. They could not +say "Boys, since you have set your hearts on this we grant it," but they +must fix upon some scheme that would made it seem a necessity that they +should go thither. + +And now observe how ludicrously similar their thoughts were to those +that were agitating their offspring up stairs. + +"I have been thinking," observed the physician, "of suggesting to them +that they are in need of an extension of their vacation; but what a +farce it would be! School opens next Monday, and they are the types of +rugged health, strength and activity. If I undertook to make such a +proposition I couldn't keep my face straight, and I am sure both would +burst out laughing." + +"I know _I_ should, if I were present." + +"Parents must not make dunces of themselves before their children," was +the philosophical remark of the physician; "some other plan must be +adopted." + +Mr. Dudley leaned forward in his chair and slapped the shoulder of the +physician, his face aglow. + +"I have it, Doc!" + +"Let me hear it, for I admit that I am cornered." + +"I will take the ground that, since I have become part owner of this +large tract of land, my first duty is to learn the truth about it. I can +write to parties out there, but they are all strangers to me, and there +is no saying how much reliance can be placed on their reports. What is +necessary is an agent who will make an intelligent and honest report; +and surely we can trust our own sons to do that." + +"But, John," remarked the doctor, with his pleasant smile, "there are +scores of people right here at home who will do that for you. Suppose +Jack reminds you of the fact?" + +"If he hasn't any more sense than to make such a suggestion, then, by +gracious! I'll punish him by sending some one else." + +"Little fear of Jack saying anything of that nature. Even if he +undertook to do so, Fred would place his hand over his mouth. But, John, +let's understand the matter before we say anything to them. Your plan of +sending out Jack to inspect the property is a good one. It sounds +business-like, and must strike them that way; so that difficulty is +removed. You and I don't know anything about the region, nor the best +time for hunting game, but it is fair to believe that the month of +October will be suitable. Suppose we keep them in school throughout +September, and then give them a month's leave of absence, to examine and +report upon your property. If all goes well, they are to appear here, +ready to resume their studies on the first Monday in November." + +"I can suggest no improvement upon that. No doubt the young rascals are +up-stairs, plotting how to bring us round to their way of thinking. +Suppose you call them down, Doc. Shall you or I unfold our brilliant +scheme?" + +"You, by all means, since the property is yours." + +The physician opened the door of his office and called "Fred!" There was +instant response, "Yes, sir." "I would like to see you and Jack for a +few minutes in the office." + +"Yes, sir; we are coming." + +And a minute later they arrived, handsome, glowing and expectant. + +"Mr. Dudley has something to say to you, Jack." + +Both boys turned their faces expectantly toward the gentleman named, who +crossed his legs, cleared his throat and looked very grave. + +"My son, Doctor Greenwood and I have been discussing that property of +mine in the new State of Wyoming. We have agreed that I ought to learn +something about it before selling my interest in the same. To secure +such reliable information it is necessary to send some one thither whom +we know to be truthful and honest. The doctor thinks, and I agree with +him, that the right one to go is you, Jack--that is, if you have no +objections." + +The parent paused for a reply, and Jack, as if the matter was too +important to be disposed of hastily, answered: + +"I don't think of any objections just now, father." + +"Very well; I am glad to hear it. If any occur to you, you will let me +know, so that I can engage some one else." + +"I'll let you know at once, if I think of any." + +"Very well. Our plan is that you and Fred shall resume your studies next +Monday, and keep right at them to the close of the month. On the first +of October you will start for Wyoming----" + +"Alone?" + +"I am surprised, my son, that you should interrupt me with that +question. Do you suppose I would allow you to spend a month in that wild +region without a companion to look after you? No, sir! Fred goes with +you. I entrust you to his care, and expect him to bring you back in time +to resume your studies on the first Monday in November. It is very kind +in the doctor to consent to the arrangement. I hope you appreciate it, +sir." + +"I thank him very much," said Jack, looking toward the physician, who +just then drew his hand across his mouth to suppress the smile that was +tugging at the corners. + +"Of course," continued Mr. Dudley, still with the manner of a +philosopher, "in visiting such a section, inhabited by large and fierce +game, you must take every precaution. I shall furnish each of you with a +repeating Winchester, a revolver, and such other articles as may be +necessary. We will now excuse you, with the understanding that if any +objections occur to either, you will let us know at once, so that you +may continue your studies, while I engage other parties to attend to +this business." + +"I'll think it over," replied Jack, tremulous with delight. + +And then he and his chum withdrew and went up-stairs again to the room +of Fred Greenwood, who hastily closed the door. The next instant they +were hugging each other, and dancing about as if their senses had +forsaken them; and indeed it may be said that for a brief while such was +the fact. + +"Fred," said the happy Jack, when there was a lull in the excitement, +"we must fix upon a name for ourselves." + +"I thought our parents attended to that a good many years ago." + +"You know what I mean; we need some title that will distinguish us from +all other young gentlemen of our acquaintance. How does 'W. R.' strike +you?" + +"'W. R.'? What does that mean?" + +"The 'Wyoming Rangers;' that sounds rather high-toned." + +Fred shook his head. + +"We are not going West to reduce the aboriginal population; I hope we +shall have no trouble with the red men. When we get among the people who +have always lived there, such a title will make us ridiculous, for it +smacks of conceit; it assumes too much." + +"Suppose _you_ suggest something?" + +"Let's call ourselves the 'V. W. W.'; that surely will be appropriate." + +"What do those letters mean?" + +"The 'Verdant Wanderers of Wyoming;' that is precisely what we shall +be." + +Jack Dudley laughed, and at first protested, but finally agreed to +accept the title as fitting and appropriate, and it was so ordered. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +RIDING NORTHWARD. + + +And so it came about that on a sharp, crisp day early in the month of +October, two sturdy youths left the Union Pacific train at Fort Steele, +which is situated in a broad depression between two divisions of the +Wind River Mountains, themselves forming a part of the vast Rocky +Mountain chain, which, under different names, stretches along the +western portion of the two continents from the Arctic Ocean on the north +to the extreme southern end of South America. + +Like the sensible youths they were, Jack Dudley and Fred Greenwood had +made the fullest preparation possible for the experience which was +destined to prove tenfold more eventful than either anticipated. Mr. +Dudley, in accordance with his promise, had presented each with a fine +repeating Winchester rifle, an excellent revolver, an abundant supply of +cartridges, and various knick-knacks which the hunter is sure to find +are more in the nature of necessities than luxuries. + +They had tough corduroy suits, a material which, as everyone knows, +wears like leather, though it is unpopular in the West because of its +unpleasant odor when wet. From the knees downward the lower part of the +legs were protected by strong leathern leggings, and the shoes were made +for wear rather than display. The coats were rather short and gathered +at the waists by a belt, while beneath the garment it was intended to +wear the cartridge-belt. The revolver rested in a sheath, instead of +being thrust into a trouser's-pocket at the hip, while their hats +suggested the sombrero pattern, so popular among cowboys and cattlemen. +The brim was broad and stiff, so that it was not liable to bother their +vision when the wind was blowing, and it could be depended upon to +protect the eyes and face from the sun and rain. Their whole outfit, in +short, was strong, comfortable and serviceable. + +The two were generously furnished with money, while Mr. Dudley arranged +with a banker at Laramie City to furnish the boys with whatever funds +they might need through accident or robbery. They were going into a +region where there were many lawless characters, and everything was done +to provide against all possible contingencies. + +Their extra clothing and articles were contained in a couple of valises, +which were put off the train upon the lonely platform at Fort Steele. +But while this marked the farthest distance they could travel by rail, a +long ride still confronted them before reaching the ranch, which was +almost half-way between the railroad and the Big Horn Mountains to the +northeast. Several streams had to be crossed, the country in many places +was rough, and there was no stage line to help them. All this, however, +had been discounted before the boys left the city of Chicago, and what +they encountered was only what was expected, and only that for which +they were prepared. + +Word having been sent in advance of their expected arrival, the first +act of the youths was to look around for the man or men who were to meet +and conduct them to the ranch. A few people were moving about the long, +low platform, several in the uniform of United States infantry and +cavalry, while a couple of Indians in blankets, untidy and sullen, +surveyed them with scowls. Few passengers were in the habit of leaving +the train at this point, so that some curiosity on the part of the +loungers was natural. Perhaps the agent at the station suspected them of +being runaways whose heads had been turned by stories of wild adventure, +and who had set out to annihilate the aborigines of the West; but if +such a fancy came to the man, it must have vanished when he noticed +their intelligent appearance and the completeness of their outfit. Boys +who start on such whimsical careers are never rightly prepared, and have +no conception of the absurdity of their schemes until it is forced upon +them by sad and woeful experience. + +"Are you looking for any one?" asked the agent; respectfully. + +"Yes, sir," replied Jack Dudley; "we are on our way to a ranch which +lies to the eastward of Camp Brown, not far from Wind River." + +"May I ask your errand thither?" + +"My father is part owner of the ranch, and we wish to visit it for a few +weeks." + +"Ah, you are the young men that Hank Hazletine was asking about +yesterday. He has charge of Bowman's ranch." + +"That's the place. What has become of Mr. Hazletine?" + +"I think he is over at the fort, and will soon be here. He brought a +couple of horses for you to ride. Ah, here he comes now." + +The boys saw the man at the same moment. He was walking rapidly from the +direction of the fort, and looking curiously at the youths, who surveyed +him with interest as he approached. He was full-bearded, tall, and as +straight as an arrow, dressed in cowboy costume, and the picture of +rugged strength and activity. His manner was that of a man who, having +made a mistake as to the hour of the arrival of the train, was doing his +best to make up for lost time. + +Stepping upon the long, low platform, he walked toward the lads, his +Winchester in his left hand, while he extended his right in salutation. + +"Howdy?" he said, heartily, as he took the hand of Fred Greenwood, who +advanced several paces to meet him. "I reckon you're the younkers I'm +waiting for." + +"If you are Hank Hazletine, you are the man." + +"That's the name I gin'rally go by; which one of you is Jack Dudley?" + +"I am," replied that young gentleman. + +"Then t'other one is Fred Greenwood, eh?" he asked, turning toward the +younger. + +"You have our names right." + +"Glad to know it; I got your letter and looked for you yesterday; have +been loafing 'round here since then." + +"We were not sure of the exact time of our arrival and missed it by +twenty-four hours," said Jack; "I hope it caused you no inconvenience." + +"Not at all--not at all. Wal, I s'pose you're ready to start for the +ranch, younkers?" + +"We are at your disposal; we have quite a long ride before us." + +"We have; it'll take us two or three days to git there, if all goes +well." + +"Suppose all doesn't go well?" remarked Fred. + +"We shall be longer on the road; and if it goes too bad we'll never git +there; but I ain't looking for anything like that. Where's your +baggage?" + +Jack pointed to the two plump valises lying on the platform, near the +little building. + +"That and what we have on us and in our hands make up our worldly +possessions." + +"That's good," said Hazletine. "I was afeard you might bring a load of +trunks, which we'd had a purty time getting to the ranch; but there +won't be any trouble in managing them; I'll be right back." + +He turned away, and soon reappeared, mounted on a fine, wiry pony, and +leading on either side a tough little animal, saddled and bridled and +ready for the boys. + +"There ain't any better animals in Wyoming or Colorado," he explained; +"they can travel fast and fur a long time. We'll strap on that stuff and +be off." + +There was no trouble in securing the baggage to the rear of the saddles, +when Jack and Fred swung themselves upon the backs of the ponies, +adjusted their Winchesters across the saddles in front, following the +suggestions of Hazletine, and announced themselves ready to set out on +the long ride northward. The animals struck into an easy canter, and a +few minutes later all signs of civilization were left behind them. + +The boys were in buoyant spirits. There was just enough coolness in the +air to make the exercise invigorating. Here and there a few snowy flecks +dotted the blue sky, but the sun shone with undimmed splendor, the +warmth slightly increasing as the orb climbed the heavens. To the +northward the undulating plain was unbroken by hill or stream, so far as +the eye could note, while to the eastward the prospect was similar, +though they knew that the North Platte curved over in that direction, +and, after winding around the upper end of the Laramie Mountains, joined +the main stream far over in Nebraska. + +To the westward the prospect was romantic and awe-inspiring. The Wind +River range towered far up in the sky in rugged grandeur, following a +course almost parallel with their own, though gradually trending more to +the left, in the direction of Yellowstone Park. The snow-crowned peaks +looked like vast banks of clouds in the sky, while the craggy portions +below the frost-line were mellowed by the distance and softly tinted in +the clear, crystalline atmosphere. The mountains formed a grand +background to the picture which more closely environed them. + +As the three galloped easily forward they kept nearly abreast, with the +ranchman between them. He was in a pleasant mood, and seemed to have +formed a fancy for the youths, who felt a natural admiration for the +big, muscular veteran of the plains and mountains. + +"Yes," said he, in answer to their inquiries; "I've spent all my life as +a cattleman, cowboy, hunter or trapper. I left the States with my +parents, when a small younker, with an emigrant train fur Californy. +Over in Utah, when crawling through the mountains, and believing the +worst of the bus'ness was over, the Injins come down on us one rainy +night and wiped out nearly all. My father, mother and an older brother +was killed, and I don't understand how I got off with my scalp, but I +did, with half a dozen others." + +"Did you go on to California?" + +"No; I've never been in that country, which I s'pose you'll think +strange; but I was on my way there, when I met the great scout Kit +Carson and several hunters. They took me along with 'em, and the next +twenty years of my life was spent in New Mexico, Arizona and Texas. +Since then I've ranged from the Panhandle to Montana, most of the time +in the cattle bus'ness." + +"At what are you engaged just now?" inquired Jack. + +"The same--that is, the cattle bus'ness. You may know that after +thousands of the critters have spent the summer in Texas, New Mexico and +Arizona, they drive 'em north into Wyoming, Montana and the Dakotas, to +git their finishing touches. The grazing is so much better than in the +south that in a few months they're ready for the market, and are either +killed and their carcasses shipped to the East, or they are took there +by train in as fine condition as anybody could ask. You obsarve that the +grass under our feet is powerful good." + +The boys replied that it seemed to be. + +"Wal, there's hundreds of thousands of acres better than this; there's +thirty thousand of 'em in Bowman's ranch, where we're going, and it's +the best kind of grazing land." + +"I believe it extends to the Wind River Mountains," said Jack. + +"It takes in a part of the foot-hills; there are plenty of streams +there, and some of the finest grass in the world." + +Jack Dudley did not forget the real object of the coming of himself and +companion to this section, and he could not gather the information too +soon. + +"How does Bowman's ranch compare with others in Central Wyoming?" + +"You may ride over the whole State without finding a better. If you +doubt it, look at the country for yourself." + +"We don't doubt anything you tell us," said Fred Greenwood. "I suppose +you know that Mr. Dudley, the father of my friend, owns half the ranch?" + +"I've heerd that." + +"He didn't intend to buy it, but matters so shaped themselves that he +couldn't help doing so. Before selling it, he sent us to take a look at +it and find out whether it is all that was claimed. We have come to do +that, but, at the same time, are eager to have some hunting among the +mountains." + +"You won't have any trouble about that. As I was saying, we're close to +the mountains, and when you're ready I'll go with you, and promise that +you'll have something to talk about as long as you live." + +The eyes of the boys sparkled as they looked across at each other, and +Jack said: + +"Nothing could delight us more. We need a veteran like yourself, and are +happy to know you can serve us." + +"How many months can you stay in Wyoming?" + +"How many months?" laughed Jack. "We are under promise to be back at +school in New York on the first of November." + +"Whew! I wish the time was longer." + +"So do we; but we had a hard enough task to get the month, so we must +make the best use of it." + +"Wal, we can crowd a good 'eal into two or three weeks, and I won't let +you go to sleep in the daytime--I'll promise you that." + +Hazletine produced a brierwood pipe and pressed some tobacco in the +bowl. Although the motion of their ponies caused quite a brisk breeze, +he lighted a match and communicated the flame to the tobacco without +checking the speed of his animal. Then he glanced admiringly to the +right and left, at his companions. + +"You're a couple of as fine-looking younkers as I've seed in a long +time; but you're almost as tall as me, and it seems to me you orter be +through with school." + +"We expect to stay in school another year and then spend four in +college, after which several years will be needed to get ready for some +profession." + +"Great Jiminy!" exclaimed the astonished ranchman; "you must be powerful +dumb, or else there's more to larn than I ever dreamed of." + +"Well," said Jack, with a laugh at the simplicity of the fellow, "there +are plenty of boys a great deal smarter then we, but the smartest of +them can spend their whole lives in study and not learn a hundredth part +of what is to be learned." + +Hank puffed his pipe slowly and looked seriously at the youth for a +minute without speaking. Then he said, as if partly speaking to himself: + +"I s'pose that's so; a chap can go on larning forever, and then die +without knowing half of it. I never had much chance at eddycation, but +managed to pick up 'nough to read and write a letter and to do a little +figgering, but that's all." + +"That is what you may call your book education; but how much more you +know of the rivers, the mountains, the climate, the soil, the game, the +Indians, and everything relating to the western half of our country! In +that respect we are but as babes compared with you." + +"I s'pose that's so, too," replied the hunter, evidently impressed by +the fact that these youths were destined, if their lives were spared, to +become excellent scholars. He was so thoughtful that they did not +interrupt his meditations, and for a considerable while the three rode +in silence. + +It need not be said that Jack and Fred kept their wits about them and +took note of everything in their field of vision. The season had been an +unusually favorable one for Wyoming, the rains having been all that was +required to make the grass succulent, nourishing and abundant. They +could have turned their ponies loose at any point, after leaving the +railway behind them, and the animals would have been able to crop their +fill. It was the same over hundreds of square miles, a fact which +readily explains why many portions of Wyoming rank as the best grazing +country in the world. + +It was not yet noon when they rode down a slight declivity to a stream +several rods in width. The water was so clear that the bottom could be +plainly seen from their saddles, the depth being no more than two or +three feet. The ponies paused to drink, and, as they emerged on the +other side and started up the gentle slope, Hazletine suggested that for +a time at least they should be held down to a walk. + +One anxiety began to impress itself upon the minds of Jack and Fred. +They were not only hungrier than they had been for months, but that +hunger was increasing at an alarming rate. Neither had brought any lunch +with them, and they wondered how food was to be obtained. Jack almost +fainted at the awful suspicion that perhaps their friend intended to +break them in by making the two or three days' journey to the ranch +without eating anything at all! + +"I suppose it would be no trouble for _him_," was the lugubrious thought +of the youth, "but it will be the death of us!" + +Happily this dread proved unfounded. The sun had hardly crossed the +meridian when both lads were thrilled by the declaration of Hazletine: + +"Wal, if you younkers are as hungry as me, we'll have a bite." + +They were in the middle of the undulating plain, with no wood or water +in sight; but that was a small matter. In a twinkling all three were out +of their saddles, and the guide unstrapped a large bundle from its +fastening to the saddle of his pony. This, being unwrapped, disclosed a +goodly portion of cooked and tender steak and plenty of well-baked brown +bread. Furthermore, there were a couple of bottles of milk--enough for +two meals at least. + +These having been placed on the grass, the bits were removed from the +mouths of their horses, who were allowed to graze while their masters +were partaking of one of the most enjoyable meals they had ever eaten. + +"If I'd expected to be alone," explained Hazletine, "I wouldn't have +brought this stuff with me, but we may not see a maverick or any game +all the way home. I wouldn't mind it, but I don't s'pose you are used to +it." + +"I should say not," replied Jack, as well as he could, while his mouth +was filled with bread, meat and milk; "I'm hungry enough to eat a mule." + +"And I feel as if I could chew his saddle," added Fred, laboring under +the same difficulty in speaking clearly. "If our appetites keep up at +this rate, there will be a shrinkage among the cattle in Wyoming before +we go home." + +"What do you mean by a maverick?" asked Jack of their guide. + +"It's an unbranded cow or calf that don't b'long to nobody, and +consequently it don't make no difference whether nobody or somebody +brands or kills it." + +The rhetoric of this sentence may not have been faultless, but its +meaning was clear to the boys. They ate until they wished no more, and +were vastly relieved to note that something was left for another meal. + +"That'll see us through till morning," said Jack, "but how about +to-morrow and the next day?" + +"If we don't see anything to kill, we must wait till we git to the +ranch." + +Fred groaned. + +"You'll have to tie me in the saddle, for I shan't be able to sit up." + +The smile on the face of the guide raised the hope that he was not in +earnest in making this dreadful announcement, but neither Jack nor Fred +were quite easy in mind. + +The halt was less than an hour, when the three were in the saddle again. +Hazletine, instead of pressing directly toward the ranch that was their +destination, bore to the left, thus approaching the Wind River range. + +"There's a little settlement off to the right," he said, "of the name of +Sweetwater; we could reach it by night, but it takes us a good many +miles out of our path, and there's nothing to be gained by losing the +time." + +"Are you following a straight course to the ranch?" + +"Pretty near; but I'm edging to the left, toward the foot-hills, 'cause +there's better camping-ground over there." + +This was satisfactory, and the youths were not the ones to question a +decision of so experienced a guide and mountaineer. Besides, they had +hope that one reason for the slight change of course was that it +increased the chance of obtaining game. For the present, the question of +food supply was the most absorbing one that demanded attention. Other +matters could wait, but a sturdy, growing lad finds his appetite +something whose cravings can be soothed only by the one method that +nature intended. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +ON GUARD. + + +The beautiful weather continued unchanged throughout the afternoon. As +the sun declined in the sky there was a perceptible coolness in the air, +but the exercise of riding removed all necessity for using their +blankets. + +Although the party had been edging toward the foot-hills for hours, it +seemed to the boys that they were as far off as ever. They had covered +many miles, but those who have travelled in the West know the deceptive +character of the crystalline atmosphere, so far as distances are +concerned. However, as twilight began closing in they reached a small +grove of trees, which was the destination of the guide from the first. +It was there he meant to camp for the night, and he could not have +selected a better place had he spent a week in looking for it. + +The grove covered less than an acre, the trees standing well apart, and +wholly free from brush and undergrowth. Thus even the horses could pass +back and forth freely. Over this shaded space the dark-green grass grew +luxuriantly, with a soft juiciness of texture which made it the ideal +food for cattle and horses. In the middle of the grove bubbled a spring +of clear cold water, whose winding course could be traced far out on the +plain by the fringe of deeper green which accompanied it. + +Saddles and bridles were removed, and the ponies turned free to crop the +grass until they were filled, when they would lie down for the night. +The blankets were spread on the ground near the spring, and then, at the +suggestion of Hazletine, all three joined in gathering dried branches +and limbs with which to start a fire. It was now cool enough to make the +warmth welcome, while the flame would add to the cheerfulness of the +occasion. + +Jack and Fred had never ridden so far at one stretch, and when they +reclined on their blankets to watch Hank start the fire they were +thoroughly tired out; but it seemed to them their hunger was more +ravenous than ever. Each forbore to speak of it, but the deliberation of +their friend in preparing the meal was almost intolerable. + +The first night spent by the boys in camping out in the wilds of Wyoming +was one that can never be forgotten. When the meal was finished and the +last vestige of food eaten, the three stretched out where they could +feel the grateful warmth of the fire that had been kindled against the +trunk of a large oak. Hank had again lighted his pipe, and deeply +interested Jack and Fred by his reminiscences of a life that had been +filled to overflowing with strange experience and adventure. They +listened, unconscious of the passage of the hours, until he abruptly +asked: + +"What time is it?" + +Each youth looked at his watch, and, to his astonishment, saw that it +was nearly half-past ten. They had supposed that it was fully two hours +earlier. + +"One of the rules that must always be follered," said the guide, "when +hunting or away from home, is that all the party mustn't sleep at the +same time." + +"Then one has to stand watch?" + +"It looks that way. Now, we'll divide the time atween us, each taking a +part, so that it won't come heavy on any one." + +"That will suit us," Fred hastened to say, while Jack nodded his head. + +"All right. You, Jack, will keep watch till twelve--that is midnight; +then you'll rouse t'other younker, and he'll stand guard till two; then +he'll give me a kick, and I'll run things till daylight." + +"What are we likely to see?" asked Jack, who naturally desired to learn +all the points concerning his new duties. + +"How should I know?" asked Hank, with a grin. "There may be wild +animals, sich as grizzlies, cinnamon or black bears; there may be +wolves, or dog Injins looking for a chance to steal our ponies." + +"Why do you call them 'dog Indians?'" + +"A dog Injin is a tramp 'mong the other tribes; he don't live much with +any of 'em, but sneaks round the country, looking for a chance to steal +something, and it don't matter what it is." + +"Suppose I catch sight of one of the animals you name, or a dog +Indian--what shall I do?" + +"Shoot him quicker'n lightning." + +This was a startling order, but the guide was in earnest. + +"Are you afeard to do it?" he asked, half contemptuously. + +"No; I'll shoot the instant it is necessary, but I don't fancy the idea +of picking off an Indian without warning." + +"If you give him warning you won't pick him off. If you're so squeamish, +you might argufy the matter with him." + +"Leave that to me; I'm on duty now; go to sleep." + +Without another word the guide wrapped his blanket about him and +stretched out in front of the fire, with his feet toward it. Judging +from his heavy breathing, it was barely five minutes before he became +unconscious. + +"It strikes me this is rushing things," remarked Jack to Fred, as the +two sat beside each other. "Last night the 'V. W. W.' were in the +sleeper of the Union Pacific; to-night they are looking out for a chance +to shoot Indians." + +"I don't believe there's any likelihood of finding it. I suspect that +Hank is having some sport at our expense. If there was any danger he +would stay awake himself, instead of trusting two tenderfeet like us." + +"It may be, but we are in a wild country, where danger is likely to come +at any time, and we may have our hands full. It seems to me that it +would have been better to let the fire go out, and not attract +attention." + +"He's running this affair; he wouldn't have had so much wood gathered if +he didn't mean to keep the blaze going." + +With this Fred rose to his feet and flung an armful of wood on the +flames, which brightened up until their reflection was thrown against +the branches overhead and well out toward the edge of the grove. A faint +whinny proved that the horses had been disturbed by the increase in the +illumination. + +Before lying down, Fred looked at his chum. + +"I wonder, Jack, whether there's any risk of your falling asleep?" + +"There would be if I remained seated on the ground, but I shall not do +that." + +"It will be dangerous to walk back and forth, where the fire shows you +plainly." + +"My plan is to move out in the grove, where the firelight will not +strike me, and stand close to the trunk of one of the trees. I have +heard of folks sleeping on their feet, but there's no fear of my doing +it. Since I am to call you in less than two hours, Fred, you would +better get sleep while you can." + +The younger lad bade his friend good-night and imitated the action of +Hank Hazletine, wrapping his blanket around himself and lying down near +the fire. He was not quite so prompt in sinking into slumber, but it was +not long before Jack Dudley was the only one of the little party in +command of his senses. + +Jack, like his companions, felt the need of sleep, but the fact that he +had but a brief while to remain awake, and the consciousness that the +safety of others, as well as his own, rested upon himself, made him very +alert. He believed he could sit or recline on the ground and retain his +wits, but, fortunately, he had too much prudence to run that risk. Sleep +is so insidious a foe that we can never recall the moment when it +overmasters us, nor can we fight it off when in a prone or easy posture. + +He adhered to the plan he had formed. Winchester in hand, he moved away +from the fire until, by interposing the large trunk of a tree between +himself and the light, he was invisible from that direction. He stood +erect, taking care not to lean against the trunk for partial support, +and concentrated his faculties into those of listening and looking. + +The stillness was profound. From the distant mountains to the westward +came a low, soft, almost inaudible murmur, such as one hears when many +miles from the calm ocean, and which has been called the voice of +silence itself. In the stillness he heard the faint crackle of one of +the embers as it fell apart, and, though the night wind scarcely stirred +the leaves over his head, he caught the rustle. The fact that there was +nothing from the direction of the ponies showed they had ceased to crop +the grass and were lying down. The safety of the camp was in his hands. +If he forgot his duty, it might be fatal to all. + +The sense of this responsibility and the newness of his position made +Jack Dudley more wakeful than he could have been under any other +circumstances. To these causes, also, was due a suspicious nervousness +which made him see danger where it did not exist. The rustling of a +falling leaf caused him to start and glance furtively to one side, and +at a soft stir of the leaves under a breath of wind, or a slight +movement of the sleeping ponies, he started and grasped his rifle with +closer grip. + +All this was natural; but there came a moment, not far from midnight, +when there remained no doubt that some person or animal was moving +stealthily through the grove, near where he was standing. It will be +remembered that his position was such that the trunk of the large oak +acted as an impenetrable screen between him and the camp-fire, which was +burning so vigorously that its rays penetrated to a greater or less +degree beyond him. Thus he could see anything moving within the circle +of illumination, while he was as invisible to the keenest-eyed warrior +as if the night was without a ray of light. + +The first warning was through the sense of hearing. He had been deceived +so many times that he suspected his fancy was playing with him again, +but the faint _tip, tip_ continued until such explanation was amiss. + +"It is an Indian or a wild beast," was his belief. + +The next minute he knew that, whatever it was, its position was between +him and the outer edge of the grove. Since the ponies were on the +opposite side of the fire, Jack was nearer the intruder than either they +or his friends, sleeping by the camp-fire. Recalling that his place was +the most favorable possible, he remained as motionless as the tree-trunk +behind him, and to which he stood close enough to touch by moving his +foot a few inches backward. + +The situation being thus, it followed that if the man or beast continued +its advance it must come into sight, while Jack himself was invisible. +He therefore held his Winchester ready for instant use and waited. + +He was standing in this expectant attitude when a remarkable thing took +place. The fire, having remained unreplenished for some time, had +subsided to a considerable extent, when one of the embers fell apart and +caused such a displacement of the burning wood that the light flared up +and penetrated with its former vigor beyond the tree which sheltered the +sentinel. + +Jack was as immovable as a statue, his weapon grasped in both hands, +when this sudden brightening occurred. He was peering out among the dark +trees, in the effort to identify the danger, when he saw the +unmistakable figure of an Indian, hardly twenty feet away. + +The buck had entered the grove with the silence of a shadow, and was +making his way to the camp-fire, when betrayed in this singular manner +to the watcher. In the reflection of the firelight, his naturally +hideous countenance was repulsive to the last degree. The features were +irregular, with prominent cheek-bones, a huge nose, and a retreating +chin. Ugly as nature had made him, he had intensified it himself by +daubing black, red and white paint in splashes over the front of his +countenance. His coarse, black hair dangled loosely about his shoulders, +and a single stained eagle's feather protruded from the crown. It was +gathered back of the neck by a thong of some sort, so as to prevent the +hair getting in his eyes when there was such imminent need for their +use. + +The chest was bare to the waist, and was also fantastically painted. In +the girdle which encircled his waist was thrust a knife, whose handle +protruded, while the leggings and moccasins were gayly ornamented and +fringed. He held a formidable rifle in his right hand, in a trailing +position, and was leaning well forward, with his body bent, as he drew +near the camp with that stoical patience which the American race shows +in the most trying crises. If necessary, he would continue this cautious +advance for hours without showing haste, for it is often that his people +circumvent and overthrow an enemy by their incomparable caution and +care. + +One peculiar feature of the unexpected flaring-up of the light was that +its strongest force impinged directly upon the painted face of the +Indian, which was seen as plainly by Jack Dudley as if the sun were +shining. The youth felt that he could not forget that countenance if he +saw it a hundred years afterward. + +Had Jack followed the instruction of their guide he would have leveled +his Winchester and shot the Indian dead in his tracks. The fellow was +stealing into camp in such a manner that there could be no doubt the +least crime he meant to commit was to steal. No ranchman or hunter would +hesitate a moment, under the circumstances, to give him his eternal +quietus. + +But Jack Dudley could not do such a thing. To him it was an awful act to +shoot a person, even though a savage, and his conscience would never +permit him to do so until there was no choice left to him. He would much +prefer to frighten away this intruder than to kill him. + +The youth was so confident of his command of the situation that he would +have felt hardly a thrill of alarm, but for the fear that the redskin +belonged to a party near at hand who had sent him forward as a scout. +Manifestly the right course for the sentinel was to discharge his gun, +thus scaring the Indian and awaking Hazletine; but, while debating the +question with himself, he became aware that the hostile was advancing. + +The fellow did this with such marvellous cunning that Jack perceived no +movement of his legs or feet. The latter were partly shrouded in shadow, +but the Indian himself suggested a statue set up among the trees. +Nevertheless he was inching toward the camp-fire, and was already a +couple of yards nearer Jack than when the latter first noticed him. + +Had he approached from the other side the youth never would have +discovered his danger; but now he had his eye on the enemy, and meant to +keep it there until the crisis was over. It was perhaps ten minutes +later that the buck was within six feet of the youth, who, noiselessly +bringing his Winchester to a level, took one step toward him and asked: + +_"Well, my friend, what do you want?"_ + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +VISITORS OF THE NIGHT. + + +It takes a good deal to startle an American Indian, but if there ever +was a frightened red man it was the one who heard himself thus +addressed, and, glancing like a flash to his right, saw Jack Dudley step +forward, with a Winchester rifle leveled at him. + +In the language of the West, the youth "had the drop" on the intruder, +and he knew it. Had he attempted to raise his own weapon, or to draw his +knife and assail the youth, that instant the trigger of the rifle would +have been pressed and the career of the buck would have ended then and +there, and he knew that, too; but the fact that the gun was not fired, +and that a direct question was addressed to him, told the Indian that +his master was less merciless than he would have been had their +situations been reversed. + +The camp-fire was still burning brightly, and the reflection showed on +the painted visage. Jack, having stepped forward into the circle of +light, was also plainly discerned by the Indian, who, turning his black, +serpent-like eyes upon him, said, without a tremor in his voice: + +"Me good Injin; me friend of white man; me no hurt him." + +"It doesn't look as if you would; but what is your business? Why do you +steal into our camp like a thief of the night?" + +"Me hungry--want somethin' eat." + +This was too transparent a subterfuge to deceive one even so +unaccustomed to life in these solitudes as Jack Dudley. An Indian +wandering through a country so well stocked with game as this portion of +the new State of Wyoming never suffers for food; and, were such a thing +possible, the present means was the last that he would adopt to procure +it. + +"If you want something to eat, why did you not come forward openly and +ask for it?" + +The fellow did not seem fully to grasp the question, but he repeated: + +"Me hungry." + +Jack recalled that there was not a mouthful of food in camp. Had there +been, he probably would have invited the visitor to walk to the fire and +partake. It was fortunate for the youth that their larder was empty, for +had the two started among the trees in the direction of the camp, the +opportunity for which the Indian was doubtless waiting would have been +secured. There would have been an interval in the brief walk when the +advantage would have been shifted to him, and he would have seized it +with the quickness of lightning. + +The manifest duty of Jack was to shout to Hank Hazletine and bring him +to the spot. He would read the truth on the instant and do the right +thing; but the situation, as the reader will admit, was peculiar, and +the motive which prevented the youth from adopting this line of action +was creditable to him. He believed that the moment the guide appeared he +would shoot the intruder, and that was too frightful an issue for Jack +to contemplate. He did not want this warrior's life, and would not take +it except to save his own or that of his friends. + +Jack believed that enough had been gained in thoroughly frightening the +Indian, and the thing desired now was to get rid of him with the least +possible delay. He did not think he would intrude again, even if he had +companions within call. + +"We have no food; we can give you nothing; you must go elsewhere." + +"Then me go;" and, as if the business was concluded, the buck turned +about and began walking toward the edge of the grove. Yielding to a whim +which he did not fully understand, Jack Dudley followed him with the +warning words: + +"If you stop, or turn about, or make a move to shoot, I will kill you." + +It is probable that the savage contemplated some movement of the kind, +but he must have known the fatal risk involved. Quick as he was, he +could not whirl about and bring his gun to a level before the young man +would pull the trigger of the Winchester, which was held pointed toward +him. He knew that so long as he obeyed orders he would be unharmed, and +he would have been a zany had he hesitated to do so. + +He did not hesitate, but with a deliberate step that was not lacking in +a certain dignity he walked slowly between the trees, with his captor +only a few paces behind and keeping pace with him. + +Almost on the edge of the grove Jack Dudley made an interesting +discovery. A pony, smaller than the one he had ridden from Fort Steele, +stood motionless in the shadow, awaiting the return of his master. He +was not tethered or tied, for he was too well-trained to make that +necessary. He showed his fine training further by merely pricking his +ears and elevating his head upon the approach of his master and +companion. A whinny or neigh might have betrayed both. + +The two were now so far removed from the glow of the camp-fire that they +could see each other only dimly. There was no moon in the sky, though +the stars were shining brightly. The Indian, from the force of +circumstances, was compelled to hold his disadvantageous position, +inasmuch as he had to move out from among the trees, while Jack remained +within their shadows. + +Realizing that this was a critical moment, he stood motionless, with his +weapon still at a dead level. + +"My gun is aimed at your heart," he said, "and I am watching every +movement you make. Go in peace, and you shall not be harmed, but on your +first attempt to injure me you die." + +The words, perhaps, were unnecessary, for it may be said that the action +of the youth was more eloquent. Be that as it may, the redskin showed a +commendable promptness in all that he did. He vaulted lightly upon the +bare back of his pony, whose bridle consisted of but a single thong, and +turned the head of the brute outward. He did not speak, for it was not +required. The pony knew what was wanted; and, with his nose pointed out +on the prairie, he emerged from among the trees into the open, with the +warrior astride. + +Even in that trying moment Jack Dudley was surprised at one fact--that +was the wonderful silence of the animal. It would seem that his hoofs +should have given out sounds that could have been heard for a +considerable distance in the stillness of the night, but it was as if he +were treading on velvet. The noise was so faint that it was easy to +understand how he had come to the spot without betraying himself to the +intently listening sentinel. No wonder that the Indian ponies sometimes +display a sagacity fully equal, in some respects, to that of their +masters. + +The Indian showed in another direction his perception of the situation. +Had he been leaving the presence of one of his own race, or of a veteran +white scout, he would have thrown himself forward on the back of his +animal and ridden off on a dead run, for, despite the unexpected mercy +shown him, he would have expected treachery at the last minute; but he +had seen his master and knew that he was a young tenderfoot, inspired by +a chivalrous honor which is the exception in that section of the +country. He would not shoot until good cause was given, and therefore he +took care not to give such cause. + +As if in harmony with the spirit of his rider, the pony walked away in a +direct line, until the figure of himself and master disappeared in the +gloom. When he could see him no more, Jack lowered his gun, and stooping +down, pressed his ear against the earth. He could hear the soft +hoof-beats of the horse growing fainter and fainter, until at the end of +a minute or two the impressive silence once more held reign. Then the +youth arose to his feet. + +"I suppose Hank will tell me I did wrong," he mused, "but my conscience +does not; it would be a woeful memory to carry with me that on my first +night in Wyoming I took the life of a human being. Perhaps it will be as +well that Hank should not know it; I will think it over." + +Now, while Jack Dudley had conducted himself in some respects like a +veteran, yet he had shown a dangerous short-sightedness in another +direction. It will be noted that he had busied himself wholly with the +single intruder, and at the moment of losing sight of him the young man +was a comparatively long distance from the camp-fire. Had it been that +there were two or more hostiles stealing into camp, they could not have +asked a better opportunity, for it was left wholly unguarded. A single +warrior would have had no trouble in creeping undiscovered to a point +from which he could have sent a bullet through the unconscious forms of +Hank Hazletine and Fred Greenwood. This probability never occurred to +Jack until he started on his return to the fire, from whose immediate +vicinity he should never have allowed himself to have been tempted. + +Even then his strange remissness would not have impressed itself upon +him but for a startling discovery. The fire was beginning to smoulder +once more, but enough of its glare penetrated the wood for him to note +the black, column-like trunks of the trees between it and him. With his +gaze upon the central point, he saw a figure moving in the path of light +and coming toward him. It looked as if stamped in ink against the yellow +background, and, like the former intruder, was advancing without noise. + +An awful fear thrilled Jack Dudley as he abruptly halted and partly +raised his Winchester. + +"While I have been busy with one Indian, another has entered the camp +and slain Fred and Hank! He is now after me! There will be no hesitation +_this_ time in my shooting!" + +Before he could secure anything like an aim, the other stepped behind +one of the trunks on his right. Jack waited for him to reappear, ready +to fire, but unwilling to do so until the truth was established. + +While waiting thus, a low, faint, tremulous whistle reached his ears. It +was the most welcome of all sounds, and raised him from the depths of +woe to blissful happiness, for it was the familiar signal of Fred +Greenwood that had been employed many times in their hunting excursions +nearer home. + +Instead of an enemy, it was his chum and dearest friend who was +approaching him. Jack instantly answered the guarded hail, and the next +minute the two came together. + +"How is it you are awake?" was the first question of Jack. + +"Because it is _time_ for me to awake; it was agreed that I should go on +duty at a little after twelve, and it must be near one o'clock." + +"But what awoke you?" + +"Nonsense! Haven't you and I travelled together long enough to know that +when you go to sleep with your mind fixed on a certain time to awake you +are sure not to miss it by more than a few minutes?" + +"You are right; I had forgotten that. How was it you knew where to look +for me?" + +"I didn't. I've been prowling around camp for fifteen minutes, groping +here and there and signaling to you, without the first inkling of where +you were. I didn't want to awake Hank, and therefore was as careful as I +could be. I began to suspect you had sat down somewhere and fallen +asleep." + +"I have had enough to keep the most drowsy person awake." + +And thereupon Jack gave the particulars of all that had occurred while +he was acting as sentinel. It need not be said that Fred Greenwood was +astonished, for the manner of their guide before lying down convinced +them that no danger of any nature threatened them. + +"Do you think I acted right, Fred?" + +"Most certainly you did. Hank and the like of him out in this country +talk about shooting down an Indian as if he were not a human being, but +they have souls like the rest of us, and we have no more right to take +the life of one of them than I have to take yours. I am sure I should +have done just as you did." + +"I am glad to hear you say that. I wonder whether, if we stayed out here +a few years, our feelings would change?" + +"No; for the principle of right and wrong cannot change. Do you remember +what that old settler told us on the train, a couple of days ago?" + +"I do not recall it." + +"He said that at a little town in Montana they had a great moral +question under debate for a long time without being able to decide it. +It was whether it was wicked for the men to go out hunting for Indians +on Sunday. It was all right on week days, but most of the folks seemed +to think it was a violation of the sanctity of the day to indulge in the +sport on the Sabbath. But, Jack, you are tired and in need of sleep. +I'll take charge of matters until two o'clock." + +"I wonder whether anything will happen to you? It does not seem likely, +for I must have given that fellow such a scare that he will not show +himself again." + +"But you mustn't reason on the basis that he is the only red man in +Wyoming. However, I shall do my best. Good-night." + +Thus summarily dismissed, Jack returned to the camp-fire in quest of the +slumber which he needed. Fred had thrown additional wood on the blaze, +and that accounted for the increase in illumination. Hank Hazletine did +not seem to have stirred since lying down. He breathed heavily, and +doubtless was gaining the rest which men of his habits and training know +how to acquire under the most unfavorable circumstances. The youth +wrapped his blanket about his figure, for he was now sensible that the +air was colder than at any time since leaving the railway station. He +was nervous over the recollection of his experience, though it would +have been deemed of slight importance to one who had spent his life in +the West. The feeling soon passed off, however, and he joined the +veteran in the land of dreams. + +And thus the burden of responsibility was shifted to the shoulders of +Fred Greenwood, the junior by a few months of Jack Dudley. No one could +have been more deeply impressed with his responsibility than Fred. He +knew that a hostile red man had entered the grove while two of the party +were asleep, and, but for the watchfulness of the sentinel, might have +slain all three. + +"I don't know much about Indians," reflected Fred, "but I have been told +that they are a revengeful people. That fellow must be angered because +he was outwitted by Jack, and it will be just like him to steal back for +the purpose of revenge. It won't do for me to wink both eyes at the same +time." + +This was a wise resolution, and the youth took every precaution against +committing what was likely to be a fatal mistake. Although his sleep was +broken, and he could have consumed several hours additional with +enjoyment, he was never more wide-awake. The temptation was strong to +sit down on the ground with his back against a tree, but he foresaw the +consequences. The man who yields only for a few minutes to the creeping +drowsiness is gone. + +Fred was more circumspect, even, than his chum. Instead of taking his +position beside the trunk of one of the trees, he walked silently around +in a circle, keeping the camp-fire as a centre. By this means he not +only kept his senses keyed to a high point, but made his espionage +nearer perfect than his friend had done. + +That the night was not to pass without a stirring experience to the +younger lad was soon evident. As nearly as he could guess, without +consulting his watch, it was about one o'clock, when he became aware +that some person or animal was astir in the grove. He heard the faint +footfalls on the ground, though for a time he was unable to catch so +much as a shadowy glimpse of the intruder. + +"I believe it is that Indian, who has come back to square accounts with +Jack for getting the better of him. The wisest thing for me to do is to +not allow him to see me." + +This was wise; and, to prevent such a disaster, Fred adopted the precise +tactics that had been used by his friend. He stationed himself beside a +friendly trunk, which so interposed between himself and the fire that he +was invisible, no matter from what direction approached. Standing thus, +he peered into the surrounding gloom and listened with all the intensity +of which he was capable. + +Suddenly he caught a glimpse of the intruder. The relief was unspeakable +when he saw that it was not an Indian, but some kind of a wild animal. +It was but a short distance off, and between him and the outer edge of +the grove. + +There being no one to replenish the fire, the light had grown dimmer, +but a quick, shadowy flitting told Fred the brute was moving briskly +about, only a few paces from where the lad was straining his vision to +learn its nature. + +"We might as well wind up this business," reflected Fred, as, with his +hand on the trigger of his Winchester, he started abruptly in the +direction of the stranger. The latter was quick to perceive him and +whisked away. The lad followed, breaking into a trot despite the +intervening trees. The beast continued fleeing, for nothing so +disconcerts an animal as the threatening approach of a foe. + +It was but a few paces to the edge of the timber, when the brute leaped +out into full view in the star-gleam. + +One glance was sufficient for the youth to recognize it as an immense +wolf, which had probably been drawn to the spot by the odor of the meat +that composed the dinner of the party. Fifty feet off the wolf stopped, +turned partly about, and looked back at his pursuer, as if to learn +whether he intended to follow him farther. + +Fred did not, but the opportunity was too good to be lost. The aim was +inviting, and, bringing his rifle to his shoulder, he sighted as best he +could and pulled the trigger. He could not have done better had the sun +been shining. The bullet passed directly through the skull of the wolf, +which uttered a sharp yelp, leaped several feet into the air, and, +doubling up like a jack-knife, fell upon his side, where, after several +convulsive struggles, he lay still. + +Naturally enough, the boy was elated over his success, for the shot was +certainly an excellent one. + +"There!" he said. "Jack frightened off the Indians, and I think I have +given the wild animals a good lesson. At any rate, _you_ won't bother us +any more." + +He supposed that the report of the gun would awaken Hazletine and bring +him to the spot to learn the explanation, but nothing of that nature +followed. If the report disturbed him, he merely opened and closed his +eyes, and continued to slumber, after the manner of one who appreciates +the value of rest. + +In truth, it was always a matter of wonderment to the boys that their +veteran guide adopted the course he followed that night. That actual +danger impended was proven by the incidents already narrated, and yet he +entrusted the safety of one of the boys, as well as his own life, to +another, who, until then, had never been in a similar position. Why he +did so would be hard to explain, but he never admitted that his course +was a mistake. Sometimes, as is well known, a boy is taught to swim by +flinging him into deep water, where he must choose between keeping +afloat and drowning; and it may be the guide believed that, by tossing +his young friends into the midst of danger at the very beginning of +their experience as Western hunters, they would acquire the needed skill +the more quickly. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +"NOW FOR THE RANCH." + + +One of the singular features connected with the experience of our young +friends during the first night they spent in Wyoming was that all the +danger which threatened them came from one Indian and from one _lupus_. +After Jack Dudley had expelled the prowling buck, the intruder took good +care to remain away. Neither he nor any of his companions troubled the +campers further. The presumption, therefore, was that this solitary +specimen was a "dog Indian," or vagrant, wandering over the country on +his own account. Such fellows, as already explained, claim no kinship +with any tribe, but are, like the tramps of civilized society, agents +for themselves alone. + +Had the season been winter, with the snow deep on the ground, the +trouble from the wolves would have been more serious. Those gaunt +creatures, when goaded by hunger, become exceedingly daring, and do not +hesitate to attack even armed bodies of men; but it was autumn time, +when the ravenous brutes, who seem always to be hungry, find the least +difficulty in procuring food, and they remained true to their cowardly +disposition and refrained from everything in the nature of true courage. + +The curious fact, as we have remarked, was that, as in the case of the +Indian, only a single wolf intruded upon the little company. The animals +generally travel in droves, and when one is seen it is quite safe to +count upon a dozen, or a score, or even more. It is possible that the +victim of Fred Greenwood's Winchester was also a sort of tramp, +prospecting for his own benefit. It is more likely, however, that he was +what might be considered a scout or advance agent of others. His pack +was probably waiting among the foot-hills for him to return with his +report. If so, the report is now considerably overdue. + +Fred was a model sentinel for the remaining hours that he continued on +duty. He continued circling about the camp-fire, silent, stealthy, +peering here and there, and listening for the first evidence of danger. +Nothing of the kind was seen or heard, and he finally came back to the +smouldering fire and looked at the face of his watch. + +Could it be possible? It lacked a few minutes of three o'clock. +According to agreement, he should have called Hazletine an hour before. + +"I don't suppose he will object," said Fred, aloud; "I'm sure I +shouldn't, if allowed to sleep an hour beyond my time----" + +"I ain't doing any kicking, am I?" + +Looking around, he saw the guide had flung aside his blanket and was +sitting erect, with a quizzical expression on his face. + +"What made you fire your gun 'bout two hours ago?" he asked. + +"Did you hear me?" + +"How'd I know if I hadn't heard it?" was the pertinent question. + +"A wolf was sneaking among the trees. I followed him out to the edge of +the timber and let him have it between the eyes." + +"Did you hurt him?" + +"Since he flopped over and died, I have reason to believe he _was_ +hurt." + +"Good! That's the style--always to shoot. Never waste your ammunition. +You didn't kill any Injins?" + +"I saw none at all." + +Hank looked at the unconscious figure of Jack Dudley. + +"Wonder how it was with him?" + +"He did not fire his gun at anything." + +Fred did not wish to tell his friend about that alarming visit earlier +in the evening. That was Jack's concern. + +"But he may have seed something. Howsumever, we can wait till morning. +Wal, younker, if you've no 'bjection you can lay down and snooze till +morning. I go on duty now." + +There was vast comfort in this knowledge. It relieved the youth from the +last remnant of anxiety, and he lost no time in abandoning himself to +slumber. The man who was now acting as sentinel was a past master at the +art, and there need be no misgiving while he was on duty. Thus it came +about that neither Jack Dudley nor Fred Greenwood opened his eyes until +the sun was shining into the grove. + +Each had had a refreshing night, but it cannot be said that their +awakening was of the most pleasant nature. The hunger that had been +twice satisfied the day before was not to be compared to that which now +got hold of them. With the insatiate craving was the knowledge that +there was not a scrap of meat, a crumb of bread nor a drop of milk in +camp. + +"We can fill up on water," remarked Jack, after they had bathed faces +and hands and quaffed their fill. + +"But what good will that do? We might bubble over, but we should be just +as hungry as ever." + +"It seems to me that when a fellow is chock-full of anything he oughtn't +to feel much hunger." + +"I've often thought that, but you can't fool nature that way." + +"If it gets any worse we can shoot the ponies and devour them." + +"Why both of them?" + +"Because it would take a whole one to satisfy me. I don't know how _you_ +feel, Jack, but if we are to have appetites like this I shall go in for +buying a drove of cattle and spending the few weeks we have in these +parts in eating." + +The youths looked in each other's face and laughed. Truly they were +ahungered, but could never quite lose their waggishness. + +"I wonder what's become of Hank," suddenly exclaimed Fred, looking +beside and behind them; "the fire is nearly burned out, and he is +nowhere in sight. HALLOOH!" + +The hail was uttered in a loud voice, and was responded to, but from a +point a considerable distance out upon the prairie, in the direction of +the foot-hills. The open nature of the wood permitted the boys to see +quite clearly in that direction. + +"Yonder he comes," said Jack. + +"And, by gracious, he's carrying something on his shoulders. I wonder if +it is that Indian you chatted with last night." + +"Better than that. It's _something to eat_!" + +Jack Dudley was right. The guide was laden with the carcass of some +animal. Its bulk was proof that he possessed an accurate idea of the +appetite of these young gentlemen. + +"How careless in him to leave us thus alone," remarked Fred, with mock +reproof. + +"Do you wish he hadn't done so?" + +"Don't name it!" exclaimed Fred, with a shudder; "he knew the only way +of saving our lives. It wouldn't have done for him to postpone it +another hour." + +Hank Hazletine was never more welcome than when he entered the grove and +let fall from his shoulders the carcass of a half-grown calf, plump, +juicy, tender, and in the best of condition. + +"I don't s'pose you care much 'bout it, but I feel like having something +worth while for breakfast," he remarked, proceeding to prepare the +coals, for he had dressed the veal before starting on his return. + +"Well," said Fred, with assumed indifference, "I suspect that since you +intend to partake of food yourself, we may as well join you for the sake +of sociability." + +Men like the old hunter are adepts at preparing a meal. The smouldering +fire was in good condition for broiling, and when raked apart afforded a +bed of live coals, over which generous slices were suspended on green +twigs, cut from the nearest trees. It took but a few minutes to prepare +the meat. Hank always carried with him a box of mixed pepper and salt, +whose contents were sprinkled over the toothsome food, of which the +three ate their fill. + +"Are there any more of these animals left in the neighborhood?" asked +Jack, when their appetites were fully satisfied. + +"S'pose you go out on the edge of the timber and larn for yourselves." + +The lads followed the suggestion. Looking off in the direction of the +Wind River Mountains, it seemed to them that tens of thousands of cattle +were browsing among the foot-hills and on the grassy plain, while many +more must have been beyond sight. This was one of the choicest regions +of Wyoming, so widely celebrated for its grazing facilities. + +It was an impressive sight, and the boys, each of whom was provided with +a good spy-glass, surveyed the scene for some minutes in wondering +silence. The cattle were several miles distant, and seemed to be brown, +undulating hummocks of dirt, kept in constant motion by some force +beneath. On the outer fringe they were more scattered, but were +constantly moving, as if the pasturage was so excellent that they were +continually tempted to give up that which was good for that which looked +better. + +"Are they left wholly to themselves?" asked Fred, as the youths came +back to where the guide was saddling his pony. + +"No. There are always two or three men looking after them. I seed Bart +Coinjock, one of our own cowboys, 'tending our animals, and he told me +to take my ch'ice from the lot. You mustn't forgit that we're purty +close to the Wind River Injin Reservation, where the Government has +several tribes under charge." + +This was news to the boys. Hazletine explained that a large tract of +land to the northwest and close to the mountains had been set apart some +years before by the United States Government for exclusive occupancy by +several tribes of Indians. They owned the land, and no white man had the +right to intrude upon them. + +In the Southwest, where the Apaches were placed on reservations, there +had been the most frightful trouble, for those Indians are the worst in +North America. All our readers know how many times the fierce Geronimo +and a few of his hostiles broke away from their reservation, and, riding +swiftly through Arizona and New Mexico, spread desolation, woe and death +in their path. Not until Geronimo and his worst bucks were run down in +old Mexico and transported bodily to the East was the danger to the +Southwest terminated. + +Nothing of the kind has taken place in Wyoming, Montana, the Dakotas and +other reservations further east, but there is always a certain number of +malcontents on the reservations who cause trouble. They steal away +unnoticed by the authorities, and engage in thieving, and, when the +chances are favorable against detection, commit graver crimes. + +"That Injin that come into the timber last night was a sort of dog Injin +that had come down from the Wind River Reservation to find out what he +could steal." + +The boys looked at each other in astonishment. They had made no +reference to the visitor in the hearing of the guide, and could not +understand where he had gained his knowledge. He noticed their surprise, +and smiled. + +"I seed the tracks of his pony, as well as his own. It was as plain to +me as the words of a printed book. Why didn't you shoot the chap?" + +Thus appealed to, Jack told the story. Hazletine listened with an +expression of amused contempt on his bearded face. + +"You'll git over that afore you've been here long. I think I know who he +was. Tell me how he looked." + +Jack was able to give a good description of his visitor, and before it +was finished the guide nodded his head several times. + +"It was him, Motoza, one of the worst scamps west of the Mississippi." + +"What do you suppose he was after?" + +"He'll steal anything he can lay his hands on. If he'd found us all +asleep he'd shot every one of us. That's the kind of a feller Motoza is. +You played it well on him, catching him as you did, but you'd played it +a hanged sight better if you'd put a bullet through him afore you asked +any questions." + +"What tribe does he belong to?" + +"That's a queer part of it. Gin'rally it's easy to tell from the dress, +paint and style of an Injin what his tribe or totem is, but there's +nothing of the kind 'bout Motoza to guide you. I think he's a Sioux." + +"I understood those red men live further to the eastward." + +"So they do; but Motoza has wandered from his people. He was under +Sitting Bull, and went with him into British America when it got too hot +on this side of the line; but Sitting Bull come back, and Motoza +follered. He tries to make b'leve he's a good Injin, and sometimes he is +for months at a time on the reservation. Then the devil gits into him, +and he's off somewhere." + +While this conversation was going on the three had mounted their ponies +and were galloping northward, this time trending to the right, so as to +draw away from the mountains and follow an almost direct line to +Bowman's ranch, their destination. The animals were so fresh and +spirited that Hazletine said he was hopeful of sleeping that night in +the ranch itself, as he called the low, flat building where he and +several cowmen made their home when in that part of the country +attending to their duties. + +It would take hard riding, and would lead them into the night to +accomplish the long journey, but the guide saw no reason why it should +not be done. If a storm came up--and they break with amazing suddenness +at times in that part of the world--or if any mishap befell their +ponies, a stop would have to be made for the night before reaching the +ranch. + +Jack Dudley decided to ask a question that had been in his mind for some +time. + +"Hank, that Indian last night was in my power, and he knew it as well as +I, but I spared his life and allowed him to ride away without a hair of +his head harmed. Now, don't you think he will feel some gratitude for +that?" + +Hazletine threw back his head with uproarious laughter. He seemed to +have heard the best joke of a twelvemonth. + +"What give you that idee?" he asked, when he succeeded in mastering his +exuberant mirth. + +"Why, the event itself. I know that an Indian is revengeful by nature, +but I have always believed that he was capable of gratitude for +kindness." + +"You've read that in story-books, but you never seed it in life. I won't +be quite as rough as that," added the guide, in the same breath; "I have +seen a redskin that didn't furgit that a man had saved him from dying or +being shot, but such redskins are as scarce as hen's teeth. The rule is +that they take all such kindnesses as signs of cowardice, and despise +the one that shows 'em. Let me tell you something that I know," +continued Hazletine, seriously. "Three years ago, when I was down in +Arizona, Jim Huber was the owner of the ranch where I was working. He +b'leved in treating Injins kindly. I've seen him give the 'Paches water +to drink when they was thirsty, meat to eat, 'bacca to smoke, and even +powder and ball for their guns. He kept that up right along, and when he +was warned agin it, he said an Injin was human like the rest of us, and +he was willing to take his chances. The 'Paches wouldn't furgit what +he'd done fur 'em. + +"Wal, they didn't. The fust thing we knowed, Geronimo and a dozen of his +devils was off their reservation and coming down through them parts like +a Kansas cyclone. It happened that me and the boys was several miles off +when we heerd the news, and knowing that Huber was alone at the ranch, +we rid like all mad fur the place. We got there too late to save him. +The ranch was on fire, and he was mangled so we hardly knowed him. But +he had died game, and killed two of the 'Paches afore he went under. The +three laid aside one another, and the two Injins was the very ones that +had set at his table, eat of his food, been given powder and ball, and +been treated like brothers." + +"Are all red men as bad as that?" + +"I've just said they wasn't. There's lots of 'em that would make an +ordinary white man ashamed of himself. But most of 'em are alike. What +I'm driving at is to knock out of your head any idee that this Motoza +that you let up on last night thinks any more of you for it. It's +t'other way. He despises you fur a coward, and if he ever gits the +chance he'll prove what I say is true." + +This was depressing information for the youths, but they did not think +it seeming to express any doubts of the sentiments of one who was so +much better informed than they. They hoped that their own experience +would be of a different nature. + +Having set out with the intention of reaching the ranch that evening, +the guide had made the necessary preparations. He rolled up enough +cooked pieces of veal to avert the need of starting another fire and +looking for more food. So it came about that when the boys began to +consult their watches and hint of it being near meal time, he drew rein +at another stream of water, where the ponies were allowed to rest and +graze while their masters refreshed themselves. The animals had been +pressed as much as was prudent; and Hazletine, looking at the sky and +their surroundings, said they were making better progress than he had +counted upon. + +The weather remained all that could be desired, though he assured them +that a heavy rain-storm was impending, and would break within +twenty-four hours--an additional incentive for pushing forward. + +They were hardly ever out of sight of cattle. Sometimes they were few in +numbers, and then they suggested the droves of buffaloes, which, before +the animals were extirpated, numbered hundreds of thousands. Once the +horsemen approached so close that the cattle were frightened and a +partial stampede followed. That Hazletine was among acquaintances was +proved by the hails which he received from cowmen, most of whom were so +distant that the wonder was how they recognized one another. The boys +studied them through their spy-glasses, but, of course, all were +strangers to them. + +When the afternoon was about half gone they came upon a stream that +looked formidable. It was a hundred yards in width, with a roiled and +rapid current, which, so far as the eye could determine, might be a +score of feet in depth. The prospect of having to swim their ponies +across was anything but pleasant, but the boys saw that a well-marked +trail led down to the bank where they approached it, showing that it had +been crossed and recrossed many times. + +"There are places in that stream, which flows into the Platte," said the +guide, "where it is a hundred feet deep. It has whirlpools and eddies +where the best swimmer couldn't save himself, and even a grizzly bear +would drown." + +"I hope those places are a good way off," said Jack. + +"There's one of 'em right over there to the left." + +"How are we going to reach the other side?" asked Fred, in dismay. + +"Foller me." + +As he spoke the guide spurred his animal into the muddy water, with the +boys timidly at his heels and closely watching him. + +At no time during the fording did the ponies sink above their knees. It +was a surprise and vast relief when they rode out on the other side +without having been compelled to draw up their feet during the passage. + +"And yet," explained their companion, "if you'd gone three yards to the +right or left your critters would have had to swim for their lives, and +you'd have had the worst soaking you ever knowed. Now fur the ranch!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +AT THE RANCH. + + +The night was well advanced, and the boys, despite their fine physique, +felt the effects of the prolonged ride. They had come a goodly distance +since morning, the tough little ponies most of the time maintaining a +sweeping canter, which placed many miles behind them. Jack and Fred were +stiffened, tired and hungry, for no halt was made for supper, it being +the intention of the guide to take that meal at the ranch, which he +meant to reach before drawing rein. + +In the midst of the monotonous gallop of the animals the youths were +startled by the sound of a laugh, which suddenly rang out on the still +air. It was brief and hearty, such as a man emits who is highly pleased +over something said by a companion. There was no moon in the sky, but +the starlight was as bright as on the previous evening. Peering ahead in +the gloom, nothing was to be seen that explained the singular sound. + +"Did you hear that?" asked Jack of Hazletine. + +"I s'pose you mean that laugh? Not being deaf, it would have been cur'us +if the same hadn't reached my ears." + +"What was the meaning of it?" + +"It meant, I s'pose, that somebody was pleased." + +The lads had to be satisfied with this indefinite answer, but they did +not have to wait long for the explanation. Suddenly, from the obscurity +ahead, loomed the outlines of a building. It was long, low, and flat, +consisting of a single story, like most of the structures in that +section of the country. + +At the same moment that it was observed, a tiny point of light shone +through the gloom, and some one called to them: + +"Is that you, Hank?" + +"I reckon," was the reply. + +At the same moment a tall man, rising from the stool on which he had +been seated, came forward. He was smoking a pipe, and the gleam of the +fire in the bowl was what had been noted before he became visible. + +"These are the younkers we expected," explained Hazletine, "and, if I +ain't mistook, they've brought a purty healthy appetite with 'em." + +"I've heard of such things afore. Howdy?" + +The man, who was known as "Kansas Jim," his full name being James +Denham, extended his hand to each boy in turn, and they dismounted. + +"I'll look after the animals," he explained. "Go inside, and I reckon +Ira can give you some medicine fur that appetite Hank spoke about." + +Hazletine led the way to the small covered porch where Ira Garrison, +another cattleman, rose to his feet and shook hands with the boys, +expressing his pleasure at receiving a visit from them. All three of the +arrivals sat down at the front, while Ira passed inside and lighted an +oil-lamp. It seemed that he was not absent ten minutes when he called +out that the meal was ready--a most welcome announcement to our young +friends. The three were quickly seated at the pine table and feasting +with keen enjoyment. While they were thus engaged, Ira Garrison sat on a +stool a few paces away, smoking his pipe, and was soon joined by Kansas +Jim, who brought the saddles and belongings of the ponies that he had +turned loose to look after their own wants. + +Jack and Fred found their new acquaintances typical cowboys, dressed +similarly to Hazletine, though neither wore as much beard as he. Both +had long hair, pushed behind their ears, while Jim displayed a luxuriant +tawny mustache and goatee, had fine blue eyes, and was thin almost to +emaciation. Garrison was short and stockily built, with a powerful +physique. His hair, eyes and mustache were as black as coal. He had a +fine set of even white teeth, and was so full of jest and humor that it +was safe to conclude it was something said by him that had caused Jim to +break into laughter. + +The structure, as has been said, was a low, flat building, similar to +the majority found in that part of the country. It was made wholly of +wood, with only a single door at the front, where was a shaded porch, +provided with seats, most of which were occupied at times by the cowmen +through the day and late into the night. + +There were five men employed at the ranch in looking after the immense +herd of cattle grazing over the surrounding country and acquiring the +plumpness and physical condition which fitted them for the Eastern +market. Hank Hazletine was in charge of the four men, and would so +remain until the task was finished and the stock disposed of. Barton +Coinjock and Morton Blair were absent looking after the animals, whose +wanderings in quest of food sometimes took them fifteen or twenty miles +from the house. Most of the time, however, the cattle obtained their +grazing on the ranch, a half of which belonged to Mr. Dudley, and which +extended into the foot-hills of the Wind River Mountains. + +It has already been made clear that little was to be apprehended from +the hostility of the red men in Wyoming. Rarely is anything of the kind +known north of Arizona and New Mexico, and in those Territories it +seldom manifests itself since the conquest of the Apaches. There have +been fierce collisions of late years between the cowmen and rustlers of +the West, and at one time there was considerable bloodshed, but the +quarrel seems to have been adjusted. + +The reader need hardly be told that in the new States, where grazing has +become so important an industry, a perfect system prevails among the +cattlemen. Large associations, with their enormous herds of cattle, have +their own peculiar brands by which their stock is stamped with their +sign of ownership. All these brands are registered, and the cattleman +who uses the same, or is found in possession of cattle with the brand of +another, is subject to a severe penalty. + +Comparatively slight friction, therefore, takes place in those sections. +It is a stirring time when the wonderful horsemen are engaged for days +in branding the calves that have been added to their herds during the +previous months. Sometimes some of the branded cattle wander off while +grazing, but if a cattleman from Central Wyoming came upon an animal +hundreds of miles north in Montana, bearing his brand, he would promptly +cut out the brute from another herd, whose owner would not think of +making objection. + +It happens now and then that some of the cattle stray off before they +are branded. The difficulty of their owners identifying them will be +understood. Such cattle are mavericks, and whoever comes upon them loses +little time in scorching his brand into their shoulders or hips, after +which no one cares to dispute their ownership. + +The cowmen whose duty it was to look after the large herd browsing over +the thousands of acres composing Bowman's ranch had two annoyances to +guard against. It was their duty, as may be said, to keep the animals +well in hand. But for this precaution hundreds of them would gradually +drift apart until, when the time came for rounding them up, they would +be gone beyond recovery. Great loss, therefore, was averted by looking +after them. + +A more aggravating annoyance, however, brings loss to the owners of the +herds. Despite the stringent law, there is always a certain number of +desperate men who take perilous chances in stealing cattle and running +them off beyond recovery by their owners. This practice is not so +prevalent as formerly, for since the brands are registered, and the +agents well known at Cheyenne, Helena, and other shipping-points, the +thieves find it hard to explain their possession of the carcasses thus +marked and escape the arrest and imprisonment provided as a penalty. + +One feature of this annoyance comes from the Indians. By far the greater +majority of those on the reservations are law-abiding. Under the patient +and skilful tutorship of the Government agents they are advancing in +civilization, and in a knowledge of the trades and of agriculture. +Rarely is there any trouble with them; but it would be strange indeed +if, among these people not yet fairly emerged from barbarism, there were +not a number sullen because of the change, and who cling to the +traditions and practices when the Indian looked upon every white man as +his enemy, whom it was his duty to kill upon the first opportunity. The +watchfulness of the authorities prevents grave crimes, but no vigilance +can keep the dusky thieves from stealthily raiding upon the cattle and +property of their white neighbors. + +One of the tasks, therefore, of the cowmen of Bowman's ranch was to +guard against aboriginal thieves. Since those fellows were sure to have +the same trouble as white pilferers in disposing of their stolen stock, +they were fond of stampeding the cattle when not under the eyes of their +caretakers. About all that resulted from this amusement was extra +exasperation and work on the part of the cowmen. + +A more serious mischief was that of killing the animals. Having +satisfied themselves that they were safe from detection, three or four +Indians would entertain themselves for an hour or two in shooting down +cattle in pure wantonness, and then making off before they were seen. +True, this brought the dusky scamps no gain, but it served as a partial +outlet for their enmity of the white man, and that sufficed. + +That this peculiar feature of ranch life sometimes assumed grave phases +was proved by several narrations made by the cowmen to the boys on their +first night at the ranch. Less than a year previous, Kansas Jim shot +from his horse an Indian whom he caught killing his cattle; and, not +many months previous, the five cowmen, under the leadership of Hank +Hazletine, had a running fight for half an afternoon with a dozen +Bannocks, engaged in the same sport. At that time Barton Coinjock and +Kansas Jim were severely wounded, but three of the marauders were slain, +and the mischief nearly ended for a time. + +But Jack and Fred were tired, and, though interested in the +reminiscences of the cowboys, they longed for rest. The house consisted +of four rooms, one being generally reserved for visitors or to serve as +a spare apartment. This contained a wooden bedstead and some simple +furniture, for luxuries are not popular on cattle-ranches. Surely no bed +ever felt more luxurious, however, than the blankets upon which the +wearied youths flung themselves, sinking almost immediately into deep, +dreamless sleep. There were no wolves or dog Indians to guard against +now, and their sense of security was as strong as if in their own beds +at home. + +The night was well past, when both lads were awakened by the sound of +rain pattering upon the roof, which, although they were on the ground +floor, was but a brief space above their heads. The storm foretold by +Hank Hazletine had come. + +There are few sounds more soothing at night than the falling of +rain-drops upon the shingles over one's head, but in the present +instance the music was anything but welcome to Jack and Fred. It meant +that there could be no hunting on the morrow, and probably not for +several days. Their time in Wyoming was so limited that they begrudged +an hour of enforced idleness. + +"But what's the use of kicking?" asked Fred, after they had fully +discussed the situation; "it can't be helped." + +Nevertheless, they condoled with each other for some time, until, lulled +by the gentle patter, they floated off once more into the land of Nod, +from which they did not emerge until morning. + +The first doleful fact that impressed them was that it was still +raining. A peep through the single front window with which their room +was provided showed the dull leaden sky, with its infinite reservoir, +from which the drops were descending in streams that bid fair to last +for days and weeks. The air was chilly, and the wood fire burning in the +adjoining room was grateful. + +The boys were surprised by a characteristic fact. At some time previous +to their emerging from their sleeping-room Jim and Ira had departed to +take their turn in looking after the cattle, while Bart and Mort, as +they were called, had come in to spend the day and night at the +building. When they saw the boys they greeted them pleasantly and +conversed for some time. Blair showed himself a man of education, and it +came out afterward that he was a college graduate, who, having been +threatened with pulmonary trouble, had gone to Arizona and engaged in +the cattle business. The experiment wrought a cure, and he was now one +of the sturdiest of the five men, not afraid to face the more rigorous +climate of the North and to expose himself to all sorts of weather. It +was a surprise, indeed, to Jack Dudley and Fred Greenwood, in the course +of the day, when the conversation happened to drift to the subject of +higher mathematics, to find this cowboy could give them instruction in +the most abstruse problems they had ever attempted to solve. Thus, +although they would have preferred to be away on a hunt, they found the +time less monotonous than anticipated. + +"This will let up afore night," said Hank, much to the delight of his +young visitors, "and to-morrow will be clear." + +"I hope it will last several days," ventured Fred. + +"So it will," remarked the cowman, with that air of assurance which +showed he was more reliable than the Government in his forecasts of the +weather. + +Hazletine examined the Winchester repeating-rifles of the boys with +great care. He pronounced them excellent weapons, as were the Smith & +Wesson revolvers with which they were furnished. + +"Your outfit is all right," he said, "but it remains to be seed whether +you know how to handle 'em." + +"We cannot claim to be skilful," was the modest remark of Jack, "but we +have had some experience at home, though when we hunted there it was +mostly with shotguns." + +"The main thing, younker, is not to git rattled. Now, if you happen to +see old Ephraim sailing for you, all you have to do is to make your aim +sure and let him have it between the eyes, or just back of the foreleg; +or, if you don't have the chance to do that, plug him in the chest, +where there's a chance of reaching his heart." + +By "old Ephraim" the hunter referred to the grizzly bear, as the boys +knew. + +"I have heard that it generally takes several shots to kill a grizzly." + +"That's 'cause the bullets are not put in the right place. You see, old +Ephraim don't take any trouble to give you a better show than he has to, +and you must look out fur yourself." + +"There are other kinds of bears in Wyoming?" + +"Rather--several of 'em. For instance, there's the cinnamon, which, in +my 'pinion, is about as bad as Ephraim. I've fit both kinds, and the one +that left that big scar down the side of my cheek and chawed a piece out +of my thigh was a cinnamon, while I never got a scratch that 'mounted to +anything from Ephraim." + +"What about the black bear?" + +"He's less dangerous than any of 'em. A black bear ain't much more than +a big dog. Last fall I killed one with my revolver." + +"What other kinds of game are we likely to meet?" + +"Wal, it would be hard to name 'em all. There's the deer and antelope, +of course, which you find in all parts of the West. Then there's the +mountain lion, that is fond of living on beef." + +"I never saw one of the creatures." + +"Have you ever seen the Eastern panther?" asked Garrison. + +"No; though they used to be plentiful in the northern part of the State +of New York." + +"Well, the mountain lion is the same animal. Our climate and conditions +have made some changes in his appearance and habits, but there is no +doubt the two are identical." + +"There's one kind of game that I wish we could meet," resumed Hazletine, +"but they've got so scarce that I haven't seen one fur three years. +That's the big-horn sheep." + +"He seems to be disappearing from certain sections, like the buffalo +from the country," remarked Garrison. + +"There's plenty of 'em in the mountains of Arizona and old Mexico, and +I've no doubt there's thousands of 'em in the Wind River and other parts +of the Rockies, but it's mighty hard to find 'em. Then there's the black +wolf." + +"Is he fiercer than the gray one?" + +"He's ten times worse. Whenever he meets the gray wolf he tears him to +smithereens. You never seen a wolf of any kind that wasn't as hungry as +you younkers was yesterday." + +"He couldn't be any hungrier," said Fred, with a laugh. + +"I have knowed one of them critters to foller a steamboat down the upper +Missouri fur two days and nights, howling and watching fur a chance to +git something to eat." + +"The buffaloes have disappeared." + +"The right name of the animal is the bison," suggested Garrison; "they +have been slaughtered in pure wantonness. It is a crime, the way in +which they have been extirpated." + +"There are a few of 'em left, deep among the mountains," said Hazletine, +"where no one has happened to find 'em, but it won't be long afore +they'll all be wiped out. Do you know," he added, indignantly, "that +last year our boys found a herd of eighteen buffaloes some miles back in +the mountains. Wal, sir, we was that tickled that we made up our minds +to watch 'em and see that they wasn't interfered with. We kept track of +'em purty well till their number had growed to twenty-four. Then one +afternoon a party of gentlemen hunters, as they called themselves, from +the States, stumbled onto 'em. Wal, as true as I'm a settin' here, they +s'rounded that herd and never stopped shooting till they killed every +one of 'em!" + +The cowman was so angry that he smoked savagely at his pipe for a minute +in silence. His friends shared his feelings, and Kansas Jim remarked: + +"Hank and me hunted two days fur them folks, and if we'd have got the +chance to draw bead on 'em not all of 'em would have got home. Why, the +rapscallions just shot the whole twenty-four, and left 'em laying on the +ground. They didn't even take their hides. If there ever was such a +thing as murder that was." + +"Yes," assented Garrison; "and although the Government is doing all it +can to protect the few in Yellowstone Park, somebody is continually +shooting into the herd. The bison will soon be an extinct animal." + +"It's too bad, but I don't see that we can help it," observed Hazletine, +rousing himself; "there's plenty of other game left, and it'll last +longer than any of us, but it don't make the killing of the buffaloes +any better. We're likely to find a good many animals that I haven't told +you 'bout and that I don't think of." + +"How is it, Hank, that you don't keep any dogs?" + +"'Cause they're no use. The hunters from the East seem to think they +must have a dozen or more sniffing at their heels, but I don't like 'em. +We had a big hound a couple of years ago that I took with me on a hunt. +The first critter we scared up was a cinnamon bear, and that dog hadn't +any more sense than to go straight for him. Wal," grinned Hank, "we +haven't had any dog since that time." + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +THE FIRST GAME. + + +It was an ideal day for hunting among the mountains. The sun shone from +an unclouded sky, and the air had just enough crispness to make exercise +enjoyable. In short, it was a perfect copy of that day which saw the V. +W. W. start from Fort Steele on their long ride northward to Bowman's +ranch. + +The other cowmen would have been glad to join in the hunt, but they +could not be spared from duty. Thus it came about that, as in the first +instance, Hank Hazletine was the guide and only companion of Jack Dudley +and Fred Greenwood on that which was destined to prove the most +memorable hunt of their lives. + +The three had ridden briskly through a part of the foot-hills until they +reached the more elevated portion, when the hunter led the way up a +winding trail until, early in the afternoon, they arrived at what may be +called the limit of "horse navigation," which is to say their ponies +could give them no more help, since the way was too broken for them to +climb further. + +Accordingly the three dismounted and removed all the trappings of the +animals. Hazletine was so familiar with the country that he came to this +favored spot without mistake or hesitation. It was a broad, irregular +inclosure, in the form of a grassy plateau, where grass grew abundantly, +and was walled in on nearly every side by immense rocks and boulders. A +tiny stream of icy water wound along one side, disappearing at a corner +among the rocks, which were so craggy and eccentric in their formation +that a cavity or partial cavern was found, in which the party placed +their bridles, saddles and blankets, and which was capable of giving +them shelter against the most furiously driving rain-storm. + +"Surely we couldn't have found a better spot if we had hunted for a +month," said Jack, admiringly surveying their surroundings. + +"This is to be our headquarters," explained Hazletine, "during the few +days or the week that we spend in hunting here." + +"You mean that we are to spend each night in this place?" + +The guide nodded his head. + +"I don't know of any better arrangement," said Fred; "we can gather +enough wood to keep a fire going, and, if rain should set in, shall have +as good shelter as if in the house on the ranch." + +"That's it; and you mustn't furgit one thing," added Hazletine; "we +fetched along just 'nough stuff fur dinner. We haven't anything left fur +supper. None of the cattle git this fur into the mountains, so we can't +count on them. Therefore, we've the ch'ice atween shooting game or +starving to death." + +"That's enough to make us all do our best, but we cannot suffer so long +as we have you for our companion." + +"But you ain't going to have me fur your companion." + +The boys stared at their friend in astonishment. He explained: + +"There ain't much show fur three persons to find game as long as they +stick together. The right way is fur 'em all to part and each keep it up +on his own hook. A chap isn't in half the danger of being seen by the +deer or sheep, or whatever it may be he's after; and he has the chance, +too, to show what stuff he's made of." + +"Then you intend to leave us?" + +"You've hit it the first time. I'll start out on my own bus'ness, +meaning to be back here while the night's young." + +Observing significant looks passing between the boys, the man hastened +to add: + +"Now, don't you folks make the mistake of thinking I'll get your supper +fur you, fur I don't mean to do nothing of the kind. I don't intend to +do any hunting, but to git away from you so as to let you have the +chance. I don't say that if a big horn or a antelope or buck walks up in +front of me and asks me to take a shy at him that I won't pop him over, +though some folks that I know wouldn't do the same if the buck happened +to be a two-legged one; but such things don't often happen; and, if you +don't fetch in any game, them appetites of your'n are likely to bother +you as much as they did t'other day when we was riding from the fort." + +"Do you wish Fred and me to part company?" + +Hank's eyes twinkled and a quizzical expression lit up that part of his +countenance which was visible. + +"'Twouldn't be safe." + +"Why not?" + +"You'd each take the other fur a wild donkey and plug him afore you +found out the mistake, which the same wouldn't be such a mistake after +all." + +The boys could well afford to laugh at the pleasantry of the man who, it +was evident, felt a partiality for them. He added, more seriously: + +"You'd have more show to shoot game if you parted, but I'd not advise +you to do it till after you've hunted for some days together. It's +mighty easy for younkers like you to git lost in these mountains. You +must keep your bearings, so it won't be any trouble fur you to find your +way back to this spot when it's dark. If you happen to catch sight of +any game, try to not let it see you till you git a fair shot at it; and +there ain't much good in wounding a critter in these parts, fur it's +sure to git away from you." + +After some further instructions, Hank bade his young friends good-by and +left them. He strode off in the direction of the trail over which they +had come to reach this interesting spot in the mountains, and +disappeared without once looking back to see what they were doing. + +It was odd thus to be left alone in this wild region, and the chums +looked in each other's face with smiles. It certainly was a curious +experience to be set down in one of the greatest mountain spurs of the +West, and to be told that now they must take care of themselves. It was +like being cast into deep water and ordered to choose between swimming +and drowning. + +"It's just as well," said Jack, "or he wouldn't have done it. Surely the +V. W. W. ought to be able to take care of ourselves, with our repeaters +and pistols. There's nothing to be feared from wild animals, or he would +have warned us." + +"It strikes me that the most important thing to do is to keep our +bearings, for if we should happen to lose our way it would go hard with +us." + +"We took care to bring spy-glasses, as well as everything else that we +thought we were likely to need, but forgot about a compass, which may be +worth all the rest." + +"Well, we must be careful not to stray too far until we become familiar +with the country. Let's not delay our start." + +The plateau where their ponies were cropping the grass was several acres +in extent, nearly half of it sloping abruptly; but the grass was +abundant enough to furnish the animals with all they could need, no +matter how long they stayed, since it had plenty of opportunity to renew +itself. + +Side by side the boys moved across the space, the ponies not raising +their heads to look at them, as they passed near. Instead of following +the course taken by their guide they bore to the right, but at the same +time proceeded nearly westward, which led them deeper into the +mountains. Remembering the caution of their friend they studied the +landmarks around them, in the hope of not losing their way when it +should become time to return to camp. + +When fairly clear of the plateau, where they must have been at a +considerable elevation above the sea, they found the way so rough that +travelling became a task. There was nothing in the nature of a path or +trail to follow, and they were compelled to pass around boulders and +rocks, sometimes turning back and retracing their steps, and making long +detours, so as to flank impassable chasms. All this tended to confuse +their knowledge of the points of the compass, but they did not forget to +note everything that could serve as a guide, and were confident of +finding their way whenever it should become necessary to return. + +Most of the time Jack Dudley was in the lead, for it was not easy to +walk beside each other. He was perhaps a half-dozen paces in advance of +Fred, when he abruptly stopped with an exclamation of affright. + +"What is it?" asked his friend, hardly less startled. + +"Look at that!" + +He pointed downward, almost at his feet. Still unaware of what he meant, +Fred stepped guardedly forward to his side. + +There was good cause, indeed, for the alarm of the elder, for he had +checked himself on the edge of a ravine or canyon fully a thousand feet +deep. One step further and he would have dropped into eternity. + +The peculiar formation of the canyon accounted for this peril. The chasm +was barely a dozen feet wide, but the other side was depressed, so that +it was not noticed by the youth until on the edge of the danger. The +walls were of solid rock, showing the numerous strata of sandstone and +other formations, worn so unevenly that it looked possible for a person +to use them as stairs in climbing the sides. Pausing on the edge and +peering cautiously down the dizzy steep, the youths could see a stream +of water, winding its course far down at the bottom, where the roughness +of its bed churned it into foam, and gave it the appearance of a white +ribbon that had been strung along the course. The murmur was so soft and +faint that at times they were not sure they heard it, and when it +reached their ears the voice of the distant ocean was suggested. + +A striking feature of this phenomenon was the exceeding narrowness of +the canyon. It has been stated that directly opposite to where the boys +had halted it was scarcely a dozen feet wide, and there were places in +sight with the width still less, though most of it was greater. The ages +that it had taken this stream to erode such a bed for itself was beyond +imagination. + +"Jack," said his companion, with that elasticity of spirits natural to +one of his years, "if you had pitched down there, how in the world could +I have pulled you up to the top again?" + +"Why would you wish to do that?" + +"Well, you would have been pretty well bruised and would have needed +help." + +"Possibly; but I wonder whether there are many such pit-holes in this +part of the world. It resembles the fissures in the mountains of ice +which I have read that the Arctic explorers sometimes find." + +However, since the youths were on one side of the canyon, naturally they +were seized with the belief that it was necessary immediately to place +themselves on the other side. Why it was so they would have found hard +to explain, but they were unanimous on the point; and, since there was +but the single method of crossing the chasm, they set out to find it. + +"It looks narrower over there to the left," said Jack, turning in that +direction. + +He did not have to go far when he paused, where the width was barely six +feet--not enough to afford much of a leap for sturdy lads of their +years. + +"That's easy," added Jack, measuring it with his eye. + +"You must remember one thing, Jack. There's something in the air of this +part of the world which makes a mile look no more than a few hundred +yards. Suppose that that other bank is fifty feet off!" + +It was an alarming thought, and Jack recoiled as if again on the edge of +the brink. But he was quick to see the absurdity of the idea. + +"If that is so, then the canyon must be several miles deep. But we would +better make sure." + +It was easy to do this. Hunting around until a chip from one of the +boulders was found, Jack tossed it across the abyss. It fell as he +expected, proving that, wonderfully deceptive as is the atmosphere of +the West, it cannot mislead in instances like that which confronted +them. + +"That makes it right. I am not afraid to make the leap; are you?" + +"Not a bit; but wait." + +Near them lay a stone, so large that it required their united strength +to move it. By hard work they rolled it to the edge of the canyon and +tumbled it over, carefully watching its descent. A curious thing +followed. At first it shot straight downward for a hundred feet, when it +impinged against a projecting point of the mountain wall, knocked the +fragments in every direction, as if it were a ball fired from a +thousand-pounder, and bounded against the opposite side, further down, +scattering fragments again. By this time it had achieved an almost +inconceivable momentum, and was shooting downward at a terrific rate. + +In the depths of this narrow canyon, where the sunlight never penetrated +for more than a few minutes at a time, it was always twilight. At the +bottom it was almost dark, so that the stream would hardly have been +visible but for its yeasty foam. At some point near the base, when the +flinty stone was speeding forward like a meteor, it abraded a harder +portion than before. Instantly a stream of fire shot out, such as +sometimes flashes from a murky cloud in the sky, and, as if it were an +echo of the impact, the splash and thunderous thump were heard by the +boys at the top. + +It was a tempting theme for the imagination, but they were too practical +to linger. Having agreed that the canyon could be readily jumped, they +did not hesitate. Running a few steps, Jack Dudley cleared the passage +and landed on the other side, with several feet to spare. He did not +take the trouble to toss his rifle in advance, but kept it in his hand. + +"I had a queer feeling," he said, as Fred joined him, "when I was right +over the middle of the canyon, and knew, if I had made any +miscalculation, I should never stop until pretty well down toward the +centre of the earth." + +"It doesn't take long to do a deal of thinking at such time, but what +bothered me was whether I was going to make as good a jump as you. I +believe I beat you by two or three inches." + +"You wouldn't have done it if I had tried. But, Fred, since we are on +this side of that split in the mountain, we have got to jump it again to +get back to camp." + +"And we must manage to do it before dark, for it isn't safe to take +chances where there is so much variance in the width." + +"Fact of it is," remarked Jack, expressing that which had been clear to +both from the first, "there was no need of our jumping it at all. But we +are here, and must make the best of it. It's time we found some game." + +And Jack looked sharply around, as if he expected to see a fat deer or +big horn step forward and sacrifice himself for their good. + +But they were more fortunate than they were warranted in expecting. +While surveying the rocks and heights which seemed to wall them in, Fred +exclaimed: + +"There's our game!" + +He pointed to a cliff fully two hundred yards distant, and of half that +height. On this projecting ledge stood a noble buck, with antlers and +head raised, while he seemed to be gazing over the wild expanse of +country below him. They knew he was a fine animal, though the distance +made him appear diminutive. + +[Illustration: "On the projecting ledge stood a noble buck."] + +"I wonder if he sees us?" said Jack in a whisper, as if afraid of being +overheard. + +"If he does, he knows we are too far off to harm him." + +The next instant the boys had unslung their glasses and leveled them at +the fellow, who formed a striking picture, as he stood out in bold +relief, with his spreading antlers, his fine head, and his brown, sinewy +limbs. The next remark by Jack may not have been romantic, but it was +characteristic: + +"What a fine meal he will make for us!" + +"Provided we can secure him. We must get a good deal nearer." + +"Our rifles will carry a bullet that far." + +"No doubt; but if we hit him he would be only slightly wounded and would +make off. We must go closer." + +This necessity was self-evident, but the task was certain to be a +difficult one. As they approached the animal they were likely to expose +themselves to his keen gaze, when he would disappear on the instant. + +"Remember what Hank said. There is twice the chance for one that there +is for two. I'll stay here, Fred, while you go on. If I see him move +I'll try it, and you must do the same. Between us, we may bring him +down." + +The plan was acted upon. It was agreed that Fred should steal as near to +the buck as possible, in the hope of securing him, while Jack should +hold himself in readiness to make a shot, with precious little prospect +of success. + +If the game would maintain his position it looked as if there was a good +prospect of the younger lad getting within shooting distance, for the +way was so rugged, and offered so many opportunities for screening his +approach, that he did not believe he would be detected if he used proper +care. Meanwhile Jack took position behind the nearest boulder, where he +could keep an eye on the animal and it was impossible for the latter to +see him. + +Fred was lost to sight almost immediately. He grew so anxious as the +interval decreased that he trembled, and it was hard to fight off an +attack of what is called "buck fever," and which is fatal to the best +hunter; but by and by his nerves settled, and he became as cool and +self-possessed as Hank Hazletine himself would have been under the +circumstances. + +It seemed improbable that the buck would wait where he was, even if not +alarmed, for the time necessary to afford a good shot for his enemy. It +was some whim that had led him out upon the top of the towering bluff, +where he was in view of the young hunters. It is not to be supposed that +his kind appreciate such a thing as beauty in a landscape or scene +spread before them, and yet the action of the buck almost indicated +something of that nature; for he stood motionless, minute after minute, +as if absorbed, and suggesting a statue carved from the rock itself. + +Foot by foot Fred Greenwood stole forward, crouching behind boulders, +creeping beside immense rocks which shut him from the gaze of the +watchful animal, until with a rapidly beating heart he whispered: + +"I'm near enough to try a shot." + +He was making ready, when he observed a well-screened point a few rods +in advance, which impressed him as the right place. Once there, he could +ask no better opportunity to test his skill. Was it safe to wait a +minute or two longer? Yes, he would make the attempt. + +With infinite care, and holding his nerves in superb control, he worked +his way to the spot without alarming the buck. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP. + + +Crouching behind the friendly boulder, Fred Greenwood rested the barrel +of his Winchester upon it and took careful aim at the buck, which seemed +scarcely to have moved from the moment he was seen by the youths. That +he maintained his pose thus long was certainly remarkable, and the fact +was due to a cause suspected by neither of the boys. + +That the antelope has the bump of curiosity developed to a most amazing +degree is well known. It is this peculiarity which has proved fatal to +the animals in numberless instances. The curiosity of the _cervus_ +species, while much less, sometimes manifests itself in an extraordinary +fashion. Fred Greenwood managed his approach with so much skill that he +was not noticed; but his comrade, further away, was seen by the vigilant +animal, when Jack, becoming impatient over the delay, began the attempt +to follow him. The sight of the young hunter startled the buck. He was +on the point of whirling about and making off, but waited to learn +something more definite. The caution of Jack rendered this difficult, +and it was because of the animal's hesitation that Fred succeeded in +reaching the spot from which to try a shot. + +The lad sighted at the front of the game and his finger was pressing the +trigger, when, perhaps because of a sudden sight of Jack, the buck +turned about to flee. It was at this juncture that Fred fired. + +The result was better than he expected. It is almost impossible to kill +a deer instantly, instances being known of one running a number of rods +with a bullet through his heart; but in this instance the buck, +gathering his forelegs under him, as if to leap a high obstruction, +bounded straight up in air and dropped back so close to the edge of the +cliff that he toppled over and came tumbling downward like a log of +wood. + +The point where he fell was some distance away and out of sight of the +young hunter, who, with a delighted exclamation, rose to his feet and +began scrambling toward his prize. But for his excitement Fred would +have noted a singular thing. When the report of his rifle rang out in +the stillness, the echo from the face of the cliff sounded as sharp and +loud as the crack of his own weapon. The explanation of this speedily +became manifest. + +Although the way was rough, the distance was so short that it took Fred +only a brief time to reach the inanimate body of the buck. + +"Hank couldn't have beaten that shot himself! I must have driven the +bullet through his heart, which I shouldn't have done if he hadn't +started to flee at the instant I pulled trigger----" + +At that moment an Indian, rifle in hand, stepped into view from among +the rocks, and with a grin on his face came toward the youth. Fred was +not dreaming of anything of the kind, and looked at the red man in +astonishment. + +"Eh! howdy, brother? That my buck," said the Indian, with his painted +face still bisected by a tremendous smile. + +The lad flared up on the instant. + +"How do you make that out? I just shot him." + +"No; me shoot him--he mine." + +Fred's gorge continued to rise. + +"You are not speaking the truth. I fired at him a few minutes ago and +saw him spring in air and fall over the cliff." + +"Where you hit him?" + +Ready to prove the truth of his own words, the youth stooped over the +carcass, which was lying on its left side. A crimson orifice was seen +just back of the foreleg, which showed where the tiny messenger of death +had entered. + +"That's where I struck him! What have you to say to _that_?" + +"I shoot at the same time as brother. That where my bullet go in. Dere +where it come out." + +Reflection convinced Fred of the unpleasant fact that this Indian was +speaking the truth. The relative position of the lad and the dead buck +had been such that it was impossible for his bullet to take the course +of the one that had slain the animal. The decisive shot, therefore, was +not his. + +"But I know mine struck him somewhere," was Fred's desperate +exclamation; "could it have taken the same course as yours?" + +The tantalizing smile came back to the face of the red man, who shook +his head. + +"My brother's bullet strike dere--hurt antler bad." + +The Indian thrust the toe of his moccasin against the buck's antlers. It +was plain that one of the prongs had been chipped off, as if by the +impact of a glancing bullet. Fred could no longer deny the mortifying +fact that his shot had no more to do with the death of the animal than +if it had been a pebble tossed up the cliff by hand. + +The discovery did not add to his temper, and he was in an unreasonable +mood. + +"You hadn't any business to fire at the buck when I did! I had picked +him out for my game and it was a mean act on your part. We both struck +him, and I shall claim one-half of him, for I'm hungry, and it will soon +be supper-time." + +A dangerous light shone in the black eyes of the Indian. Evidently he +had no liking for the race of the young man, and his resentment was +roused by his words and manner. + +"He mine; me take him; you thief!" + +It occurred to Fred Greenwood at this moment that it would be unwise as +well as perilous to quarrel with this denizen of the wilderness. He was +in middle life, active, powerful, wiry and unscrupulous. The youth was +no match for him in a personal encounter; besides which he noticed that +the fellow carried a Winchester like his own, not to mention the +formidable knife at his waist. + +Still the lad was too proud to yield the point without protest. Besides, +he was growing anxious about that supper which hung suspended in the +balance. + +"It's only fair that you should give me a part of the body; you can't +eat a tenth part of it. You must divide." + +"He mine--me take all--white dog have none--me kill him." + +"You will, eh? I shall have something to say about that." + +It was Jack Dudley who uttered these words as he strode into view from +the direction taken a few minutes before by his comrade. + +The Indian had detected the approach of Jack before he spoke and before +Fred knew of his coming. He raised his head like a flash, and the dark, +threatening expression vanished, succeeded by the grin that was there +when he first appeared to the younger lad. + +"Howdy, brother?" he said, extending his hand, which was taken rather +gingerly by the surprised youth, who recognized him as Motoza, the +vagrant Sioux, with whom he had had the singular experience some nights +before, when encamped in the grove on the prairie. + +"Why, I didn't suspect it was _you_," added Jack, hardly knowing how to +address him. + +Motoza would have lacked ordinary perception had he failed to see that +the boys were friends. What impulse led him to do what he did it would +be hard to explain, but without making any response to the remark of +Jack he drew his knife, stooped over the carcass, and dextrously cut two +large pieces from the haunches. Straightening up, he handed one to Jack +and the other to Fred, with the words: + +"Take, brothers." + +"Thank you very much," replied Fred, accepting the "peace offering," +while his friend made similar acknowledgment. + +"Brothers want more?" + +"That is plenty. We are obliged, and hope you will pardon our hasty +words." + +With the chronic grin on his painted face Motoza stood silent, as if the +business was closed between them. + +"That gives us our supper, Fred, and we may as well go back to camp. +Good-by, Motoza." + +The Sioux slightly nodded, but did not speak. Each boy, carrying his +food, turned his back upon him and moved away in the direction of the +camp. When they had gone a slight distance, Jack looked back and saw the +Indian bent over the carcass of the buck and busy with his knife in +securing a meal for himself. A few minutes later the parties were out of +sight of each other. + +At the first water they reached the lads carefully washed and dressed +the venison and resumed their return to camp. + +"What do you make of it, Jack?" asked Fred. + +"I don't know enough about Indians to judge them correctly, but I think +their nature must be similar to our own. Motoza formed a respect for me +because of the manner in which I handled him the other night." + +"That is my belief; and it is not only respect, but friendship. He likes +you, and will never do you harm." + +"What about _you_?" + +"I am not so clear there. He and I were quarrelling when you came up. I +thought it was I who killed the buck, but he proved it was himself, and +that I had no claim to him. But I had set my heart on making a supper +off venison to-night, and did not like the thought of giving it up. He +was ugly, and if you hadn't come up just when you did there would have +been trouble, with the chances against me." + +"It was a mistake on your part." + +"I fear it was. It may be, however, that Motoza feels better disposed +toward me since he has learned we are friends." + +"That is my belief. But it is rather curious that we should run across +him again, so many miles from the spot where we last met; but, Fred, we +must keep our bearings." + +They were in a wild section of the mountains, which they had not seen +before, but by carefully noting the position of the sun in the sky and +observing a towering, snow-covered peak that had been fixed upon as a +landmark, they agreed as to the right direction. They were confirmed in +their belief shortly after by coming to the edge of the canyon which +they had leaped on their outward trip; but the width was fully twenty +feet, with no diminishing, so far as they could see, to the right or +left. + +"I hardly think it will do to make the venture here," remarked Jack, +with a shake of his head. + +"No; for not only is it too wide, but the other side is several feet +higher than this." + +They cautiously approached the edge and peered down into the frightful +depth. There was the same foamy stream, apparently a half-mile below, +clashing over the rocky bottom, and sending up the faint roar that +impressed them when the canyon was first seen. It was, in short, a +reproduction on a reduced scale of the magnificent Grand Canyon of the +Yellowstone, which is a source of admiring wonder to thousands of +tourists. + +Something away down in the bottom caught the attention of Fred, and, at +his suggestion, they laid aside their rifles and venison and crept +forward on their faces until their heads projected over the edge of the +dizzying depth. + +"Do you see him?" asked Fred. + +"Yes; who would have thought of such a thing?" + +At many points in the yeasty foam black masses of rocks rose so high +above the roaring stream that the water whirled and eddyed around them. +It was mostly these obstructions that kept the current in a state of +turmoil, and made it show distinctly in the twilight gloom of the +canyon. On one of the dripping rocks was a man, standing so like a +statue that in the indistinct light Fred Greenwood took him for some +fantastic formation of stone, worn by the eroding action of the angry +waters, but the suggestion of a living person was so striking that the +two called their spy-glasses into use. + +The result was astounding. Instead of being an Indian, as they had +believed at first, it was a white man. Furthermore, the instruments +proved beyond question that he was their old friend, Hank Hazletine. + +"What in the name of wonder is he doing down there?" exclaimed the +amazed Jack. + +"Standing on a rock," was the reply. "He finds some amusement in that, +or he wouldn't do it." + +"He must have entered at the mouth of the canyon, which cannot be far +off." + +"That may be so. The sides are so broken and rough that he could use +them for stairs in going down or coming up." + +"Whew!" exclaimed Jack, with a shudder; "the thought scares me. I +wouldn't undertake it for the world! Suppose, when you had picked your +steps half-way down, you couldn't find a place to rest your hands or +feet; or, in climbing up, you should be stopped within a yard or two of +the top?" + +"It would be the end of the chapter for us; but Hank knows the country +so well that he is in no danger of making such a mistake; but none for +us." + +In the hope of attracting the notice of their friend the boys shouted to +him, but the roar of the waters was in the ears of the hunter, who would +not have heard the boom of a cannon fired on the cliffs above. He did +not look up or give any heed to their hail. Fred thought of throwing +down a piece of rock, but it was too dangerous. It was liable to be so +deflected from its course as to kill the unsuspicious hunter, who had +assumed great risk as it was. + +"Do you see that?" asked Jack. + +The question was caused by the action of Hank, who made a leap that +carried him to the top of the boulder nearest him. Then he sprang to a +second and a third, when, to the astonishment of the watchers, he +disappeared. + +The reason was apparent. After his last leap he had passed under a +projecting ledge, from which, of course, he would emerge whenever he +chose to do so. But, though the boys watched for a considerable time, he +did not appear; and, realizing that the afternoon was drawing to a +close, they rose to their feet, with the purpose of pushing on to camp. + +But to do that they must find a place where the canyon could be crossed, +and they set out on their hunt, which proved less difficult than was +anticipated. Not far off a portion of the rocks on their side projected +like a tongue so far over the ravine that it was barely two yards from +its extremity to the other bank. Moreover, the sides of the canyon were +on a level, so that a more favorable spot for crossing could not have +been desired. + +An examination of this formation showed that twenty feet below them the +canyon was as wide as at the point from which they had watched their +friend. The ledge, therefore, arched over, and was in the nature of a +partial bridge, whose thickness would have sustained a great many tons. + +They peered downward in quest of Hank, but the gorge had taken an abrupt +turn since they saw him and he was not in sight. + +The task before them seemed so simple that the two gave it scarcely a +thought, but it brought them an experience which, in some respects, was +the most terrifying of their lives. + +While the banks were substantially on the same level, the opposite one +was fringed with a species of stunted bush, two or three feet high, +quite dense, and bearing a species of red berry such as is found on the +fragrant wintergreen. Hazletine had cautioned the lads against eating +any vegetable whatever in this section, since many are violently +poisonous and have caused the death of more than one thoughtless +tenderfoot. + +Fred Greenwood made ready for the first jump. As in the former instance, +the distance was so slight that it was not necessary to toss any of +their impedimenta in advance of their own passage. It was easy to jump +with the Winchester in one hand and the goodly piece of meat in the +other. Since Fred had beaten his friend some time before, Jack quietly +resolved to turn the tables by doing his best, and he was confident of +far surpassing him, especially as Fred had no suspicion of his +intention. + +"Go ahead," said Jack; "night isn't far off, and it will be dark by the +time we reach camp." + +Fred took only a couple of paces for a start, when he bounded across the +chasm with the ease of a chamois. Jack had sauntered a rod back, as if +with no special purpose in mind, when his object was to secure the +impetus that would land him far in advance of his comrade. Standing +thus, he complacently watched Fred, as his body rose in air, gracefully +curved over, and landed at a safe distance beyond the edge of the +canyon. + +It was while Jack Dudley was standing thus that he fancied he saw a +disturbance in the bushes where Fred was about to alight. It was so +slight that he did not think it meant anything; and, without noticing it +further, he started on a series of quick, short steps, which were to +give him the necessary momentum to win the victory over his friend. At +that instant Fred landed and emitted a cry of terror and warning. + +"Look out, Jack! Don't jump! Stop! stop!" + +But, though Jack heard the cry, it was too late to heed it. He was so +near the edge of the canyon that had he checked himself he would have +gone spinning to death down the abyss. The leap must be made, and, +gathering his muscles, he rose in the air, with his legs gathered under +him, and with the certainty that the jump would far surpass the one that +he had just witnessed. + +In that critical moment, when his body rose and seemed suspended over +the gorge, Jack's attention was fixed upon the strange actions of Fred. +The instant he landed he darted to one side, and with his rifle struck +at something in the bushes which Jack could not see. As he did so he +recoiled, and was in the act of advancing and striking again, when Jack +landed upon the ground beyond. + +As he did so he heard a vicious, locust-like whir, whose meaning he +recognized. An immense rattlesnake was in the bushes, and Fred had +descended almost upon it. But for the tremendous effort of Jack he would +have dropped squarely upon the velvety body, with consequences too +frightful to be thought of; but his great leap carried him over it, +while the attack of Fred upon the reptile, in the effort to save his +companion, diverted the attention of the rattlesnake for an instant. + +Jack saw the flat, pitted head, the gleaming coil, the distended jaws, +while the slightly elevated tail vibrated so rapidly with the warning +which, once heard, can never be forgotten, that it looked hazy and +mist-like. Before Fred, at imminent risk to himself, could bring down +his clubbed gun with crushing force, Jack felt a sharp sting in his +ankle and called out, in the extremity of terror: + +_"I'm bitten!"_ + +He was not only terrified but angered, and whirling about, he brought +down his gun with spiteful violence on the writhing body. The reptile +struck again, but it was already wounded to that extent that its blow +was erratic, and, though it came near reaching the hand of Jack, it +missed by a safe margin. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +NIGHT IN THE MOUNTAINS. + + +One of the singular facts connected with the _crotalus_ species is the +ease with which it is killed. The writer once ended the career of a huge +specimen with a single blow of a whip-lash. The first impact of Fred +Greenwood's rifle-barrel upon the hideous reptile coiled in the scrub +bushes inflicted a fatal wound, though the serpent continued blindly +striking for a minute or two longer, and responded viciously to the +attack of the scared and angry Jack Dudley, who struck it several times +after it had ceased to struggle and all danger was past. A person's +first impulse, after being bitten by a snake, is to kill it, after which +he looks after the wound he may have received. + +But Fred had heard the dreadful exclamation of his comrade and caught +him by his arm as he was about to bring down his last blow upon the +reptile. + +"O Jack, are you sure he bit you?" he asked in a tremulous voice. + +"Yes; I felt the sting in my left ankle, like the prick of a needle." + +Dropping upon the ground, he hastily unfastened and turned down his +legging. There, sure enough, was a tiny red spot, with a single drop of +blood oozing from it. + +"The rattlesnake has two fangs," said Fred; "but there is only one wound +here." + +"It wasn't a direct blow, I suppose," said the white-faced Jack, who had +good reason to be terrified over the occurrence, for the rattlesnake, +although ranking below the cobra in the virulence of its venom, is the +most deadly serpent in America, and the veteran hunter fears it more +than the most savage of wild animals. + +Fred stooped down and examined the wound closely. A thrilling suspicion +was becoming certainty in his mind. + +"When did you feel that bite?" he asked. + +"At the moment I landed on my feet. What a dreadful poison it is! I can +feel it all through my body; and don't you see that my ankle has begun +to swell?" + +Fred continued to study the wound, pressing his finger around it and +bending close to the limb. Had the hurt been caused by the fang of a +serpent he would have tried to suck out the venom. Suddenly he looked up +with glowing face. + +"Now, Jack, my dear fellow, don't be frightened; you haven't been bitten +at all." + +"What do you mean?" + +"At the moment you landed on your feet I was beating the life out of the +snake, and he was giving his whole attention to me. He did not try to +bite you till you turned about and began striking at him." + +"But what made that wound?" asked Jack. + +"I suspect the cause." + +He drew up the legging and examined the part that covered the spot in +the ankle which had received the blow. + +"There! I knew it! That's what did it!" + +He had plucked out a small, needle-pointed thorn. The bushes abounded +with similar prongs, one of which had been torn off and pierced the +legging of Jack when he was crashing through the tops of the bushes. + +"Sure there isn't any mistake about that?" asked the youth, feeling as +if a mountain were lifted from his shoulders. + +"There can't be." + +"Wait a minute!" + +With one bound the happy fellow came to his feet, and throwing his arms +about his comrade, hugged him into temporary breathlessness. + +"Thank the Lord! Richard's himself again! The V. W. W. are born to good +fortune." + +And joining hands, the two danced with delight. Many in the situation of +Fred Greenwood would have laughed at Jack and "guyed" him over his +blunder, but the incident was too dreadful and the terror of his friend +too intense for Fred to wish to amuse himself at his expense. However, +he could not help indulging just a trifle. Suddenly pausing in his +antics he looked down at the feet of Jack. + +"I suppose in a few minutes your ankle will be so swelled that the +buckles will fly off the legging. By this time, too, you must feel the +poison in your head." + +By way of answer, Jack, who, like Fred, had laid aside his Winchester +and venison, seized his friend and tried to lay him on his back. They +had had many a wrestling bout at home and there was little difference in +their skill. Fred was always ready for a test, and he responded with +such vigor that before Jack suspected he received an unquestioned fall, +since both shoulders and hips were on the ground at the same time, with +his conqueror holding him motionless. + +"It was hardly fair," remarked Fred, allowing him to rise to his feet. + +"Why not?" asked Jack, also coming up. + +"The venom of the rattlesnake so weakened you that you are not +yourself." + +"I'll show you whether I am or not!" + +At it they went again, and this time Jack was the victor, after which +they brushed off their clothing and agreed to leave the deciding bout +for a more convenient season. Night was rapidly closing in. + +"That exercise has added to my appetite," remarked Jack, as they +gathered up their belongings and moved off. + +"It would have done the same for me, if the thing were possible." + +Mindful of the danger of going astray, they carefully studied the +landmarks, so far as they could see them. Their main reliance was the +lofty peak that was visible for so great a distance, but with that help +they saw it growing dark, while they were in a region totally strange to +them. + +"My gracious!" said Fred, as they came to a halt; "in the face of all +that Hank told us, we have lost our way!" + +"It has that look," replied Jack, removing his hat and drawing his +handkerchief across his moist forehead; "but I don't see that it is such +a serious thing, after all. We can spend the night here as well as +anywhere." + +"What will Hank think, when he goes to camp to meet us?" + +"I reckon he'll not be disappointed; besides, we can't be far from the +place, and can look it up to-morrow." + +"I don't suppose it will hurt us to build a fire among these rocks and +spend the night; but the air is pretty cool and we shall miss our +blankets." + +"Old hunters like ourselves must become used to such things," +complacently observed Jack, who began preparations at the same moment +for carrying out his own proposal. It was no trouble to find enough +brush and wood to serve them, and they had brought such a goodly supply +of matches from the ranch in their rubber safes that they soon had a +vigorous fire going, over which they broiled their venison. + +The meal of itself would not have been enjoyable at their home, for it +was too "new," lacking a certain tenderness that forms one of its chief +attractions. Besides, it was unavoidably scorched in the preparation; +but the mixed pepper and salt sprinkled over it improved the flavor. But +the great thing was their insatiate appetites, for it is a homely truth +that there is no sauce like hunger. So it came about that they not only +made a nourishing meal, but had enough left to serve them in the +morning. + +It was fully dark when the repast was finished. The fire had been +started against the face of a boulder, and only a small quantity of wood +remained--not sufficient to last half through the night. With the going +down of the sun the air became colder. It seemed at times as if a breath +of wind from the snowy peaks reached them, and it caused an involuntary +shiver. The prospect of remaining where they were through the dismal +hours of darkness was anything but cheering. + +"Jack," suddenly said Fred in a guarded undertone, "there's some wild +animal near us." + +"How can you know that?" + +"I heard him moving about." + +"In what direction?" + +"Just beyond the ridge there. Hark! Didn't you hear it?" + +"You are right," whispered Jack; "let's find out what it is." + +Gun in hand, they moved stealthily up the slight ridge near by. It was +only a few feet in height. Their experience had taught them that danger +was likely to break upon them at any time, and they did not mean to be +caught unprepared. Neither spoke as they cautiously climbed the ridge, +like a couple of Indian scouts on the alert for the first appearance of +peril. + +But they reached the crest of the slight elevation without having heard +anything more of that which had alarmed them. The next moment, however, +both caught the dim outlines of a large animal moving slowly from them. +Before they were certain of its identity the creature neighed, as if +frightened by the stealthy approach of the youths. + +"It's a horse!" exclaimed Fred, who, suspecting the whole truth, moved +over the ridge and called, in a coaxing voice: + +"Dick! Come here, Dick!" + +The animal stopped, looked inquiringly around, and then came forward +with a pleased whinny. He was Fred's pony, and, brief as their +acquaintance had been, recognized his voice. Fred stroked his nose and +patted his neck, and the horse showed his pleasure at receiving the +endearments. + +When the youths made their halt and cooked their supper they were on the +edge of the grassy plateau for which they were hunting, and whose +features they would have been quick to recognize were the sun shining. +Soon after, Jack's pony came out of the gloom as if to claim attention, +and he received it. + +"We are more fortunate than I dared hope," said Jack; "here we are at +home, after all. I wonder whether Hank is ahead of us?" + +This was unlikely, since, if he had reached the spot fixed upon as their +headquarters, he would have kindled a fire, whereas it was dark in every +direction. The partial cavern was on the other side of the plateau, and +the boys walked rapidly to it, the route being clear, now that they had +located themselves. + +They appreciated the wisdom of Hank, who had made them help gather +enough firewood to last through the night. He said (what proved to be +the fact) that they were not likely to return till late, when it would +be hard to collect the right kind of fuel. + +In a brief while a second fire was under way. It was started in front of +the cavern, which was of so slight extent that it received and held much +of the warmth. Seated within the opening, with their heavy blankets +wrapped about them, the boys were thoroughly comfortable. They had met +with enough stirring adventure and had had sufficient rough experience +to make the rest highly acceptable. They naturally wondered when nine +o'clock passed without bringing Hank Hazletine. + +"Maybe he has lost his way in the canyon," suggested Fred, giving +expression to a fancy which was not serious. + +"You mean that he has forgotten where the stairs lead up to the top?" + +"I guess that's what I mean, though I never thought of it before. If +that is the fact, he may have to pick his way for two or three hundred +miles to the mouth of the canyon and then walk back to us." + +"That will delay his arrival." + +"Yes. He can hardly be expected before morning." + +"Let me see," said Jack, becoming more serious; "Hank warned us that no +matter where we went into camp, we must keep one person on duty as +sentinel." + +"Suppose we are separated, and there is only one of us in camp?" + +"Then, I presume, he must sit up and watch over himself. But what's the +use of one of us keeping guard here?" + +"Why not?" + +"We are in this cavern-like arrangement, where no one can come upon us +from the rear, while the fire will ward off danger from the front." + +"Suppose that danger comes in the form of an Indian; what would he care +for half a dozen fires?" + +"But there are no unfriendly Indians in these parts." + +"You are thinking of Motoza. We have agreed that he is friendly, but +sometimes I suspect we are making a mistake about him." + +The boys would have been glad to convince themselves that it was safe to +dispense with guard duty, for a night of undisturbed rest was +exceedingly tempting, but no one who starts out with the set purpose of +deceiving himself can do so. The result of it all was that the two +decided that they must stand guard between them until the sun rose. + +On such occasions the sentinel whose turn comes first has the preferable +task, since every one will admit that it is easier to keep awake before +midnight than afterward. The division was made more equitable by +arranging that Jack Dudley should serve until two o'clock, and Fred +Greenwood for the remainder of the morning. Before the hour of ten the +younger lay down on the flinty floor, with his heavy blanket gathered +around him, and sank into slumber. They had matched pennies for the +first turn, else the elder would not have claimed it. + +Jack found his duty similar in many respects to that of his first night +on the prairie, but the surroundings and circumstances were in wide +contrast. In the former instance they had the companionship of the +cowman and veteran hunter, while now they could not know whether he was +within a half-dozen miles of them. Jack, however, did not believe that +anything in the nature of danger impended, and that to a great extent he +was taking upon himself an unnecessary hardship. + +So far as he could judge, the only possible thing to fear was wild +animals. There were always some of them prowling through this region, +but at that season of the year the wolves and other brutes were not +pressed by hunger, and no matter how fierce the creature, he would not +attempt to pass the mouth of the cavern so long as the fire was burning. +Jack flung a number of sticks on the blaze and then passed outside, +where he was beyond the circle of light. Standing thus, in the gloom of +the night, he felt that the experience of that hour was worth the +journey across the continent. + +There was an impressive grandeur in the solitude that he had never felt +before. On every side towered the immense peaks of one of the loftiest +spurs of the grandest mountain chain of America. The crests resembled +piles of blackness, with the stars gleaming behind them, while he, an +insignificant atom, stood with gun by his side in one of the tiny +hollows, as if to guard against attack from the sleeping monsters. + +As is always the case, the stillness of the vast solitude seemed unlike +silence, for a low, deep murmur was ever brooding in the air, varied now +and then by the soft voice of some waterfall, borne across the vasty +depths by an eddy in the gentle wind. Once the bark of a wolf sounded so +sharp and clear that the youth started and looked to one side, expecting +to see the animal steal forward from the gloom, but a moment's +reflection told him the brute was a mile or more distant. Then, some +time later, a mournful, wailing cry rose and fell from some remote +point. He suspected that that, too, came from the throat of a wolf, but +he was not sure. + +Just a touch of homesickness came over Jack Dudley, and he felt lonely +for the first time since leaving home. As he looked up at the clear sky +he wondered whether his father and mother were well and asleep; whether +they were dreaming of him; whether they missed him from that loved home +and longed for the day when he should return to them. + +"Suppose something happens that will prevent my ever seeing them?" he +said to himself, while the tears filled his eyes. "I thought when I +believed that rattlesnake had bitten me to-day that death was sure; and +I was near it, though I was unharmed. We are in more danger here than I +expected; but we are in danger every hour, no matter where we are. I +hope nothing will befall Fred or me." + +And standing alone in the midst of that wild, rugged scene, he silently +lifted his heart to the only One who could protect and save them from +the hundreds of perils that beset them. + +His eye was fixed on the stupendous mountain beyond the plateau, at +whose base wound the canyon, when he observed a growing light on its +crest. The twinkling stars beyond grew dimmer, and the white blanket of +snow that had lain there for centuries rapidly came out in bolder +relief, until it sparkled and gleamed much as he had seen it do when the +sun was shining. Then a curved yellow rim emerged from behind the +mountain, its climbing of the sky so rapid that the progress was readily +noted. In a brief while the whole form of the round full moon appeared +clear of the peak, and its silvery rays began filling the gorges and +chasms below. + +The scene was picturesque and beautiful beyond description. As the moon +climbed higher, the lower peaks, one after the other, leaped into view, +while the hollows between became blacker and more awesome from contrast. +Most of these were so deep that the illumination made them appear +stronger by the contrast. As the orb ascended it seemed to shrink in +size and to climb more slowly; but the shifting of the wonderful +panorama, progressing as it did in complete silence, was impressive to +the last degree. + +It was as if the angels of the sky were noiselessly casting their fleecy +veils of light over and into the awful depths below, and driving away +the crouching monster of blackness that was thus roused from his slumber +and forced to flee. Grand as was the scene, it was soothing in its +effect upon the awed lad, who, leaning against the rock behind him, the +stock of his rifle resting at his feet, surveyed it all with feelings +that drew him nearer to heaven, and gave him a more vivid knowledge of +the greatness and majesty of the Author of all that he saw and felt. + +Standing thus, with his emotions stirred to their profoundest depths, +Jack Dudley took no note of the passage of time. Midnight came and +passed, and still he held his post, wondering, admiring and worshipping, +as must puny man when brought face to face with such exhibitions of +Omnipotence. + +It was an unromantic ending to this experience that, forgetful of the +consequences of what he did, he finally became sensible of the +irksomeness of his standing position, and sat down, with his back to the +rock, that he might enjoy it all without fatigue of body. + +Need it be said what followed? He had not been seated ten minutes when +his senses left him and he became as unconscious as Fred Greenwood, +asleep in the cavern, on the other side of the smouldering fire. The +hours passed until the light of the moon paled before the rosy hues of +the rising sun, and still the boys slumbered and knew naught of what was +passing around them. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +THE SIGNAL-FIRES. + + +Jack Dudley was awakened by the sound of laughter. Opening his eyes, he +stared about him confusedly, unable for some moments to recall his +situation. Fred Greenwood stood in front of him, shaking so much with +mirth that he could scarcely stand. + +"O faithful sentinel!" he said; "how well thou hast kept thy trust!" + +"I don't see anything to laugh at," replied Jack, rising to his feet and +rubbing his eyes; "you would have done the same if you had been in my +place." + +"Perhaps I should, and then the laugh would have been on me. But we have +cause to be thankful that, while no harm has come to us, we have had a +good night's rest. I suppose you dropped into slumber almost as soon as +I did." + +"No, I didn't," persisted the elder; "I stood here a long time, but made +the mistake of sitting down for a few minutes, just before it was time +to call you. I ought to have known better, and shall never do the like +again." + +"Well, we have been fortunate and it has taught us both a lesson. Let's +attend to our toilet and have breakfast." + +They laved their faces and hands in the cold stream of clear water +running near them, combed their hair, stretched and limbered arms and +legs by a series of gymnastics to which they were accustomed, and then, +returning to the mouth of the cavern, found, by raking over the ashes, +that enough live embers remained to broil the venison more acceptably +than any meal that had been prepared since coming to the region. + +By that time Jack had recovered his usual good nature, and was as ready +to jest as his companion over his dereliction of duty. + +"I don't know what time it was when I fell asleep," he said, "but it +must have been past midnight. The moon had risen over that high mountain +yonder, and I was admiring the wonderful picture its rays made as they +shot out over the lower peaks and lit up the chasms between. I never saw +anything so beautiful." + +"You ought to have called me to share the pleasure with you." + +"I have no doubt it was time to do so, but I knew you preferred to sleep +rather than look upon Niagara Falls or the Yellowstone." + +"If so, I am not the only younker, as Hazletine says, who has such a +preference. That reminds me, Jack, that it's mighty lucky we are not +vegetarians." + +"Why?" + +"What should we do for our meals? So long as we stay in these mountains +we must live on game. This seasoning that Hank was thoughtful enough to +give us makes it palatable, but coffee, bread and a few vegetables would +help a good deal." + +"It doesn't make much difference, so long as we are blessed, or rather +tortured, with such appetites as we have had ever since we struck +Wyoming." + +From where they sat at the mouth of the cavern they saw all three of +their ponies cropping the succulent grass. It was evident that nothing +could add to their enjoyment of this outing. + +Naturally the boys speculated over the absence of their guide. + +"He must have expected to spend the night with us. And, Fred, perhaps it +will be just as well, when he does come, that we don't tell him how I +passed the time when trying to act the sentinel." + +"I surely shall not, unless he questions us so closely that we cannot +help letting him know the truth." + +"He will have a small opinion of us." + +"Why of '_us_?'" + +"Because you would have done the same as I." + +"That has not yet been proven." + +"Well, say 'myself,' if that suits better." + +"It is a very good amendment. I wonder whether anything can have +befallen him?" + +"He is too much of a veteran to make such blunders as we." + +"That is true, and yet the most skilful hunter in the world is liable to +accident. What's frightened the ponies?" + +One of the animals had raised his head, with the grass dripping like +green water from his jaws, and was looking off to the side of the +plateau as if he scented danger of some kind. He was near the further +boundary, thus being considerably removed from the boys, who grasped +their Winchesters and rose to their feet. + +"It's Hank's horse," said Jack, in an undertone; "the others do not seem +to be interested in what disturbs him." + +"And there comes Hank himself!" was the delighted exclamation of Fred, +as they saw their old friend step into view from behind the rocks and +walk with his peculiar silent stride toward them. + +The movement of the beard under the broad sombrero showed that the guide +was smiling, and doubtless he was as pleased as the boys over the +meeting. He advanced with the same lengthy step and extended his hand +with his hearty "Howdy?" to each in turn. + +"Glad to see you, younkers; you seem to have got along as well without +me as if I'd been with you." + +"Nothing has come amiss; but, Hank, we're glad indeed to see you." + +"Where did you git your breakfast?" he asked, glancing at the signs of +the meal of which they had partaken. + +"Oh, I thought it best yesterday afternoon to shoot a buck," said Fred, +airily; "for the main thing for us to do in this part of the world is to +look out that we don't starve to death." + +"You shot a buck, eh? How was it?" + +Thereupon the younger lad gave the particulars of the incident. Hank +listened attentively, and when he learned of the part played by Motoza, +the vagrant Sioux, his interest deepened. + +"So that scamp is in the mountains? I s'pected it; he claimed to have +shot the buck and wouldn't divide till Jack took a hand. Why did you let +him have any of it?" + +"Because he had the right. I thought it was my shot that killed the +game, but the bullet only grazed one of his antlers; it was Motoza who +killed the buck, and he was entitled to him. Have you been to +breakfast?" + +"Yes," replied the veteran, whose manner showed that he was displeased +with the story he had just heard. + +"Hank," said Jack, "why did Motoza give us any of the venison?" + +"I don't know," was the unexpected reply; "I'd give a good deal to +know." + +"Do you suppose he was frightened when he found there were two instead +of one to face?" + +"It looks that way, but I can't believe it. The Sioux is a scamp mean +enough to do anything; but he has grit, and I don't believe that two +young tenderfeet like you could scare him." + +"Perhaps he felt a respect and friendship for Jack because of what took +place in the grove on the prairie," suggested Fred. + +The boys expected their friend to ridicule this idea, but he did not. On +the contrary, he admitted that it was the most reasonable explanation +that presented itself; and because of this admission, both of the lads +were confirmed in their faith that the right cause had been named. + +"One of you stood guard last night while the other slept?" + +The question was so abrupt that Jack's face flushed. Fred was silent, +but his comrade thought the best course was to make a clean breast of +it, and he did so. Hank won the gratitude of the boys by not uttering a +word of reproof or showing any displeasure. More than that, he made the +astounding comment: + +"I'm glad you slept most of the night." + +The two looked at him in astonishment. + +"If the Sioux meant you harm, you gave him the best chance in the world. +He carries as good a repeating Winchester as yours, and there was +nothing to keep him from stealing up in the night and shooting you both; +or, if he liked the knife better, it would have been the easiest thing +in the world for him to wipe you out when your eyes was closed." + +This was a view of the matter that had not presented itself to the +youths, for the reason, as will be remembered, that they had accepted +the friendship of Motoza as a fact. + +"But he could have followed and picked us off when we were on our way +here," suggested Jack. + +"Yes, he's had all the chances he wanted." + +"Then it's safe to set Motoza down as a friend?" + +But Hank shook his head. + +"The safest thing to do when an Indian is afore the house is to set him +down as an enemy waiting for a chance to lift your scalp. That +confounded Sioux is one of the cunningest imps that ever stole a white +man's pony or helped to stampede a drove of cattle. Everything that he's +done since we come into the mountains looks as if he was a friend to us +all. I can't help saying that, but it mustn't be furgot that the whole +bus'ness may be meant to close our eyes, and that he's got some deviltry +in mind back of it all, that neither of you younkers has thought about." + +"Have _you_ thought of it?" + +The hunter would not reply to this direct question except to say: + +"We'll have to wait and see." + +And so Jack and Fred were left as much in doubt as before; but, it may +be added, with their belief in the friendship of the Sioux unshaken. +They reasoned that their guide was so accustomed to seeing the worst +side of the red men that he found it hard to believe any good of them. +As for themselves, they would feel no further anxiety over the enmity of +Motoza, for had he not shown the best possible proof that could be asked +of his good-will? + +Inasmuch as Hank had given them a series of surprises by his questions +and remarks, Jack Dudley now turned the tables on him by saying: + +"Yesterday afternoon, when we looked down into that deep canyon over +yonder, we shouted to you at the bottom, but suppose the noise of the +water prevented your hearing us. At any rate, you gave us no attention." + +The hunter was astonished, as he showed by his start and inquiring look. + +"So you seen me, did you?" + +"We did, and wondered what you were doing there." + +Hank laughed in his silent way, as if it were all a joke, but did not +offer any explanation. Evidently he had some business down there, but, +like most of his kind, was not inclined to make known his secrets when +the necessity did not exist. + +"What a tremendous climb that was! And it must have been dangerous to +pick your way down the side of the canyon." + +"I s'pose it would have been if I'd done it, but I didn't." + +"Then the canyon cannot be as extended as we thought?" + +"That depends on how long you thought it was. As near as I can find out, +it is between sixty and seventy miles." + +Not wishing to persist in speaking in riddles, Hank added: + +"Howsumever, though it's as long as I said, there's a break not fur +away, where the banks ain't more than a few feet above the stream. The +break isn't large, but it don't have to be. You obsarved that the stream +runs into the mountains. It seems to be making a dive fur t'other side, +as if it meant to make fur the Pacific, but it gives it up and comes +back after a while, and finds its way into the Wind River, and so on to +the Big Horn and the Missouri." + +"Then you came up the canyon from the break and went back again?" + +"I didn't say that. I come up to where you seed me, but instead of going +back I climbed the side to the top." + +"Gracious, what a task! It must be a thousand feet." + +"It isn't much less, but the sides of the canyon are so rough that it's +just like so many steps. I've done it often, and ain't the only one. +Bart and Mort tried both ways and like the climb better, though Kansas +Jim would never take it. Don't furgit one thing, younkers. When you have +a job like that afore you it's a good deal easier to climb up than it is +to climb down. If you should find yourself at the bottom of the canyon +and hit the right spot, you'll larn that the work is easier going up +than you think, but it's too resky going down for any one to try." + +The boys hoped their friend would tell them why he had entered the +gorge, when the act at best was exhausting and accompanied by more or +less peril, but he ignored their curiosity, and they did not feel +warranted in questioning him. When he thought it well he would tell +them, and they could afford to wait until then. + +The day was as perfect in its way as its predecessor. The blue sky +showed only a few fleecy clouds at wide intervals, and the sun shone +with a strength that made its warmth perceptible even in that elevated +region. The boys began to feel impatient to be moving. A good many days +yet remained to them, but they were all too few to satisfy their longing +for the inspiriting life they had entered upon with so much zest. + +As the three stood, the backs of Jack and Fred were toward the cavern, +in which the fire had been burning, while the hunter faced them. He now +turned and looked off over the wild, precipitous mountains by which they +were surrounded. The youths, who were observing him, saw him fix his +eyes on a point to the right, at which he gazed so long and steadily +that it was evident he had discovered something of more than usual +interest. Following the same direction they looked keenly, but were +unable to detect anything out of the ordinary. + +Despite his own fixity of gaze, Hank noted what they were doing, and +turning abruptly toward them, asked: + +"Do you obsarve anything 'tic'lar?" + +"Nothing more than what we have seen," replied Jack. "There are the +mountain peaks, most of them reaching above the snow-line; the dark +masses below; the scrubby pines, with more abundant vegetation, still +further down." + +"Do you see that crag that juts out from the side of the lower part of +that peak?" asked Hank, extending his hand in the direction indicated. + +Thus aided, both boys looked at the exact spot. It was below the +snow-line, where only a few of the rocks showed, because of the numerous +pines which grew luxuriantly; but, keen as was their eyesight, they were +unable to detect the first sign of moving thing or life. + +"Try your glasses on it," said Hank. + +The boys brought the instruments round in front and levelled them at the +point of interest. As they did so they made a discovery. From the very +centre of the clump of wood rose a thin, shadowy line of vapor, which +was dissolved in the clear air before it ascended more than a few feet +above the tree-tops. + +"So you obsarve it at last," said the hunter, after they had told what +they saw. "Wal, now study it closer, and tell me if you notice anything +queer 'bout the same." + +Wondering what he could mean, they did as he requested. A minute later +Fred said: + +"The smoke does not ascend steadily; first it shows plainly, then there +is none, and then it shows again." + +"Seems to keep it up, eh?" + +"Yes, like the puffs from the smoke-stack of a locomotive, only they are +a great deal slower," explained Jack; "but the smoke soon dissolves in +the clear air." + +"Not soon enough, though, to keep you from obsarving what we've been +talking about?" + +"No; it is too plain to be mistaken." + +"Did you ever see the smoke of a camp-fire act like that?" + +"Never; have you?" + +"Many a time; that's an Injin signal-fire." + +This was interesting, but caused nothing in the nature of fear on the +part of the boys. It was Fred who remarked: + +"The Indians must be signaling to some one." + +"Exactly." + +"It can't be to _us_?" + +"Not much; it's to another party of Injins, and that other party is +calling back to 'em. See whether you can find t'other signal." + +The boys moved the points of their glasses back and forth and up and +down, but it was not until their guide again pointed out the right spot +that they located the second signal. Indeed the vapor was so fine and +feathery that it was wonderful how Hank himself had been so quick to +note it. + +The points were of about the same elevation, and separated by a distance +of some two miles. Peak and valley, gorge and canyon, rock and boulder +in profusion lay between. No doubt could remain that two parties of +Indians were telegraphing messages back and forth, and that they were +understood by each party. + +As yet the boys failed to see that the matter was of any special concern +to them, though it was interesting to know that they were not the only +ones who were hunting in that section. + +"I suppose," said Jack, "that the parties are from the reservation and +are signaling to each other about the game." + +"That may be," replied Hank, after some hesitation, "but I ain't quite +sure _we_ ain't the game they're signaling 'bout." + +"They wouldn't dare disturb us!" exclaimed Fred. + +"Not in the open; but don't furgit what I obsarved to you some time ago +that an Injin, when he feels purty sartin of not being found out, ain't +to be trusted. Now, younkers, I may be all wrong, but if I am, nothing +won't be lost by acting as if I was right; whereas if I'm right and we +don't act that way, the mischief will be to pay." + +"How shall we make sure?" + +"By keeping our eyes open; when we're hunting fur game, look out that +some of the redskins ain't hunting fur us. I think that confounded +Motoza has a finger in this pie." + +Without explaining further, the hunter rested the stock of his gun on +the ground and leaned upon it in profound meditation. He paid no +attention to his companions, but continued gazing in the direction of +the first signal-fire he had noticed, and was evidently turning over +some scheme in his mind. + +Had he been alone he would have given no further attention to the signs, +which might mean nothing or a good deal, for he felt able to take care +of himself, no matter in what situation he was placed; but he considered +that to a large extent the safety of the two boys, who were totally +without experience in these solitudes, rested upon him. He must take no +chances that were avoidable. + +"Younkers," he suddenly said, rousing himself, "I must larn more 'bout +this bus'ness; I'm off; don't go so fur from this place that you can't +git back to-night; I'll be here and have some news fur you." + +And with this parting he strode across the plateau on his way deeper +into the mountains. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +A KING OF THE FOREST. + + +The boys remained standing at the mouth of the cavern until the guide +disappeared on the other side of the little plateau. Then they looked at +each other and smiled. + +"Well, it appears that we are to have another day to ourselves," said +Jack; "and we can't gain anything by waiting, so let's be off." + +Nothing could be more satisfactory to Fred, and the two took nearly the +same course as their friend, who passed from sight but a short time +before. They had no intention, however, of following him, for that would +have been displeasing to the veteran, who, had he desired their company, +would have asked for it. + +Without any definite object in mind, they took substantially the route +of the previous afternoon. Sooner than they anticipated, they found +themselves on the margin of the canyon that had been the scene of so +stirring an experience, but the point where they reached it was deeper +in the mountains. + +"Jack, we can't be very far from that break that Hank spoke of; let's +hunt it up." + +"I am willing; but before we do so we'll peep over the side, to see +whether he or anyone else is there." + +No change was to be noted in the appearance of the tiny stream at the +enormous depth, but neither friend nor stranger was in sight. They did +not expect to see any one, and began moving along the side of the +stupendous fissure in their search for the place where Hank had entered +it. From what he said it could not be far off, but they were +disappointed before reaching the right point. A gradual descent of the +sides was notable, and continued until the depth of the canyon was +decreased one-half, while the roar became more audible. + +"We can't be far from the break," said Jack; "that is, if this descent +continues." + +They found, however, a few minutes later, that it did not continue, but +began to increase, until they were fully as elevated above the bottom of +the gorge as at the point where they had leaped it. The width also +varied continually, sometimes being only three or four feet, while in +others it expanded to nearly ten times that extent. They did not pause +to look over the margin again, for their aim was to reach the place +referred to by their friend. + +At the moment when they began to wonder whether a mistake had not been +made they came upon the break. Both banks sloped downward so abruptly +that it would have been laborious for the two to work their way to the +bottom, or from the bottom to the top, though the masses of boulders, +with the tough pines growing almost the whole distance, offered secure +foothold. + +The picture was an interesting one. At the point where the stream issued +from the canyon, its width was about twenty yards. It flowed swiftly, +but quickly slackened its pace, since its expansion was fully a hundred +feet. This flowed for probably double that distance, when the high banks +again appeared, and what may be called the regular canyon was resumed. + +Jack and Fred sat down to survey the curious picture. They noticed that +the canyon seemed to be dotted at intervals with rocks, some of which +rose to a considerable height above the current. Many were near one side +or the other, while others were in the middle of the swift stream, which +dashed against them with a violence that threw the spray and foam high +in air. It was easy to believe that Hank Hazletine had made his way up +the canyon by leaping from rock to rock, with little more result than +the wetting of his shoes. + +"It might be done in the daytime," said Jack, "but I should not want to +try it at night." + +"The water must be very deep in many places; and flows so fast that the +strongest swimmer couldn't help himself. I should prefer to climb the +wall, as Hank did." + +"But that would be dangerous in the darkness." + +"The best thing we can do is to do neither," observed Fred, with a +laugh. "I have a good deal of curiosity to know what led Hank to pick +his way up the canyon, but I haven't enough to lead me to follow +him----" + +Jack Dudley suddenly gripped the arm of his friend and drew him back +from the boulder on which they had been sitting. Fred nearly lost his +balance, and did not know what to make of the proceeding until both +checked themselves at a safe distance and cautiously peeped forth. Then +the cause of Jack's excitement became apparent. + +From the pines on the other side of the stream, and near the middle of +the depressed portion, three Indians stepped into view. The first +anxiety of the youths was to learn whether Motoza was one of them; but +he was not. All were strangers. + +They were dressed much the same as the vagrant Sioux, and, like him, +their faces were painted, and their coarse black hair dangled loosely +about their shoulders. They were armed with rifles; but two of the +weapons seemed to be the long, old-fashioned muzzle-loaders, while the +third carried a Winchester. Although they emerged from the pines in +Indian file, they spread apart and walked beside one another to the edge +of the broad stream, where they stopped, as if that were the end of +their journey. + +Their gestures showed they were talking energetically, though of course +not the slightest murmur reached the youths, who took care to screen +themselves from view while cautiously peeping forth. Even after the +warning words of their guide they felt no special alarm, for they +believed the red men were from the reservation near by, and would not +harm any one. If they attempted it, Jack and Fred felt they had the +advantage of position, sheltered behind the rocks, far above their +enemies, down upon whom they could fire with their Winchesters, should +the necessity arise. + +It was quite certain that the three belonged to one of the hunting +parties whose signal-smoke the boys had seen earlier in the day. Their +action was curious. They did not look up the bank, so that the boys +might have been more careless without being discovered; but it was +apparent that two of them were arguing with the third, who was more +excited than either of his companions. Finally he turned away and made +as if to pass up the canyon, after the manner of Hank Hazletine. He +leaped out upon one of the rocks, then bounded as lightly to another, +and then to a third, which took him within the canyon. The others +watched him without protest or action. + +Evidently the Indian who had started off so hurriedly was more impulsive +than his companions, for after his third leap he remained standing on +the rock; and, although it would have been easy for him to spring to the +next leading up the canyon, he refrained from doing do. Instead, he +looked around, and then deliberately rejoined his friends, who showed no +surprise over his reverse movement. They spoke only a few words to one +another, when they moved back in Indian file toward the growth of pines, +among which they passed from sight and were seen no more. + +"That was a queer performance," remarked Jack; "it looked to me as if +that first fellow wanted his companions to go up the canyon with him, +and when they refused he started off by himself." + +"Only to change his mind." + +"There can be no doubt of that; but it strikes me as strange that there +should be something up there to attract them as well as Hank." + +"Some day Hank will tell us about it. Do you observe, young man, that +the forenoon is well along and we haven't had a sight of any game?" + +With no thought of the Indians whom they had just seen, the boys began +retracing their steps. Inasmuch as it was on the other side of the gorge +that they had gained the shot at the buck, the feeling was strong that +they should pass it again and push their hunt in that direction. + +It did not require long to find a spot where the fissure was easily +leaped. In fact, the exploit was becoming quite an everyday thing with +them. + +"We are not far from the spot where we killed that rattler yesterday," +said Fred, recognizing several landmarks. "I wonder whether there are +any more near us----" + +At that instant Fred uttered a gasp and leaped several feet from the +ground, while his companion was hardly a second behind him. Both had +heard the well-remembered whir at the same moment, and bounded away +several steps before pausing to look back. + +Remarkable as it might seem, a second specimen of the _crotalus_, fully +as large as the other, lay on the flat surface of a rock only a few +inches above the ground. Evidently it was sunning itself when thus +disturbed by the approach of the young hunters, at sight of whom it +threw itself into coil. The boys were not in danger, for the warning was +sounded while they were still a number of paces distant. + +Feeling safe, they stood still and surveyed the hideous thing. They +agreed that it was larger than the other, and seemed to be darker in +color. But for the fact that the reptiles were on opposite sides of the +canyon, it might be believed they were mates. The head and tail were +elevated, the latter vibrating with the swift, hazy appearance at the +end of the rattles which they had noted before. + +Jack repeated the oft-quoted expression: "The heel of the woman shall +bruise the serpent's head," and added: "I suppose nine persons out of +every ten, when they see any kind of a snake, are seized with an impulse +to kill it." + +"Even though many are harmless and useful." + +"I think the best use you can put a rattlesnake to is to blow him into +smithereens, which is what I am going to do." + +As he spoke, Jack brought his Winchester to a level and sighted +carefully at the pitted head of the serpent. He was deliberate, and did +not press the trigger until sure his aim was accurate to a hair. + +Fred kept his eye on that head. At the instant the sharp crack of the +rifle rang out the frightful object vanished, and the long body broke +into fierce writhings. Jack had clipped off the head as neatly as if +with the blow of a scimitar, the bullet shattering the neck just below, +and at its narrowest portion. + +"That's as well as I could have done myself," commented Fred, as his +friend lowered his weapon and watched the struggles of his victim, which +quickly ceased, for, as has been said, the _crotalus_ species is easily +killed, and when one of them has been decapitated he cannot keep up +appearances very long. + +When it became certain the reptile was dead the boys drew near for a +closer inspection. They counted the rattles, which were seventeen in +number, proving the reptile of extraordinary size. + +"We didn't think to count those of the other," said Fred, "but I am sure +it was not so large as this." + +"No; but I wonder whether we are going to stumble over them at every +step?" + +"This is only the second one; we may not see another for a week." + +"I hope we shall not; but so long as they are kind enough to give us +notice of their intentions we ought to be able to avoid their bites." + +It looked as if their experience of the previous day was to be repeated, +for within a hundred yards from the spot an animal was discovered on a +rock, a considerable distance above them. Fred was the first to see it, +and exclaimed: + +"There's another buck, Jack! It's your turn." + +But before Jack could bring his weapon to a level the animal saw them +and was off like a flash. In fact they had no more than a glimpse of +it--barely enough to see that it had no antlers, and probably was not a +deer at all. + +"It isn't going to be as easy work as we thought," said Fred; "I +shouldn't be surprised if we fail to get a shot to-day." + +"Well, we shall have the fun of tramping ourselves tired. It seems to me +that when any sort of game shows itself it comes out in plain sight and +is not scared up by us. Let's sit down a while and watch things around +us." + +This singular proposal was acted upon. After picking their way some +distance further among the rocks they chose a seat, and then looked +searchingly here and there at the different elevations and prominent +points, in the hope of catching sight of some game which would give them +a shot before dashing off with headlong haste. + +"Right over that part of the mountain peak yonder," said Jack, pointing +at the place, "I saw the moon rise last night. I have watched it come +out of the ocean many a time, but never saw anything so beautiful +before." + +He described as best he could the impressive scene, while Fred listened, +and for the first time felt regret that he had not been awakened that +he, too, might have enjoyed the view. + +When he had studied the mountain peak for some minutes, he raised his +glass and surveyed it steadily for a while longer. + +"I thought so," he remarked; "turn your glass, Jack, in that direction." + +Jack did as requested, and saw to what his comrade referred. Perched on +the highest portion was an immense gray-headed eagle. Sailing thither +from the depths of space, he had paused for a while, with the grand view +spread out before him, and what a view it must have been! + +It was easy to identify the bird with the aid of their glasses, which +were kept pointed for some time at him. + +"I wonder whether he sees us?" said Fred. + +"There can be no doubt of it, for their eyes detect the smallest object +on a landscape. He is probably studying us with as much interest as we +are watching him." + +"Our rifles couldn't carry a ball half-way to him." + +"And what if they could? Would you wish to harm the emblem of our +country?" + +"No; unless he attacked us, which I don't think is likely. Halloo!" + +Just then the immense bird spread his wings and began skimming through +the air with majestic grace. More than that, he was coming in the +direction of the boys. + +"I believe he means to make a meal off of us!" exclaimed Fred; "we would +better be ready for him." + +"There's nothing to be frightened at. If he intends to attack us we have +only to wait until he is near, when we can puncture him." + +If the king of birds held any such intention he changed his mind. +Swooping far across the intervening space, seemingly aiming straight at +them, he suddenly changed his course, and, ascending high in the sky, +swept around in a wide circle and finally disappeared over the peak +where first seen. + +The boys sat for a while in silence, gazing away in the distance, where +the noble bird had vanished, half-expecting it to reappear and probably +press its attack; but it had taken its flight for good and was seen no +more. + +"I wonder whether we would have done any better if we had brought a dog +with us?" said Jack, beginning to feel a trifle discouraged over their +failure to secure a shot at any game. + +"I proposed bringing my dog, you remember, when we left home, but you +thought we could do better out here. Hank and the rest of them don't +seem to place much value on the animals in hunting. Did you hear that?" + +From some point not very far off came the report of a rifle, though +whether it was the weapon of Hank Hazletine or one of the Indians that +had been discharged, neither could guess. + +"Somebody else is in luck, and I don't see why we should not----" + +Before Fred could finish his sentence both heard the rustling of bushes +behind them. They turned on the instant, and saw a sight which held them +transfixed, for never had they expected to view anything of the kind. + +They had read and heard much of grizzly bears. They knew they grew to an +enormous size, and are the most formidable animals found in the great +West, but had they been told that there were such monsters as the one +before them they could not have believed it had it been related by +Hazletine himself. + +To Jack and Fred he seemed fully four times the size of the largest +black bear they had ever seen in any zoological garden. Had his legs +been longer, Fred Greenwood would have pronounced him the equal of Jumbo +himself. + +Where this Colossus among beasts had come from it was impossible to say, +but the terrifying fact was self-evident that he was advancing to attack +the boys! + +He must have caught sight of them as they sat on the rock with their +backs toward him, and, angered at the intrusion, he was sweeping down +upon them like a cyclone, furious and determined to crush them out of +existence. + +[Illustration: "He was sweeping down upon them like a cyclone."] + +The gait of the animal was awkward, but speedier even than the youths +suspected. He swung along with a swaying motion, and his claws, striking +the flinty rocks as he passed over them, rattled like iron nails. His +vast mouth was open, his long red tongue lolling out, and his white +teeth gleaming. As if no element of terror was to be omitted he uttered +a deep, cavernous growl at every step or two, while his comparatively +small black eyes seemed to glow with a savage light, altogether foreign +to the species. + +All this was taken in at the first glance of the boys, who, petrified +for one moment, realized in the next their fearful peril. + +"There's no time to shoot!" exclaimed Jack; "we must run!" + +"But he can run faster than we!" replied Fred, who stood his ground long +enough to bring his Winchester to his shoulder and let fly straight at +the front of the beast. That he struck the bear was certain, but it +served only to add to his towering rage, and he plunged forward without +halt. + +Jack had made no attempt to fire, but was running at headlong speed. +Fred was eager to thrust another cartridge into the chamber of his +Winchester from the magazine, but to do so would detain him until old +Ephraim was upon him, and even then it was not likely the bullet would +stay or affect his attack. + +Accordingly, instead of firing a second shot he whirled about and dashed +after Jack, who was thus placed about a rod in advance. Although the +ground was not favorable for running, it may be safely said that neither +Jack Dudley nor Fred Greenwood ever gave such an exhibition of speed. +They held fast to their rifles, for it looked as if the weapons were to +be their final reliance. + +Fred glanced over his shoulder to learn how he was making out in the +race. With an awful sinking he saw that the grizzly was gaining fast +upon him. Still he dared not pause long enough to fire, but redoubled +his energies, only to catch his foot in a running vine and plunge +forward on his face. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +THE TUG OF WAR. + + +Jack Dudley, being some paces in advance of Fred Greenwood, and alarmed +for him because of his greater peril, had slightly slackened his speed, +for he was not the one to seek safety at the expense of his comrade. The +instant he saw him fall he stopped short, and, wheeling about, fired at +the grizzly, and pumping a second cartridge into the chamber of his +Winchester, let fly again, both shots striking the beast, who was so +close that a miss was impossible. + +It need not be said that Fred, having pitched forward on his hands and +knees, did not remain thus. No hunter, even if a youth, gives up so long +as there is a fighting chance for life. He instantly leaped to his feet, +and a couple of bounds placed him beyond reach, for the moment, of his +terrible enemy. + +The bear seemed to understand who had wounded him last, and, although +closer to Fred than to his companion, he swerved to the left and headed +for Jack Dudley. The latter did not stay on the order of his going, but +made off at his highest speed. Brief as was the halt, it wrought a +complete change of situation. Whereas Fred had been in the greatest +danger, Jack was now thus placed, because the grizzly was closer to him. +Not only that, but, ignoring the younger lad, he gave his whole +attention to Jack. + +Events were going with such a rush that the boys were almost overwhelmed +before they could help themselves. Fred supposed the bear was at his +heels until, having run a couple of rods, he glanced over his shoulder +and saw the imminent peril of Jack. Then, with a thrill of alarm, he in +his turn checked his flight, and bringing his Winchester to a level +drove a bullet into the immense head of the brute, which by that time +had received a respectable amount of lead in his carcass. + +But "old Ephraim" seemed to have determined to dispose of the fugitives +in the reverse order of their ages; that is to say, having changed his +attentions to Jack Dudley, he did not mean to be diverted therefrom, +even though the younger lad was showing disagreeable interest in him. + +This peculiar turn of affairs gave Fred his favorable chance; and, +standing motionless, he continued his miniature bombardment as fast as +he could shove the cartridges into the chamber of his weapon, aim, and +fire. Surely the bullets, all of which found a lodgment somewhere in the +anatomy of the monster, must have produced an effect, but they could not +divert him from his main purpose. He bore down upon the apparently +doomed Jack Dudley as if he would not be denied. + +This fact caused Fred to be thrown partly to the rear, so that the +remarkable combat took the form of the grizzly pursuing one of the boys, +while the other boy was pursuing the grizzly. The position of Fred, +however, thus became unfavorable, for he was unable to aim at any +vulnerable portion of the creature. He continued firing into his body, +but the bullets produced no perceptible effect in this fight for life. + +Meanwhile the situation of Jack Dudley became perilous to the last +degree. To stop and fire insured his certain seizure by the grizzly, who +would require but a moment to tear the life from him. Jack saw him so +near, indeed, that he did that which no person would do except in the +last extremity. He flung away his rifle, that it might not impede his +flight, and concentrated all his energies into the one effort of +running. + +He had no time to look where he was going. He could only strive with the +desperation of despair to preserve the distance between him and his +pursuer, in the faint hope that something would intervene to save him. +Fred was not only firing his gun as fast as he could, but he shouted to +the bear, in the hope of diverting his attention from Jack, who could +not keep up the unequal flight much longer. + +The terrified fugitive leaped over boulders, dashed around interposing +rocks, and bounded across open spaces, hardly daring to look over his +shoulder, for he knew from the sounds of pursuit that the animal was at +his heels. It seemed every moment as if the prodigious paw of the +grizzly would smite him to the earth, when no human power could save +him. + +Suddenly the fugitive, while dashing forward in this blind, headlong +fashion, found himself confronted by the canyon with which he and Fred +had already had a memorable experience. It yawned at right angles to the +course he was following, its width so great that it was impossible for +him to leap it at that point. But he knew there must be some such place, +and he continued his flight along the side of the chasm, hunting for a +spot that would permit him to reach the other bank. + +He did not stop to think how this could benefit him, for it was to be +supposed that if the grizzly could outrun he could also outleap him, and +the moment the fugitive landed on the further bank the brute would do +the same, without losing an inch of the advantage already gained. In +fact, Jack Dudley had no time to think of anything except to run with +all the vigor which nature had given him. + +All at once he saw a spot where the feat looked possible. There was no +time for him to turn off to gain the momentum, but, measuring the +interval with his eye, he gathered his muscles and leaped outward. The +jump was diagonal, and made under most difficult circumstances. + +Who shall describe the awful thrill that shot through Jack Dudley when, +at the moment of leaving the rocky edge of the rocky wall, he was sure +he was about to fail in his last effort? The other margin of the canyon +wall appeared to recede, and he uttered a despairing cry, certain that +the next instant he would go spinning down the frightful abyss. + +It is at such critical times that the question of life and death is +often decided by incidents so trifling that they are unnoticed. Had Jack +Dudley retained his Winchester in his grasp he would have been lost. It +would not have been alone the weight of the weapon, but its interference +with the free use of his hands. As it was, the latter were untrammeled, +and, though his feet missed a firm hold, he instinctively clutched the +craggy projections, and, with a supreme effort, drew himself over the +margin and beyond all danger of falling back into the canyon. + +And where, all this time, was old Ephraim? + +The remark just made concerning the effect of trifles was shown as +strikingly in his case as in that of the fugitive. Despite his enormous +weight and awkwardness of action, the grizzly without special exertion +could have made the leap that had just been exhibited before his eyes +had he been in his usual condition, but it has been shown that he had +been struck by several bullets. Though most of these inflicted little +more than flesh wounds, which under the circumstances were trifling, yet +others did effective work. This was especially the case with those that +found a lodgment in his head, which, big and tough as it was, lacked the +power of turning aside a rifle-ball, as the indurated back of an +alligator often does. + +It is to be supposed that the enraged grizzly did not comprehend the +possible weakening of his colossal power through the effect of these +pellets, and it is quite likely that even with such weakening he would +have accomplished the leap of the canyon, but for the interference of an +incident which cannot be considered in any other light than +providential. + +Fred Greenwood's anguish was for his companion, whom it seemed +impossible to help, despite the desperate effort he was making to do so. +He saw the grizzly lumbering after Jack, giving no heed to the shots he +sent after him, but steadily gaining upon the fugitive, whose fate hung +in the passing of the seconds. Fred knew what it meant when his friend +abruptly changed his course and began skirting the canyon in his frantic +hunt for a narrower place. The bear was so close upon him for several +paces that the terrified Fred stopped short, ceased shooting, and held +his breath, expecting the great beast to strike down his comrade. The +younger lad could do no more, and, staring at the two, he asked in agony +that heaven would not desert his friend. + +Suddenly Jack Dudley rose like a bird in air. At the instant the monster +was upon him he made the leap, landing on the further edge, as has been +told, and quickly scrambling upon solid foundation. Had he been ten +seconds later nothing could have saved him, for the grizzly showed no +more hesitation than he in making the jump. + +At the instant Fred read the brute's intention he brought his rifle to +his shoulder. Unsuspected by himself, the last cartridge in the magazine +of his Winchester was in the chamber of the weapon, so that, if it +failed to help, the service of the younger lad was at an end for the +time, for it would be all over before he could bring into use any +cartridges from his belt. + +To make the leap to which we have referred the grizzly changed his +position. Until that moment he had been running straight away from Fred, +but now, of necessity, he turned partly toward him. Recalling the words +of Hank Hazletine, Fred aimed at a point just back of the foreleg, as it +reached forward. The ball sped true to its aim, and entering, perhaps, +the most vulnerable point of the body, did more than all the other +bullets that had found a lodging-place in the grizzly, for it inflicted +a mortal wound. + +It was this fact that destroyed the effort of the bear at the crisis of +its inception. The attempt already put forth carried him well beyond the +side of the canyon, but it failed to land him firmly on the other +margin. His forepaws went over the top, precisely as the hands of Jack +Dudley had done, and began a furious scratching of the flinty surface, +while the hind feet clawed with equal fierceness the inner side of the +wall. The brute was striving to save himself, and it is to be presumed +would have done so but for the cause named. + +That last shot told the story. The shot had seriously weakened the bear, +and his mighty strength was fast oozing away. His struggles grew less +vigorous, though they continued up to the last moment. Jack Dudley had +become aware of what was going on, and, stopping in his flight, shouted: + +"Shoot him, Fred, before he can climb out!" + +Fred attempted to do so, but discovered he had no more cartridges at +command. Since the bear at best could not harm the younger, he ran +forward to the side of the canyon, just behind the beast. Jack had +paused, so that both were looking at the grizzly, whose huge head and +massive shoulders protruded above the edge of the canyon. While they +looked the head dropped from sight, followed by the forefeet, whose +claws scratched over the flinty surface as they slipped backward. + +Knowing what had occurred, Jack and Fred ran to the edge and looked +down. They were in time to see the mountainous bulk tumbling into the +vast chasm. The body maintained a horizontal posture, as in life, until +it struck a projecting point which sent it bounding against the other +side, where the impact added to the tendency of the first blow, and the +body turned over and over, like an immense log rolling down hill. +Despite the gloom of the abyss the sun was shining so brightly, and was +in such a favorable position, that everything was seen with +distinctness. + +Peering downward, the awed and grateful boys saw the black mass suddenly +strike the foamy waters and send the spray flying in all directions. It +disappeared for a moment and then popped up like a rubber-ball, and went +dancing down the current toward the break in the walls which they had +visited a brief while before. + +Still silent and watching, they observed it dancing up and down with the +violence of the stream until its motion was arrested by striking an +obstruction, which held it motionless. There it stayed for the remaining +minutes spent in peering into the abyss. + +Jack and Fred looked up and across the canyon at the same instant. They +were directly opposite, and hardly twelve feet apart. The elder took off +his hat and called: + +"Are you ready?" + +"Yes," said Fred, removing his head-gear. + +"All together!" + +And then they swung their hats and hurrahed with the vim which, all +things considered, was justified by events. They were happy and +grateful, and neither forgot to thank, with all the fervency of his +nature, the One who had delivered them in safety from the very jaws of +death. No matter what other dangers might come to them, there could be +none narrower or more striking than that through which they had just +passed. + +"Do you intend to stay on that side of the canyon?" asked Fred. + +"I don't know that there is any choice between our places, but if you +feel lonely I'll come over to your help." + +"I thought you might want to pick up the gun you threw away." + +Jack looked at each of his hands in turn and laughed. + +"Do you know I had forgotten all about that? I don't remember having +thrown it aside." + +"I saw you do it, and it was a lucky thing you did." + +The two walked beside the canyon until they came to a straight place, +where Jack easily made the leap and joined his friend. Then they set out +to recover the Winchester, which, as matters stood, was almost beyond +value to them. + +"I can't recall the spot where I dropped it," remarked Jack, allowing +his companion to take the lead. + +"I do; you and I were doing such tall running then, and for some minutes +afterward, that we covered more ground than would be supposed. That's +the spot, just ahead." + +He indicated an open space, thirty or forty feet in width, lying between +a ridge of boulders, over which it was astonishing how the fugitive had +managed to make such good progress. + +"We shall find it right there----" + +Fred checked his words, for at that moment they came upon the spot he +had in mind and both swept their gaze over it. Their dismay may be +imagined when they saw nothing of the Winchester. + +"You must be mistaken as to the place," said Jack. + +"I can't be; it was just after you had leaped down from that low boulder +that you gave your right arm a swing and away the gun went." + +"Did you notice where it landed?" + +"I can put my hand on the very spot." + +"Do so." + +Fred led the way a few paces and said: + +"It was there, and nowhere else." + +Jack bent over and carefully studied the earth. + +"My gracious! you are right; that dent in the ground was made by the +stock of my gun, and it couldn't have gone its own length further." + +The space was clear for several yards, and they would have discerned a +small coin lying anywhere on it, but nothing suggesting a weapon was in +sight. + +A momentary consternation took possession of them. Only one conclusion +was possible: some person had taken the Winchester. + +"Do you suppose it was Hank, who wanted to have some fun with us?" asked +Fred. + +Jack shook his head. + +"At any other time I might believe it, but Hank isn't one to look for +fun when the lives of two persons are in danger. It wasn't he." + +"Who, then, could it be?" + +Again Jack shook his head. + +"You know there are a number of Indians hunting in this neighborhood. +Some of them may have been near us, and, hearing our cries and the +reports of our guns, started to find out what it meant. Coming upon my +Winchester, they carried it off." + +This was the most reasonable explanation they could think of, but it did +not lessen their disappointment at the loss of the indispensable weapon. + +"I won't stand it!" exclaimed Jack, whose indignation was rising; "the +man who took that gun must give it back!" + +It was impossible to know in what direction to look for the pilferer, +but the youth's long strides led him toward the break in the walls of +the canyon where they had seen the three Indians earlier in the +forenoon. Whether it was reasonable to expect to find them, or rather +the thief, there, would be hard to say, but Jack did find the one for +whom he was looking. + +Half the intervening distance was passed, when he turned his head and +said in an excited undertone to his companion: + +"He's just ahead, and as sure as I live the thief is Motoza!" + +Before Fred, slightly at the rear, could gain sight of the Indian, Jack +broke into a lope and called: + +"Hold on there, Motoza! You have something that belongs to me." + +The dusky vagrant was alone and walking at a moderate pace from the +youth. Although he did not look around until hailed he must have known +he was followed, but he stopped short and wheeled about with a wondering +expression on his painted face. + +There could be no mistake by Jack Dudley, for Motoza was carrying two +Winchesters, one in either hand, and a glance enabled the youth to +recognize his own property. + +"Howdy, brother?" asked Motoza, with the old grin on his face. + +Jack was too angry to be tactful. He continued his rapid strides, and as +he drew near reached out his hand. + +"Never mind how I do; give me my rifle." + +But with the fingers of Jack almost on the weapon, Motoza shifted his +hand backward, so that the gun was held behind his body. He did not +stir, but continued grinning. + +"What do you mean?" demanded Jack, his face flushed, and his anger +greater than before; "didn't you hear me ask for my gun?" + +"Whooh! brother frow way gun--me pick him up--he mine." + +"I threw it down so as to have a better chance of getting away from the +grizzly bear; I intended to pick it up again. I know you are a great +thief, Motoza, but you can't steal that Winchester from me; hand it +over!" + +And Jack extended his hand again; but the Sioux persisted in keeping the +weapon behind him, though his own was in front, where the lad might have +been tempted to snatch it from his grasp. + +The youth was fast losing his self-command. He had learned the character +of this vagrant from Hazletine, and it was plain that he meant to retain +the valuable weapon, while Jack was equally determined he should not. + +"I tell you for the last time to give me my gun! _Do you hear?_" + +The demand was made in a loud voice and accompanied by a threatening +step toward the Indian, who showed no fear. The grin, however, had left +his face, and he recoiled a step with such a tigerish expression on his +ugly countenance that his assailant ought to have been warned of his +danger. Motoza, the Sioux, was ready to commit murder for the sake of +retaining that which did not belong to him. + +"Stop!" commanded Fred Greenwood, whom both seemed to have forgotten in +the flurry of the moment. + +The younger was standing a little to the rear and to one side, but his +Winchester, it will be remembered, was in his hand, and was now pointed +at the dusky scamp. + +"Motoza, if you want to preserve that sweet countenance of yours, hand +that gun to my friend before I let daylight through you!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +A STRANGE OCCURRENCE. + + +Once more Motoza had allowed an American youth to get the drop on him, +for he could not mistake the meaning of that command, nor the deeper +eloquence of the pose of Fred Greenwood with his rifle at a dead level. +The Sioux must have despised himself for his forgetfulness. + +But he had already proven the readiness with which he accepted a +situation, no matter how unwelcome. The hand that held the weapon of +Jack Dudley whipped round to the front with a deft movement, which, +however, was not quicker than the return of the grin to his countenance. + +"Motoza friend--he not want gun of brother," he remarked. + +"You wouldn't get it if you _did_ want it," said Jack, not to be +mollified by this sudden change of front. Instead of accepting the +hypocritical proffer, the youth was imprudent enough to add, as he felt +his Winchester once more in his grasp: + +"You are the meanest thief in the country, Motoza, and this must be the +last time you try your hand on us." + +"Off with you!" added Fred, beginning to tire with the constraint of his +position; "good-by, Motoza, and I hope we shall not meet again." + +At the moment of obeying, the Sioux glanced at the lad who had thus +turned the tables on him. The expression of his face was frightful. +Ferocious hate, thirst for revenge and flaming anger shone through the +coat of paint and were concentrated on the younger of the youths. Fred +saw it and cared not, but Jack was so alarmed that he almost wished his +comrade would fire his weapon and thus shut out the fruition of the +horrible threat that gleamed through that look. + +It lasted, however, but an instant. Much in the same manner as in the +grove, when caught at a disadvantage by Jack Dudley, the Sioux walked +off and was quickly lost to view. + +Neither of the boys spoke for several minutes. Then Jack asked, in an +awed voice: + +"Did you see his face when he turned toward you just before walking +away?" + +"Yes; and I have seen handsomer ones." + +"You may make light of it, Fred, but I was much nearer than you, and +that expression will haunt me for many a day and night to come." + +To the astonishment of the elder, Fred began laughing, as if he found it +all very amusing. Jack, in surprise, asked the cause of his mirth. + +"If Motoza had only known the truth! There isn't a cartridge either in +the magazine or the chamber of my rifle, which reminds me." + +And still laughing, the younger proceeded to fill the magazine from his +belt and to put his Winchester in condition for immediate use. + +"We have been told many times, Jack, that the first thing to do after +firing a gun is to reload, and I see how much more important it is here +than at home." + +When Jack came to examine his weapon he found a half-dozen cartridges +remaining in the magazine, and he, too, placed the weapon in the best +form for use. They changed their position, returning to the spot where +the crisis had taken place with the grizzly, for both felt some +misgiving concerning the Sioux, who could not be far off. + +"Jack, what about the feelings of Motoza _now_?" + +"It begins to look as if Hank was right. I am sure the Indian doesn't +hold much friendship for either of us. He is bad clean through." + +"He may have some regard for _you_, but there wasn't much tender +affection in the last lingering look he gave _me_." + +Jack shuddered. + +"I never saw anything like it. If he had had the power he would have +killed you with that look. I feel like urging Hank, when we next see +him, to make a change of quarters." + +"Why?" + +"That we may find some section where we are not likely to meet Motoza +again. I don't understand why so many Indians are off the reservation. +There must be a number of them that are friends of Motoza, and they will +try some other trick on us." + +"He has tried one or two already," replied Fred, much less impressed +with the danger than his friend. + +"True, we have had remarkably good fortune, but it can't last. Motoza +will learn to be more cunning next time." + +"If you feel that way, Jack, the best thing for us to do is to go home." + +"Your words are hardly worthy of you, Fred," replied Jack, hurt at the +slur. + +"I ask your pardon. I know it is your friendship for me that speaks, but +I cannot feel the fear that disturbs you. Suppose we drop the question +till we see Hank. We will let him know everything that has taken place +and rely upon him." + +This was a wise conclusion, but the fact remained that there was no +expectation of seeing their guide until night, which was a number of +hours distant, and, since the Indians were in the vicinity, there was +plenty of time for a great many things to happen. It would seem, indeed, +that the advantage was almost entirely on the side of Motoza, for, with +his superior woodcraft, he could keep track of the movements of the boys +without their discovering or suspecting his presence. Altogether, it +looked as if a meeting with their guide could not take place too soon. + +From a point perhaps a mile away came the faint report of a rifle, +followed in the same second by another report. The fact suggested more +than one startling supposition, but the youths were in no mood to +speculate thereon, for it will be admitted that the incidents of the +forenoon were sufficient to engage their thoughts. + +It was a hard fact, however, that when they looked at their watches and +found that it was noon, the most interesting subject that presented +itself was as to how they could secure the meal which they felt was +overdue. + +"Let's make a hunt in a different direction," said Fred. "It is best to +keep away from the neighborhood of those Indians, so far as we can +locate them from the shots we occasionally hear, for the game isn't +likely to stay where they are." + +"Off yonder to the north appears to be a valley," remarked Jack, after +the two had studied their surroundings for some minutes through their +glasses. "I can't tell how extensive it is, for it is shut out by that +mountain peak on the right, but I suppose one place is as good as +another." + +Having agreed as to their course, they wasted no time. It was a long and +severe tramp to the locality, for again the peculiar purity of the +atmosphere misled them, and what they took to be one mile proved to be +fully double that length. Finally the hungry lads reached a ridge from +whose top they could look down in the valley that had first caught their +attention, but which for the last hour had been excluded from their +sight by the intervening obstacles. + +"Now, we can't tell whether any game is below waiting for us," said +Jack, "but we can't lose anything by acting as if there is." + +It was a wise precaution, as speedily became apparent. As carefully as a +couple of Indians they picked their way up the slope, and just before +reaching the crest sank upon their knees, and, crawling a little +further, peeped over the top as if they expected to discover a hostile +camp within a hundred yards. + +The prospect caused an involuntary exclamation of pleasure from both. +The valley was two or three hundred yards in width, and, after winding +past, curved out of sight behind the mountain range already referred to. +It was one emerald mass of rich grass, in which ten thousand cattle +could have found abundant pasturage. No trees appeared anywhere except +at the furthest bend in the valley, where a small grove stood near the +middle, and seemed to surround a spring of water, which, flowing in the +other direction, was not within sight of the young hunters. + +What lent additional beauty to this landscape was the singular +uniformity of the valley. The slope was gentle on each side, without any +abrupt declivities, and there was hardly any variation in its width. The +dark-green color of the incline and bottom of the valley gave the whole +scene a softness that would have charmed an artist. + +The young men admired the picturesque prospect, the like of which they +had never before viewed, and yet it must be confessed that one feature +of the landscape appealed more strongly to them than all the rest. +Perhaps a half-mile away six or eight antelope were cropping the grass, +unconscious of the approach of danger. They were near the small clump of +trees alluded to, and may have lately drank from the water flowing +therefrom. They were in a bunch, all their heads down, and had evidently +taken no alarm from the occasional distant reports of guns. + +"I say, Jack, there's a splendid dinner!" whispered Fred, excitedly. + +"What good will it do us, so long as it is _there_? I should like to +have it _here_." + +"It ought to be easy to pick off one of those creatures; Hank told us +they make fine eating." + +"That is all true, but it is also true that the antelope is one of the +most timid of creatures, and the best hunter finds it hard work to get +within reach of them." + +"You know how curious they are? The men at the ranch told the other +night about lying down in the grass in the middle of a prairie and +holding up a stick with a handkerchief at the end of it. Timid as was +the antelope, it would gradually draw near to find out what the thing +meant, and pay for its curiosity with its life." + +Such incidents are quite common in the West, but neither of the boys +felt it safe to rely upon the stratagem. They feared that at the first +attempt the antelope would take fright and make off beyond recovery, and +Fred Greenwood's proposition was adopted. + +"There doesn't seem to be any wind blowing, but if we try to steal down +the side of the valley we are sure to frighten them off. Now, if you +will stay here, Jack, I'll pick my way round to the other side, so that +the herd will be between us. Then I'll do my best to get near enough for +a shot; if I fail, they will run for this point and come within range of +you. Between us two, one is certain to get a shot at them." + +"It's putting a big lot of work on you, Fred," said the chivalrous Jack. + +"It won't be half as hard to bear as the hunger I'll feel in the course +of an hour or two if we don't get one of them." + +The plan was so simple that no explanation was necessary. Jack Dudley +had only to remain extended on the ground where he was, with his +Winchester ready, and keep an eye on the little herd, which could not +observe him unless he was unusually careless. He could easily judge of +Fred's success or failure by watching the animals, and it would seem +that success was almost certain for one of the young hunters. The only +thing to be feared was that Fred would betray himself before reaching +the other side of the game that was so tempting to both. + +The comrades looked at their watches at the moment of separating, and +found it was precisely one o'clock. Fred gave himself an hour to reach a +point from which to start on his return, though it was possible that +double that time would be required. Before the interval had expired Jack +had his glass to his eyes, and was studying the valley below. + +As the antelope cropped the rich grass they occasionally took a step in +the direction of the watcher; but the largest one, evidently the leader, +changed his course so as to work back toward the little grove of trees, +the others following. Now and then the leader raised his head and looked +around, as if suspecting danger, though his fears were not confirmed. At +longer intervals other members of the herd did the same, but it was +evident that they neither saw nor scented anything amiss. + +Jack's constant fear was that Fred would betray himself through some +accident. His course would bring him nearer the game and the risk was +considerable; but as the minutes passed without anything of that nature +taking place, his hope increased. + +"More than likely Fred himself will get the shot instead of me. It makes +no difference, so that we don't lose our supper; for," he added, +dismally, "the dinner is already gone." + +When another half-hour had passed, he was sure his chum was on the other +side of the herd. + +"There must be a break pretty soon. Suppose that instead of coming +toward me," added Jack, giving expression to a dread that had not +occurred to him until then, "they dash off into the mountains on either +side. Then we shall be doomed to starvation!" + +He thought that with the aid of his glass he would be able to follow +Fred as he stole down the side of the valley, since the position of the +spectator was much more elevated than that of the antelope. It would +require sharp scrutiny even with the aid of the instrument to do this, +and, look as keenly as he might, he could discover nothing that +suggested anything of that nature. + +When three o'clock went by without any evidence of alarm among the +animals browsing in the middle of the valley, Jack Dudley began to +wonder what it could mean. + +"Fred was sure that a single hour was enough to place himself on the +further side of them, and double that time has passed. He ought to be +well down the slope, but I can see nothing of him." + +One fact, however, was apparent: the antelope were steadily though +slowly working toward the ridge on which the young man lay. At the rate +they were advancing it would not be long before it would be safe to try +a shot. + +This progress could not be laid to any alarm coming from the other side. +If the animals received fright they would be off with the speed of the +wind, instead of inching along in the fashion they were now following. + +"It begins to look as if I am to secure the meal, after all," thought +Jack, forgetting his slight uneasiness for his friend in his growing +excitement. + +The following minute gave proof of the timidity of the American +antelope. With all the care possible, the youth extended his gun in +front of him over the slope, but the herd took the alarm on the instant, +though it seemed impossible that they should have seen or heard +anything. The leader raised his head, and whirling to one side, started +at a swift gallop toward the other end of the valley, the rest of the +animals being hardly a second behind him. + +The peculiar panic and stampede of the creatures gave Jack Dudley the +best possible target, though the shot was a long one. He did not aim at +the leader, but at a smaller animal that immediately followed him. The +bullet pierced the heart of the antelope, which made a frenzied leap +high in air, staggered a few paces, and dropped to the ground without a +particle of life. + +"Hurrah!" exclaimed the delighted Jack, springing up and dashing down +the side of the valley toward his prize; "I beat you, after all, Fred!" + +Not doubting that his comrade would speedily appear, Jack gave no +further thought to him, but continued running until he reached the +prize. He had learned the art so rapidly that it took but a few minutes +to cut all he could need for himself and friend. Then he hurried to the +little grove near by, washed and dressed the food, which seemed to be +juicy and tender, and started a fire for the purpose of broiling it. + +He had not paused in his work up to this point, but now he stopped with +the first real thrill of alarm for his friend. + +"Four o'clock!" he exclaimed to himself; "what can have become of him?" + +He walked to the edge of the trees and looked out, anxiously peering in +different directions, but nothing was seen of his friend. Knowing Fred's +waggish nature, Jack hoped that he was indulging in some jest, but he +could not quite convince himself that such was the fact. The hunger of +Fred would have prevented his postponing the meal one moment longer than +was necessary. + +When an abundance of food was browned and crisped and ready the appetite +of Jack Dudley was less than it was two hours before, the cause being +his growing alarm over the unaccountable absence of Fred. + +"I can't understand it," he repeated for the twentieth time; "some +accident must have befallen him. Can it be Motoza has had anything to do +with it?" + +It was the first time that Jack had expressed this fear in words, but it +was by no means the first time he had felt it. Rather curiously, from +the moment his friend passed out of sight, several hours before, the +vague misgiving began to shape itself in his mind. He fought it off and +succeeded in repressing it for a time, but he could do so no longer. + +"Fred didn't seem to give any meaning to that awful look of the Sioux +when he started to walk away, but I saw what it meant, though I never +dreamed the blow would fall so soon." + +His heart was depressed almost beyond bearing, and the anguish was +deepened by the fact that he could see no way of helping his friend. The +only thing possible was to follow as nearly as he could the course taken +by Fred, but there was no certainty of that. He knew he had turned to +the right when he left the crest of the ridge, after which there had +been no glimpse of him. + +"But he made for a point over yonder," reflected Jack, "and there I'll +search for him." + +This was exceedingly indefinite, but it was better than standing idle. +The antelope had long since vanished, and there was no need of care in +his progress--rather otherwise, since he desired to attract the notice +of his friend. Jack broke into a loping trot, emitting the familiar +signal so often used by both, calling his name, and even firing his +rifle in air; but there came back no response, and his fears deepened. + +Jack was in the mood to be unjust. + +"I don't understand Hank Hazletine's action. He sets out to take us on a +hunt among the mountains, and then goes off and leaves us alone. Why +doesn't he stay with us? If he had done that, this never could have +happened. Fred and I can generally take care of ourselves, but we are +not used to this plagued country, which I wish neither he nor I had ever +set foot in." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +MISSING. + + +The minute quickly arrived when Jack Dudley could no longer doubt that a +great misfortune had befallen his comrade, Fred Greenwood. + +In the anguish of anxiety Jack's imagination pictured many mishaps that +might account for the disappearance. He must have heard the report of +the elder's Winchester, and, since Fred's attention was centred upon the +herd of antelope, he could not fail to know that his friend had secured +one of them for their evening meal. The only thing to prevent his +hastening to join Jack must have been his inability to do so. There was +the remote possibility that his accident had been of a nature that +involved no one else--such, for instance, as sudden illness, though Jack +had never known anything like that to overtake his friend. + +All that the youth could do was to attempt to follow the route that Fred +had taken when he set out to place himself on the other side of the +game. It was guesswork to trace his footsteps, but the elder youth made +the effort. When he had progressed half the distance, however, he +paused, convinced that his labor was utterly useless. He called to Fred, +repeated their familiar signals and fired several charges in air, with +no more response than at first. + +"He has been either killed or carried off by a party of Indians," was +the conclusion that forced itself upon him. + +And with this conviction came the certainty that it was out of the power +of Jack Dudley to do anything for his friend. He might tramp back and +forth for nights and days, but with no success, for Fred Greenwood was +gone--whither? + +Had Jack been skilled in woodcraft, possibly he might have discovered +some signs along the valley that would have enlightened him, but he was +untrained in the ways of red men and was not equal to the task. A dog +that knew how to track a person would have been of immeasurable value, +but such a canine was not to be had. + +One memory clung tormentingly to the searcher. It was the demoniac face +of Motoza, the Sioux, when Fred Greenwood compelled him to return the +Winchester of Jack. There could be but one interpretation of that +expression, and it boded the worst for the missing youth. + +"Motoza feels no affection for me, but his hatred of Fred is so intense +that he is bent on revenging himself; yet I did not think he would +strike so soon." + +The afternoon was drawing to a close, and Jack was fully two miles from +camp. If he wished to reach their rendezvous before night he had no time +to waste. The problem was now in the shape that Hank Hazletine's help +was indispensable. If anyone could assist Fred Greenwood, the guide was +the man. + +"He promised to meet us this evening, and if I wait I shall lose my +way." + +Accordingly the lad faced in the direction of the plateau and pressed +forward with energy. In his haste he kept the former landmarks in view, +and his previous experience had given him a certain familiarity with the +region which prevented his going astray. Once more he leaped the canyon, +without pausing longer than to glance into its depths as he swung over +it. He saw nothing of the bulky carcass of the grizzly bear that had +fallen a victim to the marksmanship of himself and friend, and just as +night was shutting in he reached the edge of the small plateau where the +ponies were contentedly grazing. + +In one respect better fortune than he anticipated awaited him. Instead +of being compelled to pass the intolerable hours in waiting for the +coming of the guide, he saw he had already reached the spot. A fire was +burning at the mouth of the cavern, and the sinewy figure of the veteran +was observed as he moved to and fro before it. Detecting the approach of +Jack, he stood erect and silently watched him as he drew near. + +A person as agitated as Jack Dudley finds it hard to conceal his +feelings. Something in the action and the expression of his white face +as he came near enough to be seen distinctly gave the hunter the +knowledge that matters had gone amiss with the boy. True to his word, +Hank had brought no food back to camp. He had eaten his evening meal +before going thither, leaving his young friends to provide for their own +wants. + +"Where's the younker?" was his question, before Jack halted. + +"O Hank! I do not know what has happened; I fear we shall never see Fred +again!" + +And, unable to restrain his grief that had been pent up so long, Jack +broke down and sobbed like a child. The veteran showed a delicacy that +would hardly have been expected from him. He knew it would do Jack good +to yield to his sorrow for a brief while, for he would soon become +cooler and more self-possessed. Accordingly the hunter remained silent +until the youth mastered his emotions, when he laid his hand tenderly on +his shoulder and said: + +"Now, set down here beside me and let me know all about it." + +Jack appreciated his consideration, and taking the seat to which he was +invited, he told, in a choking voice, the story of the incident beside +the little valley, when Fred Greenwood, in high spirits, walked away and +vanished as if the earth had opened and swallowed him. Jack did not +break down again, for he was resolved to be manly and brave. He would +not think of his young friend as wholly lost, nor allow himself to +consider the awful possibility of returning home with the message that +Fred would never be seen again. Jack felt it was time for action, not +for lamentation. + +Hazletine was grave and thoughtful, but the youth had hardly finished +his narrative when he said: + +"You haven't told me all." + +"I do not think of anything I have omitted." + +"Your story begins with the first sight of the antelope; what happened +afore that?" + +"A good deal; I did not think you would care to hear it." + +"I want every word." + +So it was that Jack began with their departure in the morning from camp, +and made clear every occurrence down to the start for the valley where +the great misfortune overtook them. He realized, while describing the +meeting with Motoza, the important bearing that it had upon the +disappearance of Fred Greenwood. + +When the story was completed the guide emitted a low whistle, followed +by an exclamation of so vigorous a character that it startled Jack. Hank +sprang excitedly to his feet and strode back and forth until able to +control his feelings. Then with a voice and expression of scornful +contempt, he asked: + +"What do you think of Motoza's love for you and Fred?" + +"I admit that you were right and we were wrong about him; I feared for +Fred, not for myself, and you see he has not tried to harm _me_." + +"That ain't 'cause he loves you like the brother he calls hisself, but +'cause he hates Fred more'n he does you. If he hadn't had such a good +chance to grab the other younker, he would have grabbed you." + +"Then you have no doubt that Motoza is the cause of it all?" + +"No more doubt than that you're a setting on that stone there." + +"I can't understand it; Fred is not the one to let a single Indian make +him prisoner, when one is as well armed as the other." + +"Who said there was only one of the imps?" + +The abrupt question meant a good deal. It had already been proven that a +number of other Indians were in the vicinity; but Jack had not thought +of associating them with the vagrant Sioux in his hostility to the young +hunters, although there was scarcely a doubt that Motoza had had one +helper or more in his designs against Fred Greenwood. This put a new +face on the matter, and Hazletine discussed the question more freely. + +"There must be a half-dozen varmints or so in the mountains; they've +sneaked off the reservation and are hunting here without permission from +the folks that have 'em in charge. It ain't likely they started out with +any other idee than to have a little frolic of their own, meaning to go +back when they was through; but, as I remarked afore, when an Injin sees +a good chance to raise the mischief with just as good a chance of not +being found out, he's pretty sartin to do it. Wal, things took such a +queer shape when you younkers and Motoza seen each other that all the +ugliness in him has come out, and that's what's urging him now." + +"It seems to me, Hank, that if he meant to punish Fred for humiliating +him, the method was simple." + +"How?" + +"By shooting him from ambush; he could do it without being seen, and I +can think of no way by which the guilt could be brought home to him." + +"You're off there. Motoza knows that you and me are in these parts, and +that we're the friends of the younker; what had took place afore, with +what I'd swear to, would hang Motoza, and he knows it." + +This declaration was not quite clear to Jack, but it sounded as if the +guide was willing to so modify his testimony in court as to insure the +conviction of the Sioux in case he followed the plan named by the youth. + +The veteran would have considered it right, under the circumstances, to +do such a thing. + +"Since the fear of our testimony restrained him, why did he not seek to +remove _us_ in the same manner, when he has had more than one +opportunity?" + +"And there you're off again. Motoza wouldn't have had any trouble in +wiping out two young tenderfeet like you, but he'd likely run agin a +snag when he tried it on _me_!" + +The hunter shut his lips and shook his head with eloquent earnestness. + +"S'pose he'd done such a thing," he added, angrily; "don't you see that +when the Government larned, as it would be sure to larn, that three +persons had been killed near the reservation by some of the Injins, +there would be the biggest kind of excitement? It would put its best +officers at work, and never let up till everything was brought to light. +You see that, Motoza not being the only Injin in these parts when the +thing was done, the officers would have some of the other varmints to +work on, and they'd got the whole story from 'em, which would mean the +hanging of the Sioux." + +Jack saw the force of his friend's words. Even in this wild region, +where one would naturally suppose he was beyond reach of the law, the +man who committed a grave crime faced a serious risk. Certainly there +was much less danger in "removing" one person than three. + +"As it is, Motoza has placed himself in a bad position, but it would +have been tenfold worse had he shot you and me." + +Hank nodded his head, but qualified his assent: + +"He could have picked you off, but not _me_, and he knows that he would +have had me on his trail without waiting for the officers to help." + +"But he must face the same thing as it is." + +"Don't you see that he had to make the ch'ice atween doing nothing at +all or tackling the younker? The Sioux is such an imp and is so crazy +for revenge that he made up his mind to chance it the least he could, +and he went for the tenderfoot that he hates the most." + +Jack tremblingly asked the question that had been in his mind for some +minutes. + +"Do you think he shot Fred?" + +The guide slowly turned his head and looked fixedly at the youth before +replying: + +"Wouldn't you've heerd his gun?" + +The question sent a thrill of hope through the heart of Jack, but it was +quickly succeeded by the dull torture that was there before. True, he +would have heard the report of a rifle if fired anywhere near him during +the afternoon, but a treacherous Sioux like Motoza was too cunning to +expose himself in that manner, and would have resorted to a different +method. + +"He could have slain poor Fred in some other way, but do you believe he +has done so?" + +"Younker," replied the sympathetic guide, "I ain't the one to trifle +with your feelings, fur you don't feel much worse than me, but I own up +that I don't know anything more 'bout this bus'ness than you. I mean by +that," he hastened to explain, "that I can't figger out in my mind what +that varmint has done till I pick up more knowledge than you've been +able to give me, and I can't do that afore to-morrow morning." + +This sounded reasonable, but it was trying beyond imagination, for it +indicated that the long night must be spent in idleness, without the +raising of a finger to help the one who perhaps was in the most imminent +need of such assistance. There was no help, however, for it, and Jack +accepted the decision of his friend without a murmur. + +The two sat at the mouth of the cavern, talking in low tones, until the +night was well advanced, when Hank said, with a voice that sounded +wonderfully low and tender for him: + +"Now go in and lay down, younker, fur there'll be plenty of work fur you +to do to-morrer, and there's no saying when you'll git the chance to +sleep agin." + +"Call me when it is my turn to go on guard." + +"All right; and don't show yourself till I _do_ call you." + +Jack walked into the cavern, first pausing to fling some wood on the +fire. Mingled with his feeling of despair was a dread of being alone in +the gloom. He did not believe he would sleep a wink through the night, +for never were his emotions wrought to a more keenly torturing point. It +was almost impossible to remain still, but he forced himself to lie +down, with his heavy blanket gathered around him. + +It would be distressing to dwell upon the anguish and grief of the +youth, as he lay wide awake, his brain alert and his blood at +fever-heat. At times it all seemed so like a dream that he turned his +head to make sure Fred Greenwood, his loved chum and comrade, was not +lying at his side. But no, it was all a dreadful reality, and he groaned +in spirit. + +As the minutes passed he appeared to grow more wakeful, until he was in +as full possession of his faculties as when fleeing from the grizzly +bear. And it was while lying thus, wondering what the hour could be, +that he became aware that Hank Hazletine was standing at the mouth of +the cavern, on the other side of the smouldering fire. The light was +reflected so clearly from his bearded face that it was seen distinctly, +while the position of Jack, muffled in his blanket, threw his own +countenance in shadow, which prevented the guide seeing it clearly. + +Something prompted Jack to lie still and feign sleep, while he kept his +gaze on the man, who was looking fixedly at him. Suddenly Hank +pronounced his name in a low voice, repeating the call in a louder tone. +He wished to learn whether his young friend was unconscious, and, since +Jack made no reply, must have concluded he was sleeping. + +The guide next threw more wood on the blaze, which burned up so brightly +that the reflection reached far out on the grassy plateau. Then, with a +single glance at the prostrate figure, the hunter turned away, his +footsteps as noiseless as if he were stepping on velvet. + +Jack was mystified by the proceeding, but, suspecting its meaning, he +arose from his hard couch and passed outside. The moon had not yet +risen, but the bright stars were in the sky, and shining with the +brilliancy that he had noticed and admired on the previous evening. He +looked around for Hazletine, and, not seeing him, imitated his action by +pronouncing his name, but, as he suspected, he was not within hearing. + +"He has gone off to make some investigations between now and morning. I +am glad of it, for he may learn something which he desires to know, and +which he would never find out by staying here. I wish I could have gone +with him, but no doubt he will do better alone." + +It was demonstrated, therefore, that the guide had violated the very +rule which he had impressed more than once upon his young friends, for +he had left Jack Dudley sound asleep, as he believed, without any one +standing sentinel over him. But it was because the circumstances were so +exceptional and extraordinary that it justified such suspension of the +rules. + +Jack did not hesitate to make himself as comfortable as the situation +would permit. He folded his blanket on the ground, and sat with his back +against the very rock where he had fallen asleep the night before. + +"No danger of my doing it again," he reflected; "and it wouldn't make +any difference if I did, since Hank believes I am dreaming." + +Jack supposed he threw the wood on the flame to keep away the possible +danger from wild animals that might be prowling in the neighborhood; +though, because of the reasons named, there was little to be apprehended +from them. The youth was so alive to the situation that he heard a cough +from one of the ponies lying on the ground near the further side of the +plateau, and beyond sight. Twice the watcher fancied he detected a +shadowy figure stealing here and there in the gloom, and he grasped his +rifle, ready for instant use; but it must have been a mistake on his +part, for nothing materialized, and, curious as it may seem, he finally +sank into a fitful slumber, which lasted a long time without +interruption. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +TOZER. + + +Meanwhile Hank Hazletine was busy. He had formed several theories to +account for the disappearance of the youth, of whom he had grown +extremely fond, brief as was their acquaintance, but the data upon which +he based these theories were so vague and meagre that he could do +nothing until more definite knowledge was obtained. + +When first talking with Jack Dudley, the hunter expected to retain his +place near the cavern until morning, for it would seem that there was +little hope of doing anything until the sun shone, but reflection +convinced him that there was a possibility of accomplishing something +during the long interval that must intervene. Still it is not probable +he would have made the attempt had not something invited it. + +Standing in the gloom on the outside of the cavern, he saw a point of +light against the side of the nearest mountain peak, less than half a +mile distant. It could not be a star, for his familiarity with the +country told him the background must prevent an orb showing at that +height above the horizon. It came from a fire burning at the place, and +that fire had been kindled by Indians. + +Hank's decision was to visit the camp, in the hope of picking up some +information about the missing boy. It has been shown that he was so +convinced that no danger threatened Jack Dudley that he did not hesitate +to leave him alone, believing him asleep. As a precaution, however, he +flung additional fuel on the fire, with a view of keeping away any wild +animals that might be in the vicinity. Had Jack answered to his name +when called by the guide he would have been invited to accompany him for +a portion at least of the way on the reconnaissance, as it might be +termed--a most welcome relief. Thus, trifling as was the deception, it +operated unfavorably for our young friend. + +The progress of the veteran through and over the rough country was a +very different proceeding from that of the two boys. He seemed never to +hesitate or be in doubt as to the shortest and easiest course, and his +advance, therefore, was much the same as if he were striding across the +grassy plateau near camp. As he went forward his shifting position +frequently shut out the beacon-light, but he made no mistake at any +point in his walk. It was a striking proof of his woodcraft that when he +reached the canyon it was at a spot where it was so narrow that he +appeared merely to lengthen his step when he placed himself on the other +side. Progressing in this manner, it did not take him long to reach the +immediate vicinity of the camp. + +The blaze had been kindled among a clump of cedars which were a +continuation of a growth that extended with more or less vigor for miles +among the mountains, gradually disappearing as the snow-line was +reached. Hazletine recalled the particular spot so clearly that he knew +precisely what to do. + +It was not very late in the evening, else there would have been one of +the Indians on guard. As it was, the three were lolling in lazy +attitudes, smoking their long-stemmed pipes and talking in a disjointed +fashion. If they had eaten anything in camp, there were no evidences of +it. + +Having reached a point from which he could survey the party without +being observed, the hunter proceeded to do so. His first feeling was of +disappointment, for Motoza was not one of the three bucks, who appeared +to be in middle life, and were dressed and painted similarly to that +individual. In fact, the trio were the ones seen by the youths earlier +in the day, at the point where the break in the canyon occurred. + +Hazletine had set out with the belief that the vagrant Sioux was the one +chiefly concerned in the disappearance of Fred Greenwood. His absence +from camp confirmed that belief, while the indifferent manner of the +three, and the apparent lack of subjects of discussion among them, +indicated that they knew nothing of the abduction or death, as it might +be, of the missing one. Had they known of it, the guide was confident it +would have been betrayed by their manner, since they could have no +suspicion that they were under surveillance at that time, and therefore +would act their natural selves. + +What would have been the course of Hazletine had he seen Motoza, not +doubting, as he did, the guilt of the miscreant? He would have walked +directly forward to the camp and warned the Sioux that if he harmed a +hair of the youth's head his life should pay therefor. + +Since Motoza was not in the situation thus to be warned, the hunter did +the next best thing. With no attempt to veil the sound of his footsteps, +he strode into the circle of light thrown out by the Indian camp-fire. +The bucks looked up curiously at him, but betrayed no emotion beyond a +few grunts. They did not invite him to be seated or to join them in +smoking, and had they done so, neither invitation would have been +accepted. + +Hank knew nothing of the lingo of the red men, but it was presumed they +had a fair understanding of English, taking which for granted, he +proceeded to carry out his self-imposed mission. He told the bucks they +had no business off their reservation, although it was a matter of +indifference to him. He knew there were others in the mountains, and +Motoza was among them. It was concerning this scoundrel, as Hank +characterized him, that he had something to say. A white youth, while +hunting that afternoon not far off, with his companion, had disappeared. +Hazletine had looked into the matter far enough to discover that he had +been stolen by Motoza. The white man was hunting for Motoza, but in the +brief time at his disposal had not been able to find him, though he was +confident of doing so on the morrow. + +Meanwhile, the white man wanted these three, or any one of them, if they +should meet the aforementioned scoundrel, to repeat what he had said +about him. If any harm had befallen the missing boy, Hazletine would +take it upon himself to hunt down Motoza and "execute" him himself, +without waiting for the United States authorities to do it. Such a +summary course would save expense and make the white man feel better. + +If Motoza should return the stolen boy within twenty-four hours, and it +was found he was unharmed, the whole matter would be treated as a joke, +and no punishment would be visited upon Motoza, provided he didn't do it +again. + +This was the substance of Hank Hazletine's communication to the three +bucks, to whom he repeated and discussed it until there was no fear of a +misunderstanding, after which the visitor strode out of camp, without so +much as bidding the trio good-night. His whole manner was that of +contempt, for, had it been otherwise, he would not have dared to turn +his back upon them, when they could have shot him down with impunity. + +The cowman had accomplished something, though less than he hoped. While +he failed to gain definite knowledge of the missing youth, he had +brought a message which was certain to be delivered to the right party +before the next set of sun. But Hank knew the men with whom he was +dealing, and could not feel assured that any ultimate good would result +until nearer the end. + +"I wish I knowed whether them imps know anything about that younker; +they don't act as if they did, and yet they may be as deep in the +bus'ness as Motoza." + +The last remark suggested a possibility which the cowman shrank from +considering. It was that the Sioux was wholly innocent, and that all the +mischief had been done through unsuspected parties. It has been shown +that other Indians, not yet encountered, were in the vicinity, and it +was not absolutely certain that they were not the criminals. The +thought, however, opened the illimitable fields of speculation, and the +hunter was wise in determining to hold to his original belief until +assured it was an error. + +Before he was half-way back to camp the moon appeared above the mountain +peak behind him, and the rugged scenery was lit up by the rays that +streamed on every side. He paused where he could observe the gleam of +his own camp-fire at the mouth of the cavern, while, by turning his +head, he saw the twinkle of the one he had left behind. All between lay +as silent as the tomb. + +"I bluffed it pretty heavy," he reflected, "and I guess it'll work with +them bucks; I ain't so sartin of Motoza, fur if he has had anything to +do with the taking off of that younker he's covered up his tracks pretty +well and it'll be hard work to run him down, but _I'll do it_!" he +savagely exclaimed, as he resumed his strides toward his own camp. + +As he drew near he caught sight of the unconscious figure of Jack +Dudley, sitting with his back against the rock. The moon revealed him +clearly, and the cowman approached him with noiseless step. + +"Poor fellow! he come out here to watch, thinking he couldn't sleep, and +now he's good for nothing till sunup." + +Hank leaned over and tenderly adjusted the blanket around the figure of +the handsome youth, as his mother might have done had she been present. +Then passing within the cavern, he lay down and slept until the night +was ended. + +The presence of the lad on the outside of the cavern showed that he knew +of the departure of the guide. Hank, therefore, explained his reason for +leaving him, and told him all that had occurred. + +"The first thing to do, younker, is to find Motoza; that's what I'm +going to do. You can't stand it to be alone with yourself, so you can +come with me, though I hain't no idee that you'll be able to give any +help." + +"I hope I shall; though, if you think there is more chance of success in +making the hunt alone, I'll do the same." + +Hank was silent a moment, as if considering the matter, but he quickly +added: + +"Come along. But how about breakfast?" + +"I haven't the least appetite." + +"I thought so by your looks," he said, sympathizingly. "I'm blamed sorry +fur you, and hope your appetite will soon come back to you." + +"It will as soon as we find Fred," said Jack, with a faint smile; "but +what about yourself?" + +"It's all the same; if we had meat here I'd cook and eat it; but I'm +willing to go a day or two, if I haven't the time to take any meals." + +"That's strange!" broke in Jack; "yonder comes a white man; he must be +one of your acquaintances, though I never saw him before." + +Hazletine turned round in surprise. A tall white man, dressed as a +cowboy, with long dangling yellow hair and a thin mustache and goatee, +and with rifle slung over his shoulder, had appeared on the further side +of the plateau, and was approaching the couple at a deliberate pace. + +"Wal, I'm hanged!" exclaimed Hazletine; "if there isn't Bill Tozer! He's +the last man I expected to meet in these parts." + +These words did not bring Jack Dudley much enlightenment, but he felt no +special curiosity concerning the individual, and silently waited till he +came up. The youth judged from the manner of the guide, however, that he +was not overly pleased with the new arrival, whose countenance was not +attractive. Nevertheless, the two shook hands with seeming cordiality, +and the new-comer looked inquiringly at Jack. + +"This is a friend of mine, Bill, that I took out on a hunt t'other day +with another younker; Jack Dudley, Bill Tozer." + +"Glad to know you," said the man heartily; "I see you're a tenderfoot." + +"Yes," replied Jack; "less than two weeks ago I had never set foot in +Wyoming." + +"Wal, now that's funny; you'll like the country after you get used to +it." + +"Would to heaven I had never seen it!" was the bitter exclamation of the +youth, hardly able to keep back his tears. + +"Sorry to hear that, my young friend; but cheer up; it'll come out all +right." + +It struck Jack that this was a singular remark for the man to make, for +it sounded as if he knew the cause of Jack's emotion; but before the boy +could seek enlightenment the man made a more extraordinary remark: + +"You'll excuse us for a few minutes, my young friend; I've some words to +say in private to Hank." + +"Certainly," replied Jack, turning on his heel and walking beyond +earshot. He gave the men no further attention, for he did not suspect +the new-comer had anything to impart of interest to him. The boy felt +more like resenting this interference with the momentous business he and +the guide had on hand. + +But Jack was mistaken. Hardly was he a hundred feet from the couple when +Hazletine asked: + +"What's up, Bill?" + +"One of them young tenderfeet is missing, eh?" + +"How did you find that out?" + +"I reached the camp of Bok-kar-oo last night within a half-hour after +you'd gone; he and two other bucks are out on a hunt, which they haven't +any business to be, but that's nothing to us. Bok-kar-oo told me what +you had told him; it's queer business, isn't it?" + +"I should say it was. That Motoza has had a hand in it, and I've set out +to find him and settle the account." + +"Why are you so sure about Motoza?" + +"'Cause I _know_ him!" said Hank, savagely; "and I've knowed him fur a +good many years; there isn't a worse Injin in Wyoming." + +Instead of commenting on this remark, Tozer stood silent a moment, and +then made a flirt with his head as a request for Hank to step aside with +him. The cowman obeyed, and they seated themselves still further from +Jack Dudley. + +"What makes you so afeard he'll hear us?" asked Hazletine, impatiently, +noting the suspicious glances which the man cast in the direction of the +youth. + +"For the reason that I don't want him to hear us; I've something to say +about him and his friend." + +"His father owns half of Bowman's ranch." + +Bill Tozer started with an angry exclamation. + +"Is that so?" he asked in amazement. "I thought it was the other +fellow's father." + +"How should you know anything about it anyway?" demanded Hazletine, who +made no attempt to conceal his dislike of the man. "I'd like to know +where you picked up so much knowledge 'bout these two younkers." + +"There's no need of getting huffy about it, Hank; it seemed to me that I +was to be on your heels for the last few days, for I stopped at the +ranch and had a talk with the fellows only a short time after you left +with the tenderfeet for this hunt. I understood Kansas Jim to say that +it was the father of the Greenwood boy that owned half the ranch." + +"If Jim told you that, which I don't believe he done, he told you what +ain't so." + +"But the father of the other boy--the one that's missing--he's rich too, +ain't he?" + +"I don't know nothing 'bout it; what are you driving at? Bill, you know +that my 'pinion of you is 'bout the same as it is of that tramp Motoza, +so, if you've got anything to say to me, out with it! I hain't any time +to fool away." + +"I _have_ something to say, Hank, and it's about them young tenderfeet: +I've seen Motoza." + +"When?" + +"This morning." + +"Did you give him my message?" + +"Every word of it, as I received it from Bok-kar-oo; I made it as strong +as I could." + +"You couldn't make it any too strong; how did he take it?" + +"It didn't seem to worry him much; he says he don't know anything about +the missing boy and your threats don't scare him. But, Hank," added +Tozer, lowering his voice almost to a whisper and glancing furtively +around, "I suspect Motoza was lying." + +"I _know_ he was, fur he doesn't know how to tell the truth." + +"If he's treated right, I believe he'll produce the missing youngster." + +Hank Hazletine was keener mentally than most of his friends suspected. +He had more acumen than even Bill Tozer suspected. A great light flashed +upon the cowman, and the questions and answers which fell from his lips +during the next few minutes were intended to hide his real purpose. + +"What do you mean by treating Motoza right? If he was treated right he'd +be kicking the air this very minute." + +"I agree with you," said Tozer, laughing; "but Motoza doesn't, and he's +the one who asks to be treated right, as he considers it." + +"I've said that if he produces the younker, and we find he hain't been +harmed, why we'll call it a joke and drop the whole thing." + +Tozer gazed at a distant mountain peak and thoughtfully chewed tobacco +for a minute. He was approaching delicate ground and needed all his +_finesse_. + +"That's fair on your part, and is more than he ought to expect, but I've +a suspicion it isn't what he means." + +"Do you know what he means, Bill?" + +"No; he hasn't told me a word, but I think I can guess it." + +"Wal, then, guess." + +"Remember it's only a guess, and I may be away off." + +Hazletine nodded his head. + +"I'm listening." + +"I suspect Motoza has the tenderfoot in hiding somewhere, where there's +no chance of his getting away or of any of his friends finding him." + +"What does the scamp mean by doing that?" + +"He must have had an idea that the father of the Greenwood boy has +enough money to pay a good sum to recover him unharmed." + +"That's a new scheme! I've heard of such things in the East, but never +knowed 'em to be tried in this part of the country." + +"Bear in mind," Tozer hastened to add, "that it's all guesswork on my +part." + +"You've said that afore, but it's powerful good guessing, Bill. It's my +'pinion you ain't a thousand miles from the truth, but you can see this +makes a mighty different thing of the bus'ness." + +"How so?" + +"The younker's father lives in New York; he's got to be reached, and the +question laid afore him. How much money will Motoza ask to produce the +younker?" + +"Certainly not much--something like five thousand dollars, I should +say." + +"That is rather a healthy pile for you or me, but I don't 'spose it's +more than a trifle for them folks in the East." + +"Of course not; they'll raise it at once, and be glad to do so." + +"But it'll take two weeks at least." + +"Not necessarily; you can telegraph from Fort Steele, and two or three +days ought to wind up the whole business." + +"But you can't telegraph the money." + +"Yes, you can; nothing is easier." + +Hazletine was silent a minute or two. + +"It sounds easy 'nough, the way you put it, but it won't be so powerful +easy after all. I s'pose the Sioux will want the money afore he turns +over the younker?" + +"Of course; that's business." + +"How can we know he'll give up the younker after he gits the money?" + +"In a matter of this kind, a point must be reached where one party has +to trust the other, and Motoza wouldn't dare play you false." + +"He wouldn't, eh? Just give him the chance." + +"Then we won't let him. I'll guarantee that he shall keep his part of +the agreement in spirit and letter." + +It was on Hazletine's tongue to ask who should guarantee the honesty of +Bill Tozer, but for reasons of his own he kept back the question. + +"Wal, now, to git down to bus'ness, as you say; s'pose Doctor Greenwood +sends word that he won't or can't raise the money you ask--what then?" + +Tozer shrugged his shoulders suggestively. + +"Don't forget that I am guessing all the way through. I should say, +however, that Doctor Greenwood would never see his boy again." + +"I'm afraid he never will, as the matter now stands." + +"That depends on the parent. If he is not rich, the father of that young +man over yonder is, and he would let him have the money." + +"No doubt he'd do that very thing; but s'pose the thing is all fixed and +carried out as you've been saying--does Motoza fancy there won't be some +accounts to be squared with him afterwards?" + +"You know what a cunning fellow he is. He wouldn't go through with the +job until he was guaranteed against any punishment for his part in it." + +"The father of the younker would give the pledge, and he'd keep it, too, +if he's anything like his son. But what 'bout Hank Hazletine?" + +"He would have to make the same promise--that is, I presume he would. It +might be, however, that Motoza would feel able to take care of himself, +so far as you are concerned. But we are talking blindly." + +"Is there any other way to talk?" + +"You say you were just about starting out to hunt up Motoza. You won't +be able to find him, for he'll keep out of your sight. Leave that part +of the business to me." + +"What'll you do?" + +"I'll explain the situation to him, and then come back and have another +talk with you." + +"All right; you can't do it any too soon." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +WATCHING AND WATCHED. + + +Bill Tozer rose to his feet. The interview was over, and little remained +to be said between the two. + +"Then, Hank, you'll leave matters with me till I see you again?" + +"When will that be?" + +The man stood a moment in thought. + +"In order that there shall be no mistake, let us agree that I shall call +here to-morrow morning--twenty-four hours from now. How does that strike +you?" + +"That will do." + +"I can make it less time than that, if you wish it." + +"That suits; it's a go; good-by." + +"Good-by," and the visitor turned on his heel and strode across the +plateau, disappearing on the further margin, where he had first shown +himself. + +Hank Hazletine stood looking after him as long as he was in sight. When +at last he vanished, an expression of scornful contempt darkened the +bearded face of the cowman, and he muttered: + +"Bill Tozer, you think you're smart, but _I understand you_!" + +In the interview which has just been recorded the visitor believed he +had outwitted the guide at every step, and yet exactly the reverse was +the fact. Hank Hazletine had pretended a stupidity which was not real. +He noted the contradictions in the declarations of Tozer the instant +they were made, but gave no evidence of it, his object being to draw out +the miscreant, in which purpose he succeeded perfectly. + +The whole truth was manifest to the guide. Fred Greenwood had been +abducted not by Motoza alone, but by him and Bill Tozer. Beyond a doubt +the daring scheme was the invention of the white man, who found a +willing partner in the vagrant Sioux, who burned with enmity toward the +youth. It was Tozer who made the mistake of supposing that the father of +Fred was half-owner of the ranch, and, therefore, presumably a rich man. +Tozer had formed the plan of the abduction while at Bowman's ranch, and +showed by his promptness that he had not allowed the grass to grow under +his feet. + +These meditations occupied but a few minutes, when the cowman walked +toward Jack, who, seeing him approaching, advanced to meet him. +Hazletine felt that the change of conditions made it necessary to talk +more freely than heretofore with the boy. + +"Hank, it seems to me we are throwing away time," said the youth, a +trifle impatiently. + +"I'm not so sure of that, younker. I've news fur you." + +The guide had a good memory, and he repeated, almost word for word, all +that had been said by Tozer and himself. Jack was astounded. His first +emotion was of profound gratitude and delight, for the interview seemed +to establish that Fred Greenwood was alive, and consequently within +reach of recovery. + +"He's not dead!" exclaimed the happy lad; "thank Heaven for that! I +shall soon see him! It seems too good to be true." + +"It isn't best to be sartin of anything in this world," remarked his +friend, with a gravity of expression that ought to have chilled the +ardor of Jack, but it did not. The tidings were too exhilarating for +that. + +"Now, younker," added the man, "we've got more time on our hands than we +know what to do with. Come over by the fire and set down fur a while. +How's that appetite of yours?" + +"I am beginning to feel hungry." + +"I thought so," observed Hank, with a smile. + +"But there's no hurry. I can wait a little while." + +"You'll have to." + +"Now tell me who this man Tozer is?" + +"Wal, he's a reg'lar Motoza, except in blood. I run across him five +years ago in Arizona, where he had been in the stage-robbin' bus'ness. +Things got so hot he had to git out. I didn't hear anything more of him +till I was driving cattle in Montana, when I discovered he was one of +the worst rustlers in that part of the world. I'm sartin he has done a +good many things fur which he ought to hang, but he's more cunning in +his way than the Sioux, and has kept out of the penitentiary when anyone +else would have been doing a life-term. Bill is a great gambler, and has +made and lost fortunes, but he is always out of money and figgering how +to git it ag'in. There isn't anything too mean fur him to do fur money. +He doesn't care any more fur the feelings of others than Geronimo." + +"It looks as if the plan of abducting Fred and holding him for ransom is +his." + +"There ain't no doubt of it; he come to the ranch soon after we'd gone +and larned all 'bout you tenderfeet from the boys themselves. The +thought come to him at once that one of the chances of his lifetime was +his. It's queer he made the mistake of believing that it was the father +of the other younker as owned part of the ranch, but he got matters +twisted in some way. You can see that if it hadn't been fur that blunder +of his, it would be _you_ that your friend and me would be looking fur." + +"I wish it were," was the honest exclamation of Jack Dudley; "but how +was it he came to form his partnership with Motoza?" + +"You've heard it said the devil takes care of his own; Bill and Motoza +are old friends and have been in more than one shady job. I can't know, +but I think Bill must have larned or suspicioned that the Sioux warn't +fur off and he set out to hunt him up. Anyway they managed to come +together, and the job was fixed up atween 'em. Howsumever," said the +guide, "there ain't no use of talking and guessing over what _has been_, +but we must face what _is_. Now, if Doctor Greenwood has word by +telegraph that he must pay five thousand dollars to git his younker back +agin, what'll he think?" + +"He will think that this has been a pretty expensive outing for Fred," +replied Jack, whose buoyancy of spirits prompted his trivial answer. + +"Will he pay the money?" + +"Yes, and twice as much more, if it is necessary; but won't he be +startled and puzzled to know the meaning of it all! He will come right +out here himself and bring some of the best detectives in the country." + +"And if he does that, he'll never see his boy alive." + +Jack looked at Hazletine in alarm and amazement. The cowman saw phases +of this extraordinary business that had not presented themselves to the +youth, and he now proceeded to impress them upon him. In the first +place, the cunning Tozer would make sure of protecting himself and +Motoza, though the last was purely a matter of policy and self interest, +since he was always ready to sacrifice a comrade. In arranging the +ransom or exchange, Tozer would take no chances. The friends of Fred +Greenwood would have to remain out of sight and in the background. It +would be impossible for any of them to try to checkmate him without his +quickly learning it, whereupon he would abandon the job and turn over +the boy to the savage will of the Sioux. + +"And you know what _that_ means," added the cowman, impressively. "I +should tell you something else, too. It's my belief that if the money is +give to Tozer, and the Sioux is ordered to surrender the younker, he +hates him that bad that he'll try to bring about his death and run the +chances of hanging for it. Where two such wretches as him and Tozer are +in a job there's bound to be crooked work, and I won't never believe +you're going to shake the hand of t'other younker till I see it done +with my own eyes." + +The emphasis of this declaration sent a thrill of alarm through the +frame of Jack Dudley, though it could not wholly destroy the +exhilaration caused by the knowledge that Fred Greenwood was alive. + +It was proof of the kindliness of Hank Hazletine that he made no mention +of a strong suspicion that had been in his mind from the first. This was +that when Tozer met Motoza he learned that the Sioux had already slain +his prisoner, for Hank knew of the furious hate the fellow held toward +the youth. Consequently, Tozer had arranged to carry out his original +scheme, and was now seeking to gain a large sum of money, knowing that +it was out of his power ever to fulfill his part of the bargain. + +Hazletine, we repeat, strongly believed that this ghastly phase of the +business was true, but, inasmuch as there was no certainty of it, he was +too considerate to bring additional grief to the heart of Jack Dudley. + +But the cowman had formed a resolution which he carefully held back from +his companion. An interval of twenty-four hours must pass before the +second interview with Tozer, during which, as the latter was given to +understand, the negotiation would be left wholly with him. Hank and Jack +were to remain quiescent, at least until after the next meeting. But the +cowman nursed a very different determination. He intended to employ all +the time and the utmost ability he possessed in defeating the atrocious +plot of the miscreants. It will be seen that the easiest plan for him +was quietly to help forward the negotiations, but his nature forbade +such meek submissiveness on his part. + +This course, however, was perilous to the missing boy; for, if Tozer or +Motoza saw himself in danger of losing the prize, he would make short +work of the prisoner. It was clear that all the skill and woodcraft of +which the cowman was master would be needed in the delicate task he had +assigned to himself. + +"Younker," he said, when the conversation had continued a while longer, +"after thinking over this bus'ness, I've made up my mind it's better we +should keep apart fur the day." + +"Follow your own judgment. I shall try to be back this evening." + +"To-morrer morning will be time 'nough. I had my supper last night not +fur from here, and if the wild animals haven't visited the spot since, +we shall find 'nough to make a square meal." + +This was acceptable news, and the result all that could be desired. Hank +had cooked a considerable quantity of venison at a romantic place among +the rocks, his first intention being to carry enough of it to +headquarters to supply his young friends with what they needed. +Afterward he changed his mind and decided that it was time they learned +to provide for themselves. Upon making his way to the spot he found +everything as it had been left the previous evening, and thus much more +readily than Jack had dared to expect he secured the needed food. + +"Right here we part," said Hank at the conclusion of the meal. + +"How am I to spend the time?" + +"As your fancy strikes you. As I told you, it will be soon 'nough fur +you to git back to camp to-morrer morning, but you must keep your eyes +open. It may be that Tozer, having larned that your father is the man he +meant to bleed, will try to make a prisoner of you." + +Jack Dudley's eyes flashed. + +"Let him try it! I should like to be in Fred's company." + +"Mebbe you wouldn't be so well suited as you think, but look out fur +snares in your path--that's all I've got to say. I'm off." + +It was characteristic of the cowman to take his departure in this abrupt +manner, his intention being to undertake without delay the difficult +task he had set out for himself, but five minutes later he gave over his +purpose, and, to the surprise of Jack Dudley, came back to him. + +In doing this, Hazletine was wise. His purpose, as already intimated, +was to discover if possible Motoza and Tozer, but especially the former. +There was little doubt that the Sioux would communicate with his +prisoner during the day, or, if Fred Greenwood was not among the living, +his unrelenting enemy was likely to give some evidence of where his +taking off had occurred. Hazletine's belief, therefore, was that by +shadowing the Sioux he had a good chance of securing the information +that would overturn all the calculations of the abductors. + +But this task was tenfold more delicate than would seem at first, for +not only had the cowman to learn the whereabouts of the Sioux, but he +must do it undetected and dog the fellow without discovery on his part. +When it is remembered that Motoza would be on the alert against this, +one is almost ready to declare the cowman had attempted an impossible +thing. + +When he left his young friend, however, it was with the firm purpose of +doing, or rather trying to push through this purpose. Within a hundred +yards of the point where he left Jack the guide had a glimpse of what +may be called the shadow of a movement. Something flickered among the +rocks a short distance ahead and then vanished before he could identify +it. + +But he knew what it meant. Some one was watching him. If the watcher was +not Motoza or Tozer, he was an ally of theirs. He was holding the cowman +under surveillance, ready to report or shoot on the first proof of his +real purpose. The truth flashed upon Hank, and pausing in his walk, +without any evidence of what he had discovered, he began a hasty +examination of his pockets after the manner of a man who suddenly misses +some prized article that he believed to be in his garments. + +The little farce was cleverly acted. Each receptacle was examined +several times, some of the pockets being turned wrong side out, while +the face of the cowman, or rather his eyes, betrayed his excitement. +Then he looked at the ground in front and at the rear, apparently to +learn whether he had dropped the missing treasure. Failing to find it, +he uttered an angry exclamation and walked hurriedly back to his +companion. No one observing the performance would have doubted its +meaning. + +"I'm going to stay a while with you," he remarked, seating himself upon +the ground and lighting his pipe. + +"It was a sudden change of mind," replied Jack, glad to have his +company. + +"Yes; a redskin helped me to make it," and he explained the nature of +his discovery. Inasmuch as the guide had turned back because of the +same, it was easy to understand what his original intention was; for had +it not existed, why should the cowman care if he was kept under +surveillance? He would not be betraying himself any more during an +innocent walk and hunt through the mountains than by sitting on the +ground and smoking his pipe. + +The result to a certain extent was a disappointment to Jack himself, for +he had quietly resolved upon a venture in the same line. Of necessity he +would be governed almost entirely by guesswork, but it was his +determination to spend the day, and if possible the night, in trying to +gather some trace of his missing friend. And while it must be said that +his prospect of success was exceedingly meagre, it should be borne in +mind that he would possess one great advantage over the veteran while +similarly engaged--neither Tozer nor Motoza would fear anything from +what he did, and would give him no attention. He therefore would be left +comparatively free to do what he chose. Despite the warnings of Hank, +Jack was confident nothing was to be feared from the enmity of the two +miscreants while the negotiations were in progress. They were not the +men to destroy the hen that was expected to lay the golden egg. + +For hours Hazletine and Jack lolled in this primitive camp, the cowman +smoking his pipe most of the time, while the two discussed over and over +again the various phases of the momentous business that engaged their +thoughts and to which they yearned to devote their utmost energies. The +guide longed to be off, and as the sun descended the heavens it was one +of the hardest tasks of his life to restrain his impatience, but he had +been trained in a school where patience is one of the greatest of all +the virtues. Suddenly he rose to his feet, stretched his arms and +yawned. + +"I'd like to borrer that spy-glass of yours fur a few minutes." + +"You are welcome," replied Jack, slipping the string over his head and +passing the instrument to him. The cowman sauntered off, taking the same +direction as before. His first wish was to learn whether he was still +under surveillance. So far as he could determine the watcher had grown +weary and withdrawn, though there could be no certainty that he was not +in the neighborhood. + +Jack Dudley, without leaving camp, was able to keep an eye on the +movements of his friend. He saw him make his way to a jutting rock, +partly screened by a growth of cedar. Concealing himself as well as he +could, he raised the glass to his eyes and spent several minutes in +studying the wild country spread below him. He was looking in the +direction of the break in the canyon, beyond which, as will be +remembered, was the plateau where the ponies had been left to crop the +grass while their masters were engaged elsewhere. + +[Illustration: "He was looking in the direction of the break in the +canyon."] + +Jack did not attempt to survey the same field, but kept his gaze upon +Hazletine. He could see that he directed his attention toward a +particular point, as if he had either discovered something or expected +to do so. The study continued only a few minutes, when he came back and +handed the glass to the youth, with the remark: + +"I'm going to try it agin. I won't expect to see you till to-morrer +morning." + +The lad bade him good-by, and he took his departure; but instead of +descending the mountain toward the point that had interested him, he +followed the opposite course, as if he intended to push through to the +other side of the Wind River range. This was so transparent a subterfuge +that it did not deceive Jack. + +"He has discovered something," was his conclusion; "he doesn't choose to +tell me, and it makes little difference. I wonder whether he believes I +intend to idle my time till night and then go back to headquarters and +wait for him? If he thinks so, he makes a mistake." + +Waiting until sure his friend was beyond sight, Jack carefully picked +his way to the rock from which Hank had made the observation that +decided his line of action. The better to screen himself the youth lay +down on his face, as when peering over the ridge into the valley where +the antelope were grazing, and held the glass to his eyes. + +Thus looking out, he saw the plateau in the distance, seemingly but a +few rods in extent. Only one of the ponies was visible, and he resembled +a small dog, standing with head down, in the middle of the grassy plot. +Beyond and between were foot-hills, peaks of varying heights, gorges, +ravines and hollows, with rocks, boulders and stunted trees scattered in +profusion. The picturesqueness of the scene was deepened by a thin, blue +column of vapor in the distance, ascending from an invisible camp-fire. +The smoke rose steadily, so it was not to be supposed that it was meant +for a signal, like those already described. + +The most attractive point was the break in the canyon, already +described. This was in plain sight, with the expanse of swiftly-flowing +water, which soon disappeared between the walls on the opposite side. + +Suddenly Jack started. Two Indians were visible, though they were in +view for only a few minutes. They came from the base of the incline +where the boys had seen three of them the day before, and passed out of +sight before the interested observer could decide whether Motoza, the +Sioux, was one of them. + +"I believe Hank has gone down there," was the conclusion of Jack, "and I +shall do the same." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +INTO AND OUT OF THE CANYON. + + +Jack Dudley's enforced idleness had become intolerable. He could stay no +longer in the place from which Hank Hazletine had departed a half-hour +before. It was a waste of time to speculate over the intentions of the +veteran, and the youth made no attempt to do so. He had set out to see +whether he could act even an insignificant part in the recovery of his +loved comrade. + +It has been said that the boy had the advantage over the man in that it +was not to be supposed any importance would be attached to his actions. +At the same time he was liable to "put his foot in it" in more ways than +one. + +Somehow or other the conviction clung to Jack Dudley that the key to the +situation was in the neighborhood of the canyon. There must be hundreds +of places among the mountains where a prisoner could be hidden from +human eyes, but Hazletine's interest centred in that wild gorge, and +Jack was certain he had gone thither. + +Then there was the fact of the cowman's visit two days before, +concerning which he would have said nothing but for his discovery by the +boys. Why Hank should have picked his way up that dangerous place was +known only to himself. Jack could form no theory to explain it. But he +did not forget the dispute of the three Indians in front of the break +and the start which one of them made to follow the footsteps of the +white man. There must be some attraction in the canyon for them all. + +Jack's dread was that Hazletine, despite his undoubted skill, would +frighten Tozer and Motoza by his efforts to defeat their purpose, and +drive them into slaying Fred and making off before they could be +punished. But the cowman had his own views, and it was too late to +dissuade him. + +Keeping in mind the warning of his friend to use all possible +circumspection in his actions, Jack was so guarded that a full hour had +passed when he once more reached the break in the canyon, which had +already afforded them more than one interesting experience. + +So far as he could judge, he was the only living person within miles. +The two Indians that had flitted across his field of vision were gone, +and it was impossible to say what had become of Hazletine. Determined, +however, to run no unnecessary risk, Jack remained among the trees and +rocks on the upper side of the break, where he could not be seen unless +some one almost stepped upon him. Not satisfied with his first position, +he shifted further to the right, and lay down to wait and watch. + +A gradual obscuring of the sky caused him to look at his watch. Could it +be possible? The autumn afternoon was almost gone. Night was at hand, +whereas he had supposed several hours of daylight remained. Thus +valuable time had slipped past and nothing had been done for Fred +Greenwood. + +From where Jack lay he had a perfect view of the upper gate, as it may +be called, of the canyon. The gorge has already been described as narrow +at the point where the foamy waters dashed through and expanded into the +broad pool, after which they flowed a short way and reunited, to make +their next plunge between the mountain walls on their journey to the sea +thousands of miles distant. Looking across this break, the boy could +penetrate with his eye for a dozen yards into the upper canyon. He saw +the dripping rocks upon which the angry buck sprang, only to pause and +turn back to join his companions below. + +A curious thing happened. Jack was looking in the direction named, when, +with startling suddenness, an Indian shot into sight on the furthest +rock, beyond which the canyon made a sweeping curve that shut off +further view. His appearance was like the upleaping of a Jack-in-the-box +at the touch of the spring, but the explanation was evident: he was +making his way down the gorge from above, when his leap from one rock to +another brought him thus abruptly into view. + +This was interesting of itself, but a still more interesting discovery +came with the second glance at him. He was Motoza, the Sioux! + +It looked as if Hank Hazletine, with all his subtlety and woodcraft, had +failed to do that which came of itself to Jack Dudley. + +The actions of the Sioux showed he was unusually careful about being +seen as he emerged from the canyon into fuller view, for, after leaping +to the rock which stood at the door of the gorge, he stood a minute, +then leaned forward and peered around the sides as far as he could +without losing his balance. He next stood erect and looked keenly across +the pool, and apparently at the very spot where the boy lay hiding. + +"What a face!" muttered Jack; "I never saw one so ugly, with those daubs +of paint; and his eyes shine just like that rattlesnake's we killed. It +can't be he sees me," added the youth in alarm, as he cowered still +lower; "one would think he could look through a stone." + +But nothing less than the Roentgen ray would have revealed the young +man, who was stealthily watching the ferocious buck. The latter must +have decided that the coast was clear, for with another bound he landed +upon a rock quite a way from the opening of the canyon, and a second +leap placed him on the shore where three of his race had been standing +when discovered by Jack and Fred. + +Motoza did not linger, but moved with a very rapid stride across the +open space, where he was in full view of anyone in the vicinity. + +"If I were sure you had done any harm to Fred," muttered Jack, never +removing his eyes from the repellant countenance, "I believe I could +treat you as we did the grizzly bear without a sting of conscience. The +idea of your harming a hair of the head of Fred Greenwood, who showed +you tenfold more mercy than you deserved--my gracious! he must have seen +me." + +This involuntary exclamation was caused by the fact that the Sioux was +following a bee-line for the spot where Jack lay. Believing a meeting +inevitable, the youth placed his hand on his revolver, the preferable +weapon in the event of coming to close quarters. + +But at the last moment Motoza turned to the left and passed among the +rocks within a couple of paces of the youth, who held his breath until +he was gone. + +For some reasons Jack Dudley would have welcomed a meeting with this +miscreant, for he held him in no fear. For one moment he meditated +"holding him up," with the threat of death unless he produced Fred +Greenwood; but fortunately the youth had time in which to see the wild +absurdity of the thing, which could have done no possible good and +probably would have brought great harm. So it was that Motoza passed out +of sight and the youth was once more left alone. + +But Jack's thoughts had taken a new turn. Hazletine had expressed the +belief that in the interval between the first and second meeting with +Tozer either he or Motoza would hold communication with their prisoner; +consequently, if the Sioux could be kept under surveillance without +exciting his suspicion, he was likely to give some involuntary and +useful information. + +"I wonder where Hank is; can it be that he, too, is watching in the +neighborhood and has seen Motoza come out as I saw him? If so, the next +fellow to pass in review before me will be my esteemed friend." + +When, however, a half-hour had gone by without anything being seen of +the cowman, Jack was warranted in believing that he was the only one who +was aware of the coming and going of the red man. + +Following out Hazletine's theory, it would seem that the prison of Fred +Greenwood, instead of being among the mountains, was within the gorge. +This was a startling conclusion, but the more Jack reflected upon it the +more strongly did he believe it. + +"At any rate, I mean to find out whether it is so." + +But on the verge of setting out he hesitated. There was more than one +reason why he should do so. In the first place, it was exceedingly +dangerous to attempt to make his way up the canyon even by daylight, and +the sun had already disappeared. He was totally unfamiliar with the +windings and would be in constant danger of drowning. Moreover, he was +liable, in the event of Fred being held a prisoner in the gorge, to +place himself with him, or to defeat the negotiations for restoring him +to liberty. + +And yet, in the face of these and other obstacles, the youth decided to +make the foolhardy attempt. + +First of all he fastened his Winchester to his back, both he and his +comrade having made provision for doing that before leaving Bowman's +ranch. Then he thrust his revolver more firmly into its resting-place. +This left his hands free, in case a sudden emergency should call for +their use, and gave him an opportunity of saving the more important +weapon. Then, night being fully come, he stepped into the open space +which marked the bank at the break of the canyon. The stars were +shining, but it would be a long time before the moon rose. + +A quick glance to the right and left revealed nothing to cause alarm, +and Jack pressed on until he stood on the spot where the Sioux had +landed when making his last leap. There was enough star-gleam to show +the black mass of stone, like a crouching monster gathering to spring +upon him. It will not be forgotten that the youth was an exceptionally +fine athlete, and, pausing but a moment, he easily made the leap that +carried him to the rock. In fact the task was easy, and he would not +have hesitated to follow in the footsteps of the white man and Indian, +could he have had the twilight of mid-day to assist him. + +The next bound placed him within the walls of the canyon, where he +paused with the question whether it would do to venture further. The +rushing waters were on all sides of him, and the cool spray was dashed +in his face and over his clothing. It was to be supposed that where this +furious current was compressed into such a narrow compass its depth was +considerable, and within its grasp the most powerful swimmer would be +helpless. + +Peering into the gloom, the youth saw the top of the next rock which was +used as a stepping-stone by other visitors. If he were mistaken it would +be bad for him, but, with only a few minutes' pause, he gathered his +muscles and proved he was right. He was now fairly within the canyon and +still standing on solid support, while there had been no trouble to +maintain his foothold from the moment he made the first leap. + +His success thus far gave him renewed courage. + +"What one person has done another can do," was his thought. "Fred and I +agreed that there is a good deal of risk in this, but if I had a little +more light nothing could be easier. These rocks seem to be placed at the +right intervals, and so long as I can locate them I'll go ahead." + +The belief of Jack was that somewhere in the side of the canyon was a +cave in which his comrade was held captive. The sight that the two boys +had obtained of Hank Hazletine, when he disappeared so suddenly from +sight, lent strength to the theory. If the youth was right, the time of +his attempt to ascend the gorge, with the exception of the darkness, +could not have been more favorable, for Motoza was absent, and it was +hardly to be supposed that his place had been taken by Tozer or anyone +else. What a happy meeting it would be if the elder could find the +younger! + +The natural reasoning was that, if one boy was able to ascend the canyon +to where the other was imprisoned, the latter ought to be able to leave +his prison when the gaoler was absent. Jack's explanation was probably +the right one--either that Fred did not know how readily the thing could +be done, or Jack was soon to find himself unable to complete his +journey. + +Spurred on by the hope of doing so much for the one he loved, Jack +paused only long enough to locate the next rock, when he again leaped +with the easy strength and grace that were natural to him. His success +did not render him careless. He was almost in utter darkness, and was +surprised that the way proved so easy. By leaning forward and peering +into the gloom he could generally distinguish the most shadowy outlines +of the nearest part of the support, which, had it been slightly further +removed, would have been altogether beyond his reach. + +It was unreasonable to expect the favorable conditions to continue, and +they did not. The time came very soon when, after one of his leaps, the +youth paused to collect himself, and was unable to distinguish the next +rock projecting above the roaring current. The canyon just there was +wider than usual, and he stooped over and gazed to the right and left in +turn, hoping to discover the indispensable support. + +"It must be somewhere near," he reflected, "else Hank and the rest of +them could have ascended no further; perhaps they did not do so." + +He gazed up the walls of darkness, but saw nothing that could help solve +the question. If there was a cave near at hand its presence was betrayed +by no friendly light. Although the tumult of the current was almost +deafening, he shouted the name of Fred and listened for the response +which came not. + +It was not difficult for Jack Dudley to form the explanation of why he +failed to discern the next support. Hitherto his leaps had been +comparatively trifling. It would have been no trouble to make them +several feet longer. This was a spot where such a jump was necessary, +and therefore he could not discern the rock which would have been +visible with the help of the sun or moon. + +What should he do? Turn back or keep on? It was a most serious question, +and he debated it a long time before forming a conclusion. + +It is remarkable how readily, at times, we can convince ourselves of the +truth of that which we wish to believe. By and by Jack Dudley was sure +he made out the dim outlines of the lower point of a huge rock, just +where it ought to have been. + +"I can't be mistaken, so here goes!" + +And go he did, with a vengeance. It was the finest leap yet made, but, +unfortunately, the support upon which he so confidently counted had no +existence. Instead of landing on solid stone, he dropped into the raging +torrent and went spinning down stream like a cork in a whirlpool. + +He kept his presence of mind, and did not exhaust his strength by trying +to stem the current. His great peril was in being hurled against some of +the rocks and killed or having a limb broken. Throwing out his arms just +in time he averted this calamity, and feeling himself scraping swiftly +past one of the masses of stone that had served him as a support, he +desperately gripped it and drew himself out of the water. + +He was uninjured, but became immediately conscious of a great +misfortune. In the flurry his Winchester had become displaced and was +irrecoverably gone. It was with an exclamation of relief that he found +his revolver in place at his hip. + +"This expedition of mine, considered strictly _as_ an expedition, is a +failure," he grimly muttered, thankful for his own escape, and still +convinced that it was not as bad as it might have been with his friend. +"It won't do to try it again, and it remains for me to get out of the +canyon altogether." + +He had landed upon the extreme upper end of the most immense rock of all +that had been used to help in the ascent. He remembered it well. The +upper portion was depressed and sloping, being three or four feet above +the current. Thus it happened that the point to which he was clinging +allowed him to be deluged with spray, and he strove to climb to the +higher part. + +He was thus engaged, conscious of a number of severe bruises, when an +object whisked past his shoulder, taking a direction up the gorge. He +felt it graze his face, and detected something that can only be +described as a deepening of the dense gloom as it shot over his head. It +came and vanished like the flitting of a bird's wing. + +The youth for the moment was amazed beyond expression, and was at a loss +to explain what it could be. Then the truth flashed upon him. Some one +else was also going up the canyon, and had leaped from the rock to which +Jack was clinging, on his way to the next one. He strove to pierce the +darkness, but the effort was useless. + +"I would give a good deal to know who he was; I couldn't make out +whether it was a white man or an Indian. It may have been Motoza, Tozer, +Hank, or a stranger; but whoever he was, he has no use for me." + +Half suspecting a third party might put in an appearance, Jack waited on +the rock for some minutes, but nothing of the kind occurred, and he +prepared to continue his retreat. + +The water was almost icy cold, the temperature being perceptibly lower +between the walls of the canyon and the clear air outside. With his +saturated garments, the youth was chilled and anxious to reach a point +where he could start a fire and obtain warmth for his body. He had given +over the expectation of seeing any more persons in the gorge and wished +to look after his own comfort. + +To this haste was to be attributed the second accident that overtook the +young man. He had no difficulty in locating the place to land, but he +put too much vigor in the effort, so that when he struck the slippery +rock his momentum carried him forward, and despite his resistance he +took another plunge into the raging current before he could check +himself. + +The place was preferable to the previous one, for it was almost at the +mouth of the canyon. He was guiding himself as best he could, and on the +alert to grasp something to check his swift progress, when he debouched +into the broad, open pool or miniature lake at the break in the banks, +where the current became so sluggish that he swam with ease. + +"This is growing monotonous," he muttered, as, after a few strokes, his +feet touched bottom and he walked out on dry land. "My rifle is gone, +but luckily I have kept my revolver for emergencies----" + +He got no further with the remark, for his hand had gone back to his hip +with the result of discovering that the smaller weapon had been lost +during his last bath. But it was impossible wholly to lose his good +spirits. + +"Whew! but that puts me in a fine condition to hunt grizzly bears and +meet bad Indians; I'm not so anxious to see Motoza as I was." + +His teeth were chattering, and to start his blood in circulation he +began climbing the sloping bank, at the top of which, as will be +remembered, he had remained hidden with Fred Greenwood when looking down +upon the three Indians. + +It was a laborious task, and he was panting when he reached the summit, +where he paused for a few minutes' rest. The prudent course was to +return as speedily as he could to the cavern by the plateau and start a +fire. His blanket had been left there, and would be of great use in his +present condition. + +"I wonder, now, if somebody has been there and stolen them?" he +muttered, resuming his homeward tramp; "this thing ought not to stop, +and it seems to me Hank takes big chances in leaving the blankets and +ponies where some of these Indians can steal them." + +Jack had still to leap the canyon in order to reach his destination, but +the task had become an easy one and caused him no anxiety. All was going +well, when his first shock of alarm came with the discovery that a wild +animal was following him. His first thought was that it was one of the +Indians, but a glimpse, on the edge of a slight clearing, showed that it +was a quadruped. + +Jack paused and looked intently at the creature. He could see it only +dimly, but sufficiently so to identify it as a wolf of unusually large +size. He suspected it was of the black species, one of those savage +brutes to be dreaded tenfold more than the ordinary grey kind. + +"I wonder whether he knows I haven't got a firearm about me? Ah, old +fellow, if I had my Winchester it wouldn't take me long to settle you." + +It was no jesting matter, and Jack kept close watch of him while +threading his way to camp, as their headquarters were called. Several +times, when he turned quickly, he was startled to observe that the +animal had stolen quite close to him, as if to leap upon his shoulders; +but he showed his cowardly nature by darting back, only to return the +moment the youth turned his face away. + +The question with Jack was whether he should stop and kindle a fire, or +wait until he reached the cavern. He preferred to do the latter, but it +looked unsafe to defer the precaution. The distance, however, was short, +and he hurried on until he clambered over to the plateau and was greeted +by a whinny from his pony, Dick, who was quick to recognize him. Instead +of keeping up the pursuit, or attacking one of the horses, the wolf +seemed to conclude it best to turn his attention elsewhere. He slunk +off, and was seen no more. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +THE QUEST OF THE COWMAN. + + +It was Hank Hazletine, the cowman, who leaped over the head of Jack +Dudley when he was crouching on the rock in the canyon, and it happened +in this way: + +It has been intimated that when the veteran left the boy at the +temporary camp on the mountain side his intention was to learn the +whereabouts of Motoza, the Sioux, hoping thereby to gain knowledge of +the missing Fred Greenwood. + +This was a task of extreme difficulty, inasmuch as it was certain the +vagrant red man would be on his guard against such strategy. The Indian +whom Hank saw with the aid of the spy-glass was not he whom he wished to +trace, but, suspecting he was in the vicinity, the cowman made his way +thither by a roundabout course. He was on the alert for the fellow, or +for his ally, Bill Tozer. Should either or both of them discover Hank, +he might well assume that it was an accident. It could hardly be +expected of him that he would remain at the cavern for twenty-four +hours, awaiting the time for Tozer to meet him. His most natural course +would be to engage in hunting with his youthful companion, and he could +reasonably claim to be thus engaged if a meeting took place. + +Should events prove that the plotters were too watchful to be caught off +their guard, then the second phase of the business was to be considered; +but it remained to be seen whether such was the fact. The ransom was to +be agreed to when it was apparent that no other course could save the +lad. + +Advancing with the care and stealth of a trained Indian scout, Hazletine +remained but a short time near the break in the canyon, for suspecting, +as did Jack Dudley, that it was in that neighborhood the key to the +situation was to be found, he was exposing himself to discovery. He +climbed the same ascent, leaped the canyon, and ensconced himself on the +further side. His intention was to peer over the edge into the depths +below, instead of taking the course followed later by his young friend. + +He was acting on this idea, when he came within a hair of spoiling +everything by committing the very blunder against which he had sought +with so much pains to guard. At his height above the torrent, as will be +remembered, no one was disturbed by the roar of the waters far below. +Because of his susceptibility to sounds, he heard an exclamation uttered +by some one near him. The point whence it came was a clump of rocks +hardly fifty feet distant, and he fancied he recognized the voice as +Bill Tozer's. To his relief he could see no one, and it was safe, +therefore, to assume that no one as yet saw him. + +The ground was favorable, and by using the utmost care he secured a +position from which he discovered Tozer and Motoza in conversation. The +white man was sitting on a boulder, while the Sioux was standing in +front of him, gesticulating as if angry over something that had been +proposed or said. Tozer was smoking a pipe, and seemed cool and +collected, though the exclamation which had betrayed him indicated that +it had not been thus from the beginning. + +It was an important discovery for Hazletine to make, but it was attended +by two exasperating facts: the interview was nearly over, and the words +that remained to be spoken were uttered in such moderate tones that he +could not hear a syllable. If the couple had been obliging enough to +raise their voices, it is probable that the knowledge sought by the +eavesdropper would have soon been at his command. + +But nothing of that nature took place. Within five minutes after the +arrival of the cowman, prepared to act his part as spy, Motoza turned +about and walked away in the direction of the canyon, while Tozer took a +course which, if continued, would lead him to the plateau. + +"I don't think he'll go there, fur he's no reason to look fur me in that +place afore to-morrer morning." + +But the white man was not the important factor in the problem. Hank +waited for some minutes after he had passed from sight, and then set out +to regain sight of Motoza, which task proved more difficult than he +expected. The fellow had vanished, and it was impossible to tell whither +he had gone. The rocky surface left no trail which even an Apache could +follow, and it only remained for the cowman to fall back upon what may +be called general principles. + +The experience of the cowman was another illustration of how much +depends in this world on what is called chance. + +Jack Dudley, without any preliminary training in woodcraft, discovered +Motoza as he emerged from the canyon, while the veteran of the West, +skilled in all the ways of his venturesome life, spent hours in looking +for the Sioux without obtaining the first glimpse of him. That he missed +him by a margin that could not have been narrower was a fact; but "a +miss is as good as a mile," and the autumn afternoon drew to a close +without the first glimmer of success on his part. He had gone so far, +even, as to visit a distant camp-fire, whose smoke still faintly showed +against the clear sky, but failed to see a living person. + +He was on the point of giving over his quest, when the unexpected +happened. Within a few hundred yards of the break in the canyon he +caught sight of Motoza and Tozer holding another consultation. They had +evidently just met, and the configuration of the ground enabled +Hazletine to steal near enough to catch some of the words spoken by the +couple. + +The two were standing face to face, and their actions were peculiar. +Motoza was in the act of handing his Winchester rifle to Tozer, who, +accepting the weapon, turned it over and examined it with interest. +Since he could not speak the Sioux he used the English language, of +which, as will be remembered, Motoza possessed a fair knowledge. + +"You're lucky," he said; "the gun is worth more than yours. So you made +a trade with the young man?" + +"Yes--me trade," replied the Sioux, his painted face relaxing with the +grin that had become almost chronic. + +"I don't s'pose he made any objection--that is, he gave you his gun +without making a kick?" + +The Sioux nodded his head and still grinned, Tozer joining him in the +last expression of his feelings. + +"How about his revolver?" + +"He gib me that," said the scamp, drawing forth the handsome weapon, +where Hazletine had not observed it, thrust into the girdle about his +waist. + +There was no mistaking the meaning of these words and proceedings. All +doubt was removed as to the abduction of Fred Greenwood. Motoza was the +agent in the outrage, though whether Tozer had taken an active part in +the same was yet uncertain. He scanned the smaller firearm, and then, +instead of returning it to the Sioux, deliberately shoved it into his +hip-pocket. + +"I think I'll take charge of that, Motoza." + +The buck was about to make angry objection, when the white man +explained: + +"When I meet Hank to-morrow he'll want some proof that I can turn over +the youngster to him. He won't believe I can do so till he sees that +proof. I'll show him this revolver, and he'll know it belongs to the +youngster. That will be all the proof he'll ask. The rest will come +easy; and, Motoza, you and I will be rich." + +There was an emphasis in this declaration that was convincing to the +dusky partner in crime. He nodded his head and made no further protest. +Evidently he was under the influence of his white ally. + +At this juncture the couple turned their backs upon the eavesdropper, +who had stolen to within a few paces of them. They continued talking, +but the change of position prevented his hearing what was said. It was +peculiarly exasperating, for, though he had gained considerable +information, he still lacked the most important news of all. He had +heard no intimation of where the prisoner was held. Could he but learn +that, he would have lost no time in attempting his rescue. It must be +said, furthermore, that had such knowledge come to him he would not have +hesitated to draw bead on the two miscreants in turn, and shoot them +down in their tracks. He was thoroughly enraged, and they deserved the +fate. + +A few minutes after the change of position the couple walked away, side +by side, still conversing. Certain discovery would have followed any +attempt on the part of the cowman to keep at their heels or nigh enough +to overhear their words, so he held his place and saw them pass from +sight. He had noted the direction, however, and observed that it led +from the canyon and deeper into the mountains. + +This was puzzling. It seemed to Hank that one or both would make their +way to the prison of the youth, for it was unlikely that he would be +left alone through the night. Having no thought of being under +surveillance, Motoza and Tozer would take a direct course to the place +of confinement, which now seemed to be deeper in the mountains, and at +some point of which the cowman had no suspicion. + +It was of the highest importance that the couple should not be allowed +to pass beyond sight, and the cowman began a cautious search for them. +But once more he was doomed to disappointment. In the gathering twilight +it was impossible to regain sight of them, and, convinced of the +uselessness of the attempt, he gave it up. + +"It begins to look as if Tozer holds the winning hand," he angrily +muttered; "there ain't no question that the two have the younker safe, +and I've no idee where to hunt fur him--but hold on!" + +The conviction, or rather suspicion, that the prison of the youth was +within the canyon returned to the hunter with redoubled force. Why had +he not searched there before? If it was a mistake, no harm could follow; +if it was not a mistake--well, he should see. + +Wondering at himself because of his oversight, he abandoned all attempt +to regain sight of the couple and headed for the break in the canyon. He +arrived only a brief while after Jack Dudley attempted and failed to +follow up the gorge, and except for the mishap of the youth the two +would have met within the following few minutes. It has already been +shown how narrowly they missed doing so. + +The familiarity of the cowman with the canyon averted the mistake made +by his young friend. He ascended it with scarcely any hesitation, +although in the dense gloom his vision was almost useless. It was +because of that that he well-nigh stepped upon the crouching figure +without suspecting it. Reaching the stone where Jack had been +overwhelmed by failure, the cowman paused for a minute and peered round +in the gloom. Not until he had glanced upward and studied the projecting +crags over his head as outlined against the starlit sky was he +absolutely sure of his location. That glance made everything clear. + +The next rock upon which it was necessary to leap was within easy reach, +and had Jack Dudley known its location he would have fallen into no +trouble. It lay to the left, close to the side of the canyon, and really +carried one no further up the gorge; but from its surface he readily +bounded to one beyond, and continued his leap-frog performance until he +had ascended another hundred yards. + +He was now close to the point he had in mind. It was there that he had +been picking his way when the wondering boys, looking down from the top, +saw him. Hazletine would have explained his action to them but for a +certain feeling of shame which was not unnatural. + +There had been rumors for years among the cattlemen of Southwestern +Wyoming of a cavern in the canyon which was studded with gold. Many +searches had been made for it, but without success. Hank Hazletine was +among those who engaged in the hunt, but neither he nor his friends +succeeded in finding the place. The veteran was not quite ready to +abandon hope, and when he found himself in the section once more, on the +hunt in which he acted as guide for the boys, he determined to make a +decisive exploration without letting any one know his secret. + +It was on this expedition that he succeeded in finding the cavern, but +his trained eye immediately told him the marvellous legend was a myth. +It was a romantic and picturesque spot, but there was not a grain of +auriferous metal or ore in sight. Hoping that a second cavern was in the +vicinity, he extended his search. When he emerged from the gorge, at the +point where the break occurred, it was with the certainty that the whole +thing was a fable. With a grim smile he dismissed the matter and +resolved not to think of it again. He felt that he had acted foolishly, +and his reluctance to tell his story to his young friends, therefore, +was only natural. + +But once more the cowman was on his way to the mysterious cavern, drawn +by the hope, rather than the belief, that it was there he would find +Fred Greenwood a prisoner and awaiting the completion of the bargain for +his release by his abductors. + +Determined to make no mistake, he halted under the projecting ledge and +spent several minutes in peering around in the gloom. It looked as if he +was right; but the darkness was too profound for him to make sure, and +even the scrutiny of the ribbon of sky that showed above the narrow +opening a thousand feet above his head failed to remove the last vestige +of doubt. + +Like the boys, Hank carried a rubber safe of matches. Producing this, he +struck one of the tiny bits on the corrugated bottom of the little black +box, and, shading the flame with his fingers from the moist wind caused +by the dashing waters, he glanced at his immediate surroundings. He had +strapped his Winchester to his back, and his arms were free. + +A thrill of pleasure went through him, for the first scrutiny showed he +was right. Directly over his head projected a thin ledge within ready +reach. It was what might be termed the doorstep to the cavern. He had +come to the exact spot for which he was searching. + +Flinging the extinguished match into the waters at his side, he reached +upward, and without difficulty drew himself upon the ledge. He was now +in front of the cavern which he had visited by daylight, and whose +interior was impressed so vividly on his memory that he knew every foot +of it. + +"Is the younker in there?" was the question he asked himself after +regaining his feet. To test the matter, he called his name. The fierce +torrent roared below and around him, but he was sure his words must have +penetrated into the dismal recesses. He repeated the call several times +without response. + +"It may be the younker is asleep, or, if he hears me, he may take me fur +Motoza; and yet that couldn't be, for our voices don't sound alike." + +Once more he produced his rubber safe and struck a match, holding the +twinkling flame above his head as he slowly moved forward into the +cavern. Before the light expired he had another, for he intended to make +his search thorough. + +The opening in the side of the canyon had a width of ten or twelve feet, +was of the same height, and extended back for more than double the +distance. Side, floor and roof were of irregular formation, and the +craggy stones rough and wet. Had there been any gleaming stalactites or +stalagmites in sight, the cause of the legend attaching to the place +would have been understood, but there was nothing of that nature. The +cavern was simply a rent in the side of the canyon wall, created by some +convulsion of nature, and all that was visible was damp limestone. + +By the time the visitor had burned three matches his examination of the +place was completed and he had made the discovery that he was the only +occupant. Fred Greenwood was not there, nor did the cavern show signs of +having been visited by person or animal. + +But hold! When Hank threw down the last expiring match, he caught a +glimpse of something white on the flinty floor. He had not thought of +looking for anything, and it was the accidental following of the match +with his gaze that revealed the object. Instantly another match was +sending out its feeble rays, and he stooped down and picked up that +which had arrested his attention. + +It was a piece of paper, apparently the blank leaf of a letter. There +was no writing or mark on it to indicate its ownership, but had it been +the visiting-card of Fred Greenwood, Hank Hazletine could not have been +more positive that it belonged to the young man. + +It was impossible that Motoza should carry writing-paper with him. The +cowman never did so, consequently he could not have dropped it on his +late visit. It was equally improbable that Bill Tozer had anything to do +with it. He knew that both of the boys had paper and pencils with them, +for he had seen them figuring over some problems they were discussing, +and with a thrill of conviction he remembered that the paper they used +was of precisely the same pattern as the piece he held in his hand. + +"The younker has been here, but what the mischief has become of him?" +and the mystified cowman looked right and left, on the floor and at the +roof, as if he suspected the youth was hiding in one of those places. + +An explanation suggested itself. After taking the lad to the cavern, his +captor from some cause had changed his mind and transferred him to +another place of confinement. + +No; there was another theory which would explain the mystery: it was +that Motoza, yielding to his implacable enmity of the youth, had placed +him beyond all reach of his friends. The spirit of revenge with an +American Indian is tenfold stronger than cupidity. It was not improbable +that the miscreant, having committed the unspeakable crime, was +concealing it from Tozer, his ally in the dreadful business. + +The work of the cowman was finished for the time. He carefully let +himself down from the ledge to the rock immediately beneath, and began +working his way through the canyon to the opening at the break. His +familiarity stood him in as good stead as before, and he reached the +place without mishap. Climbing the steep slope to the higher ground, he +sat down for a few minutes' thought. + +It was well into the night, and it was useless to attempt to do anything +more. He was as firmly resolved, however, as before not to be outwitted +by the ruffians with whom he was dealing. He would consent to no attempt +to pay them a ransom until he knew beyond peradventure that their part +of the contract would be fulfilled. + +"If they try any crooked work," he muttered, with deadly earnestness, +"both of 'em have got to settle with Hank Hazletine." + +He gave no thought to Jack Dudley, for he took it for granted that he +had been able to look out for himself during the day. Following the +route so well known to him, he reached the plateau within an hour after +the arrival of the youth, who had started a fire and was doing his best +to dry his clothing and gain some warmth for his chilled body. + +It need not be said that the cowman was interested in the story told by +the youth, and was astonished beyond measure to learn that both had +taken the same route, one actually passing the other without either +suspecting it. On his part, Hazletine related all that he had passed +through, and explained the reason of his ascent of the canyon some time +before, when he was observed by the wondering lads. + +Meanwhile, where was Fred Greenwood? + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +INTO THE CAVERN. + + +Hank Hazletine and Jack Dudley having failed to find the missing Fred +Greenwood, let us try our hand at the task. + +Going back to that afternoon when the elder youth from his concealment +on the crest of the ridge fired down into the little herd of antelope +grazing in the valley in front of him, and secured a supper for the two, +it will be remembered that Fred had started along the side of the +valley, with a view of placing himself beyond the game and rendering the +success of himself and friend certain. + +He never dreamed of danger to himself. His attention was fixed upon the +pretty animals, and, hungry as he was, he felt a sympathy for them, +knowing that in all probability one of the number would be sacrificed. +Nevertheless, he put forth the utmost pains to prevent their taking +alarm, and there is hardly a doubt that he would have succeeded in his +purpose but for the catastrophe which overtook him when half the +distance had been passed. + +Suddenly, while he was stealing forward in a crouching posture, a low, +threatening voice reached his ear. Only the single word, "_Stop!_" was +uttered, but it could not have startled the youth more than the whir of +a rattlesnake under his feet. Before he could straighten up he turned +his head like a flash. Not a rod distant, kneeling upon one knee, was +Motoza, the Sioux, with his Winchester aimed at him! + +Believing that he would press the trigger of his weapon the next moment, +Fred Greenwood was transfixed. He could only look at his enemy and await +the end. He was without the power to raise a finger in his own defence. + +"Drop gun!" commanded his master. The words showed the lad that he had a +few minutes at least to live, but the "drop" was on him and he promptly +obeyed. + +"Drop little gun!" added the Sioux, who never wavered in keeping his +rifle pointed at the chest of the young man. + +Fred withdrew his revolver and flung it at his feet. He was now without +a single firearm. An infant could not have been more helpless. + +As yet he had not spoken a word. He recalled the warning of Jack Dudley, +and knew the ferocious hatred this vagrant redskin held toward him. To +appeal for mercy would delight the miscreant and not aid the prisoner. +He tried another tack. + +"What do you want with me, Motoza?" + +The question pleased the Sioux, who, partly lowering his rifle, still +held it ready for instant use. His ugly countenance was broken by the +old grin. + +"Huh! You call Motoza tief, eh?" + +"That's what I called you, and that's what you are!" + +"Huh! Me kill you!" + +"_You_ can do that easily enough, but you'll never live to brag about +it. If the officers don't hang you, Hank Hazletine will make daylight +shine through your hide! He is only waiting for an excuse." + +"White man dog--me not afraid--me kill _him_!" said the Sioux, with a +dangerous glitter in his snake-like eyes. + +"You can't do it too soon. But what are you waiting for?" + +Motoza had not counted upon such defiance; but if it lessened his +contempt it did not diminish his hate nor weaken his purpose. + +"You go; me follow; me point rifle if you run; if you call, me shoot!" + +"Which way do you wish me to travel?" + +The Sioux pointed toward the bend in the valley for which Fred was +making when checked in this peremptory manner. To obey was to take him +further from his comrade, but he obeyed. + +As he moved off, Motoza picked up the two weapons from the ground, +thrusting the revolver into the girdle at his waist, while he carried +the Winchester in his other hand. Fred heard him a few paces in the +rear, as well as the repetition of his threats to fire on the least +attempt of the prisoner to regain his freedom or to attract the +attention of his friends. + +The youth never doubted that he would carry out this threat, and he +would have been a zany to draw the explosion of wrath. He walked forward +and did his best to obey the orders of his enemy in spirit and letter. + +The young man thought intently. The shock of the belief that instant +death impended was somewhat softened by the knowledge that the crisis +was deferred for a time at least, though it was impossible to guess for +how long. + +What was the ultimate intention of the Sioux? It seemed probable to Fred +that he was afraid to slay him at the spot of capture, since the body +would be sure of discovery by his friends, with a good chance of +learning the identity of the assassin. What more likely, therefore, than +that he was conducting him to some remote place, where his body would +never be found? + +It was not natural that an active, sturdy youth like Fred Greenwood +should submit to be led thus meekly to slaughter, but in what possible +way could he help himself? If he wheeled about to assail the buck he was +without a single weapon, while the Sioux was doubly armed. A glance over +his shoulder showed his enemy almost within arm's reach. + +Not the least trying feature of this extraordinary proceeding was that +Fred had to hear the report of Jack Dudley's rifle, followed by his +shouts, which plainly reached the ears of the one who dared make no +reply. He could only continue walking until the bend in the valley was +passed, when a change of direction took place. + +It was no longer necessary to conceal themselves from observation, for +there was no one to be feared. From the facts that afterward came to +light there is little doubt that Tozer and Motoza had held a conference +previous to the capture and fixed upon a definite line of procedure, for +otherwise it is not conceivable that the Sioux would have spared the +life of his captive. + +With numerous turnings, and with the sounds of Jack Dudley's shouts and +firing faintly reaching his ears, young Greenwood continued marching in +front of his captor long after the sun had set and night closed in. He +had lost all idea of the points of the compass, but the fact that the +tramp continued and that no harm was done him inspired the prisoner with +a degree of hope that was altogether lacking at the opening of his +strange adventure. + +Suddenly a roaring noise struck him, and a short distance further he +reached the break in the canyon with which he had become familiar. This +enabled him to locate himself, and he looked around to learn the further +wishes of his master. From the moment of starting Fred had been on the +alert for a chance to make a break for liberty, but none occurred. The +Sioux was too vigilant to tempt him. + +The long immunity from harm had given the lad a certain self-assurance. +As yet he had formed no suspicion of the real purpose of the Sioux, but, +somehow or other, he believed his own death was not likely to be +attempted for a number of hours to come. + +"Well, Motoza, here we are! What's the next step?" + +The Indian raised one of the hands grasping a Winchester and pointed +toward the canyon. + +"Go dere--jump on rock!" + +"My gracious! I can't do that!" + +"Den me kill!" + +As if angered beyond restraint, he made a leap toward the startled +youth, who recoiled a step, and, esteeming a death by drowning +preferable to the one which threatened him, made haste to reply: + +"All right; I'll try it." + +But it was necessary that the miscreant should give some instructions to +his prisoner. These were simple. He was to leap upon the rock nearest to +shore, and then, by the same means, ascend the canyon until ordered to +stop. From what has already been related concerning Jack Dudley's +experience, it will be seen that the task was difficult and dangerous. + +There was no choice, however. He had gained a general knowledge of the +canyon and felt almost certain he would be overtaken by accident; but in +many respects his experience was so similar to that which was afterward +undergone by his comrade that the particulars need not be dwelt upon. He +found the work less laborious than he expected. The Sioux by gesture +indicated the rocks, when they were not clear to the boy, who found no +trouble in making the leaps. In every case he had hardly landed when the +buck dropped lightly at his side. + +A desperate scheme was half-formed more than once while this singular +progress was going on. It was purposely to miss his footing and allow +himself to be carried away by the tumultuous torrent. He was restrained +by two good reasons. Motoza was likely to seize him before he was swept +beyond reach, and if he did not he would inevitably drown. Accordingly, +Fred kept at it until finally they reached the ledge up which Hank +Hazletine climbed twenty-four hours later. + +By this time a suspicion of the partial truth had penetrated the mind of +Fred. There must be some cavity in the rocks where his captor meant to +hold him for awhile as prisoner. The plan of securing a large ransom in +payment for his freedom was not dreamt of by the youth. No one would +think of looking in this place for him, and he would be secure for an +indefinite period. + +Motoza had learned several things from his association with those of +Caucasian blood, one of which was that a rubber match-safe is preferable +to rubbing two dry sticks together when in need of fire, or using the +old-fashioned steel and flint. + +He managed with some trouble to make Fred understand he was to climb up +the ledge, and he followed so deftly that the prisoner was given no +chance to try to prevent him. A minute after they stood side by side, +Motoza struck a match, and his captive had a glimpse of the cavern which +has already been described. + +Here, then, was the end of the journey. This was to be the prison of +Fred Greenwood until when? When was he to be released, or was he not to +be released at all? + +Passing well back in the gloom the two sat down, so far removed from the +roar and tumult of the torrent that they could talk without difficulty. +Fred was still apprehensive of some sudden violence from the Sioux, and, +though in the gloom he could see nothing of him, he was ready to make +the best struggle possible. + +"Am I to stay here, Motoza?" he asked, raising his voice to a high +pitch. + +Instead of replying directly, the Indian asked: + +"Huh! you fader hab heap money, eh?" + +This simple question revealed the whole plot and confirmed the statement +already made that the scheme for holding Fred Greenwood for ransom by +his relatives was arranged before his abduction took place. + +It was a great discovery for Fred Greenwood to make. On the instant +nearly all his fears vanished and his heart glowed with hope. This being +remembered, he can hardly be blamed for drawing matters with rather a +long bow. + +"Yes," he made haste to say, "my father has money; a hundred times more +than I have," all which was true without involving more than a moderate +sum. + +"He gib heap money fur _you_, eh?" + +"Of course; I come high." + +"He gib thousand--gib ten thousand--hundred thousand--million +dollar--eh?" + +"Well, that's a pretty good sum; I'm afraid my father wouldn't think I +am worth as much as that; but there's no doubt, Motoza, he will pay you +a good price; is it your plan to sell me to him?" + +The Sioux made no answer to this, though Fred repeated the question. The +sullen silence of the Indian brought back the misgivings of the captive. +He could not doubt that he had been abducted with a view of being +ransomed, but it was impossible to credit Motoza with the whole scheme. +He must have allies, and, knowing nothing of Bill Tozer, Fred suspected +that a half-dozen vagrant Indians, more or less, were engaged in it, +though it seemed singular that no one else had shown himself thus far. + +Although the prisoner had been in better spirits than would be +suspected, his situation was uncomfortable and he lost hope with the +passage of the hours. Motoza refused to hold any further conversation, +and was evidently brooding over something of an unpleasant nature. By +and by he lit his pipe and silently puffed. He was sitting on the flinty +floor, with his back against the side of the cavern and his legs thrust +out in front of him. + +Now and then, when he drew a little harder on the pipe, the glow in the +bowl revealed the tip of his nose, a part of the painted forehead, and +the glittering black eyes. It was a gruesome picture, for, even when he +was invisible, it seemed to Fred he could see the gleam of those eyes +fixed upon him. + +"Now, I know he hates me beyond expression," mused the youth, "and +nothing would delight him more than to torture me to death. If he agrees +to give me my liberty, it will be just like him to kill me as soon as he +gets the money which father will gladly pay for my safety." + +It will be seen that the trend of Fred's thoughts was similar to those +of Hank Hazletine, when considering the same matter. Whatever project +might be in the minds of others, the youth would be in danger so long as +he was in the power of the wretch whom he had unpardonably insulted. + +Naturally, Fred had asked himself more than once whether it was possible +for him to make his escape from the cavern. It was out of the question +so long as the Sioux was his companion, but if he should leave him +alone, even for a short time, the youth was resolved to make the +attempt. + +These and similar thoughts were chasing one another through his brain +when he fell asleep. He was very tired from his long tramp and did not +open his eyes until the faint light of morning penetrated his prison. He +had not forgotten to wind his watch, and when he looked at it he saw to +his astonishment that it was nearly eight o'clock. He had slept for more +than ten hours. + +The next cause of his surprise was to find he was alone. Motoza had left +while he was asleep, though how long previous it was impossible to +guess. But the hunger which Fred Greenwood had felt on more than one +previous occasion was as naught compared to the ravenous appetite that +now had possession of him. It was a long time since he had eaten, and it +looked as if it would be a long time before he ate again. There was +absolutely nothing in the cavern beside himself. He felt in his pockets +in the weak hope of finding a forgotten fish-hook that could be used, +though he possessed nothing in the nature of bait; but, inasmuch as he +had not brought a hook with him, it would not do to say he succeeded in +his search, though he displaced the piece of writing-paper afterward +found by his friend. + +Forcing all thought of food from him for the time, he asked why, now +that his gaoler was absent, he should not pick his way down the canyon +and make a break for liberty. At the same time he could not forget that +one of the most improbable acts of the Sioux would be to give him any +chance at all to escape. + +It was more than likely that Motoza had laid the temptation in his way, +that it might serve him as a pretext for shooting his prisoner. Fred +resolved, therefore, to be careful in all that he did. The necessity of +drinking and bathing his face was his excuse for walking out to the +border of the ledge and letting himself down to the rock underneath. +There he dipped up what water he needed in the palms of his hands, and +while doing so scanned every part of the canyon in his field of vision. + +He noted the narrow strip of sky far aloft, the tumbling waters above +and below where he stood, the black boulders protruding their heads +above the torrent which flung itself fiercely against them, the craggy +walls of the canyon, but nowhere did he catch sight of the Sioux who had +brought him hither. None the less, Fred felt so certain his black eyes +were watching him from some hidden point that he did not yield to the +temptation to leap to the nearest boulder and start on his flight for +liberty. Instead, he grasped the margin of the ledge and drew himself up +to his former place. + +There, however, he paused with folded arms and surveyed the strange +scene more leisurely than before. He was anxious to discover the Sioux +if anywhere in sight, but the fellow did not show himself. + +The roar of the canyon had been in his ears so long that it seemed like +silence, and it had lulled him to sleep hours before. He was still +suffering from hunger and longed for the return of his captor, for he +thought he would bring food with him. + +Providentially the lad had stood in this position but a short time when +he looked aloft toward the sky. At the moment of doing so he uttered an +exclamation of affright and leaped back into the mouth of the cavern. +The next instant a boulder that must have weighed a ton crashed upon the +ledge where he had been standing, splintered off a number of pieces, and +plunged into the torrent below. + +Fred did not try to make himself believe that the falling of this mass +of stone was an accident. Motoza or one of his allies had been on the +watch above for the appearance of the youth, and when the boulder had +been adjusted as well as possible it was tumbled over into the canyon. +Had Fred remained on the spot a few moments longer he would have been +crushed like an insect under the wheel of a steam-engine. + +It was a startling occurrence, and in his weakened condition made him so +faint that he withdrew still further into the cavern and sat down, +trembling like a leaf. His hunger had vanished and hope almost departed. + +"It will not do for me to leave the cavern in the daytime, for he is +waiting for me to do so. I can't do it at night without some one to +guide me. He means to keep me here until I die of starvation." + +Fred had come really to believe this. He knew enough of Indian nature to +understand that the race rarely inflict instant death upon an enemy when +it is in their power to subject him to torture or slay in some horrible +fashion. Motoza had not slain him before because he was unwilling that +the one whom he hated so intensely should receive such mercy. It would +be a hundredfold sweeter to the Sioux to see his prisoner dying by +inches. + +"If he has a plan for making father pay a ransom for me it will take a +number of days to bring the thing to an end. During all that time I am +to be left without a morsel of food; he would deprive me of water, too, +if he could." + +It was a shocking conclusion to form, but the usually clear-headed boy +became convinced he was right. + +"Poor Jack must be worried almost to death," he murmured, sitting on the +stones and giving rein to his fancies; "he will know that something has +gone wrong with me, but he can never know what it was. Hank will lay it +to Motoza, for he has said there is nothing too wicked for him to do, +but the cowman has no way of finding what has become of me, and he can't +make Motoza tell him. He and Jack may hunt for weeks without suspecting +where I am." + +In this declaration Fred Greenwood, as is known, was not quite correct, +though the search of his friends was fruitless. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +A CLIMB FOR LIBERTY. + + +A youth in the situation of Fred Greenwood cannot reason clearly, even +though he be right in his main conclusions. He had settled into the +belief that Motoza, the Sioux, had determined to subject him to a +lingering death through starvation; and yet if it were he--as +undoubtedly it was--who rolled the boulder into the canyon, it indicated +a wish to put the most sudden end possible to his existence. + +It would be painful to attempt to describe the experience of the lad in +the cavern at the side of the canyon. As is often the case, his hunger +diminished and was succeeded by a dull indifference, in which the +suffering of the mind outweighed that of the body. The dreadful day at +last drew to an end, and his situation and condition were much the same +as earlier in the forenoon. He had not seen a living person, and had +given over all hope of another visit from his merciless enemy. + +"He means that I shall perish for want of food, and there is no help for +it." + +But with the coming of darkness the energy of the boy's nature asserted +itself. It was impossible now for the Sioux or his allies to maintain a +watch upon the mouth of the cavern, where the lad was observed the +moment he showed himself, and Fred determined that as soon as it was +fairly dark he would make an attempt that should be crowned with success +or that would end his sufferings and wretchedness. + +His plan was to let himself down from the ledge to the top of the +nearest rock, and then try to reach the break in the canyon as he had +ascended it under the guidance of his captor. It was not to be supposed +that the vigilant Motoza would leave the way open for him, though his +actions pointed to the belief that it was utterly impossible for the +prisoner to escape by that means. + +Nor in truth was it possible, for in the impenetrable gloom he was +certain to miss his foothold sooner or later and be flung into the +torrent, with no possibility of the good fortune that attended Jack +Dudley, who had a much less distance to traverse. + +It was yet early in the evening when Fred came once more and for the +last time to the front of the cavern. With that attention to trifling +matters which a person sometimes shows in the most trying crises he +wound up his watch, examined his clothing to see that everything was +right, adjusted his hat so that it was not likely to be displaced, and +looked out in the gloom. All that he could see was when he gazed upward +and observed a few stars twinkling in the thin streak of sky. + +"Two things are certain," he mused: "that Indian does not think it +possible for me to make my way out of the canyon; and, if I should +succeed, he will be on the watch for me and shoot or try to force me to +return. He shall never get me back here, for I will take the risk of +drowning, and then----" + +A thought flashed through him like an inspiration and fairly took away +his breath. + +Why not climb the side of the canyon? + +He was so overcome by the question, which seemed born of heaven, that he +stood dazed and bewildered. Then he became cool again and asked: + +"Is it possible?" + +He recalled that Hank Hazletine had told him he had done it during the +daytime, and it must have been somewhere in this neighborhood. The task +would seem easy if the sun were shining, but if it were shining Fred +Greenwood would not have been permitted to make the attempt. + +He was convinced of another thing: the depth of the canyon had been +repeatedly referred to as being a thousand feet, but there were places +where it was less than half that extent, and he remembered a depression +in the earth, almost directly overhead, which must have lessened the +prodigious height found at other points. + +Nevertheless, a climb of several hundred feet up the perpendicular side +of a canyon or mountain wall is severe work to the most powerful and +best trained man, and its formidable nature was proved by the fact that +some of the cowmen would not try it by daylight. + +Nothing could be clearer than that Motoza had not hesitated to leave his +prisoner alone in the cavern for the reason that he was certain he could +not effect his escape therefrom. The last means the youth would think of +employing was that of climbing the side; therefore, as Fred reasoned, +that was the very means to adopt, and the only one that could possibly +succeed. + +"I'll try it!" was his conclusion, after a few minutes' thought. + +Before setting out on the unparalleled task he fervently asked the help +of the only One who could extricate him from his peril. Then he summoned +his strength and courage to the tremendous work. + +His dread now was that Motoza would put in an appearance before he was +clear of the mouth of the cavern. Had the lad thought of the daring +scheme earlier in the day he would have studied the stupendous stairs +upon which all his hopes now rested, but it was too late to think of +that. + +Reaching upward, he grasped one of the projecting points of rock and +drew himself clear of the opening in front of the cavern. Naturally +muscular and active, with all his nerves in superb control, the effort +was trifling. Within less time than would be supposed he had climbed +fully fifty feet without meeting with any difficulty. Then the first +thrill of alarm shot through him as one foot slipped and he narrowly +missed falling. + +He found a good place to rest, and immediately adopted a sensible +precaution. Removing both shoes, he tied the strings together and slung +them over his shoulder, with the fastening under his chin. This would +make it rough for his stockinged feet, but it was worth it all. He was +not discommoded by rifle or pistol, and could not have been better +prepared for climbing. + +He felt as yet no fatigue, and resumed his work as soon as he was ready. +If he continued to find projections such as he had found thus far, there +was no reason why he should not reach the level ground above in safety. +As an evidence of how fate sometimes plays fast and loose with us, it is +certain that Hank Hazletine entered the cavern while his young friend +was climbing the wall overhead, without either dreaming of the actual +situation. + +Fred Greenwood, at the beginning of his climb for liberty, was subjected +to a peculiar peril. He had rested but a moment, when he was seized with +an extraordinary "panicky" feeling. He was sure that Motoza was standing +on the ledge below, peering upward in the gloom, and holding his rifle +ready to fire at him on the instant he could make his aim certain. + +Like all such emotions, it was opposed to common sense. According to his +belief it was out of the power of the Sioux to obtain the most shadowy +glimpse of him, and the youth ought to have felt as secure against being +picked off as if in his home, hundreds of miles away; but the feeling +for a time was uncontrollable, and, yielding to it, he began frantically +climbing, never abating his efforts until he had gone fully fifty feet +higher. By that time he was all a-tremble, and so weak that he was +forced to pause for rest. Thus far he had been extremely fortunate in +meeting with no difficulty, the projections affording abundant support +for hands and feet. Moreover, he had again attained a ledge where he was +able to sustain himself with comparative ease. + +He paused, panting, trembling and exhausted. Thrusting out his head as +far as was safe, he looked downward. Nothing but impenetrable gloom met +his eye. He could hear the torrent rushing against the rocks and +boulders in its path, and flinging itself against the walls of the +canyon, but he could distinguish nothing, and his strong sense now came +to his rescue. + +"If he is down there he cannot see me; he will not dream I have started +to climb the wall, and therefore will not follow. If he does, he must +appear below me, and I will kick him loose the minute I see him. How +foolish to be afraid!" + +In a few minutes his nerves became calmer, but he began to realize the +nature of the terrifying task before him. There was no thought of +retreat on his part, and he was determined to keep on, so long as the +work was possible. + +His feet were paining him, and were certain to pain him a good deal more +before he reached the top; but healthy, rugged youth has elastic +muscles, and in a short time Fred was ready to resume his work. His +panic was gone, and he exerted himself with the deliberate care which he +should have shown from the first. + +As nearly as he could judge he had climbed some twenty paces, when he +was startled, upon extending his hand upward, to encounter only the +smooth face of the wall. Hitherto there had been more projections than +he required, but now the steps appeared to vanish, leaving him without +any support. + +Could it be he would have to abandon his effort after making so fine a +start? Must he pick his way down the side of the canyon, again, to the +cavern, and there meekly resume the torture of waiting for death from +starvation? Failure was too terrible to be thought of, and he resumed +his searching for the indispensable support. + +Certainly there was nothing directly above him that would serve, and he +passed his right hand to one side. Ah! he caught the sharp edge, after +groping for a few seconds. Leaning over, he reached out as far as +possible and found the projection extended indefinitely. + +"It will do!" he muttered, with a thrill, and, without pausing to +reflect upon the fearful risk of the thing, he swung himself along, +sustained for an instant by his single hand; but the other was +immediately alongside of it, and it was easy to hold himself like a +pendulum swaying over the frightful abyss. But there was nothing upon +which to rest his feet. He did not wish anything, and, swinging +sideways, threw one leg over the ledge beside his hands, and, +half-rolling over, raised himself securely for the time on his perch. + +"Gracious!" he exclaimed, pausing from the effort; "if I had stopped to +think, I shouldn't have dared to try it. If this ledge had been smaller +I shouldn't have found room for my body, and there is no way of getting +back to the stone on which I was standing. I _must_ go on now, for I +cannot go back." + +It was plain sailing for a few minutes. The flinty excrescences were as +numerous as ever, and he never paused in his ascent until prudence +whispered that it was wise to take another breathing spell. It was a +source of infinite comfort to feel that when he thus checked himself he +was not compelled to do so for lack of support. + +There was no way of determining how far he had climbed, and he based his +calculation on hope rather than knowledge. The roar of the canyon was +notably fainter, and, when he looked aloft, the ribbon of starlit sky +appeared nearer than at first. There could be no doubt that he was +making his ascent at the most favorable point, for the height was much +less than at most of the other places, and he believed this was the +portion where Hank Hazletine had climbed from the bottom to the top of +the gorge. Could he have been certain of the latter, all misgiving would +have vanished. + +Not a trace of his panic remained. If Motoza had returned to the cavern, +and, discovering the flight of his prisoner, set out to follow him, +there was little prospect of his success, for the fugitive had varied +from a direct line, and the Sioux might pass within arm's length without +being aware of the fact. + +There was one peril to which Fred was exposed, and it was fortunate it +never entered his mind. Supposing Motoza was standing on the ledge at +the bottom of the canyon and gazing upward, weapon in hand, it was quite +probable that he would be able to locate the youth. This would be not +because of any superiority of vision, but because of that patch of sky +beyond, acting as a background for the climber. With his inky figure +thrown in relief against the stars, his enemy could have picked him off +as readily as if the sun were shining. + +This possibility, we say, did not present itself to Fred Greenwood, and, +more providential than all, Motoza was not in the canyon. + +The slipping of one foot tore most of the sole from the stocking, and +his foot had henceforth no protection against the craggy surface. + +"I don't mind the stocking," grimly reflected the youth, "for there is +another pair in camp and plenty of them at the ranch, but how it hurts!" + +He would have been altogether lacking in the pluck he had displayed thus +far had he been deterred by physical suffering from pushing his efforts +to the utmost. He would have kept on through torture tenfold worse, and +he showed himself no mercy. + +Few people who have not been called upon to undertake such a work can +form an idea of its exhausting nature. It would be hard to think of +anyone better prepared than Fred Greenwood to stand the terrific draught +upon his strength; but while a long way from the top, and while there +was no lack of supports for his hands and feet, and in the face of his +unshakable resolve, he was compelled to doubt his success. It seemed as +if the dizzy height did not diminish. When he had climbed for a long +time and stopped, panting and suffering, the stars appeared to be as far +away as ever. He felt as if he ought to have been out of the ravine long +before, but the opening looked to be as unattainable as at the +beginning. + +His whole experience was remarkable to that extent that it can be +explained only on the ground that the intense mental strain prevented +his seeing things as they were. He had subjected his muscles to such a +tension that he was obliged to pause every few minutes and rest. One of +his feet was scarified and bleeding, and the other only a little better. +When he looked upward his heart sank, for a long distance still +interposed between him and the ground above. + +"I must have picked the place where the canyon is deepest," was his +despairing conclusion; "I feel hardly able to hang on, and would not +dare do what I did further below." + +He now yielded to a curious whim. Instead of continually gazing at the +sky, that he might measure the distance remaining to be traversed, he +resolved not to look at it at all until he had climbed a long way. He +hoped by doing this to discover such a marked decrease in the space that +it would reanimate him for the remaining work. + +Accordingly he closed his eyes, and, depending on the sense of feeling +alone, which in truth was his reliance from the first, he toiled +steadily upward. Sometimes he had to grope with his hands for a minute +or two before daring to leave the support on which his feet rested, but +one of his causes for astonishment and thankfulness was that such aids +seemed never to be lacking. + +He continued this blind progress until his wearied muscles refused to +obey further. He must rest or he would drop to the bottom from +exhaustion. He hooked his right arm over the point of a rock, sat upon a +favoring projection below, and decided to wait until his strength was +fully restored. + +He could not resist the temptation to look up and learn how much yet +remained to do. + +Could he believe his senses? He was within a dozen feet of the top! + +He gasped with amazement, grew faint, and then was thrilled with hope. +He even broke into a cheer, for the knowledge was like nectar to the +traveller perishing of thirst in the desert--it was life itself. + +All pain, all suffering, all fatigue were forgotten in the blissful +knowledge. He bent to his work with redoubled vigor. If the supports +continued, his stupendous task was virtually ended. + +And they did continue. Not once did the eagerly-feeling hands fail to +grasp a projection of some form which could be made to serve his +purpose. Up, up he went, until the clear, cool air fanned his temples, +when, with a last effort, he drew himself from the canyon, and, plunging +forward on his face, fainted dead away. + +He lay in a semi-conscious condition for nearly an hour. Then, when his +senses slowly returned, he raised himself to a sitting position and +looked around. It was too early for the moon, and the gloom prevented +his seeing more than a few paces in any direction. + +But how the pain racked him! It seemed as if every bone was aching and +every muscle sore. The feet had been wholly worn from each stocking, and +his own feet were torn and bleeding. He had preserved his shoes, but +when he came to put them on he groaned with anguish. His feet were so +swollen that it was torture to cover them, and he could not tie the +strings; but they must be protected, and he did not rise until they were +thus armored. + +He was without any weapons, but the torment of his wounds drove that +fact from his mind. All that he wanted now was to get away from the spot +where he could not help believing he was still in danger of recapture. +But when he stood erect and the agony shot through his frame, he asked +himself whether it was possible to travel to the plateau without help; +and yet the effort must be made. + +He had a general knowledge of his situation, and, bracing himself for +the effort, he began the work. It was torture from the first, but after +taking a few steps his system partly accommodated itself to the +requirement and he progressed better than he anticipated. He was still +on the wrong side of the canyon, which it was necessary to leave before +rejoining his friends. He was wise enough to distrust his own capacity +after the fearful strain, and did not make the attempt until he found a +place where the width was hardly one-half of the extent leaped by him +and Jack Dudley. As it was, the jump, into which he put all his vigor, +landed him just clear of the edge, a fact which did much to lessen the +sharp suffering caused by alighting on his feet. + +He yearned to sit down and rest, but was restrained by the certainty +that it would make his anguish more intense when he resumed his tramp +toward camp. Furthermore, as he believed himself nearing safety, his +impatience deepened and kept him at work when he should have ceased. + +As he painfully trudged along, his thoughts reverted to his climb up the +side of the canyon and he shuddered; for, now that it was over, he could +not comprehend how he dared ever make the effort. Not for the world +would he repeat it, even by daylight. + +"Heaven brought me safely through," was his grateful thought. + +But as he drew near the plateau his musings turned thither. He had +counted upon finding Jack Dudley and the guide there; but they might be +miles away, and he would not see them for days. He knew he needed +attention from his friends and could not sustain himself much longer. If +he should be unable to find them---- + +But all these gloomy forebodings were scattered a few minutes later by +the glimmer of the camp-fire on the other side of the plateau. One of +his friends at least must be there, and providentially it proved that +both were present. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +HOW IT ALL ENDED. + + +At last the clothing of Jack Dudley was dried, and he felt thoroughly +comfortable in body. While he was employed in the pleasant task, Hank +Hazletine went away in quest of food. It took time and hard work to find +it, but his remarkable skill as a hunter enabled him to do so, and when +he returned he brought enough venison to serve for the evening and +morning meal. No professor of the culinary art could have prepared the +meat more excellently than he over the bed of live coals. The odor was +so appetizing that the youth was in misery because of his impatience, +but the guide would not let him touch a mouthful until the food was done +"to the queen's taste." Then they had their feast. + +And yet the two were oppressed by thoughts of the absent one. The +attempts of his friends during the day to help or to get trace of Fred +Greenwood had been brought to naught, and it looked as if they would +have to consent to the humiliating terms of Tozer and Motoza, with +strong probability that the missing youth was never again to be seen +alive. + +"I think, Hank," said Jack, when the cowman had lit his pipe, "that we +should run no more risks." + +"How can we help it?" + +"When you meet Tozer to-morrow morning by appointment, tell him the +price he asks will be paid, but everything must be square and above +board." + +The guide looked at his companion a moment in silence. Then he said: + +"If you'll turn the matter over in your mind, younker, you'll see that +this bus'ness can't be put through without giving the scamps the chance +to swindle us the worst sort of way. They won't give up the boy on our +promise to pay 'em the money and no questions asked, for they don't +b'leve we'll do it; so we've got to give 'em the money and trust to +their honor to keep their part. Trust to their _honor_," repeated Hank, +with all the scorn he could throw into voice and manner; "as if they +knowed what it means." + +"I know from what you have said that Tozer and Motoza are cunning, +but----" + +In order to receive all the warmth possible, Jack Dudley was sitting +within the cavern and facing outward, while his companion faced him, +with his back toward the plateau and mountains beyond. Jack suddenly +broke off his remark, for in the gloom behind the cowman he saw +something move. That something quickly took the form of a white-faced, +exhausted youth trudging painfully forward and ready to sink to the +ground with weakness. + +"Heavens! can it be?" gasped Jack, half-rising to his feet and staring +across the camp-fire. The next moment, and while Hazletine was looking +in the same direction, as astounded as the youth, the elder made one +bound and was at the side of Fred Greenwood, whom he caught in his arms +as he sagged downward in a state of utter collapse. + +In the course of the following hour everything was made clear. Under the +tender ministrations of Jack Dudley and Hank Hazletine the returned +wanderer recovered to a great degree his strength, and to the fullest +degree his naturally buoyant spirits. The faint odor of the broiling +meat which lingered in the air awoke his ravenous appetite, but knowing +how long he had been without food, the cowman would not permit him to +eat more than a tithe of what he craved. After a time he gave him more, +until his appetite was fairly well satisfied. + +"Jack," said Fred, with something of his old waggishness, as he looked +across the fire into the face of his comrade, "let's go home." + +"You forget that we have a month's vacation, and it is hardly half gone. +We can stay another week and then be sure of being back to school in +time. You lamented more than I because we could not have a longer +play-spell. Your sentiments have changed." + +The younger lad pointed to his feet. + +"There's the reason. If I were like you I shouldn't think of leaving +this delightful country until the last day; but I shall need all the +vacation to get on my feet again. Do you comprehend?" + +"Yes; your demonstration is logical. True, you have lost your rifle and +pistol, the same as myself, but we could get others at the ranch, and no +doubt meet with plenty more enjoyable adventures, but not as you are. I +shall be very willing to start home with you to-morrow morning. What do +you think of it, Hank?" + +"I'm blamed sorry this bus'ness has to wind up as it does, but there's +no help fur it, and we'll leave fur the ranch after breakfast." + +"Will you keep your appointment with Tozer?" + +"I've been thinking of that; yes, I'll meet him." + +There was a peculiar intonation in these words that caused both boys to +look into that bearded face, but they could not be sure of his meaning. + +It was Fred who spoke: + +"Hank, there is one matter as to which I cannot feel certain; I want +your opinion of it." + +"Wal, I'm listening." + +"After Motoza forced me into the cavern at the side of the canyon he +went off and has not returned yet, unless he did so after I left. Now, +why didn't he go back?" + +"Why should he go back? He felt sartin there was no way fur you to git +out, and if I'd been told that your only chance was to climb the wall +I'd 'greed with him, though you struck the spot where I done it myself." + +"He must have known I hadn't a mouthful of food?" + +"He couldn't help knowing it." + +"The question in my mind is this: what he said to me, as well as what +you have told, proves that he understood the whole scheme of my being +ransomed. Tozer must have known where I was; he knew that to bring the +ransom business to a head would require several days, even with the use +of the telegraph; they expected me to stay in the cavern all the time. +How long would they have left me there without bringing me anything to +eat?" + +"They'd never brought you anything." + +"Then when the time came to surrender me to my friends I should have +been dead." + +The cowman nodded his head. + +"There ain't no doubt of that." + +"And they couldn't have carried out their part of the agreement." + +"Which the same they knowed." + +"But it seems unreasonable. It would have placed both in peril, from +which I cannot see how it was possible for them to escape. If they gave +me up after receiving the money they would be safe against punishment. +Why, then, should they place themselves in such great danger when they +had nothing to gain and all to lose by doing so? That is what I can't +understand, and I am sure my brain has become clearer." + +It was the same view of the question that had puzzled Jack Dudley, and +the two boys listened with interest to the explanation of the veteran. + +"Tozer of himself would turn you over sound in limb and body; but, since +it was the Sioux who done all the work, as you have showed us, Bill had +to make a sort of compromise with the villain, and that compromise was +that you should be left with Motoza till the hour come fur you to be +produced. That was the price Bill had to pay Motoza fur what he done. It +wasn't Tozer, but the Sioux, that was fixing things so as to starve you +to death." + +The cowman spoke with a deliberation and seriousness that left no doubt +he believed every word uttered, and the boys were convinced he was +right. + +"Bill is as mean as they make 'em," added Hazletine, "but he'd rather +grab a pile of money than kill a chap he don't like. It's t'other way +with the Sioux. He likes money well 'nough, fur he knows it'll buy +firewater, but the sweetest enjoyment he can have is to revenge himself +on a person he hates, and from what I've heard he hates you as hard as +he knows how." + +"There is no doubt of that," said Jack; "I shall never forget the +expression of his face when Fred made him give up my rifle." + +Fred was thoughtful a moment, and then asked: + +"Hank, what do you mean to do about Tozer?" + +"Wal, until I larned your story I was fixed to shoot him on sight." + +"But what of the agreement you would have to make before he gave me up?" + +"I'd kept that the same as the other folks, but it wouldn't be long +afore I'd git a chance to pick a quarrel with him over other matters, +and then it would be him or me; and," added the cowman, with a grim +smile, "I don't think it would be me." + +"Do you still hold to that resolve?" + +"I can't say that I do. I don't see that Bill meant any hurt except to +make some money out of you, and he couldn't help taking chances on that. +If he could have had his way he'd turned you over to us as well as when +you left; so I think I'll wait to see what his next trick is to be afore +I draw a bead on him. I'll take another plan--I'll give him the laugh." + +"Give him the laugh!" repeated the wondering Jack Dudley; "what do you +mean by that?" + +"I'll meet him here to-morrer morning, and, after we've talked a while, +let him see you or know how things stand, and then I'll just laugh at +him till I drop to the ground and roll over on my back. Won't he feel +cheap?" + +The conceit was so odd that both boys smiled. + +"That certainly is a curious way to punish a man for doing a wrong. It +seems to me that, since he had so much to do with abducting Fred, he +ought to be arrested, tried, and punished. He should be made to suffer +for his crime." + +Hank showed his hard sense by replying: + +"I don't deny that, but there's no way of punishing him. He hasn't done +a thing fur which you could make the court say he's guilty. The younker +there that spent more time than he liked in the canyon has never even +seed Bill Tozer. What reason, then, has he fur saying Bill had anything +to do with the bus'ness?" + +"Didn't he admit as much to you?" + +"Not a word! He give himself away in his talk, but whenever he said +anything 'bout things he reminded me it was all guesswork." + +"Could not Motoza be made to swear against him?" + +"He might, and he might not. If he did, why, Bill would swear t'other +way, and make it look as if he was trying to play the friend for the +younker. It would be like some folks, after the thing was over, +proposing to buy Bill a gold medal fur showing himself such a good and +noble man. No; my plan is best. When I give him the laugh he'll feel +worse than if he was sent up fur ten years." + +"It looks as if there is no other way of punishing him," remarked Fred; +"but the case is different with Motoza." + +"Wal, _rather_!" + +It would be impossible to convey a true idea of the manner of Hank +Hazletine when he uttered these words. He nodded his head, clinched his +free hand, and his eyes seemed to flash fire. + +"Do you mean to kill him, Hank?" + +"O, no," was the scornful response; "I'm going to take his hand and tell +him how much I love him. I'll wipe the paint off one cheek, so as to +make room fur a brotherly kiss. I'll send him to your folks, that you +may have him for a playmate. He'll be so sweet and nice among the little +younkers. _That's_ what I'll do with dear Motoza!" + +It was impossible not to read the terrible purpose that lay behind all +this. The boys made no mistake. Jack Dudley shuddered, but was silent. +He knew the miscreant richly merited the threatened retribution, and yet +he wished it were not impending. + +Surely, if anyone was justified in calling down vengeance upon the head +of the vagrant Sioux it was his victim--he who had felt his hatred, and +whose physical sufferings must remind him of the same for weeks to come. +But Fred Greenwood was in a gracious and forgiving mood. His heart +throbbed when he recalled what he had so recently passed through, but he +could not lose sight of the blessed fact that he _had_ passed through it +all. He was with his beloved comrade again, not much the worse for his +experience. In truth he was a little homesick, and was stirred with +sweet delight at the thought that, if all went well, he should be with +his parents within the coming week. + +And yet he was oppressed by the thought that one of the results of his +short visit to Wyoming was to be the death of a human being. He was sure +he could never shake off the remembrance, and should he ever wish to +return in the future to renew his hunt under more favorable conditions, +the memory would haunt him. It mattered not that the wretch deserved to +be executed for the crime, in the commission of which he had been +interrupted before he could complete it. He was a savage, a heathen, a +barbarian, who was following the light as he understood it. Why, +therefore, should not mercy be shown to him? + +There are many things which Jack Dudley and Fred Greenwood have done +during their youthful lives that are creditable to them, but there is +none which gives the two greater pleasure than the remembrance of the +moral victory gained in their argument with Hank Hazletine. Fred opened +the plea, and his comrade quickly rallied to his help. Their aim was to +convince their guide that it was wrong for him to carry out his purpose +regarding the Sioux. That the fellow should be punished was not to be +questioned, but it should be done in a legitimate way and by the +constituted authorities. Hazletine insisted that the conditions were +such that Motoza would never be thus punished, at least not to the +extent he ought to be; therefore, it was the duty of Hazletine to attend +to the matter himself. + +The argument lasted for two hours. The boys were able, bright and +ingenious, but they had _truth_ on their side, and by and by the grim +cowman showed signs of weakening. What knocked the props from under him +was the fact which he was compelled to admit that the Sioux was only +following the teachings he had received from infancy; that he lacked the +light and knowledge with which Hazletine had been favored; that it was +the duty of the white people to educate, civilize and Christianize the +red men, who have been treated with cruel injustice from the very +discovery of our country. + +It cannot be said that the guide yielded with good grace, but yield he +did, and the victory was secured. He pledged the boys not to offer any +harm to Motoza for his last crime, and indeed would never harm him, +unless it should become necessary in self defence. + +"But I s'pose you hain't any 'bjection to my giving the laugh to Bill?" +he said, with ludicrous dismay; "there ain't nothing wrong in _that_, is +there?" + +"Nothing at all," replied the pleased Fred; "we shall enjoy it as much +as you." + +"Which the same being the case, it's time you went to sleep; I'll keep +watch and call you when I git ready." + +Bidding their friend good-night, the boys wrapped themselves in their +blankets and speedily sank into slumber. + +The kind-hearted guide did not disturb either, and when they opened +their eyes the sun was in the sky. Fred Greenwood was in a bad shape +with his swollen and lacerated feet, but his naturally rugged frame +recovered rapidly from the trying strain to which it had been subjected. +He proved that his appetite was as vigorous as ever, and was eager to +reach the ranch with the least possible delay. Hank promised him no time +should be wasted. + +A lookout was kept for Bill Tozer, the boys remaining in the cavern, +where they could not be seen. There was the possibility, of course, that +the man had learned of the escape of the young prisoner, but all doubt +was removed when, at the appointed time, he appeared on the edge of the +plateau and strode confidently to the point where Hazletine, just +outside the cavern, awaited his coming. + +The two shook hands and immediately got down to business. The scamp felt +that he commanded the situation and he was disposed to push matters. + +"I've been thinking over what you said yesterday," remarked the guide, +"and have made up my mind that I can't do it." + +"You can't, eh? It's the only thing you _can_ do; Motoza insists that +the price shall be ten thousand dollars, but I'll stick by the original +agreement and call it half that sum." + +"Let me see," said the cowman, thoughtfully; "you promise to give us +back the younker safe and sound, provided his friends hand you five +thousand dollars?" + +"That's it; you understand the whole business. You know, of course, +Hank, that I'm only acting as the friend----" + +"Don't git over any more of that stuff, Bill. Are we to give you the +money afore you produce the younker?" + +"Certainly; that's the only way to do business." + +"S'pose you bring him, and then I'll ask his folks if they want to make +you a present of five thousand dollars--how'll _that_ work?" + +Tozer broke into laughter. + +"You ought to be ashamed to talk such nonsense. The only way by which +you can see your young friend again is to hand us the money, give a +pledge not to ask any questions or try to punish Motoza or me----" + +The jaw of the man suddenly dropped and he ceased speaking, for at that +moment he saw Jack Dudley and his limping companion walk out from the +cavern and smilingly approach. + +The whole truth flashed upon him. He was outwitted as he had never been +outwitted before in all his life. Without speaking a syllable, he +wheeled around and started at a rapid stride across the plateau toward +the point where he had first appeared, with feelings which it is +impossible to imagine. + +And didn't Hank Hazletine "give him the laugh?" He bent over with mirth, +staggering backward until he had to place his hand against the side of +the cavern to save himself from falling. It really seemed as if his +uproarious mirth must have penetrated a mile in every direction, and it +did not cease until some minutes after the discomfited victim had +disappeared. Jack and Fred laughed, too, until their sides ached; and +who shall deny that there was not full cause for their merriment? + +An hour later, the ponies, saddled and bridled, were threading their way +out of the foot-hills for the ranch, which was reached without further +incident. There the boys remained several days until Fred had recovered +to a large extent from his hurts, when they rode to the station at Fort +Steele, where they shook hands with the honest Hank Hazletine and bade +him good-by. + +And thus it came about that on the first Monday in the following +November Jack Dudley and Fred Greenwood were in their respective seats +at school, as eager and ambitious to press their studies as they had +been to visit Bowman's ranch, in Southwestern Wyoming, in which ranch, +by the way, they advised Mr. Dudley to retain his half-ownership. + +"It's worth all it cost you, father," said Jack, "and perhaps one of +these days you will want the V. W. W. to go out and take another look at +it." + +"Perhaps," was the dubious reply of the parent. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Two Boys in Wyoming, by Edward S. 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