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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Fred Fenton on the Track, by Allen Chapman
+
+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: Fred Fenton on the Track
+       or, The Athletes of Riverport School
+
+Author: Allen Chapman
+
+Release Date: December 7, 2007 [EBook #23763]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRED FENTON ON THE TRACK ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Emmy and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+  [Illustration: FRED WAS APPARENTLY IN NO GREAT DISTRESS.
+  _Page 197_]
+
+
+
+
+Fred Fenton on the Track
+
+Or
+
+The Athletes of Riverport School
+
+BY
+
+ALLEN CHAPMAN
+
+AUTHOR OF "FRED FENTON THE PITCHER," "TOM FAIRFIELD SERIES," "BOYS OF
+PLUCK SERIES," "THE DAREWELL CHUMS SERIES," ETC.
+
+ILLUSTRATED
+
+NEW YORK
+
+CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY
+
+PUBLISHERS
+
+
+
+
+BOOKS FOR BOYS BY ALLEN CHAPMAN
+
+
+=FRED FENTON ATHLETIC SERIES=
+
+12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume, 40 cents, postpaid.
+
+        FRED FENTON THE PITCHER
+        FRED FENTON IN THE LINE
+        FRED FENTON ON THE CREW
+        FRED FENTON ON THE TRACK
+
+
+=TOM FAIRFIELD SERIES=
+
+12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume, 40 cents, postpaid.
+
+        TOM FAIRFIELD'S SCHOOLDAYS
+        TOM FAIRFIELD AT SEA
+        TOM FAIRFIELD IN CAMP
+        TOM FAIRFIELD'S PLUCK AND LUCK
+
+
+=THE DAREWELL CHUMS SERIES=
+
+12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume, 60 cents, postpaid.
+
+        THE DAREWELL CHUMS
+        THE DAREWELL CHUMS IN THE CITY
+        THE DAREWELL CHUMS IN THE WOODS
+        THE DAREWELL CHUMS ON A CRUISE
+        THE DAREWELL CHUMS IN A WINTER CAMP
+
+
+=BOYS OF PLUCK SERIES=
+
+12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume, 60 cents, postpaid.
+
+        THE YOUNG EXPRESS AGENT
+        TWO BOY PUBLISHERS
+        MAIL ORDER FRANK
+        A BUSINESS BOY'S PLUCK
+        THE YOUNG LAND AGENT
+
+
+CUPPLES & LEON CO. PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
+
+Copyrighted 1913, by CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY
+
+FRED FENTON ON THE TRACK
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+        CHAPTER                                                     PAGE
+
+           I. THE CROSS COUNTRY RUNNERS                                1
+
+          II. A STRANGE SOUND FROM A WELL                              9
+
+         III. OUT OF THE DEPTHS                                       17
+
+          IV. FRED GETS A SHOCK                                       25
+
+           V. HOW GOOD SPRANG FROM EVIL                               32
+
+          VI. THE NEWS CORNEY BROUGHT                                 40
+
+         VII. WHERE IS COLON?                                         49
+
+        VIII. A CLUE IN THE DITCH                                     58
+
+          IX. THE COVERED WAGON                                       66
+
+           X. THE AMBUSH                                              75
+
+          XI. THE HAUNTED MILL                                        83
+
+         XII. A BROKEN DOOR                                           92
+
+        XIII. HOW GABE MADE GOOD                                     100
+
+         XIV. PRACTICE FOR THE RACE                                  109
+
+          XV. THE ACCIDENT                                           117
+
+         XVI. A GLOOMY PROSPECT                                      126
+
+        XVII. AN UNEXPECTED ALLY                                     134
+
+       XVIII. FORCED TO LEND A HAND                                  142
+
+         XIX. GLORIOUS NEWS                                          150
+
+          XX. A WELCOME GUEST                                        158
+
+         XXI. THE ATHLETIC MEET                                      167
+
+        XXII. FRED ON THE TRACK                                      174
+
+       XXIII. A CLOSE COUNT                                          182
+
+        XXIV. THE LONE RUNNER                                        191
+
+         XXV. THE ALASKA CLAIM                                       200
+
+
+
+
+FRED FENTON ON THE TRACK
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+THE CROSS-COUNTRY RUNNERS
+
+
+"I see you're limping again, Fred."
+
+"That's right, Bristles. I stubbed my toe at the very start of this
+cross-country run, and that lost me all chance of coming in ahead.
+That's why I fell back, and have been loafing for a stretch."
+
+"And let me catch up with you; eh? Well, I reckon long-legged Colon will
+have a cinch in this race, Fred."
+
+"Seems that way. He can get over ground for a certain time like a deer,
+you know."
+
+"Huh! more like a kangaroo, I call it; because it always seems to me he
+takes big jumps every chance he gets."
+
+Both boys laughed heartily at the picture drawn by Andy Carpenter, who
+was known all through the country around the town of Riverport as
+"Bristles," on account of the odd way in which his heavy hair stood up.
+
+His companion, Fred Fenton, had assumed a leading place in school
+athletic sports since coming to the town on the Mohunk something like a
+year previous to the early Fall day when we meet them taking part in
+this cross-country run.
+
+That Fred was a pretty fine fellow, as boys go, nearly everybody seemed
+agreed. He was modest, and yet could stand up for his rights when
+imposed upon; and at the same time he was always ready to lend a helping
+hand to a companion in trouble.
+
+Fred had himself occasion to know what it meant to lie awake nights, and
+wonder if fortune would ever take a turn for the better. His father had
+been left a valuable property away up in Alaska, by a brother who had
+died; but there was a lot of red tape connected with the settlement; and
+a powerful syndicate of capitalists had an eye on the mine, which was
+really essential to their interests, as it rounded out property they
+already owned.
+
+A certain man, Hiram Masterson by name, who had been in Alaska for
+years, and who had come back to the States to visit an uncle, Sparks
+Lemington, living in Riverport, had at first been inclined to side with
+the syndicate. Later on he changed his mind, and determined to give
+evidence for the Fentons which would, in all probability, cause the
+claim to be handed over to them.
+
+How this change came about in the mind of Hiram Masterson, through an
+obligation which he found himself under to Fred Fenton, has already been
+told at length in the first volume of this series, called: "Fred Fenton,
+the Pitcher; Or, The Rivals of Riverport School."
+
+Then it turned out that Hiram suddenly and mysteriously disappeared; and
+those who were so deeply interested in his remaining in Riverport
+learned that he had really been carried off by agents of the rich
+association of mine owners, of whom Sparks Lemington was one. How the
+search for the missing witness was carried on, as well as an account of
+interesting matters connected with the football struggles in the three
+towns bordering the Mohunk, will be found in the second book in the
+series, entitled "Fred Fenton in the Line; Or, The Football Boys of
+Riverport School."
+
+Once again when hope ran high in the breasts of the Fentons they were
+doomed to disappointment, and long waiting. A brief letter was received
+from Hiram, written from Hong Kong, telling them that he was on the way
+home by slow stages, and would doubtless appear under another name, to
+avoid recognition by his uncle, Sparks Lemington. What new expectations
+this letter raised in the humble Fenton home; together with the story of
+the boat races on the Mohunk, has been related at length in the third
+volume, just preceding this, and issued under the name of "Fred Fenton
+on the Crew; Or, The Young Oarsman of Riverport School."
+
+But now several months had passed, and as yet Hiram had not come. This
+was telling heavily on Fred, who counted the days as they dragged past,
+and kept wondering if, after all, the missing witness had died abroad,
+and they would never get the benefit of his evidence.
+
+He knew his father was once more falling back into his old condition of
+mental distress, and he saw the lines gather on the usually smooth
+forehead of his mother. But Fred was by nature a light-hearted lad, who
+tried to look on the brighter side of things. He put these dismal
+thoughts resolutely aside as much as he could and took his part in the
+various pleasures that the young people of the town enjoyed.
+
+Those who were at his side in all sorts of athletic rivalries never
+suspected that the boy often worried. And even pretty Flo Temple, the
+doctor's daughter, whom Fred always took to picnics, and on boat rides
+on moonlight nights, as well as to singing school and choir meetings, if
+she thought him a trifle more serious than seemed necessary, did not
+know what an effort it required for Fred to hide his anxieties.
+
+Of course both Bristles and Fred were in running costume, in that they
+wore as scanty an outfit of clothes as possible. They were jogging
+along leisurely, and this allowed plenty of time for talk between them.
+
+Bristles was one of Fred's best chums. Not a great while back he had
+fallen into what he called a "peck of trouble, with the pot boiling
+over," and Fred had been of great help to him. In fact, had it not been
+for him the mystery of who was taking some of Miss Muster's opals might
+never have been cleared up; and the elderly spinster, who was Bristles'
+mother's aunt, must have always believed that her grand-nephew was the
+guilty one.
+
+But Fred had proved otherwise. He had even been smart enough to have the
+rich old maid on the spot when Gabe Larkins, the butcher's hired boy,
+was secreting his last bit of plunder. In her gratitude at finding that
+the culprit was not her own nephew, Miss Muster had even forgiven Gabe,
+who had promised to turn over a new leaf.
+
+Somehow the thoughts of Bristles seemed to go back to several things
+which had happened to himself and Fred not a great while previous.
+
+"That was a great time we had, Fred," he went on to say, as they fell
+into a walk, with a hill to climb; "I mean when we worked in double
+harness, and ran up against so many queer adventures last summer, in
+boat-racing time. Remember how we managed to rescue little Billy
+Lemington when he fell out of his brother's canoe; and how he begged us
+not to tell a single soul, because his father would whip him for
+disobeying?"
+
+"Do you think Buck ever knew the truth of that canoe business?" remarked
+Fred. "I recollect your telling me he accused you of taking his canoe,
+and using it, because some fellow saw us putting it back in the place he
+kept it, and reported to Buck. And he was some mad, too, threatening all
+sorts of things if ever we touched his boat again."
+
+"Say, d'ye know, between you and me and the henhouse, Fred, I don't
+believe he's ever heard the truth about that little affair to this day!"
+exclaimed Bristles, earnestly. "Want to know why I say that, do you?
+Well, just yesterday he threw it at me. We were with some fellows on the
+school campus, when the talk turned to canoes, and I happened to say I
+knew mighty little about the cranky things, as I'd had no experience in
+one."
+
+"Oh! I can see how ready Buck would be to take advantage of that
+opening, and give you one of his sneering stabs with his tongue,"
+observed Fred, quickly.
+
+"Just what he did, Fred," asserted the other, frowning; "he turned on me
+like a flash, and remarked that he guessed I forgot a certain occasion
+when I had enjoyed _one_ canoe ride, anyhow, if it was in a stolen boat.
+I came mighty near telling the whole thing, how we had saved his little
+brother from drowning, or at least how you had, while I helped get you
+both ashore. But I stopped myself just in time, and let it pass by."
+
+"Well," Fred went on to say, looking around at the dusty road they had
+just reached; "here's where we draw in close again to Riverport, to
+strike off again on the second leg of the run after we pass the Hitchen
+hotel at the crossroads. I suppose I ought not to keep on, with my toe
+hurting as it does; but you know I just hate to give up anything I
+start. Perhaps I'll be game enough to hold out to the end; and, besides,
+the pain seems to be passing off lately. I could even sprint a little,
+if I had to."
+
+"Too late now to dream of heading off Colon, who has kept on the jump
+right along, while we took things easy. But I always like to be with
+you, Fred. You're a cheery sort of a feller, you know; and I feel better
+every time I chat with you."
+
+Poor Fred,--who was secretly nursing deep anxiety to his heart, not
+willing to confide in even his best friends, lest in some way Squire
+Lemington get wind of the fact that they had heard from Hiram
+Masterson,--winced, and then smiled. Well, if he could put on a
+cheerful front, in spite of all that tried to weigh his spirits down, so
+much the better.
+
+"We must turn at the crossroads, Bristles," he remarked. "The course
+heads into the northwest from there, up to Afton's pond; then due east
+two miles to Watch Hill; where we turn again and follow the turnpike
+home again."
+
+"Oh! I guess I can stand for it, if you keep me company all the way,
+Fred; though I never was built for a runner, I reckon. But listen to all
+that shouting; would you? Some feller is excited, it sounds like. There,
+just what I expected was the matter; there's a horse taken the bit
+between his teeth, and is running away. I can see a boy sprinting after
+him, and that's his voice we get. Now, I wonder what it's up to us to
+do; step aside and let the runaway nag pass by; or try something to stop
+him? What say, Fred; can we block the road, and make him hold up,
+without taking too much risk?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+A STRANGE SOUND FROM A WELL
+
+
+"Hi! there! Stop that horse! Head him off!"
+
+The excited boy who was chasing wildly along in the rear of the runaway
+shouted these words as he waved his arms to the two lads coming so
+suddenly on the scene.
+
+"Why, it's Gabe Larkins, as sure as you live!" ejaculated Bristles,
+recognizing the boy who drove the butcher's cart, and who had been
+concerned in the affair of Miss Muster's vanishing opals.
+
+"Never mind who the boy is!" Fred called out; "if we want to head that
+runaway off we've got to be moving. Stand over there, wave your arms and
+shout 'Whoa!' as loud as you can. I'll try to cover this side of the
+road and do the same. The beast has just taken a notion to bolt home,
+that's all, and isn't badly frightened. We may be able to stop him right
+here."
+
+"How far do we go, Fred?" cried Bristles, who was always ready and
+willing to do his share of any exciting business.
+
+"Be careful, and keep ready to jump aside if he refuses to let up on his
+speed, Bristles."
+
+"All right; I'm on, Fred!" And with that Bristles started to make as
+great and hostile a demonstration with arms and voice as he was capable
+of exhibiting.
+
+His chum was doing likewise; so that between them they seemed to
+entirely block the road. The runaway horse was, as Fred had said, not
+worked up to the frantic stage where nothing would stay his progress.
+Indeed, seeing that these determined figures in running costume acted as
+though they meant to keep him from passing, the beast gradually
+slackened his pace.
+
+The butcher's cart came to a standstill not twenty feet away from the
+boys; and the animal even started to back up into a fence corner, when
+the driver arrived on the scene, and took hold of the trailing lines.
+After that he soon gained the mastery over the horse.
+
+"Got the slip on you that time, did he, Gabe?" remarked Fred,
+pleasantly; for he had been given to understand by Miss Muster, who was
+keeping track of the boy, that Gabe Larkins was doing what he could to
+make good; and Fred believed in extending a helping hand to every fellow
+who wanted to better his ways.
+
+"Oh! he's a slick one, I tell you, fellers!" declared the panting and
+angered boy, as he reined in the animal that had given him such a scare
+and a race. "Nine times out of ten I tie him when I go to deliver meat.
+He knows when I forget, and this is the fourth time he's run away on me.
+Smashed a wheel once, and nigh 'bout scraped all the paint off'n one
+side of the pesky cart another time. Old Bangs says as how he means to
+fire me if it ever happens again."
+
+"Well, we're right glad, then, Gabe, that we've been able to keep you
+from losing your job," Fred went on to say. "But that horse has a trick
+of going off if he isn't tied. I've heard about him before, and the
+trouble he gave the boy who was ahead of you. If I was driving him I'd
+never leave him unfastened."
+
+"And I ain't a-goin' to no more, you just make sure of that!" Gabe
+declared, as no doubt he had done after every previous accident, only to
+grow careless again. "But it was nice in you fellers to shoo him that
+way. I sure thought he'd run right over you, but he didn't. Must 'a
+knowed from the way you talked to him you didn't mean to hurt him any."
+
+"Well, we must be going on, Gabe, as we're in the cross-country run,"
+said Bristles, who had been trying to study the face of the butcher's
+boy.
+
+"Say, I'd like to be along with you, sure I would," remarked Gabe,
+wistfully. "Used to be some runner myself; but don't get no chanct
+nowadays. But I reckon it's all right, 'cause she says I'm a-doin' fine.
+Mebbe some day I can have a little fun like the rest of the fellers. I'm
+a heap 'bliged to both of you for holdin' up the hoss. G'lang, Rube!"
+
+Swish! came the whip down on the withers of the late frisky runaway, and
+Gabe went helter-skelter down the road, headed for his next stopping
+place.
+
+During the late summer the public spirited citizens of Riverport, led by
+Judge Colon, had started to raise funds in order to equip a much needed
+gymnasium with the latest appliances required by those who would train
+their muscles, and make themselves healthier by judicious exercise.
+
+Mechanicsburg, up the river three miles, had done that for her school;
+and Riverport was trying to at least equal the generous spirit of the
+business men of the other town.
+
+"Oh! the gym's just booming right along," declared Bristles,
+enthusiastically. "You know they've already got a long lease on the big
+rink where they used to have roller skating years ago. A cinder path has
+been laid around the whole of the circuit, equal to any outdoor track
+going. Great times we're going to have this winter, I tell you, Fred!"
+
+"And, Bristles, how about the money for all the outfit--punching bags,
+parallel bars, boxing gloves, basketball stuff, and all the other things
+needed in an up-to-date gym?"
+
+"Heard last night," said the other, joyfully, "that it had all been
+subscribed, and the order sent on. We'll soon be in the swim for keeps.
+But, while the good weather lasts let's keep outdoors. We can practice
+all sorts of stunts, so as to be ready to contest with those
+Mechanicsburg boys in an athletic meet. Great times ahead of us yet, old
+fellow! Hope we manage to snatch some of the prizes away from our old
+rivals; though they say it's just wonderful how clever they're sprinting
+and jumping up-river."
+
+"We heard that sort of talk about football, and then when the boat race
+was planned didn't they say Mechanicsburg had a crew that was just a
+wonder?" Fred remarked, with a pleasant and cheery laugh.
+
+"You're right, they did, Fred; and yet we licked the spots out of 'em
+both times. And we can do it some more, if we keep on practicing our
+stunts as Brad wants us to. Ten to one now they haven't got as fast a
+sprinter as our long legged Colon in their whole school. And when it
+comes to long-distance racing they'll have to look pretty far to find
+anybody who can hold out like Fred Fenton."
+
+"Oh! let up on that kind of talk, Bristles; perhaps I might hold up my
+end of the log; and again there's a chance they've got a better man up
+there. I remember some of their fellows got around the bases like fun;
+and could carry the ball across the gridiron once they got hold of it.
+You never can tell what the best runner might be up against in a long
+race. Look at me to-day, stubbing my toe at the start; if this had been
+the big occasion that would have put me out of the procession in a
+hurry."
+
+"Let's start on a little sprint again, now that we're getting close to
+the cross-road tavern. I can see it yonder through the trees. Old Adam
+will think we're handicap runners, catching up on the leaders. Here we
+go, Fred!"
+
+Reaching the tavern at the spot where the roads crossed, they halted to
+get a cool drink, and ask a few questions. Somehow they saw nothing of
+any of the other runners, though the proprietor of the place told them
+several had come and gone. They found the names of Colon, Dave Hendricks
+and Corney Shays on the official pad that had been left at this
+important point, in order that each contestant might place his signature
+on it when he arrived, proving that he had fully covered the
+requirements of the run.
+
+Once more the two lads started on their way at a good pace, since their
+short rest had refreshed them considerably.
+
+"Look at the gray squirrel!" exclaimed Bristles, who was beginning to
+get winded after a mile of this jogging work, because he had not yet
+learned never to open his mouth while running, if it could be avoided.
+
+"He's laying in his store of shagbark hickories for the winter,"
+declared Fred; "and you better believe he picks only the good ones. I
+never yet found a bad nut in any store laid away by a squirrel. They
+know what's juicy and sweet, all right."
+
+"Hold on!" said Bristles, coming to a stop.
+
+"What's the matter now; hear any more runaways?" asked Fred, laughing;
+but at the same time coming to a walk in order to accommodate his
+panting chum.
+
+"No, but there's an old farmhouse through the trees there, and I can see
+a fine well. Makes me feel dry again just to glimpse it. Come on, let's
+have a drink," and Bristles led the way between the trees toward the
+lonely looking place.
+
+"A queer spot, Fred," he remarked. "Looks like it's deserted; and yet
+there's smoke coming out of the chimney; and I saw a pig run around the
+corner of that little stable. Here's our well; draw a bucket while I get
+my wind. Oh! did you hear that, Fred? It sounded just for all the world
+like a groan; and, as sure as anything, it came right out of this same
+well!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+OUT OF THE DEPTHS
+
+
+The two boys turned to look at one another; and if they showed signs of
+alarm it was hardly to be wondered at.
+
+"Oh! there it is again, Fred!" whispered Bristles, as a second sound,
+that was certainly very like a groan, came from the well.
+
+Fred caught his breath. It was an unpleasant experience, to be sure; and
+might have tried the nerves of much older persons than two half-grown
+lads; but, after all, why should they be afraid?
+
+"Somebody may have fallen down the well, and can't get out again," Fred
+remarked, with just the least tremor to his usually steady voice.
+
+"Say, that's so," Bristles hastened to admit, as he cast a quick glance
+at the almost ropeless wooden windlass; "don't you see the bucket's away
+down? Whoever it is, Fred, they just can't climb up again. It takes you
+to get on the inside track of things, Fred."
+
+"If that's so, it might account for the fact that nobody seems to be
+around the place," Fred went on to say.
+
+"P'raps an old man lives here all alone, and he tripped over these
+stones when he went to lift the bucket of water out, and fell in
+himself. Gee! Fred, then it's up to us to get him out!"
+
+The other stepped directly up to the edge of the old well. He saw that
+the coping was uneven, some of the stones being loose. It looked very
+much as if what Bristles had suggested might be the truth, and that some
+person, when striving to raise a heavy bucket, had lost his balance,
+slipped on the treacherous footing, and toppled into the well.
+
+And, even as Fred Fenton bent down, he was thrilled to hear a third
+groan come out of the depths. Nevertheless, instead of starting back, he
+bent over further, as though hoping to look down and discover the truth.
+
+"Can you see him?" asked Bristles, very white in the face, but bent on
+sticking it out as long as his chum did.
+
+"Sorry to say I can't," replied the other, calmly now, and with an air
+of business about him that inspired Bristles to conquer his own
+weakness. "My eyes have been so used to the sun that it looks as black
+as a pocket down in this well. But perhaps he might answer a call."
+
+"Give the poor fellow a hail, then, Fred, please. Just think how he
+must have suffered, hollering all this time, with nobody to help him
+out," and Bristles, who really had a very tender heart himself, leaned
+over the curbing of the well.
+
+"Be careful not to push one of these big stones in, or you'll finish the
+poor fellow," warned Fred; and then bending low he called out very
+loudly: "Hello! down there! We want to help you get out. Are you badly
+hurt?"
+
+"Oh! I don't know, but I'm so cold. Please hurry, or I'll die!" came in
+a faint voice from far below.
+
+"Good gracious!" gasped Bristles; "did you hear that, Fred?"
+
+"I certainly did," replied the other.
+
+"But--the voice; it was a woman's or a girl's!" continued the amazed
+Bristles.
+
+"Just what I thought; and that makes it all the more necessary that
+something be done in a hurry to get her out. That rope looks pretty
+sound; doesn't it, Bristles?"
+
+"What do you mean to do now, Fred; go down there?" and the boy shuddered
+as he looked at the gaping hole.
+
+"Somebody's got to, and what's the matter with my doing it?" Fred
+demanded. "I'll tell you what to do while I'm sliding down the rope;
+just carefully take away all these loose stones, so none of 'em can drop
+on top of me. And, Bristles, when I give the word, buckle down to turn
+that windlass for all you're worth!"
+
+"I'll do it, Fred. Gosh! if it don't take you to think of things that
+wouldn't come to me in a thousand years. Say, he's gone, as quick as
+that! I guess I'll get busy with these stones."
+
+Fred was indeed already slipping carefully down the rope. He believed it
+was fairly new, and could easily sustain the weight of himself, and
+another as well, if only the stout Bristles could turn the handle of the
+windlass long enough to bring them to the top.
+
+Once below the region of sunlight his eyes began to grow more accustomed
+to the surrounding gloom. He could make out the rough stones all about
+him that went to form the well itself.
+
+Then he stopped, wondering if he must not be pretty nearly down to the
+water. The rope still went on, and he could hear what seemed like heavy
+breathing not far away.
+
+Bristles was working like a beaver above, taking away the loose stones,
+but exercising great care so that not even a bit of loose earth, or
+mortar, should fall down the shaft to alarm his chum.
+
+"Hello! where are you, below?"
+
+"Close by you now. Oh! do you think you can get me up again, mister?"
+came in a quavering voice.
+
+Fred let himself slip down a little further, inch by inch as it were. He
+was afraid of striking the one who must be clinging to the rope below,
+undoubtedly chilled to the bone, and sick with fear.
+
+Even at that moment the boy was filled with amazement, and could not
+imagine how a girl could have gotten into such a strange situation. But
+his first duty was to get her out.
+
+Ten seconds later and he could feel her beside him.
+
+"Don't be afraid, we'll get you on dry land in a jiffy," he said, as
+cheerfully as possible. "Can you hold on to the rope if my friend turns
+the windlass? I'll do all I can to help you. If only the bucket could be
+used for you to stand on! It's the only way to work it, I guess."
+
+"Yes, yes, anything you say, I'll do, mister. Oh! what if they have hurt
+him, and me such a coward as to run away like I did and hide. But pop
+made me, he just said I must. He'll tell you that same, mister, if so be
+he's alive yet."
+
+The girl said this in broken sentences. She was almost in a state of
+complete collapse, and Fred knew that unless he hurried to get her up
+where she could obtain warmth, she would be a dead weight on his hands.
+
+"Hello! Bristles!" he called out.
+
+"Yes; what d'ye want, Fred? Shall I begin to wind up?" came from above,
+accompanied by the musical clank of the iron brake falling over the cogs
+that were intended to hold it firmly, and prevent a slip, should the one
+at the handle let go suddenly.
+
+"Go slow, Bristles, and stop when you hear me shout!"
+
+"O. K. Fred; slow she is! Are you coming now?"
+
+Fred had felt the rope slip through his hands inch by inch. He was
+feeling with his dangling feet for the bucket, and presently discovered
+it.
+
+"Hold on till I tilt the bucket, and empty out the water; we have to use
+it to stand on as you pull us up!" he shouted.
+
+With more or less difficulty he managed to accomplish this task. It
+would relieve Bristles considerably; and even as it was, the straining
+boy up there would have a tremendous task ahead of him, raising two
+persons at a time.
+
+Fred threw his arm around the girl, whom he could just dimly make out.
+She clung wildly to him, as though realizing that all her hopes of
+getting out of this strange prison rested in the boy who had come down
+the rope so daringly.
+
+"Now once again, old fellow, and do your level best!" Fred sang out.
+
+So they went up, foot by foot. He held the girl in a tight clasp, and
+kept hoping the rope would not break, or any other accident happen.
+Bristles was tugging wildly away at the handle of the windlass,
+doubtless with his teeth set hard together, and every muscle of his body
+in play.
+
+Now they were close to the top, and Fred called out, to caution his chum
+to slacken his violent efforts.
+
+So once again Fred's eyes came above the curbing of the old well, and he
+found Bristles, panting for breath, but eager to assist still further in
+the work of rescue.
+
+"Reach down," Fred said, quietly, wishing to calm the other; "and get
+your arms around her, if you can; then lift for all you're worth! She
+isn't heavy, only her clothes are soaked with water. There you are, and
+well done, old chap!"
+
+Bristles had actually plucked the girl from the grasp of the boy who had
+to cling to the rope with one hand; she was already placed upon the
+ground, while he turned to assist Fred, starting to climb out unaided.
+
+But the girl had not fainted, as Fred suspected. She was now on her
+knees, and trying to get upon her feet.
+
+"Oh! what can have happened to him?" she muttered.
+
+"Who is it you are talking about?" asked Bristles.
+
+"My poor sick father," she replied. "They came in on us, and made me get
+a meal. Then they began to hunt all over the house for money, just as if
+we ever had any such thing hidden. Oh! the terrible threats they made;
+father was afraid for me, and ordered me to watch out for the first
+chance to run away, to go to the nearest neighbor for help; but he lives
+two miles away. I was afraid to leave the place, because I thought they
+might set the house on fire. So I tried to hide just below the curbing
+of the well; but the brake wasn't set, and I went down with the bucket.
+I might have drowned, only I held on all these hours, hoping and
+fearing. Oh! I wonder if he is still alive!"
+
+"Who was it came and did these things?" asked Fred, indignantly.
+
+"Three tramps; and they were bad men, too," she replied, starting toward
+the old farmhouse, where the door stood open. A few whiffs of smoke
+curled up from the chimney, yet there was no sign of life.
+
+And, wondering what they would find there, the two boys strode along
+beside her, ready to catch her should she show signs of falling. But a
+great hope seemed to sustain the girl they had rescued from the well.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+FRED GETS A SHOCK
+
+
+"Shall we follow, Fred?" asked Bristles, a little dubiously it must be
+confessed.
+
+The girl had darted eagerly through the open doorway.
+
+"That's the program," replied the leading boy; and with these words he
+immediately crossed the doorsill.
+
+The interior of the cottage was not any too well lighted, for the shades
+of the windows were partly down. Fred saw at a glance, however, that a
+hurried and thorough search had been made by the three tramps, when they
+thought to find something of value in the lonely farmhouse.
+
+All manner of articles had been thrown recklessly about, drawers
+emptied, and even chairs overturned as they sought to turn up the edges
+of the scanty carpet, under the old belief that family treasures are
+generally secreted either there or between the mattresses of the bed.
+
+Voices in an adjoining room gave Fred a reassuring sensation. Then the
+sick man had not passed away, as his daughter seemed to have feared;
+for while one of the voices was undoubtedly that of the girl, the other
+belonged to a man. It was weak and complaining, however, as might be
+expected, under the circumstances.
+
+So Fred, again followed by Bristles, lost no time in passing through the
+first room, and entering the adjoining one. A glance showed him a bed
+upon which a thin-faced man was lying. The girl was gently stroking his
+forehead with considerable affection, murmuring endearing terms.
+
+At the entrance of the two boys, however, the sick man started half up
+in bed. He stared at them in utter amazement, nor could Fred blame him.
+After the experience through which he had recently passed, the sick man
+must almost believe he was losing his senses, to see two lads in running
+costume burst in upon him.
+
+"What! who are these, daughter?" he exclaimed. "I sent you for help, to
+get our German neighbor, Johann Swain, and you come back after all these
+hours bringing freaks from a circus. But at least they do not look as
+bad as those terrible tramps."
+
+Bristles laughed outright at this.
+
+"I hope not, sir," he could not help saying, before Fred could utter a
+word; "you see, we're only a couple of boys from Riverport, engaged in a
+cross-country run; and we're mightily glad to be on hand in time to
+help you and--your girl."
+
+"But what makes your dress so wet, child; and you are shivering like a
+leaf? Don't tell me that you fell into the river?" the sick man asked,
+turning his attention upon his daughter once more, now that he realized
+there was nothing to be feared from the two strangers.
+
+"No," she replied, soothingly; "when you sent me away I could not leave
+you alone with those dreadful men; so, meaning to hide just below the
+curbing of the well, I took hold of the rope; but the windlass was free,
+and I fell in."
+
+"And you have been there all this time!" cried the man, reproachfully;
+"while I lay here, recovering my strength, and expecting you to come
+every minute with help. Oh! if I had but heard you call, nothing could
+have prevented me from crawling out to rescue you, child. And did these
+boys get you out?"
+
+"Yes, and we owe them more than we can ever pay, father," she replied,
+warmly; "for I could not have held on much longer; and the water was
+deep enough to drown a helpless girl."
+
+"Oh! Sarah, child! what a blessing that they came!" exclaimed the man,
+thrusting a weak and trembling hand out, first toward Fred, whom he saw
+was wet, and somehow guessed must have borne the brunt of the rescue;
+and then repeating the act with regard to Bristles.
+
+The sick man asked Fred a number of questions. As a rule these concerned
+his daughter, and in what condition they had found the poor girl at the
+bottom of the well; but he also seemed anxious as to whether they had
+seen anything of the three tramps.
+
+"One of them was terribly enraged when they failed to find even a dollar
+for their pains, and I assured him I did not have such a thing to my
+name," the aged man said, almost pathetically, Fred thought. "He would
+have struck me with the poker, as he threatened to do, only his
+companions held his arm. I have been in mortal fear that he might
+return."
+
+"No danger of that sir," Fred went on to say; and already in his mind he
+was determined that some of the good people of Riverport should quickly
+know about the sick man and his devoted daughter, who lived in such a
+lonely place, and were almost at the point of starvation.
+
+"I used to have a man who worked on shares with me," the other
+continued, as though he thought some explanation was due to account for
+the situation; "but he changed his mind suddenly this summer past, and
+left me alone. I might have managed, only for this sickness. Sarah has
+tried to do everything, but, poor child, she was unable to take care of
+me and the farm too. So it has come to this, and my heart is nearly
+broken worrying about her."
+
+"Never mind, it will be all right, sir," Fred continued to assure him.
+"We are from Riverport, and we know a lot of good people there who will
+be only too glad to do everything they can for you. It is not charity,
+you see, but just what one neighbor ought to be ready to do for
+another."
+
+For his years, Fred was wise; he realized that this man undoubtedly had
+more or less pride, and might hesitate to accept assistance when he had
+no means of returning favors.
+
+To his surprise the other started, and looked keenly at him.
+
+"Riverport, you say, young man?" he muttered. "I don't seem to know you.
+Might I ask your name, please?"
+
+"Fred Fenton, sir. But as we only came to the place a year ago last
+spring, of course you wouldn't be apt to know me."
+
+"No, I haven't been in Riverport for quite a number of years. We do what
+little trading we have in Grafton, which is just as near, though not so
+large a town. But you spoke of interesting some people in our condition.
+For her sake I would even sink my pride and accept their help. But you
+must make me one promise, boy!"
+
+"As many as you like, sir; what might this particular one be?" asked
+Fred, cheerfully.
+
+"Don't, under any circumstances, let Sparks Lemington have anything to
+do with the assistance you bring me; or I would utterly refuse to touch
+the slightest thing, even if we both starved for it!" was the
+astonishing reply of the sick man, as a look of anger showed in his
+face, and he shut his jaws hard.
+
+Evidently, then, he had some good cause for detesting the rich and
+unscrupulous Squire Lemington. Well, Fred found reason to believe there
+were a good many others besides this farmer who felt the same.
+
+"Oh! Fred, come out here!" called Bristles, just then, before Fred could
+ask any further questions.
+
+Believing that his chum might be having some difficulty in finding
+things, and wanted help, Fred hurried into the adjoining room, which was
+the kitchen. There was also a dining room next, which they had entered
+first, and apparently a couple of sleeping rooms up stairs, for the girl
+had gone above.
+
+Bristles was busily engaged. He had succeeded in getting a fire started,
+and was rummaging through a cupboard, looking for eatables. Accustomed
+to seeing a well stocked larder in his own home, Bristles was shocked at
+the lack of everything a hungry boy would think ought to be found in a
+kitchen pantry.
+
+"Shucks, Fred," he remarked, in a low voice, for the door between the
+rooms was open a trifle. "There isn't enough stuff here to feed a canary
+bird, let alone two human beings. Why, whatever do they live on? They
+must be as poor as Job's turkey. I can't just place that man, somehow;
+seems as if I must have known him once; but he's changed a heap. Help me
+skirmish around for some grub; won't you?"
+
+Fred was perfectly willing, and proceeded to search until he had
+discovered part of a loaf of home-made bread, and the coffee that was so
+necessary to warm the poor girl. There was a strip of bacon a few inches
+thick, some flour, grits--and these were about all.
+
+Just then Bristles came over to where he was putting the coffee in the
+pot.
+
+"I've just remembered who that sick man is, Fred!" he said, in a low
+tone, but with a vein of satisfaction in it, for he had been racking his
+memory all the while.
+
+"Who is he, then?" Fred asked, a bit eagerly.
+
+"Why," Bristles went on, "you see, his name is Masterson!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+HOW GOOD SPRANG FROM EVIL
+
+
+"Masterson, did you say, Bristles?" Fred asked, hurriedly, as he closed
+the communicating door between the two rooms, and came back to the side
+of his chum.
+
+"Yep, that's it," replied the other, briskly, proud of having solved
+what promised to be a puzzle. "He used to live in Riverport years ago,
+when I was a kid; he and his girl Sarah."
+
+"Is he any relation to Squire Lemington, do you know?" asked Fred.
+
+"Sure, that's a fact, he is; a nephew, I reckon," answered Bristles,
+thoughtfully. "I remember there was some sort of talk about this Arnold
+Masterson; I kind of think he got in a fuss with the Squire, and there
+was a lawsuit. But shucks, that don't matter to us, Fred, not a whit.
+These people are up against it, hard as nails, and we've just _got_ to
+do something for 'em when we get back."
+
+"That's right, we will," asserted Fred.
+
+He was thinking hard as he said this. Was it not a strange thing that
+he should in this way place another Masterson under heavy obligations?
+He had done Hiram a good turn that won the gratitude of the man from
+Alaska; and now here it was a brother and a niece who had cause for
+thanking him.
+
+Perhaps there was something more than accident in this. If Hiram ever
+did return, which Fred was almost ready to doubt, he would be apt to
+hear about what had happened at the lonely farmhouse; and if he cared at
+all for his folks, his debt must be doubled by the kind deed of the
+Fenton boy.
+
+"And believe me," Bristles went on, not noticing the way Fred was
+pondering over the intelligence he had just communicated; "we just can't
+get busy collecting some grub for this poor family any too soon. Why,
+they're cleaned out, that's what! Never knew anybody could live from
+hand to mouth like this. Why couldn't they get that German farmer, who
+lives a mile or two away, to haul some stuff from Grafton, if the girl
+couldn't walk there?"
+
+"You forget that the man said he didn't have even a dollar, when those
+tramps threatened to torture him, to make him tell where he had his
+treasure; and Bristles, it takes cold cash to buy things these days. Old
+Dog Trust is dead, the merchants say. But hurry that coffee along.
+Hello! here's a part of a can of condensed milk, and some sugar. That's
+good!"
+
+Fred went into the other room about that time; for hearing voices, he
+imagined the girl must have put on some dry clothes hurriedly, and once
+more descended to be with her sick father.
+
+She looked better, Fred thought, and there was even a slight color in
+her cheeks. He was afraid, however, of what the long exposure might
+bring, and determined that Doctor Temple must hear of the case. A little
+care right then might be the means of warding off a severe illness.
+
+"Please go in the kitchen, and stand near the stove all you can, miss,"
+he said.
+
+"But I am not cold any longer," she replied, giving him a smile that
+told of the gratitude in her heart.
+
+"You need all the warmth you can get," he insisted. "As soon as the
+coffee is ready, you must swallow a cup or two of it, piping hot. And I
+think it would do your father good, too."
+
+Accordingly, as there seemed to be a vein of authority in his voice, the
+girl complied. She found that the coffee was already beginning to
+simmer, and send out a fragrant smell; for Bristles had made a furious
+fire, regardless of consequences.
+
+"Hope I don't burn your house down, Sarah," he said. "Excuse me, but I
+used to know you a long time ago, when you lived in Riverport. My name
+is Bris--that is, at home they call me Andy Carpenter."
+
+"Oh! I do remember you now," she replied, quickly; "but it is so long
+ago. Father never mentions Riverport any more; he seems to hate the
+name. I think some one wronged him there, and it must have been my
+uncle, because every time I happened to speak of him, he would grow
+angry, and finally told me never to mention that name again. But you
+have made this coffee very strong, Andy."
+
+"Fred told me to; he said you both needed it," answered the boy. "And I
+wouldn't worry if I was you, because I used up all there is. We're going
+to see that more comes along this way, and that before night."
+
+"Oh! it makes me feel ashamed to think that we are going to be objects
+of charity," the girl commenced to say, when Bristles stopped her.
+
+"Now, that isn't it at all, Sarah!" he declared, with vehemence; "your
+pa is a sick man, and unless he gets a doctor soon you may lose him. So
+I'd just pocket that pride of yours, and let the neighbors do what they
+want. And if you've been fleeced by that shark of a Squire Lemington,
+why, there are a lot of others in the same fix. I'd like to see them run
+him out of town; but he owns a heap of property around Riverport, and
+that would be hard to do, I suppose. Say, don't that coffee smell good
+though; you know the kind to get, seems like."
+
+"Johann Swain brought that over the last time he came," she replied,
+somewhat confused on account of having to make the confession that they
+were already indebted to another for favors.
+
+When the coffee was done Fred came out and secured a cup of it for the
+sick man; while Sarah sat down at the kitchen table to drink her
+portion. Bristles was almost famishing for a taste, but he would not
+have accepted the first drop, had it smelled twice as good.
+
+After making the two as comfortable as possible, the two boys once more
+prepared to start on their run toward home. Of course they must expect
+to come in the very last of all, owing to all these delays; but it was
+little they cared.
+
+"Expect company before long," sang out Bristles, as, having shaken hands
+with the sick man and Sarah, they turned to wave farewell to the girl,
+standing in the open door, and with something approaching a smile on her
+wan face.
+
+Fred made a proposition before they had gone more than fifty yards.
+
+"What's the use of our finishing, Bristles?" he remarked. "We're
+hopelessly beaten right now. Suppose we head for home, and get busy
+going around to speak to a few of our friends about these people here.
+I want Doc. Temple to come out; and I know Flo will insist on it when
+she hears about that poor girl."
+
+"Three to one she comes with him; and that the buggy is crammed full of
+all the good things they've got at home," asserted Bristles; "because
+there never was a girl with a bigger heart than Flo."
+
+Fred was of the same opinion himself, though he only nodded, and smiled.
+
+"You see your father, and then drop in to talk it over with several
+others," he went on to say. "Leave Judge Colon for me. I want to ask him
+a few questions about what happened between Arnold Masterson and his
+rich uncle, to make Sarah's father hate him so, and avoid Riverport in
+the bargain."
+
+When they arrived home the boys quickly changed their clothes, and then
+started in to tell the story of their recent remarkable experience.
+Fred, first of all, enlisted the good will of his own mother, who
+hurried over to another neighbor to start the ball rolling, with the
+idea of having a wagon with supplies sent out to the Masterson farm that
+very afternoon.
+
+His visit to the Temple home was a pleasant affair with Fred. Just as he
+had expected, Flo was immediately concerned about the family, and asked
+numerous questions while they were waiting for the genial old doctor to
+come in at noon from his morning round of sick calls.
+
+Then the doctor drove up, and as soon as he entered the house heard
+Fred's amazing story. He was quite concerned about it.
+
+"Of course I'll go out there the first thing after lunch, and bring them
+both through, if I can," he declared, just as Fred had expected would be
+the case. "Those tramps ought to be followed up, and caged; they're
+getting bolder every day. I expect that some fine morning we'll find our
+bank broken open, or else somebody kidnapped, and held for a ransom."
+
+"And I'm going along with you, daddy," said Miss Temple, with an air
+that announced the fact that she usually had her own way with her
+parent.
+
+"Did you know this Arnold Masterson, sir; and is he a nephew of the
+Squire?" asked the boy.
+
+"Yes, to both of your questions, Fred," replied the doctor. "Years back
+there was a quarrel between them, and a lawsuit that went against
+Arnold, who disappeared soon afterward. I did not know he still lived
+within five miles of Riverport, because he is never seen on the streets
+here. But he was an honest man, which is more than some people think can
+be said of his rich uncle."
+
+That was all Fred wanted to know, and he took his departure, well
+satisfied with the way fortune had treated him that morning.
+
+Later on he heard that the people of Riverport had carried enough
+supplies out to the Masterson farm to last until Christmas. And Doctor
+Temple reported that not only would Sarah escape any ill results from
+her experience in the cold waters of the well, but the sick man was
+going to come around, in time, all right.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+THE NEWS CORNEY BROUGHT
+
+
+The big roller-skating rink had been turned into a splendid gymnasium
+for the boys and girls of Riverport school; for certain days were to be
+set aside when the latter should have their turn at basketball and
+kindred athletic exercises, calculated to make them healthier, and
+better fitted for their studies.
+
+The headmaster of the school, Professor Brierley, was very much
+delighted with the way things had gone. He was an advocate of all
+healthful sports, when not carried to excess. And this spirit which had
+been awakened in Riverport, was bound, he believed, to make for the
+betterment of the town in every way.
+
+"Perhaps there'll be less work for Dr. Temple," he remarked, at a
+meeting of the best citizens, when the gymnasium was handed over to the
+school trustees; "because there'll be far less sickness among our young
+people. Though possibly a few accidents, as the result of indiscretion
+in exercising too violently, may make amends to our physicians."
+
+Meanwhile the young athletes belonging to Riverport school had been as
+busy as the proverbial bee. Saturdays were devoted to all sorts of work,
+each class being represented by aspiring claimants for honors.
+
+And when the really deserving ones had finally been selected to do their
+best for the honor of the school, everyone watched their work with
+pride, and the hope that they might make the highest pole vault, the
+longest running jump, the quickest time in the hundred yards,
+quarter-mile, half mile and five mile races known to amateur athletic
+meets in that part of the country at least.
+
+Merchants talked with their customers about the coming tournament; and
+the mildest looking women, whom no one would suspect of knowing the
+least thing about such affairs, surprised others with their store of
+knowledge.
+
+The bookstore in town where sporting goods were kept did a land-office
+business during those days, and had to duplicate their orders to
+wholesalers frequently.
+
+Stout business men were buying exercisers to fasten to the bathroom
+doors; or perhaps dumb-bells and Indian clubs, calculated to take off a
+certain number of pounds of fat. Others boasted of how deftly they were
+beginning to hit the punching bag; and how much enjoyment the exercise,
+followed by a cold shower bath, gave them.
+
+Representatives from Mechanicsburg, who wandered down to get a few
+points that might be calculated to give their athletes renewed
+confidence, took back tales of the spirit that had swept over the other
+town on the Mohunk.
+
+And they even said that Paulding was striving with might and main to get
+in line with the other two places. Her boys expressed a hope that when
+the favors were handed around, steady old Paulding might not be left
+entirely out of the running. There were even broad hints that some
+people were going to get the surprise of their lives when the great day
+arrived. Paulding always had been a difficult crowd to beat, and would
+never confess to defeat until the last word had been said.
+
+It was the day just preceding that on which the athletic meet was slated
+to be held. As before, luck seemed to dwell with Riverport, since the
+drawing of lots decided that the tournament must be held on her grounds,
+outside of town. And it seemed about right that this should be the case,
+since Riverport lay between her two rivals on the Mohunk, one being
+three, the other seven miles away.
+
+Nothing else was talked of those days, after school, but the proposed
+meet. On the field itself there gathered crowds of boys and girls who
+hovered in groups while the various candidates went through their work;
+and either praised, or criticised; for it is always easy to do the
+latter.
+
+So on this morning of the day preceding the great event, whenever boys
+ran across each other on the street, it was always with questions
+concerning the condition of those upon whom Riverport depended to win
+the most points in the tournament. At no time in the past had the state
+of health of these lads interested more than a very small portion of the
+community. Now everybody heaved a sigh of satisfaction upon learning
+that Colon was said to be in better trim than ever before in all his
+life, or that Sid Wells, Fred Fenton and Bristles Carpenter were just
+feeling "fine."
+
+Whenever one of those who were expected to take part made his appearance
+on the street he had a regular following, all hanging on every word he
+spoke, "just as if he might be an oracle," as Bristles humorously
+remarked.
+
+"Wait till Sunday morning, and then see if some balloons haven't
+busted," he went on to remark, as several fellows gathered around him
+that bright autumn morning, when there had been a sharp tang of frost in
+the air; "a lot of us will fail to score a beat, and then see how quick
+they drop us. Some will even be cruel enough to say they always knew
+that Bristles Carpenter was a big fake; and that when it came right down
+to business he never was able to hold up his end; and they never could
+see why the committee put him on the roll of would-be heroes."
+
+"Sure! and the next day it rained!" called back little Semi-Colon, whose
+size debarred him from taking any part in the athletic contests, a fact
+he deplored many times, for he had the spirit of a warrior in his small
+body.
+
+"Anyhow, Sunday will be a good day to rest, and stay indoors, to avoid
+all the cruel things that will be fired at a fellow Monday," grinned
+Bristles.
+
+"Say, don't talk like that, old man," remarked another of the group;
+"seems like you might be getting all ready for a funeral. I don't like
+it. Better do some boasting, and give us a chance to feel we're going to
+carry Mechanicsburg right off her feet."
+
+"Oh! I'm only taking out a little extra insurance, that's all," remarked
+Bristles. "They all do it, you know. Never knew a feller to get licked
+but he began to explain how it happened; and tell how if his foot had
+been all right, or that stitch in his side hadn't caught him, he'd have
+swept up the ground with all his rivals. I'm wondering what I'd better
+mention right now as troubling me."
+
+"But you just said you felt as fit as a fiddle?" protested Semi-Colon.
+
+"So I do," answered Bristles; "but that don't matter. A feller may feel
+fit, and yet have a sore toe; can't he? But, boys, if I get beaten
+you're not going to hear me put up a whine. It'll only be because the
+other feller is the better man."
+
+"Bully for you, Bristles;" remarked a tall student, vigorously; "I
+always knew you'd stand up and be counted. And just you make up your
+mind you're going to bring home the bacon. We want every point we can
+get, to beat Mechanicsburg out."
+
+"Nobody seems to take poor old Paulding seriously," remarked Fred, who
+was one of the noisy, enthusiastic group on the way to the recreation
+field for a spell of warming up exercise; for school had been dismissed
+on Thursday afternoon, giving this Friday preceding the meet as a
+holiday for the scholars, owing to the great interest taken in the
+affair, the trustees said, and also the fact that the other towns had
+decided upon the same thing.
+
+"Well, you never can tell," declared Dick Hendricks, who had come up
+just in time to catch the last remark. "I've got private information
+from below, and let me warn every fellow not to be cocksure about
+Paulding. That fellow they've got coaching them is no slouch. He was a
+college grad. just the same as our Mr. Shays; and they say he coached
+Princeton for several years, away back."
+
+"Oh! he's an old man, and a back number," observed Bristles,
+contemptuously. "I heard he hasn't kept up with the procession, and that
+his methods are altogether slow compared with the more modern ones."
+
+"Well, I believe in never underestimating an enemy," Fred went on; "and
+if all of us feel that we've got to do our level best in order to win,
+even against Paulding, that ends the matter."
+
+"Who's seen Colon this morning?" asked Dick Hendricks.
+
+"Not me," replied Bristles, "and it's kind of queer too, because he said
+he'd drop in for me at eight this morning, and now it's half-past.
+Reckon he forgot, and went on with another bunch. There's always a lot
+of boys trailing after Colon nowadays, you know. They just hang around
+his door, his mother told mine only yesterday, like a pack of hounds,
+calling for him to show himself."
+
+"Well, I guess Colon is the best card in our pack," declared Fred,
+stoutly. "You see, he's slated to run in all the shorter sprints, and we
+expect him to leave the other fellows at the post, for he's as fleet as
+a deer--Bristles says kangaroo, because of that queer jump he has. They
+haven't got a ghost of a show in any race Colon takes part in; and I
+guess they know it up at Mechanicsburg."
+
+"I was talking with a boy from there the other day," spoke up the tall
+student. "I think he was sent down here as a sort of spy, to see just
+what we were doing, and get tabs on our men. He owned up to me that if
+Colon could do that well in a regular race it would be a procession,
+because nobody could head him. They'd just run on in the hope he might
+be taken with cramps, or something."
+
+"Who's that hollering back there; looks like Corney Shays?" remarked
+Semi-Colon just then, so sharply that the entire group paused to look
+back.
+
+"It is Corney, late as usual, and with his nerve along; because he wants
+us all to stop and wait for him," declared Dick Hendricks. "Come along
+boys, and let him catch up if he can."
+
+"But he acts mighty queer," said Fred.
+
+"You're right he does," added Bristles, taking the alarm at once. "Look
+at him waving his arms. Say, fellers, something's gone wrong, bet you a
+cooky. I just feel it in my bones. Oh! what if Colon's been taken sick
+right now the day before?"
+
+They stood there, silent and expectant, until the running Corney had
+drawn near.
+
+"What ails you, Corney?" demanded Dick.
+
+"It's Colon!" gasped the other, almost out of breath, and much excited
+in the bargain, they could see, for his eyes seemed ready to pop out of
+his head.
+
+"Don't tell us he's sick!" cried Bristles, in real horror.
+
+"Disappeared--never slept in his bed last night, his ma says! Gone in
+the queerest way ever, and just when Riverport depended on him to win
+the prize to-morrow!" was what the almost breathless Corney gasped.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+WHERE IS COLON?
+
+
+"Oh! what d'ye think of that, now?" cried Bristles.
+
+"How could Colon ever do it; and all Riverport depending on him so?"
+exclaimed the tall student, Henry Clifford by name, who was always
+deeply interested in the field sports of his mates, though too delicate
+himself to take any part in them.
+
+"Why, what d'ye think he's done?" demanded Bristles, aggressively,
+turning on him.
+
+"Perhaps he just got so nervous over this business that he couldn't
+stand the push, and thought he'd better skip out," replied the other,
+weakly.
+
+"Rats! tell that to your grandmother, will you, Clifford!" burst out
+Semi-Colon, quick to rally to the defense of his cousin. "Nobody ever
+knew him to flinch when it came to the test; ain't that so, fellers?"
+
+"Sure it is," cried Bristles, sturdily; "and when I saw him last night
+he was just feeling as if he had a walkover ahead. No, if Colon has
+disappeared there's some other reason besides a sudden fear of being
+beaten. He never went of his own account."
+
+"Tell us some more about it, Corney," said Fred, himself considerably
+shaken by the stunning news brought by the runner.
+
+Corney had by now succeeded in regaining his breath.
+
+"Well, he's gone, that's a dead sure thing," he began. "I went around to
+his house to get him to come. Found several other fellows sitting there
+on the bank outside the fence. They didn't have the nerve to go in and
+ask for Colon, you see. But I walked up to the door, and knocked. Mrs.
+Colon came out, and smiled to see the mob there, like she might be
+feeling proud that her boy was so well thought of."
+
+"Oh! cut it short!" growled Dick Hendricks. "Get down to facts. What did
+she say?"
+
+"That she was letting Chris sleep longer this morning, because he was
+working so hard these days; but would go and wake him up. A minute later
+I heard her call out, and then I ran in, fearing that something had
+happened to our chum. She was there in his room, wringing her hands, and
+carryin' on like everything. Then I saw that the bed hadn't been slept
+in. Fellers, it gave me a cold creep, because you see, I just _knew_
+something terrible must have happened to poor old Colon."
+
+Fred tried to keep his head about him in this trying moment. He knew
+that this peculiar disappearance of Colon could not be an accident; nor
+had the long-legged sprinter gone away of his own accord. There must be
+more about the matter than appeared on the surface.
+
+"One thing I think we can be sure of, right at the start," he remarked,
+seriously; and it was wonderful how eagerly the others listened to what
+he was about to say, as if they had more than ordinary confidence in
+Fred Fenton's judgment.
+
+"What is that, Fred?" asked Dick Hendricks.
+
+"Colon never went off willingly," the other declared.
+
+"Sure he didn't; but who could have done it, Fred?" demanded Bristles,
+clenching his fists aggressively, and looking ready for a fight, if only
+he knew on whom to vent his anger.
+
+"That's where we're all up a tree, and we'd better turn back right now,"
+Fred declared. "No use practicing this morning, with Colon lost to us.
+Who'd have any heart to do his best?"
+
+"Just what I was going to say, boys," spoke up Corney. "Come along back
+to his home with me. There's getting to be the biggest excitement in old
+Riverport that you ever heard tell of. Even when I chased after you
+they were running about in the streets, talkin' about the latest
+sensation. Women was gatherin' in knots on the corners, and discussin'
+it from all sides. They had sent for the chief of our police force, and
+I saw him headin' that way as I came along, with a whole mob of the
+fellers at his heels."
+
+"Whew! ain't this a stunner, though?" gasped the tall student, hurrying
+to keep up with the excited little bunch of schoolboys as they headed
+back toward the town.
+
+Just as Corney had declared, they found the place buzzing with
+excitement. All thought of business seemed to have been utterly
+abandoned for the time being; and merchants, as well as clerks, gathered
+outside the stores, engaged in discussing the news that had burst upon
+them.
+
+Fred, Bristles and the rest were soon at Colon's home.
+
+"Gee! look at the crowd; would you?" ejaculated Corney, as they came in
+sight of some scores of men, women and the younger element, who jostled
+each other in front of the house. "Ain't it funny how a thing like this
+spreads? Talk to me about wildfire--excitin' news has got it beat a
+mile. Why, they're still comin' in flocks and droves. The whole town
+will be around here before long."
+
+"Can you blame them?" remarked Dick Hendricks; "look at us right now,
+heading for the hub of the wheel for all we're worth. But there's one of
+the constables keeping 'em out of the gate. Wonder if he'll let us in?"
+
+"He's just got to," said Corney. "I'll tell him Mrs. Colon sent me out
+to get the whole bunch, and he'll pass us all right."
+
+Several did get in with the bold Corney, among them Fred and Bristles;
+but the main part of the group had to content themselves with kicking
+their heels against the fence, and waiting to get any additional news
+when their comrades came out.
+
+Inside they found Judge Colon, looking very much flushed. The missing
+boy was his nephew, and he was taking more than usual interest in the
+matter.
+
+Just now he seemed to be trying to comfort the alarmed mother, who,
+being a widow, with her only boy taken away in this mysterious manner,
+was much in need of sympathy and advice.
+
+"Depend upon it, Matilda," the judge was saying; "it will prove to be
+only some wild prank on the part of his mates; Christopher will turn up
+presently, safe and sound. You say he went out last night; do you happen
+to know where?"
+
+"He was over to my house, Judge," spoke up Bristles, boldly, wishing to
+give all the information in his power.
+
+"Ah! yes, it's you, Andrew, is it?" the gentleman remarked, looking
+around. "And about what time did he start away for home, may I ask?"
+
+"It couldn't have been much after ten, sir," replied the other. "We were
+playing cribbage, and he got the odd game. Yes, I remember, now, he said
+his mother would be in bed anyway when he got home."
+
+"And I did retire about nine, as I usually do," remarked Mrs. Colon,
+upon whose face the marks of tears could be plainly seen. "I didn't hear
+Christopher come in, because I slept unusually well the early part of
+the night. Then came that cruel shock this morning, when I saw his bed
+all made up, and knew he hadn't come home at all."
+
+"You went to the door with him; didn't you, Andrew?" the judge went on,
+with the persistence a lawyer might be expected to show when he had a
+willing witness on the stand, and was bent on getting every fact,
+however slight, from him.
+
+"Yes, sir, I even went out to our gate; and we stood there for nearly
+five minutes, I guess, talkin' about athletic matters. Then he said
+good-night, and walked down the road. There was a moon in the west, and
+I could see Colon swinging along in that sturdy way he has. Then I
+turned around and went up to bed."
+
+"When you stood there at the gate did anybody pass by?" asked the judge.
+
+"No sir, not a living soul," responded Bristles, after a few seconds of
+thought.
+
+"And you didn't hear any suspicious sounds, like boys laughing partly
+under their breath; did you, Andrew?"
+
+"Not a chuckle, sir," replied the other. "It was just a fine night, I
+noticed, and looked like we'd have good weather right along for the
+meet. But if you think there are any fellers in this town mean enough to
+kidnap Colon, just to give us a black eye to-morrow, I must say I can't
+understand it, sir."
+
+"Well, I believe I have known of a certain lot of young fellows who
+happen to hold forth around Riverport, and who would not be above doing
+a thing like that, given just half a cause," the judge replied,
+meaningly; and every one knew whom he had in mind, for their thoughts
+immediately flew to Buck Lemington and his cronies.
+
+"But perhaps it wasn't any prank of boys at all," Bristles went on,
+eagerly; "Colon said the night was so bright he had half a notion to
+take a two mile dash out over the Grafton road, just to wind up his big
+day. I advised him not to think of it, but he only laughed. But he's
+awful set in his ways, sir, once he makes up his mind."
+
+"He said that; did he?" asked the judge, apparently thinking that there
+might be something worth while taking note of in this latest assertion.
+
+"Yes, sir, he certainly did," the boy answered. "Colon's a queer fish
+anyhow, and does heaps of things nobody else'd ever think of. Now, what
+if he did start on that run; why, something might have happened to
+him--perhaps he tripped, and fell, and broke a leg, so he couldn't even
+crawl home."
+
+The mother started to cry again as she pictured her boy suffering all
+through the night as Bristles described so recklessly. And so the judge
+moved aside with several of the boys, the better to talk unheard by
+Colon's mother.
+
+"Things are beginning to take on shape, I see," he remarked, grimly.
+"Possibly the boy did foolishly start on that late run by moonlight, and
+met with trouble. Some people with whom I talked on the way here were of
+the opinion he had been kidnapped by tramps, and was being held for a
+ransom, just as if this might be Sicily or Greece."
+
+"I don't think that way, Judge Colon," said Fred, speaking for the first
+time.
+
+"I'm pleased to hear that you have another idea, my boy; let us know its
+nature," said the lawyer, who had always been favorably impressed with
+the sterling worth of Mr. Fenton's son, and now hoped he had struck on a
+plausible explanation of the odd mystery.
+
+"My idea is," Fred began, modestly, yet firmly, "that Colon has been
+abducted by some of those Mechanicsburg fellows, who know they haven't a
+ghost of a chance to win the three shorter running events on the
+schedule, with him in line. They've got a college man for a coach, you
+see, sir, and like as not he's been telling them of the tricks that are
+played among all the big universities; so they've just thought to spoil
+our game for us by holding our best man a prisoner till after the
+meet."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+A CLUE IN THE DITCH
+
+
+Judge Colon looked keenly at Fred as he made this suggestion.
+
+"I don't suppose now, my boy," the gentleman remarked, "you have any
+reason to suppose that what you say is the actual fact; that is, proof
+positive?"
+
+"No sir, I haven't," replied Fred. "It is only an idea that came into my
+mind."
+
+"Based upon what, might I ask?" the judge continued.
+
+"Well, I've known that a good many Mechanicsburg boys have been down
+here lately, curious to see what sort of a showing Riverport would make
+in the meet."
+
+"Yes, quite natural that they should want to know; because these must be
+anxious and trying times for the young people of the three towns," the
+judge remarked.
+
+"And," Fred went on, "of course they've heard a lot about our sprinter;
+for Riverport boys are like all other boys, and like to brag,
+especially when they've really got a phenomenon of a runner, like our
+Colon, to boast about."
+
+The judge smiled at that; for was not that same wonder a member of his
+family--a Colon?
+
+"And you think then, Fred, some of those up-river boys, convinced that
+if Christopher ran in the meet he would easily capture all the prizes in
+his class, made up their minds that something must be done to prevent
+such a wholesale delivery? You suspect, Fred, that they got up a bold
+little scheme to actually abduct the boy on one of the two nights
+preceding the tournament?"
+
+"Do you believe it impossible, Judge?" asked the boy, quickly.
+
+"Well, to be frank with you, I don't," answered the gentleman, gravely.
+"Indeed, while my knowledge of boy nature is not so extensive as that of
+some persons, I've got one myself who can think up more schemes in a
+minute than I could solve in an hour. And, Fred, I should be pleased if
+your supposition turned out to be true. It would at least relieve my
+mind with regard to graver things; however unpleasant the absence of
+Christopher might prove to the school that believes in him."
+
+"But he may be found in time!" declared Corney Shays, who had listened
+to all this talk with bated breath, and wide open eyes.
+
+"He will, if a pack of hounds like the boys of Riverport school are
+worth their salt!" avowed Bristles.
+
+"That has the right sort of ring to it," remarked the judge, with
+kindling eyes. "And in order to induce men, as well as boys, to take
+part in the hunt for your missing comrade, I'm going to offer a reward
+of one hundred dollars for his return inside of twenty-four hours,
+uninjured. I'll have half a dozen cards posted in the public places of
+the town, so that every person will know of my offer."
+
+"Hurrah for the judge!" burst out the impetuous Corney.
+
+"Then the sooner we get to work, fellows," said Fred, impressively, "the
+better."
+
+"Yes, spread the news as fast as you can," observed the judge; "tell it
+to that crowd of boys outside the fence, and get them to scatter with it
+all over town. Scour the whole territory, looking in every barn and
+woodshed to see whether they may have kept him a prisoner there. Boys
+sometimes can be more or less thoughtless, and even cruel when engaged
+in what they term sport. As the old saying has it, 'this is often fun
+for the boy, but death to the frog.' Be off, boys; and success to you!"
+
+Apparently the judge was not quite so much concerned as before Fred had
+made his suggestion. The unpleasant idea of lawless tramps having
+caught Colon, to hold him for ransom, had begun to lose plausibility in
+the mind of the reasoning lawyer.
+
+"Come along, fellows!" cried Bristles, who scented the pleasures of
+action, with something of the delight that an old war-horse does the
+smoke of battle.
+
+They hurried out of the house, leaving to the judge the task of
+explaining to Mrs. Colon how the situation had improved.
+
+There was an immediate scattering of the clans. Boys ran this way and
+that, telling the astonishing news to every one they met. Housewives
+stood in doorways and anxiously inquired as to the very latest theory to
+account for the mysterious disappearance of a Riverport lad. Such a
+thing had never happened before, save when little Rupert Whiting
+wandered off in search of butterflies, and was found two days later,
+living on the blueberries that grew so abundantly in the woods.
+
+And when the latest suggestion, connected with the boys of
+Mechanicsburg, began to be current it created no end of unfavorable
+comment.
+
+Meanwhile Fred and several of his chums had started in to see what they
+could do toward finding Colon. As usual they looked to Fred to do pretty
+much all the planning. Somehow, in times like this, when boys are
+called upon to meet a sudden emergency, they naturally turn toward the
+strongest spirit. In this case it happened to be Fred.
+
+"Now, in the beginning, fellows," he remarked, when he found that only
+Corney, Sid Wells, Bristles, and Semi-Colon were gathered around him;
+"we've got to go into this thing with some show of system."
+
+"That's right," admitted Corney.
+
+"Too many already just prancing around," observed Bristles, scornfully;
+"up one road, and down another, peekin' into barns, and asking questions
+of every farmer around. All that's what we call 'wasted endeavor,' at
+school. Fred, system is the thing. But just where do we make a proper
+start, so as to cover the field, and not go over the same ground twice?"
+
+"That's just it," replied the other; "we want to map out our course
+beforehand, and then stick to it. Now, to begin with, Bristles, let's
+decide which way Colon would have gone from your house, if he had really
+made up his mind that he must have a last two mile practice spin before
+he went home, and to bed."
+
+"Say, I can tell you that right off the reel," declared Bristles,
+officiously.
+
+"Then get busy," remarked Corney.
+
+"Why, you see," said Bristles, "when he talked of doing that little
+stunt, he said he'd a good notion to run up to the graveyard and back,
+which would make an even two miles."
+
+"But you didn't say anything about that before?" Fred objected.
+
+"Clean slipped my mind," his chum admitted, frankly; "fact is, I never
+thought it made the least difference what Colon _said_. The main thing
+seemed to be he was gone, like the ground had opened and swallowed him.
+But if he took that run, Fred, make up your mind it was up there."
+
+Corney gave a little whistle.
+
+"Gee! the loneliest old road inside of ten miles around Riverport, too.
+I guess old Colon must have been wanting to give them fellers the best
+chance ever. If he'd been offered a prize to accommodate 'em, he
+couldn't have hit the bulls-eye better."
+
+"Then that's the road we want to take," said Fred, decisively. "Don't
+mention it to anybody, but come along. Somebody who knows all the quirks
+of that road better than I do, lead off. And every fellow keep on the
+lookout, right and left, for signs."
+
+So they hurried away toward the house where the Carpenters lived.
+
+Bristles showed them just where he stood when, in the moonlight, he saw
+the last of his tall chum, turning to wave a hand at him.
+
+With that they started off. Little talking was indulged in, for all of
+them understood that they had a serious matter on their hands. With
+Colon gone, their hopes of landing a majority of the prizes offered for
+the various events of the athletic meet would begin to grow dim indeed.
+It would take the heart out of other contestants on the part of
+Riverport, and in all probability accomplish just the end those who had
+abducted Colon had in view.
+
+After they had passed along for some little distance, eagerly scanning
+every object in sight, their hopes fell a trifle. Boylike, they had
+imagined that as soon as they started out upon this promising theory
+they would find plenty of evidence calculated to prove its truth.
+
+"Ain't seen a sign of him yet!" grumbled Corney; "and we're nigh
+half-way to the old graveyard, too."
+
+"Wait!" said Fred, as he suddenly drew up, and the others followed suit;
+though none of them could imagine what had caused their leader to stop
+his quick walk.
+
+"Seen something; have you, Fred?" asked Bristles, eagerly.
+
+"Why, I was wondering," Fred remarked, quietly, and with a twinkle in
+his eye, "if they grew things like that around here on bushes, instead
+of blueberries!"
+
+He pointed down as he spoke. Alongside the road at this point lay a
+ditch that was a couple of feet lower than the surface of the pike.
+Straggly bushes partly over-ran the watercourse; and caught on the twigs
+of these was some sort of object that had attracted the attention of the
+observant boy.
+
+"Say, it's a cap!" ejaculated Corney.
+
+"And a good cap, too; not an old cast-off thing!" Sid declared.
+
+"Hold on, let me take it up out of there with this stick," said Fred.
+"No use getting our feet wet; and besides, it's easier this way."
+
+So saying, while the others clustered around, he reached down, and
+deftly thrusting the end of the stick under the cap, drew it to him.
+
+Immediately Bristles uttered a loud cry of astonishment, not unmixed
+with joy.
+
+"You recognize the cap, then; do you?" asked Fred.
+
+"Sure thing," answered Bristles, promptly. "It's Colon's cap."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+THE COVERED WAGON
+
+
+"What makes you so sure it belonged to him?" Fred asked.
+
+"Oh! I know it as well as I do my own cap," replied Bristles. "It's a
+queer mixture, you can see; and here's the place where Colon shot that
+arrow through it one day, when he asked me to throw it up in the air for
+him."
+
+"And I ought to know it too, Fred," remarked the short legged cousin of
+the missing boy. "Because I bought it for Chris. You see, I lost his
+other for him, and I had to spend some of my hard-earned cash to get him
+a new one. I found that at Snyder's Emporium; and I thought he'd kick
+like fun because it was so odd; but say, he just thought it the best
+thing ever! That's Colon's headgear, all right."
+
+"Then we'll consider that point settled," Fred went on to say. "The next
+thing on the program to decide is, how does it happen to be lying here
+in this ditch? As I remember it, there wasn't much of a wind last night
+when I went to bed, and it doesn't seem then that it could have blown
+off his head when he was running."
+
+"There wasn't a ripple in the leaves of the trees," declared Bristles.
+
+"And if it did blow off, wouldn't he have stopped to look for it in the
+moonlight?" remarked Sid Wells.
+
+"Colon is too careful of his things not to make a hunt for his cap,"
+came from Semi-Colon, who ought to know if any one did, about the
+peculiarities of his own cousin.
+
+"Well, the cap was here," Fred said; "and we found it; now why was it
+lying in the ditch as if it had been thrown there, or knocked off in a
+scuffle?"
+
+"Wow! now perhaps we ain't gettin' down to brass tacks!" ejaculated
+Bristles.
+
+Fred bent over to examine the road, along the edge of the ditch.
+
+"Looks like somethin' might have been going on here," Corney suggested.
+
+"You're right," Sid added, excitedly. "Why, anybody with one eye could
+see there'd been a scramble around here. Look at the scrapings in the
+dust; would you? just like a pack of fellows had set on one; and the
+bunch were jumping around him, trying to get away, and the others
+holding on. Fred, here's where it must have happened, sure!"
+
+"I think so myself," returned the leader of the five boys, gravely
+surveying the tell-tale marks in the dust of the road.
+
+"Eureka! ain't we the handy boys, though, to get on the track of the
+kidnappers so quick?" exclaimed Bristles, proudly.
+
+"Go slow," advised Fred; "we've only made a start as yet. Even if it
+happened here we don't know who jumped on Colon, and captured him. It
+might have been those Mechanicsburg fellows; or the three tramps who
+searched the Masterson farmhouse; and then again, why, perhaps some of
+our own Riverport boys may have been having a little fun, as they would
+call it, giving the rest of us a bad scare, just to have the laugh on
+us."
+
+"Say, do you think Buck Lemington and his bunch would get down as low as
+that?" demanded Bristles.
+
+"I didn't mention his name," replied Fred; "but you all knew what was on
+my mind. Well, from what I've seen of Buck, it strikes me he'd never
+stop one minute if the idea once came into his mind. Perhaps some of you
+noticed that he wasn't running around like the rest of the fellows. Buck
+was watching the row, and I thought once I saw him grin as if he might
+be enjoying something."
+
+"And Fred," spoke up Corney just then, "you just ought to have seen the
+ugly look he gave you when you happened to pass. Buck's never gotten
+over it because when you dropped into Riverport his star began to set.
+It's been going lower all the time, and he keeps nursing his ugly
+feeling for you. Some fine day he means to get you when you're not
+thinking, and even up all scores. Look out for him, Fred."
+
+"I used to think Buck hated me about as bad as he could anybody,"
+remarked Sid; "but lately I've changed my mind. I never gave him
+one-half the cause to feel ugly that Fred has."
+
+"You don't say," remarked the one mentioned, looking surprised; "what
+have I done to Buck that is so dreadful? I've tried to mind my own
+business, and never went out of my way a single step to bother with
+him."
+
+"But it just _happened_," ventured Sid, "that your way was Buck's own
+road in some cases. Now, time was, and every fellow here will bear me
+out in what I say, when Buck used to take a certain pretty girl to lots
+of places. They squabbled more or less; but Buck wouldn't allow any
+other fellow to be Flo's escort. All that is changed these days. She
+cuts him dead; and every time she turns him down he grins and grits his
+teeth, and I reckon thinks of you kindly--not."
+
+"Oh! well, that's ancient history," remarked Fred, smiling. "And it
+cuts no figure in what we're trying to find out now. If Colon was
+waylaid here, and made a prisoner, how can we discover who did the job?"
+
+As he spoke he once more threw himself down on hands and knees as if
+bent upon closely examining the dusty road.
+
+"I can see a plain footprint here, that has a mark I'd know again," he
+presently exclaimed. "Do any of you happen to know whether Colon is
+wearing a shoe with plain patch on the sole running diagonally across
+about half way down?"
+
+Bristles spoke up immediately.
+
+"He wasn't last night, and that's a cinch. Because he had on his running
+shoes, and they were new this season. I know, for he showed me where he
+meant to have a little extra sewing done on each shoe to-day, for fear
+something might happen in the races, and he has only the one pair. I
+handled both, and the soles didn't have a sign of a patch, Fred."
+
+"Then that settles one thing," remarked the other; "we've got a clue to
+the first of his enemies, whoever he proves to be. And wherever we go
+we'll keep a sharp lookout for that shoe with the patch on the sole. Get
+down here, fellows, and take the measure of it right now."
+
+While they were doing this Fred was looking around; and no sooner had
+his four chums regained their feet than he was ready with a new
+proposition.
+
+"There's a house over yonder," he said; "now, it's possible we might
+learn something if we asked questions. No harm trying it, anyway, so
+come along, boys."
+
+A woman stood in the doorway. She seemed to be a farmer's wife, and she
+had been watching the actions of the five boys, puzzled to account for
+their queer behavior.
+
+Thinking that the quickest way to enlist her sympathy would be to relate
+what a peculiar thing had happened on the preceding night, Fred politely
+accosted her, and as quickly as he could find words to do so, told the
+story of Colon's vanishing.
+
+"Now, you see, ma'am," he went on, after he had aroused her interest in
+this way, "we've reason to believe that they jumped on our chum right
+over where you noticed us examining the ground. And seeing you standing
+here, with your house so near the place, I thought that perhaps you
+might have heard something last night."
+
+"Well, that's just what I did," the farmer's wife replied, thrilling the
+boys who had clustered around the doorway where she stood.
+
+"Do you happen to know about what time it might have been?" asked Fred.
+
+"Along about half after ten, I should say," she answered.
+
+Fred looked at his chums, inquiringly.
+
+"Just to the dot," declared Bristles, "Mebbe you remember that I said it
+was some time after ten when Colon broke away. Then we stood talkin' at
+the gate a little bit; and when he got this far on his mile dash up to
+the graveyard, it must have been close to the half hour. That tallies
+fine, Fred."
+
+"What was it you heard, ma'am?" Fred continued, after the talkative
+Bristles had had his say, and subsided again.
+
+"Why, I'd gone to bed long before. My man is as deaf as a post, and
+never hears a thing. I thought I caught a shout, like a boy whooping.
+We've got a few trees of fine Baldwin apples back here, and twice now,
+boys from Riverport have raided the orchard; so I'm on the watch to fire
+a gun out of the window to give 'em a scare."
+
+"And you thought they were in your trees again; did you?" asked Fred,
+when the woman paused.
+
+"That's what struck me at first," she went on; "but as soon as I got up
+I knew better; because all the noise came from up the road there. I
+stayed by the window listening and heard a lot of shouting. Then it was
+all still, and pretty soon a covered wagon went past the house."
+
+"Which way; toward Riverport or in the other direction?" Fred inquired.
+
+"Oh!" the woman replied, "it was going up toward the graveyard; but then
+I didn't think that so strange, because I've seen that same limpy white
+horse, and the covered wagon, go by here lots of times for years now."
+
+"That is, you knew it, and could even tell it in the moonlight?" the boy
+asked.
+
+"It belongs to old Toby Scroggins," she replied. "The hoss limps, and
+you can always hear Toby saying 'gad-up! gad-up!' every ten feet, right
+along."
+
+"I know him, and what she says is so," remarked Sid. "Why, years ago he
+had the same old crowbait of a horse, and the boys mocked him when he'd
+keep using the whip, and telling the beast to get along."
+
+"Did you hear Toby talking to his limping nag last night, ma'am?" asked
+Fred.
+
+"Why, lands! no, I didn't, now you mention it," she answered; "but then
+sometimes he goes to sleep on his wagon, returning from market, where he
+buys corn for his hogs, 'stead of raisin' it like the rest of us. And he
+lives a long way up the road, you see."
+
+Fred turned upon his companions.
+
+"What do you think, fellows," he asked; "was that wagon filled with corn
+last night, or had it a lot of boys under the cover when it passed
+here, one of them being our missing chum, Colon?"
+
+"I reckon you've struck pay dirt, Fred," declared Corney.
+
+"My opinion too!" echoed Semi-Colon.
+
+"Count me in on that, and make it unanimous!" Bristles remarked.
+
+"And what about you, Sid?" asked Fred, turning on his nearest chum.
+
+"H'm! I not only agree to all you say, Fred, but I reckon I know right
+now where they've got Colon shut up. He's in the haunted mill, boys!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+THE AMBUSH
+
+
+Several of the other boys had uttered exclamations when Sid made this
+statement. Fred, however, did not seem to be very much impressed.
+
+"A haunted mill!" he repeated; "that's something new to me. I thought
+I'd heard about everything queer around Riverport; but I didn't know you
+had ghosts hanging out here. Where's it at, Sid; and why do you call it
+haunted?"
+
+"Oh! I'd almost forgotten all about that place," the other replied; "you
+see none of the boys ever go up any more to the mill-pond swimming,
+since Dub Jasper from over in Mechanicsburg way, got caught in that
+sucker hole, and near drowned. Folks said it was too dangerous for us
+there. But I thought I'd told you about the old mill, and how it hadn't
+been used for years now."
+
+"But is it haunted; did anybody ever see a ghost there?" asked Fred,
+determined to get at the truth.
+
+"Shucks! no," Bristles broke in with; "the boys just started to call it
+that because it looks so gloomy like, standin' there deserted. We used
+to play around it. I've slid over on the big wheel myself, lots of
+times, and gone all the way around, under water as well. But I guess
+there's no real ghost about it, Fred."
+
+"All the same," continued Sid, "it would make a great place to keep a
+fellow so nobody could find him. I understand that the owner closed it
+up, boarded the windows, and locked the doors, after we quit going
+there."
+
+"How far away is it from here?" Fred next inquired.
+
+"All of three miles, I should say," the woman remarked; for she had been
+listening to what the boys were saying, with more or less interest.
+
+"And about as far from Mechanicsburg," Sid went on. "You see, it's on a
+road that runs into this some ways up. And old Toby, he lives about half
+a mile further on. Now, I wonder how they ever got his limpy horse?
+Perhaps they hired it for the time; or else just sneaked it out of his
+barn, to come down here with."
+
+"Just now," remarked Fred, "we don't care much about how they did it.
+What we want to do is to start right off, and get up there to that same
+region of the mill. Are you good for the hike, fellows?"
+
+"Are we?" echoed Bristles; "why, if you say the word we'll give you a
+run for your money, Fred, and put you in practice for to-morrow."
+
+"Let's start right now," suggested Corney.
+
+When the second mile had been covered, Semi-Colon was gasping for
+breath, but sticking to it gamely. He was a most persistent little
+fellow, and had always played a good game of ball, despite his lack of
+stature.
+
+Fred eased up a bit. There was no great need for haste, after all. The
+day was before them, and they must by now be getting up in the region
+where the mill spoken of was to be found.
+
+He kept a bright lookout ahead, but trees concealed much of the view, so
+that he could hardly have made any discovery. Besides, upon asking Sid,
+he learned that the deserted mill was not upon this road at all; but
+down a private lane, that was almost wholly overgrown with briars and
+bushes, not having been used for teams in nearly twenty years.
+
+They had met very few persons on the road--a haywagon headed for
+Riverport to supply some of the local demand; a farmer making his way
+slowly homeward after an early visit to the market with produce--these
+two going in opposite directions made up about the sum total.
+
+In these days it had become such a common sight to meet groups of boys
+clad in running togs, and sprinting along the country roads, that
+neither driver paid much attention to the bunch that loped easily
+onward.
+
+"There's where the Mechanicsburg road joins this one," Sid had said, as
+they passed the junction point; but there was no reason why they should
+stop; though Fred did find himself wondering whether, if he examined the
+ground very carefully around on that other turnpike, he would discover
+such a thing as a footprint, with the sole patched.
+
+"If it was done by Mechanicsburg fellows," he remarked, "I reckon they'd
+have come out here then, and gone along the road to borrow Toby's white
+horse with the covered wagon. It must have been that last which drew
+them; because, you see, they could hide inside, and nobody would think
+they were carrying off a fellow."
+
+"We're getting pretty close now, Fred," remarked Sid; "suppose you
+slacken up, and give Semi-Colon a chance to get his wind. He's nearly
+done for."
+
+"Ain't neither!" snapped the game little fellow, stubbornly; "c'd keep
+it up--all morning--if I--had to."
+
+But Fred immediately stopped running, falling back into a walk. He was
+looking ahead along the road.
+
+"There's a boy just passing that opening yonder, and coming this way,"
+he remarked; "and strikes me he doesn't look like a regular buck-wheat
+farmer's boy."
+
+"Where?" demanded Sid, eagerly, and immediately adding; "Ginger! if it
+ain't that Wagner, the Mechanicsburg fellow who always puts up such a
+stiff fight in baseball, football and the rowing contest. Now whatever
+in the wide world d'ye think he can be doing here, three miles and more
+from home?"
+
+"Oh!" said Fred, drily, "perhaps they've heard the news up there, and
+some of their boys have started out to see about earning that hundred
+dollars reward. It might have been telephoned up, you know."
+
+"But all the same you don't believe that, Fred!" Corney exclaimed.
+
+"It looks mighty suspicious, in my eyes, with that deserted mill so near
+by, and us believin' they've got our chum held up there," Bristles
+remarked, mysteriously.
+
+"I don't think he saw us, do you, Fred?" asked Sid.
+
+"To tell the truth I don't; because he seemed to be looking the other
+way," answered the one spoken to. "And perhaps it might be just as well
+for us, boys, to make ourselves scarce right now. Here's some bushes
+where we can hide."
+
+"What do you mean to do, Fred; jump out and grab Wagner, and make him
+own up?" demanded Corney, as the five boys started to conceal
+themselves back of the bush patch.
+
+"Well, we ought to know what he's doing over here, and right now of all
+times. You said we were close to the old lane that leads to the mill,
+didn't you, Sid?" asked Fred.
+
+"It lies just a stone's throw further along the road than the spot where
+you saw Wagner through that opening in the trees," the other remarked.
+
+"H'st! he's a-comin', fellers; you want to lie low, and stop gabblin',"
+warned Bristles, who happened to have chosen a position where he had a
+clearer view along the road than his mates.
+
+So they relapsed into silence, waiting for the other boy to get
+opposite, when it was expected that Fred would give a signal for them to
+spring out and surround Wagner.
+
+They could hear him whistling, as if perfectly care-free. Fred was
+reminded of Gabe Larkins, the butcher's boy, who used to have such a
+tremendous whistle, as though by this means he would defy anyone to even
+suspect that he could be guilty of wrong doing.
+
+Another thing Fred noticed, as he peered out at the advancing boy;
+Wagner was not in running costume, which would go to prove that a desire
+to practice could hardly have taken him away over here, three miles from
+home.
+
+It looked suspicious, to say the least. Bristles was moving uneasily, as
+though he began to fear that Fred might want to let the other pass by;
+such a course would be very unpleasant to Bristles, impatient of
+restraint. He hoped that they would make a prisoner of the boy from
+Mechanicsburg, and force him by dire threats to confess to what he and
+his comrades had done with the crack Riverport sprinter, Colon.
+
+Wagner, besides being the captain of the athletic track team that
+expected to compete with the other schools, happened to be the best
+short distance runner in Mechanicsburg. Thus it would be most of all to
+his interest to have Colon fail to take part in the meet. Fred bore this
+in mind when trying to figure out whether the problem could be solved in
+this way.
+
+Meanwhile Wagner came on, still whistling merrily. He did not look like
+a guilty conspirator, Fred thought; but then it is not always safe to
+figure on appearances in such a matter.
+
+Now the boy was almost directly opposite the place where Fred and his
+four chums lay concealed. If they expected to surround him, there was no
+more time to be lost.
+
+"Hello! Wagner!"
+
+With the words Fred jumped out from the sheltering bushes. The others
+were just as spry, and almost before Wagner knew it they had formed a
+complete cordon around him. Had he thought of running, it was now too
+late, for retreat was cut off. But Wagner just stood there and stared at
+them, his face showing signs of either real or cleverly assumed wonder.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+THE HAUNTED MILL
+
+
+"Well, this is a surprise!" remarked Felix Wagner, as he continued to
+stare at the five Riverport fellows who had leaped out so suddenly from
+the brush alongside the road, and completely surrounded him.
+
+Fred was keeping his eyes on the other's face. He had expected to see
+Felix appear confused; but, strange to say, he was nothing of the sort.
+
+"You just believe me, it is a surprise, all right!" exclaimed Bristles,
+half elevating one of his clenched hands menacingly.
+
+Wagner observed the threatening gesture. He looked from Bristles to the
+rest of the group by which he was encircled. Then a grim smile broke
+over his face.
+
+"Hello!" he said, briskly; "seems to be catching don't it? Our new
+doctor over in Mechanicsburg says one disease can be cured by a dose of
+the same sort of trouble. He's different from the old fashioned kind of
+doctors. I heard about what happened to your friend, Colon; a man in a
+car that I knew, stopped me about a mile up the road and asked me if I'd
+seen anything of him. Then he told me about how he had disappeared in
+the queerest way ever. And now it looks like you wanted to put me in the
+cooler, so there wouldn't be any sprinting at all to-morrow. Well,
+you've got me, boys. Now, what do you want?"
+
+"Sounds pretty nice, Felix, but it won't wash," grunted Corney, shaking
+his head as if to indicate that he did not believe one word of what he
+heard.
+
+"Own up, Wagner, that it was all your doings!" said Sid, coaxingly.
+
+"Yes, what have you done with my cousin? It'll go easier with you if you
+turn in and help us find him!" exclaimed little Semi-Colon.
+
+Fred said nothing. He was still watching the varied emotions that fairly
+flew across the expressive face of Felix Wagner. Gradually he found
+himself believing more than ever that the Mechanicsburg fellow was
+innocent. What he had seen of Felix in the various games played between
+the boys of the rival schools had inclined him to look on the other as a
+pretty decent sort of chap.
+
+"Well, I declare, is that what ails you?" burst out Wagner, presently,
+as he looked around the circle of angry faces.
+
+"Just what it is," replied Sid.
+
+"We've traced you all the way up here, and we're bound to rescue our
+chum, or know the reason why," Bristles declared.
+
+"You thought that old covered wagon of Toby's, and his limping white
+horse, would be a smart dodge; but we found you out," Corney threw at
+the boy at bay.
+
+Then the comical side of the affair seemed to strike Wagner. He threw
+back his head and laughed heartily.
+
+"Oh! yes, it looks funny to you, perhaps!" cried little Semi-Colon; "but
+just think of what his poor mother suffered when she went into his room
+this morning, and found that Colon hadn't slept in his bed all night,
+and that he couldn't be found anywhere. Now, laugh again, hang you!"
+
+Wagner instantly sobered up.
+
+"I don't blame you one little bit for feeling sore at me, if you think I
+had any hand in such a low-down business," he said, earnestly. "Why, I
+can prove it by Mr. Ketcham, the gentleman in the car I told you about,
+who gave me the news, that I was hot under the collar, and said, over
+and over again, that it was a mighty small way to win games."
+
+"Oh! you said that, did you, Felix?" mumbled Bristles, eyeing the other
+suspiciously; for he was slow to change his mind, once it was set on a
+thing.
+
+"More than that," continued Wagner, stoutly; "I told him plainly, and
+he's on the committee of arrangements for your town too, that I'd never
+run in a race when my worst rival had been spirited away just to throw
+the game, either to us or Paulding."
+
+"Gee! that sounds straight!" muttered Sid.
+
+"Stop and think a minute, Sid Wells," the accused lad went on; "you've
+known me a long time, and we've been rivals from the days when we were
+knee high to grasshoppers; but did you ever know me to attempt a dirty
+trick? Haven't I always played the game for all it was worth, but square
+through and through?"
+
+"That's right, Felix, you have," assented Sid, heartily.
+
+Even Bristles found himself compelled to nod his head, as if ready to
+say the same thing if asked.
+
+"All right then," Wagner went on, "I give you fellows my sacred word of
+honor that I never dreamed such a thing had been thought of or
+attempted, until Mr. Ketcham told me, a little while ago."
+
+"But what are you doing away out here, Wagner?" asked Corney.
+
+"Not taking a practice spin, because you haven't got on your running
+clothes," Semi-Colon declared, meaningly.
+
+"Sure I haven't, because I promised my mother I'd only run this
+afternoon. She's afraid I'm going it too strong, and that I'll break
+down under the strain to-morrow. And besides, I'm in apple-pie shape for
+the race right now. As to my being here, why I went over early this
+morning to Tenafly with my father's lawyer, Mr. Goodenough, to attend to
+some business for my dad. Ask him if it isn't so?"
+
+"Oh! was that it?" remarked Bristles; "why, didn't he go himself, Felix;
+tell us that?"
+
+"We had to have the doctor over last night to see dad; he had another
+attack of lumbago, and can't move this morning. And, as this matter had
+to be looked into to-day, he asked me to go with his lawyer, and bring
+back the papers. I've got 'em right here."
+
+Wagner flourished some legal-looking documents as he said this. They
+settled the matter, so far as Fred was concerned.
+
+"Wagner, you'll have to excuse the way we jumped out on you," he said,
+smilingly. "You couldn't blame us. We've tracked that covered wagon
+right up here. We happen to know that it belonged to Farmer Toby; and a
+woman heard the struggle on the road when Colon was captured. And you
+see, some of the boys are dead sure our chum is being kept hidden in
+what they call the old haunted mill, right beyond us."
+
+"Whew!" ejaculated Felix, apparently now deeply interested. "Where could
+a better hiding place be found for keeping a fellow, I'd like to know?
+And boys, if you're going to rescue Colon, count me in the game. Now
+don't say a word, because I won't take no for an answer."
+
+"That's mighty nice of you, Wagner," said Sid, thrusting out his hand
+with his usual impulsiveness; "but perhaps you'd better think twice
+before you make up your mind to join in with us."
+
+"Say, why should I hold back?" demanded the other, aggressively; "I
+don't think I'm any more of a coward than the rest of the bunch. Here,
+let me get a club, like the one Bristles Carpenter has."
+
+"But hold on, Felix; perhaps you might not like to use it?" suggested
+Fred.
+
+"Think so?" cried the other; "then you've got another guess coming,
+Fenton. Just why mightn't I want to get in a few whacks at the cowardly
+curs that kidnapped Chris Colon?"
+
+"Well, they might turn out to be some of your best chums," replied Fred.
+
+"Wantin' to do you what they thought a good turn," added Corney.
+
+"By cutting out the fellow you had to fear most of all, my cousin
+Chris," Semi-Colon continued.
+
+"Oh! that's the way the land lies, does it!" observed Wagner, grimly.
+"You believe this job was the work of Mechanicsburg boys; do you? Well,
+I think differently, that's all. But if it turned out to be my best chum
+I'd just as lief thump him as not. I'd be ashamed to own a chum who
+would be guilty of such a trick. I'd never look at a prize won under
+such conditions, without turning red, and feeling foolish."
+
+"But see here, how'd you get over to Tenafly, Wagner; and why didn't you
+go back the same way?" demanded Bristles.
+
+"We went over on the seven-ten train this morning. The agent will tell
+you so, for he sold us tickets, and was chatting with both of us. Mr.
+Goodenough met a friend over there who invited him to stay to dinner. So
+I said, rather than wait until noon, I'd just pump it on foot for home.
+I thought it might be a good way to tune up for the afternoon whirl,
+without breaking my word to mother. That's all."
+
+"And it's enough," said Fred. "Fall in, Wagner, and come along with us.
+We might be glad to have another fellow along, if it happens that after
+all tramps carried Colon off, as some people say."
+
+"All right, fellows, I'm with you," remarked Felix. "And I declare, if
+here isn't just the stick I'm looking for, sound enough to send in a
+home run with. Must have been waiting for me."
+
+With these words Wagner joined the little group that hurried along the
+road. As they reached a certain place Sid, who was in the lead, suddenly
+turned aside. It was what had once been a serviceable lane, but which
+was now overgrown with weeds and underbrush.
+
+"Wait a minute," Fred remarked, in a low voice.
+
+They saw him looking closely at the ground, and almost immediately he
+raised a smiling face toward the balance of the group.
+
+"We made a center-shot when we guessed about this old mill, boys," he
+observed, nodding; "because here are the plain tracks of a wagon; it
+came in lately too, and went out again. The tracks show that it was here
+since that last little shower, which was two nights back. Now for the
+mill, Sid."
+
+Gripping their cudgels tightly in their hands; and with compressed lips,
+as well as determined-looking faces, the little bunch of boys followed
+the sunken lane as it left the main road, and ran into a wilderness of
+woodland.
+
+Then suddenly they realized that there was a musical sound of dripping
+water close by. It seemed to thrill every nerve, and make six boyish
+hearts beat at a double pace.
+
+Two minutes later, on emerging from the tangle, they saw the ruined old
+mill before them. And it certainly did look just as "spooky" as Sid had
+declared, when he suggested that they might find their missing comrade
+hidden there.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+A BROKEN DOOR
+
+
+Fred took charge of the combined forces. Somehow the others appeared to
+look to him to do this.
+
+"Seems to be all boarded up across the windows," he remarked.
+
+"I told you I'd heard the owner did that a long time ago," said Sid, at
+his elbow.
+
+"And the doors look like they might be locked tight, too," Fred
+continued.
+
+"Oh! we can bust one in; that's easy," chuckled Bristles, who was always
+ready to proceed to extreme methods; where Fred might think to try
+strategy, he would attempt force.
+
+"But they must have found some way to get in; and unless we made sure to
+guard that point, they'd have a way to escape handy," the leader went
+on.
+
+"Say, wouldn't that be hard luck, though?" Corney exclaimed; "for us to
+rush in one door, and have the bunch of kidnappers pop out another."
+
+"I'd be half sick if I didn't get a chance to see who they are,"
+ventured little Semi-Colon.
+
+"And me, if I lost a splendid opportunity to use this lovely club,"
+Bristles remarked, swinging the article in question around his head,
+until it fairly whistled through the air.
+
+"Is there any hole they might get out of, Sid?" asked Fred.
+
+"Well," replied the other, speedily; "if I was in there, and heard some
+hot-headed fellows banging on the door with all sorts of clubs, I think
+I'd make a break for the old wheel, and take my chances climbing down.
+If one of the rotten paddles broke, it'd mean a ducking in the pond
+below; but I'd risk that."
+
+"All right," Fred said, quickly; "we'll try to stop up that leak,
+Corney."
+
+"That's me," replied the other, stepping out of the line.
+
+"You and Semi-Colon guard the wheel; and if anybody tries to escape that
+way, I don't need to tell you what to do."
+
+"And we'll do it, all right; won't we, Semi?" Corney boasted,
+immediately swinging around, and heading toward the spot where the
+moss-covered wheel of the deserted mill could be seen, with little
+streams of water trickling over it from the broken sluiceway above.
+
+"The rest of us will tackle one of the doors, and break it in, if it's
+fast," Fred went on to say.
+
+"And don't let's be all day about it, either," remarked the impatient
+Bristles, who was fretting all the while because he could not be doing
+something.
+
+"Come on!" said Fred.
+
+He headed straight for the nearest door as he spoke, with three anxious
+followers at his heels. Felix Wagner was looking particularly well
+pleased. He had not anticipated such a treat when deciding to walk all
+the way back from Tenafly that morning. And he felt that things were all
+coming in his direction at a furious rate.
+
+"Fast; eh, Fred?" asked Sid, as he saw the other make a vain attempt to
+open the door of the mill; through which doubtless the office had been
+reached in times past, when the neighboring farmers all came here daily
+to have their grist ground, and to carry home their flour.
+
+"It sure is; I can't seem to budge it," came the reply.
+
+"Wonder if they went in here?" hazarded Bristles, himself giving a
+fierce though ineffective push.
+
+"We can settle that easy enough," remarked Fred; "by seeing if there are
+any signs of new footprints here before this door."
+
+"Well, you do take the cake thinkin' up things," muttered Bristles, as
+he dropped down to examine the soil.
+
+"They're here, all right, Fred!" he announced quickly, in a thrilling
+whisper.
+
+"Perhaps you even see that shoe print that shows the patch?" asked Fred.
+
+"Right you are," Bristles immediately announced; "just what you told us
+to watch for. Boys, we've tracked the abductors of our chum to their
+lair; and now to smash in the door, and jump 'em!"
+
+"But however in the wide world do you think they got in here, if the old
+door is locked?" demanded Wagner, curiously, and wondering if Fred could
+give an answer to that question as easily as he seemed to solve other
+mysteries.
+
+"I think a key has been used here lately," replied the other. "I can see
+marks around the keyhole to tell that. Chances are, they had one made to
+fit the door. A smart fellow could take an impression of the lock with
+wax, or something, and a locksmith would make him a key that would
+answer.
+
+"But, perhaps, if two or three of us could get our shoulders against the
+old thing we might manage to force it. The chances are it's pretty punk,
+being so old; and the lock must be rusty, too."
+
+"Then let's make a try; and me to be one of the pushers," Bristles
+said, as he began to get his sturdy frame locked in an attitude where he
+could exert the most force.
+
+Fred and Wagner took their places alongside, managing to crowd in; while
+even Sid put his stick against the upper part of the door, as though
+meaning to add to the united pressure as well as he could.
+
+"Ready?" asked Fred.
+
+"Yep!" came from Bristles; while Felix grunted his assent.
+
+"Then all together, now!" exclaimed the leader.
+
+"She moved then, Fred!" gasped the pleased Bristles.
+
+"Once more, fellows, and all together, give it to her!" Fred continued;
+and the three exerted themselves to their utmost to break the door's
+fastenings, or hinges, by a combination of their strength, which was
+considerable.
+
+"Listen to her squeak, would you?" called out Bristles. "Again, fellows,
+for the honor of old Riverport! Together with a will!"
+
+"Yo-heave-o!" cried Wagner, for the time being willing to be classed as
+one of the Riverport crowd, since he was working hand in glove with
+them.
+
+The door cracked more than ever under this strain.
+
+"She's giving way!" declared Bristles. "We're doing the business all
+right, boys!"
+
+"Keep moving!" called out Sid, encouragingly, and wishing one of the
+workers might back out, so that he could find a chance to exercise his
+muscles on the job.
+
+One, two, three more tremendous pushes and there was a crash as the door
+gave way before the united efforts of the three determined lads. Either
+the rusty lock had been unable to hold out longer, or else the hinges
+were in a state of complete collapse.
+
+Indeed, so suddenly did the result occur that Bristles was unable to
+keep on his feet. His support being withdrawn, he went plunging headlong
+with the falling door.
+
+"Ouch!" they heard him cry out, as he struggled there on the floor amid
+a whirl of dust.
+
+"Are you hurt?" asked Fred, anxiously; for the other had come down
+pretty hard.
+
+"N-no, not much, I guess," Bristles replied, as he began to struggle
+once more to his feet, aided by Fred's ready hand; but as the breath had
+been pretty well knocked out of him by the concussion, Bristles, for
+once, lacked words to explain his feelings.
+
+The balance seemed to be waiting for the dust to settle, or their
+companion to get possession of his war-club again, before advancing into
+the mill.
+
+"Let me head the crowd, Fred, because I know every inch of the place,"
+Sid insisted, as he pushed through the now open door.
+
+"Wait, and let's give a call," suggested Felix. "If Colon's in here he
+might be up in the loft, or down in the pit, goodness knows where. Tune
+up, fellows, and see what's what!"
+
+They all shouted together, and the result was such a medley of sounds
+that it was doubtful if even their chum could have recognized familiar
+voices among the lot making up the chorus.
+
+"I heard something like a cry!" declared Sid, immediately after the echo
+of their shout had died away in the empty mill.
+
+"You're right," added Wagner, "for I caught the same thing. And, Sid, I
+reckon it came from off yonder in the machinery room, where we used to
+play, long ago, you remember."
+
+"It's mighty dingy in here," complained Bristles, finding his voice
+again.
+
+Indeed, the interior of the deserted mill did look as though it might
+harbor all sorts of strange things, such as bats and owls, that could
+find a way in and out through broken window panes, or holes in the
+siding. And Bristles, to tell the truth, although he would never have
+admitted the fact to one of his chums, did secretly feel just a _little_
+belief in supernatural things. A graveyard was a place nothing could
+tempt him to visit after dark, at least alone.
+
+Fred waited no longer. He had managed to get his bearings now, and
+believed he could find his way about, though after coming from the
+brightness of the sunshine outside, one's eyes had to get accustomed to
+the half-gloom of the cob-web-festooned mill interior.
+
+"Come on!" he simply said, as he started quickly for the door leading
+out of the office into the main part of the mill.
+
+And even while he was thus moving, he, too, caught a plain, unmistakable
+movement beyond, that told of the mill being occupied by others besides
+themselves. In this anxious, yet determined, frame of mind, then, Fred
+Fenton led his three chums past the portal of the door, and into the
+mill proper.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+HOW GABE MADE GOOD
+
+
+"Good gracious!" Sid Wells called out
+
+The boys had pushed into the main part of the mill, with their nerves
+all on edge, and their muscles set in readiness for a struggle. Whether
+they would meet the three tramps who were creating no end of excitement
+around the vicinity by their bold robbery of hen-roosts, and even
+houses; or some desperate boys ready to fight when caught in a trap,
+none of them knew.
+
+They expected trouble of some sort, at least; Bristles was even counting
+on it, and would be very much disappointed if it failed to come to pass.
+
+But instead of a group of lads at bay, and ready to give as good as they
+received, they discovered what seemed to be just two figures on the
+floor of the mill. One of these jumped up, and faced them defiantly,
+whirling a piece of flooring in a circle above his head.
+
+"Keep back, you!" he cried, hoarsely.
+
+"Why, if it ain't Gabe Larkins!" exclaimed the astounded Bristles, as
+he managed to get a look at the face of the other.
+
+Fred was himself astonished, for he had recognized the butcher's boy
+about the same time Bristles did. Gabe here, and apparently concerned in
+this abduction of Colon! It raised up a host of wild conjectures. Could
+he be in the pay of those reckless Mechanicsburg fellows; or possibly
+connected with Buck Lemington's crowd? Even a more sensational theory
+flashed through Fred's mind, connected with the men who were looked upon
+as thieves. Was Gabe in league with these desperate persons?
+
+"Down him!" exclaimed Bristles, making a forward move, as though ready
+to throw himself upon the taller boy without regard for what would
+follow when Gabe brought that piece of floor board into play.
+
+The rest were starting to follow his example, as it seemed to be the
+only proper course, when to their astonishment there was a movement to
+the figure lying on the floor, a kicking of a pair of long legs; and
+immediately the well known voice of their chum, Colon, sounded:
+
+"Hold up, boys, don't tackle Gabe; I tell you he's done me a good turn!"
+
+Of course, at that, even the impulsive Bristles held his hand. Perhaps
+he was not wholly sorry to declare a temporary truce, pending
+negotiations for surrender; because that board had an ugly look, and
+Gabe was waving it back and forth just as some players do their bat when
+waiting to gauge the delivery of a new pitcher.
+
+"Oh! it's you, fellers, eh?" Gabe remarked, as, bending forward, he
+peered at the newcomers who had broken in upon him so suddenly; "call it
+off, and we'll say quits. I haven't got any fuss with you."
+
+He thereupon threw the piece of board down, as though that finished the
+matter, so far as he was concerned.
+
+"Got a knife, somebody?" sang out the struggling Colon, who was trying
+to gain a sitting position, but seemed unable to control his limbs.
+"They got me spliced up tight as anything here; and Gabe he didn't have
+anything to cut me loose with, so he was chawing the knots to beat the
+band when you showed up. We thought it was them fellers come back, and
+it gave us both a little scare."
+
+Fred was already at the side of the bound boy. He always kept the blades
+of his knife as keen as possible; and once he found where to cut it did
+not take him long to set Colon free from the pieces of old rope with
+which the unfortunate youth was bound.
+
+"Ow! it pinches like hot cakes!" grunted the late prisoner, as he was
+helped to his feet, and doubtless found part of his limbs benumbed or
+"asleep," as boys say.
+
+"Tell us first of all, Colon, did they hurt you so you can't run
+to-morrow?" demanded Bristles, angrily.
+
+"Oh! I reckon it isn't nothin' much," came the reassuring reply. "Give a
+feller a little chance to limber up; won't you? I'll feel all right in a
+short time. But it was sure a rough deal for me, and some surprise too,
+let me tell you, fellers. I never had the least bit of idea they'd jump
+out on me like they did; and would you believe me, the whole bunch had
+red handkerchiefs over their faces, so I couldn't tell who they might
+be."
+
+"But you heard 'em talk; sure you must; and recognized 'em by their
+voices?" declared Bristles, eagerly.
+
+But Colon shook his head in the negative.
+
+"They were cunning about that, too," he declared; "and when they talked
+any, it was so low I just couldn't get on to who they were."
+
+"But how about Gabe here, looks funny to see him around. Haven't been
+delivering meat to anybody away up here; have you?" asked Sid, with a
+strong vein of suspicion in his voice.
+
+"Why, he told me the boss had sent him up here to get a calf that a
+farmer had for sale," remarked Colon, who was limping around, and
+exercising both arms and legs so as to bring about a return of
+circulation in his veins.
+
+"A calf!" echoed Bristles; "well, what next, I wonder? But then they say
+a poor excuse is better than none."
+
+"Hold on," interrupted Felix Wagner; "you fellows looked at me like
+nothing'd convince you I didn't have a hand in this business. But you
+found out that the talk I gave you was straight, after all. Say, perhaps
+what he tells is all to the good, too. Didn't Colon say the fellow was
+trying to set him free by gnawing at the knots, because he didn't have a
+knife along? Suppose you ask him some more questions, Fred."
+
+"Just what I meant to do, Felix," returned the other; "because, for my
+part, I believe every word Gabe has said," and turning on the butcher's
+boy, he continued:
+
+"Where did you leave your cart, Gabe; for you must have had it along if
+you expected to take the calf back with you?"
+
+"It's over at the farmer's right now," replied the other, frankly. "They
+said he was in Tenafly, and wouldn't be back short of a hour or more.
+And as my boss told me not to come home without the veal, I tied up the
+hoss. Used to come over here to the old place when I was a kid, along
+with the rest, but I ain't never been up here for years now. Thought,
+seein' I was so clost, I'd just take a walk over to find out how she
+looked, to pass the time away."
+
+"Oh! I see," Fred broke in; "and when you got here you heard somebody
+calling inside the mill, did you?"
+
+"I heard a queer sound, more like a groan than anything else," admitted
+the boy.
+
+"That was me, all right," chuckled Colon. "Yelled till I got tired, and
+I was so husky I just couldn't let out another peep. And as I kept on
+tryin' to slip an arm out, I reckon I did some gruntin'. I was mad all
+through; because, you see, I'd guessed what it was all about, and that
+they didn't want me to run to-morrow."
+
+"Say, when you heard that groan, didn't you feel like skipping out?"
+asked Bristles, with a vein of secret admiration in his voice now.
+
+"Me? Well, I guess not," replied the other, pugnaciously. "I just
+reckoned there was somebody inside there that was sick; and when I
+couldn't open any door, I crawled up the wheel, and slid in through the
+hole, just like we used to do long ago, Sid Wells, when we came up here
+to swim and fish."
+
+"That's all there is to it," declared Colon. "I heard somebody coming
+along, and called out, so he found me lying here, tied up like a turkey
+used to be when they cooked him on the old time spit. And while Gabe
+chawed away at the knots we did some chinning, believe me. But boys,
+I'm right glad to see you. What's the latest news from home?"
+
+"Why, the whole town's in an uproar about the way you went off without
+so much as saying good-bye," Bristles said; which of course, caused
+Colon to chuckle; for any boy would feel good to know that, for once,
+his worth was appreciated.
+
+Possibly some of those same good people who were now so much concerned
+about his welfare had many times in the past referred to him as "that
+long-legged imp who ought to be taught better manners at home;" for
+Colon as a younger boy had been rather inclined to be saucy.
+
+Hearing the sound of voices, Corney and Semi-Colon had by now entered
+the mill, and were working the arm of their newly-found chum like a pump
+handle.
+
+"But one thing makes me sore," said Bristles; "and that is, we don't
+know any more'n we did before who did this business. They were boys, you
+said, Colon; but how can we tell whether they hailed from Riverport or
+Mechanicsburg?"
+
+"I give you my word----" began Felix Wagner; when Colon interrupted him.
+
+"Say, there might be a way to tell," he remarked, jubilantly.
+
+"As how?" demanded the eager Bristles.
+
+"Why, you see, when they jumped me I gave 'em all I knew how, and
+kicked and hit as hard as I could," the tall boy went on.
+
+"Think you marked any of 'em for keeps, Colon?" asked Bristles,
+feverishly.
+
+"I'm dead sure," Colon continued; "that once I landed a straight from
+the shoulder jab square in the eye of a feller; because I heard him yell
+out like it hurt. And say, perhaps if you look around, you might find
+somebody with a black and blue eye."
+
+Bristles gave a whoop that echoed through the dusty, cobwebbed mill.
+
+"You got him, all right, sure you did, Colon!" he cried. "And it was a
+peach of a hit, too. It was Buck and his crowd that played this mean
+trick on you. How do I know? Why right now one of his fellers, Oscar
+Jones, is nursing a bruised left eye. Heard him tellin' how he got up
+last night, thinkin' he heard the fire bell ring, and run plumb into the
+corner of the bureau. Oh! there ain't any more suspicion restin' on your
+team-mates, Felix. We all ask you to forget it."
+
+"And let's be getting out of this, boys," Colon spoke up. "I've seen all
+I ever want to of the old mill. Never catch me coming up here again, I
+tell you."
+
+And so they trooped out into the cheery October sunlight. The broken
+door was propped up the best they could manage. No one was caring much,
+anyway. They had accomplished their main object in the morning jaunt;
+Colon had been found, and he declared that he was as fit as ever to run,
+despite his long condition of helplessness, and his hungry state. What
+more could they ask?
+
+And as Gabe, the butcher's boy, made a move as if to leave them at the
+end of the winding, overgrown lane, Fred insisted on every fellow
+shaking his hand heartily.
+
+"You've sure made good, Gabe," declared Bristles, remembering what he
+had thought of the other when his aunt's opals were taken by the
+thoughtless butcher's boy; "and I'm proud to shake hands with you."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+PRACTICE FOR THE RACE
+
+
+"About time you started on your five mile run, isn't it, Fred? Because
+the afternoon's slipping away," said Dick Hanshaw, as he came over to
+the little group of boys who were chatting on the green of the field,
+which later on would be the scene of the gathering crowds coming to
+witness the athletic meet of the three rival schools.
+
+Dozens of the lads were in their "working togs," as they called them.
+Indeed, all around was a scene of great activity. Men were hammering
+away at a tremendous rate, putting up the last series of raised seats
+intended to accommodate the spectators on the next day, many of whom
+would be willing to pay for good seats. And here and there, all over the
+field, boys were running, jumping, vaulting with poles, and doing all
+sorts of stunts connected with athletics.
+
+Colon had not come out at all. It had been decided that after his
+adventure he must take more rest, in order to be fit for the events of
+the morrow. He was at home, playing dominoes with one of his chums.
+Others came and went as though he might be holding a reception. And the
+news concerning his condition was eagerly sought with the appearance of
+every new bunch of schoolboys arriving on the field.
+
+Fred was in his usual running costume, for he meant to make a last try
+to beat his record, so as to know how he would stand when the final test
+came. There was a string of good fellows ranged against him in that five
+mile race; and Fred did not pretend to be without doubts concerning his
+ability to head the procession.
+
+"I was just thinking that myself, Dick," he replied as he stooped down
+to tie his shoes over again, in preparation for a start. "The four
+entries from Riverport are getting impatient to start; but Brad is
+holding back for some reason or other."
+
+"Here he comes this way now, and perhaps we'll know what it means,"
+remarked Dick; who had intended to be one of the long distance squad
+himself, but straining a tendon in his foot that very morning had made
+him give up the idea.
+
+Brad Morton came bustling along. Fred saw that he looked worried, and
+wondered what could have gone wrong now. With Colon safe it did not seem
+as if anybody connected with the Riverport school should be anxious.
+
+"Do we start soon, Brad?" he asked, as the captain of the track team
+reached convenient talking distance.
+
+"The rest do; but the committee have decided to make a change about your
+running, Fred," were the surprising words he heard.
+
+"Oh! that's all right," Fred replied, smiling; "I'm ready to give up to
+some better man, if that's what you mean."
+
+"What?" gasped Dick Hendricks.
+
+"Oh! rats!" cried Brad. "There's no better man in this matter at all,
+Fred. Fact is, you're the only one in our string who stands a good
+chance of beating that speedy Boggs in to-morrow's race. I've heard some
+talk among a lot of Mechanicsburg fellows. They're trying to get a line
+on your kind of running, Fred; which shows that they know right well
+you're the only one they need fear."
+
+"Oh! well, they've seen me run lots of times when we played baseball and
+fought it out on the gridiron," remarked Fred, naturally flushing a
+little under the kind words of praise.
+
+"Yes, that's so; but it's got out that you've picked up a new kink in
+the way of getting over ground. They kept harping on that all the time.
+And I got the notion they've some of their crowd posted along the course
+to-day to take notes and compare time, so they can spot what you do. If
+you've got a weak point, climbing hills for instance, they'll report,
+and that's where Boggs will pass you."
+
+"Well, you've got something up your sleeve, Brad, when you tell me this;
+so out with it," Fred observed, reading the other's face cleverly.
+
+"It's this," the track captain went on; "when the rest of the string
+start you drop out, and disappear like fog. Then they'll have their
+trouble for their pains."
+
+"That sounds nice, but tell me where does my needed exercise come in?"
+remarked Fred; "and I'd like to get a line myself on what I can do."
+
+"See here, don't you know of some other five mile course you could take
+on the sly, without anybody being the wiser for it?" asked Brad.
+
+"Why, yes, I do, only it happens to be a harder run all told, than the
+course mapped out by the committee," replied Fred, promptly.
+
+"That oughtn't to make much difference," the other went on, with a sigh
+of relief; "you'll know right well that if you can make it in the same
+time you've done the regular course, it'll be all the better."
+
+"Is this really necessary, Brad?" asked Dick; "lots of us expected to
+get a line on Fred ourselves; and if he sneaks off unbeknown, how're we
+going to know what to expect to-morrow?"
+
+"We talked it over, and that's what we settled on," came the reply. "So
+just hold your horses, Dick, till to-morrow. Fred's going to show you
+something then that he's keeping up his sleeve. You mark me."
+
+"Don't take any stock in what Brad says," declared Fred. "I haven't
+anything so wonderful, only a little notion that came to me, and which I
+really believe does help me get over the ground a little bit faster,
+with less fatigue. But wait and see what to-morrow brings along. Now,
+Brad, suppose you arrange things so that I can be close to those bushes
+over yonder when the pistol sounds for the start. Once I get in there,
+I'll drop down, and let the rest pass me. After that I'll find a way to
+leave without being seen; and start off on my own hook over another five
+mile course."
+
+"And Fred, when you come back, go straight home without showing up here.
+I'll let it be known that by my orders you didn't start in the regular
+run, for reasons that were sufficient for the committee to give the
+order; and that you went off on a little turn of your own."
+
+"Say, I can see the face of the fellow who comes in ahead, and learns
+that nothing's been seen of Fred Fenton," remarked Dick, with a wide
+smile. "Won't he be just patting himself on the back as a world-beater
+though, up to the time he learns Fred never started at all!"
+
+With the crack of the pistol the long line of young athletes surged
+forward, amid loud cries from the crowd that had gathered to witness the
+start. Many eyed Fred hopefully; for the word had gone around that upon
+him Riverport must depend to wrest victory from the grasp of that tall
+runner, Boggs, who was said to be a tremendous "stayer," and as speedy
+almost as Colon himself.
+
+Fred was following out his little scheme for vanishing. He struck the
+edge of the bush patch, and was on the extreme end of the line, so that
+he believed he could drop out of the race, and no one be the wiser. By
+the time the runners reached the road over which they were to go for two
+and a half miles, they would be so far away from the crowd that no one
+could be certain which runner might be Fred, and whether he was
+pace-maker to the squad or not.
+
+It all worked like a charm too. Fred watched his chance, and falling
+back, so that he had nobody behind him, suddenly dropped down flat.
+Shortly after, he started to crawl to one side. Here he was able to take
+advantage of some trees; and one way or another managed to get out of
+range of the vision of those on the field.
+
+After that, chuckling at the success of his little plan, Fred started
+for the place which was to be the beginning of his five mile run. It was
+some distance from the athletic field; and would take him in an
+entirely different direction from that covered by the balance of the
+contestants.
+
+It surely did take him over peculiar territory. Now he was following a
+fair kind of a country road; presently he cut across a stretch of
+woodland, jumping fallen trees, and vaulting stone fences with all the
+vigor of healthy youth.
+
+Two miles, and Fred felt satisfied that he was doing uncommonly well. He
+believed that his muscles had never before responded so splendidly to
+his demands. When he reached that two mile mark, made by himself when he
+used to modestly practice in private, not wishing to be watched, because
+he was not known as a runner in those days, Fred believed he had his
+best time shortened more than a few seconds. And that over rough ground,
+such as he would find in no part of the regular race.
+
+Now he had reached the worst part of all, and which he wished he were
+well over with. This was an old limestone quarry, that had not been
+worked for years. There were pits scattered here and there, some of them
+partly concealed by the friendly bushes that grew here and there to the
+edge.
+
+Fred knew he must be careful until he had placed this region behind.
+Once before he had come close to slipping down into one of those deep
+holes, from which he understood the limestone had been taken, as it was
+found in spots. He did not want to be caught napping a second time.
+
+"To have Colon missing was bad enough," he said to himself, as he jumped
+nimbly to the right, and then to the left, in order to avoid suspicious
+spots; "but if I disappeared, and couldn't be found, I just guess the
+whole town would take a fit. But I'll take mighty good care it doesn't
+happen. Whew, come near doing it right then, on the left. I must sheer
+off more the other way!"
+
+And then, ten seconds later, as he thought he saw a break in the bushes
+that seemed to mark one of the treacherous holes, Fred sprang to the
+right, to find his feet passing through blank space, and his body
+shooting downward.
+
+After all his precautions, he had made a mistake, and had plunged into
+one of the numerous pits with which the level track of the old quarry
+was spotted.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+THE ACCIDENT
+
+
+When Fred felt himself falling he immediately relaxed every muscle in
+his body. That is a trick known to athletes the world over. The ordinary
+person would on the contrary contract his muscles; so that on striking
+he must suffer violently in consequence. A baby will frequently fall
+several stories, and seem to have received no injury at all, where a
+grown man would have been killed. The secret is in its unconsciousness
+of peril, and consequently it lands like a bag of salt, instead of a
+hard rock.
+
+It seemed as though he must have dropped many feet before Fred struck
+bottom. He lay there a few seconds, wondering whether he had really
+sustained any damage.
+
+"Might as well know the worst," he finally muttered, struggling to his
+knees, and finally to his feet; when he stretched his arms, bent his
+body, and then gave a little chuckle.
+
+"Well, talk about your luck," he remarked to himself; "if this don't
+just beat all. Don't believe I've so much as strained the tendon of a
+finger. And yet it must have been a twelve or fifteen foot drop. Whew!"
+
+He turned his gaze upward. There was the mouth of the pit plainly seen,
+for the blue October sky lay beyond. He could also make out where he had
+torn through the weeds and green brush that had so artfully hidden the
+mouth of the hole from even his watchful eyes.
+
+"Well," he continued to remark; "this is a fine business, I must say. It
+ends my time-taking for to-day, sure. Even if I manage to crawl up out
+of here, enough of my precious minutes will have gone glimmering to
+upset all my calculations. But I'm not out of the scrape yet. Now to see
+about that same climb."
+
+Up to the time he set to work with this object in view, Fred had not the
+least idea he would find it a very difficult job. He was soon undeceived
+in that particular.
+
+"Say, the sides of this pit are as hard as flint, and slippery as glass.
+I don't seem able to dig my toes in worth a cent," he presently
+remarked, stopping to get his breath after a violent exertion, which had
+netted no result in progress.
+
+For the first time Fred began to feel a trifle bothered. He had escaped
+injury in a way that seemed little short of miraculous; but if he had to
+stay there all night it would prove no joke.
+
+He made another desperate effort to climb the straight wall, selecting
+a spot that seemed to offer more advantages than the rest.
+
+Five minutes later he had to confess himself worsted in the attempt.
+Somehow he could not make the least impression on the rocky wall. If he
+did manage to get several feet up, it was only to lose his slight grip,
+and fall back again.
+
+While he was once more recovering his wind, Fred began to take stock of
+the situation, to see where he stood.
+
+"If I only had a good knife now," he told himself, "perhaps I might
+manage to dig toe-holds in the old wall; but since a fellow doesn't
+carry such a thing in his running togs, here I am left high and dry. And
+I declare, it feels rather chilly already down here, with next to
+nothing on. I wonder if I can stand a night of it. Not much chance of me
+taking part in that road race tomorrow. Well, this has got past the joke
+stage, for a fact!"
+
+It certainly had. He no longer laughed when he fell back after losing
+his grip on some slight projection in the wall. It was getting more
+serious all the time; and the longer Fred considered the matter, the
+worse his plight became.
+
+He had taken a course that was really next to unknown to any of his
+chums. They would not be able to guess where to look for him, even if he
+did happen to be missed.
+
+"And just to think," he went on bitterly, as he exercised his arms to
+keep his chilling blood in circulation, "Brad even had to tell me not to
+show up again on the field after I'd made my five miles. So not a fellow
+will miss me. At home perhaps they'll just believe I've stopped with
+Sid, as I often do. They may even go to bed with the idea that I'll be
+along later. Wow! that would mean all night for me in this miserable
+hole."
+
+How about morning, when Riverport would awaken to the fact that for the
+second time one of their promising young school athletes had
+mysteriously disappeared?
+
+"Say, won't there be some high jinks though?" Fred exclaimed, for,
+somehow, it did not seem quite so lonely when he could hear the sound of
+his own voice. "I can just shut my eyes, and see the whole place boiling
+like a kettle, with the fellows running back and forth, and everybody
+just wild. I wonder now, will they give Buck the credit of this
+business, too? It seems to be pretty well known that he is suspected of
+being at the head of the crowd that carried Colon off. Well, for once
+then, Buck will be unjustly accused. But I guess they'll make life
+miserable for him."
+
+The thought of the bully being treated to a ride on a fence rail with
+his legs tied underneath, amid a jeering mob of Riverport schoolboys,
+amused Fred for just about a minute.
+
+Then the necessity of trying to think up some plan by which he might
+escape from the pit caused him to put Buck out of his mind.
+
+The boys had always said that Fred was the most ingenious fellow they
+had ever known. He could invent schemes that often made some of the
+duller-witted chaps fairly gasp, and declare he must be a wizard.
+
+If ever he had need of that faculty it was now. If wishing could give
+him a pair of wings, or bring a convenient rope into his hands, the
+other end of which was tied to a neighboring tree, Fred was ready to
+devote himself heart and soul to the task.
+
+Outside of his short running trunks, a light, close-fitting shirt, and
+the socks and running shoes which were on his feet, Fred did not have
+another particle of clothing along. He was bareheaded. Without even a
+bit of string, a pocket knife, or even a match on his person, what
+chance then did he have to escape from that lime quarry pit?
+
+And it was very damp there in the bargain. Water oozed across one corner
+of the hole. If he had to stay there twelve hours, the chances were he
+would take a severe cold that might prove serious.
+
+Really, the more he looked the situation in the face the more it
+appalled him. Try as he might he could think of no new plan that gave
+the slightest promise of results. If he kept on endeavoring to climb
+that slippery wall until he fell utterly exhausted, what would that
+avail him? Better to go slow and reserve at least a small portion of his
+energies, in case, later on, he did think up some scheme that had a
+faint show of success.
+
+How about shouting for help? Colon had tried that game, and it had not
+worked, simply because there happened to be no one near the old mill at
+the time. Later on, however, his simple groans and grunts attracted the
+attention of the prowling Gabe, and led to what would have been his
+rescue, even had not Fred and the others arrived on the scene.
+
+But here, in this quarry where no one ever came, so far as he knew, what
+chance was there of his shouts being heard? Fred thought about one in a
+thousand. Still, there was no choice for him. And perhaps that one
+little chance might pan out; he had known of stranger things happening,
+in his own experience.
+
+So he lifted up his voice and called:
+
+"Help! help! Oh! help!"
+
+It was a cry that must thrill anyone who heard it, welling up out of
+that deep pit. Waiting a minute or more, Fred started in again, and
+shouted louder than ever.
+
+Listening, he could hear the afternoon breeze sighing among the branches
+of the trees that grew almost over the gap in the quarry. Even that
+died out, as if it meant to pass with the day, which must now be very
+near its close.
+
+It seemed so utterly foolish to waste his breath in this vain calling
+that Fred changed his plans for a short time, and once more tried to
+scale the straight wall.
+
+This time he succeeded in making about four feet, and then had a tumble
+that quite jarred him.
+
+"That ought to let me know, all right, that I'll never make the top in a
+year of Sundays, as Corney always says," he remarked, rubbing his elbow
+where he had barked it on a stone, so that it smarted.
+
+To amuse himself while he tried to think up some new scheme, Fred fell
+to shouting again. He had a good, strong voice, but down in that
+confined space it seemed muffled, and he would never have recognized it
+himself.
+
+Once he stopped and listened eagerly, his heart jumping with sudden
+hope. Oh! was it possible that he had really caught what seemed to be a
+distant voice calling?
+
+If only it might not be some scolding bluejay; or perhaps a gossipy
+crow, perched on a neighboring dead tree.
+
+It did not come again; and so Fred hurriedly started to shout once more,
+straining his lungs in order to make the sound carry further. So much
+depended on help coming to him before the night set in. If he had to
+spend many hours there he might suffer in the form of rheumatism for a
+long time afterwards, on account of the exposure in such a damp and cold
+place.
+
+Then he stopped to listen again, holding his very breath in suspense.
+What a thrill it gave him when he distinctly heard some one bawl out:
+
+"Hello! yourself! Where under the sun are you; and what's the matter?"
+
+That was no crow or bluejay, he knew for a certainty; and accordingly
+Fred made haste to answer:
+
+"I'm down in one of the lime pits here. Can't get out. Please come and
+give me a hand. This way! I'll keep calling to guide you; but don't
+leave me whatever you do."
+
+Every few seconds thereafter he would give a shout, to be answered by
+the unknown, who was evidently getting warmer and warmer on the scent.
+Never could Fred remember when a human voice had sounded so sweet to
+him; simply because it meant rescue and safety, and a chance to run in
+the great race upon which his heart was set.
+
+Now he could actually hear the other moving above, and so he gave a last
+little whoop. The bushes were thrust aside as he called; "down here; I
+see you;" and then a human head was thrust into view. And Fred felt a
+chill that was not induced by the dampness of the lime pit, when he
+made out that face in the light of the setting sun. For he found himself
+staring at the grinning countenance of the last person in all the world
+he would have hoped to see--Buck Lemington!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+A GLOOMY PROSPECT
+
+
+"So, it's you yelping for help, eh?"
+
+Buck was looking more or less surprised even when making this remark.
+Fred had an idea he could see something like growing satisfaction,
+almost glee, creeping over the face of the other. The prospect evidently
+began to please Buck.
+
+"Yes, it's me," the boy below replied, trying hard to appear to look at
+it all in the light of a huge joke, just as he might, had it been Sid
+Wells or Bristles Carpenter who had discovered his ridiculous plight.
+
+"Huh! and however did you come in this old limestone pit?" demanded
+Buck.
+
+"Well, to tell you the truth, Buck," he said, in a conciliatory tone;
+"Brad Morton, as track captain, ordered me to slip out of the bunch he
+sent over the regular roads laid out for the race. He wanted me to take
+the last five mile run in secret, you see; and long ago I had this
+little course mapped out, when I used to practice without anybody
+knowing I could run fairly well."
+
+"Oh! you don't say?" sneered Buck. "And what was his reason, d'ye know?"
+
+Fred knew that it was best to be frank with the other, who really had
+him so absolutely in his power. He would confide wholly in Buck, come
+what might.
+
+"Well, I didn't take much stock in the thing myself, but Brad insisted,
+and as he was the captain of the team, I had to do what he said, you
+see, Buck. He had been told that Mechanicsburg had spies posted all
+along the course, to time the runners, and get points on their weak
+places. And somehow Brad got the idea in his head that they were more
+anxious to watch me run than any of the others. So he thought he'd
+surprise them by having me disappear, and get my practice alone."
+
+Buck laughed at that, and it was a very disagreeable laugh, too.
+
+"My! what an important person you've become, Fred Fenton," he observed,
+with the sneer more marked in his voice than ever. "Have to have a
+private course of your own because your running is attracting so much
+attention! No wonder your head has begun to swell. No wonder you look
+down on small worms, who only run up against hard knocks whenever they
+try to even up the score."
+
+"But you're going to help me out of this, I hope, Buck?" Fred went on,
+pleasantly, almost pleadingly, for he had much at stake.
+
+"Oh! am I? You don't say!" mocked the other. "Now, how d'ye suppose I
+c'n reach down seven feet or more, and give you the friendly hand? Think
+my arms stretch that far? Perhaps, now, you imagine I'll just drop in
+like the poor old goat did in the fable, to let the smart fox jump up on
+his back, and then out? If you do you've got another guess coming; see?"
+
+"But there's an easy way to do it, Buck; and because Riverport needs
+every little help she can get to win out to-morrow, I'm going to ask you
+to do it for me."
+
+"Sounds big; don't it?" the other went on, in his sneering way. "You're
+the Great Muck-a-muck, and will carry off the prize for the long
+distance run, I suppose you mean? Well, with the great luck you have,
+perhaps you will--if you're there when the pistol cracks for the start.
+Now, go on and tell me what you mean, and how could I get you out of
+this hole--if I took the notion to try?"
+
+"I suppose you've got your knife with you, Buck?" Fred went on.
+
+"That's where you've got another guess coming, Fenton; fact is, I broke
+the last blade in it yesterday, and threw it away," Buck answered.
+
+"Well, then, that seems to make it harder to carry out my plan," Fred
+remarked, disappointment in his tone.
+
+"Wait," said Buck; "perhaps, after all, I might get a knife from the
+feller along with me, here."
+
+He disappeared, and Fred, straining his ears, could hear him talking in
+a low tone with some one else. He was filled with a deep curiosity to
+know whatever brought Buck Lemington here to the old limestone quarry;
+just as the day was passing. The last thing Fred had heard in connection
+with Buck was the fact that his suspected connection with the desperate
+attempt to spoil the calculations of Riverport school with regard to
+winning the laurels of the athletic meet by kidnapping their best
+sprinter, Colon, had met with universal condemnation among the good
+people of the town. There was even talk of a committee going to complain
+to his father.
+
+Perhaps Buck had in some way gotten wind of that expected coming of the
+townspeople, and he might even now be on his way to some haven of
+refuge, to remain practically in hiding until the storm blew over.
+
+A minute later, and once again the face of the grinning bully protruded
+beyond the edge of the pit above.
+
+"I've got the knife all right, Fenton," he observed, curiously; "now,
+what d'ye expect me to do with it? A knife alone won't pull you up; and
+I reckon clotheslines don't grow around this region."
+
+"No, but I think there's a fine stout vine close to your hand, Buck; and
+if you'd be so kind as to cut that off, and let one end of it down to
+me, with only a little help I'd be out of this hole in a jiffy--and
+mighty thankful in the bargain."
+
+"Well now, that is a bright idea," remarked Buck, with exasperating
+slowness; "they always said you had a brain in your head, Fenton. It's a
+good, strong vine too, and even a sharp knife hacks into it pretty hard.
+Oh! no doubt about it holding a fellow of your nimbleness, when you
+manage to get a grip on the same!"
+
+Fred did not exactly like the way he said this. Somehow he seemed to
+feel that the other was working himself up into a condition where he
+would finally refuse to lend a helping hand to his old-time rival, now
+that the only chance for Fred to get free seemed to rest with Buck.
+
+As he cut away, the bully continued to talk. He was evidently enjoying
+the unique situation keenly.
+
+"Reckon you'd feel some chilly if you had to stay in that damp hole all
+night; eh, Fenton?" he went on.
+
+"I sure would," replied Fred, trying to give a little laugh; "and it
+was mighty lucky for me that you and your friend happened along here
+just at such a time. Now, I wouldn't have supposed that anybody would
+come this way in a year; and when I hollered for help I didn't think
+there was a chance in a thousand anybody'd hear."
+
+"Well, you'd win, because it was a chance in a thousand, Fenton," Buck
+went on to say, as he whittled away at the trailing vine. "Fact is, the
+people down in Riverport sent a committee of old fogies up to my
+governor to complain. Said I'd been guilty of a bad piece of business;
+that I'd engineered the scheme for carrying Colon off to that mill, and
+leaving him there, so's to knock Riverport's chances to-morrow. Perhaps
+you heard something about that, Fenton?"
+
+"Oh! I believe one of the boys did mention that there was some talk
+about it being done; but honestly now, Buck, I didn't know they had gone
+over to your house to interview your father," Fred answered, candidly
+enough.
+
+"Well, they did, all right," growled the other, cutting more furiously,
+as his feelings began to work upon him. "And when the old man called me
+in, I saw he was some mad. Reckon he'd had bad news just about then,
+because I saw a letter with a foreign postmark on it, lying open on his
+desk; and I know the signs of a storm under our roof."
+
+He paused to give a last cut, and the vine came free; then he began to
+slice off a few trailing side roots, so as to make a pretty fair rope
+out of it. After which he started to speak again.
+
+"He was awful mad, Fenton, I give you my word. Never saw him in such a
+temper. And the way he hauled me over the coals was scandalous, too.
+Said he'd think up what he'd have to do with me for punishment, over
+night. Also said everything was going crooked with him at once. Well, I
+just made up my mind I wouldn't stay around home, any longer; but skip
+out till the breeze blew over. And I also thought up a bully good scheme
+to bring the old man to terms. Huh! you ain't the only one that's got
+brains, Fenton, if you do think so."
+
+Again he paused, as if to give emphasis to his words. Fred was waiting
+anxiously, to learn what Buck had decided to do. If only he would lower
+that vine, he felt sure he could pull himself out in ten seconds.
+
+"I happened to remember that we had a relative somewhere up in this
+region; and so I just made up my mind to disappear for a little while
+myself. It's in the air you see, even you've got the fever. And I'd play
+a winning card on the governor by taking with me something he set
+considerable store on. A day or two'd bring him to terms; and I reckoned
+he'd promise to let up on me, in order to get back--there, how d'ye
+think that'll answer, Fenton?"
+
+He held up the stout vine. Fred could see it plainly, for the bright sky
+was beyond. It seemed to be at least ten feet in length, and as thick as
+one's wrist.
+
+"That ought to do the trick finely, Buck," he remarked, pleasantly, just
+as if he did not have the slightest doubt in the world but that the
+other fully intended pulling him out of the hole.
+
+"Do you think you can hold on?" asked Buck, beginning to lower away with
+tantalizing slowness, as though he enjoyed keeping Fred on the anxious
+seat.
+
+"Sure I can, once I get a good grip. Just a foot or so more, Buck, and
+then I will be able to reach it. And let me tell you, it's good of you
+to help a fellow like this. They'll say so in town when they hear about
+it, Buck."
+
+"Think so, do you?" went on the other, as he suddenly allowed the vine
+to drop until it touched the hands extended, when it was instantly
+withdrawn again.
+
+"Oh! don't you wish you could grab it, Fenton?" mocked the grinning
+bully.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+AN UNEXPECTED ALLY
+
+
+Fred felt a bitter sense of disappointment when he found that the bully
+did not have the slightest intention of helping him get out of the
+limestone pit. When Buck snatched the vine away, he understood plainly
+enough that all of his slow work in cutting the trailer had been a
+farce. The cunning bully had done it just to work up his old-time rival
+with false hopes.
+
+"You don't seem so mighty glad to get a helping hand, Fenton?" sneered
+Buck, as he failed to get a "rise" to repeated false casts.
+
+"I'd take it quick enough, if I thought you meant to help me out, Buck,"
+Fred observed, grimly.
+
+"Well, I like that, now," tormented the other. "Here, look at me
+borrowin' a knife, and going to all that trouble to trim that vine off;
+and now he just throws it up to me that he don't put any faith in me.
+Seems like they all look on poor old Buck Lemington with suspicion.
+Everything that goes crooked in the old village they blame on him, too.
+It's a shame, that's what; and d'ye know, Fred Fenton, I somehow feel
+like you're to blame for most of my troubles."
+
+"I don't see how you make that out, Buck," remarked Fred.
+
+"Up to the time you blew in here things sorter worked pretty nice with
+me. The fellers never gave me much trouble; and Flo Temple, she used to
+be glad to have me take her to places. But all that changed when Fred
+Fenton struck town. Since then I've had the toughest luck ever. And
+sure, I just ought to love you for all you done for me; but I don't
+happen to be built that way; see?"
+
+Fred made no answer. What was the use of his appealing to a fellow who
+had hardened his heart to every decent feeling? Plainly Buck only talked
+for the sake of hearing his enemy plead; and Fred was determined he
+would not lower himself any more, to ask favors of this vindictive boy.
+
+"Now, I didn't have anything to do with you getting caught in such a
+pretty trap, and you know it just as well as I do, Fenton. If they say
+so in town, you'd better set 'em straight. There are a few things
+happens that Buck Lemington ain't responsible for, and this here's one
+of the same."
+
+He waited, as if expecting a reply, but Fred had his lips grimly set,
+and would not utter one word; so presently Buck went on:
+
+"Now, seein' that I didn't do you this sweet trick, I'm not responsible
+if you stay there all night; am I? Think I want to take the chances of
+bein' pulled in, when you try to climb out? Huh! bad enough for one to
+be in that lovely trap, without a second guy dropping over. Guess not.
+I'll just be goin' on my way. If I happen to run across any of the boys,
+which ain't likely, I might whisper to 'em that their new chum, Fred
+Fenton, wants help the worst kind."
+
+He actually threw the vine into the hole, as though to show that his
+mind was made up. Fred lost all hope. He must face the unpleasant
+prospect of remaining all night in that cold place, shivering, as
+drowsiness threatened to overtake him, and trying to keep warm by
+exercising every little while.
+
+He shivered now at the very prospect. However would he pass that
+terribly long night, when minutes would drag, and seem to be hours?
+
+"Here, keep back, you!" Buck suddenly roared; and Fred started, although
+he immediately realized that the other must be addressing his remark to
+the comrade he had spoken of as having accompanied him. "Want to slip,
+and drop down into the old hole along with this silly? And then I'd just
+_have_ to get him out, before he'd let me save you. Keep back, I tell
+you!"
+
+"Buck, you'll be sorry you did this," Fred broke his silence to make one
+last appeal, though he was determined not to demean himself, and "crawl"
+as Buck himself would call it.
+
+"Hey! what's this? Are you really threatenin' me?" demanded the other,
+hotly.
+
+"I didn't mean it that way," Fred answered. "What I wanted to say, was
+that you'd be sorry later on you didn't try to pull me out. You see I
+haven't hardly any clothes on; and it's cold and damp down here. Chances
+are, that if I stay here through the whole night I'll get my death of
+cold."
+
+"Well, what's that to me?" said the other, gruffly; though Fred thought
+he saw him hesitate a little, as if appalled at the prospect. "I didn't
+throw you down there, did I? Can't shove any of that blame on me, eh? If
+I hadn't just happened to stroll this way, I'd never even knowed you was
+in such a fix."
+
+"But you do know it," said Fred, "and everybody will say it was up to
+you to help me out, after you found me here. That makes you responsible,
+Buck, in the eye of the law. I've heard Judge Colon say as much. A
+knowledge of the fact makes you a party to it, he told a man he was
+talking to. I'm going to ask you once more to take hold of this vine
+when I hold it up, and let me pull myself out."
+
+He did raise the rope substitute, but Buck declined to accept his end of
+it.
+
+"I don't see why I ought to give you a hand, Fenton," he remarked,
+coldly. "I've stood a lot from you, and as I said before, since you came
+to town things have all gone wrong with me, so I never do have a good
+time any more. I blame you for it. Yes, and right now it's you more'n
+any other feller that's got me kicked out of my own home."
+
+"Now I don't understand what you mean there, Buck?" remonstrated Fred,
+still holding the end of the vine upward invitingly, though with small
+hope that the other would take hold.
+
+"All right, I'll just tell you, then," Buck replied, almost savagely.
+"Who led the party that found Colon? You did. Who found a track of a
+shoe, with a patch across the sole, on the spot where Colon said he was
+nabbed by a bunch of fellers with red cloth over part of their faces?
+Why, Freddy again, to be sure. And hang it all, my shoe did have just
+such a patch! That's what they told my dad; and brought it all home to
+me."
+
+Fred was silent again. He saw that things were working against him once
+more. If Buck felt this way about it, all his endeavors to induce the
+other to lend his aid were bound to be useless.
+
+"Now, here's a right fine chance for me to get even with you, Fenton,
+without taking any risk myself; because I didn't have anything to do
+with knocking you into this hole. You took care of that part yourself;
+and let me tell you now, you did me the greatest favor in the world when
+you slipped, and dropped through these bushes and weeds into the pit."
+
+"Buck! oh, Buck!" said a trembling voice from somewhere back of the
+bully.
+
+"You dry up!" exclaimed Buck. "You've got no say in this game, let me
+tell you! Good-bye, Fenton; I reckon I'll be going now. Hope you can
+keep exercisin' right hearty all through the night; it'll be some chilly
+if you let up, I'd think. And if I happen to see any of your chums, an'
+they ask questions, why, I might let 'em know I heard _somebody_ yelping
+away up this way--thought it was kids playin', but it _might_ be you
+calling for help."
+
+"Then you're going to desert me; are you, Buck?" asked Fred, beginning
+to himself feel angry at the base intentions of the other.
+
+"I wouldn't put it that way," jeered Buck; "I'm just mindin' my own
+business, you see. Not long ago you told me never to poke my nose in
+your affairs again. I ain't a-goin' to; I'm follerin' out your own
+instructions, Fenton. Nobody c'n blame me for doin' that; can they?"
+
+"But you mustn't leave him there, brother Buck!" cried a voice at that
+juncture, and Fred suddenly realized that the partner of the bully's
+flight, and through whom he hoped to bring his angry father to terms,
+was little Billy, his younger brother, for whom it was said Buck felt
+more affection than he did for any other person on the face of the
+earth.
+
+"Well," Buck went on to say, "I'm going to do that same, no matter what
+you or anybody else says; and so you'd just better be getting along out
+of this, Billy. It ain't none of your business what happens to Fred
+Fenton, I guess."
+
+"But it is some of my business," insisted the smaller boy, who had by
+degrees pushed his way forward, in spite of his big brother's warning,
+until Fred could see his head projecting beyond the rim of the pit.
+
+"What's Fred Fenton to you?" demanded Buck, savagely.
+
+"He's my friend, that's what!" declared Billy stoutly.
+
+"Oh! you want to make a friend out of the worst enemy your own brother's
+got; do you?" the bully sneered. "Well, why shouldn't I leave him here
+to suck his thumb all night, tell me that?"
+
+"Because it'd be wicked," cried the excited boy. "Because if it hadn't
+'a been for Fred Fenton you wouldn't be havin' no brother Billy right
+now!"
+
+"What d'ye mean, Billy?" roared the astonished bully.
+
+"Remember when your canoe got home without you goin' for it, Buck? That
+was the time. It throwed me out in the middle of the river, and I'd 'a
+drownded sure, only Fred, he swum out and saved me. And that's why I say
+you ain't goin' to leave him here to freeze and shiver all night. 'Cause
+he's my friend, that's why!"
+
+And Buck Lemington knelt there, for the minute unable to utter a single
+word, so great was his amazement.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+FORCED TO LEND A HAND
+
+
+"Is that right, Fenton?" the bully finally demanded, turning to look at
+the dimly seen face of the boy deep down in the hole. "Did you haul my
+brother out of the Mohunk waters?"
+
+"That's just what happened, Buck," Fred replied, a warm feeling once
+more taking possession of his heart; for somehow he seemed to know that
+the coming of this unlooked-for ally would turn the scales in his favor;
+and, after all, he would not have to spend a horrible night in that damp
+hole.
+
+"Don't seem likely you'd do such a thing, and never throw it up at me
+some time, when I was naggin' you," went on the other, doubtfully.
+
+"Oh! I felt like doing that same more'n a few times, believe me," said
+Fred.
+
+"Then why didn't you?" asked Buck.
+
+"He didn't just because I asked him as a favor to me not to say a word
+to a single soul," broke in the eager Billy, just then. "You know, Buck,
+father told me he'd whip me if ever he heard of my tryin' that cranky
+canoe of yours. And I was afraid he'd do it, too, if he heard how near I
+was to bein' drownded."
+
+"Well, that sure just gets me!" muttered Buck, who found it hard to
+understand how a fellow could hide his light under a bushel, and not
+"blow his own horn," when he had jumped into the river, and pulled out a
+drowning boy. "Say, is that so too, Fenton; did you keep mum just
+because Billy here asked you to?"
+
+"That was the only reason," replied Fred; "but you must give some of the
+credit to Bristles Carpenter, who couldn't swim much then; but he waded
+in, and helped to get us ashore. And he pulled the canoe in, too. Then
+we took it down to the place you keep it; while Billy played by himself
+in the warm sun till his clothes got dry; didn't you, Billy?"
+
+"Just what I did," said the small boy, cheerfully. "And not a person
+ever knowed I'd been in the water. Oh! I've always thought it was mighty
+nice in Fred; and it used to make me feel so bad when I heard you
+talkin' about him the way you did, Buck. More'n a few times I just
+wanted to tell you all about it, to show you he couldn't be the mean boy
+you said; but I dassent; I was scared you'd think you had to tell father
+on me."
+
+As he knelt there Buck was fighting an inward battle; and the enemy
+with which he grappled was his own baser nature. Fred did not have a
+single fear as to how it was bound to come out. He knew that Buck could
+not deny the obligation that had been so unexpectedly forced upon him.
+
+Then Buck suddenly reached down. He had made up his mind, and was even
+then groping for the end of the vine which Fred was reaching up to him.
+
+Once he got this firmly in his hands, he simply said:
+
+"Now, climb away, Fenton!"
+
+Fred waited for no second invitation. He was not foolish enough to
+decline a favor that came within reach. Possibly Buck's new resolution
+might cool off more or less, if given time; and Fred dared not take the
+risk.
+
+So he immediately began the task of drawing himself up the short
+distance that lay between his eager hands and the rim of the pit.
+
+And Buck, having braced himself firmly, with his foot against a solid
+spur of rock, held through the trying ordeal. Fred in a short time was
+clambering over the brink, delighted beyond measure at the chance to
+once more find himself on the outside of that miserable hole.
+
+He had hardly half raised himself to his knees, when he felt a warm
+little hand clasp his, while the voice of Billy sounded in his ears.
+
+"Oh! ain't I glad I was along with brother Buck right now, Fred," the
+boy cried; "I'm afraid he'd a left you there if he'd been alone. But
+then, you see, Buck never knowed what a good friend you'd been to me
+that time. And it was mighty kind of you never to peach on me. But I
+guess you'n Buck ain't a-goin' to be fightin' each other after this. You
+had ought to be friends right along."
+
+Fred looked at the bully. He even half thrust out a hand, as though to
+signify that he was ready to bridge the chasm that had always existed
+between them, if the other would come the rest of the way to meet him.
+
+But Buck obstinately kept his hand down at his side. He was not going to
+forget all his troubles of the past, many of which he believed he could
+lay at the door of the boy who had refused to knuckle down to him, as
+most of the Riverport lads had done in the past.
+
+But Fred was not caring in the least. Things had worked almost like a
+miracle in his favor. That these two, perhaps heading across lots for
+the humble home of Arnold Masterson, to hide from the wrath of the
+Squire, should happen within earshot of his cries for help, was in the
+nature of a chance in a thousand.
+
+"You won't shake hands, Buck, and be friends, then?" Fred asked.
+
+"What, me?" exclaimed the other, once more showing signs of anger, and
+drawing Billy away from Fred as if the sight of them close together was
+unpleasant to him; "not in a thousand years. That would mean I'd have to
+knuckle down, and crawl before the mighty Fred Fenton, like some of the
+other ninnies do. You go your way, and I'll go mine. We've always been
+enemies, and that's what we'll be to the end of the chapter."
+
+The old vindictive part in Buck's nature had apparently still a firm
+grip on him. Fred no longer offered his hand. If the other chose to call
+it square, he must be satisfied, and accept things as they came.
+
+"All the same," he said, positively; "I'm obliged to you, Buck, for
+helping me out. You've saved me from a bad time. And I'm going to tell
+about it too, whether you want me to or not. Some of the good people in
+Riverport will believe they've been wrong when they thought you wouldn't
+lift a hand to do a single decent thing."
+
+"Oh! rats, don't give me any of that sort of taffy, Fenton!" exclaimed
+the other in a disgusted voice. "And I'll see to it that they don't
+believe I'm working the reformed son racket, either. I did
+this--well--just because I had to, that's all, and not because I wanted
+to. If Billy hadn't been along, and told what he did, you'd 'a spent
+your night in that hole, for all of me; understand?"
+
+"Well, just as you will, Buck. Have it as you want. Billy, I'm obliged
+to you for standing up for me like you did. It was a lucky day for me,
+as well as for you, when I chanced to get you out of the Mohunk."
+
+"Oh! come along, Billy," Buck called out, pulling at the sleeve of his
+younger brother; "we've got no more time to waste here, jawing. Right
+now I'm some twisted in my bearings, and we might have a tough time
+gettin' to that farmhouse."
+
+Fred took it for granted that Buck was heading in a roundabout way for
+the home of Arnold Masterson; the same place where he and Bristles had
+saved Sarah, the sick farmer's daughter, from the well, into which she
+had fallen when trying to hide from the three rough tramps.
+
+He was on the point of directing Buck, so that the other might reach his
+destination, when something within seemed to bid him hold his tongue.
+Arnold Masterson was not friendly with his rich uncle, Squire Lemington.
+He had been worsted by the latter in some land deal, and would not even
+come to Riverport to trade. Perhaps Buck knew something about this, and
+it may have influenced him when running away from home, with Billy in
+his company.
+
+He saw the two go off, Buck talking in low tones to his brother. Once
+Billy insisted on turning, and waving his hand toward Fred; though Buck
+immediately gave him a rough whirl, as though to make him understand
+that he would not allow of any more friendly feelings between his
+younger brother and the fellow he chose to look upon as his worst enemy.
+
+"Well, it's too bad Buck feels that way," Fred said to himself, as he
+turned his back on the hole that had given him such an unpleasant half
+hour. "But just as he says, the score is even now, and the slate cleaned
+off. We can start fresh; and chances are, he'll find a way of trying to
+get a dig at me before many suns. But I'm lucky to get out of that
+scrape as I did. Whew! what if I just had to stay there? Makes me shiver
+to think of it."
+
+He started on a run, to get up a circulation; for, despite all his labor
+while in the pit, his blood seemed to have become fairly chilled.
+
+At first he thought he would head straight home, as he was only a couple
+of miles or so away from Riverport. Then suddenly he found his thoughts
+going out in the direction of Arnold Masterson and his daughter, Sarah.
+He had not been to see them for several days now, since the man was
+able to leave his bed and hobble about the house, in fact.
+
+A sudden notion to drop in on them, and explain about Buck's coming,
+seized upon Fred, though he never was able to tell why he should give
+way to such a strange resolution. But changing his course he headed
+toward the Masterson farm.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+GLORIOUS NEWS
+
+
+The more Fred thought of it the stronger became his conviction that Buck
+and Billy would be a long time in finding the lonely Masterson
+farmhouse, that was off the main road.
+
+They had left him going in a direction that was really at right angles
+to the shortest way there. But then possibly Buck knew of another route.
+And after all it was none of his business.
+
+Evening had now settled down in earnest. There would be a moon later;
+but darkness was beginning to shut out the last expiring gleams of
+daylight.
+
+Fred was feeling pretty "chipper" as he himself expressed it. So far as
+he could ascertain no serious result had accompanied his fall into that
+hole, and the exposure that followed the mishap.
+
+His muscles having come back to their old condition, he was running as
+easily as ever before; and he believed himself to be in splendid
+condition.
+
+This sudden determination to drop in on Arnold Masterson and his
+daughter was going to take him a considerable distance out of his way;
+but what are a few miles to an aspiring young athlete, in training for a
+hard road race on the morrow? It would really do him good to have the
+exercise, he believed.
+
+Fred had managed to have a good talk with the Mastersons the last time
+he was over. He had taken both father and daughter into his confidence,
+and told them how Squire Lemington, in connection with the powerful
+syndicate, was trying to swindle his folks out of the rich Alaska claim,
+which they truly believed belonged to them, and not to the capitalists.
+
+Of course Fred had met with ready sympathy from the occupants of the
+Arnold Masterson house. They themselves had suffered too recently from
+the grasping methods of the old Squire not to sympathize with new
+victims.
+
+And Fred had a double object in telling the story of the missing
+witness, whose evidence, if it could ever be procured, would settle the
+lawsuit in favor of the Fentons and against Squire Lemington.
+
+Somehow, he believed that if Hiram Masterson did manage to make his way
+back to the neighborhood of Riverport, bent on righting a great wrong,
+as he had written in that strange note from Hong Kong, he would be apt
+to hunt up his brother, whom he had evidently not seen on his last
+visit.
+
+Now he was at the cross-roads tavern, known as Hitchen's, and running
+easily. He did not neglect to follow out the instructions which he had
+received from the old college graduate and coach, Mr. Shays, about
+breathing through his nose, and holding himself fairly erect. Only in
+the mad dash of the last stretch could a well trained athlete be
+forgiven for neglecting these precautions; since so much depends on
+their being constantly employed in order to insure staying qualities.
+
+Presently Fred found himself in familiar regions. He vividly remembered
+the cross-country run, when he and Bristles came upon the well under the
+apple tree, and were startled at sounds of groans issuing forth from
+that place.
+
+Now he could just make it out in the gathering gloom; but really he gave
+it only a passing glance, for his attention was directed toward the
+farmhouse, where in a lower window he could see a lamp burning.
+
+Fred did not mean to be inquisitive, and would not have thought of going
+a foot out of his way in order to peer in at that window; but as he had
+to pass it by on his way to the door, he naturally glanced in.
+
+Then he stopped to look again. Evidently the Mastersons had company, for
+there were three at the supper table, upon which a bountiful array of
+enticingly cooked food could be seen; for the good people of Riverport
+had brought out enough provisions to last them half way through the
+coming winter.
+
+This might make some difference with Fred's plans.
+
+"Perhaps I ought not to break in on them if they have company," he was
+saying to himself, as he continued to look through the window. "But I've
+come so far now, I kind of hate to give over the idea of saying
+something to Mr. Masterson. Perhaps he'll come to the door if I knock. I
+could tell him about Buck, to begin with; and might get a chance to
+speak of his letting us know if anything happened that he thought would
+interest the Fenton family. Yes, I'll try it."
+
+Before turning away he took another passing glance at the stranger, who
+seemed to be an elderly man with gray hair and a beard of the same
+color. Whatever he was saying, both Mr. Masterson and Sarah seemed to be
+hanging on his words as if they were deeply interested.
+
+Fred gave a sigh. He was secretly disappointed, to tell the truth.
+Perhaps he had conceived a faint expectation that something about the
+man might seem familiar; for he had not forgotten how the returned
+Alaska miner, Hiram Masterson, had looked when he rode about in Squire
+Lemington's carriage. But there was not the least resemblance so far as
+he could note between this elderly person and the gay-looking young
+miner.
+
+"I was foolish to ever think that," Fred said to himself, as he again
+started in the direction of the farmhouse door.
+
+In this mood, then he reached the door, and knocked. The sound echoed
+through the house, for Fred had laid his knuckles rather heavily on the
+upper panel of the double Dutch door.
+
+He heard a scuffling sound, to indicate that chairs had been hurriedly
+pushed back. Apparently, then, his knock had created something of a
+little panic within, though Fred could hardly understand why that should
+be so.
+
+After waiting a reasonable time, without either Sarah or her father
+coming to the door, Fred again gave a knock.
+
+"Mr. Masterson!" Fred called out, in the hope that his voice might
+happen to be recognized, so as to allay their fears.
+
+Then he saw that someone was coming in answer to his second summons.
+Under the door appeared a thin thread of light. This announced that the
+door between had been opened, and a lamp was being carried into the
+front room.
+
+Fred wondered just at that moment whether it would be Sarah or her
+father who might open the door. He knew Mr. Masterson was recovering his
+strength; but still he must be more or less weak, after a spell of
+sickness. And in that event Sarah was apt to be the one to come.
+
+Well, he would ask to see her father then, so as to get a few minutes
+conversation with the other. Sarah would be surprised to see him, of
+course, at this queer hour, and in his running costume.
+
+Fred almost wished now he had changed his mind, and turned away before
+giving that knock. But it was too late. He could hear someone drawing
+back the bolt by which the door was fastened. The Mastersons had gone
+through one unpleasant experience, and they did not want another, if
+such a small thing as a new bolt on the door would ward it off.
+
+Now the door had begun to open, and Fred allowed a smile to come upon
+his face in anticipation of the look of surprise he felt sure would
+welcome him.
+
+As it happened, however, the surprise was pretty much the other way. The
+door suddenly flew open, at least the upper half of it did, and Arnold
+Masterson thrust the muzzle of a double-barrel shotgun through the
+opening, at the same time exclaiming:
+
+"Now be off with you, or I'll give you a dose of buck shot that you
+won't like!"
+
+He had just managed to say this when he stared at the figure standing
+there. Of course Fred had been startled when so suddenly confronted by
+the armed and angry farmer; but he immediately recovered.
+
+"Hold on, Mr. Masterson, don't you know me? It's Fred Fenton!" he
+exclaimed.
+
+The farmer seemed too surprised for words. But he did hasten to unfasten
+the remaining part of the Dutch door, and seize hold of the boy by the
+short sleeve of his running tunic.
+
+"Fred Fenton, of all things, and right now too, when we were just
+talking about your folks. Come in, my boy, come in. This is a piece of
+great luck now. Whatever brings you away up here just at the time we
+wanted to see you most? Great news for you, Fred! He's come home again,
+and is right in there. Sarah wanted him to hide, because she thought it
+was one of my uncle's spies hanging around; but I said no, that they'd
+never believe it was him, not in a year of Sundays."
+
+"Who?" gasped Fred, feeling weak; but with a great expectation that
+caused him to tremble all over.
+
+The farmer patted him on the back as he went on to say, joyfully:
+
+"It's my brother Hiram, come back to right the wrong he helped do your
+people; and defy Uncle Sparks to his face. This is going to be a happy
+night for you, Fred; a happy night, my boy!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+A WELCOME GUEST
+
+
+"Hiram come back!"
+
+That was about all Fred could say. After all these dreary months, with
+hope so long deferred, it was hard to understand that the splendid news
+could be true. Oh! what joy it would bring in his home, when he arrived
+to tell the story! In imagination even at that first moment, Fred could
+see the tired face of his mother light up with thankfulness; and his
+father taking her in his arms, to shelter her head on his broad
+shoulder.
+
+For the return of Hiram meant that the truth must be told about that
+false claim the powerful syndicate had put in for the property left to
+Mr. Fenton by his brother Fred, up in Alaska; and which had seemed so
+necessary to the working of the mines really owned by the big company
+that they had been willing to do almost anything to get possession of
+the same.
+
+"Yes, that's him in yonder; but nobody'd ever know it, he's got himself
+up so smart," the farmer said, proudly, as he closed and bolted the
+doors again, ere leading the way into the other room.
+
+Fred saw the supposed old man stare hard at him as he followed Mr.
+Masterson into the room; but of course Sarah immediately recognized him.
+
+"Why, I declare if it isn't Fred Fenton himself; and he's been
+practicing for the road race to-morrow!" she exclaimed. "You remember,
+Uncle, I was telling you he meant to take part in it. Do you know who
+this is, Fred? Has father told you?"
+
+"Yes, and I'm mighty glad to see him here," said Fred, as he accepted
+the brown and calloused hand which the man, who had been kidnapped by
+orders of the combine, thrust out toward him, to wince under the hearty
+pressure on his fingers.
+
+"I tell you, Fred," remarked Hiram, with a broad smile, "I'm just as
+glad to be here again, after all I've gone through with, as you can be
+to see me. They certainly did keep me hustling, from one captain to
+another. I've been in the harbors of half the countries of the world, I
+reckon, since they took me away."
+
+"And you see," spoke up Sarah, eager to have a hand in the telling; "The
+captains of the different boats that were in the pay of this big
+company had the word passed along to them. They gave it out that he was
+weak in his head. So whenever Uncle tried to tell his story, the sailors
+used to pretend to be interested, but wink at each other, as if to say:
+'there he goes ranting about being carried off, just like the captain
+said he would.' So he never could get to mail a letter till in Hong
+Kong, when he managed to escape. Even then they chased him; and he says
+he only got away in the end by jumping into the bay, and pretending to
+stay under the water."
+
+"But couldn't you manage to escape when the ship put in at some port?"
+Fred asked, being very curious.
+
+"They always looked out for that," replied Hiram, with a sad shake of
+his head. "Sometimes I was accused of starting a mutiny, and put in
+irons, as well as shut up in the lazerette. More'n a few times they gave
+me a dose that took away my senses, and I didn't know even my name until
+we'd made the open sea again. It was all managed in the smartest way you
+ever heard about; and I'm shaking hands with myself right now to know
+that in the end I managed to upset their plans."
+
+Fred suddenly remembered something that Buck had let fall when speaking
+about the conditions existing at his home.
+
+"I guess someone must have been sending word to Mr. Lemington about
+your getting away," he remarked.
+
+"What makes you say that?" asked Hiram, looking uneasy.
+
+Fred, in as few words as possible related what had happened up in the
+deserted limestone quarry, when Buck and his little brother Billy found
+him caught in a trap.
+
+"He said his father was already in a bad humor," Fred went on, "and that
+he must have had news that upset him; because there was an open letter
+that had a foreign stamp on it, on the library table. Perhaps that
+letter was from Hong Kong or somewhere else, and told the delayed story
+of your escape."
+
+"Now that sounds reasonable, Hiram," remarked the farmer; "and if Sparks
+Lemington knows you're on your way home, to upset all his nice
+calculations, p'raps he might even have this house watched so as to get
+you again before you did any damage, by swearing to your story before
+Judge Colon and witnesses."
+
+"And I believe Buck is leading his little brother right here now," Fred
+went on to remark. "He wants to give his father a scare by having Billy
+gone, and expects in that way he may escape punishment for his tricks.
+You know they think a heap of little Billy over there."
+
+"And only for you he might have been drowned," said Sarah. "Seems to me
+you do nothing else but go around, helping get unlucky people out of
+trouble. I was telling Uncle what you did for me."
+
+"And he'll never have cause to regret it, mark my words," said Hiram,
+resolutely. "I've come back to let light in on them rascally land
+pirates' doings. Soon's they learn that I've sworn to my story before
+the judge, you'll see how quick they'll open up communications with your
+dad, and be offerin' him a tremendous sum to sell out; because they just
+need that property the worst you ever saw."
+
+"But if Buck comes here he might smell a rat, and let his father know,"
+remarked Arnold Masterson, nervously. "It's bad enough to be worrying
+about tramps, without expecting to have your house raided by spies in
+the pay of a combine of shrewd business men. I've got a good notion to
+make out nobody's at home, if the boys get here. Then they'd just have
+to move on, and find another place to stay."
+
+"I rather think they'd camp out in your barn then, Mr. Masterson,"
+remarked Fred.
+
+"What makes you think that?" asked the farmer, looking keenly at the
+boy.
+
+"Well," Fred continued, "in the first place, little Billy will be so
+tired out after his long tramp, he never could get any further. Then
+Buck wants to hide for a while, and he'll make up his mind that if you
+are gone away, you'll be back to-morrow morning. Why, he's that bold, he
+might try to break in, if he thinks the house is empty."
+
+"I tell you what we'd better do," said Hiram, who had evidently been
+doing considerable deep thinking meanwhile.
+
+"As what?" questioned his brother.
+
+"Let the boys come on in when they get here; they won't find anybody
+besides you and Sarah home," the returned wanderer declared, smiling
+broadly.
+
+"Where will you be, Uncle Hiram; asleep in the hay out in the barn?"
+asked the girl.
+
+"Me? Not much," returned the other. "Because I'm of a mind to go home
+with Fred here, and have the whole thing over with this same night."
+
+"Oh! I wish you would; but it's a pretty long walk for you, to
+Riverport," declared the boy, with considerable enthusiasm.
+
+"Oh! as to that, I reckon brother Arnold here knows of a farmer not a
+great ways off, he could send a note to by you and me," Hiram went on to
+say; "I've got plenty of hard cash in my jeans, and we'll hire the rig
+to take us to Riverport. Perhaps we might let him think, you see, that
+Fred got hurt running, and ought to be taken back home in a buggy. How
+about it, Arnold?"
+
+"A pretty good scheme, I must say," replied the other. "Did you have
+enough supper, Hiram; and are you ready to take the bull by the horns
+right now?"
+
+"Strike while the iron is hot; that's always been my motto," replied the
+returned miner, as he reached for his slouch hat; and took up the
+overcoat he had worn, which had a high collar that could be used to
+muffle his face if necessary.
+
+"And as the night air is sharp and frosty, I'll lend Fred some clothes
+to keep him warm," said the farmer.
+
+In ten minutes all this was done, and Fred led the way along the road in
+the direction he supposed Buck and his little brother would come. He was
+listening all the while, even while conversing with Hiram in low tones.
+Presently, when they had gone about half a mile, he heard the growling
+voice of Buck Lemington not far away.
+
+"Keep a-goin' Billy; we're not far away from there now; and I guess they
+won't refuse to let us in, and give us some grub. Here, take hold of my
+hand, and I'll help you along all I can. It was mighty nice for you to
+come with me, Billy, and I won't forget it; because I never saw the
+governor so mad before, never!"
+
+So while Fred and Hiram hid in the bushes, the two figures passed by.
+Fred realized that if there was one spark of good left in the bully of
+Riverport, it consisted in his affection for that smaller brother.
+
+Soon afterward they came to the farm where the horse and buggy were to
+be secured. There was no trouble whatever.
+
+"This is something like," remarked Hiram, gleefully, as they sped over
+the road in the direction of the town, the lights of which could be seen
+glimmering in the distance, whenever the travelers happened to be
+crossing a rise.
+
+No doubt Fred was the happiest fellow in all Riverport when he finally
+drove up in front of his humble home, and, with Hiram, jumped out.
+
+As he looked in through the window he could see his father and mother,
+and his three small sisters, Josie, Rebecca and Ruth, all seated at the
+supper table, with one chair vacant.
+
+Fred opened the door and walked in. All of them looked up, to smile at
+seeing how strange the boy appeared in the odd garments loaned by the
+farmer.
+
+"Father, and mother," said Fred, trying to control his shaky voice;
+"I've brought you company." Then he closed the door, walked over, and
+pulled down the shades, and turning again went on to say: "Here's
+somebody who's come from the other side of the world to see you all.
+Yes, mother, it's Hiram, and he's bound that this very night will see
+his sworn testimony taken by Judge Colon in the presence of reliable
+witnesses, so that the great Alaska claim will be settled for good.
+Hurrah!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+THE ATHLETIC MEET
+
+
+"This beats any crowd ever seen along the Mohunk!"
+
+That seemed to be the opinion of almost everybody, as they looked at the
+densely packed grandstand, at the throng in the extra tiers of seats
+raised to accommodate those who would pay a bonus in order to insure
+comfort; and finally the thousands who crowded the spaces back of the
+protecting ropes, all along the oval running track that, twice around,
+made exactly a quarter of a mile.
+
+It was a glorious October day; in fact many declared that "the clerk of
+the weather had given Riverport the glad hand this time, for sure,"
+since not a cloud broke the blue dome overhead, and the sun was just
+pleasantly warm.
+
+In the grandstand a group of girls and boys belonging to Riverport had
+gathered early, having seats adjacent. And how merrily the tongues did
+clatter as Cissy Anderson called attention to the clever way in which
+Sid Wells carried himself, which remark would of course reach the boy's
+ears in good time, as his sister, Mame, who felt almost like crying
+because she could not be in line with these bold athletes, was present,
+and heard everything.
+
+Flo Temple cast admiring eyes toward the spot where Fred, clad in his
+running trunks and sleeveless white shirt, talked with the track
+captain, Brad Morton. For deep down in her girlish heart, Flo felt
+certain that ere the day had come to a close Fred was sure to win new
+glory for Riverport school.
+
+The arrangements for the athletic meet had been carefully worked out. In
+the first place there was a Director of the games, in whose hands every
+important question was placed for disposal. A gentleman residing in
+Paulding of late, who had gained considerable fame himself as an athlete
+in college, had been chosen director. His name was De Camp, and he was
+said to be a member of the wonderful family who have figured so
+prominently in college athletics in the past.
+
+Then there was a referee, really the most important of all officers,
+whose decision was to settle every close match. The starter was to have
+charge of each competition, measuring distances accurately, so that
+there should be no reason for dissatisfaction. A number of gentlemen had
+been asked to serve as inspectors, to assist the referee, especially in
+the running matches, and the five mile road competition in particular,
+being stationed at certain points along the course to observe how the
+numerous contestants behaved, and penalize those who broke the rules.
+
+Of course there were the usual official scorers, timers, three judges
+for finishes, and an equal number for the field events. These judges
+were to measure each performance, and give to the scorer the exact
+distance covered. According to the rules they had no power to disqualify
+or penalize a contestant; but they could make alterations in the
+program, so as to excuse a contestant from his field event in order to
+appear in his track contest, and allow him to take his missing turn
+after he had had a reasonable rest.
+
+The hour had now come for the first event on the long program to be
+carried out, and the field was cleared of all persons, whether
+contestants or their admiring clusters of friends, who had gathered to
+give a last good word.
+
+When the master of ceremonies stepped out, the waves of sound gradually
+died away.
+
+"Silence! silence! let Mr. De Camp talk!" was heard here and there; and
+even the most gossipy girls dared not exchange words after that.
+
+The director, in a few happily chosen remarks, told of the great
+benefit to be derived from school athletics, when properly conducted. He
+also declared that the right sort of friendly competition or rivalry
+between neighboring schools, bent upon excelling in various channels of
+athletics, was calculated to inspire a proper ambition to win. And above
+all, he observed that in such friendly contests the best of good will
+should prevail, so that the vanquished might feel the sting of defeat as
+little as possible.
+
+"Be true sportsmen, boys," he finished by saying; "remember in the flush
+of your victory that there is another fellow who was just as eager to
+win as you were, who is feeding on the husks of defeat. Give him a
+hearty cheer for his pluck. It can only add to your own glory, and
+speaks well for your heart. That is all I want to say. The announcer
+will now tell you the character of the first competition."
+
+Mechanicsburg showed up in a formidable way early in the program.
+Bristles Carpenter for Riverport, and Ogden for Paulding, brought out a
+round of applause when they cleared the bar in the high jump; but after
+it had been raised several notches above their best record, Angus Smith,
+who used to play such a clever game out in left for Mechanicsburg,
+easily crossed over, amid deafening cheers.
+
+So the first event fell to the town up the river.
+
+"Oh! that's only a taste!" boasted a Mechanicsburg boy, close to the
+bevy of now rather subdued Riverport girls; "we've got plenty of that
+kind. Just wait, and you'll be greatly surprised, girls. Mechanicsburg
+has been keeping quiet; but oh! you Riverport! this is a day you'll
+never, never forget! It spells Waterloo for yours!"
+
+"We've heard that sort of talk before, Tody Guffey," remarked Mame
+Wells, defiantly; "and when the end came where was Mechanicsburg? Why,
+in the gravy, of course. We never yet started out well. Riverport needs
+something to stir her blood, in order to make her boys do their best.
+Now watch, and see what happens."
+
+However, Mame, splendid "rooter" for the home squad that she was, could
+not claim much glory as a prophet; for the next event was also captured
+by the hustling school team from the up-river town.
+
+It was a standing jump, and again did the long-legged Smith show his
+wonderful superiority as an athlete, by beating the best the other boys
+could put up.
+
+Of course the cheers that rose were at first mostly those of the
+visitors. Visions of a grand victory that would wipe out the string of
+many a previous defeat, began to float before the minds of those who
+shouted, and waved hats, flags and scarfs. The whole assemblage seemed
+to be for Mechanicsburg, in fact; but then the same thing would be apt
+to show when either of the other schools made a win. At such times
+enthusiasm goes wild, and those who are enjoying the contests are ready
+to cheer anything, so long as they can make a noise.
+
+"Now we'll see a change, I guess," laughingly remarked Mame, when it was
+announced that the next event would be a quarter mile sprint, with just
+three entries, one from each school.
+
+"Oh! you Colon!" shouted scores of Riverport boys as the tall athlete
+came forward with his customary slouching gait, that seemed a part of
+his nature; though he could straighten up when he wanted, well enough.
+
+They were off like rabbits as the pistol sounded, and the greatest
+racket broke forth as they went flying around the track. Colon kept just
+behind the other two. He was craftily watching their work, and coolly
+calculating just when it would be necessary for him to "put his best
+foot forward."
+
+Once they went around, with Paulding leading slightly, but Mechanicsburg
+going strong, and Riverport just "loafing in the rear," as one of the
+boys expressed it. But those who were experienced could see that the
+wonderful Colon was just toying with his rivals.
+
+"Right now he could dig circles around them both!" yelled little
+Semi-Colon, who had the utmost faith in his cousin's ability to
+accomplish every task set for him.
+
+"Now they're three quarters done, and at the other end of the track;"
+said Flo Temple; "Oh! please, please, don't delay too long, Colon!"
+
+"Let out a link, Colon!" shrieked a megaphone holder.
+
+"Look at him, would you; he heard you shout, all right, Sandy!" cried
+one boy.
+
+"He's got wings! He's sure flying!" whooped another.
+
+"Say jumping like a big kangaroo! Call that running? They'll disqualify
+him, you mark me, Riverport!" shrieked a disappointed Mechanicsburg
+rooter, as he saw the local sprinter shoot past both the others as
+though they were standing still; and come toward the finish.
+
+"Riverport wins!" was the shout that arose on all sides.
+
+"Wait!" answered the backers of the up-river school; "we didn't have our
+best man, Wagner, in that sprint; we're saving him for the next, when
+your wonder will be winded more or less. And the third sprint will be a
+walkover. Oh! shout while you have the chance, Riverport; but all the
+same your cake is going to be dough. We've taken your number, and the
+count is two against one, so far. Mechanicsburg! All together now; three
+more cheers, boys!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+FRED ON THE TRACK
+
+
+Fred Fenton was in the throng that welcomed the victorious Colon. He had
+heard that remark of a Mechanicsburg lad about the plan arranged to wear
+Colon down by putting a fresh man in against him with the second sprint,
+this time for half a mile. And it set Fred thinking.
+
+He had himself been entered for the second and third sprint; but because
+the five mile road race was of such vast importance, the track captain
+had prevailed upon Fred not to make either of the others, leaving them
+to the marvelous Colon to take care of.
+
+Several more events were pulled off in rapid succession, showing how
+well organized the tournament seemed to be, in the hands of competent
+men. One of these happenings was a sack race, which afforded great
+amusement to the crowd, and gave Paulding her first score, to the
+uproarious delight of everybody.
+
+"Paulding can _crawl_ to victory, anyhow!" shouted the megaphone boy,
+derisively.
+
+"That's better than crawling after getting licked!" answered a resolute
+backer of the town down the river, "that never gave up until the last
+man was down."
+
+When the basket ball game of the girls, between Paulding and
+Mechanicsburg first, and then Riverport against the victor of the first
+round, was called, everybody sat up and took notice.
+
+It was a spirited game, and Paulding girls proved themselves superior to
+those of the rival town, for they finally won. Then their team was
+patched up with a couple to replace those who were tired out; after
+which they started to show Riverport what they knew about basketball.
+
+And sure enough, in the end they did carry the Paulding colors to
+victory; though it was a close decision; and if the balance of the home
+team could have shown the same class that little Mame Wells put into her
+playing, it would have been a walkover for Riverport.
+
+Colon came to the scratch, smiling and confident, when the half mile run
+over the track was called. So did that fellow up the river, who had
+always been such a hard player to down, when Riverport tackled her rival
+in baseball, or on the gridiron--Felix Wagner, the best all-round
+athlete of which Mechanicsburg boasted.
+
+It was seen that Colon did not mean to follow the same tactics in this
+sprint of the half mile. He knew that he was up against a different sort
+of man now, than in the first event of his class. And when the three
+competitors passed for the third time the grandstand, they were pretty
+evenly bunched, each jealously watching lest one of the others get an
+advantage.
+
+Amid a din of cheering they reached the other end of the track, all
+going strong.
+
+"Now watch Colon hump himself!" shouted the megaphone boy.
+
+"There he goes! Ain't he the kangaroo though?" bawled another.
+
+"But keep your eye on Wagner, will you? He's flying like the wind.
+Better believe your wonder will have to do his prettiest right now, with
+that hurricane at his heels. Go it, Felix; you can win it! Wagner!
+Wagner! He's going to do it! Hoop-la! Me-chan-icsburg forever!"
+
+Wagner was coming like a bird, and his flying feet seemed hardly to
+touch the ground. The Paulding contestant appeared to be so far
+outclassed that some people imagined he must be almost standing still;
+but he was doing his best, poor fellow.
+
+Apparently Colon heard the sound of Wagner close at his shoulder as the
+other made a last spurt, meaning to pass him. Colon had just one more
+"kink" to let loose, and as he did so he bounded ahead, passing the
+string some five feet in front of the second entry.
+
+The roar of cheers that arose suddenly died out.
+
+"Look at Colon! Something happened to him! That last spurt must have
+ruptured a blood vessel! That settles the third race, because Wagner
+will have it easy!"
+
+The marshal and his many assistants had some difficulty in keeping order
+while a crowd of athletes gathered around Colon, who had fallen headlong
+after breasting the tape, and lay there on the ground.
+
+Presently the director appeared, and waved his hand for silence,
+remarking:
+
+"I regret to say that the winner of the last half mile sprint sprained
+his ankle just as he clinched his victory, and will be utterly unable to
+take part in any other contest to-day. We are glad it is no more serious
+injury; and one and all extend to him our sympathy, as well as our
+admiration for the game fight he has put up!"
+
+Brad Morton helped Colon to a seat, where he could have his swollen
+ankle properly attended to, and at the same time watch the progress of
+the tournament; for Colon stubbornly refused to let them take him home.
+
+The face of the track captain was marked with uneasiness. Mechanicsburg
+was evidently in this thing to win, and meant to make every point
+count. Right then the two schools seemed to be moving along, neck and
+neck, each having seven points in their favor, with several events
+coming that were altogether uncertain.
+
+Hence, that third half mile run over the track might eventually prove to
+be the turning point, upon which final victory or defeat would hinge.
+
+With Colon, the unbeaten sprinter, down, who was there to take his place
+against that fleet-footed Wagner, who would be fairly recovered by the
+time the last sprint was called?
+
+Rapidly did Brad run over in his mind his available entries, and putting
+each in competition with Wagner, he shook his head. Sid Wells could not
+be depended on to keep his head in a final pinch. He usually did well in
+the beginning of a hot race, but when there was a call for held-back
+energies, Sid could not "deliver the goods," as Brad knew.
+
+Besides, there was Corney Shays, a speedy runner for short distances,
+but with poor wind. Half a mile was too much for Corney; had it been a
+quarter, now, Brad would have felt tempted to try him against Wagner.
+
+He looked anxiously toward Fred, and the other smiled. An odd
+three-legged race was taking place at the time, each school having an
+entry; and amid uproarious shouts the contestants were falling down,
+getting mixed in their partners, and exciting all sorts of comments.
+
+"I'm willing to make the try if you say so, Brad," Fred remarked, for he
+could easily read what was in the mind of the anxious Brad.
+
+"If only I was sure that it wouldn't interfere with your work in the
+five mile run, I'd be tempted to let you go into it," the track captain
+declared; "but you know that short Marathon has been thought so
+important that it was given three points, to one for all other events.
+We've just _got_ to win that, or we're gone. Do you really and truly
+think you could stand both, Fred?"
+
+"I sure do," replied the other, confidently; "and besides, you can get
+the field judges to put the five mile off until the very last, so as to
+give me time to recover. Nobody can object to that."
+
+"How about having the third sprint moved up in line; that would widen
+the gap between your two entries, Fred?" remarked Brad, the gloom
+beginning to leave his face, as he saw a way out of the trouble.
+
+"Never do in the wide world," replied Fred; "because that would shorten
+Wagner's time for recovery after his last race. And lots of fellows
+would say it was done purposely to give us a winning chance. No, my plan
+is the better, Brad."
+
+Other events were being run off in succession. The shot-put came to
+Riverport, Dave Hanshaw proving himself superior at this sort of game to
+any of those entered in competition. Jumping the hurdles went to the
+steady-pulling up-river town. And when the third sprint was called, once
+again were Mechanicsburg and Riverport tied for points.
+
+When Fred toed the scratch alongside Felix Wagner and the new Paulding
+sprinter, he did not underestimate either of his antagonists. And after
+they were off like greyhounds let free from the leash, he adopted the
+tactics that had won so handily for Colon in the first race, lagging
+just behind the others, and observing how they ran, while making the
+circuit of the track three times.
+
+Thus he knew to a fraction just what resources Wagner had left when the
+critical stage was reached for the final spurt. Felix was already
+beginning to feel his previous race. That heart-breaking finish against
+Colon had told on him more than he had expected it would. And Fred
+believed he would have no great difficulty in displacing him, when the
+time came.
+
+On the way to the finish all of them increased their already fast pace,
+until they were fairly skimming along the level track as though they had
+wings. But Fred proved to have considerably more reserve powers than
+either of his competitors. Well had he gauged the distance; and when
+just about one hundred yards from the finish he was seen to pass both
+Wagner and the Paulding runner, coming in an easy winner, amid the
+terrific cheers of the excited throng, everybody being upon his or her
+feet, waving flags, hats, handkerchiefs, and shouting themselves fairly
+hoarse to indicate what they thought of the clever tactics of the
+Riverport boy.
+
+And when the pleased Brad clapped Fred on the back he remarked:
+
+"Elegantly done, my boy; only I do hope it won't tell on you in the
+biggest event of the meet; the five mile run. For they're pressing us
+hard, and we'll need every one of those three points, Fred; remember
+that!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+A CLOSE COUNT
+
+
+"You're doing yourself proud to-day, Fred," remarked Bristles Carpenter,
+as he dropped down beside the other, who had donned his sweater-jacket,
+so that he might not take cold, and thus stiffen his muscles before
+being called upon to toe the mark again, toward the end of the meet, for
+the road race.
+
+"Well, I feel just like a bird, and that's a fact, Bristles," replied
+Fred, as he turned smilingly upon his chum. "Everything seems to be
+coming my way, outside of this athletic meet, you know."
+
+"I heard Colon tell how you and your father came over to his uncle's
+last night, bringing a stranger along with you; and that he turned out
+to be the witness you've been looking for so long--Hiram Masterson. Say,
+that was the name of that farmer and his girl we helped that time;
+wasn't it, Fred?"
+
+"Sure," answered the other, for he felt that so faithful a friend as
+Bristles ought to be taken into his confidence, now that all danger was
+over. "He and Hiram are brothers, and both of 'em are nephews of Squire
+Lemington."
+
+"And by the way, I don't see Buck's face around; what d'ye reckon
+happened to him to keep him away, when he's so set on athletics?"
+
+So Fred, seeing his chance, explained in a few sentences all that had
+happened on the preceding afternoon. Great was the astonishment of
+Bristles.
+
+"Talk to me about luck, there never was anything to equal yours, Fred!"
+he declared, as he shook hands warmly. "And so Hiram gave all his
+evidence under oath, and in the presence of witnesses, so there's no
+chance of his being kidnapped again, I guess. That'll knock the old
+syndicate silly; eh?"
+
+"It has already, they tell me," Fred went on, composedly. "Word must
+have been sent to Squire Lemington, for early this morning he was down
+at the telegraph office wiring his chief, and getting an answer. My
+father has received a message from the Squire saying that he and the
+president of the big company would be glad to make an appointment with
+him, for the purpose of talking over business matters. And he also said
+that he felt sure they could come to some agreement that would be
+satisfactory to both sides, and so avoid the expense and delay of a
+lawsuit."
+
+"Bully! bully, all around; that must mean a hundred thousand or two for
+your folks. But I hope you keep your eye out for that tricky Squire,
+Fred. If there's any loop-hole for treachery he'll find it, mark me."
+
+"Oh! we're in the hands of Judge Colon now; and you can catch a weasel
+asleep sooner than he could be found napping. Rest easy, Bristles, the
+game's already won, and the fun over, all but the shouting."
+
+"Isn't it great, though? And all these months you've been going around
+with a cheery smile on your face, Fred, when you carried a heavy load of
+worry. You don't care if I mention these things to my folks; do you?"
+
+"Not a bit of it," answered the other, briskly. "We've had to keep
+things quiet long enough; and now that the tide's turned our way we want
+everybody to know the facts. Tell it as often as you please; only don't
+be too personal about the share Squire Lemington had in the carrying off
+of Hiram. We've got no actual proof, you know, about that."
+
+"There goes our Dave at it again, throwing the discus," remarked
+Bristles; "it's a dead sure thing we win this event. And if I hadn't
+fallen down in my turn, Riverport would be just two points more ahead
+of her closest rivals. But I'm going to take up training next time. I've
+learned my weak point, and I hope to cure it."
+
+"There's a happy boy, if there's one here," said Fred, nodding his head
+in the direction of a rather sturdily-set young chap, who stood watching
+the throwing of the weight; and whose presence in running trunks and
+sleeveless shirt announced that he expected to make one of the races.
+
+"Why, it's Gabe Larkins, for a fact; I didn't know he was in this thing
+at all," Bristles ventured.
+
+"Yes, you may remember that he used to say he was fond of all outdoor
+sports; but never had time to take part in them," Fred went on to
+remark. "Well, Brad found that he was a clever runner, and he coaxed him
+to practice a little on the sly. He used to be a Riverport schoolboy,
+you see, before he was taken out to go to work; so he was eligible for
+entry. And I really believe he's going to prove a valuable find yet."
+
+"Talking about training, I heard Mr. De Camp say he didn't believe in
+too much of that sort of thing for boys," Bristles volunteered.
+
+"Yes, I heard him say that, and he explained it too," Fred went on with.
+"You see, a boy is in the process of the making. He can stand just so
+much, and if he exceeds his powers he may work irreparable ruin to his
+system. He said that a boy ought never to be trained as grown athletes
+are. His training ought to be just play. He must be shown how to do
+things properly, and then allowed to go about it in his own way. Give
+him an example of how the thing should be done, and then let him play
+his own game."
+
+A wild burst of cheering stopped their conference, and Bristles jumped
+up to ascertain what caused it.
+
+"Of course Dave just beat his own high water mark," he called out; "and
+neither of the others is in the same class, just what I said would
+happen. Another point for us. But the next lot look dangerous, I'm
+afraid."
+
+They proved to be more than that, for two points went to the up-river
+town as the wrestling match, and the three-standing jump contest were
+decided in their favor by the impartial judges. As yet there had not
+been heard the least criticism of the way these gentlemen conducted
+their part of the affair. While in several close decisions there may
+have been many disappointed lads, still it was fully believed that the
+judges were working squarely to give each contestant a fair deal, and
+favor no one at the expense of others.
+
+A comical potato race next sent the crowds into convulsions of laughter.
+And of course Paulding had to win that. How the others did rub it into
+the advocates of the down-river school; but they only grinned, and
+accepted the gibes with becoming modesty.
+
+"Oh! we're strong on all the games that go to make up the real thing,"
+one of the baseball squad remarked, grinning amiably at the chaff of his
+friends. "You see, potatoes go to make up life for a big part of the
+human race; and we're after 'em, good and hard. And our girls are
+helping us out handsomely. We take off our hats to the fair sex.
+Paulding is all right, if a little slow sometimes."
+
+In that spirit the various contests were being carried out. Small danger
+of any serious trouble arising between the three schools when their
+young people showed such true sportsmanlike qualities in their
+competitions, keen-set though they were to win a victory.
+
+The afternoon was wearing on, and the enthusiasm did not seem to wane in
+the slightest degree. True, a lot of the boys were getting quite hoarse
+from constant shouting; but others took up the refrain, while they
+contented themselves with making frantic gestures, and throwing up
+cushions, hats, and canes whenever they felt the spirit to create a
+disturbance rioting within them.
+
+Brad Morton kept hovering near Fred as the contest went on, and it
+began to look more and more like a tie between the two schools, when the
+great and concluding five mile road race was called.
+
+He asked many times how Fred felt, and if there was anything like
+rubbing down he needed, in order to limber up some muscle that might not
+feel just right.
+
+"Not a thing, Brad," the other remarked, waving his hand toward the
+grandstand as he saw Flo Temple flaunting her flag at him meaningly. "I
+tell you I never felt in better trim than I do right now--as fine as
+silk. And unless something unexpected happens to me on the road, I'm
+going to bring those three tallies home for Riverport, or know the
+reason why. After all that's happened lately to make me happy, I just
+don't see how I could lose. Quit worrying, Brad."
+
+And under this inspiring kind of talk the track captain did brace up, so
+that he even allowed a smile to creep over his grim face.
+
+"Well, you're the one to give a fellow tone, and make him feel good,
+Fred," he remarked. "I reckon you feel confident without being too sure;
+and that's the way a fellow competing against others ought to feel. He's
+just got to believe in himself up to the last second; and in lots of
+cases that same confidence wins out. But I wish you hadn't had to take
+part in that half-mile sprint. It might have done something that you'll
+find out after you get well into the long race."
+
+"Oh! let up, won't you, Brad?" urged Fred. "I tell you I'm in perfect
+condition. And I'll prove it pretty soon, you see; for it's getting near
+the time for my run right now."
+
+Throughout the grandstand they were already talking of that long five
+mile run, which was bound to excite more interest than any other event
+of this glorious day of sports.
+
+"They say Fenton strained a tendon in his foot, and limps already," one
+of the up-river fellows remarked, with a wink toward his comrades; for
+he knew how quickly Mame Wells would take up cudgels for her colors.
+
+"Oh! he has; eh?" she exclaimed derisively; "very well, Mort Cambridge,
+just you step out and tell your runners they'd better be straining some
+of _their_ tendons, because they'll need everything that Fred Fenton's
+got, if they want to be in sight when he comes romping home. A strained
+tendon, humph! Look at him walking across the field right now; did you
+ever see anybody have a more springy step than that? Isn't it so, Flo?"
+and there was a shout, as the doctor's daughter, with a flushed face but
+with sparkling eyes, nodded her head defiantly.
+
+"How does the score stand?" asked someone, breathlessly.
+
+"Eleven for Mechanicsburg, to thirteen for Riverport, and five for
+Paulding."
+
+"And only the road race left on the calendar, which counts three points.
+Then it will settle the championship; for the side that comes in ahead
+there will win in number of points, Mechanicsburg just nosing over,
+while we'd have five to the good."
+
+"And here's the director going to announce the race, while the other man
+will name all the contestants entered to take part. My! what a big bunch
+there are; and how exciting it promises to be. But I'm pinning my faith
+on Fred Fenton to win."
+
+And pretty Flo Temple gave the speaker a grateful look, because he
+voiced her sentiments exactly.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+THE LONE RUNNER
+
+
+"They're off!" was the cry.
+
+With the crack of the pistol the long string of runners left the line.
+Most of them had been crouching in some favorite attitude that allowed a
+quick start.
+
+The course was to take them from the field over to the road, and then
+along this for exactly two and a half miles, until a turning point was
+reached, when the return trip would begin.
+
+Inspectors were stationed at various distances along the course; and
+judges stood guard at the turning stake, to make sure that every
+contestant went the full limit before heading for home.
+
+In the three schools there were eleven contestants in all--four for
+Riverport, the same number for her up-river rival, and three belonging
+to Paulding. Each boy had a large number fastened on his back and chest,
+so that he could be plainly recognized by this for some little
+distance.
+
+Fred was Number Seven, while the crack long-distance runner of
+Mechanicsburg, the wonderful Boggs, had been given Number One. And there
+were many persons who believed firmly that the race was destined to be
+between these two boys, champions of their respective schools.
+
+In such a long race the interest does not get fully awakened until
+several miles have been passed over. And in order that those on the
+athletic field might not be wholly without some shreds of information
+while the runners were far away, the managers had influenced some of the
+boys to arrange a code of signals, to be worked by operators at the
+other end of the two and a half mile turn.
+
+There was a hill in plain sight of both beginning and turn. On this a
+pine tree had been stripped of its branches; and a clothes line
+stretched to a pulley near its top. When the first runner turned the
+half-way stake a boy right on the ground would wave a certain flag, so
+that the lads up on the hill could see it.
+
+On their part they were to run up a flag of a similar color to tell the
+waiting throng which school was in the lead at the half-way post. Then,
+when a second contestant came along, his advent would also be recorded.
+
+Red meant that Mechanicsburg was in the lead; blue that Riverport had
+the advantage; while green stood for Paulding.
+
+There was a cluster of runners well up in the lead when they began to
+vanish from the view of the spectators. Then the others were strung out;
+until last of all a Riverport fellow jogged along, as though he saw no
+reason for haste so early in the game.
+
+Still, there could be no telling just where that same laggard might be
+when the runners turned and headed for the home stake. He might be
+playing the waiting game that so often proves fruitful in such races.
+
+While the contestants were out of sight the crowd enjoyed itself by
+sending all sorts of shouts back and forth. Sometimes loud outbursts of
+laughter greeted some happy remark from a bright schoolboy or girl.
+
+"Ought to be seeing something right soon now," remarked one of the
+crowd, as he looked anxiously toward the signal station on the top of
+the hill two miles away.
+
+"That's right."
+
+"I've been timing 'em," said another; "and you're just right; they ought
+to be about there by now."
+
+"Hi! look! there goes a flag up the mast!" shrieked a voice.
+
+"It's green too!" howled a frantic Paulding backer.
+
+"Oh! come off! can't you tell a red flag when you see it?
+Mechanicsburg's turned the half-way stake in the lead! Didn't we say
+Boggs was there with the goods?"
+
+"And a yard wide too!"
+
+"There goes a second flag up, showing that he isn't far ahead, anyway!"
+
+"What's that color? The sun hurts my eyes, and I can't just make it
+out?"
+
+"Green! Green! This time you can't say it isn't! Hurrah! Paulding is
+close on the heels of the leader. The great Boggs may trip up yet,
+boys."
+
+"Oh! where is your great wonder, Riverport? What's happened to Fred
+Fenton, do you suppose?"
+
+"There he goes around the stake now; and the three leaders are pretty
+well bunched. It looks like anybody's battle yet, fellows. And may the
+best man win!"
+
+It was true that the blue flag had followed close upon the green one;
+indeed, there was not a minute's difference between the entire three,
+showing that some of the runners must have kept very close to each other
+during the first half of the race.
+
+But now would come the supreme test. Everybody seemed to draw a long
+breath, as they kept their eyes on that point of the distant road where
+the first runner would make his appearance, turn aside, and head across
+the field for the final tapeline.
+
+"Isn't it just too exciting for anything, Flo?" asked Mame Wells,
+putting her arm around her chum, whom she found actually quivering with
+nervous hope and fear.
+
+"Don't speak to me, Mame; I just can't bear to listen," replied the
+other. "I'm waiting to see who comes in sight first, and hoping I won't
+be disappointed. Be still, please, and let me alone."
+
+Indeed, by degrees, all noise seemed to be dying out. A strange silence
+fell upon the vast throng. Thousands of eyes were fastened upon that
+clump of trees, back of which they had seen the last runner vanish some
+time before. Here the leader would presently show up; and they had not
+the slightest way of knowing whether it would be Boggs, Fenton, or
+Collins from Paulding.
+
+Much could have happened since the three leaders turned the stake.
+Another runner might have advanced from behind, and taken the head of
+the procession. Some of those in the big road race were really unknown
+quantities; and among these was Gabe Larkins, for no one had ever
+really seen him run, the Riverport lad who lagged behind in the start.
+
+Seconds seemed minutes, and these latter hours, as they waited for what
+was to come. It was hard to believe that somewhere behind that screen a
+crowd of boys were speeding along at their level best, seeking to win
+honors for the school of their choice.
+
+Several false alarms were given, as is usually the case, when some
+nervous persons think they can see a moving object.
+
+But finally a tremendous shout arose, that gained volume with each
+passing second. Everybody joined in that welcoming roar, regardless of
+who the leader might turn out to be.
+
+"Here they come!"
+
+A lone runner had suddenly burst out from behind the trees, and was
+heading for the field, passing swiftly over the ground, and with an
+easy, though powerful, foot movement, that quite won the hearts of all
+those present who had in days past been more or less interested in
+college athletics.
+
+"It's Boggs!" shrieked one.
+
+"Yes, I can see his number plain, and it's One, all right. Oh! you
+dandy, how you do cover the ground, though! Nobody ever saw such
+running; and he's got the rest beat a mile. Why, look, not a single one
+in sight yet, and Boggs, he's nearly a third of the way here from the
+turn in the course."
+
+Almost sick at heart, and with trembling hands pretty Flo Temple managed
+to raise the field glasses she had with her. She really hated to level
+them just to see the face of the winning Boggs.
+
+Instantly she uttered a loud shriek.
+
+"Oh! you're all wrong!" she cried. "It isn't Boggs at all! Instead of
+Number One, that is Number Seven!"
+
+"It's Fred Fenton!" whooped the fellow with the megaphone, so that
+everybody was able to hear.
+
+"Fenton wins! Hurrah for Fred!"
+
+Brad Morton, the track captain, caught hold of Bristles, and the two of
+them danced around, hugging each other as though they had really taken
+leave of their senses.
+
+"Fenton! Oh! where is Boggs? Fenton! Riverport wins the championship!"
+
+So the shouts were going around, and the frantic lads leaped and waltzed
+about.
+
+Meanwhile the lone runner was swiftly approaching. They could all see
+now that it was Seven upon his chest, which at first had been mistaken
+for the One. Fred was apparently in no great distress. He seemed able to
+continue for another round, had such a thing been necessary.
+
+Only once he turned to glance over his shoulder. This was when, arriving
+close enough to the outskirts of the crowd to hear some of the loud
+talk, he caught a cry that the nearest of his competitors had been
+sighted. And Fred could well afford to smile when he saw that Boggs was
+not in it at all, for the second runner was Number Eleven, which stood
+for Gabe Larkins. He was coming furiously, and had he been better
+coached at the start he might have even given the winner a run for the
+goal.
+
+The crowd thronged over the field as soon as Fred breasted the tape, and
+was declared the winner of the long distance event.
+
+And with the words of the director still fresh in their minds the
+victors made sure to rally around the cheer captain, and send out a roar
+again and again for the plucky fight made by Mechanicsburg and Paulding.
+Such things go far toward softening the pangs of bitter defeat, and draw
+late rivals closer together in the bonds of good fellowship.
+
+But although everybody was showering Fred Fenton with praises for his
+wonderful home-coming, and thanking him times over because he had made
+it possible for Riverport to win the victory over both her competitors;
+he counted none of these things as worth one half as much as that walk
+home, after he had dressed, in the company with Flo Temple; and to see
+the proud way in which she took possession of him, as though, in wearing
+the little bud she had given him, he had really been running that fine
+race for _her_, rather than the school to which they both belonged.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+THE ALASKA CLAIM
+
+
+After all the excitement attending the great athletic tournament,
+Riverport took the rest those who lived within her borders really
+needed. School duties had been somewhat neglected while there was so
+much going on; and Professor Brierley saw to it that the brakes were put
+on, and the sport element eliminated for the time being.
+
+And yet he knew that the new spirit of athletic training in schools was
+really working wonders among those who had heretofore been sadly
+backward about strengthening their lungs, and developing their systems
+along proper lines.
+
+The governing committee were so well pleased with the many advantages
+which they had reaped from the tournament, that it was unanimously
+decided to repeat it every Fall. And during the winter season the new
+gymnasiums, with their modern apparatus for developing chests,
+strengthening muscles, and encouraging weakly boys and girls to become
+strong and healthy, would supply all the exercise needed.
+
+Fred Fenton, of course, became the idol of his set. He was a
+clear-headed boy, it happened, and he discouraged all this sort of hero
+worship possible; making light of what he had done, and declaring that
+when the next took place Gabe Larkins was going to carry off every
+running prize.
+
+Fred was at any rate the happiest boy in Riverport; and he believed he
+had ample reason for declaring himself such.
+
+In the first place the Alaska claim had been finally settled, and to the
+complete satisfaction of the Fenton family. Under the wise guidance and
+counsel of Judge Colon, affairs had been so managed that the head of the
+powerful syndicate, accompanied by Squire Lemington, had several
+meetings with Mr. Fenton. The upshot of the whole matter was that an
+offer being finally made, and refused, a second was presented that
+enlarged the sum first mentioned. That was also turned down by the
+sagacious judge, who had received pointers from Hiram concerning the
+necessity of the syndicate possessing the disputed claim. In the end an
+agreement was struck, the whole large sum paid over, and the transfer of
+all claims made.
+
+Just what that amount was few people ever knew. Some said it must have
+been as high as three hundred thousand dollars; others declared it was
+only a single hundred thousand; but the chances are it came midway
+between the two extremes.
+
+No matter what the sum, wisely invested as it was by the new owner, it
+placed the Fenton family beyond the reach of want as long as they lived.
+
+Fred could now dream his dreams of some time going to college, when he
+had arrived at the topmost round of the ladder as represented in the
+Riverport school course. And there were a host of other things that
+seemed much closer to his hand now than they had ever been before.
+
+As they had become dearly attached to their little cottage home, the
+Fentons, instead of moving into a larger and more comfortable house,
+simply purchased the one they lived in. After certain improvements had
+been completed they had as fine a house as any one in all Riverport, and
+with a location on the bank of the pretty Mohunk second to none.
+
+Hiram was uneasy away from the mining camps, and after a while said
+good-bye to his Riverport friends. He had made over to his brother
+Arnold certain property he had accumulated; so that both Sarah and her
+father felt that they would never again experience the pinch of
+poverty.
+
+These two friends of Fred were always delighted whenever he and any of
+his chums took a notion to run up, and pay them a little visit. And many
+times did the girl speak of that dreadful day when her calls from the
+bottom of the well reached the ears of the cross-country runners,
+bringing aid to herself and her sick parent. They would never forget
+what Fred and Bristles had done for them.
+
+Gabe Larkins was a different boy from what he had been in the past.
+Everybody thought well of him now; and his mother, no longer fearing
+that the change in his character indicated a fatal sickness, became very
+proud of her boy. And Gabe has a good word to say for Fred Fenton, and
+Bristles Carpenter as well; for he knows just how much those two boys
+had to do with influencing Miss Muster to forgive his taking of her
+opals, before he saw the new light.
+
+For several days Buck Lemington was not seen about Riverport. Only a few
+knew that he was up at Arnold Masterson's farm, really in hiding until
+his father's wrath blew over; and that he had taken his little brother
+along in order to the better bring the "governor" to terms.
+
+When the Alaska claims business had been finally adjusted in a
+satisfactory manner, and Squire Lemington could once more remember that
+he had not seen either of his boys for some days, he became quite
+alarmed. And it was at this time that the artful Buck sent a note by a
+special messenger, offering to bring Billy home if his father would
+forget all about the punishment he had threatened.
+
+Of course he won his point, and in a short time was just the same bully
+about Riverport as of yore; because it is next to impossible for such a
+fellow to reform.
+
+Of course while Winter held the country round about the three river
+towns in its grasp, the frozen waters of the pretty Mohunk furnished
+plenty of sport, both vigorous and healthful.
+
+And it goes without saying that the intense rivalry existing between the
+schools kept pace with the seasons. There were skating matches,
+challenges between the proud owners of new bobsleds, and even class
+spreads, with possibly a dance in some distant barn, to which the girls
+were conveyed by their attendants in all manner of sleighs, and with an
+elderly lady to add dignity to occasion.
+
+In all of these events we may be sure that Fred Fenton took his part
+with the same manly spirit that, as has been shown in these stories of
+the school struggles, actuated his behavior at all times.
+
+He was not always victor, and more than once tasted the sting of defeat;
+but Fred could give and take; and he knew that others deserved to win as
+well as he did himself. But he was satisfied to enjoy the keen rivalry
+that accompanies clean sport, and the very first to give the winner a
+shout of congratulation.
+
+In the early Spring some of the boys made their way up to the haunted
+mill; for they remembered that the pond used to hold some gamey bass in
+those days of old when they regularly played around that section.
+
+They found that during a winter's storm the old building had finally
+yielded to the war of the elements. It was lying in ruins; and thus
+another old landmark disappeared from the region of the Mohunk.
+
+Colon recalled his strange experience at the time he was kidnapped, and
+carried away to the old mill by several disguised boys. Of course every
+one knew now that these fellows had been Buck and several of his
+cronies; and that their object had been simply a desire to cripple the
+Riverport athletic track team, because the committee had concluded that
+none of them was a fit subject for entry.
+
+And they had come very nearly doing it too. Only for the energy which
+Fred Fenton had shown in following up the slender clues left behind,
+Colon might have been detained there, his whereabouts unknown, until
+the meet was a thing of the past, and the victory gone to Mechanicsburg.
+
+Judge Colon was as good as his word, and, even though the kidnapping had
+been only a boyish prank, he said Fred and the others had done such good
+work, that the reward of one hundred dollars he offered should go to
+them. They took it, turning it into an athletic fund, so that after all
+the taking away of Colon resulted in some good.
+
+While this story finishes the present series of tales devoted to the
+school life and athletic doings of Fred Fenton, it is possible that the
+reader may once more be given the pleasure and privilege of meeting Fred
+and his friends in some other future field of spirited rivalry. But at
+any rate it is a satisfaction to all of us, who have been more or less
+interested in his fortunes, that the last glimpse we have of Fred he
+seems to be enjoying the friendship of nearly every one of his comrades,
+boys and girls alike; and bids fair to hold their regard to the end of
+his term at Riverport school.
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+The Tom Fairfield Series
+
+By Allen Chapman
+
+Author of the "Fred Fenton Athletic Series," "The Boys of Pluck Series,"
+and "The Darewell Chums Series."
+
+        12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume, 40 cents, postpaid.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Tom Fairfield is a typical American lad, full of life and energy, a boy
+who believes in doing things. To know Tom is to love him.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[Illustration]
+
+        Tom Fairfield's Schooldays
+        or The Chums of Elmwood Hall
+
+Tells of how Tom started for school, of the mystery surrounding one of
+the Hall seniors, and of how the hero went to the rescue. The first book
+in a line that is bound to become decidedly popular.
+
+
+        Tom Fairfield at Sea
+        or The Wreck of the Silver Star
+
+Tom's parents had gone to Australia and then been cast away somewhere in
+the Pacific. Tom set out to find them and was himself cast away. A
+thrilling picture of the perils of the deep.
+
+
+        Tom Fairfield in Camp
+        or The Secret of the Old Mill
+
+The boys decided to go camping, and located near an old mill. A wild man
+resided there and he made it decidedly lively for Tom and his chums. The
+secret of the old mill adds to the interest of the volume.
+
+
+        Tom Fairfield's Luck and Pluck
+        or Working to Clear His Name
+
+While Tom was back at school some of his enemies tried to get him into
+trouble. Then something unusual occurred and Tom was suspected of a
+crime. How he set to work to clear his name is told in a manner to
+interest all young readers.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+        CUPPLES & LEON CO.      Publishers      NEW YORK
+
+
+
+_The Darewell Chums Series_
+
+_By Allen Chapman_
+
+        =Cloth.  12mo.  Illustrated.  60 cents each, postpaid.=
+
+
+        =The Darewell Chums=
+        _Or, The Heroes of the School_
+
+A bright, lively story for boys, telling of the doings of four chums, at
+school and elsewhere. There is a strong holding plot, and several
+characters who are highly amusing. Any youth getting this book will
+consider it a prize and tell all his friends about it.
+
+        =The Darewell Chums in the City=
+        _Or, The Disappearance of Ned Wilding_
+
+From a country town the scene is changed to a great city. One of the
+chums has disappeared in an extraordinary manner, and the others
+institute a hunt for him. The youths befriend a city waif, who in turn
+makes a revelation which clears up the mystery.
+
+        =The Darewell Chums in the Woods=
+        _Or, Frank Roscoe's Secret_
+
+
+The boys had planned for a grand outing when something happened of which
+none of them had dreamed. They thought one of their number had done a
+great wrong--at least it looked so. But they could not really believe
+the accusations made, so they set to work to help Frank all they could.
+All went camping some miles from home, and when not hunting and fishing
+spent their time in learning the truth of what had occurred.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+        =The Darewell Chums on a Cruise=
+        _Or, Fenn Masterson's Odd Discovery_
+
+A tale of the Great Lakes. The boys run across some Canadian smugglers
+and stumble on the secret of a valuable mine.
+
+        =The Darewell Chums in a Winter Camp=
+        _Or, Bart Keene's Best Shot_
+
+Here is a lively tale of ice and snow, of jolly good times in a winter
+camp, hunting and trapping, and of taking it easy around a roaring
+campfire.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+        =CUPPLES & LEON CO., Publishers,      NEW YORK=
+
+
+
+
+_Boys of Pluck Series_
+
+_By Allen Chapman_
+
+        =Illustrated.  12mo.  Cloth.  60 cents per volume=
+
+
+        =The Young Express Agent=
+        _Or, Bart Stirling's Road Success_
+
+Bart's father was the express agent in a country town. When an explosion
+of fireworks rendered him unfit for work, the boy took it upon himself
+to run the express office. The tale gives a good idea of the express
+business in general.
+
+
+        =Two Boy Publishers=
+        _Or, From Typecase to Editor's Chair_
+
+This tale will appear strongly to all lads who wish to know how a
+newspaper is printed and published. The two boy publishers work their
+way up, step by step, from a tiny printing office to the ownership of a
+town paper.
+
+
+        =Mail Order Frank=
+        _Or, A Smart Boy and His Chances_
+
+Here we have a story covering an absolutely new field--that of the
+mail-order business. How Frank started in a small way and gradually
+worked his way up to a business figure of considerable importance is
+told in a fascinating manner.
+
+
+        =A Business Boy's Pluck=
+        _Or, Winning Success_
+
+This relates the ups and downs of a young storekeeper. He has some keen
+rivals, but "wins out" in more ways than one. All youths who wish to go
+into business will want this volume.
+
+
+        =The Young Land Agent=
+        _Or, The Secret of the Borden Estate_
+
+The young land agent had several rivals, and they did all possible to
+bring his schemes of selling town lots to naught. But Nat persevered,
+showed up his rivals in their true light, and not only made a success of
+the business but likewise cleared up his mother's claim to some valuable
+real estate.
+
+        =CUPPLES & LEON CO., Publishers,      NEW YORK=
+
+
+
+
+The Saddle Boys Series
+
+By Captain James Carson
+
+        12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume, 40 cents, postpaid.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+All lads who love life in the open air and a good steed, will want to
+peruse these books. Captain Carson knows his subject thoroughly, and his
+stories are as pleasing as they are healthful and instructive.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[Illustration]
+
+        The Saddle Boys of the Rockies
+        or Lost on Thunder Mountain
+
+Telling how the lads started out to solve the mystery of a great noise
+in the mountains--how they got lost--and of the things they discovered.
+
+
+        The Saddle Boys in the Grand Canyon
+        or The Hermit of the Cave
+
+A weird and wonderful story of the Grand Canyon of the Colorado, told in
+a most absorbing manner. The Saddle Boys are to the front in a manner to
+please all young readers.
+
+
+        The Saddle Boys on the Plains
+        or After a Treasure of Gold
+
+In this story the scene is shifted to the great plains of the southwest
+and then to the Mexican border. There is a stirring struggle for gold,
+told as only Captain Carson can tell it.
+
+
+        The Saddle Boys at Circle Ranch
+        or In at the Grand Round-up
+
+Here we have lively times at the ranch, and likewise the particulars of
+a grand round-up of cattle and encounters with wild animals and also
+cattle thieves. A story that breathes the very air of the plains.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+        CUPPLES & LEON CO.    Publishers     NEW YORK
+
+
+
+The Speedwell Boys Series
+
+By Roy Rockwood
+
+Author of "The Dave Dashaway Series," "Great Marvel Series," etc.
+
+        12mo.  Cloth.  Illustrated.  Price per volume, 40 cents, postpaid
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+All boys who love to be on the go will welcome the Speedwell boys. They
+are clean cut and loyal to the core--youths well worth knowing.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[Illustration]
+
+        The Speedwell Boys on Motor Cycles
+        or The Mystery of a Great Conflagration
+
+The lads were poor, but they did a rich man a great service and he
+presented them with their motor cycles. What a great fire led to is
+exceedingly well told.
+
+
+        The Speedwell Boys and Their Racing Auto
+        or A Run for the Golden Cup
+
+A tale of automobiling and of intense rivalry on the road. There was an
+endurance run and the boys entered the contest. On the run they rounded
+up some men who were wanted by the law.
+
+
+        The Speedwell Boys and Their Power Launch
+        or To the Rescue of the Castaways
+
+Here is a water story of unusual interest. There was a wreck and the
+lads, in their power launch, set out to the rescue. A vivid picture of a
+great storm adds to the interest of the tale.
+
+
+        The Speedwell Boys in a Submarine
+        or The Lost Treasure of Rocky Cove
+
+An old sailor knows of a treasure lost under water because of a cliff
+falling into the sea. The boys get a chance to go out in a submarine and
+they make a hunt for the treasure. Life under the water is well
+described.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+        CUPPLES & LEON CO.    Publishers      NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+The Dave Dashaway Series
+
+By Roy Rockwood
+
+Author of the "Speedwell Boys Series" and the "Great Marvel Series."
+
+   12mo.   Cloth.   Illustrated.   Price per volume, 40 cents, postpaid.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Never was there a more clever young aviator than Dave Dashaway, and all
+up-to-date lads will surely wish to make his acquaintance.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[Illustration]
+
+        Dave Dashaway the Young Aviator
+        or In the Clouds for Fame and Fortune
+
+This initial volume tells how the hero ran away from his miserly
+guardian, fell in with a successful airman, and became a young aviator
+of note.
+
+
+        Dave Dashaway and His Hydroplane
+        or Daring Adventures Over the Great Lakes
+
+Showing how Dave continued his career as a birdman and had many
+adventures over the Great Lakes, and he likewise foiled the plans of
+some Canadian smugglers.
+
+
+        Dave Dashaway and His Giant Airship
+        or A Marvellous Trip Across the Atlantic
+
+How the giant airship was constructed and how the daring young aviator
+and his friends made the hazard journey through the clouds from the new
+world to the old, is told in a way to hold the reader spellbound.
+
+
+        Dave Dashaway Around the World
+        or A Young Yankee Aviator Among Many Nations
+
+An absorbing tale of a great air flight around the world, of hairbreadth
+adventures in Alaska, Siberia and elsewhere. A true to life picture of
+what may be accomplished in the near future.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+        CUPPLES & LEON CO.       Publishers       NEW YORK
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Transcriber's Notes:
+
+Obvious punctuation errors repaired.
+
+Page 1, "stubbled" changed to "stubbed" (I stubbed my)
+
+Page 26, "mightly" changed to "mightily" (we're mightily glad)
+
+Page 31, "neccessary" changed to "necessary" (was so necessary)
+
+Page 36, "fanishing" changed to "famishing" (was almost famishing)
+
+Page 56, "be" changed to "he" (he did start)
+
+Page 62, "w've" changed to "we've" (we've got to go)
+
+Page 120, "he" changed to "be" (there be some)
+
+Page 135, "must" changed to "most" (for most of my)
+
+Page 174, "vicitorious" changed to "victorious" (the victorious Colon)
+
+Page 174, "uproarous" changed to "uproarious" (uproarious delight to)
+
+Page 178, "uproarous" changed to "uproarious" (amid uproarious shouts)
+
+Dave Dashaway and His Giant Airship ad, "gaint" changed to "giant" (the
+giant airship)
+
+Dave Dashaway Around the World ad, "hairbreath" changed to "hairbreadth"
+(hairbreadth adventures in)
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Fred Fenton on the Track, by Allen Chapman
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRED FENTON ON THE TRACK ***
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