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+      The Project Gutenberg eBook of Fred Fenton on the Track, by Allen Chapman.
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+<pre>
+
+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: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** 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
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 258px;">
+<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="258" height="400" alt="Cover: Fred Fenton on the Track" title="Cover: Fred Fenton on the Track" />
+</div>
+<div class="figright" style="width: 257px;">
+<img src="images/frontis.jpg" width="257" height="400" alt="FRED WAS APPARENTLY IN NO GREAT DISTRESS. Page 197" title="FRED WAS APPARENTLY IN NO GREAT DISTRESS. Page 197" />
+<span class="caption">FRED WAS APPARENTLY IN NO GREAT DISTRESS.<br />
+<i><small>Fred Fenton on the Track</small></i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<small><a href="#Page_197"><i>Page</i> 197</a></small></span>
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h1>Fred Fenton<br />
+on the Track</h1>
+
+<h3>Or</h3>
+
+<h3>The Athletes of Riverport School</h3>
+
+<h3>BY</h3>
+
+<h2>ALLEN CHAPMAN</h2>
+
+<div class='center'>AUTHOR OF "FRED FENTON THE PITCHER," "TOM FAIRFIELD<br />
+SERIES," "BOYS OF PLUCK SERIES," "THE DAREWELL<br />
+CHUMS SERIES," ETC.<br /><br /><br /><br />
+<br />
+ILLUSTRATED<br /><br /><br />
+
+NEW YORK<br />
+<big>CUPPLES &amp; LEON COMPANY</big><br />
+PUBLISHERS</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><div class='bbox'>
+<h2>BOOKS FOR BOYS</h2>
+<h3>BY ALLEN CHAPMAN</h3>
+
+
+<div class='center'><b>FRED FENTON ATHLETIC SERIES</b><br />
+
+12mo. Cloth. Illustrated.<br />
+Price per volume, 40 cents, postpaid.</div>
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="FRED FENTON ATHLETIC SERIES">
+<tr><td align='left'>FRED FENTON THE PITCHER</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>FRED FENTON IN THE LINE</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>FRED FENTON ON THE CREW</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>FRED FENTON ON THE TRACK</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+
+<div class='center'><br /><b>TOM FAIRFIELD SERIES</b><br />
+
+12mo. Cloth. Illustrated.<br />
+Price per volume, 40 cents, postpaid.</div>
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="TOM FAIRFIELD SERIES">
+<tr><td align='left'>TOM FAIRFIELD'S SCHOOLDAYS</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>TOM FAIRFIELD AT SEA</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>TOM FAIRFIELD IN CAMP</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>TOM FAIRFIELD'S PLUCK AND LUCK</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+
+<div class='center'><br /><b>THE DAREWELL CHUMS SERIES</b><br />
+
+12mo. Cloth. Illustrated.<br />
+Price per volume, 60 cents, postpaid.</div>
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="THE DAREWELL CHUMS SERIES">
+<tr><td align='left'>THE DAREWELL CHUMS</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>THE DAREWELL CHUMS IN THE CITY</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>THE DAREWELL CHUMS IN THE WOODS</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>THE DAREWELL CHUMS ON A CRUISE</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>THE DAREWELL CHUMS IN A WINTER CAMP</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+
+<div class='center'><br /><b>BOYS OF PLUCK SERIES</b><br />
+
+12mo. Cloth. Illustrated.<br />
+Price per volume, 60 cents, postpaid.</div>
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="BOYS OF PLUCK SERIES">
+<tr><td align='left'>THE YOUNG EXPRESS AGENT</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>TWO BOY PUBLISHERS</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>MAIL ORDER FRANK</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>A BUSINESS BOY'S PLUCK</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>THE YOUNG LAND AGENT</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+
+<div class='center'><br /><span class="smcap"><small><b>Cupples &amp; Leon Co. Publishers, New York</b></small></span></div>
+</div>
+<div class='center'><small>Copyrighted 1913, by</small><br />
+<span class="smcap"><small>Cupples &amp; Leon Company</small></span></div>
+<div class='center'>&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;<br /><span class="smcap"><small>Fred Fenton on the Track</small></span></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CONTENTS</h2>
+
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents and Spine of Book">
+<tr><td align='left'><img src="images/spine.jpg" width="81" height="500" alt="Spine: Fred Fenton on the Track" title="Spine: Fred Fenton on the Track" />
+</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents">
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><small>CHAPTER</small></td><td align='center'><small>PAGE</small></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>I.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Cross Country Runners</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>II.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Strange Sound from a Well</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_9">9</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>III.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Out of the Depths</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_17">17</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>IV.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Fred Gets a Shock</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_25">25</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>V.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">How Good Sprang from Evil</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_32">32</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>VI.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The News Corney Brought</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_40">40</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>VII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Where is Colon?</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_49">49</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>VIII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Clue in the Ditch</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_58">58</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>IX.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Covered Wagon</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_66">66</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>X.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Ambush</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_75">75</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XI.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Haunted Mill</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_83">83</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Broken Door</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_92">92</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XIII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">How Gabe Made Good</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_100">100</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XIV.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Practice for the Race</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_109">109</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XV.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Accident</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_117">117</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XVI.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Gloomy Prospect</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_126">126</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XVII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">an Unexpected Ally</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_134">134</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XVIII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Forced to Lend a Hand</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_142">142</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XIX.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Glorious News</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_150">150</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XX.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Welcome Guest</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_158">158</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XXI.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Athletic Meet</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_167">167</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XXII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Fred on the Track</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_174">174</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XXIII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Close Count</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_182">182</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XXIV.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Lone Runner</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_191">191</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XXV.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Alaska Claim</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_200">200</a></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>FRED FENTON<br />
+ON THE TRACK</h2>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER I</h2>
+
+<h3>THE CROSS-COUNTRY RUNNERS</h3>
+
+
+<p>"I <span class="smcap">see</span> you're limping again, Fred."</p>
+
+<p>"That's right, Bristles. I <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'stubbled'">stubbed</ins> 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."</p>
+
+<p>"And let me catch up with you; eh? Well, I
+reckon long-legged Colon will have a cinch in
+this race, Fred."</p>
+
+<p>"Seems that way. He can get over ground
+for a certain time like a deer, you know."</p>
+
+<p>"Huh! more like a kangaroo, I call it; because
+it always seems to me he takes big jumps
+every chance he gets."</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>His companion, Fred Fenton, had assumed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span>
+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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>How this change came about in the mind of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span>
+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."</p>
+
+<p>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."</p>
+
+<p>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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span>
+volume, just preceding this, and issued under the
+name of "Fred Fenton on the Crew; Or, The
+Young Oarsman of Riverport School."</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>Of course both Bristles and Fred were in running
+costume, in that they wore as scanty an out<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span>fit
+of clothes as possible. They were jogging
+along leisurely, and this allowed plenty of time
+for talk between them.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>Somehow the thoughts of Bristles seemed to
+go back to several things which had happened
+to himself and Fred not a great while previous.</p>
+
+<p>"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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span>
+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?"</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span>
+occasion when I had enjoyed <i>one</i> 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."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>Poor Fred,&mdash;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,&mdash;winced, and then smiled.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span>
+Well, if he could put on a cheerful front, in spite
+of all that tried to weigh his spirits down, so
+much the better.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER II</h2>
+
+<h3>A STRANGE SOUND FROM A WELL</h3>
+
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Hi!</span> there! Stop that horse! Head him
+off!"</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"How far do we go, Fred?" cried Bristles,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span>
+who was always ready and willing to do his share
+of any exciting business.</p>
+
+<p>"Be careful, and keep ready to jump aside if
+he refuses to let up on his speed, Bristles."</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"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!"</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span>
+Great times we're going to have this winter, I
+tell you, Fred!"</p>
+
+<p>"And, Bristles, how about the money for all
+the outfit&mdash;punching bags, parallel bars, boxing
+gloves, basketball stuff, and all the other things
+needed in an up-to-date gym?"</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span>
+look pretty far to find anybody who can hold
+out like Fred Fenton."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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!"</p>
+
+<p>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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span>
+that he had fully covered the requirements of
+the run.</p>
+
+<p>Once more the two lads started on their way
+at a good pace, since their short rest had refreshed
+them considerably.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"Hold on!" said Bristles, coming to a stop.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"A queer spot, Fred," he remarked. "Looks
+like it's deserted; and yet there's smoke coming<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span>
+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!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER III</h2>
+
+<h3>OUT OF THE DEPTHS</h3>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">The</span> two boys turned to look at one another;
+and if they showed signs of alarm it was hardly
+to be wondered at.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! there it is again, Fred!" whispered
+Bristles, as a second sound, that was certainly
+very like a groan, came from the well.</p>
+
+<p>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?</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"If that's so, it might account for the fact<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span>
+that nobody seems to be around the place," Fred
+went on to say.</p>
+
+<p>"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!"</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"Can you see him?" asked Bristles, very
+white in the face, but bent on sticking it out as
+long as his chum did.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"Give the poor fellow a hail, then, Fred,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span>
+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.</p>
+
+<p>"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?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! I don't know, but I'm so cold. Please
+hurry, or I'll die!" came in a faint voice from
+far below.</p>
+
+<p>"Good gracious!" gasped Bristles; "did you
+hear that, Fred?"</p>
+
+<p>"I certainly did," replied the other.</p>
+
+<p>"But&mdash;the voice; it was a woman's or a
+girl's!" continued the amazed Bristles.</p>
+
+<p>"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?"</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean to do now, Fred; go
+down there?" and the boy shuddered as he
+looked at the gaping hole.</p>
+
+<p>"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,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span>
+Bristles, when I give the word, buckle down to
+turn that windlass for all you're worth!"</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"Hello! where are you, below?"</p>
+
+<p>"Close by you now. Oh! do you think you
+can get me up again, mister?" came in a quavering
+voice.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>Ten seconds later and he could feel her beside
+him.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"Hello! Bristles!" he called out.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; what d'ye want, Fred? Shall I begin<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span>
+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.</p>
+
+<p>"Go slow, Bristles, and stop when you hear
+me shout!"</p>
+
+<p>"O. K. Fred; slow she is! Are you coming
+now?"</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"Now once again, old fellow, and do your
+level best!" Fred sang out.</p>
+
+<p>So they went up, foot by foot. He held the
+girl in a tight clasp, and kept hoping the rope<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span>
+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.</p>
+
+<p>Now they were close to the top, and Fred
+called out, to caution his chum to slacken his
+violent efforts.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"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!"</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>But the girl had not fainted, as Fred suspected.
+She was now on her knees, and trying to get upon
+her feet.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! what can have happened to him?" she
+muttered.</p>
+
+<p>"Who is it you are talking about?" asked
+Bristles.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"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!"</p>
+
+<p>"Who was it came and did these things?"
+asked Fred, indignantly.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2>
+
+<h3>FRED GETS A SHOCK</h3>
+
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Shall</span> we follow, Fred?" asked Bristles, a
+little dubiously it must be confessed.</p>
+
+<p>The girl had darted eagerly through the open
+doorway.</p>
+
+<p>"That's the program," replied the leading
+boy; and with these words he immediately
+crossed the doorsill.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>Voices in an adjoining room gave Fred a reassuring
+sensation. Then the sick man had not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span>
+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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>Bristles laughed outright at this.</p>
+
+<p>"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 <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'mightly'">mightily</ins> glad<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span>
+to be on hand in time to help you and&mdash;your
+girl."</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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?"</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span>
+borne the brunt of the rescue; and then repeating
+the act with regard to Bristles.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span>
+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."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>To his surprise the other started, and looked
+keenly at him.</p>
+
+<p>"Riverport, you say, young man?" he muttered.
+"I don't seem to know you. Might I
+ask your name, please?"</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"As many as you like, sir; what might this
+particular one be?" asked Fred, cheerfully.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! Fred, come out here!" called Bristles,
+just then, before Fred could ask any further questions.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span>
+of everything a hungry boy would think ought
+to be found in a kitchen pantry.</p>
+
+<p>"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?"</p>
+
+<p>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 <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'neccessary'">necessary</ins>
+to warm the poor girl. There was a
+strip of bacon a few inches thick, some flour,
+grits&mdash;and these were about all.</p>
+
+<p>Just then Bristles came over to where he was
+putting the coffee in the pot.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"Who is he, then?" Fred asked, a bit eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"Why," Bristles went on, "you see, his name
+is Masterson!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER V</h2>
+
+<h3>HOW GOOD SPRANG FROM EVIL</h3>
+
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Masterson</span>, 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.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"Is he any relation to Squire Lemington, do
+you know?" asked Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"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 <i>got</i> to do something for 'em
+when we get back."</p>
+
+<p>"That's right, we will," asserted Fred.</p>
+
+<p>He was thinking hard as he said this. Was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span>
+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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"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?"</p>
+
+<p>"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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span>
+Hello! here's a part of a can of condensed milk,
+and some sugar. That's good!"</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"Please go in the kitchen, and stand near the
+stove all you can, miss," he said.</p>
+
+<p>"But I am not cold any longer," she replied,
+giving him a smile that told of the gratitude in
+her heart.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"Hope I don't burn your house down, Sarah,"
+he said. "Excuse me, but I used to know you a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span>
+long time ago, when you lived in Riverport. My
+name is Bris&mdash;that is, at home they call me Andy
+Carpenter."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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 River<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span>port,
+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."</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>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 <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'fanishing'">famishing</ins> for a taste,
+but he would not have accepted the first drop, had
+it smelled twice as good.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>Fred made a proposition before they had gone
+more than fifty yards.</p>
+
+<p>"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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span>
+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."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>Fred was of the same opinion himself, though
+he only nodded, and smiled.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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 wait<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span>ing
+for the genial old doctor to come in at noon
+from his morning round of sick calls.</p>
+
+<p>Then the doctor drove up, and as soon as he
+entered the house heard Fred's amazing story.
+He was quite concerned about it.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"Did you know this Arnold Masterson, sir;
+and is he a nephew of the Squire?" asked the
+boy.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>That was all Fred wanted to know, and he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span>
+took his departure, well satisfied with the way
+fortune had treated him that morning.</p>
+
+<p>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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2>
+
+<h3>THE NEWS CORNEY BROUGHT</h3>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">The</span> 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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"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 in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span>discretion
+in exercising too violently, may make
+amends to our physicians."</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span>
+punching bag; and how much enjoyment the exercise,
+followed by a cold shower bath, gave them.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>Nothing else was talked of those days, after
+school, but the proposed meet. On the field it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span>self
+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.</p>
+
+<p>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."</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span>
+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."</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span>
+wondering what I'd better mention right now as
+troubling me."</p>
+
+<p>"But you just said you felt as fit as a fiddle?"
+protested Semi-Colon.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span>
+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."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"Who's seen Colon this morning?" asked
+Dick Hendricks.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span>
+for he's as fleet as a deer&mdash;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."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"But he acts mighty queer," said Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"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?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>They stood there, silent and expectant, until
+the running Corney had drawn near.</p>
+
+<p>"What ails you, Corney?" demanded Dick.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't tell us he's sick!" cried Bristles, in
+real horror.</p>
+
+<p>"Disappeared&mdash;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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2>
+
+<h3>WHERE IS COLON?</h3>
+
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Oh!</span> what d'ye think of that, now?" cried
+Bristles.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, what d'ye think he's done?" demanded
+Bristles, aggressively, turning on him.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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?"</p>
+
+<p>"Sure it is," cried Bristles, sturdily; "and
+when I saw him last night he was just feeling as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span>
+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."</p>
+
+<p>"Tell us some more about it, Corney," said
+Fred, himself considerably shaken by the stunning
+news brought by the runner.</p>
+
+<p>Corney had by now succeeded in regaining his
+breath.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! cut it short!" growled Dick Hendricks.
+"Get down to facts. What did she say?"</p>
+
+<p>"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 <i>knew</i> some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span>thing
+terrible must have happened to poor old
+Colon."</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"What is that, Fred?" asked Dick Hendricks.</p>
+
+<p>"Colon never went off willingly," the other declared.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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?"</p>
+
+<p>"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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span>
+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."</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>Fred, Bristles and the rest were soon at Colon's
+home.</p>
+
+<p>"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&mdash;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."</p>
+
+<p>"Can you blame them?" remarked Dick<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span>
+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?"</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"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?"</p>
+
+<p>"He was over to my house, Judge," spoke up
+Bristles, boldly, wishing to give all the information
+in his power.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"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?"</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"When you stood there at the gate did anybody
+pass by?" asked the judge.</p>
+
+<p>"No sir, not a living soul," responded Bristles,
+after a few seconds of thought.</p>
+
+<p>"And you didn't hear any suspicious sounds,
+like boys laughing partly under their breath; did
+you, Andrew?"</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"He said that; did he?" asked the judge, ap<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span>parently
+thinking that there might be something
+worth while taking note of in this latest assertion.</p>
+
+<p>"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
+<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'be'">he</ins> did start on that run; why, something might
+have happened to him&mdash;perhaps he tripped, and
+fell, and broke a leg, so he couldn't even crawl
+home."</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think that way, Judge Colon," said
+Fred, speaking for the first time.</p>
+
+<p>"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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"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."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2>
+
+<h3>A CLUE IN THE DITCH</h3>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Judge Colon</span> looked keenly at Fred as he
+made this suggestion.</p>
+
+<p>"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?"</p>
+
+<p>"No sir, I haven't," replied Fred. "It is only
+an idea that came into my mind."</p>
+
+<p>"Based upon what, might I ask?" the judge
+continued.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span>
+when they've really got a phenomenon of a runner,
+like our Colon, to boast about."</p>
+
+<p>The judge smiled at that; for was not that
+same wonder a member of his family&mdash;a Colon?</p>
+
+<p>"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?"</p>
+
+<p>"Do you believe it impossible, Judge?" asked
+the boy, quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"But he may be found in time!" declared
+Corney Shays, who had listened to all this talk
+with bated breath, and wide open eyes.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"He will, if a pack of hounds like the boys of
+Riverport school are worth their salt!" avowed
+Bristles.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"Hurrah for the judge!" burst out the impetuous
+Corney.</p>
+
+<p>"Then the sooner we get to work, fellows,"
+said Fred, impressively, "the better."</p>
+
+<p>"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!"</p>
+
+<p>Apparently the judge was not quite so much
+concerned as before Fred had made his sugges<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span>tion.
+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.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>They hurried out of the house, leaving to the
+judge the task of explaining to Mrs. Colon how
+the situation had improved.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>And when the latest suggestion, connected with
+the boys of Mechanicsburg, began to be current
+it created no end of unfavorable comment.</p>
+
+<p>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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span>
+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.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, in the beginning, fellows," he remarked,
+when he found that only Corney, Sid
+Wells, Bristles, and Semi-Colon were gathered
+around him; "<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'w've'">we've</ins> got to go into this thing with
+some show of system."</p>
+
+<p>"That's right," admitted Corney.</p>
+
+<p>"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?"</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"Say, I can tell you that right off the reel," declared
+Bristles, officiously.</p>
+
+<p>"Then get busy," remarked Corney.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, you see," said Bristles, "when he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span>
+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."</p>
+
+<p>"But you didn't say anything about that before?"
+Fred objected.</p>
+
+<p>"Clean slipped my mind," his chum admitted,
+frankly; "fact is, I never thought it made the
+least difference what Colon <i>said</i>. 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."</p>
+
+<p>Corney gave a little whistle.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>So they hurried away toward the house where
+the Carpenters lived.</p>
+
+<p>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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"Ain't seen a sign of him yet!" grumbled
+Corney; "and we're nigh half-way to the old
+graveyard, too."</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"Seen something; have you, Fred?" asked
+Bristles, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"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!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, it's a cap!" ejaculated Corney.</p>
+
+<p>"And a good cap, too; not an old cast-off
+thing!" Sid declared.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>Immediately Bristles uttered a loud cry of astonishment,
+not unmixed with joy.</p>
+
+<p>"You recognize the cap, then; do you?" asked
+Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"Sure thing," answered Bristles, promptly.
+"It's Colon's cap."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2>
+
+<h3>THE COVERED WAGON</h3>
+
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">What</span> makes you so sure it belonged to
+him?" Fred asked.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span>
+and it doesn't seem then that it could have blown
+off his head when he was running."</p>
+
+<p>"There wasn't a ripple in the leaves of the
+trees," declared Bristles.</p>
+
+<p>"And if it did blow off, wouldn't he have stopped
+to look for it in the moonlight?" remarked
+Sid Wells.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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?"</p>
+
+<p>"Wow! now perhaps we ain't gettin' down to
+brass tacks!" ejaculated Bristles.</p>
+
+<p>Fred bent over to examine the road, along the
+edge of the ditch.</p>
+
+<p>"Looks like somethin' might have been going
+on here," Corney suggested.</p>
+
+<p>"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!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I think so myself," returned the leader of the
+five boys, gravely surveying the tell-tale marks in
+the dust of the road.</p>
+
+<p>"Eureka! ain't we the handy boys, though, to
+get on the track of the kidnappers so quick?" exclaimed
+Bristles, proudly.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"Say, do you think Buck Lemington and his
+bunch would get down as low as that?" demanded
+Bristles.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"And Fred," spoke up Corney just then, "you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span>
+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."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"But it just <i>happened</i>," 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&mdash;not."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! well, that's ancient history," remarked<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span>
+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?"</p>
+
+<p>As he spoke he once more threw himself down
+on hands and knees as if bent upon closely examining
+the dusty road.</p>
+
+<p>"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?"</p>
+
+<p>Bristles spoke up immediately.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>While they were doing this Fred was looking<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span>
+around; and no sooner had his four chums regained
+their feet than he was ready with a new
+proposition.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, that's just what I did," the farmer's
+wife replied, thrilling the boys who had clustered
+around the doorway where she stood.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you happen to know about what time it
+might have been?" asked Fred.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Along about half after ten, I should say," she
+answered.</p>
+
+<p>Fred looked at his chums, inquiringly.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"What was it you heard, ma'am?" Fred continued,
+after the talkative Bristles had had his
+say, and subsided again.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"And you thought they were in your trees
+again; did you?" asked Fred, when the woman
+paused.</p>
+
+<p>"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."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Which way; toward Riverport or in the other
+direction?" Fred inquired.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"That is, you knew it, and could even tell it in
+the moonlight?" the boy asked.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you hear Toby talking to his limping
+nag last night, ma'am?" asked Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>Fred turned upon his companions.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you think, fellows," he asked;
+"was that wagon filled with corn last night, or<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span>
+had it a lot of boys under the cover when it passed
+here, one of them being our missing chum,
+Colon?"</p>
+
+<p>"I reckon you've struck pay dirt, Fred," declared
+Corney.</p>
+
+<p>"My opinion too!" echoed Semi-Colon.</p>
+
+<p>"Count me in on that, and make it unanimous!"
+Bristles remarked.</p>
+
+<p>"And what about you, Sid?" asked Fred, turning
+on his nearest chum.</p>
+
+<p>"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!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER X</h2>
+
+<h3>THE AMBUSH</h3>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Several</span> of the other boys had uttered exclamations
+when Sid made this statement. Fred,
+however, did not seem to be very much impressed.</p>
+
+<p>"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?"</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"But is it haunted; did anybody ever see a
+ghost there?" asked Fred, determined to get at
+the truth.</p>
+
+<p>"Shucks! no," Bristles broke in with; "the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span>
+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."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"How far away is it from here?" Fred next
+inquired.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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?"</p>
+
+<p>"Are we?" echoed Bristles; "why, if you say<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span>
+the word we'll give you a run for your money,
+Fred, and put you in practice for to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>"Let's start right now," suggested Corney.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>They had met very few persons on the road&mdash;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&mdash;these two going in opposite directions
+made up about the sum total.</p>
+
+<p>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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span>
+driver paid much attention to the bunch that loped
+easily onward.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"Ain't neither!" snapped the game little fellow,
+stubbornly; "c'd keep it up&mdash;all morning&mdash;if
+I&mdash;had to."</p>
+
+<p>But Fred immediately stopped running, falling
+back into a walk. He was looking ahead
+along the road.</p>
+
+<p>"There's a boy just passing that opening
+yonder, and coming this way," he remarked; "and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span>
+strikes me he doesn't look like a regular buck-wheat
+farmer's boy."</p>
+
+<p>"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?"</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"But all the same you don't believe that,
+Fred!" Corney exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think he saw us, do you, Fred?"
+asked Sid.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean to do, Fred; jump out and
+grab Wagner, and make him own up?" de<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span>manded
+Corney, as the five boys started to conceal
+themselves back of the bush patch.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"Hello! Wagner!"</p>
+
+<p>With the words Fred jumped out from the
+sheltering bushes. The others were just as spry,
+and almost before Wagner knew it they had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span>
+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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2>
+
+<h3>THE HAUNTED MILL</h3>
+
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Well</span>, 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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"You just believe me, it is a surprise, all
+right!" exclaimed Bristles, half elevating one of
+his clenched hands menacingly.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span>
+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?"</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"Own up, Wagner, that it was all your doings!"
+said Sid, coaxingly.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I declare, is that what ails you?"
+burst out Wagner, presently, as he looked around
+the circle of angry faces.</p>
+
+<p>"Just what it is," replied Sid.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"We've traced you all the way up here, and
+we're bound to rescue our chum, or know the
+reason why," Bristles declared.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>Then the comical side of the affair seemed to
+strike Wagner. He threw back his head and
+laughed heartily.</p>
+
+<p>"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!"</p>
+
+<p>Wagner instantly sobered up.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"Gee! that sounds straight!" muttered Sid.</p>
+
+<p>"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?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's right, Felix, you have," assented Sid,
+heartily.</p>
+
+<p>Even Bristles found himself compelled to nod
+his head, as if ready to say the same thing if
+asked.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"But what are you doing away out here,
+Wagner?" asked Corney.</p>
+
+<p>"Not taking a practice spin, because you
+haven't got on your running clothes," Semi-Colon
+declared, meaningly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"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?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! was that it?" remarked Bristles; "why,
+didn't he go himself, Felix; tell us that?"</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>Wagner flourished some legal-looking documents
+as he said this. They settled the matter,
+so far as Fred was concerned.</p>
+
+<p>"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."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"But hold on, Felix; perhaps you might not
+like to use it?" suggested Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"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?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, they might turn out to be some of your
+best chums," replied Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"Wantin' to do you what they thought a good
+turn," added Corney.</p>
+
+<p>"By cutting out the fellow you had to fear
+most of all, my cousin Chris," Semi-Colon continued.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"But see here, how'd you get over to Tenafly,
+Wagner; and why didn't you go back the
+same way?" demanded Bristles.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span>
+a home run with. Must have been waiting for
+me."</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"Wait a minute," Fred remarked, in a low
+voice.</p>
+
+<p>They saw him looking closely at the ground,
+and almost immediately he raised a smiling face
+toward the balance of the group.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2>
+
+<h3>A BROKEN DOOR</h3>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Fred</span> took charge of the combined forces.
+Somehow the others appeared to look to him to
+do this.</p>
+
+<p>"Seems to be all boarded up across the windows,"
+he remarked.</p>
+
+<p>"I told you I'd heard the owner did that a
+long time ago," said Sid, at his elbow.</p>
+
+<p>"And the doors look like they might be locked
+tight, too," Fred continued.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I'd be half sick if I didn't get a chance to see
+who they are," ventured little Semi-Colon.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"Is there any hole they might get out of,
+Sid?" asked Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"All right," Fred said, quickly; "we'll try to
+stop up that leak, Corney."</p>
+
+<p>"That's me," replied the other, stepping out
+of the line.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"The rest of us will tackle one of the doors,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span>
+and break it in, if it's fast," Fred went on to say.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"Come on!" said Fred.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"It sure is; I can't seem to budge it," came
+the reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Wonder if they went in here?" hazarded
+Bristles, himself giving a fierce though ineffective
+push.</p>
+
+<p>"We can settle that easy enough," remarked
+Fred; "by seeing if there are any signs of new
+footprints here before this door."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you do take the cake thinkin' up<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span>
+things," muttered Bristles, as he dropped down
+to examine the soil.</p>
+
+<p>"They're here, all right, Fred!" he announced
+quickly, in a thrilling whisper.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps you even see that shoe print that
+shows the patch?" asked Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"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!"</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"Then let's make a try; and me to be one of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span>
+the pushers," Bristles said, as he began to get his
+sturdy frame locked in an attitude where he could
+exert the most force.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"Ready?" asked Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"Yep!" came from Bristles; while Felix
+grunted his assent.</p>
+
+<p>"Then all together, now!" exclaimed the
+leader.</p>
+
+<p>"She moved then, Fred!" gasped the pleased
+Bristles.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"Listen to her squeak, would you?" called out
+Bristles. "Again, fellows, for the honor of old
+Riverport! Together with a will!"</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>The door cracked more than ever under this
+strain.</p>
+
+<p>"She's giving way!" declared Bristles.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span>
+"We're doing the business all right, boys!"</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"Ouch!" they heard him cry out, as he struggled
+there on the floor amid a whirl of dust.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you hurt?" asked Fred, anxiously; for
+the other had come down pretty hard.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"Let me head the crowd, Fred, because I know<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span>
+every inch of the place," Sid insisted, as he pushed
+through the now open door.</p>
+
+<p>"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!"</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"I heard something like a cry!" declared Sid,
+immediately after the echo of their shout had
+died away in the empty mill.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"It's mighty dingy in here," complained Bristles,
+finding his voice again.</p>
+
+<p>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
+<i>little</i> belief in supernatural things. A graveyard
+was a place nothing could tempt him to visit after
+dark, at least alone.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"Come on!" he simply said, as he started
+quickly for the door leading out of the office
+into the main part of the mill.</p>
+
+<p>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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2>
+
+<h3>HOW GABE MADE GOOD</h3>
+
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Good</span> gracious!" Sid Wells called out</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"Keep back, you!" he cried, hoarsely.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, if it ain't Gabe Larkins!" exclaimed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span>
+the astounded Bristles, as he managed to get a
+look at the face of the other.</p>
+
+<p>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?</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>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:</p>
+
+<p>"Hold up, boys, don't tackle Gabe; I tell you
+he's done me a good turn!"</p>
+
+<p>Of course, at that, even the impulsive Bristles
+held his hand. Perhaps he was not wholly sorry
+to declare a temporary truce, pending negotia<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span>tions
+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.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>He thereupon threw the piece of board down,
+as though that finished the matter, so far as he
+was concerned.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"Ow! it pinches like hot cakes!" grunted the
+late prisoner, as he was helped to his feet, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span>
+doubtless found part of his limbs benumbed or
+"asleep," as boys say.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell us first of all, Colon, did they hurt you
+so you can't run to-morrow?" demanded Bristles,
+angrily.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"But you heard 'em talk; sure you must; and
+recognized 'em by their voices?" declared
+Bristles, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>But Colon shook his head in the negative.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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 ex<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span>ercising
+both arms and legs so as to bring about
+a return of circulation in his veins.</p>
+
+<p>"A calf!" echoed Bristles; "well, what next, I
+wonder? But then they say a poor excuse is
+better than none."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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:</p>
+
+<p>"Where did you leave your cart, Gabe; for
+you must have had it along if you expected to take
+the calf back with you?"</p>
+
+<p>"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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span>
+just take a walk over to find out how she looked,
+to pass the time away."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! I see," Fred broke in; "and when you
+got here you heard somebody calling inside the
+mill, did you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I heard a queer sound, more like a groan
+than anything else," admitted the boy.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span>
+we did some chinning, believe me. But boys, I'm
+right glad to see you. What's the latest news
+from home?"</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"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?"</p>
+
+<p>"I give you my word&mdash;&mdash;" began Felix
+Wagner; when Colon interrupted him.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, there might be a way to tell," he remarked,
+jubilantly.</p>
+
+<p>"As how?" demanded the eager Bristles.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, you see, when they jumped me I gave<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span>
+'em all I knew how, and kicked and hit as hard
+as I could," the tall boy went on.</p>
+
+<p>"Think you marked any of 'em for keeps,
+Colon?" asked Bristles, feverishly.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>Bristles gave a whoop that echoed through the
+dusty, cobwebbed mill.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span>
+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?</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"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."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2>
+
+<h3>PRACTICE FOR THE RACE</h3>
+
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">About</span> 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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span>
+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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"Do we start soon, Brad?" he asked, as the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span>
+captain of the track team reached convenient talking
+distance.</p>
+
+<p>"The rest do; but the committee have decided
+to make a change about your running, Fred,"
+were the surprising words he heard.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! that's all right," Fred replied, smiling;
+"I'm ready to give up to some better man, if
+that's what you mean."</p>
+
+<p>"What?" gasped Dick Hendricks.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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 in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span>stance,
+they'll report, and that's where Boggs will
+pass you."</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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?"</p>
+
+<p>"We talked it over, and that's what we settled
+on," came the reply. "So just hold your horses,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span>
+Dick, till to-morrow. Fred's going to show you
+something then that he's keeping up his sleeve.
+You mark me."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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!"</p>
+
+<p>With the crack of the pistol the long line of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span>
+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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span>
+him in an entirely different direction from that
+covered by the balance of the contestants.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span>
+had been taken, as it was found in spots. He did
+not want to be caught napping a second time.</p>
+
+<p>"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!"</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2>
+
+<h3>THE ACCIDENT</h3>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">When</span> 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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span>
+finger. And yet it must have been a twelve or
+fifteen foot drop. Whew!"</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>He made another desperate effort to climb the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span>
+straight wall, selecting a spot that seemed to offer
+more advantages than the rest.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>While he was once more recovering his wind,
+Fred began to take stock of the situation, to see
+where he stood.</p>
+
+<p>"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!"</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>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?</p>
+
+<p>"Say, won't there <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'he'">be</ins> 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."</p>
+
+<p>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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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?</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span>
+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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>So he lifted up his voice and called:</p>
+
+<p>"Help! help! Oh! help!"</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span>
+died out, as if it meant to pass with the day, which
+must now be very near its close.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>This time he succeeded in making about four
+feet, and then had a tumble that quite jarred him.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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?</p>
+
+<p>If only it might not be some scolding bluejay;
+or perhaps a gossipy crow, perched on a neighboring
+dead tree.</p>
+
+<p>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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span>
+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.</p>
+
+<p>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:</p>
+
+<p>"Hello! yourself! Where under the sun are
+you; and what's the matter?"</p>
+
+<p>That was no crow or bluejay, he knew for a
+certainty; and accordingly Fred made haste to answer:</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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 in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span>duced
+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&mdash;Buck Lemington!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2>
+
+<h3>A GLOOMY PROSPECT</h3>
+
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">So</span>, it's you yelping for help, eh?"</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"Huh! and however did you come in this old
+limestone pit?" demanded Buck.</p>
+
+<p>"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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span>
+course mapped out, when I used to practice without
+anybody knowing I could run fairly well."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! you don't say?" sneered Buck. "And
+what was his reason, d'ye know?"</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>Buck laughed at that, and it was a very disagreeable
+laugh, too.</p>
+
+<p>"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."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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?"</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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&mdash;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&mdash;if I took the notion to
+try?"</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose you've got your knife with you,
+Buck?" Fred went on.</p>
+
+<p>"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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Well, then, that seems to make it harder to
+carry out my plan," Fred remarked, disappointment
+in his tone.</p>
+
+<p>"Wait," said Buck; "perhaps, after all, I
+might get a knife from the feller along with me,
+here."</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>A minute later, and once again the face of the
+grinning bully protruded beyond the edge of the
+pit above.</p>
+
+<p>"I've got the knife all right, Fenton," he ob<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span>served,
+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."</p>
+
+<p>"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&mdash;and
+mighty thankful in the bargain."</p>
+
+<p>"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!"</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>As he cut away, the bully continued to talk.
+He was evidently enjoying the unique situation
+keenly.</p>
+
+<p>"Reckon you'd feel some chilly if you had to
+stay in that damp hole all night; eh, Fenton?" he
+went on.</p>
+
+<p>"I sure would," replied Fred, trying to give a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span>
+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."</p>
+
+<p>"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?"</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span>
+me, in order to get back&mdash;there, how d'ye think
+that'll answer, Fenton?"</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! don't you wish you could grab it,
+Fenton?" mocked the grinning bully.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2>
+
+<h3>AN UNEXPECTED ALLY</h3>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Fred</span> 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.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"I'd take it quick enough, if I thought you
+meant to help me out, Buck," Fred observed,
+grimly.</p>
+
+<p>"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,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span>
+too. It's a shame, that's what; and d'ye know,
+Fred Fenton, I somehow feel like you're to blame
+for <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'must'">most</ins> of my troubles."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't see how you make that out, Buck,"
+remarked Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"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?"</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>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:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>He shivered now at the very prospect. However
+would he pass that terribly long night,
+when minutes would drag, and seem to be
+hours?</p>
+
+<p>"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 <i>have</i> to get him out, before he'd
+let me save you. Keep back, I tell you!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"Hey! what's this? Are you really threatenin'
+me?" demanded the other, hotly.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>He did raise the rope substitute, but Buck declined
+to accept his end of it.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"Buck! oh, Buck!" said a trembling voice
+from somewhere back of the bully.</p>
+
+<p>"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 <i>somebody</i> yelping away up this way&mdash;thought
+it was kids playin', but it <i>might</i> be you
+calling for help."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you're going to desert me; are you,
+Buck?" asked Fred, beginning to himself feel
+angry at the base intentions of the other.</p>
+
+<p>"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?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"What's Fred Fenton to you?" demanded
+Buck, savagely.</p>
+
+<p>"He's my friend, that's what!" declared Billy
+stoutly.</p>
+
+<p>"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?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because it'd be wicked," cried the excited
+boy. "Because if it hadn't 'a been for Fred<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span>
+Fenton you wouldn't be havin' no brother Billy
+right now!"</p>
+
+<p>"What d'ye mean, Billy?" roared the astonished
+bully.</p>
+
+<p>"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!"</p>
+
+<p>And Buck Lemington knelt there, for the minute
+unable to utter a single word, so great was
+his amazement.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2>
+
+<h3>FORCED TO LEND A HAND</h3>
+
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Is</span> 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?"</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! I felt like doing that same more'n a
+few times, believe me," said Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"Then why didn't you?" asked Buck.</p>
+
+<p>"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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span>
+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."</p>
+
+<p>"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?"</p>
+
+<p>"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?"</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>As he knelt there Buck was fighting an inward<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span>
+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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>Once he got this firmly in his hands, he simply
+said:</p>
+
+<p>"Now, climb away, Fenton!"</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"You won't shake hands, Buck, and be
+friends, then?" Fred asked.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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&mdash;well&mdash;just because I had to,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span>
+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?"</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span>
+knew something about this, and it may have influenced
+him when running away from home,
+with Billy in his company.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span>
+been to see them for several days now, since the
+man was able to leave his bed and hobble about
+the house, in fact.</p>
+
+<p>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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2>
+
+<h3>GLORIOUS NEWS</h3>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">The</span> 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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span>
+note from Hong Kong, he would be apt to hunt
+up his brother, whom he had evidently not seen
+on his last visit.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>This might make some difference with Fred's
+plans.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>Fred gave a sigh. He was secretly disappointed,
+to tell the truth. Perhaps he had
+conceived a faint expectation that something<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span>
+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.</p>
+
+<p>"I was foolish to ever think that," Fred said
+to himself, as he again started in the direction
+of the farmhouse door.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>After waiting a reasonable time, without either
+Sarah or her father coming to the door, Fred
+again gave a knock.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Masterson!" Fred called out, in the
+hope that his voice might happen to be recognized,
+so as to allay their fears.</p>
+
+<p>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,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span>
+and a lamp was being carried into the front
+room.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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-<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span>barrel
+shotgun through the opening, at the same
+time exclaiming:</p>
+
+<p>"Now be off with you, or I'll give you a dose
+of buck shot that you won't like!"</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"Hold on, Mr. Masterson, don't you know
+me? It's Fred Fenton!" he exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"Who?" gasped Fred, feeling weak; but with
+a great expectation that caused him to tremble
+all over.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The farmer patted him on the back as he went
+on to say, joyfully:</p>
+
+<p>"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!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER XX</h2>
+
+<h3>A WELCOME GUEST</h3>
+
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Hiram</span> come back!"</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, that's him in yonder; but nobody'd
+ever know it, he's got himself up so smart," the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span>
+farmer said, proudly, as he closed and bolted the
+doors again, ere leading the way into the other
+room.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"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?"</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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 com<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span>pany
+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."</p>
+
+<p>"But couldn't you manage to escape when the
+ship put in at some port?" Fred asked, being
+very curious.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>Fred suddenly remembered something that
+Buck had let fall when speaking about the conditions
+existing at his home.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess someone must have been sending<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span>
+word to Mr. Lemington about your getting
+away," he remarked.</p>
+
+<p>"What makes you say that?" asked Hiram,
+looking uneasy.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"And only for you he might have been<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span>
+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."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"I rather think they'd camp out in your barn
+then, Mr. Masterson," remarked Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"What makes you think that?" asked the
+farmer, looking keenly at the boy.</p>
+
+<p>"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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span>
+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."</p>
+
+<p>"I tell you what we'd better do," said Hiram,
+who had evidently been doing considerable deep
+thinking meanwhile.</p>
+
+<p>"As what?" questioned his brother.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"Where will you be, Uncle Hiram; asleep in
+the hay out in the barn?" asked the girl.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! I wish you would; but it's a pretty long
+walk for you, to Riverport," declared the boy,
+with considerable enthusiasm.</p>
+
+<p>"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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span>
+back home in a buggy. How about it, Arnold?"</p>
+
+<p>"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?"</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"And as the night air is sharp and frosty, I'll
+lend Fred some clothes to keep him warm," said
+the farmer.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"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!"</p>
+
+<p>So while Fred and Hiram hid in the bushes,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span>
+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.</p>
+
+<p>Soon afterward they came to the farm where
+the horse and buggy were to be secured. There
+was no trouble whatever.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span>
+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!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER XXI</h2>
+
+<h3>THE ATHLETIC MEET</h3>
+
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">This</span> beats any crowd ever seen along the
+Mohunk!"</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span>
+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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span>
+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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>When the master of ceremonies stepped out,
+the waves of sound gradually died away.</p>
+
+<p>"Silence! silence! let Mr. De Camp talk!"
+was heard here and there; and even the most
+gossipy girls dared not exchange words after
+that.</p>
+
+<p>The director, in a few happily chosen remarks,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span>
+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.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>So the first event fell to the town up the river.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! that's only a taste!" boasted a Me<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span>chanicsburg
+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!"</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span>
+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.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>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."</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"Right now he could dig circles around them
+both!" yelled little Semi-Colon, who had the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span>
+utmost faith in his cousin's ability to accomplish
+every task set for him.</p>
+
+<p>"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!"</p>
+
+<p>"Let out a link, Colon!" shrieked a megaphone
+holder.</p>
+
+<p>"Look at him, would you; he heard you shout,
+all right, Sandy!" cried one boy.</p>
+
+<p>"He's got wings! He's sure flying!"
+whooped another.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"Riverport wins!" was the shout that arose
+on all sides.</p>
+
+<p>"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!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER XXII</h2>
+
+<h3>FRED ON THE TRACK</h3>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Fred Fenton</span> was in the throng that welcomed
+the <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'vicitorious'">victorious</ins> 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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"Paulding can <i>crawl</i> to victory, anyhow!"
+shouted the megaphone boy, derisively.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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&mdash;Felix Wagner, the best all-round
+athlete of which Mechanicsburg boasted.</p>
+
+<p>It was seen that Colon did not mean to follow<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span>
+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.</p>
+
+<p>Amid a din of cheering they reached the other
+end of the track, all going strong.</p>
+
+<p>"Now watch Colon hump himself!" shouted
+the megaphone boy.</p>
+
+<p>"There he goes! Ain't he the kangaroo
+though?" bawled another.</p>
+
+<p>"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!"</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span>
+bounded ahead, passing the string some five feet
+in front of the second entry.</p>
+
+<p>The roar of cheers that arose suddenly died
+out.</p>
+
+<p>"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!"</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>Presently the director appeared, and waved
+his hand for silence, remarking:</p>
+
+<p>"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!"</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>The face of the track captain was marked with
+uneasiness. Mechanicsburg was evidently in this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span>
+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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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?</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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 <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'uproarous'">uproarious</ins> shouts the contestants<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span>
+were falling down, getting mixed in their
+partners, and exciting all sorts of comments.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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 <i>got</i> to win that, or we're gone. Do you
+really and truly think you could stand both,
+Fred?"</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span>
+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.</p>
+
+<p>And when the pleased Brad clapped Fred on
+the back he remarked:</p>
+
+<p>"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!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER XXIII</h2>
+
+<h3>A CLOSE COUNT</h3>
+
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">You're</span> 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.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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&mdash;Hiram
+Masterson. Say, that was the name of
+that farmer and his girl we helped that time;
+wasn't it, Fred?"</p>
+
+<p>"Sure," answered the other, for he felt that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span>
+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."</p>
+
+<p>"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?"</p>
+
+<p>So Fred, seeing his chance, explained in a few
+sentences all that had happened on the preceding
+afternoon. Great was the astonishment of
+Bristles.</p>
+
+<p>"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?"</p>
+
+<p>"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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span>
+sides, and so avoid the expense and delay of a
+lawsuit."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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?"</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span>
+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."</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, it's Gabe Larkins, for a fact; I didn't
+know he was in this thing at all," Bristles
+ventured.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span>
+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."</p>
+
+<p>A wild burst of cheering stopped their conference,
+and Bristles jumped up to ascertain what
+caused it.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>A comical potato race next sent the crowds into
+convulsions of laughter. And of course Paulding<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span>
+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.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>Brad Morton kept hovering near Fred as the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span>
+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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"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&mdash;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."</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"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-<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span>mile
+sprint. It might have done something that
+you'll find out after you get well into the long
+race."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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 <i>their</i> 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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"How does the score stand?" asked someone,
+breathlessly.</p>
+
+<p>"Eleven for Mechanicsburg, to thirteen for
+Riverport, and five for Paulding."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>And pretty Flo Temple gave the speaker a
+grateful look, because he voiced her sentiments
+exactly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER XXIV</h2>
+
+<h3>THE LONE RUNNER</h3>
+
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">They're</span> off!" was the cry.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>In the three schools there were eleven contestants
+in all&mdash;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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span>
+he could be plainly recognized by this for some
+little distance.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Red meant that Mechanicsburg was in the
+lead; blue that Riverport had the advantage;
+while green stood for Paulding.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"That's right."</p>
+
+<p>"I've been timing 'em," said another; "and
+you're just right; they ought to be about there
+by now."</p>
+
+<p>"Hi! look! there goes a flag up the mast!"
+shrieked a voice.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"It's green too!" howled a frantic Paulding
+backer.</p>
+
+<p>"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?"</p>
+
+<p>"And a yard wide too!"</p>
+
+<p>"There goes a second flag up, showing that he
+isn't far ahead, anyway!"</p>
+
+<p>"What's that color? The sun hurts my eyes,
+and I can't just make it out?"</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! where is your great wonder, Riverport?
+What's happened to Fred Fenton, do you suppose?"</p>
+
+<p>"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!"</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>But now would come the supreme test. Every<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span>body
+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.</p>
+
+<p>"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.</p>
+
+<p>"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."</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span>
+really seen him run, the Riverport lad who
+lagged behind in the start.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>Several false alarms were given, as is usually
+the case, when some nervous persons think they
+can see a moving object.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"Here they come!"</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"It's Boggs!" shrieked one.</p>
+
+<p>"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,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span>
+he's nearly a third of the way here from the
+turn in the course."</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>Instantly she uttered a loud shriek.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! you're all wrong!" she cried. "It isn't
+Boggs at all! Instead of Number One, that is
+Number Seven!"</p>
+
+<p>"It's Fred Fenton!" whooped the fellow with
+the megaphone, so that everybody was able to
+hear.</p>
+
+<p>"Fenton wins! Hurrah for Fred!"</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>"Fenton! Oh! where is Boggs? Fenton!
+Riverport wins the championship!"</p>
+
+<p>So the shouts were going around, and the
+frantic lads leaped and waltzed about.</p>
+
+<p>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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>The crowd thronged over the field as soon as
+Fred breasted the tape, and was declared the
+winner of the long distance event.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span>
+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 <i>her</i>, rather than the school to which they
+both belonged.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER XXV</h2>
+
+<h3>THE ALASKA CLAIM</h3>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">After</span> 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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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 encour<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span>aging
+weakly boys and girls to become strong
+and healthy, would supply all the exercise
+needed.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>Fred was at any rate the happiest boy in Riverport;
+and he believed he had ample reason for
+declaring himself such.</p>
+
+<p>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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span>
+they would never again experience the pinch of
+poverty.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>When the Alaska claims business had been
+finally adjusted in a satisfactory manner, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span>
+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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span>
+whereabouts unknown, until the meet was a thing
+of the past, and the victory gone to Mechanicsburg.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+
+<h2>THE END</h2>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>The Tom Fairfield<br />
+Series</h2>
+
+<h3>By Allen Chapman</h3>
+
+<div class='center'>Author of the "Fred Fenton Athletic Series," "The Boys<br />
+of Pluck Series," and "The Darewell Chums Series."<br />
+<br />
+12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume, 40 cents, postpaid.<br />
+</div>
+
+<hr style='width: 25%;' />
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Tom Fairfield's School Days">
+<tr><td align='left'><img src="images/1tombutterfield.png" width="140" height="200" alt="Tom Fairfield&#39;s School Days" title="Tom Fairfield&#39;s School Days" />
+</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+Tom Fairfield's Schooldays<br />
+<small>or The Chums of Elmwood Hall</small><br />
+</div>
+
+<div class='unindent'>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.</div>
+</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+Tom Fairfield at Sea<br />
+<small>or The Wreck of the Silver Star</small><br />
+</div>
+
+<div class='unindent'>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.</div>
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+Tom Fairfield in Camp<br />
+<small>or The Secret of the Old Mill</small><br />
+</div>
+
+<div class='unindent'>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.</div>
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+Tom Fairfield's Luck and Pluck<br />
+<small>or Working to Clear His Name</small><br />
+</div>
+
+<div class='unindent'>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.</div>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<div class='center'>
+CUPPLES &amp; LEON CO.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;      Publishers&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;       NEW YORK<br />
+</div>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;' />
+
+<h2><i>The Darewell Chums Series</i></h2>
+
+<h3><i>By Allen Chapman</i></h3>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<b>Cloth.  12mo.  Illustrated.  60 cents each, postpaid.</b><br />
+</div>
+
+
+<div class='center'><br />
+<b>The Darewell Chums</b><br />
+<small><i>Or, The Heroes of the School</i></small><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<b>The Darewell Chums in the City</b><br />
+<small><i>Or, The Disappearance of Ned Wilding</i></small><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="The Darewell Chums in the Woods">
+<tr><td align='left'><img src="images/2darewellchums.png" width="148" height="200" alt="The Darewell Chums in the Woods" title="The Darewell Chums in the Woods" />
+</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<b>The Darewell Chums in the Woods</b><br />
+<small><i>Or, Frank Roscoe's Secret</i></small><br />
+</div>
+<p>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&mdash;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.</p></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<b>The Darewell Chums on a Cruise</b><br />
+<small><i>Or, Fenn Masterson's Odd Discovery</i></small><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>A TALE of the Great Lakes. The boys run across some Canadian smugglers
+and stumble on the secret of a valuable mine.</p>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<b>The Darewell Chums in a Winter Camp</b><br />
+<small><i>Or, Bart Keene's Best Shot</i></small><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<div class='center'>
+<b>CUPPLES &amp; LEON CO., Publishers,      NEW YORK</b><br />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><i>Boys of Pluck Series</i></h2>
+
+<h3><i>By Allen Chapman</i></h3>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<b>Illustrated.  12mo.  Cloth.  60 cents per volume</b><br />
+</div>
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="The Young Express Agent">
+<tr><td align='left'><img src="images/3younglandagent.png" width="153" height="200" alt="The Young Land Agent" title="The Young Land Agent" />
+</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+<b>The Young Express Agent</b><br />
+<small><i>Or, Bart Stirling's Road Success</i></small><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<b>Two Boy Publishers</b><br />
+<small><i>Or, From Typecase to Editor's Chair</i></small><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<b>Mail Order Frank</b><br />
+<small><i>Or, A Smart Boy and His Chances</i></small><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>HERE we have a story covering an absolutely new field&mdash;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.</p>
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<b>A Business Boy's Pluck</b><br />
+<small><i>Or, Winning Success</i></small><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<b>The Young Land Agent</b><br />
+<small><i>Or, The Secret of the Borden Estate</i></small><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+<hr style="width: 25%;" />
+<div class='center'>
+<b>CUPPLES &amp; LEON CO., Publishers, &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;     NEW YORK</b><br />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>The Saddle Boys Series</h2>
+
+<h3>By Captain James Carson</h3>
+
+<div class='center'>
+12mo. Cloth.&nbsp; Illustrated.&nbsp; Price per volume, 40 cents, postpaid.<br />
+</div>
+
+<hr style='width: 25%;' />
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="The Saddle Club Boys of the Rockies">
+<tr><td align='left'><img src="images/4saddleboys.png" width="144" height="200" alt="The Saddle Club Boys of the Rockies" title="The Saddle Club Boys of the Rockies" />
+</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+The Saddle Boys of the Rockies<br />
+<small>or Lost on Thunder Mountain</small></div><br />
+Telling how the lads started out to solve
+the mystery of a great noise in the
+mountains&mdash;how they got lost&mdash;and of
+the things they discovered.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+The Saddle Boys in the Grand Canyon<br />
+<small>or The Hermit of the Cave</small><br />
+</div>
+
+<div class='unindent'>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.</div>
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+The Saddle Boys on the Plains<br />
+<small>or After a Treasure of Gold</small><br />
+</div>
+
+<div class='unindent'>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.</div>
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+The Saddle Boys at Circle Ranch<br />
+<small>or In at the Grand Round-up</small><br />
+</div>
+
+<div class='unindent'>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.</div>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<div class='center'>
+CUPPLES &amp; LEON CO. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;   Publishers&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;      NEW YORK<br />
+</div>
+
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;' />
+<h2>The Speedwell Boys<br />
+Series</h2>
+
+<h3>By Roy Rockwood</h3>
+
+<div class='center'>Author of "The Dave Dashaway Series," "Great Marvel
+Series," etc.<br />
+
+<br />
+12mo.  Cloth.  Illustrated.  Price per volume, 40 cents, postpaid<br />
+</div>
+
+<hr style='width: 25%;' />
+
+<p>All boys who love to be on the go will welcome the
+Speedwell boys. They are clean cut and loyal to the core&mdash;youths
+well worth knowing.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="The Speedwell Boys on Motor Cycles">
+<tr><td align='left'><img src="images/5speedwell.png" width="142" height="200" alt="The Speedwell Boys on Motor Cycles" title="The Speedwell Boys on Motor Cycles" />
+</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+The Speedwell Boys on Motor Cycles<br />
+<small>or The Mystery of a Great Conflagration</small><br />
+</div>
+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.
+</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+The Speedwell Boys and Their Racing Auto<br />
+<small>or A Run for the Golden Cup</small><br />
+</div>
+
+<div class='unindent'>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.</div>
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+The Speedwell Boys and Their Power Launch<br />
+<small>or To the Rescue of the Castaways</small><br />
+</div>
+
+<div class='unindent'>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.</div>
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+The Speedwell Boys in a Submarine<br />
+<small>or The Lost Treasure of Rocky Cove</small><br />
+</div>
+
+<div class='unindent'>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.</div>
+
+<hr style='width: 25%;' />
+
+<div class='center'>
+CUPPLES &amp; LEON CO. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;   Publishers&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;      NEW YORK<br />
+</div>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>The Dave Dashaway<br />
+Series</h2>
+
+<p>By Roy Rockwood</p>
+
+<div class='center'>Author of the "Speedwell Boys Series" and the
+"Great Marvel Series."<br /><br />
+
+
+12mo.  &nbsp;&nbsp; Cloth.   Illustrated.  &nbsp;&nbsp; Price per volume, 40 cents, postpaid.<br />
+</div>
+
+<hr style='width: 15%;' />
+
+<p>Never was there a more clever young aviator than
+Dave Dashaway, and all up-to-date lads will surely wish
+to make his acquaintance.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 25%;' />
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Dave Dashaway The Young Aviator">
+<tr><td align='left'><img src="images/6dashaway.png" width="149" height="200" alt="Dave Dashaway The Young Aviator" title="Dave Dashaway The Young Aviator" />
+</td><td align='left'><div class='center'>
+Dave Dashaway the Young Aviator<br />
+<small>or In the Clouds for Fame and Fortune</small><br />
+</div>
+
+<div class='unindent'>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.</div></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+Dave Dashaway and His Hydroplane<br />
+<small>or Daring Adventures Over the Great Lakes</small><br />
+</div>
+
+<div class='unindent'>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.</div>
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+Dave Dashaway and His Giant Airship<br />
+<small>or A Marvellous Trip Across the Atlantic</small><br />
+</div>
+
+<div class='unindent'>How the <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'gaint'">giant</ins> 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.</div>
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+Dave Dashaway Around the World<br />
+<small>or A Young Yankee Aviator Among Many Nations</small><br />
+</div>
+
+<div class='unindent'>An absorbing tale of a great air flight around the world, of
+<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'hairbreath'">hairbreadth</ins> adventures in Alaska, Siberia and elsewhere.
+A true to life picture of what may be accomplished in the
+near future.</div>
+
+<hr style='width: 25%;' />
+
+<div class='center'>
+CUPPLES &amp; LEON CO. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;   Publishers&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;      NEW YORK<br />
+</div>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;' />
+
+<div class='tnote'><h3>Transcriber's Notes:</h3>
+<p>Obvious punctuation errors repaired.</p>
+
+<p>The remaining corrections made are indicated by dotted lines under the corrections. Scroll the mouse over the word and the original text will <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'apprear'">appear</ins>.</p></div>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+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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@@ -0,0 +1,5891 @@
+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
+
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