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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/32240-8.txt b/32240-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6bbb984 --- /dev/null +++ b/32240-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6959 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Boy Scouts in the Blue Ridge, by Herbert +Carter + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: The Boy Scouts in the Blue Ridge + Marooned Among the Moonshiners + + +Author: Herbert Carter + + + +Release Date: May 3, 2010 [eBook #32240] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY SCOUTS IN THE BLUE RIDGE*** + + +E-text prepared by David Edwards, Emmy, and the Project Gutenberg Online +Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images +generously made available by Internet Archive (http://www.archive.org) + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustration. + See 32240-h.htm or 32240-h.zip: + (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/32240/32240-h/32240-h.htm) + or + (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/32240/32240-h.zip) + + + Images of the original pages are available through + Internet Archive. See + http://www.archive.org/details/boyscoutsinbluer00cart + + + + + +THE BOY SCOUTS IN THE BLUE RIDGE + +Or + +Marooned Among the Moonshiners + +by + +HERBERT CARTER + +Author of "The Boy Scouts First Camp Fire," "The Boy +Scouts On the Trail," "The Boy Scouts In the Maine +Woods," "The Boy Scouts Through the +Big Timber," "The Boy Scouts +In the Rockies" + + +[Illustration: "Good shot, Bob!" cried Thad. "Get another stone, quick, +for he's coming after you." Page 146. + + --_The Boy Scouts In the Blue Ridge._] + + + + + + + +[Illustration] + +A. L. Burt Company +New York + +Copyright, 1913 +By A. L. Burt Company + +THE BOY SCOUTS IN THE BLUE RIDGE. + + + + +THE BOY SCOUTS IN THE BLUE RIDGE + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +THE HIKE THROUGH THE SMOKY RANGE. + + +"DID anybody happen to see my knapsack around?" + +"Why, you had it just a few minutes ago, Step Hen!" + +"I know that, Bumpus; and I'd take my affidavy I laid it down on this +rock." + +"Well, don't whine so about a little thing like that, Step Hen; it ain't +there now, and that's a fact." + +"Somebody's gone and sneaked it on me, that's what. I'm the unluckiest +feller in the whole bunch, for havin' queer things happen to him. Just +can't lay a single thing I've got down anywhere, but what it disappears +in the most _remarkable_ way you ever heard of, and bobs up somewhere +else! I must be haunted, I'm beginnin' to believe. Do _you_ know +anything about my knapsack, Giraffe?" + +"Never touched your old grub sack, Step Hen; so don't you dare accuse +me of playing a trick on you. Sure you didn't hang it up somewhere; I've +known you to do some funny stunts that way;" and the tall boy called +"Giraffe" by his mates, stretched his long neck in a most ridiculous +manner, as he looked all around. + +Eight boys were on a hike through the mountains of North Carolina. From +the fact that they were all dressed in neat khaki uniforms it was +evident that they must belong to some Boy Scout troop; and were off on a +little excursion. This was exactly the truth; and they had come a long +distance by rail before striking their present wild surroundings. + +Their home town of Cranford was located in a big Northern State, and all +the members of the Silver Fox Patrol lived there; though several of them +had come to that busy little town from other sections of the country. + +Besides two of those whose conversation has been noted at the beginning +of this chapter there was, first of all, Thad Brewster, the leader of +the patrol, and when at home acting as scoutmaster in the absence of the +young man who occupied that position, in order to carry out the rules +and principles of the organization. Thad was a bright lad, and having +belonged to another troop before coming to Cranford, knew considerably +more than most of his fellows in the patrol. + +Next to him, as second in command, was Allan Hollister, a boy who had +been raised to get the bumps of experience. He had lived for a time up +in the Adirondacks, and also in Maine. When it came down to showing how +things ought to be done according to the ways of woodsmen, and not by +the book, the boys always looked to Allan for information. + +Then there was a slender, rather effeminate, boy, who seemed very +particular about his looks, as though he feared lest his uniform become +soiled, or the shine on his shoes suffer from the dust of the mountain +road. This was "Smithy." Of course he had another name when at home or +in school--Edmund Maurice Travers Smith; but no ordinary boy could +bother with such a high-flown appellation as this; and so "Smithy" it +became as soon as he began to circulate among the lads of Cranford. + +Next to him was a dumpy, rollicking sort of a boy, who seemed so clumsy +in his actions that he was forever stumbling. He had once answered to +the name of Cornelius Jasper Hawtree; but if anybody called out "Bumpus" +he would smile, and answer to it. Bumpus he must be then to the end of +the story. And as he was musically inclined, possessing a fine tenor +voice, and being able to play on "any old instrument," as he claimed it +was only right that he assume the duties of bugler to the Cranford +Troop. Bumpus carried the shining bugle at his side, held by a thick +crimson cord; and when he tried he could certainly draw the sweetest +kind of notes from its brass throat. + +Then there was Davy Jones, a fellow who had a sinuous body, and seemed +to be a born athlete. Davy could do all sorts of "stunts," and was never +so happy as hanging by his toes from the high branch of some tree; or +turning a double somersault in the air, always landing on his nimble +feet, like a cat. Davy had one affliction, which often gave him more or +less trouble. He was liable to be seized with cramps at any time; and +these doubled him up in a knot. He carried some pills given to him by +the family doctor at home, and at such times one of the other boys +usually forced a couple between his blue lips. But some of the fellows +were beginning to have faint suspicions concerning these "cramps;" and +that the artful Davy always seemed to be gripped nowadays when there was +a prospect of some extra heavy work at hand. + +The last of the eight boys was a dark-haired lad, with a face that, +while handsome, was a little inclined to be along the order of the +proud. Robert White Quail was a Southern-born boy. He came from Alabama, +but had lived many years in this very region through which the Silver +Fox Patrol was now hiking. Indeed, it had been at his personal +solicitation that they had finally agreed to take their outing in +climbing the famous Blue Ridge Mountains, and tasting some of the +delights of a genuine experience in the wilderness. Among his +companions the Southern lad went by the name of "Bob White;" and +considering what his last name happened to be, it can be easily +understood that nothing else in the wide world would have answered. + +Of course Step Hen had another name, which was plainly Stephen Bingham. +When a mite, going to school for the first time, on being asked his name +by the teacher, he had spelled it as made up of two distinct words; and +so Step Hen he was bound to be called by his comrades. + +Giraffe also was known in family circles as Conrad Stedman; but if any +boy in Cranford was asked about such a fellow, the chances were he would +shake his head, and declare that the only one he knew by the name of +Stedman was "Giraffe," For some time he had gone as "Rubberneck," but +this became so common that the other stuck to him. Giraffe loved eating. +He was also passionately fond of making fires, so that the others called +him the fire fiend. When Giraffe was around no one else had the nerve to +even think of starting the camp-fire; though after that had been done, +he was willing they should "tote" the wood to keep it running. + +The day was rather warm, even for up in the mountains, and if the signs +told the truth they might look for a thunder storm before a great while. + +As the scouts had no tents along, and were marching in very light order, +they would have to depend upon their natural sagacity to carry them +through any emergencies that might arise, either in connection with the +weather, or the food line. But they knew they could place unlimited +dependence on their leaders; and besides, as Bob White had spent many +years of his young life in this region, he must know considerable about +its resources. + +They were now in what is known as the Smoky Range, a spur of the Blue +Ridge Mountains, which borders on Tennessee. Not a great many miles away +was Asheville, a well-known resort; but few of the society people +frequenting that place had ever ventured up in these lonely localities; +for they did not have the best reputation possible. + +Among these wild peaks dwelt men who, in spite of the efforts of revenue +officers, persisted in defying the law that put a ban on the making of +what has always been known as "moonshine" whiskey. Occasionally an +arrest might be made; but there was much danger attached to this thing; +and the country was so rugged, that it would take an army of United +States regulars to clean out the nests of moonshiners holding forth +there. + +It would seem as though this might be a rather strange region for the +hike of a Boy Scout patrol; and had the parents or guardians of the boys +known as much about it as those living in Asheville, they might have +thought twice before granting the lads permission to come here. + +But it had been partly on the invitation of Bob White that the +expedition had been planned and mapped out. He seemed to have a strange +yearning to revisit the region that had been his former home; and when +some one proposed that they explore some of the mysteries of the famous +Blue Ridge, Bob eagerly seconded the motion, in his warm Southern way. +And that was how it started. Once boys get an idea in their heads, it +soon gains weight, just like a rolling snowball. + +And now they were here, with the grim mountains all around them, silence +wrapping them about, and mystery seeming to fill the very air. But +healthy boys are not easily impressed or daunted by such things; and +they cracked jokes and carried on as boys will do with the utmost +freedom. + +The conversation between Step Hen, Bumpus and Giraffe having attracted +the attention of the scoutmaster, he called out at this juncture: + +"Whose knapsack is that you've got strapped on your back right now, +Number Eight?" + +A shout went up as Step Hen, quickly turning the article in question +around surveyed it blankly; but apparently both Bumpus and Giraffe had +known of its presence all the while, though pretending ignorance. + +"Who strapped that to my back?" demanded the owner. "I don't remember +doing it, give you my word for it, fellers. Mighty queer how things +always happen to _me_, and nobody else. But anyhow, I'm ready to +continue the march, if the rest of you are." + +Five minutes later, and the boys were straggling along the rough road +that wound in and out, as it pierced the valleys between the peaks +looming up on either side. There was no attempt at keeping order on the +march, and the boys, while trying to remain within sight of each other, +walked along in groups or couples. + +Giraffe and Bumpus, a strange combination always, yet very good chums, +were at some distance in the lead. Bringing up the rear were Thad and +Allan, examining some chart of the region, which Bob White had drawn for +them, and talking over what the plan of campaign should be. + +In the midst of this pleasant afternoon quiet there suddenly arose the +piercing notes of the bugle, followed by a loud and hoarse shout; and +looking up hastily, Thad Brewster was surprised to see Bumpus wildly +waving both his arms. Although he was at some little distance away, and +at the bottom of the decline, what he shouted came plainly to the ears +of the young scoutmaster, giving him something of a thrill: + +"Hey! come along here, you fellers; Giraffe, he's got stuck in the +crick, up to his knees, and he says it's quicksand!" + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +SEEING GIRAFFE THROUGH. + + +"QUICKSAND!" shrieked Step Hen, who happened to be keeping company with +Davy Jones just ahead of the two leaders of the patrol. "Hey! hurry your +stumps, fellers, and get there before poor Giraffe is pulled under. +Ain't it lucky he c'n stretch his neck so far? Anyhow he ought to keep +his head above water." + +Everybody was on the run by now, and as Bumpus kept sounding the +assembly on his silver-plated bugle, what with the shouts of the +advancing khaki-clad boys, the picture was an inspiring one. + +When they reached the border of the little stream that crossed the +mountain road, sure enough, there was the tall scout up above his knees +in the water, and looking rather forlorn. + +"What had I ought to do, Allan?" he bawled out, naturally appealing to +the one whose practical experience was apt to be of more benefit to him +at such a time than all the theories ever advanced. "You see, I was +crossing here, and stopped right in the middle to turn around and say +somethin' to Bumpus. Then I found that both my feet seemed like they was +glued down. When I tried to lift one, the other only sank down deeper. +And it came to me like a flash that I was gripped in quicksand. When I +told Bumpus here he squawked, and blew his horn to beat the band." + +"Horn!" echoed Bumpus, indignantly; "why can't you ever learn to say +bugle. You're the only one I know of that owns to a horn; and you blow +that often enough, I'll be bound." + +"Ain't you goin' to get me out?" demanded the now alarmed Giraffe, as he +felt himself slowly but surely sinking deeper. "Say, is that the way to +treat a fellow you all have known so long? I ain't foolin', let me tell +you. And if you stand there much longer, grinnin' at me, it'll be too +late! You'll feel sorry when you only see the top of my head above +water. I tell you there ain't no bottom to this crick. It goes clean +through to China, it does, now. Give us a hand, Allan, Thad. One scout +ought to help another, you know; and I bet some of you haven't done a +single good deed to-day, to let you turn your badge right-side up." + +Among Boy Scouts it is considered the proper thing to invert the badge +every morning, and not change its position until the owner has something +worth while to his credit, even though it may only be the helping of an +old man across the busy street; or the carrying of a basket for a lame +woman coming from market. This was what Giraffe evidently had in mind, +when trying to spur his comrades on to helping him out of the mire into +which he had fallen. + +"What can be done for him, Allan?" asked the scoutmaster, turning to the +other. + +"Yes, think up something, Allan; and for goodness sake be quick about +it," called the one in the water. "Just hear how that sucks, will you, +when I work my foot up and down? And now, there, the other leg's deeper +by two inches than it was. Be quick about it, or you'll be sorry." + +"If there was a tree above his head I'd say get a rope over a limb, make +a loop at the end, and drag him out that way," remarked Allan. + +"And pull my neck longer than it is; I'm glad then there ain't no tree!" +snapped the alarmed Giraffe. + +"Oh! rats, he meant we'd put the loop under your arms, silly!" called +out Davy. + +"Some of you get hold of those old fence rails over there," Allan went +on. "We can make a mattress of them, and get over to Giraffe in that +way. Jump, now, boys, for he is really and truly in a bad fix; and if +left alone would sure go under." + +"Hurry! hurry!" shouted Giraffe, waving his long arms; "don't you hear +what Allan says? It's sucking like anything. P'raps it'll open up, and +pull me under before you can get started. Quick, boys! For the love of +misery stir your stumps like true scouts!" + +They came running up, each bearing one of the old fence rails that had +been at some time washed down the stream during a freshet. Allan took +these as they arrived, and began to make a species of corduroy road out +to the boy who was caught fast in the grip of the quicksand. + +"Throw yourself forward as much as you can, Giraffe," he said. "Never +mind about whether you soil your uniform or not. You can get a new one; +but you never will have another life you know. There, rest your weight +on that rail, and begin to work both feet free. When you get to lift +them up, we'll lend a hand, and yank you out in a jiffy. Get busy now, +Giraffe!" + +And the one addressed certainly needed no second urging. He worked with +a vim, and presently called out exultantly: + +"She's coming now, boys; I felt both feet give that time. Oh! it's going +to be all right, after all. Bumpus, I promised you my stamp book; but I +reckon I'll need it a while longer myself, so consider the thing off. +Please come out, and give me that lift now, Allan. Two of you can do it +easy enough." + +Bob White, with his usual promptness, when any one was in need of help, +volunteered to assist Allan. Between them they succeeded in dragging the +scout who was trapped in the quicksand, out of his unpleasant +predicament; and while about it all of them crossed to the other side of +the creek, where they were speedily joined by the balance of the patrol; +though every boy took advantage of the fence rails that lay scattered +through the shallow water, in order to prevent any possibility of a +repetition of the disaster that had overtaken their comrade. + +A halt was called, to enable Giraffe to wipe some of the mud from the +lower portions of his uniform. And of course all sorts of talk passed +back and forth, as might be expected among a parcel of lively boys out +for a good time. Even the one so lately in dire danger had apparently +gotten well over his nervous shock, for he laughed with the rest at the +ludicrous nature of the event. + +"Say, what kind of natives do you have down here, Bob White?" asked +Bumpus. + +"The same kind, I reckon, suh, that they raise in all mountain regions," +came the ready reply of the sensitive Southern boy. "Some are pretty +tough; but then again, I give you my word, suh, that there are others +you can't beat for being the clear quill. But may I ask why you put that +question to me, Bumpus?" + +"Sure. There was a feller perched up on that rock stickin' out above +us," declared the fat boy, pointing his finger upward along the rugged +and rocky face of the mountain side; "I called to him to come and help +get poor old Giraffe out; but he never made a move; just sat there, and +grinned. He had a gun along with him, and I s'pose he was a specimen of +the Blue Ridge mountaineer. Gee! you ought to a seen the long white +beard the old feller sported!" + +"Oh!" exclaimed Bob White, looking excited, a fact that aroused the keen +interest of all his comrades at once. + +"Do you know who he was?" demanded the indignant Bumpus. + +"I'm sorry to say, suh, that I think I do," replied the Southern boy, +slowly. "If your description is correct, and believe me, I have no +reason to doubt it, that man you saw must have been no other than Phin +Dady!" + +"Phew! ain't that the moonshiner we heard so much about over in +Asheville?" asked Step Hen. + +"The same man," answered Bob White, glancing a little nervously up +toward the rock indicated by his comrade, and which, jutting out from +the steep face of the mountain; offered a splendid outlook for any one +who wished to see who might be coming along the winding road. + +"Well, I don't like his ways, that's all," muttered Giraffe, who was +still trying to make his uniform look half-way decent after its recent +rough usage. "Anybody with one eye could see that I was bein' sucked +down like fun; and for him to just watch Bumpus here, blowin' his +bugle, and shoutin' for help, without offerin' to lend a hand, +wasn't--well, decent, that's what. P'raps some day it'll be my turn to +grin at him when he's in trouble." + +"But you wouldn't do it, you know that, Giraffe," said Thad, smiling. +"You don't forget that a true scout must return good for evil. And if +the time ever comes when old Phin Dady needs help that you can give, I'm +dead sure you wouldn't hold back." + +Giraffe grumbled some more, but the scoutmaster knew that at heart he +was not an ungenerous boy, though a little inclined to hold a grudge. + +"What are you thinking about, Bob White; you look as sober as though you +didn't just like the looks of things any too much?" asked Allan, turning +upon the other. + +"That's just right, suh, I can't say that I do," replied the Southern +lad. "You see, I was wondering what old Phin would think about us. He's +the most suspicious man in the mountains, and with reason, suh. Foh +years, now, he's been hunted high and low by the revenue agents. They've +done all sorts of things trying to capture old Phin, and raid his secret +still; but up to now it's never been done. He likes a revenue man like +he does a rattlesnake; and I give you my word for it, suh, the next +thing on his list of hates is the uniform of a soldier!" + +Thad uplifted his eyebrows to indicate his surprise. + +"I think I get your meaning, Bob White," he remarked, slowly and +seriously. "Our uniforms might give this old moonshiner the idea that in +some way we must be connected with the army; perhaps a detachment of +scouts sent in here to get him in a corner, and knock his old moonshine +Still, to flinders. Is that it, Bob?" + +"You hit the nail on the head when you say that, suh," replied the +other. "When I lived down this way, I used to hear a heap about Old +Phin; and I reckon he'd know who I was if you mentioned my name to him. +That's the main reason why he just sat and laughed to see the wearer of +the hated uniform now used by the United States army stuck in the +quicksand. I reckon he only thought that it would mean one the less +enemy for the Blue Ridge moonshiners to go up against." + +"It seems to me," spoke up Smithy at this juncture, "that in justice to +ourselves we ought to seek an early opportunity to secure an interview +with this gentleman, and explain our position. He should know that we +have no relation with the army, and that in fact the mission of a Boy +Scout is peace, not war." + +"Second the motion, boys!" exclaimed Bumpus; "and I hope our scoutmaster +will appoint a committee of three, Bob White, Allan, and, well, Smithy +here, to hunt up the said gent, and show him--hey, jump out of the way +there, Step Hen; the whole side of the mountain's coming down on top of +you! Hurry! hurry!" + +But as the startled Step Hen hastened to obey, with considerable +alacrity, Thad Brewster, looking up, saw a head withdrawn from the point +whence the round stone that was rolling down the side of the steep +incline must have had its start. + +Jumping in zigzag curves from one side to another, the rock finally +landed with a great crash in the mountain road not ten feet from where +the scouts were huddled in a group, watching its coming with staring +eyes. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +IN THE DESERTED LOG CABIN. + + +"KEEP your eyes about you!" shouted Davy Jones; "mebbe there's more +where that stone came from!" + +But after the rock had settled quietly in the road, silence again fell +upon the scene; a little trickle of dirt glided down the face of the +descent, in the track the round rock had made; but that was all. + +"Whew! that's a pretty hefty stone, believe me, fellers!" cried Step +Hen. + +"Whatever loosened it, d'ye s'pose?" asked Giraffe, who had jumped +several feet when he heard the alarm given; for his recent adventure in +the bed of the treacherous stream seemed to have unnerved the tall boy, +usually as brave as the next scout. + +Thad stepped forward. The others saw him bend over the big rock that had +just played such a queer trick, narrowly missing falling among the +gathered scouts. + +"Look at Thad, would you?" exclaimed Step Hen. + +"What's he taking out of that crack in the rock?" Giraffe added. "Say, +looks like a dirty piece of paper; and that's what it is, sure as +shootin', fellers!" + +"A message from the enemy; p'raps he's goin' to Surrender +unconditionally--ain't that the way they always put it?" Bumpus called +out, in high glee. + +Thad, however, after glancing down at the paper he had extracted from +the crack in the rock, looked serious. Evidently to him at least it was +no laughing matter. + +"What does she say, Thad?" demanded Giraffe, always curious. + +"Sure, if we've got any right to know, read it out, Mr. Scout Master," +Bumpus echoed, in his merry way, his eyes shining with eagerness. + +The scouts clustered around Thad as he once again held the scrap of +soiled paper up so he could see the comparatively few words scrawled +upon it with a pencil, that must have been a mere stub, since it +evidently had to be frequently wet in order to make it do duty. + +"It's brief, and to the point, I give you my word, boys," he said. +"Here, let me hold it up, and every one of you can push in to read for +yourselves. The writer believes in making his words correspond with +their sound. With that for a tip you ought to be able to make it out." + +And this, then, was what they read, as they bunched together on the +mountain road running through the valley of the Smoky Range: + +"Beter tak my advis an skip outen this neck ov the woods. The men round +heer aint gut no use fo you-uns in thes mountings. That's awl. Savvy?" + +There was no signature to the communication. + +"Well, that's cool, to say the least," remarked Allan, after he had read +the uncouth note that had come down with the rock that fell from above. + +"Tells us to turn right around, and go back," declared Giraffe, who was +inclined to be peppery, and a bit rash. "Now, I like the nerve of the +gent. Just as if we didn't have as much right to wander through these +mountains and valleys as the next one." + +"We're minding our own business, and I don't see how anybody would want +to shoo us away from here," said Smithy, brushing off some imaginary +specks of dust from his neat khaki uniform, always spic and span in +comparison with--that of Bumpus for example, showing the marks of many a +tumble. + +Thad was rather puzzled himself. He knew that it would be hardly wise +for a parcel of boys to deliberately defy such a notorious character as +Old Phin the moonshiner, whom the Government had never been able to +capture; but then again there was a natural reluctance in his boyish +heart to retreat before making some sort of show with regard to carrying +out their original design. + +Besides, when he happened to glance toward Bob White, and saw how +cruelly disappointed the Southern boy looked, Thad immediately changed +his mind. Still, he wanted to hear what his comrades thought about it; +since they had long gone by the wise principle that majority rules. + +"Shall we take this kind advice, and go back, boys?" he asked. + +A chorus of eager dissenting voices greeted his words. + +"Not for Joseph, not if he knows it!" Giraffe chortled. + +"We never turn back, after once we've placed our hand to the plow," +remarked the pompous Smithy; and his sentiment was cheered to the echo. + +"Take a vote on it, Thad," advised the sagacious Allan, knowing that if +trouble came along after they had decided to continue the advance, it +would be just as well to point to the fact that by an _overwhelming +majority_ the patrol had decided upon this rash course. + +Every fellow held up his hand when Thad put the question as to whether +they should continue the mountain hike. And the sad look vanished from +the dark face of Bob White, as dew does before the morning sun. + +So the march was immediately resumed, and nothing happened to disturb +their peace of mind or body. No more rocks came tumbling down the face +of the mountain; and as the afternoon advanced they found themselves +getting deeper and deeper into the heart of the uplifts. + +"Wow! but this is a lonesome place, all right," remarked Step Hen, +looking up at the lofty ridges flanking their course. "I give you my +word for it I'd hate to be caught out nights alone in this gay +neighborhood. If ever there was a spooky den, this is it, right here. +Glad to have company; such as it is, fellers." + +No one took any notice of the pretended slur. The fact was, the scouts +no longer straggled along the road as before that incident of the +falling rock. They seemed to feel a good deal like Step Hen expressed +it, that under the circumstances it was a good thing to have company. In +union there was strength; and eight boys can do a great deal toward +buoying up one another's drooping courage. + +"And say, looks more like a storm comin' waltzin' along than ever +before," Bumpus observed, as he nodded his head toward the heavens, +which were certainly looking pretty black about that time. + +"Thought I heard a grumble, like thunder away off in the distance; might +a been that same Old Phin Dady speakin' his mind some more, though," +remarked Giraffe. + +"Only a little further, suh, and we'll come to an old abandoned log +cabin, unless my calculations are wrong; which ought to serve us for a +shelter to-night," was the cheering news from Bob White, who was +supposed to know this country like a book. + +"Bully for the log cabin!" ejaculated Bumpus, who, being heavy in build, +could not stand a long hike as well as some other fellows, the tall +Giraffe, for instance, whose long legs seemed just made for covering +ground rapidly. + +Ten minutes later Davy Jones, who had pushed to the van, gave a shout. + +"There's your deserted log cabin!" he remarked, pointing. "Am I correct, +Bob?" + +"You surely are, suh," replied the Southerner. "And as I fail to see +smoke coming from the chimney at the back, it looks to me as though +nobody had got ahead of us there. If the roof only holds, we can laugh +at the rain, believe me." + +When the scouts hurried up to the cabin, for there was now no longer any +doubt about the storm being close at hand, since lightning flashed and +the grumble of thunder had changed into a booming that grew louder with +every peal, they found to their great satisfaction that it seemed in a +fair state of preservation, despite the fact that it must have been left +to the sport of the elements for many a long year. + +"Nothing wrong with this, boys," announced the scoutmaster, as they +pushed inside the log house, and looked around. "And if we know half as +much as we think we do, there'll be a pile of wood lying here before +that rain drops down on us. Just remember that we've got a whole night +ahead." + +"Hurrah! that's the ticket! Get busy everybody. We don't belong to the +Beaver Patrol, but we can work just as well as if we did. Whoop her up, +fellers!" + +Bumpus was as good as his words. Dropping his haversack and staff in a +corner, he pushed out of the door. Although the evening was being +ushered in sooner than might have been expected, owing to the swoop of +the storm, there was still plenty of light to see where dry wood was to +be picked up for the effort. And immediately every one of the eight +scouts was working furiously to bring in a good supply. + +No doubt the rattle of the thunder caused the boys to hurry things; for +by the time the first drops began to fall they had secured as much as +they expected to use. And already there was Giraffe on his knees in +front of the big fireplace that lay at the foot of the wide-throated +chimney, whittling shavings with which to start a cheery blaze. + +This had just started into life when the rattle of a horse's hoofs came +to the ears of the boys who had clustered at the door to witness the +breaking of the summer storm. + +"Hey! looks like another pilgrim overtaken by the gale," said Davy +Jones, as a man on horseback came riding furiously along the wretched +road, heading straight for the old cabin; as though he knew of its +presence, and might indeed have found its shelter acceptable on other +occasions. + +He was evidently greatly astonished to find the place already occupied +by a bevy of boys dressed in khaki uniforms. At first Thad thought he +could see an expression akin to fear upon the thin face of the man, who +seemed to be something above the average mountaineer; possibly the +keeper of a country store among the mountains; or it might be a doctor; +a lawyer, or a county surveyor, for he had rather a professional air +about him. + +Allan had immediately assured him that they were only seeking temporary +shelter in the old cabin, and that he would be quite welcome to share it +with them until the storm blew over, or as long as he wished to stay. + +As the man, leaving his horse tied outside to take the rain as it came, +pushed inside the cabin, Thad saw Bob White suddenly observe him with +kindling eyes. Then to his further surprise he noticed that the Southern +boy drew the rim of his campaign hat further down over his eyes, as +though to keep his face from being recognized by the newcomer. + +Another minute, and Bob had drawn the young scoutmaster aside, to +whisper in his ear a few words that aroused Thad's curiosity to the +utmost. + +"That is Reuben Sparks, the guardian of my little cousin Bertha, a cruel +man, who hates our whole family. He must not recognize me, or it might +spoil one of my main objects in coming down here into the Blue Ridge +valleys. Warn the boys when you can, please Thad, not to mention me only +as Bob White. Oh! I wonder if this meeting is only an accident; or was +guided by the hand of fate?" + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +AFTER THE STORM. + + +THAD remembered that on several other occasions the Southern boy had +mentioned the name of his little cousin, and always with a certain +tender inflection to the soft voice that stamped him for one who had +been born below the Dixie line. + +And while Bob White had not seen fit to take his friend into his +confidence it had always been plain to Thad that the other must have +cherished a deep affection for the said Bertha; perhaps, since he had no +sister of his own, she may have been as dear to him as one, in those +times when he lived among the Blue Ridge mountains. + +Before now Thad had strongly suspected that Bob had some other object in +coaxing his comrades to make the pilgrimage to the Land of the Sky, +besides the desire to show them its wonders. And now his own words +proved it. More than that, it seemed to have some strange connection +with this same little cousin, Bertha; and naturally with her legally +appointed guardian, Reuben Sparks. + +Thad, first of all, managed to pass the word around in a whisper, just +as Bob wished it done. The boys understood that there was a reason back +of the request, and expected that their comrade would take them into his +confidence later on. Besides, there had really never been the slightest +chance that any one of them would breathe that name of Quail in +connection with Bob; indeed, most of them would have had to stop and +think, if suddenly asked what his real name was, so seldom did they hear +it mentioned. + +The man on horseback was chatting with Allan and several others. He did +not hesitate to ask questions, and was soon put in possession of the +fact that they were merely the members of a Boy Scout patrol, making a +strenuous hike through the Big Smoky spur of the Blue Ridge. + +Thad saw that he eyed them queerly many times, as though rather doubtful +whether they were giving him a straight story; but the coming of the +storm soon held the attention of them all. + +Just as they had expected, it was the real thing in the way of a summer +storm. The lightning flashed in a way that was not only dazzling but +"fearsome" as Smithy expressed it, in his elegant way. And as for the +crashes of thunder that followed each and every electric current, they +deafened the ears of the scouts. + +A deluge of rain fell in a short time, and the rush of water near by +told that the little stream, which they had struck many times during the +afternoon, had all of a sudden become a raging torrent. + +Nobody was sorry when finally the racket began to subside, and the rain +stopped as suddenly as it had started. + +"She's done for," remarked Bumpus, in a relieved tone, as though he had +been half suspecting that the stream might rise in its might, and sweep +cabin, scouts and all down through the valley. + +The resident of the region who had also sought shelter in the friendly +cabin by the wayside, looked out first, to assure himself that his horse +had come through the storm safely. Then he called out good-bye, and +mounting, rode away. + +"Good riddance to bad rubbish, I take it," declared Giraffe. "Whenever +the fire flashed up that gent would look around the queerest way ever, +as though he kind of thought we might be revenue agents playing a fine +game on his friends, the moonshiners." + +"Be careful what you say, Giraffe," advised the more cautious Thad. +"When you're in the enemy's country you want to use soft words. Besides, +you're only guessing when you say that. He was naturally curious about +us. Some people would think a bunch of boys stark crazy, to try and hike +through such wild country as this, when we could have taken to the good +roads up in New York State, had orchards all along the way, and +good-natured farmers galore to buy milk and eggs from when we got +hungry." + +"I hope, suh, you won't be sorry you came down this aways," Bob White +spoke up. "I take it as a great compliment, believe me, that you-all +would care to keep me company when I said I felt that I just had to come +back here on a visit, to see what changes there were, and do a little +private business in the bargain. I'm aware of the fact that there isn't +anything much worth seeing here, suh; except the untamed wilderness; but +they's always plenty of excitement going around, I understand." + +"I should guess yes," broke out Step Hen, "with that same Old Phin +hangin' 'round with his eye on the watch for revenues. But see here, +Bob, don't you think you owe us a little explanation about this +racket--meaning your relations with the gent who is guardian to your +sweet little cousin Bertha?" + +"So say we all," chorused Davy Jones, Giraffe and Bumpus, solemnly, as +they gathered around the Southern boy. + +Bob White looked at their eager faces for a minute before speaking. +There was something akin to real affection to be seen there as he turned +his eyes from one to another of his mates. The boy from Dixie had not +been in the habit of making friends easily in earlier days; but when he +landed in Cranford he had soon been captivated by the sincere +companionship of Thad Brewster; and when he joined the new patrol of +the scouts he quickly learned to appreciate the many good qualities that +marked the other members. + +"Yes, it's only fair, boys," he began, slowly yet with an evident +determination to take them at least part way into his confidence; "that +you should know just why I didn't want any of you to tell the name of +the town we hailed from, when that man was in here. He would have +recognized it as my new home, and might have suspected that I brought +you all down here for a purpose." + +"Which you did," interrupted Bumpus; "to admire the scenery; rough it +awhile in the Land of the Sky; and show us something of your native +country. If there was anything more, we didn't know it, Bob White. But +we're comrades, one and all; and if we c'n do anything to help you tide +over some trouble, why, you've just got to tell now." + +"That is fine of you, Bumpus, and I thank you from the bottom of my +heart," continued the other, strangely moved. "But let me tell you a few +things first before you make such a rash promise, which I am not going +to hold you to, suh. The man who was in this cabin, Reuben Sparks, is +said to be the richest and meanest in these parts. It has been hinted +more than a few times that he has always been thick with Old Phin Dady. +But no matter how he came by his money, he is something of a miser." + +"No relation of yours, I hope, then, Bob?" asked Step Hen. + +"None whatever, suh," replied the other, proudly. "The Quails would +never have descended to the common methods that man has practiced in +order to make money. But somehow he managed to gain an influence over my +Uncle Robert, after whom I was named, as you may guess, suh. When the +father of Cousin Bertha died, in his will he left the child solely in +the charge of Reuben Sparks, until she came of age; and he was also +given control of her little fortune." + +The boy ground his teeth hard together, showing how even the +recollection of this moved him. But recovering his customary calmness he +continued: + +"She was the prettiest little thing you ever saw, suh, take my word foh +it. And no boy ever thought more of his pet sister than I did of my +little cousin. My father thought it a shame, and tried to get possession +of her; but this Reuben Sparks had the law on his side, and all our +efforts failed. After that he would never even let me see her, so great +was his hatred for our family. + +"One way or another we managed to exchange word, and when our folks went +up Nawth to look after the mills my father had purchased before his +death, I had just two letters from Bertha before something happened, and +they stopped coming. Of course I supposed that her guardian had found +out about it, and fixed matters so no letter of mine--and I sent seven +before owning up beaten in the game--could reach her. + +"I just stood it till I couldn't sleep nights, thinking that perhaps she +was being made unhappy by that cruel man. And so I made up my mind I'd +come down here again, and find out the truth, if I had to steal into his +house, and see Bertha without his knowing it. I wanted to tell you this +before, believe me, suh," addressing Thad in particular, as the head of +the patrol; while his fine eyes filled up on account of his emotion; +"but somehow I couldn't bring myself to do it. And now, after hearing my +story briefly, if you-all feel that it would be asking too much of my +comrades to expect to have their backing in my wildcat scheme, please +don't hesitate to say so, suh. I'll think just as well of you in either +case." + +Thad reached out, and caught the quivering hand of the Southern boy in +his own. + +"Why, Bob," he said, earnestly, "I think I voice the sentiments of every +fellow in the patrol when I say most emphatically that we're going to +stand by you through thick and thin. I'm sure you won't do anything but +what is right, and what is bound to reflect credit on you as a true +scout. How about that, fellows?" + +"Move we make it unanimous!" cried Bumpus, instantly. + +"Ay, ay! that's the ticket," exclaimed others. + +"You hear what they say, Bob White?" remarked Thad, warmly. + +"We'll back our comrade up, even to kidnapping the cruel guardian, and +rescuing the pretty little cousin!" Smithy declared with unusual vim, +for him. + +"Oh!" said Bob with a smile, as he looked from one flushed face to +another. "Of course I don't imagine it'll ever go that far, boys; but I +thank you for this expression of your friendship. I will never forget +it, suh, never while I live. And I only hope that some day in the future +I may be able to repay the kindness to one and to all." + +"Then I take it that this Reuben Sparks does not live a great way beyond +where we happen to be camped right now?" remarked Allan. + +"I expected to show you the place sometime to-morrow, suh. It is worth +seeing, upon my word," replied Bob. + +"Now I know that there's a whole lot of truth in that old saying about +the devil taking care of his own," Giraffe mentioned. "The rest of you +heard Reuben say he had been tempted to stop under that big tree we +passed on the way here; but on second thoughts decided to come along to +the cabin. When that one terrible crack came he got as white as a sheet, +and told me he believed that that very tree must have been struck. Where +would Reuben have been if he'd stayed there? Kind of scattered around +the landscape, I guess." + +Thad had just started to say that it was time they thought about getting +some supper, when he was interrupted in a most disagreeable manner. +Indeed, for the moment all idea of ever wanting to eat again in this +world vanished from his mind; for something occurred that caused the +scouts to rush toward the end of the cabin where the chimney stood, and +catch hold of each other in sudden terror and dismay. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +THE JONES BOY COMES TO GRIEF AT LAST. + + +THERE was a rumbling sound, not unlike the roar of a heavy freight train +coming down the grade of a mountain. All of the scouts plainly felt the +cabin quiver as though in the throes of an earthquake. + +Then succeeded a crash, as the further end was knocked out. For a moment +Thad really feared they were done for, and his very heart seemed to +stand still with dread. Then, as the awful sounds died away, save for +the patter of small stuff on the cabin roof, he breathed naturally +again. + +Whatever it was that had happened, no one had been hurt; and at least +they could find consolation in this. + +"It's an earthquake!" exclaimed Bumpus, being the very first to recover +the use of his voice. + +"A landslide, you mean!" echoed Giraffe, contrary minded. + +"Thad, you say?" asked Step Hen; just as though the leader could +determine the nature of the calamity better than any one else. + +"I think Giraffe struck it about right," Thad answered. + +"You mean part of the hillside caved away?" further questioned Bumpus. + +"Must have been the whole mountain top, by the racket it kicked up," +Davy Jones grumbled; "say, my heart turned upside down; and I'll have to +stand on my head to get it to working again the right way." + +"And look at what it did to our snug old cabin; tore the whole end off!" +observed Step Hen, ruefully. "Now, if it happened to be a cold night, +why, we'd just be freezing to death, that's what. Anybody seen my cap +around; my hair stood up on end with the scare, and I must have dropped +it? Thank you, Allan, for picking it up. I do have the worst luck about +losing my things you ever saw." + +"Seems to me," remarked Allan, soberly, "that instead of complaining the +way you fellows are doing, we ought to be mighty thankful it wasn't any +worse." + +"Yes, that's what I was thinking," Smithy added, as he let go Allan's +arm, which he must have unconsciously gripped in his sudden fright; +"what if we had run to that end of the cabin, things would look somewhat +different right now." + +"Ugh! guess that's right," Giraffe admitted; "and for one I ain't goin' +to make any more complaint. But what under the sun was it hit us?" + +"A big rock must have dropped down from the side of the mountain, and +tore out the end of the old cabin," Thad explained. "It came on this +night of all nights, just when we happened to be camped here. And the +cabin has stood unharmed for as much as thirty years, Bob White says." + +"I call that queer, now," said Bumpus. + +"It's more than that, Bumpus," Smithy remarked, in his most mysterious +manner; "I'd call it highly significant, if you asked my opinion." + +"Wow! listen to that, would you?" exclaimed Step Hen, shuddering again. +"He means that the rock was smashed down by somebody who wanted to chase +us out of this region. And that must be our old friend, Phin Dady, the +moonshiner!" + +Thad bent down, and proceeded to light a handy little lantern which one +of the boys had carried for emergencies. + +"I'm going to take a look out, and see what struck us," he remarked. + +"Be careful, Thad," warned Allan; "another rock might follow the first." + +"And if you hear the least suspicious sound, jump for all that's out," +added Bumpus, ready to admire the nerve of one who could face danger so +readily, even though not capable of imitating Thad's example himself. + +"Oh! I reckon there's little chance of anything like that happening," +the other sent back, with a little laugh, as though he wanted to cheer +his chums up; "you know, they say lightning never strikes in the same +place twice. It's taken thirty years for a rock to hit this cabin, +though plenty must have slid down the side of the mountain in that time. +Be back in a jiffy, boys." + +With that he stepped out of the door, which had been burst open when the +log structure received such a terrific jolt. The other boys clustered +there by the revived fire, exchanging views, and waiting for the return +of those who had gone outside; for Bob White had silently followed Thad, +as though he felt that since it was through his invitation that the +scouts were placed in this predicament, he ought to do everything in his +power to ease the strain. + +When they entered again in less than ten minutes, of course a +bombardment of eager questions saluted them. + +"Slow up, fellows," Thad said, laughingly. "If I tried to answer you +all, I'd be apt to get my tongue twisted some, and that's a fact. Yes, +it _was_ a rock that did the damage, just as we guessed. It rolled down +from somewhere above; but we could only guess at that, it's so dark out +there. And after taking a look at the size of the same, Bob and myself +made up our minds we had reason to be mighty thankful that it only +touched the end of the cabin, instead of hitting it square in the +center." + +"But whoever started it rolling?" demanded Bumpus; and it was evident +from the way the others waited to hear what Thad would say to this, that +they laid great stress on the answer. + +"Well," returned the other, soberly, "of course we couldn't make dead +certain, but after seeing the heft of that rock we believed that it was +never started by any human hands. The rain and storm must have +undermined it." + +Bumpus heaved a big sigh of relief. + +"Well," said he, "I'm glad of that. It's bad enough to think you're +bein' bombarded by rocks that just take a silly notion to drop when we +come along; but it'd be a heap sight worse if the men of the Big Smokies +were throwing such pebbles at us, haphazard. Whew! I'm hungry, fellers; +who says grub?" + +That was just like a boy, to remember his natural appetite right on the +heels of the greatest fright of his whole life. And as the others +admitted to feeling somewhat the same way, there ensued a bustle to see +how soon supper could be gotten ready. + +The members of the Silver Fox Patrol were no longer greenhorns, though +one or two of them gave evidence that they had not yet graduated from +the tenderfoot class. They had learned a great deal about the things +that are connected with a camp life, because they had spent some time +under canvas on Lake Omega, which lay not many miles from their home +town. + +And then again, Thad had belonged to a troop of scouts before coming to +Cranford; while, as for Allan, he had been through the mill so often up +in Maine and elsewhere, that he was, as Bumpus declared, a "walking +edition of what to do, and what not to do when in the woods." + +It is true that on this big hike through the mountains they were +compelled to travel very light, and would miss many of the things that +had added greatly to their comfort on that other occasion. But then it +was their desire to learn how to rough it, taking the knocks with the +good things. + +By this time some of the lads were beginning to believe that they would +rub up against plenty of the "knocks" all right; especially if things +kept on as they had commenced since striking this wonderful "Land of the +Sky." + +The supper put them in something like their customary good humor. +Indeed, as they sat around the fire afterwards, Bumpus was induced to +sing several of their school songs, so that the whole of them might join +in the rollicking chorus. Strange sounds indeed to well up out of that +valley, so lately the theater of a war between the elements, as +lightning and rain vied with each other to produce a panic in the +breasts of these same boys who now sang and joked as though they had not +a care in the world. + +Only Bob White remained very quiet. Thad often glanced toward the +Southern lad, with sympathy in his look. He could easily understand +that, with their arrival in this mountainous region, where the other had +spent many of his earlier years, old memories must be revived, some +pleasant, and possibly others of a disagreeable nature. + +Finally they agreed that it would be wise to get some sleep, as another +day lay before them. And accordingly, in the customary fashion, the +bugler sounded "taps," and each scout tried to find a soft board, upon +which he might rest his weary body during the hours that must elapse +before dawn arrived. + +A watch was kept up, one fellow taking an hour at a time, and then +arousing the next on the list; so that at no time was the cabin +unguarded while the night slowly passed. + +But nothing happened to disturb the scouts; and as morning came at last +they began to get up and stretch, rubbing their limbs as though the hard +bed had not been the nicest thing possible. But there was little +grumbling. They had learned to take things as they came; which is one of +the finest results of Boy Scout experience. The philosophy of the woods +teaches that in the very start--try for the best results; but after you +have done your best, accept the situation with cheerfulness. + +Again the notes of the bugle sounded the "assembly," as breakfast was +declared ready; and half an hour later they left their shelter of the +night. + +"Good-bye old cabin!" sang out Bumpus, waving his fat hand back toward +the wrecked log house; "you treated us pretty decent after all, and +we'll never forget you. Long may you wave, and offer shelter to other +pilgrims storm chased!" + +As the sun climbed above the rim of the encircling mountains the spirits +of the boys mounted in proportion. Davy Jones was up to his usual +pranks, being hard to control. They would miss him for a short time, +only to hear a whoop; and looking up, discover the acrobatic boy hanging +by his knees, or it might be his toes, from the limb of a tree, thirty +feet or more above the ground. + +Thad knew from experience that it was next to impossible to restrain the +Jones boy; he must have his frolic out; and so they only laughed at his +antics, and wondered what next the daring Davy would attempt. + +Ten minutes later he was seen standing on his head on the edge of what +appeared to be a deep ravine or gulch, and kicking his heels in the air. + +All sorts of dire things had always been predicted as going to overtake +Davy sooner or later, unless he gave up these venturesome pranks; and +this time it actually looked as though they were about to be fulfilled. +For even as the seven other scouts were watching his antics, the earth +at the edge of the gully appeared to suddenly give way. + +Davy vanished from their view, the last thing they saw of him being his +up tilted heels, waving what seemed to be a frantic farewell. + +With cries of alarm the scouts rushed forward, fearful as to what they +would see. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +MORE SIGNS OF TROUBLE AHEAD. + + +"OH! did you see him kick his heels at us as he went down?" gasped +Bumpus, as they hurried forward to the spot where the venturesome scout +had vanished so forlornly; "I'll never forget it, never! Just like the +poor old chap wanted to say 'good-bye boys!'" + +Bumpus was too honest and warm hearted a fellow to say this with any +intention of being hilarious. He sincerely felt every word of it. + +Of course the long-legged Giraffe had to be the first to arrive on the +scene of the late tragedy. Thad felt constrained to call out to him in +warning. + +"Be careful there, Giraffe, or else there may be another of us down in +that pocket. Look out for your footing, I tell you!" + +The other had dropped flat on his chest. He was seen to stretch his neck +in the endeavor to get the best results with a minimum of risk; and they +did say that when Giraffe really and truly did his prettiest in this +respect he could cover more territory than any one else ever seen. + +"Oh! is he smashed flatter'n a pancake?" asked Step Hen, as he drew +near, with his melancholy face looking longer than usual; and the whites +of his eyes showing strongly, as they always did when he was frightened. + +Giraffe twisted his head around with the utmost ease; indeed, from the +length of his neck it looked as though he might continue the turning +movement until he had actually made a complete revolution. + +And when Thad caught sight of the grin on his face he felt immediately +relieved; for surely Giraffe loving fun as much as he did, would not +allow this smirk to decorate his angular countenance unless there seemed +little danger. + +Another minute, and all of them were ranged there along the edge of the +gully, staring down at Davy Jones. It would seem that the other had been +agile enough to clutch hold of a small tree that jutted out from the +steep slope. He was hanging to it now, and straining the best he knew +how to fling his legs upward, so as to relieve the situation, and the +terrific pull on his arms. + +He looked upward toward the row of faces peeping over the edge above; +and there was a humorous grin on his face. He knew what his comrades +were doubtless thinking about "the pitcher that went once too often to +the well;" and that their natural alarm having passed, they would see +only the humorous side of the affair. + +Again did Davy strain. There was something connected with the way he was +hanging there that seemed to prevent him from accomplishing the result +he wanted to attain. For the first time they could remember the boys saw +that the gymnast and acrobat of the troop had certainly met his match. +Left to himself he would surely have had to invent some other method for +drawing himself up on to the slender horizontal trunk of the little +tree; or else let go, and drop. + +As it was a matter of some twenty feet or so to the bottom of the gully; +and the chances were that he might receive any number of bad scratches +while making the transit, Davy of course would be averse to trying this +plan. + +"Guess you'll have to lend me a hand this time, boys," he called out, +when once more he failed to make connection between his squirming legs +and the body of the tree. + +"Who'll go down, and yank him on to that tree?" asked Bumpus; knowing +full well at the same time that no one could have the nerve to ask a +fellow of his heft, when there were so many others better fitted for the +task. + +"Don't all speak at once!" advised the hanging Davy. + +Somehow all eyes were turned toward Giraffe. As the most agile of the +lot, he might be expected to volunteer; and yet with not a particle of +footing between the top of the bank and that tree, some ten feet down, +the job was hardly one that might appeal to any scout, however nimble. + +"Oh! you needn't look at me that way," he complained; "because I'm long, +and active, you just think I c'n stretch that far; but it's a mistake. +But if somebody _has_ to try and make the riffle, I s'pose it'll be me." + +He started to take off his knapsack as he said this, when Thad stopped +him. + +"Wait, Giraffe," said the patrol leader, quietly; "perhaps, after all, +nobody has to go down after Davy. You seem to forget, all of you, that +we've got a stout rope along with us. What's the need of carrying such a +thing, if it can't help us out in a pinch?" + +"Bully! Sure we've got a rope, and a dandy one at that!" cried Bumpus, +growing so excited that he came near falling over the edge, and had to +clutch hold of the nearest scout to steady himself. + +"If you'd gone that time, Bumpus, think what a splash you'd have made +down there. Because Davy got hold of a tree don't think you could do the +same. It'll have to be a whopping big one that could bear up under +_your_ weight, all right," said Step Hen, who chanced to be the one whom +the fat boy had caught hold of in his sudden alarm. + +It turned out that Bob White was carrying the rope. He had it wound +around his body in a way Allan had shown him, so that it did not +interfere with his movements, and was not coming loose all the time. + +Quickly then was it unwound. In order to hasten this, the boys even +began to turn Bob around like a teetotum, until he said he was dizzy. + +"Lucky it's got a loop handy at the end," remarked Allan, as he took the +rope, and sought a position directly above the hanging scout. + +"How is it, Davy?" he asked, while lowering the noose. + +"If you mean how much longer I could stand it, I'd say not a big lot," +replied the one addressed. "You see, the old tree cuts my hands just +fierce; and I've been twisting around here so long now that I'm gettin' +tired. How're you goin' to fix it, Allan? Might toss the loop over my +head; but I'm afraid my neck wouldn't hold out. If it was Giraffe now--" + +"Here, you just let up on Giraffe, and pay attention to what Allan's +goin' to tell you; hear?" called out the party mentioned. + +"Do you think you could hold on with one arm, and get the other through +the loop?" continued the Maine boy. "Of course, if you can't, why, I +might swing it around, and you could somehow stick your feet through; +when we'd drag the loop up under your arms. How about that, Davy?" + +But Davy made a test, and declared that one hand would hold him for a +brief time. So, in this way, the rope was finally placed under both +arms, and tightened. + +"Now, get hold here, fellows, and give a pull!" said Allan; "hold on, +not so rough about it, Giraffe, or you'll rub his face against the rocks +and make it worse than if he'd let go, and dropped down. Here he comes, +boys!" + +"Heave ho!" sang out the scouts, and foot by foot they drew the unlucky +acrobat once more to the surface. + +"Got off pretty slick that time, eh, Davy?" demanded Step Hen, after the +other had been landed, and Bob White was coiling the rope around himself +again. + +"Never knew me to miss doin' that, did you, Step Hen?" queried the +other; and from the flippant tone in which he said this it was plainly +evident that the lesson had been lost on him; and that Davy would be +doing his customary stunts right along. + +The hike was presently resumed, and the little adventure reckoned a +thing of the past. Shortly afterwards they came suddenly on a man, with +an old vehicle, and a slab-sided horse that looked half starved. The +ramshackle wagon bed was covered to about the depth of three feet with +poor looking straw, that seemed to have done duty a long time. + +As for the man himself, he was a typical mountaineer, thin and scrawny, +with a small, weasened face, and keen, snapping eyes. Bob White +instantly pulled his hat down over his face as he saw the man. + +Thad noticed that the other looked alarmed at sight of these eight +khaki-clad boys strung out along the mountain road. Indeed, he had the +appearance of a man who would have turned and fled, only that he was +afraid to do so after finding himself face to face with what looked like +a squad of United States regulars, or at the least, North Carolina +militia, on the hike. + +He returned the greetings of the boys with sundry nods of his head, and +urged his old nag along by several whacks from the hickory rod he held +in his hand in lieu of a whip. So ramshackle vehicle and scared driver +vanished around the bend which had concealed the scouts from his view +until it was too late to run. + +"Looked like he'd seen a ghost!" suggested Step Hen, with a chuckle. + +"Well, you can't blame him, if he saw _you_ roll your eyes, and make +that face of yours look like thirty cents," remarked Bumpus, cuttingly. + +"He had mountain dew hidden under that straw," remarked Bob White; "I +remember the old fellow right well, and I'm glad he was that frightened +he didn't think to take at look at me. Nate Busby is his name. He always +was connected with Old Phin, and the others who make the moonshine stuff +further up in the hills. Right now, you can believe me, suh, he's on +his way with that load, to hide it where somebody from town can find +it." + +"He don't know what to make of us, seems like?" suggested Giraffe. + +"That is the truth," added Thad. "I thought his eyes would drop out, he +stared so hard. Seemed to me as if he actually expected some of us to +surround him, and examine his load. How he did whip that old nag of his. +The beast kicked up his heels, and galloped, perhaps for the first time +in years." + +All of them laughed as they went on, talking by the way. Boys can +discover a ludicrous side to almost anything. Good health, absence of +worry, and plenty of food are about all they require; and the world +looks its brightest. + +Sometimes, when Thad glanced toward the Southern boy, he wondered +whether Bob had taken them wholly into his confidence on the last +evening when he told them about his life amid the mountains and valleys +of the Blue Ridge Range. It struck him that Bob frowned too often to +indicate a clear conscience. + +"There's something else on his mind, and that's certain," Thad was +saying to himself. "He keeps looking in my direction every little while, +and I wouldn't be surprised if he came over pretty soon to tell me +something he's been keeping back. But it don't matter; we'll stand +behind Bob all the time. He's a fine fellow, as true as gold; and one +scout should always help another in trouble." + +His reflections were interrupted by Bumpus, who edged over nearer the +patrol leader to impart the information that, happening to look back, he +had discovered some one thrusting his head out from behind a rock, as +though he might be following in their wake! + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +THE MESSAGE OF THE SPLIT STICK. + + +A TEMPORARY halt had been called, and the scouts were consulting as to +what this new development might mean. + +"Sure you saw a man, are you, Bumpus?" asked Giraffe, as though he had +an idea the stout boy might have deceived himself. "Twa'n't a rolling +stone, now, I take it? Or it couldn't have been a frisky little 'coon' +or 'possum,' I suppose?" + +"Well, what d'ye think I've got eyes for, if I don't know a biped when I +see one?" retorted Bumpus, indignantly. "He was as plain as anything; +and makin' from one pile of rocks to another. You go with me back there, +and I'll show you, Giraffe. Then you'll believe me when I say a thing." + +The two boys made a move as if to carry out this project, only the +scoutmaster put a stop to it. + +"Don't think of doing that, fellows," Thad said, quickly. "These +mountaineers are a thin-skinned lot as far as I've been able to learn; +and they won't stand for any poking of your nose into their business. +Besides, if it was a man, the chances are he would be armed, and you +might bring a hornet's nest down about our ears." + +"Oh! he did have a gun, all right," remarked Bumpus, carelessly. + +"You didn't mention that before," broke in Step Hen, with an intaking of +breath that betrayed excitement. + +"'Cause nobody asked me; and every one wanted to have something to say," +retorted the other. "It was a gun, and an _awful_ wicked looking one +too, about as long as my staff, seemed to me." + +"Could it have been Old Phin?" suggested Allan. + +"How about that, Bumpus; was he an old man with a gray beard?" asked +Thad. + +"Nixey; that is I don't know how old he might a been; but I'm dead sure +he didn't have any beard at all, just a smooth face. But he was a +regular mountaineer, all right, Thad, with the dingy old faded brown +homespun clothes, the slouch hat, and the ragged pants that never came +near his brogans. He saw me lookin' at him, for he put on a little +spurt, and dodged behind that pile of rocks, where like as not he's +squattin' right now, waitin' to see what we're agoin' to do about it, +and ready to speak to us with that trusty weapon if we try to rush his +fort." + +"Well, we're going to do nothing of the kind, just remember that," said +Thad, resolutely. "It's only natural that the men of these mountains +should feel a whole lot of curiosity about us. I suppose now they never +heard of the Boy Scouts; and these uniforms make them think we're +connected with the army. Now, we don't want to stir them up any more +than we can help. They're an ugly lot, Bob here says, if you rub the fur +the wrong way. We didn't come down here to bother these moonshiners one +whit; and if they'll only let us alone, we want to keep our hands off +their affairs. Let the fellow dodge after us if he wants to; he'll find +that we're only a bunch of happy-go-lucky boys, off for a holiday." + +"Pity we can't meet up with that same old Phin, and tell him as much," +Smithy went on to say. + +"Perhaps it might be managed easy enough," Allan observed, and all of +them immediately turned toward him, feeling that he had some scheme to +communicate. + +"Open up, and tell us what it is, Allan," urged the impatient Bumpus. + +"Yes, don't keep us guessing any more than you can help," added Step +Hen. "We've sure got enough to worry us, what with the troubles of +Giraffe getting stuck in that quicksand; and Davy here, falling over +every old precipice he can find, without you making us puzzle out a +problem. How could it be done, Allan?" + +"Why, we'll send Old Phin a letter," replied the other, calmly. + +"Show me your messenger, then!" demanded Bumpus. + +Allan picked up a stick, and deliberately split one end so that he could +open it up. This he thrust into a crevice in the rocks close to the +wretched road, and in such a position that it was certain to meet the +eye of the tracker when he again started to follow them. + +"Now, I'll write a few lines, and leave it here, addressed to Phin +Dady," he went on. "I'll print the words in capitals, in the hopes that +the old mountaineer may be able to read as much as that. If he can't, +then some other of the clan may; and if all else fails, they'll have +some boy or girl make it out. How's that, Thad?" + +"Splendid, I should say," replied the scoutmaster, smiling. "Here, +Bumpus, turn around, and bend over." + +"What you goin' to do to me?" demanded the short scout, suspiciously, as +he hesitated before complying. + +"Is that the way you obey orders?" scoffed Giraffe. "A true scout should +never ask questions. S'pose them dragoons at the battle of the Six +Hundred had begun to want to know the whys and wherefores of everything, +d'ye think we'd ever had any chance to declaim that stirring poem? +Shame on you, Bumpus, take a brace, and obey blindly." + +"Oh! I only want the use of your broad and steady back for a writing +desk, so Allan can get his message written," Thad at this interesting +juncture remarked, easing the strain, and dissipating all the fat boy's +suspicions. + +When Allan had made out to complete his "message" he read it aloud, and +also let them all have a look at it. Just as he had said he would do, he +had written it in the most primitive way possible, by making capitals of +each letter. This was what he had done: + +"Phin Dady--We are a patrol of Boy Scouts, come down from the North to +see the Carolina mountains. We do not mean you, or any one, harm; but +want to be friends. We carry no arms but a single shotgun." + +"That ought to answer the purpose," remarked Thad, approvingly. + +"I didn't want to say too much, you see," observed the author of the +message, as he fastened it in the crotch of the riven stick, where it +must attract the attention of any one passing. "First, I had a notion to +mention Bob's name, as a former resident; and then I remembered that he +said he didn't want it known he'd come back. So I left that out." + +"And I'm glad you did," said the one in question, hastily; "it would +have done no good, suh, believe me; and might have brought us into much +trouble." + +Again Thad saw him send that expressive glance his way; and his +suspicions concerning Bob having another secret which he had not as yet +told, received further confirmation. + +"This, you know, fellows," remarked Allan, "is the way the Indians +communicated in the old days; only instead of writing it out as we do, +they used to make signs that stood for men, camp-fires, rivers, woods, +animals, trails and such things. You remember, Thad here gave us some +talk about that awhile back. Now, are we going on again, since we've +left our wonderful message for Old Phin?" + +"Yes, and perhaps we'd better keep somewhat closer together than we've +been doing up to now," the scoutmaster suggested. + +"How'd it do for Giraffe here to stay behind, and watch to see if that +feller back of the rock pile gets the letter?" Bumpus proposed. "After +we turned that bend ahead he could drop down, and creep back. Then, +after he'd seen all he wanted, why it wouldn't be any great shake for +such a long-legged feller to overtake the rest of the bunch." + +But Giraffe evidently did not like the idea of being left all by himself +after that fashion. He looked worried as he waited to see what Thad +would say; and was considerably relieved when the other shook his head, +remarking: + +"No need of that, Number Three. It wasn't such a bad idea though, come +to think of it, and does you credit. I'm glad to see that you're waking +up, and beginning to work your brain more. But that message will get +into the hands of Old Phin, all right, there's no doubt of that." + +"D'ye reckon he'll take our word for it; or believe it's only one more +clever dodge of the revenue men to get him when he's napping?" asked +Davy Jones. + +The scoutmaster turned to Bob White. + +"How about that, Bob?" he asked. + +"Old Phin is narrow minded, as you can easily understand," the Southern +boy replied. "Besides, he's had so many smart dodges played on him, that +he'll never believe anybody's word. Now, he may make up his mind that +because we're only boys he needn't be afraid we expect to capture him; +but all the same, we might poke around here, meaning to destroy his +Still, suh. You can depend upon it that Old Phin'll never make friends +with any one that wears a uniform. That stands for an enemy in his eyes. +But I'm hopin' suh, that he'll just conclude to let us alone, and go to +one of his mountain hide-outs, to stay till we leave the neighborhood." + +They were by now tramping along again. Trying to forget the ugly part of +the affair, Thad was picturing in his mind what the home of Reuben +Sparks might be like. He was a rich man, Bob had said, and in close +touch with the moonshiners; though the Government had never been able +to connect him with any of the illicit Stills that had been raided from +time to time during the last dozen years. And so it was only natural to +believe that he must have surrounded himself with some of the comforts +of civilization, while remaining in this wild region. Words let fall by +Bob had given Thad this impression; as though they were going to be +surprised when the home of little Cousin Bertha was come upon. + +"I'd like to have a little talk with you, Thad!" + +The scoutmaster was not very much surprised when he heard these words, +and realized that Bob White had caught up with him as he strode along at +the head of the little squad of boys in khaki. + +"He just couldn't hold in any longer," was what Thad whispered to +himself; "and now he's bound to let down the bars all the way, so +somebody will share his secret with him." + +Turning upon the other, he said, pleasantly: + +"Why, as many as you like, Bob; what's bothering you now; for I've seen +you looking my way quite some time, as though you wanted to speak. I +guess you'll feel better when you've had it out." + +"Perhaps I may, suh, though I'm ashamed to have kept it from you so +long," answered the Southern boy, shame-facedly. "Fact is, I tried to +deceive myself into thinking that it couldn't interest or concern any of +my chums. But now, since I've been thinking it all over, and we've run +across Old Phin, it looks different to me, and I'm of the opinion I had +ought to have mentioned this before I took the lot of you down into +these danger mountains!" + +Thad knew then that it could be no trifling thing that would agitate the +other as this seemed to do, and he steadied himself to meet the +disclosure. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +BOB CONFIDES IN THE PATROL LEADER. + + +"WHAT I want to tell you about is--my father," said Bob, swallowing +something that seemed to be sticking in his throat; as though the mere +mention of his dead parent had the power to affect him so. + +"Yes?" Thad said, encouragingly, wondering at the same time how one who +had passed to the other side several years now, could have any sort of +connection with the mission of the scouts to this region. + +"You'll perhaps understand, suh," continued Bob, getting a firmer grip +on himself; "when I mention the fact that my father, for a year or so +before he was taken, had filled the office of United States Marshal for +this district." + +"Oh!" exclaimed Thad, beginning to see light now. + +"He was induced to take the office by the President himself, who was a +personal friend of my father," the boy went on, proudly; "and having +given his word, nothing could make him back out. Up to then we had +lived at peace with everybody in these mountains; but of course that was +bound to come to an end after he had sworn to do his duty; which was to +send out his agents to destroy all the secret Stills, and bring in the +law breakers, if they could be found." + +"He must soon have had the enmity of Old Phin, and every other +moonshiner about the Big Smokies," Thad remarked, the other having +paused, as though to give him a chance to express an opinion. + +"That is just what happened, suh," Bob went on, hurriedly, as, having +broken the ice, he wanted to get through as speedily as possible. "After +he had led several successful raids in person, the mountaineers saw that +they had a different man to deal with from the other old marshal. They +sent him terrible warnings of what was going to happen to him if he kept +up his work; but my father was a Quail; and he didn't know the meanin' +of the word fear, suh." + +"Were you and your mother living near here all that time, Bob?" asked +the scoutmaster. "Because, I should have thought she might have been +worried for fear some of those desperate men tried to stop your father's +work by burning down his home, or doing something like that?" + +"There were threats made, suh, to that effect; and my father moved his +family to Asheville to feel that we would be all safe. Then there came +a dreadful day for us, when my father never came back, after he had +gone into these mountains to arrest another batch of moonshiners, whose +Still had been located. One of the men who had accompanied him told us +he had seen him shot down. They were surrounded by bushwhackers, and the +rifles were popping all about, so they had to leave him there. He was +surely dead, they claimed, before they fled from the spot, and of +course, suh, they could not burden themselves with his body." + +Again Bob White paused to gulp down the obstacle in his throat. + +"Now, you are wondering, suh, how it happened that when we came to +Cranford there was a gentleman with us who was called Mr. Quail, and +supposed to be my father. That was my father's twin brother, living in +Philadelphia. He kindly offered to stay with my mother, who never goes +out at all, until we became settled. Her mother, my grandmother, had +left me a heap of stock in the bank and mills of Cranford; and as it was +very unpleasant for my mother down this aways, after father went, she +had determined to locate up yondah." + +"And does she know about you coming down here?" asked Thad, +suspiciously, as if he feared that the other might have deceived the +only parent he had left; this bringing a tragedy of the grim mountains +so close home to them had given the scout leader considerable of a +thrill, for after all, despite his courage and grit, Thad was only a +boy. + +Bob drew himself up proudly, and his black eyes flashed. + +"I would sooner cut off my right hand, suh, than deceive my mother," he +said. "And, so you may understand the whole thing, I must tell you what +a strange longin' I've been hugging to my heart these two years back. It +is this. What if, after all, my father was _not_ dead at the time his +men saw him fall; what if these moonshiners have kept him a prisoner +somewhere in these mountains all this while, meanin' to punish him +because he had given them all so much trouble!" + +"That's a stunning shock you've given me, Bob," said Thad, drawing a +long breath; "but see here, is it just a wild wish to have it so; or +have you any reason to believe such a thing; any foundation for the +theory, in fact?" + +"I'll tell you, suh," Bob went on, feverishly. "A man came to me one +day, and said he had been sent by one of the revenues who had been with +my father that sad time, to tell me what he had picked up in the +mountains. There were rumors going around that somewhere deep in the +mountains, at one of the secret Stills, the moonshiners kept a prisoner +at work. Some said it must be one of the revenue men who had +disappeared; and that the moonshiners were bent on making him work up +the mash, as a sort of punishment for having done them so much damage +when he was in the employ of the Government." + +"I see; and of course you jumped to the conclusion that it might be your +own father, alive and well, though held a prisoner of the moonshiners?" + +"Both my mother and myself believed there might be just a little chance +that way. She was in bad health, and put it all in my hands. We have +never said a word about it to anybody in Cranford. While I have been +going to school with the rest of the boys in Cranford, all the time I +was in correspondence with one of the Government revenue agents, and +paying him to be on the constant watch for any positive signs. He died +six months ago, and just when he had begun to think he was getting on a +warm scent." + +"I see," said Thad, as the other paused, overcome with emotion; "and +ever since then you've been longing to get down here again, to find out +for yourself if it _could_ be true. I don't blame you the least bit, +Bob. And I only hope that you'll be able to learn the truth, even if it +dashes all your hopes. Whatever we can do to help, you can count on. +Scouts have to be like brothers, you know. It's a part of our +regulations to help any one in trouble; and that applies stronger than +ever when it's a fellow scout." + +"Oh! thank you, Thad!" exclaimed the warmhearted Southern lad, as he +squeezed the hand of his companion almost fiercely. "I had no right to +influence you to come down here. It is a dangerous place. Right now I +ought to beg you and the rest to back out, and leave me to fight my +battles alone. But somehow I just can't find the grit to do that. I +reckon, suh, I'm too selfish. I'm right ashamed of myself at this minute +to feel such satisfaction in the grip of your hand." + +"Of course," continued wise Thad, "this old moonshiner, Phin Dady, might +still have it in for you, as one of the Quail family." + +"As far as that is concerned, suh, I'm not bothering my head, I assuah +you. I'd just as lief face Old Phin, and snap my fingers under his nose. +My idea in wanting to keep him from seeing me was along another line, +suh. He would be apt to think 'like father, like son;' and that I had +hired out to the Government to find where his Still lay, so it could be +raided. No man has ever done that; Old Phin declares they never will." + +"If these mountaineers begin to get bothersome it might interfere some +with that other little affair you spoke about?" suggested Thad, as they +continued to walk on in company. + +"That's what I'm afraid of, suh," replied Bob White; "but I'm hoping for +the best." + +Some of the others happening to push up about that time brought the +confidential conversation to a close. But surely the young scout leader +had plenty to ponder over as he walked on. + +The hike through the Blue Ridge, which they had looked forward to simply +as a test of endurance, and to develop their knowledge of woodcraft, +threatened to turn into a tragic affair. At least, it was no child's +play; and if they came out of it without any serious accident happening +to any of their number, they would be deserving of great credit. + +But if Thad and Bob White were in a serious frame of mind, the same +could hardly be said of several other members of the patrol. Giraffe, +Step Hen and Bumpus seemed to be fairly bubbling over with good humor. +Some boys can no more control their spirits than they can their +appetites. + +As usual Step Hen suddenly discovered, while they were halting for a +breathing spell, that he was minus something. The evil spirits had +evidently been at work again, when he was off his guard, and succeeded +in abstracting part of his personal property. It really was a shame how +they beset that unlucky fellow. + +"If it don't just beat the Dutch what happens to me?" he was heard to +loudly wail, looking around him in a helpless way. + +"What's the matter now, Step Hen?" asked Allan; although he knew full +well what sort of an answer he must receive. + +"They've been and done it some more," replied the disturbed scout, +helplessly. + +The trouble was, that whenever he missed anything Step Hen always ran +around looking in all the places that no sensible person would ever +dream of examining. When Giraffe declared that he was like an old hen +with its head taken off, it just about fitted the case. + +"What's gone this time?" continued the boy from Maine, with a smile at +the way Step Hen was turning over small stones, and stirring the leaves +with his foot, as if he really expected a miracle to be wrought, and to +find a bulky object that way. + +"That little kodak I fetched along; you know I had it wrapped so +carefully in a waterproof cloth, and tied with top cord. Now it's gone! +Needn't spring that old story on me, and say I was careless. P'raps I +have been a few times; but right now I'm dead sure the fault ain't mine. +Somebody's playing a joke on me. Mind, I ain't mentioning no names; but +I've got my suspicions." + +He looked hard at Giraffe, and the accusation could hardly have been +given in plainer language than that. But Giraffe was used to being +unjustly accused. There were occasions when he did seize upon a golden +opportunity to hide something belonging to his comrade, because it had +been left carelessly around; and Giraffe believed it a part of his duty +to break the other of such shiftless habits. But on this occasion he +held up both hands, declaring solemnly: + +"Give you my word for it I never touched any camera. This time you've +either been and dropped it on the road; or else the Gold Dust Twins have +nabbed it on you." + +Just then Bumpus, who had been wandering aimlessly about after drinking +at the cooling waters of the little spring that had been the main cause +of this temporary halt in the march, gave utterance to a loud +exclamation. + +He had tripped over something that lay in the grass, and a splash +announced that with his usual hard luck the fat boy had managed to go +headlong into the spring. Scrambling out, with the water streaming from +his red face, he turned indignantly on the balance of the patrol, now +convulsed with laughter. + +"What sort of--horse play d'ye call that--I'd like to know?" he +sputtered, trying to wipe his streaming face with a handkerchief that +looked far too small for the task. "Can't a feller--just stroll around +camp--without some silly putting out a foot, and tripping him up? Tell +me that, now?" + +"I'm beginning to think we must have some sort of a hoodoo along with +us," remarked Smithy, anxiously. "All sorts of things seem to be +happening, and in the most mysterious way possible. We all know that +there wasn't a single fellow anywhere near Bumpus when he pitched +forward. Yet he says _somebody_ put out a foot, and he tripped over it. +I think it a remarkable phenomenon, for a fact, and worth +investigating." + +"Well, somethin' _did_ trip me, and that's sure," grumbled the other, +possibly thinking that he had been too sweeping in his accusation. + +"Suppose you look in that bunch of grass, and find out if the little +evil spirit that's playing all these pranks on you is lying there?" +suggested Thad, with a twinkle in his eye, as though he could give a +pretty shrewd guess what the result of the said exploration would turn +out to be. + +So Bumpus, always willing to oblige, especially since his own curiosity +must have been aroused, proceeded forthwith to get down on his hands and +knees, and begin an examination of the tangle in question. + +Half a minute later he gave a loud cry. At the same time he was seen to +hold up some strange black object. + +"Look! Bumpus has caught his little evil genius!" cried Giraffe. "And +ain't it a hard lookin' subject though. Caught him right by the ankle, +and threw him straight into our spring. Lucky we'd had all the drink we +wanted before he started to wash there!" + +"Why, blessed if it ain't my kodak!" ejaculated Step Hen faintly, as +though it shocked him to think how his lost camera should have been +lying there in all that tangle of grass, where it had undoubtedly fallen +as he prepared to take his turn bending over the water hole. + +Of course everybody laughed, for they could guess what had happened. +Step Hen's little failings were an everyday occurrence. As Giraffe had +often declared, the careless one would have long since lost his head had +not a kind Nature secured it to his body. + +The march was resumed, with Thad lecturing Step Hen on his prevailing +sin; and as usual Step Hen solemnly promising to be more careful the +next time. But he had a very slippery mind, and the chances were that +before nightfall he would be up to his old tricks again, accusing the +rest of playing a prank by hiding some of his possessions. + +"There's a man sitting on that rock up there, watching us!" said Davy +Jones, in a tone that thrilled them all. + +"A regular mountaineer too," added Smithy. "Just as I've pictured them +often, with butternut jean trousers, a ragged woolen shirt open at the +neck, and an old hat on his frowsy head. Boys, he seems to have a gun in +his possession, too." + +They were a little uneasy as they passed along; but the lone man seemed +to simply watch the squad of uniformed scouts without making any hostile +move. + +"Chances are," remarked Davy Jones, after they lost sight of the man; +"he was some sort of vidette or sentry, posted up there to keep an eye +on the trail; and if any suspicious characters came along, to send word +to the other moonshiners. I understand they can telegraph all right +without the aid of instruments, or even the latest wireless outfit. How +about that, Bob?" + +"Yes, it is so," replied the Southern boy. "They do it by making smokes; +or sometimes by sounds that are passed along from one station to +another. It's queer how fast a message can be relayed in that way." + +"Well," remarked Thad, "that's the method used by blacks in Africa; and +they do say they can send news of a battle faster than white men can get +it along by relays of telegraph stations, with breaks where a carrier +has to be used." + +"Are we getting anywhere close to the place you said old Reuben lived +at, Bob?" asked Bumpus, who was showing signs of being tired. + +"Another hour will take us to where we can look across the wonderful +little valley and see the place," Bob answered. "You will all be +surprised, for nobody would ever think so fine a house could be found +among these wild mountains; but as I told you before, Reuben Sparks +seems never to have been molested by the moonshiners. Most people +believe he is a secret partner in the business." + +"Say, would you look yonder, where that road comes around the spur back +of us; to think of seeing a real buggy and a flesh and blood horse, and +back of the animal a gentleman and lady! I'm sure dreaming!" remarked +Giraffe, just then. + +"Not a bit of it you ain't, because I see them myself," added Step Hen, +eagerly. + +"And unless my eyes deceive me, we've met that gentleman before," said +Allan. + +"Yes," remarked Bob, with trembling voice, "it's Reuben Sparks; and that +must be my little cousin, Bertha!" + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +OPENING COMMUNICATIONS. + + +IT was the most natural thing in the world for the detachment of scouts +to come to a halt when they discovered the vehicle coming up in their +rear. In the midst of such wild surroundings it was indeed quite a +surprise to discover anything so civilized. So they lined up on either +side of the road, resting on the stout staves which all of them carried +as a means of assistance in their mountain climbing; just as tourists in +the Alps do when ascending some peak. + +Thad noticed how quickly Bob White pulled his broad-brimmed campaign hat +down over his eyes; and at the same time managed to slip partly behind +one of his companions. It would interfere somewhat with the cherished +plans of the boy, should Reuben Sparks recognize him; and this was a +catastrophe which Bob certainly wished to avoid, if possible. + +The vehicle came on, and apparently the man must be telling his +companion how he had met these young fellows before, for she was looking +ahead with a great deal of interest and curiosity; though hardly +dreaming that her cousin could be among the lads, who were clad in neat +khaki uniforms, with puttees for leggings, and the well-known hats that +distinguish Boy Scouts in every clime under the sun. + +Just as Thad had expected would be the case, Reuben Sparks drew in his +horse as he arrived in the midst of the scouts. Evidently he wanted to +have a few minutes' talk with them; and allow the girl a chance to catch +for herself a fleeting glimpse of that outside world of which she knew +so little. + +"How are you, boys?" remarked the driver of the horse. + +"Pretty fairly, sir," replied Thad, anxious to keep the attention of the +other directed toward himself as much as possible, because of Bob's +desire to remain unnoticed in the background. "We haven't been used to +mountain work; but it's fine exercise, and our muscles are getting in +shape by degrees." + +Thad had before now, of course, flung a look at the girl who was sitting +beside Reuben Sparks. He was more interested because of the fact that he +knew her to be the little Cousin Bertha, of whom Bob White had been +telling him. + +She was a pretty little girl too, Thad could see that; and he also +thought there was a wistful expression on her delicate face. If, as Bob +declared, Bertha was really a prisoner in the care of a cruel guardian, +when her whole soul longed to be away from these wild mountains, and in +the haunts of civilization, that expression would be easily understood. + +And right then and there Thad Brewster found himself siding with his +chum Bob White more than ever. He felt a hope beginning to grow strong +within his heart that some way might be discovered whereby Bertha could +be taken from the Blue Ridge, which country she detested, and +transplanted to that Northern town where lived her own flesh and blood +relatives, who yearned to care for her tenderly, if only the law would +allow. + +Thad saw that Bob was no longer in the same place. The scouts had moved +forward a little, to cluster around the vehicle, while their leader held +conversation with the gentleman. And Bob was gradually making his way +around so as to come on the other side, where he might in some way +attract the attention of the little maid without Reuben seeing him. + +It was plain to be seen that he hoped to seize upon this golden +opportunity to open communications with Bertha. Thad, while he continued +to talk with Reuben, and interest him more or less in the object of a +hike on the part of Boy Scouts, kept one eye in the direction of Bob +White. + +He saw the other take off his campaign hat, and wave it up and down with +a movement that of course attracted the attention of the girl. She +started violently as she saw that well-known face of her cousin, of whom +she had been so fond ever since she was a little tot. + +Wise Bob instantly placed a warning finger on his lips, and the girl +immediately turned her face the other way, while that campaign hat was +drawn further down than ever over the boy's face. So that when Reuben +glanced round, as if wondering what had caused his ward to give such a +violent start, he saw nothing suspicious in the boy who was apparently +bending over, fastening his shoestring. + +Of course Reuben Sparks knew more or less about Boy Scouts, even though +he may never have had the opportunity of meeting any of the great +organization up to this time. No one who had the ability to read the +papers could be without that knowledge. And Thad made it a point to +mention any number of interesting features connected with their work, +that rather opened his eyes, and kept him asking for more information. + +Like many other people, Reuben Sparks had imagined that the movement had +to do with drilling American boys, so that they could become soldiers as +they grew up. He now learned, to his surprise, that there never could be +a greater mistake. Instead of teaching boys to fight, the principles of +the organization tend toward peace. The main thing advanced is to make +boys more manly, self-reliant, courteous, brave, self-sacrificing, +forgetting their own comfort when they can do a good deed, and relieve +distress; take care of themselves when in the woods; and perhaps save +the life of a comrade, should he be wounded by a carelessly used +hatchet; or come near drowning. + +No wonder then that Reuben Sparks found himself intensely interested in +what Thad was telling him. His eyes were being opened to facts that he +had never dreamed could be connected with a simple organization of +growing lads. And many another who has scoffed at the silly idea of +trying to improve upon the breed of American boys, has been staggered +when brought face to face with many wonderful results that have already +sprung from this greatest of all upward movements. + +Thad saw after a bit that his object had been accomplished. Bob White +had not been so busy tying his shoestring as Reuben imagined. On the +contrary he was scribbling something on a scrap of paper, which he held +doubled up in his hand when he worked his way to the rear of the +vehicle. + +Undoubtedly the little missy who sat there so demurely beside Reuben +must have been slily watching his actions. And moreover, she surely +divined what Bob meant to do; for as Thad watched, he saw her left hand, +being the one further away from her guardian, quietly slip back, until +it came within easy touching distance of the scout who had sauntered up +there. + +No doubt impulsive Bob must have pressed that little hand even as he +passed his note into its possession; for as he told Thad, he had always +loved his small cousin like a sister. + +Fearing detection, the boy quickly moved away; and it was fortunate he +did, since Reuben in the midst of his questions glanced suspiciously +around, a minute later. + +There was now no longer any reason for detaining the owner of the +vehicle; and Thad's eagerness in answering questions and giving +information slackened. + +Truth to tell, he was not at all favorably impressed with the looks of +the gentleman. Reuben had keen, rat-like eyes, that seemed to burn a +hole in one when they became focused. There was constant suspicion in +his manner, as though with so many secrets to hide, he had always to be +on guard. And besides, Thad believed that Bob must have struck a true +chord when he declared the other to be cruel and unscrupulous by nature. + +Perhaps he might be plotting to secure the little inheritance left to +the child by her father. It seemed almost beyond belief that any one +could be so mean as to want to injure so sweet looking a little girl as +Bertha; but then, Old Reuben worshipped gold, and when a man becomes a +miser he hesitates at few things in order to add to his stores. + +But however the gentleman might have been interested in learning more +about the ways of Boy Scouts, Thad took particular notice that he did +not invite the hiking Silver Fox Patrol to stop a day or so with him at +his mountain home. + +It might have been just natural meanness that caused this, since eight +healthy young appetites would eat up all in his larder. But then again, +there may have been other reasons for the lack of Southern hospitality. +Possibly Reuben did not care to have inquisitive strangers prowling +about his place. He may have occasional visitors, who brought cargoes +which he would not want other eyes to see. + +The boys fell in shortly after the vehicle had vanished around a bend of +the road ahead; and the march was once more resumed. + +Of course Bob took the earliest opportunity to forge alongside of Thad. +He was feverishly excited, so that his black eyes sparkled, and his +breath came faster than usual. + +"What did you think of him, Thad?" he asked, the first thing. + +"I must say I don't just like his looks;" replied the other; "but your +little cousin is everything you said she was. But Bob, she doesn't look +happy!" + +"You could see that too, could you, suh?" exclaimed the other, gritting +his teeth angrily. "I know he treats her badly. She is thinner in the +cheeks than she was two years ago, though taller some. And Thad, there's +a look in her eyes that hurts me. I'm glad I wrote what I did in that +little note I slipped in her hand. Later on I'm going to tell you about +it. But oh! it looks like there was a slim chance to do anything for +poor little Bertha." + +Thad hardly knew how to console his chum. Boy-like he was ready to +promise anything that lay in his power. + +"Well, there are eight of us, and that's not as bad as being here +alone," he suggested, with a cheering pat of his hand on the other's +shoulder. + +"You'll never know how much comfort I get out of that, Thad," the +Southern boy went on to say, in a broken voice. "You see, I've been +believing for a long time that there must have been something crooked +about the way Reuben Sparks came into possession of Bertha, and her +property. But how to prove it, when my father failed, is what gets me +now. But I'm full of hope; and what you keep saying gives me a heap of +solid comfort. I'm going to try and learn the truth while I'm down here; +and take her away from that man, if it can be done. I'm only a boy, and +he's a cold scheming man; but all the same, Thad, something inside here +seems to tell me my visit to the Old Blue Ridge isn't going to be +useless." + +Bob White seemed to be sensibly encouraged after his little chat with +the patrol leader; for when he dropped back among the rest of the scouts +he had allowed a winning smile to creep over his dark, proud, handsome +face. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +THE VOICE OF THE SILVER FOX PATROL. + + +"WE'RE going to pitch our camp right here, boys!" said the scout leader, +some time later; "and remember, there's to be no shouting from this time +on. We're in the enemy's country, and must observe the rules of +caution." + +"Oh! ain't I glad though," sighed Bumpus, who had been busily engaged +between wiping his perspiring brow, and avoiding stumbles over obstacles +that seemed to take particular delight in getting in his way, he +thought. + +"But I hope you're not going so far, Thad, as to keep us from having our +regular camp-fire?" remarked Giraffe. "Without that, it'd be a sad +business, I'm thinking. And what's supper, without a cup of coffee?" + +Thad had been talking again with Bob White; and evidently the boy who +was acquainted with the locality must have posted the patrol leader +regarding things. + +"Oh! we don't expect to do without that, make your mind easy, Number +Six," he replied, with a laugh, knowing what a weakness Giraffe had in +the line of eating; though it seemed to do him little good, since he was +as "thin as a rail," plump little Bumpus used to declare. + +With various exclamations of satisfaction the weary boys tossed their +burdens aside, and followed by throwing themselves on the ground. After +a short rest, of course preparations for passing the night would be in +order; but a little breathing spell, first of all, was in order. + +Thad walked away, in company with Allan and Bob White. + +"Now, what in the wide world d'ye think they're going to do?" demanded +Step Hen, when the three had vanished from sight among the brush that +lay around. + +"There you go," broke out Bumpus, "as curious as any old maid in all +Cranford, always wantin' to know the reason why. A pretty scout you'll +make, Step Hen; and it'll be a long time before you win any medals, or +pass an exam, for the proud position of a first-class scout. But I +wonder what they _do_ mean to do?" + +The others laughed at this. + +"After this, Bumpus, take the mote out of your own eye before you try +and get a fence rail from mine. But they're up to some dodge, take it +from me. And it'll be mean if they don't let us into the deal, sooner +or later," and Step Hen shook his head dismally as he spoke; for he was +most unhappy when he believed there was anything going on without his +being told all about it. + +"Great country this," remarked Smithy, lying there on his back, and +looking up at the lofty peaks that were bathed in the glow of the +setting sun. "About as wild as anything I ever saw. Don't surprise me to +know that the men who were born and brought up here can defy the clumsy +officers of the Government, when they attempt to capture them. In my +humble opinion they'll just keep on making that moonshine stuff here in +the Big Smokies until the year three thousand, if the Washington people +hold that big tax on the real brand, so as to make it worth while." + +"It sure is some ragged," remarked Davy Jones, yawning; for Davy did not +happen to be possessed of a soul that could admire the grandeur of any +rough scenery; and only thought what a nuisance it was to have to do so +much climbing all the while. + +"Hold on there, Step Hen," exclaimed Giraffe, as the other started to +collect a handful of small sticks; "don't you dare think of starting +that fire. That's my particular job; the patrol leader gave it over to +me, you understand." + +"Just to keep you good," sneered Step Hen, throwing the sticks down +again. "You keep on itching to make fires so much, that he just had to +bribe you to let up, or some day you'd set the river afire." + +"Huh! no danger of you ever doing that, I guess," chuckled Giraffe. + +All the same, he got up, and began to gather small tinder on his own +account. + +"Mind you," he observed a minute later, as though half regretting his +action in squelching Step Hen so soon; "if anybody feels like lending a +hand to gather fuel, why there ain't nothin' against _that_; and we'll +have that bully old coffee all the sooner, you understand." + +This sort of subtle persuasion seemed to at least stir Davy Jones into +life, for getting slowly to his feet, he began to collect larger wood, +and throw it down close to where the energetic fire-builder was starting +to make his blaze. + +Giraffe was a real fire worshipper. He dreamed of his pet hobby; and +many times could be seen, apparently idly whittling a stick; when, if +asked what he was doing, his reply would invariably be: + +"Well, we might want to start a fire some time or other; and then these +shavings'd come in handy, you see." + +On several notable occasions this weakness of Giraffe's had managed to +get him into more or less trouble; and the sagacious scout leader +finally had to take him to task. So on this mountain hike it had been +agreed between them that Giraffe would refrain from attempting his +favorite rôle of making miscellaneous fires at odd times, if allowed to +build all the camp-fires of the trip. + +And so far he had really kept his word, though there were times when the +temptation nearly overcame his scruples. + +When Thad and the other two came back, darkness had settled over the +scene. This came all the sooner on account of the high walls that shut +them in on either side; though just beyond the boys believed there must +be some sort of an open spot, in the way of a valley. + +"I'm glad to see that you made a fine fireplace for cooking, Number +Six," remarked the patrol leader, as he looked around; "because we may +spend a day or so right here, resting up a bit. Now, while supper is +getting underway I'm going to tell you a few things that are apt to +interest you some. They concern our comrade Bob White here, and he's +given me full permission to say what I'm going to." + +"There, Step Hen, what did I tell you?" cried Bumpus, gleefully. "Next +time just get a throttle grip on that bump of curiosity of yours." + +"I've heard my maw say people that live in glass houses hadn't ought to +heave any stones," retorted the other, witheringly. + +But the boys quickly forgot all their differences, once Thad started to +tell of the strange things which he had heard from Bob White. + +There was an intaking of the breath, such as would indicate great +excitement, as they learned how Bob's father had been connected with the +raids on the secret Stills of the mountain moonshiners. And when finally +they heard how he had met so terrible a fate, while pursuing his sworn +duty by the Government, glances of true brotherly sympathy were cast in +the direction of Bob. + +"Now," said Thad, in conclusion; "you've heard about all there is to +tell; and I know you're tremendously astonished, because none of us had +any idea that we were going to run up against such a thing as this when +we asked Bob to let us go with him to his old home here among the Blue +Ridge Mountains. But what is important to know, is your decision. +Majority rules in everything of this kind; and if more than half of you +think we ought to turn right back, and not keep on, why, there's nothing +to be done but turn about, and go over the trail again." + +"Well, not much!" exclaimed Giraffe, filled with a spirit of boyish +comradeship toward the chum who had been so sorely afflicted, and whose +sad story was now discovered for the first time. + +"Put it up to a vote, Thad!" remarked Bumpus, trying to look grim and +determined, though his round face was usually so merry that it was a +hard proposition for him to seem serious. + +"All in favor of returning to-morrow say aye," Thad suggested. + +Just as he expected, there was absolute silence. + +"All in favor of sticking to our chum through thick and thin, and doing +all we can to help him over the rough places, say aye!" the leader +continued. + +A chorus of eager assents drowned his words. Bob White's fine dark eyes +filled up with tears. He could not trust himself to speak; but the look +he gave each and every one of those seven loyal comrades was more +eloquent than any words could have been. + +"After we've had supper," Thad went on warmly, "Bob means to go to keep +his appointment with his little cousin, who expects to slip out of the +house, and meet him where he wrote her he would be at a certain hour. +There's the queerest valley you ever saw just ahead of us. Across it you +can see the lights of Reuben Sparks' house, and several others that lie +there in a bunch, a sort of hamlet, because it's hardly a village. And +Bob says that Reuben really owns about the whole place. He can get over +there in an hour or so, because he knows the ground so well. And while +he's gone, we can take it easy here, making up our beds for the night; +if so be there are any bushes to be cut, worth sleeping on." + +"Hey, would you see how fine a fire-tender that Giraffe is; it's gone +clean out, that's what?" cried Step Hen, just then. + +"Well, would you blame him, when he was listening to such an interesting +story as the one I had to tell?" asked Thad. "Get busy, Number Six, and +have a blaze going in quick time." + +"Ay, ay, sir," sang out Giraffe, who had wisely laid aside a surplus +supply of fine stuff when making the fire, which now came in very handy. + +And when the coffee was finally done, and they gathered around, sitting +on rocks, logs, or even cross-legged, tailor-fashion, on the ground, the +eight scouts made a very fine picture in their uniforms. + +Apparently their appetites had been sharpened by that afternoon jaunt, +judging from the way they pitched in. And perhaps, after all, Reuben +Sparks had been a wise as well as prudent man when he failed to invite +this squad of lads to stop over with him; for they would have made a sad +inroad on the contents of his larder; and food costs money. + +"Where's Bob?" demanded Bumpus, suddenly, after they had been about half +an hour trying to lighten their supplies, and with wonderfully good +success. "He was sitting over yonder only three minutes ago; and now +he's gone. Reckon that bad spirit of yours is sneakin' around again, +Step Hen, and must a took Bob by mistake; though I pity his eyes if he'd +ever think so good lookin' a feller as Bob could be you!" + +"Bob's gone to keep his appointment," remarked Thad, quietly. + +And the boys said nothing more about it, knowing that the Southern lad +laid considerable store upon this meeting with his little cousin Bertha; +whom he expected to coax in to helping him try and see whether sly old +Reuben Sparks might not have forgotten to destroy all evidence of fraud, +in connection with his dealings with her father, the uncle of Bob. + +So the conversation drifted to other topics; and soon they were laughing +over some of the queer happenings in the past history of the Silver Fox +Patrol. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +WHAT WAS UNDER THE HAT. + + +THE flames crackled merrily, and the seven boys who lounged there in as +comfortable attitudes as they could strike, were fully enjoying +themselves. This sort of outdoor life seemed to appeal very strongly to +all of them, though of course to some more than others. + +It had always been a passion with Thad, for instance; and Allan could +look back to scores of occasions when he sat by a camp-fire; because he +was a Maine boy, and as such had spent considerable time in the piney +woods of his native State, hunting, fishing, and living close to +Nature's heart. + +While they could not indulge in any of their songs, according to the +regulations that had been put in force by the patrol leader, this did +not prevent the boys from enjoying sundry good laughs when comical +stories were told. + +"Reckon Bob's been gone more'n an hour now," remarked Step Hen, who had +been more thrilled by the story of the Government agent's sad fate than +any of the others; because Step Hen had always been a great reader of +tales of daring and adventure, and often pictured himself playing the +rôle of a hero, with the admiring crowd cheering him to the echo, and +wanting to carry him around on their shoulders. + +"Yes, and pretty soon Allan will be going out to communicate with him, +because, you know they arranged a series of signals by means of the +lantern, and burning matches that Bob'll hold up. But don't talk too +loud about that same matter, Step Hen; because, you understand, we're +close by the road; and somebody might be coming along at the time. +Remember that man we saw sitting on the rock with his gun between his +knees? Well, I guess there are a considerable number of others just like +him around these diggings; and by now they all know we're in the +mountains, bent on some errand they can't understand." + +Of course it was Thad himself who said all this. He knew the failing +Step Hen had of shouting everything out loud; and Thad really believed +they would be wise to carry on their conversation in tones that could +not be heard very far away. + +It turned out later that he was wiser than he dreamed, when he gave Step +Hen this little hint. + +They had started Bumpus telling how an angry bull had once chased him +around a tree on his uncle's farm, and the boys were laughing at his +comical description of the scene at the time when the pursuit was +hottest, and he could have caught hold of the animal's tail had he +wanted, when a dismal wail arose. + +"Well, did you ever, if that ain't Step Hen putting up his regular +howl!" exclaimed Giraffe, indignantly. + +"And just when Bumpus here had got to the most exciting point in his +yarn," added the disgusted Davy Jones. + +"Whatever are you looking for now, you poor silly thing?" demanded the +story-teller, who himself disliked very much to have his thrilling tale +interrupted in this manner. + +"I can't find my hat, and that's what?" declared the scout whose +besetting sin was carelessness; "Had it on only a little while ago, but +now it's sure gone up the flue." + +Step Hen twisted his neck as he spoke, and looked up into the branches +of the tree under which they had built their camp-fire; just as though +he really suspected that a giant hand had been lowered from the foliage, +to clutch his campaign hat from his head, and vanish with it. + +Things that Step Hen owned were always in great demand among these +mysterious spirits of the air; since nothing belonging to his chums +seemed ever to disappear. + +"Oh! sit down, and let Bumpus finish his story," growled Giraffe. +"What's an old hat after all, to kick up such a row over it? Ten to one +now you've stowed it away in one of your pockets. I've known you to do +that more'n a few times." + +"'Tain't so, because I've tried every pocket I've got, and never found a +thing. P'raps, now, one of you fellers happened to see it lying around, +and put it on, of course by mistake, thinkin' it his own. Anybody got +two hats on?" + +"You make me tired, sure you do, Step Hen," Giraffe continued. "We know +what he is, boys, and that none of us will get any peace till his old +hat turns up. Might as well get out, and find it for the poor baby. If I +lost things as much as Step Hen does, I'd just get some twine, and tie +everything on, good and tight. Then if I missed my hat all I'd have to +do would be to pull in a certain string, and there she'd be, all slick +and sound." + +While he was speaking Giraffe arose to his feet, but not without making +sundry wry faces; for he had been sitting a whole hour in a cramped +position, and his muscles were moreover tired from the day's jaunt. + +"Now watch me find your old hat before you can say Jack Robinson fifty +times," he boasted, as he started to hustle about. + +Step Hen seemed quite willing that he should carry out his word, for he +himself made no further move looking to hunting for the missing +head-gear. + +Suddenly they heard Giraffe give a queer little grunt, that seemed to +contain a mixture of satisfaction and disdain. He darted into the +adjoining bushes. + +"Here she is!" he called out, "and alyin' in the shadows, as cute as you +please. Use your eyes next time, Step Hen, and p'raps--oh! great +governor!" + +Giraffe came jumping back into the circle of light cast by the +camp-fire. He certainly did have a hat clutched in his hand, at which he +was staring in the oddest way imaginable. + +The others had gained their feet, drawn by some motive that possibly +they themselves did not half understand; but it had seemed to Thad as +though there was a note of sudden alarm in Giraffe's cry; and the others +may have thought the same thing. + +Step Hen, believing himself to be entitled to the recovery of his +individual property, hustled forward, and deliberately took the hat +from the hand of his comrade. + +"Much obliged, Giraffe, on account of going to all that trouble for me," +he said, sweetly, so as to impress the other, and cause him to repeat +the favor at some future time. "But it's mighty queer how my hat ever +got over in that clump of bushes. Give you my word for it, I ain't +stepped that way since we struck here; afraid of snakes, you know, +fellers. Goes to prove what I told you about _something_ hoverin' +around, that we just can't see, and which grabs things belongin' to me +every--say, Giraffe, what sort of a joke are you playin' on me now; this +ain't my hat!" + +"I--know--it--ain't!" gasped the tall scout, who seemed to have some +difficulty in regaining his breath. + +"It's an old and worn-out thing in the bargain; and see here, it ain't +even regulation campaign, because it's off color. There ain't no cord +around it either; and my hat's got my badge fastened to it, to tell it +from the rest when they get mixed. Where'd you get this old thing, +anyhow, Giraffe?" + +By now the other had recovered from the shock which he seemed to have +received. He was even eager to tell his version of the affair, as his +comrades clustered around him. + +"I saw the hat when I told you I did," he began, in an awed voice; "and +all the time I was aspeakin' I kept pushin' my way into the brush, +intendin' to snatch up the same, and throw it out to Step Hen here. The +reason I cut short was because, when I grabbed the hat by the rim, and +gave a jerk, _I felt a head under it_!" + +Bumpus immediately caught hold of the arm of the scoutmaster. It was not +because he was afraid, though Bumpus had often been reckoned a bit +timid; but the action appeared to inspire him with confidence. He knew +that Thad would be equal to the emergency. And in times of stress it +feels good to be in close touch with one who is going to save the day. + +Thad understood without being told, what it all meant. Some spy had been +secretly observing the movements of the scouts, hidden in that bunch of +brushwood; and when his hat caught the eager eye of Giraffe, the latter +had supposed of course that it was the missing head-gear. + +They looked blankly at each other, Thad, Allan and the other five. Then, +as if unconsciously, and by mutual consent, they turned their gaze in +the direction of the thicket from which Step Hen had just emerged, +bearing the tell-tale stranger hat in his hand. + +Perhaps they expected to see some one rushing away in hot haste, so as +not to be caught napping by these young fellows wearing the uniform in +use by United States regulars. + +But nothing seemed to be moving there; at least they caught no sound to +indicate that the spy was in full flight at that moment. + +Thad reached out, and took the hat from the trembling hand of Step Hen; +who heaved a sigh of relief upon feeling it leave his clutch; as though +a spell might have been broken by the act. + +One look told the patrol leader that in all probability the hat belonged +to a mountaineer. It was indeed old, and had an unusually wide brim. +Being somewhat of the same color as those worn by the scouts, in the +semi-darkness it was no wonder Giraffe had made the mistake he did, and +reached out for it, under the belief that he had found the missing +head-gear of the careless comrade. + +Of course he realized his astonishing mistake the instant his fingers +came in contact with a human head that had been held low down, in the +expectation that the spying owner might remain undiscovered. + +Thad knew that they were apt to see more of the one to whom that article +belonged. Sometimes these mountaineers think a good deal of the hats +they wear; at least Thad knew they clung to them a pretty long time, if +the greasy appearance of some he had seen might be taken for an index to +the affection they entertained for the felt that sheltered their heads +from the summer sun, and the wintry blasts. + +"Well, Giraffe, you certainly made a big mistake when you took this hat +for the one our chum had lost," remarked Thad, in a loud, clear voice, +which he hoped would reach the ears of the one in hiding, and bring him +forth; "and you owe some sort of an apology to the owner." + +"But how in the wide world c'n I tell whose hat it is, Thad?" +expostulated the tall and lanky scout. + +"Thet's all right, younker," said a gruff voice, "I'm the critter as +owns thet ere hat; Phin Dady's my name. Reckon ye've heard o' me," and +with the words a man stalked into the camp. + +He was tall and straight, and carried a long repeating rifle. More than +that, he had a small face, and piercing eyes like those of a badger. And +every scout felt a thrill as he realized that he was face to face with +the notorious moonshiner, Phin Dady, whom the whole United States +Government had tried for years in vain to capture. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +AN HONORED GUEST. + + +THE boys looked at the moonshiner, who returned their stares with +interest. He seemed utterly indifferent as to whether they chose to +receive him either as a friend or a foe. From this Thad was almost +certain that there must be other fierce mountaineers close by, ready to +back up their chief, should he provoke a quarrel with the strange boys +in uniform. + +That fact meant serious trouble for the scouts, if it happened to come +to pass. Thad knew that these lawless men of the mountains, who snap +their fingers at the authority of the courts, and feel safe in the +security of their secret fastnesses, deep in the unknown regions back of +the trodden trails, think very little of human life. They are usually +engaged in some vendetta between rival factions, or families, and blood +is frequently shed. + +Understanding how thin was the ice upon which he and his comrades were +skating, the patrol leader felt that he could not be too careful how he +provoked this man of strong passions to violence. + +A little to his surprise Phin Dady wheeled, and faced him directly. But +then the mountaineer was gifted with a sharp vision, and he could +readily guess which one of the scouts served in the capacity of leader. +Perhaps there was that in the manner of Thad to tell him this fact. Or +he might have been watching and listening long enough to see how the +others all deferred to Thad's judgment. + +"I gut yer letter O. K.," he said, simply. + +Thad's anxious face brightened up instantly; he saw that for the time +being the other meant to put aside his hostility. Curiosity had +supplanted enmity. He wanted to learn more about what that term "Boy +Scouts," used in the message left in the cleft of the stick, might mean. + +"And I hope you read what we wrote, Phin Dady?" the boy asked, eagerly. + +A whimsical smile flashed athwart the thin face of the mountaineer. + +"As fur me, I ain't much o' a hand ter read, any more'n I am ter write; +but thar chanced ter be a feller along as hed sum schoolin'; an' him an' +me, we managed ter figger it out. Thort as how I'd like ter run up agin +ye all, an' larn wat all this hyar bizness consarnin' Boy Scouts be. +Heerd tell 'bout sich, but never cud find anythin' but a cold trail. So +I kim over ter see ye; an' p'raps now ye'd open up an' 'xplain." + +"I'll be only too glad to do that, if you'll take a seat at our +camp-fire here for a little while, Phin Dady," Thad remarked, making a +movement with his hand to indicate where the other could find a +comfortable spot to rest. + +The man looked closely at the speaker; then turned his head, and +deliberately made a motion with his hand, that must have been intended +for some concealed confederate. After which he stepped over, and took a +seat, but not the one Thad had indicated as the post of honor. + +"Reckon I'll sit hyar, ef so be it's all ther same ter you-uns," he +said, as he dropped down, and swung his rifle across his knees. "Yuh +see, I likes ter look at everybody w'en I gets ter talkin'. It's more +sociable like." + +But Thad knew better. The gleam in those beady eyes told him what the +true meaning of this action must be. When a man has been hunted, in and +out of season, for the better part of his long life, he naturally become +most suspicious of every stranger, young and old. Many had been the +shrewd games engineered by the revenue men to catch this old weasel +asleep. He trusted no one all the way, even his best friends, who might +be tempted to betray him because of the reward that was offered for his +capture. + +But although Thad had guessed just why the other chose the seat he had +taken, it would have been most unwise on his part to have shown any +resentment; or even to let Phin Dady know that he understood. + +"You see," Thad began, simply, "we were warned to be careful before we +left Asheville, because people said that the fact of our wearing +uniforms might make the mountain folks think we had something to do with +the army. I was explaining all about what the Boy Scouts represent to +Mr. Reuben Sparks only a short time ago, and he was greatly interested. +If you'll listen, then, I'll go back, and tell what we aim to do; and +why we have left our homes to take a long hike through a mountainous +region, for up where we live we have no such big hills as these." + +So Thad began, and told in as simple language as he could find just what +objects were kept in mind among all troops of Boy Scouts, whether in +America, England, Australia, South Africa, Germany, France or any other +country on the face of the globe. + +Fortunately Thad was a good talker. He knew how to make use of a whole +lot of little things in order to arouse the interest of the one who was +listening; and he certainly had a subject worthy of his best efforts in +this explanation of what the Boy Scout movement stood for. + +And the mountain man was deeply interested too. He proved this by the +way he hung upon the words of the boy. Now and then his suspicious +nature would show itself in a cautious look around, as though he wanted +to make sure that no shrewd game were being engineered, while the +speaker kept his attention engaged. + +Several times he broke in on Thad to ask questions. He could not get it +through his head, for instance, why boys any more than men, should set +about doing all the work that scouts attempt, without pay. In this +region of the hookworm, where men never dream of working until driven to +it by actual hunger, they think others must be crazy to voluntarily take +upon themselves huge tasks that try both brain and muscle. + +"But sure the Gov'ment pays yuh!" he said three separate times, as +though he felt positive there must be some secret connection between the +Boy Scout movement, and the authorities at Washington; else why should +they be wearing the uniform he and his fellow-moonshiners had come to +look on as the mark of the oppressor; for several times the army had +been called into the field to hunt down the elusive law breakers, who +simply vanished utterly from view, and remained in hiding until the raid +was over. + +"Not one cent do we get from anybody," Thad assured him, positively. +"Why, even our uniforms have to be bought with money we've each one +earned. We're not allowed to accept them as a gift from any man, or any +source. So you see, we're under no obligations to anybody." + +Again Phin Dady asked a series of questions which would indicate that he +was at least interested in all Thad told him, though possibly he +believed only a small part of the whole. + +When Thad repeated to him the twelve cardinal features of a Boy Scout's +vow, taken when he joined a troop, Phin shook his head helplessly, as +though it were beyond his power of understanding. Indeed, that was where +the trouble lay; he possessed so shallow a nature that he was utterly +unable to grasp the full significance of the scheme. There must be some +sort of recompense, in dollars and cents, to make it worth while for any +person to do things that called for labor. And that was why he +continued to keep his weapon across his knees as he sat and listened, +and asked an occasional question. Phin Dady was not going to be lulled +to sleep by any interesting yarn that sounded very "fishy" in his ears. + +Of course, the other scouts had discreetly remained silent while all +this was going on. They were content to let Thad do the talking, for +none of them could equal the patrol leader in explaining what the +benefits were, which boys might expect to obtain when they joined a +scout patrol. + +Several of them just sat there, and stared in open-mouthed wonder at the +man, of whom they had heard more or less lately, and whose defiance of +the authorities had been a matter of many years' standing. + +Phin Dady might boast of no education whatever; and his knowledge of the +world, outside the confines of the Big Smokies, was doubtless extremely +limited; but he did possess what served him far better in the warfare in +which he was continually engaged with revenue agents--a natural +shrewdness such as the wily fox of the forest shows, and by means of +which he outwits his pursuers. + +"An' yuh kim 'way down this away jest tuh climb the mountings, an' see +wot yuh cud do acampin' out without ary tents er blankets, did yuh?" the +mountaineer went on, surveying the boyish faces that formed a half +circle around him. "Wall, I jest reckons ye'll know a heap more by ther +time ye gits back ter yer homes'n yuh did w'en yuh started out." + +He chuckled as he said that. Thad wondered whether there could be any +hidden meaning back of the words. When dealing with such a slippery +customer as this hunted moonshiner, it was always necessary to keep on +the watch. The man who always suspected others of double dealing might +be in the same class himself. + +"Oh! we're quite sure of that," said the patrol leader, with a pleasant +smile. "Already those among us who had never climbed a mountain slope +before, have had their leg muscles stiffened, and can do better work +than in the start. We expect to have a pretty good time all around. And +we wrote you that message, Phin Dady, because we believed you were +ordering us out of these mountains under a mistake that we meant to do +you, or some of your friends, harm. We want you to feel that we never +dreamed of that when we started in here." + +"Then I hopes as how yuh beant changin' o' yer minds sence yuh kim," +remarked the moonshiner, just as though he knew what the subject of +their recent conversations might have been. + +Before Thad could decide just what sort of an answer he ought to make, +if any at all, the manner of the other changed as if by magic. His face +took on a fierce expression, and he looked along the row of boyish +faces by which he was confronted, as though one of them had done +something to arouse his hot anger. + +The click of the hammer of his gun could be heard as his thumb drew it +back; and the scouts shrank away in dismay when they saw the flame in +his small eyes. + +"Quick! tell me you'uns, whar be the other one? Thar was sure eight w'en +we counted yuh from the side o' the mounting. An' it mout pay yuh ter +'member thet Ole Phin, he beant the man ter fool with. Eight thar was; +whar be the other right now?" + +And Thad realized that the ice was indeed getting desperately thin under +their feet at that particular moment. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +BAITING OLD PHIN, THE MOONSHINER. + + +THAD himself managed to retain his self-possession under these trying +conditions. What he believed he had to fear most of all, was that one of +his chums might give the secret away by some ill-advised remark, uttered +under the spur of the moment. He knew that they must have shrunk back, +appalled, when the moonshiner made such a threatening move, accompanying +his fierce words. But for the life of him Thad could not tear his eyes +away from the face of the man himself. + +It was just as well. Phin Dady looked to Thad, as the leader of the +scouts, for an answer to his demand. Had the boy shown any evidences of +confusion or weakening just then, it might have confirmed the sudden +ugly suspicions that had flashed into the other's mind, and just when he +was growing more or less interested in the wonderful stories he had been +listening to concerning the aims and ambitions of these uniformed lads. + +"There are eight of us, just as you say," Thad remarked, trying to look +surprised at the change of front on the part of his caller; "but the +other one, White his name is, has gone to see Reuben Sparks on business. +We expect him back inside of an hour or so. If you'd care to wait you +can meet him." + +His air was so candid, and his face so free from guile that the +moonshiner could find no further cause for suspicion. Besides, had he +not heard in the beginning that the scouts had already made the +acquaintance of Reuben Sparks; who, like himself had displayed more or +less interest in their aims and ambitions. + +Phin Dady even began to feel a little ashamed of his sudden threatening +attitude. The fierce look on his thin face, that with his gleaming +wolfish eyes, had made him appear so savage, gradually vanished. It +gave way to a rather stupid grin; as though the man realized how silly +it was of him to suspect that these half-grown boys could do injury to +one who for years had defied all the forces of the United States +Government. + +"So, thet's it, younker, is it?" he said; "wall, I'm right glad ye c'd +'xplain ther thing right off'n the reel. Course Mister Sparks, he's +int'rested in byes, even ef he beant the father o' any hisself. An' he +'vited yer pal over ter see him, did he, so's ter tell him a heap more?" + +"He was very much taken with the idea, and showed it by asking a great +many questions," Thad went on; trying to keep within the lines of the +truth, and yet allow the other to draw his own conclusions, to the +effect that Reuben had given one of the patrol a pressing invitation to +call upon him, and continue the interesting recital of the Boy Scouts' +ambitions. + +"Yuh war sayin' right now, thet these hyar byes hain't never 'xpectin' +ter be sojers; an' thet they don't kerry arms; air thet a fack?" + +When the mountaineer made this remark he was looking straight toward the +tree, against which rested the shotgun. Evidently he was a little in +doubt concerning the truth of what the patrol leader had said; or it may +have been, wise Old Phin was desirous of learning just what he and his +followers would have to go up against if ever they attacked the camp of +the invaders. + +Thad laughed good-naturedly. + +"That's the only firearm in camp, just at present," he declared. "It +belongs to me, you see. We knew there would be little or no hunting on +this trip, as the season for protection in North Carolina is on. But not +wanting to be without some sort of arms, it was decided to carry just +one shotgun. Later on we expect to spend some time up in Maine; and then +it'll be all right for us to carry rifles for big game shooting. One of +our members comes from Maine, and knows all about it up in that region." + +Thad talked at length, because he saw that somehow the sound of his +voice seemed to have a soothing effect on the rough mountaineer. +Evidently Phin Dady had taken more or less of a fancy to the leader of +the scouts. He had known many boys in his day, and perhaps had one or +two of his own; but they were like bear cubs in comparison with this +frank-faced youth, with the winning smile, and a whole dictionary of +words at the tip of his tongue. + +By now the balance of the boys had managed to recover from their fright. +They even began to show an interest in the conversation, though not +venturing to say a word unless Thad appealed directly to one of them; as +he did occasionally, to corroborate something he had declared. + +It was a scene they would none of them be apt to forget in a long +time--this untamed old mountaineer sitting there by their camp-fire, +asking questions in connection with a subject that had aroused his +keenest curiosity; while they lounged around, listening, and drinking in +what was said. + +Would he never go? Had he then determined to wait for the return of the +eighth scout? Perhaps he suspected already the identity of Bob Quail. +This was a matter that gave Thad considerable concern, for it meant +immediate trouble for their comrade; since the moonshiner might have his +old-time enmity for the Quail family revived, under the impression that +Bob's coming meant danger for himself. + +Once Allan arose, and stepped outside the circle of firelight. The +mountaineer eyed him with just a trifle of the old suspicion apparently +rising again; for Thad could see a nervous twitch to the brown hands +that caressed the stock of the repeating rifle. + +But if this were so, Phin Dady must have realized that he could have +little or nothing to fear from one stripling of that species; for he +immediately relapsed into his former careless attitude. + +Thad could give a pretty good guess what it was that caused Allan to +walk beyond the camp toward the place from which they had earlier in the +evening watched the lights appear in the home of Reuben Sparks, as well +as the few more humble cabins across the little valley. + +Before Bob went away he had arranged a series of flash signals, by means +of which he could communicate with his comrades of the patrol. They +would not have been true Boy Scouts if they had not before now learned +how to wigwag with flags, or lanterns, as well as use a looking-glass in +the sun in heliograph telegraphy. + +And so Allan, desirous of ascertaining whether all went well with the +absent chum, was now starting out, lantern in hand, to learn whether he +could get in communication with Bob. + +Possibly some of Phin's followers might be in hiding close by, and +witness these maneuvers with astonishment, not unmixed with suspicion. +Thad concluded that it would be best to take the bull by the horns. If +he confided in Old Phin, the other was apt to discount the news when +told by his men. + +"You remember that I told you," he remarked, "how Boy Scouts are taught +to send messages by waving flags, just as they do in real armies; and at +night time by means of lighted lanterns. Well, we never lose a chance to +practice; and the boy you saw go out just now arranged to talk with the +one who is across the valley." + +"Huh!" grunted the mountaineer; and from that Thad concluded that he had +allayed any suspicions that may have arisen in his mind. + +"If you'd care to see how it's done, why, we can walk out, and watch the +scout who has the lantern?" the patrol leader went on to say; though +secretly hoping Old Phin might not evince enough interest to disturb +himself. + +Sometimes a bold move serves better than extreme caution. It seemed so +in this case, at least, for the moonshiner, after making a slight move, +as though to get up, appeared to think better of it, for he settled back +again. + +"I kin understand jest 'bout how it air dun, younker," he said. "Now +tell me some more 'bout how yuh larn thet thar thing o' savin' a pal +thet's been nigh drownded, or else cut a artery in his leg with a ax. I +reckon now, that's 'bout the neatest trick I done ever heard on." + +Being brim full of the subject, which always appealed to him more than +he could tell, the young patrol leader immediately launched out into a +description of the matters that seemed to have deeply interested even +this rough old mountaineer. + +Then he went a step further, and told how the scouts entered into the +most amusing, as well as profitable, competitions among themselves. He +described a water boiling test, where those in competition are given +just three matches, and with an empty tin pail in hand, start at a +signal to see which one can build his fire, fill his tin vessel at least +two-thirds full of water, and have this actually boiling. + +Perhaps that old moonshiner never spent a more interesting hour or so +than by the camp-fire of the Boy Scouts; at any rate he certainly could +not look back to one that must have been more profitable to him in every +way. + +Finally he arose as if to go; and about the same time Allan returned, +with the lighted lantern in his hand. + +"Did yuh git him?" asked Old Phin, with some show of eagerness. + +"Yes, we held quite a little talk, and I guess he must have used up a +handful of matches telling me what a pleasant time he had. Right now +he's on his way to camp, and ought to get here inside of an hour." + +Allan said this as though there could not be anything to conceal. He +took a leaf from the example set by Thad. The latter knew that in all +probability there had been more to the wigwag talk than Allan chose to +state; but he was willing to wait until a more propitious time to hear +it. + +Taken in all, he believed they had come through the operation of baiting +Phin Dady much better than any one could have expected. The old man was +interested in what he had heard; and only for the fact that he bore a +deadly hatred for the family of young Bob Quail, they would have little +to fear from the king of the moonshiners, whose influence among the +other mountaineers was such that he could easily sway them one way or +the other at will. + +Thad caught a wink when he looked into the face of the Maine boy. It +told him that Allan had news to tell, which Bob had sent on ahead, +knowing how anxious his chums would be to hear whether he had met with +any measure of success or not in his undertaking. + +When Thad turned around again he found that Old Phin had slipped away, +taking advantage of their attention being directed for a minute toward +the scout who had just come into camp with the lantern swinging at his +side. + +And Thad heaved a sigh of genuine relief when he found that this was so. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +THE RETURN OF THE EIGHTH SCOUT. + + +"HE'S gone!" exclaimed Bumpus; and it would have been hard to tell +whether relief or regret lay back of his words; for some of the boys, +forgetting the peril that might hang over the head of Bob White, did the +moonshiner know of his presence, and his mission to the Blue Ridge, only +considered the entertainment afforded by having Old Phin at their fire. + +"And I guess the old feller's got enough information in his head to last +him a long spell," remarked Giraffe. + +"Say, p'raps he's seriously considerin' starting a troop of Boy Scouts +here in the Blue Ridge country," suggested Step Hen, who sometimes did +have brilliant ideas flash through his brain. + +There was considerable of a laugh at this proposition, which struck the +boys as about as absurd as anything they had heard for a long time. + +"Wonder how our real scoutmaster, Dr. Philander Hobbs'd like to take the +job?" chuckled Davy Jones. "He thought he had trouble enough on his +hands when he ran up against a few hard cases, like Giraffe and Step Hen +here; but they'd be just pie alongside the strappin' mountain kids we've +seen." + +"Well," remarked Thad, "you never can tell what might happen. Even those +boys have got something in them that can be brought out, if only one +knows how to go about it. Don't you forget, fellows, that some of the +greatest men this country has ever known, were born among the mountains. +And right now there may be a future president of the United States +within ten miles of where we sit." + +"Hear! hear!" cried Step Hen, pretending to clap his hands in applause. + +"Huh! nearer than that, mebbe," declared Bumpus, mysteriously swelling +out his chest and looking every inch the hero; "how would the name of +Cornelius Jasper Hawtree sound to you? We've never had a President +Hawtree; but that ain't no reason we never will, is it? Tell me that." + +"Give it up," sang out Davy Jones. + +"Anyhow, it'd sound more distinguished than plain Jones," retorted +Bumpus. + +"My name isn't Plain Jones, it's David Alexander Constantine Josephus, +and a few more that, to tell the honest truth; I've forgot," the other +went on. + +Thad and Allan drew apart from all this mimic warfare, in which the +fun-loving scouts liked to indulge from time to time. + +"Then you did talk with Bob?" asked the former, with some show of +eagerness in his voice. + +"Yes," replied Allan, "it was great fun too. Waited a little while +before I could get the first answer to all my waving; but in the end I +saw a flash, like a match had been struck, and then we got in touch." + +"What did Bob have to tell?" asked the patrol leader. + +"He met his little cousin, all right, just as they had arranged," Allan +went on to say. "And she must have told him something that has made our +chum wild with delight, for he says the trip paid him twenty times over. +Just what it was he didn't try to tell me, saying it would have to keep +till he got to camp." + +"Well, we can give a pretty good guess what it must be," Thad observed. + +"You mean that Bertha has looked, and made a discovery among the papers +in her guardian's safe; is that it, Thad?" + +"Just about; but we'll have to quit guessing, and just wait till he +comes in," said the scoutmaster, who knew just how to take a grip upon +himself, and appear patient, where some of the other boys would have +fretted, and worried greatly. + +"He oughtn't to be more'n an hour, at the most," suggested Allan. + +"Not unless something happens to him, which we hope it won't," replied +Thad. + +"You don't think now, do you," demanded the other, "that Old Phin might +take a notion to waylay him, just to have a look at the eighth scout?" + +"I've thought of that, but made up my mind that so far the moonshiner +can have no suspicion who Bob is. And that being the case, Allan, you +can see he wouldn't be apt to bother himself to lie in wait for him. I +hope not, anyhow. It'd sure upset some of the plans we're trying so hard +to fix. And it might spell trouble with a big T for Bob." + +"He's a good fellow, all right," remarked Allan, not in the least +jealous because his particular chum seemed drawn more than ever toward +the Southern boy. + +"That's right," answered Thad, quickly; "and we've just got to stand +back of him, no matter what happens. I guess that if some of the boys' +parents had had even half a suspicion that we'd run up against such a +combination as this, they wouldn't have given their consent so easily to +our coming!" + +"I suppose that would have been the case with Bumpus and several +others," the Maine boy went on; "but I've seen so much of this sort of +thing up in the pine wood that it isn't new to me. Not that it doesn't +give me a thrill, all right, whenever I think of what we're doing here, +and how we had that man sitting at our fire, the worst moonshiner of the +whole Blue Ridge, I guess. And Thad, you did give him a treat, the way +you talked. I could see that he took considerable stock in all you said. +And you opened his eyes some, believe me, with all the wonderful things +you reeled off." + +"Wonderful to him, Allan, but the plain every day truth to the rest of +us. But I've always heard that there is a spark of good even in the +worst man living; and perhaps his weakness for boys may be the soft spot +in Old Phin Dady, the moonshiner's heart." + +They presently went back to the others, and joined in the general +conversation, which, quite naturally enough, was pretty much confined to +the visit of the mountaineer, what he had spoken about, his suspicions, +and above all the strange interest he had taken in Thad's account of +the Boy Scout movement. + +"Hello! there!" said a voice; and they saw Bob White stalk into camp. + +One look at the face of the Southern boy told Thad that he had indeed +made a profitable trip, for he saw a smile there, such as had seldom +marked it in the past. + +They quickly made room for him by the fire; while several of the boys +scouted around, to make sure that no spies lurked in the undergrowth, +listening to all that was said. + +The fire crackled merrily, and looked very cheerful, as the ring of +faces turned inquiringly toward Bob White. He knew they were anxious to +hear what he had accomplished; and, as there were no longer any secrets +to be kept from the balance of the patrol, all having been taken into +his confidence, the Southern boy hesitated no longer. + +"I found no trouble getting across the valley," he began; "though once I +had to lie low, when two men passed by. From what I heard them say, I +knew they were some of the moonshiners, and that they had been ordered +to take up positions somewhere, and stand guard. They seemed to be all +at sea about the nature of the danger, and yet when Old Phin gave the +alarm, they knew what they had to do." + +"We ought to tell you in the start, Bob," said Thad, "that we had Phin +Dady sitting right where you are now; and that he stayed more than a +full hour in camp." + +"Yes," broke in Bumpus, "and filling up on the stuff Thad gave him, all +about the heaps of things Boy Scouts are supposed to do. He liked it, +too, sure as you live, Old Phin did; and we reckon he's got a sneakin' +notion of startin' a troop right here, some fine day." + +Bob White appeared to be astonished, and demanded to hear the whole +story before he went on with his own experiences. This was presently +told, and the one who had been absent at the time looked thoughtful when +he heard the conclusion. + +"It may work for good, who knows?" he remarked, as though speaking to +himself. "He's a strange man, is Old Phin; a hard case in most ways; but +p'raps now he has got a soft spot in his flinty old heart for boys. He's +a daughter of his own but no sons. And that kind of men generally take +to boys best." + +"If they do, it's because they don't know what boys are like," suggested +Bumpus. + +"Now go on and tell us what you did," observed Thad. "Was your cousin at +the place you told her about?" + +"Yes, it was a little arbor in the garden that I knew well," remarked +Bob, tenderly. "She was right glad to see me again, suh; and while she +wouldn't tell me all I wanted to know, I'm mighty sure Reuben Sparks is +cruel to her. She has been anything but happy; and always dreamin' of +the time when I'd come back to see her, and take her to my mother." + +"Did she do what you asked her?" asked Thad, seeing that Bob was apt to +lose the thread of his narrative in letting his thoughts stray back to +his meeting with little Bertha, whom he loved like a sister. + +"She did, suh, took a chance to peep through some of the papers in the +safe of Mistah Sparks; and believe me, she gave me a shock when she said +there was one hidden in a little compartment, that seemed to have been +signed by her own father. I asked her some more questions, and I'm +almost sure that it's a will which Reuben Sparks kept hidden away, but +which something or other has prevented him from destroying these four +years and more, since my uncle died." + +"If you only could get that in your hands, and it turned out to be all +you think, seems to me you might do about what you wanted with old +Reuben," Thad remarked. + +"Given another day, and good luck, suh, and I surely expect to have the +same in my possession. Then I can shape my plans; but one thing sure, my +cousin will go back to Cranford with me!" and Bob smote the palm of his +left hand with his doubled right fist, to emphasize his remark. + +No one seemed a particle sleepy. Indeed, they had never been more wide +awake in their lives. Even Davy Jones, filled with the spirit of +mischief that seemed to take possession of him every once in so often, +climbed the tree under which they had built their camp-fire, and swung +himself from limb to limb; now with his hands but just as frequently by +his toes; as though he wanted to prove the truth of what that learned +professor by the name of Darwin always declared, that we were descended +from a race of monkeys. + +The rest were lying around in the most comfortable attitudes they could +find. + +"Oh! say, come down out of that, Davy; you make me tired with your +everlasting pranks. Take a drop, won't you, please?" called out Bumpus. + +Hardly had he spoken than there was a whoop, and Davy landed squarely in +the middle of the now smouldering fire, sending the brands to the right +and to the left in a hurricane of sparks. + +The seven scouts threw themselves backward to avoid contact with the +scattered red embers, while Davy scrambled out of his fiery bed with +furious alacrity. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +THE FLICKERING TORCH TALK. + + +"PUT me out! somebody give me a rub down the back! I'm on fire!" + +Nobody doubted Davy's excited words, as he danced wildly about, slapping +first at a smouldering spark on the right leg of his khaki trousers; and +then furiously attacking another burning spot on the sleeve of his coat; +only to throw his campaign hat down, and jump on it, under the belief +that it was threatened with immediate destruction. + +Some of the other scouts had managed to scramble to their feet about +this time; and seeing that they were not in danger themselves, could +afford to lend a hand in order to save the garments of the unlucky Jones +boy. + +"Now your suit's a fine sight!" ejaculated Step Hen. + +"Perfectly dreadful!" remarked Smithy, with a shudder; for to the mind +of this member of the patrol, with his ideas of what neatness stood for, +no punishment could have exceeded such a catastrophe as the one that had +overtaken Davy. + +But after finding that his neck had not been dislocated by his fall; and +that, while there would be a few holes here and there about his clothes, +they were still fairly presentable, Davy only grinned with his customary +good nature. + +"You certain sure _are_ the limit;" declared Bumpus, surveying the other +with a frown on his rosy face. "Better grow a tail, and be done with it. +Then you could take your monkey-shines to the woods, where they'd be +appreciated." + +"Now that's what I call the unkindest cut of all," replied Davy. "I +leave it to the crowd if I wasn't only obeyin' orders? Didn't you call +out to me to come down? Well, didn't I?" + +"Huh! but you needn't a spilt our fire that way," grumbled Bumpus, who +however was secretly just as much amused over the affair as any of the +rest. "When I say 'come down' you needn't think I mean for you to obey +as fast as that. Reckon you must a tried some dodge that wasn't as easy +as it looked, and you lost your grip." + +"Here's what did it for me," said Davy, stooping, and picking up a piece +of broken limb, which Thad remembered seeing fall at the same time the +boy scattered the embers of the fire. "Rotten as punk, and went back on +me. But don't you believe for a minute because I was hangin' head down +right then, I struck that way. Easiest thing in the world to turn a +flip-flap in the air. I sat down in that fire; that's why my pants got +the worst of the burns. And say, do I limp when I walk, because I'm +feeling a little sore?" + +"Not much more'n usual," remarked Bumpus, cheerfully. + +This ridiculous adventure on the part of Davy set them all to talking +again. Of course previous efforts in the same line, and, carried out by +the same artist, had to be hauled out of their concealment, and made to +do duty again, with sundry additions; for what story can there be but +what is strengthened every time it is told? + +So many strange things were taking place all around them that it was +little wonder the boys declared they did not feel a bit sleepy, even +when the patrol leader told them they ought to lie down and get some +rest. + +"And when everything else fails," declared Step Hen, "why, Davy, here, +can always be counted on to furnish music for the band." + +"Yes, waltz music," added Giraffe; "anyway, that's what he thought he +was giving us, the way he kicked around. P'raps, now, he believed he was +doing the turkey trot, all by himself." + +But to all these taunts Davy made no response. Truth to tell he seemed +to be the sleepiest member of the set, and was seen to yawn numerous +times. In this way he managed to start some of the others going, so +that by degrees they were all exhibiting evidences of wanting to give +up. + +Then there came the job of trying to make themselves fairly comfortable. +They had considered this matter before, and settled upon plans for the +campaign. There would be no cabin roof over their heads on this night, +only the branches of the big tree; but since there seemed little +likelihood of rain falling, they did not think they would miss this. + +It was the bed part that gave them the most trouble. They had scoured +the immediate vicinity, and each scout had secured whatever he could lay +his hands on in the shape of weeds, or grass, or even small branches +from the tree--anything to make the ground seem a bit softer to his +body. + +One liked this spot, while another had entirely different ideas; but +coached by Allan, who knew all about sleeping out without shelter, they +one and all kept their feet toward the fire, because that was the part +first affected by the cooling night air. + +Several of them were already stretched out, for while they had arranged +a system of sentry duties, Allan was to take the first spell. + +He and Thad stood looking at the actions of the other scouts as they +moved their rude beds here and there, striving to find spots where there +were no roots sticking up, that would poke into their sides or backs. + +"They're a great bunch, all told!" remarked Allan, with a wide smile, +as he saw Bumpus slily stealing some of the bed of Step Hen, whose back +was toward him, adding it, handfuls at a time, to his own scanty stock. + +"The finest ever," added Thad, warmly. "I don't see how we could have +improved on this patrol, if we'd searched through Cranford with a fine +tooth comb. Every one of them has his failings, just as all of us do; +but they're as loyal and happy-go-lucky a lot of boys as ever any one +knew. And Allan, I expect we'll have some glorious times ahead of us, if +we go up into Maine with you, later on. That hasn't been fully settled +yet, you understand; the question of expense has to be met, as well as +getting away from our school, if it takes up by the middle of September. +But we're all hoping, and pulling for it just as hard as we can." + +"Won't it be great now," Allan went on to say, "if Bob does find that +paper he thinks Reuben's been keeping all these years, when he hadn't +ought to have let it stay unburned a minute? What d'ye suppose makes a +smart scamp like that ever do such a silly thing?" + +"I couldn't tell you, only I've heard my guardian say more than a few +times that the cleverest scoundrel is apt to make a blunder. If that's +true then I guess this Reuben made his when he kept that paper, just to +look at it once in a while, and shake hands with himself over his +cuteness." + +"Will you take a little stroll around with me before lying down?" asked +Allan, who was to have the first watch. + +"Might as well," returned the other, casting a glance over toward the +balance of the patrol, still squirming more or less, as they tried to +make comfortable nests for themselves. "By that time, perhaps they'll be +asleep, and I can drop off without being made to listen to Bumpus' +complaining, when Step Hen takes back his stolen goods. Come along, +then, Allan." + +They first of all walked back along the road in the direction whence +they had come to the strange valley where Reuben lived, a half-way +station between the secret haunts of the moonshiners, and civilization. + +"What's that up yonder; looks to me like a torch moving?" remarked Thad, +as he elevated his head, so as to gaze upward, along the face of the +mountain. + +"It _is_ a torch, right you are," Allan went on to say; "somebody must +be picking his way along among those rocks. I'd think he'd sure need a +good light on such a black night as this." + +"But I guess you're wrong about that," Thad added, quickly; "see, he's +waving his light, now back, and again forward, just so many times. +There, he gives it a downward flash that must mean the end of a word; +and then he goes on." + +"Why, to be sure, it's as plain as anything that he's signalling to +somebody on the other mountain. Yes, Thad, look there, and you can see +another light move in answer to that first one." + +"Even that don't seem to be all," remarked the patrol leader, seriously. +"Here's a third light back of us; and upon my word I can see a fourth +ever so far off." + +"Looks like all the moonshiners in the mountains might be out in force, +and having a jolly old talk among themselves. Wonder what they find to +talk about?" Allan hazarded. + +"Chances are ten to one it's us they're discussing," said Thad. "Old +Phin like as not, is giving his orders. Thought he grinned a little when +I was telling how scouts communicated with each other. He knew all about +that, the sly old rascal did; and this has been going on for years and +years before Boy Scouts were ever heard of." + +"Thad, they're all around us; we're surrounded by these moonshiners, +with their handy guns; and if Old Phin says we've got to stay up here in +the mountains, why, it's going to be a case of being marooned for us. We +don't dare run, because they'd take that for a sure evidence of guilt, +and pepper us for all that's out. So, there's nothing to be done but +stick it out, seems to me." + +"Well, we ought to be satisfied," remarked Thad, grimly. "Marooned or +not, it was our intention to stay around here until Bob had settled +those two matters of importance that fetched him down this way." + +"Sure, I'd pretty nigh forgotten that," declared the Maine boy, more +cheerfully. "So let the mountain men shake their blessed old torches at +each other all they choose, and tell how the trap is to be made snug as +all get-out; we'll just play the innocent, and try to find out what we +want to know. Shall we go back to camp now, Thad?" + +"Just as you say," returned the other. "Nothing more to see out this +way. We know that Old Phin isn't ready to look on us as friends yet. He +can't get over the suspicions the sight of our khaki uniforms woke up in +his soul. But so far we hadn't ought to complain with the way things +have gone. Hope it'll keep on to the end; and that our Bob will get all +he aims for, find his daddy, and take the little girl cousin back to +Cranford with him." + +"And if it all goes to the good, say, p'raps we won't have a feather to +stick in our hats, all right, Thad! We'll never get over talking about +this thing. But will it go straight; that's the question?" + +"You never can tell," replied the other, softly, and encouragingly. +"We're going to do our level best; and leave the rest. Good-night, +Allan; wake Giraffe at the end of an hour, and caution him to keep a +good watch. I come next in line, you know." + +With these parting words Thad stepped softly into camp, glanced at the +various forms of the scouts stretched in favorite positions, some even +lying on their backs; and then with a smile the patrol leader lay down +upon the rude bed he had made for himself, out of such material as +offered. + +In five minutes he was asleep, and forgetful of all the strange events +that had marked their strenuous hike into the mountains of the Old North +State. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +CLIMBING THE MOUNTAIN. + + +"HEY! what's all this mean; morning, and nobody woke me up, to let me +stand my trick at the wheel! I don't think you're treatin' me fair, +that's what, fellers!" and Bumpus Hawtree sat up, rubbing his eyes as he +looked around him in wonder. + +The fact of the matter was it had been decided that they could get on +very well without calling on the fat boy to stand sentry duty. Most of +them knew how unreliable Bumpus was when it came to such things, no +matter how sincere his desire to please might be; and Thad had secretly +arranged to leave him out. + +And so Bumpus had not known a single thing of what was going on until, +smelling the delightful fumes of boiling coffee, he had opened his eyes +to find most of his comrades moving about, and breakfast well on the +way, under the supervision of Giraffe and Allan. + +"The whole blessed night gone, and me a sleepin' for all get-out," +complained the stout member of the patrol, as he climbed to his feet, +and stretched. "Well, it looks good, anyway. Nothin' happened, after +all. Nobody ain't been kidnapped by the moonshiners, have they, because +I can count--what, there don't seem to be only seven here! Somebody's +gone, and yet I don't miss any familiar face." + +"Oh! you only forgot to count yourself, Bumpus," laughed Thad. + +"Well, that goes to show how modest I am, you see," chuckled the other, +as he started toward the spring to get the sleep out of his eyes by the +use of some cold water. + +"Yes, as modest as a spring violet," sang out Step Hen; "but how about +that President Cornelius Jasper Hawtree business? Seems to me any feller +that hopes to assume that high office ain't so very retiring after all." + +But Bumpus refused to be drawn into any discussion of his merits as a +candidate, at least so early in the morning. He came back presently, +asking for a towel, which he had forgotten to carry along with him. But +as breakfast was announced just about that time, everything else was +forgotten in the pleasant task of appeasing their clamorous appetites. + +While they ate they talked, and many were the schemes invented by some +of the ingenious scouts, all looking to the undoing of the enemy, as +they chose to consider the combination of Reuben Sparks and Old Phin +Dady. + +Bob asked that they remain over one more night in that camp, and there +was not a dissenting voice raised. They were fairly comfortable, and +their haversacks still held a certain amount of food; though Thad did +say some of them ought to go skirmishing in the direction of the houses +across the valley, to see if there was a chance for buying fresh eggs; +breakfast bacon; salt pork; or even grits, as the finer grade of hominy +is universally called throughout the entire South. + +As for Bob and himself, Thad had laid out a little campaign for the day. +He believed that it might pay them to climb up the side of the mountain. +This would be looked upon by any of Old Phin's followers, should they +see the boys, as in keeping with what the patrol leader had told the +moonshiner about the doings and ambitions of Boy Scouts. There need not +be anything suspicious about such a move, when Thad had time and again +declared that one of the main objects of their selecting this part of +the country for their hike, had been the desire to climb mountains. + +As to the benefits to be gained, they could at least have a good +birdseye view of the entire region, the queer bowl-shaped little valley, +at the further end of which nestled the pretentious house of Reuben +Sparks, and the nearby cabins; as well as the back trail. + +Besides, possibly they might get some sort of information with regard to +what the moonshiners were doing. Most of these men lived in the little +ramshackle cabins they had occasionally passed on the mountain road; +where a few hens, a razor-back hog or two, and possibly a slab-sided +mule, constituted the sole possessions of the poor whites. But then, +others doubtless had homes deeper in the depths of the great elevations +that reared their rocky heads heavenward. These were the parties who, +like Old Phin himself, were in demand by the authorities, and who wanted +to take as few chances of arrest as possible. + +No revenue men could very easily come into that well-watched region +without the keen eyes of a mountaineer noticing him. And often the crack +of a rifle would be the first sign the daring man might have that he was +discovered. + +Bob was only too glad of a chance to get off in the company of Thad. He +wanted to talk over matters with the other very much, and find out just +what the patrol leader thought about the situation. + +So, as they climbed steadily, though slowly, upward, they chatted in +low tones. Thad had warned his comrade that they must imagine an enemy +back of every tree, and act accordingly, so as not to betray themselves +by unwise talk. + +It was rough going. Plenty of times they had to pull themselves up by +main muscular strength, over some rocky obstruction. Then again, perhaps +they would have it comparatively easy for a brief interval. + +"Here's a plain trail leading upward," remarked Thad, whose eyes had +been on the lookout all the time. "Suppose we follow it some. Chances +are it'll be easier going, because whoever lives up here would know the +softest road." + +"That's true," assented Bob; "but we'd best not keep on this same trail +too long." + +"Why not?" asked the other, looking around at his chum. + +"You must know that it sure leads, sooner or later, to some hidden cabin +of a man who's got some pretty good reason for keeping away from the +beaten road." + +"Yes, I guessed that the first thing; and I suppose you mean he'd feel +angry some if he saw two fellows in uniform following his trail?" Thad +suggested. + +"Angry--well, that hardly covers the ground," chuckled Bob. "When these +mountain men don't like a thing they start to shooting right off the +handle. Never waste time, suh, in asking questions; they judge things as +they see them, and act accordingly. And believe me, Thad, when their +guns speak, generally something goes down." + +"Well, on the whole I think what you said carries so much weight with +me, Bob, that I've lost pretty much all interest in this same trail. It +don't look near so attractive as it did; and I wouldn't be surprised if +we'd make better time just keeping on straight up the face of the old +hill." + +They looked at each other, and laughed softly, as though it was mutually +understood what meaning Thad intended to convey back of his words. + +All the same the dangerous beaten track was immediately forsaken, and +once more they set out to climb straight upwards. Occasionally Bob, who +seemed more at home in this thing than his companion, as he had lived +among the mountains most of his young life; would discover that by +taking a side cut they could avoid a hard climb, and in that event the +direct line was changed to an oblique one. + +The view was at times a fine one, with a stretch of the wild country +spread out before them like a panorama. Then again for a quarter of an +hour or more they would be unable to see anything, on account of the +formation of the mountainside, or it might be the presence of thick +foliage on the small trees growing in profusion all around them. + +"So far we haven't seen the first sign of a living thing?" remarked +Thad, when they halted to get their breath. + +"That's a fact, suh," agreed Bob White, "but we mustn't make up our +minds that we haven't been followed and watched at all times. These +mountain men can climb like goats, suh. It would make you stare to see +one of them go up a cliff that neither of us could dream of climbing. +They could keep us in sight right along, and believe me, we would never +know a thing about it." + +"I can easily understand that, Bob. But it's some wilder up here than +ever I believed possible. I saw squirrels in plenty as we came along; +some birds flushed from alongside that bank that must have been +partridges; and right here's a bunch of feathers, showing where some +animal had a fine supper not long since." + +Thad dropped down beside the telltale feathers that marked the end of a +game bird, and seemed to be examining the ground. + +A minute later he looked up. + +"I'm not as dead sure about this thing as Allan would be," Thad +remarked; "but it doesn't look like fox tracks to me. The claws are too +well defined; and I'm of the opinion that it might have been a wildcat, +if you happen to have such beasts here in the heart of the Blue Ridge." + +"I reckon we do, suh, and mighty fierce fellows too," the Southern lad +made answer promptly; "I've myself met with one when out hunting, and +got him too, though he gave me a heap of trouble; and I was sore from +the scratches a whole week or so. No doubt you're right, and it was a +cat; though I'm surprised that he ate his catch on the ground, instead +of in the crotch of a tree." + +"Perhaps he was too hungry to wait; or the bird tasted so good he just +had to pitch in right away," suggested Thad, picking up one of the +feathers, and sticking it in the cord of his campaign hat, boy fashion. + +"It's getting pretty nigh dinner time," observed Bob, as he felt for the +package of food he had thrust into one of his pockets before starting +out, upon the suggestion of the patrol leader, who did not know just how +long a time they might be gone. + +"Yes, and I suppose we've come up about as far as we ought," Thad added, +himself feeling the vigorous climb the more because his muscles were not +used to anything of that sort. "So, let's drop down right where we are. +It's a good enough lunching place. The cat thought so, you can see." + +They soon settled in comfortable places, each with a tree to lean his +back against while he munched the dry sandwiches that had been hurriedly +put together, a little potted ham between crackers, with a slice of +cheese thrown in for good measure. + +The sun felt warm overhead, but the atmosphere at this altitude was +bracing and refreshing indeed, as mountain air always is. The boys, as +they ate, talked incessantly, covering the ground of what they hoped to +accomplish, if fortune were only kind enough to favor them, and the +moonshiners to allow them to leave the mountains in peace. + +Bob was explaining that after all it might be well for him to divide his +mission into two parts, and get Bertha disposed of, before thinking of +trying to find whether the mysterious prisoner of the moonshiners could +really be his dear father, when their conversation was interrupted by a +scream from a point close by. + +The two boys sprang to their feet, and looked at each other blankly. + +"That was a girl called out, Bob!" exclaimed Thad. "We can't tell but +what it may be a trap of some kind, but that's a chance we've just got +to take. Come on, and we'll soon see what it means!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +IN LUCK AGAIN. + + +BOB was quite as eager as his companion to hurry forward and see what +that cry of a girl's voice might mean. Whoever heard of a Southern boy +unwilling to act in similar circumstances? + +The two of them had noted the quarter from whence the shrill scream +came, and were making a bee line for it as fast as the rough nature of +the ground permitted. + +"Keep back, thar, you ugly critter! Don't you dar jump at me! Oh! if I +could on'y git free, I'd show you!" they heard just beyond the fringe of +bushes. + +Bursting through these, and the scene lay before them. It was a girl, a +real mountain girl too, who had called out. She was half bent over, as +though trying all her might to wrench her foot free, for it seemed to be +caught in a crevice of the rock, as in a vise. + +Not ten feet away from her crouched an ugly wildcat. Its ears were bent +backward toward its body; the yellow eyes seemed to glow with an ugly +fire; and there could be no doubt but that the animal was getting ready +to jump at the girl, possibly angered by the red sunbonnet she wore. + +She had managed to pick up a stone, with which she was ready to do +battle in case the cat really attacked her. Thad saw this, and admired +her grit, even though he believed that she would have suffered +dreadfully, had the fight ever come off. + +Bob gave a cry of rage as he saw what it all meant. He too snatched up a +stone, and made directly for the wildcat, as though such a thing as fear +did not enter into his calculations. And Thad, a little wiser, seeing +an excellent club handy, made out to get that in his grip ere following +his chum. + +Despite the coming of these two new enemies the wildcat showed no sign +of beating a retreat. There may have been some reason for this +unexpected bravery on the animal's part. Usually it is only when +darkness comes that bobcats are dangerous; and in the daytime they will +generally retreat before the coming of human foes. + +There may have been kittens somewhere close by; and a mother cat will +attack anything that moves in defense of her offspring. + +But just then Thad was not bothering himself with trying to understand +why the fierce beast acted in that altogether remarkable way. What they +wanted to do was to influence the animal to leave the neighborhood, and +the quicker this were done the better they would be pleased. + +"Go slow, Bob!" Thad called out, fearful lest his impulsive comrade dash +up so close that in another instant the cat would be upon him, clawing, +biting, and doing all manner of damage. + +He swung his club in as ferocious a manner as he could, and made all +sorts of threatening gestures as he rushed forward. + +Thinking that if they approached from two separate quarters the beast +might grow more or less confused, and possibly slink away, Thad did not +follow directly in the track of his friend, but made a little detour. + +Bob came to a pause. He was not more than a dozen feet away from the +beast now, and there was danger that if he closed in any more the +expected collision must take place. + +Thad saw him draw his arm back. Undoubtedly Bob meant to hurl the heavy +rock he had snatched up. If he missed his aim, he would then be entirely +unprotected. But then Bob had pitched on a baseball team several +seasons, and was said to have a very clever delivery, with the faculty +of getting the ball over the rubber with clock-like precision. And a +crouching wildcat, only a dozen feet away, is a large enough object to +be counted a sure thing by an experienced ball player. + +So even as Thad looked and wondered, he saw Bob let drive. And when the +rock actually struck the cat between its glaring eyes, hurling it over +backwards, Thad could not help letting out a yell. + +"Good shot, Bob!" he cried. "Get another, quick, for he's coming after +you like hot cakes!" + +He himself was closing in on the cat all the time he shouted after this +manner. In another moment they were all in a confused bunch, the enraged +and wounded wildcat screaming and snarling; Thad pounding away every +chance he got; Bob kicking wildly at the animal, as he looked for a +chance to get hold of another stone; and the whole making quite a +lively circus. + +Several times Thad landed with such a will on the side of the springing +wildcat that the wretched beast was knocked clean over. But with a +desperation that was simply astonishing it would get together, and come +flying back again, as though it really possessed the nine lives its +tribe is given credit for. + +Of course this could not last long. The game was too one-sided, with two +against one; and in the end the cat was glad to jump into the bushes, +with a parting expression of hatred in the form of a snarl. + +The panting boys stood and looked at each other. Each of them had a few +rents in their khaki trousers; and might have been served even worse +only that their puttees protected the lower part of their limbs. + +"Whew! that was a hot time!" gasped Thad. "Did you see how many times I +bowled the thing over, and only to have to defend myself again? Give me +a mad wildcat for gameness. They haven't their equal going, pound for +pound." + +"And I hit him when I threw that stone; I'm proud of that shot, suh!" +declared the Southern boy, with a grim smile. + +"Say, it was a right smart throw, all right; but s'pose yuh come and +help me outen this trap now, strangers," came from the mountain girl. + +As they turned toward her, and advanced, Thad saw immediately that she +was not the little Bertha whom he had looked upon, sitting beside Reuben +Sparks, and with her golden hair, seeming very much like a fairy. + +This girl was slender, and with coarse, black hair. She was garbed in +common homespun clothes, and wore shoes that were doubtless much too +large for her feet. One of her ankles had been caught tightly in the +crevice of the rock. She might have managed to extricate herself if +given a little time; but the sudden appearance of that ugly fighting +wildcat had upset her; so that she had twisted and squirmed until her +foot was held as though in a blacksmith's vise. + +Bob in his usual impetuous way might have been impelled to tug at that +imprisoned foot, and add to her sufferings; but Thad, who was cooler, +set about discovering just how it was gripped; then, as gently as he +could he gave it a sudden turn, and the thing was done. + +The girl uttered a little scream as a pain shot through her ankle; but +then she realized that the way the boy had gone about it was the right +one. Results count every time. When a man succeeds, the path he has +taken is looked upon as a shining example to the rising generation; +should he fail, the same route is pointed out as beset with +unsurmountable difficulties. + +"I'm right glad you kim along in time," the girl remarked, as her black +eyes scanned the faces of the two boys who had done her such a good +turn. + +"Had you done anything to the cat; or was it just crazy for a fight?" +asked Bob, as he looked more closely at the angular girl; and Thad +thought he could detect that in his manner to tell he might have +recognized her. + +"'Pears like it was jest brim full of scrap, mister," she went on. "I +was acomin' down ther side o' the mounting, paying 'tention to my own +business, when I jest made er fool o' myself, like ye see, an' gut a +foot fast atween the rocks. Then the critter showed up, and started +makin' a row. I tried all I knowed how to break loose, but it was no go. +An' I was jest agwine to hit the animal atween the eyes if it jumped me, +when you-uns arriv. But I'm glad ye kim. 'Tain't nice to git yuh face +all clawed to ribbands by cat's claws. Yep, I'm glad ye helped me outen +it." + +Thad saw that she was a character, this girl of the Blue Ridge. Rough +and uncouth, she might be, still she possessed the qualities that real +heroines were once made out of in the days of Joan of Arc. + +Doubtless she must be the daughter of one of the poor "white trash" +mountaineers who spend their time between making moonshine whiskey, and +dodging revenue men. It struck Thad at the moment that perhaps, since +they had been enabled to do her a good turn, she might be willing to +assist them. Such a girl ought to know a good deal of what was going on +back in the mountains. Her people must talk about the strange things +that happened; perhaps she might be able to even tell Bob something +about the prisoner who was said to be kept up there somewhere, working +at the sour-mash in the never raided Still of Phin Dady. + +With this bright idea in his mind Thad decided that fortune had indeed +played another nice trick upon them, and one that would perhaps be to +their advantage. + +"Do you live near here; and will you be able to limp home?" he asked; +for he saw that the ankle was somewhat swollen, and must pain more or +less; although the girl scorned to show it by her manner. + +"A right smart ways off from heah, stranger," she replied; "but then +they be some o' my friends nigh this, who'll take keer o' me. Ye did hit +up that ere onary cat some handsome, an' I shore think it won't want to +tackle a pore gal ther next time it sees one." + +"Perhaps we might help you along to the home of your friends," said +Thad. + +She looked at him keenly, for even the daughters of moonshiners grow to +be suspicious of those whom they do not know. + +"'Tain't no need, stranger; I kin take keer o' myself, I reckon. Not +that I ain't feelin' 'bliged to ye, fur offerin'. I kain't furgit thet +ye done me a good turn. Mebbe I ain't good lookin' like thet leetle +cousin o' yours, Bob Quail; but it's the on'y face I'll ever hev; and no +gal likes to be scratched an' gouged bad by the pizen claws o' a +wildcat." + +"Will you tell your father about this, Polly?" asked Bob, excitedly, +Thad thought. + +"'Pears like I hadn't orter keep it from him," she replied, slowly, +watching the expressive and handsome face of the young Southerner +closely. "Thems as don't think Phin Dady keers fur his fambly, but they +don't know. Reckons he'd jest 'bout lay down his life fur _me_, pore +looker as I am!" + +Thad drew a big breath. Really things were rushing forward by leaps and +bounds now. For not only had the girl recognized his companion, who +wished to keep his identity under cover while in the mountains; but this +same Polly, as Bob called her, had now disclosed herself to be the +daughter of the moonshiner, Old Phin Dady! + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +POLLY GIVES HER PROMISE. + + +"I'M going to ask you a great favor, Polly," said Bob, earnestly. + +"Then hit it up right smart, an' tell me," replied the girl, calmly, +though Thad could see her dark, expressive face light up. + +Polly had her share of the curiosity that is the heritage of her sex. + +"You say you feel thankful that we happened along in time to drive that +cat off; and you'd be willing to do something for us in return?" Bob +went on. + +"Thet's right, Bob Quail," returned the girl of the mountains sturdily. +"Reckons as how it'd on'y be fair. What ye want me to do?" + +"First of all, please don't whisper it to anybody around here that I +have come back," the boy asked in his earnest tones; "and least of all +to your father. You know he used to feel right sore against all my +family, because my father in trying to do his sworn duty by the +Government, ran up against the moonshine boys." + +"Oh! thet's easy promised, Bob Quail," she replied, readily enough; "I +kin keep a close tongue atween my teeth, ef I happens to be on'y a gal. +But I kin see thet ain't all yer gwine to ask o' me." + +"But everything else hinges on that, Polly," returned Bob; "and I'm glad +you'll forget that you saw one of the Quail family. They're not in any +too good odor in this part of the country. Now, you're wondering, I +reckon, why I ever dared come back, after two years. Well, there were +reasons that pulled me into the danger zone, Polly. One of them +was--Bertha, my little cousin." + +Polly smirked, and nodded her wise head. + +"I cud a guessed thet, Bob Quail," she remarked. "Sumbody must a ben +tellin' ye thet she ain't as happy as she mout be, thet's it. The old +miser, he's cross as a bear with a sore head; an' I seen Bertha with red +eyes more'n a few times. I don't blame ye 'bout wantin' to do somethin'; +though I reckons ye'll find it a up-hill job, w'en ye tackle thet old +fox." + +"But there's a way to get him in a hole, and I believe I've found it," +said Bob. "Only, if I'm chased out of the country before I can carry my +plans through, you see, all my coming here wouldn't amount to a row of +beans. That's one reason why I asked you to keep my secret. But there's +another, Polly." + +"Yep, they's another," she repeated after him, with her dark eyes fixed +on his face, as though she might be able to read what was passing in his +mind, and in this way was prepared to hear his new disclosure. + +Thad knew what his comrade meant to say. It was a big risk, but he +believed it could be carried through. This girl was no ordinary +creature; she had latent possibilities slumbering beneath the surface in +her nature, that, as yet, had never been called upon to show themselves. +Besides, the girl was grateful to them for what they had done. + +"You haven't forgotten what happened here some years ago, Polly," Bob +went on. "My father led a party of revenue men into these mountains, +meaning to destroy the secret Stills. He never came back. Those who were +with him said that he had been shot down in a fierce fight with the +moonshiners; and that he had died almost instantly. You haven't +forgotten that terrible time, Polly, have you?" + +"I reckons not," she muttered, stirring uneasily. + +"Well, somehow I never could get myself to believe that my father was +really dead. I had one of the revenue men in my pay, and he used to +write me every week or so. It was through him I first heard the rumor +that the moonshiners were said to have a prisoner up at your father's +Still, who was kept constantly under guard, and made to work. They even +said he was a revenue man; and that it was a part of the moonshiners' +revenge to make him help manufacture the mountain dew, so as to pay up +for the quantities he had destroyed in his raids. You've heard more or +less about this, too, haven't you, Polly?" + +"Sure I has, Bob Quail," replied the girl. + +"Polly, somehow I just can't get it out of my head that this mysterious +prisoner of the mountains might be my own father; that he was badly +wounded, and not killed in that fight; that the moonshiners nursed him +back to health; and ever since he's been kept under guard. Do you know +if that is so? I ask you to tell me, because it would mean a great deal +to me, and to my poor mother at home in the North." + +Polly shook her head in the negative. + +"I jest can't say as to thet," she answered, soberly; "I done hears a +heap 'bout some man as they has kep' a long time up thar, adoin' of the +chores, an' never without a gun clost to his head; but I ain't never +seed him. I gives ye my word on thet, Bob Quail." + +"But Polly, you _could_ see him if you tried real hard, couldn't you?" +the boy went on, in an anxious tone. + +She looked at him. The eager expression on poor Bob's face would have +moved a heart of stone; and Polly was surely deeply touched. + +"I reckons I cud," she answered, steadily; while in her black eyes stole +a glow that gave Thad a curious feeling; for he began to believe that +they had after all come upon an unexpected and valuable ally, right in +the household of the chief enemy. + +"Think what it means to me, Polly," Bob suggested, knowing how best to +appeal to her sympathies. "Put yourself in my place, and tell me what +you would do if it was your own father who was held a prisoner, and you +had long believed him dead? Do you blame me for coming back to these +mountains to try and learn the truth; and if it should turn out to be +all I dream it may, of attempting in some way to bring about his +release. Would you blame me, Polly?" + +"Sure I wudn't, Bob Quail," she replied. + +"And will you help me find out?" he went on, feverishly. + +"Seein's I owe ye a heap, 'case o' what ye done fur me this day, I'm +gwine to say jest what ye wants me to," the girl returned. + +With an almost inarticulate cry Bob seized her hand, and gave it a +squeeze. + +"Oh! you don't know how happy you've made me by saying that, Polly!" he +exclaimed. "And if it _should_ turn out to be my poor father, won't you +try and help me get him free? He'll never come back here again to bother +your people; I give you my word for that, Polly, sure I do. Will you +help me do it?" + +"Thet's asking a hull lot, Bob Quail," she muttered, doubtfully, as +though she realized the magnitude of the task he would put upon her +shoulders. "It's wantin' me to go agin my own dad. If so be thar is a +revenue kep' up thar to the Still, it's _his_ doin's. An' 'less he gives +the word, thar ain't nobody dar's to let that man go free. An' now ye +arsk me to play agin my own people. It's a big thing ye want done, Bob +Quail. I dunno; I dunno!" + +But Thad could see she was wavering. He believed that if Bob only +pressed his point he must win out. + +"Listen, Polly," and Bob caught hold of her wrist as he spoke, as though +to hold her attention better; "more than two long years this man has +been held there, the sport and plaything of the moonshiners, and made to +do their rough work. It must have broken his spirit sadly. And surely +your father's desire for revenge should be wholly satisfied by now. +Think of my mother, mourning him as dead all this time, Polly. Just +imagine her wonderful joy if he came back to her again alive and in the +flesh! Oh! don't talk to me about the risks I am running in just coming +here; gladly would I put my life in danger ten times over, if I knew +there was a chance to find him, and bring him home with me. That is what +_you_ would do, Polly; and perhaps some day, when sorrow and trouble +come to you, I may be able to do you a good turn, even as you are going +to do for me now; because something tells me you are, Polly!" + +That settled it. Bob had gone about the matter in just the right way to +reach the moonshiner's daughter's heart. No doubt she often thought of +the black day that might come at any time, when those never sleeping +Government agents would capture Old Phin, and he look a long sentence in +the face. Yes, it would be worth something to know that they had a +friend in court when that time rolled around. + +"Yes, I'm agwine to help ye, Bob Quail," she said, slowly. "I don't jest +know yet how far I kin go; but anyways I'll promise to find out who thet +prisoner up at the Still kin be. Then, mebbe I mout think it over, an' +reckon as it's jest like ye sez, an' he's shore be'n punished enuff. +Thet's all I'll tell ye right now." + +"Well, it's mighty fine of you to say as much as that, Polly, and I want +you to know I appreciate it more than I can tell you," the Southern boy +went on, his dark handsome face radiant with renewed hope, as his heart +beat high in the belief that his loftiest dreams might after all come +true. + +"I hope that foot won't keep you from walking?" Thad thought to remark +just then. + +This caused Bob to remember that he had a chum near by, and he hastened +to say: + +"This is one of my best friends, Thad Brewster, Polly. We belong to the +troop of Boy Scouts encamped down below. Perhaps you have heard your +father speak of them? He was in our camp more than an hour last night, +and my chum here seemed to interest him a heap in telling all about what +scouts aim to do in the world." + +"Yep, I heerd 'bout hit," the girl replied, as she gave Thad a short +nod; "an' he shore was takin' sum stock in wat he done heerd. My dad, he +allers liked boys better'n he did gals. Lost three on 'em, he did, an' +every one died with his boots on! But ye needn't git skeered 'bout this +hyar foot ahurtin' me none. We knows what kin' o' stuff to put on a +sprain, as'll take ther swellin' down right smart. See, I kin walk jest +as good as I ever cud. An' I'll find out fur ye 'bout thet man up to the +Still, sure I will, Bob." + +"When can I see you again, Polly?" Bob asked, anxiously. "You know time +is worth a heap to me right now. Say soon, please; sometime to-night, if +you can; and it'll help a lot. I'll never be able to sleep a wink now +till I know the truth." + +"Mout as well put her through on ther lightnin' express as not," she +replied. "I reckons I kin promise ye to-night. An' I knows whar yer camp +lays, 'case I arsked my dad. Thort I mout happen thet way, an' see what +boys looked like as was dressed in smart close. It's gwine to be a hard +job, seems like, an' mebbe I carn't git 'roun' till late, but I'll be +thar, Bob Quail! Ye done ther right thing by me, an' Polly Dady don't +forgit." + +Then turning her back on the two boys, the mountain girl swung herself +along the rough face of the hillside with a perfect confidence in her +ability to keep her footing that only a chamois might have exceeded. + +And Thad, looking at his chum, saw that the other's face was wreathed in +a smile such as had long been a stranger there. + +"The best day's work I ever did, Thad!" exclaimed Bob, as he seized his +chum's hand, and squeezed it convulsively. "Something just tells me +Polly is going to be my good fairy, and bring me the greatest gift that +ever could be--the knowledge that my dear father lives." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +THE SILENT VIDETTE. + + +"SHALL we go back the same way we came up?" asked Thad, as they made a +start toward returning to the camp down below. + +"I think I'd like to try another route," Bob replied. "Some of those +places we hit were pretty tough climbing; and you know it's always +harder going down, than up a mountain. Seems to me we'll strike an +easier way over to the right here." + +"My opinion exactly," Thad declared, ready to fall in with anything +which the other proposed, because he was interested heart and soul in +the work Bob had cut out for himself--trying to bring more of happiness +into the life of little Bertha, his cousin; and finding out whether his +long-lost father was still in the land of the living. + +They had gone about half of the way, and found that, just as Bob +guessed, it was much easier than the other route would have proven, when +Thad made a discovery that gave him a little thrill. + +"There's a man, Bob!" he exclaimed, suddenly. + +"Where?" demanded the other, turning his head around; for he happened to +be a trifle in advance of his companion at the time. + +"Over yonder, on that rock, and of course with a rifle in sight; for you +never see one of these mountaineers without that. I wouldn't be +surprised to hear that some of them go to bed with their guns in their +arms. Do you see him now, Bob?" + +"Yes, and can understand why he's sitting there like that," replied the +other, rather bitterly. + +"Looks like he might have a touch of the fever and ague, and that with a +spell of the shakes on, he wanted to sun himself," suggested Thad; +though he knew full well the true explanation was along other lines +entirely. + +"He's doing sentry duty," remarked Bob, soberly. "You can see, Thad, +that from where he lies he has a splendid view of the road we came +over?" + +"That's a fact, and could even toss a rock down on it if he chose," +continued the patrol leader. "I understood that, Bob, and can guess why +he was placed there by Old Phin Dady." + +"I suppose they're all around us," remarked the Southern boy, "and as I +said last night, they've sure got us marooned, all right. We can't move +without they're knowing it. Oh! what sort of chance would I have to get +him out of this awful country, even if it should turn out to be my +father who is the prisoner of the moonshiners? Thad, I reckon it's a +forlorn hope after all." + +"Well," remarked the other, seeing that Bob needed cheering up again, +"even if you only discover that he is alive, that will be great news +alone. And when things get to coming your way the style they've been +doing lately, believe me, you can hope for the best. Keep your spirits +up, Bob. That girl is going to help us more than we ever dreamed of." + +"It _was_ great luck, our running across Polly; and then the chance to +do her a favor, could you beat it? Reckon you're right, Thad; and I'm +foolish for letting myself look at the dark side, when things are +breaking so splendidly for me." + +"That fellow doesn't seem to pay much attention to us, though I'm sure +he knows we're going to pass him by," Thad continued, in a lower voice. + +"I used to know a good many of the men around here, and this might be +one of the lot; so I hadn't better take any chances of his seeing me too +close in the daylight," and with this remark Bob drew the brim of his +hat lower over his face. + +The man never so much as moved, though the two descending boys passed +within thirty feet of where he reclined on the rock, his face turned +toward the road that wound in and out of the tangle far below. + +Thad believed he could see a pair of sharp eyes under the man's hat, +that kept watch over their movements; but there was no hail, or other +sign of life from that sphinx-like figure stretched out at length on the +sunny rock. Should they have given the mountaineer cause for displaying +any activity, no doubt he would be quick to take action. + +Thad certainly did not want to strike up a conversation with so morose a +man; and especially when his chum wished to keep aloof from him. So they +continued along down the side of the mountain, and soon lost sight of +the vidette. + +Still, the circumstance left a bad feeling behind. It was far from +pleasant for the boys to realize how completely they had put themselves +in the power of these mountain moonshiners. Just as Bob had so bitterly +declared, Old Phin ruled with an iron hand among the men who lived here +among the uplifts; and once he had placed sentries on duty to watch the +movements of the scouts, they could neither go forward nor retreat, +unless that gaunt moonshiner crooked his finger. + +"I don't see how it can be done," Bob broke out later, as they began to +draw near the camp again; as though he had been wrestling with some +subject, and reached a point where he needed counsel. + +"As what?" inquired his comrade. + +"Work both ends of the affair at the same time," continued Bob. +"Suppose, now, I find that the paper Bertha has seen is the very one +I've been hoping to get my hands on; and she comes to me to-night; how +can I carry her away, and at the same time stay here to find out about +the news Polly will bring me?" + +"Now, I'm glad you spoke of that, Bob," Thad declared; "because I've +been trying to puzzle out that same thing myself. And I really believe +I've hit the only answer." + +"Then let me hear it, for goodness sake, please!" exclaimed the other, +in a relieved tone; for he well knew that when Thad Brewster said a +thing that way, he must feel pretty confident he had the right solution +in hand. + +"Just as you say, it would be next to impossible to take Bertha away +from here, and at the same time carry out your plans in connection with +that other business. That is of the first importance, it seems to me, +Bob. This other about Bertha can wait some, if it comes to it." + +"Yes, it could, I suppose," admitted the other, slowly. "Bertha is +unhappy she says, and he treats her wretchedly; but then he is not +really cruel to her. Tell me your plan, Thad, and I'll be ready to stand +by it." + +"Suppose, then, she brings you that paper, and it turns out to be all +you hope for? You can take it away with you, and when we get back to +Asheville place it in the hands of some reliable lawyer, who will have +Reuben summoned to court with the girl. Then she will never be allowed +to go back with him again; and he may consider himself lucky if he gets +off without being sent to jail for having withheld a lawful document, +and replacing it with a false will, or one that was older." + +Bob uttered a cry of delight. + +"It sure takes you to think up an answer to every hard, knotty problem, +Thad," he cried. "That is just the best thing ever, and I'm willing to +try it. Why, for me to take the law in my hands would be silly, when the +courts will save me all the risk. And while I hate to disappoint poor +little Bertha, who believes I'm down here to carry her off, in spite of +old Reuben, she'll understand, and be willing to wait a bit. Thank you +over and over again, Thad. I'm feeling a thousand per cent better, suh, +after what you said." + +"And about the other thing, Bob, I wouldn't let myself believe too +strongly that this mysterious prisoner of the moonshiners will turn out +to be your father. There were some other revenue men who have +disappeared in the last few years, men who started into the mountains to +learn things, and never came out again. It might be one of these after +all. And I guess you'd be awfully disappointed if you set too much store +on that thing." + +"I keep trying all I know how not to hope _too_ much, Thad," replied the +other, with a big sigh; "and tellin' myself that it would be too great +news; yet, seems like there was a little bird nestlin' away down in +here, that goes on singin' all the while, singin' like a mockingbird +that brings good news," and Bob laid a trembling hand on his breast in +the region of his heart, as he spoke. + +"Well," said Thad, warmly, "I'm just hoping that everything'll come out +the way you want, old fellow. We're going to back you up the best we +know how; and if we fail to do what we aim for, it won't be from lack of +trying." + +"I know that, and I'll never, never forget it as long as I live!" +declared the other, almost choking in his emotion. + +"There's the camp," remarked Thad, five minutes later, "and everything +seems to be going along all right at the old stand. I can see Step Hen +lying on his back, with his hat over his eyes as if he might be taking a +nap; Smithy is of course brushing his coat, because he has discovered +some specks of dust on it that worry him; and if you look at Giraffe, +you'll know what he's up to when I tell you he's whittling at a piece of +pine, to beat the band." + +"Getting kindling ready to start up the fire, when supper time comes +around," said Bob, with a chuckle, as though some of these familiar +sights began to do him good, in that they served to take his thoughts +away from the things that distressed and worried him. + +When the two scouts arrived in camp they were immediately surrounded by +their comrades, who demanded to know what they had seen and done. To +judge from the variety of questions that showered upon them, one might +think that Thad and Bob had been off on a regular foraging expedition, +and scouring the upper regions in search of adventures. + +And indeed, they did have something to tell that made the others stare. +The several little holes in their clothes, evidently made by sharp +claws, gave evidence as to the truth of their wonderful story. And all +of the stay-at-homes united in the fervent hope that Polly Dady might be +grateful enough to bring Bob the news he yearned to possess. + +Several of the boys had been dispatched to the cabins across the valley, +where they managed to purchase some dozens of eggs, but could get no +bacon. They did secure a couple of fowls, however, which were even then +plucked, and ready for the pot. + +As evening settled down soon afterward, the scouts prepared to make +themselves as comfortable as the circumstances allowed. + +And certainly not one among them so much as dreamed that other peculiar +events were on the calendar; ready to take their places upon the stage; +and advance the interests of the fellow scout, whose yearning to look +again on the familiar scenes of his younger years had influenced the +others to hike through the Blue Ridge Range. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +THE AWAKENING OF STEP HEN. + + +"Say fellers, did anybody see that----" + +Step Hen had just managed to get that far in what he was about to say, +when he was rudely interrupted by a combined shout from Giraffe, Davy +Jones, and Bumpus. + +"Don't you dare accuse us of taking any of your old traps, Step Hen!" +said the last named scout, severely. + +"We're sure gettin' awful tired of that war cry," declared Giraffe. +"It's always this thing or that he's lost, and never by his own fault at +all. A sly little jinx is hoverin' around, ready to grab up a thing just +as soon as Step lays it down. Still, I notice that every single time, it +turns out he put it there himself. Get a new tune for a change, Step +Hen, and ring it on us." + +"By the way," remarked Smithy, who was very polite, and never joined in +the loud and boisterous jeers that greeted some break on the part of a +comrade; "what fresh misfortune has overtaken you now, Step Hen?" + +"Oh!" replied the other, with a broad grin, "when our funny friends +broke in on me that way, I was only going to ask if any of you +wide-awake scouts had noticed that I had my badge turned right-side up, +early this morning?" + +There was a general laugh at this, even the three culprits joining in. + +Among all Boy Scouts, it has become the proper wrinkle to turn the badge +upside down to start the day; and the wearer has no right to change its +position until he has done an actual good deed toward some one else; or +even helped an animal that was in distress. Many are the expedients +resorted to, in order to gain this privilege; for it is deemed in bad +taste to spend the entire day with the badge reversed on the lapel of +the coat. + +A thousand ways can be found whereby the boy may feel that he has a +right to alter the position of his badge, and prove that he had done +something of a kindly nature, that is a credit to his character. An old +woman may be helped across the street; a heavy basket carried for a +child; a box that is trying the strength of a single man may be made +easier to lift into a wagon by a pair of sturdy, willing hands; the +harness that is galling the shoulder of a horse can be rendered less +troublesome if a rag is doubled up, and fastened to the leather--well, +the list of things that wide-awake scouts find in order to gain this +privilege would really seem to be without end. + +So all the others now turned toward Step Hen, with curiosity expressed +on their faces; for they seemed to guess that it could be no ordinary +explanation that he meant to give them. + +"What wonderful stunt did you manage to carry through so early in the +day, down in this forsaken country?" demanded Giraffe. + +Bumpus looked forlornly at his own badge, that still hung to his coat +lapel in its reversed position; showing that he, at least, had not been +able to discover any means of doing a good turn to some object, however +humble; in fact, he had, like most of the other boys, entirely forgotten +about the usual programme. There were no old ladies to help down here; +no errands to run for mother; no problems to solve for little brother; +nothing but the everlasting mountains rising grimly all about them, and +silence lying on the scene like a great blanket. + +"I reckon I'm the only one in the bunch that's been smart enough to get +his badge turned to-day," chuckled Step Hen, proudly exhibiting the +article in question; "and I'd just like the fun of hearing all of you +try and guess how I managed it; but then, I know you'd never hit on the +truth in a thousand years; and so I s'pose I'll have to up and tell +you." + +"Oh! wake me up, somebody, when he gets really started," groaned +Giraffe; "of all the slow-pokes, Step Hen takes the cake." + +"I'll tell you," began the other, with a sly look toward the speaker, as +though he purposely delayed his disclosure in order to annoy the +impatient Giraffe; "you see, it was this way, fellows. I happened to be +walking out along the back road just after we'd done breakfast. Thought +I'd dropped my handkerchief somewhere, but afterwards I found it inside +my hat, you know." + +"Sure, it's always that way," muttered Giraffe, who lay with his eyes +closed, but drinking in all that was said. + +"Well," continued Step Hen, "all at once I noticed something that +interested me a whole lot. There was one of them queer little +tumble-bugs you always see ashovin' round balls along the road, an' +goin' somewhere that nobody ever yet found out. This critter was tryin' +like all possessed to push his ball up a steep little place in the +road. Sometimes he'd get her close to the top, and then lose his grip; +when it'd roll all the way back again. + +"Say, boys, that insect's pluck interested me a heap, now, I'm tellin' +you. Right there I got one of the best lessons a scout ever picked up in +all his life; which was the old story, 'if at first you don't succeed, +try, try again.' And he kept on tryin' again and again. I must a stayed +there all of half an hour, just watchin' that game little critter +pushin' his ball up against the hardest luck ever. And then, when I just +couldn't stand it any longer I took bug and ball in my hand, and put 'em +both up on top of that rise. And after that I thought I had a right to +turn my badge right-side up!" + +The scouts looked at each other. Somehow, they did not laugh, though +surely it must have been one of the queerest reasons ever advanced by a +fellow-scout, as an excuse for wearing his badge honorably. + +Despite its grotesque nature, there was also something rather pathetic +about the thought of Step Hen, only a careless, half-grown lad at best, +spending a whole lot of time, simply watching an humble but game little +beetle trying to fight against hard luck, and almost as interested in +the outcome as the wretched bug itself. + +"How about that, Mr. Scoutmaster; is Step entitled to wear his badge +that way, on account of helping that silly little bug climb his +mountain?" asked Davy, turning to Thad; but though his words might seem +to indicate a touch of scorn, there was certainly nothing of the sort in +his manner. + +Thad himself had been amused, and deeply interested, in Step Hen's +recital. Only too well did he know what a careless and indifferent +fellow the boy had ordinarily been classed, both at school and at home. +Seldom, if ever, had he paid the least attention to things that were +happening all around him, and which might appeal to the sympathies of +boys who were made of finer grain than Step Hen. + +And now, it seemed that something had been making an insidious change +inside the scout; when he could feel such intense interest in so trivial +a thing as the pluck of an obscure tumble-bug. Time was when Step Hen +would have cared little whether or not he came down with his heel upon +such an object, which ought to know better than get in his path. + +It was different now, since Step Hen had joined the scouts. His eyes had +been opened to many things, the existence of which he had never dreamed +in those other days. And he could never again be the same indifferent +fellow; he must go on advancing along the trail that led to a better +knowledge of Nature's great secrets; and above all else, the capacity +that lay within his own heart for understanding these myriads of small +but wonderful things. + +"I'm not going to answer that question myself, Davy," said Thad, with a +smile. "Fact is, I'd much rather have the candid opinion of every scout +on the subject. So I'm going to put it to a vote, here and now; and I +want you to be serious about it, small matter though it may seem; for +upon such things rests the very foundations of the whole Boy Scout +movement--observing, understanding, appreciating." + +"Whew!" muttered Giraffe, "and all this fuss about one little +tumble-bug!" + +"Those who really and truly think Step Hen had a full right to turn his +badge right side up for the interest he took in that game little +creature's struggle to overcome what seemed unsurmountable difficulties, +and for lending a helping hand in the end, raise the right hand," and +Thad put his up for a starter. + +Not counting Step Hen himself, there were just seven fellows present +when Thad asked them to show their colors. And including the scoutmaster +himself, just seven instantly raised a hand. + +Thad laughed softly. It gave him more pleasure than he could tell to see +that the boys understood the motive that had swayed their comrade. And +doubtless this vote of confidence would urge Step Hen to go along the +path he had discovered, with ever-increasing confidence, as its charms +continued to be revealed in ever-increasing proportions day by day. A +new world would soon open up to his inquiring eyes. He would find ten +thousand things of tremendous interest all around him, to which he had +up to now been as blind as a bat. Never again would he feel alone, even +though no comrade were at his side; for he could discover innumerable +objects about him at any time, calculated to chain his attention. + +"Seems to be unanimous, fellows," remarked Thad; "and I hereby publicly +commend our comrade, Step Hen, for his action of this morning. Yes, he +did have a right to turn his badge. It was not so much _what_ he did, as +the feeling he showed in, first of all, stopping to watch the bug; +second, getting tremendously interested in its never-give-up spirit; +third, in applying the principal to himself; and last but not least, his +desire to lend a helping hand. For Step Hen, boys, this has been a day +that some time later on in life, he will mark with a white stone; for he +has begun to notice things. And with the fever on him, he'll have to +keep on noticing, until he'll think it's not the same old world at all +but one filled at every turn with splendid discoveries. I know, because +I've been through the same thing myself." + +"Hurrah!" said Giraffe, who had been considerably impressed by what the +scoutmaster had said. "What did I tell you, fellows, about not missing +Dr. Philander Hobbs, our regular scoutmaster, on this hike? D'ye think +now, he could have said all that one-half as good as Thad did? I guess +not. And Step Hen, I'm ashamed to say that the whole blessed day has +gone by without my ever thinking to do something good for another +feller, so I could turn my badge over. There she rests; and I give you +all fair notice that to-morrow I'm going to start in right away to get +it moving." + +"Plenty of time to-night yet, Giraffe," piped up Davy. "I happen to know +a fellow who thinks a certain knife you own would look mighty fine in +his pocket, if only you'd take the trade he offers. Now, if you made him +happy, p'raps you'd have the right to turn your badge; and he c'd do +ditto, making it a killing of two birds with one stone. Better think it +over, Giraffe." + +The tall boy looked at Davy with a frown, and shook his head. + +"'Tain't fair to put it up to me that way, Davy," he declared, +obstinately. "You just know I don't want to trade, the least bit. Now, +if you'd say, that on the whole you'd concluded to quit botherin' me, +that would be a good deed, and I reckon you'd ought to have the right to +turn your badge." + +At this ingenious return thrust Davy subsided, with a grin, and a +general laugh arose from the other scouts. + +But if most of the boys were merry, there was one who looked sober +enough. Of course this was Bob Quail. He knew what a tremendous +undertaking he had before him, and the results seemed so uncertain that +it was only natural he should feel the heavy weight resting upon his +young shoulders. + +First of all, he must meet his cousin, Bertha, and learn what success +had followed her efforts to discover whether the paper she had seen by +accident in her guardian's safe was the missing document which Bob +believed Reuben had abstracted, placing another in its place. Then, +later on, he had that appointment with Polly, the moonshiner's daughter, +who was to bring him news concerning the mysterious prisoner. + +Yes, Bob certainly had quite enough on his young mind to make him +anything but jovial. Still, he had been more or less interested in what +was going on around him, for he was, after all, a boy. + +They were eating supper, as they chatted in this way. Night had settled +down on the scene. It promised to be a pretty dark night at that, Thad +realized, as he looked around him, and then up at the heavens, where a +few stars held forth, but gave very little light. + +It was fortunate that Bob happened to be so well acquainted around that +vicinity otherwise he would never have been able to cross to the other +side of the strange little basin which they called a valley, without +carrying a lantern; and this in itself must be out of the question, +since its light would betray him. + +While they were eating, they heard a gunshot not far away. + +"Wow! what d'ye think that means?" exclaimed Giraffe, jumping to his +feet, and looking off in the gloom toward the back trail. "Seemed to me +like it came from down that way, eh, boys." + +"It sure did," announced Davy Jones, positively. + +"And it was a gun in the bargain, with a big load. What d'ye s'pose they +could find to shoot at in the dark?" demanded Step Hen. + +"Oh! lots of things," replied Allan. "If a bobcat jumped in on us right +now, we'd think of using our gun, wouldn't we? But it might be that shot +was some sort of signal, after all." + +"There wasn't any answer, that's sure," interposed Bumpus. + +"But seems to me I can hear somebody talking pretty loud that way," +observed the listening Thad. + +"I did too," declared Smithy; "but it's died away now, as though the +excitement might be over. I wonder what it was, fellows?" + +"Chances are, we'll never know," returned Giraffe, settling back once +more to continue eating, for he was not yet through. + +"Lots of queer things are happening all around us, that we'll never +know," remarked Step Hen, seriously. + +Thad looked at him curiously. This was a strange remark to come from the +happy-go-lucky Step Hen. It looked as though his one little experience +of that morning had indeed done wonders toward causing the careless lad +to turn over a new leaf. He was beginning to _think_, and see what a +great big world this is after all. His horizon had been moved back +hugely since he first yawned, and stretched, that same morning. + +And the queer part of it was that no one thought to joke the boy about +his altered disposition. They seemed to understand that it was no joking +matter. Doubtless Step Hen's reformation would not be accomplished in a +day, nor a week, nor even a month; but he had taken the first step, and +from now on must begin to arouse himself to making a good use of the +faculties with which a kindly Nature had endowed him. + +"Listen!" exclaimed Thad, a little while later, just as they were about +done supper. + +"I heard somebody talking, too!" declared Davy Jones; while Allan showed +by his manner that the sounds had surely come to his acute hearing, +trained by long service in the piney woods of his native state. + +"They're comin' this way, too; I c'n hear 'em pushin' through the +bushes, and stumblin' along too." Bumpus declared, in an awed tone; +looking a trifle worried, and wishing Thad would only snatch up that +gun, lying against the tree trunk, which the other did not seem at all +anxious to do. + +The voices drew steadily nearer, as the boys stood and listened. + +"Hyar's a fire, Nate; we gut ter git him thar, sure's anything. I tell +yuh he'll never be able tuh walk 'crost tuh the doc's cabin. He'll bleed +tuh death long 'foah we gits thar with 'im. Steady now, Cliff; hyah's a +light, an' we kin see how bad yuh is hurt!" + +Then, while the scouts stood and stared in amazement, a group of three +men staggered into view, two of them assisting the third, whose +faltering steps showed that he must have been injured, even if the arm +that dangled helplessly at his side had not told the tale of a serious +gunshot wound! + +No wonder that the Boy Scouts felt a thrill as they watched these rough +mountaineers enter their camp in this strange way. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +"BE PREPARED!" + + +"WHEE!" + +It was Bumpus who gave utterance to this exclamation, though possibly he +hardly realized, himself, that he was saying anything, as he stood +there, and gaped at the sight of the wounded mountaineer being helped +along into their camp. + +But if Bumpus, and some of the others, were spell-bound by what they +saw, gazing as though fascinated at the blood dripping from the man's +fingers, Thad Brewster was not included in this group. + +He had long ago picked up a smattering of knowledge connected with a +surgeon's duties; and ever since taking up the new life of a Boy Scout, +those things which concerned the saving of human life had somehow +appealed to young Thad with redoubled force. + +More than once now had he been called upon to show what he knew along +these lines. A boy had been severely cut by an ax he was carelessly +wielding in camp; and might have bled to death only for the energetic +actions of Thad, who knew just how to secure a stout bandanna +handkerchief around above the wound, with the knot pressing on the +artery; and making a tourniquet by passing a stick through the folds of +the rude bandage, twist until the bleeding was temporarily stopped, and +the boy could be taken to a doctor. + +Another time it had been a case of near drowning, when Thad, who had +learned his lesson well, succeeded in exercising the lad's arms, after +laying him on his chest and pressing his knee upon him, until he had +started the lungs to working. In that case every one of the other scouts +declared that only for these prompt applications of scout knowledge the +unfortunate one would surely have died. + +And so, when he saw that the man who was being thus supported into their +camp had been shot in the arm, and was in danger of bleeding to death, +the surgeon instinct in Thad Brewster came immediately to the surface. + +He never once thought about the fact that the man was very probably one +of those very lawless moonshiners, whose presence all around had +virtually marooned himself and chums in the heart of the mountains. He +was a man, and in trouble; and perhaps Thad could be of some help! + +And so the generous-hearted boy sprang forward, eager to lend a hand. + +"Bring him right up to the fire, men!" he exclaimed. "What happened to +him? Was he shot? We heard a gun go off a little while ago, and wondered +what it meant." + +The two men urged their injured companion forward. He seemed to have +little mind of his own in the matter; though Thad could see that he had +his jaws set, and was apparently determined to betray no sign of +weakness in this terrible hour. The customary grit of the North Carolina +mountaineer was there, without fail. It showed in the clenched hand, the +grim look on his weather-beaten face, as well as in those tightly closed +teeth. + +"Yep, 'twar an accident," almost fiercely replied one of the men, whom +Thad now recognized as the fellow whom they had met driving the vehicle +that Bob declared had kegs of the illicit mountain dew hidden under the +straw--Nate Busby. "We was walkin' thro' ther woods w'en a twig cort the +trigger o' my gun, and she hit Cliff in the arm, makin' a bad hurt. +Reckons as how he never kin hold out till we-uns git him acrost ter ther +doc's cabin." + +"You could, if we managed to stop that bleeding," said Thad, eagerly. +"Bring him over here, and let me take a look, men. I've done a little +something that way. And perhaps you don't know it; but all Boy Scouts +are taught how to shut off the flow of blood. There, set him down, and +help me get his coat off. There's no time to lose." + +"Nope, thar's sure no time tuh lose," muttered the wretched Nate, who +was undoubtedly feeling very keenly the fact that it had been _his_ gun +that had been discharged through accident, causing all this trouble; and +that if the man died, his relatives might even want to hold the unlucky +owner of that weapon to account for his carelessness, inexcusable in one +who had been mountain born and bred. + +They sat the wounded man down as gently as though he had been a babe; +after which Nate assisted Thad to take the ragged coat off. + +Some of the scouts crowded close, though with white faces; for the sight +of blood is always enough to send a cold chill to the hearts of those +unaccustomed to the spectacle. But Allan was an exception; and strangely +enough, there was Smithy, whom no one would ever have expected to show +the least bit of nerve, evidently ready to lend the amateur surgeon a +helping hand, if he called for recruits. It often takes a sudden +emergency call like this to show what is under the veneered surface of a +boy. Smithy had always been deemed rather effeminate; yet here he could +stand a sight that sent the cold shivers chasing up and down the spines +of such fellows as Giraffe, Davy Jones, and Step Hen, and almost +completely upset poor Bumpus. + +"Get me one of those stout bandages I brought along, Allan, please," +said Thad, when he could see what the terrible nature of the wound was; +"you know where they are. And Smithy, will you hand me that stick +yonder?" + +In a brief space of time the several articles were at the service of the +boy, who first of all made a good-sized knot in the handkerchief, after +wrapping it around the man's arm _above_ the wound; and then, inserting +the stout stick, he began twisting the same vigorously. + +It must have pained tremendously, but not a whimper, not a semblance of +a groan did they hear from the bearded lips of the wounded mountaineer. +Indeed, he seemed to arouse himself sufficiently to watch the confident +operations of the young surgeon with a rising curiosity; and Thad +thought he could detect a slight smile on his dark face. + +As for Nate and the other rough man, they stared as though unable to +believe their eyes, to thus see a mere boy so wonderfully able to do +what was necessary in a case of life and death. Every little movement +did they follow with wrapt attention. No doubt, a great relief had +already commenced to rise up in the heart of Nate, as hope again took +hold upon him. If the other survived the shock, and loss of blood, it +would not be so bad; and trouble might not come home to him on account +of his liability for the accident. + +Thad soon knew that he had done the right thing. The knot had been +properly placed, so that the pressure upon the artery above the wound +prevented any more blood being pumped that way by the excited action of +the man's heart. + +"There," he remarked, in a satisfied way, "I guess we've got the +bleeding held up, and you can get him to a doctor, if, as you say, there +is one across the valley. I'm going to bind this stick so it can't come +loose while you're helping him along. But if it should, perhaps you've +seen how I did the job, and you could fix it up again?" + +"Sure," replied Nate; "and yuh dun it ther neatest I ever knowed, +younker. Reckon as how Cliff Dorie an' me has reason tuh be glad yuh +happened tuh be so clost. If so be he lives thru hit, as he will now, +dead sartin, he's gwine tuh owe his life tuh yer." + +Thad happened to catch a glimpse of Bob's face just then, as the other +turned toward him; for up to now he had been keeping rather aloof, not +wishing to be noticed by either of the mountain men. He was surprised to +see the expression of suddenly renewed hope that seemed to have taken up +its abiding place there. Apparently the Southern boy had made a pleasing +discovery, which of course Thad could only guess at, until he had found +a chance to speak to his comrade. But he understood readily enough that +it must concern the coming of the three men, and the fact of the scouts +being enabled to place them under obligations. + +With the flow of blood stopped, the wounded man seemed to gather new +energy. He no doubt felt that he had at least a fair chance to pull +through. He started to get on his feet, seeing which Thad immediately +offered his hand to help him; and the mountaineer's horny palm was +confidently thrust into his much smaller one; as though, after what +miracle he had already seen the lad perform, the man were willing to +trust him in anything. + +Yes. Fortune had again been kind to the scouts; only in this instance it +had not been a case of searching for chances to do good; the opportunity +had come knocking at their very door, so that all that was necessary was +for them to _be prepared_, just as the scout's motto signifies, and +then do the best they knew how. + +Again did the two men take hold of their stricken companion. Before they +quit the vicinity of the fire, however, the man named Nate Busby turned +and shook hands all around. Evidently he was grateful for the assistance +rendered. To his mind this first aid to the injured meant a whole lot; +and while he did not say a single word, his action was enough to show +what he thought. + +Then the group departed, heading toward the other side of the valley, +where, in one of the humble cabins, some sort of mountain doctor was to +be found, rude in his way, no doubt, but perfectly capable of attending +to a gunshot wound; for these doubtless constituted the bulk of calls +that were made upon his services. + +When they had gone the scouts began to discuss the queer happening, and +compare notes as to which one of them had shown the least alarm. + +Bob Quail came directly over to where Allan and Thad were standing, just +as the latter had expected he would do. That expression of eager +anticipation still shone upon his dark face, and his eyes fairly glowed +with satisfaction. + +"Well, will wonders ever stop happening?" he said, as he reached the +others. "Did you hear what Nate called the wounded man, Thad, Allan?" + +"Yes, it was Cliff Dorie. And I guess you've heard it before, judging +from the way you act?" observed the scoutmaster. + +"Talk about luck, why, we're just swimming neck deep in it, suh!" the +other continued. "I thought he looked a little like somebody I'd known +befoah; and when I heard that name, I knew it; Why, Cliff Dorie is the +brother of Old Phin's wife!" + +"Fine!" exclaimed Allan, with a broad smile. + +"I should say, yes," Bob went on, eagerly; "seems as though we were just +bound to put the whole Dady family in our debt. There was Old Phin +himself, who felt so interested in all you told him about the Boy Scout +movement; then there was Polly, who might have had her face badly +scratched, not to mention other wounds, if we hadn't just happened to +get there in time to chase that savage mother bobcat off. And now you've +gone and saved the life of Polly's own uncle. Oh! p'raps, suh, we won't +have to get into any fuss at all about that prisoner of the Still; +p'raps Old Phin might feel that we'd done his family enough good to +change his mind about keepin' that revenue man up there any longer, +aworkin' his life out; and let him go away with us, if he promised never +to tell anything he'd learned. And let me say to you both, I'm feelin' +somethin' right here, inside, that seems to tell me it's going to be all +right, all right!" and Bob repeated those last two words softly, +caressingly, as though they meant everything in the wide world to him. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +WHEN BOB CAME BACK. + + +THE other boys of course shared in Bob's deep feeling of satisfaction. +Perhaps he might be expecting too much from the old mountaineer; but +then, Bob had lived among these people during a good portion of his +life, and ought to be able to judge as to the amount of gratitude they +were capable of feeling. + +"But you ought to be off across the valley yourself, Bob," ventured +Thad, presently. + +"I know it, suh," the Southern lad replied, quickly; "and let me tell +you I'm starting right now in better spirits than I ever dreamed would +be the case. I want to get back heah in good time, so as to go up yondah +with you, and meet Polly." + +"If you're not too much played out," suggested Allan. + +Bob drew his figure up proudly, as he went on to say: + +"I'd have to be mighty nigh a collapse, suh, let me tell you, to keep +from goin' to where I've got a chance to hear about _him_!" and they did +not need to be told who was meant, for they knew Bob was thinking of +his missing father, whom everybody had long believed to be surely dead. + +And so he presently vanished, with a farewell wave of the hand. + +The other scouts gathered around the fire, chatting on various subjects, +but principally in connection with the recent happening. They thought it +the strangest thing in the world how two girls came to play a part in +the affair which their good comrade, Bob Quail, was trying to put +through; and of such vastly different types too, the one a plain +mountain maid, and the other, according to what they themselves had +seen, quite a dainty little thing, cultured and refined. + +"Smithy, I'm going to tell you to reverse that badge of yours," said the +scoutmaster, as they sat there around the fire, waiting for the return +of the absent comrade. + +Smithy looked up in surprise. He had been smoothing his coat sleeve +after a peculiar habit he had, as though he imagined he had discovered +some dust there. And for the moment he fancied that Thad must be joking +him on account of those "finicky" ways, as Giraffe called them, which he +could not wholly throw aside, since extreme neatness had long ago become +a part of his very nature. + +"That's very kind of you, Thad," he remarked, trying to appear calm; +"and I'm sure I feel grateful for the privilege, which should always be +a matter of pride I take it, with every Boy Scout. But I am not aware, +sir, just how I've gained the right to reverse my badge." + +"By handing me that stick when I asked for it, and thereby becoming a +partner with me in assisting that wounded man. You notice that I'm +turning my own badge, because I think I've earned it by this act, if I +didn't by what Bob and myself did to that bobcat. And Allan, you're in +this deal also; you brought me that roll of stout muslin when I wanted +it, so you did all you could." + +"And I helped get him on his feet!" declared Giraffe, quickly. + +"So did I!" exclaimed Bumpus, excitedly; "anyhow, I started to lend a +hand; but there was so many around I just got crowded out. But I +_wanted_ to do something, sure I did, Thad!" + +"Turn your badge, then," ordered the scoutmaster, smiling. "In fact, +every scout was full of sympathy, and ready to assist if called on. And +under the circumstances, I just guess there needn't be any badge in this +camp unturned right now. To-morrow we'll start fresh again, and let's +see how quick all of us can follow after Step Hen's example, and help +some worthy object along." + +"Even if it is only a poor little tumble-bug that can't push his ball +home," remarked Giraffe, with a grin. + +The time hung heavily upon their hands. No doubt this was partly caused +by their intense eagerness to learn just how Bob was coming out. Would +Bertha meet him; or might she have been shut up in the house by her +guardian, stern Reuben Sparks? If she did come, would she bring that +paper which she said was signed with her dead father's name; and +supposing it proved to be all Bob hoped and prayed it would, was it +possible, if placed in the hands of a competent lawyer in Asheville, +that this document would take Bertha from the custody of Reuben, and +give her a home with Bob's mother up in Cranford? + +All these things were debated from every standpoint; and wide-awake boys +can see the weak links in the chain about as quickly as any one; so that +Thad was kept busy explaining, and building up plans to suit the altered +conditions. + +"Ought to be time he was here," Giraffe remarked, as he stifled a huge +yawn. + +"It's sure nearly a whole hour since we heard that row across there," +Bumpus went on to say. "Seemed like a whole crowd had started to yell, +and dogs to bark. We none of us could make up our minds what it meant. +Some thought the wounded man must a got to the cabins, an' all that +noise meant the kind of reception a brave feller gets in these parts +when he's brought home on a shutter. But others, they seemed to b'lieve +it might have had to do with our chum Bob, and that p'raps he'd been +surrounded, and trapped by the wise old Reuben." + +"We hope not, for a fact," declared Thad. + +"Well, there's somebody coming right now, I give you my word!" observed +Smithy, who happened to be on the windward side of the fire, and able to +hear better than some of the rest. + +"And from the right direction, too," added Allan. + +The patter of footsteps came closer, and presently a dim figure loomed +up, almost staggering. + +"It's Bob, all right!" cried Bumpus; and Thad heaved a sigh of relief, +for he had begun to fear that something might have happened to disturb +the carefully laid plans of his companion. + +The Southern boy came into camp, breathing heavily. He seemed to be very +much exhausted, but Thad could detect a look of triumph on his face that +seemed to tell of something worth while having been accomplished. + +Dropping down, Bob motioned for a drink of water, and Step Hen made +haste to get him one from the collapsible bucket they had brought along +with them. Draining the tin cup, Bob sighed as though the cooling liquid +went just to the right spot, and had refreshed him wonderfully. + +"It's all right, Thad!" he managed to say, noticing the questioning look +that the other was bending upon him. + +"Then you saw your cousin, and got the paper?" asked the scoutmaster, +eagerly, while the rest of the boys fairly hung upon every word. + +Bob nodded his head. + +"Get my breath right soon now," he remarked; "then tell you all about +it. Phew! I had a smart run, believe me!" + +The boys exchanged expressive looks. They drew their own conclusions +from the little Bob had already dropped; and began to believe that he +must have been hotly pursued. Evidently then, if this were indeed the +case, Bob had met with an adventure since leaving the camp-fire, and a +serious one at that. + +It is always a difficult thing for the ordinary boy to restrain his +impatience, and several of the scouts squirmed about uneasily while Bob +was trying to calm himself down, so that he might talk with reasonable +comfort. + +Thad let him have his own time. He understood that Bob was even more +anxious to tell, than any of them were to hear; and that just as quickly +as he could, he was sure to start in. + +That time came presently, when his heart began to beat less violently; +and as a consequence Bob started to breathe more naturally. + +"I met Bertha," he began to say, "and she gave me the paper. Boys, it's +everything I hoped it'd be; and once I manage to get it in the hands of +a good lawyer, good-bye to Mr. Reuben Sparks' authority over little +Bertha, and her fortune." + +"Wow! that's going some!" burst out Giraffe, rubbing his thin hands one +over the other, as though decidedly pleased by the news. + +"Was she disappointed when you told her how impossible it would be for +us to take her away right now, when these moonshiners have got us +marooned up here in their blessed old mountains; and we can't turn +whichever way without runnin' slap up against a sentry with his old +gun?" asked Bumpus. + +"That's right, she _was_ upset when I told her that same," answered the +other. "It made me feel right bad too, suh, to see how she took it; and +I tell you right now I came mighty neah givin' in, and sayin' we'd make +a try. But I remembered what Thad heah had told me, and how it was best +for all of us that we let the cou'ts summon old Reuben to bring Bertha +before the bar of justice. An' finally, after I'd explained it all to +her, she began to see it the same way. My cousin has got the spirit of +the Quails all right, I tell you, fellows, even if she is young and +little." + +"I reckon you stayed so long tryin' to convince her, Bob, that you clean +forgot how you'd promised to get back here as soon as you could?" +remarked Step Hen, under the belief, no doubt, that he was giving the +other a sly dig. + +"Well, perhaps you are correct about that same, suh," replied Bob, +quite unabashed; "she was like most girls, and had to be argued into +seeing things like boys see 'em. Of course, I couldn't break away till +she had arranged to go back to the house, and wait for things to begin +to move, as they surely would, just as soon as I get to Asheville. But +there was one real smart thing she did do, and I've just got to tell you +about that befo' I come to my own adventure." + +"That's right, don't skip anything, old chum," remarked Giraffe, warmly, +as he settled down to listen. + +"When Bertha took that document from the little pigeonhole in the safe +where he had it hidden, she thought to make up another as much like it +as she could, and put that in place of the one she carried off. Some of +you scouts ought to take pattern from the smartness of that little girl; +don't you think so, Thad?" and Bob turned his now smiling face upon the +patrol leader. + +"They couldn't improve very much on that sort of work," Thad declared; +"and if girls were allowed to join our troop I'd vote every time to let +your cousin come in. I'm sure she'd be an honor to any organization." + +"Now tell us what happened to you, Bob!" asked Bumpus. + +"Well," continued the other, drawing a long breath as though what he was +about to say stirred him once more; "I was just ready to say good-bye, +when we heard loud voices, together with the barking of a big dog, and +Old Reuben, with a man, and a mastiff about hip-high burst into view, +both men carrying lanterns, and heavy sticks in their hands. And you can +believe me, fellows, I understood that I was in for a little excitement +about that time!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +A CLIMB IN THE DARK. + + +"THAT'S where you had ought to have had our gun, Bob," remarked Giraffe, +as the other paused for a moment, to recover his breath before going on +with his exacting recital. + +"I was about of that opinion myself, suh," the other continued; "and I +reckon that if such had been the case, there would have been one less +mastiff in the world right now. But after all, it's well I didn't take +the weapon. Things would have gone different from what they did; and I +have no fault to find, suh, not a bit." + +"But what did you do; don't tell us you beat a big dog runnin'?" +demanded Bumpus, incredulously. + +"I am not so foolish as to want you to believe that sort of stuff, +suh," replied the Southern boy, stiffly. "I doubt very much if there is +a man living, even the winner of the great world Marathon, who could +have outrun that hound. Fortunately I didn't have to depend on my heels +altogether, to escape being bitten by his fangs. There chanced to be +another way out of the hole." + +"Say, I guess _she_ had a hand in it!" suggested Giraffe. + +"Go up to the head, suh," remarked Bob, with a smile; "because that is +just what did come about. Old Reuben, he must have managed to catch +sight of some one, even if he wasn't nigh enough to tell that I was +dressed in the uniform of a scout. He up and sicked the dog on me; and I +reckon it wouldn't have mattered one bit to that cold-blooded old man if +the ugly beast had torn me badly." + +"And was you arunnin' like fun all the while?" asked Step Hen. + +"I believe I was making pretty fast time, suh, considerin' that the +bushes in the garden interfered with my sprinting. But that dog would +have caught up with me befo' I ever could have climbed the high fence, +only for a thing that happened. First thing I knew I heard Bertha +calling at the top of her little voice to the mastiff. And I reckon now +that Ajax, he must have been more used to mindin' the crook of her +little finger than he was the orders of Old Reuben. Fo', believe me, +suh, he just gave over chasin' after me, and went, and began to fawnin' +on her hand." + +"Great stuff!" declared Bumpus. "Say, I c'n just think I see that Old +Rube prancin' around there, orderin' Ajex on to grab you, an' gettin' +madder'n madder when the wise dog just utterly declined to obey. I +always heard that the sun c'd force a feller to take his coat off, when +the wind made a dead fizzle out of the job. Kindness goes further with +some animals than fear does." + +"Hear! hear! words of wisdom dropping like pearls of great price from +the lips of our comrade, Bumpus!" cried Giraffe. + +"But they're true, every word, all right," affirmed the stout scout, +firmly. + +"I kept on running for two reasons," Bob went on to explain. "In the +first place, I didn't know but what the dog might be forced to alter his +ways, and start out after me. Then again, p'raps that man with Old +Reuben might be coming, licketty-split after me; and I want you to +believe I didn't mean to be caught, with that valuable paper in my +pocket at that." + +"So you made pretty warm time of it over here, eh?" remarked Davy Jones, +who had remained quiet for some time, being deeply impressed by this +story which the other was giving them. + +"I never let up for two minutes at a time all the way across," admitted +Bob, in a satisfied tone. "Of course I had a few tumbles, but I reckon +there was none of 'em serious; leastways I didn't get bruised, or tear +my clothes. And now that I've got my breath back again, it's time we +thought of starting out; because there's heaps mo' that's got to be done +before we c'n call a rest." + +"Yes, a great deal," admitted Thad, who, however, was well pleased with +the outcome thus far; "and after you've lain here about ten minutes or +so, Bob, we'll see whether you feel able to take that other climb. If +you don't why, Allan here could go in your place." + +"And do just as well, I have no doubt, suh," added Bob; "but thank you, +I shall surely be able to take my part in that climb. If you gave the +word right now you'd see me spring to my feet, and start; because +there's every reason in the world to spur me on. Who wouldn't make an +extra effort for that?" + +The hour had grown late, since they had waited much beyond the appointed +time for the return of the messenger who had gone to meet Bertha. But +Thad knew they still had an abundance of time to get to the place +arranged with Polly, before midnight, which had been the hour set for +their meeting. + +"Now, if you feel refreshed, we'll make a start, Bob," remarked the +scoutmaster, after a bit. + +The other was on his feet instantly, and he gave not the slightest sign +of weariness at that. + +"Let me have just one more cup of that fine water," he remarked, "and +then I'm in fine fettle for business. If this second job only turns out +as handsome as that other, this'll sure be the happiest night ever. But +I hope that Reuben does not lay his hand on my cousin for what has +happened this night. If he does, he'll suffer for it, as sure as my +name's Bob Quail." + +"You don't really think he'd go as far as to strike her, do you?" asked +Thad, to whom the very idea seemed abhorrent. + +"I don't just know how far a man of his stripe would go if made very +furious, suh. To tell you the truth, I didn't want to run at all; but +Bertha insisted on my doing the same. She said nothing was going to +happen to injure her; and that if I was caught, with that paper in my +possession, she never would have the least chance to get away. And that +was all that made me run, believe me, suh." + +Thad took his shotgun along with him; and noticing the queer look +Giraffe gave him, he condescended to explain. + +"Don't believe for a minute that I expect to make use of this on some +moonshiner," he said, earnestly, yet with a trace of a smile lurking +about the corners of his mouth. "The mission of Boy Scouts is more to +bind up, than to give wounds; though they are allowed to do this other +in extreme cases, where some person's life may be in danger. But you +remember, we ran across a nasty bobcat up yonder once before; and if so +be she happens to be laying for us, I'd like to be prepared for trouble. +A scout should never go around with a chip on his shoulder looking for +trouble; but if it finds him out, why, he's just _got_ to defend +himself. That's the way I look at it; and most others do too. Come on, +Bob, if you're ready." + +When the two boys quitted camp Bob was walking as sprucely as ever. If +he still felt the effects of his long run he knew how to conceal the +fact in the finest way--Giraffe, Bumpus, Step Hen, Smithy, and Davy +Jones believed they had ever seen. Only Allan, being experienced in such +things, could see that Bob was laboring under a heavy strain, and had +his teeth tightly clenched; though the body might be weak, it was an +indomitable spirit that urged him on. + +Between them the two boys had noted things when coming down the mountain +that afternoon, and in this way picked out the course they expected to +take on that same night. It was rough enough, especially when they had +to do their climbing in the dark; since carrying a lighted lantern would +be foolhardy in the extreme. + +Bob's impatience took him in the lead most of the time. Thad cautioned +his impetuous companion in low whispers several times; and yet, knowing +what the motive was that drew Bob along in such feverish haste, he +could hardly blame him. At the same time he knew the danger of making a +false step when they happened to be close to the brink of some steep +descent, down which a roll meant instant death, or at least broken +bones. + +As they climbed upwards they would pause every little while to get a new +supply of energy, as well as recover their breath. And at such times +both boys eagerly scanned the black gulf that lay below them. + +It had not taken their keen eyes long to discover several lights that +seemed to move in eccentric circles and other movements. Nor was either +of them at a loss to understand what this implied. + +"The moonshiner videttes are having another talk," Bob remarked, as they +sat and watched several lights carrying on in this weird fashion. + +"Seems like it," said Thad, thoughtfully. + +"I wonder now, what is being carried along the lines? It'd be a great +stunt, Thad, if we could read the signs, and listen to the talk, +wouldn't it? P'raps now we'd learn something to our advantage," the +Southern lad went on, longingly. + +"Well, as we haven't got the code book," laughed the scoutmaster, "that +would be a pretty hard job, I take it." + +"But still," Bob continued, with a shade of entreaty in his voice that +was hard to resist, "I take it that you could give a guess that would +come pretty nigh the truth, if you cared to try, Thad." + +"Well, I don't know about that," replied the other scout; and then +adding, as he realized that Bob was grieved: "I'm willing enough to make +a try, if you think it would pay. Let's see, first of all, where these +fellows are located who are doing all this communicating." + +"There's one on the side of the mountain over yonder," declared Bob; +"then that's a second fellow across the valley; you can see his lantern +or torch dipping every which way; now he's stopped, as if he'd been +asking more questions. And Thad, seems to me, the one that's doing the +heft of the jabbering is located down yonder. Like as not the +information's coming from him." + +"That's across the valley, Bob?" remarked Thad. + +"You're correct, suh; somewhere neah the place from which I was chased +away not more than two hours back. That's where the cabins lie." + +"And that's where Nate and the other mountain man took Cliff Dorie," +continued the scoutmaster. "Now, you can put things together yourself, +if only you think, Bob. Don't you see that Nate is probably telling +these other fellows all about what happened to Cliff. And I certainly do +hope he doesn't forget to give us our due in the matter, for it would go +a great way toward making these rough men our friends. You know only too +well what that would mean, Bob. Friends with Phin Dady just now might be +the means of giving you back your father." + +Bob sighed heavily as he started on again, urged by a desire to come +upon Polly as soon as possible, and learn the truth, no matter whether +the news proved a disappointment, or not. + +But in his haste he forgot the caution Thad was trying always to instill +in his mind; for stumbling presently, he found himself toppling over an +unknown abyss that lay in the darkness, so that its extent could not be +seen. + +Thad had kept very close to his heels, and was prepared for something +like this, so that he acted from impulse, there being not a second to +give to thinking. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +THE CLOCK IN THE SKY. + + +"OH! Thad!" + +Bob unconsciously gave utterance to this low, bubbling cry as he felt +the ground slipping from under him, and his eyes looking down into an +inky void. Then something clutched hold of him, and his downward +progress was stayed. Thad had shot out a hand, and grasped his chum by +one of his legs, at the same time bracing himself for the shock. + +This he did in the twinkling of an eye, dropping his gun, and with that +hand laying hold of a sapling that, fortunately, chanced to be within +easy reach. + +"Careful, don't kick more than you can help, Bob," he remarked, as +coolly as he possibly could, though a sensation akin to horror swept +over him immediately he had acted. "I've got a good grip on you, and my +other hand is holding on to a stout little sapling, so we just can't go +down. Now work yourself back, inch by inch, as well as you can. +Yo-heave-o! here you come! Another try, Bob! That gave us quite some +distance. Ready to make it again? Why, this is easy. Here you are now, +altogether boys, with a will!" + +And after half a dozen of these concerted pulls and backward movements, +Bob found that he had reached a spot where he could take care of +himself. + +"Whew! that was what I call a close call!" he muttered. "I wonder, now, +just how far down I'd have had to go, if you hadn't been clever enough +to grab me just in time?" + +"We're not going to bother our heads about that, Bob," replied the +other, quickly; "only please go a bit slower. We won't make any time, if +we have to stop, and go through that circus stunt every little while. +And Bob, it might happen that I'd lose my grip, and either let you go +down, or there'd be two of us take the drop. Does it pay to try and make +speed at such a terrible risk?" + +"You're right, just like you always are, Thad," replied the hasty and +now penitent one; "and I'm sure a fool for taking chances that way. +Here, you go up ahead, and set the pace. That's the only way we can fix +it; because, like as not inside of five minutes I'd be rushing along +again for all I'm worth." + +"Perhaps that would be the best plan," Thad observed, with a chuckle. "I +thought of it, but didn't want to make you feel that I distrusted your +leadership. And I want to say right now that it isn't that makes me take +the lead, only because you are so excited that you're not fit to judge +things right." + +"But don't let's waste any more precious time, Thad. Polly might have +gotten to the place ahead of us, you know. Oh! wouldn't I be sore if she +got tired of waiting, and went back home." + +"All the same," Thad remarked, confidently, "I don't think Polly would +ever do such a mean thing as that. She understands just how crazy you +are to know, and she's right now putting herself in your place. No, +Polly will wait up for us, make your mind easy on that, Bob. I wish I +was as sure that we'd get there, safe and sound." + +"Oh! I'm done with my capers, mind you, Thad," returned Bob, eagerly. +"Since you've taken the lead, there's no chance for us to go pitching +over a precipice. When they catch a weasel asleep, and no mortal man +ever did that, I've heard, they'll hear of Thad Brewster making a fool +move." + +"It's nice of you to say that, anyway, Bob; I only wish I deserved the +compliment you pay me. But we'd better talk less, and get on a little +faster." + +And after Thad had given this gentle little hint the conversation +lagged; Bob realized that it was really no time to carry on any sort of +talk; and that when they could not tell what dangers might be close +around them in that inky darkness, they would be far wiser to keep a +padlock on their lips. + +Each time they stopped they again saw the signal lights flashing out +here and there across the way, or below. They seemed like giant +fireflies, striving to free themselves from some invisible bonds. But +the boys knew very well what it meant, and that the moonshiners of the +Blue Ridge were holding an animated fire talk. + +They met no animal on the way, which Thad thought was a piece of good +luck. Even though he did carry his faithful little Marlin, which could +send a powerful charge of shot a long distance; and close in, serve all +the purposes of a big bore rifle, or musket, all the same, Thad was not +desirous of meeting with any new and thrilling adventure. + +Such things were all very nice after they had passed along, and one sat +comfortably by a camp-fire, relating the circumstance; but while in +process of action they were apt to bring a cold chill along in their +train, not at all comfortable. + +"It must be after the time we set, isn't it, Thad?" Bob finally asked, +in a low voice, when they rested again. + +The scoutmaster could not look at his little cheap but reliable watch +without striking a match; and there was really no necessity for doing +that. It made very little difference whether they were ahead, or +somewhat behind the hour arranged for their meeting with Polly. And +besides, there were other ways of telling time pretty accurately, +without even having a watch along. + +Thad glanced up into the heavens. He had often studied the bright worlds +and suns to be seen there, and knew considerable about the positions +they occupied, changing, it might be, with the coming and going of the +seasons. + +"It's just close on to midnight, Bob," he observed, presently. + +Of course Bob was at once interested. + +"You're saying that because of the stars, Thad," he remarked. "Please +tell me how you managed to tell." + +"It's like this," the scoutmaster replied, not averse to pointing a +lesson that might be seed sown in fertile ground; "notice those three +rather small stars in the northeast, all in a line and pointing +downward? Well, those are what they call the belt of Orion, the Hunter. +They point nearly direct down to a mighty bright blue star that you see +there, twinkling like everything." + +"Yes, I've often noticed that, and I reckon it must be a planet near as +big as Venus or Jupiter," remarked the other boy. + +Thad laughed. + +"Well," he remarked, "I guess now you'd think me crazy if I told you +just how far that same star is away from us right now, ever so many +times further than either of the planets you speak of. Why, Bob, that's +Sirius, the Dog Star, said to be the biggest sun known to astronomers. +Our little sun wouldn't make a spot beside that terrible monster; which +may be the central sun, around which all the other tens of thousands +revolve everlastingly." + +"Oh! yes, I've heard of the Dog Star, but never reckoned it amounted to +anything in particular," declared the Southern lad, interested, in spite +of the anxiety that was gnawing at his heart all the while; "but suppose +you go on, suh, and explain to me how you can tell the time of night by +consulting the Dog Star. You sure have got me to guessing." + +"Nothing could be easier, if only you'd put your mind to it, and think, +Bob?" continued the patrol leader. "These stars and planets rise at a +certain hour every night. It grows later all the while, and many of them +are not seen only half of the year, because they are above us in the +daytime the rest of the twelve months. Now suppose you had watched that +star, as I did last night, and knew just when it crept above that +mountain ridge over yonder; you'd have a line on when it could be +expected to come up to-night. Now do you see?" + +"Well, it's as simple as two and two make four," replied Bob. "And so +that's the way old hunters tell the time at night, do they? Reading the +clock in the sky, you might call it, Thad. I'm sure going to remember +all about that; and later on, when my mind's at rest, I'll ask you a +heap more questions about these things. They get more and more +interesting the deeper you dip in; ain't that so, Thad?" + +"I've found it that way," replied the scout leader, quietly. "A fellow +who keeps his eyes and ears open can almost hear the stars whispering +together, they say; and as to the secrets the wind tells to the trees in +passing, why that's easy to understand. But if you're rested by now, +Bob, we'd better be on the move once more." + +Only too willingly did Bob agree. He believed that they must by this +time be very nearly up to the point where Polly had agreed to meet them. +She had asked Bob if he remembered the place; and he in return had +declared he could easily find it, even in the darkness of night; for +often had he climbed the face of this ridge when he lived close by; for +at the time, his father had owned the very place where Old Reuben Sparks +now had his home, the miser having purchased it from Mrs. Quail upon her +moving North with her son. + +"Keep on the lookout for three oak trees growing close together, Thad," +he said, presently. "It's always been a landmark around here, because +any one can see it from the valley, you know. I reckon, now, we must be +close by the same; and I'd hate to miss it in the dark. It's been some +time since I was up here, and I'm apt to get mixed a bit." + +"Well, I think you've done mighty well so far; because, unless my eyes +deceive me, there's the place right ahead of us," Thad declared. + +"You're right about that," Bob added, feverishly; "that's the place of +the three mountain oaks; and they stand out against the sky, now we've +changed our position. Oh! I'm beginning to shake all over, Thad, I'm +that anxious. What if Polly shouldn't be on hand? Perhaps she just +couldn't learn anything, after all, and will only come to tell me she +did her best; but they keep the Still guarded too close, and she +couldn't get close in. There's a dozen, yes, twenty things that might +come up to upset my hopes. They don't seem so strong, Thad, now that +we've got to the point." + +"Well, I wouldn't let myself get in any sort of gloom about it yet, +anyway, Bob. Time enough to cry after the milk is spilt. Here we are at +the oaks, and we'll wait for Polly to come, if she's late; but I'm dead +certain she'll keep her word with you. When a girl like Polly says +she'll do a thing, you can just make up your mind she will, unless the +heavens fall." + +"That's right peart o' you, suh," said a soft voice close by; and they +heard a rustling sound, as though some one might be coming out from +amidst the dense foliage just beyond the three oaks. "Here's Polly, be'n +awaitin' this half hour fur you-uns to kim along. An' she's agettin' +right sleepy, let me tell yuh." + +Thad felt his chum quivering with eagerness as the mountain girl made +her way carefully down to where they awaited her coming. What sort of +news Polly could be bringing neither of them could so much as guess; but +it would not be long now ere Bob knew the best, or the worst. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +BOB GETS HIS REWARD. + + +NEARER came the rustling. They could not yet see Polly, on account of +the darkness, but the sound of her voice had reassured them. + +Presently a moving figure crept close up to the waiting boys; which they +knew must be the queer mountain girl. Polly was far from dainty looking; +she had coarse black hair that possibly seldom knew a comb; and her +voice was rather harsh; but nevertheless Thad believed she had a heart +under this forbidding exterior, and that the spirit of gratitude was +transforming her, greatly to their advantage. + +"I'm right glad yuh kim, even if 'twar late," she said, as she reached +their side. + +"We started as soon as we could, Polly," said Bob, wondering if the girl +really felt hurt because she had been kept waiting. "You see, I had to +cross the valley, and talk with my cousin, Bertha. It was very important +that I should see her, for she had news to give me, news that we hope +will end in taking her away from that cruel old miser, and giving her +over to the keeping of my own dear mother." + +Polly grunted, as though she felt that she had to exhibit some sign of +displeasure; but she said no more on that subject. + +"I done found the Still," she remarked, simply. + +"That's good, Polly," Bob said, warmly. + +"Caus I'd be'n thar afore, but 'twas a long time ago," she went on, as +if in apology for any difficulty she may have run across in finding the +secret workshop of her father. + +"Yes," Bob went on, encouragingly, as she stopped. + +"Yuh see, they don't want gals er wimen ahangin' 'round thar. An' ever +since they begun ter keep a prisoner ter work ther mash, I reckons as +how never one hes be'n up ter thet place." + +"But you hadn't forgotten just how to get there, had you, Polly; you +knew the old trail, even with its changes; and did they have a prisoner; +or was it just a story that's been going around all this time?" + +Bob's impatience could not hold back any longer. He felt that he must +know the truth with regard to this fact, right away. If there was no +prisoner after all, then hope must sink out of sight. On the other hand, +should Polly say that she had discovered a guard, and a patient working +figure kept in restraint for long, weary months, he might still hug that +fond illusion to his heart, that it might yet turn out to be his own +father. + +"Yep, I gut thar, even if they had hid the trail right smart," the girl +continued, "an' sure 'nuff, thar war a prisoner!" + +"Oh!" said Bob, and Thad could feel him quiver again with eagerness. + +The girl was slow, not because she wished to tantalize Bob, but simply +on account of her sluggish nature. The hook-worm has a firm grip upon +most of the "poor whites" of North Carolina, as well as in Tennessee and +Georgia close at hand. It would take something out of the common to +arouse Polly; a sudden peril perhaps; or the anticipation of a new +dress, which latter could not be an event occurring in less than yearly +stages, Thad had thought. + +"An' he war a man," Polly went on, dreamily; "jest like yuh thought, +Bob; but his hair hed growed so long, and thar was so much beard on his +face, I jest reckons his own mother wudn't never a knowed 'im." + +"But did you get close enough to him to say a single word, Polly--just +to ask him who he was?" the boy demanded, faintly. + +Thad unconsciously let his arm glide around the figure of his chum. He +seemed to fear the result, no matter what the answer of the mountain +girl might be. + +"Sure I did. Thet's what I went up thar fur, ain't it?" Polly went on to +say. "They hed him chained ter ther rock. I reckons thar mout a be'n a +guard alongside, sum o' ther time; but right then he must a be'n away. +So arter peekin' around, an' not seein' any critter astandin' sentry, I +jest mosied up clost ter ther man, an' touched him on ther arm." + +She paused again, as if to collect her thoughts, and then yawned; but it +was only through habit, and not because Polly felt sleepy; far from it, +she was seldom more wide-awake than just then, though it was hard for +Thad to believe it. + +"He looked kinder s'prised tuh see me, 'cause like I done tole yuh, +gals, they ain't never be'n 'lowed 'round thar, sense he was took. In +course I tole him as how I jest kim ter fin' out who he mout be, 'case +thar was somebody as 'peared mighty wantin' ter know thet same." + +"And did he tell you; could he speak still, and explain?" asked Bob. + +"He shore cud, Bob," she replied, a little more earnestly now, as though +she realized that the critical point of her narrative had been reached. +"I never'd a knowed him, wid all ther hair on his face; but when he says +his name it was shore enuff--" and she paused dramatically. + +"My father?" gasped Bob. + +"Yep, an' no other then Mistah Quail, as used ter be ther marshal o' +this deestrict sum years ago,--yer own dad, Bob!" + +Thad tightened his grip upon his chum, for he felt him quivering +violently. It was a tremendous shock, since, for more than two years +now, Bob and his mother had been forced to believe the one they loved +so dearly must be dead; but they say that joy never kills, and presently +Bob was able to command his voice again. + +"Oh! you'll never know what that means to me, Polly!" he exclaimed, as +he groped around until he had found the girl's hand, which doubtless he +pressed warmly in his great gratitude. "To think that my poor father has +been alive all this time, and a slave up here in the wild mountains, +while mother and I have been enjoying all the comforts and luxuries of +our home. It just seems to cut me to the heart. But Polly, you talked +with him, didn't you?" + +"Shore I did. He done tole me he mout a got free a long time ago, if +he'd 'greed ter promise my dad never ter tell whar ther ole Still war +hid; an' never ter kim inter ther mountings agin ahuntin' moonshine +stuff. But he sez as how, sense he still must be in ther employ o' ther +Gov'nment, he's bound ter do his duty; an' not in er thousand years wud +he change his mind." + +"Oh! that is jest like father," murmured the boy, partly in admiration, +yet with a touch of genuine grief in his voice, because of the +unnecessary suffering they had all endured on account of this stubborn +trait on the part of the one-time marshal. + +"I tells him thet all ther same, he wa'n't agwine ter stay thar much +longer, it didn't matter whether he guv ther promise er not, 'case thar +hed be'n a change. An' then I ups an' tells him 'bout yer bein' hyar in +ther mountings, bound ter larn ef he was erlive." + +"Yes, and was he pleased when he heard that, Polly?" asked Bob, who was +gradually coming around in fine shape, now that the stupendous +disclosure had been accomplished, and his anxiety a thing of the past. + +"I shud say he war," replied the girl, a little aroused now. "Say, he +done _cry_, thet's what. Reckons as how he mout a be'n sorry fur not +promisin' like they wanted long ergo. He arsks as how yer looked, an' ef +yer mam war still well. Caus I cudn't tell him a heap, 'cause I didn't +know; but I sez ter him thet yer hed kim hyar ter fotch 'im home, an' +it'd be a shame ef yer hed ter go back erlone, jest 'cause he wanted ter +be ugly. So he says as how he'd be'n athinkin', an' mout change his mind +'bout thet thar promise." + +"Oh! to think of it, Thad," Bob breathed, gripping the arm of his +staunch chum eagerly; "my father is alive after all these terrible +months; and perhaps he'll even go home with me. It's worth all I've +suffered ten times, yes a thousand times over." + +"You deserve all the happiness there can be going, Bob, sure you do," +declared the scoutmaster, positively. "I guess nothing could be too good +for you. But we don't just understand yet how this is going to be +brought about. Will Phin Dady let him go free if he makes that promise, +Polly?" + +"Shore, he's jest _got_ ter, now," the girl answered, with a little +chuckle. "Yer see, like I sez afore, things, have changed a heap now, +an' my dad, he hain't a feelin' thet sore agin ther marshal like he used +ter. An' Bob Quail, even ef he warn't gwine ter do hit, arter wat I +larned this same night, I tells yer I'd set yer dad free on my own +'count." + +"What did you learn?" asked Thad, curiously, seeing that apparently the +girl could not of her own free will tell a story, but it had to be drawn +from her piece meal, through the means of questions. + +"I war acomin' down ther mounting," she began, "an' 'bout harf way hyah +I seen thet ther lights war a movin' down in ther valley. So I jest +natchally stopped ter read what ther news was, 'spectin' thet it meant +trouble fur you-uns. But the more I reads ther more I gits wise ter ther +fack thet yer be'n an' done hit sum moah." + +"Yes," said Thad, encouragingly, though already he understood what was +coming. + +"'Pears like 'tain't enuff fur yer ter skeer off thet cat, an' keep me +from agittin' my face clawed handsome, but yer must go an' save ther +life o' my uncle Cliff. I reads thet he was hurt bad by Nate's gun goin' +off, an' bleedin' a heap, so's they feels sure he never kin be took +'crost ter the doc's alive. Then they jest happen on yer camp down +thar; an' shore he gut his arm fixed up so's ter stop ther blood comin'; +an' they fotched him acrost ther valley in good shape." + +"It was only a little thing, Polly, and gave me a great deal of +pleasure," said Thad, thrilled despite himself by the girl's simple +recital of the event. + +"P'raps 'twar," she replied, sturdily; "but my maw, she sots some store +by Uncle Cliff; an' dad, he cain't nowise go agin wot she wants. So I +sees right plain like it was writ, thet Bob, he's bound arter this, ter +git his dad free." + +"Oh! it's like a dream to me, Thad; I feel as if I must be asleep. Give +me a pinch or something, won't you, and let me understand that I'm +alive," Bob exclaimed. + +"You're awake, all right, old fellow," replied Thad, with a nervous +little laugh. "And unless I miss my guess, Polly here is going to give +you another pleasant little surprise; ain't you, Polly?" + +"W'en I larns thet 'bout my uncle," continued the mountain girl, "I jest +thinks as how Bob hyah, he's be'n a wantin' ter larn somethin' 'bout his +ole man ther longest time ever. An' so I makes up my min' ter fotch 'im +right away up ter ther Still in ther cave, so's ter see how the man as +is chained'd feel ter git his boy in his arms onct agin!" + +"Oh! Polly, however can I thank you?" exclaimed the excited Bob; +"please let's start then right away. I thought I was tired, but now I'm +feelin' as fresh as ever I could be. You couldn't go too quick to suit +me!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +THE "STILL" IN THE MOUNTAIN CAVE. + + +"HIT'S sum climb," said Polly, doubtfully. + +"But think what is at the end of it," answered the eager Bob. "Why, to +see my father again, I'd go all night, and then some. Please don't say +you won't, Polly, after giving me your promise." + +"I'm gwine tuh leave hit tuh him," said the girl simply, and both of +them understood that she meant Thad; for doubtless Polly had guessed +before now that he was the leader of the boys in uniform, and that what +he said was authority. + +Thad knew there was no such thing as trying to restrain his chum, now +that the fever was in his veins; nor did he have any desire to do so. + +"He'll make it, all right, I think, Polly," he remarked, quietly. + +"Sure I will; so let's start," declared the other. + +Polly, of course, was willing. She did not seem to give one thought to +herself; and yet Thad remembered how swollen her ankle had seemed, after +such a bad twisting in the cleft of the rock that same afternoon, when +the angry wildcat threatened to jump at her. But then Polly had been +reared among the mountains that seem to meet the sky; and she was a girl +accustomed to standing all manner of pain as well as any grown man could +have done. + +They started to climb upward. + +One thing favored them, for which Thad was really glad. Polly knew every +foot of the rough country like a scholar might the printed pages of a +book. She could lead them along trails that they never would have +suspected existed at all, hidden as they were from the eye of a +stranger, by the artful moonshiners. And while possibly the climbing +might be difficult, it was never as bad as the boys had found it when +ascending the mountain in the day time. + +Bob for a wonder kept quiet. Of course he needed all his wind to carry +him through. Then again, he was naturally turning over in his mind the +amazing thing that had just come to him, and trying to realize his +wonderful good fortune. + +The thought that he was about to see his dear father shortly was enough +to fill his mind, to the exclusion of all else. And so he continued to +follow close after the nimble girl, while Thad brought up the rear. + +They paused to rest several times. No doubt it was more on account of +these two boys, quite unaccustomed to such harsh labor as climbing a +mountain, that compelled Polly to pause; because otherwise, she could +have kept straight on, without any rest. + +"We's gittin' thar now," she remarked, finally, as they halted for the +fourth time, with Bob fairly panting for breath, and Thad himself +secretly confessing that this mountain climbing after a surefooted girl +who had shown herself as nimble as a goat, was no "cinch." + +"I'm glad to hear that news, Polly," Bob admitted candidly; but then it +may have been on account of the fact that he was nearer the meeting with +his long-lost father, rather than an admission that he was tired. + +"Jest wun moah stop, an' shore we'll be thar; p'raps we cud make her +right smart from hyah, ef so be yuh felt fresh enuff," Polly explained. + +"Let's try, anyhow," declared Bob; "you don't know how much I can stand. +Why, I used to climb these same mountains as well as you ever could; and +it'd be queer if I'd forgot all I ever knew." + +"Thet sounds jest like a Quail," remarked the girl, with a chuckle, as +she once more took up the work. + +The last part of the climb was certainly the roughest of all. Old Phin +had hidden his secret Still in a quarter of the rocky uplift where no +revenue man thus far had ever been able to look upon it of his own free +will. + +But finally they heard Polly say that it was close by. Thad also noticed +that the girl had changed her manner more or less. She climbed now +without making the slightest noise; just as though some instinct, born +of her life in the zone where warfare always existed between her people +and the Government agents, had caused her to exercise caution. + +Thad saw that they were approaching what must be a rocky gully, leading +to some sort of cave. He remembered that Polly had, while speaking, +happened to mention the fact that her father's famous Still was located +in a cave, which could never be found by the smartest agent the +authorities had ever sent to look for such illegal distilleries. + +"Look out yer don't slip!" came in a low but thrilling whisper from the +guide at this juncture; and from this Thad assumed that they must be +passing along the edge of some dizzy precipice, that had to do with the +safety of the manufactory, the existence of which had so long taunted +the Government. + +Now and then Polly would give a slight pause. At such times Thad +believed she must be looking cautiously around, to make sure that the +guard had not returned to the place since she left there some time +before. + +Then he realized that he could no longer see the stars overhead. From +this he judged they must have passed underground; and that this was a +fact he presently learned when, by stretching out his hand, he felt the +cold rock close by. + +All around them was pitch darkness at first, and the girl had made Bob +take hold of her dress, while Thad in the rear kept a hand on his chum's +back as they moved slowly along. + +Presently the watchful scoutmaster made a little discovery that afforded +him pleasure. There must be a light ahead somewhere, for he began to +catch a faint glow, such as might come from a lantern. + +This illumination grew gradually stronger, until they could actually +manage to see dimly around them. + +"Wait hyah foh me, till I see ef ther coast is clar," whispered the +girl. + +The two scouts saw her slip away. It struck Thad that possibly he and +his chums had much to learn ere they could pass along as noiselessly as +this mountain girl. + +How the seconds dragged. Each one must have seemed torture to poor +anxious Bob, knowing as he did that the one he had long mourned as dead +was so near at hand. They heard nothing save a dripping sound, which +might have been caused by water. Evidently the secret Still was not in +operation just then; and words dropped by Polly gave Thad the impression +that possibly it had ceased work for all time, because of some reason +that brought about a change in the conditions. + +Polly could not have been gone more than five minutes before she came +gliding back again to where she had left the boys. + +"Hit's all right, an' thar don't 'pear ter be any guard 'round." + +She plucked at Bob's coat sleeve, as if to let him understand that he +could come on now; as if the boy needed a second invitation. + +They turned a bend in the narrow passage ahead, and Thad drew a long +breath as he looked upon one of the most remarkable scenes it had ever +been his fortune to see. + +The cave was a natural grotto, rock-ribbed, and as firm as the +everlasting foundations of the mountains themselves. The moonshiners had +fitted it up for their purpose; and there, for the first time Thad saw +what a Still looked like. After all, it did not amount to much, the worm +being the most interesting part of it. But then the fact that he was now +gazing upon the very Still that revenue men had for years tried in vain +to discover and wreck, gave the scoutmaster a sensation akin to awe. + +But all this he saw with one sweeping glance. There was more. A clanking +as of a chain drew his attention to a figure that had arisen from a +bench, and was pushing the long hair from his eyes to watch their +entrance. Evidently Polly during her short absence must have whispered +to the prisoner that Bob was close by. + +There was, of course, no such thing as holding Bob back any longer. He +saw that ragged and altogether uncouth figure, which of course bore not +the least resemblance to the father he remembered so well; but he also +had discovered a pair of extended arms, and toward their shelter the boy +fairly leaped. + +Another instant and Bob Quail was wrapped in the embrace of the parent +he had not seen in more than two years, and whose fate it had been to +remain here a prisoner among the moonshiners who hated him so +thoroughly, while his dear ones mourned him as dead. + +After a few minutes Thad moved closer, and gave a little cough, wishing +to let his chum know that he had a comrade tried and true near by. With +that Bob started up, and gripped him by the arm. + +"This is my best friend, Thad Brewster, father," he said. + +Thad shook hands with the emaciated man who had been confined in this +underground retreat so long. In spite of the long beard and strange +looks of the other, he realized that Mr. Quail was no ordinary man. But +then Thad had guessed that already, from what he had heard about the +one-time marshal. + +"This is a mighty big piece of luck for Bob!" Thad remarked. "It seems +nearly too good to be true; and he'll be the happiest boy in the States +when he takes you back home with him, sir." + +"Home!" repeated the prisoner; "how strange that word sounds, after +being shut up here so long. And how queer the outside world will seem to +me. But I hope the promise Old Phin Dady made me, still holds good; for +I've no longer the desire to hold out against his will. In my own mind +I'm no longer on the pay-roll of the Government, for he tells me every +one believes me dead; so I can take the vow with a clear conscience. +Yes, I'm hoping to go home with my boy." + +Thad felt that all now remaining for them to do was to get in +communication with the moonshiner, and have Mr. Quail set at liberty. +Surely after what he and Bob had done for the family of Phin Dady, the +latter could not refuse to let his prisoner go; especially since he now +professed his willingness to make the promise that up to this time he +had absolutely declined to subscribe to. + +They were still talking in this strain when a sound like a cough drew +their attention, and looking up, Thad discovered a grim figure leaning +on his gun not twenty feet away. There was no need to ask who the man +was, for every one of them had already recognized the moonshiner, Phin +Dady! + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +BUMPUS CALLS FOR THREE CHEERS. + + +THE mountaineer was the first to speak. + +"'Pears like I was interruptin' a leetle fambly reunion," he remarked, +drily. + +At any rate, Thad noticed, there did not seem to be any great show of +anger in the actions or words of the man. Nor was he leveling that +terrible gun, which had doubtless brought consternation into the hearts +of more than one invading group of revenue officers in times past. + +Indeed, Thad was rather inclined to think Old Phin looked remarkably +docile, as though his claws had been pulled, and he no longer felt that +the whole world was against him. + +Mr. Quail, however, did not see things in this way. He was not aware of +the great change that had come about in the Dady family, that threatened +to remove from the Blue Ridge the most remarkable and picturesque figure +the region had ever known. + +"I'm ready to make that promise you once put before me, Phin!" he cried +out, as if secretly fearing that harm might fall upon the head of his +venturesome boy, because of his braving the moonshiner's wrath by +searching out the secret Still. + +"Hit's too late fur thet, Mistah Quail!" declared the other grimly. + +"But surely you wouldn't think of changing your mind now?" said the +prisoner. + +"Thet's jest what I done, suh," answered Phin. "Polly, I'se noticin' as +how yuh brung them byes up hyah tuh the old Still. Reckons as how yuh +never'd dared do thet same on'y foh what's cum ter pass." + +"Reckons as how I wudn't, dad," replied the girl; who, somehow, did not +seem to display any particular fear of the stern parent, such as might +have been expected under the circumstances. + +"Are you going to let me go free, Phin Dady?" demanded the prisoner, +hoarsely. + +For answer the moonshiner stepped forward, and with a key he produced, +released the iron that had been fastened about the ankle of the one-time +revenue marshal. + +"I give you the promise you wanted, Phin, and never will I tell a living +soul where the hiding-place of your Still lies," Mr. Quail declared, +trying to conceal his emotion as a brave man might. + +"Thet's good o' ye, Mistah Quail," remarked the other, with one of his +dry chuckles that somehow Thad liked to hear. + +"And more than that, Phin," continued the other, earnestly, "I agree +never again to enter these mountains in search of the men who live here, +and who believe they have a right to make this moonshine stuff as they +please, whether the authorities down in Washington let them or not. I've +resigned as a marshal, Phin. You and your friends will never have to +think of me again as an enemy. And I suppose then that the curious +public will never get the sight of this famous Still of yours, that I +boasted they would." + +"Thet's whar yuh makes a mistake, suh," said the old man, with a wide +grin. "I reckons now as it's a gwine to be ther trade mark ter be used +on ther bottles. I be'n tole thet it ort ter help make sales, w'en they +knows the new medicine, made outen roots an' yarbs got in ther +mountings, an' wich cures all kinds o' shakes an' chills like magic, is +manufactured in ther same old Still as Phin Dady cooked moonshine stuff +foh nigh on ten hull yeahs." + +"What's that?" exclaimed the late prisoner, while Polly laughed softly, +like one who sees a new life opening up before her. + +Thad began to see glimpses of light. He remembered the strange words +used by the girl from time to time. Yes, there _had_ a change taken +place; things were never going to be the same as they had been in the +past. Accident had opened the eyes of the old mountaineer, and he had +discovered a way to make money, with the Government for, not against +him. + +"W'y, yuh see," he began, rather clumsily; when Polly took the words +from his mouth, being so full of the subject that she just could not +hold in. + +"He used ter make up a kind o' medicine w'enever we gut ther shakes, an' +it did the bizness the slickest yuh ever did see, suh," she started to +say. "Thar was a man as kim erlong heah, an' heerd 'bout hit. So he sez +as how he'd like ter take a bottle erlong, and hev it tested. W'ich they +done, an' writ as how it was sich a wonder thet p'raps dad, he cud +supply ther trade. An' on'y yist'day he done gits a letter, suh, as +binds ther bargain. Old Phin, he ain't agwine tuh make moonshine no +moah. We's ameanin' tuh go tuh town, jest as soon's we heahs from ther +people in Washington, as these drug men hes gone ter see. Yuh know hit +wudn't be nice if they sot on my dad as soon as he showed up, an' locked +him in prison, 'case as how he use ter make mounting dew on ther sly." + +Crudely expressed as it was, Thad understood the whole story now. It +fairly took his breath away, it was so strange. To think of this gaunt +old mountaineer having discovered a medicine that was going to prove as +great a benefit to mankind as the stuff he had been hitherto +manufacturing was a curse! It was almost too wonderful for belief. + +"Do you mean that the gentlemen who mean to handle the product of your +Still in the future are trying to get the authorities to wipe all the +past off the slate, and let your father start fresh?" asked Mr. Quail. + +"Thems erbout hit, suh," Polly replied, nodding her head. "Hand we-uns +'spect ter live in town arter this, whar p'raps I kin wear a hat, an' +hev sum shoes as hain't big ernuff fur a man, an' git some larnin' in +school. Soon's as we knows, we reckons on movin'." + +"And Phin Dady, perhaps I might be of assistance to you down at +Washington, once I get to a barber, and look something respectable," +said the late prisoner. + +"D'ye mean thet ye don't hold no grudge agin me foh what I done tuh ye?" +demanded the old moonshiner, evidently surprised. + +"That's just what I mean," replied the other, heartily. "Outside of +keeping me a prisoner, and even that was partly my fault, you've not +been harder on me than one might expect. And I'm so happy now, with this +noble lad by my side, and the knowledge that my wife still lives, that I +couldn't bear you any ill feeling. I hope you'll be a big success in +your new business; and here's my hand, if you care to take it." + +"Hurrah!" cried Bob, feeling like throwing up his hat when he saw the +two men, enemies for so long, shaking hands in a friendly way. + +Thad himself had never felt so light-hearted. It seemed as though all of +their troubles had suddenly taken flight, and the future looked bright +indeed. This hike through the Blue Ridge had turned out ten times more +wonderful than any of them had ever dreamed, when the undertaking was +first discussed, away up in Cranford. It had given Bob back a father +whom he had believed was dead; and presently Bertha, too, would be taken +from the guardian who had no real legal right to her charge. + +The Boy Scouts would be able to go back to their home town with a +feather in their hats, after accomplishing so many wonderful things. + +But how were they going to get down to the faraway camp? Would Mr. +Quail, who must be weak on account of having been kept in the cavern so +long, be able to stand the rough trip? Perhaps, after all, they had +better stay there during the balance of the night, and wait for daylight +to come. + +Thad was perfectly willing to leave all this to the gentleman himself; +and presently he became aware that they were even then discussing it. + +His long and bitter association with those cold walls, and that Still, +must have given Mr. Quail a dislike for the sight of them; because he +expressed himself as only too willing to start down without delay. + +"It's true that I'm not as strong as I might be right now," he admitted; +"but that weakness ought to pass away as I get the fresh air. Besides, +having my boy at my side will work wonders. Yes, please do not let my +condition keep us here one minute longer than is absolutely necessary." + +And so they all started down. Since there was no longer any need for +secrecy, Polly carried the lantern along. + +After all, it was not such very hard work. With a light to show them +what they had to avoid, and a pilot who knew every foot of the +mountainside, they made very fair progress indeed. Even Mr. Quail +declared he was getting stronger all the time, as he drew in big +quantities of the sweet mountain air, so different from that he had been +enduring so long, tainted with the fumes of the Still. + +Once Polly halted, and drew their attention to a light far down. + +"Thet's yer fire," was what she said, simply; and both Bob and Thad +allowed their gaze to fall upon the flicker with a sense of deep +satisfaction; for they knew that they were about to prove to be +messengers of good tidings to those tried and true comrades so anxiously +awaiting their return. + +Thad forgot that his feet burned, and that his muscles cried out in +protest against such unusual exertion; the thing that had happened was +of so wonderful a nature that every time he thought about it he told +himself he ought to consider himself equal to the task of walking up and +down hill all the remainder of the night, without a single groan or +falter. + +Now they were evidently drawing nearer the lower part of the mountain. +Glimpses they caught of the camp-fire told them this good news. Besides, +Thad really began to recognize his surroundings. + +And he was not so very much surprised when Polly suddenly stopped and +pointing to the rock at her feet, remarked: + +"Hit war right thar, dad, as I got cort by ther foot; an' on thet ledge +yonder ther cat squatted, agrowlin' and spittin' like the Ole Nick, and +meanin' tuh jump right on me. See, hyars a stick thet helped tuh beat +him off. An' as yuh knows, 'twar this same boy, Thad they calls 'im, as +dun fixed Uncle Cliff up, so's Nate an' Tom, they cud fotch him acrost +tuh ther doc. Reckon we ort tuh do all we kin ter show 'em ther Dady +fambly hes gut feelins." + +"Shore we ort, gal, an' we's agwine tuh do thet same," declared Old +Phin. + +"We don't doubt it," said Thad, more or less affected by these evidences +of gratitude on the part of the mountaineer and his daughter. "What I +did was only a little thing you know, that could hardly count." + +"But hit saved Cliff's life, an' thet meant sumthin' foh him," the girl +continued, with a shake of her tousled head. "Come erlong, an' let's git +down thar. Reckons as how a cup o' coffee'd taste right good tuh yuh +dad." + +"Coffee!" echoed Mr. Quail, as though the very sound of the word touched +his inmost feelings; "it'll seem like nectar for the gods just to smell +it again, after--but no matter, it was the best they had, and I oughtn't +to say anything." + +All the same Thad noticed that his steps quickened a little, and he +seemed to sniff the air from time to time, as if in imagination he could +already catch a faint whiff of the treat in store for him. + +As they drew closer to the camp Thad could see that some of the boys +were sitting there. Perhaps they had been too anxious to even try and +sleep; though he believed he knew of one at least who could never have +held out all this while, no matter how strong his determination. + +Waiting until they had arrived within a certain distance, and there was +no evidence that any one had noticed the descending lantern, Thad gave +vent to a call. It was the bark of the fox, and used by the members of +the patrol as a signal in case they wished to communicate with one +another. + +He saw the figures about the fire quicken into life. They seemed to +jump to their feet, and stare about them, as if unable to understand +what that call meant. + +A little to the surprise of Thad his signal was repeated from a point +close by, and immediately Allan Hollister showed up. Undoubtedly the +Maine boy had been scouting around the borders of the camp, seeking to +guard against any surprise. He had watched the coming of the group with +the lantern, and guessed that two of them must be the missing comrades, +Thad and Bob. + +When they all stalked into camp, the boys were thunderstruck to see Old +Phin and his daughter, apparently on the best of terms with their +comrades; and as for the tall man with the long hair and beard, they +could easily guess who he must be by the way Bob Quail clung to his +hand. + +Then Bumpus called for three cheers, and they were given with a vim that +made the valley echo from side to side. Possibly some of those +moonshiner videttes must have started up, wondering what on earth could +be occurring in the camp of the Boy Scouts. + +There was little chance that any of the boys would get a wink of sleep +during the remainder of that eventful night. Long did they sit there by +the revived fire, watching Mr. Quail drink his coffee, cup after cup, +and listening to the strangest story they had ever heard. Even when +finally, along about three in the morning, they were induced to lie +down upon their various beds of leaves and grass, sleep must have +utterly refused to visit their eyes, save in the case of Bumpus himself; +and he could drop into slumber in almost "any old position, even if he +were hanging by his heels," as Giraffe used to say. + +And so the night passed away, and another morning found them, red-eyed +but joyful beyond compare; for they felt that their great hike among the +mountains had turned out to be the finest thing possible, both for their +comrade, Bob, and themselves. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +HOME AGAIN--CONCLUSION. + + +THE mountain hike had come to an end. + +One and all, the Boy Scouts declared that they had seen about enough of +this wild country of the Blue Ridge, and would be glad to turn their +steps toward dear old Cranford. They believed they could find other ways +to enjoy themselves that offered better inducements than climbing the +sides of mountains, with suspicious moonshiners watching their every +move. + +Of course, now that Old Phin Dady had taken them under his protection, +they had no reason to fear any bodily harm. And what Thad had done for +Cliff Dorie must go pretty far toward making them friends among the +ignorant mountain people. But because Old Phin meant to desert his +former calling for one that would have the sanction of the law, did not +mean that moonshine stuff would not continue to be made up in the dells +back of the trail in the Smoky Range. There were many others who knew no +other means for making a slim livelihood, than by cheating the +Government of the heavy tax it placed on strong drink. + +So the scouts decided, by a unanimous vote, that they had seen enough of +these parts; and would hail with delight an order to turn their backs on +it all. Besides, did they not know that both Bob and his father would be +fairly wild to hasten to the waiting mother and wife in that Northern +home? + +They made the start as soon as they could get in marching order. Polly +and her father accompanied them through the mountains. This was +considered best, lest some suspicious moonshiner think it his duty to +take a pot shot or two at those figures far down the valley, wearing the +khaki uniform he hated. + +At every cabin they passed, the natives swarmed out to see the strange +sight of Old Phin walking amiably by the side of the boy soldiers, as +they supposed the scouts to be. Once or twice there was an ugly +demonstration, some of the natives fancying that the mountaineer must +have surrendered, and was being carried off to jail. It took +considerable explaining to get these people to understand the truth +about things, and that Phin was on the best of terms with the boys. + +Finally he dared go no further, because as yet he did not know what +success his agents, the drug men, had in Washington; and there was +danger of revenue men sighting him at any moment, when trouble must +break out, since there had been war between them for so long. + +When the little party of scouts turned up again in Asheville, they found +plenty to do there to keep them over until another day. First of all, +Mr. Quail underwent a complete transformation at the hands of a barber; +for he declared he believed the sight of him, in his present condition, +with such long hair and beard, would be enough to send his poor wife +into a fit, or else have her drive him from the door as a pretender. + +And when he appeared before the scouts, decently dressed in a new suit, +which Bob's money paid for, as he had none himself just then, Bumpus +voiced the sentiments of the entire patrol when he declared that Mr. +Quail was as fine looking a gentleman as he knew. + +Of course a message had been sent to Cranford, to apprise Bob's mother +of the glorious result of his hike down in the Blue Ridge country, which +they had once upon a time called home. It had to be very carefully +worded, lest the shock to her nerves prove too great. And in another +day, father and son hoped to be once more with the one who would not +sleep a wink until her own eyes beheld the loved form which she believed +had gone from her forever. + +Then there was that affair concerning little Bertha to be considered. +Great had been the indignation of Mr. Quail when, on examining the paper +which Bob had secured through the help of the girl, he realized all the +rascality that Reuben Sparks had been guilty of. + +They held an interview with a well-known lawyer, who, on hearing the +facts, and seeing the legal document, advised them to leave it all in +his charge. + +"I promise you that this party will be summoned to appear forthwith, +bringing his ward with him," this legal gentleman had declared; "and +once within the jurisdiction of the court, it will be an easy matter to +dispossess him. Indeed, should he show fight, we can have him sent up +for a term of years." + +With such a pleasant prospect before them, did the scouts leave the Old +Tar-heel State. They had come down here for an outing, and to see what +Bob had once called his home; but the tour had turned out to be a more +serious affair than any of them could ever have anticipated. + +And now they were on the way home again, filled with memories of the +many events that had seasoned their brief stay in the Land of the Sky; +home to familiar scenes and to look upon faces that were dear to them. + +A jolly party they were on the train that bore them away toward the +North. Bob and his father sat by themselves, for they had a thousand +things to talk about, that concerned only their private interests. But +the rest clustered at one end of the sleeper, and eagerly reviewed the +stories they would have to tell. + +"Oh! we'll have the greatest time ever, just showing the fellers how we +did it," declared Bumpus. "First of all, we'll get Giraffe to wade into +a creek, and explain how he was bein' pulled down by that sucking +quicksand, when the prompt arrival of the rest of the bunch saved his +precious life. I always heard that when one's just born to be hanged +there ain't no use tryin' to get rid of him by any other means; which I +guess stands for quicksand too." + +"That sounds mighty fine, Bumpus," remarked Giraffe, unmoved by the +laughter greeting the proposition; "but just think what a great stunt +it'll be when we get Davy Jones here showing 'em what he c'n do dropping +down head-first into a bully old camp-fire, and swimmin' in red coals. +That ought to bring down the house; if only we c'n coax him to do it +over again." + +"Not much you will," declared the said Davy, looking ruefully at sundry +red marks on both his wrists, that served to remind him of the accident. +"Once is enough for me; and I tell you right now, fellows, if ever I +_do_ climb a tree again, to exercise, I'm going to be mighty careful I +don't hang down over a blaze. There's such a thing as takin' too many +chances." + +"A burnt child dreads the fire," sang out Step Hen. + +"Hello! are you there, old sobersides?" remarked Giraffe, pretending to +be surprised; "now, we all of us thought you might be busy writin' out +in your mind a treatise on how to be happy watching a tumble-bug try to +roll his big ball uphill; or else what lessons can be gained by watching +the humble beetle in his never-say-die act as a gymnast. But I see +you've got your badge right-side up to-day, all to the good, Step Hen; +what wonderful stunt have you been pulling off now?" + +"Oh! it didn't amount to much, I guess, fellows; but then even a little +speck of kindness counts, they say," remonstrated Step Hen. + +"I happen to know," remarked Thad, breaking into the conversation; "for +I was just coming into that other ordinary car, when I saw our comrade +doing himself proud. Perhaps it _is_ only a little thing for a boy to +notice that a poor woman with three kids clinging to her skirts, and a +baby in her arms, wants to get a bottle of milk warmed, and don't know +just how to manage it; and to offer to do it for her; but let me tell +you, that poor tired mother said 'thank you, my boy' just as if it meant +a _heap_ to her! Yes, Step Hen, you had a right to turn your badge; and +I only hope you find as good a chance to do it every single day, as you +did on this one." + +And Giraffe became suddenly silent. Perhaps something within told him +that he too had passed that same weary mother; and if he thought +anything at all at the time it was only to wonder why a woman could be +so silly as to travel with so many children. + +"Well, you see," remarked Step Hen, feeling that some sort of +explanation was expected from him, after the scoutmaster had given him +the "spot light" on the stage. "I got to talkin' with her afterwards, +and she told me that the children's paw had just died down South, and +she was on her way home to her mother's. After hearin' that, fellers, I +wanted to do anything more I could for the poor thing; and I did jump +off at the last station, and buy the kids some sandwiches, 'cause, you +see, they didn't have a great lot to munch on. But it was worth while to +watch 'em gobble the snack of chicken I got along with 'em, like they +hadn't had a bite to eat this livelong day." + +Thad walked away, satisfied that Step Hen was proving his worth as a +scout. That little lesson of the humble bug had opened his eyes, and +through those touched his heart. Perhaps he might not change all at +once, for he was inclined to stumble, and fall down, when he had made +good resolutions; but the chances were he would see more in life than +ever before. + +And that is what a scout wants to do, keep his eyes open all the while, +in order to notice many of the strange things that are happening every +minute of the day all around him; until he learns to do that which will +give him the greatest treat that could possibly happen to any one. + +Time was when Step Hen might have passed that poor mother, and never +have given her a second thought; but it was different now. And the +strange thing about it, in Thad's mind, was that an obscure little +tumble-bug, one of the lowliest of all created things, could have +succeeded in showing Step Hen that he had a heart; and that even a boy +can find chances to do kindly acts, if he looks for them. + +"Well," said Bumpus, as they huddled together in a bunch, exchanging +views and watching the mountains and valleys as they were whirled past, +"if we could have the say right now where the Silver Fox Patrol would +spend next vacation, where d'ye reckon it would be?" + +"Let's take a vote!" suggested Step Hen. + +"That's the ticket, Mr. Secretary, get eight ballots ready, and let's +write first choice and second, majority rules," and the patrol leader +nodded in the direction of his chum Allan, just as much as to say it was +easy to guess what one vote would be. + +"Count as I call out, Bob White. Here goes now: Maine first choice, +Rocky Mountains second." + +"Hurrah!" cried Bumpus. + +"Another for Maine, with the Saskatchewan country of Canada second," +Thad went on; "but this comrade forgot that as American Boy Scouts we +do not want to spend our money and vacations in a foreign land." + +When the eight ballots had been counted, strange to say Maine was first +choice with every one, and the Rockies well in the lead as second. + +"Move we make it unanimous," laughed Giraffe, which was duly done +according to statute. + +"Much good that will do, with a whole year to wait, because it wouldn't +pay to go up into Maine for only Christmas week," grumbled Step Hen. + +But strange to say it was decreed in a most remarkable way that the wish +expressed by the scouts should be made an actual fact, and just how this +came about the reader will find duly set forth in the third volume of +this series entitled, "The Boy Scouts on the Trail, or Scouting through +the Big Game Country." + +In due time the scouts arrived at Cranford station, where their coming +had been anticipated; for the story of how the boys had found the +missing husband of Mrs. Quail had somehow gotten around, since Cranford +had its gossips. One of these happened to be calling on the lady at the +time Bob's telegram arrived. Of course its nature was such as to give +Mrs. Quail a shock, though she quickly recovered; but there had been +ample time for the visitor to glance at the message, between dabs at the +face of the fainting lady with a handkerchief wet with cologne. And that +was how the news got out. + +"Look at the crowd, would you?" gasped Bumpus, as he poked his head out +of the door, and saw what seemed to his excited imagination about the +whole of Cranford filling the home station, and craning necks in the +endeavor to be the first to glimpse the resurrected father of Bob Quail. + +"Hurrah for the Boy Scouts!" some one called out. + +They were given with a rush and a roar that brought other passengers +hurrying to the windows of the cars, to see what popular hero it could +be arriving home, to excite such a tremendous demonstration. + +"Hurrah for Thad Brewster!" called a second school-boy, as the young +scoutmaster stepped off the train, bearing certain bundles, that might +be a haversack and a take-down shotgun. + +Another wave of applause went sweeping up from the crowd. + +"Three cheers for Bob Quail, and his dad!" shrilled yet another +enthusiast; upon which the echoes were fairly awakened by the racket. + +The scouts fell into line, and two and two marched along the station +platform; for Mr. Quail had already taken his wife into his arms, and +they had retired to the interior of the little building, in order to be +less conspicuous while they talked it all over. + +Bumpus sounded his bugle, and the boys kept step as they walked along, +with heads up, and feeling that they had gained the right to feel a bit +proud, after what they had gone through. The crowd pushed after them, +still shouting, and making a great clamor. + +And from one of the car windows looked a bevy of childish faces, back of +which was the wan one of the tired mother; Step Hen disobeyed the rules +for one second only, when he turned, and waved his hand to his little +friends of the train. Seeing which Thad Brewster said softly to himself: + +"I warrant you that little woman believes all this noise is meant for +just one boy, and he the fellow who was so kind to her; because, in her +sight Step Hen is a real hero, and this racket is meant especially for +his home-coming." + + + THE END. + + + + +The Boy Scouts Series + +BY HERBERT CARTER + + +[Illustration] + + For Boys 12 to 16 Years + All Cloth Bound Copyright Titles + PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH + + New Stories of Camp Life + + THE BOY SCOUTS' FIRST CAMPFIRE; or, Scouting with + the Silver Fox Patrol. + + THE BOY SCOUTS IN THE BLUE RIDGE; or, Marooned + Among the Moonshiners. + + THE BOY SCOUTS ON THE TRAIL; or, Scouting through + the Big Game Country. + + THE BOY SCOUTS IN THE MAINE WOODS; or, The New + Test for the Silver Fox Patrol. + + THE BOY SCOUTS THROUGH THE BIG TIMBER; or, The + Search for the Lost Tenderfoot. + + THE BOY SCOUTS IN THE ROCKIES; or, The Secret of + the Hidden Silver Mine. + + THE BOY SCOUTS ON STURGEON ISLAND; or, Marooned + Among the Game-Fish Poachers. + + THE BOY SCOUTS DOWN IN DIXIE; or, The Strange + Secret of Alligator Swamp. + + THE BOY SCOUTS AT THE BATTLE OF SARATOGA; A story + of Burgoyne's Defeat in 1777. + + THE BOY SCOUTS ALONG THE SUSQUEHANNA; or, The + Silver Fox Patrol Caught in a Flood. + + THE BOY SCOUTS ON WAR TRAILS IN BELGIUM; or, + Caught Between Hostile Armies. + + THE BOY SCOUTS AFOOT IN FRANCE; or, With The Red + Cross Corps at the Marne. + + * * * * * + + For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price + by the Publishers + + A. L. BURT COMPANY + 114-120 EAST 23rd STREET NEW YORK + + + + +The Golden Boys Series + +[Illustration] + + BY L. P. WYMAN, PH.D. + Dean of Pennsylvania Military College. + +A new series of instructive copyright stories for boys of High School +Age. + + Handsome Cloth Binding. + PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH. + + THE GOLDEN BOYS AND THEIR NEW ELECTRIC CELL + + THE GOLDEN BOYS AT THE FORTRESS + + THE GOLDEN BOYS IN THE MAINE WOODS + + THE GOLDEN BOYS WITH THE LUMBER JACKS + + THE GOLDEN BOYS ON THE RIVER DRIVE + + * * * * * + + For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by + the Publishers. + + A. L. BURT COMPANY + 114-120 East 23rd Street, New York + + + + + * * * * * + + + + +Transcriber's note: + +Obvious punctuation errors were corrected. + +Page 4, "Granford" changed to "Cranford" (home town of Cranford) + +Page 4, "Allen" changed to "Allan" (command, was Allan) + +Page 5, "Allen" changed to "Allan" (looked to Allan) + +Page 24, "in" changed to "it" (is it, right here) + +Page 54, "knicked" changed to "kicked" (beast kicked up his) + +Page 60, "pome" changed to "poem" (that stirring poem) + +Page 62, "neen't" changed to "needn't" (needn't be afraid) + +Page 87, "moat" changed to "mote" (mote out of your) + +Page 90, "at" changed to "apt" (are apt to interest) + +Page 94, "happennings" changed to "happenings" (of the queer happenings) + +Page 142, "supose" changed to "suppose" (I suppose we've) + +Page 147, "putties" changed to "puttees" (their puttees protected) + +Page 181, "tournaquet" changed to "tourniquet" (making a tourniquet) + +Page 190, "too" changed to "to" (going to tell you) + +Page 193, "Allen" changed to "Allan" (direction, too," added Allan) + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY SCOUTS IN THE BLUE RIDGE*** + + +******* This file should be named 32240-8.txt or 32240-8.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/2/2/4/32240 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: The Boy Scouts in the Blue Ridge</p> +<p> Marooned Among the Moonshiners</p> +<p>Author: Herbert Carter</p> +<p>Release Date: May 3, 2010 [eBook #32240]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY SCOUTS IN THE BLUE RIDGE***</p> +<p> </p> +<h4>E-text prepared by David Edwards, Emmy,<br /> + and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> + (<a href="http://www.pgdp.net/c/">http://www.pgdp.net</a>)<br /> + from page images generously made available by<br /> + Internet Archive<br /> + (<a href="http://www.archive.org/">http://www.archive.org</a>)</h4> +<p> </p> +<table border="0" style="background-color: #ccccff;" cellpadding="10"> + <tr> + <td valign="top"> + Note: + </td> + <td> + Images of the original pages are available through + Internet Archive. See + <a href="http://www.archive.org/details/boyscoutsinbluer00cart"> + http://www.archive.org/details/boyscoutsinbluer00cart</a> + </td> + </tr> +</table> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 313px;"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="313" height="500" alt="Cover" title="" /> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 268px;"> +<img src="images/i002.jpg" width="268" height="446" alt=""Good shot, Bob!" cried Thad. "Get another stone, quick, for he's coming after you." Page 146.—The Boy Scouts In the Blue Ridge." title="" /> +<span class="caption">"Good shot, Bob!" cried Thad. "Get another stone, quick, for he's coming after you." Page 146.—The Boy Scouts In the Blue Ridge.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> +<div class='center'> <table class="title" summary="title"> +<tr><td align='center'><br /> +<h1>The Boy Scouts<br />In the Blue Ridge</h1> + +OR<br /> + +<big>Marooned Among the Moonshiners</big> + +<h2>By HERBERT CARTER</h2> + + +<small>Author of "The Boy Scouts First Camp Fire," "The Boy</small><br /> +<small>Scouts On the Trail," "The Boy Scouts In the Maine</small><br /> +<small>Woods," "The Boy Scouts Through the</small><br /> +<small>Big Timber," "The Boy Scouts</small><br /> +<small>In the Rockies"</small><br /> + + + +<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + +<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></td> +</tr></table></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span></p> + + + + +<div class='copyright'> +Copyright, 1913<br /> +<span class="smcap">By A. L. Burt Company</span><br /> +<br /> +THE BOY SCOUTS IN THE BLUE RIDGE.<br /></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span></p> + +<h2>THE BOY SCOUTS IN THE BLUE RIDGE</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<h3>THE HIKE THROUGH THE SMOKY RANGE.</h3> + + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Did</span> anybody happen to see my knapsack +around?"</p> + +<p>"Why, you had it just a few minutes ago, Step +Hen!"</p> + +<p>"I know that, Bumpus; and I'd take my affidavy +I laid it down on this rock."</p> + +<p>"Well, don't whine so about a little thing like +that, Step Hen; it ain't there now, and that's a fact."</p> + +<p>"Somebody's gone and sneaked it on me, that's +what. I'm the unluckiest feller in the whole bunch, +for havin' queer things happen to him. Just can't +lay a single thing I've got down anywhere, but what +it disappears in the most <i>remarkable</i> way you ever +heard of, and bobs up somewhere else! I must be +haunted, I'm beginnin' to believe. Do <i>you</i> know +anything about my knapsack, Giraffe?"</p> + +<p>"Never touched your old grub sack, Step Hen;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span> +so don't you dare accuse me of playing a trick on +you. Sure you didn't hang it up somewhere; I've +known you to do some funny stunts that way;" and +the tall boy called "Giraffe" by his mates, stretched +his long neck in a most ridiculous manner, as he +looked all around.</p> + +<p>Eight boys were on a hike through the mountains +of North Carolina. From the fact that they were +all dressed in neat khaki uniforms it was evident +that they must belong to some Boy Scout troop; and +were off on a little excursion. This was exactly the +truth; and they had come a long distance by rail +before striking their present wild surroundings.</p> + +<p>Their home town of <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Granford'">Cranford</ins> was located in a +big Northern State, and all the members of the +Silver Fox Patrol lived there; though several of +them had come to that busy little town from other +sections of the country.</p> + +<p>Besides two of those whose conversation has been +noted at the beginning of this chapter there was, +first of all, Thad Brewster, the leader of the patrol, +and when at home acting as scoutmaster in the absence +of the young man who occupied that position, +in order to carry out the rules and principles of the +organization. Thad was a bright lad, and having +belonged to another troop before coming to Cranford, +knew considerably more than most of his fellows +in the patrol.</p> + +<p>Next to him, as second in command, was <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Allen'">Allan</ins><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span> +Hollister, a boy who had been raised to get the +bumps of experience. He had lived for a time up in +the Adirondacks, and also in Maine. When it came +down to showing how things ought to be done according +to the ways of woodsmen, and not by the +book, the boys always looked to <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Allen'">Allan</ins> for information.</p> + +<p>Then there was a slender, rather effeminate, boy, +who seemed very particular about his looks, as +though he feared lest his uniform become soiled, or +the shine on his shoes suffer from the dust of the +mountain road. This was "Smithy." Of course +he had another name when at home or in school—Edmund +Maurice Travers Smith; but no ordinary +boy could bother with such a high-flown appellation +as this; and so "Smithy" it became as soon as he +began to circulate among the lads of Cranford.</p> + +<p>Next to him was a dumpy, rollicking sort of a +boy, who seemed so clumsy in his actions that he was +forever stumbling. He had once answered to the +name of Cornelius Jasper Hawtree; but if anybody +called out "Bumpus" he would smile, and answer +to it. Bumpus he must be then to the end of the +story. And as he was musically inclined, possessing +a fine tenor voice, and being able to play on "any +old instrument," as he claimed it was only right that +he assume the duties of bugler to the Cranford +Troop. Bumpus carried the shining bugle at his +side, held by a thick crimson cord; and when he tried<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> +he could certainly draw the sweetest kind of notes +from its brass throat.</p> + +<p>Then there was Davy Jones, a fellow who had a +sinuous body, and seemed to be a born athlete. +Davy could do all sorts of "stunts," and was never +so happy as hanging by his toes from the high +branch of some tree; or turning a double somersault +in the air, always landing on his nimble feet, +like a cat. Davy had one affliction, which often +gave him more or less trouble. He was liable to be +seized with cramps at any time; and these doubled +him up in a knot. He carried some pills given to +him by the family doctor at home, and at such times +one of the other boys usually forced a couple between +his blue lips. But some of the fellows were +beginning to have faint suspicions concerning these +"cramps;" and that the artful Davy always seemed +to be gripped nowadays when there was a prospect +of some extra heavy work at hand.</p> + +<p>The last of the eight boys was a dark-haired lad, +with a face that, while handsome, was a little inclined +to be along the order of the proud. Robert +White Quail was a Southern-born boy. He came +from Alabama, but had lived many years in this very +region through which the Silver Fox Patrol was +now hiking. Indeed, it had been at his personal solicitation +that they had finally agreed to take their +outing in climbing the famous Blue Ridge Mountains, +and tasting some of the delights of a genuine<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span> +experience in the wilderness. Among his companions +the Southern lad went by the name of "Bob +White;" and considering what his last name happened +to be, it can be easily understood that nothing +else in the wide world would have answered.</p> + +<p>Of course Step Hen had another name, which was +plainly Stephen Bingham. When a mite, going to +school for the first time, on being asked his name by +the teacher, he had spelled it as made up of two distinct +words; and so Step Hen he was bound to be +called by his comrades.</p> + +<p>Giraffe also was known in family circles as Conrad +Stedman; but if any boy in Cranford was asked +about such a fellow, the chances were he would +shake his head, and declare that the only one he +knew by the name of Stedman was "Giraffe," For +some time he had gone as "Rubberneck," but this +became so common that the other stuck to him. Giraffe +loved eating. He was also passionately fond +of making fires, so that the others called him the +fire fiend. When Giraffe was around no one else +had the nerve to even think of starting the camp-fire; +though after that had been done, he was willing +they should "tote" the wood to keep it running.</p> + +<p>The day was rather warm, even for up in the +mountains, and if the signs told the truth they might +look for a thunder storm before a great while.</p> + +<p>As the scouts had no tents along, and were marching +in very light order, they would have to depend<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> +upon their natural sagacity to carry them through +any emergencies that might arise, either in connection +with the weather, or the food line. But they +knew they could place unlimited dependence on +their leaders; and besides, as Bob White had spent +many years of his young life in this region, he must +know considerable about its resources.</p> + +<p>They were now in what is known as the Smoky +Range, a spur of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which +borders on Tennessee. Not a great many miles +away was Asheville, a well-known resort; but few of +the society people frequenting that place had ever +ventured up in these lonely localities; for they did +not have the best reputation possible.</p> + +<p>Among these wild peaks dwelt men who, in spite +of the efforts of revenue officers, persisted in defying +the law that put a ban on the making of what has +always been known as "moonshine" whiskey. Occasionally +an arrest might be made; but there was +much danger attached to this thing; and the country +was so rugged, that it would take an army of +United States regulars to clean out the nests of +moonshiners holding forth there.</p> + +<p>It would seem as though this might be a rather +strange region for the hike of a Boy Scout patrol; +and had the parents or guardians of the boys known +as much about it as those living in Asheville, they +might have thought twice before granting the lads +permission to come here.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span></p> + +<p>But it had been partly on the invitation of Bob +White that the expedition had been planned and +mapped out. He seemed to have a strange yearning +to revisit the region that had been his former home; +and when some one proposed that they explore some +of the mysteries of the famous Blue Ridge, Bob +eagerly seconded the motion, in his warm Southern +way. And that was how it started. Once boys get +an idea in their heads, it soon gains weight, just like +a rolling snowball.</p> + +<p>And now they were here, with the grim mountains +all around them, silence wrapping them about, +and mystery seeming to fill the very air. But +healthy boys are not easily impressed or daunted by +such things; and they cracked jokes and carried on +as boys will do with the utmost freedom.</p> + +<p>The conversation between Step Hen, Bumpus and +Giraffe having attracted the attention of the scoutmaster, +he called out at this juncture:</p> + +<p>"Whose knapsack is that you've got strapped on +your back right now, Number Eight?"</p> + +<p>A shout went up as Step Hen, quickly turning the +article in question around surveyed it blankly; but +apparently both Bumpus and Giraffe had known of +its presence all the while, though pretending ignorance.</p> + +<p>"Who strapped that to my back?" demanded the +owner. "I don't remember doing it, give you my +word for it, fellers. Mighty queer how things always<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> +happen to <i>me</i>, and nobody else. But anyhow, +I'm ready to continue the march, if the rest of you +are."</p> + +<p>Five minutes later, and the boys were straggling +along the rough road that wound in and out, as it +pierced the valleys between the peaks looming up +on either side. There was no attempt at keeping +order on the march, and the boys, while trying to +remain within sight of each other, walked along in +groups or couples.</p> + +<p>Giraffe and Bumpus, a strange combination always, +yet very good chums, were at some distance in +the lead. Bringing up the rear were Thad and +Allan, examining some chart of the region, which +Bob White had drawn for them, and talking over +what the plan of campaign should be.</p> + +<p>In the midst of this pleasant afternoon quiet there +suddenly arose the piercing notes of the bugle, followed +by a loud and hoarse shout; and looking up +hastily, Thad Brewster was surprised to see Bumpus +wildly waving both his arms. Although he was at +some little distance away, and at the bottom of the +decline, what he shouted came plainly to the ears of +the young scoutmaster, giving him something of a +thrill:</p> + +<p>"Hey! come along here, you fellers; Giraffe, he's +got stuck in the crick, up to his knees, and he says +it's quicksand!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<h3>SEEING GIRAFFE THROUGH.</h3> + + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Quicksand!</span>" shrieked Step Hen, who happened +to be keeping company with Davy Jones just +ahead of the two leaders of the patrol. "Hey! +hurry your stumps, fellers, and get there before poor +Giraffe is pulled under. Ain't it lucky he c'n stretch +his neck so far? Anyhow he ought to keep his head +above water."</p> + +<p>Everybody was on the run by now, and as Bumpus +kept sounding the assembly on his silver-plated +bugle, what with the shouts of the advancing khaki-clad +boys, the picture was an inspiring one.</p> + +<p>When they reached the border of the little stream +that crossed the mountain road, sure enough, there +was the tall scout up above his knees in the water, +and looking rather forlorn.</p> + +<p>"What had I ought to do, Allan?" he bawled out, +naturally appealing to the one whose practical experience +was apt to be of more benefit to him at such +a time than all the theories ever advanced. "You +see, I was crossing here, and stopped right in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> +middle to turn around and say somethin' to Bumpus. +Then I found that both my feet seemed like they +was glued down. When I tried to lift one, the other +only sank down deeper. And it came to me like a +flash that I was gripped in quicksand. When I told +Bumpus here he squawked, and blew his horn to +beat the band."</p> + +<p>"Horn!" echoed Bumpus, indignantly; "why +can't you ever learn to say bugle. You're the only +one I know of that owns to a horn; and you blow +that often enough, I'll be bound."</p> + +<p>"Ain't you goin' to get me out?" demanded the +now alarmed Giraffe, as he felt himself slowly but +surely sinking deeper. "Say, is that the way to +treat a fellow you all have known so long? I ain't +foolin', let me tell you. And if you stand there +much longer, grinnin' at me, it'll be too late! You'll +feel sorry when you only see the top of my head +above water. I tell you there ain't no bottom to this +crick. It goes clean through to China, it does, now. +Give us a hand, Allan, Thad. One scout ought to +help another, you know; and I bet some of you +haven't done a single good deed to-day, to let you +turn your badge right-side up."</p> + +<p>Among Boy Scouts it is considered the proper +thing to invert the badge every morning, and not +change its position until the owner has something +worth while to his credit, even though it may only be +the helping of an old man across the busy street; or<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> +the carrying of a basket for a lame woman coming +from market. This was what Giraffe evidently had +in mind, when trying to spur his comrades on to +helping him out of the mire into which he had fallen.</p> + +<p>"What can be done for him, Allan?" asked the +scoutmaster, turning to the other.</p> + +<p>"Yes, think up something, Allan; and for goodness +sake be quick about it," called the one in the +water. "Just hear how that sucks, will you, when +I work my foot up and down? And now, there, the +other leg's deeper by two inches than it was. Be +quick about it, or you'll be sorry."</p> + +<p>"If there was a tree above his head I'd say get a +rope over a limb, make a loop at the end, and drag +him out that way," remarked Allan.</p> + +<p>"And pull my neck longer than it is; I'm glad +then there ain't no tree!" snapped the alarmed +Giraffe.</p> + +<p>"Oh! rats, he meant we'd put the loop under your +arms, silly!" called out Davy.</p> + +<p>"Some of you get hold of those old fence rails +over there," Allan went on. "We can make a mattress +of them, and get over to Giraffe in that way. +Jump, now, boys, for he is really and truly in a bad +fix; and if left alone would sure go under."</p> + +<p>"Hurry! hurry!" shouted Giraffe, waving his +long arms; "don't you hear what Allan says? It's +sucking like anything. P'raps it'll open up, and pull +me under before you can get started. Quick, boys!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> +For the love of misery stir your stumps like true +scouts!"</p> + +<p>They came running up, each bearing one of the +old fence rails that had been at some time washed +down the stream during a freshet. Allan took these +as they arrived, and began to make a species of +corduroy road out to the boy who was caught fast +in the grip of the quicksand.</p> + +<p>"Throw yourself forward as much as you can, +Giraffe," he said. "Never mind about whether you +soil your uniform or not. You can get a new one; +but you never will have another life you know. +There, rest your weight on that rail, and begin to +work both feet free. When you get to lift them up, +we'll lend a hand, and yank you out in a jiffy. Get +busy now, Giraffe!"</p> + +<p>And the one addressed certainly needed no second +urging. He worked with a vim, and presently called +out exultantly:</p> + +<p>"She's coming now, boys; I felt both feet give +that time. Oh! it's going to be all right, after all. +Bumpus, I promised you my stamp book; but I +reckon I'll need it a while longer myself, so consider +the thing off. Please come out, and give me that lift +now, Allan. Two of you can do it easy enough."</p> + +<p>Bob White, with his usual promptness, when any +one was in need of help, volunteered to assist Allan. +Between them they succeeded in dragging the scout +who was trapped in the quicksand, out of his unpleasant<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> +predicament; and while about it all of them +crossed to the other side of the creek, where they +were speedily joined by the balance of the patrol; +though every boy took advantage of the fence rails +that lay scattered through the shallow water, in +order to prevent any possibility of a repetition of +the disaster that had overtaken their comrade.</p> + +<p>A halt was called, to enable Giraffe to wipe some +of the mud from the lower portions of his uniform. +And of course all sorts of talk passed back and +forth, as might be expected among a parcel of lively +boys out for a good time. Even the one so lately +in dire danger had apparently gotten well over his +nervous shock, for he laughed with the rest at the +ludicrous nature of the event.</p> + +<p>"Say, what kind of natives do you have down +here, Bob White?" asked Bumpus.</p> + +<p>"The same kind, I reckon, suh, that they raise in +all mountain regions," came the ready reply of the +sensitive Southern boy. "Some are pretty tough; +but then again, I give you my word, suh, that there +are others you can't beat for being the clear quill. +But may I ask why you put that question to me, +Bumpus?"</p> + +<p>"Sure. There was a feller perched up on that +rock stickin' out above us," declared the fat boy, +pointing his finger upward along the rugged and +rocky face of the mountain side; "I called to him to +come and help get poor old Giraffe out; but he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> +never made a move; just sat there, and grinned. +He had a gun along with him, and I s'pose he was +a specimen of the Blue Ridge mountaineer. Gee! +you ought to a seen the long white beard the old +feller sported!"</p> + +<p>"Oh!" exclaimed Bob White, looking excited, +a fact that aroused the keen interest of all his comrades +at once.</p> + +<p>"Do you know who he was?" demanded the indignant +Bumpus.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry to say, suh, that I think I do," replied +the Southern boy, slowly. "If your description is +correct, and believe me, I have no reason to doubt +it, that man you saw must have been no other than +Phin Dady!"</p> + +<p>"Phew! ain't that the moonshiner we heard so +much about over in Asheville?" asked Step Hen.</p> + +<p>"The same man," answered Bob White, glancing +a little nervously up toward the rock indicated by +his comrade, and which, jutting out from the steep +face of the mountain; offered a splendid outlook for +any one who wished to see who might be coming +along the winding road.</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't like his ways, that's all," muttered +Giraffe, who was still trying to make his uniform +look half-way decent after its recent rough usage. +"Anybody with one eye could see that I was bein' +sucked down like fun; and for him to just watch<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> +Bumpus here, blowin' his bugle, and shoutin' for +help, without offerin' to lend a hand, wasn't—well, +decent, that's what. P'raps some day it'll be my +turn to grin at him when he's in trouble."</p> + +<p>"But you wouldn't do it, you know that, Giraffe," +said Thad, smiling. "You don't forget that a true +scout must return good for evil. And if the time +ever comes when old Phin Dady needs help that you +can give, I'm dead sure you wouldn't hold back."</p> + +<p>Giraffe grumbled some more, but the scoutmaster +knew that at heart he was not an ungenerous boy, +though a little inclined to hold a grudge.</p> + +<p>"What are you thinking about, Bob White; you +look as sober as though you didn't just like the +looks of things any too much?" asked Allan, turning +upon the other.</p> + +<p>"That's just right, suh, I can't say that I do," replied +the Southern lad. "You see, I was wondering +what old Phin would think about us. He's the +most suspicious man in the mountains, and with +reason, suh. Foh years, now, he's been hunted high +and low by the revenue agents. They've done all +sorts of things trying to capture old Phin, and raid +his secret still; but up to now it's never been done. +He likes a revenue man like he does a rattlesnake; +and I give you my word for it, suh, the next thing +on his list of hates is the uniform of a soldier!"</p> + +<p>Thad uplifted his eyebrows to indicate his surprise.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I think I get your meaning, Bob White," he remarked, +slowly and seriously. "Our uniforms +might give this old moonshiner the idea that in +some way we must be connected with the army; +perhaps a detachment of scouts sent in here to get +him in a corner, and knock his old moonshine Still, +to flinders. Is that it, Bob?"</p> + +<p>"You hit the nail on the head when you say that, +suh," replied the other. "When I lived down this +way, I used to hear a heap about Old Phin; and I +reckon he'd know who I was if you mentioned my +name to him. That's the main reason why he just +sat and laughed to see the wearer of the hated uniform +now used by the United States army stuck in +the quicksand. I reckon he only thought that it +would mean one the less enemy for the Blue Ridge +moonshiners to go up against."</p> + +<p>"It seems to me," spoke up Smithy at this juncture, +"that in justice to ourselves we ought to seek +an early opportunity to secure an interview with +this gentleman, and explain our position. He should +know that we have no relation with the army, and +that in fact the mission of a Boy Scout is peace, not +war."</p> + +<p>"Second the motion, boys!" exclaimed Bumpus; +"and I hope our scoutmaster will appoint a committee +of three, Bob White, Allan, and, well, Smithy +here, to hunt up the said gent, and show him—hey, +jump out of the way there, Step Hen; the whole<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> +side of the mountain's coming down on top of you! +Hurry! hurry!"</p> + +<p>But as the startled Step Hen hastened to obey, +with considerable alacrity, Thad Brewster, looking +up, saw a head withdrawn from the point whence +the round stone that was rolling down the side of +the steep incline must have had its start.</p> + +<p>Jumping in zigzag curves from one side to another, +the rock finally landed with a great crash in +the mountain road not ten feet from where the +scouts were huddled in a group, watching its coming +with staring eyes.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<h3>IN THE DESERTED LOG CABIN.</h3> + + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Keep</span> your eyes about you!" shouted Davy +Jones; "mebbe there's more where that stone came +from!"</p> + +<p>But after the rock had settled quietly in the road, +silence again fell upon the scene; a little trickle of +dirt glided down the face of the descent, in the +track the round rock had made; but that was all.</p> + +<p>"Whew! that's a pretty hefty stone, believe me, +fellers!" cried Step Hen.</p> + +<p>"Whatever loosened it, d'ye s'pose?" asked Giraffe, +who had jumped several feet when he heard +the alarm given; for his recent adventure in the bed +of the treacherous stream seemed to have unnerved +the tall boy, usually as brave as the next scout.</p> + +<p>Thad stepped forward. The others saw him bend +over the big rock that had just played such a queer +trick, narrowly missing falling among the gathered +scouts.</p> + +<p>"Look at Thad, would you?" exclaimed Step +Hen.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What's he taking out of that crack in the +rock?" Giraffe added. "Say, looks like a dirty +piece of paper; and that's what it is, sure as shootin', +fellers!"</p> + +<p>"A message from the enemy; p'raps he's goin' to +Surrender unconditionally—ain't that the way they +always put it?" Bumpus called out, in high glee.</p> + +<p>Thad, however, after glancing down at the paper +he had extracted from the crack in the rock, looked +serious. Evidently to him at least it was no laughing +matter.</p> + +<p>"What does she say, Thad?" demanded Giraffe, +always curious.</p> + +<p>"Sure, if we've got any right to know, read it +out, Mr. Scout Master," Bumpus echoed, in his +merry way, his eyes shining with eagerness.</p> + +<p>The scouts clustered around Thad as he once +again held the scrap of soiled paper up so he could +see the comparatively few words scrawled upon it +with a pencil, that must have been a mere stub, since +it evidently had to be frequently wet in order to +make it do duty.</p> + +<p>"It's brief, and to the point, I give you my word, +boys," he said. "Here, let me hold it up, and every +one of you can push in to read for yourselves. The +writer believes in making his words correspond +with their sound. With that for a tip you ought to +be able to make it out."</p> + +<p>And this, then, was what they read, as they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> +bunched together on the mountain road running +through the valley of the Smoky Range:</p> + +<p>"Beter tak my advis an skip outen this neck ov +the woods. The men round heer aint gut no use fo +you-uns in thes mountings. That's awl. Savvy?"</p> + +<p>There was no signature to the communication.</p> + +<p>"Well, that's cool, to say the least," remarked +Allan, after he had read the uncouth note that had +come down with the rock that fell from above.</p> + +<p>"Tells us to turn right around, and go back," declared +Giraffe, who was inclined to be peppery, and +a bit rash. "Now, I like the nerve of the gent. +Just as if we didn't have as much right to wander +through these mountains and valleys as the next +one."</p> + +<p>"We're minding our own business, and I don't +see how anybody would want to shoo us away from +here," said Smithy, brushing off some imaginary +specks of dust from his neat khaki uniform, always +spic and span in comparison with—that of Bumpus +for example, showing the marks of many a tumble.</p> + +<p>Thad was rather puzzled himself. He knew that +it would be hardly wise for a parcel of boys to deliberately +defy such a notorious character as Old +Phin the moonshiner, whom the Government had +never been able to capture; but then again there was +a natural reluctance in his boyish heart to retreat +before making some sort of show with regard to +carrying out their original design.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span></p> + +<p>Besides, when he happened to glance toward Bob +White, and saw how cruelly disappointed the Southern +boy looked, Thad immediately changed his mind. +Still, he wanted to hear what his comrades thought +about it; since they had long gone by the wise principle +that majority rules.</p> + +<p>"Shall we take this kind advice, and go back, +boys?" he asked.</p> + +<p>A chorus of eager dissenting voices greeted his +words.</p> + +<p>"Not for Joseph, not if he knows it!" Giraffe +chortled.</p> + +<p>"We never turn back, after once we've placed +our hand to the plow," remarked the pompous +Smithy; and his sentiment was cheered to the echo.</p> + +<p>"Take a vote on it, Thad," advised the sagacious +Allan, knowing that if trouble came along after +they had decided to continue the advance, it would +be just as well to point to the fact that by an <i>overwhelming +majority</i> the patrol had decided upon this +rash course.</p> + +<p>Every fellow held up his hand when Thad put +the question as to whether they should continue the +mountain hike. And the sad look vanished from +the dark face of Bob White, as dew does before the +morning sun.</p> + +<p>So the march was immediately resumed, and +nothing happened to disturb their peace of mind or +body. No more rocks came tumbling down the face<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> +of the mountain; and as the afternoon advanced +they found themselves getting deeper and deeper +into the heart of the uplifts.</p> + +<p>"Wow! but this is a lonesome place, all right," +remarked Step Hen, looking up at the lofty ridges +flanking their course. "I give you my word for it +I'd hate to be caught out nights alone in this gay +neighborhood. If ever there was a spooky den, this +is <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'in'">it</ins>, right here. Glad to have company; such as it +is, fellers."</p> + +<p>No one took any notice of the pretended slur. +The fact was, the scouts no longer straggled along +the road as before that incident of the falling rock. +They seemed to feel a good deal like Step Hen expressed +it, that under the circumstances it was a +good thing to have company. In union there was +strength; and eight boys can do a great deal toward +buoying up one another's drooping courage.</p> + +<p>"And say, looks more like a storm comin' waltzin' +along than ever before," Bumpus observed, as he +nodded his head toward the heavens, which were +certainly looking pretty black about that time.</p> + +<p>"Thought I heard a grumble, like thunder away +off in the distance; might a been that same Old Phin +Dady speakin' his mind some more, though," remarked +Giraffe.</p> + +<p>"Only a little further, suh, and we'll come to an +old abandoned log cabin, unless my calculations are +wrong; which ought to serve us for a shelter to-night,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> +was the cheering news from Bob White, who +was supposed to know this country like a book.</p> + +<p>"Bully for the log cabin!" ejaculated Bumpus, +who, being heavy in build, could not stand a long +hike as well as some other fellows, the tall Giraffe, +for instance, whose long legs seemed just made for +covering ground rapidly.</p> + +<p>Ten minutes later Davy Jones, who had pushed +to the van, gave a shout.</p> + +<p>"There's your deserted log cabin!" he remarked, +pointing. "Am I correct, Bob?"</p> + +<p>"You surely are, suh," replied the Southerner. +"And as I fail to see smoke coming from the chimney +at the back, it looks to me as though nobody had +got ahead of us there. If the roof only holds, we +can laugh at the rain, believe me."</p> + +<p>When the scouts hurried up to the cabin, for there +was now no longer any doubt about the storm being +close at hand, since lightning flashed and the grumble +of thunder had changed into a booming that +grew louder with every peal, they found to their +great satisfaction that it seemed in a fair state of +preservation, despite the fact that it must have been +left to the sport of the elements for many a long +year.</p> + +<p>"Nothing wrong with this, boys," announced the +scoutmaster, as they pushed inside the log house, +and looked around. "And if we know half as much +as we think we do, there'll be a pile of wood lying<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> +here before that rain drops down on us. Just remember +that we've got a whole night ahead."</p> + +<p>"Hurrah! that's the ticket! Get busy everybody. +We don't belong to the Beaver Patrol, but we can +work just as well as if we did. Whoop her up, +fellers!"</p> + +<p>Bumpus was as good as his words. Dropping his +haversack and staff in a corner, he pushed out of +the door. Although the evening was being ushered +in sooner than might have been expected, owing to +the swoop of the storm, there was still plenty of +light to see where dry wood was to be picked up for +the effort. And immediately every one of the eight +scouts was working furiously to bring in a good +supply.</p> + +<p>No doubt the rattle of the thunder caused the +boys to hurry things; for by the time the first drops +began to fall they had secured as much as they expected +to use. And already there was Giraffe on his +knees in front of the big fireplace that lay at the foot +of the wide-throated chimney, whittling shavings +with which to start a cheery blaze.</p> + +<p>This had just started into life when the rattle of +a horse's hoofs came to the ears of the boys who +had clustered at the door to witness the breaking of +the summer storm.</p> + +<p>"Hey! looks like another pilgrim overtaken by +the gale," said Davy Jones, as a man on horseback +came riding furiously along the wretched road,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> +heading straight for the old cabin; as though he +knew of its presence, and might indeed have found +its shelter acceptable on other occasions.</p> + +<p>He was evidently greatly astonished to find the +place already occupied by a bevy of boys dressed in +khaki uniforms. At first Thad thought he could see +an expression akin to fear upon the thin face of +the man, who seemed to be something above the +average mountaineer; possibly the keeper of a country +store among the mountains; or it might be a +doctor; a lawyer, or a county surveyor, for he had +rather a professional air about him.</p> + +<p>Allan had immediately assured him that they +were only seeking temporary shelter in the old +cabin, and that he would be quite welcome to share +it with them until the storm blew over, or as long as +he wished to stay.</p> + +<p>As the man, leaving his horse tied outside to take +the rain as it came, pushed inside the cabin, Thad +saw Bob White suddenly observe him with kindling +eyes. Then to his further surprise he noticed that +the Southern boy drew the rim of his campaign hat +further down over his eyes, as though to keep his +face from being recognized by the newcomer.</p> + +<p>Another minute, and Bob had drawn the young +scoutmaster aside, to whisper in his ear a few words +that aroused Thad's curiosity to the utmost.</p> + +<p>"That is Reuben Sparks, the guardian of my little +cousin Bertha, a cruel man, who hates our whole<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> +family. He must not recognize me, or it might spoil +one of my main objects in coming down here into +the Blue Ridge valleys. Warn the boys when you +can, please Thad, not to mention me only as Bob +White. Oh! I wonder if this meeting is only an accident; +or was guided by the hand of fate?"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<h3>AFTER THE STORM.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Thad</span> remembered that on several other occasions +the Southern boy had mentioned the name of +his little cousin, and always with a certain tender +inflection to the soft voice that stamped him for one +who had been born below the Dixie line.</p> + +<p>And while Bob White had not seen fit to take his +friend into his confidence it had always been plain +to Thad that the other must have cherished a deep +affection for the said Bertha; perhaps, since he had +no sister of his own, she may have been as dear to +him as one, in those times when he lived among the +Blue Ridge mountains.</p> + +<p>Before now Thad had strongly suspected that +Bob had some other object in coaxing his comrades +to make the pilgrimage to the Land of the Sky, besides +the desire to show them its wonders. And now +his own words proved it. More than that, it seemed +to have some strange connection with this same little +cousin, Bertha; and naturally with her legally appointed +guardian, Reuben Sparks.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span></p> + +<p>Thad, first of all, managed to pass the word +around in a whisper, just as Bob wished it done. +The boys understood that there was a reason back +of the request, and expected that their comrade +would take them into his confidence later on. Besides, +there had really never been the slightest chance +that any one of them would breathe that name of +Quail in connection with Bob; indeed, most of +them would have had to stop and think, if suddenly +asked what his real name was, so seldom did they +hear it mentioned.</p> + +<p>The man on horseback was chatting with Allan +and several others. He did not hesitate to ask questions, +and was soon put in possession of the fact +that they were merely the members of a Boy Scout +patrol, making a strenuous hike through the Big +Smoky spur of the Blue Ridge.</p> + +<p>Thad saw that he eyed them queerly many times, +as though rather doubtful whether they were giving +him a straight story; but the coming of the +storm soon held the attention of them all.</p> + +<p>Just as they had expected, it was the real thing +in the way of a summer storm. The lightning +flashed in a way that was not only dazzling but +"fearsome" as Smithy expressed it, in his elegant +way. And as for the crashes of thunder that followed +each and every electric current, they deafened +the ears of the scouts.</p> + +<p>A deluge of rain fell in a short time, and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> +rush of water near by told that the little stream, +which they had struck many times during the afternoon, +had all of a sudden become a raging torrent.</p> + +<p>Nobody was sorry when finally the racket began +to subside, and the rain stopped as suddenly as it had +started.</p> + +<p>"She's done for," remarked Bumpus, in a relieved +tone, as though he had been half suspecting that the +stream might rise in its might, and sweep cabin, +scouts and all down through the valley.</p> + +<p>The resident of the region who had also sought +shelter in the friendly cabin by the wayside, looked +out first, to assure himself that his horse had come +through the storm safely. Then he called out good-bye, +and mounting, rode away.</p> + +<p>"Good riddance to bad rubbish, I take it," declared +Giraffe. "Whenever the fire flashed up that +gent would look around the queerest way ever, as +though he kind of thought we might be revenue +agents playing a fine game on his friends, the moonshiners."</p> + +<p>"Be careful what you say, Giraffe," advised the +more cautious Thad. "When you're in the enemy's +country you want to use soft words. Besides, you're +only guessing when you say that. He was naturally +curious about us. Some people would think a bunch +of boys stark crazy, to try and hike through such +wild country as this, when we could have taken to +the good roads up in New York State, had orchards<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> +all along the way, and good-natured farmers galore +to buy milk and eggs from when we got hungry."</p> + +<p>"I hope, suh, you won't be sorry you came down +this aways," Bob White spoke up. "I take it as a +great compliment, believe me, that you-all would +care to keep me company when I said I felt that I +just had to come back here on a visit, to see what +changes there were, and do a little private business in +the bargain. I'm aware of the fact that there isn't +anything much worth seeing here, suh; except the +untamed wilderness; but they's always plenty of excitement +going around, I understand."</p> + +<p>"I should guess yes," broke out Step Hen, "with +that same Old Phin hangin' 'round with his eye on +the watch for revenues. But see here, Bob, don't +you think you owe us a little explanation about this +racket—meaning your relations with the gent who +is guardian to your sweet little cousin Bertha?"</p> + +<p>"So say we all," chorused Davy Jones, Giraffe +and Bumpus, solemnly, as they gathered around the +Southern boy.</p> + +<p>Bob White looked at their eager faces for a minute +before speaking. There was something akin to +real affection to be seen there as he turned his eyes +from one to another of his mates. The boy from +Dixie had not been in the habit of making friends +easily in earlier days; but when he landed in Cranford +he had soon been captivated by the sincere companionship +of Thad Brewster; and when he joined<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> +the new patrol of the scouts he quickly learned to +appreciate the many good qualities that marked the +other members.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's only fair, boys," he began, slowly yet +with an evident determination to take them at least +part way into his confidence; "that you should know +just why I didn't want any of you to tell the name +of the town we hailed from, when that man was in +here. He would have recognized it as my new +home, and might have suspected that I brought you +all down here for a purpose."</p> + +<p>"Which you did," interrupted Bumpus; "to admire +the scenery; rough it awhile in the Land of +the Sky; and show us something of your native +country. If there was anything more, we didn't +know it, Bob White. But we're comrades, one and +all; and if we c'n do anything to help you tide over +some trouble, why, you've just got to tell now."</p> + +<p>"That is fine of you, Bumpus, and I thank you +from the bottom of my heart," continued the other, +strangely moved. "But let me tell you a few things +first before you make such a rash promise, which I +am not going to hold you to, suh. The man who +was in this cabin, Reuben Sparks, is said to be the +richest and meanest in these parts. It has been +hinted more than a few times that he has always +been thick with Old Phin Dady. But no matter +how he came by his money, he is something of a +miser."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No relation of yours, I hope, then, Bob?" asked +Step Hen.</p> + +<p>"None whatever, suh," replied the other, proudly. +"The Quails would never have descended to the +common methods that man has practiced in order to +make money. But somehow he managed to gain an +influence over my Uncle Robert, after whom I was +named, as you may guess, suh. When the father of +Cousin Bertha died, in his will he left the child +solely in the charge of Reuben Sparks, until she +came of age; and he was also given control of her +little fortune."</p> + +<p>The boy ground his teeth hard together, showing +how even the recollection of this moved him. But +recovering his customary calmness he continued:</p> + +<p>"She was the prettiest little thing you ever saw, +suh, take my word foh it. And no boy ever thought +more of his pet sister than I did of my little cousin. +My father thought it a shame, and tried to get possession +of her; but this Reuben Sparks had the law +on his side, and all our efforts failed. After that +he would never even let me see her, so great was +his hatred for our family.</p> + +<p>"One way or another we managed to exchange +word, and when our folks went up Nawth to look +after the mills my father had purchased before his +death, I had just two letters from Bertha before +something happened, and they stopped coming. Of +course I supposed that her guardian had found out<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> +about it, and fixed matters so no letter of mine—and +I sent seven before owning up beaten in the game—could +reach her.</p> + +<p>"I just stood it till I couldn't sleep nights, thinking +that perhaps she was being made unhappy by +that cruel man. And so I made up my mind I'd +come down here again, and find out the truth, if I +had to steal into his house, and see Bertha without +his knowing it. I wanted to tell you this before, +believe me, suh," addressing Thad in particular, as +the head of the patrol; while his fine eyes filled up +on account of his emotion; "but somehow I +couldn't bring myself to do it. And now, after +hearing my story briefly, if you-all feel that it +would be asking too much of my comrades to expect +to have their backing in my wildcat scheme, please +don't hesitate to say so, suh. I'll think just as well +of you in either case."</p> + +<p>Thad reached out, and caught the quivering hand +of the Southern boy in his own.</p> + +<p>"Why, Bob," he said, earnestly, "I think I voice +the sentiments of every fellow in the patrol when I +say most emphatically that we're going to stand by +you through thick and thin. I'm sure you won't +do anything but what is right, and what is bound to +reflect credit on you as a true scout. How about +that, fellows?"</p> + +<p>"Move we make it unanimous!" cried Bumpus, +instantly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Ay, ay! that's the ticket," exclaimed others.</p> + +<p>"You hear what they say, Bob White?" remarked +Thad, warmly.</p> + +<p>"We'll back our comrade up, even to kidnapping +the cruel guardian, and rescuing the pretty little +cousin!" Smithy declared with unusual vim, for +him.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" said Bob with a smile, as he looked from +one flushed face to another. "Of course I don't +imagine it'll ever go that far, boys; but I thank you +for this expression of your friendship. I will never +forget it, suh, never while I live. And I only hope +that some day in the future I may be able to repay +the kindness to one and to all."</p> + +<p>"Then I take it that this Reuben Sparks does not +live a great way beyond where we happen to be +camped right now?" remarked Allan.</p> + +<p>"I expected to show you the place sometime to-morrow, +suh. It is worth seeing, upon my word," +replied Bob.</p> + +<p>"Now I know that there's a whole lot of truth in +that old saying about the devil taking care of his +own," Giraffe mentioned. "The rest of you heard +Reuben say he had been tempted to stop under that +big tree we passed on the way here; but on second +thoughts decided to come along to the cabin. When +that one terrible crack came he got as white as a +sheet, and told me he believed that that very tree +must have been struck. Where would Reuben have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> +been if he'd stayed there? Kind of scattered around +the landscape, I guess."</p> + +<p>Thad had just started to say that it was time they +thought about getting some supper, when he was interrupted +in a most disagreeable manner. Indeed, +for the moment all idea of ever wanting to eat again +in this world vanished from his mind; for something +occurred that caused the scouts to rush toward +the end of the cabin where the chimney stood, and +catch hold of each other in sudden terror and dismay.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<h3>THE JONES BOY COMES TO GRIEF AT LAST.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">There</span> was a rumbling sound, not unlike the roar +of a heavy freight train coming down the grade of +a mountain. All of the scouts plainly felt the cabin +quiver as though in the throes of an earthquake.</p> + +<p>Then succeeded a crash, as the further end was +knocked out. For a moment Thad really feared +they were done for, and his very heart seemed to +stand still with dread. Then, as the awful sounds +died away, save for the patter of small stuff on the +cabin roof, he breathed naturally again.</p> + +<p>Whatever it was that had happened, no one had +been hurt; and at least they could find consolation in +this.</p> + +<p>"It's an earthquake!" exclaimed Bumpus, being +the very first to recover the use of his voice.</p> + +<p>"A landslide, you mean!" echoed Giraffe, contrary +minded.</p> + +<p>"Thad, you say?" asked Step Hen; just as +though the leader could determine the nature of +the calamity better than any one else.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I think Giraffe struck it about right," Thad answered.</p> + +<p>"You mean part of the hillside caved away?" +further questioned Bumpus.</p> + +<p>"Must have been the whole mountain top, by the +racket it kicked up," Davy Jones grumbled; "say, +my heart turned upside down; and I'll have to stand +on my head to get it to working again the right +way."</p> + +<p>"And look at what it did to our snug old cabin; +tore the whole end off!" observed Step Hen, ruefully. +"Now, if it happened to be a cold night, +why, we'd just be freezing to death, that's what. +Anybody seen my cap around; my hair stood up on +end with the scare, and I must have dropped it? +Thank you, Allan, for picking it up. I do have the +worst luck about losing my things you ever saw."</p> + +<p>"Seems to me," remarked Allan, soberly, "that +instead of complaining the way you fellows are doing, +we ought to be mighty thankful it wasn't any +worse."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's what I was thinking," Smithy added, +as he let go Allan's arm, which he must have unconsciously +gripped in his sudden fright; "what if we +had run to that end of the cabin, things would look +somewhat different right now."</p> + +<p>"Ugh! guess that's right," Giraffe admitted; +"and for one I ain't goin' to make any more complaint. +But what under the sun was it hit us?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span></p> + +<p>"A big rock must have dropped down from the +side of the mountain, and tore out the end of the +old cabin," Thad explained. "It came on this night +of all nights, just when we happened to be camped +here. And the cabin has stood unharmed for as +much as thirty years, Bob White says."</p> + +<p>"I call that queer, now," said Bumpus.</p> + +<p>"It's more than that, Bumpus," Smithy remarked, +in his most mysterious manner; "I'd call +it highly significant, if you asked my opinion."</p> + +<p>"Wow! listen to that, would you?" exclaimed +Step Hen, shuddering again. "He means that the +rock was smashed down by somebody who wanted +to chase us out of this region. And that must be +our old friend, Phin Dady, the moonshiner!"</p> + +<p>Thad bent down, and proceeded to light a handy +little lantern which one of the boys had carried for +emergencies.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to take a look out, and see what +struck us," he remarked.</p> + +<p>"Be careful, Thad," warned Allan; "another +rock might follow the first."</p> + +<p>"And if you hear the least suspicious sound, +jump for all that's out," added Bumpus, ready to +admire the nerve of one who could face danger so +readily, even though not capable of imitating Thad's +example himself.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I reckon there's little chance of anything +like that happening," the other sent back, with a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> +little laugh, as though he wanted to cheer his chums +up; "you know, they say lightning never strikes in +the same place twice. It's taken thirty years for a +rock to hit this cabin, though plenty must have slid +down the side of the mountain in that time. Be +back in a jiffy, boys."</p> + +<p>With that he stepped out of the door, which had +been burst open when the log structure received such +a terrific jolt. The other boys clustered there by +the revived fire, exchanging views, and waiting for +the return of those who had gone outside; for Bob +White had silently followed Thad, as though he felt +that since it was through his invitation that the +scouts were placed in this predicament, he ought to +do everything in his power to ease the strain.</p> + +<p>When they entered again in less than ten minutes, +of course a bombardment of eager questions saluted +them.</p> + +<p>"Slow up, fellows," Thad said, laughingly. "If +I tried to answer you all, I'd be apt to get my tongue +twisted some, and that's a fact. Yes, it <i>was</i> a rock +that did the damage, just as we guessed. It rolled +down from somewhere above; but we could only +guess at that, it's so dark out there. And after +taking a look at the size of the same, Bob and myself +made up our minds we had reason to be mighty +thankful that it only touched the end of the cabin, +instead of hitting it square in the center."</p> + +<p>"But whoever started it rolling?" demanded<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> +Bumpus; and it was evident from the way the others +waited to hear what Thad would say to this, that +they laid great stress on the answer.</p> + +<p>"Well," returned the other, soberly, "of course +we couldn't make dead certain, but after seeing the +heft of that rock we believed that it was never +started by any human hands. The rain and storm +must have undermined it."</p> + +<p>Bumpus heaved a big sigh of relief.</p> + +<p>"Well," said he, "I'm glad of that. It's bad +enough to think you're bein' bombarded by rocks +that just take a silly notion to drop when we come +along; but it'd be a heap sight worse if the men of +the Big Smokies were throwing such pebbles at us, +haphazard. Whew! I'm hungry, fellers; who says +grub?"</p> + +<p>That was just like a boy, to remember his natural +appetite right on the heels of the greatest fright of +his whole life. And as the others admitted to feeling +somewhat the same way, there ensued a bustle +to see how soon supper could be gotten ready.</p> + +<p>The members of the Silver Fox Patrol were no +longer greenhorns, though one or two of them gave +evidence that they had not yet graduated from the +tenderfoot class. They had learned a great deal +about the things that are connected with a camp +life, because they had spent some time under canvas +on Lake Omega, which lay not many miles from +their home town.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span></p> + +<p>And then again, Thad had belonged to a troop +of scouts before coming to Cranford; while, as for +Allan, he had been through the mill so often up in +Maine and elsewhere, that he was, as Bumpus declared, +a "walking edition of what to do, and what +not to do when in the woods."</p> + +<p>It is true that on this big hike through the mountains +they were compelled to travel very light, and +would miss many of the things that had added +greatly to their comfort on that other occasion. But +then it was their desire to learn how to rough it, +taking the knocks with the good things.</p> + +<p>By this time some of the lads were beginning to +believe that they would rub up against plenty of the +"knocks" all right; especially if things kept on as +they had commenced since striking this wonderful +"Land of the Sky."</p> + +<p>The supper put them in something like their +customary good humor. Indeed, as they sat around +the fire afterwards, Bumpus was induced to sing +several of their school songs, so that the whole of +them might join in the rollicking chorus. Strange +sounds indeed to well up out of that valley, so lately +the theater of a war between the elements, as lightning +and rain vied with each other to produce a panic +in the breasts of these same boys who now sang and +joked as though they had not a care in the world.</p> + +<p>Only Bob White remained very quiet. Thad often +glanced toward the Southern lad, with sympathy in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> +his look. He could easily understand that, with +their arrival in this mountainous region, where the +other had spent many of his earlier years, old +memories must be revived, some pleasant, and possibly +others of a disagreeable nature.</p> + +<p>Finally they agreed that it would be wise to get +some sleep, as another day lay before them. And +accordingly, in the customary fashion, the bugler +sounded "taps," and each scout tried to find a soft +board, upon which he might rest his weary body +during the hours that must elapse before dawn +arrived.</p> + +<p>A watch was kept up, one fellow taking an hour +at a time, and then arousing the next on the list; +so that at no time was the cabin unguarded while +the night slowly passed.</p> + +<p>But nothing happened to disturb the scouts; and +as morning came at last they began to get up and +stretch, rubbing their limbs as though the hard bed +had not been the nicest thing possible. But there +was little grumbling. They had learned to take +things as they came; which is one of the finest +results of Boy Scout experience. The philosophy of +the woods teaches that in the very start—try for the +best results; but after you have done your best, +accept the situation with cheerfulness.</p> + +<p>Again the notes of the bugle sounded the "assembly," +as breakfast was declared ready; and half +an hour later they left their shelter of the night.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Good-bye old cabin!" sang out Bumpus, waving +his fat hand back toward the wrecked log house; +"you treated us pretty decent after all, and we'll +never forget you. Long may you wave, and offer +shelter to other pilgrims storm chased!"</p> + +<p>As the sun climbed above the rim of the encircling +mountains the spirits of the boys mounted in proportion. +Davy Jones was up to his usual pranks, being +hard to control. They would miss him for a short +time, only to hear a whoop; and looking up, discover +the acrobatic boy hanging by his knees, or it might +be his toes, from the limb of a tree, thirty feet or +more above the ground.</p> + +<p>Thad knew from experience that it was next to +impossible to restrain the Jones boy; he must have +his frolic out; and so they only laughed at his antics, +and wondered what next the daring Davy would attempt.</p> + +<p>Ten minutes later he was seen standing on his +head on the edge of what appeared to be a deep +ravine or gulch, and kicking his heels in the air.</p> + +<p>All sorts of dire things had always been predicted +as going to overtake Davy sooner or later, unless he +gave up these venturesome pranks; and this time +it actually looked as though they were about to be +fulfilled. For even as the seven other scouts were +watching his antics, the earth at the edge of the +gully appeared to suddenly give way.</p> + +<p>Davy vanished from their view, the last thing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> +they saw of him being his up tilted heels, waving +what seemed to be a frantic farewell.</p> + +<p>With cries of alarm the scouts rushed forward, +fearful as to what they would see.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<h3>MORE SIGNS OF TROUBLE AHEAD.</h3> + + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Oh!</span> did you see him kick his heels at us as he +went down?" gasped Bumpus, as they hurried forward +to the spot where the venturesome scout had +vanished so forlornly; "I'll never forget it, never! +Just like the poor old chap wanted to say 'good-bye +boys!'"</p> + +<p>Bumpus was too honest and warm hearted a fellow +to say this with any intention of being hilarious. +He sincerely felt every word of it.</p> + +<p>Of course the long-legged Giraffe had to be the +first to arrive on the scene of the late tragedy. +Thad felt constrained to call out to him in warning.</p> + +<p>"Be careful there, Giraffe, or else there may be +another of us down in that pocket. Look out for +your footing, I tell you!"</p> + +<p>The other had dropped flat on his chest. He was +seen to stretch his neck in the endeavor to get the +best results with a minimum of risk; and they did +say that when Giraffe really and truly did his +prettiest in this respect he could cover more territory +than any one else ever seen.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh! is he smashed flatter'n a pancake?" asked +Step Hen, as he drew near, with his melancholy face +looking longer than usual; and the whites of his +eyes showing strongly, as they always did when he +was frightened.</p> + +<p>Giraffe twisted his head around with the utmost +ease; indeed, from the length of his neck it looked +as though he might continue the turning movement +until he had actually made a complete revolution.</p> + +<p>And when Thad caught sight of the grin on his +face he felt immediately relieved; for surely Giraffe +loving fun as much as he did, would not allow this +smirk to decorate his angular countenance unless +there seemed little danger.</p> + +<p>Another minute, and all of them were ranged +there along the edge of the gully, staring down at +Davy Jones. It would seem that the other had been +agile enough to clutch hold of a small tree that +jutted out from the steep slope. He was hanging to +it now, and straining the best he knew how to fling +his legs upward, so as to relieve the situation, and +the terrific pull on his arms.</p> + +<p>He looked upward toward the row of faces peeping +over the edge above; and there was a humorous +grin on his face. He knew what his comrades were +doubtless thinking about "the pitcher that went once +too often to the well;" and that their natural alarm +having passed, they would see only the humorous +side of the affair.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span></p> + +<p>Again did Davy strain. There was something +connected with the way he was hanging there that +seemed to prevent him from accomplishing the result +he wanted to attain. For the first time they +could remember the boys saw that the gymnast and +acrobat of the troop had certainly met his match. +Left to himself he would surely have had to invent +some other method for drawing himself up +on to the slender horizontal trunk of the little tree; +or else let go, and drop.</p> + +<p>As it was a matter of some twenty feet or so to +the bottom of the gully; and the chances were that +he might receive any number of bad scratches while +making the transit, Davy of course would be averse +to trying this plan.</p> + +<p>"Guess you'll have to lend me a hand this time, +boys," he called out, when once more he failed to +make connection between his squirming legs and +the body of the tree.</p> + +<p>"Who'll go down, and yank him on to that +tree?" asked Bumpus; knowing full well at the +same time that no one could have the nerve to ask +a fellow of his heft, when there were so many others +better fitted for the task.</p> + +<p>"Don't all speak at once!" advised the hanging +Davy.</p> + +<p>Somehow all eyes were turned toward Giraffe. +As the most agile of the lot, he might be expected +to volunteer; and yet with not a particle of footing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> +between the top of the bank and that tree, some ten +feet down, the job was hardly one that might appeal +to any scout, however nimble.</p> + +<p>"Oh! you needn't look at me that way," he complained; +"because I'm long, and active, you just +think I c'n stretch that far; but it's a mistake. But +if somebody <i>has</i> to try and make the riffle, I s'pose +it'll be me."</p> + +<p>He started to take off his knapsack as he said +this, when Thad stopped him.</p> + +<p>"Wait, Giraffe," said the patrol leader, quietly; +"perhaps, after all, nobody has to go down after +Davy. You seem to forget, all of you, that we've +got a stout rope along with us. What's the need +of carrying such a thing, if it can't help us out in +a pinch?"</p> + +<p>"Bully! Sure we've got a rope, and a dandy one +at that!" cried Bumpus, growing so excited that he +came near falling over the edge, and had to clutch +hold of the nearest scout to steady himself.</p> + +<p>"If you'd gone that time, Bumpus, think what a +splash you'd have made down there. Because Davy +got hold of a tree don't think you could do the same. +It'll have to be a whopping big one that could bear +up under <i>your</i> weight, all right," said Step Hen, +who chanced to be the one whom the fat boy had +caught hold of in his sudden alarm.</p> + +<p>It turned out that Bob White was carrying the +rope. He had it wound around his body in a way<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> +Allan had shown him, so that it did not interfere +with his movements, and was not coming loose all +the time.</p> + +<p>Quickly then was it unwound. In order to hasten +this, the boys even began to turn Bob around like a +teetotum, until he said he was dizzy.</p> + +<p>"Lucky it's got a loop handy at the end," remarked +Allan, as he took the rope, and sought a +position directly above the hanging scout.</p> + +<p>"How is it, Davy?" he asked, while lowering +the noose.</p> + +<p>"If you mean how much longer I could stand it, +I'd say not a big lot," replied the one addressed. +"You see, the old tree cuts my hands just fierce; +and I've been twisting around here so long now that +I'm gettin' tired. How're you goin' to fix it, Allan? +Might toss the loop over my head; but I'm afraid +my neck wouldn't hold out. If it was Giraffe +now—"</p> + +<p>"Here, you just let up on Giraffe, and pay attention +to what Allan's goin' to tell you; hear?" called +out the party mentioned.</p> + +<p>"Do you think you could hold on with one arm, +and get the other through the loop?" continued the +Maine boy. "Of course, if you can't, why, I might +swing it around, and you could somehow stick your +feet through; when we'd drag the loop up under +your arms. How about that, Davy?"</p> + +<p>But Davy made a test, and declared that one hand<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> +would hold him for a brief time. So, in this way, +the rope was finally placed under both arms, and +tightened.</p> + +<p>"Now, get hold here, fellows, and give a pull!" +said Allan; "hold on, not so rough about it, Giraffe, +or you'll rub his face against the rocks and make it +worse than if he'd let go, and dropped down. Here +he comes, boys!"</p> + +<p>"Heave ho!" sang out the scouts, and foot by +foot they drew the unlucky acrobat once more to the +surface.</p> + +<p>"Got off pretty slick that time, eh, Davy?" demanded +Step Hen, after the other had been landed, +and Bob White was coiling the rope around himself +again.</p> + +<p>"Never knew me to miss doin' that, did you, Step +Hen?" queried the other; and from the flippant +tone in which he said this it was plainly evident that +the lesson had been lost on him; and that Davy +would be doing his customary stunts right along.</p> + +<p>The hike was presently resumed, and the little +adventure reckoned a thing of the past. Shortly +afterwards they came suddenly on a man, with an +old vehicle, and a slab-sided horse that looked half +starved. The ramshackle wagon bed was covered +to about the depth of three feet with poor looking +straw, that seemed to have done duty a long time.</p> + +<p>As for the man himself, he was a typical mountaineer, +thin and scrawny, with a small, weasened<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> +face, and keen, snapping eyes. Bob White instantly +pulled his hat down over his face as he saw the man.</p> + +<p>Thad noticed that the other looked alarmed at +sight of these eight khaki-clad boys strung out along +the mountain road. Indeed, he had the appearance +of a man who would have turned and fled, only that +he was afraid to do so after finding himself face +to face with what looked like a squad of United +States regulars, or at the least, North Carolina +militia, on the hike.</p> + +<p>He returned the greetings of the boys with sundry +nods of his head, and urged his old nag along by +several whacks from the hickory rod he held in +his hand in lieu of a whip. So ramshackle vehicle +and scared driver vanished around the bend which +had concealed the scouts from his view until it was +too late to run.</p> + +<p>"Looked like he'd seen a ghost!" suggested Step +Hen, with a chuckle.</p> + +<p>"Well, you can't blame him, if he saw <i>you</i> roll +your eyes, and make that face of yours look like +thirty cents," remarked Bumpus, cuttingly.</p> + +<p>"He had mountain dew hidden under that straw," +remarked Bob White; "I remember the old fellow +right well, and I'm glad he was that frightened he +didn't think to take at look at me. Nate Busby is +his name. He always was connected with Old Phin, +and the others who make the moonshine stuff +further up in the hills. Right now, you can believe<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> +me, suh, he's on his way with that load, to hide it +where somebody from town can find it."</p> + +<p>"He don't know what to make of us, seems +like?" suggested Giraffe.</p> + +<p>"That is the truth," added Thad. "I thought his +eyes would drop out, he stared so hard. Seemed to +me as if he actually expected some of us to surround +him, and examine his load. How he did whip +that old nag of his. The beast <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'knicked'">kicked</ins> up his heels, +and galloped, perhaps for the first time in years."</p> + +<p>All of them laughed as they went on, talking by +the way. Boys can discover a ludicrous side to +almost anything. Good health, absence of worry, +and plenty of food are about all they require; and +the world looks its brightest.</p> + +<p>Sometimes, when Thad glanced toward the +Southern boy, he wondered whether Bob had taken +them wholly into his confidence on the last evening +when he told them about his life amid the mountains +and valleys of the Blue Ridge Range. It +struck him that Bob frowned too often to indicate a +clear conscience.</p> + +<p>"There's something else on his mind, and that's +certain," Thad was saying to himself. "He keeps +looking in my direction every little while, and I +wouldn't be surprised if he came over pretty soon +to tell me something he's been keeping back. But +it don't matter; we'll stand behind Bob all the time.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> +He's a fine fellow, as true as gold; and one scout +should always help another in trouble."</p> + +<p>His reflections were interrupted by Bumpus, who +edged over nearer the patrol leader to impart the +information that, happening to look back, he had +discovered some one thrusting his head out from behind +a rock, as though he might be following in +their wake!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<h3>THE MESSAGE OF THE SPLIT STICK.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">A temporary</span> halt had been called, and the scouts +were consulting as to what this new development +might mean.</p> + +<p>"Sure you saw a man, are you, Bumpus?" asked +Giraffe, as though he had an idea the stout boy +might have deceived himself. "Twa'n't a rolling +stone, now, I take it? Or it couldn't have been a +frisky little 'coon' or 'possum,' I suppose?"</p> + +<p>"Well, what d'ye think I've got eyes for, if I +don't know a biped when I see one?" retorted +Bumpus, indignantly. "He was as plain as anything; +and makin' from one pile of rocks to another. +You go with me back there, and I'll show +you, Giraffe. Then you'll believe me when I say a +thing."</p> + +<p>The two boys made a move as if to carry out this +project, only the scoutmaster put a stop to it.</p> + +<p>"Don't think of doing that, fellows," Thad said, +quickly. "These mountaineers are a thin-skinned +lot as far as I've been able to learn; and they won't<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> +stand for any poking of your nose into their business. +Besides, if it was a man, the chances are he +would be armed, and you might bring a hornet's nest +down about our ears."</p> + +<p>"Oh! he did have a gun, all right," remarked +Bumpus, carelessly.</p> + +<p>"You didn't mention that before," broke in Step +Hen, with an intaking of breath that betrayed excitement.</p> + +<p>"'Cause nobody asked me; and every one wanted +to have something to say," retorted the other. "It +was a gun, and an <i>awful</i> wicked looking one too, +about as long as my staff, seemed to me."</p> + +<p>"Could it have been Old Phin?" suggested Allan.</p> + +<p>"How about that, Bumpus; was he an old man +with a gray beard?" asked Thad.</p> + +<p>"Nixey; that is I don't know how old he might a +been; but I'm dead sure he didn't have any beard at +all, just a smooth face. But he was a regular mountaineer, +all right, Thad, with the dingy old faded +brown homespun clothes, the slouch hat, and the +ragged pants that never came near his brogans. He +saw me lookin' at him, for he put on a little spurt, +and dodged behind that pile of rocks, where like as +not he's squattin' right now, waitin' to see what +we're agoin' to do about it, and ready to speak to us +with that trusty weapon if we try to rush his fort."</p> + +<p>"Well, we're going to do nothing of the kind, +just remember that," said Thad, resolutely. "It's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> +only natural that the men of these mountains should +feel a whole lot of curiosity about us. I suppose now +they never heard of the Boy Scouts; and these uniforms +make them think we're connected with the +army. Now, we don't want to stir them up any +more than we can help. They're an ugly lot, Bob +here says, if you rub the fur the wrong way. We +didn't come down here to bother these moonshiners +one whit; and if they'll only let us alone, we want +to keep our hands off their affairs. Let the fellow +dodge after us if he wants to; he'll find that we're +only a bunch of happy-go-lucky boys, off for a holiday."</p> + +<p>"Pity we can't meet up with that same old Phin, +and tell him as much," Smithy went on to say.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it might be managed easy enough," +Allan observed, and all of them immediately turned +toward him, feeling that he had some scheme to +communicate.</p> + +<p>"Open up, and tell us what it is, Allan," urged +the impatient Bumpus.</p> + +<p>"Yes, don't keep us guessing any more than you +can help," added Step Hen. "We've sure got +enough to worry us, what with the troubles of +Giraffe getting stuck in that quicksand; and Davy +here, falling over every old precipice he can find, +without you making us puzzle out a problem. How +could it be done, Allan?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Why, we'll send Old Phin a letter," replied the +other, calmly.</p> + +<p>"Show me your messenger, then!" demanded +Bumpus.</p> + +<p>Allan picked up a stick, and deliberately split one +end so that he could open it up. This he thrust into +a crevice in the rocks close to the wretched road, and +in such a position that it was certain to meet the +eye of the tracker when he again started to follow +them.</p> + +<p>"Now, I'll write a few lines, and leave it here, +addressed to Phin Dady," he went on. "I'll print +the words in capitals, in the hopes that the old mountaineer +may be able to read as much as that. If he +can't, then some other of the clan may; and if all +else fails, they'll have some boy or girl make it out. +How's that, Thad?"</p> + +<p>"Splendid, I should say," replied the scoutmaster, +smiling. "Here, Bumpus, turn around, and bend +over."</p> + +<p>"What you goin' to do to me?" demanded the +short scout, suspiciously, as he hesitated before complying.</p> + +<p>"Is that the way you obey orders?" scoffed +Giraffe. "A true scout should never ask questions. +S'pose them dragoons at the battle of the Six Hundred +had begun to want to know the whys and +wherefores of everything, d'ye think we'd ever had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> +any chance to declaim that stirring <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'pome'">poem</ins>? Shame +on you, Bumpus, take a brace, and obey blindly."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I only want the use of your broad and +steady back for a writing desk, so Allan can get his +message written," Thad at this interesting juncture +remarked, easing the strain, and dissipating all the +fat boy's suspicions.</p> + +<p>When Allan had made out to complete his "message" +he read it aloud, and also let them all have a +look at it. Just as he had said he would do, he had +written it in the most primitive way possible, by +making capitals of each letter. This was what he +had done:</p> + +<p>"Phin Dady—We are a patrol of Boy Scouts, +come down from the North to see the Carolina +mountains. We do not mean you, or any one, harm; +but want to be friends. We carry no arms but a +single shotgun."</p> + +<p>"That ought to answer the purpose," remarked +Thad, approvingly.</p> + +<p>"I didn't want to say too much, you see," observed +the author of the message, as he fastened +it in the crotch of the riven stick, where it must +attract the attention of any one passing. "First, I +had a notion to mention Bob's name, as a former +resident; and then I remembered that he said he +didn't want it known he'd come back. So I left that +out."</p> + +<p>"And I'm glad you did," said the one in question,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> +hastily; "it would have done no good, suh, believe +me; and might have brought us into much trouble."</p> + +<p>Again Thad saw him send that expressive glance +his way; and his suspicions concerning Bob having +another secret which he had not as yet told, received +further confirmation.</p> + +<p>"This, you know, fellows," remarked Allan, "is +the way the Indians communicated in the old days; +only instead of writing it out as we do, they used to +make signs that stood for men, camp-fires, rivers, +woods, animals, trails and such things. You remember, +Thad here gave us some talk about that +awhile back. Now, are we going on again, since +we've left our wonderful message for Old Phin?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and perhaps we'd better keep somewhat +closer together than we've been doing up to now," +the scoutmaster suggested.</p> + +<p>"How'd it do for Giraffe here to stay behind, and +watch to see if that feller back of the rock pile gets +the letter?" Bumpus proposed. "After we turned +that bend ahead he could drop down, and creep +back. Then, after he'd seen all he wanted, why +it wouldn't be any great shake for such a long-legged +feller to overtake the rest of the bunch."</p> + +<p>But Giraffe evidently did not like the idea of +being left all by himself after that fashion. He +looked worried as he waited to see what Thad would +say; and was considerably relieved when the other +shook his head, remarking:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No need of that, Number Three. It wasn't such +a bad idea though, come to think of it, and does +you credit. I'm glad to see that you're waking up, +and beginning to work your brain more. But that +message will get into the hands of Old Phin, all +right, there's no doubt of that."</p> + +<p>"D'ye reckon he'll take our word for it; or believe +it's only one more clever dodge of the revenue men +to get him when he's napping?" asked Davy Jones.</p> + +<p>The scoutmaster turned to Bob White.</p> + +<p>"How about that, Bob?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Old Phin is narrow minded, as you can easily +understand," the Southern boy replied. "Besides, +he's had so many smart dodges played on him, that +he'll never believe anybody's word. Now, he may +make up his mind that because we're only boys he +<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'neen't'">needn't</ins> be afraid we expect to capture him; but all +the same, we might poke around here, meaning to +destroy his Still, suh. You can depend upon it that +Old Phin'll never make friends with any one that +wears a uniform. That stands for an enemy in his +eyes. But I'm hopin' suh, that he'll just conclude +to let us alone, and go to one of his mountain hide-outs, +to stay till we leave the neighborhood."</p> + +<p>They were by now tramping along again. Trying +to forget the ugly part of the affair, Thad was picturing +in his mind what the home of Reuben Sparks +might be like. He was a rich man, Bob had said, +and in close touch with the moonshiners; though<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> +the Government had never been able to connect him +with any of the illicit Stills that had been raided +from time to time during the last dozen years. And +so it was only natural to believe that he must have +surrounded himself with some of the comforts of +civilization, while remaining in this wild region. +Words let fall by Bob had given Thad this impression; +as though they were going to be surprised +when the home of little Cousin Bertha was come +upon.</p> + +<p>"I'd like to have a little talk with you, Thad!"</p> + +<p>The scoutmaster was not very much surprised +when he heard these words, and realized that Bob +White had caught up with him as he strode along +at the head of the little squad of boys in khaki.</p> + +<p>"He just couldn't hold in any longer," was what +Thad whispered to himself; "and now he's bound +to let down the bars all the way, so somebody will +share his secret with him."</p> + +<p>Turning upon the other, he said, pleasantly:</p> + +<p>"Why, as many as you like, Bob; what's bothering +you now; for I've seen you looking my way +quite some time, as though you wanted to speak. I +guess you'll feel better when you've had it out."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps I may, suh, though I'm ashamed to +have kept it from you so long," answered the Southern +boy, shame-facedly. "Fact is, I tried to deceive +myself into thinking that it couldn't interest +or concern any of my chums. But now, since I've<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> +been thinking it all over, and we've run across Old +Phin, it looks different to me, and I'm of the opinion +I had ought to have mentioned this before I took +the lot of you down into these danger mountains!"</p> + +<p>Thad knew then that it could be no trifling thing +that would agitate the other as this seemed to do, +and he steadied himself to meet the disclosure.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<h3>BOB CONFIDES IN THE PATROL LEADER.</h3> + + +<p>"<span class="smcap">What</span> I want to tell you about is—my father," +said Bob, swallowing something that seemed to be +sticking in his throat; as though the mere mention +of his dead parent had the power to affect him so.</p> + +<p>"Yes?" Thad said, encouragingly, wondering at +the same time how one who had passed to the +other side several years now, could have any sort of +connection with the mission of the scouts to this +region.</p> + +<p>"You'll perhaps understand, suh," continued Bob, +getting a firmer grip on himself; "when I mention +the fact that my father, for a year or so before he +was taken, had filled the office of United States +Marshal for this district."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" exclaimed Thad, beginning to see light +now.</p> + +<p>"He was induced to take the office by the President +himself, who was a personal friend of my +father," the boy went on, proudly; "and having +given his word, nothing could make him back out.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> +Up to then we had lived at peace with everybody in +these mountains; but of course that was bound to +come to an end after he had sworn to do his duty; +which was to send out his agents to destroy all the +secret Stills, and bring in the law breakers, if they +could be found."</p> + +<p>"He must soon have had the enmity of Old Phin, +and every other moonshiner about the Big Smokies," +Thad remarked, the other having paused, as though +to give him a chance to express an opinion.</p> + +<p>"That is just what happened, suh," Bob went on, +hurriedly, as, having broken the ice, he wanted to +get through as speedily as possible. "After he had +led several successful raids in person, the mountaineers +saw that they had a different man to deal +with from the other old marshal. They sent him +terrible warnings of what was going to happen to +him if he kept up his work; but my father was a +Quail; and he didn't know the meanin' of the word +fear, suh."</p> + +<p>"Were you and your mother living near here all +that time, Bob?" asked the scoutmaster. "Because, +I should have thought she might have been worried +for fear some of those desperate men tried to stop +your father's work by burning down his home, or +doing something like that?"</p> + +<p>"There were threats made, suh, to that effect; +and my father moved his family to Asheville to +feel that we would be all safe. Then there came a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> +dreadful day for us, when my father never came +back, after he had gone into these mountains to arrest +another batch of moonshiners, whose Still had +been located. One of the men who had accompanied +him told us he had seen him shot down. They were +surrounded by bushwhackers, and the rifles were +popping all about, so they had to leave him there. +He was surely dead, they claimed, before they fled +from the spot, and of course, suh, they could not +burden themselves with his body."</p> + +<p>Again Bob White paused to gulp down the obstacle +in his throat.</p> + +<p>"Now, you are wondering, suh, how it happened +that when we came to Cranford there was a gentleman +with us who was called Mr. Quail, and supposed +to be my father. That was my father's twin +brother, living in Philadelphia. He kindly offered +to stay with my mother, who never goes out at all, +until we became settled. Her mother, my grandmother, +had left me a heap of stock in the bank and +mills of Cranford; and as it was very unpleasant +for my mother down this aways, after father went, +she had determined to locate up yondah."</p> + +<p>"And does she know about you coming down +here?" asked Thad, suspiciously, as if he feared +that the other might have deceived the only parent +he had left; this bringing a tragedy of the grim +mountains so close home to them had given the +scout leader considerable of a thrill, for after all,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> +despite his courage and grit, Thad was only a boy.</p> + +<p>Bob drew himself up proudly, and his black eyes +flashed.</p> + +<p>"I would sooner cut off my right hand, suh, than +deceive my mother," he said. "And, so you may +understand the whole thing, I must tell you what a +strange longin' I've been hugging to my heart these +two years back. It is this. What if, after all, my +father was <i>not</i> dead at the time his men saw him +fall; what if these moonshiners have kept him a +prisoner somewhere in these mountains all this +while, meanin' to punish him because he had given +them all so much trouble!"</p> + +<p>"That's a stunning shock you've given me, Bob," +said Thad, drawing a long breath; "but see here, is +it just a wild wish to have it so; or have you any +reason to believe such a thing; any foundation for +the theory, in fact?"</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you, suh," Bob went on, feverishly. "A +man came to me one day, and said he had been sent +by one of the revenues who had been with my father +that sad time, to tell me what he had picked up in +the mountains. There were rumors going around +that somewhere deep in the mountains, at one of the +secret Stills, the moonshiners kept a prisoner at +work. Some said it must be one of the revenue men +who had disappeared; and that the moonshiners +were bent on making him work up the mash, as a +sort of punishment for having done them so much<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> +damage when he was in the employ of the Government."</p> + +<p>"I see; and of course you jumped to the conclusion +that it might be your own father, alive and +well, though held a prisoner of the moonshiners?"</p> + +<p>"Both my mother and myself believed there +might be just a little chance that way. She was in +bad health, and put it all in my hands. We have +never said a word about it to anybody in Cranford. +While I have been going to school with the rest of +the boys in Cranford, all the time I was in correspondence +with one of the Government revenue +agents, and paying him to be on the constant watch +for any positive signs. He died six months ago, +and just when he had begun to think he was getting +on a warm scent."</p> + +<p>"I see," said Thad, as the other paused, overcome +with emotion; "and ever since then you've +been longing to get down here again, to find out for +yourself if it <i>could</i> be true. I don't blame you the +least bit, Bob. And I only hope that you'll be able +to learn the truth, even if it dashes all your hopes. +Whatever we can do to help, you can count on. +Scouts have to be like brothers, you know. It's a +part of our regulations to help any one in trouble; +and that applies stronger than ever when it's a fellow +scout."</p> + +<p>"Oh! thank you, Thad!" exclaimed the warmhearted +Southern lad, as he squeezed the hand of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> +his companion almost fiercely. "I had no right to +influence you to come down here. It is a dangerous +place. Right now I ought to beg you and the rest +to back out, and leave me to fight my battles alone. +But somehow I just can't find the grit to do that. +I reckon, suh, I'm too selfish. I'm right ashamed of +myself at this minute to feel such satisfaction in +the grip of your hand."</p> + +<p>"Of course," continued wise Thad, "this old +moonshiner, Phin Dady, might still have it in for +you, as one of the Quail family."</p> + +<p>"As far as that is concerned, suh, I'm not bothering +my head, I assuah you. I'd just as lief face Old +Phin, and snap my fingers under his nose. My idea +in wanting to keep him from seeing me was along +another line, suh. He would be apt to think 'like +father, like son;' and that I had hired out to the +Government to find where his Still lay, so it could +be raided. No man has ever done that; Old Phin +declares they never will."</p> + +<p>"If these mountaineers begin to get bothersome +it might interfere some with that other little affair +you spoke about?" suggested Thad, as they continued +to walk on in company.</p> + +<p>"That's what I'm afraid of, suh," replied Bob +White; "but I'm hoping for the best."</p> + +<p>Some of the others happening to push up about +that time brought the confidential conversation to a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> +close. But surely the young scout leader had +plenty to ponder over as he walked on.</p> + +<p>The hike through the Blue Ridge, which they had +looked forward to simply as a test of endurance, +and to develop their knowledge of woodcraft, threatened +to turn into a tragic affair. At least, it was no +child's play; and if they came out of it without any +serious accident happening to any of their number, +they would be deserving of great credit.</p> + +<p>But if Thad and Bob White were in a serious +frame of mind, the same could hardly be said of +several other members of the patrol. Giraffe, Step +Hen and Bumpus seemed to be fairly bubbling over +with good humor. Some boys can no more control +their spirits than they can their appetites.</p> + +<p>As usual Step Hen suddenly discovered, while +they were halting for a breathing spell, that he was +minus something. The evil spirits had evidently +been at work again, when he was off his guard, and +succeeded in abstracting part of his personal property. +It really was a shame how they beset that unlucky +fellow.</p> + +<p>"If it don't just beat the Dutch what happens to +me?" he was heard to loudly wail, looking around +him in a helpless way.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter now, Step Hen?" asked +Allan; although he knew full well what sort of an +answer he must receive.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span></p> + +<p>"They've been and done it some more," replied +the disturbed scout, helplessly.</p> + +<p>The trouble was, that whenever he missed anything +Step Hen always ran around looking in all +the places that no sensible person would ever dream +of examining. When Giraffe declared that he was +like an old hen with its head taken off, it just about +fitted the case.</p> + +<p>"What's gone this time?" continued the boy +from Maine, with a smile at the way Step Hen was +turning over small stones, and stirring the leaves +with his foot, as if he really expected a miracle to +be wrought, and to find a bulky object that way.</p> + +<p>"That little kodak I fetched along; you know I +had it wrapped so carefully in a waterproof cloth, +and tied with top cord. Now it's gone! Needn't +spring that old story on me, and say I was careless. +P'raps I have been a few times; but right now I'm +dead sure the fault ain't mine. Somebody's playing +a joke on me. Mind, I ain't mentioning no names; +but I've got my suspicions."</p> + +<p>He looked hard at Giraffe, and the accusation +could hardly have been given in plainer language +than that. But Giraffe was used to being unjustly +accused. There were occasions when he did seize +upon a golden opportunity to hide something belonging +to his comrade, because it had been left +carelessly around; and Giraffe believed it a part of +his duty to break the other of such shiftless habits.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> +But on this occasion he held up both hands, declaring +solemnly:</p> + +<p>"Give you my word for it I never touched any +camera. This time you've either been and dropped +it on the road; or else the Gold Dust Twins have +nabbed it on you."</p> + +<p>Just then Bumpus, who had been wandering aimlessly +about after drinking at the cooling waters of +the little spring that had been the main cause of this +temporary halt in the march, gave utterance to a +loud exclamation.</p> + +<p>He had tripped over something that lay in the +grass, and a splash announced that with his usual +hard luck the fat boy had managed to go headlong +into the spring. Scrambling out, with the water +streaming from his red face, he turned indignantly +on the balance of the patrol, now convulsed with +laughter.</p> + +<p>"What sort of—horse play d'ye call that—I'd +like to know?" he sputtered, trying to wipe his +streaming face with a handkerchief that looked far +too small for the task. "Can't a feller—just stroll +around camp—without some silly putting out a foot, +and tripping him up? Tell me that, now?"</p> + +<p>"I'm beginning to think we must have some sort +of a hoodoo along with us," remarked Smithy, anxiously. +"All sorts of things seem to be happening, +and in the most mysterious way possible. We all +know that there wasn't a single fellow anywhere<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> +near Bumpus when he pitched forward. Yet he says +<i>somebody</i> put out a foot, and he tripped over it. +I think it a remarkable phenomenon, for a fact, and +worth investigating."</p> + +<p>"Well, somethin' <i>did</i> trip me, and that's sure," +grumbled the other, possibly thinking that he had +been too sweeping in his accusation.</p> + +<p>"Suppose you look in that bunch of grass, and +find out if the little evil spirit that's playing all these +pranks on you is lying there?" suggested Thad, +with a twinkle in his eye, as though he could give a +pretty shrewd guess what the result of the said exploration +would turn out to be.</p> + +<p>So Bumpus, always willing to oblige, especially +since his own curiosity must have been aroused, proceeded +forthwith to get down on his hands and +knees, and begin an examination of the tangle in +question.</p> + +<p>Half a minute later he gave a loud cry. At the +same time he was seen to hold up some strange black +object.</p> + +<p>"Look! Bumpus has caught his little evil genius!" +cried Giraffe. "And ain't it a hard lookin' +subject though. Caught him right by the ankle, +and threw him straight into our spring. Lucky we'd +had all the drink we wanted before he started to +wash there!"</p> + +<p>"Why, blessed if it ain't my kodak!" ejaculated +Step Hen faintly, as though it shocked him to think<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> +how his lost camera should have been lying there in +all that tangle of grass, where it had undoubtedly +fallen as he prepared to take his turn bending over +the water hole.</p> + +<p>Of course everybody laughed, for they could guess +what had happened. Step Hen's little failings were +an everyday occurrence. As Giraffe had often declared, +the careless one would have long since lost +his head had not a kind Nature secured it to his +body.</p> + +<p>The march was resumed, with Thad lecturing +Step Hen on his prevailing sin; and as usual Step +Hen solemnly promising to be more careful the next +time. But he had a very slippery mind, and the +chances were that before nightfall he would be up +to his old tricks again, accusing the rest of playing a +prank by hiding some of his possessions.</p> + +<p>"There's a man sitting on that rock up there, +watching us!" said Davy Jones, in a tone that +thrilled them all.</p> + +<p>"A regular mountaineer too," added Smithy. +"Just as I've pictured them often, with butternut +jean trousers, a ragged woolen shirt open at the +neck, and an old hat on his frowsy head. Boys, he +seems to have a gun in his possession, too."</p> + +<p>They were a little uneasy as they passed along; +but the lone man seemed to simply watch the squad +of uniformed scouts without making any hostile +move.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Chances are," remarked Davy Jones, after they +lost sight of the man; "he was some sort of vidette +or sentry, posted up there to keep an eye on the trail; +and if any suspicious characters came along, to send +word to the other moonshiners. I understand they +can telegraph all right without the aid of instruments, +or even the latest wireless outfit. How about +that, Bob?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is so," replied the Southern boy. "They +do it by making smokes; or sometimes by sounds +that are passed along from one station to another. +It's queer how fast a message can be relayed in that +way."</p> + +<p>"Well," remarked Thad, "that's the method +used by blacks in Africa; and they do say they can +send news of a battle faster than white men can get +it along by relays of telegraph stations, with breaks +where a carrier has to be used."</p> + +<p>"Are we getting anywhere close to the place you +said old Reuben lived at, Bob?" asked Bumpus, who +was showing signs of being tired.</p> + +<p>"Another hour will take us to where we can look +across the wonderful little valley and see the place," +Bob answered. "You will all be surprised, for nobody +would ever think so fine a house could be found +among these wild mountains; but as I told you before, +Reuben Sparks seems never to have been molested +by the moonshiners. Most people believe he +is a secret partner in the business."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Say, would you look yonder, where that road +comes around the spur back of us; to think of seeing +a real buggy and a flesh and blood horse, and +back of the animal a gentleman and lady! I'm sure +dreaming!" remarked Giraffe, just then.</p> + +<p>"Not a bit of it you ain't, because I see them myself," +added Step Hen, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"And unless my eyes deceive me, we've met that +gentleman before," said Allan.</p> + +<p>"Yes," remarked Bob, with trembling voice, "it's +Reuben Sparks; and that must be my little cousin, +Bertha!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<h3>OPENING COMMUNICATIONS.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> was the most natural thing in the world for the +detachment of scouts to come to a halt when they +discovered the vehicle coming up in their rear. In +the midst of such wild surroundings it was indeed +quite a surprise to discover anything so civilized. +So they lined up on either side of the road, resting +on the stout staves which all of them carried as a +means of assistance in their mountain climbing; just +as tourists in the Alps do when ascending some peak.</p> + +<p>Thad noticed how quickly Bob White pulled his +broad-brimmed campaign hat down over his eyes; +and at the same time managed to slip partly behind +one of his companions. It would interfere somewhat +with the cherished plans of the boy, should +Reuben Sparks recognize him; and this was a catastrophe +which Bob certainly wished to avoid, if possible.</p> + +<p>The vehicle came on, and apparently the man +must be telling his companion how he had met these +young fellows before, for she was looking ahead<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> +with a great deal of interest and curiosity; though +hardly dreaming that her cousin could be among +the lads, who were clad in neat khaki uniforms, with +puttees for leggings, and the well-known hats that +distinguish Boy Scouts in every clime under the sun.</p> + +<p>Just as Thad had expected would be the case, +Reuben Sparks drew in his horse as he arrived in +the midst of the scouts. Evidently he wanted to +have a few minutes' talk with them; and allow the +girl a chance to catch for herself a fleeting glimpse +of that outside world of which she knew so little.</p> + +<p>"How are you, boys?" remarked the driver of +the horse.</p> + +<p>"Pretty fairly, sir," replied Thad, anxious to +keep the attention of the other directed toward himself +as much as possible, because of Bob's desire to +remain unnoticed in the background. "We haven't +been used to mountain work; but it's fine exercise, +and our muscles are getting in shape by degrees."</p> + +<p>Thad had before now, of course, flung a look at +the girl who was sitting beside Reuben Sparks. He +was more interested because of the fact that he +knew her to be the little Cousin Bertha, of whom +Bob White had been telling him.</p> + +<p>She was a pretty little girl too, Thad could see +that; and he also thought there was a wistful expression +on her delicate face. If, as Bob declared, +Bertha was really a prisoner in the care of a cruel +guardian, when her whole soul longed to be away<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> +from these wild mountains, and in the haunts of +civilization, that expression would be easily understood.</p> + +<p>And right then and there Thad Brewster found +himself siding with his chum Bob White more than +ever. He felt a hope beginning to grow strong +within his heart that some way might be discovered +whereby Bertha could be taken from the Blue Ridge, +which country she detested, and transplanted to that +Northern town where lived her own flesh and blood +relatives, who yearned to care for her tenderly, if +only the law would allow.</p> + +<p>Thad saw that Bob was no longer in the same +place. The scouts had moved forward a little, to +cluster around the vehicle, while their leader held +conversation with the gentleman. And Bob was +gradually making his way around so as to come on +the other side, where he might in some way attract +the attention of the little maid without Reuben seeing +him.</p> + +<p>It was plain to be seen that he hoped to seize +upon this golden opportunity to open communications +with Bertha. Thad, while he continued to +talk with Reuben, and interest him more or less in +the object of a hike on the part of Boy Scouts, kept +one eye in the direction of Bob White.</p> + +<p>He saw the other take off his campaign hat, and +wave it up and down with a movement that of +course attracted the attention of the girl. She<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> +started violently as she saw that well-known face of +her cousin, of whom she had been so fond ever since +she was a little tot.</p> + +<p>Wise Bob instantly placed a warning finger on his +lips, and the girl immediately turned her face the +other way, while that campaign hat was drawn further +down than ever over the boy's face. So that +when Reuben glanced round, as if wondering what +had caused his ward to give such a violent start, he +saw nothing suspicious in the boy who was apparently +bending over, fastening his shoestring.</p> + +<p>Of course Reuben Sparks knew more or less about +Boy Scouts, even though he may never have had the +opportunity of meeting any of the great organization +up to this time. No one who had the ability to +read the papers could be without that knowledge. +And Thad made it a point to mention any number +of interesting features connected with their work, +that rather opened his eyes, and kept him asking for +more information.</p> + +<p>Like many other people, Reuben Sparks had imagined +that the movement had to do with drilling +American boys, so that they could become soldiers +as they grew up. He now learned, to his surprise, +that there never could be a greater mistake. Instead +of teaching boys to fight, the principles of the organization +tend toward peace. The main thing advanced +is to make boys more manly, self-reliant, +courteous, brave, self-sacrificing, forgetting their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> +own comfort when they can do a good deed, and +relieve distress; take care of themselves when in the +woods; and perhaps save the life of a comrade, +should he be wounded by a carelessly used hatchet; +or come near drowning.</p> + +<p>No wonder then that Reuben Sparks found himself +intensely interested in what Thad was telling +him. His eyes were being opened to facts that he +had never dreamed could be connected with a simple +organization of growing lads. And many another +who has scoffed at the silly idea of trying to improve +upon the breed of American boys, has been staggered +when brought face to face with many wonderful +results that have already sprung from this greatest +of all upward movements.</p> + +<p>Thad saw after a bit that his object had been accomplished. +Bob White had not been so busy tying +his shoestring as Reuben imagined. On the contrary +he was scribbling something on a scrap of +paper, which he held doubled up in his hand when he +worked his way to the rear of the vehicle.</p> + +<p>Undoubtedly the little missy who sat there so demurely +beside Reuben must have been slily watching +his actions. And moreover, she surely divined +what Bob meant to do; for as Thad watched, he +saw her left hand, being the one further away from +her guardian, quietly slip back, until it came within +easy touching distance of the scout who had sauntered +up there.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span></p> + +<p>No doubt impulsive Bob must have pressed that +little hand even as he passed his note into its possession; +for as he told Thad, he had always loved +his small cousin like a sister.</p> + +<p>Fearing detection, the boy quickly moved away; +and it was fortunate he did, since Reuben in the +midst of his questions glanced suspiciously around, +a minute later.</p> + +<p>There was now no longer any reason for detaining +the owner of the vehicle; and Thad's eagerness +in answering questions and giving information +slackened.</p> + +<p>Truth to tell, he was not at all favorably impressed +with the looks of the gentleman. Reuben +had keen, rat-like eyes, that seemed to burn a hole +in one when they became focused. There was constant +suspicion in his manner, as though with so +many secrets to hide, he had always to be on guard. +And besides, Thad believed that Bob must have +struck a true chord when he declared the other to +be cruel and unscrupulous by nature.</p> + +<p>Perhaps he might be plotting to secure the little +inheritance left to the child by her father. It +seemed almost beyond belief that any one could be +so mean as to want to injure so sweet looking a little +girl as Bertha; but then, Old Reuben worshipped +gold, and when a man becomes a miser he hesitates +at few things in order to add to his stores.</p> + +<p>But however the gentleman might have been interested<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> +in learning more about the ways of Boy +Scouts, Thad took particular notice that he did not +invite the hiking Silver Fox Patrol to stop a day or +so with him at his mountain home.</p> + +<p>It might have been just natural meanness that +caused this, since eight healthy young appetites +would eat up all in his larder. But then again, there +may have been other reasons for the lack of Southern +hospitality. Possibly Reuben did not care to +have inquisitive strangers prowling about his place. +He may have occasional visitors, who brought cargoes +which he would not want other eyes to see.</p> + +<p>The boys fell in shortly after the vehicle had vanished +around a bend of the road ahead; and the +march was once more resumed.</p> + +<p>Of course Bob took the earliest opportunity to +forge alongside of Thad. He was feverishly excited, +so that his black eyes sparkled, and his breath +came faster than usual.</p> + +<p>"What did you think of him, Thad?" he asked, +the first thing.</p> + +<p>"I must say I don't just like his looks;" replied +the other; "but your little cousin is everything you +said she was. But Bob, she doesn't look happy!"</p> + +<p>"You could see that too, could you, suh?" exclaimed +the other, gritting his teeth angrily. "I +know he treats her badly. She is thinner in the +cheeks than she was two years ago, though taller +some. And Thad, there's a look in her eyes that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> +hurts me. I'm glad I wrote what I did in that little +note I slipped in her hand. Later on I'm going to +tell you about it. But oh! it looks like there was a +slim chance to do anything for poor little Bertha."</p> + +<p>Thad hardly knew how to console his chum. +Boy-like he was ready to promise anything that lay +in his power.</p> + +<p>"Well, there are eight of us, and that's not as +bad as being here alone," he suggested, with a cheering +pat of his hand on the other's shoulder.</p> + +<p>"You'll never know how much comfort I get out +of that, Thad," the Southern boy went on to say, in +a broken voice. "You see, I've been believing for a +long time that there must have been something +crooked about the way Reuben Sparks came into +possession of Bertha, and her property. But how +to prove it, when my father failed, is what gets me +now. But I'm full of hope; and what you keep +saying gives me a heap of solid comfort. I'm going +to try and learn the truth while I'm down here; and +take her away from that man, if it can be done. +I'm only a boy, and he's a cold scheming man; but +all the same, Thad, something inside here seems to +tell me my visit to the Old Blue Ridge isn't going +to be useless."</p> + +<p>Bob White seemed to be sensibly encouraged after +his little chat with the patrol leader; for when he +dropped back among the rest of the scouts he had +allowed a winning smile to creep over his dark, +proud, handsome face.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<h3>THE VOICE OF THE SILVER FOX PATROL.</h3> + + +<p>"<span class="smcap">We're</span> going to pitch our camp right here, +boys!" said the scout leader, some time later; "and +remember, there's to be no shouting from this time +on. We're in the enemy's country, and must observe +the rules of caution."</p> + +<p>"Oh! ain't I glad though," sighed Bumpus, who +had been busily engaged between wiping his perspiring +brow, and avoiding stumbles over obstacles +that seemed to take particular delight in getting in +his way, he thought.</p> + +<p>"But I hope you're not going so far, Thad, as +to keep us from having our regular camp-fire?" remarked +Giraffe. "Without that, it'd be a sad business, +I'm thinking. And what's supper, without a +cup of coffee?"</p> + +<p>Thad had been talking again with Bob White; +and evidently the boy who was acquainted with the +locality must have posted the patrol leader regarding +things.</p> + +<p>"Oh! we don't expect to do without that, make<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> +your mind easy, Number Six," he replied, with a +laugh, knowing what a weakness Giraffe had in the +line of eating; though it seemed to do him little +good, since he was as "thin as a rail," plump little +Bumpus used to declare.</p> + +<p>With various exclamations of satisfaction the +weary boys tossed their burdens aside, and followed +by throwing themselves on the ground. After a +short rest, of course preparations for passing the +night would be in order; but a little breathing spell, +first of all, was in order.</p> + +<p>Thad walked away, in company with Allan and +Bob White.</p> + +<p>"Now, what in the wide world d'ye think they're +going to do?" demanded Step Hen, when the three +had vanished from sight among the brush that lay +around.</p> + +<p>"There you go," broke out Bumpus, "as curious +as any old maid in all Cranford, always wantin' to +know the reason why. A pretty scout you'll make, +Step Hen; and it'll be a long time before you win +any medals, or pass an exam, for the proud position +of a first-class scout. But I wonder what they <i>do</i> +mean to do?"</p> + +<p>The others laughed at this.</p> + +<p>"After this, Bumpus, take the <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'moat'">mote</ins> out of your +own eye before you try and get a fence rail from +mine. But they're up to some dodge, take it from +me. And it'll be mean if they don't let us into the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> +deal, sooner or later," and Step Hen shook his head +dismally as he spoke; for he was most unhappy +when he believed there was anything going on without +his being told all about it.</p> + +<p>"Great country this," remarked Smithy, lying +there on his back, and looking up at the lofty peaks +that were bathed in the glow of the setting sun. +"About as wild as anything I ever saw. Don't +surprise me to know that the men who were born +and brought up here can defy the clumsy officers +of the Government, when they attempt to capture +them. In my humble opinion they'll just keep on +making that moonshine stuff here in the Big Smokies +until the year three thousand, if the Washington +people hold that big tax on the real brand, so as to +make it worth while."</p> + +<p>"It sure is some ragged," remarked Davy Jones, +yawning; for Davy did not happen to be possessed +of a soul that could admire the grandeur of any +rough scenery; and only thought what a nuisance +it was to have to do so much climbing all the while.</p> + +<p>"Hold on there, Step Hen," exclaimed Giraffe, +as the other started to collect a handful of small +sticks; "don't you dare think of starting that fire. +That's my particular job; the patrol leader gave it +over to me, you understand."</p> + +<p>"Just to keep you good," sneered Step Hen, +throwing the sticks down again. "You keep on +itching to make fires so much, that he just had to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> +bribe you to let up, or some day you'd set the river +afire."</p> + +<p>"Huh! no danger of you ever doing that, I +guess," chuckled Giraffe.</p> + +<p>All the same, he got up, and began to gather +small tinder on his own account.</p> + +<p>"Mind you," he observed a minute later, as +though half regretting his action in squelching Step +Hen so soon; "if anybody feels like lending a hand +to gather fuel, why there ain't nothin' against <i>that;</i> +and we'll have that bully old coffee all the sooner, +you understand."</p> + +<p>This sort of subtle persuasion seemed to at least +stir Davy Jones into life, for getting slowly to his +feet, he began to collect larger wood, and throw it +down close to where the energetic fire-builder was +starting to make his blaze.</p> + +<p>Giraffe was a real fire worshipper. He dreamed +of his pet hobby; and many times could be seen, +apparently idly whittling a stick; when, if asked +what he was doing, his reply would invariably be:</p> + +<p>"Well, we might want to start a fire some time +or other; and then these shavings'd come in handy, +you see."</p> + +<p>On several notable occasions this weakness of +Giraffe's had managed to get him into more or less +trouble; and the sagacious scout leader finally had +to take him to task. So on this mountain hike it +had been agreed between them that Giraffe would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> +refrain from attempting his favorite rôle of making +miscellaneous fires at odd times, if allowed to +build all the camp-fires of the trip.</p> + +<p>And so far he had really kept his word, though +there were times when the temptation nearly overcame +his scruples.</p> + +<p>When Thad and the other two came back, darkness +had settled over the scene. This came all the +sooner on account of the high walls that shut them +in on either side; though just beyond the boys believed +there must be some sort of an open spot, in +the way of a valley.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad to see that you made a fine fireplace +for cooking, Number Six," remarked the patrol +leader, as he looked around; "because we may +spend a day or so right here, resting up a bit. Now, +while supper is getting underway I'm going to tell +you a few things that are <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'at'">apt</ins> to interest you some. +They concern our comrade Bob White here, and he's +given me full permission to say what I'm going to."</p> + +<p>"There, Step Hen, what did I tell you?" cried +Bumpus, gleefully. "Next time just get a throttle +grip on that bump of curiosity of yours."</p> + +<p>"I've heard my maw say people that live in glass +houses hadn't ought to heave any stones," retorted +the other, witheringly.</p> + +<p>But the boys quickly forgot all their differences, +once Thad started to tell of the strange things which +he had heard from Bob White.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span></p> + +<p>There was an intaking of the breath, such as +would indicate great excitement, as they learned +how Bob's father had been connected with the raids +on the secret Stills of the mountain moonshiners. +And when finally they heard how he had met so +terrible a fate, while pursuing his sworn duty by +the Government, glances of true brotherly sympathy +were cast in the direction of Bob.</p> + +<p>"Now," said Thad, in conclusion; "you've heard +about all there is to tell; and I know you're tremendously +astonished, because none of us had any idea +that we were going to run up against such a thing +as this when we asked Bob to let us go with him to +his old home here among the Blue Ridge Mountains. +But what is important to know, is your decision. +Majority rules in everything of this kind; +and if more than half of you think we ought to +turn right back, and not keep on, why, there's nothing +to be done but turn about, and go over the trail +again."</p> + +<p>"Well, not much!" exclaimed Giraffe, filled with +a spirit of boyish comradeship toward the chum who +had been so sorely afflicted, and whose sad story was +now discovered for the first time.</p> + +<p>"Put it up to a vote, Thad!" remarked Bumpus, +trying to look grim and determined, though his +round face was usually so merry that it was a hard +proposition for him to seem serious.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span></p> + +<p>"All in favor of returning to-morrow say aye," +Thad suggested.</p> + +<p>Just as he expected, there was absolute silence.</p> + +<p>"All in favor of sticking to our chum through +thick and thin, and doing all we can to help him over +the rough places, say aye!" the leader continued.</p> + +<p>A chorus of eager assents drowned his words. +Bob White's fine dark eyes filled up with tears. He +could not trust himself to speak; but the look he +gave each and every one of those seven loyal comrades +was more eloquent than any words could have +been.</p> + +<p>"After we've had supper," Thad went on +warmly, "Bob means to go to keep his appointment +with his little cousin, who expects to slip out of the +house, and meet him where he wrote her he would +be at a certain hour. There's the queerest valley +you ever saw just ahead of us. Across it you can +see the lights of Reuben Sparks' house, and several +others that lie there in a bunch, a sort of hamlet, +because it's hardly a village. And Bob says that +Reuben really owns about the whole place. He can +get over there in an hour or so, because he knows +the ground so well. And while he's gone, we can +take it easy here, making up our beds for the night; +if so be there are any bushes to be cut, worth sleeping +on."</p> + +<p>"Hey, would you see how fine a fire-tender that +Giraffe is; it's gone clean out, that's what?" cried +Step Hen, just then.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, would you blame him, when he was listening +to such an interesting story as the one I had +to tell?" asked Thad. "Get busy, Number Six, +and have a blaze going in quick time."</p> + +<p>"Ay, ay, sir," sang out Giraffe, who had wisely +laid aside a surplus supply of fine stuff when making +the fire, which now came in very handy.</p> + +<p>And when the coffee was finally done, and they +gathered around, sitting on rocks, logs, or even +cross-legged, tailor-fashion, on the ground, the +eight scouts made a very fine picture in their uniforms.</p> + +<p>Apparently their appetites had been sharpened by +that afternoon jaunt, judging from the way they +pitched in. And perhaps, after all, Reuben Sparks +had been a wise as well as prudent man when he +failed to invite this squad of lads to stop over with +him; for they would have made a sad inroad on the +contents of his larder; and food costs money.</p> + +<p>"Where's Bob?" demanded Bumpus, suddenly, +after they had been about half an hour trying to +lighten their supplies, and with wonderfully good +success. "He was sitting over yonder only three minutes +ago; and now he's gone. Reckon that bad spirit +of yours is sneakin' around again, Step Hen, and +must a took Bob by mistake; though I pity his eyes +if he'd ever think so good lookin' a feller as Bob +could be you!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Bob's gone to keep his appointment," remarked +Thad, quietly.</p> + +<p>And the boys said nothing more about it, knowing +that the Southern lad laid considerable store +upon this meeting with his little cousin Bertha; +whom he expected to coax in to helping him try and +see whether sly old Reuben Sparks might not have +forgotten to destroy all evidence of fraud, in connection +with his dealings with her father, the uncle +of Bob.</p> + +<p>So the conversation drifted to other topics; and +soon they were laughing over some of the queer <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'happennings'">happenings</ins> +in the past history of the Silver Fox Patrol.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<h3>WHAT WAS UNDER THE HAT.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> flames crackled merrily, and the seven boys +who lounged there in as comfortable attitudes +as they could strike, were fully enjoying themselves. +This sort of outdoor life seemed to appeal very +strongly to all of them, though of course to some +more than others.</p> + +<p>It had always been a passion with Thad, for instance; +and Allan could look back to scores of +occasions when he sat by a camp-fire; because he +was a Maine boy, and as such had spent considerable<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> +time in the piney woods of his native State, +hunting, fishing, and living close to Nature's heart.</p> + +<p>While they could not indulge in any of their +songs, according to the regulations that had been +put in force by the patrol leader, this did not prevent +the boys from enjoying sundry good laughs +when comical stories were told.</p> + +<p>"Reckon Bob's been gone more'n an hour now," +remarked Step Hen, who had been more thrilled by +the story of the Government agent's sad fate than +any of the others; because Step Hen had always +been a great reader of tales of daring and adventure, +and often pictured himself playing the rôle +of a hero, with the admiring crowd cheering him to +the echo, and wanting to carry him around on their +shoulders.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and pretty soon Allan will be going out to +communicate with him, because, you know they +arranged a series of signals by means of the lantern, +and burning matches that Bob'll hold up. But +don't talk too loud about that same matter, Step +Hen; because, you understand, we're close by the +road; and somebody might be coming along at the +time. Remember that man we saw sitting on the +rock with his gun between his knees? Well, I +guess there are a considerable number of others just +like him around these diggings; and by now they +all know we're in the mountains, bent on some +errand they can't understand."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span></p> + +<p>Of course it was Thad himself who said all this. +He knew the failing Step Hen had of shouting +everything out loud; and Thad really believed they +would be wise to carry on their conversation in tones +that could not be heard very far away.</p> + +<p>It turned out later that he was wiser than he +dreamed, when he gave Step Hen this little hint.</p> + +<p>They had started Bumpus telling how an angry +bull had once chased him around a tree on his +uncle's farm, and the boys were laughing at his +comical description of the scene at the time when +the pursuit was hottest, and he could have caught +hold of the animal's tail had he wanted, when a +dismal wail arose.</p> + +<p>"Well, did you ever, if that ain't Step Hen putting +up his regular howl!" exclaimed Giraffe, indignantly.</p> + +<p>"And just when Bumpus here had got to the +most exciting point in his yarn," added the disgusted +Davy Jones.</p> + +<p>"Whatever are you looking for now, you poor +silly thing?" demanded the story-teller, who himself +disliked very much to have his thrilling tale interrupted +in this manner.</p> + +<p>"I can't find my hat, and that's what?" declared +the scout whose besetting sin was carelessness; +"Had it on only a little while ago, but now it's +sure gone up the flue."</p> + +<p>Step Hen twisted his neck as he spoke, and looked<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> +up into the branches of the tree under which they +had built their camp-fire; just as though he really +suspected that a giant hand had been lowered from +the foliage, to clutch his campaign hat from his +head, and vanish with it.</p> + +<p>Things that Step Hen owned were always in +great demand among these mysterious spirits of +the air; since nothing belonging to his chums +seemed ever to disappear.</p> + +<p>"Oh! sit down, and let Bumpus finish his story," +growled Giraffe. "What's an old hat after all, to +kick up such a row over it? Ten to one now you've +stowed it away in one of your pockets. I've known +you to do that more'n a few times."</p> + +<p>"'Tain't so, because I've tried every pocket I've +got, and never found a thing. P'raps, now, one of +you fellers happened to see it lying around, and +put it on, of course by mistake, thinkin' it his own. +Anybody got two hats on?"</p> + +<p>"You make me tired, sure you do, Step Hen," +Giraffe continued. "We know what he is, boys, +and that none of us will get any peace till his old hat +turns up. Might as well get out, and find it for the +poor baby. If I lost things as much as Step Hen +does, I'd just get some twine, and tie everything on, +good and tight. Then if I missed my hat all I'd +have to do would be to pull in a certain string, and +there she'd be, all slick and sound."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span></p> + +<p>While he was speaking Giraffe arose to his feet, +but not without making sundry wry faces; for he +had been sitting a whole hour in a cramped position, +and his muscles were moreover tired from the +day's jaunt.</p> + +<p>"Now watch me find your old hat before you +can say Jack Robinson fifty times," he boasted, as +he started to hustle about.</p> + +<p>Step Hen seemed quite willing that he should +carry out his word, for he himself made no further +move looking to hunting for the missing head-gear.</p> + +<p>Suddenly they heard Giraffe give a queer little +grunt, that seemed to contain a mixture of satisfaction +and disdain. He darted into the adjoining +bushes.</p> + +<p>"Here she is!" he called out, "and alyin' in the +shadows, as cute as you please. Use your eyes next +time, Step Hen, and p'raps—oh! great governor!"</p> + +<p>Giraffe came jumping back into the circle of +light cast by the camp-fire. He certainly did have a +hat clutched in his hand, at which he was staring +in the oddest way imaginable.</p> + +<p>The others had gained their feet, drawn by some +motive that possibly they themselves did not half +understand; but it had seemed to Thad as though +there was a note of sudden alarm in Giraffe's cry; +and the others may have thought the same thing.</p> + +<p>Step Hen, believing himself to be entitled to the +recovery of his individual property, hustled forward,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> +and deliberately took the hat from the hand +of his comrade.</p> + +<p>"Much obliged, Giraffe, on account of going to +all that trouble for me," he said, sweetly, so as to +impress the other, and cause him to repeat the favor +at some future time. "But it's mighty queer how +my hat ever got over in that clump of bushes. Give +you my word for it, I ain't stepped that way since we +struck here; afraid of snakes, you know, fellers. +Goes to prove what I told you about <i>something</i> +hoverin' around, that we just can't see, and which +grabs things belongin' to me every—say, Giraffe, +what sort of a joke are you playin' on me now; this +ain't my hat!"</p> + +<p>"I—know—it—ain't!" gasped the tall scout, +who seemed to have some difficulty in regaining his +breath.</p> + +<p>"It's an old and worn-out thing in the bargain; +and see here, it ain't even regulation campaign, because +it's off color. There ain't no cord around it +either; and my hat's got my badge fastened to it, +to tell it from the rest when they get mixed. +Where'd you get this old thing, anyhow, Giraffe?"</p> + +<p>By now the other had recovered from the shock +which he seemed to have received. He was even +eager to tell his version of the affair, as his comrades +clustered around him.</p> + +<p>"I saw the hat when I told you I did," he began, +in an awed voice; "and all the time I was aspeakin'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> +I kept pushin' my way into the brush, intendin' to +snatch up the same, and throw it out to Step Hen +here. The reason I cut short was because, when I +grabbed the hat by the rim, and gave a jerk, <i>I felt a +head under it!</i>"</p> + +<p>Bumpus immediately caught hold of the arm of +the scoutmaster. It was not because he was afraid, +though Bumpus had often been reckoned a bit timid; +but the action appeared to inspire him with confidence. +He knew that Thad would be equal to the +emergency. And in times of stress it feels good to +be in close touch with one who is going to save the +day.</p> + +<p>Thad understood without being told, what it all +meant. Some spy had been secretly observing the +movements of the scouts, hidden in that bunch of +brushwood; and when his hat caught the eager eye +of Giraffe, the latter had supposed of course that it +was the missing head-gear.</p> + +<p>They looked blankly at each other, Thad, Allan +and the other five. Then, as if unconsciously, and +by mutual consent, they turned their gaze in the +direction of the thicket from which Step Hen had +just emerged, bearing the tell-tale stranger hat in +his hand.</p> + +<p>Perhaps they expected to see some one rushing +away in hot haste, so as not to be caught napping +by these young fellows wearing the uniform in use +by United States regulars.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span></p> + +<p>But nothing seemed to be moving there; at least +they caught no sound to indicate that the spy was +in full flight at that moment.</p> + +<p>Thad reached out, and took the hat from the +trembling hand of Step Hen; who heaved a sigh of +relief upon feeling it leave his clutch; as though a +spell might have been broken by the act.</p> + +<p>One look told the patrol leader that in all probability +the hat belonged to a mountaineer. It was +indeed old, and had an unusually wide brim. +Being somewhat of the same color as those worn by +the scouts, in the semi-darkness it was no wonder +Giraffe had made the mistake he did, and reached +out for it, under the belief that he had found the +missing head-gear of the careless comrade.</p> + +<p>Of course he realized his astonishing mistake the +instant his fingers came in contact with a human +head that had been held low down, in the expectation +that the spying owner might remain undiscovered.</p> + +<p>Thad knew that they were apt to see more of the +one to whom that article belonged. Sometimes +these mountaineers think a good deal of the hats +they wear; at least Thad knew they clung to them +a pretty long time, if the greasy appearance of some +he had seen might be taken for an index to the affection +they entertained for the felt that sheltered their +heads from the summer sun, and the wintry blasts.</p> + +<p>"Well, Giraffe, you certainly made a big mistake<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> +when you took this hat for the one our chum had +lost," remarked Thad, in a loud, clear voice, which +he hoped would reach the ears of the one in hiding, +and bring him forth; "and you owe some sort of +an apology to the owner."</p> + +<p>"But how in the wide world c'n I tell whose hat +it is, Thad?" expostulated the tall and lanky scout.</p> + +<p>"Thet's all right, younker," said a gruff voice, +"I'm the critter as owns thet ere hat; Phin Dady's +my name. Reckon ye've heard o' me," and with +the words a man stalked into the camp.</p> + +<p>He was tall and straight, and carried a long repeating +rifle. More than that, he had a small face, +and piercing eyes like those of a badger. And every +scout felt a thrill as he realized that he was face to +face with the notorious moonshiner, Phin Dady, +whom the whole United States Government had +tried for years in vain to capture.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<h3>AN HONORED GUEST.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> boys looked at the moonshiner, who returned +their stares with interest. He seemed utterly +indifferent as to whether they chose to receive +him either as a friend or a foe. From this Thad +was almost certain that there must be other fierce<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> +mountaineers close by, ready to back up their chief, +should he provoke a quarrel with the strange boys +in uniform.</p> + +<p>That fact meant serious trouble for the scouts, if +it happened to come to pass. Thad knew that these +lawless men of the mountains, who snap their fingers +at the authority of the courts, and feel safe +in the security of their secret fastnesses, deep in the +unknown regions back of the trodden trails, think +very little of human life. They are usually engaged +in some vendetta between rival factions, or families, +and blood is frequently shed.</p> + +<p>Understanding how thin was the ice upon which +he and his comrades were skating, the patrol leader +felt that he could not be too careful how he provoked +this man of strong passions to violence.</p> + +<p>A little to his surprise Phin Dady wheeled, and +faced him directly. But then the mountaineer was +gifted with a sharp vision, and he could readily +guess which one of the scouts served in the capacity +of leader. Perhaps there was that in the manner of +Thad to tell him this fact. Or he might have been +watching and listening long enough to see how the +others all deferred to Thad's judgment.</p> + +<p>"I gut yer letter O. K.," he said, simply.</p> + +<p>Thad's anxious face brightened up instantly; he +saw that for the time being the other meant to put +aside his hostility. Curiosity had supplanted enmity. +He wanted to learn more about what that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> +term "Boy Scouts," used in the message left in the +cleft of the stick, might mean.</p> + +<p>"And I hope you read what we wrote, Phin +Dady?" the boy asked, eagerly.</p> + +<p>A whimsical smile flashed athwart the thin face +of the mountaineer.</p> + +<p>"As fur me, I ain't much o' a hand ter read, any +more'n I am ter write; but thar chanced ter be a +feller along as hed sum schoolin'; an' him an' me, +we managed ter figger it out. Thort as how I'd like +ter run up agin ye all, an' larn wat all this hyar +bizness consarnin' Boy Scouts be. Heerd tell 'bout +sich, but never cud find anythin' but a cold trail. +So I kim over ter see ye; an' p'raps now ye'd open +up an' 'xplain."</p> + +<p>"I'll be only too glad to do that, if you'll take a +seat at our camp-fire here for a little while, Phin +Dady," Thad remarked, making a movement with +his hand to indicate where the other could find a +comfortable spot to rest.</p> + +<p>The man looked closely at the speaker; then +turned his head, and deliberately made a motion with +his hand, that must have been intended for some +concealed confederate. After which he stepped +over, and took a seat, but not the one Thad had indicated +as the post of honor.</p> + +<p>"Reckon I'll sit hyar, ef so be it's all ther same +ter you-uns," he said, as he dropped down, and +swung his rifle across his knees. "Yuh see, I likes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> +ter look at everybody w'en I gets ter talkin'. It's +more sociable like."</p> + +<p>But Thad knew better. The gleam in those beady +eyes told him what the true meaning of this action +must be. When a man has been hunted, in and out +of season, for the better part of his long life, he +naturally become most suspicious of every stranger, +young and old. Many had been the shrewd games +engineered by the revenue men to catch this old +weasel asleep. He trusted no one all the way, even +his best friends, who might be tempted to betray him +because of the reward that was offered for his capture.</p> + +<p>But although Thad had guessed just why the +other chose the seat he had taken, it would have +been most unwise on his part to have shown any resentment; +or even to let Phin Dady know that he +understood.</p> + +<p>"You see," Thad began, simply, "we were warned +to be careful before we left Asheville, because people +said that the fact of our wearing uniforms might +make the mountain folks think we had something to +do with the army. I was explaining all about what +the Boy Scouts represent to Mr. Reuben Sparks +only a short time ago, and he was greatly interested. +If you'll listen, then, I'll go back, and tell what we +aim to do; and why we have left our homes to take +a long hike through a mountainous region, for up +where we live we have no such big hills as these."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span></p> + +<p>So Thad began, and told in as simple language as +he could find just what objects were kept in mind +among all troops of Boy Scouts, whether in America, +England, Australia, South Africa, Germany, +France or any other country on the face of the +globe.</p> + +<p>Fortunately Thad was a good talker. He knew +how to make use of a whole lot of little things in +order to arouse the interest of the one who was +listening; and he certainly had a subject worthy of +his best efforts in this explanation of what the Boy +Scout movement stood for.</p> + +<p>And the mountain man was deeply interested too. +He proved this by the way he hung upon the words +of the boy. Now and then his suspicious nature +would show itself in a cautious look around, as +though he wanted to make sure that no shrewd +game were being engineered, while the speaker kept +his attention engaged.</p> + +<p>Several times he broke in on Thad to ask questions. +He could not get it through his head, for instance, +why boys any more than men, should set +about doing all the work that scouts attempt, without +pay. In this region of the hookworm, where +men never dream of working until driven to it by +actual hunger, they think others must be crazy to +voluntarily take upon themselves huge tasks that +try both brain and muscle.</p> + +<p>"But sure the Gov'ment pays yuh!" he said three<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> +separate times, as though he felt positive there must +be some secret connection between the Boy Scout +movement, and the authorities at Washington; else +why should they be wearing the uniform he and his +fellow-moonshiners had come to look on as the mark +of the oppressor; for several times the army had +been called into the field to hunt down the elusive +law breakers, who simply vanished utterly from +view, and remained in hiding until the raid was +over.</p> + +<p>"Not one cent do we get from anybody," Thad +assured him, positively. "Why, even our uniforms +have to be bought with money we've each one +earned. We're not allowed to accept them as a +gift from any man, or any source. So you see, +we're under no obligations to anybody."</p> + +<p>Again Phin Dady asked a series of questions +which would indicate that he was at least interested +in all Thad told him, though possibly he believed +only a small part of the whole.</p> + +<p>When Thad repeated to him the twelve cardinal +features of a Boy Scout's vow, taken when he +joined a troop, Phin shook his head helplessly, as +though it were beyond his power of understanding. +Indeed, that was where the trouble lay; he possessed +so shallow a nature that he was utterly unable to +grasp the full significance of the scheme. There +must be some sort of recompense, in dollars and +cents, to make it worth while for any person to do<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> +things that called for labor. And that was why he +continued to keep his weapon across his knees as he +sat and listened, and asked an occasional question. +Phin Dady was not going to be lulled to sleep by +any interesting yarn that sounded very "fishy" in +his ears.</p> + +<p>Of course, the other scouts had discreetly remained +silent while all this was going on. They +were content to let Thad do the talking, for none of +them could equal the patrol leader in explaining +what the benefits were, which boys might expect to +obtain when they joined a scout patrol.</p> + +<p>Several of them just sat there, and stared in open-mouthed +wonder at the man, of whom they had +heard more or less lately, and whose defiance of the +authorities had been a matter of many years' standing.</p> + +<p>Phin Dady might boast of no education whatever; +and his knowledge of the world, outside the confines +of the Big Smokies, was doubtless extremely +limited; but he did possess what served him far +better in the warfare in which he was continually +engaged with revenue agents—a natural shrewdness +such as the wily fox of the forest shows, and by +means of which he outwits his pursuers.</p> + +<p>"An' yuh kim 'way down this away jest tuh climb +the mountings, an' see wot yuh cud do acampin' +out without ary tents er blankets, did yuh?" the +mountaineer went on, surveying the boyish faces<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> +that formed a half circle around him. "Wall, I jest +reckons ye'll know a heap more by ther time ye gits +back ter yer homes'n yuh did w'en yuh started out."</p> + +<p>He chuckled as he said that. Thad wondered +whether there could be any hidden meaning back of +the words. When dealing with such a slippery customer +as this hunted moonshiner, it was always +necessary to keep on the watch. The man who always +suspected others of double dealing might be +in the same class himself.</p> + +<p>"Oh! we're quite sure of that," said the patrol +leader, with a pleasant smile. "Already those +among us who had never climbed a mountain slope +before, have had their leg muscles stiffened, and can +do better work than in the start. We expect to +have a pretty good time all around. And we wrote +you that message, Phin Dady, because we believed +you were ordering us out of these mountains under +a mistake that we meant to do you, or some of your +friends, harm. We want you to feel that we never +dreamed of that when we started in here."</p> + +<p>"Then I hopes as how yuh beant changin' o' yer +minds sence yuh kim," remarked the moonshiner, +just as though he knew what the subject of their +recent conversations might have been.</p> + +<p>Before Thad could decide just what sort of an +answer he ought to make, if any at all, the manner +of the other changed as if by magic. His face took +on a fierce expression, and he looked along the row<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> +of boyish faces by which he was confronted, as +though one of them had done something to arouse +his hot anger.</p> + +<p>The click of the hammer of his gun could be +heard as his thumb drew it back; and the scouts +shrank away in dismay when they saw the flame in +his small eyes.</p> + +<p>"Quick! tell me you'uns, whar be the other one? +Thar was sure eight w'en we counted yuh from the +side o' the mounting. An' it mout pay yuh ter +'member thet Ole Phin, he beant the man ter fool +with. Eight thar was; whar be the other right +now?"</p> + +<p>And Thad realized that the ice was indeed getting +desperately thin under their feet at that particular +moment.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<h3>BAITING OLD PHIN, THE MOONSHINER.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Thad</span> himself managed to retain his self-possession +under these trying conditions. What he believed +he had to fear most of all, was that one of +his chums might give the secret away by some ill-advised +remark, uttered under the spur of the moment. +He knew that they must have shrunk back,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> +appalled, when the moonshiner made such a threatening +move, accompanying his fierce words. But +for the life of him Thad could not tear his eyes away +from the face of the man himself.</p> + +<p>It was just as well. Phin Dady looked to Thad, +as the leader of the scouts, for an answer to his demand. +Had the boy shown any evidences of confusion +or weakening just then, it might have confirmed +the sudden ugly suspicions that had flashed +into the other's mind, and just when he was growing +more or less interested in the wonderful stories +he had been listening to concerning the aims and +ambitions of these uniformed lads.</p> + +<p>"There are eight of us, just as you say," Thad +remarked, trying to look surprised at the change of +front on the part of his caller; "but the other one, +White his name is, has gone to see Reuben Sparks +on business. We expect him back inside of an hour +or so. If you'd care to wait you can meet him."</p> + +<p>His air was so candid, and his face so free from +guile that the moonshiner could find no further cause +for suspicion. Besides, had he not heard in the +beginning that the scouts had already made the acquaintance +of Reuben Sparks; who, like himself had +displayed more or less interest in their aims and ambitions.</p> + +<p>Phin Dady even began to feel a little ashamed of +his sudden threatening attitude. The fierce look on +his thin face, that with his gleaming wolfish eyes,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> +had made him appear so savage, gradually vanished. +It gave way to a rather stupid grin; as though the +man realized how silly it was of him to suspect that +these half-grown boys could do injury to one who +for years had defied all the forces of the United +States Government.</p> + +<p>"So, thet's it, younker, is it?" he said; "wall, +I'm right glad ye c'd 'xplain ther thing right off'n +the reel. Course Mister Sparks, he's int'rested in +byes, even ef he beant the father o' any hisself. +An' he 'vited yer pal over ter see him, did he, so's +ter tell him a heap more?"</p> + +<p>"He was very much taken with the idea, and +showed it by asking a great many questions," Thad +went on; trying to keep within the lines of the truth, +and yet allow the other to draw his own conclusions, +to the effect that Reuben had given one of the +patrol a pressing invitation to call upon him, and +continue the interesting recital of the Boy Scouts' +ambitions.</p> + +<p>"Yuh war sayin' right now, thet these hyar byes +hain't never 'xpectin' ter be sojers; an' thet they +don't kerry arms; air thet a fack?"</p> + +<p>When the mountaineer made this remark he was +looking straight toward the tree, against which +rested the shotgun. Evidently he was a little in +doubt concerning the truth of what the patrol leader +had said; or it may have been, wise Old Phin was +desirous of learning just what he and his followers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> +would have to go up against if ever they attacked +the camp of the invaders.</p> + +<p>Thad laughed good-naturedly.</p> + +<p>"That's the only firearm in camp, just at present," +he declared. "It belongs to me, you see. We +knew there would be little or no hunting on this +trip, as the season for protection in North Carolina +is on. But not wanting to be without some sort of +arms, it was decided to carry just one shotgun. +Later on we expect to spend some time up in Maine; +and then it'll be all right for us to carry rifles for +big game shooting. One of our members comes +from Maine, and knows all about it up in that +region."</p> + +<p>Thad talked at length, because he saw that somehow +the sound of his voice seemed to have a soothing +effect on the rough mountaineer. Evidently +Phin Dady had taken more or less of a fancy to the +leader of the scouts. He had known many boys in +his day, and perhaps had one or two of his own; +but they were like bear cubs in comparison with +this frank-faced youth, with the winning smile, and +a whole dictionary of words at the tip of his tongue.</p> + +<p>By now the balance of the boys had managed to +recover from their fright. They even began to show +an interest in the conversation, though not venturing +to say a word unless Thad appealed directly to +one of them; as he did occasionally, to corroborate +something he had declared.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was a scene they would none of them be apt +to forget in a long time—this untamed old mountaineer +sitting there by their camp-fire, asking questions +in connection with a subject that had aroused +his keenest curiosity; while they lounged around, +listening, and drinking in what was said.</p> + +<p>Would he never go? Had he then determined to +wait for the return of the eighth scout? Perhaps +he suspected already the identity of Bob Quail. This +was a matter that gave Thad considerable concern, +for it meant immediate trouble for their comrade; +since the moonshiner might have his old-time enmity +for the Quail family revived, under the impression +that Bob's coming meant danger for himself.</p> + +<p>Once Allan arose, and stepped outside the circle +of firelight. The mountaineer eyed him with just +a trifle of the old suspicion apparently rising again; +for Thad could see a nervous twitch to the brown +hands that caressed the stock of the repeating rifle.</p> + +<p>But if this were so, Phin Dady must have realized +that he could have little or nothing to fear from +one stripling of that species; for he immediately relapsed +into his former careless attitude.</p> + +<p>Thad could give a pretty good guess what it was +that caused Allan to walk beyond the camp toward +the place from which they had earlier in the evening +watched the lights appear in the home of Reuben +Sparks, as well as the few more humble cabins across +the little valley.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span></p> + +<p>Before Bob went away he had arranged a series +of flash signals, by means of which he could communicate +with his comrades of the patrol. They +would not have been true Boy Scouts if they had not +before now learned how to wigwag with flags, or +lanterns, as well as use a looking-glass in the sun in +heliograph telegraphy.</p> + +<p>And so Allan, desirous of ascertaining whether +all went well with the absent chum, was now starting +out, lantern in hand, to learn whether he could +get in communication with Bob.</p> + +<p>Possibly some of Phin's followers might be in +hiding close by, and witness these maneuvers with +astonishment, not unmixed with suspicion. Thad +concluded that it would be best to take the bull by +the horns. If he confided in Old Phin, the other +was apt to discount the news when told by his men.</p> + +<p>"You remember that I told you," he remarked, +"how Boy Scouts are taught to send messages by +waving flags, just as they do in real armies; and at +night time by means of lighted lanterns. Well, we +never lose a chance to practice; and the boy you saw +go out just now arranged to talk with the one who +is across the valley."</p> + +<p>"Huh!" grunted the mountaineer; and from +that Thad concluded that he had allayed any suspicions +that may have arisen in his mind.</p> + +<p>"If you'd care to see how it's done, why, we can +walk out, and watch the scout who has the lantern?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> +the patrol leader went on to say; though secretly +hoping Old Phin might not evince enough interest +to disturb himself.</p> + +<p>Sometimes a bold move serves better than extreme +caution. It seemed so in this case, at least, +for the moonshiner, after making a slight move, as +though to get up, appeared to think better of it, for +he settled back again.</p> + +<p>"I kin understand jest 'bout how it air dun, +younker," he said. "Now tell me some more 'bout +how yuh larn thet thar thing o' savin' a pal thet's +been nigh drownded, or else cut a artery in his leg +with a ax. I reckon now, that's 'bout the neatest +trick I done ever heard on."</p> + +<p>Being brim full of the subject, which always appealed +to him more than he could tell, the young +patrol leader immediately launched out into a description +of the matters that seemed to have deeply +interested even this rough old mountaineer.</p> + +<p>Then he went a step further, and told how the +scouts entered into the most amusing, as well as +profitable, competitions among themselves. He described +a water boiling test, where those in competition +are given just three matches, and with an +empty tin pail in hand, start at a signal to see which +one can build his fire, fill his tin vessel at least two-thirds +full of water, and have this actually boiling.</p> + +<p>Perhaps that old moonshiner never spent a more +interesting hour or so than by the camp-fire of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> +Boy Scouts; at any rate he certainly could not look +back to one that must have been more profitable to +him in every way.</p> + +<p>Finally he arose as if to go; and about the same +time Allan returned, with the lighted lantern in his +hand.</p> + +<p>"Did yuh git him?" asked Old Phin, with some +show of eagerness.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we held quite a little talk, and I guess he +must have used up a handful of matches telling me +what a pleasant time he had. Right now he's on +his way to camp, and ought to get here inside of an +hour."</p> + +<p>Allan said this as though there could not be anything +to conceal. He took a leaf from the example +set by Thad. The latter knew that in all probability +there had been more to the wigwag talk than +Allan chose to state; but he was willing to wait until +a more propitious time to hear it.</p> + +<p>Taken in all, he believed they had come through +the operation of baiting Phin Dady much better +than any one could have expected. The old man +was interested in what he had heard; and only for +the fact that he bore a deadly hatred for the family +of young Bob Quail, they would have little to fear +from the king of the moonshiners, whose influence +among the other mountaineers was such that he +could easily sway them one way or the other at will.</p> + +<p>Thad caught a wink when he looked into the face<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> +of the Maine boy. It told him that Allan had news +to tell, which Bob had sent on ahead, knowing how +anxious his chums would be to hear whether he +had met with any measure of success or not in his +undertaking.</p> + +<p>When Thad turned around again he found that +Old Phin had slipped away, taking advantage of +their attention being directed for a minute toward +the scout who had just come into camp with the +lantern swinging at his side.</p> + +<p>And Thad heaved a sigh of genuine relief when +he found that this was so.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + +<h3>THE RETURN OF THE EIGHTH SCOUT.</h3> + + +<p>"<span class="smcap">He's</span> gone!" exclaimed Bumpus; and it would +have been hard to tell whether relief or regret lay +back of his words; for some of the boys, forgetting +the peril that might hang over the head of Bob +White, did the moonshiner know of his presence, +and his mission to the Blue Ridge, only considered +the entertainment afforded by having Old Phin at +their fire.</p> + +<p>"And I guess the old feller's got enough information +in his head to last him a long spell," remarked +Giraffe.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Say, p'raps he's seriously considerin' starting +a troop of Boy Scouts here in the Blue Ridge country," +suggested Step Hen, who sometimes did have +brilliant ideas flash through his brain.</p> + +<p>There was considerable of a laugh at this proposition, +which struck the boys as about as absurd as +anything they had heard for a long time.</p> + +<p>"Wonder how our real scoutmaster, Dr. Philander +Hobbs'd like to take the job?" chuckled Davy +Jones. "He thought he had trouble enough on his +hands when he ran up against a few hard cases, +like Giraffe and Step Hen here; but they'd be just +pie alongside the strappin' mountain kids we've +seen."</p> + +<p>"Well," remarked Thad, "you never can tell +what might happen. Even those boys have got +something in them that can be brought out, if only +one knows how to go about it. Don't you forget, +fellows, that some of the greatest men this country +has ever known, were born among the mountains. +And right now there may be a future president of +the United States within ten miles of where we +sit."</p> + +<p>"Hear! hear!" cried Step Hen, pretending to +clap his hands in applause.</p> + +<p>"Huh! nearer than that, mebbe," declared Bumpus, +mysteriously swelling out his chest and looking +every inch the hero; "how would the name of +Cornelius Jasper Hawtree sound to you? We've<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> +never had a President Hawtree; but that ain't no +reason we never will, is it? Tell me that."</p> + +<p>"Give it up," sang out Davy Jones.</p> + +<p>"Anyhow, it'd sound more distinguished than +plain Jones," retorted Bumpus.</p> + +<p>"My name isn't Plain Jones, it's David Alexander +Constantine Josephus, and a few more that, +to tell the honest truth; I've forgot," the other went +on.</p> + +<p>Thad and Allan drew apart from all this mimic +warfare, in which the fun-loving scouts liked to +indulge from time to time.</p> + +<p>"Then you did talk with Bob?" asked the +former, with some show of eagerness in his voice.</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Allan, "it was great fun too. +Waited a little while before I could get the first answer +to all my waving; but in the end I saw a flash, +like a match had been struck, and then we got in +touch."</p> + +<p>"What did Bob have to tell?" asked the patrol +leader.</p> + +<p>"He met his little cousin, all right, just as they +had arranged," Allan went on to say. "And she +must have told him something that has made our +chum wild with delight, for he says the trip paid +him twenty times over. Just what it was he didn't +try to tell me, saying it would have to keep till he +got to camp."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, we can give a pretty good guess what it +must be," Thad observed.</p> + +<p>"You mean that Bertha has looked, and made a +discovery among the papers in her guardian's safe; +is that it, Thad?"</p> + +<p>"Just about; but we'll have to quit guessing, and +just wait till he comes in," said the scoutmaster, +who knew just how to take a grip upon himself, and +appear patient, where some of the other boys would +have fretted, and worried greatly.</p> + +<p>"He oughtn't to be more'n an hour, at the most," +suggested Allan.</p> + +<p>"Not unless something happens to him, which we +hope it won't," replied Thad.</p> + +<p>"You don't think now, do you," demanded the +other, "that Old Phin might take a notion to waylay +him, just to have a look at the eighth scout?"</p> + +<p>"I've thought of that, but made up my mind +that so far the moonshiner can have no suspicion +who Bob is. And that being the case, Allan, you +can see he wouldn't be apt to bother himself to lie +in wait for him. I hope not, anyhow. It'd sure +upset some of the plans we're trying so hard to +fix. And it might spell trouble with a big T for +Bob."</p> + +<p>"He's a good fellow, all right," remarked Allan, +not in the least jealous because his particular chum +seemed drawn more than ever toward the Southern +boy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That's right," answered Thad, quickly; "and +we've just got to stand back of him, no matter what +happens. I guess that if some of the boys' parents +had had even half a suspicion that we'd run up +against such a combination as this, they wouldn't +have given their consent so easily to our coming!"</p> + +<p>"I suppose that would have been the case with +Bumpus and several others," the Maine boy went on; +"but I've seen so much of this sort of thing up in +the pine wood that it isn't new to me. Not that it +doesn't give me a thrill, all right, whenever I think +of what we're doing here, and how we had that +man sitting at our fire, the worst moonshiner of the +whole Blue Ridge, I guess. And Thad, you did +give him a treat, the way you talked. I could see +that he took considerable stock in all you said. And +you opened his eyes some, believe me, with all the +wonderful things you reeled off."</p> + +<p>"Wonderful to him, Allan, but the plain every +day truth to the rest of us. But I've always heard +that there is a spark of good even in the worst man +living; and perhaps his weakness for boys may be +the soft spot in Old Phin Dady, the moonshiner's +heart."</p> + +<p>They presently went back to the others, and joined +in the general conversation, which, quite naturally +enough, was pretty much confined to the visit of +the mountaineer, what he had spoken about, his suspicions, +and above all the strange interest he had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> +taken in Thad's account of the Boy Scout movement.</p> + +<p>"Hello! there!" said a voice; and they saw Bob +White stalk into camp.</p> + +<p>One look at the face of the Southern boy told +Thad that he had indeed made a profitable trip, for +he saw a smile there, such as had seldom marked it +in the past.</p> + +<p>They quickly made room for him by the fire; +while several of the boys scouted around, to make +sure that no spies lurked in the undergrowth, listening +to all that was said.</p> + +<p>The fire crackled merrily, and looked very cheerful, +as the ring of faces turned inquiringly toward +Bob White. He knew they were anxious to hear +what he had accomplished; and, as there were no +longer any secrets to be kept from the balance of +the patrol, all having been taken into his confidence, +the Southern boy hesitated no longer.</p> + +<p>"I found no trouble getting across the valley," +he began; "though once I had to lie low, when two +men passed by. From what I heard them say, I +knew they were some of the moonshiners, and that +they had been ordered to take up positions somewhere, +and stand guard. They seemed to be all at +sea about the nature of the danger, and yet when +Old Phin gave the alarm, they knew what they had +to do."</p> + +<p>"We ought to tell you in the start, Bob," said<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> +Thad, "that we had Phin Dady sitting right where +you are now; and that he stayed more than a full +hour in camp."</p> + +<p>"Yes," broke in Bumpus, "and filling up on the +stuff Thad gave him, all about the heaps of things +Boy Scouts are supposed to do. He liked it, too, +sure as you live, Old Phin did; and we reckon he's +got a sneakin' notion of startin' a troop right here, +some fine day."</p> + +<p>Bob White appeared to be astonished, and demanded +to hear the whole story before he went on +with his own experiences. This was presently told, +and the one who had been absent at the time looked +thoughtful when he heard the conclusion.</p> + +<p>"It may work for good, who knows?" he remarked, +as though speaking to himself. "He's a +strange man, is Old Phin; a hard case in most ways; +but p'raps now he has got a soft spot in his flinty +old heart for boys. He's a daughter of his own but +no sons. And that kind of men generally take to +boys best."</p> + +<p>"If they do, it's because they don't know what +boys are like," suggested Bumpus.</p> + +<p>"Now go on and tell us what you did," observed +Thad. "Was your cousin at the place you told her +about?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, it was a little arbor in the garden that I +knew well," remarked Bob, tenderly. "She was +right glad to see me again, suh; and while she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> +wouldn't tell me all I wanted to know, I'm mighty +sure Reuben Sparks is cruel to her. She has been +anything but happy; and always dreamin' of the +time when I'd come back to see her, and take her +to my mother."</p> + +<p>"Did she do what you asked her?" asked Thad, +seeing that Bob was apt to lose the thread of his +narrative in letting his thoughts stray back to his +meeting with little Bertha, whom he loved like a +sister.</p> + +<p>"She did, suh, took a chance to peep through +some of the papers in the safe of Mistah Sparks; +and believe me, she gave me a shock when she said +there was one hidden in a little compartment, that +seemed to have been signed by her own father. I +asked her some more questions, and I'm almost +sure that it's a will which Reuben Sparks kept hidden +away, but which something or other has prevented +him from destroying these four years and +more, since my uncle died."</p> + +<p>"If you only could get that in your hands, and +it turned out to be all you think, seems to me you +might do about what you wanted with old Reuben," +Thad remarked.</p> + +<p>"Given another day, and good luck, suh, and I +surely expect to have the same in my possession. +Then I can shape my plans; but one thing sure, my +cousin will go back to Cranford with me!" and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> +Bob smote the palm of his left hand with his +doubled right fist, to emphasize his remark.</p> + +<p>No one seemed a particle sleepy. Indeed, they +had never been more wide awake in their lives. +Even Davy Jones, filled with the spirit of mischief +that seemed to take possession of him every once +in so often, climbed the tree under which they had +built their camp-fire, and swung himself from limb +to limb; now with his hands but just as frequently +by his toes; as though he wanted to prove the truth +of what that learned professor by the name of +Darwin always declared, that we were descended +from a race of monkeys.</p> + +<p>The rest were lying around in the most comfortable +attitudes they could find.</p> + +<p>"Oh! say, come down out of that, Davy; you +make me tired with your everlasting pranks. Take +a drop, won't you, please?" called out Bumpus.</p> + +<p>Hardly had he spoken than there was a whoop, +and Davy landed squarely in the middle of the now +smouldering fire, sending the brands to the right +and to the left in a hurricane of sparks.</p> + +<p>The seven scouts threw themselves backward to +avoid contact with the scattered red embers, while +Davy scrambled out of his fiery bed with furious +alacrity.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + +<h3>THE FLICKERING TORCH TALK.</h3> + + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Put</span> me out! somebody give me a rub down the +back! I'm on fire!"</p> + +<p>Nobody doubted Davy's excited words, as he +danced wildly about, slapping first at a smouldering +spark on the right leg of his khaki trousers; and +then furiously attacking another burning spot on +the sleeve of his coat; only to throw his campaign +hat down, and jump on it, under the belief that it +was threatened with immediate destruction.</p> + +<p>Some of the other scouts had managed to scramble +to their feet about this time; and seeing that +they were not in danger themselves, could afford to +lend a hand in order to save the garments of the unlucky +Jones boy.</p> + +<p>"Now your suit's a fine sight!" ejaculated Step +Hen.</p> + +<p>"Perfectly dreadful!" remarked Smithy, with a +shudder; for to the mind of this member of the +patrol, with his ideas of what neatness stood for, no +punishment could have exceeded such a catastrophe +as the one that had overtaken Davy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span></p> + +<p>But after finding that his neck had not been dislocated +by his fall; and that, while there would be +a few holes here and there about his clothes, they +were still fairly presentable, Davy only grinned with +his customary good nature.</p> + +<p>"You certain sure <i>are</i> the limit;" declared Bumpus, +surveying the other with a frown on his rosy +face. "Better grow a tail, and be done with it. +Then you could take your monkey-shines to the +woods, where they'd be appreciated."</p> + +<p>"Now that's what I call the unkindest cut of all," +replied Davy. "I leave it to the crowd if I wasn't +only obeyin' orders? Didn't you call out to me to +come down? Well, didn't I?"</p> + +<p>"Huh! but you needn't a spilt our fire that way," +grumbled Bumpus, who however was secretly just +as much amused over the affair as any of the rest. +"When I say 'come down' you needn't think I +mean for you to obey as fast as that. Reckon you +must a tried some dodge that wasn't as easy as it +looked, and you lost your grip."</p> + +<p>"Here's what did it for me," said Davy, stooping, +and picking up a piece of broken limb, which Thad +remembered seeing fall at the same time the boy +scattered the embers of the fire. "Rotten as punk, +and went back on me. But don't you believe for a +minute because I was hangin' head down right then, +I struck that way. Easiest thing in the world to +turn a flip-flap in the air. I sat down in that fire;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> +that's why my pants got the worst of the burns. +And say, do I limp when I walk, because I'm feeling +a little sore?"</p> + +<p>"Not much more'n usual," remarked Bumpus, +cheerfully.</p> + +<p>This ridiculous adventure on the part of Davy +set them all to talking again. Of course previous +efforts in the same line, and, carried out by the same +artist, had to be hauled out of their concealment, +and made to do duty again, with sundry additions; +for what story can there be but what is strengthened +every time it is told?</p> + +<p>So many strange things were taking place all +around them that it was little wonder the boys declared +they did not feel a bit sleepy, even when the +patrol leader told them they ought to lie down and +get some rest.</p> + +<p>"And when everything else fails," declared Step +Hen, "why, Davy, here, can always be counted on +to furnish music for the band."</p> + +<p>"Yes, waltz music," added Giraffe; "anyway, +that's what he thought he was giving us, the way +he kicked around. P'raps, now, he believed he was +doing the turkey trot, all by himself."</p> + +<p>But to all these taunts Davy made no response. +Truth to tell he seemed to be the sleepiest member +of the set, and was seen to yawn numerous times. +In this way he managed to start some of the others<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> +going, so that by degrees they were all exhibiting +evidences of wanting to give up.</p> + +<p>Then there came the job of trying to make themselves +fairly comfortable. They had considered +this matter before, and settled upon plans for the +campaign. There would be no cabin roof over their +heads on this night, only the branches of the big +tree; but since there seemed little likelihood of rain +falling, they did not think they would miss this.</p> + +<p>It was the bed part that gave them the most +trouble. They had scoured the immediate vicinity, +and each scout had secured whatever he could lay +his hands on in the shape of weeds, or grass, or even +small branches from the tree—anything to make the +ground seem a bit softer to his body.</p> + +<p>One liked this spot, while another had entirely +different ideas; but coached by Allan, who knew all +about sleeping out without shelter, they one and all +kept their feet toward the fire, because that was the +part first affected by the cooling night air.</p> + +<p>Several of them were already stretched out, for +while they had arranged a system of sentry duties, +Allan was to take the first spell.</p> + +<p>He and Thad stood looking at the actions of the +other scouts as they moved their rude beds here and +there, striving to find spots where there were no +roots sticking up, that would poke into their sides +or backs.</p> + +<p>"They're a great bunch, all told!" remarked<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> +Allan, with a wide smile, as he saw Bumpus slily +stealing some of the bed of Step Hen, whose back +was toward him, adding it, handfuls at a time, to +his own scanty stock.</p> + +<p>"The finest ever," added Thad, warmly. "I +don't see how we could have improved on this patrol, +if we'd searched through Cranford with a +fine tooth comb. Every one of them has his failings, +just as all of us do; but they're as loyal and +happy-go-lucky a lot of boys as ever any one knew. +And Allan, I expect we'll have some glorious times +ahead of us, if we go up into Maine with you, later +on. That hasn't been fully settled yet, you understand; +the question of expense has to be met, as +well as getting away from our school, if it takes up +by the middle of September. But we're all hoping, +and pulling for it just as hard as we can."</p> + +<p>"Won't it be great now," Allan went on to say, +"if Bob does find that paper he thinks Reuben's +been keeping all these years, when he hadn't ought +to have let it stay unburned a minute? What d'ye +suppose makes a smart scamp like that ever do such +a silly thing?"</p> + +<p>"I couldn't tell you, only I've heard my guardian +say more than a few times that the cleverest scoundrel +is apt to make a blunder. If that's true then I +guess this Reuben made his when he kept that paper, +just to look at it once in a while, and shake hands +with himself over his cuteness."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Will you take a little stroll around with me before +lying down?" asked Allan, who was to have +the first watch.</p> + +<p>"Might as well," returned the other, casting a +glance over toward the balance of the patrol, still +squirming more or less, as they tried to make comfortable +nests for themselves. "By that time, +perhaps they'll be asleep, and I can drop off without +being made to listen to Bumpus' complaining, when +Step Hen takes back his stolen goods. Come along, +then, Allan."</p> + +<p>They first of all walked back along the road in +the direction whence they had come to the strange +valley where Reuben lived, a half-way station between +the secret haunts of the moonshiners, and civilization.</p> + +<p>"What's that up yonder; looks to me like a torch +moving?" remarked Thad, as he elevated his head, +so as to gaze upward, along the face of the mountain.</p> + +<p>"It <i>is</i> a torch, right you are," Allan went on to +say; "somebody must be picking his way along +among those rocks. I'd think he'd sure need a +good light on such a black night as this."</p> + +<p>"But I guess you're wrong about that," Thad +added, quickly; "see, he's waving his light, now +back, and again forward, just so many times. +There, he gives it a downward flash that must mean +the end of a word; and then he goes on."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Why, to be sure, it's as plain as anything that +he's signalling to somebody on the other mountain. +Yes, Thad, look there, and you can see another light +move in answer to that first one."</p> + +<p>"Even that don't seem to be all," remarked the +patrol leader, seriously. "Here's a third light +back of us; and upon my word I can see a fourth +ever so far off."</p> + +<p>"Looks like all the moonshiners in the mountains +might be out in force, and having a jolly old talk +among themselves. Wonder what they find to talk +about?" Allan hazarded.</p> + +<p>"Chances are ten to one it's us they're discussing," +said Thad. "Old Phin like as not, is giving +his orders. Thought he grinned a little when I was +telling how scouts communicated with each other. +He knew all about that, the sly old rascal did; and +this has been going on for years and years before +Boy Scouts were ever heard of."</p> + +<p>"Thad, they're all around us; we're surrounded +by these moonshiners, with their handy guns; and if +Old Phin says we've got to stay up here in the mountains, +why, it's going to be a case of being marooned +for us. We don't dare run, because they'd take that +for a sure evidence of guilt, and pepper us for all +that's out. So, there's nothing to be done but stick +it out, seems to me."</p> + +<p>"Well, we ought to be satisfied," remarked Thad, +grimly. "Marooned or not, it was our intention to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> +stay around here until Bob had settled those two +matters of importance that fetched him down this +way."</p> + +<p>"Sure, I'd pretty nigh forgotten that," declared +the Maine boy, more cheerfully. "So let the mountain +men shake their blessed old torches at each +other all they choose, and tell how the trap is to be +made snug as all get-out; we'll just play the innocent, +and try to find out what we want to know. +Shall we go back to camp now, Thad?"</p> + +<p>"Just as you say," returned the other. "Nothing +more to see out this way. We know that Old +Phin isn't ready to look on us as friends yet. He +can't get over the suspicions the sight of our khaki +uniforms woke up in his soul. But so far we hadn't +ought to complain with the way things have gone. +Hope it'll keep on to the end; and that our Bob will +get all he aims for, find his daddy, and take the little +girl cousin back to Cranford with him."</p> + +<p>"And if it all goes to the good, say, p'raps we +won't have a feather to stick in our hats, all right, +Thad! We'll never get over talking about this +thing. But will it go straight; that's the question?"</p> + +<p>"You never can tell," replied the other, softly, +and encouragingly. "We're going to do our level +best; and leave the rest. Good-night, Allan; wake +Giraffe at the end of an hour, and caution him to +keep a good watch. I come next in line, you know."</p> + +<p>With these parting words Thad stepped softly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> +into camp, glanced at the various forms of the +scouts stretched in favorite positions, some even lying +on their backs; and then with a smile the patrol +leader lay down upon the rude bed he had made for +himself, out of such material as offered.</p> + +<p>In five minutes he was asleep, and forgetful of +all the strange events that had marked their strenuous +hike into the mountains of the Old North State.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + +<h3>CLIMBING THE MOUNTAIN.</h3> + + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Hey!</span> what's all this mean; morning, and nobody +woke me up, to let me stand my trick at the +wheel! I don't think you're treatin' me fair, that's +what, fellers!" and Bumpus Hawtree sat up, rubbing +his eyes as he looked around him in wonder.</p> + +<p>The fact of the matter was it had been decided +that they could get on very well without calling on +the fat boy to stand sentry duty. Most of them +knew how unreliable Bumpus was when it came to +such things, no matter how sincere his desire to +please might be; and Thad had secretly arranged +to leave him out.</p> + +<p>And so Bumpus had not known a single thing of +what was going on until, smelling the delightful<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> +fumes of boiling coffee, he had opened his eyes to +find most of his comrades moving about, and breakfast +well on the way, under the supervision of Giraffe +and Allan.</p> + +<p>"The whole blessed night gone, and me a sleepin' +for all get-out," complained the stout member of +the patrol, as he climbed to his feet, and stretched. +"Well, it looks good, anyway. Nothin' happened, +after all. Nobody ain't been kidnapped by the +moonshiners, have they, because I can count—what, +there don't seem to be only seven here! Somebody's +gone, and yet I don't miss any familiar face."</p> + +<p>"Oh! you only forgot to count yourself, Bumpus," +laughed Thad.</p> + +<p>"Well, that goes to show how modest I am, you +see," chuckled the other, as he started toward the +spring to get the sleep out of his eyes by the use of +some cold water.</p> + +<p>"Yes, as modest as a spring violet," sang out +Step Hen; "but how about that President Cornelius +Jasper Hawtree business? Seems to me any +feller that hopes to assume that high office ain't so +very retiring after all."</p> + +<p>But Bumpus refused to be drawn into any discussion +of his merits as a candidate, at least so early +in the morning. He came back presently, asking +for a towel, which he had forgotten to carry along +with him. But as breakfast was announced just +about that time, everything else was forgotten in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> +the pleasant task of appeasing their clamorous appetites.</p> + +<p>While they ate they talked, and many were the +schemes invented by some of the ingenious scouts, +all looking to the undoing of the enemy, as they +chose to consider the combination of Reuben Sparks +and Old Phin Dady.</p> + +<p>Bob asked that they remain over one more night +in that camp, and there was not a dissenting voice +raised. They were fairly comfortable, and their +haversacks still held a certain amount of food; +though Thad did say some of them ought to go +skirmishing in the direction of the houses across +the valley, to see if there was a chance for buying +fresh eggs; breakfast bacon; salt pork; or even grits, +as the finer grade of hominy is universally called +throughout the entire South.</p> + +<p>As for Bob and himself, Thad had laid out a little +campaign for the day. He believed that it might +pay them to climb up the side of the mountain. This +would be looked upon by any of Old Phin's followers, +should they see the boys, as in keeping with +what the patrol leader had told the moonshiner about +the doings and ambitions of Boy Scouts. There +need not be anything suspicious about such a move, +when Thad had time and again declared that one +of the main objects of their selecting this part of +the country for their hike, had been the desire to +climb mountains.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span></p> + +<p>As to the benefits to be gained, they could at least +have a good birdseye view of the entire region, the +queer bowl-shaped little valley, at the further end +of which nestled the pretentious house of Reuben +Sparks, and the nearby cabins; as well as the back +trail.</p> + +<p>Besides, possibly they might get some sort of +information with regard to what the moonshiners +were doing. Most of these men lived in the little +ramshackle cabins they had occasionally passed on +the mountain road; where a few hens, a razor-back +hog or two, and possibly a slab-sided mule, constituted +the sole possessions of the poor whites. But +then, others doubtless had homes deeper in the +depths of the great elevations that reared their +rocky heads heavenward. These were the parties +who, like Old Phin himself, were in demand by the +authorities, and who wanted to take as few chances +of arrest as possible.</p> + +<p>No revenue men could very easily come into that +well-watched region without the keen eyes of a +mountaineer noticing him. And often the crack of +a rifle would be the first sign the daring man might +have that he was discovered.</p> + +<p>Bob was only too glad of a chance to get off in +the company of Thad. He wanted to talk over matters +with the other very much, and find out just +what the patrol leader thought about the situation.</p> + +<p>So, as they climbed steadily, though slowly, upward,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> +they chatted in low tones. Thad had warned +his comrade that they must imagine an enemy back +of every tree, and act accordingly, so as not to betray +themselves by unwise talk.</p> + +<p>It was rough going. Plenty of times they had to +pull themselves up by main muscular strength, over +some rocky obstruction. Then again, perhaps they +would have it comparatively easy for a brief interval.</p> + +<p>"Here's a plain trail leading upward," remarked +Thad, whose eyes had been on the lookout all the +time. "Suppose we follow it some. Chances are +it'll be easier going, because whoever lives up here +would know the softest road."</p> + +<p>"That's true," assented Bob; "but we'd best not +keep on this same trail too long."</p> + +<p>"Why not?" asked the other, looking around at +his chum.</p> + +<p>"You must know that it sure leads, sooner or +later, to some hidden cabin of a man who's got some +pretty good reason for keeping away from the +beaten road."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I guessed that the first thing; and I suppose +you mean he'd feel angry some if he saw two +fellows in uniform following his trail?" Thad suggested.</p> + +<p>"Angry—well, that hardly covers the ground," +chuckled Bob. "When these mountain men don't +like a thing they start to shooting right off the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> +handle. Never waste time, suh, in asking questions; +they judge things as they see them, and act accordingly. +And believe me, Thad, when their guns +speak, generally something goes down."</p> + +<p>"Well, on the whole I think what you said carries +so much weight with me, Bob, that I've lost pretty +much all interest in this same trail. It don't look +near so attractive as it did; and I wouldn't be surprised +if we'd make better time just keeping on +straight up the face of the old hill."</p> + +<p>They looked at each other, and laughed softly, as +though it was mutually understood what meaning +Thad intended to convey back of his words.</p> + +<p>All the same the dangerous beaten track was immediately +forsaken, and once more they set out to +climb straight upwards. Occasionally Bob, who +seemed more at home in this thing than his companion, +as he had lived among the mountains most +of his young life; would discover that by taking a +side cut they could avoid a hard climb, and in that +event the direct line was changed to an oblique one.</p> + +<p>The view was at times a fine one, with a stretch +of the wild country spread out before them like a +panorama. Then again for a quarter of an hour or +more they would be unable to see anything, on +account of the formation of the mountainside, or it +might be the presence of thick foliage on the small +trees growing in profusion all around them.</p> + +<p>"So far we haven't seen the first sign of a living<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span> +thing?" remarked Thad, when they halted to get +their breath.</p> + +<p>"That's a fact, suh," agreed Bob White, "but we +mustn't make up our minds that we haven't been followed +and watched at all times. These mountain +men can climb like goats, suh. It would make you +stare to see one of them go up a cliff that neither of +us could dream of climbing. They could keep us in +sight right along, and believe me, we would never +know a thing about it."</p> + +<p>"I can easily understand that, Bob. But it's some +wilder up here than ever I believed possible. I saw +squirrels in plenty as we came along; some birds +flushed from alongside that bank that must have +been partridges; and right here's a bunch of +feathers, showing where some animal had a fine +supper not long since."</p> + +<p>Thad dropped down beside the telltale feathers +that marked the end of a game bird, and seemed to +be examining the ground.</p> + +<p>A minute later he looked up.</p> + +<p>"I'm not as dead sure about this thing as Allan +would be," Thad remarked; "but it doesn't look like +fox tracks to me. The claws are too well defined; +and I'm of the opinion that it might have been a +wildcat, if you happen to have such beasts here in +the heart of the Blue Ridge."</p> + +<p>"I reckon we do, suh, and mighty fierce fellows +too," the Southern lad made answer promptly; "I've<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> +myself met with one when out hunting, and got him +too, though he gave me a heap of trouble; and I +was sore from the scratches a whole week or so. +No doubt you're right, and it was a cat; though I'm +surprised that he ate his catch on the ground, instead +of in the crotch of a tree."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he was too hungry to wait; or the bird +tasted so good he just had to pitch in right away," +suggested Thad, picking up one of the feathers, and +sticking it in the cord of his campaign hat, boy +fashion.</p> + +<p>"It's getting pretty nigh dinner time," observed +Bob, as he felt for the package of food he had +thrust into one of his pockets before starting out, +upon the suggestion of the patrol leader, who did +not know just how long a time they might be gone.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'suppose'">supose</ins> we've come up about as far as +we ought," Thad added, himself feeling the vigorous +climb the more because his muscles were not used +to anything of that sort. "So, let's drop down +right where we are. It's a good enough lunching +place. The cat thought so, you can see."</p> + +<p>They soon settled in comfortable places, each +with a tree to lean his back against while he munched +the dry sandwiches that had been hurriedly put together, +a little potted ham between crackers, with a +slice of cheese thrown in for good measure.</p> + +<p>The sun felt warm overhead, but the atmosphere +at this altitude was bracing and refreshing indeed,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span> +as mountain air always is. The boys, as they ate, +talked incessantly, covering the ground of what they +hoped to accomplish, if fortune were only kind +enough to favor them, and the moonshiners to allow +them to leave the mountains in peace.</p> + +<p>Bob was explaining that after all it might be well +for him to divide his mission into two parts, and +get Bertha disposed of, before thinking of trying +to find whether the mysterious prisoner of the moonshiners +could really be his dear father, when their +conversation was interrupted by a scream from a +point close by.</p> + +<p>The two boys sprang to their feet, and looked +at each other blankly.</p> + +<p>"That was a girl called out, Bob!" exclaimed +Thad. "We can't tell but what it may be a trap +of some kind, but that's a chance we've just got to +take. Come on, and we'll soon see what it means!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> + +<h3>IN LUCK AGAIN.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Bob</span> was quite as eager as his companion to hurry +forward and see what that cry of a girl's voice +might mean. Whoever heard of a Southern boy unwilling +to act in similar circumstances?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span></p> + +<p>The two of them had noted the quarter from +whence the shrill scream came, and were making a +bee line for it as fast as the rough nature of the +ground permitted.</p> + +<p>"Keep back, thar, you ugly critter! Don't you +dar jump at me! Oh! if I could on'y git free, I'd +show you!" they heard just beyond the fringe of +bushes.</p> + +<p>Bursting through these, and the scene lay before +them. It was a girl, a real mountain girl too, who +had called out. She was half bent over, as though +trying all her might to wrench her foot free, for it +seemed to be caught in a crevice of the rock, as in a +vise.</p> + +<p>Not ten feet away from her crouched an ugly +wildcat. Its ears were bent backward toward its +body; the yellow eyes seemed to glow with an ugly +fire; and there could be no doubt but that the animal +was getting ready to jump at the girl, possibly angered +by the red sunbonnet she wore.</p> + +<p>She had managed to pick up a stone, with which +she was ready to do battle in case the cat really attacked +her. Thad saw this, and admired her grit, +even though he believed that she would have suffered +dreadfully, had the fight ever come off.</p> + +<p>Bob gave a cry of rage as he saw what it all +meant. He too snatched up a stone, and made +directly for the wildcat, as though such a thing as +fear did not enter into his calculations. And Thad,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span> +a little wiser, seeing an excellent club handy, made +out to get that in his grip ere following his chum.</p> + +<p>Despite the coming of these two new enemies the +wildcat showed no sign of beating a retreat. There +may have been some reason for this unexpected +bravery on the animal's part. Usually it is only +when darkness comes that bobcats are dangerous; +and in the daytime they will generally retreat before +the coming of human foes.</p> + +<p>There may have been kittens somewhere close by; +and a mother cat will attack anything that moves in +defense of her offspring.</p> + +<p>But just then Thad was not bothering himself +with trying to understand why the fierce beast acted +in that altogether remarkable way. What they +wanted to do was to influence the animal to leave +the neighborhood, and the quicker this were done +the better they would be pleased.</p> + +<p>"Go slow, Bob!" Thad called out, fearful lest his +impulsive comrade dash up so close that in another +instant the cat would be upon him, clawing, biting, +and doing all manner of damage.</p> + +<p>He swung his club in as ferocious a manner as he +could, and made all sorts of threatening gestures as +he rushed forward.</p> + +<p>Thinking that if they approached from two +separate quarters the beast might grow more or less +confused, and possibly slink away, Thad did not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span> +follow directly in the track of his friend, but made +a little detour.</p> + +<p>Bob came to a pause. He was not more than a +dozen feet away from the beast now, and there was +danger that if he closed in any more the expected +collision must take place.</p> + +<p>Thad saw him draw his arm back. Undoubtedly +Bob meant to hurl the heavy rock he had snatched +up. If he missed his aim, he would then be entirely +unprotected. But then Bob had pitched on a baseball +team several seasons, and was said to have a +very clever delivery, with the faculty of getting the +ball over the rubber with clock-like precision. And +a crouching wildcat, only a dozen feet away, is a +large enough object to be counted a sure thing by +an experienced ball player.</p> + +<p>So even as Thad looked and wondered, he saw +Bob let drive. And when the rock actually struck +the cat between its glaring eyes, hurling it over backwards, +Thad could not help letting out a yell.</p> + +<p>"Good shot, Bob!" he cried. "Get another, +quick, for he's coming after you like hot cakes!"</p> + +<p>He himself was closing in on the cat all the time +he shouted after this manner. In another moment +they were all in a confused bunch, the enraged and +wounded wildcat screaming and snarling; Thad +pounding away every chance he got; Bob kicking +wildly at the animal, as he looked for a chance to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span> +get hold of another stone; and the whole making +quite a lively circus.</p> + +<p>Several times Thad landed with such a will on the +side of the springing wildcat that the wretched +beast was knocked clean over. But with a desperation +that was simply astonishing it would get together, +and come flying back again, as though it +really possessed the nine lives its tribe is given +credit for.</p> + +<p>Of course this could not last long. The game was +too one-sided, with two against one; and in the end +the cat was glad to jump into the bushes, with a +parting expression of hatred in the form of a snarl.</p> + +<p>The panting boys stood and looked at each other. +Each of them had a few rents in their khaki +trousers; and might have been served even worse +only that their <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'putties'">puttees</ins> protected the lower part of +their limbs.</p> + +<p>"Whew! that was a hot time!" gasped Thad. +"Did you see how many times I bowled the thing +over, and only to have to defend myself again? +Give me a mad wildcat for gameness. They haven't +their equal going, pound for pound."</p> + +<p>"And I hit him when I threw that stone; I'm +proud of that shot, suh!" declared the Southern +boy, with a grim smile.</p> + +<p>"Say, it was a right smart throw, all right; but +s'pose yuh come and help me outen this trap now, +strangers," came from the mountain girl.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span></p> + +<p>As they turned toward her, and advanced, Thad +saw immediately that she was not the little Bertha +whom he had looked upon, sitting beside Reuben +Sparks, and with her golden hair, seeming very +much like a fairy.</p> + +<p>This girl was slender, and with coarse, black hair. +She was garbed in common homespun clothes, and +wore shoes that were doubtless much too large for +her feet. One of her ankles had been caught tightly +in the crevice of the rock. She might have managed +to extricate herself if given a little time; but the +sudden appearance of that ugly fighting wildcat had +upset her; so that she had twisted and squirmed +until her foot was held as though in a blacksmith's +vise.</p> + +<p>Bob in his usual impetuous way might have been +impelled to tug at that imprisoned foot, and add to +her sufferings; but Thad, who was cooler, set about +discovering just how it was gripped; then, as gently +as he could he gave it a sudden turn, and the thing +was done.</p> + +<p>The girl uttered a little scream as a pain shot +through her ankle; but then she realized that the +way the boy had gone about it was the right one. +Results count every time. When a man succeeds, +the path he has taken is looked upon as a shining +example to the rising generation; should he fail, the +same route is pointed out as beset with unsurmountable +difficulties.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'm right glad you kim along in time," the girl +remarked, as her black eyes scanned the faces of +the two boys who had done her such a good turn.</p> + +<p>"Had you done anything to the cat; or was it +just crazy for a fight?" asked Bob, as he looked +more closely at the angular girl; and Thad thought +he could detect that in his manner to tell he might +have recognized her.</p> + +<p>"'Pears like it was jest brim full of scrap, +mister," she went on. "I was acomin' down ther +side o' the mounting, paying 'tention to my own +business, when I jest made er fool o' myself, like ye +see, an' gut a foot fast atween the rocks. Then +the critter showed up, and started makin' a row. +I tried all I knowed how to break loose, but it was no +go. An' I was jest agwine to hit the animal atween +the eyes if it jumped me, when you-uns arriv. But +I'm glad ye kim. 'Tain't nice to git yuh face all +clawed to ribbands by cat's claws. Yep, I'm glad ye +helped me outen it."</p> + +<p>Thad saw that she was a character, this girl of +the Blue Ridge. Rough and uncouth, she might be, +still she possessed the qualities that real heroines +were once made out of in the days of Joan of Arc.</p> + +<p>Doubtless she must be the daughter of one of the +poor "white trash" mountaineers who spend their +time between making moonshine whiskey, and dodging +revenue men. It struck Thad at the moment +that perhaps, since they had been enabled to do her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> +a good turn, she might be willing to assist them. +Such a girl ought to know a good deal of what was +going on back in the mountains. Her people must +talk about the strange things that happened; perhaps +she might be able to even tell Bob something about +the prisoner who was said to be kept up there somewhere, +working at the sour-mash in the never raided +Still of Phin Dady.</p> + +<p>With this bright idea in his mind Thad decided +that fortune had indeed played another nice trick +upon them, and one that would perhaps be to their +advantage.</p> + +<p>"Do you live near here; and will you be able to +limp home?" he asked; for he saw that the ankle +was somewhat swollen, and must pain more or less; +although the girl scorned to show it by her manner.</p> + +<p>"A right smart ways off from heah, stranger," +she replied; "but then they be some o' my friends +nigh this, who'll take keer o' me. Ye did hit up +that ere onary cat some handsome, an' I shore think +it won't want to tackle a pore gal ther next time +it sees one."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps we might help you along to the home +of your friends," said Thad.</p> + +<p>She looked at him keenly, for even the daughters +of moonshiners grow to be suspicious of those whom +they do not know.</p> + +<p>"'Tain't no need, stranger; I kin take keer o' myself,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> +I reckon. Not that I ain't feelin' 'bliged to ye, +fur offerin'. I kain't furgit thet ye done me a good +turn. Mebbe I ain't good lookin' like thet leetle +cousin o' yours, Bob Quail; but it's the on'y face I'll +ever hev; and no gal likes to be scratched an' gouged +bad by the pizen claws o' a wildcat."</p> + +<p>"Will you tell your father about this, Polly?" +asked Bob, excitedly, Thad thought.</p> + +<p>"'Pears like I hadn't orter keep it from him," she +replied, slowly, watching the expressive and handsome +face of the young Southerner closely. +"Thems as don't think Phin Dady keers fur his +fambly, but they don't know. Reckons he'd jest +'bout lay down his life fur <i>me</i>, pore looker as I am!"</p> + +<p>Thad drew a big breath. Really things were +rushing forward by leaps and bounds now. For not +only had the girl recognized his companion, who +wished to keep his identity under cover while in the +mountains; but this same Polly, as Bob called her, +had now disclosed herself to be the daughter of the +moonshiner, Old Phin Dady!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> + +<h3>POLLY GIVES HER PROMISE.</h3> + + +<p>"<span class="smcap">I'm</span> going to ask you a great favor, Polly," said +Bob, earnestly.</p> + +<p>"Then hit it up right smart, an' tell me," replied +the girl, calmly, though Thad could see her dark, +expressive face light up.</p> + +<p>Polly had her share of the curiosity that is the +heritage of her sex.</p> + +<p>"You say you feel thankful that we happened +along in time to drive that cat off; and you'd be +willing to do something for us in return?" Bob +went on.</p> + +<p>"Thet's right, Bob Quail," returned the girl of +the mountains sturdily. "Reckons as how it'd on'y +be fair. What ye want me to do?"</p> + +<p>"First of all, please don't whisper it to anybody +around here that I have come back," the boy asked +in his earnest tones; "and least of all to your father. +You know he used to feel right sore against all my +family, because my father in trying to do his sworn +duty by the Government, ran up against the moonshine +boys."</p> + +<p>"Oh! thet's easy promised, Bob Quail," she replied,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> +readily enough; "I kin keep a close tongue +atween my teeth, ef I happens to be on'y a gal. But +I kin see thet ain't all yer gwine to ask o' me."</p> + +<p>"But everything else hinges on that, Polly," returned +Bob; "and I'm glad you'll forget that you +saw one of the Quail family. They're not in any +too good odor in this part of the country. Now, +you're wondering, I reckon, why I ever dared come +back, after two years. Well, there were reasons that +pulled me into the danger zone, Polly. One of them +was—Bertha, my little cousin."</p> + +<p>Polly smirked, and nodded her wise head.</p> + +<p>"I cud a guessed thet, Bob Quail," she remarked. +"Sumbody must a ben tellin' ye thet she ain't as +happy as she mout be, thet's it. The old miser, he's +cross as a bear with a sore head; an' I seen Bertha +with red eyes more'n a few times. I don't blame ye +'bout wantin' to do somethin'; though I reckons ye'll +find it a up-hill job, w'en ye tackle thet old fox."</p> + +<p>"But there's a way to get him in a hole, and I +believe I've found it," said Bob. "Only, if I'm +chased out of the country before I can carry my +plans through, you see, all my coming here wouldn't +amount to a row of beans. That's one reason why +I asked you to keep my secret. But there's another, +Polly."</p> + +<p>"Yep, they's another," she repeated after him, +with her dark eyes fixed on his face, as though she +might be able to read what was passing in his mind<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span>, +and in this way was prepared to hear his new disclosure.</p> + +<p>Thad knew what his comrade meant to say. It +was a big risk, but he believed it could be carried +through. This girl was no ordinary creature; she +had latent possibilities slumbering beneath the surface +in her nature, that, as yet, had never been +called upon to show themselves. Besides, the girl +was grateful to them for what they had done.</p> + +<p>"You haven't forgotten what happened here +some years ago, Polly," Bob went on. "My father +led a party of revenue men into these mountains, +meaning to destroy the secret Stills. He never came +back. Those who were with him said that he had +been shot down in a fierce fight with the moonshiners; +and that he had died almost instantly. You +haven't forgotten that terrible time, Polly, have +you?"</p> + +<p>"I reckons not," she muttered, stirring uneasily.</p> + +<p>"Well, somehow I never could get myself to believe +that my father was really dead. I had one of +the revenue men in my pay, and he used to write me +every week or so. It was through him I first heard +the rumor that the moonshiners were said to have +a prisoner up at your father's Still, who was kept +constantly under guard, and made to work. They +even said he was a revenue man; and that it was a +part of the moonshiners' revenge to make him help +manufacture the mountain dew, so as to pay up for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> +the quantities he had destroyed in his raids. You've +heard more or less about this, too, haven't you, +Polly?"</p> + +<p>"Sure I has, Bob Quail," replied the girl.</p> + +<p>"Polly, somehow I just can't get it out of my +head that this mysterious prisoner of the mountains +might be my own father; that he was badly +wounded, and not killed in that fight; that the moonshiners +nursed him back to health; and ever since +he's been kept under guard. Do you know if that +is so? I ask you to tell me, because it would mean +a great deal to me, and to my poor mother at home +in the North."</p> + +<p>Polly shook her head in the negative.</p> + +<p>"I jest can't say as to thet," she answered, +soberly; "I done hears a heap 'bout some man as +they has kep' a long time up thar, adoin' of the +chores, an' never without a gun clost to his head; +but I ain't never seed him. I gives ye my word on +thet, Bob Quail."</p> + +<p>"But Polly, you <i>could</i> see him if you tried real +hard, couldn't you?" the boy went on, in an anxious +tone.</p> + +<p>She looked at him. The eager expression on +poor Bob's face would have moved a heart of stone; +and Polly was surely deeply touched.</p> + +<p>"I reckons I cud," she answered, steadily; while +in her black eyes stole a glow that gave Thad a +curious feeling; for he began to believe that they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> +had after all come upon an unexpected and valuable +ally, right in the household of the chief enemy.</p> + +<p>"Think what it means to me, Polly," Bob suggested, +knowing how best to appeal to her sympathies. +"Put yourself in my place, and tell me what +you would do if it was your own father who was +held a prisoner, and you had long believed him +dead? Do you blame me for coming back to these +mountains to try and learn the truth; and if it should +turn out to be all I dream it may, of attempting in +some way to bring about his release. Would you +blame me, Polly?"</p> + +<p>"Sure I wudn't, Bob Quail," she replied.</p> + +<p>"And will you help me find out?" he went on, +feverishly.</p> + +<p>"Seein's I owe ye a heap, 'case o' what ye done +fur me this day, I'm gwine to say jest what ye wants +me to," the girl returned.</p> + +<p>With an almost inarticulate cry Bob seized her +hand, and gave it a squeeze.</p> + +<p>"Oh! you don't know how happy you've made +me by saying that, Polly!" he exclaimed. "And if +it <i>should</i> turn out to be my poor father, won't you +try and help me get him free? He'll never come +back here again to bother your people; I give you +my word for that, Polly, sure I do. Will you help +me do it?"</p> + +<p>"Thet's asking a hull lot, Bob Quail," she muttered,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> +doubtfully, as though she realized the magnitude +of the task he would put upon her shoulders. +"It's wantin' me to go agin my own dad. If so be +thar is a revenue kep' up thar to the Still, it's <i>his</i> +doin's. An' 'less he gives the word, thar ain't nobody +dar's to let that man go free. An' now ye +arsk me to play agin my own people. It's a big +thing ye want done, Bob Quail. I dunno; I +dunno!"</p> + +<p>But Thad could see she was wavering. He believed +that if Bob only pressed his point he must +win out.</p> + +<p>"Listen, Polly," and Bob caught hold of her +wrist as he spoke, as though to hold her attention +better; "more than two long years this man has +been held there, the sport and plaything of the +moonshiners, and made to do their rough work. It +must have broken his spirit sadly. And surely your +father's desire for revenge should be wholly satisfied +by now. Think of my mother, mourning him +as dead all this time, Polly. Just imagine her +wonderful joy if he came back to her again alive +and in the flesh! Oh! don't talk to me about the +risks I am running in just coming here; gladly +would I put my life in danger ten times over, if I +knew there was a chance to find him, and bring him +home with me. That is what <i>you</i> would do, Polly; +and perhaps some day, when sorrow and trouble +come to you, I may be able to do you a good turn,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> +even as you are going to do for me now; because +something tells me you are, Polly!"</p> + +<p>That settled it. Bob had gone about the matter +in just the right way to reach the moonshiner's +daughter's heart. No doubt she often thought of +the black day that might come at any time, when +those never sleeping Government agents would capture +Old Phin, and he look a long sentence in the +face. Yes, it would be worth something to know +that they had a friend in court when that time rolled +around.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'm agwine to help ye, Bob Quail," she said, +slowly. "I don't jest know yet how far I kin go; +but anyways I'll promise to find out who thet +prisoner up at the Still kin be. Then, mebbe I mout +think it over, an' reckon as it's jest like ye sez, an' +he's shore be'n punished enuff. Thet's all I'll tell +ye right now."</p> + +<p>"Well, it's mighty fine of you to say as much as +that, Polly, and I want you to know I appreciate it +more than I can tell you," the Southern boy went +on, his dark handsome face radiant with renewed +hope, as his heart beat high in the belief that his +loftiest dreams might after all come true.</p> + +<p>"I hope that foot won't keep you from walking?" +Thad thought to remark just then.</p> + +<p>This caused Bob to remember that he had a chum +near by, and he hastened to say:</p> + +<p>"This is one of my best friends, Thad Brewster,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> +Polly. We belong to the troop of Boy Scouts +encamped down below. Perhaps you have heard +your father speak of them? He was in our camp +more than an hour last night, and my chum here +seemed to interest him a heap in telling all about +what scouts aim to do in the world."</p> + +<p>"Yep, I heerd 'bout hit," the girl replied, as she +gave Thad a short nod; "an' he shore was takin' +sum stock in wat he done heerd. My dad, he allers +liked boys better'n he did gals. Lost three on 'em, +he did, an' every one died with his boots on! But +ye needn't git skeered 'bout this hyar foot ahurtin' +me none. We knows what kin' o' stuff to put on a +sprain, as'll take ther swellin' down right smart. +See, I kin walk jest as good as I ever cud. An' I'll +find out fur ye 'bout thet man up to the Still, sure I +will, Bob."</p> + +<p>"When can I see you again, Polly?" Bob asked, +anxiously. "You know time is worth a heap to me +right now. Say soon, please; sometime to-night, if +you can; and it'll help a lot. I'll never be able to +sleep a wink now till I know the truth."</p> + +<p>"Mout as well put her through on ther lightnin' +express as not," she replied. "I reckons I kin +promise ye to-night. An' I knows whar yer camp +lays, 'case I arsked my dad. Thort I mout happen +thet way, an' see what boys looked like as was +dressed in smart close. It's gwine to be a hard job, +seems like, an' mebbe I carn't git 'roun' till late, but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> +I'll be thar, Bob Quail! Ye done ther right thing +by me, an' Polly Dady don't forgit."</p> + +<p>Then turning her back on the two boys, the mountain +girl swung herself along the rough face of the +hillside with a perfect confidence in her ability to +keep her footing that only a chamois might have +exceeded.</p> + +<p>And Thad, looking at his chum, saw that the +other's face was wreathed in a smile such as had +long been a stranger there.</p> + +<p>"The best day's work I ever did, Thad!" exclaimed +Bob, as he seized his chum's hand, and +squeezed it convulsively. "Something just tells +me Polly is going to be my good fairy, and bring +me the greatest gift that ever could be—the knowledge +that my dear father lives."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> + +<h3>THE SILENT VIDETTE.</h3> + + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Shall</span> we go back the same way we came up?" +asked Thad, as they made a start toward returning +to the camp down below.</p> + +<p>"I think I'd like to try another route," Bob replied. +"Some of those places we hit were pretty +tough climbing; and you know it's always harder<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span> +going down, than up a mountain. Seems to me +we'll strike an easier way over to the right here."</p> + +<p>"My opinion exactly," Thad declared, ready to +fall in with anything which the other proposed, because +he was interested heart and soul in the work +Bob had cut out for himself—trying to bring more +of happiness into the life of little Bertha, his cousin; +and finding out whether his long-lost father was +still in the land of the living.</p> + +<p>They had gone about half of the way, and found +that, just as Bob guessed, it was much easier than +the other route would have proven, when Thad made +a discovery that gave him a little thrill.</p> + +<p>"There's a man, Bob!" he exclaimed, suddenly.</p> + +<p>"Where?" demanded the other, turning his head +around; for he happened to be a trifle in advance +of his companion at the time.</p> + +<p>"Over yonder, on that rock, and of course with +a rifle in sight; for you never see one of these mountaineers +without that. I wouldn't be surprised to +hear that some of them go to bed with their guns in +their arms. Do you see him now, Bob?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and can understand why he's sitting there +like that," replied the other, rather bitterly.</p> + +<p>"Looks like he might have a touch of the fever +and ague, and that with a spell of the shakes on, he +wanted to sun himself," suggested Thad; though he +knew full well the true explanation was along other +lines entirely.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span></p> + +<p>"He's doing sentry duty," remarked Bob, soberly. +"You can see, Thad, that from where he lies he +has a splendid view of the road we came over?"</p> + +<p>"That's a fact, and could even toss a rock down +on it if he chose," continued the patrol leader. "I +understood that, Bob, and can guess why he was +placed there by Old Phin Dady."</p> + +<p>"I suppose they're all around us," remarked the +Southern boy, "and as I said last night, they've sure +got us marooned, all right. We can't move without +they're knowing it. Oh! what sort of chance would +I have to get him out of this awful country, even if +it should turn out to be my father who is the prisoner +of the moonshiners? Thad, I reckon it's a forlorn +hope after all."</p> + +<p>"Well," remarked the other, seeing that Bob +needed cheering up again, "even if you only discover +that he is alive, that will be great news alone. +And when things get to coming your way the style +they've been doing lately, believe me, you can hope +for the best. Keep your spirits up, Bob. That girl +is going to help us more than we ever dreamed of."</p> + +<p>"It <i>was</i> great luck, our running across Polly; +and then the chance to do her a favor, could you +beat it? Reckon you're right, Thad; and I'm foolish +for letting myself look at the dark side, when things +are breaking so splendidly for me."</p> + +<p>"That fellow doesn't seem to pay much attention<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span> +to us, though I'm sure he knows we're going to pass +him by," Thad continued, in a lower voice.</p> + +<p>"I used to know a good many of the men around +here, and this might be one of the lot; so I hadn't +better take any chances of his seeing me too close +in the daylight," and with this remark Bob drew +the brim of his hat lower over his face.</p> + +<p>The man never so much as moved, though the +two descending boys passed within thirty feet of +where he reclined on the rock, his face turned toward +the road that wound in and out of the tangle +far below.</p> + +<p>Thad believed he could see a pair of sharp eyes +under the man's hat, that kept watch over their +movements; but there was no hail, or other sign of +life from that sphinx-like figure stretched out at +length on the sunny rock. Should they have given +the mountaineer cause for displaying any activity, +no doubt he would be quick to take action.</p> + +<p>Thad certainly did not want to strike up a conversation +with so morose a man; and especially +when his chum wished to keep aloof from him. +So they continued along down the side of the mountain, +and soon lost sight of the vidette.</p> + +<p>Still, the circumstance left a bad feeling behind. +It was far from pleasant for the boys to realize how +completely they had put themselves in the power of +these mountain moonshiners. Just as Bob had so +bitterly declared, Old Phin ruled with an iron hand<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> +among the men who lived here among the uplifts; +and once he had placed sentries on duty to watch +the movements of the scouts, they could neither go +forward nor retreat, unless that gaunt moonshiner +crooked his finger.</p> + +<p>"I don't see how it can be done," Bob broke out +later, as they began to draw near the camp again; as +though he had been wrestling with some subject, +and reached a point where he needed counsel.</p> + +<p>"As what?" inquired his comrade.</p> + +<p>"Work both ends of the affair at the same time," +continued Bob. "Suppose, now, I find that the +paper Bertha has seen is the very one I've been +hoping to get my hands on; and she comes to me +to-night; how can I carry her away, and at the +same time stay here to find out about the news +Polly will bring me?"</p> + +<p>"Now, I'm glad you spoke of that, Bob," Thad +declared; "because I've been trying to puzzle out +that same thing myself. And I really believe I've +hit the only answer."</p> + +<p>"Then let me hear it, for goodness sake, please!" +exclaimed the other, in a relieved tone; for he well +knew that when Thad Brewster said a thing that +way, he must feel pretty confident he had the right +solution in hand.</p> + +<p>"Just as you say, it would be next to impossible +to take Bertha away from here, and at the same<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> +time carry out your plans in connection with that +other business. That is of the first importance, it +seems to me, Bob. This other about Bertha can +wait some, if it comes to it."</p> + +<p>"Yes, it could, I suppose," admitted the other, +slowly. "Bertha is unhappy she says, and he treats +her wretchedly; but then he is not really cruel to her. +Tell me your plan, Thad, and I'll be ready to stand +by it."</p> + +<p>"Suppose, then, she brings you that paper, and it +turns out to be all you hope for? You can take it +away with you, and when we get back to Asheville +place it in the hands of some reliable lawyer, who +will have Reuben summoned to court with the girl. +Then she will never be allowed to go back with him +again; and he may consider himself lucky if he gets +off without being sent to jail for having withheld a +lawful document, and replacing it with a false will, +or one that was older."</p> + +<p>Bob uttered a cry of delight.</p> + +<p>"It sure takes you to think up an answer to +every hard, knotty problem, Thad," he cried. "That +is just the best thing ever, and I'm willing to try it. +Why, for me to take the law in my hands would be +silly, when the courts will save me all the risk. And +while I hate to disappoint poor little Bertha, who +believes I'm down here to carry her off, in spite +of old Reuben, she'll understand, and be willing to +wait a bit. Thank you over and over again, Thad.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span> +I'm feeling a thousand per cent better, suh, after +what you said."</p> + +<p>"And about the other thing, Bob, I wouldn't let +myself believe too strongly that this mysterious +prisoner of the moonshiners will turn out to be your +father. There were some other revenue men who +have disappeared in the last few years, men who +started into the mountains to learn things, and never +came out again. It might be one of these after all. +And I guess you'd be awfully disappointed if you +set too much store on that thing."</p> + +<p>"I keep trying all I know how not to hope <i>too</i> +much, Thad," replied the other, with a big sigh; +"and tellin' myself that it would be too great news; +yet, seems like there was a little bird nestlin' away +down in here, that goes on singin' all the while, +singin' like a mockingbird that brings good news," +and Bob laid a trembling hand on his breast in the +region of his heart, as he spoke.</p> + +<p>"Well," said Thad, warmly, "I'm just hoping that +everything'll come out the way you want, old fellow. +We're going to back you up the best we know +how; and if we fail to do what we aim for, it won't +be from lack of trying."</p> + +<p>"I know that, and I'll never, never forget it as +long as I live!" declared the other, almost choking +in his emotion.</p> + +<p>"There's the camp," remarked Thad, five minutes +later, "and everything seems to be going along all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> +right at the old stand. I can see Step Hen lying +on his back, with his hat over his eyes as if he +might be taking a nap; Smithy is of course brushing +his coat, because he has discovered some specks +of dust on it that worry him; and if you look at +Giraffe, you'll know what he's up to when I tell you +he's whittling at a piece of pine, to beat the band."</p> + +<p>"Getting kindling ready to start up the fire, when +supper time comes around," said Bob, with a +chuckle, as though some of these familiar sights +began to do him good, in that they served to take +his thoughts away from the things that distressed +and worried him.</p> + +<p>When the two scouts arrived in camp they were +immediately surrounded by their comrades, who demanded +to know what they had seen and done. To +judge from the variety of questions that showered +upon them, one might think that Thad and Bob had +been off on a regular foraging expedition, and +scouring the upper regions in search of adventures.</p> + +<p>And indeed, they did have something to tell that +made the others stare. The several little holes in +their clothes, evidently made by sharp claws, gave +evidence as to the truth of their wonderful story. +And all of the stay-at-homes united in the fervent +hope that Polly Dady might be grateful enough to +bring Bob the news he yearned to possess.</p> + +<p>Several of the boys had been dispatched to the +cabins across the valley, where they managed to purchase<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> +some dozens of eggs, but could get no bacon. +They did secure a couple of fowls, however, which +were even then plucked, and ready for the pot.</p> + +<p>As evening settled down soon afterward, the +scouts prepared to make themselves as comfortable +as the circumstances allowed.</p> + +<p>And certainly not one among them so much as +dreamed that other peculiar events were on the calendar; +ready to take their places upon the stage; +and advance the interests of the fellow scout, whose +yearning to look again on the familiar scenes of his +younger years had influenced the others to hike +through the Blue Ridge Range.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XX.</h2> + +<h3>THE AWAKENING OF STEP HEN.</h3> + + +<p>"Say fellers, did anybody see that——"</p> + +<p>Step Hen had just managed to get that far in +what he was about to say, when he was rudely interrupted +by a combined shout from Giraffe, Davy +Jones, and Bumpus.</p> + +<p>"Don't you dare accuse us of taking any of your +old traps, Step Hen!" said the last named scout, +severely.</p> + +<p>"We're sure gettin' awful tired of that war cry,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> +declared Giraffe. "It's always this thing or that +he's lost, and never by his own fault at all. A sly +little jinx is hoverin' around, ready to grab up a +thing just as soon as Step lays it down. Still, I +notice that every single time, it turns out he put it +there himself. Get a new tune for a change, Step +Hen, and ring it on us."</p> + +<p>"By the way," remarked Smithy, who was very +polite, and never joined in the loud and boisterous +jeers that greeted some break on the part of a comrade; +"what fresh misfortune has overtaken you +now, Step Hen?"</p> + +<p>"Oh!" replied the other, with a broad grin, +"when our funny friends broke in on me that way, +I was only going to ask if any of you wide-awake +scouts had noticed that I had my badge turned right-side +up, early this morning?"</p> + +<p>There was a general laugh at this, even the three +culprits joining in.</p> + +<p>Among all Boy Scouts, it has become the proper +wrinkle to turn the badge upside down to start the +day; and the wearer has no right to change its position +until he has done an actual good deed toward +some one else; or even helped an animal that was in +distress. Many are the expedients resorted to, in +order to gain this privilege; for it is deemed in bad +taste to spend the entire day with the badge reversed +on the lapel of the coat.</p> + +<p>A thousand ways can be found whereby the boy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span> +may feel that he has a right to alter the position of +his badge, and prove that he had done something of +a kindly nature, that is a credit to his character. +An old woman may be helped across the street; a +heavy basket carried for a child; a box that is trying +the strength of a single man may be made +easier to lift into a wagon by a pair of sturdy, willing +hands; the harness that is galling the shoulder +of a horse can be rendered less troublesome if a rag +is doubled up, and fastened to the leather—well, the +list of things that wide-awake scouts find in order +to gain this privilege would really seem to be without +end.</p> + +<p>So all the others now turned toward Step Hen, +with curiosity expressed on their faces; for they +seemed to guess that it could be no ordinary explanation +that he meant to give them.</p> + +<p>"What wonderful stunt did you manage to carry +through so early in the day, down in this forsaken +country?" demanded Giraffe.</p> + +<p>Bumpus looked forlornly at his own badge, that +still hung to his coat lapel in its reversed position; +showing that he, at least, had not been able to discover +any means of doing a good turn to some object, +however humble; in fact, he had, like most of +the other boys, entirely forgotten about the usual +programme. There were no old ladies to help down +here; no errands to run for mother; no problems +to solve for little brother; nothing but the everlasting<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> +mountains rising grimly all about them, and +silence lying on the scene like a great blanket.</p> + +<p>"I reckon I'm the only one in the bunch that's +been smart enough to get his badge turned to-day," +chuckled Step Hen, proudly exhibiting the article +in question; "and I'd just like the fun of hearing all +of you try and guess how I managed it; but then, I +know you'd never hit on the truth in a thousand +years; and so I s'pose I'll have to up and tell you."</p> + +<p>"Oh! wake me up, somebody, when he gets really +started," groaned Giraffe; "of all the slow-pokes, +Step Hen takes the cake."</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you," began the other, with a sly look +toward the speaker, as though he purposely delayed +his disclosure in order to annoy the impatient Giraffe; +"you see, it was this way, fellows. I happened +to be walking out along the back road just +after we'd done breakfast. Thought I'd dropped +my handkerchief somewhere, but afterwards I found +it inside my hat, you know."</p> + +<p>"Sure, it's always that way," muttered Giraffe, +who lay with his eyes closed, but drinking in all that +was said.</p> + +<p>"Well," continued Step Hen, "all at once I noticed +something that interested me a whole lot. +There was one of them queer little tumble-bugs +you always see ashovin' round balls along the road, +an' goin' somewhere that nobody ever yet found out. +This critter was tryin' like all possessed to push his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> +ball up a steep little place in the road. Sometimes +he'd get her close to the top, and then lose his grip; +when it'd roll all the way back again.</p> + +<p>"Say, boys, that insect's pluck interested me a +heap, now, I'm tellin' you. Right there I got one +of the best lessons a scout ever picked up in all his +life; which was the old story, 'if at first you don't +succeed, try, try again.' And he kept on tryin' +again and again. I must a stayed there all of half +an hour, just watchin' that game little critter pushin' +his ball up against the hardest luck ever. And then, +when I just couldn't stand it any longer I took bug +and ball in my hand, and put 'em both up on top of +that rise. And after that I thought I had a right +to turn my badge right-side up!"</p> + +<p>The scouts looked at each other. Somehow, they +did not laugh, though surely it must have been one +of the queerest reasons ever advanced by a fellow-scout, +as an excuse for wearing his badge honorably.</p> + +<p>Despite its grotesque nature, there was also something +rather pathetic about the thought of Step Hen, +only a careless, half-grown lad at best, spending a +whole lot of time, simply watching an humble but +game little beetle trying to fight against hard luck, +and almost as interested in the outcome as the +wretched bug itself.</p> + +<p>"How about that, Mr. Scoutmaster; is Step entitled +to wear his badge that way, on account of +helping that silly little bug climb his mountain?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span> +asked Davy, turning to Thad; but though his words +might seem to indicate a touch of scorn, there was +certainly nothing of the sort in his manner.</p> + +<p>Thad himself had been amused, and deeply interested, +in Step Hen's recital. Only too well did he +know what a careless and indifferent fellow the boy +had ordinarily been classed, both at school and at +home. Seldom, if ever, had he paid the least attention +to things that were happening all around him, +and which might appeal to the sympathies of boys +who were made of finer grain than Step Hen.</p> + +<p>And now, it seemed that something had been making +an insidious change inside the scout; when he +could feel such intense interest in so trivial a thing +as the pluck of an obscure tumble-bug. Time was +when Step Hen would have cared little whether or +not he came down with his heel upon such an object, +which ought to know better than get in his +path.</p> + +<p>It was different now, since Step Hen had joined +the scouts. His eyes had been opened to many +things, the existence of which he had never dreamed +in those other days. And he could never again be +the same indifferent fellow; he must go on advancing +along the trail that led to a better knowledge of +Nature's great secrets; and above all else, the capacity +that lay within his own heart for understanding +these myriads of small but wonderful things.</p> + +<p>"I'm not going to answer that question myself,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span> +Davy," said Thad, with a smile. "Fact is, I'd much +rather have the candid opinion of every scout on the +subject. So I'm going to put it to a vote, here and +now; and I want you to be serious about it, small +matter though it may seem; for upon such +things rests the very foundations of the whole Boy +Scout movement—observing, understanding, appreciating."</p> + +<p>"Whew!" muttered Giraffe, "and all this fuss +about one little tumble-bug!"</p> + +<p>"Those who really and truly think Step Hen had +a full right to turn his badge right side up for the +interest he took in that game little creature's struggle +to overcome what seemed unsurmountable difficulties, +and for lending a helping hand in the end, +raise the right hand," and Thad put his up for a +starter.</p> + +<p>Not counting Step Hen himself, there were just +seven fellows present when Thad asked them to +show their colors. And including the scoutmaster +himself, just seven instantly raised a hand.</p> + +<p>Thad laughed softly. It gave him more pleasure +than he could tell to see that the boys understood the +motive that had swayed their comrade. And doubtless +this vote of confidence would urge Step Hen +to go along the path he had discovered, with ever-increasing +confidence, as its charms continued to be +revealed in ever-increasing proportions day by day. +A new world would soon open up to his inquiring<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span> +eyes. He would find ten thousand things of tremendous +interest all around him, to which he had +up to now been as blind as a bat. Never again +would he feel alone, even though no comrade were +at his side; for he could discover innumerable objects +about him at any time, calculated to chain his +attention.</p> + +<p>"Seems to be unanimous, fellows," remarked +Thad; "and I hereby publicly commend our comrade, +Step Hen, for his action of this morning. Yes, +he did have a right to turn his badge. It was not +so much <i>what</i> he did, as the feeling he showed in, +first of all, stopping to watch the bug; second, getting +tremendously interested in its never-give-up +spirit; third, in applying the principal to himself; +and last but not least, his desire to lend a helping +hand. For Step Hen, boys, this has been a day that +some time later on in life, he will mark with a white +stone; for he has begun to notice things. And with +the fever on him, he'll have to keep on noticing, +until he'll think it's not the same old world at all +but one filled at every turn with splendid discoveries. +I know, because I've been through the same thing +myself."</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" said Giraffe, who had been considerably +impressed by what the scoutmaster had said. +"What did I tell you, fellows, about not missing +Dr. Philander Hobbs, our regular scoutmaster, on +this hike? D'ye think now, he could have said all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span> +that one-half as good as Thad did? I guess not. +And Step Hen, I'm ashamed to say that the whole +blessed day has gone by without my ever thinking +to do something good for another feller, so I could +turn my badge over. There she rests; and I give +you all fair notice that to-morrow I'm going to start +in right away to get it moving."</p> + +<p>"Plenty of time to-night yet, Giraffe," piped up +Davy. "I happen to know a fellow who thinks a +certain knife you own would look mighty fine in +his pocket, if only you'd take the trade he offers. +Now, if you made him happy, p'raps you'd have the +right to turn your badge; and he c'd do ditto, making +it a killing of two birds with one stone. Better +think it over, Giraffe."</p> + +<p>The tall boy looked at Davy with a frown, and +shook his head.</p> + +<p>"'Tain't fair to put it up to me that way, Davy," +he declared, obstinately. "You just know I don't +want to trade, the least bit. Now, if you'd say, that +on the whole you'd concluded to quit botherin' me, +that would be a good deed, and I reckon you'd ought +to have the right to turn your badge."</p> + +<p>At this ingenious return thrust Davy subsided, +with a grin, and a general laugh arose from the other +scouts.</p> + +<p>But if most of the boys were merry, there was one +who looked sober enough. Of course this was Bob +Quail. He knew what a tremendous undertaking<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span> +he had before him, and the results seemed so uncertain +that it was only natural he should feel the +heavy weight resting upon his young shoulders.</p> + +<p>First of all, he must meet his cousin, Bertha, and +learn what success had followed her efforts to discover +whether the paper she had seen by accident +in her guardian's safe was the missing document +which Bob believed Reuben had abstracted, placing +another in its place. Then, later on, he had that appointment +with Polly, the moonshiner's daughter, +who was to bring him news concerning the mysterious +prisoner.</p> + +<p>Yes, Bob certainly had quite enough on his young +mind to make him anything but jovial. Still, he had +been more or less interested in what was going on +around him, for he was, after all, a boy.</p> + +<p>They were eating supper, as they chatted in this +way. Night had settled down on the scene. It +promised to be a pretty dark night at that, Thad +realized, as he looked around him, and then up at +the heavens, where a few stars held forth, but gave +very little light.</p> + +<p>It was fortunate that Bob happened to be so well +acquainted around that vicinity otherwise he would +never have been able to cross to the other side of the +strange little basin which they called a valley, without +carrying a lantern; and this in itself must be +out of the question, since its light would betray +him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span></p> + +<p>While they were eating, they heard a gunshot not +far away.</p> + +<p>"Wow! what d'ye think that means?" exclaimed +Giraffe, jumping to his feet, and looking off in the +gloom toward the back trail. "Seemed to me like +it came from down that way, eh, boys."</p> + +<p>"It sure did," announced Davy Jones, positively.</p> + +<p>"And it was a gun in the bargain, with a big +load. What d'ye s'pose they could find to shoot at +in the dark?" demanded Step Hen.</p> + +<p>"Oh! lots of things," replied Allan. "If a bobcat +jumped in on us right now, we'd think of using +our gun, wouldn't we? But it might be that shot +was some sort of signal, after all."</p> + +<p>"There wasn't any answer, that's sure," interposed +Bumpus.</p> + +<p>"But seems to me I can hear somebody talking +pretty loud that way," observed the listening Thad.</p> + +<p>"I did too," declared Smithy; "but it's died away +now, as though the excitement might be over. I +wonder what it was, fellows?"</p> + +<p>"Chances are, we'll never know," returned Giraffe, +settling back once more to continue eating, +for he was not yet through.</p> + +<p>"Lots of queer things are happening all around +us, that we'll never know," remarked Step Hen, seriously.</p> + +<p>Thad looked at him curiously. This was a strange +remark to come from the happy-go-lucky Step Hen.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> +It looked as though his one little experience of that +morning had indeed done wonders toward causing +the careless lad to turn over a new leaf. He was +beginning to <i>think</i>, and see what a great big world +this is after all. His horizon had been moved back +hugely since he first yawned, and stretched, that +same morning.</p> + +<p>And the queer part of it was that no one thought +to joke the boy about his altered disposition. They +seemed to understand that it was no joking matter. +Doubtless Step Hen's reformation would not be accomplished +in a day, nor a week, nor even a month; +but he had taken the first step, and from now on +must begin to arouse himself to making a good use +of the faculties with which a kindly Nature had endowed +him.</p> + +<p>"Listen!" exclaimed Thad, a little while later, +just as they were about done supper.</p> + +<p>"I heard somebody talking, too!" declared Davy +Jones; while Allan showed by his manner that the +sounds had surely come to his acute hearing, trained +by long service in the piney woods of his native +state.</p> + +<p>"They're comin' this way, too; I c'n hear 'em +pushin' through the bushes, and stumblin' along +too." Bumpus declared, in an awed tone; looking a +trifle worried, and wishing Thad would only snatch +up that gun, lying against the tree trunk, which the +other did not seem at all anxious to do.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span></p> + +<p>The voices drew steadily nearer, as the boys stood +and listened.</p> + +<p>"Hyar's a fire, Nate; we gut ter git him thar, +sure's anything. I tell yuh he'll never be able tuh +walk 'crost tuh the doc's cabin. He'll bleed tuh +death long 'foah we gits thar with 'im. Steady +now, Cliff; hyah's a light, an' we kin see how bad +yuh is hurt!"</p> + +<p>Then, while the scouts stood and stared in amazement, +a group of three men staggered into view, two +of them assisting the third, whose faltering steps +showed that he must have been injured, even if the +arm that dangled helplessly at his side had not told +the tale of a serious gunshot wound!</p> + +<p>No wonder that the Boy Scouts felt a thrill as they +watched these rough mountaineers enter their camp +in this strange way.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXI.</h2> + +<h3>"BE PREPARED!"</h3> + + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Whee!</span>"</p> + +<p>It was Bumpus who gave utterance to this exclamation, +though possibly he hardly realized, himself, +that he was saying anything, as he stood there, +and gaped at the sight of the wounded mountaineer +being helped along into their camp.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span></p> + +<p>But if Bumpus, and some of the others, were +spell-bound by what they saw, gazing as though +fascinated at the blood dripping from the man's +fingers, Thad Brewster was not included in this +group.</p> + +<p>He had long ago picked up a smattering of knowledge +connected with a surgeon's duties; and ever +since taking up the new life of a Boy Scout, those +things which concerned the saving of human life +had somehow appealed to young Thad with redoubled +force.</p> + +<p>More than once now had he been called upon to +show what he knew along these lines. A boy had +been severely cut by an ax he was carelessly wielding +in camp; and might have bled to death only for +the energetic actions of Thad, who knew just how +to secure a stout bandanna handkerchief around +above the wound, with the knot pressing on the artery; +and making a <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'tournaquet'">tourniquet</ins> by passing a stick +through the folds of the rude bandage, twist until +the bleeding was temporarily stopped, and the boy +could be taken to a doctor.</p> + +<p>Another time it had been a case of near drowning, +when Thad, who had learned his lesson well, succeeded +in exercising the lad's arms, after laying him +on his chest and pressing his knee upon him, until +he had started the lungs to working. In that case +every one of the other scouts declared that only for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span> +these prompt applications of scout knowledge the +unfortunate one would surely have died.</p> + +<p>And so, when he saw that the man who was being +thus supported into their camp had been shot in the +arm, and was in danger of bleeding to death, the surgeon +instinct in Thad Brewster came immediately +to the surface.</p> + +<p>He never once thought about the fact that the +man was very probably one of those very lawless +moonshiners, whose presence all around had virtually +marooned himself and chums in the heart of +the mountains. He was a man, and in trouble; and +perhaps Thad could be of some help!</p> + +<p>And so the generous-hearted boy sprang forward, +eager to lend a hand.</p> + +<p>"Bring him right up to the fire, men!" he exclaimed. +"What happened to him? Was he shot? +We heard a gun go off a little while ago, and wondered +what it meant."</p> + +<p>The two men urged their injured companion forward. +He seemed to have little mind of his own in +the matter; though Thad could see that he had his +jaws set, and was apparently determined to betray +no sign of weakness in this terrible hour. The customary +grit of the North Carolina mountaineer was +there, without fail. It showed in the clenched hand, +the grim look on his weather-beaten face, as well as +in those tightly closed teeth.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yep, 'twar an accident," almost fiercely replied +one of the men, whom Thad now recognized as the +fellow whom they had met driving the vehicle that +Bob declared had kegs of the illicit mountain dew +hidden under the straw—Nate Busby. "We was +walkin' thro' ther woods w'en a twig cort the trigger +o' my gun, and she hit Cliff in the arm, makin' +a bad hurt. Reckons as how he never kin hold out +till we-uns git him acrost ter ther doc's cabin."</p> + +<p>"You could, if we managed to stop that bleeding," +said Thad, eagerly. "Bring him over here, +and let me take a look, men. I've done a little something +that way. And perhaps you don't know it; +but all Boy Scouts are taught how to shut off the +flow of blood. There, set him down, and help me +get his coat off. There's no time to lose."</p> + +<p>"Nope, thar's sure no time tuh lose," muttered +the wretched Nate, who was undoubtedly feeling +very keenly the fact that it had been <i>his</i> gun that +had been discharged through accident, causing all +this trouble; and that if the man died, his relatives +might even want to hold the unlucky owner of that +weapon to account for his carelessness, inexcusable +in one who had been mountain born and bred.</p> + +<p>They sat the wounded man down as gently as +though he had been a babe; after which Nate assisted +Thad to take the ragged coat off.</p> + +<p>Some of the scouts crowded close, though with +white faces; for the sight of blood is always enough<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> +to send a cold chill to the hearts of those unaccustomed +to the spectacle. But Allan was an exception; +and strangely enough, there was Smithy, +whom no one would ever have expected to show the +least bit of nerve, evidently ready to lend the amateur +surgeon a helping hand, if he called for recruits. +It often takes a sudden emergency call like +this to show what is under the veneered surface of +a boy. Smithy had always been deemed rather +effeminate; yet here he could stand a sight that sent +the cold shivers chasing up and down the spines of +such fellows as Giraffe, Davy Jones, and Step Hen, +and almost completely upset poor Bumpus.</p> + +<p>"Get me one of those stout bandages I brought +along, Allan, please," said Thad, when he could see +what the terrible nature of the wound was; "you +know where they are. And Smithy, will you hand +me that stick yonder?"</p> + +<p>In a brief space of time the several articles were +at the service of the boy, who first of all made a +good-sized knot in the handkerchief, after wrapping +it around the man's arm <i>above</i> the wound; and then, +inserting the stout stick, he began twisting the same +vigorously.</p> + +<p>It must have pained tremendously, but not a +whimper, not a semblance of a groan did they hear +from the bearded lips of the wounded mountaineer. +Indeed, he seemed to arouse himself sufficiently to +watch the confident operations of the young surgeon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> +with a rising curiosity; and Thad thought he could +detect a slight smile on his dark face.</p> + +<p>As for Nate and the other rough man, they stared +as though unable to believe their eyes, to thus see a +mere boy so wonderfully able to do what was necessary +in a case of life and death. Every little movement +did they follow with wrapt attention. No +doubt, a great relief had already commenced to +rise up in the heart of Nate, as hope again took hold +upon him. If the other survived the shock, and loss +of blood, it would not be so bad; and trouble might +not come home to him on account of his liability for +the accident.</p> + +<p>Thad soon knew that he had done the right thing. +The knot had been properly placed, so that the pressure +upon the artery above the wound prevented any +more blood being pumped that way by the excited +action of the man's heart.</p> + +<p>"There," he remarked, in a satisfied way, "I +guess we've got the bleeding held up, and you can +get him to a doctor, if, as you say, there is one across +the valley. I'm going to bind this stick so it can't +come loose while you're helping him along. But if +it should, perhaps you've seen how I did the job, +and you could fix it up again?"</p> + +<p>"Sure," replied Nate; "and yuh dun it ther neatest +I ever knowed, younker. Reckon as how Cliff +Dorie an' me has reason tuh be glad yuh happened +tuh be so clost. If so be he lives thru hit, as he will<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span> +now, dead sartin, he's gwine tuh owe his life tuh +yer."</p> + +<p>Thad happened to catch a glimpse of Bob's face +just then, as the other turned toward him; for up to +now he had been keeping rather aloof, not wishing +to be noticed by either of the mountain men. He +was surprised to see the expression of suddenly renewed +hope that seemed to have taken up its abiding +place there. Apparently the Southern boy had made +a pleasing discovery, which of course Thad could +only guess at, until he had found a chance to speak +to his comrade. But he understood readily enough +that it must concern the coming of the three men, +and the fact of the scouts being enabled to place them +under obligations.</p> + +<p>With the flow of blood stopped, the wounded man +seemed to gather new energy. He no doubt felt +that he had at least a fair chance to pull through. +He started to get on his feet, seeing which Thad immediately +offered his hand to help him; and the +mountaineer's horny palm was confidently thrust +into his much smaller one; as though, after what +miracle he had already seen the lad perform, the +man were willing to trust him in anything.</p> + +<p>Yes. Fortune had again been kind to the scouts; +only in this instance it had not been a case of searching +for chances to do good; the opportunity had +come knocking at their very door, so that all that +was necessary was for them to <i>be prepared</i>, just as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span> +the scout's motto signifies, and then do the best they +knew how.</p> + +<p>Again did the two men take hold of their stricken +companion. Before they quit the vicinity of the +fire, however, the man named Nate Busby turned +and shook hands all around. Evidently he was +grateful for the assistance rendered. To his mind +this first aid to the injured meant a whole lot; and +while he did not say a single word, his action was +enough to show what he thought.</p> + +<p>Then the group departed, heading toward the +other side of the valley, where, in one of the humble +cabins, some sort of mountain doctor was to be +found, rude in his way, no doubt, but perfectly +capable of attending to a gunshot wound; for these +doubtless constituted the bulk of calls that were +made upon his services.</p> + +<p>When they had gone the scouts began to discuss +the queer happening, and compare notes as to which +one of them had shown the least alarm.</p> + +<p>Bob Quail came directly over to where Allan and +Thad were standing, just as the latter had expected +he would do. That expression of eager anticipation +still shone upon his dark face, and his eyes fairly +glowed with satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"Well, will wonders ever stop happening?" he +said, as he reached the others. "Did you hear what +Nate called the wounded man, Thad, Allan?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, it was Cliff Dorie. And I guess you've<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> +heard it before, judging from the way you act?" observed +the scoutmaster.</p> + +<p>"Talk about luck, why, we're just swimming +neck deep in it, suh!" the other continued. "I +thought he looked a little like somebody I'd known +befoah; and when I heard that name, I knew it; +Why, Cliff Dorie is the brother of Old Phin's wife!"</p> + +<p>"Fine!" exclaimed Allan, with a broad smile.</p> + +<p>"I should say, yes," Bob went on, eagerly; +"seems as though we were just bound to put the +whole Dady family in our debt. There was Old +Phin himself, who felt so interested in all you told +him about the Boy Scout movement; then there was +Polly, who might have had her face badly scratched, +not to mention other wounds, if we hadn't just happened +to get there in time to chase that savage +mother bobcat off. And now you've gone and saved +the life of Polly's own uncle. Oh! p'raps, suh, we +won't have to get into any fuss at all about that +prisoner of the Still; p'raps Old Phin might feel +that we'd done his family enough good to change his +mind about keepin' that revenue man up there any +longer, aworkin' his life out; and let him go away +with us, if he promised never to tell anything he'd +learned. And let me say to you both, I'm feelin' +somethin' right here, inside, that seems to tell me it's +going to be all right, all right!" and Bob repeated +those last two words softly, caressingly, as though +they meant everything in the wide world to him.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXII.</h2> + +<h3>WHEN BOB CAME BACK.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> other boys of course shared in Bob's deep +feeling of satisfaction. Perhaps he might be expecting +too much from the old mountaineer; but +then, Bob had lived among these people during a +good portion of his life, and ought to be able to +judge as to the amount of gratitude they were capable +of feeling.</p> + +<p>"But you ought to be off across the valley yourself, +Bob," ventured Thad, presently.</p> + +<p>"I know it, suh," the Southern lad replied, +quickly; "and let me tell you I'm starting right now +in better spirits than I ever dreamed would be the +case. I want to get back heah in good time, so as +to go up yondah with you, and meet Polly."</p> + +<p>"If you're not too much played out," suggested +Allan.</p> + +<p>Bob drew his figure up proudly, as he went on to +say:</p> + +<p>"I'd have to be mighty nigh a collapse, suh, let +me tell you, to keep from goin' to where I've got a +chance to hear about <i>him!</i>" and they did not need +to be told who was meant, for they knew Bob was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span> +thinking of his missing father, whom everybody +had long believed to be surely dead.</p> + +<p>And so he presently vanished, with a farewell +wave of the hand.</p> + +<p>The other scouts gathered around the fire, chatting +on various subjects, but principally in connection +with the recent happening. They thought it the +strangest thing in the world how two girls came to +play a part in the affair which their good comrade, +Bob Quail, was trying to put through; and of such +vastly different types too, the one a plain mountain +maid, and the other, according to what they themselves +had seen, quite a dainty little thing, cultured +and refined.</p> + +<p>"Smithy, I'm going <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'too'">to</ins> tell you to reverse that +badge of yours," said the scoutmaster, as they sat +there around the fire, waiting for the return of the +absent comrade.</p> + +<p>Smithy looked up in surprise. He had been +smoothing his coat sleeve after a peculiar habit he +had, as though he imagined he had discovered some +dust there. And for the moment he fancied that +Thad must be joking him on account of those "finicky" +ways, as Giraffe called them, which he could +not wholly throw aside, since extreme neatness had +long ago become a part of his very nature.</p> + +<p>"That's very kind of you, Thad," he remarked, +trying to appear calm; "and I'm sure I feel grateful +for the privilege, which should always be a matter of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> +pride I take it, with every Boy Scout. But I am not +aware, sir, just how I've gained the right to reverse +my badge."</p> + +<p>"By handing me that stick when I asked for it, +and thereby becoming a partner with me in assisting +that wounded man. You notice that I'm turning +my own badge, because I think I've earned it by +this act, if I didn't by what Bob and myself did to +that bobcat. And Allan, you're in this deal also; +you brought me that roll of stout muslin when I +wanted it, so you did all you could."</p> + +<p>"And I helped get him on his feet!" declared +Giraffe, quickly.</p> + +<p>"So did I!" exclaimed Bumpus, excitedly; "anyhow, +I started to lend a hand; but there was so +many around I just got crowded out. But I <i>wanted</i> +to do something, sure I did, Thad!"</p> + +<p>"Turn your badge, then," ordered the scoutmaster, +smiling. "In fact, every scout was full of +sympathy, and ready to assist if called on. And +under the circumstances, I just guess there needn't +be any badge in this camp unturned right now. +To-morrow we'll start fresh again, and let's see how +quick all of us can follow after Step Hen's example, +and help some worthy object along."</p> + +<p>"Even if it is only a poor little tumble-bug that +can't push his ball home," remarked Giraffe, with a +grin.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span></p> + +<p>The time hung heavily upon their hands. No +doubt this was partly caused by their intense eagerness +to learn just how Bob was coming out. Would +Bertha meet him; or might she have been shut up in +the house by her guardian, stern Reuben Sparks? +If she did come, would she bring that paper which +she said was signed with her dead father's name; +and supposing it proved to be all Bob hoped and +prayed it would, was it possible, if placed in the +hands of a competent lawyer in Asheville, that this +document would take Bertha from the custody of +Reuben, and give her a home with Bob's mother up +in Cranford?</p> + +<p>All these things were debated from every standpoint; +and wide-awake boys can see the weak links +in the chain about as quickly as any one; so that +Thad was kept busy explaining, and building up +plans to suit the altered conditions.</p> + +<p>"Ought to be time he was here," Giraffe remarked, +as he stifled a huge yawn.</p> + +<p>"It's sure nearly a whole hour since we heard +that row across there," Bumpus went on to say. +"Seemed like a whole crowd had started to yell, and +dogs to bark. We none of us could make up our +minds what it meant. Some thought the wounded +man must a got to the cabins, an' all that noise meant +the kind of reception a brave feller gets in these +parts when he's brought home on a shutter. But +others, they seemed to b'lieve it might have had to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span> +do with our chum Bob, and that p'raps he'd been surrounded, +and trapped by the wise old Reuben."</p> + +<p>"We hope not, for a fact," declared Thad.</p> + +<p>"Well, there's somebody coming right now, I +give you my word!" observed Smithy, who happened +to be on the windward side of the fire, and +able to hear better than some of the rest.</p> + +<p>"And from the right direction, too," added <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Allen'">Allan</ins>.</p> + +<p>The patter of footsteps came closer, and presently +a dim figure loomed up, almost staggering.</p> + +<p>"It's Bob, all right!" cried Bumpus; and Thad +heaved a sigh of relief, for he had begun to fear that +something might have happened to disturb the carefully +laid plans of his companion.</p> + +<p>The Southern boy came into camp, breathing +heavily. He seemed to be very much exhausted, +but Thad could detect a look of triumph on his face +that seemed to tell of something worth while having +been accomplished.</p> + +<p>Dropping down, Bob motioned for a drink of +water, and Step Hen made haste to get him one +from the collapsible bucket they had brought along +with them. Draining the tin cup, Bob sighed as +though the cooling liquid went just to the right spot, +and had refreshed him wonderfully.</p> + +<p>"It's all right, Thad!" he managed to say, noticing +the questioning look that the other was bending +upon him.</p> + +<p>"Then you saw your cousin, and got the paper?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span> +asked the scoutmaster, eagerly, while the rest of +the boys fairly hung upon every word.</p> + +<p>Bob nodded his head.</p> + +<p>"Get my breath right soon now," he remarked; +"then tell you all about it. Phew! I had a smart +run, believe me!"</p> + +<p>The boys exchanged expressive looks. They +drew their own conclusions from the little Bob had +already dropped; and began to believe that he must +have been hotly pursued. Evidently then, if this +were indeed the case, Bob had met with an adventure +since leaving the camp-fire, and a serious one at +that.</p> + +<p>It is always a difficult thing for the ordinary boy +to restrain his impatience, and several of the scouts +squirmed about uneasily while Bob was trying to +calm himself down, so that he might talk with reasonable +comfort.</p> + +<p>Thad let him have his own time. He understood +that Bob was even more anxious to tell, than any of +them were to hear; and that just as quickly as he +could, he was sure to start in.</p> + +<p>That time came presently, when his heart began +to beat less violently; and as a consequence Bob +started to breathe more naturally.</p> + +<p>"I met Bertha," he began to say, "and she gave +me the paper. Boys, it's everything I hoped it'd be; +and once I manage to get it in the hands of a good<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span> +lawyer, good-bye to Mr. Reuben Sparks' authority +over little Bertha, and her fortune."</p> + +<p>"Wow! that's going some!" burst out Giraffe, +rubbing his thin hands one over the other, as though +decidedly pleased by the news.</p> + +<p>"Was she disappointed when you told her how +impossible it would be for us to take her away right +now, when these moonshiners have got us marooned +up here in their blessed old mountains; and we can't +turn whichever way without runnin' slap up against +a sentry with his old gun?" asked Bumpus.</p> + +<p>"That's right, she <i>was</i> upset when I told her that +same," answered the other. "It made me feel right +bad too, suh, to see how she took it; and I tell you +right now I came mighty neah givin' in, and sayin' +we'd make a try. But I remembered what Thad +heah had told me, and how it was best for all of us +that we let the cou'ts summon old Reuben to bring +Bertha before the bar of justice. An' finally, after +I'd explained it all to her, she began to see it the +same way. My cousin has got the spirit of the +Quails all right, I tell you, fellows, even if she is +young and little."</p> + +<p>"I reckon you stayed so long tryin' to convince +her, Bob, that you clean forgot how you'd promised +to get back here as soon as you could?" remarked +Step Hen, under the belief, no doubt, that he was +giving the other a sly dig.</p> + +<p>"Well, perhaps you are correct about that same,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span> +suh," replied Bob, quite unabashed; "she was like +most girls, and had to be argued into seeing things +like boys see 'em. Of course, I couldn't break away +till she had arranged to go back to the house, and +wait for things to begin to move, as they surely +would, just as soon as I get to Asheville. But there +was one real smart thing she did do, and I've just +got to tell you about that befo' I come to my own +adventure."</p> + +<p>"That's right, don't skip anything, old chum," +remarked Giraffe, warmly, as he settled down to +listen.</p> + +<p>"When Bertha took that document from the little +pigeonhole in the safe where he had it hidden, she +thought to make up another as much like it as she +could, and put that in place of the one she carried +off. Some of you scouts ought to take pattern +from the smartness of that little girl; don't you +think so, Thad?" and Bob turned his now smiling +face upon the patrol leader.</p> + +<p>"They couldn't improve very much on that sort +of work," Thad declared; "and if girls were allowed +to join our troop I'd vote every time to let +your cousin come in. I'm sure she'd be an honor to +any organization."</p> + +<p>"Now tell us what happened to you, Bob!" asked +Bumpus.</p> + +<p>"Well," continued the other, drawing a long +breath as though what he was about to say stirred<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span> +him once more; "I was just ready to say good-bye, +when we heard loud voices, together with the barking +of a big dog, and Old Reuben, with a man, and +a mastiff about hip-high burst into view, both men +carrying lanterns, and heavy sticks in their hands. +And you can believe me, fellows, I understood that +I was in for a little excitement about that time!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2> + +<h3>A CLIMB IN THE DARK.</h3> + + +<p>"<span class="smcap">That's</span> where you had ought to have had our +gun, Bob," remarked Giraffe, as the other paused +for a moment, to recover his breath before going on +with his exacting recital.</p> + +<p>"I was about of that opinion myself, suh," the +other continued; "and I reckon that if such had +been the case, there would have been one less mastiff +in the world right now. But after all, it's well I +didn't take the weapon. Things would have gone +different from what they did; and I have no fault +to find, suh, not a bit."</p> + +<p>"But what did you do; don't tell us you beat a +big dog runnin'?" demanded Bumpus, incredulously.</p> + +<p>"I am not so foolish as to want you to believe that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span> +sort of stuff, suh," replied the Southern boy, stiffly. +"I doubt very much if there is a man living, even +the winner of the great world Marathon, who could +have outrun that hound. Fortunately I didn't have +to depend on my heels altogether, to escape being +bitten by his fangs. There chanced to be another +way out of the hole."</p> + +<p>"Say, I guess <i>she</i> had a hand in it!" suggested +Giraffe.</p> + +<p>"Go up to the head, suh," remarked Bob, with a +smile; "because that is just what did come about. +Old Reuben, he must have managed to catch sight +of some one, even if he wasn't nigh enough to tell +that I was dressed in the uniform of a scout. He +up and sicked the dog on me; and I reckon it +wouldn't have mattered one bit to that cold-blooded +old man if the ugly beast had torn me badly."</p> + +<p>"And was you arunnin' like fun all the while?" +asked Step Hen.</p> + +<p>"I believe I was making pretty fast time, suh, +considerin' that the bushes in the garden interfered +with my sprinting. But that dog would have caught +up with me befo' I ever could have climbed the high +fence, only for a thing that happened. First thing +I knew I heard Bertha calling at the top of her little +voice to the mastiff. And I reckon now that Ajax, +he must have been more used to mindin' the crook of +her little finger than he was the orders of Old Reuben. +Fo', believe me, suh, he just gave over chasin'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span> +after me, and went, and began to fawnin' on her +hand."</p> + +<p>"Great stuff!" declared Bumpus. "Say, I c'n +just think I see that Old Rube prancin' around there, +orderin' Ajex on to grab you, an' gettin' madder'n +madder when the wise dog just utterly declined to +obey. I always heard that the sun c'd force a feller +to take his coat off, when the wind made a dead +fizzle out of the job. Kindness goes further with +some animals than fear does."</p> + +<p>"Hear! hear! words of wisdom dropping like +pearls of great price from the lips of our comrade, +Bumpus!" cried Giraffe.</p> + +<p>"But they're true, every word, all right," affirmed +the stout scout, firmly.</p> + +<p>"I kept on running for two reasons," Bob went +on to explain. "In the first place, I didn't know +but what the dog might be forced to alter his ways, +and start out after me. Then again, p'raps that man +with Old Reuben might be coming, licketty-split +after me; and I want you to believe I didn't mean +to be caught, with that valuable paper in my pocket +at that."</p> + +<p>"So you made pretty warm time of it over here, +eh?" remarked Davy Jones, who had remained quiet +for some time, being deeply impressed by this story +which the other was giving them.</p> + +<p>"I never let up for two minutes at a time all the +way across," admitted Bob, in a satisfied tone. "Of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> +course I had a few tumbles, but I reckon there was +none of 'em serious; leastways I didn't get bruised, +or tear my clothes. And now that I've got my breath +back again, it's time we thought of starting out; because +there's heaps mo' that's got to be done before +we c'n call a rest."</p> + +<p>"Yes, a great deal," admitted Thad, who, however, +was well pleased with the outcome thus far; +"and after you've lain here about ten minutes or so, +Bob, we'll see whether you feel able to take that +other climb. If you don't why, Allan here could go +in your place."</p> + +<p>"And do just as well, I have no doubt, suh," +added Bob; "but thank you, I shall surely be able +to take my part in that climb. If you gave the word +right now you'd see me spring to my feet, and start; +because there's every reason in the world to spur me +on. Who wouldn't make an extra effort for that?"</p> + +<p>The hour had grown late, since they had waited +much beyond the appointed time for the return of +the messenger who had gone to meet Bertha. But +Thad knew they still had an abundance of time to +get to the place arranged with Polly, before midnight, +which had been the hour set for their meeting.</p> + +<p>"Now, if you feel refreshed, we'll make a start, +Bob," remarked the scoutmaster, after a bit.</p> + +<p>The other was on his feet instantly, and he gave +not the slightest sign of weariness at that.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Let me have just one more cup of that fine +water," he remarked, "and then I'm in fine fettle for +business. If this second job only turns out as handsome +as that other, this'll sure be the happiest night +ever. But I hope that Reuben does not lay his +hand on my cousin for what has happened this night. +If he does, he'll suffer for it, as sure as my name's +Bob Quail."</p> + +<p>"You don't really think he'd go as far as to strike +her, do you?" asked Thad, to whom the very idea +seemed abhorrent.</p> + +<p>"I don't just know how far a man of his stripe +would go if made very furious, suh. To tell you the +truth, I didn't want to run at all; but Bertha insisted +on my doing the same. She said nothing was going +to happen to injure her; and that if I was caught, +with that paper in my possession, she never would +have the least chance to get away. And that was +all that made me run, believe me, suh."</p> + +<p>Thad took his shotgun along with him; and noticing +the queer look Giraffe gave him, he condescended +to explain.</p> + +<p>"Don't believe for a minute that I expect to make +use of this on some moonshiner," he said, earnestly, +yet with a trace of a smile lurking about the corners +of his mouth. "The mission of Boy Scouts is more +to bind up, than to give wounds; though they are +allowed to do this other in extreme cases, where +some person's life may be in danger. But you remember,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span> +we ran across a nasty bobcat up yonder +once before; and if so be she happens to be laying +for us, I'd like to be prepared for trouble. A scout +should never go around with a chip on his shoulder +looking for trouble; but if it finds him out, why, +he's just <i>got</i> to defend himself. That's the way I +look at it; and most others do too. Come on, Bob, +if you're ready."</p> + +<p>When the two boys quitted camp Bob was walking +as sprucely as ever. If he still felt the effects +of his long run he knew how to conceal the fact in +the finest way—Giraffe, Bumpus, Step Hen, Smithy, +and Davy Jones believed they had ever seen. Only +Allan, being experienced in such things, could see +that Bob was laboring under a heavy strain, and had +his teeth tightly clenched; though the body might be +weak, it was an indomitable spirit that urged him +on.</p> + +<p>Between them the two boys had noted things when +coming down the mountain that afternoon, and in +this way picked out the course they expected to take +on that same night. It was rough enough, especially +when they had to do their climbing in the dark; since +carrying a lighted lantern would be foolhardy in the +extreme.</p> + +<p>Bob's impatience took him in the lead most of the +time. Thad cautioned his impetuous companion in +low whispers several times; and yet, knowing what +the motive was that drew Bob along in such feverish<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> +haste, he could hardly blame him. At the same time +he knew the danger of making a false step when they +happened to be close to the brink of some steep +descent, down which a roll meant instant death, or +at least broken bones.</p> + +<p>As they climbed upwards they would pause every +little while to get a new supply of energy, as well +as recover their breath. And at such times both boys +eagerly scanned the black gulf that lay below them.</p> + +<p>It had not taken their keen eyes long to discover +several lights that seemed to move in eccentric circles +and other movements. Nor was either of them +at a loss to understand what this implied.</p> + +<p>"The moonshiner videttes are having another +talk," Bob remarked, as they sat and watched several +lights carrying on in this weird fashion.</p> + +<p>"Seems like it," said Thad, thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>"I wonder now, what is being carried along the +lines? It'd be a great stunt, Thad, if we could read +the signs, and listen to the talk, wouldn't it? P'raps +now we'd learn something to our advantage," the +Southern lad went on, longingly.</p> + +<p>"Well, as we haven't got the code book," laughed +the scoutmaster, "that would be a pretty hard job, +I take it."</p> + +<p>"But still," Bob continued, with a shade of entreaty +in his voice that was hard to resist, "I take +it that you could give a guess that would come +pretty nigh the truth, if you cared to try, Thad."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, I don't know about that," replied the other +scout; and then adding, as he realized that Bob was +grieved: "I'm willing enough to make a try, if you +think it would pay. Let's see, first of all, where +these fellows are located who are doing all this communicating."</p> + +<p>"There's one on the side of the mountain over +yonder," declared Bob; "then that's a second fellow +across the valley; you can see his lantern or torch +dipping every which way; now he's stopped, as if +he'd been asking more questions. And Thad, seems +to me, the one that's doing the heft of the jabbering +is located down yonder. Like as not the information's +coming from him."</p> + +<p>"That's across the valley, Bob?" remarked Thad.</p> + +<p>"You're correct, suh; somewhere neah the place +from which I was chased away not more than two +hours back. That's where the cabins lie."</p> + +<p>"And that's where Nate and the other mountain +man took Cliff Dorie," continued the scoutmaster. +"Now, you can put things together yourself, if only +you think, Bob. Don't you see that Nate is probably +telling these other fellows all about what happened +to Cliff. And I certainly do hope he doesn't forget +to give us our due in the matter, for it would go a +great way toward making these rough men our +friends. You know only too well what that would +mean, Bob. Friends with Phin Dady just now +might be the means of giving you back your father."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span></p> + +<p>Bob sighed heavily as he started on again, urged +by a desire to come upon Polly as soon as possible, +and learn the truth, no matter whether the news +proved a disappointment, or not.</p> + +<p>But in his haste he forgot the caution Thad was +trying always to instill in his mind; for stumbling +presently, he found himself toppling over an unknown +abyss that lay in the darkness, so that its extent +could not be seen.</p> + +<p>Thad had kept very close to his heels, and was +prepared for something like this, so that he acted +from impulse, there being not a second to give to +thinking.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2> + +<h3>THE CLOCK IN THE SKY.</h3> + + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Oh!</span> Thad!"</p> + +<p>Bob unconsciously gave utterance to this low, bubbling +cry as he felt the ground slipping from under +him, and his eyes looking down into an inky void. +Then something clutched hold of him, and his downward +progress was stayed. Thad had shot out a +hand, and grasped his chum by one of his legs, at the +same time bracing himself for the shock.</p> + +<p>This he did in the twinkling of an eye, dropping +his gun, and with that hand laying hold of a sapling +that, fortunately, chanced to be within easy reach.</p> + +<p>"Careful, don't kick more than you can help, +Bob," he remarked, as coolly as he possibly could, +though a sensation akin to horror swept over him +immediately he had acted. "I've got a good grip +on you, and my other hand is holding on to a stout +little sapling, so we just can't go down. Now work +yourself back, inch by inch, as well as you can. +Yo-heave-o! here you come! Another try, Bob! +That gave us quite some distance. Ready to make it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span> +again? Why, this is easy. Here you are now, altogether +boys, with a will!"</p> + +<p>And after half a dozen of these concerted pulls +and backward movements, Bob found that he had +reached a spot where he could take care of himself.</p> + +<p>"Whew! that was what I call a close call!" he +muttered. "I wonder, now, just how far down I'd +have had to go, if you hadn't been clever enough to +grab me just in time?"</p> + +<p>"We're not going to bother our heads about that, +Bob," replied the other, quickly; "only please go a +bit slower. We won't make any time, if we have +to stop, and go through that circus stunt every little +while. And Bob, it might happen that I'd lose my +grip, and either let you go down, or there'd be two +of us take the drop. Does it pay to try and make +speed at such a terrible risk?"</p> + +<p>"You're right, just like you always are, Thad," +replied the hasty and now penitent one; "and I'm +sure a fool for taking chances that way. Here, you +go up ahead, and set the pace. That's the only way +we can fix it; because, like as not inside of five minutes +I'd be rushing along again for all I'm worth."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps that would be the best plan," Thad observed, +with a chuckle. "I thought of it, but didn't +want to make you feel that I distrusted your leadership. +And I want to say right now that it isn't that +makes me take the lead, only because you are so +excited that you're not fit to judge things right."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But don't let's waste any more precious time, +Thad. Polly might have gotten to the place ahead +of us, you know. Oh! wouldn't I be sore if she got +tired of waiting, and went back home."</p> + +<p>"All the same," Thad remarked, confidently, "I +don't think Polly would ever do such a mean thing +as that. She understands just how crazy you are to +know, and she's right now putting herself in your +place. No, Polly will wait up for us, make your +mind easy on that, Bob. I wish I was as sure that +we'd get there, safe and sound."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I'm done with my capers, mind you, Thad," +returned Bob, eagerly. "Since you've taken the +lead, there's no chance for us to go pitching over a +precipice. When they catch a weasel asleep, and no +mortal man ever did that, I've heard, they'll hear +of Thad Brewster making a fool move."</p> + +<p>"It's nice of you to say that, anyway, Bob; I only +wish I deserved the compliment you pay me. But +we'd better talk less, and get on a little faster."</p> + +<p>And after Thad had given this gentle little hint +the conversation lagged; Bob realized that it was +really no time to carry on any sort of talk; and that +when they could not tell what dangers might be +close around them in that inky darkness, they +would be far wiser to keep a padlock on their lips.</p> + +<p>Each time they stopped they again saw the signal +lights flashing out here and there across the way, or +below. They seemed like giant fireflies, striving to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span> +free themselves from some invisible bonds. But +the boys knew very well what it meant, and that the +moonshiners of the Blue Ridge were holding an +animated fire talk.</p> + +<p>They met no animal on the way, which Thad +thought was a piece of good luck. Even though +he did carry his faithful little Marlin, which could +send a powerful charge of shot a long distance; and +close in, serve all the purposes of a big bore rifle, +or musket, all the same, Thad was not desirous of +meeting with any new and thrilling adventure.</p> + +<p>Such things were all very nice after they had +passed along, and one sat comfortably by a camp-fire, +relating the circumstance; but while in process +of action they were apt to bring a cold chill along +in their train, not at all comfortable.</p> + +<p>"It must be after the time we set, isn't it, Thad?" +Bob finally asked, in a low voice, when they rested +again.</p> + +<p>The scoutmaster could not look at his little cheap +but reliable watch without striking a match; and +there was really no necessity for doing that. It +made very little difference whether they were ahead, +or somewhat behind the hour arranged for their +meeting with Polly. And besides, there were other +ways of telling time pretty accurately, without even +having a watch along.</p> + +<p>Thad glanced up into the heavens. He had often +studied the bright worlds and suns to be seen there,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span> +and knew considerable about the positions they occupied, +changing, it might be, with the coming and +going of the seasons.</p> + +<p>"It's just close on to midnight, Bob," he observed, +presently.</p> + +<p>Of course Bob was at once interested.</p> + +<p>"You're saying that because of the stars, Thad," +he remarked. "Please tell me how you managed to +tell."</p> + +<p>"It's like this," the scoutmaster replied, not +averse to pointing a lesson that might be seed sown +in fertile ground; "notice those three rather small +stars in the northeast, all in a line and pointing +downward? Well, those are what they call the belt +of Orion, the Hunter. They point nearly direct +down to a mighty bright blue star that you see there, +twinkling like everything."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I've often noticed that, and I reckon it +must be a planet near as big as Venus or Jupiter," +remarked the other boy.</p> + +<p>Thad laughed.</p> + +<p>"Well," he remarked, "I guess now you'd think +me crazy if I told you just how far that same star +is away from us right now, ever so many times further +than either of the planets you speak of. Why, +Bob, that's Sirius, the Dog Star, said to be the biggest +sun known to astronomers. Our little sun +wouldn't make a spot beside that terrible monster;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span> +which may be the central sun, around which all the +other tens of thousands revolve everlastingly."</p> + +<p>"Oh! yes, I've heard of the Dog Star, but never +reckoned it amounted to anything in particular," declared +the Southern lad, interested, in spite of the +anxiety that was gnawing at his heart all the while; +"but suppose you go on, suh, and explain to me +how you can tell the time of night by consulting the +Dog Star. You sure have got me to guessing."</p> + +<p>"Nothing could be easier, if only you'd put your +mind to it, and think, Bob?" continued the patrol +leader. "These stars and planets rise at a certain +hour every night. It grows later all the while, and +many of them are not seen only half of the year, because +they are above us in the daytime the rest of the +twelve months. Now suppose you had watched that +star, as I did last night, and knew just when it crept +above that mountain ridge over yonder; you'd have +a line on when it could be expected to come up to-night. +Now do you see?"</p> + +<p>"Well, it's as simple as two and two make four," +replied Bob. "And so that's the way old hunters +tell the time at night, do they? Reading the clock +in the sky, you might call it, Thad. I'm sure going +to remember all about that; and later on, when my +mind's at rest, I'll ask you a heap more questions +about these things. They get more and more interesting +the deeper you dip in; ain't that so, +Thad?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I've found it that way," replied the scout leader, +quietly. "A fellow who keeps his eyes and ears +open can almost hear the stars whispering together, +they say; and as to the secrets the wind tells to the +trees in passing, why that's easy to understand. +But if you're rested by now, Bob, we'd better be on +the move once more."</p> + +<p>Only too willingly did Bob agree. He believed +that they must by this time be very nearly up to the +point where Polly had agreed to meet them. She +had asked Bob if he remembered the place; and he +in return had declared he could easily find it, even +in the darkness of night; for often had he climbed +the face of this ridge when he lived close by; for +at the time, his father had owned the very place +where Old Reuben Sparks now had his home, the +miser having purchased it from Mrs. Quail upon her +moving North with her son.</p> + +<p>"Keep on the lookout for three oak trees growing +close together, Thad," he said, presently. "It's +always been a landmark around here, because any +one can see it from the valley, you know. I reckon, +now, we must be close by the same; and I'd hate +to miss it in the dark. It's been some time since +I was up here, and I'm apt to get mixed a bit."</p> + +<p>"Well, I think you've done mighty well so far; +because, unless my eyes deceive me, there's the +place right ahead of us," Thad declared.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You're right about that," Bob added, feverishly; +"that's the place of the three mountain oaks; +and they stand out against the sky, now we've +changed our position. Oh! I'm beginning to shake +all over, Thad, I'm that anxious. What if Polly +shouldn't be on hand? Perhaps she just couldn't +learn anything, after all, and will only come to tell +me she did her best; but they keep the Still guarded +too close, and she couldn't get close in. There's a +dozen, yes, twenty things that might come up to +upset my hopes. They don't seem so strong, Thad, +now that we've got to the point."</p> + +<p>"Well, I wouldn't let myself get in any sort of +gloom about it yet, anyway, Bob. Time enough to +cry after the milk is spilt. Here we are at the oaks, +and we'll wait for Polly to come, if she's late; but +I'm dead certain she'll keep her word with you. +When a girl like Polly says she'll do a thing, you can +just make up your mind she will, unless the heavens +fall."</p> + +<p>"That's right peart o' you, suh," said a soft +voice close by; and they heard a rustling sound, as +though some one might be coming out from amidst +the dense foliage just beyond the three oaks. +"Here's Polly, be'n awaitin' this half hour fur +you-uns to kim along. An' she's agettin' right +sleepy, let me tell yuh."</p> + +<p>Thad felt his chum quivering with eagerness as +the mountain girl made her way carefully down to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span> +where they awaited her coming. What sort of +news Polly could be bringing neither of them could +so much as guess; but it would not be long now ere +Bob knew the best, or the worst.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXV.</h2> + +<h3>BOB GETS HIS REWARD.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Nearer</span> came the rustling. They could not yet +see Polly, on account of the darkness, but the sound +of her voice had reassured them.</p> + +<p>Presently a moving figure crept close up to the +waiting boys; which they knew must be the queer +mountain girl. Polly was far from dainty looking; +she had coarse black hair that possibly seldom knew +a comb; and her voice was rather harsh; but nevertheless +Thad believed she had a heart under this forbidding +exterior, and that the spirit of gratitude was +transforming her, greatly to their advantage.</p> + +<p>"I'm right glad yuh kim, even if 'twar late," she +said, as she reached their side.</p> + +<p>"We started as soon as we could, Polly," said +Bob, wondering if the girl really felt hurt because +she had been kept waiting. "You see, I had to +cross the valley, and talk with my cousin, Bertha. It +was very important that I should see her, for she +had news to give me, news that we hope will end in +taking her away from that cruel old miser, and giving +her over to the keeping of my own dear mother."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span></p> + +<p>Polly grunted, as though she felt that she had to +exhibit some sign of displeasure; but she said no +more on that subject.</p> + +<p>"I done found the Still," she remarked, simply.</p> + +<p>"That's good, Polly," Bob said, warmly.</p> + +<p>"Caus I'd be'n thar afore, but 'twas a long time +ago," she went on, as if in apology for any difficulty +she may have run across in finding the secret workshop +of her father.</p> + +<p>"Yes," Bob went on, encouragingly, as she +stopped.</p> + +<p>"Yuh see, they don't want gals er wimen ahangin' +'round thar. An' ever since they begun ter keep a +prisoner ter work ther mash, I reckons as how never +one hes be'n up ter thet place."</p> + +<p>"But you hadn't forgotten just how to get there, +had you, Polly; you knew the old trail, even with its +changes; and did they have a prisoner; or was it +just a story that's been going around all this time?"</p> + +<p>Bob's impatience could not hold back any longer. +He felt that he must know the truth with regard to +this fact, right away. If there was no prisoner after +all, then hope must sink out of sight. On the other +hand, should Polly say that she had discovered a +guard, and a patient working figure kept in restraint +for long, weary months, he might still hug that fond +illusion to his heart, that it might yet turn out to +be his own father.</p> + +<p>"Yep, I gut thar, even if they had hid the trail<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span> +right smart," the girl continued, "an' sure 'nuff, thar +war a prisoner!"</p> + +<p>"Oh!" said Bob, and Thad could feel him quiver +again with eagerness.</p> + +<p>The girl was slow, not because she wished to tantalize +Bob, but simply on account of her sluggish +nature. The hook-worm has a firm grip upon most +of the "poor whites" of North Carolina, as well as +in Tennessee and Georgia close at hand. It would +take something out of the common to arouse Polly; +a sudden peril perhaps; or the anticipation of a new +dress, which latter could not be an event occurring +in less than yearly stages, Thad had thought.</p> + +<p>"An' he war a man," Polly went on, dreamily; +"jest like yuh thought, Bob; but his hair hed growed +so long, and thar was so much beard on his face, I +jest reckons his own mother wudn't never a knowed +'im."</p> + +<p>"But did you get close enough to him to say a +single word, Polly—just to ask him who he was?" +the boy demanded, faintly.</p> + +<p>Thad unconsciously let his arm glide around the +figure of his chum. He seemed to fear the result, +no matter what the answer of the mountain girl +might be.</p> + +<p>"Sure I did. Thet's what I went up thar fur, +ain't it?" Polly went on to say. "They hed him +chained ter ther rock. I reckons thar mout a be'n a +guard alongside, sum o' ther time; but right then he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span> +must a be'n away. So arter peekin' around, an' not +seein' any critter astandin' sentry, I jest mosied up +clost ter ther man, an' touched him on ther arm."</p> + +<p>She paused again, as if to collect her thoughts, +and then yawned; but it was only through habit, and +not because Polly felt sleepy; far from it, she was +seldom more wide-awake than just then, though it +was hard for Thad to believe it.</p> + +<p>"He looked kinder s'prised tuh see me, 'cause +like I done tole yuh, gals, they ain't never be'n 'lowed +'round thar, sense he was took. In course I tole +him as how I jest kim ter fin' out who he mout be, +'case thar was somebody as 'peared mighty wantin' +ter know thet same."</p> + +<p>"And did he tell you; could he speak still, and explain?" +asked Bob.</p> + +<p>"He shore cud, Bob," she replied, a little more +earnestly now, as though she realized that the critical +point of her narrative had been reached. "I +never'd a knowed him, wid all ther hair on his face; +but when he says his name it was shore enuff—" +and she paused dramatically.</p> + +<p>"My father?" gasped Bob.</p> + +<p>"Yep, an' no other then Mistah Quail, as used ter +be ther marshal o' this deestrict sum years ago,—yer +own dad, Bob!"</p> + +<p>Thad tightened his grip upon his chum, for he +felt him quivering violently. It was a tremendous +shock, since, for more than two years now, Bob and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span> +his mother had been forced to believe the one they +loved so dearly must be dead; but they say that joy +never kills, and presently Bob was able to command +his voice again.</p> + +<p>"Oh! you'll never know what that means to me, +Polly!" he exclaimed, as he groped around until he +had found the girl's hand, which doubtless he +pressed warmly in his great gratitude. "To think +that my poor father has been alive all this time, and +a slave up here in the wild mountains, while mother +and I have been enjoying all the comforts and luxuries +of our home. It just seems to cut me to the +heart. But Polly, you talked with him, didn't you?"</p> + +<p>"Shore I did. He done tole me he mout a got +free a long time ago, if he'd 'greed ter promise my +dad never ter tell whar ther ole Still war hid; an' +never ter kim inter ther mountings agin ahuntin' +moonshine stuff. But he sez as how, sense he still +must be in ther employ o' ther Gov'nment, he's +bound ter do his duty; an' not in er thousand years +wud he change his mind."</p> + +<p>"Oh! that is jest like father," murmured the boy, +partly in admiration, yet with a touch of genuine +grief in his voice, because of the unnecessary suffering +they had all endured on account of this stubborn +trait on the part of the one-time marshal.</p> + +<p>"I tells him thet all ther same, he wa'n't agwine +ter stay thar much longer, it didn't matter whether +he guv ther promise er not, 'case thar hed be'n a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span> +change. An' then I ups an' tells him 'bout yer bein' +hyar in ther mountings, bound ter larn ef he was +erlive."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and was he pleased when he heard that, +Polly?" asked Bob, who was gradually coming +around in fine shape, now that the stupendous disclosure +had been accomplished, and his anxiety a +thing of the past.</p> + +<p>"I shud say he war," replied the girl, a little +aroused now. "Say, he done <i>cry</i>, thet's what. +Reckons as how he mout a be'n sorry fur not promisin' +like they wanted long ergo. He arsks as how +yer looked, an' ef yer mam war still well. Caus I +cudn't tell him a heap, 'cause I didn't know; but I +sez ter him thet yer hed kim hyar ter fotch 'im home, +an' it'd be a shame ef yer hed ter go back erlone, jest +'cause he wanted ter be ugly. So he says as how he'd +be'n athinkin', an' mout change his mind 'bout thet +thar promise."</p> + +<p>"Oh! to think of it, Thad," Bob breathed, gripping +the arm of his staunch chum eagerly; "my +father is alive after all these terrible months; and +perhaps he'll even go home with me. It's worth all +I've suffered ten times, yes a thousand times over."</p> + +<p>"You deserve all the happiness there can be going, +Bob, sure you do," declared the scoutmaster, positively. +"I guess nothing could be too good for you. +But we don't just understand yet how this is going<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span> +to be brought about. Will Phin Dady let him go +free if he makes that promise, Polly?"</p> + +<p>"Shore, he's jest <i>got</i> ter, now," the girl answered, +with a little chuckle. "Yer see, like I sez afore, +things, have changed a heap now, an' my dad, he +hain't a feelin' thet sore agin ther marshal like he +used ter. An' Bob Quail, even ef he warn't gwine +ter do hit, arter wat I larned this same night, I tells +yer I'd set yer dad free on my own 'count."</p> + +<p>"What did you learn?" asked Thad, curiously, +seeing that apparently the girl could not of her own +free will tell a story, but it had to be drawn from +her piece meal, through the means of questions.</p> + +<p>"I war acomin' down ther mounting," she began, +"an' 'bout harf way hyah I seen thet ther lights war +a movin' down in ther valley. So I jest natchally +stopped ter read what ther news was, 'spectin' thet +it meant trouble fur you-uns. But the more I reads +ther more I gits wise ter ther fack thet yer be'n an' +done hit sum moah."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Thad, encouragingly, though already +he understood what was coming.</p> + +<p>"'Pears like 'tain't enuff fur yer ter skeer off thet +cat, an' keep me from agittin' my face clawed handsome, +but yer must go an' save ther life o' my uncle +Cliff. I reads thet he was hurt bad by Nate's gun +goin' off, an' bleedin' a heap, so's they feels sure he +never kin be took 'crost ter the doc's alive. Then<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span> +they jest happen on yer camp down thar; an' shore +he gut his arm fixed up so's ter stop ther blood +comin'; an' they fotched him acrost ther valley in +good shape."</p> + +<p>"It was only a little thing, Polly, and gave me a +great deal of pleasure," said Thad, thrilled despite +himself by the girl's simple recital of the event.</p> + +<p>"P'raps 'twar," she replied, sturdily; "but my +maw, she sots some store by Uncle Cliff; an' dad, +he cain't nowise go agin wot she wants. So I sees +right plain like it was writ, thet Bob, he's bound +arter this, ter git his dad free."</p> + +<p>"Oh! it's like a dream to me, Thad; I feel as if +I must be asleep. Give me a pinch or something, +won't you, and let me understand that I'm alive," +Bob exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"You're awake, all right, old fellow," replied +Thad, with a nervous little laugh. "And unless I +miss my guess, Polly here is going to give you another +pleasant little surprise; ain't you, Polly?"</p> + +<p>"W'en I larns thet 'bout my uncle," continued +the mountain girl, "I jest thinks as how Bob hyah, +he's be'n a wantin' ter larn somethin' 'bout his ole +man ther longest time ever. An' so I makes up my +min' ter fotch 'im right away up ter ther Still in +ther cave, so's ter see how the man as is chained'd +feel ter git his boy in his arms onct agin!"</p> + +<p>"Oh! Polly, however can I thank you?" exclaimed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span> +the excited Bob; "please let's start then +right away. I thought I was tired, but now I'm feelin' +as fresh as ever I could be. You couldn't go too +quick to suit me!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVI.</h2> + +<h3>THE "STILL" IN THE MOUNTAIN CAVE.</h3> + + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Hit's</span> sum climb," said Polly, doubtfully.</p> + +<p>"But think what is at the end of it," answered +the eager Bob. "Why, to see my father again, I'd +go all night, and then some. Please don't say you +won't, Polly, after giving me your promise."</p> + +<p>"I'm gwine tuh leave hit tuh him," said the girl +simply, and both of them understood that she meant +Thad; for doubtless Polly had guessed before now +that he was the leader of the boys in uniform, and +that what he said was authority.</p> + +<p>Thad knew there was no such thing as trying to +restrain his chum, now that the fever was in his +veins; nor did he have any desire to do so.</p> + +<p>"He'll make it, all right, I think, Polly," he remarked, +quietly.</p> + +<p>"Sure I will; so let's start," declared the other.</p> + +<p>Polly, of course, was willing. She did not seem to +give one thought to herself; and yet Thad remembered +how swollen her ankle had seemed, after such +a bad twisting in the cleft of the rock that same<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span> +afternoon, when the angry wildcat threatened to +jump at her. But then Polly had been reared among +the mountains that seem to meet the sky; and she +was a girl accustomed to standing all manner of +pain as well as any grown man could have done.</p> + +<p>They started to climb upward.</p> + +<p>One thing favored them, for which Thad was +really glad. Polly knew every foot of the rough +country like a scholar might the printed pages of a +book. She could lead them along trails that they +never would have suspected existed at all, hidden +as they were from the eye of a stranger, by the artful +moonshiners. And while possibly the climbing +might be difficult, it was never as bad as the boys +had found it when ascending the mountain in the +day time.</p> + +<p>Bob for a wonder kept quiet. Of course he +needed all his wind to carry him through. Then +again, he was naturally turning over in his mind +the amazing thing that had just come to him, and +trying to realize his wonderful good fortune.</p> + +<p>The thought that he was about to see his dear +father shortly was enough to fill his mind, to the exclusion +of all else. And so he continued to follow +close after the nimble girl, while Thad brought up +the rear.</p> + +<p>They paused to rest several times. No doubt it +was more on account of these two boys, quite unaccustomed +to such harsh labor as climbing a mountain,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span> +that compelled Polly to pause; because otherwise, +she could have kept straight on, without any +rest.</p> + +<p>"We's gittin' thar now," she remarked, finally, as +they halted for the fourth time, with Bob fairly +panting for breath, and Thad himself secretly confessing +that this mountain climbing after a surefooted +girl who had shown herself as nimble as a +goat, was no "cinch."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad to hear that news, Polly," Bob admitted +candidly; but then it may have been on account +of the fact that he was nearer the meeting with his +long-lost father, rather than an admission that he +was tired.</p> + +<p>"Jest wun moah stop, an' shore we'll be thar; +p'raps we cud make her right smart from hyah, ef +so be yuh felt fresh enuff," Polly explained.</p> + +<p>"Let's try, anyhow," declared Bob; "you don't +know how much I can stand. Why, I used to climb +these same mountains as well as you ever could; and +it'd be queer if I'd forgot all I ever knew."</p> + +<p>"Thet sounds jest like a Quail," remarked the +girl, with a chuckle, as she once more took up the +work.</p> + +<p>The last part of the climb was certainly the roughest +of all. Old Phin had hidden his secret Still in a +quarter of the rocky uplift where no revenue man +thus far had ever been able to look upon it of his +own free will.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span></p> + +<p>But finally they heard Polly say that it was close +by. Thad also noticed that the girl had changed +her manner more or less. She climbed now without +making the slightest noise; just as though some instinct, +born of her life in the zone where warfare +always existed between her people and the Government +agents, had caused her to exercise caution.</p> + +<p>Thad saw that they were approaching what must +be a rocky gully, leading to some sort of cave. He +remembered that Polly had, while speaking, happened +to mention the fact that her father's famous +Still was located in a cave, which could never be +found by the smartest agent the authorities had +ever sent to look for such illegal distilleries.</p> + +<p>"Look out yer don't slip!" came in a low but +thrilling whisper from the guide at this juncture; +and from this Thad assumed that they must be passing +along the edge of some dizzy precipice, that had +to do with the safety of the manufactory, the existence +of which had so long taunted the Government.</p> + +<p>Now and then Polly would give a slight pause. +At such times Thad believed she must be looking +cautiously around, to make sure that the guard had +not returned to the place since she left there some +time before.</p> + +<p>Then he realized that he could no longer see the +stars overhead. From this he judged they must +have passed underground; and that this was a fact<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span> +he presently learned when, by stretching out his +hand, he felt the cold rock close by.</p> + +<p>All around them was pitch darkness at first, and +the girl had made Bob take hold of her dress, while +Thad in the rear kept a hand on his chum's back as +they moved slowly along.</p> + +<p>Presently the watchful scoutmaster made a little +discovery that afforded him pleasure. There must +be a light ahead somewhere, for he began to catch +a faint glow, such as might come from a lantern.</p> + +<p>This illumination grew gradually stronger, until +they could actually manage to see dimly around +them.</p> + +<p>"Wait hyah foh me, till I see ef ther coast is +clar," whispered the girl.</p> + +<p>The two scouts saw her slip away. It struck Thad +that possibly he and his chums had much to learn +ere they could pass along as noiselessly as this mountain +girl.</p> + +<p>How the seconds dragged. Each one must have +seemed torture to poor anxious Bob, knowing as he +did that the one he had long mourned as dead was +so near at hand. They heard nothing save a dripping +sound, which might have been caused by water. +Evidently the secret Still was not in operation just +then; and words dropped by Polly gave Thad the +impression that possibly it had ceased work for all +time, because of some reason that brought about a +change in the conditions.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span></p> + +<p>Polly could not have been gone more than five +minutes before she came gliding back again to +where she had left the boys.</p> + +<p>"Hit's all right, an' thar don't 'pear ter be any +guard 'round."</p> + +<p>She plucked at Bob's coat sleeve, as if to let him +understand that he could come on now; as if the +boy needed a second invitation.</p> + +<p>They turned a bend in the narrow passage ahead, +and Thad drew a long breath as he looked upon one +of the most remarkable scenes it had ever been his +fortune to see.</p> + +<p>The cave was a natural grotto, rock-ribbed, and +as firm as the everlasting foundations of the mountains +themselves. The moonshiners had fitted it up +for their purpose; and there, for the first time Thad +saw what a Still looked like. After all, it did not +amount to much, the worm being the most interesting +part of it. But then the fact that he was now +gazing upon the very Still that revenue men had for +years tried in vain to discover and wreck, gave the +scoutmaster a sensation akin to awe.</p> + +<p>But all this he saw with one sweeping glance. +There was more. A clanking as of a chain drew his +attention to a figure that had arisen from a bench, +and was pushing the long hair from his eyes to +watch their entrance. Evidently Polly during her +short absence must have whispered to the prisoner +that Bob was close by.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span></p> + +<p>There was, of course, no such thing as holding +Bob back any longer. He saw that ragged and altogether +uncouth figure, which of course bore not the +least resemblance to the father he remembered so +well; but he also had discovered a pair of extended +arms, and toward their shelter the boy fairly leaped.</p> + +<p>Another instant and Bob Quail was wrapped in +the embrace of the parent he had not seen in more +than two years, and whose fate it had been to remain +here a prisoner among the moonshiners who +hated him so thoroughly, while his dear ones +mourned him as dead.</p> + +<p>After a few minutes Thad moved closer, and +gave a little cough, wishing to let his chum know +that he had a comrade tried and true near by. +With that Bob started up, and gripped him by the +arm.</p> + +<p>"This is my best friend, Thad Brewster, father," +he said.</p> + +<p>Thad shook hands with the emaciated man who +had been confined in this underground retreat so +long. In spite of the long beard and strange looks +of the other, he realized that Mr. Quail was no +ordinary man. But then Thad had guessed that already, +from what he had heard about the one-time +marshal.</p> + +<p>"This is a mighty big piece of luck for Bob!" +Thad remarked. "It seems nearly too good to be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span> +true; and he'll be the happiest boy in the States when +he takes you back home with him, sir."</p> + +<p>"Home!" repeated the prisoner; "how strange +that word sounds, after being shut up here so long. +And how queer the outside world will seem to me. +But I hope the promise Old Phin Dady made me, +still holds good; for I've no longer the desire to hold +out against his will. In my own mind I'm no +longer on the pay-roll of the Government, for he +tells me every one believes me dead; so I can take +the vow with a clear conscience. Yes, I'm hoping +to go home with my boy."</p> + +<p>Thad felt that all now remaining for them to do +was to get in communication with the moonshiner, +and have Mr. Quail set at liberty. Surely after +what he and Bob had done for the family of Phin +Dady, the latter could not refuse to let his prisoner +go; especially since he now professed his willingness +to make the promise that up to this time he had +absolutely declined to subscribe to.</p> + +<p>They were still talking in this strain when a sound +like a cough drew their attention, and looking up, +Thad discovered a grim figure leaning on his gun +not twenty feet away. There was no need to ask +who the man was, for every one of them had already +recognized the moonshiner, Phin Dady!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVII.</h2> + +<h3>BUMPUS CALLS FOR THREE CHEERS.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> mountaineer was the first to speak.</p> + +<p>"'Pears like I was interruptin' a leetle fambly +reunion," he remarked, drily.</p> + +<p>At any rate, Thad noticed, there did not seem to +be any great show of anger in the actions or words +of the man. Nor was he leveling that terrible gun, +which had doubtless brought consternation into the +hearts of more than one invading group of revenue +officers in times past.</p> + +<p>Indeed, Thad was rather inclined to think Old +Phin looked remarkably docile, as though his claws +had been pulled, and he no longer felt that the whole +world was against him.</p> + +<p>Mr. Quail, however, did not see things in this +way. He was not aware of the great change that +had come about in the Dady family, that threatened +to remove from the Blue Ridge the most remarkable +and picturesque figure the region had ever +known.</p> + +<p>"I'm ready to make that promise you once put<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span> +before me, Phin!" he cried out, as if secretly fearing +that harm might fall upon the head of his venturesome +boy, because of his braving the moonshiner's +wrath by searching out the secret Still.</p> + +<p>"Hit's too late fur thet, Mistah Quail!" declared +the other grimly.</p> + +<p>"But surely you wouldn't think of changing your +mind now?" said the prisoner.</p> + +<p>"Thet's jest what I done, suh," answered Phin. +"Polly, I'se noticin' as how yuh brung them byes +up hyah tuh the old Still. Reckons as how yuh +never'd dared do thet same on'y foh what's cum ter +pass."</p> + +<p>"Reckons as how I wudn't, dad," replied the girl; +who, somehow, did not seem to display any particular +fear of the stern parent, such as might have been +expected under the circumstances.</p> + +<p>"Are you going to let me go free, Phin Dady?" +demanded the prisoner, hoarsely.</p> + +<p>For answer the moonshiner stepped forward, and +with a key he produced, released the iron that had +been fastened about the ankle of the one-time revenue +marshal.</p> + +<p>"I give you the promise you wanted, Phin, and +never will I tell a living soul where the hiding-place +of your Still lies," Mr. Quail declared, trying to +conceal his emotion as a brave man might.</p> + +<p>"Thet's good o' ye, Mistah Quail," remarked<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span> +the other, with one of his dry chuckles that somehow +Thad liked to hear.</p> + +<p>"And more than that, Phin," continued the other, +earnestly, "I agree never again to enter these mountains +in search of the men who live here, and who +believe they have a right to make this moonshine +stuff as they please, whether the authorities down in +Washington let them or not. I've resigned as a +marshal, Phin. You and your friends will never +have to think of me again as an enemy. And I suppose +then that the curious public will never get the +sight of this famous Still of yours, that I boasted +they would."</p> + +<p>"Thet's whar yuh makes a mistake, suh," said the +old man, with a wide grin. "I reckons now as it's +a gwine to be ther trade mark ter be used on ther +bottles. I be'n tole thet it ort ter help make sales, +w'en they knows the new medicine, made outen roots +an' yarbs got in ther mountings, an' wich cures all +kinds o' shakes an' chills like magic, is manufactured +in ther same old Still as Phin Dady cooked moonshine +stuff foh nigh on ten hull yeahs."</p> + +<p>"What's that?" exclaimed the late prisoner, +while Polly laughed softly, like one who sees a new +life opening up before her.</p> + +<p>Thad began to see glimpses of light. He remembered +the strange words used by the girl from +time to time. Yes, there <i>had</i> a change taken place;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span> +things were never going to be the same as they had +been in the past. Accident had opened the eyes of +the old mountaineer, and he had discovered a way to +make money, with the Government for, not against +him.</p> + +<p>"W'y, yuh see," he began, rather clumsily; when +Polly took the words from his mouth, being so full +of the subject that she just could not hold in.</p> + +<p>"He used ter make up a kind o' medicine w'enever +we gut ther shakes, an' it did the bizness the slickest +yuh ever did see, suh," she started to say. "Thar +was a man as kim erlong heah, an' heerd 'bout hit. +So he sez as how he'd like ter take a bottle erlong, +and hev it tested. W'ich they done, an' writ as how +it was sich a wonder thet p'raps dad, he cud supply +ther trade. An' on'y yist'day he done gits a letter, +suh, as binds ther bargain. Old Phin, he ain't +agwine tuh make moonshine no moah. We's ameanin' +tuh go tuh town, jest as soon's we heahs from +ther people in Washington, as these drug men hes +gone ter see. Yuh know hit wudn't be nice if they +sot on my dad as soon as he showed up, an' locked +him in prison, 'case as how he use ter make mounting +dew on ther sly."</p> + +<p>Crudely expressed as it was, Thad understood the +whole story now. It fairly took his breath away, it +was so strange. To think of this gaunt old mountaineer +having discovered a medicine that was going +to prove as great a benefit to mankind as the stuff<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span> +he had been hitherto manufacturing was a curse! +It was almost too wonderful for belief.</p> + +<p>"Do you mean that the gentlemen who mean to +handle the product of your Still in the future are +trying to get the authorities to wipe all the past off +the slate, and let your father start fresh?" asked +Mr. Quail.</p> + +<p>"Thems erbout hit, suh," Polly replied, nodding +her head. "Hand we-uns 'spect ter live in town +arter this, whar p'raps I kin wear a hat, an' hev sum +shoes as hain't big ernuff fur a man, an' git some +larnin' in school. Soon's as we knows, we reckons +on movin'."</p> + +<p>"And Phin Dady, perhaps I might be of assistance +to you down at Washington, once I get to a +barber, and look something respectable," said the +late prisoner.</p> + +<p>"D'ye mean thet ye don't hold no grudge agin +me foh what I done tuh ye?" demanded the old +moonshiner, evidently surprised.</p> + +<p>"That's just what I mean," replied the other, +heartily. "Outside of keeping me a prisoner, and +even that was partly my fault, you've not been +harder on me than one might expect. And I'm so +happy now, with this noble lad by my side, and the +knowledge that my wife still lives, that I couldn't +bear you any ill feeling. I hope you'll be a big success +in your new business; and here's my hand, if +you care to take it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" cried Bob, feeling like throwing up +his hat when he saw the two men, enemies for so +long, shaking hands in a friendly way.</p> + +<p>Thad himself had never felt so light-hearted. +It seemed as though all of their troubles had suddenly +taken flight, and the future looked bright indeed. +This hike through the Blue Ridge had turned +out ten times more wonderful than any of them +had ever dreamed, when the undertaking was first +discussed, away up in Cranford. It had given Bob +back a father whom he had believed was dead; and +presently Bertha, too, would be taken from the +guardian who had no real legal right to her charge.</p> + +<p>The Boy Scouts would be able to go back to their +home town with a feather in their hats, after accomplishing +so many wonderful things.</p> + +<p>But how were they going to get down to the faraway +camp? Would Mr. Quail, who must be weak +on account of having been kept in the cavern so +long, be able to stand the rough trip? Perhaps, +after all, they had better stay there during the balance +of the night, and wait for daylight to come.</p> + +<p>Thad was perfectly willing to leave all this to the +gentleman himself; and presently he became aware +that they were even then discussing it.</p> + +<p>His long and bitter association with those cold +walls, and that Still, must have given Mr. Quail a +dislike for the sight of them; because he expressed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span> +himself as only too willing to start down without +delay.</p> + +<p>"It's true that I'm not as strong as I might be +right now," he admitted; "but that weakness ought +to pass away as I get the fresh air. Besides, having +my boy at my side will work wonders. Yes, please +do not let my condition keep us here one minute +longer than is absolutely necessary."</p> + +<p>And so they all started down. Since there was no +longer any need for secrecy, Polly carried the lantern +along.</p> + +<p>After all, it was not such very hard work. With +a light to show them what they had to avoid, and +a pilot who knew every foot of the mountainside, +they made very fair progress indeed. Even Mr. +Quail declared he was getting stronger all the time, +as he drew in big quantities of the sweet mountain +air, so different from that he had been enduring so +long, tainted with the fumes of the Still.</p> + +<p>Once Polly <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'halted'">haulted</ins>, and drew their attention to +a light far down.</p> + +<p>"Thet's yer fire," was what she said, simply; and +both Bob and Thad allowed their gaze to fall upon +the flicker with a sense of deep satisfaction; for +they knew that they were about to prove to be messengers +of good tidings to those tried and true comrades +so anxiously awaiting their return.</p> + +<p>Thad forgot that his feet burned, and that his +muscles cried out in protest against such unusual<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span> +exertion; the thing that had happened was of so +wonderful a nature that every time he thought about +it he told himself he ought to consider himself equal +to the task of walking up and down hill all the remainder +of the night, without a single groan or +falter.</p> + +<p>Now they were evidently drawing nearer the +lower part of the mountain. Glimpses they caught +of the camp-fire told them this good news. Besides, +Thad really began to recognize his surroundings.</p> + +<p>And he was not so very much surprised when +Polly suddenly stopped and pointing to the rock at +her feet, remarked:</p> + +<p>"Hit war right thar, dad, as I got cort by ther +foot; an' on thet ledge yonder ther cat squatted, +agrowlin' and spittin' like the Ole Nick, and meanin' +tuh jump right on me. See, hyars a stick thet +helped tuh beat him off. An' as yuh knows, 'twar +this same boy, Thad they calls 'im, as dun fixed +Uncle Cliff up, so's Nate an' Tom, they cud fotch +him acrost tuh ther doc. Reckon we ort tuh do all +we kin ter show 'em ther Dady fambly hes gut +feelins."</p> + +<p>"Shore we ort, gal, an' we's agwine tuh do thet +same," declared Old Phin.</p> + +<p>"We don't doubt it," said Thad, more or less +affected by these evidences of gratitude on the part +of the mountaineer and his daughter. "What I did<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span> +was only a little thing you know, that could hardly +count."</p> + +<p>"But hit saved Cliff's life, an' thet meant sumthin' +foh him," the girl continued, with a shake of her +tousled head. "Come erlong, an' let's git down +thar. Reckons as how a cup o' coffee'd taste right +good tuh yuh dad."</p> + +<p>"Coffee!" echoed Mr. Quail, as though the very +sound of the word touched his inmost feelings; "it'll +seem like nectar for the gods just to smell it again, +after—but no matter, it was the best they had, and +I oughtn't to say anything."</p> + +<p>All the same Thad noticed that his steps quickened +a little, and he seemed to sniff the air from time +to time, as if in imagination he could already catch +a faint whiff of the treat in store for him.</p> + +<p>As they drew closer to the camp Thad could see +that some of the boys were sitting there. Perhaps +they had been too anxious to even try and sleep; +though he believed he knew of one at least who could +never have held out all this while, no matter how +strong his determination.</p> + +<p>Waiting until they had arrived within a certain +distance, and there was no evidence that any one had +noticed the descending lantern, Thad gave vent to +a call. It was the bark of the fox, and used by the +members of the patrol as a signal in case they wished +to communicate with one another.</p> + +<p>He saw the figures about the fire quicken into life.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span> +They seemed to jump to their feet, and stare about +them, as if unable to understand what that call +meant.</p> + +<p>A little to the surprise of Thad his signal was repeated +from a point close by, and immediately Allan +Hollister showed up. Undoubtedly the Maine boy +had been scouting around the borders of the camp, +seeking to guard against any surprise. He had +watched the coming of the group with the lantern, +and guessed that two of them must be the missing +comrades, Thad and Bob.</p> + +<p>When they all stalked into camp, the boys were +thunderstruck to see Old Phin and his daughter, apparently +on the best of terms with their comrades; +and as for the tall man with the long hair and beard, +they could easily guess who he must be by the way +Bob Quail clung to his hand.</p> + +<p>Then Bumpus called for three cheers, and they +were given with a vim that made the valley echo +from side to side. Possibly some of those moonshiner +videttes must have started up, wondering +what on earth could be occurring in the camp of the +Boy Scouts.</p> + +<p>There was little chance that any of the boys would +get a wink of sleep during the remainder of that +eventful night. Long did they sit there by the revived +fire, watching Mr. Quail drink his coffee, cup +after cup, and listening to the strangest story they +had ever heard. Even when finally, along about<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span> +three in the morning, they were induced to lie down +upon their various beds of leaves and grass, sleep +must have utterly refused to visit their eyes, save +in the case of Bumpus himself; and he could drop +into slumber in almost "any old position, even if he +were hanging by his heels," as Giraffe used to say.</p> + +<p>And so the night passed away, and another morning +found them, red-eyed but joyful beyond compare; +for they felt that their great hike among the +mountains had turned out to be the finest thing possible, +both for their comrade, Bob, and themselves.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVIII.</h2> + +<h3>HOME AGAIN—CONCLUSION.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> mountain hike had come to an end.</p> + +<p>One and all, the Boy Scouts declared that they +had seen about enough of this wild country of the +Blue Ridge, and would be glad to turn their steps +toward dear old Cranford. They believed they +could find other ways to enjoy themselves that +offered better inducements than climbing the sides +of mountains, with suspicious moonshiners watching +their every move.</p> + +<p>Of course, now that Old Phin Dady had taken +them under his protection, they had no reason to +fear any bodily harm. And what Thad had done for +Cliff Dorie must go pretty far toward making them +friends among the ignorant mountain people. But +because Old Phin meant to desert his former calling +for one that would have the sanction of the law, did +not mean that moonshine stuff would not continue +to be made up in the dells back of the trail in the +Smoky Range. There were many others who knew +no other means for making a slim livelihood, than<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span> +by cheating the Government of the heavy tax it +placed on strong drink.</p> + +<p>So the scouts decided, by a unanimous vote, that +they had seen enough of these parts; and would hail +with delight an order to turn their backs on it all. +Besides, did they not know that both Bob and his +father would be fairly wild to hasten to the waiting +mother and wife in that Northern home?</p> + +<p>They made the start as soon as they could get in +marching order. Polly and her father accompanied +them through the mountains. This was considered +best, lest some suspicious moonshiner think it his +duty to take a pot shot or two at those figures far +down the valley, wearing the khaki uniform he +hated.</p> + +<p>At every cabin they passed, the natives swarmed +out to see the strange sight of Old Phin walking +amiably by the side of the boy soldiers, as they supposed +the scouts to be. Once or twice there was an +ugly demonstration, some of the natives fancying +that the mountaineer must have surrendered, and +was being carried off to jail. It took considerable +explaining to get these people to understand the +truth about things, and that Phin was on the best of +terms with the boys.</p> + +<p>Finally he dared go no further, because as yet he +did not know what success his agents, the drug men, +had in Washington; and there was danger of revenue +men sighting him at any moment, when trouble<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span> +must break out, since there had been war between +them for so long.</p> + +<p>When the little party of scouts turned up again +in Asheville, they found plenty to do there to keep +them over until another day. First of all, Mr. +Quail underwent a complete transformation at the +hands of a barber; for he declared he believed the +sight of him, in his present condition, with such +long hair and beard, would be enough to send his +poor wife into a fit, or else have her drive him from +the door as a pretender.</p> + +<p>And when he appeared before the scouts, decently +dressed in a new suit, which Bob's money paid for, +as he had none himself just then, Bumpus voiced +the sentiments of the entire patrol when he declared +that Mr. Quail was as fine looking a gentleman as +he knew.</p> + +<p>Of course a message had been sent to Cranford, +to apprise Bob's mother of the glorious result of his +hike down in the Blue Ridge country, which they +had once upon a time called home. It had to be +very carefully worded, lest the shock to her nerves +prove too great. And in another day, father and +son hoped to be once more with the one who would +not sleep a wink until her own eyes beheld the loved +form which she believed had gone from her forever.</p> + +<p>Then there was that affair concerning little Bertha +to be considered. Great had been the indignation +of Mr. Quail when, on examining the paper which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span> +Bob had secured through the help of the girl, he +realized all the rascality that Reuben Sparks had +been guilty of.</p> + +<p>They held an interview with a well-known lawyer, +who, on hearing the facts, and seeing the legal document, +advised them to leave it all in his charge.</p> + +<p>"I promise you that this party will be summoned +to appear forthwith, bringing his ward with him," +this legal gentleman had declared; "and once within +the jurisdiction of the court, it will be an easy matter +to dispossess him. Indeed, should he show fight, we +can have him sent up for a term of years."</p> + +<p>With such a pleasant prospect before them, did the +scouts leave the Old Tar-heel State. They had come +down here for an outing, and to see what Bob had +once called his home; but the tour had turned out to +be a more serious affair than any of them could ever +have anticipated.</p> + +<p>And now they were on the way home again, filled +with memories of the many events that had seasoned +their brief stay in the Land of the Sky; home to +familiar scenes and to look upon faces that were +dear to them.</p> + +<p>A jolly party they were on the train that bore +them away toward the North. Bob and his father +sat by themselves, for they had a thousand things to +talk about, that concerned only their private interests. +But the rest clustered at one end of the sleeper,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span> +and eagerly reviewed the stories they would have to +tell.</p> + +<p>"Oh! we'll have the greatest time ever, just showing +the fellers how we did it," declared Bumpus. +"First of all, we'll get Giraffe to wade into a creek, +and explain how he was bein' pulled down by that +sucking quicksand, when the prompt arrival of the +rest of the bunch saved his precious life. I always +heard that when one's just born to be hanged there +ain't no use tryin' to get rid of him by any other +means; which I guess stands for quicksand too."</p> + +<p>"That sounds mighty fine, Bumpus," remarked +Giraffe, unmoved by the laughter greeting the proposition; +"but just think what a great stunt it'll be +when we get Davy Jones here showing 'em what he +c'n do dropping down head-first into a bully old +camp-fire, and swimmin' in red coals. That ought +to bring down the house; if only we c'n coax him to +do it over again."</p> + +<p>"Not much you will," declared the said Davy, +looking ruefully at sundry red marks on both his +wrists, that served to remind him of the accident. +"Once is enough for me; and I tell you right now, +fellows, if ever I <i>do</i> climb a tree again, to exercise, +I'm going to be mighty careful I don't hang down +over a blaze. There's such a thing as takin' too +many chances."</p> + +<p>"A burnt child dreads the fire," sang out Step +Hen.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Hello! are you there, old sobersides?" remarked +Giraffe, pretending to be surprised; "now, we all +of us thought you might be busy writin' out in your +mind a treatise on how to be happy watching a +tumble-bug try to roll his big ball uphill; or else +what lessons can be gained by watching the humble +beetle in his never-say-die act as a gymnast. But I +see you've got your badge right-side up to-day, all +to the good, Step Hen; what wonderful stunt have +you been pulling off now?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! it didn't amount to much, I guess, fellows; +but then even a little speck of kindness counts, they +say," remonstrated Step Hen.</p> + +<p>"I happen to know," remarked Thad, breaking +into the conversation; "for I was just coming into +that other ordinary car, when I saw our comrade +doing himself proud. Perhaps it <i>is</i> only a little +thing for a boy to notice that a poor woman with +three kids clinging to her skirts, and a baby in her +arms, wants to get a bottle of milk warmed, and +don't know just how to manage it; and to offer to +do it for her; but let me tell you, that poor tired +mother said 'thank you, my boy' just as if it meant +a <i>heap</i> to her! Yes, Step Hen, you had a right to +turn your badge; and I only hope you find as good a +chance to do it every single day, as you did on this +one."</p> + +<p>And Giraffe became suddenly silent. Perhaps +something within told him that he too had passed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span> +that same weary mother; and if he thought anything +at all at the time it was only to wonder why a +woman could be so silly as to travel with so many +children.</p> + +<p>"Well, you see," remarked Step Hen, feeling that +some sort of explanation was expected from him, +after the scoutmaster had given him the "spot +light" on the stage. "I got to talkin' with her +afterwards, and she told me that the children's paw +had just died down South, and she was on her way +home to her mother's. After hearin' that, fellers, I +wanted to do anything more I could for the poor +thing; and I did jump off at the last station, and +buy the kids some sandwiches, 'cause, you see, they +didn't have a great lot to munch on. But it was +worth while to watch 'em gobble the snack of chicken +I got along with 'em, like they hadn't had a bite to +eat this livelong day."</p> + +<p>Thad walked away, satisfied that Step Hen was +proving his worth as a scout. That little lesson of +the humble bug had opened his eyes, and through +those touched his heart. Perhaps he might not +change all at once, for he was inclined to stumble, +and fall down, when he had made good resolutions; +but the chances were he would see more in life than +ever before.</p> + +<p>And that is what a scout wants to do, keep his +eyes open all the while, in order to notice many of +the strange things that are happening every minute<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span> +of the day all around him; until he learns to do that +which will give him the greatest treat that could +possibly happen to any one.</p> + +<p>Time was when Step Hen might have passed that +poor mother, and never have given her a second +thought; but it was different now. And the strange +thing about it, in Thad's mind, was that an obscure +little tumble-bug, one of the lowliest of all created +things, could have succeeded in showing Step Hen +that he had a heart; and that even a boy can find +chances to do kindly acts, if he looks for them.</p> + +<p>"Well," said Bumpus, as they huddled together +in a bunch, exchanging views and watching the +mountains and valleys as they were whirled past, +"if we could have the say right now where the +Silver Fox Patrol would spend next vacation, where +d'ye reckon it would be?"</p> + +<p>"Let's take a vote!" suggested Step Hen.</p> + +<p>"That's the ticket, Mr. Secretary, get eight ballots +ready, and let's write first choice and second, +majority rules," and the patrol leader nodded in the +direction of his chum Allan, just as much as to say +it was easy to guess what one vote would be.</p> + +<p>"Count as I call out, Bob White. Here goes +now: Maine first choice, Rocky Mountains second."</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" cried Bumpus.</p> + +<p>"Another for Maine, with the Saskatchewan +country of Canada second," Thad went on; "but +this comrade forgot that as American Boy Scouts<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span> +we do not want to spend our money and vacations +in a foreign land."</p> + +<p>When the eight ballots had been counted, strange +to say Maine was first choice with every one, and +the Rockies well in the lead as second.</p> + +<p>"Move we make it unanimous," laughed Giraffe, +which was duly done according to statute.</p> + +<p>"Much good that will do, with a whole year to +wait, because it wouldn't pay to go up into Maine +for only Christmas week," grumbled Step Hen.</p> + +<p>But strange to say it was decreed in a most remarkable +way that the wish expressed by the scouts +should be made an actual fact, and just how this +came about the reader will find duly set forth in the +third volume of this series entitled, "The Boy +Scouts on the Trail, or Scouting through the Big +Game Country."</p> + +<p>In due time the scouts arrived at Cranford station, +where their coming had been anticipated; for the +story of how the boys had found the missing husband +of Mrs. Quail had somehow gotten around, +since Cranford had its gossips. One of these happened +to be calling on the lady at the time Bob's +telegram arrived. Of course its nature was such +as to give Mrs. Quail a shock, though she quickly +recovered; but there had been ample time for the +visitor to glance at the message, between dabs at the +face of the fainting lady with a handkerchief wet +with cologne. And that was how the news got out.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Look at the crowd, would you?" gasped Bumpus, +as he poked his head out of the door, and saw +what seemed to his excited imagination about the +whole of Cranford filling the home station, and +craning necks in the endeavor to be the first to +glimpse the resurrected father of Bob Quail.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah for the Boy Scouts!" some one called +out.</p> + +<p>They were given with a rush and a roar that +brought other passengers hurrying to the windows +of the cars, to see what popular hero it could be arriving +home, to excite such a tremendous demonstration.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah for Thad Brewster!" called a second +school-boy, as the young scoutmaster stepped off the +train, bearing certain bundles, that might be a haversack +and a take-down shotgun.</p> + +<p>Another wave of applause went sweeping up from +the crowd.</p> + +<p>"Three cheers for Bob Quail, and his dad!" +shrilled yet another enthusiast; upon which the +echoes were fairly awakened by the racket.</p> + +<p>The scouts fell into line, and two and two +marched along the station platform; for Mr. Quail +had already taken his wife into his arms, and they +had retired to the interior of the little building, in +order to be less conspicuous while they talked it all +over.</p> + +<p>Bumpus sounded his bugle, and the boys kept<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span> +step as they walked along, with heads up, and feeling +that they had gained the right to feel a bit proud, +after what they had gone through. The crowd +pushed after them, still shouting, and making a +great clamor.</p> + +<p>And from one of the car windows looked a bevy +of childish faces, back of which was the wan one of +the tired mother; Step Hen disobeyed the rules for +one second only, when he turned, and waved his +hand to his little friends of the train. Seeing which +Thad Brewster said softly to himself:</p> + +<p>"I warrant you that little woman believes all this +noise is meant for just one boy, and he the fellow +who was so kind to her; because, in her sight Step +Hen is a real hero, and this racket is meant especially +for his home-coming."</p> + + +<div class='center'> +THE END.<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>The Boy Scouts Series</h2> + +<h3>BY HERBERT CARTER</h3> + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="book image and information"> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="images/ad01-big.jpg"><img src="images/ad01.jpg" width="143" height="234" alt="The Boy Scouts First Fire" title="" /></a> +</td><td align='center'>———<br />For Boys 12 to 16 Years<br /> +<b>All Cloth Bound Copyright Titles</b><br /> +<b>PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH</b><br /> +<br /> +New Stories of Camp Life<br /> +———</td></tr> +</table></div> + + + + + + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY SCOUTS' FIRST CAMPFIRE; or, Scouting with the Silver Fox Patrol.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY SCOUTS IN THE BLUE RIDGE; or, +Marooned Among the Moonshiners.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY SCOUTS ON THE TRAIL; or, Scouting +through the Big Game Country.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY SCOUTS IN THE MAINE WOODS; or, +The New Test for the Silver Fox Patrol.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY SCOUTS THROUGH THE BIG TIMBER; +or, The Search for the Lost Tenderfoot.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY SCOUTS IN THE ROCKIES; or, The Secret +of the Hidden Silver Mine.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY SCOUTS ON STURGEON ISLAND; or, +Marooned Among the Game-Fish Poachers.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY SCOUTS DOWN IN DIXIE; or, The Strange +Secret of Alligator Swamp.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY SCOUTS AT THE BATTLE OF SARATOGA; +A story of Burgoyne's Defeat in 1777.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY SCOUTS ALONG THE SUSQUEHANNA; +or, The Silver Fox Patrol Caught in a Flood.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY SCOUTS ON WAR TRAILS IN BELGIUM; +or, Caught Between Hostile Armies.</div> + +<div class='hang1'>THE BOY SCOUTS AFOOT IN FRANCE; or, With +The Red Cross Corps at the Marne.</div> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class='center'> +<small>For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price</small><br /> +<small>by the Publishers</small><br /> +<br /> +<big>A. L. BURT COMPANY</big><br /> +114-120 EAST 23rd STREET NEW YORK<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="book image and information"> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="images/ad02-big.jpg"><img src="images/ad02.jpg" width="174" height="242" alt="The Golden Boys in the Maine Woods" title="" /></a> +</td><td align='left'><h2>The<br /> +Golden Boys<br /> +Series</h2></td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div class='center'> +BY L. P. WYMAN, PH.D.<br /> +<b>Dean of Pennsylvania Military College.</b><br /><br /> +A new series of instructive copyright stories for +boys of High School Age.</div> + +<div class='center'> +<b>Handsome Cloth Binding.</b><br /> +<b>PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH.</b><br /> +———————<br /><br /> +</div> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Golden Boys books"> +<tr><td align='left'>THE GOLDEN BOYS AND THEIR NEW ELECTRIC CELL</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE GOLDEN BOYS AT THE FORTRESS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE GOLDEN BOYS IN THE MAINE WOODS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE GOLDEN BOYS WITH THE LUMBER JACKS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE GOLDEN BOYS ON THE RIVER DRIVE</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class='center'> +<small>For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price</small><br /> +<small>by the Publishers</small><br /> +<br /> +<big>A. L. BURT COMPANY</big><br /> +114-120 EAST 23rd STREET NEW YORK<br /> +</div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class='tnote'><h3>Transcriber's Notes:</h3> + +<p>Links to larger versions of the book images in the advertising pages +can be found by clicking on the image itself.</p> +<p>Obvious punctuation errors were corrected.</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> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY SCOUTS IN THE BLUE RIDGE***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 32240-h.txt or 32240-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/2/2/4/32240">http://www.gutenberg.org/3/2/2/4/32240</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: The Boy Scouts in the Blue Ridge + Marooned Among the Moonshiners + + +Author: Herbert Carter + + + +Release Date: May 3, 2010 [eBook #32240] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY SCOUTS IN THE BLUE RIDGE*** + + +E-text prepared by David Edwards, Emmy, and the Project Gutenberg Online +Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images +generously made available by Internet Archive (http://www.archive.org) + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustration. + See 32240-h.htm or 32240-h.zip: + (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/32240/32240-h/32240-h.htm) + or + (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/32240/32240-h.zip) + + + Images of the original pages are available through + Internet Archive. See + http://www.archive.org/details/boyscoutsinbluer00cart + + + + + +THE BOY SCOUTS IN THE BLUE RIDGE + +Or + +Marooned Among the Moonshiners + +by + +HERBERT CARTER + +Author of "The Boy Scouts First Camp Fire," "The Boy +Scouts On the Trail," "The Boy Scouts In the Maine +Woods," "The Boy Scouts Through the +Big Timber," "The Boy Scouts +In the Rockies" + + +[Illustration: "Good shot, Bob!" cried Thad. "Get another stone, quick, +for he's coming after you." Page 146. + + --_The Boy Scouts In the Blue Ridge._] + + + + + + + +[Illustration] + +A. L. Burt Company +New York + +Copyright, 1913 +By A. L. Burt Company + +THE BOY SCOUTS IN THE BLUE RIDGE. + + + + +THE BOY SCOUTS IN THE BLUE RIDGE + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +THE HIKE THROUGH THE SMOKY RANGE. + + +"DID anybody happen to see my knapsack around?" + +"Why, you had it just a few minutes ago, Step Hen!" + +"I know that, Bumpus; and I'd take my affidavy I laid it down on this +rock." + +"Well, don't whine so about a little thing like that, Step Hen; it ain't +there now, and that's a fact." + +"Somebody's gone and sneaked it on me, that's what. I'm the unluckiest +feller in the whole bunch, for havin' queer things happen to him. Just +can't lay a single thing I've got down anywhere, but what it disappears +in the most _remarkable_ way you ever heard of, and bobs up somewhere +else! I must be haunted, I'm beginnin' to believe. Do _you_ know +anything about my knapsack, Giraffe?" + +"Never touched your old grub sack, Step Hen; so don't you dare accuse +me of playing a trick on you. Sure you didn't hang it up somewhere; I've +known you to do some funny stunts that way;" and the tall boy called +"Giraffe" by his mates, stretched his long neck in a most ridiculous +manner, as he looked all around. + +Eight boys were on a hike through the mountains of North Carolina. From +the fact that they were all dressed in neat khaki uniforms it was +evident that they must belong to some Boy Scout troop; and were off on a +little excursion. This was exactly the truth; and they had come a long +distance by rail before striking their present wild surroundings. + +Their home town of Cranford was located in a big Northern State, and all +the members of the Silver Fox Patrol lived there; though several of them +had come to that busy little town from other sections of the country. + +Besides two of those whose conversation has been noted at the beginning +of this chapter there was, first of all, Thad Brewster, the leader of +the patrol, and when at home acting as scoutmaster in the absence of the +young man who occupied that position, in order to carry out the rules +and principles of the organization. Thad was a bright lad, and having +belonged to another troop before coming to Cranford, knew considerably +more than most of his fellows in the patrol. + +Next to him, as second in command, was Allan Hollister, a boy who had +been raised to get the bumps of experience. He had lived for a time up +in the Adirondacks, and also in Maine. When it came down to showing how +things ought to be done according to the ways of woodsmen, and not by +the book, the boys always looked to Allan for information. + +Then there was a slender, rather effeminate, boy, who seemed very +particular about his looks, as though he feared lest his uniform become +soiled, or the shine on his shoes suffer from the dust of the mountain +road. This was "Smithy." Of course he had another name when at home or +in school--Edmund Maurice Travers Smith; but no ordinary boy could +bother with such a high-flown appellation as this; and so "Smithy" it +became as soon as he began to circulate among the lads of Cranford. + +Next to him was a dumpy, rollicking sort of a boy, who seemed so clumsy +in his actions that he was forever stumbling. He had once answered to +the name of Cornelius Jasper Hawtree; but if anybody called out "Bumpus" +he would smile, and answer to it. Bumpus he must be then to the end of +the story. And as he was musically inclined, possessing a fine tenor +voice, and being able to play on "any old instrument," as he claimed it +was only right that he assume the duties of bugler to the Cranford +Troop. Bumpus carried the shining bugle at his side, held by a thick +crimson cord; and when he tried he could certainly draw the sweetest +kind of notes from its brass throat. + +Then there was Davy Jones, a fellow who had a sinuous body, and seemed +to be a born athlete. Davy could do all sorts of "stunts," and was never +so happy as hanging by his toes from the high branch of some tree; or +turning a double somersault in the air, always landing on his nimble +feet, like a cat. Davy had one affliction, which often gave him more or +less trouble. He was liable to be seized with cramps at any time; and +these doubled him up in a knot. He carried some pills given to him by +the family doctor at home, and at such times one of the other boys +usually forced a couple between his blue lips. But some of the fellows +were beginning to have faint suspicions concerning these "cramps;" and +that the artful Davy always seemed to be gripped nowadays when there was +a prospect of some extra heavy work at hand. + +The last of the eight boys was a dark-haired lad, with a face that, +while handsome, was a little inclined to be along the order of the +proud. Robert White Quail was a Southern-born boy. He came from Alabama, +but had lived many years in this very region through which the Silver +Fox Patrol was now hiking. Indeed, it had been at his personal +solicitation that they had finally agreed to take their outing in +climbing the famous Blue Ridge Mountains, and tasting some of the +delights of a genuine experience in the wilderness. Among his +companions the Southern lad went by the name of "Bob White;" and +considering what his last name happened to be, it can be easily +understood that nothing else in the wide world would have answered. + +Of course Step Hen had another name, which was plainly Stephen Bingham. +When a mite, going to school for the first time, on being asked his name +by the teacher, he had spelled it as made up of two distinct words; and +so Step Hen he was bound to be called by his comrades. + +Giraffe also was known in family circles as Conrad Stedman; but if any +boy in Cranford was asked about such a fellow, the chances were he would +shake his head, and declare that the only one he knew by the name of +Stedman was "Giraffe," For some time he had gone as "Rubberneck," but +this became so common that the other stuck to him. Giraffe loved eating. +He was also passionately fond of making fires, so that the others called +him the fire fiend. When Giraffe was around no one else had the nerve to +even think of starting the camp-fire; though after that had been done, +he was willing they should "tote" the wood to keep it running. + +The day was rather warm, even for up in the mountains, and if the signs +told the truth they might look for a thunder storm before a great while. + +As the scouts had no tents along, and were marching in very light order, +they would have to depend upon their natural sagacity to carry them +through any emergencies that might arise, either in connection with the +weather, or the food line. But they knew they could place unlimited +dependence on their leaders; and besides, as Bob White had spent many +years of his young life in this region, he must know considerable about +its resources. + +They were now in what is known as the Smoky Range, a spur of the Blue +Ridge Mountains, which borders on Tennessee. Not a great many miles away +was Asheville, a well-known resort; but few of the society people +frequenting that place had ever ventured up in these lonely localities; +for they did not have the best reputation possible. + +Among these wild peaks dwelt men who, in spite of the efforts of revenue +officers, persisted in defying the law that put a ban on the making of +what has always been known as "moonshine" whiskey. Occasionally an +arrest might be made; but there was much danger attached to this thing; +and the country was so rugged, that it would take an army of United +States regulars to clean out the nests of moonshiners holding forth +there. + +It would seem as though this might be a rather strange region for the +hike of a Boy Scout patrol; and had the parents or guardians of the boys +known as much about it as those living in Asheville, they might have +thought twice before granting the lads permission to come here. + +But it had been partly on the invitation of Bob White that the +expedition had been planned and mapped out. He seemed to have a strange +yearning to revisit the region that had been his former home; and when +some one proposed that they explore some of the mysteries of the famous +Blue Ridge, Bob eagerly seconded the motion, in his warm Southern way. +And that was how it started. Once boys get an idea in their heads, it +soon gains weight, just like a rolling snowball. + +And now they were here, with the grim mountains all around them, silence +wrapping them about, and mystery seeming to fill the very air. But +healthy boys are not easily impressed or daunted by such things; and +they cracked jokes and carried on as boys will do with the utmost +freedom. + +The conversation between Step Hen, Bumpus and Giraffe having attracted +the attention of the scoutmaster, he called out at this juncture: + +"Whose knapsack is that you've got strapped on your back right now, +Number Eight?" + +A shout went up as Step Hen, quickly turning the article in question +around surveyed it blankly; but apparently both Bumpus and Giraffe had +known of its presence all the while, though pretending ignorance. + +"Who strapped that to my back?" demanded the owner. "I don't remember +doing it, give you my word for it, fellers. Mighty queer how things +always happen to _me_, and nobody else. But anyhow, I'm ready to +continue the march, if the rest of you are." + +Five minutes later, and the boys were straggling along the rough road +that wound in and out, as it pierced the valleys between the peaks +looming up on either side. There was no attempt at keeping order on the +march, and the boys, while trying to remain within sight of each other, +walked along in groups or couples. + +Giraffe and Bumpus, a strange combination always, yet very good chums, +were at some distance in the lead. Bringing up the rear were Thad and +Allan, examining some chart of the region, which Bob White had drawn for +them, and talking over what the plan of campaign should be. + +In the midst of this pleasant afternoon quiet there suddenly arose the +piercing notes of the bugle, followed by a loud and hoarse shout; and +looking up hastily, Thad Brewster was surprised to see Bumpus wildly +waving both his arms. Although he was at some little distance away, and +at the bottom of the decline, what he shouted came plainly to the ears +of the young scoutmaster, giving him something of a thrill: + +"Hey! come along here, you fellers; Giraffe, he's got stuck in the +crick, up to his knees, and he says it's quicksand!" + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +SEEING GIRAFFE THROUGH. + + +"QUICKSAND!" shrieked Step Hen, who happened to be keeping company with +Davy Jones just ahead of the two leaders of the patrol. "Hey! hurry your +stumps, fellers, and get there before poor Giraffe is pulled under. +Ain't it lucky he c'n stretch his neck so far? Anyhow he ought to keep +his head above water." + +Everybody was on the run by now, and as Bumpus kept sounding the +assembly on his silver-plated bugle, what with the shouts of the +advancing khaki-clad boys, the picture was an inspiring one. + +When they reached the border of the little stream that crossed the +mountain road, sure enough, there was the tall scout up above his knees +in the water, and looking rather forlorn. + +"What had I ought to do, Allan?" he bawled out, naturally appealing to +the one whose practical experience was apt to be of more benefit to him +at such a time than all the theories ever advanced. "You see, I was +crossing here, and stopped right in the middle to turn around and say +somethin' to Bumpus. Then I found that both my feet seemed like they was +glued down. When I tried to lift one, the other only sank down deeper. +And it came to me like a flash that I was gripped in quicksand. When I +told Bumpus here he squawked, and blew his horn to beat the band." + +"Horn!" echoed Bumpus, indignantly; "why can't you ever learn to say +bugle. You're the only one I know of that owns to a horn; and you blow +that often enough, I'll be bound." + +"Ain't you goin' to get me out?" demanded the now alarmed Giraffe, as he +felt himself slowly but surely sinking deeper. "Say, is that the way to +treat a fellow you all have known so long? I ain't foolin', let me tell +you. And if you stand there much longer, grinnin' at me, it'll be too +late! You'll feel sorry when you only see the top of my head above +water. I tell you there ain't no bottom to this crick. It goes clean +through to China, it does, now. Give us a hand, Allan, Thad. One scout +ought to help another, you know; and I bet some of you haven't done a +single good deed to-day, to let you turn your badge right-side up." + +Among Boy Scouts it is considered the proper thing to invert the badge +every morning, and not change its position until the owner has something +worth while to his credit, even though it may only be the helping of an +old man across the busy street; or the carrying of a basket for a lame +woman coming from market. This was what Giraffe evidently had in mind, +when trying to spur his comrades on to helping him out of the mire into +which he had fallen. + +"What can be done for him, Allan?" asked the scoutmaster, turning to the +other. + +"Yes, think up something, Allan; and for goodness sake be quick about +it," called the one in the water. "Just hear how that sucks, will you, +when I work my foot up and down? And now, there, the other leg's deeper +by two inches than it was. Be quick about it, or you'll be sorry." + +"If there was a tree above his head I'd say get a rope over a limb, make +a loop at the end, and drag him out that way," remarked Allan. + +"And pull my neck longer than it is; I'm glad then there ain't no tree!" +snapped the alarmed Giraffe. + +"Oh! rats, he meant we'd put the loop under your arms, silly!" called +out Davy. + +"Some of you get hold of those old fence rails over there," Allan went +on. "We can make a mattress of them, and get over to Giraffe in that +way. Jump, now, boys, for he is really and truly in a bad fix; and if +left alone would sure go under." + +"Hurry! hurry!" shouted Giraffe, waving his long arms; "don't you hear +what Allan says? It's sucking like anything. P'raps it'll open up, and +pull me under before you can get started. Quick, boys! For the love of +misery stir your stumps like true scouts!" + +They came running up, each bearing one of the old fence rails that had +been at some time washed down the stream during a freshet. Allan took +these as they arrived, and began to make a species of corduroy road out +to the boy who was caught fast in the grip of the quicksand. + +"Throw yourself forward as much as you can, Giraffe," he said. "Never +mind about whether you soil your uniform or not. You can get a new one; +but you never will have another life you know. There, rest your weight +on that rail, and begin to work both feet free. When you get to lift +them up, we'll lend a hand, and yank you out in a jiffy. Get busy now, +Giraffe!" + +And the one addressed certainly needed no second urging. He worked with +a vim, and presently called out exultantly: + +"She's coming now, boys; I felt both feet give that time. Oh! it's going +to be all right, after all. Bumpus, I promised you my stamp book; but I +reckon I'll need it a while longer myself, so consider the thing off. +Please come out, and give me that lift now, Allan. Two of you can do it +easy enough." + +Bob White, with his usual promptness, when any one was in need of help, +volunteered to assist Allan. Between them they succeeded in dragging the +scout who was trapped in the quicksand, out of his unpleasant +predicament; and while about it all of them crossed to the other side of +the creek, where they were speedily joined by the balance of the patrol; +though every boy took advantage of the fence rails that lay scattered +through the shallow water, in order to prevent any possibility of a +repetition of the disaster that had overtaken their comrade. + +A halt was called, to enable Giraffe to wipe some of the mud from the +lower portions of his uniform. And of course all sorts of talk passed +back and forth, as might be expected among a parcel of lively boys out +for a good time. Even the one so lately in dire danger had apparently +gotten well over his nervous shock, for he laughed with the rest at the +ludicrous nature of the event. + +"Say, what kind of natives do you have down here, Bob White?" asked +Bumpus. + +"The same kind, I reckon, suh, that they raise in all mountain regions," +came the ready reply of the sensitive Southern boy. "Some are pretty +tough; but then again, I give you my word, suh, that there are others +you can't beat for being the clear quill. But may I ask why you put that +question to me, Bumpus?" + +"Sure. There was a feller perched up on that rock stickin' out above +us," declared the fat boy, pointing his finger upward along the rugged +and rocky face of the mountain side; "I called to him to come and help +get poor old Giraffe out; but he never made a move; just sat there, and +grinned. He had a gun along with him, and I s'pose he was a specimen of +the Blue Ridge mountaineer. Gee! you ought to a seen the long white +beard the old feller sported!" + +"Oh!" exclaimed Bob White, looking excited, a fact that aroused the keen +interest of all his comrades at once. + +"Do you know who he was?" demanded the indignant Bumpus. + +"I'm sorry to say, suh, that I think I do," replied the Southern boy, +slowly. "If your description is correct, and believe me, I have no +reason to doubt it, that man you saw must have been no other than Phin +Dady!" + +"Phew! ain't that the moonshiner we heard so much about over in +Asheville?" asked Step Hen. + +"The same man," answered Bob White, glancing a little nervously up +toward the rock indicated by his comrade, and which, jutting out from +the steep face of the mountain; offered a splendid outlook for any one +who wished to see who might be coming along the winding road. + +"Well, I don't like his ways, that's all," muttered Giraffe, who was +still trying to make his uniform look half-way decent after its recent +rough usage. "Anybody with one eye could see that I was bein' sucked +down like fun; and for him to just watch Bumpus here, blowin' his +bugle, and shoutin' for help, without offerin' to lend a hand, +wasn't--well, decent, that's what. P'raps some day it'll be my turn to +grin at him when he's in trouble." + +"But you wouldn't do it, you know that, Giraffe," said Thad, smiling. +"You don't forget that a true scout must return good for evil. And if +the time ever comes when old Phin Dady needs help that you can give, I'm +dead sure you wouldn't hold back." + +Giraffe grumbled some more, but the scoutmaster knew that at heart he +was not an ungenerous boy, though a little inclined to hold a grudge. + +"What are you thinking about, Bob White; you look as sober as though you +didn't just like the looks of things any too much?" asked Allan, turning +upon the other. + +"That's just right, suh, I can't say that I do," replied the Southern +lad. "You see, I was wondering what old Phin would think about us. He's +the most suspicious man in the mountains, and with reason, suh. Foh +years, now, he's been hunted high and low by the revenue agents. They've +done all sorts of things trying to capture old Phin, and raid his secret +still; but up to now it's never been done. He likes a revenue man like +he does a rattlesnake; and I give you my word for it, suh, the next +thing on his list of hates is the uniform of a soldier!" + +Thad uplifted his eyebrows to indicate his surprise. + +"I think I get your meaning, Bob White," he remarked, slowly and +seriously. "Our uniforms might give this old moonshiner the idea that in +some way we must be connected with the army; perhaps a detachment of +scouts sent in here to get him in a corner, and knock his old moonshine +Still, to flinders. Is that it, Bob?" + +"You hit the nail on the head when you say that, suh," replied the +other. "When I lived down this way, I used to hear a heap about Old +Phin; and I reckon he'd know who I was if you mentioned my name to him. +That's the main reason why he just sat and laughed to see the wearer of +the hated uniform now used by the United States army stuck in the +quicksand. I reckon he only thought that it would mean one the less +enemy for the Blue Ridge moonshiners to go up against." + +"It seems to me," spoke up Smithy at this juncture, "that in justice to +ourselves we ought to seek an early opportunity to secure an interview +with this gentleman, and explain our position. He should know that we +have no relation with the army, and that in fact the mission of a Boy +Scout is peace, not war." + +"Second the motion, boys!" exclaimed Bumpus; "and I hope our scoutmaster +will appoint a committee of three, Bob White, Allan, and, well, Smithy +here, to hunt up the said gent, and show him--hey, jump out of the way +there, Step Hen; the whole side of the mountain's coming down on top of +you! Hurry! hurry!" + +But as the startled Step Hen hastened to obey, with considerable +alacrity, Thad Brewster, looking up, saw a head withdrawn from the point +whence the round stone that was rolling down the side of the steep +incline must have had its start. + +Jumping in zigzag curves from one side to another, the rock finally +landed with a great crash in the mountain road not ten feet from where +the scouts were huddled in a group, watching its coming with staring +eyes. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +IN THE DESERTED LOG CABIN. + + +"KEEP your eyes about you!" shouted Davy Jones; "mebbe there's more +where that stone came from!" + +But after the rock had settled quietly in the road, silence again fell +upon the scene; a little trickle of dirt glided down the face of the +descent, in the track the round rock had made; but that was all. + +"Whew! that's a pretty hefty stone, believe me, fellers!" cried Step +Hen. + +"Whatever loosened it, d'ye s'pose?" asked Giraffe, who had jumped +several feet when he heard the alarm given; for his recent adventure in +the bed of the treacherous stream seemed to have unnerved the tall boy, +usually as brave as the next scout. + +Thad stepped forward. The others saw him bend over the big rock that had +just played such a queer trick, narrowly missing falling among the +gathered scouts. + +"Look at Thad, would you?" exclaimed Step Hen. + +"What's he taking out of that crack in the rock?" Giraffe added. "Say, +looks like a dirty piece of paper; and that's what it is, sure as +shootin', fellers!" + +"A message from the enemy; p'raps he's goin' to Surrender +unconditionally--ain't that the way they always put it?" Bumpus called +out, in high glee. + +Thad, however, after glancing down at the paper he had extracted from +the crack in the rock, looked serious. Evidently to him at least it was +no laughing matter. + +"What does she say, Thad?" demanded Giraffe, always curious. + +"Sure, if we've got any right to know, read it out, Mr. Scout Master," +Bumpus echoed, in his merry way, his eyes shining with eagerness. + +The scouts clustered around Thad as he once again held the scrap of +soiled paper up so he could see the comparatively few words scrawled +upon it with a pencil, that must have been a mere stub, since it +evidently had to be frequently wet in order to make it do duty. + +"It's brief, and to the point, I give you my word, boys," he said. +"Here, let me hold it up, and every one of you can push in to read for +yourselves. The writer believes in making his words correspond with +their sound. With that for a tip you ought to be able to make it out." + +And this, then, was what they read, as they bunched together on the +mountain road running through the valley of the Smoky Range: + +"Beter tak my advis an skip outen this neck ov the woods. The men round +heer aint gut no use fo you-uns in thes mountings. That's awl. Savvy?" + +There was no signature to the communication. + +"Well, that's cool, to say the least," remarked Allan, after he had read +the uncouth note that had come down with the rock that fell from above. + +"Tells us to turn right around, and go back," declared Giraffe, who was +inclined to be peppery, and a bit rash. "Now, I like the nerve of the +gent. Just as if we didn't have as much right to wander through these +mountains and valleys as the next one." + +"We're minding our own business, and I don't see how anybody would want +to shoo us away from here," said Smithy, brushing off some imaginary +specks of dust from his neat khaki uniform, always spic and span in +comparison with--that of Bumpus for example, showing the marks of many a +tumble. + +Thad was rather puzzled himself. He knew that it would be hardly wise +for a parcel of boys to deliberately defy such a notorious character as +Old Phin the moonshiner, whom the Government had never been able to +capture; but then again there was a natural reluctance in his boyish +heart to retreat before making some sort of show with regard to carrying +out their original design. + +Besides, when he happened to glance toward Bob White, and saw how +cruelly disappointed the Southern boy looked, Thad immediately changed +his mind. Still, he wanted to hear what his comrades thought about it; +since they had long gone by the wise principle that majority rules. + +"Shall we take this kind advice, and go back, boys?" he asked. + +A chorus of eager dissenting voices greeted his words. + +"Not for Joseph, not if he knows it!" Giraffe chortled. + +"We never turn back, after once we've placed our hand to the plow," +remarked the pompous Smithy; and his sentiment was cheered to the echo. + +"Take a vote on it, Thad," advised the sagacious Allan, knowing that if +trouble came along after they had decided to continue the advance, it +would be just as well to point to the fact that by an _overwhelming +majority_ the patrol had decided upon this rash course. + +Every fellow held up his hand when Thad put the question as to whether +they should continue the mountain hike. And the sad look vanished from +the dark face of Bob White, as dew does before the morning sun. + +So the march was immediately resumed, and nothing happened to disturb +their peace of mind or body. No more rocks came tumbling down the face +of the mountain; and as the afternoon advanced they found themselves +getting deeper and deeper into the heart of the uplifts. + +"Wow! but this is a lonesome place, all right," remarked Step Hen, +looking up at the lofty ridges flanking their course. "I give you my +word for it I'd hate to be caught out nights alone in this gay +neighborhood. If ever there was a spooky den, this is it, right here. +Glad to have company; such as it is, fellers." + +No one took any notice of the pretended slur. The fact was, the scouts +no longer straggled along the road as before that incident of the +falling rock. They seemed to feel a good deal like Step Hen expressed +it, that under the circumstances it was a good thing to have company. In +union there was strength; and eight boys can do a great deal toward +buoying up one another's drooping courage. + +"And say, looks more like a storm comin' waltzin' along than ever +before," Bumpus observed, as he nodded his head toward the heavens, +which were certainly looking pretty black about that time. + +"Thought I heard a grumble, like thunder away off in the distance; might +a been that same Old Phin Dady speakin' his mind some more, though," +remarked Giraffe. + +"Only a little further, suh, and we'll come to an old abandoned log +cabin, unless my calculations are wrong; which ought to serve us for a +shelter to-night," was the cheering news from Bob White, who was +supposed to know this country like a book. + +"Bully for the log cabin!" ejaculated Bumpus, who, being heavy in build, +could not stand a long hike as well as some other fellows, the tall +Giraffe, for instance, whose long legs seemed just made for covering +ground rapidly. + +Ten minutes later Davy Jones, who had pushed to the van, gave a shout. + +"There's your deserted log cabin!" he remarked, pointing. "Am I correct, +Bob?" + +"You surely are, suh," replied the Southerner. "And as I fail to see +smoke coming from the chimney at the back, it looks to me as though +nobody had got ahead of us there. If the roof only holds, we can laugh +at the rain, believe me." + +When the scouts hurried up to the cabin, for there was now no longer any +doubt about the storm being close at hand, since lightning flashed and +the grumble of thunder had changed into a booming that grew louder with +every peal, they found to their great satisfaction that it seemed in a +fair state of preservation, despite the fact that it must have been left +to the sport of the elements for many a long year. + +"Nothing wrong with this, boys," announced the scoutmaster, as they +pushed inside the log house, and looked around. "And if we know half as +much as we think we do, there'll be a pile of wood lying here before +that rain drops down on us. Just remember that we've got a whole night +ahead." + +"Hurrah! that's the ticket! Get busy everybody. We don't belong to the +Beaver Patrol, but we can work just as well as if we did. Whoop her up, +fellers!" + +Bumpus was as good as his words. Dropping his haversack and staff in a +corner, he pushed out of the door. Although the evening was being +ushered in sooner than might have been expected, owing to the swoop of +the storm, there was still plenty of light to see where dry wood was to +be picked up for the effort. And immediately every one of the eight +scouts was working furiously to bring in a good supply. + +No doubt the rattle of the thunder caused the boys to hurry things; for +by the time the first drops began to fall they had secured as much as +they expected to use. And already there was Giraffe on his knees in +front of the big fireplace that lay at the foot of the wide-throated +chimney, whittling shavings with which to start a cheery blaze. + +This had just started into life when the rattle of a horse's hoofs came +to the ears of the boys who had clustered at the door to witness the +breaking of the summer storm. + +"Hey! looks like another pilgrim overtaken by the gale," said Davy +Jones, as a man on horseback came riding furiously along the wretched +road, heading straight for the old cabin; as though he knew of its +presence, and might indeed have found its shelter acceptable on other +occasions. + +He was evidently greatly astonished to find the place already occupied +by a bevy of boys dressed in khaki uniforms. At first Thad thought he +could see an expression akin to fear upon the thin face of the man, who +seemed to be something above the average mountaineer; possibly the +keeper of a country store among the mountains; or it might be a doctor; +a lawyer, or a county surveyor, for he had rather a professional air +about him. + +Allan had immediately assured him that they were only seeking temporary +shelter in the old cabin, and that he would be quite welcome to share it +with them until the storm blew over, or as long as he wished to stay. + +As the man, leaving his horse tied outside to take the rain as it came, +pushed inside the cabin, Thad saw Bob White suddenly observe him with +kindling eyes. Then to his further surprise he noticed that the Southern +boy drew the rim of his campaign hat further down over his eyes, as +though to keep his face from being recognized by the newcomer. + +Another minute, and Bob had drawn the young scoutmaster aside, to +whisper in his ear a few words that aroused Thad's curiosity to the +utmost. + +"That is Reuben Sparks, the guardian of my little cousin Bertha, a cruel +man, who hates our whole family. He must not recognize me, or it might +spoil one of my main objects in coming down here into the Blue Ridge +valleys. Warn the boys when you can, please Thad, not to mention me only +as Bob White. Oh! I wonder if this meeting is only an accident; or was +guided by the hand of fate?" + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +AFTER THE STORM. + + +THAD remembered that on several other occasions the Southern boy had +mentioned the name of his little cousin, and always with a certain +tender inflection to the soft voice that stamped him for one who had +been born below the Dixie line. + +And while Bob White had not seen fit to take his friend into his +confidence it had always been plain to Thad that the other must have +cherished a deep affection for the said Bertha; perhaps, since he had no +sister of his own, she may have been as dear to him as one, in those +times when he lived among the Blue Ridge mountains. + +Before now Thad had strongly suspected that Bob had some other object in +coaxing his comrades to make the pilgrimage to the Land of the Sky, +besides the desire to show them its wonders. And now his own words +proved it. More than that, it seemed to have some strange connection +with this same little cousin, Bertha; and naturally with her legally +appointed guardian, Reuben Sparks. + +Thad, first of all, managed to pass the word around in a whisper, just +as Bob wished it done. The boys understood that there was a reason back +of the request, and expected that their comrade would take them into his +confidence later on. Besides, there had really never been the slightest +chance that any one of them would breathe that name of Quail in +connection with Bob; indeed, most of them would have had to stop and +think, if suddenly asked what his real name was, so seldom did they hear +it mentioned. + +The man on horseback was chatting with Allan and several others. He did +not hesitate to ask questions, and was soon put in possession of the +fact that they were merely the members of a Boy Scout patrol, making a +strenuous hike through the Big Smoky spur of the Blue Ridge. + +Thad saw that he eyed them queerly many times, as though rather doubtful +whether they were giving him a straight story; but the coming of the +storm soon held the attention of them all. + +Just as they had expected, it was the real thing in the way of a summer +storm. The lightning flashed in a way that was not only dazzling but +"fearsome" as Smithy expressed it, in his elegant way. And as for the +crashes of thunder that followed each and every electric current, they +deafened the ears of the scouts. + +A deluge of rain fell in a short time, and the rush of water near by +told that the little stream, which they had struck many times during the +afternoon, had all of a sudden become a raging torrent. + +Nobody was sorry when finally the racket began to subside, and the rain +stopped as suddenly as it had started. + +"She's done for," remarked Bumpus, in a relieved tone, as though he had +been half suspecting that the stream might rise in its might, and sweep +cabin, scouts and all down through the valley. + +The resident of the region who had also sought shelter in the friendly +cabin by the wayside, looked out first, to assure himself that his horse +had come through the storm safely. Then he called out good-bye, and +mounting, rode away. + +"Good riddance to bad rubbish, I take it," declared Giraffe. "Whenever +the fire flashed up that gent would look around the queerest way ever, +as though he kind of thought we might be revenue agents playing a fine +game on his friends, the moonshiners." + +"Be careful what you say, Giraffe," advised the more cautious Thad. +"When you're in the enemy's country you want to use soft words. Besides, +you're only guessing when you say that. He was naturally curious about +us. Some people would think a bunch of boys stark crazy, to try and hike +through such wild country as this, when we could have taken to the good +roads up in New York State, had orchards all along the way, and +good-natured farmers galore to buy milk and eggs from when we got +hungry." + +"I hope, suh, you won't be sorry you came down this aways," Bob White +spoke up. "I take it as a great compliment, believe me, that you-all +would care to keep me company when I said I felt that I just had to come +back here on a visit, to see what changes there were, and do a little +private business in the bargain. I'm aware of the fact that there isn't +anything much worth seeing here, suh; except the untamed wilderness; but +they's always plenty of excitement going around, I understand." + +"I should guess yes," broke out Step Hen, "with that same Old Phin +hangin' 'round with his eye on the watch for revenues. But see here, +Bob, don't you think you owe us a little explanation about this +racket--meaning your relations with the gent who is guardian to your +sweet little cousin Bertha?" + +"So say we all," chorused Davy Jones, Giraffe and Bumpus, solemnly, as +they gathered around the Southern boy. + +Bob White looked at their eager faces for a minute before speaking. +There was something akin to real affection to be seen there as he turned +his eyes from one to another of his mates. The boy from Dixie had not +been in the habit of making friends easily in earlier days; but when he +landed in Cranford he had soon been captivated by the sincere +companionship of Thad Brewster; and when he joined the new patrol of +the scouts he quickly learned to appreciate the many good qualities that +marked the other members. + +"Yes, it's only fair, boys," he began, slowly yet with an evident +determination to take them at least part way into his confidence; "that +you should know just why I didn't want any of you to tell the name of +the town we hailed from, when that man was in here. He would have +recognized it as my new home, and might have suspected that I brought +you all down here for a purpose." + +"Which you did," interrupted Bumpus; "to admire the scenery; rough it +awhile in the Land of the Sky; and show us something of your native +country. If there was anything more, we didn't know it, Bob White. But +we're comrades, one and all; and if we c'n do anything to help you tide +over some trouble, why, you've just got to tell now." + +"That is fine of you, Bumpus, and I thank you from the bottom of my +heart," continued the other, strangely moved. "But let me tell you a few +things first before you make such a rash promise, which I am not going +to hold you to, suh. The man who was in this cabin, Reuben Sparks, is +said to be the richest and meanest in these parts. It has been hinted +more than a few times that he has always been thick with Old Phin Dady. +But no matter how he came by his money, he is something of a miser." + +"No relation of yours, I hope, then, Bob?" asked Step Hen. + +"None whatever, suh," replied the other, proudly. "The Quails would +never have descended to the common methods that man has practiced in +order to make money. But somehow he managed to gain an influence over my +Uncle Robert, after whom I was named, as you may guess, suh. When the +father of Cousin Bertha died, in his will he left the child solely in +the charge of Reuben Sparks, until she came of age; and he was also +given control of her little fortune." + +The boy ground his teeth hard together, showing how even the +recollection of this moved him. But recovering his customary calmness he +continued: + +"She was the prettiest little thing you ever saw, suh, take my word foh +it. And no boy ever thought more of his pet sister than I did of my +little cousin. My father thought it a shame, and tried to get possession +of her; but this Reuben Sparks had the law on his side, and all our +efforts failed. After that he would never even let me see her, so great +was his hatred for our family. + +"One way or another we managed to exchange word, and when our folks went +up Nawth to look after the mills my father had purchased before his +death, I had just two letters from Bertha before something happened, and +they stopped coming. Of course I supposed that her guardian had found +out about it, and fixed matters so no letter of mine--and I sent seven +before owning up beaten in the game--could reach her. + +"I just stood it till I couldn't sleep nights, thinking that perhaps she +was being made unhappy by that cruel man. And so I made up my mind I'd +come down here again, and find out the truth, if I had to steal into his +house, and see Bertha without his knowing it. I wanted to tell you this +before, believe me, suh," addressing Thad in particular, as the head of +the patrol; while his fine eyes filled up on account of his emotion; +"but somehow I couldn't bring myself to do it. And now, after hearing my +story briefly, if you-all feel that it would be asking too much of my +comrades to expect to have their backing in my wildcat scheme, please +don't hesitate to say so, suh. I'll think just as well of you in either +case." + +Thad reached out, and caught the quivering hand of the Southern boy in +his own. + +"Why, Bob," he said, earnestly, "I think I voice the sentiments of every +fellow in the patrol when I say most emphatically that we're going to +stand by you through thick and thin. I'm sure you won't do anything but +what is right, and what is bound to reflect credit on you as a true +scout. How about that, fellows?" + +"Move we make it unanimous!" cried Bumpus, instantly. + +"Ay, ay! that's the ticket," exclaimed others. + +"You hear what they say, Bob White?" remarked Thad, warmly. + +"We'll back our comrade up, even to kidnapping the cruel guardian, and +rescuing the pretty little cousin!" Smithy declared with unusual vim, +for him. + +"Oh!" said Bob with a smile, as he looked from one flushed face to +another. "Of course I don't imagine it'll ever go that far, boys; but I +thank you for this expression of your friendship. I will never forget +it, suh, never while I live. And I only hope that some day in the future +I may be able to repay the kindness to one and to all." + +"Then I take it that this Reuben Sparks does not live a great way beyond +where we happen to be camped right now?" remarked Allan. + +"I expected to show you the place sometime to-morrow, suh. It is worth +seeing, upon my word," replied Bob. + +"Now I know that there's a whole lot of truth in that old saying about +the devil taking care of his own," Giraffe mentioned. "The rest of you +heard Reuben say he had been tempted to stop under that big tree we +passed on the way here; but on second thoughts decided to come along to +the cabin. When that one terrible crack came he got as white as a sheet, +and told me he believed that that very tree must have been struck. Where +would Reuben have been if he'd stayed there? Kind of scattered around +the landscape, I guess." + +Thad had just started to say that it was time they thought about getting +some supper, when he was interrupted in a most disagreeable manner. +Indeed, for the moment all idea of ever wanting to eat again in this +world vanished from his mind; for something occurred that caused the +scouts to rush toward the end of the cabin where the chimney stood, and +catch hold of each other in sudden terror and dismay. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +THE JONES BOY COMES TO GRIEF AT LAST. + + +THERE was a rumbling sound, not unlike the roar of a heavy freight train +coming down the grade of a mountain. All of the scouts plainly felt the +cabin quiver as though in the throes of an earthquake. + +Then succeeded a crash, as the further end was knocked out. For a moment +Thad really feared they were done for, and his very heart seemed to +stand still with dread. Then, as the awful sounds died away, save for +the patter of small stuff on the cabin roof, he breathed naturally +again. + +Whatever it was that had happened, no one had been hurt; and at least +they could find consolation in this. + +"It's an earthquake!" exclaimed Bumpus, being the very first to recover +the use of his voice. + +"A landslide, you mean!" echoed Giraffe, contrary minded. + +"Thad, you say?" asked Step Hen; just as though the leader could +determine the nature of the calamity better than any one else. + +"I think Giraffe struck it about right," Thad answered. + +"You mean part of the hillside caved away?" further questioned Bumpus. + +"Must have been the whole mountain top, by the racket it kicked up," +Davy Jones grumbled; "say, my heart turned upside down; and I'll have to +stand on my head to get it to working again the right way." + +"And look at what it did to our snug old cabin; tore the whole end off!" +observed Step Hen, ruefully. "Now, if it happened to be a cold night, +why, we'd just be freezing to death, that's what. Anybody seen my cap +around; my hair stood up on end with the scare, and I must have dropped +it? Thank you, Allan, for picking it up. I do have the worst luck about +losing my things you ever saw." + +"Seems to me," remarked Allan, soberly, "that instead of complaining the +way you fellows are doing, we ought to be mighty thankful it wasn't any +worse." + +"Yes, that's what I was thinking," Smithy added, as he let go Allan's +arm, which he must have unconsciously gripped in his sudden fright; +"what if we had run to that end of the cabin, things would look somewhat +different right now." + +"Ugh! guess that's right," Giraffe admitted; "and for one I ain't goin' +to make any more complaint. But what under the sun was it hit us?" + +"A big rock must have dropped down from the side of the mountain, and +tore out the end of the old cabin," Thad explained. "It came on this +night of all nights, just when we happened to be camped here. And the +cabin has stood unharmed for as much as thirty years, Bob White says." + +"I call that queer, now," said Bumpus. + +"It's more than that, Bumpus," Smithy remarked, in his most mysterious +manner; "I'd call it highly significant, if you asked my opinion." + +"Wow! listen to that, would you?" exclaimed Step Hen, shuddering again. +"He means that the rock was smashed down by somebody who wanted to chase +us out of this region. And that must be our old friend, Phin Dady, the +moonshiner!" + +Thad bent down, and proceeded to light a handy little lantern which one +of the boys had carried for emergencies. + +"I'm going to take a look out, and see what struck us," he remarked. + +"Be careful, Thad," warned Allan; "another rock might follow the first." + +"And if you hear the least suspicious sound, jump for all that's out," +added Bumpus, ready to admire the nerve of one who could face danger so +readily, even though not capable of imitating Thad's example himself. + +"Oh! I reckon there's little chance of anything like that happening," +the other sent back, with a little laugh, as though he wanted to cheer +his chums up; "you know, they say lightning never strikes in the same +place twice. It's taken thirty years for a rock to hit this cabin, +though plenty must have slid down the side of the mountain in that time. +Be back in a jiffy, boys." + +With that he stepped out of the door, which had been burst open when the +log structure received such a terrific jolt. The other boys clustered +there by the revived fire, exchanging views, and waiting for the return +of those who had gone outside; for Bob White had silently followed Thad, +as though he felt that since it was through his invitation that the +scouts were placed in this predicament, he ought to do everything in his +power to ease the strain. + +When they entered again in less than ten minutes, of course a +bombardment of eager questions saluted them. + +"Slow up, fellows," Thad said, laughingly. "If I tried to answer you +all, I'd be apt to get my tongue twisted some, and that's a fact. Yes, +it _was_ a rock that did the damage, just as we guessed. It rolled down +from somewhere above; but we could only guess at that, it's so dark out +there. And after taking a look at the size of the same, Bob and myself +made up our minds we had reason to be mighty thankful that it only +touched the end of the cabin, instead of hitting it square in the +center." + +"But whoever started it rolling?" demanded Bumpus; and it was evident +from the way the others waited to hear what Thad would say to this, that +they laid great stress on the answer. + +"Well," returned the other, soberly, "of course we couldn't make dead +certain, but after seeing the heft of that rock we believed that it was +never started by any human hands. The rain and storm must have +undermined it." + +Bumpus heaved a big sigh of relief. + +"Well," said he, "I'm glad of that. It's bad enough to think you're +bein' bombarded by rocks that just take a silly notion to drop when we +come along; but it'd be a heap sight worse if the men of the Big Smokies +were throwing such pebbles at us, haphazard. Whew! I'm hungry, fellers; +who says grub?" + +That was just like a boy, to remember his natural appetite right on the +heels of the greatest fright of his whole life. And as the others +admitted to feeling somewhat the same way, there ensued a bustle to see +how soon supper could be gotten ready. + +The members of the Silver Fox Patrol were no longer greenhorns, though +one or two of them gave evidence that they had not yet graduated from +the tenderfoot class. They had learned a great deal about the things +that are connected with a camp life, because they had spent some time +under canvas on Lake Omega, which lay not many miles from their home +town. + +And then again, Thad had belonged to a troop of scouts before coming to +Cranford; while, as for Allan, he had been through the mill so often up +in Maine and elsewhere, that he was, as Bumpus declared, a "walking +edition of what to do, and what not to do when in the woods." + +It is true that on this big hike through the mountains they were +compelled to travel very light, and would miss many of the things that +had added greatly to their comfort on that other occasion. But then it +was their desire to learn how to rough it, taking the knocks with the +good things. + +By this time some of the lads were beginning to believe that they would +rub up against plenty of the "knocks" all right; especially if things +kept on as they had commenced since striking this wonderful "Land of the +Sky." + +The supper put them in something like their customary good humor. +Indeed, as they sat around the fire afterwards, Bumpus was induced to +sing several of their school songs, so that the whole of them might join +in the rollicking chorus. Strange sounds indeed to well up out of that +valley, so lately the theater of a war between the elements, as +lightning and rain vied with each other to produce a panic in the +breasts of these same boys who now sang and joked as though they had not +a care in the world. + +Only Bob White remained very quiet. Thad often glanced toward the +Southern lad, with sympathy in his look. He could easily understand +that, with their arrival in this mountainous region, where the other had +spent many of his earlier years, old memories must be revived, some +pleasant, and possibly others of a disagreeable nature. + +Finally they agreed that it would be wise to get some sleep, as another +day lay before them. And accordingly, in the customary fashion, the +bugler sounded "taps," and each scout tried to find a soft board, upon +which he might rest his weary body during the hours that must elapse +before dawn arrived. + +A watch was kept up, one fellow taking an hour at a time, and then +arousing the next on the list; so that at no time was the cabin +unguarded while the night slowly passed. + +But nothing happened to disturb the scouts; and as morning came at last +they began to get up and stretch, rubbing their limbs as though the hard +bed had not been the nicest thing possible. But there was little +grumbling. They had learned to take things as they came; which is one of +the finest results of Boy Scout experience. The philosophy of the woods +teaches that in the very start--try for the best results; but after you +have done your best, accept the situation with cheerfulness. + +Again the notes of the bugle sounded the "assembly," as breakfast was +declared ready; and half an hour later they left their shelter of the +night. + +"Good-bye old cabin!" sang out Bumpus, waving his fat hand back toward +the wrecked log house; "you treated us pretty decent after all, and +we'll never forget you. Long may you wave, and offer shelter to other +pilgrims storm chased!" + +As the sun climbed above the rim of the encircling mountains the spirits +of the boys mounted in proportion. Davy Jones was up to his usual +pranks, being hard to control. They would miss him for a short time, +only to hear a whoop; and looking up, discover the acrobatic boy hanging +by his knees, or it might be his toes, from the limb of a tree, thirty +feet or more above the ground. + +Thad knew from experience that it was next to impossible to restrain the +Jones boy; he must have his frolic out; and so they only laughed at his +antics, and wondered what next the daring Davy would attempt. + +Ten minutes later he was seen standing on his head on the edge of what +appeared to be a deep ravine or gulch, and kicking his heels in the air. + +All sorts of dire things had always been predicted as going to overtake +Davy sooner or later, unless he gave up these venturesome pranks; and +this time it actually looked as though they were about to be fulfilled. +For even as the seven other scouts were watching his antics, the earth +at the edge of the gully appeared to suddenly give way. + +Davy vanished from their view, the last thing they saw of him being his +up tilted heels, waving what seemed to be a frantic farewell. + +With cries of alarm the scouts rushed forward, fearful as to what they +would see. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +MORE SIGNS OF TROUBLE AHEAD. + + +"OH! did you see him kick his heels at us as he went down?" gasped +Bumpus, as they hurried forward to the spot where the venturesome scout +had vanished so forlornly; "I'll never forget it, never! Just like the +poor old chap wanted to say 'good-bye boys!'" + +Bumpus was too honest and warm hearted a fellow to say this with any +intention of being hilarious. He sincerely felt every word of it. + +Of course the long-legged Giraffe had to be the first to arrive on the +scene of the late tragedy. Thad felt constrained to call out to him in +warning. + +"Be careful there, Giraffe, or else there may be another of us down in +that pocket. Look out for your footing, I tell you!" + +The other had dropped flat on his chest. He was seen to stretch his neck +in the endeavor to get the best results with a minimum of risk; and they +did say that when Giraffe really and truly did his prettiest in this +respect he could cover more territory than any one else ever seen. + +"Oh! is he smashed flatter'n a pancake?" asked Step Hen, as he drew +near, with his melancholy face looking longer than usual; and the whites +of his eyes showing strongly, as they always did when he was frightened. + +Giraffe twisted his head around with the utmost ease; indeed, from the +length of his neck it looked as though he might continue the turning +movement until he had actually made a complete revolution. + +And when Thad caught sight of the grin on his face he felt immediately +relieved; for surely Giraffe loving fun as much as he did, would not +allow this smirk to decorate his angular countenance unless there seemed +little danger. + +Another minute, and all of them were ranged there along the edge of the +gully, staring down at Davy Jones. It would seem that the other had been +agile enough to clutch hold of a small tree that jutted out from the +steep slope. He was hanging to it now, and straining the best he knew +how to fling his legs upward, so as to relieve the situation, and the +terrific pull on his arms. + +He looked upward toward the row of faces peeping over the edge above; +and there was a humorous grin on his face. He knew what his comrades +were doubtless thinking about "the pitcher that went once too often to +the well;" and that their natural alarm having passed, they would see +only the humorous side of the affair. + +Again did Davy strain. There was something connected with the way he was +hanging there that seemed to prevent him from accomplishing the result +he wanted to attain. For the first time they could remember the boys saw +that the gymnast and acrobat of the troop had certainly met his match. +Left to himself he would surely have had to invent some other method for +drawing himself up on to the slender horizontal trunk of the little +tree; or else let go, and drop. + +As it was a matter of some twenty feet or so to the bottom of the gully; +and the chances were that he might receive any number of bad scratches +while making the transit, Davy of course would be averse to trying this +plan. + +"Guess you'll have to lend me a hand this time, boys," he called out, +when once more he failed to make connection between his squirming legs +and the body of the tree. + +"Who'll go down, and yank him on to that tree?" asked Bumpus; knowing +full well at the same time that no one could have the nerve to ask a +fellow of his heft, when there were so many others better fitted for the +task. + +"Don't all speak at once!" advised the hanging Davy. + +Somehow all eyes were turned toward Giraffe. As the most agile of the +lot, he might be expected to volunteer; and yet with not a particle of +footing between the top of the bank and that tree, some ten feet down, +the job was hardly one that might appeal to any scout, however nimble. + +"Oh! you needn't look at me that way," he complained; "because I'm long, +and active, you just think I c'n stretch that far; but it's a mistake. +But if somebody _has_ to try and make the riffle, I s'pose it'll be me." + +He started to take off his knapsack as he said this, when Thad stopped +him. + +"Wait, Giraffe," said the patrol leader, quietly; "perhaps, after all, +nobody has to go down after Davy. You seem to forget, all of you, that +we've got a stout rope along with us. What's the need of carrying such a +thing, if it can't help us out in a pinch?" + +"Bully! Sure we've got a rope, and a dandy one at that!" cried Bumpus, +growing so excited that he came near falling over the edge, and had to +clutch hold of the nearest scout to steady himself. + +"If you'd gone that time, Bumpus, think what a splash you'd have made +down there. Because Davy got hold of a tree don't think you could do the +same. It'll have to be a whopping big one that could bear up under +_your_ weight, all right," said Step Hen, who chanced to be the one whom +the fat boy had caught hold of in his sudden alarm. + +It turned out that Bob White was carrying the rope. He had it wound +around his body in a way Allan had shown him, so that it did not +interfere with his movements, and was not coming loose all the time. + +Quickly then was it unwound. In order to hasten this, the boys even +began to turn Bob around like a teetotum, until he said he was dizzy. + +"Lucky it's got a loop handy at the end," remarked Allan, as he took the +rope, and sought a position directly above the hanging scout. + +"How is it, Davy?" he asked, while lowering the noose. + +"If you mean how much longer I could stand it, I'd say not a big lot," +replied the one addressed. "You see, the old tree cuts my hands just +fierce; and I've been twisting around here so long now that I'm gettin' +tired. How're you goin' to fix it, Allan? Might toss the loop over my +head; but I'm afraid my neck wouldn't hold out. If it was Giraffe now--" + +"Here, you just let up on Giraffe, and pay attention to what Allan's +goin' to tell you; hear?" called out the party mentioned. + +"Do you think you could hold on with one arm, and get the other through +the loop?" continued the Maine boy. "Of course, if you can't, why, I +might swing it around, and you could somehow stick your feet through; +when we'd drag the loop up under your arms. How about that, Davy?" + +But Davy made a test, and declared that one hand would hold him for a +brief time. So, in this way, the rope was finally placed under both +arms, and tightened. + +"Now, get hold here, fellows, and give a pull!" said Allan; "hold on, +not so rough about it, Giraffe, or you'll rub his face against the rocks +and make it worse than if he'd let go, and dropped down. Here he comes, +boys!" + +"Heave ho!" sang out the scouts, and foot by foot they drew the unlucky +acrobat once more to the surface. + +"Got off pretty slick that time, eh, Davy?" demanded Step Hen, after the +other had been landed, and Bob White was coiling the rope around himself +again. + +"Never knew me to miss doin' that, did you, Step Hen?" queried the +other; and from the flippant tone in which he said this it was plainly +evident that the lesson had been lost on him; and that Davy would be +doing his customary stunts right along. + +The hike was presently resumed, and the little adventure reckoned a +thing of the past. Shortly afterwards they came suddenly on a man, with +an old vehicle, and a slab-sided horse that looked half starved. The +ramshackle wagon bed was covered to about the depth of three feet with +poor looking straw, that seemed to have done duty a long time. + +As for the man himself, he was a typical mountaineer, thin and scrawny, +with a small, weasened face, and keen, snapping eyes. Bob White +instantly pulled his hat down over his face as he saw the man. + +Thad noticed that the other looked alarmed at sight of these eight +khaki-clad boys strung out along the mountain road. Indeed, he had the +appearance of a man who would have turned and fled, only that he was +afraid to do so after finding himself face to face with what looked like +a squad of United States regulars, or at the least, North Carolina +militia, on the hike. + +He returned the greetings of the boys with sundry nods of his head, and +urged his old nag along by several whacks from the hickory rod he held +in his hand in lieu of a whip. So ramshackle vehicle and scared driver +vanished around the bend which had concealed the scouts from his view +until it was too late to run. + +"Looked like he'd seen a ghost!" suggested Step Hen, with a chuckle. + +"Well, you can't blame him, if he saw _you_ roll your eyes, and make +that face of yours look like thirty cents," remarked Bumpus, cuttingly. + +"He had mountain dew hidden under that straw," remarked Bob White; "I +remember the old fellow right well, and I'm glad he was that frightened +he didn't think to take at look at me. Nate Busby is his name. He always +was connected with Old Phin, and the others who make the moonshine stuff +further up in the hills. Right now, you can believe me, suh, he's on +his way with that load, to hide it where somebody from town can find +it." + +"He don't know what to make of us, seems like?" suggested Giraffe. + +"That is the truth," added Thad. "I thought his eyes would drop out, he +stared so hard. Seemed to me as if he actually expected some of us to +surround him, and examine his load. How he did whip that old nag of his. +The beast kicked up his heels, and galloped, perhaps for the first time +in years." + +All of them laughed as they went on, talking by the way. Boys can +discover a ludicrous side to almost anything. Good health, absence of +worry, and plenty of food are about all they require; and the world +looks its brightest. + +Sometimes, when Thad glanced toward the Southern boy, he wondered +whether Bob had taken them wholly into his confidence on the last +evening when he told them about his life amid the mountains and valleys +of the Blue Ridge Range. It struck him that Bob frowned too often to +indicate a clear conscience. + +"There's something else on his mind, and that's certain," Thad was +saying to himself. "He keeps looking in my direction every little while, +and I wouldn't be surprised if he came over pretty soon to tell me +something he's been keeping back. But it don't matter; we'll stand +behind Bob all the time. He's a fine fellow, as true as gold; and one +scout should always help another in trouble." + +His reflections were interrupted by Bumpus, who edged over nearer the +patrol leader to impart the information that, happening to look back, he +had discovered some one thrusting his head out from behind a rock, as +though he might be following in their wake! + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +THE MESSAGE OF THE SPLIT STICK. + + +A TEMPORARY halt had been called, and the scouts were consulting as to +what this new development might mean. + +"Sure you saw a man, are you, Bumpus?" asked Giraffe, as though he had +an idea the stout boy might have deceived himself. "Twa'n't a rolling +stone, now, I take it? Or it couldn't have been a frisky little 'coon' +or 'possum,' I suppose?" + +"Well, what d'ye think I've got eyes for, if I don't know a biped when I +see one?" retorted Bumpus, indignantly. "He was as plain as anything; +and makin' from one pile of rocks to another. You go with me back there, +and I'll show you, Giraffe. Then you'll believe me when I say a thing." + +The two boys made a move as if to carry out this project, only the +scoutmaster put a stop to it. + +"Don't think of doing that, fellows," Thad said, quickly. "These +mountaineers are a thin-skinned lot as far as I've been able to learn; +and they won't stand for any poking of your nose into their business. +Besides, if it was a man, the chances are he would be armed, and you +might bring a hornet's nest down about our ears." + +"Oh! he did have a gun, all right," remarked Bumpus, carelessly. + +"You didn't mention that before," broke in Step Hen, with an intaking of +breath that betrayed excitement. + +"'Cause nobody asked me; and every one wanted to have something to say," +retorted the other. "It was a gun, and an _awful_ wicked looking one +too, about as long as my staff, seemed to me." + +"Could it have been Old Phin?" suggested Allan. + +"How about that, Bumpus; was he an old man with a gray beard?" asked +Thad. + +"Nixey; that is I don't know how old he might a been; but I'm dead sure +he didn't have any beard at all, just a smooth face. But he was a +regular mountaineer, all right, Thad, with the dingy old faded brown +homespun clothes, the slouch hat, and the ragged pants that never came +near his brogans. He saw me lookin' at him, for he put on a little +spurt, and dodged behind that pile of rocks, where like as not he's +squattin' right now, waitin' to see what we're agoin' to do about it, +and ready to speak to us with that trusty weapon if we try to rush his +fort." + +"Well, we're going to do nothing of the kind, just remember that," said +Thad, resolutely. "It's only natural that the men of these mountains +should feel a whole lot of curiosity about us. I suppose now they never +heard of the Boy Scouts; and these uniforms make them think we're +connected with the army. Now, we don't want to stir them up any more +than we can help. They're an ugly lot, Bob here says, if you rub the fur +the wrong way. We didn't come down here to bother these moonshiners one +whit; and if they'll only let us alone, we want to keep our hands off +their affairs. Let the fellow dodge after us if he wants to; he'll find +that we're only a bunch of happy-go-lucky boys, off for a holiday." + +"Pity we can't meet up with that same old Phin, and tell him as much," +Smithy went on to say. + +"Perhaps it might be managed easy enough," Allan observed, and all of +them immediately turned toward him, feeling that he had some scheme to +communicate. + +"Open up, and tell us what it is, Allan," urged the impatient Bumpus. + +"Yes, don't keep us guessing any more than you can help," added Step +Hen. "We've sure got enough to worry us, what with the troubles of +Giraffe getting stuck in that quicksand; and Davy here, falling over +every old precipice he can find, without you making us puzzle out a +problem. How could it be done, Allan?" + +"Why, we'll send Old Phin a letter," replied the other, calmly. + +"Show me your messenger, then!" demanded Bumpus. + +Allan picked up a stick, and deliberately split one end so that he could +open it up. This he thrust into a crevice in the rocks close to the +wretched road, and in such a position that it was certain to meet the +eye of the tracker when he again started to follow them. + +"Now, I'll write a few lines, and leave it here, addressed to Phin +Dady," he went on. "I'll print the words in capitals, in the hopes that +the old mountaineer may be able to read as much as that. If he can't, +then some other of the clan may; and if all else fails, they'll have +some boy or girl make it out. How's that, Thad?" + +"Splendid, I should say," replied the scoutmaster, smiling. "Here, +Bumpus, turn around, and bend over." + +"What you goin' to do to me?" demanded the short scout, suspiciously, as +he hesitated before complying. + +"Is that the way you obey orders?" scoffed Giraffe. "A true scout should +never ask questions. S'pose them dragoons at the battle of the Six +Hundred had begun to want to know the whys and wherefores of everything, +d'ye think we'd ever had any chance to declaim that stirring poem? +Shame on you, Bumpus, take a brace, and obey blindly." + +"Oh! I only want the use of your broad and steady back for a writing +desk, so Allan can get his message written," Thad at this interesting +juncture remarked, easing the strain, and dissipating all the fat boy's +suspicions. + +When Allan had made out to complete his "message" he read it aloud, and +also let them all have a look at it. Just as he had said he would do, he +had written it in the most primitive way possible, by making capitals of +each letter. This was what he had done: + +"Phin Dady--We are a patrol of Boy Scouts, come down from the North to +see the Carolina mountains. We do not mean you, or any one, harm; but +want to be friends. We carry no arms but a single shotgun." + +"That ought to answer the purpose," remarked Thad, approvingly. + +"I didn't want to say too much, you see," observed the author of the +message, as he fastened it in the crotch of the riven stick, where it +must attract the attention of any one passing. "First, I had a notion to +mention Bob's name, as a former resident; and then I remembered that he +said he didn't want it known he'd come back. So I left that out." + +"And I'm glad you did," said the one in question, hastily; "it would +have done no good, suh, believe me; and might have brought us into much +trouble." + +Again Thad saw him send that expressive glance his way; and his +suspicions concerning Bob having another secret which he had not as yet +told, received further confirmation. + +"This, you know, fellows," remarked Allan, "is the way the Indians +communicated in the old days; only instead of writing it out as we do, +they used to make signs that stood for men, camp-fires, rivers, woods, +animals, trails and such things. You remember, Thad here gave us some +talk about that awhile back. Now, are we going on again, since we've +left our wonderful message for Old Phin?" + +"Yes, and perhaps we'd better keep somewhat closer together than we've +been doing up to now," the scoutmaster suggested. + +"How'd it do for Giraffe here to stay behind, and watch to see if that +feller back of the rock pile gets the letter?" Bumpus proposed. "After +we turned that bend ahead he could drop down, and creep back. Then, +after he'd seen all he wanted, why it wouldn't be any great shake for +such a long-legged feller to overtake the rest of the bunch." + +But Giraffe evidently did not like the idea of being left all by himself +after that fashion. He looked worried as he waited to see what Thad +would say; and was considerably relieved when the other shook his head, +remarking: + +"No need of that, Number Three. It wasn't such a bad idea though, come +to think of it, and does you credit. I'm glad to see that you're waking +up, and beginning to work your brain more. But that message will get +into the hands of Old Phin, all right, there's no doubt of that." + +"D'ye reckon he'll take our word for it; or believe it's only one more +clever dodge of the revenue men to get him when he's napping?" asked +Davy Jones. + +The scoutmaster turned to Bob White. + +"How about that, Bob?" he asked. + +"Old Phin is narrow minded, as you can easily understand," the Southern +boy replied. "Besides, he's had so many smart dodges played on him, that +he'll never believe anybody's word. Now, he may make up his mind that +because we're only boys he needn't be afraid we expect to capture him; +but all the same, we might poke around here, meaning to destroy his +Still, suh. You can depend upon it that Old Phin'll never make friends +with any one that wears a uniform. That stands for an enemy in his eyes. +But I'm hopin' suh, that he'll just conclude to let us alone, and go to +one of his mountain hide-outs, to stay till we leave the neighborhood." + +They were by now tramping along again. Trying to forget the ugly part of +the affair, Thad was picturing in his mind what the home of Reuben +Sparks might be like. He was a rich man, Bob had said, and in close +touch with the moonshiners; though the Government had never been able +to connect him with any of the illicit Stills that had been raided from +time to time during the last dozen years. And so it was only natural to +believe that he must have surrounded himself with some of the comforts +of civilization, while remaining in this wild region. Words let fall by +Bob had given Thad this impression; as though they were going to be +surprised when the home of little Cousin Bertha was come upon. + +"I'd like to have a little talk with you, Thad!" + +The scoutmaster was not very much surprised when he heard these words, +and realized that Bob White had caught up with him as he strode along at +the head of the little squad of boys in khaki. + +"He just couldn't hold in any longer," was what Thad whispered to +himself; "and now he's bound to let down the bars all the way, so +somebody will share his secret with him." + +Turning upon the other, he said, pleasantly: + +"Why, as many as you like, Bob; what's bothering you now; for I've seen +you looking my way quite some time, as though you wanted to speak. I +guess you'll feel better when you've had it out." + +"Perhaps I may, suh, though I'm ashamed to have kept it from you so +long," answered the Southern boy, shame-facedly. "Fact is, I tried to +deceive myself into thinking that it couldn't interest or concern any of +my chums. But now, since I've been thinking it all over, and we've run +across Old Phin, it looks different to me, and I'm of the opinion I had +ought to have mentioned this before I took the lot of you down into +these danger mountains!" + +Thad knew then that it could be no trifling thing that would agitate the +other as this seemed to do, and he steadied himself to meet the +disclosure. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +BOB CONFIDES IN THE PATROL LEADER. + + +"WHAT I want to tell you about is--my father," said Bob, swallowing +something that seemed to be sticking in his throat; as though the mere +mention of his dead parent had the power to affect him so. + +"Yes?" Thad said, encouragingly, wondering at the same time how one who +had passed to the other side several years now, could have any sort of +connection with the mission of the scouts to this region. + +"You'll perhaps understand, suh," continued Bob, getting a firmer grip +on himself; "when I mention the fact that my father, for a year or so +before he was taken, had filled the office of United States Marshal for +this district." + +"Oh!" exclaimed Thad, beginning to see light now. + +"He was induced to take the office by the President himself, who was a +personal friend of my father," the boy went on, proudly; "and having +given his word, nothing could make him back out. Up to then we had +lived at peace with everybody in these mountains; but of course that was +bound to come to an end after he had sworn to do his duty; which was to +send out his agents to destroy all the secret Stills, and bring in the +law breakers, if they could be found." + +"He must soon have had the enmity of Old Phin, and every other +moonshiner about the Big Smokies," Thad remarked, the other having +paused, as though to give him a chance to express an opinion. + +"That is just what happened, suh," Bob went on, hurriedly, as, having +broken the ice, he wanted to get through as speedily as possible. "After +he had led several successful raids in person, the mountaineers saw that +they had a different man to deal with from the other old marshal. They +sent him terrible warnings of what was going to happen to him if he kept +up his work; but my father was a Quail; and he didn't know the meanin' +of the word fear, suh." + +"Were you and your mother living near here all that time, Bob?" asked +the scoutmaster. "Because, I should have thought she might have been +worried for fear some of those desperate men tried to stop your father's +work by burning down his home, or doing something like that?" + +"There were threats made, suh, to that effect; and my father moved his +family to Asheville to feel that we would be all safe. Then there came +a dreadful day for us, when my father never came back, after he had +gone into these mountains to arrest another batch of moonshiners, whose +Still had been located. One of the men who had accompanied him told us +he had seen him shot down. They were surrounded by bushwhackers, and the +rifles were popping all about, so they had to leave him there. He was +surely dead, they claimed, before they fled from the spot, and of +course, suh, they could not burden themselves with his body." + +Again Bob White paused to gulp down the obstacle in his throat. + +"Now, you are wondering, suh, how it happened that when we came to +Cranford there was a gentleman with us who was called Mr. Quail, and +supposed to be my father. That was my father's twin brother, living in +Philadelphia. He kindly offered to stay with my mother, who never goes +out at all, until we became settled. Her mother, my grandmother, had +left me a heap of stock in the bank and mills of Cranford; and as it was +very unpleasant for my mother down this aways, after father went, she +had determined to locate up yondah." + +"And does she know about you coming down here?" asked Thad, +suspiciously, as if he feared that the other might have deceived the +only parent he had left; this bringing a tragedy of the grim mountains +so close home to them had given the scout leader considerable of a +thrill, for after all, despite his courage and grit, Thad was only a +boy. + +Bob drew himself up proudly, and his black eyes flashed. + +"I would sooner cut off my right hand, suh, than deceive my mother," he +said. "And, so you may understand the whole thing, I must tell you what +a strange longin' I've been hugging to my heart these two years back. It +is this. What if, after all, my father was _not_ dead at the time his +men saw him fall; what if these moonshiners have kept him a prisoner +somewhere in these mountains all this while, meanin' to punish him +because he had given them all so much trouble!" + +"That's a stunning shock you've given me, Bob," said Thad, drawing a +long breath; "but see here, is it just a wild wish to have it so; or +have you any reason to believe such a thing; any foundation for the +theory, in fact?" + +"I'll tell you, suh," Bob went on, feverishly. "A man came to me one +day, and said he had been sent by one of the revenues who had been with +my father that sad time, to tell me what he had picked up in the +mountains. There were rumors going around that somewhere deep in the +mountains, at one of the secret Stills, the moonshiners kept a prisoner +at work. Some said it must be one of the revenue men who had +disappeared; and that the moonshiners were bent on making him work up +the mash, as a sort of punishment for having done them so much damage +when he was in the employ of the Government." + +"I see; and of course you jumped to the conclusion that it might be your +own father, alive and well, though held a prisoner of the moonshiners?" + +"Both my mother and myself believed there might be just a little chance +that way. She was in bad health, and put it all in my hands. We have +never said a word about it to anybody in Cranford. While I have been +going to school with the rest of the boys in Cranford, all the time I +was in correspondence with one of the Government revenue agents, and +paying him to be on the constant watch for any positive signs. He died +six months ago, and just when he had begun to think he was getting on a +warm scent." + +"I see," said Thad, as the other paused, overcome with emotion; "and +ever since then you've been longing to get down here again, to find out +for yourself if it _could_ be true. I don't blame you the least bit, +Bob. And I only hope that you'll be able to learn the truth, even if it +dashes all your hopes. Whatever we can do to help, you can count on. +Scouts have to be like brothers, you know. It's a part of our +regulations to help any one in trouble; and that applies stronger than +ever when it's a fellow scout." + +"Oh! thank you, Thad!" exclaimed the warmhearted Southern lad, as he +squeezed the hand of his companion almost fiercely. "I had no right to +influence you to come down here. It is a dangerous place. Right now I +ought to beg you and the rest to back out, and leave me to fight my +battles alone. But somehow I just can't find the grit to do that. I +reckon, suh, I'm too selfish. I'm right ashamed of myself at this minute +to feel such satisfaction in the grip of your hand." + +"Of course," continued wise Thad, "this old moonshiner, Phin Dady, might +still have it in for you, as one of the Quail family." + +"As far as that is concerned, suh, I'm not bothering my head, I assuah +you. I'd just as lief face Old Phin, and snap my fingers under his nose. +My idea in wanting to keep him from seeing me was along another line, +suh. He would be apt to think 'like father, like son;' and that I had +hired out to the Government to find where his Still lay, so it could be +raided. No man has ever done that; Old Phin declares they never will." + +"If these mountaineers begin to get bothersome it might interfere some +with that other little affair you spoke about?" suggested Thad, as they +continued to walk on in company. + +"That's what I'm afraid of, suh," replied Bob White; "but I'm hoping for +the best." + +Some of the others happening to push up about that time brought the +confidential conversation to a close. But surely the young scout leader +had plenty to ponder over as he walked on. + +The hike through the Blue Ridge, which they had looked forward to simply +as a test of endurance, and to develop their knowledge of woodcraft, +threatened to turn into a tragic affair. At least, it was no child's +play; and if they came out of it without any serious accident happening +to any of their number, they would be deserving of great credit. + +But if Thad and Bob White were in a serious frame of mind, the same +could hardly be said of several other members of the patrol. Giraffe, +Step Hen and Bumpus seemed to be fairly bubbling over with good humor. +Some boys can no more control their spirits than they can their +appetites. + +As usual Step Hen suddenly discovered, while they were halting for a +breathing spell, that he was minus something. The evil spirits had +evidently been at work again, when he was off his guard, and succeeded +in abstracting part of his personal property. It really was a shame how +they beset that unlucky fellow. + +"If it don't just beat the Dutch what happens to me?" he was heard to +loudly wail, looking around him in a helpless way. + +"What's the matter now, Step Hen?" asked Allan; although he knew full +well what sort of an answer he must receive. + +"They've been and done it some more," replied the disturbed scout, +helplessly. + +The trouble was, that whenever he missed anything Step Hen always ran +around looking in all the places that no sensible person would ever +dream of examining. When Giraffe declared that he was like an old hen +with its head taken off, it just about fitted the case. + +"What's gone this time?" continued the boy from Maine, with a smile at +the way Step Hen was turning over small stones, and stirring the leaves +with his foot, as if he really expected a miracle to be wrought, and to +find a bulky object that way. + +"That little kodak I fetched along; you know I had it wrapped so +carefully in a waterproof cloth, and tied with top cord. Now it's gone! +Needn't spring that old story on me, and say I was careless. P'raps I +have been a few times; but right now I'm dead sure the fault ain't mine. +Somebody's playing a joke on me. Mind, I ain't mentioning no names; but +I've got my suspicions." + +He looked hard at Giraffe, and the accusation could hardly have been +given in plainer language than that. But Giraffe was used to being +unjustly accused. There were occasions when he did seize upon a golden +opportunity to hide something belonging to his comrade, because it had +been left carelessly around; and Giraffe believed it a part of his duty +to break the other of such shiftless habits. But on this occasion he +held up both hands, declaring solemnly: + +"Give you my word for it I never touched any camera. This time you've +either been and dropped it on the road; or else the Gold Dust Twins have +nabbed it on you." + +Just then Bumpus, who had been wandering aimlessly about after drinking +at the cooling waters of the little spring that had been the main cause +of this temporary halt in the march, gave utterance to a loud +exclamation. + +He had tripped over something that lay in the grass, and a splash +announced that with his usual hard luck the fat boy had managed to go +headlong into the spring. Scrambling out, with the water streaming from +his red face, he turned indignantly on the balance of the patrol, now +convulsed with laughter. + +"What sort of--horse play d'ye call that--I'd like to know?" he +sputtered, trying to wipe his streaming face with a handkerchief that +looked far too small for the task. "Can't a feller--just stroll around +camp--without some silly putting out a foot, and tripping him up? Tell +me that, now?" + +"I'm beginning to think we must have some sort of a hoodoo along with +us," remarked Smithy, anxiously. "All sorts of things seem to be +happening, and in the most mysterious way possible. We all know that +there wasn't a single fellow anywhere near Bumpus when he pitched +forward. Yet he says _somebody_ put out a foot, and he tripped over it. +I think it a remarkable phenomenon, for a fact, and worth +investigating." + +"Well, somethin' _did_ trip me, and that's sure," grumbled the other, +possibly thinking that he had been too sweeping in his accusation. + +"Suppose you look in that bunch of grass, and find out if the little +evil spirit that's playing all these pranks on you is lying there?" +suggested Thad, with a twinkle in his eye, as though he could give a +pretty shrewd guess what the result of the said exploration would turn +out to be. + +So Bumpus, always willing to oblige, especially since his own curiosity +must have been aroused, proceeded forthwith to get down on his hands and +knees, and begin an examination of the tangle in question. + +Half a minute later he gave a loud cry. At the same time he was seen to +hold up some strange black object. + +"Look! Bumpus has caught his little evil genius!" cried Giraffe. "And +ain't it a hard lookin' subject though. Caught him right by the ankle, +and threw him straight into our spring. Lucky we'd had all the drink we +wanted before he started to wash there!" + +"Why, blessed if it ain't my kodak!" ejaculated Step Hen faintly, as +though it shocked him to think how his lost camera should have been +lying there in all that tangle of grass, where it had undoubtedly fallen +as he prepared to take his turn bending over the water hole. + +Of course everybody laughed, for they could guess what had happened. +Step Hen's little failings were an everyday occurrence. As Giraffe had +often declared, the careless one would have long since lost his head had +not a kind Nature secured it to his body. + +The march was resumed, with Thad lecturing Step Hen on his prevailing +sin; and as usual Step Hen solemnly promising to be more careful the +next time. But he had a very slippery mind, and the chances were that +before nightfall he would be up to his old tricks again, accusing the +rest of playing a prank by hiding some of his possessions. + +"There's a man sitting on that rock up there, watching us!" said Davy +Jones, in a tone that thrilled them all. + +"A regular mountaineer too," added Smithy. "Just as I've pictured them +often, with butternut jean trousers, a ragged woolen shirt open at the +neck, and an old hat on his frowsy head. Boys, he seems to have a gun in +his possession, too." + +They were a little uneasy as they passed along; but the lone man seemed +to simply watch the squad of uniformed scouts without making any hostile +move. + +"Chances are," remarked Davy Jones, after they lost sight of the man; +"he was some sort of vidette or sentry, posted up there to keep an eye +on the trail; and if any suspicious characters came along, to send word +to the other moonshiners. I understand they can telegraph all right +without the aid of instruments, or even the latest wireless outfit. How +about that, Bob?" + +"Yes, it is so," replied the Southern boy. "They do it by making smokes; +or sometimes by sounds that are passed along from one station to +another. It's queer how fast a message can be relayed in that way." + +"Well," remarked Thad, "that's the method used by blacks in Africa; and +they do say they can send news of a battle faster than white men can get +it along by relays of telegraph stations, with breaks where a carrier +has to be used." + +"Are we getting anywhere close to the place you said old Reuben lived +at, Bob?" asked Bumpus, who was showing signs of being tired. + +"Another hour will take us to where we can look across the wonderful +little valley and see the place," Bob answered. "You will all be +surprised, for nobody would ever think so fine a house could be found +among these wild mountains; but as I told you before, Reuben Sparks +seems never to have been molested by the moonshiners. Most people +believe he is a secret partner in the business." + +"Say, would you look yonder, where that road comes around the spur back +of us; to think of seeing a real buggy and a flesh and blood horse, and +back of the animal a gentleman and lady! I'm sure dreaming!" remarked +Giraffe, just then. + +"Not a bit of it you ain't, because I see them myself," added Step Hen, +eagerly. + +"And unless my eyes deceive me, we've met that gentleman before," said +Allan. + +"Yes," remarked Bob, with trembling voice, "it's Reuben Sparks; and that +must be my little cousin, Bertha!" + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +OPENING COMMUNICATIONS. + + +IT was the most natural thing in the world for the detachment of scouts +to come to a halt when they discovered the vehicle coming up in their +rear. In the midst of such wild surroundings it was indeed quite a +surprise to discover anything so civilized. So they lined up on either +side of the road, resting on the stout staves which all of them carried +as a means of assistance in their mountain climbing; just as tourists in +the Alps do when ascending some peak. + +Thad noticed how quickly Bob White pulled his broad-brimmed campaign hat +down over his eyes; and at the same time managed to slip partly behind +one of his companions. It would interfere somewhat with the cherished +plans of the boy, should Reuben Sparks recognize him; and this was a +catastrophe which Bob certainly wished to avoid, if possible. + +The vehicle came on, and apparently the man must be telling his +companion how he had met these young fellows before, for she was looking +ahead with a great deal of interest and curiosity; though hardly +dreaming that her cousin could be among the lads, who were clad in neat +khaki uniforms, with puttees for leggings, and the well-known hats that +distinguish Boy Scouts in every clime under the sun. + +Just as Thad had expected would be the case, Reuben Sparks drew in his +horse as he arrived in the midst of the scouts. Evidently he wanted to +have a few minutes' talk with them; and allow the girl a chance to catch +for herself a fleeting glimpse of that outside world of which she knew +so little. + +"How are you, boys?" remarked the driver of the horse. + +"Pretty fairly, sir," replied Thad, anxious to keep the attention of the +other directed toward himself as much as possible, because of Bob's +desire to remain unnoticed in the background. "We haven't been used to +mountain work; but it's fine exercise, and our muscles are getting in +shape by degrees." + +Thad had before now, of course, flung a look at the girl who was sitting +beside Reuben Sparks. He was more interested because of the fact that he +knew her to be the little Cousin Bertha, of whom Bob White had been +telling him. + +She was a pretty little girl too, Thad could see that; and he also +thought there was a wistful expression on her delicate face. If, as Bob +declared, Bertha was really a prisoner in the care of a cruel guardian, +when her whole soul longed to be away from these wild mountains, and in +the haunts of civilization, that expression would be easily understood. + +And right then and there Thad Brewster found himself siding with his +chum Bob White more than ever. He felt a hope beginning to grow strong +within his heart that some way might be discovered whereby Bertha could +be taken from the Blue Ridge, which country she detested, and +transplanted to that Northern town where lived her own flesh and blood +relatives, who yearned to care for her tenderly, if only the law would +allow. + +Thad saw that Bob was no longer in the same place. The scouts had moved +forward a little, to cluster around the vehicle, while their leader held +conversation with the gentleman. And Bob was gradually making his way +around so as to come on the other side, where he might in some way +attract the attention of the little maid without Reuben seeing him. + +It was plain to be seen that he hoped to seize upon this golden +opportunity to open communications with Bertha. Thad, while he continued +to talk with Reuben, and interest him more or less in the object of a +hike on the part of Boy Scouts, kept one eye in the direction of Bob +White. + +He saw the other take off his campaign hat, and wave it up and down with +a movement that of course attracted the attention of the girl. She +started violently as she saw that well-known face of her cousin, of whom +she had been so fond ever since she was a little tot. + +Wise Bob instantly placed a warning finger on his lips, and the girl +immediately turned her face the other way, while that campaign hat was +drawn further down than ever over the boy's face. So that when Reuben +glanced round, as if wondering what had caused his ward to give such a +violent start, he saw nothing suspicious in the boy who was apparently +bending over, fastening his shoestring. + +Of course Reuben Sparks knew more or less about Boy Scouts, even though +he may never have had the opportunity of meeting any of the great +organization up to this time. No one who had the ability to read the +papers could be without that knowledge. And Thad made it a point to +mention any number of interesting features connected with their work, +that rather opened his eyes, and kept him asking for more information. + +Like many other people, Reuben Sparks had imagined that the movement had +to do with drilling American boys, so that they could become soldiers as +they grew up. He now learned, to his surprise, that there never could be +a greater mistake. Instead of teaching boys to fight, the principles of +the organization tend toward peace. The main thing advanced is to make +boys more manly, self-reliant, courteous, brave, self-sacrificing, +forgetting their own comfort when they can do a good deed, and relieve +distress; take care of themselves when in the woods; and perhaps save +the life of a comrade, should he be wounded by a carelessly used +hatchet; or come near drowning. + +No wonder then that Reuben Sparks found himself intensely interested in +what Thad was telling him. His eyes were being opened to facts that he +had never dreamed could be connected with a simple organization of +growing lads. And many another who has scoffed at the silly idea of +trying to improve upon the breed of American boys, has been staggered +when brought face to face with many wonderful results that have already +sprung from this greatest of all upward movements. + +Thad saw after a bit that his object had been accomplished. Bob White +had not been so busy tying his shoestring as Reuben imagined. On the +contrary he was scribbling something on a scrap of paper, which he held +doubled up in his hand when he worked his way to the rear of the +vehicle. + +Undoubtedly the little missy who sat there so demurely beside Reuben +must have been slily watching his actions. And moreover, she surely +divined what Bob meant to do; for as Thad watched, he saw her left hand, +being the one further away from her guardian, quietly slip back, until +it came within easy touching distance of the scout who had sauntered up +there. + +No doubt impulsive Bob must have pressed that little hand even as he +passed his note into its possession; for as he told Thad, he had always +loved his small cousin like a sister. + +Fearing detection, the boy quickly moved away; and it was fortunate he +did, since Reuben in the midst of his questions glanced suspiciously +around, a minute later. + +There was now no longer any reason for detaining the owner of the +vehicle; and Thad's eagerness in answering questions and giving +information slackened. + +Truth to tell, he was not at all favorably impressed with the looks of +the gentleman. Reuben had keen, rat-like eyes, that seemed to burn a +hole in one when they became focused. There was constant suspicion in +his manner, as though with so many secrets to hide, he had always to be +on guard. And besides, Thad believed that Bob must have struck a true +chord when he declared the other to be cruel and unscrupulous by nature. + +Perhaps he might be plotting to secure the little inheritance left to +the child by her father. It seemed almost beyond belief that any one +could be so mean as to want to injure so sweet looking a little girl as +Bertha; but then, Old Reuben worshipped gold, and when a man becomes a +miser he hesitates at few things in order to add to his stores. + +But however the gentleman might have been interested in learning more +about the ways of Boy Scouts, Thad took particular notice that he did +not invite the hiking Silver Fox Patrol to stop a day or so with him at +his mountain home. + +It might have been just natural meanness that caused this, since eight +healthy young appetites would eat up all in his larder. But then again, +there may have been other reasons for the lack of Southern hospitality. +Possibly Reuben did not care to have inquisitive strangers prowling +about his place. He may have occasional visitors, who brought cargoes +which he would not want other eyes to see. + +The boys fell in shortly after the vehicle had vanished around a bend of +the road ahead; and the march was once more resumed. + +Of course Bob took the earliest opportunity to forge alongside of Thad. +He was feverishly excited, so that his black eyes sparkled, and his +breath came faster than usual. + +"What did you think of him, Thad?" he asked, the first thing. + +"I must say I don't just like his looks;" replied the other; "but your +little cousin is everything you said she was. But Bob, she doesn't look +happy!" + +"You could see that too, could you, suh?" exclaimed the other, gritting +his teeth angrily. "I know he treats her badly. She is thinner in the +cheeks than she was two years ago, though taller some. And Thad, there's +a look in her eyes that hurts me. I'm glad I wrote what I did in that +little note I slipped in her hand. Later on I'm going to tell you about +it. But oh! it looks like there was a slim chance to do anything for +poor little Bertha." + +Thad hardly knew how to console his chum. Boy-like he was ready to +promise anything that lay in his power. + +"Well, there are eight of us, and that's not as bad as being here +alone," he suggested, with a cheering pat of his hand on the other's +shoulder. + +"You'll never know how much comfort I get out of that, Thad," the +Southern boy went on to say, in a broken voice. "You see, I've been +believing for a long time that there must have been something crooked +about the way Reuben Sparks came into possession of Bertha, and her +property. But how to prove it, when my father failed, is what gets me +now. But I'm full of hope; and what you keep saying gives me a heap of +solid comfort. I'm going to try and learn the truth while I'm down here; +and take her away from that man, if it can be done. I'm only a boy, and +he's a cold scheming man; but all the same, Thad, something inside here +seems to tell me my visit to the Old Blue Ridge isn't going to be +useless." + +Bob White seemed to be sensibly encouraged after his little chat with +the patrol leader; for when he dropped back among the rest of the scouts +he had allowed a winning smile to creep over his dark, proud, handsome +face. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +THE VOICE OF THE SILVER FOX PATROL. + + +"WE'RE going to pitch our camp right here, boys!" said the scout leader, +some time later; "and remember, there's to be no shouting from this time +on. We're in the enemy's country, and must observe the rules of +caution." + +"Oh! ain't I glad though," sighed Bumpus, who had been busily engaged +between wiping his perspiring brow, and avoiding stumbles over obstacles +that seemed to take particular delight in getting in his way, he +thought. + +"But I hope you're not going so far, Thad, as to keep us from having our +regular camp-fire?" remarked Giraffe. "Without that, it'd be a sad +business, I'm thinking. And what's supper, without a cup of coffee?" + +Thad had been talking again with Bob White; and evidently the boy who +was acquainted with the locality must have posted the patrol leader +regarding things. + +"Oh! we don't expect to do without that, make your mind easy, Number +Six," he replied, with a laugh, knowing what a weakness Giraffe had in +the line of eating; though it seemed to do him little good, since he was +as "thin as a rail," plump little Bumpus used to declare. + +With various exclamations of satisfaction the weary boys tossed their +burdens aside, and followed by throwing themselves on the ground. After +a short rest, of course preparations for passing the night would be in +order; but a little breathing spell, first of all, was in order. + +Thad walked away, in company with Allan and Bob White. + +"Now, what in the wide world d'ye think they're going to do?" demanded +Step Hen, when the three had vanished from sight among the brush that +lay around. + +"There you go," broke out Bumpus, "as curious as any old maid in all +Cranford, always wantin' to know the reason why. A pretty scout you'll +make, Step Hen; and it'll be a long time before you win any medals, or +pass an exam, for the proud position of a first-class scout. But I +wonder what they _do_ mean to do?" + +The others laughed at this. + +"After this, Bumpus, take the mote out of your own eye before you try +and get a fence rail from mine. But they're up to some dodge, take it +from me. And it'll be mean if they don't let us into the deal, sooner +or later," and Step Hen shook his head dismally as he spoke; for he was +most unhappy when he believed there was anything going on without his +being told all about it. + +"Great country this," remarked Smithy, lying there on his back, and +looking up at the lofty peaks that were bathed in the glow of the +setting sun. "About as wild as anything I ever saw. Don't surprise me to +know that the men who were born and brought up here can defy the clumsy +officers of the Government, when they attempt to capture them. In my +humble opinion they'll just keep on making that moonshine stuff here in +the Big Smokies until the year three thousand, if the Washington people +hold that big tax on the real brand, so as to make it worth while." + +"It sure is some ragged," remarked Davy Jones, yawning; for Davy did not +happen to be possessed of a soul that could admire the grandeur of any +rough scenery; and only thought what a nuisance it was to have to do so +much climbing all the while. + +"Hold on there, Step Hen," exclaimed Giraffe, as the other started to +collect a handful of small sticks; "don't you dare think of starting +that fire. That's my particular job; the patrol leader gave it over to +me, you understand." + +"Just to keep you good," sneered Step Hen, throwing the sticks down +again. "You keep on itching to make fires so much, that he just had to +bribe you to let up, or some day you'd set the river afire." + +"Huh! no danger of you ever doing that, I guess," chuckled Giraffe. + +All the same, he got up, and began to gather small tinder on his own +account. + +"Mind you," he observed a minute later, as though half regretting his +action in squelching Step Hen so soon; "if anybody feels like lending a +hand to gather fuel, why there ain't nothin' against _that_; and we'll +have that bully old coffee all the sooner, you understand." + +This sort of subtle persuasion seemed to at least stir Davy Jones into +life, for getting slowly to his feet, he began to collect larger wood, +and throw it down close to where the energetic fire-builder was starting +to make his blaze. + +Giraffe was a real fire worshipper. He dreamed of his pet hobby; and +many times could be seen, apparently idly whittling a stick; when, if +asked what he was doing, his reply would invariably be: + +"Well, we might want to start a fire some time or other; and then these +shavings'd come in handy, you see." + +On several notable occasions this weakness of Giraffe's had managed to +get him into more or less trouble; and the sagacious scout leader +finally had to take him to task. So on this mountain hike it had been +agreed between them that Giraffe would refrain from attempting his +favorite role of making miscellaneous fires at odd times, if allowed to +build all the camp-fires of the trip. + +And so far he had really kept his word, though there were times when the +temptation nearly overcame his scruples. + +When Thad and the other two came back, darkness had settled over the +scene. This came all the sooner on account of the high walls that shut +them in on either side; though just beyond the boys believed there must +be some sort of an open spot, in the way of a valley. + +"I'm glad to see that you made a fine fireplace for cooking, Number +Six," remarked the patrol leader, as he looked around; "because we may +spend a day or so right here, resting up a bit. Now, while supper is +getting underway I'm going to tell you a few things that are apt to +interest you some. They concern our comrade Bob White here, and he's +given me full permission to say what I'm going to." + +"There, Step Hen, what did I tell you?" cried Bumpus, gleefully. "Next +time just get a throttle grip on that bump of curiosity of yours." + +"I've heard my maw say people that live in glass houses hadn't ought to +heave any stones," retorted the other, witheringly. + +But the boys quickly forgot all their differences, once Thad started to +tell of the strange things which he had heard from Bob White. + +There was an intaking of the breath, such as would indicate great +excitement, as they learned how Bob's father had been connected with the +raids on the secret Stills of the mountain moonshiners. And when finally +they heard how he had met so terrible a fate, while pursuing his sworn +duty by the Government, glances of true brotherly sympathy were cast in +the direction of Bob. + +"Now," said Thad, in conclusion; "you've heard about all there is to +tell; and I know you're tremendously astonished, because none of us had +any idea that we were going to run up against such a thing as this when +we asked Bob to let us go with him to his old home here among the Blue +Ridge Mountains. But what is important to know, is your decision. +Majority rules in everything of this kind; and if more than half of you +think we ought to turn right back, and not keep on, why, there's nothing +to be done but turn about, and go over the trail again." + +"Well, not much!" exclaimed Giraffe, filled with a spirit of boyish +comradeship toward the chum who had been so sorely afflicted, and whose +sad story was now discovered for the first time. + +"Put it up to a vote, Thad!" remarked Bumpus, trying to look grim and +determined, though his round face was usually so merry that it was a +hard proposition for him to seem serious. + +"All in favor of returning to-morrow say aye," Thad suggested. + +Just as he expected, there was absolute silence. + +"All in favor of sticking to our chum through thick and thin, and doing +all we can to help him over the rough places, say aye!" the leader +continued. + +A chorus of eager assents drowned his words. Bob White's fine dark eyes +filled up with tears. He could not trust himself to speak; but the look +he gave each and every one of those seven loyal comrades was more +eloquent than any words could have been. + +"After we've had supper," Thad went on warmly, "Bob means to go to keep +his appointment with his little cousin, who expects to slip out of the +house, and meet him where he wrote her he would be at a certain hour. +There's the queerest valley you ever saw just ahead of us. Across it you +can see the lights of Reuben Sparks' house, and several others that lie +there in a bunch, a sort of hamlet, because it's hardly a village. And +Bob says that Reuben really owns about the whole place. He can get over +there in an hour or so, because he knows the ground so well. And while +he's gone, we can take it easy here, making up our beds for the night; +if so be there are any bushes to be cut, worth sleeping on." + +"Hey, would you see how fine a fire-tender that Giraffe is; it's gone +clean out, that's what?" cried Step Hen, just then. + +"Well, would you blame him, when he was listening to such an interesting +story as the one I had to tell?" asked Thad. "Get busy, Number Six, and +have a blaze going in quick time." + +"Ay, ay, sir," sang out Giraffe, who had wisely laid aside a surplus +supply of fine stuff when making the fire, which now came in very handy. + +And when the coffee was finally done, and they gathered around, sitting +on rocks, logs, or even cross-legged, tailor-fashion, on the ground, the +eight scouts made a very fine picture in their uniforms. + +Apparently their appetites had been sharpened by that afternoon jaunt, +judging from the way they pitched in. And perhaps, after all, Reuben +Sparks had been a wise as well as prudent man when he failed to invite +this squad of lads to stop over with him; for they would have made a sad +inroad on the contents of his larder; and food costs money. + +"Where's Bob?" demanded Bumpus, suddenly, after they had been about half +an hour trying to lighten their supplies, and with wonderfully good +success. "He was sitting over yonder only three minutes ago; and now +he's gone. Reckon that bad spirit of yours is sneakin' around again, +Step Hen, and must a took Bob by mistake; though I pity his eyes if he'd +ever think so good lookin' a feller as Bob could be you!" + +"Bob's gone to keep his appointment," remarked Thad, quietly. + +And the boys said nothing more about it, knowing that the Southern lad +laid considerable store upon this meeting with his little cousin Bertha; +whom he expected to coax in to helping him try and see whether sly old +Reuben Sparks might not have forgotten to destroy all evidence of fraud, +in connection with his dealings with her father, the uncle of Bob. + +So the conversation drifted to other topics; and soon they were laughing +over some of the queer happenings in the past history of the Silver Fox +Patrol. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +WHAT WAS UNDER THE HAT. + + +THE flames crackled merrily, and the seven boys who lounged there in as +comfortable attitudes as they could strike, were fully enjoying +themselves. This sort of outdoor life seemed to appeal very strongly to +all of them, though of course to some more than others. + +It had always been a passion with Thad, for instance; and Allan could +look back to scores of occasions when he sat by a camp-fire; because he +was a Maine boy, and as such had spent considerable time in the piney +woods of his native State, hunting, fishing, and living close to +Nature's heart. + +While they could not indulge in any of their songs, according to the +regulations that had been put in force by the patrol leader, this did +not prevent the boys from enjoying sundry good laughs when comical +stories were told. + +"Reckon Bob's been gone more'n an hour now," remarked Step Hen, who had +been more thrilled by the story of the Government agent's sad fate than +any of the others; because Step Hen had always been a great reader of +tales of daring and adventure, and often pictured himself playing the +role of a hero, with the admiring crowd cheering him to the echo, and +wanting to carry him around on their shoulders. + +"Yes, and pretty soon Allan will be going out to communicate with him, +because, you know they arranged a series of signals by means of the +lantern, and burning matches that Bob'll hold up. But don't talk too +loud about that same matter, Step Hen; because, you understand, we're +close by the road; and somebody might be coming along at the time. +Remember that man we saw sitting on the rock with his gun between his +knees? Well, I guess there are a considerable number of others just like +him around these diggings; and by now they all know we're in the +mountains, bent on some errand they can't understand." + +Of course it was Thad himself who said all this. He knew the failing +Step Hen had of shouting everything out loud; and Thad really believed +they would be wise to carry on their conversation in tones that could +not be heard very far away. + +It turned out later that he was wiser than he dreamed, when he gave Step +Hen this little hint. + +They had started Bumpus telling how an angry bull had once chased him +around a tree on his uncle's farm, and the boys were laughing at his +comical description of the scene at the time when the pursuit was +hottest, and he could have caught hold of the animal's tail had he +wanted, when a dismal wail arose. + +"Well, did you ever, if that ain't Step Hen putting up his regular +howl!" exclaimed Giraffe, indignantly. + +"And just when Bumpus here had got to the most exciting point in his +yarn," added the disgusted Davy Jones. + +"Whatever are you looking for now, you poor silly thing?" demanded the +story-teller, who himself disliked very much to have his thrilling tale +interrupted in this manner. + +"I can't find my hat, and that's what?" declared the scout whose +besetting sin was carelessness; "Had it on only a little while ago, but +now it's sure gone up the flue." + +Step Hen twisted his neck as he spoke, and looked up into the branches +of the tree under which they had built their camp-fire; just as though +he really suspected that a giant hand had been lowered from the foliage, +to clutch his campaign hat from his head, and vanish with it. + +Things that Step Hen owned were always in great demand among these +mysterious spirits of the air; since nothing belonging to his chums +seemed ever to disappear. + +"Oh! sit down, and let Bumpus finish his story," growled Giraffe. +"What's an old hat after all, to kick up such a row over it? Ten to one +now you've stowed it away in one of your pockets. I've known you to do +that more'n a few times." + +"'Tain't so, because I've tried every pocket I've got, and never found a +thing. P'raps, now, one of you fellers happened to see it lying around, +and put it on, of course by mistake, thinkin' it his own. Anybody got +two hats on?" + +"You make me tired, sure you do, Step Hen," Giraffe continued. "We know +what he is, boys, and that none of us will get any peace till his old +hat turns up. Might as well get out, and find it for the poor baby. If I +lost things as much as Step Hen does, I'd just get some twine, and tie +everything on, good and tight. Then if I missed my hat all I'd have to +do would be to pull in a certain string, and there she'd be, all slick +and sound." + +While he was speaking Giraffe arose to his feet, but not without making +sundry wry faces; for he had been sitting a whole hour in a cramped +position, and his muscles were moreover tired from the day's jaunt. + +"Now watch me find your old hat before you can say Jack Robinson fifty +times," he boasted, as he started to hustle about. + +Step Hen seemed quite willing that he should carry out his word, for he +himself made no further move looking to hunting for the missing +head-gear. + +Suddenly they heard Giraffe give a queer little grunt, that seemed to +contain a mixture of satisfaction and disdain. He darted into the +adjoining bushes. + +"Here she is!" he called out, "and alyin' in the shadows, as cute as you +please. Use your eyes next time, Step Hen, and p'raps--oh! great +governor!" + +Giraffe came jumping back into the circle of light cast by the +camp-fire. He certainly did have a hat clutched in his hand, at which he +was staring in the oddest way imaginable. + +The others had gained their feet, drawn by some motive that possibly +they themselves did not half understand; but it had seemed to Thad as +though there was a note of sudden alarm in Giraffe's cry; and the others +may have thought the same thing. + +Step Hen, believing himself to be entitled to the recovery of his +individual property, hustled forward, and deliberately took the hat +from the hand of his comrade. + +"Much obliged, Giraffe, on account of going to all that trouble for me," +he said, sweetly, so as to impress the other, and cause him to repeat +the favor at some future time. "But it's mighty queer how my hat ever +got over in that clump of bushes. Give you my word for it, I ain't +stepped that way since we struck here; afraid of snakes, you know, +fellers. Goes to prove what I told you about _something_ hoverin' +around, that we just can't see, and which grabs things belongin' to me +every--say, Giraffe, what sort of a joke are you playin' on me now; this +ain't my hat!" + +"I--know--it--ain't!" gasped the tall scout, who seemed to have some +difficulty in regaining his breath. + +"It's an old and worn-out thing in the bargain; and see here, it ain't +even regulation campaign, because it's off color. There ain't no cord +around it either; and my hat's got my badge fastened to it, to tell it +from the rest when they get mixed. Where'd you get this old thing, +anyhow, Giraffe?" + +By now the other had recovered from the shock which he seemed to have +received. He was even eager to tell his version of the affair, as his +comrades clustered around him. + +"I saw the hat when I told you I did," he began, in an awed voice; "and +all the time I was aspeakin' I kept pushin' my way into the brush, +intendin' to snatch up the same, and throw it out to Step Hen here. The +reason I cut short was because, when I grabbed the hat by the rim, and +gave a jerk, _I felt a head under it_!" + +Bumpus immediately caught hold of the arm of the scoutmaster. It was not +because he was afraid, though Bumpus had often been reckoned a bit +timid; but the action appeared to inspire him with confidence. He knew +that Thad would be equal to the emergency. And in times of stress it +feels good to be in close touch with one who is going to save the day. + +Thad understood without being told, what it all meant. Some spy had been +secretly observing the movements of the scouts, hidden in that bunch of +brushwood; and when his hat caught the eager eye of Giraffe, the latter +had supposed of course that it was the missing head-gear. + +They looked blankly at each other, Thad, Allan and the other five. Then, +as if unconsciously, and by mutual consent, they turned their gaze in +the direction of the thicket from which Step Hen had just emerged, +bearing the tell-tale stranger hat in his hand. + +Perhaps they expected to see some one rushing away in hot haste, so as +not to be caught napping by these young fellows wearing the uniform in +use by United States regulars. + +But nothing seemed to be moving there; at least they caught no sound to +indicate that the spy was in full flight at that moment. + +Thad reached out, and took the hat from the trembling hand of Step Hen; +who heaved a sigh of relief upon feeling it leave his clutch; as though +a spell might have been broken by the act. + +One look told the patrol leader that in all probability the hat belonged +to a mountaineer. It was indeed old, and had an unusually wide brim. +Being somewhat of the same color as those worn by the scouts, in the +semi-darkness it was no wonder Giraffe had made the mistake he did, and +reached out for it, under the belief that he had found the missing +head-gear of the careless comrade. + +Of course he realized his astonishing mistake the instant his fingers +came in contact with a human head that had been held low down, in the +expectation that the spying owner might remain undiscovered. + +Thad knew that they were apt to see more of the one to whom that article +belonged. Sometimes these mountaineers think a good deal of the hats +they wear; at least Thad knew they clung to them a pretty long time, if +the greasy appearance of some he had seen might be taken for an index to +the affection they entertained for the felt that sheltered their heads +from the summer sun, and the wintry blasts. + +"Well, Giraffe, you certainly made a big mistake when you took this hat +for the one our chum had lost," remarked Thad, in a loud, clear voice, +which he hoped would reach the ears of the one in hiding, and bring him +forth; "and you owe some sort of an apology to the owner." + +"But how in the wide world c'n I tell whose hat it is, Thad?" +expostulated the tall and lanky scout. + +"Thet's all right, younker," said a gruff voice, "I'm the critter as +owns thet ere hat; Phin Dady's my name. Reckon ye've heard o' me," and +with the words a man stalked into the camp. + +He was tall and straight, and carried a long repeating rifle. More than +that, he had a small face, and piercing eyes like those of a badger. And +every scout felt a thrill as he realized that he was face to face with +the notorious moonshiner, Phin Dady, whom the whole United States +Government had tried for years in vain to capture. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +AN HONORED GUEST. + + +THE boys looked at the moonshiner, who returned their stares with +interest. He seemed utterly indifferent as to whether they chose to +receive him either as a friend or a foe. From this Thad was almost +certain that there must be other fierce mountaineers close by, ready to +back up their chief, should he provoke a quarrel with the strange boys +in uniform. + +That fact meant serious trouble for the scouts, if it happened to come +to pass. Thad knew that these lawless men of the mountains, who snap +their fingers at the authority of the courts, and feel safe in the +security of their secret fastnesses, deep in the unknown regions back of +the trodden trails, think very little of human life. They are usually +engaged in some vendetta between rival factions, or families, and blood +is frequently shed. + +Understanding how thin was the ice upon which he and his comrades were +skating, the patrol leader felt that he could not be too careful how he +provoked this man of strong passions to violence. + +A little to his surprise Phin Dady wheeled, and faced him directly. But +then the mountaineer was gifted with a sharp vision, and he could +readily guess which one of the scouts served in the capacity of leader. +Perhaps there was that in the manner of Thad to tell him this fact. Or +he might have been watching and listening long enough to see how the +others all deferred to Thad's judgment. + +"I gut yer letter O. K.," he said, simply. + +Thad's anxious face brightened up instantly; he saw that for the time +being the other meant to put aside his hostility. Curiosity had +supplanted enmity. He wanted to learn more about what that term "Boy +Scouts," used in the message left in the cleft of the stick, might mean. + +"And I hope you read what we wrote, Phin Dady?" the boy asked, eagerly. + +A whimsical smile flashed athwart the thin face of the mountaineer. + +"As fur me, I ain't much o' a hand ter read, any more'n I am ter write; +but thar chanced ter be a feller along as hed sum schoolin'; an' him an' +me, we managed ter figger it out. Thort as how I'd like ter run up agin +ye all, an' larn wat all this hyar bizness consarnin' Boy Scouts be. +Heerd tell 'bout sich, but never cud find anythin' but a cold trail. So +I kim over ter see ye; an' p'raps now ye'd open up an' 'xplain." + +"I'll be only too glad to do that, if you'll take a seat at our +camp-fire here for a little while, Phin Dady," Thad remarked, making a +movement with his hand to indicate where the other could find a +comfortable spot to rest. + +The man looked closely at the speaker; then turned his head, and +deliberately made a motion with his hand, that must have been intended +for some concealed confederate. After which he stepped over, and took a +seat, but not the one Thad had indicated as the post of honor. + +"Reckon I'll sit hyar, ef so be it's all ther same ter you-uns," he +said, as he dropped down, and swung his rifle across his knees. "Yuh +see, I likes ter look at everybody w'en I gets ter talkin'. It's more +sociable like." + +But Thad knew better. The gleam in those beady eyes told him what the +true meaning of this action must be. When a man has been hunted, in and +out of season, for the better part of his long life, he naturally become +most suspicious of every stranger, young and old. Many had been the +shrewd games engineered by the revenue men to catch this old weasel +asleep. He trusted no one all the way, even his best friends, who might +be tempted to betray him because of the reward that was offered for his +capture. + +But although Thad had guessed just why the other chose the seat he had +taken, it would have been most unwise on his part to have shown any +resentment; or even to let Phin Dady know that he understood. + +"You see," Thad began, simply, "we were warned to be careful before we +left Asheville, because people said that the fact of our wearing +uniforms might make the mountain folks think we had something to do with +the army. I was explaining all about what the Boy Scouts represent to +Mr. Reuben Sparks only a short time ago, and he was greatly interested. +If you'll listen, then, I'll go back, and tell what we aim to do; and +why we have left our homes to take a long hike through a mountainous +region, for up where we live we have no such big hills as these." + +So Thad began, and told in as simple language as he could find just what +objects were kept in mind among all troops of Boy Scouts, whether in +America, England, Australia, South Africa, Germany, France or any other +country on the face of the globe. + +Fortunately Thad was a good talker. He knew how to make use of a whole +lot of little things in order to arouse the interest of the one who was +listening; and he certainly had a subject worthy of his best efforts in +this explanation of what the Boy Scout movement stood for. + +And the mountain man was deeply interested too. He proved this by the +way he hung upon the words of the boy. Now and then his suspicious +nature would show itself in a cautious look around, as though he wanted +to make sure that no shrewd game were being engineered, while the +speaker kept his attention engaged. + +Several times he broke in on Thad to ask questions. He could not get it +through his head, for instance, why boys any more than men, should set +about doing all the work that scouts attempt, without pay. In this +region of the hookworm, where men never dream of working until driven to +it by actual hunger, they think others must be crazy to voluntarily take +upon themselves huge tasks that try both brain and muscle. + +"But sure the Gov'ment pays yuh!" he said three separate times, as +though he felt positive there must be some secret connection between the +Boy Scout movement, and the authorities at Washington; else why should +they be wearing the uniform he and his fellow-moonshiners had come to +look on as the mark of the oppressor; for several times the army had +been called into the field to hunt down the elusive law breakers, who +simply vanished utterly from view, and remained in hiding until the raid +was over. + +"Not one cent do we get from anybody," Thad assured him, positively. +"Why, even our uniforms have to be bought with money we've each one +earned. We're not allowed to accept them as a gift from any man, or any +source. So you see, we're under no obligations to anybody." + +Again Phin Dady asked a series of questions which would indicate that he +was at least interested in all Thad told him, though possibly he +believed only a small part of the whole. + +When Thad repeated to him the twelve cardinal features of a Boy Scout's +vow, taken when he joined a troop, Phin shook his head helplessly, as +though it were beyond his power of understanding. Indeed, that was where +the trouble lay; he possessed so shallow a nature that he was utterly +unable to grasp the full significance of the scheme. There must be some +sort of recompense, in dollars and cents, to make it worth while for any +person to do things that called for labor. And that was why he +continued to keep his weapon across his knees as he sat and listened, +and asked an occasional question. Phin Dady was not going to be lulled +to sleep by any interesting yarn that sounded very "fishy" in his ears. + +Of course, the other scouts had discreetly remained silent while all +this was going on. They were content to let Thad do the talking, for +none of them could equal the patrol leader in explaining what the +benefits were, which boys might expect to obtain when they joined a +scout patrol. + +Several of them just sat there, and stared in open-mouthed wonder at the +man, of whom they had heard more or less lately, and whose defiance of +the authorities had been a matter of many years' standing. + +Phin Dady might boast of no education whatever; and his knowledge of the +world, outside the confines of the Big Smokies, was doubtless extremely +limited; but he did possess what served him far better in the warfare in +which he was continually engaged with revenue agents--a natural +shrewdness such as the wily fox of the forest shows, and by means of +which he outwits his pursuers. + +"An' yuh kim 'way down this away jest tuh climb the mountings, an' see +wot yuh cud do acampin' out without ary tents er blankets, did yuh?" the +mountaineer went on, surveying the boyish faces that formed a half +circle around him. "Wall, I jest reckons ye'll know a heap more by ther +time ye gits back ter yer homes'n yuh did w'en yuh started out." + +He chuckled as he said that. Thad wondered whether there could be any +hidden meaning back of the words. When dealing with such a slippery +customer as this hunted moonshiner, it was always necessary to keep on +the watch. The man who always suspected others of double dealing might +be in the same class himself. + +"Oh! we're quite sure of that," said the patrol leader, with a pleasant +smile. "Already those among us who had never climbed a mountain slope +before, have had their leg muscles stiffened, and can do better work +than in the start. We expect to have a pretty good time all around. And +we wrote you that message, Phin Dady, because we believed you were +ordering us out of these mountains under a mistake that we meant to do +you, or some of your friends, harm. We want you to feel that we never +dreamed of that when we started in here." + +"Then I hopes as how yuh beant changin' o' yer minds sence yuh kim," +remarked the moonshiner, just as though he knew what the subject of +their recent conversations might have been. + +Before Thad could decide just what sort of an answer he ought to make, +if any at all, the manner of the other changed as if by magic. His face +took on a fierce expression, and he looked along the row of boyish +faces by which he was confronted, as though one of them had done +something to arouse his hot anger. + +The click of the hammer of his gun could be heard as his thumb drew it +back; and the scouts shrank away in dismay when they saw the flame in +his small eyes. + +"Quick! tell me you'uns, whar be the other one? Thar was sure eight w'en +we counted yuh from the side o' the mounting. An' it mout pay yuh ter +'member thet Ole Phin, he beant the man ter fool with. Eight thar was; +whar be the other right now?" + +And Thad realized that the ice was indeed getting desperately thin under +their feet at that particular moment. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +BAITING OLD PHIN, THE MOONSHINER. + + +THAD himself managed to retain his self-possession under these trying +conditions. What he believed he had to fear most of all, was that one of +his chums might give the secret away by some ill-advised remark, uttered +under the spur of the moment. He knew that they must have shrunk back, +appalled, when the moonshiner made such a threatening move, accompanying +his fierce words. But for the life of him Thad could not tear his eyes +away from the face of the man himself. + +It was just as well. Phin Dady looked to Thad, as the leader of the +scouts, for an answer to his demand. Had the boy shown any evidences of +confusion or weakening just then, it might have confirmed the sudden +ugly suspicions that had flashed into the other's mind, and just when he +was growing more or less interested in the wonderful stories he had been +listening to concerning the aims and ambitions of these uniformed lads. + +"There are eight of us, just as you say," Thad remarked, trying to look +surprised at the change of front on the part of his caller; "but the +other one, White his name is, has gone to see Reuben Sparks on business. +We expect him back inside of an hour or so. If you'd care to wait you +can meet him." + +His air was so candid, and his face so free from guile that the +moonshiner could find no further cause for suspicion. Besides, had he +not heard in the beginning that the scouts had already made the +acquaintance of Reuben Sparks; who, like himself had displayed more or +less interest in their aims and ambitions. + +Phin Dady even began to feel a little ashamed of his sudden threatening +attitude. The fierce look on his thin face, that with his gleaming +wolfish eyes, had made him appear so savage, gradually vanished. It +gave way to a rather stupid grin; as though the man realized how silly +it was of him to suspect that these half-grown boys could do injury to +one who for years had defied all the forces of the United States +Government. + +"So, thet's it, younker, is it?" he said; "wall, I'm right glad ye c'd +'xplain ther thing right off'n the reel. Course Mister Sparks, he's +int'rested in byes, even ef he beant the father o' any hisself. An' he +'vited yer pal over ter see him, did he, so's ter tell him a heap more?" + +"He was very much taken with the idea, and showed it by asking a great +many questions," Thad went on; trying to keep within the lines of the +truth, and yet allow the other to draw his own conclusions, to the +effect that Reuben had given one of the patrol a pressing invitation to +call upon him, and continue the interesting recital of the Boy Scouts' +ambitions. + +"Yuh war sayin' right now, thet these hyar byes hain't never 'xpectin' +ter be sojers; an' thet they don't kerry arms; air thet a fack?" + +When the mountaineer made this remark he was looking straight toward the +tree, against which rested the shotgun. Evidently he was a little in +doubt concerning the truth of what the patrol leader had said; or it may +have been, wise Old Phin was desirous of learning just what he and his +followers would have to go up against if ever they attacked the camp of +the invaders. + +Thad laughed good-naturedly. + +"That's the only firearm in camp, just at present," he declared. "It +belongs to me, you see. We knew there would be little or no hunting on +this trip, as the season for protection in North Carolina is on. But not +wanting to be without some sort of arms, it was decided to carry just +one shotgun. Later on we expect to spend some time up in Maine; and then +it'll be all right for us to carry rifles for big game shooting. One of +our members comes from Maine, and knows all about it up in that region." + +Thad talked at length, because he saw that somehow the sound of his +voice seemed to have a soothing effect on the rough mountaineer. +Evidently Phin Dady had taken more or less of a fancy to the leader of +the scouts. He had known many boys in his day, and perhaps had one or +two of his own; but they were like bear cubs in comparison with this +frank-faced youth, with the winning smile, and a whole dictionary of +words at the tip of his tongue. + +By now the balance of the boys had managed to recover from their fright. +They even began to show an interest in the conversation, though not +venturing to say a word unless Thad appealed directly to one of them; as +he did occasionally, to corroborate something he had declared. + +It was a scene they would none of them be apt to forget in a long +time--this untamed old mountaineer sitting there by their camp-fire, +asking questions in connection with a subject that had aroused his +keenest curiosity; while they lounged around, listening, and drinking in +what was said. + +Would he never go? Had he then determined to wait for the return of the +eighth scout? Perhaps he suspected already the identity of Bob Quail. +This was a matter that gave Thad considerable concern, for it meant +immediate trouble for their comrade; since the moonshiner might have his +old-time enmity for the Quail family revived, under the impression that +Bob's coming meant danger for himself. + +Once Allan arose, and stepped outside the circle of firelight. The +mountaineer eyed him with just a trifle of the old suspicion apparently +rising again; for Thad could see a nervous twitch to the brown hands +that caressed the stock of the repeating rifle. + +But if this were so, Phin Dady must have realized that he could have +little or nothing to fear from one stripling of that species; for he +immediately relapsed into his former careless attitude. + +Thad could give a pretty good guess what it was that caused Allan to +walk beyond the camp toward the place from which they had earlier in the +evening watched the lights appear in the home of Reuben Sparks, as well +as the few more humble cabins across the little valley. + +Before Bob went away he had arranged a series of flash signals, by means +of which he could communicate with his comrades of the patrol. They +would not have been true Boy Scouts if they had not before now learned +how to wigwag with flags, or lanterns, as well as use a looking-glass in +the sun in heliograph telegraphy. + +And so Allan, desirous of ascertaining whether all went well with the +absent chum, was now starting out, lantern in hand, to learn whether he +could get in communication with Bob. + +Possibly some of Phin's followers might be in hiding close by, and +witness these maneuvers with astonishment, not unmixed with suspicion. +Thad concluded that it would be best to take the bull by the horns. If +he confided in Old Phin, the other was apt to discount the news when +told by his men. + +"You remember that I told you," he remarked, "how Boy Scouts are taught +to send messages by waving flags, just as they do in real armies; and at +night time by means of lighted lanterns. Well, we never lose a chance to +practice; and the boy you saw go out just now arranged to talk with the +one who is across the valley." + +"Huh!" grunted the mountaineer; and from that Thad concluded that he had +allayed any suspicions that may have arisen in his mind. + +"If you'd care to see how it's done, why, we can walk out, and watch the +scout who has the lantern?" the patrol leader went on to say; though +secretly hoping Old Phin might not evince enough interest to disturb +himself. + +Sometimes a bold move serves better than extreme caution. It seemed so +in this case, at least, for the moonshiner, after making a slight move, +as though to get up, appeared to think better of it, for he settled back +again. + +"I kin understand jest 'bout how it air dun, younker," he said. "Now +tell me some more 'bout how yuh larn thet thar thing o' savin' a pal +thet's been nigh drownded, or else cut a artery in his leg with a ax. I +reckon now, that's 'bout the neatest trick I done ever heard on." + +Being brim full of the subject, which always appealed to him more than +he could tell, the young patrol leader immediately launched out into a +description of the matters that seemed to have deeply interested even +this rough old mountaineer. + +Then he went a step further, and told how the scouts entered into the +most amusing, as well as profitable, competitions among themselves. He +described a water boiling test, where those in competition are given +just three matches, and with an empty tin pail in hand, start at a +signal to see which one can build his fire, fill his tin vessel at least +two-thirds full of water, and have this actually boiling. + +Perhaps that old moonshiner never spent a more interesting hour or so +than by the camp-fire of the Boy Scouts; at any rate he certainly could +not look back to one that must have been more profitable to him in every +way. + +Finally he arose as if to go; and about the same time Allan returned, +with the lighted lantern in his hand. + +"Did yuh git him?" asked Old Phin, with some show of eagerness. + +"Yes, we held quite a little talk, and I guess he must have used up a +handful of matches telling me what a pleasant time he had. Right now +he's on his way to camp, and ought to get here inside of an hour." + +Allan said this as though there could not be anything to conceal. He +took a leaf from the example set by Thad. The latter knew that in all +probability there had been more to the wigwag talk than Allan chose to +state; but he was willing to wait until a more propitious time to hear +it. + +Taken in all, he believed they had come through the operation of baiting +Phin Dady much better than any one could have expected. The old man was +interested in what he had heard; and only for the fact that he bore a +deadly hatred for the family of young Bob Quail, they would have little +to fear from the king of the moonshiners, whose influence among the +other mountaineers was such that he could easily sway them one way or +the other at will. + +Thad caught a wink when he looked into the face of the Maine boy. It +told him that Allan had news to tell, which Bob had sent on ahead, +knowing how anxious his chums would be to hear whether he had met with +any measure of success or not in his undertaking. + +When Thad turned around again he found that Old Phin had slipped away, +taking advantage of their attention being directed for a minute toward +the scout who had just come into camp with the lantern swinging at his +side. + +And Thad heaved a sigh of genuine relief when he found that this was so. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +THE RETURN OF THE EIGHTH SCOUT. + + +"HE'S gone!" exclaimed Bumpus; and it would have been hard to tell +whether relief or regret lay back of his words; for some of the boys, +forgetting the peril that might hang over the head of Bob White, did the +moonshiner know of his presence, and his mission to the Blue Ridge, only +considered the entertainment afforded by having Old Phin at their fire. + +"And I guess the old feller's got enough information in his head to last +him a long spell," remarked Giraffe. + +"Say, p'raps he's seriously considerin' starting a troop of Boy Scouts +here in the Blue Ridge country," suggested Step Hen, who sometimes did +have brilliant ideas flash through his brain. + +There was considerable of a laugh at this proposition, which struck the +boys as about as absurd as anything they had heard for a long time. + +"Wonder how our real scoutmaster, Dr. Philander Hobbs'd like to take the +job?" chuckled Davy Jones. "He thought he had trouble enough on his +hands when he ran up against a few hard cases, like Giraffe and Step Hen +here; but they'd be just pie alongside the strappin' mountain kids we've +seen." + +"Well," remarked Thad, "you never can tell what might happen. Even those +boys have got something in them that can be brought out, if only one +knows how to go about it. Don't you forget, fellows, that some of the +greatest men this country has ever known, were born among the mountains. +And right now there may be a future president of the United States +within ten miles of where we sit." + +"Hear! hear!" cried Step Hen, pretending to clap his hands in applause. + +"Huh! nearer than that, mebbe," declared Bumpus, mysteriously swelling +out his chest and looking every inch the hero; "how would the name of +Cornelius Jasper Hawtree sound to you? We've never had a President +Hawtree; but that ain't no reason we never will, is it? Tell me that." + +"Give it up," sang out Davy Jones. + +"Anyhow, it'd sound more distinguished than plain Jones," retorted +Bumpus. + +"My name isn't Plain Jones, it's David Alexander Constantine Josephus, +and a few more that, to tell the honest truth; I've forgot," the other +went on. + +Thad and Allan drew apart from all this mimic warfare, in which the +fun-loving scouts liked to indulge from time to time. + +"Then you did talk with Bob?" asked the former, with some show of +eagerness in his voice. + +"Yes," replied Allan, "it was great fun too. Waited a little while +before I could get the first answer to all my waving; but in the end I +saw a flash, like a match had been struck, and then we got in touch." + +"What did Bob have to tell?" asked the patrol leader. + +"He met his little cousin, all right, just as they had arranged," Allan +went on to say. "And she must have told him something that has made our +chum wild with delight, for he says the trip paid him twenty times over. +Just what it was he didn't try to tell me, saying it would have to keep +till he got to camp." + +"Well, we can give a pretty good guess what it must be," Thad observed. + +"You mean that Bertha has looked, and made a discovery among the papers +in her guardian's safe; is that it, Thad?" + +"Just about; but we'll have to quit guessing, and just wait till he +comes in," said the scoutmaster, who knew just how to take a grip upon +himself, and appear patient, where some of the other boys would have +fretted, and worried greatly. + +"He oughtn't to be more'n an hour, at the most," suggested Allan. + +"Not unless something happens to him, which we hope it won't," replied +Thad. + +"You don't think now, do you," demanded the other, "that Old Phin might +take a notion to waylay him, just to have a look at the eighth scout?" + +"I've thought of that, but made up my mind that so far the moonshiner +can have no suspicion who Bob is. And that being the case, Allan, you +can see he wouldn't be apt to bother himself to lie in wait for him. I +hope not, anyhow. It'd sure upset some of the plans we're trying so hard +to fix. And it might spell trouble with a big T for Bob." + +"He's a good fellow, all right," remarked Allan, not in the least +jealous because his particular chum seemed drawn more than ever toward +the Southern boy. + +"That's right," answered Thad, quickly; "and we've just got to stand +back of him, no matter what happens. I guess that if some of the boys' +parents had had even half a suspicion that we'd run up against such a +combination as this, they wouldn't have given their consent so easily to +our coming!" + +"I suppose that would have been the case with Bumpus and several +others," the Maine boy went on; "but I've seen so much of this sort of +thing up in the pine wood that it isn't new to me. Not that it doesn't +give me a thrill, all right, whenever I think of what we're doing here, +and how we had that man sitting at our fire, the worst moonshiner of the +whole Blue Ridge, I guess. And Thad, you did give him a treat, the way +you talked. I could see that he took considerable stock in all you said. +And you opened his eyes some, believe me, with all the wonderful things +you reeled off." + +"Wonderful to him, Allan, but the plain every day truth to the rest of +us. But I've always heard that there is a spark of good even in the +worst man living; and perhaps his weakness for boys may be the soft spot +in Old Phin Dady, the moonshiner's heart." + +They presently went back to the others, and joined in the general +conversation, which, quite naturally enough, was pretty much confined to +the visit of the mountaineer, what he had spoken about, his suspicions, +and above all the strange interest he had taken in Thad's account of +the Boy Scout movement. + +"Hello! there!" said a voice; and they saw Bob White stalk into camp. + +One look at the face of the Southern boy told Thad that he had indeed +made a profitable trip, for he saw a smile there, such as had seldom +marked it in the past. + +They quickly made room for him by the fire; while several of the boys +scouted around, to make sure that no spies lurked in the undergrowth, +listening to all that was said. + +The fire crackled merrily, and looked very cheerful, as the ring of +faces turned inquiringly toward Bob White. He knew they were anxious to +hear what he had accomplished; and, as there were no longer any secrets +to be kept from the balance of the patrol, all having been taken into +his confidence, the Southern boy hesitated no longer. + +"I found no trouble getting across the valley," he began; "though once I +had to lie low, when two men passed by. From what I heard them say, I +knew they were some of the moonshiners, and that they had been ordered +to take up positions somewhere, and stand guard. They seemed to be all +at sea about the nature of the danger, and yet when Old Phin gave the +alarm, they knew what they had to do." + +"We ought to tell you in the start, Bob," said Thad, "that we had Phin +Dady sitting right where you are now; and that he stayed more than a +full hour in camp." + +"Yes," broke in Bumpus, "and filling up on the stuff Thad gave him, all +about the heaps of things Boy Scouts are supposed to do. He liked it, +too, sure as you live, Old Phin did; and we reckon he's got a sneakin' +notion of startin' a troop right here, some fine day." + +Bob White appeared to be astonished, and demanded to hear the whole +story before he went on with his own experiences. This was presently +told, and the one who had been absent at the time looked thoughtful when +he heard the conclusion. + +"It may work for good, who knows?" he remarked, as though speaking to +himself. "He's a strange man, is Old Phin; a hard case in most ways; but +p'raps now he has got a soft spot in his flinty old heart for boys. He's +a daughter of his own but no sons. And that kind of men generally take +to boys best." + +"If they do, it's because they don't know what boys are like," suggested +Bumpus. + +"Now go on and tell us what you did," observed Thad. "Was your cousin at +the place you told her about?" + +"Yes, it was a little arbor in the garden that I knew well," remarked +Bob, tenderly. "She was right glad to see me again, suh; and while she +wouldn't tell me all I wanted to know, I'm mighty sure Reuben Sparks is +cruel to her. She has been anything but happy; and always dreamin' of +the time when I'd come back to see her, and take her to my mother." + +"Did she do what you asked her?" asked Thad, seeing that Bob was apt to +lose the thread of his narrative in letting his thoughts stray back to +his meeting with little Bertha, whom he loved like a sister. + +"She did, suh, took a chance to peep through some of the papers in the +safe of Mistah Sparks; and believe me, she gave me a shock when she said +there was one hidden in a little compartment, that seemed to have been +signed by her own father. I asked her some more questions, and I'm +almost sure that it's a will which Reuben Sparks kept hidden away, but +which something or other has prevented him from destroying these four +years and more, since my uncle died." + +"If you only could get that in your hands, and it turned out to be all +you think, seems to me you might do about what you wanted with old +Reuben," Thad remarked. + +"Given another day, and good luck, suh, and I surely expect to have the +same in my possession. Then I can shape my plans; but one thing sure, my +cousin will go back to Cranford with me!" and Bob smote the palm of his +left hand with his doubled right fist, to emphasize his remark. + +No one seemed a particle sleepy. Indeed, they had never been more wide +awake in their lives. Even Davy Jones, filled with the spirit of +mischief that seemed to take possession of him every once in so often, +climbed the tree under which they had built their camp-fire, and swung +himself from limb to limb; now with his hands but just as frequently by +his toes; as though he wanted to prove the truth of what that learned +professor by the name of Darwin always declared, that we were descended +from a race of monkeys. + +The rest were lying around in the most comfortable attitudes they could +find. + +"Oh! say, come down out of that, Davy; you make me tired with your +everlasting pranks. Take a drop, won't you, please?" called out Bumpus. + +Hardly had he spoken than there was a whoop, and Davy landed squarely in +the middle of the now smouldering fire, sending the brands to the right +and to the left in a hurricane of sparks. + +The seven scouts threw themselves backward to avoid contact with the +scattered red embers, while Davy scrambled out of his fiery bed with +furious alacrity. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +THE FLICKERING TORCH TALK. + + +"PUT me out! somebody give me a rub down the back! I'm on fire!" + +Nobody doubted Davy's excited words, as he danced wildly about, slapping +first at a smouldering spark on the right leg of his khaki trousers; and +then furiously attacking another burning spot on the sleeve of his coat; +only to throw his campaign hat down, and jump on it, under the belief +that it was threatened with immediate destruction. + +Some of the other scouts had managed to scramble to their feet about +this time; and seeing that they were not in danger themselves, could +afford to lend a hand in order to save the garments of the unlucky Jones +boy. + +"Now your suit's a fine sight!" ejaculated Step Hen. + +"Perfectly dreadful!" remarked Smithy, with a shudder; for to the mind +of this member of the patrol, with his ideas of what neatness stood for, +no punishment could have exceeded such a catastrophe as the one that had +overtaken Davy. + +But after finding that his neck had not been dislocated by his fall; and +that, while there would be a few holes here and there about his clothes, +they were still fairly presentable, Davy only grinned with his customary +good nature. + +"You certain sure _are_ the limit;" declared Bumpus, surveying the other +with a frown on his rosy face. "Better grow a tail, and be done with it. +Then you could take your monkey-shines to the woods, where they'd be +appreciated." + +"Now that's what I call the unkindest cut of all," replied Davy. "I +leave it to the crowd if I wasn't only obeyin' orders? Didn't you call +out to me to come down? Well, didn't I?" + +"Huh! but you needn't a spilt our fire that way," grumbled Bumpus, who +however was secretly just as much amused over the affair as any of the +rest. "When I say 'come down' you needn't think I mean for you to obey +as fast as that. Reckon you must a tried some dodge that wasn't as easy +as it looked, and you lost your grip." + +"Here's what did it for me," said Davy, stooping, and picking up a piece +of broken limb, which Thad remembered seeing fall at the same time the +boy scattered the embers of the fire. "Rotten as punk, and went back on +me. But don't you believe for a minute because I was hangin' head down +right then, I struck that way. Easiest thing in the world to turn a +flip-flap in the air. I sat down in that fire; that's why my pants got +the worst of the burns. And say, do I limp when I walk, because I'm +feeling a little sore?" + +"Not much more'n usual," remarked Bumpus, cheerfully. + +This ridiculous adventure on the part of Davy set them all to talking +again. Of course previous efforts in the same line, and, carried out by +the same artist, had to be hauled out of their concealment, and made to +do duty again, with sundry additions; for what story can there be but +what is strengthened every time it is told? + +So many strange things were taking place all around them that it was +little wonder the boys declared they did not feel a bit sleepy, even +when the patrol leader told them they ought to lie down and get some +rest. + +"And when everything else fails," declared Step Hen, "why, Davy, here, +can always be counted on to furnish music for the band." + +"Yes, waltz music," added Giraffe; "anyway, that's what he thought he +was giving us, the way he kicked around. P'raps, now, he believed he was +doing the turkey trot, all by himself." + +But to all these taunts Davy made no response. Truth to tell he seemed +to be the sleepiest member of the set, and was seen to yawn numerous +times. In this way he managed to start some of the others going, so +that by degrees they were all exhibiting evidences of wanting to give +up. + +Then there came the job of trying to make themselves fairly comfortable. +They had considered this matter before, and settled upon plans for the +campaign. There would be no cabin roof over their heads on this night, +only the branches of the big tree; but since there seemed little +likelihood of rain falling, they did not think they would miss this. + +It was the bed part that gave them the most trouble. They had scoured +the immediate vicinity, and each scout had secured whatever he could lay +his hands on in the shape of weeds, or grass, or even small branches +from the tree--anything to make the ground seem a bit softer to his +body. + +One liked this spot, while another had entirely different ideas; but +coached by Allan, who knew all about sleeping out without shelter, they +one and all kept their feet toward the fire, because that was the part +first affected by the cooling night air. + +Several of them were already stretched out, for while they had arranged +a system of sentry duties, Allan was to take the first spell. + +He and Thad stood looking at the actions of the other scouts as they +moved their rude beds here and there, striving to find spots where there +were no roots sticking up, that would poke into their sides or backs. + +"They're a great bunch, all told!" remarked Allan, with a wide smile, +as he saw Bumpus slily stealing some of the bed of Step Hen, whose back +was toward him, adding it, handfuls at a time, to his own scanty stock. + +"The finest ever," added Thad, warmly. "I don't see how we could have +improved on this patrol, if we'd searched through Cranford with a fine +tooth comb. Every one of them has his failings, just as all of us do; +but they're as loyal and happy-go-lucky a lot of boys as ever any one +knew. And Allan, I expect we'll have some glorious times ahead of us, if +we go up into Maine with you, later on. That hasn't been fully settled +yet, you understand; the question of expense has to be met, as well as +getting away from our school, if it takes up by the middle of September. +But we're all hoping, and pulling for it just as hard as we can." + +"Won't it be great now," Allan went on to say, "if Bob does find that +paper he thinks Reuben's been keeping all these years, when he hadn't +ought to have let it stay unburned a minute? What d'ye suppose makes a +smart scamp like that ever do such a silly thing?" + +"I couldn't tell you, only I've heard my guardian say more than a few +times that the cleverest scoundrel is apt to make a blunder. If that's +true then I guess this Reuben made his when he kept that paper, just to +look at it once in a while, and shake hands with himself over his +cuteness." + +"Will you take a little stroll around with me before lying down?" asked +Allan, who was to have the first watch. + +"Might as well," returned the other, casting a glance over toward the +balance of the patrol, still squirming more or less, as they tried to +make comfortable nests for themselves. "By that time, perhaps they'll be +asleep, and I can drop off without being made to listen to Bumpus' +complaining, when Step Hen takes back his stolen goods. Come along, +then, Allan." + +They first of all walked back along the road in the direction whence +they had come to the strange valley where Reuben lived, a half-way +station between the secret haunts of the moonshiners, and civilization. + +"What's that up yonder; looks to me like a torch moving?" remarked Thad, +as he elevated his head, so as to gaze upward, along the face of the +mountain. + +"It _is_ a torch, right you are," Allan went on to say; "somebody must +be picking his way along among those rocks. I'd think he'd sure need a +good light on such a black night as this." + +"But I guess you're wrong about that," Thad added, quickly; "see, he's +waving his light, now back, and again forward, just so many times. +There, he gives it a downward flash that must mean the end of a word; +and then he goes on." + +"Why, to be sure, it's as plain as anything that he's signalling to +somebody on the other mountain. Yes, Thad, look there, and you can see +another light move in answer to that first one." + +"Even that don't seem to be all," remarked the patrol leader, seriously. +"Here's a third light back of us; and upon my word I can see a fourth +ever so far off." + +"Looks like all the moonshiners in the mountains might be out in force, +and having a jolly old talk among themselves. Wonder what they find to +talk about?" Allan hazarded. + +"Chances are ten to one it's us they're discussing," said Thad. "Old +Phin like as not, is giving his orders. Thought he grinned a little when +I was telling how scouts communicated with each other. He knew all about +that, the sly old rascal did; and this has been going on for years and +years before Boy Scouts were ever heard of." + +"Thad, they're all around us; we're surrounded by these moonshiners, +with their handy guns; and if Old Phin says we've got to stay up here in +the mountains, why, it's going to be a case of being marooned for us. We +don't dare run, because they'd take that for a sure evidence of guilt, +and pepper us for all that's out. So, there's nothing to be done but +stick it out, seems to me." + +"Well, we ought to be satisfied," remarked Thad, grimly. "Marooned or +not, it was our intention to stay around here until Bob had settled +those two matters of importance that fetched him down this way." + +"Sure, I'd pretty nigh forgotten that," declared the Maine boy, more +cheerfully. "So let the mountain men shake their blessed old torches at +each other all they choose, and tell how the trap is to be made snug as +all get-out; we'll just play the innocent, and try to find out what we +want to know. Shall we go back to camp now, Thad?" + +"Just as you say," returned the other. "Nothing more to see out this +way. We know that Old Phin isn't ready to look on us as friends yet. He +can't get over the suspicions the sight of our khaki uniforms woke up in +his soul. But so far we hadn't ought to complain with the way things +have gone. Hope it'll keep on to the end; and that our Bob will get all +he aims for, find his daddy, and take the little girl cousin back to +Cranford with him." + +"And if it all goes to the good, say, p'raps we won't have a feather to +stick in our hats, all right, Thad! We'll never get over talking about +this thing. But will it go straight; that's the question?" + +"You never can tell," replied the other, softly, and encouragingly. +"We're going to do our level best; and leave the rest. Good-night, +Allan; wake Giraffe at the end of an hour, and caution him to keep a +good watch. I come next in line, you know." + +With these parting words Thad stepped softly into camp, glanced at the +various forms of the scouts stretched in favorite positions, some even +lying on their backs; and then with a smile the patrol leader lay down +upon the rude bed he had made for himself, out of such material as +offered. + +In five minutes he was asleep, and forgetful of all the strange events +that had marked their strenuous hike into the mountains of the Old North +State. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +CLIMBING THE MOUNTAIN. + + +"HEY! what's all this mean; morning, and nobody woke me up, to let me +stand my trick at the wheel! I don't think you're treatin' me fair, +that's what, fellers!" and Bumpus Hawtree sat up, rubbing his eyes as he +looked around him in wonder. + +The fact of the matter was it had been decided that they could get on +very well without calling on the fat boy to stand sentry duty. Most of +them knew how unreliable Bumpus was when it came to such things, no +matter how sincere his desire to please might be; and Thad had secretly +arranged to leave him out. + +And so Bumpus had not known a single thing of what was going on until, +smelling the delightful fumes of boiling coffee, he had opened his eyes +to find most of his comrades moving about, and breakfast well on the +way, under the supervision of Giraffe and Allan. + +"The whole blessed night gone, and me a sleepin' for all get-out," +complained the stout member of the patrol, as he climbed to his feet, +and stretched. "Well, it looks good, anyway. Nothin' happened, after +all. Nobody ain't been kidnapped by the moonshiners, have they, because +I can count--what, there don't seem to be only seven here! Somebody's +gone, and yet I don't miss any familiar face." + +"Oh! you only forgot to count yourself, Bumpus," laughed Thad. + +"Well, that goes to show how modest I am, you see," chuckled the other, +as he started toward the spring to get the sleep out of his eyes by the +use of some cold water. + +"Yes, as modest as a spring violet," sang out Step Hen; "but how about +that President Cornelius Jasper Hawtree business? Seems to me any feller +that hopes to assume that high office ain't so very retiring after all." + +But Bumpus refused to be drawn into any discussion of his merits as a +candidate, at least so early in the morning. He came back presently, +asking for a towel, which he had forgotten to carry along with him. But +as breakfast was announced just about that time, everything else was +forgotten in the pleasant task of appeasing their clamorous appetites. + +While they ate they talked, and many were the schemes invented by some +of the ingenious scouts, all looking to the undoing of the enemy, as +they chose to consider the combination of Reuben Sparks and Old Phin +Dady. + +Bob asked that they remain over one more night in that camp, and there +was not a dissenting voice raised. They were fairly comfortable, and +their haversacks still held a certain amount of food; though Thad did +say some of them ought to go skirmishing in the direction of the houses +across the valley, to see if there was a chance for buying fresh eggs; +breakfast bacon; salt pork; or even grits, as the finer grade of hominy +is universally called throughout the entire South. + +As for Bob and himself, Thad had laid out a little campaign for the day. +He believed that it might pay them to climb up the side of the mountain. +This would be looked upon by any of Old Phin's followers, should they +see the boys, as in keeping with what the patrol leader had told the +moonshiner about the doings and ambitions of Boy Scouts. There need not +be anything suspicious about such a move, when Thad had time and again +declared that one of the main objects of their selecting this part of +the country for their hike, had been the desire to climb mountains. + +As to the benefits to be gained, they could at least have a good +birdseye view of the entire region, the queer bowl-shaped little valley, +at the further end of which nestled the pretentious house of Reuben +Sparks, and the nearby cabins; as well as the back trail. + +Besides, possibly they might get some sort of information with regard to +what the moonshiners were doing. Most of these men lived in the little +ramshackle cabins they had occasionally passed on the mountain road; +where a few hens, a razor-back hog or two, and possibly a slab-sided +mule, constituted the sole possessions of the poor whites. But then, +others doubtless had homes deeper in the depths of the great elevations +that reared their rocky heads heavenward. These were the parties who, +like Old Phin himself, were in demand by the authorities, and who wanted +to take as few chances of arrest as possible. + +No revenue men could very easily come into that well-watched region +without the keen eyes of a mountaineer noticing him. And often the crack +of a rifle would be the first sign the daring man might have that he was +discovered. + +Bob was only too glad of a chance to get off in the company of Thad. He +wanted to talk over matters with the other very much, and find out just +what the patrol leader thought about the situation. + +So, as they climbed steadily, though slowly, upward, they chatted in +low tones. Thad had warned his comrade that they must imagine an enemy +back of every tree, and act accordingly, so as not to betray themselves +by unwise talk. + +It was rough going. Plenty of times they had to pull themselves up by +main muscular strength, over some rocky obstruction. Then again, perhaps +they would have it comparatively easy for a brief interval. + +"Here's a plain trail leading upward," remarked Thad, whose eyes had +been on the lookout all the time. "Suppose we follow it some. Chances +are it'll be easier going, because whoever lives up here would know the +softest road." + +"That's true," assented Bob; "but we'd best not keep on this same trail +too long." + +"Why not?" asked the other, looking around at his chum. + +"You must know that it sure leads, sooner or later, to some hidden cabin +of a man who's got some pretty good reason for keeping away from the +beaten road." + +"Yes, I guessed that the first thing; and I suppose you mean he'd feel +angry some if he saw two fellows in uniform following his trail?" Thad +suggested. + +"Angry--well, that hardly covers the ground," chuckled Bob. "When these +mountain men don't like a thing they start to shooting right off the +handle. Never waste time, suh, in asking questions; they judge things as +they see them, and act accordingly. And believe me, Thad, when their +guns speak, generally something goes down." + +"Well, on the whole I think what you said carries so much weight with +me, Bob, that I've lost pretty much all interest in this same trail. It +don't look near so attractive as it did; and I wouldn't be surprised if +we'd make better time just keeping on straight up the face of the old +hill." + +They looked at each other, and laughed softly, as though it was mutually +understood what meaning Thad intended to convey back of his words. + +All the same the dangerous beaten track was immediately forsaken, and +once more they set out to climb straight upwards. Occasionally Bob, who +seemed more at home in this thing than his companion, as he had lived +among the mountains most of his young life; would discover that by +taking a side cut they could avoid a hard climb, and in that event the +direct line was changed to an oblique one. + +The view was at times a fine one, with a stretch of the wild country +spread out before them like a panorama. Then again for a quarter of an +hour or more they would be unable to see anything, on account of the +formation of the mountainside, or it might be the presence of thick +foliage on the small trees growing in profusion all around them. + +"So far we haven't seen the first sign of a living thing?" remarked +Thad, when they halted to get their breath. + +"That's a fact, suh," agreed Bob White, "but we mustn't make up our +minds that we haven't been followed and watched at all times. These +mountain men can climb like goats, suh. It would make you stare to see +one of them go up a cliff that neither of us could dream of climbing. +They could keep us in sight right along, and believe me, we would never +know a thing about it." + +"I can easily understand that, Bob. But it's some wilder up here than +ever I believed possible. I saw squirrels in plenty as we came along; +some birds flushed from alongside that bank that must have been +partridges; and right here's a bunch of feathers, showing where some +animal had a fine supper not long since." + +Thad dropped down beside the telltale feathers that marked the end of a +game bird, and seemed to be examining the ground. + +A minute later he looked up. + +"I'm not as dead sure about this thing as Allan would be," Thad +remarked; "but it doesn't look like fox tracks to me. The claws are too +well defined; and I'm of the opinion that it might have been a wildcat, +if you happen to have such beasts here in the heart of the Blue Ridge." + +"I reckon we do, suh, and mighty fierce fellows too," the Southern lad +made answer promptly; "I've myself met with one when out hunting, and +got him too, though he gave me a heap of trouble; and I was sore from +the scratches a whole week or so. No doubt you're right, and it was a +cat; though I'm surprised that he ate his catch on the ground, instead +of in the crotch of a tree." + +"Perhaps he was too hungry to wait; or the bird tasted so good he just +had to pitch in right away," suggested Thad, picking up one of the +feathers, and sticking it in the cord of his campaign hat, boy fashion. + +"It's getting pretty nigh dinner time," observed Bob, as he felt for the +package of food he had thrust into one of his pockets before starting +out, upon the suggestion of the patrol leader, who did not know just how +long a time they might be gone. + +"Yes, and I suppose we've come up about as far as we ought," Thad added, +himself feeling the vigorous climb the more because his muscles were not +used to anything of that sort. "So, let's drop down right where we are. +It's a good enough lunching place. The cat thought so, you can see." + +They soon settled in comfortable places, each with a tree to lean his +back against while he munched the dry sandwiches that had been hurriedly +put together, a little potted ham between crackers, with a slice of +cheese thrown in for good measure. + +The sun felt warm overhead, but the atmosphere at this altitude was +bracing and refreshing indeed, as mountain air always is. The boys, as +they ate, talked incessantly, covering the ground of what they hoped to +accomplish, if fortune were only kind enough to favor them, and the +moonshiners to allow them to leave the mountains in peace. + +Bob was explaining that after all it might be well for him to divide his +mission into two parts, and get Bertha disposed of, before thinking of +trying to find whether the mysterious prisoner of the moonshiners could +really be his dear father, when their conversation was interrupted by a +scream from a point close by. + +The two boys sprang to their feet, and looked at each other blankly. + +"That was a girl called out, Bob!" exclaimed Thad. "We can't tell but +what it may be a trap of some kind, but that's a chance we've just got +to take. Come on, and we'll soon see what it means!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +IN LUCK AGAIN. + + +BOB was quite as eager as his companion to hurry forward and see what +that cry of a girl's voice might mean. Whoever heard of a Southern boy +unwilling to act in similar circumstances? + +The two of them had noted the quarter from whence the shrill scream +came, and were making a bee line for it as fast as the rough nature of +the ground permitted. + +"Keep back, thar, you ugly critter! Don't you dar jump at me! Oh! if I +could on'y git free, I'd show you!" they heard just beyond the fringe of +bushes. + +Bursting through these, and the scene lay before them. It was a girl, a +real mountain girl too, who had called out. She was half bent over, as +though trying all her might to wrench her foot free, for it seemed to be +caught in a crevice of the rock, as in a vise. + +Not ten feet away from her crouched an ugly wildcat. Its ears were bent +backward toward its body; the yellow eyes seemed to glow with an ugly +fire; and there could be no doubt but that the animal was getting ready +to jump at the girl, possibly angered by the red sunbonnet she wore. + +She had managed to pick up a stone, with which she was ready to do +battle in case the cat really attacked her. Thad saw this, and admired +her grit, even though he believed that she would have suffered +dreadfully, had the fight ever come off. + +Bob gave a cry of rage as he saw what it all meant. He too snatched up a +stone, and made directly for the wildcat, as though such a thing as fear +did not enter into his calculations. And Thad, a little wiser, seeing +an excellent club handy, made out to get that in his grip ere following +his chum. + +Despite the coming of these two new enemies the wildcat showed no sign +of beating a retreat. There may have been some reason for this +unexpected bravery on the animal's part. Usually it is only when +darkness comes that bobcats are dangerous; and in the daytime they will +generally retreat before the coming of human foes. + +There may have been kittens somewhere close by; and a mother cat will +attack anything that moves in defense of her offspring. + +But just then Thad was not bothering himself with trying to understand +why the fierce beast acted in that altogether remarkable way. What they +wanted to do was to influence the animal to leave the neighborhood, and +the quicker this were done the better they would be pleased. + +"Go slow, Bob!" Thad called out, fearful lest his impulsive comrade dash +up so close that in another instant the cat would be upon him, clawing, +biting, and doing all manner of damage. + +He swung his club in as ferocious a manner as he could, and made all +sorts of threatening gestures as he rushed forward. + +Thinking that if they approached from two separate quarters the beast +might grow more or less confused, and possibly slink away, Thad did not +follow directly in the track of his friend, but made a little detour. + +Bob came to a pause. He was not more than a dozen feet away from the +beast now, and there was danger that if he closed in any more the +expected collision must take place. + +Thad saw him draw his arm back. Undoubtedly Bob meant to hurl the heavy +rock he had snatched up. If he missed his aim, he would then be entirely +unprotected. But then Bob had pitched on a baseball team several +seasons, and was said to have a very clever delivery, with the faculty +of getting the ball over the rubber with clock-like precision. And a +crouching wildcat, only a dozen feet away, is a large enough object to +be counted a sure thing by an experienced ball player. + +So even as Thad looked and wondered, he saw Bob let drive. And when the +rock actually struck the cat between its glaring eyes, hurling it over +backwards, Thad could not help letting out a yell. + +"Good shot, Bob!" he cried. "Get another, quick, for he's coming after +you like hot cakes!" + +He himself was closing in on the cat all the time he shouted after this +manner. In another moment they were all in a confused bunch, the enraged +and wounded wildcat screaming and snarling; Thad pounding away every +chance he got; Bob kicking wildly at the animal, as he looked for a +chance to get hold of another stone; and the whole making quite a +lively circus. + +Several times Thad landed with such a will on the side of the springing +wildcat that the wretched beast was knocked clean over. But with a +desperation that was simply astonishing it would get together, and come +flying back again, as though it really possessed the nine lives its +tribe is given credit for. + +Of course this could not last long. The game was too one-sided, with two +against one; and in the end the cat was glad to jump into the bushes, +with a parting expression of hatred in the form of a snarl. + +The panting boys stood and looked at each other. Each of them had a few +rents in their khaki trousers; and might have been served even worse +only that their puttees protected the lower part of their limbs. + +"Whew! that was a hot time!" gasped Thad. "Did you see how many times I +bowled the thing over, and only to have to defend myself again? Give me +a mad wildcat for gameness. They haven't their equal going, pound for +pound." + +"And I hit him when I threw that stone; I'm proud of that shot, suh!" +declared the Southern boy, with a grim smile. + +"Say, it was a right smart throw, all right; but s'pose yuh come and +help me outen this trap now, strangers," came from the mountain girl. + +As they turned toward her, and advanced, Thad saw immediately that she +was not the little Bertha whom he had looked upon, sitting beside Reuben +Sparks, and with her golden hair, seeming very much like a fairy. + +This girl was slender, and with coarse, black hair. She was garbed in +common homespun clothes, and wore shoes that were doubtless much too +large for her feet. One of her ankles had been caught tightly in the +crevice of the rock. She might have managed to extricate herself if +given a little time; but the sudden appearance of that ugly fighting +wildcat had upset her; so that she had twisted and squirmed until her +foot was held as though in a blacksmith's vise. + +Bob in his usual impetuous way might have been impelled to tug at that +imprisoned foot, and add to her sufferings; but Thad, who was cooler, +set about discovering just how it was gripped; then, as gently as he +could he gave it a sudden turn, and the thing was done. + +The girl uttered a little scream as a pain shot through her ankle; but +then she realized that the way the boy had gone about it was the right +one. Results count every time. When a man succeeds, the path he has +taken is looked upon as a shining example to the rising generation; +should he fail, the same route is pointed out as beset with +unsurmountable difficulties. + +"I'm right glad you kim along in time," the girl remarked, as her black +eyes scanned the faces of the two boys who had done her such a good +turn. + +"Had you done anything to the cat; or was it just crazy for a fight?" +asked Bob, as he looked more closely at the angular girl; and Thad +thought he could detect that in his manner to tell he might have +recognized her. + +"'Pears like it was jest brim full of scrap, mister," she went on. "I +was acomin' down ther side o' the mounting, paying 'tention to my own +business, when I jest made er fool o' myself, like ye see, an' gut a +foot fast atween the rocks. Then the critter showed up, and started +makin' a row. I tried all I knowed how to break loose, but it was no go. +An' I was jest agwine to hit the animal atween the eyes if it jumped me, +when you-uns arriv. But I'm glad ye kim. 'Tain't nice to git yuh face +all clawed to ribbands by cat's claws. Yep, I'm glad ye helped me outen +it." + +Thad saw that she was a character, this girl of the Blue Ridge. Rough +and uncouth, she might be, still she possessed the qualities that real +heroines were once made out of in the days of Joan of Arc. + +Doubtless she must be the daughter of one of the poor "white trash" +mountaineers who spend their time between making moonshine whiskey, and +dodging revenue men. It struck Thad at the moment that perhaps, since +they had been enabled to do her a good turn, she might be willing to +assist them. Such a girl ought to know a good deal of what was going on +back in the mountains. Her people must talk about the strange things +that happened; perhaps she might be able to even tell Bob something +about the prisoner who was said to be kept up there somewhere, working +at the sour-mash in the never raided Still of Phin Dady. + +With this bright idea in his mind Thad decided that fortune had indeed +played another nice trick upon them, and one that would perhaps be to +their advantage. + +"Do you live near here; and will you be able to limp home?" he asked; +for he saw that the ankle was somewhat swollen, and must pain more or +less; although the girl scorned to show it by her manner. + +"A right smart ways off from heah, stranger," she replied; "but then +they be some o' my friends nigh this, who'll take keer o' me. Ye did hit +up that ere onary cat some handsome, an' I shore think it won't want to +tackle a pore gal ther next time it sees one." + +"Perhaps we might help you along to the home of your friends," said +Thad. + +She looked at him keenly, for even the daughters of moonshiners grow to +be suspicious of those whom they do not know. + +"'Tain't no need, stranger; I kin take keer o' myself, I reckon. Not +that I ain't feelin' 'bliged to ye, fur offerin'. I kain't furgit thet +ye done me a good turn. Mebbe I ain't good lookin' like thet leetle +cousin o' yours, Bob Quail; but it's the on'y face I'll ever hev; and no +gal likes to be scratched an' gouged bad by the pizen claws o' a +wildcat." + +"Will you tell your father about this, Polly?" asked Bob, excitedly, +Thad thought. + +"'Pears like I hadn't orter keep it from him," she replied, slowly, +watching the expressive and handsome face of the young Southerner +closely. "Thems as don't think Phin Dady keers fur his fambly, but they +don't know. Reckons he'd jest 'bout lay down his life fur _me_, pore +looker as I am!" + +Thad drew a big breath. Really things were rushing forward by leaps and +bounds now. For not only had the girl recognized his companion, who +wished to keep his identity under cover while in the mountains; but this +same Polly, as Bob called her, had now disclosed herself to be the +daughter of the moonshiner, Old Phin Dady! + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +POLLY GIVES HER PROMISE. + + +"I'M going to ask you a great favor, Polly," said Bob, earnestly. + +"Then hit it up right smart, an' tell me," replied the girl, calmly, +though Thad could see her dark, expressive face light up. + +Polly had her share of the curiosity that is the heritage of her sex. + +"You say you feel thankful that we happened along in time to drive that +cat off; and you'd be willing to do something for us in return?" Bob +went on. + +"Thet's right, Bob Quail," returned the girl of the mountains sturdily. +"Reckons as how it'd on'y be fair. What ye want me to do?" + +"First of all, please don't whisper it to anybody around here that I +have come back," the boy asked in his earnest tones; "and least of all +to your father. You know he used to feel right sore against all my +family, because my father in trying to do his sworn duty by the +Government, ran up against the moonshine boys." + +"Oh! thet's easy promised, Bob Quail," she replied, readily enough; "I +kin keep a close tongue atween my teeth, ef I happens to be on'y a gal. +But I kin see thet ain't all yer gwine to ask o' me." + +"But everything else hinges on that, Polly," returned Bob; "and I'm glad +you'll forget that you saw one of the Quail family. They're not in any +too good odor in this part of the country. Now, you're wondering, I +reckon, why I ever dared come back, after two years. Well, there were +reasons that pulled me into the danger zone, Polly. One of them +was--Bertha, my little cousin." + +Polly smirked, and nodded her wise head. + +"I cud a guessed thet, Bob Quail," she remarked. "Sumbody must a ben +tellin' ye thet she ain't as happy as she mout be, thet's it. The old +miser, he's cross as a bear with a sore head; an' I seen Bertha with red +eyes more'n a few times. I don't blame ye 'bout wantin' to do somethin'; +though I reckons ye'll find it a up-hill job, w'en ye tackle thet old +fox." + +"But there's a way to get him in a hole, and I believe I've found it," +said Bob. "Only, if I'm chased out of the country before I can carry my +plans through, you see, all my coming here wouldn't amount to a row of +beans. That's one reason why I asked you to keep my secret. But there's +another, Polly." + +"Yep, they's another," she repeated after him, with her dark eyes fixed +on his face, as though she might be able to read what was passing in his +mind, and in this way was prepared to hear his new disclosure. + +Thad knew what his comrade meant to say. It was a big risk, but he +believed it could be carried through. This girl was no ordinary +creature; she had latent possibilities slumbering beneath the surface in +her nature, that, as yet, had never been called upon to show themselves. +Besides, the girl was grateful to them for what they had done. + +"You haven't forgotten what happened here some years ago, Polly," Bob +went on. "My father led a party of revenue men into these mountains, +meaning to destroy the secret Stills. He never came back. Those who were +with him said that he had been shot down in a fierce fight with the +moonshiners; and that he had died almost instantly. You haven't +forgotten that terrible time, Polly, have you?" + +"I reckons not," she muttered, stirring uneasily. + +"Well, somehow I never could get myself to believe that my father was +really dead. I had one of the revenue men in my pay, and he used to +write me every week or so. It was through him I first heard the rumor +that the moonshiners were said to have a prisoner up at your father's +Still, who was kept constantly under guard, and made to work. They even +said he was a revenue man; and that it was a part of the moonshiners' +revenge to make him help manufacture the mountain dew, so as to pay up +for the quantities he had destroyed in his raids. You've heard more or +less about this, too, haven't you, Polly?" + +"Sure I has, Bob Quail," replied the girl. + +"Polly, somehow I just can't get it out of my head that this mysterious +prisoner of the mountains might be my own father; that he was badly +wounded, and not killed in that fight; that the moonshiners nursed him +back to health; and ever since he's been kept under guard. Do you know +if that is so? I ask you to tell me, because it would mean a great deal +to me, and to my poor mother at home in the North." + +Polly shook her head in the negative. + +"I jest can't say as to thet," she answered, soberly; "I done hears a +heap 'bout some man as they has kep' a long time up thar, adoin' of the +chores, an' never without a gun clost to his head; but I ain't never +seed him. I gives ye my word on thet, Bob Quail." + +"But Polly, you _could_ see him if you tried real hard, couldn't you?" +the boy went on, in an anxious tone. + +She looked at him. The eager expression on poor Bob's face would have +moved a heart of stone; and Polly was surely deeply touched. + +"I reckons I cud," she answered, steadily; while in her black eyes stole +a glow that gave Thad a curious feeling; for he began to believe that +they had after all come upon an unexpected and valuable ally, right in +the household of the chief enemy. + +"Think what it means to me, Polly," Bob suggested, knowing how best to +appeal to her sympathies. "Put yourself in my place, and tell me what +you would do if it was your own father who was held a prisoner, and you +had long believed him dead? Do you blame me for coming back to these +mountains to try and learn the truth; and if it should turn out to be +all I dream it may, of attempting in some way to bring about his +release. Would you blame me, Polly?" + +"Sure I wudn't, Bob Quail," she replied. + +"And will you help me find out?" he went on, feverishly. + +"Seein's I owe ye a heap, 'case o' what ye done fur me this day, I'm +gwine to say jest what ye wants me to," the girl returned. + +With an almost inarticulate cry Bob seized her hand, and gave it a +squeeze. + +"Oh! you don't know how happy you've made me by saying that, Polly!" he +exclaimed. "And if it _should_ turn out to be my poor father, won't you +try and help me get him free? He'll never come back here again to bother +your people; I give you my word for that, Polly, sure I do. Will you +help me do it?" + +"Thet's asking a hull lot, Bob Quail," she muttered, doubtfully, as +though she realized the magnitude of the task he would put upon her +shoulders. "It's wantin' me to go agin my own dad. If so be thar is a +revenue kep' up thar to the Still, it's _his_ doin's. An' 'less he gives +the word, thar ain't nobody dar's to let that man go free. An' now ye +arsk me to play agin my own people. It's a big thing ye want done, Bob +Quail. I dunno; I dunno!" + +But Thad could see she was wavering. He believed that if Bob only +pressed his point he must win out. + +"Listen, Polly," and Bob caught hold of her wrist as he spoke, as though +to hold her attention better; "more than two long years this man has +been held there, the sport and plaything of the moonshiners, and made to +do their rough work. It must have broken his spirit sadly. And surely +your father's desire for revenge should be wholly satisfied by now. +Think of my mother, mourning him as dead all this time, Polly. Just +imagine her wonderful joy if he came back to her again alive and in the +flesh! Oh! don't talk to me about the risks I am running in just coming +here; gladly would I put my life in danger ten times over, if I knew +there was a chance to find him, and bring him home with me. That is what +_you_ would do, Polly; and perhaps some day, when sorrow and trouble +come to you, I may be able to do you a good turn, even as you are going +to do for me now; because something tells me you are, Polly!" + +That settled it. Bob had gone about the matter in just the right way to +reach the moonshiner's daughter's heart. No doubt she often thought of +the black day that might come at any time, when those never sleeping +Government agents would capture Old Phin, and he look a long sentence in +the face. Yes, it would be worth something to know that they had a +friend in court when that time rolled around. + +"Yes, I'm agwine to help ye, Bob Quail," she said, slowly. "I don't jest +know yet how far I kin go; but anyways I'll promise to find out who thet +prisoner up at the Still kin be. Then, mebbe I mout think it over, an' +reckon as it's jest like ye sez, an' he's shore be'n punished enuff. +Thet's all I'll tell ye right now." + +"Well, it's mighty fine of you to say as much as that, Polly, and I want +you to know I appreciate it more than I can tell you," the Southern boy +went on, his dark handsome face radiant with renewed hope, as his heart +beat high in the belief that his loftiest dreams might after all come +true. + +"I hope that foot won't keep you from walking?" Thad thought to remark +just then. + +This caused Bob to remember that he had a chum near by, and he hastened +to say: + +"This is one of my best friends, Thad Brewster, Polly. We belong to the +troop of Boy Scouts encamped down below. Perhaps you have heard your +father speak of them? He was in our camp more than an hour last night, +and my chum here seemed to interest him a heap in telling all about what +scouts aim to do in the world." + +"Yep, I heerd 'bout hit," the girl replied, as she gave Thad a short +nod; "an' he shore was takin' sum stock in wat he done heerd. My dad, he +allers liked boys better'n he did gals. Lost three on 'em, he did, an' +every one died with his boots on! But ye needn't git skeered 'bout this +hyar foot ahurtin' me none. We knows what kin' o' stuff to put on a +sprain, as'll take ther swellin' down right smart. See, I kin walk jest +as good as I ever cud. An' I'll find out fur ye 'bout thet man up to the +Still, sure I will, Bob." + +"When can I see you again, Polly?" Bob asked, anxiously. "You know time +is worth a heap to me right now. Say soon, please; sometime to-night, if +you can; and it'll help a lot. I'll never be able to sleep a wink now +till I know the truth." + +"Mout as well put her through on ther lightnin' express as not," she +replied. "I reckons I kin promise ye to-night. An' I knows whar yer camp +lays, 'case I arsked my dad. Thort I mout happen thet way, an' see what +boys looked like as was dressed in smart close. It's gwine to be a hard +job, seems like, an' mebbe I carn't git 'roun' till late, but I'll be +thar, Bob Quail! Ye done ther right thing by me, an' Polly Dady don't +forgit." + +Then turning her back on the two boys, the mountain girl swung herself +along the rough face of the hillside with a perfect confidence in her +ability to keep her footing that only a chamois might have exceeded. + +And Thad, looking at his chum, saw that the other's face was wreathed in +a smile such as had long been a stranger there. + +"The best day's work I ever did, Thad!" exclaimed Bob, as he seized his +chum's hand, and squeezed it convulsively. "Something just tells me +Polly is going to be my good fairy, and bring me the greatest gift that +ever could be--the knowledge that my dear father lives." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +THE SILENT VIDETTE. + + +"SHALL we go back the same way we came up?" asked Thad, as they made a +start toward returning to the camp down below. + +"I think I'd like to try another route," Bob replied. "Some of those +places we hit were pretty tough climbing; and you know it's always +harder going down, than up a mountain. Seems to me we'll strike an +easier way over to the right here." + +"My opinion exactly," Thad declared, ready to fall in with anything +which the other proposed, because he was interested heart and soul in +the work Bob had cut out for himself--trying to bring more of happiness +into the life of little Bertha, his cousin; and finding out whether his +long-lost father was still in the land of the living. + +They had gone about half of the way, and found that, just as Bob +guessed, it was much easier than the other route would have proven, when +Thad made a discovery that gave him a little thrill. + +"There's a man, Bob!" he exclaimed, suddenly. + +"Where?" demanded the other, turning his head around; for he happened to +be a trifle in advance of his companion at the time. + +"Over yonder, on that rock, and of course with a rifle in sight; for you +never see one of these mountaineers without that. I wouldn't be +surprised to hear that some of them go to bed with their guns in their +arms. Do you see him now, Bob?" + +"Yes, and can understand why he's sitting there like that," replied the +other, rather bitterly. + +"Looks like he might have a touch of the fever and ague, and that with a +spell of the shakes on, he wanted to sun himself," suggested Thad; +though he knew full well the true explanation was along other lines +entirely. + +"He's doing sentry duty," remarked Bob, soberly. "You can see, Thad, +that from where he lies he has a splendid view of the road we came +over?" + +"That's a fact, and could even toss a rock down on it if he chose," +continued the patrol leader. "I understood that, Bob, and can guess why +he was placed there by Old Phin Dady." + +"I suppose they're all around us," remarked the Southern boy, "and as I +said last night, they've sure got us marooned, all right. We can't move +without they're knowing it. Oh! what sort of chance would I have to get +him out of this awful country, even if it should turn out to be my +father who is the prisoner of the moonshiners? Thad, I reckon it's a +forlorn hope after all." + +"Well," remarked the other, seeing that Bob needed cheering up again, +"even if you only discover that he is alive, that will be great news +alone. And when things get to coming your way the style they've been +doing lately, believe me, you can hope for the best. Keep your spirits +up, Bob. That girl is going to help us more than we ever dreamed of." + +"It _was_ great luck, our running across Polly; and then the chance to +do her a favor, could you beat it? Reckon you're right, Thad; and I'm +foolish for letting myself look at the dark side, when things are +breaking so splendidly for me." + +"That fellow doesn't seem to pay much attention to us, though I'm sure +he knows we're going to pass him by," Thad continued, in a lower voice. + +"I used to know a good many of the men around here, and this might be +one of the lot; so I hadn't better take any chances of his seeing me too +close in the daylight," and with this remark Bob drew the brim of his +hat lower over his face. + +The man never so much as moved, though the two descending boys passed +within thirty feet of where he reclined on the rock, his face turned +toward the road that wound in and out of the tangle far below. + +Thad believed he could see a pair of sharp eyes under the man's hat, +that kept watch over their movements; but there was no hail, or other +sign of life from that sphinx-like figure stretched out at length on the +sunny rock. Should they have given the mountaineer cause for displaying +any activity, no doubt he would be quick to take action. + +Thad certainly did not want to strike up a conversation with so morose a +man; and especially when his chum wished to keep aloof from him. So they +continued along down the side of the mountain, and soon lost sight of +the vidette. + +Still, the circumstance left a bad feeling behind. It was far from +pleasant for the boys to realize how completely they had put themselves +in the power of these mountain moonshiners. Just as Bob had so bitterly +declared, Old Phin ruled with an iron hand among the men who lived here +among the uplifts; and once he had placed sentries on duty to watch the +movements of the scouts, they could neither go forward nor retreat, +unless that gaunt moonshiner crooked his finger. + +"I don't see how it can be done," Bob broke out later, as they began to +draw near the camp again; as though he had been wrestling with some +subject, and reached a point where he needed counsel. + +"As what?" inquired his comrade. + +"Work both ends of the affair at the same time," continued Bob. +"Suppose, now, I find that the paper Bertha has seen is the very one +I've been hoping to get my hands on; and she comes to me to-night; how +can I carry her away, and at the same time stay here to find out about +the news Polly will bring me?" + +"Now, I'm glad you spoke of that, Bob," Thad declared; "because I've +been trying to puzzle out that same thing myself. And I really believe +I've hit the only answer." + +"Then let me hear it, for goodness sake, please!" exclaimed the other, +in a relieved tone; for he well knew that when Thad Brewster said a +thing that way, he must feel pretty confident he had the right solution +in hand. + +"Just as you say, it would be next to impossible to take Bertha away +from here, and at the same time carry out your plans in connection with +that other business. That is of the first importance, it seems to me, +Bob. This other about Bertha can wait some, if it comes to it." + +"Yes, it could, I suppose," admitted the other, slowly. "Bertha is +unhappy she says, and he treats her wretchedly; but then he is not +really cruel to her. Tell me your plan, Thad, and I'll be ready to stand +by it." + +"Suppose, then, she brings you that paper, and it turns out to be all +you hope for? You can take it away with you, and when we get back to +Asheville place it in the hands of some reliable lawyer, who will have +Reuben summoned to court with the girl. Then she will never be allowed +to go back with him again; and he may consider himself lucky if he gets +off without being sent to jail for having withheld a lawful document, +and replacing it with a false will, or one that was older." + +Bob uttered a cry of delight. + +"It sure takes you to think up an answer to every hard, knotty problem, +Thad," he cried. "That is just the best thing ever, and I'm willing to +try it. Why, for me to take the law in my hands would be silly, when the +courts will save me all the risk. And while I hate to disappoint poor +little Bertha, who believes I'm down here to carry her off, in spite of +old Reuben, she'll understand, and be willing to wait a bit. Thank you +over and over again, Thad. I'm feeling a thousand per cent better, suh, +after what you said." + +"And about the other thing, Bob, I wouldn't let myself believe too +strongly that this mysterious prisoner of the moonshiners will turn out +to be your father. There were some other revenue men who have +disappeared in the last few years, men who started into the mountains to +learn things, and never came out again. It might be one of these after +all. And I guess you'd be awfully disappointed if you set too much store +on that thing." + +"I keep trying all I know how not to hope _too_ much, Thad," replied the +other, with a big sigh; "and tellin' myself that it would be too great +news; yet, seems like there was a little bird nestlin' away down in +here, that goes on singin' all the while, singin' like a mockingbird +that brings good news," and Bob laid a trembling hand on his breast in +the region of his heart, as he spoke. + +"Well," said Thad, warmly, "I'm just hoping that everything'll come out +the way you want, old fellow. We're going to back you up the best we +know how; and if we fail to do what we aim for, it won't be from lack of +trying." + +"I know that, and I'll never, never forget it as long as I live!" +declared the other, almost choking in his emotion. + +"There's the camp," remarked Thad, five minutes later, "and everything +seems to be going along all right at the old stand. I can see Step Hen +lying on his back, with his hat over his eyes as if he might be taking a +nap; Smithy is of course brushing his coat, because he has discovered +some specks of dust on it that worry him; and if you look at Giraffe, +you'll know what he's up to when I tell you he's whittling at a piece of +pine, to beat the band." + +"Getting kindling ready to start up the fire, when supper time comes +around," said Bob, with a chuckle, as though some of these familiar +sights began to do him good, in that they served to take his thoughts +away from the things that distressed and worried him. + +When the two scouts arrived in camp they were immediately surrounded by +their comrades, who demanded to know what they had seen and done. To +judge from the variety of questions that showered upon them, one might +think that Thad and Bob had been off on a regular foraging expedition, +and scouring the upper regions in search of adventures. + +And indeed, they did have something to tell that made the others stare. +The several little holes in their clothes, evidently made by sharp +claws, gave evidence as to the truth of their wonderful story. And all +of the stay-at-homes united in the fervent hope that Polly Dady might be +grateful enough to bring Bob the news he yearned to possess. + +Several of the boys had been dispatched to the cabins across the valley, +where they managed to purchase some dozens of eggs, but could get no +bacon. They did secure a couple of fowls, however, which were even then +plucked, and ready for the pot. + +As evening settled down soon afterward, the scouts prepared to make +themselves as comfortable as the circumstances allowed. + +And certainly not one among them so much as dreamed that other peculiar +events were on the calendar; ready to take their places upon the stage; +and advance the interests of the fellow scout, whose yearning to look +again on the familiar scenes of his younger years had influenced the +others to hike through the Blue Ridge Range. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +THE AWAKENING OF STEP HEN. + + +"Say fellers, did anybody see that----" + +Step Hen had just managed to get that far in what he was about to say, +when he was rudely interrupted by a combined shout from Giraffe, Davy +Jones, and Bumpus. + +"Don't you dare accuse us of taking any of your old traps, Step Hen!" +said the last named scout, severely. + +"We're sure gettin' awful tired of that war cry," declared Giraffe. +"It's always this thing or that he's lost, and never by his own fault at +all. A sly little jinx is hoverin' around, ready to grab up a thing just +as soon as Step lays it down. Still, I notice that every single time, it +turns out he put it there himself. Get a new tune for a change, Step +Hen, and ring it on us." + +"By the way," remarked Smithy, who was very polite, and never joined in +the loud and boisterous jeers that greeted some break on the part of a +comrade; "what fresh misfortune has overtaken you now, Step Hen?" + +"Oh!" replied the other, with a broad grin, "when our funny friends +broke in on me that way, I was only going to ask if any of you +wide-awake scouts had noticed that I had my badge turned right-side up, +early this morning?" + +There was a general laugh at this, even the three culprits joining in. + +Among all Boy Scouts, it has become the proper wrinkle to turn the badge +upside down to start the day; and the wearer has no right to change its +position until he has done an actual good deed toward some one else; or +even helped an animal that was in distress. Many are the expedients +resorted to, in order to gain this privilege; for it is deemed in bad +taste to spend the entire day with the badge reversed on the lapel of +the coat. + +A thousand ways can be found whereby the boy may feel that he has a +right to alter the position of his badge, and prove that he had done +something of a kindly nature, that is a credit to his character. An old +woman may be helped across the street; a heavy basket carried for a +child; a box that is trying the strength of a single man may be made +easier to lift into a wagon by a pair of sturdy, willing hands; the +harness that is galling the shoulder of a horse can be rendered less +troublesome if a rag is doubled up, and fastened to the leather--well, +the list of things that wide-awake scouts find in order to gain this +privilege would really seem to be without end. + +So all the others now turned toward Step Hen, with curiosity expressed +on their faces; for they seemed to guess that it could be no ordinary +explanation that he meant to give them. + +"What wonderful stunt did you manage to carry through so early in the +day, down in this forsaken country?" demanded Giraffe. + +Bumpus looked forlornly at his own badge, that still hung to his coat +lapel in its reversed position; showing that he, at least, had not been +able to discover any means of doing a good turn to some object, however +humble; in fact, he had, like most of the other boys, entirely forgotten +about the usual programme. There were no old ladies to help down here; +no errands to run for mother; no problems to solve for little brother; +nothing but the everlasting mountains rising grimly all about them, and +silence lying on the scene like a great blanket. + +"I reckon I'm the only one in the bunch that's been smart enough to get +his badge turned to-day," chuckled Step Hen, proudly exhibiting the +article in question; "and I'd just like the fun of hearing all of you +try and guess how I managed it; but then, I know you'd never hit on the +truth in a thousand years; and so I s'pose I'll have to up and tell +you." + +"Oh! wake me up, somebody, when he gets really started," groaned +Giraffe; "of all the slow-pokes, Step Hen takes the cake." + +"I'll tell you," began the other, with a sly look toward the speaker, as +though he purposely delayed his disclosure in order to annoy the +impatient Giraffe; "you see, it was this way, fellows. I happened to be +walking out along the back road just after we'd done breakfast. Thought +I'd dropped my handkerchief somewhere, but afterwards I found it inside +my hat, you know." + +"Sure, it's always that way," muttered Giraffe, who lay with his eyes +closed, but drinking in all that was said. + +"Well," continued Step Hen, "all at once I noticed something that +interested me a whole lot. There was one of them queer little +tumble-bugs you always see ashovin' round balls along the road, an' +goin' somewhere that nobody ever yet found out. This critter was tryin' +like all possessed to push his ball up a steep little place in the +road. Sometimes he'd get her close to the top, and then lose his grip; +when it'd roll all the way back again. + +"Say, boys, that insect's pluck interested me a heap, now, I'm tellin' +you. Right there I got one of the best lessons a scout ever picked up in +all his life; which was the old story, 'if at first you don't succeed, +try, try again.' And he kept on tryin' again and again. I must a stayed +there all of half an hour, just watchin' that game little critter +pushin' his ball up against the hardest luck ever. And then, when I just +couldn't stand it any longer I took bug and ball in my hand, and put 'em +both up on top of that rise. And after that I thought I had a right to +turn my badge right-side up!" + +The scouts looked at each other. Somehow, they did not laugh, though +surely it must have been one of the queerest reasons ever advanced by a +fellow-scout, as an excuse for wearing his badge honorably. + +Despite its grotesque nature, there was also something rather pathetic +about the thought of Step Hen, only a careless, half-grown lad at best, +spending a whole lot of time, simply watching an humble but game little +beetle trying to fight against hard luck, and almost as interested in +the outcome as the wretched bug itself. + +"How about that, Mr. Scoutmaster; is Step entitled to wear his badge +that way, on account of helping that silly little bug climb his +mountain?" asked Davy, turning to Thad; but though his words might seem +to indicate a touch of scorn, there was certainly nothing of the sort in +his manner. + +Thad himself had been amused, and deeply interested, in Step Hen's +recital. Only too well did he know what a careless and indifferent +fellow the boy had ordinarily been classed, both at school and at home. +Seldom, if ever, had he paid the least attention to things that were +happening all around him, and which might appeal to the sympathies of +boys who were made of finer grain than Step Hen. + +And now, it seemed that something had been making an insidious change +inside the scout; when he could feel such intense interest in so trivial +a thing as the pluck of an obscure tumble-bug. Time was when Step Hen +would have cared little whether or not he came down with his heel upon +such an object, which ought to know better than get in his path. + +It was different now, since Step Hen had joined the scouts. His eyes had +been opened to many things, the existence of which he had never dreamed +in those other days. And he could never again be the same indifferent +fellow; he must go on advancing along the trail that led to a better +knowledge of Nature's great secrets; and above all else, the capacity +that lay within his own heart for understanding these myriads of small +but wonderful things. + +"I'm not going to answer that question myself, Davy," said Thad, with a +smile. "Fact is, I'd much rather have the candid opinion of every scout +on the subject. So I'm going to put it to a vote, here and now; and I +want you to be serious about it, small matter though it may seem; for +upon such things rests the very foundations of the whole Boy Scout +movement--observing, understanding, appreciating." + +"Whew!" muttered Giraffe, "and all this fuss about one little +tumble-bug!" + +"Those who really and truly think Step Hen had a full right to turn his +badge right side up for the interest he took in that game little +creature's struggle to overcome what seemed unsurmountable difficulties, +and for lending a helping hand in the end, raise the right hand," and +Thad put his up for a starter. + +Not counting Step Hen himself, there were just seven fellows present +when Thad asked them to show their colors. And including the scoutmaster +himself, just seven instantly raised a hand. + +Thad laughed softly. It gave him more pleasure than he could tell to see +that the boys understood the motive that had swayed their comrade. And +doubtless this vote of confidence would urge Step Hen to go along the +path he had discovered, with ever-increasing confidence, as its charms +continued to be revealed in ever-increasing proportions day by day. A +new world would soon open up to his inquiring eyes. He would find ten +thousand things of tremendous interest all around him, to which he had +up to now been as blind as a bat. Never again would he feel alone, even +though no comrade were at his side; for he could discover innumerable +objects about him at any time, calculated to chain his attention. + +"Seems to be unanimous, fellows," remarked Thad; "and I hereby publicly +commend our comrade, Step Hen, for his action of this morning. Yes, he +did have a right to turn his badge. It was not so much _what_ he did, as +the feeling he showed in, first of all, stopping to watch the bug; +second, getting tremendously interested in its never-give-up spirit; +third, in applying the principal to himself; and last but not least, his +desire to lend a helping hand. For Step Hen, boys, this has been a day +that some time later on in life, he will mark with a white stone; for he +has begun to notice things. And with the fever on him, he'll have to +keep on noticing, until he'll think it's not the same old world at all +but one filled at every turn with splendid discoveries. I know, because +I've been through the same thing myself." + +"Hurrah!" said Giraffe, who had been considerably impressed by what the +scoutmaster had said. "What did I tell you, fellows, about not missing +Dr. Philander Hobbs, our regular scoutmaster, on this hike? D'ye think +now, he could have said all that one-half as good as Thad did? I guess +not. And Step Hen, I'm ashamed to say that the whole blessed day has +gone by without my ever thinking to do something good for another +feller, so I could turn my badge over. There she rests; and I give you +all fair notice that to-morrow I'm going to start in right away to get +it moving." + +"Plenty of time to-night yet, Giraffe," piped up Davy. "I happen to know +a fellow who thinks a certain knife you own would look mighty fine in +his pocket, if only you'd take the trade he offers. Now, if you made him +happy, p'raps you'd have the right to turn your badge; and he c'd do +ditto, making it a killing of two birds with one stone. Better think it +over, Giraffe." + +The tall boy looked at Davy with a frown, and shook his head. + +"'Tain't fair to put it up to me that way, Davy," he declared, +obstinately. "You just know I don't want to trade, the least bit. Now, +if you'd say, that on the whole you'd concluded to quit botherin' me, +that would be a good deed, and I reckon you'd ought to have the right to +turn your badge." + +At this ingenious return thrust Davy subsided, with a grin, and a +general laugh arose from the other scouts. + +But if most of the boys were merry, there was one who looked sober +enough. Of course this was Bob Quail. He knew what a tremendous +undertaking he had before him, and the results seemed so uncertain that +it was only natural he should feel the heavy weight resting upon his +young shoulders. + +First of all, he must meet his cousin, Bertha, and learn what success +had followed her efforts to discover whether the paper she had seen by +accident in her guardian's safe was the missing document which Bob +believed Reuben had abstracted, placing another in its place. Then, +later on, he had that appointment with Polly, the moonshiner's daughter, +who was to bring him news concerning the mysterious prisoner. + +Yes, Bob certainly had quite enough on his young mind to make him +anything but jovial. Still, he had been more or less interested in what +was going on around him, for he was, after all, a boy. + +They were eating supper, as they chatted in this way. Night had settled +down on the scene. It promised to be a pretty dark night at that, Thad +realized, as he looked around him, and then up at the heavens, where a +few stars held forth, but gave very little light. + +It was fortunate that Bob happened to be so well acquainted around that +vicinity otherwise he would never have been able to cross to the other +side of the strange little basin which they called a valley, without +carrying a lantern; and this in itself must be out of the question, +since its light would betray him. + +While they were eating, they heard a gunshot not far away. + +"Wow! what d'ye think that means?" exclaimed Giraffe, jumping to his +feet, and looking off in the gloom toward the back trail. "Seemed to me +like it came from down that way, eh, boys." + +"It sure did," announced Davy Jones, positively. + +"And it was a gun in the bargain, with a big load. What d'ye s'pose they +could find to shoot at in the dark?" demanded Step Hen. + +"Oh! lots of things," replied Allan. "If a bobcat jumped in on us right +now, we'd think of using our gun, wouldn't we? But it might be that shot +was some sort of signal, after all." + +"There wasn't any answer, that's sure," interposed Bumpus. + +"But seems to me I can hear somebody talking pretty loud that way," +observed the listening Thad. + +"I did too," declared Smithy; "but it's died away now, as though the +excitement might be over. I wonder what it was, fellows?" + +"Chances are, we'll never know," returned Giraffe, settling back once +more to continue eating, for he was not yet through. + +"Lots of queer things are happening all around us, that we'll never +know," remarked Step Hen, seriously. + +Thad looked at him curiously. This was a strange remark to come from the +happy-go-lucky Step Hen. It looked as though his one little experience +of that morning had indeed done wonders toward causing the careless lad +to turn over a new leaf. He was beginning to _think_, and see what a +great big world this is after all. His horizon had been moved back +hugely since he first yawned, and stretched, that same morning. + +And the queer part of it was that no one thought to joke the boy about +his altered disposition. They seemed to understand that it was no joking +matter. Doubtless Step Hen's reformation would not be accomplished in a +day, nor a week, nor even a month; but he had taken the first step, and +from now on must begin to arouse himself to making a good use of the +faculties with which a kindly Nature had endowed him. + +"Listen!" exclaimed Thad, a little while later, just as they were about +done supper. + +"I heard somebody talking, too!" declared Davy Jones; while Allan showed +by his manner that the sounds had surely come to his acute hearing, +trained by long service in the piney woods of his native state. + +"They're comin' this way, too; I c'n hear 'em pushin' through the +bushes, and stumblin' along too." Bumpus declared, in an awed tone; +looking a trifle worried, and wishing Thad would only snatch up that +gun, lying against the tree trunk, which the other did not seem at all +anxious to do. + +The voices drew steadily nearer, as the boys stood and listened. + +"Hyar's a fire, Nate; we gut ter git him thar, sure's anything. I tell +yuh he'll never be able tuh walk 'crost tuh the doc's cabin. He'll bleed +tuh death long 'foah we gits thar with 'im. Steady now, Cliff; hyah's a +light, an' we kin see how bad yuh is hurt!" + +Then, while the scouts stood and stared in amazement, a group of three +men staggered into view, two of them assisting the third, whose +faltering steps showed that he must have been injured, even if the arm +that dangled helplessly at his side had not told the tale of a serious +gunshot wound! + +No wonder that the Boy Scouts felt a thrill as they watched these rough +mountaineers enter their camp in this strange way. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +"BE PREPARED!" + + +"WHEE!" + +It was Bumpus who gave utterance to this exclamation, though possibly he +hardly realized, himself, that he was saying anything, as he stood +there, and gaped at the sight of the wounded mountaineer being helped +along into their camp. + +But if Bumpus, and some of the others, were spell-bound by what they +saw, gazing as though fascinated at the blood dripping from the man's +fingers, Thad Brewster was not included in this group. + +He had long ago picked up a smattering of knowledge connected with a +surgeon's duties; and ever since taking up the new life of a Boy Scout, +those things which concerned the saving of human life had somehow +appealed to young Thad with redoubled force. + +More than once now had he been called upon to show what he knew along +these lines. A boy had been severely cut by an ax he was carelessly +wielding in camp; and might have bled to death only for the energetic +actions of Thad, who knew just how to secure a stout bandanna +handkerchief around above the wound, with the knot pressing on the +artery; and making a tourniquet by passing a stick through the folds of +the rude bandage, twist until the bleeding was temporarily stopped, and +the boy could be taken to a doctor. + +Another time it had been a case of near drowning, when Thad, who had +learned his lesson well, succeeded in exercising the lad's arms, after +laying him on his chest and pressing his knee upon him, until he had +started the lungs to working. In that case every one of the other scouts +declared that only for these prompt applications of scout knowledge the +unfortunate one would surely have died. + +And so, when he saw that the man who was being thus supported into their +camp had been shot in the arm, and was in danger of bleeding to death, +the surgeon instinct in Thad Brewster came immediately to the surface. + +He never once thought about the fact that the man was very probably one +of those very lawless moonshiners, whose presence all around had +virtually marooned himself and chums in the heart of the mountains. He +was a man, and in trouble; and perhaps Thad could be of some help! + +And so the generous-hearted boy sprang forward, eager to lend a hand. + +"Bring him right up to the fire, men!" he exclaimed. "What happened to +him? Was he shot? We heard a gun go off a little while ago, and wondered +what it meant." + +The two men urged their injured companion forward. He seemed to have +little mind of his own in the matter; though Thad could see that he had +his jaws set, and was apparently determined to betray no sign of +weakness in this terrible hour. The customary grit of the North Carolina +mountaineer was there, without fail. It showed in the clenched hand, the +grim look on his weather-beaten face, as well as in those tightly closed +teeth. + +"Yep, 'twar an accident," almost fiercely replied one of the men, whom +Thad now recognized as the fellow whom they had met driving the vehicle +that Bob declared had kegs of the illicit mountain dew hidden under the +straw--Nate Busby. "We was walkin' thro' ther woods w'en a twig cort the +trigger o' my gun, and she hit Cliff in the arm, makin' a bad hurt. +Reckons as how he never kin hold out till we-uns git him acrost ter ther +doc's cabin." + +"You could, if we managed to stop that bleeding," said Thad, eagerly. +"Bring him over here, and let me take a look, men. I've done a little +something that way. And perhaps you don't know it; but all Boy Scouts +are taught how to shut off the flow of blood. There, set him down, and +help me get his coat off. There's no time to lose." + +"Nope, thar's sure no time tuh lose," muttered the wretched Nate, who +was undoubtedly feeling very keenly the fact that it had been _his_ gun +that had been discharged through accident, causing all this trouble; and +that if the man died, his relatives might even want to hold the unlucky +owner of that weapon to account for his carelessness, inexcusable in one +who had been mountain born and bred. + +They sat the wounded man down as gently as though he had been a babe; +after which Nate assisted Thad to take the ragged coat off. + +Some of the scouts crowded close, though with white faces; for the sight +of blood is always enough to send a cold chill to the hearts of those +unaccustomed to the spectacle. But Allan was an exception; and strangely +enough, there was Smithy, whom no one would ever have expected to show +the least bit of nerve, evidently ready to lend the amateur surgeon a +helping hand, if he called for recruits. It often takes a sudden +emergency call like this to show what is under the veneered surface of a +boy. Smithy had always been deemed rather effeminate; yet here he could +stand a sight that sent the cold shivers chasing up and down the spines +of such fellows as Giraffe, Davy Jones, and Step Hen, and almost +completely upset poor Bumpus. + +"Get me one of those stout bandages I brought along, Allan, please," +said Thad, when he could see what the terrible nature of the wound was; +"you know where they are. And Smithy, will you hand me that stick +yonder?" + +In a brief space of time the several articles were at the service of the +boy, who first of all made a good-sized knot in the handkerchief, after +wrapping it around the man's arm _above_ the wound; and then, inserting +the stout stick, he began twisting the same vigorously. + +It must have pained tremendously, but not a whimper, not a semblance of +a groan did they hear from the bearded lips of the wounded mountaineer. +Indeed, he seemed to arouse himself sufficiently to watch the confident +operations of the young surgeon with a rising curiosity; and Thad +thought he could detect a slight smile on his dark face. + +As for Nate and the other rough man, they stared as though unable to +believe their eyes, to thus see a mere boy so wonderfully able to do +what was necessary in a case of life and death. Every little movement +did they follow with wrapt attention. No doubt, a great relief had +already commenced to rise up in the heart of Nate, as hope again took +hold upon him. If the other survived the shock, and loss of blood, it +would not be so bad; and trouble might not come home to him on account +of his liability for the accident. + +Thad soon knew that he had done the right thing. The knot had been +properly placed, so that the pressure upon the artery above the wound +prevented any more blood being pumped that way by the excited action of +the man's heart. + +"There," he remarked, in a satisfied way, "I guess we've got the +bleeding held up, and you can get him to a doctor, if, as you say, there +is one across the valley. I'm going to bind this stick so it can't come +loose while you're helping him along. But if it should, perhaps you've +seen how I did the job, and you could fix it up again?" + +"Sure," replied Nate; "and yuh dun it ther neatest I ever knowed, +younker. Reckon as how Cliff Dorie an' me has reason tuh be glad yuh +happened tuh be so clost. If so be he lives thru hit, as he will now, +dead sartin, he's gwine tuh owe his life tuh yer." + +Thad happened to catch a glimpse of Bob's face just then, as the other +turned toward him; for up to now he had been keeping rather aloof, not +wishing to be noticed by either of the mountain men. He was surprised to +see the expression of suddenly renewed hope that seemed to have taken up +its abiding place there. Apparently the Southern boy had made a pleasing +discovery, which of course Thad could only guess at, until he had found +a chance to speak to his comrade. But he understood readily enough that +it must concern the coming of the three men, and the fact of the scouts +being enabled to place them under obligations. + +With the flow of blood stopped, the wounded man seemed to gather new +energy. He no doubt felt that he had at least a fair chance to pull +through. He started to get on his feet, seeing which Thad immediately +offered his hand to help him; and the mountaineer's horny palm was +confidently thrust into his much smaller one; as though, after what +miracle he had already seen the lad perform, the man were willing to +trust him in anything. + +Yes. Fortune had again been kind to the scouts; only in this instance it +had not been a case of searching for chances to do good; the opportunity +had come knocking at their very door, so that all that was necessary was +for them to _be prepared_, just as the scout's motto signifies, and +then do the best they knew how. + +Again did the two men take hold of their stricken companion. Before they +quit the vicinity of the fire, however, the man named Nate Busby turned +and shook hands all around. Evidently he was grateful for the assistance +rendered. To his mind this first aid to the injured meant a whole lot; +and while he did not say a single word, his action was enough to show +what he thought. + +Then the group departed, heading toward the other side of the valley, +where, in one of the humble cabins, some sort of mountain doctor was to +be found, rude in his way, no doubt, but perfectly capable of attending +to a gunshot wound; for these doubtless constituted the bulk of calls +that were made upon his services. + +When they had gone the scouts began to discuss the queer happening, and +compare notes as to which one of them had shown the least alarm. + +Bob Quail came directly over to where Allan and Thad were standing, just +as the latter had expected he would do. That expression of eager +anticipation still shone upon his dark face, and his eyes fairly glowed +with satisfaction. + +"Well, will wonders ever stop happening?" he said, as he reached the +others. "Did you hear what Nate called the wounded man, Thad, Allan?" + +"Yes, it was Cliff Dorie. And I guess you've heard it before, judging +from the way you act?" observed the scoutmaster. + +"Talk about luck, why, we're just swimming neck deep in it, suh!" the +other continued. "I thought he looked a little like somebody I'd known +befoah; and when I heard that name, I knew it; Why, Cliff Dorie is the +brother of Old Phin's wife!" + +"Fine!" exclaimed Allan, with a broad smile. + +"I should say, yes," Bob went on, eagerly; "seems as though we were just +bound to put the whole Dady family in our debt. There was Old Phin +himself, who felt so interested in all you told him about the Boy Scout +movement; then there was Polly, who might have had her face badly +scratched, not to mention other wounds, if we hadn't just happened to +get there in time to chase that savage mother bobcat off. And now you've +gone and saved the life of Polly's own uncle. Oh! p'raps, suh, we won't +have to get into any fuss at all about that prisoner of the Still; +p'raps Old Phin might feel that we'd done his family enough good to +change his mind about keepin' that revenue man up there any longer, +aworkin' his life out; and let him go away with us, if he promised never +to tell anything he'd learned. And let me say to you both, I'm feelin' +somethin' right here, inside, that seems to tell me it's going to be all +right, all right!" and Bob repeated those last two words softly, +caressingly, as though they meant everything in the wide world to him. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +WHEN BOB CAME BACK. + + +THE other boys of course shared in Bob's deep feeling of satisfaction. +Perhaps he might be expecting too much from the old mountaineer; but +then, Bob had lived among these people during a good portion of his +life, and ought to be able to judge as to the amount of gratitude they +were capable of feeling. + +"But you ought to be off across the valley yourself, Bob," ventured +Thad, presently. + +"I know it, suh," the Southern lad replied, quickly; "and let me tell +you I'm starting right now in better spirits than I ever dreamed would +be the case. I want to get back heah in good time, so as to go up yondah +with you, and meet Polly." + +"If you're not too much played out," suggested Allan. + +Bob drew his figure up proudly, as he went on to say: + +"I'd have to be mighty nigh a collapse, suh, let me tell you, to keep +from goin' to where I've got a chance to hear about _him_!" and they did +not need to be told who was meant, for they knew Bob was thinking of +his missing father, whom everybody had long believed to be surely dead. + +And so he presently vanished, with a farewell wave of the hand. + +The other scouts gathered around the fire, chatting on various subjects, +but principally in connection with the recent happening. They thought it +the strangest thing in the world how two girls came to play a part in +the affair which their good comrade, Bob Quail, was trying to put +through; and of such vastly different types too, the one a plain +mountain maid, and the other, according to what they themselves had +seen, quite a dainty little thing, cultured and refined. + +"Smithy, I'm going to tell you to reverse that badge of yours," said the +scoutmaster, as they sat there around the fire, waiting for the return +of the absent comrade. + +Smithy looked up in surprise. He had been smoothing his coat sleeve +after a peculiar habit he had, as though he imagined he had discovered +some dust there. And for the moment he fancied that Thad must be joking +him on account of those "finicky" ways, as Giraffe called them, which he +could not wholly throw aside, since extreme neatness had long ago become +a part of his very nature. + +"That's very kind of you, Thad," he remarked, trying to appear calm; +"and I'm sure I feel grateful for the privilege, which should always be +a matter of pride I take it, with every Boy Scout. But I am not aware, +sir, just how I've gained the right to reverse my badge." + +"By handing me that stick when I asked for it, and thereby becoming a +partner with me in assisting that wounded man. You notice that I'm +turning my own badge, because I think I've earned it by this act, if I +didn't by what Bob and myself did to that bobcat. And Allan, you're in +this deal also; you brought me that roll of stout muslin when I wanted +it, so you did all you could." + +"And I helped get him on his feet!" declared Giraffe, quickly. + +"So did I!" exclaimed Bumpus, excitedly; "anyhow, I started to lend a +hand; but there was so many around I just got crowded out. But I +_wanted_ to do something, sure I did, Thad!" + +"Turn your badge, then," ordered the scoutmaster, smiling. "In fact, +every scout was full of sympathy, and ready to assist if called on. And +under the circumstances, I just guess there needn't be any badge in this +camp unturned right now. To-morrow we'll start fresh again, and let's +see how quick all of us can follow after Step Hen's example, and help +some worthy object along." + +"Even if it is only a poor little tumble-bug that can't push his ball +home," remarked Giraffe, with a grin. + +The time hung heavily upon their hands. No doubt this was partly caused +by their intense eagerness to learn just how Bob was coming out. Would +Bertha meet him; or might she have been shut up in the house by her +guardian, stern Reuben Sparks? If she did come, would she bring that +paper which she said was signed with her dead father's name; and +supposing it proved to be all Bob hoped and prayed it would, was it +possible, if placed in the hands of a competent lawyer in Asheville, +that this document would take Bertha from the custody of Reuben, and +give her a home with Bob's mother up in Cranford? + +All these things were debated from every standpoint; and wide-awake boys +can see the weak links in the chain about as quickly as any one; so that +Thad was kept busy explaining, and building up plans to suit the altered +conditions. + +"Ought to be time he was here," Giraffe remarked, as he stifled a huge +yawn. + +"It's sure nearly a whole hour since we heard that row across there," +Bumpus went on to say. "Seemed like a whole crowd had started to yell, +and dogs to bark. We none of us could make up our minds what it meant. +Some thought the wounded man must a got to the cabins, an' all that +noise meant the kind of reception a brave feller gets in these parts +when he's brought home on a shutter. But others, they seemed to b'lieve +it might have had to do with our chum Bob, and that p'raps he'd been +surrounded, and trapped by the wise old Reuben." + +"We hope not, for a fact," declared Thad. + +"Well, there's somebody coming right now, I give you my word!" observed +Smithy, who happened to be on the windward side of the fire, and able to +hear better than some of the rest. + +"And from the right direction, too," added Allan. + +The patter of footsteps came closer, and presently a dim figure loomed +up, almost staggering. + +"It's Bob, all right!" cried Bumpus; and Thad heaved a sigh of relief, +for he had begun to fear that something might have happened to disturb +the carefully laid plans of his companion. + +The Southern boy came into camp, breathing heavily. He seemed to be very +much exhausted, but Thad could detect a look of triumph on his face that +seemed to tell of something worth while having been accomplished. + +Dropping down, Bob motioned for a drink of water, and Step Hen made +haste to get him one from the collapsible bucket they had brought along +with them. Draining the tin cup, Bob sighed as though the cooling liquid +went just to the right spot, and had refreshed him wonderfully. + +"It's all right, Thad!" he managed to say, noticing the questioning look +that the other was bending upon him. + +"Then you saw your cousin, and got the paper?" asked the scoutmaster, +eagerly, while the rest of the boys fairly hung upon every word. + +Bob nodded his head. + +"Get my breath right soon now," he remarked; "then tell you all about +it. Phew! I had a smart run, believe me!" + +The boys exchanged expressive looks. They drew their own conclusions +from the little Bob had already dropped; and began to believe that he +must have been hotly pursued. Evidently then, if this were indeed the +case, Bob had met with an adventure since leaving the camp-fire, and a +serious one at that. + +It is always a difficult thing for the ordinary boy to restrain his +impatience, and several of the scouts squirmed about uneasily while Bob +was trying to calm himself down, so that he might talk with reasonable +comfort. + +Thad let him have his own time. He understood that Bob was even more +anxious to tell, than any of them were to hear; and that just as quickly +as he could, he was sure to start in. + +That time came presently, when his heart began to beat less violently; +and as a consequence Bob started to breathe more naturally. + +"I met Bertha," he began to say, "and she gave me the paper. Boys, it's +everything I hoped it'd be; and once I manage to get it in the hands of +a good lawyer, good-bye to Mr. Reuben Sparks' authority over little +Bertha, and her fortune." + +"Wow! that's going some!" burst out Giraffe, rubbing his thin hands one +over the other, as though decidedly pleased by the news. + +"Was she disappointed when you told her how impossible it would be for +us to take her away right now, when these moonshiners have got us +marooned up here in their blessed old mountains; and we can't turn +whichever way without runnin' slap up against a sentry with his old +gun?" asked Bumpus. + +"That's right, she _was_ upset when I told her that same," answered the +other. "It made me feel right bad too, suh, to see how she took it; and +I tell you right now I came mighty neah givin' in, and sayin' we'd make +a try. But I remembered what Thad heah had told me, and how it was best +for all of us that we let the cou'ts summon old Reuben to bring Bertha +before the bar of justice. An' finally, after I'd explained it all to +her, she began to see it the same way. My cousin has got the spirit of +the Quails all right, I tell you, fellows, even if she is young and +little." + +"I reckon you stayed so long tryin' to convince her, Bob, that you clean +forgot how you'd promised to get back here as soon as you could?" +remarked Step Hen, under the belief, no doubt, that he was giving the +other a sly dig. + +"Well, perhaps you are correct about that same, suh," replied Bob, +quite unabashed; "she was like most girls, and had to be argued into +seeing things like boys see 'em. Of course, I couldn't break away till +she had arranged to go back to the house, and wait for things to begin +to move, as they surely would, just as soon as I get to Asheville. But +there was one real smart thing she did do, and I've just got to tell you +about that befo' I come to my own adventure." + +"That's right, don't skip anything, old chum," remarked Giraffe, warmly, +as he settled down to listen. + +"When Bertha took that document from the little pigeonhole in the safe +where he had it hidden, she thought to make up another as much like it +as she could, and put that in place of the one she carried off. Some of +you scouts ought to take pattern from the smartness of that little girl; +don't you think so, Thad?" and Bob turned his now smiling face upon the +patrol leader. + +"They couldn't improve very much on that sort of work," Thad declared; +"and if girls were allowed to join our troop I'd vote every time to let +your cousin come in. I'm sure she'd be an honor to any organization." + +"Now tell us what happened to you, Bob!" asked Bumpus. + +"Well," continued the other, drawing a long breath as though what he was +about to say stirred him once more; "I was just ready to say good-bye, +when we heard loud voices, together with the barking of a big dog, and +Old Reuben, with a man, and a mastiff about hip-high burst into view, +both men carrying lanterns, and heavy sticks in their hands. And you can +believe me, fellows, I understood that I was in for a little excitement +about that time!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +A CLIMB IN THE DARK. + + +"THAT'S where you had ought to have had our gun, Bob," remarked Giraffe, +as the other paused for a moment, to recover his breath before going on +with his exacting recital. + +"I was about of that opinion myself, suh," the other continued; "and I +reckon that if such had been the case, there would have been one less +mastiff in the world right now. But after all, it's well I didn't take +the weapon. Things would have gone different from what they did; and I +have no fault to find, suh, not a bit." + +"But what did you do; don't tell us you beat a big dog runnin'?" +demanded Bumpus, incredulously. + +"I am not so foolish as to want you to believe that sort of stuff, +suh," replied the Southern boy, stiffly. "I doubt very much if there is +a man living, even the winner of the great world Marathon, who could +have outrun that hound. Fortunately I didn't have to depend on my heels +altogether, to escape being bitten by his fangs. There chanced to be +another way out of the hole." + +"Say, I guess _she_ had a hand in it!" suggested Giraffe. + +"Go up to the head, suh," remarked Bob, with a smile; "because that is +just what did come about. Old Reuben, he must have managed to catch +sight of some one, even if he wasn't nigh enough to tell that I was +dressed in the uniform of a scout. He up and sicked the dog on me; and I +reckon it wouldn't have mattered one bit to that cold-blooded old man if +the ugly beast had torn me badly." + +"And was you arunnin' like fun all the while?" asked Step Hen. + +"I believe I was making pretty fast time, suh, considerin' that the +bushes in the garden interfered with my sprinting. But that dog would +have caught up with me befo' I ever could have climbed the high fence, +only for a thing that happened. First thing I knew I heard Bertha +calling at the top of her little voice to the mastiff. And I reckon now +that Ajax, he must have been more used to mindin' the crook of her +little finger than he was the orders of Old Reuben. Fo', believe me, +suh, he just gave over chasin' after me, and went, and began to fawnin' +on her hand." + +"Great stuff!" declared Bumpus. "Say, I c'n just think I see that Old +Rube prancin' around there, orderin' Ajex on to grab you, an' gettin' +madder'n madder when the wise dog just utterly declined to obey. I +always heard that the sun c'd force a feller to take his coat off, when +the wind made a dead fizzle out of the job. Kindness goes further with +some animals than fear does." + +"Hear! hear! words of wisdom dropping like pearls of great price from +the lips of our comrade, Bumpus!" cried Giraffe. + +"But they're true, every word, all right," affirmed the stout scout, +firmly. + +"I kept on running for two reasons," Bob went on to explain. "In the +first place, I didn't know but what the dog might be forced to alter his +ways, and start out after me. Then again, p'raps that man with Old +Reuben might be coming, licketty-split after me; and I want you to +believe I didn't mean to be caught, with that valuable paper in my +pocket at that." + +"So you made pretty warm time of it over here, eh?" remarked Davy Jones, +who had remained quiet for some time, being deeply impressed by this +story which the other was giving them. + +"I never let up for two minutes at a time all the way across," admitted +Bob, in a satisfied tone. "Of course I had a few tumbles, but I reckon +there was none of 'em serious; leastways I didn't get bruised, or tear +my clothes. And now that I've got my breath back again, it's time we +thought of starting out; because there's heaps mo' that's got to be done +before we c'n call a rest." + +"Yes, a great deal," admitted Thad, who, however, was well pleased with +the outcome thus far; "and after you've lain here about ten minutes or +so, Bob, we'll see whether you feel able to take that other climb. If +you don't why, Allan here could go in your place." + +"And do just as well, I have no doubt, suh," added Bob; "but thank you, +I shall surely be able to take my part in that climb. If you gave the +word right now you'd see me spring to my feet, and start; because +there's every reason in the world to spur me on. Who wouldn't make an +extra effort for that?" + +The hour had grown late, since they had waited much beyond the appointed +time for the return of the messenger who had gone to meet Bertha. But +Thad knew they still had an abundance of time to get to the place +arranged with Polly, before midnight, which had been the hour set for +their meeting. + +"Now, if you feel refreshed, we'll make a start, Bob," remarked the +scoutmaster, after a bit. + +The other was on his feet instantly, and he gave not the slightest sign +of weariness at that. + +"Let me have just one more cup of that fine water," he remarked, "and +then I'm in fine fettle for business. If this second job only turns out +as handsome as that other, this'll sure be the happiest night ever. But +I hope that Reuben does not lay his hand on my cousin for what has +happened this night. If he does, he'll suffer for it, as sure as my +name's Bob Quail." + +"You don't really think he'd go as far as to strike her, do you?" asked +Thad, to whom the very idea seemed abhorrent. + +"I don't just know how far a man of his stripe would go if made very +furious, suh. To tell you the truth, I didn't want to run at all; but +Bertha insisted on my doing the same. She said nothing was going to +happen to injure her; and that if I was caught, with that paper in my +possession, she never would have the least chance to get away. And that +was all that made me run, believe me, suh." + +Thad took his shotgun along with him; and noticing the queer look +Giraffe gave him, he condescended to explain. + +"Don't believe for a minute that I expect to make use of this on some +moonshiner," he said, earnestly, yet with a trace of a smile lurking +about the corners of his mouth. "The mission of Boy Scouts is more to +bind up, than to give wounds; though they are allowed to do this other +in extreme cases, where some person's life may be in danger. But you +remember, we ran across a nasty bobcat up yonder once before; and if so +be she happens to be laying for us, I'd like to be prepared for trouble. +A scout should never go around with a chip on his shoulder looking for +trouble; but if it finds him out, why, he's just _got_ to defend +himself. That's the way I look at it; and most others do too. Come on, +Bob, if you're ready." + +When the two boys quitted camp Bob was walking as sprucely as ever. If +he still felt the effects of his long run he knew how to conceal the +fact in the finest way--Giraffe, Bumpus, Step Hen, Smithy, and Davy +Jones believed they had ever seen. Only Allan, being experienced in such +things, could see that Bob was laboring under a heavy strain, and had +his teeth tightly clenched; though the body might be weak, it was an +indomitable spirit that urged him on. + +Between them the two boys had noted things when coming down the mountain +that afternoon, and in this way picked out the course they expected to +take on that same night. It was rough enough, especially when they had +to do their climbing in the dark; since carrying a lighted lantern would +be foolhardy in the extreme. + +Bob's impatience took him in the lead most of the time. Thad cautioned +his impetuous companion in low whispers several times; and yet, knowing +what the motive was that drew Bob along in such feverish haste, he +could hardly blame him. At the same time he knew the danger of making a +false step when they happened to be close to the brink of some steep +descent, down which a roll meant instant death, or at least broken +bones. + +As they climbed upwards they would pause every little while to get a new +supply of energy, as well as recover their breath. And at such times +both boys eagerly scanned the black gulf that lay below them. + +It had not taken their keen eyes long to discover several lights that +seemed to move in eccentric circles and other movements. Nor was either +of them at a loss to understand what this implied. + +"The moonshiner videttes are having another talk," Bob remarked, as they +sat and watched several lights carrying on in this weird fashion. + +"Seems like it," said Thad, thoughtfully. + +"I wonder now, what is being carried along the lines? It'd be a great +stunt, Thad, if we could read the signs, and listen to the talk, +wouldn't it? P'raps now we'd learn something to our advantage," the +Southern lad went on, longingly. + +"Well, as we haven't got the code book," laughed the scoutmaster, "that +would be a pretty hard job, I take it." + +"But still," Bob continued, with a shade of entreaty in his voice that +was hard to resist, "I take it that you could give a guess that would +come pretty nigh the truth, if you cared to try, Thad." + +"Well, I don't know about that," replied the other scout; and then +adding, as he realized that Bob was grieved: "I'm willing enough to make +a try, if you think it would pay. Let's see, first of all, where these +fellows are located who are doing all this communicating." + +"There's one on the side of the mountain over yonder," declared Bob; +"then that's a second fellow across the valley; you can see his lantern +or torch dipping every which way; now he's stopped, as if he'd been +asking more questions. And Thad, seems to me, the one that's doing the +heft of the jabbering is located down yonder. Like as not the +information's coming from him." + +"That's across the valley, Bob?" remarked Thad. + +"You're correct, suh; somewhere neah the place from which I was chased +away not more than two hours back. That's where the cabins lie." + +"And that's where Nate and the other mountain man took Cliff Dorie," +continued the scoutmaster. "Now, you can put things together yourself, +if only you think, Bob. Don't you see that Nate is probably telling +these other fellows all about what happened to Cliff. And I certainly do +hope he doesn't forget to give us our due in the matter, for it would go +a great way toward making these rough men our friends. You know only too +well what that would mean, Bob. Friends with Phin Dady just now might be +the means of giving you back your father." + +Bob sighed heavily as he started on again, urged by a desire to come +upon Polly as soon as possible, and learn the truth, no matter whether +the news proved a disappointment, or not. + +But in his haste he forgot the caution Thad was trying always to instill +in his mind; for stumbling presently, he found himself toppling over an +unknown abyss that lay in the darkness, so that its extent could not be +seen. + +Thad had kept very close to his heels, and was prepared for something +like this, so that he acted from impulse, there being not a second to +give to thinking. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +THE CLOCK IN THE SKY. + + +"OH! Thad!" + +Bob unconsciously gave utterance to this low, bubbling cry as he felt +the ground slipping from under him, and his eyes looking down into an +inky void. Then something clutched hold of him, and his downward +progress was stayed. Thad had shot out a hand, and grasped his chum by +one of his legs, at the same time bracing himself for the shock. + +This he did in the twinkling of an eye, dropping his gun, and with that +hand laying hold of a sapling that, fortunately, chanced to be within +easy reach. + +"Careful, don't kick more than you can help, Bob," he remarked, as +coolly as he possibly could, though a sensation akin to horror swept +over him immediately he had acted. "I've got a good grip on you, and my +other hand is holding on to a stout little sapling, so we just can't go +down. Now work yourself back, inch by inch, as well as you can. +Yo-heave-o! here you come! Another try, Bob! That gave us quite some +distance. Ready to make it again? Why, this is easy. Here you are now, +altogether boys, with a will!" + +And after half a dozen of these concerted pulls and backward movements, +Bob found that he had reached a spot where he could take care of +himself. + +"Whew! that was what I call a close call!" he muttered. "I wonder, now, +just how far down I'd have had to go, if you hadn't been clever enough +to grab me just in time?" + +"We're not going to bother our heads about that, Bob," replied the +other, quickly; "only please go a bit slower. We won't make any time, if +we have to stop, and go through that circus stunt every little while. +And Bob, it might happen that I'd lose my grip, and either let you go +down, or there'd be two of us take the drop. Does it pay to try and make +speed at such a terrible risk?" + +"You're right, just like you always are, Thad," replied the hasty and +now penitent one; "and I'm sure a fool for taking chances that way. +Here, you go up ahead, and set the pace. That's the only way we can fix +it; because, like as not inside of five minutes I'd be rushing along +again for all I'm worth." + +"Perhaps that would be the best plan," Thad observed, with a chuckle. "I +thought of it, but didn't want to make you feel that I distrusted your +leadership. And I want to say right now that it isn't that makes me take +the lead, only because you are so excited that you're not fit to judge +things right." + +"But don't let's waste any more precious time, Thad. Polly might have +gotten to the place ahead of us, you know. Oh! wouldn't I be sore if she +got tired of waiting, and went back home." + +"All the same," Thad remarked, confidently, "I don't think Polly would +ever do such a mean thing as that. She understands just how crazy you +are to know, and she's right now putting herself in your place. No, +Polly will wait up for us, make your mind easy on that, Bob. I wish I +was as sure that we'd get there, safe and sound." + +"Oh! I'm done with my capers, mind you, Thad," returned Bob, eagerly. +"Since you've taken the lead, there's no chance for us to go pitching +over a precipice. When they catch a weasel asleep, and no mortal man +ever did that, I've heard, they'll hear of Thad Brewster making a fool +move." + +"It's nice of you to say that, anyway, Bob; I only wish I deserved the +compliment you pay me. But we'd better talk less, and get on a little +faster." + +And after Thad had given this gentle little hint the conversation +lagged; Bob realized that it was really no time to carry on any sort of +talk; and that when they could not tell what dangers might be close +around them in that inky darkness, they would be far wiser to keep a +padlock on their lips. + +Each time they stopped they again saw the signal lights flashing out +here and there across the way, or below. They seemed like giant +fireflies, striving to free themselves from some invisible bonds. But +the boys knew very well what it meant, and that the moonshiners of the +Blue Ridge were holding an animated fire talk. + +They met no animal on the way, which Thad thought was a piece of good +luck. Even though he did carry his faithful little Marlin, which could +send a powerful charge of shot a long distance; and close in, serve all +the purposes of a big bore rifle, or musket, all the same, Thad was not +desirous of meeting with any new and thrilling adventure. + +Such things were all very nice after they had passed along, and one sat +comfortably by a camp-fire, relating the circumstance; but while in +process of action they were apt to bring a cold chill along in their +train, not at all comfortable. + +"It must be after the time we set, isn't it, Thad?" Bob finally asked, +in a low voice, when they rested again. + +The scoutmaster could not look at his little cheap but reliable watch +without striking a match; and there was really no necessity for doing +that. It made very little difference whether they were ahead, or +somewhat behind the hour arranged for their meeting with Polly. And +besides, there were other ways of telling time pretty accurately, +without even having a watch along. + +Thad glanced up into the heavens. He had often studied the bright worlds +and suns to be seen there, and knew considerable about the positions +they occupied, changing, it might be, with the coming and going of the +seasons. + +"It's just close on to midnight, Bob," he observed, presently. + +Of course Bob was at once interested. + +"You're saying that because of the stars, Thad," he remarked. "Please +tell me how you managed to tell." + +"It's like this," the scoutmaster replied, not averse to pointing a +lesson that might be seed sown in fertile ground; "notice those three +rather small stars in the northeast, all in a line and pointing +downward? Well, those are what they call the belt of Orion, the Hunter. +They point nearly direct down to a mighty bright blue star that you see +there, twinkling like everything." + +"Yes, I've often noticed that, and I reckon it must be a planet near as +big as Venus or Jupiter," remarked the other boy. + +Thad laughed. + +"Well," he remarked, "I guess now you'd think me crazy if I told you +just how far that same star is away from us right now, ever so many +times further than either of the planets you speak of. Why, Bob, that's +Sirius, the Dog Star, said to be the biggest sun known to astronomers. +Our little sun wouldn't make a spot beside that terrible monster; which +may be the central sun, around which all the other tens of thousands +revolve everlastingly." + +"Oh! yes, I've heard of the Dog Star, but never reckoned it amounted to +anything in particular," declared the Southern lad, interested, in spite +of the anxiety that was gnawing at his heart all the while; "but suppose +you go on, suh, and explain to me how you can tell the time of night by +consulting the Dog Star. You sure have got me to guessing." + +"Nothing could be easier, if only you'd put your mind to it, and think, +Bob?" continued the patrol leader. "These stars and planets rise at a +certain hour every night. It grows later all the while, and many of them +are not seen only half of the year, because they are above us in the +daytime the rest of the twelve months. Now suppose you had watched that +star, as I did last night, and knew just when it crept above that +mountain ridge over yonder; you'd have a line on when it could be +expected to come up to-night. Now do you see?" + +"Well, it's as simple as two and two make four," replied Bob. "And so +that's the way old hunters tell the time at night, do they? Reading the +clock in the sky, you might call it, Thad. I'm sure going to remember +all about that; and later on, when my mind's at rest, I'll ask you a +heap more questions about these things. They get more and more +interesting the deeper you dip in; ain't that so, Thad?" + +"I've found it that way," replied the scout leader, quietly. "A fellow +who keeps his eyes and ears open can almost hear the stars whispering +together, they say; and as to the secrets the wind tells to the trees in +passing, why that's easy to understand. But if you're rested by now, +Bob, we'd better be on the move once more." + +Only too willingly did Bob agree. He believed that they must by this +time be very nearly up to the point where Polly had agreed to meet them. +She had asked Bob if he remembered the place; and he in return had +declared he could easily find it, even in the darkness of night; for +often had he climbed the face of this ridge when he lived close by; for +at the time, his father had owned the very place where Old Reuben Sparks +now had his home, the miser having purchased it from Mrs. Quail upon her +moving North with her son. + +"Keep on the lookout for three oak trees growing close together, Thad," +he said, presently. "It's always been a landmark around here, because +any one can see it from the valley, you know. I reckon, now, we must be +close by the same; and I'd hate to miss it in the dark. It's been some +time since I was up here, and I'm apt to get mixed a bit." + +"Well, I think you've done mighty well so far; because, unless my eyes +deceive me, there's the place right ahead of us," Thad declared. + +"You're right about that," Bob added, feverishly; "that's the place of +the three mountain oaks; and they stand out against the sky, now we've +changed our position. Oh! I'm beginning to shake all over, Thad, I'm +that anxious. What if Polly shouldn't be on hand? Perhaps she just +couldn't learn anything, after all, and will only come to tell me she +did her best; but they keep the Still guarded too close, and she +couldn't get close in. There's a dozen, yes, twenty things that might +come up to upset my hopes. They don't seem so strong, Thad, now that +we've got to the point." + +"Well, I wouldn't let myself get in any sort of gloom about it yet, +anyway, Bob. Time enough to cry after the milk is spilt. Here we are at +the oaks, and we'll wait for Polly to come, if she's late; but I'm dead +certain she'll keep her word with you. When a girl like Polly says +she'll do a thing, you can just make up your mind she will, unless the +heavens fall." + +"That's right peart o' you, suh," said a soft voice close by; and they +heard a rustling sound, as though some one might be coming out from +amidst the dense foliage just beyond the three oaks. "Here's Polly, be'n +awaitin' this half hour fur you-uns to kim along. An' she's agettin' +right sleepy, let me tell yuh." + +Thad felt his chum quivering with eagerness as the mountain girl made +her way carefully down to where they awaited her coming. What sort of +news Polly could be bringing neither of them could so much as guess; but +it would not be long now ere Bob knew the best, or the worst. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +BOB GETS HIS REWARD. + + +NEARER came the rustling. They could not yet see Polly, on account of +the darkness, but the sound of her voice had reassured them. + +Presently a moving figure crept close up to the waiting boys; which they +knew must be the queer mountain girl. Polly was far from dainty looking; +she had coarse black hair that possibly seldom knew a comb; and her +voice was rather harsh; but nevertheless Thad believed she had a heart +under this forbidding exterior, and that the spirit of gratitude was +transforming her, greatly to their advantage. + +"I'm right glad yuh kim, even if 'twar late," she said, as she reached +their side. + +"We started as soon as we could, Polly," said Bob, wondering if the girl +really felt hurt because she had been kept waiting. "You see, I had to +cross the valley, and talk with my cousin, Bertha. It was very important +that I should see her, for she had news to give me, news that we hope +will end in taking her away from that cruel old miser, and giving her +over to the keeping of my own dear mother." + +Polly grunted, as though she felt that she had to exhibit some sign of +displeasure; but she said no more on that subject. + +"I done found the Still," she remarked, simply. + +"That's good, Polly," Bob said, warmly. + +"Caus I'd be'n thar afore, but 'twas a long time ago," she went on, as +if in apology for any difficulty she may have run across in finding the +secret workshop of her father. + +"Yes," Bob went on, encouragingly, as she stopped. + +"Yuh see, they don't want gals er wimen ahangin' 'round thar. An' ever +since they begun ter keep a prisoner ter work ther mash, I reckons as +how never one hes be'n up ter thet place." + +"But you hadn't forgotten just how to get there, had you, Polly; you +knew the old trail, even with its changes; and did they have a prisoner; +or was it just a story that's been going around all this time?" + +Bob's impatience could not hold back any longer. He felt that he must +know the truth with regard to this fact, right away. If there was no +prisoner after all, then hope must sink out of sight. On the other hand, +should Polly say that she had discovered a guard, and a patient working +figure kept in restraint for long, weary months, he might still hug that +fond illusion to his heart, that it might yet turn out to be his own +father. + +"Yep, I gut thar, even if they had hid the trail right smart," the girl +continued, "an' sure 'nuff, thar war a prisoner!" + +"Oh!" said Bob, and Thad could feel him quiver again with eagerness. + +The girl was slow, not because she wished to tantalize Bob, but simply +on account of her sluggish nature. The hook-worm has a firm grip upon +most of the "poor whites" of North Carolina, as well as in Tennessee and +Georgia close at hand. It would take something out of the common to +arouse Polly; a sudden peril perhaps; or the anticipation of a new +dress, which latter could not be an event occurring in less than yearly +stages, Thad had thought. + +"An' he war a man," Polly went on, dreamily; "jest like yuh thought, +Bob; but his hair hed growed so long, and thar was so much beard on his +face, I jest reckons his own mother wudn't never a knowed 'im." + +"But did you get close enough to him to say a single word, Polly--just +to ask him who he was?" the boy demanded, faintly. + +Thad unconsciously let his arm glide around the figure of his chum. He +seemed to fear the result, no matter what the answer of the mountain +girl might be. + +"Sure I did. Thet's what I went up thar fur, ain't it?" Polly went on to +say. "They hed him chained ter ther rock. I reckons thar mout a be'n a +guard alongside, sum o' ther time; but right then he must a be'n away. +So arter peekin' around, an' not seein' any critter astandin' sentry, I +jest mosied up clost ter ther man, an' touched him on ther arm." + +She paused again, as if to collect her thoughts, and then yawned; but it +was only through habit, and not because Polly felt sleepy; far from it, +she was seldom more wide-awake than just then, though it was hard for +Thad to believe it. + +"He looked kinder s'prised tuh see me, 'cause like I done tole yuh, +gals, they ain't never be'n 'lowed 'round thar, sense he was took. In +course I tole him as how I jest kim ter fin' out who he mout be, 'case +thar was somebody as 'peared mighty wantin' ter know thet same." + +"And did he tell you; could he speak still, and explain?" asked Bob. + +"He shore cud, Bob," she replied, a little more earnestly now, as though +she realized that the critical point of her narrative had been reached. +"I never'd a knowed him, wid all ther hair on his face; but when he says +his name it was shore enuff--" and she paused dramatically. + +"My father?" gasped Bob. + +"Yep, an' no other then Mistah Quail, as used ter be ther marshal o' +this deestrict sum years ago,--yer own dad, Bob!" + +Thad tightened his grip upon his chum, for he felt him quivering +violently. It was a tremendous shock, since, for more than two years +now, Bob and his mother had been forced to believe the one they loved +so dearly must be dead; but they say that joy never kills, and presently +Bob was able to command his voice again. + +"Oh! you'll never know what that means to me, Polly!" he exclaimed, as +he groped around until he had found the girl's hand, which doubtless he +pressed warmly in his great gratitude. "To think that my poor father has +been alive all this time, and a slave up here in the wild mountains, +while mother and I have been enjoying all the comforts and luxuries of +our home. It just seems to cut me to the heart. But Polly, you talked +with him, didn't you?" + +"Shore I did. He done tole me he mout a got free a long time ago, if +he'd 'greed ter promise my dad never ter tell whar ther ole Still war +hid; an' never ter kim inter ther mountings agin ahuntin' moonshine +stuff. But he sez as how, sense he still must be in ther employ o' ther +Gov'nment, he's bound ter do his duty; an' not in er thousand years wud +he change his mind." + +"Oh! that is jest like father," murmured the boy, partly in admiration, +yet with a touch of genuine grief in his voice, because of the +unnecessary suffering they had all endured on account of this stubborn +trait on the part of the one-time marshal. + +"I tells him thet all ther same, he wa'n't agwine ter stay thar much +longer, it didn't matter whether he guv ther promise er not, 'case thar +hed be'n a change. An' then I ups an' tells him 'bout yer bein' hyar in +ther mountings, bound ter larn ef he was erlive." + +"Yes, and was he pleased when he heard that, Polly?" asked Bob, who was +gradually coming around in fine shape, now that the stupendous +disclosure had been accomplished, and his anxiety a thing of the past. + +"I shud say he war," replied the girl, a little aroused now. "Say, he +done _cry_, thet's what. Reckons as how he mout a be'n sorry fur not +promisin' like they wanted long ergo. He arsks as how yer looked, an' ef +yer mam war still well. Caus I cudn't tell him a heap, 'cause I didn't +know; but I sez ter him thet yer hed kim hyar ter fotch 'im home, an' +it'd be a shame ef yer hed ter go back erlone, jest 'cause he wanted ter +be ugly. So he says as how he'd be'n athinkin', an' mout change his mind +'bout thet thar promise." + +"Oh! to think of it, Thad," Bob breathed, gripping the arm of his +staunch chum eagerly; "my father is alive after all these terrible +months; and perhaps he'll even go home with me. It's worth all I've +suffered ten times, yes a thousand times over." + +"You deserve all the happiness there can be going, Bob, sure you do," +declared the scoutmaster, positively. "I guess nothing could be too good +for you. But we don't just understand yet how this is going to be +brought about. Will Phin Dady let him go free if he makes that promise, +Polly?" + +"Shore, he's jest _got_ ter, now," the girl answered, with a little +chuckle. "Yer see, like I sez afore, things, have changed a heap now, +an' my dad, he hain't a feelin' thet sore agin ther marshal like he used +ter. An' Bob Quail, even ef he warn't gwine ter do hit, arter wat I +larned this same night, I tells yer I'd set yer dad free on my own +'count." + +"What did you learn?" asked Thad, curiously, seeing that apparently the +girl could not of her own free will tell a story, but it had to be drawn +from her piece meal, through the means of questions. + +"I war acomin' down ther mounting," she began, "an' 'bout harf way hyah +I seen thet ther lights war a movin' down in ther valley. So I jest +natchally stopped ter read what ther news was, 'spectin' thet it meant +trouble fur you-uns. But the more I reads ther more I gits wise ter ther +fack thet yer be'n an' done hit sum moah." + +"Yes," said Thad, encouragingly, though already he understood what was +coming. + +"'Pears like 'tain't enuff fur yer ter skeer off thet cat, an' keep me +from agittin' my face clawed handsome, but yer must go an' save ther +life o' my uncle Cliff. I reads thet he was hurt bad by Nate's gun goin' +off, an' bleedin' a heap, so's they feels sure he never kin be took +'crost ter the doc's alive. Then they jest happen on yer camp down +thar; an' shore he gut his arm fixed up so's ter stop ther blood comin'; +an' they fotched him acrost ther valley in good shape." + +"It was only a little thing, Polly, and gave me a great deal of +pleasure," said Thad, thrilled despite himself by the girl's simple +recital of the event. + +"P'raps 'twar," she replied, sturdily; "but my maw, she sots some store +by Uncle Cliff; an' dad, he cain't nowise go agin wot she wants. So I +sees right plain like it was writ, thet Bob, he's bound arter this, ter +git his dad free." + +"Oh! it's like a dream to me, Thad; I feel as if I must be asleep. Give +me a pinch or something, won't you, and let me understand that I'm +alive," Bob exclaimed. + +"You're awake, all right, old fellow," replied Thad, with a nervous +little laugh. "And unless I miss my guess, Polly here is going to give +you another pleasant little surprise; ain't you, Polly?" + +"W'en I larns thet 'bout my uncle," continued the mountain girl, "I jest +thinks as how Bob hyah, he's be'n a wantin' ter larn somethin' 'bout his +ole man ther longest time ever. An' so I makes up my min' ter fotch 'im +right away up ter ther Still in ther cave, so's ter see how the man as +is chained'd feel ter git his boy in his arms onct agin!" + +"Oh! Polly, however can I thank you?" exclaimed the excited Bob; +"please let's start then right away. I thought I was tired, but now I'm +feelin' as fresh as ever I could be. You couldn't go too quick to suit +me!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +THE "STILL" IN THE MOUNTAIN CAVE. + + +"HIT'S sum climb," said Polly, doubtfully. + +"But think what is at the end of it," answered the eager Bob. "Why, to +see my father again, I'd go all night, and then some. Please don't say +you won't, Polly, after giving me your promise." + +"I'm gwine tuh leave hit tuh him," said the girl simply, and both of +them understood that she meant Thad; for doubtless Polly had guessed +before now that he was the leader of the boys in uniform, and that what +he said was authority. + +Thad knew there was no such thing as trying to restrain his chum, now +that the fever was in his veins; nor did he have any desire to do so. + +"He'll make it, all right, I think, Polly," he remarked, quietly. + +"Sure I will; so let's start," declared the other. + +Polly, of course, was willing. She did not seem to give one thought to +herself; and yet Thad remembered how swollen her ankle had seemed, after +such a bad twisting in the cleft of the rock that same afternoon, when +the angry wildcat threatened to jump at her. But then Polly had been +reared among the mountains that seem to meet the sky; and she was a girl +accustomed to standing all manner of pain as well as any grown man could +have done. + +They started to climb upward. + +One thing favored them, for which Thad was really glad. Polly knew every +foot of the rough country like a scholar might the printed pages of a +book. She could lead them along trails that they never would have +suspected existed at all, hidden as they were from the eye of a +stranger, by the artful moonshiners. And while possibly the climbing +might be difficult, it was never as bad as the boys had found it when +ascending the mountain in the day time. + +Bob for a wonder kept quiet. Of course he needed all his wind to carry +him through. Then again, he was naturally turning over in his mind the +amazing thing that had just come to him, and trying to realize his +wonderful good fortune. + +The thought that he was about to see his dear father shortly was enough +to fill his mind, to the exclusion of all else. And so he continued to +follow close after the nimble girl, while Thad brought up the rear. + +They paused to rest several times. No doubt it was more on account of +these two boys, quite unaccustomed to such harsh labor as climbing a +mountain, that compelled Polly to pause; because otherwise, she could +have kept straight on, without any rest. + +"We's gittin' thar now," she remarked, finally, as they halted for the +fourth time, with Bob fairly panting for breath, and Thad himself +secretly confessing that this mountain climbing after a surefooted girl +who had shown herself as nimble as a goat, was no "cinch." + +"I'm glad to hear that news, Polly," Bob admitted candidly; but then it +may have been on account of the fact that he was nearer the meeting with +his long-lost father, rather than an admission that he was tired. + +"Jest wun moah stop, an' shore we'll be thar; p'raps we cud make her +right smart from hyah, ef so be yuh felt fresh enuff," Polly explained. + +"Let's try, anyhow," declared Bob; "you don't know how much I can stand. +Why, I used to climb these same mountains as well as you ever could; and +it'd be queer if I'd forgot all I ever knew." + +"Thet sounds jest like a Quail," remarked the girl, with a chuckle, as +she once more took up the work. + +The last part of the climb was certainly the roughest of all. Old Phin +had hidden his secret Still in a quarter of the rocky uplift where no +revenue man thus far had ever been able to look upon it of his own free +will. + +But finally they heard Polly say that it was close by. Thad also noticed +that the girl had changed her manner more or less. She climbed now +without making the slightest noise; just as though some instinct, born +of her life in the zone where warfare always existed between her people +and the Government agents, had caused her to exercise caution. + +Thad saw that they were approaching what must be a rocky gully, leading +to some sort of cave. He remembered that Polly had, while speaking, +happened to mention the fact that her father's famous Still was located +in a cave, which could never be found by the smartest agent the +authorities had ever sent to look for such illegal distilleries. + +"Look out yer don't slip!" came in a low but thrilling whisper from the +guide at this juncture; and from this Thad assumed that they must be +passing along the edge of some dizzy precipice, that had to do with the +safety of the manufactory, the existence of which had so long taunted +the Government. + +Now and then Polly would give a slight pause. At such times Thad +believed she must be looking cautiously around, to make sure that the +guard had not returned to the place since she left there some time +before. + +Then he realized that he could no longer see the stars overhead. From +this he judged they must have passed underground; and that this was a +fact he presently learned when, by stretching out his hand, he felt the +cold rock close by. + +All around them was pitch darkness at first, and the girl had made Bob +take hold of her dress, while Thad in the rear kept a hand on his chum's +back as they moved slowly along. + +Presently the watchful scoutmaster made a little discovery that afforded +him pleasure. There must be a light ahead somewhere, for he began to +catch a faint glow, such as might come from a lantern. + +This illumination grew gradually stronger, until they could actually +manage to see dimly around them. + +"Wait hyah foh me, till I see ef ther coast is clar," whispered the +girl. + +The two scouts saw her slip away. It struck Thad that possibly he and +his chums had much to learn ere they could pass along as noiselessly as +this mountain girl. + +How the seconds dragged. Each one must have seemed torture to poor +anxious Bob, knowing as he did that the one he had long mourned as dead +was so near at hand. They heard nothing save a dripping sound, which +might have been caused by water. Evidently the secret Still was not in +operation just then; and words dropped by Polly gave Thad the impression +that possibly it had ceased work for all time, because of some reason +that brought about a change in the conditions. + +Polly could not have been gone more than five minutes before she came +gliding back again to where she had left the boys. + +"Hit's all right, an' thar don't 'pear ter be any guard 'round." + +She plucked at Bob's coat sleeve, as if to let him understand that he +could come on now; as if the boy needed a second invitation. + +They turned a bend in the narrow passage ahead, and Thad drew a long +breath as he looked upon one of the most remarkable scenes it had ever +been his fortune to see. + +The cave was a natural grotto, rock-ribbed, and as firm as the +everlasting foundations of the mountains themselves. The moonshiners had +fitted it up for their purpose; and there, for the first time Thad saw +what a Still looked like. After all, it did not amount to much, the worm +being the most interesting part of it. But then the fact that he was now +gazing upon the very Still that revenue men had for years tried in vain +to discover and wreck, gave the scoutmaster a sensation akin to awe. + +But all this he saw with one sweeping glance. There was more. A clanking +as of a chain drew his attention to a figure that had arisen from a +bench, and was pushing the long hair from his eyes to watch their +entrance. Evidently Polly during her short absence must have whispered +to the prisoner that Bob was close by. + +There was, of course, no such thing as holding Bob back any longer. He +saw that ragged and altogether uncouth figure, which of course bore not +the least resemblance to the father he remembered so well; but he also +had discovered a pair of extended arms, and toward their shelter the boy +fairly leaped. + +Another instant and Bob Quail was wrapped in the embrace of the parent +he had not seen in more than two years, and whose fate it had been to +remain here a prisoner among the moonshiners who hated him so +thoroughly, while his dear ones mourned him as dead. + +After a few minutes Thad moved closer, and gave a little cough, wishing +to let his chum know that he had a comrade tried and true near by. With +that Bob started up, and gripped him by the arm. + +"This is my best friend, Thad Brewster, father," he said. + +Thad shook hands with the emaciated man who had been confined in this +underground retreat so long. In spite of the long beard and strange +looks of the other, he realized that Mr. Quail was no ordinary man. But +then Thad had guessed that already, from what he had heard about the +one-time marshal. + +"This is a mighty big piece of luck for Bob!" Thad remarked. "It seems +nearly too good to be true; and he'll be the happiest boy in the States +when he takes you back home with him, sir." + +"Home!" repeated the prisoner; "how strange that word sounds, after +being shut up here so long. And how queer the outside world will seem to +me. But I hope the promise Old Phin Dady made me, still holds good; for +I've no longer the desire to hold out against his will. In my own mind +I'm no longer on the pay-roll of the Government, for he tells me every +one believes me dead; so I can take the vow with a clear conscience. +Yes, I'm hoping to go home with my boy." + +Thad felt that all now remaining for them to do was to get in +communication with the moonshiner, and have Mr. Quail set at liberty. +Surely after what he and Bob had done for the family of Phin Dady, the +latter could not refuse to let his prisoner go; especially since he now +professed his willingness to make the promise that up to this time he +had absolutely declined to subscribe to. + +They were still talking in this strain when a sound like a cough drew +their attention, and looking up, Thad discovered a grim figure leaning +on his gun not twenty feet away. There was no need to ask who the man +was, for every one of them had already recognized the moonshiner, Phin +Dady! + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +BUMPUS CALLS FOR THREE CHEERS. + + +THE mountaineer was the first to speak. + +"'Pears like I was interruptin' a leetle fambly reunion," he remarked, +drily. + +At any rate, Thad noticed, there did not seem to be any great show of +anger in the actions or words of the man. Nor was he leveling that +terrible gun, which had doubtless brought consternation into the hearts +of more than one invading group of revenue officers in times past. + +Indeed, Thad was rather inclined to think Old Phin looked remarkably +docile, as though his claws had been pulled, and he no longer felt that +the whole world was against him. + +Mr. Quail, however, did not see things in this way. He was not aware of +the great change that had come about in the Dady family, that threatened +to remove from the Blue Ridge the most remarkable and picturesque figure +the region had ever known. + +"I'm ready to make that promise you once put before me, Phin!" he cried +out, as if secretly fearing that harm might fall upon the head of his +venturesome boy, because of his braving the moonshiner's wrath by +searching out the secret Still. + +"Hit's too late fur thet, Mistah Quail!" declared the other grimly. + +"But surely you wouldn't think of changing your mind now?" said the +prisoner. + +"Thet's jest what I done, suh," answered Phin. "Polly, I'se noticin' as +how yuh brung them byes up hyah tuh the old Still. Reckons as how yuh +never'd dared do thet same on'y foh what's cum ter pass." + +"Reckons as how I wudn't, dad," replied the girl; who, somehow, did not +seem to display any particular fear of the stern parent, such as might +have been expected under the circumstances. + +"Are you going to let me go free, Phin Dady?" demanded the prisoner, +hoarsely. + +For answer the moonshiner stepped forward, and with a key he produced, +released the iron that had been fastened about the ankle of the one-time +revenue marshal. + +"I give you the promise you wanted, Phin, and never will I tell a living +soul where the hiding-place of your Still lies," Mr. Quail declared, +trying to conceal his emotion as a brave man might. + +"Thet's good o' ye, Mistah Quail," remarked the other, with one of his +dry chuckles that somehow Thad liked to hear. + +"And more than that, Phin," continued the other, earnestly, "I agree +never again to enter these mountains in search of the men who live here, +and who believe they have a right to make this moonshine stuff as they +please, whether the authorities down in Washington let them or not. I've +resigned as a marshal, Phin. You and your friends will never have to +think of me again as an enemy. And I suppose then that the curious +public will never get the sight of this famous Still of yours, that I +boasted they would." + +"Thet's whar yuh makes a mistake, suh," said the old man, with a wide +grin. "I reckons now as it's a gwine to be ther trade mark ter be used +on ther bottles. I be'n tole thet it ort ter help make sales, w'en they +knows the new medicine, made outen roots an' yarbs got in ther +mountings, an' wich cures all kinds o' shakes an' chills like magic, is +manufactured in ther same old Still as Phin Dady cooked moonshine stuff +foh nigh on ten hull yeahs." + +"What's that?" exclaimed the late prisoner, while Polly laughed softly, +like one who sees a new life opening up before her. + +Thad began to see glimpses of light. He remembered the strange words +used by the girl from time to time. Yes, there _had_ a change taken +place; things were never going to be the same as they had been in the +past. Accident had opened the eyes of the old mountaineer, and he had +discovered a way to make money, with the Government for, not against +him. + +"W'y, yuh see," he began, rather clumsily; when Polly took the words +from his mouth, being so full of the subject that she just could not +hold in. + +"He used ter make up a kind o' medicine w'enever we gut ther shakes, an' +it did the bizness the slickest yuh ever did see, suh," she started to +say. "Thar was a man as kim erlong heah, an' heerd 'bout hit. So he sez +as how he'd like ter take a bottle erlong, and hev it tested. W'ich they +done, an' writ as how it was sich a wonder thet p'raps dad, he cud +supply ther trade. An' on'y yist'day he done gits a letter, suh, as +binds ther bargain. Old Phin, he ain't agwine tuh make moonshine no +moah. We's ameanin' tuh go tuh town, jest as soon's we heahs from ther +people in Washington, as these drug men hes gone ter see. Yuh know hit +wudn't be nice if they sot on my dad as soon as he showed up, an' locked +him in prison, 'case as how he use ter make mounting dew on ther sly." + +Crudely expressed as it was, Thad understood the whole story now. It +fairly took his breath away, it was so strange. To think of this gaunt +old mountaineer having discovered a medicine that was going to prove as +great a benefit to mankind as the stuff he had been hitherto +manufacturing was a curse! It was almost too wonderful for belief. + +"Do you mean that the gentlemen who mean to handle the product of your +Still in the future are trying to get the authorities to wipe all the +past off the slate, and let your father start fresh?" asked Mr. Quail. + +"Thems erbout hit, suh," Polly replied, nodding her head. "Hand we-uns +'spect ter live in town arter this, whar p'raps I kin wear a hat, an' +hev sum shoes as hain't big ernuff fur a man, an' git some larnin' in +school. Soon's as we knows, we reckons on movin'." + +"And Phin Dady, perhaps I might be of assistance to you down at +Washington, once I get to a barber, and look something respectable," +said the late prisoner. + +"D'ye mean thet ye don't hold no grudge agin me foh what I done tuh ye?" +demanded the old moonshiner, evidently surprised. + +"That's just what I mean," replied the other, heartily. "Outside of +keeping me a prisoner, and even that was partly my fault, you've not +been harder on me than one might expect. And I'm so happy now, with this +noble lad by my side, and the knowledge that my wife still lives, that I +couldn't bear you any ill feeling. I hope you'll be a big success in +your new business; and here's my hand, if you care to take it." + +"Hurrah!" cried Bob, feeling like throwing up his hat when he saw the +two men, enemies for so long, shaking hands in a friendly way. + +Thad himself had never felt so light-hearted. It seemed as though all of +their troubles had suddenly taken flight, and the future looked bright +indeed. This hike through the Blue Ridge had turned out ten times more +wonderful than any of them had ever dreamed, when the undertaking was +first discussed, away up in Cranford. It had given Bob back a father +whom he had believed was dead; and presently Bertha, too, would be taken +from the guardian who had no real legal right to her charge. + +The Boy Scouts would be able to go back to their home town with a +feather in their hats, after accomplishing so many wonderful things. + +But how were they going to get down to the faraway camp? Would Mr. +Quail, who must be weak on account of having been kept in the cavern so +long, be able to stand the rough trip? Perhaps, after all, they had +better stay there during the balance of the night, and wait for daylight +to come. + +Thad was perfectly willing to leave all this to the gentleman himself; +and presently he became aware that they were even then discussing it. + +His long and bitter association with those cold walls, and that Still, +must have given Mr. Quail a dislike for the sight of them; because he +expressed himself as only too willing to start down without delay. + +"It's true that I'm not as strong as I might be right now," he admitted; +"but that weakness ought to pass away as I get the fresh air. Besides, +having my boy at my side will work wonders. Yes, please do not let my +condition keep us here one minute longer than is absolutely necessary." + +And so they all started down. Since there was no longer any need for +secrecy, Polly carried the lantern along. + +After all, it was not such very hard work. With a light to show them +what they had to avoid, and a pilot who knew every foot of the +mountainside, they made very fair progress indeed. Even Mr. Quail +declared he was getting stronger all the time, as he drew in big +quantities of the sweet mountain air, so different from that he had been +enduring so long, tainted with the fumes of the Still. + +Once Polly halted, and drew their attention to a light far down. + +"Thet's yer fire," was what she said, simply; and both Bob and Thad +allowed their gaze to fall upon the flicker with a sense of deep +satisfaction; for they knew that they were about to prove to be +messengers of good tidings to those tried and true comrades so anxiously +awaiting their return. + +Thad forgot that his feet burned, and that his muscles cried out in +protest against such unusual exertion; the thing that had happened was +of so wonderful a nature that every time he thought about it he told +himself he ought to consider himself equal to the task of walking up and +down hill all the remainder of the night, without a single groan or +falter. + +Now they were evidently drawing nearer the lower part of the mountain. +Glimpses they caught of the camp-fire told them this good news. Besides, +Thad really began to recognize his surroundings. + +And he was not so very much surprised when Polly suddenly stopped and +pointing to the rock at her feet, remarked: + +"Hit war right thar, dad, as I got cort by ther foot; an' on thet ledge +yonder ther cat squatted, agrowlin' and spittin' like the Ole Nick, and +meanin' tuh jump right on me. See, hyars a stick thet helped tuh beat +him off. An' as yuh knows, 'twar this same boy, Thad they calls 'im, as +dun fixed Uncle Cliff up, so's Nate an' Tom, they cud fotch him acrost +tuh ther doc. Reckon we ort tuh do all we kin ter show 'em ther Dady +fambly hes gut feelins." + +"Shore we ort, gal, an' we's agwine tuh do thet same," declared Old +Phin. + +"We don't doubt it," said Thad, more or less affected by these evidences +of gratitude on the part of the mountaineer and his daughter. "What I +did was only a little thing you know, that could hardly count." + +"But hit saved Cliff's life, an' thet meant sumthin' foh him," the girl +continued, with a shake of her tousled head. "Come erlong, an' let's git +down thar. Reckons as how a cup o' coffee'd taste right good tuh yuh +dad." + +"Coffee!" echoed Mr. Quail, as though the very sound of the word touched +his inmost feelings; "it'll seem like nectar for the gods just to smell +it again, after--but no matter, it was the best they had, and I oughtn't +to say anything." + +All the same Thad noticed that his steps quickened a little, and he +seemed to sniff the air from time to time, as if in imagination he could +already catch a faint whiff of the treat in store for him. + +As they drew closer to the camp Thad could see that some of the boys +were sitting there. Perhaps they had been too anxious to even try and +sleep; though he believed he knew of one at least who could never have +held out all this while, no matter how strong his determination. + +Waiting until they had arrived within a certain distance, and there was +no evidence that any one had noticed the descending lantern, Thad gave +vent to a call. It was the bark of the fox, and used by the members of +the patrol as a signal in case they wished to communicate with one +another. + +He saw the figures about the fire quicken into life. They seemed to +jump to their feet, and stare about them, as if unable to understand +what that call meant. + +A little to the surprise of Thad his signal was repeated from a point +close by, and immediately Allan Hollister showed up. Undoubtedly the +Maine boy had been scouting around the borders of the camp, seeking to +guard against any surprise. He had watched the coming of the group with +the lantern, and guessed that two of them must be the missing comrades, +Thad and Bob. + +When they all stalked into camp, the boys were thunderstruck to see Old +Phin and his daughter, apparently on the best of terms with their +comrades; and as for the tall man with the long hair and beard, they +could easily guess who he must be by the way Bob Quail clung to his +hand. + +Then Bumpus called for three cheers, and they were given with a vim that +made the valley echo from side to side. Possibly some of those +moonshiner videttes must have started up, wondering what on earth could +be occurring in the camp of the Boy Scouts. + +There was little chance that any of the boys would get a wink of sleep +during the remainder of that eventful night. Long did they sit there by +the revived fire, watching Mr. Quail drink his coffee, cup after cup, +and listening to the strangest story they had ever heard. Even when +finally, along about three in the morning, they were induced to lie +down upon their various beds of leaves and grass, sleep must have +utterly refused to visit their eyes, save in the case of Bumpus himself; +and he could drop into slumber in almost "any old position, even if he +were hanging by his heels," as Giraffe used to say. + +And so the night passed away, and another morning found them, red-eyed +but joyful beyond compare; for they felt that their great hike among the +mountains had turned out to be the finest thing possible, both for their +comrade, Bob, and themselves. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +HOME AGAIN--CONCLUSION. + + +THE mountain hike had come to an end. + +One and all, the Boy Scouts declared that they had seen about enough of +this wild country of the Blue Ridge, and would be glad to turn their +steps toward dear old Cranford. They believed they could find other ways +to enjoy themselves that offered better inducements than climbing the +sides of mountains, with suspicious moonshiners watching their every +move. + +Of course, now that Old Phin Dady had taken them under his protection, +they had no reason to fear any bodily harm. And what Thad had done for +Cliff Dorie must go pretty far toward making them friends among the +ignorant mountain people. But because Old Phin meant to desert his +former calling for one that would have the sanction of the law, did not +mean that moonshine stuff would not continue to be made up in the dells +back of the trail in the Smoky Range. There were many others who knew no +other means for making a slim livelihood, than by cheating the +Government of the heavy tax it placed on strong drink. + +So the scouts decided, by a unanimous vote, that they had seen enough of +these parts; and would hail with delight an order to turn their backs on +it all. Besides, did they not know that both Bob and his father would be +fairly wild to hasten to the waiting mother and wife in that Northern +home? + +They made the start as soon as they could get in marching order. Polly +and her father accompanied them through the mountains. This was +considered best, lest some suspicious moonshiner think it his duty to +take a pot shot or two at those figures far down the valley, wearing the +khaki uniform he hated. + +At every cabin they passed, the natives swarmed out to see the strange +sight of Old Phin walking amiably by the side of the boy soldiers, as +they supposed the scouts to be. Once or twice there was an ugly +demonstration, some of the natives fancying that the mountaineer must +have surrendered, and was being carried off to jail. It took +considerable explaining to get these people to understand the truth +about things, and that Phin was on the best of terms with the boys. + +Finally he dared go no further, because as yet he did not know what +success his agents, the drug men, had in Washington; and there was +danger of revenue men sighting him at any moment, when trouble must +break out, since there had been war between them for so long. + +When the little party of scouts turned up again in Asheville, they found +plenty to do there to keep them over until another day. First of all, +Mr. Quail underwent a complete transformation at the hands of a barber; +for he declared he believed the sight of him, in his present condition, +with such long hair and beard, would be enough to send his poor wife +into a fit, or else have her drive him from the door as a pretender. + +And when he appeared before the scouts, decently dressed in a new suit, +which Bob's money paid for, as he had none himself just then, Bumpus +voiced the sentiments of the entire patrol when he declared that Mr. +Quail was as fine looking a gentleman as he knew. + +Of course a message had been sent to Cranford, to apprise Bob's mother +of the glorious result of his hike down in the Blue Ridge country, which +they had once upon a time called home. It had to be very carefully +worded, lest the shock to her nerves prove too great. And in another +day, father and son hoped to be once more with the one who would not +sleep a wink until her own eyes beheld the loved form which she believed +had gone from her forever. + +Then there was that affair concerning little Bertha to be considered. +Great had been the indignation of Mr. Quail when, on examining the paper +which Bob had secured through the help of the girl, he realized all the +rascality that Reuben Sparks had been guilty of. + +They held an interview with a well-known lawyer, who, on hearing the +facts, and seeing the legal document, advised them to leave it all in +his charge. + +"I promise you that this party will be summoned to appear forthwith, +bringing his ward with him," this legal gentleman had declared; "and +once within the jurisdiction of the court, it will be an easy matter to +dispossess him. Indeed, should he show fight, we can have him sent up +for a term of years." + +With such a pleasant prospect before them, did the scouts leave the Old +Tar-heel State. They had come down here for an outing, and to see what +Bob had once called his home; but the tour had turned out to be a more +serious affair than any of them could ever have anticipated. + +And now they were on the way home again, filled with memories of the +many events that had seasoned their brief stay in the Land of the Sky; +home to familiar scenes and to look upon faces that were dear to them. + +A jolly party they were on the train that bore them away toward the +North. Bob and his father sat by themselves, for they had a thousand +things to talk about, that concerned only their private interests. But +the rest clustered at one end of the sleeper, and eagerly reviewed the +stories they would have to tell. + +"Oh! we'll have the greatest time ever, just showing the fellers how we +did it," declared Bumpus. "First of all, we'll get Giraffe to wade into +a creek, and explain how he was bein' pulled down by that sucking +quicksand, when the prompt arrival of the rest of the bunch saved his +precious life. I always heard that when one's just born to be hanged +there ain't no use tryin' to get rid of him by any other means; which I +guess stands for quicksand too." + +"That sounds mighty fine, Bumpus," remarked Giraffe, unmoved by the +laughter greeting the proposition; "but just think what a great stunt +it'll be when we get Davy Jones here showing 'em what he c'n do dropping +down head-first into a bully old camp-fire, and swimmin' in red coals. +That ought to bring down the house; if only we c'n coax him to do it +over again." + +"Not much you will," declared the said Davy, looking ruefully at sundry +red marks on both his wrists, that served to remind him of the accident. +"Once is enough for me; and I tell you right now, fellows, if ever I +_do_ climb a tree again, to exercise, I'm going to be mighty careful I +don't hang down over a blaze. There's such a thing as takin' too many +chances." + +"A burnt child dreads the fire," sang out Step Hen. + +"Hello! are you there, old sobersides?" remarked Giraffe, pretending to +be surprised; "now, we all of us thought you might be busy writin' out +in your mind a treatise on how to be happy watching a tumble-bug try to +roll his big ball uphill; or else what lessons can be gained by watching +the humble beetle in his never-say-die act as a gymnast. But I see +you've got your badge right-side up to-day, all to the good, Step Hen; +what wonderful stunt have you been pulling off now?" + +"Oh! it didn't amount to much, I guess, fellows; but then even a little +speck of kindness counts, they say," remonstrated Step Hen. + +"I happen to know," remarked Thad, breaking into the conversation; "for +I was just coming into that other ordinary car, when I saw our comrade +doing himself proud. Perhaps it _is_ only a little thing for a boy to +notice that a poor woman with three kids clinging to her skirts, and a +baby in her arms, wants to get a bottle of milk warmed, and don't know +just how to manage it; and to offer to do it for her; but let me tell +you, that poor tired mother said 'thank you, my boy' just as if it meant +a _heap_ to her! Yes, Step Hen, you had a right to turn your badge; and +I only hope you find as good a chance to do it every single day, as you +did on this one." + +And Giraffe became suddenly silent. Perhaps something within told him +that he too had passed that same weary mother; and if he thought +anything at all at the time it was only to wonder why a woman could be +so silly as to travel with so many children. + +"Well, you see," remarked Step Hen, feeling that some sort of +explanation was expected from him, after the scoutmaster had given him +the "spot light" on the stage. "I got to talkin' with her afterwards, +and she told me that the children's paw had just died down South, and +she was on her way home to her mother's. After hearin' that, fellers, I +wanted to do anything more I could for the poor thing; and I did jump +off at the last station, and buy the kids some sandwiches, 'cause, you +see, they didn't have a great lot to munch on. But it was worth while to +watch 'em gobble the snack of chicken I got along with 'em, like they +hadn't had a bite to eat this livelong day." + +Thad walked away, satisfied that Step Hen was proving his worth as a +scout. That little lesson of the humble bug had opened his eyes, and +through those touched his heart. Perhaps he might not change all at +once, for he was inclined to stumble, and fall down, when he had made +good resolutions; but the chances were he would see more in life than +ever before. + +And that is what a scout wants to do, keep his eyes open all the while, +in order to notice many of the strange things that are happening every +minute of the day all around him; until he learns to do that which will +give him the greatest treat that could possibly happen to any one. + +Time was when Step Hen might have passed that poor mother, and never +have given her a second thought; but it was different now. And the +strange thing about it, in Thad's mind, was that an obscure little +tumble-bug, one of the lowliest of all created things, could have +succeeded in showing Step Hen that he had a heart; and that even a boy +can find chances to do kindly acts, if he looks for them. + +"Well," said Bumpus, as they huddled together in a bunch, exchanging +views and watching the mountains and valleys as they were whirled past, +"if we could have the say right now where the Silver Fox Patrol would +spend next vacation, where d'ye reckon it would be?" + +"Let's take a vote!" suggested Step Hen. + +"That's the ticket, Mr. Secretary, get eight ballots ready, and let's +write first choice and second, majority rules," and the patrol leader +nodded in the direction of his chum Allan, just as much as to say it was +easy to guess what one vote would be. + +"Count as I call out, Bob White. Here goes now: Maine first choice, +Rocky Mountains second." + +"Hurrah!" cried Bumpus. + +"Another for Maine, with the Saskatchewan country of Canada second," +Thad went on; "but this comrade forgot that as American Boy Scouts we +do not want to spend our money and vacations in a foreign land." + +When the eight ballots had been counted, strange to say Maine was first +choice with every one, and the Rockies well in the lead as second. + +"Move we make it unanimous," laughed Giraffe, which was duly done +according to statute. + +"Much good that will do, with a whole year to wait, because it wouldn't +pay to go up into Maine for only Christmas week," grumbled Step Hen. + +But strange to say it was decreed in a most remarkable way that the wish +expressed by the scouts should be made an actual fact, and just how this +came about the reader will find duly set forth in the third volume of +this series entitled, "The Boy Scouts on the Trail, or Scouting through +the Big Game Country." + +In due time the scouts arrived at Cranford station, where their coming +had been anticipated; for the story of how the boys had found the +missing husband of Mrs. Quail had somehow gotten around, since Cranford +had its gossips. One of these happened to be calling on the lady at the +time Bob's telegram arrived. Of course its nature was such as to give +Mrs. Quail a shock, though she quickly recovered; but there had been +ample time for the visitor to glance at the message, between dabs at the +face of the fainting lady with a handkerchief wet with cologne. And that +was how the news got out. + +"Look at the crowd, would you?" gasped Bumpus, as he poked his head out +of the door, and saw what seemed to his excited imagination about the +whole of Cranford filling the home station, and craning necks in the +endeavor to be the first to glimpse the resurrected father of Bob Quail. + +"Hurrah for the Boy Scouts!" some one called out. + +They were given with a rush and a roar that brought other passengers +hurrying to the windows of the cars, to see what popular hero it could +be arriving home, to excite such a tremendous demonstration. + +"Hurrah for Thad Brewster!" called a second school-boy, as the young +scoutmaster stepped off the train, bearing certain bundles, that might +be a haversack and a take-down shotgun. + +Another wave of applause went sweeping up from the crowd. + +"Three cheers for Bob Quail, and his dad!" shrilled yet another +enthusiast; upon which the echoes were fairly awakened by the racket. + +The scouts fell into line, and two and two marched along the station +platform; for Mr. Quail had already taken his wife into his arms, and +they had retired to the interior of the little building, in order to be +less conspicuous while they talked it all over. + +Bumpus sounded his bugle, and the boys kept step as they walked along, +with heads up, and feeling that they had gained the right to feel a bit +proud, after what they had gone through. The crowd pushed after them, +still shouting, and making a great clamor. + +And from one of the car windows looked a bevy of childish faces, back of +which was the wan one of the tired mother; Step Hen disobeyed the rules +for one second only, when he turned, and waved his hand to his little +friends of the train. Seeing which Thad Brewster said softly to himself: + +"I warrant you that little woman believes all this noise is meant for +just one boy, and he the fellow who was so kind to her; because, in her +sight Step Hen is a real hero, and this racket is meant especially for +his home-coming." + + + THE END. + + + + +The Boy Scouts Series + +BY HERBERT CARTER + + +[Illustration] + + For Boys 12 to 16 Years + All Cloth Bound Copyright Titles + PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH + + New Stories of Camp Life + + THE BOY SCOUTS' FIRST CAMPFIRE; or, Scouting with + the Silver Fox Patrol. + + THE BOY SCOUTS IN THE BLUE RIDGE; or, Marooned + Among the Moonshiners. + + THE BOY SCOUTS ON THE TRAIL; or, Scouting through + the Big Game Country. + + THE BOY SCOUTS IN THE MAINE WOODS; or, The New + Test for the Silver Fox Patrol. + + THE BOY SCOUTS THROUGH THE BIG TIMBER; or, The + Search for the Lost Tenderfoot. + + THE BOY SCOUTS IN THE ROCKIES; or, The Secret of + the Hidden Silver Mine. + + THE BOY SCOUTS ON STURGEON ISLAND; or, Marooned + Among the Game-Fish Poachers. + + THE BOY SCOUTS DOWN IN DIXIE; or, The Strange + Secret of Alligator Swamp. + + THE BOY SCOUTS AT THE BATTLE OF SARATOGA; A story + of Burgoyne's Defeat in 1777. + + THE BOY SCOUTS ALONG THE SUSQUEHANNA; or, The + Silver Fox Patrol Caught in a Flood. + + THE BOY SCOUTS ON WAR TRAILS IN BELGIUM; or, + Caught Between Hostile Armies. + + THE BOY SCOUTS AFOOT IN FRANCE; or, With The Red + Cross Corps at the Marne. + + * * * * * + + For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price + by the Publishers + + A. L. BURT COMPANY + 114-120 EAST 23rd STREET NEW YORK + + + + +The Golden Boys Series + +[Illustration] + + BY L. P. WYMAN, PH.D. + Dean of Pennsylvania Military College. + +A new series of instructive copyright stories for boys of High School +Age. + + Handsome Cloth Binding. + PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH. + + THE GOLDEN BOYS AND THEIR NEW ELECTRIC CELL + + THE GOLDEN BOYS AT THE FORTRESS + + THE GOLDEN BOYS IN THE MAINE WOODS + + THE GOLDEN BOYS WITH THE LUMBER JACKS + + THE GOLDEN BOYS ON THE RIVER DRIVE + + * * * * * + + For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by + the Publishers. + + A. L. BURT COMPANY + 114-120 East 23rd Street, New York + + + + + * * * * * + + + + +Transcriber's note: + +Obvious punctuation errors were corrected. + +Page 4, "Granford" changed to "Cranford" (home town of Cranford) + +Page 4, "Allen" changed to "Allan" (command, was Allan) + +Page 5, "Allen" changed to "Allan" (looked to Allan) + +Page 24, "in" changed to "it" (is it, right here) + +Page 54, "knicked" changed to "kicked" (beast kicked up his) + +Page 60, "pome" changed to "poem" (that stirring poem) + +Page 62, "neen't" changed to "needn't" (needn't be afraid) + +Page 87, "moat" changed to "mote" (mote out of your) + +Page 90, "at" changed to "apt" (are apt to interest) + +Page 94, "happennings" changed to "happenings" (of the queer happenings) + +Page 142, "supose" changed to "suppose" (I suppose we've) + +Page 147, "putties" changed to "puttees" (their puttees protected) + +Page 181, "tournaquet" changed to "tourniquet" (making a tourniquet) + +Page 190, "too" changed to "to" (going to tell you) + +Page 193, "Allen" changed to "Allan" (direction, too," added Allan) + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY SCOUTS IN THE BLUE RIDGE*** + + +******* This file should be named 32240.txt or 32240.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/2/2/4/32240 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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