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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/32354-h.zip b/32354-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7a5351a --- /dev/null +++ b/32354-h.zip diff --git a/32354-h/32354-h.htm b/32354-h/32354-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0d3bc2d --- /dev/null +++ b/32354-h/32354-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,9279 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Boy Scouts in the Rockies, by Herbert Carter</title> + <style type="text/css"> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; +} + + .gap { margin-top: 1em; } + +hr { + margin: 3em auto 3em auto; + height: 0px; + border-width: 1px 0 0 0; + border-style: solid; + border-color: #dcdcdc; + width: 500px; + clear: both; +} + +hr.hr2 { + width: 250px; + margin: 3em auto 3em auto; +} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} + +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; +} /* page numbers */ + +.blockquot { + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + color: #999; +} /* page numbers */ + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +/* Images */ + .figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; +} + + .bord img { + padding: 1px; + border: 1px solid black; +} + +p.caption { + margin-top: 0; + font-size: 70%; + text-align: left; +} + +p.caption2 { + margin-top: 0; + font-size: 70%; + text-align: center; +} + +/* Transcriber Notes */ +div.tn { + background-color:#EEE; + border:dashed 1px; + color:#000; + margin-left:10em; + margin-right:10em; + margin-top:5em; + margin-bottom:5em; + padding:1em; +} + +ul.corrections { + list-style-type:circle; +} + + .signature { + text-align: right; +} + + .signature2 { + text-align: left; +} + + hr.full { width: 100%; + margin-top: 3em; + margin-bottom: 0em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + height: 4px; + border-width: 4px 0 0 0; /* remove all borders except the top one */ + border-style: solid; + border-color: #000000; + clear: both; } + pre {font-size: 85%;} + </style> +</head> +<body> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Boy Scouts in the Rockies, by Herbert +Carter</h1> +<pre> +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 <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: The Boy Scouts in the Rockies</p> +<p> or the Secret of the Hidden Silver Mine</p> +<p>Author: Herbert Carter</p> +<p>Release Date: May 12, 2010 [eBook #32354]</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 ROCKIES***</p> +<p> </p> +<h3>E-text prepared by Larry B. Harrison<br /> + and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> + (http://www.pgdp.net)</h3> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h1>The Boy Scouts<br /> +In the Rockies</h1> + +<h4>OR</h4> + +<h3>The Secret of the Hidden Silver Mine</h3> + +<h2><span class="smcap">By HERBERT CARTER</span></h2> + +<h4>Author of "The Boy Scouts First Camp Fire," "The Boy Scouts<br /> +in the Blue Ridge," "The Boy Scouts on the Trail,"<br /> +"The Boy Scouts Through the <a name="Big" id="Big"></a>Big Timber,"<br /> +"The Boy Scouts in the Maine Woods."</h4> + + +<div class="figcenter bord" style="width: 500px;"> +<a name="p0001-illus" id="p0001-illus"></a> +<img src="images/p0001-illus.jpg" width="500" height="487" alt="Scouts at work" title=""/> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<h4>Copyright, 1913<br /> +<span class="smcap">By A. L. Burt Company</span></h4> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<h3>THE BOY SCOUTS IN THE ROCKIES.</h3> + +<hr /> + +<div class="figcenter bord" style="width: 500px;"> +<a name="f0001-illus" id="f0001-illus"></a> +<img src="images/f0001-illus.jpg" width="500" height="829" alt="Rescued on a cliff" title=""/> +<p class="caption">The stubborn jack stood, with his sturdy legs braced like steel, +while the taut rope told that Smithy must be<br /> + dangling at the other end.</p> +<div class="signature"><i><a href="#Page_13">Page 13</a></i></div> +<div class="signature2"><i>The Boy Scouts in the Rockies.</i></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Page 3]</a></span></p> +<h1>THE BOY SCOUTS<br /> +IN THE ROCKIES</h1> + + +<hr class="hr2" /> +<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2> +<h3>PERILS OF THE MOUNTAIN TRAIL.</h3> + + +<p>"How is the cripple crowd coming on these +days? Hello! Step Hen, any more snake bites? +Hope you're not limping with that other leg, +now?"</p> + +<p>"I should say not, Thad. But I'm always going +to believe you did a lot to keep the poison from +getting into my system, when you sucked that +wound."</p> + +<p>"And how about your game limb, Giraffe—was +it the right, or the left you bruised so badly on the +stones when you fell?"</p> + +<p>"The left one, Thad; but thank goodness it's +healing up just prime, now. That magic salve did +the business in great shape, I tell you."</p> + +<p>"Allan, I notice that you still have a halt once + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Page 4]</a></span> +in a while. That old bear trap sure took a nasty +grip on your leg, didn't it, though?"</p> + +<p>"It gave me an ugly pinch, Mr. Scout Master; +and only for the fact of the springs being so weak +and rusty that the owners had abandoned the trap, +I might have been lame for three months. The +witch hazel liniment you rubbed on helped a lot."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm glad to see you're all such a grateful +lot, considering the little I was able to do for +you. It's sure a pleasure to be patrol leader and +assistant scoutmaster to such a wide-awake lot of +boys as we have in the Silver Fox Patrol. Don't +you think so, Toby Smathers?"</p> + +<p>Thad Brewster turned a smiling face upon the +sole man of the party, a genuine woods-ranger, +such as the Government employs to look after the +great forest reservations in the region of the Rocky +Mountains, and the Coast, away up in the Northwest +region.</p> + +<p>"Wall, it strikes me they're a purty lively lot of +scouts, all right; and lucky at that to hev a leader +as leads, and holds the reins tight over 'em. And +I'm glad myself to be guide to such a hefty bunch. +That's what I'm asayin', Mr. Scout Master," the +party addressed replied.</p> + +<p>Outside of the guide there were just eight lads +in the party; and from the fact that various parts +of their <a name="attire" id="attire"></a>attire suggested the well known khaki uniform +which all Boy Scouts wear, the world around + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Page 5]</a></span> +it was evident that these young fellows belonged to +such an organization.</p> + +<p>This was the exact fact, since they had come +from far-away Cranford in an Eastern State, and +were known as the Silver Fox Patrol of Cranford +Troop; there being another patrol known as the +Eagles, mustered in during the late winter.</p> + +<p>Thad Brewster was the patrol leader; he was also +a First Class Scout, and had qualified for the position +of Assistant Scout Master, receiving his certificate +from Headquarters many moons before.</p> + +<p>Second in charge came Allan Hollister, a Maine +boy, who had had considerable actual experience in +wood's life, and to whom the rest of the patrol +naturally turned whenever a knotty problem faced +them during an outing.</p> + +<p>The exceedingly fat and good-natured youth was +Bumpus Hawtree, bugler of the troop, even though +just now he was minus the instrument on which +he was accustomed to sound the various calls, such +as "reveille," "assembly," "taps," and so on, the +most popular being the second, as it was usually +associated with meals. Bumpus had been looked +upon as the real tenderfoot scout, up to recently; +but having become lost in the big timber recently, he +had acquitted himself so splendidly, as recorded in +the preceding volume, that his mates now regarded +him as one who had been keeping his light under a +bushel.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Page 6]</a></span> + Then there was Bob White, otherwise Robert +White Quail, a Southern boy, warm of heart, a +faithful friend, and upon whom the leader could +always depend in emergencies; Step Hen Bingham, +whose real name of course was Stephen, but upon +appearing at school for the first time he had insisted +that it was pronounced as though made up of +two syllables; Davy Jones, an athletic lad; Giraffe, +really Conrad, Stedman, but given the significant +nick-name because of a habit he had of stretching +an exceedingly long neck most outrageously; and +last but far from least, a dudish looking boy who +at home answered when they called him Edmund +Maurice Travers Smith; but among his playmates +he was known simply as "Smithy."</p> + +<p>These Boy Scouts had seen some pretty lively +times during the past year or so, down in the Blue +Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, where they +visited the former home of Bob White, and found +themselves mixed up with the moonshiners of that +wild, inhospitable region; and later on up in Maine, +where they had gone partly on business for Thad's +adopted father and guardian, and to enjoy an outing, +with a little hunting thrown in.</p> + +<p>It happened that here among the pine woods of +Maine, they were instrumental in recovering some +valuable bonds and other papers that had been +stolen from a bank, and for which a large reward +had been offered. With this money in the treasury + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Page 7]</a></span> +of the troop, they were able to lay out a great trip +to the Rocky Mountain region for the following +summer. As the money really belonged to the eight +lads individually, they felt justified in using it in +this manner; for the second patrol had only been +formed after the Cranford boys learned what glorious +times the Silver Foxes were having right along.</p> + +<p>One guide who had been hired had gone off with +a party of big-horn hunters, who lured him with +better pay, and the other had been taken down sick; +so it came that the boys actually started toward the +mountains without a convoy, their tents and camp-duffle +being loaded on a couple of comical pack +mules known as Mike and Molly, which animals +afforded more or less amusement and excitement +from time to time.</p> + +<p>They had heard of Toby Smathers, and only +good words. In coming to this particular region +they had hoped to run across the ranger, and secure +him for their service while in the valleys and mountains; +for he was said to be patrolling the big timber +country, on which some thieving lumbermen +were suspected of having set envious eyes.</p> + +<p>And by great good luck the boys had happened +to meet up with Toby, after passing through a +great variety of thrilling experiences, connected +with the hunt for the tenderfoot who had "gone +out to find his bear." And as the ranger was able +to engage with them for the balance of their stay + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Page 8]</a></span> +in the mountains, Thad and his companions now +felt that they need hesitate no longer, but might +strike boldly into the heart of the Rockies.</p> + +<p>They had various objects in wanting to come out +to this far distant region. Several who had the +hunting fever burning in their veins, had sighed +for a glimpse of big game, grizzlies and such; +then another, who was rapidly being taken with +the photographic craze, being Davy Jones, expressed +a wish to snap off wild animals and birds +in their native haunts, the famous big horn sheep +for instance taking one of his amazing plunges over +a precipice; Smithy was interested in wild flowers, +and had heard great stories concerning the pretty +ones that were to be found out here; and then +there were several others who yearned for excitement +in any shape or style, so long as it thrilled +their pulses—which was the natural boy spirit, always +feeding on action.</p> + +<p>Some days had passed since the coming of the +guide, and the breaking up of the camp at the foot +of the noisy rapids, where three of the boys had +remained while their companions were off for +days, tracking the wandering Bumpus.</p> + +<p>They had started into the mountains, and were +at the time this conversation took place surrounded +by the wildest scenery that any of them had ever +looked upon.</p> + +<p>The trail led along precipitous paths, often with + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Page 9]</a></span> +a wall of rock on one side, and a yawning abyss on +the other, down which the boys could look and see +trees growing that seemed to be dwarfed, but which +the guide assured them were of fairly respectable +size.</p> + +<p>As a rule the scouts were a rollicking set, full +of jokes, and even playing innocent little tricks +upon each other; but somehow the grandeur of +the scenery, as well as the dangers of that mountain +trail, rather stilled their spirits. Thad had +also taken pains to warn them that practical pranks +would be out of order during their stay in the +mountains. He had heard of several that had +turned out tragedies; and wanted to carry no ill +tidings home to dear old Cranford, when the patrol +set their faces that way.</p> + +<p>Step Hen had one trait from which nothing +ever seemed capable of breaking him. He was exceedingly +careless by nature, and forever misplacing +things that belonged to him. And the fun of it +was, that he could never see how the fault lay +with himself; but kept bewailing the misfortune +that always picked him out as a victim; just as +though some invisible little imp were haunting his +footsteps forever, and watching for opportunities +to hide his belongings in the most unheard-of +places. It did not matter that they were usually +found just where Step Hen had himself dropped +them in a moment of absent-mindedness; he would + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Page 10]</a></span> +grumble to himself, and observe his companions +suspiciously, as though he really believed they had +been playing a little joke upon him after all.</p> + +<p>Thad had even lain awake nights, figuring on +how the other might be radically cured of this +failing; for Step Hen had many admirable traits +of character, and it seemed a great pity that his +record as a scout should be marred by so tenacious +a fault. But up to the present the scoutmaster had +not been able to build up a scheme that promised to +effect a cure. And every once in a while the complaining +voice of Step Hen might be heard in the +land, wondering "where in Sam Hill that knife +of mine has disappeared to; last time I had it I +was mighty careful to put it away in the sheath; +and now it's gone like magic. Who sneaked it off +me, tell me that? Funny how it's only <i>my</i> things +that disappear all the time. Oh! is that it sticking +up there in the tree, Giraffe? You say you saw me +put it there? Well, I don't remember the least +thing about that. Guess you must have been dreaming; +but of course I'm glad to find it again. I wish +people would use their own knives."</p> + +<p>Perhaps, some time or other Step Hen might +be given a lesson that would make so lasting an +impression on him that he would begin to see the +absurdity of being careless. Thad often felt that +he would like to help the good work along, if ever +the chance arrived.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Page 11]</a></span> + Smithy was more than a little curious in his +way. He possessed a kindly nature, too, and had +made friends with Mike, one of the pack mules. +Often in the goodness of his heart the dude scout +would walk alongside the burden bearer, talking to +him, and patting the animal's nose. Sometimes +Mike resented these attentions, for he was only a +mule after all, and all scouts looked alike according +to his manner of thinking.</p> + +<p>Smithy was walking there now, having the leading +rope that was connected with Mike in his hand; +in fact, he had wrapped it around his wrist absent-mindedly. +And as he talked confidingly to the +animal, he was also engaged in rubbing Mike's +nose. Twice the mule had plainly given him to +understand that he preferred to be let alone while +staggering along these mountain trails, bearing +that big pack on his sturdy back; but Smithy was +really thinking about some wonderfully beautiful +wild flowers he had seen clinging to the face of a +precipice further back, and wishing he might be +so lucky as to get hold of such a prize; so that he +paid no attention to the impatient thrust from the +mule's nose.</p> + +<p>It happened just then that Thad, Allan and the +guide were in the advance. Something engrossed +their attention, and they were holding an earnest +talk-fest among themselves. Had it been otherwise, +Toby Smathers, who knew mule nature like + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Page 12]</a></span> +a book, must surely have warned the kindly Smithy +that Mike was in a most irritable frame of mind, +and that he would do well to leave him severely +alone for the present.</p> + +<p>Behind Smithy and Mike came Davy Jones, carrying +his little camera, and looking for new worlds +to conquer. He had snapped off the procession +several times, and of course the mules always occupied +posts of honor in the pictures. Back of him +Bob White and Step Hen were sauntering along, +telling stories, and observing things in general; +after them came Bumpus, puffing and blowing with +the exertion; while Giraffe brought up the rear, +leading the other pack animal, known as Molly; +and just about as full of tricks as Mike ever +dreamed of being.</p> + +<p>Thad was in the act of pointing toward the valley, +glimpses of which they could obtain from their +lofty position, when he heard a tremendous outcry +from the rear that gave him a bad shock. Turning +like a flash, the scoutmaster discovered that one of +the patrol was missing. There was no need to ask +who it was, for there he saw Mike, the pack mule, +with his feet pushed out to keep himself from being +pulled over the edge of the shelf of rock; while +the taut rope told that poor Smithy must be dangling +at the other end, with an ugly fall threatening +him if by chance the rope came loose from his +wrist, where he had wrapped it!</p> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Page 13]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2> +<h3>TIDINGS OF THE LOST MINE.</h3> + +<p>"Help! help! Smithy's tumbled over the <a name="edge" id="edge"></a>edge +of the precipice!"</p> + +<p>That was Step Hen shouting. He had happened +to be the nearest one to the unfortunate scout, when +Mike gave the other an impatient shove with his +nose, that made Smithy lose his balance, and topple +over the brink.</p> + +<p>Thad never lost a second, but went on the jump +toward the spot where the stubborn jack stood, +with his sturdy little legs braced like steel, as +though determined not to be pulled over just because +Smithy had stepped off the trail.</p> + +<p>Reaching the spot, Thad threw himself down on +his face. He could peer over the edge, and see the +dangling scout. Smithy was squirming at a tremendous +rate, doubtless terrified at the sudden +mishap that had overtaken him, and which came +when he was dreaming of other things.</p> + +<p>"Stop wriggling that way, Smithy!" called the +patrol leader; "it won't do any good, and may +shake the rope loose from your wrist! Here, try +and get hold with your other hand; and grip it + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Page 14]</a></span> +good and fast. We'll have you up in a jiffy, never +fear!"</p> + +<p>"Oh! Thad!" gasped the poor fellow, whose +face was as white as chalk when he turned it appealingly +upward; nevertheless Smithy had learned +the quality of obedience, and particularly when he +heard the acting scoutmaster speak; so that almost +mechanically he groped around with his free hand +until his fingers came in contact with the taut rope, +when they closed upon it tenaciously; just as a +drowning man will cling to the first thing he +clutches that seems to hold out a single ray of hope.</p> + +<p>"Let me help," said a quiet voice close to Thad's +ear; and he knew that it was Allan who spoke—Allan, +always self-possessed and cool, even in the +most trying conditions.</p> + +<p>Thad was only too glad to have an assistant, for +he could never have lifted the imperiled lad alone, +since Smithy was no light weight; and did not +know enough to help himself by digging the toes +of his boots into crevices of the rocks, so as to ease +the terrific strain on his arms.</p> + +<p>"Hold on tight, Smithy; it's all right, and you're +not going to fall, understand that now. So, up you +come, my boy! Another pull like that, and we'll +sure have you on deck again. Easy now with that +rope back there; Step Hen, hold to the mule, and +keep him quiet, will you?"</p> + +<p>Thad said all this in a reassuring, matter-of-fact + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Page 15]</a></span> +tone, that was better calculated to put confidence +into the faint heart of Smithy than anything else +could. Step Hen and Davy Jones caught hold of +the obstreperous Mike, almost frantic because of +these strange carryings-on, and held him tight, so +that he might not interfere with the critical work +of rescue.</p> + +<p>And so Smithy was finally pulled over the edge. +Once Thad managed to secure a grip of the collar +of his scout coat, he knew everything was serene, +for that khaki cloth was firm and sound, and capable +of bearing almost any strain.</p> + +<p>The rescued scout sprawled on the shelf, panting +hard. His face was still ghastly white, for +Smithy lacked greatly in fortitude, and needed +building up as much as the other tenderfoot, Bumpus, +had, before his adventures in the big timber, +that had gone so far to raise him in the estimation +of his chums.</p> + +<p>"Whew! that was a close shave!" exclaimed +Giraffe, from the rear, where he had been holding +on the other mule with more or less difficulty; because, +when Molly discovered that her mate was +in some sort of panic, she also wanted to frisk +around, and cut up, after the way of mules in general.</p> + +<p>Step Hen and Davy Jones were poking their +heads over the edge, curious to know just what + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Page 16]</a></span> +Smithy had been saved from. The former turned, +and grinned.</p> + +<p>"Guess you might have been bruised some, +Smithy, if you'd gone on down;" he remarked; +"but there's a big shelf that was waiting to grab +you, just five feet under your toes. But as you +didn't know that, and thought the drop was half a +mile, more or less, I don't blame you for feeling +shaky about it."</p> + +<p>Smithy recovered sufficiently to insist on crawling +to the edge, and also peering over. When he +really found that what Step Hen said was the truth, +it seemed to annoy him, strange to say.</p> + +<p>"Now, isn't that provoking," he declared, in his +precise way of talking that he had learned from +his maiden aunts; "why, if I had only been aware +of that circumstance, what an amount of mental +suffering it would have saved me. When a fellow +gets such a fright as that, he likes to know that it +was worth while."</p> + +<p>The journey was soon resumed; but Thad saw +to it that some one else besides Smithy held the +leading rope of the tricky Mike. Perhaps the mule +might never afterwards try the same game; and +then again he was liable to break out in a new direction; +for there was a little demon in that wicked +eye of his, Thad thought.</p> + +<p>Already they were on the downward grade. By +the time night arrived, the guide hoped they would + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Page 17]</a></span> +have reached the lower canyons, where a camp +might be made. All of the boys were really tired +of climbing about among so many <a name="dangerous" id="dangerous"></a>dangerous narrow +paths, and would welcome the coming of the +time when they could move around without constant +danger of being dashed to death over some +precipice.</p> + +<p>None of them claimed to be born mountain +climbers. They preferred to take their fun in +some other way.</p> + +<p>When the route changed somewhat in its character, +so that the little party could gather more +together, an animated conversation broke out. The +guide was fairly flooded with questions concerning +the country, and what he knew about its past.</p> + +<p>"I've been all through here many's the time," +Toby declared, waving a hand to cover the surroundings +generally. "And some other fellers, +they've jest been fairly hauntin' these regions in +years past; but 'twa'n't any use; for they never +could find that old mine again."</p> + +<p>"What's that?" demanded Step Hen, scenting +an interesting item, for he was always on the look-out +for such things as seemed to promise a touch +of mystery.</p> + +<p>"A mine; what kind was it, Toby; who lost it; +and why haven't they been able to find it any +more?" asked Giraffe, eagerly; while Bumpus +crowded closer, for he had a little mercenary streak + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Page 18]</a></span> +in his make-up, and was keen to discover a chance +to lay by another store of hard cash, that might +insure a succession of glorious outings for the Silver +Foxes.</p> + +<p>The guide seemed nothing loth to tell what little +he knew.</p> + +<p>"Why, you see, thar was a man named Rawson—met +him lots of times myself; and one time +after he'd been pokin' about in this section, prospectin', +he came to Greeley with his pockets just +bulgin' out with the richest silver ore ever seen. +All he'd say was he'd struck a lode that was mighty +nigh the pure stuff. Then he went away, to try +an' get up a company to work his mine, they sez, +an' he never kim back. Nobody never knowed +whatever became of Rawson; but heaps of folks +has hunted high an' low to find his rich mine. Why, +thar was that old miner, Kunnel John Kracker, I +jest reckon he spent as much as four months several +times up around here, pokin' into the most unlikely +places you ever heard tell of. They sez as +how he was so dead sot on findin' that same lost +silver mine, that he near went dippy over it."</p> + +<p>"And nobody has ever managed to locate it +again, since that day so many years ago; is that +what you mean, Toby?" asked Thad.</p> + +<p>"So she seems, Mr. Scout Master," replied the +other, who always gave Thad this full appellation +when addressing him.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Page 19]</a></span> + "Bumpus, what in the wide world are you chuckling +at, back there?" demanded Davy Jones.</p> + +<p>"Don't you know Bumpus enough," laughed +Allan, "to guess that already he sees the wonderful +Silver Foxes discovering that lost silver mine, +and just grabbing handfuls of cash right out of it, +to pay the expenses of the next trip—where's it +going to be another time, Bumpus; down to the +gulf, cruising; or along the Mexican border; for you +know scouts should never go outside the borders +of their own country?"</p> + +<p>"Well, why not?" demanded the fat boy, defiantly; +"look back at the stunts we've carried +through so far, and tell me if it would be so very +strange if we just happened to drop in on this old +hidden mine of the Rockies? Luck camps on the +trail of the Silver Fox Patrol every time; and I'm +ready to shake hands with anything that needs +clearing up. You just wait, and see if I'm so far +off, that's all."</p> + +<p>"And just to think of his name being John +Kracker; now, what boy could ever keep from +twisting that around, and calling him a cracker-jack?" +chuckled Giraffe.</p> + +<p>"That's a good one, all right," declared the +guide, laughing heartily; "and I'm some surprised, +I am, that nobody ever thought to put that same +on the kunnel afore this. I wish you could aseen +him, boys. Why, he's as fat as—er——"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Page 20]</a></span> + "You needn't look at me that way, Toby," burst +out Bumpus, instantly, for he was more or less +touchy with respect to his size. "I'm taperin' down +right along these days. Why, I don't reckon I +weigh within three pounds as much as I did when +we said good-bye to Cranford."</p> + +<p>"And you lost all of that the time you walked +and walked for days, huntin' for your bear!" put +in Davy Jones.</p> + +<p>"Well, I got him, all right, didn't I, tell me +that?" asked Bumpus, proudly, as he patted the +double-barreled ten gauge Marlin shotgun, which +he insisted on carrying across his shoulder, while +most of the others were satisfied to secure their +guns to the pack saddles.</p> + +<p>"You sure did," replied Davy, willing to give +honor where honor was due.</p> + +<p>"I was jest agoin' to say, the kunnel, he's as +fat as all get-out," Toby went on, a twinkle in his +eye telling how much he really enjoyed these little +skirmishes between some of his charges. "But all +the same, he's the most energetic critter you ever +seen. And temper, say, he's gettin' as red in the +face as a turkey buzzard, struttin' around with a +chip on its wing, ready for a fight. I 'spect some +day the kunnel, he'll jest blow up, and disappear +in a cloud of steam. And p'raps after all you might +git a chanct to set eyes on him yet; because I heard +down at Greeley, last time I was thar, that he'd + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Page 21]</a></span> +passed through with a couple of fellers, and packs; +so it looked like he meant to give that pesky lost +mine another whirl, makin' p'raps the fourth time +he's been up thisaways."</p> + +<p>"Glad to hear it," spoke up Bumpus. "Makes +it more interesting to know that he's still got some +faith in the story of the lost Rawson mine. But +I'm real sorry for Colonel Kracker, because he's a +back number since the Foxes have come to town. +If he knows what's good for him he'll go away +back and sit down."</p> + +<p>"It's refreshing just to hear you say that, Bumpus," +declared Allan.</p> + +<p>"He's just talking for the fun of hearin' himself, +that's what?" grumbled Step Hen. "What +sort of chance would we have, a lot of greenhorns +who never yet saw a silver mine; against an old-timer +like him? For one I'm not going to take any +sort of stock in the yarn. Like as not it's just one +of the thousands of lies that are circulated all +through the mining regions. Why, I've heard that +there are just any amount of wonderful lost mines +that never existed, my dad says, except in the +mind of some crank. And my dad ought to know, +because he owns stock in heaps of mines that was +salted dreadful, just to sell to innocent people in +the East."</p> + +<p>"About this Rawson who was said to have found +the silver lode that was nearly pure," Thad remarked, + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Page 22]</a></span> +wishing to pick up more information; +"what sort of a man was he, Toby—you said you +used to know him once, I believe?"</p> + +<p>"A pretty fair an' square sort of a prospector; +and they sez as how he was that tickled over his +rich find, sayin' that now his fambly could enjy +some of the comforts o' life. Seems like his fust +thought was 'bout them. But I never knowed whar +he lived, except that it was somewhar down in +Utah among the Mormons; though to be sure he +wasn't belongin' to the plural wife colony, not +much. Seemed to think all the world 'bout the +one wife, and the children he'd got."</p> + +<p>"Then it's too bad poor Rawson never lived to +profit by his discovery," went on the scoutmaster. +"If he'd only been able to hand the key to his find +over to his family, they might long ago have come +in for a fair share of the profits of the lode. Well, +Bumpus, if, as you seem to believe, in that stubborn +way of yours, that the Foxes are just <i>bound</i> +to tumble into this lost mine, we'll remember, boys, +to hunt up the family of Rawson, and let them +share in our luck. And now, as the afternoon is +getting along, we'd better be thinking of hurrying, +if we hope to camp in the valley this coming night."</p> + +<p>They made a little spurt, though it was always +next to impossible to hurry those two independent +pack animals, as contrary by nature as anything +could be. Step Hen indeed declared they would + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Page 23]</a></span> +do well to turn the animals around, and <i>pretend</i> +to want to go in the other direction; when Mike +and Molly would keep on backing until they had +reached the valley below in good style.</p> + +<p>The sun was of course out of sight behind the +mountainous wall standing like a great barrier in +the west, when the little company of scouts finally +reached the base of the eastern ridge.</p> + +<p>"Thar's a hunky camp site jest over beyond that +bunch of trees, boys;" the guide announced; +"plenty of good drinkin' water for man, an' beast +too. So let's head that way. Reckon you-all must +be some tired with that long trip in acrost the +range."</p> + +<p>Five minutes later, and they drew up at the spot, +which Thad immediately saw was just the place +for pilgrims to pass a night.</p> + +<p>"Hello! there's been a fire here!" exclaimed +Giraffe, always on the lookout for anything that +pertained to a blaze; for he was the greatest fire +worshipper ever known.</p> + +<p>The guide flung himself down beside the ashes, +and felt of them; while the scouts waited to hear +what his report would be.</p> + +<p>"Somebody camped here jest last night," declared +the forest ranger, quickly; "and like as not +'twar that ole Kunnel Kracker an' his party, bound +to comb these mountains onct more, lookin' for the +lost silver mine!"</p> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Page 24]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2> +<h3>THE LETTERS OF FIRE ON THE CLIFF.</h3> + +<p>"Now, how'd he know that, Allan? D'ye reckon +he tells the same way you would?" asked Step +Hen, immediately interested.</p> + +<p>Some of the others had seen the Maine boy do +various "stunts" along the line of woodcraft, on +previous occasions; and among others he had been +able to tell just about how many hours previous +a fire had been abandoned, by the "feel" of the +ashes, as Giraffe always declared.</p> + +<p>"Pretty much the same, I suppose, Step Hen," +replied the other, pleasantly, for Allan, being one +of the officers of the patrol, was always glad to +find any of the scouts interested in picking up information; +and never refused to assist to the best +of his ability.</p> + +<p>Toby was examining the ground around the +ashes with those snapping eyes of his, small in +point of size, but capable of taking in every point +going.</p> + +<p>"How d'ye suppose he did do it?" persisted +Step Hen, who was very determined, once he had +set his mind on anything—stubbornness some of +his camp-mates called it.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Page 25]</a></span> + "Oh! there are ways easier to grasp in your +mind than explain," Allan remarked. "You just +<i>seem</i> to know a thing. Some hidden instinct tells +you, I might say. You feel a deadness in the ashes +that's different from fresh ones. And then the +looks tell you whether the dew has fallen on them +or not. In this case Toby, I reckon, has found out +that they seem mighty fresh; and so no night has +passed since the last spark of fire died out. There +are other ways of telling about how many nights +ago it may have been made, if an old one. But +you ought to make a practice of studying these +things connected with fires, Giraffe, instead of being +always wanting to make fresh blazes. You'd +find the matter mighty interesting, and worth while, +I give you my word."</p> + +<p>"Say, that gives me an idea!" exploded the tall +scout; "and mebbe I will. Just as you say, Allan, +everybody's getting sore on me for wanting to +always build fires and fires, <i>and</i> fires. I've been +able to start 'em every which way, from flint and +steel, to twirling a stick with a bow, after the style +of them South Sea Islanders; and like old Alexander +I'm cryin' for new worlds to conquer. Well, +here they are, just like you say; and connected +with fires too; right in my line, so to speak. Thank +you for giving me the tip, Allan; I'm sure goin' +to think it over."</p> + +<p>"Thank goodness!" exclaimed Step Hen, fervently.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Page 26]</a></span> + "Now, what d'ye say that for?" demanded +Giraffe, taking umbrage at once.</p> + +<p>"If ever you devote your colossal mind to the +job of seeing how many ways fires can be <i>put out</i>, +instead of started, the rest of us'll have a chance +to get some decent sleep nights; because we won't +be always afraid of the woods burnin' up with +your crazy experiments," and Step Hen moved a +little further away from his chum as he said this, +not knowing how Giraffe might take it.</p> + +<p>But the tall scout, after meditating over the +matter for part of a minute only remarked indifferently:</p> + +<p>"Oh! that's all right, Step Hen; you've got your +faults too, and big ones in the bargain. Ask Bumpus +here if my faculty for makin' fires didn't save +us from a whole peck of trouble that time up in +Maine when we found ourselves lost, a cold night +comin' on, two partridges shot, and not a single +match in the crowd to start a fire to cook the game +and keep us from freezing stiff. He knows."</p> + +<p>"That's right," declared the fat scout, instantly, +and with a fond look toward Giraffe, as memories +of the occasion referred to came trooping into his +mind, so that he could almost smell the odor of those +cooking birds, thrust near the delightful fire on the +points of long splinters of wood.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the guide had come back to where +the little party began to make preparations for the + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Page 27]</a></span> +night, the packs having been taken from the backs +of Mike and Molly, and everybody finding something +to do in the bustle.</p> + +<p>"Get anything?" asked Thad, as Toby Smathers +came up, a grin decorating his sunburnt but honest +face.</p> + +<p>"Oh! it was the kunnel, all right," replied the +guide. "I knows the mark o' his hoof among a +thousand. An' he's got them two pizen sharks +along o' him, Waffles and Dickey Bird. They been +kicked out of nigh every camp in the silver region, +but they just about suit the ijee of the kunnel, +when he wants any dirty work done."</p> + +<p>"And that's what you call finding the long lost +silver mine, do you?" asked the scoutmaster, smiling.</p> + +<p>"Well, accordin' to the ijee of most decent miners, +that same Rawson had the first claim on that +ere mine; and any feller that rediscovers it ought +to turn a third of the proceeds over to the fambly +of the man as got thar first. But you don't ketch +Kunnel Kracker doin' any such foolish business as +that. He'd gobble the whole business, and snap +his finger at the widow and orphans. But they's +one thing I don't just exactly understand about the +marks hereabouts. Seems to be a boy along with +the gang. Now, whatever could such an old seasoned +prospector and miner as Kracker want with +a half grown boy up in this part of the country, + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Page 28]</a></span> +when he's huntin' for a mine that seems to have +dropped out of sight, like it fell through to China? +That's what gets <i>me</i>."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it might be an Indian boy; we had a +glimpse of such a half grown brave skulking along, +one day. He seemed to want to count noses in our +crowd the worst kind, and we wondered if he +meant to steal anything; but after a while he just +cut stick and cleared out, looking a lot disappointed +over something. Giraffe here tried to get close +enough to him to speak, but he was that shy he kept +moving off all the time. We thought he might +have expected to see somebody he knew among us, +a boy perhaps, and when he found that we were a +pack of strangers he didn't want anything more to +do with us."</p> + +<p>"This wa'n't any red-skinned boy, but a white," +Toby declared, positively. "An Injun would a +toed-in, and wore moccasins; but he had on shoes, +and turned his toes out, all right, civilized way. +But then, just as you say, p'raps it don't matter a +row of beans to us who he was. We may run +acrost 'em sooner or later; and again mebbe we +won't."</p> + +<p>When the two tents were in position it began to +look "jolly much like a camp," as Step Hen declared.</p> + +<p>The mules were allowed to graze on the little +tufts of grass that grew in spots around, where + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Page 29]</a></span> +there was enough earth to allow of such a thing. +Close by was an occasional stunted tree, from +which the boys easily secured all the firewood that +was apt to be needed.</p> + +<p>And how genial that blaze did look in the coming +night, as it shone upon the tents, the smiling +faces of the scouts, and the general surroundings, +so wild and lonely.</p> + +<p>"Looks like we owned the whole world," remarked +Bumpus, "when you just squint around, +and see the old Rockies towerin' up to the right +and to the left, behind and before. Say, this is +what we've been lookin' forward to a long time, +ain't it, fellers?"</p> + +<p>Bumpus seemed to be happier over the situation +than any of the others. Really, it was queer how +deep an interest the stout youth had always taken in +this trip to the Wild Northwest. He it was who +first suggested the same, and on every occasion he +had fostered the idea. Up in Maine, when they +first heard about that rich reward offered for the +recovery of the missing valuables that had been +stolen from a bank, Bumpus had been the one to +declare that they ought to recover them, so as to +have plenty of funds in the treasury, to pay the +expenses of a grand trip to the backbone of the +continent, those glorious mountains which he saw +so often in his day dreams, and yearned so much +to visit.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Page 30]</a></span> + Of course, by this time every one of his chums +had become filled with enthusiasm also, and there +was no faint answer to this question on the part +of Bumpus.</p> + +<p>Pretty soon supper was started, and that was a +time when the scouts began to be more or less restless. +Tired as they might be, when the delicious +odors permeated the outermost limits of the camp, +no one seemed able to sit still. The fact of the +matter was that they were ravenously hungry, and +it was tantalizing to get the "smell" of the cooking, +with the knowledge that it would be at least +half an hour ere they could begin to satisfy their +appetites. Any one who knows the make-up of +average boys, understands that.</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't like to be caught in parts of this +valley, in a cloud-burst," Davy Jones remarked; +"I've been alookin' around some, and there's signs +that tell of floods long ago. Guess a feller'd have +hike some, to get away if a wall of water came +whirlin' down here."</p> + +<p>"But the hunting ought to be fine, don't you +think, Toby?" asked Step Hen, who had begun to +have aspirations to equal the record of several of +his comrades; and more than once declared that +nothing less than a big-horn Rocky Mountain sheep +would satisfy his ambition. "I c'n just think I +see the jumpers playin' leap-frog up along some of +the cliffs that stand out against the sky yonder."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Page 31]</a></span> + "We'll find sheep, sooner or later, all right," asserted +the guide, who was engaged in cutting wood +for the fire; and more than that he would not say, +being a man of words rather than big promises.</p> + +<p>"Look at Giraffe, would you?" remarked Step +Hen. "He just can't quit playin' with fire all the +time."</p> + +<p>"What's he doing now?" asked Thad, with a +laugh, and not bothering to look up; for it happened +that just then he was making some notes in +his log book, fearing lest they slip his mind, if he +waited until after supper.</p> + +<p>"Oh! he's got a firebrand, and standing out +there in the dark he's doing all sort of queer stunts! +with it—whirling it around several times; then +movin' it up and down, quick like; after which he +crosses it horizontally a few times. Why, just to +look at him you'd think he was sending a message +like we do with the wigwag flags in the day time."</p> + +<p>"Well, that's just what Giraffe is pretending to +do, right now," said Thad, after he had taken one +quick look. "Only instead of using flags, he's +taking a light to make the letters with. Giraffe is +a pretty good hand at heliograph work and all +kinds of wigwagging, you know. I've talked with +him by means of a piece of looking glass, on a +sunshiny day, more than a mile away; and we +managed to understand each other first-rate. Leave +Giraffe alone, Step Hen. He's a nervous scout, + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Page 32]</a></span> +you understand, and has to work off his steam +some way. There couldn't be any better than brushing +up his Morse code, I think."</p> + +<p>"Huh! p'raps you're right," grunted the other; +"but it does beat all, how Giraffe, always finds +satisfaction in playing with fire."</p> + +<p>"There's one good thing, about it these days," +ventured Davy Jones.</p> + +<p>"What might that be, suh?" asked the Southern +boy, Bob White, looking up; for he was assisting +to get supper ready.</p> + +<p>"Why, we don't have to be afraid of Giraffe setting +the woods on fire any more. It'd take a job +bigger'n he could manage to get a fire goin' in this +rocky valley," and Step Hen laughed as he said +this; for indeed, the sparse and stunted trees that +grew at intervals along the sides of the mountains +did not seem to offer much encouragement to a +would-be incendiary.</p> + +<p>"How much longer do we have to wait for +grub?" asked Bumpus, sighing dismally.</p> + +<p>"What's that to you?" demanded Giraffe, from +outside the limits of the camp proper; he having +heard the plaint. "If you went without a bite for +a week, sure, you could live on your fat, Bumpus; +but think of <i>me</i>. Why, in two days' time my back-bone'd +be rubbing up against my front ribs; and +in another they would have a riot. I've got a space +to fill all the time. Please hurry up, fellers. Somebody + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Page 33]</a></span> +blow the fire, and make it cook faster, won't +you?"</p> + +<p>"You might be doing the same, Giraffe, 'stead +of wastin' all your surplus energy aswipin' the +empty air out there," called out Step Hen disdainfully, +and yet with a slight touch of envy in his +voice; for, truth to tell, he aimed to equal the proficiency +of the lanky scout in the signal line.</p> + +<p>So they went on exchanging remarks, as the +minutes dragged slowly past, each seeming more +like an hour to the half-starved boys. In vain did +those who were doing the cooking tell them to keep +their eyes anywhere but on the fire, because "a +watched pot never boils."</p> + +<p>But by slow degrees the supper was nearing +readiness. Bumpus was even making his mouth +give signs of his eagerness to begin; and some of +the others had even taken up their tin platters hoping +to be helped first, when Giraffe suddenly came +jumping into camp, wildly excited.</p> + +<p>Thad looked up from his writing, half expecting +to see him followed by a savage mountain wolf, or +possibly a full-grown grizzly bear; but to his astonishment +the boy who carried the burning fagot of +wood cried out as well as he could in his great excitement:</p> + +<p>"Thad—Allan—look! look! somebody's making +wigwag letters with a blaze like mine, away up +yonder on the face of that high cliff; and I could + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Page 34]</a></span> +read it, sure I could! And Thad, oh! what do you +think, it keeps on sayin' the same thing over and +over all the time, aspellin' out the one word: 'help! +help! help!'"</p> + +<p>The scoutmaster jumped to his feet instantly, +ramming the note book deep down in his pocket +as he grasped Giraffe eagerly by the arm, exclaiming:</p> + +<p>"Come and show me what you mean! I hope +you haven't mistaken a star for a torch!"</p> + + +<hr /> +<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2> +<h3>THE TORCH TALK.</h3> + +<p>Every one of the scouts was on his feet by this +time, even fat Bumpus managing to struggle erect +with the rest. And strange to say, the supper that +was just about to be dished out was for the time +being utterly swallowed up in this new and thrilling +excitement.</p> + +<p>They trooped after Thad and Giraffe, the latter +still hanging on to his blazing torch. Toby was +left alone by the fire; but after making sure that +the supper was in no danger of burning up, the +cool, level-headed guide followed his charges over +to the spot where Giraffe had happened to be standing, + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Page 35]</a></span> +when he noticed the odd signals from up on +the face of the cliff.</p> + +<p>"Where is it right now, Giraffe?" demanded +Davy Jones.</p> + +<p>"Nothin' doin'!" added Step Hen, in disgust. +"Now what d'ye think of that? The feller had +his own eyes blinded by whirling his old blaze +around so much, that he just <i>thought</i> he glimpsed +another light up there. Say, p'raps Thad hit the +thing on the head when he mentioned a star. Like +as not now, Giraffe, he just saw one peepin' over +the top of the mountains at him, and thought it +winked. Well, this takes the cake; and all that fine +supper gettin' cold while we're gaping out here. +It's a burnin' shame, that's what it is. Me for the +fire again."</p> + +<p>"Wait!" said Thad, in that tone of authority +that always found ready respect from the scouts +under him; it was the scoutmaster, and not their +chum, who spoke, whenever Thad used that very +stern voice.</p> + +<p>"Give you my word for it, Thad, I saw it again +and again," Giraffe went on, as if he felt that his +veracity as a scout was hanging in the balance.</p> + +<p>"Point out the exact place," said Thad, promptly.</p> + +<p>"I can do it all right, and don't you forget it, +Step Hen," declared the tall scout, eagerly; and +accordingly, raising his torch, he held it stationary at +an angle of nearly forty-five degrees.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Page 36]</a></span> + "Right there she was, Thad; and if you look +close now, p'raps you c'n see a sorter glow like," +he went on, again showing excitement.</p> + +<p>"I believe I do," replied Thad. "Here, give +me that torch of yours, Giraffe."</p> + +<p>"What are you goin' to do, Thad?" asked the +other, even while he complied with the request, +which was in the shape of a command.</p> + +<p>"Try and see if I can get a raise again."</p> + +<p>As Thad said this he started to wave the torch +in several ways. Now he lifted it and lowered it +rapidly; then it went out at an angle; and followed +with several circles, or possibly a diagonal dash.</p> + +<p>And Giraffe saw that he was spelling out the +word:</p> + +<p>"Hello!"</p> + +<p>Eagerly they waited to see the result.</p> + +<p>As the last letter was formed, and the wind-up +sign made to indicate the message had been completed, +to the astonishment of most of the boys +there was a sudden response. Away up on the face +of what seemed to be a high cliff a light appeared, +and began to cut strange figures and lines in the +air, as an arm swung it to and fro. And Thad, as +he started to read the letters, realized that whoever +it might be trying to get in communication with +those in the valley, he certainly knew his Morse +code all right; indeed a regular telegrapher and +wigwag artist belonging to the Signal Corps of + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Page 37]</a></span> +the United States Army could hardly have shown +more proficiency in the business.</p> + +<p>Regularly then, without a hitch, the fiery finger +outlined against the dark background spelled out +the significant word:</p> + +<p>"Help!"</p> + +<p>Thad read each letter aloud, for the benefit of +those among the scouts who, not being so well along +in the work, might have some difficulty in following +those wizard flashes to and fro, up and down, +and around.</p> + +<p>"Just like I said, ain't it, Thad?" breathed +Giraffe, as if he felt that his reputation, assailed +by Step Hen, had been fully vindicated; but the +scoutmaster did not bother answering his question, +since he had his mind wholly bent upon solving +the mystery of the mountains.</p> + +<p>Again he started making erratic movements with +the torch he gripped in his right hand; and the staring +Giraffe read what the patrol leader was saying +to the unknown party perched aloft.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter?"</p> + +<p>Then the light appeared again, and it seemed as +though the other might purposely be keeping it concealed +between messages; and back came the startling +answer, which Thad spelled aloud as it was +sent:</p> + +<p>"In trouble—come up—help me!"</p> + +<p>"Great governor! what d'ye suppose ails him?" + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Page 38]</a></span> +exclaimed Giraffe, seldom being able to keep a still +tongue in his head, especially when excited very +much; and just then he was quivering all over with +nervous eagerness to solve the mystery.</p> + +<p>"Somebody bring me another stick from the +fire," said Thad; "this one is getting burnt out. +Giraffe, you go, because you'll know what kind I +want better than any of the others."</p> + +<p>Giraffe might have felt like rebelling, because +he hated the worst kind to lose a single word of +that mighty interesting exchange of signals; but +Thad, as usual, had been wise enough to coat the +order with a little subtle flattery that served as oil +to lubricate matters. Since none of the other scouts +could be trusted to select the right kind of torch +necessary for signaling purposes, why, of course +Giraffe must sacrifice all other personal desires, +for the common good. And so he walked toward +the fire, though most of the time that long neck of +his kept "rubbering" backward, so as to give him +something of a chance to see what came next on +the programme.</p> + +<p>"Who are you?" Thad waved upward, each +letter being clear and distinct; for the scout leader +knew the folly of running them into one another, +and confusing the receiving end of the battery.</p> + +<p>"Aleck Rawson!"</p> + +<p>When Thad had spelled this out, various exclamations +arose from the boys.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Page 39]</a></span> + "Rawson—why, that was the name of the man +who found the silver mine up in this country, wasn't +it, Toby?" cried Davy Jones, voicing the thought +that had flashed into the mind of every boy just +then.</p> + +<p>"It sure was," replied the guide.</p> + +<p>"Can this be him, then; has he been a prisoner +all these years?" gasped Smithy; at which there +was a scornful laugh from the others.</p> + +<p>"His name wa'n't Aleck; near as I kin remember +'twas Jerry," said Toby.</p> + +<p>"P'raps, suh, he had a son?" suggested Bob +White.</p> + +<p>"Just what I was going to remark," added Allan, +eagerly.</p> + +<p>The intelligence that had come to them in that +last reply had created a sensation among the scouts. +Indeed, even Thad was so astonished that for the +moment he could not find words in which to continue +the interesting conversation by fire.</p> + +<p>Then his torch expired.</p> + +<p>"Hurry Giraffe, and fetch me that other light!" +he called; but there was hardly any need of saying +this, because the party in question was already +advancing by kangaroo-like leaps, covering ground +in a manner simply miraculous.</p> + +<p>"What was that last he said?" he demanded, +and Step Hen made haste to answer, partly because +he wanted to stagger the tall scout; and then perhaps + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Page 40]</a></span> +he realized that Giraffe would really give +them no peace until he was told:</p> + +<p>"Said his name was Aleck Rawson—remember +what Toby told us about the man who found the +mine long years ago! Well, this might happen to +be his boy, we think."</p> + +<p>"Keep still! Thad's going to talk some more!" +grumbled Bumpus.</p> + +<p>Again did the fire signaling go on; and the new +torch selected by the expert Giraffe proved even +better that the one that had burned out. Letter +by letter did Thad send a long message, and Allan +spelled it out as it progressed; so that by the time +it was completed every one knew just what had +been flashed upward toward the unseen receiving +party above.</p> + +<p>"Can we get up to where you are?"</p> + +<p>Now the fiery finger in the darkness began to +write an answer; every letter was plainly carried +out, so that not in a signal instance did Thad +"trip up" as he read it aloud.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but come quick—bring rope—might fall +any minute!"</p> + +<p>"I bet you he's hanging on to a little narrow +shelf of rock!" declared Bumpus.</p> + +<p>"But if he is, how in the dickens could he get +the fire to signal with; that's what bothers me?" +muttered Giraffe.</p> + +<p>"Where are you?" signaled the scoutmaster, + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Page 41]</a></span> +promptly, thinking to get all the information possible +while the chance remained.</p> + +<p>"On a ledge part way down the cliff," answered +the one who had said his was Aleck Rawson.</p> + +<p>"How did you get there?" went on Thad.</p> + +<p>"Lowered here, and left to die like a dog," came +the stunning answer.</p> + +<p>"Did you ever hear the equal of that?" cried +out Bumpus. "Now what sort of people could +ever be guilty of such a horrible thing as that, I'd +like to know?"</p> + +<p>"Oh!" remarked the guide, "they's a heap +of bad men around these parts, I tell ye; but I got +a notion I kin see through a board that's got a +knot-hole in it. Ask him who put him there, Mr. +Scout Master, please?"</p> + +<p>Thad would have done this, even though Toby +had not spoken; indeed, he was even then about +to start putting the question.</p> + +<p>"Who put you there?"</p> + +<p>"Colonel Knocker did—will you come and get +me?"</p> + +<p>"The old villain!" gasped Bumpus. "He ought +to be tarred and feathered for such a wicked piece +of work. What d'ye suppose he did it for? I +wonder now, if this same Aleck Rawson could know +anything about the secret of that hidden mine; +and Cracker-jack John just wants to torture him +till he tells?"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Page 42]</a></span> + "That sounds like it, Bumpus; you're good at +guessing things, after all," remarked Step Hen.</p> + +<p>"Keep still, back there; Thad's sending another +message!" warned Giraffe.</p> + +<p>And in his steady way, the scoutmaster went on +to flash back the reassuring words:</p> + +<p>"Yes, we will come to you. Hold on! It may +take us some time. Start right away!"</p> + +<p>"Thank you!" came from above, and then the +light that had moved backward and forward, up +and down, and around in eccentric circles, vanished, +as though with that last word the torch, if that was +what it was, had been exhausted.</p> + +<p>But at least it had served long enough to bear a +startling message to the boys of the Silver Fox +Patrol, camping there in the valley of the great +Rockies.</p> + +<p>"Now what?" exclaimed the impatient Giraffe.</p> + +<p>Somehow, not one of them gave the waiting +supper a single thought just then; for this new and +exciting diversion had made them utterly forget +such a thing as being hungry.</p> + +<p>"I want several of you to go along with me," +said Thad; "Toby for one, because of his strong +arms, in case we have to do any lifting; also +Giraffe; and Allan, perhap you'd like to be in the +party also?"</p> + +<p>"I certainly would," declared the Maine boy instantly; +"if you think I can be spared from the +camp."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Page 43]</a></span> + "Oh!" said Thad, "they'll get on all right here, +because every fellow will be put on his honor not +to stray away from the fire while we're gone. Bumpus, +please let me have that rope you carry with +you. It's proved valuable several times already, and +may come in all right again."</p> + +<p>Bumpus had a very queer idea, in that he persisted +in carrying a thin, braided rope wrapped +around his body. It was of the sash cord species, +slender, but extra strong. Bumpus had seen the +great need of a rope once or twice, and made up his +mind that he would never be without one, when +abroad in the woods or wilderness. And it had +proven useful to him too; in fact, but for its possession +Bumpus might not have been there, so +blithe and happy, at that very moment. Having +unfortunately become mired in a slimy mudhole +when lost in the big timber, he was slowly sinking +on account of his desperate efforts to get out, when +he happened to notice the convenient limb of a tree +just a couple of feet over his head; and remembering +his rope, he had thrown it, doubled, over the +same; and by making a tremendous spurt, managed +to drag his feet out of the sucking mud, climbing +to safety.</p> + +<p>And of course after that nothing could ever induce +the fat scout to think of abandoning that precious +rope.</p> + +<p>So he started to unwind it now; and as if this + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Page 44]</a></span> +might be a signal for some of the boys to assist, +they seized hold of Bumpus, pulling at the rope, until +they had him whirling around in a dizzy fashion, +protesting all the while, but without any avail. +Finally the rope was wholly unwound, and Bumpus +found himself sitting there on the ground, with +the stars waving in all sorts of queer circles over +his head, for he felt as "rocky" as though he had +been indulging in strong drink.</p> + +<p>"But be <i>aw</i>ful careful of that rope, won't you, +Thad?" he managed to call out, as the scoutmaster +started to coil it up for carrying.</p> + +<p>"I certainly will, Bumpus," replied the other; +"and thank you for the loan of it. Come on, those +who are going with me; take your guns along, +even if we don't find any use for them. And say, +you fellows in camp, save our share of supper for +us, remember!"</p> + + +<hr /> +<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2> +<h3>TAKING FATHER'S PLACE.</h3> + +<p>"Must be nearly up at the top now, Thad."</p> + +<p>It was Giraffe who said this. The little party +of four, Thad; Toby, the guide; Giraffe, and Allan, +had been climbing upwards steadily for more than + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Page 45]</a></span> +an hour now; and even the long-legged scout was +beginning to pant more or less from the exertion.</p> + +<p>Having been through the valley more than once +before, Toby Smathers had been able to take them +along the trail that led up the other side. Often +they would have been at a loss just how to proceed +only for his superior knowledge. And then the +moon had risen too, which meant considerable in +the way of light; for topping the other range, it +shed its brilliant illumination on the side of the +elevation the scouts were now mounting so +bravely.</p> + +<p>"How about it, Toby?" asked the patrol +leader, wishing to satisfy his own curiosity, as well +as please Giraffe.</p> + +<p>"Right thar, now, and arter this we ain't goin' +to have much climbin'. But you-all want to be +keerful 'bout goin' too clost to the edge. That +drop is all of three hundred feet, I reckons," the +guide made answer.</p> + +<p>"And think of those sharks aleavin' that boy +part way down the face of that awful precipice!" +said Giraffe, gritting his teeth in a way he had of +doing when he wished to let everybody know just +how mad he was.</p> + +<p>"It's taken a whole hour for us to climb up +here," remarked Thad; "and we can hardly count +on getting back to the camp in less than another, +even if things go right with us."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Page 46]</a></span> + "Well, wasn't I wise, then, in sayin' we had +ought to snatch up some grub, to bite at on the +way?" declared Giraffe, triumphantly. "I reckon, +now, I'd never a been able to a dumb up this far, if +I hadn't kept nibblin' away at the stuff they handed +us when we was startin' out. And there's more +awaitin' for us after we get back, which I take it is +a lucky thing; because my appetite keeps on growin' +all the while, what with this tough climb."</p> + +<p>On the way of course the three scouts had indulged +in all sorts of speculations concerning the +cause of Colonel Kracker treating the son of Jerry +Rawson in such a scurvy way.</p> + +<p>And after the subject had been thoroughly discussed, +it seemed to be the consensus of opinion +that the boy must possess some map, or at least +some knowledge concerning the location of the +hidden mine, which the money-mad prospector, +whose one idea in life nowadays seemed to be the +discovery of this rich silver lode, was trying to force +him to give up.</p> + +<p>"Anyhow," Giraffe had declared, with conviction +in his voice, "I give you my word now, that +Aleck's been a Boy Scout, some time or other; because +he wouldn't a known how to wigwag that +clever way if he hadn't."</p> + +<p>Thad had come to the same conclusion some +time before; and somehow the idea gave him more +or less satisfaction. How often was it being made + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Page 47]</a></span> +patent that the very fact of a boy taking up with +the scouts might prove one of the most valuable +assets he could possess. If the boy on the ledge—for +they insisted on believing that this Aleck Rawson +<i>must</i> be a fellow of perhaps their own age—had +not known how to communicate by means of +the telegraphic code, he might have had considerably +greater difficulty in letting them know of his +predicament, and asking for immediate assistance.</p> + +<p>Of course, there were plenty of knotty things +that none of them pretended to be able to explain; +but then Thad felt sure all would be made clear, +once they had drawn the other up from his dangerous +position on that ledge, down along the face of +the precipice, that had been a cliff when they were +below it.</p> + +<p>Now and then they would come to a pause, it +being necessary that the guide take an observation, +in order to locate their position. He had several +ways for doing this, and Thad, as well as Allan, +understood enough about them to know that Toby +was "making good."</p> + +<p>It was all so much Greek however to Giraffe, +who fretted considerably because there was any +delay, the need of which he could not understand.</p> + +<p>But in the end the guide announced that he believed +they must now be about over the identical +spot from which the fire signals had come. A +dark void down below told where the great valley + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Page 48]</a></span> +lay. The moon, about in the full now, was hanging +there just above the opposite range, and lighting +up their wild surroundings.</p> + +<p>"Seems to me we ought to see him, if he's still +there?" grumbled Giraffe, just as though he meant +to hint that if the imperiled boy had lost his hold, +and fallen, it would be partly because they had +been so slow in getting there.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps we may," replied Thad, as Toby +crawled to the edge to peer <a name="over" id="over"></a>over; "but it wouldn't +surprise me if we found that the face of the precipice +backed in, and that would keep us from sighting +the ledge, or any one on it."</p> + +<p>"Looky! there's Toby beckonin' to us. Come +on, fellers!" and the eager Giraffe started to move +toward the edge of the descent.</p> + +<p>Knowing that Giraffe was inclined to be reckless +in his haste, Thad kept close beside him, and +whispered words of warning.</p> + +<p>"Slow now, Giraffe," he said; "be careful, because +we wouldn't like to have you take a plunge +down there. You'd never know what hurt you, if +you did."</p> + +<p>Thus warned the other did slow up a little; but +quickly they all reached a position where they +could stretch their necks, and look over.</p> + +<p>The moonlight fell on the face of the precipice. +They could even see away down near the base, +where the sharp rocks that had fallen during countless + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Page 49]</a></span> +years in the past were piled up in ugly masses. +Just as Thad had remarked, <a name="if" id="if"></a>if any one did have +the hard luck to fall over, he would never know +what hurt him.</p> + +<p>"It does slant in below, Thad!" said Giraffe, +the first thing.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and we've got to call out to learn whether +he's there or not," returned the scoutmaster; then +raising his voice a little he said:</p> + +<p>"Hello! Aleck, are you here?"</p> + +<p>Immediately they heard an exclamation of delight, +and then came a reply:</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, and right underneath you too, I think. +Have you got a rope along with you?"</p> + +<p>"Just what we have; and I hope it's going to be +long enough," replied Thad.</p> + +<p>"Then quick, tie a stone to the end, and lower +away. When you have got it down opposite to me, +give a swing in and out. I can take hold easy +enough, if you do that," came from below, in the +eager tones of one in whose heart new hope had +taken lodgment.</p> + +<p>Thad lost no time in fastening on a piece of +stone, after which he started to lower away, all the +while listening, hoping to hear a cry that the stone +had gone down far enough. As he was getting perilously +near the end of the rope, his heart had begun +to misgive him, when suddenly came a hail:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Page 50]</a></span> + "Hold on! that is far enough! Now, keep a +tight grip up there!"</p> + +<p>"Get hold with me, the rest of you," said Thad, +allowing the guide to be first; for he wished to take +as much advantage of Toby's great strength as +possible, when it came time for the hard pulling.</p> + +<p>Thad started to swing the rope inward and outward, +as he had been directed. A minute later, +and the one below called again:</p> + +<p>"There, I've got it, all right; and I find you +were smart enough to make a loop for my foot. +Tell me when you're ready, and I'll let loose down +here. It'll be a heavy load; and I hope you won't +let the rope slip through."</p> + +<p>Looking down at the dim vacancy far below +Thad felt that the other had some reason for +feeling a trifle worried over the possibility of an +accident; so he hastened to reassure Aleck.</p> + +<p>"Four of us have hold here, and one is a strong +man; so don't believe anything is going to happen +to you, Aleck. Tell us when you're going; it's all +right up here with us."</p> + +<p>"Then I'm off!"</p> + +<p>With the words they felt a sudden heavy strain, +and knew that the speaker had allowed himself to +swing clear of the ledge, as he suggested he would +do.</p> + +<p>"Careful now, everybody!" warned cautious +Thad; "there's no hurry about it; and we don't + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Page 51]</a></span> +want to knock him to hard against the face of +the wall. Easy, Giraffe, Rome wasn't built in a +day; and slow makes sure, sometimes. This is +one of them."</p> + +<p>While Thad was speaking in this manner, he +lay close to the edge of the abyss, so he could guide +the rope, and avoid letting it be cut by any sharp +stone; and at the same time watch out below.</p> + +<p>Foot by foot did the guide, assisted by the two +scouts, draw the imperiled one upward. Presently +Thad could see him plainly below, swinging a little, +turning around also, but always coming closer and +closer.</p> + +<p>He was reminded somewhat of Smithy's little +adventure on the preceding day; only in his case +there had been really very little danger, although +at the time the poor fellow had not known but that +a thousand feet of space lay below him, rather than +a beggarly five, as was later on discovered.</p> + +<p>Now Thad could stretch out a hand, and touch +the other.</p> + +<p>"Slower still; he's right here, boys!" he +cautioned.</p> + +<p>Then he got a grip himself, and held on. Giraffe +came to his assistance; while Allan and the guide +continued to grip the rope. One supreme effort, +in which the one they were saving did his part; +and then Aleck Rawson climbed alongside his young + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Page 52]</a></span> +rescuers, panting hard with the exertion he had been +through.</p> + +<p>Giraffe felt like giving a shout; but somehow +he knew Thad would frown on any such demonstration. +When scouts were in a region where +danger of any kind might be expected to lurk, +"discretion must take the part of valor, and noise +be utterly prohibited." He could distinctly remember +the patrol leader saying just those very +words, and not so long ago, either. So the explosive +Giraffe had to bottle up his enthusiasm for +another occasion, when the cork might safely be +removed.</p> + +<p>The scouts had already discovered that in one +thing they guessed truly; for Aleck Rawson did +prove to be a boy, about the size of Thad, and +possibly in the neighborhood of sixteen years of +age.</p> + +<p>He was beginning to get back his breath now, +and even moved a little further away from the +edge of the precipice, as though it possessed only +terrors for him. Nor could Thad blame him in +the least; for it must have been frightful torture +to be left all alone on a narrow shelf of rock, +where he could not have any too good a foothold +at the best, and might slip off if, overpowered by +exhaustion, he dared allow himself to lose consciousness +in sleep.</p> + +<p>Presently, when the other had recovered his + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Page 53]</a></span> +wind, he might offer to tell them what it all meant; +and just why that vindictive old prospector and +miner, Colonel Kracker, had dared place a boy in +such a position of peril; for <a name="it" id="it"></a>it seemed a monstrous +proceeding in the mind of the scoutmaster.</p> + +<p>Now the boy was moving. The first thing Thad +knew, a hand clutched his in a warm, fierce clasp, +and he heard Aleck saying:</p> + +<p>"Oh! how can I ever thank you for getting me +out of that scrape?"</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't try it, then," replied Thad, laughing +softly. "Why, we're only too glad to have the +chance. It's been an experience to remember, too; +the talk with the torches, the climb up the face of +the mountain, and then hauling you up safe and +sound. We're Boy Scouts, out looking for adventure, +and doing a little hunting; and this has all +been just great, for us."</p> + +<p>"But think what it's been for me?" said the +other, with a quiver in his voice, although he tried +very hard to disguise it. "My poor mother and +little sisters came nearer to losing their man of the +house, than I'd like them to know; because, you see, +I've just had to try and take my father's place ever +since he died."</p> + +<p>"Your father, then, was Jerry Rawson, I take +it?" said Thad.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that was his name," answered the other, +who had gone over and shaken hands with the + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Page 54]</a></span> +guide, with Giraffe, and finally with Allan, in each +instance giving a convulsive squeeze to their hands +in a way that told more eloquently than words could +have ever done what intense gratitude filled his boyish +heart.</p> + +<p>"The original discoverer of the wonderful silver +mine that has never been located since that +time, so long ago?" Thad went on.</p> + +<p>"Then you <i>do</i> know about that?" Aleck remarked, +quickly; "I was wondering, seeing that +you must be strangers around these regions, +whether you had heard."</p> + +<p>"Our guide, Tony Smathers here, told us; he +used to know your father; and he said there was +a family located somewhere down in Utah," the +scoutmaster continued.</p> + +<p>"My mother, and three small sisters; the youngest +was a baby when he died," Aleck went on to +say, as though he realized that explanations from +him must now be in order, since these boys had +done so much for him; and besides, even though +they were next door to strangers to him, some sort +of free masonry within seemed to tell Aleck that +they were going to prove the best friends he had +ever known.</p> + +<p>"Do you feel able to walk with us down into the +valley to our camp?" Thad asked.</p> + +<p>"I should say I did, and be only too glad into + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Page 55]</a></span> +the bargain!" exclaimed the other, his voice filled +with delight. "And while we're going I want to +tell you just how it came that I was on that horrible +little shelf of rock, placed there by Colonel Kracker, +who said I would never leave it alive unless I gave +up to him the secret of my father's hidden silver +mine. And he promised to come up there above +me every day, to ask me if I was ready to throw +up the sponge. But I'd have died there before I +played the coward, and told him what he wanted; +for how could I ever look my mother and sisters +in the face again, if I saved my useless life by selling +out their mine to that cruel and hateful man?"</p> + + +<hr /> +<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2> +<h3>BACKED BY THE SILVER FOX PATROL.</h3> + +<p>"Hurrah for you, Aleck!" exclaimed Giraffe, +unable to repress his feelings any longer.</p> + +<p>Thad himself felt just as full of enthusiasm over +the brave manner in which this son of Jerry Rawson +had defied the man whose one desire in life +now seemed to be the discovery and confiscation of +the rich mine that had eluded his eager fingers for +so many years; but he knew better how to repress +his delight.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Page 56]</a></span> + They were starting along the top of the precipice +now. Toby leading the way, and every now and +then turning his head, to warn them of a particularly +risky place. Thad had made sure to coil up +that precious rope belonging to generous Bumpus, +and which had so frequently proven to be worth +its weight in gold. Never again would Giraffe +laugh at the queer conceit of the fat scout in connection +with the carrying of that window-sash +cord.</p> + +<p>As the going was so difficult, and as a rule they +were strung out in single file, Thad thought that it +would be just as well to defer all explanations +until they had arrived safely in camp. Besides, +that course would save Aleck from going over +things twice; since those who were not present +would naturally be just as anxious to hear the particulars +as they were.</p> + +<p>So they spent all the time in making sure that +they did not lose their footing, and take ugly tumbles; +for the way was very steep, and the moonlight, +after all, rather treacherous to depend upon +wholly.</p> + +<p>Thad figured, from the clock in the heavens +which he knew how to read so well, (figuring on +the position of the moon, and the multitude of +stars, from Sirius, and the blazing Belt of Orion, +the Hunter, in the northeast; to bright Venus in +the west, now just about to vanish behind the + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Page 57]</a></span> +mountain ridge,) that they had been gone all of +two hours, when once more they approached the +burning fire.</p> + +<p>They could see some of the scouts around the +blaze, and as they drew near, the voice of Davy +Jones called out sternly:</p> + +<p>"Halt! who goes there?"</p> + +<p>"Friends!" replied Thad, carrying out the humor +of the thing.</p> + +<p>"Advance friends, and give the countersign!" +the sentry demanded.</p> + +<p>"Silver Fox Patrol!" replied the scoutmaster, +continuing to stride forward, and closely followed +by all the others of the returning party.</p> + +<p>"Did you get him, Thad?" asked Davy, instantly +allowing his boyish curiosity to over-ride +all soldierly qualities.</p> + +<p>"That's what we did; and he's here with us, as +hungry as they make them," replied the patrol +leader.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I only hope you kept lots of grub; I'm +that hungry I c'n hardly walk," declared Giraffe.</p> + +<p>"After snatching all you did too, when you went +off?" complained Step Hen.</p> + +<p>"But think what we've done since, will you?" +argued the tall scout, as he pushed into camp, and +hastened to settle down in a good spot, with the +air of one who naturally anticipated being waited +on by his chums.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Page 58]</a></span> + "Well, we cooked a lot more," Smithy hastened +to remark; "because, you see, we just calculated +that you would be fairly ravenous, after your exertions. +And so this is Aleck Rawson; delighted to +meet you; my name is——"</p> + +<p>"Cut that out; we call him plain Smithy!" broke +in Step Hen; "and I'm Step Hen Bingham. The +fat feller is Bumpus Hawtree; this other is Bob +White; while the one who gave you that challenge +is Davy Jones. He'll shake hands with you by +offering one of his feet, because he's standing on +his head about as much as the other way."</p> + +<p>And Aleck went around, shaking hands heartily. +Plainly they could see that he was more than delighted +to meet with such a hearty reception; and +just when it seemed as though he needed friends +the worst kind.</p> + +<p>So the newcomers were quickly waited on, and +found that a bountiful supply of supper had indeed +been prepared against their coming, and by boys +who knew what a mountain appetite meant, too.</p> + +<p>By degrees those who had been left in camp were +told just how the rescue had been effected; and then +Aleck started in to tell something about his experiences.</p> + +<p>"I live with my mother and sisters in a town +called Logan, down in the northern part of Utah. +My father died several years ago, when I was a +little shaver. He had just come back home, and + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Page 59]</a></span> +told us he had struck it rich, and we would never +want again, when he was taken down with a fever; +and after being sick a week, he died. The last +thing he did in his delirium was to press a little +pocket looking glass, with a cracked front, into my +hands, and close my fingers on it, like he wanted +me to keep it. And we thought it was just imagination +that made him do it, and that perhaps he +believed he was giving me all the money he saw in +his wild dreams.</p> + +<p>"Well, as the years went along, I used often to +look at that little mirror, just a couple of inches +across, and think of my father. We never could +find anything among his traps to tell us where the +mine he had discovered was located. More'n a +few times this here Colonel Kracker would visit us, +and tell my mother what a big thing it would be, +if only she could find some little chart or rude map +among my father's things, to be sort of a clew to +the lost mine; but though she searched, and I +looked again and again, we just couldn't.</p> + +<p>"And one day, would you believe it, somebody +broke into our cottage while we were all out, and +stole everything belonging to my father, from his +six shooter and gun, to the old tattered knapsack +that he used to carry, when he was prospecting +for pockets of rich ore, or pay dirt anywhere along +the creeks."</p> + +<p>"The old snake!" muttered Step Hen; for of + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Page 60]</a></span> +course every one of them guessed who must have +been responsible for this robbery of the widow's +home.</p> + +<p>Aleck went on.</p> + +<p>"And one day, it was only a month ago, as I +was sitting there, fiddling with that same little +pocket mirror, the back came loose. I was starting +to pinch the metal tight again, when I discovered +that there was a piece of paper between the +glass and the back!"</p> + +<p>"The clue to the lost mine?" gasped Giraffe, +nearly falling over into the fire in his extravagant +delight.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that was what it turned out to be," continued +the Rawson boy, actually smiling to see +how deep an interest his narrative seemed to have +for these splendid new friends fortune had raised +up for him so opportunely. "My father must have +had a return of reason just before he passed away; +and not being able to say a single word, he had +pressed the glass into my hands, thinking that would +be enough. But somehow it had never occurred to +me that he knew what he was doing."</p> + +<p>"And that's what brings you up here right now, +I reckon; you mean to find that hidden mine, and +claim it for your mother, and the girls?" asked +Thad.</p> + +<p>"That is what I aim to do," replied the other, +firmly. "But I think that man must have kept a + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Page 61]</a></span> +spy watching our house, after he failed to find anything +among the things that were stolen; for I've +since had reason to believe that every movement of +mine was known to him. And when he learned +that I was going to start north he guessed that I +had a clue of some sort to the mine."</p> + +<p>"And so he captured you, perhaps right here +where our camp is now; because Toby told us there +were the footprints of a boy along with those of +Colonel Kracker, and his two cronies, Waffles and +Dickey Bird," Giraffe ventured to say.</p> + +<p>"They did drop in on me right here; and taking +me sort of by surprise, made me a prisoner easy +enough," remarked Aleck, somewhat shame-facedly, +as though he considered it far from being to his +credit; "but there was something that happened +before that ought to have warned me to be on the +watch."</p> + +<p>"What was it?" asked the impatient Giraffe, as +the other paused, while trying to eat and talk at +the same time.</p> + +<p>"Well, you see, down below here, I thought I +ought to employ some sort of guide, because I wasn't +altogether accustomed to being all alone in the +wilderness; though I've always used a gun, and +hunted. And along about that time I ran across +a man who seemed to be friendly, and knew the +country, he said, like a book. His name was Matt +Griggs, he said; and the upshot of it all was he + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Page 62]</a></span> +engaged to pilot me around up here as long as I +wanted him. You see, my plan was to shake him +just when I found my bearings, and felt that I +could go on alone; because, of course I didn't want +any outsider to be with me when I took possession +of my father's mine.</p> + +<p>"I was careful never to breathe a word of what +I had in mind; just told him I wanted to knock +around for a few weeks among the mountains up +here. And unless I talked in my sleep, which I +never knew myself to do, there wasn't any way +Matt Griggs could learn from me the real reason +for my wanting to come to this particular section.</p> + +<p>"But one night I woke up, and found the guide +searching through my knapsack; and then all of a +sudden it struck me he was in the pay of that old +scoundrel of a Colonel Kracker. He meant to rob +me of my secret, and had thrown himself across +my path on purpose, just about the time it was +supposed I'd be wanting to take on a guide.</p> + +<p>"Of course I covered him with my gun, and sent +him away without a cartridge in his possession. He +was ugly about it, too, and vowed he'd get even +with me yet. Well, he did, for my treacherous +guide came in with Kracker and a second man; +so I reckon he must be one of those you spoke of, +perhaps Waffles; for I heard the other called Dickey, +once or twice."</p> + +<p>"When they took you a prisoner, they searched + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Page 63]</a></span> +you, of course, hoping to find the valuable paper?" +asked Giraffe, who could not wait for the natural +unfolding of the plot, but must needs hasten matters +by means of pointed questions.</p> + +<p>"They raked me over with a fine-tooth comb," +replied the other, with a little chuckle, as though +proud of what he had done; "but of course I had +been too smart to carry that paper where it could +be found, and so they had all their trouble for their +pains. Then Kracker was as mad as a wet hen. +He stormed, and threatened, and tried to fool me +with a whole lot of silly promises; but it wasn't any +use. I just told him that even if I knew the secret +of the hidden mine, I'd die before I gave it up to +him, or any one like him."</p> + +<p>"Well, you saw what he did, in the end; took +me up there, and lowered me to that terrible ledge, +saying he was going to leave me there to starve; +and that when the buzzards came flocking around +me, and I was wild for a bite to eat, perhaps I'd +feel a little like telling him what he was bound to +know, for he promised to come and ask me every +day."</p> + +<p>"This was when?" asked Thad.</p> + +<p>"I think it must have been about noon when +they lowered me at the end of a rope," Aleck went +on to <a name="explain" id="explain"></a>explain. "One of the men knew about that +ledge, and the idea seemed to tickle Kracker more +than a little. They just shoved me over, and it + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Page 64]</a></span> +was keep a tight hold on that rope for me, or a +drop to the cruel rocks away down at the foot of +the precipice. Then, late in the afternoon I saw +you come into the valley far below. I wanted to +shout, at first, but was afraid you were only some +of the other hard cases of silver mine hunters like +Kracker. But I had found out in the meantime +that in crevices of the rock some small trees had +once taken root, several of them dying, so that I +amused myself in breaking off pieces of wood and +starting a little fire deep in a fissure I found, and +which they didn't know anything about, I guess.</p> + +<p>"Then, to my surprise I saw some one making +all sorts of figures in the darkness with what seemed +to be a torch. I used to belong to the Boy Scout +troop of Logan, you see, and for a little while I +even manipulated the telegraph key in the railroad +station a few miles out of there, on the Oregon +Southern Railroad; so that I soon saw he was +practicing the Morse code. And then a wild desire +came over me to get in touch with you. What I +did, you all know; and I'm the happiest fellow in +the whole Rocky Mountains to think that I've found +friends up here, friends who say they'll stand back +of me, and help me win out in my fight for my +father's mine."</p> + +<p>There were tears in Aleck Rawson's blue eyes +as he said this last, and somehow every one of the +scouts was deeply affected. It does not take much + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Page 65]</a></span> +to arouse the boyish spirit of enthusiasm as a rule; +and what they had already seen and heard of young +Aleck Rawson, made the members of the Silver +Fox Patrol ready to enlist heart and soul in his +cause.</p> + +<p>"There are nine of us here," said Thad, quietly, +but with a firmness that thrilled the newcomer in +the camp; "it's true that all but one of us are boys; +but then we've got guns, and can use them too, if +we have to. And let me tell you, Aleck, we're the +kind of friends that stick. We've heard a lot about +this hidden mine that your father discovered, and +believe that it ought to belong to your mother, and +no one else. This old rascal of a Kracker is a +regular pirate, a land shark that ought to be tied +up to a stake, and tarred and feathered, for the +way he persecuted you, just because you refused to +give away your secret, which means everything +to your folks. And Aleck, we're going to stand by +you through thick and thin! We've met up with +you in about the queerest way ever heard of; and +after getting you off that ledge up there, don't +think we want to call it quits. You're a scout, a +fellow scout in trouble; and we wouldn't deserve +the name we bear if we didn't promise to back you +up to the limit. How about it, boys?"</p> + +<p>"That's the talk!" declared Giraffe, with great +vim.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Page 66]</a></span> + "He can count on us, every time," said Step +Hen.</p> + +<p>And so it went the entire rounds of the little circle, +every boy echoing the sentiments that had made +Thad, as the patrol leader, promise the harassed +lad all the assistance that lay in their power.</p> + +<p>After that the camp quieted down, and the boys +went about their ordinary pursuits. Davy was fiddling +with his little camera, the fever growing +stronger in his veins with each passing day. Indeed, +where some of his chums talked of shooting +Rocky Mountain sheep, grizzlies, timber wolves, +panthers and the like, the Jones boy could be heard +expressing his opinion that "shooting" the same in +their native haunts with a snapshot camera, was +more to his taste.</p> + +<p>And there was Step Hen, as usual, loudly bemoaning +the loss of something that he just felt +sure he had had only five minutes before, but which +was now gone as completely as though the earth +had opened and swallowed it up.</p> + +<p>"'Taint as though it was the first time, either," +he was saying, in a grumbling tone, as of one deeply +injured, while he eyed his chums suspiciously; "it's +always <i>my</i> stuff that's bein' so mysteriously moved +about, so that I never know where to put my hand +on the same. Now, I reckon more'n a few of you +saw my service hat on my head just a little while +ago; but tell me where it is now, will you? If one + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Page 67]</a></span> +of you snatched it off in your slick way, and is +just hiding the same, let me notify you right now +it's a mean joke. Thad, can <i>you</i> tell me where my +hat is?"</p> + +<p>Having the question thus put directly at him, +the patrol leader felt compelled to make a reply.</p> + +<p>"Well, Step Hen," he said, slowly and convincingly, +"I can't exactly do that, but I think I +might give a pretty good guess, knowing you so +well. Just five minutes ago you showed up, after +having gone to get a drink at the little stream that +runs through here. There's a regular place where +we bend down to drink; and I can just see you +taking off that campaign hat of yours, laying it +nicely on the bank, getting your fill of water; and +then deliberately coming back to camp, leaving +your hat there; and then you kick up the greatest +racket because you suddenly notice it isn't on your +head!"</p> + +<p>Some of the other boys clapped their hands, +while Step Hen looked foolish at the well-merited +rebuke.</p> + +<p>"Mebbe you're right that time, Thad," he said, +meekly, as, turning, he strode from the briskly burning +fire, heading toward the good spot alongside +the little stream, where they knelt to drink.</p> + +<p>It was perhaps half a minute afterwards when +he was heard to give a screech that brought every + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Page 68]</a></span> +scout instantly to his feet, jumping for their guns, +when they caught the meaning of his words:</p> + +<p>"I've got him!" yelled Step Hen, at the top of +his voice; "I'm holding him, all right! But come +and give me a hand, somebody, or he'll get away! +Injuns! Injuns!"</p> + +<p>No wonder that excitement filled the camp of +the Silver Fox Patrol!</p> + + +<hr /> +<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2> +<h3>STEP HEN MAKES A CAPTURE.</h3> + +<p>"Wow! it's a regular attack! Keep hold of your +guns, boys, and make every bullet count!" whooped +the excited Giraffe.</p> + +<p>"Don't anybody fire a single shot without orders!" +roared Thad, who could never tell what +such a fly-up-the-creek as Giraffe was capable of +doing, once he got started.</p> + +<p>The guide led the way toward the spot where +Step Hen still continued to shout and entreat. All +of the boys had seen fit to arm themselves. Even +Smithy, who had no gun, had seized upon the camp +hatchet, and imagined himself looking exceedingly +warlike as he trotted along in the wake of his comrades, + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Page 69]</a></span> +making violent passes in the air, as though +cutting down imaginary enemies by the score.</p> + +<p>They thus came upon Step Hen; and sure enough +he was clinging to the back of an Indian, both arms +being twisted desperately around the latter's dusky +neck in a way that threatened to choke the other. +Step Hen may never have read about the way the +Old Man of the Sea clung to Sinbad the Sailor, +using both arms and legs to maintain his hold; but +Thad thought, when he had his first glimpse of +the picture, that at any rate the scout was a good +sticker.</p> + +<p>But then the Indian did not seem to be doing +anything on his part to ward off the attack; indeed, +he was standing there, bearing his burden +with that stoical indifference peculiar to his race. +There was no smile on his sober face that Thad +could see; but he imagined that the Indian must +surely appreciate the ridiculous nature of the situation.</p> + +<p>"All right, Step Hen," Thad called out, when he +could make himself heard above the tremendous +racket the other was putting up; "we're here to +save you, guns and all. You can let go your grip, +Step Hen!"</p> + +<p>"But you won't let him get away, will you, +Thad?" pleaded the other, earnestly. "He's my +Injun, don't you know; I captured him all by myself. +I just bet you now he was meanin' to hook + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Page 70]</a></span> +my hat, that's what brought him to the creek; but +I jumped on him, and took him by surprise. Surround +him, fellers, while I let him loose. My! +but he's a tricky one, I tell you; pretended never to +fight back a bit; but he was only watching for his +chance. He didn't know who had hold of him, +and that I was on to his game, all right."</p> + +<p>"Stop talking, and let him go; you're half choking +him, Step Hen!" ordered the patrol leader.</p> + +<p>And knowing that Thad meant business when +he used his official tones, Step Hen suddenly released +his clutch, and jumped back, just as if he +really expected his late captive to whirl and attack +him.</p> + +<p>But nothing of the kind occurred. In fact, the +Indian continued to show the utmost indifference +to the fact that a ring of eager faces surrounded +him; and that guns of various makes and kinds +were thrust out at him, until the circle seemed to +fairly bristle with a warlike atmosphere.</p> + +<p>Thad saw the Indian raise his right hand, holding +the palm toward them, and keeping the thumb +flat at the same time.</p> + +<p>"That's the peace sign!" muttered Toby Smathers; +"he ain't lookin' for trouble, I reckons, boys."</p> + +<p>"Huh! he better not," grunted Giraffe, who had +been amusing himself meanwhile in raising and lowering +the hammer of his heavy rifle, as though he +must have something going in order to work off + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Page 71]</a></span> +his nervousness. "Why, we could eat him alive, +and then not half try. Ten to one is mighty heavy +odds, let me tell you. And no wonder he holds out +the white flag. It's easy to surrender when you +ain't got a show. But I'd go slow about trusting +him, Thad; these here Injuns, I've heard, are a +treacherous lot, take 'em as a whole."</p> + +<p>"Keep still, Giraffe!" said the scoutmaster, +sternly; "let me do the talking," and the tall scout +became mute, for the time being at least; though +it was hard to keep him any length of time in that +condition.</p> + +<p>Thad had already made a discovery. The moonlight +fell upon the Indian, who now stood there +with his arms folded, his whole attitude one of +studied indifference; and it struck the patrol leader +that there was something very familiar about him.</p> + +<p>"Allan, isn't he the young brave we saw hovering +around our camp before, and who wouldn't stop +to be questioned?" he asked, turning to the Maine +boy.</p> + +<p>"I was just thinking of that myself when you +spoke, Thad," came the ready answer.</p> + +<p>"I wonder, now, why he keeps on hanging after +us," the scoutmaster remarked. "And I'm going +to ask him first of all."</p> + +<p>With that he turned to the prisoner, and went +on to say:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Page 72]</a></span> + "Can you understand; do you know what I am +saying?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, can speak same, all right," came the answer, +in pretty fair English.</p> + +<p>"Well, we want to know why you are hanging +about our camp so much. Once before we saw +you, and tried to talk with you, but you moved off. +Now, away up here in the mountains you come +again, sneaking around, and taking chances of being +shot for a prowling wolf. Tell us why you do +this? I don't believe you meant to steal anything +because you've made no attempt to creep into the +camp; but we want to know just why you hang +around this way."</p> + +<p>"Make come back more two, three times, look +at teepee, see fine picture there. Never see like before. +Much good! Ugh! P'raps sell same, +bimeby, when go back!"</p> + +<p>"What under the sun does he mean by that talk, +Thad? Sure we ain't in the picture selling business, +even if I am taking some dandy snapshots. I wonder, +now, has he seen me at work; does he think +I'm a traveling photograph man, and wants me to +strike him off, in his warpaint and feathers?"</p> + +<p>Davy Jones managed to say all of this, but no +one was paying much attention to his remarks.</p> + +<p>"Tell you what, fellers," broke in the irrepressible +Giraffe, just then; "he's taken a shine to our +tents, and wants to buy one when we're done with + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Page 73]</a></span> +'em. Knows a good thing when he sees it, he does. +Just as if we'd let 'em go for a song, when they're +cram full of associations for us."</p> + +<p>"You're not on to it yet, boys;" remarked Thad, +quietly; "it's the head of the fox which we had +painted so cleverly on each tent that's caught his +eye; and he just can't help hanging around, to keep +on gazing at it, for some reason or other."</p> + +<p>For the first time they saw a sign of emotion +flit across the face of the young Indian brave. He +struck himself violently on the chest.</p> + +<p>"Me Fox!" he exclaimed, proudly. "Soon me +must have teepee for self. See picture fox on same, +think can buy. Give much pelt for same. Ugh! +what white boy say?"</p> + +<p>"Well, just to think of it, here's another Fox, +all right?" called out Giraffe. "We're treading +on his heels, so to speak, boys, when we take that +name for our patrol. Glad to meet up with you; +and by the way are you Silver Fox, Red Fox, or +Black Fox; though to be sure they all belong to one +family?"</p> + +<p>"I thought I ought to know him," burst out +Aleck Rawson, pushing forward, "and now I'm +dead sure of it. Hello! Fox, you sure must remember +me, Aleck; and the good times we used to +have, when I lived close to the Reservation?"</p> + +<p>The young Indian extended his hand without +hesitation.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Page 74]</a></span> + "No forget Aleck, not much. But him not with +other white boys down in big timber. Where come +by? How do? Much glad see again. My coyote +pony, Flicker, yet in the run. Ugh! Shake!"</p> + +<p>"He means a pony I gave him when we came +away from that place," explained Aleck, turning +to Thad after gravely shaking hands with the Indian. +"The Fox is a Crow, and one of the smartest +boys you ever saw. He can do everything that +a grown warrior could; and some day they say he +will be a chief in his tribe. We used to have great +times racing our ponies, and chasing coyotes over +the prairie. And I'm right glad to see him once +more; though it puzzles me to know why he is up +here, so far away from the homes of his people; +and armed, too."</p> + +<p>"Well, if he's an old friend of yours, Aleck, +and you can vouch for him, why, of course he's +going to be welcome at our fire. And it tickles +me to think that the bright painting of the fox head +on each of our tents was what attracted his eye, so +that he just <i>couldn't</i> keep from hanging around at +that other time. But surely that didn't draw him +away up here; he's got some other business in his +head; for he only discovered our camp just now, and +was coming in to see us, I reckon, when Step Hen +mounted his back, and then called to us to help +him."</p> + +<p>"Anyway, I had him gripped good and tight, you + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Page 75]</a></span> +all saw," grumbled Step Hen. "When these good +husky arms of mine get locked around anything, +it takes a heap to break me away. If he had been +a hostile Injun I'd a hung on like grim death, believe +me."</p> + +<p>No one ventured to try and take away any of his +laurels. He had certainly yelled for help in a way +that could not easily be excelled, they all thought.</p> + +<p>Thad led the way to the fire, after inviting the +Indian to join them. He confessed to having just +a little curiosity himself as to what had caused the +Fox to desert the teepees of his tribe, and wander +so far away from the reservation; but of course +Thad knew better than to ask about the personal +affairs of the other. If the Fox chose, later on, to +take them into his confidence, well and good. He +might only stay with them for a night, and then +slip away; but since he was Aleck's friend, and +seemed to be connected with the great family of +Foxes, of which they were a Boy Scout branch, +why, he would be welcome.</p> + +<p>As the Indian confessed that he had not broken +his fast since noon, when he had munched a handful +of dried deer meat, known as pemmican, some +of the boys took it upon themselves to cook something +for him. He appeared to be very grateful, +and could be seen to sniff the air eagerly while +the coffee was boiling; showing that he appreciated +the white man's drink at its true value; for his + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Page 76]</a></span> +people on the reservation enjoyed many of the comforts +of civilization, and some of the luxuries, too, +even to pianos that played themselves, and boxes +that sang songs, and played the violin, and gave +all sorts of orchestral music, so Aleck observed.</p> + +<p>And while the boys talked on various subjects, +as they sat around, Thad happened to be watching +the face of the Fox when one of the scouts casually +mentioned the name of Colonel Kracker. He actually +saw the dark face grow stern, and that the Indian +ground his teeth together, as if in anger.</p> + +<p>Seeing which Thad put things together, and came +to a conclusion, whether right or wrong, of course +he could not yet say.</p> + +<p>"He knows Kracker, for he started when Davy +mentioned the name," Thad was saying to himself. +"And the chances are that the prospector +has done something to injure the Fox, or some +member of his family. These Indians hate savagely; +and perhaps this young fellow, hardly more than a +boy, has taken to the warpath, bent on having a +settlement with the big bully. Well, it isn't any of +our business; but I know I'd hate to have the Fox +camping on <i>my</i> trail, with hatred burning in his +heart."</p> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Page 77]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> +<h3>PLANNING WOE TO THE BIG HORNS.</h3> + + +<p>"If we get along in this way," Giraffe was saying, +as he sat there watching the young Indian eat +what had been set before him; "two at a pop, not +that they're just as welcome as the showers in April, +though, we'll have to hustle some lively so's to provide +grub."</p> + +<p>"Keepin' open house, Giraffe!" sang out Davy +Jones, looking up from his job of placing another +new film in his snapshot camera.</p> + +<p>"Well, we've got our sign out to the Foxes; +that's right," grinned the other, as he glanced +proudly at the head that had been painted in really +a clever fashion on the canvas of each tent.</p> + +<p>They sat up a while <a name="longer" id="longer"></a>longer, and canvassed the +situation; but the hour getting late, and several of +the boys showing signs of being sleepy, it was finally +decided that they had better turn in.</p> + +<p>So Bumpus had to pretend to blow "taps," with +his fist for a bugle; and as usual he acquitted himself +splendidly. The young Indian's eyes sparkled +when he heard that imitation of the real thing; +and Thad imagined the Fox must at some time or + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Page 78]</a></span> +other have rubbed up against the regular cavalry +of the United States Army, so that he understood +what Bumpus was doing.</p> + +<p>Thad and Allan had arranged matters with the +guide, so that there would be some one on guard +at all hours of the night. With those three men +hovering near, there could be no telling what might +happen. While they were not outlaws, or anything +of that sort; still, after learning how they had +treated poor Aleck, just because he very rightly +refused to give up the secret of the mine that was +his mother's property, and on which Kracker did +not have the slightest claim, Thad could give a +pretty good guess as to the character of the men.</p> + +<p>The guide had told him more than enough to +stamp Kracker in his mind as a very unprincipled +man. Thad believed the prospector was so determined +to discover the hidden silver mine that there +was almost nothing he would not attempt in order +to carry out his designs. And since their camp +now sheltered the boy against whom all his animosity +seemed to be aroused, it was at least possible +that he might pay them a visit, backed by his followers, +men quite as reckless as himself.</p> + +<p>So it would seem to be the part of wisdom to +keep on the watch for danger. It is the principle +of scouts to avoid trouble, rather than seek it; and +Thad believed in the old saying that "an ounce + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Page 79]</a></span> +of prevention is always better than a pound of +cure."</p> + +<p>But the night passed, and nothing happened.</p> + +<p>None of the others were called upon to take a +turn as sentries; indeed more than one of the boys +slept like a log all that night, and never dreamed +there was any watch being kept. Still, when in +the morning they ascertained this fact, they reproached +the scoutmaster for not having called +upon them to share the vigil; since they always +wished to do their share of the work.</p> + +<p>Thad knew that the coming of Aleck Rawson +was bound to add to the excitement of their stay +in the mountains; but he had already taken a great +liking for the boy, and admired his sturdy independence, +as well as his grim determination to once +more locate the long hidden mine for the benefit +of his mother and sisters.</p> + +<p>Come what might, Thad was not sorry the Silver +Foxes had determined, individually and collectively +that they would back up Aleck to the limit; +and even give over some of the time they had expected +to put in hunting, in order to help him take +possession of his father's silver lode.</p> + +<p>That meant then, sooner or later, a visit from +the bully of the mountains, this arrogant Colonel +Kracker, whom so many men seemed to fear as a +terror; though Thad had already conceived the +idea that the other must be a coward at heart. He + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Page 80]</a></span> +fancied that no really brave man would war on a +widow like he was doing; and torture a mere boy, in +order to force him to betray his mother's secret.</p> + +<p>"Let him come, then, if he wants to," Thad +had said to Allan, when they discussed the subject +for the tenth time, while breakfast was being made +ready. "We're able to take care of ourselves, I +should think—eight husky fellows, a brave man +for a guide, who will stand up for us; then Aleck, +and the Fox besides. It would be mighty queer, +now, if we couldn't hold our own against three +men, no matter if they are tough characters."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I guess we've seen just as bad before," +replied Allan, with a confident smile. "How about +some of those moonshiners down in North Carolina? +And tell me about that Charlie Barnes and +his crowd, the hobo yeggs we ran across up in +Maine. Then, remember Si Kedge and Ed Harkness +the game poachers we met later on; and how +they were sorry they'd ever bothered with the Silver +Foxes? And to wind up the list, Thad, there were +Hank Dodge and his French Canadian half breed +pard, Pierre Laporte, the hard-shelled timber +cruisers, who gave us all that bother when Bumpus +lost himself down in the big timber. How's that +for a crowd, tell me; and didn't we come out on +top every time?"</p> + +<p>Thad laughed.</p> + +<p>"I see you've got it all down pretty pat, Allan," + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Page 81]</a></span> +he remarked. "And sure enough, just as you say, +after getting the better of so many bad men in all +our travels, we hadn't ought to feel worried right +now because three more bob up, and think to throw +a scare into us. On the whole, this Kracker had +better keep his hands off, or he'll be sorry."</p> + +<p>"But how about our hunting?" Allan went on +to say. "Some of the boys are getting anxious to +make a try for a big-horn. Why, there's Smithy, +a fellow we never expected would ever take the least +interest in shooting, because his nature has seemed +so mild, and sissy-like—I even heard him declare +he wanted to make a try and see what he could do. +Owned up that his father used to be a great hunter +years ago; but that he guessed he'd inherited his +mother's gentle disposition; while his hobble-dehoy +sister she wants to play baseball, hockey, tennis, +and those kinds of games all the while. And Thad, +I think we ought to encourage that idea in Smithy. +It may be the making of him, if once he gets waked +up."</p> + +<p>Thad thought the same way. He knew the boy +possessed amiable traits; but he had always been +given too much to dress, and the little things of +life, at which most fellows look with scorn and +contempt. He must have the edges roughened a +little, if he was ever going to hold his own when he +went to college, or out in the wide world, where +"sissy" boys are held up to derision.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Page 82]</a></span> + "Nothing to hinder our hanging over here a +bit, and seeing what the next move of this cannon +cracker is going to be," he remarked.</p> + +<p>"And the hunting?" asked Allan.</p> + +<p>"Why, a party could start out right from camp +here, leaving enough behind to defend the place, of +course, and keep Kracker from taking Aleck away +by sheer force, if he did have the nerve enough to +come here," the scoutmaster replied, after thinking +over the matter for a brief time.</p> + +<p>"Of course we ought to let the guide go along +with the boys; for I wouldn't like to trust them +alone in the mountains," Allan suggested.</p> + +<p>"That's right," added Thad. "Some of them +seem to have a weakness for getting into all sorts +of trouble from the word go. We can let one +party start out, and after they come back, if they've +had any luck, and the air's cleared some around +here, why, another might take a different direction. +You said Step Hen was wild to get a big horn, +didn't you, Allan?"</p> + +<p>"Never saw him so set on anything; but then +that's his way always. When he gets a notion in +that brain box of his, you can't knock it out with a +sledge hammer. And just now it seems that a real +Rocky Mountain sheep with the big horns beats any +old grizzly all hollow, with Step Hen."</p> + +<p>"All right, we'll have to let him be one of the +first party. He did so splendidly when he jumped + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Page 83]</a></span> +on the back of the Fox, and captured him, he thinks, +that some reward ought to be coming his way. And +there's Smithy, I'll see that he has his chance to try +a shot. Giraffe could lend him his gun; or Bob +White's would do because it's a much lighter weapon +than the other."</p> + +<p>"And how about Davy Jones; he says he's just +bound to get some pictures of big-horns on their +native rocks, or making some of those famous leaps +he's heard so much about; can he be one of the +bunch, Thad?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but that is the limit. Three frisky scouts +will be about all that any one guide can keep tabs on, +I rather think," replied the other, smiling as he +tried to picture Toby Smathers endeavoring to hold +the ambitious photographer, and the pair of +would-be big-horn hunters, in check; for he imagined +the task might resemble a circus feat of trying +to drive half a dozen steeds at the same time.</p> + +<p>When the plan of campaign for the day was +made known, there was considerable rejoicing, and +a little grumbling. Of course the former came +from those who had been lucky enough to draw +prizes; while the discontent sprang from Giraffe, +who had also cherished certain aspirations, looking +to a pair of elegant big-horns, to decorate his +den at home in Cranford.</p> + +<p>But if Giraffe did occasionally show a spirit like +this, the best thing about him was the rapidity with + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Page 84]</a></span> +which he got over the "grumbles," as Step Hen +called his little fits of the sulks. In five minutes he +had apparently forgotten his disappointment, and +was offering to loan Smithy his rifle, even before +the scoutmaster had mentioned anything about it.</p> + +<p>However, it was judged too heavy for a greenhorn +to pack around all day; and in order that +Giraffe might not feel offended, Thad smoothed +matters down, as usual, by administering a little +dose of flattery.</p> + +<p>"He's only a new beginner, Giraffe, and not +used to toting a gun. Why, his shoulder would be +sore from carrying it all day. With an old hand +like you, it's a different matter; and I rather think +that gun just seems to fit into a notch on your +shoulder, like it grew there. Now, Bob's gun is +much lighter; and with those mushroom bullets, the +small bore doesn't matter a bit. So we'll let him +take that. Besides, if anything happened here that +spelled trouble, you'd feel pretty sore if you didn't +have your faithful old shooting-iron at hand."</p> + +<p>"That's so, Thad; reckon you're just about +right," said the tall scout, instantly, quite mollified.</p> + +<p>"And Bob's gun'll seem more like a playtoy to +Smithy, too. I always said mine was a man's gun; +and when you pull the trigger there's bound to be +something doing."</p> + +<p>In this clever way then, did Thad frequently stave +off trouble and ill feeling among his followers. It + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Page 85]</a></span> +requires much tact to successfully manage a pack +of boys, representing all manner of dispositions. +And the scoutmaster who is the most successful +in his line of business, is the one who knows boys +best, and has the happy faculty of entering into +their ways of looking at things, heart and soul.</p> + +<p>During the progress of eating breakfast the talk +was of course pretty much all about hunting the +big horn. The guide was called upon to narrate +all he knew concerning the famous Rocky Mountain +sheep, often called goats by the hunters; and +which combine many of the traits of the noted +chamois of the Alps and the Appenines, with others +that are peculiar to themselves.</p> + +<p>Any one who has seen them leap boldly from a +ledge, and strike upon their great rounded horns +far below, is ready to declare that there is not a +remarkable spectacle in all the world of wild sport +that can equal the sight.</p> + +<p>Possibly the Fox knew something concerning +these queer mountain sheep; but as Giraffe said +aside to Step Hen, "it would needs be a monstrous +lemon squeezer that could ever hope to extract any +information from an Indian." Aleck, on his part, +had often heard stories told about the animals now +occupying so prominent a part in the conversation +of the scouts; and he did not hesitate to hand over +any information he had it in his power to divulge, + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Page 86]</a></span> +hoping that it might serve a useful purpose to the +intended hunters.</p> + +<p>Davy was thrusting several more rolls of films +in his haversack.</p> + +<p>"No telling what a feller may run up against, +once you start out," he remarked.</p> + +<p>"The only trouble is, Davy," commented Giraffe, +"you can't make a meal off'n the things, if you're +hungry, and game shy. I think Step Hen did a +wise thing when he stuffed all he could get of eatables +in his bag. And Smithy too carries a lot. +Oh! you'll do, now. Thad says you'd better wait +about half an hour, till the mists clear off'n the +mountains. It's real early, anyhow, and the sheep +ain't agoin' to run away; don't you worry about +that."</p> + +<p>There is nothing that bothers a boy more than +having to wait, when he's all ready to do something. +The minutes seem to drag as though they +were leaden weighted. If Davy unfastened that +knapsack of his once to examine its contents, and +make sure he had neglected nothing, he did it half +a dozen times, until Giraffe declared he would certainly +wear the straps out if he kept that up.</p> + +<p>Those who expected to remain in camp were +going about their usual vocations, as for instance +the cleaning up of the breakfast tin pans, and cooking +utensils. When a company of eleven souls has +been having a meal, these amount to considerable; + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Page 87]</a></span> +and it took Bob White, Allan and Bumpus some +little time to accomplish the task of setting things +to rights.</p> + +<p>Bumpus had gone to get some more water from +the stream, and when he came back he was grinning +broadly.</p> + +<p>"Why, you see," he explained, "there's an old +rattlesnake coiled up over there, and I've been making +him as mad as hops, poking at him with a pole. +You just ought to come and see him strike, +though!"</p> + +<p>"I heard him rattle!" declared Thad, "but somehow +I just thought it was a locust waking up. +Come on, boys, and let's put such a dangerous customer +out of the way!"</p> + + +<hr /> +<h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2> +<h3>BAITING A RATTLESNAKE.</h3> + +<p>Of course they all hastened after the scoutmaster +and Bumpus; the latter really leading the way, with +a consequential way about him, as though he felt +that he ought to be looked upon as master of ceremonies, +by right of first discovery.</p> + +<p>"Here's the pole I had, when I poked him," he +remarked, picking it up as he spoke.</p> + +<p>"But where's the rattler?" demanded Giraffe, + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Page 88]</a></span> +just as swift as that; for he was always as quick +as lightning in his ways. "Show the old fraud to +us, will you? Must a slipped away while you came +to camp with the water."</p> + +<p>"Huh!" sneered Step Hen, "I'd rather believe +now, Bumpus don't know a rattler when he sees +one. P'raps it was only an innocent little garter +snake he was pokin', and a locust was singin' in a +tree all the while."</p> + +<p>Bumpus looked furious. He had lately gained +quite an envious reputation for a remarkable knowledge +of woodcraft; and he was up in arms at the +idea of being thus placed once more in the tenderfoot +class.</p> + +<p>"Think I don't know a genuine rattlesnake when +I see one, do you; well, what d'ye think of a feller +that'd jump over a log without even lookin', and +when a common garden variety of black snake gave +him a jab, he hollered that he was poisoned by a +terrible rattler, and could even see his poor leg +swellin' up right before his eyes. Me not know +one, when I've been in the Zoo reptile house down in +New York, and even watched one swallow a rat! +Well, I guess you're away off, Step Hen Bingham."</p> + +<p>"Yes," put in Thad just then, "and it's too early +in the day for a locust to be in the noise business; +I ought to have thought of that myself, I own up. +Let's look around, boys, and locate the thing; but +be mighty careful how you step. I can cure a + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Page 89]</a></span> +good many things with the few little remedies I +carry; but excuse me from having to tackle a regular +dose of rattlesnake poison."</p> + +<p>"It is a bad thing, I tells ye, lads," asserted Toby +Smathers, who had come along with the rest, even +the Indian boy being present. "Many's the time, +years ago, I've seen the Injuns getting poison from +a rattler, so's to make their war arrows more deadly. +An' I tells ye, it war worth watchin'. If so be we +kin find this critter, I'll show ye how 'twas done, +if Mr. Scout Master sez so."</p> + +<p>"First get your rabbit, before you start to cooking +him," laughed Thad.</p> + +<p>Just then Giraffe let out a whoop.</p> + +<p>"Here he is, all coiled up again, and looking +wicked, now, I tell you!" he called out; and the +others rushed in that quarter.</p> + +<p>"Well, he is a sorter big un for the mountains, +sure enough," admitted the guide after he had taken +a look. "Wait here a bit till I come back with a +piece of deer meat, and I'll show ye how 'twas done. +Keep him riled-up like, but not strikin' too hard +at that pole, or he'll empty his pizen sack on it."</p> + +<p>Thad had himself heard more or less about such +things; or else read of them in stories of the old-time +Indians, the Iroquois, Delawares, Shawanees +and other tribes who disputed the way of the early +pioneers; and he was just as eager to watch the +process as any of the other boys.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Page 90]</a></span> + The rattlesnake was coiled, just as they always +are when danger hovers near; because, when caught +at full length, the reptile is next to harmless, since +it cannot strike and make use of its only means of +defense, its poison fangs.</p> + +<p>Thad saw to it that no one approached near +enough to be in any danger. Once the pole was extended +by Bumpus, just to show his mates how he +had been baiting the awful looking thing. Instantly +that flat head sprang out toward the object; and as +Bumpus adroitly drew it away, remembering the injunction +of the guide, the rattlesnake, finding nothing +to strike, was thrown half its length out of +coil. It was almost laughable to see with what haste +it managed to curl up again, and with that rattle +buzzing furiously, seemed to defy anything to +touch it.</p> + +<p>Then Toby Smathers came hurrying up. He was +fastening a piece of venison (which had been left +over several days, and kept well in the dry mountain +air,) to another long pole, which he had secured; +not wishing to handle the one that had already +been struck numerous times by the fangs of +the snake.</p> + +<p>"Now you're going to have something worth +while to mudge at, old feller!" cried Bumpus, as +he threw his pole away, and pushed a little closer +in the ring, anxious to see all that went on.</p> + +<p>Toby was soon ready. He thrust the pole out, + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Page 91]</a></span> +and all of them could hear the sound of the concussion +as the reptile struck the piece of meat fastened +at the end. It made most of the boys shudder +just to contemplate being hit such a venomous blow +with all the fury of a maddened reptile.</p> + +<p>Again and again did Toby cause the snake to +repeat the blow, turning the meat around several +ways, so that it might all be impregnated by the +virus.</p> + +<p>"Now that's about done," he said; "and the +quicker ye kill that crazy thing the easier I'll +feel. Lost a partner once when on a range tending +forests for the Government, and ever since I've got +a grudge agin rattlers."</p> + +<p>Thereupon Bumpus once more picked up his long +pole and aimed a vicious blow at the raised head of +the snake. Taking the creature fairly across the +neck he sent it spinning away.</p> + +<p>"Look out there!" shouted Giraffe, giving a +hop, skip and a jump in another direction; "he may +be playing possum on us! Keep clear of him, everybody; +and you, Bumpus, hit him again as hard as +you can. It ain't the easiest thing agoin' to kill a +snake, let me tell you."</p> + +<p>Accordingly the fat scout raised his pole, and +brought it down several times with might and main, +on the neck of the fearful looking reptile; until finally +Thad declared that it was beyond ever doing +any harm again.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Page 92]</a></span> + "And the rattle belongs to Bumpus, if he cares +to claim it," said the scoutmaster. "It isn't a pretty +thing, but then every time he looks at it, he'll be apt +to remember this occasion, and can picture the +camp, the mountains, and all the rest of it."</p> + +<p>"Including Mike and Molly, our gentle pack +mules," added Giraffe; immediately bending down +to assist Bumpus secure his prize.</p> + +<p>"Now, you see," said the guide, as he held up +the piece of fresh venison so as to show the streaks +of green, where the terrible poison had permeated +it, "after they done this, the reds used to jest let +the meat lie till it was old and soft, and chuck full +of pizen. Then all they had to do was to push the +point of an arrow into the same, and dry it in the +sun. But I'm told they never do such things any +more, which I take it is a good job. Thar be some +things that seem too tough even for savages to use +in war; and pizen is one of 'em, I reckons."</p> + +<p>"For goodness sake bury it, Toby!" begged +Smithy, turning pale as he contemplated the object +the guide was holding up. "And I surely hope we +will not have the misfortune to run across any of +the same breed while we're stalking those strange +big-horn sheep."</p> + +<p>"Not much danger, because rattlers they's apt at +this time of year to kim down to damp places, when +they kin find such," the guide explained; but at + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Page 93]</a></span> +Thad's request he did put the piece of venison underground.</p> + +<p>"If later on some hungry wolf digs it up, why, +I'm sorry for that same beast," Giraffe remarked, +as <a name="they" id="they"></a>they returned once more to the camp.</p> + +<p>"Must be near time for us to skip out," said +Step Hen, giving the scoutmaster a look of entreaty, +as though imploring Thad to be merciful, +and cut their waiting short.</p> + +<p>"Five minutes yet before the half hour is gone," +declared Allan.</p> + +<p>An exclamation from the Indian drew their attention +just then. The Fox was pointing, and on +following the direction of his extended brown finger +the boys saw what had caught his always vigilant +eyes.</p> + +<p>Away up on the top of the cliff that towered so +many hundred feet above its base several figures +were moving. They were plainly men, and white +men at that. No need for any one to dart into the +tent, and get the field glass, in order to know who +these parties were, though Thad did secure it, as he +wished a closer view.</p> + +<p>"It's sure that Krackerjack crowd!" cried +Giraffe. "Better get a move on, Aleck, and drop +out of sight before they glimpse you."</p> + +<p>But the other shook his head.</p> + +<p>"It's too late for that now," he declared. + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Page 94]</a></span> +"Kracker has got a spy glass leveled at this camp +right now; and he's sure glimpsed me before this."</p> + +<p>And when Thad a minute later looked through +the field glasses at the three who were on the cliff +he saw that Aleck had spoken truly; for even then +the biggest of the trio was watching them through a +pair of glasses.</p> + +<p>Now and then he would turn, to say something +to one of his companions. These fellows, known as +Waffles and Dickey Bird respectively, were not in +the same class with the giant Kracker, with regard +to size; though as to reputation, possibly they were +able to run him a close race; since they were all +looked upon as a pretty bad lot by the settlers and +miners with whom they came in contact.</p> + +<p>"Wonder what he thinks?" remarked Davy +Jones, who seemed almost tempted to try and use +his kodak on the party, only his good sense told +him they would look like specks at such a great +distance, and there would be no satisfaction in the +picture.</p> + +<p>"How d'ye expect they ever found that Aleck +was no longer on the ledge?" asked Step Hen.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they may have been in camp somewhere, +that gave them a view of the ledge, and +looking in vain for Aleck, they hurried up to see +whether he had fallen, or was climbing up someway +or other," Allan suggested.</p> + +<p>"And the chances are, they'll want to drop in + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Page 95]</a></span> +here, now that they know he's taken up with us?" +said Giraffe.</p> + +<p>Step Hen looked anxious.</p> + +<p>"Say, Thad, is that agoin' to interfere with our +startin' out on our little excursion?" he demanded.</p> + +<p>The scoutmaster knew what was in his mind. +He smiled as he replied:</p> + +<p>"Oh! I don't see why it should, Step Hen. Fact +is, the time's up now; and as I've said all I want +to about taking care of yourselves, why you might +as well make a start. There'll be enough of us left +behind to take care of Colonel Kracker and his +friends, if so be they do chance to call on us."</p> + +<p>"Bring us back some nice juicy mutton, Step +Hen!" called Giraffe.</p> + +<p>"And Davy, be sure you snap 'em off in the air; +we ain't from Missouri, but we like to be shown," +added Bumpus.</p> + +<p>"I say, Smithy, the country expects every man +to do his duty, suh; and if you get your chance, I +give you my word, suh, that little gun can be depended +on every single time!" shouted the Southerner, +Bob White.</p> + +<p>And so, followed by the good wishes of their +chums, the little party of big-horn hunters started +forth, none knowing what strange events might be +waiting for them among the wild uplifts of the +Rockies.</p> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Page 96]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER X.</h2> +<h3>THE COMING OF KRACKER.</h3> + +<p>"They're sure comin', Thad!"</p> + +<p>The scoutmaster looked up when Giraffe said +this.</p> + +<p>"Oh! you must mean that big cannon Kracker, +and his two friends?" he remarked, in such a cool +tone that Giraffe fairly gasped for breath.</p> + +<p>"That's them!" he declared, with an utter disregard +for grammar that would have caused him +to lose some of his good points in school had the +lapse occurred there. "And my stars! they look +ugly enough to eat us all up, without caring for +bones!"</p> + +<p>"But I calculate they won't, all the same," replied +the other, smiling with supreme confidence. +"Did Allan send you in to tell me?" he continued, +for he had delegated the second in command to keep +watch and ward when he was busy in his tent doing +something.</p> + +<p>Giraffe nodded his head violently; indeed, any +one who did not know how tenacious a hold it had +on that long neck, might have been alarmed lest he +dislocate his vertebra through such contortions.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Page 97]</a></span> + "Yep; and he said you was to come out and see +for yourself," Giraffe went on.</p> + +<p>"All right, I will then."</p> + +<p>Thad quietly picked up his little twelve-bore Marlin +before quitting the tent; and there was an air +of business about his manner of doing so quite different +from the fussy way Giraffe had of doing +things, but which was apt to appear much more +convincing in the eyes of any one who could read +character fairly well.</p> + +<p>When the scoutmaster reached the open air he +found quite a buzz of excitement around the confines +of the little camp. It seemed as though the +scouts must certainly be anticipating something in +the line of trouble; because every one who had a +gun was nervously fingering the weapon, and +watching the coming of the three figures stalking +toward the camp from across the little valley.</p> + +<p>There was Giraffe, first of all, gripping his big +rifle eagerly, a grim look on his thin face; Bumpus +had his ten-gauge Marlin clenched tightly in his +hands, and perhaps some of the usual color was +missing from his fat face; but he had a reputation +to sustain now, and knew he must toe the mark +like a little man; Allan had his rifle in evidence; and +Aleck having lost his at the time he was captured, +was keeping a hand close to one of his pockets in +which reposed a small revolver which one of the +other scouts had loaned him.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Page 98]</a></span> + Bob White did not have a gun either, since he +had let Smithy go off with his; but he did not +mean to be caught defenseless, should trouble arise; +and back of him he was holding that handy camp +hatchet.</p> + +<p>The Fox,—well, if he was anywhere around the +camp, Thad failed to discover him; and even at +that exciting moment the scoutmaster remembered +thinking that perhaps the Crow boy had hidden, not +wishing any of the Kracker crowd to see him.</p> + +<p>Thad glanced around him. He had considered +the situation before this, like the wise general who +notes down in his mind the promising points connected +with his chosen field of battle.</p> + +<p>Speaking a few words to Allan, who knew what +the plan of campaign was to be, Thad sent the other +over to a clump of rocks, from the crest of which, +not more than fifty feet away, he could have a +splendid and unobstructed view of the camp, as +well as its surroundings. Indeed, hardly a snake +could have crawled across that open space without +being exposed to the sharp eyes of the Maine boy.</p> + +<p>Then Thad awaited the coming of the three men.</p> + +<p>Just as Giraffe had declared, he could easily see +that they were all looking more or less angry. The +big man in the middle interested him much more +than either of the others, of course; because he +knew very well that when Colonel Kracker took +snuff, it was up to Waffles and Dickey Bird to + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Page 99]</a></span> +sneeze; for they were only shadows of the leader, +who always controlled their actions.</p> + +<p>Thad had never seen just such a man before; +but for all that he believed that what he had said +before was the truth. Red-faced, and looking like +a big hurricane let loose on the land, still back of +all this outward display of fierceness Thad felt sure +there lay a really cowardly heart. Yes, no brave +man would act as Kracker had done, and when it +came right down to the point of facing death, he +was pretty sure to quail.</p> + +<p>Thad turned, and spoke a few reassuring words +to Aleck.</p> + +<p>"Remember, we don't mean to let him lay a +finger on you, boy. I've drawn a line out between +that rock, and the scrub oak over yonder; and if he +crosses that we're going to make him wish he hadn't. +There'll be some work for me to do picking bird +shot out of his fat legs, and binding up his other +wounds; for we've sure got to stop him coming in +to this camp, no matter what happens!"</p> + +<p>It was a remarkable situation for the acting scoutmaster +of a troop of Boy Scouts to find himself in. +Very few others could ever say they had gone +through a like experience, Thad thought. But +then, that was no reason he and his mates were +bound to let this tyrant walk rough-shod over them, +and take Aleck away, to continue his harsh and inhuman +treatment of the lad. No, if it were necessary, + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Page 100]</a></span> +in order to avoid such a catastrophe overtaking +them, he must give the command to fire on +the enemy, much as he would ever regret the necessity +for such a step.</p> + +<p>He wondered what the leading lights in the great +organization would say, should the circumstances +ever be placed before them; but then, scouts should +acquit themselves manfully under any and all conditions; +and that was just what Thad meant to do +now.</p> + +<p>The men were now close enough to make sure +that those facing them were only boys. Thad could +see that Kracker was looking closely, as though +anxious to settle that point first of all; and it agreed +exactly with the opinion he already entertained for +the big prospector; namely, that he was what +Giraffe would call "a wind-bag," or a puff-ball, +like those every one has stepped on in the fields, that +go off with a pop, emit a little cloud of dust, and +then collapse.</p> + +<p>But what was there to be feared from a mere +parcel of half-grown boys? Kracker doubtless believed +that he could awe them with that fierce look +of his, and the domineering way he had of holding +himself erect; while it was almost certain that when +they heard his awful voice, sounding like hoarse +thunder, their very legs would tremble under them, +so that their knees must knock together.</p> + +<p>But apparently no one was doing much trembling, + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Page 101]</a></span> +as yet, for they seemed to stand there in a line, +and holding their guns half raised, with the stocks +hitched under their shoulders, in the manner of +those who have hunted much, and know which +might be the easiest method of flinging a gun to rest +in a second of time.</p> + +<p>One of the men had a rifle. He was the fellow +whom Thad guessed went by the name of Dickey +Bird. But then, no doubt both Kracker and Waffles +carried smaller arms about their persons somewhere, +for Thad could see signs of their belts, and +judged the heavy revolvers were swung back of +them, where a hand could sweep around and lay +hold of the butt easily.</p> + +<p>The scoutmaster had made up his mind that +Kracker was the only one whom they had to fear +in the least. With him removed from the game, the +other two would turn out to be easily handled. In +fact, they would probably throw up their hands in +surrender the very instant anything happened to +take the big man off. And accordingly Thad meant +to devote all his energies toward cutting the claws +of the colonel. He had given Allan his ideas on +the subject, and the Maine boy agreed with him +fully.</p> + +<p>They were coming close to the imaginary dead +line Thad had marked between that pile of rocks +and the stunted tree. Half a minute more, and he +felt that he must call a halt.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Page 102]</a></span> + Would they mind what he said; or, thinking that +orders from a mere boy were not to be taken seriously, +would they insist on advancing further?</p> + +<p>Thad gritted his teeth, and was more resolved +than ever that if Kracker invited trouble he would +get it, good and hard. He would find out that guns +can be just as dangerous in the hands of boys, as +men.</p> + +<p>But now he noticed that the big man had slowed +up a little. Perhaps he did not just like the way +they stood there waiting, and with so many guns +handy, too.</p> + +<p>Thad deliberately cocked his shotgun. The +sound of the hammer clicking could be plainly heard, +just as the boy intended it should; and there was +something terribly business-like and significant +about it.</p> + +<p>At any rate, Colonel Kracker reduced his pace +another notch, as if in answer to an unspoken challenge. +He was not so brave inwardly as his fierce +outward appearance would seem to indicate.</p> + +<p>His eyes were glued upon the figure of young +Aleck, who stood beside Thad, just a step to the +rear, possibly. And apparently Kracker was trying +to throw all the force of his domineering character +into that glare. It was really enough to +frighten one into fits, Thad thought; but somehow +it did not make him even tremble, because he believed +surface indications often told what was not true.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Page 103]</a></span> + "Keep on giving him back look for look, Aleck!" +was what Thad said in a low tone, intended only for +the ear of the boy they had rescued from the cliff +ledge.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I ain't afraid of him now; he couldn't +make me squirm when I was all alone, and in his +power; so it ain't likely I'm shivering, now that +I've got so many friends to back me up," answered +the other, also in a hoarse whisper.</p> + +<p>"Good for you!" Thad sent back.</p> + +<p>At the same time he coughed.</p> + +<p>This had been arranged as a signal for the rest +of those who carried guns, to raise them to their +shoulders. The action itself ought to convince +Kracker that he had reached the limit of the peace +line; and that if he persisted in advancing any further, +he might expect something to happen.</p> + +<p>It worked splendidly. The big man came to an +abrupt halt, and of course so did Waffles, and Dickey +Bird too. Thad did not think much of the last +mentioned; but the other fellow looked to be just +such a sort of "second fiddle" whom a man like +Kracker would choose to assist him in his schemes, +that were so often evil.</p> + +<p>And they were right on that imaginary line Thad +had marked out, too; had they persisted in advancing +three more feet he meant to call out sharply, and +warn them to pull up.</p> + +<p>Slowly Kracker elevated that fat right hand of + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Page 104]</a></span> +his. Many a time, no doubt it had given some +poor wretch cause for trembling when he pointed +that finger at him. Just now, with those terrible +eyes of his glued upon Aleck, he made his forefinger +move, once, twice, three times, in a significant +beckoning gesture.</p> + +<p>Then he spoke, and his deep-toned voice was not +unlike the rumble of thunder at a time the lightning +is darting among the heavy storm clouds.</p> + +<p>"Come here!"</p> + + +<hr /> +<h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2> +<h3>HELD AT BAY.</h3> + +<p>"Don't <a name="move" id="move"></a>move, Aleck!" said Thad, instantly, and +he raised his voice enough, to purposely let the three +men hear what he said.</p> + +<p>Of course the boy did not budge. Perhaps he +even gave Kracker back look for look, only that +there may have been a smile of contempt upon his +boyish face.</p> + +<p>"Don't you hear what I say, come here!" roared +the colonel.</p> + +<p>"He hears you all right, but he feels quite satisfied +to stay where he is," said Thad, in a cool tone.</p> + +<p>The other turned those blazing eyes on the +speaker.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Page 105]</a></span> + "Who asked you to put your finger in my business?" +he demanded, harshly.</p> + +<p>"I'm not. It's you who keeps on meddling with +things that concern this boy and his mother only. +I suppose you are Colonel Kracker?" Thad went +on.</p> + +<p>"That's my name, and anybody who knows me +would tell you that you're doing the most foolish +thing in all your life, when you try to interfere +with any affair on which I've set my heart. I want +that boy to come to me!" and he shook his fat finger +threateningly toward Aleck as he said this.</p> + +<p>"Then you'll have to take it out in wanting, let +me tell you;" replied the patrol leader, "for he belongs +in this camp of Boy Scouts; and we're going +to stand back of him."</p> + +<p>If Thad was excited he certainly did not seem to +be so; in fact Giraffe wondered how in the world +he could command his voice so well, and speak so +calmly, when on his part he was fairly shivering +with the nervous tension.</p> + +<p>"What's that you say?" shouted the big man, +bristling all over with rage until he seemed to swell +up larger than ever. "Why, you little imp, d'ye +know what I've a good notion to do with you for +this insulting talk?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, and neither do I care," replied +Thad, "but there's one thing I do think <i>you</i> ought +to know."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Page 106]</a></span> + "Oh! you do, eh? What might that be?" demanded +Kracker, sneeringly.</p> + +<p>"Turn your head a little to the left, and you'll see +a pile of rocks," the scoutmaster went on. "Now, +look up on top of that pile, and you'll see a young +fellow on one knee, holding a big rifle straight on +you. That's one of our chums. He's from the +State of Maine, where they teach boys to be able to +hit a leaping deer straight in the heart every shot. +Try and take just three steps this way, if you want +to test his skill with the rifle. Or any one of you +start to raising a gun; and my word for it you'll +never know what hit you. Get that, Kracker?"</p> + +<p>Evidently the big man saw Allan kneeling there, +and holding his gun leveled. The sight did not +give him any too much enjoyment, either, judging +from the way some of the color faded from his +face. He spluttered quite as much as before, but he +had lost a good part of his make-believe courage. +In fact, Thad believed he had the big bully on the +run; and he meant to press his advantage.</p> + +<p>"If I don't get him this time, I will later on," +said Kracker, giving Aleck a look of intense hatred.</p> + +<p>"Don't you believe it," declared the scoutmaster, +cheerfully. "We're going to see him through, +and if it's necessary, we'll find a way of sending +word to the fort, and bringing a bunch of hard-riding +cavalrymen here to chase you out of the +mountains. And just remember, Colonel Kracker, + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Page 107]</a></span> +there are eleven of us, all told, well armed, and +knowing how to take care of ourselves. We're no +city greenhorns, either, but scouts who have had a +whole lot of experience in hard places. Now, if +you know what is good for you, keep away from +our camps, wherever they may be. Our guide, +Toby Smathers, who knows you like a book, says +that lots of good people would throw up their hats +and cheer, if they heard you'd crossed over the +line. You understand what I'm saying, I guess, +don't you?"</p> + +<p>"You're doing a fool play, young feller, believe +me," spoke up the man called Waffles, thinking +it was up to him to stick in his oar. "They ain't +many men as would dar' talk to the kunnel like you +done. Better hand the boy over to him; he's his +uncle, and has a right to take charge of him."</p> + +<p>"That's a lie!" burst out Aleck, angrily. "He +came around our home, and tried every which way +to get mother to just tell him what she knew about +the mine, promising all sorts of shares if only she'd +trust him; but since she didn't know a single thing +about where it lay, and wouldn't believe him on +oath, either, course she didn't make any arrangement. +But he ain't any relation of mine."</p> + +<p>"It wouldn't make any difference if he was, +Aleck; when you say you don't want anything to +do with Kracker, that settles it," and Thad all this +while kept his eyes fixed on the big man, because he + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Page 108]</a></span> +believed the other to be just full of treachery and +all kinds of trickery, so that he would be ready to +do something desperate if only he thought he could +take the young scoutmaster by surprise, and off his +guard.</p> + +<p>"You don't understand the matter at all," complained +the big man, with something like a whine +in his gruff voice now, showing that he was pretty +nearly cowed.</p> + +<p>"How is that?" demanded the other, instantly.</p> + +<p>"I'm meaning to be his friend, and the friend, +of his folks," Kracker continued.</p> + +<p>"Funny way you have of showing your friendly +feelings, then, I must say," declared Thad, with +scorn in his voice; "making him a prisoner, trying +to force him to give up a secret you choose to think +he carries; and when he refuses to take you at your +word, putting him there on that ledge, to starve, or +face a horrible death in perhaps falling down a +couple of hundred feet."</p> + +<p>Kracker looked a little confused, but it was only +a flash in the pan. Such a thing as shame was +foreign to his nature. For years he had been used +to browbeating almost every person with whom he +had had dealings. The fact that first of all a mere +slip of a woman had dared defy him, and then her +boy did the same, nettled him beyond description; +and he had arrived at desperate measures at the + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Page 109]</a></span> +time Aleck, so unfortunately for the boy, fell into +his hands.</p> + +<p>And now it galled Kracker to see how he and his +two helpers were being actually held up by a parcel +of half grown lads. Why, it would seem as though +some mockery of fate had taken hold of his +fortunes, and was finding keen pleasure in adding +to his humiliation.</p> + +<p>He would have liked to rush upon these cool +boyish customers, and to have trampled them under +foot, as he had possibly done many men in times +past, when he was less huge in his proportions, and +could get around better. But somehow he did not +dare attempt it.</p> + +<p>Perhaps it was the display of weapons that awed +him; and yet Colonel Kracker was accustomed to +seeing such things, and knew how to take them at +their true value. Then it may have been the manner +of the spokesman of the little party that had so +depressing an effect upon the bully. Why, what +was the world coming to, when mere boys began to +hold the whip hand, and shape things as they +pleased?</p> + +<p>He started to talk, but spluttered so much he +could not make intelligible sounds. And his round +moon face had taken on a deep red hue again, until +it bordered on the purple. Thad, who had some +knowledge of medicine, as we have seen on numerous +occasions, really began to wonder whether the + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Page 110]</a></span> +bulky man might not be getting perilously near the +border line, and taking chances with a sudden attack +of apoplexy, or else something else along those lines.</p> + +<p>Once or twice Thad had seen something move +back of the three men. He dared not take his eyes +off them long enough to look carefully, and at first +could not decide whether it was a prowling wolf, +bold enough to come thus near the camp in broad +daylight; or a human being.</p> + +<p>He even suspected at one moment that possibly +the invaders might have been in greater numbers +than any of the scouts dreamed; and that some of +them were even then creeping around, with the idea +of turning the tables on the boys by a sudden coup.</p> + +<p>But that idea went glimmering, when he contemplated +the utter impossibility of any foe crawling +across the bare and open stretch of rock extending +between their camp, and the foot of the rise.</p> + +<p>It certainly could never be done; and with the +Maine boy keeping watch on things from his eyrie +amid the piled-up rocks.</p> + +<p>Then what?</p> + +<p>Why, to be sure, it must be the Fox. The young +Crow had vanished, Thad remembered, at the approach +of the trio of prospectors. Just where he +had gone the patrol leader had neither known, nor +cared, at the time. He seemed to have some reason +for fearing either Kracker, or one of the two lesser + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Page 111]</a></span> +rascals with him; and appeared desirous of keeping +out of their sight.</p> + +<p>Thad also remembered that the Indian boy +possessed a gun. He only hoped he would not do +anything rash; but then he had been present when +the scoutmaster spoke to those under him; saying +that as members of the great organization that made +for peace, they must not use their firearms unless as +a very last resort; and then only to cripple their +enemies. The Crow had nodded his head with the +rest when Thad asked for this assurance; and surely +an Indian keeps his word.</p> + +<p>There, once again his head poked up into view, +and this time so close to the men that Thad saw the +Fox had been stealthily creeping nearer all the +time.</p> + +<p>Did he have some object in his movements, or +were they caused simply by curiosity to see how +close he could get, unobserved, to the one he seemed +to fear?</p> + +<p>Seeing that Kracker was too furious to even control +his voice, the shorter fellow, whom Thad took +to be Waffles, again put in his talk.</p> + +<p>"It's plain to be seen you critters don't know the +kunnel," he observed, bitterly, just as though he +himself had had a long experience, and knew what +it meant to stir up that vile temper too far. "He +never gives a thing up. He's jest like a bulldog +that gits a grip. Ye may chase us off this time; but + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Page 112]</a></span> +we'll stick like a plaster; and in the end git what +we wants. We allers does."</p> + +<p>"Oh! you don't say?" remarked the scoutmaster, +with cutting emphasis; "well, the chances are the +lot of you will get what you've been richly deserving +a long time back, if you keep on meddling with our +affairs. And now, suppose you skip out. We +couldn't come to any agreement if we talked an +hour. And we have some other things we want to +do. Take your fat friend away, Waffles; he's liable +to explode before long, unless you do."</p> + +<p>Amazed at the cool defiance of the boy, the man +called Waffles mechanically started to obey. But +before they had taken half a dozen steps backward, +Thad heard a strange, hissing sound that he could +not understand. The next instant, to his astonishment, +he saw Waffles pulled over backwards, his +feet sprawling awkwardly. His calls for help were +half muffled, and for a very good reason; since he +was being partly choked by the loop of rope which +the young Crow Indian had thrown over his head +with so much dexterity, and then jerked tight.</p> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Page 113]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XII.</h2> +<h3>"JUST TURNED AROUND, AND WENT AWAY!"</h3> + +<p>It was certainly a time for quick thinking, and +speedy action, if the boys expected to avoid a +tragedy. Naturally enough, Kracker and his one +remaining companion, hearing the cries of the fallen +Waffles, would think that they were being actually +set upon by their enemies, and that no matter what +followed, they must fight.</p> + +<p>It was to offset this that Thad first of all turned +his attention. A collision must be averted at all +hazards. It would be a terrible thing if the scouts +became embroiled in a fight with such men, and +either received wounds, or were compelled to give +them.</p> + +<p>And so Thad, acting instantly on impulse, darted +forward the very second he saw what was happening. +Fortunately for all parties, the big man having +been so dazed by his late baiting did not seem able +to grasp the situation quickly enough to draw a +weapon before Thad was upon him.</p> + +<p>The only thing the boy did was to snatch the big +six-shooter from the hand of Kracker, now trembling + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Page 114]</a></span> +with various emotions, in which fear may +have had as much space as anger.</p> + +<p>"Surround the other, and don't let him raise a +hand, boys!" shouted the scoutmaster to those who +had followed close at his heels when he thus rushed +forward.</p> + +<p>With the words he turned to where Waffles was +still sprawling on the ground; but there was now +more reason than ever why the fellow could not +get up, because some one was sitting astride his +body, and threatening him with a knife. Of course +it was the Fox; and he seemed to have a storm of +passion in his dark face.</p> + +<p>But while Thad had been prompt to knock the +revolver from the hand of Kracker, he was just as +quick to leap alongside the young Crow boy, and +grasp his wrist.</p> + +<p>"Give me that knife, Fox!" he said sternly.</p> + +<p>The Indian looked up in his face; for a moment +it seemed as though he might be about to mutiny, +and positively refuse the order; then his whim +changed, and opening his fingers he allowed the +shining blade to fall to the ground.</p> + +<p>"Ugh! hunt him long time; now find, make give +up what snake in the grass steal away from teepee +in reservation!" he grunted, disconsolately.</p> + +<p>"Oh! well, if he's got anything that belongs to +you, or your people, why you've my full permission +to search him, and get it back," Thad went on to + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Page 115]</a></span> +say, quickly; "only we want no violence here, if +we can help it. We scouts generally manage to +reach our ends without that, you know, Fox. Go +ahead and see. We'll keep his friends quiet meanwhile, +eh, boys?"</p> + +<p>"That's what we will, Thad," said Giraffe, who +was standing close by, with his gun poking almost +into the ribs of the big man with the purple face. +"We c'n do it to beat the band, I tell you. And +here comes Allan in, to have a hand in the game. +Didn't he keep a bead on the colonel here all the +while; and if you hadn't jumped in, and snatched +that gun away from him, I warrant Allan was just +on the point of making him a one-armed man for +a while."</p> + +<p>But Thad was not paying much attention to what +the talkative Giraffe said, his attention being taken +up with other matters. The Fox had heard him +give permission to search the pockets of the short +rascal he was holding down, after having caught +him in the loop of Bumpus' rope, taken slily from +the limb of the tree where the fat scout carefully +kept it while in camp. The light that flashed +athwart the mahogany colored face of the young +Crow told how pleased he was with this chance that +was offered.</p> + +<p>He immediately started to rummage through the +various pockets of Waffles. Quite naturally the +lesser bully objected to such liberties being taken + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Page 116]</a></span> +with his person; and it must have galled him more +than a little to realize that it was an <i>Indian</i>, and a +boy at that, who was subjecting him to such +indignities; for like most men along the border, +Waffles undoubtedly held Indians in contempt.</p> + +<p>But when he raised his voice in stormy protest +Thad told him to hush up; besides, the Fox leaned +over and glared in his eyes with such a suggestive +look that Waffles, being a coward at heart, gradually +subsided, his protests taking the safer form of +groans, and grunts, and wriggles, all of which were +alike unavailing.</p> + +<p>Presently the Crow uttered a cry of joy.</p> + +<p>"Found what you were looking for?" asked +Thad.</p> + +<p>"Ugh! it is well!" and as he said this the Fox +held something up.</p> + +<p>Thad may have thought that the Indian boy was +making a mountain out of a mole-hill, for if it had +been left to him, he did not know that he would +have willingly paid more than a dollar, at the most, +for the object the Fox now gripped with such evident +delight. But then, at the same time Thad +realized that associations often have a great deal to +do with the value of things. That peculiar strip of +deerskin, decorated with colored beads that formed +all sorts of designs, must have come down from +some of the Fox's ancestors. Perhaps it was a +species of wampum similar to that in use as currency + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Page 117]</a></span> +during the earlier days, when men like Daniel Boone +were trying to settle along the Ohio River. And +then again, it might be that the fore-fathers of the +Fox always wore this strip of beaded leather when +they were invested with the office of chief to the +tribe.</p> + +<p>At any rate, Waffles had apparently known of its +value, and had stolen it, possibly hoping at some +time to receive a rich reward for its safe return; +for surely he could not have fancied it because he +had any love for beauty, or meant to start a collection +of Indian relics.</p> + +<p>"Are you satisfied, Fox, now that you've recovered +your property—if that is all he took from +your home?" Thad asked.</p> + +<p>"Huh! much like mark thief on him cheek, so +know where belong!" grunted the Crow boy, longingly.</p> + +<p>"Don't you let him!" almost shrieked the +wretched Waffles, doubtless fearing that he was +going to be tortured, as a penalty for his shortcomings. +"Them Injuns jest like to mark a man +all up, when they gits the chanct. Tell him to git +off'n me! I ain't a goin' to stand fur it! If he so +much as puts the p'int of his knife on me I'll vow +to——"</p> + +<p>"Keep still, you cowardly thief!" said Thad, +sternly; and even Waffles seemed influenced by the +hidden power in the scoutmaster's tone, for he broke + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Page 118]</a></span> +off in the middle of a sentence, and finished it by +mumbling to himself.</p> + +<p>Speaking to the Indian boy Thad went on:</p> + +<p>"Run your hand over him again, and hand me +any weapon you find. He's in a state where he +might lose his head, and get us all into a fight, if we +let him go armed."</p> + +<p>Willingly the Crow boy did as he was told. The +search revealed a big revolver that was apparently +the mate of the one Thad had knocked from the +hand of Kracker.</p> + +<p>"Now get that other fellow's rifle, Allan," continued +the patrol leader, who had mapped out his +plan of campaign quickly.</p> + +<p>He did not trust these men further than he could +see them. They were quite unscrupulous; and +after having been held up to scorn by this parcel of +boys, there was every reason in the world to believe +that they would plan a hasty revenge. And +the fewer deadly weapons they had in their possession +the better the chances would be for peace in +that mountain valley.</p> + +<p>The rifle in particular Thad wanted to hold back. +With it, damage might be done at a much greater +distance than with the smaller arms. And knowing +that the boys had long distance modern rifles, possibly +Kracker and his followers might keep out of +range.</p> + +<p>Besides, there was that business of Aleck's concerning + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Page 119]</a></span> +the hidden mine; they had promised to stand +back of him until he had secured full possession; +and that was apt to keep them in the neighborhood +for some time, always subjected to annoyance from +these anxious ones, who longed to secure the prize +that had tantalized their species for so long.</p> + +<p>So the rifle, and what ammunition Dickey Bird +happened to be carrying in a belt slung over his +shoulder, fell into the hands of the boys. They +also retained possession of one of the heavy revolvers; +not that any one fancied the clumsy weapon +in the least; but as Thad said, "to cut the wings of +the party as much as possible."</p> + +<p>"Let Waffles get up, now, Fox," said Thad, +when all these matters had been adjusted, much to +the admiration of the other scouts, who thought +their leader must be just "IT" when it came to +doing things.</p> + +<p>The shorter rascal was not slow to gain his feet. +He was still boiling over with a sense of insult +added to injury, and ready to vent his wrath in +offensive words; but Thad cut all this short.</p> + +<p>"Listen to me, Waffles," he said, sternly again; +"We don't care to hear your opinion of anything. +Take a lesson from the colonel here, who knows +when silence is golden. You don't hear him swearing +around, and threatening to break a blood-vessel +in his mad feeling. He's taking it all as cool as a +cucumber. He knows when it's a time to laugh, + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Page 120]</a></span> +and when it's a time to cry. Now, the sooner you +gentlemen give us your room, the better we'll be +pleased; and be sure to make it plenty of room, too; +because we're all going to be ready to take snapshots +at any of you we see, after half an hour has +gone by."</p> + +<p>Kracker moved his lips, but strange to say not a +sound proceeded from them. The man was so completely +overpowered by his emotions that for the +time being he had actually lost all power of speech. +For this Thad was pleased, because he believed that +had the big prospector been able to say one half +that was bubbling through his mind, they must have +been treated to an awful exhibition of hard words.</p> + +<p>So the three men turned their backs on their tormentors, +and walked away; but it was certainly true +that their retreat did not smack in the least of the +jaunty and threatening manner of their late advance. +They had, as Giraffe crowed jubilantly, +"the wind taken from their sails, and just turned +around, and went away."</p> + +<p>"Wonder if we'll see anything more of 'em +again?" remarked Bumpus, who had really carried +himself quite handsomely through it all; though +most of the time his eyes had seemed to be fairly +bulging from his head, and he could be heard saying +words over and over to himself to indicate surprise.</p> + +<p>"I hope not," remarked Thad; "but it wouldn't +surprise me if they bobbed up again later on. You + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Page 121]</a></span> +see, it's perhaps the biggest stake Kracker ever +played for; and for years now this hidden mine has +kept dancing before him, beckoning him on. He +won't give it up easily, I'm afraid. There, look at +him turn, and shake his fat fist at us! That shows +how he feels about it. He'd just like to have us +tied up right now, so he could lay on the whip, good +and hard. But boys, after this, it's for us to keep +a good lookout all the time. Such fellows as +Kracker and the others wouldn't hesitate at anything, +if only they saw a chance to win out."</p> + +<p>And at his words Giraffe and his mates nodded +their heads; but there was no loud demonstration; +for somehow they seemed to realize the gravity of +the game they were now playing, with the long lost +mine as the stake.</p> + + +<hr /> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> +<h3>THE SAFEST WAY OF "SHOOTING" A GRIZZLY.</h3> + +<p>Meanwhile, how fared the ambitious big-horn +hunters?</p> + +<p>They had started out, filled with a determination +to accomplish something, even if it took a couple of +days. Indeed, the guide had said to Thad before +leaving that none of them need worry if the party + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Page 122]</a></span> +failed to show up at nightfall. The distances were +so great, and the mountain climbing of such a stupendous +character, that they might have to put in +the better part of several days reaching the feeding +grounds of the animals, and getting the coveted +chance for a shot or two.</p> + +<p>When noon came it found them climbing steadily. +They were entirely out of sight of the valley where +the camp lay, so that they could have no knowledge +of what was happening in that quarter. But so set +were the boys on what had taken them forth, that +for the time being they felt perfectly satisfied to +quite forget other matters.</p> + +<p>"Talk about your wild country," remarked Step +Hen, when they all came to a little stop to eat a +"snack," and rest, so as to be ready for a further +climb; <a name="this" id="this"></a>"this sure takes the cake for me. Why, that +poor little Blue Ridge country ain't in it. You +could put it all in a pocket, here, and it wouldn't be +missed."</p> + +<p>"Well," remarked Smithy, who was bearing up +under the strain in a manner that would have +pleased the scoutmaster, could he have been along to +notice it; "you want to be exceedingly careful how +you say that before our hot-blooded Southern chum, +Bob White, unless you're ready to get into a war of +words."</p> + +<p>"Oh! excuse me," chuckled Step Hen, "I +wouldn't be guilty of hurting Bob's pride even a + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Page 123]</a></span> +little bit. I know he thinks that Land of the Sky +country better than most other places. Well, it takes +a lot of different people to make a world, don't it, +fellers?"</p> + +<p>"That's right, it does," remarked Davy Jones, +who had managed to snap off several pictures as +they came along; but was trying to save most of +his exposures for things that would count, live subjects, +in fact.</p> + +<p>"How much further do we have to climb, +Toby?" asked Smithy, trying to appear rather indifferent +about it, though the others just knew he +must feel the strain more than any of them; because +Smithy had never been much of an athlete, +and up to date had yet to play in his first baseball +game, strange to say.</p> + +<p>"Wall, that depends on a good many things," the +guide responded. "Fust place, we don't know as +yet jest whar the sheep might be feedin'. I'm +headin' for a place whar I seen 'em more'n a few +times, when I was prospectin' through this kentry."</p> + +<p>"Oh! so <i>you</i> had a touch of the lost mine fever, +too, did you?" quickly remarked Smithy; for up to +the present time Toby had never so much as +admitted this fact; but now he grinned and went +on:</p> + +<p>"Why, yes, I've taken my look, and had jest the +same luck as all the rest what thought they could +pick it up. But about them big horns, boys; if they + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Page 124]</a></span> +don't happen to be whar I'm headin' fust, then we +got to go another two hours. But chances are, we'll +find a flock in one of them places, an' git a shot +afore nightfall sets in."</p> + +<p>With this comforting thought, then, the little +party once more started out, after an hour's rest +and refreshment. Smithy was doubtless feeling +considerably better. He never complained, even +while he limped sadly at times; and once came near +losing his grip, when swinging across a bad place +in the trail; so that he might even have fallen, only +that the ready guide threw an arm around him, having +been keeping conveniently near.</p> + +<p>Smithy was proving one thing, at least; he might +never turn out to be much of a hunter; but he surely +possessed his father's spirit, when it came to game +qualities. And when he went back home, all the +maiden aunts in creation would never be able to +bring that boy back again to the docile habits that +had marked him heretofore, thanks to woman training. +Smithy had had a taste of real outdoors, and +would never be satisfied again to live in that +old "sissy" rut.</p> + +<p>It was about an hour after the stop that, without +warning, the little party suddenly came upon a +monstrous grizzly bear, slowly making his way +diagonally across the track they were following.</p> + +<p>At sight of them the animal reared up on his +hind quarters, and seemed to be trying to make up + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Page 125]</a></span> +his mind whether he ought to attack these queer +two-legged creatures, or go on about his own business.</p> + +<p>Step Hen half raised his gun to his shoulder; but +instantly the guide clapped a hand over the lock. +There were no convenient trees in which they could +take shelter from an enraged grizzly; and Toby +Smathers knew too much about these animals to +have any wish to find one rushing at them, wild +with rage from a wound.</p> + +<p>"Snap—click!"</p> + +<p>"Got him that time!" said a delighted voice.</p> + +<p>Of course it was Davy Jones. He had swung that +kodak of his around, calmly focussed on the grizzly +as the animal reared himself up to a terrible height, +and then pressed the button.</p> + +<p>And perhaps after all that was the safest kind +of "shooting," when it came to a matter of grizzly +bears. Even one of this ferocious species would +hardly offer any serious objections to having his +likeness preserved, for future generations to gaze +upon.</p> + +<p>"Keep still, all on you!" warned the guide, who +was holding his own rifle in readiness for instant +use, should the bear conclude to charge them. +"We ain't lost any Mountain Charleys to-day, as I +knows on. Big horns is what we kim out after. +Let him take hisself off, if he will, and a good +riddance too, I says."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Page 126]</a></span> + Which the enormous beast finally concluded to +do. Perhaps he had had his dinner, and was not +feeling in a particularly aggressive mood. No +matter what the cause, all of the boys heaved sighs +of positive relief when he shuffled away, looking +back over his shoulder several times.</p> + +<p>"Just like he wanted half an excuse for getting +his mad up," explained Step Hen. "He had a +chip on his shoulder, all right. And I guess I'm +glad you didn't let me start in on him, Toby. I +might a missed knockin' him over for keeps; and +then what a nice pickle we'd all been in. Excuse +me from tacklin' a moving mountain like that, +when trees are as scarce as hens' teeth."</p> + +<p>"And I'm real glad, too, you didn't fire," admitted +Smithy, who had turned somewhat white +during the minute of dreadful suspense, while he +stared at that monster squatted in their path. "I +was ready to back you up; but then what could you +expect from a greenhorn? I never wished so much +that I'd taken to this sort of thing before, as I did +when that fearful beast was looking at me, just +as if to say, 'you're the tenderest of the lot, Smithy, +and I think I'll choose you, if I have room for any +more inside me.'"</p> + +<p>The other boys laughed at his words; but on the +whole they thought Smithy had carried himself +rather creditably, all things considered. And each +knew, deep down in his secret soul, that his own + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Page 127]</a></span> +heart had seemed to stand still; while his blood ran +cold, as he stood there, awaiting the decision of the +bear.</p> + +<p>They glanced around rather fearfully for some +little time after that; but as nothing was seen again +of the mountain terror, they finally concluded that +the incident was closed.</p> + +<p>Again their thoughts went out toward the +singular game they had come after. Many an +ambitious hunter had sought to shoot a big-horn +sheep in the Rockies, day after day, and was compelled +to give it up in the end as useless, so Toby +had informed them. The conditions were generally +very difficult, and the game so shy. Besides, their +sense of impending danger seemed to be abnormally +developed; and on account of the rocky formation +of the slopes where they found bunches of grass in +the crevices, it was often next to impossible to stalk +them from leeward.</p> + +<p>This being the case the tired boys were thrilled +to the core when Toby finally announced that he +had had a glimpse of the game. Of course they +became wildly excited, and demanded that he show +them. Creeping carefully up to a certain outcropping +rock, they peered around its edge. And +for the first time in their lives Davy, Step Hen and +Smithy found themselves looking upon the queer +animals that seem to live in the wildest parts of +the Rockies, taking delight in bounding from crag + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Page 128]</a></span> +to crag, and baffling the skill of the most experienced +chamois hunters to get within gun-shot +of their lofty eyries.</p> + +<p>There were seven or eight of the sheep, and as +they were really just within gun range the boys +could get a splendid view of them. They admired +the tremendous curved horns greatly, and Step Hen +quivered with eagerness to say that he had shot a +Rocky Mountain sheep all by himself; while Davy +clicked his camera several times, so that he at least +might have a picture, in case they could get no +nearer.</p> + +<p>"I can't be sure of even hitting one from here," +whispered Step Hen, turning appealingly to the +guide. "Ain't it possible to creep up closer, Toby? +Oh! please fix it for us, won't you?" just as +though the guide had it in his power to do anything +they wanted.</p> + +<p>But fortunately the lay of the mountain allowed +Toby to arrange it; and he soon mapped out a route +that they might crawl along, keeping well hidden +from the feeding sheep, and getting gradually +closer.</p> + +<p>Besides, it happened that luck was working overtime +in their favor; because the animals happened +to be feeding toward them. Now only two or three +could be seen, nibbling at the tufts of grass, or leaping +across some small fissure that tried to block +them from other tempting pastures; and then again + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Page 129]</a></span> +the whole seven would be in sight at the same moment.</p> + +<p>After advancing slowly and carefully for some +time Toby made motions that they dare not go any +further. He also let them know by signs that, as +the sheep were still coming in a line toward them, +all they had to do was to lie quiet, and wait until +the right moment.</p> + +<p>That was a period of great excitement to the +scouts, two of them clutching their guns in hands +that would tremble in spite of them; while the third +was trying to find the best spot to hold his kodak, +with a view of snapping off a picture just before +the critical second came for shooting.</p> + +<p>Step Hen and Smithy had even gone so far as to +select which of the seven sheep they hoped to get; +and as they lay there, peeping out from their rocky +shelter, it can be taken for granted that each of +them had eyes for his particular quarry only.</p> + +<p>And then finally Toby touched the shoulder of +the kodak owner, as a signal that he had better be +getting to work.</p> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Page 130]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> +<h3>THE SHEEP HUNTERS.</h3> + +<p>Davy Jones had made all his arrangements. +He had only to press the button, when the slight +"click" told that his picture was an accomplished +fact, and that if the hunters did as well, the expedition +might be set down as a glorious success.</p> + +<p>Davy had carried his shotgun fastened to his +back with a strap, while he worked his little camera. +Now he reached out for the gun, although realizing +the folly of trying to do any execution at that distance +with buckshot cartridges.</p> + +<p>"Now!" said the guide, suddenly.</p> + +<p>It would seem as though he spoke aloud purposely, +knowing what the effect was apt to be. +Every feeding big-horn raised its head instantly, +and for the space of several seconds stood there as +though carved out of stone.</p> + +<p>A better chance for a shot could not be imagined.</p> + +<p>"Bang!"</p> + +<p>"Whang!"</p> + +<p>That was Smithy firing first, and the second report +told that Step Hen's little thirty-thirty was on +the job instantly.</p> + +<p>One big-horn sheep fell over on the rock, and + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Page 131]</a></span> +kicked several times. It might have fallen over the +ledge only that somehow the body seemed to become +fast in a crotch; and there it lay in a tantalizing +position, for only by a most difficult climb +downward could it be reached at all.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I hit mine, and he's fallen down there!" +cried Smithy in a voice that just thrilled with wild +exultation; and hardly had he said this than he +added, in a deeply crushed tone: "Oh! wasn't that +too cruel of him now, to just bound off on his horns +like they were skies, and get on his feet again? +There he goes now, and see him limp, will you, +fellows? I hit him, yes, I surely did!"</p> + +<p>"Well, he's gone, and that's the last you're likely +to see of him, more's the pity," said Step Hen; +"but look at <i>my</i> game, would you, stuck there in +among them rocks? Toby, we must manage to get +him, some way or other. Tell me how it can be +done, won't you?"</p> + +<p>The guide scratched his head, as if himself a bit +puzzled.</p> + +<p>"Only one way I kin see, boys," he observed, +"and that means a lot more climbing for us."</p> + +<p>"You mean we'll just have to work around, and +get up there above the place where <i>my</i> big-horn lies, +as dead as a door nail; is that it, Toby?" questioned +Step Hen, perhaps unconsciously placing great +emphasis on that pronoun; nor could he be blamed +for feeling proud, if half that the guide had told + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Page 132]</a></span> +them concerning the difficulties encountered by +hunters of Rocky Mountain sheep were true.</p> + +<p>"Just what I had in mind," replied Toby.</p> + +<p>"Then let's make a start," urged Step Hen. +"My stars! I wouldn't like to lose that splendid +fellow for anything. Just think of having that pair +of horns to put in our club room at home, Davy. +I hope you got a good picture, too; because we c'n +have an enlargement taken, and hang it under <i>my</i> +horns."</p> + +<p>"I don't see any growing out of your head, yet, +Step Hen," chuckled Davy, as he and the third +scout fell in behind the others, and started forth.</p> + +<p>One thing made it a little easier now; they did +not have to be so particular about moving softly, +since their aim had been accomplished, and they had +shot their bolt.</p> + +<p>But the way was rough enough at the best. +Smithy had a hard time of it. He was forever +bruising his hands, for they were not so tough in +the palms as those of the other boys, who had been +accustomed to work and hard play. Besides, often +he took a little slide and in this fashion tore his +trousers as well as made quite a gash in his leg. +But the other boys rather fancied that Smithy, +unable to wholly overcome his former love for fine +clothes, grieved more on account of that big rent +in his khaki trousers, than he did for the bleeding +leg, though it must have pained him considerably.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Page 133]</a></span> + Still, he did not murmur; Smithy was showing +much more grit than either of the others had ever +dreamed he possessed. Like Bumpus, it only +seemed to need a fitting opportunity to come to the +surface; as is the case with many backward boys.</p> + +<p>As they turned an angle of the rocks, Step Hen +gave a shout.</p> + +<p>"What's this? What's this?" he called.</p> + +<p>"Oh! please don't shoot!" shrilled Smithy, +wonderfully excited again; "It must be the sheep +I struck with my bullet; see how the poor thing +drags that leg after him? Let me have the pleasure +of knocking him over, and putting him out of +pain?"</p> + +<p>"Get busy then, or he'll give you the slip after +all. Quick, Smithy, or I'll be tempted to shoot him +myself. Whoop! you did it that time, Smithy! +Good boy!" and Step Hen fairly danced in his +excitement.</p> + +<p>Smithy had made good. How he did it, he +never could tell; but somehow, when he just pointed +his gun in a general way toward the escaping big-horn, +and pulled the trigger, why, the already +badly wounded animal fell over, gave a couple of +last kicks, and then lay still.</p> + +<p>But strange to say, Smithy was less given to +excitement over his exploit than either of the other +boys. As they all bent over the big-horn to admire +his sturdy frame, and the head ornaments that distinguish + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Page 134]</a></span> +him among all his kind, Smithy was seen +to stroke the hairy back of the dead sheep, and +clinch his teeth hard together, as though after all +he felt half sorry that a sudden whim had caused +him to actually take a life that nothing could +restore. Evidently it would be some time before +Smithy could so far overcome his former gentle +traits of character to feel the hunter's fierce lust +for his quarry.</p> + +<p>"But this ain't getting <i>my</i> big-horn, you know," +remarked Step Hen, as though the feel of those +massive curved head-pieces had thrown him into a +new fever of impatience to secure his own trophies; +for it would be a shame if the greenhorn of the +party should be the only one to exhibit positive evidences +of their having shot game.</p> + +<p>"Come along then, and we'll soon git around to +whar p'raps ye might climb down, if so be ye're +keerful not to slip," and the guide once more +started off.</p> + +<p>"Oh! do we abandon my big-horn, then?" cried +Smithy, as though half tempted to refuse to leave +the spot on what might prove to be a wild-goose +chase; to him it seemed like leaving the substance +to try and catch the shadow.</p> + +<p>"We kin come back this way, and take keer of +it then," said Toby; and with this assurance Smithy +had to rest content.</p> + +<p>After some further scrambling along the face of + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Page 135]</a></span> +the steep slope, digging their toes into the shale +that often crumbled under them, when they might +risk a serious ride down the side of the mountain +only for the fact that they managed to cling fast +with their hands, they reached a point where it +was extra rocky, and a pretty sheer descent.</p> + +<p>"Down thar your sheep lies," the guide said, +pointing as he spoke.</p> + +<p>Step Hen immediately laid his gun aside, and +crawling to the edge he looked over.</p> + +<p>"I don't see hide or hair of it, though, Toby?" +he complained.</p> + +<p>"No more you kin," returned the other, with +decision marked in both voice and manner; "but +all the same it's down thar, not more'n a hundred +feet at most. I got my bearin's fine. Look off +yonder, and yell see whar we lay when ye did the +shootin' at the big horns."</p> + +<p>"He's right, Step Hen," said Davy Jones, after +looking to where the guide was pointing so confidently. +"I'd know that rock among a thousand. +I'll never forget it, either. And yes, your sheep +must be lying below us right now."</p> + +<p>"I think the same, fellows," asserted Smithy, +who was beginning to feel that he ought to give his +opinion of things after this, since he was now an +actual <i>boni fide</i> hunter, and had even secured one +of the most wary of all wild animals in the whole +West.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Page 136]</a></span> + "But why don't I see it, then?" demanded Step +Hen, always very stubborn, and needing to be +shown.</p> + +<p>"Ye see," the guide explained, "the face of the +mountain backs in some, in a general way. That +tells the story. The only thing that bothers me is, +if I had ought to let ye try and get down thar, so's +to shove the sheep off, and land it at the bottom; or +make the riffle myself."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I wouldn't think of letting you try it," declared +Step Hen, quickly. "I'm young and spry, +and used to climbing up cliffs and such stunts, besides," +he added as a clincher, "it's <i>my</i> big horn, +you know."</p> + +<p>Had either of the other boys backed him up, the +chances were that Toby Smathers might have refused +to give his permission; for he knew that there +would naturally be considerable risk involved in +such an undertaking; but then both Davy and his +comrade, Smithy, saw nothing so <a name="very" id="very"></a>very unusual in +the proceeding, the one because he was not accustomed +to judging such things; and Davy on +account of being such a clever gymnast himself, +always doing dangerous tricks, such as hanging +from a high limb of a tree by his toes, coming down +the outside of a tree by using the branches as a +descending ladder, and all such "crazy antics," as +Giraffe called them.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Page 137]</a></span> + "Here, somebody hold my gun," said Step Hen, +with an air of resolution.</p> + +<p>"You're going to be some keerful, I take it?" +questioned the guide, dubiously.</p> + +<p>"Course I am; what d'ye take me for, Toby? +Think I want to go to my own funeral in a hurry? +Not much. Oh! I c'n be careful, all right. Don't +you worry about me. And I want that big-horn +worse than ever, I do. Here goes, then."</p> + +<p>He started down the face of the almost perpendicular +precipice. There were plenty of places +where he could get a good foothold, and secure +a grip with his ready hands. The only danger +seemed to be, as the guide had warned him, in having +some apparently secure rock suddenly give way +under his weight. He must watch out for that +constantly, and never take a fresh step unless he +was sure he could maintain his hold upon the last +knob of rock.</p> + +<p>"Call out if we can help any, Step Hen," was +what Davy said, as they saw the last of their companion's +head just about to vanish, where the first +inward dip to the precipice occurred.</p> + +<p>"Sure I will, and just you remember our signal +code, Davy. I may have to use it if I get caught +tight in a crack, and can't break away nohow. +Good-bye, be good to yourselves, now, and don't go +to believin' that there's any chance of me losing +my grip."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Page 138]</a></span> + Then he vanished from their sight. A dreadful +clatter of falling stones gave the two scouts still +above a case of the "trembles" immediately afterwards, +and Davy called at the top of his voice:</p> + +<p>"I say, Step Hen!"</p> + +<p>"All right;" welled up from somewhere below +them; "did that on purpose to test a stepping place. +Ketch a weasel asleep, before you get me to stand +on a loose place, why, it's as easy as fallin' off a log, +this is."</p> + + +<hr /> +<h2>CHAPTER XV.</h2> +<h3>A FIERCE FIGHT WITH EAGLES.</h3> + +<p>But although Step Hen spoke so flippantly, he +was far from being as confident as he pretended. +In fact, as he proceeded downward, he found his +task getting more and more difficult.</p> + +<p>One thing that bothered him was the getting up +again. He just felt sure that he would not be able +to accomplish it; but then, if it came to the worst, +doubtless the balance of the descent was no harder +to manage than this; and after first sending his +big-horn down, he might pick his own way after it, +and the others could follow as best they saw fit.</p> + +<p>Step Hen was a self-reliant boy, at any rate; + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Page 139]</a></span> +sometimes the scoutmaster feared too much so. +And since he had said he was going to get that +game, and was already part way down the face of +the rocky wall, there was nothing to be done but +keep right along, which he proceeded to do.</p> + +<p>He could not get the slightest glimpse of his +comrades. They were somewhere up above him; +but just as the guide had declared, the face of the +wall fell away in places, and this kept taking him +further beyond their range of vision constantly.</p> + +<p>Whenever he could do so without imperiling his +support, Step Hen would crook his neck, and look +downward, in the hope of seeing where the sheep +lay. He could not help thinking how much easier +this effort would come for him, if a kindly Nature +had given him the extensive neck that Giraffe +possessed.</p> + +<p>"There it is!" he exclaimed, joyfully, as his +anxious eyes fell upon an object just a short distance +below, and which he knew must be the +crumpled body of his big-horn. "And I ought to +get there now without breaking my neck. Wow! +that was a near tumble, all right! Careful, boy, +careful now! Them horns of yours ain't growed +big enough to drop on, like the sheep do."</p> + +<p>He halted for a full minute, not that he was so +tired in the arms, but to recover from the shock +received when he came so near falling. Then once +more resuming his labor, he presently had the satisfaction + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Page 140]</a></span> +of dropping beside the motionless body of +his victim.</p> + +<p>"Bigger horns than Smithy's had!" was his +first exclamation, as he bent over, the better to see; +and at the same moment he became conscious of +the fact that some buzzards, or some other big +birds, were swooping around close by, making him +think they had looked on his dead sheep as their +next dinner.</p> + +<p>"Guess p'raps I'd better be tossing it over here, +and letting it roll down to the bottom; then I c'n +foller the best way there is, and——"</p> + +<p>Something gave him a sudden fierce blow that +knocked Step Hen down on his hands and knees; +and he might have rolled over the edge of the +narrow shelf, only for his good luck in catching +hold of the sheep's rounded horns.</p> + +<p>"Quit that, you silly! you nearly knocked me +over that time!" he shouted angrily; his very first +thought being that one of the other boys, presumably +Davy Jones, because he was so smart about +climbing everywhere, had followed after him, and +was thus rudely announcing his arrival close on the +heels of the first explorer.</p> + +<p>But as Step Hen raised his head to look, to his +surprise he failed to see any one near him. A +dreadful suspicion that Davy might have pitched +over the edge of the narrow shelf, after striking +him, assailed the scout; and he was almost on the + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Page 141]</a></span> +point of looking, when suddenly there was a rush +of great wings, and he dropped flat on his face +just in time to avoid being struck a second time.</p> + +<p>"Whew! eagles, and mad as hops at me for +comin' here!" gasped Step Hen, as, raising his +head cautiously, like a turtle peeping out of its +shell, he caught sight of two wheeling birds that +came and went with tremendous speed.</p> + +<p>He noted the spread of their immense wings, +and it seemed to Step Hen as if in all his experience +he had never before gazed upon more powerful +birds than those two Rocky Mountain eagles.</p> + +<p>Perhaps they had a nest near by, with young +eaglets in it, and fancied that he was bent on +robbing them. Then again, the big birds may have +decided that they could make good use of the fine +quarry that had lodged in the rocks so conveniently +near their nest; and resented the coming of another +claimant.</p> + +<p>But no matter what the contributing cause might +be, they were undoubtedly as "mad as a wet hen," +as Step Hen afterwards declared, in telling of his +adventure there on that shelf of rock, fully a hundred +feet from the top and the bottom, on the steep +face of the mountain.</p> + +<p>His first thought was how he could fight back, +for he saw that he was to be at the mercy of the +great birds that swooped down again and again, +striking viciously at him with claws, beaks and + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Page 142]</a></span> +powerful wings, until the boy was bleeding in half +a dozen different places.</p> + +<p>In casting his eyes about, even as he fought with +his bare hands, and shouted for assistance at the +top of his voice, Step Hen made a little discovery. +A tree must have grown up above at one time or +other, for there, stuck fast in a crevice of the rock +he saw a pretty good-sized remnant of a branch +that he believed would make a fair cudgel, better +than his bare hands at any rate, with which to +strike at the attacking eagles.</p> + +<p>When he had clutched this in his eager hand the +boy felt more confidence; and watching his opportunity +he did manage to meet the swoop of the next +bird with a whack that sent it whirling back. But +they quickly learned to adopt other tactics, now +that he was armed, both of them coming together +from opposite directions; so that unable to dodge, +or hit back properly Step Hen again found himself +getting the worst of the fight.</p> + +<p>Would his companions be able to do anything for +him; or was he to be left there on that shelf of +rock, to either conquer his savage enemies, alone +and unaided, or succumb to their ferocious assaults?</p> + +<p>All the while he was beating at them with might +and main Step Hen kept up a constant shouting. +He had a double purpose in this,—hoping to tempt +one of his companions to descend to his rescue, +carrying a gun, since they seemed unable to hit the + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Page 143]</a></span> +birds from above, though several shots had been +fired; and then again it was possible that the sound +of a human voice would by degrees cause the eagles +to haul off.</p> + +<p>"Take that, will you!" the boy cried, whenever +he succeeded in reaching either of his feathered +assailants with his club. "Come at me again, will +you? Just wait, and see what happens to you yet! +Ouch! that hurt some, now! Oh! if I could only +swing this club around better, without bein' afraid +of tumbling over, wouldn't I knock their heads off,—wow! +once more you'll have it, will you? See +the feathers fly! I b'lieve they're weakenin' some, +sure I do; but what about me? I'll bleed to death +yet, if they keep on tapping me like that."</p> + +<p>So Step Hen went on, shouting and whacking +away, doing the best he was able under the circumstances. +Nobody could ever say at any rate, but +what he put up a strapping good fight of it, he kept +thinking; but all the same he cast an anxious eye +upward whenever he could find a chance, hoping +to see a pair of human legs heave in sight, and discover +the welcome face of either Davy Jones or the +guide.</p> + +<p>"Bring a gun! Bring a gun!"</p> + +<p>That was about the burden of his shouts. He +hoped those above understood what he was saying. +The eagles seldom went far outside a given circle, +so that they could only be glimpsed from above + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Page 144]</a></span> +occasionally; and it was like shooting at a disappearing +target in the gallery, to try and hit them +under such circumstances.</p> + +<p>Step Hen had knocked one of the great birds +down for the sixth time, and was dismayed to see +that he had not even then disabled it, since it immediately +started to fly again, no wing having been +broken by his club; when he thought he caught the +sound of a human voice close by.</p> + +<p>Then some loose stones rattled down beside him, +giving him a thrill of joy; for he knew now reinforcements +were on the way, and it nerved him to +fight on.</p> + +<p>Another minute, and some one dropped down +beside the crouching Step Hen, who was breathing +hard from his exertions, but still full of pluck, as +a true scout should always be.</p> + +<p>"Toby!" he called out, in a quavering voice, and +looking very grim, with his face so scratched, and +streaked with blood; "I'm sure glad to see you; but +gladder to notice that you've got your gun! Look +out! there they come again! Dodge, Toby, dodge; +they're on to you!"</p> + +<p>But the guide had snatched his gun from about +his back, where it had been securely fastened with +a stout cord. He had no time to aim or fire just +then, only to swing the barrel around, and strike +viciously at the swooping bird, that threw its claws + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Page 145]</a></span> +forward as it pounced upon him, just as a fish-hawk +might do on striking the water.</p> + +<p>The attack was quickly parried, and now Toby +also had a streak of blood on his cheek, where one +of those furious wings had struck him.</p> + +<p>Now he turned the gun quickly around in his +hands.</p> + +<p>"Leave one for me, Toby!" pleaded the boy, +eagerly. "I ought to have the pleasure of knocking +over one of 'em, after what they have done to +me. Oh! you put it to that gay old robber of +honest fish-hawks, sure you did! And he's gone +down below-decks for good. Give me your gun, +Toby; I <i>must</i> have it, I tell you!"</p> + +<p>And the guide, understanding, as well as sympathizing +with, the spirit that caused the other to cry +out in this fashion, did thrust his repeating rifle +into the hands of Step Hen, after throwing the discharged +shell out, and sending a fresh one into the +firing chamber.</p> + +<p>With a satisfaction that words could never paint, +Step Hen followed the swinging form of the remaining +eagle as it flew around so as to get in line +for another swoop. And just as the great bird +started to come down at them, the boy pulled the +trigger.</p> + +<p>His aim was true, and the second eagle pitched +forward, whirling over and over as it went tumbling + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Page 146]</a></span> +down the face of the descent, just as its mate +had done.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" shouted Step Hen, tremendously +pleased with the final outcome of the fight with the +pair of fierce pirates of the upper air currents; +"that's what they get for tackling me, ain't it, +Toby? We gave 'em what they needed, didn't we? +But say, I'm just thinkin' that it's going to be a +tough old job for me to get back up where the boys +are; and that p'raps we'll have to keep on climbin' +down, after shoving the big-horn off the shelf."</p> + +<p>And the guide, after recovering his breath, which +had been used up in his recent hasty movements in +coming to the rescue, looking over the edge, +admitted that he believed such a course was the +only one left to them.</p> + + +<hr /> +<h2>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> +<h3>DOWN THE SLOPE.</h3> + +<p>"The first thing, then, is to toss this feller overboard," +remarked Step Hen, as he proudly touched +the dead big-horn with the toe of his shoe, and tried +to assume the air of a conquering hero; but his +face was so sore, and his appearance so remarkable, +that apparently his manner did not impress the guide +very much.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Page 147]</a></span> + "The sooner you get to water, and wash them +scratches, the better," said Toby. "I've knowed +more'n one feller have a bad time from gettin' +clawed by eagles; and the doctor said as how 'twar +blood poisonin'-like. But seems to me most of that +might a kim from you bein' hit by their wings."</p> + +<p>"Just what it did," replied Step Hen, though +he looked a bit anxious. "And goodness gracious! +how they could hit with 'em, though. Felt like +you'd run against an electric fan, or something like +that. Busted the skin every time too, and made the +blood come. But never mind about that, Toby; +shall I shove this thing over now?"</p> + +<p>"Just as you say," replied the guide; "we'll be +apt to find it when we get down; which I hope we +can do and be safe, and sound in limb."</p> + +<p>Apparently Toby was a little anxious himself +about the result of the next step on the programme. +The scout accordingly worked the dead sheep loose, +and cast it over the edge. He watched it go bounding +down with considerable apprehension that the +other did not comprehend, until he heard Step Hen +remark in a relieved tone:</p> + +<p>"Didn't break either horn; that's all hunky +dory!"</p> + +<p>"Don't you think we ort to let the rest know +what we're expectin' to do?" suggested the guide +just then.</p> + +<p>"Why, that's a good idea, Toby," replied Step + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Page 148]</a></span> +Hen. "And while we can't see our chums, there's +a way of communicatin' with 'em. Anyhow, I c'n +tell 'em to send down a piece of string, and pull up +a message I'll write. Davy Jones knows the code +enough for that."</p> + +<p>He began making a series of queer sounds, that +at first considerably amused the old guide; but +when an answer came from far above, Toby +realized that there did promise to be more merit in +the signal code of the scouts.</p> + +<p>Then a little later Step Hen exclaimed +triumphantly:</p> + +<p>"Here comes the end of the string, Toby, with +a stone tied to it. If they can swing it in now, +we'll be able to fasten this message I've written to +the end of it, and send it up. Then the boys will +know what we expect to do; and they'll try and get +down some other way, to join us before night +comes on. Because it'd be kind of tough if we +couldn't bunk together through the night."</p> + +<p>After some manipulation with the piece of broken +branch they succeeded in getting hold of the dangling +cord, which Smithy had carried along with +him, because of some reason or other, possibly from +the same principle that caused Bumpus to carry that +rope around wherever he went, thinking that it +might come in handy sometime or other.</p> + +<p>Having dispatched the note to the other scouts + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Page 149]</a></span> +by means of the cord channel, Step Hen and the +guide started to descend from their perch.</p> + +<p>The way was anything but easy, especially to the +boy. He had been weakened more than he realized +by his hard struggle with those two fierce eagles. +And perhaps his numerous wounds, slight as they +seemed on the surface, made him less capable of +keeping such a firm grip as he had before reaching +the ledge. But the same old indomitable pluck held +good. When a drop of perspiration, mingled with +blood from those scratches, dimmed his vision, Step +Hen would dash one hand impatiently across his +eyes, and then go right on clambering downward.</p> + +<p>Toby kept as near the boy as he could. Had he +possessed a rope he would certainly have fastened +himself to Step Hen, as a means of protecting the +lad against an ugly fall; just as the glacier climbers +do when ascending to the snow-covered summit of +some lofty mountain peak; so that should one slip, +another, having a firm hold at the time, could bear +him up.</p> + +<p>Again and again he cautioned his companion +against trusting his weight on some inviting projecting +knob of stone, which he himself had tried, +and found wanting; for the guide had insisted on +going first as a sort of pilot; when his real object +was to be in position to clutch hold of the boy, if +possible, should Step Hen make a bad move and +fall.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Page 150]</a></span> + But they finally managed to reach the bottom +without any accident happening, for which both of +them were thankful enough. They threw themselves +upon the rocks, utterly exhausted, and panting +for breath. Step Hen was indeed very near a +complete collapse; for the boy had been under a +terrible strain recently, both mentally and bodily.</p> + +<p>After a little, however, when he had pumped +much good air into his system, and regained some +of his lost breath, Step Hen remembered.</p> + +<p>"I hadn't ought to be lyin' around this way, +when those fellers up yonder are all tied up in knots +waitin' to know whether we've made the riffle, or +got stuck part way down. So here goes to tell 'em. +They know from my note what we want 'em to try +and do next."</p> + +<p>So he started in again with those queer sounds +that seemed to climb up the face of the cliff as +though on ladders that were invisible. And there +came back similar sounds, which Step Hen listened +to with eagerness, finally crying out:</p> + +<p>"They understand that we're safe down here; +and Davy says as how he thinks he knows a way +to work around. And now, since we've got some +time on our hands, Toby, let's look about for a +place to spend the night."</p> + +<p>But Toby had not forgotten something that he +had spoken of before.</p> + +<p>"As for the camp, I'll take keer of that," he said; + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Page 151]</a></span> +"while you drop down aside this leetle crick here, +and wash your face and hands. The sooner ye git +them 'ere scratches clean, the better, I reckon. +Heaps of trouble kin grow out of a little keerlessness +in that regard."</p> + +<p>"I guess you're right," replied Step Hen, trying +to make a grimace, but without much success, because +the blood had dried on his face, and made +it feel as stiff as though it had been duly starched +on a washday at home.</p> + +<p>So he complied with the ruling of the guide; and +while the cool water made his cuts smart more or +less, to begin with, still there was a sense of satisfaction +in the cleanly feeling that soon followed.</p> + +<p>When he got back to the side of the guide again +Step Hen discovered that Toby had found the place +he was looking for, close to where the big-horn lay. +Already smoke was beginning to rise, showing that +Giraffe might not be the only one in the party who +knew just how to go about making a cooking fire.</p> + +<p>The scout watched Toby with considerable interest. +He learned that when a man has lived all his +life in the borderland, he has picked up a good +many useful little wrinkles that a wideawake +scout ought to know; and Step Hen determined to +profit by his experience in the company of Toby +Smathers.</p> + +<p>Besides, now that all the excitement was over, +Step Hen secretly confessed to feeling more or less + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Page 152]</a></span> +tired; though had any of his mates been around, +he would doubtless have scorned to display this +fact. It was nice to just stretch out by the cheery +blaze, and see some one else quite willing to do the +work.</p> + +<p>The guide was only too glad to assume all the +burden of getting supper, such as it promised to be. +Secretly he was proud of Step Hen. He had +started in with rather a poor opinion of the boy's +qualities, and thought him given somewhat to +boasting, and practical jokes. But he had found +that he was full of grit, gave promise of being a +good hunter, and was ready to attempt any sort of +task, it mattered not how difficult.</p> + +<p>The way Step Hen fought those two eagles, alone +and unaided, on that narrow ledge, had aroused the +ardent admiration of Toby. While he worked, he +cast many a secret glance toward where Step Hen +was stretched out; and each time the guide would +give a little satisfied nod, and a chuckle, just as +though he were passing a critical judgment, and +saying to himself:</p> + +<p>"All wool, and a yard wide; he'll do, I sure +reckons. He's got the real stuff in him, anybody +with one eye kin see. And I'm sure goin' to tell +Mr. Scout Master that same, too. He deserves to +be put up a few notches arter this."</p> + +<p>Could Step Hen but have read what was passing +through Toby's mind just then, he would have + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Page 153]</a></span> +thrilled with deepest satisfaction. Why, the laurel +wreath of the victor could not have given him one +half the solid pleasure that would come could he +but know he had won the admiration of this experienced +forest ranger, and trapper-guide.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, after he had the cooking fire under +full way, Toby proceeded to skin the Rocky mountain +sheep, making sure to handle the excellent +horns carefully, as Step Hen begged, since they +were almost perfect.</p> + +<p>"He ain't a youngster, and at the same time he +don't seem to be so <i>very</i> old," the guide remarked, +as he worked, cutting up the sheep; <a name="so" id="so"></a>"so, p'raps we +kin get our teeth workin' on him some. I never +was much of a hand for this sorter meat; but in +such a pinch as this I kin eat even mutton. Anyhow, +it'll sure keep us from goin' hungry, and +that's the game right now. I hopes as how the +other boys kin get here afore dark sets in."</p> + +<p>"That makes me remember I'm neglecting my +duty; because I ought to be lettin' out a whoop now +and then, just to sort of guide Davy and Smithers."</p> + +<p>With that Step Hen managed to get to his feet, +though he was surprised to find how stiff he had +become, just sitting there. Toby grinned to see +him wince, as he stretched first one arm, and then +a leg. He knew what it meant. The strain of the +recent engagement on the ledge, besides all that + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Page 154]</a></span> +hanging desperately to the face of the precipice, +was telling on the boy's muscles.</p> + +<p>When Step Hen let out a loud cry, he was pleased +to get a response in the well-known voice of Davy +Jones. The call came from a point not far away, +and Toby immediately declared that the other +scouts must be about half-way down.</p> + +<p>"They're agoin' to make it, all right, I do believe!" +Step Hen exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"Looks that way, for a fact," the guide +responded.</p> + +<p>The day was almost done, at least down at the +foot of that great wall that stretched upward for +hundreds of feet. Lying there, resting the back of +his head on both hands, and looking upward to +where some buzzards were wheeling against the +sky, Step Hen could hardly believe that he had +actually descended all that distance in safety. He +shuddered as he contemplated what an ugly tumble +he must have experienced, if those fighting eagles +had succeeded in knocking him off the ledge.</p> + +<p>And just as the shades of approaching night began +to gather around them, with a rather appetizing +odor from cooking meat filling the immediate +neighborhood, there came a hail from a point close +at hand.</p> + +<p>"Hello! there, glad to see you're able to sit up, +and take notice, after all the row you kicked up. +First thing Smithy and me want to know is, what + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Page 155]</a></span> +under the sun was it all about?" and with these +words the two scouts staggered into camp, throwing +themselves wearily down beside their chum.</p> + + +<hr /> +<h2>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> +<h3>TROUBLES THICKEN FOR YOUNG ALECK.</h3> + +<p>The scouts were pretty hungry, and they united +in pronouncing the supper "just prime." But then +the conditions would not allow of any other +verdict; and as Toby regretfully declared, they all +had good teeth, while his were getting "frayed and +worn."</p> + +<p>But after a period of stress and storm, a haven +does seem good indeed; and sitting there, chatting, +alongside that blaze, which had now been built up +into a real camp-fire, the three boys were feeling a +thousand per cent better than they had a couple of +hours before.</p> + +<p>Of course Step Hen had told all about his great +combat with the two fighting eagles. He even led +the doubting Davy along the foot of the descent, +with a blazing torch in his hand, until they had +found both of the dead birds, which they lugged +back to camp with them, to show to the wondering +Smithy as positive evidence of the truth of the +story.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Page 156]</a></span> + And after that the boys would surely feel more +respect for Step Hen's prowess as a hunter, and +the possessor of unlimited nerve.</p> + +<p>Smithy declared that nothing on earth could +tempt him to try and descend that precipice where +Step Hen had done it; and was amazed when Davy +announced that they had accomplished a feat very +nearly as hazardous; only, coming a yard at a time, +they had not noticed the danger.</p> + +<p>"I only hope nothing will run off with my +sheep," Smithy had remarked, plaintively, at one +time, after they had finished their meal, and were +just lounging around, taking things easy.</p> + +<p>"How about that, Toby?" asked Davy Jones; +"will wolves be apt to rob Smithy of his hard-earned +laurels?"</p> + +<p>"Don't know anything about that ere," grinned +the guide; "but if so be you mean will they come +around, and eat his mutton, I'm afraid that's jest +what'll happen. But," he added, as Smithy gave a +plaintive little bleat, "they cain't eat them big +horns, you know; and I reckons as how that's the +main thing you wants, ain't it?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! yes, if that is so, I shall stop worrying. +But I surely do want to carry that souvenir back +with me; because, you know that is my first game," +Smithy went on to say.</p> + +<p>"Wall," remarked the guide, with a nod, "you +had ought to be proud of 'em; 'cause they ain't + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Page 157]</a></span> +many fellers as kin say the fust wild game they ever +knocked down was a big-horn. I've knowed old +hunters as couldn't ever git one, try as hard as they +might. We had a heap of luck to-day, let me tell +you, boys, a heap of it. And for mutton, 'twan't so +<i>very</i> tough, either."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I thought I heard some one give a funny +little cough just then!" exclaimed Step Hen, suddenly +sitting up straight.</p> + +<p>"You was correct at that," said the guide, quietly +drawing his rifle closer to him, as though caution +were second nature. "There is some parties accomin' +down the canyon here, and headin' for our fire."</p> + +<p>"The boys, mebbe!" exclaimed Davy Jones.</p> + +<p>"No, I don't think they be," Toby Smathers +added, straining his eyes to catch the first glimpse +of the newcomers; for in this wild region, strangers +are not to be always recognized as friends until +they have proven themselves such.</p> + +<p>"There's two of 'em," remarked Step Hen, "and +they're men, I c'n see."</p> + +<p>"Hello! there, don't shoot, we're friends, all +right!" called a voice, so peculiar in itself that +Toby immediately laughed aloud, as though he had +no difficulty in recognizing it.</p> + +<p>"Is that Sheriff Bob McNulty?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Nobody else," came the reply; "and unless I'm +mighty far off my base, that must be my old friend, +Toby Smathers, the forest ranger."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Page 158]</a></span> + The two men came on to the fire. The boys saw +that the one whom Toby had called Sheriff Bob +was a tall, angular man, wearing the regulation +wide-brimmed soft hat, and long black coat that +sheriffs out in the Wild and Woolly West seem to +so frequently think a badge of their calling.</p> + +<p>He impressed them as a man of sterling character; +but they did not entertain the same sort of +an opinion toward his companion, who was a +middle-aged man, lanky and sinister in appearance, +and with a crafty gleam in his shifting eyes that +somehow gave Step Hep and Davy Jones a cold +feeling of distrust.</p> + +<p>"Why, what's this mean, Toby; you a forest +ranger camping with a parcel of kids?" exclaimed +the sheriff, throwing a quick, interrogative glance +toward his companion, which the other answered +with a negative shake of the head, after giving each +of the three boys a keen look, while a shade of +bitter disappointment crossed his crafty face.</p> + +<p>"Oh! it was an off season for me, Sheriff Bob," +replied the guide, laughing; "an' I thought I'd try +playing guide again, this time to a bunch of Boy +Scouts what come out to the Rockies from the Far +East, to hunt big game."</p> + +<p>The sheriff grinned broadly, as though that +struck him a good deal in the nature of a joke.</p> + +<p>"Boy Scouts, eh?" he continued, as he calmly +sat him down by the fire; "well, I've heard a heap + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Page 159]</a></span> +about them, but these are the first I've set eyes on. +They brought their nerve along with 'em I reckon, +Toby?" and he chuckled again while speaking.</p> + +<p>"That's the way I thought about 'em fust pop, +Sheriff Bob," remarked Toby, in a quiet, convincing +tone; "but I've found out that I sized 'em up +a lot too low. They's eight of 'em in the bunch, +and the rest is keepin' camp down by that willow +that stands by the spring hole in the valley. We +came out to-day to try and get a big-horn."</p> + +<p>The sheriff sniffed the air at this.</p> + +<p>"Say, you don't mean to tell me they shot a +sheep?" he demanded.</p> + +<p>"Two of the same, and at a pretty fair distance +too. We got 'em both. This here, who is +known as Smithy, had never killed anything +bigger'n a mouse afore, I understands, an' precious +few of 'em; while Step Hen here, he's had considerable +experience up in Maine, which is said to +be a good hunting ground."</p> + +<p>The sheriff pursed up his lips, and arched his +eyebrows.</p> + +<p>"Well," he remarked, "I'd like to shake hands +with you both, boys, because you've done what I +never yet accomplished in my life—shot a big-horn."</p> + +<p>"But sho! that ain't near all," declared the proud +Toby; "they got a couple of big grizzlies in the +bargain; and right this very day Step Hen, he + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Page 160]</a></span> +clumb half way down that cliff thar, to shove his +sheep loose; and had to fight for his life agin a pair +o' cantankerous eagles what had a nest up thar. I +went to his help, an' thar the birds lie, Sheriff +Bob!"</p> + +<p>The officer whistled again.</p> + +<p>"This <i>is</i> a surprise, I must say," he remarked. +"But Toby, if so be you could spare us a mouthful +of that same mutton, why, we'd be obliged. We've +got to be going in a little while, because, you see, +I'm up here to assist this gentleman, who's name is +Mr. Artemus Rawson, and a lawyer from Denver, +look up a boy who's his nephew, and who's stolen +something his uncle values a heap. We learned he +was last seen on the hike for this country roundabout; +and I'm bound to find him, by hook or by +crook. I always do, you remember, Toby; none of +them ever gets away from Sheriff Bob."</p> + +<p>Step Hen almost cried out, such was the thrill +that shot through him. Almost instinctively his +eyes sough those of Davy Jones, and a look of +intelligence passed between them.</p> + +<p>Rawson, the sheriff said his name was, and he +was a lawyer from Denver, looking for a boy who +was his nephew, and whose name therefore was +likely to be the same!</p> + +<p>Surely he must be referring to their new friend, +Aleck. But the sheriff had declared the boy to be +a thief; and they could never believe Aleck that, + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Page 161]</a></span> +with his frank face, his clear eyes, and engaging +manners. There must be some sort of a mistake; +or else this so-called Artemus Rawson was a fraud +of the first water, and just trying to get possession +of that secret connected with the hidden mine, the +same as Colonel Kracker!</p> + +<p>Step Hen put a finger on his lips, and that told +Davy to keep quiet, so that the others might not +suspect their comrades in the other camp were entertaining +the very boy these men sought at that +particular minute.</p> + +<p>And when he had the chance, Step Hen whispered +a few words to Smithy that rather startled that +worthy, who had apparently not noticed what was +being said when the sheriff was talking; he having +hurried over to try and cut some slices from the +carcase of the big-horn, as he wished to get into the +habit of doing these handy things about camp.</p> + +<p>There now remained but Toby; and from the sly +wink which the guide gave Step Hen, upon seeing +the anxious look on the boy's face, it was plain that +he had grasped the situation immediately, and they +need not fear that he would betray Aleck.</p> + +<p>While the two men were eating a little later, Step +Hen tried to make up his mind as to what sort of a +party this so-called Artemus Rawson might be. If +he indeed proved to be a genuine brother of the man +who had discovered the silver lode, and the real +uncle of Aleck, then he must have been a different + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Page 162]</a></span> +sort of a man altogether from the boy's father. +On his small, rat-like face scheming was written +plainly; and the chances were, Step Hen concluded, +that he too knew something about the "find" Aleck +had lately made, and was plotting to get possession +of that precious chart to the mine.</p> + +<p>This gave Step Hen cause for sudden excitement. +The sheriff had just said they could not +stay all night with Toby and his charges; that they +were bound in the direction of the valley, called by +<i>business</i>. Then the chances were that they knew +something of the boy's plans, and that he might be +run across heading into the valley from the other +side. They had laid out to meet him on the way, +and take him by surprise.</p> + +<p>What bothered Step Hen was the fact that the +sheriff had just said they were likely to come upon +the camp of the scouts on the way, between then +and morning, and in case they did, he promised +himself the pleasure of dropping in to take a bite of +breakfast with the smart scoutmaster and his +chums, whom he would like to meet very much.</p> + +<p>Step Hen worried over this very nearly all the +time the two men were eating. He thought those +rat-like eyes of Artemus Rawson, so-called, were +often searching his face, as though the man suspected +that he knew something about the boy the +sheriff had been engaged to find; and that being the +case, the man would even go out of their way to + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Page 163]</a></span> +visit the camp of the scouts, to see whether the one +they sought might be stopping there.</p> + +<p>And how under the sun could Thad be warned of +the impending trouble?</p> + + +<hr /> +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> +<h3>PURE PLUCK.</h3> + +<p>"Well, I'm glad they're departed; because +somehow I couldn't fancy that Mr. Rawson the +least little bit," remarked Smithy, an hour later.</p> + +<p>"Do you really think they have gone for good, +Toby?" Step Hen asked, eagerly; "or might they +just make believe, and hang around here to see if +we had Aleck Rawson hidden away somewhere?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! they're gone, that's right enough," replied +the guide; "but I'm kinder of the notion they'll +make it a p'int to pay a visit to the other camp by +mornin', and p'raps sneak in on 'em by surprise +like."</p> + +<p>"Then you're of a mind that they have suspicions?" +asked Step Hen.</p> + +<p>"That thar Artemus Rawson I reckon he allers +has s'picions of everybody," replied Toby; "an' I +seen him watchin' you two boys pass winks an' nods +when the sheriff, he happened to say the gent's name +was Rawson."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Page 164]</a></span> + "Then he must have guessed that we knew something +about Aleck?" declared Davy.</p> + +<p>"Reckon as how he did," Toby responded.</p> + +<p>"But if that was so, how did it come that he +never once asked us if we knew a boy by the name +of Aleck Rawson?" Step Hen went on.</p> + +<p>"He was jest a leetle too slick for that," the +guide answered. "He knowed that you'd made up +your mind to deny everything; and he guessed how +the land laid. So right now, I shouldn't wonder a +bit but what he's atellin' Bob all about it; an' showin' +him how they'll as like as not find the boy they +want right smack in the camp of the Boy Scouts."</p> + +<p>"You're right, Toby!" cried Step Hen. "Now +I remember that the sheriff seemed a little bit inclined +to put up all night with us; but it was the +other who said he wanted to be on the move. He +even asked how long it would take to reach the +main valley over on the other side of this ridge, by +followin' the canyon route; and vowed he was good +for a few hours' tramp, if the sheriff was agreeable."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and he told how one of their hosses kim +down lame, so they had to leave both animals in +a place to rest up while they was in the mountains," +remarked the guide; "but it's sure too bad the way +things is a settin' for that boy."</p> + +<p>"You mean Aleck, I guess, don't you, Toby?" +asked Step Hen.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Aleck Rawson. I wanted to see the kid + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Page 165]</a></span> +git that mine his dad found years ago; but seems +to me the woods is full of people as think they orter +have a claim on it, afore the fambly of Jerry +Rawson. If so be this ole chap is a uncle to the +boy, he's a bad egg; I kin see that in his face. But +Sheriff Bob thinks he's doin' the right thing in +tryin' to arrest Aleck; and he'll take him away, if +he ever lays eyes on him. I say, it's too bad."</p> + +<p>"If we only could warn them?" said Smithy, +disconsolately.</p> + +<p>"Mebbe we can," remarked Step Hen, eagerly +looking at the guide in the same breath, as though +it depended a good deal upon Toby whether this +idea could be carried out, or not.</p> + +<p>"Oh! do you really mean it, Step Hen?" demanded +Smithy, brightening up; for he seemed to +be conscious of a new sense of reliance in the other +nowadays, something similar to that he felt in Thad +himself; Step Hen had been "doing things," and +that alone breeds confidence.</p> + +<p>"I'm wanting to ask Toby something first, before +I promise," remarked the other, cautiously, as became +one who valued his word not lightly.</p> + +<p>"Go on, then; what is it?" asked the guide.</p> + +<p>"Think hard, please," Step Hen continued, very +soberly; "and tell me if you believe you could take +me to a place, not a great ways off, where we would +be able to see the tents of the home camp, if daylight +was here."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Page 166]</a></span> + Toby's face turned into a grin; evidently he +grasped the idea that had flashed into the boy's +mind. After having seen how Giraffe had "talked" +with Aleck by means of "fire flashes," when the +Rawson boy was away up on that ledge of the cliff, +Toby was ready to believe these wonderful scouts +capable of almost anything in the line of "next +miracles."</p> + +<p>"Say, yes, I kin do that same now; that is, if you +think you'd be able to climb a leetle bit more," he +broke out with.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I am not all tuckered out yet," declared +Step Hen, proudly; "a bit sore from my scratches, +and that funny business, when I had to jump around +so lively with two savage eagles tryin' to tear my +eyes out; but you just show me, Toby, and see if I +don't toe the mark, like a scout always should."</p> + +<p>"I'm sure you will," said Toby, admiringly; and +the look on his face gave Step Hen a sense of reward +for all he had suffered; in fact he could not +remember ever feeling so pleased before, because +he knew Toby Smathers was reckoned a prime +judge of men, as they ran.</p> + +<p>"How long would it take us to get up there?" +asked Step Hen, carelessly; yet no doubt with more +or less anxiety, for he was conscious of the fact +that however willing the spirit might be, the flesh +was weak; and it meant a double trip, to go and +come again.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Page 167]</a></span> + "P'raps half an hour might do it," was the response +of the guide.</p> + +<p>"Up a place like this?" gasped Smithy, pointing +to the wall near them.</p> + +<p>"Well, I should hope not," said Davy Jones. +"They'd be crazy to try that sort of thing, with +only the moonlight to help."</p> + +<p>Step Hen did not say anything, but nevertheless +he waited with bated breath to hear the reply of +the guide, and seemed easier in his mind when Toby +remarked:</p> + +<p>"I don't doubt as he'd foller me, if I sez we +must climb up to the top of that same cliff agin; +but 'tain't necessary. This time we foller a canyon +up, till we gets to a p'int as gives ye a view of the +valley. I don't sure know, but I reckons we orter +to be able to ketch a glimpse of the fire."</p> + +<p>"Then let's start right now!" cried Step Hen; +"I'm all worked up with eagerness to block the +little game that the old Rawson uncle is settin' up +for poor Aleck. We said that we'd see the boy +through, and we're going to do it, or drop in our +tracks atryin'."</p> + +<p>He managed to get on his feet, though only with +an effort.</p> + +<p>"Oh! yes, I admit I'm some stiff," he said in +answer to Smithy's look of sympathy; "and I'd +like as not let Davy do it in my place; only he ain't +up in sendin' messages as much as I am. Wish + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Page 168]</a></span> +Giraffe was here; he's the boss hand at that. But +p'raps I c'n make Thad understand. I only hope +we get the camp, all right, that's all."</p> + +<p>It was the spirit that makes heroes that forced +Step Hen to quit that cozy camp, where he was feeling +so nice and comfortable; and follow after the +tireless guide, when he walked on up the canyon. +But they would not hear a single groan from him, +if he had to make his lips bleed, biting them with +his teeth. Step Hen had always wondered just +how the old martyrs felt, when they were being led +to the stake; he believed he knew now; for he experienced +a fierce sense of exultation with every +twinge of pain that walking gave him; but with set +teeth he kept grimly on.</p> + +<p>That was a long half hour to the scout. He +would never forget it to his dying day. And when +Toby finally, after what seemed an eternity, announced +that they must be very close on the point +where in the moonlight much of the big valley could +be seen dimly beyond, Step Hen mentally thanked +his stars again and again.</p> + +<p>Presently Toby turned, and looked.</p> + +<p>"Here she is!" he remarked; and the boy +grunted in reply; for there may be times when the +spirit of thanksgiving is too deep for utterance.</p> + +<p>"I see her," Toby remarked almost immediately +afterwards.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Page 169]</a></span> + "Do you mean the fire, Toby?" demanded Step +Hen.</p> + +<p>"It cain't be anything else, even though they've +let it get low. And now we've a job afore us, to get +some blaze started right here. Wood ain't too +plenty round these parts. Let's look for some."</p> + +<p>But when Step Hen started after him, the guide +made him sit down to rest, promising to come to +him when the fire was good and ready.</p> + +<p>"Your part of the work will begin about that +time; let me do this fire makin'," the good-hearted +guide insisted; and the boy was only too willing to +sink down.</p> + +<p>A short time afterwards, when Toby came to announce +that the fire was in full blast, with plenty +of good brands that might be used for torches; +he found poor Step Hen sound asleep, just as he +had dropped, being utterly exhausted. The guide +looked down at him with pity. He had taken a +great fancy for the plucky scout; and disliked +arousing him the worst kind; but there was no +other way.</p> + +<p>Step Hen had to be shaken half a dozen times +before he would consent to open his heavy eyes; +then he stared up at Toby, as though for the moment +he could not place things.</p> + +<p>"I got the fire started; and there's aplenty of +wood handy arter all, for you to use as torches +when you signal the camp!" said the guide, kindly.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Page 170]</a></span> + "Oh!" cried Step Hen sitting up, "to be sure; +and I really think I must have been dozing while +you were doing all the work, Toby. Give me a +hand, won't you, please; I'm ashamed to say my +legs seem so silly stiff at the knees I just can't +straighten 'em out? Wow! to think of me being +such a baby as to feel that little circus this way. +I'm real ashamed, that's what."</p> + +<p>"You ain't got no call to be, I promise you, boy," +declared the other, a tremor in his voice; "You +showed the pluck of a grown man. And if I could +a took yer place, which in course I couldn't, never +havin' been trained to wigwag, or handle a telegraph +key, I'd sure let you sleep on; for ye desarve +it, that's right."</p> + +<p>Step Hen made a few movements, regardless of +the pain it gave him, so as to get his arms in working +order; because he knew he would have to use +them a great deal, if he were lucky enough to get +an answer to his signals.</p> + +<p>The guide showed him where to stand, where he +would be in the shadow, and the blazing, moving +torch show; and he then pointed out the distant +fire, down through the gap in the mountain chain.</p> + +<p>"They ain't touched it since we kim here," he +remarked; "but that makes me think it might be +done any minit now. So p'raps ye'd better show me +the way to fling that there torch around, to let 'em + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Page 171]</a></span> +know we're here, an' wantin' to talk. I kin do +that part, I reckons, an' save you some work."</p> + +<p>Step Hen was agreeable, for he knew that he +would have all he could do later on, to handle that +beacon, should he find a chance to send the message +he wanted the scoutmaster to get.</p> + +<p>For some time Toby waved his torch around +without there being any response; and it began to +look as though he might have all his trouble for his +pains, when Step Hen was heard to give a little +eager cry.</p> + +<p>"There!" he exclaimed, "I believe I saw a light +move, just then. Yes, look, Toby, there it is again; +and as sure as you live, they're answering us! +Now, give me the torch. I only hope I haven't forgotten +all I knew about sending messages, because +all poor Aleck's hopes for his future may hang on +my being able to warn them the sheriff and old +Artemus Rawson are heading that way. Now +watch close, Toby! I'm going to start in."</p> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Page 172]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> +<h3>THE WARNING.</h3> + +<p>Step Hen was all of a tremble when he first began +to handle that burning splinter of wood, provided +by Toby Smathers, to serve as a fiery pen; +and with which he hoped to write letters in the +dark background he had chosen for his location.</p> + +<p>Just as he had himself declared, regretfully now, +Step Hen had never been a shining light in this +code business. Indeed, up to lately, he had rather +considered the whole thing something of a great +bore; and when ordered out on the hills to wave +signal flags, he had only obeyed under protest. +There had been plenty of things he much preferred +to this sort of detail work.</p> + +<p>But after seeing how successfully a method of +communication had been established between the +scouts in camp, and Aleck, when the latter was +being held a prisoner up on that shelf of rock, Step +Hen had had his eyes opened. He realized what a +really valuable thing a little knowledge along these +lines was apt to prove, at most any time. And he +had then and there resolved to improve his scanty +share of information whenever the chance came.</p> + +<p>Right now he was secretly glad that since that + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Page 173]</a></span> +occasion he had been asking some questions along +the line of acquiring information. He had even +had half an hour's practice with Thad, early in the +morning, sending and receiving messages.</p> + +<p>How fortunate that was, Step Hen reflected, +just now, when he found himself placed in a position +where a knowledge of wigwag work was +going to prove of the utmost importance to the boy +whom the scouts had taken in charge.</p> + +<p>At the same time it was with considerable nervousness +that he started in to ask his first question. +He meant to inquire if the one answering him were +Thad himself; but when he had made the last letter +of the message Step Hen was afraid it might seem +so bungled that all he would receive might be the +well-known signal:</p> + +<p>"Don't understand—repeat message!"</p> + +<p>But to his delight there came the three letters:</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>Encouraged by this, Step Hen became more ambitious. +He spelled out his own name, and added +a few more words:</p> + +<p>"This is Step Hen—something important!"</p> + +<p>Then he almost held his breath as he waited to +see what effect this would have. The answer began +to come back, slowly and positively, Thad allowing +plenty of time for the other to make sure of every +sign. And staring eagerly, unconsciously spelling + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Page 174]</a></span> +aloud just as he received the message, Step Hen +caught this:</p> + +<p>"All right—understand—let us have news."</p> + +<p>"It's going splendidly, Toby!" cried Step Hen, +almost ready to jump up and down, in his excitement +and joy, despite his wearied condition. +"Thad's taking it, word for word. I reckon I c'n +make him understand <i>something</i>, even if I am such +a big bungler at this thing. But I tell you right +now, after this I'm going in for wigwag work the +hardest you ever saw. It's the greatest stunt a +scout can follow up. Why, it's worth everything +else at such a time as this. Now to tell him about +the two men headed that way, and how they're +after Aleck Rawson."</p> + +<p>With that Step Hen once more applied himself +to the task before him. His heart was set on doing +something that the scoutmaster would compliment +him on when next they met. Step Hen had +aroused himself to the fact that an occasion like +this demanded that a scout should prove his worth. +It might mean a merit medal for him, if his services +were deemed of sufficient value.</p> + +<p>Toby, seeing that the torch would not be likely +to last out the labored conversation that was to follow, +busied himself in getting another ready. As +he was as good a hand at a fire as Giraffe, this did +not prove a heavy task.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Step Hen kept on sending his messages + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Page 175]</a></span> +in short, jerky sentences. He lacked confidence +in himself, and dared not launch boldly forth +in a description of the strange thing that had happened +since the four of them had made camp, after +their big-horn hunt. When he had spelled a sentence +he would almost invariably add the query, +"understand?" meaning to repeat if the answer +came in the negative. But Thad was an expert at +this sort of work, and could puzzle out the meaning +of what Step Hen so blunderingly sent, almost +as though he might be a mind reader.</p> + +<p>"Two men came into our camp after dark!" +went the opening message.</p> + +<p>"Yes," Thad replied, briefly, and evidently not +meaning to say anything calculated to confuse the +signal sender.</p> + +<p>"One a sheriff, name Bob McNulty."</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Other older man,—name Artemus Rawson.—Get +that?"</p> + +<p>There was a little interval at that. Perhaps Thad +might be figuring it out; or he may have mentioned +the name aloud, and be speaking with some one who +was near by, possibly asking Aleck if he recognized +the name.</p> + +<p>"Yes," came the flash, presently.</p> + +<p>Step Hen had begun to grow cold. He felt that +if he once found himself cornered, and making mistakes, +he was apt to get rattled in his excitement, + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Page 176]</a></span> +and forget the little he really did know about sending +and receiving. So when Thad replied that he +had grasped even that name, the sender found himself +imbued with another relay of confidence. +When he started in once more, he sent a little +faster, though the scoutmaster at the first opportunity +warned him to go slow and sure.</p> + +<p>"Say looking for Aleck—that he has robbed +uncle—headed down valley when left here—Understand +that?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but not so fast. Go on," came the reply.</p> + +<p>Step Hen understood that Thad gave him this +warning, not because he was himself unable to receive +at that rate, for he had seen the patrol leader +and Allan go smoothly along at twice the pace. He +was thinking of Step Hen, for he knew what was +apt to happen if once the other overstepped the +bounds, and muddled himself up; as like as not he +would get his signals mixed, and after that be +utterly unable to send coherently.</p> + +<p>"Be with you by morning—we think they suspect +Aleck there—you know what to do."</p> + +<p>"Yes. Good for you. Anymore?"</p> + +<p>Step Hen sighed with relief. The great burden +of responsibility had fallen from his shoulders on +to those broad ones of the scoutmaster. Yes, Thad +would surely know what to do—he always did +when the emergency arose. And that was what + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Page 177]</a></span> +made his chums feel such implicit confidence in +their leader.</p> + +<p>And Step Hen thought that while he was about +it, and the message business working so very +smoothly, he might as well let Thad know of their +success; so he managed to say:</p> + +<p>"We got two sheep!"</p> + +<p>"Good again."</p> + +<p>"Smithy shot one—I got other—had warm time +I tell you. Anything new at the camp?"</p> + +<p>"Sure. They came and paid us a visit," Thad +replied, slowly, so that not a word did Step Hen +lose as he spelled the message out.</p> + +<p>"Do you mean Kracker?" he demanded.</p> + +<p>"Yes. He tried to ride over us rough-shod; but +we took him down a peg. Sent the three men away—kept +their guns—looking out for them all the +time—if you happen to meet hold them off—Toby +will know."</p> + +<p>That was an extra long one to take, and several +times Step Hen had to wave his torch so as to interrupt +the sender, and have him go back to the last +period to repeat what he had to communicate. For +of course Step Hen, like all new beginners in wigwag +work, telegraphy, and kindred things, was a +better hand at sending than receiving; because in +the one case he knew in his own mind what was +coming next, and was not apt to get confused; while +in taking a message, if he lost one small fraction of + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Page 178]</a></span> +the same, while his mind was grappling with that, +he failed to catch the next letter, and thus was apt +to become hopelessly entangled.</p> + +<p>But thanks to <a name="the" id="the"></a>the intelligent manner in which +Thad managed his end of the air wire, and the positive +way in which he moved his fire pencil, the message +was finally all grasped, though Step Hen was +rapidly becoming exhausted by his efforts, and the +mental strain that bore on him so heavily.</p> + +<p>"Better quit thar!" advised the guide, who kept +a close watch on things, and was able to understand +just what the tired boy was enduring.</p> + +<p>"Pretty soon, Toby," replied Step Hen, slowly. +"I've done better than I ever thought I would, and +Thad knows about that Artemus Rawson. He'll +see to it that Aleck isn't around when they come to +camp. Oh! ain't I glad though I brushed up my +code work with him early in the morning, though. +That business with Aleck in the night made me +ashamed to be so dull. I want to ask him one more +question, for there he's waving to know if I'm +done."</p> + +<p>"Get through quick, then; we orter be back in +camp," said the guide, not unkindly, but because he +saw the condition of Step Hen.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" Thad was signaling, waiting each +time after asking the question, to receive an answer.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Page 179]</a></span> + "Will you have Aleck hide himself?" asked the +other.</p> + +<p>"Sure thing."</p> + +<p>"We'll head back to camp in morning—have to +get Smithy's horns first," went on Step Hen.</p> + +<p>"Has he taken to growing a pair?" Thad asked, +quizzically.</p> + +<p>"His sheep I mean—lies back a bit—look for us +about noon."</p> + +<p>"That all?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. Good-bye!"</p> + +<p>The last wavering movements of Thad's torch +far away in the distance told that he was echoing +this concluding word. Then it vanished.</p> + +<p>The talk-fest was over; and Step Hen felt that +at least he had done himself proud for one who had +paid so little attention to this really important adjunct +to the education of a Boy Scout.</p> + +<p>"And mark me, Toby," he mumbled as the guide +kindly threw an arm about his tottering figure, +though Step Hen hardly comprehended the fact, +"I'm agoin' to take up wigwag work after this, +sure I am. Never thought it could be so interestin'. +It's sure great. Here's our camp, ain't it? You +tell the boys what I did, won't you Toby; I'm feelin' +kinder tired like? Guess I'll sit down a spell."</p> + +<p>Davy Jones and Smithy were wild to know how +it had all turned out; and while the murmur of the +guide's voice sounded, as he related the story of the + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Page 180]</a></span> +message sending, poor played-out Step Hen sank +to the ground, dead for sleep.</p> + +<p>In less than two minutes he was lost to the world, +the last thing he heard being the low voice of Toby +Smathers, recounting the recent splendid feat of the +scout whose message had undoubtedly saved Aleck +Rawson from impending trouble.</p> + + +<hr /> +<h2>CHAPTER XX.</h2> +<h3>SHERIFF BOB'S BOMB EXPLODES.</h3> + +<p>"There they come!"</p> + +<p>It was the observant "Old Eagle Eye," as some +of the boys called Giraffe, who gave utterance to +these words.</p> + +<p>Early morning was at hand. All through the +balance of the night those left in the camp in the +valley had been momentarily expecting to have the +sheriff and his older companion drop in on them; +but possibly Artemus may have found himself unable +to travel as fast as his ambition would force +him, and the pair had been compelled to rest up +somewhere on the road.</p> + +<p>Every one in the camp was of course on the line +of duty at daybreak. While Bumpus and Bob +White started to get breakfast, Giraffe and Allan + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Page 181]</a></span> +were using their eyes as best they could, seeing that +the mists still hung over the valley, obscuring things +at a little distance.</p> + +<p>Thad was invisible, also Aleck. Truth to tell +they had betaken themselves off within an hour +after that astounding message was received from +the far-distant point where Step Hen waved his +fiery torch.</p> + +<p>Of course, one of the first things Thad had done +was to question the other concerning this man who +called himself Artemus Rawson. Aleck admitted +that he was in truth his own uncle; but added that +the lawyer from Denver had fallen under the same +spell as many others, and was allowing himself to +dream of being the one to re-discover the long-lost +mine.</p> + +<p>Aleck had said that it seemed as though every +one who heard about it became imbued with a mad +desire to possess the treasure. There was Kracker +who had made several long searching trips up here +with that one object in view; and was even then +doing everything in his power to get possession of +the secret.</p> + +<p>Crafty Uncle Artemus had gone about it in a +different way. He had hung around the dwelling-place +of the widow, and in his sly, lawyer-like +method, tried to learn what was going on. He suspected +that the secret of the location of the mine +had been discovered in some way, from the change + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Page 182]</a></span> +in the atmosphere about the Rawson home, and +the air of excitement that could not easily be subdued; +but no matter how he tried, he could not +learn just what it all meant.</p> + +<p>Then came the sudden vanishing of Aleck. This +must have given the lawyer points and he started +after the boy. His accusation concerning his +nephew having robbed him was of course all a part +of a fine little scheme he had hatched up. While +the big prospector believed in actual force to squeeze +the secret from the unwilling lips of the lad; shrewd +Uncle Artemus was inclined to try and make a +show of having the law on his side.</p> + +<p>But in both cases, actually robbery was intended.</p> + +<p>And Thad believed every word of the explanation +made by Aleck. He could not have done +otherwise, looking in those frank and fearless eyes, +and reading the clean soul of the Rawson boy.</p> + +<p>So the scoutmaster had decided that he and Aleck +would disappear from the valley camp for a short +time, leaving no trail by which they could be followed. +He did not tell a single one of his chums +just what the plan was, because he was desirous of +keeping the secret. Then, in case the sheriff questioned +them concerning the movements of the missing +two, they could truthfully declare they did not +know a thing about them.</p> + +<p>But Thad made preparations looking to the +carrying-out of a bold project which he and the + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Page 183]</a></span> +Rawson boy had talked over between themselves. +This was nothing more nor less than a hunt for the +long-hidden silver mine!</p> + +<p>Thad thought that the sooner Aleck made sure +his little chart, found concealed in the back of that +small pocket mirror which his dying father had +placed in his hands, was correct, the better.</p> + +<p>And that accounted for several queer things he +did on leaving camp, one of which, the taking of +the only lantern they had brought with them, astonished +Bumpus very much indeed, not to mention +Giraffe and Bob White.</p> + +<p>The Fox had not been invited to join in the expedition; +but later on it was found that he had disappeared. +Still, no one was worried, for it seemed +to be taken for granted that he must have followed +Thad and Aleck. They remembered that the latter +had claimed a long-standing friendship with the +Fox. And it was also known that the Crow boy +had become an ardent admirer of the scoutmaster, +whom he believed to be a chief worth serving.</p> + +<p>When Old Eagle Eye, then, announced that the +two men were coming, the others craned their +necks to look. Allan told them not to appear too +curious; and so those who were busy at the fire +went on with their culinary labors, cooking a bountiful +breakfast, as it seemed that they might have +company.</p> + +<p>Sheriff Bob and the lawyer soon strode into + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Page 184]</a></span> +camp—at least the officer did the striding part, for +old Artemus seemed pretty nearly fagged out. A +burning desire to acquire a glorious fortune so +easily was all that kept him up, otherwise he would +never have been able to have stood the long tramp +as he did.</p> + +<p>The first thing the sheriff did after replying to +the salutation of Allan, was to scan each one of +the four boys in turn, and then turning to his companion, +say tersely:</p> + +<p>"None of these the one you want, I reckon, +sir?"</p> + +<p>The old Denver lawyer looked dreadfully disappointed. +His ferrit-like eyes had flitted from one +to another of the scouts, and each time he changed +base his long cunning face grew more like a blank.</p> + +<p>"No, my nephew isn't in sight, as I can see, +Sheriff," he replied, with a frown, and a look +toward Allan, as though to say that it was his opinion +the boy might produce the one they sought, if +proper force were applied.</p> + +<p>"Having a hunt up here in the mountains, are +you, boys?" asked the sheriff, as he followed the +example of the lawyer, and dropped down near the +fire, crossing his legs tailor-fashion, as though he +meant to make himself quite at home.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we want to get a big-horn or so to take +back with us," replied Allan.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Page 185]</a></span> + "Just the four of you?" continued the other, +arching his heavy brows as if with surprise.</p> + +<p>"Oh! no, there are a lot of other fellows," replied +the scout who took Thad's place as leader +when the other happened to be absent.</p> + +<p>"Oh! that's it, eh? Rest off on a little side hunt +right now, I reckon. P'raps you've got a guide +along with you, too?" the officer continued, bending +his neck, so that he could see inside the nearest +tent, the flap of which happened to be on the side +toward him, and thrown back to allow of ventilation.</p> + +<p>"Oh! yes, we've got a guide now, though for a +long time we had to go it alone, and managed to +get on pretty well," Allan continued, wondering why +it was he could catch a peculiar quizzical gleam in +the snapping eyes of the other, once in a while, +when the sheriff looked straight at him.</p> + +<p>"Who is he; perhaps I might happen to know +him?" asked the other, accepting a tin cup filled +with coffee, from Bumpus.</p> + +<p>"I'm sure you do, sir," Allan hastened to remark; +and then, remembering that he was not supposed +to know of the visit the sheriff and his employer +had paid to the camp of the big-horn hunters +on the previous night, he hastened to add: "everybody +knows honest <a name="Toby" id="Toby"></a>Toby Smathers, the forest +ranger, I should think."</p> + +<p>"Well, I should say, yes, I did," replied the + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Page 186]</a></span> +other, commencing to calmly devour the piece of +venison that had been placed on his platter, as +though his appetite was sharp indeed this bracing +morning. "And so you boys have come away out +here just to see what we've got in these Rockies, +eh?"</p> + +<p>"Just what we have, sir," replied Giraffe, thinking +that he would like to have the sheriff notice him +a little.</p> + +<p>"And I declare, you seem to be fixed pretty comfortable +like," the other went on. "Just look at +the tents they brought with them, Mr. Rawson. +I've always said that on the whole they were better +than the old-fashioned tents. You can see how +the heat of the fire on a cold night is sent back +into the tent; and there's aplenty of head-room +here. Yes, both of 'em as cozy as you please."</p> + +<p>He had seemed so very much interested in the +subject that he even laid down his tin cup and platter, +and gaining his feet, passed over, to peer into +each tent, as if bent on ascertaining what the interior +looked like.</p> + +<p>Allan, of course, knew just what this meant. +The sheriff was looking for Aleck, as if he half-expected +to find the hunted boy concealed under a +pile of blankets. And yet it puzzled Allan to note +that, in spite of the keen disappointment which +would naturally follow a failure to locate the boy, +Sheriff Bob was even chuckling as he once more sat + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Page 187]</a></span> +him down in the circle, and resumed operations on +his breakfast.</p> + +<p>Something seemed to be amusing him, Allan +wished he could tell what. He felt it must have +some connection with the search for Aleck Rawson; +though for the life of him he could not decide +what was in the sheriff's mind.</p> + +<p>The talk soon became general, though Artemus +took no part in it. He sent a beseeching glance +every now and then in the direction of the officer, +as if begging him to do something; but whatever +it might be, evidently Sheriff Bob was in no hurry, +and meant to finish that good breakfast first, anyway.</p> + +<p>Presently, as he emptied his platter the second +time, and swallowed his third cup of scalding Java +the officer remarked:</p> + +<p>"I know something about the Boy Scouts myself, +it happens. Got a youngster down below that +belongs to a troop. Great thing. Teaches lads lots +of the right kind of outdoor business. Makes 'em +healthy, and able to depend on themselves a heap. +My kid, he's dead stuck on this signal business with +flags and such. Glad to see it, too. Takes me back +to old times, as sure as you live."</p> + +<p>He stopped there, and seemed to reflect. It was +as though memories might be arising that were +pleasant to look back upon. Meanwhile Allan was +conscious of something like a little thrill passing + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Page 188]</a></span> +through him. He seemed to feel that this was no +accidental mention on the part of the man with the +twinkle in his eye; but in fact, it might have something +deep back of it.</p> + +<p>"Yes," Sheriff Bob went on, presently, turning +straight toward Allan now. "I used to belong in +the army years ago—spent six years of my life in +the Signal Corps, and was accounted a pretty good +operator in wigwag, telegraph, telephone building, +and heliograph work while I served. And honest +now, I must say I never enjoyed a finer half hour +than I spent last night, sitting on a rock up yonder, +and watching that lively little confab you held with +your chum, who, I think was the boy calling himself +Step Hen. He did the job up pretty well, considering; +and as for your Thad, he's chain lightning +on the send. Yes, siree bob, that was a picnic +to an old Signal Corps man like me, as you can +easily understand, my boy!"</p> + +<p>The four scouts sat there as if frozen stiff. Consternation +was written all over their faces; and no +wonder the humorous sheriff, as he saw what a +bomb he had exploded, chuckled, and then laughed +aloud.</p> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Page 189]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXI.</h2> +<h3>HEARING ALECK'S SIDE OF THE STORY.</h3> + +<p>That good and hearty laugh on the part of the +sheriff did more to reassure the scouts than anything +else could have done. Giraffe, who had been +holding his very breath in consternation, allowed +the air to flow in and out of his lungs again; Bumpus +regained his color, while his staring eyes concluded +apparently not to pop out of his head this +time; and as for Allan and Bob White, they lost +some of the look of alarm that had spread over +their faces.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it was as good as a circus to just sit thar, +and enjoy reading that little talk," the sheriff went +on to say. "I could <a name="most" id="most"></a>'most imagine myself back +again in the army, out in the Philippines, teachin' +some of the awkward squad their p's and q's. And +the news was some interestin', too. So Aleck, he +was to make himself scarce, was he? Seems like +he did that same, too," with another chuckle, and +a shrug of his shoulders toward the tents which +he had so lately examined without profit.</p> + +<p>Allan hardly knew what to say; but boldly taking +up the cudgels he presently remarked:</p> + +<p>"Well, Mr. Sheriff, what else could we do? + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Page 190]</a></span> +Aleck was a scout, one of our organization; and if +you've got a son who belongs to it, you must know +that a scout is always supposed to be ready to hold +out a helping hand to a fellow member. Aleck was +in trouble. He had fallen into the hands of a party +of prospectors, headed by Colonel Kracker, who +were bent on forcing him to give up the secret they +thought he carried, concerning the long-lost silver +mine his father was said to have discovered years +ago."</p> + +<p>"H'm! say you so, boy?" the other observed, +while the lawyer pricked up his ears, as if suddenly +interested. "Kracker around here, is he? Well, +that's some interesting news, you're telling me. +You say the boy had fallen into their hands, and +that you rescued him?"</p> + +<p>"If you'd like to hear about it, I'll be only too +glad to tell you," Allan went on to say, eagerly; +for somehow he had already taken quite a fancy +toward this sheriff with the humorous twinkle in +his eye, and thought it only right to make a friend +of him, if it could be done.</p> + +<p>"All nonsense, Mr. Sheriff," spluttered old Artemus, +who feared lest his case might be losing its +grip, and that the officer would refuse to aid him +even were the boy found. "He's trying to swing +your sympathies around against my interests. Remember +that you carry a warrant, and are sworn to +serve it."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Page 191]</a></span> + "I always does my duty, Mr. Rawson, don't you +fear," replied the sheriff, with a frown; "but just +now it's a part of my business to hear all I can +concerning the way your nephew came to join in +with these Boy Scouts. Now, just go on telling me +what you started to say, my boy."</p> + +<p>At that Allan picked up fresh courage. The +sheriff was inclined to favor them, he realized, even +at the expense of straining his "duty."</p> + +<p>"Why, one of our number, Giraffe here," he +said, "happened to be practicing the wigwag code +outside the camp, in the darkness, using a brand +he'd picked from the fire; when to his astonishment +he saw answering signals from what seemed +to be the sky. Well, when we made out the one +word 'help!' you see our interest was at once raised +to fever pitch."</p> + +<p>"I should say it would be," remarked Sheriff +Bob, showing the deepest attention, as though the +prospect for developments in the story began to +excite him.</p> + +<p>"Our scoutmaster took matters in hand," Allan +went on. "You just said he was clever at sending +and receiving messages. Well, he's a cracker-jack, +that's what he is. And it so happened that Aleck, +he not only belonged to the scouts, and had learned +everything about signaling; but he served as a telegraph +operator for a short time on a side road, when +the regular man was taken sick; so he could even + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Page 192]</a></span> +beat our Thad at talking with his hands; and that's +going some, I tell you."</p> + +<p>"But what was Aleck doing up there; and where +was he at the time?" asked the deeply interested +sheriff.</p> + +<p>"Kracker and his two men had caught Aleck; +and unable to make him tell what they wanted, +what do you think the cowards did? Lowered the +boy down to a shelf on the face of the cliff, and +left him there, saying he would starve unless he +weakened, and gave up his secret; which Aleck +vows belongs to his mother alone, and nothing on +earth would make him betray."</p> + +<p>"And they left him there, did they?" growled +Sheriff Bob, frowning in a way to indicate his opinion +of the said Kracker.</p> + +<p>"Just what they did. He saw us come into the +valley, but thought we might only be some more of +the same kind of wolves, wanting to torture a poor +boy. But when he saw Giraffe, here, making letters +with his fire-stick, something told Aleck we +must be Boy Scouts. So, finding some wood on the +ledge, he managed to make a little fire in a crack +that ran into the rock; and with a brand from this +he started to call, repeating that one word over and +over again—'help'!"</p> + +<p>"This here is some interesting to me, son," remarked +the big sheriff, as Allan paused to get his +breath, for he was talking so fast and so eagerly + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Page 193]</a></span> +that he had almost exhausted himself. "And so, +after you learned where he was, and how he came +to be thar, I reckon now you boys started to climb +up and rescue the other—how?"</p> + +<p>"That's what we did, sir," broke in Giraffe, +eagerly. "Four of us, counting the guide, managed +to climb up the mountain, and with a rope we +carried, hooked Aleck up off that ledge the prettiest +you ever saw, that's what we did," with a defiant +look toward old Artemus, who was sniffing through +all this talk, just as though he refused to believe a +word of it.</p> + +<p>"And that's the way we came to have him in +our camp, sir," Allan went on to say. "We heard +his story, and believed it, too. He's got a mother, +and a lot of little sisters, who look to him to carry +out the work his father started. But every one +who ever hears a word about that hidden mine +Jerry Rawson once found, seems to be just crazy +to take it away from his widow. She has hardly a +single friend to trust. Even her relatives plot to +beat her out of this valuable mining property, and +try all sorts of things, in hopes of getting hold of +the secret. And now you know just where we +stand, Mr. Sheriff. As scouts we must stay friends +of Aleck. He <i>was</i> here, just as you know; but he's +gone away, and none of us know where to. Thad +took him off during the night, and all he said was +we might expect to see him again when he showed + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Page 194]</a></span> +up. So you can't pump any information out of us, +you see."</p> + +<p>"And even if we knew anything, we wouldn't +tell," asserted <a name="Giraffe" id="Giraffe"></a>Giraffe, belligerently, feeling that the +honor of a scout was in question right then.</p> + +<p>The sheriff looked from one to another of those +four boyish faces.</p> + +<p>"By George! now, I reckon it wouldn't be any +use in me tryin' to scare you by threatening to jail +you for aiding in the escape of a desperate criminal, +would it?" he remarked, pretending to look very +serious, but with that twinkle again in evidence, as +Allan saw.</p> + +<p>"You just couldn't;" declared Giraffe, while +Bumpus began to move a little uneasily in his seat; +"in the first place, we don't know anything more'n +we've told you; secondly, we haven't assisted anybody +to escape, because we're right here, johnny-on-the-spot, +and it's our scoutmaster who's gone; +and then, last of all, there ain't any desperate criminal +at all; only a poor, persecuted boy, with the +grit that you just want your own chap to show, Mr. +Sheriff,—ready to fight everybody, for the sake of +his mother and sisters."</p> + +<p>Sheriff Bob wagged his head slowly, as though +mentally digesting what the other had just said.</p> + +<p>"H'm! that remains to be seen, boy," he remarked; +although Giraffe believed he did not feel +one-half as ferocious as he chose to look just then. + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Page 195]</a></span> +"Duty is duty, no matter how unpleasant it may +seem, sometimes."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad to hear you take that sensible view of +the matter, Mr. Sheriff," said the old Denver lawyer, +in his oily tones. "You mustn't believe one-tenth +of what boys say. They would as soon prevaricate +as eat their breakfast; that is, some of the +breed would, though doubtless your son is an exception +to the rule. These scouts, as they choose +to call themselves, have fixed up a story to suit +themselves, and they hope to enlist your sympathy; +but I know that a stern sense of duty will compel +you to close your ears to anything they may say. I +demand that you exercise every effort possible, +looking to the immediate arrest of my rascally +nephew, Alexander Rawson, whom I accuse of +stealing valuable papers from my pocketbook while +I was a guest under his mother's roof, and then +disappearing."</p> + +<p>"Oh! very well, sir, don't excite yourself about +my movements," remarked Sheriff Bob, assuming +a pompous air, though Allan thought he winked +slily in his direction while speaking. "You will +find no cause to complain to my superiors concerning +any shortcomings on my part. And up to now, +you must admit I have been unflagging in my +endeavor to locate the fugitive from justice. Make +your mind easy, Mr. Rawson, I see my duty clear +in the premises, and can be depended on to do it."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Page 196]</a></span> + Watching his chance a little later Allan followed +the sheriff, when the latter went to get a drink of +water near by. Artemus looked as though he +wanted to keep them from having any communications +out of his range of hearing; but he sank back +in his seat again, plainly afraid of invoking the +anger of the big sheriff, who, he already felt, did +not feel any too warmly toward him and his cause.</p> + +<p>And as they sat down by the little stream to dip +up some of the clear water with the tin cup Sheriff +Bob had made sure to fetch along, Allan made it +a point to tell the other all that Aleck had said +about the motives of his father's lawyer brother, +and how for a long time he had bothered the +widow, trying to find out if she knew anything +about the hidden mine; which until lately of course +she had not.</p> + +<p>Allan knew how to talk. Moreover, he had an +interested listener in the officer, and that counted +for a great deal. Besides, he felt deeply for the +persecuted boy, and his heart was filled with a desire +to assist him secure the legacy left by his father, +than whom no living soul had ever gazed upon the +hidden mine.</p> + +<p>Sheriff Bob listened to all that the boy said. +Several times he scratched his head reflectively, and +made a grimace, as though conflicting forces had +begun to engage him in an inward war.</p> + +<p>And when finally Allan declared that he now + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Page 197]</a></span> +knew all, the officer drew a long breath, and remarked, +quietly:</p> + +<p>"I seem to smell a pretty good-sized rat about +this game Mr. Artemus is putting up; but as I said, +the warrant he swore out is in my hands for serving, +and I just reckon I'll have to do my sworn +duty and arrest this same Aleck——that is, if so be +he shows up while we're around here."</p> + +<p>Allan looked him squarely in the eye; and he was +sure one of the lids above the blue orbs of the +official dropped a little in a suggestive way.</p> + +<p>He too drew a long breath, and with a smile on +his boyish face, said as he arose:</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Mr. Sheriff, thank you very much!"</p> + + +<hr /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXII.</h2> +<h3>THE GUARDIAN OF THE SILVER LODE.</h3> + +<p>As has been mentioned before, Thad had a plan +in view when he left the camp in company with +Aleck, somewhere about midnight. Though for +certain reasons which he considered good, he had +not seen fit to take a single one of his comrades into +his confidence, the scoutmaster believed that the +only way for Aleck to win his own game was to find +the long-lost mine, and take possession of the same + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Page 198]</a></span> +in the name of his father, who had been the original +discoverer of the lode.</p> + +<p>Scores of hungry prospectors, besides Kracker, +had done everything in their power to locate the +mine; though none had descended to his last unworthy +methods of trying to torture Jerry Rawson's +son, in the hope of profiting thereby. As the claim +of the original discoverer rested only on a scant +foundation, of course the man lucky enough to find +the silver lode again would have a right to hold +possession, in the eye of the law. He might choose +to pay the widow something, but even that was a +matter resting solely upon his conscience.</p> + +<p>Thad had a reason for carrying the only lantern +belonging to the scouts; and he hoped that if they +were so lucky as to find that Aleck's rude little chart +told the truth, they might utilize that means of +illumination when entering the mine.</p> + +<p>Of course both of them carried their guns, for +there was no telling when they could return to +camp. An arrangement had been with Allan, so +that day and night there would be a sign shown, +calculated to tell the absent ones whether the coast +were clear, or the lawyer and sheriff still hovered +near by, waiting to entrap the Rawson boy, should +he show up.</p> + +<p>They had moved along for some time, when Aleck +broke the silence by saying, with considerable feeling +in his voice:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Page 199]</a></span> + "It makes me glad to know you believed what I +told you, Thad, about that business of my uncle. If +you could only meet up with him once, I'm sure +you'd know the tricky kind of man he is, just from +his looks, and the smooth way he talks. But no +matter what they all do and say, I'm just bound to +carry my plans out. My mother approves of what +I am doing; and she is thinking of me, and praying +all the time I'm up here, trying to take dad's place."</p> + +<p>"Don't mention it," said Thad, quickly. "Of +course we all believe every word you told us, no +matter whether we've met this rascally uncle of +yours or not. Our chum Step Hen did, and I +reckon he wasn't much impressed with him, from +the way he talked. And as you belong to the +scouts, our first duty is to stand by you through +thick and thin."</p> + +<p>"Only as long as you believe in my word, Thad," +added the other.</p> + +<p>"That's true," returned the other, quickly; "even +a scout has no business sticking up for a comrade +when he knows the other is in the wrong; but we +believe in you, Aleck. And if only you could find +that mine, I feel sure all of this funny business +would stop. Once you had put in a claim, with the +proper witnesses, and hurried to file it before the +court, nobody could steal it away. And that's +going to be just where the Boy Scouts can help +you."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Page 200]</a></span> + "Well, we'll know more than we do now, before +a great many hours," asserted the miner's son; +"unless this little map is all wrong, and poor dad +only believed he had found a rich lode. But remember, +he brought home specimens that were +nearly pure silver; and every one who saw them +said they beat the world for richness. I can remember +my dad saying that there were tons and +tons without end of that same sort, in <i>his</i> mine. +And then he was suddenly taken down sick, and died +with the secret untold. All these long years, when +we've been poor and wanting many things, there +that secret lay in my hand, oh! hundreds of times, +and I never dreamed of it still accident showed +me the paper, back of the glass in the little pocket +mirror that dad had carried with him a long time."</p> + +<p>They relapsed into silence again for a long time, +each busy with his thoughts. Aleck knew what +few simple directions his rude chart carried; he had +gazed at it so many times that it was photographed +on his mind, and there had been no need for him +to rip the seam of his coat, and take the slip of +faded paper out. Kracker had not dreamed how +near the coveted clue had been to his hands, at the +time he actually held the boy, and closely examined +all his pockets.</p> + +<p>"It's lucky," remarked Thad, after fully an hour +more had passed, with both boys pushing forward +steadily all the time, over rugged ways that severely + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Page 201]</a></span> +tried their abilities—"it's lucky, I say, that we are +heading exactly away from the direction where that +Sheriff, and your uncle, must be coming from."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but I knew we'd do that before we ever +started out," replied Aleck.</p> + +<p>"You've been sizing up the region all day in +camp, and laying your plans, if the chance ever +came to try them out; isn't that so, Aleck?"</p> + +<p>"You never said truer words in your life, Thad," +answered the other. "I found a pretty high rock +on which I could perch; and that gave me a chance +to look over in this region with those fine glasses +of yours. And I tell you now, it gave me a great +thrill when I recognized something dad had marked +on that little chart. It seemed just as if I could +hear his voice calling me from the grave, and telling +me I was doing the right thing—to go ahead, +no matter who tried to stop me."</p> + +<p>"What sort of a land-mark was it you saw?" +asked the other scout.</p> + +<p>"Why, you see, he made a rough sketch of a rock +that looks a whole lot like a human head," Aleck +went on to say, earnestly.</p> + +<p>"Why, hello! I remember noticing that very +same rock, the time I went up to take a look, and +see if I could get a glimpse of our hunter squad. +While about it, I turned the glasses around, to see +if there were any sheep on the sides of the mountains +to the south. And it was right then I saw + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Page 202]</a></span> +that outline of a face, cut in the rock, just like somebody +had used a giant chisel and made it—nose, +mouth, chin, forehead, all complete. It startled me +a little at first, Aleck."</p> + +<p>"I should guess it would, Thad; but think what +it meant to <i>me</i>, when I had seen it on dad's little +chart; and knew that the entrance to his hidden +mine lay almost in the shadow of that face! I +think he looked on it as the rock guardian to his +silver lode."</p> + +<p>"Is that a fact?" ejaculated Thad, partaking +in a measure of the excitement that shook the frame +of his companion; "Well, that's more than you've +seen fit to tell me before, Aleck; and it's some +interesting, I own up."</p> + +<p>"I meant to tell you everything, Thad, believe +me," declared the other, quickly, and with some +emotion. "After the fine way you and your chums +rescued me from that shelf up on the face of the +cliff, and said you'd stand by me, no matter what +happened, why, I made up my mind that I would +keep nothing back from you. By to-morrow I expected +to take the map out from the lining of my +coat, where it was sewed in by my mother's own +dear hands, so that nobody would ever think things +had been disturbed at all. And now, I'm surely +hoping that we'll both set eyes on dad's mine before +another dawn breaks."</p> + +<p>"For your sake, Aleck, I hope that will come + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Page 203]</a></span> +true. You deserve all the luck in the world, and +that's what every one of our fellows say. But +only for this moonlight I'm afraid we'd have had +a hard job of it, coming all this distance; because +the way is mighty rough, and both of us have +stumbled lots of times as it is. We might have +used the lantern, of course, but that would have put +it out of business later, when we wanted it bad; +and besides, it's flickering might have told our +enemies where we were."</p> + +<p>Aleck felt a thrill of pleasure at the way the +other used that word "our;" why, it was just as +though the Silver Fox Patrol had adopted him into +the troop; and meant to make his cause their own. +For a boy who had seldom had a friend to give +him even words of encouragement, this was a +glorious happening indeed. He felt that it had been +the luckiest hour of his whole life when, in the +midst of his bitter dejection, left alone on that high +and isolated rocky ledge, he had discovered the +strange movements of that fiery pencil, that seemed +to be making all sorts of extravagant figures and +circles in the air, which he knew stood for the +means of communication between scouts.</p> + +<p>"Let us work our way around this spur," he +said, a while later, after they had continued to +advance further into the depths of the mountains.</p> + +<p>"I can guess what you are thinking," Thad went + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Page 204]</a></span> +on to remark; "you believe that we must even now +be in the neighborhood of that rock face."</p> + +<p>"Well, I've tried to judge the distance, and how +we got along; and it seems to me we ought to be +nearly there. What do you think, Thad?" asked +the other; and from his manner it was evident that +he laid considerable importance on the opinion of +his companion.</p> + +<p>"Just what you do, which is, that we must be +getting close to where we saw that great head outlined +just as if some scupltor had chiseled it from +the solid rock. But even if we fail to find it, Aleck, +that may be because of the formation of the mountain. +Besides, this moonlight is awfully deceptive, +you know."</p> + +<p>"Wait, and we'll soon learn," was the confident +answer. "I sat there, and looked for nearly an +hour. I guess I got every rock fixed on my mind."</p> + +<p>"Well, I've had a few of the same impressed on +my knees and shins," chuckled the scoutmaster, +drily. "But we've no need to complain, because, +considering all the things we've had to fight against, +I reckon we've escaped pretty slick. See anything +yet, Aleck?"</p> + +<p>"No, I own that I don't; but then, that may +come from lots of causes," the other boy replied, +trying not to let his disappointment show in his +manner or speech; for he knew that Thad did not +believe in a display of weakness in scouts. "Perhaps, + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Page 205]</a></span> +when we've pushed on a little further, we +may be able to glimpse the face again."</p> + +<p>"Wait right here," said Thad, suddenly.</p> + +<p>"Oh! did you hear anything? Wouldn't it be +too unbearably hard if we learned that some one, +perhaps that cruel prospector, Colonel Kracker, had +been ahead of us, and located the hidden mine? He +could hurry to enter his claim, and my poor mother +would not stand a ghost of a show. Was it a voice +you heard, Thad?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't hear anything to bother me," came the +reply, accompanied with a low chuckle. "I was +only thinking how often we strain ourselves to see +something away off, when all we have to do is to +turn our eyes up and look."</p> + +<p>Aleck instantly "caught on" to what his companion +meant. He bent his head back, and gave +utterance to a low cry of satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"Well, if that doesn't beat anything?" he +ejaculated, apparently highly pleased; "it's the head, +as sure as I live, and towering right above us, almost. +No wonder I couldn't see it, looking away +off, and thinking it lay further on. We've found +the land-mark dad set down in his little map, Thad. +And now to discover the crack in the wall, hidden +by the hanging vines, where he followed a fox in, +just out of curiosity, and discovered the richest +silver lode he ever knew about. Oh! I'm just shaking +all over with excitement. And I sure hope my + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Page 206]</a></span> +mother's thinking about me right now, thinking, +and praying for me to succeed!"</p> + + +<hr /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2> +<h3>A WOLF BROOD IN THE WAY.</h3> + +<p>It was plain to the young scoutmaster that Aleck +had studied his map carefully. For after he had +taken his bearings anew, from the rocky head that +towered almost above them, the other was able to +make a direct course to the foot of an adjoining +cliff, where the moonlight fell upon the chalky +wall.</p> + +<p>Thad saw first of all that there were strange +markings across the face of this cliff, or rather +running up and down. They consisted of several +thicknesses, and as the boys drew closer, he discovered +that what he suspected before was the +truth; and that these were caused by vines that +ascended for various distances, clinging tenaciously +to the rock wall.</p> + +<p>Toward their base they seemed of unusual thickness; +and it was easily believable that one of these +might conceal a fissure in the rock, just as Aleck +had mentioned, when speaking of the way his father +discovered the entrance to Aladdin's Cave of treasure.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Page 207]</a></span> + The boy seemed to be counting these dark veins +traversing the face of the cliff, and when they came +to the fourth one he stopped still.</p> + +<p>"There it is, Thad, the vines he marked, fourth +from the right!" he said, in a low and trembling +voice, as though the intensity of his feelings almost +overcame him.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I can see it," replied the other, steadily, +feeling that he must bolster up Aleck's courage in +this trying time. "And we want to know right +away whether it really does hide a gap in the rock. +Come on, Aleck!"</p> + +<p>He led the way forward, with the other half +holding back. Feverish with impatience though +Aleck might be, to know whether all his hopes were +doomed to be shattered then and there, or allowed +to blossom forth into glorious buds of promise, the +poor boy suddenly felt a weakness come upon him. +Only for his having such a staunch-hearted chum at +his elbow, ready to take the lead, there is no telling +how long Aleck Rawson might have hesitated there, +before that mass of clinging vines, afraid to take +his courage in both hands, and push on to the +goal.</p> + +<p>But it was different with Thad. He strode up +to the vines, and with one sweep drew them aside. +The act disclosed a fissure that was several feet in +width at its base, and running some distance up +the wall; although growing gradually smaller, until + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Page 208]</a></span> +finally it merged into the gloom that held sway +aloft, back of the screen of vines.</p> + +<p>Aleck gave a low cry of rapture.</p> + +<p>"It's here, just as he said it would be, in this +map I carry!" he exclaimed, as he clutched the arm +of the scoutmaster. "I hope I'm not dreaming all +this, Thad; tell me I'm not, please, that's a good +fellow."</p> + +<p>"Well," replied the other, laughing gently so as +to convince Aleck that he was perfectly cool and +collected, and ought to know what he talked about; +"so far as it goes, your map is absolutely correct, +Chum Aleck; and I don't see any reason to doubt +the rest of the story. In my opinion we're going +to discover something fine before a great many +minutes go past."</p> + +<p>"What shall we do, Thad; you see, I'm so upset +with it all, that somehow I look to you to arrange +things. Perhaps if I was alone, and just <i>had</i> to +depend on myself, I'd do better; but it's so kind of +you to help me out, and you're so capable of doing +it all. Please fix it up as you think best."</p> + +<p>"All right, then," returned Thad, readily. +"First of all, I'll light our little glim here; for if +we're going to poke along into that black hole, I +reckon we'll be wanting some sort of light to see +by. Don't think I'd like to take a tumble down +some precipice, myself; not to speak of running +across a wild beast."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Page 209]</a></span> + "What makes you say that last, Thad?" demanded +the other, quickly; "do you get a scent of +it, too?"</p> + +<p>"I had an idea I did, and somehow it made me +think of a menagerie. Hold up just a minute, and +we'll be able to see something."</p> + +<p>As he spoke Thad struck a match, which he +applied to the wick of the lantern. It was a good +type of its kind, and as soon as the wick had been +properly adjusted no one could reasonably complain +about the quality of the illumination produced.</p> + +<p>This done, the patrol leader hastened to lower the +lantern so that he could examine the ground close +to the bottom of the fissure in the rock.</p> + +<p>"Plenty of tracks, all right," was his first comment.</p> + +<p>"Can you make them out, and is it a bear?" +asked Aleck, almost unconsciously swinging his gun +a little further to the front, while his fingers sought +the lock.</p> + +<p>"Well, no; the marks differ very much from the +tracks of a bear, either a black or a cinnamon. +They look more like made by a dog's paws," Thad +replied.</p> + +<p>"But a dog wouldn't be up here; you must mean +it's a wolf, that's what, Thad," Aleck hastened to +observe.</p> + +<p>"If that was a guess, you hit the nail square on +the head, Aleck," chuckled the scoutmaster. "A + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Page 210]</a></span> +wolf has been using this hole in the rock for a den; +and from all I can make out, the tracks seem +pretty fresh, too."</p> + +<p>"Then you think the old chap is in there now, do +you?" asked the other.</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't like to say;" replied Thad; "but +there's just one thing we've got to do, and that is, +believe it to be so. A wolf caught in a trap is some +dangerous, they tell me; and in case this happens +to be a mother wolf, with a litter of whelps, she'd +fight like everything, believe me."</p> + +<p>"But we're going in, Thad; ain't we; you won't +let that stand us off, after coming so far, will you? +Oh! if there were a dozen wolves, and every one of +them ready to fight from the word go, I'd just <i>have</i> +to learn the truth before I left here. For her sake +I'd take any risk to know."</p> + +<p>"Well, I should say we were going in; and right +away at that," returned Thad, taking a step forward. +"I only thought I ought to put you on +your guard, so that in case we came on the thing, +you'd know what to expect. Have you got your gun +all ready to shoot, Aleck?"</p> + +<p>"Believe me, yes; and while I don't want to +brag, still I've always called myself a pretty good +shot, even at a jumping wolf," replied the other; +since he now knew that Thad did not mean to be +deterred by any sort of ordinary difficulty, Aleck + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Page 211]</a></span> +began to seem like himself, being able to keep his +feelings in restraint.</p> + +<p>That was the influence of a cool, determined +comrade, like the scoutmaster. Such a firm, collected +spirit always exerts considerable influence +over those with whom it comes in personal contact.</p> + +<p>Thad held the lantern. He preferred doing so, +even though it must necessarily interfere more or +less with his taking any sort of aim, should the +occasion suddenly arise whereby it become necessary +for him to fire. But then, it was very important, +Thad thought, that they keep the lantern intact; +and of course he had never been alongside Aleck in +action, so he could not tell just what sort of coolness +the other would display when a time of excitement +arrived.</p> + +<p>Besides, when one is perfectly at home with a +gun, it is possible to shoot without ever raising +the weapon to the shoulder. Instinct takes the place +of aim on such an occasion; some people call it +"shooting from the hip," and that would be as +good a designation for the method of pulling a +hasty trigger, as any other.</p> + +<p>Of course, they kept close together. This was +rendered necessary by the narrowness of the fissure, +even had not their personal wishes in the matter +forced the two lads to touch elbows.</p> + +<p>They strained their eyes as they slowly advanced, + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Page 212]</a></span> +looking ahead most of the time, yet not neglecting +to also observe the walls as they passed.</p> + +<p>And already Thad was beginning to notice a +peculiarly marked streak here and there, that had +a rather dingy, black look, and which he strongly +suspected might, on investigation, prove to be the +outcropping of the marvelous ore of silver, which, +further on had been revealed to the startled eyes +of the prospector, years ago, doubtless causing him +to blink, and pinch himself, under the belief that +he must be only indulging in a maddening dream, +such as all of his class are visited with from time +to time.</p> + +<p>But before they could pay the slightest attention +to these things it became absolutely necessary that +they find out the truth about that wolf business. +And as they pushed steadily inward they were constantly +on the alert for the first sign that would give +warning of danger.</p> + +<p>"I heard something like a growl, then!" +whispered Aleck, suddenly.</p> + +<p>"Sure thing," answered the other, steadily; "and +we ought to get a sight of the animal's eyes, quick +enough now. Look for twin fires, that burn like +phosphorus in the dark. And hold your gun on +them as soon as you sight them, but don't shoot till +I give the word, unless the beast charges us."</p> + +<p>Ten seconds later, another and different sound +came to their strained hearing.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Page 213]</a></span> + "Cubs whining, as I live!" ejaculated Thad, +half under his breath.</p> + +<p>"Then it's a she wolf?" said the other.</p> + +<p>"I reckon it is," the scoutmaster answered.</p> + +<p>"But what are you waiting for, Thad?" Aleck +demanded; "I suppose that makes it a tougher +proposition; but now I've come this far, I've just +got to go through to the end."</p> + +<p>"We will, all right, Aleck, never fear. I was +just holding back to see if my eyes would get a +little more accustomed to the dark over there; but +now we can go on again. Ready all the while, are +you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed I am, Thad. Now I think I can see +what you said I would."</p> + +<p>"Meaning her yellow eyes glistening with fierce +madness; because there's nothing more ready to +fight a hundred enemies than a mother wolf with +whelps. Steady, forward we go, slow but sure!"</p> + +<p>"All right, Thad; I'm as cool as anything now; +all my excitement seems to have gone when there's +real danger afoot," remarked Aleck, in an even +voice that backed up his words.</p> + +<p>"I knew that would be so, Aleck," replied the +other, in a low tone. "But I can begin to see the +figure of the wolf now; can you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and she's standing over something that +seems to move," the other replied.</p> + +<p>"That must be the cubs; yes, listen to them + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Page 214]</a></span> +growl, would you? Young as they are they understand +that an enemy is near. Ten to one the hair +on each little back is standing up like bristles, right +now. But seems to me we've gone about as close +as we ought to, Aleck?"</p> + +<p>Thad came to a halt. The light of the lantern +showed them a dim, half crouching figure ahead. +It was the mother wolf. Undoubtedly she might +have found means of escape by retiring further into +the place; but nothing would induce her to abandon +her whelps. And Thad found himself obliged to +admire this valor in the animal even though necessity +compelled him to rid the country of pests by +wiping out the entire brood of wolves, whelps as +well as mother.</p> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Page 215]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2> +<h3>ALECK COMES INTO HIS OWN AT LAST.</h3> + +<p>"Do you think we're close enough, Thad?" +whispered Aleck, as they bent forward, and strained +their eyes to make out the dim gaunt figure that +blocked all further progress, and which they knew +full well must be that mother wolf.</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered the other, in the same cautious +tone; "if we went any further on, I'm afraid the +beast would fly at us; and in that case you know, +we'd have a harder time taking aim."</p> + +<p>Thad had managed to set the lantern down on a +level place, where, he hoped it would stand little +danger of being knocked over, in case there was +anything in the nature of a fight between themselves +and the wolf.</p> + +<p>This allowed him the free use of both his arms, +which of course was the main idea he had in view, +when getting rid of the lantern.</p> + +<p>Of course Thad had never had any experience in +thus entering the den of a wolf with young ones. +All he knew about it he had heard from the lips of + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Page 216]</a></span> +others, or possibly read. Somehow, just then it +flashed through his mind how history told of Israel +Putnam, afterwards a celebrated general in the +Continental Army, crawling into a wolf's den as a +youth, and fetching the animal out, after a severe +fight; but so far as Thad could remember, that was +not a mother wolf; and Israel had an easy time +compared to what it might have been under different +conditions.</p> + +<p>Well, there was their intended quarry; and with +two guns to depend on, surely they ought to make +quick work of the beast. The only difficulty about +it was the treacherous light, for the lantern flickered +in the draught; though until that critical moment +Thad had paid no attention to this fact.</p> + +<p>"Have you a bead on her head, Aleck?" he +whispered; at the same time himself drawing his +gun up to his shoulder and glancing along the +double barrel; for Thad was of course carrying his +Marlin with him at the time.</p> + +<p>"Yes," came the answer.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to count, slowly and evenly. When +I say three, let go, Aleck!"</p> + +<p>"I understand, Thad."</p> + +<p>"All right. Hope we get her, sure. I'd hate to +be bitten, or clawed by such a mad creature. Here +goes, Aleck! One!"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Two!"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Page 217]</a></span> + A second passed, and then came the word:</p> + +<p>"Three!"</p> + +<p>It was drowned in a tremendous, deafening +crash, as both guns were discharged so closely together +that it made one report.</p> + +<p>Thad of course had a second barrel to hold in +reserve. He had more or less difficulty in seeing +through the thin curtain of powder smoke that followed +the double discharge; but at least no sprawling +figure came flying at them, with snapping jaws +that were eager to rend and tear.</p> + +<p>"She's done for, Thad!" exclaimed Aleck, joyfully, +as they heard a commotion beyond, and could +see something moving with short jerks, like an +animal kicking its last.</p> + +<p>"Wait—hold on till I pick up the lantern; she +may only be wounded, and get you, if you don't +look out. Besides, those cubs are partly grown, and +may be big enough to show fight."</p> + +<p>Thad thus held his comrade back for a brief +time until he could snatch up the light, and take his +place in the van, which was really what he wanted +to do.</p> + +<p>As they approached the spot where a dark bundle +lay, they could still see something of a movement.</p> + +<p>"She isn't dead yet, I'm afraid, Thad," cried +Aleck, who had a single-shot rifle, and was therefore +without further means of defence until he + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Page 218]</a></span> +could find time to slip another cartridge into the +chamber.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I guess so," answered Thad; "what you +see moving must be the whelps. Yes, I can see one +right now, and he's a savage looking little beast on +my word. We'll have to knock him on the head, +Aleck. Wolves must be killed wherever they are +found. Nobody ever spares them, Toby Smathers +says. They're of no use at all, and do a great +amount of harm, killing game and sheep, and even +weak cattle in the winter season."</p> + +<p>Aleck soon dispatched the growling cub with the +stock of his gun, and then looked around for more.</p> + +<p>"Do you expect that this was the only whelp?" +he asked.</p> + +<p>"Well, no, but the other must have escaped, +somehow," replied Thad. "It doesn't matter to +us, though, for the little beast will perish, without +a mother to supply it food."</p> + +<p>But although Thad never dreamed that such a +small thing could have any bearing on their +fortunes, it proved to be a fact, as would be shown +before a great while.</p> + +<p>"Shall we go on, now?" asked Aleck, after +they had looked down on the big lean wolf that +would never again hunt game in the passes and +valleys of the Rockies; "I'm anxious to see what +lies beyond, you know, Thad."</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't blame you a bit, either, Aleck; in + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Page 219]</a></span> +fact, to tell the honest truth, I'm feeling somewhat +that way myself, even if I haven't got the interest +you have in the matter. So let's go right along. +Have you loaded up again?"</p> + +<p>"I'm just finishing now, Thad," came the reply.</p> + +<p>Accordingly, the forward progress was resumed. +Thad saw that they were rapidly drawing near +what would likely prove to be a chamber of some +size; and he anticipated that whatever was to be +found would greet them here.</p> + +<p>Just as he expected, a couple of minutes later they +passed out from the tunnel which was a continuation +of the fissure they had entered, and found themselves +in a vaulted chamber. It was of some height, +for the dim light of the lantern just reached the +roof.</p> + +<p>"Oh! what a strange place!" exclaimed Aleck, +looking around with something like awe; "and to +think that this was that my father saw that time. +Do you expect this can be the silver lode, Thad?" +and he pointed to the wall, where a broad streak +of darkish ore cropped out.</p> + +<p>Thad was no miner, but he had been interested in +geology at school, and knew a little about the appearance +of precious metals in their natural state.</p> + +<p>"I don't doubt it one little bit, Aleck," he said, +with a quiver to his voice. "And see here, you +can tell that some one has pounded off pieces of the +ore; why, I can even note where the hammer struck; + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Page 220]</a></span> +and on the ground small bits still lie, just as they +fell years ago, when your father found his way in +here, and made this grand discovery. Shake hands, +Aleck! I want to be the first to congratulate you on +finding the hidden mine again. You're a lucky +boy, let me tell you. I'm glad for your sake, +Aleck; and for that dear little mother who is +thinking of you right now, no doubt."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Thad," replied the other, with a +break in his voice, although it was joy that almost +overcame him. "And what do I not owe to you, +and the chums of the Silver Fox Patrol? For if +you hadn't come to my rescue, when that scoundrel +of a Kracker had me caged on that horrible little +shelf of rock up the cliff, like as not I'd be there +still, and ready to tell all to save my life."</p> + +<p>"I don't believe that!" cried the scoutmaster, +quickly. "I've seen enough of you to know you'd +have died before you gave him what belonged only +to your mother. And the chances are, you'd have +found some way of getting down from there, when +it came to the worst."</p> + +<p>"Yes, fallen down, most likely, when they had +made me so weak I couldn't look over without +getting dizzy. But Thad, let's forget all that now, +and look around here. How it thrills me just to +think that dad found this mine so long ago, and +that during these years it's remained hidden from +all men; just as if something might be holding it + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Page 221]</a></span> +back until I grew old enough to come up here with +that chart, to discover it again. Why, I can almost +believe that <i>he</i> is here right now, and smiling his +approval on my work; for he was a good dad, I +tell you."</p> + +<p>They prowled around for a long time, examining +the walls of the chamber, and following up the +wide lode of rich ore, until Thad, inexperienced as +he was, could estimate that it must prove to be a +very valuable mine, once placed in working condition.</p> + +<p>"Here, let's both of us fill our pockets with specimens +of the ore," the patrol leader remarked, when +they began to think of once more seeking the exit, +so strangely hidden from the eyes of any possible +passer by; "like as not you'll want them, to convince +some capitalist that you've got the goods, +when making arrangements to sell a part of the +mine, so as to get the money to work with."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that sounds sensible," declared Aleck. +"Dad did the same; and if he hadn't those specimens, +nobody would ever have believed that he'd +found anything worth while. And now, do we +start back to the fissure in the cliff, Thad?"</p> + +<p>"Might as well;" replied the other. "And while +we're about it, let's drag out the dead wolves, so +as to throw them in some hole where they won't +bother any more."</p> + +<p>"I wonder if that other cub came back; I'd + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Page 222]</a></span> +better make ready to knock it on the head, for it +would die anyway, without a mother."</p> + +<p>Aleck's voice had a catch in it as he said this, and +Thad understood; the boy was thinking of his own +mother, and how her prayers for his safety must +have been the means of raising up for him such +staunch friends as the scouts of the Silver Fox +Patrol.</p> + +<p>But when they came to the place where the +animals lay they saw nothing of the other partly +grown wolf. So Thad, having his gun and the +lantern to manage, took charge of the offspring, +while Aleck tugged at the big she wolf; and in this +fashion they drew near the exit.</p> + +<p>"Sh!"</p> + +<p>It was Thad who uttered this low hiss of warning. +His action was prompt in addition, for raising +the lantern, he gave one sturdy puff, causing +the flame to vanish.</p> + +<p>Utter darkness surrounded them. Aleck had +dropped the leg of the big wolf, and drew back the +hammer of his rifle.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it was the other cub, Thad?" he +whispered, as softly as the night wind creeps in and +out of the trees, caressing each leaf as it passes +on.</p> + +<p>"No, it sounded more like voices!" came the +equally low reply.</p> + +<p>"Voices! Oh! do you mean men may be near + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Page 223]</a></span> +us?" gasped Aleck, a cold chill passing over him +at the dreadful prospect of losing his long-sought +patrimony just after finding it.</p> + +<p>"It sounded like that Kracker; listen, and we'll +soon know," Thad went on to say; and crouching +there, the two boys waited for a repetition of the +suspicious sound.</p> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Page 224]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXV.</h2> +<h3>CLOSE TO DISCOVERY.</h3> + +<p>When the sound of the voice came again even +Aleck heard it plainly. Why, it seemed so very +near that his first thought was that the men must +have found the entrance to the treasure cave, and +were pushing along the tunnel at that very moment. +But on reflection Aleck realized that this could not +be so, for the voice came from somewhere in the +open air.</p> + +<p>"I jest ain't agoin' any further, an' that's a fact. +Might as well rest up right here as keep on. I +never was for comin' back, to spy on them ere +scouts, but two agin one kerried the day. So here +we be, tired in body, hungry, and nigh 'bout ready +to drop. I say let's camp, and wait till mornin'."</p> + +<p>"That's Dickey Bird," whispered Thad in the +ear of his companion.</p> + +<p>Aleck had had a load taken from his breast. +Although the three men might be so close to the +entrance of the mine that they could toss a stone +into it, still it seemed only mere accident that + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Page 225]</a></span> +brought them here, and not design, or a suspicion +as to the truth.</p> + +<p>Another voice chimed in now, that of Kracker +himself.</p> + +<p>"Oh! as for that, I'm about as leg weary as you +can be; and ready to rest up a bit. So Waffles, stir +around, and gather some tinder to start a blaze. +This night air is some cool, too. And say, I'm that +hungry I could eat anything 'most. But with only +one six-shot gun in the crowd, it's going to be hard +lines to provide grub, I reckon."</p> + +<p>"Then why'd you turn back, when we was all +started for a place where we could git all the eats +we wanted, with money to pay for 'em?" grumbled +Dickey Bird.</p> + +<p>"Why? Any fool could see that," retorted the +big prospector, sternly. "Here I've been looking +for this mine years and years, and it's got to be the +one dream of my life to find the same. That boy +knows; he's just been waitin' till he growed up big +enough to start out. You saw how he acted, and +said he'd die before he'd give up what belonged to +his mother. That proves he's got the combination, +either in his head, or somewhar about his clothes, +which we couldn't find."</p> + +<p>"Well," said the grumbler, "what good is that +same agoin' to do us, now that he's in with that +party of scouts, who say they'll stand up for him + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Page 226]</a></span> +right along? We ain't got no show, seems to me, +Kracker."</p> + +<p>"We ain't, hey?" replied the other, disdainfully. +"Jest because you can't see anything before your +nose, you say they ain't nothing doing. Let me +tell you we never was nearer that same mine than +we is now."</p> + +<p>Thad felt his companion give a sudden start; +he himself was wondering what these strange words +of the prospector might mean; though he could not +believe that the other could really suspect the +presence of that fissure back of the vines.</p> + +<p>"As how? Mebbe you wouldn't mind tellin' me, +to ease up the pain in my legs; while Waffles, he's +astartin' that ere fire?" Dickey Bird went on, +skeptically.</p> + +<p>"Sure thing," answered the big man who controlled +the party of mine seekers. "If that boy +does know the secret, he's going to open up while +he's got them scouts to back him, ain't he? He'll +want to feast his eyes on some of that same rich +ore—that goes without saying. All right, let him, +say I. We'll try and be close enough at hand to +discover whar the pesky entrance lies; and while +they're hangin' on up here, it's us to streak it for +town and file a claim on that mine by description. +First comer gets the persimmon every time. I ain't +been in this line of business all my life without +learnin' something."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Page 227]</a></span> + Again did Thad feel his companion move restlessly. +It was as though Aleck felt a sudden fear +oppress him lest this sly old thief should yet get +ahead in entering a claim for the mine.</p> + +<p>The flicker of the kindling fire now began to +show through the vines at the mouth of the opening. +What if these men stayed there until morning, +how were the boys to leave? Even when the +moon stopped shining upon the face of the cliff, the +light of the nearby fire would continue to light it +up, so that they would not dare try and creep out. +Such a movement, if seen or suspected by the +campers, must arouse their curiosity, and lead to an +investigation. Then the only thing that could save +the mine for Aleck would be a hurried rush to town, +in which they might be beaten by the others.</p> + +<p>It was not a pleasant thought, although of course, +if necessary, the boys could stay there without any +great amount of privation. The constant chance of +discovery would bother them much more than anything +else.</p> + +<p>Dickey Bird was still grumbling, it seemed. +Things evidently did not please him at all, and only +because the fear he entertained for Kracker, the +man might have deserted the expedition.</p> + +<p>"I jest don't like it around here, and that's what," +they heard him say presently. "It ain't the nicest +place agoin' either. Now what d'ye reckon that ere +rumbling noise was, we all heard a while ago? + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Page 228]</a></span> +Waffles, he sez it was thunder; but they ain't nary +a cloud as big as my hand anywhar 'round. +Sounded more like earthquake noise to me. I was +in that shake down at Frisco remember, an' ain't +likely to forgit how it starts. If these here mountings +began to roll over on us, we'd be in a nice +pickle, now, eh? I tell you I don't like it any too +much."</p> + +<p>"Drop that kind of talk, Dickey Bird," ordered +the big prospector, gruffly, "and draw up closer to +the fire here. You're cold that's what, and things +they looks kind of blue like. Get warmed up and +you'll feel better. I've got a little dried meat in my +knapsack, and we'll chew on that for a change."</p> + +<p>"Good for you, Kunnel!" exclaimed the discontented +one, whose mood probably had its inception +in hunger, after all. "And don't be long about +passin' that same around, will ye? I'm that nigh +famished I could eat Indian dog, though I never +thought I'd ever come to that."</p> + +<p>The three prospectors sat down around the fire, +and in order to overhear what they might say while +they munched at the tough pemmican, Thad crept +closer to the vine screen.</p> + +<p>Something moved ahead of him, and he thought +he saw the vines tremble, as though giving passage +to some sort of body. Immediately afterwards +there was a shout from one of the three prospectors, + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Page 229]</a></span> +and they could be seen scrambling hastily to their +feet, showing every evidence of alarm.</p> + +<p>"What is that coming this way?" roared +Kracker.</p> + +<p>"Say, looks like on'y a wolf cub, arter all!" +declared Dickey Bird, with a catch in his husky +voice, showing plainly how startled he had been.</p> + +<p>"Well, now, that's just what it seems to be; +knock the critter on the head, one of you," and the +big man dropped back again to his seat.</p> + +<p>It was Waffles who picked up a club, and jumping +forward, hastened to wind up the earthly career +of the motherless wolf whelp; though the savage +little beast snarled furiously at his approach, and +showed fight.</p> + +<p>"Now I wonder what next?" remarked Kracker, +as he watched the other engaged in a regular fight +with the cub, which would not give up the ghost as +easily as Waffles had evidently anticipated.</p> + +<p>Indeed, the second man had to also arm himself +with a club, and put in a few vicious blows before +the wolf whelp was subdued.</p> + +<p>"That's what comes to a man when he ain't got +no gun!" complained Dickey Bird; from which +remark it might be taken for granted that if there +was only one revolver in the crowd, which the +scouts had allowed them to retain possession of, +Kracker had made sure to hold that.</p> + +<p>"Oh! that was only a cub, and a wolf ain't anything + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Page 230]</a></span> +to be scared of!" remarked the big prospector; +though he turned his head even while speaking, as +though he fancied that he heard something moving +in the bushes back of him, with visions of a red-eyed +furious wolf mother coming to demand satisfaction +for the killing of her offspring.</p> + +<p>"Whar d'ye reckon the critter kim from now?" +demanded Dickey Bird.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" whispered Aleck, as though something +warned him the danger point was getting very close +now.</p> + +<p>"First thing I see, he was acomin' away from +the rock yonder," remarked Waffles, pointing +straight at the hanging vines that screened the +fissure so completely.</p> + +<p>"Then it looks like he might a come out of them +vines?" suggested Kracker, carelessly.</p> + +<p>"Reckon, now, he did," replied the other.</p> + +<p>"Go and take a look, Waffles," added the big +man. "If so be we expect to sleep right here, we +want to know if there's any wolf around. I ain't +so fond of the ugly critters that I want to have one +crawlin' all over me when I'm trying to get some +rest. Look behind the vines, I say, Waffles, and +make sure."</p> + +<p>Waffles did not seem any too anxious to obey. +Possibly, if he had gripped some sort of firearm +in his hand, he might not have shown the same + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Page 231]</a></span> +timidity. Perhaps he too had an animosity toward +ferocious and maddened wolves; and besides, it had +been his hand that had given the finishing blow to +that nasty little spitting cub, just now, and the +mother wolf might have it in for him on that +account.</p> + +<p>But then he feared the scorn of the big prospector +even more than he did the possibility of danger +from a she wolf bereft of her whelps. And so, +rather hesitatingly to be sure, the man started toward +the cliff, with the intention of lifting the +screen of vines, and peering behind the same.</p> + +<p>Of course he would immediately learn of the +fact that there was a fissure in the rock; and +curiosity was apt to induce the men to make an +attempt to explore the cavity, since they were all +experienced miners, and eager to discover signs of +a "find" in some unexpected place.</p> + +<p>Closer came Waffles. He was now within a few +feet of the vines, and indeed, had one hand stretched +out, as with the intention of clutching the mass of +vegetation, and drawing it aside; while the other +gripped that stout cudgel, with which he expected +to defend himself desperately, should he be attacked.</p> + +<p>Aleck was quivering with suspense, and Thad +could easily understand that he must be handling +his gun, as though tempted to discharge this, and +frighten the man off. But that would be giving the +secret away, for these men were cunning; and after + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Page 232]</a></span> +they had come to figure things out, they would +arrive at something like the truth.</p> + +<p>If discovery were to be averted other means must +be employed in order to keep Waffles from raising +that curtain, or at least daring to venture into the +fissure as much as one foot.</p> + +<p>Finding the ear of his companion Thad managed +to whisper in it the few words:</p> + +<p>"Don't shout."</p> + +<p>"Do just what I do; we've got to scare him!"</p> + +<p>And Aleck pressed his arm, to let the scoutmaster +know that he understood; even though the means to +be employed might as yet be a mystery to him.</p> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Page 233]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVI.</h2> +<h3>THE CROW BOY'S HONOR.</h3> + +<p>Just as the prospector had started to draw the +curtain of vines back, there came a most dreadful +growl that made Aleck jump, under the belief that +the she wolf he had been dragging after him, might +have come back to life, and was about to pounce +on the destroyers of her lair.</p> + +<p>Then all at once it struck him that Thad must +have been the cause of this savage growl; that was +no doubt what he meant when he spoke so confidently +of knowing a way to frighten the man off.</p> + +<p>Indeed, Waffles did spring back instantly, uttering +a cry of terror. He fully expected to see the +beast that had uttered that ferocious growl come +flying through the vine screen, leaping at his throat.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" shouted Kracker, himself scrambling +to his feet clumsily, owing to the girth of his +waist.</p> + +<p>He seemed to be dragging something out of a +rear pocket, and no doubt this was the single weapon +which the Boy Scouts had allowed the men to carry + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Page 234]</a></span> +off with them, at the time Kracker and his companions +found it necessary to confess themselves +beaten in the game of wits.</p> + +<p>"A wolf is layin' behind them vines; didn't you +hear her give tongue like sixty? Ketch me aliftin' +anything thar, I tell you. Ugh! I ain't lost no wolf. +Chances are it's the mother of that cub, too; an' +she'll be that mad when she knows we killed it, +nawthin' won't stop her rushin' the camp. Let's +clear out of here?"</p> + +<p>"But we got our fire started, an' all of us feel +dead tired, too," complained Dickey Bird, who was +evidently struggling between two opinions, and did +not know which was the lesser evil—remain where +they were, with that savage beast hovering around; +or once more pursue their weary way elsewhere.</p> + +<p>Kracker had approached close to the vines, and +Thad thought it a good time to give another growls +which he did with new emphasis. And Aleck, not +wanting to be left out of the game entirely, tried +his hand also.</p> + +<p>"Look out, Kunnel, thar's two of the critters!" +shouted Waffles, turning and edging further away +from the rock wall.</p> + +<p>"A hull den of 'em, I reckons!" added Dickey +Bird, who no longer cared to stay in such a dangerous +vicinity.</p> + +<p>Thad reached out his hand, and shook the vines +violently. This action completed the demoralization + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Page 235]</a></span> +of the three prospectors. Almost weaponless as +they were, they seemed to lack their ordinary +courage.</p> + +<p>"Run! they's comin' out arter us, Kunnel!" +cried Waffles, suiting the action to his words, by +turning and dashing wildly away.</p> + +<p>The second man followed close at his heels, just +as thoroughly demoralized. Kracker might have +stood it out, for Kracker gripped a firearm in his +fat hand; but when he found that he was being +deserted by his companions, the big prospector also +started to run clumsily away, breathing out all +manner of threatenings against the other two for +cowards.</p> + +<p>Thad no longer growled, but lying there on the +rocky floor of the fissure, he shook all over with +half-suppressed laughter.</p> + +<p>"That's the time we saved the day with our +growls, Aleck!" he whispered, when he could control +himself to some extent.</p> + +<p>The other lad felt even more exultant. The mine +had been in danger, but thanks to the ready wit of +the scoutmaster, the enemy had been frightened +away before they learned anything. And so Aleck, +feeling that he had plenty of cause for rejoicing, +soon joined Thad in soft laughter.</p> + +<p>"No danger of those fellows coming back to +investigate, do you think?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Well, if you could judge from the hurried way + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Page 236]</a></span> +they lit out, I guess we needn't dream that they'll +ever want to see this cliff again," replied Thad.</p> + +<p>"And when we want to, we can crawl out ourselves, +can't we?" Aleck went on.</p> + +<p>"Sure thing, right now is the time, because +they're traveling for all they're worth, and never +even looking back over their shoulders as they +gallop along."</p> + +<p>"How about these wolves; shall we drag them +out, and throw the carcases away in some hole?" +asked Thad's companion, evidently only too glad +to do just whatever the scoutmaster decided were +best.</p> + +<p>Indeed, he had reason to feel the utmost confidence +in Thad Brewster; from the very first this +new friend had directed affairs in a way that Aleck +looked on as simply wonderful. It was almost like +a dream to him, the coming of these scouts, their +championing his almost lost cause, and bringing +success out of failure. No wonder then that Aleck +felt so willing to trust this staunch friend through +thick and thin. No wonder that he asked his opinion, +knowing full well that whatever Thad decided +would be best.</p> + +<p>"Might as well get rid of the things while we're +about it," was what Thad said. "Sooner or later +you'll be entering this passage again, I hope with +capitalists along with you to look the mine over, and +decide how much money they'll advance to begin its + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Page 237]</a></span> +working; and you wouldn't find it nice here, if we +left these bodies to cause a disagreeable odor. But +we must be careful not to disarrange the vines. +And I want to rub out any tracks we may leave, +before quitting this place."</p> + +<p>Accordingly both the mother wolf and the cub +were taken outside. It was not a difficult thing to +find a deep hole into which all of the dead animals +could be cast; and after this duty had been accomplished +the two boys returned to the mouth of the +hidden mine.</p> + +<p>The fire had been kicked under foot, and extinguished; +though Thad afterwards made sure to +place the embers in such a position that it would +appear to have gone out of its own accord. This +was to keep the prospectors from suspecting the +truth, should they have the temerity to ever come +back again, for one of them had lost his hat in his +mad haste to depart.</p> + +<p>Then lighting the lantern, Thad tried the best +he knew how to smooth over any footprint he or +his companion may have made close to the fissure +in the rock. He wished Allan might be there just +then, for he would have known how to go about it +better.</p> + +<p>"All right now," he announced a little later, as +he arose from his knees.</p> + +<p>"What had we better do, stay around here, or + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Page 238]</a></span> +try and work a little closer back to camp, to see +what has happened there?" Aleck questioned.</p> + +<p>"I was thinking it might pay us to do that last," +the scoutmaster replied. "We needn't show ourselves, +of course; but could hang around until your +rascally old uncle and that sheriff went away. +Now, if only it was some one else he wanted to +nab, what a fine chance this would be for you to +get him as an officer of the law to help you locate +the mine. But I suppose that would be too +dangerous."</p> + +<p>"It's an idea worth thinking about," Aleck declared, +"and we may find a way yet to carry it out. +I hope we won't run across those three scared men, +because they headed this way when they ran off. +You don't mean to carry the lantern lighted, do you, +Thad?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I should say not. It would only advertise +the fact that a couple of very fresh Boy Scouts were +wandering around. Why, those very men might +sight us and lie in wait to capture you again," +with which Thad blew out the lantern.</p> + +<p>They started on.</p> + +<p>Thanks to the moonlight they were able to keep +their course fairly well; sometimes under the low +trees, and again among masses of piled up rocks. +Far above their heads towered the mighty mountains, +their tops capped with snow. Thad never +glanced up at them without thinking how eagerly + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Page 239]</a></span> +he and his chums had looked forward to this chance +for seeing the fortress Nature had built up and +down the Western country, separating the Pacific +Coast from the balance of the land.</p> + +<p>"Listen!" said Aleck, laying a hand on his +companion's sleeve.</p> + +<p>"Did you think you heard a voice again?" asked +Thad, whispering the words, for there was a spice +of danger in the very air around them.</p> + +<p>"I sure did; and there it is again. Whatever is +that man doing?"</p> + +<p>"Sounds to me like that Waffles?" suggested +Thad.</p> + +<p>"But what would he be praying for, tell me?" +asked Aleck.</p> + +<p>"Praying?" echoed the other, astonished himself.</p> + +<p>"Well, listen to him, would you; he seems to be +begging somebody not to hurt him? Do you suppose +they've gone, and had a falling-out among +themselves, and the colonel is threatening to finish +his man for running away?" Aleck went on, still +keeping his voice lowered.</p> + +<p>"Why, hardly that, because he ran as fast as the +rest of them," replied Thad. "But come, let's +creep forward a little, and find out what all the +fuss is about."</p> + +<p>As they proceeded to do this, the sound of Waffles' +peculiar voice came more and more plainly to their + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Page 240]</a></span> +hearing; and sure enough, he was certainly pleading +earnestly with some unknown one.</p> + +<p>"Think what a guy I'll be if so be ye do hit, and +cut my pore ears off, jest in spite work?" he was +whining; "I admit that I done ye dirt, when I +hooked that bead belt from yer place, meanin' to +sell the same. But shore I didn't know as how ye +vallied it so high. Never'd a put a hand on it, if I'd +been told 'twar a sacred fambly relic, and that outsiders +hadn't orter touch the same. Let me go this +time, Fox, and shore I promises never to do hit +again. My ears is all I got, and think how I'd look +without the same. Ye got me down, and I cain't +help myself, ef so be ye mean to do hit; but better +let me off this time. You ain't a wild Injun, and +you knows it ain't doin' right to try and mend one +wrong with another. Let me go, Fox; I'm asayin' +I'm sorry, an' a man can't do more'n that."</p> + +<p>The mystery was explained. The Fox had followed +Thad and Aleck from the camp, no doubt +with the idea of standing up for them, if they +needed help. He must have been hovering near +when the three prospectors started their fire, and +witnessed all that happened afterward.</p> + +<p>When the three frightened men made their wild +flight, the Fox, still burning with a desire to wipe +out the insult that Waffles had put upon his family +when he took away that revered wampum belt that +had never before been touched by profane hands, + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Page 241]</a></span> +had followed in their wake. Finding a chance to +jump on the back of Waffles, he had borne the man +to the ground. Doubtless the other two had continued +their mad flight, never caring what would +happen to Waffles, and only thinking of saving their +own precious bodies.</p> + +<p>And ever since that minute, the Fox had been +sitting on the fallen man, telling him how he meant +to punish him for his mean act, by making Waffles +a reproach among his fellows, since only thieves +have their ears sliced off in some countries.</p> + +<p>Thad nudged his companion, and they started +to creep closer to the spot where the two figures +prone on the ground could be indistinctly seen.</p> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Page 242]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVII.</h2> +<h3>THE TURN OF THE TIDE.</h3> + +<p>"Hold on, Fox! that man has been punished +enough; and besides you've recovered the belt, so +there's been no real harm done. Let him get +up!"</p> + +<p>It was Thad who said this, as he and Aleck broke +cover, and appeared before the astonished eyes of +the two who were on the ground, the Crow boy +flourishing his knife in a way calculated to make any +one's blood run cold.</p> + +<p>The Fox seemed to recognize that Thad spoke as +one having authority. He had seen him manage +things in the camp of the scouts, and noticed how +willingly the rest of the boys recognized his leadership. +And secretly the Crow boy admired Thad +more than any paleface lad he had ever met on or +off the reservation, saving possibly Aleck.</p> + +<p>So he immediately arose, and hastened to conceal +his knife.</p> + +<p>"Give big scare, so him never try again!" he +muttered, looking down.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Page 243]</a></span> + "Don't ye believe him; he just meant to take my +ears off, for a fact," exclaimed the man as he gained +his feet, hardly knowing whether to start in running +once more, or trust to Thad to stand between +himself and the injured Crow boy.</p> + +<p>"Well, then, we just happened along this way in +time to save them for you; and Waffles, suppose +you clear out of this as fast as you can. Don't forget +what we said about shooting, if ever we found +you around our camp. Now, if you get away in +a hurry, I'll agree to keep the Fox beside me. Only +if you know what's good for you, never go near +the reservation again."</p> + +<p>"Well, I never will, make up your mind to that. +Hold him now; I'm going to skedaddle out of this +on the jump!" and sure enough Waffles did, rushing +away as only a good healthy fright could urge +on a tired man.</p> + +<p>Nor did any of them see him again, or either of +the other two for that matter. They must have +made up their minds that the region around there +was unhealthy for fellows of their stamp, and that +the sooner they turned their faces toward civilization +the better for them.</p> + +<p>Joined by the Fox, Thad and Aleck continued +to walk toward the distant camp of the scouts further +up the valley.</p> + +<p>The night was getting well along when they +halted to rest, having gone as far as was deemed + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Page 244]</a></span> +advisable. They had talked it well over, and the +Fox had even told them what he knew about Sheriff +Bob. This information was of so pleasing a nature +that it seemed apt to have more or less influence +with regard to making their final decision, as to +what their plan should be in the morning.</p> + +<p>They were up early, and had a bite to eat, a little +food having been brought along by the far-sighted +scoutmaster, who when he and Aleck +cleared out, did not know when they would get back +again.</p> + +<p>Again they talked matters over. Thad was of a +mind to betake himself back to the camp, leaving the +others in hiding; but where they could see a signal +he would make, if so be he wanted them to come +in.</p> + +<p>"This thing of your hiding out like you're a +common criminal is all wrong," the scoutmaster +had declared, somewhat angrily. "And I'm going +to put it up to that sheriff in a way that must convince +him he's been humbugged by your scheming +old uncle. Then we can get him to go with us, to +see you put up your notice, and claim the mine your +father originally discovered. After that you can +go with him to the place where you have to file your +sworn declaration of entry, and have things all done +according to law. The Silver Fox Patrol will +meanwhile camp in front of that wolf den, and hold +it secure for you! Understand all that, Aleck?"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Page 245]</a></span> + "Indeed, I do; and no fellow ever before found +such grand good friends as you and the rest of the +scouts have shown yourselves to be to me," and +as he shook hands with Thad, on the latter's leaving, +Aleck had tears in his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Oh! that's what scouts are for, you see; to be a +help to each other, and to anybody that's in trouble, +when they can lend a helping hand. Now, watch +for the signal; for if I give it, you can feel satisfied +you have nothing to fear from that sheriff."</p> + +<p>With that Thad strode away, heading in a roundabout +way for the camp, so that his coming from a +certain direction might not betray the hiding-place +of the other two.</p> + +<p>Great was the astonishment of Allan, and those +of the patrol who were in camp, when a lone figure +was seen approaching that they quickly made out to +be Thad. All sorts of possible sources of new +trouble loomed up in their minds; but as the scoutmaster +drew nearer, they were considerably relieved +to discover that he was smiling, as though not +worried in the least.</p> + +<p>Of course the sheriff and Uncle Artemus had +jumped up when the others did, and observed the +coming of the young scoutmaster but with different +emotions. The lawyer only wondered whether this +might mean the surrender of his nephew to the authority +invested in the office of sheriff; but the official +himself was engaged in studying the approaching + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Page 246]</a></span> +lad, of whom he had heard so much, and drawing +his own opinion with regard to his character.</p> + +<p>"Glad to see you again, Thad!" called out Bumpus.</p> + +<p>"That's right, and so says every one of us," +echoed Giraffe, determined not to be left out of any +talking-bee, if there was one.</p> + +<p>Thad only nodded, and smiled. He walked right +over to where Allan stood, and engaged him in +earnest consultation; while the others looked on, +not knowing what to make of this most unexpected +turn of events.</p> + +<p>Presently Allan turned and called out:</p> + +<p>"Would you mind coming over here, Mr. +Sheriff; we want to tell you something that ought +to interest you, about this case?"</p> + +<p>The shrewd lawyer tried to hang on to the coat-tails +of the big sheriff, as he exclaimed, half threateningly, +half pleadingly:</p> + +<p>"Don't you go, Sheriff; they want to blarney +you into believing their side of the story. You've +got a warrant for the arrest of a vicious young fellow, +even if he is my own nephew, who has robbed +me of valuable papers. You've got to do your +sworn duty! Better stay by me, and the pay'll be +sure. I wouldn't mind doubling what I promised, +if so be I get my papers back. And the boy can go +hang, for all of me, then."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Page 247]</a></span> + But the sheriff tore himself loose, and walked +over to where the two earnest-faced scouts were +awaiting him. Allan introduced him to the patrol +leader, and from the hearty hand-clasp which the +officer bestowed upon him, Thad felt sure that the +case of poor badgered Aleck Rawson was as good +as won, even before he had commenced to do any +persuasive talking.</p> + +<p>He began at the start, and related all that Aleck +had told him of his troubles in the past; and how +not only Kracker and his kind had annoyed the +widow of the dead prospector, but this sly old lawyer +as well, all of them imbued with the same mad +desire to learn where the hidden mine was located.</p> + +<p>He related numerous instances that almost +amounted to persecution, whereby Uncle Artemus +had tried to force the widow, through stress of +poverty, to sell him the secret he believed she carried +locked in her breast; until presently Thad saw by +the angry glow in those blue eyes of the sheriff that +he had accomplished the aim he had in view.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the old lawyer had been on needles +and pins. He jumped up and sat down again half +a dozen times. Of course he could easily understand +that Thad was trying to wean the sheriff +away from his duty; and there were signs that told +Uncle Artemus this very thing was gradually being +accomplished before his very eyes.</p> + +<p>He could not stand it much longer, and finally he + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Page 248]</a></span> +advanced toward the spot where the sheriff and the +two scouts stood.</p> + +<p>Thad had no longer the slightest fear that his +work would be undermined. He knew that Sheriff +Bob would not longer lend his official stamp to any +such underhand work as that which this "slick" +lawyer from Denver was endeavoring to carry out. +And so he could view the coming of the other without +anxiety.</p> + +<p>"I hope you haven't allowed yourself to be at +all influenced by any specious story you've listened +to, Mr. Sheriff," the old man started to say.</p> + +<p>The officer drew his capacious hand across his +chin, as though collecting his thoughts, in order to +frame a suitable reply.</p> + +<p>"I've been listening to some mighty interesting +facts, Mr. Rawson," he said.</p> + +<p>"Lies, every one of them, I warrant you, sir," +snapped the lawyer, who began to feel that he was +losing his grip on the case right then and there, +since this little whipper-snapper of a leader among +these boys appeared more capable of swaying the +sheriff than he could himself do.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I don't know about that, Mr. Rawson," +the sheriff went on, his eyes losing some of their +twinkle, and a steely look taking its place, which +Thad understood must be his official face; "I know +a heap more'n I did about things when I agreed to +take this here warrant, and execute the same for + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Page 249]</a></span> +you, by arresting a lad you claimed was your +nephew, which was true; and who had been stealing +valuable papers from you, which I reckon was +only a yarn."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to say you'd take the word of a +mere half-grown boy rather than that of a gentleman, +a lawyer of considerable repute in Denver, as +you happen to know, Mr. Sheriff? Things have +got to a nice pass when that can be."</p> + +<p>"Listen!" thundered the sheriff, turning +squarely on the astonished lawyer, and shaking his +finger under his long nose; "you lied to me about +all that valuable paper business. It was <i>you</i> that +wanted to steal something you believed this lad +carried about his person, a paper that would tell you +where to find that hidden silver mine! And I was +fool enough to believe you, and to be hoodwinked +that way. A sheriff is sworn to do his duty <i>only</i> +so long as he believes he is doing right; he has no +claim to persecute an innocent party. I came all +this way with you, though from the first I suspected +you had a card up your sleeve, Mr. Rawson. +Now understand it first and last, I consider myself +no longer in your service. Not a cent that you +promised me will I touch. I'm going to try and +make amends to this poor son of Jerry Rawson for +what I've done to worry him, by standing up and +helping him take possession of his father's mine. +He's found it too, because look at these specimens + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Page 250]</a></span> +of the richest silver ore I ever set eyes on. Understand +that, sir?"</p> + +<p>"But—you carry a warrant for his arrest!" +bristled the lawyer, as a last resort.</p> + +<p>The big sheriff pulled a paper out of his pocket, +which he proceeded to tear into a score of fragments, +laughing scornfully meanwhile.</p> + +<p>"Do you see that, Mr. Rawson, sir? Now +where's the warrant for arresting Aleck, your +nephew? Call the boy in, Thad; I want to shake +hands with him, and tell him Bob McNulty is ready +to back him up in holding that mine. And he's +got a whole lot to be thankful for, I tell you, boys, +that when things looked darkest for him, a lucky +chance, or some people would call it the favor of +Providence, sent you scouts into this valley to +camp. Not another word, Mr. Rawson, if you +know what's good for you, sir!"</p> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Page 251]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVIII.</h2> +<h3>GOOD-BYE TO THE ROCKIES—BOUND FOR HOME.</h3> + +<p>"This is Aleck Rawson, Sheriff McNulty," said +Thad, some little time later, when, in answer to his +signal, two figures came promptly into camp.</p> + +<p>The officer greeted the boy warmly, and what he +said caused Aleck's cheeks to burn red with delight, +as well as his eyes to sparkle, as he turned them, +filled with gratitude upon Thad; for it seemed to +him the scoutmaster must <a name="be" id="be"></a>be little short of a magician, +since he could even change enemies into warm +friends.</p> + +<p>Why, even Uncle Artemus, as if he knew enough +to get in out of the wet when it rained, came up, +and wanted to congratulate the boy for having won +out, and found the mine his father had first set eyes +on; but Aleck had too many bitter feelings in connection +with the artful lawyer, and coolly turned his +back on him.</p> + +<p>Arrangements were soon made whereby the +sheriff would go with Thad and Aleck that very +day to see the mine, and be a witness to the act + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Page 252]</a></span> +whereby the son of the first discoverer laid claim to +the valuable property. Then he said he would accompany +Aleck to the city where the legal part of +the business must be completed.</p> + +<p>He also declared he knew the very capitalist, a +man who was the essence of honor, and whom he +would like to interest in the matter; so Aleck expressed +a wish to meet him, that some arrangements +might be quickly placed before his mother. His +one thought seemed to be to get the glorious news +to that waiting little woman as soon as possible. +She had suffered enough, he declared; and please +Heaven this would be the end, so far as money +could bring relief.</p> + +<p>On the following morning, then, the sheriff left, +with Aleck and the guide keeping him company, +and old Uncle Artemus "tagging on;" anxious +now to get back to Denver, and take up his legal +business, since his hopes of ever having a share in +the newly-discovered silver mine were crushed, +wrecked by his own malicious actions toward his +brother's family. Had he done what was right in +the premises, instead of greedily wanting to grab +the whole, as Aleck put it, Uncle Artemus might +have been the very capitalist needed to develop the +mine; but no one had any faith in him any longer.</p> + +<p>Of course Thad took his scouts, and made a permanent +camp there, about where the three prospectors +had started to settle down late on that night, + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Page 253]</a></span> +when the boys were coming out of the fissure in the +rock. How the others did laugh, again and again, +when they heard all about the fright given to +Kracker and his companions, by the growls which +Thad and Aleck managed to emit.</p> + +<p>Of course the big-horn hunters had come in before +that other day was much more than half done, +and Smithy was proudly carrying the horns that +had belonged to <i>his</i> quarry. He hardly seemed +like the same Smithy they had known so long. +Why, he was a transformed boy in many things, +and even failed to brush off the dust some one +pointed out to him on his khaki garments. And +when Smithy reached a point that he could ignore +such things, there must surely be a great transformation +taking place in his make-up.</p> + +<p>He was brim-full of questions now, eager to +learn the thousand-and-one wrinkles of woodcraft, +and expressing his determination to accomplish +wonderful things before many months had passed.</p> + +<p>And Thad knew that Smithy would prove a sad +disappointment to all those thirty-seven old maid +aunts and cousins who had spoiled him in the past; +for he had suddenly discovered that he had the red +blood of his father running in his veins; and the +lure of all outdoors was beginning to take hold of +him. Never again would that boy be satisfied to +sit at the feet of an old lady, and learn how to make +fancy-work; oh! no, after this, the baseball and + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Page 254]</a></span> +football fields would claim a goodly share of his +attention; for Smithy was bent on making himself +<i>manly</i>, a credit to the father whose name he bore, +and who he knew had once dearly loved to hunt, +and fish, and spend his vacations in the woods, close +to Nature, as do all men who are worthy of the +name.</p> + +<p>Before the time limit which Thad and his chums +had set for their stay in the haunts of the Rockies +had fully expired, Aleck and the sheriff, accompanied +by Toby Smathers, and several gentlemen +who looked like financiers, came back. They had +no sooner examined the mine than arrangements +were immediately made for forming a company to +open it. There was even talk about running a railroad +spur up the valley from the nearest connection, +so that the rich ore might be taken to a smelter, and +stamping mills; though possibly it would be decided +as an easier proposition to bring these things +to the mine.</p> + +<p>And so, one fine day, the Silver Fox Patrol of +Cranford Troop of Boy Scouts said good-bye to +Aleck and several others who had become their +friends since arriving in that region, where the +massive Rockies reared their snow-capped heads +toward the blue skies, far outreaching the clouds at +times.</p> + +<p>Toby Smathers was to go back with them as far +as the nearest town on the railroad; and then he + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Page 255]</a></span> +expected to return to the mine, having been offered +a splendid position by the company. Aleck meant +to go down and see his mother and sisters presently, +when he could keep away no longer; and pour into +their laps some of the first proceeds from the now +newly-discovered, but long-hidden silver mine.</p> + +<p>And later on Thad had long letters from the +Western boy, in which he fully described the happiness +that now reigned in his home; and again and +again did that good little mother send her warmest +regards to the brave lads who had been so instrumental +in gaining this great fortune for the Rawsons, +and to whom she must ever feel gratitude of +the deepest kind on account of having her son spared +to her.</p> + +<p>Of course we shall expect at some future time +to once more make the acquaintance of Thad +Brewster and his jolly lot of chums belonging to +the Silver Fox Patrol. With the advent of the new +patrol, and other lads still clamoring for admittance +into the troop, Cranford was apt soon to take +a front rank, as a town where the boys were organized +for good. And when so many enterprising +lads as Allan, Step Hen, Giraffe, Bumpus, <a name="Bob" id="Bob"></a>Bob +White, Smithy, Davey Jones, and last, but far +from least, the efficient assistant scoutmaster himself, +Thad Brewster, continue to get together at +every available opportunity, winter and summer, +bent on having a royal good time, it may be set + <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Page 256]</a></span> +down as certain that lots of remarkable things are +just bound to happen, that would make splendid +reading.</p> + +<p>But for the present we will have to let Bumpus +take his bugle in hand, and in his customary clever +way sound "taps," lights out.</p> + + +<hr /> +<div class="tn"> +<h4>Transcriber's Note:</h4> +<ul class="corrections"> +<li>Page <a href="#Big">1</a> Added comma after "Timber" in "Through the Big Timber".</li> +<li>Page <a href="#attire">4</a> Corrected spelling of "suggesed" to "suggested" in "of +their attire suggesed".</li> +<li>Page <a href="#edge">13</a> Added closing quotation after "precipice!" in "over the edge +of the precipice!".</li> +<li>Page <a href="#dangerous">17</a> Corrected spelling of "narnow" to "narrow" in "so many +dangerous narnow paths".</li> +<li>Page <a href="#over">48</a> Added opening quotation before "but" in "over; but it +wouldn't surprise me".</li> +<li>Page <a href="#if">49</a> Corrected spelling of "ony" to "any" in "if ony one did have".</li> +<li>Page <a href="#it">53</a> Corrected spelling of "seemd" to "seemed" in "for it seemd a +monstrous".</li> +<li>Page <a href="#explain">63</a> Moved opening quotation from end of "explain" to beginning of +"One" in "Aleck went on to explain. One of the men knew".</li> +<li>Page <a href="#longer">77</a> Corrected spelling of "an" to "and" in "a while longer, an canvassed".</li> +<li>Page <a href="#they">93</a> Corrected spelling of "returnd" to "returned" in "they returnd +once more".</li> +<li>Page <a href="#move">104</a> Corrected spelling of "Dont" to "Don't" in "Dont move, Aleck".</li> +<li>Page <a href="#this">122</a> Added opening quotation to beginning of "this sure takes the cake".</li> +<li>Page <a href="#very">136</a> Corrected spelling of "unusal" to "unusual" in "nothing so very unusal".</li> +<li>Page <a href="#so">153</a> Added opening quotation to beginning of "so, p'raps we kin get".</li> +<li>Page <a href="#the">178</a> Corrected spelling of "intelligennt" to "intelligent" in "thanks to the +intelligennt manner".</li> +<li>Page <a href="#Toby">185</a> Removed extraneous quotation after "Smathers," in "Toby Smathers, the +forest ranger".</li> +<li>Page <a href="#most">189</a> Added opening quotation to beginning of "I could 'most imagine".</li> +<li>Page <a href="#Giraffe">194</a> Correct spelling of "belligerantly" to "belligerently" in "asserted +Giraffe, belligerantly".</li> +<li>Page <a href="#be">251</a> Corrected spelling of "litle" to "little" in "scoutmaster must be +litle short".</li> +<li>Page <a href="#Bob">255</a> Removed extraneous "Bob" in "Bumpus, Bob Bob White".</li> +</ul> +</div> + +<hr class="full" /> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY SCOUTS IN THE ROCKIES***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 32354-h.txt or 32354-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/2/3/5/32354">http://www.gutenberg.org/3/2/3/5/32354</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 Rockies + or the Secret of the Hidden Silver Mine + + +Author: Herbert Carter + + + +Release Date: May 12, 2010 [eBook #32354] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY SCOUTS IN THE ROCKIES*** + + +E-text prepared by Larry B. Harrison and the Project Gutenberg Online +Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustration. + See 32354-h.htm or 32354-h.zip: + (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/32354/32354-h/32354-h.htm) + or + (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/32354/32354-h.zip) + + + + + +THE BOY SCOUTS IN THE ROCKIES + +Or + +The Secret of the Hidden Silver Mine + +by + +HERBERT CARTER + +Author of "The Boy Scouts First Camp Fire," "The Boy Scouts +in the Blue Ridge," "The Boy Scouts on the Trail," +"The Boy Scouts Through the Big Timber," +"The Boy Scouts in the Maine Woods." + + + + + + + +[Illustration: A.L. BURT COMPANY +NEW YORK] + +Copyright, 1913 +By A. L. Burt Company + +THE BOY SCOUTS IN THE ROCKIES. + + +[Illustration: + + The stubborn jack stood, with his sturdy legs braced like steel, + while the taut rope told that Smithy must be dangling at the + other end. + + _Page 13_ + + _The Boy Scouts in the Rockies._] + + + + +THE BOY SCOUTS IN THE ROCKIES + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +PERILS OF THE MOUNTAIN TRAIL. + + +"How is the cripple crowd coming on these days? Hello! Step Hen, any +more snake bites? Hope you're not limping with that other leg, now?" + +"I should say not, Thad. But I'm always going to believe you did a lot +to keep the poison from getting into my system, when you sucked that +wound." + +"And how about your game limb, Giraffe--was it the right, or the left +you bruised so badly on the stones when you fell?" + +"The left one, Thad; but thank goodness it's healing up just prime, +now. That magic salve did the business in great shape, I tell you." + +"Allan, I notice that you still have a halt once in a while. That old +bear trap sure took a nasty grip on your leg, didn't it, though?" + +"It gave me an ugly pinch, Mr. Scout Master; and only for the fact of +the springs being so weak and rusty that the owners had abandoned the +trap, I might have been lame for three months. The witch hazel +liniment you rubbed on helped a lot." + +"Well, I'm glad to see you're all such a grateful lot, considering the +little I was able to do for you. It's sure a pleasure to be patrol +leader and assistant scoutmaster to such a wide-awake lot of boys as +we have in the Silver Fox Patrol. Don't you think so, Toby Smathers?" + +Thad Brewster turned a smiling face upon the sole man of the party, a +genuine woods-ranger, such as the Government employs to look after the +great forest reservations in the region of the Rocky Mountains, and +the Coast, away up in the Northwest region. + +"Wall, it strikes me they're a purty lively lot of scouts, all right; +and lucky at that to hev a leader as leads, and holds the reins tight +over 'em. And I'm glad myself to be guide to such a hefty bunch. That's +what I'm asayin', Mr. Scout Master," the party addressed replied. + +Outside of the guide there were just eight lads in the party; and from +the fact that various parts of their attire suggested the well known +khaki uniform which all Boy Scouts wear, the world around it was +evident that these young fellows belonged to such an organization. + +This was the exact fact, since they had come from far-away Cranford in +an Eastern State, and were known as the Silver Fox Patrol of Cranford +Troop; there being another patrol known as the Eagles, mustered in +during the late winter. + +Thad Brewster was the patrol leader; he was also a First Class Scout, +and had qualified for the position of Assistant Scout Master, +receiving his certificate from Headquarters many moons before. + +Second in charge came Allan Hollister, a Maine boy, who had had +considerable actual experience in wood's life, and to whom the rest of +the patrol naturally turned whenever a knotty problem faced them +during an outing. + +The exceedingly fat and good-natured youth was Bumpus Hawtree, bugler +of the troop, even though just now he was minus the instrument on +which he was accustomed to sound the various calls, such as +"reveille," "assembly," "taps," and so on, the most popular being the +second, as it was usually associated with meals. Bumpus had been +looked upon as the real tenderfoot scout, up to recently; but having +become lost in the big timber recently, he had acquitted himself so +splendidly, as recorded in the preceding volume, that his mates now +regarded him as one who had been keeping his light under a bushel. + +Then there was Bob White, otherwise Robert White Quail, a Southern +boy, warm of heart, a faithful friend, and upon whom the leader could +always depend in emergencies; Step Hen Bingham, whose real name of +course was Stephen, but upon appearing at school for the first time he +had insisted that it was pronounced as though made up of two +syllables; Davy Jones, an athletic lad; Giraffe, really Conrad, +Stedman, but given the significant nick-name because of a habit he had +of stretching an exceedingly long neck most outrageously; and last but +far from least, a dudish looking boy who at home answered when they +called him Edmund Maurice Travers Smith; but among his playmates he +was known simply as "Smithy." + +These Boy Scouts had seen some pretty lively times during the past +year or so, down in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, where +they visited the former home of Bob White, and found themselves mixed +up with the moonshiners of that wild, inhospitable region; and later +on up in Maine, where they had gone partly on business for Thad's +adopted father and guardian, and to enjoy an outing, with a little +hunting thrown in. + +It happened that here among the pine woods of Maine, they were +instrumental in recovering some valuable bonds and other papers that +had been stolen from a bank, and for which a large reward had been +offered. With this money in the treasury of the troop, they were able +to lay out a great trip to the Rocky Mountain region for the following +summer. As the money really belonged to the eight lads individually, +they felt justified in using it in this manner; for the second patrol +had only been formed after the Cranford boys learned what glorious +times the Silver Foxes were having right along. + +One guide who had been hired had gone off with a party of big-horn +hunters, who lured him with better pay, and the other had been taken +down sick; so it came that the boys actually started toward the +mountains without a convoy, their tents and camp-duffle being loaded on +a couple of comical pack mules known as Mike and Molly, which animals +afforded more or less amusement and excitement from time to time. + +They had heard of Toby Smathers, and only good words. In coming to +this particular region they had hoped to run across the ranger, and +secure him for their service while in the valleys and mountains; for +he was said to be patrolling the big timber country, on which some +thieving lumbermen were suspected of having set envious eyes. + +And by great good luck the boys had happened to meet up with Toby, +after passing through a great variety of thrilling experiences, +connected with the hunt for the tenderfoot who had "gone out to find +his bear." And as the ranger was able to engage with them for the +balance of their stay in the mountains, Thad and his companions now +felt that they need hesitate no longer, but might strike boldly into +the heart of the Rockies. + +They had various objects in wanting to come out to this far distant +region. Several who had the hunting fever burning in their veins, had +sighed for a glimpse of big game, grizzlies and such; then another, who +was rapidly being taken with the photographic craze, being Davy Jones, +expressed a wish to snap off wild animals and birds in their native +haunts, the famous big horn sheep for instance taking one of his amazing +plunges over a precipice; Smithy was interested in wild flowers, and had +heard great stories concerning the pretty ones that were to be found out +here; and then there were several others who yearned for excitement in +any shape or style, so long as it thrilled their pulses--which was the +natural boy spirit, always feeding on action. + +Some days had passed since the coming of the guide, and the breaking +up of the camp at the foot of the noisy rapids, where three of the +boys had remained while their companions were off for days, tracking +the wandering Bumpus. + +They had started into the mountains, and were at the time this +conversation took place surrounded by the wildest scenery that any of +them had ever looked upon. + +The trail led along precipitous paths, often with a wall of rock on +one side, and a yawning abyss on the other, down which the boys could +look and see trees growing that seemed to be dwarfed, but which the +guide assured them were of fairly respectable size. + +As a rule the scouts were a rollicking set, full of jokes, and even +playing innocent little tricks upon each other; but somehow the +grandeur of the scenery, as well as the dangers of that mountain +trail, rather stilled their spirits. Thad had also taken pains to warn +them that practical pranks would be out of order during their stay in +the mountains. He had heard of several that had turned out tragedies; +and wanted to carry no ill tidings home to dear old Cranford, when the +patrol set their faces that way. + +Step Hen had one trait from which nothing ever seemed capable of +breaking him. He was exceedingly careless by nature, and forever +misplacing things that belonged to him. And the fun of it was, that he +could never see how the fault lay with himself; but kept bewailing the +misfortune that always picked him out as a victim; just as though some +invisible little imp were haunting his footsteps forever, and watching +for opportunities to hide his belongings in the most unheard-of places. +It did not matter that they were usually found just where Step Hen had +himself dropped them in a moment of absent-mindedness; he would grumble +to himself, and observe his companions suspiciously, as though he really +believed they had been playing a little joke upon him after all. + +Thad had even lain awake nights, figuring on how the other might be +radically cured of this failing; for Step Hen had many admirable traits +of character, and it seemed a great pity that his record as a scout +should be marred by so tenacious a fault. But up to the present the +scoutmaster had not been able to build up a scheme that promised to +effect a cure. And every once in a while the complaining voice of Step +Hen might be heard in the land, wondering "where in Sam Hill that knife +of mine has disappeared to; last time I had it I was mighty careful to +put it away in the sheath; and now it's gone like magic. Who sneaked it +off me, tell me that? Funny how it's only _my_ things that disappear all +the time. Oh! is that it sticking up there in the tree, Giraffe? You say +you saw me put it there? Well, I don't remember the least thing about +that. Guess you must have been dreaming; but of course I'm glad to find +it again. I wish people would use their own knives." + +Perhaps, some time or other Step Hen might be given a lesson that +would make so lasting an impression on him that he would begin to see +the absurdity of being careless. Thad often felt that he would like to +help the good work along, if ever the chance arrived. + +Smithy was more than a little curious in his way. He possessed a kindly +nature, too, and had made friends with Mike, one of the pack mules. +Often in the goodness of his heart the dude scout would walk alongside +the burden bearer, talking to him, and patting the animal's nose. +Sometimes Mike resented these attentions, for he was only a mule after +all, and all scouts looked alike according to his manner of thinking. + +Smithy was walking there now, having the leading rope that was connected +with Mike in his hand; in fact, he had wrapped it around his wrist +absent-mindedly. And as he talked confidingly to the animal, he was also +engaged in rubbing Mike's nose. Twice the mule had plainly given him to +understand that he preferred to be let alone while staggering along +these mountain trails, bearing that big pack on his sturdy back; but +Smithy was really thinking about some wonderfully beautiful wild flowers +he had seen clinging to the face of a precipice further back, and +wishing he might be so lucky as to get hold of such a prize; so that he +paid no attention to the impatient thrust from the mule's nose. + +It happened just then that Thad, Allan and the guide were in the +advance. Something engrossed their attention, and they were holding an +earnest talk-fest among themselves. Had it been otherwise, Toby +Smathers, who knew mule nature like a book, must surely have warned +the kindly Smithy that Mike was in a most irritable frame of mind, and +that he would do well to leave him severely alone for the present. + +Behind Smithy and Mike came Davy Jones, carrying his little camera, and +looking for new worlds to conquer. He had snapped off the procession +several times, and of course the mules always occupied posts of honor in +the pictures. Back of him Bob White and Step Hen were sauntering along, +telling stories, and observing things in general; after them came +Bumpus, puffing and blowing with the exertion; while Giraffe brought up +the rear, leading the other pack animal, known as Molly; and just about +as full of tricks as Mike ever dreamed of being. + +Thad was in the act of pointing toward the valley, glimpses of which +they could obtain from their lofty position, when he heard a +tremendous outcry from the rear that gave him a bad shock. Turning +like a flash, the scoutmaster discovered that one of the patrol was +missing. There was no need to ask who it was, for there he saw Mike, +the pack mule, with his feet pushed out to keep himself from being +pulled over the edge of the shelf of rock; while the taut rope told +that poor Smithy must be dangling at the other end, with an ugly fall +threatening him if by chance the rope came loose from his wrist, where +he had wrapped it! + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +TIDINGS OF THE LOST MINE. + + +"Help! help! Smithy's tumbled over the edge of the precipice!" + +That was Step Hen shouting. He had happened to be the nearest one to the +unfortunate scout, when Mike gave the other an impatient shove with his +nose, that made Smithy lose his balance, and topple over the brink. + +Thad never lost a second, but went on the jump toward the spot where +the stubborn jack stood, with his sturdy little legs braced like +steel, as though determined not to be pulled over just because Smithy +had stepped off the trail. + +Reaching the spot, Thad threw himself down on his face. He could peer +over the edge, and see the dangling scout. Smithy was squirming at a +tremendous rate, doubtless terrified at the sudden mishap that had +overtaken him, and which came when he was dreaming of other things. + +"Stop wriggling that way, Smithy!" called the patrol leader; "it won't +do any good, and may shake the rope loose from your wrist! Here, try +and get hold with your other hand; and grip it good and fast. We'll +have you up in a jiffy, never fear!" + +"Oh! Thad!" gasped the poor fellow, whose face was as white as chalk +when he turned it appealingly upward; nevertheless Smithy had learned +the quality of obedience, and particularly when he heard the acting +scoutmaster speak; so that almost mechanically he groped around with his +free hand until his fingers came in contact with the taut rope, when +they closed upon it tenaciously; just as a drowning man will cling to +the first thing he clutches that seems to hold out a single ray of hope. + +"Let me help," said a quiet voice close to Thad's ear; and he knew +that it was Allan who spoke--Allan, always self-possessed and cool, +even in the most trying conditions. + +Thad was only too glad to have an assistant, for he could never have +lifted the imperiled lad alone, since Smithy was no light weight; and +did not know enough to help himself by digging the toes of his boots +into crevices of the rocks, so as to ease the terrific strain on his +arms. + +"Hold on tight, Smithy; it's all right, and you're not going to fall, +understand that now. So, up you come, my boy! Another pull like that, +and we'll sure have you on deck again. Easy now with that rope back +there; Step Hen, hold to the mule, and keep him quiet, will you?" + +Thad said all this in a reassuring, matter-of-fact tone, that was +better calculated to put confidence into the faint heart of Smithy +than anything else could. Step Hen and Davy Jones caught hold of the +obstreperous Mike, almost frantic because of these strange +carryings-on, and held him tight, so that he might not interfere with +the critical work of rescue. + +And so Smithy was finally pulled over the edge. Once Thad managed to +secure a grip of the collar of his scout coat, he knew everything was +serene, for that khaki cloth was firm and sound, and capable of +bearing almost any strain. + +The rescued scout sprawled on the shelf, panting hard. His face was +still ghastly white, for Smithy lacked greatly in fortitude, and +needed building up as much as the other tenderfoot, Bumpus, had, +before his adventures in the big timber, that had gone so far to raise +him in the estimation of his chums. + +"Whew! that was a close shave!" exclaimed Giraffe, from the rear, +where he had been holding on the other mule with more or less +difficulty; because, when Molly discovered that her mate was in some +sort of panic, she also wanted to frisk around, and cut up, after the +way of mules in general. + +Step Hen and Davy Jones were poking their heads over the edge, curious +to know just what Smithy had been saved from. The former turned, and +grinned. + +"Guess you might have been bruised some, Smithy, if you'd gone on +down;" he remarked; "but there's a big shelf that was waiting to grab +you, just five feet under your toes. But as you didn't know that, and +thought the drop was half a mile, more or less, I don't blame you for +feeling shaky about it." + +Smithy recovered sufficiently to insist on crawling to the edge, and +also peering over. When he really found that what Step Hen said was +the truth, it seemed to annoy him, strange to say. + +"Now, isn't that provoking," he declared, in his precise way of +talking that he had learned from his maiden aunts; "why, if I had only +been aware of that circumstance, what an amount of mental suffering it +would have saved me. When a fellow gets such a fright as that, he +likes to know that it was worth while." + +The journey was soon resumed; but Thad saw to it that some one else +besides Smithy held the leading rope of the tricky Mike. Perhaps the +mule might never afterwards try the same game; and then again he was +liable to break out in a new direction; for there was a little demon +in that wicked eye of his, Thad thought. + +Already they were on the downward grade. By the time night arrived, +the guide hoped they would have reached the lower canyons, where a +camp might be made. All of the boys were really tired of climbing +about among so many dangerous narrow paths, and would welcome the +coming of the time when they could move around without constant danger +of being dashed to death over some precipice. + +None of them claimed to be born mountain climbers. They preferred to +take their fun in some other way. + +When the route changed somewhat in its character, so that the little +party could gather more together, an animated conversation broke out. +The guide was fairly flooded with questions concerning the country, +and what he knew about its past. + +"I've been all through here many's the time," Toby declared, waving a +hand to cover the surroundings generally. "And some other fellers, +they've jest been fairly hauntin' these regions in years past; but +'twa'n't any use; for they never could find that old mine again." + +"What's that?" demanded Step Hen, scenting an interesting item, for he +was always on the look-out for such things as seemed to promise a +touch of mystery. + +"A mine; what kind was it, Toby; who lost it; and why haven't they been +able to find it any more?" asked Giraffe, eagerly; while Bumpus crowded +closer, for he had a little mercenary streak in his make-up, and was +keen to discover a chance to lay by another store of hard cash, that +might insure a succession of glorious outings for the Silver Foxes. + +The guide seemed nothing loth to tell what little he knew. + +"Why, you see, thar was a man named Rawson--met him lots of times +myself; and one time after he'd been pokin' about in this section, +prospectin', he came to Greeley with his pockets just bulgin' out with +the richest silver ore ever seen. All he'd say was he'd struck a lode +that was mighty nigh the pure stuff. Then he went away, to try an' get +up a company to work his mine, they sez, an' he never kim back. Nobody +never knowed whatever became of Rawson; but heaps of folks has hunted +high an' low to find his rich mine. Why, thar was that old miner, +Kunnel John Kracker, I jest reckon he spent as much as four months +several times up around here, pokin' into the most unlikely places you +ever heard tell of. They sez as how he was so dead sot on findin' that +same lost silver mine, that he near went dippy over it." + +"And nobody has ever managed to locate it again, since that day so +many years ago; is that what you mean, Toby?" asked Thad. + +"So she seems, Mr. Scout Master," replied the other, who always gave +Thad this full appellation when addressing him. + +"Bumpus, what in the wide world are you chuckling at, back there?" +demanded Davy Jones. + +"Don't you know Bumpus enough," laughed Allan, "to guess that already he +sees the wonderful Silver Foxes discovering that lost silver mine, and +just grabbing handfuls of cash right out of it, to pay the expenses of +the next trip--where's it going to be another time, Bumpus; down to the +gulf, cruising; or along the Mexican border; for you know scouts should +never go outside the borders of their own country?" + +"Well, why not?" demanded the fat boy, defiantly; "look back at the +stunts we've carried through so far, and tell me if it would be so +very strange if we just happened to drop in on this old hidden mine of +the Rockies? Luck camps on the trail of the Silver Fox Patrol every +time; and I'm ready to shake hands with anything that needs clearing +up. You just wait, and see if I'm so far off, that's all." + +"And just to think of his name being John Kracker; now, what boy could +ever keep from twisting that around, and calling him a cracker-jack?" +chuckled Giraffe. + +"That's a good one, all right," declared the guide, laughing heartily; +"and I'm some surprised, I am, that nobody ever thought to put that +same on the kunnel afore this. I wish you could aseen him, boys. Why, +he's as fat as--er----" + +"You needn't look at me that way, Toby," burst out Bumpus, instantly, +for he was more or less touchy with respect to his size. "I'm taperin' +down right along these days. Why, I don't reckon I weigh within three +pounds as much as I did when we said good-bye to Cranford." + +"And you lost all of that the time you walked and walked for days, +huntin' for your bear!" put in Davy Jones. + +"Well, I got him, all right, didn't I, tell me that?" asked Bumpus, +proudly, as he patted the double-barreled ten gauge Marlin shotgun, +which he insisted on carrying across his shoulder, while most of the +others were satisfied to secure their guns to the pack saddles. + +"You sure did," replied Davy, willing to give honor where honor was due. + +"I was jest agoin' to say, the kunnel, he's as fat as all get-out," +Toby went on, a twinkle in his eye telling how much he really enjoyed +these little skirmishes between some of his charges. "But all the +same, he's the most energetic critter you ever seen. And temper, say, +he's gettin' as red in the face as a turkey buzzard, struttin' around +with a chip on its wing, ready for a fight. I 'spect some day the +kunnel, he'll jest blow up, and disappear in a cloud of steam. And +p'raps after all you might git a chanct to set eyes on him yet; +because I heard down at Greeley, last time I was thar, that he'd +passed through with a couple of fellers, and packs; so it looked like +he meant to give that pesky lost mine another whirl, makin' p'raps the +fourth time he's been up thisaways." + +"Glad to hear it," spoke up Bumpus. "Makes it more interesting to know +that he's still got some faith in the story of the lost Rawson mine. +But I'm real sorry for Colonel Kracker, because he's a back number +since the Foxes have come to town. If he knows what's good for him +he'll go away back and sit down." + +"It's refreshing just to hear you say that, Bumpus," declared Allan. + +"He's just talking for the fun of hearin' himself, that's what?" +grumbled Step Hen. "What sort of chance would we have, a lot of +greenhorns who never yet saw a silver mine; against an old-timer like +him? For one I'm not going to take any sort of stock in the yarn. Like +as not it's just one of the thousands of lies that are circulated all +through the mining regions. Why, I've heard that there are just any +amount of wonderful lost mines that never existed, my dad says, except +in the mind of some crank. And my dad ought to know, because he owns +stock in heaps of mines that was salted dreadful, just to sell to +innocent people in the East." + +"About this Rawson who was said to have found the silver lode that was +nearly pure," Thad remarked, wishing to pick up more information; +"what sort of a man was he, Toby--you said you used to know him once, +I believe?" + +"A pretty fair an' square sort of a prospector; and they sez as how he +was that tickled over his rich find, sayin' that now his fambly could +enjy some of the comforts o' life. Seems like his fust thought was +'bout them. But I never knowed whar he lived, except that it was +somewhar down in Utah among the Mormons; though to be sure he wasn't +belongin' to the plural wife colony, not much. Seemed to think all the +world 'bout the one wife, and the children he'd got." + +"Then it's too bad poor Rawson never lived to profit by his +discovery," went on the scoutmaster. "If he'd only been able to hand +the key to his find over to his family, they might long ago have come +in for a fair share of the profits of the lode. Well, Bumpus, if, as +you seem to believe, in that stubborn way of yours, that the Foxes are +just _bound_ to tumble into this lost mine, we'll remember, boys, to +hunt up the family of Rawson, and let them share in our luck. And now, +as the afternoon is getting along, we'd better be thinking of +hurrying, if we hope to camp in the valley this coming night." + +They made a little spurt, though it was always next to impossible to +hurry those two independent pack animals, as contrary by nature as +anything could be. Step Hen indeed declared they would do well to +turn the animals around, and _pretend_ to want to go in the other +direction; when Mike and Molly would keep on backing until they had +reached the valley below in good style. + +The sun was of course out of sight behind the mountainous wall +standing like a great barrier in the west, when the little company of +scouts finally reached the base of the eastern ridge. + +"Thar's a hunky camp site jest over beyond that bunch of trees, boys;" +the guide announced; "plenty of good drinkin' water for man, an' beast +too. So let's head that way. Reckon you-all must be some tired with +that long trip in acrost the range." + +Five minutes later, and they drew up at the spot, which Thad +immediately saw was just the place for pilgrims to pass a night. + +"Hello! there's been a fire here!" exclaimed Giraffe, always on the +lookout for anything that pertained to a blaze; for he was the +greatest fire worshipper ever known. + +The guide flung himself down beside the ashes, and felt of them; while +the scouts waited to hear what his report would be. + +"Somebody camped here jest last night," declared the forest ranger, +quickly; "and like as not 'twar that ole Kunnel Kracker an' his party, +bound to comb these mountains onct more, lookin' for the lost silver +mine!" + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +THE LETTERS OF FIRE ON THE CLIFF. + + +"Now, how'd he know that, Allan? D'ye reckon he tells the same way you +would?" asked Step Hen, immediately interested. + +Some of the others had seen the Maine boy do various "stunts" along +the line of woodcraft, on previous occasions; and among others he had +been able to tell just about how many hours previous a fire had been +abandoned, by the "feel" of the ashes, as Giraffe always declared. + +"Pretty much the same, I suppose, Step Hen," replied the other, +pleasantly, for Allan, being one of the officers of the patrol, was +always glad to find any of the scouts interested in picking up +information; and never refused to assist to the best of his ability. + +Toby was examining the ground around the ashes with those snapping +eyes of his, small in point of size, but capable of taking in every +point going. + +"How d'ye suppose he did do it?" persisted Step Hen, who was very +determined, once he had set his mind on anything--stubbornness some of +his camp-mates called it. + +"Oh! there are ways easier to grasp in your mind than explain," Allan +remarked. "You just _seem_ to know a thing. Some hidden instinct tells +you, I might say. You feel a deadness in the ashes that's different +from fresh ones. And then the looks tell you whether the dew has +fallen on them or not. In this case Toby, I reckon, has found out that +they seem mighty fresh; and so no night has passed since the last +spark of fire died out. There are other ways of telling about how many +nights ago it may have been made, if an old one. But you ought to make +a practice of studying these things connected with fires, Giraffe, +instead of being always wanting to make fresh blazes. You'd find the +matter mighty interesting, and worth while, I give you my word." + +"Say, that gives me an idea!" exploded the tall scout; "and mebbe I +will. Just as you say, Allan, everybody's getting sore on me for +wanting to always build fires and fires, _and_ fires. I've been able +to start 'em every which way, from flint and steel, to twirling a +stick with a bow, after the style of them South Sea Islanders; and +like old Alexander I'm cryin' for new worlds to conquer. Well, here +they are, just like you say; and connected with fires too; right in my +line, so to speak. Thank you for giving me the tip, Allan; I'm sure +goin' to think it over." + +"Thank goodness!" exclaimed Step Hen, fervently. + +"Now, what d'ye say that for?" demanded Giraffe, taking umbrage at once. + +"If ever you devote your colossal mind to the job of seeing how many +ways fires can be _put out_, instead of started, the rest of us'll +have a chance to get some decent sleep nights; because we won't be +always afraid of the woods burnin' up with your crazy experiments," +and Step Hen moved a little further away from his chum as he said +this, not knowing how Giraffe might take it. + +But the tall scout, after meditating over the matter for part of a +minute only remarked indifferently: + +"Oh! that's all right, Step Hen; you've got your faults too, and big +ones in the bargain. Ask Bumpus here if my faculty for makin' fires +didn't save us from a whole peck of trouble that time up in Maine when +we found ourselves lost, a cold night comin' on, two partridges shot, +and not a single match in the crowd to start a fire to cook the game +and keep us from freezing stiff. He knows." + +"That's right," declared the fat scout, instantly, and with a fond +look toward Giraffe, as memories of the occasion referred to came +trooping into his mind, so that he could almost smell the odor of +those cooking birds, thrust near the delightful fire on the points of +long splinters of wood. + +Meanwhile the guide had come back to where the little party began to +make preparations for the night, the packs having been taken from the +backs of Mike and Molly, and everybody finding something to do in the +bustle. + +"Get anything?" asked Thad, as Toby Smathers came up, a grin +decorating his sunburnt but honest face. + +"Oh! it was the kunnel, all right," replied the guide. "I knows the +mark o' his hoof among a thousand. An' he's got them two pizen sharks +along o' him, Waffles and Dickey Bird. They been kicked out of nigh +every camp in the silver region, but they just about suit the ijee of +the kunnel, when he wants any dirty work done." + +"And that's what you call finding the long lost silver mine, do you?" +asked the scoutmaster, smiling. + +"Well, accordin' to the ijee of most decent miners, that same Rawson +had the first claim on that ere mine; and any feller that rediscovers +it ought to turn a third of the proceeds over to the fambly of the man +as got thar first. But you don't ketch Kunnel Kracker doin' any such +foolish business as that. He'd gobble the whole business, and snap his +finger at the widow and orphans. But they's one thing I don't just +exactly understand about the marks hereabouts. Seems to be a boy along +with the gang. Now, whatever could such an old seasoned prospector and +miner as Kracker want with a half grown boy up in this part of the +country, when he's huntin' for a mine that seems to have dropped out +of sight, like it fell through to China? That's what gets _me_." + +"Perhaps it might be an Indian boy; we had a glimpse of such a half +grown brave skulking along, one day. He seemed to want to count noses +in our crowd the worst kind, and we wondered if he meant to steal +anything; but after a while he just cut stick and cleared out, looking +a lot disappointed over something. Giraffe here tried to get close +enough to him to speak, but he was that shy he kept moving off all the +time. We thought he might have expected to see somebody he knew among +us, a boy perhaps, and when he found that we were a pack of strangers +he didn't want anything more to do with us." + +"This wa'n't any red-skinned boy, but a white," Toby declared, +positively. "An Injun would a toed-in, and wore moccasins; but he had +on shoes, and turned his toes out, all right, civilized way. But then, +just as you say, p'raps it don't matter a row of beans to us who he +was. We may run acrost 'em sooner or later; and again mebbe we won't." + +When the two tents were in position it began to look "jolly much like +a camp," as Step Hen declared. + +The mules were allowed to graze on the little tufts of grass that grew +in spots around, where there was enough earth to allow of such a +thing. Close by was an occasional stunted tree, from which the boys +easily secured all the firewood that was apt to be needed. + +And how genial that blaze did look in the coming night, as it shone +upon the tents, the smiling faces of the scouts, and the general +surroundings, so wild and lonely. + +"Looks like we owned the whole world," remarked Bumpus, "when you just +squint around, and see the old Rockies towerin' up to the right and to +the left, behind and before. Say, this is what we've been lookin' +forward to a long time, ain't it, fellers?" + +Bumpus seemed to be happier over the situation than any of the others. +Really, it was queer how deep an interest the stout youth had always +taken in this trip to the Wild Northwest. He it was who first +suggested the same, and on every occasion he had fostered the idea. Up +in Maine, when they first heard about that rich reward offered for the +recovery of the missing valuables that had been stolen from a bank, +Bumpus had been the one to declare that they ought to recover them, so +as to have plenty of funds in the treasury, to pay the expenses of a +grand trip to the backbone of the continent, those glorious mountains +which he saw so often in his day dreams, and yearned so much to visit. + +Of course, by this time every one of his chums had become filled with +enthusiasm also, and there was no faint answer to this question on the +part of Bumpus. + +Pretty soon supper was started, and that was a time when the scouts +began to be more or less restless. Tired as they might be, when the +delicious odors permeated the outermost limits of the camp, no one +seemed able to sit still. The fact of the matter was that they were +ravenously hungry, and it was tantalizing to get the "smell" of the +cooking, with the knowledge that it would be at least half an hour ere +they could begin to satisfy their appetites. Any one who knows the +make-up of average boys, understands that. + +"I wouldn't like to be caught in parts of this valley, in a +cloud-burst," Davy Jones remarked; "I've been alookin' around some, +and there's signs that tell of floods long ago. Guess a feller'd have +hike some, to get away if a wall of water came whirlin' down here." + +"But the hunting ought to be fine, don't you think, Toby?" asked Step +Hen, who had begun to have aspirations to equal the record of several +of his comrades; and more than once declared that nothing less than a +big-horn Rocky Mountain sheep would satisfy his ambition. "I c'n just +think I see the jumpers playin' leap-frog up along some of the cliffs +that stand out against the sky yonder." + +"We'll find sheep, sooner or later, all right," asserted the guide, +who was engaged in cutting wood for the fire; and more than that he +would not say, being a man of words rather than big promises. + +"Look at Giraffe, would you?" remarked Step Hen. "He just can't quit +playin' with fire all the time." + +"What's he doing now?" asked Thad, with a laugh, and not bothering to +look up; for it happened that just then he was making some notes in +his log book, fearing lest they slip his mind, if he waited until +after supper. + +"Oh! he's got a firebrand, and standing out there in the dark he's doing +all sort of queer stunts! with it--whirling it around several times; +then movin' it up and down, quick like; after which he crosses it +horizontally a few times. Why, just to look at him you'd think he was +sending a message like we do with the wigwag flags in the day time." + +"Well, that's just what Giraffe is pretending to do, right now," said +Thad, after he had taken one quick look. "Only instead of using flags, +he's taking a light to make the letters with. Giraffe is a pretty good +hand at heliograph work and all kinds of wigwagging, you know. I've +talked with him by means of a piece of looking glass, on a sunshiny +day, more than a mile away; and we managed to understand each other +first-rate. Leave Giraffe alone, Step Hen. He's a nervous scout, you +understand, and has to work off his steam some way. There couldn't be +any better than brushing up his Morse code, I think." + +"Huh! p'raps you're right," grunted the other; "but it does beat all, +how Giraffe, always finds satisfaction in playing with fire." + +"There's one good thing, about it these days," ventured Davy Jones. + +"What might that be, suh?" asked the Southern boy, Bob White, looking +up; for he was assisting to get supper ready. + +"Why, we don't have to be afraid of Giraffe setting the woods on fire +any more. It'd take a job bigger'n he could manage to get a fire goin' +in this rocky valley," and Step Hen laughed as he said this; for +indeed, the sparse and stunted trees that grew at intervals along the +sides of the mountains did not seem to offer much encouragement to a +would-be incendiary. + +"How much longer do we have to wait for grub?" asked Bumpus, sighing +dismally. + +"What's that to you?" demanded Giraffe, from outside the limits of the +camp proper; he having heard the plaint. "If you went without a bite +for a week, sure, you could live on your fat, Bumpus; but think of +_me_. Why, in two days' time my back-bone'd be rubbing up against my +front ribs; and in another they would have a riot. I've got a space to +fill all the time. Please hurry up, fellers. Somebody blow the fire, +and make it cook faster, won't you?" + +"You might be doing the same, Giraffe, 'stead of wastin' all your +surplus energy aswipin' the empty air out there," called out Step Hen +disdainfully, and yet with a slight touch of envy in his voice; for, +truth to tell, he aimed to equal the proficiency of the lanky scout in +the signal line. + +So they went on exchanging remarks, as the minutes dragged slowly +past, each seeming more like an hour to the half-starved boys. In vain +did those who were doing the cooking tell them to keep their eyes +anywhere but on the fire, because "a watched pot never boils." + +But by slow degrees the supper was nearing readiness. Bumpus was even +making his mouth give signs of his eagerness to begin; and some of the +others had even taken up their tin platters hoping to be helped first, +when Giraffe suddenly came jumping into camp, wildly excited. + +Thad looked up from his writing, half expecting to see him followed by +a savage mountain wolf, or possibly a full-grown grizzly bear; but to +his astonishment the boy who carried the burning fagot of wood cried +out as well as he could in his great excitement: + +"Thad--Allan--look! look! somebody's making wigwag letters with a +blaze like mine, away up yonder on the face of that high cliff; and I +could read it, sure I could! And Thad, oh! what do you think, it +keeps on sayin' the same thing over and over all the time, aspellin' +out the one word: 'help! help! help!'" + +The scoutmaster jumped to his feet instantly, ramming the note book deep +down in his pocket as he grasped Giraffe eagerly by the arm, exclaiming: + +"Come and show me what you mean! I hope you haven't mistaken a star +for a torch!" + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +THE TORCH TALK. + + +Every one of the scouts was on his feet by this time, even fat Bumpus +managing to struggle erect with the rest. And strange to say, the +supper that was just about to be dished out was for the time being +utterly swallowed up in this new and thrilling excitement. + +They trooped after Thad and Giraffe, the latter still hanging on to +his blazing torch. Toby was left alone by the fire; but after making +sure that the supper was in no danger of burning up, the cool, +level-headed guide followed his charges over to the spot where Giraffe +had happened to be standing, when he noticed the odd signals from up +on the face of the cliff. + +"Where is it right now, Giraffe?" demanded Davy Jones. + +"Nothin' doin'!" added Step Hen, in disgust. "Now what d'ye think of +that? The feller had his own eyes blinded by whirling his old blaze +around so much, that he just _thought_ he glimpsed another light up +there. Say, p'raps Thad hit the thing on the head when he mentioned a +star. Like as not now, Giraffe, he just saw one peepin' over the top +of the mountains at him, and thought it winked. Well, this takes the +cake; and all that fine supper gettin' cold while we're gaping out +here. It's a burnin' shame, that's what it is. Me for the fire again." + +"Wait!" said Thad, in that tone of authority that always found ready +respect from the scouts under him; it was the scoutmaster, and not +their chum, who spoke, whenever Thad used that very stern voice. + +"Give you my word for it, Thad, I saw it again and again," Giraffe +went on, as if he felt that his veracity as a scout was hanging in the +balance. + +"Point out the exact place," said Thad, promptly. + +"I can do it all right, and don't you forget it, Step Hen," declared +the tall scout, eagerly; and accordingly, raising his torch, he held +it stationary at an angle of nearly forty-five degrees. + +"Right there she was, Thad; and if you look close now, p'raps you c'n +see a sorter glow like," he went on, again showing excitement. + +"I believe I do," replied Thad. "Here, give me that torch of yours, +Giraffe." + +"What are you goin' to do, Thad?" asked the other, even while he +complied with the request, which was in the shape of a command. + +"Try and see if I can get a raise again." + +As Thad said this he started to wave the torch in several ways. Now he +lifted it and lowered it rapidly; then it went out at an angle; and +followed with several circles, or possibly a diagonal dash. + +And Giraffe saw that he was spelling out the word: + +"Hello!" + +Eagerly they waited to see the result. + +As the last letter was formed, and the wind-up sign made to indicate +the message had been completed, to the astonishment of most of the +boys there was a sudden response. Away up on the face of what seemed +to be a high cliff a light appeared, and began to cut strange figures +and lines in the air, as an arm swung it to and fro. And Thad, as he +started to read the letters, realized that whoever it might be trying +to get in communication with those in the valley, he certainly knew +his Morse code all right; indeed a regular telegrapher and wigwag +artist belonging to the Signal Corps of the United States Army could +hardly have shown more proficiency in the business. + +Regularly then, without a hitch, the fiery finger outlined against the +dark background spelled out the significant word: + +"Help!" + +Thad read each letter aloud, for the benefit of those among the scouts +who, not being so well along in the work, might have some difficulty +in following those wizard flashes to and fro, up and down, and around. + +"Just like I said, ain't it, Thad?" breathed Giraffe, as if he felt +that his reputation, assailed by Step Hen, had been fully vindicated; +but the scoutmaster did not bother answering his question, since he +had his mind wholly bent upon solving the mystery of the mountains. + +Again he started making erratic movements with the torch he gripped in +his right hand; and the staring Giraffe read what the patrol leader +was saying to the unknown party perched aloft. + +"What is the matter?" + +Then the light appeared again, and it seemed as though the other might +purposely be keeping it concealed between messages; and back came the +startling answer, which Thad spelled aloud as it was sent: + +"In trouble--come up--help me!" + +"Great governor! what d'ye suppose ails him?" exclaimed Giraffe, +seldom being able to keep a still tongue in his head, especially when +excited very much; and just then he was quivering all over with +nervous eagerness to solve the mystery. + +"Somebody bring me another stick from the fire," said Thad; "this one +is getting burnt out. Giraffe, you go, because you'll know what kind I +want better than any of the others." + +Giraffe might have felt like rebelling, because he hated the worst +kind to lose a single word of that mighty interesting exchange of +signals; but Thad, as usual, had been wise enough to coat the order +with a little subtle flattery that served as oil to lubricate matters. +Since none of the other scouts could be trusted to select the right +kind of torch necessary for signaling purposes, why, of course Giraffe +must sacrifice all other personal desires, for the common good. And so +he walked toward the fire, though most of the time that long neck of +his kept "rubbering" backward, so as to give him something of a chance +to see what came next on the programme. + +"Who are you?" Thad waved upward, each letter being clear and +distinct; for the scout leader knew the folly of running them into one +another, and confusing the receiving end of the battery. + +"Aleck Rawson!" + +When Thad had spelled this out, various exclamations arose from the +boys. + +"Rawson--why, that was the name of the man who found the silver mine +up in this country, wasn't it, Toby?" cried Davy Jones, voicing the +thought that had flashed into the mind of every boy just then. + +"It sure was," replied the guide. + +"Can this be him, then; has he been a prisoner all these years?" +gasped Smithy; at which there was a scornful laugh from the others. + +"His name wa'n't Aleck; near as I kin remember 'twas Jerry," said Toby. + +"P'raps, suh, he had a son?" suggested Bob White. + +"Just what I was going to remark," added Allan, eagerly. + +The intelligence that had come to them in that last reply had created +a sensation among the scouts. Indeed, even Thad was so astonished that +for the moment he could not find words in which to continue the +interesting conversation by fire. + +Then his torch expired. + +"Hurry Giraffe, and fetch me that other light!" he called; but there +was hardly any need of saying this, because the party in question was +already advancing by kangaroo-like leaps, covering ground in a manner +simply miraculous. + +"What was that last he said?" he demanded, and Step Hen made haste to +answer, partly because he wanted to stagger the tall scout; and then +perhaps he realized that Giraffe would really give them no peace +until he was told: + +"Said his name was Aleck Rawson--remember what Toby told us about the +man who found the mine long years ago! Well, this might happen to be +his boy, we think." + +"Keep still! Thad's going to talk some more!" grumbled Bumpus. + +Again did the fire signaling go on; and the new torch selected by the +expert Giraffe proved even better that the one that had burned out. +Letter by letter did Thad send a long message, and Allan spelled it +out as it progressed; so that by the time it was completed every one +knew just what had been flashed upward toward the unseen receiving +party above. + +"Can we get up to where you are?" + +Now the fiery finger in the darkness began to write an answer; every +letter was plainly carried out, so that not in a signal instance did +Thad "trip up" as he read it aloud. + +"Yes, but come quick--bring rope--might fall any minute!" + +"I bet you he's hanging on to a little narrow shelf of rock!" declared +Bumpus. + +"But if he is, how in the dickens could he get the fire to signal +with; that's what bothers me?" muttered Giraffe. + +"Where are you?" signaled the scoutmaster, promptly, thinking to get +all the information possible while the chance remained. + +"On a ledge part way down the cliff," answered the one who had said +his was Aleck Rawson. + +"How did you get there?" went on Thad. + +"Lowered here, and left to die like a dog," came the stunning answer. + +"Did you ever hear the equal of that?" cried out Bumpus. "Now what +sort of people could ever be guilty of such a horrible thing as that, +I'd like to know?" + +"Oh!" remarked the guide, "they's a heap of bad men around these parts, +I tell ye; but I got a notion I kin see through a board that's got a +knot-hole in it. Ask him who put him there, Mr. Scout Master, please?" + +Thad would have done this, even though Toby had not spoken; indeed, he +was even then about to start putting the question. + +"Who put you there?" + +"Colonel Knocker did--will you come and get me?" + +"The old villain!" gasped Bumpus. "He ought to be tarred and feathered +for such a wicked piece of work. What d'ye suppose he did it for? I +wonder now, if this same Aleck Rawson could know anything about the +secret of that hidden mine; and Cracker-jack John just wants to +torture him till he tells?" + +"That sounds like it, Bumpus; you're good at guessing things, after +all," remarked Step Hen. + +"Keep still, back there; Thad's sending another message!" warned +Giraffe. + +And in his steady way, the scoutmaster went on to flash back the +reassuring words: + +"Yes, we will come to you. Hold on! It may take us some time. Start +right away!" + +"Thank you!" came from above, and then the light that had moved +backward and forward, up and down, and around in eccentric circles, +vanished, as though with that last word the torch, if that was what it +was, had been exhausted. + +But at least it had served long enough to bear a startling message to +the boys of the Silver Fox Patrol, camping there in the valley of the +great Rockies. + +"Now what?" exclaimed the impatient Giraffe. + +Somehow, not one of them gave the waiting supper a single thought just +then; for this new and exciting diversion had made them utterly forget +such a thing as being hungry. + +"I want several of you to go along with me," said Thad; "Toby for one, +because of his strong arms, in case we have to do any lifting; also +Giraffe; and Allan, perhap you'd like to be in the party also?" + +"I certainly would," declared the Maine boy instantly; "if you think I +can be spared from the camp." + +"Oh!" said Thad, "they'll get on all right here, because every fellow +will be put on his honor not to stray away from the fire while we're +gone. Bumpus, please let me have that rope you carry with you. It's +proved valuable several times already, and may come in all right again." + +Bumpus had a very queer idea, in that he persisted in carrying a thin, +braided rope wrapped around his body. It was of the sash cord species, +slender, but extra strong. Bumpus had seen the great need of a rope +once or twice, and made up his mind that he would never be without +one, when abroad in the woods or wilderness. And it had proven useful +to him too; in fact, but for its possession Bumpus might not have been +there, so blithe and happy, at that very moment. Having unfortunately +become mired in a slimy mudhole when lost in the big timber, he was +slowly sinking on account of his desperate efforts to get out, when he +happened to notice the convenient limb of a tree just a couple of feet +over his head; and remembering his rope, he had thrown it, doubled, +over the same; and by making a tremendous spurt, managed to drag his +feet out of the sucking mud, climbing to safety. + +And of course after that nothing could ever induce the fat scout to +think of abandoning that precious rope. + +So he started to unwind it now; and as if this might be a signal for +some of the boys to assist, they seized hold of Bumpus, pulling at the +rope, until they had him whirling around in a dizzy fashion, +protesting all the while, but without any avail. Finally the rope was +wholly unwound, and Bumpus found himself sitting there on the ground, +with the stars waving in all sorts of queer circles over his head, for +he felt as "rocky" as though he had been indulging in strong drink. + +"But be _aw_ful careful of that rope, won't you, Thad?" he managed to +call out, as the scoutmaster started to coil it up for carrying. + +"I certainly will, Bumpus," replied the other; "and thank you for the +loan of it. Come on, those who are going with me; take your guns +along, even if we don't find any use for them. And say, you fellows in +camp, save our share of supper for us, remember!" + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +TAKING FATHER'S PLACE. + + +"Must be nearly up at the top now, Thad." + +It was Giraffe who said this. The little party of four, Thad; Toby, +the guide; Giraffe, and Allan, had been climbing upwards steadily for +more than an hour now; and even the long-legged scout was beginning +to pant more or less from the exertion. + +Having been through the valley more than once before, Toby Smathers +had been able to take them along the trail that led up the other side. +Often they would have been at a loss just how to proceed only for his +superior knowledge. And then the moon had risen too, which meant +considerable in the way of light; for topping the other range, it shed +its brilliant illumination on the side of the elevation the scouts +were now mounting so bravely. + +"How about it, Toby?" asked the patrol leader, wishing to satisfy his +own curiosity, as well as please Giraffe. + +"Right thar, now, and arter this we ain't goin' to have much climbin'. +But you-all want to be keerful 'bout goin' too clost to the edge. That +drop is all of three hundred feet, I reckons," the guide made answer. + +"And think of those sharks aleavin' that boy part way down the face of +that awful precipice!" said Giraffe, gritting his teeth in a way he +had of doing when he wished to let everybody know just how mad he was. + +"It's taken a whole hour for us to climb up here," remarked Thad; "and +we can hardly count on getting back to the camp in less than another, +even if things go right with us." + +"Well, wasn't I wise, then, in sayin' we had ought to snatch up some +grub, to bite at on the way?" declared Giraffe, triumphantly. "I +reckon, now, I'd never a been able to a dumb up this far, if I hadn't +kept nibblin' away at the stuff they handed us when we was startin' +out. And there's more awaitin' for us after we get back, which I take +it is a lucky thing; because my appetite keeps on growin' all the +while, what with this tough climb." + +On the way of course the three scouts had indulged in all sorts of +speculations concerning the cause of Colonel Kracker treating the son +of Jerry Rawson in such a scurvy way. + +And after the subject had been thoroughly discussed, it seemed to be the +consensus of opinion that the boy must possess some map, or at least +some knowledge concerning the location of the hidden mine, which the +money-mad prospector, whose one idea in life nowadays seemed to be the +discovery of this rich silver lode, was trying to force him to give up. + +"Anyhow," Giraffe had declared, with conviction in his voice, "I give +you my word now, that Aleck's been a Boy Scout, some time or other; +because he wouldn't a known how to wigwag that clever way if he hadn't." + +Thad had come to the same conclusion some time before; and somehow the +idea gave him more or less satisfaction. How often was it being made +patent that the very fact of a boy taking up with the scouts might +prove one of the most valuable assets he could possess. If the boy on +the ledge--for they insisted on believing that this Aleck Rawson +_must_ be a fellow of perhaps their own age--had not known how to +communicate by means of the telegraphic code, he might have had +considerably greater difficulty in letting them know of his +predicament, and asking for immediate assistance. + +Of course, there were plenty of knotty things that none of them +pretended to be able to explain; but then Thad felt sure all would be +made clear, once they had drawn the other up from his dangerous +position on that ledge, down along the face of the precipice, that had +been a cliff when they were below it. + +Now and then they would come to a pause, it being necessary that the +guide take an observation, in order to locate their position. He had +several ways for doing this, and Thad, as well as Allan, understood +enough about them to know that Toby was "making good." + +It was all so much Greek however to Giraffe, who fretted considerably +because there was any delay, the need of which he could not understand. + +But in the end the guide announced that he believed they must now be +about over the identical spot from which the fire signals had come. A +dark void down below told where the great valley lay. The moon, about +in the full now, was hanging there just above the opposite range, and +lighting up their wild surroundings. + +"Seems to me we ought to see him, if he's still there?" grumbled +Giraffe, just as though he meant to hint that if the imperiled boy had +lost his hold, and fallen, it would be partly because they had been so +slow in getting there. + +"Perhaps we may," replied Thad, as Toby crawled to the edge to peer +over; "but it wouldn't surprise me if we found that the face of the +precipice backed in, and that would keep us from sighting the ledge, +or any one on it." + +"Looky! there's Toby beckonin' to us. Come on, fellers!" and the eager +Giraffe started to move toward the edge of the descent. + +Knowing that Giraffe was inclined to be reckless in his haste, Thad +kept close beside him, and whispered words of warning. + +"Slow now, Giraffe," he said; "be careful, because we wouldn't like to +have you take a plunge down there. You'd never know what hurt you, if +you did." + +Thus warned the other did slow up a little; but quickly they all reached +a position where they could stretch their necks, and look over. + +The moonlight fell on the face of the precipice. They could even see +away down near the base, where the sharp rocks that had fallen during +countless years in the past were piled up in ugly masses. Just as +Thad had remarked, if any one did have the hard luck to fall over, he +would never know what hurt him. + +"It does slant in below, Thad!" said Giraffe, the first thing. + +"Yes, and we've got to call out to learn whether he's there or not," +returned the scoutmaster; then raising his voice a little he said: + +"Hello! Aleck, are you here?" + +Immediately they heard an exclamation of delight, and then came a reply: + +"Yes, yes, and right underneath you too, I think. Have you got a rope +along with you?" + +"Just what we have; and I hope it's going to be long enough," replied +Thad. + +"Then quick, tie a stone to the end, and lower away. When you have got +it down opposite to me, give a swing in and out. I can take hold easy +enough, if you do that," came from below, in the eager tones of one in +whose heart new hope had taken lodgment. + +Thad lost no time in fastening on a piece of stone, after which he +started to lower away, all the while listening, hoping to hear a cry +that the stone had gone down far enough. As he was getting perilously +near the end of the rope, his heart had begun to misgive him, when +suddenly came a hail: + +"Hold on! that is far enough! Now, keep a tight grip up there!" + +"Get hold with me, the rest of you," said Thad, allowing the guide to +be first; for he wished to take as much advantage of Toby's great +strength as possible, when it came time for the hard pulling. + +Thad started to swing the rope inward and outward, as he had been +directed. A minute later, and the one below called again: + +"There, I've got it, all right; and I find you were smart enough to +make a loop for my foot. Tell me when you're ready, and I'll let loose +down here. It'll be a heavy load; and I hope you won't let the rope +slip through." + +Looking down at the dim vacancy far below Thad felt that the other had +some reason for feeling a trifle worried over the possibility of an +accident; so he hastened to reassure Aleck. + +"Four of us have hold here, and one is a strong man; so don't believe +anything is going to happen to you, Aleck. Tell us when you're going; +it's all right up here with us." + +"Then I'm off!" + +With the words they felt a sudden heavy strain, and knew that the +speaker had allowed himself to swing clear of the ledge, as he +suggested he would do. + +"Careful now, everybody!" warned cautious Thad; "there's no hurry +about it; and we don't want to knock him to hard against the face of +the wall. Easy, Giraffe, Rome wasn't built in a day; and slow makes +sure, sometimes. This is one of them." + +While Thad was speaking in this manner, he lay close to the edge of +the abyss, so he could guide the rope, and avoid letting it be cut by +any sharp stone; and at the same time watch out below. + +Foot by foot did the guide, assisted by the two scouts, draw the +imperiled one upward. Presently Thad could see him plainly below, +swinging a little, turning around also, but always coming closer and +closer. + +He was reminded somewhat of Smithy's little adventure on the preceding +day; only in his case there had been really very little danger, +although at the time the poor fellow had not known but that a thousand +feet of space lay below him, rather than a beggarly five, as was later +on discovered. + +Now Thad could stretch out a hand, and touch the other. + +"Slower still; he's right here, boys!" he cautioned. + +Then he got a grip himself, and held on. Giraffe came to his +assistance; while Allan and the guide continued to grip the rope. One +supreme effort, in which the one they were saving did his part; and +then Aleck Rawson climbed alongside his young rescuers, panting hard +with the exertion he had been through. + +Giraffe felt like giving a shout; but somehow he knew Thad would frown +on any such demonstration. When scouts were in a region where danger +of any kind might be expected to lurk, "discretion must take the part +of valor, and noise be utterly prohibited." He could distinctly +remember the patrol leader saying just those very words, and not so +long ago, either. So the explosive Giraffe had to bottle up his +enthusiasm for another occasion, when the cork might safely be removed. + +The scouts had already discovered that in one thing they guessed +truly; for Aleck Rawson did prove to be a boy, about the size of Thad, +and possibly in the neighborhood of sixteen years of age. + +He was beginning to get back his breath now, and even moved a little +further away from the edge of the precipice, as though it possessed +only terrors for him. Nor could Thad blame him in the least; for it +must have been frightful torture to be left all alone on a narrow +shelf of rock, where he could not have any too good a foothold at the +best, and might slip off if, overpowered by exhaustion, he dared allow +himself to lose consciousness in sleep. + +Presently, when the other had recovered his wind, he might offer to +tell them what it all meant; and just why that vindictive old +prospector and miner, Colonel Kracker, had dared place a boy in such a +position of peril; for it seemed a monstrous proceeding in the mind of +the scoutmaster. + +Now the boy was moving. The first thing Thad knew, a hand clutched his +in a warm, fierce clasp, and he heard Aleck saying: + +"Oh! how can I ever thank you for getting me out of that scrape?" + +"I wouldn't try it, then," replied Thad, laughing softly. "Why, we're +only too glad to have the chance. It's been an experience to remember, +too; the talk with the torches, the climb up the face of the mountain, +and then hauling you up safe and sound. We're Boy Scouts, out looking +for adventure, and doing a little hunting; and this has all been just +great, for us." + +"But think what it's been for me?" said the other, with a quiver in +his voice, although he tried very hard to disguise it. "My poor mother +and little sisters came nearer to losing their man of the house, than +I'd like them to know; because, you see, I've just had to try and take +my father's place ever since he died." + +"Your father, then, was Jerry Rawson, I take it?" said Thad. + +"Yes, that was his name," answered the other, who had gone over and +shaken hands with the guide, with Giraffe, and finally with Allan, in +each instance giving a convulsive squeeze to their hands in a way that +told more eloquently than words could have ever done what intense +gratitude filled his boyish heart. + +"The original discoverer of the wonderful silver mine that has never +been located since that time, so long ago?" Thad went on. + +"Then you _do_ know about that?" Aleck remarked, quickly; "I was +wondering, seeing that you must be strangers around these regions, +whether you had heard." + +"Our guide, Tony Smathers here, told us; he used to know your father; +and he said there was a family located somewhere down in Utah," the +scoutmaster continued. + +"My mother, and three small sisters; the youngest was a baby when he +died," Aleck went on to say, as though he realized that explanations +from him must now be in order, since these boys had done so much for +him; and besides, even though they were next door to strangers to him, +some sort of free masonry within seemed to tell Aleck that they were +going to prove the best friends he had ever known. + +"Do you feel able to walk with us down into the valley to our camp?" +Thad asked. + +"I should say I did, and be only too glad into the bargain!" +exclaimed the other, his voice filled with delight. "And while we're +going I want to tell you just how it came that I was on that horrible +little shelf of rock, placed there by Colonel Kracker, who said I +would never leave it alive unless I gave up to him the secret of my +father's hidden silver mine. And he promised to come up there above me +every day, to ask me if I was ready to throw up the sponge. But I'd +have died there before I played the coward, and told him what he +wanted; for how could I ever look my mother and sisters in the face +again, if I saved my useless life by selling out their mine to that +cruel and hateful man?" + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +BACKED BY THE SILVER FOX PATROL. + + +"Hurrah for you, Aleck!" exclaimed Giraffe, unable to repress his +feelings any longer. + +Thad himself felt just as full of enthusiasm over the brave manner in +which this son of Jerry Rawson had defied the man whose one desire in +life now seemed to be the discovery and confiscation of the rich mine +that had eluded his eager fingers for so many years; but he knew +better how to repress his delight. + +They were starting along the top of the precipice now. Toby leading +the way, and every now and then turning his head, to warn them of a +particularly risky place. Thad had made sure to coil up that precious +rope belonging to generous Bumpus, and which had so frequently proven +to be worth its weight in gold. Never again would Giraffe laugh at the +queer conceit of the fat scout in connection with the carrying of that +window-sash cord. + +As the going was so difficult, and as a rule they were strung out in +single file, Thad thought that it would be just as well to defer all +explanations until they had arrived safely in camp. Besides, that +course would save Aleck from going over things twice; since those who +were not present would naturally be just as anxious to hear the +particulars as they were. + +So they spent all the time in making sure that they did not lose their +footing, and take ugly tumbles; for the way was very steep, and the +moonlight, after all, rather treacherous to depend upon wholly. + +Thad figured, from the clock in the heavens which he knew how to read +so well, (figuring on the position of the moon, and the multitude of +stars, from Sirius, and the blazing Belt of Orion, the Hunter, in the +northeast; to bright Venus in the west, now just about to vanish +behind the mountain ridge,) that they had been gone all of two hours, +when once more they approached the burning fire. + +They could see some of the scouts around the blaze, and as they drew +near, the voice of Davy Jones called out sternly: + +"Halt! who goes there?" + +"Friends!" replied Thad, carrying out the humor of the thing. + +"Advance friends, and give the countersign!" the sentry demanded. + +"Silver Fox Patrol!" replied the scoutmaster, continuing to stride +forward, and closely followed by all the others of the returning party. + +"Did you get him, Thad?" asked Davy, instantly allowing his boyish +curiosity to over-ride all soldierly qualities. + +"That's what we did; and he's here with us, as hungry as they make +them," replied the patrol leader. + +"Oh! I only hope you kept lots of grub; I'm that hungry I c'n hardly +walk," declared Giraffe. + +"After snatching all you did too, when you went off?" complained Step +Hen. + +"But think what we've done since, will you?" argued the tall scout, as +he pushed into camp, and hastened to settle down in a good spot, with +the air of one who naturally anticipated being waited on by his chums. + +"Well, we cooked a lot more," Smithy hastened to remark; "because, you +see, we just calculated that you would be fairly ravenous, after your +exertions. And so this is Aleck Rawson; delighted to meet you; my name +is----" + +"Cut that out; we call him plain Smithy!" broke in Step Hen; "and I'm +Step Hen Bingham. The fat feller is Bumpus Hawtree; this other is Bob +White; while the one who gave you that challenge is Davy Jones. He'll +shake hands with you by offering one of his feet, because he's +standing on his head about as much as the other way." + +And Aleck went around, shaking hands heartily. Plainly they could see +that he was more than delighted to meet with such a hearty reception; +and just when it seemed as though he needed friends the worst kind. + +So the newcomers were quickly waited on, and found that a bountiful +supply of supper had indeed been prepared against their coming, and by +boys who knew what a mountain appetite meant, too. + +By degrees those who had been left in camp were told just how the +rescue had been effected; and then Aleck started in to tell something +about his experiences. + +"I live with my mother and sisters in a town called Logan, down in the +northern part of Utah. My father died several years ago, when I was a +little shaver. He had just come back home, and told us he had struck +it rich, and we would never want again, when he was taken down with a +fever; and after being sick a week, he died. The last thing he did in +his delirium was to press a little pocket looking glass, with a +cracked front, into my hands, and close my fingers on it, like he +wanted me to keep it. And we thought it was just imagination that made +him do it, and that perhaps he believed he was giving me all the money +he saw in his wild dreams. + +"Well, as the years went along, I used often to look at that little +mirror, just a couple of inches across, and think of my father. We +never could find anything among his traps to tell us where the mine he +had discovered was located. More'n a few times this here Colonel +Kracker would visit us, and tell my mother what a big thing it would +be, if only she could find some little chart or rude map among my +father's things, to be sort of a clew to the lost mine; but though she +searched, and I looked again and again, we just couldn't. + +"And one day, would you believe it, somebody broke into our cottage +while we were all out, and stole everything belonging to my father, +from his six shooter and gun, to the old tattered knapsack that he +used to carry, when he was prospecting for pockets of rich ore, or pay +dirt anywhere along the creeks." + +"The old snake!" muttered Step Hen; for of course every one of them +guessed who must have been responsible for this robbery of the widow's +home. + +Aleck went on. + +"And one day, it was only a month ago, as I was sitting there, +fiddling with that same little pocket mirror, the back came loose. I +was starting to pinch the metal tight again, when I discovered that +there was a piece of paper between the glass and the back!" + +"The clue to the lost mine?" gasped Giraffe, nearly falling over into +the fire in his extravagant delight. + +"Yes, that was what it turned out to be," continued the Rawson boy, +actually smiling to see how deep an interest his narrative seemed to +have for these splendid new friends fortune had raised up for him so +opportunely. "My father must have had a return of reason just before +he passed away; and not being able to say a single word, he had +pressed the glass into my hands, thinking that would be enough. But +somehow it had never occurred to me that he knew what he was doing." + +"And that's what brings you up here right now, I reckon; you mean to +find that hidden mine, and claim it for your mother, and the girls?" +asked Thad. + +"That is what I aim to do," replied the other, firmly. "But I think +that man must have kept a spy watching our house, after he failed to +find anything among the things that were stolen; for I've since had +reason to believe that every movement of mine was known to him. And +when he learned that I was going to start north he guessed that I had +a clue of some sort to the mine." + +"And so he captured you, perhaps right here where our camp is now; +because Toby told us there were the footprints of a boy along with +those of Colonel Kracker, and his two cronies, Waffles and Dickey +Bird," Giraffe ventured to say. + +"They did drop in on me right here; and taking me sort of by surprise, +made me a prisoner easy enough," remarked Aleck, somewhat +shame-facedly, as though he considered it far from being to his +credit; "but there was something that happened before that ought to +have warned me to be on the watch." + +"What was it?" asked the impatient Giraffe, as the other paused, while +trying to eat and talk at the same time. + +"Well, you see, down below here, I thought I ought to employ some sort +of guide, because I wasn't altogether accustomed to being all alone in +the wilderness; though I've always used a gun, and hunted. And along +about that time I ran across a man who seemed to be friendly, and knew +the country, he said, like a book. His name was Matt Griggs, he said; +and the upshot of it all was he engaged to pilot me around up here as +long as I wanted him. You see, my plan was to shake him just when I +found my bearings, and felt that I could go on alone; because, of +course I didn't want any outsider to be with me when I took possession +of my father's mine. + +"I was careful never to breathe a word of what I had in mind; just +told him I wanted to knock around for a few weeks among the mountains +up here. And unless I talked in my sleep, which I never knew myself to +do, there wasn't any way Matt Griggs could learn from me the real +reason for my wanting to come to this particular section. + +"But one night I woke up, and found the guide searching through my +knapsack; and then all of a sudden it struck me he was in the pay of +that old scoundrel of a Colonel Kracker. He meant to rob me of my +secret, and had thrown himself across my path on purpose, just about +the time it was supposed I'd be wanting to take on a guide. + +"Of course I covered him with my gun, and sent him away without a +cartridge in his possession. He was ugly about it, too, and vowed he'd +get even with me yet. Well, he did, for my treacherous guide came in +with Kracker and a second man; so I reckon he must be one of those you +spoke of, perhaps Waffles; for I heard the other called Dickey, once +or twice." + +"When they took you a prisoner, they searched you, of course, hoping +to find the valuable paper?" asked Giraffe, who could not wait for the +natural unfolding of the plot, but must needs hasten matters by means +of pointed questions. + +"They raked me over with a fine-tooth comb," replied the other, with a +little chuckle, as though proud of what he had done; "but of course I +had been too smart to carry that paper where it could be found, and so +they had all their trouble for their pains. Then Kracker was as mad as +a wet hen. He stormed, and threatened, and tried to fool me with a +whole lot of silly promises; but it wasn't any use. I just told him +that even if I knew the secret of the hidden mine, I'd die before I +gave it up to him, or any one like him." + +"Well, you saw what he did, in the end; took me up there, and lowered me +to that terrible ledge, saying he was going to leave me there to starve; +and that when the buzzards came flocking around me, and I was wild for a +bite to eat, perhaps I'd feel a little like telling him what he was +bound to know, for he promised to come and ask me every day." + +"This was when?" asked Thad. + +"I think it must have been about noon when they lowered me at the end of +a rope," Aleck went on to explain. "One of the men knew about that +ledge, and the idea seemed to tickle Kracker more than a little. They +just shoved me over, and it was keep a tight hold on that rope for me, +or a drop to the cruel rocks away down at the foot of the precipice. +Then, late in the afternoon I saw you come into the valley far below. I +wanted to shout, at first, but was afraid you were only some of the +other hard cases of silver mine hunters like Kracker. But I had found +out in the meantime that in crevices of the rock some small trees had +once taken root, several of them dying, so that I amused myself in +breaking off pieces of wood and starting a little fire deep in a fissure +I found, and which they didn't know anything about, I guess. + +"Then, to my surprise I saw some one making all sorts of figures in +the darkness with what seemed to be a torch. I used to belong to the +Boy Scout troop of Logan, you see, and for a little while I even +manipulated the telegraph key in the railroad station a few miles out +of there, on the Oregon Southern Railroad; so that I soon saw he was +practicing the Morse code. And then a wild desire came over me to get +in touch with you. What I did, you all know; and I'm the happiest +fellow in the whole Rocky Mountains to think that I've found friends +up here, friends who say they'll stand back of me, and help me win out +in my fight for my father's mine." + +There were tears in Aleck Rawson's blue eyes as he said this last, and +somehow every one of the scouts was deeply affected. It does not take +much to arouse the boyish spirit of enthusiasm as a rule; and what they +had already seen and heard of young Aleck Rawson, made the members of +the Silver Fox Patrol ready to enlist heart and soul in his cause. + +"There are nine of us here," said Thad, quietly, but with a firmness +that thrilled the newcomer in the camp; "it's true that all but one of +us are boys; but then we've got guns, and can use them too, if we have +to. And let me tell you, Aleck, we're the kind of friends that stick. +We've heard a lot about this hidden mine that your father discovered, +and believe that it ought to belong to your mother, and no one else. +This old rascal of a Kracker is a regular pirate, a land shark that +ought to be tied up to a stake, and tarred and feathered, for the way +he persecuted you, just because you refused to give away your secret, +which means everything to your folks. And Aleck, we're going to stand +by you through thick and thin! We've met up with you in about the +queerest way ever heard of; and after getting you off that ledge up +there, don't think we want to call it quits. You're a scout, a fellow +scout in trouble; and we wouldn't deserve the name we bear if we +didn't promise to back you up to the limit. How about it, boys?" + +"That's the talk!" declared Giraffe, with great vim. + +"He can count on us, every time," said Step Hen. + +And so it went the entire rounds of the little circle, every boy +echoing the sentiments that had made Thad, as the patrol leader, +promise the harassed lad all the assistance that lay in their power. + +After that the camp quieted down, and the boys went about their +ordinary pursuits. Davy was fiddling with his little camera, the fever +growing stronger in his veins with each passing day. Indeed, where +some of his chums talked of shooting Rocky Mountain sheep, grizzlies, +timber wolves, panthers and the like, the Jones boy could be heard +expressing his opinion that "shooting" the same in their native haunts +with a snapshot camera, was more to his taste. + +And there was Step Hen, as usual, loudly bemoaning the loss of +something that he just felt sure he had had only five minutes before, +but which was now gone as completely as though the earth had opened +and swallowed it up. + +"'Taint as though it was the first time, either," he was saying, in a +grumbling tone, as of one deeply injured, while he eyed his chums +suspiciously; "it's always _my_ stuff that's bein' so mysteriously +moved about, so that I never know where to put my hand on the same. +Now, I reckon more'n a few of you saw my service hat on my head just a +little while ago; but tell me where it is now, will you? If one of +you snatched it off in your slick way, and is just hiding the same, +let me notify you right now it's a mean joke. Thad, can _you_ tell me +where my hat is?" + +Having the question thus put directly at him, the patrol leader felt +compelled to make a reply. + +"Well, Step Hen," he said, slowly and convincingly, "I can't exactly +do that, but I think I might give a pretty good guess, knowing you so +well. Just five minutes ago you showed up, after having gone to get a +drink at the little stream that runs through here. There's a regular +place where we bend down to drink; and I can just see you taking off +that campaign hat of yours, laying it nicely on the bank, getting your +fill of water; and then deliberately coming back to camp, leaving your +hat there; and then you kick up the greatest racket because you +suddenly notice it isn't on your head!" + +Some of the other boys clapped their hands, while Step Hen looked +foolish at the well-merited rebuke. + +"Mebbe you're right that time, Thad," he said, meekly, as, turning, he +strode from the briskly burning fire, heading toward the good spot +alongside the little stream, where they knelt to drink. + +It was perhaps half a minute afterwards when he was heard to give a +screech that brought every scout instantly to his feet, jumping for +their guns, when they caught the meaning of his words: + +"I've got him!" yelled Step Hen, at the top of his voice; "I'm holding +him, all right! But come and give me a hand, somebody, or he'll get +away! Injuns! Injuns!" + +No wonder that excitement filled the camp of the Silver Fox Patrol! + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +STEP HEN MAKES A CAPTURE. + + +"Wow! it's a regular attack! Keep hold of your guns, boys, and make +every bullet count!" whooped the excited Giraffe. + +"Don't anybody fire a single shot without orders!" roared Thad, who +could never tell what such a fly-up-the-creek as Giraffe was capable +of doing, once he got started. + +The guide led the way toward the spot where Step Hen still continued +to shout and entreat. All of the boys had seen fit to arm themselves. +Even Smithy, who had no gun, had seized upon the camp hatchet, and +imagined himself looking exceedingly warlike as he trotted along in +the wake of his comrades, making violent passes in the air, as though +cutting down imaginary enemies by the score. + +They thus came upon Step Hen; and sure enough he was clinging to the +back of an Indian, both arms being twisted desperately around the +latter's dusky neck in a way that threatened to choke the other. Step +Hen may never have read about the way the Old Man of the Sea clung to +Sinbad the Sailor, using both arms and legs to maintain his hold; but +Thad thought, when he had his first glimpse of the picture, that at +any rate the scout was a good sticker. + +But then the Indian did not seem to be doing anything on his part to +ward off the attack; indeed, he was standing there, bearing his burden +with that stoical indifference peculiar to his race. There was no +smile on his sober face that Thad could see; but he imagined that the +Indian must surely appreciate the ridiculous nature of the situation. + +"All right, Step Hen," Thad called out, when he could make himself +heard above the tremendous racket the other was putting up; "we're +here to save you, guns and all. You can let go your grip, Step Hen!" + +"But you won't let him get away, will you, Thad?" pleaded the other, +earnestly. "He's my Injun, don't you know; I captured him all by +myself. I just bet you now he was meanin' to hook my hat, that's what +brought him to the creek; but I jumped on him, and took him by +surprise. Surround him, fellers, while I let him loose. My! but he's a +tricky one, I tell you; pretended never to fight back a bit; but he +was only watching for his chance. He didn't know who had hold of him, +and that I was on to his game, all right." + +"Stop talking, and let him go; you're half choking him, Step Hen!" +ordered the patrol leader. + +And knowing that Thad meant business when he used his official tones, +Step Hen suddenly released his clutch, and jumped back, just as if he +really expected his late captive to whirl and attack him. + +But nothing of the kind occurred. In fact, the Indian continued to +show the utmost indifference to the fact that a ring of eager faces +surrounded him; and that guns of various makes and kinds were thrust +out at him, until the circle seemed to fairly bristle with a warlike +atmosphere. + +Thad saw the Indian raise his right hand, holding the palm toward +them, and keeping the thumb flat at the same time. + +"That's the peace sign!" muttered Toby Smathers; "he ain't lookin' for +trouble, I reckons, boys." + +"Huh! he better not," grunted Giraffe, who had been amusing himself +meanwhile in raising and lowering the hammer of his heavy rifle, as +though he must have something going in order to work off his +nervousness. "Why, we could eat him alive, and then not half try. Ten +to one is mighty heavy odds, let me tell you. And no wonder he holds +out the white flag. It's easy to surrender when you ain't got a show. +But I'd go slow about trusting him, Thad; these here Injuns, I've +heard, are a treacherous lot, take 'em as a whole." + +"Keep still, Giraffe!" said the scoutmaster, sternly; "let me do the +talking," and the tall scout became mute, for the time being at least; +though it was hard to keep him any length of time in that condition. + +Thad had already made a discovery. The moonlight fell upon the Indian, +who now stood there with his arms folded, his whole attitude one of +studied indifference; and it struck the patrol leader that there was +something very familiar about him. + +"Allan, isn't he the young brave we saw hovering around our camp +before, and who wouldn't stop to be questioned?" he asked, turning to +the Maine boy. + +"I was just thinking of that myself when you spoke, Thad," came the +ready answer. + +"I wonder, now, why he keeps on hanging after us," the scoutmaster +remarked. "And I'm going to ask him first of all." + +With that he turned to the prisoner, and went on to say: + +"Can you understand; do you know what I am saying?" + +"Yes, can speak same, all right," came the answer, in pretty fair +English. + +"Well, we want to know why you are hanging about our camp so much. +Once before we saw you, and tried to talk with you, but you moved off. +Now, away up here in the mountains you come again, sneaking around, +and taking chances of being shot for a prowling wolf. Tell us why you +do this? I don't believe you meant to steal anything because you've +made no attempt to creep into the camp; but we want to know just why +you hang around this way." + +"Make come back more two, three times, look at teepee, see fine +picture there. Never see like before. Much good! Ugh! P'raps sell +same, bimeby, when go back!" + +"What under the sun does he mean by that talk, Thad? Sure we ain't in +the picture selling business, even if I am taking some dandy +snapshots. I wonder, now, has he seen me at work; does he think I'm a +traveling photograph man, and wants me to strike him off, in his +warpaint and feathers?" + +Davy Jones managed to say all of this, but no one was paying much +attention to his remarks. + +"Tell you what, fellers," broke in the irrepressible Giraffe, just +then; "he's taken a shine to our tents, and wants to buy one when +we're done with 'em. Knows a good thing when he sees it, he does. +Just as if we'd let 'em go for a song, when they're cram full of +associations for us." + +"You're not on to it yet, boys;" remarked Thad, quietly; "it's the +head of the fox which we had painted so cleverly on each tent that's +caught his eye; and he just can't help hanging around, to keep on +gazing at it, for some reason or other." + +For the first time they saw a sign of emotion flit across the face of +the young Indian brave. He struck himself violently on the chest. + +"Me Fox!" he exclaimed, proudly. "Soon me must have teepee for self. +See picture fox on same, think can buy. Give much pelt for same. Ugh! +what white boy say?" + +"Well, just to think of it, here's another Fox, all right?" called out +Giraffe. "We're treading on his heels, so to speak, boys, when we take +that name for our patrol. Glad to meet up with you; and by the way are +you Silver Fox, Red Fox, or Black Fox; though to be sure they all +belong to one family?" + +"I thought I ought to know him," burst out Aleck Rawson, pushing +forward, "and now I'm dead sure of it. Hello! Fox, you sure must +remember me, Aleck; and the good times we used to have, when I lived +close to the Reservation?" + +The young Indian extended his hand without hesitation. + +"No forget Aleck, not much. But him not with other white boys down in +big timber. Where come by? How do? Much glad see again. My coyote +pony, Flicker, yet in the run. Ugh! Shake!" + +"He means a pony I gave him when we came away from that place," +explained Aleck, turning to Thad after gravely shaking hands with the +Indian. "The Fox is a Crow, and one of the smartest boys you ever saw. +He can do everything that a grown warrior could; and some day they say +he will be a chief in his tribe. We used to have great times racing +our ponies, and chasing coyotes over the prairie. And I'm right glad +to see him once more; though it puzzles me to know why he is up here, +so far away from the homes of his people; and armed, too." + +"Well, if he's an old friend of yours, Aleck, and you can vouch for him, +why, of course he's going to be welcome at our fire. And it tickles me +to think that the bright painting of the fox head on each of our tents +was what attracted his eye, so that he just _couldn't_ keep from hanging +around at that other time. But surely that didn't draw him away up here; +he's got some other business in his head; for he only discovered our +camp just now, and was coming in to see us, I reckon, when Step Hen +mounted his back, and then called to us to help him." + +"Anyway, I had him gripped good and tight, you all saw," grumbled +Step Hen. "When these good husky arms of mine get locked around +anything, it takes a heap to break me away. If he had been a hostile +Injun I'd a hung on like grim death, believe me." + +No one ventured to try and take away any of his laurels. He had +certainly yelled for help in a way that could not easily be excelled, +they all thought. + +Thad led the way to the fire, after inviting the Indian to join them. +He confessed to having just a little curiosity himself as to what had +caused the Fox to desert the teepees of his tribe, and wander so far +away from the reservation; but of course Thad knew better than to ask +about the personal affairs of the other. If the Fox chose, later on, +to take them into his confidence, well and good. He might only stay +with them for a night, and then slip away; but since he was Aleck's +friend, and seemed to be connected with the great family of Foxes, of +which they were a Boy Scout branch, why, he would be welcome. + +As the Indian confessed that he had not broken his fast since noon, +when he had munched a handful of dried deer meat, known as pemmican, +some of the boys took it upon themselves to cook something for him. He +appeared to be very grateful, and could be seen to sniff the air +eagerly while the coffee was boiling; showing that he appreciated the +white man's drink at its true value; for his people on the +reservation enjoyed many of the comforts of civilization, and some of +the luxuries, too, even to pianos that played themselves, and boxes +that sang songs, and played the violin, and gave all sorts of +orchestral music, so Aleck observed. + +And while the boys talked on various subjects, as they sat around, +Thad happened to be watching the face of the Fox when one of the +scouts casually mentioned the name of Colonel Kracker. He actually saw +the dark face grow stern, and that the Indian ground his teeth +together, as if in anger. + +Seeing which Thad put things together, and came to a conclusion, +whether right or wrong, of course he could not yet say. + +"He knows Kracker, for he started when Davy mentioned the name," Thad +was saying to himself. "And the chances are that the prospector has +done something to injure the Fox, or some member of his family. These +Indians hate savagely; and perhaps this young fellow, hardly more than +a boy, has taken to the warpath, bent on having a settlement with the +big bully. Well, it isn't any of our business; but I know I'd hate to +have the Fox camping on _my_ trail, with hatred burning in his heart." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +PLANNING WOE TO THE BIG HORNS. + + +"If we get along in this way," Giraffe was saying, as he sat there +watching the young Indian eat what had been set before him; "two at a +pop, not that they're just as welcome as the showers in April, though, +we'll have to hustle some lively so's to provide grub." + +"Keepin' open house, Giraffe!" sang out Davy Jones, looking up from +his job of placing another new film in his snapshot camera. + +"Well, we've got our sign out to the Foxes; that's right," grinned the +other, as he glanced proudly at the head that had been painted in +really a clever fashion on the canvas of each tent. + +They sat up a while longer, and canvassed the situation; but the hour +getting late, and several of the boys showing signs of being sleepy, +it was finally decided that they had better turn in. + +So Bumpus had to pretend to blow "taps," with his fist for a bugle; +and as usual he acquitted himself splendidly. The young Indian's eyes +sparkled when he heard that imitation of the real thing; and Thad +imagined the Fox must at some time or other have rubbed up against +the regular cavalry of the United States Army, so that he understood +what Bumpus was doing. + +Thad and Allan had arranged matters with the guide, so that there +would be some one on guard at all hours of the night. With those three +men hovering near, there could be no telling what might happen. While +they were not outlaws, or anything of that sort; still, after learning +how they had treated poor Aleck, just because he very rightly refused +to give up the secret of the mine that was his mother's property, and +on which Kracker did not have the slightest claim, Thad could give a +pretty good guess as to the character of the men. + +The guide had told him more than enough to stamp Kracker in his mind +as a very unprincipled man. Thad believed the prospector was so +determined to discover the hidden silver mine that there was almost +nothing he would not attempt in order to carry out his designs. And +since their camp now sheltered the boy against whom all his animosity +seemed to be aroused, it was at least possible that he might pay them +a visit, backed by his followers, men quite as reckless as himself. + +So it would seem to be the part of wisdom to keep on the watch for +danger. It is the principle of scouts to avoid trouble, rather than +seek it; and Thad believed in the old saying that "an ounce of +prevention is always better than a pound of cure." + +But the night passed, and nothing happened. + +None of the others were called upon to take a turn as sentries; indeed +more than one of the boys slept like a log all that night, and never +dreamed there was any watch being kept. Still, when in the morning +they ascertained this fact, they reproached the scoutmaster for not +having called upon them to share the vigil; since they always wished +to do their share of the work. + +Thad knew that the coming of Aleck Rawson was bound to add to the +excitement of their stay in the mountains; but he had already taken a +great liking for the boy, and admired his sturdy independence, as well +as his grim determination to once more locate the long hidden mine for +the benefit of his mother and sisters. + +Come what might, Thad was not sorry the Silver Foxes had determined, +individually and collectively that they would back up Aleck to the +limit; and even give over some of the time they had expected to put in +hunting, in order to help him take possession of his father's silver +lode. + +That meant then, sooner or later, a visit from the bully of the +mountains, this arrogant Colonel Kracker, whom so many men seemed to +fear as a terror; though Thad had already conceived the idea that the +other must be a coward at heart. He fancied that no really brave man +would war on a widow like he was doing; and torture a mere boy, in +order to force him to betray his mother's secret. + +"Let him come, then, if he wants to," Thad had said to Allan, when +they discussed the subject for the tenth time, while breakfast was +being made ready. "We're able to take care of ourselves, I should +think--eight husky fellows, a brave man for a guide, who will stand up +for us; then Aleck, and the Fox besides. It would be mighty queer, +now, if we couldn't hold our own against three men, no matter if they +are tough characters." + +"Oh! I guess we've seen just as bad before," replied Allan, with a +confident smile. "How about some of those moonshiners down in North +Carolina? And tell me about that Charlie Barnes and his crowd, the +hobo yeggs we ran across up in Maine. Then, remember Si Kedge and Ed +Harkness the game poachers we met later on; and how they were sorry +they'd ever bothered with the Silver Foxes? And to wind up the list, +Thad, there were Hank Dodge and his French Canadian half breed pard, +Pierre Laporte, the hard-shelled timber cruisers, who gave us all that +bother when Bumpus lost himself down in the big timber. How's that for +a crowd, tell me; and didn't we come out on top every time?" + +Thad laughed. + +"I see you've got it all down pretty pat, Allan," he remarked. "And +sure enough, just as you say, after getting the better of so many bad +men in all our travels, we hadn't ought to feel worried right now +because three more bob up, and think to throw a scare into us. On the +whole, this Kracker had better keep his hands off, or he'll be sorry." + +"But how about our hunting?" Allan went on to say. "Some of the boys +are getting anxious to make a try for a big-horn. Why, there's Smithy, +a fellow we never expected would ever take the least interest in +shooting, because his nature has seemed so mild, and sissy-like--I +even heard him declare he wanted to make a try and see what he could +do. Owned up that his father used to be a great hunter years ago; but +that he guessed he'd inherited his mother's gentle disposition; while +his hobble-dehoy sister she wants to play baseball, hockey, tennis, +and those kinds of games all the while. And Thad, I think we ought to +encourage that idea in Smithy. It may be the making of him, if once he +gets waked up." + +Thad thought the same way. He knew the boy possessed amiable traits; +but he had always been given too much to dress, and the little things +of life, at which most fellows look with scorn and contempt. He must +have the edges roughened a little, if he was ever going to hold his +own when he went to college, or out in the wide world, where "sissy" +boys are held up to derision. + +"Nothing to hinder our hanging over here a bit, and seeing what the +next move of this cannon cracker is going to be," he remarked. + +"And the hunting?" asked Allan. + +"Why, a party could start out right from camp here, leaving enough +behind to defend the place, of course, and keep Kracker from taking +Aleck away by sheer force, if he did have the nerve enough to come +here," the scoutmaster replied, after thinking over the matter for a +brief time. + +"Of course we ought to let the guide go along with the boys; for I +wouldn't like to trust them alone in the mountains," Allan suggested. + +"That's right," added Thad. "Some of them seem to have a weakness for +getting into all sorts of trouble from the word go. We can let one +party start out, and after they come back, if they've had any luck, +and the air's cleared some around here, why, another might take a +different direction. You said Step Hen was wild to get a big horn, +didn't you, Allan?" + +"Never saw him so set on anything; but then that's his way always. When +he gets a notion in that brain box of his, you can't knock it out with a +sledge hammer. And just now it seems that a real Rocky Mountain sheep +with the big horns beats any old grizzly all hollow, with Step Hen." + +"All right, we'll have to let him be one of the first party. He did so +splendidly when he jumped on the back of the Fox, and captured him, +he thinks, that some reward ought to be coming his way. And there's +Smithy, I'll see that he has his chance to try a shot. Giraffe could +lend him his gun; or Bob White's would do because it's a much lighter +weapon than the other." + +"And how about Davy Jones; he says he's just bound to get some pictures +of big-horns on their native rocks, or making some of those famous leaps +he's heard so much about; can he be one of the bunch, Thad?" + +"Yes, but that is the limit. Three frisky scouts will be about all +that any one guide can keep tabs on, I rather think," replied the +other, smiling as he tried to picture Toby Smathers endeavoring to +hold the ambitious photographer, and the pair of would-be big-horn +hunters, in check; for he imagined the task might resemble a circus +feat of trying to drive half a dozen steeds at the same time. + +When the plan of campaign for the day was made known, there was +considerable rejoicing, and a little grumbling. Of course the former +came from those who had been lucky enough to draw prizes; while the +discontent sprang from Giraffe, who had also cherished certain +aspirations, looking to a pair of elegant big-horns, to decorate his +den at home in Cranford. + +But if Giraffe did occasionally show a spirit like this, the best +thing about him was the rapidity with which he got over the +"grumbles," as Step Hen called his little fits of the sulks. In five +minutes he had apparently forgotten his disappointment, and was +offering to loan Smithy his rifle, even before the scoutmaster had +mentioned anything about it. + +However, it was judged too heavy for a greenhorn to pack around all +day; and in order that Giraffe might not feel offended, Thad smoothed +matters down, as usual, by administering a little dose of flattery. + +"He's only a new beginner, Giraffe, and not used to toting a gun. Why, +his shoulder would be sore from carrying it all day. With an old hand +like you, it's a different matter; and I rather think that gun just +seems to fit into a notch on your shoulder, like it grew there. Now, +Bob's gun is much lighter; and with those mushroom bullets, the small +bore doesn't matter a bit. So we'll let him take that. Besides, if +anything happened here that spelled trouble, you'd feel pretty sore if +you didn't have your faithful old shooting-iron at hand." + +"That's so, Thad; reckon you're just about right," said the tall +scout, instantly, quite mollified. + +"And Bob's gun'll seem more like a playtoy to Smithy, too. I always +said mine was a man's gun; and when you pull the trigger there's bound +to be something doing." + +In this clever way then, did Thad frequently stave off trouble and ill +feeling among his followers. It requires much tact to successfully +manage a pack of boys, representing all manner of dispositions. And +the scoutmaster who is the most successful in his line of business, is +the one who knows boys best, and has the happy faculty of entering +into their ways of looking at things, heart and soul. + +During the progress of eating breakfast the talk was of course pretty +much all about hunting the big horn. The guide was called upon to +narrate all he knew concerning the famous Rocky Mountain sheep, often +called goats by the hunters; and which combine many of the traits of +the noted chamois of the Alps and the Appenines, with others that are +peculiar to themselves. + +Any one who has seen them leap boldly from a ledge, and strike upon +their great rounded horns far below, is ready to declare that there is +not a remarkable spectacle in all the world of wild sport that can +equal the sight. + +Possibly the Fox knew something concerning these queer mountain sheep; +but as Giraffe said aside to Step Hen, "it would needs be a monstrous +lemon squeezer that could ever hope to extract any information from an +Indian." Aleck, on his part, had often heard stories told about the +animals now occupying so prominent a part in the conversation of the +scouts; and he did not hesitate to hand over any information he had it +in his power to divulge, hoping that it might serve a useful purpose +to the intended hunters. + +Davy was thrusting several more rolls of films in his haversack. + +"No telling what a feller may run up against, once you start out," he +remarked. + +"The only trouble is, Davy," commented Giraffe, "you can't make a meal +off'n the things, if you're hungry, and game shy. I think Step Hen did +a wise thing when he stuffed all he could get of eatables in his bag. +And Smithy too carries a lot. Oh! you'll do, now. Thad says you'd +better wait about half an hour, till the mists clear off'n the +mountains. It's real early, anyhow, and the sheep ain't agoin' to run +away; don't you worry about that." + +There is nothing that bothers a boy more than having to wait, when +he's all ready to do something. The minutes seem to drag as though +they were leaden weighted. If Davy unfastened that knapsack of his +once to examine its contents, and make sure he had neglected nothing, +he did it half a dozen times, until Giraffe declared he would +certainly wear the straps out if he kept that up. + +Those who expected to remain in camp were going about their usual +vocations, as for instance the cleaning up of the breakfast tin pans, +and cooking utensils. When a company of eleven souls has been having a +meal, these amount to considerable; and it took Bob White, Allan and +Bumpus some little time to accomplish the task of setting things to +rights. + +Bumpus had gone to get some more water from the stream, and when he +came back he was grinning broadly. + +"Why, you see," he explained, "there's an old rattlesnake coiled up +over there, and I've been making him as mad as hops, poking at him +with a pole. You just ought to come and see him strike, though!" + +"I heard him rattle!" declared Thad, "but somehow I just thought it +was a locust waking up. Come on, boys, and let's put such a dangerous +customer out of the way!" + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +BAITING A RATTLESNAKE. + + +Of course they all hastened after the scoutmaster and Bumpus; the +latter really leading the way, with a consequential way about him, as +though he felt that he ought to be looked upon as master of +ceremonies, by right of first discovery. + +"Here's the pole I had, when I poked him," he remarked, picking it up +as he spoke. + +"But where's the rattler?" demanded Giraffe, just as swift as that; +for he was always as quick as lightning in his ways. "Show the old +fraud to us, will you? Must a slipped away while you came to camp with +the water." + +"Huh!" sneered Step Hen, "I'd rather believe now, Bumpus don't know a +rattler when he sees one. P'raps it was only an innocent little garter +snake he was pokin', and a locust was singin' in a tree all the while." + +Bumpus looked furious. He had lately gained quite an envious reputation +for a remarkable knowledge of woodcraft; and he was up in arms at the +idea of being thus placed once more in the tenderfoot class. + +"Think I don't know a genuine rattlesnake when I see one, do you; well, +what d'ye think of a feller that'd jump over a log without even lookin', +and when a common garden variety of black snake gave him a jab, he +hollered that he was poisoned by a terrible rattler, and could even see +his poor leg swellin' up right before his eyes. Me not know one, when +I've been in the Zoo reptile house down in New York, and even watched +one swallow a rat! Well, I guess you're away off, Step Hen Bingham." + +"Yes," put in Thad just then, "and it's too early in the day for a +locust to be in the noise business; I ought to have thought of that +myself, I own up. Let's look around, boys, and locate the thing; but +be mighty careful how you step. I can cure a good many things with +the few little remedies I carry; but excuse me from having to tackle a +regular dose of rattlesnake poison." + +"It is a bad thing, I tells ye, lads," asserted Toby Smathers, who had +come along with the rest, even the Indian boy being present. "Many's +the time, years ago, I've seen the Injuns getting poison from a +rattler, so's to make their war arrows more deadly. An' I tells ye, it +war worth watchin'. If so be we kin find this critter, I'll show ye +how 'twas done, if Mr. Scout Master sez so." + +"First get your rabbit, before you start to cooking him," laughed Thad. + +Just then Giraffe let out a whoop. + +"Here he is, all coiled up again, and looking wicked, now, I tell +you!" he called out; and the others rushed in that quarter. + +"Well, he is a sorter big un for the mountains, sure enough," admitted +the guide after he had taken a look. "Wait here a bit till I come back +with a piece of deer meat, and I'll show ye how 'twas done. Keep him +riled-up like, but not strikin' too hard at that pole, or he'll empty +his pizen sack on it." + +Thad had himself heard more or less about such things; or else read of +them in stories of the old-time Indians, the Iroquois, Delawares, +Shawanees and other tribes who disputed the way of the early pioneers; +and he was just as eager to watch the process as any of the other boys. + +The rattlesnake was coiled, just as they always are when danger hovers +near; because, when caught at full length, the reptile is next to +harmless, since it cannot strike and make use of its only means of +defense, its poison fangs. + +Thad saw to it that no one approached near enough to be in any danger. +Once the pole was extended by Bumpus, just to show his mates how he had +been baiting the awful looking thing. Instantly that flat head sprang +out toward the object; and as Bumpus adroitly drew it away, remembering +the injunction of the guide, the rattlesnake, finding nothing to strike, +was thrown half its length out of coil. It was almost laughable to see +with what haste it managed to curl up again, and with that rattle +buzzing furiously, seemed to defy anything to touch it. + +Then Toby Smathers came hurrying up. He was fastening a piece of +venison (which had been left over several days, and kept well in the +dry mountain air,) to another long pole, which he had secured; not +wishing to handle the one that had already been struck numerous times +by the fangs of the snake. + +"Now you're going to have something worth while to mudge at, old +feller!" cried Bumpus, as he threw his pole away, and pushed a little +closer in the ring, anxious to see all that went on. + +Toby was soon ready. He thrust the pole out, and all of them could +hear the sound of the concussion as the reptile struck the piece of +meat fastened at the end. It made most of the boys shudder just to +contemplate being hit such a venomous blow with all the fury of a +maddened reptile. + +Again and again did Toby cause the snake to repeat the blow, turning +the meat around several ways, so that it might all be impregnated by +the virus. + +"Now that's about done," he said; "and the quicker ye kill that crazy +thing the easier I'll feel. Lost a partner once when on a range +tending forests for the Government, and ever since I've got a grudge +agin rattlers." + +Thereupon Bumpus once more picked up his long pole and aimed a vicious +blow at the raised head of the snake. Taking the creature fairly +across the neck he sent it spinning away. + +"Look out there!" shouted Giraffe, giving a hop, skip and a jump in +another direction; "he may be playing possum on us! Keep clear of him, +everybody; and you, Bumpus, hit him again as hard as you can. It ain't +the easiest thing agoin' to kill a snake, let me tell you." + +Accordingly the fat scout raised his pole, and brought it down several +times with might and main, on the neck of the fearful looking reptile; +until finally Thad declared that it was beyond ever doing any harm +again. + +"And the rattle belongs to Bumpus, if he cares to claim it," said the +scoutmaster. "It isn't a pretty thing, but then every time he looks at +it, he'll be apt to remember this occasion, and can picture the camp, +the mountains, and all the rest of it." + +"Including Mike and Molly, our gentle pack mules," added Giraffe; +immediately bending down to assist Bumpus secure his prize. + +"Now, you see," said the guide, as he held up the piece of fresh +venison so as to show the streaks of green, where the terrible poison +had permeated it, "after they done this, the reds used to jest let the +meat lie till it was old and soft, and chuck full of pizen. Then all +they had to do was to push the point of an arrow into the same, and +dry it in the sun. But I'm told they never do such things any more, +which I take it is a good job. Thar be some things that seem too tough +even for savages to use in war; and pizen is one of 'em, I reckons." + +"For goodness sake bury it, Toby!" begged Smithy, turning pale as he +contemplated the object the guide was holding up. "And I surely hope +we will not have the misfortune to run across any of the same breed +while we're stalking those strange big-horn sheep." + +"Not much danger, because rattlers they's apt at this time of year to +kim down to damp places, when they kin find such," the guide explained; +but at Thad's request he did put the piece of venison underground. + +"If later on some hungry wolf digs it up, why, I'm sorry for that same +beast," Giraffe remarked, as they returned once more to the camp. + +"Must be near time for us to skip out," said Step Hen, giving the +scoutmaster a look of entreaty, as though imploring Thad to be +merciful, and cut their waiting short. + +"Five minutes yet before the half hour is gone," declared Allan. + +An exclamation from the Indian drew their attention just then. The Fox +was pointing, and on following the direction of his extended brown +finger the boys saw what had caught his always vigilant eyes. + +Away up on the top of the cliff that towered so many hundred feet +above its base several figures were moving. They were plainly men, and +white men at that. No need for any one to dart into the tent, and get +the field glass, in order to know who these parties were, though Thad +did secure it, as he wished a closer view. + +"It's sure that Krackerjack crowd!" cried Giraffe. "Better get a move +on, Aleck, and drop out of sight before they glimpse you." + +But the other shook his head. + +"It's too late for that now," he declared. "Kracker has got a spy +glass leveled at this camp right now; and he's sure glimpsed me before +this." + +And when Thad a minute later looked through the field glasses at the +three who were on the cliff he saw that Aleck had spoken truly; for +even then the biggest of the trio was watching them through a pair of +glasses. + +Now and then he would turn, to say something to one of his companions. +These fellows, known as Waffles and Dickey Bird respectively, were not +in the same class with the giant Kracker, with regard to size; though +as to reputation, possibly they were able to run him a close race; +since they were all looked upon as a pretty bad lot by the settlers +and miners with whom they came in contact. + +"Wonder what he thinks?" remarked Davy Jones, who seemed almost +tempted to try and use his kodak on the party, only his good sense +told him they would look like specks at such a great distance, and +there would be no satisfaction in the picture. + +"How d'ye expect they ever found that Aleck was no longer on the +ledge?" asked Step Hen. + +"Perhaps they may have been in camp somewhere, that gave them a view +of the ledge, and looking in vain for Aleck, they hurried up to see +whether he had fallen, or was climbing up someway or other," Allan +suggested. + +"And the chances are, they'll want to drop in here, now that they +know he's taken up with us?" said Giraffe. + +Step Hen looked anxious. + +"Say, Thad, is that agoin' to interfere with our startin' out on our +little excursion?" he demanded. + +The scoutmaster knew what was in his mind. He smiled as he replied: + +"Oh! I don't see why it should, Step Hen. Fact is, the time's up now; +and as I've said all I want to about taking care of yourselves, why +you might as well make a start. There'll be enough of us left behind +to take care of Colonel Kracker and his friends, if so be they do +chance to call on us." + +"Bring us back some nice juicy mutton, Step Hen!" called Giraffe. + +"And Davy, be sure you snap 'em off in the air; we ain't from +Missouri, but we like to be shown," added Bumpus. + +"I say, Smithy, the country expects every man to do his duty, suh; and +if you get your chance, I give you my word, suh, that little gun can +be depended on every single time!" shouted the Southerner, Bob White. + +And so, followed by the good wishes of their chums, the little party +of big-horn hunters started forth, none knowing what strange events +might be waiting for them among the wild uplifts of the Rockies. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +THE COMING OF KRACKER. + + +"They're sure comin', Thad!" + +The scoutmaster looked up when Giraffe said this. + +"Oh! you must mean that big cannon Kracker, and his two friends?" he +remarked, in such a cool tone that Giraffe fairly gasped for breath. + +"That's them!" he declared, with an utter disregard for grammar that +would have caused him to lose some of his good points in school had +the lapse occurred there. "And my stars! they look ugly enough to eat +us all up, without caring for bones!" + +"But I calculate they won't, all the same," replied the other, smiling +with supreme confidence. "Did Allan send you in to tell me?" he +continued, for he had delegated the second in command to keep watch +and ward when he was busy in his tent doing something. + +Giraffe nodded his head violently; indeed, any one who did not know +how tenacious a hold it had on that long neck, might have been alarmed +lest he dislocate his vertebra through such contortions. + +"Yep; and he said you was to come out and see for yourself," Giraffe +went on. + +"All right, I will then." + +Thad quietly picked up his little twelve-bore Marlin before quitting +the tent; and there was an air of business about his manner of doing +so quite different from the fussy way Giraffe had of doing things, but +which was apt to appear much more convincing in the eyes of any one +who could read character fairly well. + +When the scoutmaster reached the open air he found quite a buzz of +excitement around the confines of the little camp. It seemed as though +the scouts must certainly be anticipating something in the line of +trouble; because every one who had a gun was nervously fingering the +weapon, and watching the coming of the three figures stalking toward +the camp from across the little valley. + +There was Giraffe, first of all, gripping his big rifle eagerly, a +grim look on his thin face; Bumpus had his ten-gauge Marlin clenched +tightly in his hands, and perhaps some of the usual color was missing +from his fat face; but he had a reputation to sustain now, and knew he +must toe the mark like a little man; Allan had his rifle in evidence; +and Aleck having lost his at the time he was captured, was keeping a +hand close to one of his pockets in which reposed a small revolver +which one of the other scouts had loaned him. + +Bob White did not have a gun either, since he had let Smithy go off +with his; but he did not mean to be caught defenseless, should trouble +arise; and back of him he was holding that handy camp hatchet. + +The Fox,--well, if he was anywhere around the camp, Thad failed to +discover him; and even at that exciting moment the scoutmaster +remembered thinking that perhaps the Crow boy had hidden, not wishing +any of the Kracker crowd to see him. + +Thad glanced around him. He had considered the situation before this, +like the wise general who notes down in his mind the promising points +connected with his chosen field of battle. + +Speaking a few words to Allan, who knew what the plan of campaign was +to be, Thad sent the other over to a clump of rocks, from the crest of +which, not more than fifty feet away, he could have a splendid and +unobstructed view of the camp, as well as its surroundings. Indeed, +hardly a snake could have crawled across that open space without being +exposed to the sharp eyes of the Maine boy. + +Then Thad awaited the coming of the three men. + +Just as Giraffe had declared, he could easily see that they were all +looking more or less angry. The big man in the middle interested him +much more than either of the others, of course; because he knew very +well that when Colonel Kracker took snuff, it was up to Waffles and +Dickey Bird to sneeze; for they were only shadows of the leader, who +always controlled their actions. + +Thad had never seen just such a man before; but for all that he believed +that what he had said before was the truth. Red-faced, and looking like +a big hurricane let loose on the land, still back of all this outward +display of fierceness Thad felt sure there lay a really cowardly heart. +Yes, no brave man would act as Kracker had done, and when it came right +down to the point of facing death, he was pretty sure to quail. + +Thad turned, and spoke a few reassuring words to Aleck. + +"Remember, we don't mean to let him lay a finger on you, boy. I've +drawn a line out between that rock, and the scrub oak over yonder; and +if he crosses that we're going to make him wish he hadn't. There'll be +some work for me to do picking bird shot out of his fat legs, and +binding up his other wounds; for we've sure got to stop him coming in +to this camp, no matter what happens!" + +It was a remarkable situation for the acting scoutmaster of a troop of +Boy Scouts to find himself in. Very few others could ever say they had +gone through a like experience, Thad thought. But then, that was no +reason he and his mates were bound to let this tyrant walk rough-shod +over them, and take Aleck away, to continue his harsh and inhuman +treatment of the lad. No, if it were necessary, in order to avoid such +a catastrophe overtaking them, he must give the command to fire on the +enemy, much as he would ever regret the necessity for such a step. + +He wondered what the leading lights in the great organization would +say, should the circumstances ever be placed before them; but then, +scouts should acquit themselves manfully under any and all conditions; +and that was just what Thad meant to do now. + +The men were now close enough to make sure that those facing them were +only boys. Thad could see that Kracker was looking closely, as though +anxious to settle that point first of all; and it agreed exactly with +the opinion he already entertained for the big prospector; namely, +that he was what Giraffe would call "a wind-bag," or a puff-ball, like +those every one has stepped on in the fields, that go off with a pop, +emit a little cloud of dust, and then collapse. + +But what was there to be feared from a mere parcel of half-grown boys? +Kracker doubtless believed that he could awe them with that fierce +look of his, and the domineering way he had of holding himself erect; +while it was almost certain that when they heard his awful voice, +sounding like hoarse thunder, their very legs would tremble under +them, so that their knees must knock together. + +But apparently no one was doing much trembling, as yet, for they +seemed to stand there in a line, and holding their guns half raised, +with the stocks hitched under their shoulders, in the manner of those +who have hunted much, and know which might be the easiest method of +flinging a gun to rest in a second of time. + +One of the men had a rifle. He was the fellow whom Thad guessed went +by the name of Dickey Bird. But then, no doubt both Kracker and +Waffles carried smaller arms about their persons somewhere, for Thad +could see signs of their belts, and judged the heavy revolvers were +swung back of them, where a hand could sweep around and lay hold of +the butt easily. + +The scoutmaster had made up his mind that Kracker was the only one +whom they had to fear in the least. With him removed from the game, +the other two would turn out to be easily handled. In fact, they would +probably throw up their hands in surrender the very instant anything +happened to take the big man off. And accordingly Thad meant to devote +all his energies toward cutting the claws of the colonel. He had given +Allan his ideas on the subject, and the Maine boy agreed with him fully. + +They were coming close to the imaginary dead line Thad had marked +between that pile of rocks and the stunted tree. Half a minute more, +and he felt that he must call a halt. + +Would they mind what he said; or, thinking that orders from a mere boy +were not to be taken seriously, would they insist on advancing further? + +Thad gritted his teeth, and was more resolved than ever that if +Kracker invited trouble he would get it, good and hard. He would find +out that guns can be just as dangerous in the hands of boys, as men. + +But now he noticed that the big man had slowed up a little. Perhaps he +did not just like the way they stood there waiting, and with so many +guns handy, too. + +Thad deliberately cocked his shotgun. The sound of the hammer clicking +could be plainly heard, just as the boy intended it should; and there +was something terribly business-like and significant about it. + +At any rate, Colonel Kracker reduced his pace another notch, as if in +answer to an unspoken challenge. He was not so brave inwardly as his +fierce outward appearance would seem to indicate. + +His eyes were glued upon the figure of young Aleck, who stood beside +Thad, just a step to the rear, possibly. And apparently Kracker was +trying to throw all the force of his domineering character into that +glare. It was really enough to frighten one into fits, Thad thought; +but somehow it did not make him even tremble, because he believed +surface indications often told what was not true. + +"Keep on giving him back look for look, Aleck!" was what Thad said in +a low tone, intended only for the ear of the boy they had rescued from +the cliff ledge. + +"Oh! I ain't afraid of him now; he couldn't make me squirm when I was +all alone, and in his power; so it ain't likely I'm shivering, now +that I've got so many friends to back me up," answered the other, also +in a hoarse whisper. + +"Good for you!" Thad sent back. + +At the same time he coughed. + +This had been arranged as a signal for the rest of those who carried +guns, to raise them to their shoulders. The action itself ought to +convince Kracker that he had reached the limit of the peace line; and +that if he persisted in advancing any further, he might expect +something to happen. + +It worked splendidly. The big man came to an abrupt halt, and of +course so did Waffles, and Dickey Bird too. Thad did not think much of +the last mentioned; but the other fellow looked to be just such a sort +of "second fiddle" whom a man like Kracker would choose to assist him +in his schemes, that were so often evil. + +And they were right on that imaginary line Thad had marked out, too; +had they persisted in advancing three more feet he meant to call out +sharply, and warn them to pull up. + +Slowly Kracker elevated that fat right hand of his. Many a time, no +doubt it had given some poor wretch cause for trembling when he +pointed that finger at him. Just now, with those terrible eyes of his +glued upon Aleck, he made his forefinger move, once, twice, three +times, in a significant beckoning gesture. + +Then he spoke, and his deep-toned voice was not unlike the rumble of +thunder at a time the lightning is darting among the heavy storm clouds. + +"Come here!" + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +HELD AT BAY. + + +"Don't move, Aleck!" said Thad, instantly, and he raised his voice +enough, to purposely let the three men hear what he said. + +Of course the boy did not budge. Perhaps he even gave Kracker back +look for look, only that there may have been a smile of contempt upon +his boyish face. + +"Don't you hear what I say, come here!" roared the colonel. + +"He hears you all right, but he feels quite satisfied to stay where he +is," said Thad, in a cool tone. + +The other turned those blazing eyes on the speaker. + +"Who asked you to put your finger in my business?" he demanded, harshly. + +"I'm not. It's you who keeps on meddling with things that concern this +boy and his mother only. I suppose you are Colonel Kracker?" Thad went +on. + +"That's my name, and anybody who knows me would tell you that you're +doing the most foolish thing in all your life, when you try to +interfere with any affair on which I've set my heart. I want that boy +to come to me!" and he shook his fat finger threateningly toward Aleck +as he said this. + +"Then you'll have to take it out in wanting, let me tell you;" replied +the patrol leader, "for he belongs in this camp of Boy Scouts; and +we're going to stand back of him." + +If Thad was excited he certainly did not seem to be so; in fact +Giraffe wondered how in the world he could command his voice so well, +and speak so calmly, when on his part he was fairly shivering with the +nervous tension. + +"What's that you say?" shouted the big man, bristling all over with +rage until he seemed to swell up larger than ever. "Why, you little +imp, d'ye know what I've a good notion to do with you for this +insulting talk?" + +"I don't know, and neither do I care," replied Thad, "but there's one +thing I do think _you_ ought to know." + +"Oh! you do, eh? What might that be?" demanded Kracker, sneeringly. + +"Turn your head a little to the left, and you'll see a pile of rocks," +the scoutmaster went on. "Now, look up on top of that pile, and you'll +see a young fellow on one knee, holding a big rifle straight on you. +That's one of our chums. He's from the State of Maine, where they teach +boys to be able to hit a leaping deer straight in the heart every shot. +Try and take just three steps this way, if you want to test his skill +with the rifle. Or any one of you start to raising a gun; and my word +for it you'll never know what hit you. Get that, Kracker?" + +Evidently the big man saw Allan kneeling there, and holding his gun +leveled. The sight did not give him any too much enjoyment, either, +judging from the way some of the color faded from his face. He +spluttered quite as much as before, but he had lost a good part of his +make-believe courage. In fact, Thad believed he had the big bully on +the run; and he meant to press his advantage. + +"If I don't get him this time, I will later on," said Kracker, giving +Aleck a look of intense hatred. + +"Don't you believe it," declared the scoutmaster, cheerfully. "We're +going to see him through, and if it's necessary, we'll find a way of +sending word to the fort, and bringing a bunch of hard-riding +cavalrymen here to chase you out of the mountains. And just remember, +Colonel Kracker, there are eleven of us, all told, well armed, and +knowing how to take care of ourselves. We're no city greenhorns, +either, but scouts who have had a whole lot of experience in hard +places. Now, if you know what is good for you, keep away from our +camps, wherever they may be. Our guide, Toby Smathers, who knows you +like a book, says that lots of good people would throw up their hats +and cheer, if they heard you'd crossed over the line. You understand +what I'm saying, I guess, don't you?" + +"You're doing a fool play, young feller, believe me," spoke up the man +called Waffles, thinking it was up to him to stick in his oar. "They +ain't many men as would dar' talk to the kunnel like you done. Better +hand the boy over to him; he's his uncle, and has a right to take +charge of him." + +"That's a lie!" burst out Aleck, angrily. "He came around our home, +and tried every which way to get mother to just tell him what she knew +about the mine, promising all sorts of shares if only she'd trust him; +but since she didn't know a single thing about where it lay, and +wouldn't believe him on oath, either, course she didn't make any +arrangement. But he ain't any relation of mine." + +"It wouldn't make any difference if he was, Aleck; when you say you +don't want anything to do with Kracker, that settles it," and Thad all +this while kept his eyes fixed on the big man, because he believed +the other to be just full of treachery and all kinds of trickery, so +that he would be ready to do something desperate if only he thought he +could take the young scoutmaster by surprise, and off his guard. + +"You don't understand the matter at all," complained the big man, with +something like a whine in his gruff voice now, showing that he was +pretty nearly cowed. + +"How is that?" demanded the other, instantly. + +"I'm meaning to be his friend, and the friend, of his folks," Kracker +continued. + +"Funny way you have of showing your friendly feelings, then, I must +say," declared Thad, with scorn in his voice; "making him a prisoner, +trying to force him to give up a secret you choose to think he +carries; and when he refuses to take you at your word, putting him +there on that ledge, to starve, or face a horrible death in perhaps +falling down a couple of hundred feet." + +Kracker looked a little confused, but it was only a flash in the pan. +Such a thing as shame was foreign to his nature. For years he had been +used to browbeating almost every person with whom he had had dealings. +The fact that first of all a mere slip of a woman had dared defy him, +and then her boy did the same, nettled him beyond description; and he +had arrived at desperate measures at the time Aleck, so unfortunately +for the boy, fell into his hands. + +And now it galled Kracker to see how he and his two helpers were being +actually held up by a parcel of half grown lads. Why, it would seem as +though some mockery of fate had taken hold of his fortunes, and was +finding keen pleasure in adding to his humiliation. + +He would have liked to rush upon these cool boyish customers, and to +have trampled them under foot, as he had possibly done many men in +times past, when he was less huge in his proportions, and could get +around better. But somehow he did not dare attempt it. + +Perhaps it was the display of weapons that awed him; and yet Colonel +Kracker was accustomed to seeing such things, and knew how to take +them at their true value. Then it may have been the manner of the +spokesman of the little party that had so depressing an effect upon +the bully. Why, what was the world coming to, when mere boys began to +hold the whip hand, and shape things as they pleased? + +He started to talk, but spluttered so much he could not make +intelligible sounds. And his round moon face had taken on a deep red +hue again, until it bordered on the purple. Thad, who had some +knowledge of medicine, as we have seen on numerous occasions, really +began to wonder whether the bulky man might not be getting perilously +near the border line, and taking chances with a sudden attack of +apoplexy, or else something else along those lines. + +Once or twice Thad had seen something move back of the three men. He +dared not take his eyes off them long enough to look carefully, and at +first could not decide whether it was a prowling wolf, bold enough to +come thus near the camp in broad daylight; or a human being. + +He even suspected at one moment that possibly the invaders might have +been in greater numbers than any of the scouts dreamed; and that some +of them were even then creeping around, with the idea of turning the +tables on the boys by a sudden coup. + +But that idea went glimmering, when he contemplated the utter +impossibility of any foe crawling across the bare and open stretch of +rock extending between their camp, and the foot of the rise. + +It certainly could never be done; and with the Maine boy keeping watch +on things from his eyrie amid the piled-up rocks. + +Then what? + +Why, to be sure, it must be the Fox. The young Crow had vanished, Thad +remembered, at the approach of the trio of prospectors. Just where he +had gone the patrol leader had neither known, nor cared, at the time. +He seemed to have some reason for fearing either Kracker, or one of +the two lesser rascals with him; and appeared desirous of keeping out +of their sight. + +Thad also remembered that the Indian boy possessed a gun. He only +hoped he would not do anything rash; but then he had been present when +the scoutmaster spoke to those under him; saying that as members of +the great organization that made for peace, they must not use their +firearms unless as a very last resort; and then only to cripple their +enemies. The Crow had nodded his head with the rest when Thad asked +for this assurance; and surely an Indian keeps his word. + +There, once again his head poked up into view, and this time so close +to the men that Thad saw the Fox had been stealthily creeping nearer +all the time. + +Did he have some object in his movements, or were they caused simply +by curiosity to see how close he could get, unobserved, to the one he +seemed to fear? + +Seeing that Kracker was too furious to even control his voice, the +shorter fellow, whom Thad took to be Waffles, again put in his talk. + +"It's plain to be seen you critters don't know the kunnel," he +observed, bitterly, just as though he himself had had a long +experience, and knew what it meant to stir up that vile temper too +far. "He never gives a thing up. He's jest like a bulldog that gits a +grip. Ye may chase us off this time; but we'll stick like a plaster; +and in the end git what we wants. We allers does." + +"Oh! you don't say?" remarked the scoutmaster, with cutting emphasis; +"well, the chances are the lot of you will get what you've been richly +deserving a long time back, if you keep on meddling with our affairs. +And now, suppose you skip out. We couldn't come to any agreement if we +talked an hour. And we have some other things we want to do. Take your +fat friend away, Waffles; he's liable to explode before long, unless +you do." + +Amazed at the cool defiance of the boy, the man called Waffles +mechanically started to obey. But before they had taken half a dozen +steps backward, Thad heard a strange, hissing sound that he could not +understand. The next instant, to his astonishment, he saw Waffles +pulled over backwards, his feet sprawling awkwardly. His calls for +help were half muffled, and for a very good reason; since he was being +partly choked by the loop of rope which the young Crow Indian had +thrown over his head with so much dexterity, and then jerked tight. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +"JUST TURNED AROUND, AND WENT AWAY!" + + +It was certainly a time for quick thinking, and speedy action, if the +boys expected to avoid a tragedy. Naturally enough, Kracker and his +one remaining companion, hearing the cries of the fallen Waffles, +would think that they were being actually set upon by their enemies, +and that no matter what followed, they must fight. + +It was to offset this that Thad first of all turned his attention. A +collision must be averted at all hazards. It would be a terrible thing +if the scouts became embroiled in a fight with such men, and either +received wounds, or were compelled to give them. + +And so Thad, acting instantly on impulse, darted forward the very second +he saw what was happening. Fortunately for all parties, the big man +having been so dazed by his late baiting did not seem able to grasp the +situation quickly enough to draw a weapon before Thad was upon him. + +The only thing the boy did was to snatch the big six-shooter from the +hand of Kracker, now trembling with various emotions, in which fear +may have had as much space as anger. + +"Surround the other, and don't let him raise a hand, boys!" shouted +the scoutmaster to those who had followed close at his heels when he +thus rushed forward. + +With the words he turned to where Waffles was still sprawling on the +ground; but there was now more reason than ever why the fellow could +not get up, because some one was sitting astride his body, and +threatening him with a knife. Of course it was the Fox; and he seemed +to have a storm of passion in his dark face. + +But while Thad had been prompt to knock the revolver from the hand of +Kracker, he was just as quick to leap alongside the young Crow boy, +and grasp his wrist. + +"Give me that knife, Fox!" he said sternly. + +The Indian looked up in his face; for a moment it seemed as though he +might be about to mutiny, and positively refuse the order; then his +whim changed, and opening his fingers he allowed the shining blade to +fall to the ground. + +"Ugh! hunt him long time; now find, make give up what snake in the +grass steal away from teepee in reservation!" he grunted, +disconsolately. + +"Oh! well, if he's got anything that belongs to you, or your people, +why you've my full permission to search him, and get it back," Thad +went on to say, quickly; "only we want no violence here, if we can +help it. We scouts generally manage to reach our ends without that, +you know, Fox. Go ahead and see. We'll keep his friends quiet +meanwhile, eh, boys?" + +"That's what we will, Thad," said Giraffe, who was standing close by, +with his gun poking almost into the ribs of the big man with the +purple face. "We c'n do it to beat the band, I tell you. And here +comes Allan in, to have a hand in the game. Didn't he keep a bead on +the colonel here all the while; and if you hadn't jumped in, and +snatched that gun away from him, I warrant Allan was just on the point +of making him a one-armed man for a while." + +But Thad was not paying much attention to what the talkative Giraffe +said, his attention being taken up with other matters. The Fox had +heard him give permission to search the pockets of the short rascal he +was holding down, after having caught him in the loop of Bumpus' rope, +taken slily from the limb of the tree where the fat scout carefully +kept it while in camp. The light that flashed athwart the mahogany +colored face of the young Crow told how pleased he was with this +chance that was offered. + +He immediately started to rummage through the various pockets of +Waffles. Quite naturally the lesser bully objected to such liberties +being taken with his person; and it must have galled him more than a +little to realize that it was an _Indian_, and a boy at that, who was +subjecting him to such indignities; for like most men along the +border, Waffles undoubtedly held Indians in contempt. + +But when he raised his voice in stormy protest Thad told him to hush +up; besides, the Fox leaned over and glared in his eyes with such a +suggestive look that Waffles, being a coward at heart, gradually +subsided, his protests taking the safer form of groans, and grunts, +and wriggles, all of which were alike unavailing. + +Presently the Crow uttered a cry of joy. + +"Found what you were looking for?" asked Thad. + +"Ugh! it is well!" and as he said this the Fox held something up. + +Thad may have thought that the Indian boy was making a mountain out of +a mole-hill, for if it had been left to him, he did not know that he +would have willingly paid more than a dollar, at the most, for the +object the Fox now gripped with such evident delight. But then, at the +same time Thad realized that associations often have a great deal to +do with the value of things. That peculiar strip of deerskin, +decorated with colored beads that formed all sorts of designs, must +have come down from some of the Fox's ancestors. Perhaps it was a +species of wampum similar to that in use as currency during the +earlier days, when men like Daniel Boone were trying to settle along +the Ohio River. And then again, it might be that the fore-fathers of +the Fox always wore this strip of beaded leather when they were +invested with the office of chief to the tribe. + +At any rate, Waffles had apparently known of its value, and had stolen +it, possibly hoping at some time to receive a rich reward for its safe +return; for surely he could not have fancied it because he had any +love for beauty, or meant to start a collection of Indian relics. + +"Are you satisfied, Fox, now that you've recovered your property--if +that is all he took from your home?" Thad asked. + +"Huh! much like mark thief on him cheek, so know where belong!" +grunted the Crow boy, longingly. + +"Don't you let him!" almost shrieked the wretched Waffles, doubtless +fearing that he was going to be tortured, as a penalty for his +shortcomings. "Them Injuns jest like to mark a man all up, when they +gits the chanct. Tell him to git off'n me! I ain't a goin' to stand +fur it! If he so much as puts the p'int of his knife on me I'll vow +to----" + +"Keep still, you cowardly thief!" said Thad, sternly; and even Waffles +seemed influenced by the hidden power in the scoutmaster's tone, for +he broke off in the middle of a sentence, and finished it by mumbling +to himself. + +Speaking to the Indian boy Thad went on: + +"Run your hand over him again, and hand me any weapon you find. He's +in a state where he might lose his head, and get us all into a fight, +if we let him go armed." + +Willingly the Crow boy did as he was told. The search revealed a big +revolver that was apparently the mate of the one Thad had knocked from +the hand of Kracker. + +"Now get that other fellow's rifle, Allan," continued the patrol +leader, who had mapped out his plan of campaign quickly. + +He did not trust these men further than he could see them. They were +quite unscrupulous; and after having been held up to scorn by this +parcel of boys, there was every reason in the world to believe that +they would plan a hasty revenge. And the fewer deadly weapons they had +in their possession the better the chances would be for peace in that +mountain valley. + +The rifle in particular Thad wanted to hold back. With it, damage +might be done at a much greater distance than with the smaller arms. +And knowing that the boys had long distance modern rifles, possibly +Kracker and his followers might keep out of range. + +Besides, there was that business of Aleck's concerning the hidden +mine; they had promised to stand back of him until he had secured full +possession; and that was apt to keep them in the neighborhood for some +time, always subjected to annoyance from these anxious ones, who +longed to secure the prize that had tantalized their species for so +long. + +So the rifle, and what ammunition Dickey Bird happened to be carrying +in a belt slung over his shoulder, fell into the hands of the boys. +They also retained possession of one of the heavy revolvers; not that +any one fancied the clumsy weapon in the least; but as Thad said, "to +cut the wings of the party as much as possible." + +"Let Waffles get up, now, Fox," said Thad, when all these matters had +been adjusted, much to the admiration of the other scouts, who thought +their leader must be just "IT" when it came to doing things. + +The shorter rascal was not slow to gain his feet. He was still boiling +over with a sense of insult added to injury, and ready to vent his +wrath in offensive words; but Thad cut all this short. + +"Listen to me, Waffles," he said, sternly again; "We don't care to +hear your opinion of anything. Take a lesson from the colonel here, +who knows when silence is golden. You don't hear him swearing around, +and threatening to break a blood-vessel in his mad feeling. He's +taking it all as cool as a cucumber. He knows when it's a time to +laugh, and when it's a time to cry. Now, the sooner you gentlemen +give us your room, the better we'll be pleased; and be sure to make it +plenty of room, too; because we're all going to be ready to take +snapshots at any of you we see, after half an hour has gone by." + +Kracker moved his lips, but strange to say not a sound proceeded from +them. The man was so completely overpowered by his emotions that for +the time being he had actually lost all power of speech. For this Thad +was pleased, because he believed that had the big prospector been able +to say one half that was bubbling through his mind, they must have +been treated to an awful exhibition of hard words. + +So the three men turned their backs on their tormentors, and walked +away; but it was certainly true that their retreat did not smack in +the least of the jaunty and threatening manner of their late advance. +They had, as Giraffe crowed jubilantly, "the wind taken from their +sails, and just turned around, and went away." + +"Wonder if we'll see anything more of 'em again?" remarked Bumpus, who +had really carried himself quite handsomely through it all; though +most of the time his eyes had seemed to be fairly bulging from his +head, and he could be heard saying words over and over to himself to +indicate surprise. + +"I hope not," remarked Thad; "but it wouldn't surprise me if they +bobbed up again later on. You see, it's perhaps the biggest stake +Kracker ever played for; and for years now this hidden mine has kept +dancing before him, beckoning him on. He won't give it up easily, I'm +afraid. There, look at him turn, and shake his fat fist at us! That +shows how he feels about it. He'd just like to have us tied up right +now, so he could lay on the whip, good and hard. But boys, after this, +it's for us to keep a good lookout all the time. Such fellows as +Kracker and the others wouldn't hesitate at anything, if only they saw +a chance to win out." + +And at his words Giraffe and his mates nodded their heads; but there was +no loud demonstration; for somehow they seemed to realize the gravity of +the game they were now playing, with the long lost mine as the stake. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +THE SAFEST WAY OF "SHOOTING" A GRIZZLY. + + +Meanwhile, how fared the ambitious big-horn hunters? + +They had started out, filled with a determination to accomplish +something, even if it took a couple of days. Indeed, the guide had +said to Thad before leaving that none of them need worry if the party +failed to show up at nightfall. The distances were so great, and the +mountain climbing of such a stupendous character, that they might have +to put in the better part of several days reaching the feeding grounds +of the animals, and getting the coveted chance for a shot or two. + +When noon came it found them climbing steadily. They were entirely out +of sight of the valley where the camp lay, so that they could have no +knowledge of what was happening in that quarter. But so set were the +boys on what had taken them forth, that for the time being they felt +perfectly satisfied to quite forget other matters. + +"Talk about your wild country," remarked Step Hen, when they all came +to a little stop to eat a "snack," and rest, so as to be ready for a +further climb; "this sure takes the cake for me. Why, that poor little +Blue Ridge country ain't in it. You could put it all in a pocket, +here, and it wouldn't be missed." + +"Well," remarked Smithy, who was bearing up under the strain in a +manner that would have pleased the scoutmaster, could he have been +along to notice it; "you want to be exceedingly careful how you say +that before our hot-blooded Southern chum, Bob White, unless you're +ready to get into a war of words." + +"Oh! excuse me," chuckled Step Hen, "I wouldn't be guilty of hurting +Bob's pride even a little bit. I know he thinks that Land of the Sky +country better than most other places. Well, it takes a lot of +different people to make a world, don't it, fellers?" + +"That's right, it does," remarked Davy Jones, who had managed to snap +off several pictures as they came along; but was trying to save most +of his exposures for things that would count, live subjects, in fact. + +"How much further do we have to climb, Toby?" asked Smithy, trying to +appear rather indifferent about it, though the others just knew he +must feel the strain more than any of them; because Smithy had never +been much of an athlete, and up to date had yet to play in his first +baseball game, strange to say. + +"Wall, that depends on a good many things," the guide responded. "Fust +place, we don't know as yet jest whar the sheep might be feedin'. I'm +headin' for a place whar I seen 'em more'n a few times, when I was +prospectin' through this kentry." + +"Oh! so _you_ had a touch of the lost mine fever, too, did you?" +quickly remarked Smithy; for up to the present time Toby had never so +much as admitted this fact; but now he grinned and went on: + +"Why, yes, I've taken my look, and had jest the same luck as all the +rest what thought they could pick it up. But about them big horns, +boys; if they don't happen to be whar I'm headin' fust, then we got +to go another two hours. But chances are, we'll find a flock in one of +them places, an' git a shot afore nightfall sets in." + +With this comforting thought, then, the little party once more started +out, after an hour's rest and refreshment. Smithy was doubtless +feeling considerably better. He never complained, even while he limped +sadly at times; and once came near losing his grip, when swinging +across a bad place in the trail; so that he might even have fallen, +only that the ready guide threw an arm around him, having been keeping +conveniently near. + +Smithy was proving one thing, at least; he might never turn out to be +much of a hunter; but he surely possessed his father's spirit, when it +came to game qualities. And when he went back home, all the maiden +aunts in creation would never be able to bring that boy back again to +the docile habits that had marked him heretofore, thanks to woman +training. Smithy had had a taste of real outdoors, and would never be +satisfied again to live in that old "sissy" rut. + +It was about an hour after the stop that, without warning, the little +party suddenly came upon a monstrous grizzly bear, slowly making his +way diagonally across the track they were following. + +At sight of them the animal reared up on his hind quarters, and seemed +to be trying to make up his mind whether he ought to attack these +queer two-legged creatures, or go on about his own business. + +Step Hen half raised his gun to his shoulder; but instantly the guide +clapped a hand over the lock. There were no convenient trees in which +they could take shelter from an enraged grizzly; and Toby Smathers +knew too much about these animals to have any wish to find one rushing +at them, wild with rage from a wound. + +"Snap--click!" + +"Got him that time!" said a delighted voice. + +Of course it was Davy Jones. He had swung that kodak of his around, +calmly focussed on the grizzly as the animal reared himself up to a +terrible height, and then pressed the button. + +And perhaps after all that was the safest kind of "shooting," when it +came to a matter of grizzly bears. Even one of this ferocious species +would hardly offer any serious objections to having his likeness +preserved, for future generations to gaze upon. + +"Keep still, all on you!" warned the guide, who was holding his own +rifle in readiness for instant use, should the bear conclude to charge +them. "We ain't lost any Mountain Charleys to-day, as I knows on. Big +horns is what we kim out after. Let him take hisself off, if he will, +and a good riddance too, I says." + +Which the enormous beast finally concluded to do. Perhaps he had had +his dinner, and was not feeling in a particularly aggressive mood. No +matter what the cause, all of the boys heaved sighs of positive relief +when he shuffled away, looking back over his shoulder several times. + +"Just like he wanted half an excuse for getting his mad up," explained +Step Hen. "He had a chip on his shoulder, all right. And I guess I'm +glad you didn't let me start in on him, Toby. I might a missed +knockin' him over for keeps; and then what a nice pickle we'd all been +in. Excuse me from tacklin' a moving mountain like that, when trees +are as scarce as hens' teeth." + +"And I'm real glad, too, you didn't fire," admitted Smithy, who had +turned somewhat white during the minute of dreadful suspense, while he +stared at that monster squatted in their path. "I was ready to back +you up; but then what could you expect from a greenhorn? I never +wished so much that I'd taken to this sort of thing before, as I did +when that fearful beast was looking at me, just as if to say, 'you're +the tenderest of the lot, Smithy, and I think I'll choose you, if I +have room for any more inside me.'" + +The other boys laughed at his words; but on the whole they thought +Smithy had carried himself rather creditably, all things considered. +And each knew, deep down in his secret soul, that his own heart had +seemed to stand still; while his blood ran cold, as he stood there, +awaiting the decision of the bear. + +They glanced around rather fearfully for some little time after that; +but as nothing was seen again of the mountain terror, they finally +concluded that the incident was closed. + +Again their thoughts went out toward the singular game they had come +after. Many an ambitious hunter had sought to shoot a big-horn sheep in +the Rockies, day after day, and was compelled to give it up in the end +as useless, so Toby had informed them. The conditions were generally +very difficult, and the game so shy. Besides, their sense of impending +danger seemed to be abnormally developed; and on account of the rocky +formation of the slopes where they found bunches of grass in the +crevices, it was often next to impossible to stalk them from leeward. + +This being the case the tired boys were thrilled to the core when Toby +finally announced that he had had a glimpse of the game. Of course +they became wildly excited, and demanded that he show them. Creeping +carefully up to a certain outcropping rock, they peered around its +edge. And for the first time in their lives Davy, Step Hen and Smithy +found themselves looking upon the queer animals that seem to live in +the wildest parts of the Rockies, taking delight in bounding from +crag to crag, and baffling the skill of the most experienced chamois +hunters to get within gun-shot of their lofty eyries. + +There were seven or eight of the sheep, and as they were really just +within gun range the boys could get a splendid view of them. They +admired the tremendous curved horns greatly, and Step Hen quivered +with eagerness to say that he had shot a Rocky Mountain sheep all by +himself; while Davy clicked his camera several times, so that he at +least might have a picture, in case they could get no nearer. + +"I can't be sure of even hitting one from here," whispered Step Hen, +turning appealingly to the guide. "Ain't it possible to creep up +closer, Toby? Oh! please fix it for us, won't you?" just as though the +guide had it in his power to do anything they wanted. + +But fortunately the lay of the mountain allowed Toby to arrange it; +and he soon mapped out a route that they might crawl along, keeping +well hidden from the feeding sheep, and getting gradually closer. + +Besides, it happened that luck was working overtime in their favor; +because the animals happened to be feeding toward them. Now only two +or three could be seen, nibbling at the tufts of grass, or leaping +across some small fissure that tried to block them from other tempting +pastures; and then again the whole seven would be in sight at the +same moment. + +After advancing slowly and carefully for some time Toby made motions +that they dare not go any further. He also let them know by signs +that, as the sheep were still coming in a line toward them, all they +had to do was to lie quiet, and wait until the right moment. + +That was a period of great excitement to the scouts, two of them +clutching their guns in hands that would tremble in spite of them; +while the third was trying to find the best spot to hold his kodak, +with a view of snapping off a picture just before the critical second +came for shooting. + +Step Hen and Smithy had even gone so far as to select which of the +seven sheep they hoped to get; and as they lay there, peeping out from +their rocky shelter, it can be taken for granted that each of them had +eyes for his particular quarry only. + +And then finally Toby touched the shoulder of the kodak owner, as a +signal that he had better be getting to work. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +THE SHEEP HUNTERS. + + +Davy Jones had made all his arrangements. He had only to press the +button, when the slight "click" told that his picture was an +accomplished fact, and that if the hunters did as well, the expedition +might be set down as a glorious success. + +Davy had carried his shotgun fastened to his back with a strap, while +he worked his little camera. Now he reached out for the gun, although +realizing the folly of trying to do any execution at that distance +with buckshot cartridges. + +"Now!" said the guide, suddenly. + +It would seem as though he spoke aloud purposely, knowing what the +effect was apt to be. Every feeding big-horn raised its head +instantly, and for the space of several seconds stood there as though +carved out of stone. + +A better chance for a shot could not be imagined. + +"Bang!" + +"Whang!" + +That was Smithy firing first, and the second report told that Step +Hen's little thirty-thirty was on the job instantly. + +One big-horn sheep fell over on the rock, and kicked several times. It +might have fallen over the ledge only that somehow the body seemed to +become fast in a crotch; and there it lay in a tantalizing position, for +only by a most difficult climb downward could it be reached at all. + +"Oh! I hit mine, and he's fallen down there!" cried Smithy in a voice +that just thrilled with wild exultation; and hardly had he said this +than he added, in a deeply crushed tone: "Oh! wasn't that too cruel of +him now, to just bound off on his horns like they were skies, and get +on his feet again? There he goes now, and see him limp, will you, +fellows? I hit him, yes, I surely did!" + +"Well, he's gone, and that's the last you're likely to see of him, +more's the pity," said Step Hen; "but look at _my_ game, would you, +stuck there in among them rocks? Toby, we must manage to get him, some +way or other. Tell me how it can be done, won't you?" + +The guide scratched his head, as if himself a bit puzzled. + +"Only one way I kin see, boys," he observed, "and that means a lot +more climbing for us." + +"You mean we'll just have to work around, and get up there above the +place where _my_ big-horn lies, as dead as a door nail; is that it, +Toby?" questioned Step Hen, perhaps unconsciously placing great +emphasis on that pronoun; nor could he be blamed for feeling proud, if +half that the guide had told them concerning the difficulties +encountered by hunters of Rocky Mountain sheep were true. + +"Just what I had in mind," replied Toby. + +"Then let's make a start," urged Step Hen. "My stars! I wouldn't like +to lose that splendid fellow for anything. Just think of having that +pair of horns to put in our club room at home, Davy. I hope you got a +good picture, too; because we c'n have an enlargement taken, and hang +it under _my_ horns." + +"I don't see any growing out of your head, yet, Step Hen," chuckled +Davy, as he and the third scout fell in behind the others, and started +forth. + +One thing made it a little easier now; they did not have to be so +particular about moving softly, since their aim had been accomplished, +and they had shot their bolt. + +But the way was rough enough at the best. Smithy had a hard time of +it. He was forever bruising his hands, for they were not so tough in +the palms as those of the other boys, who had been accustomed to work +and hard play. Besides, often he took a little slide and in this +fashion tore his trousers as well as made quite a gash in his leg. But +the other boys rather fancied that Smithy, unable to wholly overcome +his former love for fine clothes, grieved more on account of that big +rent in his khaki trousers, than he did for the bleeding leg, though +it must have pained him considerably. + +Still, he did not murmur; Smithy was showing much more grit than +either of the others had ever dreamed he possessed. Like Bumpus, it +only seemed to need a fitting opportunity to come to the surface; as +is the case with many backward boys. + +As they turned an angle of the rocks, Step Hen gave a shout. + +"What's this? What's this?" he called. + +"Oh! please don't shoot!" shrilled Smithy, wonderfully excited again; +"It must be the sheep I struck with my bullet; see how the poor thing +drags that leg after him? Let me have the pleasure of knocking him +over, and putting him out of pain?" + +"Get busy then, or he'll give you the slip after all. Quick, Smithy, +or I'll be tempted to shoot him myself. Whoop! you did it that time, +Smithy! Good boy!" and Step Hen fairly danced in his excitement. + +Smithy had made good. How he did it, he never could tell; but somehow, +when he just pointed his gun in a general way toward the escaping +big-horn, and pulled the trigger, why, the already badly wounded +animal fell over, gave a couple of last kicks, and then lay still. + +But strange to say, Smithy was less given to excitement over his +exploit than either of the other boys. As they all bent over the +big-horn to admire his sturdy frame, and the head ornaments that +distinguish him among all his kind, Smithy was seen to stroke the +hairy back of the dead sheep, and clinch his teeth hard together, as +though after all he felt half sorry that a sudden whim had caused him +to actually take a life that nothing could restore. Evidently it would +be some time before Smithy could so far overcome his former gentle +traits of character to feel the hunter's fierce lust for his quarry. + +"But this ain't getting _my_ big-horn, you know," remarked Step Hen, +as though the feel of those massive curved head-pieces had thrown him +into a new fever of impatience to secure his own trophies; for it +would be a shame if the greenhorn of the party should be the only one +to exhibit positive evidences of their having shot game. + +"Come along then, and we'll soon git around to whar p'raps ye might +climb down, if so be ye're keerful not to slip," and the guide once +more started off. + +"Oh! do we abandon my big-horn, then?" cried Smithy, as though half +tempted to refuse to leave the spot on what might prove to be a +wild-goose chase; to him it seemed like leaving the substance to try +and catch the shadow. + +"We kin come back this way, and take keer of it then," said Toby; and +with this assurance Smithy had to rest content. + +After some further scrambling along the face of the steep slope, +digging their toes into the shale that often crumbled under them, when +they might risk a serious ride down the side of the mountain only for +the fact that they managed to cling fast with their hands, they +reached a point where it was extra rocky, and a pretty sheer descent. + +"Down thar your sheep lies," the guide said, pointing as he spoke. + +Step Hen immediately laid his gun aside, and crawling to the edge he +looked over. + +"I don't see hide or hair of it, though, Toby?" he complained. + +"No more you kin," returned the other, with decision marked in both +voice and manner; "but all the same it's down thar, not more'n a +hundred feet at most. I got my bearin's fine. Look off yonder, and +yell see whar we lay when ye did the shootin' at the big horns." + +"He's right, Step Hen," said Davy Jones, after looking to where the +guide was pointing so confidently. "I'd know that rock among a +thousand. I'll never forget it, either. And yes, your sheep must be +lying below us right now." + +"I think the same, fellows," asserted Smithy, who was beginning to +feel that he ought to give his opinion of things after this, since he +was now an actual _boni fide_ hunter, and had even secured one of the +most wary of all wild animals in the whole West. + +"But why don't I see it, then?" demanded Step Hen, always very +stubborn, and needing to be shown. + +"Ye see," the guide explained, "the face of the mountain backs in some, +in a general way. That tells the story. The only thing that bothers me +is, if I had ought to let ye try and get down thar, so's to shove the +sheep off, and land it at the bottom; or make the riffle myself." + +"Oh! I wouldn't think of letting you try it," declared Step Hen, +quickly. "I'm young and spry, and used to climbing up cliffs and such +stunts, besides," he added as a clincher, "it's _my_ big horn, you +know." + +Had either of the other boys backed him up, the chances were that Toby +Smathers might have refused to give his permission; for he knew that +there would naturally be considerable risk involved in such an +undertaking; but then both Davy and his comrade, Smithy, saw nothing +so very unusual in the proceeding, the one because he was not +accustomed to judging such things; and Davy on account of being such a +clever gymnast himself, always doing dangerous tricks, such as hanging +from a high limb of a tree by his toes, coming down the outside of a +tree by using the branches as a descending ladder, and all such "crazy +antics," as Giraffe called them. + +"Here, somebody hold my gun," said Step Hen, with an air of resolution. + +"You're going to be some keerful, I take it?" questioned the guide, +dubiously. + +"Course I am; what d'ye take me for, Toby? Think I want to go to my +own funeral in a hurry? Not much. Oh! I c'n be careful, all right. +Don't you worry about me. And I want that big-horn worse than ever, I +do. Here goes, then." + +He started down the face of the almost perpendicular precipice. There +were plenty of places where he could get a good foothold, and secure a +grip with his ready hands. The only danger seemed to be, as the guide +had warned him, in having some apparently secure rock suddenly give +way under his weight. He must watch out for that constantly, and never +take a fresh step unless he was sure he could maintain his hold upon +the last knob of rock. + +"Call out if we can help any, Step Hen," was what Davy said, as they +saw the last of their companion's head just about to vanish, where the +first inward dip to the precipice occurred. + +"Sure I will, and just you remember our signal code, Davy. I may have +to use it if I get caught tight in a crack, and can't break away +nohow. Good-bye, be good to yourselves, now, and don't go to believin' +that there's any chance of me losing my grip." + +Then he vanished from their sight. A dreadful clatter of falling +stones gave the two scouts still above a case of the "trembles" +immediately afterwards, and Davy called at the top of his voice: + +"I say, Step Hen!" + +"All right;" welled up from somewhere below them; "did that on purpose +to test a stepping place. Ketch a weasel asleep, before you get me to +stand on a loose place, why, it's as easy as fallin' off a log, this +is." + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +A FIERCE FIGHT WITH EAGLES. + + +But although Step Hen spoke so flippantly, he was far from being as +confident as he pretended. In fact, as he proceeded downward, he found +his task getting more and more difficult. + +One thing that bothered him was the getting up again. He just felt sure +that he would not be able to accomplish it; but then, if it came to the +worst, doubtless the balance of the descent was no harder to manage than +this; and after first sending his big-horn down, he might pick his own +way after it, and the others could follow as best they saw fit. + +Step Hen was a self-reliant boy, at any rate; sometimes the scoutmaster +feared too much so. And since he had said he was going to get that game, +and was already part way down the face of the rocky wall, there was +nothing to be done but keep right along, which he proceeded to do. + +He could not get the slightest glimpse of his comrades. They were +somewhere up above him; but just as the guide had declared, the face +of the wall fell away in places, and this kept taking him further +beyond their range of vision constantly. + +Whenever he could do so without imperiling his support, Step Hen would +crook his neck, and look downward, in the hope of seeing where the +sheep lay. He could not help thinking how much easier this effort +would come for him, if a kindly Nature had given him the extensive +neck that Giraffe possessed. + +"There it is!" he exclaimed, joyfully, as his anxious eyes fell upon +an object just a short distance below, and which he knew must be the +crumpled body of his big-horn. "And I ought to get there now without +breaking my neck. Wow! that was a near tumble, all right! Careful, +boy, careful now! Them horns of yours ain't growed big enough to drop +on, like the sheep do." + +He halted for a full minute, not that he was so tired in the arms, but +to recover from the shock received when he came so near falling. Then +once more resuming his labor, he presently had the satisfaction of +dropping beside the motionless body of his victim. + +"Bigger horns than Smithy's had!" was his first exclamation, as he +bent over, the better to see; and at the same moment he became +conscious of the fact that some buzzards, or some other big birds, +were swooping around close by, making him think they had looked on his +dead sheep as their next dinner. + +"Guess p'raps I'd better be tossing it over here, and letting it roll +down to the bottom; then I c'n foller the best way there is, and----" + +Something gave him a sudden fierce blow that knocked Step Hen down on +his hands and knees; and he might have rolled over the edge of the +narrow shelf, only for his good luck in catching hold of the sheep's +rounded horns. + +"Quit that, you silly! you nearly knocked me over that time!" he +shouted angrily; his very first thought being that one of the other +boys, presumably Davy Jones, because he was so smart about climbing +everywhere, had followed after him, and was thus rudely announcing his +arrival close on the heels of the first explorer. + +But as Step Hen raised his head to look, to his surprise he failed to +see any one near him. A dreadful suspicion that Davy might have +pitched over the edge of the narrow shelf, after striking him, +assailed the scout; and he was almost on the point of looking, when +suddenly there was a rush of great wings, and he dropped flat on his +face just in time to avoid being struck a second time. + +"Whew! eagles, and mad as hops at me for comin' here!" gasped Step +Hen, as, raising his head cautiously, like a turtle peeping out of its +shell, he caught sight of two wheeling birds that came and went with +tremendous speed. + +He noted the spread of their immense wings, and it seemed to Step Hen +as if in all his experience he had never before gazed upon more +powerful birds than those two Rocky Mountain eagles. + +Perhaps they had a nest near by, with young eaglets in it, and fancied +that he was bent on robbing them. Then again, the big birds may have +decided that they could make good use of the fine quarry that had +lodged in the rocks so conveniently near their nest; and resented the +coming of another claimant. + +But no matter what the contributing cause might be, they were +undoubtedly as "mad as a wet hen," as Step Hen afterwards declared, in +telling of his adventure there on that shelf of rock, fully a hundred +feet from the top and the bottom, on the steep face of the mountain. + +His first thought was how he could fight back, for he saw that he was +to be at the mercy of the great birds that swooped down again and +again, striking viciously at him with claws, beaks and powerful +wings, until the boy was bleeding in half a dozen different places. + +In casting his eyes about, even as he fought with his bare hands, and +shouted for assistance at the top of his voice, Step Hen made a little +discovery. A tree must have grown up above at one time or other, for +there, stuck fast in a crevice of the rock he saw a pretty good-sized +remnant of a branch that he believed would make a fair cudgel, better +than his bare hands at any rate, with which to strike at the attacking +eagles. + +When he had clutched this in his eager hand the boy felt more +confidence; and watching his opportunity he did manage to meet the +swoop of the next bird with a whack that sent it whirling back. But +they quickly learned to adopt other tactics, now that he was armed, +both of them coming together from opposite directions; so that unable +to dodge, or hit back properly Step Hen again found himself getting +the worst of the fight. + +Would his companions be able to do anything for him; or was he to be +left there on that shelf of rock, to either conquer his savage +enemies, alone and unaided, or succumb to their ferocious assaults? + +All the while he was beating at them with might and main Step Hen kept +up a constant shouting. He had a double purpose in this,--hoping to +tempt one of his companions to descend to his rescue, carrying a gun, +since they seemed unable to hit the birds from above, though several +shots had been fired; and then again it was possible that the sound of +a human voice would by degrees cause the eagles to haul off. + +"Take that, will you!" the boy cried, whenever he succeeded in +reaching either of his feathered assailants with his club. "Come at me +again, will you? Just wait, and see what happens to you yet! Ouch! +that hurt some, now! Oh! if I could only swing this club around +better, without bein' afraid of tumbling over, wouldn't I knock their +heads off,--wow! once more you'll have it, will you? See the feathers +fly! I b'lieve they're weakenin' some, sure I do; but what about me? +I'll bleed to death yet, if they keep on tapping me like that." + +So Step Hen went on, shouting and whacking away, doing the best he was +able under the circumstances. Nobody could ever say at any rate, but +what he put up a strapping good fight of it, he kept thinking; but all +the same he cast an anxious eye upward whenever he could find a +chance, hoping to see a pair of human legs heave in sight, and +discover the welcome face of either Davy Jones or the guide. + +"Bring a gun! Bring a gun!" + +That was about the burden of his shouts. He hoped those above +understood what he was saying. The eagles seldom went far outside a +given circle, so that they could only be glimpsed from above +occasionally; and it was like shooting at a disappearing target in the +gallery, to try and hit them under such circumstances. + +Step Hen had knocked one of the great birds down for the sixth time, +and was dismayed to see that he had not even then disabled it, since +it immediately started to fly again, no wing having been broken by his +club; when he thought he caught the sound of a human voice close by. + +Then some loose stones rattled down beside him, giving him a thrill of +joy; for he knew now reinforcements were on the way, and it nerved him +to fight on. + +Another minute, and some one dropped down beside the crouching Step +Hen, who was breathing hard from his exertions, but still full of +pluck, as a true scout should always be. + +"Toby!" he called out, in a quavering voice, and looking very grim, +with his face so scratched, and streaked with blood; "I'm sure glad to +see you; but gladder to notice that you've got your gun! Look out! +there they come again! Dodge, Toby, dodge; they're on to you!" + +But the guide had snatched his gun from about his back, where it had +been securely fastened with a stout cord. He had no time to aim or +fire just then, only to swing the barrel around, and strike viciously +at the swooping bird, that threw its claws forward as it pounced upon +him, just as a fish-hawk might do on striking the water. + +The attack was quickly parried, and now Toby also had a streak of +blood on his cheek, where one of those furious wings had struck him. + +Now he turned the gun quickly around in his hands. + +"Leave one for me, Toby!" pleaded the boy, eagerly. "I ought to have +the pleasure of knocking over one of 'em, after what they have done to +me. Oh! you put it to that gay old robber of honest fish-hawks, sure +you did! And he's gone down below-decks for good. Give me your gun, +Toby; I _must_ have it, I tell you!" + +And the guide, understanding, as well as sympathizing with, the spirit +that caused the other to cry out in this fashion, did thrust his +repeating rifle into the hands of Step Hen, after throwing the +discharged shell out, and sending a fresh one into the firing chamber. + +With a satisfaction that words could never paint, Step Hen followed +the swinging form of the remaining eagle as it flew around so as to +get in line for another swoop. And just as the great bird started to +come down at them, the boy pulled the trigger. + +His aim was true, and the second eagle pitched forward, whirling over +and over as it went tumbling down the face of the descent, just as +its mate had done. + +"Hurrah!" shouted Step Hen, tremendously pleased with the final +outcome of the fight with the pair of fierce pirates of the upper air +currents; "that's what they get for tackling me, ain't it, Toby? We +gave 'em what they needed, didn't we? But say, I'm just thinkin' that +it's going to be a tough old job for me to get back up where the boys +are; and that p'raps we'll have to keep on climbin' down, after +shoving the big-horn off the shelf." + +And the guide, after recovering his breath, which had been used up in +his recent hasty movements in coming to the rescue, looking over the +edge, admitted that he believed such a course was the only one left to +them. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +DOWN THE SLOPE. + + +"The first thing, then, is to toss this feller overboard," remarked +Step Hen, as he proudly touched the dead big-horn with the toe of his +shoe, and tried to assume the air of a conquering hero; but his face +was so sore, and his appearance so remarkable, that apparently his +manner did not impress the guide very much. + +"The sooner you get to water, and wash them scratches, the better," +said Toby. "I've knowed more'n one feller have a bad time from gettin' +clawed by eagles; and the doctor said as how 'twar blood +poisonin'-like. But seems to me most of that might a kim from you +bein' hit by their wings." + +"Just what it did," replied Step Hen, though he looked a bit anxious. +"And goodness gracious! how they could hit with 'em, though. Felt like +you'd run against an electric fan, or something like that. Busted the +skin every time too, and made the blood come. But never mind about +that, Toby; shall I shove this thing over now?" + +"Just as you say," replied the guide; "we'll be apt to find it when we +get down; which I hope we can do and be safe, and sound in limb." + +Apparently Toby was a little anxious himself about the result of the +next step on the programme. The scout accordingly worked the dead +sheep loose, and cast it over the edge. He watched it go bounding down +with considerable apprehension that the other did not comprehend, +until he heard Step Hen remark in a relieved tone: + +"Didn't break either horn; that's all hunky dory!" + +"Don't you think we ort to let the rest know what we're expectin' to +do?" suggested the guide just then. + +"Why, that's a good idea, Toby," replied Step Hen. "And while we +can't see our chums, there's a way of communicatin' with 'em. Anyhow, +I c'n tell 'em to send down a piece of string, and pull up a message +I'll write. Davy Jones knows the code enough for that." + +He began making a series of queer sounds, that at first considerably +amused the old guide; but when an answer came from far above, Toby +realized that there did promise to be more merit in the signal code of +the scouts. + +Then a little later Step Hen exclaimed triumphantly: + +"Here comes the end of the string, Toby, with a stone tied to it. If +they can swing it in now, we'll be able to fasten this message I've +written to the end of it, and send it up. Then the boys will know what +we expect to do; and they'll try and get down some other way, to join +us before night comes on. Because it'd be kind of tough if we couldn't +bunk together through the night." + +After some manipulation with the piece of broken branch they succeeded +in getting hold of the dangling cord, which Smithy had carried along +with him, because of some reason or other, possibly from the same +principle that caused Bumpus to carry that rope around wherever he +went, thinking that it might come in handy sometime or other. + +Having dispatched the note to the other scouts by means of the cord +channel, Step Hen and the guide started to descend from their perch. + +The way was anything but easy, especially to the boy. He had been +weakened more than he realized by his hard struggle with those two +fierce eagles. And perhaps his numerous wounds, slight as they seemed +on the surface, made him less capable of keeping such a firm grip as +he had before reaching the ledge. But the same old indomitable pluck +held good. When a drop of perspiration, mingled with blood from those +scratches, dimmed his vision, Step Hen would dash one hand impatiently +across his eyes, and then go right on clambering downward. + +Toby kept as near the boy as he could. Had he possessed a rope he +would certainly have fastened himself to Step Hen, as a means of +protecting the lad against an ugly fall; just as the glacier climbers +do when ascending to the snow-covered summit of some lofty mountain +peak; so that should one slip, another, having a firm hold at the +time, could bear him up. + +Again and again he cautioned his companion against trusting his weight +on some inviting projecting knob of stone, which he himself had tried, +and found wanting; for the guide had insisted on going first as a sort +of pilot; when his real object was to be in position to clutch hold of +the boy, if possible, should Step Hen make a bad move and fall. + +But they finally managed to reach the bottom without any accident +happening, for which both of them were thankful enough. They threw +themselves upon the rocks, utterly exhausted, and panting for breath. +Step Hen was indeed very near a complete collapse; for the boy had +been under a terrible strain recently, both mentally and bodily. + +After a little, however, when he had pumped much good air into his +system, and regained some of his lost breath, Step Hen remembered. + +"I hadn't ought to be lyin' around this way, when those fellers up +yonder are all tied up in knots waitin' to know whether we've made the +riffle, or got stuck part way down. So here goes to tell 'em. They +know from my note what we want 'em to try and do next." + +So he started in again with those queer sounds that seemed to climb up +the face of the cliff as though on ladders that were invisible. And +there came back similar sounds, which Step Hen listened to with +eagerness, finally crying out: + +"They understand that we're safe down here; and Davy says as how he +thinks he knows a way to work around. And now, since we've got some time +on our hands, Toby, let's look about for a place to spend the night." + +But Toby had not forgotten something that he had spoken of before. + +"As for the camp, I'll take keer of that," he said; "while you drop +down aside this leetle crick here, and wash your face and hands. The +sooner ye git them 'ere scratches clean, the better, I reckon. Heaps +of trouble kin grow out of a little keerlessness in that regard." + +"I guess you're right," replied Step Hen, trying to make a grimace, +but without much success, because the blood had dried on his face, and +made it feel as stiff as though it had been duly starched on a washday +at home. + +So he complied with the ruling of the guide; and while the cool water +made his cuts smart more or less, to begin with, still there was a +sense of satisfaction in the cleanly feeling that soon followed. + +When he got back to the side of the guide again Step Hen discovered +that Toby had found the place he was looking for, close to where the +big-horn lay. Already smoke was beginning to rise, showing that +Giraffe might not be the only one in the party who knew just how to go +about making a cooking fire. + +The scout watched Toby with considerable interest. He learned that +when a man has lived all his life in the borderland, he has picked up +a good many useful little wrinkles that a wideawake scout ought to +know; and Step Hen determined to profit by his experience in the +company of Toby Smathers. + +Besides, now that all the excitement was over, Step Hen secretly +confessed to feeling more or less tired; though had any of his mates +been around, he would doubtless have scorned to display this fact. It +was nice to just stretch out by the cheery blaze, and see some one +else quite willing to do the work. + +The guide was only too glad to assume all the burden of getting +supper, such as it promised to be. Secretly he was proud of Step Hen. +He had started in with rather a poor opinion of the boy's qualities, +and thought him given somewhat to boasting, and practical jokes. But +he had found that he was full of grit, gave promise of being a good +hunter, and was ready to attempt any sort of task, it mattered not how +difficult. + +The way Step Hen fought those two eagles, alone and unaided, on that +narrow ledge, had aroused the ardent admiration of Toby. While he +worked, he cast many a secret glance toward where Step Hen was +stretched out; and each time the guide would give a little satisfied +nod, and a chuckle, just as though he were passing a critical +judgment, and saying to himself: + +"All wool, and a yard wide; he'll do, I sure reckons. He's got the +real stuff in him, anybody with one eye kin see. And I'm sure goin' to +tell Mr. Scout Master that same, too. He deserves to be put up a few +notches arter this." + +Could Step Hen but have read what was passing through Toby's mind just +then, he would have thrilled with deepest satisfaction. Why, the +laurel wreath of the victor could not have given him one half the +solid pleasure that would come could he but know he had won the +admiration of this experienced forest ranger, and trapper-guide. + +Meanwhile, after he had the cooking fire under full way, Toby +proceeded to skin the Rocky mountain sheep, making sure to handle the +excellent horns carefully, as Step Hen begged, since they were almost +perfect. + +"He ain't a youngster, and at the same time he don't seem to be so +_very_ old," the guide remarked, as he worked, cutting up the sheep; +"so, p'raps we kin get our teeth workin' on him some. I never was much +of a hand for this sorter meat; but in such a pinch as this I kin eat +even mutton. Anyhow, it'll sure keep us from goin' hungry, and that's +the game right now. I hopes as how the other boys kin get here afore +dark sets in." + +"That makes me remember I'm neglecting my duty; because I ought to be +lettin' out a whoop now and then, just to sort of guide Davy and +Smithers." + +With that Step Hen managed to get to his feet, though he was surprised +to find how stiff he had become, just sitting there. Toby grinned to +see him wince, as he stretched first one arm, and then a leg. He knew +what it meant. The strain of the recent engagement on the ledge, +besides all that hanging desperately to the face of the precipice, +was telling on the boy's muscles. + +When Step Hen let out a loud cry, he was pleased to get a response in +the well-known voice of Davy Jones. The call came from a point not far +away, and Toby immediately declared that the other scouts must be +about half-way down. + +"They're agoin' to make it, all right, I do believe!" Step Hen +exclaimed. + +"Looks that way, for a fact," the guide responded. + +The day was almost done, at least down at the foot of that great wall +that stretched upward for hundreds of feet. Lying there, resting the +back of his head on both hands, and looking upward to where some +buzzards were wheeling against the sky, Step Hen could hardly believe +that he had actually descended all that distance in safety. He +shuddered as he contemplated what an ugly tumble he must have +experienced, if those fighting eagles had succeeded in knocking him +off the ledge. + +And just as the shades of approaching night began to gather around +them, with a rather appetizing odor from cooking meat filling the +immediate neighborhood, there came a hail from a point close at hand. + +"Hello! there, glad to see you're able to sit up, and take notice, +after all the row you kicked up. First thing Smithy and me want to +know is, what under the sun was it all about?" and with these words +the two scouts staggered into camp, throwing themselves wearily down +beside their chum. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +TROUBLES THICKEN FOR YOUNG ALECK. + + +The scouts were pretty hungry, and they united in pronouncing the +supper "just prime." But then the conditions would not allow of any +other verdict; and as Toby regretfully declared, they all had good +teeth, while his were getting "frayed and worn." + +But after a period of stress and storm, a haven does seem good indeed; +and sitting there, chatting, alongside that blaze, which had now been +built up into a real camp-fire, the three boys were feeling a thousand +per cent better than they had a couple of hours before. + +Of course Step Hen had told all about his great combat with the two +fighting eagles. He even led the doubting Davy along the foot of the +descent, with a blazing torch in his hand, until they had found both of +the dead birds, which they lugged back to camp with them, to show to the +wondering Smithy as positive evidence of the truth of the story. + +And after that the boys would surely feel more respect for Step Hen's +prowess as a hunter, and the possessor of unlimited nerve. + +Smithy declared that nothing on earth could tempt him to try and descend +that precipice where Step Hen had done it; and was amazed when Davy +announced that they had accomplished a feat very nearly as hazardous; +only, coming a yard at a time, they had not noticed the danger. + +"I only hope nothing will run off with my sheep," Smithy had remarked, +plaintively, at one time, after they had finished their meal, and were +just lounging around, taking things easy. + +"How about that, Toby?" asked Davy Jones; "will wolves be apt to rob +Smithy of his hard-earned laurels?" + +"Don't know anything about that ere," grinned the guide; "but if so be +you mean will they come around, and eat his mutton, I'm afraid that's +jest what'll happen. But," he added, as Smithy gave a plaintive little +bleat, "they cain't eat them big horns, you know; and I reckons as how +that's the main thing you wants, ain't it?" + +"Oh! yes, if that is so, I shall stop worrying. But I surely do want +to carry that souvenir back with me; because, you know that is my +first game," Smithy went on to say. + +"Wall," remarked the guide, with a nod, "you had ought to be proud of +'em; 'cause they ain't many fellers as kin say the fust wild game +they ever knocked down was a big-horn. I've knowed old hunters as +couldn't ever git one, try as hard as they might. We had a heap of +luck to-day, let me tell you, boys, a heap of it. And for mutton, +'twan't so _very_ tough, either." + +"Oh! I thought I heard some one give a funny little cough just then!" +exclaimed Step Hen, suddenly sitting up straight. + +"You was correct at that," said the guide, quietly drawing his rifle +closer to him, as though caution were second nature. "There is some +parties accomin' down the canyon here, and headin' for our fire." + +"The boys, mebbe!" exclaimed Davy Jones. + +"No, I don't think they be," Toby Smathers added, straining his eyes +to catch the first glimpse of the newcomers; for in this wild region, +strangers are not to be always recognized as friends until they have +proven themselves such. + +"There's two of 'em," remarked Step Hen, "and they're men, I c'n see." + +"Hello! there, don't shoot, we're friends, all right!" called a voice, +so peculiar in itself that Toby immediately laughed aloud, as though +he had no difficulty in recognizing it. + +"Is that Sheriff Bob McNulty?" he asked. + +"Nobody else," came the reply; "and unless I'm mighty far off my base, +that must be my old friend, Toby Smathers, the forest ranger." + +The two men came on to the fire. The boys saw that the one whom Toby had +called Sheriff Bob was a tall, angular man, wearing the regulation +wide-brimmed soft hat, and long black coat that sheriffs out in the Wild +and Woolly West seem to so frequently think a badge of their calling. + +He impressed them as a man of sterling character; but they did not +entertain the same sort of an opinion toward his companion, who was a +middle-aged man, lanky and sinister in appearance, and with a crafty +gleam in his shifting eyes that somehow gave Step Hep and Davy Jones a +cold feeling of distrust. + +"Why, what's this mean, Toby; you a forest ranger camping with a parcel +of kids?" exclaimed the sheriff, throwing a quick, interrogative glance +toward his companion, which the other answered with a negative shake of +the head, after giving each of the three boys a keen look, while a shade +of bitter disappointment crossed his crafty face. + +"Oh! it was an off season for me, Sheriff Bob," replied the guide, +laughing; "an' I thought I'd try playing guide again, this time to a +bunch of Boy Scouts what come out to the Rockies from the Far East, to +hunt big game." + +The sheriff grinned broadly, as though that struck him a good deal in +the nature of a joke. + +"Boy Scouts, eh?" he continued, as he calmly sat him down by the fire; +"well, I've heard a heap about them, but these are the first I've set +eyes on. They brought their nerve along with 'em I reckon, Toby?" and +he chuckled again while speaking. + +"That's the way I thought about 'em fust pop, Sheriff Bob," remarked +Toby, in a quiet, convincing tone; "but I've found out that I sized +'em up a lot too low. They's eight of 'em in the bunch, and the rest +is keepin' camp down by that willow that stands by the spring hole in +the valley. We came out to-day to try and get a big-horn." + +The sheriff sniffed the air at this. + +"Say, you don't mean to tell me they shot a sheep?" he demanded. + +"Two of the same, and at a pretty fair distance too. We got 'em both. +This here, who is known as Smithy, had never killed anything bigger'n +a mouse afore, I understands, an' precious few of 'em; while Step Hen +here, he's had considerable experience up in Maine, which is said to +be a good hunting ground." + +The sheriff pursed up his lips, and arched his eyebrows. + +"Well," he remarked, "I'd like to shake hands with you both, boys, +because you've done what I never yet accomplished in my life--shot a +big-horn." + +"But sho! that ain't near all," declared the proud Toby; "they got a +couple of big grizzlies in the bargain; and right this very day Step +Hen, he clumb half way down that cliff thar, to shove his sheep +loose; and had to fight for his life agin a pair o' cantankerous +eagles what had a nest up thar. I went to his help, an' thar the birds +lie, Sheriff Bob!" + +The officer whistled again. + +"This _is_ a surprise, I must say," he remarked. "But Toby, if so be +you could spare us a mouthful of that same mutton, why, we'd be +obliged. We've got to be going in a little while, because, you see, +I'm up here to assist this gentleman, who's name is Mr. Artemus +Rawson, and a lawyer from Denver, look up a boy who's his nephew, and +who's stolen something his uncle values a heap. We learned he was last +seen on the hike for this country roundabout; and I'm bound to find +him, by hook or by crook. I always do, you remember, Toby; none of +them ever gets away from Sheriff Bob." + +Step Hen almost cried out, such was the thrill that shot through him. +Almost instinctively his eyes sough those of Davy Jones, and a look of +intelligence passed between them. + +Rawson, the sheriff said his name was, and he was a lawyer from +Denver, looking for a boy who was his nephew, and whose name therefore +was likely to be the same! + +Surely he must be referring to their new friend, Aleck. But the +sheriff had declared the boy to be a thief; and they could never +believe Aleck that, with his frank face, his clear eyes, and engaging +manners. There must be some sort of a mistake; or else this so-called +Artemus Rawson was a fraud of the first water, and just trying to get +possession of that secret connected with the hidden mine, the same as +Colonel Kracker! + +Step Hen put a finger on his lips, and that told Davy to keep quiet, so +that the others might not suspect their comrades in the other camp were +entertaining the very boy these men sought at that particular minute. + +And when he had the chance, Step Hen whispered a few words to Smithy +that rather startled that worthy, who had apparently not noticed what +was being said when the sheriff was talking; he having hurried over to +try and cut some slices from the carcase of the big-horn, as he wished +to get into the habit of doing these handy things about camp. + +There now remained but Toby; and from the sly wink which the guide +gave Step Hen, upon seeing the anxious look on the boy's face, it was +plain that he had grasped the situation immediately, and they need not +fear that he would betray Aleck. + +While the two men were eating a little later, Step Hen tried to make +up his mind as to what sort of a party this so-called Artemus Rawson +might be. If he indeed proved to be a genuine brother of the man who +had discovered the silver lode, and the real uncle of Aleck, then he +must have been a different sort of a man altogether from the boy's +father. On his small, rat-like face scheming was written plainly; and +the chances were, Step Hen concluded, that he too knew something about +the "find" Aleck had lately made, and was plotting to get possession +of that precious chart to the mine. + +This gave Step Hen cause for sudden excitement. The sheriff had just +said they could not stay all night with Toby and his charges; that they +were bound in the direction of the valley, called by _business_. Then +the chances were that they knew something of the boy's plans, and that +he might be run across heading into the valley from the other side. They +had laid out to meet him on the way, and take him by surprise. + +What bothered Step Hen was the fact that the sheriff had just said +they were likely to come upon the camp of the scouts on the way, +between then and morning, and in case they did, he promised himself +the pleasure of dropping in to take a bite of breakfast with the smart +scoutmaster and his chums, whom he would like to meet very much. + +Step Hen worried over this very nearly all the time the two men were +eating. He thought those rat-like eyes of Artemus Rawson, so-called, +were often searching his face, as though the man suspected that he +knew something about the boy the sheriff had been engaged to find; and +that being the case, the man would even go out of their way to visit +the camp of the scouts, to see whether the one they sought might be +stopping there. + +And how under the sun could Thad be warned of the impending trouble? + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +PURE PLUCK. + + +"Well, I'm glad they're departed; because somehow I couldn't fancy +that Mr. Rawson the least little bit," remarked Smithy, an hour later. + +"Do you really think they have gone for good, Toby?" Step Hen asked, +eagerly; "or might they just make believe, and hang around here to see +if we had Aleck Rawson hidden away somewhere?" + +"Oh! they're gone, that's right enough," replied the guide; "but I'm +kinder of the notion they'll make it a p'int to pay a visit to the +other camp by mornin', and p'raps sneak in on 'em by surprise like." + +"Then you're of a mind that they have suspicions?" asked Step Hen. + +"That thar Artemus Rawson I reckon he allers has s'picions of +everybody," replied Toby; "an' I seen him watchin' you two boys pass +winks an' nods when the sheriff, he happened to say the gent's name +was Rawson." + +"Then he must have guessed that we knew something about Aleck?" +declared Davy. + +"Reckon as how he did," Toby responded. + +"But if that was so, how did it come that he never once asked us if we +knew a boy by the name of Aleck Rawson?" Step Hen went on. + +"He was jest a leetle too slick for that," the guide answered. "He +knowed that you'd made up your mind to deny everything; and he guessed +how the land laid. So right now, I shouldn't wonder a bit but what +he's atellin' Bob all about it; an' showin' him how they'll as like as +not find the boy they want right smack in the camp of the Boy Scouts." + +"You're right, Toby!" cried Step Hen. "Now I remember that the sheriff +seemed a little bit inclined to put up all night with us; but it was +the other who said he wanted to be on the move. He even asked how long +it would take to reach the main valley over on the other side of this +ridge, by followin' the canyon route; and vowed he was good for a few +hours' tramp, if the sheriff was agreeable." + +"Yes, and he told how one of their hosses kim down lame, so they had +to leave both animals in a place to rest up while they was in the +mountains," remarked the guide; "but it's sure too bad the way things +is a settin' for that boy." + +"You mean Aleck, I guess, don't you, Toby?" asked Step Hen. + +"Yes, Aleck Rawson. I wanted to see the kid git that mine his dad +found years ago; but seems to me the woods is full of people as think +they orter have a claim on it, afore the fambly of Jerry Rawson. If so +be this ole chap is a uncle to the boy, he's a bad egg; I kin see that +in his face. But Sheriff Bob thinks he's doin' the right thing in +tryin' to arrest Aleck; and he'll take him away, if he ever lays eyes +on him. I say, it's too bad." + +"If we only could warn them?" said Smithy, disconsolately. + +"Mebbe we can," remarked Step Hen, eagerly looking at the guide in the +same breath, as though it depended a good deal upon Toby whether this +idea could be carried out, or not. + +"Oh! do you really mean it, Step Hen?" demanded Smithy, brightening +up; for he seemed to be conscious of a new sense of reliance in the +other nowadays, something similar to that he felt in Thad himself; +Step Hen had been "doing things," and that alone breeds confidence. + +"I'm wanting to ask Toby something first, before I promise," remarked +the other, cautiously, as became one who valued his word not lightly. + +"Go on, then; what is it?" asked the guide. + +"Think hard, please," Step Hen continued, very soberly; "and tell me +if you believe you could take me to a place, not a great ways off, +where we would be able to see the tents of the home camp, if daylight +was here." + +Toby's face turned into a grin; evidently he grasped the idea that had +flashed into the boy's mind. After having seen how Giraffe had "talked" +with Aleck by means of "fire flashes," when the Rawson boy was away up +on that ledge of the cliff, Toby was ready to believe these wonderful +scouts capable of almost anything in the line of "next miracles." + +"Say, yes, I kin do that same now; that is, if you think you'd be able +to climb a leetle bit more," he broke out with. + +"Oh! I am not all tuckered out yet," declared Step Hen, proudly; "a +bit sore from my scratches, and that funny business, when I had to +jump around so lively with two savage eagles tryin' to tear my eyes +out; but you just show me, Toby, and see if I don't toe the mark, like +a scout always should." + +"I'm sure you will," said Toby, admiringly; and the look on his face +gave Step Hen a sense of reward for all he had suffered; in fact he +could not remember ever feeling so pleased before, because he knew +Toby Smathers was reckoned a prime judge of men, as they ran. + +"How long would it take us to get up there?" asked Step Hen, +carelessly; yet no doubt with more or less anxiety, for he was +conscious of the fact that however willing the spirit might be, the +flesh was weak; and it meant a double trip, to go and come again. + +"P'raps half an hour might do it," was the response of the guide. + +"Up a place like this?" gasped Smithy, pointing to the wall near them. + +"Well, I should hope not," said Davy Jones. "They'd be crazy to try +that sort of thing, with only the moonlight to help." + +Step Hen did not say anything, but nevertheless he waited with bated +breath to hear the reply of the guide, and seemed easier in his mind +when Toby remarked: + +"I don't doubt as he'd foller me, if I sez we must climb up to the top +of that same cliff agin; but 'tain't necessary. This time we foller a +canyon up, till we gets to a p'int as gives ye a view of the valley. I +don't sure know, but I reckons we orter to be able to ketch a glimpse +of the fire." + +"Then let's start right now!" cried Step Hen; "I'm all worked up with +eagerness to block the little game that the old Rawson uncle is +settin' up for poor Aleck. We said that we'd see the boy through, and +we're going to do it, or drop in our tracks atryin'." + +He managed to get on his feet, though only with an effort. + +"Oh! yes, I admit I'm some stiff," he said in answer to Smithy's look +of sympathy; "and I'd like as not let Davy do it in my place; only he +ain't up in sendin' messages as much as I am. Wish Giraffe was here; +he's the boss hand at that. But p'raps I c'n make Thad understand. I +only hope we get the camp, all right, that's all." + +It was the spirit that makes heroes that forced Step Hen to quit that +cozy camp, where he was feeling so nice and comfortable; and follow +after the tireless guide, when he walked on up the canyon. But they +would not hear a single groan from him, if he had to make his lips +bleed, biting them with his teeth. Step Hen had always wondered just +how the old martyrs felt, when they were being led to the stake; he +believed he knew now; for he experienced a fierce sense of exultation +with every twinge of pain that walking gave him; but with set teeth he +kept grimly on. + +That was a long half hour to the scout. He would never forget it to +his dying day. And when Toby finally, after what seemed an eternity, +announced that they must be very close on the point where in the +moonlight much of the big valley could be seen dimly beyond, Step Hen +mentally thanked his stars again and again. + +Presently Toby turned, and looked. + +"Here she is!" he remarked; and the boy grunted in reply; for there may +be times when the spirit of thanksgiving is too deep for utterance. + +"I see her," Toby remarked almost immediately afterwards. + +"Do you mean the fire, Toby?" demanded Step Hen. + +"It cain't be anything else, even though they've let it get low. And +now we've a job afore us, to get some blaze started right here. Wood +ain't too plenty round these parts. Let's look for some." + +But when Step Hen started after him, the guide made him sit down to +rest, promising to come to him when the fire was good and ready. + +"Your part of the work will begin about that time; let me do this fire +makin'," the good-hearted guide insisted; and the boy was only too +willing to sink down. + +A short time afterwards, when Toby came to announce that the fire was +in full blast, with plenty of good brands that might be used for +torches; he found poor Step Hen sound asleep, just as he had dropped, +being utterly exhausted. The guide looked down at him with pity. He +had taken a great fancy for the plucky scout; and disliked arousing +him the worst kind; but there was no other way. + +Step Hen had to be shaken half a dozen times before he would consent +to open his heavy eyes; then he stared up at Toby, as though for the +moment he could not place things. + +"I got the fire started; and there's aplenty of wood handy arter all, +for you to use as torches when you signal the camp!" said the guide, +kindly. + +"Oh!" cried Step Hen sitting up, "to be sure; and I really think I +must have been dozing while you were doing all the work, Toby. Give me +a hand, won't you, please; I'm ashamed to say my legs seem so silly +stiff at the knees I just can't straighten 'em out? Wow! to think of +me being such a baby as to feel that little circus this way. I'm real +ashamed, that's what." + +"You ain't got no call to be, I promise you, boy," declared the other, +a tremor in his voice; "You showed the pluck of a grown man. And if I +could a took yer place, which in course I couldn't, never havin' been +trained to wigwag, or handle a telegraph key, I'd sure let you sleep +on; for ye desarve it, that's right." + +Step Hen made a few movements, regardless of the pain it gave him, so +as to get his arms in working order; because he knew he would have to +use them a great deal, if he were lucky enough to get an answer to his +signals. + +The guide showed him where to stand, where he would be in the shadow, +and the blazing, moving torch show; and he then pointed out the +distant fire, down through the gap in the mountain chain. + +"They ain't touched it since we kim here," he remarked; "but that +makes me think it might be done any minit now. So p'raps ye'd better +show me the way to fling that there torch around, to let 'em know +we're here, an' wantin' to talk. I kin do that part, I reckons, an' +save you some work." + +Step Hen was agreeable, for he knew that he would have all he could do +later on, to handle that beacon, should he find a chance to send the +message he wanted the scoutmaster to get. + +For some time Toby waved his torch around without there being any +response; and it began to look as though he might have all his trouble +for his pains, when Step Hen was heard to give a little eager cry. + +"There!" he exclaimed, "I believe I saw a light move, just then. Yes, +look, Toby, there it is again; and as sure as you live, they're +answering us! Now, give me the torch. I only hope I haven't forgotten +all I knew about sending messages, because all poor Aleck's hopes for +his future may hang on my being able to warn them the sheriff and old +Artemus Rawson are heading that way. Now watch close, Toby! I'm going +to start in." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +THE WARNING. + + +Step Hen was all of a tremble when he first began to handle that +burning splinter of wood, provided by Toby Smathers, to serve as a +fiery pen; and with which he hoped to write letters in the dark +background he had chosen for his location. + +Just as he had himself declared, regretfully now, Step Hen had never +been a shining light in this code business. Indeed, up to lately, he +had rather considered the whole thing something of a great bore; and +when ordered out on the hills to wave signal flags, he had only obeyed +under protest. There had been plenty of things he much preferred to +this sort of detail work. + +But after seeing how successfully a method of communication had been +established between the scouts in camp, and Aleck, when the latter was +being held a prisoner up on that shelf of rock, Step Hen had had his +eyes opened. He realized what a really valuable thing a little +knowledge along these lines was apt to prove, at most any time. And he +had then and there resolved to improve his scanty share of information +whenever the chance came. + +Right now he was secretly glad that since that occasion he had been +asking some questions along the line of acquiring information. He had +even had half an hour's practice with Thad, early in the morning, +sending and receiving messages. + +How fortunate that was, Step Hen reflected, just now, when he found +himself placed in a position where a knowledge of wigwag work was +going to prove of the utmost importance to the boy whom the scouts had +taken in charge. + +At the same time it was with considerable nervousness that he started +in to ask his first question. He meant to inquire if the one answering +him were Thad himself; but when he had made the last letter of the +message Step Hen was afraid it might seem so bungled that all he would +receive might be the well-known signal: + +"Don't understand--repeat message!" + +But to his delight there came the three letters: + +"Yes." + +Encouraged by this, Step Hen became more ambitious. He spelled out his +own name, and added a few more words: + +"This is Step Hen--something important!" + +Then he almost held his breath as he waited to see what effect this +would have. The answer began to come back, slowly and positively, Thad +allowing plenty of time for the other to make sure of every sign. And +staring eagerly, unconsciously spelling aloud just as he received the +message, Step Hen caught this: + +"All right--understand--let us have news." + +"It's going splendidly, Toby!" cried Step Hen, almost ready to jump up +and down, in his excitement and joy, despite his wearied condition. +"Thad's taking it, word for word. I reckon I c'n make him understand +_something_, even if I am such a big bungler at this thing. But I tell +you right now, after this I'm going in for wigwag work the hardest you +ever saw. It's the greatest stunt a scout can follow up. Why, it's +worth everything else at such a time as this. Now to tell him about +the two men headed that way, and how they're after Aleck Rawson." + +With that Step Hen once more applied himself to the task before him. +His heart was set on doing something that the scoutmaster would +compliment him on when next they met. Step Hen had aroused himself to +the fact that an occasion like this demanded that a scout should prove +his worth. It might mean a merit medal for him, if his services were +deemed of sufficient value. + +Toby, seeing that the torch would not be likely to last out the +labored conversation that was to follow, busied himself in getting +another ready. As he was as good a hand at a fire as Giraffe, this did +not prove a heavy task. + +Meanwhile Step Hen kept on sending his messages in short, jerky +sentences. He lacked confidence in himself, and dared not launch +boldly forth in a description of the strange thing that had happened +since the four of them had made camp, after their big-horn hunt. When +he had spelled a sentence he would almost invariably add the query, +"understand?" meaning to repeat if the answer came in the negative. +But Thad was an expert at this sort of work, and could puzzle out the +meaning of what Step Hen so blunderingly sent, almost as though he +might be a mind reader. + +"Two men came into our camp after dark!" went the opening message. + +"Yes," Thad replied, briefly, and evidently not meaning to say +anything calculated to confuse the signal sender. + +"One a sheriff, name Bob McNulty." + +"Yes." + +"Other older man,--name Artemus Rawson.--Get that?" + +There was a little interval at that. Perhaps Thad might be figuring it +out; or he may have mentioned the name aloud, and be speaking with some +one who was near by, possibly asking Aleck if he recognized the name. + +"Yes," came the flash, presently. + +Step Hen had begun to grow cold. He felt that if he once found himself +cornered, and making mistakes, he was apt to get rattled in his +excitement, and forget the little he really did know about sending and +receiving. So when Thad replied that he had grasped even that name, the +sender found himself imbued with another relay of confidence. When he +started in once more, he sent a little faster, though the scoutmaster at +the first opportunity warned him to go slow and sure. + +"Say looking for Aleck--that he has robbed uncle--headed down valley +when left here--Understand that?" + +"Yes, but not so fast. Go on," came the reply. + +Step Hen understood that Thad gave him this warning, not because he +was himself unable to receive at that rate, for he had seen the patrol +leader and Allan go smoothly along at twice the pace. He was thinking +of Step Hen, for he knew what was apt to happen if once the other +overstepped the bounds, and muddled himself up; as like as not he +would get his signals mixed, and after that be utterly unable to send +coherently. + +"Be with you by morning--we think they suspect Aleck there--you know +what to do." + +"Yes. Good for you. Anymore?" + +Step Hen sighed with relief. The great burden of responsibility had +fallen from his shoulders on to those broad ones of the scoutmaster. +Yes, Thad would surely know what to do--he always did when the +emergency arose. And that was what made his chums feel such implicit +confidence in their leader. + +And Step Hen thought that while he was about it, and the message +business working so very smoothly, he might as well let Thad know of +their success; so he managed to say: + +"We got two sheep!" + +"Good again." + +"Smithy shot one--I got other--had warm time I tell you. Anything new +at the camp?" + +"Sure. They came and paid us a visit," Thad replied, slowly, so that +not a word did Step Hen lose as he spelled the message out. + +"Do you mean Kracker?" he demanded. + +"Yes. He tried to ride over us rough-shod; but we took him down a peg. +Sent the three men away--kept their guns--looking out for them all the +time--if you happen to meet hold them off--Toby will know." + +That was an extra long one to take, and several times Step Hen had to +wave his torch so as to interrupt the sender, and have him go back to +the last period to repeat what he had to communicate. For of course +Step Hen, like all new beginners in wigwag work, telegraphy, and +kindred things, was a better hand at sending than receiving; because +in the one case he knew in his own mind what was coming next, and was +not apt to get confused; while in taking a message, if he lost one +small fraction of the same, while his mind was grappling with that, +he failed to catch the next letter, and thus was apt to become +hopelessly entangled. + +But thanks to the intelligent manner in which Thad managed his end of +the air wire, and the positive way in which he moved his fire pencil, +the message was finally all grasped, though Step Hen was rapidly +becoming exhausted by his efforts, and the mental strain that bore on +him so heavily. + +"Better quit thar!" advised the guide, who kept a close watch on things, +and was able to understand just what the tired boy was enduring. + +"Pretty soon, Toby," replied Step Hen, slowly. "I've done better than +I ever thought I would, and Thad knows about that Artemus Rawson. +He'll see to it that Aleck isn't around when they come to camp. Oh! +ain't I glad though I brushed up my code work with him early in the +morning, though. That business with Aleck in the night made me ashamed +to be so dull. I want to ask him one more question, for there he's +waving to know if I'm done." + +"Get through quick, then; we orter be back in camp," said the guide, +not unkindly, but because he saw the condition of Step Hen. + +"What is it?" Thad was signaling, waiting each time after asking the +question, to receive an answer. + +"Will you have Aleck hide himself?" asked the other. + +"Sure thing." + +"We'll head back to camp in morning--have to get Smithy's horns +first," went on Step Hen. + +"Has he taken to growing a pair?" Thad asked, quizzically. + +"His sheep I mean--lies back a bit--look for us about noon." + +"That all?" + +"Yes. Good-bye!" + +The last wavering movements of Thad's torch far away in the distance +told that he was echoing this concluding word. Then it vanished. + +The talk-fest was over; and Step Hen felt that at least he had done +himself proud for one who had paid so little attention to this really +important adjunct to the education of a Boy Scout. + +"And mark me, Toby," he mumbled as the guide kindly threw an arm about +his tottering figure, though Step Hen hardly comprehended the fact, +"I'm agoin' to take up wigwag work after this, sure I am. Never +thought it could be so interestin'. It's sure great. Here's our camp, +ain't it? You tell the boys what I did, won't you Toby; I'm feelin' +kinder tired like? Guess I'll sit down a spell." + +Davy Jones and Smithy were wild to know how it had all turned out; and +while the murmur of the guide's voice sounded, as he related the story +of the message sending, poor played-out Step Hen sank to the ground, +dead for sleep. + +In less than two minutes he was lost to the world, the last thing he +heard being the low voice of Toby Smathers, recounting the recent +splendid feat of the scout whose message had undoubtedly saved Aleck +Rawson from impending trouble. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +SHERIFF BOB'S BOMB EXPLODES. + + +"There they come!" + +It was the observant "Old Eagle Eye," as some of the boys called +Giraffe, who gave utterance to these words. + +Early morning was at hand. All through the balance of the night those +left in the camp in the valley had been momentarily expecting to have +the sheriff and his older companion drop in on them; but possibly +Artemus may have found himself unable to travel as fast as his +ambition would force him, and the pair had been compelled to rest up +somewhere on the road. + +Every one in the camp was of course on the line of duty at daybreak. +While Bumpus and Bob White started to get breakfast, Giraffe and +Allan were using their eyes as best they could, seeing that the mists +still hung over the valley, obscuring things at a little distance. + +Thad was invisible, also Aleck. Truth to tell they had betaken +themselves off within an hour after that astounding message was received +from the far-distant point where Step Hen waved his fiery torch. + +Of course, one of the first things Thad had done was to question the +other concerning this man who called himself Artemus Rawson. Aleck +admitted that he was in truth his own uncle; but added that the lawyer +from Denver had fallen under the same spell as many others, and was +allowing himself to dream of being the one to re-discover the +long-lost mine. + +Aleck had said that it seemed as though every one who heard about it +became imbued with a mad desire to possess the treasure. There was +Kracker who had made several long searching trips up here with that +one object in view; and was even then doing everything in his power to +get possession of the secret. + +Crafty Uncle Artemus had gone about it in a different way. He had hung +around the dwelling-place of the widow, and in his sly, lawyer-like +method, tried to learn what was going on. He suspected that the secret +of the location of the mine had been discovered in some way, from the +change in the atmosphere about the Rawson home, and the air of +excitement that could not easily be subdued; but no matter how he +tried, he could not learn just what it all meant. + +Then came the sudden vanishing of Aleck. This must have given the +lawyer points and he started after the boy. His accusation concerning +his nephew having robbed him was of course all a part of a fine little +scheme he had hatched up. While the big prospector believed in actual +force to squeeze the secret from the unwilling lips of the lad; shrewd +Uncle Artemus was inclined to try and make a show of having the law on +his side. + +But in both cases, actually robbery was intended. + +And Thad believed every word of the explanation made by Aleck. He +could not have done otherwise, looking in those frank and fearless +eyes, and reading the clean soul of the Rawson boy. + +So the scoutmaster had decided that he and Aleck would disappear from +the valley camp for a short time, leaving no trail by which they could +be followed. He did not tell a single one of his chums just what the +plan was, because he was desirous of keeping the secret. Then, in case +the sheriff questioned them concerning the movements of the missing two, +they could truthfully declare they did not know a thing about them. + +But Thad made preparations looking to the carrying-out of a bold +project which he and the Rawson boy had talked over between +themselves. This was nothing more nor less than a hunt for the +long-hidden silver mine! + +Thad thought that the sooner Aleck made sure his little chart, found +concealed in the back of that small pocket mirror which his dying +father had placed in his hands, was correct, the better. + +And that accounted for several queer things he did on leaving camp, +one of which, the taking of the only lantern they had brought with +them, astonished Bumpus very much indeed, not to mention Giraffe and +Bob White. + +The Fox had not been invited to join in the expedition; but later on +it was found that he had disappeared. Still, no one was worried, for +it seemed to be taken for granted that he must have followed Thad and +Aleck. They remembered that the latter had claimed a long-standing +friendship with the Fox. And it was also known that the Crow boy had +become an ardent admirer of the scoutmaster, whom he believed to be a +chief worth serving. + +When Old Eagle Eye, then, announced that the two men were coming, the +others craned their necks to look. Allan told them not to appear too +curious; and so those who were busy at the fire went on with their +culinary labors, cooking a bountiful breakfast, as it seemed that they +might have company. + +Sheriff Bob and the lawyer soon strode into camp--at least the +officer did the striding part, for old Artemus seemed pretty nearly +fagged out. A burning desire to acquire a glorious fortune so easily +was all that kept him up, otherwise he would never have been able to +have stood the long tramp as he did. + +The first thing the sheriff did after replying to the salutation of +Allan, was to scan each one of the four boys in turn, and then turning +to his companion, say tersely: + +"None of these the one you want, I reckon, sir?" + +The old Denver lawyer looked dreadfully disappointed. His ferrit-like +eyes had flitted from one to another of the scouts, and each time he +changed base his long cunning face grew more like a blank. + +"No, my nephew isn't in sight, as I can see, Sheriff," he replied, +with a frown, and a look toward Allan, as though to say that it was +his opinion the boy might produce the one they sought, if proper force +were applied. + +"Having a hunt up here in the mountains, are you, boys?" asked the +sheriff, as he followed the example of the lawyer, and dropped down +near the fire, crossing his legs tailor-fashion, as though he meant to +make himself quite at home. + +"Yes, we want to get a big-horn or so to take back with us," replied +Allan. + +"Just the four of you?" continued the other, arching his heavy brows +as if with surprise. + +"Oh! no, there are a lot of other fellows," replied the scout who took +Thad's place as leader when the other happened to be absent. + +"Oh! that's it, eh? Rest off on a little side hunt right now, I +reckon. P'raps you've got a guide along with you, too?" the officer +continued, bending his neck, so that he could see inside the nearest +tent, the flap of which happened to be on the side toward him, and +thrown back to allow of ventilation. + +"Oh! yes, we've got a guide now, though for a long time we had to go +it alone, and managed to get on pretty well," Allan continued, +wondering why it was he could catch a peculiar quizzical gleam in the +snapping eyes of the other, once in a while, when the sheriff looked +straight at him. + +"Who is he; perhaps I might happen to know him?" asked the other, +accepting a tin cup filled with coffee, from Bumpus. + +"I'm sure you do, sir," Allan hastened to remark; and then, +remembering that he was not supposed to know of the visit the sheriff +and his employer had paid to the camp of the big-horn hunters on the +previous night, he hastened to add: "everybody knows honest Toby +Smathers, the forest ranger, I should think." + +"Well, I should say, yes, I did," replied the other, commencing to +calmly devour the piece of venison that had been placed on his +platter, as though his appetite was sharp indeed this bracing morning. +"And so you boys have come away out here just to see what we've got in +these Rockies, eh?" + +"Just what we have, sir," replied Giraffe, thinking that he would like +to have the sheriff notice him a little. + +"And I declare, you seem to be fixed pretty comfortable like," the +other went on. "Just look at the tents they brought with them, Mr. +Rawson. I've always said that on the whole they were better than the +old-fashioned tents. You can see how the heat of the fire on a cold +night is sent back into the tent; and there's aplenty of head-room +here. Yes, both of 'em as cozy as you please." + +He had seemed so very much interested in the subject that he even laid +down his tin cup and platter, and gaining his feet, passed over, to +peer into each tent, as if bent on ascertaining what the interior +looked like. + +Allan, of course, knew just what this meant. The sheriff was looking for +Aleck, as if he half-expected to find the hunted boy concealed under a +pile of blankets. And yet it puzzled Allan to note that, in spite of the +keen disappointment which would naturally follow a failure to locate the +boy, Sheriff Bob was even chuckling as he once more sat him down in the +circle, and resumed operations on his breakfast. + +Something seemed to be amusing him, Allan wished he could tell what. +He felt it must have some connection with the search for Aleck Rawson; +though for the life of him he could not decide what was in the +sheriff's mind. + +The talk soon became general, though Artemus took no part in it. He +sent a beseeching glance every now and then in the direction of the +officer, as if begging him to do something; but whatever it might be, +evidently Sheriff Bob was in no hurry, and meant to finish that good +breakfast first, anyway. + +Presently, as he emptied his platter the second time, and swallowed +his third cup of scalding Java the officer remarked: + +"I know something about the Boy Scouts myself, it happens. Got a +youngster down below that belongs to a troop. Great thing. Teaches +lads lots of the right kind of outdoor business. Makes 'em healthy, +and able to depend on themselves a heap. My kid, he's dead stuck on +this signal business with flags and such. Glad to see it, too. Takes +me back to old times, as sure as you live." + +He stopped there, and seemed to reflect. It was as though memories +might be arising that were pleasant to look back upon. Meanwhile Allan +was conscious of something like a little thrill passing through him. +He seemed to feel that this was no accidental mention on the part of +the man with the twinkle in his eye; but in fact, it might have +something deep back of it. + +"Yes," Sheriff Bob went on, presently, turning straight toward Allan +now. "I used to belong in the army years ago--spent six years of my +life in the Signal Corps, and was accounted a pretty good operator in +wigwag, telegraph, telephone building, and heliograph work while I +served. And honest now, I must say I never enjoyed a finer half hour +than I spent last night, sitting on a rock up yonder, and watching +that lively little confab you held with your chum, who, I think was +the boy calling himself Step Hen. He did the job up pretty well, +considering; and as for your Thad, he's chain lightning on the send. +Yes, siree bob, that was a picnic to an old Signal Corps man like me, +as you can easily understand, my boy!" + +The four scouts sat there as if frozen stiff. Consternation was +written all over their faces; and no wonder the humorous sheriff, as +he saw what a bomb he had exploded, chuckled, and then laughed aloud. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +HEARING ALECK'S SIDE OF THE STORY. + + +That good and hearty laugh on the part of the sheriff did more to +reassure the scouts than anything else could have done. Giraffe, who +had been holding his very breath in consternation, allowed the air to +flow in and out of his lungs again; Bumpus regained his color, while +his staring eyes concluded apparently not to pop out of his head this +time; and as for Allan and Bob White, they lost some of the look of +alarm that had spread over their faces. + +"Yes, it was as good as a circus to just sit thar, and enjoy reading +that little talk," the sheriff went on to say. "I could 'most imagine +myself back again in the army, out in the Philippines, teachin' some +of the awkward squad their p's and q's. And the news was some +interestin', too. So Aleck, he was to make himself scarce, was he? +Seems like he did that same, too," with another chuckle, and a shrug +of his shoulders toward the tents which he had so lately examined +without profit. + +Allan hardly knew what to say; but boldly taking up the cudgels he +presently remarked: + +"Well, Mr. Sheriff, what else could we do? Aleck was a scout, one of +our organization; and if you've got a son who belongs to it, you must +know that a scout is always supposed to be ready to hold out a helping +hand to a fellow member. Aleck was in trouble. He had fallen into the +hands of a party of prospectors, headed by Colonel Kracker, who were +bent on forcing him to give up the secret they thought he carried, +concerning the long-lost silver mine his father was said to have +discovered years ago." + +"H'm! say you so, boy?" the other observed, while the lawyer pricked +up his ears, as if suddenly interested. "Kracker around here, is he? +Well, that's some interesting news, you're telling me. You say the boy +had fallen into their hands, and that you rescued him?" + +"If you'd like to hear about it, I'll be only too glad to tell you," +Allan went on to say, eagerly; for somehow he had already taken quite +a fancy toward this sheriff with the humorous twinkle in his eye, and +thought it only right to make a friend of him, if it could be done. + +"All nonsense, Mr. Sheriff," spluttered old Artemus, who feared lest +his case might be losing its grip, and that the officer would refuse +to aid him even were the boy found. "He's trying to swing your +sympathies around against my interests. Remember that you carry a +warrant, and are sworn to serve it." + +"I always does my duty, Mr. Rawson, don't you fear," replied the +sheriff, with a frown; "but just now it's a part of my business to hear +all I can concerning the way your nephew came to join in with these Boy +Scouts. Now, just go on telling me what you started to say, my boy." + +At that Allan picked up fresh courage. The sheriff was inclined to +favor them, he realized, even at the expense of straining his "duty." + +"Why, one of our number, Giraffe here," he said, "happened to be +practicing the wigwag code outside the camp, in the darkness, using a +brand he'd picked from the fire; when to his astonishment he saw +answering signals from what seemed to be the sky. Well, when we made +out the one word 'help!' you see our interest was at once raised to +fever pitch." + +"I should say it would be," remarked Sheriff Bob, showing the deepest +attention, as though the prospect for developments in the story began +to excite him. + +"Our scoutmaster took matters in hand," Allan went on. "You just said +he was clever at sending and receiving messages. Well, he's a +cracker-jack, that's what he is. And it so happened that Aleck, he not +only belonged to the scouts, and had learned everything about +signaling; but he served as a telegraph operator for a short time on a +side road, when the regular man was taken sick; so he could even beat +our Thad at talking with his hands; and that's going some, I tell you." + +"But what was Aleck doing up there; and where was he at the time?" +asked the deeply interested sheriff. + +"Kracker and his two men had caught Aleck; and unable to make him tell +what they wanted, what do you think the cowards did? Lowered the boy +down to a shelf on the face of the cliff, and left him there, saying +he would starve unless he weakened, and gave up his secret; which +Aleck vows belongs to his mother alone, and nothing on earth would +make him betray." + +"And they left him there, did they?" growled Sheriff Bob, frowning in +a way to indicate his opinion of the said Kracker. + +"Just what they did. He saw us come into the valley, but thought we +might only be some more of the same kind of wolves, wanting to torture +a poor boy. But when he saw Giraffe, here, making letters with his +fire-stick, something told Aleck we must be Boy Scouts. So, finding +some wood on the ledge, he managed to make a little fire in a crack +that ran into the rock; and with a brand from this he started to call, +repeating that one word over and over again--'help'!" + +"This here is some interesting to me, son," remarked the big sheriff, +as Allan paused to get his breath, for he was talking so fast and so +eagerly that he had almost exhausted himself. "And so, after you +learned where he was, and how he came to be thar, I reckon now you +boys started to climb up and rescue the other--how?" + +"That's what we did, sir," broke in Giraffe, eagerly. "Four of us, +counting the guide, managed to climb up the mountain, and with a rope +we carried, hooked Aleck up off that ledge the prettiest you ever saw, +that's what we did," with a defiant look toward old Artemus, who was +sniffing through all this talk, just as though he refused to believe a +word of it. + +"And that's the way we came to have him in our camp, sir," Allan went +on to say. "We heard his story, and believed it, too. He's got a +mother, and a lot of little sisters, who look to him to carry out the +work his father started. But every one who ever hears a word about +that hidden mine Jerry Rawson once found, seems to be just crazy to +take it away from his widow. She has hardly a single friend to trust. +Even her relatives plot to beat her out of this valuable mining +property, and try all sorts of things, in hopes of getting hold of the +secret. And now you know just where we stand, Mr. Sheriff. As scouts +we must stay friends of Aleck. He _was_ here, just as you know; but +he's gone away, and none of us know where to. Thad took him off during +the night, and all he said was we might expect to see him again when +he showed up. So you can't pump any information out of us, you see." + +"And even if we knew anything, we wouldn't tell," asserted Giraffe, +belligerently, feeling that the honor of a scout was in question right +then. + +The sheriff looked from one to another of those four boyish faces. + +"By George! now, I reckon it wouldn't be any use in me tryin' to scare +you by threatening to jail you for aiding in the escape of a desperate +criminal, would it?" he remarked, pretending to look very serious, but +with that twinkle again in evidence, as Allan saw. + +"You just couldn't;" declared Giraffe, while Bumpus began to move a +little uneasily in his seat; "in the first place, we don't know +anything more'n we've told you; secondly, we haven't assisted anybody +to escape, because we're right here, johnny-on-the-spot, and it's our +scoutmaster who's gone; and then, last of all, there ain't any +desperate criminal at all; only a poor, persecuted boy, with the grit +that you just want your own chap to show, Mr. Sheriff,--ready to fight +everybody, for the sake of his mother and sisters." + +Sheriff Bob wagged his head slowly, as though mentally digesting what +the other had just said. + +"H'm! that remains to be seen, boy," he remarked; although Giraffe +believed he did not feel one-half as ferocious as he chose to look +just then. "Duty is duty, no matter how unpleasant it may seem, +sometimes." + +"I'm glad to hear you take that sensible view of the matter, Mr. +Sheriff," said the old Denver lawyer, in his oily tones. "You mustn't +believe one-tenth of what boys say. They would as soon prevaricate as +eat their breakfast; that is, some of the breed would, though +doubtless your son is an exception to the rule. These scouts, as they +choose to call themselves, have fixed up a story to suit themselves, +and they hope to enlist your sympathy; but I know that a stern sense +of duty will compel you to close your ears to anything they may say. I +demand that you exercise every effort possible, looking to the +immediate arrest of my rascally nephew, Alexander Rawson, whom I +accuse of stealing valuable papers from my pocketbook while I was a +guest under his mother's roof, and then disappearing." + +"Oh! very well, sir, don't excite yourself about my movements," +remarked Sheriff Bob, assuming a pompous air, though Allan thought he +winked slily in his direction while speaking. "You will find no cause +to complain to my superiors concerning any shortcomings on my part. +And up to now, you must admit I have been unflagging in my endeavor to +locate the fugitive from justice. Make your mind easy, Mr. Rawson, I +see my duty clear in the premises, and can be depended on to do it." + +Watching his chance a little later Allan followed the sheriff, when +the latter went to get a drink of water near by. Artemus looked as +though he wanted to keep them from having any communications out of +his range of hearing; but he sank back in his seat again, plainly +afraid of invoking the anger of the big sheriff, who, he already felt, +did not feel any too warmly toward him and his cause. + +And as they sat down by the little stream to dip up some of the clear +water with the tin cup Sheriff Bob had made sure to fetch along, Allan +made it a point to tell the other all that Aleck had said about the +motives of his father's lawyer brother, and how for a long time he had +bothered the widow, trying to find out if she knew anything about the +hidden mine; which until lately of course she had not. + +Allan knew how to talk. Moreover, he had an interested listener in the +officer, and that counted for a great deal. Besides, he felt deeply +for the persecuted boy, and his heart was filled with a desire to +assist him secure the legacy left by his father, than whom no living +soul had ever gazed upon the hidden mine. + +Sheriff Bob listened to all that the boy said. Several times he +scratched his head reflectively, and made a grimace, as though +conflicting forces had begun to engage him in an inward war. + +And when finally Allan declared that he now knew all, the officer +drew a long breath, and remarked, quietly: + +"I seem to smell a pretty good-sized rat about this game Mr. Artemus is +putting up; but as I said, the warrant he swore out is in my hands for +serving, and I just reckon I'll have to do my sworn duty and arrest this +same Aleck----that is, if so be he shows up while we're around here." + +Allan looked him squarely in the eye; and he was sure one of the lids +above the blue orbs of the official dropped a little in a suggestive +way. + +He too drew a long breath, and with a smile on his boyish face, said +as he arose: + +"Thank you, Mr. Sheriff, thank you very much!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +THE GUARDIAN OF THE SILVER LODE. + + +As has been mentioned before, Thad had a plan in view when he left the +camp in company with Aleck, somewhere about midnight. Though for +certain reasons which he considered good, he had not seen fit to take +a single one of his comrades into his confidence, the scoutmaster +believed that the only way for Aleck to win his own game was to find +the long-lost mine, and take possession of the same in the name of +his father, who had been the original discoverer of the lode. + +Scores of hungry prospectors, besides Kracker, had done everything in +their power to locate the mine; though none had descended to his last +unworthy methods of trying to torture Jerry Rawson's son, in the hope +of profiting thereby. As the claim of the original discoverer rested +only on a scant foundation, of course the man lucky enough to find the +silver lode again would have a right to hold possession, in the eye of +the law. He might choose to pay the widow something, but even that was +a matter resting solely upon his conscience. + +Thad had a reason for carrying the only lantern belonging to the +scouts; and he hoped that if they were so lucky as to find that +Aleck's rude little chart told the truth, they might utilize that +means of illumination when entering the mine. + +Of course both of them carried their guns, for there was no telling when +they could return to camp. An arrangement had been with Allan, so that +day and night there would be a sign shown, calculated to tell the absent +ones whether the coast were clear, or the lawyer and sheriff still +hovered near by, waiting to entrap the Rawson boy, should he show up. + +They had moved along for some time, when Aleck broke the silence by +saying, with considerable feeling in his voice: + +"It makes me glad to know you believed what I told you, Thad, about +that business of my uncle. If you could only meet up with him once, +I'm sure you'd know the tricky kind of man he is, just from his looks, +and the smooth way he talks. But no matter what they all do and say, +I'm just bound to carry my plans out. My mother approves of what I am +doing; and she is thinking of me, and praying all the time I'm up +here, trying to take dad's place." + +"Don't mention it," said Thad, quickly. "Of course we all believe +every word you told us, no matter whether we've met this rascally +uncle of yours or not. Our chum Step Hen did, and I reckon he wasn't +much impressed with him, from the way he talked. And as you belong to +the scouts, our first duty is to stand by you through thick and thin." + +"Only as long as you believe in my word, Thad," added the other. + +"That's true," returned the other, quickly; "even a scout has no +business sticking up for a comrade when he knows the other is in the +wrong; but we believe in you, Aleck. And if only you could find that +mine, I feel sure all of this funny business would stop. Once you had +put in a claim, with the proper witnesses, and hurried to file it +before the court, nobody could steal it away. And that's going to be +just where the Boy Scouts can help you." + +"Well, we'll know more than we do now, before a great many hours," +asserted the miner's son; "unless this little map is all wrong, and +poor dad only believed he had found a rich lode. But remember, he +brought home specimens that were nearly pure silver; and every one who +saw them said they beat the world for richness. I can remember my dad +saying that there were tons and tons without end of that same sort, in +_his_ mine. And then he was suddenly taken down sick, and died with +the secret untold. All these long years, when we've been poor and +wanting many things, there that secret lay in my hand, oh! hundreds of +times, and I never dreamed of it still accident showed me the paper, +back of the glass in the little pocket mirror that dad had carried +with him a long time." + +They relapsed into silence again for a long time, each busy with his +thoughts. Aleck knew what few simple directions his rude chart +carried; he had gazed at it so many times that it was photographed on +his mind, and there had been no need for him to rip the seam of his +coat, and take the slip of faded paper out. Kracker had not dreamed +how near the coveted clue had been to his hands, at the time he +actually held the boy, and closely examined all his pockets. + +"It's lucky," remarked Thad, after fully an hour more had passed, with +both boys pushing forward steadily all the time, over rugged ways that +severely tried their abilities--"it's lucky, I say, that we are +heading exactly away from the direction where that Sheriff, and your +uncle, must be coming from." + +"Yes, but I knew we'd do that before we ever started out," replied +Aleck. + +"You've been sizing up the region all day in camp, and laying your +plans, if the chance ever came to try them out; isn't that so, Aleck?" + +"You never said truer words in your life, Thad," answered the other. +"I found a pretty high rock on which I could perch; and that gave me a +chance to look over in this region with those fine glasses of yours. +And I tell you now, it gave me a great thrill when I recognized +something dad had marked on that little chart. It seemed just as if I +could hear his voice calling me from the grave, and telling me I was +doing the right thing--to go ahead, no matter who tried to stop me." + +"What sort of a land-mark was it you saw?" asked the other scout. + +"Why, you see, he made a rough sketch of a rock that looks a whole lot +like a human head," Aleck went on to say, earnestly. + +"Why, hello! I remember noticing that very same rock, the time I went +up to take a look, and see if I could get a glimpse of our hunter +squad. While about it, I turned the glasses around, to see if there +were any sheep on the sides of the mountains to the south. And it was +right then I saw that outline of a face, cut in the rock, just like +somebody had used a giant chisel and made it--nose, mouth, chin, +forehead, all complete. It startled me a little at first, Aleck." + +"I should guess it would, Thad; but think what it meant to _me_, when +I had seen it on dad's little chart; and knew that the entrance to his +hidden mine lay almost in the shadow of that face! I think he looked +on it as the rock guardian to his silver lode." + +"Is that a fact?" ejaculated Thad, partaking in a measure of the +excitement that shook the frame of his companion; "Well, that's more +than you've seen fit to tell me before, Aleck; and it's some +interesting, I own up." + +"I meant to tell you everything, Thad, believe me," declared the +other, quickly, and with some emotion. "After the fine way you and +your chums rescued me from that shelf up on the face of the cliff, and +said you'd stand by me, no matter what happened, why, I made up my +mind that I would keep nothing back from you. By to-morrow I expected +to take the map out from the lining of my coat, where it was sewed in +by my mother's own dear hands, so that nobody would ever think things +had been disturbed at all. And now, I'm surely hoping that we'll both +set eyes on dad's mine before another dawn breaks." + +"For your sake, Aleck, I hope that will come true. You deserve all +the luck in the world, and that's what every one of our fellows say. +But only for this moonlight I'm afraid we'd have had a hard job of it, +coming all this distance; because the way is mighty rough, and both of +us have stumbled lots of times as it is. We might have used the +lantern, of course, but that would have put it out of business later, +when we wanted it bad; and besides, it's flickering might have told +our enemies where we were." + +Aleck felt a thrill of pleasure at the way the other used that word +"our;" why, it was just as though the Silver Fox Patrol had adopted +him into the troop; and meant to make his cause their own. For a boy +who had seldom had a friend to give him even words of encouragement, +this was a glorious happening indeed. He felt that it had been the +luckiest hour of his whole life when, in the midst of his bitter +dejection, left alone on that high and isolated rocky ledge, he had +discovered the strange movements of that fiery pencil, that seemed to +be making all sorts of extravagant figures and circles in the air, +which he knew stood for the means of communication between scouts. + +"Let us work our way around this spur," he said, a while later, after +they had continued to advance further into the depths of the mountains. + +"I can guess what you are thinking," Thad went on to remark; "you +believe that we must even now be in the neighborhood of that rock face." + +"Well, I've tried to judge the distance, and how we got along; and it +seems to me we ought to be nearly there. What do you think, Thad?" +asked the other; and from his manner it was evident that he laid +considerable importance on the opinion of his companion. + +"Just what you do, which is, that we must be getting close to where we +saw that great head outlined just as if some scupltor had chiseled it +from the solid rock. But even if we fail to find it, Aleck, that may +be because of the formation of the mountain. Besides, this moonlight +is awfully deceptive, you know." + +"Wait, and we'll soon learn," was the confident answer. "I sat there, +and looked for nearly an hour. I guess I got every rock fixed on my +mind." + +"Well, I've had a few of the same impressed on my knees and shins," +chuckled the scoutmaster, drily. "But we've no need to complain, +because, considering all the things we've had to fight against, I +reckon we've escaped pretty slick. See anything yet, Aleck?" + +"No, I own that I don't; but then, that may come from lots of causes," +the other boy replied, trying not to let his disappointment show in +his manner or speech; for he knew that Thad did not believe in a +display of weakness in scouts. "Perhaps, when we've pushed on a +little further, we may be able to glimpse the face again." + +"Wait right here," said Thad, suddenly. + +"Oh! did you hear anything? Wouldn't it be too unbearably hard if we +learned that some one, perhaps that cruel prospector, Colonel Kracker, +had been ahead of us, and located the hidden mine? He could hurry to +enter his claim, and my poor mother would not stand a ghost of a show. +Was it a voice you heard, Thad?" + +"I didn't hear anything to bother me," came the reply, accompanied +with a low chuckle. "I was only thinking how often we strain ourselves +to see something away off, when all we have to do is to turn our eyes +up and look." + +Aleck instantly "caught on" to what his companion meant. He bent his +head back, and gave utterance to a low cry of satisfaction. + +"Well, if that doesn't beat anything?" he ejaculated, apparently highly +pleased; "it's the head, as sure as I live, and towering right above us, +almost. No wonder I couldn't see it, looking away off, and thinking it +lay further on. We've found the land-mark dad set down in his little +map, Thad. And now to discover the crack in the wall, hidden by the +hanging vines, where he followed a fox in, just out of curiosity, and +discovered the richest silver lode he ever knew about. Oh! I'm just +shaking all over with excitement. And I sure hope my mother's thinking +about me right now, thinking, and praying for me to succeed!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +A WOLF BROOD IN THE WAY. + + +It was plain to the young scoutmaster that Aleck had studied his map +carefully. For after he had taken his bearings anew, from the rocky +head that towered almost above them, the other was able to make a +direct course to the foot of an adjoining cliff, where the moonlight +fell upon the chalky wall. + +Thad saw first of all that there were strange markings across the face +of this cliff, or rather running up and down. They consisted of +several thicknesses, and as the boys drew closer, he discovered that +what he suspected before was the truth; and that these were caused by +vines that ascended for various distances, clinging tenaciously to the +rock wall. + +Toward their base they seemed of unusual thickness; and it was easily +believable that one of these might conceal a fissure in the rock, just +as Aleck had mentioned, when speaking of the way his father discovered +the entrance to Aladdin's Cave of treasure. + +The boy seemed to be counting these dark veins traversing the face of +the cliff, and when they came to the fourth one he stopped still. + +"There it is, Thad, the vines he marked, fourth from the right!" he +said, in a low and trembling voice, as though the intensity of his +feelings almost overcame him. + +"Yes, I can see it," replied the other, steadily, feeling that he must +bolster up Aleck's courage in this trying time. "And we want to know +right away whether it really does hide a gap in the rock. Come on, +Aleck!" + +He led the way forward, with the other half holding back. Feverish with +impatience though Aleck might be, to know whether all his hopes were +doomed to be shattered then and there, or allowed to blossom forth into +glorious buds of promise, the poor boy suddenly felt a weakness come +upon him. Only for his having such a staunch-hearted chum at his elbow, +ready to take the lead, there is no telling how long Aleck Rawson might +have hesitated there, before that mass of clinging vines, afraid to take +his courage in both hands, and push on to the goal. + +But it was different with Thad. He strode up to the vines, and with +one sweep drew them aside. The act disclosed a fissure that was +several feet in width at its base, and running some distance up the +wall; although growing gradually smaller, until finally it merged +into the gloom that held sway aloft, back of the screen of vines. + +Aleck gave a low cry of rapture. + +"It's here, just as he said it would be, in this map I carry!" he +exclaimed, as he clutched the arm of the scoutmaster. "I hope I'm not +dreaming all this, Thad; tell me I'm not, please, that's a good fellow." + +"Well," replied the other, laughing gently so as to convince Aleck +that he was perfectly cool and collected, and ought to know what he +talked about; "so far as it goes, your map is absolutely correct, Chum +Aleck; and I don't see any reason to doubt the rest of the story. In +my opinion we're going to discover something fine before a great many +minutes go past." + +"What shall we do, Thad; you see, I'm so upset with it all, that +somehow I look to you to arrange things. Perhaps if I was alone, and +just _had_ to depend on myself, I'd do better; but it's so kind of you +to help me out, and you're so capable of doing it all. Please fix it +up as you think best." + +"All right, then," returned Thad, readily. "First of all, I'll light +our little glim here; for if we're going to poke along into that black +hole, I reckon we'll be wanting some sort of light to see by. Don't +think I'd like to take a tumble down some precipice, myself; not to +speak of running across a wild beast." + +"What makes you say that last, Thad?" demanded the other, quickly; "do +you get a scent of it, too?" + +"I had an idea I did, and somehow it made me think of a menagerie. +Hold up just a minute, and we'll be able to see something." + +As he spoke Thad struck a match, which he applied to the wick of the +lantern. It was a good type of its kind, and as soon as the wick had +been properly adjusted no one could reasonably complain about the +quality of the illumination produced. + +This done, the patrol leader hastened to lower the lantern so that he +could examine the ground close to the bottom of the fissure in the rock. + +"Plenty of tracks, all right," was his first comment. + +"Can you make them out, and is it a bear?" asked Aleck, almost +unconsciously swinging his gun a little further to the front, while +his fingers sought the lock. + +"Well, no; the marks differ very much from the tracks of a bear, +either a black or a cinnamon. They look more like made by a dog's +paws," Thad replied. + +"But a dog wouldn't be up here; you must mean it's a wolf, that's +what, Thad," Aleck hastened to observe. + +"If that was a guess, you hit the nail square on the head, Aleck," +chuckled the scoutmaster. "A wolf has been using this hole in the +rock for a den; and from all I can make out, the tracks seem pretty +fresh, too." + +"Then you think the old chap is in there now, do you?" asked the other. + +"I wouldn't like to say;" replied Thad; "but there's just one thing +we've got to do, and that is, believe it to be so. A wolf caught in a +trap is some dangerous, they tell me; and in case this happens to be a +mother wolf, with a litter of whelps, she'd fight like everything, +believe me." + +"But we're going in, Thad; ain't we; you won't let that stand us off, +after coming so far, will you? Oh! if there were a dozen wolves, and +every one of them ready to fight from the word go, I'd just _have_ to +learn the truth before I left here. For her sake I'd take any risk to +know." + +"Well, I should say we were going in; and right away at that," +returned Thad, taking a step forward. "I only thought I ought to put +you on your guard, so that in case we came on the thing, you'd know +what to expect. Have you got your gun all ready to shoot, Aleck?" + +"Believe me, yes; and while I don't want to brag, still I've always +called myself a pretty good shot, even at a jumping wolf," replied the +other; since he now knew that Thad did not mean to be deterred by any +sort of ordinary difficulty, Aleck began to seem like himself, being +able to keep his feelings in restraint. + +That was the influence of a cool, determined comrade, like the +scoutmaster. Such a firm, collected spirit always exerts considerable +influence over those with whom it comes in personal contact. + +Thad held the lantern. He preferred doing so, even though it must +necessarily interfere more or less with his taking any sort of aim, +should the occasion suddenly arise whereby it become necessary for him +to fire. But then, it was very important, Thad thought, that they keep +the lantern intact; and of course he had never been alongside Aleck in +action, so he could not tell just what sort of coolness the other +would display when a time of excitement arrived. + +Besides, when one is perfectly at home with a gun, it is possible to +shoot without ever raising the weapon to the shoulder. Instinct takes +the place of aim on such an occasion; some people call it "shooting +from the hip," and that would be as good a designation for the method +of pulling a hasty trigger, as any other. + +Of course, they kept close together. This was rendered necessary by +the narrowness of the fissure, even had not their personal wishes in +the matter forced the two lads to touch elbows. + +They strained their eyes as they slowly advanced, looking ahead most of +the time, yet not neglecting to also observe the walls as they passed. + +And already Thad was beginning to notice a peculiarly marked streak +here and there, that had a rather dingy, black look, and which he +strongly suspected might, on investigation, prove to be the +outcropping of the marvelous ore of silver, which, further on had been +revealed to the startled eyes of the prospector, years ago, doubtless +causing him to blink, and pinch himself, under the belief that he must +be only indulging in a maddening dream, such as all of his class are +visited with from time to time. + +But before they could pay the slightest attention to these things it +became absolutely necessary that they find out the truth about that +wolf business. And as they pushed steadily inward they were constantly +on the alert for the first sign that would give warning of danger. + +"I heard something like a growl, then!" whispered Aleck, suddenly. + +"Sure thing," answered the other, steadily; "and we ought to get a +sight of the animal's eyes, quick enough now. Look for twin fires, +that burn like phosphorus in the dark. And hold your gun on them as +soon as you sight them, but don't shoot till I give the word, unless +the beast charges us." + +Ten seconds later, another and different sound came to their strained +hearing. + +"Cubs whining, as I live!" ejaculated Thad, half under his breath. + +"Then it's a she wolf?" said the other. + +"I reckon it is," the scoutmaster answered. + +"But what are you waiting for, Thad?" Aleck demanded; "I suppose that +makes it a tougher proposition; but now I've come this far, I've just +got to go through to the end." + +"We will, all right, Aleck, never fear. I was just holding back to see +if my eyes would get a little more accustomed to the dark over there; +but now we can go on again. Ready all the while, are you?" + +"Yes, indeed I am, Thad. Now I think I can see what you said I would." + +"Meaning her yellow eyes glistening with fierce madness; because +there's nothing more ready to fight a hundred enemies than a mother +wolf with whelps. Steady, forward we go, slow but sure!" + +"All right, Thad; I'm as cool as anything now; all my excitement seems +to have gone when there's real danger afoot," remarked Aleck, in an +even voice that backed up his words. + +"I knew that would be so, Aleck," replied the other, in a low tone. +"But I can begin to see the figure of the wolf now; can you?" + +"Yes, and she's standing over something that seems to move," the other +replied. + +"That must be the cubs; yes, listen to them growl, would you? Young +as they are they understand that an enemy is near. Ten to one the hair +on each little back is standing up like bristles, right now. But seems +to me we've gone about as close as we ought to, Aleck?" + +Thad came to a halt. The light of the lantern showed them a dim, half +crouching figure ahead. It was the mother wolf. Undoubtedly she might +have found means of escape by retiring further into the place; but +nothing would induce her to abandon her whelps. And Thad found himself +obliged to admire this valor in the animal even though necessity +compelled him to rid the country of pests by wiping out the entire +brood of wolves, whelps as well as mother. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +ALECK COMES INTO HIS OWN AT LAST. + + +"Do you think we're close enough, Thad?" whispered Aleck, as they bent +forward, and strained their eyes to make out the dim gaunt figure that +blocked all further progress, and which they knew full well must be +that mother wolf. + +"Yes," answered the other, in the same cautious tone; "if we went any +further on, I'm afraid the beast would fly at us; and in that case you +know, we'd have a harder time taking aim." + +Thad had managed to set the lantern down on a level place, where, he +hoped it would stand little danger of being knocked over, in case there +was anything in the nature of a fight between themselves and the wolf. + +This allowed him the free use of both his arms, which of course was +the main idea he had in view, when getting rid of the lantern. + +Of course Thad had never had any experience in thus entering the den of +a wolf with young ones. All he knew about it he had heard from the lips +of others, or possibly read. Somehow, just then it flashed through his +mind how history told of Israel Putnam, afterwards a celebrated general +in the Continental Army, crawling into a wolf's den as a youth, and +fetching the animal out, after a severe fight; but so far as Thad could +remember, that was not a mother wolf; and Israel had an easy time +compared to what it might have been under different conditions. + +Well, there was their intended quarry; and with two guns to depend on, +surely they ought to make quick work of the beast. The only difficulty +about it was the treacherous light, for the lantern flickered in the +draught; though until that critical moment Thad had paid no attention +to this fact. + +"Have you a bead on her head, Aleck?" he whispered; at the same time +himself drawing his gun up to his shoulder and glancing along the +double barrel; for Thad was of course carrying his Marlin with him at +the time. + +"Yes," came the answer. + +"I'm going to count, slowly and evenly. When I say three, let go, +Aleck!" + +"I understand, Thad." + +"All right. Hope we get her, sure. I'd hate to be bitten, or clawed by +such a mad creature. Here goes, Aleck! One!" + +"Yes." + +"Two!" + +A second passed, and then came the word: + +"Three!" + +It was drowned in a tremendous, deafening crash, as both guns were +discharged so closely together that it made one report. + +Thad of course had a second barrel to hold in reserve. He had more or +less difficulty in seeing through the thin curtain of powder smoke that +followed the double discharge; but at least no sprawling figure came +flying at them, with snapping jaws that were eager to rend and tear. + +"She's done for, Thad!" exclaimed Aleck, joyfully, as they heard a +commotion beyond, and could see something moving with short jerks, +like an animal kicking its last. + +"Wait--hold on till I pick up the lantern; she may only be wounded, +and get you, if you don't look out. Besides, those cubs are partly +grown, and may be big enough to show fight." + +Thad thus held his comrade back for a brief time until he could snatch +up the light, and take his place in the van, which was really what he +wanted to do. + +As they approached the spot where a dark bundle lay, they could still +see something of a movement. + +"She isn't dead yet, I'm afraid, Thad," cried Aleck, who had a +single-shot rifle, and was therefore without further means of defence +until he could find time to slip another cartridge into the chamber. + +"Oh! I guess so," answered Thad; "what you see moving must be the +whelps. Yes, I can see one right now, and he's a savage looking little +beast on my word. We'll have to knock him on the head, Aleck. Wolves +must be killed wherever they are found. Nobody ever spares them, Toby +Smathers says. They're of no use at all, and do a great amount of harm, +killing game and sheep, and even weak cattle in the winter season." + +Aleck soon dispatched the growling cub with the stock of his gun, and +then looked around for more. + +"Do you expect that this was the only whelp?" he asked. + +"Well, no, but the other must have escaped, somehow," replied Thad. +"It doesn't matter to us, though, for the little beast will perish, +without a mother to supply it food." + +But although Thad never dreamed that such a small thing could have any +bearing on their fortunes, it proved to be a fact, as would be shown +before a great while. + +"Shall we go on, now?" asked Aleck, after they had looked down on the +big lean wolf that would never again hunt game in the passes and +valleys of the Rockies; "I'm anxious to see what lies beyond, you +know, Thad." + +"Well, I don't blame you a bit, either, Aleck; in fact, to tell the +honest truth, I'm feeling somewhat that way myself, even if I haven't +got the interest you have in the matter. So let's go right along. Have +you loaded up again?" + +"I'm just finishing now, Thad," came the reply. + +Accordingly, the forward progress was resumed. Thad saw that they were +rapidly drawing near what would likely prove to be a chamber of some +size; and he anticipated that whatever was to be found would greet +them here. + +Just as he expected, a couple of minutes later they passed out from +the tunnel which was a continuation of the fissure they had entered, +and found themselves in a vaulted chamber. It was of some height, for +the dim light of the lantern just reached the roof. + +"Oh! what a strange place!" exclaimed Aleck, looking around with +something like awe; "and to think that this was that my father saw +that time. Do you expect this can be the silver lode, Thad?" and he +pointed to the wall, where a broad streak of darkish ore cropped out. + +Thad was no miner, but he had been interested in geology at school, +and knew a little about the appearance of precious metals in their +natural state. + +"I don't doubt it one little bit, Aleck," he said, with a quiver to +his voice. "And see here, you can tell that some one has pounded off +pieces of the ore; why, I can even note where the hammer struck; and +on the ground small bits still lie, just as they fell years ago, when +your father found his way in here, and made this grand discovery. +Shake hands, Aleck! I want to be the first to congratulate you on +finding the hidden mine again. You're a lucky boy, let me tell you. +I'm glad for your sake, Aleck; and for that dear little mother who is +thinking of you right now, no doubt." + +"Thank you, Thad," replied the other, with a break in his voice, +although it was joy that almost overcame him. "And what do I not owe +to you, and the chums of the Silver Fox Patrol? For if you hadn't come +to my rescue, when that scoundrel of a Kracker had me caged on that +horrible little shelf of rock up the cliff, like as not I'd be there +still, and ready to tell all to save my life." + +"I don't believe that!" cried the scoutmaster, quickly. "I've seen +enough of you to know you'd have died before you gave him what +belonged only to your mother. And the chances are, you'd have found +some way of getting down from there, when it came to the worst." + +"Yes, fallen down, most likely, when they had made me so weak I +couldn't look over without getting dizzy. But Thad, let's forget all +that now, and look around here. How it thrills me just to think that +dad found this mine so long ago, and that during these years it's +remained hidden from all men; just as if something might be holding +it back until I grew old enough to come up here with that chart, to +discover it again. Why, I can almost believe that _he_ is here right +now, and smiling his approval on my work; for he was a good dad, I +tell you." + +They prowled around for a long time, examining the walls of the +chamber, and following up the wide lode of rich ore, until Thad, +inexperienced as he was, could estimate that it must prove to be a +very valuable mine, once placed in working condition. + +"Here, let's both of us fill our pockets with specimens of the ore," +the patrol leader remarked, when they began to think of once more +seeking the exit, so strangely hidden from the eyes of any possible +passer by; "like as not you'll want them, to convince some capitalist +that you've got the goods, when making arrangements to sell a part of +the mine, so as to get the money to work with." + +"Yes, that sounds sensible," declared Aleck. "Dad did the same; and if +he hadn't those specimens, nobody would ever have believed that he'd +found anything worth while. And now, do we start back to the fissure +in the cliff, Thad?" + +"Might as well;" replied the other. "And while we're about it, let's +drag out the dead wolves, so as to throw them in some hole where they +won't bother any more." + +"I wonder if that other cub came back; I'd better make ready to knock +it on the head, for it would die anyway, without a mother." + +Aleck's voice had a catch in it as he said this, and Thad understood; +the boy was thinking of his own mother, and how her prayers for his +safety must have been the means of raising up for him such staunch +friends as the scouts of the Silver Fox Patrol. + +But when they came to the place where the animals lay they saw nothing +of the other partly grown wolf. So Thad, having his gun and the +lantern to manage, took charge of the offspring, while Aleck tugged at +the big she wolf; and in this fashion they drew near the exit. + +"Sh!" + +It was Thad who uttered this low hiss of warning. His action was +prompt in addition, for raising the lantern, he gave one sturdy puff, +causing the flame to vanish. + +Utter darkness surrounded them. Aleck had dropped the leg of the big +wolf, and drew back the hammer of his rifle. + +"Perhaps it was the other cub, Thad?" he whispered, as softly as the +night wind creeps in and out of the trees, caressing each leaf as it +passes on. + +"No, it sounded more like voices!" came the equally low reply. + +"Voices! Oh! do you mean men may be near us?" gasped Aleck, a cold +chill passing over him at the dreadful prospect of losing his +long-sought patrimony just after finding it. + +"It sounded like that Kracker; listen, and we'll soon know," Thad went +on to say; and crouching there, the two boys waited for a repetition +of the suspicious sound. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +CLOSE TO DISCOVERY. + + +When the sound of the voice came again even Aleck heard it plainly. Why, +it seemed so very near that his first thought was that the men must have +found the entrance to the treasure cave, and were pushing along the +tunnel at that very moment. But on reflection Aleck realized that this +could not be so, for the voice came from somewhere in the open air. + +"I jest ain't agoin' any further, an' that's a fact. Might as well +rest up right here as keep on. I never was for comin' back, to spy on +them ere scouts, but two agin one kerried the day. So here we be, +tired in body, hungry, and nigh 'bout ready to drop. I say let's camp, +and wait till mornin'." + +"That's Dickey Bird," whispered Thad in the ear of his companion. + +Aleck had had a load taken from his breast. Although the three men +might be so close to the entrance of the mine that they could toss a +stone into it, still it seemed only mere accident that brought them +here, and not design, or a suspicion as to the truth. + +Another voice chimed in now, that of Kracker himself. + +"Oh! as for that, I'm about as leg weary as you can be; and ready to +rest up a bit. So Waffles, stir around, and gather some tinder to +start a blaze. This night air is some cool, too. And say, I'm that +hungry I could eat anything 'most. But with only one six-shot gun in +the crowd, it's going to be hard lines to provide grub, I reckon." + +"Then why'd you turn back, when we was all started for a place where +we could git all the eats we wanted, with money to pay for 'em?" +grumbled Dickey Bird. + +"Why? Any fool could see that," retorted the big prospector, sternly. +"Here I've been looking for this mine years and years, and it's got to +be the one dream of my life to find the same. That boy knows; he's +just been waitin' till he growed up big enough to start out. You saw +how he acted, and said he'd die before he'd give up what belonged to +his mother. That proves he's got the combination, either in his head, +or somewhar about his clothes, which we couldn't find." + +"Well," said the grumbler, "what good is that same agoin' to do us, +now that he's in with that party of scouts, who say they'll stand up +for him right along? We ain't got no show, seems to me, Kracker." + +"We ain't, hey?" replied the other, disdainfully. "Jest because you +can't see anything before your nose, you say they ain't nothing doing. +Let me tell you we never was nearer that same mine than we is now." + +Thad felt his companion give a sudden start; he himself was wondering +what these strange words of the prospector might mean; though he could +not believe that the other could really suspect the presence of that +fissure back of the vines. + +"As how? Mebbe you wouldn't mind tellin' me, to ease up the pain in my +legs; while Waffles, he's astartin' that ere fire?" Dickey Bird went +on, skeptically. + +"Sure thing," answered the big man who controlled the party of mine +seekers. "If that boy does know the secret, he's going to open up +while he's got them scouts to back him, ain't he? He'll want to feast +his eyes on some of that same rich ore--that goes without saying. All +right, let him, say I. We'll try and be close enough at hand to +discover whar the pesky entrance lies; and while they're hangin' on up +here, it's us to streak it for town and file a claim on that mine by +description. First comer gets the persimmon every time. I ain't been +in this line of business all my life without learnin' something." + +Again did Thad feel his companion move restlessly. It was as though +Aleck felt a sudden fear oppress him lest this sly old thief should +yet get ahead in entering a claim for the mine. + +The flicker of the kindling fire now began to show through the vines +at the mouth of the opening. What if these men stayed there until +morning, how were the boys to leave? Even when the moon stopped +shining upon the face of the cliff, the light of the nearby fire would +continue to light it up, so that they would not dare try and creep +out. Such a movement, if seen or suspected by the campers, must arouse +their curiosity, and lead to an investigation. Then the only thing +that could save the mine for Aleck would be a hurried rush to town, in +which they might be beaten by the others. + +It was not a pleasant thought, although of course, if necessary, the +boys could stay there without any great amount of privation. The +constant chance of discovery would bother them much more than anything +else. + +Dickey Bird was still grumbling, it seemed. Things evidently did not +please him at all, and only because the fear he entertained for +Kracker, the man might have deserted the expedition. + +"I jest don't like it around here, and that's what," they heard him say +presently. "It ain't the nicest place agoin' either. Now what d'ye +reckon that ere rumbling noise was, we all heard a while ago? Waffles, +he sez it was thunder; but they ain't nary a cloud as big as my hand +anywhar 'round. Sounded more like earthquake noise to me. I was in that +shake down at Frisco remember, an' ain't likely to forgit how it starts. +If these here mountings began to roll over on us, we'd be in a nice +pickle, now, eh? I tell you I don't like it any too much." + +"Drop that kind of talk, Dickey Bird," ordered the big prospector, +gruffly, "and draw up closer to the fire here. You're cold that's +what, and things they looks kind of blue like. Get warmed up and +you'll feel better. I've got a little dried meat in my knapsack, and +we'll chew on that for a change." + +"Good for you, Kunnel!" exclaimed the discontented one, whose mood +probably had its inception in hunger, after all. "And don't be long +about passin' that same around, will ye? I'm that nigh famished I +could eat Indian dog, though I never thought I'd ever come to that." + +The three prospectors sat down around the fire, and in order to +overhear what they might say while they munched at the tough pemmican, +Thad crept closer to the vine screen. + +Something moved ahead of him, and he thought he saw the vines tremble, +as though giving passage to some sort of body. Immediately afterwards +there was a shout from one of the three prospectors, and they could be +seen scrambling hastily to their feet, showing every evidence of alarm. + +"What is that coming this way?" roared Kracker. + +"Say, looks like on'y a wolf cub, arter all!" declared Dickey Bird, with +a catch in his husky voice, showing plainly how startled he had been. + +"Well, now, that's just what it seems to be; knock the critter on the +head, one of you," and the big man dropped back again to his seat. + +It was Waffles who picked up a club, and jumping forward, hastened to +wind up the earthly career of the motherless wolf whelp; though the +savage little beast snarled furiously at his approach, and showed fight. + +"Now I wonder what next?" remarked Kracker, as he watched the other +engaged in a regular fight with the cub, which would not give up the +ghost as easily as Waffles had evidently anticipated. + +Indeed, the second man had to also arm himself with a club, and put in +a few vicious blows before the wolf whelp was subdued. + +"That's what comes to a man when he ain't got no gun!" complained +Dickey Bird; from which remark it might be taken for granted that if +there was only one revolver in the crowd, which the scouts had allowed +them to retain possession of, Kracker had made sure to hold that. + +"Oh! that was only a cub, and a wolf ain't anything to be scared of!" +remarked the big prospector; though he turned his head even while +speaking, as though he fancied that he heard something moving in the +bushes back of him, with visions of a red-eyed furious wolf mother +coming to demand satisfaction for the killing of her offspring. + +"Whar d'ye reckon the critter kim from now?" demanded Dickey Bird. + +"Oh!" whispered Aleck, as though something warned him the danger point +was getting very close now. + +"First thing I see, he was acomin' away from the rock yonder," +remarked Waffles, pointing straight at the hanging vines that screened +the fissure so completely. + +"Then it looks like he might a come out of them vines?" suggested +Kracker, carelessly. + +"Reckon, now, he did," replied the other. + +"Go and take a look, Waffles," added the big man. "If so be we expect +to sleep right here, we want to know if there's any wolf around. I +ain't so fond of the ugly critters that I want to have one crawlin' +all over me when I'm trying to get some rest. Look behind the vines, I +say, Waffles, and make sure." + +Waffles did not seem any too anxious to obey. Possibly, if he had +gripped some sort of firearm in his hand, he might not have shown the +same timidity. Perhaps he too had an animosity toward ferocious and +maddened wolves; and besides, it had been his hand that had given the +finishing blow to that nasty little spitting cub, just now, and the +mother wolf might have it in for him on that account. + +But then he feared the scorn of the big prospector even more than he +did the possibility of danger from a she wolf bereft of her whelps. +And so, rather hesitatingly to be sure, the man started toward the +cliff, with the intention of lifting the screen of vines, and peering +behind the same. + +Of course he would immediately learn of the fact that there was a +fissure in the rock; and curiosity was apt to induce the men to make an +attempt to explore the cavity, since they were all experienced miners, +and eager to discover signs of a "find" in some unexpected place. + +Closer came Waffles. He was now within a few feet of the vines, and +indeed, had one hand stretched out, as with the intention of clutching +the mass of vegetation, and drawing it aside; while the other gripped +that stout cudgel, with which he expected to defend himself +desperately, should he be attacked. + +Aleck was quivering with suspense, and Thad could easily understand +that he must be handling his gun, as though tempted to discharge this, +and frighten the man off. But that would be giving the secret away, +for these men were cunning; and after they had come to figure things +out, they would arrive at something like the truth. + +If discovery were to be averted other means must be employed in order +to keep Waffles from raising that curtain, or at least daring to +venture into the fissure as much as one foot. + +Finding the ear of his companion Thad managed to whisper in it the few +words: + +"Don't shout." + +"Do just what I do; we've got to scare him!" + +And Aleck pressed his arm, to let the scoutmaster know that he +understood; even though the means to be employed might as yet be a +mystery to him. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +THE CROW BOY'S HONOR. + + +Just as the prospector had started to draw the curtain of vines back, +there came a most dreadful growl that made Aleck jump, under the belief +that the she wolf he had been dragging after him, might have come back +to life, and was about to pounce on the destroyers of her lair. + +Then all at once it struck him that Thad must have been the cause of +this savage growl; that was no doubt what he meant when he spoke so +confidently of knowing a way to frighten the man off. + +Indeed, Waffles did spring back instantly, uttering a cry of terror. +He fully expected to see the beast that had uttered that ferocious +growl come flying through the vine screen, leaping at his throat. + +"What is it?" shouted Kracker, himself scrambling to his feet +clumsily, owing to the girth of his waist. + +He seemed to be dragging something out of a rear pocket, and no doubt +this was the single weapon which the Boy Scouts had allowed the men to +carry off with them, at the time Kracker and his companions found it +necessary to confess themselves beaten in the game of wits. + +"A wolf is layin' behind them vines; didn't you hear her give tongue +like sixty? Ketch me aliftin' anything thar, I tell you. Ugh! I ain't +lost no wolf. Chances are it's the mother of that cub, too; an' she'll +be that mad when she knows we killed it, nawthin' won't stop her +rushin' the camp. Let's clear out of here?" + +"But we got our fire started, an' all of us feel dead tired, too," +complained Dickey Bird, who was evidently struggling between two +opinions, and did not know which was the lesser evil--remain where +they were, with that savage beast hovering around; or once more pursue +their weary way elsewhere. + +Kracker had approached close to the vines, and Thad thought it a good +time to give another growls which he did with new emphasis. And Aleck, +not wanting to be left out of the game entirely, tried his hand also. + +"Look out, Kunnel, thar's two of the critters!" shouted Waffles, +turning and edging further away from the rock wall. + +"A hull den of 'em, I reckons!" added Dickey Bird, who no longer cared +to stay in such a dangerous vicinity. + +Thad reached out his hand, and shook the vines violently. This action +completed the demoralization of the three prospectors. Almost +weaponless as they were, they seemed to lack their ordinary courage. + +"Run! they's comin' out arter us, Kunnel!" cried Waffles, suiting the +action to his words, by turning and dashing wildly away. + +The second man followed close at his heels, just as thoroughly +demoralized. Kracker might have stood it out, for Kracker gripped a +firearm in his fat hand; but when he found that he was being deserted +by his companions, the big prospector also started to run clumsily +away, breathing out all manner of threatenings against the other two +for cowards. + +Thad no longer growled, but lying there on the rocky floor of the +fissure, he shook all over with half-suppressed laughter. + +"That's the time we saved the day with our growls, Aleck!" he +whispered, when he could control himself to some extent. + +The other lad felt even more exultant. The mine had been in danger, but +thanks to the ready wit of the scoutmaster, the enemy had been +frightened away before they learned anything. And so Aleck, feeling that +he had plenty of cause for rejoicing, soon joined Thad in soft laughter. + +"No danger of those fellows coming back to investigate, do you think?" +he asked. + +"Well, if you could judge from the hurried way they lit out, I guess +we needn't dream that they'll ever want to see this cliff again," +replied Thad. + +"And when we want to, we can crawl out ourselves, can't we?" Aleck +went on. + +"Sure thing, right now is the time, because they're traveling for all +they're worth, and never even looking back over their shoulders as +they gallop along." + +"How about these wolves; shall we drag them out, and throw the +carcases away in some hole?" asked Thad's companion, evidently only +too glad to do just whatever the scoutmaster decided were best. + +Indeed, he had reason to feel the utmost confidence in Thad Brewster; +from the very first this new friend had directed affairs in a way that +Aleck looked on as simply wonderful. It was almost like a dream to +him, the coming of these scouts, their championing his almost lost +cause, and bringing success out of failure. No wonder then that Aleck +felt so willing to trust this staunch friend through thick and thin. +No wonder that he asked his opinion, knowing full well that whatever +Thad decided would be best. + +"Might as well get rid of the things while we're about it," was what +Thad said. "Sooner or later you'll be entering this passage again, I +hope with capitalists along with you to look the mine over, and decide +how much money they'll advance to begin its working; and you wouldn't +find it nice here, if we left these bodies to cause a disagreeable +odor. But we must be careful not to disarrange the vines. And I want +to rub out any tracks we may leave, before quitting this place." + +Accordingly both the mother wolf and the cub were taken outside. It +was not a difficult thing to find a deep hole into which all of the +dead animals could be cast; and after this duty had been accomplished +the two boys returned to the mouth of the hidden mine. + +The fire had been kicked under foot, and extinguished; though Thad +afterwards made sure to place the embers in such a position that it +would appear to have gone out of its own accord. This was to keep the +prospectors from suspecting the truth, should they have the temerity +to ever come back again, for one of them had lost his hat in his mad +haste to depart. + +Then lighting the lantern, Thad tried the best he knew how to smooth +over any footprint he or his companion may have made close to the +fissure in the rock. He wished Allan might be there just then, for he +would have known how to go about it better. + +"All right now," he announced a little later, as he arose from his +knees. + +"What had we better do, stay around here, or try and work a little +closer back to camp, to see what has happened there?" Aleck questioned. + +"I was thinking it might pay us to do that last," the scoutmaster +replied. "We needn't show ourselves, of course; but could hang around +until your rascally old uncle and that sheriff went away. Now, if only +it was some one else he wanted to nab, what a fine chance this would +be for you to get him as an officer of the law to help you locate the +mine. But I suppose that would be too dangerous." + +"It's an idea worth thinking about," Aleck declared, "and we may find +a way yet to carry it out. I hope we won't run across those three +scared men, because they headed this way when they ran off. You don't +mean to carry the lantern lighted, do you, Thad?" + +"Well, I should say not. It would only advertise the fact that a +couple of very fresh Boy Scouts were wandering around. Why, those very +men might sight us and lie in wait to capture you again," with which +Thad blew out the lantern. + +They started on. + +Thanks to the moonlight they were able to keep their course fairly +well; sometimes under the low trees, and again among masses of piled +up rocks. Far above their heads towered the mighty mountains, their +tops capped with snow. Thad never glanced up at them without thinking +how eagerly he and his chums had looked forward to this chance for +seeing the fortress Nature had built up and down the Western country, +separating the Pacific Coast from the balance of the land. + +"Listen!" said Aleck, laying a hand on his companion's sleeve. + +"Did you think you heard a voice again?" asked Thad, whispering the +words, for there was a spice of danger in the very air around them. + +"I sure did; and there it is again. Whatever is that man doing?" + +"Sounds to me like that Waffles?" suggested Thad. + +"But what would he be praying for, tell me?" asked Aleck. + +"Praying?" echoed the other, astonished himself. + +"Well, listen to him, would you; he seems to be begging somebody not +to hurt him? Do you suppose they've gone, and had a falling-out among +themselves, and the colonel is threatening to finish his man for +running away?" Aleck went on, still keeping his voice lowered. + +"Why, hardly that, because he ran as fast as the rest of them," +replied Thad. "But come, let's creep forward a little, and find out +what all the fuss is about." + +As they proceeded to do this, the sound of Waffles' peculiar voice +came more and more plainly to their hearing; and sure enough, he was +certainly pleading earnestly with some unknown one. + +"Think what a guy I'll be if so be ye do hit, and cut my pore ears +off, jest in spite work?" he was whining; "I admit that I done ye +dirt, when I hooked that bead belt from yer place, meanin' to sell the +same. But shore I didn't know as how ye vallied it so high. Never'd a +put a hand on it, if I'd been told 'twar a sacred fambly relic, and +that outsiders hadn't orter touch the same. Let me go this time, Fox, +and shore I promises never to do hit again. My ears is all I got, and +think how I'd look without the same. Ye got me down, and I cain't help +myself, ef so be ye mean to do hit; but better let me off this time. +You ain't a wild Injun, and you knows it ain't doin' right to try and +mend one wrong with another. Let me go, Fox; I'm asayin' I'm sorry, +an' a man can't do more'n that." + +The mystery was explained. The Fox had followed Thad and Aleck from the +camp, no doubt with the idea of standing up for them, if they needed +help. He must have been hovering near when the three prospectors started +their fire, and witnessed all that happened afterward. + +When the three frightened men made their wild flight, the Fox, still +burning with a desire to wipe out the insult that Waffles had put upon +his family when he took away that revered wampum belt that had never +before been touched by profane hands, had followed in their wake. +Finding a chance to jump on the back of Waffles, he had borne the man +to the ground. Doubtless the other two had continued their mad flight, +never caring what would happen to Waffles, and only thinking of saving +their own precious bodies. + +And ever since that minute, the Fox had been sitting on the fallen +man, telling him how he meant to punish him for his mean act, by +making Waffles a reproach among his fellows, since only thieves have +their ears sliced off in some countries. + +Thad nudged his companion, and they started to creep closer to the spot +where the two figures prone on the ground could be indistinctly seen. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +THE TURN OF THE TIDE. + + +"Hold on, Fox! that man has been punished enough; and besides you've +recovered the belt, so there's been no real harm done. Let him get up!" + +It was Thad who said this, as he and Aleck broke cover, and appeared +before the astonished eyes of the two who were on the ground, the Crow +boy flourishing his knife in a way calculated to make any one's blood +run cold. + +The Fox seemed to recognize that Thad spoke as one having authority. +He had seen him manage things in the camp of the scouts, and noticed +how willingly the rest of the boys recognized his leadership. And +secretly the Crow boy admired Thad more than any paleface lad he had +ever met on or off the reservation, saving possibly Aleck. + +So he immediately arose, and hastened to conceal his knife. + +"Give big scare, so him never try again!" he muttered, looking down. + +"Don't ye believe him; he just meant to take my ears off, for a fact," +exclaimed the man as he gained his feet, hardly knowing whether to +start in running once more, or trust to Thad to stand between himself +and the injured Crow boy. + +"Well, then, we just happened along this way in time to save them for +you; and Waffles, suppose you clear out of this as fast as you can. +Don't forget what we said about shooting, if ever we found you around +our camp. Now, if you get away in a hurry, I'll agree to keep the Fox +beside me. Only if you know what's good for you, never go near the +reservation again." + +"Well, I never will, make up your mind to that. Hold him now; I'm going +to skedaddle out of this on the jump!" and sure enough Waffles did, +rushing away as only a good healthy fright could urge on a tired man. + +Nor did any of them see him again, or either of the other two for that +matter. They must have made up their minds that the region around +there was unhealthy for fellows of their stamp, and that the sooner +they turned their faces toward civilization the better for them. + +Joined by the Fox, Thad and Aleck continued to walk toward the distant +camp of the scouts further up the valley. + +The night was getting well along when they halted to rest, having gone +as far as was deemed advisable. They had talked it well over, and the +Fox had even told them what he knew about Sheriff Bob. This +information was of so pleasing a nature that it seemed apt to have +more or less influence with regard to making their final decision, as +to what their plan should be in the morning. + +They were up early, and had a bite to eat, a little food having been +brought along by the far-sighted scoutmaster, who when he and Aleck +cleared out, did not know when they would get back again. + +Again they talked matters over. Thad was of a mind to betake himself +back to the camp, leaving the others in hiding; but where they could +see a signal he would make, if so be he wanted them to come in. + +"This thing of your hiding out like you're a common criminal is all +wrong," the scoutmaster had declared, somewhat angrily. "And I'm going +to put it up to that sheriff in a way that must convince him he's been +humbugged by your scheming old uncle. Then we can get him to go with +us, to see you put up your notice, and claim the mine your father +originally discovered. After that you can go with him to the place +where you have to file your sworn declaration of entry, and have +things all done according to law. The Silver Fox Patrol will meanwhile +camp in front of that wolf den, and hold it secure for you! Understand +all that, Aleck?" + +"Indeed, I do; and no fellow ever before found such grand good friends +as you and the rest of the scouts have shown yourselves to be to me," +and as he shook hands with Thad, on the latter's leaving, Aleck had +tears in his eyes. + +"Oh! that's what scouts are for, you see; to be a help to each other, +and to anybody that's in trouble, when they can lend a helping hand. +Now, watch for the signal; for if I give it, you can feel satisfied +you have nothing to fear from that sheriff." + +With that Thad strode away, heading in a roundabout way for the camp, +so that his coming from a certain direction might not betray the +hiding-place of the other two. + +Great was the astonishment of Allan, and those of the patrol who were +in camp, when a lone figure was seen approaching that they quickly +made out to be Thad. All sorts of possible sources of new trouble +loomed up in their minds; but as the scoutmaster drew nearer, they +were considerably relieved to discover that he was smiling, as though +not worried in the least. + +Of course the sheriff and Uncle Artemus had jumped up when the others +did, and observed the coming of the young scoutmaster but with +different emotions. The lawyer only wondered whether this might mean +the surrender of his nephew to the authority invested in the office of +sheriff; but the official himself was engaged in studying the +approaching lad, of whom he had heard so much, and drawing his own +opinion with regard to his character. + +"Glad to see you again, Thad!" called out Bumpus. + +"That's right, and so says every one of us," echoed Giraffe, +determined not to be left out of any talking-bee, if there was one. + +Thad only nodded, and smiled. He walked right over to where Allan stood, +and engaged him in earnest consultation; while the others looked on, not +knowing what to make of this most unexpected turn of events. + +Presently Allan turned and called out: + +"Would you mind coming over here, Mr. Sheriff; we want to tell you +something that ought to interest you, about this case?" + +The shrewd lawyer tried to hang on to the coat-tails of the big +sheriff, as he exclaimed, half threateningly, half pleadingly: + +"Don't you go, Sheriff; they want to blarney you into believing their +side of the story. You've got a warrant for the arrest of a vicious +young fellow, even if he is my own nephew, who has robbed me of valuable +papers. You've got to do your sworn duty! Better stay by me, and the +pay'll be sure. I wouldn't mind doubling what I promised, if so be I get +my papers back. And the boy can go hang, for all of me, then." + +But the sheriff tore himself loose, and walked over to where the two +earnest-faced scouts were awaiting him. Allan introduced him to the +patrol leader, and from the hearty hand-clasp which the officer +bestowed upon him, Thad felt sure that the case of poor badgered Aleck +Rawson was as good as won, even before he had commenced to do any +persuasive talking. + +He began at the start, and related all that Aleck had told him of his +troubles in the past; and how not only Kracker and his kind had +annoyed the widow of the dead prospector, but this sly old lawyer as +well, all of them imbued with the same mad desire to learn where the +hidden mine was located. + +He related numerous instances that almost amounted to persecution, +whereby Uncle Artemus had tried to force the widow, through stress of +poverty, to sell him the secret he believed she carried locked in her +breast; until presently Thad saw by the angry glow in those blue eyes +of the sheriff that he had accomplished the aim he had in view. + +Meanwhile the old lawyer had been on needles and pins. He jumped up +and sat down again half a dozen times. Of course he could easily +understand that Thad was trying to wean the sheriff away from his +duty; and there were signs that told Uncle Artemus this very thing was +gradually being accomplished before his very eyes. + +He could not stand it much longer, and finally he advanced toward the +spot where the sheriff and the two scouts stood. + +Thad had no longer the slightest fear that his work would be +undermined. He knew that Sheriff Bob would not longer lend his +official stamp to any such underhand work as that which this "slick" +lawyer from Denver was endeavoring to carry out. And so he could view +the coming of the other without anxiety. + +"I hope you haven't allowed yourself to be at all influenced by any +specious story you've listened to, Mr. Sheriff," the old man started +to say. + +The officer drew his capacious hand across his chin, as though +collecting his thoughts, in order to frame a suitable reply. + +"I've been listening to some mighty interesting facts, Mr. Rawson," he +said. + +"Lies, every one of them, I warrant you, sir," snapped the lawyer, who +began to feel that he was losing his grip on the case right then and +there, since this little whipper-snapper of a leader among these boys +appeared more capable of swaying the sheriff than he could himself do. + +"Oh! I don't know about that, Mr. Rawson," the sheriff went on, his +eyes losing some of their twinkle, and a steely look taking its place, +which Thad understood must be his official face; "I know a heap more'n +I did about things when I agreed to take this here warrant, and +execute the same for you, by arresting a lad you claimed was your +nephew, which was true; and who had been stealing valuable papers from +you, which I reckon was only a yarn." + +"Do you mean to say you'd take the word of a mere half-grown boy +rather than that of a gentleman, a lawyer of considerable repute in +Denver, as you happen to know, Mr. Sheriff? Things have got to a nice +pass when that can be." + +"Listen!" thundered the sheriff, turning squarely on the astonished +lawyer, and shaking his finger under his long nose; "you lied to me +about all that valuable paper business. It was _you_ that wanted to +steal something you believed this lad carried about his person, a +paper that would tell you where to find that hidden silver mine! And I +was fool enough to believe you, and to be hoodwinked that way. A +sheriff is sworn to do his duty _only_ so long as he believes he is +doing right; he has no claim to persecute an innocent party. I came +all this way with you, though from the first I suspected you had a +card up your sleeve, Mr. Rawson. Now understand it first and last, I +consider myself no longer in your service. Not a cent that you +promised me will I touch. I'm going to try and make amends to this +poor son of Jerry Rawson for what I've done to worry him, by standing +up and helping him take possession of his father's mine. He's found it +too, because look at these specimens of the richest silver ore I ever +set eyes on. Understand that, sir?" + +"But--you carry a warrant for his arrest!" bristled the lawyer, as a +last resort. + +The big sheriff pulled a paper out of his pocket, which he proceeded +to tear into a score of fragments, laughing scornfully meanwhile. + +"Do you see that, Mr. Rawson, sir? Now where's the warrant for +arresting Aleck, your nephew? Call the boy in, Thad; I want to shake +hands with him, and tell him Bob McNulty is ready to back him up in +holding that mine. And he's got a whole lot to be thankful for, I tell +you, boys, that when things looked darkest for him, a lucky chance, or +some people would call it the favor of Providence, sent you scouts +into this valley to camp. Not another word, Mr. Rawson, if you know +what's good for you, sir!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +GOOD-BYE TO THE ROCKIES--BOUND FOR HOME. + + +"This is Aleck Rawson, Sheriff McNulty," said Thad, some little time +later, when, in answer to his signal, two figures came promptly into +camp. + +The officer greeted the boy warmly, and what he said caused Aleck's +cheeks to burn red with delight, as well as his eyes to sparkle, as he +turned them, filled with gratitude upon Thad; for it seemed to him the +scoutmaster must be little short of a magician, since he could even +change enemies into warm friends. + +Why, even Uncle Artemus, as if he knew enough to get in out of the wet +when it rained, came up, and wanted to congratulate the boy for having +won out, and found the mine his father had first set eyes on; but +Aleck had too many bitter feelings in connection with the artful +lawyer, and coolly turned his back on him. + +Arrangements were soon made whereby the sheriff would go with Thad and +Aleck that very day to see the mine, and be a witness to the act +whereby the son of the first discoverer laid claim to the valuable +property. Then he said he would accompany Aleck to the city where the +legal part of the business must be completed. + +He also declared he knew the very capitalist, a man who was the +essence of honor, and whom he would like to interest in the matter; so +Aleck expressed a wish to meet him, that some arrangements might be +quickly placed before his mother. His one thought seemed to be to get +the glorious news to that waiting little woman as soon as possible. +She had suffered enough, he declared; and please Heaven this would be +the end, so far as money could bring relief. + +On the following morning, then, the sheriff left, with Aleck and the +guide keeping him company, and old Uncle Artemus "tagging on;" anxious +now to get back to Denver, and take up his legal business, since his +hopes of ever having a share in the newly-discovered silver mine were +crushed, wrecked by his own malicious actions toward his brother's +family. Had he done what was right in the premises, instead of +greedily wanting to grab the whole, as Aleck put it, Uncle Artemus +might have been the very capitalist needed to develop the mine; but no +one had any faith in him any longer. + +Of course Thad took his scouts, and made a permanent camp there, about +where the three prospectors had started to settle down late on that +night, when the boys were coming out of the fissure in the rock. How +the others did laugh, again and again, when they heard all about the +fright given to Kracker and his companions, by the growls which Thad +and Aleck managed to emit. + +Of course the big-horn hunters had come in before that other day was +much more than half done, and Smithy was proudly carrying the horns +that had belonged to _his_ quarry. He hardly seemed like the same +Smithy they had known so long. Why, he was a transformed boy in many +things, and even failed to brush off the dust some one pointed out to +him on his khaki garments. And when Smithy reached a point that he +could ignore such things, there must surely be a great transformation +taking place in his make-up. + +He was brim-full of questions now, eager to learn the thousand-and-one +wrinkles of woodcraft, and expressing his determination to accomplish +wonderful things before many months had passed. + +And Thad knew that Smithy would prove a sad disappointment to all +those thirty-seven old maid aunts and cousins who had spoiled him in +the past; for he had suddenly discovered that he had the red blood of +his father running in his veins; and the lure of all outdoors was +beginning to take hold of him. Never again would that boy be satisfied +to sit at the feet of an old lady, and learn how to make fancy-work; +oh! no, after this, the baseball and football fields would claim a +goodly share of his attention; for Smithy was bent on making himself +_manly_, a credit to the father whose name he bore, and who he knew +had once dearly loved to hunt, and fish, and spend his vacations in +the woods, close to Nature, as do all men who are worthy of the name. + +Before the time limit which Thad and his chums had set for their stay +in the haunts of the Rockies had fully expired, Aleck and the sheriff, +accompanied by Toby Smathers, and several gentlemen who looked like +financiers, came back. They had no sooner examined the mine than +arrangements were immediately made for forming a company to open it. +There was even talk about running a railroad spur up the valley from +the nearest connection, so that the rich ore might be taken to a +smelter, and stamping mills; though possibly it would be decided as an +easier proposition to bring these things to the mine. + +And so, one fine day, the Silver Fox Patrol of Cranford Troop of Boy +Scouts said good-bye to Aleck and several others who had become their +friends since arriving in that region, where the massive Rockies +reared their snow-capped heads toward the blue skies, far outreaching +the clouds at times. + +Toby Smathers was to go back with them as far as the nearest town on +the railroad; and then he expected to return to the mine, having been +offered a splendid position by the company. Aleck meant to go down and +see his mother and sisters presently, when he could keep away no +longer; and pour into their laps some of the first proceeds from the +now newly-discovered, but long-hidden silver mine. + +And later on Thad had long letters from the Western boy, in which he +fully described the happiness that now reigned in his home; and again +and again did that good little mother send her warmest regards to the +brave lads who had been so instrumental in gaining this great fortune +for the Rawsons, and to whom she must ever feel gratitude of the +deepest kind on account of having her son spared to her. + +Of course we shall expect at some future time to once more make the +acquaintance of Thad Brewster and his jolly lot of chums belonging to +the Silver Fox Patrol. With the advent of the new patrol, and other +lads still clamoring for admittance into the troop, Cranford was apt +soon to take a front rank, as a town where the boys were organized for +good. And when so many enterprising lads as Allan, Step Hen, Giraffe, +Bumpus, Bob White, Smithy, Davey Jones, and last, but far from least, +the efficient assistant scoutmaster himself, Thad Brewster, continue +to get together at every available opportunity, winter and summer, +bent on having a royal good time, it may be set down as certain that +lots of remarkable things are just bound to happen, that would make +splendid reading. + +But for the present we will have to let Bumpus take his bugle in hand, +and in his customary clever way sound "taps," lights out. + + + + + * * * * * + +Transcriber's Note: + + +Page 1 Added comma after "Timber" in "Through the Big Timber". + +Page 4 Corrected spelling of "suggesed" to "suggested" in "of their +attire suggesed". + +Page 13 Added closing quotation after "precipice!" in "over the edge +of the precipice!". + +Page 17 Corrected spelling of "narnow" to "narrow" in "so many +dangerous narnow paths". + +Page 48 Added opening quotation before "but" in "over; but it wouldn't +surprise me". + +Page 49 Corrected spelling of "ony" to "any" in "if ony one did have". + +Page 53 Corrected spelling of "seemd" to "seemed" in "for it seemd a +monstrous". + +Page 63 Moved opening quotation from end of "explain" to beginning +of "One" in "Aleck went on to explain. One of the men knew". + +Page 77 Corrected spelling of "an" to "and" in "a while longer, an +canvassed". + +Page 93 Corrected spelling of "returnd" to "returned" in "they +returnd once more". + +Page 104 Corrected spelling of "Dont" to "Don't" in "Dont move, +Aleck". + +Page 122 Added opening quotation to beginning of "this sure takes +the cake". + +Page 136 Corrected spelling of "unusal" to "unusual" in "nothing so +very unusal". + +Page 153 Added opening quotation to beginning of "so, p'raps we kin +get". + +Page 178 Corrected spelling of "intelligennt" to "intelligent" in +"thanks to the intelligennt manner". + +Page 185 Removed extraneous quotation after "Smathers," in "Toby +Smathers, the forest ranger". + +Page 189 Added opening quotation to beginning of "I could 'most +imagine". + +Page 194 Correct spelling of "belligerantly" to "belligerently" in +"asserted Giraffe, belligerantly". + +Page 251 Corrected spelling of "litle" to "little" in "scoutmaster +must be litle short". + +Page 255 Removed extraneous "Bob" in "Bumpus, Bob Bob White". + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY SCOUTS IN THE ROCKIES*** + + +******* This file should be named 32354.txt or 32354.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/2/3/5/32354 + + + +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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