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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/36388-0.txt b/36388-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..06aa314 --- /dev/null +++ b/36388-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5977 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Airship Andy, by Frank V. Webster + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Airship Andy + or The Luck of a Brave Boy + +Author: Frank V. Webster + +Release Date: June 12, 2011 [EBook #36388] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AIRSHIP ANDY *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank, Juliet Sutherland and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + +[Illustration: THE RACING STAR PASSED TWO OF THE CONTESTANTS (Page 172)] + + + + + Airship Andy + + Or + + The Luck of a Brave Boy + + BY + + Frank V. Webster + + AUTHOR OF “ONLY A FARM BOY,” “BOB THE CASTAWAY,” + “COMRADES OF THE SADDLE,” “TOM THE TELEPHONE BOY,” ETC. + + ILLUSTRATED + + NEW YORK + CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY + PUBLISHERS + + + + + BOOKS FOR BOYS + + By FRANK V. WEBSTER + + 12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. + + ONLY A FARM BOY + TOM, THE TELEPHONE BOY + THE BOY FROM THE RANCH + THE YOUNG TREASURE HUNTER + BOB, THE CASTAWAY + THE YOUNG FIREMEN OF LAKEVILLE + THE NEWSBOY PARTNERS + THE BOY PILOT OF THE LAKES + TWO BOY GOLD MINERS + JACK, THE RUNAWAY + COMRADES OF THE SADDLE + THE BOYS OF BELLWOOD SCHOOL + THE HIGH SCHOOL RIVALS + AIRSHIP ANDY + BOB CHESTER’S GRIT + BEN HARDY’S FLYING MACHINE + DICK, THE BANK BOY + DARRY, THE LIFE SAVER + + Cupples & Leon Co., Publishers, New York + + Copyright, 1911, by + CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY + + AIRSHIP ANDY + Printed in U. S. A. + + + + + CONTENTS + + CHAPTER PAGE + I The Young Chauffeur 1 + II Breaking Away 11 + III Runaway and Rover 21 + IV Down the River 30 + V Tramping It 38 + VI The Sky Rider 48 + VII John Parks, Airship King 55 + VIII The Aero Field 61 + IX The Airship Inventor 67 + X Learning To Fly 74 + XI Spying on the Enemy 82 + XII Traced Down 88 + XIII Jiu-jitsu 99 + XIV The Old Leather Pocketbook 108 + XV Behind the Bars 115 + XVI Bail Wanted 124 + XVII A True Friend 132 + XVIII Out on Bail 138 + XIX A Disappointment 145 + XX A New Captivity 153 + XXI A Friend in Need 161 + XXII “Go!” 169 + XXIII The Great Race 175 + XXIV A Hopeful Clew 183 + XXV Good-by to Airship Andy 195 + + + + +AIRSHIP ANDY + + + + +CHAPTER I—THE YOUNG CHAUFFEUR + + +“Hand over that money, Andy Nelson.” + +“Not on this occasion.” + +“It isn’t yours.” + +“Who said it was?” + +“It belongs to the business. If my father was here he’d make you give it +up mighty quick. I represent him during his absence, don’t I? Come, no +fooling; I’ll take charge of that cash.” + +“You won’t, Gus Talbot. The man that lost that money was my customer, +and it goes back to him and no one else.” + +Gus Talbot was the son of the owner of Talbot’s Automobile Garage, at +Princeville. He was a genuine chip off the old block, people said, +except that he loafed while his father really worked. In respect to +shrewd little business tricks, however, the son stood on a par with the +father. He had just demonstrated this to Andy Nelson, and was trying his +usual tactics of bluff and bluster. These did not work with Andy, +however, who was the soul of honor, and the insolent scion of the Talbot +family now faced his father’s hired boy highly offended and decidedly +angry. + +Andy Nelson was a poor lad. He was worse off than that, in fact, for he +was homeless and friendless. He could not remember his parents. He had a +faint recollection of knocking about the country until he was ten years +of age with a man who called himself his half-brother. Then this same +relative placed him in a cheap boarding school where Andy had to work +for a part of his keep. About a year previous to the opening of our +story, Dexter Nelson appeared at the school and told Andy he would have +to shift entirely for himself. + +He found Andy a place with an old farmer on the outskirts of +Princeville. Andy was not cut out for hoeing and plowing. He was willing +and energetic, however, and the old farmer liked him immensely, for Andy +saved his oldest boy from drowning in the creek, and was kind and +lovable to the farmer’s several little children. But one day the old man +told Andy plainly that he could not reconcile his conscience by spoiling +a bright future for him, and explained why. + +“If I was running a wagon-shop, lad,” he said enthusiastically, “I’d +make you head foreman. Somehow, you’ve got machinery born in your blood, +I think. The way you’ve pottered over that old rack of mine, shows how +you like to dabble with tools. The way you fixed up that old +washing-machine for marm proves that you know your business. Tell you, +lad, it’s a crying wrong to waste your time on the farm when you’ve got +that busy head of yours running over with cogs, and screws, and wheels +and such.” + +All this had led to Andy looking around for other employment. The old +farmer was quite right—Andy’s natural field was mechanics. He felt +pretty happy the day he was accepted as the hired boy in Seth Talbot’s +garage. + +That position was not secured without a great deal of fuss and bother on +the part of Talbot, however. The latter was a hard task-master. He +looked his prospective apprentice over as he would a new tool he was +buying. He offered a mere beggarly pittance of wages, barely enough to +keep body and soul together, and “lodgings,” as he called it, on a +broken-down cot in a dark, cramped lumber-room. Then he insisted on Andy +getting somebody to “guarantee” him. + +“I’ll have no boy taking advantage of me,” he declared; “learning the +secrets of the trade, and bouncing off and leaving me in the lurch +whenever it suits him. No sir-ree. If you come with me, it’s a contract +for two years’ service, or I don’t want you. When I was a boy they +’prenticed a lad, and you knew where you could put your finger on him. +It ought to be the law now.” + +Fortunately, Andy’s half-brother happened to pass through the village +about that time. He “guaranteed” Andy in some manner satisfactory to the +garage proprietor, and Andy went to work at his new employment. + +Talbot had formerly been in the hardware business. He seemed to think +that this entitled him to know everything that appertained to iron and +steel. When roller skating became a fad, he had sold out his business, +built a big rink, and in a year was stranded high and dry. The bicycle +fever caught him next, but he went into it just as everybody else was +getting out of it. The result was another failure. + +Now he had been in the automobile business for about six months. He had +bought an old ramshackly paint-shop on the main street of the town, and +had fixed it up so that it was quite presentable as a garage. + +There were not many resident owners of automobiles in Princeville. Just +at its outskirts, however, along the shore of a pretty lake, were the +homes of some retired city folks. During the vacation months a good many +people having machines summered at the town. Some of them stored their +automobiles at the garage. Talbot claimed to do expert repairing, and as +a good road ran through Princeville he managed to do some business with +transient customers who came along. + +Before he had been in the garage twenty-four hours, Andy was amazed and +disgusted at the clumsy clap-trap repairing work that Talbot did. He +half-mended breaks and leaks that would not last till a car reached its +destination. He put in inferior parts, and on one occasion Andy saw his +employer substitute an old tire for one almost new. + +Andy tried to remedy all this. He was at home with tools, and inside of +a week he was thoroughly familiar with every part of an automobile. He +induced Talbot to send to the city for many important little adjuncts to +ready repairing, and his employer soon realized that he had a treasure +in his new assistant. + +He did not, however, manifest it by any exhibition of liberality. In +fact, as the days wore on Andy’s tasks were piled up mountain high, and +Talbot became a merciless tyrant in his bearing. Once when Andy earned a +double fee by getting out of bed at midnight and hauling into town a car +stuck in a mud-hole, he promised Andy a raise in salary and a new suit +the next week. This promise, however, Talbot at once proceeded to +forget. + +It was Andy who was responsible for nearly doubling the income of his +hard task-master. He heard of a big second-hand tourist car in the city, +holding some thirty people, and told Talbot about it. The latter bought +it for a song, and every Saturday, and sometimes several days in the +week, the car earned big money taking visitors sight-seeing around the +lake or conveying villagers to the woods on picnic parties. + +Later Andy struck a great bargain in two old cars that were offered for +sale by a resident who was going to Europe. He influenced Talbot to +advertise these for rent by the day or hour, and the garage began to +thrive as a real money-making business. + +This especial morning Andy had arisen as usual at five o’clock. He +cooked his own meals on a little oil-stove in the lumber room behind the +garage, and after a cup of coffee and some broiled ham and bread and +butter, went to work cleaning up three machines that rented space. + +It was a few minutes before six o’clock, and just after the morning +train from the city had steamed into town and out of it again, when a +well-dressed man, carrying a light overcoat over one arm and a satchel, +rushed through the open door of the garage. + +“Hey!” he hailed. “They told me at the depot I could hire an automobile +here.” + +“Yes, sir,” replied Andy promptly. + +“I want to cut across the country and catch the Macon train on the +Central. There’s just forty-five minutes to do it in.” + +“I can do it in twenty,” announced Andy with confidence. “Jump in, sir.” + +In less than two minutes they were off, and the young chauffeur proved +his agility and handiness with the machine in so rapid and clever a way, +that his fare nodded and smiled his approval as they skimmed the smooth +country road on a test run. + +Andy made good his promise. It was barely half-past six when, with a +honk-honk! to warn a clumsy teamster ahead of him, he ran the machine +along the side of the depot platform at Macon. + +“How much?” inquired his passenger, leaping out and reaching into his +vest pocket. + +“Our regular rate is two dollars an hour,” explained Andy. + +“There’s five—never mind the change,” interrupted the gentleman. “And +here’s a trifle for yourself for being wide-awake while most people are +asleep.” + +“Oh, thank you, sir!” exclaimed Andy, overjoyed, but the man disappeared +with a pleasant wave of his hand before the boy could protest against +such unusual generosity. + +Andy’s eyes glowed with pleasure and his heart warmed up as he stowed +the handsome five-dollar tip into his little purse containing a few +silver pieces. He had never had so much money all his own at any time in +his life. Once a tourist in settling a day’s jaunt with Talbot in Andy’s +presence had added a two-dollar bill for his chauffeur, but this Talbot +had immediately shoved into his money drawer without even a later +reference to it. + +Andy got back to the garage before seven o’clock. He whistled cheerily +as he made a notation on the book of his fare and the collection, +unlocked the desk, put the five dollars in the tin cash box, and +relocked the desk. + +Then he busied himself cleaning up the machine that had just made such a +successful spin, for the roads were pretty dusty. As he pulled out the +carpet of the tonneau to shake, something fell to the floor. + +It was an old worn flat leather pocketbook. In a flash Andy guessed that +his recent passenger had accidentally dropped it in the car. + +He opened it in some excitement. It had a deep flap on one side. From +this protruded the edges of a dozen crisp new banknotes. Andy ran them +over quickly. + +“Two hundred dollars!” he exclaimed. + +“What’s that?” spoke a sharp, greedy voice at his ear. + +It was Gus Talbot, his employer’s son, who had just appeared on the +scene. It was pretty early for him, for Gus paraded as the cashier of +his father’s business and stayed around the garage on an average of +about three hours a day. Most of his time was spent at a village +billiard room in the company of a bosom chum named Dale Billings. + +Andy was somewhat taken off his balance by the unexpected appearance of +his employer’s son. It was really the shock of recognizing in the face +of the newcomer the manners and avarice that he shared with his father. +Almost instinctively Andy put the hand holding the pocketbook behind +him. Then he said simply: + +“I took a quick fare over to Macon to catch a train. He paid me five +dollars. It’s in the cash drawer.” + +“Oh, it is,” drawled out Gus, “and what about all the money I just +caught you counting over?” + +“It’s a pocketbook containing two hundred dollars,” replied Andy +clearly, disdaining the slur and insult in the tones of his low-spirited +challenger. “It was dropped by the man I just took over in the machine. +I’ve got to return it to him some way. I might get to the station here +in time to notify him by telegraph before his train leaves Macon that +I’ve found the pocketbook.” + +“Hold on,” ordered Gus Talbot. “Hand over that money, Andy Nelson.” + +And then followed the conversation that opens this chapter, and Andy had +barely announced that the pocketbook would go back to its owner and to +no one else, when Gus made a jump at him. + +“Give up that money, I say!” he yelled, and his big, eager fist clutched +the pocketbook. + + + + +CHAPTER II—BREAKING AWAY + + +“Let go of that pocketbook!” ordered Gus Talbot angrily. + +“When I do, tell me,” retorted Andy. + +The young chauffeur knew that once the money got into the hands of the +Talbots, father or son, its return to its rightful owner would be +extremely dubious. He had proven himself a match for Gus in more than +one encounter in the past, and that was why Gus hated him. Andy reached +out one hand not at all gently. He gave his opponent a push under the +chin. + +Gus Talbot went flat to the floor of the garage with a howl. He had not, +however, let go his grip on the pocketbook. The result was that it had +torn squarely in two. Andy directed a speedy glance at the half in his +own hand. He was reassured, for he had retained the part holding the +banknotes. + +“You can keep what you have got,” he advised Gus, with a little +triumphant laugh. “I’ll put this where you won’t get your paws on it.” + +With the words Andy ran through the front open doorway of the garage and +down the street in the direction of the business section of the village. + +Primarily anxiety to bestow the money in a safe place impelled his +flight. Three other reasons, however, helped to influence him in leaving +the field ingloriously. + +In the first place, Gus Talbot was a wicked terror when he got mad. It +was nothing for him to pick up a hatchet, a wrench or an iron bar and +sail into an enemy when his cowardly fists failed him. Andy might have +remained to give the mean craven a further lesson, but chancing to +glance through a side window he saw the chosen crony of Gus approaching. +Dale Billings was the bully of the town. He had left Andy severely alone +after tackling him once. With Gus and Dale both against him, however, +Andy decided that there would be little show of retaining possession of +the money. + +The third reason was more potent and animating than any of the others. +Just crossing lots from his home and headed for the garage direct was +its proprietor. If Andy had had any confidence in the sense of justice +and rectitude of Talbot he would have stood his ground. He had none, and +therefore made a rash resolve. It was open defiance of his harsh +employer, and there would be a frightful row later on, but Andy’s mind +was made up. He had reached the next corner and flashed around it and +out of sight before Gus Talbot had gained his feet. + +Fifteen minutes later Andy Nelson reappeared at the end of a secluded +street near the edge of the village. He was slightly breathless, and +looked excited, and glanced back of him keenly before he sat down on a +tree stump to rest and think. + +“I’ve done my duty,” he murmured; “but it will make things so hot at the +garage I don’t think I’ll go back there.” + +Andy indulged in a spell of deep reflection. For some time he had +realized that he was giving his best energies to a man who did not +appreciate them. His work had grown harder and harder. Whenever a +complaint came in about imperfect work, due to the sloppy methods of +Talbot, the garage owner made Andy shoulder all the blame. + +“He talks about a two-years’ contract, and tries to scare me about what +the law will do to me if I leave him,” soliloquized Andy. “Has he kept +his part of the bargain? Did he give me the increase in pay and the suit +of clothes he promised? No, he didn’t. I’ve got something in me, but it +will kill it all out to stay in this place. I’ve got five dollars as a +nest-egg, and I’m going to start out on my own hook.” + +Andy was fully determined on his course. Perhaps if the incident of the +morning had not come up, he might have delayed his decision. He knew +very well, however, that if he went back to the garage Talbot would +raise a big row, and he would also get hold of the two hundred dollars +if it were possible for him to do so. Some day Andy feared the Talbots +would play one too many of their uncertain tricks and involve him in an +imputation of dishonesty. + +“It’s straight ahead, and never turn back,” declared Andy decisively, +and started down the road. + +“Hold on there, young man!” challenged a voice that gave Andy a thrill. + +Running around the curve in the road Andy had just traversed, red-faced +and flustered, Seth Talbot came bearing down upon him. + +Andy might have halted, but the sight of Gus Talbot and Dale Billings +bringing up the rear armed with heavy sticks so entirely suggested an +onslaught of force that he changed his mind. He paid no attention +whatever to the furious shouts and direful threats of Talbot. + +Andy put ahead at renewed speed. At a second turn in the highway a man +was raking up hay, and he suspended his work and stared at the fugitive +and his pursuers, as Talbot roared out: + +“Stop him, Jones—he’s a runaway and a thief!” + +Farmer Jones was not spry enough to shorten the circuit Andy made, but +he thrust out the rake to its full length. Andy’s foot caught in its +tines, dragged, tripped, and the boy went flat to the ground. + +“I’ve got him!” hailed Jones, promptly pouncing down upon him. + +“Hold him!” panted Talbot, rushing to the spot, and his hard, knotty +fingers got an iron clutch on Andy’s coat collar and jerked him to his +feet. + +“What’s the trouble, neighbor?” projected the farmer curiously. + +“A thief isn’t the matter!” shot out Andy hotly, recalling the words of +his employer. + +“You’ll have to prove that,” blustered Talbot. “If you’re innocent, what +are you running for?” + +“I was running away from you,” admitted Andy boldly, “because I want to +be honest and decent.” + +“What’s that?” roared the irate Talbot. “Do you hear him, Jones? He +admits he was going to break his contract with me. Well, the law will +look to that, you ungrateful young cub!” + +“Law! contract!” cried Andy scornfully, fully roused up and fearless +now. “Have you kept your contract with me? You don’t want me, you want +that two hundred dollars——” + +“Shut up! Shut up!” yelled Talbot, and he muzzled Andy with one hand and +dragged him away from the spot. Farmer Jones grinned after them, and he +shrugged his shoulders grimly as he noticed Gus Talbot and Dale Billings +halted down the road, as if averse to coming any nearer. + +“’Pears to me you’re having a good deal of trouble with your boys, +Talbot,” chuckled Jones. “That son of yours got a few cracks from my +cane last evening when he was helping himself to some of my honey among +the hives.” + +Once out of hearing of the farmer, Gus Talbot edged up to his father. + +“Has he got the money?” he inquired eagerly. “Make him tell, father, +search him.” + +“I’ll attend to all that,” retorted the elder Talbot gruffly. “Here, you +two fall behind. There’s no need of attracting attention with a regular +procession.” + +Talbot did not relax his hold of the prisoner until they had reached the +garage. He roughly threw Andy into the lumber room. Then, panting and +irritated from his unusual exertions, he planted himself in the doorway. +Gus and Dale hovered about, anxious to learn the outcome of the row. + +“Now then, Andy Nelson,” commenced the garage owner, “I’ve just a few +questions to ask you, and you’ll answer them quick and right, or it will +be the worse for you.” + +“It has certainly never been the best for me around here,” declared Andy +bitterly, “but I’ll tell the truth, as I always do.” + +“Did you find a pocketbook with some money in it in one of my cars?” + +“I did,” admitted Andy—“two hundred dollars. It belonged to my fare, who +lost it, and it’s going back to him.” + +“Hand it over.” + +“I can’t do that.” + +“Why not?” demanded Talbot stormily. + +“Because I haven’t got it.” + +“Who has?” + +“Mr. Dawson, the banker. I took it to him when I left the garage.” + +“Oh, you did?” muttered Seth Talbot, looking baffled and furious. + +“Yes, sir. I told him that it was lost money, explained the +circumstances, and that if a certain Mr. Robert Webb called or +telegraphed for it, to let him have it.” + +“Is that the name of the man you took over to Macon?” + +“That is the name written in red ink on the flap of the pocketbook,” and +Andy drew out the former receptacle of the banknotes. “‘Robert Webb, +Springfield.’ I shall write to him at Springfield and tell him where the +money is.” + +Seth Talbot fairly glared at Andy. He got up and wriggled and hemmed and +hawed, and sat down again. + +“Young man,” he observed in as steady tone of voice as he could command, +“you’ve shown a sight of presumption in taking it on yourself to lay out +my business system. Here you’ve gone and implied that I was not fit to +be trusted.” + +Andy was silent. + +“I won’t have it; no, I won’t have it!” shouted the garage-keeper. “It’s +an imputation on my honor! I’ll give you just one chance to redeem +yourself. You go back to the bank and tell Mr. Dawson that we’ve got on +the direct track of the owner of the money, and bring it back here.” + +“That would be a lie,” said Andy. + +“Don’t we know where he is?” + +“In a general way, but so does the bank. It would be a cheat, too, for I +don’t believe you want to get the money back to its rightful owner any +more than you wanted to pay me the tip that passenger left here for me +last week.” + +Andy had been too bold. Talbot rose up, towering with rage. He sprang +upon Andy, and threw him upon the cot, holding him there by sheer brute +strength. + +“Here, you Gus—Dale!” he shouted. “Off with his hat and shoes. And his +coat—no, let me look that over first. Aha!” + +Gus Talbot considered it high sport to assail a defenceless and +outnumbered adversary. He and Dale snatched off cap and shoes without +gentleness or ceremony. Talbot had got hold of Andy’s little purse and +had brought to light the five dollars so carefully folded and stowed +away there. + +“Honest? Ha, ha! Decent? Ho, ho!” railed the old wretch. “Where did you +get this five dollars without stealing it?” + +“Bet he got ten dollars for the run to Macon and held back half of it,” +chimed in Gus. + +“My fare gave it to me for making good time,” explained Andy. “If you +don’t believe it, write to him.” + +“Yah!” jibed Talbot; “tell that to the marines!” + +He kicked Andy’s shoes and cap under a bench in the outer room and threw +his coat up among a lot of old rubbish on a platform under the roof. + +“Get the strongest padlock and hasp in the place,” he ordered his son, +“and secure that door. As to you, young man,” he continued to Andy, +“I’ll give you till night to make up your mind to get back that money.” + +“I never will,” declared Andy positively. + +“Boy,” said Seth Talbot, fixing his eye on Andy in a way that made his +blood chill, “you’ll do it, as I say, or I’ll thrash you within an inch +of your life.” + + + + +CHAPTER III—RUNAWAY AND ROVER + + +The door of the lumber room was slammed shut on Andy and strongly +locked, and the lad resigned himself to the situation. The Talbots, +father and son, aided by brutal Dale Billings, had handled him pretty +roughly, and he was content to lie on the cot and prepare for what was +coming next. + +“They’ve pretty nearly stripped me, and they’ve got all my money,” +reflected Andy. “I wish now I had dropped a postal card to Mr. Robert +Webb at Springfield. I’ll do it, though, the first thing, when I get out +of this fix.” + +Andy was bound to get out of it in some way. It would be rashness +complete to try it right on the spur of the moment. However, he had till +night to think things over, and the youth felt pretty positive that long +before then he would hit upon some plan of escape. + +In a little while Andy got up and took stock of his surroundings. The +partition that shut in the lumber room was made of common boards. With a +good-sized sledge, Andy could batter it to pieces, but he had no tools, +and glancing through a crack he saw Talbot and his son in the little +front office ready to pounce on him at a minute’s notice. + +There was a long narrow box lying up against the inside surface of the +partition boards. Andy had used this to hold his little kit of kitchen +utensils. He removed these now, and lifted the box on end under the only +outside aperture the lumber room presented. This was a little window, +way up near the ceiling. When Andy reached this small, square hole, cut +through a board, he discerned that he could never hope to creep through +it. + +Glancing down into the rear yard he made out Dale Billings, seated on a +saw-horse, aimlessly whittling at a stick, and he decided that the ally +of the Talbots was on guard there to watch out for any attempted escape +in that direction. + +However, when Andy had done a little more looking around in his +prison-room, he made quite an encouraging discovery. Where the box had +stood originally there was a broad, loose board. Dampness had weakened +one end, and a touch pulled it away from the nails that held it. With +one or two vigorous pulls, Andy saw he might rip the board out of place +its entire length. This, however, would make a great noise, would arouse +his captors, and he would have to run the gantlet the whole reach of the +garage space. + +“It’s my only show, though,” decided Andy, “and I’ll keep it in mind for +later on.” + +Towards noon Andy made a meal of some scraps of food he found in his +little larder. It was not a very satisfying meal, for his stock of +provisions had run low that morning and he had intended replenishing it +during the day. + +About two o’clock in the afternoon Andy fancied he saw his chance for +making a break for liberty. Talbot was in the office. There was only one +automobile in the garage. This was a car that the proprietor’s son had +just backed in. Andy could figure it out that Gus had just returned from +a trip. He leaped out of the machine, simply throwing out the power +clutch, with the engine still in motion, as if intending to at once +start off again. + +Gus ran to the office, and through the crack in the partition Andy saw +him scan the open page of the daily order book. Our hero determined on a +bold move. He leaned down in the corner of the lumber room and seized +the end of the loose plank at the bottom of the partition with both +hands, and gave it a pull with all his strength. + +R—r—rip—bang! + +Andy went backwards with a slam. The board had broken off at the +nail-heads of the first rafter with a deafening crack. He dropped the +fragment and dove through the aperture disclosed to him. He could hear +startled conversation in the office, but it was no time to stop for +obstacles now. Andy came to his feet in the garage room, made a superb +spring, cleared the hood of the automobile, and, after a scramble, +landed in the driver’s seat. + +With a swoop of his right hand, Andy grasped the lever, his left +clutching the wheel. The car shot for the door in a flash. Gus Talbot +had run out of the office. He saw the machine coming, and who manned it. +Andy noticed him poising for a spring, snatched up the dust robe in the +seat by his side, gave it a whirl, and forged ahead. + +The robe wound around the face and shoulders of Gus, sending him +staggering back, discomfited. Andy circled into the street away from +town, turned down the south turnpike, and breathed the air of freedom +with rapture. + +“All I want is a safe start. I can’t afford to leave the record behind +me that I stole a machine,” he reflected. “It’s bad enough as it is now, +with all the lies Talbot will tell. She’s gone stale!” + +The automobile wheezed down to an abrupt halt. It was just as it came to +a curve near the Jones farm, and almost at the identical spot where Andy +had been captured that morning. He cast a quick glance behind. No one +was as yet visible in pursuit, and there was no other machine in the +garage. One was handy not a square away from it, however. Andy had +noticed a physician’s car there as he sped along. The Talbots would not +hesitate to impress it into service. At any rate, they would start some +pursuit at once. + +Andy guessed that some of Gus Talbot’s careless tactics had put the +magneto or carburetor out of commission. It would take fully five +minutes to adjust things in running order. No one was in view ahead. +There were all kinds of opportunities to hide before an enemy came upon +the scene. + +Right at the side of the road was the hayfield of the Jones farm. Andy +leaped a ditch and started to get to the thin line of scrub oak beyond +which lay the creek. He passed three haystacks and they now pretty well +shut him out from the road. As he was passing the fourth one, he +stumbled, hopped about on one foot with a sharp cry of pain, and dropped +down in the stubble. + +Andy had tripped over a scythe blade which the stubble had hidden from +his view. His ankle had struck the back of the blade, then his foot had +turned and met the edge of the scythe. A long, jagged gash, which began +to bleed profusely, was the result. Andy struggled to his feet and +leaned up against the side of the haystack in some dismay. He measured +the distance to the brush with his eye. + +“I’ve got to make it if I want to be safe,” the boy decided, wincing +with the pain of his injured foot, but resolute to grin and bear it till +he had the leisure to attend to it. + +A shout halted Andy. It came from the direction of the barn, and he +fancied it was Farmer Jones giving orders to some of his men. Half +decided to make a run of it anyway, he made a sudden plunge into the +haystack and nestled there. + +A clatter had come from the direction of the roadway he had just left. +Glancing in that direction, through a break in the trees, Andy had +caught a flashing view of Gus Talbot, bareheaded and excited, in a light +wagon, and lashing the horse attached to it furiously. + +Andy drew farther back in among the hay, nesting himself out a +comfortable burrow. He ventured to part the hay as he heard a great +commotion in the direction of the road. He could trace the arrival of +Gus, his discovery of the stalled automobile, and the flocking of Farmer +Jones and his men to the spot. + +Then in a little while the garage-keeper and Dale Billings arrived in +another machine. Some arrangement was made to take the various vehicles +back to the village. Then Seth Talbot, his son, and two of the farm +hands scattered over the field, making for the brush. They went in every +direction. A vigorous hunt was on, and Andy realized that it would be +wise for him to keep close to his present cover for some time to come. + +His foot was bleeding badly, and he paid what attention to it he could. +He removed his stockings, bound up the wound with a handkerchief, and +drew both stockings over the injured member. + +It was pretty irksome passing the time in his enforced prison, and +finally Andy went to sleep. It was late dusk when he woke up. He parted +the hay, and took as good a look around as he could. No one was in +sight, apparently, but he had no idea of venturing forth for some hours +to come. + +“I’m going to leave Princeville,” he ruminated, “but I can’t go around +the world hatless, coatless and barefooted. I don’t dare venture back to +the garage for any of my belongings. That place will probably be watched +all the time for my return. Talbot, too, has probably telephoned his +‘stop thief’ description of me everywhere. It’s the river route or +nothing, if I expect to get safely away from this district. Before I go, +though, I’m going to see Mr. Dawson.” + +This was the gentleman to whom Andy had entrusted the two hundred +dollars. Andy had a very favorable opinion of him. The village banker +was a great friend of the boys of the town. He had started them in a +club, had donated a library, and Andy had attended two of his +moving-picture lectures. After the last one, Mr. Dawson had taken +occasion to pass a pleasant word with Andy, commending his attention to +the lecture. When Andy had taken the two hundred dollars to him that +morning, the banker had placed his hand on his shoulder, with the +remark: “You are a good, honest boy, Nelson, and I want to see you +later.” + +“I’ll wait until about nine o’clock,” planned Andy, “when most of the +town is asleep, and go to Mr. Dawson’s house. There’s a lecture at the +club to-night, I know, and he won’t get home till after ten. I’ll hide +in the garden and catch him before he goes into the house. I’ll tell him +my story, and ask him to lend me enough to get some shoes and the other +things I need. I know he’ll do it, for he’s an honest, good-hearted +man.” + +This prospect made Andy light of heart as time wore on. It must have +been fully half-past eight when he began to stir about, preparatory to +leaving his hiding-place. He moved his injured foot carefully. It was +quite sore and stiff, but he planned how he would line the timber +townwards and stop at a spring and bathe and dress it again. He mapped +out a long and obscure circuit of the village to reach the home of the +banker unobserved. + +Andy was just about to emerge from the haystack when the disjointed +murmur of conversation was borne to his ears. He drew back, but peered +through the hay as best he could. It was bright moonlight. Just dodging +from one haystack to another at a little distance, Andy made out Gus +Talbot and Dale Billings. + +“Come on,” he heard the latter say—“now’s our chance.” + +“They must be still looking for me,” he told himself. + +There was no further view nor indication of the proximity of the twain +during the next hour, but caution caused Andy to defer his intended +visit to the banker. + +“The coast seems all clear now,” he told himself at last, and Andy crept +out of the haystack, but promptly crept back again. + +Of a sudden a great echoing shout disturbed the silence of the night. +Some one in the vicinity of the farmhouse yelled out wildly: + +“Fire!” + + + + +CHAPTER IV—DOWN THE RIVER + + +“Fire—fire!” + +The cry that had rung out so startlingly was repeated many times. Andy +could trace a growing commotion. His burrow in the haystack faced away +from the buildings of the Jones farm, but in a minute or two a great +glare was visible even through his hay shield. + +Andy did not dare to venture out from his hiding-place. From increasing +shouts and an uproar, he could understand that the Jones household, and +then the families of neighbors were thronging to the fire. Some of these +latter, making a short cut from the road, passed directly by the +haystack in which he was hiding. + +“It’s the barn,” spoke a voice. + +“That’s what it is, and blazing for good,” was responded excitedly, and +the breathless runners hurried on. + +Andy made up his mind that he would have to stay where he was for some +time to come, if he expected to avoid capture. Very soon people from the +village came trooping to the scene. He could trace the shouts of the +bucket brigade. He heard one or two automobiles come down the road. The +glare grew brighter and the crowd bigger. Soon, however, the +stubble-field began to get shadowed again, he noticed. + +It must have taken the barn an hour to burn up. People began to repass +the haystacks on their return trips. Andy caught many fragments of +conversation. He heard a man remark: + +“They managed to save the livestock.” + +“Yes,” was responded; “but Jones says a couple of thousand dollars won’t +cover his loss.” + +“What caused it, anyhow?” + +“It was a mystery to Jones, he says, until Talbot came along. They +seemed to fix up a theory betwixt them.” + +“What was that?” + +“Why, Jones was sort of hot and bitter about some boys who have bothered +him a lot of late. He walloped one or two of them. Young Gus Talbot was +among them. Jones was hinting around about the fire being set for +revenge, when Talbot spoke up and reminded him that he had headed off +that runaway apprentice of Talbot’s this morning.” + +“Oh, the boy they’re looking for—Andy?” + +“Yes, Andy Nelson. He’s the one that set the fire, Talbot declares, and +Jones believes it, and they’re going to start a big hunt for him. Talbot +says he’s beat him out of some money, and Jones says he’s just hung +around before leaving for good to get even with him for stopping him +from getting away from Talbot.” And, so speaking, the men passed on. + +“Well, this is a pretty kettle of fish!” ruminated Andy. “What next, I +wonder?” + +The refugee felt pretty serious as he realized the awkward and even +perilous situation he was in. As he recalled the fact that Gus and Dale +Billings had crossed over the field an hour before the fire broke out, +he was pretty clear in his own mind as to the identity of the firebugs. + +“It’s no use of thinking about seeing Mr. Dawson now,” decided Andy. +“It’s too late in the evening, and too many people will be looking for +me. There’s so much piling up against me, that maybe Mr. Dawson wouldn’t +believe a word I say. No, it’s a plain case. They haven’t any use for me +in Princeville, and the sooner I get out of the town and stay out of it, +the better for me.” + +Andy’s foot was in no condition for a long tramp. He realized this as he +stretched it out and tested his weight upon it. He was not seriously +crippled, but he was in no shape to run a race or kick a football. + +“It’s going to be no easy trick getting safely away from Princeville and +out of the district,” the boy told himself. “I’ll wait until about +midnight, then I’ll make for the river. There’s boats going and coming +as far as the lake, and I may get a lift as far as the city. I can lose +myself there, or branch out for new territory.” + +Everything was still, and not a sign of life visible anywhere on the +landscape, when Andy at length ventured to leave his hiding-place. There +was a smell of burned wood in the air, and some smoke showed at the spot +where the barn had stood, but the town and the farmer’s household seemed +to have gone to bed. + +No one appeared to see or follow him while crossing the stubble field, +but Andy felt a good deal easier in mind as he gained the cover of the +brush. + +The boy was entirely at home here—along the river as well. He had found +little time for recreation while working for Talbot, but whenever a +spare hour had come along he had made for the woods and the creek as a +natural playground. Now he went from thicket to thicket with a sense of +freedom. He knew a score of good hiding-places, if he should be suddenly +surprised. + +Andy looked up and down the creek when he reached it. He hoped to locate +some barge ready to go down the river with some piles of tan bark, or a +freight boat returning from the summer camps along the lake. Nothing was +moving on the stream, however, and no water craft in view. + +“I’ll get below the bridge. Then I’ll be safe to wait until daylight. +Something is bound to come along by that time,” he reflected. + +Andy reached and passed the bridge about a mile below Princeville. There +was no other bridge for ten miles, and if he had to foot it on his +journey to the city, he would be out of the way of traversed roads. He +walked on for about half a mile and was selecting a sheltered spot to +rest in, directly on the stream, when, a few yards distant, he noticed a +light scow near shore. + +Andy proceeded towards this. It resembled many craft of its class used +by farmers to carry grain and livestock to market. Andy noticed that it +was unloaded and poles stowed amidships. He stepped aboard. No one was +in charge of it. + +“I might find some of the abandoned old skiffs or rafts the boys play +with, if I search pretty hard,” soliloquized Andy, stepping ashore +again. + +“Hey!” + +Andy was startled. Tracing the source of the short, quick hail, he +discovered a man seated on a boulder near a big hazel bush. Andy was +startled a little, and slowly approached his challenger. + +The man who had spoken to him sat like a statue. He was a pale-faced +individual, with very large bright eyes, and his face was covered with a +heavy black beard. A cape that almost covered him hung from his +shoulders, completely hiding his hands. He looked Andy over keenly. + +“Did you call me, mister?” inquired Andy. + +“Yes, I did,” responded the man. “I was wondering what you were doing, +lurking around here at this unearthly hour of the night.” + +Andy mentally decided that it was quite as much a puzzle to him what the +stranger was doing, sitting muffled up at two o’clock in the morning in +this lonely place. + +“I was looking for a boat to take me down stream,” explained Andy. + +“Are you willing to work for a lift?” inquired the man. + +“I should say so,” replied Andy emphatically. + +“Do you know how to manage a craft like this one here?” + +“Oh, that’s no trick at all,” said Andy. “The river is clear, and +there’s nothing to run into, and all you have to do is to pole along in +midstream.” + +“Where do you want to get to?” + +“The city.” + +“I’m not going that far. I’ll tell you what I’ll do, though,” said the +stranger—“you pole me down to Swan Cove——” + +“That’s about fifteen miles.” + +“Yes. You take me that far, and I’ll make it worth your while.” + +“It’s a bargain, and I’m delighted!” exclaimed Andy with spirit. + +“All right,” said the man; “get to work.” + +He never got up from his seat while Andy cast free the shore hawser. +When everything was ready he stepped aboard rather clumsily. Andy +thought it very strange that the man never offered to help him the least +bit. His passenger seated himself in the stern of the barge, the cloak +still closely enveloping his form, his hands never coming into sight. + +It was welcome work for Andy, propelling the boat. It took his mind off +his troubles, and every push of the pole and the current took him away +from the people who had injured his good reputation and were bent on +robbing him of his liberty. + +The grim, silent man at the stern of the craft was a puzzle to Andy. He +never spoke nor stirred. Our hero wondered why he kept so closely +covered up and in what line of transportation he used the barge. + +They had proceeded about two miles with smooth sailing when there was a +sudden bump. The boat had struck a snag. + +“Gracious!” ejaculated Andy, sent sprawling flat on the deck. + +The contact had lifted the stranger from his seat. He was knocked to one +side. Andy, scrambling to his feet, was tremendously startled as his +glance swept his passenger. + +The man struggled to his feet with clumsiness. He was hasty, almost +suspicious in his movements. The cloak had flown wide open, and now he +was swaying his arms around in a strange way, trying to cover them up. + +“Why!” said the youth to himself, with a sharp gasp, “the man is +handcuffed!” + + + + +CHAPTER V—TRAMPING IT + + +“Gracious!” said Andy, and made a jump clear into the water. + +The pole had swung out of his hands when the barge struck the snag. He +got wet through recovering it, but that did not matter much, for he had +little clothing on. + +By the time he had got back on deck his mysterious passenger had resumed +his old position. The cloak again completely enveloped the upper portion +of his body and his hands were out of sight. Andy acted as though his +momentary glance had not taken in the sight of the handcuffs. + +“Sorry, mister, we struck that snag, but the moon’s going down and a fog +coming up, and I couldn’t help it.” + +“Don’t mind that,” was all that the man at the stern vouchsafed in +reply. + +The moon had gone down as Andy had said, but enough of its radiance had +fallen on the squirming figure of the stranger a few minutes previous to +show the cold, bright glint of the pair of manacles. Andy was sure that +the man’s wrists were tightly handcuffed. A sort of a chill shudder ran +over him as he thought of it. + +“An escaped convict?” Andy asked himself. “Maybe. That’s bad. I don’t +want to be caught in such company, the fix I’m in.” + +The thought made the passenger suddenly repellant to Andy. He had an +idea of running close to the shore and making off. + +“No, I won’t do it,” he decided, after a moment’s reflection, “I’m only +guessing about all this. He’s not got a bad face. It’s rather a wild and +worried one. I’m a runaway myself, and I’ve got a good reason for being +so. Maybe this man has, too.” + +Andy applied himself to his work with renewed vigor. It must have been +about five o’clock in the morning when the stranger directed him to +navigate up a feeder to the stream, which, a few rods beyond, ran into a +swamp pond, which Andy knew to be Swan Cove. + +A few pushes of the pole drove the craft up on a muddy slant. It was +getting light in the east now. Andy came up to the man with the +question: + +“Is this where you land, mister?” + +“Yes,” nodded his passenger. “Come here.” + +Andy drew closer to the speaker. + +“I told you I’d make it worth your while to pole me down the river,” he +said. + +“Oh, that’s all right.” + +“I haven’t got any money, but I want to pay you as I promised you. Take +that.” + +“What, mister?” and then Andy learned what the man meant. The latter +hunched one shoulder towards the timber on which he sat, and there lay a +small open-faced silver watch. + +Andy wondered how he had managed to get it out of his pocket, but he +had, and there it lay. + +“It’s worth about eight dollars,” explained the man. “You can probably +get four for it. Anyhow, you can trade it off for some shoes and +clothes, which you seem to need pretty badly.” + +“Yes, I do, for a fact,” admitted Andy, with a slight laugh. “But see +here, mister, I don’t want your watch. I couldn’t ask any pay, for I +wanted to come down the creek myself, and I was just waiting to find the +chance to work my way when you came along.” + +“You’ll take the watch,” insisted the stranger in a decided tone, “so +say no more about it, and put it in your pocket. There’s only one thing, +youngster—I want to ask a favor of you.” + +“Yes, sir.” + +“Forget you ever saw me.” + +“That will be hard to do, but I will try.” + +“What’s your name?” + +“Andy Nelson.” + +“I’ll remember that,” said the man, repeating it over twice to himself. +“You’ll see me again some time, Andy Nelson, even if I have to hunt you +up. You’ve done me a big favor. You said you were headed for the city?” + +“Yes, sir.” + +“Well, if you’ll follow back to the river, and cut south a mile, you’ll +come to a road running in that direction.” + +“Aren’t you going to use the barge any farther, mister?” inquired Andy. + +“No, and perhaps you had better not, either,” answered the man, with a +short nervous laugh. + +“Well, this is a queer go!” ruminated Andy, as the man started inland +and was soon lost to view. “I wonder who he is? Probably on his way to +some friends where he can get rid of those handcuffs. Now, what for +myself?” + +Andy thought things out in a rational way, and was soon started on the +tramp. His prospective destination was the city. It was a large place, +with many opportunities for work, he concluded. He would be lost from +his pursuers in a big city like that, he theorized. + +Andy soon located the road his late passenger had indicated. He looked +at the watch a good many times. It was a plain but substantial +timepiece. It was the first watch Andy had ever owned, and he took great +pleasure in its possession. + +“I don’t think I’ll part with it,” he said, as he tramped along. “I feel +certain I can pick up enough odd jobs on my way to the city to earn what +clothing I need and enough to eat.” + +It was about seven o’clock when Andy, after a steep hill climb, neared a +fence and lay down to rest in the shade and shelter of a big straw +stack. He was asleep before he knew it. + +“What in the world is that!” he shouted, springing up, wide awake, as a +hissing, flapping, cackling hubbub filled the air, mingled with shouts +of impatience, excitement and despair. + +“Head ’em off—drive ’em in! Shoo—shoo!” bellowed out somebody in the +direction of the road. + +“Geese!” ejaculated Andy—“geese, till you can’t rest or count them! +Where did they ever come from? Hi, get away!” + +As Andy stepped out of range of the straw stack, he faced a remarkable +situation. The field he was in covered about two acres. It was enclosed +with a woven-wire fence, and had a gate. Through this, from the road, a +perspiring man was driving geese, aided by a boy armed with a long +switch. + +Andy had never seen such a flock of geese before. He estimated them by +the hundreds. Nor had he ever viewed such a battered up, dust-covered, +crippled flock. Many, after getting beyond the gate, squatted down as if +exhausted. Others fell over on their sides, as if they were dying. Many +of them had torn and bleeding feet, and limped and hobbled in evident +distress. + +The man and the boy had to head off stupid and wayward groups of the +fowls to get them within the enclosure. Then when they had closed the +gate, they went back down the road. Andy gazed wonderingly after them. +For half a mile down the hill there were specks of fluttering and +lifeless white. He made them out to be fowls fallen by the wayside. + +The man and boy began to collect these, two at a time, bringing them to +the enclosure, and dropping them over the fence. It was a tiresome, and +seemed an endless task. Andy climbed the fence and joined them. + +“Hello!” hailed the man, looking a little flustered; “do you belong +around here?” + +“No; I don’t,” replied Andy. + +“I don’t suppose any one will object to my penning in those fowls until +I find some way of getting them in trim to go on.” + +“They can’t do much harm,” suggested Andy. “I say, I’ll help you gather +up the stray ones.” + +“I wish you would,” responded the man, with a sound half-way between a +sigh and a groan. “I am nigh distracted with the antics of those fowls. +We had eight hundred and fifty when we started. We’ve lost nigh on to a +hundred in two days.” + +“What’s the trouble? Do they stray off?” inquired Andy, getting quite +interested. + +“No; not many of them. The trouble is traveling. I was foolish to ever +dream I could drive up to nearly one thousand geese across country sixty +miles. The worst thing has been where we have hit the hill roads and the +highways they’re ballasting with crushed stone. The geese get their feet +so cut they can’t walk. If we try the side of the roads, then we run +into ditches, or the fowls get under farm fences, and then it’s trouble +and a chase. I say, lad,” continued the man, with a glance at Andy’s +bandaged foot, “you don’t look any too able to get about yourself.” + +“Oh, that isn’t worth thinking of,” declared Andy. “I’ll be glad to +help.” + +He quite cheered up the owner of the geese by his willingness and +activity. In half an hour’s time they had all the disabled stray fowls +in the enclosure. Some dead ones were left where they had fallen by the +wayside. + +“I reckon the old nag is rested enough to climb up the rest of the hill +now,” spoke the man to his companion, who was his son. “Fetch Dobbin +along, Silas, and we’ll feed the fowls and get a snack ourselves.” + +Andy curiously regarded the poor crowbait of a horse soon driven into +view attached to a ramshackly wagon. The horse was put to the grass near +the enclosure, and two bags of grain unearthed from a box under the seat +of the wagon and fed to the penned-in geese. + +Next Silas produced a small oil-stove, a coffee-pot and some packages, +and, seated on the grass, Andy partook of a coarse but substantial +breakfast with his new friends. + +“There’s a town a little ahead, I understand,” spoke the man. + +“Yes,” nodded Andy; “Afton.” + +“Then we’ve got twenty miles to go yet,” sighed the man. “I don’t know +how we’ll ever make it.” + +Andy gathered from what the man said that he and his family had gone +into the speculation of raising geese that season. The nearest railroad +to his farm was twenty miles distant. His market was Wade, sixty miles +away. He had decided to drive the geese to destination. Two-thirds of +the journey accomplished, a long list of disasters spread out behind, +and a dubious prospect ahead. + +“It would cost me fifty dollars to wagon what’s left to the nearest +railroad station, and as much more for freight,” said the man gloomily. + +Andy looked speculative. In his mechanical work his inventive turn of +mind always caused him to put on his thinking-cap when he faced an +obstacle. + +“I’ve got an idea,” declared Andy brightly. “Say, mister, suppose I +figure out a way to get your geese the rest of the way to market quite +safely and comfortably, and help drive them the balance of the distance, +what will you do for me?” + +“Eh?” ejaculated the man eagerly. “Why, I’d—I’d do almost anything you +ask, youngster.” + +“Is it worth a pair of shoes, and a new cap and coat?” asked Andy. + +“Yes; a whole suit,” said the man emphatically, “and two good dollars a +day on top of it.” + +“It’s a bargain!” declared Andy spiritedly. “I think I have guessed a +way to get you out of your difficulties.” + +“How?” + +“I’ll show you when you are ready to start.” + +Andy set to work with vigor. He went to the back of the wagon and fitted +two boards into a kind of a runway. Then he poured corn into the trough, +and hitched up the old horse. + +“Now, drive the horse, and I’ll attend to the corn,” he said. “I won’t +give them as much as you think,” he added, fearing the farmer would +object to the use of so much of his feed. + +It was not long before they were on the way. As the corn dropped along +the road, the geese ran to pick the kernels up. Andy scattered some by +hand. Soon he had the whole line of geese following the wagon. + +“Now drive in the best spots,” he said. + +“I’ll take to the fields,” answered Mr. Pierce. + +He was as good as his word, and traveling became easy for the geese, so +that they made rapid progress. They kept on until nightfall, passing +through Afton, where Andy bought a postal card and mailed it to Mr. +Webb, stating his money had been left with Mr. Dawson. By eight o’clock +the next morning they reached Wade, and there, at a place called the +Collins’ farm, Andy was paid off and given the clothing and shoes +promised. He changed his suit in a shed on the farm, and then the youth +bid his new friends good-by and went on his way. + + + + +CHAPTER VI—THE SKY RIDER + + +“Hold on, there!” + +“Don’t stop me—out of the way!” + +“Why, whatever is the matter with you?” + +“The comet has fallen——” + +“What?” + +“On our barn.” + +“See here——” + +“Run for your life. Let me go, let me go, let me—go!” + +The speaker, giving the astonished Andy Nelson a shove, had darted past +him down the hill with a wild shriek, eyes bulging and hair flying in +the breeze. + +It was the afternoon of the day Andy had said good-by to Mr. Pierce and +his friends. He was making across country on foot to strike a little +railroad town, having now money enough to afford a ride to Springfield. + +Ascending a hilly rise, topped with a great grove of nut trees, Andy got +a glimpse of a farmhouse. He was anticipating a fine cool draught of +well water, when a terrific din sounded out beyond the grove. There were +the violent snortings of cattle, the sound of smashing boards, a mixed +cackle of all kinds of fowls, and thrilling human yells. + +Suddenly rounding the road there dashed straight into Andy’s arms a +terror-faced, tow-headed youth, the one who had now put down the hill as +if horned demons were after him. + +Andy divined that the center of commotion and its cause must focus at +the farmhouse. He ran ahead to come in view of the structure. + +“I declare!” gasped Andy. + +Wherever there was a cow, a horse, or a chicken, the creature was in +action. They seemed putting for shelter in a mad flight. Rushing along +the path leading to the farmhouse, a gaunt, rawboned farmer was +sprinting as for a prize. He cast fearsome glances over his shoulder, +and bawled out something to his wife, standing spellbound in the open +doorway, bounded past her, sweeping her off her feet, and slammed the +door shut with a yell. + +And then Andy’s wondering eyes became fixed on an object that quite awed +and startled him for the moment. Resting over the roof of the great barn +at the rear of the house was a fantastic creation of sea-gull aspect, +flapping great wings of snowy whiteness. Spick and span, with graceful +outlines, it suggested some great mechanical bird. + +“Why,” breathed Andy, lost in wondering yet enchanting amazement, “it’s +an airship!” + +Andy had never seen a perfect aeroplane before. Small models had been +exhibited at the county fair near Princeville, however, and he had +studied all kinds of pictures of these remarkable sky-riders. The one on +the barn fascinated him. It balanced and fluttered—a dainty creation—so +frail and delicately adjusted that his mechanical admiration was aroused +to a degree that was almost thrilling. + +Blind to jeopardy, it seemed, a man was seated about the middle of the +tilting air craft. The barn roof was about twenty-five feet high, but +Andy could plainly make out the venturesome pilot, and his mechanical +eye ran over the strange machine with interest and delight. + +A hand lever seemed to propel the flyer, and this the man aloft grasped +while his eyes roved over the scene below. + +How the airship had got on the roof of the barn, Andy could only +surmise. Either it had made a whimsical dive, or the motive power had +failed. The trouble now was, Andy plainly saw, that one set of wings had +caught across a tin ornament at the front gable of the barn. This +represented a rooster, and had been bent in two by the tugging airship. + +“Hey, you!” sang out the man in charge of the airship. “Can you get up +here any way?” + +“There’s a cleat ladder at the side.” + +“All right, come up and bring a rope with you.” + +Andy was only too glad to be of service in a new field that fascinated +him. The doors of the barn were open. He ran in and looked about busily. +At last he discovered a long rope hanging over a harness hook. He took +possession of it, hurried again to the outside, and nimbly ascended the +cleats. + +“Look sharp, now, and follow closely,” spoke the aeronaut. “Creep along +the edge, there, and loop the rope under the end of those side wings.” + +“I can do that,” declared Andy. He saw what the man wanted, and it was +not much of a task to balance on the spout running along the edge of the +shingles and then climb to the ridge-pole. Andy looped the end of the +rope over an extending bar running out from the remote end of the last +paddle. + +“Now, then,” called out the aeronaut in a highly-satisfied tone, “if you +can get to the seat just behind me, fetching the rope with you, we’ll +soon be out of this tangle.” + +“All right,” said Andy. + +“And I’ll give you the ride of your life.” + +“Will you, mister?” cried Andy, with bated breath and sparkling eyes. + +The boy began creeping along the slant of the barn roof. It was slow +progress, for he saw that he must keep the rope from getting tangled. +Another hindrance to rapid progress was the fact that he had to be +careful not to graze or disturb the delicate wings of the machine. + +About half the directed progress covered, Andy paused and looked down. +The door of the farmhouse was in his range of vision, and the farmer had +just opened it cautiously. + +He stuck out his head, and bobbed it in again. The next minute he +ventured out a little farther. Now he came out on the stoop of the +house. + +“Hey, you!” he yelled, waving his hands up at the aeronaut. + +“Well, neighbor?” interrogated the latter. + +“What kind of a new-fangled thing is that you’ve stuck on my barn?” + +“It’s an airship.” + +“Like we read about in the papers?” + +“Yes.” + +“Sho! and I thought——Who’s afraid?” and he darted back again into the +house. Immediately he reappeared. He carried an old-fashioned +fowling-piece, and he ran out directly in front of the barn. + +[Illustration: “IT’S AN AIRSHIP!”] + +Andy read his purpose. He readily guessed that the farmer was one of +those miserly individuals who make the most out of a mishap—the kind who +think it smart to put a dead calf in the road and make an automobilist +think he had killed it. At all events, the farmer looked bold enough +now, as he posed in the middle of the road, with the ominous +announcement: + +“I’ve got a word for you up there.” + +“What is it?” inquired the aeronaut. + +“Who’s going to settle for this damage?” + +“What damage?” + +“What damage!” howled the farmer, feigning great rage and indignation; +“hosses jumped the fence and smashed down the gate; chickens so scared +they won’t lay for a month; wife in a spasm, and that there ornament up +there—why, I brought that clear from the city.” + +“All right, neighbor; what’s your bill?” + +“Two hundred dollars.” + +The aeronaut laughed. + +“You’re not modest or anything!” he observed. “See here; I’ll toss you a +five-dollar bill, and that covers ten times the entire trouble I’ve made +you.” + +The farmer lifted his gun. He squinted across the long, awkward barrel, +and he pointed it straight up at the sky-rider and his craft. + +“Mister,” he said fiercely, “my bill is two hundred dollars, just as I +said. You pay it, right here, right now, or I’ll blow that giddy-fangled +contraption of yours into a thousand pieces!” + + + + +CHAPTER VII—JOHN PARKS, AIRSHIP KING + + +“Keep right on,” ordered the aeronaut to Andy in a low tone. + +Andy squeezed under a bulge of muslin and wood and reached what looked +like a low, flat-topped stool. + +“Do you hear me?” yelled the farmer, brandishing his weapon and trying +to look very fierce and dangerous. + +The aeronaut, Andy noticed, was reaching in his pocket. He drew out two +small bills and some silver. He made a wad of this. Poising it, he gave +it a fling. + +“There’s five dollars,” he spoke to the farmer. + +The wad hit the farmer on the shoulder, opened, and the silver scattered +at his feet. He hopped aside. + +“I won’t take it; I’ll have my price, or I’ll have the law on you, and +I’ll take the law in my own hands!” he shouted. + +Snap!—the fowling-piece made a sound, and quick-witted Andy noticed that +it was not a click. + +“See here,” he whispered quickly to the aeronaut; “that man just snapped +the trigger to scare us, and I don’t believe the old blunderbuss is +loaded.” + +“All ready,” spoke the aeronaut to Andy, as the latter reached the seat. + +“Yes, sir,” reported Andy. + +“When I back, give the rope a pull and hold taut till we clear the +barn.” + +“I’ll do it,” said Andy. + +“Go!” + +There was a whir, a delicious tremulous lifting movement that now made +Andy thrill all over, and the biplane backed as the aeronaut pulled a +lever. + +Andy gave the rope a pull and lifted the entangled wing entirely clear +of the weather-vane. + +“Now, hold tight and enjoy yourself,” spoke the aeronaut, reversing the +machine. + +“Oh, my!” breathed Andy rapturously the next moment, and he forgot all +about the farmer and nearly everything else mundane in the delight and +novelty of a brand-new experience. + +Andy had once shot the chutes, and had dreamed about it for a month +afterwards. He recalled his first spin in an automobile with a thrill +even now. That was nothing to the present sensation. He could not +analyze it. He simply sat spellbound. One moment his breath seemed taken +away; the next he seemed drawing in an atmosphere that set his nerves +tingling and seemed to intoxicate mind and body. + +The aeronaut sat grim and watchful in the pilot seat of the glider, +never speaking a word. He had skimmed the landscape for quite a reach. +Then, where the ground began to slant, he said quickly: + +“Notice my left foot?” + +“I do,” said Andy. + +“Put yours on the stabilizing shaft when I take mine off.” + +“Stabilizing shaft,” repeated Andy, memorizing, “and the name of the +airship painted on that big paddle is the _Eagle_. Oh, hurrah for the +_Eagle_!” + +“When I whistle once, press down with your foot. Twice, you take your +foot off. When I whistle twice, pull over the handle right at your side +on the center-drop.” + +“‘Center-drop’?” said Andy. “I’m getting it fast.” + +Z—zip! Andy fancied that something was wrong, for the machine contorted +like a horse raising on his rear feet. Toot! Andy did not lose his +nerve. Toot—toot! he grasped the handle at his side and pulled it back. + +“Good for you!” commended the aeronaut heartily. “Now, then, for a +spin.” + +Andy simply looked and felt for the next ten minutes. The pretty, dainty +machine made him think of a skylark, an arrow, a rocket. He had a +bouyant sensation like a person taking laughing gas. + +The lifting planes moved readily under the manipulation of an expert +hand. There was one level flight where the airship exceeded any railroad +speed Andy had ever noted. Farms, villages, streams, hills, faded behind +them in an endless panorama. + +Toot!—Andy followed instructions. They slowed up over a town that seemed +to be some railroad center. Beyond it the machine skimmed a broad +prairie and then gracefully settled down in the center of a fenced-in +space. + +Its wheels struck the ground. They rolled along for about fifty yards, +and halted by the side of a big tent with an open flap at one side. + +“This is the stable,” said the aeronaut, showing Andy how to get from +his seat on the delicate and complicated apparatus of the flyer. +“Dizzy-headed?” + +“Why, no,” replied Andy. + +“Wasn’t frightened a bit?” + +“Not with you at the helm,” declared Andy. “Mister, if I could do that, +I’d live up in the air all the time.” + +“You only think so,” said the aeronaut, the smile of experience upon his +practical but good-humored face. “When you’ve been at it as long as I +have, you’ll feel different. What’s your name?” + +“Andy Nelson.” + +“Out of a job?” + +“Yes, sir.” + +The aeronaut looked Andy over critically, + +“That little frame building at the end of the tent is where we keep +house,” he explained. “The big rambling barracks, once a coal-shed, is +my shop. I’m John Parks. Ever hear of me?” + +“No, sir,” said Andy. + +“I’m known all over the country as the Airship King.” + +“I can believe that,” said Andy, “but, you see, I have never traveled +far.” + +“I’ve made it a business giving exhibitions at fairs and aero meets with +this glider and with a dirigible balloon. Just now I’m drilling for a +prize race—five thousand dollars.” + +“That’s some money,” observed Andy, “and I guess you’ll win it.” + +“I see you like me, and I like you,” said John Parks. “Suppose you help +me win that prize? I need good loyal help around me, and the way you +obey orders pleases me. I’ll make you an offer—your keep and ten +dollars.” + +“And I’ll be near the airship?” asked Andy eagerly. “And learn to run +it?” + +“Yes.” + +“Oh, my!” cried the boy, almost lifted off his feet. “Mr. Parks, I can’t +realize such good luck.” + +“It’s yours for the choosing,” said the aeronaut. + +“Ten dollars a month and my board for helping run an airship!” said Andy +breathlessly. “Oh, of course I’ll take it—gladly.” + +“No,” corrected John Parks, “ten dollars a week.” + + + + +CHAPTER VIII—THE AERO FIELD + + +“That’s settled,” said the Airship King. “Come, Andy, and I’ll introduce +you to our living quarters.” + +Andy felt as if he was treading on air. He was too overcome to speak +intelligently. Clear of the spiteful Talbot brood, the proud possessor +of a new suit, a watch, five dollars, and the prospect of a princely +salary, he felt that life had indeed begun all over for him in golden +numbers. He caught at the sleeve of his generous employer. + +“Mr. Parks,” he said with emotion, “it’s like a dream.” + +“That’s all right, Andy,” laughed the aeronaut. “I’m pretty liberal, +they say—that is, when I’ve got the money. I’ve seen my hard times, +though. All I ask is to have a man stick to me through thick and thin +and I’ll bring him out all right.” + +“I’ll stick to you as long as you’ll let me,” declared Andy. + +“Yes, you’re true blue, Andy, I honestly believe. I’ve staked a good +deal on the aero meet next month. I’ve just got to get that +five-thousand-dollar prize to make good, for I’ve invested a good deal +here.” + +“I hope I can help you do it,” said Andy fervently. + +“The _Eagle_ is only a trial craft. Over in the workshop yonder, I’ve +got a genius of a fellow, named Morse, working for me, who is turning +out the latest thing in airships. Here’s our living quarters.” + +Mr. Parks led Andy into the shed-like structure that formed the back of +the tent which sheltered the aeroplane and also a dirigible balloon. +They passed through several partitioned-off spaces holding cots. Then +there was a comfortable sitting room. Next to it was a kitchen. + +This room was sizzling hot, for it held a big cooking-range, before +which an aproned cook stood with an immense basting spoon in his hand. +He was the blackest, fattest cook Andy had ever seen. His eyes were big +with jolly fun, and his teeth gleamed white and full as he grinned and +nodded. + +“I’ve brought you a new boarder, Scipio,” said Mr. Parks. “His name is +Andy Nelson. You’ll have to set another place.” + +Then he stepped through a doorway outside, and Scipio took a critical +look at Andy. + +“’Nother plate, eh?” he chuckled. “Dat’s motion easy, but what about de +contents of dat plate? Fohteen biscuit do de roun’s now. Yo’ look like a +likely healthy boy. I reckon I have to double up on de rations.” + +It was a royally good meal that was spread out on the table in the +sitting room about four o’clock in the afternoon. + +“Where’s Mr. Morse, Scipio?” inquired Mr. Parks, as the cook brought in +a smoking roast. + +“Mistah Morse have to be excused dis reflection, sah, I believe,” +responded Scipio. “I ask him ’bout noon what he like foh dinnah. He dat + sorbed in his work he muttah something bout fractions, quations and +dirigible expulsions; I hab none ob dose to cook. Jus’ now I go to call +him to dinnah, an’ I find him deeper than ever poring over dose wheels +an’ jimdracks ob machinery, and when I say de meal was ready, he observe +dat de quintessimal prefix ob de cylinder was X. O. plus de jibboom ob +de hobolinks. It sounded like dat, anyhow. Berry profound man, dat, sah. +I take him in his meal later, specially, sah.” + +From this and other references to the man in the shop, Andy decided that +Mr. Morse must be quite a proficient mechanician. He longed to get a +peep into his workshop. After dinner, however, Mr. Parks said: + +“Would you like to stroll over to the big aero practice field, Andy?” + +“I should, indeed,” responded Andy. + +He found the aviation field to be a more or less shrouded locality. It +was reached only by crossing myriad railroad tracks, dodging oft-shunted +freight-cars, scaling embankments and crossing ditches. The field was +dotted with shelter tents for the various air machines, trial chutes and +perfecting shops. + +There were any number of monoplanes, biplanes and dirigible balloons. On +the different tents was painted the name of the machine housed therein. +There was the _Montgo_, _Glider_, the _Flying Dutchman_, the _Lady +Killer_, and numerous other novelties with fanciful names. + +“Every professional seems to be getting up the oddest freak he can think +of,” explained Parks. “Do you see that new-fangled affair with the round +discs? That is called the helicopotol. That two-winged, +one-hundred-bladed freak just beyond is the gyropter. Watch that fellow +just going up with the tandem rig. That’s a new thing, too. It’s of the +collapsible type, made for quick transportation, but not worth a cent as +a racer.” + +Andy was in a realm of rare delight. He passed the happiest and most +interesting hour of his life looking over and studying all these +wonderful aerial marvels about him. + +When they got back to camp, the aeronaut showed Andy where he would +sleep, and told him something about the routine. + +“I am making test runs with the _Eagle_,” he explained, “and will want +you to sail with me for a day or two. Then you may try a grasshopper run +or two yourself.” + +“I shall like it immensely,” declared Andy with enthusiasm. + +When Mr. Parks had left him, Andy wandered outside. The sound of a +twanging banjo led him to the front of the kitchen quarters. + +Seated on a box, his eyes closed, his face wearing an expression of +supreme felicity, was Scipio. Strains of “My Old Kentucky Home” floated +on the air. The musician, opening his eyes, happened to spy Andy. + +“Tell you, chile,” declared the portly old cook, with a rare sigh of +longing, “des yar Scip could play dat tune all night long.” + +“Keep right at it, Scipio,” smiled Andy. “You go on enjoying your music, +while I do up any little chores you have to attend to.” + +“If it wouldn’t be a deposition on yo’,” remarked Scipio thoughtfully, +“dar’s de suppah dishes I’d like brung back from Mistah Morse’s +quarters.” + +“Can I find them?” inquired Andy. + +“Yo’ jess follow yo’ nose down through the big shed,” directed Scipio. +“Mistah Morse nevah notice yo’. He’s dat substracted he work all night.” + +Andy proceeded on his mission. Passing through one shed, he saw a light +at the end of one adjoining. In the second shed he came to a halt with +sparkling eyes and bated breath. + +Across a light platform lay the skeleton of an airship. Its airy +elegance and fine mechanism appealed to Andy intensely. He went clear +around it, wishing he had the inventive faculty to construct some like +masterpiece in its line. + +Just beyond the machine was a small apartment where a light was burning. +Near its doorway was a table upon which Andy observed a tray of dishes +and the remnants of a meal. + +He moved forward carefully to remove them, for seated at a work-bench +and deeply engrossed in some work at a small lathe, was a man wearing +great goggles on his eyes. + +“It must be Mr. Morse, the airship inventor,” thought Andy. + +Just then the inventor removed his goggles, rubbed his eyes and turned +his face towards Andy. + +With a crash the boy dropped a plate, and with a profound start he drew +back, staring blankly at the man at the bench. + +“Oh, my!” said Andy breathlessly. + + + + +CHAPTER IX—THE AIRSHIP INVENTOR + + +Morse, the inventor, made a grab for his eye-goggles. He had become a +shade paler. He did not take up the goggles, however. Instead, he turned +his back on Andy. + +Our hero had a right to be startled. He stood staring and spellbound, +for he had recognized the inventor in an instant. He was the handcuffed +man he had poled down the river from Princeville the night of the flight +from the Talbots, and who had given him the very watch he now carried in +his pocket with such pride and satisfaction. + +The man had shaved off his full beard since Andy had first met him. This +made him look different. It was the large, restless eyes, however, that +had betrayed his identity. Andy would know them anywhere. He at once +realized that the inventor had sought to disguise himself. Probably, +Andy reasoned, he had caught him off his guard with the goggles off his +eyes. + +“What did you say ‘oh, my!’ for?” suddenly demanded the inventor. + +“I—I thought I recognized you—I thought I knew you,” said Andy. + +“Do you think so now?” inquired the inventor, turning sharply face +about. + +“I certainly thought I knew you.” + +“And suppose you was right?” + +“If you were really the person I supposed,” replied Andy, “I would have +done just exactly what I promised to do when I last saw that person.” + +“And what was that?” + +“To forget it.” + +“You’d keep your word, eh?” + +“I generally try to.” + +The man’s eyes seemed riveted on Andy in a peculiar way that made the +boy squirm. There was something uncanny about it all. Andy experienced a +decidedly disagreeable creeping sensation. The inventor was silent for a +moment or two. Then he asked: + +“Who sent you here?” + +“I wasn’t sent by any one. I just came.” + +“How?” + +“With Mr. Parks—in his airship.” + +“Are you going to stay here?” + +“He has hired me at ten dollars a week and board,” proudly announced +Andy. + +“He’s a good man,” said Morse. “I don’t think he’d pick you out if you +were a bad boy. What time is it?” + +This question was so significant that it flustered Andy. He drew out his +watch in a blundering sort of a way, fancying that he detected the faint +shadow of a smile on the face of his interlocutor. + +“It’s half-past seven,” he reported. + +“Watch keep good time?” + +“Yes, sir. The man who gave it to me was the man whom I took you for.” + +“Good timepiece.” + +“Splendid.” + +“U-m. What’s your name?” + +“Andy Nelson.” + +“I’m going to trust you, Andy Nelson; I don’t think I will have any +reason to regret it.” + +“I will try to deserve your confidence, Mr. Morse.” + +“Oh, you know my name?” + +“Yes, sir. I heard Mr. Parks speak of you.” + +“I see—of course. I must be cautious after this, though. I had an idea +that shaving off my beard would change my appearance, but as you +recognized me, I must not be seen by outsiders without my goggles. Andy, +I do not wish Mr. Parks to know anything about that handcuff affair of +mine.” + +“All right, sir.” + +“I suppose it struck you suspiciously.” + +“It did at first,” confessed Andy. “When I came to think it over, +though, I remembered that I was in trouble and acting suspiciously +myself. I knew that I was right in my motives, and I hoped you were.” + +“I’ll tell you something, Andy,” said the inventor. “It won’t be much +for the present, but later I may tell you a good deal more. A bad crowd +have a hold on me, a certain power that has enabled them to scare me and +rob me at times. I am an inventor. They knew that I was getting up a new +airship. They captured me and locked me up. They demanded a price for my +liberty—that I would disclose my plan to them. I consented. They even +forced me to make a working model. The night before the day I intended +to complete it I made my escape, but handcuffed. You came along and +helped me on the way to freedom. After I left the barge on the creek I +got to the home of a friend, disguised myself, and came here and hired +out with Mr. Parks.” + +“But your invention the rascals got away from you?” + +“Let them keep it,” responded the inventor, “so long as they do not +trouble me again. There was a defect in the model they stole from me. +Unless they are smart enough to remedy it, they may find out they +haven’t made so big a haul as they anticipate. Look here, Andy.” + +Mr. Morse beckoned our hero over to the work-bench and showed him a +drawing. + +“The work you see in the big room,” he said, “is the skeleton of this +machine. I am basing great hopes on it. I want to make a record in +aviation, for I believe it will be the most promising field for +inventors for many years to come. If you are going to work with us, you +should know what is going on. This is my new model.” + +As Mr. Morse spoke, he became intent and eloquent. He lost himself in +his enthusiasm as an inventor. Andy was a ready listener, and it was +delightful to him to explore this marvel of machines. + +“What I hope to accomplish,” explained Mr. Morse, “is to construct a +combined steerer and balancer on one lever. I aim to make this lever not +only tilt the flyer to which it is attached on a transverse axis, but +also on a longitudinal axis. It is called a double-action horizontal +rudder, and if I succeed will give instantaneous control of a +flying-machine under all conditions, be it a high wind or the failing of +motive power. I combine with it a self-righting automatic balance. It is +a brand-new idea. I thought those villains I have told you about had +stolen my greatest idea, but this beats it two to one.” + +“Will they try to use the invention they stole from you?” inquired Andy. + +“Of course they will—to their cost—if they are too rash,” declared the +inventor seriously. “That was a rudder idea, too.” + +“Tell me about it, Mr. Morse,” pleaded Andy; “I am greatly interested in +it all.” + +“I am going to tell you, Andy,” responded the inventor, “because I +believe the men who imprisoned me will try to enter the prize contest, +and I want to keep track of them. I don’t dare venture among them +myself, but I may ask you to seek them out and bring me some news.” + +“Yes, sir,” said Andy. + +“The head man of the crowd is an old circus man named Duske. It is a +good name for him, for he is dark in looks and deed. The idea they have +stolen from me is this: In place of the conventional airship rudder, I +planned to equip the aeroplane with movable rear sections of pipe, the +main sections of this pipe to extend the full length of the craft. +Suction wheels at each end of the main tube force the air backwards +through the tube, the force of this air explosion driving the nose of +the craft into the air when the movable section of the tube is raised, +lowering it when it is pointed downwards, and providing for its lateral +progress on the same principle. Do you follow me?” + +“I can almost see the machine right before my eyes, the way you tell +about it!” said Andy, with breathless enthusiasm. + + + + +CHAPTER X—LEARNING TO FLY + + +That was the first of many pleasant and interesting visits that Andy had +with Mr. Morse, the inventor. By the end of the week the automobile boy +had become an airship enthusiast. Andy was charmed. When he was not +pottering about the _Eagle_ or sailing the air with John Parks, he was +with Mr. Morse in a congenial atmosphere of mechanics. + +Although John Parks was now engrossed in using his glider, he had not +given up using his dirigible balloon, and he also gave Andy some lessons +in running this. + +The dirigible was shaped like a fat cigar, and had under it a frame-work +carrying a thirty horse-power motor and two six-foot suction wheels. +When there was no wind, the dirigible could sail quite well, but in a +breeze it was hard to make much progress, and to use it in a high wind +was entirely out of the question. + +[Illustration: HE GAVE ANDY SOME LESSONS IN RUNNING THIS] + +“The monoplanes and biplanes make the old-style balloons and the +dirigibles take a back seat,” said the Airship King. “But, just the +same, if your motor gives out, a dirigible is a nice thing to float down +in.” + +“I like the dirigible,” answered Andy. “But for speed, give me the new +kind of flying machines.” + +Andy was in his element among the lathes, vises, saws, and general tools +of the workshop. Once or twice he made practical suggestions that +pleased Morse greatly. The inventor rarely left the camp, and when he +did it was generally after dark. There was material and aeroplane parts +to purchase. These commissions were entrusted to Andy, and he showed +intelligence in his selections. Once he had to go fifty miles on the +railroad to a factory to have some special devices made. He used such +dispatch, and was so successful in getting just what was wanted by +staying with the order till it was filled, that Mr. Morse warmly +commended him to Parks. + +Andy had drifted completely away from the old life. He was fast +forgetting all about the Talbots and his former troubles at Princeville. +One day, in a burst of satisfaction over a trial flight Andy made alone +in a monoplane, John Parks declared that he would not rest until he had +made Andy the junior air king of America. Then Andy felt that he had +found his mission in life, and pursued his new avocation with more +fervor than ever. + +About all Parks thought or talked of was the coming aero meet. Andy +learned that he was investing over two thousand dollars in maintaining +the camp and in building the machine with which he was to compete for +the prize. His success would mean something more than the winning of the +five thousand dollars. It would add to the laurels already gained as the +Air King in his former balloon experience, and would make him a +prominent figure in the aviation field. + +“Come on, Andy,” he said to his young assistant one afternoon. “We’ll +stroll over to the main grounds and see what new wrinkle these ambitious +fellows are getting up.” + +They spent an interesting hour over in the main enclosure where +prospective exhibitors were located. There was quite a crowd of +visitors. Some of the aviators were explaining the make-up of their +machines, and others were making try-out flights. Parks and Andy were +passing to the outfield where the test ascensions were in progress, when +the former suddenly left the side of his companion. + +Andy was surprised to see him hasten up behind a sinister-looking man, +who was apparently explaining to an old farmer about the machines. Parks +seized the man rudely by the arm and faced him around squarely. The +latter scowled, and then a strange, wilted expression came into his dark +face. + +“Excuse this gentleman, if you will,” said Parks to the farmer. + +“Why, suttinly,” bobbed the ruralite. “Much obleeged to him for being so +perlite in showing me ’round.” + +Parks drew the shrinking man he had halted to the side of a tent. + +“Now, then, Gib Duske,” he said sternly, “what were you up to with that +greenhorn?” + +“He told you, didn’t he?” growled the other; “showing him the sights.” + +“You’re given to doing such things for nothing!” rejoined Parks +sarcastically. “I recall some of your exploits in that line in the rural +districts when you were with the circus.” + +“See here,” broke out the other angrily, “what is it your business?” + +“Just this,” retorted Parks steadily; “we’re trying to run a decent +enterprise here, and such persons as you have got to give an account of +themselves or vacate. What’s your game, anyhow?” + +“I’m up to no game that I know of,” sullenly muttered the man called Gib +Duske. “If you must know, I’ve entered my airship for the race.” + +“You!” exclaimed Parks; “‘Your airship!’ Where did you get an airship?” + +“I suppose I have friends to back me like anybody else when they see a +show for their money. I’m an old balloonist. A syndicate, knowing my +professional skill, has put up the capital to give me a try.” + +“Oh, they have?” observed Parks incredulously. “I’d like to see your +syndicate.” + +“And I’ve got my machine,” declared Duske excitedly, “I’d have you know. +I’ve heard you’re entered. Fair play, then, and I’m going to beat the +field.” + +Parks eyed his companion in speculative silence for a minute or two. +Then he said: + +“You talk about fair play. Good! You’ll get it here, if you’re square. +If you’re not, you had best take my warning right now, and cut out for +good. There will be no balloon slitting like there was at a certain race +you were in two years ago out West. The first freak or false play you +make to queer an honest go, I’ll expose you to the field.” + +“I’ve got no such intentions,” mumbled Duske, with a malicious glance at +his challenger. + +“See you don’t, that’s all,” retorted Parks, and walked off. “You +noticed that man?” he added, as he rejoined Andy, who had listened with +interest to the conversation. + +“Yes, particularly,” answered Andy, really able to tell his employer +more than he dared. + +“Whenever you run across him,” went on the Air King, “keep your eyes +wide open. I’d like to know just how much truth there is in his talk +about entering for the race.” + +“Is he a bad man, Mr. Parks?” inquired Andy. + +“He was once a confidence man,” explained the aeronaut. “When I knew him +he was giving balloon ascensions at a circus. He had a hired crowd +picking pockets while people were staring up into the air watching his +trapeze acts. Once at a race he slyly slit the balloon of an antagonist, +who was nearly killed by the fall.” + +“I’ll find out just what he is doing,” exclaimed Andy. + +“You can manage, for he knows me,” observed Parks. + +Andy said no more. He was pretty sure from the name and description that +the fellow whom his employer had just called down was the enemy that Mr. +Morse had told him about. He wished he could tell Mr. Parks all that he +knew and surmised, but he could not break his promise to the inventor. + +“Hello, there, Ridley!” hailed Parks, as they came to where a lithe, +undersized man was volubly boasting to an open-mouthed crowd about the +superior merits of his machine. “Bragging again?” + +“Go on, John Parks,” called the little man good-naturedly. “I’m not in +your class, so what are you jumping on me for?” + +“Oh, just to stir you up and keep you encouraged. I hear you’ve got a +machine that will land just as steadily and balance on top of a +telegraph-pole as on a prairie.” + +“That’s pretty near the truth, John Parks,” declared Ridley. “I can’t +make a mile in thirty seconds, but I can get to the ground on a straight +dive ahead of your clumsy old _Eagle_, or any other racer on the field.” + +“Why, Ridley,” retorted Parks, in a vaunting way, “I’ve got a boy here +who can give you a handicap and double discount you.” + +“Is that him?” inquired Ridley, with a stare at Andy. + +“That’s him out of harness,” laughed Parks. “Like to see him do +something?” + +“Just to show you’re all bluster, I would,” answered Ridley. + +“Machine in order?” + +“True as a trivet.” + +“Andy, give them a sample of a real bird diving, will you?” + +“All right,” said Andy. + +He had not been tutored by his skillful employer vainly. Andy was in +excellent practice. He got into the clear, started up the Ridley +machine, and took a shoot on a straight slant up into the air about one +hundred and fifty feet. + +A cry of surprise went up from the watching group as Andy suddenly let +the biplane slide on a sharp angle towards the ground, shutting off the +power at the same time. + +Again reaching a fair height, he tipped the biplane on an angle of five +degrees and came down so fast that the spectators thought something was +wrong. When the machine was within a yard of the ground, Andy brought it +to the horizontal with ease and made a pretty landing. + +“Well, Ridley,” rallied John Parks, as the stupefied owner of the +machine stared in open-mouthed wonder, “what do you say to that?” + +“What do I say,” repeated Ridley. “I say, look out for your laurels, +John Parks. That boy is a wonder!” + + + + +CHAPTER XI—SPYING ON THE ENEMY + + +“There is that man again, Mr. Parks.” + +“Duske? Yes.” + +“Shall I follow him?” + +“I’d like to know just what he is about.” + +“I would like to try and find out,” declared Andy, with more eagerness +than his employer suspected. + +“All right, Andy; look him up a bit. Watch out for trouble, though, for +he is a dangerous man.” + +It was late in the afternoon of the day succeeding Andy’s sensational +performance, and Parks and his young assistant were again on the +aviation field. + +Andy had made out the man whom Parks had called Duske carrying two cans +of gasoline past a tent. He did not seem to have observed Parks, and +Andy did not believe that he knew him. Andy left the side of his +employer, and, circulating around kept Duske in sight from a distance. + +The boy had not said anything to Mr. Morse about Duske. He felt certain +that Duske was one of the enemies the inventor had described. Just at +present, however, Andy considered it would be unwise to disturb Morse. +The latter had almost completed the new airship. His mind was absorbed +in his task, and he was working day and night. + +Duske passed the last tent on the field, and then struck off beyond some +old railroad sheds to the side of an abandoned switchyard. Scattered +here and there over this space were several tents. They were occupied by +aero contestants who had not been able to get a favorable location on +the big field, or by those who had sought this seclusion because they +wished to be isolated with some fancied new invention, the details of +which they did not wish their contestants to learn. + +Finally Duske seemed to arrive at his destination. It was where stout +canvas had been stretched about fifty feet out from the blank side of an +old frame shed. These strips of canvas and the shed cut out completely a +view of what was beyond. The front of this enclosure was guarded by a +roof set up on posts, this leading into the entrance tent of the main +enclosure. + +A man about as sinister looking as Duske himself was cooking something +on a stove, and two others were lounging on a bench near by. Duske +carried the gasoline cans out of sight. Andy got around to the side of +the enclosure, way back near its shed end. + +It was getting well on toward nightfall, and he felt that he was secure +in making some bold, prompt investigations. There was no doubt that the +large tent enclosed the airship which Duske and his crowd intended to +enter for the race. Andy attempted to lift the canvas at one or two +points, but found it securely pegged to the ground. + +“Humph!” he soliloquized, “everything nailed down tight. Must make their +trial flights at midnight. They must think they have got a treasure in +there. I’ve got to see it.” + +Finally Andy came to a laced section of the canvas, which he was able to +press apart a foot or more by tight tugging. He squeezed through, and +stood inside the enclosure. + +There was light enough to show outlines, and with a good deal of +curiosity Andy walked around and inspected an aeroplane propped up on a +platform in the center of the enclosure. He came to a halt at one end of +the machine. Two long hollow tubes extended beyond the folding planes. + +“Why,” breathed Andy, “it’s the idea they stole from Mr. Morse. Here’s +the suction apparatus, and all!” + +“Hi, there! who are you?” + +The challenge came so sharp and sudden that Andy was taken completely +off his guard. Two men had come from the front tent, their footsteps +being noiseless on the soft earth floor. One of them was the man Duske. + +“Just looking around,” replied Andy, edging away and pulling his cap +down over his eyes. + +“How did you get in here?” + +“Slit in the canvas.” + +“Don’t let him go—grab him,” ordered Duske’s companion quickly, and Andy +began to back towards the canvas. + +Duske reached out and made a grab at Andy. The latter dodged, but +Duske’s hand landed on his cap. His glance falling to the inside peak, +he could not help reading there the words: “_Eagle_—Andy Nelson.” + +Nearly everything worn by Parks and Andy, as all the parts of the +_Eagle_, were marked, so that in case of an accident identification +would be easy. + +“_‘Eagle’!_” cried Duske, bristling up. “Do you belong to the _Eagle_ +crowd?” + +“He’s a spy—head him off!” shouted the other man. + +“_‘Eagle’_—‘Andy Nelson’,” continued Duske. “That’s your name, is it? +Now then, what are you snooping around here for?” + +“What’s that, what’s that?” challenged the other man quickly. “‘Andy +Nelson?’ Say, Duske, that sounds familiar. I just read that name +somewhere—I have it—in a newspaper——” + +“Thunder! he’s slipped us,” exclaimed Duske. + +Both men had started for Andy. The latter let them come on, ducked down, +dove straight between them, ran to the slitted canvas, squeezed through, +and sprinted away from the spot on feet of fleetness. + +“I don’t know how much I have mixed up affairs,” he reflected, as he +made for the home camp. “Those fellows know my name and that I am with +Mr. Parks. What bothers me most, is what the man said about seeing my +name in a newspaper. Some one here—in an automobile.” + +As Andy reached home he observed an automobile in front of the living +quarters. A man came out as Andy stood wondering who the visitor could +be. Andy noticed that he carried a small black case. + +“A doctor,” he decided hastily. “Can any one be sick? What has +happened?” he asked, as Scipio came out. + +“Hahd luck, chile, hahd luck!” replied the cook very seriously. “Yo +bettah see Mistah Parks right away.” + +Andy hurried to the sitting room. Lying covered up on a couch, his right +arm in splints, and looking pale and distressed, was the aeronaut. + +“Oh, Mr. Parks! what is the matter?” asked Andy in alarm. + +“Everything off, lad,” replied his employer, with a wince and a groan. +“I’ve had a bad fall, arm broken in two places, and we can’t make the +airship race.” + + + + +CHAPTER XII—TRACED DOWN + + +“Be careful, Mr. Parks!” + +“Foh goodness sake, sah! Yo want to break dat arm ober again?” + +Mr. Morse, the inventor, and Scipio, the cook, made a frantic rush for +the aeronaut. They were grouped together in the center of the space +occupied by their camp. The eyes of each had been fixed on an object +floating about in the air over-head. All had been pleased and excited, +but particularly Parks. Now as the object aloft made a skim that seemed +to beat a mile a minute dash, John Parks lost all control of himself. + +He forgot the fractured arm he had carried in a sling for three days, +and actually tried to wave it, as he burst forth: + +“Morse, you’re a genius, and that boy, Andy Nelson, is the birdman of +the century!” + +Andy deserved the praise fully that was being bestowed upon him. That +morning Mr. Morse had completed the _Racing Star_, his new airship. At +the present moment it was making its initial flight. + +The relieved, contented face of Morse showed his satisfaction over the +fact that his work was done and done well. Scipio stared goggle-eyed. As +to John Parks, expert sky sailor that he was, his practiced eye in one +moment had discerned the fact that the _Racing Star_ was the latest and +best thing out in aviation, and he went fairly wild over the masterly +way in which Andy handled the machine. + +Andy aloft, had eye, nerve and breath strained to test the splendid +device to its complete capacity. He was himself amazed at the beauty the +utility of the dainty creation just turned out from the workshop. What +the Airship King had taught him Andy had not forgotten. After five +minutes spent in exploiting every angle of skill he possessed, Andy +brought the superb aeroplane down to the ground, graceful as a swan. +John Parks ran up to him, chuckling with delight. + +“You wonder! you daisy!” he roared, shaking Andy’s hand with his well +arm. + +Andy was flushed with triumph and excitement. + +“If there’s any wonder to talk about,” he said, “it’s that glorious +piece of work, the _Racing Star_, and the splendid man who made it.” + +Morse smiled, a rare thing for him. Then he said modestly: + +“It will do the work, handled as you manage it, Andy.” + +“I feel like a caged lion, or an eagle with its wings clipped!” stormed +Parks, with a glance at his bandaged arm. “Why did I go trying to show a +bungling amateur how to run an old wreck of a monoplane, and get my arm +broken for my pains, and lose that five-thousand-dollar prize!” + +“There is time to enter a substitute, Mr. Parks,” suggested the +inventor. + +“Who?” demanded the aeronaut scornfully. “Some amateur who will sell me +out or bungle the race, and maybe smash up my last thousand dollars?” + +“Mr. Parks,” said Andy, in a quick breath, and colored up and paused +suddenly. “I’d be glad to try it. Say the word, and I’ll train day and +night for the race.” + +“Andy, win it, and half of that five thousand dollars is yours.” + +From excitement and incoherency, the little group got down to a serious +discussion of the situation during the next half hour. + +“It’s just one week from the race,” said Andy. “What can’t I do in +learning to run the _Racing Star_ in that time?” + +“Andy, you must make it,” declared Parks energetically. “It just seems +as if my heart would break if we lost this record.” + +Mr. Morse got out a chart he had drawn of the run to be made on the +twenty-first of the month. + +“The course is very nearly a straight one,” explained Parks; “from the +grounds here to Springfield, where the State fair is going on. Pace will +be set by a Central Northern train, carrying assistants and repairs. The +fleet will be directed by a large American flag floating from the rear +of the train. It’s almost a beeline, Andy, and the _Racing Star_ is +built for speed.” + +They made another ascent the next morning. Air and breeze conditions +were most favorable for the try-out. Seated amidships, wearing a leather +jacket, cap and gloves, Andy had the motor keyed up to its highest +speed. The quick sequence of its exhaust swelled like a rapid-fire gun. + +The machine rolled forward, the propellers beat the air, and the _Racing +Star_ rose on a smooth parabola. Andy attempted some volplane skits that +were fairly hair-raising. He raced with real birds. He practiced with +the wind checks. For half an hour he kept up a series of practice stunts +of the most difficult character. + +“Oh, but you’re a crack scholar, Andy Nelson,” declared the delighted +Parks, as the _Racing Star_ came to moorings again, light as a feather. + +“I think myself I am getting on to most of the curves,” said Andy. “The +only question is can I keep it up on a long stretch?” + +“Practice makes perfect, you know,” suggested Mr. Morse. + +Andy felt that he had about reached the acme of his mechanical ambition. +When he went to bed that night the thought of the coming race kept him +awake till midnight. When he finally went to sleep, it was to dream of +aerial flights that resolved themselves into a series of the most +exciting nightmares. + +No developments came from Andy’s experience with the Duske crowd. Once +in a while he worried some over the reference of Duske’s companions to +seeing his name in the newspapers. + +“Either it was about my trouble at Princeville, or some of these +reporters writing up the race got my name incidentally,” decided Andy. + +“Anyhow, I can’t afford to trouble about it.” + +Andy rarely ventured away from the camp after dark. In fact, ever since +entering the employment of Mr. Parks he had not mixed much with +outsiders. He had his Princeville friends and the Duske crowd constantly +in mind. But one hot evening he went forth for some ice cream for the +crowd. + +The distance to a town restaurant was not great. Andy hurried across the +freight tracks. Just as he passed a switchman’s shanty, he fancied he +heard some one utter a slight cry of surprise. Two persons dodged back +out of the light of a switch lantern. Andy, however, paid little +attention to the episode. He reached the restaurant, got the ice cream +in a pasteboard box, and started back for the camp without any mishap or +adventure. + +Just as Andy crossed a patch of ground covered with high rank weeds, he +became aware that somebody was following him. A swift backward glance +revealed two slouching figures. They pressed forward as Andy momentarily +halted. + +“Now then!” spoke one of them suddenly. + +Andy dodged as something was thrown towards him, but not in time to +avoid a looped rope. It was handled deftly, for before he knew it his +hands were bound tightly to his side. + +One of the twain ran at him and tripped him up. The other twined the +loose line about Andy’s ankles. + +“Got him!” sounded a triumphant voice. + +“Good business,” chirped his companion, and then Andy thrilled in some +dismay, as he recognized his captors as Gus Talbot and Dale Billings. + +“Hello, Andy Nelson,” said Gus Talbot. + +Gus’s voice was sneering and offensive as he hailed the captive. His +companion looked satisfied and triumphant as he stood over Andy, as if +he expected their victim to applaud him for doing something particularly +smart. + +“See here, Gus,” observed Dale, “I’d better get, hey?” + +“Right off, too,” responded Gus. “If there’s the ready cash in it, all +right. If there isn’t we’ll get him on the way to Princeville ourselves +some way.” + +“Can you manage him alone?” + +“I’ll try to,” observed Gus vauntingly, “I’ll just have a pleasant +little chat with him for the sake of old times, while I sample this ice +cream of his—um-um—it ought to be prime.” + +Dale sped away on some mysterious errand. Gus picked up the box of ice +cream that Andy had dropped and opened it. He tore off one of its +pasteboard flaps, fashioned it into an impromptu spoon, and proceeded to +fill his mouth with the cream. + +“Don’t you get up,” he warned Andy. “If you do, I’ll knock you down +again.” + +“Big Injun, aren’t you!” flared out Andy, provoked and +indignant—“especially where you’ve got a fellow whipsawed?” + +“Betcher life,” sneered Gus maliciously. “Things worked to a charm. Got +a hint from some airship fellows that you was somewhere around these +diggings. Watched out for you and caught you just right, hey?” + +The speaker sat down among the weeds in front of Andy. The latter +noticed that his face was grimed and his hands stained with dirt. His +clothes were wrinkled and disordered as if he had been sleeping in them. +From what he observed, Andy decided that the son of the Princeville +garage owner and his companion were on a tramp. They looked like +runaways, and did not appear to be at all prosperous. + +“Say,” blurted out Gus, digging down into the ice cream, as if he was +hungry, “you might better have turned up that two hundred dollars for +dad.” + +“Why had I?” demanded Andy. + +“It would have saved you a good deal of trouble. It’s a stroke of luck, +running across you just as we’d spent our last dime. How will you like +to go back to Princeville and face the music?” + +“What music?” + +“Oh, yes, you don’t know! Haven’t read the papers, I suppose? Didn’t +know you was wanted?” + +“Who wants me?” + +“Nor that a reward was out for you?” + +“Why?” + +“Say, are you so innocent as all that, or just plain slick?” drawled +Gus, with a crafty grin. + +“I don’t know what you are talking about.” + +“Farmer Jones’ barn.” + +“Oh——” Andy gave a start. He began to understand now. “What about Farmer +Jones’ barn?” + +“You know, I guess. It was set on fire and burned down. They have been +looking everywhere for the firebug, and offer a fifty-dollar reward.” + +“Is that the reason why you and Dale have left Princeville?” demanded +Andy coolly. + +“Eh, well, I guess not,” cried Gus. “Huh! Everybody knows how you did it +out of spite against Jones because he hindered you running away from +dad. Why, they found your cap right near the barn ruins.” + +“Is that so?” said Andy quietly. “How did it get there?” + +“How did it get there? You dropped it there, of course.” + +“Purposely to get blamed for it, I suppose?” commented Andy. “That’s +pretty thin, Gus Talbot, seeing that you know and your father knows that +my cap was taken away from me when he locked me up at the garage, and I +had no chance to get it later. You left the cap near the burned barn, +Gus Talbot, and you know it.” + +“Me? Rot!” ejaculated Gus, but he stopped eating the ice cream and acted +restless. + +“In fact,” continued Andy definitely, “I can prove that both you and +Dale were sneaking about the Jones’ place a short time before the fire +broke out.” + +“Bosh!” mumbled Gus. + +“Further than that, I can tell you word for word what passed between you +two. Listen.” + +Andy remembered clearly every incident of his flight from the haystack +in Farmer Jones’ field. He recited graphically the appearance of Gus and +Dale, and the remark he had overheard. Gus sat staring at him in an +uneasy way. He acted bored, and seemed at a loss to answer. + +It was more than half an hour before Dale returned. He acted glum and +mad. + +“Is it all right?” inquired Gus eagerly. + +“Right nothing!” + +“Get the money?” + +“No.” + +“What’s the trouble?” + +“I saw a constable and told him I could give him a chance to make a +fifty-dollar reward, us to get ten. He heard me through and said it +wouldn’t do.” + +“Why wouldn’t it?” demanded Gus. + +“Because this is in another county, and he’d have to get the warrant. +Said it was too much trouble to bother with it.” + +“Humph! what will we do now?” muttered Gus in a disgusted way. + +“That’s easy. Get Andy over the county line, and find someone else to +take the job off our hands,” replied Dale Billings. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII—JIU-JITSU + + +“Come on,” ordered Gus to Andy, unfastening the end of the rope and +giving it a jerk. + +“Hey, not that way,” dissented Dale. + +“Why not?” + +“Think you can parade him through the town without attracting attention? +We’ve got to be careful to cut out from here without a soul seeing us +till we strike a country road. You march,” commanded Gus anew to his +captive, heading in another direction. “And you just so much as peep if +we meet anybody, and you get a whack of this big stick.” + +Andy submitted to circumstances. He figured out that it would be some +time before his captors could perfect their arrangements for interesting +some officer of the law in their scheme. He readily guessed that for +some reason or other they did not wish or dare to return personally to +Princeville. Andy calculated that it was nearly ten miles to the county +line. He believed he would have half a dozen chances to break away from +his captors before they reached it. + +“Huh, what you going to do now?” inquired Gus in a grumbling tone, as +they came directly up against a high board fence. + +“You wait here a minute,” directed Dale. + +The speaker ran down the fence in one direction to face at its end a +busy field occupied by aviation tents. He tried the opposite direction +to find matters still worse, for there the fence ended against a lighted +street of the town. + +“What’s beyond the fence?” inquired Gus. + +“Not much of anything—a sort of a prairie,” reported Dale, peering +through a crack in the fence. + +“We can’t scale it.” + +“Not with Andy in tow. Here we are, though.” + +Dale had discovered a loose board. He began tugging at its lower end, +and succeeded in pulling it far enough out to admit of their crowding +through the opening. He went first, grabbing and holding Andy till Gus +made the passage. + +“Keep away from those lights over yonder,” ordered Dale, indicating a +point on the broad expanse where some aeroplane tents showed. “This way, +I tell you,” he added in a hoarse, hurried whisper. “There’s a man.” + +Andy pushed forward, came to a dead halt, bracing himself as his captors +tried to pull him out of range of a man seated on a hummock, apparently +watching some night manœuvres of airships over where the lights showed. + +“Mister, oh, mister!” shouted Andy. + +He received a blow on the mouth from the fist of Gus, but that did not +prevent him from renewing the outcry. The man sprang quickly to his feet +and came towards them. + +He was small, thin, dark-faced, and so undersized and effeminate-looking +that Andy at once decided that he would not count for much in a tussle +with two stout, active boys. Dale thought so, too, evidently, for he +squared up in front of Andy, trying to hide him from the view of the +stranger, while Gus attempted to pull his captive back towards the +fence. Andy, however, gave a jerk that drew Gus almost off his feet, and +a bunt to Dale that sent him forcibly to one side. + +“What is this?” spoke the stranger in a soft, mellow, almost womanly +tone of voice. “Did some one then call?” + +“It was I,” proclaimed Andy. “These fellows have tied me up and are +trying to kidnap me.” + +“It is wrong, I will so investigate,” said the little man, coming +straight up to the group and scanning each keenly in turn. + +“See here,” spoke Dale, springing in front of the man, “this is none of +your business.” + +“Oh, yes, it is,” returned the stranger in the same gentle, purring way. +“I am interested. Speak on, young man.” + +“Get him away!” directed Dale in a sharp whisper to Gus. + +Then, quick as lightning, he made a pass at the stranger. He was double +the weight of the latter and half a head taller. Andy expected to see +his champion flatten out like the weakling he looked. + +“Ah,” said the latter, “it is so you answer questions. My way, then.” + +What he did he did so quickly that Andy could not follow all of his +movements. The hands of the little man moved about like those of an +expert weaver at the loom. The result was a marvel. In some way he +caught Dale around the neck. The next moment he swung him from the +ground past his shoulder and his adversary landed with a thump. + +Gus dropped the rope and ran at the stranger, club uplifted. Again the +wiry strength of the little man was exerted. He seemed to stoop, and his +arms enclosed Gus about the hips. There was a tug and tussle. Gus was +wrenched from his footing, and went skidding to the ground, face down, +for nearly two yards. + +“Thunder!” he shouted, wiping the sand from his mouth. + +[Illustration: THE WIRY STRENGTH OF THE LITTLE MAN WAS EXERTED] + +“Go,” said the stranger, advancing upon the prostrate twain, who +scrambled promptly to their feet. + +Both dove for the loose plank in the fence and disappeared through it. +The stranger drew out a pocket-knife and relieved Andy of his bonds. + +“I look at you and then at those two,” he said simply, “and your face +tells me the true story. Where would you go?” + +Andy pointed in the direction of the Parks’ Aerodome, and the man walked +by his side in its direction. + +“I don’t care to have those fellows find out where I am working,” +explained Andy. “Mister,” he added admiringly, “how did you do it?” + +“It was simple jiu-jitsu.” + +“Eh? Oh, yes, I’ve heard of that,” said Andy, but vaguely. “It’s a new +Japanese wrestling trick, isn’t it?” + +“I am from Japan,” observed his companion with a courteous dignity of +manner that impressed Andy. + +“I see,” nodded Andy, “and you come from a wonderful people.” + +“We strive to learn,” replied his companion. “That is why I am here. I +was sent to this country to study aeronautics. Besides that, the science +has a peculiar attraction for me. My father was chief kite maker to the +family of the Mikado.” + +“Is it possible?” said Andy. + +“I therefore have an absorbing interest in your airmen and their daring +work. You must know that we make wonderful kites in my home country.” + +“I have heard something of it,” said Andy. + +“Two hundred years ago many of the principles now used in your airships +were used in our kite flying, only we never tried to fly ourselves.” + +“We have a gentleman up at our camp who would be just delighted to talk +with you,” declared Andy enthusiastically. “He is an inventor, a Mr. +Morse.” + +“I should like to meet him,” said the Japanese. + +“Then come right along with me,” invited Andy cordially; “only, say, +please, don’t mention the fix you found me in.” + +“It shall be so,” declared his companion. + +Andy made sure that his recent captors were not following them as they +made a cut across a field and reached the Parks’ camp. He led his guest +into the sitting room of the living building, to find his employer and +Mr. Morse there. Andy introduced his companion. It did not take long for +the inventor to discover a kindred spirit in the Japanese, who gave his +name as Tsilsuma. + +That night after he had got into bed Andy wondered if he had not better +tell Mr. Morse or his employer his entire story, and the former about +the near proximity of his old-time enemy, Duske. Then, too, he worried +some over the appearance of Gus and Dale and his daily risk of being +arrested. With daylight, however, Andy forgot all these minor troubles. + +There was to be a race for a small prize that afternoon on the aviation +field, and Parks had arranged for the _Racing Star_ to participate. The +aeronaut was busy half the morning seeing to the machine, while Mr. +Morse flitted about adjusting a device suggested by the intelligent +Tsilsuma for folding the floats under the aeroplane. The Japanese, too, +had suggested sled runners in front and wheels at the rear for starting +gear. + +The _Racing Star_ had not appeared in the general field before, and this +was a kind of qualification flight. Just after two o’clock Parks made +his final inspection of the bearings of the motors and the word to go +was given. Andy sailed over the railroad tracks and landed in the field +half a mile distant, with a dexterity that made his rivals there take a +good deal of notice of him and the _Racing Star_. + +When the word came Andy started the motor, and a friend of the aeronaut +tugged at the propellers. With a blast that resembled a cyclone the +airship started. + +The helpers worked at the rudders, and after a run of only seventy-five +feet the _Racing Star_ shot up into the air. + +Andy tried a preliminary stunt that he had practiced for two days past. +It was to fly around the field in a figure eight at a height of +ninety-five feet. Then, just to test the excellency of the machine, he +plunged for the ground. + +“The boy will kill himself!” shouted the man in charge of the race, but +just at the critical moment Andy shifted his steering planes and flew +across the ground, barely skimming the grass. + +Once in this fashion he went around the course, then another upward +lunge and he circled back to the starting point and came gently to +earth. The crowds sent up an enthusiastic roar. + +Four other machines made their exhibition in turn. Two went through a +clumsy process, one became disabled, and the other retired with the +derisive criticism of “Grasshopper!” as its pilot failed to lift it more +than ten feet from the ground at any time. + +“Mind the wind checks, Andy, lad,” warned John Parks anxiously, as the +three aeroplanes were ranged for the prize test of a mile run around the +course. + +“I’ll be the pathfinder or nothing!” declared Andy, his eyes bright and +observant, his nerves tingling with the excitement of the moment. + +“Go!” + +The three powerful mechanical birds arose in the air, dainty creations +of grace and beauty, Andy in the lead. Then his nearest competitor +passed him. Then No. 3 shot ahead of the other two, and then the turn. + +“Huzza!” breathed Parks. + +At his side, safe from recognition in his great disfiguring goggles, Mr. +Morse moved restlessly from foot to foot. The _Racing Star_ had +accomplished what he had worked so hard to bring about—a true circle in +a rapid turn. + +The two other machines bungled. One nearly upset. Down the course came +Andy, headed like an arrow for the starting point. A slanting dive, and +the _Racing Star_ skimmed the ground fully five hundred feet in advance +of the nearest opponent. + +Watch in hand, John Parks ran up to Andy, his face aglow with +professional pride and delight. + +“Won the race—but better than that you have beat the home record by +eight seconds!” + +“Winner, the _Racing Star_,” sang out the starter. + +And then he added: + +“Time: forty-eight seconds and seven-eighths.” + +“Hurrah!” shouted John Parks, throwing his hat in the air. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV—THE OLD LEATHER POCKETBOOK + + +“No sky-sailing to-day, Andy,” said John Parks, the aeronaut. + +“I guess you are right,” answered Andy. + +“A rest won’t do you any harm. There are three days before the last +event, and plenty of time to try Morse’s new wrinkles.” + +“I think I’ll go and see what the latest one is,” said Andy. + +It was a rainy day with a strong breeze, and waste of time, Andy well +knew, to attempt any flights under the conditions. He went to the +workshop to find Mr. Morse and the Japanese deep in discussion over some +angle of a new reversible plane, they called it. Tsilsuma had become +almost a fixture at the Parks’ camp. He was unobtrusive generally, but +his instincts and mission to delve and absorb were accommodated and +encouraged by the inventor, and a strong friendship had sprung up +between the two. + +Andy wandered about promiscuously, time hanging heavily on his hands. +Finally he settled down in the comfortable sitting room looking over +some books on scientific subjects, and picking out here and there a +simple fact among a group of very abstruse ones. + +“If ever I get any money ahead,” he observed, “I’ll put some of it into +education, and I’ll study up aeronautics first thing. It seems as if +it’s natural for me to see right through a machine first time I see it, +but I don’t understand the real principles, for all that. No, sir, it’s +brains like Mr. Morse has got that counts. If sky-sailing is going to +last, and I follow it up, I’m going to dig deep right down into it, +college fashion, and really understand my business. Hello!” + +Andy had laid aside the scientific book and had taken up a newspaper. +Glancing over its columns, his eye became fixed upon an advertisement +occupying a prominent position just under some local reading matter. +This is what it read. + + Notice—Important! + +Lost—Somewhere on a train between Macon and Greenville, an old leather +pocketbook, marked Robert Webb, Springfield, and containing $200. The +finder may keep the money, and upon return of the pocketbook will be +handsomely rewarded. + + West, Thorburn & Castle, _Attorneys_, + Butler Block, Greenville. + +“Well,” aspirated Andy energetically, “here’s something new!” + +The incident stirred up his thought so much that he found himself +walking the floor restlessly. Andy had a vivid imagination, and he built +up all kinds of fancies about the singular advertisement. + +“Wonder what lies under all this?” ruminated Andy. “They don’t want the +two hundred dollars, and they offer more money to get back that old +pocketbook! They will never get the whole of it, though, that’s certain. +Gus Talbot tore off the flap of it. The rest of it—lying in my old +clothes in that shed on the Collins farm, where I helped drive those +geese. There was nothing left in the pocketbook, I am sure of that. What +can they want it for, then? Evidently Mr. Webb didn’t get my postal +card.” + +Andy could not figure this out. He found it impossible, however, to +dismiss the subject from his mind. + +“People don’t go to all the bother that advertising shows,” he reasoned, +“unless it’s mighty important. Can I get the pocketbook, though, after +all. I threw it carelessly up on a sort of a shelf in that old shed, and +it may have been removed and destroyed with other rubbish. I’ve got the +day before me, with nothing to do. I wouldn’t be at all sorry if the two +hundred dollars came my way in a fair, square manner. I’ll run down to +Greenville. It won’t take four hours, there and back. I’ll see what +there is to this affair—yes, I’ll do it.” + +Andy sought out Mr. Parks and told him he was going to take a run down +to Greenville on business, and would be back by evening at the latest. +He caught a train about ten o’clock, and noon found him at the door of +the law offices of West, Thorburn & Castle, Butler Block. Our hero +entered one of three offices, where he saw a gentleman seated at a desk. + +“I would like to see some member of the firm,” he said. + +“I am Mr. West,” answered the lawyer. + +“It is about an advertisement you put in the paper about a lost +pocketbook,” explained Andy. + +“Oh, indeed,” said Mr. West, looking interested at once, and arising and +closing the door. “Do you know something about it?” + +“I know all about it,” declared Andy. “In fact, I found it only a few +minutes after it was lost.” + +“On the train?” + +“No, sir. Mr. Webb did not lose it on the train.” + +“He thinks he did.” + +“He is mistaken,” said Andy. “He lost it in an automobile that took him +on a rush run from Princeville across country to Macon. I was his +chauffeur, and found it.” + +“Where is the pocketbook?” inquired the lawyer eagerly. “Have you +brought it with you?” + +“No, sir; but I think I can get it.” + +“We will make it richly worth your while,” said Mr. West. + +“There is something I had better explain about it,” said Andy. + +“Spent the two hundred dollars?” insinuated the lawyer, with an +indulgent smile. + +“Oh, no—the two hundred dollars is waiting for Mr. Webb to claim it with +Mr. Dawson, the banker at Princeville. Let me tell you my story, Mr. +West, and then you will understand better.” + +Andy told his story. He had a surprised, but intent listener. When he +had concluded, the lawyer shook his hand warmly. + +“Young man, you are a good, honest young fellow, and you will not regret +acting square in this affair. Mr. Webb did not get your postal card, +because he is no longer located at Springfield. How far from here is the +farm you spoke of where you left the pocketbook?” + +“About eighteen miles, I should think.” + +“Can you get there by rail?” + +“Within two miles of it.” + +“And soon?” + +“Why, yes, sir,” replied Andy, glancing at his watch. “There is a train +west in a quarter of an hour.” + +“At any expense,” said Mr. West earnestly, “get there and return with +the pocketbook. As to your reward——” + +“Don’t speak of it,” said Andy. “Mr. Webb treated me handsomely when I +brought him over to Macon. I can’t imagine, though, why he puts so much +store by the pocketbook.” + +“If you find it, he will tell you why,” responded Mr. West. “You will be +doing the best piece of work you ever did in finding that pocketbook. I +shall telegraph my client to come here at once. He will be here by four +o’clock.” + +“And I will be here not more than an hour later,” said Andy. + +He left the office on a brisk walk, planning his proposed route to the +old farm. As he reached the street, he again glanced at his watch and +found he had just ten minutes to reach the depot. Andy made a running +spurt down the pavement. + +He dodged an automobile speeding around a corner, heard its driver shout +something he did not catch. Then he heard the machine turn and start +furiously down the street in the direction he was going. + +Andy saw some people stare at him, halt, and then look towards the +speeding machine. Wondering what was up, he glanced back to notice the +driver of the machine waving one hand frantically towards him as if bent +on overtaking him. + +At the same moment the man in the machine bawled out: + +“Hey, stop that boy!” + + + + +CHAPTER XV—BEHIND THE BARS + + +Andy stopped running at the loud alarm from the automobile. Several +persons started to block his course and one man caught him by the coat +sleeve. Andy recognized his pursuer at once. It was Seth Talbot. + +The Princeville garage owner ran his car up to the curb and jumped out. +His face was red with exertion and excitement, and he grasped Andy +roughly by the arm. + +“What’s the trouble?” queried the man who had detained Andy. + +“Escaped criminal—firebug,” mumbled Talbot. “In with you,” and he forced +Andy into the machine. “Hey, officer, take charge of this prisoner.” + +Talbot hailed a man in uniform pressing his way through the gathering +crowd. + +“What is he charged with?” inquired the officer. + +“Burning a barn at Princeville. Get him to the station and I’ll explain +to your chief.” + +There was no chance for Andy to expostulate or struggle. The officer +held him tightly by one wrist, while Talbot whisked them away till they +reached a police station. + +Here the garage owner drew the officer in charge to one side. They held +a brief consultation. Andy caught a word here and there. It was +sufficient to apprise him of the fact that there was a reward offered +for his arrest, and Talbot was agreeing to divide it with the officer if +he would take charge of Andy till he was delivered over to the +authorities at Princeville. + +“You are in charge of the law now, young man,” said the officer, leading +Andy back to the automobile. “I won’t shackle you, but don’t try any +tricks.” + +He and Andy occupied the rear seat in the automobile, while Talbot drove +the machine. + +“May I say something to you?” inquired Andy of the officer. + +“About what?” asked the officer. + +“My being arrested this way. I don’t see what right Mr. Talbot has to +chase me and give orders about me like some condemned felon. I haven’t +seen any warrant for my arrest.” + +“You’ll see it soon enough. Meanwhile don’t say anything to incriminate +yourself,” returned the officer, glibly using the pet phrase of his +calling. + +“I’ve done nothing to be incriminated,” declared Andy indignantly. “What +I wanted to ask was the simple favor of getting word to some people here +in Greenville, who have sent me on an errand, and will be put out and +disappointed if I don’t show up.” + +“What people?” quizzed Talbot, overhearing Andy and half turning around +in his seat. + +“A firm of lawyers here——” began Andy. + +“Yah!” derided the garage owner. “Guessed it was something of that sort. +Want to tangle up this affair with some legal quibble! Officer, you just +hold on to him tight. He’s a slippery fellow.” + +Andy saw that it would be useless to appeal to either of his companions +in the automobile, and put in his time doing some pretty serious +thinking as the machine sped over the landscape. + +“This is a bad fix at a bad time,” reflected Andy. “The lawyer will +expect me back as I promised, and think all kinds of things about me +because I don’t come. And there’s Mr. Parks. And the race. I mustn’t +miss that! But then, I am arrested. They’ll lock me up. Suppose they +really prove I fired that barn?” Andy’s heart beat painfully with dread +and suspense. + +The town hall at Princeville was reached. Andy had been in the main +offices of the structure many times, but this was his first visit to the +lower floor of the building where the prisoners were kept. He only +casually knew the deputy sheriff in charge of the barred cage, and who +looked Andy over as he would any criminal brought to him to lock up. + +“This is Andy Nelson—Jones’ barn—ran away—reward.” Andy was somewhat +chilled as the deputy nodded and proceeded to enter his name in a big +book before him on the desk. + +“Search him,” said the official to the turnkey. + +“Hello!” ejaculated Talbot, as Andy’s watch was brought into view, and +“hello!” he repeated with eyes goggling still more, as Andy’s pocketbook +came to light, and outside of some small bills and silver, a +neatly-folded bill was produced. + +The officer himself looked surprised at this. Andy, however, did not +tell them that this represented the prize he had won at the aviation +meet, treasured proudly in its entirety. + +“Wonder if that’s some of the money I’ve found short in my business?” +insinuated Talbot. + +“If there is any shortage in your receipts,” retorted Andy indignantly, +“you had better ask your son about it.” + +The shot told. The garage owner flushed up. + +“What’s that?” he covered his evident confusion by asking, as the +officer unfolded a slip of printed paper. + +It was the advertisement about the lost leather pocketbook, that Andy +had preserved. Glancing over the shoulder of the officer and taking in +its purport, Talbot gave a start. Then he eyed Andy in an eager, +speculative way, but was silent. + +“What are you going to do with me?” Andy asked of the officer. + +“Lock you up, of course.” + +“Won’t I be allowed to send word to my friends?” + +“Who are they?” demanded the officer. + +“I think Mr. Dawson, the banker, is one of them,” replied Andy. + +“Mr. Dawson has been away from town for a week, and will not return for +two.” + +Andy’s face fell. The thought of the banker had come to him hopefully. + +“Can I telegraph, then?” he asked, “to friends out of town?” + +“Telegraph,” sneered Talbot. “My great pumpkins, with your new suit of +clothes and watch and one hundred dollar bills and telegrams!” + +“I can grant you no favors before I have notified the prosecuting +attorney of your arrest,” said the deputy. “Lock him up, turnkey.” + +All this seemed very harsh and ominous to Andy, but he did not allow it +to depress him. He followed the turnkey without another word. The latter +unlocked a great barred door, and Andy felt a trifle chilled as it +reclosed on him and he was a prisoner. + +“How do you do, Mr. Chase?” he said, as he recognized the lockup-keeper, +an old grizzled man, who limped towards him. + +“Got you, did they?” spoke the man. “Sorry, Andy.” + +“Yes, I am sorry, too, just at this time. Of course you know, I’m not +the kind of a fellow to burn down a man’s barn.” + +“Know it—guess I know. I can prove——” began Chase, so excitedly, that +Andy stared at him in some wonder. “See here,” continued Chase, +controlling himself, “I’ve got something to say to you later on. Just +for the present, you count on me as your friend. I’ll see you get the +best going in this dismal place.” + +“Thank you, Mr. Chase,” said Andy. + +“You needn’t sleep in any cell. I’ll let you have a cot in my room,” +continued Chase with earnestness and emotion. “Andy——” and there the +speaker choked up, and he grasped Andy’s hand, and turning away trembled +all over. “You’re a blessed good boy, and you’ve got a true friend in +me, and remember what I tell you—they will never find you guilty of +burning down Jones’ barn.” + +Andy returned the pressure of the hand of the man whom he was meeting +under peculiar circumstances, feeling sure that his avowed friendship +was genuine. He had good reason to believe this. + +When Andy had come to Princeville, Chase was a worthless drunkard, who +worked rarely and who was in the lockup most of the time. One winter’s +night, as Andy was returning from taking a customer to the lake, he +lined a swampy stretch and noticed a huddled-up figure lying at its +half-frozen edge. + +Andy got out of the automobile and discovered a man, his body and +clothes half frozen down into the reeds and grass. It was Chase, sodden +with drink and fast perishing. + +Andy managed to get the poor fellow in the tonneau and drove home. It +was late, and Talbot had left the garage for the night. Andy dragged his +helpless guest into his little den of a room and hurried for a doctor. +He was a favorite with the physician, for whom he had done many little +favors, and the latter worked over the half-frozen Chase for nearly two +hours. He refused to think of taking any pay, and at Andy’s request +promised to say nothing about the incident. + +Andy kept his little oil stove going all night and plied the patient +with warm drinks. When morning came Chase was awake and sober, but he +was so weak and full of pain he could hardly move. + +All that day and into the next Andy managed to house and care for Chase +without detection. Talbot finally discovered the intruder, however. He +stormed fearfully. He was for at once sending for an officer and having +Chase sent to jail or the workhouse. + +Andy pleaded hard for the poor refugee. Talbot declared that his wet +garments had spoiled the automobile cushions. Andy got Chase to agree +that he would work this out when he got well, and Talbot was partly +mollified. + +When Chase got about he did some drudgery at Talbot’s home. Then one day +he came to tell Andy that Talbot had got him a position. Chase was well +acquainted with prison ways. Talbot had quite some political influence, +and the forlorn old wreck was installed as lockup-keeper at the town +jail. + +Once a week regularly he came to visit Andy at the garage. It was +usually Saturday nights, after the others had gone home. Chase would +bring along some dainty for Andy to cook, and they would have quite a +congenial time. During all this time Chase never touched a drop of +liquor. He told Andy he had received the lesson of his life, leaving him +crippled in one limb, and that he would show Andy his gratitude for his +rescue by keeping the pledge. + +“Mr. Chase,” now said Andy, “there is something you can do for me, if +you will.” + +“Speak it out, Andy,” responded the lockup keeper eagerly. + +“I want to send a telegram to a friend right away. They have taken all +my money from me, but the message can go collect.” + +Chase hobbled down the corridor rapidly to return with paper and pencil. + +“Write out your message, Andy,” he said. “I’ll see that it goes without +delay.” + +Andy wrote out a telegram to John Parks. It ran: + +“Under arrest on a false charge. I want to see you on important +business.” + +Chase took the message, put on his hat, and going to the barred door +tapped on it. + +The turnkey appeared and unlocked the door. As Chase passed out, Andy +observed that someone passed into the cell room. It was Seth Talbot. + +“I want a little talk with you, Andy Nelson,” spoke the garage owner, +“and it will pay you to listen to what I have to say.” + + + + +CHAPTER XVI—BAIL WANTED + + +The garage owner moved a few feet away from the grated door of the cell +room and sat down on a bench. He beckoned to Andy. + +“No, I’ll stand up,” said our hero. + +“All right, I won’t be long. Short and sweet is my motto. To begin with, +Andy Nelson, I’ve been a second father to you.” + +“I never knew it,” observed the boy. + +“Don’t get saucy,” replied Talbot. “It don’t show the right spirit. I +gave you a job when you didn’t have any, and took on myself a big +responsibility—agreeing to look after you like a regular apprentice. +What is the result? Ingratitude.” + +Andy was silent, but he looked at Talbot, marveling that the man, mean +as he was, could imagine that he meant what he said. + +“You’ve brought me lots of trouble,” pursued Talbot in an aggrieved +tone. “The worst of all is that it’s led to my son running away from +home.” + +The speaker evidently thought that Andy knew all about this, while in +reality Andy only guessed it. + +“Oh, I’m responsible for that, too, am I?” observed Andy. + +“Yes, you are. You left me in the lurch, and while Gus was off with a +customer some one robbed the money drawer. I was mad and accused Gus of +taking it. Gus got mad and left home.” + +“What did I have to do with that?” + +“Why, if you’d stayed where you belonged it wouldn’t have happened, +would it?” + +Andy actually laughed outright at this strange reasoning. + +“What!” he cried. “Me, the firebug, me, the thief you accuse me of +being!” + +“Well, anyhow, you’ve been a lot of expense and trouble to me. Now +you’re in a hard fix. You are dead sure to go to the reformatory until +you are twenty-one years of age, unless some one steps in and saves +you.” + +“You think so, do you, Mr. Talbot?” + +“I am certain of it.” + +“Who’s going to step in and save me?” inquired Andy innocently. + +“I’m the only man who can.” + +“Oh!” + +“And I will, if you’re willing to do your share.” + +“What is my share?” demanded Andy. + +“Doing what I advise you. I’m a man of influence and power in this +community,” boasted the garage owner. “I can fix up this business all +right with Jones. You’ve got to help, though.” + +“All right, name your terms,” said Andy. + +“I wouldn’t put it ‘terms,’ Andy,” replied Talbot, looking eager and +insinuating, “call it rights. There’s that two hundred dollars at the +bank. It was found on my property by one of my hired employees. Good, +that gives me legal possession according to law.” + +“Does it?” nodded Andy. “I didn’t know that before.” + +“You can get that money by going after it,” continued Talbot. + +“How can I?” + +“Why, that advertisement they found in your pocket says so, don’t it? +See here, Andy,” and Talbot looked so mean and greedy that our hero +could hardly keep from shuddering with disgust, “tell me about that +advertisement—all about it, I want to be a good friend to you. I am a +shrewd business man, and you’re only a boy. They’ll chisel you out of +it, if you don’t have some older person to stand by you. I’ll stand by +you, Andy.” + +“Chisel me out of what?” inquired Andy, intent on drawing out his +specious counsellor to the limit. + +“What’s your due. They’re after the pocketbook that held the two hundred +dollars. Don’t you see they’re breaking their necks to get it back? Why? +aha!” + +“That’s so,” murmured Andy, as if it were all news to him. + +“So, if you know what became of that pocketbook——” + +“Yes,” nodded Andy. + +“And where it is——” + +“I do,” declared Andy. + +“Capital!” cried Talbot, getting excited. “Then we’ve got them. Ha! Ha! +They can’t squirm away from us. Where’s the pocketbook, Andy? You just +hand this business right over to me. I’ll do the negotiating.” + +“And if I do?” insinuated Andy. + +“You won’t be prosecuted on this firebug charge. I’ll take you back at +the garage and raise your salary.” + +“How much?” inquired Andy. + +“Well—I’ll be liberal. I’ll raise your wages twenty-five cents a week.” + +“Mr. Talbot, if you made it twenty-five dollars I wouldn’t touch it, no, +nor twenty-five hundred dollars. You talk about your goodness to me. +Why, you treated me like a slave. As to the two hundred dollars, it +stays right where it is until its rightful owner claims it. If he then +wants to give it to me as a reward, you can make up your mind you won’t +get a cent of it.” + +“You young reprobate!” shouted Talbot, jumping to his feet, aflame with +rage. “I’ll make you sing another tune soon. It rests with me as to your +staying in jail. I’ll just go and see those lawyers myself.” + +“You will waste your time,” declared Andy. “I have told them all about +you from beginning to end, and they’re too smart to play into any of +your dodges.” + +“We’ll see! We’ll see!” fumed the garage owner, as he went to the +cell-room door and shook it to attract the attention of the turnkey. +“I’ll see you once more—just once more, mind you, and that’s to-morrow +morning. You’ll decide then, or you’ll have a hard run of it.” + +Andy was left to himself. He walked around the stout cell room with some +curiosity. There were two other prisoners in jail. Both were locked up +in cells. One of them asked Andy for a drink of water. The other was +asleep on his cot. + +A clang at the barred door attracted Andy’s attention again, and he +reached it as the turnkey shouted out in a tone that sounded very +official: + +“Andrew Nelson!” + +He stood aside for Andy to step out. An officer Andy had not seen before +took him by the arm and led him up two flights of stairs to a large +courtroom. + +It had no visitors, but the judge sat on the bench. Near him was the +prosecuting attorney and the court clerk. Talbot occupied a chair, and +conversing with him was Farmer Jones. + +“We enter the appearance of the prisoner in this case, your honor,” +immediately spoke the attorney, as if in a hurry to get through with the +formalities. + +“Let the clerk enter the same,” ordered the judge in an indifferent +tone. “Take the prisoner before the grand jury when it convenes.” + +“In the matter of bail——” again spoke the attorney. + +“Arson. A pretty serious offense,” said the judge. “The prisoner is held +over in bonds of two thousand dollars.” + +Andy’s heart sank. He had heard and read of cases where generally a few +hundred dollars bail was asked. He had even calculated in his mind how +he could call friends to his assistance who would go his surety for a +small amount, but two thousand dollars. + +“How are you, Andy?” said Jones, advancing and looking him over +critically. Andy was a trifle pale, but his bearing was manly, his +countenance open and honest. He was neatly dressed, and looked the +energetic business boy all over, and evidently impressed the farmer that +way. + +“I’m glad to see you, Mr. Jones,” he said respectfully. + +“I suppose you feel a little hard agin’ me, Andy, but I couldn’t help +it. That barn cost me eight hundred dollars.” + +“It was a serious loss, yes, sir,” said Andy, “and I am sorry for you.” + +Jones fidgeted. Talbot was talking to the attorney, and the farmer +seemed glad to get away from his company. + +“See here, Andy,” he said, edging a little nearer, “I’ve got boys of my +own, and it makes me feel badly to see you in this fix.” + +“What did you place me here for, then?” demanded Andy. + +“I—I thought—you see, Talbot had the evidence. He egged me on, so to +speak. Honest and true, Andy, did you set fire to my barn?” + +“Honest and true, Mr. Jones, I had no hand in it. Why should I? You have +always been pleasant and good to me.” + +“Why, you see, I stopped you running away from Talbot that day.” + +“And you think I turned firebug out of spite? Oh, Mr. Jones!” + +“H’m—see here, judge,” and Jones moved up to the desk. “I don’t know +that I care to prosecute this case.” + +“Out of your hands, Mr. Jones,” snapped the prosecuting attorney +sharply. “The case must go to the grand jury.” + +“Andy—I—I’ll come and see you,” said Jones, as the officer marched Andy +back to the jail room. + +“Two thousand dollars bail,” ruminated Andy, once again under lock and +key. “I can never hope to find anybody to get me out. Too bad—I’m out of +the airship race for good.” + + + + +CHAPTER XVII—A TRUE FRIEND + + +“All right, Andy.” + +“Did you send the telegram?” + +“Yes, and paid for it, so there would be no delay.” + +“You needn’t have done that.” + +“I wanted to be sure that it went double rush.” + +“All right, I will settle with you when they give me back my money.” + +Chase, the lockup-keeper, had promptly and willingly attended to the +errand upon which Andy had sent him. + +“See here, Andy,” said Chase, “I understand they had you up in court.” + +“Yes,” answered Andy, “they took me up to fix the bail.” + +“How much?” + +“Two thousand dollars.” + +“Why!” exclaimed Chase, his face darkening, “that’s an outrage.” + +“I think so, too.” + +“There’s something behind it,” muttered the lockup-keeper. + +“Yes,” returned Andy. “Mr. Talbot is behind it. He seems to stand in +with the prosecuting attorney. Mr. Jones was quite willing to drop the +case, and said that Mr. Talbot had egged him on.” + +Chase did not say any more just then, but as he strolled away, he +muttered to himself in an excited manner. He busied himself about the +place for the next hour. Then he showed Andy his own sleeping quarters, +a quite comfortable, well-ventilated room, and set up an extra cot in +it. + +“You and I will have our meal in my room after I feed the other +prisoners,” he said. “I’ll make it as easy for you as I can, Andy.” + +“I know you will, Mr. Chase,” responded Andy heartily. + +“I’ll do a good deal for you,” declared the faithful old fellow. “What +do I care for this mean old job, anyway? Say,” and he dropped his voice +to a cautious whisper, “suppose there was a way for both of us to get +out of here?” + +“What do you mean?” queried Andy quickly. + +“Just what I say. Suppose you and I could get to some place a long way +off, where they couldn’t trace us, could you get me another job, do you +think?” + +“Don’t you like this one?” + +“No, I don’t. I despise it. I have to give Talbot half of my salary for +getting it for me, and I’m tired of the jail.” + +“Do you mean to tell me that Talbot takes one half of your salary?” +questioned Andy indignantly. + +“I do.” + +“Then he’s a meaner man than I thought he was. I can get you a much +better job when I get free,” said Andy, “and I’ll do it, but you mustn’t +think of such nonsense as my escaping.” + +“Why not?” + +“Because I’m a sticker, and never ran away like a sneak in my life,” +declared Andy strenuously. “No, I’m going to face the music like a man.” + +Chase was silent for a while. Finally, evidently struggling with some +new disturbing thought, he said: + +“Sure you can get me a job, Andy?” + +“I am.” + +“If I cut loose from here and make Talbot an enemy for life, you’ll see +to it that I get work?” + +“As long as you keep sober, Mr. Chase, you can always get a position. +You have made a brave start. Now brace up, think something of yourself, +and earn a comfortable living.” + +“I’ll do it!” cried Chase. “I’ll risk everything. Andy, you didn’t +fire that barn. Do you know who did?” + +“I have a suspicion,” replied Andy. + +“If I guess right who you suspect, will you nod your head?” + +“Yes.” + +“It was Gus Talbot and Dale Billings.” + +Andy nodded his head. He started slightly as he did so, wondering at the +sturdy declaration of Chase. Then he asked: + +“Why do you think so, Mr. Chase?” + +“I don’t think, I know,” declared the lockup-keeper. + +“Did you see them do it?” + +“No, I didn’t, but—see here, Andy, I’ve nothing more to say.” + +“Why not?” + +“I want to find an old tramp named Wandering Dick, before I go any +farther.” + +“Does he know?” + +“I’ll not say another word except this: they’ll never prove you a +firebug, and old Talbot will be sorry for the day he stirred things up +and started out to persecute an honest boy. Drat the varmint! I’ll be +afraid of him no longer, Andy, you are a good friend.” + +“I try to be, Mr. Chase.” + +“I’ll prove that I am to you.” + +Chase refused to say another word. Andy curiously watched him stump +around attending to his duties. The old fellow would scowl and mutter, +and Andy believed he was mentally discussing Talbot. Then he would +chuckle, and Andy decided he was thinking something pleasant about +himself. + +Chase appeared to have entire charge of the cell room. At five o’clock +in the afternoon he let the other prisoners out in the corridor for +exercise, and at six o’clock he gave them their supper in their cells. +Then he and Andy adjourned to the little room beyond the cells and had a +hearty, appetizing meal. + +Chase supplied Andy with some newspapers, and later they played a game +of checkers. About nine o’clock a prisoner was brought in and locked up. + +At ten o’clock, just as Andy was going to bed, the turnkey’s ponderous +key rattled at the barred door, and again his voice rang out: + +“Andrew Nelson!” + +“Wonder who wants me now?” said Andy. + +“Somebody to see you in the sheriff’s room,” said the turnkey, “follow +me.” + +Andy did so. As they entered the apartment indicated, a man with one arm +in a sling advanced and grasped Andy’s hand warmly. + +“This is a blazing shame!” he burst out, “but I’ll have you out of here +if it takes all I’ve got and can beg or borrow.” + +It was Andy’s employer, John Parks, the Airship King. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII—OUT ON BAIL + + +Andy’s heart warmed up and he felt that the tide was turning. Parks was +an energetic, impulsive man, and generally put through what he started +at. His hearty greeting showed what he thought of Andy and the charge +against him. + +“Is that the sheriff coming?” he demanded impatiently of the officer or +guard at the door of the room. + +“He’ll be here soon,” was the reply, “we have sent for him.” + +“Come over here, Andy,” directed the aeronaut, leading the way to a +corner of the apartment so the others could not overhear their +conversation. “I want to talk with you. Now then,” he continued, as they +were seated by themselves, “tell me the whole story.” + +“I wish I had done it before,” began Andy, and then he recited his +experience with Talbot and the details of the barn burning. + +“Guesswork and spitework, eh? The whole business,” flared out Parks. +“They haven’t a foot to stand on in court. I’ll see that you have the +right kind of a lawyer when the case comes to trial. All I am anxious +about is to get you back to camp double quick. You know the race takes +place day after to-morrow.” + +“Yes, I know it only too well,” replied Andy; “I’ve worried enough about +it.” + +“Here comes my man, I guess,” interrupted Parks, as a portly +consequential-looking person entered the room. + +“I wanted to see you about this young man,” explained Parks. “They’ve +shut him up here on a false charge, and I want to get him out. He’s a +trusted employee of mine, and I need him badly in my business.” + +“You want to give bail, do you?” inquired the sheriff. + +“Every dollar I’ve got, judge,” responded the aeronaut with emphasis, +“so long as he gets free.” + +“The bail is two thousand dollars, and I suppose you know the bondsman +must qualify as a real estate owner in the county.” + +“I’m not that, judge,” said Parks, “but I’ve got some money.” He pulled +out a roll of bills. “I’ve got nigh onto one thousand dollars personal +property, and I’m going to earn the aviation prize down at Montrose day +after to-morrow.” + +“Considerably up in the air, part of your schedule, eh?” remarked the +sheriff, smiling, “I’m afraid we can’t accept you as a bondsman. +Residence here as a real estate owner is absolutely necessary.” + +“Why, do you think I would leave you in the lurch or a boy like Andy +sneak away. No sir-ree! You can trust me, Mr. Sheriff.” + +“I don’t doubt that, but the law is very strict.” + +Parks paced the floor excitedly. He looked disappointed and bothered. + +“I’ve got to do something—Andy has just got to be at the aviation meet +day after to-morrow. I’ve got it! Say, suppose I could line up two +thousand dollars through friends, in cash, mind you, couldn’t I hire +some man in Princeville to go on the bond?” + +“It is very often done,” acknowledged the sheriff. + +“Then I’ll do it. Andy, I’ll be back here to-morrow. Mr. Sheriff, you +can fix the papers for quick action. I’ll raise that two thousand +dollars if I have to mortgage everything I’ve got. I’ve got some friends +and I own a farm out West.” + +“Just a word, Mr. Parks,” said Andy. + +“What is it, lad?” inquired the aeronaut. + +“I wish you would get word to a lawyer at Greenville, a Mr. West, about +something. He expected to see me yesterday, and I was arrested before I +could get to him.” + +Andy explained about the advertisement and the lost pocketbook. Mr. +Parks was very much impressed and interested over his story. + +“Why, Andy,” he commented vigorously. “There’s something strange about +all this.” + +“There is probably something very important for the man who lost the +pocketbook,” said Andy. “I don’t want the lawyer to think I fooled him.” + +“Can you find the pocketbook, Andy?” + +“Unless it has been removed from the place where it was three weeks ago, +I am sure that I can.” + +“H-m, this sets me thinking,” observed Parks. “I’ll see that the lawyer +gets the message, Andy. I’ll be back here to-morrow.” + +“Mr. Parks,” said Andy seriously, “I don’t think you had better try to +raise the money. It will be harder than you think, and all this will +take up your time and attention away from the airship race.” + +“There won’t be any airship race for me if you are out of it, will +there?” demanded Parks. + +“Why not? You can surely find someone to take my place. It’s the _Racing +Star_ that is going to win the race, not the man at the lever. He’s got +to keep his eyes open, but the machine is so far ahead of anything I’ve +seen, that a careful, active pilot can hardly fail to win.” + +Parks looked dubious and unconvinced. + +“I’m going to get you out of here,” he maintained stubbornly, and, +knowing the determined character of his employer, Andy went back to the +lockup believing that he would keep his word. + +“What’s the news, Andy?” inquired Chase eagerly. + +“The best in the world, Mr. Chase,” replied Andy brightly. + +“Are they going to let you out?” + +“I hope so, soon.” + +Andy had told Chase something about his circumstances, and now told him +more, mentioning the airship race. + +“I say, you shouldn’t miss that, should you, Andy?” excitedly proclaimed +Chase. “I wish I could help you. I can in time. I have a good mind——” + +Chase paused mysteriously, and began stumping about in his usual +abstracted, muttering way. + +Andy sat down on a bench as there was a movement at the cell-room door. + +“Here, give this man shelter for the night and something to eat,” +ordered the turnkey. “Turn him out in the morning.” + +“Hello!” spoke Chase, evidently recognizing a regular habitue of the +place, “it’s you again, is it?” + +“On my rounds, as usual,” grinned the newcomer, a harmless-looking, +trampish fellow. + +“Been in some other lockup, I suppose, since we saw you last?” +insinuated Chase. + +“No, Wandering Dick and I have been following a show. You see——” + +“Who? Say that again,” interrupted Chase excitedly. + +“Wandering Dick.” + +“Where is he now?” + +“Three days ago I left him about fifty miles south of here.” + +“Is he there now?” + +“I think so. The show broke up and that threw me out, but Dick talked +about staying around Linterville till he could panhandle it south for +the winter.” + +“See here,” said Chase, drawing out his pocketbook. “There’s a +ten-dollar bill,” and he flipped over some bank notes. + +“I see there is,” nodded the tramp wonderingly. + +“I’ll start you out with a good breakfast and that money in the morning. +I want you to find Dick, bring him here, and I’ll give you each as much +more money when you do.” + +The tramp looked puzzled, then suspicious, and then alarmed. + +“See here,” he said, “what are you going to work on us, same old +charge?” + +“Not at all. I want Dick to answer a half dozen questions, that’s all, +and then you are both! free to go.” + +“Say, let me start to-night!” said the tramp eagerly. + +“No, it’s too late,” replied Chase. “There’s no train until morning.” + +Andy had overheard all this conversation. Wandering Dick was the name he +had heard Chase speak once before, and he had coupled it with the +suggestion that in some way Wandering Dick was concerned in the incident +of Farmer Jones’ burned-down barn. + +Andy slept in a good bed and got up early in the morning, believing that +the new day would bring some developments of importance in the +situation. + +The tramp was started off by Chase, breakfast was over, and Chase had +been let out by the turnkey into the main room. He came rushing back in +a few minutes carrying an armful of towels for jail use. + +“Andy,” he chuckled, throwing his load recklessly on a bench and +slapping his young friend gleefully on the shoulder, “You’re free!” + + + + +CHAPTER XIX—A DISAPPOINTMENT + + +Andy was led into the office of the jail and up to the desk of the +official who had registered his name the day before. This man opened a +drawer and pushed a package before Andy and a receipt. + +“See if your money is all right,” he directed, “and sign that receipt.” + +“Going to give them back to me, are you?” said Andy brightly, feeling +delighted at recovering his liberty. “They must have found out that I am +innocent.” + +“H-m! that’s to be determined later on.” + +Andy looked questioningly about the room. Who had set him free? What did +it mean? Just then he caught the sound of voices in another room and the +officer pointed to it. + +“Your friend is in there,” he said. “He’s waiting for you.” + +Andy felt as if he had wings on his feet. His heart was overflowing with +gladness. He crossed the threshold of the doorway the officer had +indicated, looked in, and then stood stock still, very much surprised. + +“Well, young man, we’ve reached you at last?” spoke a hearty voice. + +“Why, it’s Mr. Webb!” exclaimed Andy. + +He had at once recognized the gentleman whom he had driven over in the +automobile from Princeville to Macon, the day when all his troubles in +life seemed to have begun. + +With Mr. Webb was a man who nodded pleasantly but curiously to Andy. +This was Joshua Bird. He was reported to be the richest man in +Princeville, and dealt principally in real estate and had the reputation +of being something of a miser. + +Mr. Webb, holding Andy’s hand, turned to Mr. Bird. + +“Well, sir, everything is satisfactory?” he asked. + +“Entirely so,” answered Bird. “You’re putting a good deal of faith in a +lad you scarcely know, though.” + +“I’ll bank on my confidence,” answered Mr. Webb. “Nelson, you remember +me, do you not?” + +“Perfectly, sir, but I don’t understand.” + +“My being here?” questioned Mr. Webb. “A purely selfish motive is at the +bottom of it, I am free to confess, although I am glad to be of service +to you on general principles. Are you ready to leave here at once?” + +“Where for, sir?” + +“An automobile dash across the country.” + +“And then am I to return here?” + +“Not until your trial comes on. Let me explain, so you will understand +the situation. I have gone on your bail bond.” + +“I don’t know how to thank you,” said Andy gratefully. + +“Your friend, Mr. Parks, found me late last night at Greenville, where +Mr. West and myself were anxiously awaiting you. He explained about your +arrest, and told us the whole story of your affairs. It seems that your +trouble began with the finding of my pocketbook. It was only right, +therefore, that I should stand by you—which I have done, and intend to +keep up, Andy, for you have proven yourself a good, honest boy.” + +“Thank you, Mr. Webb,” said our hero with considerable emotion. + +“Mr. West, my legal adviser, arranged with Mr. Bird, who has just left +us. The signing of your bail bond is the result. You are free to get to +those anxious friends of yours at the aviation meet, but first I want +you to take a little trip with me.” + +“After that old leather pocketbook, I suppose.” + +“You’ve guessed it right, Andy.” + +“I would like to speak with a good friend of mine in the jail here for a +moment,” said Andy, “and then I will be ready to go with you.” + +“All right, Andy.” + +Chase had already heard the good news and congratulated Andy, chuckling +and hobbling about at a great rate. + +“Remember you’re to look out for a new job for me,” he intimated. + +“I’ll attend to that all right, Mr. Chase,” promised Andy. “If things go +as I think they will, I have a friend as well as an employer who will +probably need a man such as you to potter about and look after things.” + +“Andy, I’ll potter for keeps if you get me that situation,” declared the +old lockup-keeper earnestly. “You get it fixed for me, and when your +trial comes up, I’ll show you how much I think of you.” + +“Things are certainly coming out famously right,” chirped Andy gaily, as +he left Chase. + +“Now then, Nelson, take a try at my new machine,” said Mr. Webb, as he +led Andy to the street. + +Seth Talbot, one of his own machines waiting at the curb for a fare, was +strolling around inspecting the beautiful touring car which Mr. Webb had +indicated. + +“Eh, hey! what’s this?” he blubbered out, as Andy walked smartly to the +machine and leaped into the driver’s seat. + +An officer who was aware of the situation nudged Talbot and spoke a few +quick words to him in an undertone. The face of the garage owner turned +white with astonishment and malice. Mr. Webb had noticed him, and asked +Andy: + +“Who is that man?” + +“Mr. Talbot, my old employer,” responded Andy. + +“I don’t like his looks,” spoke Mr. Webb simply. “Now then, Nelson, of +course you know where I want to go.” + +“After the leather pocketbook—yes, sir.” + +“I hope you can find it.” + +“I feel sure we shall, sir. We will have to take some roundabout roads +to get to the farm I told Mr. West about.” + +“This is a very important matter to me,” explained Mr. Webb. “I may as +well tell you, Nelson, that the fortune and happiness of two orphan +children, distant relatives of mine, depend on the finding of that old +pocketbook.” + +“I am very much interested, Mr. Webb,” said Andy. + +“You did not notice perhaps, but glued down in the big part of that +pocketbook is a thin compartment. Secreted in that is an old time-worn +sheet of paper that I spent thousands of dollars and a year’s time in +locating and getting into my possession. I was on my way to my lawyer +with it, and had placed two hundred dollars in the pocketbook for costs +in the law suit, when I lost the pocketbook, as you know.” + +“I never dreamed there was any value in the old pocketbook,” said Andy. +“I knew it was in my old clothes which I threw away at a farm near Wade, +I told you about. I remember perfectly well tossing them up on an old +shelf. Unless they have been disturbed, we will find the clothes and the +pocketbook. It was a regular old rubbish pile where I tossed them, and +out of anybody’s way.” + +“I shall feel immensely relieved and glad when I find that document,” +declared Mr. Webb, with a sigh of anxiety. + +John Parks was responsible for bringing the word to Mr. West that had +sent Mr. Webb to Princeville. The aeronaut had told the lawyer +considerable about Andy and the approaching airship race, and as they +rolled along Mr. Webb showed a great deal of interest in Andy’s aviation +ambitions and asked a great many questions. + +“I shall want to see you again as soon as I get that document in the +pocketbook to the lawyers,” said the gentleman. “The airship race is +to-morrow?” + +“Yes, sir.” + +“I will keep track of you through Mr. Parks, and probably meet you day +after to-morrow. I hope you win the race, Nelson, and get the prize. You +deserve it, my boy. If you fail, do not get discouraged. You have some +good friends, and I am one of them.” + +“You have shown that,” said Andy with feeling. “I wouldn’t have missed +the race for a good deal.” + +Andy entertained his companion considerably by a recital of his +adventures three weeks previously when he had helped the goose farmer +get his product to market. + +“Just yonder is where I met him first,” explained Andy, as they passed +over a bridge crossing the river. “It’s a straight road to the Collins +farm now, but not very even.” + +“I hope we find things as you expect,” said Mr. Webb. + +“I think we will,” answered Andy cheerfully. + +It was about an hour later when they rounded a curve in a beautiful +country road. + +“Just beyond that grove of trees,” said Andy, “and we come in full view +of the Collins farmhouse. Now we can see it—Why, +I—don’t—understand—this.” + +Andy slowed down in speech, with a series of wondering gasps, as he +likewise slowed down the machine. + +“Why, what’s the matter, Nelson?” queried Mr. Webb. + +“Don’t you see?” began Andy. “No, you don’t see, and that’s just it. +There’s something wrong. The farmhouse did stand right over where that +gravelled road runs into the farm, and now——” + +“Nelson,” interrupted Mr. Webb almost sharply, “there has been a fire +here.” + +Andy stared dubiously, but in great concern. There could be no doubt of +it, this was the site of the Collins’ farm. There were the white-washed +posts where the farm road began, the horse block where he bade the goose +farmer good-by, but the farmhouse itself had disappeared. + + + + +CHAPTER XX—A NEW CAPTIVITY + + +“Nelson, could you possibly be mistaken?” + +“No, sir, positively not.” + +Andy had come to a dead stop with the automobile. He stared blankly at +the prospect before them. The site of the Collins farmhouse was a flat +stretch of waste and ruin. Grass, weeds, trees, fences showed the +ravages of a great fire. + +Mr. Webb looked dreadfully disappointed. His face had become almost +pale. Andy shared his disquietude, but he could simply say: + +“I am very sorry.” + +“You did all you could, Nelson,” responded his companion. “Here comes +some one. We will question him a little.” + +A farm laborer with a hoe across his shoulder sauntered down the road. +Andy hailed him. As he came nearer to them Mr. Webb said: + +“My man, what has been happening around here?” + +“Don’t you see?” queried the man, with a comprehensive wave of his hand +across the bleak ruins. “Fire.” + +“This is the Collins farm, isn’t it?” + +“It was,” answered the man. “The fire took them in the night a week +ago.” + +“And burned everything about the place?” + +“Down to the pig styes.” + +“Where are the Collins people?” + +“Gone over into Bowen County until they can arrange to build again.” + +“Start up, Nelson,” ordered Mr. Webb. “It’s a waste of time to loiter +around here.” + +Mr. Webb felt cruelly disappointed. Andy saw this and was sorry for him. +He glanced at the spot where he remembered the old shed to have stood. +Even the tree that had sheltered it had burned to a crisp. + +“Where am I to go?” inquired Andy. + +“You had better strike for Rushville,” replied Mr. Webb. “From what I +remember, you can get a train to Montrose earlier than on the Central.” + +“I am to go on to John Parks?” + +“That’s the programme,” said Mr. Webb, trying to appear cheerful; “why +not?” + +Andy reflected seriously for a moment or two. Finally he spoke: + +“Mr. Webb,” he said; “I hardly feel right to leave you on my bond for +that big amount. Something might happen so that I could not appear for +trial—trickery, or a dozen things.” + +“And because you have not succeeded in recovering that pocketbook, you +suppose I’m going to desert you, Nelson?” inquired the gentleman. + +“You are not the man to do a single mean thing,” replied Andy, “but, +with all your troubles, and me being a stranger——” + +“Drop it, Nelson. You have tried to be the best friend in the world to +me, and I’d go on your bond for double the amount I have. You are to go +straight on to Montrose, win that airship race, and when you have got +that off your mind we will have a talk together.” + +“You are a good, kind man,” said Andy, with fervor, “and I’d walk +barefooted on hot coals to get you back that pocketbook.” + +When they reached Rushville, Mr. Webb took charge of the automobile. He +made many encouraging references to the coming airship race, and when he +left Andy at the railroad station shook his hand in a friendly way. + +Andy made a disappointing discovery as soon as he consulted the train +schedules. A change in the service of the road had been made only that +week, and there was no train south until seven o’clock. It was now +three, and he would have to wait four hours. + +“I won’t be able to get home until after dark,” reflected the lad. “I +hoped to have an hour or two of daylight for practice, but this knocks +my plans awry. Well, as it is, this is a good deal better than missing +the race altogether.” + +It was quite dark when the train reached the limits of Montrose. It +stopped at a crossing, and Andy got off and made a short cut for the +Parks camp. + +His course led him past the large aviation field. Andy was anxious to +report to Mr. Parks as soon as possible, but unusual light and animation +about the big enclosure aroused his curiosity and interest, and he +passed the gate and strolled by the various aerodromes. + +Everything was “the race!” Groups were discussing it, contestants were +oiling up their machines and exploiting the merits of the others. An +hour passed by before Andy realized it. He came to halt in front of the +last tent in the row, turned to retrace his steps, and then suddenly +halted. + +“I’d like to know what the Duske crowd is about,” he reflected, glancing +towards the isolated camp which he had surreptitiously visited only a +few nights previous. “Mr. Parks might be glad to know, too. I’ll do a +little skirmishing and find out what I can.” + +Andy crossed a dark space. Lights were moving about the Duske camp, and +these served as a guide. He neared the fence surrounding the camp, got +over it, and cautiously approached the large tent which held the airship +he had inspected on his first stealthy visit to the place. + +Suddenly Andy tripped and fell. His foot had caught in a wire stretched +taut under the grass. As he went headlong across the grass, a bell began +to jingle, and he realized that the wire was one of many probably set to +trap intruders. At all events, before he could get to his feet two men +ran out of the tent. + +One of these was Duske. The other was his companion of the evening when +Andy had previously visited the place. They pounced on him promptly. + +“Another spy,” spoke Duske, dragging the captive toward the tent. + +“They’re getting thick,” observed his companion. “Those fellows at the +big camp are mighty curious to pry into the secrets of our craft here. +Hello! why, Duske, this is the same fellow we caught snooping around +here three nights since.” + +“Eh? Oh, it’s you again, is it?” + +They had come inside the tent. The light burning there revealed Andy +fully. Without letting go of him Duske scowlingly surveyed his captive. + +“Say, Duske,” spoke the other man quickly, “it’s Parks’ boy, and he’s +the one who won the pony prize.” + +“Was that you?” demanded Duske; “are you Andy Nelson?” + +“Suppose so?” queried Andy. + +“Then you’re the fellow who is going to take Parks’ place in the race +to-morrow?” + +“I guess that is right,” affirmed Andy. + +“No,” cried Duske, showing his teeth, and looking fierce and malicious, +“it’s wrong, dead wrong, as you’re going to find out. Fetch me some +rope.” + +“Hold on,” objected Andy, “you aren’t going to tie me up?” + +He put up a manful struggle and very nearly got away. The two powerful +men were more than his equal, however, and in a very few minutes Andy +found himself tied hand and foot. + +Duske and his companion carried him bodily along through the tent, past +the flying machine, and threw him onto a mattress lying on the ground in +a small compartment partitioned off with canvas. Duske tested the ropes +that bound Andy, gave them another twist, and went out into the main +tent. + +“This looks like luck,” observed the companion of Duske. + +“Yes, if we’ve got the bearings right,” replied the other, “Are you sure +he was scheduled to take Parks’ place in the race?” + +“Of course I am. Hasn’t Tyrrell told us already about his getting into +trouble somewhere, and couldn’t be here to make the race? Hasn’t Parks +hired Tyrrell in his place?” + +“Then how comes the boy to be here? I don’t like the looks of things at +all.” + +“Tyrrell will be here before long. He can post us if there is any break +in our arrangements.” + +The two men passed out of hearing. Andy made one or two efforts to +loosen his bonds, found them unusually secure, and gave up the +experiment. What his captors had said startled and disturbed him +considerably. + +“Mr. Parks doesn’t expect me to show up in time to make the race, and +this man they talked about, Tyrrell, is going to take my place,” +reflected Andy. “He is a friend of the people here, and that certainly +means harm for Mr. Parks.” + +Andy worried himself a good deal during the next hour, imagining all +kinds of plots on the part of Duske and his friends to prevent the +_Racing Star_ from winning the prize. + +Finally Andy heard voices in the large tent. His name was spoken, and he +listened intently to catch what was said. + +“If that’s so, and it’s really Andy Nelson,” sounded a new voice, “it’s +funny, for up to this morning he was in jail at Princeville.” + +“Then he’s escaped, or got free somehow,” answered Duske. “He’s that boy +of Parks’ who was the winner in the dash for the pony prize.” + +“If he is,” came the reply, “you want to hold him a close prisoner till +the big race is over.” + + + + +CHAPTER XXI—A FRIEND IN NEED + + +The voices that Andy heard died away in the distance. In about ten +minutes, however, they came back again within his range of hearing. The +man he believed to be Tyrrell, who in some way had induced Mr. Parks to +accept him as a substitute for himself in the aviation race, was +speaking to his companion, who was Duske. + +“That’s the programme, is it?” he was asking. + +“To a T.” + +“You will look out for the Nelson boy.” + +“Don’t fret on that score. We’ll cage him safe and sound until the race +is over.” + +“You think I had better use the bottle?” + +“Yes, here it is. Stow it anywhere in your clothes.” + +“Isn’t there some easier way? What’s the use of fire? It may strike +investigators as suspicious.” + +“Not at all. They tanked you too full, a spark did the mischief, see? +You know enough to descend in among some trees?” + +“Of course.” + +“Let the flame singe your clothing, tell some sensational story of a +hairbreadth escape, and you’ll be quite a hero.” + +“You think with the _Racing Star_ out of the way that your machine is +bound to win, do you?” + +“I know it,” affirmed Duske confidently. “Those other aeroplanes are +mere botches. They will do as playthings, but as to distance, they’re +not in it with the _Moon Bird_.” + +“All right, I’ll follow instructions. Keep that boy safe. I’d better go. +It would be all up with our scheme if Parks should suspect I was your +friend.” + +Andy fairly writhed where he lay. The plot of the villains was now +perfectly clear to him. The man Tyrrell had wormed himself into the +confidence of Mr. Parks, who little suspected that he was a confederate +of Duske. Tyrrell was to make the start with the _Racing Star_, pretend +that an accident had happened, and burn up the airship. + +“What shall I do—what can I do?” breathed Andy. “They don’t intend to +let me go until after the race is over to-morrow.” + +In about an hour Duske and an old man who seemed to be the cook of the +camp came to where Andy lay. Duske released one hand of the captive. The +anxious prisoner did not feel much like eating, but he realized that he +must keep up his strength. He ate some bread and meat which the cook +brought, and drank some water. + +Duske tied him up again, tighter than ever. Then he spoke to the cook: + +“You get your armchair right outside the canvas flap here, Dobbins.” + +“All right, Mr. Duske,” replied the man. + +“Every fifteen minutes, right through till morning, you are to look in +on that boy. See that he is comfortable, but particularly that he is +safe.” + +“I’ll attend to it.” + +“If you let him get away, you’re out of a job, remember.” + +The cook followed out the programme directed by Duske to the minutest +detail. Andy had no opportunity to free himself—he was watched so +closely. He decided that the effort would be futile. Until midnight he +lay wide awake, nervous and worried. Then he made up his mind that it +did no good to fret, and got some sleep. + +He was given his breakfast about six o’clock in the morning. Then he was +tied up again and left to himself. He lay on the mattress so that when +the wind blew the canvas lifted and he could look out. He was faced away +from the direction of the aviation field, however, and twenty feet away +the fence stared him blankly in the face. + +From sounds near by and in the distance during the next two hours, Andy +could figure out just what was going on about him. The _Moon Bird_ was +carried from its aerodrome and taken to the aviation field. The old cook +seemed to be left in possession of the camp. He looked in on Andy every +so often. The rest of the time he was busy in the larger tent or outside +of it with his cooking utensils. + +Poor Andy was in sore straits of despair. He had a vivid imagination, +and could fancy all that was shut out from his view by captivity. He +heard a distant town bell strike nine o’clock. + +“In an hour the airships will be off,” soliloquized the captive +mournfully, “and I won’t be there.” + +Andy pictured in his mind all that was going on at the aviation field. +He could fancy the airships ranging in place for the start. He could +imagine the animation and excitement permeating the groups of +spectators. He shut his eyes and tried to forget it all, so keen was his +disappointment. + +He heard the band strike up a gay tune. Then a gun was fired. Andy +almost shed tears. In twenty minutes the starting signal was due. + +“They’ll have a head wind,” he ruminated, as the breeze lifted the +canvas at the side of the mattress upon which he lay. “It will be light, +though, and won’t hinder much;” and then he thrilled, as he fancied +himself seated in the operator’s stand of the splendid _Racing Star_, +awaiting the final word, “Go!” + +Andy stared blankly at the fence of the enclosure of the Duske camp. A +section of it had been broken down, and the gate left open in removing +the airship. Of a sudden he stared eagerly. Some one had come into the +enclosure. + +The intruder was evidently some casual sight-seer, a boy. His hands were +in his pockets, and he strolled about as if curiously inspecting +everything that came under his notice. He cast a careless glance at the +tent, and was proceeding on his way towards the main aviation field, +when Andy gave a great start. + +“Silas—Silas Pierce!” he shouted, ignoring discovery by the cook. + +Andy’s heart was thumping like a trip-hammer. It seemed as if on the +verge of the blackest despair a bright star of hope had risen on the +horizon. He had recognized the intruder with surprise, but with gladness +as well. + +It was his companion of the goose trip, the son of Mr. Pierce—the farmer +Silas—whom Andy had last seen at the Collins place, the farm he had +visited the day previous. Silas wore a brand-new suit of clothes. He +suggested the typical country boy, with some loose cash in his pocket, +enjoying a brief holiday to the utmost. + +“Hey!” exclaimed Silas, with a startled jump, his eyes goggling all +about, and unable to trace the source of the challenge. + +Andy uttered a groan. At the moment the breeze let down, and the canvas +dropped, shutting him in and Silas out. Then a puff of wind came and +lifted the flap again. + +“Here, here, Silas!” called out Andy in tones of strained suspense. +“Quick—help!” + +“I vum!” gasped the farmer boy, staring blankly at what he saw of Andy. +“Who is it? And—I say, you’re dad’s great friend, the Nelson boy!” + +Silas had advanced, and took in the situation, and recognized Andy +slowly. + +“Lift up the canvas; come in here,” directed Andy in a more cautious +tone of voice. “You remember me, don’t you?” + +“Guess I do; but what in the world of wonder is the matter with you?” + +“Don’t talk so loud,” pleaded Andy anxiously, fearing the arrival of the +cook at any moment. “Some bad men have tied me up. Have you got a +knife?” + +“Yes; and a brand-new one. Won it in a funny game where you throw rings. +See there,” and with great pride Silas produced and opened a +gaudily-handled jack-knife. + +“Oh, thank you, Silas; I’ll never forget this.” + +“Hold on! Say! Thunder! Is he crazy? Stop! Stop!” + +In profound excitement, Silas Pierce regarded Andy. The minute he had +cut the bonds of the young aviator, Andy had bounded to his feet as if +set on springs. Afar from the aviation field there boomed out the +second, the get-ready gun. + +“Ten minutes!” gasped Andy, on fire with resolve. “I’ve got to make it.” + +He swept aside the canvas, headed in the direction of the main camp. Hot +on his heels came his amazed rescuer, now a wondering pursuer. Andy ran +at the fence, gave a spring, and cleared its top in a graceful leap. +Silas, more clumsy, ran at two loose boards, and by sheer force of his +might and strength, sent them out of place and put after Andy. + +“Nelson!” he bawled. “What’s the matter? Nobody’s following you. +Crickey, but you’re a sprinter!” + +“I’ll see you later—Parks’ camp—in a hurry.” + +In a hurry, indeed, was Andy. He was running against time. As a turn +past some tents brought him in full sight of the open field, he was a +lone heroic figure—heart, brain and body strained to reach the dainty, +natty _Racing Star_, just being wheeled in place for flight. + +There were seven airships entered for the race. These were now stationed +a distance of several hundred yards apart, ready to start. The +spectators were held back from the dead line by ropes stretched from +post to post, but Andy was coming across the field from its inside edge. +Silas Pierce was putting after him, puzzled and excited, breathless, and +far to the rear. Their unconventional arrival attracted no attention, +for those in charge of the airships were engrossed in seeing that +everything was right for the start. + +The _Racing Star_ was being pushed forward to its starting position. All +the others were in place. In a swift glance, Andy made out the _Moon +Bird_, and recognized Duske seated amidships. + +Near the _Racing Star_ was Mr. Parks, directing affairs, and Scipio was +standing near by. At one side were Mr. Morse and Tsilsuma, deeply +interested in the manoeuvres going on. + +“It’s Tyrrell!” panted Andy, and he redoubled his speed as he made out +the treacherous ally of Duske. Tyrrell was arrayed in leather jacket and +gloves, keeping pace with the _Racing Star_ as it moved along. As the +airship came to a halt on the starting line, Andy saw him move forward +to take his seat amidships. + +It was then that Andy massed all his strength of being, accompanied by +animated gesticulations, as he shouted out: + +“Stop that man!” + + + + +CHAPTER XXII—“GO!” + + +“Andy!” shouted John Parks in a transport of amazement. + +“It’s me,” panted Andy, running up to his employer and pointing at +Tyrrell. “Mr. Parks, stop that man. He’s a traitor; he’s a villain!” + +Tyrrell had heard and seen Andy. He gave a great start. Then he made a +move as if to hasten aboard the airship and get out of his way. Mr. +Morse and the Japanese hastened forward. The men guiding the aeroplane +stared hard at the newcomer. + +“Andy, what do you mean?” demanded Mr. Parks, lost in wonderment. + +“Just what I say. Don’t let him get aboard.” + +“Hold on, Tyrrell,” ordered the aeronaut. + +“We’ll lose the start,” spoke Tyrrell hurriedly. + +“Don’t you get aboard.” + +“No, sah; yo’ just obey Mistah Parks, suh,” interposed Scipio, laying a +great hindering hand on the arm of Tyrrell. + +“I have been a prisoner in the Duske camp since yesterday,” explained +Andy, catching his breath. “This man Tyrrell came there last night. He +is in the employ of Duske.” + +“What!” shouted Parks, his face growing dark. + +“It’s true, Mr. Parks,” asseverated Andy. “They are in a plot to burn +the _Racing Star_ and have you lose the prize.” + +“Do you hear what this boy says?” thundered the aeronaut, moving down on +Tyrrell with threatening mien. + +“It’s—it’s not true,” declared Tyrrell, but turning pale, shrinking +back, and looking about him for a chance to run. + +“If you don’t believe me,” cried Andy, “search him.” + +Scipio held Tyrrell’s arm in a viselike clasp. Parks ran his hand over +his clothing. He drew from his pocket a parcel done up in a +handkerchief. Mr. Morse took it, opened it, and revealed a bottle filled +with some substance like kerosene, a small box of matches and some lint. +Quick as a flash the hand of the aeronaut shot out for the throat of +Tyrrell. + +“You treacherous scoundrel!” he shouted. + +Boom! + +“The third gun! They’re off, Mr. Parks,” cried Andy. “Oh, don’t let the +_Racing Star_ miss it.” + +“What can I do?” + +“Send me. Men, get ready. Mr. Parks, I’ll win this race!” + +Andy was in no trim physically or in attire to attempt the race. At a +glance the aeronaut saw this. But our hero was irresistible. He ran +towards the machine, and with nimble movements he glided among the +planes and reached the operator’s seat. Already the other airships were +sailing skywards. + +“Go!” shouted Andy. + +Upon the operator’s seat lay the skull cap and goggles, ready for +Tyrrell, and Andy hastily donned them. He heard the voice of Parks, now +as excited as himself, giving orders, a tacit consent to make the start. + +There was a run of scarcely a hundred feet along the grass. Andy placed +a firm hand on the wheel. Then came a series of curves and sweeping +arcs, which kept the crowd of spectators turning first one way and then +the other in entranced silence. + +The young aviator followed the popping of the motors of the contestant +machines. One was fast becoming a mere speck in the sky. + +“The _Moon Bird_, Duske’s machine,” murmured Andy. + +It seemed poised in the air without motion, so direct was its course, so +true its mechanism. Two of the other airships had already descended, one +of them wrecked and out of the race. The forty-foot mechanical bird, the +Duske machine, however, had made the lead and kept it. + +The climax came in Andy’s preliminary ascent. Now the _Racing Star_, +light and dainty as a lark, mounted with amazing speed. A glance at +three of the airships convinced Andy that they were too faulty to make a +record. The _Moon Bird_, however, was a marvel. From what he had heard +Mr. Parks say, Duske had been an expert balloonist, and he now showed +amazing ability in the aviation line. He seemed to be putting the stolen +airship idea to marked advantage. + +Andy struck a level about fifteen hundred feet in the air. There was a +head wind, but it was not strong. Andy put on fine speed gradually. The +_Racing Star_ passed two of the contestants, and, fully in action, he +drove keen on the trail of the _Moon Bird_. + +The train that acted as a pilot with an American flag on its last car, +Andy kept in view as a guide. When they came to Lake Clear, the _Moon +Bird_ did not follow the rounding land course, nor did Andy. Lake Clear +was a shallow body of water, but of considerable extent, and dotted here +and there with little islands. + +Suddenly the _Moon Bird_, a machine of good utility, but, as Andy knew, +of little lasting power, made a decided spurt, passed the _Racing Star_, +and at a distance of half a mile got fairly abreast of the lake. It was +here that Duske met his Waterloo. Hitherto he had maintained practically +a steady course. More than once Andy had got near enough to this rival +to hear the loud gasping of the tube exhausts drown out the sharp +chug-chug of the motor. Suddenly Duske made a sharp turn. + +An appalling climax followed. In consternation and suspense Andy watched +aerial evolutions that fairly dizzied him. + +“He is lost!” breathed Andy, a-thrill. + +In an instant he recalled what Mr. Morse had told him of the unfinished +model that Duske and his crowd had stolen from him. The inventor had +explained to Andy that while the suction principle involved in the +rudder construction was unique and bound to increase speed, there should +have been added automatic caps to close the rear ends of the suction +tubes where a curve was attempted. + +Of this Duske evidently knew nothing. The moment he turned the machine, +however, there was a whirl. The aeroplane described a dive, then a +somersault. Its lateral planes collapsed, and, tipping from side to +side, it began to descend with frightful velocity. + +Once it half righted, balanced, went over again, and, fifty feet from +the ground, shot clear of a little islet, and went down in the water of +the lake, a wreck, first spilling Duske out. + +“He is killed or stunned!” exclaimed Andy. + +The boy aviator saw the other airships forging ahead, indifferent to the +accident. Minutes counted in the sixty-mile race to Springfield and back +to the starting point, but Andy was humane. He saw clearly that, if +alive, the half-submerged Duske would be suffocated in a few minutes’ +time. + +“I can’t leave him to die,” murmured Andy, and sent the _Racing Star_ on +a sharp slant, landing on the island. + +Andy was soon out of the airship. He waded to the spot where Duske lay, +and dragged him bodily up on dry land. As he turned him on his face, +Andy knew from its purple hue, the lifeless limbs and choked gasps of +the man, that another minute in the water would have been his last. + +A boat put out from the mainland where a crowd of spectators was +watching the race. Four men jumped out as the island was reached. + +“Take care of this man,” ordered Andy. + +“You’re a pretty fair fellow to risk losing the race to save a +competitor,” spoke one of the men heartily. + +He and his companions followed Andy’s instructions the best they could +in starting the _Racing Star_, and Andy shot skywards again, making up +for lost time. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII—THE GREAT RACE + + +“Hurrah!” + +“Why, it’s only a boy!” + +“Parks’ man—get your rest, lad, while we see to things.” + +Andy found himself in a whirl of motion and excitement. When he had left +the island where he had sacrificed his time and risked his chances of +winning the race, he had discovered that he was fourth on the programme. +The _Flash_ was becoming a distant speck, and the two other contesting +biplanes were lagging after the leader. + +Andy now set a pace to force the _Racing Star_ to do its utmost. His +good knowledge of detail as to the machinery and his masterly +manipulation of the same soon brought results. The _Racing Star_ easily +passed two of the airships ahead. Then Andy ran neck-and-neck with the +pilot train for several miles. + +The _Flash_, however, kept up admirable speed, but finally a wing broke +or oil ran out at Wayne, and the operator descended to a relief station. + +Now was Andy’s chance, and he made the most of it. With those +inspiriting shouts of “Hurrah! Why, it’s only a boy!” and the +announcement from the relay posted at Springfield by Parks that they +were on hand to tank up the _Racing Star_ and adjust the machinery, Andy +landed at the outskirts of the city, just half the race distance +covered. + +It made him quite dizzy-headed to sail down along a vast sea of human +beings, wild with enthusiasm at greeting the leader so far in the race. + +Two men took entire charge of the _Racing Star_, with quick movements, +tanking, oiling the cylinders, testing every part of it. A third man +brought Andy a tray containing a cup of steaming coffee, one of beef +tea, and some crackers. + +“There she comes!” + +“Hurrah No. 2!” + +“The _Flash_!” + +“And there she goes!” + +“All aboard, Parks,” sang out the leader of the relay gang, and with a +glide and a whiz the _Racing Star_ was once more up in the air. + +Again the _Flash_ was in the lead. Having been supplied with fuel and +oil at its recent stop, the operator did not make any halt at the +turning post. Andy felt fresh and ambitious, and the _Racing Star_ +responded loyally to every touch of wheel and lever. + +Fifty feet from the ground a wheel dropped from place, but Andy paid no +attention to this. The train did not act as pilot on the return trip. +Instead, at intervals of five miles to indicate stations, smudges were +being sent aloft. Andy made a direct run for the first one of these, +mapping out his route from those dimly visible on the course ahead. + +At Dover Andy passed the _Flash_. For the next five miles they kept +pretty well abreast. + +The last smudge was about eight miles from Montrose. Andy flew past it +making a circular turn as he plainly made out the aviation field in the +distance. His competitor made a short cut, lost on a turn to strike the +straight course and Andy overtook him. + +Now it was that Andy tensioned up the splendid machine to its highest +power. The white expanse of canvas and wood shivered and trembled under +an unusual strain. + +“In the lead!” cried Andy in delight, and his eyes sparkled through the +goggles as he took a swift backward glance. The _Flash_ was bungling. +Its progress was a wobble and its operator was at fault in striking an +even balance. + +The speed of the _Racing Star_ had now been increased to its utmost. + +“Five minutes more, six at the most, will decide the race,” breathed +Andy. “I can’t lose now.” + +The _Racing Star_ was no longer a bird afloat, but an arrow. Giving to +the machine a certain slant, calculating to a foot how and where he +would land, Andy saw nothing, thought of nothing, but the home post. + +He was conscious of a frightful bolt downwards that fairly took his +breath away. There was a blur of flying fences, buildings, tents, a +green expanse, a sea of human faces, a roar as a great shout went up, +and the _Racing Star_ met the ground on a bounce, and Andy Nelson was +the winner of the great race. + +Our hero did not step from the airship as eager, willing hands eased the +_Racing Star_ down to a stop. Cheering, excited men fairly pulled him +over the drooping planes. Some one hugged him with a ringing yell of +delight, and John Parks’ voice sounded in his ears. + +“Oh, you famous boy—Andy, my lad, it’s the proudest moment of my life!” + +Mr. Morse caught Andy’s hand, his serious face flushed with pride. + +“The _Racing Star_ did it,” said Andy. + +“Yo’ did it, chile, and yo’ did it brown,” chimed in Scipio, his mouth +expanded in joyous delight from ear to ear. + +John Parks never let go of Andy’s arm as they made their way through the +crowds to the main aerodrome stand. The official starter had unscrewed +the speedometer and elevation gauge. He ran before them to the stand. +Someone quickly chalked a legend on the big, bare blackboard. It ran: + + Start of flight—10:04. + Finish—11:39. + Distance traveled—60 miles. + Maximum height—1,200 feet. + Wind velocity—12 miles from the west. + Winner—Racing Star. + Operator—Andy Nelson. + +Somehow the boy aviator thrilled as he read his name at the bottom of +the little legend. + +“It’s like a dream, Mr. Parks—just like a dream,” and his voice was +faint and dreamy in itself. + +“Don’t collapse, lad,” directed the aeronaut anxiously—“the best is to +come.” + +“It’s only the reaction,” said Andy. “To think I did it—me, only Andy!” + +“There isn’t another Andy like you in the whole world,” enthusiastically +declared Parks. “Yes, sir,” as a man waved to him from the table on the +grand stand. + +“Here’s the check, Parks,” notified the judge. + +“Well, we’ve won it, haven’t we?” chuckled the aeronaut. + +“You have, and it’s ready for you. A pretty piece of paper, hey—five +thousand dollars. Make it out to you?” + +“I’ll take it in two checks,” answered Parks. + +“Mr. Parks——” began Andy. + +“There’s only one check for the whole amount,” replied the judge, “and +only the name left to be filled in.” + +“Oh, that’s the way of it, eh?” said the aeronaut. “All right, fill it +in John Parks and Andy Nelson. I reckon, Andy, I can’t get that +twenty-five hundred dollars away from you without your signature.” + +He poked Andy in the ribs in jolly fun. He was all smiles and laughter +as he shouted an order to Scipio to hurry home and get up the best +celebration dinner he knew how. Then, Andy following him, he stepped +forward to take the arm of Mr. Morse, and thus, the Japanese walking +with Andy and congratulating him on his great feat, they crossed the +field away from the crowds. + +Some one broke over the dead line ropes and made a dash after them, +yelling loudly: + +“Andy, oh, Andy Nelson!” + +“Hold on there!” ordered an officer, trying to head off the trespasser. + +“Silas Pierce!” exclaimed Andy. + +“He goes with us, officer,” called out Parks. “You bet you go with us, +you grand old hero!” he cried, giving the farmer boy a joyful, friendly +slap on the shoulder. + +“Yes, indeed,” smiled Andy, catching the arm of Silas and hugging it +quite, “if it hadn’t been for you, there would have been no race.” + +“Andy,” gasped Silas, “I can hardly believe it. Why you’re famous.” + +“Am I?” smiled Andy. + +“And rich.” + +“Rich in good friends, anyway,” replied Andy. + +“I hung around. When I saw you coming in on the lead, I nearly fell flat +I was so excited,” declared Silas. + +“I want a chance for a little talk with you, Silas,” said Andy. “I want +to show you how much I appreciate what you have done for me.” + +The merry, happy coterie crossed the field, and coming out at a gate +made a short cut for the Parks camp. They had just neared it, when among +the crowd thronging about the place, Andy made out a boy edging towards +him. + +He crowded past several persons and came up to Andy’s side and caught +his sleeve. + +“Andy,” he said in a bold but sheepish way, “you know me, don’t you?” + +“Why, yes, I know you,” answered Andy. + +He stared in mingled surprise, perplexity and distrust at the speaker. + +It was Dale Billings. Hungry-faced, unkempt looking, as if he had not +slept for a week, and then in a hay mow or a freight car. Andy’s +old-time enemy confronted him in the hour of his great triumph. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV—A HOPEFUL CLEW + + +“Did you want to see me, Dale,” inquired Andy. + +“Yes, I do, and bad,” responded Dale Billings. “See here, you’ve won a +big race. You’re rich. If it hadn’t been for me and Gus Talbot, you +wouldn’t be.” + +“How is that?” inquired Andy. + +“We figured along the line, didn’t we? If I’d gone to work for old +Talbot when I had a chance, you’d have been out and wouldn’t have +learned about automobiles and machinery and such, and couldn’t have run +an airship and won the race.” + +This was queer reasoning. Andy had to smile. He couldn’t feel any way +but pleasant and happy with the great airship prize his, however, and he +said: + +“Well, let that go. What are you driving at, Dale?” + +“We’re in hard luck, me and Gus.” + +“You look it,” said Andy. + +“We haven’t got a cent, we don’t dare to go back home. Gus is sick in an +old shed down the tracks, and we haven’t had a mouthful to eat since +yesterday morning. There’s no friends here we know but you. I’m just +desperate. Loan me two dollars, Andy.” + +“Why certainly,” answered Andy. + +“I mean five—yes, if you’ll loan us ten dollars till we get work and on +our feet, we’ll pay it back.” + +“All right,” agreed Andy, “only you’ll have to come up to our camp for +it. You know where it is—Parks’ camp.” + +“Yes, I know.” + +“I want to have a talk with you. You can depend on the money, Dale.” + +A thought ran through the mind of the young aviator that by kindness he +might make some impression on the two outcasts. As he summed up the +meanness and audacity of his recent capture, however, Andy secretly +confessed that it would be a hard undertaking. + +First thing of all, our hero took a bath and got himself in better shape +generally. Mr. Parks and a group of his friends occupied the main +sitting room. Andy had left Dale in one of the smaller apartments of the +old shack. As he went thither he passed Scipio, arrayed in white apron +and natty cap and warbling a plantation ditty as he brandished knife and +carver gaily. + +“Getting sech a dinnah, Andy, chile,” he chuckled. “Ah give you a feast +you nebber forgit.” + +“Now then, Silas,” said Andy, entering the room where he had left the +farmer boy, “I’ve got time to shake your hand good and hearty, and glad +to do it.” + +“And I’m glad you’re not too proud to do it,” replied Silas. + +“You’ve done a big thing for me, Silas,” went on Andy. + +“Think so?” + +“Where would the race be if you had not come along in the nick of time +and set me free?” + +“I was mightily surprised to see you in that queer fix,” said Silas, +“and I didn’t know what had happened when you started on a rush for the +airship.” + +“Well, you understand now,” said Andy. “Now then, Silas, what can I do +for you?” + +“Do, how?” + +“I want to acknowledge your usefulness in some way. There must be +something you want or need.” + +“You mean you’d like to give me some little memento for trying to help +you along?” + +“That’s it.” + +“But I’m glad to do it for nothing.” + +“Never mind. Come, speak out, Silas. A bicycle, a nice new watch and +chain?” + +“Why, see here,” said Silas, after a moment’s deep thought, “if it’s the +same to you, I’d like ten dollars and seventeen cents.” + +Andy smiled. “For something special?” he inquired. + +“Why, yes. You see I want to go to school this winter and learn +shorthand. The term is eighteen dollars, and I’ve only saved up seven +dollars and eighty-three cents.” + +“I’ll do better than that for you, Silas,” said Andy, “and I’m glad to +find you so ambitious. How is your father?” + +“All right, I guess, though I haven’t seen him for nigh onto a month.” + +“Why, how’s that?” + +“I’ve been staying at the Collins farm.” + +“You have?” exclaimed Andy, at once interested. + +“Yes. Just came up from there yesterday. There hasn’t been much doing, +and won’t be until the folks get their new house built. I was on their +hands, though, and I’m staying around visiting relatives.” + +“How do you mean you was on their hands, Silas?” inquired Andy. + +“Why, dad got talking with Mr. Collins after we’d got rid of the geese. +There’s a good academy at Wade, and Mr. Collins was going into sheep in +a big way. He offered me quite a good job and the chance to go to school +in the winter, and I took it.” + +“But Mr. Collins’ house burned down,” said Andy. + +“What, did you hear of that?” asked Silas in surprise. + +“Yes,” nodded Andy. + +“Well, that put things in bad shape for the family, but they are coming +back soon, and in the meantime I tend to the sheep in the pasture lot. +Lucky they had moved the old shed over there for storm shelter before +the house and barns burned down.” + +“What shed?” asked Andy, with a quick start. + +“The one that stood under the old elm tree. Don’t you remember? Why, it +was the shed you changed your clothes in.” + +“What!” shouted Andy, jumping to his feet in intense excitement; “that +shed wasn’t burned down?” + +“Ain’t I telling you? They moved it over to the pasture on skids two +weeks before the fire.” + +“And it is there now?” + +“Yes—but don’t!” + +Andy felt like making a rush at once at the great hopeful news Silas had +told. The latter had grabbed his arm. + +“Don’t what?” + +“Bolt. You’re going to make a dash like you did this morning.” + +“No, Silas,” said Andy, trying to be calm. “You can’t imagine what great +news you have brought me.” + +“I don’t see how.” + +“We must go to the Collins farm at once, Silas, that old shed had a +shelf up over the side window?” + +“Remember that, do you? So do I.” + +“It had a lot of rubbish on it.” + +“I noticed that.” + +“Has it ever been disturbed?” + +“Not that I know of. You see, Mr. Collins was arranging to have the old +barracks patched up by a carpenter from Wade, when the fire came along.” + +“Silas,” said Andy, “I threw my old clothes up on that shelf. If they +are still there, I shall be able to find an old leather pocketbook in +them that contains a paper upon which depends a fortune.” + +“You don’t say so?” remarked Silas, in open-mouthed wonderment “What +queer things you happen across!” + +“A gentleman named Webb is very, very anxious to recover that +pocketbook. I want you to go at once with me and see if the clothes are +still there,” and Andy briefly recited the story of the lost pocketbook +and the details of his recent visit to the Collins farm. + +He was consulting a railroad timetable to determine when the next train +left Montrose, when Scipio rushed into the room. + +“Andy, boy,” he spoke quickly, “yo’ told a boy to told me dat he was to +be let come to see yo’?” + +“What kind of a boy, Scipio?” inquired Andy. + +Scipio described Dale Billings, and as he did so passed some personal +comments on his “’spicious” appearance. + +“Yes, that’s right, Scipio,” said Andy. + +“Den somefin’s wrong,” declared the perturbed cook. “When he come, I say +Mistah Nelson very much preoccupied with another gemman, and he must +wait. He sot down on dat chair just outside the door hyar.” + +“Go on, Scipio.” + +“I keep my eye on him. Dat boy,” announced Scipio, “remind me of mean, +low-down people, I meet afore in my ’sperience. Bimeby I watch him bend +towards de door. He seemed listening. Den I saw him start and draw +closer to de door. Den all of a sudden he make a rush out of de place. I +run to de gate. Den anoder sneaking-looking boy meet him. Dey talk fast, +berry much excited. Den dey make a run towards the railroad tracks as if +dey was in a turrible hurry.” + +“Dale Billings and Gus Talbot!” exclaimed Andy, on fire with the +intelligence imparted by his loyal, dusky friend. “Silas, they have got +our secret. They are after the old leather pocketbook on the Collins +farm. We must get there first!” + +Andy directed Silas to wait where he was. Then he ran to the room where +Mr. Parks was engaged with his friends. Appearing at the doorway he +attracted the attention of the aeronaut and beckoned to him. + +“What is it, Andy?” inquired Parks, coming outside. “You look excited.” + +“I am,” admitted Andy, and then very briefly, but clearly, he explained +his urgency. + +“I say, you mustn’t let any grass grow under your feet!” exclaimed +Parks. “I reckon you’ve got it right—that sneaking fellow you was trying +to help is off on the track of the old shed you tell about. There’s the +_Racing Star_—no, that won’t do, but—I’ve got it, Andy. Wait here a +minute.” + +John Parks flashed in among his friends and then flashed out again. Now +he was accompanied by a well-dressed portly gentleman whom Andy had seen +about the aviation grounds, and whom he knew to be one of the principals +in getting up the race. + +The aeronaut was busy talking fast and urgently to this person, who +nodded to Andy and said: + +“That’s all right Do you know how to run an automobile?” to Andy. + +“Why, that was his old business,” explained Parks. + +“I’ll risk anybody getting ahead of you, then. My machine is just +outside the camp.” + +“Come on, Silas,” hailed Andy as they passed on towards the gate. + +Andy found a magnificent six-cylinder automobile just outside the camp. +He thanked its owner heartily for allowing its use, beckoned Silas to +the rear seat, and waved adieu to his employer with the cheery words: + +“I’ll be back inside of two hours, Mr. Parks.” + +“Say,” bolted out Silas, holding on with both hands as they crossed the +railroad tracks and struck a winding country road due north, +“isn’t—isn’t this going pretty fast?” + +“Oh, this is just starting up,” declared Andy. + +“I never rode in one of these before,” said Silas. “Those sneaks won’t +get much ahead of this, I’m thinking.” + +Andy thought this, too. There was not the least doubt in his mind that +Dale Billings and Gus Talbot were already on the trail of the old +leather pocketbook. All they could do, however, was to steal their way +on some slow freight train. Still, they might induce someone to go for +them or with them by faster travel. They might get an automobile, even +if they had to steal one. Andy felt that it was pretty hopeless trying +to make Dale or Gus respectable. He had intended, in the liberality of +his heart, to put them on their feet. Here, the first thing, Dale was +acting the part of a sneak and a thief. + +It felt good to Andy to get back to his old business once more. Once out +on a clear, level road, he made the machine fairly hum. Various +ejaculations back of him told that his unexperienced passenger was +having spasms. In considerably less than an hour the machine reached +Wade. They were soon at the site of the Collins farmhouse. + +“There’s the old shed, see?” spoke Silas, as Andy directed the machine +across the fields. + +“Yes, I see,” said Andy, “and it’s a sight for sore eyes.” + +He halted the machine and jumped out as they reached the fence of a +pasture lot containing several flocks of sheep. In one corner of it +stood the old shed. Silas was worked up to quite as high a pitch of +suspense and expectation as Andy himself. + +“There’s the shelf!” he cried, as Andy passed through the doorway. + +“Yes, but—my old clothes are not here.” + +“Oh, don’t say that!” almost choked out Silas. + +“It is true,” said Andy, getting down from the keg he was standing on. +“Here’s a lot of old truck, wagon hardware and hoops and a grindstone, +but the clothes are gone.” + +Silas uttered a dismal groan. + +“Oh, I’m a hoodoo!” he declared, banging his head first on one side and +then on the other. “Here I’ve made you all this trouble, all for +nothing. But, say,” added the farmer eagerly, “some one must have taken +those clothes. We may trace them down. And say, some one has been in +this shed since I left it yesterday.” + +“Why do you think so?” + +“Someone has slept here. See, the floor is covered with straw. Some +tramp, I suppose. It rained last night, and he came in here for shelter. +Oh, whoop! whoopee!” + +At first Andy thought his companion had taken leave of his senses. With +a Comanche-like yell Silas had made a spring. Then a method to his +apparent madness was disclosed. + +Andy saw him pull a wadded mass out of a hole formerly used to admit a +stove pipe. Andy gasped with gladness and hope. + +“My clothes,” he said, “sure enough!” + +“Don’t you see?” said the jubilant Silas, dancing a joyful hornpipe. “It +rained. The tramp who stayed here stuffed up the hole to shut out the +rain. Say, sure your clothes?” + +“Yes,” said Andy, searching them. + +“And the pocketbook?” + +“Here it is,” cried our hero in a strained tone that trembled. “Yes, the +pocketbook is here all right.” + +“Hurrah!” yelled Silas Pierce at the top of his voice. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV—GOOD-BY TO AIRSHIP ANDY + + +“A visitor for yo’, Marse Andy,” announced Scipio. + +“It’s only me,” said Mr. Chase, stepping into the sitting room of the +aerodrome at the Parks’ camp. + +“Well, no one is more welcome, Mr. Chase,” declared Andy heartily. “Come +in, sit down, and make yourself at home.” + +“Not till I ask a certain question,” dissented the grizzled +lockup-keeper of Princeville. + +“Fire away,” smiled Andy. “What’s the question?” + +“Can you get me a job?” + +“Right off, and a good one,” responded Andy promptly. “My employer, Mr. +Parks, is going into the airship line as a regular professional, and I +don’t know a better all-round handy man I would recommend sooner than +you.” + +“All right,” said Chase, with a sigh of relief, dropping into a chair +and placing a bulging, ancient carpet bag on the floor. “I’m done with +lockups.” + +“Is that so, Mr. Chase?” + +“It is, and with that conscienceless old grafter, Talbot. You know I +told you I was waiting for something when I last saw you.” + +“Yes,” nodded Andy. + +“It was Wandering Dick.” + +“So you told me.” + +“I sent that tramp after him. He found him. I got from Dick what I +wanted, paid for it, resigned my position, and now I am here.” + +“Quick work.” + +“And here’s what I got from Wandering Dick.” + +Chase extended to Andy a neatly folded paper. + +“And what is this, Mr. Chase?” asked Andy. + +“A confession and affidavit.” + +“How does that interest me?” + +“Read and see.” + +Andy’s face grew interested and then startled as he perused the sheet of +paper. It was a legal document attested to by Wandering Dick before a +regular justice of the peace at Princeville. + +In his affidavit the tramp stated that on the night that the barn of +Farmer Jones burned down, he was in its hay mow. He saw distinctly the +two boys who set the fire—Gus Talbot and Dale Billings. He got out of +the way for fear of being charged with the crime, sought later shelter +at the jail, and told Chase about it. + +The latter was so dependent upon Talbot and in dread of the garage +keeper, who held his position at his mercy, that he made no move to +right Andy with the public until the latter was arrested. + +“You have done nobly, Mr. Chase,” said Andy with deep gratitude, “and +where is your bill of expenses to settle?” + +“Settle nothing!” flared out Chase stormily. “You ever mention it again +and I’ll get out of here bag and baggage, double quick.” + +“Well, well,” answered Andy, “we’ll try to find some way to make it up +to you.” + +Two days later Andy learned that the attention of Seth Talbot had been +called to the affidavit. Runaway Gus Talbot and Dale Billings had +returned to Princeville. In some way the garage keeper settled with +Farmer Jones, hushed up the matter, and sent his graceless son on a sea +voyage. The charge against Andy was, of course, dismissed. + +Andy went to visit Duske in the town hospital. His accomplice, Tyrrell, +had been driven out of the aviation camp and threatened with a coat of +tar and feathers if he ever returned. The rest of Duske’s party +disappeared, and creditors seized what little property he had. + +Duske would never drive a balloon or airship again. One arm and one foot +were broken, and he had sustained other severe injuries. Andy found him +a dispirited, wretched man. + +He had an object in visiting the crippled aeronaut. He began by telling +Duske that deeply as he tried to wrong Parks, the latter had ordered and +paid for the best care during his stay in the hospital. + +“I am circulating a subscription paper among the aviators,” added Andy. +“We expect to raise a thousand dollars for you to go to some quiet town +and buy some small business that will give you a living.” + +No person could resist the kindliness of Andy under the circumstances. +Duske broke down completely. He was as sincere and penitent as a man of +his rough mould of mind could be. + +“I don’t deserve it, I’ve been a bad man,” he declared, with tears in +his eyes. “What can I do for you for all your kindness to me?” + +“You can do something, Mr. Duske,” said Andy. “There is a man named +Morse. Do you know him?” + +“Why, yes, I do,” replied Duske, with a great start. “Do you?” + +“I happen to.” + +“What has he got to do with you and me?” + +“Just this,” said Andy, “you have treated him badly. He is my friend. +You had a hold on him. What was it?” + +“A forgery he never committed.” + +“Are you willing to prove that, and clear him?” + +“Yes, indeed. I’ve done enough wickedness in the world.” + +“Then clear his name of an unjust charge, so he can stand before the +public the good, noble man he is.” + +“I will,” declared Duske earnestly, and he did. + +One week after the airship race Mr. Webb, to whom Andy had sent the old +leather pocketbook by registered mail the day he recovered it, came down +to the Parks camp. + +“I have been too busy to come before,” he explained to Andy. “That +document in the old leather pocketbook took up my time. I tell you, +Nelson, it has brought brightness and comfort to two orphan children in +a grand way.” + +“I am very glad,” said Andy. + +“I got back the two hundred dollars you left at the bank in +Princeville,” continued Mr. Webb. “I have added something to it, and my +attorneys have directed me to pay you what they intended to give the +finder of the pocketbook—five hundred dollars.” + +Andy made some demur at the largeness of the amount, but Mr. Webb was +persistent, declared he was simply acting as agent for the lawyers, and +Andy had to take the money. + +“As to myself,” observed the gentleman, “I want to say what you must +already know, Nelson—I am greatly interested in you. I wish you could +suggest some way in which my means can benefit you.” + +“So do I,” broke in John Parks. “The lad is a genius in the aviation +line, and I want him to keep on at it.” + +“Don’t I intend to?” challenged Andy. + +“Not when you say you are going to leave me next month,” declared the +aeronaut. + +“Yes, but why?” said Andy. “I’ll leave it to Mr. Webb here if I have not +decided in a sensible, practical way.” + +“What is it, Nelson?” inquired Mr. Webb. + +“Why, I have over two thousand five hundred dollars in the bank. I want +to put one thousand of it aside for my half brother, when he turns up. +He was good and kind to me in the old days, and I must not forget it. +Then I want to go through college and learn something so I may be of +some use in the world.” + +“An excellent idea,” commended Mr. Webb. + +“Yes,” growled Parks, but playfully, “and spoil a good aviator!” + +“Not at all,” declared Andy quickly. “I love the airship business, Mr. +Parks, but I want to learn every branch of the science that covers it. +It looks as if airships are to be the coming vehicles of travel, you +say, Mr. Parks. If that is so, everybody will be flying in time, and the +professional aviator will be just a common, everyday person.” + +“Well, I suppose that’s so,” admitted Parks. + +“Then, the wise man will be the one who knows how to build the airship. +Why, I’ll go through college, come out with my head chock full of new +ideas, and Mr. Webb and you and I will get up the World’s Airship +Construction Co.” + +“That’s a pretty grand scheme, Nelson,” said Mr. Webb. + +“Mayn’t it become a true one?” + +“Yes, it may,” said John Parks, “but I’ll always think most of you just +as you are—Airship Andy.” + + + THE END + + + + +The Webster Series + +By Frank V. Webster + +Mr. Webster’s style is very much like that of the boys’ favorite author, +the late lamented Horatio Alger, Jr., but his tales are thoroughly +up-to-date. + +Cloth. 12mo. Over 200 pages each. Illustrated. Stamped in various +colors. + +Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid. + +[Image] + + Only A Farm Boy + or Dan Hardy’s Rise in Life + The Boy From The Ranch + or Roy Bradner’s City Experiences + The Young Treasure Hunter + or Fred Stanley’s Trip to Alaska + The Boy Pilot to the Lakes + or Nat Morton’s Perils + Tom The Telephone Boy + or The Mystery of a message + Bob The Castaway + or The Wreck of the Eagle + The Newsboy Partners + or Who Was Dick Box? + Two Boy Gold Miners + or Lost in the Mountains + The Young Firemen of Lakeville + or Herbert Dare’s Pluck + The Boys of Bellwood School + or Frank Jordan’s Triumph + Jack the Runaway + or On the Road with a Circus + Bob Chester’s Grit + or From Ranch to Riches + Airship Andy + or The Luck of a Brave Boy + High School Rivals + or Fred Markham’s Struggles + Darry The Life Saver + or The Heroes of the Coast + Dick The Bank Boy + or A Missing Fortune + Ben Hardy’s Flying Machine + or Making a Record for Himself + Harry Watson’s High School Days + or The Rivals of Rivertown + Comrades of the Saddle + or The Young Rough Riders of the Plains + Tom Taylor at West Point + or The Old Army Officer’s Secret + The Boy Scouts of Lennox + or Hiking Over Big Bear Mountain + The Boys of the Wireless + or a Stirring Rescue from the Deep + Cowboy Dave + or The Round-up at Rolling River + Jack of the Pony Express + or The Young Rider of the Mountain Trail + The Boys of the Battleship + or For the Honor of Uncle Sam + +CUPPLES & LEON CO., Publishers, NEW YORK. + + + + +The Boy Ranchers Series + +By Willard F. 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The boy ranchers trail the savages into + the mountains and eventually effect the rescue. + +5. THE BOY RANCHERS AT SPUR CREEK, or Fighting the Sheep Herders + + Dangerous struggle against desperadoes for land rights brings out heroic + adventures. + +Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue + +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers New York + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Airship Andy, by Frank V. 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Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/36388-0.zip b/36388-0.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6d7cfcf --- /dev/null +++ b/36388-0.zip diff --git a/36388-h.zip b/36388-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9463ab2 --- /dev/null +++ b/36388-h.zip diff --git a/36388-h/36388-h.htm b/36388-h/36388-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1a8360b --- /dev/null +++ b/36388-h/36388-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,9118 @@ +<!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" xml:lang="en" > +<head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8" /> + <meta content="Airship Andy" name="DC.Title"/> + <meta content="Frank V. Webster" name="DC.Creator"/> + <meta content="en" name="DC.Language"/> + <meta content="1911" name="DC.Created"/> + <meta name="generator" content="ppgen (1.12) generated Jun 11, 2011 07:59 PM" /> + <title>Airship Andy</title> + <style type="text/css"> + body {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%;} + p {margin-top:1ex; margin-bottom:0; text-align:justify;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size:x-small; text-align:right; text-indent:0; + position:absolute; right:2%; padding:1px 3px; font-style:normal; + font-variant:normal; font-weight:normal; text-decoration:none; + background-color:inherit; border:1px solid #eee;} + .pncolor {color:silver;} + h1 {text-align:center; font-weight:normal;} + h2 {text-align:left; font-weight:normal;} + h1 {font-size:1.4em; margin-top:4em; margin-bottom:2em;} + h2 {font-size:1.2em; margin-top:4em; margin-bottom:2em;} + hr.pb {margin:30px 0; width:100%; border:none; border-top:thin dashed silver; clear:both;} + .sc {font-variant: small-caps;} + .center {margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; text-align:center;} + .larger {font-size:larger;} + .smaller {font-size:smaller;} + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + table.c {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + .caption {font-size: 80%;} + .sc {font-variant:small-caps} + div.center>:first-child {margin: .5em auto 0 auto;text-align:center;} + div.center p {margin: 0 auto; text-align:center;} + </style> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Airship Andy, by Frank V. Webster + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Airship Andy + or The Luck of a Brave Boy + +Author: Frank V. Webster + +Release Date: June 12, 2011 [EBook #36388] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AIRSHIP ANDY *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank, Juliet Sutherland and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + +<div class='figcenter' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='i001' id='i001'></a> +<img src='images/cover.jpg' alt='' width='60%' title=''/><br /> +</div> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<div class='figcenter' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='i002' id='i002'></a> +<img src="images/illus01.jpg" alt="THE RACING STAR PASSED TWO OF THE CONTESTANTS (Page 172)" width="60%" title=""/><br /> +<span class='caption'>THE RACING STAR PASSED TWO OF THE CONTESTANTS (Page 172)</span> +</div> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<div class='center'> +<p><span style='font-size:1.6em;'>Airship Andy</span></p> +<p> </p> +<p>Or</p> +<p> </p> +<p>The Luck of a Brave Boy</p> +<p> </p> +<p>BY</p> +<p> </p> +<p><span style='font-size:larger;'>Frank V. Webster</span></p> +<p> </p> +<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'>AUTHOR OF “ONLY A FARM BOY,” “BOB THE CASTAWAY,”</span></p> +<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'>“COMRADES OF THE SADDLE,” “TOM THE TELEPHONE BOY,” ETC.</span></p> +<p> </p> +<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'>ILLUSTRATED</span></p> +<p> </p> +<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'>NEW YORK</span></p> +<p>CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY</p> +<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'>PUBLISHERS</span></p> +</div> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<div class='center'> +<p><span style='font-size:larger;'>BOOKS FOR BOYS</span></p> +<p> </p> +<p>By FRANK V. WEBSTER</p> +<p> </p> +<p>12mo. Cloth. Illustrated.</p> +</div> +<table class='c' summary=''><tr><td> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>ONLY A FARM BOY</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>TOM, THE TELEPHONE BOY</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>THE BOY FROM THE RANCH</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>THE YOUNG TREASURE HUNTER</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>BOB, THE CASTAWAY</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>THE YOUNG FIREMEN OF LAKEVILLE</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>THE NEWSBOY PARTNERS</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>THE BOY PILOT OF THE LAKES</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>TWO BOY GOLD MINERS</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>JACK, THE RUNAWAY</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>COMRADES OF THE SADDLE</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>THE BOYS OF BELLWOOD SCHOOL</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>THE HIGH SCHOOL RIVALS</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>AIRSHIP ANDY</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>BOB CHESTER’S GRIT</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>BEN HARDY’S FLYING MACHINE</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>DICK, THE BANK BOY</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>DARRY, THE LIFE SAVER</p> +</td></tr></table> +<div class='center'> +<p>Cupples & Leon Co., Publishers, New York</p> +<p> </p> +<p>Copyright, 1911, by</p> +<p>CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY</p> +<p> </p> +<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'>AIRSHIP ANDY</span></p> +<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'>Printed in U. S. A.</span></p> +</div> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<div class='center'> +<p><span style='font-size:larger;'>CONTENTS</span></p> +</div> +<table class='c' summary=''> +<tr><td style='font-size:smaller'>CHAPTER</td><td></td><td style='font-size:smaller'>PAGE</td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>I</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Young Chauffeur</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chI'>1</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>II</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Breaking Away</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chII'>11</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>III</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Runaway and Rover</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chIII'>21</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>IV</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Down the River</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chIV'>30</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>V</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Tramping It</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chV'>38</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>VI</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Sky Rider</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chVI'>48</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>VII</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>John Parks, Airship King</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chVII'>55</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>VIII</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Aero Field</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chVIII'>61</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>IX</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Airship Inventor</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chIX'>67</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>X</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Learning To Fly</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chX'>74</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XI</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Spying on the Enemy</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXI'>82</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XII</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Traced Down</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXII'>88</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XIII</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Jiu-jitsu</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXIII'>99</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XIV</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Old Leather Pocketbook</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXIV'>108</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XV</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Behind the Bars</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXV'>115</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XVI</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Bail Wanted</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXVI'>124</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XVII</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>A True Friend</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXVII'>132</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XVIII</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Out on Bail</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXVIII'>138</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XIX</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>A Disappointment</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXIX'>145</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XX</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>A New Captivity</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXX'>153</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XXI</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>A Friend in Need</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXXI'>161</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XXII</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>“Go!”</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXXII'>169</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XXIII</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Great Race</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXXIII'>175</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XXIV</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>A Hopeful Clew</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXXIV'>183</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XXV</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Good-by to Airship Andy</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXXV'>195</a></td></tr> +</table> +<h1><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_1'></a>1</span>AIRSHIP ANDY</h1> +<h2><a name='chI' id='chI'></a>CHAPTER I—THE YOUNG CHAUFFEUR</h2> +<p> +“Hand over that money, Andy Nelson.” +</p> +<p> +“Not on this occasion.” +</p> +<p> +“It isn’t yours.” +</p> +<p> +“Who said it was?” +</p> +<p> +“It belongs to the business. If my father was +here he’d make you give it up mighty quick. I +represent him during his absence, don’t I? Come, +no fooling; I’ll take charge of that cash.” +</p> +<p> +“You won’t, Gus Talbot. The man that lost +that money was my customer, and it goes back +to him and no one else.” +</p> +<p> +Gus Talbot was the son of the owner of Talbot’s +Automobile Garage, at Princeville. He was +a genuine chip off the old block, people said, except +that he loafed while his father really worked. +In respect to shrewd little business tricks, however, +the son stood on a par with the father. He +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_2'></a>2</span> +had just demonstrated this to Andy Nelson, and +was trying his usual tactics of bluff and bluster. +These did not work with Andy, however, who +was the soul of honor, and the insolent scion of +the Talbot family now faced his father’s hired +boy highly offended and decidedly angry. +</p> +<p> +Andy Nelson was a poor lad. He was worse +off than that, in fact, for he was homeless and +friendless. He could not remember his parents. +He had a faint recollection of knocking about the +country until he was ten years of age with a +man who called himself his half-brother. Then +this same relative placed him in a cheap boarding +school where Andy had to work for a part of his +keep. About a year previous to the opening of +our story, Dexter Nelson appeared at the school +and told Andy he would have to shift entirely +for himself. +</p> +<p> +He found Andy a place with an old farmer on +the outskirts of Princeville. Andy was not cut +out for hoeing and plowing. He was willing +and energetic, however, and the old farmer liked +him immensely, for Andy saved his oldest boy +from drowning in the creek, and was kind and +lovable to the farmer’s several little children. +But one day the old man told Andy plainly +that he could not reconcile his conscience by spoiling +a bright future for him, and explained why. +</p> +<p> +“If I was running a wagon-shop, lad,” he said +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_3'></a>3</span> +enthusiastically, “I’d make you head foreman. +Somehow, you’ve got machinery born in your +blood, I think. The way you’ve pottered over +that old rack of mine, shows how you like to +dabble with tools. The way you fixed up that +old washing-machine for marm proves that you +know your business. Tell you, lad, it’s a crying +wrong to waste your time on the farm when +you’ve got that busy head of yours running over +with cogs, and screws, and wheels and such.” +</p> +<p> +All this had led to Andy looking around for +other employment. The old farmer was quite +right—Andy’s natural field was mechanics. He +felt pretty happy the day he was accepted as the +hired boy in Seth Talbot’s garage. +</p> +<p> +That position was not secured without a great +deal of fuss and bother on the part of Talbot, +however. The latter was a hard task-master. He +looked his prospective apprentice over as he +would a new tool he was buying. He offered a +mere beggarly pittance of wages, barely enough +to keep body and soul together, and “lodgings,” +as he called it, on a broken-down cot in a dark, +cramped lumber-room. Then he insisted on Andy +getting somebody to “guarantee” him. +</p> +<p> +“I’ll have no boy taking advantage of me,” +he declared; “learning the secrets of the trade, +and bouncing off and leaving me in the lurch +whenever it suits him. No sir-ree. If you come +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_4'></a>4</span> +with me, it’s a contract for two years’ service, or +I don’t want you. When I was a boy they ’prenticed +a lad, and you knew where you could put +your finger on him. It ought to be the law now.” +</p> +<p> +Fortunately, Andy’s half-brother happened to +pass through the village about that time. He +“guaranteed” Andy in some manner satisfactory +to the garage proprietor, and Andy went to work +at his new employment. +</p> +<p> +Talbot had formerly been in the hardware +business. He seemed to think that this entitled +him to know everything that appertained to +iron and steel. When roller skating became a +fad, he had sold out his business, built a big +rink, and in a year was stranded high and dry. +The bicycle fever caught him next, but he went +into it just as everybody else was getting out +of it. The result was another failure. +</p> +<p> +Now he had been in the automobile business +for about six months. He had bought an old +ramshackly paint-shop on the main street of the +town, and had fixed it up so that it was quite +presentable as a garage. +</p> +<p> +There were not many resident owners of automobiles +in Princeville. Just at its outskirts, however, +along the shore of a pretty lake, were the +homes of some retired city folks. During the +vacation months a good many people having machines +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_5'></a>5</span> +summered at the town. Some of them +stored their automobiles at the garage. Talbot +claimed to do expert repairing, and as a good +road ran through Princeville he managed to do +some business with transient customers who came +along. +</p> +<p> +Before he had been in the garage twenty-four +hours, Andy was amazed and disgusted at the +clumsy clap-trap repairing work that Talbot did. +He half-mended breaks and leaks that would not +last till a car reached its destination. He put in +inferior parts, and on one occasion Andy saw +his employer substitute an old tire for one almost +new. +</p> +<p> +Andy tried to remedy all this. He was at +home with tools, and inside of a week he was +thoroughly familiar with every part of an automobile. +He induced Talbot to send to the city +for many important little adjuncts to ready repairing, +and his employer soon realized that he +had a treasure in his new assistant. +</p> +<p> +He did not, however, manifest it by any exhibition +of liberality. In fact, as the days wore on +Andy’s tasks were piled up mountain high, and +Talbot became a merciless tyrant in his bearing. +Once when Andy earned a double fee by getting +out of bed at midnight and hauling into town a +car stuck in a mud-hole, he promised Andy a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_6'></a>6</span> +raise in salary and a new suit the next week. This +promise, however, Talbot at once proceeded to +forget. +</p> +<p> +It was Andy who was responsible for nearly +doubling the income of his hard task-master. He +heard of a big second-hand tourist car in the city, +holding some thirty people, and told Talbot about +it. The latter bought it for a song, and every +Saturday, and sometimes several days in the week, +the car earned big money taking visitors sight-seeing +around the lake or conveying villagers to +the woods on picnic parties. +</p> +<p> +Later Andy struck a great bargain in two old +cars that were offered for sale by a resident who +was going to Europe. He influenced Talbot to +advertise these for rent by the day or hour, and +the garage began to thrive as a real money-making +business. +</p> +<p> +This especial morning Andy had arisen as usual +at five o’clock. He cooked his own meals on a +little oil-stove in the lumber room behind the garage, +and after a cup of coffee and some broiled +ham and bread and butter, went to work cleaning +up three machines that rented space. +</p> +<p> +It was a few minutes before six o’clock, and +just after the morning train from the city had +steamed into town and out of it again, when a +well-dressed man, carrying a light overcoat over +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_7'></a>7</span> +one arm and a satchel, rushed through the open +door of the garage. +</p> +<p> +“Hey!” he hailed. “They told me at the depot +I could hire an automobile here.” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, sir,” replied Andy promptly. +</p> +<p> +“I want to cut across the country and catch +the Macon train on the Central. There’s just +forty-five minutes to do it in.” +</p> +<p> +“I can do it in twenty,” announced Andy with +confidence. “Jump in, sir.” +</p> +<p> +In less than two minutes they were off, and +the young chauffeur proved his agility and handiness +with the machine in so rapid and clever a +way, that his fare nodded and smiled his approval +as they skimmed the smooth country road on a +test run. +</p> +<p> +Andy made good his promise. It was barely +half-past six when, with a honk-honk! to warn a +clumsy teamster ahead of him, he ran the machine +along the side of the depot platform at Macon. +</p> +<p> +“How much?” inquired his passenger, leaping +out and reaching into his vest pocket. +</p> +<p> +“Our regular rate is two dollars an hour,” +explained Andy. +</p> +<p> +“There’s five—never mind the change,” interrupted +the gentleman. “And here’s a trifle for +yourself for being wide-awake while most people +are asleep.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_8'></a>8</span> +</p> +<p> +“Oh, thank you, sir!” exclaimed Andy, overjoyed, +but the man disappeared with a pleasant +wave of his hand before the boy could protest +against such unusual generosity. +</p> +<p> +Andy’s eyes glowed with pleasure and his heart +warmed up as he stowed the handsome five-dollar +tip into his little purse containing a few silver +pieces. He had never had so much money all +his own at any time in his life. Once a tourist +in settling a day’s jaunt with Talbot in Andy’s +presence had added a two-dollar bill for his chauffeur, +but this Talbot had immediately shoved into +his money drawer without even a later reference +to it. +</p> +<p> +Andy got back to the garage before seven +o’clock. He whistled cheerily as he made a notation +on the book of his fare and the collection, +unlocked the desk, put the five dollars in the tin +cash box, and relocked the desk. +</p> +<p> +Then he busied himself cleaning up the machine +that had just made such a successful spin, +for the roads were pretty dusty. As he pulled +out the carpet of the tonneau to shake, something +fell to the floor. +</p> +<p> +It was an old worn flat leather pocketbook. +In a flash Andy guessed that his recent passenger +had accidentally dropped it in the car. +</p> +<p> +He opened it in some excitement. It had a +deep flap on one side. From this protruded the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_9'></a>9</span> +edges of a dozen crisp new banknotes. Andy +ran them over quickly. +</p> +<p> +“Two hundred dollars!” he exclaimed. +</p> +<p> +“What’s that?” spoke a sharp, greedy voice at +his ear. +</p> +<p> +It was Gus Talbot, his employer’s son, who +had just appeared on the scene. It was pretty +early for him, for Gus paraded as the cashier of +his father’s business and stayed around the garage +on an average of about three hours a day. +Most of his time was spent at a village billiard +room in the company of a bosom chum named +Dale Billings. +</p> +<p> +Andy was somewhat taken off his balance by +the unexpected appearance of his employer’s son. +It was really the shock of recognizing in the face +of the newcomer the manners and avarice that he +shared with his father. Almost instinctively Andy +put the hand holding the pocketbook behind him. +Then he said simply: +</p> +<p> +“I took a quick fare over to Macon to catch +a train. He paid me five dollars. It’s in the +cash drawer.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, it is,” drawled out Gus, “and what about +all the money I just caught you counting over?” +</p> +<p> +“It’s a pocketbook containing two hundred dollars,” +replied Andy clearly, disdaining the slur +and insult in the tones of his low-spirited challenger. +“It was dropped by the man I just took +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_10'></a>10</span> +over in the machine. I’ve got to return it to him +some way. I might get to the station here in +time to notify him by telegraph before his train +leaves Macon that I’ve found the pocketbook.” +</p> +<p> +“Hold on,” ordered Gus Talbot. “Hand over +that money, Andy Nelson.” +</p> +<p> +And then followed the conversation that opens +this chapter, and Andy had barely announced +that the pocketbook would go back to its owner +and to no one else, when Gus made a jump at +him. +</p> +<p> +“Give up that money, I say!” he yelled, and +his big, eager fist clutched the pocketbook. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_11'></a>11</span><a name='chII' id='chII'></a>CHAPTER II—BREAKING AWAY</h2> +<p> +“Let go of that pocketbook!” ordered Gus +Talbot angrily. +</p> +<p> +“When I do, tell me,” retorted Andy. +</p> +<p> +The young chauffeur knew that once the money +got into the hands of the Talbots, father or son, +its return to its rightful owner would be extremely +dubious. He had proven himself a match for +Gus in more than one encounter in the past, and +that was why Gus hated him. Andy reached out +one hand not at all gently. He gave his opponent +a push under the chin. +</p> +<p> +Gus Talbot went flat to the floor of the garage +with a howl. He had not, however, let go his +grip on the pocketbook. The result was that it +had torn squarely in two. Andy directed a speedy +glance at the half in his own hand. He was reassured, +for he had retained the part holding the +banknotes. +</p> +<p> +“You can keep what you have got,” he advised +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_12'></a>12</span> +Gus, with a little triumphant laugh. “I’ll put +this where you won’t get your paws on it.” +</p> +<p> +With the words Andy ran through the front +open doorway of the garage and down the street +in the direction of the business section of the +village. +</p> +<p> +Primarily anxiety to bestow the money in a +safe place impelled his flight. Three other reasons, +however, helped to influence him in leaving +the field ingloriously. +</p> +<p> +In the first place, Gus Talbot was a wicked terror +when he got mad. It was nothing for him +to pick up a hatchet, a wrench or an iron bar and +sail into an enemy when his cowardly fists failed +him. Andy might have remained to give the mean +craven a further lesson, but chancing to glance +through a side window he saw the chosen crony +of Gus approaching. Dale Billings was the bully +of the town. He had left Andy severely alone +after tackling him once. With Gus and Dale +both against him, however, Andy decided that +there would be little show of retaining possession +of the money. +</p> +<p> +The third reason was more potent and animating +than any of the others. Just crossing lots +from his home and headed for the garage direct +was its proprietor. If Andy had had any confidence +in the sense of justice and rectitude of Talbot +he would have stood his ground. He had +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_13'></a>13</span> +none, and therefore made a rash resolve. It was +open defiance of his harsh employer, and there +would be a frightful row later on, but Andy’s +mind was made up. He had reached the next +corner and flashed around it and out of sight +before Gus Talbot had gained his feet. +</p> +<p> +Fifteen minutes later Andy Nelson reappeared +at the end of a secluded street near the edge of +the village. He was slightly breathless, and +looked excited, and glanced back of him keenly +before he sat down on a tree stump to rest and +think. +</p> +<p> +“I’ve done my duty,” he murmured; “but it +will make things so hot at the garage I don’t +think I’ll go back there.” +</p> +<p> +Andy indulged in a spell of deep reflection. +For some time he had realized that he was giving +his best energies to a man who did not appreciate +them. His work had grown harder and harder. +Whenever a complaint came in about imperfect +work, due to the sloppy methods of Talbot, the +garage owner made Andy shoulder all the blame. +</p> +<p> +“He talks about a two-years’ contract, and +tries to scare me about what the law will do to +me if I leave him,” soliloquized Andy. “Has he +kept his part of the bargain? Did he give me +the increase in pay and the suit of clothes he +promised? No, he didn’t. I’ve got something +in me, but it will kill it all out to stay in this +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_14'></a>14</span> +place. I’ve got five dollars as a nest-egg, and +I’m going to start out on my own hook.” +</p> +<p> +Andy was fully determined on his course. Perhaps +if the incident of the morning had not come +up, he might have delayed his decision. He knew +very well, however, that if he went back to the +garage Talbot would raise a big row, and he +would also get hold of the two hundred dollars +if it were possible for him to do so. Some day +Andy feared the Talbots would play one too +many of their uncertain tricks and involve him in +an imputation of dishonesty. +</p> +<p> +“It’s straight ahead, and never turn back,” declared +Andy decisively, and started down the +road. +</p> +<p> +“Hold on there, young man!” challenged a +voice that gave Andy a thrill. +</p> +<p> +Running around the curve in the road Andy +had just traversed, red-faced and flustered, Seth +Talbot came bearing down upon him. +</p> +<p> +Andy might have halted, but the sight of Gus +Talbot and Dale Billings bringing up the rear +armed with heavy sticks so entirely suggested an +onslaught of force that he changed his mind. He +paid no attention whatever to the furious shouts +and direful threats of Talbot. +</p> +<p> +Andy put ahead at renewed speed. At a second +turn in the highway a man was raking up +hay, and he suspended his work and stared at +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_15'></a>15</span> +the fugitive and his pursuers, as Talbot roared +out: +</p> +<p> +“Stop him, Jones—he’s a runaway and a +thief!” +</p> +<p> +Farmer Jones was not spry enough to shorten +the circuit Andy made, but he thrust out the +rake to its full length. Andy’s foot caught in its +tines, dragged, tripped, and the boy went flat to +the ground. +</p> +<p> +“I’ve got him!” hailed Jones, promptly pouncing +down upon him. +</p> +<p> +“Hold him!” panted Talbot, rushing to the +spot, and his hard, knotty fingers got an iron +clutch on Andy’s coat collar and jerked him to his +feet. +</p> +<p> +“What’s the trouble, neighbor?” projected the +farmer curiously. +</p> +<p> +“A thief isn’t the matter!” shot out Andy +hotly, recalling the words of his employer. +</p> +<p> +“You’ll have to prove that,” blustered Talbot. +“If you’re innocent, what are you running for?” +</p> +<p> +“I was running away from you,” admitted Andy +boldly, “because I want to be honest and decent.” +</p> +<p> +“What’s that?” roared the irate Talbot. “Do +you hear him, Jones? He admits he was going to +break his contract with me. Well, the law will +look to that, you ungrateful young cub!” +</p> +<p> +“Law! contract!” cried Andy scornfully, fully +roused up and fearless now. “Have you kept +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_16'></a>16</span> +your contract with me? You don’t want me, +you want that two hundred dollars——” +</p> +<p> +“Shut up! Shut up!” yelled Talbot, and he +muzzled Andy with one hand and dragged him +away from the spot. Farmer Jones grinned after +them, and he shrugged his shoulders grimly as +he noticed Gus Talbot and Dale Billings halted +down the road, as if averse to coming any nearer. +</p> +<p> +“’Pears to me you’re having a good deal of +trouble with your boys, Talbot,” chuckled Jones. +“That son of yours got a few cracks from my +cane last evening when he was helping himself +to some of my honey among the hives.” +</p> +<p> +Once out of hearing of the farmer, Gus Talbot +edged up to his father. +</p> +<p> +“Has he got the money?” he inquired eagerly. +“Make him tell, father, search him.” +</p> +<p> +“I’ll attend to all that,” retorted the elder Talbot +gruffly. “Here, you two fall behind. There’s +no need of attracting attention with a regular procession.” +</p> +<p> +Talbot did not relax his hold of the prisoner +until they had reached the garage. He roughly +threw Andy into the lumber room. Then, panting +and irritated from his unusual exertions, he +planted himself in the doorway. Gus and Dale +hovered about, anxious to learn the outcome of +the row. +</p> +<p> +“Now then, Andy Nelson,” commenced the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_17'></a>17</span> +garage owner, “I’ve just a few questions to ask +you, and you’ll answer them quick and right, or +it will be the worse for you.” +</p> +<p> +“It has certainly never been the best for me +around here,” declared Andy bitterly, “but I’ll +tell the truth, as I always do.” +</p> +<p> +“Did you find a pocketbook with some money +in it in one of my cars?” +</p> +<p> +“I did,” admitted Andy—“two hundred dollars. +It belonged to my fare, who lost it, and +it’s going back to him.” +</p> +<p> +“Hand it over.” +</p> +<p> +“I can’t do that.” +</p> +<p> +“Why not?” demanded Talbot stormily. +</p> +<p> +“Because I haven’t got it.” +</p> +<p> +“Who has?” +</p> +<p> +“Mr. Dawson, the banker. I took it to him +when I left the garage.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, you did?” muttered Seth Talbot, looking +baffled and furious. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, sir. I told him that it was lost money, +explained the circumstances, and that if a certain +Mr. Robert Webb called or telegraphed for it, +to let him have it.” +</p> +<p> +“Is that the name of the man you took over +to Macon?” +</p> +<p> +“That is the name written in red ink on the +flap of the pocketbook,” and Andy drew out the +former receptacle of the banknotes. “‘Robert +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_18'></a>18</span> +Webb, Springfield.’ I shall write to him at +Springfield and tell him where the money is.” +</p> +<p> +Seth Talbot fairly glared at Andy. He got up +and wriggled and hemmed and hawed, and sat +down again. +</p> +<p> +“Young man,” he observed in as steady tone of +voice as he could command, “you’ve shown a sight +of presumption in taking it on yourself to lay out +my business system. Here you’ve gone and implied +that I was not fit to be trusted.” +</p> +<p> +Andy was silent. +</p> +<p> +“I won’t have it; no, I won’t have it!” shouted +the garage-keeper. “It’s an imputation on my +honor! I’ll give you just one chance to redeem +yourself. You go back to the bank and tell Mr. +Dawson that we’ve got on the direct track of the +owner of the money, and bring it back here.” +</p> +<p> +“That would be a lie,” said Andy. +</p> +<p> +“Don’t we know where he is?” +</p> +<p> +“In a general way, but so does the bank. It +would be a cheat, too, for I don’t believe you +want to get the money back to its rightful owner +any more than you wanted to pay me the tip that +passenger left here for me last week.” +</p> +<p> +Andy had been too bold. Talbot rose up, towering +with rage. He sprang upon Andy, and +threw him upon the cot, holding him there by +sheer brute strength. +</p> +<p> +“Here, you Gus—Dale!” he shouted. “Off +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_19'></a>19</span> +with his hat and shoes. And his coat—no, let +me look that over first. Aha!” +</p> +<p> +Gus Talbot considered it high sport to assail +a defenceless and outnumbered adversary. He +and Dale snatched off cap and shoes without gentleness +or ceremony. Talbot had got hold of +Andy’s little purse and had brought to light the +five dollars so carefully folded and stowed away +there. +</p> +<p> +“Honest? Ha, ha! Decent? Ho, ho!” railed +the old wretch. “Where did you get this five dollars +without stealing it?” +</p> +<p> +“Bet he got ten dollars for the run to Macon +and held back half of it,” chimed in Gus. +</p> +<p> +“My fare gave it to me for making good time,” +explained Andy. “If you don’t believe it, write +to him.” +</p> +<p> +“Yah!” jibed Talbot; “tell that to the marines!” +</p> +<p> +He kicked Andy’s shoes and cap under a bench +in the outer room and threw his coat up among +a lot of old rubbish on a platform under the +roof. +</p> +<p> +“Get the strongest padlock and hasp in the +place,” he ordered his son, “and secure that door. +As to you, young man,” he continued to Andy, +“I’ll give you till night to make up your mind to +get back that money.” +</p> +<p> +“I never will,” declared Andy positively. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_20'></a>20</span> +</p> +<p> +“Boy,” said Seth Talbot, fixing his eye on Andy +in a way that made his blood chill, “you’ll do it, +as I say, or I’ll thrash you within an inch of your +life.” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_21'></a>21</span><a name='chIII' id='chIII'></a>CHAPTER III—RUNAWAY AND ROVER</h2> +<p> +The door of the lumber room was slammed +shut on Andy and strongly locked, and the lad resigned +himself to the situation. The Talbots, +father and son, aided by brutal Dale Billings, had +handled him pretty roughly, and he was content +to lie on the cot and prepare for what was coming +next. +</p> +<p> +“They’ve pretty nearly stripped me, and they’ve +got all my money,” reflected Andy. “I wish now +I had dropped a postal card to Mr. Robert Webb +at Springfield. I’ll do it, though, the first thing, +when I get out of this fix.” +</p> +<p> +Andy was bound to get out of it in some way. +It would be rashness complete to try it right +on the spur of the moment. However, he had +till night to think things over, and the youth felt +pretty positive that long before then he would +hit upon some plan of escape. +</p> +<p> +In a little while Andy got up and took stock +of his surroundings. The partition that shut in +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_22'></a>22</span> +the lumber room was made of common boards. +With a good-sized sledge, Andy could batter it +to pieces, but he had no tools, and glancing +through a crack he saw Talbot and his son in the +little front office ready to pounce on him at a +minute’s notice. +</p> +<p> +There was a long narrow box lying up against +the inside surface of the partition boards. Andy +had used this to hold his little kit of kitchen utensils. +He removed these now, and lifted the box +on end under the only outside aperture the lumber +room presented. This was a little window, way +up near the ceiling. When Andy reached this +small, square hole, cut through a board, he discerned +that he could never hope to creep through +it. +</p> +<p> +Glancing down into the rear yard he made out +Dale Billings, seated on a saw-horse, aimlessly +whittling at a stick, and he decided that the ally +of the Talbots was on guard there to watch out +for any attempted escape in that direction. +</p> +<p> +However, when Andy had done a little more +looking around in his prison-room, he made quite +an encouraging discovery. Where the box had +stood originally there was a broad, loose board. +Dampness had weakened one end, and a touch +pulled it away from the nails that held it. With +one or two vigorous pulls, Andy saw he might +rip the board out of place its entire length. This, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_23'></a>23</span> +however, would make a great noise, would arouse +his captors, and he would have to run the gantlet +the whole reach of the garage space. +</p> +<p> +“It’s my only show, though,” decided Andy, +“and I’ll keep it in mind for later on.” +</p> +<p> +Towards noon Andy made a meal of some +scraps of food he found in his little larder. It +was not a very satisfying meal, for his stock of +provisions had run low that morning and he had +intended replenishing it during the day. +</p> +<p> +About two o’clock in the afternoon Andy fancied +he saw his chance for making a break for +liberty. Talbot was in the office. There was +only one automobile in the garage. This was a +car that the proprietor’s son had just backed in. +Andy could figure it out that Gus had just returned +from a trip. He leaped out of the machine, +simply throwing out the power clutch, with +the engine still in motion, as if intending to at +once start off again. +</p> +<p> +Gus ran to the office, and through the crack +in the partition Andy saw him scan the open page +of the daily order book. Our hero determined +on a bold move. He leaned down in the corner +of the lumber room and seized the end of the +loose plank at the bottom of the partition with +both hands, and gave it a pull with all his strength. +</p> +<p> +R—r—rip—bang! +</p> +<p> +Andy went backwards with a slam. The board +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_24'></a>24</span> +had broken off at the nail-heads of the first rafter +with a deafening crack. He dropped the fragment +and dove through the aperture disclosed to +him. He could hear startled conversation in the +office, but it was no time to stop for obstacles now. +Andy came to his feet in the garage room, made +a superb spring, cleared the hood of the automobile, +and, after a scramble, landed in the driver’s +seat. +</p> +<p> +With a swoop of his right hand, Andy grasped +the lever, his left clutching the wheel. The car +shot for the door in a flash. Gus Talbot had run +out of the office. He saw the machine coming, +and who manned it. Andy noticed him poising +for a spring, snatched up the dust robe in the seat +by his side, gave it a whirl, and forged ahead. +</p> +<p> +The robe wound around the face and shoulders +of Gus, sending him staggering back, discomfited. +Andy circled into the street away from +town, turned down the south turnpike, and +breathed the air of freedom with rapture. +</p> +<p> +“All I want is a safe start. I can’t afford to +leave the record behind me that I stole a machine,” +he reflected. “It’s bad enough as it is +now, with all the lies Talbot will tell. She’s gone +stale!” +</p> +<p> +The automobile wheezed down to an abrupt +halt. It was just as it came to a curve near the +Jones farm, and almost at the identical spot where +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_25'></a>25</span> +Andy had been captured that morning. He cast +a quick glance behind. No one was as yet visible +in pursuit, and there was no other machine in the +garage. One was handy not a square away from +it, however. Andy had noticed a physician’s car +there as he sped along. The Talbots would not +hesitate to impress it into service. At any rate, +they would start some pursuit at once. +</p> +<p> +Andy guessed that some of Gus Talbot’s careless +tactics had put the magneto or carburetor +out of commission. It would take fully five minutes +to adjust things in running order. No one +was in view ahead. There were all kinds of +opportunities to hide before an enemy came upon +the scene. +</p> +<p> +Right at the side of the road was the hayfield +of the Jones farm. Andy leaped a ditch and +started to get to the thin line of scrub oak beyond +which lay the creek. He passed three haystacks +and they now pretty well shut him out from the +road. As he was passing the fourth one, he +stumbled, hopped about on one foot with a sharp +cry of pain, and dropped down in the stubble. +</p> +<p> +Andy had tripped over a scythe blade which +the stubble had hidden from his view. His ankle +had struck the back of the blade, then his foot +had turned and met the edge of the scythe. A +long, jagged gash, which began to bleed profusely, +was the result. Andy struggled to his feet and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_26'></a>26</span> +leaned up against the side of the haystack in +some dismay. He measured the distance to the +brush with his eye. +</p> +<p> +“I’ve got to make it if I want to be safe,” the +boy decided, wincing with the pain of his injured +foot, but resolute to grin and bear it till he had +the leisure to attend to it. +</p> +<p> +A shout halted Andy. It came from the direction +of the barn, and he fancied it was Farmer +Jones giving orders to some of his men. Half +decided to make a run of it anyway, he made a +sudden plunge into the haystack and nestled there. +</p> +<p> +A clatter had come from the direction of the +roadway he had just left. Glancing in that direction, +through a break in the trees, Andy had +caught a flashing view of Gus Talbot, bareheaded +and excited, in a light wagon, and lashing the +horse attached to it furiously. +</p> +<p> +Andy drew farther back in among the hay, nesting +himself out a comfortable burrow. He ventured +to part the hay as he heard a great commotion +in the direction of the road. He could trace +the arrival of Gus, his discovery of the stalled +automobile, and the flocking of Farmer Jones and +his men to the spot. +</p> +<p> +Then in a little while the garage-keeper and +Dale Billings arrived in another machine. Some +arrangement was made to take the various vehicles +back to the village. Then Seth Talbot, his +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_27'></a>27</span> +son, and two of the farm hands scattered over the +field, making for the brush. They went in every +direction. A vigorous hunt was on, and Andy +realized that it would be wise for him to keep +close to his present cover for some time to come. +</p> +<p> +His foot was bleeding badly, and he paid what +attention to it he could. He removed his stockings, +bound up the wound with a handkerchief, +and drew both stockings over the injured member. +</p> +<p> +It was pretty irksome passing the time in his +enforced prison, and finally Andy went to sleep. +It was late dusk when he woke up. He parted +the hay, and took as good a look around as he +could. No one was in sight, apparently, but he +had no idea of venturing forth for some hours +to come. +</p> +<p> +“I’m going to leave Princeville,” he ruminated, +“but I can’t go around the world hatless, coatless +and barefooted. I don’t dare venture back +to the garage for any of my belongings. That +place will probably be watched all the time for +my return. Talbot, too, has probably telephoned +his ‘stop thief’ description of me everywhere. It’s +the river route or nothing, if I expect to get safely +away from this district. Before I go, though, I’m +going to see Mr. Dawson.” +</p> +<p> +This was the gentleman to whom Andy had entrusted +the two hundred dollars. Andy had a +very favorable opinion of him. The village +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_28'></a>28</span> +banker was a great friend of the boys of the town. +He had started them in a club, had donated a +library, and Andy had attended two of his moving-picture +lectures. After the last one, Mr. Dawson +had taken occasion to pass a pleasant word +with Andy, commending his attention to the lecture. +When Andy had taken the two hundred +dollars to him that morning, the banker had +placed his hand on his shoulder, with the remark: +“You are a good, honest boy, Nelson, and I want +to see you later.” +</p> +<p> +“I’ll wait until about nine o’clock,” planned +Andy, “when most of the town is asleep, and go +to Mr. Dawson’s house. There’s a lecture at the +club to-night, I know, and he won’t get home till +after ten. I’ll hide in the garden and catch him +before he goes into the house. I’ll tell him my +story, and ask him to lend me enough to get some +shoes and the other things I need. I know he’ll +do it, for he’s an honest, good-hearted man.” +</p> +<p> +This prospect made Andy light of heart as +time wore on. It must have been fully half-past +eight when he began to stir about, preparatory +to leaving his hiding-place. He moved his injured +foot carefully. It was quite sore and stiff, but he +planned how he would line the timber townwards +and stop at a spring and bathe and dress it again. +He mapped out a long and obscure circuit of the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_29'></a>29</span> +village to reach the home of the banker unobserved. +</p> +<p> +Andy was just about to emerge from the haystack +when the disjointed murmur of conversation +was borne to his ears. He drew back, but peered +through the hay as best he could. It was bright +moonlight. Just dodging from one haystack to +another at a little distance, Andy made out Gus +Talbot and Dale Billings. +</p> +<p> +“Come on,” he heard the latter say—“now’s +our chance.” +</p> +<p> +“They must be still looking for me,” he told +himself. +</p> +<p> +There was no further view nor indication of +the proximity of the twain during the next hour, +but caution caused Andy to defer his intended +visit to the banker. +</p> +<p> +“The coast seems all clear now,” he told himself +at last, and Andy crept out of the haystack, +but promptly crept back again. +</p> +<p> +Of a sudden a great echoing shout disturbed +the silence of the night. Some one in the vicinity +of the farmhouse yelled out wildly: +</p> +<p> +“Fire!” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_30'></a>30</span><a name='chIV' id='chIV'></a>CHAPTER IV—DOWN THE RIVER</h2> +<p> +“Fire—fire!” +</p> +<p> +The cry that had rung out so startlingly was +repeated many times. Andy could trace a growing +commotion. His burrow in the haystack +faced away from the buildings of the Jones farm, +but in a minute or two a great glare was visible +even through his hay shield. +</p> +<p> +Andy did not dare to venture out from his +hiding-place. From increasing shouts and an uproar, +he could understand that the Jones household, +and then the families of neighbors were +thronging to the fire. Some of these latter, making +a short cut from the road, passed directly by +the haystack in which he was hiding. +</p> +<p> +“It’s the barn,” spoke a voice. +</p> +<p> +“That’s what it is, and blazing for good,” was +responded excitedly, and the breathless runners +hurried on. +</p> +<p> +Andy made up his mind that he would have to +stay where he was for some time to come, if he +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_31'></a>31</span> +expected to avoid capture. Very soon people +from the village came trooping to the scene. He +could trace the shouts of the bucket brigade. He +heard one or two automobiles come down the +road. The glare grew brighter and the crowd +bigger. Soon, however, the stubble-field began to +get shadowed again, he noticed. +</p> +<p> +It must have taken the barn an hour to burn +up. People began to repass the haystacks on +their return trips. Andy caught many fragments +of conversation. He heard a man remark: +</p> +<p> +“They managed to save the livestock.” +</p> +<p> +“Yes,” was responded; “but Jones says a couple +of thousand dollars won’t cover his loss.” +</p> +<p> +“What caused it, anyhow?” +</p> +<p> +“It was a mystery to Jones, he says, until Talbot +came along. They seemed to fix up a theory +betwixt them.” +</p> +<p> +“What was that?” +</p> +<p> +“Why, Jones was sort of hot and bitter about +some boys who have bothered him a lot of late. +He walloped one or two of them. Young Gus +Talbot was among them. Jones was hinting +around about the fire being set for revenge, when +Talbot spoke up and reminded him that he had +headed off that runaway apprentice of Talbot’s +this morning.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, the boy they’re looking for—Andy?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, Andy Nelson. He’s the one that set the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_32'></a>32</span> +fire, Talbot declares, and Jones believes it, and +they’re going to start a big hunt for him. Talbot +says he’s beat him out of some money, and Jones +says he’s just hung around before leaving for +good to get even with him for stopping him from +getting away from Talbot.” And, so speaking, +the men passed on. +</p> +<p> +“Well, this is a pretty kettle of fish!” ruminated +Andy. “What next, I wonder?” +</p> +<p> +The refugee felt pretty serious as he realized +the awkward and even perilous situation he was +in. As he recalled the fact that Gus and Dale +Billings had crossed over the field an hour before +the fire broke out, he was pretty clear in his +own mind as to the identity of the firebugs. +</p> +<p> +“It’s no use of thinking about seeing Mr. Dawson +now,” decided Andy. “It’s too late in the +evening, and too many people will be looking for +me. There’s so much piling up against me, that +maybe Mr. Dawson wouldn’t believe a word I +say. No, it’s a plain case. They haven’t any +use for me in Princeville, and the sooner I get +out of the town and stay out of it, the better +for me.” +</p> +<p> +Andy’s foot was in no condition for a long +tramp. He realized this as he stretched it out +and tested his weight upon it. He was not seriously +crippled, but he was in no shape to run a +race or kick a football. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_33'></a>33</span> +</p> +<p> +“It’s going to be no easy trick getting safely +away from Princeville and out of the district,” +the boy told himself. “I’ll wait until about midnight, +then I’ll make for the river. There’s boats +going and coming as far as the lake, and I may +get a lift as far as the city. I can lose myself +there, or branch out for new territory.” +</p> +<p> +Everything was still, and not a sign of life +visible anywhere on the landscape, when Andy +at length ventured to leave his hiding-place. +There was a smell of burned wood in the air, +and some smoke showed at the spot where the +barn had stood, but the town and the farmer’s +household seemed to have gone to bed. +</p> +<p> +No one appeared to see or follow him while +crossing the stubble field, but Andy felt a good +deal easier in mind as he gained the cover of +the brush. +</p> +<p> +The boy was entirely at home here—along +the river as well. He had found little time for +recreation while working for Talbot, but whenever +a spare hour had come along he had made +for the woods and the creek as a natural playground. +Now he went from thicket to thicket +with a sense of freedom. He knew a score of +good hiding-places, if he should be suddenly surprised. +</p> +<p> +Andy looked up and down the creek when he +reached it. He hoped to locate some barge ready +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_34'></a>34</span> +to go down the river with some piles of tan bark, +or a freight boat returning from the summer +camps along the lake. Nothing was moving on +the stream, however, and no water craft in view. +</p> +<p> +“I’ll get below the bridge. Then I’ll be safe +to wait until daylight. Something is bound to +come along by that time,” he reflected. +</p> +<p> +Andy reached and passed the bridge about a +mile below Princeville. There was no other +bridge for ten miles, and if he had to foot it on +his journey to the city, he would be out of the +way of traversed roads. He walked on for about +half a mile and was selecting a sheltered spot to +rest in, directly on the stream, when, a few yards +distant, he noticed a light scow near shore. +</p> +<p> +Andy proceeded towards this. It resembled +many craft of its class used by farmers to carry +grain and livestock to market. Andy noticed that +it was unloaded and poles stowed amidships. He +stepped aboard. No one was in charge of it. +</p> +<p> +“I might find some of the abandoned old skiffs +or rafts the boys play with, if I search pretty +hard,” soliloquized Andy, stepping ashore again. +</p> +<p> +“Hey!” +</p> +<p> +Andy was startled. Tracing the source of the +short, quick hail, he discovered a man seated on a +boulder near a big hazel bush. Andy was startled +a little, and slowly approached his challenger. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_35'></a>35</span> +</p> +<p> +The man who had spoken to him sat like a +statue. He was a pale-faced individual, with very +large bright eyes, and his face was covered with +a heavy black beard. A cape that almost covered +him hung from his shoulders, completely +hiding his hands. He looked Andy over keenly. +</p> +<p> +“Did you call me, mister?” inquired Andy. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, I did,” responded the man. “I was wondering +what you were doing, lurking around here +at this unearthly hour of the night.” +</p> +<p> +Andy mentally decided that it was quite as +much a puzzle to him what the stranger was doing, +sitting muffled up at two o’clock in the morning +in this lonely place. +</p> +<p> +“I was looking for a boat to take me down +stream,” explained Andy. +</p> +<p> +“Are you willing to work for a lift?” inquired +the man. +</p> +<p> +“I should say so,” replied Andy emphatically. +</p> +<p> +“Do you know how to manage a craft like this +one here?” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, that’s no trick at all,” said Andy. “The +river is clear, and there’s nothing to run into, +and all you have to do is to pole along in midstream.” +</p> +<p> +“Where do you want to get to?” +</p> +<p> +“The city.” +</p> +<p> +“I’m not going that far. I’ll tell you what I’ll +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_36'></a>36</span> +do, though,” said the stranger—“you pole me +down to Swan Cove——” +</p> +<p> +“That’s about fifteen miles.” +</p> +<p> +“Yes. You take me that far, and I’ll make it +worth your while.” +</p> +<p> +“It’s a bargain, and I’m delighted!” exclaimed +Andy with spirit. +</p> +<p> +“All right,” said the man; “get to work.” +</p> +<p> +He never got up from his seat while Andy +cast free the shore hawser. When everything was +ready he stepped aboard rather clumsily. Andy +thought it very strange that the man never offered +to help him the least bit. His passenger seated +himself in the stern of the barge, the cloak still +closely enveloping his form, his hands never coming +into sight. +</p> +<p> +It was welcome work for Andy, propelling the +boat. It took his mind off his troubles, and every +push of the pole and the current took him away +from the people who had injured his good reputation +and were bent on robbing him of his liberty. +</p> +<p> +The grim, silent man at the stern of the craft +was a puzzle to Andy. He never spoke nor +stirred. Our hero wondered why he kept so +closely covered up and in what line of transportation +he used the barge. +</p> +<p> +They had proceeded about two miles with +smooth sailing when there was a sudden bump. +The boat had struck a snag. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_37'></a>37</span> +</p> +<p> +“Gracious!” ejaculated Andy, sent sprawling +flat on the deck. +</p> +<p> +The contact had lifted the stranger from his +seat. He was knocked to one side. Andy, scrambling +to his feet, was tremendously startled as his +glance swept his passenger. +</p> +<p> +The man struggled to his feet with clumsiness. +He was hasty, almost suspicious in his movements. +The cloak had flown wide open, and now he was +swaying his arms around in a strange way, trying +to cover them up. +</p> +<p> +“Why!” said the youth to himself, with a sharp +gasp, “the man is handcuffed!” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_38'></a>38</span><a name='chV' id='chV'></a>CHAPTER V—TRAMPING IT</h2> +<p> +“Gracious!” said Andy, and made a jump +clear into the water. +</p> +<p> +The pole had swung out of his hands when +the barge struck the snag. He got wet through +recovering it, but that did not matter much, for +he had little clothing on. +</p> +<p> +By the time he had got back on deck his mysterious +passenger had resumed his old position. +The cloak again completely enveloped the upper +portion of his body and his hands were out of +sight. Andy acted as though his momentary +glance had not taken in the sight of the handcuffs. +</p> +<p> +“Sorry, mister, we struck that snag, but the +moon’s going down and a fog coming up, and I +couldn’t help it.” +</p> +<p> +“Don’t mind that,” was all that the man at +the stern vouchsafed in reply. +</p> +<p> +The moon had gone down as Andy had said, +but enough of its radiance had fallen on the +squirming figure of the stranger a few minutes +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_39'></a>39</span> +previous to show the cold, bright glint of the pair +of manacles. Andy was sure that the man’s +wrists were tightly handcuffed. A sort of a chill +shudder ran over him as he thought of it. +</p> +<p> +“An escaped convict?” Andy asked himself. +“Maybe. That’s bad. I don’t want to be caught +in such company, the fix I’m in.” +</p> +<p> +The thought made the passenger suddenly repellant +to Andy. He had an idea of running close +to the shore and making off. +</p> +<p> +“No, I won’t do it,” he decided, after a moment’s +reflection, “I’m only guessing about all +this. He’s not got a bad face. It’s rather a +wild and worried one. I’m a runaway myself, +and I’ve got a good reason for being so. Maybe +this man has, too.” +</p> +<p> +Andy applied himself to his work with renewed +vigor. It must have been about five o’clock in the +morning when the stranger directed him to navigate +up a feeder to the stream, which, a few rods +beyond, ran into a swamp pond, which Andy +knew to be Swan Cove. +</p> +<p> +A few pushes of the pole drove the craft up on +a muddy slant. It was getting light in the east +now. Andy came up to the man with the question: +</p> +<p> +“Is this where you land, mister?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes,” nodded his passenger. “Come here.” +</p> +<p> +Andy drew closer to the speaker. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_40'></a>40</span> +</p> +<p> +“I told you I’d make it worth your while to +pole me down the river,” he said. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, that’s all right.” +</p> +<p> +“I haven’t got any money, but I want to pay +you as I promised you. Take that.” +</p> +<p> +“What, mister?” and then Andy learned what +the man meant. The latter hunched one shoulder +towards the timber on which he sat, and there +lay a small open-faced silver watch. +</p> +<p> +Andy wondered how he had managed to get it +out of his pocket, but he had, and there it lay. +</p> +<p> +“It’s worth about eight dollars,” explained the +man. “You can probably get four for it. Anyhow, +you can trade it off for some shoes and +clothes, which you seem to need pretty badly.” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, I do, for a fact,” admitted Andy, with a +slight laugh. “But see here, mister, I don’t want +your watch. I couldn’t ask any pay, for I wanted +to come down the creek myself, and I was just +waiting to find the chance to work my way when +you came along.” +</p> +<p> +“You’ll take the watch,” insisted the stranger +in a decided tone, “so say no more about it, and +put it in your pocket. There’s only one thing, +youngster—I want to ask a favor of you.” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, sir.” +</p> +<p> +“Forget you ever saw me.” +</p> +<p> +“That will be hard to do, but I will try.” +</p> +<p> +“What’s your name?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_41'></a>41</span> +</p> +<p> +“Andy Nelson.” +</p> +<p> +“I’ll remember that,” said the man, repeating +it over twice to himself. “You’ll see me again +some time, Andy Nelson, even if I have to hunt +you up. You’ve done me a big favor. You said +you were headed for the city?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, sir.” +</p> +<p> +“Well, if you’ll follow back to the river, and +cut south a mile, you’ll come to a road running +in that direction.” +</p> +<p> +“Aren’t you going to use the barge any farther, +mister?” inquired Andy. +</p> +<p> +“No, and perhaps you had better not, either,” +answered the man, with a short nervous laugh. +</p> +<p> +“Well, this is a queer go!” ruminated Andy, as +the man started inland and was soon lost to view. +“I wonder who he is? Probably on his way to +some friends where he can get rid of those handcuffs. +Now, what for myself?” +</p> +<p> +Andy thought things out in a rational way, and +was soon started on the tramp. His prospective +destination was the city. It was a large place, +with many opportunities for work, he concluded. +He would be lost from his pursuers in a big city +like that, he theorized. +</p> +<p> +Andy soon located the road his late passenger +had indicated. He looked at the watch a good +many times. It was a plain but substantial timepiece. +It was the first watch Andy had ever +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_42'></a>42</span> +owned, and he took great pleasure in its possession. +</p> +<p> +“I don’t think I’ll part with it,” he said, as he +tramped along. “I feel certain I can pick up +enough odd jobs on my way to the city to earn +what clothing I need and enough to eat.” +</p> +<p> +It was about seven o’clock when Andy, after a +steep hill climb, neared a fence and lay down to +rest in the shade and shelter of a big straw stack. +He was asleep before he knew it. +</p> +<p> +“What in the world is that!” he shouted, +springing up, wide awake, as a hissing, flapping, +cackling hubbub filled the air, mingled with shouts +of impatience, excitement and despair. +</p> +<p> +“Head ’em off—drive ’em in! Shoo—shoo!” +bellowed out somebody in the direction of the +road. +</p> +<p> +“Geese!” ejaculated Andy—“geese, till you +can’t rest or count them! Where did they ever +come from? Hi, get away!” +</p> +<p> +As Andy stepped out of range of the straw +stack, he faced a remarkable situation. The field +he was in covered about two acres. It was enclosed +with a woven-wire fence, and had a gate. +Through this, from the road, a perspiring man +was driving geese, aided by a boy armed with a +long switch. +</p> +<p> +Andy had never seen such a flock of geese before. +He estimated them by the hundreds. Nor +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_43'></a>43</span> +had he ever viewed such a battered up, dust-covered, +crippled flock. Many, after getting beyond +the gate, squatted down as if exhausted. Others +fell over on their sides, as if they were dying. +Many of them had torn and bleeding feet, and +limped and hobbled in evident distress. +</p> +<p> +The man and the boy had to head off stupid +and wayward groups of the fowls to get them +within the enclosure. Then when they had closed +the gate, they went back down the road. Andy +gazed wonderingly after them. For half a mile +down the hill there were specks of fluttering and +lifeless white. He made them out to be fowls +fallen by the wayside. +</p> +<p> +The man and boy began to collect these, two +at a time, bringing them to the enclosure, and +dropping them over the fence. It was a tiresome, +and seemed an endless task. Andy climbed the +fence and joined them. +</p> +<p> +“Hello!” hailed the man, looking a little flustered; +“do you belong around here?” +</p> +<p> +“No; I don’t,” replied Andy. +</p> +<p> +“I don’t suppose any one will object to my penning +in those fowls until I find some way of getting +them in trim to go on.” +</p> +<p> +“They can’t do much harm,” suggested Andy. +“I say, I’ll help you gather up the stray ones.” +</p> +<p> +“I wish you would,” responded the man, with +a sound half-way between a sigh and a groan. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_44'></a>44</span> +“I am nigh distracted with the antics of those +fowls. We had eight hundred and fifty when we +started. We’ve lost nigh on to a hundred in +two days.” +</p> +<p> +“What’s the trouble? Do they stray off?” inquired +Andy, getting quite interested. +</p> +<p> +“No; not many of them. The trouble is traveling. +I was foolish to ever dream I could drive up +to nearly one thousand geese across country sixty +miles. The worst thing has been where we have +hit the hill roads and the highways they’re ballasting +with crushed stone. The geese get their feet +so cut they can’t walk. If we try the side of the +roads, then we run into ditches, or the fowls get +under farm fences, and then it’s trouble and a +chase. I say, lad,” continued the man, with a +glance at Andy’s bandaged foot, “you don’t look +any too able to get about yourself.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, that isn’t worth thinking of,” declared +Andy. “I’ll be glad to help.” +</p> +<p> +He quite cheered up the owner of the geese by +his willingness and activity. In half an hour’s +time they had all the disabled stray fowls in the +enclosure. Some dead ones were left where they +had fallen by the wayside. +</p> +<p> +“I reckon the old nag is rested enough to climb +up the rest of the hill now,” spoke the man to +his companion, who was his son. “Fetch Dobbin +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_45'></a>45</span> +along, Silas, and we’ll feed the fowls and get a +snack ourselves.” +</p> +<p> +Andy curiously regarded the poor crowbait of +a horse soon driven into view attached to a ramshackly +wagon. The horse was put to the grass +near the enclosure, and two bags of grain unearthed +from a box under the seat of the wagon +and fed to the penned-in geese. +</p> +<p> +Next Silas produced a small oil-stove, a coffee-pot +and some packages, and, seated on the grass, +Andy partook of a coarse but substantial breakfast +with his new friends. +</p> +<p> +“There’s a town a little ahead, I understand,” +spoke the man. +</p> +<p> +“Yes,” nodded Andy; “Afton.” +</p> +<p> +“Then we’ve got twenty miles to go yet,” sighed +the man. “I don’t know how we’ll ever make it.” +</p> +<p> +Andy gathered from what the man said that he +and his family had gone into the speculation of +raising geese that season. The nearest railroad +to his farm was twenty miles distant. His market +was Wade, sixty miles away. He had decided to +drive the geese to destination. Two-thirds of the +journey accomplished, a long list of disasters +spread out behind, and a dubious prospect ahead. +</p> +<p> +“It would cost me fifty dollars to wagon what’s +left to the nearest railroad station, and as much +more for freight,” said the man gloomily. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_46'></a>46</span> +</p> +<p> +Andy looked speculative. In his mechanical +work his inventive turn of mind always caused +him to put on his thinking-cap when he faced an +obstacle. +</p> +<p> +“I’ve got an idea,” declared Andy brightly. +“Say, mister, suppose I figure out a way to get +your geese the rest of the way to market quite +safely and comfortably, and help drive them the +balance of the distance, what will you do for +me?” +</p> +<p> +“Eh?” ejaculated the man eagerly. “Why, I’d—I’d +do almost anything you ask, youngster.” +</p> +<p> +“Is it worth a pair of shoes, and a new cap +and coat?” asked Andy. +</p> +<p> +“Yes; a whole suit,” said the man emphatically, +“and two good dollars a day on top of it.” +</p> +<p> +“It’s a bargain!” declared Andy spiritedly. “I +think I have guessed a way to get you out of your +difficulties.” +</p> +<p> +“How?” +</p> +<p> +“I’ll show you when you are ready to start.” +</p> +<p> +Andy set to work with vigor. He went to the +back of the wagon and fitted two boards into a +kind of a runway. Then he poured corn into the +trough, and hitched up the old horse. +</p> +<p> +“Now, drive the horse, and I’ll attend to the +corn,” he said. “I won’t give them as much as +you think,” he added, fearing the farmer would +object to the use of so much of his feed. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_47'></a>47</span> +</p> +<p> +It was not long before they were on the way. +As the corn dropped along the road, the geese +ran to pick the kernels up. Andy scattered some +by hand. Soon he had the whole line of geese +following the wagon. +</p> +<p> +“Now drive in the best spots,” he said. +</p> +<p> +“I’ll take to the fields,” answered Mr. Pierce. +</p> +<p> +He was as good as his word, and traveling became +easy for the geese, so that they made rapid +progress. They kept on until nightfall, passing +through Afton, where Andy bought a postal card +and mailed it to Mr. Webb, stating his money +had been left with Mr. Dawson. By eight o’clock +the next morning they reached Wade, and there, +at a place called the Collins’ farm, Andy was paid +off and given the clothing and shoes promised. +He changed his suit in a shed on the farm, and +then the youth bid his new friends good-by and +went on his way. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_48'></a>48</span><a name='chVI' id='chVI'></a>CHAPTER VI—THE SKY RIDER</h2> +<p> +“Hold on, there!” +</p> +<p> +“Don’t stop me—out of the way!” +</p> +<p> +“Why, whatever is the matter with you?” +</p> +<p> +“The comet has fallen——” +</p> +<p> +“What?” +</p> +<p> +“On our barn.” +</p> +<p> +“See here——” +</p> +<p> +“Run for your life. Let me go, let me go, let +me—go!” +</p> +<p> +The speaker, giving the astonished Andy Nelson +a shove, had darted past him down the hill +with a wild shriek, eyes bulging and hair flying +in the breeze. +</p> +<p> +It was the afternoon of the day Andy had said +good-by to Mr. Pierce and his friends. He was +making across country on foot to strike a little +railroad town, having now money enough to +afford a ride to Springfield. +</p> +<p> +Ascending a hilly rise, topped with a great +grove of nut trees, Andy got a glimpse of a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_49'></a>49</span> +farmhouse. He was anticipating a fine cool draught of +well water, when a terrific din sounded out beyond +the grove. There were the violent snortings +of cattle, the sound of smashing boards, a mixed +cackle of all kinds of fowls, and thrilling human +yells. +</p> +<p> +Suddenly rounding the road there dashed +straight into Andy’s arms a terror-faced, tow-headed +youth, the one who had now put down +the hill as if horned demons were after him. +</p> +<p> +Andy divined that the center of commotion and +its cause must focus at the farmhouse. He ran +ahead to come in view of the structure. +</p> +<p> +“I declare!” gasped Andy. +</p> +<p> +Wherever there was a cow, a horse, or a +chicken, the creature was in action. They seemed +putting for shelter in a mad flight. Rushing along +the path leading to the farmhouse, a gaunt, rawboned +farmer was sprinting as for a prize. He +cast fearsome glances over his shoulder, and +bawled out something to his wife, standing spellbound +in the open doorway, bounded past her, +sweeping her off her feet, and slammed the door +shut with a yell. +</p> +<p> +And then Andy’s wondering eyes became fixed +on an object that quite awed and startled him for +the moment. Resting over the roof of the great +barn at the rear of the house was a fantastic creation +of sea-gull aspect, flapping great wings of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_50'></a>50</span> +snowy whiteness. Spick and span, with graceful +outlines, it suggested some great mechanical bird. +</p> +<p> +“Why,” breathed Andy, lost in wondering yet +enchanting amazement, “it’s an airship!” +</p> +<p> +Andy had never seen a perfect aeroplane before. +Small models had been exhibited at the +county fair near Princeville, however, and he had +studied all kinds of pictures of these remarkable +sky-riders. The one on the barn fascinated him. +It balanced and fluttered—a dainty creation—so +frail and delicately adjusted that his mechanical +admiration was aroused to a degree that was almost +thrilling. +</p> +<p> +Blind to jeopardy, it seemed, a man was seated +about the middle of the tilting air craft. The +barn roof was about twenty-five feet high, but +Andy could plainly make out the venturesome +pilot, and his mechanical eye ran over the strange +machine with interest and delight. +</p> +<p> +A hand lever seemed to propel the flyer, and +this the man aloft grasped while his eyes roved +over the scene below. +</p> +<p> +How the airship had got on the roof of the +barn, Andy could only surmise. Either it had +made a whimsical dive, or the motive power +had failed. The trouble now was, Andy plainly +saw, that one set of wings had caught across a +tin ornament at the front gable of the barn. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_51'></a>51</span> +This represented a rooster, and had been bent +in two by the tugging airship. +</p> +<p> +“Hey, you!” sang out the man in charge of +the airship. “Can you get up here any way?” +</p> +<p> +“There’s a cleat ladder at the side.” +</p> +<p> +“All right, come up and bring a rope with +you.” +</p> +<p> +Andy was only too glad to be of service in a +new field that fascinated him. The doors of the +barn were open. He ran in and looked about +busily. At last he discovered a long rope hanging +over a harness hook. He took possession of it, +hurried again to the outside, and nimbly ascended +the cleats. +</p> +<p> +“Look sharp, now, and follow closely,” spoke +the aeronaut. “Creep along the edge, there, and +loop the rope under the end of those side wings.” +</p> +<p> +“I can do that,” declared Andy. He saw what +the man wanted, and it was not much of a task +to balance on the spout running along the edge +of the shingles and then climb to the ridge-pole. +Andy looped the end of the rope over an extending +bar running out from the remote end of the +last paddle. +</p> +<p> +“Now, then,” called out the aeronaut in a +highly-satisfied tone, “if you can get to the seat +just behind me, fetching the rope with you, we’ll +soon be out of this tangle.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_52'></a>52</span> +</p> +<p> +“All right,” said Andy. +</p> +<p> +“And I’ll give you the ride of your life.” +</p> +<p> +“Will you, mister?” cried Andy, with bated +breath and sparkling eyes. +</p> +<p> +The boy began creeping along the slant of +the barn roof. It was slow progress, for he +saw that he must keep the rope from getting +tangled. Another hindrance to rapid progress +was the fact that he had to be careful not to +graze or disturb the delicate wings of the machine. +</p> +<p> +About half the directed progress covered, Andy +paused and looked down. The door of the farmhouse +was in his range of vision, and the farmer +had just opened it cautiously. +</p> +<p> +He stuck out his head, and bobbed it in again. +The next minute he ventured out a little farther. +Now he came out on the stoop of the house. +</p> +<p> +“Hey, you!” he yelled, waving his hands up at +the aeronaut. +</p> +<p> +“Well, neighbor?” interrogated the latter. +</p> +<p> +“What kind of a new-fangled thing is that +you’ve stuck on my barn?” +</p> +<p> +“It’s an airship.” +</p> +<p> +“Like we read about in the papers?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes.” +</p> +<p> +“Sho! and I thought——Who’s afraid?” and +he darted back again into the house. Immediately +he reappeared. He carried an old-fashioned fowling-piece, +and he ran out directly in front of the +barn. +</p> +<div class='figcenter' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='i003' id='i003'></a> +<img src="images/illus02.jpg" alt="“IT’S AN AIRSHIP!”" width="60%" title=""/><br /> +<span class='caption'>“IT’S AN AIRSHIP!”</span> +</div> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_53'></a>53</span></div> +<p> +Andy read his purpose. He readily guessed +that the farmer was one of those miserly individuals +who make the most out of a mishap—the +kind who think it smart to put a dead calf in +the road and make an automobilist think he had +killed it. At all events, the farmer looked bold +enough now, as he posed in the middle of the +road, with the ominous announcement: +</p> +<p> +“I’ve got a word for you up there.” +</p> +<p> +“What is it?” inquired the aeronaut. +</p> +<p> +“Who’s going to settle for this damage?” +</p> +<p> +“What damage?” +</p> +<p> +“What damage!” howled the farmer, feigning +great rage and indignation; “hosses jumped the +fence and smashed down the gate; chickens so +scared they won’t lay for a month; wife in a +spasm, and that there ornament up there—why, I +brought that clear from the city.” +</p> +<p> +“All right, neighbor; what’s your bill?” +</p> +<p> +“Two hundred dollars.” +</p> +<p> +The aeronaut laughed. +</p> +<p> +“You’re not modest or anything!” he observed. +“See here; I’ll toss you a five-dollar bill, and that +covers ten times the entire trouble I’ve made you.” +</p> +<p> +The farmer lifted his gun. He squinted across +the long, awkward barrel, and he pointed it +straight up at the sky-rider and his craft. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_54'></a>54</span> +</p> +<p> +“Mister,” he said fiercely, “my bill is two hundred +dollars, just as I said. You pay it, right +here, right now, or I’ll blow that giddy-fangled +contraption of yours into a thousand pieces!” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_55'></a>55</span><a name='chVII' id='chVII'></a>CHAPTER VII—JOHN PARKS, AIRSHIP KING</h2> +<p> +“Keep right on,” ordered the aeronaut to Andy +in a low tone. +</p> +<p> +Andy squeezed under a bulge of muslin and +wood and reached what looked like a low, flat-topped +stool. +</p> +<p> +“Do you hear me?” yelled the farmer, brandishing +his weapon and trying to look very fierce +and dangerous. +</p> +<p> +The aeronaut, Andy noticed, was reaching in +his pocket. He drew out two small bills and some +silver. He made a wad of this. Poising it, he +gave it a fling. +</p> +<p> +“There’s five dollars,” he spoke to the farmer. +</p> +<p> +The wad hit the farmer on the shoulder, +opened, and the silver scattered at his feet. He +hopped aside. +</p> +<p> +“I won’t take it; I’ll have my price, or I’ll have +the law on you, and I’ll take the law in my own +hands!” he shouted. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_56'></a>56</span> +</p> +<p> +Snap!—the fowling-piece made a sound, and +quick-witted Andy noticed that it was not a click. +</p> +<p> +“See here,” he whispered quickly to the aeronaut; +“that man just snapped the trigger to scare +us, and I don’t believe the old blunderbuss is +loaded.” +</p> +<p> +“All ready,” spoke the aeronaut to Andy, as +the latter reached the seat. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, sir,” reported Andy. +</p> +<p> +“When I back, give the rope a pull and hold +taut till we clear the barn.” +</p> +<p> +“I’ll do it,” said Andy. +</p> +<p> +“Go!” +</p> +<p> +There was a whir, a delicious tremulous lifting +movement that now made Andy thrill all over, +and the biplane backed as the aeronaut pulled a +lever. +</p> +<p> +Andy gave the rope a pull and lifted the entangled +wing entirely clear of the weather-vane. +</p> +<p> +“Now, hold tight and enjoy yourself,” spoke +the aeronaut, reversing the machine. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, my!” breathed Andy rapturously the next +moment, and he forgot all about the farmer and +nearly everything else mundane in the delight and +novelty of a brand-new experience. +</p> +<p> +Andy had once shot the chutes, and had +dreamed about it for a month afterwards. He +recalled his first spin in an automobile with a thrill +even now. That was nothing to the present sensation. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_57'></a>57</span> +He could not analyze it. He simply sat +spellbound. One moment his breath seemed taken +away; the next he seemed drawing in an atmosphere +that set his nerves tingling and seemed to +intoxicate mind and body. +</p> +<p> +The aeronaut sat grim and watchful in the pilot +seat of the glider, never speaking a word. He +had skimmed the landscape for quite a reach. +Then, where the ground began to slant, he said +quickly: +</p> +<p> +“Notice my left foot?” +</p> +<p> +“I do,” said Andy. +</p> +<p> +“Put yours on the stabilizing shaft when I take +mine off.” +</p> +<p> +“Stabilizing shaft,” repeated Andy, memorizing, +“and the name of the airship painted on that +big paddle is the <em>Eagle</em>. Oh, hurrah for the +<em>Eagle</em>!” +</p> +<p> +“When I whistle once, press down with your +foot. Twice, you take your foot off. When I +whistle twice, pull over the handle right at your +side on the center-drop.” +</p> +<p> +“‘Center-drop’?” said Andy. “I’m getting it +fast.” +</p> +<p> +Z—zip! Andy fancied that something was +wrong, for the machine contorted like a horse +raising on his rear feet. Toot! Andy did not lose +his nerve. Toot—toot! he grasped the handle at +his side and pulled it back. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_58'></a>58</span> +</p> +<p> +“Good for you!” commended the aeronaut +heartily. “Now, then, for a spin.” +</p> +<p> +Andy simply looked and felt for the next ten +minutes. The pretty, dainty machine made him +think of a skylark, an arrow, a rocket. He had +a bouyant sensation like a person taking laughing +gas. +</p> +<p> +The lifting planes moved readily under the manipulation +of an expert hand. There was one +level flight where the airship exceeded any railroad +speed Andy had ever noted. Farms, villages, +streams, hills, faded behind them in an endless +panorama. +</p> +<p> +Toot!—Andy followed instructions. They +slowed up over a town that seemed to be some +railroad center. Beyond it the machine skimmed +a broad prairie and then gracefully settled down +in the center of a fenced-in space. +</p> +<p> +Its wheels struck the ground. They rolled +along for about fifty yards, and halted by the side +of a big tent with an open flap at one side. +</p> +<p> +“This is the stable,” said the aeronaut, showing +Andy how to get from his seat on the delicate +and complicated apparatus of the flyer. “Dizzy-headed?” +</p> +<p> +“Why, no,” replied Andy. +</p> +<p> +“Wasn’t frightened a bit?” +</p> +<p> +“Not with you at the helm,” declared Andy. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_59'></a>59</span> +“Mister, if I could do that, I’d live up in the air +all the time.” +</p> +<p> +“You only think so,” said the aeronaut, the +smile of experience upon his practical but good-humored +face. “When you’ve been at it as long +as I have, you’ll feel different. What’s your +name?” +</p> +<p> +“Andy Nelson.” +</p> +<p> +“Out of a job?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, sir.” +</p> +<p> +The aeronaut looked Andy over critically, +</p> +<p> +“That little frame building at the end of the +tent is where we keep house,” he explained. “The +big rambling barracks, once a coal-shed, is my +shop. I’m John Parks. Ever hear of me?” +</p> +<p> +“No, sir,” said Andy. +</p> +<p> +“I’m known all over the country as the Airship +King.” +</p> +<p> +“I can believe that,” said Andy, “but, you see, +I have never traveled far.” +</p> +<p> +“I’ve made it a business giving exhibitions at +fairs and aero meets with this glider and with a +dirigible balloon. Just now I’m drilling for a +prize race—five thousand dollars.” +</p> +<p> +“That’s some money,” observed Andy, “and +I guess you’ll win it.” +</p> +<p> +“I see you like me, and I like you,” said John +Parks. “Suppose you help me win that prize? +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_60'></a>60</span> +I need good loyal help around me, and the way +you obey orders pleases me. I’ll make you an +offer—your keep and ten dollars.” +</p> +<p> +“And I’ll be near the airship?” asked Andy +eagerly. “And learn to run it?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, my!” cried the boy, almost lifted off his +feet. “Mr. Parks, I can’t realize such good +luck.” +</p> +<p> +“It’s yours for the choosing,” said the aeronaut. +</p> +<p> +“Ten dollars a month and my board for helping +run an airship!” said Andy breathlessly. “Oh, +of course I’ll take it—gladly.” +</p> +<p> +“No,” corrected John Parks, “ten dollars a +week.” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_61'></a>61</span><a name='chVIII' id='chVIII'></a>CHAPTER VIII—THE AERO FIELD</h2> +<p> +“That’s settled,” said the Airship King. +“Come, Andy, and I’ll introduce you to our living +quarters.” +</p> +<p> +Andy felt as if he was treading on air. He +was too overcome to speak intelligently. Clear +of the spiteful Talbot brood, the proud possessor +of a new suit, a watch, five dollars, and the prospect +of a princely salary, he felt that life had +indeed begun all over for him in golden numbers. +He caught at the sleeve of his generous employer. +</p> +<p> +“Mr. Parks,” he said with emotion, “it’s like +a dream.” +</p> +<p> +“That’s all right, Andy,” laughed the aeronaut. +“I’m pretty liberal, they say—that is, when I’ve +got the money. I’ve seen my hard times, though. +All I ask is to have a man stick to me through +thick and thin and I’ll bring him out all right.” +</p> +<p> +“I’ll stick to you as long as you’ll let me,” +declared Andy. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_62'></a>62</span> +</p> +<p> +“Yes, you’re true blue, Andy, I honestly believe. +I’ve staked a good deal on the aero meet +next month. I’ve just got to get that five-thousand-dollar +prize to make good, for I’ve invested +a good deal here.” +</p> +<p> +“I hope I can help you do it,” said Andy fervently. +</p> +<p> +“The <em>Eagle</em> is only a trial craft. Over in the +workshop yonder, I’ve got a genius of a fellow, +named Morse, working for me, who is turning +out the latest thing in airships. Here’s our living +quarters.” +</p> +<p> +Mr. Parks led Andy into the shed-like structure +that formed the back of the tent which sheltered +the aeroplane and also a dirigible balloon. +They passed through several partitioned-off spaces +holding cots. Then there was a comfortable sitting +room. Next to it was a kitchen. +</p> +<p> +This room was sizzling hot, for it held a big +cooking-range, before which an aproned cook +stood with an immense basting spoon in his hand. +He was the blackest, fattest cook Andy had ever +seen. His eyes were big with jolly fun, and his +teeth gleamed white and full as he grinned and +nodded. +</p> +<p> +“I’ve brought you a new boarder, Scipio,” said +Mr. Parks. “His name is Andy Nelson. You’ll +have to set another place.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_63'></a>63</span> +</p> +<p> +Then he stepped through a doorway outside, +and Scipio took a critical look at Andy. +</p> +<p> +“’Nother plate, eh?” he chuckled. “Dat’s motion +easy, but what about de contents of dat +plate? Fohteen biscuit do de roun’s now. Yo’ +look like a likely healthy boy. I reckon I have to +double up on de rations.” +</p> +<p> +It was a royally good meal that was spread +out on the table in the sitting room about four +o’clock in the afternoon. +</p> +<p> +“Where’s Mr. Morse, Scipio?” inquired Mr. +Parks, as the cook brought in a smoking roast. +</p> +<p> +“Mistah Morse have to be excused dis reflection, +sah, I believe,” responded Scipio. “I ask +him ’bout noon what he like foh dinnah. He dat + sorbed in his work he muttah something bout +fractions, quations and dirigible expulsions; I hab +none ob dose to cook. Jus’ now I go to call him +to dinnah, an’ I find him deeper than ever poring +over dose wheels an’ jimdracks ob machinery, and +when I say de meal was ready, he observe dat de +quintessimal prefix ob de cylinder was X. O. plus +de jibboom ob de hobolinks. It sounded like dat, +anyhow. Berry profound man, dat, sah. I take +him in his meal later, specially, sah.” +</p> +<p> +From this and other references to the man in +the shop, Andy decided that Mr. Morse must be +quite a proficient mechanician. He longed to get +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_64'></a>64</span> +a peep into his workshop. After dinner, however, +Mr. Parks said: +</p> +<p> +“Would you like to stroll over to the big aero +practice field, Andy?” +</p> +<p> +“I should, indeed,” responded Andy. +</p> +<p> +He found the aviation field to be a more or +less shrouded locality. It was reached only by +crossing myriad railroad tracks, dodging oft-shunted +freight-cars, scaling embankments and +crossing ditches. The field was dotted with shelter +tents for the various air machines, trial chutes +and perfecting shops. +</p> +<p> +There were any number of monoplanes, biplanes +and dirigible balloons. On the different +tents was painted the name of the machine housed +therein. There was the <em>Montgo</em>, <em>Glider</em>, the <em>Flying +Dutchman</em>, the <em>Lady Killer</em>, and numerous +other novelties with fanciful names. +</p> +<p> +“Every professional seems to be getting up +the oddest freak he can think of,” explained +Parks. “Do you see that new-fangled affair with +the round discs? That is called the helicopotol. +That two-winged, one-hundred-bladed freak just +beyond is the gyropter. Watch that fellow just +going up with the tandem rig. That’s a new thing, +too. It’s of the collapsible type, made for quick +transportation, but not worth a cent as a racer.” +</p> +<p> +Andy was in a realm of rare delight. He passed +the happiest and most interesting hour of his life +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_65'></a>65</span> +looking over and studying all these wonderful +aerial marvels about him. +</p> +<p> +When they got back to camp, the aeronaut +showed Andy where he would sleep, and told him +something about the routine. +</p> +<p> +“I am making test runs with the <em>Eagle</em>,” he explained, +“and will want you to sail with me for a +day or two. Then you may try a grasshopper run +or two yourself.” +</p> +<p> +“I shall like it immensely,” declared Andy with +enthusiasm. +</p> +<p> +When Mr. Parks had left him, Andy wandered +outside. The sound of a twanging banjo led him +to the front of the kitchen quarters. +</p> +<p> +Seated on a box, his eyes closed, his face wearing +an expression of supreme felicity, was Scipio. +Strains of “My Old Kentucky Home” floated on +the air. The musician, opening his eyes, happened +to spy Andy. +</p> +<p> +“Tell you, chile,” declared the portly old cook, +with a rare sigh of longing, “des yar Scip could +play dat tune all night long.” +</p> +<p> +“Keep right at it, Scipio,” smiled Andy. “You +go on enjoying your music, while I do up any little +chores you have to attend to.” +</p> +<p> +“If it wouldn’t be a deposition on yo’,” remarked +Scipio thoughtfully, “dar’s de suppah +dishes I’d like brung back from Mistah Morse’s +quarters.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_66'></a>66</span> +</p> +<p> +“Can I find them?” inquired Andy. +</p> +<p> +“Yo’ jess follow yo’ nose down through the big +shed,” directed Scipio. “Mistah Morse nevah notice +yo’. He’s dat substracted he work all night.” +</p> +<p> +Andy proceeded on his mission. Passing +through one shed, he saw a light at the end of +one adjoining. In the second shed he came to a +halt with sparkling eyes and bated breath. +</p> +<p> +Across a light platform lay the skeleton of an +airship. Its airy elegance and fine mechanism +appealed to Andy intensely. He went clear +around it, wishing he had the inventive faculty +to construct some like masterpiece in its line. +</p> +<p> +Just beyond the machine was a small apartment +where a light was burning. Near its doorway was +a table upon which Andy observed a tray of dishes +and the remnants of a meal. +</p> +<p> +He moved forward carefully to remove them, +for seated at a work-bench and deeply engrossed +in some work at a small lathe, was a man wearing +great goggles on his eyes. +</p> +<p> +“It must be Mr. Morse, the airship inventor,” +thought Andy. +</p> +<p> +Just then the inventor removed his goggles, +rubbed his eyes and turned his face towards Andy. +</p> +<p> +With a crash the boy dropped a plate, and +with a profound start he drew back, staring +blankly at the man at the bench. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, my!” said Andy breathlessly. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_67'></a>67</span><a name='chIX' id='chIX'></a>CHAPTER IX—THE AIRSHIP INVENTOR</h2> +<p> +Morse, the inventor, made a grab for his eye-goggles. +He had become a shade paler. He did +not take up the goggles, however. Instead, he +turned his back on Andy. +</p> +<p> +Our hero had a right to be startled. He stood +staring and spellbound, for he had recognized the +inventor in an instant. He was the handcuffed +man he had poled down the river from Princeville +the night of the flight from the Talbots, +and who had given him the very watch he now +carried in his pocket with such pride and satisfaction. +</p> +<p> +The man had shaved off his full beard since +Andy had first met him. This made him look +different. It was the large, restless eyes, however, +that had betrayed his identity. Andy would +know them anywhere. He at once realized that +the inventor had sought to disguise himself. Probably, +Andy reasoned, he had caught him off his +guard with the goggles off his eyes. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_68'></a>68</span> +</p> +<p> +“What did you say ‘oh, my!’ for?” suddenly +demanded the inventor. +</p> +<p> +“I—I thought I recognized you—I thought I +knew you,” said Andy. +</p> +<p> +“Do you think so now?” inquired the inventor, +turning sharply face about. +</p> +<p> +“I certainly thought I knew you.” +</p> +<p> +“And suppose you was right?” +</p> +<p> +“If you were really the person I supposed,” +replied Andy, “I would have done just exactly +what I promised to do when I last saw that person.” +</p> +<p> +“And what was that?” +</p> +<p> +“To forget it.” +</p> +<p> +“You’d keep your word, eh?” +</p> +<p> +“I generally try to.” +</p> +<p> +The man’s eyes seemed riveted on Andy in a +peculiar way that made the boy squirm. There +was something uncanny about it all. Andy experienced +a decidedly disagreeable creeping sensation. +The inventor was silent for a moment or +two. Then he asked: +</p> +<p> +“Who sent you here?” +</p> +<p> +“I wasn’t sent by any one. I just came.” +</p> +<p> +“How?” +</p> +<p> +“With Mr. Parks—in his airship.” +</p> +<p> +“Are you going to stay here?” +</p> +<p> +“He has hired me at ten dollars a week and +board,” proudly announced Andy. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_69'></a>69</span> +</p> +<p> +“He’s a good man,” said Morse. “I don’t +think he’d pick you out if you were a bad boy. +What time is it?” +</p> +<p> +This question was so significant that it flustered +Andy. He drew out his watch in a blundering +sort of a way, fancying that he detected the faint +shadow of a smile on the face of his interlocutor. +</p> +<p> +“It’s half-past seven,” he reported. +</p> +<p> +“Watch keep good time?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, sir. The man who gave it to me was +the man whom I took you for.” +</p> +<p> +“Good timepiece.” +</p> +<p> +“Splendid.” +</p> +<p> +“U-m. What’s your name?” +</p> +<p> +“Andy Nelson.” +</p> +<p> +“I’m going to trust you, Andy Nelson; I don’t +think I will have any reason to regret it.” +</p> +<p> +“I will try to deserve your confidence, Mr. +Morse.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, you know my name?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, sir. I heard Mr. Parks speak of you.” +</p> +<p> +“I see—of course. I must be cautious after +this, though. I had an idea that shaving off my +beard would change my appearance, but as you +recognized me, I must not be seen by outsiders +without my goggles. Andy, I do not wish Mr. +Parks to know anything about that handcuff affair +of mine.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_70'></a>70</span> +</p> +<p> +“All right, sir.” +</p> +<p> +“I suppose it struck you suspiciously.” +</p> +<p> +“It did at first,” confessed Andy. “When I +came to think it over, though, I remembered that +I was in trouble and acting suspiciously myself. +I knew that I was right in my motives, and I +hoped you were.” +</p> +<p> +“I’ll tell you something, Andy,” said the inventor. +“It won’t be much for the present, but +later I may tell you a good deal more. A bad +crowd have a hold on me, a certain power that has +enabled them to scare me and rob me at times. +I am an inventor. They knew that I was getting up +a new airship. They captured me and locked me +up. They demanded a price for my liberty—that +I would disclose my plan to them. I consented. +They even forced me to make a working +model. The night before the day I intended to +complete it I made my escape, but handcuffed. +You came along and helped me on the way to freedom. +After I left the barge on the creek I got to +the home of a friend, disguised myself, and came +here and hired out with Mr. Parks.” +</p> +<p> +“But your invention the rascals got away from +you?” +</p> +<p> +“Let them keep it,” responded the inventor, “so +long as they do not trouble me again. There was +a defect in the model they stole from me. Unless +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_71'></a>71</span> +they are smart enough to remedy it, they may +find out they haven’t made so big a haul as they +anticipate. Look here, Andy.” +</p> +<p> +Mr. Morse beckoned our hero over to the +work-bench and showed him a drawing. +</p> +<p> +“The work you see in the big room,” he said, +“is the skeleton of this machine. I am basing +great hopes on it. I want to make a record in +aviation, for I believe it will be the most promising +field for inventors for many years to come. +If you are going to work with us, you should know +what is going on. This is my new model.” +</p> +<p> +As Mr. Morse spoke, he became intent and +eloquent. He lost himself in his enthusiasm as an +inventor. Andy was a ready listener, and it was +delightful to him to explore this marvel of machines. +</p> +<p> +“What I hope to accomplish,” explained Mr. +Morse, “is to construct a combined steerer and +balancer on one lever. I aim to make this lever +not only tilt the flyer to which it is attached on +a transverse axis, but also on a longitudinal axis. +It is called a double-action horizontal rudder, and +if I succeed will give instantaneous control of a +flying-machine under all conditions, be it a high +wind or the failing of motive power. I combine +with it a self-righting automatic balance. It is a +brand-new idea. I thought those villains I have +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_72'></a>72</span> +told you about had stolen my greatest idea, but +this beats it two to one.” +</p> +<p> +“Will they try to use the invention they stole +from you?” inquired Andy. +</p> +<p> +“Of course they will—to their cost—if they +are too rash,” declared the inventor seriously. +“That was a rudder idea, too.” +</p> +<p> +“Tell me about it, Mr. Morse,” pleaded Andy; +“I am greatly interested in it all.” +</p> +<p> +“I am going to tell you, Andy,” responded the +inventor, “because I believe the men who imprisoned +me will try to enter the prize contest, and I +want to keep track of them. I don’t dare venture +among them myself, but I may ask you to seek +them out and bring me some news.” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, sir,” said Andy. +</p> +<p> +“The head man of the crowd is an old circus +man named Duske. It is a good name for him, +for he is dark in looks and deed. The idea they +have stolen from me is this: In place of the conventional +airship rudder, I planned to equip the +aeroplane with movable rear sections of pipe, the +main sections of this pipe to extend the full length +of the craft. Suction wheels at each end of the +main tube force the air backwards through the +tube, the force of this air explosion driving the +nose of the craft into the air when the movable +section of the tube is raised, lowering it when it +is pointed downwards, and providing for its +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_73'></a>73</span> +lateral progress on the same principle. Do you +follow me?” +</p> +<p> +“I can almost see the machine right before my +eyes, the way you tell about it!” said Andy, with +breathless enthusiasm. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_74'></a>74</span><a name='chX' id='chX'></a>CHAPTER X—LEARNING TO FLY</h2> +<p> +That was the first of many pleasant and interesting +visits that Andy had with Mr. Morse, the +inventor. By the end of the week the automobile +boy had become an airship enthusiast. Andy was +charmed. When he was not pottering about the +<em>Eagle</em> or sailing the air with John Parks, he was +with Mr. Morse in a congenial atmosphere of +mechanics. +</p> +<p> +Although John Parks was now engrossed in +using his glider, he had not given up using his +dirigible balloon, and he also gave Andy some +lessons in running this. +</p> +<p> +The dirigible was shaped like a fat cigar, and +had under it a frame-work carrying a thirty horse-power +motor and two six-foot suction wheels. +When there was no wind, the dirigible could sail +quite well, but in a breeze it was hard to make +much progress, and to use it in a high wind was +entirely out of the question. +</p> +<div class='figcenter' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='i004' id='i004'></a> +<img src="images/illus03.jpg" alt="HE GAVE ANDY SOME LESSONS IN RUNNING THIS" width="60%" title=""/><br /> +<span class='caption'>HE GAVE ANDY SOME LESSONS IN RUNNING THIS</span> +</div> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_75'></a>75</span></div> +<p> +“The monoplanes and biplanes make the old-style +balloons and the dirigibles take a back seat,” +said the Airship King. “But, just the same, if +your motor gives out, a dirigible is a nice thing +to float down in.” +</p> +<p> +“I like the dirigible,” answered Andy. “But +for speed, give me the new kind of flying machines.” +</p> +<p> +Andy was in his element among the lathes, +vises, saws, and general tools of the workshop. +Once or twice he made practical suggestions that +pleased Morse greatly. The inventor rarely left +the camp, and when he did it was generally after +dark. There was material and aeroplane parts +to purchase. These commissions were entrusted +to Andy, and he showed intelligence in his selections. +Once he had to go fifty miles on the railroad +to a factory to have some special devices +made. He used such dispatch, and was so successful +in getting just what was wanted by staying +with the order till it was filled, that Mr. +Morse warmly commended him to Parks. +</p> +<p> +Andy had drifted completely away from the +old life. He was fast forgetting all about the +Talbots and his former troubles at Princeville. +One day, in a burst of satisfaction over a trial +flight Andy made alone in a monoplane, John +Parks declared that he would not rest until he +had made Andy the junior air king of America. +Then Andy felt that he had found his mission +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_76'></a>76</span> +in life, and pursued his new avocation with more +fervor than ever. +</p> +<p> +About all Parks thought or talked of was the +coming aero meet. Andy learned that he was investing +over two thousand dollars in maintaining +the camp and in building the machine with which +he was to compete for the prize. His success +would mean something more than the winning of +the five thousand dollars. It would add to the +laurels already gained as the Air King in his former +balloon experience, and would make him a +prominent figure in the aviation field. +</p> +<p> +“Come on, Andy,” he said to his young assistant +one afternoon. “We’ll stroll over to the +main grounds and see what new wrinkle these ambitious +fellows are getting up.” +</p> +<p> +They spent an interesting hour over in the +main enclosure where prospective exhibitors were +located. There was quite a crowd of visitors. +Some of the aviators were explaining the make-up +of their machines, and others were making try-out +flights. Parks and Andy were passing to +the outfield where the test ascensions were in +progress, when the former suddenly left the side +of his companion. +</p> +<p> +Andy was surprised to see him hasten up behind +a sinister-looking man, who was apparently +explaining to an old farmer about the machines. +Parks seized the man rudely by the arm and faced +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_77'></a>77</span> +him around squarely. The latter scowled, and +then a strange, wilted expression came into his +dark face. +</p> +<p> +“Excuse this gentleman, if you will,” said Parks +to the farmer. +</p> +<p> +“Why, suttinly,” bobbed the ruralite. “Much +obleeged to him for being so perlite in showing +me ’round.” +</p> +<p> +Parks drew the shrinking man he had halted +to the side of a tent. +</p> +<p> +“Now, then, Gib Duske,” he said sternly, +“what were you up to with that greenhorn?” +</p> +<p> +“He told you, didn’t he?” growled the other; +“showing him the sights.” +</p> +<p> +“You’re given to doing such things for nothing!” +rejoined Parks sarcastically. “I recall some +of your exploits in that line in the rural districts +when you were with the circus.” +</p> +<p> +“See here,” broke out the other angrily, “what +is it your business?” +</p> +<p> +“Just this,” retorted Parks steadily; “we’re trying +to run a decent enterprise here, and such persons +as you have got to give an account of themselves +or vacate. What’s your game, anyhow?” +</p> +<p> +“I’m up to no game that I know of,” sullenly +muttered the man called Gib Duske. “If you +must know, I’ve entered my airship for the race.” +</p> +<p> +“You!” exclaimed Parks; “‘Your airship!’ +Where did you get an airship?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_78'></a>78</span> +</p> +<p> +“I suppose I have friends to back me like anybody +else when they see a show for their money. +I’m an old balloonist. A syndicate, knowing my +professional skill, has put up the capital to give +me a try.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, they have?” observed Parks incredulously. +“I’d like to see your syndicate.” +</p> +<p> +“And I’ve got my machine,” declared Duske +excitedly, “I’d have you know. I’ve heard you’re +entered. Fair play, then, and I’m going to beat +the field.” +</p> +<p> +Parks eyed his companion in speculative silence +for a minute or two. Then he said: +</p> +<p> +“You talk about fair play. Good! You’ll get +it here, if you’re square. If you’re not, you had +best take my warning right now, and cut out for +good. There will be no balloon slitting like there +was at a certain race you were in two years ago +out West. The first freak or false play you make +to queer an honest go, I’ll expose you to the +field.” +</p> +<p> +“I’ve got no such intentions,” mumbled Duske, +with a malicious glance at his challenger. +</p> +<p> +“See you don’t, that’s all,” retorted Parks, and +walked off. “You noticed that man?” he added, +as he rejoined Andy, who had listened with interest +to the conversation. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, particularly,” answered Andy, really able +to tell his employer more than he dared. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_79'></a>79</span> +</p> +<p> +“Whenever you run across him,” went on the +Air King, “keep your eyes wide open. I’d like +to know just how much truth there is in his talk +about entering for the race.” +</p> +<p> +“Is he a bad man, Mr. Parks?” inquired Andy. +</p> +<p> +“He was once a confidence man,” explained the +aeronaut. “When I knew him he was giving balloon +ascensions at a circus. He had a hired crowd +picking pockets while people were staring up into +the air watching his trapeze acts. Once at a race +he slyly slit the balloon of an antagonist, who +was nearly killed by the fall.” +</p> +<p> +“I’ll find out just what he is doing,” exclaimed +Andy. +</p> +<p> +“You can manage, for he knows me,” observed +Parks. +</p> +<p> +Andy said no more. He was pretty sure from +the name and description that the fellow whom +his employer had just called down was the enemy +that Mr. Morse had told him about. He wished +he could tell Mr. Parks all that he knew and surmised, +but he could not break his promise to the +inventor. +</p> +<p> +“Hello, there, Ridley!” hailed Parks, as they +came to where a lithe, undersized man was volubly +boasting to an open-mouthed crowd about the +superior merits of his machine. “Bragging +again?” +</p> +<p> +“Go on, John Parks,” called the little man +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_80'></a>80</span> +good-naturedly. “I’m not in your class, so what +are you jumping on me for?” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, just to stir you up and keep you encouraged. +I hear you’ve got a machine that will land +just as steadily and balance on top of a telegraph-pole +as on a prairie.” +</p> +<p> +“That’s pretty near the truth, John Parks,” declared +Ridley. “I can’t make a mile in thirty +seconds, but I can get to the ground on a straight +dive ahead of your clumsy old <em>Eagle</em>, or any other +racer on the field.” +</p> +<p> +“Why, Ridley,” retorted Parks, in a vaunting +way, “I’ve got a boy here who can give you a +handicap and double discount you.” +</p> +<p> +“Is that him?” inquired Ridley, with a stare at +Andy. +</p> +<p> +“That’s him out of harness,” laughed Parks. +“Like to see him do something?” +</p> +<p> +“Just to show you’re all bluster, I would,” answered +Ridley. +</p> +<p> +“Machine in order?” +</p> +<p> +“True as a trivet.” +</p> +<p> +“Andy, give them a sample of a real bird diving, +will you?” +</p> +<p> +“All right,” said Andy. +</p> +<p> +He had not been tutored by his skillful employer +vainly. Andy was in excellent practice. +He got into the clear, started up the Ridley machine, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_81'></a>81</span> +and took a shoot on a straight slant up +into the air about one hundred and fifty feet. +</p> +<p> +A cry of surprise went up from the watching +group as Andy suddenly let the biplane slide on +a sharp angle towards the ground, shutting off +the power at the same time. +</p> +<p> +Again reaching a fair height, he tipped the biplane +on an angle of five degrees and came down +so fast that the spectators thought something was +wrong. When the machine was within a yard of +the ground, Andy brought it to the horizontal +with ease and made a pretty landing. +</p> +<p> +“Well, Ridley,” rallied John Parks, as the stupefied +owner of the machine stared in open-mouthed +wonder, “what do you say to that?” +</p> +<p> +“What do I say,” repeated Ridley. “I say, +look out for your laurels, John Parks. That boy +is a wonder!” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_82'></a>82</span><a name='chXI' id='chXI'></a>CHAPTER XI—SPYING ON THE ENEMY</h2> +<p> +“There is that man again, Mr. Parks.” +</p> +<p> +“Duske? Yes.” +</p> +<p> +“Shall I follow him?” +</p> +<p> +“I’d like to know just what he is about.” +</p> +<p> +“I would like to try and find out,” declared +Andy, with more eagerness than his employer suspected. +</p> +<p> +“All right, Andy; look him up a bit. Watch +out for trouble, though, for he is a dangerous +man.” +</p> +<p> +It was late in the afternoon of the day succeeding +Andy’s sensational performance, and Parks +and his young assistant were again on the aviation +field. +</p> +<p> +Andy had made out the man whom Parks had +called Duske carrying two cans of gasoline past +a tent. He did not seem to have observed Parks, +and Andy did not believe that he knew him. Andy +left the side of his employer, and, circulating +around kept Duske in sight from a distance. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_83'></a>83</span> +</p> +<p> +The boy had not said anything to Mr. Morse +about Duske. He felt certain that Duske was +one of the enemies the inventor had described. +Just at present, however, Andy considered it +would be unwise to disturb Morse. The latter +had almost completed the new airship. His mind +was absorbed in his task, and he was working +day and night. +</p> +<p> +Duske passed the last tent on the field, and then +struck off beyond some old railroad sheds to the +side of an abandoned switchyard. Scattered here +and there over this space were several tents. They +were occupied by aero contestants who had not +been able to get a favorable location on the big +field, or by those who had sought this seclusion +because they wished to be isolated with some fancied +new invention, the details of which they did +not wish their contestants to learn. +</p> +<p> +Finally Duske seemed to arrive at his destination. +It was where stout canvas had been +stretched about fifty feet out from the blank side +of an old frame shed. These strips of canvas +and the shed cut out completely a view of what +was beyond. The front of this enclosure was +guarded by a roof set up on posts, this leading +into the entrance tent of the main enclosure. +</p> +<p> +A man about as sinister looking as Duske himself +was cooking something on a stove, and two +others were lounging on a bench near by. Duske +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_84'></a>84</span> +carried the gasoline cans out of sight. Andy got +around to the side of the enclosure, way back +near its shed end. +</p> +<p> +It was getting well on toward nightfall, and he +felt that he was secure in making some bold, +prompt investigations. There was no doubt that +the large tent enclosed the airship which Duske +and his crowd intended to enter for the race. +Andy attempted to lift the canvas at one or two +points, but found it securely pegged to the ground. +</p> +<p> +“Humph!” he soliloquized, “everything nailed +down tight. Must make their trial flights at midnight. +They must think they have got a treasure +in there. I’ve got to see it.” +</p> +<p> +Finally Andy came to a laced section of the canvas, +which he was able to press apart a foot or +more by tight tugging. He squeezed through, and +stood inside the enclosure. +</p> +<p> +There was light enough to show outlines, and +with a good deal of curiosity Andy walked around +and inspected an aeroplane propped up on a platform +in the center of the enclosure. He came to +a halt at one end of the machine. Two long hollow +tubes extended beyond the folding planes. +</p> +<p> +“Why,” breathed Andy, “it’s the idea they +stole from Mr. Morse. Here’s the suction apparatus, +and all!” +</p> +<p> +“Hi, there! who are you?” +</p> +<p> +The challenge came so sharp and sudden that +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_85'></a>85</span> +Andy was taken completely off his guard. Two +men had come from the front tent, their footsteps +being noiseless on the soft earth floor. One +of them was the man Duske. +</p> +<p> +“Just looking around,” replied Andy, edging +away and pulling his cap down over his eyes. +</p> +<p> +“How did you get in here?” +</p> +<p> +“Slit in the canvas.” +</p> +<p> +“Don’t let him go—grab him,” ordered +Duske’s companion quickly, and Andy began to +back towards the canvas. +</p> +<p> +Duske reached out and made a grab at Andy. +The latter dodged, but Duske’s hand landed on +his cap. His glance falling to the inside peak, +he could not help reading there the words: +“<em>Eagle</em>—Andy Nelson.” +</p> +<p> +Nearly everything worn by Parks and Andy, +as all the parts of the <em>Eagle</em>, were marked, so +that in case of an accident identification would +be easy. +</p> +<p> +“<em>‘Eagle’!</em>” cried Duske, bristling up. “Do you +belong to the <em>Eagle</em> crowd?” +</p> +<p> +“He’s a spy—head him off!” shouted the other +man. +</p> +<p> +“<em>‘Eagle’</em>—‘Andy Nelson’,” continued Duske. +“That’s your name, is it? Now then, what are +you snooping around here for?” +</p> +<p> +“What’s that, what’s that?” challenged the +other man quickly. “‘Andy Nelson?’ Say, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_86'></a>86</span> +Duske, that sounds familiar. I just read that +name somewhere—I have it—in a newspaper——” +</p> +<p> +“Thunder! he’s slipped us,” exclaimed Duske. +</p> +<p> +Both men had started for Andy. The latter +let them come on, ducked down, dove straight +between them, ran to the slitted canvas, squeezed +through, and sprinted away from the spot on +feet of fleetness. +</p> +<p> +“I don’t know how much I have mixed up +affairs,” he reflected, as he made for the home +camp. “Those fellows know my name and that +I am with Mr. Parks. What bothers me most, +is what the man said about seeing my name in a +newspaper. Some one here—in an automobile.” +</p> +<p> +As Andy reached home he observed an automobile +in front of the living quarters. A man +came out as Andy stood wondering who the visitor +could be. Andy noticed that he carried a +small black case. +</p> +<p> +“A doctor,” he decided hastily. “Can any one +be sick? What has happened?” he asked, as +Scipio came out. +</p> +<p> +“Hahd luck, chile, hahd luck!” replied the +cook very seriously. “Yo bettah see Mistah +Parks right away.” +</p> +<p> +Andy hurried to the sitting room. Lying covered +up on a couch, his right arm in splints, and +looking pale and distressed, was the aeronaut. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_87'></a>87</span> +</p> +<p> +“Oh, Mr. Parks! what is the matter?” asked +Andy in alarm. +</p> +<p> +“Everything off, lad,” replied his employer, +with a wince and a groan. “I’ve had a bad fall, +arm broken in two places, and we can’t make the +airship race.” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_88'></a>88</span><a name='chXII' id='chXII'></a>CHAPTER XII—TRACED DOWN</h2> +<p> +“Be careful, Mr. Parks!” +</p> +<p> +“Foh goodness sake, sah! Yo want to break +dat arm ober again?” +</p> +<p> +Mr. Morse, the inventor, and Scipio, the cook, +made a frantic rush for the aeronaut. They were +grouped together in the center of the space occupied +by their camp. The eyes of each had been +fixed on an object floating about in the air over-head. +All had been pleased and excited, but +particularly Parks. Now as the object aloft +made a skim that seemed to beat a mile a minute +dash, John Parks lost all control of himself. +</p> +<p> +He forgot the fractured arm he had carried +in a sling for three days, and actually tried to +wave it, as he burst forth: +</p> +<p> +“Morse, you’re a genius, and that boy, Andy +Nelson, is the birdman of the century!” +</p> +<p> +Andy deserved the praise fully that was being +bestowed upon him. That morning Mr. Morse +had completed the <em>Racing Star</em>, his new airship. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_89'></a>89</span> +At the present moment it was making its initial +flight. +</p> +<p> +The relieved, contented face of Morse showed +his satisfaction over the fact that his work was +done and done well. Scipio stared goggle-eyed. +As to John Parks, expert sky sailor that he was, +his practiced eye in one moment had discerned +the fact that the <em>Racing Star</em> was the latest and +best thing out in aviation, and he went fairly wild +over the masterly way in which Andy handled +the machine. +</p> +<p> +Andy aloft, had eye, nerve and breath strained +to test the splendid device to its complete capacity. +He was himself amazed at the beauty +the utility of the dainty creation just turned out +from the workshop. What the Airship King had +taught him Andy had not forgotten. After +five minutes spent in exploiting every angle of +skill he possessed, Andy brought the superb aeroplane +down to the ground, graceful as a swan. +John Parks ran up to him, chuckling with delight. +</p> +<p> +“You wonder! you daisy!” he roared, shaking +Andy’s hand with his well arm. +</p> +<p> +Andy was flushed with triumph and excitement. +</p> +<p> +“If there’s any wonder to talk about,” he said, +“it’s that glorious piece of work, the <em>Racing Star</em>, +and the splendid man who made it.” +</p> +<p> +Morse smiled, a rare thing for him. Then he +said modestly: +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_90'></a>90</span> +</p> +<p> +“It will do the work, handled as you manage +it, Andy.” +</p> +<p> +“I feel like a caged lion, or an eagle with its +wings clipped!” stormed Parks, with a glance at +his bandaged arm. “Why did I go trying to show +a bungling amateur how to run an old wreck of a +monoplane, and get my arm broken for my pains, +and lose that five-thousand-dollar prize!” +</p> +<p> +“There is time to enter a substitute, Mr. +Parks,” suggested the inventor. +</p> +<p> +“Who?” demanded the aeronaut scornfully. +“Some amateur who will sell me out or bungle +the race, and maybe smash up my last thousand +dollars?” +</p> +<p> +“Mr. Parks,” said Andy, in a quick breath, +and colored up and paused suddenly. “I’d be +glad to try it. Say the word, and I’ll train day +and night for the race.” +</p> +<p> +“Andy, win it, and half of that five thousand +dollars is yours.” +</p> +<p> +From excitement and incoherency, the little +group got down to a serious discussion of the +situation during the next half hour. +</p> +<p> +“It’s just one week from the race,” said Andy. +“What can’t I do in learning to run the <em>Racing +Star</em> in that time?” +</p> +<p> +“Andy, you must make it,” declared Parks energetically. +“It just seems as if my heart would +break if we lost this record.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_91'></a>91</span> +</p> +<p> +Mr. Morse got out a chart he had drawn of +the run to be made on the twenty-first of the +month. +</p> +<p> +“The course is very nearly a straight one,” +explained Parks; “from the grounds here to +Springfield, where the State fair is going on. +Pace will be set by a Central Northern train, +carrying assistants and repairs. The fleet will be +directed by a large American flag floating from +the rear of the train. It’s almost a beeline, Andy, +and the <em>Racing Star</em> is built for speed.” +</p> +<p> +They made another ascent the next morning. +Air and breeze conditions were most favorable +for the try-out. Seated amidships, wearing a +leather jacket, cap and gloves, Andy had the +motor keyed up to its highest speed. The quick +sequence of its exhaust swelled like a rapid-fire +gun. +</p> +<p> +The machine rolled forward, the propellers +beat the air, and the <em>Racing Star</em> rose on a smooth +parabola. Andy attempted some volplane skits +that were fairly hair-raising. He raced with real +birds. He practiced with the wind checks. For +half an hour he kept up a series of practice stunts +of the most difficult character. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, but you’re a crack scholar, Andy Nelson,” +declared the delighted Parks, as the <em>Racing +Star</em> came to moorings again, light as a feather. +</p> +<p> +“I think myself I am getting on to most of the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_92'></a>92</span> +curves,” said Andy. “The only question is can I +keep it up on a long stretch?” +</p> +<p> +“Practice makes perfect, you know,” suggested +Mr. Morse. +</p> +<p> +Andy felt that he had about reached the acme +of his mechanical ambition. When he went to +bed that night the thought of the coming race +kept him awake till midnight. When he finally +went to sleep, it was to dream of aerial flights +that resolved themselves into a series of the most +exciting nightmares. +</p> +<p> +No developments came from Andy’s experience +with the Duske crowd. Once in a while he worried +some over the reference of Duske’s companions +to seeing his name in the newspapers. +</p> +<p> +“Either it was about my trouble at Princeville, +or some of these reporters writing up the race +got my name incidentally,” decided Andy. +</p> +<p> +“Anyhow, I can’t afford to trouble about it.” +</p> +<p> +Andy rarely ventured away from the camp +after dark. In fact, ever since entering the employment +of Mr. Parks he had not mixed much +with outsiders. He had his Princeville friends +and the Duske crowd constantly in mind. But one +hot evening he went forth for some ice cream +for the crowd. +</p> +<p> +The distance to a town restaurant was not +great. Andy hurried across the freight tracks. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_93'></a>93</span> +Just as he passed a switchman’s shanty, he fancied +he heard some one utter a slight cry of surprise. +Two persons dodged back out of the light +of a switch lantern. Andy, however, paid little +attention to the episode. He reached the restaurant, +got the ice cream in a pasteboard box, and +started back for the camp without any mishap +or adventure. +</p> +<p> +Just as Andy crossed a patch of ground covered +with high rank weeds, he became aware that +somebody was following him. A swift backward +glance revealed two slouching figures. They +pressed forward as Andy momentarily halted. +</p> +<p> +“Now then!” spoke one of them suddenly. +</p> +<p> +Andy dodged as something was thrown towards +him, but not in time to avoid a looped +rope. It was handled deftly, for before he knew +it his hands were bound tightly to his side. +</p> +<p> +One of the twain ran at him and tripped him +up. The other twined the loose line about Andy’s +ankles. +</p> +<p> +“Got him!” sounded a triumphant voice. +</p> +<p> +“Good business,” chirped his companion, and +then Andy thrilled in some dismay, as he recognized +his captors as Gus Talbot and Dale Billings. +</p> +<p> +“Hello, Andy Nelson,” said Gus Talbot. +</p> +<p> +Gus’s voice was sneering and offensive as he +hailed the captive. His companion looked satisfied +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_94'></a>94</span> +and triumphant as he stood over Andy, as +if he expected their victim to applaud him for +doing something particularly smart. +</p> +<p> +“See here, Gus,” observed Dale, “I’d better +get, hey?” +</p> +<p> +“Right off, too,” responded Gus. “If there’s +the ready cash in it, all right. If there isn’t we’ll +get him on the way to Princeville ourselves some +way.” +</p> +<p> +“Can you manage him alone?” +</p> +<p> +“I’ll try to,” observed Gus vauntingly, “I’ll just +have a pleasant little chat with him for the sake +of old times, while I sample this ice cream of +his—um-um—it ought to be prime.” +</p> +<p> +Dale sped away on some mysterious errand. +Gus picked up the box of ice cream that Andy +had dropped and opened it. He tore off one of +its pasteboard flaps, fashioned it into an impromptu +spoon, and proceeded to fill his mouth +with the cream. +</p> +<p> +“Don’t you get up,” he warned Andy. “If +you do, I’ll knock you down again.” +</p> +<p> +“Big Injun, aren’t you!” flared out Andy, provoked +and indignant—“especially where you’ve +got a fellow whipsawed?” +</p> +<p> +“Betcher life,” sneered Gus maliciously. +“Things worked to a charm. Got a hint from +some airship fellows that you was somewhere +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_95'></a>95</span> +around these diggings. Watched out for you and +caught you just right, hey?” +</p> +<p> +The speaker sat down among the weeds in +front of Andy. The latter noticed that his face +was grimed and his hands stained with dirt. His +clothes were wrinkled and disordered as if he had +been sleeping in them. From what he observed, +Andy decided that the son of the Princeville +garage owner and his companion were on a tramp. +They looked like runaways, and did not appear +to be at all prosperous. +</p> +<p> +“Say,” blurted out Gus, digging down into the +ice cream, as if he was hungry, “you might better +have turned up that two hundred dollars for dad.” +</p> +<p> +“Why had I?” demanded Andy. +</p> +<p> +“It would have saved you a good deal of +trouble. It’s a stroke of luck, running across you +just as we’d spent our last dime. How will you +like to go back to Princeville and face the music?” +</p> +<p> +“What music?” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, yes, you don’t know! Haven’t read +the papers, I suppose? Didn’t know you was +wanted?” +</p> +<p> +“Who wants me?” +</p> +<p> +“Nor that a reward was out for you?” +</p> +<p> +“Why?” +</p> +<p> +“Say, are you so innocent as all that, or just +plain slick?” drawled Gus, with a crafty grin. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_96'></a>96</span> +</p> +<p> +“I don’t know what you are talking about.” +</p> +<p> +“Farmer Jones’ barn.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh——” Andy gave a start. He began to +understand now. “What about Farmer Jones’ +barn?” +</p> +<p> +“You know, I guess. It was set on fire and +burned down. They have been looking everywhere +for the firebug, and offer a fifty-dollar reward.” +</p> +<p> +“Is that the reason why you and Dale have +left Princeville?” demanded Andy coolly. +</p> +<p> +“Eh, well, I guess not,” cried Gus. “Huh! +Everybody knows how you did it out of spite +against Jones because he hindered you running +away from dad. Why, they found your cap right +near the barn ruins.” +</p> +<p> +“Is that so?” said Andy quietly. “How did +it get there?” +</p> +<p> +“How did it get there? You dropped it there, +of course.” +</p> +<p> +“Purposely to get blamed for it, I suppose?” +commented Andy. “That’s pretty thin, Gus Talbot, +seeing that you know and your father knows +that my cap was taken away from me when he +locked me up at the garage, and I had no chance +to get it later. You left the cap near the burned +barn, Gus Talbot, and you know it.” +</p> +<p> +“Me? Rot!” ejaculated Gus, but he stopped +eating the ice cream and acted restless. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_97'></a>97</span> +</p> +<p> +“In fact,” continued Andy definitely, “I can +prove that both you and Dale were sneaking +about the Jones’ place a short time before the fire +broke out.” +</p> +<p> +“Bosh!” mumbled Gus. +</p> +<p> +“Further than that, I can tell you word for +word what passed between you two. Listen.” +</p> +<p> +Andy remembered clearly every incident of his +flight from the haystack in Farmer Jones’ field. +He recited graphically the appearance of Gus +and Dale, and the remark he had overheard. +Gus sat staring at him in an uneasy way. He +acted bored, and seemed at a loss to answer. +</p> +<p> +It was more than half an hour before Dale +returned. He acted glum and mad. +</p> +<p> +“Is it all right?” inquired Gus eagerly. +</p> +<p> +“Right nothing!” +</p> +<p> +“Get the money?” +</p> +<p> +“No.” +</p> +<p> +“What’s the trouble?” +</p> +<p> +“I saw a constable and told him I could give +him a chance to make a fifty-dollar reward, us to +get ten. He heard me through and said it +wouldn’t do.” +</p> +<p> +“Why wouldn’t it?” demanded Gus. +</p> +<p> +“Because this is in another county, and he’d +have to get the warrant. Said it was too much +trouble to bother with it.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_98'></a>98</span> +</p> +<p> +“Humph! what will we do now?” muttered +Gus in a disgusted way. +</p> +<p> +“That’s easy. Get Andy over the county line, +and find someone else to take the job off our +hands,” replied Dale Billings. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_99'></a>99</span><a name='chXIII' id='chXIII'></a>CHAPTER XIII—JIU-JITSU</h2> +<p> +“Come on,” ordered Gus to Andy, unfastening +the end of the rope and giving it a jerk. +</p> +<p> +“Hey, not that way,” dissented Dale. +</p> +<p> +“Why not?” +</p> +<p> +“Think you can parade him through the town +without attracting attention? We’ve got to be +careful to cut out from here without a soul seeing +us till we strike a country road. You march,” +commanded Gus anew to his captive, heading in +another direction. “And you just so much as +peep if we meet anybody, and you get a whack +of this big stick.” +</p> +<p> +Andy submitted to circumstances. He figured +out that it would be some time before his captors +could perfect their arrangements for interesting +some officer of the law in their scheme. He +readily guessed that for some reason or other +they did not wish or dare to return personally to +Princeville. Andy calculated that it was nearly +ten miles to the county line. He believed he would +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_100'></a>100</span> +have half a dozen chances to break away from +his captors before they reached it. +</p> +<p> +“Huh, what you going to do now?” inquired +Gus in a grumbling tone, as they came directly +up against a high board fence. +</p> +<p> +“You wait here a minute,” directed Dale. +</p> +<p> +The speaker ran down the fence in one direction +to face at its end a busy field occupied by +aviation tents. He tried the opposite direction +to find matters still worse, for there the fence +ended against a lighted street of the town. +</p> +<p> +“What’s beyond the fence?” inquired Gus. +</p> +<p> +“Not much of anything—a sort of a prairie,” +reported Dale, peering through a crack in the +fence. +</p> +<p> +“We can’t scale it.” +</p> +<p> +“Not with Andy in tow. Here we are, +though.” +</p> +<p> +Dale had discovered a loose board. He began +tugging at its lower end, and succeeded in pulling +it far enough out to admit of their crowding +through the opening. He went first, grabbing +and holding Andy till Gus made the passage. +</p> +<p> +“Keep away from those lights over yonder,” +ordered Dale, indicating a point on the broad +expanse where some aeroplane tents showed. +“This way, I tell you,” he added in a hoarse, hurried +whisper. “There’s a man.” +</p> +<p> +Andy pushed forward, came to a dead halt, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_101'></a>101</span> +bracing himself as his captors tried to pull him +out of range of a man seated on a hummock, +apparently watching some night manœuvres of +airships over where the lights showed. +</p> +<p> +“Mister, oh, mister!” shouted Andy. +</p> +<p> +He received a blow on the mouth from the +fist of Gus, but that did not prevent him from +renewing the outcry. The man sprang quickly +to his feet and came towards them. +</p> +<p> +He was small, thin, dark-faced, and so undersized +and effeminate-looking that Andy at once +decided that he would not count for much in a +tussle with two stout, active boys. Dale thought +so, too, evidently, for he squared up in front of +Andy, trying to hide him from the view of the +stranger, while Gus attempted to pull his captive +back towards the fence. Andy, however, gave a +jerk that drew Gus almost off his feet, and a +bunt to Dale that sent him forcibly to one side. +</p> +<p> +“What is this?” spoke the stranger in a soft, +mellow, almost womanly tone of voice. “Did +some one then call?” +</p> +<p> +“It was I,” proclaimed Andy. “These fellows +have tied me up and are trying to kidnap me.” +</p> +<p> +“It is wrong, I will so investigate,” said the +little man, coming straight up to the group and +scanning each keenly in turn. +</p> +<p> +“See here,” spoke Dale, springing in front of +the man, “this is none of your business.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_102'></a>102</span> +</p> +<p> +“Oh, yes, it is,” returned the stranger in the +same gentle, purring way. “I am interested. +Speak on, young man.” +</p> +<p> +“Get him away!” directed Dale in a sharp +whisper to Gus. +</p> +<p> +Then, quick as lightning, he made a pass at +the stranger. He was double the weight of the +latter and half a head taller. Andy expected to +see his champion flatten out like the weakling he +looked. +</p> +<p> +“Ah,” said the latter, “it is so you answer +questions. My way, then.” +</p> +<p> +What he did he did so quickly that Andy could +not follow all of his movements. The hands of +the little man moved about like those of an expert +weaver at the loom. The result was a +marvel. In some way he caught Dale around +the neck. The next moment he swung him from +the ground past his shoulder and his adversary +landed with a thump. +</p> +<p> +Gus dropped the rope and ran at the stranger, +club uplifted. Again the wiry strength of the +little man was exerted. He seemed to stoop, and +his arms enclosed Gus about the hips. There was +a tug and tussle. Gus was wrenched from his +footing, and went skidding to the ground, face +down, for nearly two yards. +</p> +<p> +“Thunder!” he shouted, wiping the sand from +his mouth. +</p> +<div class='figcenter' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='i005' id='i005'></a> +<img src="images/illus04.jpg" alt="THE WIRY STRENGTH OF THE LITTLE MAN WAS EXERTED" width="60%" title=""/><br /> +<span class='caption'>THE WIRY STRENGTH OF THE LITTLE MAN WAS EXERTED</span> +</div> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_103'></a>103</span></div> +<p> +“Go,” said the stranger, advancing upon the +prostrate twain, who scrambled promptly to their +feet. +</p> +<p> +Both dove for the loose plank in the fence +and disappeared through it. The stranger drew +out a pocket-knife and relieved Andy of his +bonds. +</p> +<p> +“I look at you and then at those two,” he said +simply, “and your face tells me the true story. +Where would you go?” +</p> +<p> +Andy pointed in the direction of the Parks’ +Aerodome, and the man walked by his side in its +direction. +</p> +<p> +“I don’t care to have those fellows find out +where I am working,” explained Andy. “Mister,” +he added admiringly, “how did you do it?” +</p> +<p> +“It was simple jiu-jitsu.” +</p> +<p> +“Eh? Oh, yes, I’ve heard of that,” said Andy, +but vaguely. “It’s a new Japanese wrestling +trick, isn’t it?” +</p> +<p> +“I am from Japan,” observed his companion +with a courteous dignity of manner that impressed +Andy. +</p> +<p> +“I see,” nodded Andy, “and you come from a +wonderful people.” +</p> +<p> +“We strive to learn,” replied his companion. +“That is why I am here. I was sent to this +country to study aeronautics. Besides that, the +science has a peculiar attraction for me. My +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_104'></a>104</span> +father was chief kite maker to the family of the +Mikado.” +</p> +<p> +“Is it possible?” said Andy. +</p> +<p> +“I therefore have an absorbing interest in +your airmen and their daring work. You must +know that we make wonderful kites in my home +country.” +</p> +<p> +“I have heard something of it,” said Andy. +</p> +<p> +“Two hundred years ago many of the principles +now used in your airships were used in our +kite flying, only we never tried to fly ourselves.” +</p> +<p> +“We have a gentleman up at our camp who +would be just delighted to talk with you,” declared +Andy enthusiastically. “He is an inventor, +a Mr. Morse.” +</p> +<p> +“I should like to meet him,” said the Japanese. +</p> +<p> +“Then come right along with me,” invited +Andy cordially; “only, say, please, don’t mention +the fix you found me in.” +</p> +<p> +“It shall be so,” declared his companion. +</p> +<p> +Andy made sure that his recent captors were +not following them as they made a cut across a +field and reached the Parks’ camp. He led his +guest into the sitting room of the living building, +to find his employer and Mr. Morse there. Andy +introduced his companion. It did not take long +for the inventor to discover a kindred spirit in +the Japanese, who gave his name as Tsilsuma. +</p> +<p> +That night after he had got into bed Andy +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_105'></a>105</span> +wondered if he had not better tell Mr. Morse or +his employer his entire story, and the former +about the near proximity of his old-time enemy, +Duske. Then, too, he worried some over the +appearance of Gus and Dale and his daily risk +of being arrested. With daylight, however, Andy +forgot all these minor troubles. +</p> +<p> +There was to be a race for a small prize that +afternoon on the aviation field, and Parks had +arranged for the <em>Racing Star</em> to participate. The +aeronaut was busy half the morning seeing to the +machine, while Mr. Morse flitted about adjusting +a device suggested by the intelligent Tsilsuma for +folding the floats under the aeroplane. The Japanese, +too, had suggested sled runners in front +and wheels at the rear for starting gear. +</p> +<p> +The <em>Racing Star</em> had not appeared in the general +field before, and this was a kind of qualification +flight. Just after two o’clock Parks made +his final inspection of the bearings of the motors +and the word to go was given. Andy sailed over +the railroad tracks and landed in the field half +a mile distant, with a dexterity that made his +rivals there take a good deal of notice of him +and the <em>Racing Star</em>. +</p> +<p> +When the word came Andy started the motor, +and a friend of the aeronaut tugged at the propellers. +With a blast that resembled a cyclone +the airship started. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_106'></a>106</span> +</p> +<p> +The helpers worked at the rudders, and after +a run of only seventy-five feet the <em>Racing Star</em> +shot up into the air. +</p> +<p> +Andy tried a preliminary stunt that he had +practiced for two days past. It was to fly around +the field in a figure eight at a height of ninety-five +feet. Then, just to test the excellency of the +machine, he plunged for the ground. +</p> +<p> +“The boy will kill himself!” shouted the man +in charge of the race, but just at the critical +moment Andy shifted his steering planes and +flew across the ground, barely skimming the grass. +</p> +<p> +Once in this fashion he went around the course, +then another upward lunge and he circled back +to the starting point and came gently to earth. +The crowds sent up an enthusiastic roar. +</p> +<p> +Four other machines made their exhibition in +turn. Two went through a clumsy process, one +became disabled, and the other retired with the +derisive criticism of “Grasshopper!” as its pilot +failed to lift it more than ten feet from the ground +at any time. +</p> +<p> +“Mind the wind checks, Andy, lad,” warned +John Parks anxiously, as the three aeroplanes +were ranged for the prize test of a mile run +around the course. +</p> +<p> +“I’ll be the pathfinder or nothing!” declared +Andy, his eyes bright and observant, his nerves +tingling with the excitement of the moment. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_107'></a>107</span> +</p> +<p> +“Go!” +</p> +<p> +The three powerful mechanical birds arose in +the air, dainty creations of grace and beauty, Andy +in the lead. Then his nearest competitor passed +him. Then No. 3 shot ahead of the other two, +and then the turn. +</p> +<p> +“Huzza!” breathed Parks. +</p> +<p> +At his side, safe from recognition in his great +disfiguring goggles, Mr. Morse moved restlessly +from foot to foot. The <em>Racing Star</em> had accomplished +what he had worked so hard to bring +about—a true circle in a rapid turn. +</p> +<p> +The two other machines bungled. One nearly +upset. Down the course came Andy, headed like +an arrow for the starting point. A slanting dive, +and the <em>Racing Star</em> skimmed the ground fully +five hundred feet in advance of the nearest +opponent. +</p> +<p> +Watch in hand, John Parks ran up to Andy, +his face aglow with professional pride and +delight. +</p> +<p> +“Won the race—but better than that you have +beat the home record by eight seconds!” +</p> +<p> +“Winner, the <em>Racing Star</em>,” sang out the +starter. +</p> +<p> +And then he added: +</p> +<p> +“Time: forty-eight seconds and seven-eighths.” +</p> +<p> +“Hurrah!” shouted John Parks, throwing his +hat in the air. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_108'></a>108</span><a name='chXIV' id='chXIV'></a>CHAPTER XIV—THE OLD LEATHER POCKETBOOK</h2> +<p> +“No sky-sailing to-day, Andy,” said John +Parks, the aeronaut. +</p> +<p> +“I guess you are right,” answered Andy. +</p> +<p> +“A rest won’t do you any harm. There are +three days before the last event, and plenty of +time to try Morse’s new wrinkles.” +</p> +<p> +“I think I’ll go and see what the latest one +is,” said Andy. +</p> +<p> +It was a rainy day with a strong breeze, and +waste of time, Andy well knew, to attempt any +flights under the conditions. He went to the workshop +to find Mr. Morse and the Japanese deep +in discussion over some angle of a new reversible +plane, they called it. Tsilsuma had become almost +a fixture at the Parks’ camp. He was unobtrusive +generally, but his instincts and mission to +delve and absorb were accommodated and encouraged +by the inventor, and a strong friendship +had sprung up between the two. +</p> +<p> +Andy wandered about promiscuously, time +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_109'></a>109</span> +hanging heavily on his hands. Finally he settled +down in the comfortable sitting room looking +over some books on scientific subjects, and +picking out here and there a simple fact among +a group of very abstruse ones. +</p> +<p> +“If ever I get any money ahead,” he observed, +“I’ll put some of it into education, and I’ll study +up aeronautics first thing. It seems as if it’s +natural for me to see right through a machine +first time I see it, but I don’t understand the real +principles, for all that. No, sir, it’s brains like +Mr. Morse has got that counts. If sky-sailing is +going to last, and I follow it up, I’m going to dig +deep right down into it, college fashion, and really +understand my business. Hello!” +</p> +<p> +Andy had laid aside the scientific book and had +taken up a newspaper. Glancing over its columns, +his eye became fixed upon an advertisement occupying +a prominent position just under some local +reading matter. This is what it read. +</p> +<div class='center'> +<p><span class='sc'>Notice—Important</span>!</p> +</div> +<p> +Lost—Somewhere on a train between Macon +and Greenville, an old leather pocketbook, marked +Robert Webb, Springfield, and containing $200. +The finder may keep the money, and upon return +of the pocketbook will be handsomely rewarded. +</p> +<div class='center'> +<p><span class='sc'>West, Thorburn & Castle</span>, <em>Attorneys</em>,</p> +<p><span class='sc'>Butler Block, Greenville</span>.</p> +</div> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_110'></a>110</span></div> +<p> +“Well,” aspirated Andy energetically, “here’s +something new!” +</p> +<p> +The incident stirred up his thought so much +that he found himself walking the floor restlessly. +Andy had a vivid imagination, and he built up all +kinds of fancies about the singular advertisement. +</p> +<p> +“Wonder what lies under all this?” ruminated +Andy. “They don’t want the two hundred dollars, +and they offer more money to get back that old +pocketbook! They will never get the whole of it, +though, that’s certain. Gus Talbot tore off the +flap of it. The rest of it—lying in my old clothes +in that shed on the Collins farm, where I helped +drive those geese. There was nothing left in +the pocketbook, I am sure of that. What can they +want it for, then? Evidently Mr. Webb didn’t +get my postal card.” +</p> +<p> +Andy could not figure this out. He found it +impossible, however, to dismiss the subject from +his mind. +</p> +<p> +“People don’t go to all the bother that advertising +shows,” he reasoned, “unless it’s mighty +important. Can I get the pocketbook, though, +after all. I threw it carelessly up on a sort of a +shelf in that old shed, and it may have been removed +and destroyed with other rubbish. I’ve +got the day before me, with nothing to do. I +wouldn’t be at all sorry if the two hundred dollars +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_111'></a>111</span> +came my way in a fair, square manner. I’ll run +down to Greenville. It won’t take four hours, +there and back. I’ll see what there is to this +affair—yes, I’ll do it.” +</p> +<p> +Andy sought out Mr. Parks and told him he +was going to take a run down to Greenville on +business, and would be back by evening at the +latest. He caught a train about ten o’clock, and +noon found him at the door of the law offices of +West, Thorburn & Castle, Butler Block. Our +hero entered one of three offices, where he saw a +gentleman seated at a desk. +</p> +<p> +“I would like to see some member of the firm,” +he said. +</p> +<p> +“I am Mr. West,” answered the lawyer. +</p> +<p> +“It is about an advertisement you put in the +paper about a lost pocketbook,” explained Andy. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, indeed,” said Mr. West, looking interested +at once, and arising and closing the door. +“Do you know something about it?” +</p> +<p> +“I know all about it,” declared Andy. “In +fact, I found it only a few minutes after it was +lost.” +</p> +<p> +“On the train?” +</p> +<p> +“No, sir. Mr. Webb did not lose it on the +train.” +</p> +<p> +“He thinks he did.” +</p> +<p> +“He is mistaken,” said Andy. “He lost it in +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_112'></a>112</span> +an automobile that took him on a rush run from +Princeville across country to Macon. I was his +chauffeur, and found it.” +</p> +<p> +“Where is the pocketbook?” inquired the +lawyer eagerly. “Have you brought it with you?” +</p> +<p> +“No, sir; but I think I can get it.” +</p> +<p> +“We will make it richly worth your while,” +said Mr. West. +</p> +<p> +“There is something I had better explain about +it,” said Andy. +</p> +<p> +“Spent the two hundred dollars?” insinuated +the lawyer, with an indulgent smile. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, no—the two hundred dollars is waiting +for Mr. Webb to claim it with Mr. Dawson, the +banker at Princeville. Let me tell you my story, +Mr. West, and then you will understand better.” +</p> +<p> +Andy told his story. He had a surprised, but +intent listener. When he had concluded, the +lawyer shook his hand warmly. +</p> +<p> +“Young man, you are a good, honest young +fellow, and you will not regret acting square in +this affair. Mr. Webb did not get your postal +card, because he is no longer located at Springfield. +How far from here is the farm you spoke +of where you left the pocketbook?” +</p> +<p> +“About eighteen miles, I should think.” +</p> +<p> +“Can you get there by rail?” +</p> +<p> +“Within two miles of it.” +</p> +<p> +“And soon?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_113'></a>113</span> +</p> +<p> +“Why, yes, sir,” replied Andy, glancing at his +watch. “There is a train west in a quarter of an +hour.” +</p> +<p> +“At any expense,” said Mr. West earnestly, “get +there and return with the pocketbook. As +to your reward——” +</p> +<p> +“Don’t speak of it,” said Andy. “Mr. Webb +treated me handsomely when I brought him over +to Macon. I can’t imagine, though, why he puts +so much store by the pocketbook.” +</p> +<p> +“If you find it, he will tell you why,” responded +Mr. West. “You will be doing the +best piece of work you ever did in finding that +pocketbook. I shall telegraph my client to come +here at once. He will be here by four o’clock.” +</p> +<p> +“And I will be here not more than an hour +later,” said Andy. +</p> +<p> +He left the office on a brisk walk, planning his +proposed route to the old farm. As he reached +the street, he again glanced at his watch and +found he had just ten minutes to reach the depot. +Andy made a running spurt down the pavement. +</p> +<p> +He dodged an automobile speeding around a +corner, heard its driver shout something he did +not catch. Then he heard the machine turn and +start furiously down the street in the direction +he was going. +</p> +<p> +Andy saw some people stare at him, halt, and +then look towards the speeding machine. Wondering +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_114'></a>114</span> +what was up, he glanced back to notice +the driver of the machine waving one hand frantically +towards him as if bent on overtaking him. +</p> +<p> +At the same moment the man in the machine +bawled out: +</p> +<p> +“Hey, stop that boy!” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_115'></a>115</span><a name='chXV' id='chXV'></a>CHAPTER XV—BEHIND THE BARS</h2> +<p> +Andy stopped running at the loud alarm from +the automobile. Several persons started to block +his course and one man caught him by the coat +sleeve. Andy recognized his pursuer at once. +It was Seth Talbot. +</p> +<p> +The Princeville garage owner ran his car up +to the curb and jumped out. His face was red +with exertion and excitement, and he grasped +Andy roughly by the arm. +</p> +<p> +“What’s the trouble?” queried the man who +had detained Andy. +</p> +<p> +“Escaped criminal—firebug,” mumbled Talbot. +“In with you,” and he forced Andy into the +machine. “Hey, officer, take charge of this +prisoner.” +</p> +<p> +Talbot hailed a man in uniform pressing his +way through the gathering crowd. +</p> +<p> +“What is he charged with?” inquired the +officer. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_116'></a>116</span> +</p> +<p> +“Burning a barn at Princeville. Get him to +the station and I’ll explain to your chief.” +</p> +<p> +There was no chance for Andy to expostulate +or struggle. The officer held him tightly by one +wrist, while Talbot whisked them away till they +reached a police station. +</p> +<p> +Here the garage owner drew the officer in +charge to one side. They held a brief consultation. +Andy caught a word here and there. It +was sufficient to apprise him of the fact that there +was a reward offered for his arrest, and Talbot +was agreeing to divide it with the officer if he +would take charge of Andy till he was delivered +over to the authorities at Princeville. +</p> +<p> +“You are in charge of the law now, young +man,” said the officer, leading Andy back to the +automobile. “I won’t shackle you, but don’t try +any tricks.” +</p> +<p> +He and Andy occupied the rear seat in the automobile, +while Talbot drove the machine. +</p> +<p> +“May I say something to you?” inquired Andy +of the officer. +</p> +<p> +“About what?” asked the officer. +</p> +<p> +“My being arrested this way. I don’t see what +right Mr. Talbot has to chase me and give orders +about me like some condemned felon. I haven’t +seen any warrant for my arrest.” +</p> +<p> +“You’ll see it soon enough. Meanwhile don’t +say anything to incriminate yourself,” returned +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_117'></a>117</span> +the officer, glibly using the pet phrase of his +calling. +</p> +<p> +“I’ve done nothing to be incriminated,” declared +Andy indignantly. “What I wanted to ask +was the simple favor of getting word to some +people here in Greenville, who have sent me on +an errand, and will be put out and disappointed +if I don’t show up.” +</p> +<p> +“What people?” quizzed Talbot, overhearing +Andy and half turning around in his seat. +</p> +<p> +“A firm of lawyers here——” began Andy. +</p> +<p> +“Yah!” derided the garage owner. “Guessed +it was something of that sort. Want to tangle +up this affair with some legal quibble! Officer, +you just hold on to him tight. He’s a slippery +fellow.” +</p> +<p> +Andy saw that it would be useless to appeal to +either of his companions in the automobile, and +put in his time doing some pretty serious thinking +as the machine sped over the landscape. +</p> +<p> +“This is a bad fix at a bad time,” reflected +Andy. “The lawyer will expect me back as I +promised, and think all kinds of things about me +because I don’t come. And there’s Mr. Parks. +And the race. I mustn’t miss that! But then, +I am arrested. They’ll lock me up. Suppose they +really prove I fired that barn?” Andy’s heart beat +painfully with dread and suspense. +</p> +<p> +The town hall at Princeville was reached. Andy +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_118'></a>118</span> +had been in the main offices of the structure many +times, but this was his first visit to the lower floor +of the building where the prisoners were kept. +He only casually knew the deputy sheriff in charge +of the barred cage, and who looked Andy over +as he would any criminal brought to him to +lock up. +</p> +<p> +“This is Andy Nelson—Jones’ barn—ran away—reward.” +Andy was somewhat chilled as the +deputy nodded and proceeded to enter his name +in a big book before him on the desk. +</p> +<p> +“Search him,” said the official to the turnkey. +</p> +<p> +“Hello!” ejaculated Talbot, as Andy’s watch +was brought into view, and “hello!” he repeated +with eyes goggling still more, as Andy’s pocketbook +came to light, and outside of some small +bills and silver, a neatly-folded bill was produced. +</p> +<p> +The officer himself looked surprised at this. +Andy, however, did not tell them that this represented +the prize he had won at the aviation +meet, treasured proudly in its entirety. +</p> +<p> +“Wonder if that’s some of the money I’ve +found short in my business?” insinuated Talbot. +</p> +<p> +“If there is any shortage in your receipts,” +retorted Andy indignantly, “you had better ask +your son about it.” +</p> +<p> +The shot told. The garage owner flushed up. +</p> +<p> +“What’s that?” he covered his evident confusion by +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_119'></a>119</span> +asking, as the officer unfolded a slip of +printed paper. +</p> +<p> +It was the advertisement about the lost leather +pocketbook, that Andy had preserved. Glancing +over the shoulder of the officer and taking in its +purport, Talbot gave a start. Then he eyed Andy +in an eager, speculative way, but was silent. +</p> +<p> +“What are you going to do with me?” Andy +asked of the officer. +</p> +<p> +“Lock you up, of course.” +</p> +<p> +“Won’t I be allowed to send word to my +friends?” +</p> +<p> +“Who are they?” demanded the officer. +</p> +<p> +“I think Mr. Dawson, the banker, is one of +them,” replied Andy. +</p> +<p> +“Mr. Dawson has been away from town for a +week, and will not return for two.” +</p> +<p> +Andy’s face fell. The thought of the banker +had come to him hopefully. +</p> +<p> +“Can I telegraph, then?” he asked, “to friends +out of town?” +</p> +<p> +“Telegraph,” sneered Talbot. “My great +pumpkins, with your new suit of clothes and +watch and one hundred dollar bills and telegrams!” +</p> +<p> +“I can grant you no favors before I have notified +the prosecuting attorney of your arrest,” said +the deputy. “Lock him up, turnkey.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_120'></a>120</span> +</p> +<p> +All this seemed very harsh and ominous to +Andy, but he did not allow it to depress him. +He followed the turnkey without another word. +The latter unlocked a great barred door, and +Andy felt a trifle chilled as it reclosed on him and +he was a prisoner. +</p> +<p> +“How do you do, Mr. Chase?” he said, as he +recognized the lockup-keeper, an old grizzled +man, who limped towards him. +</p> +<p> +“Got you, did they?” spoke the man. “Sorry, +Andy.” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, I am sorry, too, just at this time. Of +course you know, I’m not the kind of a fellow +to burn down a man’s barn.” +</p> +<p> +“Know it—guess I know. I can prove——” began +Chase, so excitedly, that Andy stared at him +in some wonder. “See here,” continued Chase, +controlling himself, “I’ve got something to say +to you later on. Just for the present, you count +on me as your friend. I’ll see you get the best +going in this dismal place.” +</p> +<p> +“Thank you, Mr. Chase,” said Andy. +</p> +<p> +“You needn’t sleep in any cell. I’ll let you +have a cot in my room,” continued Chase with +earnestness and emotion. “Andy——” and there +the speaker choked up, and he grasped Andy’s +hand, and turning away trembled all over. +“You’re a blessed good boy, and you’ve got a +true friend in me, and remember what I tell you—they +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_121'></a>121</span> +will never find you guilty of burning down +Jones’ barn.” +</p> +<p> +Andy returned the pressure of the hand of the +man whom he was meeting under peculiar circumstances, +feeling sure that his avowed friendship +was genuine. He had good reason to believe +this. +</p> +<p> +When Andy had come to Princeville, Chase +was a worthless drunkard, who worked rarely and +who was in the lockup most of the time. One +winter’s night, as Andy was returning from taking +a customer to the lake, he lined a swampy stretch +and noticed a huddled-up figure lying at its half-frozen +edge. +</p> +<p> +Andy got out of the automobile and discovered +a man, his body and clothes half frozen down +into the reeds and grass. It was Chase, sodden +with drink and fast perishing. +</p> +<p> +Andy managed to get the poor fellow in the +tonneau and drove home. It was late, and Talbot +had left the garage for the night. Andy +dragged his helpless guest into his little den of a +room and hurried for a doctor. He was a favorite +with the physician, for whom he had done +many little favors, and the latter worked over the +half-frozen Chase for nearly two hours. He refused +to think of taking any pay, and at Andy’s +request promised to say nothing about the +incident. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_122'></a>122</span> +</p> +<p> +Andy kept his little oil stove going all night +and plied the patient with warm drinks. When +morning came Chase was awake and sober, but +he was so weak and full of pain he could hardly +move. +</p> +<p> +All that day and into the next Andy managed +to house and care for Chase without detection. +Talbot finally discovered the intruder, however. +He stormed fearfully. He was for at once sending +for an officer and having Chase sent to jail +or the workhouse. +</p> +<p> +Andy pleaded hard for the poor refugee. Talbot +declared that his wet garments had spoiled +the automobile cushions. Andy got Chase to +agree that he would work this out when he got +well, and Talbot was partly mollified. +</p> +<p> +When Chase got about he did some drudgery +at Talbot’s home. Then one day he came to tell +Andy that Talbot had got him a position. Chase +was well acquainted with prison ways. Talbot +had quite some political influence, and the forlorn +old wreck was installed as lockup-keeper at the +town jail. +</p> +<p> +Once a week regularly he came to visit Andy +at the garage. It was usually Saturday nights, +after the others had gone home. Chase would +bring along some dainty for Andy to cook, and +they would have quite a congenial time. During +all this time Chase never touched a drop of liquor. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_123'></a>123</span> +He told Andy he had received the lesson of his +life, leaving him crippled in one limb, and that +he would show Andy his gratitude for his rescue +by keeping the pledge. +</p> +<p> +“Mr. Chase,” now said Andy, “there is something +you can do for me, if you will.” +</p> +<p> +“Speak it out, Andy,” responded the lockup +keeper eagerly. +</p> +<p> +“I want to send a telegram to a friend right +away. They have taken all my money from me, +but the message can go collect.” +</p> +<p> +Chase hobbled down the corridor rapidly to +return with paper and pencil. +</p> +<p> +“Write out your message, Andy,” he said. +“I’ll see that it goes without delay.” +</p> +<p> +Andy wrote out a telegram to John Parks. It +ran: +</p> +<p> +“Under arrest on a false charge. I want to +see you on important business.” +</p> +<p> +Chase took the message, put on his hat, and +going to the barred door tapped on it. +</p> +<p> +The turnkey appeared and unlocked the door. +As Chase passed out, Andy observed that someone +passed into the cell room. It was Seth Talbot. +</p> +<p> +“I want a little talk with you, Andy Nelson,” +spoke the garage owner, “and it will pay you to +listen to what I have to say.” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_124'></a>124</span><a name='chXVI' id='chXVI'></a>CHAPTER XVI—BAIL WANTED</h2> +<p> +The garage owner moved a few feet away +from the grated door of the cell room and sat +down on a bench. He beckoned to Andy. +</p> +<p> +“No, I’ll stand up,” said our hero. +</p> +<p> +“All right, I won’t be long. Short and sweet +is my motto. To begin with, Andy Nelson, I’ve +been a second father to you.” +</p> +<p> +“I never knew it,” observed the boy. +</p> +<p> +“Don’t get saucy,” replied Talbot. “It don’t +show the right spirit. I gave you a job when +you didn’t have any, and took on myself a big +responsibility—agreeing to look after you like a +regular apprentice. What is the result? Ingratitude.” +</p> +<p> +Andy was silent, but he looked at Talbot, marveling +that the man, mean as he was, could +imagine that he meant what he said. +</p> +<p> +“You’ve brought me lots of trouble,” pursued +Talbot in an aggrieved tone. “The worst of all +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_125'></a>125</span> +is that it’s led to my son running away from +home.” +</p> +<p> +The speaker evidently thought that Andy knew +all about this, while in reality Andy only +guessed it. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, I’m responsible for that, too, am I?” observed +Andy. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, you are. You left me in the lurch, and +while Gus was off with a customer some one +robbed the money drawer. I was mad and accused +Gus of taking it. Gus got mad and left home.” +</p> +<p> +“What did I have to do with that?” +</p> +<p> +“Why, if you’d stayed where you belonged it +wouldn’t have happened, would it?” +</p> +<p> +Andy actually laughed outright at this strange +reasoning. +</p> +<p> +“What!” he cried. “Me, the firebug, me, the +thief you accuse me of being!” +</p> +<p> +“Well, anyhow, you’ve been a lot of expense +and trouble to me. Now you’re in a hard fix. +You are dead sure to go to the reformatory until +you are twenty-one years of age, unless some one +steps in and saves you.” +</p> +<p> +“You think so, do you, Mr. Talbot?” +</p> +<p> +“I am certain of it.” +</p> +<p> +“Who’s going to step in and save me?” inquired +Andy innocently. +</p> +<p> +“I’m the only man who can.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_126'></a>126</span> +</p> +<p> +“And I will, if you’re willing to do your share.” +</p> +<p> +“What is my share?” demanded Andy. +</p> +<p> +“Doing what I advise you. I’m a man of influence +and power in this community,” boasted +the garage owner. “I can fix up this business all +right with Jones. You’ve got to help, though.” +</p> +<p> +“All right, name your terms,” said Andy. +</p> +<p> +“I wouldn’t put it ‘terms,’ Andy,” replied Talbot, +looking eager and insinuating, “call it rights. +There’s that two hundred dollars at the bank. +It was found on my property by one of my hired +employees. Good, that gives me legal possession +according to law.” +</p> +<p> +“Does it?” nodded Andy. “I didn’t know that +before.” +</p> +<p> +“You can get that money by going after it,” +continued Talbot. +</p> +<p> +“How can I?” +</p> +<p> +“Why, that advertisement they found in your +pocket says so, don’t it? See here, Andy,” and +Talbot looked so mean and greedy that our hero +could hardly keep from shuddering with disgust, +“tell me about that advertisement—all about it, +I want to be a good friend to you. I am a +shrewd business man, and you’re only a boy. +They’ll chisel you out of it, if you don’t have +some older person to stand by you. I’ll stand by +you, Andy.” +</p> +<p> +“Chisel me out of what?” inquired Andy, intent on drawing +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_127'></a>127</span> +out his specious counsellor to the +limit. +</p> +<p> +“What’s your due. They’re after the pocketbook +that held the two hundred dollars. Don’t +you see they’re breaking their necks to get it +back? Why? aha!” +</p> +<p> +“That’s so,” murmured Andy, as if it were all +news to him. +</p> +<p> +“So, if you know what became of that pocketbook——” +</p> +<p> +“Yes,” nodded Andy. +</p> +<p> +“And where it is——” +</p> +<p> +“I do,” declared Andy. +</p> +<p> +“Capital!” cried Talbot, getting excited. “Then +we’ve got them. Ha! Ha! They can’t squirm +away from us. Where’s the pocketbook, Andy? +You just hand this business right over to me. I’ll +do the negotiating.” +</p> +<p> +“And if I do?” insinuated Andy. +</p> +<p> +“You won’t be prosecuted on this firebug +charge. I’ll take you back at the garage and +raise your salary.” +</p> +<p> +“How much?” inquired Andy. +</p> +<p> +“Well—I’ll be liberal. I’ll raise your wages +twenty-five cents a week.” +</p> +<p> +“Mr. Talbot, if you made it twenty-five dollars +I wouldn’t touch it, no, nor twenty-five hundred +dollars. You talk about your goodness to me. +Why, you treated me like a slave. As to the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_128'></a>128</span> +two hundred dollars, it stays right where it is +until its rightful owner claims it. If he then +wants to give it to me as a reward, you can make +up your mind you won’t get a cent of it.” +</p> +<p> +“You young reprobate!” shouted Talbot, +jumping to his feet, aflame with rage. “I’ll make +you sing another tune soon. It rests with me as +to your staying in jail. I’ll just go and see those +lawyers myself.” +</p> +<p> +“You will waste your time,” declared Andy. +“I have told them all about you from beginning +to end, and they’re too smart to play into any +of your dodges.” +</p> +<p> +“We’ll see! We’ll see!” fumed the garage +owner, as he went to the cell-room door and shook +it to attract the attention of the turnkey. “I’ll +see you once more—just once more, mind you, +and that’s to-morrow morning. You’ll decide +then, or you’ll have a hard run of it.” +</p> +<p> +Andy was left to himself. He walked around +the stout cell room with some curiosity. There +were two other prisoners in jail. Both were +locked up in cells. One of them asked Andy for +a drink of water. The other was asleep on +his cot. +</p> +<p> +A clang at the barred door attracted Andy’s +attention again, and he reached it as the turnkey +shouted out in a tone that sounded very official: +</p> +<p> +“Andrew Nelson!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_129'></a>129</span> +</p> +<p> +He stood aside for Andy to step out. An +officer Andy had not seen before took him by the +arm and led him up two flights of stairs to a +large courtroom. +</p> +<p> +It had no visitors, but the judge sat on the +bench. Near him was the prosecuting attorney +and the court clerk. Talbot occupied a chair, and +conversing with him was Farmer Jones. +</p> +<p> +“We enter the appearance of the prisoner in +this case, your honor,” immediately spoke the attorney, +as if in a hurry to get through with the +formalities. +</p> +<p> +“Let the clerk enter the same,” ordered the +judge in an indifferent tone. “Take the prisoner +before the grand jury when it convenes.” +</p> +<p> +“In the matter of bail——” again spoke the attorney. +</p> +<p> +“Arson. A pretty serious offense,” said the +judge. “The prisoner is held over in bonds of +two thousand dollars.” +</p> +<p> +Andy’s heart sank. He had heard and read +of cases where generally a few hundred dollars +bail was asked. He had even calculated in his +mind how he could call friends to his assistance +who would go his surety for a small amount, but +two thousand dollars. +</p> +<p> +“How are you, Andy?” said Jones, advancing +and looking him over critically. Andy was a trifle +pale, but his bearing was manly, his countenance +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_130'></a>130</span> +open and honest. He was neatly dressed, and +looked the energetic business boy all over, and +evidently impressed the farmer that way. +</p> +<p> +“I’m glad to see you, Mr. Jones,” he said respectfully. +</p> +<p> +“I suppose you feel a little hard agin’ me, Andy, +but I couldn’t help it. That barn cost me eight +hundred dollars.” +</p> +<p> +“It was a serious loss, yes, sir,” said Andy, +“and I am sorry for you.” +</p> +<p> +Jones fidgeted. Talbot was talking to the +attorney, and the farmer seemed glad to get away +from his company. +</p> +<p> +“See here, Andy,” he said, edging a little +nearer, “I’ve got boys of my own, and it makes +me feel badly to see you in this fix.” +</p> +<p> +“What did you place me here for, then?” demanded +Andy. +</p> +<p> +“I—I thought—you see, Talbot had the evidence. +He egged me on, so to speak. Honest +and true, Andy, did you set fire to my barn?” +</p> +<p> +“Honest and true, Mr. Jones, I had no hand +in it. Why should I? You have always been +pleasant and good to me.” +</p> +<p> +“Why, you see, I stopped you running away +from Talbot that day.” +</p> +<p> +“And you think I turned firebug out of spite? +Oh, Mr. Jones!” +</p> +<p> +“H’m—see here, judge,” and Jones moved up +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_131'></a>131</span> +to the desk. “I don’t know that I care to prosecute +this case.” +</p> +<p> +“Out of your hands, Mr. Jones,” snapped the +prosecuting attorney sharply. “The case must go +to the grand jury.” +</p> +<p> +“Andy—I—I’ll come and see you,” said Jones, +as the officer marched Andy back to the jail room. +</p> +<p> +“Two thousand dollars bail,” ruminated Andy, +once again under lock and key. “I can never +hope to find anybody to get me out. Too bad—I’m +out of the airship race for good.” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_132'></a>132</span><a name='chXVII' id='chXVII'></a>CHAPTER XVII—A TRUE FRIEND</h2> +<p> +“All right, Andy.” +</p> +<p> +“Did you send the telegram?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, and paid for it, so there would be no +delay.” +</p> +<p> +“You needn’t have done that.” +</p> +<p> +“I wanted to be sure that it went double rush.” +</p> +<p> +“All right, I will settle with you when they +give me back my money.” +</p> +<p> +Chase, the lockup-keeper, had promptly and +willingly attended to the errand upon which Andy +had sent him. +</p> +<p> +“See here, Andy,” said Chase, “I understand +they had you up in court.” +</p> +<p> +“Yes,” answered Andy, “they took me up to +fix the bail.” +</p> +<p> +“How much?” +</p> +<p> +“Two thousand dollars.” +</p> +<p> +“Why!” exclaimed Chase, his face darkening, +“that’s an outrage.” +</p> +<p> +“I think so, too.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_133'></a>133</span> +</p> +<p> +“There’s something behind it,” muttered the +lockup-keeper. +</p> +<p> +“Yes,” returned Andy. “Mr. Talbot is behind +it. He seems to stand in with the prosecuting attorney. +Mr. Jones was quite willing to drop the +case, and said that Mr. Talbot had egged +him on.” +</p> +<p> +Chase did not say any more just then, but as +he strolled away, he muttered to himself in an +excited manner. He busied himself about the +place for the next hour. Then he showed Andy +his own sleeping quarters, a quite comfortable, +well-ventilated room, and set up an extra cot in it. +</p> +<p> +“You and I will have our meal in my room +after I feed the other prisoners,” he said. “I’ll +make it as easy for you as I can, Andy.” +</p> +<p> +“I know you will, Mr. Chase,” responded Andy +heartily. +</p> +<p> +“I’ll do a good deal for you,” declared the +faithful old fellow. “What do I care for this +mean old job, anyway? Say,” and he dropped +his voice to a cautious whisper, “suppose there +was a way for both of us to get out of here?” +</p> +<p> +“What do you mean?” queried Andy quickly. +</p> +<p> +“Just what I say. Suppose you and I could get +to some place a long way off, where they couldn’t +trace us, could you get me another job, do you +think?” +</p> +<p> +“Don’t you like this one?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_134'></a>134</span> +</p> +<p> +“No, I don’t. I despise it. I have to give +Talbot half of my salary for getting it for me, +and I’m tired of the jail.” +</p> +<p> +“Do you mean to tell me that Talbot takes +one half of your salary?” questioned Andy indignantly. +</p> +<p> +“I do.” +</p> +<p> +“Then he’s a meaner man than I thought he +was. I can get you a much better job when I get +free,” said Andy, “and I’ll do it, but you mustn’t +think of such nonsense as my escaping.” +</p> +<p> +“Why not?” +</p> +<p> +“Because I’m a sticker, and never ran away +like a sneak in my life,” declared Andy strenuously. +“No, I’m going to face the music like +a man.” +</p> +<p> +Chase was silent for a while. Finally, evidently +struggling with some new disturbing +thought, he said: +</p> +<p> +“Sure you can get me a job, Andy?” +</p> +<p> +“I am.” +</p> +<p> +“If I cut loose from here and make Talbot +an enemy for life, you’ll see to it that I get work?” +</p> +<p> +“As long as you keep sober, Mr. Chase, you +can always get a position. You have made a +brave start. Now brace up, think something of +yourself, and earn a comfortable living.” +</p> +<p> +“I’ll do it!” cried Chase. “I’ll risk everything. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_135'></a>135</span> +Andy, you didn’t fire that barn. Do you know +who did?” +</p> +<p> +“I have a suspicion,” replied Andy. +</p> +<p> +“If I guess right who you suspect, will you nod +your head?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes.” +</p> +<p> +“It was Gus Talbot and Dale Billings.” +</p> +<p> +Andy nodded his head. He started slightly as +he did so, wondering at the sturdy declaration +of Chase. Then he asked: +</p> +<p> +“Why do you think so, Mr. Chase?” +</p> +<p> +“I don’t think, I know,” declared the lockup-keeper. +</p> +<p> +“Did you see them do it?” +</p> +<p> +“No, I didn’t, but—see here, Andy, I’ve nothing +more to say.” +</p> +<p> +“Why not?” +</p> +<p> +“I want to find an old tramp named Wandering +Dick, before I go any farther.” +</p> +<p> +“Does he know?” +</p> +<p> +“I’ll not say another word except this: they’ll +never prove you a firebug, and old Talbot will +be sorry for the day he stirred things up and +started out to persecute an honest boy. Drat the +varmint! I’ll be afraid of him no longer, Andy, +you are a good friend.” +</p> +<p> +“I try to be, Mr. Chase.” +</p> +<p> +“I’ll prove that I am to you.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_136'></a>136</span> +</p> +<p> +Chase refused to say another word. Andy +curiously watched him stump around attending to +his duties. The old fellow would scowl and mutter, +and Andy believed he was mentally discussing +Talbot. Then he would chuckle, and Andy decided +he was thinking something pleasant about +himself. +</p> +<p> +Chase appeared to have entire charge of the +cell room. At five o’clock in the afternoon he let +the other prisoners out in the corridor for exercise, +and at six o’clock he gave them their supper +in their cells. Then he and Andy adjourned to +the little room beyond the cells and had a hearty, +appetizing meal. +</p> +<p> +Chase supplied Andy with some newspapers, +and later they played a game of checkers. About +nine o’clock a prisoner was brought in and +locked up. +</p> +<p> +At ten o’clock, just as Andy was going to bed, +the turnkey’s ponderous key rattled at the barred +door, and again his voice rang out: +</p> +<p> +“Andrew Nelson!” +</p> +<p> +“Wonder who wants me now?” said Andy. +</p> +<p> +“Somebody to see you in the sheriff’s room,” +said the turnkey, “follow me.” +</p> +<p> +Andy did so. As they entered the apartment +indicated, a man with one arm in a sling advanced +and grasped Andy’s hand warmly. +</p> +<p> +“This is a blazing shame!” he burst out, “but +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_137'></a>137</span> +I’ll have you out of here if it takes all I’ve got +and can beg or borrow.” +</p> +<p> +It was Andy’s employer, John Parks, the Airship +King. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_138'></a>138</span><a name='chXVIII' id='chXVIII'></a>CHAPTER XVIII—OUT ON BAIL</h2> +<p> +Andy’s heart warmed up and he felt that the +tide was turning. Parks was an energetic, impulsive +man, and generally put through what he +started at. His hearty greeting showed what +he thought of Andy and the charge against him. +</p> +<p> +“Is that the sheriff coming?” he demanded impatiently +of the officer or guard at the door of +the room. +</p> +<p> +“He’ll be here soon,” was the reply, “we have +sent for him.” +</p> +<p> +“Come over here, Andy,” directed the aeronaut, +leading the way to a corner of the apartment +so the others could not overhear their conversation. +“I want to talk with you. Now then,” +he continued, as they were seated by themselves, +“tell me the whole story.” +</p> +<p> +“I wish I had done it before,” began Andy, +and then he recited his experience with Talbot +and the details of the barn burning. +</p> +<p> +“Guesswork and spitework, eh? The whole +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_139'></a>139</span> +business,” flared out Parks. “They haven’t a +foot to stand on in court. I’ll see that you have +the right kind of a lawyer when the case comes +to trial. All I am anxious about is to get you +back to camp double quick. You know the race +takes place day after to-morrow.” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, I know it only too well,” replied Andy; +“I’ve worried enough about it.” +</p> +<p> +“Here comes my man, I guess,” interrupted +Parks, as a portly consequential-looking person +entered the room. +</p> +<p> +“I wanted to see you about this young man,” +explained Parks. “They’ve shut him up here on +a false charge, and I want to get him out. He’s +a trusted employee of mine, and I need him badly +in my business.” +</p> +<p> +“You want to give bail, do you?” inquired the +sheriff. +</p> +<p> +“Every dollar I’ve got, judge,” responded the +aeronaut with emphasis, “so long as he gets free.” +</p> +<p> +“The bail is two thousand dollars, and I suppose +you know the bondsman must qualify as a +real estate owner in the county.” +</p> +<p> +“I’m not that, judge,” said Parks, “but I’ve +got some money.” He pulled out a roll of bills. +“I’ve got nigh onto one thousand dollars personal +property, and I’m going to earn the aviation prize +down at Montrose day after to-morrow.” +</p> +<p> +“Considerably up in the air, part of your schedule, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_140'></a>140</span> +eh?” remarked the sheriff, smiling, “I’m +afraid we can’t accept you as a bondsman. Residence +here as a real estate owner is absolutely +necessary.” +</p> +<p> +“Why, do you think I would leave you in +the lurch or a boy like Andy sneak away. No +sir-ree! You can trust me, Mr. Sheriff.” +</p> +<p> +“I don’t doubt that, but the law is very strict.” +</p> +<p> +Parks paced the floor excitedly. He looked +disappointed and bothered. +</p> +<p> +“I’ve got to do something—Andy has just got +to be at the aviation meet day after to-morrow. +I’ve got it! Say, suppose I could line up two +thousand dollars through friends, in cash, mind +you, couldn’t I hire some man in Princeville to go +on the bond?” +</p> +<p> +“It is very often done,” acknowledged the +sheriff. +</p> +<p> +“Then I’ll do it. Andy, I’ll be back here to-morrow. +Mr. Sheriff, you can fix the papers for +quick action. I’ll raise that two thousand dollars +if I have to mortgage everything I’ve got. I’ve +got some friends and I own a farm out West.” +</p> +<p> +“Just a word, Mr. Parks,” said Andy. +</p> +<p> +“What is it, lad?” inquired the aeronaut. +</p> +<p> +“I wish you would get word to a lawyer at +Greenville, a Mr. West, about something. He +expected to see me yesterday, and I was arrested +before I could get to him.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_141'></a>141</span> +</p> +<p> +Andy explained about the advertisement and +the lost pocketbook. Mr. Parks was very much +impressed and interested over his story. +</p> +<p> +“Why, Andy,” he commented vigorously. +“There’s something strange about all this.” +</p> +<p> +“There is probably something very important +for the man who lost the pocketbook,” said Andy. +“I don’t want the lawyer to think I fooled him.” +</p> +<p> +“Can you find the pocketbook, Andy?” +</p> +<p> +“Unless it has been removed from the place +where it was three weeks ago, I am sure that +I can.” +</p> +<p> +“H-m, this sets me thinking,” observed Parks. +“I’ll see that the lawyer gets the message, Andy. +I’ll be back here to-morrow.” +</p> +<p> +“Mr. Parks,” said Andy seriously, “I don’t +think you had better try to raise the money. It +will be harder than you think, and all this will +take up your time and attention away from the +airship race.” +</p> +<p> +“There won’t be any airship race for me if +you are out of it, will there?” demanded Parks. +</p> +<p> +“Why not? You can surely find someone to +take my place. It’s the <em>Racing Star</em> that is going +to win the race, not the man at the lever. He’s +got to keep his eyes open, but the machine is so +far ahead of anything I’ve seen, that a careful, +active pilot can hardly fail to win.” +</p> +<p> +Parks looked dubious and unconvinced. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_142'></a>142</span> +</p> +<p> +“I’m going to get you out of here,” he maintained +stubbornly, and, knowing the determined +character of his employer, Andy went back to +the lockup believing that he would keep his word. +</p> +<p> +“What’s the news, Andy?” inquired Chase +eagerly. +</p> +<p> +“The best in the world, Mr. Chase,” replied +Andy brightly. +</p> +<p> +“Are they going to let you out?” +</p> +<p> +“I hope so, soon.” +</p> +<p> +Andy had told Chase something about his circumstances, +and now told him more, mentioning +the airship race. +</p> +<p> +“I say, you shouldn’t miss that, should you, +Andy?” excitedly proclaimed Chase. “I wish I +could help you. I can in time. I have a good +mind——” +</p> +<p> +Chase paused mysteriously, and began stumping +about in his usual abstracted, muttering way. +</p> +<p> +Andy sat down on a bench as there was a +movement at the cell-room door. +</p> +<p> +“Here, give this man shelter for the night and +something to eat,” ordered the turnkey. “Turn +him out in the morning.” +</p> +<p> +“Hello!” spoke Chase, evidently recognizing +a regular habitue of the place, “it’s you again, +is it?” +</p> +<p> +“On my rounds, as usual,” grinned the newcomer, +a harmless-looking, trampish fellow. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_143'></a>143</span> +</p> +<p> +“Been in some other lockup, I suppose, since +we saw you last?” insinuated Chase. +</p> +<p> +“No, Wandering Dick and I have been following +a show. You see——” +</p> +<p> +“Who? Say that again,” interrupted Chase +excitedly. +</p> +<p> +“Wandering Dick.” +</p> +<p> +“Where is he now?” +</p> +<p> +“Three days ago I left him about fifty miles +south of here.” +</p> +<p> +“Is he there now?” +</p> +<p> +“I think so. The show broke up and that +threw me out, but Dick talked about staying +around Linterville till he could panhandle it south +for the winter.” +</p> +<p> +“See here,” said Chase, drawing out his pocketbook. +“There’s a ten-dollar bill,” and he flipped +over some bank notes. +</p> +<p> +“I see there is,” nodded the tramp wonderingly. +</p> +<p> +“I’ll start you out with a good breakfast and +that money in the morning. I want you to find +Dick, bring him here, and I’ll give you each as +much more money when you do.” +</p> +<p> +The tramp looked puzzled, then suspicious, +and then alarmed. +</p> +<p> +“See here,” he said, “what are you going to +work on us, same old charge?” +</p> +<p> +“Not at all. I want Dick to answer a half +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_144'></a>144</span> +dozen questions, that’s all, and then you are both! +free to go.” +</p> +<p> +“Say, let me start to-night!” said the tramp +eagerly. +</p> +<p> +“No, it’s too late,” replied Chase. “There’s no +train until morning.” +</p> +<p> +Andy had overheard all this conversation. +Wandering Dick was the name he had heard +Chase speak once before, and he had coupled it +with the suggestion that in some way Wandering +Dick was concerned in the incident of Farmer +Jones’ burned-down barn. +</p> +<p> +Andy slept in a good bed and got up early in +the morning, believing that the new day would +bring some developments of importance in the +situation. +</p> +<p> +The tramp was started off by Chase, breakfast +was over, and Chase had been let out by the +turnkey into the main room. He came rushing +back in a few minutes carrying an armful of +towels for jail use. +</p> +<p> +“Andy,” he chuckled, throwing his load recklessly +on a bench and slapping his young friend +gleefully on the shoulder, “You’re free!” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_145'></a>145</span><a name='chXIX' id='chXIX'></a>CHAPTER XIX—A DISAPPOINTMENT</h2> +<p> +Andy was led into the office of the jail and +up to the desk of the official who had registered +his name the day before. This man opened a +drawer and pushed a package before Andy and +a receipt. +</p> +<p> +“See if your money is all right,” he directed, +“and sign that receipt.” +</p> +<p> +“Going to give them back to me, are you?” +said Andy brightly, feeling delighted at recovering +his liberty. “They must have found out +that I am innocent.” +</p> +<p> +“H-m! that’s to be determined later on.” +</p> +<p> +Andy looked questioningly about the room. +Who had set him free? What did it mean? Just +then he caught the sound of voices in another +room and the officer pointed to it. +</p> +<p> +“Your friend is in there,” he said. “He’s +waiting for you.” +</p> +<p> +Andy felt as if he had wings on his feet. His +heart was overflowing with gladness. He crossed +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_146'></a>146</span> +the threshold of the doorway the officer had indicated, +looked in, and then stood stock still, very +much surprised. +</p> +<p> +“Well, young man, we’ve reached you at last?” +spoke a hearty voice. +</p> +<p> +“Why, it’s Mr. Webb!” exclaimed Andy. +</p> +<p> +He had at once recognized the gentleman whom +he had driven over in the automobile from Princeville +to Macon, the day when all his troubles in +life seemed to have begun. +</p> +<p> +With Mr. Webb was a man who nodded pleasantly +but curiously to Andy. This was Joshua +Bird. He was reported to be the richest man +in Princeville, and dealt principally in real estate +and had the reputation of being something of a +miser. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Webb, holding Andy’s hand, turned to +Mr. Bird. +</p> +<p> +“Well, sir, everything is satisfactory?” he +asked. +</p> +<p> +“Entirely so,” answered Bird. “You’re putting +a good deal of faith in a lad you scarcely know, +though.” +</p> +<p> +“I’ll bank on my confidence,” answered Mr. +Webb. “Nelson, you remember me, do you not?” +</p> +<p> +“Perfectly, sir, but I don’t understand.” +</p> +<p> +“My being here?” questioned Mr. Webb. “A +purely selfish motive is at the bottom of it, I am +free to confess, although I am glad to be of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_147'></a>147</span> +service to you on general principles. Are you +ready to leave here at once?” +</p> +<p> +“Where for, sir?” +</p> +<p> +“An automobile dash across the country.” +</p> +<p> +“And then am I to return here?” +</p> +<p> +“Not until your trial comes on. Let me explain, +so you will understand the situation. I +have gone on your bail bond.” +</p> +<p> +“I don’t know how to thank you,” said Andy +gratefully. +</p> +<p> +“Your friend, Mr. Parks, found me late last +night at Greenville, where Mr. West and myself +were anxiously awaiting you. He explained about +your arrest, and told us the whole story of your +affairs. It seems that your trouble began with +the finding of my pocketbook. It was only right, +therefore, that I should stand by you—which I +have done, and intend to keep up, Andy, for you +have proven yourself a good, honest boy.” +</p> +<p> +“Thank you, Mr. Webb,” said our hero with +considerable emotion. +</p> +<p> +“Mr. West, my legal adviser, arranged with +Mr. Bird, who has just left us. The signing of +your bail bond is the result. You are free to get +to those anxious friends of yours at the aviation +meet, but first I want you to take a little trip +with me.” +</p> +<p> +“After that old leather pocketbook, I suppose.” +</p> +<p> +“You’ve guessed it right, Andy.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_148'></a>148</span> +</p> +<p> +“I would like to speak with a good friend of +mine in the jail here for a moment,” said Andy, +“and then I will be ready to go with you.” +</p> +<p> +“All right, Andy.” +</p> +<p> +Chase had already heard the good news and +congratulated Andy, chuckling and hobbling +about at a great rate. +</p> +<p> +“Remember you’re to look out for a new job +for me,” he intimated. +</p> +<p> +“I’ll attend to that all right, Mr. Chase,” +promised Andy. “If things go as I think they +will, I have a friend as well as an employer who +will probably need a man such as you to potter +about and look after things.” +</p> +<p> +“Andy, I’ll potter for keeps if you get me that +situation,” declared the old lockup-keeper earnestly. +“You get it fixed for me, and when your +trial comes up, I’ll show you how much I think +of you.” +</p> +<p> +“Things are certainly coming out famously +right,” chirped Andy gaily, as he left Chase. +</p> +<p> +“Now then, Nelson, take a try at my new machine,” +said Mr. Webb, as he led Andy to the +street. +</p> +<p> +Seth Talbot, one of his own machines waiting +at the curb for a fare, was strolling around inspecting +the beautiful touring car which Mr. +Webb had indicated. +</p> +<p> +“Eh, hey! what’s this?” he blubbered out, as +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_149'></a>149</span> +Andy walked smartly to the machine and leaped +into the driver’s seat. +</p> +<p> +An officer who was aware of the situation +nudged Talbot and spoke a few quick words to +him in an undertone. The face of the garage +owner turned white with astonishment and malice. +Mr. Webb had noticed him, and asked +Andy: +</p> +<p> +“Who is that man?” +</p> +<p> +“Mr. Talbot, my old employer,” responded +Andy. +</p> +<p> +“I don’t like his looks,” spoke Mr. Webb +simply. “Now then, Nelson, of course you know +where I want to go.” +</p> +<p> +“After the leather pocketbook—yes, sir.” +</p> +<p> +“I hope you can find it.” +</p> +<p> +“I feel sure we shall, sir. We will have to +take some roundabout roads to get to the farm +I told Mr. West about.” +</p> +<p> +“This is a very important matter to me,” explained +Mr. Webb. “I may as well tell you, +Nelson, that the fortune and happiness of two +orphan children, distant relatives of mine, depend +on the finding of that old pocketbook.” +</p> +<p> +“I am very much interested, Mr. Webb,” +said Andy. +</p> +<p> +“You did not notice perhaps, but glued down +in the big part of that pocketbook is a thin compartment. +Secreted in that is an old time-worn +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_150'></a>150</span> +sheet of paper that I spent thousands of dollars +and a year’s time in locating and getting into my +possession. I was on my way to my lawyer with +it, and had placed two hundred dollars in the +pocketbook for costs in the law suit, when I lost +the pocketbook, as you know.” +</p> +<p> +“I never dreamed there was any value in the +old pocketbook,” said Andy. “I knew it was +in my old clothes which I threw away at a farm +near Wade, I told you about. I remember perfectly +well tossing them up on an old shelf. Unless +they have been disturbed, we will find the +clothes and the pocketbook. It was a regular old +rubbish pile where I tossed them, and out of anybody’s +way.” +</p> +<p> +“I shall feel immensely relieved and glad when +I find that document,” declared Mr. Webb, with +a sigh of anxiety. +</p> +<p> +John Parks was responsible for bringing the +word to Mr. West that had sent Mr. Webb to +Princeville. The aeronaut had told the lawyer +considerable about Andy and the approaching +airship race, and as they rolled along Mr. Webb +showed a great deal of interest in Andy’s aviation +ambitions and asked a great many questions. +</p> +<p> +“I shall want to see you again as soon as I +get that document in the pocketbook to the lawyers,” +said the gentleman. “The airship race is +to-morrow?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_151'></a>151</span> +</p> +<p> +“Yes, sir.” +</p> +<p> +“I will keep track of you through Mr. Parks, +and probably meet you day after to-morrow. I +hope you win the race, Nelson, and get the prize. +You deserve it, my boy. If you fail, do not get +discouraged. You have some good friends, and I +am one of them.” +</p> +<p> +“You have shown that,” said Andy with feeling. +“I wouldn’t have missed the race for a good +deal.” +</p> +<p> +Andy entertained his companion considerably +by a recital of his adventures three weeks previously +when he had helped the goose farmer get +his product to market. +</p> +<p> +“Just yonder is where I met him first,” explained +Andy, as they passed over a bridge crossing +the river. “It’s a straight road to the Collins +farm now, but not very even.” +</p> +<p> +“I hope we find things as you expect,” said Mr. +Webb. +</p> +<p> +“I think we will,” answered Andy cheerfully. +</p> +<p> +It was about an hour later when they rounded +a curve in a beautiful country road. +</p> +<p> +“Just beyond that grove of trees,” said Andy, +“and we come in full view of the Collins farmhouse. +Now we can see it—Why, I—don’t—understand—this.” +</p> +<p> +Andy slowed down in speech, with a series of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_152'></a>152</span> +wondering gasps, as he likewise slowed down the +machine. +</p> +<p> +“Why, what’s the matter, Nelson?” queried +Mr. Webb. +</p> +<p> +“Don’t you see?” began Andy. “No, you +don’t see, and that’s just it. There’s something +wrong. The farmhouse did stand right over +where that gravelled road runs into the farm, and +now——” +</p> +<p> +“Nelson,” interrupted Mr. Webb almost +sharply, “there has been a fire here.” +</p> +<p> +Andy stared dubiously, but in great concern. +There could be no doubt of it, this was the site +of the Collins’ farm. There were the white-washed +posts where the farm road began, the +horse block where he bade the goose farmer +good-by, but the farmhouse itself had disappeared. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_153'></a>153</span><a name='chXX' id='chXX'></a>CHAPTER XX—A NEW CAPTIVITY</h2> +<p> +“Nelson, could you possibly be mistaken?” +</p> +<p> +“No, sir, positively not.” +</p> +<p> +Andy had come to a dead stop with the automobile. +He stared blankly at the prospect before +them. The site of the Collins farmhouse +was a flat stretch of waste and ruin. Grass, +weeds, trees, fences showed the ravages of a great +fire. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Webb looked dreadfully disappointed. +His face had become almost pale. Andy shared +his disquietude, but he could simply say: +</p> +<p> +“I am very sorry.” +</p> +<p> +“You did all you could, Nelson,” responded +his companion. “Here comes some one. We +will question him a little.” +</p> +<p> +A farm laborer with a hoe across his shoulder +sauntered down the road. Andy hailed him. As +he came nearer to them Mr. Webb said: +</p> +<p> +“My man, what has been happening around +here?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_154'></a>154</span> +</p> +<p> +“Don’t you see?” queried the man, with a comprehensive +wave of his hand across the bleak +ruins. “Fire.” +</p> +<p> +“This is the Collins farm, isn’t it?” +</p> +<p> +“It was,” answered the man. “The fire took +them in the night a week ago.” +</p> +<p> +“And burned everything about the place?” +</p> +<p> +“Down to the pig styes.” +</p> +<p> +“Where are the Collins people?” +</p> +<p> +“Gone over into Bowen County until they can +arrange to build again.” +</p> +<p> +“Start up, Nelson,” ordered Mr. Webb. “It’s +a waste of time to loiter around here.” +</p> +<p> +Mr. Webb felt cruelly disappointed. Andy +saw this and was sorry for him. He glanced at +the spot where he remembered the old shed to +have stood. Even the tree that had sheltered it +had burned to a crisp. +</p> +<p> +“Where am I to go?” inquired Andy. +</p> +<p> +“You had better strike for Rushville,” replied +Mr. Webb. “From what I remember, you can +get a train to Montrose earlier than on the Central.” +</p> +<p> +“I am to go on to John Parks?” +</p> +<p> +“That’s the programme,” said Mr. Webb, trying +to appear cheerful; “why not?” +</p> +<p> +Andy reflected seriously for a moment or two. +Finally he spoke: +</p> +<p> +“Mr. Webb,” he said; “I hardly feel right to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_155'></a>155</span> +leave you on my bond for that big amount. Something +might happen so that I could not appear for +trial—trickery, or a dozen things.” +</p> +<p> +“And because you have not succeeded in recovering +that pocketbook, you suppose I’m going +to desert you, Nelson?” inquired the gentleman. +</p> +<p> +“You are not the man to do a single mean +thing,” replied Andy, “but, with all your troubles, +and me being a stranger——” +</p> +<p> +“Drop it, Nelson. You have tried to be the +best friend in the world to me, and I’d go on +your bond for double the amount I have. You +are to go straight on to Montrose, win that airship +race, and when you have got that off your +mind we will have a talk together.” +</p> +<p> +“You are a good, kind man,” said Andy, with +fervor, “and I’d walk barefooted on hot coals +to get you back that pocketbook.” +</p> +<p> +When they reached Rushville, Mr. Webb took +charge of the automobile. He made many encouraging +references to the coming airship race, +and when he left Andy at the railroad station +shook his hand in a friendly way. +</p> +<p> +Andy made a disappointing discovery as soon +as he consulted the train schedules. A change +in the service of the road had been made only +that week, and there was no train south until +seven o’clock. It was now three, and he would +have to wait four hours. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_156'></a>156</span> +</p> +<p> +“I won’t be able to get home until after dark,” +reflected the lad. “I hoped to have an hour or +two of daylight for practice, but this knocks my +plans awry. Well, as it is, this is a good deal +better than missing the race altogether.” +</p> +<p> +It was quite dark when the train reached the +limits of Montrose. It stopped at a crossing, and +Andy got off and made a short cut for the Parks +camp. +</p> +<p> +His course led him past the large aviation field. +Andy was anxious to report to Mr. Parks as soon +as possible, but unusual light and animation about +the big enclosure aroused his curiosity and interest, +and he passed the gate and strolled by the +various aerodromes. +</p> +<p> +Everything was “the race!” Groups were discussing +it, contestants were oiling up their machines +and exploiting the merits of the others. An +hour passed by before Andy realized it. He +came to halt in front of the last tent in the row, +turned to retrace his steps, and then suddenly +halted. +</p> +<p> +“I’d like to know what the Duske crowd is +about,” he reflected, glancing towards the isolated +camp which he had surreptitiously visited only a +few nights previous. “Mr. Parks might be glad +to know, too. I’ll do a little skirmishing and +find out what I can.” +</p> +<p> +Andy crossed a dark space. Lights were moving about +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_157'></a>157</span> +the Duske camp, and these served as +a guide. He neared the fence surrounding the +camp, got over it, and cautiously approached the +large tent which held the airship he had inspected +on his first stealthy visit to the place. +</p> +<p> +Suddenly Andy tripped and fell. His foot had +caught in a wire stretched taut under the grass. +As he went headlong across the grass, a bell +began to jingle, and he realized that the wire was +one of many probably set to trap intruders. At +all events, before he could get to his feet two +men ran out of the tent. +</p> +<p> +One of these was Duske. The other was his +companion of the evening when Andy had previously +visited the place. They pounced on him +promptly. +</p> +<p> +“Another spy,” spoke Duske, dragging the +captive toward the tent. +</p> +<p> +“They’re getting thick,” observed his companion. +“Those fellows at the big camp are mighty +curious to pry into the secrets of our craft here. +Hello! why, Duske, this is the same fellow we +caught snooping around here three nights since.” +</p> +<p> +“Eh? Oh, it’s you again, is it?” +</p> +<p> +They had come inside the tent. The light +burning there revealed Andy fully. Without +letting go of him Duske scowlingly surveyed his +captive. +</p> +<p> +“Say, Duske,” spoke the other man quickly, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_158'></a>158</span> +“it’s Parks’ boy, and he’s the one who won the +pony prize.” +</p> +<p> +“Was that you?” demanded Duske; “are you +Andy Nelson?” +</p> +<p> +“Suppose so?” queried Andy. +</p> +<p> +“Then you’re the fellow who is going to take +Parks’ place in the race to-morrow?” +</p> +<p> +“I guess that is right,” affirmed Andy. +</p> +<p> +“No,” cried Duske, showing his teeth, and +looking fierce and malicious, “it’s wrong, dead +wrong, as you’re going to find out. Fetch me +some rope.” +</p> +<p> +“Hold on,” objected Andy, “you aren’t going +to tie me up?” +</p> +<p> +He put up a manful struggle and very nearly +got away. The two powerful men were more +than his equal, however, and in a very few minutes +Andy found himself tied hand and foot. +</p> +<p> +Duske and his companion carried him bodily +along through the tent, past the flying machine, +and threw him onto a mattress lying on the +ground in a small compartment partitioned off +with canvas. Duske tested the ropes that bound +Andy, gave them another twist, and went out +into the main tent. +</p> +<p> +“This looks like luck,” observed the companion +of Duske. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, if we’ve got the bearings right,” replied +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_159'></a>159</span> +the other, “Are you sure he was scheduled to +take Parks’ place in the race?” +</p> +<p> +“Of course I am. Hasn’t Tyrrell told us already +about his getting into trouble somewhere, +and couldn’t be here to make the race? Hasn’t +Parks hired Tyrrell in his place?” +</p> +<p> +“Then how comes the boy to be here? I don’t +like the looks of things at all.” +</p> +<p> +“Tyrrell will be here before long. He can +post us if there is any break in our arrangements.” +</p> +<p> +The two men passed out of hearing. Andy +made one or two efforts to loosen his bonds, +found them unusually secure, and gave up the experiment. +What his captors had said startled +and disturbed him considerably. +</p> +<p> +“Mr. Parks doesn’t expect me to show up in +time to make the race, and this man they talked +about, Tyrrell, is going to take my place,” reflected +Andy. “He is a friend of the people here, +and that certainly means harm for Mr. Parks.” +</p> +<p> +Andy worried himself a good deal during the +next hour, imagining all kinds of plots on the part +of Duske and his friends to prevent the <em>Racing +Star</em> from winning the prize. +</p> +<p> +Finally Andy heard voices in the large tent. +His name was spoken, and he listened intently to +catch what was said. +</p> +<p> +“If that’s so, and it’s really Andy Nelson,” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_160'></a>160</span> +sounded a new voice, “it’s funny, for up to this +morning he was in jail at Princeville.” +</p> +<p> +“Then he’s escaped, or got free somehow,” +answered Duske. “He’s that boy of Parks’ who +was the winner in the dash for the pony prize.” +</p> +<p> +“If he is,” came the reply, “you want to hold +him a close prisoner till the big race is over.” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_161'></a>161</span><a name='chXXI' id='chXXI'></a>CHAPTER XXI—A FRIEND IN NEED</h2> +<p> +The voices that Andy heard died away in the +distance. In about ten minutes, however, they +came back again within his range of hearing. The +man he believed to be Tyrrell, who in some way +had induced Mr. Parks to accept him as a substitute +for himself in the aviation race, was speaking +to his companion, who was Duske. +</p> +<p> +“That’s the programme, is it?” he was asking. +</p> +<p> +“To a T.” +</p> +<p> +“You will look out for the Nelson boy.” +</p> +<p> +“Don’t fret on that score. We’ll cage him safe +and sound until the race is over.” +</p> +<p> +“You think I had better use the bottle?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, here it is. Stow it anywhere in your +clothes.” +</p> +<p> +“Isn’t there some easier way? What’s the +use of fire? It may strike investigators as suspicious.” +</p> +<p> +“Not at all. They tanked you too full, a spark +did the mischief, see? You know enough to descend +in among some trees?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_162'></a>162</span> +</p> +<p> +“Of course.” +</p> +<p> +“Let the flame singe your clothing, tell some +sensational story of a hairbreadth escape, and +you’ll be quite a hero.” +</p> +<p> +“You think with the <em>Racing Star</em> out of the +way that your machine is bound to win, do you?” +</p> +<p> +“I know it,” affirmed Duske confidently. +“Those other aeroplanes are mere botches. They +will do as playthings, but as to distance, they’re +not in it with the <em>Moon Bird</em>.” +</p> +<p> +“All right, I’ll follow instructions. Keep that +boy safe. I’d better go. It would be all up with +our scheme if Parks should suspect I was your +friend.” +</p> +<p> +Andy fairly writhed where he lay. The plot +of the villains was now perfectly clear to him. +The man Tyrrell had wormed himself into the +confidence of Mr. Parks, who little suspected +that he was a confederate of Duske. Tyrrell was +to make the start with the <em>Racing Star</em>, pretend +that an accident had happened, and burn up the +airship. +</p> +<p> +“What shall I do—what can I do?” breathed +Andy. “They don’t intend to let me go until +after the race is over to-morrow.” +</p> +<p> +In about an hour Duske and an old man who +seemed to be the cook of the camp came to where +Andy lay. Duske released one hand of the captive. +The anxious prisoner did not feel much +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_163'></a>163</span> +like eating, but he realized that he must keep +up his strength. He ate some bread and meat +which the cook brought, and drank some water. +</p> +<p> +Duske tied him up again, tighter than ever. +Then he spoke to the cook: +</p> +<p> +“You get your armchair right outside the canvas +flap here, Dobbins.” +</p> +<p> +“All right, Mr. Duske,” replied the man. +</p> +<p> +“Every fifteen minutes, right through till morning, +you are to look in on that boy. See that he is +comfortable, but particularly that he is safe.” +</p> +<p> +“I’ll attend to it.” +</p> +<p> +“If you let him get away, you’re out of a job, +remember.” +</p> +<p> +The cook followed out the programme directed +by Duske to the minutest detail. Andy had no +opportunity to free himself—he was watched so +closely. He decided that the effort would be futile. +Until midnight he lay wide awake, nervous +and worried. Then he made up his mind that it +did no good to fret, and got some sleep. +</p> +<p> +He was given his breakfast about six o’clock in +the morning. Then he was tied up again and +left to himself. He lay on the mattress so that +when the wind blew the canvas lifted and he could +look out. He was faced away from the direction +of the aviation field, however, and twenty feet +away the fence stared him blankly in the face. +</p> +<p> +From sounds near by and in the distance during +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_164'></a>164</span> +the next two hours, Andy could figure out just +what was going on about him. The <em>Moon Bird</em> +was carried from its aerodrome and taken to the +aviation field. The old cook seemed to be left +in possession of the camp. He looked in on Andy +every so often. The rest of the time he was busy +in the larger tent or outside of it with his cooking +utensils. +</p> +<p> +Poor Andy was in sore straits of despair. He +had a vivid imagination, and could fancy all that +was shut out from his view by captivity. He +heard a distant town bell strike nine o’clock. +</p> +<p> +“In an hour the airships will be off,” soliloquized +the captive mournfully, “and I won’t be +there.” +</p> +<p> +Andy pictured in his mind all that was going +on at the aviation field. He could fancy the airships +ranging in place for the start. He could +imagine the animation and excitement permeating +the groups of spectators. He shut his eyes and +tried to forget it all, so keen was his disappointment. +</p> +<p> +He heard the band strike up a gay tune. Then +a gun was fired. Andy almost shed tears. In +twenty minutes the starting signal was due. +</p> +<p> +“They’ll have a head wind,” he ruminated, as +the breeze lifted the canvas at the side of the mattress +upon which he lay. “It will be light, though, +and won’t hinder much;” and then he thrilled, as +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_165'></a>165</span> +he fancied himself seated in the operator’s stand +of the splendid <em>Racing Star</em>, awaiting the final +word, “Go!” +</p> +<p> +Andy stared blankly at the fence of the enclosure +of the Duske camp. A section of it had been +broken down, and the gate left open in removing +the airship. Of a sudden he stared eagerly. Some +one had come into the enclosure. +</p> +<p> +The intruder was evidently some casual sight-seer, +a boy. His hands were in his pockets, and +he strolled about as if curiously inspecting everything +that came under his notice. He cast a careless +glance at the tent, and was proceeding on his +way towards the main aviation field, when Andy +gave a great start. +</p> +<p> +“Silas—Silas Pierce!” he shouted, ignoring discovery +by the cook. +</p> +<p> +Andy’s heart was thumping like a trip-hammer. +It seemed as if on the verge of the blackest despair +a bright star of hope had risen on the horizon. +He had recognized the intruder with surprise, +but with gladness as well. +</p> +<p> +It was his companion of the goose trip, the +son of Mr. Pierce—the farmer Silas—whom +Andy had last seen at the Collins place, the farm +he had visited the day previous. Silas wore a +brand-new suit of clothes. He suggested the typical +country boy, with some loose cash in his pocket, +enjoying a brief holiday to the utmost. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_166'></a>166</span> +</p> +<p> +“Hey!” exclaimed Silas, with a startled jump, +his eyes goggling all about, and unable to trace +the source of the challenge. +</p> +<p> +Andy uttered a groan. At the moment the +breeze let down, and the canvas dropped, shutting +him in and Silas out. Then a puff of wind +came and lifted the flap again. +</p> +<p> +“Here, here, Silas!” called out Andy in tones +of strained suspense. “Quick—help!” +</p> +<p> +“I vum!” gasped the farmer boy, staring +blankly at what he saw of Andy. “Who is it? +And—I say, you’re dad’s great friend, the Nelson +boy!” +</p> +<p> +Silas had advanced, and took in the situation, +and recognized Andy slowly. +</p> +<p> +“Lift up the canvas; come in here,” directed +Andy in a more cautious tone of voice. “You +remember me, don’t you?” +</p> +<p> +“Guess I do; but what in the world of wonder +is the matter with you?” +</p> +<p> +“Don’t talk so loud,” pleaded Andy anxiously, +fearing the arrival of the cook at any moment. +“Some bad men have tied me up. Have you got +a knife?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes; and a brand-new one. Won it in a funny +game where you throw rings. See there,” and +with great pride Silas produced and opened a +gaudily-handled jack-knife. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, thank you, Silas; I’ll never forget this.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_167'></a>167</span> +</p> +<p> +“Hold on! Say! Thunder! Is he crazy? +Stop! Stop!” +</p> +<p> +In profound excitement, Silas Pierce regarded +Andy. The minute he had cut the bonds of the +young aviator, Andy had bounded to his feet as +if set on springs. Afar from the aviation field +there boomed out the second, the get-ready gun. +</p> +<p> +“Ten minutes!” gasped Andy, on fire with +resolve. “I’ve got to make it.” +</p> +<p> +He swept aside the canvas, headed in the direction +of the main camp. Hot on his heels came +his amazed rescuer, now a wondering pursuer. +Andy ran at the fence, gave a spring, and cleared +its top in a graceful leap. Silas, more clumsy, +ran at two loose boards, and by sheer force of +his might and strength, sent them out of place +and put after Andy. +</p> +<p> +“Nelson!” he bawled. “What’s the matter? +Nobody’s following you. Crickey, but you’re a +sprinter!” +</p> +<p> +“I’ll see you later—Parks’ camp—in a hurry.” +</p> +<p> +In a hurry, indeed, was Andy. He was running +against time. As a turn past some tents brought +him in full sight of the open field, he was a lone +heroic figure—heart, brain and body strained to +reach the dainty, natty <em>Racing Star</em>, just being +wheeled in place for flight. +</p> +<p> +There were seven airships entered for the race. +These were now stationed a distance of several +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_168'></a>168</span> +hundred yards apart, ready to start. The spectators +were held back from the dead line by +ropes stretched from post to post, but Andy was +coming across the field from its inside edge. Silas +Pierce was putting after him, puzzled and excited, +breathless, and far to the rear. Their unconventional +arrival attracted no attention, for those in +charge of the airships were engrossed in seeing +that everything was right for the start. +</p> +<p> +The <em>Racing Star</em> was being pushed forward to +its starting position. All the others were in place. +In a swift glance, Andy made out the <em>Moon Bird</em>, +and recognized Duske seated amidships. +</p> +<p> +Near the <em>Racing Star</em> was Mr. Parks, directing +affairs, and Scipio was standing near by. At one +side were Mr. Morse and Tsilsuma, deeply interested +in the manoeuvres going on. +</p> +<p> +“It’s Tyrrell!” panted Andy, and he redoubled +his speed as he made out the treacherous ally of +Duske. Tyrrell was arrayed in leather jacket and +gloves, keeping pace with the <em>Racing Star</em> as it +moved along. As the airship came to a halt on +the starting line, Andy saw him move forward to +take his seat amidships. +</p> +<p> +It was then that Andy massed all his strength +of being, accompanied by animated gesticulations, +as he shouted out: +</p> +<p> +“Stop that man!” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_169'></a>169</span><a name='chXXII' id='chXXII'></a>CHAPTER XXII—“GO!”</h2> +<p> +“Andy!” shouted John Parks in a transport of +amazement. +</p> +<p> +“It’s me,” panted Andy, running up to his employer +and pointing at Tyrrell. “Mr. Parks, stop +that man. He’s a traitor; he’s a villain!” +</p> +<p> +Tyrrell had heard and seen Andy. He gave a +great start. Then he made a move as if to hasten +aboard the airship and get out of his way. Mr. +Morse and the Japanese hastened forward. The +men guiding the aeroplane stared hard at the newcomer. +</p> +<p> +“Andy, what do you mean?” demanded Mr. +Parks, lost in wonderment. +</p> +<p> +“Just what I say. Don’t let him get aboard.” +</p> +<p> +“Hold on, Tyrrell,” ordered the aeronaut. +</p> +<p> +“We’ll lose the start,” spoke Tyrrell hurriedly. +</p> +<p> +“Don’t you get aboard.” +</p> +<p> +“No, sah; yo’ just obey Mistah Parks, suh,” +interposed Scipio, laying a great hindering hand +on the arm of Tyrrell. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_170'></a>170</span> +</p> +<p> +“I have been a prisoner in the Duske camp +since yesterday,” explained Andy, catching his +breath. “This man Tyrrell came there last night. +He is in the employ of Duske.” +</p> +<p> +“What!” shouted Parks, his face growing dark. +</p> +<p> +“It’s true, Mr. Parks,” asseverated Andy. +“They are in a plot to burn the <em>Racing Star</em> and +have you lose the prize.” +</p> +<p> +“Do you hear what this boy says?” thundered +the aeronaut, moving down on Tyrrell with +threatening mien. +</p> +<p> +“It’s—it’s not true,” declared Tyrrell, but turning +pale, shrinking back, and looking about him +for a chance to run. +</p> +<p> +“If you don’t believe me,” cried Andy, “search +him.” +</p> +<p> +Scipio held Tyrrell’s arm in a viselike clasp. +Parks ran his hand over his clothing. He drew +from his pocket a parcel done up in a handkerchief. +Mr. Morse took it, opened it, and revealed +a bottle filled with some substance like kerosene, +a small box of matches and some lint. Quick as +a flash the hand of the aeronaut shot out for +the throat of Tyrrell. +</p> +<p> +“You treacherous scoundrel!” he shouted. +</p> +<p> +Boom! +</p> +<p> +“The third gun! They’re off, Mr. Parks,” cried +Andy. “Oh, don’t let the <em>Racing Star</em> miss it.” +</p> +<p> +“What can I do?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_171'></a>171</span> +</p> +<p> +“Send me. Men, get ready. Mr. Parks, I’ll +win this race!” +</p> +<p> +Andy was in no trim physically or in attire to +attempt the race. At a glance the aeronaut saw +this. But our hero was irresistible. He ran +towards the machine, and with nimble movements +he glided among the planes and reached the operator’s +seat. Already the other airships were +sailing skywards. +</p> +<p> +“Go!” shouted Andy. +</p> +<p> +Upon the operator’s seat lay the skull cap and +goggles, ready for Tyrrell, and Andy hastily +donned them. He heard the voice of Parks, now +as excited as himself, giving orders, a tacit consent +to make the start. +</p> +<p> +There was a run of scarcely a hundred feet +along the grass. Andy placed a firm hand on the +wheel. Then came a series of curves and sweeping +arcs, which kept the crowd of spectators turning +first one way and then the other in entranced +silence. +</p> +<p> +The young aviator followed the popping of the +motors of the contestant machines. One was +fast becoming a mere speck in the sky. +</p> +<p> +“The <em>Moon Bird</em>, Duske’s machine,” murmured +Andy. +</p> +<p> +It seemed poised in the air without motion, so +direct was its course, so true its mechanism. Two +of the other airships had already descended, one +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_172'></a>172</span> +of them wrecked and out of the race. The forty-foot +mechanical bird, the Duske machine, however, +had made the lead and kept it. +</p> +<p> +The climax came in Andy’s preliminary ascent. +Now the <em>Racing Star</em>, light and dainty as a lark, +mounted with amazing speed. A glance at +three of the airships convinced Andy that they +were too faulty to make a record. The <em>Moon +Bird</em>, however, was a marvel. From what he had +heard Mr. Parks say, Duske had been an expert +balloonist, and he now showed amazing ability in +the aviation line. He seemed to be putting the +stolen airship idea to marked advantage. +</p> +<p> +Andy struck a level about fifteen hundred feet +in the air. There was a head wind, but it was not +strong. Andy put on fine speed gradually. The +<em>Racing Star</em> passed two of the contestants, and, +fully in action, he drove keen on the trail of the +<em>Moon Bird</em>. +</p> +<p> +The train that acted as a pilot with an American +flag on its last car, Andy kept in view as a +guide. When they came to Lake Clear, the <em>Moon +Bird</em> did not follow the rounding land course, +nor did Andy. Lake Clear was a shallow body +of water, but of considerable extent, and dotted +here and there with little islands. +</p> +<p> +Suddenly the <em>Moon Bird</em>, a machine of good +utility, but, as Andy knew, of little lasting power, +made a decided spurt, passed the <em>Racing Star</em>, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_173'></a>173</span> +and at a distance of half a mile got fairly abreast +of the lake. It was here that Duske met his +Waterloo. Hitherto he had maintained practically +a steady course. More than once Andy had +got near enough to this rival to hear the loud +gasping of the tube exhausts drown out the sharp +chug-chug of the motor. Suddenly Duske made +a sharp turn. +</p> +<p> +An appalling climax followed. In consternation +and suspense Andy watched aerial evolutions +that fairly dizzied him. +</p> +<p> +“He is lost!” breathed Andy, a-thrill. +</p> +<p> +In an instant he recalled what Mr. Morse had +told him of the unfinished model that Duske and +his crowd had stolen from him. The inventor +had explained to Andy that while the suction principle +involved in the rudder construction was +unique and bound to increase speed, there should +have been added automatic caps to close the rear +ends of the suction tubes where a curve was attempted. +</p> +<p> +Of this Duske evidently knew nothing. The +moment he turned the machine, however, there +was a whirl. The aeroplane described a dive, +then a somersault. Its lateral planes collapsed, +and, tipping from side to side, it began to descend +with frightful velocity. +</p> +<p> +Once it half righted, balanced, went over again, +and, fifty feet from the ground, shot clear of a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_174'></a>174</span> +little islet, and went down in the water of the +lake, a wreck, first spilling Duske out. +</p> +<p> +“He is killed or stunned!” exclaimed Andy. +</p> +<p> +The boy aviator saw the other airships forging +ahead, indifferent to the accident. Minutes +counted in the sixty-mile race to Springfield and +back to the starting point, but Andy was humane. +He saw clearly that, if alive, the half-submerged +Duske would be suffocated in a few minutes’ time. +</p> +<p> +“I can’t leave him to die,” murmured Andy, +and sent the <em>Racing Star</em> on a sharp slant, landing +on the island. +</p> +<p> +Andy was soon out of the airship. He waded +to the spot where Duske lay, and dragged him +bodily up on dry land. As he turned him on his +face, Andy knew from its purple hue, the lifeless +limbs and choked gasps of the man, that another +minute in the water would have been his last. +</p> +<p> +A boat put out from the mainland where a +crowd of spectators was watching the race. Four +men jumped out as the island was reached. +</p> +<p> +“Take care of this man,” ordered Andy. +</p> +<p> +“You’re a pretty fair fellow to risk losing +the race to save a competitor,” spoke one of the +men heartily. +</p> +<p> +He and his companions followed Andy’s instructions +the best they could in starting the <em>Racing +Star</em>, and Andy shot skywards again, making +up for lost time. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_175'></a>175</span><a name='chXXIII' id='chXXIII'></a>CHAPTER XXIII—THE GREAT RACE</h2> +<p> +“Hurrah!” +</p> +<p> +“Why, it’s only a boy!” +</p> +<p> +“Parks’ man—get your rest, lad, while we see +to things.” +</p> +<p> +Andy found himself in a whirl of motion and +excitement. When he had left the island where +he had sacrificed his time and risked his chances +of winning the race, he had discovered that he +was fourth on the programme. The <em>Flash</em> was +becoming a distant speck, and the two other contesting +biplanes were lagging after the leader. +</p> +<p> +Andy now set a pace to force the <em>Racing Star</em> +to do its utmost. His good knowledge of detail +as to the machinery and his masterly manipulation +of the same soon brought results. The <em>Racing +Star</em> easily passed two of the airships ahead. +Then Andy ran neck-and-neck with the pilot train +for several miles. +</p> +<p> +The <em>Flash</em>, however, kept up admirable speed, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_176'></a>176</span> +but finally a wing broke or oil ran out at Wayne, +and the operator descended to a relief station. +</p> +<p> +Now was Andy’s chance, and he made the +most of it. With those inspiriting shouts of +“Hurrah! Why, it’s only a boy!” and the announcement +from the relay posted at Springfield +by Parks that they were on hand to tank up the +<em>Racing Star</em> and adjust the machinery, Andy +landed at the outskirts of the city, just half the +race distance covered. +</p> +<p> +It made him quite dizzy-headed to sail down +along a vast sea of human beings, wild with enthusiasm +at greeting the leader so far in the race. +</p> +<p> +Two men took entire charge of the <em>Racing +Star</em>, with quick movements, tanking, oiling the +cylinders, testing every part of it. A third man +brought Andy a tray containing a cup of steaming +coffee, one of beef tea, and some crackers. +</p> +<p> +“There she comes!” +</p> +<p> +“Hurrah No. 2!” +</p> +<p> +“The <em>Flash</em>!” +</p> +<p> +“And there she goes!” +</p> +<p> +“All aboard, Parks,” sang out the leader of +the relay gang, and with a glide and a whiz the +<em>Racing Star</em> was once more up in the air. +</p> +<p> +Again the <em>Flash</em> was in the lead. Having been +supplied with fuel and oil at its recent stop, the +operator did not make any halt at the turning +post. Andy felt fresh and ambitious, and the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_177'></a>177</span> +<em>Racing Star</em> responded loyally to every touch of +wheel and lever. +</p> +<p> +Fifty feet from the ground a wheel dropped +from place, but Andy paid no attention to this. +The train did not act as pilot on the return trip. +Instead, at intervals of five miles to indicate stations, +smudges were being sent aloft. Andy made +a direct run for the first one of these, mapping +out his route from those dimly visible on the +course ahead. +</p> +<p> +At Dover Andy passed the <em>Flash</em>. For the +next five miles they kept pretty well abreast. +</p> +<p> +The last smudge was about eight miles from +Montrose. Andy flew past it making a circular +turn as he plainly made out the aviation field in +the distance. His competitor made a short cut, +lost on a turn to strike the straight course and +Andy overtook him. +</p> +<p> +Now it was that Andy tensioned up the splendid +machine to its highest power. The white expanse +of canvas and wood shivered and trembled +under an unusual strain. +</p> +<p> +“In the lead!” cried Andy in delight, and his +eyes sparkled through the goggles as he took a +swift backward glance. The <em>Flash</em> was bungling. +Its progress was a wobble and its operator was +at fault in striking an even balance. +</p> +<p> +The speed of the <em>Racing Star</em> had now been +increased to its utmost. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_178'></a>178</span> +</p> +<p> +“Five minutes more, six at the most, will decide +the race,” breathed Andy. “I can’t lose +now.” +</p> +<p> +The <em>Racing Star</em> was no longer a bird afloat, +but an arrow. Giving to the machine a certain +slant, calculating to a foot how and where he +would land, Andy saw nothing, thought of nothing, +but the home post. +</p> +<p> +He was conscious of a frightful bolt downwards +that fairly took his breath away. There +was a blur of flying fences, buildings, tents, a +green expanse, a sea of human faces, a roar as +a great shout went up, and the <em>Racing Star</em> met +the ground on a bounce, and Andy Nelson was +the winner of the great race. +</p> +<p> +Our hero did not step from the airship as +eager, willing hands eased the <em>Racing Star</em> down +to a stop. Cheering, excited men fairly pulled +him over the drooping planes. Some one hugged +him with a ringing yell of delight, and John +Parks’ voice sounded in his ears. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, you famous boy—Andy, my lad, it’s the +proudest moment of my life!” +</p> +<p> +Mr. Morse caught Andy’s hand, his serious +face flushed with pride. +</p> +<p> +“The <em>Racing Star</em> did it,” said Andy. +</p> +<p> +“Yo’ did it, chile, and yo’ did it brown,” chimed +in Scipio, his mouth expanded in joyous delight +from ear to ear. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_179'></a>179</span> +</p> +<p> +John Parks never let go of Andy’s arm as +they made their way through the crowds to the +main aerodrome stand. The official starter had +unscrewed the speedometer and elevation gauge. +He ran before them to the stand. Someone +quickly chalked a legend on the big, bare blackboard. +It ran: +</p> +<p> + Start of flight—10:04.<br /> + Finish—11:39.<br /> + Distance traveled—60 miles.<br /> + Maximum height—1,200 feet.<br /> + Wind velocity—12 miles from the west.<br /> + Winner—Racing Star.<br /> + Operator—Andy Nelson.<br /> +</p> +<p> +Somehow the boy aviator thrilled as he read +his name at the bottom of the little legend. +</p> +<p> +“It’s like a dream, Mr. Parks—just like a +dream,” and his voice was faint and dreamy in +itself. +</p> +<p> +“Don’t collapse, lad,” directed the aeronaut +anxiously—“the best is to come.” +</p> +<p> +“It’s only the reaction,” said Andy. “To think +I did it—me, only Andy!” +</p> +<p> +“There isn’t another Andy like you in the whole +world,” enthusiastically declared Parks. “Yes, +sir,” as a man waved to him from the table on +the grand stand. +</p> +<p> +“Here’s the check, Parks,” notified the judge. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_180'></a>180</span> +</p> +<p> +“Well, we’ve won it, haven’t we?” chuckled +the aeronaut. +</p> +<p> +“You have, and it’s ready for you. A pretty +piece of paper, hey—five thousand dollars. Make +it out to you?” +</p> +<p> +“I’ll take it in two checks,” answered Parks. +</p> +<p> +“Mr. Parks——” began Andy. +</p> +<p> +“There’s only one check for the whole amount,” +replied the judge, “and only the name left to be +filled in.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, that’s the way of it, eh?” said the aeronaut. +“All right, fill it in John Parks and Andy +Nelson. I reckon, Andy, I can’t get that twenty-five +hundred dollars away from you without your +signature.” +</p> +<p> +He poked Andy in the ribs in jolly fun. He +was all smiles and laughter as he shouted an +order to Scipio to hurry home and get up the best +celebration dinner he knew how. Then, Andy +following him, he stepped forward to take the +arm of Mr. Morse, and thus, the Japanese walking +with Andy and congratulating him on his +great feat, they crossed the field away from the +crowds. +</p> +<p> +Some one broke over the dead line ropes and +made a dash after them, yelling loudly: +</p> +<p> +“Andy, oh, Andy Nelson!” +</p> +<p> +“Hold on there!” ordered an officer, trying to +head off the trespasser. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_181'></a>181</span> +</p> +<p> +“Silas Pierce!” exclaimed Andy. +</p> +<p> +“He goes with us, officer,” called out Parks. +“You bet you go with us, you grand old hero!” +he cried, giving the farmer boy a joyful, friendly +slap on the shoulder. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, indeed,” smiled Andy, catching the arm +of Silas and hugging it quite, “if it hadn’t been +for you, there would have been no race.” +</p> +<p> +“Andy,” gasped Silas, “I can hardly believe it. +Why you’re famous.” +</p> +<p> +“Am I?” smiled Andy. +</p> +<p> +“And rich.” +</p> +<p> +“Rich in good friends, anyway,” replied Andy. +</p> +<p> +“I hung around. When I saw you coming in +on the lead, I nearly fell flat I was so excited,” +declared Silas. +</p> +<p> +“I want a chance for a little talk with you, +Silas,” said Andy. “I want to show you how +much I appreciate what you have done for me.” +</p> +<p> +The merry, happy coterie crossed the field, +and coming out at a gate made a short cut for +the Parks camp. They had just neared it, when +among the crowd thronging about the place, Andy +made out a boy edging towards him. +</p> +<p> +He crowded past several persons and came up +to Andy’s side and caught his sleeve. +</p> +<p> +“Andy,” he said in a bold but sheepish way, +“you know me, don’t you?” +</p> +<p> +“Why, yes, I know you,” answered Andy. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_182'></a>182</span> +</p> +<p> +He stared in mingled surprise, perplexity and +distrust at the speaker. +</p> +<p> +It was Dale Billings. Hungry-faced, unkempt +looking, as if he had not slept for a week, and +then in a hay mow or a freight car. Andy’s old-time +enemy confronted him in the hour of his +great triumph. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_183'></a>183</span><a name='chXXIV' id='chXXIV'></a>CHAPTER XXIV—A HOPEFUL CLEW</h2> +<p> +“Did you want to see me, Dale,” inquired +Andy. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, I do, and bad,” responded Dale Billings. +“See here, you’ve won a big race. You’re rich. +If it hadn’t been for me and Gus Talbot, you +wouldn’t be.” +</p> +<p> +“How is that?” inquired Andy. +</p> +<p> +“We figured along the line, didn’t we? If I’d +gone to work for old Talbot when I had a +chance, you’d have been out and wouldn’t have +learned about automobiles and machinery and +such, and couldn’t have run an airship and won +the race.” +</p> +<p> +This was queer reasoning. Andy had to +smile. He couldn’t feel any way but pleasant +and happy with the great airship prize his, however, +and he said: +</p> +<p> +“Well, let that go. What are you driving at, +Dale?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_184'></a>184</span> +</p> +<p> +“We’re in hard luck, me and Gus.” +</p> +<p> +“You look it,” said Andy. +</p> +<p> +“We haven’t got a cent, we don’t dare to go +back home. Gus is sick in an old shed down +the tracks, and we haven’t had a mouthful to +eat since yesterday morning. There’s no friends +here we know but you. I’m just desperate. Loan +me two dollars, Andy.” +</p> +<p> +“Why certainly,” answered Andy. +</p> +<p> +“I mean five—yes, if you’ll loan us ten dollars +till we get work and on our feet, we’ll pay it back.” +</p> +<p> +“All right,” agreed Andy, “only you’ll have to +come up to our camp for it. You know where +it is—Parks’ camp.” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, I know.” +</p> +<p> +“I want to have a talk with you. You can +depend on the money, Dale.” +</p> +<p> +A thought ran through the mind of the young +aviator that by kindness he might make some impression +on the two outcasts. As he summed up +the meanness and audacity of his recent capture, +however, Andy secretly confessed that it would +be a hard undertaking. +</p> +<p> +First thing of all, our hero took a bath and +got himself in better shape generally. Mr. Parks +and a group of his friends occupied the main sitting +room. Andy had left Dale in one of the +smaller apartments of the old shack. As he went +thither he passed Scipio, arrayed in white apron +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_185'></a>185</span> +and natty cap and warbling a plantation ditty as +he brandished knife and carver gaily. +</p> +<p> +“Getting sech a dinnah, Andy, chile,” he +chuckled. “Ah give you a feast you nebber +forgit.” +</p> +<p> +“Now then, Silas,” said Andy, entering the +room where he had left the farmer boy, “I’ve got +time to shake your hand good and hearty, and +glad to do it.” +</p> +<p> +“And I’m glad you’re not too proud to do it,” +replied Silas. +</p> +<p> +“You’ve done a big thing for me, Silas,” went +on Andy. +</p> +<p> +“Think so?” +</p> +<p> +“Where would the race be if you had not come +along in the nick of time and set me free?” +</p> +<p> +“I was mightily surprised to see you in that +queer fix,” said Silas, “and I didn’t know what +had happened when you started on a rush for the +airship.” +</p> +<p> +“Well, you understand now,” said Andy. +“Now then, Silas, what can I do for you?” +</p> +<p> +“Do, how?” +</p> +<p> +“I want to acknowledge your usefulness in some +way. There must be something you want or +need.” +</p> +<p> +“You mean you’d like to give me some little +memento for trying to help you along?” +</p> +<p> +“That’s it.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_186'></a>186</span> +</p> +<p> +“But I’m glad to do it for nothing.” +</p> +<p> +“Never mind. Come, speak out, Silas. A +bicycle, a nice new watch and chain?” +</p> +<p> +“Why, see here,” said Silas, after a moment’s +deep thought, “if it’s the same to you, I’d like +ten dollars and seventeen cents.” +</p> +<p> +Andy smiled. “For something special?” he +inquired. +</p> +<p> +“Why, yes. You see I want to go to school +this winter and learn shorthand. The term is +eighteen dollars, and I’ve only saved up seven +dollars and eighty-three cents.” +</p> +<p> +“I’ll do better than that for you, Silas,” said +Andy, “and I’m glad to find you so ambitious. +How is your father?” +</p> +<p> +“All right, I guess, though I haven’t seen him +for nigh onto a month.” +</p> +<p> +“Why, how’s that?” +</p> +<p> +“I’ve been staying at the Collins farm.” +</p> +<p> +“You have?” exclaimed Andy, at once interested. +</p> +<p> +“Yes. Just came up from there yesterday. +There hasn’t been much doing, and won’t be until +the folks get their new house built. I was on +their hands, though, and I’m staying around visiting +relatives.” +</p> +<p> +“How do you mean you was on their hands, +Silas?” inquired Andy. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_187'></a>187</span> +</p> +<p> +“Why, dad got talking with Mr. Collins after +we’d got rid of the geese. There’s a good +academy at Wade, and Mr. Collins was going +into sheep in a big way. He offered me quite +a good job and the chance to go to school in the +winter, and I took it.” +</p> +<p> +“But Mr. Collins’ house burned down,” said +Andy. +</p> +<p> +“What, did you hear of that?” asked Silas in +surprise. +</p> +<p> +“Yes,” nodded Andy. +</p> +<p> +“Well, that put things in bad shape for the +family, but they are coming back soon, and in +the meantime I tend to the sheep in the pasture +lot. Lucky they had moved the old shed over +there for storm shelter before the house and +barns burned down.” +</p> +<p> +“What shed?” asked Andy, with a quick start. +</p> +<p> +“The one that stood under the old elm tree. +Don’t you remember? Why, it was the shed you +changed your clothes in.” +</p> +<p> +“What!” shouted Andy, jumping to his feet +in intense excitement; “that shed wasn’t burned +down?” +</p> +<p> +“Ain’t I telling you? They moved it over to +the pasture on skids two weeks before the fire.” +</p> +<p> +“And it is there now?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes—but don’t!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_188'></a>188</span> +</p> +<p> +Andy felt like making a rush at once at the +great hopeful news Silas had told. The latter +had grabbed his arm. +</p> +<p> +“Don’t what?” +</p> +<p> +“Bolt. You’re going to make a dash like you +did this morning.” +</p> +<p> +“No, Silas,” said Andy, trying to be calm. +“You can’t imagine what great news you have +brought me.” +</p> +<p> +“I don’t see how.” +</p> +<p> +“We must go to the Collins farm at once, Silas, +that old shed had a shelf up over the side +window?” +</p> +<p> +“Remember that, do you? So do I.” +</p> +<p> +“It had a lot of rubbish on it.” +</p> +<p> +“I noticed that.” +</p> +<p> +“Has it ever been disturbed?” +</p> +<p> +“Not that I know of. You see, Mr. Collins +was arranging to have the old barracks patched +up by a carpenter from Wade, when the fire came +along.” +</p> +<p> +“Silas,” said Andy, “I threw my old clothes up +on that shelf. If they are still there, I shall be +able to find an old leather pocketbook in them that +contains a paper upon which depends a fortune.” +</p> +<p> +“You don’t say so?” remarked Silas, in open-mouthed +wonderment “What queer things you +happen across!” +</p> +<p> +“A gentleman named Webb is very, very anxious to recover +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_189'></a>189</span> +that pocketbook. I want you to +go at once with me and see if the clothes are still +there,” and Andy briefly recited the story of the +lost pocketbook and the details of his recent visit +to the Collins farm. +</p> +<p> +He was consulting a railroad timetable to determine +when the next train left Montrose, when +Scipio rushed into the room. +</p> +<p> +“Andy, boy,” he spoke quickly, “yo’ told a boy +to told me dat he was to be let come to see yo’?” +</p> +<p> +“What kind of a boy, Scipio?” inquired Andy. +</p> +<p> +Scipio described Dale Billings, and as he did +so passed some personal comments on his +“’spicious” appearance. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, that’s right, Scipio,” said Andy. +</p> +<p> +“Den somefin’s wrong,” declared the perturbed +cook. “When he come, I say Mistah Nelson very +much preoccupied with another gemman, and he +must wait. He sot down on dat chair just outside +the door hyar.” +</p> +<p> +“Go on, Scipio.” +</p> +<p> +“I keep my eye on him. Dat boy,” announced +Scipio, “remind me of mean, low-down people, +I meet afore in my ’sperience. Bimeby I watch +him bend towards de door. He seemed listening. +Den I saw him start and draw closer to de door. +Den all of a sudden he make a rush out of de +place. I run to de gate. Den anoder sneaking-looking +boy meet him. Dey talk fast, berry much +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_190'></a>190</span> +excited. Den dey make a run towards the railroad +tracks as if dey was in a turrible hurry.” +</p> +<p> +“Dale Billings and Gus Talbot!” exclaimed +Andy, on fire with the intelligence imparted by his +loyal, dusky friend. “Silas, they have got our +secret. They are after the old leather pocketbook +on the Collins farm. We must get there first!” +</p> +<p> +Andy directed Silas to wait where he was. +Then he ran to the room where Mr. Parks was +engaged with his friends. Appearing at the doorway +he attracted the attention of the aeronaut and +beckoned to him. +</p> +<p> +“What is it, Andy?” inquired Parks, coming +outside. “You look excited.” +</p> +<p> +“I am,” admitted Andy, and then very briefly, +but clearly, he explained his urgency. +</p> +<p> +“I say, you mustn’t let any grass grow under +your feet!” exclaimed Parks. “I reckon you’ve +got it right—that sneaking fellow you was trying +to help is off on the track of the old shed you +tell about. There’s the <em>Racing Star</em>—no, that +won’t do, but—I’ve got it, Andy. Wait here a +minute.” +</p> +<p> +John Parks flashed in among his friends and +then flashed out again. Now he was accompanied +by a well-dressed portly gentleman whom Andy +had seen about the aviation grounds, and whom he +knew to be one of the principals in getting up +the race. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_191'></a>191</span> +</p> +<p> +The aeronaut was busy talking fast and urgently +to this person, who nodded to Andy and +said: +</p> +<p> +“That’s all right Do you know how to run +an automobile?” to Andy. +</p> +<p> +“Why, that was his old business,” explained +Parks. +</p> +<p> +“I’ll risk anybody getting ahead of you, then. +My machine is just outside the camp.” +</p> +<p> +“Come on, Silas,” hailed Andy as they passed +on towards the gate. +</p> +<p> +Andy found a magnificent six-cylinder automobile +just outside the camp. He thanked its owner +heartily for allowing its use, beckoned Silas to +the rear seat, and waved adieu to his employer +with the cheery words: +</p> +<p> +“I’ll be back inside of two hours, Mr. Parks.” +</p> +<p> +“Say,” bolted out Silas, holding on with both +hands as they crossed the railroad tracks and +struck a winding country road due north, “isn’t—isn’t +this going pretty fast?” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, this is just starting up,” declared Andy. +</p> +<p> +“I never rode in one of these before,” said +Silas. “Those sneaks won’t get much ahead of +this, I’m thinking.” +</p> +<p> +Andy thought this, too. There was not the +least doubt in his mind that Dale Billings and Gus +Talbot were already on the trail of the old leather +pocketbook. All they could do, however, was to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_192'></a>192</span> +steal their way on some slow freight train. Still, +they might induce someone to go for them or with +them by faster travel. They might get an automobile, +even if they had to steal one. Andy felt +that it was pretty hopeless trying to make Dale +or Gus respectable. He had intended, in the +liberality of his heart, to put them on their feet. +Here, the first thing, Dale was acting the part +of a sneak and a thief. +</p> +<p> +It felt good to Andy to get back to his old +business once more. Once out on a clear, level +road, he made the machine fairly hum. Various +ejaculations back of him told that his unexperienced +passenger was having spasms. In considerably +less than an hour the machine reached +Wade. They were soon at the site of the Collins +farmhouse. +</p> +<p> +“There’s the old shed, see?” spoke Silas, as +Andy directed the machine across the fields. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, I see,” said Andy, “and it’s a sight for +sore eyes.” +</p> +<p> +He halted the machine and jumped out as they +reached the fence of a pasture lot containing several +flocks of sheep. In one corner of it stood the +old shed. Silas was worked up to quite as high a +pitch of suspense and expectation as Andy himself. +</p> +<p> +“There’s the shelf!” he cried, as Andy passed +through the doorway. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_193'></a>193</span> +</p> +<p> +“Yes, but—my old clothes are not here.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, don’t say that!” almost choked out Silas. +</p> +<p> +“It is true,” said Andy, getting down from the +keg he was standing on. “Here’s a lot of old +truck, wagon hardware and hoops and a grindstone, +but the clothes are gone.” +</p> +<p> +Silas uttered a dismal groan. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, I’m a hoodoo!” he declared, banging his +head first on one side and then on the other. +“Here I’ve made you all this trouble, all for +nothing. But, say,” added the farmer eagerly, +“some one must have taken those clothes. We +may trace them down. And say, some one has +been in this shed since I left it yesterday.” +</p> +<p> +“Why do you think so?” +</p> +<p> +“Someone has slept here. See, the floor is covered +with straw. Some tramp, I suppose. It +rained last night, and he came in here for shelter. +Oh, whoop! whoopee!” +</p> +<p> +At first Andy thought his companion had taken +leave of his senses. With a Comanche-like yell +Silas had made a spring. Then a method to his +apparent madness was disclosed. +</p> +<p> +Andy saw him pull a wadded mass out of a +hole formerly used to admit a stove pipe. Andy +gasped with gladness and hope. +</p> +<p> +“My clothes,” he said, “sure enough!” +</p> +<p> +“Don’t you see?” said the jubilant Silas, dancing +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_194'></a>194</span> +a joyful hornpipe. “It rained. The tramp who +stayed here stuffed up the hole to shut out the +rain. Say, sure your clothes?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes,” said Andy, searching them. +</p> +<p> +“And the pocketbook?” +</p> +<p> +“Here it is,” cried our hero in a strained tone +that trembled. “Yes, the pocketbook is here all +right.” +</p> +<p> +“Hurrah!” yelled Silas Pierce at the top of his +voice. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_195'></a>195</span><a name='chXXV' id='chXXV'></a>CHAPTER XXV—GOOD-BY TO AIRSHIP ANDY</h2> +<p> +“A visitor for yo’, Marse Andy,” announced +Scipio. +</p> +<p> +“It’s only me,” said Mr. Chase, stepping into +the sitting room of the aerodrome at the Parks’ +camp. +</p> +<p> +“Well, no one is more welcome, Mr. Chase,” +declared Andy heartily. “Come in, sit down, and +make yourself at home.” +</p> +<p> +“Not till I ask a certain question,” dissented +the grizzled lockup-keeper of Princeville. +</p> +<p> +“Fire away,” smiled Andy. “What’s the +question?” +</p> +<p> +“Can you get me a job?” +</p> +<p> +“Right off, and a good one,” responded Andy +promptly. “My employer, Mr. Parks, is going +into the airship line as a regular professional, +and I don’t know a better all-round handy man +I would recommend sooner than you.” +</p> +<p> +“All right,” said Chase, with a sigh of relief, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_196'></a>196</span> +dropping into a chair and placing a bulging, ancient +carpet bag on the floor. “I’m done with +lockups.” +</p> +<p> +“Is that so, Mr. Chase?” +</p> +<p> +“It is, and with that conscienceless old grafter, +Talbot. You know I told you I was waiting for +something when I last saw you.” +</p> +<p> +“Yes,” nodded Andy. +</p> +<p> +“It was Wandering Dick.” +</p> +<p> +“So you told me.” +</p> +<p> +“I sent that tramp after him. He found him. +I got from Dick what I wanted, paid for it, resigned +my position, and now I am here.” +</p> +<p> +“Quick work.” +</p> +<p> +“And here’s what I got from Wandering Dick.” +</p> +<p> +Chase extended to Andy a neatly folded paper. +</p> +<p> +“And what is this, Mr. Chase?” asked Andy. +</p> +<p> +“A confession and affidavit.” +</p> +<p> +“How does that interest me?” +</p> +<p> +“Read and see.” +</p> +<p> +Andy’s face grew interested and then startled +as he perused the sheet of paper. It was a legal +document attested to by Wandering Dick before +a regular justice of the peace at Princeville. +</p> +<p> +In his affidavit the tramp stated that on the +night that the barn of Farmer Jones burned down, +he was in its hay mow. He saw distinctly the two +boys who set the fire—Gus Talbot and Dale Billings. +He got out of the way for fear of being +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_197'></a>197</span> +charged with the crime, sought later shelter at the +jail, and told Chase about it. +</p> +<p> +The latter was so dependent upon Talbot and +in dread of the garage keeper, who held his position +at his mercy, that he made no move to right +Andy with the public until the latter was arrested. +</p> +<p> +“You have done nobly, Mr. Chase,” said Andy +with deep gratitude, “and where is your bill of +expenses to settle?” +</p> +<p> +“Settle nothing!” flared out Chase stormily. +“You ever mention it again and I’ll get out of +here bag and baggage, double quick.” +</p> +<p> +“Well, well,” answered Andy, “we’ll try to find +some way to make it up to you.” +</p> +<p> +Two days later Andy learned that the attention +of Seth Talbot had been called to the affidavit. +Runaway Gus Talbot and Dale Billings had returned +to Princeville. In some way the garage +keeper settled with Farmer Jones, hushed up the +matter, and sent his graceless son on a sea voyage. +The charge against Andy was, of course, dismissed. +</p> +<p> +Andy went to visit Duske in the town hospital. +His accomplice, Tyrrell, had been driven out of +the aviation camp and threatened with a coat of +tar and feathers if he ever returned. The rest +of Duske’s party disappeared, and creditors seized +what little property he had. +</p> +<p> +Duske would never drive a balloon or airship +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_198'></a>198</span> +again. One arm and one foot were broken, and +he had sustained other severe injuries. Andy +found him a dispirited, wretched man. +</p> +<p> +He had an object in visiting the crippled aeronaut. +He began by telling Duske that deeply as +he tried to wrong Parks, the latter had ordered +and paid for the best care during his stay in the +hospital. +</p> +<p> +“I am circulating a subscription paper among +the aviators,” added Andy. “We expect to raise +a thousand dollars for you to go to some quiet +town and buy some small business that will give +you a living.” +</p> +<p> +No person could resist the kindliness of Andy +under the circumstances. Duske broke down completely. +He was as sincere and penitent as a +man of his rough mould of mind could be. +</p> +<p> +“I don’t deserve it, I’ve been a bad man,” he +declared, with tears in his eyes. “What can I do +for you for all your kindness to me?” +</p> +<p> +“You can do something, Mr. Duske,” said +Andy. “There is a man named Morse. Do you +know him?” +</p> +<p> +“Why, yes, I do,” replied Duske, with a great +start. “Do you?” +</p> +<p> +“I happen to.” +</p> +<p> +“What has he got to do with you and me?” +</p> +<p> +“Just this,” said Andy, “you have treated him +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_199'></a>199</span> +badly. He is my friend. You had a hold on +him. What was it?” +</p> +<p> +“A forgery he never committed.” +</p> +<p> +“Are you willing to prove that, and clear him?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, indeed. I’ve done enough wickedness in +the world.” +</p> +<p> +“Then clear his name of an unjust charge, so +he can stand before the public the good, noble +man he is.” +</p> +<p> +“I will,” declared Duske earnestly, and he did. +</p> +<p> +One week after the airship race Mr. Webb, to +whom Andy had sent the old leather pocketbook +by registered mail the day he recovered it, came +down to the Parks camp. +</p> +<p> +“I have been too busy to come before,” he explained +to Andy. “That document in the old +leather pocketbook took up my time. I tell you, +Nelson, it has brought brightness and comfort to +two orphan children in a grand way.” +</p> +<p> +“I am very glad,” said Andy. +</p> +<p> +“I got back the two hundred dollars you left at +the bank in Princeville,” continued Mr. Webb. +“I have added something to it, and my attorneys +have directed me to pay you what they intended +to give the finder of the pocketbook—five hundred +dollars.” +</p> +<p> +Andy made some demur at the largeness of the +amount, but Mr. Webb was persistent, declared +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_200'></a>200</span> +he was simply acting as agent for the lawyers, +and Andy had to take the money. +</p> +<p> +“As to myself,” observed the gentleman, “I +want to say what you must already know, Nelson—I +am greatly interested in you. I wish you +could suggest some way in which my means can +benefit you.” +</p> +<p> +“So do I,” broke in John Parks. “The lad is a +genius in the aviation line, and I want him to +keep on at it.” +</p> +<p> +“Don’t I intend to?” challenged Andy. +</p> +<p> +“Not when you say you are going to leave me +next month,” declared the aeronaut. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, but why?” said Andy. “I’ll leave it to +Mr. Webb here if I have not decided in a sensible, +practical way.” +</p> +<p> +“What is it, Nelson?” inquired Mr. Webb. +</p> +<p> +“Why, I have over two thousand five hundred +dollars in the bank. I want to put one thousand +of it aside for my half brother, when he turns up. +He was good and kind to me in the old days, and +I must not forget it. Then I want to go through +college and learn something so I may be of some +use in the world.” +</p> +<p> +“An excellent idea,” commended Mr. Webb. +</p> +<p> +“Yes,” growled Parks, but playfully, “and spoil +a good aviator!” +</p> +<p> +“Not at all,” declared Andy quickly. “I love +the airship business, Mr. Parks, but I want to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_201'></a>201</span> +learn every branch of the science that covers it. +It looks as if airships are to be the coming vehicles +of travel, you say, Mr. Parks. If that is so, +everybody will be flying in time, and the professional +aviator will be just a common, everyday +person.” +</p> +<p> +“Well, I suppose that’s so,” admitted Parks. +</p> +<p> +“Then, the wise man will be the one who knows +how to build the airship. Why, I’ll go through +college, come out with my head chock full of new +ideas, and Mr. Webb and you and I will get up +the World’s Airship Construction Co.” +</p> +<p> +“That’s a pretty grand scheme, Nelson,” said +Mr. Webb. +</p> +<p> +“Mayn’t it become a true one?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, it may,” said John Parks, “but I’ll always +think most of you just as you are—Airship +Andy.” +</p> +<div class='center'> +<p> </p> +<p>THE END</p> +</div> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-size:larger;font-weight:bold'>The Webster Series</span> +</p> +<p> +By Frank V. Webster +</p> +<p> +Mr. Webster’s style is very much like +that of the boys’ favorite author, the late +lamented Horatio Alger, Jr., but his tales +are thoroughly up-to-date. +</p> +<p> +Cloth. 12mo. Over 200 pages each. Illustrated. +Stamped in various colors. +</p> +<p> +Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid. +</p> +<div class='figleft' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='i006' id='i006'></a> +<img src='images/ad1.jpg' alt='' width='18%' title=''/><br /> +</div> +<p> + <b>Only A Farm Boy</b><br /> + <i>or Dan Hardy’s Rise in Life</i><br /> + <b>The Boy From The Ranch</b><br /> + <i>or Roy Bradner’s City Experiences</i><br /> + <b>The Young Treasure Hunter</b><br /> + <i>or Fred Stanley’s Trip to Alaska</i><br /> + <b>The Boy Pilot to the Lakes</b><br /> + <i>or Nat Morton’s Perils</i><br /> + <b>Tom The Telephone Boy</b><br /> + <i>or The Mystery of a message</i><br /> + <b>Bob The Castaway</b><br /> + <i>or The Wreck of the Eagle</i><br /> + <b>The Newsboy Partners</b><br /> + <i>or Who Was Dick Box?</i><br /> + <b>Two Boy Gold Miners</b><br /> + <i>or Lost in the Mountains</i><br /> + <b>The Young Firemen of Lakeville</b><br /> + <i>or Herbert Dare’s Pluck</i><br /> + <b>The Boys of Bellwood School</b><br /> + <i>or Frank Jordan’s Triumph</i><br /> + <b>Jack the Runaway</b><br /> + <i>or On the Road with a Circus</i><br /> + <b>Bob Chester’s Grit</b><br /> + <i>or From Ranch to Riches</i><br /> + <b>Airship Andy</b><br /> + <i>or The Luck of a Brave Boy</i><br /> + <b>High School Rivals</b><br /> + <i>or Fred Markham’s Struggles</i><br /> + <b>Darry The Life Saver</b><br /> + <i>or The Heroes of the Coast</i><br /> + <b>Dick The Bank Boy</b><br /> + <i>or A Missing Fortune</i><br /> + <b>Ben Hardy’s Flying Machine</b><br /> + <i>or Making a Record for Himself</i><br /> + <b>Harry Watson’s High School Days</b><br /> + <i>or The Rivals of Rivertown</i><br /> + <b>Comrades of the Saddle</b><br /> + <i>or The Young Rough Riders of the Plains</i><br /> + <b>Tom Taylor at West Point</b><br /> + <i>or The Old Army Officer’s Secret</i><br /> + <b>The Boy Scouts of Lennox</b><br /> + <i>or Hiking Over Big Bear Mountain</i><br /> + <b>The Boys of the Wireless</b><br /> + <i>or a Stirring Rescue from the Deep</i><br /> + <b>Cowboy Dave</b><br /> + <i>or The Round-up at Rolling River</i><br /> + <b>Jack of the Pony Express</b><br /> + <i>or The Young Rider of the Mountain Trail</i><br /> + <b>The Boys of the Battleship</b><br /> + <i>or For the Honor of Uncle Sam</i><br /> +</p> +<p> +CUPPLES & LEON CO., Publishers, NEW YORK. +</p> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-size:larger;font-weight:bold'>The Boy Ranchers Series</span> +</p> +<p> +By Willard F. Baker +</p> +<p> +12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors +</p> +<p> +Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid +</p> +<div class='figleft' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='i007' id='i007'></a> +<img src='images/ad2.jpg' alt='' width='18%' title=''/><br /> +</div> +<p> +Stories of the great west, with cattle ranches as +a setting, related in such a style as to captivate +the hearts of all boys. +</p> +<p> +1. THE BOY RANCHERS, <i>or Solving the Mystery at Diamond X</i> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +Two eastern boys visit their cousin. They +become involved in an exciting mystery. +</p> +<p> +2. THE BOY RANCHERS IN CAMP, <i>or The Water Fight at Diamond X</i> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +Returning for a summer visit to their western cousin’s ranch, +the two eastern lads learn, with delight, that they are to be allowed +to become boy ranchers in earnest. +</p> +<p> +3. THE BOY RANCHERS ON THE TRAIL, <i>or The Diamond X After Cattle Rustlers</i> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +Our boy heroes take the trail after Del Pinzo and his outlaws. +</p> +<p> +4. THE BOY RANCHERS AMONG THE INDIANS, <i>or Trailing the Yaquis</i> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +Rosemary and Floyd visiting their cousins Bud, Nort and Dick, +are captured by the Yaqui Indians. The boy ranchers trail the +savages into the mountains and eventually effect the rescue. +</p> +<p> +5. THE BOY RANCHERS AT SPUR CREEK, <i>or Fighting the Sheep Herders</i> +</p> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;'> +Dangerous struggle against desperadoes for land rights brings out +heroic adventures. +</p> +<p> +Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue +</p> +<p> +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers New York +</p> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Airship Andy, by Frank V. 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Webster + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Airship Andy + or The Luck of a Brave Boy + +Author: Frank V. Webster + +Release Date: June 12, 2011 [EBook #36388] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AIRSHIP ANDY *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank, Juliet Sutherland and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + +[Illustration: THE RACING STAR PASSED TWO OF THE CONTESTANTS (Page 172)] + + + + + Airship Andy + + Or + + The Luck of a Brave Boy + + BY + + Frank V. Webster + + AUTHOR OF "ONLY A FARM BOY," "BOB THE CASTAWAY," + "COMRADES OF THE SADDLE," "TOM THE TELEPHONE BOY," ETC. + + ILLUSTRATED + + NEW YORK + CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY + PUBLISHERS + + + + + BOOKS FOR BOYS + + By FRANK V. WEBSTER + + 12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. + + ONLY A FARM BOY + TOM, THE TELEPHONE BOY + THE BOY FROM THE RANCH + THE YOUNG TREASURE HUNTER + BOB, THE CASTAWAY + THE YOUNG FIREMEN OF LAKEVILLE + THE NEWSBOY PARTNERS + THE BOY PILOT OF THE LAKES + TWO BOY GOLD MINERS + JACK, THE RUNAWAY + COMRADES OF THE SADDLE + THE BOYS OF BELLWOOD SCHOOL + THE HIGH SCHOOL RIVALS + AIRSHIP ANDY + BOB CHESTER'S GRIT + BEN HARDY'S FLYING MACHINE + DICK, THE BANK BOY + DARRY, THE LIFE SAVER + + Cupples & Leon Co., Publishers, New York + + Copyright, 1911, by + CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY + + AIRSHIP ANDY + Printed in U. S. A. + + + + + CONTENTS + + CHAPTER PAGE + I The Young Chauffeur 1 + II Breaking Away 11 + III Runaway and Rover 21 + IV Down the River 30 + V Tramping It 38 + VI The Sky Rider 48 + VII John Parks, Airship King 55 + VIII The Aero Field 61 + IX The Airship Inventor 67 + X Learning To Fly 74 + XI Spying on the Enemy 82 + XII Traced Down 88 + XIII Jiu-jitsu 99 + XIV The Old Leather Pocketbook 108 + XV Behind the Bars 115 + XVI Bail Wanted 124 + XVII A True Friend 132 + XVIII Out on Bail 138 + XIX A Disappointment 145 + XX A New Captivity 153 + XXI A Friend in Need 161 + XXII "Go!" 169 + XXIII The Great Race 175 + XXIV A Hopeful Clew 183 + XXV Good-by to Airship Andy 195 + + + + +AIRSHIP ANDY + + + + +CHAPTER I--THE YOUNG CHAUFFEUR + + +"Hand over that money, Andy Nelson." + +"Not on this occasion." + +"It isn't yours." + +"Who said it was?" + +"It belongs to the business. If my father was here he'd make you give it +up mighty quick. I represent him during his absence, don't I? Come, no +fooling; I'll take charge of that cash." + +"You won't, Gus Talbot. The man that lost that money was my customer, +and it goes back to him and no one else." + +Gus Talbot was the son of the owner of Talbot's Automobile Garage, at +Princeville. He was a genuine chip off the old block, people said, +except that he loafed while his father really worked. In respect to +shrewd little business tricks, however, the son stood on a par with the +father. He had just demonstrated this to Andy Nelson, and was trying his +usual tactics of bluff and bluster. These did not work with Andy, +however, who was the soul of honor, and the insolent scion of the Talbot +family now faced his father's hired boy highly offended and decidedly +angry. + +Andy Nelson was a poor lad. He was worse off than that, in fact, for he +was homeless and friendless. He could not remember his parents. He had a +faint recollection of knocking about the country until he was ten years +of age with a man who called himself his half-brother. Then this same +relative placed him in a cheap boarding school where Andy had to work +for a part of his keep. About a year previous to the opening of our +story, Dexter Nelson appeared at the school and told Andy he would have +to shift entirely for himself. + +He found Andy a place with an old farmer on the outskirts of +Princeville. Andy was not cut out for hoeing and plowing. He was willing +and energetic, however, and the old farmer liked him immensely, for Andy +saved his oldest boy from drowning in the creek, and was kind and +lovable to the farmer's several little children. But one day the old man +told Andy plainly that he could not reconcile his conscience by spoiling +a bright future for him, and explained why. + +"If I was running a wagon-shop, lad," he said enthusiastically, "I'd +make you head foreman. Somehow, you've got machinery born in your blood, +I think. The way you've pottered over that old rack of mine, shows how +you like to dabble with tools. The way you fixed up that old +washing-machine for marm proves that you know your business. Tell you, +lad, it's a crying wrong to waste your time on the farm when you've got +that busy head of yours running over with cogs, and screws, and wheels +and such." + +All this had led to Andy looking around for other employment. The old +farmer was quite right--Andy's natural field was mechanics. He felt +pretty happy the day he was accepted as the hired boy in Seth Talbot's +garage. + +That position was not secured without a great deal of fuss and bother on +the part of Talbot, however. The latter was a hard task-master. He +looked his prospective apprentice over as he would a new tool he was +buying. He offered a mere beggarly pittance of wages, barely enough to +keep body and soul together, and "lodgings," as he called it, on a +broken-down cot in a dark, cramped lumber-room. Then he insisted on Andy +getting somebody to "guarantee" him. + +"I'll have no boy taking advantage of me," he declared; "learning the +secrets of the trade, and bouncing off and leaving me in the lurch +whenever it suits him. No sir-ree. If you come with me, it's a contract +for two years' service, or I don't want you. When I was a boy they +'prenticed a lad, and you knew where you could put your finger on him. +It ought to be the law now." + +Fortunately, Andy's half-brother happened to pass through the village +about that time. He "guaranteed" Andy in some manner satisfactory to the +garage proprietor, and Andy went to work at his new employment. + +Talbot had formerly been in the hardware business. He seemed to think +that this entitled him to know everything that appertained to iron and +steel. When roller skating became a fad, he had sold out his business, +built a big rink, and in a year was stranded high and dry. The bicycle +fever caught him next, but he went into it just as everybody else was +getting out of it. The result was another failure. + +Now he had been in the automobile business for about six months. He had +bought an old ramshackly paint-shop on the main street of the town, and +had fixed it up so that it was quite presentable as a garage. + +There were not many resident owners of automobiles in Princeville. Just +at its outskirts, however, along the shore of a pretty lake, were the +homes of some retired city folks. During the vacation months a good many +people having machines summered at the town. Some of them stored their +automobiles at the garage. Talbot claimed to do expert repairing, and as +a good road ran through Princeville he managed to do some business with +transient customers who came along. + +Before he had been in the garage twenty-four hours, Andy was amazed and +disgusted at the clumsy clap-trap repairing work that Talbot did. He +half-mended breaks and leaks that would not last till a car reached its +destination. He put in inferior parts, and on one occasion Andy saw his +employer substitute an old tire for one almost new. + +Andy tried to remedy all this. He was at home with tools, and inside of +a week he was thoroughly familiar with every part of an automobile. He +induced Talbot to send to the city for many important little adjuncts to +ready repairing, and his employer soon realized that he had a treasure +in his new assistant. + +He did not, however, manifest it by any exhibition of liberality. In +fact, as the days wore on Andy's tasks were piled up mountain high, and +Talbot became a merciless tyrant in his bearing. Once when Andy earned a +double fee by getting out of bed at midnight and hauling into town a car +stuck in a mud-hole, he promised Andy a raise in salary and a new suit +the next week. This promise, however, Talbot at once proceeded to +forget. + +It was Andy who was responsible for nearly doubling the income of his +hard task-master. He heard of a big second-hand tourist car in the city, +holding some thirty people, and told Talbot about it. The latter bought +it for a song, and every Saturday, and sometimes several days in the +week, the car earned big money taking visitors sight-seeing around the +lake or conveying villagers to the woods on picnic parties. + +Later Andy struck a great bargain in two old cars that were offered for +sale by a resident who was going to Europe. He influenced Talbot to +advertise these for rent by the day or hour, and the garage began to +thrive as a real money-making business. + +This especial morning Andy had arisen as usual at five o'clock. He +cooked his own meals on a little oil-stove in the lumber room behind the +garage, and after a cup of coffee and some broiled ham and bread and +butter, went to work cleaning up three machines that rented space. + +It was a few minutes before six o'clock, and just after the morning +train from the city had steamed into town and out of it again, when a +well-dressed man, carrying a light overcoat over one arm and a satchel, +rushed through the open door of the garage. + +"Hey!" he hailed. "They told me at the depot I could hire an automobile +here." + +"Yes, sir," replied Andy promptly. + +"I want to cut across the country and catch the Macon train on the +Central. There's just forty-five minutes to do it in." + +"I can do it in twenty," announced Andy with confidence. "Jump in, sir." + +In less than two minutes they were off, and the young chauffeur proved +his agility and handiness with the machine in so rapid and clever a way, +that his fare nodded and smiled his approval as they skimmed the smooth +country road on a test run. + +Andy made good his promise. It was barely half-past six when, with a +honk-honk! to warn a clumsy teamster ahead of him, he ran the machine +along the side of the depot platform at Macon. + +"How much?" inquired his passenger, leaping out and reaching into his +vest pocket. + +"Our regular rate is two dollars an hour," explained Andy. + +"There's five--never mind the change," interrupted the gentleman. "And +here's a trifle for yourself for being wide-awake while most people are +asleep." + +"Oh, thank you, sir!" exclaimed Andy, overjoyed, but the man disappeared +with a pleasant wave of his hand before the boy could protest against +such unusual generosity. + +Andy's eyes glowed with pleasure and his heart warmed up as he stowed +the handsome five-dollar tip into his little purse containing a few +silver pieces. He had never had so much money all his own at any time in +his life. Once a tourist in settling a day's jaunt with Talbot in Andy's +presence had added a two-dollar bill for his chauffeur, but this Talbot +had immediately shoved into his money drawer without even a later +reference to it. + +Andy got back to the garage before seven o'clock. He whistled cheerily +as he made a notation on the book of his fare and the collection, +unlocked the desk, put the five dollars in the tin cash box, and +relocked the desk. + +Then he busied himself cleaning up the machine that had just made such a +successful spin, for the roads were pretty dusty. As he pulled out the +carpet of the tonneau to shake, something fell to the floor. + +It was an old worn flat leather pocketbook. In a flash Andy guessed that +his recent passenger had accidentally dropped it in the car. + +He opened it in some excitement. It had a deep flap on one side. From +this protruded the edges of a dozen crisp new banknotes. Andy ran them +over quickly. + +"Two hundred dollars!" he exclaimed. + +"What's that?" spoke a sharp, greedy voice at his ear. + +It was Gus Talbot, his employer's son, who had just appeared on the +scene. It was pretty early for him, for Gus paraded as the cashier of +his father's business and stayed around the garage on an average of +about three hours a day. Most of his time was spent at a village +billiard room in the company of a bosom chum named Dale Billings. + +Andy was somewhat taken off his balance by the unexpected appearance of +his employer's son. It was really the shock of recognizing in the face +of the newcomer the manners and avarice that he shared with his father. +Almost instinctively Andy put the hand holding the pocketbook behind +him. Then he said simply: + +"I took a quick fare over to Macon to catch a train. He paid me five +dollars. It's in the cash drawer." + +"Oh, it is," drawled out Gus, "and what about all the money I just +caught you counting over?" + +"It's a pocketbook containing two hundred dollars," replied Andy +clearly, disdaining the slur and insult in the tones of his low-spirited +challenger. "It was dropped by the man I just took over in the machine. +I've got to return it to him some way. I might get to the station here +in time to notify him by telegraph before his train leaves Macon that +I've found the pocketbook." + +"Hold on," ordered Gus Talbot. "Hand over that money, Andy Nelson." + +And then followed the conversation that opens this chapter, and Andy had +barely announced that the pocketbook would go back to its owner and to +no one else, when Gus made a jump at him. + +"Give up that money, I say!" he yelled, and his big, eager fist clutched +the pocketbook. + + + + +CHAPTER II--BREAKING AWAY + + +"Let go of that pocketbook!" ordered Gus Talbot angrily. + +"When I do, tell me," retorted Andy. + +The young chauffeur knew that once the money got into the hands of the +Talbots, father or son, its return to its rightful owner would be +extremely dubious. He had proven himself a match for Gus in more than +one encounter in the past, and that was why Gus hated him. Andy reached +out one hand not at all gently. He gave his opponent a push under the +chin. + +Gus Talbot went flat to the floor of the garage with a howl. He had not, +however, let go his grip on the pocketbook. The result was that it had +torn squarely in two. Andy directed a speedy glance at the half in his +own hand. He was reassured, for he had retained the part holding the +banknotes. + +"You can keep what you have got," he advised Gus, with a little +triumphant laugh. "I'll put this where you won't get your paws on it." + +With the words Andy ran through the front open doorway of the garage and +down the street in the direction of the business section of the village. + +Primarily anxiety to bestow the money in a safe place impelled his +flight. Three other reasons, however, helped to influence him in leaving +the field ingloriously. + +In the first place, Gus Talbot was a wicked terror when he got mad. It +was nothing for him to pick up a hatchet, a wrench or an iron bar and +sail into an enemy when his cowardly fists failed him. Andy might have +remained to give the mean craven a further lesson, but chancing to +glance through a side window he saw the chosen crony of Gus approaching. +Dale Billings was the bully of the town. He had left Andy severely alone +after tackling him once. With Gus and Dale both against him, however, +Andy decided that there would be little show of retaining possession of +the money. + +The third reason was more potent and animating than any of the others. +Just crossing lots from his home and headed for the garage direct was +its proprietor. If Andy had had any confidence in the sense of justice +and rectitude of Talbot he would have stood his ground. He had none, and +therefore made a rash resolve. It was open defiance of his harsh +employer, and there would be a frightful row later on, but Andy's mind +was made up. He had reached the next corner and flashed around it and +out of sight before Gus Talbot had gained his feet. + +Fifteen minutes later Andy Nelson reappeared at the end of a secluded +street near the edge of the village. He was slightly breathless, and +looked excited, and glanced back of him keenly before he sat down on a +tree stump to rest and think. + +"I've done my duty," he murmured; "but it will make things so hot at the +garage I don't think I'll go back there." + +Andy indulged in a spell of deep reflection. For some time he had +realized that he was giving his best energies to a man who did not +appreciate them. His work had grown harder and harder. Whenever a +complaint came in about imperfect work, due to the sloppy methods of +Talbot, the garage owner made Andy shoulder all the blame. + +"He talks about a two-years' contract, and tries to scare me about what +the law will do to me if I leave him," soliloquized Andy. "Has he kept +his part of the bargain? Did he give me the increase in pay and the suit +of clothes he promised? No, he didn't. I've got something in me, but it +will kill it all out to stay in this place. I've got five dollars as a +nest-egg, and I'm going to start out on my own hook." + +Andy was fully determined on his course. Perhaps if the incident of the +morning had not come up, he might have delayed his decision. He knew +very well, however, that if he went back to the garage Talbot would +raise a big row, and he would also get hold of the two hundred dollars +if it were possible for him to do so. Some day Andy feared the Talbots +would play one too many of their uncertain tricks and involve him in an +imputation of dishonesty. + +"It's straight ahead, and never turn back," declared Andy decisively, +and started down the road. + +"Hold on there, young man!" challenged a voice that gave Andy a thrill. + +Running around the curve in the road Andy had just traversed, red-faced +and flustered, Seth Talbot came bearing down upon him. + +Andy might have halted, but the sight of Gus Talbot and Dale Billings +bringing up the rear armed with heavy sticks so entirely suggested an +onslaught of force that he changed his mind. He paid no attention +whatever to the furious shouts and direful threats of Talbot. + +Andy put ahead at renewed speed. At a second turn in the highway a man +was raking up hay, and he suspended his work and stared at the fugitive +and his pursuers, as Talbot roared out: + +"Stop him, Jones--he's a runaway and a thief!" + +Farmer Jones was not spry enough to shorten the circuit Andy made, but +he thrust out the rake to its full length. Andy's foot caught in its +tines, dragged, tripped, and the boy went flat to the ground. + +"I've got him!" hailed Jones, promptly pouncing down upon him. + +"Hold him!" panted Talbot, rushing to the spot, and his hard, knotty +fingers got an iron clutch on Andy's coat collar and jerked him to his +feet. + +"What's the trouble, neighbor?" projected the farmer curiously. + +"A thief isn't the matter!" shot out Andy hotly, recalling the words of +his employer. + +"You'll have to prove that," blustered Talbot. "If you're innocent, what +are you running for?" + +"I was running away from you," admitted Andy boldly, "because I want to +be honest and decent." + +"What's that?" roared the irate Talbot. "Do you hear him, Jones? He +admits he was going to break his contract with me. Well, the law will +look to that, you ungrateful young cub!" + +"Law! contract!" cried Andy scornfully, fully roused up and fearless +now. "Have you kept your contract with me? You don't want me, you want +that two hundred dollars----" + +"Shut up! Shut up!" yelled Talbot, and he muzzled Andy with one hand and +dragged him away from the spot. Farmer Jones grinned after them, and he +shrugged his shoulders grimly as he noticed Gus Talbot and Dale Billings +halted down the road, as if averse to coming any nearer. + +"'Pears to me you're having a good deal of trouble with your boys, +Talbot," chuckled Jones. "That son of yours got a few cracks from my +cane last evening when he was helping himself to some of my honey among +the hives." + +Once out of hearing of the farmer, Gus Talbot edged up to his father. + +"Has he got the money?" he inquired eagerly. "Make him tell, father, +search him." + +"I'll attend to all that," retorted the elder Talbot gruffly. "Here, you +two fall behind. There's no need of attracting attention with a regular +procession." + +Talbot did not relax his hold of the prisoner until they had reached the +garage. He roughly threw Andy into the lumber room. Then, panting and +irritated from his unusual exertions, he planted himself in the doorway. +Gus and Dale hovered about, anxious to learn the outcome of the row. + +"Now then, Andy Nelson," commenced the garage owner, "I've just a few +questions to ask you, and you'll answer them quick and right, or it will +be the worse for you." + +"It has certainly never been the best for me around here," declared Andy +bitterly, "but I'll tell the truth, as I always do." + +"Did you find a pocketbook with some money in it in one of my cars?" + +"I did," admitted Andy--"two hundred dollars. It belonged to my fare, who +lost it, and it's going back to him." + +"Hand it over." + +"I can't do that." + +"Why not?" demanded Talbot stormily. + +"Because I haven't got it." + +"Who has?" + +"Mr. Dawson, the banker. I took it to him when I left the garage." + +"Oh, you did?" muttered Seth Talbot, looking baffled and furious. + +"Yes, sir. I told him that it was lost money, explained the +circumstances, and that if a certain Mr. Robert Webb called or +telegraphed for it, to let him have it." + +"Is that the name of the man you took over to Macon?" + +"That is the name written in red ink on the flap of the pocketbook," and +Andy drew out the former receptacle of the banknotes. "'Robert Webb, +Springfield.' I shall write to him at Springfield and tell him where the +money is." + +Seth Talbot fairly glared at Andy. He got up and wriggled and hemmed and +hawed, and sat down again. + +"Young man," he observed in as steady tone of voice as he could command, +"you've shown a sight of presumption in taking it on yourself to lay out +my business system. Here you've gone and implied that I was not fit to +be trusted." + +Andy was silent. + +"I won't have it; no, I won't have it!" shouted the garage-keeper. "It's +an imputation on my honor! I'll give you just one chance to redeem +yourself. You go back to the bank and tell Mr. Dawson that we've got on +the direct track of the owner of the money, and bring it back here." + +"That would be a lie," said Andy. + +"Don't we know where he is?" + +"In a general way, but so does the bank. It would be a cheat, too, for I +don't believe you want to get the money back to its rightful owner any +more than you wanted to pay me the tip that passenger left here for me +last week." + +Andy had been too bold. Talbot rose up, towering with rage. He sprang +upon Andy, and threw him upon the cot, holding him there by sheer brute +strength. + +"Here, you Gus--Dale!" he shouted. "Off with his hat and shoes. And his +coat--no, let me look that over first. Aha!" + +Gus Talbot considered it high sport to assail a defenceless and +outnumbered adversary. He and Dale snatched off cap and shoes without +gentleness or ceremony. Talbot had got hold of Andy's little purse and +had brought to light the five dollars so carefully folded and stowed +away there. + +"Honest? Ha, ha! Decent? Ho, ho!" railed the old wretch. "Where did you +get this five dollars without stealing it?" + +"Bet he got ten dollars for the run to Macon and held back half of it," +chimed in Gus. + +"My fare gave it to me for making good time," explained Andy. "If you +don't believe it, write to him." + +"Yah!" jibed Talbot; "tell that to the marines!" + +He kicked Andy's shoes and cap under a bench in the outer room and threw +his coat up among a lot of old rubbish on a platform under the roof. + +"Get the strongest padlock and hasp in the place," he ordered his son, +"and secure that door. As to you, young man," he continued to Andy, +"I'll give you till night to make up your mind to get back that money." + +"I never will," declared Andy positively. + +"Boy," said Seth Talbot, fixing his eye on Andy in a way that made his +blood chill, "you'll do it, as I say, or I'll thrash you within an inch +of your life." + + + + +CHAPTER III--RUNAWAY AND ROVER + + +The door of the lumber room was slammed shut on Andy and strongly +locked, and the lad resigned himself to the situation. The Talbots, +father and son, aided by brutal Dale Billings, had handled him pretty +roughly, and he was content to lie on the cot and prepare for what was +coming next. + +"They've pretty nearly stripped me, and they've got all my money," +reflected Andy. "I wish now I had dropped a postal card to Mr. Robert +Webb at Springfield. I'll do it, though, the first thing, when I get out +of this fix." + +Andy was bound to get out of it in some way. It would be rashness +complete to try it right on the spur of the moment. However, he had till +night to think things over, and the youth felt pretty positive that long +before then he would hit upon some plan of escape. + +In a little while Andy got up and took stock of his surroundings. The +partition that shut in the lumber room was made of common boards. With a +good-sized sledge, Andy could batter it to pieces, but he had no tools, +and glancing through a crack he saw Talbot and his son in the little +front office ready to pounce on him at a minute's notice. + +There was a long narrow box lying up against the inside surface of the +partition boards. Andy had used this to hold his little kit of kitchen +utensils. He removed these now, and lifted the box on end under the only +outside aperture the lumber room presented. This was a little window, +way up near the ceiling. When Andy reached this small, square hole, cut +through a board, he discerned that he could never hope to creep through +it. + +Glancing down into the rear yard he made out Dale Billings, seated on a +saw-horse, aimlessly whittling at a stick, and he decided that the ally +of the Talbots was on guard there to watch out for any attempted escape +in that direction. + +However, when Andy had done a little more looking around in his +prison-room, he made quite an encouraging discovery. Where the box had +stood originally there was a broad, loose board. Dampness had weakened +one end, and a touch pulled it away from the nails that held it. With +one or two vigorous pulls, Andy saw he might rip the board out of place +its entire length. This, however, would make a great noise, would arouse +his captors, and he would have to run the gantlet the whole reach of the +garage space. + +"It's my only show, though," decided Andy, "and I'll keep it in mind for +later on." + +Towards noon Andy made a meal of some scraps of food he found in his +little larder. It was not a very satisfying meal, for his stock of +provisions had run low that morning and he had intended replenishing it +during the day. + +About two o'clock in the afternoon Andy fancied he saw his chance for +making a break for liberty. Talbot was in the office. There was only one +automobile in the garage. This was a car that the proprietor's son had +just backed in. Andy could figure it out that Gus had just returned from +a trip. He leaped out of the machine, simply throwing out the power +clutch, with the engine still in motion, as if intending to at once +start off again. + +Gus ran to the office, and through the crack in the partition Andy saw +him scan the open page of the daily order book. Our hero determined on a +bold move. He leaned down in the corner of the lumber room and seized +the end of the loose plank at the bottom of the partition with both +hands, and gave it a pull with all his strength. + +R--r--rip--bang! + +Andy went backwards with a slam. The board had broken off at the +nail-heads of the first rafter with a deafening crack. He dropped the +fragment and dove through the aperture disclosed to him. He could hear +startled conversation in the office, but it was no time to stop for +obstacles now. Andy came to his feet in the garage room, made a superb +spring, cleared the hood of the automobile, and, after a scramble, +landed in the driver's seat. + +With a swoop of his right hand, Andy grasped the lever, his left +clutching the wheel. The car shot for the door in a flash. Gus Talbot +had run out of the office. He saw the machine coming, and who manned it. +Andy noticed him poising for a spring, snatched up the dust robe in the +seat by his side, gave it a whirl, and forged ahead. + +The robe wound around the face and shoulders of Gus, sending him +staggering back, discomfited. Andy circled into the street away from +town, turned down the south turnpike, and breathed the air of freedom +with rapture. + +"All I want is a safe start. I can't afford to leave the record behind +me that I stole a machine," he reflected. "It's bad enough as it is now, +with all the lies Talbot will tell. She's gone stale!" + +The automobile wheezed down to an abrupt halt. It was just as it came to +a curve near the Jones farm, and almost at the identical spot where Andy +had been captured that morning. He cast a quick glance behind. No one +was as yet visible in pursuit, and there was no other machine in the +garage. One was handy not a square away from it, however. Andy had +noticed a physician's car there as he sped along. The Talbots would not +hesitate to impress it into service. At any rate, they would start some +pursuit at once. + +Andy guessed that some of Gus Talbot's careless tactics had put the +magneto or carburetor out of commission. It would take fully five +minutes to adjust things in running order. No one was in view ahead. +There were all kinds of opportunities to hide before an enemy came upon +the scene. + +Right at the side of the road was the hayfield of the Jones farm. Andy +leaped a ditch and started to get to the thin line of scrub oak beyond +which lay the creek. He passed three haystacks and they now pretty well +shut him out from the road. As he was passing the fourth one, he +stumbled, hopped about on one foot with a sharp cry of pain, and dropped +down in the stubble. + +Andy had tripped over a scythe blade which the stubble had hidden from +his view. His ankle had struck the back of the blade, then his foot had +turned and met the edge of the scythe. A long, jagged gash, which began +to bleed profusely, was the result. Andy struggled to his feet and +leaned up against the side of the haystack in some dismay. He measured +the distance to the brush with his eye. + +"I've got to make it if I want to be safe," the boy decided, wincing +with the pain of his injured foot, but resolute to grin and bear it till +he had the leisure to attend to it. + +A shout halted Andy. It came from the direction of the barn, and he +fancied it was Farmer Jones giving orders to some of his men. Half +decided to make a run of it anyway, he made a sudden plunge into the +haystack and nestled there. + +A clatter had come from the direction of the roadway he had just left. +Glancing in that direction, through a break in the trees, Andy had +caught a flashing view of Gus Talbot, bareheaded and excited, in a light +wagon, and lashing the horse attached to it furiously. + +Andy drew farther back in among the hay, nesting himself out a +comfortable burrow. He ventured to part the hay as he heard a great +commotion in the direction of the road. He could trace the arrival of +Gus, his discovery of the stalled automobile, and the flocking of Farmer +Jones and his men to the spot. + +Then in a little while the garage-keeper and Dale Billings arrived in +another machine. Some arrangement was made to take the various vehicles +back to the village. Then Seth Talbot, his son, and two of the farm +hands scattered over the field, making for the brush. They went in every +direction. A vigorous hunt was on, and Andy realized that it would be +wise for him to keep close to his present cover for some time to come. + +His foot was bleeding badly, and he paid what attention to it he could. +He removed his stockings, bound up the wound with a handkerchief, and +drew both stockings over the injured member. + +It was pretty irksome passing the time in his enforced prison, and +finally Andy went to sleep. It was late dusk when he woke up. He parted +the hay, and took as good a look around as he could. No one was in +sight, apparently, but he had no idea of venturing forth for some hours +to come. + +"I'm going to leave Princeville," he ruminated, "but I can't go around +the world hatless, coatless and barefooted. I don't dare venture back to +the garage for any of my belongings. That place will probably be watched +all the time for my return. Talbot, too, has probably telephoned his +'stop thief' description of me everywhere. It's the river route or +nothing, if I expect to get safely away from this district. Before I go, +though, I'm going to see Mr. Dawson." + +This was the gentleman to whom Andy had entrusted the two hundred +dollars. Andy had a very favorable opinion of him. The village banker +was a great friend of the boys of the town. He had started them in a +club, had donated a library, and Andy had attended two of his +moving-picture lectures. After the last one, Mr. Dawson had taken +occasion to pass a pleasant word with Andy, commending his attention to +the lecture. When Andy had taken the two hundred dollars to him that +morning, the banker had placed his hand on his shoulder, with the +remark: "You are a good, honest boy, Nelson, and I want to see you +later." + +"I'll wait until about nine o'clock," planned Andy, "when most of the +town is asleep, and go to Mr. Dawson's house. There's a lecture at the +club to-night, I know, and he won't get home till after ten. I'll hide +in the garden and catch him before he goes into the house. I'll tell him +my story, and ask him to lend me enough to get some shoes and the other +things I need. I know he'll do it, for he's an honest, good-hearted +man." + +This prospect made Andy light of heart as time wore on. It must have +been fully half-past eight when he began to stir about, preparatory to +leaving his hiding-place. He moved his injured foot carefully. It was +quite sore and stiff, but he planned how he would line the timber +townwards and stop at a spring and bathe and dress it again. He mapped +out a long and obscure circuit of the village to reach the home of the +banker unobserved. + +Andy was just about to emerge from the haystack when the disjointed +murmur of conversation was borne to his ears. He drew back, but peered +through the hay as best he could. It was bright moonlight. Just dodging +from one haystack to another at a little distance, Andy made out Gus +Talbot and Dale Billings. + +"Come on," he heard the latter say--"now's our chance." + +"They must be still looking for me," he told himself. + +There was no further view nor indication of the proximity of the twain +during the next hour, but caution caused Andy to defer his intended +visit to the banker. + +"The coast seems all clear now," he told himself at last, and Andy crept +out of the haystack, but promptly crept back again. + +Of a sudden a great echoing shout disturbed the silence of the night. +Some one in the vicinity of the farmhouse yelled out wildly: + +"Fire!" + + + + +CHAPTER IV--DOWN THE RIVER + + +"Fire--fire!" + +The cry that had rung out so startlingly was repeated many times. Andy +could trace a growing commotion. His burrow in the haystack faced away +from the buildings of the Jones farm, but in a minute or two a great +glare was visible even through his hay shield. + +Andy did not dare to venture out from his hiding-place. From increasing +shouts and an uproar, he could understand that the Jones household, and +then the families of neighbors were thronging to the fire. Some of these +latter, making a short cut from the road, passed directly by the +haystack in which he was hiding. + +"It's the barn," spoke a voice. + +"That's what it is, and blazing for good," was responded excitedly, and +the breathless runners hurried on. + +Andy made up his mind that he would have to stay where he was for some +time to come, if he expected to avoid capture. Very soon people from the +village came trooping to the scene. He could trace the shouts of the +bucket brigade. He heard one or two automobiles come down the road. The +glare grew brighter and the crowd bigger. Soon, however, the +stubble-field began to get shadowed again, he noticed. + +It must have taken the barn an hour to burn up. People began to repass +the haystacks on their return trips. Andy caught many fragments of +conversation. He heard a man remark: + +"They managed to save the livestock." + +"Yes," was responded; "but Jones says a couple of thousand dollars won't +cover his loss." + +"What caused it, anyhow?" + +"It was a mystery to Jones, he says, until Talbot came along. They +seemed to fix up a theory betwixt them." + +"What was that?" + +"Why, Jones was sort of hot and bitter about some boys who have bothered +him a lot of late. He walloped one or two of them. Young Gus Talbot was +among them. Jones was hinting around about the fire being set for +revenge, when Talbot spoke up and reminded him that he had headed off +that runaway apprentice of Talbot's this morning." + +"Oh, the boy they're looking for--Andy?" + +"Yes, Andy Nelson. He's the one that set the fire, Talbot declares, and +Jones believes it, and they're going to start a big hunt for him. Talbot +says he's beat him out of some money, and Jones says he's just hung +around before leaving for good to get even with him for stopping him +from getting away from Talbot." And, so speaking, the men passed on. + +"Well, this is a pretty kettle of fish!" ruminated Andy. "What next, I +wonder?" + +The refugee felt pretty serious as he realized the awkward and even +perilous situation he was in. As he recalled the fact that Gus and Dale +Billings had crossed over the field an hour before the fire broke out, +he was pretty clear in his own mind as to the identity of the firebugs. + +"It's no use of thinking about seeing Mr. Dawson now," decided Andy. +"It's too late in the evening, and too many people will be looking for +me. There's so much piling up against me, that maybe Mr. Dawson wouldn't +believe a word I say. No, it's a plain case. They haven't any use for me +in Princeville, and the sooner I get out of the town and stay out of it, +the better for me." + +Andy's foot was in no condition for a long tramp. He realized this as he +stretched it out and tested his weight upon it. He was not seriously +crippled, but he was in no shape to run a race or kick a football. + +"It's going to be no easy trick getting safely away from Princeville and +out of the district," the boy told himself. "I'll wait until about +midnight, then I'll make for the river. There's boats going and coming +as far as the lake, and I may get a lift as far as the city. I can lose +myself there, or branch out for new territory." + +Everything was still, and not a sign of life visible anywhere on the +landscape, when Andy at length ventured to leave his hiding-place. There +was a smell of burned wood in the air, and some smoke showed at the spot +where the barn had stood, but the town and the farmer's household seemed +to have gone to bed. + +No one appeared to see or follow him while crossing the stubble field, +but Andy felt a good deal easier in mind as he gained the cover of the +brush. + +The boy was entirely at home here--along the river as well. He had found +little time for recreation while working for Talbot, but whenever a +spare hour had come along he had made for the woods and the creek as a +natural playground. Now he went from thicket to thicket with a sense of +freedom. He knew a score of good hiding-places, if he should be suddenly +surprised. + +Andy looked up and down the creek when he reached it. He hoped to locate +some barge ready to go down the river with some piles of tan bark, or a +freight boat returning from the summer camps along the lake. Nothing was +moving on the stream, however, and no water craft in view. + +"I'll get below the bridge. Then I'll be safe to wait until daylight. +Something is bound to come along by that time," he reflected. + +Andy reached and passed the bridge about a mile below Princeville. There +was no other bridge for ten miles, and if he had to foot it on his +journey to the city, he would be out of the way of traversed roads. He +walked on for about half a mile and was selecting a sheltered spot to +rest in, directly on the stream, when, a few yards distant, he noticed a +light scow near shore. + +Andy proceeded towards this. It resembled many craft of its class used +by farmers to carry grain and livestock to market. Andy noticed that it +was unloaded and poles stowed amidships. He stepped aboard. No one was +in charge of it. + +"I might find some of the abandoned old skiffs or rafts the boys play +with, if I search pretty hard," soliloquized Andy, stepping ashore +again. + +"Hey!" + +Andy was startled. Tracing the source of the short, quick hail, he +discovered a man seated on a boulder near a big hazel bush. Andy was +startled a little, and slowly approached his challenger. + +The man who had spoken to him sat like a statue. He was a pale-faced +individual, with very large bright eyes, and his face was covered with a +heavy black beard. A cape that almost covered him hung from his +shoulders, completely hiding his hands. He looked Andy over keenly. + +"Did you call me, mister?" inquired Andy. + +"Yes, I did," responded the man. "I was wondering what you were doing, +lurking around here at this unearthly hour of the night." + +Andy mentally decided that it was quite as much a puzzle to him what the +stranger was doing, sitting muffled up at two o'clock in the morning in +this lonely place. + +"I was looking for a boat to take me down stream," explained Andy. + +"Are you willing to work for a lift?" inquired the man. + +"I should say so," replied Andy emphatically. + +"Do you know how to manage a craft like this one here?" + +"Oh, that's no trick at all," said Andy. "The river is clear, and +there's nothing to run into, and all you have to do is to pole along in +midstream." + +"Where do you want to get to?" + +"The city." + +"I'm not going that far. I'll tell you what I'll do, though," said the +stranger--"you pole me down to Swan Cove----" + +"That's about fifteen miles." + +"Yes. You take me that far, and I'll make it worth your while." + +"It's a bargain, and I'm delighted!" exclaimed Andy with spirit. + +"All right," said the man; "get to work." + +He never got up from his seat while Andy cast free the shore hawser. +When everything was ready he stepped aboard rather clumsily. Andy +thought it very strange that the man never offered to help him the least +bit. His passenger seated himself in the stern of the barge, the cloak +still closely enveloping his form, his hands never coming into sight. + +It was welcome work for Andy, propelling the boat. It took his mind off +his troubles, and every push of the pole and the current took him away +from the people who had injured his good reputation and were bent on +robbing him of his liberty. + +The grim, silent man at the stern of the craft was a puzzle to Andy. He +never spoke nor stirred. Our hero wondered why he kept so closely +covered up and in what line of transportation he used the barge. + +They had proceeded about two miles with smooth sailing when there was a +sudden bump. The boat had struck a snag. + +"Gracious!" ejaculated Andy, sent sprawling flat on the deck. + +The contact had lifted the stranger from his seat. He was knocked to one +side. Andy, scrambling to his feet, was tremendously startled as his +glance swept his passenger. + +The man struggled to his feet with clumsiness. He was hasty, almost +suspicious in his movements. The cloak had flown wide open, and now he +was swaying his arms around in a strange way, trying to cover them up. + +"Why!" said the youth to himself, with a sharp gasp, "the man is +handcuffed!" + + + + +CHAPTER V--TRAMPING IT + + +"Gracious!" said Andy, and made a jump clear into the water. + +The pole had swung out of his hands when the barge struck the snag. He +got wet through recovering it, but that did not matter much, for he had +little clothing on. + +By the time he had got back on deck his mysterious passenger had resumed +his old position. The cloak again completely enveloped the upper portion +of his body and his hands were out of sight. Andy acted as though his +momentary glance had not taken in the sight of the handcuffs. + +"Sorry, mister, we struck that snag, but the moon's going down and a fog +coming up, and I couldn't help it." + +"Don't mind that," was all that the man at the stern vouchsafed in +reply. + +The moon had gone down as Andy had said, but enough of its radiance had +fallen on the squirming figure of the stranger a few minutes previous to +show the cold, bright glint of the pair of manacles. Andy was sure that +the man's wrists were tightly handcuffed. A sort of a chill shudder ran +over him as he thought of it. + +"An escaped convict?" Andy asked himself. "Maybe. That's bad. I don't +want to be caught in such company, the fix I'm in." + +The thought made the passenger suddenly repellant to Andy. He had an +idea of running close to the shore and making off. + +"No, I won't do it," he decided, after a moment's reflection, "I'm only +guessing about all this. He's not got a bad face. It's rather a wild and +worried one. I'm a runaway myself, and I've got a good reason for being +so. Maybe this man has, too." + +Andy applied himself to his work with renewed vigor. It must have been +about five o'clock in the morning when the stranger directed him to +navigate up a feeder to the stream, which, a few rods beyond, ran into a +swamp pond, which Andy knew to be Swan Cove. + +A few pushes of the pole drove the craft up on a muddy slant. It was +getting light in the east now. Andy came up to the man with the +question: + +"Is this where you land, mister?" + +"Yes," nodded his passenger. "Come here." + +Andy drew closer to the speaker. + +"I told you I'd make it worth your while to pole me down the river," he +said. + +"Oh, that's all right." + +"I haven't got any money, but I want to pay you as I promised you. Take +that." + +"What, mister?" and then Andy learned what the man meant. The latter +hunched one shoulder towards the timber on which he sat, and there lay a +small open-faced silver watch. + +Andy wondered how he had managed to get it out of his pocket, but he +had, and there it lay. + +"It's worth about eight dollars," explained the man. "You can probably +get four for it. Anyhow, you can trade it off for some shoes and +clothes, which you seem to need pretty badly." + +"Yes, I do, for a fact," admitted Andy, with a slight laugh. "But see +here, mister, I don't want your watch. I couldn't ask any pay, for I +wanted to come down the creek myself, and I was just waiting to find the +chance to work my way when you came along." + +"You'll take the watch," insisted the stranger in a decided tone, "so +say no more about it, and put it in your pocket. There's only one thing, +youngster--I want to ask a favor of you." + +"Yes, sir." + +"Forget you ever saw me." + +"That will be hard to do, but I will try." + +"What's your name?" + +"Andy Nelson." + +"I'll remember that," said the man, repeating it over twice to himself. +"You'll see me again some time, Andy Nelson, even if I have to hunt you +up. You've done me a big favor. You said you were headed for the city?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Well, if you'll follow back to the river, and cut south a mile, you'll +come to a road running in that direction." + +"Aren't you going to use the barge any farther, mister?" inquired Andy. + +"No, and perhaps you had better not, either," answered the man, with a +short nervous laugh. + +"Well, this is a queer go!" ruminated Andy, as the man started inland +and was soon lost to view. "I wonder who he is? Probably on his way to +some friends where he can get rid of those handcuffs. Now, what for +myself?" + +Andy thought things out in a rational way, and was soon started on the +tramp. His prospective destination was the city. It was a large place, +with many opportunities for work, he concluded. He would be lost from +his pursuers in a big city like that, he theorized. + +Andy soon located the road his late passenger had indicated. He looked +at the watch a good many times. It was a plain but substantial +timepiece. It was the first watch Andy had ever owned, and he took great +pleasure in its possession. + +"I don't think I'll part with it," he said, as he tramped along. "I feel +certain I can pick up enough odd jobs on my way to the city to earn what +clothing I need and enough to eat." + +It was about seven o'clock when Andy, after a steep hill climb, neared a +fence and lay down to rest in the shade and shelter of a big straw +stack. He was asleep before he knew it. + +"What in the world is that!" he shouted, springing up, wide awake, as a +hissing, flapping, cackling hubbub filled the air, mingled with shouts +of impatience, excitement and despair. + +"Head 'em off--drive 'em in! Shoo--shoo!" bellowed out somebody in the +direction of the road. + +"Geese!" ejaculated Andy--"geese, till you can't rest or count them! +Where did they ever come from? Hi, get away!" + +As Andy stepped out of range of the straw stack, he faced a remarkable +situation. The field he was in covered about two acres. It was enclosed +with a woven-wire fence, and had a gate. Through this, from the road, a +perspiring man was driving geese, aided by a boy armed with a long +switch. + +Andy had never seen such a flock of geese before. He estimated them by +the hundreds. Nor had he ever viewed such a battered up, dust-covered, +crippled flock. Many, after getting beyond the gate, squatted down as if +exhausted. Others fell over on their sides, as if they were dying. Many +of them had torn and bleeding feet, and limped and hobbled in evident +distress. + +The man and the boy had to head off stupid and wayward groups of the +fowls to get them within the enclosure. Then when they had closed the +gate, they went back down the road. Andy gazed wonderingly after them. +For half a mile down the hill there were specks of fluttering and +lifeless white. He made them out to be fowls fallen by the wayside. + +The man and boy began to collect these, two at a time, bringing them to +the enclosure, and dropping them over the fence. It was a tiresome, and +seemed an endless task. Andy climbed the fence and joined them. + +"Hello!" hailed the man, looking a little flustered; "do you belong +around here?" + +"No; I don't," replied Andy. + +"I don't suppose any one will object to my penning in those fowls until +I find some way of getting them in trim to go on." + +"They can't do much harm," suggested Andy. "I say, I'll help you gather +up the stray ones." + +"I wish you would," responded the man, with a sound half-way between a +sigh and a groan. "I am nigh distracted with the antics of those fowls. +We had eight hundred and fifty when we started. We've lost nigh on to a +hundred in two days." + +"What's the trouble? Do they stray off?" inquired Andy, getting quite +interested. + +"No; not many of them. The trouble is traveling. I was foolish to ever +dream I could drive up to nearly one thousand geese across country sixty +miles. The worst thing has been where we have hit the hill roads and the +highways they're ballasting with crushed stone. The geese get their feet +so cut they can't walk. If we try the side of the roads, then we run +into ditches, or the fowls get under farm fences, and then it's trouble +and a chase. I say, lad," continued the man, with a glance at Andy's +bandaged foot, "you don't look any too able to get about yourself." + +"Oh, that isn't worth thinking of," declared Andy. "I'll be glad to +help." + +He quite cheered up the owner of the geese by his willingness and +activity. In half an hour's time they had all the disabled stray fowls +in the enclosure. Some dead ones were left where they had fallen by the +wayside. + +"I reckon the old nag is rested enough to climb up the rest of the hill +now," spoke the man to his companion, who was his son. "Fetch Dobbin +along, Silas, and we'll feed the fowls and get a snack ourselves." + +Andy curiously regarded the poor crowbait of a horse soon driven into +view attached to a ramshackly wagon. The horse was put to the grass near +the enclosure, and two bags of grain unearthed from a box under the seat +of the wagon and fed to the penned-in geese. + +Next Silas produced a small oil-stove, a coffee-pot and some packages, +and, seated on the grass, Andy partook of a coarse but substantial +breakfast with his new friends. + +"There's a town a little ahead, I understand," spoke the man. + +"Yes," nodded Andy; "Afton." + +"Then we've got twenty miles to go yet," sighed the man. "I don't know +how we'll ever make it." + +Andy gathered from what the man said that he and his family had gone +into the speculation of raising geese that season. The nearest railroad +to his farm was twenty miles distant. His market was Wade, sixty miles +away. He had decided to drive the geese to destination. Two-thirds of +the journey accomplished, a long list of disasters spread out behind, +and a dubious prospect ahead. + +"It would cost me fifty dollars to wagon what's left to the nearest +railroad station, and as much more for freight," said the man gloomily. + +Andy looked speculative. In his mechanical work his inventive turn of +mind always caused him to put on his thinking-cap when he faced an +obstacle. + +"I've got an idea," declared Andy brightly. "Say, mister, suppose I +figure out a way to get your geese the rest of the way to market quite +safely and comfortably, and help drive them the balance of the distance, +what will you do for me?" + +"Eh?" ejaculated the man eagerly. "Why, I'd--I'd do almost anything you +ask, youngster." + +"Is it worth a pair of shoes, and a new cap and coat?" asked Andy. + +"Yes; a whole suit," said the man emphatically, "and two good dollars a +day on top of it." + +"It's a bargain!" declared Andy spiritedly. "I think I have guessed a +way to get you out of your difficulties." + +"How?" + +"I'll show you when you are ready to start." + +Andy set to work with vigor. He went to the back of the wagon and fitted +two boards into a kind of a runway. Then he poured corn into the trough, +and hitched up the old horse. + +"Now, drive the horse, and I'll attend to the corn," he said. "I won't +give them as much as you think," he added, fearing the farmer would +object to the use of so much of his feed. + +It was not long before they were on the way. As the corn dropped along +the road, the geese ran to pick the kernels up. Andy scattered some by +hand. Soon he had the whole line of geese following the wagon. + +"Now drive in the best spots," he said. + +"I'll take to the fields," answered Mr. Pierce. + +He was as good as his word, and traveling became easy for the geese, so +that they made rapid progress. They kept on until nightfall, passing +through Afton, where Andy bought a postal card and mailed it to Mr. +Webb, stating his money had been left with Mr. Dawson. By eight o'clock +the next morning they reached Wade, and there, at a place called the +Collins' farm, Andy was paid off and given the clothing and shoes +promised. He changed his suit in a shed on the farm, and then the youth +bid his new friends good-by and went on his way. + + + + +CHAPTER VI--THE SKY RIDER + + +"Hold on, there!" + +"Don't stop me--out of the way!" + +"Why, whatever is the matter with you?" + +"The comet has fallen----" + +"What?" + +"On our barn." + +"See here----" + +"Run for your life. Let me go, let me go, let me--go!" + +The speaker, giving the astonished Andy Nelson a shove, had darted past +him down the hill with a wild shriek, eyes bulging and hair flying in +the breeze. + +It was the afternoon of the day Andy had said good-by to Mr. Pierce and +his friends. He was making across country on foot to strike a little +railroad town, having now money enough to afford a ride to Springfield. + +Ascending a hilly rise, topped with a great grove of nut trees, Andy got +a glimpse of a farmhouse. He was anticipating a fine cool draught of +well water, when a terrific din sounded out beyond the grove. There were +the violent snortings of cattle, the sound of smashing boards, a mixed +cackle of all kinds of fowls, and thrilling human yells. + +Suddenly rounding the road there dashed straight into Andy's arms a +terror-faced, tow-headed youth, the one who had now put down the hill as +if horned demons were after him. + +Andy divined that the center of commotion and its cause must focus at +the farmhouse. He ran ahead to come in view of the structure. + +"I declare!" gasped Andy. + +Wherever there was a cow, a horse, or a chicken, the creature was in +action. They seemed putting for shelter in a mad flight. Rushing along +the path leading to the farmhouse, a gaunt, rawboned farmer was +sprinting as for a prize. He cast fearsome glances over his shoulder, +and bawled out something to his wife, standing spellbound in the open +doorway, bounded past her, sweeping her off her feet, and slammed the +door shut with a yell. + +And then Andy's wondering eyes became fixed on an object that quite awed +and startled him for the moment. Resting over the roof of the great barn +at the rear of the house was a fantastic creation of sea-gull aspect, +flapping great wings of snowy whiteness. Spick and span, with graceful +outlines, it suggested some great mechanical bird. + +"Why," breathed Andy, lost in wondering yet enchanting amazement, "it's +an airship!" + +Andy had never seen a perfect aeroplane before. Small models had been +exhibited at the county fair near Princeville, however, and he had +studied all kinds of pictures of these remarkable sky-riders. The one on +the barn fascinated him. It balanced and fluttered--a dainty creation--so +frail and delicately adjusted that his mechanical admiration was aroused +to a degree that was almost thrilling. + +Blind to jeopardy, it seemed, a man was seated about the middle of the +tilting air craft. The barn roof was about twenty-five feet high, but +Andy could plainly make out the venturesome pilot, and his mechanical +eye ran over the strange machine with interest and delight. + +A hand lever seemed to propel the flyer, and this the man aloft grasped +while his eyes roved over the scene below. + +How the airship had got on the roof of the barn, Andy could only +surmise. Either it had made a whimsical dive, or the motive power had +failed. The trouble now was, Andy plainly saw, that one set of wings had +caught across a tin ornament at the front gable of the barn. This +represented a rooster, and had been bent in two by the tugging airship. + +"Hey, you!" sang out the man in charge of the airship. "Can you get up +here any way?" + +"There's a cleat ladder at the side." + +"All right, come up and bring a rope with you." + +Andy was only too glad to be of service in a new field that fascinated +him. The doors of the barn were open. He ran in and looked about busily. +At last he discovered a long rope hanging over a harness hook. He took +possession of it, hurried again to the outside, and nimbly ascended the +cleats. + +"Look sharp, now, and follow closely," spoke the aeronaut. "Creep along +the edge, there, and loop the rope under the end of those side wings." + +"I can do that," declared Andy. He saw what the man wanted, and it was +not much of a task to balance on the spout running along the edge of the +shingles and then climb to the ridge-pole. Andy looped the end of the +rope over an extending bar running out from the remote end of the last +paddle. + +"Now, then," called out the aeronaut in a highly-satisfied tone, "if you +can get to the seat just behind me, fetching the rope with you, we'll +soon be out of this tangle." + +"All right," said Andy. + +"And I'll give you the ride of your life." + +"Will you, mister?" cried Andy, with bated breath and sparkling eyes. + +The boy began creeping along the slant of the barn roof. It was slow +progress, for he saw that he must keep the rope from getting tangled. +Another hindrance to rapid progress was the fact that he had to be +careful not to graze or disturb the delicate wings of the machine. + +About half the directed progress covered, Andy paused and looked down. +The door of the farmhouse was in his range of vision, and the farmer had +just opened it cautiously. + +He stuck out his head, and bobbed it in again. The next minute he +ventured out a little farther. Now he came out on the stoop of the +house. + +"Hey, you!" he yelled, waving his hands up at the aeronaut. + +"Well, neighbor?" interrogated the latter. + +"What kind of a new-fangled thing is that you've stuck on my barn?" + +"It's an airship." + +"Like we read about in the papers?" + +"Yes." + +"Sho! and I thought----Who's afraid?" and he darted back again into the +house. Immediately he reappeared. He carried an old-fashioned +fowling-piece, and he ran out directly in front of the barn. + +[Illustration: "IT'S AN AIRSHIP!"] + +Andy read his purpose. He readily guessed that the farmer was one of +those miserly individuals who make the most out of a mishap--the kind who +think it smart to put a dead calf in the road and make an automobilist +think he had killed it. At all events, the farmer looked bold enough +now, as he posed in the middle of the road, with the ominous +announcement: + +"I've got a word for you up there." + +"What is it?" inquired the aeronaut. + +"Who's going to settle for this damage?" + +"What damage?" + +"What damage!" howled the farmer, feigning great rage and indignation; +"hosses jumped the fence and smashed down the gate; chickens so scared +they won't lay for a month; wife in a spasm, and that there ornament up +there--why, I brought that clear from the city." + +"All right, neighbor; what's your bill?" + +"Two hundred dollars." + +The aeronaut laughed. + +"You're not modest or anything!" he observed. "See here; I'll toss you a +five-dollar bill, and that covers ten times the entire trouble I've made +you." + +The farmer lifted his gun. He squinted across the long, awkward barrel, +and he pointed it straight up at the sky-rider and his craft. + +"Mister," he said fiercely, "my bill is two hundred dollars, just as I +said. You pay it, right here, right now, or I'll blow that giddy-fangled +contraption of yours into a thousand pieces!" + + + + +CHAPTER VII--JOHN PARKS, AIRSHIP KING + + +"Keep right on," ordered the aeronaut to Andy in a low tone. + +Andy squeezed under a bulge of muslin and wood and reached what looked +like a low, flat-topped stool. + +"Do you hear me?" yelled the farmer, brandishing his weapon and trying +to look very fierce and dangerous. + +The aeronaut, Andy noticed, was reaching in his pocket. He drew out two +small bills and some silver. He made a wad of this. Poising it, he gave +it a fling. + +"There's five dollars," he spoke to the farmer. + +The wad hit the farmer on the shoulder, opened, and the silver scattered +at his feet. He hopped aside. + +"I won't take it; I'll have my price, or I'll have the law on you, and +I'll take the law in my own hands!" he shouted. + +Snap!--the fowling-piece made a sound, and quick-witted Andy noticed that +it was not a click. + +"See here," he whispered quickly to the aeronaut; "that man just snapped +the trigger to scare us, and I don't believe the old blunderbuss is +loaded." + +"All ready," spoke the aeronaut to Andy, as the latter reached the seat. + +"Yes, sir," reported Andy. + +"When I back, give the rope a pull and hold taut till we clear the +barn." + +"I'll do it," said Andy. + +"Go!" + +There was a whir, a delicious tremulous lifting movement that now made +Andy thrill all over, and the biplane backed as the aeronaut pulled a +lever. + +Andy gave the rope a pull and lifted the entangled wing entirely clear +of the weather-vane. + +"Now, hold tight and enjoy yourself," spoke the aeronaut, reversing the +machine. + +"Oh, my!" breathed Andy rapturously the next moment, and he forgot all +about the farmer and nearly everything else mundane in the delight and +novelty of a brand-new experience. + +Andy had once shot the chutes, and had dreamed about it for a month +afterwards. He recalled his first spin in an automobile with a thrill +even now. That was nothing to the present sensation. He could not +analyze it. He simply sat spellbound. One moment his breath seemed taken +away; the next he seemed drawing in an atmosphere that set his nerves +tingling and seemed to intoxicate mind and body. + +The aeronaut sat grim and watchful in the pilot seat of the glider, +never speaking a word. He had skimmed the landscape for quite a reach. +Then, where the ground began to slant, he said quickly: + +"Notice my left foot?" + +"I do," said Andy. + +"Put yours on the stabilizing shaft when I take mine off." + +"Stabilizing shaft," repeated Andy, memorizing, "and the name of the +airship painted on that big paddle is the _Eagle_. Oh, hurrah for the +_Eagle_!" + +"When I whistle once, press down with your foot. Twice, you take your +foot off. When I whistle twice, pull over the handle right at your side +on the center-drop." + +"'Center-drop'?" said Andy. "I'm getting it fast." + +Z--zip! Andy fancied that something was wrong, for the machine contorted +like a horse raising on his rear feet. Toot! Andy did not lose his +nerve. Toot--toot! he grasped the handle at his side and pulled it back. + +"Good for you!" commended the aeronaut heartily. "Now, then, for a +spin." + +Andy simply looked and felt for the next ten minutes. The pretty, dainty +machine made him think of a skylark, an arrow, a rocket. He had a +bouyant sensation like a person taking laughing gas. + +The lifting planes moved readily under the manipulation of an expert +hand. There was one level flight where the airship exceeded any railroad +speed Andy had ever noted. Farms, villages, streams, hills, faded behind +them in an endless panorama. + +Toot!--Andy followed instructions. They slowed up over a town that seemed +to be some railroad center. Beyond it the machine skimmed a broad +prairie and then gracefully settled down in the center of a fenced-in +space. + +Its wheels struck the ground. They rolled along for about fifty yards, +and halted by the side of a big tent with an open flap at one side. + +"This is the stable," said the aeronaut, showing Andy how to get from +his seat on the delicate and complicated apparatus of the flyer. +"Dizzy-headed?" + +"Why, no," replied Andy. + +"Wasn't frightened a bit?" + +"Not with you at the helm," declared Andy. "Mister, if I could do that, +I'd live up in the air all the time." + +"You only think so," said the aeronaut, the smile of experience upon his +practical but good-humored face. "When you've been at it as long as I +have, you'll feel different. What's your name?" + +"Andy Nelson." + +"Out of a job?" + +"Yes, sir." + +The aeronaut looked Andy over critically, + +"That little frame building at the end of the tent is where we keep +house," he explained. "The big rambling barracks, once a coal-shed, is +my shop. I'm John Parks. Ever hear of me?" + +"No, sir," said Andy. + +"I'm known all over the country as the Airship King." + +"I can believe that," said Andy, "but, you see, I have never traveled +far." + +"I've made it a business giving exhibitions at fairs and aero meets with +this glider and with a dirigible balloon. Just now I'm drilling for a +prize race--five thousand dollars." + +"That's some money," observed Andy, "and I guess you'll win it." + +"I see you like me, and I like you," said John Parks. "Suppose you help +me win that prize? I need good loyal help around me, and the way you +obey orders pleases me. I'll make you an offer--your keep and ten +dollars." + +"And I'll be near the airship?" asked Andy eagerly. "And learn to run +it?" + +"Yes." + +"Oh, my!" cried the boy, almost lifted off his feet. "Mr. Parks, I can't +realize such good luck." + +"It's yours for the choosing," said the aeronaut. + +"Ten dollars a month and my board for helping run an airship!" said Andy +breathlessly. "Oh, of course I'll take it--gladly." + +"No," corrected John Parks, "ten dollars a week." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII--THE AERO FIELD + + +"That's settled," said the Airship King. "Come, Andy, and I'll introduce +you to our living quarters." + +Andy felt as if he was treading on air. He was too overcome to speak +intelligently. Clear of the spiteful Talbot brood, the proud possessor +of a new suit, a watch, five dollars, and the prospect of a princely +salary, he felt that life had indeed begun all over for him in golden +numbers. He caught at the sleeve of his generous employer. + +"Mr. Parks," he said with emotion, "it's like a dream." + +"That's all right, Andy," laughed the aeronaut. "I'm pretty liberal, +they say--that is, when I've got the money. I've seen my hard times, +though. All I ask is to have a man stick to me through thick and thin +and I'll bring him out all right." + +"I'll stick to you as long as you'll let me," declared Andy. + +"Yes, you're true blue, Andy, I honestly believe. I've staked a good +deal on the aero meet next month. I've just got to get that +five-thousand-dollar prize to make good, for I've invested a good deal +here." + +"I hope I can help you do it," said Andy fervently. + +"The _Eagle_ is only a trial craft. Over in the workshop yonder, I've +got a genius of a fellow, named Morse, working for me, who is turning +out the latest thing in airships. Here's our living quarters." + +Mr. Parks led Andy into the shed-like structure that formed the back of +the tent which sheltered the aeroplane and also a dirigible balloon. +They passed through several partitioned-off spaces holding cots. Then +there was a comfortable sitting room. Next to it was a kitchen. + +This room was sizzling hot, for it held a big cooking-range, before +which an aproned cook stood with an immense basting spoon in his hand. +He was the blackest, fattest cook Andy had ever seen. His eyes were big +with jolly fun, and his teeth gleamed white and full as he grinned and +nodded. + +"I've brought you a new boarder, Scipio," said Mr. Parks. "His name is +Andy Nelson. You'll have to set another place." + +Then he stepped through a doorway outside, and Scipio took a critical +look at Andy. + +"'Nother plate, eh?" he chuckled. "Dat's motion easy, but what about de +contents of dat plate? Fohteen biscuit do de roun's now. Yo' look like a +likely healthy boy. I reckon I have to double up on de rations." + +It was a royally good meal that was spread out on the table in the +sitting room about four o'clock in the afternoon. + +"Where's Mr. Morse, Scipio?" inquired Mr. Parks, as the cook brought in +a smoking roast. + +"Mistah Morse have to be excused dis reflection, sah, I believe," +responded Scipio. "I ask him 'bout noon what he like foh dinnah. He dat + sorbed in his work he muttah something bout fractions, quations and +dirigible expulsions; I hab none ob dose to cook. Jus' now I go to call +him to dinnah, an' I find him deeper than ever poring over dose wheels +an' jimdracks ob machinery, and when I say de meal was ready, he observe +dat de quintessimal prefix ob de cylinder was X. O. plus de jibboom ob +de hobolinks. It sounded like dat, anyhow. Berry profound man, dat, sah. +I take him in his meal later, specially, sah." + +From this and other references to the man in the shop, Andy decided that +Mr. Morse must be quite a proficient mechanician. He longed to get a +peep into his workshop. After dinner, however, Mr. Parks said: + +"Would you like to stroll over to the big aero practice field, Andy?" + +"I should, indeed," responded Andy. + +He found the aviation field to be a more or less shrouded locality. It +was reached only by crossing myriad railroad tracks, dodging oft-shunted +freight-cars, scaling embankments and crossing ditches. The field was +dotted with shelter tents for the various air machines, trial chutes and +perfecting shops. + +There were any number of monoplanes, biplanes and dirigible balloons. On +the different tents was painted the name of the machine housed therein. +There was the _Montgo_, _Glider_, the _Flying Dutchman_, the _Lady +Killer_, and numerous other novelties with fanciful names. + +"Every professional seems to be getting up the oddest freak he can think +of," explained Parks. "Do you see that new-fangled affair with the round +discs? That is called the helicopotol. That two-winged, +one-hundred-bladed freak just beyond is the gyropter. Watch that fellow +just going up with the tandem rig. That's a new thing, too. It's of the +collapsible type, made for quick transportation, but not worth a cent as +a racer." + +Andy was in a realm of rare delight. He passed the happiest and most +interesting hour of his life looking over and studying all these +wonderful aerial marvels about him. + +When they got back to camp, the aeronaut showed Andy where he would +sleep, and told him something about the routine. + +"I am making test runs with the _Eagle_," he explained, "and will want +you to sail with me for a day or two. Then you may try a grasshopper run +or two yourself." + +"I shall like it immensely," declared Andy with enthusiasm. + +When Mr. Parks had left him, Andy wandered outside. The sound of a +twanging banjo led him to the front of the kitchen quarters. + +Seated on a box, his eyes closed, his face wearing an expression of +supreme felicity, was Scipio. Strains of "My Old Kentucky Home" floated +on the air. The musician, opening his eyes, happened to spy Andy. + +"Tell you, chile," declared the portly old cook, with a rare sigh of +longing, "des yar Scip could play dat tune all night long." + +"Keep right at it, Scipio," smiled Andy. "You go on enjoying your music, +while I do up any little chores you have to attend to." + +"If it wouldn't be a deposition on yo'," remarked Scipio thoughtfully, +"dar's de suppah dishes I'd like brung back from Mistah Morse's +quarters." + +"Can I find them?" inquired Andy. + +"Yo' jess follow yo' nose down through the big shed," directed Scipio. +"Mistah Morse nevah notice yo'. He's dat substracted he work all night." + +Andy proceeded on his mission. Passing through one shed, he saw a light +at the end of one adjoining. In the second shed he came to a halt with +sparkling eyes and bated breath. + +Across a light platform lay the skeleton of an airship. Its airy +elegance and fine mechanism appealed to Andy intensely. He went clear +around it, wishing he had the inventive faculty to construct some like +masterpiece in its line. + +Just beyond the machine was a small apartment where a light was burning. +Near its doorway was a table upon which Andy observed a tray of dishes +and the remnants of a meal. + +He moved forward carefully to remove them, for seated at a work-bench +and deeply engrossed in some work at a small lathe, was a man wearing +great goggles on his eyes. + +"It must be Mr. Morse, the airship inventor," thought Andy. + +Just then the inventor removed his goggles, rubbed his eyes and turned +his face towards Andy. + +With a crash the boy dropped a plate, and with a profound start he drew +back, staring blankly at the man at the bench. + +"Oh, my!" said Andy breathlessly. + + + + +CHAPTER IX--THE AIRSHIP INVENTOR + + +Morse, the inventor, made a grab for his eye-goggles. He had become a +shade paler. He did not take up the goggles, however. Instead, he turned +his back on Andy. + +Our hero had a right to be startled. He stood staring and spellbound, +for he had recognized the inventor in an instant. He was the handcuffed +man he had poled down the river from Princeville the night of the flight +from the Talbots, and who had given him the very watch he now carried in +his pocket with such pride and satisfaction. + +The man had shaved off his full beard since Andy had first met him. This +made him look different. It was the large, restless eyes, however, that +had betrayed his identity. Andy would know them anywhere. He at once +realized that the inventor had sought to disguise himself. Probably, +Andy reasoned, he had caught him off his guard with the goggles off his +eyes. + +"What did you say 'oh, my!' for?" suddenly demanded the inventor. + +"I--I thought I recognized you--I thought I knew you," said Andy. + +"Do you think so now?" inquired the inventor, turning sharply face +about. + +"I certainly thought I knew you." + +"And suppose you was right?" + +"If you were really the person I supposed," replied Andy, "I would have +done just exactly what I promised to do when I last saw that person." + +"And what was that?" + +"To forget it." + +"You'd keep your word, eh?" + +"I generally try to." + +The man's eyes seemed riveted on Andy in a peculiar way that made the +boy squirm. There was something uncanny about it all. Andy experienced a +decidedly disagreeable creeping sensation. The inventor was silent for a +moment or two. Then he asked: + +"Who sent you here?" + +"I wasn't sent by any one. I just came." + +"How?" + +"With Mr. Parks--in his airship." + +"Are you going to stay here?" + +"He has hired me at ten dollars a week and board," proudly announced +Andy. + +"He's a good man," said Morse. "I don't think he'd pick you out if you +were a bad boy. What time is it?" + +This question was so significant that it flustered Andy. He drew out his +watch in a blundering sort of a way, fancying that he detected the faint +shadow of a smile on the face of his interlocutor. + +"It's half-past seven," he reported. + +"Watch keep good time?" + +"Yes, sir. The man who gave it to me was the man whom I took you for." + +"Good timepiece." + +"Splendid." + +"U-m. What's your name?" + +"Andy Nelson." + +"I'm going to trust you, Andy Nelson; I don't think I will have any +reason to regret it." + +"I will try to deserve your confidence, Mr. Morse." + +"Oh, you know my name?" + +"Yes, sir. I heard Mr. Parks speak of you." + +"I see--of course. I must be cautious after this, though. I had an idea +that shaving off my beard would change my appearance, but as you +recognized me, I must not be seen by outsiders without my goggles. Andy, +I do not wish Mr. Parks to know anything about that handcuff affair of +mine." + +"All right, sir." + +"I suppose it struck you suspiciously." + +"It did at first," confessed Andy. "When I came to think it over, +though, I remembered that I was in trouble and acting suspiciously +myself. I knew that I was right in my motives, and I hoped you were." + +"I'll tell you something, Andy," said the inventor. "It won't be much +for the present, but later I may tell you a good deal more. A bad crowd +have a hold on me, a certain power that has enabled them to scare me and +rob me at times. I am an inventor. They knew that I was getting up a new +airship. They captured me and locked me up. They demanded a price for my +liberty--that I would disclose my plan to them. I consented. They even +forced me to make a working model. The night before the day I intended +to complete it I made my escape, but handcuffed. You came along and +helped me on the way to freedom. After I left the barge on the creek I +got to the home of a friend, disguised myself, and came here and hired +out with Mr. Parks." + +"But your invention the rascals got away from you?" + +"Let them keep it," responded the inventor, "so long as they do not +trouble me again. There was a defect in the model they stole from me. +Unless they are smart enough to remedy it, they may find out they +haven't made so big a haul as they anticipate. Look here, Andy." + +Mr. Morse beckoned our hero over to the work-bench and showed him a +drawing. + +"The work you see in the big room," he said, "is the skeleton of this +machine. I am basing great hopes on it. I want to make a record in +aviation, for I believe it will be the most promising field for +inventors for many years to come. If you are going to work with us, you +should know what is going on. This is my new model." + +As Mr. Morse spoke, he became intent and eloquent. He lost himself in +his enthusiasm as an inventor. Andy was a ready listener, and it was +delightful to him to explore this marvel of machines. + +"What I hope to accomplish," explained Mr. Morse, "is to construct a +combined steerer and balancer on one lever. I aim to make this lever not +only tilt the flyer to which it is attached on a transverse axis, but +also on a longitudinal axis. It is called a double-action horizontal +rudder, and if I succeed will give instantaneous control of a +flying-machine under all conditions, be it a high wind or the failing of +motive power. I combine with it a self-righting automatic balance. It is +a brand-new idea. I thought those villains I have told you about had +stolen my greatest idea, but this beats it two to one." + +"Will they try to use the invention they stole from you?" inquired Andy. + +"Of course they will--to their cost--if they are too rash," declared the +inventor seriously. "That was a rudder idea, too." + +"Tell me about it, Mr. Morse," pleaded Andy; "I am greatly interested in +it all." + +"I am going to tell you, Andy," responded the inventor, "because I +believe the men who imprisoned me will try to enter the prize contest, +and I want to keep track of them. I don't dare venture among them +myself, but I may ask you to seek them out and bring me some news." + +"Yes, sir," said Andy. + +"The head man of the crowd is an old circus man named Duske. It is a +good name for him, for he is dark in looks and deed. The idea they have +stolen from me is this: In place of the conventional airship rudder, I +planned to equip the aeroplane with movable rear sections of pipe, the +main sections of this pipe to extend the full length of the craft. +Suction wheels at each end of the main tube force the air backwards +through the tube, the force of this air explosion driving the nose of +the craft into the air when the movable section of the tube is raised, +lowering it when it is pointed downwards, and providing for its lateral +progress on the same principle. Do you follow me?" + +"I can almost see the machine right before my eyes, the way you tell +about it!" said Andy, with breathless enthusiasm. + + + + +CHAPTER X--LEARNING TO FLY + + +That was the first of many pleasant and interesting visits that Andy had +with Mr. Morse, the inventor. By the end of the week the automobile boy +had become an airship enthusiast. Andy was charmed. When he was not +pottering about the _Eagle_ or sailing the air with John Parks, he was +with Mr. Morse in a congenial atmosphere of mechanics. + +Although John Parks was now engrossed in using his glider, he had not +given up using his dirigible balloon, and he also gave Andy some lessons +in running this. + +The dirigible was shaped like a fat cigar, and had under it a frame-work +carrying a thirty horse-power motor and two six-foot suction wheels. +When there was no wind, the dirigible could sail quite well, but in a +breeze it was hard to make much progress, and to use it in a high wind +was entirely out of the question. + +[Illustration: HE GAVE ANDY SOME LESSONS IN RUNNING THIS] + +"The monoplanes and biplanes make the old-style balloons and the +dirigibles take a back seat," said the Airship King. "But, just the +same, if your motor gives out, a dirigible is a nice thing to float down +in." + +"I like the dirigible," answered Andy. "But for speed, give me the new +kind of flying machines." + +Andy was in his element among the lathes, vises, saws, and general tools +of the workshop. Once or twice he made practical suggestions that +pleased Morse greatly. The inventor rarely left the camp, and when he +did it was generally after dark. There was material and aeroplane parts +to purchase. These commissions were entrusted to Andy, and he showed +intelligence in his selections. Once he had to go fifty miles on the +railroad to a factory to have some special devices made. He used such +dispatch, and was so successful in getting just what was wanted by +staying with the order till it was filled, that Mr. Morse warmly +commended him to Parks. + +Andy had drifted completely away from the old life. He was fast +forgetting all about the Talbots and his former troubles at Princeville. +One day, in a burst of satisfaction over a trial flight Andy made alone +in a monoplane, John Parks declared that he would not rest until he had +made Andy the junior air king of America. Then Andy felt that he had +found his mission in life, and pursued his new avocation with more +fervor than ever. + +About all Parks thought or talked of was the coming aero meet. Andy +learned that he was investing over two thousand dollars in maintaining +the camp and in building the machine with which he was to compete for +the prize. His success would mean something more than the winning of the +five thousand dollars. It would add to the laurels already gained as the +Air King in his former balloon experience, and would make him a +prominent figure in the aviation field. + +"Come on, Andy," he said to his young assistant one afternoon. "We'll +stroll over to the main grounds and see what new wrinkle these ambitious +fellows are getting up." + +They spent an interesting hour over in the main enclosure where +prospective exhibitors were located. There was quite a crowd of +visitors. Some of the aviators were explaining the make-up of their +machines, and others were making try-out flights. Parks and Andy were +passing to the outfield where the test ascensions were in progress, when +the former suddenly left the side of his companion. + +Andy was surprised to see him hasten up behind a sinister-looking man, +who was apparently explaining to an old farmer about the machines. Parks +seized the man rudely by the arm and faced him around squarely. The +latter scowled, and then a strange, wilted expression came into his dark +face. + +"Excuse this gentleman, if you will," said Parks to the farmer. + +"Why, suttinly," bobbed the ruralite. "Much obleeged to him for being so +perlite in showing me 'round." + +Parks drew the shrinking man he had halted to the side of a tent. + +"Now, then, Gib Duske," he said sternly, "what were you up to with that +greenhorn?" + +"He told you, didn't he?" growled the other; "showing him the sights." + +"You're given to doing such things for nothing!" rejoined Parks +sarcastically. "I recall some of your exploits in that line in the rural +districts when you were with the circus." + +"See here," broke out the other angrily, "what is it your business?" + +"Just this," retorted Parks steadily; "we're trying to run a decent +enterprise here, and such persons as you have got to give an account of +themselves or vacate. What's your game, anyhow?" + +"I'm up to no game that I know of," sullenly muttered the man called Gib +Duske. "If you must know, I've entered my airship for the race." + +"You!" exclaimed Parks; "'Your airship!' Where did you get an airship?" + +"I suppose I have friends to back me like anybody else when they see a +show for their money. I'm an old balloonist. A syndicate, knowing my +professional skill, has put up the capital to give me a try." + +"Oh, they have?" observed Parks incredulously. "I'd like to see your +syndicate." + +"And I've got my machine," declared Duske excitedly, "I'd have you know. +I've heard you're entered. Fair play, then, and I'm going to beat the +field." + +Parks eyed his companion in speculative silence for a minute or two. +Then he said: + +"You talk about fair play. Good! You'll get it here, if you're square. +If you're not, you had best take my warning right now, and cut out for +good. There will be no balloon slitting like there was at a certain race +you were in two years ago out West. The first freak or false play you +make to queer an honest go, I'll expose you to the field." + +"I've got no such intentions," mumbled Duske, with a malicious glance at +his challenger. + +"See you don't, that's all," retorted Parks, and walked off. "You +noticed that man?" he added, as he rejoined Andy, who had listened with +interest to the conversation. + +"Yes, particularly," answered Andy, really able to tell his employer +more than he dared. + +"Whenever you run across him," went on the Air King, "keep your eyes +wide open. I'd like to know just how much truth there is in his talk +about entering for the race." + +"Is he a bad man, Mr. Parks?" inquired Andy. + +"He was once a confidence man," explained the aeronaut. "When I knew him +he was giving balloon ascensions at a circus. He had a hired crowd +picking pockets while people were staring up into the air watching his +trapeze acts. Once at a race he slyly slit the balloon of an antagonist, +who was nearly killed by the fall." + +"I'll find out just what he is doing," exclaimed Andy. + +"You can manage, for he knows me," observed Parks. + +Andy said no more. He was pretty sure from the name and description that +the fellow whom his employer had just called down was the enemy that Mr. +Morse had told him about. He wished he could tell Mr. Parks all that he +knew and surmised, but he could not break his promise to the inventor. + +"Hello, there, Ridley!" hailed Parks, as they came to where a lithe, +undersized man was volubly boasting to an open-mouthed crowd about the +superior merits of his machine. "Bragging again?" + +"Go on, John Parks," called the little man good-naturedly. "I'm not in +your class, so what are you jumping on me for?" + +"Oh, just to stir you up and keep you encouraged. I hear you've got a +machine that will land just as steadily and balance on top of a +telegraph-pole as on a prairie." + +"That's pretty near the truth, John Parks," declared Ridley. "I can't +make a mile in thirty seconds, but I can get to the ground on a straight +dive ahead of your clumsy old _Eagle_, or any other racer on the field." + +"Why, Ridley," retorted Parks, in a vaunting way, "I've got a boy here +who can give you a handicap and double discount you." + +"Is that him?" inquired Ridley, with a stare at Andy. + +"That's him out of harness," laughed Parks. "Like to see him do +something?" + +"Just to show you're all bluster, I would," answered Ridley. + +"Machine in order?" + +"True as a trivet." + +"Andy, give them a sample of a real bird diving, will you?" + +"All right," said Andy. + +He had not been tutored by his skillful employer vainly. Andy was in +excellent practice. He got into the clear, started up the Ridley +machine, and took a shoot on a straight slant up into the air about one +hundred and fifty feet. + +A cry of surprise went up from the watching group as Andy suddenly let +the biplane slide on a sharp angle towards the ground, shutting off the +power at the same time. + +Again reaching a fair height, he tipped the biplane on an angle of five +degrees and came down so fast that the spectators thought something was +wrong. When the machine was within a yard of the ground, Andy brought it +to the horizontal with ease and made a pretty landing. + +"Well, Ridley," rallied John Parks, as the stupefied owner of the +machine stared in open-mouthed wonder, "what do you say to that?" + +"What do I say," repeated Ridley. "I say, look out for your laurels, +John Parks. That boy is a wonder!" + + + + +CHAPTER XI--SPYING ON THE ENEMY + + +"There is that man again, Mr. Parks." + +"Duske? Yes." + +"Shall I follow him?" + +"I'd like to know just what he is about." + +"I would like to try and find out," declared Andy, with more eagerness +than his employer suspected. + +"All right, Andy; look him up a bit. Watch out for trouble, though, for +he is a dangerous man." + +It was late in the afternoon of the day succeeding Andy's sensational +performance, and Parks and his young assistant were again on the +aviation field. + +Andy had made out the man whom Parks had called Duske carrying two cans +of gasoline past a tent. He did not seem to have observed Parks, and +Andy did not believe that he knew him. Andy left the side of his +employer, and, circulating around kept Duske in sight from a distance. + +The boy had not said anything to Mr. Morse about Duske. He felt certain +that Duske was one of the enemies the inventor had described. Just at +present, however, Andy considered it would be unwise to disturb Morse. +The latter had almost completed the new airship. His mind was absorbed +in his task, and he was working day and night. + +Duske passed the last tent on the field, and then struck off beyond some +old railroad sheds to the side of an abandoned switchyard. Scattered +here and there over this space were several tents. They were occupied by +aero contestants who had not been able to get a favorable location on +the big field, or by those who had sought this seclusion because they +wished to be isolated with some fancied new invention, the details of +which they did not wish their contestants to learn. + +Finally Duske seemed to arrive at his destination. It was where stout +canvas had been stretched about fifty feet out from the blank side of an +old frame shed. These strips of canvas and the shed cut out completely a +view of what was beyond. The front of this enclosure was guarded by a +roof set up on posts, this leading into the entrance tent of the main +enclosure. + +A man about as sinister looking as Duske himself was cooking something +on a stove, and two others were lounging on a bench near by. Duske +carried the gasoline cans out of sight. Andy got around to the side of +the enclosure, way back near its shed end. + +It was getting well on toward nightfall, and he felt that he was secure +in making some bold, prompt investigations. There was no doubt that the +large tent enclosed the airship which Duske and his crowd intended to +enter for the race. Andy attempted to lift the canvas at one or two +points, but found it securely pegged to the ground. + +"Humph!" he soliloquized, "everything nailed down tight. Must make their +trial flights at midnight. They must think they have got a treasure in +there. I've got to see it." + +Finally Andy came to a laced section of the canvas, which he was able to +press apart a foot or more by tight tugging. He squeezed through, and +stood inside the enclosure. + +There was light enough to show outlines, and with a good deal of +curiosity Andy walked around and inspected an aeroplane propped up on a +platform in the center of the enclosure. He came to a halt at one end of +the machine. Two long hollow tubes extended beyond the folding planes. + +"Why," breathed Andy, "it's the idea they stole from Mr. Morse. Here's +the suction apparatus, and all!" + +"Hi, there! who are you?" + +The challenge came so sharp and sudden that Andy was taken completely +off his guard. Two men had come from the front tent, their footsteps +being noiseless on the soft earth floor. One of them was the man Duske. + +"Just looking around," replied Andy, edging away and pulling his cap +down over his eyes. + +"How did you get in here?" + +"Slit in the canvas." + +"Don't let him go--grab him," ordered Duske's companion quickly, and Andy +began to back towards the canvas. + +Duske reached out and made a grab at Andy. The latter dodged, but +Duske's hand landed on his cap. His glance falling to the inside peak, +he could not help reading there the words: "_Eagle_--Andy Nelson." + +Nearly everything worn by Parks and Andy, as all the parts of the +_Eagle_, were marked, so that in case of an accident identification +would be easy. + +"_'Eagle'!_" cried Duske, bristling up. "Do you belong to the _Eagle_ +crowd?" + +"He's a spy--head him off!" shouted the other man. + +"_'Eagle'_--'Andy Nelson'," continued Duske. "That's your name, is it? +Now then, what are you snooping around here for?" + +"What's that, what's that?" challenged the other man quickly. "'Andy +Nelson?' Say, Duske, that sounds familiar. I just read that name +somewhere--I have it--in a newspaper----" + +"Thunder! he's slipped us," exclaimed Duske. + +Both men had started for Andy. The latter let them come on, ducked down, +dove straight between them, ran to the slitted canvas, squeezed through, +and sprinted away from the spot on feet of fleetness. + +"I don't know how much I have mixed up affairs," he reflected, as he +made for the home camp. "Those fellows know my name and that I am with +Mr. Parks. What bothers me most, is what the man said about seeing my +name in a newspaper. Some one here--in an automobile." + +As Andy reached home he observed an automobile in front of the living +quarters. A man came out as Andy stood wondering who the visitor could +be. Andy noticed that he carried a small black case. + +"A doctor," he decided hastily. "Can any one be sick? What has +happened?" he asked, as Scipio came out. + +"Hahd luck, chile, hahd luck!" replied the cook very seriously. "Yo +bettah see Mistah Parks right away." + +Andy hurried to the sitting room. Lying covered up on a couch, his right +arm in splints, and looking pale and distressed, was the aeronaut. + +"Oh, Mr. Parks! what is the matter?" asked Andy in alarm. + +"Everything off, lad," replied his employer, with a wince and a groan. +"I've had a bad fall, arm broken in two places, and we can't make the +airship race." + + + + +CHAPTER XII--TRACED DOWN + + +"Be careful, Mr. Parks!" + +"Foh goodness sake, sah! Yo want to break dat arm ober again?" + +Mr. Morse, the inventor, and Scipio, the cook, made a frantic rush for +the aeronaut. They were grouped together in the center of the space +occupied by their camp. The eyes of each had been fixed on an object +floating about in the air over-head. All had been pleased and excited, +but particularly Parks. Now as the object aloft made a skim that seemed +to beat a mile a minute dash, John Parks lost all control of himself. + +He forgot the fractured arm he had carried in a sling for three days, +and actually tried to wave it, as he burst forth: + +"Morse, you're a genius, and that boy, Andy Nelson, is the birdman of +the century!" + +Andy deserved the praise fully that was being bestowed upon him. That +morning Mr. Morse had completed the _Racing Star_, his new airship. At +the present moment it was making its initial flight. + +The relieved, contented face of Morse showed his satisfaction over the +fact that his work was done and done well. Scipio stared goggle-eyed. As +to John Parks, expert sky sailor that he was, his practiced eye in one +moment had discerned the fact that the _Racing Star_ was the latest and +best thing out in aviation, and he went fairly wild over the masterly +way in which Andy handled the machine. + +Andy aloft, had eye, nerve and breath strained to test the splendid +device to its complete capacity. He was himself amazed at the beauty the +utility of the dainty creation just turned out from the workshop. What +the Airship King had taught him Andy had not forgotten. After five +minutes spent in exploiting every angle of skill he possessed, Andy +brought the superb aeroplane down to the ground, graceful as a swan. +John Parks ran up to him, chuckling with delight. + +"You wonder! you daisy!" he roared, shaking Andy's hand with his well +arm. + +Andy was flushed with triumph and excitement. + +"If there's any wonder to talk about," he said, "it's that glorious +piece of work, the _Racing Star_, and the splendid man who made it." + +Morse smiled, a rare thing for him. Then he said modestly: + +"It will do the work, handled as you manage it, Andy." + +"I feel like a caged lion, or an eagle with its wings clipped!" stormed +Parks, with a glance at his bandaged arm. "Why did I go trying to show a +bungling amateur how to run an old wreck of a monoplane, and get my arm +broken for my pains, and lose that five-thousand-dollar prize!" + +"There is time to enter a substitute, Mr. Parks," suggested the +inventor. + +"Who?" demanded the aeronaut scornfully. "Some amateur who will sell me +out or bungle the race, and maybe smash up my last thousand dollars?" + +"Mr. Parks," said Andy, in a quick breath, and colored up and paused +suddenly. "I'd be glad to try it. Say the word, and I'll train day and +night for the race." + +"Andy, win it, and half of that five thousand dollars is yours." + +From excitement and incoherency, the little group got down to a serious +discussion of the situation during the next half hour. + +"It's just one week from the race," said Andy. "What can't I do in +learning to run the _Racing Star_ in that time?" + +"Andy, you must make it," declared Parks energetically. "It just seems +as if my heart would break if we lost this record." + +Mr. Morse got out a chart he had drawn of the run to be made on the +twenty-first of the month. + +"The course is very nearly a straight one," explained Parks; "from the +grounds here to Springfield, where the State fair is going on. Pace will +be set by a Central Northern train, carrying assistants and repairs. The +fleet will be directed by a large American flag floating from the rear +of the train. It's almost a beeline, Andy, and the _Racing Star_ is +built for speed." + +They made another ascent the next morning. Air and breeze conditions +were most favorable for the try-out. Seated amidships, wearing a leather +jacket, cap and gloves, Andy had the motor keyed up to its highest +speed. The quick sequence of its exhaust swelled like a rapid-fire gun. + +The machine rolled forward, the propellers beat the air, and the _Racing +Star_ rose on a smooth parabola. Andy attempted some volplane skits that +were fairly hair-raising. He raced with real birds. He practiced with +the wind checks. For half an hour he kept up a series of practice stunts +of the most difficult character. + +"Oh, but you're a crack scholar, Andy Nelson," declared the delighted +Parks, as the _Racing Star_ came to moorings again, light as a feather. + +"I think myself I am getting on to most of the curves," said Andy. "The +only question is can I keep it up on a long stretch?" + +"Practice makes perfect, you know," suggested Mr. Morse. + +Andy felt that he had about reached the acme of his mechanical ambition. +When he went to bed that night the thought of the coming race kept him +awake till midnight. When he finally went to sleep, it was to dream of +aerial flights that resolved themselves into a series of the most +exciting nightmares. + +No developments came from Andy's experience with the Duske crowd. Once +in a while he worried some over the reference of Duske's companions to +seeing his name in the newspapers. + +"Either it was about my trouble at Princeville, or some of these +reporters writing up the race got my name incidentally," decided Andy. + +"Anyhow, I can't afford to trouble about it." + +Andy rarely ventured away from the camp after dark. In fact, ever since +entering the employment of Mr. Parks he had not mixed much with +outsiders. He had his Princeville friends and the Duske crowd constantly +in mind. But one hot evening he went forth for some ice cream for the +crowd. + +The distance to a town restaurant was not great. Andy hurried across the +freight tracks. Just as he passed a switchman's shanty, he fancied he +heard some one utter a slight cry of surprise. Two persons dodged back +out of the light of a switch lantern. Andy, however, paid little +attention to the episode. He reached the restaurant, got the ice cream +in a pasteboard box, and started back for the camp without any mishap or +adventure. + +Just as Andy crossed a patch of ground covered with high rank weeds, he +became aware that somebody was following him. A swift backward glance +revealed two slouching figures. They pressed forward as Andy momentarily +halted. + +"Now then!" spoke one of them suddenly. + +Andy dodged as something was thrown towards him, but not in time to +avoid a looped rope. It was handled deftly, for before he knew it his +hands were bound tightly to his side. + +One of the twain ran at him and tripped him up. The other twined the +loose line about Andy's ankles. + +"Got him!" sounded a triumphant voice. + +"Good business," chirped his companion, and then Andy thrilled in some +dismay, as he recognized his captors as Gus Talbot and Dale Billings. + +"Hello, Andy Nelson," said Gus Talbot. + +Gus's voice was sneering and offensive as he hailed the captive. His +companion looked satisfied and triumphant as he stood over Andy, as if +he expected their victim to applaud him for doing something particularly +smart. + +"See here, Gus," observed Dale, "I'd better get, hey?" + +"Right off, too," responded Gus. "If there's the ready cash in it, all +right. If there isn't we'll get him on the way to Princeville ourselves +some way." + +"Can you manage him alone?" + +"I'll try to," observed Gus vauntingly, "I'll just have a pleasant +little chat with him for the sake of old times, while I sample this ice +cream of his--um-um--it ought to be prime." + +Dale sped away on some mysterious errand. Gus picked up the box of ice +cream that Andy had dropped and opened it. He tore off one of its +pasteboard flaps, fashioned it into an impromptu spoon, and proceeded to +fill his mouth with the cream. + +"Don't you get up," he warned Andy. "If you do, I'll knock you down +again." + +"Big Injun, aren't you!" flared out Andy, provoked and +indignant--"especially where you've got a fellow whipsawed?" + +"Betcher life," sneered Gus maliciously. "Things worked to a charm. Got +a hint from some airship fellows that you was somewhere around these +diggings. Watched out for you and caught you just right, hey?" + +The speaker sat down among the weeds in front of Andy. The latter +noticed that his face was grimed and his hands stained with dirt. His +clothes were wrinkled and disordered as if he had been sleeping in them. +From what he observed, Andy decided that the son of the Princeville +garage owner and his companion were on a tramp. They looked like +runaways, and did not appear to be at all prosperous. + +"Say," blurted out Gus, digging down into the ice cream, as if he was +hungry, "you might better have turned up that two hundred dollars for +dad." + +"Why had I?" demanded Andy. + +"It would have saved you a good deal of trouble. It's a stroke of luck, +running across you just as we'd spent our last dime. How will you like +to go back to Princeville and face the music?" + +"What music?" + +"Oh, yes, you don't know! Haven't read the papers, I suppose? Didn't +know you was wanted?" + +"Who wants me?" + +"Nor that a reward was out for you?" + +"Why?" + +"Say, are you so innocent as all that, or just plain slick?" drawled +Gus, with a crafty grin. + +"I don't know what you are talking about." + +"Farmer Jones' barn." + +"Oh----" Andy gave a start. He began to understand now. "What about Farmer +Jones' barn?" + +"You know, I guess. It was set on fire and burned down. They have been +looking everywhere for the firebug, and offer a fifty-dollar reward." + +"Is that the reason why you and Dale have left Princeville?" demanded +Andy coolly. + +"Eh, well, I guess not," cried Gus. "Huh! Everybody knows how you did it +out of spite against Jones because he hindered you running away from +dad. Why, they found your cap right near the barn ruins." + +"Is that so?" said Andy quietly. "How did it get there?" + +"How did it get there? You dropped it there, of course." + +"Purposely to get blamed for it, I suppose?" commented Andy. "That's +pretty thin, Gus Talbot, seeing that you know and your father knows that +my cap was taken away from me when he locked me up at the garage, and I +had no chance to get it later. You left the cap near the burned barn, +Gus Talbot, and you know it." + +"Me? Rot!" ejaculated Gus, but he stopped eating the ice cream and acted +restless. + +"In fact," continued Andy definitely, "I can prove that both you and +Dale were sneaking about the Jones' place a short time before the fire +broke out." + +"Bosh!" mumbled Gus. + +"Further than that, I can tell you word for word what passed between you +two. Listen." + +Andy remembered clearly every incident of his flight from the haystack +in Farmer Jones' field. He recited graphically the appearance of Gus and +Dale, and the remark he had overheard. Gus sat staring at him in an +uneasy way. He acted bored, and seemed at a loss to answer. + +It was more than half an hour before Dale returned. He acted glum and +mad. + +"Is it all right?" inquired Gus eagerly. + +"Right nothing!" + +"Get the money?" + +"No." + +"What's the trouble?" + +"I saw a constable and told him I could give him a chance to make a +fifty-dollar reward, us to get ten. He heard me through and said it +wouldn't do." + +"Why wouldn't it?" demanded Gus. + +"Because this is in another county, and he'd have to get the warrant. +Said it was too much trouble to bother with it." + +"Humph! what will we do now?" muttered Gus in a disgusted way. + +"That's easy. Get Andy over the county line, and find someone else to +take the job off our hands," replied Dale Billings. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII--JIU-JITSU + + +"Come on," ordered Gus to Andy, unfastening the end of the rope and +giving it a jerk. + +"Hey, not that way," dissented Dale. + +"Why not?" + +"Think you can parade him through the town without attracting attention? +We've got to be careful to cut out from here without a soul seeing us +till we strike a country road. You march," commanded Gus anew to his +captive, heading in another direction. "And you just so much as peep if +we meet anybody, and you get a whack of this big stick." + +Andy submitted to circumstances. He figured out that it would be some +time before his captors could perfect their arrangements for interesting +some officer of the law in their scheme. He readily guessed that for +some reason or other they did not wish or dare to return personally to +Princeville. Andy calculated that it was nearly ten miles to the county +line. He believed he would have half a dozen chances to break away from +his captors before they reached it. + +"Huh, what you going to do now?" inquired Gus in a grumbling tone, as +they came directly up against a high board fence. + +"You wait here a minute," directed Dale. + +The speaker ran down the fence in one direction to face at its end a +busy field occupied by aviation tents. He tried the opposite direction +to find matters still worse, for there the fence ended against a lighted +street of the town. + +"What's beyond the fence?" inquired Gus. + +"Not much of anything--a sort of a prairie," reported Dale, peering +through a crack in the fence. + +"We can't scale it." + +"Not with Andy in tow. Here we are, though." + +Dale had discovered a loose board. He began tugging at its lower end, +and succeeded in pulling it far enough out to admit of their crowding +through the opening. He went first, grabbing and holding Andy till Gus +made the passage. + +"Keep away from those lights over yonder," ordered Dale, indicating a +point on the broad expanse where some aeroplane tents showed. "This way, +I tell you," he added in a hoarse, hurried whisper. "There's a man." + +Andy pushed forward, came to a dead halt, bracing himself as his captors +tried to pull him out of range of a man seated on a hummock, apparently +watching some night manoeuvres of airships over where the lights showed. + +"Mister, oh, mister!" shouted Andy. + +He received a blow on the mouth from the fist of Gus, but that did not +prevent him from renewing the outcry. The man sprang quickly to his feet +and came towards them. + +He was small, thin, dark-faced, and so undersized and effeminate-looking +that Andy at once decided that he would not count for much in a tussle +with two stout, active boys. Dale thought so, too, evidently, for he +squared up in front of Andy, trying to hide him from the view of the +stranger, while Gus attempted to pull his captive back towards the +fence. Andy, however, gave a jerk that drew Gus almost off his feet, and +a bunt to Dale that sent him forcibly to one side. + +"What is this?" spoke the stranger in a soft, mellow, almost womanly +tone of voice. "Did some one then call?" + +"It was I," proclaimed Andy. "These fellows have tied me up and are +trying to kidnap me." + +"It is wrong, I will so investigate," said the little man, coming +straight up to the group and scanning each keenly in turn. + +"See here," spoke Dale, springing in front of the man, "this is none of +your business." + +"Oh, yes, it is," returned the stranger in the same gentle, purring way. +"I am interested. Speak on, young man." + +"Get him away!" directed Dale in a sharp whisper to Gus. + +Then, quick as lightning, he made a pass at the stranger. He was double +the weight of the latter and half a head taller. Andy expected to see +his champion flatten out like the weakling he looked. + +"Ah," said the latter, "it is so you answer questions. My way, then." + +What he did he did so quickly that Andy could not follow all of his +movements. The hands of the little man moved about like those of an +expert weaver at the loom. The result was a marvel. In some way he +caught Dale around the neck. The next moment he swung him from the +ground past his shoulder and his adversary landed with a thump. + +Gus dropped the rope and ran at the stranger, club uplifted. Again the +wiry strength of the little man was exerted. He seemed to stoop, and his +arms enclosed Gus about the hips. There was a tug and tussle. Gus was +wrenched from his footing, and went skidding to the ground, face down, +for nearly two yards. + +"Thunder!" he shouted, wiping the sand from his mouth. + +[Illustration: THE WIRY STRENGTH OF THE LITTLE MAN WAS EXERTED] + +"Go," said the stranger, advancing upon the prostrate twain, who +scrambled promptly to their feet. + +Both dove for the loose plank in the fence and disappeared through it. +The stranger drew out a pocket-knife and relieved Andy of his bonds. + +"I look at you and then at those two," he said simply, "and your face +tells me the true story. Where would you go?" + +Andy pointed in the direction of the Parks' Aerodome, and the man walked +by his side in its direction. + +"I don't care to have those fellows find out where I am working," +explained Andy. "Mister," he added admiringly, "how did you do it?" + +"It was simple jiu-jitsu." + +"Eh? Oh, yes, I've heard of that," said Andy, but vaguely. "It's a new +Japanese wrestling trick, isn't it?" + +"I am from Japan," observed his companion with a courteous dignity of +manner that impressed Andy. + +"I see," nodded Andy, "and you come from a wonderful people." + +"We strive to learn," replied his companion. "That is why I am here. I +was sent to this country to study aeronautics. Besides that, the science +has a peculiar attraction for me. My father was chief kite maker to the +family of the Mikado." + +"Is it possible?" said Andy. + +"I therefore have an absorbing interest in your airmen and their daring +work. You must know that we make wonderful kites in my home country." + +"I have heard something of it," said Andy. + +"Two hundred years ago many of the principles now used in your airships +were used in our kite flying, only we never tried to fly ourselves." + +"We have a gentleman up at our camp who would be just delighted to talk +with you," declared Andy enthusiastically. "He is an inventor, a Mr. +Morse." + +"I should like to meet him," said the Japanese. + +"Then come right along with me," invited Andy cordially; "only, say, +please, don't mention the fix you found me in." + +"It shall be so," declared his companion. + +Andy made sure that his recent captors were not following them as they +made a cut across a field and reached the Parks' camp. He led his guest +into the sitting room of the living building, to find his employer and +Mr. Morse there. Andy introduced his companion. It did not take long for +the inventor to discover a kindred spirit in the Japanese, who gave his +name as Tsilsuma. + +That night after he had got into bed Andy wondered if he had not better +tell Mr. Morse or his employer his entire story, and the former about +the near proximity of his old-time enemy, Duske. Then, too, he worried +some over the appearance of Gus and Dale and his daily risk of being +arrested. With daylight, however, Andy forgot all these minor troubles. + +There was to be a race for a small prize that afternoon on the aviation +field, and Parks had arranged for the _Racing Star_ to participate. The +aeronaut was busy half the morning seeing to the machine, while Mr. +Morse flitted about adjusting a device suggested by the intelligent +Tsilsuma for folding the floats under the aeroplane. The Japanese, too, +had suggested sled runners in front and wheels at the rear for starting +gear. + +The _Racing Star_ had not appeared in the general field before, and this +was a kind of qualification flight. Just after two o'clock Parks made +his final inspection of the bearings of the motors and the word to go +was given. Andy sailed over the railroad tracks and landed in the field +half a mile distant, with a dexterity that made his rivals there take a +good deal of notice of him and the _Racing Star_. + +When the word came Andy started the motor, and a friend of the aeronaut +tugged at the propellers. With a blast that resembled a cyclone the +airship started. + +The helpers worked at the rudders, and after a run of only seventy-five +feet the _Racing Star_ shot up into the air. + +Andy tried a preliminary stunt that he had practiced for two days past. +It was to fly around the field in a figure eight at a height of +ninety-five feet. Then, just to test the excellency of the machine, he +plunged for the ground. + +"The boy will kill himself!" shouted the man in charge of the race, but +just at the critical moment Andy shifted his steering planes and flew +across the ground, barely skimming the grass. + +Once in this fashion he went around the course, then another upward +lunge and he circled back to the starting point and came gently to +earth. The crowds sent up an enthusiastic roar. + +Four other machines made their exhibition in turn. Two went through a +clumsy process, one became disabled, and the other retired with the +derisive criticism of "Grasshopper!" as its pilot failed to lift it more +than ten feet from the ground at any time. + +"Mind the wind checks, Andy, lad," warned John Parks anxiously, as the +three aeroplanes were ranged for the prize test of a mile run around the +course. + +"I'll be the pathfinder or nothing!" declared Andy, his eyes bright and +observant, his nerves tingling with the excitement of the moment. + +"Go!" + +The three powerful mechanical birds arose in the air, dainty creations +of grace and beauty, Andy in the lead. Then his nearest competitor +passed him. Then No. 3 shot ahead of the other two, and then the turn. + +"Huzza!" breathed Parks. + +At his side, safe from recognition in his great disfiguring goggles, Mr. +Morse moved restlessly from foot to foot. The _Racing Star_ had +accomplished what he had worked so hard to bring about--a true circle in +a rapid turn. + +The two other machines bungled. One nearly upset. Down the course came +Andy, headed like an arrow for the starting point. A slanting dive, and +the _Racing Star_ skimmed the ground fully five hundred feet in advance +of the nearest opponent. + +Watch in hand, John Parks ran up to Andy, his face aglow with +professional pride and delight. + +"Won the race--but better than that you have beat the home record by +eight seconds!" + +"Winner, the _Racing Star_," sang out the starter. + +And then he added: + +"Time: forty-eight seconds and seven-eighths." + +"Hurrah!" shouted John Parks, throwing his hat in the air. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV--THE OLD LEATHER POCKETBOOK + + +"No sky-sailing to-day, Andy," said John Parks, the aeronaut. + +"I guess you are right," answered Andy. + +"A rest won't do you any harm. There are three days before the last +event, and plenty of time to try Morse's new wrinkles." + +"I think I'll go and see what the latest one is," said Andy. + +It was a rainy day with a strong breeze, and waste of time, Andy well +knew, to attempt any flights under the conditions. He went to the +workshop to find Mr. Morse and the Japanese deep in discussion over some +angle of a new reversible plane, they called it. Tsilsuma had become +almost a fixture at the Parks' camp. He was unobtrusive generally, but +his instincts and mission to delve and absorb were accommodated and +encouraged by the inventor, and a strong friendship had sprung up +between the two. + +Andy wandered about promiscuously, time hanging heavily on his hands. +Finally he settled down in the comfortable sitting room looking over +some books on scientific subjects, and picking out here and there a +simple fact among a group of very abstruse ones. + +"If ever I get any money ahead," he observed, "I'll put some of it into +education, and I'll study up aeronautics first thing. It seems as if +it's natural for me to see right through a machine first time I see it, +but I don't understand the real principles, for all that. No, sir, it's +brains like Mr. Morse has got that counts. If sky-sailing is going to +last, and I follow it up, I'm going to dig deep right down into it, +college fashion, and really understand my business. Hello!" + +Andy had laid aside the scientific book and had taken up a newspaper. +Glancing over its columns, his eye became fixed upon an advertisement +occupying a prominent position just under some local reading matter. +This is what it read. + + Notice--Important! + +Lost--Somewhere on a train between Macon and Greenville, an old leather +pocketbook, marked Robert Webb, Springfield, and containing $200. The +finder may keep the money, and upon return of the pocketbook will be +handsomely rewarded. + + West, Thorburn & Castle, _Attorneys_, + Butler Block, Greenville. + +"Well," aspirated Andy energetically, "here's something new!" + +The incident stirred up his thought so much that he found himself +walking the floor restlessly. Andy had a vivid imagination, and he built +up all kinds of fancies about the singular advertisement. + +"Wonder what lies under all this?" ruminated Andy. "They don't want the +two hundred dollars, and they offer more money to get back that old +pocketbook! They will never get the whole of it, though, that's certain. +Gus Talbot tore off the flap of it. The rest of it--lying in my old +clothes in that shed on the Collins farm, where I helped drive those +geese. There was nothing left in the pocketbook, I am sure of that. What +can they want it for, then? Evidently Mr. Webb didn't get my postal +card." + +Andy could not figure this out. He found it impossible, however, to +dismiss the subject from his mind. + +"People don't go to all the bother that advertising shows," he reasoned, +"unless it's mighty important. Can I get the pocketbook, though, after +all. I threw it carelessly up on a sort of a shelf in that old shed, and +it may have been removed and destroyed with other rubbish. I've got the +day before me, with nothing to do. I wouldn't be at all sorry if the two +hundred dollars came my way in a fair, square manner. I'll run down to +Greenville. It won't take four hours, there and back. I'll see what +there is to this affair--yes, I'll do it." + +Andy sought out Mr. Parks and told him he was going to take a run down +to Greenville on business, and would be back by evening at the latest. +He caught a train about ten o'clock, and noon found him at the door of +the law offices of West, Thorburn & Castle, Butler Block. Our hero +entered one of three offices, where he saw a gentleman seated at a desk. + +"I would like to see some member of the firm," he said. + +"I am Mr. West," answered the lawyer. + +"It is about an advertisement you put in the paper about a lost +pocketbook," explained Andy. + +"Oh, indeed," said Mr. West, looking interested at once, and arising and +closing the door. "Do you know something about it?" + +"I know all about it," declared Andy. "In fact, I found it only a few +minutes after it was lost." + +"On the train?" + +"No, sir. Mr. Webb did not lose it on the train." + +"He thinks he did." + +"He is mistaken," said Andy. "He lost it in an automobile that took him +on a rush run from Princeville across country to Macon. I was his +chauffeur, and found it." + +"Where is the pocketbook?" inquired the lawyer eagerly. "Have you +brought it with you?" + +"No, sir; but I think I can get it." + +"We will make it richly worth your while," said Mr. West. + +"There is something I had better explain about it," said Andy. + +"Spent the two hundred dollars?" insinuated the lawyer, with an +indulgent smile. + +"Oh, no--the two hundred dollars is waiting for Mr. Webb to claim it with +Mr. Dawson, the banker at Princeville. Let me tell you my story, Mr. +West, and then you will understand better." + +Andy told his story. He had a surprised, but intent listener. When he +had concluded, the lawyer shook his hand warmly. + +"Young man, you are a good, honest young fellow, and you will not regret +acting square in this affair. Mr. Webb did not get your postal card, +because he is no longer located at Springfield. How far from here is the +farm you spoke of where you left the pocketbook?" + +"About eighteen miles, I should think." + +"Can you get there by rail?" + +"Within two miles of it." + +"And soon?" + +"Why, yes, sir," replied Andy, glancing at his watch. "There is a train +west in a quarter of an hour." + +"At any expense," said Mr. West earnestly, "get there and return with +the pocketbook. As to your reward----" + +"Don't speak of it," said Andy. "Mr. Webb treated me handsomely when I +brought him over to Macon. I can't imagine, though, why he puts so much +store by the pocketbook." + +"If you find it, he will tell you why," responded Mr. West. "You will be +doing the best piece of work you ever did in finding that pocketbook. I +shall telegraph my client to come here at once. He will be here by four +o'clock." + +"And I will be here not more than an hour later," said Andy. + +He left the office on a brisk walk, planning his proposed route to the +old farm. As he reached the street, he again glanced at his watch and +found he had just ten minutes to reach the depot. Andy made a running +spurt down the pavement. + +He dodged an automobile speeding around a corner, heard its driver shout +something he did not catch. Then he heard the machine turn and start +furiously down the street in the direction he was going. + +Andy saw some people stare at him, halt, and then look towards the +speeding machine. Wondering what was up, he glanced back to notice the +driver of the machine waving one hand frantically towards him as if bent +on overtaking him. + +At the same moment the man in the machine bawled out: + +"Hey, stop that boy!" + + + + +CHAPTER XV--BEHIND THE BARS + + +Andy stopped running at the loud alarm from the automobile. Several +persons started to block his course and one man caught him by the coat +sleeve. Andy recognized his pursuer at once. It was Seth Talbot. + +The Princeville garage owner ran his car up to the curb and jumped out. +His face was red with exertion and excitement, and he grasped Andy +roughly by the arm. + +"What's the trouble?" queried the man who had detained Andy. + +"Escaped criminal--firebug," mumbled Talbot. "In with you," and he forced +Andy into the machine. "Hey, officer, take charge of this prisoner." + +Talbot hailed a man in uniform pressing his way through the gathering +crowd. + +"What is he charged with?" inquired the officer. + +"Burning a barn at Princeville. Get him to the station and I'll explain +to your chief." + +There was no chance for Andy to expostulate or struggle. The officer +held him tightly by one wrist, while Talbot whisked them away till they +reached a police station. + +Here the garage owner drew the officer in charge to one side. They held +a brief consultation. Andy caught a word here and there. It was +sufficient to apprise him of the fact that there was a reward offered +for his arrest, and Talbot was agreeing to divide it with the officer if +he would take charge of Andy till he was delivered over to the +authorities at Princeville. + +"You are in charge of the law now, young man," said the officer, leading +Andy back to the automobile. "I won't shackle you, but don't try any +tricks." + +He and Andy occupied the rear seat in the automobile, while Talbot drove +the machine. + +"May I say something to you?" inquired Andy of the officer. + +"About what?" asked the officer. + +"My being arrested this way. I don't see what right Mr. Talbot has to +chase me and give orders about me like some condemned felon. I haven't +seen any warrant for my arrest." + +"You'll see it soon enough. Meanwhile don't say anything to incriminate +yourself," returned the officer, glibly using the pet phrase of his +calling. + +"I've done nothing to be incriminated," declared Andy indignantly. "What +I wanted to ask was the simple favor of getting word to some people here +in Greenville, who have sent me on an errand, and will be put out and +disappointed if I don't show up." + +"What people?" quizzed Talbot, overhearing Andy and half turning around +in his seat. + +"A firm of lawyers here----" began Andy. + +"Yah!" derided the garage owner. "Guessed it was something of that sort. +Want to tangle up this affair with some legal quibble! Officer, you just +hold on to him tight. He's a slippery fellow." + +Andy saw that it would be useless to appeal to either of his companions +in the automobile, and put in his time doing some pretty serious +thinking as the machine sped over the landscape. + +"This is a bad fix at a bad time," reflected Andy. "The lawyer will +expect me back as I promised, and think all kinds of things about me +because I don't come. And there's Mr. Parks. And the race. I mustn't +miss that! But then, I am arrested. They'll lock me up. Suppose they +really prove I fired that barn?" Andy's heart beat painfully with dread +and suspense. + +The town hall at Princeville was reached. Andy had been in the main +offices of the structure many times, but this was his first visit to the +lower floor of the building where the prisoners were kept. He only +casually knew the deputy sheriff in charge of the barred cage, and who +looked Andy over as he would any criminal brought to him to lock up. + +"This is Andy Nelson--Jones' barn--ran away--reward." Andy was somewhat +chilled as the deputy nodded and proceeded to enter his name in a big +book before him on the desk. + +"Search him," said the official to the turnkey. + +"Hello!" ejaculated Talbot, as Andy's watch was brought into view, and +"hello!" he repeated with eyes goggling still more, as Andy's pocketbook +came to light, and outside of some small bills and silver, a +neatly-folded bill was produced. + +The officer himself looked surprised at this. Andy, however, did not +tell them that this represented the prize he had won at the aviation +meet, treasured proudly in its entirety. + +"Wonder if that's some of the money I've found short in my business?" +insinuated Talbot. + +"If there is any shortage in your receipts," retorted Andy indignantly, +"you had better ask your son about it." + +The shot told. The garage owner flushed up. + +"What's that?" he covered his evident confusion by asking, as the +officer unfolded a slip of printed paper. + +It was the advertisement about the lost leather pocketbook, that Andy +had preserved. Glancing over the shoulder of the officer and taking in +its purport, Talbot gave a start. Then he eyed Andy in an eager, +speculative way, but was silent. + +"What are you going to do with me?" Andy asked of the officer. + +"Lock you up, of course." + +"Won't I be allowed to send word to my friends?" + +"Who are they?" demanded the officer. + +"I think Mr. Dawson, the banker, is one of them," replied Andy. + +"Mr. Dawson has been away from town for a week, and will not return for +two." + +Andy's face fell. The thought of the banker had come to him hopefully. + +"Can I telegraph, then?" he asked, "to friends out of town?" + +"Telegraph," sneered Talbot. "My great pumpkins, with your new suit of +clothes and watch and one hundred dollar bills and telegrams!" + +"I can grant you no favors before I have notified the prosecuting +attorney of your arrest," said the deputy. "Lock him up, turnkey." + +All this seemed very harsh and ominous to Andy, but he did not allow it +to depress him. He followed the turnkey without another word. The latter +unlocked a great barred door, and Andy felt a trifle chilled as it +reclosed on him and he was a prisoner. + +"How do you do, Mr. Chase?" he said, as he recognized the lockup-keeper, +an old grizzled man, who limped towards him. + +"Got you, did they?" spoke the man. "Sorry, Andy." + +"Yes, I am sorry, too, just at this time. Of course you know, I'm not +the kind of a fellow to burn down a man's barn." + +"Know it--guess I know. I can prove----" began Chase, so excitedly, that +Andy stared at him in some wonder. "See here," continued Chase, +controlling himself, "I've got something to say to you later on. Just +for the present, you count on me as your friend. I'll see you get the +best going in this dismal place." + +"Thank you, Mr. Chase," said Andy. + +"You needn't sleep in any cell. I'll let you have a cot in my room," +continued Chase with earnestness and emotion. "Andy----" and there the +speaker choked up, and he grasped Andy's hand, and turning away trembled +all over. "You're a blessed good boy, and you've got a true friend in +me, and remember what I tell you--they will never find you guilty of +burning down Jones' barn." + +Andy returned the pressure of the hand of the man whom he was meeting +under peculiar circumstances, feeling sure that his avowed friendship +was genuine. He had good reason to believe this. + +When Andy had come to Princeville, Chase was a worthless drunkard, who +worked rarely and who was in the lockup most of the time. One winter's +night, as Andy was returning from taking a customer to the lake, he +lined a swampy stretch and noticed a huddled-up figure lying at its +half-frozen edge. + +Andy got out of the automobile and discovered a man, his body and +clothes half frozen down into the reeds and grass. It was Chase, sodden +with drink and fast perishing. + +Andy managed to get the poor fellow in the tonneau and drove home. It +was late, and Talbot had left the garage for the night. Andy dragged his +helpless guest into his little den of a room and hurried for a doctor. +He was a favorite with the physician, for whom he had done many little +favors, and the latter worked over the half-frozen Chase for nearly two +hours. He refused to think of taking any pay, and at Andy's request +promised to say nothing about the incident. + +Andy kept his little oil stove going all night and plied the patient +with warm drinks. When morning came Chase was awake and sober, but he +was so weak and full of pain he could hardly move. + +All that day and into the next Andy managed to house and care for Chase +without detection. Talbot finally discovered the intruder, however. He +stormed fearfully. He was for at once sending for an officer and having +Chase sent to jail or the workhouse. + +Andy pleaded hard for the poor refugee. Talbot declared that his wet +garments had spoiled the automobile cushions. Andy got Chase to agree +that he would work this out when he got well, and Talbot was partly +mollified. + +When Chase got about he did some drudgery at Talbot's home. Then one day +he came to tell Andy that Talbot had got him a position. Chase was well +acquainted with prison ways. Talbot had quite some political influence, +and the forlorn old wreck was installed as lockup-keeper at the town +jail. + +Once a week regularly he came to visit Andy at the garage. It was +usually Saturday nights, after the others had gone home. Chase would +bring along some dainty for Andy to cook, and they would have quite a +congenial time. During all this time Chase never touched a drop of +liquor. He told Andy he had received the lesson of his life, leaving him +crippled in one limb, and that he would show Andy his gratitude for his +rescue by keeping the pledge. + +"Mr. Chase," now said Andy, "there is something you can do for me, if +you will." + +"Speak it out, Andy," responded the lockup keeper eagerly. + +"I want to send a telegram to a friend right away. They have taken all +my money from me, but the message can go collect." + +Chase hobbled down the corridor rapidly to return with paper and pencil. + +"Write out your message, Andy," he said. "I'll see that it goes without +delay." + +Andy wrote out a telegram to John Parks. It ran: + +"Under arrest on a false charge. I want to see you on important +business." + +Chase took the message, put on his hat, and going to the barred door +tapped on it. + +The turnkey appeared and unlocked the door. As Chase passed out, Andy +observed that someone passed into the cell room. It was Seth Talbot. + +"I want a little talk with you, Andy Nelson," spoke the garage owner, +"and it will pay you to listen to what I have to say." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI--BAIL WANTED + + +The garage owner moved a few feet away from the grated door of the cell +room and sat down on a bench. He beckoned to Andy. + +"No, I'll stand up," said our hero. + +"All right, I won't be long. Short and sweet is my motto. To begin with, +Andy Nelson, I've been a second father to you." + +"I never knew it," observed the boy. + +"Don't get saucy," replied Talbot. "It don't show the right spirit. I +gave you a job when you didn't have any, and took on myself a big +responsibility--agreeing to look after you like a regular apprentice. +What is the result? Ingratitude." + +Andy was silent, but he looked at Talbot, marveling that the man, mean +as he was, could imagine that he meant what he said. + +"You've brought me lots of trouble," pursued Talbot in an aggrieved +tone. "The worst of all is that it's led to my son running away from +home." + +The speaker evidently thought that Andy knew all about this, while in +reality Andy only guessed it. + +"Oh, I'm responsible for that, too, am I?" observed Andy. + +"Yes, you are. You left me in the lurch, and while Gus was off with a +customer some one robbed the money drawer. I was mad and accused Gus of +taking it. Gus got mad and left home." + +"What did I have to do with that?" + +"Why, if you'd stayed where you belonged it wouldn't have happened, +would it?" + +Andy actually laughed outright at this strange reasoning. + +"What!" he cried. "Me, the firebug, me, the thief you accuse me of +being!" + +"Well, anyhow, you've been a lot of expense and trouble to me. Now +you're in a hard fix. You are dead sure to go to the reformatory until +you are twenty-one years of age, unless some one steps in and saves +you." + +"You think so, do you, Mr. Talbot?" + +"I am certain of it." + +"Who's going to step in and save me?" inquired Andy innocently. + +"I'm the only man who can." + +"Oh!" + +"And I will, if you're willing to do your share." + +"What is my share?" demanded Andy. + +"Doing what I advise you. I'm a man of influence and power in this +community," boasted the garage owner. "I can fix up this business all +right with Jones. You've got to help, though." + +"All right, name your terms," said Andy. + +"I wouldn't put it 'terms,' Andy," replied Talbot, looking eager and +insinuating, "call it rights. There's that two hundred dollars at the +bank. It was found on my property by one of my hired employees. Good, +that gives me legal possession according to law." + +"Does it?" nodded Andy. "I didn't know that before." + +"You can get that money by going after it," continued Talbot. + +"How can I?" + +"Why, that advertisement they found in your pocket says so, don't it? +See here, Andy," and Talbot looked so mean and greedy that our hero +could hardly keep from shuddering with disgust, "tell me about that +advertisement--all about it, I want to be a good friend to you. I am a +shrewd business man, and you're only a boy. They'll chisel you out of +it, if you don't have some older person to stand by you. I'll stand by +you, Andy." + +"Chisel me out of what?" inquired Andy, intent on drawing out his +specious counsellor to the limit. + +"What's your due. They're after the pocketbook that held the two hundred +dollars. Don't you see they're breaking their necks to get it back? Why? +aha!" + +"That's so," murmured Andy, as if it were all news to him. + +"So, if you know what became of that pocketbook----" + +"Yes," nodded Andy. + +"And where it is----" + +"I do," declared Andy. + +"Capital!" cried Talbot, getting excited. "Then we've got them. Ha! Ha! +They can't squirm away from us. Where's the pocketbook, Andy? You just +hand this business right over to me. I'll do the negotiating." + +"And if I do?" insinuated Andy. + +"You won't be prosecuted on this firebug charge. I'll take you back at +the garage and raise your salary." + +"How much?" inquired Andy. + +"Well--I'll be liberal. I'll raise your wages twenty-five cents a week." + +"Mr. Talbot, if you made it twenty-five dollars I wouldn't touch it, no, +nor twenty-five hundred dollars. You talk about your goodness to me. +Why, you treated me like a slave. As to the two hundred dollars, it +stays right where it is until its rightful owner claims it. If he then +wants to give it to me as a reward, you can make up your mind you won't +get a cent of it." + +"You young reprobate!" shouted Talbot, jumping to his feet, aflame with +rage. "I'll make you sing another tune soon. It rests with me as to your +staying in jail. I'll just go and see those lawyers myself." + +"You will waste your time," declared Andy. "I have told them all about +you from beginning to end, and they're too smart to play into any of +your dodges." + +"We'll see! We'll see!" fumed the garage owner, as he went to the +cell-room door and shook it to attract the attention of the turnkey. +"I'll see you once more--just once more, mind you, and that's to-morrow +morning. You'll decide then, or you'll have a hard run of it." + +Andy was left to himself. He walked around the stout cell room with some +curiosity. There were two other prisoners in jail. Both were locked up +in cells. One of them asked Andy for a drink of water. The other was +asleep on his cot. + +A clang at the barred door attracted Andy's attention again, and he +reached it as the turnkey shouted out in a tone that sounded very +official: + +"Andrew Nelson!" + +He stood aside for Andy to step out. An officer Andy had not seen before +took him by the arm and led him up two flights of stairs to a large +courtroom. + +It had no visitors, but the judge sat on the bench. Near him was the +prosecuting attorney and the court clerk. Talbot occupied a chair, and +conversing with him was Farmer Jones. + +"We enter the appearance of the prisoner in this case, your honor," +immediately spoke the attorney, as if in a hurry to get through with the +formalities. + +"Let the clerk enter the same," ordered the judge in an indifferent +tone. "Take the prisoner before the grand jury when it convenes." + +"In the matter of bail----" again spoke the attorney. + +"Arson. A pretty serious offense," said the judge. "The prisoner is held +over in bonds of two thousand dollars." + +Andy's heart sank. He had heard and read of cases where generally a few +hundred dollars bail was asked. He had even calculated in his mind how +he could call friends to his assistance who would go his surety for a +small amount, but two thousand dollars. + +"How are you, Andy?" said Jones, advancing and looking him over +critically. Andy was a trifle pale, but his bearing was manly, his +countenance open and honest. He was neatly dressed, and looked the +energetic business boy all over, and evidently impressed the farmer that +way. + +"I'm glad to see you, Mr. Jones," he said respectfully. + +"I suppose you feel a little hard agin' me, Andy, but I couldn't help +it. That barn cost me eight hundred dollars." + +"It was a serious loss, yes, sir," said Andy, "and I am sorry for you." + +Jones fidgeted. Talbot was talking to the attorney, and the farmer +seemed glad to get away from his company. + +"See here, Andy," he said, edging a little nearer, "I've got boys of my +own, and it makes me feel badly to see you in this fix." + +"What did you place me here for, then?" demanded Andy. + +"I--I thought--you see, Talbot had the evidence. He egged me on, so to +speak. Honest and true, Andy, did you set fire to my barn?" + +"Honest and true, Mr. Jones, I had no hand in it. Why should I? You have +always been pleasant and good to me." + +"Why, you see, I stopped you running away from Talbot that day." + +"And you think I turned firebug out of spite? Oh, Mr. Jones!" + +"H'm--see here, judge," and Jones moved up to the desk. "I don't know +that I care to prosecute this case." + +"Out of your hands, Mr. Jones," snapped the prosecuting attorney +sharply. "The case must go to the grand jury." + +"Andy--I--I'll come and see you," said Jones, as the officer marched Andy +back to the jail room. + +"Two thousand dollars bail," ruminated Andy, once again under lock and +key. "I can never hope to find anybody to get me out. Too bad--I'm out of +the airship race for good." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII--A TRUE FRIEND + + +"All right, Andy." + +"Did you send the telegram?" + +"Yes, and paid for it, so there would be no delay." + +"You needn't have done that." + +"I wanted to be sure that it went double rush." + +"All right, I will settle with you when they give me back my money." + +Chase, the lockup-keeper, had promptly and willingly attended to the +errand upon which Andy had sent him. + +"See here, Andy," said Chase, "I understand they had you up in court." + +"Yes," answered Andy, "they took me up to fix the bail." + +"How much?" + +"Two thousand dollars." + +"Why!" exclaimed Chase, his face darkening, "that's an outrage." + +"I think so, too." + +"There's something behind it," muttered the lockup-keeper. + +"Yes," returned Andy. "Mr. Talbot is behind it. He seems to stand in +with the prosecuting attorney. Mr. Jones was quite willing to drop the +case, and said that Mr. Talbot had egged him on." + +Chase did not say any more just then, but as he strolled away, he +muttered to himself in an excited manner. He busied himself about the +place for the next hour. Then he showed Andy his own sleeping quarters, +a quite comfortable, well-ventilated room, and set up an extra cot in +it. + +"You and I will have our meal in my room after I feed the other +prisoners," he said. "I'll make it as easy for you as I can, Andy." + +"I know you will, Mr. Chase," responded Andy heartily. + +"I'll do a good deal for you," declared the faithful old fellow. "What +do I care for this mean old job, anyway? Say," and he dropped his voice +to a cautious whisper, "suppose there was a way for both of us to get +out of here?" + +"What do you mean?" queried Andy quickly. + +"Just what I say. Suppose you and I could get to some place a long way +off, where they couldn't trace us, could you get me another job, do you +think?" + +"Don't you like this one?" + +"No, I don't. I despise it. I have to give Talbot half of my salary for +getting it for me, and I'm tired of the jail." + +"Do you mean to tell me that Talbot takes one half of your salary?" +questioned Andy indignantly. + +"I do." + +"Then he's a meaner man than I thought he was. I can get you a much +better job when I get free," said Andy, "and I'll do it, but you mustn't +think of such nonsense as my escaping." + +"Why not?" + +"Because I'm a sticker, and never ran away like a sneak in my life," +declared Andy strenuously. "No, I'm going to face the music like a man." + +Chase was silent for a while. Finally, evidently struggling with some +new disturbing thought, he said: + +"Sure you can get me a job, Andy?" + +"I am." + +"If I cut loose from here and make Talbot an enemy for life, you'll see +to it that I get work?" + +"As long as you keep sober, Mr. Chase, you can always get a position. +You have made a brave start. Now brace up, think something of yourself, +and earn a comfortable living." + +"I'll do it!" cried Chase. "I'll risk everything. Andy, you didn't +fire that barn. Do you know who did?" + +"I have a suspicion," replied Andy. + +"If I guess right who you suspect, will you nod your head?" + +"Yes." + +"It was Gus Talbot and Dale Billings." + +Andy nodded his head. He started slightly as he did so, wondering at the +sturdy declaration of Chase. Then he asked: + +"Why do you think so, Mr. Chase?" + +"I don't think, I know," declared the lockup-keeper. + +"Did you see them do it?" + +"No, I didn't, but--see here, Andy, I've nothing more to say." + +"Why not?" + +"I want to find an old tramp named Wandering Dick, before I go any +farther." + +"Does he know?" + +"I'll not say another word except this: they'll never prove you a +firebug, and old Talbot will be sorry for the day he stirred things up +and started out to persecute an honest boy. Drat the varmint! I'll be +afraid of him no longer, Andy, you are a good friend." + +"I try to be, Mr. Chase." + +"I'll prove that I am to you." + +Chase refused to say another word. Andy curiously watched him stump +around attending to his duties. The old fellow would scowl and mutter, +and Andy believed he was mentally discussing Talbot. Then he would +chuckle, and Andy decided he was thinking something pleasant about +himself. + +Chase appeared to have entire charge of the cell room. At five o'clock +in the afternoon he let the other prisoners out in the corridor for +exercise, and at six o'clock he gave them their supper in their cells. +Then he and Andy adjourned to the little room beyond the cells and had a +hearty, appetizing meal. + +Chase supplied Andy with some newspapers, and later they played a game +of checkers. About nine o'clock a prisoner was brought in and locked up. + +At ten o'clock, just as Andy was going to bed, the turnkey's ponderous +key rattled at the barred door, and again his voice rang out: + +"Andrew Nelson!" + +"Wonder who wants me now?" said Andy. + +"Somebody to see you in the sheriff's room," said the turnkey, "follow +me." + +Andy did so. As they entered the apartment indicated, a man with one arm +in a sling advanced and grasped Andy's hand warmly. + +"This is a blazing shame!" he burst out, "but I'll have you out of here +if it takes all I've got and can beg or borrow." + +It was Andy's employer, John Parks, the Airship King. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII--OUT ON BAIL + + +Andy's heart warmed up and he felt that the tide was turning. Parks was +an energetic, impulsive man, and generally put through what he started +at. His hearty greeting showed what he thought of Andy and the charge +against him. + +"Is that the sheriff coming?" he demanded impatiently of the officer or +guard at the door of the room. + +"He'll be here soon," was the reply, "we have sent for him." + +"Come over here, Andy," directed the aeronaut, leading the way to a +corner of the apartment so the others could not overhear their +conversation. "I want to talk with you. Now then," he continued, as they +were seated by themselves, "tell me the whole story." + +"I wish I had done it before," began Andy, and then he recited his +experience with Talbot and the details of the barn burning. + +"Guesswork and spitework, eh? The whole business," flared out Parks. +"They haven't a foot to stand on in court. I'll see that you have the +right kind of a lawyer when the case comes to trial. All I am anxious +about is to get you back to camp double quick. You know the race takes +place day after to-morrow." + +"Yes, I know it only too well," replied Andy; "I've worried enough about +it." + +"Here comes my man, I guess," interrupted Parks, as a portly +consequential-looking person entered the room. + +"I wanted to see you about this young man," explained Parks. "They've +shut him up here on a false charge, and I want to get him out. He's a +trusted employee of mine, and I need him badly in my business." + +"You want to give bail, do you?" inquired the sheriff. + +"Every dollar I've got, judge," responded the aeronaut with emphasis, +"so long as he gets free." + +"The bail is two thousand dollars, and I suppose you know the bondsman +must qualify as a real estate owner in the county." + +"I'm not that, judge," said Parks, "but I've got some money." He pulled +out a roll of bills. "I've got nigh onto one thousand dollars personal +property, and I'm going to earn the aviation prize down at Montrose day +after to-morrow." + +"Considerably up in the air, part of your schedule, eh?" remarked the +sheriff, smiling, "I'm afraid we can't accept you as a bondsman. +Residence here as a real estate owner is absolutely necessary." + +"Why, do you think I would leave you in the lurch or a boy like Andy +sneak away. No sir-ree! You can trust me, Mr. Sheriff." + +"I don't doubt that, but the law is very strict." + +Parks paced the floor excitedly. He looked disappointed and bothered. + +"I've got to do something--Andy has just got to be at the aviation meet +day after to-morrow. I've got it! Say, suppose I could line up two +thousand dollars through friends, in cash, mind you, couldn't I hire +some man in Princeville to go on the bond?" + +"It is very often done," acknowledged the sheriff. + +"Then I'll do it. Andy, I'll be back here to-morrow. Mr. Sheriff, you +can fix the papers for quick action. I'll raise that two thousand +dollars if I have to mortgage everything I've got. I've got some friends +and I own a farm out West." + +"Just a word, Mr. Parks," said Andy. + +"What is it, lad?" inquired the aeronaut. + +"I wish you would get word to a lawyer at Greenville, a Mr. West, about +something. He expected to see me yesterday, and I was arrested before I +could get to him." + +Andy explained about the advertisement and the lost pocketbook. Mr. +Parks was very much impressed and interested over his story. + +"Why, Andy," he commented vigorously. "There's something strange about +all this." + +"There is probably something very important for the man who lost the +pocketbook," said Andy. "I don't want the lawyer to think I fooled him." + +"Can you find the pocketbook, Andy?" + +"Unless it has been removed from the place where it was three weeks ago, +I am sure that I can." + +"H-m, this sets me thinking," observed Parks. "I'll see that the lawyer +gets the message, Andy. I'll be back here to-morrow." + +"Mr. Parks," said Andy seriously, "I don't think you had better try to +raise the money. It will be harder than you think, and all this will +take up your time and attention away from the airship race." + +"There won't be any airship race for me if you are out of it, will +there?" demanded Parks. + +"Why not? You can surely find someone to take my place. It's the _Racing +Star_ that is going to win the race, not the man at the lever. He's got +to keep his eyes open, but the machine is so far ahead of anything I've +seen, that a careful, active pilot can hardly fail to win." + +Parks looked dubious and unconvinced. + +"I'm going to get you out of here," he maintained stubbornly, and, +knowing the determined character of his employer, Andy went back to the +lockup believing that he would keep his word. + +"What's the news, Andy?" inquired Chase eagerly. + +"The best in the world, Mr. Chase," replied Andy brightly. + +"Are they going to let you out?" + +"I hope so, soon." + +Andy had told Chase something about his circumstances, and now told him +more, mentioning the airship race. + +"I say, you shouldn't miss that, should you, Andy?" excitedly proclaimed +Chase. "I wish I could help you. I can in time. I have a good mind----" + +Chase paused mysteriously, and began stumping about in his usual +abstracted, muttering way. + +Andy sat down on a bench as there was a movement at the cell-room door. + +"Here, give this man shelter for the night and something to eat," +ordered the turnkey. "Turn him out in the morning." + +"Hello!" spoke Chase, evidently recognizing a regular habitue of the +place, "it's you again, is it?" + +"On my rounds, as usual," grinned the newcomer, a harmless-looking, +trampish fellow. + +"Been in some other lockup, I suppose, since we saw you last?" +insinuated Chase. + +"No, Wandering Dick and I have been following a show. You see----" + +"Who? Say that again," interrupted Chase excitedly. + +"Wandering Dick." + +"Where is he now?" + +"Three days ago I left him about fifty miles south of here." + +"Is he there now?" + +"I think so. The show broke up and that threw me out, but Dick talked +about staying around Linterville till he could panhandle it south for +the winter." + +"See here," said Chase, drawing out his pocketbook. "There's a +ten-dollar bill," and he flipped over some bank notes. + +"I see there is," nodded the tramp wonderingly. + +"I'll start you out with a good breakfast and that money in the morning. +I want you to find Dick, bring him here, and I'll give you each as much +more money when you do." + +The tramp looked puzzled, then suspicious, and then alarmed. + +"See here," he said, "what are you going to work on us, same old +charge?" + +"Not at all. I want Dick to answer a half dozen questions, that's all, +and then you are both! free to go." + +"Say, let me start to-night!" said the tramp eagerly. + +"No, it's too late," replied Chase. "There's no train until morning." + +Andy had overheard all this conversation. Wandering Dick was the name he +had heard Chase speak once before, and he had coupled it with the +suggestion that in some way Wandering Dick was concerned in the incident +of Farmer Jones' burned-down barn. + +Andy slept in a good bed and got up early in the morning, believing that +the new day would bring some developments of importance in the +situation. + +The tramp was started off by Chase, breakfast was over, and Chase had +been let out by the turnkey into the main room. He came rushing back in +a few minutes carrying an armful of towels for jail use. + +"Andy," he chuckled, throwing his load recklessly on a bench and +slapping his young friend gleefully on the shoulder, "You're free!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIX--A DISAPPOINTMENT + + +Andy was led into the office of the jail and up to the desk of the +official who had registered his name the day before. This man opened a +drawer and pushed a package before Andy and a receipt. + +"See if your money is all right," he directed, "and sign that receipt." + +"Going to give them back to me, are you?" said Andy brightly, feeling +delighted at recovering his liberty. "They must have found out that I am +innocent." + +"H-m! that's to be determined later on." + +Andy looked questioningly about the room. Who had set him free? What did +it mean? Just then he caught the sound of voices in another room and the +officer pointed to it. + +"Your friend is in there," he said. "He's waiting for you." + +Andy felt as if he had wings on his feet. His heart was overflowing with +gladness. He crossed the threshold of the doorway the officer had +indicated, looked in, and then stood stock still, very much surprised. + +"Well, young man, we've reached you at last?" spoke a hearty voice. + +"Why, it's Mr. Webb!" exclaimed Andy. + +He had at once recognized the gentleman whom he had driven over in the +automobile from Princeville to Macon, the day when all his troubles in +life seemed to have begun. + +With Mr. Webb was a man who nodded pleasantly but curiously to Andy. +This was Joshua Bird. He was reported to be the richest man in +Princeville, and dealt principally in real estate and had the reputation +of being something of a miser. + +Mr. Webb, holding Andy's hand, turned to Mr. Bird. + +"Well, sir, everything is satisfactory?" he asked. + +"Entirely so," answered Bird. "You're putting a good deal of faith in a +lad you scarcely know, though." + +"I'll bank on my confidence," answered Mr. Webb. "Nelson, you remember +me, do you not?" + +"Perfectly, sir, but I don't understand." + +"My being here?" questioned Mr. Webb. "A purely selfish motive is at the +bottom of it, I am free to confess, although I am glad to be of service +to you on general principles. Are you ready to leave here at once?" + +"Where for, sir?" + +"An automobile dash across the country." + +"And then am I to return here?" + +"Not until your trial comes on. Let me explain, so you will understand +the situation. I have gone on your bail bond." + +"I don't know how to thank you," said Andy gratefully. + +"Your friend, Mr. Parks, found me late last night at Greenville, where +Mr. West and myself were anxiously awaiting you. He explained about your +arrest, and told us the whole story of your affairs. It seems that your +trouble began with the finding of my pocketbook. It was only right, +therefore, that I should stand by you--which I have done, and intend to +keep up, Andy, for you have proven yourself a good, honest boy." + +"Thank you, Mr. Webb," said our hero with considerable emotion. + +"Mr. West, my legal adviser, arranged with Mr. Bird, who has just left +us. The signing of your bail bond is the result. You are free to get to +those anxious friends of yours at the aviation meet, but first I want +you to take a little trip with me." + +"After that old leather pocketbook, I suppose." + +"You've guessed it right, Andy." + +"I would like to speak with a good friend of mine in the jail here for a +moment," said Andy, "and then I will be ready to go with you." + +"All right, Andy." + +Chase had already heard the good news and congratulated Andy, chuckling +and hobbling about at a great rate. + +"Remember you're to look out for a new job for me," he intimated. + +"I'll attend to that all right, Mr. Chase," promised Andy. "If things go +as I think they will, I have a friend as well as an employer who will +probably need a man such as you to potter about and look after things." + +"Andy, I'll potter for keeps if you get me that situation," declared the +old lockup-keeper earnestly. "You get it fixed for me, and when your +trial comes up, I'll show you how much I think of you." + +"Things are certainly coming out famously right," chirped Andy gaily, as +he left Chase. + +"Now then, Nelson, take a try at my new machine," said Mr. Webb, as he +led Andy to the street. + +Seth Talbot, one of his own machines waiting at the curb for a fare, was +strolling around inspecting the beautiful touring car which Mr. Webb had +indicated. + +"Eh, hey! what's this?" he blubbered out, as Andy walked smartly to the +machine and leaped into the driver's seat. + +An officer who was aware of the situation nudged Talbot and spoke a few +quick words to him in an undertone. The face of the garage owner turned +white with astonishment and malice. Mr. Webb had noticed him, and asked +Andy: + +"Who is that man?" + +"Mr. Talbot, my old employer," responded Andy. + +"I don't like his looks," spoke Mr. Webb simply. "Now then, Nelson, of +course you know where I want to go." + +"After the leather pocketbook--yes, sir." + +"I hope you can find it." + +"I feel sure we shall, sir. We will have to take some roundabout roads +to get to the farm I told Mr. West about." + +"This is a very important matter to me," explained Mr. Webb. "I may as +well tell you, Nelson, that the fortune and happiness of two orphan +children, distant relatives of mine, depend on the finding of that old +pocketbook." + +"I am very much interested, Mr. Webb," said Andy. + +"You did not notice perhaps, but glued down in the big part of that +pocketbook is a thin compartment. Secreted in that is an old time-worn +sheet of paper that I spent thousands of dollars and a year's time in +locating and getting into my possession. I was on my way to my lawyer +with it, and had placed two hundred dollars in the pocketbook for costs +in the law suit, when I lost the pocketbook, as you know." + +"I never dreamed there was any value in the old pocketbook," said Andy. +"I knew it was in my old clothes which I threw away at a farm near Wade, +I told you about. I remember perfectly well tossing them up on an old +shelf. Unless they have been disturbed, we will find the clothes and the +pocketbook. It was a regular old rubbish pile where I tossed them, and +out of anybody's way." + +"I shall feel immensely relieved and glad when I find that document," +declared Mr. Webb, with a sigh of anxiety. + +John Parks was responsible for bringing the word to Mr. West that had +sent Mr. Webb to Princeville. The aeronaut had told the lawyer +considerable about Andy and the approaching airship race, and as they +rolled along Mr. Webb showed a great deal of interest in Andy's aviation +ambitions and asked a great many questions. + +"I shall want to see you again as soon as I get that document in the +pocketbook to the lawyers," said the gentleman. "The airship race is +to-morrow?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"I will keep track of you through Mr. Parks, and probably meet you day +after to-morrow. I hope you win the race, Nelson, and get the prize. You +deserve it, my boy. If you fail, do not get discouraged. You have some +good friends, and I am one of them." + +"You have shown that," said Andy with feeling. "I wouldn't have missed +the race for a good deal." + +Andy entertained his companion considerably by a recital of his +adventures three weeks previously when he had helped the goose farmer +get his product to market. + +"Just yonder is where I met him first," explained Andy, as they passed +over a bridge crossing the river. "It's a straight road to the Collins +farm now, but not very even." + +"I hope we find things as you expect," said Mr. Webb. + +"I think we will," answered Andy cheerfully. + +It was about an hour later when they rounded a curve in a beautiful +country road. + +"Just beyond that grove of trees," said Andy, "and we come in full view +of the Collins farmhouse. Now we can see it--Why, +I--don't--understand--this." + +Andy slowed down in speech, with a series of wondering gasps, as he +likewise slowed down the machine. + +"Why, what's the matter, Nelson?" queried Mr. Webb. + +"Don't you see?" began Andy. "No, you don't see, and that's just it. +There's something wrong. The farmhouse did stand right over where that +gravelled road runs into the farm, and now----" + +"Nelson," interrupted Mr. Webb almost sharply, "there has been a fire +here." + +Andy stared dubiously, but in great concern. There could be no doubt of +it, this was the site of the Collins' farm. There were the white-washed +posts where the farm road began, the horse block where he bade the goose +farmer good-by, but the farmhouse itself had disappeared. + + + + +CHAPTER XX--A NEW CAPTIVITY + + +"Nelson, could you possibly be mistaken?" + +"No, sir, positively not." + +Andy had come to a dead stop with the automobile. He stared blankly at +the prospect before them. The site of the Collins farmhouse was a flat +stretch of waste and ruin. Grass, weeds, trees, fences showed the +ravages of a great fire. + +Mr. Webb looked dreadfully disappointed. His face had become almost +pale. Andy shared his disquietude, but he could simply say: + +"I am very sorry." + +"You did all you could, Nelson," responded his companion. "Here comes +some one. We will question him a little." + +A farm laborer with a hoe across his shoulder sauntered down the road. +Andy hailed him. As he came nearer to them Mr. Webb said: + +"My man, what has been happening around here?" + +"Don't you see?" queried the man, with a comprehensive wave of his hand +across the bleak ruins. "Fire." + +"This is the Collins farm, isn't it?" + +"It was," answered the man. "The fire took them in the night a week +ago." + +"And burned everything about the place?" + +"Down to the pig styes." + +"Where are the Collins people?" + +"Gone over into Bowen County until they can arrange to build again." + +"Start up, Nelson," ordered Mr. Webb. "It's a waste of time to loiter +around here." + +Mr. Webb felt cruelly disappointed. Andy saw this and was sorry for him. +He glanced at the spot where he remembered the old shed to have stood. +Even the tree that had sheltered it had burned to a crisp. + +"Where am I to go?" inquired Andy. + +"You had better strike for Rushville," replied Mr. Webb. "From what I +remember, you can get a train to Montrose earlier than on the Central." + +"I am to go on to John Parks?" + +"That's the programme," said Mr. Webb, trying to appear cheerful; "why +not?" + +Andy reflected seriously for a moment or two. Finally he spoke: + +"Mr. Webb," he said; "I hardly feel right to leave you on my bond for +that big amount. Something might happen so that I could not appear for +trial--trickery, or a dozen things." + +"And because you have not succeeded in recovering that pocketbook, you +suppose I'm going to desert you, Nelson?" inquired the gentleman. + +"You are not the man to do a single mean thing," replied Andy, "but, +with all your troubles, and me being a stranger----" + +"Drop it, Nelson. You have tried to be the best friend in the world to +me, and I'd go on your bond for double the amount I have. You are to go +straight on to Montrose, win that airship race, and when you have got +that off your mind we will have a talk together." + +"You are a good, kind man," said Andy, with fervor, "and I'd walk +barefooted on hot coals to get you back that pocketbook." + +When they reached Rushville, Mr. Webb took charge of the automobile. He +made many encouraging references to the coming airship race, and when he +left Andy at the railroad station shook his hand in a friendly way. + +Andy made a disappointing discovery as soon as he consulted the train +schedules. A change in the service of the road had been made only that +week, and there was no train south until seven o'clock. It was now +three, and he would have to wait four hours. + +"I won't be able to get home until after dark," reflected the lad. "I +hoped to have an hour or two of daylight for practice, but this knocks +my plans awry. Well, as it is, this is a good deal better than missing +the race altogether." + +It was quite dark when the train reached the limits of Montrose. It +stopped at a crossing, and Andy got off and made a short cut for the +Parks camp. + +His course led him past the large aviation field. Andy was anxious to +report to Mr. Parks as soon as possible, but unusual light and animation +about the big enclosure aroused his curiosity and interest, and he +passed the gate and strolled by the various aerodromes. + +Everything was "the race!" Groups were discussing it, contestants were +oiling up their machines and exploiting the merits of the others. An +hour passed by before Andy realized it. He came to halt in front of the +last tent in the row, turned to retrace his steps, and then suddenly +halted. + +"I'd like to know what the Duske crowd is about," he reflected, glancing +towards the isolated camp which he had surreptitiously visited only a +few nights previous. "Mr. Parks might be glad to know, too. I'll do a +little skirmishing and find out what I can." + +Andy crossed a dark space. Lights were moving about the Duske camp, and +these served as a guide. He neared the fence surrounding the camp, got +over it, and cautiously approached the large tent which held the airship +he had inspected on his first stealthy visit to the place. + +Suddenly Andy tripped and fell. His foot had caught in a wire stretched +taut under the grass. As he went headlong across the grass, a bell began +to jingle, and he realized that the wire was one of many probably set to +trap intruders. At all events, before he could get to his feet two men +ran out of the tent. + +One of these was Duske. The other was his companion of the evening when +Andy had previously visited the place. They pounced on him promptly. + +"Another spy," spoke Duske, dragging the captive toward the tent. + +"They're getting thick," observed his companion. "Those fellows at the +big camp are mighty curious to pry into the secrets of our craft here. +Hello! why, Duske, this is the same fellow we caught snooping around +here three nights since." + +"Eh? Oh, it's you again, is it?" + +They had come inside the tent. The light burning there revealed Andy +fully. Without letting go of him Duske scowlingly surveyed his captive. + +"Say, Duske," spoke the other man quickly, "it's Parks' boy, and he's +the one who won the pony prize." + +"Was that you?" demanded Duske; "are you Andy Nelson?" + +"Suppose so?" queried Andy. + +"Then you're the fellow who is going to take Parks' place in the race +to-morrow?" + +"I guess that is right," affirmed Andy. + +"No," cried Duske, showing his teeth, and looking fierce and malicious, +"it's wrong, dead wrong, as you're going to find out. Fetch me some +rope." + +"Hold on," objected Andy, "you aren't going to tie me up?" + +He put up a manful struggle and very nearly got away. The two powerful +men were more than his equal, however, and in a very few minutes Andy +found himself tied hand and foot. + +Duske and his companion carried him bodily along through the tent, past +the flying machine, and threw him onto a mattress lying on the ground in +a small compartment partitioned off with canvas. Duske tested the ropes +that bound Andy, gave them another twist, and went out into the main +tent. + +"This looks like luck," observed the companion of Duske. + +"Yes, if we've got the bearings right," replied the other, "Are you sure +he was scheduled to take Parks' place in the race?" + +"Of course I am. Hasn't Tyrrell told us already about his getting into +trouble somewhere, and couldn't be here to make the race? Hasn't Parks +hired Tyrrell in his place?" + +"Then how comes the boy to be here? I don't like the looks of things at +all." + +"Tyrrell will be here before long. He can post us if there is any break +in our arrangements." + +The two men passed out of hearing. Andy made one or two efforts to +loosen his bonds, found them unusually secure, and gave up the +experiment. What his captors had said startled and disturbed him +considerably. + +"Mr. Parks doesn't expect me to show up in time to make the race, and +this man they talked about, Tyrrell, is going to take my place," +reflected Andy. "He is a friend of the people here, and that certainly +means harm for Mr. Parks." + +Andy worried himself a good deal during the next hour, imagining all +kinds of plots on the part of Duske and his friends to prevent the +_Racing Star_ from winning the prize. + +Finally Andy heard voices in the large tent. His name was spoken, and he +listened intently to catch what was said. + +"If that's so, and it's really Andy Nelson," sounded a new voice, "it's +funny, for up to this morning he was in jail at Princeville." + +"Then he's escaped, or got free somehow," answered Duske. "He's that boy +of Parks' who was the winner in the dash for the pony prize." + +"If he is," came the reply, "you want to hold him a close prisoner till +the big race is over." + + + + +CHAPTER XXI--A FRIEND IN NEED + + +The voices that Andy heard died away in the distance. In about ten +minutes, however, they came back again within his range of hearing. The +man he believed to be Tyrrell, who in some way had induced Mr. Parks to +accept him as a substitute for himself in the aviation race, was +speaking to his companion, who was Duske. + +"That's the programme, is it?" he was asking. + +"To a T." + +"You will look out for the Nelson boy." + +"Don't fret on that score. We'll cage him safe and sound until the race +is over." + +"You think I had better use the bottle?" + +"Yes, here it is. Stow it anywhere in your clothes." + +"Isn't there some easier way? What's the use of fire? It may strike +investigators as suspicious." + +"Not at all. They tanked you too full, a spark did the mischief, see? +You know enough to descend in among some trees?" + +"Of course." + +"Let the flame singe your clothing, tell some sensational story of a +hairbreadth escape, and you'll be quite a hero." + +"You think with the _Racing Star_ out of the way that your machine is +bound to win, do you?" + +"I know it," affirmed Duske confidently. "Those other aeroplanes are +mere botches. They will do as playthings, but as to distance, they're +not in it with the _Moon Bird_." + +"All right, I'll follow instructions. Keep that boy safe. I'd better go. +It would be all up with our scheme if Parks should suspect I was your +friend." + +Andy fairly writhed where he lay. The plot of the villains was now +perfectly clear to him. The man Tyrrell had wormed himself into the +confidence of Mr. Parks, who little suspected that he was a confederate +of Duske. Tyrrell was to make the start with the _Racing Star_, pretend +that an accident had happened, and burn up the airship. + +"What shall I do--what can I do?" breathed Andy. "They don't intend to +let me go until after the race is over to-morrow." + +In about an hour Duske and an old man who seemed to be the cook of the +camp came to where Andy lay. Duske released one hand of the captive. The +anxious prisoner did not feel much like eating, but he realized that he +must keep up his strength. He ate some bread and meat which the cook +brought, and drank some water. + +Duske tied him up again, tighter than ever. Then he spoke to the cook: + +"You get your armchair right outside the canvas flap here, Dobbins." + +"All right, Mr. Duske," replied the man. + +"Every fifteen minutes, right through till morning, you are to look in +on that boy. See that he is comfortable, but particularly that he is +safe." + +"I'll attend to it." + +"If you let him get away, you're out of a job, remember." + +The cook followed out the programme directed by Duske to the minutest +detail. Andy had no opportunity to free himself--he was watched so +closely. He decided that the effort would be futile. Until midnight he +lay wide awake, nervous and worried. Then he made up his mind that it +did no good to fret, and got some sleep. + +He was given his breakfast about six o'clock in the morning. Then he was +tied up again and left to himself. He lay on the mattress so that when +the wind blew the canvas lifted and he could look out. He was faced away +from the direction of the aviation field, however, and twenty feet away +the fence stared him blankly in the face. + +From sounds near by and in the distance during the next two hours, Andy +could figure out just what was going on about him. The _Moon Bird_ was +carried from its aerodrome and taken to the aviation field. The old cook +seemed to be left in possession of the camp. He looked in on Andy every +so often. The rest of the time he was busy in the larger tent or outside +of it with his cooking utensils. + +Poor Andy was in sore straits of despair. He had a vivid imagination, +and could fancy all that was shut out from his view by captivity. He +heard a distant town bell strike nine o'clock. + +"In an hour the airships will be off," soliloquized the captive +mournfully, "and I won't be there." + +Andy pictured in his mind all that was going on at the aviation field. +He could fancy the airships ranging in place for the start. He could +imagine the animation and excitement permeating the groups of +spectators. He shut his eyes and tried to forget it all, so keen was his +disappointment. + +He heard the band strike up a gay tune. Then a gun was fired. Andy +almost shed tears. In twenty minutes the starting signal was due. + +"They'll have a head wind," he ruminated, as the breeze lifted the +canvas at the side of the mattress upon which he lay. "It will be light, +though, and won't hinder much;" and then he thrilled, as he fancied +himself seated in the operator's stand of the splendid _Racing Star_, +awaiting the final word, "Go!" + +Andy stared blankly at the fence of the enclosure of the Duske camp. A +section of it had been broken down, and the gate left open in removing +the airship. Of a sudden he stared eagerly. Some one had come into the +enclosure. + +The intruder was evidently some casual sight-seer, a boy. His hands were +in his pockets, and he strolled about as if curiously inspecting +everything that came under his notice. He cast a careless glance at the +tent, and was proceeding on his way towards the main aviation field, +when Andy gave a great start. + +"Silas--Silas Pierce!" he shouted, ignoring discovery by the cook. + +Andy's heart was thumping like a trip-hammer. It seemed as if on the +verge of the blackest despair a bright star of hope had risen on the +horizon. He had recognized the intruder with surprise, but with gladness +as well. + +It was his companion of the goose trip, the son of Mr. Pierce--the farmer +Silas--whom Andy had last seen at the Collins place, the farm he had +visited the day previous. Silas wore a brand-new suit of clothes. He +suggested the typical country boy, with some loose cash in his pocket, +enjoying a brief holiday to the utmost. + +"Hey!" exclaimed Silas, with a startled jump, his eyes goggling all +about, and unable to trace the source of the challenge. + +Andy uttered a groan. At the moment the breeze let down, and the canvas +dropped, shutting him in and Silas out. Then a puff of wind came and +lifted the flap again. + +"Here, here, Silas!" called out Andy in tones of strained suspense. +"Quick--help!" + +"I vum!" gasped the farmer boy, staring blankly at what he saw of Andy. +"Who is it? And--I say, you're dad's great friend, the Nelson boy!" + +Silas had advanced, and took in the situation, and recognized Andy +slowly. + +"Lift up the canvas; come in here," directed Andy in a more cautious +tone of voice. "You remember me, don't you?" + +"Guess I do; but what in the world of wonder is the matter with you?" + +"Don't talk so loud," pleaded Andy anxiously, fearing the arrival of the +cook at any moment. "Some bad men have tied me up. Have you got a +knife?" + +"Yes; and a brand-new one. Won it in a funny game where you throw rings. +See there," and with great pride Silas produced and opened a +gaudily-handled jack-knife. + +"Oh, thank you, Silas; I'll never forget this." + +"Hold on! Say! Thunder! Is he crazy? Stop! Stop!" + +In profound excitement, Silas Pierce regarded Andy. The minute he had +cut the bonds of the young aviator, Andy had bounded to his feet as if +set on springs. Afar from the aviation field there boomed out the +second, the get-ready gun. + +"Ten minutes!" gasped Andy, on fire with resolve. "I've got to make it." + +He swept aside the canvas, headed in the direction of the main camp. Hot +on his heels came his amazed rescuer, now a wondering pursuer. Andy ran +at the fence, gave a spring, and cleared its top in a graceful leap. +Silas, more clumsy, ran at two loose boards, and by sheer force of his +might and strength, sent them out of place and put after Andy. + +"Nelson!" he bawled. "What's the matter? Nobody's following you. +Crickey, but you're a sprinter!" + +"I'll see you later--Parks' camp--in a hurry." + +In a hurry, indeed, was Andy. He was running against time. As a turn +past some tents brought him in full sight of the open field, he was a +lone heroic figure--heart, brain and body strained to reach the dainty, +natty _Racing Star_, just being wheeled in place for flight. + +There were seven airships entered for the race. These were now stationed +a distance of several hundred yards apart, ready to start. The +spectators were held back from the dead line by ropes stretched from +post to post, but Andy was coming across the field from its inside edge. +Silas Pierce was putting after him, puzzled and excited, breathless, and +far to the rear. Their unconventional arrival attracted no attention, +for those in charge of the airships were engrossed in seeing that +everything was right for the start. + +The _Racing Star_ was being pushed forward to its starting position. All +the others were in place. In a swift glance, Andy made out the _Moon +Bird_, and recognized Duske seated amidships. + +Near the _Racing Star_ was Mr. Parks, directing affairs, and Scipio was +standing near by. At one side were Mr. Morse and Tsilsuma, deeply +interested in the manoeuvres going on. + +"It's Tyrrell!" panted Andy, and he redoubled his speed as he made out +the treacherous ally of Duske. Tyrrell was arrayed in leather jacket and +gloves, keeping pace with the _Racing Star_ as it moved along. As the +airship came to a halt on the starting line, Andy saw him move forward +to take his seat amidships. + +It was then that Andy massed all his strength of being, accompanied by +animated gesticulations, as he shouted out: + +"Stop that man!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXII--"GO!" + + +"Andy!" shouted John Parks in a transport of amazement. + +"It's me," panted Andy, running up to his employer and pointing at +Tyrrell. "Mr. Parks, stop that man. He's a traitor; he's a villain!" + +Tyrrell had heard and seen Andy. He gave a great start. Then he made a +move as if to hasten aboard the airship and get out of his way. Mr. +Morse and the Japanese hastened forward. The men guiding the aeroplane +stared hard at the newcomer. + +"Andy, what do you mean?" demanded Mr. Parks, lost in wonderment. + +"Just what I say. Don't let him get aboard." + +"Hold on, Tyrrell," ordered the aeronaut. + +"We'll lose the start," spoke Tyrrell hurriedly. + +"Don't you get aboard." + +"No, sah; yo' just obey Mistah Parks, suh," interposed Scipio, laying a +great hindering hand on the arm of Tyrrell. + +"I have been a prisoner in the Duske camp since yesterday," explained +Andy, catching his breath. "This man Tyrrell came there last night. He +is in the employ of Duske." + +"What!" shouted Parks, his face growing dark. + +"It's true, Mr. Parks," asseverated Andy. "They are in a plot to burn +the _Racing Star_ and have you lose the prize." + +"Do you hear what this boy says?" thundered the aeronaut, moving down on +Tyrrell with threatening mien. + +"It's--it's not true," declared Tyrrell, but turning pale, shrinking +back, and looking about him for a chance to run. + +"If you don't believe me," cried Andy, "search him." + +Scipio held Tyrrell's arm in a viselike clasp. Parks ran his hand over +his clothing. He drew from his pocket a parcel done up in a +handkerchief. Mr. Morse took it, opened it, and revealed a bottle filled +with some substance like kerosene, a small box of matches and some lint. +Quick as a flash the hand of the aeronaut shot out for the throat of +Tyrrell. + +"You treacherous scoundrel!" he shouted. + +Boom! + +"The third gun! They're off, Mr. Parks," cried Andy. "Oh, don't let the +_Racing Star_ miss it." + +"What can I do?" + +"Send me. Men, get ready. Mr. Parks, I'll win this race!" + +Andy was in no trim physically or in attire to attempt the race. At a +glance the aeronaut saw this. But our hero was irresistible. He ran +towards the machine, and with nimble movements he glided among the +planes and reached the operator's seat. Already the other airships were +sailing skywards. + +"Go!" shouted Andy. + +Upon the operator's seat lay the skull cap and goggles, ready for +Tyrrell, and Andy hastily donned them. He heard the voice of Parks, now +as excited as himself, giving orders, a tacit consent to make the start. + +There was a run of scarcely a hundred feet along the grass. Andy placed +a firm hand on the wheel. Then came a series of curves and sweeping +arcs, which kept the crowd of spectators turning first one way and then +the other in entranced silence. + +The young aviator followed the popping of the motors of the contestant +machines. One was fast becoming a mere speck in the sky. + +"The _Moon Bird_, Duske's machine," murmured Andy. + +It seemed poised in the air without motion, so direct was its course, so +true its mechanism. Two of the other airships had already descended, one +of them wrecked and out of the race. The forty-foot mechanical bird, the +Duske machine, however, had made the lead and kept it. + +The climax came in Andy's preliminary ascent. Now the _Racing Star_, +light and dainty as a lark, mounted with amazing speed. A glance at +three of the airships convinced Andy that they were too faulty to make a +record. The _Moon Bird_, however, was a marvel. From what he had heard +Mr. Parks say, Duske had been an expert balloonist, and he now showed +amazing ability in the aviation line. He seemed to be putting the stolen +airship idea to marked advantage. + +Andy struck a level about fifteen hundred feet in the air. There was a +head wind, but it was not strong. Andy put on fine speed gradually. The +_Racing Star_ passed two of the contestants, and, fully in action, he +drove keen on the trail of the _Moon Bird_. + +The train that acted as a pilot with an American flag on its last car, +Andy kept in view as a guide. When they came to Lake Clear, the _Moon +Bird_ did not follow the rounding land course, nor did Andy. Lake Clear +was a shallow body of water, but of considerable extent, and dotted here +and there with little islands. + +Suddenly the _Moon Bird_, a machine of good utility, but, as Andy knew, +of little lasting power, made a decided spurt, passed the _Racing Star_, +and at a distance of half a mile got fairly abreast of the lake. It was +here that Duske met his Waterloo. Hitherto he had maintained practically +a steady course. More than once Andy had got near enough to this rival +to hear the loud gasping of the tube exhausts drown out the sharp +chug-chug of the motor. Suddenly Duske made a sharp turn. + +An appalling climax followed. In consternation and suspense Andy watched +aerial evolutions that fairly dizzied him. + +"He is lost!" breathed Andy, a-thrill. + +In an instant he recalled what Mr. Morse had told him of the unfinished +model that Duske and his crowd had stolen from him. The inventor had +explained to Andy that while the suction principle involved in the +rudder construction was unique and bound to increase speed, there should +have been added automatic caps to close the rear ends of the suction +tubes where a curve was attempted. + +Of this Duske evidently knew nothing. The moment he turned the machine, +however, there was a whirl. The aeroplane described a dive, then a +somersault. Its lateral planes collapsed, and, tipping from side to +side, it began to descend with frightful velocity. + +Once it half righted, balanced, went over again, and, fifty feet from +the ground, shot clear of a little islet, and went down in the water of +the lake, a wreck, first spilling Duske out. + +"He is killed or stunned!" exclaimed Andy. + +The boy aviator saw the other airships forging ahead, indifferent to the +accident. Minutes counted in the sixty-mile race to Springfield and back +to the starting point, but Andy was humane. He saw clearly that, if +alive, the half-submerged Duske would be suffocated in a few minutes' +time. + +"I can't leave him to die," murmured Andy, and sent the _Racing Star_ on +a sharp slant, landing on the island. + +Andy was soon out of the airship. He waded to the spot where Duske lay, +and dragged him bodily up on dry land. As he turned him on his face, +Andy knew from its purple hue, the lifeless limbs and choked gasps of +the man, that another minute in the water would have been his last. + +A boat put out from the mainland where a crowd of spectators was +watching the race. Four men jumped out as the island was reached. + +"Take care of this man," ordered Andy. + +"You're a pretty fair fellow to risk losing the race to save a +competitor," spoke one of the men heartily. + +He and his companions followed Andy's instructions the best they could +in starting the _Racing Star_, and Andy shot skywards again, making up +for lost time. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII--THE GREAT RACE + + +"Hurrah!" + +"Why, it's only a boy!" + +"Parks' man--get your rest, lad, while we see to things." + +Andy found himself in a whirl of motion and excitement. When he had left +the island where he had sacrificed his time and risked his chances of +winning the race, he had discovered that he was fourth on the programme. +The _Flash_ was becoming a distant speck, and the two other contesting +biplanes were lagging after the leader. + +Andy now set a pace to force the _Racing Star_ to do its utmost. His +good knowledge of detail as to the machinery and his masterly +manipulation of the same soon brought results. The _Racing Star_ easily +passed two of the airships ahead. Then Andy ran neck-and-neck with the +pilot train for several miles. + +The _Flash_, however, kept up admirable speed, but finally a wing broke +or oil ran out at Wayne, and the operator descended to a relief station. + +Now was Andy's chance, and he made the most of it. With those +inspiriting shouts of "Hurrah! Why, it's only a boy!" and the +announcement from the relay posted at Springfield by Parks that they +were on hand to tank up the _Racing Star_ and adjust the machinery, Andy +landed at the outskirts of the city, just half the race distance +covered. + +It made him quite dizzy-headed to sail down along a vast sea of human +beings, wild with enthusiasm at greeting the leader so far in the race. + +Two men took entire charge of the _Racing Star_, with quick movements, +tanking, oiling the cylinders, testing every part of it. A third man +brought Andy a tray containing a cup of steaming coffee, one of beef +tea, and some crackers. + +"There she comes!" + +"Hurrah No. 2!" + +"The _Flash_!" + +"And there she goes!" + +"All aboard, Parks," sang out the leader of the relay gang, and with a +glide and a whiz the _Racing Star_ was once more up in the air. + +Again the _Flash_ was in the lead. Having been supplied with fuel and +oil at its recent stop, the operator did not make any halt at the +turning post. Andy felt fresh and ambitious, and the _Racing Star_ +responded loyally to every touch of wheel and lever. + +Fifty feet from the ground a wheel dropped from place, but Andy paid no +attention to this. The train did not act as pilot on the return trip. +Instead, at intervals of five miles to indicate stations, smudges were +being sent aloft. Andy made a direct run for the first one of these, +mapping out his route from those dimly visible on the course ahead. + +At Dover Andy passed the _Flash_. For the next five miles they kept +pretty well abreast. + +The last smudge was about eight miles from Montrose. Andy flew past it +making a circular turn as he plainly made out the aviation field in the +distance. His competitor made a short cut, lost on a turn to strike the +straight course and Andy overtook him. + +Now it was that Andy tensioned up the splendid machine to its highest +power. The white expanse of canvas and wood shivered and trembled under +an unusual strain. + +"In the lead!" cried Andy in delight, and his eyes sparkled through the +goggles as he took a swift backward glance. The _Flash_ was bungling. +Its progress was a wobble and its operator was at fault in striking an +even balance. + +The speed of the _Racing Star_ had now been increased to its utmost. + +"Five minutes more, six at the most, will decide the race," breathed +Andy. "I can't lose now." + +The _Racing Star_ was no longer a bird afloat, but an arrow. Giving to +the machine a certain slant, calculating to a foot how and where he +would land, Andy saw nothing, thought of nothing, but the home post. + +He was conscious of a frightful bolt downwards that fairly took his +breath away. There was a blur of flying fences, buildings, tents, a +green expanse, a sea of human faces, a roar as a great shout went up, +and the _Racing Star_ met the ground on a bounce, and Andy Nelson was +the winner of the great race. + +Our hero did not step from the airship as eager, willing hands eased the +_Racing Star_ down to a stop. Cheering, excited men fairly pulled him +over the drooping planes. Some one hugged him with a ringing yell of +delight, and John Parks' voice sounded in his ears. + +"Oh, you famous boy--Andy, my lad, it's the proudest moment of my life!" + +Mr. Morse caught Andy's hand, his serious face flushed with pride. + +"The _Racing Star_ did it," said Andy. + +"Yo' did it, chile, and yo' did it brown," chimed in Scipio, his mouth +expanded in joyous delight from ear to ear. + +John Parks never let go of Andy's arm as they made their way through the +crowds to the main aerodrome stand. The official starter had unscrewed +the speedometer and elevation gauge. He ran before them to the stand. +Someone quickly chalked a legend on the big, bare blackboard. It ran: + + Start of flight--10:04. + Finish--11:39. + Distance traveled--60 miles. + Maximum height--1,200 feet. + Wind velocity--12 miles from the west. + Winner--Racing Star. + Operator--Andy Nelson. + +Somehow the boy aviator thrilled as he read his name at the bottom of +the little legend. + +"It's like a dream, Mr. Parks--just like a dream," and his voice was +faint and dreamy in itself. + +"Don't collapse, lad," directed the aeronaut anxiously--"the best is to +come." + +"It's only the reaction," said Andy. "To think I did it--me, only Andy!" + +"There isn't another Andy like you in the whole world," enthusiastically +declared Parks. "Yes, sir," as a man waved to him from the table on the +grand stand. + +"Here's the check, Parks," notified the judge. + +"Well, we've won it, haven't we?" chuckled the aeronaut. + +"You have, and it's ready for you. A pretty piece of paper, hey--five +thousand dollars. Make it out to you?" + +"I'll take it in two checks," answered Parks. + +"Mr. Parks----" began Andy. + +"There's only one check for the whole amount," replied the judge, "and +only the name left to be filled in." + +"Oh, that's the way of it, eh?" said the aeronaut. "All right, fill it +in John Parks and Andy Nelson. I reckon, Andy, I can't get that +twenty-five hundred dollars away from you without your signature." + +He poked Andy in the ribs in jolly fun. He was all smiles and laughter +as he shouted an order to Scipio to hurry home and get up the best +celebration dinner he knew how. Then, Andy following him, he stepped +forward to take the arm of Mr. Morse, and thus, the Japanese walking +with Andy and congratulating him on his great feat, they crossed the +field away from the crowds. + +Some one broke over the dead line ropes and made a dash after them, +yelling loudly: + +"Andy, oh, Andy Nelson!" + +"Hold on there!" ordered an officer, trying to head off the trespasser. + +"Silas Pierce!" exclaimed Andy. + +"He goes with us, officer," called out Parks. "You bet you go with us, +you grand old hero!" he cried, giving the farmer boy a joyful, friendly +slap on the shoulder. + +"Yes, indeed," smiled Andy, catching the arm of Silas and hugging it +quite, "if it hadn't been for you, there would have been no race." + +"Andy," gasped Silas, "I can hardly believe it. Why you're famous." + +"Am I?" smiled Andy. + +"And rich." + +"Rich in good friends, anyway," replied Andy. + +"I hung around. When I saw you coming in on the lead, I nearly fell flat +I was so excited," declared Silas. + +"I want a chance for a little talk with you, Silas," said Andy. "I want +to show you how much I appreciate what you have done for me." + +The merry, happy coterie crossed the field, and coming out at a gate +made a short cut for the Parks camp. They had just neared it, when among +the crowd thronging about the place, Andy made out a boy edging towards +him. + +He crowded past several persons and came up to Andy's side and caught +his sleeve. + +"Andy," he said in a bold but sheepish way, "you know me, don't you?" + +"Why, yes, I know you," answered Andy. + +He stared in mingled surprise, perplexity and distrust at the speaker. + +It was Dale Billings. Hungry-faced, unkempt looking, as if he had not +slept for a week, and then in a hay mow or a freight car. Andy's +old-time enemy confronted him in the hour of his great triumph. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV--A HOPEFUL CLEW + + +"Did you want to see me, Dale," inquired Andy. + +"Yes, I do, and bad," responded Dale Billings. "See here, you've won a +big race. You're rich. If it hadn't been for me and Gus Talbot, you +wouldn't be." + +"How is that?" inquired Andy. + +"We figured along the line, didn't we? If I'd gone to work for old +Talbot when I had a chance, you'd have been out and wouldn't have +learned about automobiles and machinery and such, and couldn't have run +an airship and won the race." + +This was queer reasoning. Andy had to smile. He couldn't feel any way +but pleasant and happy with the great airship prize his, however, and he +said: + +"Well, let that go. What are you driving at, Dale?" + +"We're in hard luck, me and Gus." + +"You look it," said Andy. + +"We haven't got a cent, we don't dare to go back home. Gus is sick in an +old shed down the tracks, and we haven't had a mouthful to eat since +yesterday morning. There's no friends here we know but you. I'm just +desperate. Loan me two dollars, Andy." + +"Why certainly," answered Andy. + +"I mean five--yes, if you'll loan us ten dollars till we get work and on +our feet, we'll pay it back." + +"All right," agreed Andy, "only you'll have to come up to our camp for +it. You know where it is--Parks' camp." + +"Yes, I know." + +"I want to have a talk with you. You can depend on the money, Dale." + +A thought ran through the mind of the young aviator that by kindness he +might make some impression on the two outcasts. As he summed up the +meanness and audacity of his recent capture, however, Andy secretly +confessed that it would be a hard undertaking. + +First thing of all, our hero took a bath and got himself in better shape +generally. Mr. Parks and a group of his friends occupied the main +sitting room. Andy had left Dale in one of the smaller apartments of the +old shack. As he went thither he passed Scipio, arrayed in white apron +and natty cap and warbling a plantation ditty as he brandished knife and +carver gaily. + +"Getting sech a dinnah, Andy, chile," he chuckled. "Ah give you a feast +you nebber forgit." + +"Now then, Silas," said Andy, entering the room where he had left the +farmer boy, "I've got time to shake your hand good and hearty, and glad +to do it." + +"And I'm glad you're not too proud to do it," replied Silas. + +"You've done a big thing for me, Silas," went on Andy. + +"Think so?" + +"Where would the race be if you had not come along in the nick of time +and set me free?" + +"I was mightily surprised to see you in that queer fix," said Silas, +"and I didn't know what had happened when you started on a rush for the +airship." + +"Well, you understand now," said Andy. "Now then, Silas, what can I do +for you?" + +"Do, how?" + +"I want to acknowledge your usefulness in some way. There must be +something you want or need." + +"You mean you'd like to give me some little memento for trying to help +you along?" + +"That's it." + +"But I'm glad to do it for nothing." + +"Never mind. Come, speak out, Silas. A bicycle, a nice new watch and +chain?" + +"Why, see here," said Silas, after a moment's deep thought, "if it's the +same to you, I'd like ten dollars and seventeen cents." + +Andy smiled. "For something special?" he inquired. + +"Why, yes. You see I want to go to school this winter and learn +shorthand. The term is eighteen dollars, and I've only saved up seven +dollars and eighty-three cents." + +"I'll do better than that for you, Silas," said Andy, "and I'm glad to +find you so ambitious. How is your father?" + +"All right, I guess, though I haven't seen him for nigh onto a month." + +"Why, how's that?" + +"I've been staying at the Collins farm." + +"You have?" exclaimed Andy, at once interested. + +"Yes. Just came up from there yesterday. There hasn't been much doing, +and won't be until the folks get their new house built. I was on their +hands, though, and I'm staying around visiting relatives." + +"How do you mean you was on their hands, Silas?" inquired Andy. + +"Why, dad got talking with Mr. Collins after we'd got rid of the geese. +There's a good academy at Wade, and Mr. Collins was going into sheep in +a big way. He offered me quite a good job and the chance to go to school +in the winter, and I took it." + +"But Mr. Collins' house burned down," said Andy. + +"What, did you hear of that?" asked Silas in surprise. + +"Yes," nodded Andy. + +"Well, that put things in bad shape for the family, but they are coming +back soon, and in the meantime I tend to the sheep in the pasture lot. +Lucky they had moved the old shed over there for storm shelter before +the house and barns burned down." + +"What shed?" asked Andy, with a quick start. + +"The one that stood under the old elm tree. Don't you remember? Why, it +was the shed you changed your clothes in." + +"What!" shouted Andy, jumping to his feet in intense excitement; "that +shed wasn't burned down?" + +"Ain't I telling you? They moved it over to the pasture on skids two +weeks before the fire." + +"And it is there now?" + +"Yes--but don't!" + +Andy felt like making a rush at once at the great hopeful news Silas had +told. The latter had grabbed his arm. + +"Don't what?" + +"Bolt. You're going to make a dash like you did this morning." + +"No, Silas," said Andy, trying to be calm. "You can't imagine what great +news you have brought me." + +"I don't see how." + +"We must go to the Collins farm at once, Silas, that old shed had a +shelf up over the side window?" + +"Remember that, do you? So do I." + +"It had a lot of rubbish on it." + +"I noticed that." + +"Has it ever been disturbed?" + +"Not that I know of. You see, Mr. Collins was arranging to have the old +barracks patched up by a carpenter from Wade, when the fire came along." + +"Silas," said Andy, "I threw my old clothes up on that shelf. If they +are still there, I shall be able to find an old leather pocketbook in +them that contains a paper upon which depends a fortune." + +"You don't say so?" remarked Silas, in open-mouthed wonderment "What +queer things you happen across!" + +"A gentleman named Webb is very, very anxious to recover that +pocketbook. I want you to go at once with me and see if the clothes are +still there," and Andy briefly recited the story of the lost pocketbook +and the details of his recent visit to the Collins farm. + +He was consulting a railroad timetable to determine when the next train +left Montrose, when Scipio rushed into the room. + +"Andy, boy," he spoke quickly, "yo' told a boy to told me dat he was to +be let come to see yo'?" + +"What kind of a boy, Scipio?" inquired Andy. + +Scipio described Dale Billings, and as he did so passed some personal +comments on his "'spicious" appearance. + +"Yes, that's right, Scipio," said Andy. + +"Den somefin's wrong," declared the perturbed cook. "When he come, I say +Mistah Nelson very much preoccupied with another gemman, and he must +wait. He sot down on dat chair just outside the door hyar." + +"Go on, Scipio." + +"I keep my eye on him. Dat boy," announced Scipio, "remind me of mean, +low-down people, I meet afore in my 'sperience. Bimeby I watch him bend +towards de door. He seemed listening. Den I saw him start and draw +closer to de door. Den all of a sudden he make a rush out of de place. I +run to de gate. Den anoder sneaking-looking boy meet him. Dey talk fast, +berry much excited. Den dey make a run towards the railroad tracks as if +dey was in a turrible hurry." + +"Dale Billings and Gus Talbot!" exclaimed Andy, on fire with the +intelligence imparted by his loyal, dusky friend. "Silas, they have got +our secret. They are after the old leather pocketbook on the Collins +farm. We must get there first!" + +Andy directed Silas to wait where he was. Then he ran to the room where +Mr. Parks was engaged with his friends. Appearing at the doorway he +attracted the attention of the aeronaut and beckoned to him. + +"What is it, Andy?" inquired Parks, coming outside. "You look excited." + +"I am," admitted Andy, and then very briefly, but clearly, he explained +his urgency. + +"I say, you mustn't let any grass grow under your feet!" exclaimed +Parks. "I reckon you've got it right--that sneaking fellow you was trying +to help is off on the track of the old shed you tell about. There's the +_Racing Star_--no, that won't do, but--I've got it, Andy. Wait here a +minute." + +John Parks flashed in among his friends and then flashed out again. Now +he was accompanied by a well-dressed portly gentleman whom Andy had seen +about the aviation grounds, and whom he knew to be one of the principals +in getting up the race. + +The aeronaut was busy talking fast and urgently to this person, who +nodded to Andy and said: + +"That's all right Do you know how to run an automobile?" to Andy. + +"Why, that was his old business," explained Parks. + +"I'll risk anybody getting ahead of you, then. My machine is just +outside the camp." + +"Come on, Silas," hailed Andy as they passed on towards the gate. + +Andy found a magnificent six-cylinder automobile just outside the camp. +He thanked its owner heartily for allowing its use, beckoned Silas to +the rear seat, and waved adieu to his employer with the cheery words: + +"I'll be back inside of two hours, Mr. Parks." + +"Say," bolted out Silas, holding on with both hands as they crossed the +railroad tracks and struck a winding country road due north, +"isn't--isn't this going pretty fast?" + +"Oh, this is just starting up," declared Andy. + +"I never rode in one of these before," said Silas. "Those sneaks won't +get much ahead of this, I'm thinking." + +Andy thought this, too. There was not the least doubt in his mind that +Dale Billings and Gus Talbot were already on the trail of the old +leather pocketbook. All they could do, however, was to steal their way +on some slow freight train. Still, they might induce someone to go for +them or with them by faster travel. They might get an automobile, even +if they had to steal one. Andy felt that it was pretty hopeless trying +to make Dale or Gus respectable. He had intended, in the liberality of +his heart, to put them on their feet. Here, the first thing, Dale was +acting the part of a sneak and a thief. + +It felt good to Andy to get back to his old business once more. Once out +on a clear, level road, he made the machine fairly hum. Various +ejaculations back of him told that his unexperienced passenger was +having spasms. In considerably less than an hour the machine reached +Wade. They were soon at the site of the Collins farmhouse. + +"There's the old shed, see?" spoke Silas, as Andy directed the machine +across the fields. + +"Yes, I see," said Andy, "and it's a sight for sore eyes." + +He halted the machine and jumped out as they reached the fence of a +pasture lot containing several flocks of sheep. In one corner of it +stood the old shed. Silas was worked up to quite as high a pitch of +suspense and expectation as Andy himself. + +"There's the shelf!" he cried, as Andy passed through the doorway. + +"Yes, but--my old clothes are not here." + +"Oh, don't say that!" almost choked out Silas. + +"It is true," said Andy, getting down from the keg he was standing on. +"Here's a lot of old truck, wagon hardware and hoops and a grindstone, +but the clothes are gone." + +Silas uttered a dismal groan. + +"Oh, I'm a hoodoo!" he declared, banging his head first on one side and +then on the other. "Here I've made you all this trouble, all for +nothing. But, say," added the farmer eagerly, "some one must have taken +those clothes. We may trace them down. And say, some one has been in +this shed since I left it yesterday." + +"Why do you think so?" + +"Someone has slept here. See, the floor is covered with straw. Some +tramp, I suppose. It rained last night, and he came in here for shelter. +Oh, whoop! whoopee!" + +At first Andy thought his companion had taken leave of his senses. With +a Comanche-like yell Silas had made a spring. Then a method to his +apparent madness was disclosed. + +Andy saw him pull a wadded mass out of a hole formerly used to admit a +stove pipe. Andy gasped with gladness and hope. + +"My clothes," he said, "sure enough!" + +"Don't you see?" said the jubilant Silas, dancing a joyful hornpipe. "It +rained. The tramp who stayed here stuffed up the hole to shut out the +rain. Say, sure your clothes?" + +"Yes," said Andy, searching them. + +"And the pocketbook?" + +"Here it is," cried our hero in a strained tone that trembled. "Yes, the +pocketbook is here all right." + +"Hurrah!" yelled Silas Pierce at the top of his voice. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV--GOOD-BY TO AIRSHIP ANDY + + +"A visitor for yo', Marse Andy," announced Scipio. + +"It's only me," said Mr. Chase, stepping into the sitting room of the +aerodrome at the Parks' camp. + +"Well, no one is more welcome, Mr. Chase," declared Andy heartily. "Come +in, sit down, and make yourself at home." + +"Not till I ask a certain question," dissented the grizzled +lockup-keeper of Princeville. + +"Fire away," smiled Andy. "What's the question?" + +"Can you get me a job?" + +"Right off, and a good one," responded Andy promptly. "My employer, Mr. +Parks, is going into the airship line as a regular professional, and I +don't know a better all-round handy man I would recommend sooner than +you." + +"All right," said Chase, with a sigh of relief, dropping into a chair +and placing a bulging, ancient carpet bag on the floor. "I'm done with +lockups." + +"Is that so, Mr. Chase?" + +"It is, and with that conscienceless old grafter, Talbot. You know I +told you I was waiting for something when I last saw you." + +"Yes," nodded Andy. + +"It was Wandering Dick." + +"So you told me." + +"I sent that tramp after him. He found him. I got from Dick what I +wanted, paid for it, resigned my position, and now I am here." + +"Quick work." + +"And here's what I got from Wandering Dick." + +Chase extended to Andy a neatly folded paper. + +"And what is this, Mr. Chase?" asked Andy. + +"A confession and affidavit." + +"How does that interest me?" + +"Read and see." + +Andy's face grew interested and then startled as he perused the sheet of +paper. It was a legal document attested to by Wandering Dick before a +regular justice of the peace at Princeville. + +In his affidavit the tramp stated that on the night that the barn of +Farmer Jones burned down, he was in its hay mow. He saw distinctly the +two boys who set the fire--Gus Talbot and Dale Billings. He got out of +the way for fear of being charged with the crime, sought later shelter +at the jail, and told Chase about it. + +The latter was so dependent upon Talbot and in dread of the garage +keeper, who held his position at his mercy, that he made no move to +right Andy with the public until the latter was arrested. + +"You have done nobly, Mr. Chase," said Andy with deep gratitude, "and +where is your bill of expenses to settle?" + +"Settle nothing!" flared out Chase stormily. "You ever mention it again +and I'll get out of here bag and baggage, double quick." + +"Well, well," answered Andy, "we'll try to find some way to make it up +to you." + +Two days later Andy learned that the attention of Seth Talbot had been +called to the affidavit. Runaway Gus Talbot and Dale Billings had +returned to Princeville. In some way the garage keeper settled with +Farmer Jones, hushed up the matter, and sent his graceless son on a sea +voyage. The charge against Andy was, of course, dismissed. + +Andy went to visit Duske in the town hospital. His accomplice, Tyrrell, +had been driven out of the aviation camp and threatened with a coat of +tar and feathers if he ever returned. The rest of Duske's party +disappeared, and creditors seized what little property he had. + +Duske would never drive a balloon or airship again. One arm and one foot +were broken, and he had sustained other severe injuries. Andy found him +a dispirited, wretched man. + +He had an object in visiting the crippled aeronaut. He began by telling +Duske that deeply as he tried to wrong Parks, the latter had ordered and +paid for the best care during his stay in the hospital. + +"I am circulating a subscription paper among the aviators," added Andy. +"We expect to raise a thousand dollars for you to go to some quiet town +and buy some small business that will give you a living." + +No person could resist the kindliness of Andy under the circumstances. +Duske broke down completely. He was as sincere and penitent as a man of +his rough mould of mind could be. + +"I don't deserve it, I've been a bad man," he declared, with tears in +his eyes. "What can I do for you for all your kindness to me?" + +"You can do something, Mr. Duske," said Andy. "There is a man named +Morse. Do you know him?" + +"Why, yes, I do," replied Duske, with a great start. "Do you?" + +"I happen to." + +"What has he got to do with you and me?" + +"Just this," said Andy, "you have treated him badly. He is my friend. +You had a hold on him. What was it?" + +"A forgery he never committed." + +"Are you willing to prove that, and clear him?" + +"Yes, indeed. I've done enough wickedness in the world." + +"Then clear his name of an unjust charge, so he can stand before the +public the good, noble man he is." + +"I will," declared Duske earnestly, and he did. + +One week after the airship race Mr. Webb, to whom Andy had sent the old +leather pocketbook by registered mail the day he recovered it, came down +to the Parks camp. + +"I have been too busy to come before," he explained to Andy. "That +document in the old leather pocketbook took up my time. I tell you, +Nelson, it has brought brightness and comfort to two orphan children in +a grand way." + +"I am very glad," said Andy. + +"I got back the two hundred dollars you left at the bank in +Princeville," continued Mr. Webb. "I have added something to it, and my +attorneys have directed me to pay you what they intended to give the +finder of the pocketbook--five hundred dollars." + +Andy made some demur at the largeness of the amount, but Mr. Webb was +persistent, declared he was simply acting as agent for the lawyers, and +Andy had to take the money. + +"As to myself," observed the gentleman, "I want to say what you must +already know, Nelson--I am greatly interested in you. I wish you could +suggest some way in which my means can benefit you." + +"So do I," broke in John Parks. "The lad is a genius in the aviation +line, and I want him to keep on at it." + +"Don't I intend to?" challenged Andy. + +"Not when you say you are going to leave me next month," declared the +aeronaut. + +"Yes, but why?" said Andy. "I'll leave it to Mr. Webb here if I have not +decided in a sensible, practical way." + +"What is it, Nelson?" inquired Mr. Webb. + +"Why, I have over two thousand five hundred dollars in the bank. I want +to put one thousand of it aside for my half brother, when he turns up. +He was good and kind to me in the old days, and I must not forget it. +Then I want to go through college and learn something so I may be of +some use in the world." + +"An excellent idea," commended Mr. Webb. + +"Yes," growled Parks, but playfully, "and spoil a good aviator!" + +"Not at all," declared Andy quickly. "I love the airship business, Mr. +Parks, but I want to learn every branch of the science that covers it. +It looks as if airships are to be the coming vehicles of travel, you +say, Mr. Parks. If that is so, everybody will be flying in time, and the +professional aviator will be just a common, everyday person." + +"Well, I suppose that's so," admitted Parks. + +"Then, the wise man will be the one who knows how to build the airship. +Why, I'll go through college, come out with my head chock full of new +ideas, and Mr. Webb and you and I will get up the World's Airship +Construction Co." + +"That's a pretty grand scheme, Nelson," said Mr. Webb. + +"Mayn't it become a true one?" + +"Yes, it may," said John Parks, "but I'll always think most of you just +as you are--Airship Andy." + + + THE END + + + + +The Webster Series + +By Frank V. Webster + +Mr. Webster's style is very much like that of the boys' favorite author, +the late lamented Horatio Alger, Jr., but his tales are thoroughly +up-to-date. + +Cloth. 12mo. Over 200 pages each. Illustrated. Stamped in various +colors. + +Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid. + +[Image] + + Only A Farm Boy + or Dan Hardy's Rise in Life + The Boy From The Ranch + or Roy Bradner's City Experiences + The Young Treasure Hunter + or Fred Stanley's Trip to Alaska + The Boy Pilot to the Lakes + or Nat Morton's Perils + Tom The Telephone Boy + or The Mystery of a message + Bob The Castaway + or The Wreck of the Eagle + The Newsboy Partners + or Who Was Dick Box? + Two Boy Gold Miners + or Lost in the Mountains + The Young Firemen of Lakeville + or Herbert Dare's Pluck + The Boys of Bellwood School + or Frank Jordan's Triumph + Jack the Runaway + or On the Road with a Circus + Bob Chester's Grit + or From Ranch to Riches + Airship Andy + or The Luck of a Brave Boy + High School Rivals + or Fred Markham's Struggles + Darry The Life Saver + or The Heroes of the Coast + Dick The Bank Boy + or A Missing Fortune + Ben Hardy's Flying Machine + or Making a Record for Himself + Harry Watson's High School Days + or The Rivals of Rivertown + Comrades of the Saddle + or The Young Rough Riders of the Plains + Tom Taylor at West Point + or The Old Army Officer's Secret + The Boy Scouts of Lennox + or Hiking Over Big Bear Mountain + The Boys of the Wireless + or a Stirring Rescue from the Deep + Cowboy Dave + or The Round-up at Rolling River + Jack of the Pony Express + or The Young Rider of the Mountain Trail + The Boys of the Battleship + or For the Honor of Uncle Sam + +CUPPLES & LEON CO., Publishers, NEW YORK. + + + + +The Boy Ranchers Series + +By Willard F. Baker + +12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors + +Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid + +[Image] + +Stories of the great west, with cattle ranches as a setting, related in +such a style as to captivate the hearts of all boys. + +1. THE BOY RANCHERS, or Solving the Mystery at Diamond X + + Two eastern boys visit their cousin. They become involved in an exciting + mystery. + +2. THE BOY RANCHERS IN CAMP, or The Water Fight at Diamond X + + Returning for a summer visit to their western cousin's ranch, the two + eastern lads learn, with delight, that they are to be allowed to become + boy ranchers in earnest. + +3. THE BOY RANCHERS ON THE TRAIL, or The Diamond X After Cattle Rustlers + + Our boy heroes take the trail after Del Pinzo and his outlaws. + +4. THE BOY RANCHERS AMONG THE INDIANS, or Trailing the Yaquis + + Rosemary and Floyd visiting their cousins Bud, Nort and Dick, are + captured by the Yaqui Indians. The boy ranchers trail the savages into + the mountains and eventually effect the rescue. + +5. THE BOY RANCHERS AT SPUR CREEK, or Fighting the Sheep Herders + + Dangerous struggle against desperadoes for land rights brings out heroic + adventures. + +Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue + +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers New York + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Airship Andy, by Frank V. 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