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diff --git a/37291-h/37291-h.htm b/37291-h/37291-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3d83bd3 --- /dev/null +++ b/37291-h/37291-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,8277 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<!-- $Id: header.txt 236 2009-12-07 18:57:00Z vlsimpson $ --> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Heroes of the School, by Allen Chapman. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +h1,h2,h3 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} + +.blockquot { + margin-top: 1em; + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + margin-bottom: 1em; +} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +/* Images */ +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; +} + +/* Poetry */ +.poem { + margin-left:10%; + margin-right:10%; + text-align: left; +} + +.poem br {display: none;} + +.poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + +.poem span.i0 { + display: block; + margin-left: 0em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + + +/* ===================== */ +/* DACSoft custom styles */ +/* ===================== */ + +/* Indented paragraph - replacement */ +p { + margin-top: .75em; + margin-bottom: .75em; + text-align: justify; + text-indent: 1em; +} + +/* Unindented paragraph style */ +.noi{ + text-indent: 0em; +} + +/* Chapter breaks. */ +hr.cb { + width: 65%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; +} + +/* Title page borders and content. */ +.tp1 { + border: 2px solid black; + padding: 2px; + text-align: center; + margin: auto; + width: 448px; +} + +.tp2 { + border: 1px solid black; + padding: 2px; + text-align: center; + margin: auto; + width: 440px; +} + +.subtitle { + font-size: 1.25em; + text-align: center; + clear: both; +} + +.author { + font-size: 1.5em; + margin-top: 0em; + text-align: center; + clear: both; +} + +.works { + font-size: .75em; + text-align: center; + clear: both; +} + +/* Smaller page numbers - replacement */ +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: x-small; + text-align: right; +} /* page numbers */ + +td.pr{ + padding-right:10px; +} + +/* Transcriber's Notes. */ +.tnote { + background-color: #DDE; + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + padding-bottom: .5em; + padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; + padding-right: .5em; +} + +.tntitle { + font-size: 1.25em; + font-weight: bold; + text-align: center; + clear: both; +} + + </style> + </head> + +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Heroes of the School, by Allen Chapman + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Heroes of the School + or, The Darewell Chums Through Thick and Thin + +Author: Allen Chapman + +Release Date: September 2, 2011 [EBook #37291] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HEROES OF THE SCHOOL *** + + + + +Produced by Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 501px;"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="501" height="600" alt="cover" title="cover" /> +</div> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<div class="tp1"> +<div class="tp2"> +<h1>THE HEROES<br /> +OF THE SCHOOL</h1> + +<p class="noi center">Or</p> + +<p class="noi subtitle">The Darewell Chums<br /> +Through Thick and Thin</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<p class="noi center">BY</p> +<p class="noi author">ALLEN CHAPMAN</p> + +<p class="noi works">AUTHOR OF “BART STIRLING’S ROAD TO SUCCESS,” “WORKING<br /> +HARD TO WIN,” “BOUND TO SUCCEED,” “THE YOUNG<br /> +STOREKEEPER,” “NAT BORDEN’S FIND,” ETC.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 240px;"> +<img src="images/logo.jpg" width="100%" alt="The GOLDSMITH Publishing Co., CLEVELAND, OHIO, MADE IN U.S.A." title="The GOLDSMITH Publishing Co., CLEVELAND, OHIO, MADE IN U.S.A." /> +</div> +</div> +</div> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p class="noi center"><span class="smcap">Copyright, 1908, by<br /> +Cupples & Leon Company</span> +</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents"> +<col style="width:20%;" /> +<col style="width:70%;" /> +<col style="width:10%;" /> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">CHAPTER</td> + <td align="left"></td> + <td align="right">PAGE</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">I.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">Expelling a Pupil</a></td> + <td align="right">1</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">II.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">The Wrong Slide</a></td> + <td align="right">9</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">III.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">A Queer Character</a></td> + <td align="right">15</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">IV.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">A Hut in the Woods</a></td> + <td align="right">22</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">V.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">The Challenge</a></td> + <td align="right">30</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">VI.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">A Great Game of Ball</a></td> + <td align="right">38</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">VII.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">Alice has a Chance</a></td> + <td align="right">47</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">VIII.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">The Strange Boatman</a></td> + <td align="right">52</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">IX.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">A Plot Against Bart</a></td> + <td align="right">59</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">X.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">A Cow in School</a></td> + <td align="right">67</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XI.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">Honoring the Seniors</a></td> + <td align="right">73</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XII.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">Frank’s Queer Letter</a></td> + <td align="right">82</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XIII.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">Sandy on Guard</a></td> + <td align="right">89</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XIV.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">Peculiar Operations</a></td> + <td align="right">96</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XV.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">Ned Stops a Panic</a></td> + <td align="right">104</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XVI.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">A River Trip</a></td> + <td align="right">111</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XVII.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">The Tramp’s Headquarters</a></td> + <td align="right">116</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XVIII.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">A Night Scare</a></td> + <td align="right">123</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XIX.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">The Farmer and the Bull</a></td> + <td align="right">130</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XX.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">Followed by Sandy</a></td> + <td align="right">137</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXI.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">At the Fair</a></td> + <td align="right">143</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXII.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">Up in a Balloon</a></td> + <td align="right">149</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXIII.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">Above the Clouds</a></td> + <td align="right">157</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXIV.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">Into the River</a></td> + <td align="right">164</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXV.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">Captured</a></td> + <td align="right">175</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXVI.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">Planning to Escape</a></td> + <td align="right">183</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXVII.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">The Escape</a></td> + <td align="right">192</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXVIII.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">The Pursuit</a></td> + <td align="right">199</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXIX.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">An Unexpected Meeting</a></td> + <td align="right">208</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXX.</td> + <td align="left" class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXX">Striking Oil—Conclusion</a></td> + <td align="right">215</td> +</tr> +</table> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> +<h1>THE HEROES OF THE +SCHOOL</h1> + + + +<p> </p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>EXPELLING A PUPIL</h3> + + +<p>“What are you looking so glum about this +morning, Stumpy?” asked Ned Wilding as he +greeted his chum, Fenn Masterson, otherwise +known as “Stumpy” because of his short, stout +figure. “Haven’t you got your lessons, or are +you going to be expelled?”</p> + +<p>“I’m not to be expelled but some one else is, +Ned.”</p> + +<p>“What’s that? Some one going to be expelled?” +asked Bart Keene, coming up in time to +hear what Fenn said.</p> + +<p>“John Newton is,” replied Stumpy.</p> + +<p>“What’s that got to do with you?” asked +Bart, for, as had Ned, he noticed that Fenn looked +worried.</p> + +<p>“It might have something to do with me if +John—”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span></p> +<p>Just then the bell of the Darewell High School +began to ring, and, as it was the final summons +to classes the three boys and several other pupils +hurried into the building. On the way up the +stairs Ned Wilding was joined by a tall youth +with dark hair and eyes.</p> + +<p>“What’s this I hear about John Newton?” +asked the tall lad.</p> + +<p>“Hello, Frank! Why Stumpy says John’s got +to leave the school, but it’s the first I heard about +it.”</p> + +<p>“Are they going to expel him this morning?”</p> + +<p>“Seems so. We’ll soon know.”</p> + +<p>A little later several hundred boys and girls +were gathered in the auditorium of the school for +the usual morning exercises. When they were +over the principal, Professor McCloud, came to +the edge of the platform.</p> + +<p>“I have a very unpleasant duty to perform,” +he began.</p> + +<p>Most of the boys and girls knew what was coming. +The principal never prefaced his remarks +that way unless he had to expel a pupil. Ned and +Bart looked over toward where Fenn sat. They +wanted to see if there was any reason for Stumpy’s +seeming apprehension.</p> + +<p>“John Newton!” called Professor McCloud,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span> +and a tall youth, with eyes that squinted slightly, +left his seat and shambled forward.</p> + +<p>“It’s coming now,” whispered Fenn, and Frank +Roscoe, who was sitting beside him, looked at his +chum and wondered.</p> + +<p>“Any one would think it was you who had +to face the music,” declared Frank.</p> + +<p>By this time John Newton was standing in +front of the raised platform on which the principal +and teachers sat during the morning exercises. +He did not seem to mind the humility or disgrace +of his position. He turned half around and +looked toward Fenn.</p> + +<p>“If he says anything—” began Stumpy, whispering +to himself, but he did not finish the sentence +for Professor McCloud was speaking.</p> + +<p>“John Newton,” the principal said, “I am +deeply grieved that I have to do this. It is very +painful.” It was the same speech the pupils had +heard before. The principal always used it, with +such slight variations as might be necessary. +“You have been dilatory in your studies. You +have been insubordinate. You have played mean +tricks. You have refused to mend your ways.”</p> + +<p>The principal took a long breath. He always +did at this particular point in his painful duty. +But this time there was a variation from the usual<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span> +scene. John Newton stepped forward and addressed +the principal. It was a thing unheard +of in the Darewell school.</p> + +<p>“Professor McCloud,” said John, “I want to +say that while I’m partly to blame in this matter, +Fenn Mas—”</p> + +<p>“That will do! That will do!” interrupted +Mr. McCloud so sharply that John started. A +number of the pupils turned in their seats to +gaze at Stumpy, who looked painfully self-conscious.</p> + +<p>“There’s something in the wind,” whispered +Ned to Bart.</p> + +<p>“I’m not going to take all the blame,” persisted +John, ignoring the principal’s command to +remain silent. “Fenn Mast—”</p> + +<p>“I said that would do,” and Mr. McCloud +spoke so decisively that John remained silent. “I +know what you would say,” the professor went on. +“I have looked into that matter thoroughly. No +one is to blame but yourself, and your effort to shift +the punishment to some other boy does not do +you any good. You should not have attempted to +mention any pupil’s name. I will not refer to it +again, except to say that no one is involved but +yourself. I am fully satisfied on this point.”</p> + +<p>Frank noticed that Fenn seemed much relieved<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span> +at the professor’s announcement, and he wondered +what connection there could have been between his +chum and John Newton.</p> + +<p>“You have been given several opportunities to +reform,” the principal went on, “but you have refused +to profit by them. You are a dangerous element +to have in this school. Therefore, we return +you to your friends,” and, with a wave of his +glasses toward the door to emphasize his remark, +the principal indicated that John Newton might +go. That ended it. John was expelled.</p> + +<p>The pupils went to their various classes, and, +though there was considerable whispering back and +forth during the morning session as to what caused +John’s expulsion, and what his reference to Fenn +might mean, there was no chance to discuss the +matter until the noon recess. Then questions and +answers flew thick and fast.</p> + +<p>“Now Fenn, tell us all about it,” said Ned +Wilding when he and the two other boys who +had remarked Stumpy’s apprehension, were gathered +in the basement where lunches were usually +eaten. “What was John driving at? What were +you afraid of?”</p> + +<p>“Didn’t you hear Professor McCloud say it +was all ended and he was satisfied I had no hand +in it?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span></p> +<p>“Yes, but that doesn’t satisfy us,” said Bart. +“We want the whole story.”</p> + +<p>“There isn’t much to it,” Fenn declared. +“You must promise not to repeat it.”</p> + +<p>“We’ll promise but I guess John will tell it +all over town,” said Frank.</p> + +<p>“You know John and I used to be pretty +friendly,” Fenn began, getting his chums off into +a corner. “He lives near me and I used to go +fishing with him once in a while. But he got +down on me because I wouldn’t lend him my best +reel one day, though for a while I didn’t know +he wasn’t friendly.</p> + +<p>“He’s always playing some kind of tricks in +school, but most of ’em aren’t any worse than +those we get up. But this last one was the limit.”</p> + +<p>“What was it?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“He’d been reading some book on India, and +how they catch tigers by smearing bird-lime on the +leaves near the water-hole. He made some of the +lime. I helped him. Got some of the stuff from +the laboratory. Then he put it all over the papers +in Mr. McCloud’s desk, one night after school, +and they got so fastened together they couldn’t be +separated.”</p> + +<p>“You don’t mean to say you helped him do +that?” asked Frank.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span></p> +<p>“Who said I did? I only helped make the +bird-lime. He told me we could catch rabbits +with it. I didn’t know what he was up to or I +wouldn’t have done that much. When he learned +he was discovered, for he left his knife in the +desk, he said he was going to make me take part +of the blame for helping him make the lime. +That’s what I was afraid of this morning, when I +heard he was going to be expelled.”</p> + +<p>“He did try to give you away,” interrupted +Bart.</p> + +<p>“Yes, rather mean, too. But it seems Mr. McCloud +had been investigating, though I didn’t +know it. He must have found out that I didn’t +have any hand in putting the stuff in the desk, even +if I did help John make it.”</p> + +<p>“Lucky for you that he did,” commented Ned. +“Do you think John will try to do anything more +to make trouble for you?”</p> + +<p>“I hope not,” Fenn replied.</p> + +<p>“He was always up to tricks,” commented +Frank. “Once he daubed tar on the bottoms of +his shoes and walked through the classroom, leaving +black marks all over. He pasted paper caps +on the pestle when the chemistry class was going +to recite and Professor Long thought the powder +he was mixing went off at the wrong time.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span></p> +<p>“Yes, and do you remember the time he whistled +like a bird in school,” put in Ned, “and +made the teacher believe a canary was loose somewhere. +My, but he can whistle!” he went on. +“He can do as well as some of the fellows on +the stage. I’m sorry he got expelled, but I’m +glad you’re out of it, Stumpy.”</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>THE WRONG SLIDE</h3> + + +<p>The four boys spent some time discussing the +affair of the morning, and speculating as to what +John Newton would do now that he could no +longer attend school.</p> + +<p>“Guess he’ll not worry much,” remarked Fenn. +“He was saying the other day he thought he’d +go off somewhere and try to get work in the city.”</p> + +<p>“Work? He’s too lazy to work,” put in Ned.</p> + +<p>“He said he’d like to get a job in a theater,” +Fenn added.</p> + +<p>“Shoving scenery around, or being part of the +mob in Julius Cæsar would be his limit, I guess,” +said Bart.</p> + +<p>“Speaking of Cæsar reminds me that Fenn fell +down in his Latin this morning,” said Frank.</p> + +<p>“Yes, I should have boned away on it last +night but I didn’t,” admitted Stumpy.</p> + +<p>“I know why,” put in Ned.</p> + +<p>“Why?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span></p> +<p>“Saw you out walking with Jennie Smith, and +I s’pose you didn’t get in until late.”</p> + +<p>“Did she recite poetry to you?” asked Frank, +for Jennie was somewhat inclined to verse.</p> + +<p>“Say you fellows dry up!” exclaimed Fenn. +“You don’t dare walk with a girl. Don’t know +how to behave in company!”</p> + +<p>“It takes Fenn to please the girls,” retorted +Ned, and he dodged to escape a blow Stumpy +aimed at him. Then the gong rang for the afternoon +session and the pupils went back to their classrooms.</p> + +<p>While the boys are at their lessons, which is +about the only time, save when they are asleep, +that they are not talking or doing something, there +will be opportunity of telling who they are.</p> + +<p>Ned Wilding’s mother had been dead some +years. His father was cashier in the only bank in +Darewell, a thriving manufacturing town not far +from Lake Erie. The Still river ran through the +place and it was a journey of about ten miles to +the lake on that stream.</p> + +<p>Frank Roscoe lived with his uncle Abner Dent, +who was a wealthy farmer, residing on the outskirts +of the town. Frank had been with his relative +as long as he could remember. He never +knew his father or mother, and his uncle never<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> +mentioned them. The boy had been brought up +with the idea that both his parents were dead. +He was a manly youth, but there was a certain +strangeness and an air of mystery about him. It +was puzzling to his comrades, though they liked +him none the less for it.</p> + +<p>As for Bart Keene, it would be hard to find +a finer specimen of American boy. He was stout +and sturdy, and would rather play ball than eat. +His father, who was proprietor of a large factory, +used to say Bart talked sports in his sleep. Bart +had a sister Alice, as gentle as he was rough, +though his roughness was not at all offensive. She +had an idea she would like to be a trained nurse, +and used every opportunity of practicing for her +chosen profession. Let any one cut his finger, or +run a sliver into it and Alice would exclaim:</p> + +<p>“Oh, do let me bandage it up! I’m so glad it +happened—no, I don’t mean that—I mean it’s +such good practice for me!” Then she would +hustle around for salve and strips of cloth and render +first-aid-to-the-injured after the most approved +fashion.</p> + +<p>You couldn’t help liking Fenn Masterson. +“Stumpy” was the jolliest chap in seven counties, +his friends used to say, and, it seemed with truth. +He had blue eyes that always seemed to be laughing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> +at you, as though his very figure, about as +broad as it was long, was the best joke in the +world.</p> + +<p>But Fenn was not proud of his shape. He +often deplored it, especially when he went walking +with a girl, which he did whenever he got the +chance. Stumpy was fond of the girls, and some +of them liked him,—especially Jennie Smith already +mentioned. She used to confide to her +chum, Alice Keene, that Fenn reminded her somewhat +of Falstaff, whom you can read about in +Shakespeare, if you wish.</p> + +<p>The boys had been chums all through the grammar +school and their friendship was further cemented +when they continued on at the high school. +They were four of the best-liked boys in the institution, +and the leaders when it came to sport, +fun or doings of any sort. They were generally +seen together and if anything was undertaken the +“Darewell Chums,” as they were called from the +name of the town, were sure to be found in the +van.</p> + +<p>The boys lived in the same neighborhood in the +better part of the place, all save Frank, whose +uncle’s house was about a mile outside the town, +but on the same highway on which his chums resided.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span></p> +<p>Going home from school that afternoon the four +chums saw John Newton standing on a street +corner. As they passed him John called:</p> + +<p>“Hey Stumpy, I want to speak to you a +minute.”</p> + +<p>Fenn dropped behind his chums and spoke to +John for some time. Ned, Bart and Frank walked +on, and then waited for him.</p> + +<p>“Is he going to pay you off?” asked Ned, as +Fenn joined his companions.</p> + +<p>“No, he wanted to tell me he was sorry he tried +to throw the blame on me.”</p> + +<p>“Look out for him, Stumpy,” advised Bart.</p> + +<p>“Oh John is thoughtless, but he doesn’t mean +anything bad,” Fenn said. “I guess this was +quite a lesson for him.”</p> + +<p>In school the next afternoon Frank, Bart and +Fenn each received a note from Ned, the papers +being passed along in that mysterious postal fashion +which prevails in all schools. The missives read:</p> + +<p class="noi blockquot">“Watch for some fun at the science lecture.”</p> + +<p>This was a talk given every Friday afternoon +by Professor Long, who used stereoptican slides. +The lecture was usually on some popular topic.</p> + +<p>It was quite a large class that assembled in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> +darkened laboratory at the last period of the afternoon. +The professor began his talk. It was +about volcanoes, and he described their formation, +the theories regarding them, and the causes +for their terrific action.</p> + +<p>“I will now throw on the screen,” the instructor +said, “a picture of Mt. Vesuvius in full action. +It is a wonderful view of a wonderful phenomenon.”</p> + +<p>There was a moment’s delay, and he slipped a +slide into the lantern. Ned nudged his chums.</p> + +<p>“Watch!” he whispered.</p> + +<p>The next instant there was shown on the screen +a picture of a boy setting off a giant fire-cracker +under the chair of a sleeping man, who was depicted +in the act of rising high into the air under +the propulsion of the pyrotechnic. It was an irruption, +but one not down on the program.</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h3>A QUEER CHARACTER</h3> + + +<p>A chorus of laughter broke out among the +students. It certainly was mirth-provoking to see +that picture in place of the fire and clouds of +smoke from the volcano. The class was in an uproar.</p> + +<p>Professor Long waited patiently until the noise +had subsided. He even allowed the wrong slide +to remain on the screen. The boys finally ceased +laughing. Then the instructor spoke.</p> + +<p>“I presume that was done as a joke,” he said. +“If so I think it was a very poor one. I don’t +mind fun, but I like it in the right place. A +certain amount is good, even in the schoolroom.”</p> + +<p>His tone was sarcastic now, and Ned began to +feel a little uncomfortable.</p> + +<p>“You young gentlemen,” and he seemed to hesitate +at the word, “you young gentlemen are sent +here to learn. If you can do so and have fun, +all right. I am paid by the city to teach you. +I am expected to put a certain amount of knowledge<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> +into your brains. I can’t unless you let +me. I’m not a magician.”</p> + +<p>“I thought you would be interested in this lecture. +It seems you would rather have a lot of +horse-play and rowdyism instead. If I had known +that I might have provided a different set of pictures. +But not in school hours. The school authorities +expect me to instruct you in physics and +chemistry; not in foolishness. Young gentlemen, +the lecture is over, but you can remain in your seats +in the darkness until the usual hour for dismissing +the class.”</p> + +<p>This was a different ending to the joke than Ned +had anticipated. It was he who had put the +wrong slide in with the others, having had access +to the laboratory that morning. There were several +murmurs from the boys not in on the plot. +They did not relish sitting in the darkness for half +an hour.</p> + +<p>Professor Long began putting away the apparatus. +He withdrew the firecracker slide and +turned out the stereopticon. Then Ned did a +manly thing.</p> + +<p>“Professor Long,” he called, out of the darkness. +“I want to apologize to you and the class. +I put the wrong picture into the pile. I’m sorry +and I’ll not do it again.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span></p> +<p>A silence ensued. The boys wondered at Ned’s +pluck in acknowledging his fault. But then he +and his chums were that kind of boys.</p> + +<p>“I can’t excuse your conduct under any circumstances, +Wilding,” said Professor Long, sternly. +“Still I will admit I like your manliness in admitting +your fault. In view of what you have +said, and as it is evident the other boys had no +hand in it, I will go on with the lecture. But I +must ask you to withdraw, and, as a punishment +you will write out fifty lines of Cæsar after school.”</p> + +<p>It was a task that made some of the boys catch +their breaths. But Ned felt he deserved it, though +he said to himself the joke was worth it. He left +the laboratory, and the lecture went on. He remained +after school and completed his penance. +Professor Long, who had some experiments to prepare +for the next week’s work, had also stayed +after school.</p> + +<p>“Don’t do it again, Wilding,” was all he said, +and Ned was almost sure he saw the teacher +smile.</p> + +<p>Ned found his chums waiting for him. They +were a little diffident about referring to the joke, +but Ned had no such scruples.</p> + +<p>“That was a sort of a boomerang,” he remarked. +“I spent fifty cents getting that slide, and to think<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> +how it turned out! Long is pretty touchy when it +comes to his lectures. I guess I’ll not monkey with +’em again.”</p> + +<p>“Well, you missed a lot of fun,” said Frank +slowly. “He told us a lot of interesting stuff +about volcanoes.”</p> + +<p>“Bet none of ’em could match mine,” came +from Ned, with a laugh. “Mine was up-to-date.”</p> + +<p>“What you going to do to-morrow?” asked +Bart of his friends.</p> + +<p>“Nothing special,” replied Ned.</p> + +<p>“Can’t we arrange a ball game?” inquired +Fenn.</p> + +<p>“I tried to but couldn’t,” said Bart. “Supposing +we all go fishing?”</p> + +<p>“Fine!” was the general cry.</p> + +<p>“All right, meet at the Point, with lines and +poles, at nine o’clock to-morrow and we’ll go to the +Riffles.”</p> + +<p>The Point was a tongue of land extending out +into the river about a mile above the town. It +was a favorite place for swimming as there was a +sort of sandy beach there. The Riffles were a +series of shallow spots about two miles above the +point, and from there on up was good fishing.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> +The river near the Riffles ran through a dense +woods which were seldom visited.</p> + +<p>Promptly on time the boys were at the meeting +place. They had with them everything needed +for a day’s fishing, from bait and poles to a lunch +for themselves, as they did not intend coming back +until afternoon.</p> + +<p>The boys tramped through the woods toward +the fishing holes, which they had often visited. +They were talking of the events of the previous +day at school, and Ned was explaining over again +how he substituted the wrong picture slide.</p> + +<p>“Here, where are you boys going?” a voice +suddenly hailed them from the bushes that lined +the path they were traveling.</p> + +<p>They looked up, to see an old man, with a white +straggling beard, which fell almost to his waist, +peering at them. He was half hidden by the +underbrush.</p> + +<p>“Where you going?” he repeated.</p> + +<p>“Fishing,” replied Ned.</p> + +<p>“Whereabouts?”</p> + +<p>“Up at the Riffles,” said Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Better not,” cautioned the aged person. +“It’s a dangerous place.”</p> + +<p>The man stepped forth into full view. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> +boys saw he was poorly dressed. His trousers +were quite ragged and his coat was torn in several +places. He wore no hat.</p> + +<p>“What makes you think so?” asked Frank.</p> + +<p>“Don’t let it be known,” the old man went +on, “but the King of Paprica holds dominion over +the Riffles. He has forbidden any one, under pain +of being fed to the sacred crocodile, from taking +the green bull frog from the pool.”</p> + +<p>“He’s crazy,” whispered Bart.</p> + +<p>“But we’re after fish, not bull frogs,” interposed +Frank, who seemed inclined to humor the +strange man.</p> + +<p>“Oh, in that case, don’t forget to bait your +hooks with soft soap,” said the old man, as he +held up a warning finger. “Now remember, not +a word to the King of Paprica if you meet him. +He knows I’m here on guard, so don’t tell him,” +and with that the old man, winking at Frank +as though there was a good joke between them, +vanished amid the bushes.</p> + +<p>“Well, of all queer things,” said Ned softly.</p> + +<p>“He’s daffy,” spoke Bart. “Escaped from +some asylum, I suppose. However he looks harmless. +Come on, we don’t want to get mixed up +with him. We’re out for fish.”</p> + +<p>“I’d like to find out more about him,” came<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> +from Frank. “He winked at me as though it +was some sort of a trick.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, the kind Ned played yesterday,” exclaimed +Frank.</p> + +<p>“No more from yours truly,” uttered the perpetrator +of the wrong slide. “No more jokes for +a while. I’m going fishing. Come on.”</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h3>A HUT IN THE WOODS</h3> + + +<p>The boys tried to learn in which direction the +old man had gone, but he was not in sight. They +listened to hear if he was tramping through the +bushes, but there was not a sound.</p> + +<p>“Looks as though he went through a hole in the +earth,” spoke Fenn. “But never mind. His +keepers are probably after him. He seems harmless +enough.”</p> + +<p>“Sometimes that’s the worst kind,” commented +Ned. “We had better be on the lookout for him. +He might come upon us unexpectedly.”</p> + +<p>But the boys reached the Riffles a little while +after this, and, in the excitement of hauling out a +number of fish, for the sport was good, they forgot +about the queer old man.</p> + +<p>“I wonder who he could have been?” asked +Frank, after a silence of half an hour following +the landing of several chub and perch.</p> + +<p>“Who?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“The King of Paprica.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span></p> +<p>“Oh, him. I’d forgotten all about it. What +makes you keep thinking of it?”</p> + +<p>“I can’t help it,” replied Frank, so solemnly +that his chums looked at him in some surprise.</p> + +<p>“I believe there is something about that man +which will bear investigating. No one ever heard +of a crazy person being loose in these woods before, +and there’s no lunatic asylum near by from +which he could have escaped. I tell you it looks +queer.”</p> + +<p>“Sometimes lunatics travel hundreds of miles,” +put in Bart. “I read of one, once, that escaped, +and was found a good while afterward in some +place in Europe.”</p> + +<p>“Say, did we come here to talk about odd folks +or to fish?” asked Ned somewhat sharply. “If +we’re going to fish let’s do it. All this talk will +scare ’em away.”</p> + +<p>“That’s what I say,” added Fenn. “Let’s +finish up and go home.”</p> + +<p>“Got a date to take a walk and gather wild +flowers with some girl, Stumpy?” asked Frank.</p> + +<p>“Well, it’s as much fun as talking about a crazy +man,” retorted Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Whoop! I’ve got a big one!” ejaculated +Ned, and he pulled a wiggling beauty ashore.</p> + +<p>It was the best catch so far, and the other boys<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> +congratulated Ned on his luck. Several other +large-sized fish were pulled out after that until the +boys’ baskets were nearly full.</p> + +<p>“Haven’t we got plenty?” asked Frank. +“Let’s quit and eat.”</p> + +<p>“Good enough!” exclaimed Bart. “I’ve got +a vacancy just beneath my belt,” and he patted +the region of his stomach in a suggestive manner.</p> + +<p>Frank, who had charge of the lunch basket, into +which the boys had put what they had brought +from home, opened it. As he was handing around +the sandwiches there was a noise in the bushes behind +where the lads were seated. They started, +thinking it might be the strange man again, +but they were relieved when they saw it was Jim +Nelson, who had the reputation of being the laziest +boy in town.</p> + +<p>“Hello, Jim,” called Ned.</p> + +<p>“Um,” grunted Jim. It seemed too much of +an effort to speak. “Bait?” he asked, with a motion +toward his own fishing tackle which he carried +over his shoulder.</p> + +<p>“Well, if you aren’t the limit!” exclaimed Ned. +“You started off fishing and depended on finding +some one to lend you the bait. Too lazy to dig it, +I suppose?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span></p> +<p>“Tired,” responded Jim, as if that explained it +all. “Throw over,” he added, which the boys +construed into a request that the bait can be passed +over, since Jim had flopped down in a comfortable +attitude on the bank.</p> + +<p>“The very nerve of you makes you a delight,” +spoke Bart as he tossed the tin can where Jim +could get it. The bait fell a little out of the lazy +lad’s reach. Instead of getting up for it he looked +around in search of a stick with which he could +poke it toward himself. There was one near his +foot.</p> + +<p>Jim reached out until he could touch the tree +branch with the toe of his shoe. Then he manipulated +the little club until he could get his fingers +on it, which took several minutes. Once it was in +his hands he managed to reach the bait can and +drew it toward him. All this while he was +stretched out on his back.</p> + +<p>Still in this position he baited his hook and then, +without looking to see where it landed, he threw +the weighted line in the direction of the river. +The hook struck just on the edge of the bank on +which Jim reclined, but he could not see this and +thought it had dropped into the water. The +chums looked on at this exhibition of laziness, +though it was no new thing to them.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span></p> +<p>“Think you’ll catch anything, Jim?” asked +Frank.</p> + +<p>“Hope not, have to pull it in, and I’m tired,” +responded the recumbent lad.</p> + +<p>“Oh, we’ll do it for you,” said Bart.</p> + +<p>“Um,” grunted Jim, that probably being his +thanks.</p> + +<p>The four comrades were munching their sandwiches, +and once in a while Jim would turn his head +and look at them. He was hungry but too lazy to +ask for something to eat.</p> + +<p>“Watch me,” whispered Ned to his companions, +and then he prepared to tantalize Jim.</p> + +<p>Ned took a piece of cake and tied it to a string. +The cord he fastened to the end of his fishing pole +and then, moving silently through the bushes, he +took a position directly behind Jim, and some distance +away.</p> + +<p>Slowly Ned raised the pole with its dangling +string and bit of cake until the latter was poised +right over Jim’s head. Then he slowly lowered +the dainty until it was within a few inches of Jim’s +mouth.</p> + +<p>“A new way to feed lazy folks,” observed Bart +in a low tone.</p> + +<p>The cake was held there a few minutes, but Jim +seemed unaware of its presence. Ned could not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> +understand it. Then Fenn looked over and saw +that Jim was asleep.</p> + +<p>“Can’t have the trick spoiled that way,” murmured +Frank, and tossed a little pebble that hit +Jim on the face. The lazy boy opened his eyes, +and saw the choice bit of cake directly over his +mouth. It was coming right down to him, after +the manner in which cocoanuts, bananas and oranges +are said to drop into the hands of the happy +dwellers in tropical climes.</p> + +<p>“Now for some fun,” whispered Fenn.</p> + +<p>The cake was almost in Jim’s mouth. He +opened his jaws. A happy look came over his +face. He had his lips on the dainty, when, with +a quick motion, Ned jerked it away.</p> + +<p>Jim was so surprised he did not know what to +do. The disgusted look on his face made the +other boys burst into a roar of laughter. Jim +raised himself on his elbow and looked at the conspirators.</p> + +<p>“Um!” he ejaculated. He was too lazy to +get mad. Then he went off in another doze.</p> + +<p>Ned went back to join his companions, all of +them still laughing at the joke.</p> + +<p>“Let’s make him believe he’s caught something,” +suggested Fenn. “Tie something to his +line.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span></p> +<p>“It’s your turn,” spoke Ned, and Fenn nodded +assent.</p> + +<p>He made his way quietly down the bank until +he could pull Jim’s hook from the water which +just touched it. He fastened something to it and +then gave the line a sudden yank. Jim had the +pole tied to his wrist to prevent a possible big fish +from taking it away from him as he slept, and +Fenn’s jerk awakened him.</p> + +<p>“Got one,” announced Jim, not bothering to +sit up straight. Then he began to pull in. The +line came up with a suddenness that surprised him, +as Fenn let go, and an old rubber boot, that +Stumpy had attached, flew over and struck the lazy +lad in the face.</p> + +<p>“It’s a whopper!” he cried until he saw what +it was. Then, with a disgusted look at the plotters +he turned over and went to sleep again.</p> + +<p>“What can you do with a fellow like that?” +asked Ned appealing to his chums.</p> + +<p>“Death will never overtake him,” replied +Frank. “It will pass him on the road, thinking +Jim has already passed in. He certainly is the +last word in laziness.”</p> + +<p>The four comrades decided they had enough +fishing for the day, so, putting away their tackle +and adding some fresh wet grass to the baskets of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> +fish in order to keep them cool, they started for +home.</p> + +<p>“Let’s take the short cut,” suggested Frank. +“Right through the woods.”</p> + +<p>“Do you know it?” asked Ned. “I nearly +got lost once, going that way.”</p> + +<p>“I guess I can pick it out.”</p> + +<p>So they began their tramp. But they had not +gone more than a mile along the half-discernable +path before Frank, who was in the lead, uttered +an exclamation.</p> + +<p>“See a snake?” asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“No, but here’s a hut that I never noticed before,” +was Frank’s answer. “I wonder if I am +on the wrong path. It looks right but I never saw +this shack.”</p> + +<p>The boys gathered around him. On one side +of the path, in a little clearing, half hidden among +the trees, was a small log cabin. It looked as +though it had always been there, but the boys were +sure it must have been erected recently.</p> + +<p>“There’s something painted over the door,” +said Bart.</p> + +<p>The boys looked. There, in brilliant red letters, +were the words:</p> + +<p class="noi blockquot"><i>KING OF PAPRICA</i></p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h3>THE CHALLENGE</h3> + + +<p>“Well what do you think of that?” asked +Ned. “Talk about queer coincidences, here’s +one! Now if only the crazy man would appear +we—”</p> + +<p>“Some one is coming,” exclaimed Frank, as a +noise was heard near the hut.</p> + +<p>The next instant a short stout man, with black +hair and a blacker moustache, came around the +corner of the hut. On his head he wore a little +gilt crown.</p> + +<p>“There’s the King of Paprica!” whispered +Bart, but not so low as to prevent the man hearing +him.</p> + +<p>“At your service,” replied the man, with a bow.</p> + +<p>For a few seconds the boys did not know whether +to laugh or run. It was certainly a very strange +affair, coupled with what the old man had said to +them.</p> + +<p>“Are you really—” began Fenn, when the +man held up a warning hand.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span></p> +<p>“Please don’t speak of it,” he said in a mild +voice. “I am here for a certain purpose. Have +you seen an old man in these woods? Rather a +strange character.”</p> + +<p>“Something like yourself,” said Ned, but in +the faintest whisper.</p> + +<p>“Yes, we did,” replied Frank, who seemed +somewhat excited over the sight of the man with +the gilt crown. “He said you would know he +was on guard. He also—”</p> + +<p>“Yes, I know all about it,” was the quick answer. +“It’s very unfortunate. I beg of you not +to mention it to any one. I may rely upon you?”</p> + +<p>“You may,” said Frank so earnestly that his +chums wondered whether he knew more about the +queer happenings than they did. “We will say +nothing.”</p> + +<p>“It will all come out right in the end,” went +on the man with the crown. “Which way was +he going?”</p> + +<p>“He seemed headed in this direction,” replied +Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Then he will arrive in time for the audience,” +said the King of Paprica. “I must bid you farewell +now,” and with that he went into the hut and +closed the door after him.</p> + +<p>The boys stood for a few seconds gazing at the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> +silent cabin with it’s odd inscription, and then +Bart exclaimed:</p> + +<p>“Come on! Let’s get out of here. First thing +you know we’ll be getting crazy ourselves. This +place isn’t safe!”</p> + +<p>He hurried on through the woods and the others +followed.</p> + +<p>“What do you make of it?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“Why, it’s plain enough,” spoke Frank. +“The old man we met first is crazy, and this one +is his keeper. He’s brought him out here into the +woods to cure him, and he probably has to humor +him by pretending to be a king. That’s all there +is to it. I’ve often read of such cases.”</p> + +<p>“Seems to me you’re fond of reading about +lunatics,” said Bart.</p> + +<p>“I am. I read all I can on such cases. It is +very fascinating.”</p> + +<p>“Excuse me,” broke in Ned. “I’d rather have +something cheerful.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, but you have no idea what strange fancies +some of the unfortunates have,” said Frank +earnestly. In his eyes there glowed a strange +light, and his chums, looking at him, felt he had +more than ever that queer air of mystery about +him.</p> + +<p>“Well, we’d better be moving faster than this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> +or we’ll be held up again by the King of Paprica’s +guard,” spoke Ned. “I think you’re wrong about +it, Frank.”</p> + +<p>“How do you mean?”</p> + +<p>“I think both those chaps are crazy. It’s a +puzzle to tell which one is worse.”</p> + +<p>“I agree with you,” said Bart. “I wouldn’t +want to meet either one of them here alone in the +woods after dark.”</p> + +<p>“Nonsense,” exclaimed Frank. “Why, a lunatic +is the easiest person in the world to get along +with. All you have to do is to humor him.”</p> + +<p>“Let him kill you if he feels so disposed?” suggested +Fenn.</p> + +<p>“No, but if you should meet one, and he asks +you to let him shoot you, fall in with his idea.”</p> + +<p>“Hand him a gun, eh, Frank?” asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“No, but, after he sees you are not going to +oppose him, incidentally suggest that the moon is +in the wrong quarter for a successful killing, or that +the hour has not yet arrived, or that you have nine +lives like a cat and that he had much better murder +some one who has only one life. Ten chances +to one he’ll agree with you and let you alone.”</p> + +<p>“I guess that one chance would fall to me,” observed +Fenn, “and I’ll give the lunatics a wide +berth. You can have ’em all, Frank.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span></p> +<p>“Well, I’ve read that’s the best way to act.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, you and your reading!” exclaimed Ned. +“Let’s talk about something cheerful.”</p> + +<p>The boys hurried on through the woods. More +than once they got off the path and had to spend +some minutes finding it again, so they did not get +home until nearly supper time.</p> + +<p>“See you Monday,” called Frank to his chums, +as he took the road that led to his uncle’s house.</p> + +<p>“There’ll be a ball game next week, I guess,” +came from Bart. “You may get a chance to +play.”</p> + +<p>“All right,” and Frank was off down the road.</p> + +<p>“I’d like to see the inside of that hut,” observed +Ned as he and the other two boys walked on.</p> + +<p>“Still harping on that, eh?” asked Fenn. “I +want to forget it.”</p> + +<p>“Think we’d better mention anything about +the queer men we saw?” asked Bart, as he and +Fenn strolled through the shopping district, which +was always a lively place on Saturday nights.</p> + +<p>“Who to?”</p> + +<p>“The police, of course.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t see as it’s any of their affair. The +men are harmless.”</p> + +<p>“But they’re lunatics at large.”</p> + +<p>“I guess it’s as Frank says, one is the other’s<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> +keeper. We’d better mind our own affairs. Besides +Frank promised, for us, that we’d keep +quiet.”</p> + +<p>“Then I suppose we’d better. But maybe +something will happen.”</p> + +<p>“What, for instance?”</p> + +<p>“They might murder some one.”</p> + +<p>“Say, have you been reading any five-cent libraries +lately?”</p> + +<p>“No, but—”</p> + +<p>“Forget it,” counseled Fenn. “Ah, good +evening,” he added, bowing to a pretty girl who +passed them. “Excuse me, Bart. I want to +speak to Jennie,” and Fenn left his chum.</p> + +<p>“That’s the way,” growled Bart. “A fellow’s +no good once he gets girls on the brain,” and he +walked on alone, and quite disgusted with Stumpy.</p> + +<p>“Oh, Fenn!” exclaimed Jennie Smith, as the +boy joined her. “Isn’t it just like a play to see +all the lights and the people hurrying back and +forth? ‘All the world’s a stage and all the men +and women merely players.’ I think that’s just +grand! Oh I wish I could thrill large audiences!” +she added, for her secret desire was to +become an actress. “What is this I see before +me! Is it a dagger, the handle—!”</p> + +<p>But just then Jennie collided with a fat man in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> +front of her. He turned, good-naturedly and remarked:</p> + +<p>“No, young lady, I’m not a dagger, though +I’d like to get thin enough to be taken for one.”</p> + +<p>Jennie blushed, and Fenn was a little embarrassed. +Soon after that Fenn bade Jennie goodnight.</p> + +<p>Monday morning when the chums reached +school there was a buzz of excitement among those +gathered on the campus waiting for the nine o’clock +gong to ring.</p> + +<p>“Here they come now,” called some one. +“We’ll see what they say.”</p> + +<p>“What’s up?” asked Bart, as he saw the crowd +of boys hurrying toward him and his chums.</p> + +<p>“We’ve got a challenge!” exclaimed Lem Gordon, +pitcher of the school nine, of which Bart was +catcher.</p> + +<p>“Who from?” asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“The Lakeville Prep. school. It’s for Thursday. +Dare we take ’em on?”</p> + +<p>“We dare do all that may become our school,” +paraphrased Frank. “Why not?” He did not +play on the regular nine.</p> + +<p>“They’re out of our class,” said Lem. +“Haven’t lost a game this year, and they’re way<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> +ahead of us. Have better grounds and more time +to practice.”</p> + +<p>“Well, we don’t want to show the white +feather,” said Fenn. “Maybe we’ll have a +chance.”</p> + +<p>“We sure will if Lem pitches as he did in the +game two weeks ago,” spoke Bart. “That certainly +won the game for us if anything did.”</p> + +<p>“Your catching had a lot to do with it,” put in +Lem, “and so did Ned’s fielding.”</p> + +<p>“To say nothing of Stumpy’s work at short,” +added Bart. “I say let’s give ’em a game. +They can’t any more than wallop us!”</p> + +<p>“Hurrah!” yelled the crowd of boys. “Three +cheers for Bart!”</p> + +<p>“Cut it out!” said Bart. “Think I’m a political +candidate? We’ll go in with the idea of winning!”</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3>A GREAT GAME OF BALL</h3> + + +<p>Word soon went around that Bart, who was +captain of the nine, had decided to accept the challenge +which had come to Harry Mathews as manager +of the team. The challenge had only arrived +that morning and there were few of the high school +boys who believed their nine stood any chance of +winning.</p> + +<p>The Lakeville Preparatory School was a private +institution located about three miles from Darewell. +It was attended by youths who were fitted +for college there, and the pupils were, on the average, +older and larger than the Darewell High +School lads. Their nine had an enviable reputation +in local sporting circles.</p> + +<p>The high school boys were so worked up over +the prospect of the game, with rivals they had +never yet ventured to play, that there was less attention +to lessons than usual among the members +of the nine, and their supporters, that morning.</p> + +<p>Fenn must have been thinking quite seriously of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> +the pending contest for, when answering in the ancient +history class the question: “Who was Cæsar’s +greatest rival?” he replied solemnly:</p> + +<p>“The Lakeville Prep. School!”</p> + +<p>There was a burst of laughter in which even the +instructor had to join.</p> + +<p>“We’ll have to practice for the next three +days,” said Bart at noon recess. “I’ll have to get +my new glove limbered up, and, Lem, you’ll have +to think up some new curves.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, I need practice all right,” responded the +pitcher. “Suppose we have a scrub game this afternoon?”</p> + +<p>“That suits me,” replied Bart.</p> + +<p>When school was over a picked nine prepared +to give battle to the regular one in order to bring +out the weak points.</p> + +<p>“Don’t you think we ought to have a substitute +pitcher?” asked Lem, as he prepared to go +into the box.</p> + +<p>“You aren’t afraid of breaking down, are +you?” asked Bart anxiously.</p> + +<p>“No, only you never can tell what is going to +happen.”</p> + +<p>“Here you go, Stumpy!” called Bart as his +chum was tossing the ball to the right-fielder in the +warming-up practice.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span></p> +<p>Fenn sent the leather spheroid toward the +catcher with all the strength of his arm. Bart +caught it on his heavy glove. As he did so he +called in a low voice to Lem, and the two held a +whispered conversation.</p> + +<p>“Do you think he can do it?” Lem asked.</p> + +<p>“Yes, if we spring it on him suddenly and don’t +give him a chance to get nervous. That’s Stumpy’s +main fault. But I’m hoping there’ll be no need +for it.”</p> + +<p>“Well, I’ll do my best,” responded Lem.</p> + +<p>The practice game was started, and several weak +points developed in the regular high school nine. +But Bart was not discouraged. There had been +little opportunity for games, of late, and the boys +were a trifle slow. He coached them along, suggesting +improvements and offering words of advice +to some players.</p> + +<p>“Good!” cried the captain to Frank, who made +a brilliant catch in center field. Frank was playing +on the scrub nine. “You’ll be a regular if you +keep on.”</p> + +<p>Frank was not a natural baseball player. His +forte was football, but once in a while he made +brilliant plays on the nine, when he took some +other player’s place.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span></p> +<p>“A couple of days more like this and we’ll be +fit to give ’em all they want, to beat us,” remarked +Bart as the boys gathered up the balls, bats and +gloves preparatory to going home.</p> + +<p>“If we only could beat ’em!” exclaimed Ned.</p> + +<p>“If we hold ’em to a tie I’ll be satisfied,” retorted +Bart. “That’s something no high school +nine has ever done to ’em.”</p> + +<p>For the next two afternoons there was hard +practice. On one occasion Bart called on Stumpy +to take the pitcher’s box, Lem making an excuse +that he wanted to rest his arm. Stumpy wondered +at this, as Sandy Merton was the one who usually +substituted for Lem. But this time Sandy was +left on third, his regular position.</p> + +<p>Fenn had no idea he could pitch. He knew he +could send in a straight ball, and he did this in +practice. When Lem came back in the box on one +occasion after Stumpy had been filling it, he asked +in a low tone of Bart:</p> + +<p>“Will he do?”</p> + +<p>“I think so, but don’t say anything.”</p> + +<p>The morning of the game the Darewell nine +assembled before school, on the campus and indulged +in some fast practice. The contest was +to take place on the Preparatory school grounds,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> +and in answer to a general petition Professor McCloud +agreed to dismiss all classes an hour earlier +that day to enable the journey to be made.</p> + +<p>The nine and the substitutes went over in a big +stage but the boys and girls who were to be spectators +took trolley cars that ran close to the +grounds.</p> + +<p>“They’re a husky looking lot,” observed Bart +as the stage dropped its load close to the diamond, +and he observed the other nine on the field. +“They play fast, snappy ball, and we’ve got our +work cut out for us.”</p> + +<p>The Darewell team soon got into practice, their +methods being closely watched by their rivals. +Captain Benson, of the other club, greeted Bart, +and the preliminaries were soon arranged.</p> + +<p>“Play ball!” called the umpire, and the game +was on.</p> + +<p>The visitors had won the toss for innings, and +in consequence Lem had to open the struggle. +The first ball he pitched went wild, and the next +one struck the batter, giving him his base.</p> + +<p>“Rotten!” whispered Lem to himself, disgustedly.</p> + +<p>“Take it easy,” advised Bart, walking out to +the pitcher’s box. “Keep cool.”</p> + +<p>The advice did Lem good, and he struck out<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> +the next two men. Then they began to find his +curves and he was hit for two single baggers and +one three. At the end of the inning the game +stood three runs in favor of the Preparatory +school.</p> + +<p>It was Bart’s first turn at the bat, and he managed +to get to first on balls. Then Ned lined out +a nice two bagger, and Fenn planted one over in +right field that enabled Bart and Ned to get in. +The inning ended three to two in favor of the +home team.</p> + +<p>For the next four innings neither side scored. +It was a pitchers’ battle and Lem was doing fine +work. But, on the other hand few of the Darewell +boys could find the curves of the Preparatory +school’s pitcher.</p> + +<p>The next inning the home team got in three +more runs and the visitors two, making the score +four to six, against the high school boys.</p> + +<p>“We’ve got to do better than this,” said Bart, +as his team came to the bat for the eighth inning +which had netted the Preparatory team one run, +making their total seven.</p> + +<p>The high school team seemed to “take a brace,” +for they made three runs by hard work.</p> + +<p>“That ties ’em!” cried Bart excitedly, as he +came to the bat. “Now to beat ’em.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span></p> +<p>As he spoke there was some sort of a commotion +near the bench where the Darewell players +were sitting. Then came a cry:</p> + +<p>“Ouch! My wrist! Let up, Sandy!”</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter?” asked the captain, running +over to where he saw a struggle.</p> + +<p>“Oh, Sandy Merton tried to play a trick on +Lem,” explained Ned. “He’s always up to +some foolishness.”</p> + +<p>“I was only showing a new wrestling hold,” +said Sandy. “My foot slipped and I fell on +him.”</p> + +<p>“Are you hurt, Lem?” asked the captain.</p> + +<p>“Wrist sprained, I guess,” and he extended +his hand which was beginning to swell.</p> + +<p>“That settles your pitching,” remarked Bart. +“Pity you aren’t left handed. Well, it’s a good +thing we provided for an emergency. Sandy, you +ought to have better sense,” and he spoke sternly.</p> + +<p>“Oh, if you’re going to act that way about it +I’ll not play,” and Sandy started away.</p> + +<p>“Suit yourself,” said Bart calmly. “Frank, +you take third in Sandy’s place.”</p> + +<p>“Who’ll pitch?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“I’ll decide when the inning’s over,” replied +Bart, as he went back to the bat.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span></p> +<p>Probably the little scene made Bart nervous, +for he struck out, an unusual thing with him. +That put the side out, the inning ending in the +tie score. There was little apprehension in the +ranks of the Preparatory team, but there were +anxious hearts among the high school supporters. +The cheering died away.</p> + +<p>“Stumpy; you pitch,” called Bart.</p> + +<p>“Me! Why I can’t pitch! I never pitched +a regular game.”</p> + +<p>“I’m captain, and you pitch,” said Bart decidedly, +and much amazed at his selection Stumpy +walked into the box.</p> + +<p>The suddenness of it was just his salvation. +He had no chance to get nervous.</p> + +<p>“Can he do it?” asked Ned, as he started for +his place.</p> + +<p>“He’s got a fine, natural curve,” replied Bart. +“I never noticed it until the other day. Discovered +it by accident. I think he’ll make good.”</p> + +<p>And Stumpy did. He hardly knew how he did +it, but he had a knack of throwing the ball that +fooled the best batters on the other team. He +struck out the first two men, and there arose murmurs +of anxiety among the rivals.</p> + +<p>“Why didn’t they put him in first?” asked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> +the captain of the home team of some of his +men, wondering why so good a pitcher had been +left to the last.</p> + +<p>The third batter managed to plant the leather +in a long flight in the direction of third base. But +Frank was right on the alert. He made a splendid +jump and caught it, putting the side out minus +a run. There was a wild burst of cheering from +the high school girls and boys.</p> + +<p>“Only takes one run to beat ’em!” exclaimed +Bart as his team went to the bat for the last +time. “Somebody get it!”</p> + +<p>Somebody did. It was Ned, who came first to +the plate. He lined a beauty just over the center +fielder’s head, and got two bases on it. Joe +Wright brought him in, and such a yell as went +up from the high school crowd was seldom heard +on that diamond.</p> + +<p>“That does it!” yelled Bart, capering about. +“Stumpy! you’re all to the good!”</p> + +<p>“But Ned won the game,” objected Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Your pitching held them down just when they +would have walked away from us. You’re all to +the good, Stumpy!”</p> + +<p>“Three cheers for Stumpy!” called some one, +and they came with a vim that made Fenn blush.</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h3>ALICE HAS A CHANCE</h3> + + +<p>The four chums were certainly regarded as the +heroes of the school that day, for they had been +instrumental in winning a victory that went down +in the history of the institution as a most brilliant +one.</p> + +<p>“I didn’t know you had it in you, Stumpy,” +said Ned, as the nine reached the high school +grounds on the return trip.</p> + +<p>“Me either,” replied Fenn. “It sort of +‘growed,’ like Topsy in Uncle Tom’s Cabin.”</p> + +<p>“To think of beating the Preps,” murmured +Bart. “It’s the finest thing that ever happened.”</p> + +<p>“How’s your wrist, Lem?” asked Frank.</p> + +<p>“Hurts like the mischief. Sandy came down +on it with all his force.”</p> + +<p>“Say, I wonder if he meant that?” asked +Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Meant it? What do you mean?” asked +Bart.</p> + +<p>“Well it looked queer,” went on Fenn.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> +“There we were in a tie game and we needed every +advantage we could get to hold it. Then Sandy +gets up to one of his tricks, and he might have +known something would happen. It always does +when he tries his funny work.”</p> + +<p>“You don’t mean to say you think he deliberately +hurt me, do you?” asked Lem, winding his +handkerchief around the swollen wrist.</p> + +<p>“Well, I wouldn’t want to accuse any one unjustly,” +Stumpy continued. “But I heard he +was going around saying things about being done +out of his place as substitute pitcher, in practice, +by me. Maybe he thought he’d just hurt Lem +a little so’s he could have a chance to finish out +the game.”</p> + +<p>“I’d hate to believe it of him,” remarked the +captain, “but he certainly did act rather strange. +He went off angry, too. Well, it can’t be helped. +Guess we’d better not say anything about it unless +he tries to do something else. Come on to the +drug store, Lem, and we’ll get some arnica for +that wrist.”</p> + +<p>Most of the boys dispersed at the school campus +where the stage had left them, but the four chums, +with Lem in their midst, walked up the street +together.</p> + +<p>“I wouldn’t be afraid to tackle ’em again,”<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> +observed Ned. “We’ve got their measure +now.”</p> + +<p>“Maybe they’ll ask for a return game,” said +Bart. “Hello,” he added, “here comes my sister +and Jennie Smith. Look out, Stumpy, or +Jennie will be doing the Juliet act to you.”</p> + +<p>“Guess not,” spoke Fenn, and he started to +walk away, but Ned held him.</p> + +<p>“Don’t desert in the face of the enemy,” he +said, and Fenn had to stay.</p> + +<p>“Oh, is some one hurt?” cried Alice, as she +saw the cloth around Lem’s wrist. “How nice! +I mean how fortunate I happened to meet you! +Now I will have a chance to treat you!”</p> + +<p>“Going to treat us to ice cream sodas?” asked +her brother unfeelingly.</p> + +<p>“Don’t be foolish, Bart! What is it Lem; +is your wrist broken?”</p> + +<p>“Only sprained, I think.”</p> + +<p>“Let me look at it,” demanded Alice, and, regardless +of the crowd that gathered, when the five +boys and two girls formed a group on the sidewalk, +Alice proceeded to undo the handkerchief +and other cloth Lem had wound about his wrist.</p> + +<p>“Wait a minute,” said Alice. “I must look +at my book on first-aid-to-the-injured to make sure +what it is,” and she took a little volume from a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> +bag she carried on her arm. Rapidly turning the +pages she read:</p> + +<p>“‘A sprain is the result of violent twisting, +stretching or partial tearing of the ligaments about +a joint, and there is often a fracture at the ends +of the bones.’ Are you sure there isn’t a fracture, +Lem? I’d love to treat a fracture as I never had +a chance at one yet.”</p> + +<p>“I hope not,” murmured the disabled pitcher. +“It’s bad enough as it is.”</p> + +<p>He was rather uneasy under the pressure Alice +brought to bear on his wrist as she turned it this +way and that, in an endeavor to see if it was +broken.</p> + +<p>“Do I hurt you?” she asked.</p> + +<p>“Well—er—that is—no!” and Lem shut +his teeth tightly together.</p> + +<p>“Come right over to the drug store,” spoke +Alice, as she led Lem by the injured wrist. He +tried not to show the pain she unconsciously caused +him. “I will get some hot water and hold your +hand in it for an hour and a half.”</p> + +<p>“Half an hour’s enough,” Lem said. “I +haven’t got time for any more.”</p> + +<p>“I must go by the book,” Alice declared firmly. +“A good nurse always does that.”</p> + +<p>Alice walked into the drug store, leading Lem<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> +as though she had done that sort of thing all her +life. The four chums followed.</p> + +<p>“Some hot water please, in a deep basin,” requested +Alice of the clerk, and, though the man +behind the counter looked in wonder at the strange +cavalcade, he brought out the basin full of the +steaming liquid.</p> + +<p>“Put your wrist in,” commanded Alice as she +rolled up Lem’s sleeve.</p> + +<p>He thrust his arm in, half way to the elbow.</p> + +<p>“Ouch!” he yelled. “It’s hot!”</p> + +<p>“Of course it is,” replied the girl coolly, “it +has to be. Now while we are waiting the hour +and a half let’s talk about the game. It will help +you to forget the pain. Maybe Bart has money +for some ice cream soda.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll buy ’em,” said Lem, trying to get his uninjured +hand into his pocket.</p> + +<p>“You’ll do nothing of the sort,” decided Alice. +“You’re a patient. Whoever heard of a patient +standing treat?” and she motioned to her brother.</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h3>THE STRANGE BOATMAN</h3> + + +<p>Bart went over to the soda fountain and ordered +“something for all hands” as he expressed +it. Meanwhile Alice remained at Lem’s side, +holding his wrist down well under the hot water. +Lem’s face had lost some of its pained look. The +heat was reducing the swelling and, consequently, +the pressure.</p> + +<p>“Will you kindly get me some cotton and bandages +ready?” asked Alice of the clerk, and he +produced them at once.</p> + +<p>“When you going to graduate as a trained +nurse?” asked Bart, as he came back, a glass of +soda in each hand.</p> + +<p>“Little boys shouldn’t ask the nurse questions,” +spoke Alice, with a laugh.</p> + +<p>“I say, how’s Lem going to eat his?” asked +Frank. “He’s only got one hand, and it’s hard +work dishing up the cream with a long handled +spoon if you don’t hold the glass.”</p> + +<p>“You boys will have to hold mine and Lem’s,”<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> +said Alice. “We can eat with one hand then,” +and so it was done. Bart held Lem’s glass and +Fenn took charge of Alice’s. When they finished +the boys who had acted as soda-bearers regaled +themselves on the beverage.</p> + +<p>“Say, Alice, how long before that’ll be done? +It’s been boiling half an hour now,” remarked +Bart.</p> + +<p>“More hot water, please,” the girl requested of +the clerk. “A little longer,” she added to her +brother. “Then I’m going to bandage it and we +can go.”</p> + +<p>To give her credit Alice did bandage the +sprained wrist quite well. She opened her first-aid +book on the counter in front of her and followed +a diagram showing how to fold the cloth. +The druggist complimented her on her skill.</p> + +<p>“This is my first big case,” said Alice with a +smile. She was very much in earnest over it, however +lightly the boys treated her ambition. “I +hope I have some more soon.”</p> + +<p>“Well, I hope it isn’t me,” said Lem.</p> + +<p>“I’m sorry if I hurt you,” said Alice, looking +a little offended.</p> + +<p>“Oh, I didn’t mean that!” Lem hastened to +add. “It feels ever so much better. I meant +I hope I won’t get hurt again. The season is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> +young yet and we’ve lots of games ahead of us.”</p> + +<p>“Guess we’ll have to take Alice along to look +after the wounded,” said Frank. “She’ll be the +mascot.”</p> + +<p>“Somebody was mascot to-day all right,” came +from Bart. “We certainly were in luck. +Stumpy, hereafter you’re the regular substitute +pitcher. Sandy Merton can consider himself released.”</p> + +<p>It was dusk when the little group left the drug +store to go to their several homes.</p> + +<p>“You must come and report to me to-morrow,” +said Alice as she bade Lem good-bye. “Be careful +to keep the bandage on.”</p> + +<p>“I will,” he promised.</p> + +<p>His house was in the opposite direction to that +which the four chums took. The chums walked +on slowly together, Alice and Jennie hurrying +away to do an errand for Mrs. Keene. As the +boys turned a corner they almost collided with a +man who was walking quickly in the opposite direction.</p> + +<p>“I beg pardon!” he muttered as he passed +through the group of lads. They were too surprised +to respond and when Bart did think to say, +“certainly,” the man was several feet away hurrying +up the street. The boys gazed after him.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span></p> +<p>“Don’t you know who that is?” asked Ned suddenly.</p> + +<p>“No; friend of yours?” inquired Fenn.</p> + +<p>“I’m sure it’s the man we met in the woods +Saturday.”</p> + +<p>“Who, the crazy man?”</p> + +<p>“No, the one at the hut—the King of Paprica—though +he may be crazy for all I know. +I recognized him as he hurried past me.”</p> + +<p>“Are you sure?” asked Frank.</p> + +<p>“Positive.”</p> + +<p>“He didn’t have his crown on,” spoke Bart.</p> + +<p>“And his clothes were not the same,” put in +Fenn.</p> + +<p>“That doesn’t make any difference,” insisted +Ned. “I am sure it was the same man. I’ll +bet there’s some mystery here, and it’s up to us to +solve it,” he added.</p> + +<p>“I don’t see why,” said Frank.</p> + +<p>“Why haven’t we as good a right as any one?”</p> + +<p>“I’m certain this man, if he is the one we saw +at the hut, is the keeper of that poor lunatic we +first met in the woods. Now what’s the use of +bothering them. They have troubles enough,” replied +Frank.</p> + +<p>“Well, I want to get a look inside that hut,” +went on Ned, “and I’m going to, some day.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span></p> +<p>“Your curiosity may get you into trouble,” +spoke Frank, a little seriously.</p> + +<p>“It won’t be the first time,” and Ned laughed.</p> + +<p>“Well, whoever he is, he was in a great hurry,” +said Fenn. “Maybe the lunatic is sick and he’s +going to get some medicine for him.”</p> + +<p>By this time the man was out of sight, and, after +a little further talk the boys went on.</p> + +<p>Some one must have told Sandy Merton what +Bart said about his being released from the team, +for the next day he approached the nine’s captain +on the school campus.</p> + +<p>“I hear you said I couldn’t play on the team +any more,” Sandy said to Bart.</p> + +<p>“That’s what I did. Who told you?”</p> + +<p>“That’s none of your affair. But I tell you I +am going to play.”</p> + +<p>“You refused to obey an order from the captain,” +said Bart. “Not that I’m better than any +of the other players, but they elected me captain and +I’m going to run the nine or resign. You can’t +play as long as I’m captain.”</p> + +<p>“We’ll see how long you’ll be captain then,” +muttered Sandy, as he walked away.</p> + +<p>“Think he means anything?” asked Fenn of +Bart.</p> + +<p>“I don’t care whether he does or not. I’m<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> +sorry to have to act that way, but if the team’s +going to amount to anything it’s got to obey orders. +If you fellows don’t want me for captain, +say the word and I’ll resign.”</p> + +<p>“Resign nothing!” exclaimed Ned. “I’d like +to see you do it. Eh, fellows?”</p> + +<p>“That’s right!” came from the crowd that had +heard what Sandy said.</p> + +<p>“Let’s go for a row on the river after school,” +suggested Bart to his chums during the noon recess, +and they agreed. The boys jointly owned a +well-equipped boat in which they frequently made +trips down to the lake. It was a four-oared barge, +roomy and comfortable, though not speedy.</p> + +<p>“Shall we bring our fishing tackle along?” +asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“You can if you like,” replied Bart. “I’m not +going to. I’m just going to take it easy.”</p> + +<p>Quite a crowd of boys went to the river after +school. Some took their swimming suits, while +others went to fish or row, as a number of them +had boats. The four chums soon got their craft +out from the house, at a public dock, where it was +kept.</p> + +<p>“Who’ll row?” asked Frank.</p> + +<p>“Draw lots,” suggested Bart, and the choice +fell to Ned and Fenn.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span></p> +<p>“Up or down?” asked Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Row up and float down,” said Ned. “We +don’t want to be working all the while.”</p> + +<p>They went up the stream for two or three miles, +and Frank, who had borrowed Ned’s fishing +tackle, cast in. But the fish did not seem to be biting.</p> + +<p>“Put up a little further,” suggested Frank. +“We’re almost to the Riffles. I’d like to get a +bite as long as I’m at it.”</p> + +<p>As the boat was sent round a turn of the river +the boys caught sight of another craft in which a +man was seated. His boat appeared to be anchored, +and as he stood in the bow he reached down +into the water with a long pole and seemed to be +pulling something up.</p> + +<p>He did this several times, and on each occasion +would carefully examine the end of the pole which +he had stuck into the river.</p> + +<p>“That’s an odd proceeding,” remarked Bart, as +he looked at the lone boatman.</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h3>A PLOT AGAINST BART</h3> + + +<p>The man seemed to pay no attention to the approach +of the boys’ boat. He kept on dipping the +long pole into the water, shoving it down as far as +it would go, and then carefully examining the end +of it. As the chums came nearer they saw he was +conducting his investigations by means of a large +magnifying glass.</p> + +<p>“Must be small fish he’s after,” observed +Frank.</p> + +<p>“Why it’s the luna—” began Fenn, as he +looked at the man, whose boat was now opposite +that of the boys.</p> + +<p>“Hush!” exclaimed Frank, and Fenn did not +finish the sentence.</p> + +<p>The chums saw the man was the strange person +they had met in the woods. At the same time the +fellow looked up and seemed to recognize them.</p> + +<p>“Have you seen the King of Paprica?” he +asked, as he laid down his pole and began to pull +up the rope attached to a small anchor.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span></p> +<p>“Not to-day,” replied Bart. “What are you +fishing for, if I may ask?”</p> + +<p>“You certainly may,” was the answer. “I am +probing for bullets.”</p> + +<p>“For bullets?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, you see the king observed some one +shooting up the river last night, and he directed +me to probe for the bullets.”</p> + +<p>“Shooting up the river?” inquired Ned.</p> + +<p>“Yes, in a boat, you know. Did you think I +meant a gun? How could one shoot up in a gun? +But don’t mention to the king that you saw me. +He’s not expecting to hear from me, and it might +annoy him,” and the man allowed the boat to drift +down stream again before he brought it to anchor. +Then he began sticking the pole down into the +mud and resumed his operation of examining the +end with the magnifying glass.</p> + +<p>“Crazy as a loon,” remarked Frank, in a low +tone. “Row on, fellows.”</p> + +<p>“I’d like to go ashore and have a look into that +hut,” remarked Ned.</p> + +<p>“Better not,” cautioned Frank. “There!” he +exclaimed, “I’ve got one,” and he pulled in a fine +large fish.</p> + +<p>He had several bites after that, and, becoming +interested in his success, Ned and Fenn rowed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> +further up stream where the fishing was better. +Frank caught eight fish before the boys decided to +go home. They looked for the strange man in +the boat, as they floated past where he had been, +but he was not in sight, nor was his craft to be seen.</p> + +<p>“Something’s up,” remarked Ned to Bart, as +they met the next Monday on the school campus.</p> + +<p>“What do you mean?”</p> + +<p>“Keep your eye on Sandy Merton.”</p> + +<p>Indeed Sandy did seem to be unusually busy. +He went about from one part of the grounds to another, +talking first with one boy and then with another. +Most of them were lads with whom the +chums were not on very familiar terms.</p> + +<p>“What do you s’pose he’s up to?” asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“Can’t guess, unless it has something to do with +baseball.”</p> + +<p>“I’m going to find out,” spoke Bart.</p> + +<p>He approached one of the boys with whom he +had seen Sandy conversing.</p> + +<p>“What was Sandy asking you, if it’s no secret?” +inquired the captain of the nine.</p> + +<p>“Well, it is a sort of secret,” replied Fred Jenkins. +“You’ll hear of it soon enough though,” +and he turned away.</p> + +<p>“Looks like a plot,” commented Ned with an +uneasy laugh.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span></p> +<p>Several other boys, whom Bart asked regarding +Sandy’s activities, returned evasive answers. +None of the intimate friends of the chums had been +approached. Bart had no time to pursue his inquiries +further as the bell rang for school to assemble.</p> + +<p>At noon, however Sandy’s actions were explained. +On a bulletin board, used to post announcements +of athletic and other school events, +was this notice:</p> + +<p class="noi blockquot">“There will be a meeting of the Athletic +Committee this afternoon to take action +on a certain matter.”</p> + +<p>“That’s some of Sandy’s work,” said Bart. +“Well I’m ready for whatever happens.”</p> + +<p>Several boys crowded around the board to read +the notice. Sandy was not among them.</p> + +<p>“Who wrote it?” inquired a number.</p> + +<p>“Whoever did was afraid to sign his name,” +commented Bart. “It’s in printing, so we couldn’t +tell whose writing it is. Well, I’ll be at the meeting.”</p> + +<p>It was an expectant group that gathered in the +court which was used, after school, for sessions of +the various clubs and teams. Sandy was on hand,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> +talking earnestly to a number of the pupils. Finally +he walked up to the big iron post where the +chairman of whatever gathering was called, usually +stood.</p> + +<p>“We’re here to elect a new captain of the High +School baseball nine,” Sandy announced.</p> + +<p>“What’s that?” asked several, and the four +chums looked at one another.</p> + +<p>“I’m a member of the Athletic Committee,” +went on Sandy. “I called this meeting.”</p> + +<p>“It takes a majority of the committee to call a +session,” interrupted Ned.</p> + +<p>“Well, a majority did,” responded Sandy. +“Fred Jenkins, Peter Rand, and John Andrews, +with myself, constitute a majority. There are +only seven members. Now we’ve decided to have +an election for a new captain,” Sandy went on. +“There’s some objection to the present one,” and +he looked at Bart.</p> + +<p>“Who from?” called Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Plenty; ain’t there fellows?” asked Sandy, +turning to a group of his friends.</p> + +<p>“Yes,” came the rather feeble answers.</p> + +<p>“I move that Lem Gordon be made captain,” +called Fred Jenkins, evidently in furtherance of +the plot Sandy had laid to oust Bart.</p> + +<p>“Second it,” came from Peter Rand.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span></p> +<p>“Look here!” exclaimed Bart, and his friends +noticed he was pale. “Why didn’t you come to +me like a man, Sandy Merton, and tell me there +was opposition? I’d have resigned in a minute. +But this is a sneaky way of doing things and I’ll +fight it, do you understand? I’ll resign if the +majority says I ought to but not before. Now go +ahead and hold your election!”</p> + +<p>“Hurrah for Bart!” called some one and there +was a loud shout.</p> + +<p>“Order!” vainly called Sandy.</p> + +<p>“We don’t want an election!” sang out another +boy. “Bart is the best captain we ever +had! Didn’t we lick the Preps?”</p> + +<p>“That’s right!” yelled a number. “Bart for +captain!”</p> + +<p>“Let them have the election!” cried Bart. +“I’m not afraid. I know what it’s all about. +It’s because I didn’t let Sandy pitch that game. +And what’s more,” he added, “I believe he deliberately +put Lem out of business so he might +have a chance!”</p> + +<p>“That’s a falsehood!” cried Sandy, making a +spring toward Bart.</p> + +<p>“Ask Lem,” was Bart’s reply. “If you want +to fight, Sandy Merton, come on!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span></p> +<p>“Don’t talk that way,” counseled Ned. “Let’s +see if we can’t settle this thing peaceably.”</p> + +<p>“Go on with the election!” called Bart, who +was getting excited. “I’m not afraid! I’ll resign +if you want me to!”</p> + +<p>“We don’t want you to!” cried a score of +voices.</p> + +<p>“All those in favor of Lem Gordon for captain +say ‘aye,’” called Sandy.</p> + +<p>“I won’t take it!” shouted Lem. “Bart’s the +captain for me.”</p> + +<p>“That’s right!” yelled a dozen voices.</p> + +<p>“All those who want Bart to continue captain +say so!” cried Ned.</p> + +<p>“Yes!” and the shout made the windows rattle.</p> + +<p>“That settles it. Election’s over,” declared +Ned.</p> + +<p>“I say it isn’t!” yelled Sandy. “The rules +provide for ballots.”</p> + +<p>“This is good enough for us,” came from a +number of boys, as they crowded around Bart to +shake hands. “Bart’s the captain!”</p> + +<p>“That was a mean, sneaking plot!” declared +Ned. “Sandy thought he could work up enough +sentiment against Bart to get a candidate of his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> +own in and get back on the team. But he failed.”</p> + +<p>“You bet he did!” exclaimed Fenn. “Come +on, fellows. It’s all over.”</p> + +<p>Most of the boys began leaving the court. +Sandy, the picture of disappointed rage, stood in +a group of his friends.</p> + +<p>“Thanks to all who voted for me,” called Bart, +as he made his way out past where Sandy stood.</p> + +<p>“I’ll get even with you!” growled Sandy. +“You think you’re the Czar of the school!”</p> + +<p>“If you—” began Bart hotly, but Ned spoke:</p> + +<p>“Don’t pay any attention to him. You’ll only +get into trouble. It’s all over. It was only a +trick of Sandy’s. He hasn’t ten friends in the +whole school.”</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h3>A COW IN SCHOOL</h3> + + +<p>The boys thronged from the court and out on +the campus. There was a buzz of talk about what +had taken place and Sandy came in for a severe +“raking over the coals.”</p> + +<p>“What did you mean by saying he hurt Lem +on purpose?” asked Newton Bantry, a member +of the nine.</p> + +<p>“You ask Sandy and maybe he’ll tell you,” replied +Bart. “I’m sorry I said it, and I won’t refer +to it again. I may have been mistaken.”</p> + +<p>“I guess Sandy won’t give us much chance to +ask him anything,” said Newton.</p> + +<p>“Why?”</p> + +<p>“Because he’s going to leave school. I just +heard him telling some of his cronies, those who +were in the game with him. He says it’s almost +the end of the term, and he’s going to work.”</p> + +<p>“Well it’s small loss,” put in Ned. “Though +he’s a good ball player when he wants to take the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> +pains. The trouble is he’s too fond of playing +tricks.”</p> + +<p>There was no further dissension in the nine, and +under Bart’s leadership it won several more games. +The “Preps.” challenged the boys again, but, +though the high school boys did their best, they +could not win. They were beaten by one run, but +that was regarded as a great achievement against +the redoubtable nine of older lads, and almost +equivalent to a victory.</p> + +<p>The weeks passed, and the end of the school +term came nearer. Examinations were the order +of the day, and the chums had little time to go off +on trips along the river save on Saturdays. They +made several excursions into the woods, and kept +a lookout for the two queer men, but did not see +them.</p> + +<p>One day Ned went off alone in a search for +the hut with the strange inscription. But he +could not find it. Either he could not locate the +place where he had seen it or the cabin had been +moved.</p> + +<p>“I’d like to get at the bottom of this,” he murmured, +as he tramped back home. “There’s a +method in the madness of those men, I’m sure.”</p> + +<p>But, if there was, Ned little dreamed what it +portended.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span></p> +<p>“To-morrow’s the last day of school this term,” +remarked Fenn, one afternoon as he and his chums +strolled home. “My, but I’m glad of it! Those +exams., especially the algebra, nearly floored me. +Lucky there’s no more.”</p> + +<p>“Never mind,” said Bart. “Forget it. +We’ll have a lot of sport to-morrow. We can cut +up a bit and the teachers won’t mind.”</p> + +<p>“That’s so,” spoke Ned. “I’ve got to do +something. I can feel it in my bones! Whoop! +It must be something worthy of the Darewell +Chums!” He began to do an impromptu war +dance.</p> + +<p>“Don’t get us into trouble,” came from Frank.</p> + +<p>“Trouble? Did I ever get you into trouble?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, no,” replied Bart sarcastically. “There +wasn’t any trouble when you put the live frogs in +Miss Mapes’s desk and scared her and all the other +women teachers nearly into fits. There wasn’t any +trouble when you let a lot of mice loose in the girls’ +department. There wasn’t any trouble when you +brought Jimmy Dodger’s pet coon in and yelled +that it was a skunk. We didn’t get blamed for +it all, did we? Oh, no, I guess not. Say, Ned, +if you’re going to cut up, send in an advance +notice that it’s your own doings and none of +ours.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span></p> +<p>“All right,” responded Ned. “If I get up +the scheme myself I’ll take all the credit.”</p> + +<p>“You’re welcome to it,” spoke Frank. “The +credit—and what comes after.”</p> + +<p>“Are you going to do anything?” asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“Witness is not prepared to answer,” was Ned’s +reply. “I may and I may not.”</p> + +<p>If Ned’s chums could have seen him an hour +later, talking to a farmer who lived about a mile +outside of the town, they would have had grave +suspicions regarding what he proposed to do to +make the last day of school memorable.</p> + +<p>The morning session of the last day passed off +quietly enough. There was not much done in the +way of lessons. Some students arranged with +their teachers to do some studying during vacation +to make up “conditions,” and others were consulting +with the instructors about the work for next +term.</p> + +<p>Professor McCloud announced that the closing +exercises would be held in the afternoon, the boys +and girls assembling in the large auditorium on the +second floor.</p> + +<p>“I don’t see that you’re going to make good +about that trick of yours,” observed Fenn to Ned +at the noon recess.</p> + +<p>“Who said I was going to play any trick?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span></p> +<p>“Why I thought—”</p> + +<p>“The day isn’t over yet,” said Ned, with a +wink.</p> + +<p>At one o’clock the boys and girls gathered in the +large hall. Ned’s chums noticed he was not on +hand, and they looked wonderingly at each other. +There was no telling when or where Ned would +break out.</p> + +<p>A program of vocal and instrumental music was +rendered and then came several recitations. It +was while Jennie Smith was in the midst of a +dramatic rendering of a poem telling of a maiden +waiting and listening for the approach of her +lover. She reached the lines:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“I feel his presence near me in the mystic midnight air<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I hear his footsteps coming, coming up the castle stair—”<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>At that moment there were, unmistakably, footsteps +on the stair, only they were the stairs leading +up from the court and not into a castle. Heavy +footsteps they were, not at all lover-like. Up and +up they came, sounding like several men with +heavy boots on. Jennie paused, as she stood on +the platform, and listened. The steps came +nearer.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span></p> +<p>An instant later the door, which was not closed +tightly, was pushed open, and into the big auditorium, +in front of the pupils ambled a gentle-eyed +cow, that, giving one astonished look around, uttered +a loud “Moo!”</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h3>HONORING THE SENIORS</h3> + + +<p>“Oh!” screamed Jennie, as she made a rush +from the platform and fell in a faint just as Alice +Keene caught her.</p> + +<p>“Oh!” cried several women teachers.</p> + +<p>Professor McCloud and a number of the men instructors +dashed for the animal, but it lowered its +horns and shook its head in a way that made them +hesitate.</p> + +<p>“Take it away!”</p> + +<p>“Let me hide!”</p> + +<p>“Save me!”</p> + +<p>Various girls were thus crying in different parts +of the room.</p> + +<p>“Come on, boys! Let’s get her out!” cried +Bart as he advanced toward the cow. As he did +so Mr. Kenton, the language teacher, came down +from the platform and advanced upon the animal. +He was very near sighted and a trifle deaf.</p> + +<p>“What has happened?” he asked of Mr. Long. +“Is it some visitor whom the pupils are cheering?<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> +I would like to meet him. He seems to be a great +favorite.”</p> + +<p>“It’s a cow,” Mr. Long said, beginning to laugh +as he appreciated the joke. But Mr. Kenton had +passed on unheeding and was right in front of the +animal. He imagined the exercises had been interrupted +by the entrance of some instructor from +a neighboring institution, as they frequently attended +on the closing day of the high school. +Then Mr. Kenton, peering through his glasses saw +what the intruder was.</p> + +<p>“Why, it’s a cow!” he exclaimed in such an accent +of strange surprise that the boys, girls and +teachers burst into a roar of laughter. This effectually +disposed of the fright, and the girls +calmed down.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile several boys had surrounded +the cow that had advanced into the room. Professor +McCloud had hurried into his office for a +long ruler. Several of the men teachers were looking +for ropes, while others were calling down +speaking tubes in frantic tones for the janitor.</p> + +<p>Most of the women teachers had fled to a small +room to the right of the platform, and a number +of girls had hidden under the seats. Many of +them, however, remained standing up to see what +would happen.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span></p> +<p>“Come on, boys,” repeated Bart. “We’ll lead +her out.”</p> + +<p>At that moment a farmer appeared in the doorway +behind the cow. He held a rope in one hand +and a whip in the other. He seemed much surprised +at the commotion on every side.</p> + +<p>“I was waiting down in the yard for my cow,” +he said, in a loud voice, “and when I heard this +here racket I thought maybe the critter had broken +loose. Has she caused you any trouble? Hadn’t +ought to as she’s a very gentle, mild critter. Did +the experiment succeed?”</p> + +<p>“Experiment? What experiment?” inquired +Professor McCloud indignantly. “Did you bring +this cow here, sir?”</p> + +<p>“Well I did, but I didn’t lead her upstairs. +She followed a line of salt some one had sprinkled. +She’s terrible fond of salt. All critters is.”</p> + +<p>“What do you mean?” demanded the principal.</p> + +<p>“Why I was visited by one of your teachers yesterday—at +least he said he was a teacher—and +he paid me five dollars for the hire of my cow for +this afternoon. Said the faculty of the high school +was going to experiment on her. Make her moo +into one of them phonograph machines and then +see if cows had a language of their own. Said<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> +it was for the benefit of the human race. So I +agreed to bring the critter here. I left her with +the teacher who met me downstairs, and then I +went off to git a drink of cider. When I come +back the cow was gone and I heard a terrible +racket. Then I see some one had sprinkled a line +of salt from that court, where I left the critter, +right up the stairs. Course I knowed then what +had happened. Is the experiment over?”</p> + +<p>“What teacher came to you?” asked the principal, +trying not to smile.</p> + +<p>“Why he gave me his card,” and the farmer +fumbled in his pocket. “Here it is. Mr. Bo +Vine. Don’t he teach here?”</p> + +<p>“I’m afraid there has been a mistake,” said +Mr. McCloud. “We did not arrange for any experiment +on a cow. I am sorry you had this trouble +for nothing.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I got paid for it,” replied the farmer. +“Maybe I made a mistake in the school.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps,” said the principal. “Can you induce +your bovine quadruped to accompany you?”</p> + +<p>“My what?” asked the farmer, looking about +him in a puzzled manner.</p> + +<p>“Your cow,” translated the principal.</p> + +<p>“Oh, you mean this critter. Sure, yes, she’ll +follow me. Come on, Bess,” and he held out a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> +handful of salt, which the cow began to lick up +greedily. Then the farmer retreated down the +stairs, the animal slowly following.</p> + +<p>“Sorry you couldn’t do that experiment,” Mr. +Craft called out as he gave the cow more salt. +“I’d liked to have heard that there phonograph +machine. You see my critter’s real tame. She +often comes up to the back door, and once, when +she was a calf she came into the kitchen. So I +said, when that there young feller, Mr. Bo Vine, +asked if the cow could walk up a short flight of +stairs, that she could. And she done it too,” he +added proudly. “Well I’ll bid you good day,” +and the farmer, who by this time had gotten the +animal into the lower court placed a rope about +the horns and led her away.</p> + +<p>“So that’s Ned’s trick,” said Bart softly to +his chums. “Wouldn’t wonder but what he’d be +expelled for it.”</p> + +<p>“If he gets found out,” put in Frank.</p> + +<p>It was some time before the school quieted +down. Jennie, under the ministrations of Alice, +recovered from her fainting fit, and the prospective +nurse began looking around for others whom +she might practice on. But there were no more. +The women teachers, and those girls who had hidden +under desks returned to their seats.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span></p> +<p>“Young ladies and gentlemen,” began Professor +McCloud, “this has been an unexpected—”</p> + +<p>Then he happened to think of Mr. Kenton’s +mistake, and he had to turn aside to cover a laugh.</p> + +<p>“I think, under the circumstances, we will omit +the rest of the program,” he added. “I will say +nothing further about—about the cow. I think +I understand how it happened, and, in view of the +fact that it is the close of the term, we will overlook +what otherwise we could not. The seniors +will now come forward and receive their diplomas +and the exercises will be at an end.”</p> + +<p>The senior class advanced to the platform and +stood in a semi-circle about it. Ned’s chums noticed +that he had quietly entered the assembly hall +by a rear door and taken his seat.</p> + +<p>“You’re a lucky dog,” whispered Bart.</p> + +<p>“Why?” asked Ned, in seeming surprise.</p> + +<p>“Oh, just as if you didn’t know! I always believed +you were very fond of milk.”</p> + +<p>“Milk?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, and cows.”</p> + +<p>“Cows? Was there a cow here?” and Ned +acted as though that was the first he had heard of +it. “I was in the laboratory getting some chemicals +for home experiments during vacation,” he +added with a perfect look of innocence on his face.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span></p> +<p>“Yes, you were,” and Bart smiled. “But +never mind,—it was a peach of a joke. We’ll +soon be out now.”</p> + +<p>“Let’s serenade the seniors,” suggested Ned.</p> + +<p>“How?” asked Frank, coming over to where +the two chums were. Discipline had ended for the +day, as the last of the diplomas had been presented +without formality.</p> + +<p>“Follow me. We’ve got to honor ’em somehow. +It’s the last we’ll see of ’em.”</p> + +<p>As the seniors, bearing their precious diplomas, +filed out, which was a signal for the rest of the +pupils to follow, the four chums, led by Ned, went +down a rear stairway. Ned took them into the +now deserted lunch room and produced several +comical false faces, some paper hats of odd design +and a number of tin fifes.</p> + +<p>“Get some of the other fellows,” Ned said to +Stumpy. “We must have enough for a band.”</p> + +<p>About ten other lads came, in answer to Fenn’s +quick summons, and were soon arrayed in the +masks and caps, while their coats, turned wrong +side out, added to their fantastic appearances.</p> + +<p>“All ready!” called Ned, and then, every one +playing a different tune on his fife, they marched +out on the campus.</p> + +<p>The seniors, in accordance with an old custom,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> +had gathered in a circle about an ancient elm tree +and were singing. The song was “Farewell to +Thee, Dear Alma Mater,” and they were in the +midst of the touching lines:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">“We shall be here never more;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Some go to a foreign shore,”<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>“Toot! Toot!” sounded shrilly on the fifes +and then the band of masqueraders, followed by +scores of other boys and girls, began circling the +seniors.</p> + +<p>The farewell song was drowned in a burst of +weird noises, tootings, yells and shouts.</p> + +<p>“Farewell to the seniors!” called Ned.</p> + +<p>“Farewell!” echoed the crowd.</p> + +<p>“Here we go ’round the mulberry bush, the +mulberry bush, the mulberry bush!” sang Bart. +“All join hands!”</p> + +<p>Then began a mad, merry dance. The seniors +looked on helplessly. Some of them were laughing, +and some of the girls were crying just a little +bit, at the thought of leaving all their happy comrades.</p> + +<p>“Farewell, farewell, farewell!” the other pupils +sang, as they ran around in a circle, hands +joined to hands.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span></p> +<p>“Now give ‘em ’How Can I Bear to Leave +Thee,’” suggested Ned, and the pupils quieted +down and sang the song with feeling.</p> + +<p>Then the circle broke up, and the seniors, waving +their diplomas, and trying to say good-bye to +scores at once, broke away from the old oak tree +and started home—high school pupils no longer. +But there were plenty left.</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<h3>FRANK’S QUEER LETTER</h3> + + +<p>“What are we going to do this vacation?” +asked Ned of his three chums, as they assembled +the next Monday morning at the boat dock where +they had agreed to meet.</p> + +<p>“We had such a strenuous time Friday I +haven’t been able to think of anything since,” said +Frank. “Say that was the best last day yet, +thanks to you, Ned.”</p> + +<p>“That cow was the limit,” spoke Bart. “How +did you happen to think of it?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, it sort of came to me.”</p> + +<p>“And the cow ‘sort of’ came up stairs,” cried +Fenn. “Say, it was as good as a circus.”</p> + +<p>“How did you do it?” asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“It was easy enough once I got the farmer to +consent. I met him down in the yard and laid the +salt trail after he left. The cow did the rest.”</p> + +<p>“Let’s go for a swim,” proposed Bart. “It’s +getting hot, and the water ought to be fine. Come +on up to the old hole.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span></p> +<p>The idea pleased the others. They got their +suits from the dock house where they kept them, +and soon were in their boat rowing for the swimming +hole, just below the Riffles.</p> + +<p>“Wonder if we’ll see the King of Paprica?” +said Bart.</p> + +<p>“They needn’t worry; we’ll not bother ’em.”</p> + +<p>“How do you know?” asked Frank quickly.</p> + +<p>“Well I passed the place where the hut was the +other day, and it was gone.”</p> + +<p>“They may have moved it to another place because +they didn’t want us to know where it was,” +suggested Fenn.</p> + +<p>“They needn’t worry, we’ll not bother ’em,” +said Bart. “It’s too hot to tramp through the +woods to-day.”</p> + +<p>The boys rowed leisurely up the stream, keeping +close in shore, where there was plenty of shade. +At one place they could send the craft along under +an arch of overhanging bushes which made a sort +of bower.</p> + +<p>They had scarcely entered this spot, which was +about half a mile below the swimming hole, when +there sounded a cracking in the woods that told +them some one was walking along the shore.</p> + +<p>“Wait a bit,” suggested Ned. “Let’s see if +it’s any of the fellows.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span></p> +<p>Bart and Fenn, who were rowing, rested on +their oars, and all four boys listened. The noise +came nearer. Suddenly there peered forth from +the bushes a man who had every appearance of +being a tramp.</p> + +<p>His face had not felt a razor for several +weeks. His coat was in tatters, and his trousers, +into which was tucked a ragged blue shirt, were all +frayed about the bottoms, and flapped like those +on a scarecrow. His hat was a battered derby +and on one foot he wore a boot, while the other +was encased in a heavy shoe. He looked at the +boys for several seconds.</p> + +<p>“Hello,” he said at length, in a pleasant voice +that contrasted strangely with his disreputable appearance. +“Are you boys acquainted around +here?”</p> + +<p>“Pretty well,” replied Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Well, you haven’t seen a short stout man, with +a black moustache and black hair, anywhere around +here, have you?”</p> + +<p>“Did he have a gilt crown on?” asked Ned +quickly.</p> + +<p>“A gilt crown? No. Why should he wear +a gilt crown?” and the tramp affected surprise.</p> + +<p>“Oh, nothing, I was just wondering, that’s all,” +and Ned winked at the other boys.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span></p> +<p>“I guess you can’t tell me what I want to +know,” the tramp resumed. “I’m much obliged +though. About how far is it to the lake?”</p> + +<p>“Twelve miles from here,” replied Bart.</p> + +<p>“Well, I guess I can make it by night,” the +man said, and then he drew back into the bushes +and the boys could hear him tramping through the +woods.</p> + +<p>“What made you ask him about the gilt +crown?” inquired Frank.</p> + +<p>“Because he partly described the man we saw +at the hut that day,” replied Ned, “and I thought +I might as well complete it. I guess he’s here to +add to the mystery. It’s getting deeper. We +must certainly solve it; or try to, at any rate.”</p> + +<p>“You’d make a mystery out of a fish jumping +for a fly,” said Frank. “Let up on it.”</p> + +<p>“Whew! But it’s hot!” exclaimed Bart, as +the boat was sent on, coming from the shady nook +into the glare of the sun. “I’m going to stay in +all morning.”</p> + +<p>They were soon at the swimming hole, and lost +little time in getting into the water. Its coolness +was a welcome relief from the heat and they +splashed about in great glee.</p> + +<p>The boys were making such a noise, laughing +and yelling that they did not hear the hail of a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> +youth who came down to the edge of the bank, a +little later, and shouted at them. Finally, however, +he managed to make his presence known by a +shrill whistle in imitation of a whip-poor-will.</p> + +<p>“Why it’s John Newton!” exclaimed Fenn, +recognizing the boy who had been expelled from +school.</p> + +<p>“I’ve got a letter for you, Frank,” said John.</p> + +<p>“A letter for me?”</p> + +<p>“Yes. Special delivery.”</p> + +<p>“Where’d you get it?”</p> + +<p>“From the post-office of course. I’m working +there now as messenger. Heard you boys were +here and as I had to come in this direction I +brought it along.”</p> + +<p>“Thought you were going to get a job in a theater,” +remarked Bart.</p> + +<p>“I am, some day, but I’ve got to go to New +York for a good opening. There’s none around +here for a real artist,” and John began to warble +like a bob-o-link.</p> + +<p>“Wonder who that letter’s from?” asked +Frank.</p> + +<p>“Better wade ashore and find out,” suggested +Ned, and Frank did so.</p> + +<p>His chums watched him take the letter from +John and sign the book and then they too, began<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> +making their way toward shore. Frank dried +his hands on his shirt, which was on top of his pile +of clothes on the bank, and opened the envelope.</p> + +<p>The letter must have been a short one, for he +was only a few seconds in reading it. As he did +so his chums could see a change come over his +face.</p> + +<p>“Bad news?” asked Bart sympathetically.</p> + +<p>“No—yes—that is—I can’t tell you,” said +Frank, speaking quickly. “I’ve got to hurry back +home,” he added. “I’ll go on if you don’t mind, +and not wait for you,” and he began to dress +quickly.</p> + +<p>“Aren’t you going back in the boat?” asked +Ned.</p> + +<p>“No, I think I’ll walk through the woods. +I’ll take the short cut.”</p> + +<p>“Anything we can do?” asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“No—I wish I could tell you—but I can’t,” +Frank replied. “I must send an answer at once.”</p> + +<p>He thrust the letter into his trousers pocket and +went on dressing himself. He completed his toilet +in a hurry and walked off through the woods, +taking the path the post-office messenger had used. +The latter had departed as soon as he delivered +the missive.</p> + +<p>“Well, that’s a strange sort of letter Frank<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> +got,” commented Bart as he climbed out on the +bank. “Hello!” he added. “He’s forgotten +the envelope,” and he picked it up from the ground +where Frank had dropped it.</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<h3>SANDY ON GUARD</h3> + + +<p>“Hurry after him,” suggested Ned.</p> + +<p>“He’s too far by this time,” spoke Bart. “Besides +I don’t fancy going through the woods in +my bare feet. I guess it will keep.”</p> + +<p>“Where’s it from?” asked Fenn. There +seemed to be nothing wrong in looking at the postmark. +Besides the chums seldom had secrets from +each other.</p> + +<p>“New York,” said Bart, turning the envelope +over. “It is from a law firm,” he added as he +looked at the name in the upper left hand corner. +“Wright & Johnson, 11 Pine street.”</p> + +<p>“I’ve got some relatives in New York,” remarked +Ned. “I am going to see ’em some day.”</p> + +<p>“Well, I don’t see how that will throw any +light on Frank’s queer actions,” remarked Fenn. +“Wonder what the trouble is?”</p> + +<p>“If he doesn’t want to tell us I don’t see what +right we’ve got to ask,” came from Ned. “Better +not say anything more to him about it.”</p> + +<p>“We’ll give him back the envelope,” suggested<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> +Bart, “and that will give him an opening if he +wants to tell us anything. If he doesn’t—why +I guess it’s his secret.”</p> + +<p>That was decided to be the best move, and +the boys dressed and got into the boat. They +rowed leisurely back to the dock, speculating, at +intervals, over Frank’s curious behavior.</p> + +<p>“Maybe he’ll go to New York,” suggested +Ned.</p> + +<p>“He’s not likely to go without telling us,” came +from Bart. “If he does he’ll see us before he +goes.”</p> + +<p>The lads remained at the dock some little time, +cleaning their boat and mending a broken oar. +As they were walking up the street toward the +main part of town Ned exclaimed:</p> + +<p>“There goes Frank now!”</p> + +<p>The others looked and saw their chum just +ahead of them, hurrying along.</p> + +<p>“Where’s he going?” asked Bart.</p> + +<p>A moment later they saw Frank enter the law +office of Judge Benton.</p> + +<p>“He seems to have quite some legal business,” +observed Fenn. “Maybe some one has left +him a lot of money.”</p> + +<p>“Wish some one would leave me a bit,” observed +Ned with a laugh.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span></p> +<p>Further consideration of Frank’s doings was +interrupted for a moment as the chums met Lem +Gordon.</p> + +<p>“Hello Lem, where you going?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“Got to go to the hardware store for some nails. +Lot of jobs to do around the house and dad says +I might as well keep busy during vacation. I +planned to go fishing, too, but I guess I can do +that this afternoon. Say, did you hear about +Sandy?”</p> + +<p>“No, what’s he done now.”</p> + +<p>“Gone off camping in the woods, somewhere up +along the river.”</p> + +<p>“Any one with him?” asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“No, all alone. Hired a tent that Sid Edwards +used last year and went off by himself.”</p> + +<p>“I thought he was afraid to stay out alone +nights,” observed Stumpy.</p> + +<p>“There’s something strange about it,” went on +Lem. “Tom Jasper, who lives next door, told +me he saw a strange man talking to Sandy in the +back yard one day. The next day Sandy arranged +to go camping.”</p> + +<p>“What sort of a looking man was he?” asked +Bart.</p> + +<p>“All I remember is that he had a very black +moustache.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span></p> +<p>The three chums looked at one another. The +same thought was in the mind of each, that the +man might be the one who had called himself +King of Paprica.</p> + +<p>“I’d like to go camping myself.” Lem went +on. “What you fellows going to do this vacation?”</p> + +<p>“Haven’t made up our minds yet,” replied Ned. +“We’ll have some fun, though.”</p> + +<p>“Where’s Frank?” inquired Lem. “Seems +funny not to see the four of you together.”</p> + +<p>“He’ll be along pretty soon,” said Bart. “We +were up to the swimming hole, and he had some +business to attend to, so he came back ahead of us.”</p> + +<p>“Well I’m going after those nails,” the pitcher +went on. “The fence will fall down before I +get back if I don’t hurry. It’s been threatening +to topple for a week,” and he went on, whistling +a merry tune.</p> + +<p>“That’s funny about Sandy,” remarked Ned, +when Lem was out of earshot.</p> + +<p>“And about that black-moustached man,” went +on Bart. “We’ll have to look into this. Hello, +here comes Frank.”</p> + +<p>Their chum emerged from Judge Benton’s place +with a letter in his hand and hurried to the post-office, +nearly across the street from the lawyer’s<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> +office. He remained inside only a few seconds, +and evidently posted the missive for, when he came +out, his hands were empty. Then he saw his +chums and hurried over toward them.</p> + +<p>“Sorry I had to run away,” Frank said, with a +little bit of awkwardness in his air, “but I had +to attend to some business in a hurry.”</p> + +<p>“There’s the envelope you dropped,” said Bart. +“We found it when we came out to dress.”</p> + +<p>“Thanks,” replied Frank, and, without looking +at it he put it into his pocket. “Say,” he went +on, “what do you say to taking a walk after some +wild flowers this afternoon?”</p> + +<p>“Wild flowers; what for?” inquired Ned.</p> + +<p>“Well, not for ourselves, of course,” Frank +went on. “I happened to meet Miss Mapes, the +teacher you know, and she asked me if I knew +where there were any. There’s going to be an +entertainment in her church and they want some +to decorate with. I told her I thought I could +get her plenty. Do you want to go?”</p> + +<p>“Sure,” replied Bart, and the others nodded assent. +Miss Mapes was a favorite with all the +pupils.</p> + +<p>“We’ll meet at the dock, right after dinner,” +proposed Frank, “row up the river a way and then +strike in through the woods. Right at the foot<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> +of Bender’s Hill ought to be a good place. The +woods are thick and shady there.”</p> + +<p>The others agreed to this and separated, to +gather again about one o’clock.</p> + +<p>“Stumpy, you and Bart row,” suggested Ned. +“You need the exercise to keep you from getting +fat, and Bart wants to keep in training for football +next term.”</p> + +<p>“Well, I like your nerve, Ned Wilding!” exclaimed +Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Same here!” came from Bart.</p> + +<p>“I thought you would,” observed Ned coolly, +as he went to the stern, prepared to steer.</p> + +<p>“He and I will row back,” suggested Frank.</p> + +<p>“That’s right,—take the easiest part—come +down with the current,” growled Stumpy, but he +took his place at the oars. Perhaps he thought he +was getting too stout.</p> + +<p>Bart grumbled some, but in a good-natured way, +and ended by taking his place just ahead of Fenn, +while Frank went to the bow, and soon they were +underway.</p> + +<p>They tied their boat in a secluded place about +a mile above the Riffles and then struck off through +the woods. It was two miles to Bender’s Hill, a +small mountain named after the man on whose +property it was located, and it was the highest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> +point in the vicinity. All about it, as well as on +the sides and top of the hill, were dense woods, not +often visited.</p> + +<p>After some hard tramping through underbrush +and over fallen trees, which the boys did not seem +to mind (though they would have growled if they +had been obliged to do it) they came to a little +clearing. They were about to cross it when there +came a sudden hail:</p> + +<p>“You fellows can’t come here!”</p> + +<p>“I’d like to know why?” inquired Bart without +seeing who had spoken.</p> + +<p>“Because I’m here on guard to see that no one +passes,” and at that the boys glanced up, to see +Sandy Merton, with a little target rifle in his +hands, standing on the other edge of the clearing.</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<h3>PECULIAR OPERATIONS</h3> + + +<p>For a few seconds the boys were too surprised +to make any answer. They saw that Sandy was +standing in front of a tent, partly hidden by the +woods.</p> + +<p>“What are you talking about?” demanded +Bart. “Are you playing soldier, Sandy?”</p> + +<p>“You’ll see what I’m playing fast enough,” +spoke the former member of the baseball nine. +“I tell you not to come across here.”</p> + +<p>“Why not?” asked Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Because I say so.”</p> + +<p>“That’s no reason.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll make it one. Don’t you fellows get +fresh with me. You think because you can run the +high school, and the nine, you can boss me but I’ll +show you that you can’t.”</p> + +<p>“No one wants to boss you,” spoke Ned. +“You’re making a big fool of yourself, Sandy.”</p> + +<p>“I am, eh? Well, that’s my affair. I tell you +to keep away from here.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span></p> +<p>“But why?” insisted Bart. “This—well, of +course it isn’t public property, though no one has +ever been stopped from coming here after flowers.”</p> + +<p>“Some one’s going to be stopped now,” and +Sandy grinned as he looked at his rifle, and then +back at his tent.</p> + +<p>“We’ve got as much right here as you have,” +went on Ned.</p> + +<p>“No, you haven’t.”</p> + +<p>“I say we have. Mr. Bender’s no relation of +yours.”</p> + +<p>“I didn’t say he was.”</p> + +<p>“But you act so,” said Bart, “standing guard +on his property.”</p> + +<p>“I may be standing guard, but I’m not working +for Mr. Bender,” Sandy answered. “I tell you +that you can’t go past, and you’d better not try it. +I’ve got a right for what I say, and you’ll find out +if you try to cross.”</p> + +<p>“Do you mean to say you’d shoot us?” asked +Frank suddenly.</p> + +<p>“Well—er—I—You haven’t any right here +and I order you off!” exclaimed Sandy, getting +rather tangled up.</p> + +<p>“You can’t order me off!” exclaimed Frank. +“I’m going to cross this clearing. If you point +that gun at me, Sandy Merton, I’ll lick you so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> +hard you can’t stand up for a week,” and he started +forward.</p> + +<p>“Don’t get rash,” counseled Bart in a low voice. +“No use looking for trouble. We’ll let the mean +little cub alone. I guess there are flowers somewhere +else.”</p> + +<p>“But he hasn’t any right to make us keep off,” +complained Frank. “I s’pose he’s got permission +from Bender to camp here and he thinks he owns +the place. I’ll show him he doesn’t. I’ll whip +him!”</p> + +<p>Frank again started forward, but Ned took hold +of his arm.</p> + +<p>“Don’t do it,” he urged. “Sandy might not +mean to, but the gun might go off by accident, and +it isn’t worth the trouble. I guess we—”</p> + +<p>Ned’s remarks were interrupted by the sight of +a man, who suddenly appeared from the bushes +back of Sandy and stood beside the boy. His first +move was to grab the gun away from the youth and +then he called out:</p> + +<p>“I’m sorry to have to ask you young gentlemen +to withdraw, but this is private property and you +are trespassing. Will you kindly go?”</p> + +<p>“There never was any rule against going +through here before,” said Bart in respectful tones.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span></p> +<p>“That may be,” the man answered, “but it is +different now. I am acting for Mr. Bender.”</p> + +<p>“Of course we haven’t any right here,” observed +Frank, “and we’ll go if you say we must. +But it made us mad to have that little sneak Sandy +order us off.”</p> + +<p>“I’m not a sneak, and I’ll punch your face for +saying so!” cried Sandy.</p> + +<p>“Come on over, you’ll have all the chance you +want,” fired back Frank.</p> + +<p>“That will do,” said the man coolly. “Perhaps +Sandy was a little hasty, but what he said was +true. He has been hired to watch this property, +but I don’t believe he needs a gun. I did not tell +him to use one.”</p> + +<p>“I had to protect myself,” whined Sandy.</p> + +<p>“Ho! Don’t worry! You’re too mean for us +to bother with!” exclaimed Ned. “We’ll go,” +he added.</p> + +<p>“I wish you would,” the man replied, civilly +enough. “I have no objection to your walking all +around within a mile of here, but within that space +the land is prescribed,” and he smiled in no unfriendly +fashion. “I will bid you good day. +Sandy, I guess you can come with me; they will +go,” and the man moved back into the woods<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> +whence he had come, carrying Sandy’s rifle, and +followed by that youth, who paused to shake his fist +at the chums.</p> + +<p>“Well, did you ever hear the beat of that?” +asked Ned, as he and the others turned around +and walked back. “So this is where Sandy is +camping. I wonder what it all means?”</p> + +<p>“It means there is something queer going on, +and I’m going to see what it is,” declared Bart. +“Come on, I’ll show them a trick.”</p> + +<p>“What are you going to do?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“We’ll go up on top of the hill. I know a +place where we can look right down into this clearing +and all around it. It’s from a tall tree I +climbed once when I was after bird’s eggs.”</p> + +<p>“But we can’t see so far,” objected Frank.</p> + +<p>“I’ve got something that we can take a peep +with,” replied Bart, and he pulled out a small telescope. +“I saw that advertised in a magazine and +I sent for it,” he explained. “It came this noon +when I was home to dinner, and I forgot to show +it to you. You can see five miles off quite plainly +through it.”</p> + +<p>“That’s all to the good!” exclaimed Stumpy.</p> + +<p>“What beats me,” put in Frank, “is how that +man came to hire Sandy, and why they’re so afraid<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> +of being seen, or of having any one on that particular +land?”</p> + +<p>“Maybe we’ll find out pretty soon,” spoke Bart.</p> + +<p>“I thought Lem said it was a man with a black +moustache who was talking to Sandy that day,” +said Frank. “This fellow has a light beard.”</p> + +<p>“Might be another man, or this one might be +disguised,” spoke Fenn.</p> + +<p>“It’s getting just like a story in a book,” remarked +Ned. “All it needs is the King of +Paprica now to complete it.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps they’re all in this game,” suggested +Bart.</p> + +<p>“The plot thickens, as they say on the stage,” +remarked Frank. “Come on, we’ll have to make +better time than this. Wonder if Miss Mapes +will get her wild flowers?”</p> + +<p>“There are plenty on top of the hill,” observed +Fenn. “It’s a hard climb, that’s all.”</p> + +<p>“There’s some sort of a path around here,” +Bart said. “It leads to the top, and was used by +some lumbermen. I used to take it. Seems to +me—yes, here it is,” he added as he burst through +a particularly thick patch of brush, and came out on +a rude wagon trail. “Now it will be easier going.”</p> + +<p>It took about an hour to reach the top of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> +hill, and they were so tired they sat down for a +moment to rest. They could get a good view of +the surrounding country from their vantage point, +and, for a while, tried the telescope in various directions. +As Bart had said, it was a good instrument +and showed things very clearly.</p> + +<p>“Now for a look at our friend Sandy’s camp,” +observed Bart as he went to the tree from which +he had said he could look down into the clearing. +It was his privilege to take the first peep, and when +he had climbed half way up and adjusted the +glass he focussed it on the place from which the +boys had recently been ordered away.</p> + +<p>For a few seconds Bart remained motionless, +gazing at something below him. His companions +waited anxiously for some report.</p> + +<p>“See anything?” asked Frank.</p> + +<p>“No, don’t appear to be anyone—hold on +though! Yes, there is. I see three men.”</p> + +<p>“What are they doing?”</p> + +<p>“They seem to be walking about.”</p> + +<p>“Is that all?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, that’s all—No, by Jimminy! It can’t +be possible! They’re playing leap-frog!”</p> + +<p>“Playing leap-frog!” exclaimed Ned.</p> + +<p>“Yes! Jumping about like boys! Here, you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> +come up and take a look, Frank! You’ve got +the best eyesight of any of us.”</p> + +<p>Bart descended and Frank took his place. He +gazed through the telescope for several seconds.</p> + +<p>“The men are certainly jumping about,” he +said, “but they’re not playing leap-frog.”</p> + +<p>“What are they doing?” asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“They’re hurrying from one place to another, +looking at something through big magnifying +glasses, just like that man in the boat. That’s +who they are. I can see the King of Paprica!”</p> + +<p>“Let me have a look!” cried Ned.</p> + +<p>“Is Sandy there?” asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“I don’t see him. Yes, there he is. He’s +helping them, from the look of things!”</p> + +<p>In turn Ned and Fenn were allowed to gaze +through the telescope. They confirmed what +Frank had said, that the men were certainly at +some peculiar operations.</p> + +<p>“There are some more tents back of Sandy’s,” +said Stumpy. “And I can see a log hut, too. +There’s something red over the door!”</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<h3>NED STOPS A PANIC</h3> + + +<p>“Can you read it?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“It begins with a ‘K.’ ‘King of Paprica,’ +that’s what it is. I can see it plainly, now that the +sun is out from behind the cloud.”</p> + +<p>“This is where they moved the hut to,” Ned +went on. “Well, this thing is getting more and +more mysterious.”</p> + +<p>Bart again ascended the tree and took a long +observation. He reported that the men seemed to +be measuring the land with long chains, while one +was using an instrument such as surveyors carry.</p> + +<p>“Maybe they’re planning to put a new trolley +line through,” suggested Fenn.</p> + +<p>“That’s so,” agreed Bart. “I didn’t think of +that.”</p> + +<p>“Probably don’t want folks to know which way +it’s going, as if they did, they might put up the +price of land.”</p> + +<p>“But that doesn’t explain the queer actions of +the crazy men,” objected Ned. “I bet there’s +something more than that in all this.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span></p> +<p>“Well, I don’t see as we can do anything,” +spoke Frank cautiously. “We haven’t any right +to go on private land. Guess we’ll have to let +it drop.”</p> + +<p>“Wonder how they came to hire Sandy?” said +Bart.</p> + +<p>“Probably they knew he was so unpopular he +wouldn’t say much to the other fellows,” explained +Ned.</p> + +<p>“Anyhow we’ve seen what we wanted to, though +we can’t make head or tail of it,” came from +Fenn. “Let’s go on after the flowers.”</p> + +<p>“The men are going away now,” Bart reported. +“They’ve gone back in the woods, and +Sandy is there on guard again. He needn’t +worry, we’ll not bother him.”</p> + +<p>The boys remained on top of the hill some little +while longer and then, finding a place where +there were a number of beautiful wild flowers, +gathered large bunches, wrapping the stems about +with leaves, wet in a spring, to keep the flowers +fresh.</p> + +<p>They went through the woods so as to skirt +the edge of the clearing but not near enough to +it to be seen by Sandy, as they did not wish to +get into a quarrel with the youth.</p> + +<p>“Let’s make some inquiries when we get back<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> +to town,” suggested Bart, “and see if anyone has +heard of a trolley line being extended, or of any +surveyors at work.”</p> + +<p>“Whom can we ask?” inquired Ned.</p> + +<p>“You ask Judge Benton, Frank,” said Bart. +“You know him, don’t you?”</p> + +<p>“Yes,” was the answer, and Frank looked at +Bart sharply, as if to see whether the suggestion +was made with any particular motive. In fact +Bart had mentioned the lawyer’s name to see if +Frank would volunteer anything about his visit +to the judge’s office that day. But Frank said +nothing.</p> + +<p>Rowing back was easy work, with the stream’s +current to help the boat along, and, early that +afternoon, the boys tied up at the dock.</p> + +<p>They took the flowers to the church, in the +lecture room of which the entertainment was to +be held. Miss Mapes met the boys there.</p> + +<p>“This is very kind of you,” she said, as she +took the blossoms. “They will make the place +look beautifully. I hope you didn’t have much +trouble.”</p> + +<p>“Not a bit,” Frank assured her.</p> + +<p>“I’m sure you ought to be rewarded in some +way,” the teacher went on.</p> + +<p>“We didn’t do it for pay,” said Fenn.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span></p> +<p>“Of course, I know that,” responded Miss +Mapes, “but I would like to show you how +much I appreciate it. Won’t you come to the +entertainment to-night?” and she held out some +tickets.</p> + +<p>The boys’ faces showed how glad they would +be to come. There was to be music, singing and +tableaux, and, while the lads had money enough +to buy tickets, they were glad as are most persons +to get complimentary ones.</p> + +<p>“Are you sure you can spare them?” asked +Bart.</p> + +<p>“Why I am only too glad to give them to +you,” Miss Mapes said. “I’m sure you boys deserve +them if any one does. All the members of +the arrangement committee get free tickets, and +I appoint you special members of the flower committee,” +she ended, with a laugh.</p> + +<p>The entertainment was much enjoyed. There +was good music and a number of popular songs +were rendered. The affair was to close with a +series of tableaux in which several young persons +were to pose as famous characters. Considerable +time and work had been put into this feature and +everyone was anxious to see it.</p> + +<p>Lincoln delivering one of his speeches, Washington +reading his farewell address, and Pocahontas<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> +saving the life of Captain John Smith, were +given with much success. The last one was to be +a patriotic group, called the “Spirit of ’76,” which +is often shown in pictures, the three figures, an old +man and two younger ones, playing martial music +on drum and fife while all about them rolls the +smoke of battle.</p> + +<p>To give the proper effect it was planned to +burn a quantity of red fire back of the group to +represent the mist of smoke caused by the guns, +while the explosion of cannon was to be simulated.</p> + +<p>As the curtain went up on the group there was +a burst of applause when the tableaux came into +view, for it was a surprise, and not down on the +program. The red fire was touched off and a +great cloud of smoke, made lurid by the chemicals, +rolled out. Then the curtain stopped, with but +half the figures in view.</p> + +<p>“Higher! Higher!” called some one in the +wings of the improvised stage. “Higher!”</p> + +<p>The voice was loud enough to be heard out in +the audience, but was intended to be audible only +to the person in charge of pulling up the curtain.</p> + +<p>It was an unfortunate thing that “Higher” +sounded so much like “Fire!” In fact that is +what a number of persons thought the cry was, +and, taking it with the smoke, which few knew<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> +was a part of the picture, they believed some accident +had happened.</p> + +<p>“Higher! Higher!” called the stage manager +again, not seeing the alarmed look on the +faces of the audience. He wanted the curtain +to go up, but it was caught on something.</p> + +<p>Then the panic-wave, which is always ready to +sweep over a big gathering at the slightest provocation, +started. A few women screamed. Some +girls started to leave their seats and a number of +boys made ready to follow.</p> + +<p>“It’s a fire!” yelled some thoughtless one.</p> + +<p>That was enough. In an instant the entire audience +had arisen and was about to make a maddened +rush for the exits, of which there were +none too many.</p> + +<p>The four chums, with their girl friends, were +seated in the first row. They were near enough +to know what the matter was and to see there was +no danger. Others near them could also see, but +the vast majority was in ignorance.</p> + +<p>“If they rush for the doors a lot will be +killed!” cried Bart.</p> + +<p>“Sit down! Sit down!” yelled Frank, and +Fenn joined with him in trying to calm those +around him. Several girls near them had fainted.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span></p> +<p>“There’s going to be trouble!” said Ned in +a low tone to Fenn. “What can we do?”</p> + +<p>“Tell the band to play!” cried Fenn.</p> + +<p>Ned turned to where the orchestra had been +seated, but the players had fled. The audience +was rushing madly for the doors. They were +crushing in a terror-stricken mass around the +exits. Ned saw his opportunity and acted.</p> + +<p>Grasping a cornet from the chair where the +player had dropped it he began to blow. He +had learned how to give the army bugle calls while +in camp one year, and the memory came back to +him. An instant later the sweet notes of “Taps,” +or “Lights out,” sounded above the terrible noise +of the frenzied throng. The audience halted in +its mad rush.</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<h3>A RIVER TRIP</h3> + + +<p>Standing up on his seat Ned continued to blow +the notes. Clear and true they rang out. Twice +he gave the call, but before he had begun the +second round the audience had calmed down. Ned +had saved the day; the panic was practically over.</p> + +<p>Here and there a frightened woman, a hysterical +girl, or a timid man made a movement toward +getting out, but the majority had come to +a halt and turned to look at the young bugler.</p> + +<p>By this time those in charge of the entertainment +were on the stage calling reassuringly to +the people. The red fire died out and the smoke +drifted away.</p> + +<p>“Take your seats,” said the manager, and +nearly every one did so.</p> + +<p>“There was an unfortunate mistake,” the +manager went on. “Luckily no one was hurt. +I regret very much that it has happened. I think +it will be best to close the entertainment. It was +almost over when the panic started.”</p> + +<p>“I want to add but that for the presence of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> +mind of this young man,” and he looked at Ned, +who tried to hide down in his seat, “there might +have been a terrible calamity. By his quickness +he prevented the panic from continuing. He deserves +the thanks of every one here.”</p> + +<p>“And he’ll get ’em, too,” called someone. +“Three cheers for Ned Wilding!”</p> + +<p>They were given with a fervor that made the +chandeliers rattle.</p> + +<p>“Good for you, old chap!” exclaimed Bart, +clapping Ned on the back, while the other chums +began shaking his hands. Ned was blushing like +a girl, and was soon the center of an admiring +throng. He tried to get away but they would not +let him. Every one wanted to shake hands with +him.</p> + +<p>The audience was now laughing and talking +where, but a few minutes before, it had been a +maddened, unreasoning throng; and shortly began +dispersing, and soon there remained only a few, +including those in charge of the entertainment. +Miss Mapes was among them.</p> + +<p>“I’m sure it was the luckiest thing in the world +that you boys came,” she said to the chums. +“What would have happened if Ned hadn’t played +that cornet?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, anyone could have done that,” said Ned,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> +who was wishing he could get away from the +praise.</p> + +<p>“Of course they could, if they had thought of +it, but you were the only one who did.”</p> + +<p>“I guess some of the other boys would, if +I had given them the chance,” replied the hero +of the occasion. “I happened to be nearest the +instrument, that’s all.”</p> + +<p>“Well, it’s a great deal,” responded the teacher. +“I’ll send you boys tickets to every entertainment +we have.”</p> + +<p>“That will be fine,” put in Fenn with a laugh.</p> + +<p>“I vote we go home,” said Bart. “Don’t +seem to be any more panics to put down.”</p> + +<p>The four chums, and the girls, left, each one +trying to outdo the other in telling of what they +thought and what they saw during the excitement. +It was as near a tragedy as had ever happened +in the town, and the next day’s paper devoted +the whole front page to it, including a +vivid description of what Ned had done.</p> + +<p>“I’m going to leave town,” declared Ned the +next afternoon, as he met his chums.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter?” asked Frank.</p> + +<p>“Why everyone I meet on the street stops me +and asks me all about it. I’m tired of telling of +it and hearing about it.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span></p> +<p>“You’re not used to being a hero,” said Bart. +“Wait until some society sends you a medal and +you’ll be so proud you won’t speak to any of us.”</p> + +<p>“Speaking of leaving town makes me think it +would be a good plan,” put in Fenn.</p> + +<p>“What! Have you been robbing a bank or +doing something else, that you want to skip out?” +asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“No, but we haven’t had any real sport since +school closed, and it’s about time we did. I was +going to propose taking a trip up the river say +for about twenty miles, and camping out for a +week. That would be fun.”</p> + +<p>“You’re right!” exclaimed Ned. “I’ll go +with you for one.”</p> + +<p>“Count me in,” said Bart, and Frank added +that he wasn’t going to be left behind.</p> + +<p>“This is my plan,” went on Fenn. “We can +take a small shelter tent, some blankets and a camp +cook stove. The boat is big enough to carry all +that, besides us, and some things to eat. The +weather is fine now, and just right for sleeping out +of doors. We can row along slowly, stopping +where ever we want to, and tying up along shore +for the night. What do you say?”</p> + +<p>“Couldn’t be better,” declared Ned. “When +can we start?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span></p> +<p>“To-morrow if you want to, as far as I’m concerned,” +put in Bart.</p> + +<p>“It will take a couple of days to get ready,” +observed Fenn. “Suppose we say Thursday?”</p> + +<p>This was agreed upon, and the boys separated +to make arrangements for the trip. They owned, +jointly, a small tent that could be used for shelter +at night, and a small portable stove which they +had utilized on previous camping trips.</p> + +<p>Thursday morning saw the boat loaded until +there was hardly room for the boys. The craft +was heavy but they did not mind that, and there +was no grumbling when it fell to the lot of Frank +and Ned to do the rowing for the first stage.</p> + +<p>“We’ll stop at Riverton on our way up and +hire a canoe,” said Bart. “A fellow there has +a dock and keeps good boats. We’ll want to do +a little paddling about and we can’t, very well, +if we have all our camp stuff in this heavy craft. +We can tow the canoe behind us, and use it while +we’re in camp.”</p> + +<p>The others agreed that this would be a good +plan, and Bart, having taken a final look over the +boat to see that everything was in ship-shape, gave +the order to start.</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<h3>THE TRAMP’S HEADQUARTERS</h3> + + +<p>Frank and Ned began pulling with long steady +strokes. The boat with its load was not easy to +propel through the water and they knew they +could do better by taking it easy than by wasting +their strength in useless hurry.</p> + +<p>Up the stream they went, past Darewell, under +the bridge spanning the stream just above the +dock, and so on beyond the outskirts of the town +until they were out into the country district surrounding +the place. It was a pleasant sunshiny +day, just warm enough to be comfortable, and +with a little breeze blowing.</p> + +<p>“I wish this could go on forever,” spoke Fenn, +from where he was resting comfortably on the +folded tent in the bow of the craft.</p> + +<p>“Wait until it comes your turn to row,” said +Ned.</p> + +<p>They reached Riverton, the next town above +Darewell about eleven o’clock and hired the canoe, +a large green one, but very light to paddle.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span></p> +<p>“Shall we get dinner here?” asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“If we’re going to camp let’s camp from the +start,” suggested Fenn. “What’s the fun of going +to a restaurant for your meals? Anyone can +do that, but it isn’t everyone who can have theirs +in the woods as we can. Let’s go up a few miles +more and get dinner on shore.”</p> + +<p>The others decided this would be the most fun, +and the trip was resumed with Bart and Fenn +at the oars. They made three miles before +twelve o’clock and then, finding a shady, level spot +near shore, tied the boat, and got out the portable +stove.</p> + +<p>“Now, Stumpy,” said Bart, who had been +elected camp manager, “you get the wood. Ned, +you dig some worms and catch fish, and Frank +and I will get the meal ready.”</p> + +<p>The little temporary camp was soon a busy +place. Fenn had a fire going in the stove in short +order as he found plenty of dry wood, and +Ned, going up stream, to a quiet spot, in a +little while had caught several fish. They were +soon cleaned and put on to fry with the bacon. +An appetizing odor filled the little glade in the +woods and the boys began to sniff hungrily.</p> + +<p>“When will they be done?” asked Frank, as +Bart bent over the pan.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span></p> +<p>“About ten minutes. You can make the coffee +if you want to. Ned, you open a can of +condensed milk and Fenn, you get out the salt +and pepper.”</p> + +<p>“Everything but the salt,” announced Fenn a +few moments later. “Here’s the box but there’s +none in it.”</p> + +<p>The others looked surprised and disappointed.</p> + +<p>“By Jimminites: I forgot to put it in,” he +added “I bought all the other things but I left the +salt to the last and it slipped my mind.”</p> + +<p>“That’s pleasant,” observed Bart grimly. +“How are we going to eat fresh fish without salt? +Fenn, you’re a dandy, you are. Thinking too +much of the girls, that’s what ails you.”</p> + +<p>“Anybody might forget,” said Stumpy in extenuation.</p> + +<p>“Well, there’s no help for it, I suppose,” remarked +Ned.</p> + +<p>“Might use gunpowder,” put in Frank. “I’ve +read of campers doing that.”</p> + +<p>“Excuse me,” came from Bart, making a wry +face. “Besides we haven’t any, so that doesn’t +count.”</p> + +<p>“There’s some one camping on the other side +of the river,” said Fenn, pointing to where a little +column of smoke arose through the trees, about<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> +opposite to where the boys were located. “Maybe +I could borrow some salt from there.”</p> + +<p>“Good idea,” said Bart. “Take the canoe +and paddle over.”</p> + +<p>Fenn was soon on his way. The others went +on with the preparations for dinner pending his +return, as the fish were not quite cooked. They +watched Fenn paddle over, pull his canoe upon +shore, and disappear into the woods. He was +gone a few minutes and when he reappeared a +man followed him.</p> + +<p>“Maybe he wouldn’t lend any salt,” said Frank.</p> + +<p>As the boys watched they saw the man get into +the canoe with Fenn, who then paddled over.</p> + +<p>“Looks as though he wouldn’t trust Stumpy +to bring the salt over,” commented Bart. “Wonder +what the man wants?”</p> + +<p>In a short time the canoe containing Fenn and +the stranger grounded on the little beach near +where the boys were camped.</p> + +<p>“Did you get the salt?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“Yes, we have the salt,” replied the man, and +then the three boys noticed with surprise he was +the same tramp they had met the day they went +swimming, and who had inquired about the man +the boys knew as the King of Paprica.</p> + +<p>“This is the gentleman who was camping on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> +the other side of the river,” put in Fenn. “I +asked him for some salt and—”</p> + +<p>“Allow me to explain,” interrupted the tramp, +but in a polite tone. “You see it was this way. +I am prospecting along the river, and last night +my boat, with all my camping outfit, was upset. +My food got all wet, and the only thing that +didn’t get soaked was the box of salt. It happened +to be waterproof.</p> + +<p>“I was drying out my clothes and other camping +things but alas, when I came to dry out the +food I found it had spoiled. So there I was, with +nothing but salt to eat. I was just thinking of +trying for some fish when this young gentleman +came along and asked if he could borrow some +salt. I at once saw my opportunity. ‘Here,’ I +said, ‘are persons with plenty to eat and no salt. +Here I am with plenty of salt but nothing to +eat. A fair exchange is no robbery.’ I at once +produced my salt.”</p> + +<p>“And I at once asked him over to dinner,” put +in Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Why, of course; glad to have you,” said +Bart. “Frank, put another plate on,” he added +waving his hand to the ground which served as a +table. “Dinner is served,” and he laughed, the +tramp joining him.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span></p> +<p>“Happy to meet you all,” the ragged man went +on, not considering it necessary, it seemed, to mention +his name or ask how the boys were called. +“There is the salt,” and he handed over a large +box full.</p> + +<p>In spite of his ragged clothes and the heavy +growth of beard on his face, the tramp’s hands +and face were clean and he appeared to have +washed his clothes, as, though they were in tatters, +they were not dirty.</p> + +<p>“Do you intend to camp around here long?” +asked Frank.</p> + +<p>“I can’t tell,” replied the tramp. “I am waiting +for some friends to join me.”</p> + +<p>He did not seem to recognize the boys as the +ones he had met in the woods recently, or, if he +did, he gave no sign of it.</p> + +<p>“You said you were prospecting,” Ned added. +“Not for gold, are you?”</p> + +<p>“Hardly,” replied the ragged man with a smile. +“The truth is I am a naturalist. I have heard +there is a certain rare kind of butterfly to be found +along this river and I am looking for it. It is +called the Oiliander Tinicander. Perhaps you +have seen it in your travels.”</p> + +<p>“Guess we wouldn’t know it if we saw it,” remarked +Ned.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span></p> +<p>“No, it takes years of study to recognize it. +But if you will excuse me I think I will sit down.”</p> + +<p>He crossed his legs comfortably in front of the +plate that had been placed for him, and in a few +minutes the dinner was under way. The salt certainly +added zest to the fried fish and the boys, +as well as the tramp, ate with excellent appetites.</p> + +<p>“Best meal I’ve had in a long while,” said the +ragged man. “I hope I can return the favor +some time.”</p> + +<p>“We’ll be happy to call on you,” said Bart, +“but we are going to leave this afternoon. We +are bound up the river.”</p> + +<p>“Well, good luck to you. May I trouble you +to put me on the other side?” and he looked at +Fenn who nodded in assent.</p> + +<p>“Well that was a queer coincidence,” spoke +Ned, as Fenn and the tramp were in the middle +of the river on the return trip. “What in the +world is he doing around here? Looks as though +the secret hadn’t developed yet.”</p> + +<p>“We must ask Fenn what sort of headquarters +he has over there,” suggested Bart. “He’ll soon +be back. There I meant to ask him to sell us +some salt! He’s taken his back.”</p> + +<p>“We can get it at the next town,” put in +Frank. “We’ll camp just above it.”</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + +<h3>A NIGHT SCARE</h3> + + +<p>“What sort of a place has he over there?” +asked Bart, as Fenn came back in the canoe.</p> + +<p>“Not much,” was the reply. “I don’t believe +he’s camping out at all. I saw some things +in a pile on the ground, but they looked more +like a lot of instruments than anything a man +would go camping with. Besides, I didn’t see +any boat.”</p> + +<p>“What sort of instruments were they?” asked +Ned.</p> + +<p>“Kind I never saw before. All brass or nickle +plated. Then there were some boxes. He +seemed to be drying them out, so maybe he did +have an upset of some sort.”</p> + +<p>“There’s his boat now,” called Frank, and, as +the boys watched, they saw the tramp appear from +the woods with a canoe on his shoulder.</p> + +<p>The boys watched the man carefully place the +frail craft in the water. Then he went back into +the woods again and came to the shore with something +bright and shining in his hands.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span></p> +<p>“That’s one of the instruments,” said Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Maybe he catches butterflies with it,” suggested +Frank.</p> + +<p>“That was a jolly he was giving us, about being +a naturalist,” said Bart. “He’s up to some +game, but I don’t see that it concerns us.”</p> + +<p>“What’s next on the program?” asked Ned. +“Pack up and move along?”</p> + +<p>“Rest awhile; good for the digestion,” remarked +Bart. “I want to see which way the +tramp goes.”</p> + +<p>The boys, lying on shore, in the shade, saw +their recent guest paddle slowly down stream. +They watched him until he disappeared around +a bend.</p> + +<p>“Well, that’s another link in the queer puzzle +for us to solve,” spoke Ned. “By the way, Frank, +did you ever make any inquiries of Judge Benton +about whether there was any prospect of a new +trolley line going through?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, and he said he didn’t know of any. I +told him about the men, but he said they might +be surveyors dividing the land up into building +lots. Mr. Bender is anxious to improve his +property, he said.”</p> + +<p>They broke camp and reached Woodport about +five o’clock, got the salt and one or two other<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> +things they happened to think might come in +handy, and resumed their journey up the river. +Woodport was a small place and they soon passed +it, coming to a long stretch of water that flowed +between densely wooded banks on either side.</p> + +<p>“Good place to camp,” spoke Ned. “No one +to bother us. There’s no fun camping close to +a town.”</p> + +<p>“Not unless you run out of salt or something +like that,” replied Bart.</p> + +<p>“Oh, well, one should get accustomed to doing +without salt, or other things he can’t have,” +Ned rejoined. “I believe I could get used to +anything.”</p> + +<p>“Good way to feel,” spoke Fenn. “I wish I +could.”</p> + +<p>“It takes strength of character,” Ned added.</p> + +<p>“Don’t get preachy,” put in Frank.</p> + +<p>“Say, instead of moralizing, you fellows had +better be looking for a place to camp,” said Fenn, +who, with Frank, was rowing. “I’m getting +tired.”</p> + +<p>“That looks like a good place over there,” +came from Bart, indicating a spot where the trees +did not seem to be so thick. “Little beach, too, +for the boat to ground on so it won’t pound on +the rocks if a wind comes up.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span></p> +<p>The craft was put over to it, and a closer inspection +showed the place to be well fitted for the +purpose. The rowboat was tied to an overhanging +tree and the tent was soon set up. Then a place +was made for the stove and some supplies set out. +A big tree stump served for a table and in a +little while Fenn had a good fire built.</p> + +<p>“What’s the menu?” he asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“Open a can of chicken and we’ll fry it brown,” +was the answer. “That, with bread and butter +and coffee, will make a meal.”</p> + +<p>Supper was soon on the “stump” and four +very hungry boys gathered around it.</p> + +<p>“Where’s the milk for the coffee?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“I forgot it. It’s in the boat,” replied Fenn. +“I’ll get it.”</p> + +<p>He hurried down to where the craft was tied, +and a moment later his companions heard him +utter an exclamation.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter, did you fall in?” called +Bart.</p> + +<p>“No, but the can of condensed milk did, and +it’s the only one we have.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, hang it!” exclaimed Ned. “I can’t +drink coffee without milk. What’s the matter +with you, Stumpy?”</p> + +<p>“I couldn’t help it. It slipped.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span></p> +<p>“I’m thirsty for coffee, too,” went on Ned.</p> + +<p>“Use it without milk,” suggested Bart.</p> + +<p>“Can’t. Never could.”</p> + +<p>“‘One should get accustomed to doing without +salt, or other things he can’t have. I believe I +could get used to anything,’” spoke Frank +solemnly.</p> + +<p>“What do you—Oh!” exclaimed Ned. He +recalled that those were the very words he had +spoken a little while before.</p> + +<p>“‘It takes strength of character,’” quoted +Bart, still from the maxim Ned had laid down so +recently.</p> + +<p>“Oh well, of course I didn’t mean it just that +way,” replied Ned, laughing at the trap he had +fallen into. “I meant—”</p> + +<p>“You don’t know what you meant,” replied +Bart. “Come now, drink your coffee black, as +the swells do when they go out to dinner. You’ll +get used to it.”</p> + +<p>“Have to, I s’pose,” replied Ned, and he +tried it, but made a wry face. However there +was no help for it, and the boys were so hungry +they didn’t mind it much, after the first sip.</p> + +<p>Supper over, the dishes and food were put +away, and, on Bart’s suggestion, they cut a quantity +of wood to have in readiness for the camp fire.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span></p> +<p>“I don’t know’s we’ll need it,” he said. +“There aren’t any animals but foxes, rabbits and +coons in these woods. Still a fire looks cheerful, +and it may be cold toward morning. Besides, it +doesn’t seem like camping unless you have a fire.”</p> + +<p>As it grew dark the boys looked to the fastenings +of the boats for a wind might spring up and +set them adrift. Then, starting a blaze between +two big green logs, they got their blankets ready +for bed.</p> + +<p>They cut some cedar boughs which they laid +on the ground to keep off the dampness, making +several layers until Fenn, who tried it, said it was +every bit as good as his spring bed at home.</p> + +<p>“Going to stand watch?” inquired Ned.</p> + +<p>“What’s the use?” asked Bart. “No one’s +going to steal us. Besides I’m too sleepy. Let’s +all go to bed. If any one happens to wake up +and sees the fire is low, why he can throw a log +on that will be all that’s necessary.”</p> + +<p>They did not undress, but stretching out on the +cedar boughs pulled the blankets over them and +prepared to sleep. The fire cast a ruddy glow +on the trees and shone into the tent which was +placed near the blaze.</p> + +<p>Ned, who was a light sleeper, was suddenly +awakened, some time after midnight, by hearing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> +a stick break. It sounded just back of him. He +raised his head and listened. Behind the tent +he could hear the cautious tread of some person or +some animal. He was about to awaken Bart, who +was sleeping next to him, when he saw a shadow +cast by the fire, inside the tent, on the rear wall of +the canvas. He looked out and was startled to +see a figure between the tent and the camp fire. It +appeared to be looking in on the boys. Ned +stretched out his hand and touched Bart.</p> + +<p>“Some one is in the camp!” he whispered in +his companion’s ear, as Bart stirred.</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX</h2> + +<h3>THE FARMER AND THE BULL</h3> + + +<p>“What’s that?” exclaimed Bart, suddenly +sitting up.</p> + +<p>“Hush!” cautioned Ned. “Some one is +prowling around!”</p> + +<p>But Bart’s voice had startled the intruder. Ned +saw the figure move quickly out of the glare of +the flames, and then dart down toward the river.</p> + +<p>“They’re after our boats!” yelled Bart, who +at that moment saw the figure. “Come on, fellows!”</p> + +<p>He ran from the tent followed by his three +chums. As he passed the fire Bart threw on some +light pieces of wood that blazed up quickly.</p> + +<p>In the glow the figure of a man could be seen, +headed on the run for the little beach, where the +boats were tied. As he ran his coat appeared +to flap out behind him, the long tails bobbing about +from his motion.</p> + +<p>“It’s that tramp!” exclaimed Ned.</p> + +<p>“Hi there!” yelled Bart.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span></p> +<p>They saw the man make a flying leap into a +canoe that was drawn up partly on shore. The +violence of the motion sent the frail craft well out +into the stream and it was caught by the current.</p> + +<p>By this time the boys had reached the shore. +At first they supposed it was their canoe which the +tramp had stolen, but a second glance showed them +the green craft still in place beside the rowboat.</p> + +<p>“It’s his own canoe,” remarked Frank as the +boys watched it floating down stream. There was +no sign of the occupant.</p> + +<p>“Is he in it or did he set it adrift and start +to swim?” inquired Fenn. All four were standing +on the edge of the water peering out over the +river in the darkness, the canoe being a deeper +blur which alone distinguished it from the surrounding +blackness.</p> + +<p>“He’s probably lying down in it, thinking he +may get shot at,” said Bart.</p> + +<p>As if to prove his words the sound of paddling +was borne to their ears, and the canoe seemed +to move faster. The tramp had begun to propel +the craft, but they could not see him.</p> + +<p>“Let’s get back to bed,” suggested Fenn. “I +think we’d better keep watch after this.”</p> + +<p>“Not much use,” came from Bart. “That +tramp isn’t likely to come back and there’s no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> +one else around here. I vote we get what sleep +we can.”</p> + +<p>It was decided this was as wise a thing as could +be done and after replenishing the fire, so it would +burn until morning, the campers crawled back into +the tent and slept until sunrise, no further alarms +disturbing them.</p> + +<p>“Well, fellows,” called Frank when the things +had been put away. “What’s the program for +to-day?”</p> + +<p>“We’ll row up stream until noon,” said Bart, +“camp and have dinner, and, if we like the place, +stay all night. If we don’t we’ll move on to a +better one.”</p> + +<p>The boat was soon loaded and, with the canoe +towing along behind, the trip was resumed. The +river wound in and out through a wooded country +for a few miles and then they came to a long +straight stretch where it flowed between level +fields.</p> + +<p>As the boat was urged up stream under the impulse +of the oars in the hands of Bart and Fenn, +Ned, who was resting in the bow, called out:</p> + +<p>“Steer her out a bit, Frank. There’s a man +fishing just ahead of us and we don’t want to disturb +him.”</p> + +<p>Frank who was at the rudder lines glanced up<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> +and saw, about a quarter of a mile ahead, a man +standing up to his waist in water.</p> + +<p>“That’s a queer way to fish,” he remarked.</p> + +<p>“Probably he’s hooked a big one and is playing +him,” remarked Ned.</p> + +<p>As they watched the man ran up out of the +water and along the bank a few feet, and then, +turning, he quickly waded out into deep water +again.</p> + +<p>“That’s a queer proceeding,” commented Bart, +who turned to look at the man.</p> + +<p>“Rather,” admitted Ned. “He must—Why +a bull is after him!” he went on.</p> + +<p>As he spoke the others saw a big black bull +come tearing down the field straight toward the +river. It stopped when it came to the water’s +edge, opposite to where the man was standing in +the stream up to his hips. There the beast +lowered its head and, with an angry snort, pawed +the soft mud.</p> + +<p>“Row faster!” urged Frank. “Maybe we +can help him.”</p> + +<p>As the boat approached, the boys saw the man +make several other attempts to leave the river. +Each time he tried the bull would chase him back, +but the animal seemed to be afraid of getting its +feet wet, for it always stopped at the shore.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span></p> +<p>Sometimes the bull would withdraw some distance +back into the field. At such times the man +would wade along near shore until quite a +ways above or below the animal. Then he would +make a dash, hoping to fool the beast, but every +time the bull heard him and came down with a +rush.</p> + +<p>The boys were now near enough to hear the +man addressing the bull in no gentle tones. The +prisoner in the water did not appear to notice the +boat.</p> + +<p>“Consarn your black hide!” he exclaimed. +“Let me git out of this cold water, will ye? By +Heck! Th’ next time I try t’ put a ring in your +nose you’ll know it. Come now, Stonewall Jackson, +let me out, will ye?”</p> + +<p>But the bull seemed to have some grudge +against the farmer for it lowered its horns and +gave an angry bellow.</p> + +<p>“If ever I git out of here I’ll hobble ye so’s +ye can’t move, ye onery black critter!” the farmer +went on. “I’ll whale ye till ye’ll wish ye’d behaved +yerself, that’s what!”</p> + +<p>This time the bull had gone back up the field +and was browsing the grass. The farmer cautiously +waded down stream and made a dash for +shore. The bull heard him and came down so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> +fast that its momentum carried it several feet +into the river before it could stop. Meanwhile +the farmer had hurried deeper into the stream, +splashing the water all over himself in his haste.</p> + +<p>“If I had a gun I’d shoot ye!” he yelled, shaking +his fist at the bull.</p> + +<p>“Can’t you swim to the other side?” asked +Ned, as the boat came near.</p> + +<p>The farmer looked around in surprise. He +had been so engrossed by his contest with the bull +he had not heard the craft approaching.</p> + +<p>“I can’t swim,” he said. “Look at the plight +I’m in. No one ever gets to this pasture. I come +here to-day t’ put a ring in this critter’s nose. He +broke away from the ropes I’d tied him with +when I almost had it in, an’ he chased me into +th’ water. He’s kept me here over an hour an’ +I ain’t had my breakfast. Every time I try to +get out he charges.”</p> + +<p>“Why don’t you go away up or far down the +stream where he can’t follow?” asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“I’ve come down a mile from where I started,” +the farmer said. “I’m plumb tired out an’ I know +I’ll catch cold stayin’ in th’ water so long. If I +ever git holt of that ’tarnation critter I’ll—”</p> + +<p>He didn’t finish, for, while he had been talking +he had been drawing near shore. The bull was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> +watching him, and made another dash that sent +the farmer scurrying for deep water.</p> + +<p>“That’s the way he does it,” he said to the +boys, his voice showing the despair he felt.</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX</h2> + +<h3>FOLLOWED BY SANDY</h3> + + +<p>“I have it!” exclaimed Frank. “Get into +our boat and we’ll land you anywhere you want.”</p> + +<p>“Will ye?” asked the farmer. “That’ll be +th’ thing. I’ll fool th’ savage critter. This is +where I git ahead of ye, Stonewall Jackson,” he +added, shaking his fist again at the bull.</p> + +<p>“Is that his name?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“I named him that about an hour ago,” the +farmer said. “He was wuss than a stone wall for +me, th’ way he kept me from gittin’ out of th’ +river. ’Fore that his name was jest plain William.”</p> + +<p>“Named after any one?” inquired Bart as the +farmer got into the rowboat.</p> + +<p>“Not special. Ye see I took him for a debt +a feller owed me, an’ I named him William ’cause +I took him for a bill, see? Bill bein’ short for +William.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, you needn’t explain,” said Bart, as he +joined in the laugh that followed.</p> + +<p>“I’ve got th’ best on ye now,” the farmer went<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> +on, looking at the beast as the boys rowed the boat +out into deeper water.</p> + +<p>The bull seemed to think so, for with a loud +bellow it went back to the middle of the pasture +and began eating.</p> + +<p>“He fairly had me,” the farmer said. “He +could run along shore a good deal faster than I +could wade in th’ water, and th’ pasture runs +along th’ river for three miles, without a fence +wuth speakin’ of. I couldn’t see no way of escapin’. +It’s lucky you come along. Are you +boatin’ for a livin’?”</p> + +<p>“No, we’re taking a sort of vacation,” replied +Ned.</p> + +<p>“Had breakfast?” inquired the farmer.</p> + +<p>“Oh yes, early this morning.”</p> + +<p>“Wish I had. Next time I try t’ ring a bull’s +nose ’fore I git my meal I’ll be a older man. I +was goin’ t’ ask ye t’ have some breakfast with me,” +he went on. “My name’s Garfield Johnson. +I’ve got quite a farm.”</p> + +<p>“Much obliged, Mr. Johnson,” said Bart, “but +we’re just roughing it, and we’re not dressed for +company.”</p> + +<p>“Green onions! Neither be I!” exclaimed the +farmer. “Look at my boots, all wet and my +pants too. I wonder what Mandy’ll say.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> +Mandy’s my wife,” he added, “an’ she’s dreadful +particular.”</p> + +<p>The boys beached the boat in about half an +hour, and tying it fast followed Mr. Johnson to +his house, facing on a lane which led out to a +country road.</p> + +<p>“We’ll go in th’ back way,” said Mr. Johnson. +“Mandy’s particular about her floors, an’ I’m +sorter—.” He looked down at his trousers, which +still dripped water, and laughed.</p> + +<p>Mr. Johnson introduced the boys to his wife, +telling her what had happened. She insisted that +the chums remain to breakfast which they did, +though they had eaten a few hours previously. +They declined an invitation to stay to dinner. +Mr. Johnson made them take a big pail of milk, +while his wife added a bag of home-made crullers +and some cheese, which formed a welcome addition +to their larder.</p> + +<p>“If you row up stream a mile you’ll be right +opposite the village, or you can go by the road,” +said the farmer as they bade him and his wife +good-bye.</p> + +<p>Fenn and Bart decided they would walk, and +let Frank and Ned row the boat up and meet +them. They wanted to get some condensed milk +and matches, of which they had run out.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span></p> +<p>The supplies were purchased and, in a little +while the other boys arriving took Bart and Fenn +aboard. Then the trip up the river was resumed. +They kept on until late in the afternoon, as their +double breakfast did away with the necessity for +dinner. On the way they passed a number +of steamers and barges bound for Lake Erie. +Some of them were loaded with lumber and other +commodities, while several were going up the +river empty, to get freight.</p> + +<p>The boys found a fine place to camp that night +and liked it so well they remained there three days. +They had pleasant weather and thoroughly enjoyed +themselves, paddling about, fishing and going +in swimming.</p> + +<p>They decided they would go no further up the +stream, and, having camped out at their last stop +for another day they packed up for the return trip. +The weather, which had been fine, seemed threatening, +and they had not brought along clothing or +blankets which would serve in case of rain.</p> + +<p>“We’ll make it in two stages,” said Bart, referring +to the home journey. “One night’s camp +will fix it so’s we’ll not be all tired out when we +get home.”</p> + +<p>They started early in the morning, and planned<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span> +to camp just above Woodport. It was nearly +dusk when they neared the town.</p> + +<p>“Hark!” exclaimed Ned, as the boats were +gliding along close to shore. “Do you fellows +hear anything?”</p> + +<p>They all listened.</p> + +<p>“Sounds like some one paddling a canoe behind +us,” spoke Bart.</p> + +<p>“That’s what I think. I’ve been hearing it for +the last ten minutes,” Ned went on. “Some one +is following us.”</p> + +<p>“Maybe it’s that tramp,” suggested Fenn.</p> + +<p>“I’m going to find out,” Ned remarked. +“You and Frank row along slowly, Bart, and +I’ll surprise whoever it is.”</p> + +<p>It was now quite dark. The noise made by +the oars drowned the sound of the paddles, if +the unknown was still following the chums.</p> + +<p>Ned was busy in the stern of the boat. He +twisted a torch from papers and then soaked the +end in kerosene oil from the lantern they had.</p> + +<p>“Stop rowing,” he whispered to his chums, +“but keep the oars in motion so they’ll make a +noise as if we were still going. He’ll think we’re +are on the move and keep after us.”</p> + +<p>Frank and Bart did as Ned suggested. They<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> +could not hear the sound of the paddle but Ned +could. Suddenly there was a little glow of light +as Ned struck a match. Then there was a burst +of flame as the oil-soaked paper caught. Ned +tossed it away from the boat. It blazed up +brightly and in the glare, as it floated on the +water, the boys saw a canoe just behind them.</p> + +<p>But the greatest surprise was occasioned by a +sight of the paddler. As the light gleamed on +him the chums saw he was Sandy Merton.</p> + +<p>“Sandy!” exclaimed Ned.</p> + +<p>Then the light went out, making the darkness +blacker than before.</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI</h2> + +<h3>AT THE FAIR</h3> + + +<p>“Quick! Hand me some more paper!” exclaimed +Ned.</p> + +<p>Bart passed him a wad. Without stopping to +put oil on it Ned lighted the twisted torch. As +the flame grew in brightness he held it above his +head to cast a glow over the water. But there +was no canoe in sight save the one trailing behind +their own boat.</p> + +<p>“He’s gone!” exclaimed Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Well, we found out who it was,” remarked +Ned, “and that’s something.”</p> + +<p>“It would be more to find out why he was following +us,” came from Frank.</p> + +<p>“Maybe he’s camping around here,” suggested +Bart.</p> + +<p>“If he is, he was quite a way from camp,” put +in Ned. “I’d been hearing soft paddling behind +us for the last two miles and I determined to see +who it was.”</p> + +<p>“Guess he didn’t want to be seen, by the way he +disappeared in such a hurry,” Fenn remarked.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span></p> +<p>“We’ll have to keep watch to-night,” said Bart. +“We don’t want Sandy or any of his friends +sneaking around.”</p> + +<p>“That’s right,” assented Ned.</p> + +<p>They lighted the lantern and, by the gleam of +it, and by that from a fire they kindled on shore, +they made their camp. A hasty meal was prepared +and then the shelter tent was put up. A +big pile of brushwood was collected for the fire +and, dividing the night into four watches, of +which Bart took the first, they spread out the +blankets and the other three prepared to sleep.</p> + +<p>But the weather, which had favored them all +their trip, turned against them now. It began to +rain about ten o’clock and from then, until morning, +there was a steady downpour.</p> + +<p>However they made the best of it, though the +tent did leak, and the fire refused to do anything +more than smoulder. It was rather a cheerless +breakfast they had, for the coffee was only lukewarm +and the bacon half done. But they made +jokes about it and soon were on their way down +the river.</p> + +<p>“Guess it was too wet for Sandy,” observed +Bart, as he tilted his hat so the rain would not drip +down his neck.</p> + +<p>They left the canoe at Riverton and made the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span> +best time possible to Darewell. Wet through, but +happy in spite of it all they reached their homes, +fully satisfied with their trip.</p> + +<p>The next morning as Fenn was taking a short cut +across lots to get to Frank’s house, he heard a noise +as though two birds were calling to one another +in a little clump of bushes. The notes came clear +and sweet and Fenn paused to catch a sight of +the songsters. As he did so something in the +bushes moved, a robin flew out and John Newton +came into view. As he did so Fenn realized that +John was one of the “birds.”</p> + +<p>“What were you doing?” asked Fenn, who +was once more on friendly, if not intimate terms +with John.</p> + +<p>“Practicing that robin call.”</p> + +<p>“What for?”</p> + +<p>“I’m learning to imitate all kinds of birds,” +replied John.</p> + +<p>“Thought you were working as special delivery +messenger at the postoffice?”</p> + +<p>“I was but I gave it up. Too much inside. +I want to get out where I can hear the birds. I +can imitate twenty different kinds now.”</p> + +<p>“What good is it?”</p> + +<p>“Maybe I can get a job on the stage some day, +and it will come in handy. I heard a fellow in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span> +a theater orchestra try to imitate a bird once, and +it wasn’t anything as good as I can do.”</p> + +<p>“If you get on the stage I’ll come and see +you,” said Fenn, little thinking that his promise +was some day to come true.</p> + +<p>“Thanks,” replied John, as he walked off +across the field, looking for more birds to practice +with, while Fenn went on to Frank’s house.</p> + +<p>That afternoon Ned and Fenn went over to +Bart’s house and found him cleaning a small rifle.</p> + +<p>“What’s up?” asked Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Getting ready to go frog hunting,” said Bart. +“Dad likes their hind legs fried in butter and I +said I’d get him a mess.”</p> + +<p>“Where you going?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“Over to Ducker’s pond. There’s lots of +’em there.”</p> + +<p>“Want any company?” inquired Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Sure, come along. Get your rifles. There’s +a boat over there. Tell Frank and we’ll make a +day of it.”</p> + +<p>“They ought to be out plentiful after the rain,” +remarked Ned. “I’d like to get some for my +father. He is fond of ’em.”</p> + +<p>The boys found frog-hunting great sport. As +they walked home in the twilight they passed a +field in which a crowd of men were gathered about<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span> +numerous wagons. Here and there tents were +being raised.</p> + +<p>“What’s this?” asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“Why it’s the traveling fair,” replied Ned. +“Don’t you remember, it’s been advertised for the +last two weeks? It must have just gotten in. +Come on over.”</p> + +<p>Ned’s surmise proved correct. A large traveling +show and fair combined had reached Darewell, +where it was to remain for three days. +There had been a delay, caused by a break-down +of some of the wagons, and, instead of arriving +in the early morning, they had only now reached +the grounds.</p> + +<p>A throng had been attracted by the show, and +scores of the boys of the town were offering their +services to help put up the tents. The burly men +in charge, however, went about their business +systematically, and, working by the glare of gasolene +torches, soon had some of the tents raised, +though the main one would not be in place until +morning.</p> + +<p>In one part of the grounds the cooking wagon +with its portable ranges was in full operation, and +hungry men and women performers were making +a hasty meal.</p> + +<p>“Let’s take these frogs home and come back<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> +after supper,” proposed Bart. “We can have +some fun.”</p> + +<p>This the lads did. They found a bigger crowd +than before at the fair grounds, more wagons having +arrived with the exhibits.</p> + +<p>“Out of the way there!” yelled a hoarse voice +as a big vehicle, drawn by four horses, approached +where the chums were standing. As they moved +out of its path they saw, painted on the side of the +wagon in large letters, that showed plainly in the +flaring torches, the word:</p> + +<p class="noi blockquot">BALLOON.</p> + +<p>“That’s so, there’s going to be a balloon ascension +every day,” said Ned. “We’ll have to +take this in to-morrow.”</p> + +<p>“That’s what we will,” replied Bart. “I’ve +never seen a balloon go up.”</p> + +<p>“You’ll have a chance to go up in one if you +want to,” put in Fenn.</p> + +<p>“How?”</p> + +<p>“Why this is a captive balloon. It’s fast to +the ground by a rope. They let persons go up +in it for a half dollar apiece.”</p> + +<p>“Then we’ll go up,” decided Frank. “I’ve +always wanted a ride in one.”</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII</h2> + +<h3>UP IN A BALLOON</h3> + + +<p>It was a good thing the fair came during the +vacation season, otherwise there would have been +slim classes in the schools of Darewell, judging by +the throng of boys and girls at the small city of +tents, the next day. It seemed that every youngster +in the county was on hand long before the +time set for the opening.</p> + +<p>Many came to watch the men put the big tent +up, and the four chums were among this crowd. +There was much to interest them in the way the +canvas was handled, and to see what appeared a +tangled mass of ropes and coverings be evolved +into a big shelter, gay with flags and bunting.</p> + +<p>“I want to watch ’em get the balloon ready,” +said Ned, after they had seen the main tent well +under way.</p> + +<p>“So do I,” chimed in Bart.</p> + +<p>The big bag that was destined to sail through +the air was being prepared off to one side, and +men were laying pipes from a gas main to where<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> +it was to be filled. It was a modern affair, intended +to be inflated with illuminating vapor instead +of hot air as is sometimes the case.</p> + +<p>“I wonder how high up it goes?” asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“Let’s inquire of one of the men,” suggested +Frank.</p> + +<p>There was such a big crowd around the laborers +that they found it almost impossible to work. +They fairly had to shove some of the boys and +other spectators out of the way.</p> + +<p>“Don’t believe they’ll have much time to answer +questions,” ventured Fenn.</p> + +<p>Just then a big man, who seemed to be in charge +of matters, called to one of the assistants, a short +chap.</p> + +<p>“Hi, Sam, bring five of those ballast bags +over here and get a move on! Don’t go to sleep! +We haven’t got all day!”</p> + +<p>The little man glanced at a pile of bags of +sand near where the boys were standing. Each bag +had a rope handle with a hook attached to it. +The little man dropped the coil of rope he had +in his arms.</p> + +<p>“Bring five of ’em over!” he exclaimed. +“Must think I’m Sandow. It’s all I can do to +lift one. They weigh forty pounds a piece,” and, +still grumbling, the little man tackled the bags.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span></p> +<p>It was evident that two, at the most, were all +he could manage. Ned, who was watching him +saw an opportunity.</p> + +<p>“Come on, fellows,” he whispered to his +chums. “We’ll give him a hand and maybe +he’ll tell us something about the balloon.”</p> + +<p>An instant later the four boys hurried to the +pile of ballast.</p> + +<p>“We’ll help you,” said Bart. “Where do you +want ’em?”</p> + +<p>“Oh!” exclaimed the little man evidently +somewhat surprised at the offer of help. “Right +over there where the boss is. Say, you boys are +all right!”</p> + +<p>The four chums each took hold of a bag. They +found them about all they wanted to carry.</p> + +<p>“How high up does the balloon go?” asked +Fenn, determined to take advantage of the opportunity.</p> + +<p>“Thousand feet,” the man replied. “It’s held +fast by a thin wire cable that goes over a drum. +You boys going up?”</p> + +<p>“I guess so,” replied Ned.</p> + +<p>“Interested in balloons; eh?”</p> + +<p>“Sure thing,” replied Bart. “Have you been +running ’em long?”</p> + +<p>“Fifteen years. Ain’t much I don’t know<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span> +about ’em, though I don’t go up very often. I +won’t do the parachute business, and they want a +man who does that now-a-days. I’m getting too +old for that.”</p> + +<p>By this time the ballast had been deposited +where the man in charge wanted it.</p> + +<p>“Hook it into the cordage now,” he ordered +to the little man, “and you take charge around +here, Bill. She’s filling now and I’m going to +breakfast.”</p> + +<p>“All right,” responded Bill, the newly-made acquaintance +of the chums. The boys wanted to +ask him more questions, but he saved them the +trouble.</p> + +<p>“Ever see a balloon fill?” he inquired.</p> + +<p>“No. How do they do it?” asked Frank.</p> + +<p>“First we spread the bag out on the ground,” +the little man explained. “Then we see to the +top valve. That’s to let the gas out when it’s up +in the air. There’s a cord runs from the valve +down to the basket. You pull it a little bit and +two little trap doors, worked by springs open, and +the vapor escapes from the top. Then we have +what’s called the ‘ripping cord.’ That’s colored +red. It hangs down just as the other one does. +Only if you yank that it tears a strip out of the +balloon and lets the gas out in a hurry.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span></p> +<p>“What happens then?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“You come down in a hurry, that’s all. It’s +only used for emergency. Well, after we get the +bag laid out the way we want it, and the gas pipes +connected, we lay the cordage or net over it. +Then the balloon begins to fill. We hook on the +sand bags, all round the edge of the netting, so’s +to keep her steady as she fills. When the gas +begins to lift the bags a bit we hook ’em on lower +down in the netting, and so on, until the balloon +is full. Then we hitch on the basket, put in the +proper amount of ballast, and it’s all ready to go +up.”</p> + +<p>“You let it go up a thousand feet and then pull +it down by the wire cable?” asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“That’s it. It can make a lot of trips during +a day with one filling of gas. When it begins to +collapse we put in more.”</p> + +<p>“Suppose it should break away?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“It never has happened with this outfit, though +of course it might. I had one get away once.”</p> + +<p>“What happened?”</p> + +<p>“Why my assistant and myself were in it. We +didn’t get scared, as we were old hands at the +business. We just pulled the valve cord and let +ourselves down easy. The bad part of it was it +was at the seashore and we came down in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> +ocean. We lost the balloon but we saved our +lives.”</p> + +<p>“Did you ever have to pull the ripping cord?” +asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“Once. You see that’s to use when you want +to land in a hurry. I was up in the balloon once +and it began to descend. Gas leaked out and I +didn’t know it. There was a strong wind and +I was being blown out across Lake Michigan that +time. It was a case of coming down quick and +hard on dry land or being blown out over the +lake. I yanked the ripping cord.”</p> + +<p>“What happened?” asked Fenn, as the little +man stopped.</p> + +<p>“Broke both legs,” he replied. “Laid up two +months. That sort of discouraged me and I +haven’t gone up much since. Make enough +money as a helper and I sleep better nights.”</p> + +<p>“Is there much danger in a captive balloon?” +asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“Hardly any. In fact none to speak of,” was +the answer. “We’ve got a tested wire cable. +It winds over a drum and when the drum is turned +it winds the cable up and the balloon comes down.”</p> + +<p>“I guess we’ll risk it,” said Ned. “Eh, fellows.”</p> + +<p>“You can’t leave me behind,” said Bart, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> +the others agreed they would take a chance in +the balloon.</p> + +<p>All this while the big bag had been filling. The +man and several others who were assisting, kept +hooking the ballast lower in the cordage loops +as the balloon arose in the air. It was over half +full now.</p> + +<p>The boys took a look at the square basket, or +car, that was to be attached to the airship, and at +the windlass which brought the captive balloon +back to earth.</p> + +<p>“Let’s go home and get breakfast and come +back,” suggested Bart, as the boys had arisen early +that morning. “We’ll take the trip this afternoon.”</p> + +<p>The boys returned to the grounds about nine +o’clock. It was after ten o’clock before the first +ascension was made. Four young men from town +went up, that being all the car would hold. The +manager cautioned them about touching the cords +and then, while the anxious throng watched and +waited, the cable began to unwind and the balloon +went up.</p> + +<p>“That looks easy enough,” declared Bart. +“Us for the trip next time.”</p> + +<p>Up and up the balloon went until it looked +about the size of an apple. It remained up about<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> +ten minutes and then the windlass was turned by +the steam engine, which was part of the outfit, and +the airship came slowly down.</p> + +<p>“How’d you like it?” asked the manager as +the young men got out.</p> + +<p>“Fine!” they exclaimed as one. “It was +great. I could see clear to Woodport.”</p> + +<p>“Now who’s going to be the next?” asked the +manager in his professional voice. “Try a trip in +the airship! View the earth spread out like a map +beneath you, the fields mere patches of green, the +river a silver ribbon and the forest a mere bit of +fuzz like the wool on Mary’s little lamb. Who’s +next?”</p> + +<p>“We are!” cried Bart, and he and his chums +paid their money and took their places in the basket.</p> + +<p>“Let her go,” cried the manager, and the boys, +looking over the edge of the car, saw the earth +dropping away below them.</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII</h2> + +<h3>ABOVE THE CLOUDS</h3> + + +<p>“What’s the matter?” called Fenn, his +voice trembling a little.</p> + +<p>“The matter with what?” asked Bart, whose +tones were not overly strong just then.</p> + +<p>“Why we seem to be standing still and the earth +is going down.”</p> + +<p>“That’s always the way in a balloon, I’ve read,” +spoke Frank. “We can’t see ourselves move as +there’s nothing to judge it by. You can’t see +the air, and that’s what we’re moving through.”</p> + +<p>“Well, it’s a little more scary than I thought it +was,” came from Ned. “Still I guess we can +get used to it.”</p> + +<p>By the time they had been elevated five hundred +feet they were accustomed to the strange and +peculiar sensation. They were no longer frightened, +and when they had gone up as far as the +cable would let them they were almost wishing the +journey was twice as long. As the manager had +said, the country was spread out under them like +a big relief map. They could recognize some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> +buildings in town, and also pick out other hamlets +surrounding Darewell. Bart even declared +he could see the clearing where Sandy had stood +on guard, and where the men had been observed +acting so strangely that day, but the others were +not able to make it out.</p> + +<p>At the end of ten minutes the balloon was hauled +down. The boys climbed from the basket, trying +to answer the scores of questions that were asked +of them by persons in the crowd. After that +many made trips in the captive airship.</p> + +<p>“It was great,” declared Bart.</p> + +<p>“I almost wish it had gotten loose,” said Ned. +“I’d like to take a long trip.”</p> + +<p>“We’ll try it again to-morrow,” said Bart, +“only don’t you go wishing it would break loose, +Ned. It might happen, you know.”</p> + +<p>“That wire cable couldn’t break.”</p> + +<p>“All right. I don’t want it to.”</p> + +<p>For a long while the boys remained to watch +the balloon go up and down with the scores who +ventured in it. Then, as there were many other +things to see at the fair, they made a tour of the +grounds.</p> + +<p>They were on hand the next day, and made another +trip in the balloon. This time it was a little +foggy and they could not see so well.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span></p> +<p>“Half price to-morrow boys,” remarked the +manager, as they came down. “It’s the last +day.”</p> + +<p>“We’ll have to take it in,” declared Fenn. +“Can’t miss a bargain like that.”</p> + +<p>So great an attraction did the reduced rate prove +that it was afternoon of the last day of the fair +before the four chums had a chance to go up in +the balloon again. Once more they got into the +big basket. The captive airship had been freshly +filled with gas and was pulling and tugging at the +restraining cable as though it wanted to be free.</p> + +<p>“Let her go,” called the manager, and for the +third time the boys saw the earth dropping away +beneath them. They could not get over that first +queer sinking feeling in the stomach as the balloon +first started skyward, but, after it had gone up a +few hundred feet they were used to it.</p> + +<p>The day was a wonderfully clear one, and the +boys could see for miles in every direction. Off to +the northwest Lake Erie sparkled in the sunlight, +and the Still river looked like a band of silver laid +between green banks and through dark green forests.</p> + +<p>“Isn’t it fine!” exclaimed Frank. “I wish we +could stay up all night.”</p> + +<p>“I guess we’re going down,” remarked Ned, as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> +there came a tug at the bottom of the basket where +the cable was fastened.</p> + +<p>The balloon gave a little jerk and swayed from +side to side. The boys clutched the edge of the +basket and looked over.</p> + +<p>“Something has happened!” cried Ned.</p> + +<p>They could see the crowd running to and fro +and a number of men signaling to them with their +hands.</p> + +<p>“What could have happened?” asked Frank. +“Is the balloon on fire?”</p> + +<p>“No! It’s broken loose!” yelled Fenn. +“See! The cable is dangling below us!”</p> + +<p>Leaning over as far as they dared, the others +saw that the wire rope had become loosened from +the drum and was swaying about in the air. It +had become unfastened when the machinery began +to revolve to haul the balloon down.</p> + +<p>“We’re loose! We’re going up!” almost +screamed Fenn.</p> + +<p>Down below them the earth once more was dropping +away at a fearful rate. The freshly-filled +balloon was shooting skyward faster than ever before, +since there was no restraining cable to hold +it back.</p> + +<p>The terror of their position held the boys dumb<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span> +for a while. They gazed at each other with +horror in their eyes. Their cheeks were pale, and +their hearts were beating violently.</p> + +<p>Being taken so suddenly into the lighter atmosphere +of the upper regions almost deprived them +of their senses. They could hardly breathe, +partly because of natural causes and partly because +of the terrible fright that gripped them.</p> + +<p>“You—you—got—your—wish, Ned,” +spoke Bart with some difficulty, looking at his +chum.</p> + +<p>“I—I—guess—I—did,” replied Ned +slowly.</p> + +<p>Their voices seemed to dispel the strain they +were all under. They had been fearful of moving +since the balloon broke away, thinking they might +fall from the terrible height. But now Bart sat +down in the bottom of the basket.</p> + +<p>“Well, we might be worse off,” spoke Frank.</p> + +<p>“How?” asked Fenn.</p> + +<p>“We might be falling down instead of up. +We’re in no danger for a while anyhow. There’s +no wind to speak of. We’re going straight up.”</p> + +<p>“How far I wonder?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“Well, we can stop when we want to,” said +Bart.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span></p> +<p>“How?” inquired Fenn.</p> + +<p>“By pulling the valve cord, of course. Don’t +you know what the man told us?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, of course. Well then, let’s pull it. This +is high enough for me.”</p> + +<p>They all stood up and began looking for the +valve and ripping cords. The man had told them +they were connected with the basket, but on previous +trips they had not thought to search them +out amid the mass of cordage.</p> + +<p>“One’s brown and the other’s red,” spoke Bart.</p> + +<p>“I don’t see any,” said Fenn, after a long gaze +aloft.</p> + +<p>“I either,” admitted Bart, and the others had +to confess they saw nothing of the cords.</p> + +<p>“Maybe they forgot to arrange them for this +trip,” suggested Ned.</p> + +<p>“Nice pickle for us if they did,” observed Bart. +“We’ll sail on forever.”</p> + +<p>But, though the boys made light of their plight, +it was not a pleasant one. The balloon with its +fresh supply of gas was good for many miles’ +travel.</p> + +<p>“I wonder if we’re going up or standing still?” +asked Fenn. He looked over the edge of the basket. +The ground below was a mere blur, of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span> +which the only difference in color between the +woods and the fields could be seen.</p> + +<p>“We can soon tell,” replied Bart.</p> + +<p>“How?”</p> + +<p>“I’ll show you.”</p> + +<p>He took from his pocket some paper and began +tearing it into little pieces. When he had a handful +he tossed them over the side of the basket. +They seemed pulled down by some unseen force.</p> + +<p>“We’re going up,” announced Bart in a strange +voice. “Those papers practically stood still. It +was us shooting past them that made it look as +though they fell.”</p> + +<p>“How far up are we I wonder?” said Fenn.</p> + +<p>A moment later a damp mist appeared to settle +down over the balloon. So dense was it that they +could no longer make out the big bag over their +heads.</p> + +<p>“We’re above the clouds,” came from Bart in +solemn tones.</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV</h2> + +<h3>INTO THE RIVER</h3> + + +<p>For a moment the announcement struck such a +chill of terror to the hearts of the boys that they +did not know what to say. The thought of being +more than a mile above the earth was fearful to the +lads who had never been even on a high mountain. +Now they were far up in the air, with only the frail +willow basket, and the lifting power of the gas +in the silken bag, between them and death.</p> + +<p>“Maybe it’s a fog from the river. Perhaps +we’ve dropped down,” said Fenn, anxious to derive +some consolation from their perilous position.</p> + +<p>“We haven’t come down a foot,” said Bart. +“Might as well admit it.”</p> + +<p>He tossed some more pieces of the torn paper +over the side. This time they remained stationary.</p> + +<p>“At any rate we’ve stopped going up,” he +called out. “We’re standing still!”</p> + +<p>His companions watched the scraps of paper +anxiously. Slowly they began to settle toward the +earth.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span></p> +<p>“That proves it,” said Bart. “We’re standing +still.”</p> + +<p>“Lot of good it will do us,” came from Ned. +“How long will we have to stay here?”</p> + +<p>“Hard to say,” Bart replied. “But you +wanted this to happen so you ought to be satisfied.”</p> + +<p>“If I’d known it was like this I’d never wished +for it even in fun,” spoke Ned. “Don’t you +s’pose we can get down?”</p> + +<p>“Sure; sometime. The gas can’t stay in the +bag forever. Some is bound to leak out and we’ll +descend. Besides, as it gets colder we’ll drop +some.”</p> + +<p>“How?” asked Frank.</p> + +<p>“Why the man told me the cold sort of condenses +the gas. Makes it so there isn’t so much of +it, and it hasn’t the same lifting power. But +there’s one disadvantage to that.”</p> + +<p>“How?” inquired Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Why as soon as it gets warm again, when the +sun comes out, it expands the gas and we’ll rise.”</p> + +<p>“Keep on going back and forth, eh?” asked +Ned.</p> + +<p>“That’s about it,” said Bart.</p> + +<p>“I’ve got a plan,” suggested Fenn.</p> + +<p>“What, Stumpy?” inquired his chums eagerly.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span></p> +<p>“I could cut a hole in the bag with my knife +and let some of the gas out.”</p> + +<p>“How could you reach the bag? The lowest +end of it, the neck, where the gas went in, is ten +feet over our heads.”</p> + +<p>“I could climb up the cordage. I read of a +fellow doing that once.”</p> + +<p>“Too risky,” decided Bart.</p> + +<p>“I’ll chance it,” declared Stumpy.</p> + +<p>“We’ll wait a while,” Bart decided. “We +may come down without doing that.”</p> + +<p>But there did not seem much chance of it. The +big balloon was still in the midst of the clouds. +Which way they were going the boys had no means +of knowing. They could see nothing but the mass +of gray vapor, which, now and then, swirled aside +long enough to disclose the black bag above their +heads.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile there was great excitement on the +fair grounds. The crowd ran to and fro vainly +seeking some means of bringing the balloon down. +Word was quickly sent to the boys’ parents and relatives, +and they came hurrying to the place, well +nigh distracted. By this time the airship was a mere +speck in the heavens. A little later it disappeared +above the clouds.</p> + +<p>There were some threats of arresting the manager<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> +of the enterprise, but wiser counsel prevailed. +It was shown that the accident was unavoidable. +The catch that fastened the wire cable to the drum +had become loosened by the many ascensions and +let the rope slip away.</p> + +<p>“There’s no danger,” the manager declared, +but he had hard work to make any one believe him. +Indeed his own drawn face showed he was alarmed +for the safety of the boys.</p> + +<p>“They’re bright lads,” he insisted. “One of +my helpers was explaining to them the other day +about the valve cords. They will pull them and +the balloon will come down. It may sail a few +miles from here, but they’ll be all right.”</p> + +<p>“Suppose they pull the wrong cord?” asked +Mr. Wilding who with Bart’s and Fenn’s parents, +and Frank’s uncle had gathered about the manager.</p> + +<p>“Oh, they wouldn’t do that,” said the owner of +the balloon. “They’re too smart for that.”</p> + +<p>“Well, there’s no good in worrying,” decided +Mr. Keene. “Maybe the boys can take care of +themselves, but they’re in a ticklish place.”</p> + +<p>His words served to comfort the others somewhat, +though Mrs. Keene and Mrs. Masterson +could not stop crying.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile there was nothing the boys could do.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> +They could only wait for something to happen. +And that something was for the gas to leave the +bag gradually so they could descend.</p> + +<p>“It’s almost five o’clock,” said Bart, looking +at his watch. “I guess we’re good for all +night.”</p> + +<p>“It’s going to be cold,” said Ned, with a shiver.</p> + +<p>Already the mist was beginning to tell on the +boys. Their clothes were covered with the fine +fog which clung to them like frost. They knew it +would be quite chilly before morning.</p> + +<p>“And not a thing to eat,” said Bart with a +sigh. “The next time I come ballooning I’m going +to bring a sandwich.”</p> + +<p>“The next time I come ballooning I’ll be a great +deal older than I am now,” came from Frank. +“No more for yours truly.”</p> + +<p>“What I can’t understand,” said Fenn, “is what +become of those cords. They must be on the balloon. +I saw them the first day.”</p> + +<p>“Suppose we take another look,” suggested +Ned. “I don’t fancy staying here all night.”</p> + +<p>“If we don’t find ’em I’m going to climb up +and poke a hole in the bag,” declared Stumpy.</p> + +<p>The boys took their positions one on each side +of the big basket and began staring aloft, through +the mist, for a sight of the cords. There was such<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> +a maze of ropes and netting that it was hard to +distinguish anything. The mist too, bothered +them.</p> + +<p>There came a little puff of wind which made the +big balloon sway so that the boys clutched the sides +of the willow car. There was a peculiar sensation +as though the bottom of their stomachs had +dropped out.</p> + +<p>“We’re going down!” cried Bart.</p> + +<p>The mist seemed to break away. The bag +could be plainly seen. Hurriedly Bart tore up +some more scraps of paper and tossed them over. +They remained stationary an instant and then began +to settle earthward.</p> + +<p>“False alarm,” said Bart with despair in his +voice.</p> + +<p>But they had gone down a few feet, or else +the mist had lifted, for they were no longer in the +cloud. They could see nothing of the earth, however.</p> + +<p>All at once Fenn who had resumed his upward-gazing +gave a cry.</p> + +<p>“What is it, Stumpy?” called Bart.</p> + +<p>“The cords! The cords! I see them!” the +boy exclaimed.</p> + +<p>“Where?” and they all came around to his +side.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span></p> +<p>“There, right near where the mouth of the bag +is fastened to the cordage. Don’t you see +them?”</p> + +<p>“Sure enough! There they are!” exclaimed +Bart.</p> + +<p>Then the others beheld the brown and red cords +that connected, one with the valve in the top, and +the other with the strip, to be ripped out, in case +of emergency.</p> + +<p>“We can’t reach ’em,” said Ned. “They’re +ten feet up.”</p> + +<p>This was so. The ends of the cords had, in +some way, been caught in the netting and were +held at least ten feet above the edge of the basket. +To reach them meant a dizzy and dangerous +climb.</p> + +<p>Stumpy looked first from one side of the basket +and then from the other, at the cords that +meant so much to them. He took off his coat and +vest and began removing his shoes.</p> + +<p>“What are you going to do?” asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“I’m going to get those cords down where we +can reach ’em,” said Fenn shortly.</p> + +<p>“How? You can’t!”</p> + +<p>“You watch me! Didn’t I take the prize at +school for high trapeze work?” and Stumpy went +on unlacing his shoes.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span></p> +<p>“Are you going to climb up in that cordage?” +demanded Ned.</p> + +<p>“That’s what I am.”</p> + +<p>“We won’t let you!”</p> + +<p>“It’s the only way!” said Fenn earnestly. +“We may be killed if I don’t. There’s no danger +boys. I’ll climb from the inside. If I fall, +I’ll only fall into the basket! I’m going up!”</p> + +<p>Before the others could stop him he had +reached up and taken a firm hold of the cords just +above the edge of the basket. They were very +strong, and there were so many of them that they +would have held a much greater weight than that +of Fenn.</p> + +<p>But it was a ticklish thing to climb up the netting +of a balloon, more than half a mile above the +earth. True, he was right over the basket, and if +he slipped would land into it. But it was a daring +thing to do, and his chums held their breaths as +they watched him.</p> + +<p>Up and up Stumpy went. His stockinged feet +gave him a good purchase on the netting, and, +clinging with his hands in a desperate grip, he +mounted higher and higher toward where the +caught cords dangled. It was only about ten feet +but to Stumpy and his chums it seemed like a thousand.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span></p> +<p>Now he was but three feet away from the cords. +Cautiously he kept on. The balloon swayed with +the unusual weight on one side and the basket +tilted.</p> + +<p>For a moment Fenn hesitated. He was getting +dizzy. Then he gritted his teeth and went +on. Steadying himself as best he could, in the insecure +and waving netting, he reached out one +hand and managed to grasp the red cord. He +loosened it and it fell so that it hung within reach +of his comrades. Then he released the brown one +and it, too, fell free.</p> + +<p>“Come down!” called Ned, and Stumpy, his +dangerous task accomplished, began to descend. +He was trembling like a leaf when he crouched +down in the basket again. His chums, each in +turn, silently pressed his hand. They could not +speak for a few moments.</p> + +<p>“Now for home!” exclaimed Bart as he +grasped the brown cord. “Lie down in the bottom +of the basket, all of you. No telling what +will happen when the gas begins to go out.”</p> + +<p>He pulled the cord slightly. There was a sudden +lurch to the balloon and again came that +strange feeling as if the bottom of their stomachs +were dropping out.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span></p> +<p>“We’re going down!” cried Frank joyfully.</p> + +<p>It was so. The gas escaped through the valve +as Bart pulled the cord, and the big airship, its +journey almost ended, was nearing the earth.</p> + +<p>As the valves would only stay open when the +cord was taut, springing shut when it was slack, +Bart kept giving it little jerks, regulating them according +to the sensation of falling. He did not +want the balloon to come down too swiftly.</p> + +<p>It was now dusk, and, as they looked over the +side of the basket they could dimly distinguish the +earth coming up to meet them.</p> + +<p>“Can you see where we are?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“Too dark,” replied Bart.</p> + +<p>He opened the valve wider. The balloon shot +downward with a sickening swiftness.</p> + +<p>“Not so fast,” called Frank.</p> + +<p>He got up to look over the edge. As he did so +he uttered a cry.</p> + +<p>“We’re near the river!” he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>Bart let out more gas, hoping to land the balloon +before the water was reached, but he miscalculated. +An instant later the airship, with the big bag almost +collapsed, came down with a rush and the +willow basket struck the water with a great +splash.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span></p> +<p>“Jump out and swim for it!” yelled Bart. +“The balloon will smother you!”</p> + +<p>He dived over the side of the basket. His companions +followed him. There was a sickening +smell of gas in the air.</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV</h2> + +<h3>CAPTURED</h3> + + +<p>Hampered by their shoes and clothing the boys +could not make much headway in the water. Fenn, +who was not a very good swimmer, was the last to +strike out. Bart caught a glimpse of him, and saw +the bag settling down over his chum.</p> + +<p>He turned and grabbed Fenn by the shoulder, +pulling him out of the way just as the silken folds +settled down on top of the water.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter? What has happened?” +cried a voice through the darkness, and the boys +saw lights from a boat flashing in their faces. +Then they noticed a big barge looming up, and +struck out for it.</p> + +<p>“Throw us a line!” called Bart.</p> + +<p>Aboard the boat men were running to and fro +and calling to one another. More lights flashed +out and several figures appeared at the sides. +Then ropes splashed into the water.</p> + +<p>Bart and Fenn each grabbed one and began to +pull themselves aboard. Ned and Frank were on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span> +the other side of the barge. There also, men had +cast cables into the river and their splash told the +swimming boys there was help at hand. They +grabbed the lines, and soon all four were standing +on the deck of the craft.</p> + +<p>“Well, where did you all come from?” asked +a hearty voice and a big man, his face almost concealed +by a beard, that covered everything except +his eyes, strode forward.</p> + +<p>“From the balloon,” replied Ned.</p> + +<p>“So that’s what that big thing was that flopped +down here, eh?” asked the man. “Well, you had +quite a time of it. Who are you, anyhow, airship +men?”</p> + +<p>Ned told their names, and related how the balloon +had broken away, taking them with it.</p> + +<p>“I guess it’s valuable,” he added. “Maybe if +you took it aboard you could get a reward.”</p> + +<p>“We’ve got something else to do besides saving +balloons,” the bearded man replied. “Delayed +our trip as it was, pulling you chaps from the +water, but I don’t mind that. Let ’em send for +their old gas bag if they want it. Guess it won’t +run away.”</p> + +<p>“Are you the captain of this boat?” asked +Bart, taking off his coat and wringing some of the +water out of it.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span></p> +<p>“That’s what I am, Captain Needham, of the +steam barge <i>Comet</i>. At present under sealed orders,” +and he laughed.</p> + +<p>“Where are we?” asked Frank.</p> + +<p>“On the Still river, just above Dunkirk,” replied +the captain.</p> + +<p>“How far is that from Darewell?” inquired +Bart.</p> + +<p>“Are you from Darewell?” asked Captain +Needham quickly, and he looked sharply at the +boys who stood in a circle of light cast by several +lanterns.</p> + +<p>“Yes. That’s where we live,” replied Bart.</p> + +<p>“Well, you’re about fifty miles from home.”</p> + +<p>“Which way are you going?” asked Frank, as +the barge was anchored then, and the boys had +not had time to notice in which direction she was +headed.</p> + +<p>“We’re going up the river.”</p> + +<p>“Then I guess we’d better go ashore,” remarked +Ned. “We don’t want to get any further +away from home. We must send word to our +folks that we’re safe.”</p> + +<p>“Of course,” spoke the captain. “It’s going to +be a little difficult though. There’s no telephone +in Dunkirk, and you’ll have to tramp five miles to +send a message. You’d better stay aboard until<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span> +we get to Flanders, that’s the next town above. +We’ll be there by morning, and you can wire from +there.”</p> + +<p>“I think we’d better go ashore now and take +our chances at getting a message through to-night,” +Frank said. “Maybe we can hire a carriage in +Dunkirk.”</p> + +<p>“Well now, I hate to interfere with your +plans,” the captain said, “but I’m behindhand +now, and I can’t stop to put you ashore. You’ll +have to wait until morning.”</p> + +<p>“One of us could swim ashore and send a message,” +put in Ned. “We really ought to send +one.”</p> + +<p>“Well, go below to the engine room and get +dried out first,” the captain advised. “The river +is full of rocks here and it’s a bad place to swim. +The banks are a mass of muck, like quick-sand, +dangerous to venture into. You get your clothes +off and we’ll soon have ’em dry. By that time +we’ll be in a better place for swimming. Besides +you must be hungry. We’re under way +again.”</p> + +<p>As he spoke there was a throbbing to the barge +that told the boys the engine had been started. +The anchor was hauled up and the boat again<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> +started up the river. It was too dark to see more +than the dim outline of the big gas bag as it rested +partly on shore and partly in the water.</p> + +<p>“Yes, I guess drying-out wouldn’t hurt us,” +Frank said. “But after that we must get word to +the folks if we have to walk ten miles.”</p> + +<p>“That’s right,” agreed his chums.</p> + +<p>“Suit yourselves,” the captain said. “Now +come on with me and I’ll fix you up.”</p> + +<p>He led the way to the engine room, and turned +the boys over to one of the deck hands. The +latter collected from the men some old garments +the boys could don while their own were drying. +Their change consisted of nothing but a jumper +and a pair of overalls each, but it was warm in +the engine room and they did not mind. Their +soaking clothing and shoes were soon in the process +of steaming dry on hot pipes.</p> + +<p>“‘All’s well that ends well’” quoted Frank. +“We certainly did have a strenuous time of it +for a while though.”</p> + +<p>“Wonder where this barge is going to?” said +Ned. “It’s a bigger one than I ever saw on the +river before. It’s got a lot of machinery aboard, +too.”</p> + +<p>“That doesn’t interest me so much as the question<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> +of when they have supper,” came from Bart. +“I’m getting warm and dry and I begin to feel my +appetite coming back.”</p> + +<p>They were close to the big boiler where it was +warm enough to almost bake bread. As they were +huddled there, getting the river chill out of them, +they heard somebody approaching down the passage +that led to the engine room.</p> + +<p>“Hope it’s someone to say supper is ready,” +spoke Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Captain Needham says you are to—” a voice +began and then it suddenly stopped. The chums +looked up and saw, in the glare from a lantern, a +youth staring at them.</p> + +<p>“Sandy Merton!” exclaimed Ned.</p> + +<p>At this the other boys pressed forward to get a +look at the lad who had acted so strangely of +late. But Sandy did not give them a chance. He +turned and fairly ran from the engine room.</p> + +<p>“Well of all the odd places we come across +that chap this is the queerest,” spoke Ned. +“What in the world can he be doing here?”</p> + +<p>“Just what I was going to ask,” Bart said. +“It looks funny. We must ask Captain Needham.”</p> + +<p>“Ah, boys, getting warmed through?” asked +a voice, and Captain Needham appeared a little<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> +later. “Well, you look pretty comfortable. +Guess you’re ready for supper.”</p> + +<p>“You’re a good guesser, sir,” said Fenn with a +laugh.</p> + +<p>“Right this way then,” the captain went on +quickly, opening a small door which led from the +engine room. “I’ll have something sent in here. +There’s a table and some chairs. It’s warm and +you can dress in there when your clothes are dry.”</p> + +<p>The boys went into the apartment he indicated. +It was lighted by a small hanging lamp. They +sat down to the table, presenting a queer sight in +the overalls and jumpers several sizes too large for +them. In a little while a man came in with a big +tray on which were plates of beef-stew, cups of +coffee and plenty of bread and butter.</p> + +<p>“Sort of a pick-up meal,” Captain Needham +said, as he looked in on them a little later, when +they were in the midst of it. “Best we could do in +a hurry. We don’t often have people drop in on +us out of a balloon for supper,” and he laughed.</p> + +<p>“Say, captain,” began Ned. “Is that boy—”</p> + +<p>“I’ll be back in a little while,” called the captain, +as he closed the door, leaving the chums +alone.</p> + +<p>“I was going to ask him about Sandy,” added +Ned.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span></p> +<p>“It’ll keep,” remarked Bart.</p> + +<p>The boys finished their meal and felt better.</p> + +<p>“I’d like to get into my clothes,” remarked +Fenn. “I want to see about sending a message +home. We must be out of the dangerous part +of the river now.”</p> + +<p>“Open the door and we’ll go back to the engine +room and see if they aren’t dry,” suggested Frank.</p> + +<p>Bart, who was nearest, turned the knob. The +door did not open.</p> + +<p>“Stuck, I guess,” he said, and gave it a yank. +It moved a bit, but only enough to show that it +was fastened in some way.</p> + +<p>“Locked!” exclaimed Ned. “They’ve locked +us in!”</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI</h2> + +<h3>PLANNING TO ESCAPE</h3> + + +<p>“Can’t be!” came from Bart. “What in +the world would they do that for?”</p> + +<p>“Don’t know,” admitted Ned. “But you can +see for yourself. The door’s locked.”</p> + +<p>“Maybe the catch slipped by mistake when +the captain went out,” suggested Frank. “Give +him a call, or pound on the wall to attract attention.”</p> + +<p>“Let me give the door another try,” Bart said. +“No use making a false alarm. Maybe it’s only +stuck.”</p> + +<p>But it was too evident that the portal was locked. +The knob turned freely, but the bolt was shot and +effectually made the boys prisoners.</p> + +<p>“Shall I pound on the door?” asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“Let’s see if there isn’t another way out,” suggested +Ned.</p> + +<p>They looked all around the room. It was about +ten feet square, and, aside from the table, chairs +and lamp contained no furniture or furnishings.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span></p> +<p>“There isn’t even a window,” said Frank.</p> + +<p>“What’s that up there?” inquired Fenn, pointing +to some sort of an opening near the ceiling.</p> + +<p>Bart climbed up on the table and investigated.</p> + +<p>“It’s a window,” he said, “but it’s not more +than a foot square, and has bars to it. More for +ventilation than anything else I guess. It’s just +above the waterline, for I can hear the river and +the noise of the propeller.”</p> + +<p>“It must be a mistake,” said Frank. “Go +ahead, Bart, and make a racket like a base drum. +We’ve got to get out of here, dress and get ashore +somehow.”</p> + +<p>Thereupon Bart pounded with both fists on the +door, while the boys aided him by yelling. They +kept it up for several minutes but there was no +response.</p> + +<p>“Maybe the machinery makes so much noise +they can’t hear us,” remarked Ned. “Let’s all +pound together. Use the chair and save our fists.”</p> + +<p>They raised a thundering din by knocking the +chairs against the walls of the room and the door.</p> + +<p>“Surely someone must hear that,” said Bart, +as he stopped to rest his arm. Evidently someone +did, for in the silence that followed a voice +asked:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span></p> +<p>“What do you want?”</p> + +<p>“We want to get out,” called Bart. “We’re +locked in.”</p> + +<p>“Well boys, I’m very sorry,” went on the voice, +which they recognized as that of Captain Needham’s +“but I can’t let you out.”</p> + +<p>“You can’t let us out?” demanded Ned. +“What right have you got to keep us here, prisoners.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I wouldn’t think of calling you prisoners,” +the captain said in a gentle tone from the +other side of the door.</p> + +<p>“What else is it?” Bart asked indignantly.</p> + +<p>“Well, you’re only detained for a little while, +that’s all. I can’t explain now, but it will be all +right in a few days. I wish I could tell you, but +I can’t. I’m bound to secrecy. If you will only +be patient I’m sure it will be all right inside of a +week.”</p> + +<p>“Do you mean to say you’re going to keep us +here a week?” inquired Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Well, I’m afraid I’ll have to, you know. +You’ll be well taken care of. Plenty to eat, but +I’m sorry I can’t give you any better clothes than +those you have on. You can’t run away in them, +and you might if you had your own.”</p> + +<p>“You’ll be sorry for this!” threatened Bart.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span> +“When we do get out you’ll be arrested. You +can’t do this sort of thing in this country!”</p> + +<p>“But I have done it,” the captain replied, and +the boys thought they heard him laughing. +“Now don’t get excited. We’ll treat you well.”</p> + +<p>“We don’t want to be treated well!” fired back +Frank. “We want our rights! We demand +that you release us at once!”</p> + +<p>“I’m sorry, but I can’t do it, boys. The best +I can do is to send word to your folks that you are +safe, but unavoidably detained,” and this time the +boys were sure the man was laughing.</p> + +<p>“We’ll break this door down if you don’t let us +out!” shouted Ned, and he banged a chair against +the portal.</p> + +<p>“I guess you’ll have your own troubles doing +that,” the captain replied. “Go ahead and try. +Now I’m going to treat you good. There’s another +room opening off from the one where you +are. It has bunks in it, a wash basin, running +water and a few other conveniences. Just imagine +you’re on a steamer, taking a trip for a few days, +and it will soon be over.”</p> + +<p>There was a clicking sound, and a part of the +wall, the boys would never have taken for a door, +slid back and showed a small room adjoining the +one they were in. It had four bunks and a little<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span> +washroom, but there was no opening from it save +the same kind of a ventilator that was in the first +apartment.</p> + +<p>“Breakfast will be served to you here in the +morning,” the captain called and then the boys +could hear him going away.</p> + +<p>For a little while the chums were too surprised +at the sudden turn of affairs to be able to make any +remarks. Then Bart exclaimed:</p> + +<p>“Well, of all the high-handed, piratical proceedings +this is the limit. It’s just like a dime +novel, or a five-cent library plot.”</p> + +<p>“Only not half so funny,” spoke Ned. “The +folks will be very much worried about us.”</p> + +<p>“Maybe the captain will keep his word and +send them a message,” ventured Bart.</p> + +<p>“If he says we’re unavoidably detained that +will make them almost as much worried as if they +didn’t hear from us,” added Frank. “Boys, +we’ve got to get out of here.”</p> + +<p>“How?” asked Bart, with something like despair +in his voice.</p> + +<p>He might well ask how. Clad in garments +which they could hardly venture out in, with no +shoes, and without so much as a penknife to cut +their way free, their case seemed hopeless. Their +only weapons were the spoons which had been furnished<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> +with their meal. There were no knives or +forks.</p> + +<p>“We’ve got to do it,” Bart decided.</p> + +<p>Silence fell upon them. They could feel the +boat vibrate with the speed of the engine. They +were still being carried up stream.</p> + +<p>“What’s it all about?” asked Fenn. “That’s +what gets me! I can’t understand it!”</p> + +<p>“I think I have a sort of clew,” said Frank.</p> + +<p>“What is it?”</p> + +<p>“It hinges on the same thing that has been a +mystery from the first.”</p> + +<p>“You mean the King of Paprica?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“That’s it. At first I thought those men were +crazy. Now I begin to think differently.”</p> + +<p>“But what is their object, and why do they +want to make prisoners of us? What have we +done?”</p> + +<p>“I think we have Sandy Merton to thank for +our being locked up,” went on Frank. “You see +the captain arranged this after Sandy saw us and +ran back to tell Mr. Needham. Sandy has been +on our trail. You remember he was in the canoe. +Then he was on guard there, near where those +men had their hut. You can depend on it there’s +a deep mystery here, and, in some way, whether +we know it or not, we’re mixed up in it.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span></p> +<p>“Do you think these men on the boat are, +also?”</p> + +<p>“Of course. They’re acting for some one, and +they don’t want us to get away to give an alarm. +That’s as much as I can understand now. If any +of you can get at the bottom of it say so.”</p> + +<p>But no one could.</p> + +<p>“It’s getting cold in here,” remarked Bart. +“I’m going to crawl in the bunk. These overalls +are rather thin.”</p> + +<p>He got into one of the narrow beds and the +others followed his example. The light from the +lamp in the other room illuminated the apartment +dimly. The boys talked the situation over from +all sides coming to no conclusion.</p> + +<p>“But what are we going to do?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“Let’s wait until morning,” suggested Bart. +“We’ll be rested then, and can think better. +We’ll have a look around the place and maybe we +can make a break.”</p> + +<p>“Let’s make a break when they open the door +to give us breakfast,” suggested Ned.</p> + +<p>“That might be a good plan,” came from Bart. +“The morning will do. We can’t accomplish anything +to-night, so there’s no use fretting.”</p> + +<p>In spite of their unpleasant position the boys +finally fell asleep and slumbered soundly. Bart<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span> +was the first to awaken and he hardly knew where +he was. A glance around soon brought to his +mind what had happened. He hurried into the +other room. As he reached it he gave a cry that +brought his companions in on the run.</p> + +<p>“What is it?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p>Bart pointed to the table. The dishes had all +been removed while they slept and the lamp was +gone. A dim light came in through the ventilators.</p> + +<p>“They were here in the night!” cried Bart.</p> + +<p>“What’s queer about that?” asked Frank.</p> + +<p>“This,” spoke Bart. “They didn’t come in +through the door, as the chairs are in front of it +just as we left them, and the door opens inwardly.”</p> + +<p>“Well?” asked Fenn.</p> + +<p>“They didn’t come in through the window, for +there isn’t any.”</p> + +<p>“How did they get in then?” asked Fenn.</p> + +<p>“There must be some secret way that we don’t +know about. We must find it. That’s how we +can escape.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps it’s around the ventilators,” suggested +Frank.</p> + +<p>“We’ll take a look,” spoke Bart.</p> + +<p>They soon found that the one in the bunk room<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> +would not admit the body of a child, to say nothing +to that of a man. The one in the room where +they had eaten was similar. As Bart, standing on +the table, was examining it closely, he motioned to +his companions to make no noise.</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII</h2> + +<h3>THE ESCAPE</h3> + + +<p>“What is it?” asked Ned in a whisper.</p> + +<p>“Some men are talking up on deck. I can +hear them,” Bart answered in a low voice.</p> + +<p>He listened intently for a moment and came +down from the table.</p> + +<p>“I don’t know who they are,” he said. “I +didn’t recognize Captain Needham’s voice, but one +man was saying: ‘It was a great idea, him calling +himself the King of Paprica. That must have +thrown ’em all off the scent.’”</p> + +<p>“What do you make of it?” asked Frank.</p> + +<p>“It only confirms what we guessed at, that the +men on this boat are, in some way, connected with +the mystery.”</p> + +<p>“See any way of getting out around that ventilator?” +asked Fenn.</p> + +<p>“No,” replied Bart. “We’ve got to try the +floor or walls. Say!” he went on in an excited +tone. “Why didn’t I think of it before. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span> +way that door slid back ought to have given me the +tip. There must be some secret passage in the +walls or floor. Let’s look for it!”</p> + +<p>Excited over the prospect of escape, the boys +carefully examined the walls. They seemed +solid, except where the door slid back to reveal the +bunk room. This was operated from outside, they +decided. There was no way of escape open there.</p> + +<p>“Look at every inch of the floor!” said Bart, +dropping to his knees.</p> + +<p>The others followed his example. They +crawled about with their eyes close to the boards. +Suddenly Frank uttered an exclamation.</p> + +<p>“Find anything?” called Bart, who was in the +bunk room.</p> + +<p>For answer Frank pointed to a long, straight +crack in the floor, under the table. It was about +a quarter of an inch wide, and was at right angles +to the other cracks which appeared wherever +the boards joined.</p> + +<p>“I’ll bet that’s a sliding trap-door!” exclaimed +Frank. “We must try to open it.”</p> + +<p>At that moment a knock sounded on the door +and a voice called out:</p> + +<p>“If you boys will promise to behave and not cut +up rough I’ll bring in some breakfast.”</p> + +<p>“We’ll promise,” agreed Bart, his voice trembling<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span> +slightly. “We’ll take the food,” he added +in a whisper to his companions, “and then we’ll +try to escape to-night. Don’t say anything to whoever +comes in.”</p> + +<p>The person outside proved to be a husky man +with a big tray of food. Standing behind him in +the passage were two other men, so there would +have been little use in the boys making a dash for +liberty. In silence the food was placed on the +table, and without speaking the man withdrew, +locking the door after him.</p> + +<p>The boys waited until the footsteps died away. +They were so excited over the prospect of escape +they did not think of the food. Eagerly they +looked for a knife. There were only spoons. +Ned uttered an exclamation of disappointment, +but Bart seized one of them.</p> + +<p>“The handle will go into the crack,” he said. +“Maybe we can shove the door back.”</p> + +<p>He tried, but was unable to budge the slide, if +it was one.</p> + +<p>“Let’s all try,” suggested Frank.</p> + +<p>There were four large spoons. The chums +moved the table so they could kneel side by side +and inserted the handles into the narrow crack.</p> + +<p>“All together!” called Bart.</p> + +<p>The piece of flooring suddenly slid back, revealing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span> +a flight of steps leading downward into the +hold of the boat.</p> + +<p>“Hurrah!” cried Ned. “Now we’ll show +Captain Needham a trick or two!”</p> + +<p>“We must wait until night!” said Bart. “It +will be easier then. Besides, we’ll need a lantern +in that dark hole, and they’ll bring one with our +suppers. Now I can eat with a good appetite.”</p> + +<p>“How can we escape in these clothes?” asked +Fenn, looking at his overalls and jumper.</p> + +<p>“I’m not so afraid as you are of meeting the +girls,” spoke Bart. “Let’s eat now. I wish it +was night!”</p> + +<p>The chums thought they had never known such +a long day. At noon their dinner was served, the +same precaution being observed as with the breakfast. +With supper the man brought a lantern +which he hung up on a hook in the ceiling. Then +he went out, closing the door and locking it. All +the while the barge had been steaming ahead.</p> + +<p>“Wonder why they used that trap door to take +the things away by last night?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“Probably to impress us with the mystery of the +thing,” answered Bart. “Lucky they didn’t +close it tight or we’d never noticed where it was.”</p> + +<p>They ate their supper and waited in anxiety until +it would be late enough to make the attempt to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span> +escape. They wanted to delay until all but the +watchmen would be asleep. At last Bart said he +thought it must be close to midnight. The lantern +was taken down, and, using the spoons, they +slid back the trap door.</p> + +<p>“I’ll go first with the lantern,” said Bart. +“The rest of you follow. Don’t make a bit of +noise. We must make our way to the deck, somehow, +and, as soon as you do, rush for the side and +overboard. We can easily swim ashore. No +matter what kind it is, it’s better than being held +here prisoners.”</p> + +<p>“What about our clothes?” asked Fenn.</p> + +<p>“If you want to ask for ’em, go ahead,” said +Bart. “I wouldn’t stop for a full dress suit now. +These togs are good enough for me.”</p> + +<p>Cautiously Bart began to descend the steps. +The lantern showed a black hold, filled with boxes +and barrels. The others followed, stepping gingerly, +for they were in their bare feet.</p> + +<p>Bart looked about for some means of reaching +the deck. Ahead he saw a glimmer of light. +Placing the lantern where it would show him the +way back he went closer. He found the light was +at the head of a companionway which he ascended +and noticed it led to the after part of the barge. +He could feel the cool wind blowing on his face.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span></p> +<p>“We’ll chance it,” he said, and he went back to +tell his chums.</p> + +<p>They made their way up the stairs, pausing to +listen. There was no sound save the throbbing +of the engine and the churn of the screw.</p> + +<p>“I see the stars,” whispered Ned. “This must +lead to the deck.”</p> + +<p>It did, and two minutes more and they stood at +the side of the barge, ready to leap overboard. +They could see the shore not far away.</p> + +<p>“Come on!” said Bart in a low tone.</p> + +<p>At that instant a voice called:</p> + +<p>“Hi there! Come back! Captain, the boys +are escaping!”</p> + +<p>The sound of feet running across the deck toward +them could be heard. Then, in the light +of a lantern, a man was seen approaching where +the chums stood.</p> + +<p>“Overboard!” yelled Bart.</p> + +<p>There were four splashes in the water, and the +four boys were striking out for shore.</p> + +<p>“Stop the barge!” This was Captain Needham’s +voice calling. “Lower a boat! We +mustn’t let ’em get away! After ’em men!”</p> + +<p>There was a ringing of bells. The water +churned under the stern of the <i>Comet</i> as the engine +was reversed. Then came the sound of a boat<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span> +being lowered. A few seconds later it struck the +water.</p> + +<p>“We’re almost to shore,” called Bart cautiously. +“Keep on boys!”</p> + +<p>Then came the noise of oars in the rowlocks. +The barge had come to a stop.</p> + +<p>“Give way!” called Captain Needham. “Get +’em before they land or we’ll have trouble. But +I guess they can’t go very far barefooted.”</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII</h2> + +<h3>THE PURSUIT</h3> + + +<p>Ned, being the best swimmer, was first ashore. +The others soon joined him. They could dimly +make out the approaching boat in which were several +men.</p> + +<p>“Which way?” asked Fenn.</p> + +<p>“No way at all,” replied Bart. “To the trees! +If we take a step they’ll hear us, and besides, we +don’t know any more than the man in the moon +which way to go. Hide in a tree until they give +up the chase.”</p> + +<p>The shore was lined with trees. It wasn’t much +fun climbing up barefooted, and with thin clothes +on, but the boys managed it, and soon were in a +big willow, the thick leaves of which afforded a +good screen.</p> + +<p>They had no sooner perched themselves on limbs, +well hidden by the foliage, than the sound of the +boat’s keel grating on the gravelly shore was +heard. Then came the captain’s voice.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span></p> +<p>“Scatter now and hunt for ’em. They can’t +have gone far! We were after ’em too quick! +But be careful men, I don’t want those boys hurt. +Be easy, remember!”</p> + +<p>“That’s queer,” thought Ned. “In fact this +whole business is queer.”</p> + +<p>The noise the men made as they crashed through +the underbrush came plainly to the ears of the +boys. They could see the gleam of lanterns the +searchers carried, as they ran to and fro. But +the tree proved a happy thought. None of the +men imagined the boys were in it, and some of the +pursuers even stood beneath the willow and voiced +their remarks of disappointment.</p> + +<p>For ten or fifteen minutes the search was kept +up in the vicinity of where the boat had landed. +The men made a circle about the place looking for +the boys but did not find them. The chums, +cramped from clinging to the branches, dared not +move for fear of rustling the leaves, and disclosing +their presence. Finally the searchers gathered +about the boat, close to the tree.</p> + +<p>“Guess they gave us the slip,” remarked the +captain. “Smart lads those. Well, men, might +as well go back. Get the boat ready.” The men +moved off, Captain Needham remaining beneath +the tree a moment longer. The boys heard him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span> +murmur: “The King of Paprica will not like +this. I must get word to him at once.”</p> + +<p>Then he moved away. A little later the sound +of the boat being hoisted to the barge could be +heard.</p> + +<p>“Can’t we get down now?” whispered Fenn. +“I’m all stiff and cold.”</p> + +<p>“Better wait awhile,” advised Bart. “They +may have left some one on watch.”</p> + +<p>It was weary waiting but the boys did not complain. +It was so still they could hear the men in +the small boat boarding the barge. Then there +came the sound of the big craft getting underway. +Bart peered out through the leaves. He could +just make out the steamer.</p> + +<p>“They’ve turned around! They’re heading +down stream!” he said in an excited whisper. “I +guess we’re safe now. Come on, boys!”</p> + +<p>He scrambled down, followed by the others.</p> + +<p>From the shore they could see the lights of the +barge disappearing around a bend in the river.</p> + +<p>“Must be something very queer in this, when +our escape makes them turn around and go back,” +spoke Bart.</p> + +<p>“Looks as if we were surely mixed up in that +mystery,” came from Frank. “Wish we knew +how.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span></p> +<p>“We’ll soon know,” replied Bart. “This +thing will have to end in a little while. Now, the +question is, what are we going to do?”</p> + +<p>“Let’s look for a place to stay the rest of the +night,” counseled Frank.</p> + +<p>“All right, only I don’t feel much like tramping +through the woods and fields in the dark and +barefooted,” objected Fenn. “Why not stay +here until it’s light enough to see where we are +going?”</p> + +<p>After talking it over they decided this was the +best plan. It was too risky tramping about in +an unknown locality, especially without some +protection for their feet. Bart walked back +away from the river. Then he called to his +chums:</p> + +<p>“Here’s a hay field, fellows. It’s been cut but +hasn’t been cocked up yet. Come on, we’ll make a +pile of it and crawl in to get warm.”</p> + +<p>It was a good suggestion. The half-cured grass +made a warm nest for the thinly clad boys, and +they huddled down together in a big mound of the +fragrant hay, pulling it over themselves until they +were hidden from sight, leaving only a little hole +to breathe through. It was so warm and comfortable +that they speedily fell asleep.</p> + +<p>The sun was shining when they awakened.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> +Bart sprang up, scattering the hay all about, and his +companions followed.</p> + +<p>“Oh, for a bit of breakfast!” Fenn remarked.</p> + +<p>“‘So say we all of us,’” chanted Bart.</p> + +<p>“There’s a chance of it!” exclaimed Ned.</p> + +<p>“What?”</p> + +<p>“Breakfast!” and he pointed to a little village +about half a mile away.</p> + +<p>“Hurrah! We’re in luck!” cried Ned. +“Now for a meal and a chance to send word +home!”</p> + +<p>“We can’t go looking this way!” exclaimed +Fenn. “Look at our clothes!”</p> + +<p>“You mean don’t look at ’em,” corrected Bart. +“We’ll hang a sign out; ‘We have better ones +at home.’ That will satisfy any one. As for me +I’d go there and ask for a bite if I only had my +swimming togs on, and these are a heap-sight more +respectable than those. Here goes!”</p> + +<p>He strode forward, pulling wisps of hay from +his hair. The others followed. From the field +they emerged into a country road that led to the +village. They were almost at the outskirts of the +hamlet, where several houses were grouped together +when a boy came from one out into the +highway, carrying a pail of milk.</p> + +<p>“That looks good!” exclaimed Bart. “Hi,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span> +kid,” he called, “sell us a drink of milk, will +you?”</p> + +<p>The boy halted. He gazed at the four strange +figures approaching; figures clad in ragged overalls +and jumpers; bare-footed figures, with bits of +hay clinging to them. Then the boy dropped his +pail of milk spilling it all over and with a yell of: +“Pop! Pop! Here they be!” he dashed back +into the house.</p> + +<p>The next moment three men came from the +house. They carried clubs in their hands, and one +had a gun.</p> + +<p>“Here they are!” called one, as the three advanced +on the run toward the boys.</p> + +<p>“Polite way to receive guests,” commented +Bart.</p> + +<p>As he spoke there came hurrying from houses +adjoining that where the boy lived who gave the +alarm, a number of men and youths. All of them +had clubs or some sort of weapon.</p> + +<p>“They seem to be after us!” cried Fenn.</p> + +<p>“So they are!” admitted Bart. “I’ll bet Captain +Needham lied about us and put them on our +track. He probably sent some message last +night.”</p> + +<p>“We’d better run,” counseled Frank, and at +that the boys took to their heels.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span></p> +<p>The pursuit was on in earnest. The crowd behind +kept increasing as men and youths from +houses further back on the road joined it.</p> + +<p>“Catch ’em! Stop ’em! Head ’em off!” were +the cries that reached the boys. But they kept on +at their best speed. They had the advantage of a +good start, and were not hampered with heavy +clothing and shoes. The road was deep in dust +and was not hard on their unprotected feet.</p> + +<p>“They’ll never catch us!” exclaimed Bart. +“But what in the world do they want with us?”</p> + +<p>“Don’t talk! Run!” came from Fenn.</p> + +<p>It began to look as though the boys would get +away. The road stretched invitingly before them, +and, though the number of their pursuers was increasing +they had not cut down the lads’ lead much. +But fortune does not always favor the brave. As +the chums went around a curve they saw in front +of them a load of hay, overturned on the highway. +It blocked the whole width of the road, save +for a strip of sward on either side.</p> + +<p>“Go around it!” cried Ned.</p> + +<p>But when they came up they found the passage +on both sides was so thick with big Canadian +thistles, as to daunt even the bravest barefooted +person, particularly if he had not been used to +going without his shoes. They gingerly tried the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span> +passage on either side but had to turn back. The +pursuers gave a shout and came on faster than +before.</p> + +<p>“Over the hay!” sung out Ned.</p> + +<p>He made a running jump to scramble up the +small hill of dried grass. The others followed. +From the other side there suddenly appeared the +farmer who owned it. He had been trying to +fix his wagon. He saw the boys attempting to +climb over the load, and noted the crowd in pursuit.</p> + +<p>“No, you don’t!” he yelled, making a grab +for Fenn and Bart, who were in the rear. He +seized them by their loose clothing. As the two +boys felt themselves being pulled back they instinctively +grabbed at Ned and Frank. All four +fell in a heap on the highway at the bottom of the +hay pile. An instant later the crowd was upon +them and the boys were grabbed by half a dozen +hands.</p> + +<p>“We’ve got ’em!” exclaimed one gray-bearded +man, with a big tin star on his coat. “We’ll git +th’ reward. Great luck!”</p> + +<p>“What right have you got to chase us?” demanded +Bart.</p> + +<p>“Best right in the world,” replied the constable.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span></p> +<p>“What have we done?” asked Frank.</p> + +<p>“Broke jail, that’s what ye done.”</p> + +<p>“Broke jail! We never were in jail!”</p> + +<p>“What? Ain’t ye th’ two men who escaped +from Blissville jail last night?” demanded the +constable.</p> + +<p>“No!” fairly shouted Bart. “Can’t you +count? There are four of us and mere boys, not +men. The only place we broke from was the +hold of the barge where they were keeping us +prisoners, after we fell from the balloon!”</p> + +<p>“Balloon!” exclaimed another man, coming +forward from the crowd. “Are you th’ boys +from Darewell th’ alarm has been sent out for? +Went up in a balloon that broke away?”</p> + +<p>“That’s who we are,” replied Fenn.</p> + +<p>“By Heck! men, we’ve got th’ wrong ones!” +cried the man who had last spoken. “These are +the balloon boys! It was two men, not four boys, +who broke jail! We’ve made a mistake!”</p> + +<p>“What made ye run, if ye wasn’t guilty?” demanded +the constable, rather incensed over his +disappointment.</p> + +<p>“Guess you’d run, Amos,” put in the other +man, “if ye saw this crowd after ye.”</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXIX</h2> + +<h3>AN UNEXPECTED MEETING</h3> + + +<p>It took considerable explanation to set things +straight but it was finally accomplished. The +boys told as much of their story as they thought +proper, from the time they went up in the balloon +until they saw the crowd after them.</p> + +<p>In turn they were informed that during the +night two prisoners had escaped from the jail at +Blissville, the next town to Pentkirk, which was +the village they were then in.</p> + +<p>“Lucky you mentioned balloon,” spoke Mr. +Weldon, the farmer who had come to the chum’s +aid.</p> + +<p>“Did you hear of it?” asked Ned.</p> + +<p>“Well, I guess! Circulars describin’ ye have +been sent to every postoffice around here.”</p> + +<p>“Then Captain Needham hasn’t telephoned +word to our folks!” cried Bart. “We must do +it at once. Is there a wire in town?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“Yep, an’ ye can use it all ye want to,” said<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span> +Mr. Weldon. “There’s a hundred dollars reward +for news of each of ye, an’ maybe ye +wouldn’t mind lettin’ some of th’ boys earn it by +telephonin’ t’ th’ Darewell police?”</p> + +<p>“Of course not,” replied Bart, “so long as our +folks are told, at once, that’s all we care.”</p> + +<p>“We’d like some breakfast and—and—some +decent clothes too,” put in Fenn.</p> + +<p>“We’ll see to that,” replied Mr. Weldon. +“Come along with me.”</p> + +<p>He took the boys to his house, first sending a +messenger to telephone to Darewell that the boys +were safe and would shortly be home. The +chums were soon eating a hearty meal, and then +were fitted out in garments, which, if they did not +fit them well, being collected from several houses +that contained lads about of their age, were a +welcome relief from the overalls and jumpers.</p> + +<p>“I never knew how much depended on shoes +before,” said Fenn, as he gazed at those loaned +him.</p> + +<p>“I can feel those thistles yet,” observed Frank.</p> + +<p>“Now I s’pose you boys’ll want t’ git home,” +observed Mr. Weldon when breakfast was finished. +“I’ll be glad t’ advance ye th’ money for your +tickets.”</p> + +<p>“We’ll be much obliged if you will,” spoke<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span> +Bart. “If you want references you can telephone +to any one in Darewell.”</p> + +<p>“Them circulars is reference enough,” was the +answer, as he waved one containing a description +of the boys. Their relatives had sent them broadcast +after the balloon had broken loose and no +word had been received from the chums by the +following morning.</p> + +<p>It was not long before the four were on a +train, speeding home. They were so full of talk +over their recent experiences that it was hard to +say where one began and the other left off.</p> + +<p>“One thing we’ve got to do the minute we +get back,” said Bart.</p> + +<p>“What?” asked Fenn.</p> + +<p>“We’ve got to make a trip to that place where +we saw the men acting so queerly, where Sandy +was on guard, and where that log cabin was, and +see what it all means. We’ll have those men +arrested.”</p> + +<p>“And Captain Needham, too.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, he’s in the plot.”</p> + +<p>The boys arrived home about noon. That +they were welcomed by their parents, relatives and +friends is putting it mildly. There was a big +crowd at the depot, as the train got in, and there +was a regular procession up the main street, with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span> +the boys in the center. Such shouting, laughing +and cheering was seldom heard in Darewell before, +and the next issue of the town paper was +hardly large enough to give even a partial account +of what happened.</p> + +<p>As soon as the boys were released by their +friends, which took considerable time, there was +a consultation at Mr. Wilding’s house.</p> + +<p>It was attended by the four boys, Frank’s +uncle, Mr. Keene and Mr. Masterson. The lads +told their story from the start, beginning with +their first encounter with the King of Paprica.</p> + +<p>“There are just two ways about it,” said Mr. +Wilding. “Those men are either crazy or they +are criminals, up to some game. In either case +they ought to be driven from the community.”</p> + +<p>The others agreed with him. Then they discussed +a plan. It was decided that the boys, accompanied +by Mr. Wilding, the chief of police +and an officer, should go to the clearing at the +foot of Bender’s hill, and see if any of the men +were still there. If they were they were to be +arrested, and held until they made a satisfactory +explanation.</p> + +<p>The little posse started about three o’clock that +afternoon, the matter being kept quiet. The two +police officers were armed. The boys wanted to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span> +take their rifles, but were not allowed to, as +their parents did not want them to run any +chances.</p> + +<p>The chief of police and his officer led the way +through the woods and across the fields to the location +described by the boys. They went cautiously, +keeping a lookout for any signs of the +strangely-acting men.</p> + +<p>As they advanced through a little glade, close +to where the clearing was located, the chief, who +was in advance, called out:</p> + +<p>“There’s some one sitting on the ground just +ahead.”</p> + +<p>Bart pressed forward. He saw a lad leaning +against a big stake driven into the earth.</p> + +<p>“Why it’s Jimmie Nelson!” Bart exclaimed.</p> + +<p>“The laziest boy in town,” murmured the +chief.</p> + +<p>“I’ll go up and speak to him,” Bart went on. +“You can hang back here until I see what he’s +doing.”</p> + +<p>“Doing? He never does anything,” said +Fenn.</p> + +<p>“Hello, Jimmie,” called Bart, as he started to +cross the clearing. “What you doing here?”</p> + +<p>“Got a job.”</p> + +<p>“You call that a job; sitting there?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span></p> +<p>“Sure, it’s a nice easy job. Sandy got it for +me. He’s working for the same firm.”</p> + +<p>Bart gave a sudden start. The plot, it seemed, +was thickening.</p> + +<p>“What are your duties?” Bart went on.</p> + +<p>“Oh I just sit here to watch that this stake +don’t move, and if I see any one coming I’m to +pull this string.”</p> + +<p>“Have you pulled it?”</p> + +<p>“Not yet, ain’t seen any one.”</p> + +<p>“What do you call me?”</p> + +<p>“That’s so. I almost forgot. Say, pull it, +will you; you’re nearer to it than I am.”</p> + +<p>The string was about two inches from Jim’s +hand, and within one inch of Bart’s foot.</p> + +<p>“What happens if I pull it?”</p> + +<p>“Don’t know. That ain’t part of my job,” +and Jim blinked his eyes lazily.</p> + +<p>“Then I guess I’ll not pull it,” replied Bart, +putting his foot on the cord to prevent Jim from +doing it.</p> + +<p>“All right, maybe I’ll lose my job now, but +I don’t care. There’s too much work. Have to +stay awake too much.”</p> + +<p>Bart turned and beckoned to his companions +who had remained in the woods. They came on +in a hurry.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span></p> +<p>“You’re not supposed to come here,” Jim objected +in a lazy tone. “I ought to pull that +string. Pull it, Bart, you’re closer than I am.”</p> + +<p>“Forward!” exclaimed the chief. “We’ll see +where this cord leads!”</p> + +<p>He started to trace the white string that +stretched along the ground and into the woods +beyond the clearing. The boys followed, and +the party broke into a run. Bart carried the end +of the cord with him to prevent Jim from pulling +it, but he need not have taken the trouble as Jim +had gone to sleep.</p> + +<p>Just as the posse was at the further edge of the +clearing there emerged from the woods four men. +One was the white-bearded individual, whose +strange language and actions had first aroused the +boys’ suspicions, one the tramp, whom the chums +had encountered three times; the third was the +man who had taken Sandy’s gun that day, while +at the sight of the fourth Frank exclaimed: +“The King of Paprica!”</p> + +<p>The men stopped abruptly on seeing the boys +and their companions. There was a moment’s +silence and then a noise sounded off to the left. +They all turned to behold Captain Needham approaching +on the run.</p> + +<p>“The boys got away!” he cried, addressing the +King of Paprica.</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXX" id="CHAPTER_XXX"></a>CHAPTER XXX</h2> + +<h3>STRIKING OIL—CONCLUSION</h3> + + +<p>“You’re right! They did!” exclaimed the +chief of police. “They got away from you, and +they’re here now to prefer charges against you +and the other scoundrels. I place you all under +arrest,” and he drew his revolver, the officer doing +likewise.</p> + +<p>“There’s no necessity for that,” said the man +who had called himself the King of Paprica. +“We’re not going to make any trouble.”</p> + +<p>“You’d better not,” said the chief significantly.</p> + +<p>“I can explain it all now,” the man went on.</p> + +<p>“About kidnaping these boys?” demanded +Mr. Wilding.</p> + +<p>“I didn’t kidnap ’em,” spoke Captain Needham, +“they came aboard and were glad enough +to. I had to hold ’em a while, and sorry enough +I was to do it.”</p> + +<p>“You’ll be sorrier before we’re through with +you,” remarked the chief.</p> + +<p>“Gentlemen, perhaps I had better explain,” said<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span> +the man whom the boys had seen wearing the gilt +crown.</p> + +<p>“We’ll give you a chance,” said Mr. Wilding.</p> + +<p>“In the first place we owe you boys an apology,” +the man went on. “We’ll make it a substantial +one too, as you will see, but first let me introduce +myself. My name is Patrick Ricka, and I am +interested in oil wells.”</p> + +<p>“Oil wells!” exclaimed Mr. Wilding. +“There aren’t any around here.”</p> + +<p>“There wasn’t but there will be very soon,” +Mr. Ricka added. “My companions are William +Hendershot,” and he indicated the man with +the white beard, “Joseph Gampfer,” who was +the tramp, “and Andrew Maddox. They are +associated with me in this enterprise. Captain +Needham, I believe, you boys know,” and he +smiled.</p> + +<p>“Are you crazy or is it a joke about the King +of Paprica?” asked Mr. Wilding, not inclined +to let up on the men.</p> + +<p>“It was an odd title, made up partly from my +own name, as you will observe, and adopted to +meet the exigencies of the occasion. For some +time I have suspected there was oil in this region,” +Patrick Ricka continued. “I knew if I +made any tests openly some one would find out<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span> +what I was after, and I would have no opportunity +of securing the land without paying a fabulous +price for it. So I decided to come here with my +assistants and work in secret.</p> + +<p>“We thought the best plan would be to pretend +one or more of us was slightly insane and +that the other was his keeper. This was done. +I had the hut (a portable one) built and placed +the name above the door to further the idea that +we were insane. Then we went through some +rather foolish antics, just to keep persons from +prying around here. You boys were the more +persistent, and saw more of us than any one else. +That day Mr. Hendershot was poking his pole +down in the river he was testing to see if there +was a strata of oil land under the water. You +boys thought he was crazy. Again, when you +started to cross here and Sandy ordered you away, +we were making some microscopic tests of the upper +surface, and did not want to be disturbed. +We hired Sandy, not because we liked him, but +because we heard he was on the ‘outs’ with you +boys, and we knew he would not make friends +with you and so unintentionally perhaps, give our +secret away.</p> + +<p>“As it happened the plan was successful in a +measure. Then Mr. Gampfer in the guise of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span> +a tramp met you and inquired where the cabin +was, for he had, up to that time, not been to it. +He saw you were rather dangerous boys to have +loose, as far as our plans were concerned. Even +moving the cabin did not fool you. We saw you +with the telescope that day,” and Mr. Ricka +laughed.</p> + +<p>“What did Sandy and Mr. Gampfer follow +us for?” demanded Bart.</p> + +<p>“Only to see if they could overhear what you +were talking about, and learn whether you were +still determined to solve our secret,” replied the +oil man. “They intended no harm, and, I trust, +worked none. If they had heard you discussing +ways of finding out our secret they would have +warned me to hasten matters to a close. I hope +they did not annoy you.”</p> + +<p>“It worried us,” Bart replied.</p> + +<p>“Of course. We are sorry for that. In the +meanwhile we went on with our experiments. +We found indications that oil was plentiful under +here and made arrangements to buy the property. +But we paid a good price for it, and each seller +will have a share in the profits. We did nothing +dishonest. Mr. Gampfer gave you a tip, once, +but you didn’t seem to grasp it.”</p> + +<p>“What was it?” asked Fenn.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span></p> +<p>“The day you borrowed the salt,” replied the +man who had posed as a tramp. “You see I was +engaged in going through the country around here +with my instruments looking for indications of oil. +You asked me what my work was and I said +hunting the ‘Oilander Tincander.’ If you will +say that slowly you’ll see what I mean.”</p> + +<p>“Oil-ander Tin-can-der,” murmured Bart. +“Oh! I see. Oil-can!”</p> + +<p>“Exactly.”</p> + +<p>“Well,” resumed Mr. Ricka, “everything +went along well until that balloon trip. That +brought about the climax. Of course it was all +an accident, and we had no idea our barge would +pick you boys from the river. You see we have +a barge to bring machinery to us. It had delivered +some and was to bring more. It was on +the way after it when the balloon fell. Sandy +Merton, whom we kept in our employ, was aboard +and recognized you boys. He told Captain Needham, +who, knowing how nearly you had discovered +our secret, determined to hold you a while +until he could let me know. He had no right +to, of course, and we will pay you any reasonable +damages.</p> + +<p>“For you see we have struck oil,” Mr. Ricka +went on. “Our property which extends for over<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span> +a mile all around Bender’s hill, is rich in oil. +As soon as you boys escaped Captain Needham +turned about and came back. I apprehend that +is correct, Captain, for, though he sent a telegram +to me telling of your—er—of your detention—I +have not seen him from shortly before the +balloon fell, until this moment.”</p> + +<p>Captain Needham nodded in assent.</p> + +<p>“The need of secrecy is at an end,” Mr. Ricka +continued. “Our rights are all secured and we +don’t care how soon everyone in Darewell knows +about the oil.”</p> + +<p>“What was Jimmie Nelson doing out there?” +asked Bart.</p> + +<p>“He’s a friend of Sandy’s,” replied the oil +man. “We hired him to stay out there and pull +the string, which rings a bell in the cabin, as soon +as he saw any one. We knew he was lazy, and +this was the easiest and safest job we could think +of for him.”</p> + +<p>“He’s asleep now,” said Fenn.</p> + +<p>“I suppose so. Well, there’s no need for him +any longer. I guess we’ll discharge him. Now +as to you boys. I realize we had no right to detain +you, and you doubtless suffered some hardships. +Will a thousand dollars’ worth of valuable +oil stock apiece satisfy you?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span></p> +<p>“Is the stock any good?” asked Bart quickly.</p> + +<p>“I think Mr. Wilding can answer that,” and +Mr. Ricka showed the bank cashier some certificates.</p> + +<p>“That’s as good as gold,” replied Mr. Wilding.</p> + +<p>“Will you boys accept it?” asked the oil man. +“It isn’t stock in these new wells, but in some +long established ones.”</p> + +<p>The boys and Mr. Wilding consulted together +for a moment. The boys were only too willing +to call the matter square on that basis, and the +cashier gave his consent to the deal, as regarded his +own son, after demanding that Mr. Ricka also pay +the reward, which was done. The other chums +were sure their relatives would not object.</p> + +<p>“Now that is settled, come and see the first +well we have sunk,” suggested Mr. Ricka. “It +is not finished, but we know it is going to be a +success, for we have tested it.”</p> + +<p>He led the way to a little clearing beyond the +big one. In front of the cabin was some curious +machinery. There were a number of tanks and +barrels, which smelled strongly of oil.</p> + +<p>“Did you connect the dynamo?” asked Mr. +Ricka of Captain Needham.</p> + +<p>“Yes, just before I left the barge.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span></p> +<p>“You see we get our power from a dynamo on +the barge,” the oil man explained. “A wire runs +from here to the boat, through the woods. We +didn’t dare risk taking power from town or some +one would find out what we were up to. The +barge not only brought us our supplies but gave +us electricity for an experimental plant. We’ll +soon have a larger one.”</p> + +<p>Then he showed the visitors where a small well +had been bored by means of new and improved +electrical machinery. It gave a good quality of +oil, and there were indications that the under strata +was permeated with the valuable fluid.</p> + +<p>In fact the new oil company proved a big success, +and several land owners in the vicinity made +small fortunes. Frank’s uncle was one of the +lucky ones, though his share was not as large as +was some of his neighbors’.</p> + +<p>The boys’ relatives decided to let the matter +drop, in consideration of the settlement made by +Mr. Ricka. Soon there was a big boom in town, +caused by the knowledge that oil had been struck. +A number of persons found employment with the +company, Sandy Merton being one of them. Jim +Nelson might have been hired, but he was too +lazy to ask for a job.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span></p> +<p>“Letter for you, Ned,” said his chums one +day about a week later, as they were all in the +postoffice, for Bart had glanced in the Wilding +box.</p> + +<p>“Wonder who it’s from?” spoke Ned.</p> + +<p>“Best way to find out is to open it,” suggested +Fenn, and the hesitating boy forthwith followed +his friend’s advice.</p> + +<p>It was a short epistle, and Ned had soon finished +reading it.</p> + +<p>“It’s from my uncle and aunt in New York,” +he said. “They want me to pay them a long +visit next vacation, and I can bring some friends +with me. Will you fellows go?”</p> + +<p>“To New York? Well, I guess yes!” exclaimed +Bart, and the others nodded in assent.</p> + +<p>“We can have corking times!” Ned went on. +“I’ve never been there. It’s great, according to +what you read about it.”</p> + +<p>“We couldn’t have much more excitement than +we did right here the last few weeks,” remarked +Fenn.</p> + +<p>But whether the boys did or not can be learned +in the second volume of this series, which will be +entitled: “Ned Wilding’s Disappearance.”</p> + +<p>“I wish it was time to go now,” Ned went on +as he put the letter in his pocket.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span></p> +<p>“Have to wait, that’s all,” said Bart. “By +the way, what ever became of John Newton, who +used to work here as a messenger?”</p> + +<p>“Didn’t you hear?” asked Fenn.</p> + +<p>“No. Did he get to be assistant postmaster?”</p> + +<p>“Went to New York last week,” Fenn added, +for John lived near him. “Said he was going +to be an actor or get some sort of a job on the +stage. Wouldn’t wonder but what he went in +some variety show. He could imitate birds better +than any one I ever heard.”</p> + +<p>“Maybe we’ll see him when we go to New +York,” suggested Bart.</p> + +<p>There, as they discussed the possibilities of their +trip, which was destined to be much more surprising +than any of them supposed, we will take +leave of them.</p> + +<p> </p> + +<p class="noi center">THE END</p> + + + +<hr class="cb" /> +<div class="tnote"> +<p class="noi tntitle">Transcriber’s Notes:</p> + +<p>Punctuation and spelling inaccuracies were silently corrected.</p> + +<p>Archaic and variable spelling has been preserved.</p> + +<p>Variations in hyphenation and compound words have been preserved.</p> +</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Heroes of the School, by Allen Chapman + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HEROES OF THE SCHOOL *** + +***** This file should be named 37291-h.htm or 37291-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/7/2/9/37291/ + +Produced by Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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