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| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-14 20:08:06 -0700 |
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| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-14 20:08:06 -0700 |
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diff --git a/37487-h/37487-h.htm b/37487-h/37487-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..aea1386 --- /dev/null +++ b/37487-h/37487-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,10546 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" +"http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" > +<head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8" /> + <meta content="Boy Scouts in the Northwest" name="DC.Title"/> + <meta content="G. Harvey Ralphson" name="DC.Creator"/> + <meta content="en" name="DC.Language"/> + <meta content="1911" name="DC.Created"/> + <meta name="generator" content="ppgen (1.23) generated Sep 19, 2011 07:52 PM" /> + <title>Boy Scouts in the Northwest</title> + <style type="text/css"> + body {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%;} + p {margin-top:1ex; margin-bottom:0; text-align:justify;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size:x-small; text-align:right; text-indent:0; + position:absolute; right:2%; padding:1px 3px; font-style:normal; + font-variant:normal; font-weight:normal; text-decoration:none; + background-color:inherit; border:1px solid #eee;} + .pncolor {color:silver;} + h1 {text-align:center; font-weight:normal; + font-size:1.4em; margin-top:4em; margin-bottom:2em;} + h2 {text-align:left; font-weight:normal; + font-size:1.2em; margin-top:4em; margin-bottom:2em;} + h3 {text-align:center; font-weight:bold; + font-size:0.9em; margin-top:1.5em; margin-bottom:1em;} + hr.pb {margin:30px 0; width:100%; border:none; border-top:thin dashed silver; clear:both;} + .sc {font-variant: small-caps;} + .center {margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; text-align:center;} + .larger {font-size:larger;} + .smaller {font-size:smaller;} + hr.fnsep {border:none; border-bottom: 1px solid black; width:10%; margin-left:0; margin-top:20px} + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + table.c {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + .caption {font-size: 80%;} + .footnote a {text-decoration:none;} + .footnote {font-size: 80%;} + .fnanchor {font-size: 80%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: 0.25em;} + .footnote .label {float:left; text-align:left; width:2em;} + div.center>:first-child {margin: .5em auto 0 auto;text-align:center;} + div.center p {margin: 0 auto; text-align:center;} + </style> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's Boy Scouts in the Northwest, by G. Harvey Ralphson + +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: Boy Scouts in the Northwest + Fighting Forest Fires + +Author: G. Harvey Ralphson + +Release Date: September 20, 2011 [EBook #37487] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BOY SCOUTS IN THE NORTHWEST *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from images made available by the HathiTrust +Digital Library.) + + + + + + +</pre> + +<div class='figcenter' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='i001' id='i001'></a> +<img src='images/illus-cvr.jpg' alt='' title=''/><br /> +</div> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<div class='figcenter' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='i002' id='i002'></a> +<img src="images/illus-fpc.jpg" alt="FRONTISPIECE" title=""/><br /> +<span class='caption'>FRONTISPIECE</span> +</div> +<div class='center'> +<p><span style='font-size:1.6em;font-weight:bold;'>Boy Scouts</span></p> +<p><span style='font-size:1.6em;font-weight:bold;'>in the Northwest</span></p> +<p> </p> +<p>Or</p> +<p> </p> +<p><span style='font-size:larger;'>Fighting Forest Fires</span></p> +<p> </p> +<p>By</p> +<p> </p> +<p><span style='font-size:larger;'>Scout Master, G. Harvey Ralphson</span></p> +<p> </p> +<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'>Author of</span></p> +</div> +<table class='c' summary='centered block'><tr><td> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'><span style='font-size:smaller;'>“Boy Scouts in Mexico; or</span></p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'><span style='font-size:smaller;'>On Guard with Uncle Sam.”</span></p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'><span style='font-size:smaller;'>“Boy Scouts in the Canal Zone; or</span></p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'><span style='font-size:smaller;'>The Plot Against Uncle Sam.”</span></p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'><span style='font-size:smaller;'>“Boy Scouts in the Philippines; or</span></p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'><span style='font-size:smaller;'>The Key to the Treaty Box.”</span></p> +</td></tr></table> +<div class='figcenter' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='i003' id='i003'></a> +<img src='images/illus-tpg.jpg' alt='' title=''/><br /> +</div> +<div class='center'> +<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'><em>Embellished with full page and other illustrations.</em></span></p> +<p> </p> +<p>M. A. Donohue & Company, Chicago</p> +</div> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<div class='center'> +<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'>COPYRIGHT 1911.</span></p> +<p>M. A. DONOHUE & COMPANY.</p> +<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'>ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</span></p> +<p> </p> +<p>Electrotyped, Printed and Bound by</p> +<p>M. A. Donohue & Co.</p> +</div> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<div class='center'> +<p><span style='font-size:larger;'>CONTENTS</span></p> +</div> +<table class='c' summary='table of contents'> +<tr><td style='font-size:smaller'>CHAPTER</td><td></td><td style='font-size:smaller'>PAGE</td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>I.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>A MOUNTAIN MYSTERY</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chI'>7</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>II.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>THE SIGNAL IN THE SKY</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chII'>20</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>III.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>JUST A TYPEWRITER RIBBON</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chIII'>28</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>IV.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>THE AEROPLANE IN DANGER</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chIV'>45</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>V.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>THE REVELATION OF A TRAGEDY</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chV'>58</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>VI.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>ABOVE THE CLOUDS AT NIGHT</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chVI'>71</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>VII.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>A KEY WITH A BROKEN STEM</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chVII'>85</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>VIII.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>FATE OF THE STEAK A LA BRIGAND</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chVIII'>100</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>IX.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>THE CHAOS OF A BURNING WORLD</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chIX'>113</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>X.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>CHASING THE MILKY WAY</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chX'>125</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XI.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>THE LUCK OF A BOWERY BOY</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXI'>137</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XII.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>A MEMBER OF THE OWL PATROL</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXII'>152</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XIII.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>OFF IN A DESPERATE MISSION</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXIII'>166</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XIV.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>THE BATTLE IN THE AIR</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXIV'>179</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XV.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>TOLD BY THE FOREST RANGER</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXV'>191</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XVI.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>HOW A CAT TREED A WOLF</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXVI'>206</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XVII.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>THE TIME FOR THE ROUND-UP</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXVII'>219</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XVIII.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>TWO INANIMATE WITNESSES</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXVIII'>230</a></td></tr> +<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XIX.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>THE MAN BEHIND THE SCENES</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXIX'>244</a></td></tr> +</table> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<div class='center'> +<p><span style='font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'>Boy Scouts</span></p> +<p><span style='font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'>SERIES</span></p> +<p> </p> +<p>EVERY BOY AND GIRL IN THE LAND</p> +<p>WILL WANT TO READ THESE INTERESTING</p> +<p>AND INSTRUCTIVE BOOKS</p> +<p> </p> +<p>WRITTEN BY</p> +<p>That Great Nature Authority and</p> +<p>Eminent Scout Master</p> +<p> </p> +<p>G. HARVEY RALPHSON</p> +<p>of the Black Bear Patrol</p> +</div> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +The eight following great titles are +now ready, printed from large, clear +type on a superior quality of paper, +embellished with original illustrations +by eminent artists, and bound +in a superior quality of binder’s cloth, +ornamented with illustrative covers +stamped in two colors of foil and ink +from unique and appropriate dies: +</p> +<table class='c' summary='centered block'><tr><td> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>1 Boy Scouts in Mexico;</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>  or, On Guard with Uncle Sam</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'> </p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>2 Boy Scouts in the Canal Zone;</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>  or, The Plot Against Uncle Sam</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'> </p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>3 Boy Scouts in the Philippines;</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>  or, The Key to the Treaty</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'> </p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>4 Boy Scouts in the Northwest;</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>  or, Fighting Forest Fires</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'> </p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>5 Boy Scouts in a Motor Boat;</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>  or, Adventures on the Columbia River</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'> </p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>6 Boy Scouts in an Airship;</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>  or, The Warning from the Sky</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'> </p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>7 Boy Scouts in a Submarine;</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>  or, Searching An Ocean Floor</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'> </p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>8 Boy Scouts on Motor Cycles;</p> +<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>  or, With the Flying Squadron</p> +</td></tr></table> +<p style='margin-left: 2em;margin-right: 2em;'> +The above books are for sale by all booksellers, or will be sent +prepaid to any address, upon receipt of 50c each, or any three for +$1.15, or four for $1.50, or seven for $2.45, by the publishers +</p> +<div class='center'> +<p>M. A. DONOHUE & CO.</p> +<p>701-727 S. Dearborn Street, CHICAGO</p> +</div> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<h1>Boy Scouts in the Northwest</h1> +<div class='center'> +<p>OR</p> +<p><span style='font-size:larger;'>Fighting Forest Fires</span></p> +</div> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_7'></a>7</span><a name='chI' id='chI'></a>CHAPTER I.—A MOUNTAIN MYSTERY.</h2> +<p> +On a sizzling hot afternoon near the middle +of August, in the year nineteen eleven, three +boys dressed in the khaki uniform of the Boy +Scouts of America stood on a lofty plateau near +the British frontier, watching with anxious eyes +the broken country to the south and west. +</p> +<p> +“Nothing stirring yet!” Jack Bosworth said, +turning to Pat Mack and Frank Shaw, his companions. +“Ned and Jimmie may be in trouble +somewhere. I wish we had waited and traveled +with them.” +</p> +<p> +“Traveled with them!” repeated Frank +Shaw. “We couldn’t travel with them. We +were fired—given the grand bounce—twenty-three +sign. Ned seemed to want the space in +the atmosphere we occupied at Missoula. Serve +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_8'></a>8</span> +them good and right if they do get distributed +over the scenery.” +</p> +<p> +“Never you mind about Ned Nestor and +Jimmie McGraw,” Pat Mack put in. “They +can get along all right if someone isn’t leading +them by the hand. Suppose we fix up the camp +and get ready for our eats?” +</p> +<p> +The boys turned away from the lip of the +cañon upon which they had been standing and +busied themselves putting up shelter tents and +unpacking provisions and camping tools, as they +called their blankets and cooking vessels. +</p> +<p> +They had passed the previous night in a sheltered +valley lower down, sleeping on the ground, +under the stars, and had breakfasted from the +scanty stock of eatables carried in their haversacks. +Early that morning a train of burros had +landed their outfit at the end of a rough trail some +distance below, and the boys, with long labor and +patience, had carried it up to the plateau. +</p> +<p> +The men in charge of the burros had of course +volunteered to assist in the work of carrying the +goods to the place selected for the camp, but +their offers had been declined with thanks, for +the Boy Scouts were determined that for the +present no outsider should know the exact location +of their temporary mountain home. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_9'></a>9</span> +</p> +<p> +Those who have read the previous books of +this series<a name="FNanchor_1" id="FNanchor_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1" class="fnanchor"><sup>[1]</sup></a> will not be at a loss to understand +why the location of the camp in the Northwest +was for a time to remain a secret, so far as possible. +Ned Nestor, for whom those on the plateau +were now waiting, had, some months before +that hot August afternoon, enlisted in the +Secret Service of the United States government. +</p> +<p> +Accompanied by Frank Shaw, Jack Bosworth, +Jimmie McGraw and others, he had seen +active diplomatic service during the Mexican +revolution, had unearthed a plot against the government +in the Panana Canal Zone, and had rendered +signal service in the Philippines, where +he had assisted in preventing an armed revolt +against the supremacy of the United States government. +</p> +<p> +At the close of his service in the Philippines, +he had been commissioned to investigate forest +fire conditions in the Great Northwest. The +boy had a wonderful native talent for detective +work, and, besides, it was thought by the officials +in charge of the matter that a party of Boy +Scouts, camping and roving about in northern +Idaho and Montana and in the southern +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_10'></a>10</span> +sections of British Columbia, would be better able +to size up the forest fire situation than a party +of foresters or government secret service men. +</p> +<p> +So Ned and his four chums had sailed away +from Manila, reached San Francisco in due season, +and, after receiving further instructions and +arranging for supplies, had headed for the frontier. +At Missoula, Montana, he had sent Frank, +Jack and Pat on ahead, after giving them the +exact location of the future encampment and +arranging for the transportation of supplies. +</p> +<p> +From the first there had been some mystery in +the minds of the three concerning Ned’s strange +halt at Missoula. They could not understand +why he had sent them on ahead of him, for he +usually directed every detail of their journeyings. +When questioned concerning this innovation, +Ned had only laughed and told the boys to keep +out of the jaws of wild animals and not get lost. +</p> +<p> +“I’ll be in camp almost as soon as you are,” +he had said, “and will take the first mountain +meal with you.” +</p> +<p> +Yet the boys had reached the vicinity of the +chosen location on the previous day, and Ned +had not made his appearance. Naturally the +boys were more than anxious about the safety +of their leader. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_11'></a>11</span> +</p> +<p> +“Did Ned say anything to you while at Missoula, +about an aeroplane?” Jack asked of Frank +as they unpacked bacon and corn meal. “You +know, before we left the Philippines,” he went +on, slicing the bacon for the coming repast, “the +officials said we were to have a government aeroplane. +I was just wondering if the thing would +get here after we have no use for it.” +</p> +<p> +“He said nothing to me about the arrival of +the aeroplane,” Frank replied, “but I presume +he knows when the government air machine will +be on hand. It may be packed up at Missoula, +for all we know,” he added, “and Ned may have +waited there for the purpose of getting it ready +for flight.” +</p> +<p> +“What the dickens can we do with an aeroplane +in this wilderness?” demanded Pat, wiping +the sweat from his face. “We can’t run around +among the trees with it, can we? Nor yet we +can’t get gasoline up here to run it with. Anyway, +I’m no friend to these airships.” +</p> +<p> +“When they travel with upholstered dining +coaches in connection, and sleeping cars on behind,” +laughed Jack, “you’ll think they’re all +to the good. If we can’t chase around among +the trees in an aeroplane,” he continued, “we +can sail over the forests and high peaks, can’t +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_12'></a>12</span> +we? Without something of the sort, it would +take us about a thousand years to get a look-in +at this wild country.” +</p> +<p> +“Well,” Pat grumbled, “I only hope we +won’t get our necks broken falling out of the +contraption. It may be all right to go up in one +of the foolish things, but I think I’d rather take +chances on going over Niagara Falls in a rain-water +barrel.” +</p> +<p> +“I half believe he will come in the aeroplane,” +Frank said, shading his eyes with his hand and +looking out to the south. “He wants to surprise +us, I take it, and that is why he acted so +mysteriously about the matter.” +</p> +<p> +“What about Jimmie?” demanded Pat, +who would take almost any risk on water, but +who was filled with horror the moment his feet +left the solid earth. “He can’t bring Jimmie +along in his pocket, can he? And even if he +managed to get the little scamp up on the thing, +some trick would be turned that would land the +’plane on top of a high tree.” +</p> +<p> +“Two can ride an aeroplane, all right,” +Frank insisted. “Anyway, quit your knocking. +Ned knows what he is about, and we’ll wait here +for him if we have to remain until the Rocky +Mountains wash down into the Pacific Ocean.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_13'></a>13</span> +</p> +<p> +“Suppose we climb up on the shelf above,” +Jack suggested, “and see if we can find anything +in the sky that looks like an aeroplane. I really +think Ned and Jimmie will travel here on the +air line.” +</p> +<p> +Pat fished a field-glass out of his haversack +and passed it over to Jack. +</p> +<p> +“You boys go on up,” he said, “and see what +there is to be seen. I’ll stay here and cook this +bacon. I could eat a hog on foot right this minute. +Where did you put those canned beans?” +</p> +<p> +“Never you mind the canned beans,” laughed +Jack. “It will be time enough to open them +when you get the bacon fried to a crisp. I see +our finish if you got one of the bean cans opened. +Say, but I could eat a peak off the divide!” +</p> +<p> +“Well, the divide is up there, all right,” Pat +grinned, “go on up and take a bite off it. On +this side that ridge away up there the rivers run +into the Pacific ocean. On the other side they +run into the Atlantic ocean. Split a drop when +you get on top and send your best wishes to +both oceans. And don’t you remain away too +long, either, for this bacon is going to be cooked +in record-breaking time.” +</p> +<p> +Leaving Pat to prepare the supper, Frank +and Jack turned their faces upward toward the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_14'></a>14</span> +main divide of the Rocky Mountains, 4,000 feet +above their heads. It was a splendid scene, +and they enjoyed it to the full. To the north +the green forests of British Columbia stood +crinkling under the almost direct rays of the +August sun, to the east, almost over their heads, +stood the backbone of the continent of North +America, to the south stretched the broken land +of Montana, while to the west lay the valleys +and ridges of Idaho, Montana, and Washington +beyond which pulsed the mighty swells of the +Pacific. +</p> +<p> +Immediately to the north of the position +occupied by the camp, and within a mile of +the international boundary line, Kintla lake +lay like a mirror in the lap of the mountains, +reflecting peaks and silent groves in its clear +waters. From the lake, ten miles in length by +half that in width, an outlet flowed westward +into the North Branch of the Flathead river. +</p> +<p> +The level plateau where the camp had been +pitched was not far from two acres in extent, +with the bulk of the mountain to the east, a drop +of a thousand feet to the south, and steep but +negotiable inclines to the west and north. The +lake was 300 feet below the level of the plateau, +which was about 3,000 feet above the sea level +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_15'></a>15</span> +and 4,000 feet below the summit of the divide +at that point in the long range of mountains. +</p> +<p> +There were peaks to the north and south +which showed eternal snow and ice, but there +was a lowering of the shoulder of the great chain +directly to the east, so there was no snow in sight +there. There were forest trees low down in the +cañon to the south, and on the slopes to the +west and north, but the plateau and the sharp +rise toward the summit were bare. +</p> +<p> +While Pat sliced his bacon and mixed corn-meal, +soda, salt and water to make hoecakes, +to be fried in bacon grease, Frank and Jack +wormed their way up the face of the mountain, +toward a shelf of rock some hundred feet above +the plateau. It was hard climbing, but the lads +persisted, and soon gained the elevation they +sought, from which it was hoped to gain a fine +view of the country toward Missoula. +</p> +<p> +“Good thing we don’t want to go any farther,” +Frank exclaimed, throwing himself down +on the ledge and wiping his streaming face. +“We couldn’t scale the wall ahead with a ladder. +Now,” he went on, “look out there to the south +and see if there’s an aeroplane in sight.” +</p> +<p> +Jack brought out the field-glass and looked +long and anxiously, but there was no sign of a +man-made bird in the clear sky. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_16'></a>16</span> +</p> +<p> +“I don’t believe, after all, that he’ll come in +an aeroplane,” the boy said, directly. “Suppose +he took a notion to get a motor boat and +run up the north branch of the Flathead river, +and so on into Kintla lake, down there? How +long would it take him to make the trip?” +</p> +<p> +“About ten thousand years,” was Frank’s +reply. “He never could get up the north branch. +There’s too many waterfalls. Why, man, the +stream descends several thousand feet before it +gets to sea level.” +</p> +<p> +“Anyway,” Jack replied, “if you’ll get out +of my way I’ll take a look at the lake through +the glass.” +</p> +<p> +“You’ll probably see him come sailing up +the slope in a battleship,” Frank said, in a sarcastic +tone. +</p> +<p> +Jack, without speaking, turned his glass to +the north and gazed long and anxiously over +the lake. Presently Frank saw him give a start +of surprise and lean forward, as if to get a closer +view of some object which had come into the +field of the lens. +</p> +<p> +“What is it?” he asked. +</p> +<p> +Jack passed him the glass with no word of +explanation, and the boy hastily swept the +shores of the mountain lake. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_17'></a>17</span> +</p> +<p> +“I don’t see any motor boat,” he said, directly. +</p> +<p> +“Well, what do you see?” Jack asked, expectantly. +</p> +<p> +“For one thing,” Frank replied, “the smoke +of a campfire.” +</p> +<p> +“I saw that, too,” Jack said, “and didn’t +know what to make of it. Also, I saw a rowboat +sneaking around that green point to the east.” +</p> +<p> +“That is what is puzzling me,” Frank replied. +“Years ago there was a Blackfoot reservation +just over the divide, and a Flathead Indian +reservation down by Flathead lake, to the +south, but I had no idea the Indians were still +about. Still, the people you saw were probably +Indians. Suppose we go down there and look +the matter up. We’ve got to have some sort of +a yarn to tell Pat when we get back to camp.” +</p> +<p> +The two boys scrambled down almost vertical +surfaces, edged along narrow ledges, slid down +easier inclines, and finally came to the rim of +beach about the lake. There, at the eastern +end of the pretty body of water, they came upon +the still glowing embers of a fire. +</p> +<p> +Close to the spot where the remains of the +fire glimmered in the hot air, they saw the mouth +of a cavern which seemed to tunnel under the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_18'></a>18</span> +body of the mountain to the east. There were +numerous tracks about the fire, and some of +them led to the entrance to the cavern. +</p> +<p> +“Whoever built this fire,” Jack exclaimed, +“wore big shoes, so it wasn’t Indians. No, +wait!” he added, in a moment, “there are tracks +here which show no heel marks. What do you +make of that?” +</p> +<p> +“Must be moccasins,” Frank said. “The +Indians may still be in the woods about here.” +</p> +<p> +“I’m going into the cavern to see what’s +stirring there,” Jack said, “and before I go I’ll +have a look at my artillery.” +</p> +<p> +The boy looked his revolver over, and before +Frank could utter a warning, he darted away +into the gloom of the cave. Frank did not follow +him, but turned in the direction of the point +where the boat had disappeared. +</p> +<p> +A dozen yards on his way he stopped and +listened. A voice, sounding like that of a person +in a deep well, reached his ears, and he +turned back. +</p> +<p> +He gained the mouth of the cavern in half a +minute and plunged inside. It was dark a dozen +feet from the entrance, but he struck a match +and moved on, finally coming to a smooth wall +which appeared to shut off farther progress. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_19'></a>19</span> +</p> +<p> +When he turned about and faced the opening +every object between where he stood and the +mouth stood revealed against the bright sunshine +outside. There were a few loose rocks, a +rude bench, a small goods box, and nothing else. +Jack was nowhere in eight. +</p> +<p> +He examined the walls of the cavern but discovered +no lateral passages. He called out to +his chum, but received no response. Where was +Jack? If he had left the cavern he would have +been seen. It was a perplexing mystery, and +the boy sat down on the box and listened for a +repetition of the sounds he had heard. +</p> +<p> +For a moment no sounds came, then a voice, +seemingly coming out of the solid wall behind +him reached his ears. He could distinguish no +words for a time, and then it seemed that he was +being called by name. +</p> +<p> +He called to Jack again and again, but received +no answer. Jack was evidently there +somewhere, but where? The smooth walls gave +no indication of any hidden openings, and there +was in view no crevice through which a voice +behind the walls might penetrate. It seemed +either a silly joke or an impenetrable mystery. +</p> +<hr class='fnsep' /> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1" id="Footnote_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> +“Boy Scouts in Mexico; or, On Guard With Uncle Sam,” “Boy Scouts in the Canal Zone; or, The Plot Against Uncle Sam,” and “Boy Scouts in the Philippines; or, The Key to the Treaty Box.” Chicago: M. A. Donohue & Company, Publishers. +</p></div> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_20'></a>20</span><a name='chII' id='chII'></a>CHAPTER II.—THE SIGNAL IN THE SKY.</h2> +<p> +Frank left the cavern in a moment and +walked along the beach toward the campfire. +His thought was to gather embers and fresh fuel +and build up a blaze at the end of the cave which +would reveal every inch of the interior. He was +certain that Jack had not left the place, and decided +that he had fallen into some hidden opening +which had escaped his own investigation. +</p> +<p> +As he bent over the remains of the fire he +heard a rattle of small stones, and, looking up, +saw Pat coming down the declivity from the plateau +where the tents had been set up. The incline +was steep, and at times Pat was rolling +rather than walking. He was in his shirt sleeves +and bareheaded. At last his red head pitched +toward the lake like a meteor in downward flight. +</p> +<p> +Frank rushed forward and caught him as he +struck the beach, thus saving him from an impromptu +bath. Pat struggled to his feet in an +instant, rubbed his legs and arms to see if any +bones had been broken, and then turned his head +and looked up the incline. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_21'></a>21</span> +</p> +<p> +“Talk about shooting the chutes!” he exclaimed. +“I wonder what time I made coming +down?” +</p> +<p> +“Sure you’re not hurt?” asked Frank anxiously. +</p> +<p> +“Every inch of my body has three bruises, +one on top of the other,” Pat replied, “but I +guess I’m able to walk. Say, but that was a +roller-coaster glide!” +</p> +<p> +“Why did you try such a foolish caper?” +asked Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Why, I saw you boys here,” was the reply, +“and started down. You know the rest, as the +yellow-covered books say. What you boys +doing here, wasting your time, with the bacon +burning to a crisp?” +</p> +<p> +“We came here to investigate,” was the reply, +“and Jack went into the cavern, and vanished—just +vapored into thin air. I’m going to +build a fire in there and see if I can’t condense +him!” +</p> +<p> +“Well,” Pat said, listening, “he may have +vanished physically, but his voice appears to be +on deck yet.” +</p> +<p> +Three sharp calls came from the cavern, and +both boys dashed inside. There was no doubt +now that Jack’s voice, at least, had condensed, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_22'></a>22</span> +for the shouts coming from the back of the cavern +were both hearty and imperative. +</p> +<p> +“Hi, there!” Jack called. “Pry this stone +out of the doorway!” +</p> +<p> +“Where are you?” demanded Pat. “Which +one of the walls do you want us to push in? +You’re a nice chump, getting in a scrape like +this!” he added, with a laugh which must have +been exasperating to the unseen boy. +</p> +<p> +“You’ll find a crevice where the back of the +cave joins the south wall,” Jack said, his voice +coming faintly to the ears of his chums. “Put +your fingers in and pull. The blooming door +opens outward. Hurry! It’s stifling in here!” +</p> +<p> +After burning nearly all the matches they +had in their pockets, and scorching their fingers +on the short sticks, Pat and Frank discovered +the crevice spoken of and inserted the ends of +their fingers. +</p> +<p> +“Pull!” yelled Jack. “Pull, you loafers! It +is moving!” +</p> +<p> +In a moment the south half of the back wall +swung out so suddenly that both boys were +thrown from their feet and Jack, who had been +pushing with his whole strength, came tumbling +on top of them as they lay on the floor of the +cavern. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_23'></a>23</span> +</p> +<p> +“What sort of a combination is this, anyway?” +demanded Pat, struggling to his feet. +“If I get any more bumps to-day I’ll be taking +something that belongs to some one else. I’ve +had my share.” +</p> +<p> +Frank sprang to the opening as soon as he +could disentangle himself from the collection of +arms and legs and looked in. All was dark and +still inside, and a gust of dead air struck him in +the face. Pat, leaning over his shoulder, laid a +hand on the rock which had opened so strangely, +and the next instant it closed softly, sliding into +the opening like a door operated by well-oiled +machinery. +</p> +<p> +“Now you’ve done it!” Frank exclaimed, +disgustedly, as Pat threw himself against the +stone in a vain effort to force it open again. +</p> +<p> +“No harm done,” Jack exclaimed. “There’s +only a stinking cavern in there. Wow! I can +feel snakes and lizzards crawling on me now! +Come! Let us get into the open air. Stifles +like a grave in here.” +</p> +<p> +The boys hastened outside and stood meditatively +before the shining waters of the lake, +each one trying to think clearly concerning what +had taken place. They believed themselves—or +had believed, rather—miles away from any trace +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_24'></a>24</span> +of civilization, and yet here was a practical door +of rock at the end of a cave almost under the +great divide. +</p> +<p> +“We’ve found something,” Frank said, at +length. “That thing in there never happened. +Human hands fashioned that door for some secret +purpose. And it wasn’t Indians, either.” +</p> +<p> +“I guess we’ve run up against a band of train +robbers,” suggested Jack, with a grin. +</p> +<p> +“Probably the entrance to some deserted +mine,” Pat put in. “This region has been +searched for gold for fifty years. I’ve heard of +mines being concealed by moving stones.” +</p> +<p> +“Well,” Frank said, after a short silence, +during which all listened for some indication of +the immediate presence of the men who had been +seen to row around the green point a short time +before, “whatever the game is, we’ve got to remove +every trace of our visit. When they come +back they probably won’t notice the tracks we +have made, for there were plenty about before +we came here, but we must gather up all the +match-ends we left in there and leave the door +as we found it.” +</p> +<p> +“I found it open and walked in,” Jack said, +“and then it closed. Whew! I felt like I was +being shut up in a tomb!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_25'></a>25</span> +</p> +<p> +“How large a place is it in there?” asked Pat. +</p> +<p> +“Don’t know,” was the reply. “I had no +matches with me, and so could not see a thing.” +</p> +<p> +“Then we won’t have to open the door again +to clean up any muss,” Frank said, moving toward +the entrance to the cavern. +</p> +<p> +“I wouldn’t go in again for a thousand dollars,” +Jack cried. “If you leave it to me, the +place is haunted. I heard groans in there.” +</p> +<p> +Frank paused at the entrance and turned +back. His matches were about gone, and so +he took a burning stick from the fire, added two +dry faggots to it, waited until the three burst +into flame, and then entered the cave. +</p> +<p> +To gather up the half-burned matches which +had been scattered over the floor was the work +of only a moment. +</p> +<p> +“Now you’ll have to open the door, if you +leave it as I found it,” Jack said, looking in from +the mouth. “Pat will help you.” +</p> +<p> +“Come on in, both of you,” Frank directed. +</p> +<p> +“Not me!” cried Jack. “I hear bones rattling!” +</p> +<p> +The boys thought he was joking at first, but it +soon appeared that he was in sober earnest, so +Pat and Frank, by exerting their entire strength, +managed to open the door without his assistance. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_26'></a>26</span> +</p> +<p> +“You’re afraid of the dark!” Pat taunted, +as the boys gathered around the fire again. +</p> +<p> +“I’m not half as afraid of the dark as you are +of an aeroplane,” Jack replied. “If I ever see +you going up in a ’plane, I’ll go in there alone.” +</p> +<p> +“Don’t you ever forget that,” Pat grinned. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, I’ll be game, all right,” was the reply. +</p> +<p> +Before leaving the beach for the camp the +boys walked to the point around which the boat +had gone and scanned the lake and its shores +through the field-glass. There was no sign of +life anywhere, except where the birds swung +from forest limbs back from the rim of the lake +and called each other through the sultry air. +</p> +<p> +Reaching the camp after a weary climb, they +did full justice to the meal which Pat had prepared, +though the bacon and the hoecakes were +stone cold, or at least as cold as anything could +be in that glare of sunlight. Then, the dishes +washed and the beds prepared for the night, +they sat down to watch the lake and the sky to +the south, for it was now the general belief that +Ned would make his appearance with the aeroplane +which had been promised by the government +officials. +</p> +<p> +The point they had last visited, as well as +the location of the fire, was in full view of the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_27'></a>27</span> +plateau, so the boys made no efforts to conceal +their presence there. The men who had been +observed in the boat must have noted their +presence on the plateau before taking their leave. +Perhaps, they reasoned, they had taken their +departure because of this invasion. +</p> +<p> +The sun sank lower and lower in the sky, +turning the plateau and the smooth waters of the +lake to gold, still there were no signs of Ned, no +indications of the return of the boat to the place +from which it had been launched. Half an hour +after dark, Frank, who was looking through the +field-glass, caught sight of light in the south +which did not appear to come from any star. +</p> +<p> +“Here he comes!” he cried. “That’s an +aeroplane, all right!” +</p> +<p> +As the light drew nearer, traveling rapidly, +the sharp explosions of the gasoline engine became +audible. Then a light flickered over the +upper plane, passed off, and swept the white +surface again. +</p> +<p> +“How does he make that?” demanded Pat. +“Looks like a great question mark.” +</p> +<p> +“That’s what it is,” Frank exclaimed. +“Now, what does he mean by it?” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_28'></a>28</span><a name='chIII' id='chIII'></a>Chapter III.—JUST A TYPEWRITER RIBBON.</h2> +<p> +“I don’t understand what question he is +asking,” Jack said, “but I know how he makes +the signal. He has an electric flashlight, and he +tips the plane—the upper plane—forward, like he +was plunging to the earth, and writes the interrogation +mark on the under side with the flame +of the flashlight. See? Then it shines through +the canvas and we read it! Great idea!” +</p> +<p> +“That must be the way of it,” Frank said, +“but what does he want? And how does he expect +us to answer?” +</p> +<p> +“If I was up there in the dark on a contraption +like that,” Pat said, “I’d be asking how I +was going to find a landing place.” +</p> +<p> +“Sure!” Frank cried. “Ned wants to know +where we are, and whether it is safe for him to +make a landing. Dunderheads! Why didn’t +we think of that before? He is passing now, +and may not come back again.” +</p> +<p> +The light flashed by at swift speed, whirled, +ascended several hundred feet, and came over the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_29'></a>29</span> +plateau, repeating the signal. Then it settled +down into a steady circling of the camp. +</p> +<p> +“He knows where we are, all right,” Pat said. +“What he wants to know is if it is safe for him +to make a landing. If I ever go up in one of +those things I’ll drag a rope so I can climb down +it.” +</p> +<p> +“I’ll tell him what he wants to know,” Frank +said, “if you’ll get me a long stick on fire most of +its length.” +</p> +<p> +“Wigwag?” asked Jack. +</p> +<p> +“Sure!” was the reply. “Now,” Frank +continued, “build four fires, one on each edge of +the plateau. That will show him how large the +place is. Then I’ll take the flaming stick and +wigwag o.k. Ned’ll understand that.” +</p> +<p> +Pat watched the wigwag signal with interest. +</p> +<p> +“I saw foolish signs like those in the Philippines,” +he said, with a grin. “The natives use +them to talk treason to each other. I’ve heard +that the same method is used by the East Indians +who talk from one mountain top to another +faster than words on a wire. How does he make +the o.k. signal?” +</p> +<p> +“O is one left, followed by one right,” Jack +replied, “and k is left, right, left, right. You +won’t think the signs are foolish when you see +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_30'></a>30</span> +how quickly Ned reads them. See! He’s +shooting away now.” +</p> +<p> +“Perhaps he thinks the signals are being +made by savages,” Pat said. +</p> +<p> +The aeroplane darted off to the west for half +a minute, then whirled and came back. The +boys could not see the great ’plane distinctly, +but the lights which burned on the front were +bright and clear, so they saw that the ’plane was +sweeping toward the earth as it advanced in +their direction. +</p> +<p> +“I don’t believe many professionals would +care to make a landing like this,” Frank said, +as the machine dipped and slid to the ground, +exactly in the center of the plateau. +</p> +<p> +“Hello, Ned!” he yelled, as the aeroplane +rolled over the smooth surface for an instant and +stopped. +</p> +<p> +In a second the three boys were gathered +about the machine, pulling at the hands and feet +of the daring riders. Jimmie McGraw bounded +to the ground as soon as he could cast off the lines +which had held him to his quivering seat. +</p> +<p> +“Say,” he cried, “you got a fire here? I’m +most froze.” +</p> +<p> +Indeed the little fellow’s teeth were chattering. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_31'></a>31</span> +</p> +<p> +“Cold?” echoed Pat. “We’re melting down +here. You’re scared, that’s what’s the matter +with you. You’re scared stiff.” +</p> +<p> +Jimmie made a run for the speaker but +brought up at the fire where the supper had been +cooked. +</p> +<p> +“Here’s comfort!” he cried, extending his +hands out over what was left of the small blaze. +“The next time you get me up in the air I don’t +go! I’ve been freezing for an hour.” +</p> +<p> +In the meantime Ned Nestor was caring for +the aeroplane, looking after the delicate machinery +and covering it carefully with a huge oil-cloth. +Pat stood watching the work with a grin +on his face. +</p> +<p> +“Are you thinking of giving me a ride in that +thing?” he asked. +</p> +<p> +“Not to-night!” laughed Ned. +</p> +<p> +“Well, when you get ready for me to ride the +air,” Pat said, “just tell me the night before, and +I’ll shoo myself into the hills. If I’m going to +fall off anything, I’ll take the drop from something +solid, like a mountain top.” +</p> +<p> +“No danger at all, when you know how to +operate the machine,” Ned replied. “There’s +danger in running anything if you don’t know +how, even a sewing machine.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_32'></a>32</span> +</p> +<p> +“Where did you pick it up?” asked Frank. +</p> +<p> +“He didn’t pick it up at all,” interposed Pat. +“It picked him up.” +</p> +<p> +“I found it at Missoula,” was the reply, “all +packed and stored away in a freight warehouse. +I had to get it out at night, and so lost time. +The people would have kept me there until now +giving exhibitions if I had shown up during the +day.” +</p> +<p> +“But you did leave there in the daytime,” +urged Jack. “You were never in the air since +last night.” +</p> +<p> +“We left early this morning,” was the reply, +“and I was well up in the sky before many of the +people saw me.” +</p> +<p> +“I never knew you could run one,” Frank +said. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, I had some instructions from the +Wrights,” was the modest reply, “and, besides, +there was an expert at Missoula who helped me +get the machine together and contributed a few +parting instructions.” +</p> +<p> +“Then you’ve been in the air all day?” +asked Pat. +</p> +<p> +“No, we stopped several times, of course, +once on the right of way of the Great Northern +railroad and filled our gasoline tanks,” was the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_33'></a>33</span> +reply, “and rested there a few hours. Jimmie +had to eat there, of course!” +</p> +<p> +“Eat!” came the boy’s voice from the fire. +“If I ever get a bite at food again it will drop +down into the toes of me shoes! Here!” he +shouted, as Pat produced a can of pork and beans +and started to open it. “You needn’t mind +opening that! I’ll just swallow it as it is.” +</p> +<p> +“Bright boy!” laughed Pat, handing him a +liberal supply of beans and fried bacon. “Now +fill up on that and then loosen up on your impressions +of the sky.” +</p> +<p> +“I thought I’d make an impression on the +earth before I got through,” Jimmie mumbled, his +mouth full of beans. “We went up so far that the +mountains looked like ant hills, didn’t we, Ned?” +</p> +<p> +“About 7,000 feet,” was the reply. “You +see,” he added, turning to Frank, “I wanted to +size up the situation before I landed. If there +is anybody in this upturned country at all, our +presence here is known. The aeroplane’s chatter +took good care of that. And, besides, our +landing in the night, with the lights going, gave +unmistakable evidence of something stirring.” +</p> +<p> +“I should say so,” Frank agreed. +</p> +<p> +“And so,” Ned went on, “I wanted to learn +if there were people about here, so I might visit +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_34'></a>34</span> +them in the morning and put up the bluff of +Boy Scouts playing with an aeroplane in the +woods. We can’t attempt anything in the mysterious +line,” he went on. “We’ve got to be +entirely frank about everything except the business +we are here on.” +</p> +<p> +“Well,” Frank said, “we found people here +to-day and called on them.” +</p> +<p> +“What sort of people?” +</p> +<p> +“Well, they seemed to have good broad +backs,” laughed Frank. +</p> +<p> +“They ran away from you?” asked Ned, in +surprise. “I should think they would have +proved inquisitive. Where were they?” +</p> +<p> +“Down by Kintla lake.” +</p> +<p> +“Indians?” asked Ned. +</p> +<p> +Then Frank told the story of the visit to +the shore of the lake and the cavern, taking +good care to describe the surroundings as closely +as possible. Ned laughed when the boy came +to Jack’s adventure in the hidden chamber. +</p> +<p> +“I say it is some deserted mine,” Pat declared, +when Frank had concluded the recital. +“What else could it be?” +</p> +<p> +“Robber’s nest!” suggested Jack. +</p> +<p> +Ned remained silent for a moment and then +abruptly asked: +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_35'></a>35</span> +</p> +<p> +“What kind of footwear made those heelless +prints?” +</p> +<p> +“You may search me!” Jack cut in. +</p> +<p> +“Must have been Indian moccasins,” Frank +observed. +</p> +<p> +Jimmie, who had been standing by the small +fire, listening to the talk, now advanced to the +little circle about the machine and uttered one +word: “Chinks!” +</p> +<p> +“It is always Chinks with Jimmie,” grinned +Frank. “When there is a cyclone in New York +the Chinks are to blame for it, if you leave it to +him.” +</p> +<p> +“What would Chinks be doing up here?” +demanded Pat. +</p> +<p> +“Don’t they get gold by washing it out?” +asked Jack, with a nudge at Jimmie’s side. +“Perhaps they’re going to start a laundry!” +</p> +<p> +While this chaff was in progress Ned stood +looking thoughtfully in the direction of the lake. +Not a word did he say regarding the sudden and +brief communication Jimmie had presented. +</p> +<p> +“Any forest fires in sight?” asked Pat, finally +breaking the silence. +</p> +<p> +“Not one,” Jimmie answered. “I would have +dropped into one if it had come my way. It +was fierce up there!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_36'></a>36</span> +</p> +<p> +“It is rather cool when you get up a couple +of miles,” Ned laughed, “and Jimmie wouldn’t +listen to reason regarding his clothes. To-morrow +I’ll give one of you boys a ride, and you may +see for yourself.” +</p> +<p> +“Not me!” Pat exclaimed. “I’ll stay below +and help pick up the pieces.” +</p> +<p> +“I should like to go,” Frank said. “We +may find the people we saw in the rowboat. +When we become acquainted with them we may +be able to learn something about that cavern.” +</p> +<p> +“I would advise remaining silent about the +cavern,” Ned said. “It may be used for some +criminal purpose, and we must not admit that +we know of its existence. We are just carefree +lads, here for an outing, remember,” he added, +with a laugh, “and we are due to make friends +with everybody we come across.” +</p> +<p> +“But you made us lug all this camping outfit +up here,” complained Jack, “so the men who +steered the burros up the hills wouldn’t know +where we camped. What about that?” +</p> +<p> +“I thought it best to cut off all communication +with the people below,” explained Ned. +“It may be that the purpose of our visit here is +suspected. In that case some one from below +might want to find us—for no good purpose. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_37'></a>37</span> +So we’ll keep out of sight of the people in the +towns, unless they see our aeroplane, and cultivate +the acquaintance of the natives—if there +are any.” +</p> +<p> +“How about gasoline and provisions?” asked +Pat. +</p> +<p> +“I have plenty of gasoline stored on the right +of way of the Great Northern railroad,” Ned +replied, “enough to last us a month. It was +piped into a hidden tank from an oil car by a +train crew now out of the state. We are to get +provisions at the same place, if we need more, +for Uncle Sam fixed all the details for us. All we +have to do is to find the fellows who are setting +forest fires and bring them to punishment.” +</p> +<p> +“We ought to locate every little smudge, +with that aeroplane,” Frank suggested. +</p> +<p> +“That is my idea,” Ned replied. “Have +you been keeping a good lookout on the lake +since you left it?” he added, turning to Pat. +</p> +<p> +“Some one of us has had eyes on it every +minute,” was the satisfactory reply. “No one +has returned, I’m sure.” +</p> +<p> +“You’re not thinking of going there to-night, +are you?” asked Jack, with a slight shiver. “I +wouldn’t go in there again, even in broad daylight, +for a million dollars!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_38'></a>38</span> +</p> +<p> +“Pat is afraid of the sky, and Jack is afraid +of the bowels of the earth!” laughed Frank. +“We’ll have to tuck them both in bed before we +can accomplish anything.” +</p> +<p> +“You may all go to bed but one,” Ned said, +looking about the group, his eyes finally resting +with a significant look on Frank’s excited face. +“I want to look through that cavern before anything +is taken out of it.” +</p> +<p> +Frank, knowing the meaning of the look he +had received, went to his little tent for his revolver +and his electric searchlight and was soon +ready for the expedition. Jimmie looked sulky +for a moment at being left out of the game, then +his face brightened and he crawled into the tent +that had been prepared for Nestor and himself +and burst into a fit of laughter. +</p> +<p> +“I’ll show ’em!” he said, stuffing the blanket +into his mouth to suppress the sound of his merriment. +“I’ll teach ’em to put me in the discard.” +</p> +<p> +“Any wild animals up here?” asked Ned, as +the two started away down the steep declivity. +</p> +<p> +“Two Black Bears and three Wolves!” called +Jimmie, from his tent. +</p> +<p> +This was a reference to the Boy Scout Patrols +to which the boys belonged. Frank and Jack +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_39'></a>39</span> +were members of the famous Black Bear Patrol +of New York City, while Ned, Pat and Jimmie +were members of the Wolf Patrol. +</p> +<p> +As the lad spoke Frank and Jack broke into +growls which might well have come from the +throat of the grizzliest grizzly in the Rocky +Mountains, while Pat sent forth a wolf howl, +which might well have been a signal to the pack. +</p> +<p> +“You may meet the real thing out here,” +warned Ned, turning back to look over the plateau, +now shining in the light of a half-moon. +“There are both bears and wolves in this region. +When you meet them, don’t wait for Boy Scout +signs!” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, we’ll initiate ’em, all right,” Jimmie +called from the tent, and Ned and Frank moved +on down the declivity toward the lake. +</p> +<p> +It was still early evening, and the moon was +low down in the east, so the valley where the +lake lay was not touched by its light. Indeed, +the plateau where the boys were would have +been in the shadow of the mountain only for the +dropping of the shoulder of the divide. +</p> +<p> +In half an hour the two boys, after several +slides which were anything but pleasant, gained +the beach. The campfire was now dead, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_40'></a>40</span> +the locality was still save for the voice of a night +bird and the occasional splash of a leaping fish. +The mouth of the cavern loomed like a dark +patch on the lower bulk of the mountain. +</p> +<p> +Making as little noise as possible, Ned and +Frank crept into the cavern, advancing by the +sense of feeling until they came to the very end +before turning on one of the electric flashlights. +The round eye of the flame showed a long, narrow, +tunnel-like tube running directly east, under +the mountain. The door of rock was as the boys +had left it earlier in the day. +</p> +<p> +Ned examined that portion of the rock which +had swung out into the first chamber with considerable +care, as the story of the swinging stone +had interested him greatly. All along the top, +up to the center, he found the checks of a stone-chisel. +Exactly in the middle an elevation of an +inch fitted into a round cavity in the upper rock. +At the bottom the same conditions were discovered. +</p> +<p> +“Rather a clever job,” Ned said, “but I +don’t see how it was ever done.” +</p> +<p> +“This door,” Frank said, “is not exactly like +the remainder of the wall in grain, so it must +have been brought here from some other locality. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_41'></a>41</span> +Of course there was a hole between these two +chambers, or the second one would never have +been found. It would be easy enough to fit the +stone door in by grooving out from the lower +cavity and sliding the under pivot in.” +</p> +<p> +“Sure,” Ned replied, getting down to examine +the lower part of the door more closely, +“and that is just what was done. Then the +groove was filled with concrete. Pretty classy +work here!” +</p> +<p> +“And now the question is this,” Frank went +on, “what was the door fitted for? Why did +the men who found the cave desire privacy? Is +there gold in there? Have the men who have +been setting fire to the forests established a home +here? Is this the hiding place of a band of outlaws? +You see there are lots of questions to ask +about the two caverns,” Frank added, with an +uneasy laugh. +</p> +<p> +Ned closed the stone door and turned on +both electric flashlights, making the place light +as day where they stood. The inner cavern was +as bare as the outer one save for dead leaves and +grass which lay in heaps on the stone floor, and +for half a dozen rough benches which were piled +in one corner. At the farther end hung a gaudy +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_42'></a>42</span> +curtain, once handsome, but now sadly spotted +with mildew because of dampness. +</p> +<p> +“Here’s the inner chamber,” laughed Frank, +drawing the curtain aside. “And it looks like +it was the private office of the bunch, too,” he +added, as he turned the light about the walls. +</p> +<p> +There was a desk in the third cavern, a swivel +chair, a small case of books, and a rusty safe, +which looked as though it had not been opened +for years. A current of fresh air came from the +rear, and a small opening was soon discovered. +</p> +<p> +“That doubtless leads to some cañon not far +away,” Ned said. “Makes a pretty decent +place of it, eh?” +</p> +<p> +“Good enough for any person to hide in,” +replied Frank. “Now,” he added, “tell me +what you think of it. Who cut this cavern, and +who brought the furniture here? I’ll admit that +my thinker is not working.” +</p> +<p> +“Nature made the caverns,” Ned replied. +“There is what geologists call a fault in the rock +here. Owing to volcanic action, doubtless, the +strata shifted, probably thousands of years ago, +and when the seam appeared the broken pieces +fell apart. These chambers show the width of +the seam. There undoubtedly was a great earthquake +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_43'></a>43</span> +at the time, and the lake below might +have been dredged out at that time.” +</p> +<p> +“Of course,” Frank said, “I might have +known that! Now, here’s another question: +How far does this seam extend under the Rocky +Mountains? If it passes beyond these three +chambers, why not make a fourth room for ourselves +so as to be on the spot when the men who +make headquarters of the place come back?” +</p> +<p> +“That may be a good thing to do,” Ned admitted, +“but, still, I would not like to be the +one to lie in wait here. Suppose we try to learn +something of the character of the people who +come here? They seem to sleep on dry leaves +and eat off benches. Rather tough bunch, I +take it. Perhaps we have struck Uncle Sam’s +enemies the first thing!” +</p> +<p> +Keeping their lights on, and working as silently +as possible, always with an eye to the outer +cavern, the boys made a careful search of the +inner chamber. The desk was not fastened, and +a cupboard afterward discovered in a niche was +open also. There were dishes in the cupboard +and writing materials in the desk. +</p> +<p> +At the very bottom of the desk drawer Ned +came upon a surprise. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_44'></a>44</span> +</p> +<p> +“Not so tough as I supposed,” he said, turning +to Frank. “Here’s a typewriter ribbon. +The sort of people who set fire to forests and hold +up trains are hardly in the typewriter class. +What do you make of it?” +</p> +<p> +“Well,” Frank said, with a chuckle, “if +you’ll tell me what the inhabitants of this place +want of typewriter ribbons I’ll tell you why they +bring great tins of opium here. It seems that +we have struck something more important than +forest fires.” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_45'></a>45</span><a name='chIV' id='chIV'></a>CHAPTER IV.—THE AEROPLANE IN DANGER.</h2> +<p> +A strong wind came out of the Western Sea +at ten o’clock that night and swept the lofty +plateau as a woman might have swept it with +a new broom. Ned and Frank, pursuing their +investigations in the cavern, knew nothing of +what was going on at the camp, but Jack and +Pat were not long in ignorance of the danger of +the situation. +</p> +<p> +With the first strong rush of wind the boys +were on their feet, steadying the aeroplane, driving +stakes wherever the nature of the ground +permitted, and running bracing cords. The +shelter tents went down instantly and were +blown against the rocks of the east, where they +waved canvas arms in the tearing breeze like +sheeted ghosts. +</p> +<p> +The black clouds which swarmed up from the +valley brought no rain, but fitful flashes of lightning +and deep-toned thunder made a threatening +sky. The roaring of the swirling trees in the +cañon and on the slopes came up to the ears of +the boys like the boom of a strong surf. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_46'></a>46</span> +</p> +<p> +After persistent efforts the boys succeeded in +bracing the aeroplane so that there was little +danger of its being swept away, though they +still remained with their backs to the wind, holding +on. As time passed, they crept close together +in order that the situation might be discussed. +</p> +<p> +“Lucky thing we remained here,” Pat said, +tugging with all his might to steady the monster +machine against a particularly vicious dash of +wind. +</p> +<p> +“It would have gone sure, if we hadn’t,” +Jack screamed back. “I wish Ned and Frank +would come and help. My back is creaking like +a shaft that needs oiling with the strain on it.” +</p> +<p> +“A little help wouldn’t go amiss,” Pat admitted, +shouting at the top of his lungs in order +that he might be heard above the whistling of +the storm. +</p> +<p> +“I wonder if we’ll ever be able to put the +tents up again?” Jack shouted. “They are flapping +and snapping like musketry out there on the +rocks. I hope they won’t blow away entirely.” +</p> +<p> +Pat gazed anxiously in the direction indicated, +but could only see pieces of canvas bellying +up in the wind, mounting upward like balloons +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_47'></a>47</span> +at times, then falling back to earth when a short +lull came in the storm. +</p> +<p> +“Why,” he cried, in a moment, “where’s +Jimmie? I thought I saw him here a moment +ago. Have you seen him?” +</p> +<p> +“Not since the storm,” panted Jack. +</p> +<p> +“He may have been smothered in his tent,” +Pat shouted. “You hold on here while I go and +look him up.” +</p> +<p> +“Be sure that you keep close to the ground,” +warned Jack. “If you don’t you’ll be blown +away.” +</p> +<p> +It was not at all difficult for the lad to reach +the flapping tents, for the wind generously assisted +him in the journey. Only that he crept on +his hands and knees he would have been tossed +against the wall where the tents lay. +</p> +<p> +Struggling with the tearing canvas, bracing +himself against the face of the cliff, the boy +looked over the ruined tents but found no indication +of the presence of the boy he sought, either +dead or alive. Then he felt along the angle of +the foot of the rise with no better success. +</p> +<p> +“He’s not there,” he reported, crawling back +to Jack, now braced tenaciously with his toes +and elbows digging into the soil above the rock. +</p> +<p> +“Did you find his clothes?” asked Jack. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_48'></a>48</span> +</p> +<p> +“Not a thing belonging to his outfit,” was +the reply. +</p> +<p> +“Well, he went to bed, didn’t he?” asked +Jack, a sudden suspicion entering his mind. +</p> +<p> +“He went into his tent,” was the reply, +“but I did not see him undress.” +</p> +<p> +Then Pat, much to his astonishment, heard +Jack laughing as if mightily pleased over something +that had taken place. +</p> +<p> +“You’ve got your nerve!” he exclaimed. +“Laughing at a time like this. I’ll bet the kid +has been blown off the plateau.” +</p> +<p> +There was now a little lull in the drive of the +wind and Jack nudged his companion with his +elbow, turning an amused face as he did so. +</p> +<p> +“Blown off nothing!” he said. “You saw +how he acted when Ned went off without him—how +sulky he was?” +</p> +<p> +“I noticed something of the sort.” +</p> +<p> +“Well, Jimmie ducked after him!” +</p> +<p> +“Why, he was told to remain here.” +</p> +<p> +“He has been told that before,” Jack said, +“and he’s never obeyed orders. He followed +Ned from Manila to Yokohama, not long ago, +and made a hit in doing it, too. Oh, it is a sure +thing that Jimmie is not far from Ned at this +minute.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_49'></a>49</span> +</p> +<p> +“The little scamp!” grinned Pat. +</p> +<p> +“He seems to think that Ned can’t get along +without his constant presence and his pranks,” +Jack continued. “He generally stirs something +up in his immediate vicinity, but he’s a pretty +good scout at that.” +</p> +<p> +“I hope he is with Ned,” Pat said. +</p> +<p> +The wind now died down a bit, so that it was +no longer necessary to hold the aeroplane, and +the boys, after seeing that the rope still held, +began the work of repairing the tents. +</p> +<p> +The clouds drifted away and the moon looked +down as bravely as if it had not just hidden its +face from sight at the threats of the wind! The +electric flashlights with which the boys were +well provided seemed inadequate and Pat started +in to build a fire. +</p> +<p> +“I don’t know about that,” Jack said. “If +there had been a fire here when that wind came +up it would have been roaring in the cañon now. +The storm would have swept it down on the +trees there, and the whole gully would soon have +become a roaring furnace. Better cut out the +fire.” +</p> +<p> +“I guess you are right,” Pat said, reluctantly +laying his dry faggots aside. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_50'></a>50</span> +</p> +<p> +While the boys worked, trying to restore the +shelter tents to something like form, the wind +came up once more and reached out for the aeroplane. +Pat and Jack renewed their holding +efforts, and thanked their stars that no fire had +been built on the plateau, for the forest about +was dry as tinder. +</p> +<p> +Presently a voice which neither recognized +came out of the shadows cast by a mass of clouds +just then occupying the sky where the moon +should have been. +</p> +<p> +“Hello!” the voice said. +</p> +<p> +The boys looked at each other in perplexity +for a moment and then Jack answered back. +</p> +<p> +“Hello!” he said. +</p> +<p> +“Are you all safe up here, safe and sound?” +the voice asked, and then the figure of a tall +man, roughly dressed, but bearing the manner, as +faintly observed in the darkness, of a gentleman, +advanced toward the aeroplane, to which the +lads were still devoting their whole attention. +</p> +<p> +“Safe and sound!” repeated Pat. +</p> +<p> +The stranger sat down by Jack’s side and +laid hold of the aeroplane. +</p> +<p> +“Pulls hard, doesn’t it?” he asked, as the +machine, forced by the wind, drew stoutly on +the ropes and the muscles of the boys. +</p> +<div class='figcenter' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='i004' id='i004'></a> +<img src="images/illus-050.jpg" alt="ILLUSTRATION No. 2" title=""/><br /> +<span class='caption'>ILLUSTRATION No. 2</span> +</div> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_51'></a>51</span></div> +<p> +“Pulls like a horse,” Jack replied. +</p> +<p> +“I’m Greer, of the forest service,” the +stranger said, in a moment. “I saw a fire up +here this afternoon, and I was afraid harm might +come from it during the gale. One blazing +brand down in that cañon, and millions of feet +of timber would be destroyed.” +</p> +<p> +“As you see,” Jack said, “we have no fire.” +</p> +<p> +“This, I presume,” Greer said, still pulling +at the machine, “is the aeroplane your friends +came in this evening?” +</p> +<p> +“The same,” replied Pat shortly. +</p> +<p> +The lad was annoyed to think that the forester, +as he called himself, had been watching +them. If he had taken so much interest in their +movements, Pat thought, why hadn’t he shown +himself before? +</p> +<p> +Jack’s thoughts seemed to be running in the +same direction. In fact, both boys were suspicious +of this soft-spoken stranger who had +come to them out of the storm with questions +on his lips. +</p> +<p> +“Where are your friends?” Greer asked, in a +moment. “I hope they are not out in the forest +thinking of starting a fire?” +</p> +<p> +“They’ve gone to the lake after fish,” Jack +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_52'></a>52</span> +said, accounting for the absence of the others +with the first words that came to his lips. +</p> +<p> +Greer gave a quick start and leaned over to +look into Jack’s face. +</p> +<p> +“Down at the lake?” he repeated. “Not +out in a boat in a storm like this?” +</p> +<p> +“No,” replied Jack, gruffly, so gruffly, in +fact, that the stranger caught the hostile note +and turned away. +</p> +<p> +“I’m always afraid of fire on a night like this,” +Greer continued in a moment, “and rarely sleep +until morning. My cabin is back on the mountain +a short distance, some distance above this +plateau. That’s how I happened to see what +was going on here.” +</p> +<p> +“Rather a lonely life,” Pat said, resolved to +keep the fellow talking if he could. “Because,” +he reasoned, “you can tell what’s in a man’s +head if he keeps his mouth open and his tongue +moving, but no one can tell the secret locked up +behind closed lips.” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, it is rather lonely,” Greer replied. +“I’m glad you boys are here. Going to remain +long?” +</p> +<p> +“Only a few weeks—just to hunt and fish,” +was Jack’s reply. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_53'></a>53</span> +</p> +<p> +“If you don’t mind,” Greer went on, “I’ll +come down and visit you now and then.” +</p> +<p> +The statement almost took the form of a +question, and Jack gave a grudging answer that +the visits would be a pleasure, though he believed +that the man was arranging a way of watching +their movements. +</p> +<p> +“I wish this wind would go down,” Greer +said, presently. “As I said before, I’m always +afraid of fire on nights like this. See! The +wind blows straight off the distant ocean strong +and steady, and a fire started out there to the +west would run over this plateau and over the +mountain like a wash of tide.” +</p> +<p> +“There’s nothing to burn on the plateau,” +Jack said, glad of an opportunity to contradict +the stranger. +</p> +<p> +“Nothing to burn!” Greer repeated. “I +reckon you don’t know much about forest fires, +young man! Why, it would burn the soil down +to bed rock, even evaporate the water in the +rock itself and crumble it down to ashes. A +forest fire is no joking matter.” +</p> +<p> +The boys remained silent, looking cautiously +into each other’s faces and both wondering how +a forester, a man marooned in a great wilderness +should be so exact in his speech, should wear +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_54'></a>54</span> +such a shirt—actually a dress shirt—as they +saw under his rough coat when the wind blew it +aside. +</p> +<p> +“I rather think there’s more company coming,” +Greer continued, seeing that the boys +were not inclined to comment on his warnings. +“A moment ago I saw a flash of light at the foot +of the rise to the west.” +</p> +<p> +The wind was still blowing fiercely, but both +boys turned and looked down the incline. There +was a faint light there now, glimmering among +the trees. +</p> +<p> +“It looks like a lantern,” Greer said. “And +the fellow seems about to climb the hill. Good +luck to him, in this gale.” +</p> +<p> +“It seems to me,” Pat said, “that the light +we see is running along on the ground. If that +should be a forest fire, there would be the dickens +to pay to-night—and nothing to pay with!” +</p> +<p> +“That is not the way forest fires start,” +Greer said, turning indolently in the direction +of the divide. “That is a man with a lantern.” +</p> +<p> +The boys watched the glimmer below with +interest. The man with the lantern, if there +was a man and a lantern, seemed to be moving +with the wind. Then, again, he seemed to divide +himself, as the lower orders of life at the bottom +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_55'></a>55</span> +of the seas divide themselves, appearing on both +sides of a dark space at the same moment. +</p> +<p> +They were satisfied that something unusual +was going on, but were for the moment lulled +into a half-sense of security by the positive assertions +of the alleged forester. Presently they +turned away from the scene below and fixed +their eyes on the stranger. +</p> +<p> +He was standing straight up, his tall figure +braced against the wind, peering down into the +cañon. Notwithstanding the steady wind, the +sky was now comparatively free of clouds, and +they saw him lift a hand with something bright +shining in it. +</p> +<p> +It appeared to the lads that he was signaling +to some one in the cañon. They turned away +instantly so that Greer did not note their observation +of him, and again fixed their gaze +on the slope to the west. +</p> +<p> +The lantern, if there was a lantern, was growing +larger! It was showing itself in half a dozen +places now, and was tracing lights far up in the +crotches of dead trees. Then the penetrating +odor of burning wood and grass came up the +slope. +</p> +<p> +Filled with a fear which could hardly be +expressed in words, the boys faced Greer again. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_56'></a>56</span> +He still stood facing the cañon to the south, but +his hands were not lifted now. There was no +need for that, the boys thought, for the previous +signal seemed to have sufficed. +</p> +<p> +Among the dry faggots on the ground at the +bottom of the cañon there was another man with +a lantern. He, too, if there was such a man, was +moving about among the trees and dividing himself +into sections, as the rudimental creatures of +the world multiply themselves. Pat sprang to +Greer’s side and shook him roughly by the arm. +</p> +<p> +“There’s a fire down there!” he cried. +</p> +<p> +In the uncertain moonlight the boy saw the +stranger’s face harden. +</p> +<p> +“You are mistaken,” he said, turning away +toward the lake. +</p> +<p> +“Smell the smoke!” Jack shouted. “I tell +you the forest is on fire on two sides of us.” +</p> +<p> +“Then your friends have set the fires!” +Greer shouted, against the wind. “I have been +suspicious of you all along—ever since you failed +to satisfactorily account for the absence of your +friends. It is all very well for you to come here +in an aeroplane and start a conflagration! But +how do you think that we, who are not so well +provided with means of getting away, are to +escape death?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_57'></a>57</span> +</p> +<p> +Pat drew back his hand, as if to strike the +fellow, but Jack restrained him. +</p> +<p> +“You set the fires!” Pat shouted, then. +“You set it through your fellow conspirators! +I saw you signaling to the cañon!” +</p> +<p> +“You’re no more a forester than I am!” Jack +added. “You’re a scoundrel, and ought to be +sent to prison for life.” +</p> +<p> +There was no more talk for a time. Greer +stood defiantly against the wall of rock to the +east, as if fearful of an attack from behind, his +right hand in his bulging pocket. The boys +knew that he had a weapon there, and their own +hands were not empty. +</p> +<p> +The aeroplane drew and shivered in the rising +gale, but now little attention was paid to it. +Pat and Jack were listening for some indication +of the return of Ned and Frank. No farther +fable of a man with a lantern was necessary, for +fire was racing up the western slope, heading +directly for the plateau and the priceless aeroplane. +Down in the cañon the flames were +leaping from tree to tree. A stifling smoke filled +the air, always in swift motion, but stifling still. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_58'></a>58</span><a name='chV' id='chV'></a>CHAPTER V.—THE REVELATION OF A TRAGEDY.</h2> +<p> +“Smugglers!” Frank exclaimed, dropping an +armful of unopened opium tins on the floor of +the cavern. “Smugglers, all right, all right!” +</p> +<p> +Ned looked the tins over carefully. They +were well covered with Chinese characters, and +were dirty, as if they had been hidden away in +the earth for a long time. +</p> +<p> +“Who would have suspected it?” Frank continued. +“We are close to the British frontier, +but, all the same, this seems to me to be an awkward +place to land and store the dope stuff.” +</p> +<p> +“Where did you find it?” asked Ned. +</p> +<p> +“There is a false back to that cupboard in +the north wall,” Frank replied. “When I +knocked on the boards they gave forth a hollow +sound, and so I tore one away. Hence the +opium. And there are pipes there, too—just +such pipes as one sees in the joints on Pell +street, in little old New York.” +</p> +<p> +“You remember what Jimmie said?” asked +Ned. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_59'></a>59</span> +</p> +<p> +“I remember a good many things the little +rascal has said,” was the laughing reply. “He’s +always saying something.” +</p> +<p> +“Well,” Ned continued, “the boy was right +when he expressed his opinion of the heelless +footprints in one word.” +</p> +<p> +“Chinks!” grinned Frank. “Of course!” +</p> +<p> +The boys now went over to the cupboard in +the niche and began tearing away the boards. +After a few had been displaced Ned stopped and +began experimenting in fitting them in position +again. +</p> +<p> +“What’s doing now?” demanded Frank. +</p> +<p> +“We must remove them so as to be able to +return them as we found them before we leave,” +Ned replied. “It is important that the inhabitants +of this robber den do not know that we +have discovered it.” +</p> +<p> +“Don’t you ever think they don’t know it +right now,” Frank said. “We haven’t seen any +of them since they rowed around the point, but +they’re stirring about, just the same. We may +see more of them before we get out of this cavern.” +</p> +<p> +“Well,” Ned said, “we must take all the +precautions needful, and if they are of no avail +we shall not be to blame for what takes place. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_60'></a>60</span> +Even if they know that we have found the cavern, +they need not know that we have penetrated +into the office chamber. Now, draw that last +board away carefully, and we’ll see what there +is behind the false bottom.” +</p> +<p> +Frank drew the board away and was confronted +by a long, low tunnel—an uncanny, narrow +tunnel which had evidently been enlarged +from a fault in the rock, and which appeared to +penetrate far into the bulk of the mountain. +</p> +<p> +“See!” he cried. “The cupboard was built +at the mouth of a cross fault in the rock, and +there is no knowing what is behind it. Hold +your flashlight higher and I’ll crawl in and +look about.” +</p> +<p> +“Be careful,” Ned warned. “I have seen +great holes at the bottom of tunnels like that. +Don’t break your neck, or tumble down so far +that I can’t fish you out.” +</p> +<p> +Frank grinned and crept through the opening +made by the removal of the back of the closet. +The place was not high enough for him to stand +upright, and so he proceeded on hands and knees. +</p> +<p> +“This is a bedroom,” he shouted back to +Ned. “There’s lots of ticks and blankets here.” +</p> +<p> +There was silence for a moment, and then the +boy’s voice came from farther in the tunnel. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_61'></a>61</span> +“And here’s kegs of whisky,” he cried. “It +smells like a Bowery saloon. Come on in!” +</p> +<p> +“I think one of us would better remain outside,” +Ned replied. “I wouldn’t like to be surprised +while in there and fastened in with rocks.” +</p> +<p> +Frank went on down the tunnel for some distance, +calling back, now and then, to report his +discoveries. There were weapons stored there, +barrels of gasoline, packages of dynamite. +</p> +<p> +Then, for several long minutes, there came +no voice from the interior, and Ned put his head +inside and called out softly: +</p> +<p> +“Frank!” +</p> +<p> +There was no reply, and Ned was about to +advance into the opening when the sound of a +footstep came on the rocky floor of the chamber +just behind him. The footstep was a stealthy +one, halting, as if some person were listening between +the steps. Ned’s first act was to shut the +light off from his electric candle. +</p> +<p> +Then he moved away from the niche in the +wall where the cupboard had been built in and +waited. His greatest fear was that Frank would +turn about and show his light, and so expose +them both to danger. While he listened, almost +holding his breath, the steps came nearer to the +cupboard and halted. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_62'></a>62</span> +</p> +<p> +But the halt was only for an instant, for the +unseen figure moved on again, this time back +toward the entrance. Directly the footsteps +were heard no more, and then the crash of falling +rocks reached the boy’s ears. He did not have +to think long in order to understand what that +sound portended. +</p> +<p> +He knew that they had been observed by +some of the outlaws who made the cavern their +home and their storehouse as well, had been followed +into the inner chamber, and were now to +be fastened into the cavern, probably left there +to starve, with tons of rock bulking before the +entrance to the third chamber. It was not a +pleasant situation. +</p> +<p> +While he studied the peril over in as optimistic +a mood as was possible under the circumstances, +he heard Frank calling to him from the +narrow tunnel behind the cupboard. The boy +was evidently excited, for his voice rang high. +</p> +<p> +“Ned!” he cried. “Come on in!” +</p> +<p> +The noise of falling, rolling rocks stopped at +the sound of Frank’s voice, and Ned thought he +heard a half-suppressed chuckle in the darkness. +</p> +<p> +“Hurry!” came Frank’s voice once more. +“There’s something in here that takes the nerve +out of me.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_63'></a>63</span> +</p> +<p> +There was a low exclamation of rage at the +entrance, where the stones were piling up, and +then the grind of falling rocks was continued. +Ned had, of course, no idea as to how many persons +were engaged in building up the wall which +threatened to shut him in until life was extinct, +or exactly how it was being done, but he knew +that the correct thing for him to do was to prevent +the completion of the work. +</p> +<p> +If only one man had arrived at the cavern he +might be frightened and driven away by a little +shooting. With bullets whizzing through what +was left of the opening, the man who was building +the crude wall would not be likely to present his +body before the space still uncovered. This +reasoning brought the boy to a consideration of +the matter of ammunition, but he decided that, +with the cartridges carried by Frank, they could +defend the place for a long time. +</p> +<p> +But another question intervened. The rocks +which, though unseen, he knew to be blocking the +space where the rug had hung were undoubtedly +falling from a distance. They might have been +stored above the natural doorway for the very +purpose to which they were now being put. +</p> +<p> +If this were true, then the building of the +trap would continue, regardless of his bullets. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_64'></a>64</span> +While he studied over this problem, slowly making +up his mind to put it to the test, Frank’s +voice came from the tunnel again. +</p> +<p> +“What’s doing out there?” the boy asked. +“Why don’t you come in here?” +</p> +<p> +“Shut off your light!” ordered Ned, as a +glimmer showed inside. +</p> +<p> +“Not me,” replied Frank. “I need all the +light I can get in here!” +</p> +<p> +“What have you found?” asked Ned anxiously. +</p> +<p> +Frank did not reply instantly, and Ned +heard the rattle of stones while he waited for +his answer. The task of piling up the wall was +progressing rapidly, and it seemed to the boy +that the stones were all falling from a distance. +</p> +<p> +“Shut off your light and come out,” Ned said, +impatient at the hesitation. +</p> +<p> +“I wouldn’t stay here in the dark for a thousand +dollars a second,” Frank replied, “but I’ll +come out. Why don’t you show a light?” +</p> +<p> +“I’m not looking for any chance bullets,” Ned +replied, coolly. “We’re caught, my boy, and +it is up to us to move cautiously. Why don’t +you turn off your light?” he added, half angrily. +</p> +<p> +“Oh,” Frank replied, “you’re getting it out +there, too, are you? Well, I was trying to save +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_65'></a>65</span> +you a shock. There’s a dead man in here, and +I’m going to keep my light going until I’m out +of the hole. I did shut it off once, and felt the +grasp of a hand on my neck—and there wasn’t +any hand there either.” +</p> +<p> +“A dead man?” repeated Ned. +</p> +<p> +“Sure,” Frank replied. “And he’s not been +dead very long, at that.” +</p> +<p> +Again the boy heard that vicious chuckle at +the entrance. Then a voice came out of the +mouldy darkness: +</p> +<p> +“How are you getting on in the Secret Service, +Ned Nestor?” the voice asked. +</p> +<p> +“Finely!” Ned called back, but it seemed to +him that his voice shook with the peril of the +situation. He was known, his mission there +was no secret, the enemies of the government +were already on the ground, ready to combat +him in his work. Just how far their hostility +would extend was evidenced by the fall of rocks +outside. It seemed to the boy that the struggle +would be to the death. +</p> +<p> +“Who are you talking to?” Frank asked. +</p> +<p> +Ned did not reply to the question, for there +came the sound of a scuffle outside, then a shot, +a cry of pain, and the cavern was still as a grave. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_66'></a>66</span> +</p> +<p> +In the silence Frank’s movements were +heard, and Ned knew that he was backing out +of the tunnel, with his light still burning. Entirely +at a loss to account for the fracas outside, +Ned awaited his approach with a fast-beating +heart. When at last he shut off his electric +searchlight and dropped from the tunnel through +the old cupboard Ned seized his hand and drew +him away. +</p> +<p> +“Did you fire that shot?” Frank whispered. +</p> +<p> +“No,” was the reply. “There’s fighting +outside, and the shot was fired there. Now, I +had a notion of sending a stream of bullets +through the doorway, but the persons who are +fighting the man who came upon us here may +be our friends, so we must be careful what we do. +Here. Take my flashlight. Open the two at +the same instant and turn the rays on the doorway. +I’ll be ready with my gun.” +</p> +<p> +But before this movement could be carried +out a voice the boys knew came out of the darkness. +</p> +<p> +“Wonder you wouldn’t give a fellow a lift,” +Jimmie said, in a panting tone. “I’ve got to +the limit with this big stiff.” +</p> +<p> +The lights were on instantly, with Ned and +Frank bounding toward the opening. The way +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_67'></a>67</span> +was narrow, for many rocks had been dropped +down from a broad ledge just above, but they +managed to crawl through. But before Ned +could reach the struggling pair on the floor the +under figure wiggled away, staggered for an +instant, and then made for the outer air at good +speed. +</p> +<p> +Jimmie sat upon the stone floor with a disgusted +look on his freckled face. +</p> +<p> +“Now see what you’ve been an’ gone an’ +done!” he cried. “You’ve let me pirate get +away! But he took a bullet with him,” he +added. +</p> +<p> +“How many were here?” asked Ned, shutting +off his light and telling Frank to do the +same. “How many men did you see?” +</p> +<p> +“Just that one,” Jimmie replied, sorrowfully, +“an’ he got away!” +</p> +<p> +Ned advanced to the entrance and listened. +At first he heard the sound of limping footsteps, +then the sweep of oars. He ran down to the +beach and swept his light over the waters of the +lake. A slender boat was speeding far to the +north, and a solitary rower was bending to his +work. +</p> +<p> +Now, for the first time, Ned noted that a +fierce gale was blowing from the west, and his +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_68'></a>68</span> +thoughts went back to the plateau where the +aeroplane lay exposed to the storm. He ran +back to the cavern, barely escaping being blown +off his feet on the way, and called to the boys. +</p> +<p> +“There’s a stiff wind blowing,” he said, “and +I’m afraid for the aeroplane. We must get back +to the camp immediately.” +</p> +<p> +“The wind was on when I came in,” Jimmie +said, “an’ it near blew me into the lake, even +if I did hold on to the trees. We can never +make the hill in the storm.” +</p> +<p> +“We’ve got to,” Ned insisted. +</p> +<p> +“Besides,” Jimmie continued, “we want to +find out about the dead man Frank has been +telling me about. We can’t take him with us, +an’ he will not be here when we come back. +Whatever we learn about him, an’ the cause of +his death, must be learned now.” +</p> +<p> +“Sometimes, Jimmie,” Frank burst out, +“you exhibit signs of almost human intelligence!” +</p> +<p> +“The boy is right,” Ned observed. “I’m +so rattled that I hardly know what I’m about. +We ought to be in pursuit of that rascal who is +rowing on the lake, we ought to be on the plateau, +looking after the aeroplane, and we ought +to be here, finding out if a murder has been committed.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_69'></a>69</span> +</p> +<p> +“It is a murder, all right,” Frank said, “for +the floor in the tunnel is sticky with blood.” +</p> +<p> +“I’m goin’ in there!” Jimmie exclaimed. +</p> +<p> +“Go if you want to,” Frank grunted. +</p> +<p> +Ned laid a hand on Jimmie’s arm as he started +away. +</p> +<p> +“If you don’t mind,” he said, “I’d much +rather you remained on guard. You have keen +eyes, and may be of great service here.” +</p> +<p> +“All right!” the boy said. “I’ll do anything +you ask me to if you don’t leave me out of the +game.” +</p> +<p> +“No danger of your getting into the dust +heap,” Frank laughed. “How long have you +been prowling about here?” +</p> +<p> +“Just a short time,” was the reply. “I remained +in the tent until I thought Pat an’ Jack +were asleep an’ then cut my lucky. Say, but +the wind was blowin’ when I slid down the slope +toward the lake.” +</p> +<p> +“It must be fierce up on the plateau,” Frank +admitted. “Say,” he added, turning to Ned, +“if you don’t mind, I’ll go on up the hill and help +the boys with the aeroplane. It would be a +tragedy if it should be destroyed now.” +</p> +<p> +“All right,” Ned said. “Get up there as +soon as possible. The boys may be having +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_70'></a>70</span> +trouble with the ’plane. And Jimmie,” he added, +“suppose you keep an eye on the plateau? +The lads may signal.” +</p> +<p> +“Too dark for that,” the boy replied, “but +I’ll keep a sharp lookout, just the same. Go on +and look over the man Frank found under the +mountain.” +</p> +<p> +Frank moved on up the hill, clinging to trees +as he advanced, and stooping low, even then, to +escape the force of the wind, while Jimmie stationed +himself in the opening and looked out on +the lake. Ned disappeared in the cavern, and +the boy saw his torch grow fainter as he climbed +through the narrow opening left in the rock +which had been thrown over the natural doorway. +</p> +<p> +It was getting late and the boy was sleepy, +but he struggled manfully to keep his eyes open. +Directly, however, he had no trouble in this regard, +for he started up with a strange, acrid odor +in his nostrils. The low-lying sky was aflame. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_71'></a>71</span><a name='chVI' id='chVI'></a>CHAPTER VI.—ABOVE THE CLOUDS AT NIGHT.</h2> +<p> +The wind gained strength as the heat of the +forest fires increased. The roaring of the gale +and the heavy undertone of the racing flames +effectually drowned the voice of the forester, +and it was only by the motion of his lips that the +boys knew that he was trying to talk to them. +</p> +<p> +Presently he threw his hands high above his +head, weaponless, then lowered one and beckoned +to them. Still keeping grasp on their revolvers, +the boys approached him. His face was deadly +pale, save for the glow of the fire which shone +unnaturally on the wall behind him. +</p> +<p> +“This is no time for accusations,” he shouted. +“We must do something to check the fire.” +</p> +<p> +“What is to be done?” Jack demanded, half +won over by the apparent distress of the fellow. +</p> +<p> +“The blaze will burn itself out against the +mountains,” was the reply, shouted at the top +of the speaker’s lungs, “but the fire in the cañon +must be checked by going on ahead and felling +trees.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_72'></a>72</span> +</p> +<p> +“Won’t it burn itself out there, too?” +asked Pat. +</p> +<p> +“I’m afraid not,” was the shrill reply. +“There is an opening from the top of the +cañon to a valley in a fold of the hills. The +fire will do incalculable damage if it passes +through that.” +</p> +<p> +“What do you suppose we can do against a +fire like that?” demanded Pat. “An army +could not stop the blaze now.” +</p> +<p> +“You are mistaken!” shrilled the other. +“Three choppers can clear a space which the +fire will not cross.” +</p> +<p> +“We’ll get our axes and try,” Jack said, reluctantly. +</p> +<p> +“Then make haste!” Greer shouted. “At all +events we must leave this place, for the fire will +soon be here. Come!” +</p> +<p> +When the boys turned to verify this statement +they saw that the planes of the aeroplane +were red with the reflection of the blaze below, +and that the creeping fire was already showing +at the lip of the plateau. +</p> +<p> +“The aeroplane is doomed, I guess,” wailed +Jack, and Pat thought he saw a look of satisfaction +in Greer’s face as the words reached +his ears. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_73'></a>73</span> +</p> +<p> +The smoke was now rolling over the plateau +in great clouds, but through it Pat thought he +saw figures moving from the south slope toward +the aeroplane. Calling out to Jack, he sprang +toward the machine, the suspicion in his mind +that these were confederates of the alleged forester, +and that the machine was, after all, the +main point of attack. +</p> +<p> +Greer saw the movement and darted toward +the boy as if to block his way, but Pat struck +out viciously and turned him back. Then a bit +of flame sprang up in the cloud of smoke which +was sweeping over the plateau. It seemed to +Pat that an attempt to burn the machine in +advance of the arrival of the forest fire was being +made. +</p> +<p> +When he darted forward again Greer caught +him by the shoulder and hurled him away. +</p> +<p> +“Get your axes!” he shouted. “There is no +time to waste here.” +</p> +<p> +Then the smoke lifted for an instant and Pat +saw three figures rise above the rim of the +northern slope and hasten toward the aeroplane. +Their arrival there was followed by shots and +calls for assistance. Then the smoke shut down +again, and the roaring of the flames drowned +all other sounds. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_74'></a>74</span> +</p> +<p> +Greer stood for an instant, braced against +the wind, shielding his face from the hot blasts +scorching the grass of the plateau, then turned +and ran. Then both boys heard a call from the +direction of the machine. +</p> +<p> +“The way is clear to the cavern!” were the +words they heard. “Remain there until we return!” +</p> +<p> +“That’s Ned,” shouted Pat. “Just in time +to save the aeroplane.” +</p> +<p> +Almost before the words were out of his +mouth there came a lull in the wind and the +great machine ran forward a few yards, then +swung into the air. At that moment Frank +came running toward the two astonished boys. +</p> +<p> +“We’ve got to leg it!” Frank shouted, his +mouth close to Jack’s ear. “Drop low on the +ground so as to get fresh air and run!” +</p> +<p> +Jack, although he had heard Ned’s voice +giving directions, and although he knew that +Frank was by his side, could hardly sense the +situation, or all that had taken place. The +action had been so swift that he could not yet +realize that Ned had snatched the aeroplane +away from certain destruction and lifted it into +the stormy sky in so short a time. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_75'></a>75</span> +</p> +<p> +However, he did not stop then to place the +events in neat order in his mind, for the fire was +working across the scant vegetation of the plateau +and the air was hot and stifling. It was all +like a page out of the Arabian Nights, but he put +the wonder of it away, grasped Frank’s hand, +and, crouching, ran toward the incline leading +to the lake. There was safety there, at least. +</p> +<p> +Now and then, in their swift flight, the boys +stopped and looked upward, hoping to learn +something of the fate of the aeroplane, but the +great machine was not in sight. +</p> +<p> +“Ned never can make it live in this gale!” +Jack almost sobbed, when, at last, they all came +to a halt at the margin of the lake. “The whole +shebang will go to pieces and the boys will be +killed.” +</p> +<p> +“Aw, forget it!” grunted Pat. “I’m not in +love with airships, but I know that Ned wouldn’t +have gone up unless he knew that he could handle +the machine. He’ll lift above the divide and +drive straight before the wind. The good Lord +only knows how far the gale will take him, but +I’m betting my head against turnips that he’ll +come back by morning, asking why breakfast +isn’t ready!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_76'></a>76</span> +</p> +<p> +“How did you get wise to the trouble up +here?” Jack asked of Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Why, I don’t exactly know,” the boy replied. +“Ned sent me on ahead to look out for +the aeroplane. He said he wanted to remain +in the cavern and investigate. I was making +slow progress up the hill when Ned and Jimmie +came running after me. I had noticed long before +that the sky looked like fires were burning +somewhere.” +</p> +<p> +“I should say so,” Pat cut in. “The clouds +looked like they had been soaked in red paint.” +</p> +<p> +“When Ned came up to me, running like a +racehorse,” Frank went on, “he said he was +going to take the aeroplane out, wind or no wind. +I didn’t have much chance to talk with him, but +I understood that he was going to do just what +Pat has suggested—run before the wind and +swing back whenever he could.” +</p> +<p> +“I presume Jimmie is good and scared by +this time!” Jack commented. +</p> +<p> +“When we got to the machine,” Frank went +on, “we found two men there with some sort of +torches in their hands, trying to set the machine +on fire. We caught them unawares and left +them lying there. I hope they didn’t get burned +to death.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_77'></a>77</span> +</p> +<p> +There was a short cessation of speech while +the boys listened to the roaring of the flames +and watched the fire mounting into the sky. It +was a wild scene—one calculated to bring terror +to the breast of any human being. The wind +was dying down a little, but the clouds were still +driving fast before it, their edges tinged with +flame so that they resembled golden masses +floating across an eternity of space clothed in +smoke. +</p> +<p> +While the boys watched the great display +Frank pointed to a wall of flame rounding the +corner of the plateau. +</p> +<p> +“The fire will burn this slope,” he said, “and +we’ve either got to get into the cave or out on +the lake. Which shall It be?” +</p> +<p> +“The cave for mine!” Jack cried. +</p> +<p> +“And mine,” echoed Pat. “Who knows +what the fire will do to the lake?” +</p> +<p> +But Frank had had previous experience in +the cavern. He was thinking of the still figure +he had found lying there, and of the dark stains +on the floor. +</p> +<p> +“If we could find a boat,” he said, without +mentioning his real reason for objecting to the +cave, “we might get along very well on the lake. +We don’t know what stifling air we shall find in +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_78'></a>78</span> +the cave, and, besides, the men we have just had +a fracas with may return at any time. It +wouldn’t be nice to be locked up in that hole in +the ground.” +</p> +<p> +The wind was dying down to a steady breeze, +and the fires seemed to burn lower. The clouds +above were dark and threatening, save where +gilded by the reflection from below, and seemed +to be massing. Frank held up a hand and +shouted. +</p> +<p> +“Rain!” he cried. “Rain!” +</p> +<p> +It was no gentle spring shower that opened +upon the earth then. The fountains of the +great deep seemed to have opened wide. The +water fell in sheets, and in an instant the boys +were wet to the skin. +</p> +<p> +“Better than fire!” Jack suggested. +</p> +<p> +The rain pelted down upon the forest fires +viciously, and the hissing protests of the angry +embers rose in the air. Through the thick veil +of the rain clouds of steam could be seen rolling +over the lake and along the threatened incline. +In ten minutes water was pouring down the +steep hill in sheets and the fires were leaping no +more. +</p> +<p> +Pleased as the boys were at the opportune +arrival of the rain-bearing clouds, they could not +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_79'></a>79</span> +help wondering if the freak of chance which had +preserved the forests of northern Montana had +not brought Ned and Jimmie sudden death. +</p> +<p> +“They never can handle the machine in such +an air-ocean,” Jack declared, but the more optimistic +Pat asserted that Ned must have been +a mile above the rain clouds before a drop of +water fell. +</p> +<p> +“I guess the fire brought this rain on,” +Frank said, wiggling about in his wet garments, +“but it’s just as wet as if brought about by some +other means. What are we going to do now?” +</p> +<p> +“Why not go to the cave until the rain +stops?” asked Pat. +</p> +<p> +“It is colder in there than it is here,” Frank +said, still thinking of the silent figure in the narrow +tunnel back of the cupboard. +</p> +<p> +“We can’t get any more water in our clothes +and hides than we have now,” Jack observed, +“so we may as well stay outside and watch for +Ned and the aeroplane. I don’t believe any +other person ever took an aeroplane up in such +a storm. I’m afraid Ned was smashed against +the divide.” +</p> +<p> +“Ned’s all right,” insisted Frank. “Suppose +we go back to the plateau and see if there’s +anything left of our tents.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_80'></a>80</span> +</p> +<p> +“I’m game for that,” Pat said, “but,” he +added, turning a keen gaze on Frank, “I’d like +to know why you object to going to the cave. +Jack and I would like to see it.” +</p> +<p> +“Well,” Frank replied, not without some +hesitation at bringing the scene in the tunnel +back to his mind in form for expression in words, +“there’s a crime been committed in the cave, +and it’s uncanny.” +</p> +<p> +“A crime!” repeated Pat, all excitement at +the suggestion of another adventure, “what kind +of a crime?” +</p> +<p> +“A murder,” replied Frank, with a shiver. +</p> +<p> +“Let’s go in and see,” Pat said. +</p> +<p> +“Frank’s afraid,” Jack put in. +</p> +<p> +“Of course I’m afraid,” Frank admitted. +“You go in there, and crawl on your knees +through the thick air of a narrow tunnel, and +put your hand on a dead man’s face, and feel +your other hand slipping in the blood on the +floor, and you’ll be afraid, too. I’m not going +back there.” +</p> +<p> +“We can stand here in the rain all night, if +you want to,” Pat said, with scorn in his voice. +“Rainwater is said to be good for the complexion.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_81'></a>81</span> +</p> +<p> +The wind was slowing down and the rainfall +was not so heavy as before. The boys, Pat and +Jack, joking Frank about his terror for the cave, +and Frank just a little angry, began the ascent of +the slope leading to the plateau. +</p> +<p> +“The rain saved the trees next to the mountain,” +Pat said, presently, “and if it checked the +fire on the plateau at the same line our tents are +all right. Say,” he added, “who ever heard of +such a downpour as that. I reckon the rain +swept in from the ocean in heavy clouds which +were broken open by the mountains.” +</p> +<p> +“Much you know about it!” laughed Jack. +“You talk as if you could cut a cloud with a +knife.” +</p> +<p> +“Anyway,” persisted Pat, “the water tumbled +out and checked the fires. Wonder what +became of the man who said his name was Greer? +He was standing in with the men who were trying +to burn the aeroplane, all right enough, and +I believe the whole circus was started just to +destroy the airship and bring Ned’s investigations +to a close.” +</p> +<p> +“We always do get into the thick of it at the +first jump,” Frank said, remembering the bomb +under the cottage in the Canal Zone and the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_82'></a>82</span> +raid on the nipa hut in the Philippines. “Whenever +we’ve got anything coming to us, we get it +by lightning express.” +</p> +<p> +“You bet we do!” Jack exclaimed. “Now +we’re getting a clear sky,” he added, pointing +upward, “and we’re getting it short order time, +too!” +</p> +<p> +The heavy clouds were gone, the moon was +smiling down on the drenched earth, the stars +were winking significantly toward a spot on the +plateau where two unrecognizable figures, half +burned away, were lying. When the boys +reached the top of the climb and advanced to the +spot where the aeroplane had stood they turned +sick with the horror of the thing. +</p> +<p> +“I almost wish we had let them destroy +the aeroplane,” sighed Frank. “I don’t like +to think that these men came to their death +through us. It is awful!” +</p> +<p> +“Did you shoot them?” asked Pat. +</p> +<p> +Frank shook his head. +</p> +<p> +“They shot at us,” he said. “They fired +as soon as we got to the rim of the dip, but missed +because of the smoke and the wind. Then we +rushed them, and they went down—to escape +punishment, I thought—and so Ned got the +aeroplane away.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_83'></a>83</span> +</p> +<p> +“Then you had nothing to do with their +death,” consoled Pat. “They came here to +commit a crime and were overcome by the smoke +and heat.” +</p> +<p> +Frank would gladly have accepted this version +of what had taken place, but he could not +bring his mind to do so at once. The horror of +what he had found in the cave was still upon +him. +</p> +<p> +Leaving the spot where what remained of +the outlaws lay, the boys hastened to the wall +of rock which terminated the plateau on the east. +The rain had indeed saved the tents from destruction. +The canvas was huddled against the +wall, stained with smoke and heavy with rain, +but in fairly good condition. +</p> +<p> +“We’ll have to remain here, or about here, +until Ned comes,” Pat said, “so we may as well +put the tents up. I wonder if it isn’t most +morning?” +</p> +<p> +“Does that mean that you are getting hungry?” +grinned Jack. +</p> +<p> +“You bet it does!” was the reply. “Anyway, +I’m going to see if I can find dry wood +enough for a fire. If I can I’ll make some hot +coffee. Ned will see the fire, and know we are +not in the cave.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_84'></a>84</span> +</p> +<p> +Then an exclamation from Frank called the +speaker’s attention to the clear sky over the divide. +The upper strata of clouds were drifting +westward on a high current of air—what few +clouds there were—and far up in the blue, the +moonlight trimming the planes with silver, rode +the aeroplane, seemingly intact, and working +back on the high current toward the Pacific +coast. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_85'></a>85</span><a name='chVII' id='chVII'></a>CHAPTER VII.—A KEY WITH A BROKEN STEM.</h2> +<p> +The lights were burning low in a bachelor +flat on a noisy street corner in the city of San +Francisco, and a man of perhaps thirty lay on +a couch with his eyes closed. There were in +this sitting room, which faced one of the noisy +streets, a grand piano, a costly music cabinet, a +walnut bookcase filled with expensively bound +volumes, numerous lazy chairs of leather, and +the rug on the polished floor was rich and soft. +The occupant of the flat evidently enjoyed +luxurious things and had the money to pay +for them. +</p> +<p> +When a clock in a distant steeple struck midnight +there came a knock at the locked door in +the main corridor which connected with the +private hallway on which the flat opened. A +Japanese servant, small, obsequious, keen-eyed, +opened the door, after the hesitation of a moment, +and peeked out. He would have closed +it again instantly, seeing a stranger there, only +Ned Nestor, who had anticipated some action +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_86'></a>86</span> +of the kind, thrust a shoe into the opening, and, +reaching in, unfastened the chain. +</p> +<p> +“I wish to see Mr. Albert Lemon,” he said. +</p> +<p> +The Jap tried to force the door back and lock +it, but was unsuccessful. +</p> +<p> +“No savvy!” he cried, as Ned brushed past +him and stood in the private hall. +</p> +<p> +Ned paid no further attention to him, but +entered the sitting room and at once advanced to +the couch where the man lay. The figure on the +couch did not move, but the Jap forced himself in +the boy’s way with his cry of “no savvy!” +</p> +<p> +“Opium?” Ned asked, pointing down to +the man. +</p> +<p> +“No savvy!” +</p> +<p> +“Hit the pipe?” he asked, putting the question +in a new way. +</p> +<p> +“No savvy! No savvy!” +</p> +<p> +“Dope, then?” Ned went on. “Tell me if +this man has been doping himself into unconsciousness. +Dope, eh?” +</p> +<p> +Ned lifted his voice, half hoping that the +man on the couch would show some signs of life, +but there was no movement of the eyelids. +</p> +<p> +“No savvy!” grunted the Jap. +</p> +<p> +Ned took the servant by his shoulders, +pushed him gently out of the room, and closed +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_87'></a>87</span> +and locked the door, the key being in the lock +on the inside. +</p> +<p> +“No savvy! No savvy!” +</p> +<p> +The words came through the thin panel of +the door in quick succession for a minute and +then silence. Again Ned advanced to the side +of the couch and looked down upon the semi-unconscious +man. +</p> +<p> +It was clear to the boy that the fellow sensed +what was taking place, but was too well satisfied +with the drugged condition in which he lay +to disturb his poise of mind by taking note of +anything whatever. The figure of the fellow +was dressed in expensive clothes of latest cut, +but they were soiled, and even torn in places. +</p> +<p> +The disreputable condition of the garments +reminded Ned of a suit in which he had once +been hauled through a briar patch and pulled +into a pond at the hands, or horns, rather, of a +village cow, assisted by a rope. His clothes, it +is true, had not been expensive ones at the time +of the occurrence, but the looks of the clothes +the drugged man wore reminded him of the +damage his cheaper ones had sustained. +</p> +<p> +The face of the man on the couch was deadly +pale, with the drawn look about the skin which +comes of much familiarity with the drug made +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_88'></a>88</span> +of the poppy. It was still an attractive face, +even in its degradation, and the forehead was +that of a capable man. +</p> +<p> +Ned drew a chair to the side of the couch +and sat down. Even if he should at that time +succeed in attracting the attention of the man, +the fellow was in no condition to answer the +important questions he was there to ask. +</p> +<p> +Presently the Jap, or some one else, came +and rapped lightly on the door, and Ned opened +it a trifle and looked out. +</p> +<p> +“No savvy!” cried the Jap, repeating the +words like a parrot, standing in the hall with +many signs of fright on his yellow face. +</p> +<p> +“All right!” Ned said, shutting the door in +his face, “you don’t have to.” +</p> +<p> +“I can’t blame him for thinking this a cheeky +invasion,” Ned smiled, as he returned to his +chair at the side of the couch. “It isn’t exactly +the thing to walk into a man’s private +room in this manner.” +</p> +<p> +Ned had decided to sit by the side of the +half conscious man until he returned to his full +mentality. Questions now might produce only +pipe dreams, for the imagination is rather too +active under such circumstances. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_89'></a>89</span> +</p> +<p> +Five days before Ned had left the boys in a +cup on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains, +not far from the summit, after explaining +to them that he was going to the city to investigate +a clue connected with the murder of the +man who had been found in the cavern. Leaving +the aeroplane safely hidden at Missoula, he +had traveled by rail to San Francisco. +</p> +<p> +In his handbag on this trip were two seemingly +unimportant articles—a piece of tape cut +from the inner side of the collar of the dead +man’s coat, and a small, odd-shaped key with the +stem broken off so that it was only about an inch +in length. The key had been the only article +found in the dead man’s pockets. The strip +of tape bore the name of a San Francisco tailor. +</p> +<p> +The directory had assisted him in finding +the tailor, and the tailor had informed him that +the coat had been made for one Albert Lemon, +whose address he gave. So here he was, in +Lemon’s apartment, seeking information concerning +the dead man, while Lemon, supposedly +Lemon, lay in an opium daze on the couch. +</p> +<p> +But Ned’s time, waiting for the man to come +back to consciousness, was not all wasted. Moving +carefully about the room, he found that the +broken key fitted a writing desk which stood +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_90'></a>90</span> +between two windows. The lock which it fitted, +however, was not in good condition, for the bolt +had been pried back, damaging the polished edge +of the casing which held the socket. The desk +contained nothing of importance, and Ned left +it as he found it. +</p> +<p> +Sitting there in the soft light of the room, he +did not know whether the man on the couch +was Albert Lemon or whether the man who had +died in the cavern was Albert Lemon. He believed, +however, that the outlaws he had encountered +in the mountains, had murdered the +man, and felt that the surest way to trace the +crime to them was to find out why the man had +joined them—why he was there in the tunnel +back of the cupboard. This would be likely to +bring out a motive for the deed. +</p> +<p> +He did not, of course, know whether the dead +man had stood as an enemy to the outlaws, or +whether he had stood as a friend. But that +could make no difference with the quest he was +on. He believed that the outlaws were the men +he had been instructed to hunt down, and knew +that proof could be obtained only by an intimate +knowledge of their associations, their ways, +their motives. The friends of the dead man he +thought, would know something about them, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_91'></a>91</span> +perhaps be able to place them in the circle in +which they lived when not in the hills. +</p> +<p> +In work of this kind it is the first task of an +investigator to “place” the man he is pursuing. +The burglar is as good as taken when he is traced +back to those he associates with in his hours of +leisure. In the absence of a clue pointing to a +person, the investigator busies himself in finding +a motive. Ned believed that he now had the +personal clue. The motive would place the +proof in his hands. +</p> +<p> +So his Secret Service work for the government +was leading him into the investigation of +a murder mystery. He smiled as he held up the +key and wondered if the facts when discovered +would bear out the suspicions in his mind. +Again he asked himself the question: +</p> +<p> +“Is this Albert Lemon, or was the dead man +Albert Lemon?” +</p> +<p> +After a long time the man on the couch +opened his eyes and looked about the room. +His glance rested for an instant on the figure in +the chair at his side, but the fact of its being +there did not appear to surprise him in the least. +</p> +<p> +“Jap!” he called faintly. +</p> +<p> +There was a sound at the door, but it was +still locked, and the servant was unable to obey +the summons. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_92'></a>92</span> +</p> +<p> +“Bring me a pipe!” were the next words. +</p> +<p> +The Jap clamored at the door, but did not +gain admission. The racket seemed to disturb +the man not at all. +</p> +<p> +“I think,” Ned said, “that you have had +all the dope you need to-night. Besides, I want +you to answer a few questions.” +</p> +<p> +“Perhaps I have,” the man said, “but, supposing +that to be the case, where do you come in? +You are a new one on me, and I hope you won’t +flop out of a window or go up through the roof, as +some of the others have done. I want to have +congenial company to-night. Who are you?” +</p> +<p> +“Ned Nestor,” was the quiet reply. +</p> +<p> +“So,” said the man on the couch. “I’ve +heard of you—read about you and the Canal +Zone in the newspapers. But you’re only a kid. +What about that?” +</p> +<p> +“I can’t help being young,” laughed Ned. +“Anyway, that is a fault I’ll soon get over. We +all have it at first.” +</p> +<p> +“And get over it too quickly,” said the other, +with a sigh. “Well, what do you want here?” +</p> +<p> +“Are you Albert Lemon?” asked Ned abruptly. +</p> +<p> +“Yes,” was the reply, “I’m Albert Lemon. +What about it?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_93'></a>93</span> +</p> +<p> +The man was gaining mental strength every +moment now, and seemed to sense the strange +situation. +</p> +<p> +“Stiles is your tailor?” the boy went on. +</p> +<p> +“Look here,” said the other, rising to a sitting +position and passing a shaking hand across +his brow, as if to brush away the fancies of the +poppy, “when you convince me that you have +a laudable interest in my personal affairs I’ll be +glad to answer your questions.” +</p> +<p> +Ned took the strip of tape from his pocket +and held it out to the man on the couch. +</p> +<p> +“Do you recognize that?” he asked. +</p> +<p> +Lemon nodded coolly, but a look of wonder +and alarm was growing in his bloodshot eyes, +and his jaw dropped a trifle. +</p> +<p> +“I still lack the proof of laudable interest,” +he said, with a twisting of the face intended for +a smile. +</p> +<p> +“Answer the question,” Ned replied, “and +I’ll inform you of my interest in this article—and +in you.” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, I recognize it as the private mark of +Stiles, my tailor,” Lemon answered, in a moment. +“Where did you get it? If you insist +on asking personal questions I must insist on +the right to do the same thing.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_94'></a>94</span> +</p> +<p> +“I cut this private mark,” Ned said, “from +the collar of a coat found on the back of a dead +man in Montana, somewhere near the main divide +of the Rocky Mountains. Do you know +how it came there?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes and no,” was the reply. +</p> +<p> +“Kindly answer the affirmative proposition +first,” Ned said, with a smile. +</p> +<p> +“Well,” said the other, “about three months +ago an old college friend of mine, one Felix Emory, +came to me from Boston. He was in bad +with his people, and was out of money. I took +him in here and tried to brace him up. I +couldn’t do it. His moral stamina was gone.” +</p> +<p> +Lemon paused a moment, and, with a deprecatory +smile, pointed to an opium pipe which +lay on the rug near the couch. +</p> +<p> +“I understand,” Ned said. +</p> +<p> +“I fed him, and clothed him, and introduced +him at the club, and gave him every chance in +the world to get a brace, but he fought me off. +All he cared for was a pipe and a pill and a place +to sleep it off.” +</p> +<p> +“And so you gave him up as a bad proposition?” +asked Ned. +</p> +<p> +“Not exactly. He wanted to go to the mountains +on a hunting trip. Well, I thought it would +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_95'></a>95</span> +benefit his health, so I rigged up an outfit for +his use and let him go. You say the man was +dead?” +</p> +<p> +“Quite dead,” Ned replied. +</p> +<p> +“Too much poppy, I presume?” Lemon +asked with an ashamed smile. +</p> +<p> +“Too much steel,” Ned answered, sharply. +</p> +<p> +Lemon stared at the boy for an instant, his +eyes more anxious than ever, and arose shakingly +to his feet. +</p> +<p> +“Do you mean that he was murdered?” he +asked. +</p> +<p> +Ned nodded. +</p> +<p> +“Where?” was the next question. +</p> +<p> +“I found the body in a cavern on the western +slope of the Rockies,” was the reply. “He had +been dead only a few hours.” +</p> +<p> +Albert Lemon maintained a thoughtful silence +for a time, during which Ned eyed his +changing expression keenly. +</p> +<p> +“And what do you wish me to do about it?” +he then asked. +</p> +<p> +“A crime has been committed,” Ned replied, +“and it seems to me that you ought to do all in +your power to assist in bringing the criminal to +punishment.” +</p> +<p> +“Granted, sir. Tell me what to do.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_96'></a>96</span> +</p> +<p> +“First, tell me about the men your friend +went away with.” +</p> +<p> +“That brings me to the negative proposition,” +the other answered. “I have told you +how Felix came by my coat, but I can’t tell you +whether the man the coat was found on was +Felix. You must see that for yourself. He +might have given the garment away, or he might +have sold it in the city to get money for opium. +In short, the coat might have been on the body +of a man I never saw.” +</p> +<p> +“Then you can’t tell me who Emory went +away with?” asked Ned. +</p> +<p> +“Certainly not,” was the reply. “I don’t +know whether he went away at all or not.” +</p> +<p> +This was disappointing, but Ned had one +more lever with which the man’s indifference +might be lifted, he thought. Before speaking +again Lemon arose and turned the key in the +lock of the door, against which the servant was +still pounding. The Jap entered and stood by +the door, looking intently at Ned. +</p> +<p> +“When you gave him the suit of clothes he +went away in,” the boy went on, shifting his +position so that both men would be under his +eyes, “what articles, if any, remained in the +pockets?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_97'></a>97</span> +</p> +<p> +“Not a thing,” was the reply. “I looked +out for that.” +</p> +<p> +“Then anything discovered in the pockets +of the dead man,” Ned said, taking the key +from his pocket and toying carelessly with it, +“must have belonged to him?” +</p> +<p> +Ned saw Lemon give a quick start at sight +of the key. The Jap advanced a step as if to +get a closer view of it. Then both men turned +their eyes for an instant to the broken lock of +the writing desk. Ned had gained his point. +The men recognized the key. +</p> +<p> +“Where is the body you speak of?” Lemon +asked, presently. +</p> +<p> +“Buried near the cavern in the mountains,” +was the reply. +</p> +<p> +“Perhaps you can give me a description of +the body,” Lemon said. “I might be able to +say, then, whether the man was Felix.” +</p> +<p> +“Look in the mirror,” Ned replied, “and +you will see there a fairly good representation of +the dead man. About the same in height, in +size, and, yes, in feature.” +</p> +<p> +“Then it must have been Felix,” the other +said. “His remarkable resemblance to myself has +often been remarked. Poor fellow! I’m sorry +that his end should come in so ghastly a form.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_98'></a>98</span> +</p> +<p> +There was a short silence, during which Lemon’s +eyes flitted from the key in Ned’s fingers to +the writing desk. +</p> +<p> +“I said a moment ago,” he observed then, +“that I searched the pockets of the clothes +before I gave them to him, or words to that +effect. I remember now that I ordered Jap to +do it. Did you obey orders?” he asked, turning +to the servant. +</p> +<p> +Ned saw the Jap give a quick start, then +regain control of himself. Lemon, too, looked +crestfallen for a moment, then addressed the +Jap in another tongue. +</p> +<p> +“I was talking in English,” he said, “and +forgot for the moment that he would not understand +me.” +</p> +<p> +There followed a short conversation between +the two, and then Lemon announced that the +Jap had forgotten to look in the pockets of the +clothes. Ned ignored the explanation and put +the key in his pocket. He knew now that the +Jap could understand English, and also that the +key belonged to Albert Lemon, alive or dead. +</p> +<div class='figcenter' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='i005' id='i005'></a> +<img src="images/illus-098.jpg" alt="ILLUSTRATION No. 3" title=""/><br /> +<span class='caption'>ILLUSTRATION No. 3</span> +</div> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_99'></a>99</span></div> +<p> +Lemon arose and, going to a table, secured +a tobacco pouch and a book of cigaret papers. +As he rolled a cigaret Ned observed that the +middle finger of his left hand carried, just +below the nail, a blue spot, as if he had been using +a typewriter since cleaning his hands. Ned noticed +it particularly, as he himself used a double +keyboard machine and usually smutted that +finger on the ribbon when he rolled the platen. +</p> +<p> +“Well,” Lemon said, “I’ll have to ask you +to excuse me now. I’ve been off on a long +country tramp. You see how mussed up I am. +I think I crawled through briar patches and wire +fences and fell into cow ponds.” +</p> +<p> +Ned turned away without a word, with plenty +of food for thought in his mind. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_100'></a>100</span><a name='chVIII' id='chVIII'></a>CHAPTER VIII.—FATE OF THE STEAK A LA BRIGAND.</h2> +<p> +Jimmie lay stretched at full length under one +of the discolored shelter tents in a little cup in +the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Frank and +Pat and Jack were moving restlessly about, looking +up at the blue sky expectantly. Ned had +not returned from his trip to San Francisco, +and the boys were anxious as to his safety. +</p> +<p> +“He should have taken me with him,” Jimmie +drawled, presently, when Frank threw himself +down by the tent. “Then he’d have been +all right.” +</p> +<p> +“It is a wonder that he got along in the +world at all before he fell under your protecting +care,” Frank replied, with a grin. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, he managed in some way,” Jimmie +answered, “but he never got up in the world until +he took me into partnership,” with a wink +at his chum. +</p> +<p> +“He’s been up in the world since then, all +right,” Frank said, suggestively. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_101'></a>101</span> +</p> +<p> +“Too high up,” Jimmie grinned. “Too high +up for me, anyway. I thought I’d die up there, +on the night of the fire.” +</p> +<p> +“In all the history of air navigation,” Frank +observed, soberly, “there was never a trip like +that. When I think of the quick start, and the +wind and the rain, the whole thing seems like a +dream. How did he ever do it?” +</p> +<p> +“I don’t know,” Jimmie replied. “He +boosted me into the seat, and the next I knew +we were off, an’ the fire was dropping away from +us, an’ the mountains were growing smaller, an’ +the peaks looked like warts on the world. I +felt like I was fallin’ over the edge of somethin’.” +</p> +<p> +“And the wind?” questioned Frank. “Didn’t +it take your breath away?” +</p> +<p> +“Wind, nothin’,” the boy said, scornfully. +“There wasn’t any wind where we were. We +went along with it. It was like sailin’ on a swift +stream. Ned tuned the engine up to keep +steerway, an’ shut his teeth. Then, in half a +minute, we were above the clouds, an’ the moon +an’ stars were askin’ what we were doin’ up +there.” +</p> +<p> +“You’re saying it well,” Pat said, joining +the little group. “If you were going so merrily +before the wind, why did he want steerway?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_102'></a>102</span> +</p> +<p> +“You don’t know much about the atmosphere,” +laughed Frank, answering for Jimmie. +“If you did, you’d know that the air blanket of +the earth is a good deal like a river. It has eddies, +and currents, and ripples, and holes, too.” +</p> +<p> +“You’re good, too!” exclaimed Pat. “Holes +in the air is about the best I ever heard!” +</p> +<p> +“Of course there are holes in the air,” Frank +replied, with the air of one imparting valuable +information, “especially when there are fires beneath. +And, let me tell you this, you old red-head,” +he added, with an exasperating grin, +“when the air, driven swiftly by the wind, or +what we call the wind, comes to mountain peaks, +and tall trees, and sky-scrapers, it just backs up, +just the same as water does when it comes to a +dam, or any obstruction.” +</p> +<p> +“Go it!” Pat cried. “Make it a good one! +Where does this air go when it backs up?” +</p> +<p> +“It just hunches up,” Frank replied, gravely, +“and checks the flow back of it, and then eddies +and swirls away, fit to twist an aeroplane into +kindling wood.” +</p> +<p> +“Of course,” broke in Jimmie. “I’ve often +read of aeroplanes dropping a thousand feet into +holes in the air, and of their being swept against +tall trees and buildings by eddies. It takes a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_103'></a>103</span> +cool head to run an air machine in a storm of +wind, and that is where Ned won out.” +</p> +<p> +“If he hadn’t kept the aeroplane going with +the wind at full speed,” Frank added, “he would +have been in a wreck the first half mile.” +</p> +<p> +“The more I learn about the atmosphere,” +Pat said, “the less I like it. When you get me +up in an aeroplane, just send word to the folks +that I’m tired of life.” +</p> +<p> +“Ned ought to have a Carnegie medal for +what he did that night,” Jack remarked, “and +I’m going to speak to father about it when I get +home.” +</p> +<p> +“There is no doubt that he ought to have +one,” Frank said, “but the men who really deserve +Carnegie medals never get them.” +</p> +<p> +“You’re an anarchist!” roared Pat. +</p> +<p> +“All right,” was the sober reply, “but if I +had the giving out of the medals I’d present +them to men who work twelve hours a day and +provide for families of eight on nine dollars a +week—the men who never get rested, and who +never have enough to eat. They are the ones +who ought to have the medals.” +</p> +<p> +“Most of them would sell the medals,” Jack +said, cynically. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_104'></a>104</span> +</p> +<p> +“Well,” Frank replied, “I shouldn’t blame +them if they did. I’d rather have a porterhouse +steak in the interior than a piece of bronze on +the outside.” +</p> +<p> +“Don’t talk about porterhouse steak!” pleaded +Jimmie. +</p> +<p> +“Hungry, little man?” asked Pat. +</p> +<p> +“Hungry! I’m like one of the men Frank +has been telling about. I never get rested, +never have enough to eat.” +</p> +<p> +The boys fell upon Jimmie and rolled him +out of the tent. +</p> +<p> +“You get busy with fuel,” Pat said, after +they had given him plenty of “movements,” +“and I’ll cook a steak à la brigand.” +</p> +<p> +“We ain’t got no steak,” complained Jimmie. +</p> +<p> +“We’ve got potatoes, and bacon, and onions,” +Pat said, “and canned beefsteak. You just +watch me. I used to cook steak à la brigand in +the Philippines.” +</p> +<p> +“Get busy, then,” Jimmie said, “and Jack +will help get the green wood.” +</p> +<p> +“If you bring green wood here for me to +cook with, I’ll roast you over it,” Pat said. +“You get a lot of good dry wood that will make +coals, and I’ll show you how to broil a steak à +la brigand.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_105'></a>105</span> +</p> +<p> +“Why do you call it a brigand steak?” asked +Jimmie. +</p> +<p> +“Because it takes a red-headed brigand to +cook it,” suggested Jack, dodging out of Pat’s +reach. +</p> +<p> +“Never you mind the name,” Pat replied. +“Get the dry wood and I’ll broil a steak that will +melt in the mouth.” +</p> +<p> +“That old canned stuff?” asked Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Get the wood,” ordered Pat, “and I’ll show +you.” +</p> +<p> +There were a few dead trees—the sole reminders +of a former forest fire in that green valley—close +at hand, and the wood was soon gathered +and placed in a great pile near two rocks +which Pat had rolled to within a yard of each +other. +</p> +<p> +“Here!” Jack called out, as Pat transferred +the whole supply to the space between the +stones, “there’s enough fuel there for a week’s +cooking. Quit it!” +</p> +<p> +“My son,” Pat replied, with a provoking air +of patronage, “what you don’t know about +broiling a steak à la brigand would make a congressional +library.” +</p> +<p> +While the wood was burning down to coals, +Pat cut a green slip about an inch in diameter +at the bottom and peeled and smoothed it nicely. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_106'></a>106</span> +</p> +<p> +“Is that to be used to enforce the eating of +the steak?” asked Frank, winking at the others. +</p> +<p> +“To keep you from gorging yourselves,” Pat +replied, going on with his work. +</p> +<p> +In a short time he had the potatoes cut into +half-inch slices. Jack had peeled them and, following +directions with many grins, had also cut +a round hole an inch in size in the middle of each +slice. +</p> +<p> +“He’s going to wear ’em around his neck, +like beads,” Jimmie suggested, looking carefully +over the heaped-up dish. +</p> +<p> +The bacon was now sliced thin, as were the +onions, and in the center of each slice a round +hole was made. Then Pat opened a couple of +tins of beefsteak—so called by the packers—and +cut a hole in the middle of each slice. +Then he strung a slice of potato on the spit, +then a slice of bacon, then a slice of onion, then +a slice of beef, until there was nearly a yard +of provisions. +</p> +<p> +“I begin to feel hungrier than ever!” +</p> +<p> +Jimmie was dancing around the fire as Pat +turned the spit. There were only coals now, +and Pat kept the toothsome collection turning +slowly, so as to broil without scorching. The +smell of the cooking bacon and onions set the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_107'></a>107</span> +boys to getting out the tin plates and making +the coffee. +</p> +<p> +The sun, which had been shining fiercely all +day, now seemed to be working his way through +a mist. The atmosphere appeared to be tinted +with the yellow haze one sees in the northern +states in autumn. +</p> +<p> +As the boys were keeping watch for Ned and +the aeroplane, they noticed the change in atmospheric +conditions, but attributed it to the +rising vapor brought out by the heat of the sun. +</p> +<p> +“Say,” Jimmie said, presently, “I smell +smoke. I wonder if there’s goin’ to be another +forest blaze here?” +</p> +<p> +“Of course you smell smoke,” Jack said, +watching the broiling supper. “We’re cooking +a steak à la brigand, ain’t we?” +</p> +<p> +“Smells like burnin’ leaves,” Jimmie insisted. +</p> +<p> +“More like onions,” Pat observed. +</p> +<p> +The boys crouched about the fire for some +moments longer and then Jimmie arose and began +to climb the wall of the cup to the west. +</p> +<p> +“I’m goin’ to see about this,” he said. +</p> +<p> +Frank laid a hand on his arm. +</p> +<p> +“You wait a minute,” he said. “You can’t +climb that slope in less than half an hour, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_108'></a>108</span> +Ned will be here before that. Look! He’s +coming now, like the wind!” +</p> +<p> +The aeroplane, high up in the hazy sky, was +indeed making good progress toward the little +cup in the mountain side. While the boys +looked they saw it shift away to the west, whirl +back to the east, dart off to the north and back +again. +</p> +<p> +“He’s huntin’ for us,” Jimmie said. +</p> +<p> +“He’s investigating!” Frank cut in. +</p> +<p> +“Investigating what?” Pat demanded. +“He’s smelling of this steak à la brigand and is +hunting for it. Let be. He’ll find us.” +</p> +<p> +The sky was growing more uncertain every +minute, and puffs of smoke were seen out in the +west, over the rim of the cup. +</p> +<p> +“The world is on fire, I tell you!” Jimmie +cried, presently. “That’s what Ned is shiftin’ +about for. If the blaze wasn’t high up on the +mountains we couldn’t see the columns of smoke +over the rim of the valley.” +</p> +<p> +“Well,” Pat observed, “the fire can’t get in +here. Nothing to burn.” +</p> +<p> +“It can fill the cup with hot air and scorch +us to death,” Frank said, uneasily. “I think +we’d better be looking about for a place to crawl +into.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_109'></a>109</span> +</p> +<p> +“Wait until Ned comes,” Jimmie suggested. +“He’ll know what to do.” +</p> +<p> +The aeroplane acted badly in the currents +caused by the burning forest, but Ned finally +managed to bring it down in the valley. The +boys gathered about him, all excitement, and +the steak à la brigand was for the moment forgotten +in the joy at the return of the patrol +leader and the anxiety to learn something of +conditions out in the woods. +</p> +<p> +“It’s going to be a great conflagration,” Ned +said, “but I think the aeroplane will be safe +here. The whole slope is on fire.” +</p> +<p> +“I wouldn’t take chances on leaving it here,” +Frank advised. “I’d jump over the divide with +it.” +</p> +<p> +“I have been in the air three hours now,” +Ned replied, “and must have a rest. Besides, +we must remain where we can, if necessary, help +head off the flames. That is what we are here +for, remember.” +</p> +<p> +“Not to fight fires,” corrected Frank, “but +to find out who sets them.” +</p> +<p> +“Anyhow,” Ned replied, “we must fight the +fire, if it gives us a chance, now that we are here. +Now, what do you think that is?” he added, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_110'></a>110</span> +as a chorus of howls and cries came up from the +slope on the west. +</p> +<p> +“Sounds like a country circus!” Jimmie +laughed. +</p> +<p> +“That is just what it is!” Ned exclaimed. +“Here! Help me roll the aeroplane into that +nook, where it won’t be trampled into splinters. +Now you boys get behind it, and I’ll get in front. +Whatever you see or hear, don’t shoot unless +you are actually attacked.” +</p> +<p> +The boys obeyed the commands without a +word of comment, well knowing what was coming +next. A breeze was sliding up the slope, +bringing with it flying masses of smoke. Presently +birds began to stagger through the heavy +atmosphere, flying low, almost within reaching +distance, as they had fled long before the mounting +flames and were exhausted. +</p> +<p> +“I wish this would let up a moment,” Pat +said, “long enough for us to reach that steak +à la brigand. It must be about done by this +time.” +</p> +<p> +“I’ll go an’ get it,” volunteered Jimmie. +“An’ eat most of it on the way back.” +</p> +<p> +“Then bring the coffee,” cried Jack. +</p> +<p> +“Why can’t we all go out there and eat?” +asked Frank. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_111'></a>111</span> +</p> +<p> +The boys were about starting with a rush +when Ned caught two of them by the arm and +stopped the others by a quick call. Through the +smoke and the hot air on the rim of the cup, a +great head, a head neither white nor black, but +grizzly, was seen. Then a deer bounded over +and crouched down in the valley. Next two +mountain lions raced over the lip of the valley +and halted growling, within a few yards of the +boys. +</p> +<p> +“There goes our steak à la brigand!” Jimmie +cried, as the rush of frightened animals +showed under the smoke. “I’ll eat one of them +deer to pay for this,” he added. +</p> +<p> +“You’ll be lucky if one of these wild animals +doesn’t eat you,” Jack said. “How would you +like to be back in little old Washington Square +just now?” +</p> +<p> +“Forget it!” was the boy’s only reply. +</p> +<p> +“Will the fire get here?” Frank asked of +Ned, as the wild creatures of the forest poured +into the valley, regardless of the presence of the +boys, unmindful of the proximity of each other. +</p> +<p> +“I don’t think the flames will come into the +cup,” Ned replied, “but if the smoke settles +here we shall have a hot time of it.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_112'></a>112</span> +</p> +<p> +“Huh!” Jimmie cried. “The whole valley +is full of mountain lions, an’ bears, an’ deer, an’ +snakes, an’ rabbits. There ain’t no room for +any smoke!” +</p> +<p> +Then the smoke rolled away for an instant, +showing a sun as red as a piece of molten iron; +showing, too, a huddle of forest animals crowding +together in the center of the valley. In +their terror of the fire they had forgotten to be +afraid of mankind—of each other! +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_113'></a>113</span><a name='chIX' id='chIX'></a>CHAPTER IX.—THE CHAOS OF A BURNING WORLD.</h2> +<p> +That was a day long to be remembered in the +Great Northwest. It is true that the destruction +of life and property at that time by no means +equaled the ruin wrought by the forest fires of +August, 1910, but the conflagration was serious +in its final results for all that. +</p> +<p> +In August of the previous year half a hundred +persons lost their lives in the fierce fires +which swept over portions of Idaho and Montana, +and more than six billion feet of lumber +were destroyed. At that time wild animals +raced into the log houses of settlers in order to +escape the flames. In one instance, placed on +record by a forester, a mountain lion actually +sought shelter under a bed. +</p> +<p> +In that case, too, the fire virtually held its +ruthless way until it burned itself out, as there +were no trails, no telephones, no provisions for +the fire fighters. The men of the forest patrol were +each guarding a hundred thousand acres. In the +more civilized countries of Europe, a thousand +acres is considered a large district for one man. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_114'></a>114</span> +</p> +<p> +It was hot and close in the odd little valley +on the mountain side. There seemed a premonition +of greater danger in the very air—the +lifeless air which seemed to dry the lungs beyond +power of action. The wind, coming over +the blazing forests, struck hot upon the face and +scorched the lips, while the acrid smoke filled +the eyes, the ears, the nostrils. +</p> +<p> +It seemed to Ned that everything east of the +Kootenai river must be on fire. Now and then, +drawn by some wayward current of air, the +thick smoke lifted in the little cup-like valley, +and the cowering wild animals could be seen, +huddling together in the terror of the time, deer +no longer afraid of lion or bear, lion and bear +forgetting to mark their prey. +</p> +<p> +Finally, anxious to know the extent of the +disaster, so far as it might be judged by a personal +view of the country west of the valley, +Ned left the boys in charge of the aeroplane and +crept toward the rim of the cup. Jimmie saw +him leaving and started on after him, but Jack +drew him back. +</p> +<p> +“Let him go alone, for once,” Jack said, +“he’s only going to find out where this menagerie +of wild animals comes from.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_115'></a>115</span> +</p> +<p> +Jimmie settled sullenly back by Jack’s side, +resolved to break away at the first opportunity +and follow the patrol leader. +</p> +<p> +When Ned gained the elevation he sought, +the procession of wild animals had come to an +end, although birds, frightened and singed by +the flames, were calling from the sky. Everywhere +rolled billows of smoke, blown on ahead +of the line of fire and in a measure concealing +its fatal advance. +</p> +<p> +Now and then, however, a spurt of hot wind +came over the burned waste and lifted the curtain +for an instant. Then the boy saw that the +fire was crawling up the slope, not racing as +it had earlier in the day, but moving steadily, +sweeping the earth of the undergrowth, but +leaving many large trees. +</p> +<p> +The danger was decreasing there, but lower +down the flames were consuming everything in +their path, eating down great trees and leaving +fiery, straggling columns to consume them to +ashes. Ned thanked his stars that the growths +on the slope were not dense enough to foster +such a blaze as that which burned below. +</p> +<p> +It has been stated by those who know that +ordinary care would have prevented most of the +devastating forest fires which have raged in the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_116'></a>116</span> +Northwest. Experts claim that forests should +be burned over under careful supervision, every +three or four years. This, they say, will prevent +the accumulation of inflammable material such +as caused the terrible losses of August, 1910. +</p> +<p> +Ned saw at once the expediency of the proposed +remedy. He knew that resinous spines, +steeped in the drippings of pitch and turp from +the overhead branches, had lain many inches +deep around the trunks of the trees, beneath +fallen boles, and at the roots of the undergrowth. +This accumulation made the extinguishing of +forest fires impossible. He understood that the +government had virtually provided for what +followed by permitting this material to accumulate +year after year. +</p> +<p> +It is declared by foresters and others who +strove to check that wall of fire that it advanced +at the rate of a mile a minute between the Kootenai +river and the foothills. Below where Ned +lay was a burning furnace. It was so hot that +he dare not lift his face a second time, and so he +moved back to the aeroplane, which he found +still safe from the flames, and the wild creatures +crouching in the center of the valley. +</p> +<p> +“What are the prospects?” Frank asked, +speaking with his lips close to the ear of the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_117'></a>117</span> +patrol leader, for the roaring of the flames rendered +ordinary conversation difficult. +</p> +<p> +“There is safety here,” Ned replied, “but +everything to the west seems to be burning.” +</p> +<p> +“Gee!” Jimmie cried, looking Ned in the +face, “how would you like to meet a friend +with a basket of ice?” +</p> +<p> +“Ice wouldn’t last long here,” Frank said. +</p> +<p> +“Not if I got hold of it!” Jimmie grunted. +</p> +<p> +As the line of fire came nearer to the top of +the slope the air grew hotter, the smoke denser +and more stifling. Pat remembered that a pail +of water from a spring had been brought to the +vicinity of the aeroplane soon after Ned landed, +and the boys wet their handkerchiefs and bound +them over their eyes and mouths. +</p> +<p> +As the heat increased the wild creatures +crowding together ominously. When a feeble +beast was trampled by a stronger one, or when +a rattler struck at the leg of a bear or deer, there +was a cry of pain and a quick milling of the pack. +</p> +<p> +“If this doesn’t end soon,” Frank shouted +to Ned through his handkerchief, “there will be +a stampede here. Then it will be all off for us.” +</p> +<p> +Ned looked around the little circle before +replying. The boys certainly looked like “white +caps” with their sheeted faces. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_118'></a>118</span> +</p> +<p> +“We’ll have to wait and hope for the best,” +he said. “If the animals come this way, we +must stop them, so far as we are able, with our +guns and electric flashlights.” +</p> +<p> +Presently night fell, and the wind quieted a +little at the setting of the sun. In a short time +the clouds rolled away in sullen, threatening +groups, and the stars looked down on the forest +tragedy. Later, there would be moonlight. +</p> +<p> +“I wonder if all the world is burned, except +just this mountain?” Jimmie asked, taking the +handkerchief from his face and wiping the smoke +out of his inflamed eyes. “It looks that way.” +</p> +<p> +“There seems to be enough left to hold a lot +of heat,” Jack said. “I don’t believe it will +ever be cool again.” +</p> +<p> +“If we’d only saved that brigand steak!” +wailed Jimmie. +</p> +<p> +With the half light and the cooler air there +came a commotion in the mass of forest creatures +in the center of the valley. It was night now, +and they seemed to feel the mounting of their +wild instincts to be up and away on the hunt. +</p> +<p> +Under the stars, one by one, they slunk away, +bears and mountain lions turning sullenly toward +the lesser beasts, but still too terrified by +what they had passed through to feel the pangs +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_119'></a>119</span> +of hunger. In half an hour the menagerie had +vanished, some to the mountain, some over the +slopes to the north and south. The boys drew +long breaths of relief when the shambling figure +of the last bear disappeared. +</p> +<p> +Once Jack drew his gun on a fat old buck +who seemed desirous of investigating the aeroplane, +but Ned saw the action and checked the +slaughter. +</p> +<p> +“Let him alone,” he said. “He’s lived +through this hell on earth, so give him one more +chance.” +</p> +<p> +The boys now began gathering up their scattered +utensils, restaking the tents, and preparing +supper. Jimmie proposed another brigand steak, +but Pat insisted that he never wanted to get near +enough to a fire to cook again, so they made an +indifferent meal of biscuit and tinned pork and +beans, not even going to the trouble to boil coffee. +</p> +<p> +While they were eating a gunshot came from +the east, followed by the challenge of a chanticleer. +</p> +<p> +“What do you know about that?” demanded +Jimmie. +</p> +<p> +“I suppose,” Jack complained, “that we’ve +been eating a picked-up supper within a few +rods of a farmhouse, or cattle ranch!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_120'></a>120</span> +</p> +<p> +“You might pry open some of the rocks +back there,” Pat observed, with sarcasm, “and +see if you can find the house you speak of. It +was a human throat that crow came from.” +</p> +<p> +“Sure it was!” cried Jimmie. “It was a +Boy Scout call. Now just see me get him to +talking.” +</p> +<p> +“What’s a Rooster patrol chap doing here!” +asked Jack. “I guess we are all having bad +dreams.” +</p> +<p> +Jimmie did not reply. Instead he put his +hands to his throat and in a second a long snarling +wolf cry came forth, rising into a shrill call, +as if summoning a pack at a distance. +</p> +<p> +“We’ll see what he knows about that,” the +boy said. +</p> +<p> +As they listened the challenge of the chanticleer +came once more. This time Jack answered +it with the growl of a black bear, which seemed +to Frank to be a great improvement on his practice +stunts in the Black Bear Patrol club rooms +in New York. +</p> +<p> +This odd exchange of greetings kept up for +some moments, and then the figure of a boy +of perhaps seventeen was seen in the uncertain +light, making slow progress down the mountain, +a short distance to the north. He carried a haversack +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_121'></a>121</span> +on his shoulders and was dressed in the +khaki uniform of the Boy Scouts of America. +</p> +<p> +“He must be used to mountain work,” Jack +remarked, as the boy leaped lightly from ledge +to ledge and finally dropped into the valley. “I +couldn’t do that, even in broad daylight, to save +my life!” +</p> +<p> +The stranger now advanced to the group of +boys and gave them the half salute of the Boy +Scouts, standing with right arm straight out +from the shoulder, palm outward, three fingers +standing vertical, the thumb crossing the palm +to rest on the bent-in little finger. Ned replied +with the full salute, which is made with the hand +in the same attitude, only at the forehead. +</p> +<p> +“What does the badge say?” demanded +Jimmie. +</p> +<p> +“Be prepared!” was the quick reply. +</p> +<p> +“For what?” was the next question. +</p> +<p> +“To assist those in distress.” +</p> +<p> +“You’re all right,” Jimmie shouted. “What +patrol?” +</p> +<p> +“Chanticleer, Denver,” was the reply. +</p> +<p> +“That accounts for the way you lighted +down from the mountain,” laughed Ned. +</p> +<p> +“I’ve got used to climbing in walking the +streets of my home town,” smiled the other. “Is +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_122'></a>122</span> +Ned Nestor here?” he added. “My name is +Ernest Whipple; I’m looking for Mr. Ned Nestor.” +</p> +<p> +“Here he is, the only good-looker in the +bunch,” Jack laughed, pushing Ned forward. +“What do you want of him?” +</p> +<p> +“My father is connected with the Secret +Service at Washington,” was the reply, “and +he posted me as to what was going on here. +Said I might come out and join the party, if +Mr. Nestor would permit it. What do you say?” +</p> +<p> +Of course the son of a man connected with +the Secret Service at Washington—a man who +undoubtedly knew all the plans of the men who +had sent Ned into the Northwest—was not to +be ignored, but at the same time Ernest would +have been received into the party on the strength +of his own engaging personality, his own frank +manner. From the very first moment he was +a favorite with all the boys. +</p> +<p> +“You’re as welcome as the flowers of May!” +Frank cried. “Been to supper?” +</p> +<p> +“Last night!” grinned Ernest. “My haversack +is empty—also my stomach. I had to +take to the mountain in order to keep out of the +fire, and couldn’t connect with a grub stake.” +</p> +<p> +“Then there are fires east of the divide?” +asked Ned. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_123'></a>123</span> +</p> +<p> +“Sure,” was the reply, “although they are +nothing like the ones over here. The foresters +are watching them, and there is little danger +of their getting a big start.” +</p> +<p> +“Where did you find foresters?” asked Ned, +wondering if the men who had sneaked away +from the cavern were not posing as foresters +waiting to do further mischief. +</p> +<p> +“They are in camp beyond the summit,” +was the reply. “They told me they had patrols +all through the lower levels.” +</p> +<p> +Jack gave a description of the man who had +visited the camp on the plateau, and was not at +all surprised when Ernest identified the fellow +as the apparent leader of the band of foresters +he had passed on his way west. +</p> +<p> +“I see that you don’t believe the men are +foresters,” Ernest said, looking into Ned’s anxious +face. “Well, to tell the truth, I doubt it +myself. I heard some talk there that set me +thinking, after I got away. There was a man +there who had just arrived from San Francisco, +they said, and he was doing a good deal of kicking +about something that had been done, or +hadn’t been done. I don’t know which.” +</p> +<p> +“Can you describe the fellow?” asked Ned, +a quick suspicion coming to his mind. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_124'></a>124</span> +</p> +<p> +“Of course I can,” was the reply, and the +remainder of the answer gave an accurate word +photograph of one Albert Lemon. +</p> +<p> +Ned was thinking fast. How had Lemon +reached the eastern side of the divide so quickly. +He, himself, had traveled swiftly from San Francisco, +leaving soon after his exit from the bachelor +apartment where the strange and not entirely +satisfactory interview had taken place. +He had left the man who claimed to be Albert +Lemon half dazed and weakened from the effects +of opium—still weary from a long and exhausting +journey, as shown by his clothing, and yet +the fellow had beaten him out in the race to the +mountains. +</p> +<p> +Why? Certainly not to take charge of the +body of his unfortunate friend, for the grave was +not there, but in a little hollow away to the +north and near the lake. His business seemed +to lie with the outlaws who had, apparently, +committed the crime. Why? Had the man +been killed as the result of a conspiracy between +the two interests? +</p> +<p> +This point was worth looking into, for the +motive for the deed might also prove to be the +motive for other crimes—among them the burning +of forests. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_125'></a>125</span><a name='chX' id='chX'></a>CHAPTER X.—CHASING THE MILKY WAY.</h2> +<p> +While the boys were exchanging experiences +with Ernest Whipple, talking over Boy Scout +matters and arranging for a sleeping place for +the stranger, Ned was busy with his aeroplane. +It had not suffered in the least from the heat +and wind, and there was plenty of gasoline on +hand for a journey which he was thinking of +taking. +</p> +<p> +“Where are we goin’ to-night?” Jimmie +asked, finally, strolling over to the spot where +the great bird lay. +</p> +<p> +“As the wind is right,” Ned laughed, “I +thought I’d take a sail over the divide and see +what the alleged foresters are up to.” +</p> +<p> +“All right,” the boy said, “just wait until +I get a big blanket to wrap up in and I’ll go with +you.” +</p> +<p> +Ned smiled at the determination of the lad +to keep close to his side. He knew that Jimmie +dreaded the very idea of leaving the solid +earth that night, still he found him willing to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_126'></a>126</span> +make the ascent merely for the sake of being in +his company. +</p> +<p> +“All right, kid,” he said. “You may go if +you want to, but it may be morning before we +get back to camp.” +</p> +<p> +“You can’t remain in the air all that time,” +Jimmie said. +</p> +<p> +“I am fully aware of that,” Ned replied, +“but I can drop down over on the other side +and rest and tinker with the machine—if she +doesn’t work just right.” +</p> +<p> +“You haven’t got gasoline enough,” urged +Jimmie, who would have argued Ned out of the +notion of the night flight if possible, but who +was determined to go with him if he went. +</p> +<p> +“The first thing I do,” Ned replied, “will +be to fly over the Great Northern right of way +and fill up with gasoline. Besides filling the +tanks, I shall carry a lot away in an aluminum +keg I have provided for that purpose.” +</p> +<p> +“Well,” Jimmie said, with a tired sigh, “I +should think you’d been through enough to-day +and to-night, without goin’ off in the dark, but +I’m goin’ if you do.” +</p> +<p> +After talking with the others regarding his +intentions, and warning them to keep a sharp +lookout during his absence, Ned assisted Jimmie +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_127'></a>127</span> +to his seat and the two were away. There was +scant room for a rise between the spot where the +machine lay and the foot of the range, but Ned +had little difficulty in getting into the sky and +swinging along in the breeze. +</p> +<p> +It was now after ten o’clock, and the moon +was high in the heavens. To the east the dark +passes of the mountains showed green and misty +in the moonlight. To the west the burned +spaces looked dark and forbidding, with smoke +half hiding the ruin that had been wrought. +Jimmie clung to the machine and insisted that +Ned was chasing the Milky Way when he lifted +the aeroplane up the level of the divide. +</p> +<p> +Before crossing the divide, however, Ned +flew to the Great Northern right of way and +filled his tanks with gasoline, also filling the +extra keg. The machine, which was an improved +Wright, was then turned to the north-east. +So perfect have aeroplanes now become +that even inexperienced drivers may sometimes +venture into the air with them with impunity, +still it is well known that it is more the man than +the machine that decides whether there shall be +a tumble or a successful flight. +</p> +<p> +The aeroplane is a wonderful invention, yet +the point which really makes it so serviceable +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_128'></a>128</span> +is a very simple one. For years inventors studied +ways of making a heavier-than-air machine +sail through the sky like a bird. Then the gasoline +engine came, and all the rest seemed easy. +</p> +<p> +But no one could keep control of the aeroplane. +It moved about according to its own +whims, and tipped drivers out at its own sweet +will. Then the Wrights thought of lifting and +lowering the planes to represent the wings and +feathers of a bird. The secret had been found +and required only experience and practice. Here +was a machine light enough to fly, yet strong +enough to carry with safety its powerful engine +and two or more passengers, if there is room +provided for them. +</p> +<p> +It is so stout that a man may walk over it +while it lies on the ground, and yet so delicate +in control when in the air that a slight pull on +a lever will dip one wing, lift the other, and at +the same time turn a vertical tail-rudder about +to give the necessary balancing pull with almost +the instinctive adaptability of a bird’s wings and +feathers. +</p> +<p> +And this wonderful machine, while speeding +through the air with the velocity of an express +train, can be halted almost instantly and whirled +about on its tail. It will be seen that it is the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_129'></a>129</span> +man at the levers who makes or breaks a journey +in the air. One man may do almost anything +with a machine, while another may send +himself to eternity with the same one. It was +Ned’s good fortune that he was naturally ingenious +and quick to make his hands follow the +impulses of his brain. +</p> +<p> +When a person is thundering through the +air, a thousand feet above the earth, he must +remain perfectly calm, even with the engine +thundering behind his ears, tears running in +streams down his face, and the wind fluttering +his clothes into rags and ravelings, as he wishes +he was back on land. +</p> +<p> +Besides, there are no level plains in the air, +as there are on earth. Every bird-man knows +that he is liable to come up against a fierce current +or tumble into a hole in the atmosphere +at any moment. While traveling in water one +can see what is ahead and on both sides, but +this is not so in the air. The currents, swirls, +eddies, holes, do not show at all. +</p> +<p> +When Ned left the caché where the gasoline +and provisions had been hidden away, he put on +half speed, swinging steadily skyward on a broad +spiral. His purpose was to pass over the summit +and have a look at the forests on the east side. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_130'></a>130</span> +</p> +<p> +The passenger’s seat in the Wright machine +is in the middle. The engine is at his right and +the driver at his left, so that the balance is the +same whether an extra person is carried or not. +Jimmie was glad of this, for it placed him close +to Ned. In that half light, with the earth far +below, with the pounding of the engine and the +whistling of the wind, the boy felt the need of +close human companionship. +</p> +<p> +He sat in a wooden seat with his back against +the rest, holding to one of the uprights with both +hands, and resting his tingling feet on a cross-bar. +A guy-wire passed across in front, close +to his chest, so he was now fastened in. +</p> +<p> +He wanted to talk with Ned, to hear the +sound of his voice, but the clamor of the engine +prevented that, so he just sat still and looked +down on the flying forest below. It seemed to +him, at least, that the forest was moving, while +he was standing still in the starlight. +</p> +<p> +Up the aeroplane went, and still higher up. +Jimmie saw the great divide below, and saw +little red specks in the forests of the eastern slope +which denoted forest fires not yet grown to +maturity. After passing the summit Ned saw +the campfire of the men Ernest had spoken of. +He passed them, swung around a circle lower +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_131'></a>131</span> +down, selected a spot where he thought he could +land with safety, and dropped down. +</p> +<p> +Jimmie declared afterwards that he felt as +if he had been thrown out of the window of a +twenty-story building—and the highest window +at that. When the aeroplane came into the +shadows of the high trees where the landing was +being made he knew that a wind was blowing at +the surface and feared that the machine would +be carried along on the ground and dumped over +into a cañon. +</p> +<p> +The machine sank gracefully into a glade +rather high up on the slope, and the boys alighted +to stretch their legs. Ned’s first move was to +see if there was plenty of room for him to get +out. What he found was an incline to the east, +an incline ending at a great cañon, into which +he would have been hurled had the aeroplane +run fifty feet farther on the ground. +</p> +<p> +“I think I can make it,” he said, “but it is +risky. It wouldn’t be nice to take a header a +thousand feet down.” +</p> +<p> +After the inspection of the locality Ned extinguished +all the lights and sat down to map +out his plans for the remainder of the night. +There were the usual noises of the forest, as +found at night, but no human sounds intruded. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_132'></a>132</span> +</p> +<p> +Ned knew that the clamor of the engine must +have been heard by the men in the camp he had +flown over, and he had no doubt that the outlaws +would make a quick excursion to his landing +place, if they could determine where it was. So +he put out the lights and listened for some indication +of the approach of the others. +</p> +<p> +“They won’t find us in a thousand years,” +Jimmie volunteered, as the two sat close together +under a great tree. +</p> +<p> +“I hope not,” Ned replied, “for then we +shall have a better chance to find them.” +</p> +<p> +“What do you want to find ’em for?” questioned +the boy. “You can’t pinch ’em, ’cause +you haven’t got the proof, an’ you couldn’t if +you had the proof, ’cause there ain’t enough of +us. They’d eat us up like spinach.” +</p> +<p> +“You are right as far as you have gone,” +Ned replied, “but you have not gone far enough. +What I want now is to find out what they are +doing here. And, also, I want to find out about +that fellow from San Francisco. If the description +is any good, he was in the city when I left +it, and I don’t see how he ever got here so soon. +I came part way on an aeroplane, but it seems +that he traveled farther and beat me out.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_133'></a>133</span> +</p> +<p> +“What’s he got to do with it?” asked Jimmie. +“What did you find out in the city? You won’t +have no luck if you don’t tell me all about it.” +</p> +<p> +So, while they waited, Ned told him “all +about it,” while the boy sat in the dusk with +his eyes and mouth both opened wide at the +mystery of the thing. +</p> +<p> +“I don’t believe Albert Lemon ever got out +here so soon,” the lad said, when the story was +told. “He couldn’t.” +</p> +<p> +“Then who is the man from San Francisco?” +asked Ned. +</p> +<p> +“It can’t be the dead man?” questioned +Jimmie. +</p> +<p> +“You saw him buried,” Ned answered. +</p> +<p> +“Then I give it up!” Jimmie said. +</p> +<p> +The two sat there in silence a long time, then +Jimmie gave Ned’s arm a pull and pointed to a +flickering light in the forest just above the glade +where the aeroplane rested. +</p> +<p> +“They think you’ve landed somewhere here,” +the boy said, “an’ have set fire to the woods.” +</p> +<p> +“I think you have guessed it,” Ned said. +“However, the blaze won’t run very fast up +there, for the undergrowth is scanty, so we’ve +got plenty of time to get out of the way.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_134'></a>134</span> +</p> +<p> +Jimmie scrambled up the slope, clinging to +rocks and roots with both fingers and feet, and +ran toward the blaze. Ned watched the little +fellow dashing along with no little anxiety, for +the outlaws might be there in the thickets, +watching for some attempt to be made to lift +the aeroplane. +</p> +<p> +He saw Jimmie recklessly climb to the top of +a great rock which jutted out from the side of +the mountain and saw his figure outlined against +the growing blaze on the slope above. Then +the fire died down, as if for want of material, +and the top of the rock could no longer be seen. +</p> +<p> +Ned listened, but Jimmie did not return. +The effort to create a general conflagration on +the mountain side had evidently failed, for there +was little to burn save the green boles of trees, +that section having been swept by fire a year +before. +</p> +<p> +Not daring to leave the aeroplane for even an +instant, Ned awaited the return of the boy with +premonitions of trouble in his mind. Presently +he heard a shot, then a cry, and after that a +brutal laugh. The outlaws were nearer than he +thought. +</p> +<p> +There was only one thing for Ned to do, +and that was to get the aeroplane into the sky +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_135'></a>135</span> +immediately, and so once more place it beyond +the reach of the outlaws. There was nothing he +could do to aid Jimmie, he reflected, sadly, by +remaining there. +</p> +<p> +It was no task at all to start the rollers down +the incline, but the cañon threatened if he did +not get it off the ground in quick time. He +knocked the stones out from under the wheels +and sprang into his seat. The machine, gaining +momentum, moved on sedately. It had +acquired a fair rate of speed when he came within +a few feet of the cañon. +</p> +<p> +Then, after letting it get all the headway +possible in that confined space without coming +too close to the cañon, Ned pulled the lever +which tilted the front rudder planes. Trifling +as the deflection was the man-made bird felt +its influence and rose from the slope as if endowed +with life. +</p> +<p> +It reached the edge of the descent some distance +in the air, and the boy was congratulating +himself on the success of his unaided rise when +the big machine began to sag as if dropping to +the ground, five hundred feet below. +</p> +<p> +The west wall of the cañon ran straight down, +and it seemed to Ned that he was following it, +like an iron spike thrown off the ledge. He +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_136'></a>136</span> +knew very well what had occurred. He had +fallen into one of the down-tipping currents so +frequent in mountain districts. +</p> +<p> +The air, he knew, was sliding down the precipice +just as water tumbles over a dam. If it +turned, as it might, when it struck the lower +strata of air, he might secure control of his machine +and manage to lift it out of the cañon. If +it did not, he would doubtless fall to the rocky +floor of the cañon, and lie there until some +chance hunter or forester came upon a heap of +bleaching bones and the wreck of an aeroplane. +</p> +<p> +But even at that swift pace downward, and +at that exciting moment, Ned found himself +puzzling over the strange sight he saw in a break +in the wall of the cañon. It was a large opening +he looked into, and strange figures were gathered +about a cooking fire. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_137'></a>137</span><a name='chXI' id='chXI'></a>CHAPTER XI.—THE LUCK OF A BOWERY BOY.</h2> +<p> +Jimmie opened his eyes and looked about. +It was a gloomy niche in a perpendicular wall +that he looked out of. Rock to right and left +and rear. In front a velvet summer sky, with +stars winking over a vast stretch of broken +country. There was a ledge a foot in width +outside the entrance to the niche, but the boy +could not see how long it was, or where it led to. +</p> +<p> +His head ached and there was a drawing +sensation to the skin of his forehead and right +cheek, as if some sticky substance had congealed +there. When he reached a hand up to see what +the trouble was he found that his head was tied +up in a cloth. There was no one in sight to ask +questions of, so he arose to a sitting position +and leaned forward. +</p> +<p> +The action brought on a whirl of dizziness, +and he dropped back against the wall for support. +He knew then that he had received a hard +blow on the head, and that he had lost considerable +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_138'></a>138</span> +blood. Once before in his life he had felt +that dizzy weakness, and that was after an artery +had been cut in his leg and he had nearly +bled to death before reaching a hospital. +</p> +<p> +When he lay back trying to get something +like a balance in his brain, he saw that it was +near midnight. He knew that by the stars, for +he had watched them many a hot night, lying +on his back on a dray backed up some alley +down near the East river, in New York. +</p> +<p> +There were certain stars which always occupied +just such a position at midnight in New +York. He did not know their names, but he +knew that at midnight in Montana they would +not be so far advanced across the sky. Therefore +he looked for the stars as they appeared at +nine o’clock on the Atlantic. When he found +them he knew from their location that it had +been something over an hour since he had left +Ned and the aeroplane. +</p> +<p> +The three hours difference in time between +New York and Montana—three hours in round +numbers—would make the midnight stars three +hours late, of course. Anyway, the boy was +pretty certain of the time. +</p> +<p> +Then his mind went back to Ned and the +aeroplane, and the cañon in front of the landing +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_139'></a>139</span> +place. He recalled the stop, and remembered +leaving Ned to see what was doing in the way +of forest fires. He remembered, too, getting up +on a high rock to look over at the creeping flames. +</p> +<p> +But strange to say he did not remember getting +down again. The next thing on the record +of his mind was that niche in the wall and the +stars shining down out of a summer sky, the +same stars he had looked at in old New York. +Of course he had been struck the blow he had +received while mounting the rock, otherwise he +would know something of the attack. +</p> +<p> +His mind did not have to travel along the +records of the past very far to convince him that +he had made a mistake in leaving Ned. Of +course he had been “geezled” by the outlaws, +as he expressed it, and of course the boys would +delay the business they were on in order to look +him up—which, he reluctantly admitted to himself, +would be a waste of time, as any boy capable +of doing such foolish stunts certainly was +not worth the trouble of looking up. +</p> +<p> +Presently the pain in his head became less +violent and the dizziness in a measure passed +away. Then he pushed out to the edge of the +ledge and sat with his feet hanging over. It +was a straight drop down. Below he could see +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_140'></a>140</span> +a stream of water running along the bottom of +the cañon. +</p> +<p> +Out, perhaps two hundred yards from his resting +place, he saw a slope half covered with trees. +He looked down into the gulf in the hope of seeing +the aeroplane, but it was not in sight. Ned +must have taken it away. Or he might have +been overpowered and the machine broken up. +</p> +<p> +Of course the outlaws would break up the +machine if they secured possession of it. They +would not dare use it in that region, and it was +about as handy a thing to ship away secretly +as a white elephant. +</p> +<p> +There were no lights in sight anywhere, save +a slight glow of coals away down at the bottom +of the cañon. That might be the remains of +the aeroplane, or it might be a bit of forest fire +which had not burned itself out. Very much +disgusted with himself, the boy leaned farther +out wondering if there wasn’t a ledge which +wound its way to the bottom of the cañon, or +to the summit above. +</p> +<p> +So intently was he studying on this proposition +that he did not hear footsteps approaching, +nor did he realize that there was any human +being near him until he felt a hand laid lightly +on his shoulder. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_141'></a>141</span> +</p> +<p> +“Be careful, young man,” the voice said, +“or you’ll get another tumble. How do you +feel by this time?” +</p> +<p> +“Fine!” cried the boy, turning a pair of +astonished eyes toward the south, where a bulky +personage stood blocking the ledge to the extent +of obscuration. +</p> +<p> +“Well, don’t take any more chances, then,” +said the bulky person, and Jimmie was forced, +not ungently, back into the niche. +</p> +<p> +The man entered after the boy and threw +himself down on the stone floor of the cut in the +wall of the cañon. He was short and stout, +with a double chin and a pointed forehead which +gave his face the appearance of being engraved +on a lemon. He was quite bald, and his hair, +that which remained, was turning gray. His +eyes were steel blue, and his mouth one long, +thin-lipped slit between fat cheeks. +</p> +<p> +Jimmie did not like his looks at all, and he +resented the patronizing voice and manner. So +he leaned sullenly against the wall and waited for +the other to open the conversation. He had not +long to wait, for the man was busy in a moment. +</p> +<p> +“How did you get that fall?” he asked. +</p> +<p> +So, Jimmie thought, they were going to claim +that he had a fall, and that they had found him, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_142'></a>142</span> +and cared for him gently, and were now ready +to do anything in the world for his comfort. +The boy decided that the correct course for him +to pursue was to follow the lead of the other. +</p> +<p> +“Guess I slipped off a rock,” he said, knowing +very well that he had been knocked off his +feet so suddenly that he had instantly lost consciousness. +</p> +<p> +“What were you doing there?” was the next +question. +</p> +<p> +“Why, I had been out in the aeroplane, and +I got out to see if the forest fire I saw was going +to be anything serious, and then I tumbled.” +</p> +<p> +“Where is the boy who was with you in the +aeroplane?” asked the other. +</p> +<p> +Jimmie replied that he had no idea, which +was, of course, the answer expected of him. His +questioner remained silent a moment, looking +out over the rugged land to the east. When he +spoke again it was to ask: +</p> +<p> +“What are you doing in the Rocky Mountains?” +</p> +<p> +Jimmie thought that was a cheeky question, +and a useless one, for he had no doubt that the +fellow knew nearly as much about his business +as he did about his own. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_143'></a>143</span> +</p> +<p> +“We’re on a vacation,” he replied. “Five +of us have a camp over on the other side of the +divide. We’re just playing prospectors.” +</p> +<p> +“Very nice vacation for you all,” the other +said, “but you ought to be more careful with +your fires. You started a large conflagration +yesterday.” +</p> +<p> +So the Boy Scouts were to be accused of that! +Jimmie wished at that moment that the other +boys were there. He wanted to tell this fat +hypocrite what he thought of him and stand a +fair show in the fracas which might follow. +</p> +<p> +“I don’t think we set any fires,” he said. +“The fires started a long way from our camp.” +</p> +<p> +“I know what I’m talking about,” the other +said. +</p> +<p> +Jimmie did not reply. He was wondering +what would be the next move of the fat party, +and whether Ned or the boys left in camp would +be out to look him up before the morning. +</p> +<p> +“I am in charge of this district,” the other +went on. “I’m Captain Slocum of the forestry +force.” +</p> +<p> +Jimmie did not believe it, but did not say so. +He only stared at the other in a manner which +nettled his dignity. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_144'></a>144</span> +</p> +<p> +“I have been watching you boys ever since +you have been here,” Captain Slocum went on. +“I didn’t know what you were up to, and so I +watched.” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, sir,” said Jimmie, quite humbly, +though angry enough to fight the man single-handed. +</p> +<p> +“It seems that you have left forest fires +wherever you have camped,” Slocum went on, +with an all-knowing air. “To-night I sent a +party of foresters over to the camp to arrest you +all.” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, sir,” replied Jimmie again, shutting +his lips hard in order to prevent saying a great +deal more. +</p> +<p> +“Do you think they will find this Ned Nestor +there?” Slocum asked, then. +</p> +<p> +“I don’t know whether he could get his machine +back to the camp,” Jimmie replied. +</p> +<p> +“Well, wouldn’t he go without it?” +</p> +<p> +“No, sir; I don’t think he would, unless it +was certain that he could not take it with him.” +</p> +<p> +“We’ll find him, anyway,” Slocum continued. +</p> +<p> +“Where are you goin’ to take us for trial?” +Jimmie asked. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_145'></a>145</span> +</p> +<p> +“We’ll have to consider that part of the matter +later on,” was the reply. “The first thing +for us to do is to lock you up good and tight and +stop the setting of forest fires.” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, sir,” replied Jimmie, still humbly, but +still thinking what he would do to this fat falsifier +if he ever got a chance. +</p> +<p> +“I’m glad you confess,” Slocum said. +</p> +<p> +“I didn’t,” said Jimmie. +</p> +<p> +“Why, yes, you did,” insisted the other. +“You admitted setting the fires.” +</p> +<p> +Jimmie made no reply. Far down in the +cañon he saw a glint of flame. It was not a forest +fire. It was not even the red light of a campfire +or a lantern. The light was white, and the +boy knew it for what it was—an electric searchlight, +such as Ned always carried on his aeroplane +trips. +</p> +<p> +Slocum did not seem to see the light. His +eyes were fixed on the face of the boy he was +talking with, although the features did not show +very distinctly in the dim light of the night. +</p> +<p> +“Well, to tell you the truth, we’ve already +captured this Ned Nestor,” Slocum added, maliciously, +Jimmie thought, “and no doubt my +men have also captured those at the camp. +Nestor broke a leg in trying to get away, but +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_146'></a>146</span> +when he was fairly cornered he confessed everything.” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, sir,” answered Jimmie. +</p> +<p> +There was nothing else the boy could say +without putting himself in the way of a beating. +If he had expressed his opinion of this story no +doubt he would have been given physical punishment +for his frankness. +</p> +<p> +“And so,” Slocum smiled, “you may as well +continue the confession you began.” +</p> +<p> +Jimmie recognized this as clumsy work in +the third degree, but he did not say so. He +was watching the light below. Now it disappeared +behind a great rock or tree. Now it +came out in the opening again and moved about +in a circle. +</p> +<p> +“Ned is examining his ’plane, preparatory to +going back to camp,” the boy thought. “Wonder +if he’s been all this time lookin’ for me?” +</p> +<p> +The boy paid little attention to what Slocum +said after this. Most of the time he was +looking into the sky, or anywhere rather than +where his thoughts were fixed. He had no intention +of directing the gaze of the alleged forester +to what was going on in the cañon. +</p> +<p> +Directly he saw the flashlight flutter over +the white planes then become stationary. Ned, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_147'></a>147</span> +he knew, was getting ready to make a flight. He +could imagine what the boy’s feelings were, for +he knew Ned’s affection for him. Indeed, it +was with a heavy heart that the patrol leader +left the place without Jimmie. +</p> +<p> +“And there is also a suspicion that you +boys are interested in getting opium over the +border without settling with Uncle Sam,” Jimmie +heard Slocum saying, as he watched the +aeroplane move forward, lift for a moment, and +then drop down out of sight. He knew of the +precipice just ahead of the machine, and trembled +for fear that Ned had not been able to lift the +aeroplane, but had tumbled into the cañon with +it. +</p> +<p> +“Anyway,” Slocum continued, “we shall +place you under arrest for setting fire to the +woods and also for smuggling.” +</p> +<p> +Just at that moment Jimmie was not at all +interested in what Slocum was saying to him. +He took no interest whatever in any threat +made by the fellow. He was watching the +cañon for some sign of the reappearance of the +aeroplane. +</p> +<p> +After what seemed an eternity to the lad he +saw the light again, this time higher up than before. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_148'></a>148</span> +It was lifting slowly, turning round and +round in a spiral, and Jimmie knew that there +was no room to mount into the sky in a straight +line. Ned’s control of the machine was wonderful, +and it lifted gradually until it was above +the line of the hills on the other side and shot +away to the west. +</p> +<p> +Then Slocum saw it. Jimmie blamed himself +for calling his attention to it by lifting his +head to follow the flight across the sky. +</p> +<p> +“There is another aeroplane,” Slocum said. +</p> +<p> +Jimmie could not restrain a laugh, which +intruded oddly enough on the tense silence of +the moment. +</p> +<p> +“You don’t think it is Nestor, do you?” +Slocum asked. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, sir,” replied Jimmie, still humbly. +</p> +<p> +“But he must have taken a drop down the +cañon,” urged Slocum. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, sir,” replied Jimmie, “but you said +you had captured him!” +</p> +<p> +Slocum eyed the boy with rage in his eyes. +He knew very well that while he had been telling +of Ned’s capture and confession, Jimmie +had been watching his chum get his aeroplane +out of the cañon. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_149'></a>149</span> +</p> +<p> +“You haven’t even thanked me for getting +you out of the mess I found you in, and doctoring +up your wound,” he said, presently, resolved +to keep on good terms with the boy for a short +time longer, if it was possible to do so. +</p> +<p> +“Thank you, sir!” Jimmie said, very modestly. +“I think I must have received a good +bump on the head.” +</p> +<p> +“Indeed you did,” smiled the other. +</p> +<p> +After a little further talk Slocum led the boy +away to a cavern in the wall of the cañon which +seemed to the weary lad to have no end. He +saw several people lounging about as he passed +through a large chamber, but paid little attention +to them. +</p> +<p> +At last Slocum halted in a little alcove opening +from a second chamber, in which were assembled +at least a score of Chinamen. +</p> +<p> +“These people won’t harm you,” he said to +the boy, swinging his arm about to include the +group. “Uncle Sam is trying them out in the +forest service, I don’t think much of the idea +myself, but I’m not the boss.” +</p> +<p> +Then Slocum went away and Jimmie lay +down and watched the Chinamen. Listening, +he heard one of them speaking in English, then +in Chinese. He knew that he had heard that +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_150'></a>150</span> +peculiar voice and dialect before and devoted +his whole attention to the fellow. +</p> +<p> +“Well,” he muttered, in a moment, with a +grin, “I’m havin’ the luck of a Bowery boy in +this deal, an’ that is the greatest luck in the +world.” +</p> +<p> +Then he fell to wondering what Chang Chee, +the keeper of one of the worst Chinese restaurants +on Doyers street was doing there, in the +heart of the Rocky Mountains, mixed up with +alleged foresters. +</p> +<p> +“Just wait until I see Ned!” the boy mused. +“I’ll put him next to somethin’. He’ll be glad +he brought me with him!” +</p> +<p> +Then the boy’s thoughts went back to the +camp in the Valley of the Wild Beasts, as he +called it. Slocum might have told the truth +about the attack on the boys, and they might +be in trouble at that moment. He wondered, +too, if, in case they were taken prisoners, they +would be brought to the cavern. +</p> +<p> +“Anyhow,” the lad mused, “they never +intend to let me get out of this. If they did, +they wouldn’t have permitted me a sight of the +Chinks. Unless I sneak away, there’ll be an +accident some day, an’ then there’ll be no more +Jimmie McGraw!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_151'></a>151</span> +</p> +<p> +The boy was tired and weak, so that even +such serious thoughts as these could not keep +him awake. Wondering what conditions Ned +had found at the camp, after soaring out of the +cañon, he dropped his head against the stone +wall of the alcove and was soon in a deep sleep. +The fumes of opium with which the cavern was +filled might in a measure have contributed to +this, but, anyway, nature was exhausted, and +the boy’s slumber was heavy and dreamless. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_152'></a>152</span><a name='chXII' id='chXII'></a>CHAPTER XII.—A MEMBER OF THE OWL PATROL.</h2> +<p> +When Jimmie awoke the fire which had +burned in the cavern had gone out, and those +who remained in the chamber seemed to be fast +asleep. He tumbled out of his alcove, still feeling +weak and dizzy, and moved toward a hanging +rug which closed the entrance to the place. +</p> +<p> +He drew one side of the rug back and saw +the white light of day. The sun seemed to be +high up in the sky, for the ledge at the front of +the cavern showed a streak of gold. Two Chinamen +sat at the entrance to the outer cave, and +when he advanced toward them they waved +him back. Instead of retreating he stood regarding +them with a puzzled look on his face. +</p> +<p> +One was Chang Chee, the keeper of the disreputable +Chinese dive on Doyers street, whom +Jimmie had noticed the night before, and the +other was a much younger man—a boy, in fact. +When Chang ordered Jimmie back the youngster +turned toward him a face showing both curiosity +and interest. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_153'></a>153</span> +</p> +<p> +“What’s doin’ here?” Jimmie demanded, in +a moment. +</p> +<p> +He thought best not to show that he recognized +Chang, for he knew that the identification +of the Chinaman would only add to his peril, if +that were possible. It was certain that Chang +would never permit the information that he had +been seen there to get out to the government +officers. +</p> +<p> +Jimmie’s idea at that time was that he had +blundered on a gang of opium smugglers, although +he could not understand why so many +Chinamen were, apparently, engaged in the illegal +traffic. +</p> +<p> +Chang finally turned his face away, with a +frown, and Jimmie advanced a step toward the +boy, who threw himself carelessly down on his +back and extended his right arm straight up +from the shoulder. Jimmie’s eyes opened wider, +and his breath almost stopped, when he saw the +thumb and little finger thrown diagonally across +the palm of the hand, the tip of the thumb covering +the nail of the little finger, the three remaining +fingers pointing upward. +</p> +<p> +In the excitement of the moment, in the +amazement caused by his recognition of the +Boy Scout challenge, Jimmie lost all caution. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_154'></a>154</span> +</p> +<p> +“Say!” he began, but Chang turned a repulsive +face and ordered him into the rear +chamber. +</p> +<p> +The boy, thankful for the interruption, +moved back a few paces, believing that the +Chinese boy who had given him the sign would +communicate with him as soon as opportunity +offered. +</p> +<p> +This was the greatest puzzle the lad had ever +been called upon to solve. Some of the questions +he asked himself were: +</p> +<p> +“How did that Chinese boy become a Boy +Scout?” +</p> +<p> +“Is there a Chinese patrol?” +</p> +<p> +“Was he permitted to become a member of +an American patrol?” +</p> +<p> +“Why is he mixed up with that disreputable +old Chink?” +</p> +<p> +“Will he help me out of this hole, or will he +ignore me?” +</p> +<p> +Of course there was not one of the questions +the boy could answer, so he went back to his +alcove and sat down, half believing that he had +imagined the challenge. +</p> +<p> +As the day wore on the men who had been +asleep in the inner chamber arose, staggeringly, +as if still under the stupefying influence of opium, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_155'></a>155</span> +and made their trembling way outside. +When they had all disappeared Chang pushed +the rug aside so as to bring more light and air +into the place and came and stood looking down +on the boy. +</p> +<p> +Jimmie did not look up. He saw the shrunken +figure up as far as the knees only. He was +resolved not to open any conversation with the +Chink. If he wanted to talk, Jimmie thought, +let him choose his own subject and introduce +it in his own way. +</p> +<p> +The yellow face of the Chinaman seemed to +take on a more mask-like expression—or want +of expression, rather—as the silence continued. +When he spoke it was with a snarl which boded +no good to the boy. +</p> +<p> +“Hungly?” he demanded. +</p> +<p> +“Hungry?” repeated Jimmie. “You know +it! If you’ve got any rat sandwiches or puppy +potpies, just introduce me!” +</p> +<p> +“Flesh!” growled Chang. +</p> +<p> +“Flesh?” repeated Jimmie. “Oh, yes, you +mean fresh? Well, you’d be just as fresh as I +am if you were as hungry.” +</p> +<p> +“Cheek!” cried Chang. “Kid allels have +cheek—an’ tummy!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_156'></a>156</span> +</p> +<p> +“Sure,” said Jimmie. “Go on an’ get me +a porterhouse steak with French potatoes. I +could eat a car of raw onions.” +</p> +<p> +Chang turned away and walked out to the +ledge, where the Chinese boy stood, looking out +into the sunshine. It was a glorious morning, +with the air clear and just a little sharp, owing +to the altitude. Here and there little swirls of +smoke showed that fires were burning in the +forest, though none seemed to be close to the +range. +</p> +<p> +Reaching the boy’s side Chang addressed a +few words to him in Chinese and left the cave, +turning back, after a few paces, to observe the +boy, now standing with a long, keen-bladed +clasp-knife in his hand. As Chang looked the +boy ran his finger over the edge of the blade, as +if to make sure that it was suitable for some purpose +he had in view. +</p> +<p> +With an exclamation of rage Chang charged +back at him and snatched the knife from his +hand. +</p> +<p> +“You fool!” he cried. +</p> +<p> +“You let me alone!” shouted the other. “I +tell you, I’m going to kill him!” +</p> +<p> +Jimmie heard the words and rose unsteadily +to his feet. He recognized the voice as that of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_157'></a>157</span> +the boy who had given him the Boy Scout challenge. +At least it was not that of Chang, and +there were only two figures outlined against the +sky when he looked out beyond the rug, still +pushed aside. +</p> +<p> +“Fool! Fool! Fool!” +</p> +<p> +Chang gritted out the words as he took the +Chinese boy by the back of the neck and hustled +him into the cave. Then he spoke for a +minute in Chinese and turned away again. +Jimmie stepped back into his alcove and felt +around for a stone, or anything in the shape of a +weapon, as the boy advanced toward him. +</p> +<p> +“What does the badge say?” +</p> +<p> +Jimmie opened his eyes wider than ever, if +possible, and stood facing the boy, half hiding +the stone he had found. +</p> +<p> +“Be prepared,” he replied. +</p> +<p> +“Then drop that rock!” +</p> +<p> +Jimmie dropped it and stepped forward. +</p> +<p> +“Liu, Owl patrol, San Francisco,” the Chinese +boy said. +</p> +<p> +“McGraw, Wolf patrol, New York,” replied +Jimmie. +</p> +<p> +“You don’t look very comfortable in here,” +Liu said. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_158'></a>158</span> +</p> +<p> +“Nixy,” replied Jimmie, wondering if the +boy really was preparing to carry out the threat +he had made to Chang. +</p> +<p> +“You heard what I just said to Chang?” +Liu asked. +</p> +<p> +Jimmie nodded his bandaged head. +</p> +<p> +“Bluff!” said Liu. “He’s watching now to +see that I don’t make an attempt on your life. +Had to do it!” +</p> +<p> +“I see,” Jimmie replied, wondering if it +wasn’t pretty near time to wake up. +</p> +<p> +“Why don’t he want me killed?” Jimmie +asked in a moment. +</p> +<p> +“He thinks you have information he needs,” +was the answer. “Are you hungry?” +</p> +<p> +“That’s what Chang asked,” Jimmie said, +“but he didn’t bring me any grub.” +</p> +<p> +“He told me to,” grinned Liu, “and I told +him that I’d kill you if I got near enough to +do so. He’ll hang around until he sees me +bring you something to eat.” +</p> +<p> +“You ain’t so very slow yourself,” grinned +Jimmie. “Where did you learn to speak United +States so well?” +</p> +<p> +“Born in Frisco,” was the reply. “The +Boy Scouts take me out on their hunting trips +to do the cooking. That’s why I’m here now. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_159'></a>159</span> +I know the mountains, and Chang hired me to +go along with him.” +</p> +<p> +“An’ they took you into the patrol, did +they?” asked Jimmie. +</p> +<p> +“Sure they did,” was the reply. “Why +not? I’m an American citizen, or will be in +four years.” +</p> +<p> +“Have they captured any of the others?” +asked Jimmie. +</p> +<p> +The Chinese boy shook his head. +</p> +<p> +“Have they heard from the men they sent +out to capture them?” was the next question. +</p> +<p> +Another shake of the head, then Liu drew +closer and whispered. +</p> +<p> +“Do you see Chang poking his head around +that rock in the opening? He’s watching to see +that I don’t knife you!” +</p> +<p> +Jimmie saw the parchment-like face of the +old reprobate peering around the rock and +wanted to heave a stone at it, but knew that +this would not be good policy. Instead he +threw it at Liu, and missed, of course. +</p> +<p> +“You seem to be wide awake yourself,” Liu +said. +</p> +<p> +“Why don’t you go and get me some grub?” +demanded Jimmie. “I’m near starved to death.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_160'></a>160</span> +</p> +<p> +“All right!” said Liu, and turned away. +</p> +<p> +Jimmie was now in a deeper puzzle than +before. He had no means of knowing whether +Liu was telling him the truth. He might be +trying to get into his confidence in order to gain +the information sought, whatever it was. +</p> +<p> +However, in a short time Liu returned with +a generous supply of food, fried fish, fresh biscuit—the +boy wondered how Liu had managed +to bake them there—coffee, and plenty of tinned +goods. +</p> +<p> +“What’s this bunch doin’ here?” the boy +asked, as he made heavy inroads on the fresh +fish, coffee and biscuits. +</p> +<p> +“I don’t know,” was the hesitating reply. +</p> +<p> +“I know,” Jimmie went on. “They’re +smuggling opium an’ setting fire to the woods. +They’ll all get pinched!” +</p> +<p> +“I hope so,” was the reply. +</p> +<p> +“It sounds odd to hear a Chinese boy talk +straight United States,” Jimmie said, after a +short silence. +</p> +<p> +Liu made no reply for a moment. He was +watching the ledge outside the entrance to the +cave. The occasional rattle of pebbles told +him that some one was standing there, probably +just out of sight. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_161'></a>161</span> +</p> +<p> +“What is Chang doin’ here?” Jimmie asked, +presently. +</p> +<p> +“He’s in some scheme with the foresters,” +was the reply. +</p> +<p> +“They ain’t no foresters!” Jimmie said. +“They’re timber thieves an’ smugglers, an’ +firebugs, an’ murderers!” +</p> +<p> +Liu shuddered but remained silent. After +listening a second he went to the entrance and +looked out. There was no one in sight at first, +then a roughly dressed fellow came around the +angle of the cliff to the north and approached +him. The fellow was rather short for a man of +his width of shoulder, and his step was remarkably +light and quick for one of his apparent +weight. +</p> +<p> +His face was sun and wind-tanned, with +plenty of mountain soil on top of that. A cartridge-belt +encircled the loose jacket he wore and +a revolver handle protruded from the pistol +pocket of his trousers. +</p> +<p> +“What’s the word?” he asked, gruffly, as +he came up to Liu. +</p> +<p> +“Go on in,” replied Liu. +</p> +<p> +Jimmie saw evidences of treachery in the +hostile attitude of the newcomer and retreated +farther into the cavern. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_162'></a>162</span> +</p> +<p> +Then he saw Liu doubling up with laughter +and stopped. It didn’t look very amusing to +him, especially as the stranger was advancing +toward him with swift strides. Then something +remotely familiar in the set of the shoulders, +the carriage of the head, attracted his +closer attention to the figure and he moved forward +a step. +</p> +<p> +“You’re a nice little boy to get into a trap +like this!” +</p> +<p> +There was no mistaking that voice. Just +how Ned Nestor had secured that disguise and +found his way to that spot Jimmie did not stop +to think. He knew that it was his chum, and +that was enough. While the two boys clasped +hands Liu stood regarding them smilingly, at +the same time watching the entrance. +</p> +<p> +“How did you ever find this hole?” Jimmie +asked, his wonder at the thing which had happened +mastering all else. +</p> +<p> +“I saw this cave when my machine dropped +into a hole in the air in the cañon,” was the +reply. “The shelf where we landed is just +above this cavern. There was a fire in the outer +room, and numerous Chinamen were moving +about.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_163'></a>163</span> +</p> +<p> +“They’re opium smugglers,” Jimmie said. +</p> +<p> +“Man smugglers!” laughed Ned. +</p> +<p> +“Do you mean that they bring Chinks over +the border here, an’ so run them down into +civilization whenever they get a chance?” demanded +Jimmie. +</p> +<p> +“That is just it,” Ned answered. “We +seem to have come upon a lot of the articles +to be smuggled,” he added. +</p> +<p> +“How did you come across Liu?” Jimmie +asked. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, I met him while I was prowling about +not far from the cave, at daylight,” was the +reply. “He helped me get this disguise.” +</p> +<p> +Liu was still watching at the mouth of the +cavern, so the boys talked freely, with little fear +of being disturbed. Ned told of his return to +the camp, and of the all-night hunt for the missing +boy. It took Ned and Frank a long time +to find the opening the former had seen in his +swift drop down the cañon, but about daylight +it was located. +</p> +<p> +They had, however, found many Chinamen +loitering about, and Frank had gone back to +camp to reassure the others, while Ned remained +on the eastern side on the chance of getting into +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_164'></a>164</span> +communication with Jimmie. While loitering +about Liu had come up the slope. +</p> +<p> +It was quite a long story, that of his getting +a perfect understanding with Liu, and Ned cut +it as short as possible, merely saying that Liu +had recognized his name, having heard his associates +mention it frequently. Then the Chinese +boy had procured the disguise and Ned had +stuffed out the shoulders of the coat to give it a +better fit. +</p> +<p> +“I was observed by a half a dozen men, some +Americans, some Chinamen, while getting in +here,” Ned said, then, “but the disguise misled +them. Now, the question is this: How are we +going to get out?” +</p> +<p> +“We’ll have to fight our way out?” asked +Jimmie. +</p> +<p> +“It won’t answer,” Ned replied. “They +are too many for us.” +</p> +<p> +Liu now came into the second cave and held +up his hand for silence. +</p> +<p> +“You’ll have to hide in the back chamber,” +he said. “Chang is coming in.” +</p> +<p> +“I thought this was the back chamber,” +Jimmie said. +</p> +<p> +“I suspect,” Liu said, “that there’s a chain +of caves running through the divide. Come on!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_165'></a>165</span> +</p> +<p> +Liu passed back to the west, removed a +great box which stood against the rear wall, and +disclosed an opening through which the patrol +leader crawled. When the box was replaced +Ned stopped and listened. What he heard was +the click of a typewriter. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_166'></a>166</span><a name='chXIII' id='chXIII'></a>CHAPTER XIII.—OFF ON A DESPERATE MISSION.</h2> +<p> +What business calling for the use of a typewriter +was being transacted under the main +divide of the Rocky Mountains? +</p> +<p> +Ned stood perfectly still in the darkness and +listened. He could hear the click of the keys +and nothing else. At length he moved stealthily +forward over an even surface, feeling his way +in order that he might not trip over some unseen +obstruction and raise a racket in a tumble. +</p> +<p> +Presently he came to a rug hanging at the +end of the chamber in which he was. From the +other side of the rug came a faint light. The +noise of the keys was more distinct here, and +the boy knew that he had at least located the +operator. +</p> +<p> +While he stood listening and undecided as +to what course to pursue, the noise of the machine +ceased and the operator—a young, well-dressed +American—came toward him carrying +a lighted candle in his hand. Ned crouched +down in an angle of the wall and waited for him +to pass. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_167'></a>167</span> +</p> +<p> +The boy was not quite so anxious now to +leave the strange rendezvous in which he found +himself. Some mischief greater than smuggling +opium and Chinamen over the border might +be carried on there. His work seemed to be +growing on his hands! +</p> +<p> +He had been sent to that district to investigate +the cause of the frequent forest fires, and +given an aeroplane in order that he might fly +over the forests in making his observations. +It seemed to him now, as he lay on his side +against a wall of rock, waiting for the typist to +pass with his light, that he was spending more +time under the ground than in the air! +</p> +<p> +The main range of the Rocky Mountains in +the northern part of Montana is noted for its +rugged and irregular formation. It is declared +by some that the home of the original cave +dwellers was here. Many of the great cañons are +known to be honeycombed with openings almost +large enough to hide a small city in. +</p> +<p> +The typist moved straight ahead and his +light disappeared from view. Then Ned advanced +beyond the rug, which appeared to be +of fine material, and flashed on his light. There +was a table in the room, a couple of chairs, a +row of pigeon-holes attached to the wall. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_168'></a>168</span> +</p> +<p> +On the table was a typewriter, in the pigeon-holes +were folded papers, neatly ticketed and +enclosed in rubber bands. Aside from the underground +smell the place was tolerably comfortable. +The air was damp and chilly, but Ned was well +clothed and did not mind that. +</p> +<p> +As has been said, the boy was now in no +haste to leave the place. He believed that the +mystery he had been sent out to solve would be +solved there. For an hour or more he searched +over the place, opening the folded papers and +making a close examination of the typewriter +and the stock of unused paper in the drawer of +the table. +</p> +<p> +At length, his examination completed, he +passed back into the chamber behind the rug +and listened at the opening through which he +had entered. A sound of the steady beat of +blows reached his ears at first, then a low +whistle. That was Jimmie, he knew. The lad +had a habit of whistling softly to himself, usually +without time or tune. +</p> +<p> +Waiting for a lull in the blows, he rapped +softly on the box which backed up against the +opening. Instantly the whistling ceased, and +Jimmie’s voice was heard. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_169'></a>169</span> +</p> +<p> +“Come on out,” the boy said. “I’ve been +kicking my heels against this box for an hour, +waitin’ for you to signal back.” +</p> +<p> +“Be sure there is no one watching,” Ned +cautioned. +</p> +<p> +He heard Jimmie walking away, then heard +him coming back. In a moment the box was +drawn away from the opening. +</p> +<p> +“You’ve been in there long enough to dig +through to China,” Jimmie said, as Ned stood +by his side. “What did you find in there?” +</p> +<p> +“A double keyboard typewriter,” grinned +Ned. +</p> +<p> +“Quit your kiddin’,” answered Jimmie. +“You’ll be claimin’ next that you found a brass +band in there.” +</p> +<p> +Ned did not stop to explain to the boy all +that he had discovered in the inner chamber. +His work there seemed to be finished now, and +he was anxious to get back to camp. There +was no knowing what had been going on there +during his absence. +</p> +<p> +“Where is Liu?” he asked. +</p> +<p> +“Watchin’ outside,” was the reply. “He’s +my guard. Goin’ to shoot me if I try to get +away.” +</p> +<p> +“And the others?” asked Ned. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_170'></a>170</span> +</p> +<p> +“Don’t know,” replied Jimmie. “They +herded a lot of Chinks an’ went off down the +valley.” +</p> +<p> +Liu now appeared in the entrance, bowed +gravely to the boys, and stepped out on the +ledge, with a Boy Scout challenge in the wave +of his hand. +</p> +<p> +“He’s all right!” Jimmie said. “You ought +to see the breakfast he got up for me. That +feller can cook—an’ then some!” +</p> +<p> +“Call him,” Ned suggested, “and we’ll see +if it is safe for me to go out.” +</p> +<p> +“For you to go out!” repeated Jimmie. +“For us to go out.” +</p> +<p> +“I think you’d better remain here,” Ned +replied. +</p> +<p> +Jimmie looked at his chum in amazement. +The light back there was not good, but Ned +saw several questions in the boy’s eyes. +</p> +<p> +“Liu can protect you, can’t he?” Ned asked. +</p> +<p> +“That’s what I don’t know,” was the reply. +“He will do his best, of course, but his best +might not be good enough.” +</p> +<p> +Ned was thinking fast. If he permitted the +boy to leave, the fact of his escape would be +likely to scatter the outlaws—and he very much +wished to keep them together for a short time. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_171'></a>171</span> +</p> +<p> +“I think,” he said, “that we have found +the men we want—with the goods. If you +leave now they will make a quick getaway. +You see that, don’t you?” +</p> +<p> +“Of course,” was the reply. “An’ I see, +too, that if I remain I’m the one that’s likely +to make a quick getaway—to a country no one +comes back from.” +</p> +<p> +“There may be some other way,” Ned said, +thoughtfully. “Give me a chance to think it +over.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, I’ll stay, all right,” Jimmie went on, +“if it will do any good. I guess they won’t eat +me alive.” +</p> +<p> +As he spoke the boy put his hand to his eyes +and gave them a long rub. +</p> +<p> +“There’s smoke in here,” he said. “Don’t +you smell it?” +</p> +<p> +“I was thinking of that,” Ned replied, anxiously. +“There may be a fire in the cañon.” +</p> +<p> +Regardless of consequences, Jimmie rushed +to the ledge and looked out. The sun was no +longer in sight, for a mist of smoke hung over +the cañon and over the slope to the east. +</p> +<p> +“There’s goin’ to be the biggest blaze ever!” +Jimmie cried. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_172'></a>172</span> +</p> +<p> +Liu came to the side of the boys and pointed +to the south. +</p> +<p> +“The fire came through a gully over there,” +he said. “I was watching it from here. It +was not put out yesterday, and worked its way +over the divide. When it gets to going strong +here no one can live in this cavern. I’m going +to get out.” +</p> +<p> +“That’s the idea!” Jimmie cried. +</p> +<p> +The cañon was a veritable fire trap. For +years the boughs and the turp of the trees had +been dropping down. Ned knew that the blaze +would mount to the cavern and be drawn into +it. The atmosphere of the place indicated +openings at the rear which would serve as chimneys. +</p> +<p> +“Oh, the devils!” Jimmie cried. “To set +a fire like that!” +</p> +<p> +“They didn’t set it, I tell you,” insisted Liu, +speaking as if in the defense of his employers. +</p> +<p> +“Who did, then?” demanded Jimmie, half +angrily. +</p> +<p> +“It came through from the other side, just +as I told you,” replied Liu, with the utmost +good nature. “There’ll be a pass through the +range some day where the fire found its way +through.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_173'></a>173</span> +</p> +<p> +“But they set the fire on the other side,” +Jimmie urged. “They set it for the purpose of +burning our aeroplane an’ driving us out of the +district. When we go out of the district they’ll +go with us, wearin’ steel bracelets!” he added. +</p> +<p> +“I rather think,” Liu said, “that they set +the fires over there to draw the foresters, away +from this section, and so protect their business. +That is what they have been doing right along.” +</p> +<p> +“Yes,” Ned said, “there has been a forest fire +for every cargo of opium, for every gang of Chinamen, +that has been brought in over the border.” +</p> +<p> +“So that is the real trouble?” asked Jimmie. +“How do you know so much about it?” +</p> +<p> +Ned smiled and pointed to the slope to the +east, where columns of fire were cutting their +way through the timber. +</p> +<p> +“It strikes me,” he said, “that now is a +pretty good time for us to get out of this. The +outlaws won’t come back so long as this danger +exists, and we shall not be missed for a long time—or +rather, Liu and Jimmie will not be missed.” +</p> +<p> +“They’ll think we ran out to escape the heat +and lost our lives in the fire,” Liu said. +</p> +<p> +Ned stood hesitatingly at the mouth of the +cavern while Liu gathered a few articles he +wanted to take with him. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_174'></a>174</span> +</p> +<p> +“If I thought the fire would reach the cave +when the big trees in the cañon get to going,” +he mused, “I’d go back and get the papers—or +more of them.” +</p> +<p> +“It surely will get into the cave,” Liu said. +“You see, the summit scoops down here quite +a lot, and the timber line is almost to the top. +The gulch below is quite high up on this elevation, +still it is not so very high as compared +with some of the summits to the north and +south. So, you see, the timber line here is capable +of getting up a good deal of a blaze, especially +where the cañons are full of trees. The +fire will come up here, all right.” +</p> +<p> +Ned darted away, was gone a minute or so, +and returned with hands full of folded papers. +</p> +<p> +“What you got?” demanded Jimmie. +</p> +<p> +Ned laughed but made no satisfactory reply. +After stowing the papers away in the numerous +pockets of his borrowed suit, he led the way +down the ledge, away from the cave he had first +seen in his fall down the cañon, and which had +proved so profitable to his search. +</p> +<p> +The air was now filled with smoke. The +cañon below was not yet in full flame, but a +column of destruction was creeping upon it from +the south. It seemed to Ned that there were +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_175'></a>175</span> +numerous small fires, though how this could be +true he could not understand. +</p> +<p> +The boys made their way along the ledge +without coming upon any of the men who had +occupied the cavern. It was evident that the +few left after the departure of the men with the +Chinamen had fled before the clouds of smoke. +The ledge wound up on the plateau from which +Ned had dropped the night before, and here they +paused to decide on some course of action. +</p> +<p> +The light breeze was from the west, so the +fires below were in a measure protected from it +by the bulk of the summit, but Ned knew that +the heat would in time bring the air into the +burning spaces with a rush, merging the little +blazes into one gigantic one which might repeat +the disasters of August, 1910. +</p> +<p> +Now and then, from far to the east, there +came a signal in the shape of a gunshot. The +faithful foresters were at work there, trying to +head off the advancing flames before they passed +beyond control. The place to combat a forest +fire, of course, is ahead of it, and not where the +red line is running through the sputtering timber. +</p> +<p> +“If I could get the aeroplane,” Ned said, as +he looked over the country from the plateau, “I +might get to the fighting line and do some good.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_176'></a>176</span> +</p> +<p> +“Where is it?” asked Liu. +</p> +<p> +“At the camp.” +</p> +<p> +“The others won’t dare bring it out, of +course?” asked Liu. +</p> +<p> +“Doubtful,” Ned replied. “Frank has always +taken a great interest in the machine, and +was studying its mechanism when I left, but I +don’t think he will attempt to operate it. He +ought not to, anyway.” +</p> +<p> +“If the men who left here to pinch the boys,” +Jimmie said, “showed up at the camp, an’ Frank +got a chance to mount the aeroplane, you bet +your life he’s shootin’ through the air with it +this minute, or hidin’ in some valley.” +</p> +<p> +“But there were three of them,” Ned urged, +“and all couldn’t ride.” +</p> +<p> +“They’d try!” gritted Jimmie, “unless Pat +got cold feet an’ run away.” +</p> +<p> +Ned glanced up at the sky, now very thick +with smoke, as the boy spoke. He looked with +indifference at first, then with interest, then +with anxiety. There was a shape moving up +there, coming slowly toward the plateau. +</p> +<p> +“There they are!” shouted Jimmie, whose +attention had been attracted to the sky by Ned’s +fixed gaze. “Frank’s runnin’ the machine. I’ll +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_177'></a>177</span> +bet dollars to apples that he’ll dump her into +the cañon when he tries to land here.” +</p> +<p> +The aeroplane, indeed, looked as if there were +an uncertain hand at the helm. She wavered, +tipped in the air currents, dipped wickedly, circled +staggeringly, but finally swooped down +on the plateau and, more by good luck than +good handling, settled down within a dozen feet +of the lip of the cañon. Frank and Jack were +aboard. Pat, they said, had taken to his heels +at the first suggestion of his joining the others +in the ride. +</p> +<p> +Ned examined the machine carefully and +found it in excellent shape, although the gasoline +was getting low. +</p> +<p> +“Better go an’ get some,” Jimmie suggested. +</p> +<p> +Ned looked toward the line of smoke off to +the east. +</p> +<p> +“We can reach the firing line with what we +have,” he said, in a moment, “and that may be +sufficient for the present.” +</p> +<p> +“What you goin’ to do?” demanded the boy. +</p> +<p> +“Going to see if I can’t help fight this fire,” +was the reply. +</p> +<p> +“From here?” laughed Jack. +</p> +<p> +Ned indicated a distant line of hills where +the forest still stood green on the slopes. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_178'></a>178</span> +</p> +<p> +“We’ll fight the fire from there,” he said. +“We can see the location well enough now, but +the smoke will soon shut it out from here.” +</p> +<p> +“What can we do when we get there?” asked +Jack. “We are safe enough here. The smoke +and heat may scorch us a little, but we’ll live +through it, and that is more than we can say +about the safety of the place you point out.” +</p> +<p> +“Pat will be making his way here,” Ned said, +“and you may as well remain here and meet +him. I’ll take Frank and go over to the place +where the foresters are fighting the blaze.” +</p> +<p> +Jimmie was on his feet in an instant. +</p> +<p> +“Me for the ride with you!” he shouted. +</p> +<p> +“Some one may have to run the machine +back,” Ned said. “You can’t do that, my little +man, and Frank can, so Frank goes.” +</p> +<p> +“I don’t see what you can do over there that +the foresters can’t do,” Liu said. +</p> +<p> +“There is no knowing how useful the aeroplane +may be,” Ned said. +</p> +<p> +Then the machine was rolled back as far up +the plateau as possible, the boys took their seats, +and then they were lost in the dense clouds of +smoke in the sky. +</p> +<div class='figcenter' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='i006' id='i006'></a> +<img src="images/illus-178.jpg" alt="ILLUSTRATION No. 4" title=""/><br /> +<span class='caption'>ILLUSTRATION No. 4</span> +</div> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_179'></a>179</span><a name='chXIV' id='chXIV'></a>CHAPTER XIV.—THE BATTLE IN THE AIR.</h2> +<p> +The smoke was driving fiercely through the +green trees on the slope, and the line of fire was +not far in the rear. Every moment the wind +gained force, every minute the flames leaped +higher and faster. +</p> +<p> +The foresters felling trees and clearing a +space at an advantageous point some distance +in advance of the flames were working blindly, +mechanically. The heat was intense, the smoke +suffocating, irritating, blinding. The shirts of +the workers were open at the throat, their coats +had long ago been lost as they had been beaten +back from one stand to another. +</p> +<p> +Now and then a worker dropped senseless +in his tracks, his lips cracked with the heat, his +face blistered, his tongue lolling from his smarting +mouth like that of an overworked horse. +Then the men who were able to move and understand +would carry him back to a spot of supposed +safety and return to re-engage in the almost +hopeless fight, the battle which the flames were +winning in every charge and sally. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_180'></a>180</span> +</p> +<p> +The aeroplane, after a narrow escape from +destruction, landed on a little rise of ground +back of the working line when the wind lulled +for an instant, and hope shone in the faces of +the astonished men who gathered about to greet +the unexpected arrivals. +</p> +<p> +“We can master it,” Green, the leader, said, +after many questions had been asked and answered, +“if we can be supplied with water. We +wasted our supply wetting our clothes a long +time ago, and are suffering.” +</p> +<p> +“Get us water,” shouted another, “and we’ll +win yet.” +</p> +<p> +“There’s a spring three miles away,” Green +went on, speaking in Ned’s ear, for the roaring +of the flames drowned all ordinary conversation. +“If you can take our water bottles there and +fill them we can beat this blaze. If you can’t +we’ve got to retreat and let the whole district +burn over.” +</p> +<p> +“I have very little gasoline,” Ned replied, +“but I’ll try.” +</p> +<p> +“We sent two men out not long ago,” Green +continued, thrusting his scorched face close to +the boy’s. “We sent them out with water bags, +but there are no trails, and It will take them +hours to make the spring and return. With +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_181'></a>181</span> +your aeroplane you ought to do it within half +an hour.” +</p> +<p> +“Fire fighters marooned without a supply of +water, or a trail cut to a spring!” shouted Frank, +scornfully. “Great head some one in authority +has!” +</p> +<p> +“There are no trails, no telephones, no +horses!” cried Green. “It looks as if the government +sent us here to die. Hurry up with +that water.” +</p> +<p> +“If the gasoline holds out,” Ned said, loading +a dozen water bags on the machine, “I’ll be back +here in less than half an hour, bar accidents.” +</p> +<p> +“There is plenty of gasoline back there in +the shanty,” cried Green. “We have been +using it lately in starting back fires, but the wind +is now too strong for that. Get a move on, and +take all you want.” +</p> +<p> +In a short space of time, but not without +great risk, the tanks of the aeroplane were filled, +and then Ned took in the general situation in +the sky. The wind was blowing in puffs, but +it was certain that a miniature tornado was at +hand. He thought he could reach the spring, +which had been described as lying to the southeast, +but was not certain that he could make +his way back. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_182'></a>182</span> +</p> +<p> +He believed, however, that by flying either +very low or very high up, so as to get all the protection +possible from the mountain, or escape +the sweep of wind just above the fire, he might +be able to bring in one load of water before the +worst of the wind storm came. He knew that +it was an almost unheard of thing to even try +to navigate the air in such a gale, but human +lives were at stake, and he decided to try. +</p> +<p> +“You’ll have to help me up against this +wind,” Ned said to Green. “If I start with the +air current I’ll be carried too far to the east before +my power begins to become effective. If +I can hold my own against the wind until I get +above the smoke I think I can win the game.” +</p> +<p> +It was a desperate expedient, but it appeared +to be the only possible one. If the men had +water they might succeed in stopping the fire +and saving millions of dollars worth of timber. +If the fire gained the upper hand they might +lose their lives. The men cleared and smoothed +a path for the run of the wheels, by great exertion +sent the machine along at good speed, +and then stood and watched it with anxiety +depicted in their faces. +</p> +<p> +The great white bird quivered in the face of +the wind, but the motors were true to their duty +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_183'></a>183</span> +and the rudder held. To turn about in the face +of that rush would be impossible, so Ned worked +his levers guardedly and kept the wings as level +as he could. Now and then a swirl of heated +air would shake the hopes of those watching below, +but in the end the aeroplane drifted slowly +ahead, up, higher up, and was lost in the smoke. +</p> +<p> +“The lad is worth his weight in gold!” +shouted Green. “He’ll do it! I know he’ll do +it!” +</p> +<p> +“Powerful motor,” one of the foresters said. +“When we saw the machine last she was actually +holding her own against the wind.” +</p> +<p> +This was, indeed, the fact, but the wind was +not as strong in the higher levels as at the upper +limit of the heat from the fires. A great fire +usually brings a great wind, as those who witnessed +the burning of Chicago and San Francisco +well know. The hot air rises, forming a +partial vacuum, and the colder air rushes in. +</p> +<p> +Ned and Frank gained the spring, filled their +water bags and started back. It was no easy +task to land near the spring in that whirl of wind, +nor yet an easy task to get the aeroplane into +the air again, but the feats were accomplished. +Often after that exciting day the boys declared +that they had no idea how they ever did it. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_184'></a>184</span> +</p> +<p> +“We were excited,” Frank would say, “and +took chances, everything worked in our favor, +and we loaded the water. We knew that lives +were at stake, and it seemed that we had the +strength of a score of men, and the cool heads +of men far beyond all excitement. I never saw +anything like the way Ned handled the levers. +The wings and the rudders seemed to me to +work on a brain suggestion rather than on a +movement of the levers.” +</p> +<p> +But the most difficult part of the journey +still remained to be accomplished after the water +had been secured. The ’plane was much heavier +and did not respond so readily to the hand +of the driver, and the return course was quartering +against the wind. Ned, however, did +not attempt to move directly toward the destination +he sought. +</p> +<p> +Instead he sailed off to the south, working +west as much as possible. He tacked as a yacht +tacks in the wind and came near upsetting several +times. He found it impossible to sail low +on account of the eddies and currents created +by the heat, and so lifted the machine far up +into the air. It was better sailing there, and +he managed to get as far west as he thought +necessary. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_185'></a>185</span> +</p> +<p> +But he could not see the landing place. +Below was an ocean of smoke, the waves heaving +in the touch of the wind, the edges now and +then tipped with flame. Above the sun smiled +at him, and the birds flew excitedly about, peering +down at the threatening roll of clouds. +</p> +<p> +“I’m afraid,” Frank said, grasping an +upright and clinging to the water bags. +</p> +<p> +“I never was so frightened in my life,” Ned +called back, lifting his voice so that it might be +heard above the snapping of the motors. +</p> +<p> +“I didn’t finish,” Frank called back, his +heart thumping loudly. “I wanted to say that +I was afraid we’d sweep past the workers when +we descended into the smoke and the swifter +breeze near the earth.” +</p> +<p> +“I said just what I wanted to say,” Ned +answered. “I never was half so scared in all +my life.” +</p> +<p> +Yet his hand on the lever was steady, his +brain was as cool as if he had been sitting in the +Wolf Patrol club room in New York. He knew +that the dip of a wing a foot lower than he intended +might send them both into the blazing forest +below. He was afraid, but not with a shrinking, +physical fear, but afraid because he understood +the peril he was in—because he knew that +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_186'></a>186</span> +upon his efforts depended the lives of the heroes +in the heated hell below. +</p> +<p> +“We’ve got to go into that mess of smoke, I +suppose?” shouted Frank. +</p> +<p> +“There is no other way,” Ned called back. +“We’ve got to dip down low enough to see the +line of fire and take our chances on landing where +the fighters are. You understand that they are +farther to the east than when we left them?” +</p> +<p> +“Of course they have been driven back,” +Frank said. “I never thought of that. We +may not be able to find them at all.” +</p> +<p> +Ned shut his teeth and settled his jaw. +</p> +<p> +“We’ve got to find them,” he said. +</p> +<p> +A long, sullen roaring, like the beating of +waves on a beach in a storm, now reached the +boys’ ears, even shutting out the chattering of +the motors. It came from the west, and passed +along, as it seemed, below the level held by the +aeroplane, now high up in the air. +</p> +<p> +“If we don’t get down there pretty soon,” +Ned said, shouting, “we will be too late. That +wind will join the different fires and make one +roaring mass of the whole northwest. I wish +I knew just how far the foresters have been +driven back.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_187'></a>187</span> +</p> +<p> +“Do you know where to look for them, north +or south?” asked Frank. +</p> +<p> +“There is a peak to the west and one to the +east,” was the reply. “They are on a line with +the two. But the trouble is that we can’t see +the peaks after we drop down into the smoke.” +</p> +<p> +“There appears to be a little lull in the wind +now,” Frank said, shutting his lips tight, as a +man does when about to make a sudden plunge +into unknown waters. +</p> +<p> +The remark was suggestive. Ned knew by +it that his chum had braced himself for the dash. +</p> +<p> +“Here we go, then,” Ned replied. “Remember +that we’ll go about eighty miles an +hour when I turn the motor on full head, and +that we can’t be more than five miles from the +spot where we left them, so keep your eyes out.” +</p> +<p> +The aeroplane dipped gracefully as Ned +touched the lever. In a minute the boys were +surrounded by smoke. It was hot smoke, too, +and made breathing difficult. Their eyes smarted +until their faces were wet with nature’s protest +against such irritation of the organs of sight. +The chuck-chuck, snap-snap of the motors was +in their ears, the seats they occupied—frail +rests between life and death—shivered under +the pulsations of the machine. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_188'></a>188</span> +</p> +<p> +Now and then the aeroplane dipped frightfully, +but the wings and the rudders brought it +back again. +</p> +<p> +“Can you see the earth yet?” asked Frank, +In an awed tone, which sounded like a whisper +in that clatter. +</p> +<p> +“We seem to be over the fire,” Ned returned. +</p> +<p> +And that was all. There was no need of +conversation. In all their lives they would +never be so near to a frightful death as they were +then. +</p> +<p> +First they caught sight of a rocky ridge. +Ned knew where that was, and realized that +he was still in the direct line of the workers. +Beyond this ridge, he knew, was a valley, so +he must drop down. The workers were on a +level beyond the valley, a great plain of fir +and pine between gigantic ranges of the Rocky +Mountains. +</p> +<p> +The aeroplane trembled as she dropped, swiftly, +apparently straight down. Frank grasped +his upright and prepared to spring out of the +wreckage when it fell, if there was anything to +fall from after the trees had had their way with +the frail machine. +</p> +<p> +The smoke was blinding. Nothing could be +seen but smoke for a time. Then the dark gray +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_189'></a>189</span> +clouds turned red, and Ned knew that he was +nearing the advance line of the fire, and that it +was mounting to the very tops of the giant trees +on the plain—or elevated plateau, rather, for, +though comparatively smooth of surface and +heavily timbered, it was far above sea level. +</p> +<p> +If you look on an enlarged map of northern +Montana you will see that the Rocky Mountains +do not consist of one great, massive range. +There are ridges and valleys, and plateaus extending +for hundreds of miles along the British +frontier. There are peaks from which the snow +never disappears, and there are timber lines +which crawl almost to the summit of other peaks. +There are fertile valleys where cattle grow fat, +and great gorges where beasts of prey await +their victims in thickets. +</p> +<p> +It is the timber on this great stretch of country +that the United States government is trying +to save. +</p> +<p> +The heat was blistering now, and Ned feared +for the safety of his gasoline tanks. At a motion +from him Frank removed his coat, carefully, for +a slight movement in the air is sometimes productive +of disastrous results, placed it over the +tanks, after a great effort, and managed to saturate +it with water from one of the bags. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_190'></a>190</span> +</p> +<p> +Through the smoke a line of tree tops now +came into view, low down, and the boys knew +that they had passed the fire line. Ned tried +to slow down, but found that he must keep the +motors going in order to retain control of the +machine. +</p> +<p> +“There’s a clear space ahead!” Frank +shouted, and Ned dropped. Then a giant trunk +obtruded itself, and the boy tried to dip and +whirl so as to dodge it, but the pressure of the +wind was too strong. +</p> +<p> +The machine headed straight for the tree, +which seemed to Frank to be about a thousand +feet high. +</p> +<p> +“Hang on to the first thing that comes to +your hands if she strikes!” Ned shouted. “But +stick to the ’plane as long as she is clear. There +may be a current of air which will sweep us away +from that tree.” +</p> +<p> +“Here’s hoping!” Frank gasped back, and +then the smoke shut out the view, making the +situation doubly dangerous. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_191'></a>191</span><a name='chXV' id='chXV'></a>CHAPTER XV.—TOLD BY THE FOREST RANGER.</h2> +<p> +The rangers, almost exhausted, were fighting +the fire desperately, hoping against hope, when +the cyclone—it amounted at times almost to +that—struck the forest. Then they knew that +the fight was lost for the time being. +</p> +<p> +It was now a question of escaping from the +flames they had been battling with. The chief +foresters knew very well that there was a way +to safety, but they had under their command +many rangers who had joined the service merely +for the adventures they anticipated meeting, +and these, they understood, would be hard to +manage. +</p> +<p> +When the order came to drop everything and +fall back some of the new men accused those in +authority of cowardice and kept on in the course +mapped out for them under entirely different +conditions. Two of them even insisted on starting +back to the rough shanty and preparing +dinner. They lost their way in the blazing +inferno, and their bones were found two weeks +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_192'></a>192</span> +later, at the foot of a tree which had been +burned into a stub, but which had not fallen. +</p> +<p> +When the danger became apparent to Green +who was in charge of the company found by +Nestor, he ordered his men into a “burn” of +half a dozen acres in extent. By “burn” is +meant a patch of forest which has been cleared +by fire the previous year. This “burn” was +entirely stripped of trees. The fire had done +its work well, but had been checked before +spreading. +</p> +<p> +The men could hear trees falling as they +dashed along. The fire was screaming, the wind +whistling and roaring. Coals of fire, driven like +arrows by the wind, hit the men in the back as +they rushed toward safety. At last the “burn” +was gained, and the men threw themselves face +down on the ground. At the eastern edge there +were large logs which had not been entirely +consumed, and some of the men lay down +behind them. +</p> +<p> +The air was so hot that it cut the lungs like +acid. Above, across the old “burn,” streamed +a river of flame, now racing like a mountain +torrent, now dropping sullenly back to the west, +like a fiery ceiling which had been rolled away. +On such occasions the fainting foresters below +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_193'></a>193</span> +could catch a breath of fresh air and a hazy +view of the sky. +</p> +<p> +Some of the men, half crazed by their sufferings, +arose to their feet and shook clenched hands +at the blazing forests, at the brassy sky, and the +green hills away to the east. Green crept from +one to another and whispered that the only hope +of life lay in keeping on the ground. +</p> +<p> +Once when he was creeping toward a man +who was moaning in anguish and despair he +turned his eyes upward to the sky, clear for an +instant, for the wind was wayward after a time, +and saw a speck sweeping out of the west, dropping +lower and lower, whirling in the wind, racing +like an express train. +</p> +<p> +“Dan,” he whispered to the man he was trying +to comfort, “get a brace! There’s no use +of giving up now. Why, man, the fight is won, +and Nestor is coming back with water!” +</p> +<p> +“Impossible!” grunted the other. “Impossible—in +this wind!” +</p> +<p> +“Then look,” Green said. +</p> +<p> +A sheet of flame swept over the “burn,” lay +upon it for an instant like a red-hot roof, and +then warped and twisted itself away. +</p> +<p> +“I see,” Dan said, looking into the sky again, +“but he can’t land. Impossible—in this storm!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_194'></a>194</span> +</p> +<p> +“Wait and see!” Green said, and sank back +to the earth. +</p> +<p> +The aeroplane circled, high up, like a bird +seeking its prey in the burning forest. The +wind was tolerably steady at that height, but +Ned knew that when he came into the lower +current he would meet conditions which he +could not understand. +</p> +<p> +“There’s a place to drop!” Frank shouted +to him, pointing ahead to the “burn,” which +seemed only a few yards away. +</p> +<p> +The aeroplane had missed the tree which had +threatened it by an inch, and had turned upward +again, for there were other trees in the +way of a descent there. The “burn” was the +first free spot that had been observed, and, +besides, it lay inside the line Ned had figured as +leading to the foresters. +</p> +<p> +“Hang on!” Ned cried. +</p> +<p> +The aeroplane plunged down, almost vertically, +and Frank felt as if he was standing on +his head. +</p> +<p> +“Don’t jump when it strikes the ground,” +Ned commanded. +</p> +<p> +Watched by a score of anxious eyes—for the +foresters under Green had all been told of the +coming relief—the aeroplane shot down, struck +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_195'></a>195</span> +the ground at the center of the “burn,” rolled +swiftly for a few yards, and stopped. At that +moment the space above filled with flame. +</p> +<p> +Both boys threw themselves on the ground +and waited. When the fierce gust was over the +men gathered about them eagerly. +</p> +<p> +“Did you make it?” asked Green. +</p> +<p> +“Yes,” Ned replied. “Get the bags out +and distribute the water. Don’t let the men +waste it.” +</p> +<p> +“I’ll see to that,” cried Green. +</p> +<p> +Without the water, without the cooling sips, +without the wet cloths held over nose and mouth, +without the saturated sponges laid on scorched +heads, the men would have died there in the +forest. Presently, when the consumption of the +timber to the west reduced the heat, when the +wind quieted down in a measure, they were +ready for another fight with the flames, and it +was owing largely to their exertions that the +fire was extinguished before millions of acres +had been burned over. +</p> +<p> +“It is a dream!” Green exclaimed, that afternoon, +as he stood by Ned and the aeroplane. +“I don’t believe yet that you did it.” +</p> +<p> +“I don’t see how I did,” laughed Ned. +“Anyhow, I’m sure I couldn’t do it again. I +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_196'></a>196</span> +guess Providence took the matter into his own +hands. Honestly, I do not believe any human +strength or skill could do what was done with +the aeroplane to-day. It was a miracle.” +</p> +<p> +“I know of a nervy boy who had something +to do with the miracle,” said Green. +</p> +<p> +Ned was naturally anxious regarding Pat, +Jack and Jimmie, but believed they would show +up in good form whenever he got back to the +vicinity of the place where they had been left. +When the boys were in camp with the rangers +that night, Ned asked Frank about Pat’s idea +of safety after refusing to go up in the aeroplane. +</p> +<p> +“He said he would stay about the valley,” +Frank replied. “There is plenty of provisions +there, you know, and Pat is quite long on the +eats,” he added, with a laugh. +</p> +<p> +“And Jack and Jimmie will be sure to hang +about the neighborhood of the caves,” Ned said. +“The Chinese boy, Liu, will be able to care for +them. If there is enough gasoline in the tanks, +I may go back to the valley to-night.” +</p> +<p> +“You’d better get some sleep to-night,” +Frank advised. “I don’t know how long it +has been since you settled down for a night +of it. If you keep your brain working right +you’ve got to sleep.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_197'></a>197</span> +</p> +<p> +“I really ought to go to San Francisco,” was +the astonishing reply to this advice. “I have +work to do there.” +</p> +<p> +“What work?” demanded Frank. +</p> +<p> +“You see,” Ned answered, “we have done +nothing yet, except discover a crime with which +we are supposed to have nothing to do. We +have brought a little water for the fire-fighters, +but we came here for a certain purpose, and we +have not made good as yet. Perhaps, when I +get to Frisco, I can hunch my wits, as the baseball +fans say, and report good progress.” +</p> +<p> +“I don’t understand what you mean,” +Frank said. +</p> +<p> +“I am not sufficiently sure of my ground to +attempt an explanation now,” Ned replied. +</p> +<p> +“Of course,” Frank said, thoughtfully, +“there’s the murder case you went to Frisco +about before. You might look that up again, +but I can’t see where that has any bearing on +this forest fire business.” +</p> +<p> +“You may be surprised,” Ned said, “when +the end comes. Somehow, I have an idea that +the two crimes dovetail into each other.” +</p> +<p> +“Nothing stirring!” laughed Frank. “They +don’t seem to me to match. Still, you may +have information I do not possess.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_198'></a>198</span> +</p> +<p> +An hour later, after the not very elaborate +supper had been eaten, Green came to the little +tent which had been set aside for Ned and Frank. +He had not wholly escaped the dangers of the +day unscathed. There were burns on his hands +and face, and one of his feet was bandaged. +</p> +<p> +“Shoe burned through,” he said, shortly. +“I shall have to walk with a crutch for several +days.” +</p> +<p> +“You won’t like that,” Ned suggested. +</p> +<p> +“No, indeed,” was the reply, “especially as +I would like to be moving about in order to see +what has happened to the other boys.” +</p> +<p> +“Have you heard from any of the other +groups?” asked Ned. +</p> +<p> +“Howard came in from the north,” was the +reply. “Three men killed up there. The fire +caught them unawares. One of my men has +gone south, but it will be some hours before I +hear from him.” +</p> +<p> +“I am afraid there were several lives lost,” +Ned said. “In the morning I’ll fly about and +see what I can learn.” +</p> +<p> +“What I came here to talk about,” Green +said, after a pause, “is this. I want to know +what you think of the Chinks?” +</p> +<p> +“The Chinese fire-fighters?” asked Ned. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_199'></a>199</span> +</p> +<p> +Green laughed quietly for a moment before +replying. Then: +</p> +<p> +“They told you that, did they?” +</p> +<p> +Ned nodded. He wanted to jump into the +subject without waiting for Green to have his +say, for he was greatly interested, but prudence +told him to listen to the forester first. +</p> +<p> +“Yes,” he said. “They told me that.” +</p> +<p> +“Also that they were foresters—the men who +told the story about the Chinks, I mean?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, one of them claimed to be in charge of +this district.” +</p> +<p> +“Well, you know better than that now, so +there is no use in talking about that. You saw +some of the Chinks?” +</p> +<p> +“Certainly. I even had the honor of visiting +their residence.” +</p> +<p> +Frank laughed, wondering what sort of a +story Ned would have to tell him when they +were alone again. +</p> +<p> +“It is a wonder you ever got out again,” +Green said. +</p> +<p> +“I left under the excitement of the fire,” +Ned said. “It was easy enough.” +</p> +<p> +“Do you know where the Chinks have gone?” +asked Green. +</p> +<p> +“I think I do,” was the reply. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_200'></a>200</span> +</p> +<p> +“To San Francisco?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, some of them. Others to Portland, +I think.” +</p> +<p> +“Smuggled in?” +</p> +<p> +“Of course, though it seems odd that they +should want to cross the border so far away from +civilization. It must be expensive getting them +in over such a route.” +</p> +<p> +“The men at the bottom of the game are +watched,” Green said. “Watched so closely +that they are obliged to keep out of the actual +work and do their business through unsuspected +channels. After this place has been raided they +will try some other point.” +</p> +<p> +“You know what has been going on then?” +asked Ned, surprised that the matter, as understood +by the forester, had not been reported to +him by the Secret Service man in San Francisco. +</p> +<p> +“Yes,” was the reply. +</p> +<p> +“And you have reported to your superior officers?” +</p> +<p> +Green nodded, and Ned began to feel provoked +at the strange attitude taken by the +government in the matter. Surely he should +have been posted as to conditions in the district +before being sent on. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_201'></a>201</span> +</p> +<p> +“Why wasn’t I informed of this new element +in the case?” he asked. +</p> +<p> +“Well,” Green replied, “the officials have +an idea that the men who are running the Chinks +and the opium in are the men who are responsible +for the forest fires. In fact, I have so reported +to them for a long time.” +</p> +<p> +“Go on,” the puzzled boy requested. +</p> +<p> +“You see,” Green continued, “I might go +and pick up a couple of dozen Chinks almost +any month, and capture a lot of opium, and +arrest a few men caught with the goods on, but, +don’t you see, that wouldn’t end the game?” +</p> +<p> +“I see that,” Ned answered. +</p> +<p> +“There is a man at the head of this game who +is working from behind the scenes somewhere,” +Green hastened to say. “I don’t know who he +is. The officials at San Francisco don’t know +who he is, or where he is. The big guns at +Washington know just about as much regarding +the head center of the game as we do. Well, +that is what you were sent here for—to get down +to cases, as I used to say on South Clark street, +Chicago.” +</p> +<p> +“It was thoughtful of them not to interrupt +the game until I got here,” Ned said. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_202'></a>202</span> +</p> +<p> +“Yes, I thought so,” Green went on. “I +thought that any man, or boy, coming here to +get to the bottom of this thing would want us +to leave a few ropes hanging out for him to climb +down. You found ’em.” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, I found them,” Ned replied. “I +found the counterfeit foresters and the Chinks, +as you call them, and I found something else.” +</p> +<p> +“That is what we expected you would do,” +Green said, after a moment’s hesitation. “We +wanted you to begin without pointers, with a +brain free of all the unsuccessful schemes which +have been worked. You see, I know a great +deal about it, my boy,” he added with a laugh. +“I knew, days ago, that you would be here. +When I saw the aeroplane in the sky I knew +who was in charge of it.” +</p> +<p> +“What is the next move?” asked the boy. +</p> +<p> +“That is for you to say,” was the reply. “I +am under orders to follow any reasonable instructions +from you. It is for you to suggest something.” +</p> +<p> +“Well,” Ned said, “that brings me to a point +I was studying over when you came in. I was +wondering if you would detail men to do certain +things for me.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_203'></a>203</span> +</p> +<p> +“Sure I will. If Washington has confidence +enough in you to put you in charge of the blindest +case in history, why shouldn’t I have equal +confidence in you? You bet I’ll be there with +the oxen when you give the word.” +</p> +<p> +“I thank you,” Ned replied. “What I +want now is men enough to guard two points. +One is a cave near Lake Kintla, and the other is +the cavern where the Chinese have been hiding.” +</p> +<p> +“How many men?” asked Green. +</p> +<p> +“Two to each place. If there is need of +more, others should be ready to assist.” +</p> +<p> +“I wish you all success,” Green said, after +the details of the surveillance had been arranged. +“We have located the tools, and now it is for +you to let down to bed rock. The government +wants the headpiece of this game, and believes +that you can put your finger on him. Half a +dozen inspectors have failed, but I have faith +in you, boy.” +</p> +<p> +“Well,” Ned replied, “I am glad of your confidence, +and thankful for the help you promise, +and will only say that the man behind the +scenes will soon be brought out. I think I know +his ‘cue’!” he added, with a laugh. +</p> +<p> +“Already?” asked Green. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_204'></a>204</span> +</p> +<p> +“I am only expressing confidence in the +clues I now hold,” Ned said in reply. “It may +be that the next clues I find will point the other +way.” +</p> +<p> +Green shook hands with the boys and went +to his tent. It was a clear night up above the +mountain tops, but down where the boys were +the smoke of consumed forests lay on the ground +like the gray ghost of fallen trees. Off to the +west the summit of the Rocky Mountains—or +one of the summits—lifted itself above the +smudge, standing like a giant up to his neck in +gray dust. +</p> +<p> +“Over there,” Frank said, “is Pat—hungry, +if you want to know, and nearer are Jack and +Jimmie. I wish we could hear from them.” +</p> +<p> +“If the ground wasn’t still red hot back +there,” Ned said, “Jimmie would be sure to +find us.” +</p> +<p> +“By the way,” Frank said, presently, “what +did you mean when you told Green that you +had a ‘cue’ which would bring out the man +behind the scenes?” +</p> +<p> +“I meant that I have blundered on a clue +which promises well,” was the reply. “And +now,” he said, yawning, “I’m going to bed. +Rather warm, but I think I’ll sleep, all right.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_205'></a>205</span> +</p> +<p> +In five minutes Ned was sound asleep and +Frank was about to lie down by his side when +Green made his appearance. The forester noted +the sleeping boy and laid a finger on his lips. +</p> +<p> +“Let him sleep,” he said. “And come out +here and see if you know anything about the +fellow that is tampering with the aeroplane.” +</p> +<p> +“What is he doing to it?” whispered Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Acts like he was preparing to take a trip +in it,” was the reply. +</p> +<p> +The words were followed by the rattle of the +motors. +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_206'></a>206</span><a name='chXVI' id='chXVI'></a>CHAPTER XVI.—HOW A CAT TREED A WOLF.</h2> +<p> +Smoke still hung over the “burn.” Now +and then it was swept aside by a gust of wind +which seemed now to blow out of the east, and +so did not come sizzling with the heat of burned +forests. The general effect, however, was that +of a heavy, stifling fog, and Green and Frank +crept along toward the aeroplane with their +hands held out before their faces. +</p> +<p> +The clatter of the motors had ceased, but +the tap-tap of steel on steel was faintly heard +as they neared the machine. Occasionally the +worker, whoever he was, ceased his tapping, as +if listening. +</p> +<p> +“He’s got his nerve with him,” Frank whispered, +as they moved along. +</p> +<p> +“How did he get here?” asked Green. +“That is the question that is troubling me.” +</p> +<p> +Presently the two came up so that the figure +of the man could be discerned, standing before +the bulk of the planes. Green sprang forward +and seized him by the arm. For an instant it +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_207'></a>207</span> +seemed as if the capture would be made without +a struggle, then a shot was fired and a crouching +figure leaped away. +</p> +<p> +Frank saw the forester fall and leaped toward +the retreating figure. The race in the +darkness, caused by the pall of smoke which +followed, was short, for Frank was a noted runner +and soon overhauled the fugitive. He did not +attempt to take hold of the man as he came up. +He knew that such a course might mean an unequal +contest, for he was only a boy. +</p> +<p> +Instead, he dropped to the ground and caught +one of the runner’s ankles in both hands. Naturally +the fellow plunged to the ground head-first. +He turned quickly and leveled a revolver. +There was no warning. The shot came instantly, +the bullet passing over the boy’s head as he +dropped upon the prostrate figure. +</p> +<p> +With the hand which held the weapon held +closely to the ground, Frank struggled with the +fellow for an instant, filling the heavy air with +his cries for assistance. The first shot had been +heard by the sleepers, and help was at hand +immediately. The captive was neatly tied by +the light of Frank’s flashlight, and the foresters +gathered about, still rubbing their eyes. +</p> +<p> +The “burn” was not all in darkness all the +time, for the glare of the smouldering embers to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_208'></a>208</span> +the west lighted the place fairly well. Only +for the smoke the ruddy light would have made +a pretty good illumination. When the fellow +was lifted to his feet an exclamation of astonishment +came from the group about him. +</p> +<p> +“Sawyer!” some one cried. +</p> +<p> +The prisoner dropped his chin for a moment, +as if studying out some difficult proposition, +then faced the others sheepishly. +</p> +<p> +“I thought I could get away with it,” he +said. +</p> +<p> +A cry now came from the men who had hastened +to Green’s assistance. +</p> +<p> +“He’s dead, I guess,” the voice said. +</p> +<p> +“I didn’t shoot to kill,” Sawyer exclaimed. +“He can’t be dead.” +</p> +<p> +“Why did you shoot at all?” demanded one +of the rangers, approaching Sawyer with threatening +fists. +</p> +<p> +“He was in my way,” was the sullen reply. +“I have always wanted an aeroplane, and I +thought this a good time to get one.” +</p> +<p> +“Did you injure the machine in any way?” +asked Frank, as Sawyer stood gazing furtively +from face to face, his black eyes showing fear. +</p> +<p> +“When I found I couldn’t get it off,” was +the reply, “I loosened some of the burrs. It +can be repaired easily enough.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_209'></a>209</span> +</p> +<p> +“That is more than can be said for you, if +you have killed Green,” one of the men declared, +shaking a fist at the prisoner. “If he’s dead +you’ll be hauled up on one of these trees.” +</p> +<p> +“You wouldn’t dare do that!” Sawyer cried. +</p> +<p> +“Wouldn’t we?” cried the other. “You’ll +see when we know whether he will live or not. +How is it, boys?” he continued, stepping toward +the spot where Green lay. +</p> +<p> +The man bending over Green was about to +reply when Nestor laid a hand on his arm. The +boy had been awakened at the first shot and +had slipped out of his tent and over to the side of +the wounded man, being the first to arrive there. +</p> +<p> +“Wait,” he said, as the ranger looked up +in surprise. “Green is not seriously injured,” +Ned went on, “but I want to make that rascal +think he is.” +</p> +<p> +“What’s the idea?” asked the other, glancing +from face to face about him. +</p> +<p> +“When he stands under a tree with a rope +about his neck,” Ned said, “he’ll tell us the +truth about this affair.” +</p> +<p> +“He was trying to steal the machine,” the +other said. +</p> +<p> +“Green has a bullet hole through his shoulder,” +Ned said, “but I want you to treat the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_210'></a>210</span> +prisoner as if the shot had been fatal. Kindly +carry him to his tent.” +</p> +<p> +The command was instantly obeyed, for the +foresters all knew why Ned was there, and understood +that he was the personal representative +of the Secret Service chief at Washington. Ned +then called Frank aside and spoke a few words +in a whisper. The boy grinned and hastened +back to the group about Sawyer. +</p> +<p> +“Nestor wants to talk with Sawyer,” he explained, +“and wants me to take him to his tent.” +</p> +<p> +“We’ll take him to Nestor’s tent after we +get done with him,” declared a burly forester +whose face bore many evidences of the hard fight +he had made during the fire. “It won’t take +us long to settle with him.” +</p> +<p> +Frank spoke a few words to the man and he +was one of the first to push the prisoner toward +Nestor’s tent. +</p> +<p> +“If you’ll keep those men off me,” were +Sawyer’s first words, “I’ll tell you what you +want to know. They mean to kill me.” +</p> +<p> +“I think there is little doubt about that,” +was Ned’s reply. “Why did you want the +aeroplane?” +</p> +<p> +“If you must know,” was the reply, “I was +sent here to get it, or to wreck it so you couldn’t +use it.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_211'></a>211</span> +</p> +<p> +This looked promising, and Ned waved a +hand at Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Throw him out here!” came a gruff voice +from the crowd. +</p> +<p> +“I won’t tell,” Sawyer went on, “unless you +promise to keep them away from me. I didn’t +mean to kill Green, and no court will convict +me.” +</p> +<p> +“When did you come here?” asked Ned. +</p> +<p> +“A month ago,” was the reply. “The day +you landed in San Francisco a man came to my +boarding house and employed me.” +</p> +<p> +“He mentioned the aeroplane?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes, he knew all about it.” +</p> +<p> +“Treachery in the Secret Service, eh?” asked +Ned. +</p> +<p> +“I don’t know how he gained his information,” +was the reply. “He told me that he had +secured a job for me in the forest service, and +that I was to join the crew in this district.” +</p> +<p> +“And steal the aeroplane?” +</p> +<p> +“Steal it or wreck it. There are men with +the other crews. You would have found an +enemy wherever you landed.” +</p> +<p> +This was all very amazing, and Ned wondered +how many pitfalls had been set for him in +San Francisco. He had no doubt that Sawyer +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_212'></a>212</span> +was telling the truth. The question was as to +whether he would tell the story as it was from +that point on. +</p> +<p> +“Who was it that engaged you—gave you +your instructions?” he asked. +</p> +<p> +“I don’t know,” was the reply. +</p> +<p> +Ned swung his hand again, and a fierce demand +that the prisoner should be thrown out +arose from the group outside. Sawyer shivered +and crept out of his camp-chair to Nestor’s side. +His face was deadly pale, being sheltered from +the ruddy glow of the fires. Just where the men +stood outside lay a red lance of light, giving a +demon-like look to their rugged faces. +</p> +<p> +“If you don’t tell me the truth,” Ned said, +“I can’t protect you.” +</p> +<p> +“I tell you I don’t know,” wailed the frightened +man. “I had never seen him before. I +wanted a job and took what he offered. I +didn’t think it would be so great a crime to steal +or wreck an aeroplane.” +</p> +<p> +“What were you to receive for the job?” +</p> +<p> +“One thousand dollars.” +</p> +<p> +“Hurry up! Throw that sneak out!” +</p> +<p> +Sawyer, like the coward he was, threw himself +down on the floor of the tent and groveled +at Ned’s feet. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_213'></a>213</span> +</p> +<p> +“You would know the man again?” asked +Ned. +</p> +<p> +“Yes; I can pick him out of a score of men.” +</p> +<p> +“You will do this willingly?” +</p> +<p> +“Yes; I’m sick of the whole game. I didn’t +mean to hurt Green. I wanted to scare him +away so I could get back to my tent without +being recognized. That is all I wanted, and I +did not mean to hit him at all.” +</p> +<p> +There was a great deal more talk between +the two. Ned soon became convinced that +Sawyer was a weak man, morally and intellectually, +who would be apt to follow the lead of +one stronger than himself. +</p> +<p> +After Ned had left a guard over the man +and visited Green—who was doing very well, +and laughing over the trick the boy had played +on Sawyer—he went back to his rough bed, well +satisfied with the events of the night. +</p> +<p> +“By the way,” Frank said, crawling into +the tent after assisting in caring for the wounded +man, “I don’t understand what you mean by +saying that you’ve got a clue which you think +will force the man behind the scenes out on the +stage, in full view of the audience. If there is +such a clue hovering about I haven’t become +acquainted with it.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_214'></a>214</span> +</p> +<p> +“The clue is hardly well enough advanced to +talk about,” Ned replied. +</p> +<p> +“But if you’ve got a line on the leader of this +bunch you’ve won the case,” suggested Frank. +</p> +<p> +“That is what the government sent me here +for,” Ned replied. “The chief of the Secret +Service expects me to round up the man responsible +for the frequent forest fires. I think +now that he should have told me that smuggling +was going on up here, but he may have had a +good reason for not doing so.” +</p> +<p> +“You know what Mr. Green said,” Frank +interrupted. “He said the government officers +wanted you to take the case and find out everything +for yourself. Perhaps they feared that +you would pay too much attention to these +smugglers, and let the forest fires issue go with +scant investigation. They might have arrested +the smugglers at any time, you know.” +</p> +<p> +“Perhaps so,” Ned replied, “But that wouldn’t +have brought the manager of the unlawful +enterprises into the hands of the law. After +all, the Secret Service men may have been right +in sending me up here without instructions or +special information. What a laugh they would +have had if I had failed to discover the Chinamen +and the opium.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_215'></a>215</span> +</p> +<p> +“Perhaps they wanted to see if you would +discover them,” laughed Frank. “Have you +any idea,” he added, “that the Secret Service +men knew that you would be followed in here—that +the plans of the government regarding your +work were known to the outlaws? Do you think +they knew of the employment of Sawyer and the +others by the men at the head of the conspiracy?” +</p> +<p> +“No; I hardly think the man who gave me +final orders at San Francisco knew that all he +did was known to the men he was fighting,” +Ned replied. “The head of the bunch put a +good one over on him there.” +</p> +<p> +“And came near putting one over on you, +also,” grinned Frank. “The aeroplane has been +attacked twice already, and others are doubtless +waiting to get a crack at it.” +</p> +<p> +“They will have to hurry up if they do,” +Ned said, with a chuckle, “and you will have to +look out for yourself if they succeed, for I’m +going to have you take me to Missoula in the +morning and then go back and collect the boys.” +</p> +<p> +“And not come back here again?” asked +Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Not unless we come back for a pleasure +trip,” was the reply. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_216'></a>216</span> +</p> +<p> +“Well,” Frank said, “that pleasure trip idea +looks pretty good to me. Why not?” +</p> +<p> +“I may have time,” Ned replied. +</p> +<p> +Frank threw himself on the blankets which +had been provided by Mr. Green and closed his +eyes, which were still smarting from the effects +of the smoke. +</p> +<p> +“If you go away to-morrow,” he said, presently, +“what is to become of the clues we found +in the cavern by the lake?” +</p> +<p> +“All provided for,” Ned answered. +</p> +<p> +“And all the Chinks, and everything you +discovered while visiting them in the caves almost +under the divide?” +</p> +<p> +“Everything provided for,” Ned said, sleepily. +</p> +<p> +“And you think you can close this case by +going to San Francisco?” demanded Frank, a +touch of sarcasm in his tone. +</p> +<p> +“Go to sleep, little boy,” said Ned, in a +tantalizing tone. +</p> +<p> +“But do you?” insisted the boy. +</p> +<p> +“Of course I do,” was the muttered reply. +“Go to sleep, little man!” +</p> +<p> +And Frank tried to obey, but sleep would +not come. The fire still smouldered over in the +west. The ruddy light of the embers was still +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_217'></a>217</span> +touching the camp with its red fingers. The +smoke was still asserting itself in the air. The +puzzle was still there! +</p> +<p> +After the boy had rolled over at least fifty +times, and arose to consult a water bag at least +a dozen times, he seated himself under the flap +of the tent and looked out. There was a moon +now, and the smoke only half hid it. Far off +in the woods wild creatures were expressing +their opinion of the fire and the wanton destruction +of their homes. There was a faint rustle +in the foliage of the trees east of the “burn.” +</p> +<p> +“Gee!” the boy muttered. “I’d like to +come back here for a month!” +</p> +<p> +Then his attention was attracted to the savage +growl of some animal in the thicket beyond +the fire limit of the “burn.” It seemed to the +boy as if some man-eating creature had cornered +a bit of animate supper, but couldn’t +reach it. The language used by the forest resident +seemed to be in the tongue of the panther. +While he listened a cry which was not that of a +hungry beast came out of the gloom. +</p> +<p> +That was a cry for help, surely. Frank put +his revolver and his searchlight into convenient +pockets and set out for the scene of the disturbance, +without awakening any of the sleepers. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_218'></a>218</span> +It was slow work pushing through the bushes, +and the boy wondered if a fire there, well guarded +on a quiet day, wouldn’t be a good thing. +</p> +<p> +He kept his searchlight ahead and looked +about for the source of the noises as he advanced +in the darkness. In a short time he heard a +voice he knew, but hardly expected to hear +there. +</p> +<p> +“Hurry up!” the voice said. “I’m goin’ to +tumble out of this tree in about a minute! I’m +that hungry! I thought you might meet me +with a pie under one arm.” +</p> +<p> +“Well, why don’t you come down, then?” +Frank asked. +</p> +<p> +“If you’ll turn your honorable attention to +that tree to the east,” Jimmie said, “your excellency +will observe a panther waiting for his +supper. He’s been tracking me all day, getting +bolder every minute. Now, if I turn this searchlight +away for an instant, he’ll jump on me, and +there you are. No more Jimmie McGraw than +a rabbit!” +</p> +<p> +“I didn’t see your light at first,” Frank said, +“for it was hidden by the foliage of the trees. +I suppose you want me to shoot the cat?” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_219'></a>219</span><a name='chXVII' id='chXVII'></a>CHAPTER XVII.—THE TIME FOR THE ROUND-UP.</h2> +<p> +“Sure,” Jimmie answered. “Shoot the cat!” +</p> +<p> +“Well, keep your light on him, and wait +until I can get where I can see him. The cat +frequently resents being wounded.” +</p> +<p> +“Cripes!” cried Jimmie. “Don’t shoot unless +you kill him, for he’ll jump at me then for +sure. He’s angry now—hear him pound with +his tail? I fired all my loads at him an’ he +dodged the bullets.” +</p> +<p> +“You couldn’t shoot craps!” scorned Frank. +</p> +<p> +The panther, a great brute made ferocious +by the excitement of the fire, and probably +scorched a little, could now be heard moving +in the branches of a tree not far from that +in which Jimmie was perched. In a moment +Frank reached a point from which the beast’s +face could be seen. +</p> +<p> +He thought to himself that it looked like a +tiger head fastened against a gray cloud with +unseen pins. Jimmie’s searchlight brought the +evil face, the cruel eyes, the back-sloping ears, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_220'></a>220</span> +the faintly-moving jaws, out into strong relief, +as the circle of flame was only large enough to +cover the face. +</p> +<p> +The beast heard Frank moving in the bushes +below and turned its head to look, at the same +time crouching low, as if to spring. +</p> +<p> +The first bullet struck him fair in the throat, +the second entered the head just above the eyes, +the third, coming so rapidly on the others that +the three reports seemed to merge into one, +entered the body over the heart. The great +beast was dead when the body struck the ground. +</p> +<p> +Jimmie was not long in getting down to +Frank’s side and grasping him by the shoulders +in a hug which threatened to end in a scuffle. +</p> +<p> +“Get away!” Frank said. “Suppose there’s +another cat here? If there is he’ll get one of us +through your foolishness.” +</p> +<p> +“There were two,” Jimmie said, coolly, “but +I killed one.” +</p> +<p> +“How did you get here?” was the next question, +asked as the boys turned toward the camp. +</p> +<p> +“How do you think I got here?” returned +Jimmie. +</p> +<p> +“Walked!” laughed Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, I walked.” +</p> +<p> +Jimmie stopped and rubbed his legs with +careful hands. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_221'></a>221</span> +</p> +<p> +“I’m all wore out!” he said. “I can’t walk +any farther to-night.” +</p> +<p> +“All right,” Frank said, with a grin. “I’ll +leave you both lights to keep the cats off with, +and my gun, and come out after you in the +morning after breakfast.” +</p> +<p> +“Oh, my eats!” Jimmie cried. “Lead me +to something that will sustain life! I’m starving, +I tell you.” +</p> +<p> +“You walked all the way?” asked Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Sure! Forty miles at least.” +</p> +<p> +“Where are the others?” +</p> +<p> +“Pat, Jack and the Chink Scout? Pat came +up just before I started, riding on a burro, an’ +in the custody of a small party of rangers, who +thought he had been setting fires. The rangers +went into camp over there, all tired out, an’ +Jack an’ Pat settled down with them. I run +away.” +</p> +<p> +“They don’t know where you are?” asked +Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Nix know!” replied the boy. +</p> +<p> +“But how did you ever get through the burning +forest?” asked Frank, hardly believing the +boy’s story of his long walk. +</p> +<p> +“This ‘burn’ is only a mile wide,” Jimmie +said. “I walked on the south edge of it. Say, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_222'></a>222</span> +there are plenty of lives lost! Bears, an’ cats, +an’ all that. I guess this will be an agreeable +place to live in about a week—not!” +</p> +<p> +The boy was indeed “all in,” as he expressed +it. He had walked since early morning through +a tangled forest black with smoke, through an +atmosphere burned and smoked out of its life-giving +qualities. And all this exertion in order +that he might be near his chum, Nestor. +</p> +<p> +Fortune had favored the lad, and he had at +last blundered on the camp where Ned had taken +refuge, otherwise he might have died in the forest +from hunger and exhaustion, or been devoured +by some of the savage beasts which had +followed him all day. +</p> +<p> +“Where’s Ned?” Jimmie asked, as they stood +before the little row of tents. +</p> +<p> +“Asleep,” was the reply, “and you let him +alone for to-night. He’s been having a lively +time. But how in the name of all that’s wonderful +did you ever find your way here?” the +boy added. +</p> +<p> +“I don’t know,” was the reply. “I knew +that Ned would be wherever the fire was, and +so started east. Not so very long ago I heard +a couple of shots, and that directed me toward +the camp. Who was hurt?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_223'></a>223</span> +</p> +<p> +Frank explained, briefly, what had taken +place, hunted up a liberal meal for the boy, and +then saw him settled for the night. +</p> +<p> +Ned’s astonishment at seeing the boy in the +morning may well be imagined. +</p> +<p> +“Huh!” Jimmie said. “You thought you +would fool me out of all the fun!” +</p> +<p> +Ned laughed and asked about the others, +finally informing Jimmie that he was leaving +that morning for San Francisco by the aeroplane +route. +</p> +<p> +“Then I’m goin’!” declared the boy. “I’m +not goin’ to be chucked into the discard again.” +</p> +<p> +“You’ll have to sit in Frank’s lap,” grinned +Ned, “and the machine may tip over with such +a load, at that.” +</p> +<p> +“I guess it didn’t tip over when Frank and +Jack an’ yours truly run it,” Jimmie replied. +“Anyway, I’m goin’ with you.” +</p> +<p> +Before leaving for Missoula, where he was +to surrender the aeroplane to Frank, Ned had +another long talk with Mr. Green, whose wound +was not so serious as it had been considered the +night before. The forester told him what he +knew of the men under the leadership of Greer, +saying that he might have arrested Greer at any +time during the month, and, what is more, convicted +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_224'></a>224</span> +him of smuggling both Chinamen and +opium over the border. +</p> +<p> +“But what good would it have done?” Green +went on. “The conspirators in Washington, +or New York, or San Francisco would have +chosen another leader, and the game would have +gone on as before.” +</p> +<p> +“That is very true,” Ned admitted, “and +still, it seems to me that the time to round the +fellows up has come!” +</p> +<p> +“Do you give that as an order?” asked the +other, a flash of excitement showing in his face. +</p> +<p> +“Yes,” was the reply. +</p> +<p> +“But some of them have gone to Portland +with the Chinks—some to Frisco, I think. What +about that?” +</p> +<p> +“If you can spare men,” Ned said, “follow +them.” +</p> +<p> +“You’re on!” laughed Green. “I’ve been +waiting for some such orders for a long time. +You’re on!” +</p> +<p> +“And follow on to Frisco as soon as you can,” +Ned continued. “Address me, or look for me, +if you are able to be about after you get there, +at the Federal building.” +</p> +<p> +“I’ll be there in a week,” Green said, his +eyes showing the joy of the coming fight with +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_225'></a>225</span> +the outlaws, “and I’ll have a bunch of prisoners +with me.” +</p> +<p> +The forester hesitated a moment, as the importance +of the proposed move came to him, +then faced Ned with a hesitating look. It was +plain to the boy that Green wanted to ask a +question which he believed to be either personal +or impertinent. +</p> +<p> +“Is there something else?” Ned asked. +</p> +<p> +Green still hesitated, his eyes on the ground. +</p> +<p> +“Are you sure of your clues?” he asked, then. +</p> +<p> +“I think so,” was the reply. +</p> +<p> +“Because, you see,” Green went on, “the +government doesn’t want any trap sprung until +the whole bilin’ is within reaching distance. +After the good work you have done here, I +wouldn’t like to have you order the round-up +and then find that the men you wanted were +still out on the range.” +</p> +<p> +“Thank you for your frankness,” Ned replied. +</p> +<p> +“I just want to be sure that you are sure,” +smiled Green. “It would mix things for me to +make these arrests and have the big ones get +away, now, wouldn’t it?” +</p> +<p> +“Indeed it would,” Ned admitted, “but I +think it is safe to go ahead as we planned a moment +ago.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_226'></a>226</span> +</p> +<p> +“All right!” Green said, but there was still +doubt in his eyes. +</p> +<p> +“And I’ll accept all the responsibility,” Ned +added. +</p> +<p> +“I have a suggestion to make,” Green said, +then. “Why not go on to Frisco in the aeroplane +and ask for instructions? You can make +the trip in the airship in no time, but it is a long +ride by rail.” +</p> +<p> +“I think,” Ned replied, with a laugh, “that +the game will be ripe just about the time I get +to Frisco by rail. Besides, I don’t want the +outlaws to know that I’m going to the city. +They would know it if they saw the aeroplane +making for the coast. Well, if I leave Frank +navigating it in this district they will think I +am still here. Don’t you see?” +</p> +<p> +“Go it!” laughed Green. “I reckon you +know what you’re about.” +</p> +<p> +“Anyway,” Ned said, “I’ve got to play the +game in my own way if I play it at all.” +</p> +<p> +“I see,” observed Green, and the two parted. +</p> +<p> +The aeroplane had not been damaged at all +by the fire, but Ned went over it carefully before +attempting a start. Sawyer, trembling with +fright, was brought out to show where he had +meddled with the machinery. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_227'></a>227</span> +</p> +<p> +“I didn’t harm it any,” the prisoner said. +</p> +<p> +“There are some burrs missing,” Ned said. +</p> +<p> +Sawyer brought half a dozen out of a pocket +and passed them to Ned with a reluctant hand. +</p> +<p> +“I neglected to tell you that I had them in +my pocket,” he said. +</p> +<p> +“What did Green say to you this morning?” +asked Ned, screwing the burrs on where they +were needed. +</p> +<p> +“He says he won’t be hard on me, if I tell +all I know about the men who are doing these +tricks,” was the reply. +</p> +<p> +“You told me all you know?” asked Ned. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, there is nothing else to tell. I’m so +glad to think that Green is not going to die from +the wound I gave him that I’ll do everything in +my power to bring the men who put me up to +this to punishment.” +</p> +<p> +“Sure you can identify the man who hired +you?” +</p> +<p> +“Dead certain,” was the reply. +</p> +<p> +“Then I’ll have one of the men bring you to +Frisco,” Ned said. “You will be wanted there.” +</p> +<p> +“All right; anything the government wants +goes!” +</p> +<p> +In half an hour the three boys, Ned, Frank +and Jimmie, were on the aeroplane, sailing +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_228'></a>228</span> +through the clear air of a splendid summer +morning. Below they could see the long, narrow +strip of land which had been swept by the +fires. Off to the north was the British frontier, +with Lake Kintla glimmering in the sunshine. +</p> +<p> +“Aren’t we going back to that lake cavern +again?” asked Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Not just now,” Ned replied. +</p> +<p> +“I didn’t know that you got all you wanted +in there,” Frank went on. “I had an idea that +you were trying to identify the man we found +dead there.” +</p> +<p> +“I think I learned all there was to learn +there,” Ned replied. +</p> +<p> +“He spent a lot of time in there before he +went to Frisco,” Jimmie said. “He made me +go in there with him, and I didn’t like it.” +</p> +<p> +“And so no one will ever know who the dead +man was?” asked Frank. +</p> +<p> +“I have been given a name,” Ned said, “a +name to call him by, but I don’t exactly like to +accept the information, considering the source +from which it came.” +</p> +<p> +The aeroplane drifted to the west and north +easily under the steady pulse of the motors, and +the plateau where Jimmie had left the boys and +the foresters was soon in sight. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_229'></a>229</span> +</p> +<p> +“I wonder if they’re all alive?” said Jimmie. +</p> +<p> +“What could happen to them?” demanded +Frank. +</p> +<p> +“Oh,” Jimmie replied, with biting sarcasm, +“there is nothing here to harm ’em! This is a +pink tea, this is! This is a church fair, where +you get ices made out of the cream they skim +off the cistern!” +</p> +<p> +“You’re getting nutty!” Frank said, with a +grin. +</p> +<p> +“When I left ’em,” Jimmie went on, “the +boys an’ the foresters were wondering if the outlaws +would come back an’ kill ’em one by one +or just blow up the caves underneath the plateau +an’ send ’em up in the air without any good +means of gettin’ down.” +</p> +<p> +“Then we’ll look them up,” Ned said. +</p> +<p> +The great divide lay down below, and the +plateau was in plain sight, with the early sunshine +streaming over it. When the aeroplane +circled about it a shout came up to Ned’s ears, +then a shot, and the powder smoke drifted lazily +upward in the clear air. +</p> +<p> +“Somethin’ doin’!” Jimmie cried. “Suppose +we go down an’ see.” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_230'></a>230</span><a name='chXVIII' id='chXVIII'></a>CHAPTER XVIII.—TWO INANIMATE WITNESSES.</h2> +<p> +It was very still in the bachelor apartment, +and, as on the occasion of his previous visit, +Nestor saw, as he slipped through the doorway +leading from the private hall, that the lights +were burning low. +</p> +<p> +On this night there was no opium-drugged +victim lying on the couch. There was a movement +in the room beyond, and Ned could hear +the soft tread of slippered feet and occasionally +the rattle of dishes. It was evident that midnight +luncheon was being prepared, and that +the master of the habitation would soon be on +hand. +</p> +<p> +Closing the door softly—the same having +been opened with a skeleton key—Ned stepped +across the room to the writing desk which he +had examined on that other night. After +searching the half-open drawer for an instant, +he took out a number of papers and examined +them. He also took a check-book out and put +it into a pocket. The papers he returned to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_231'></a>231</span> +the desk. The check-book was an old one, +there being few blank checks in the binding, but +plenty of stubs. +</p> +<p> +Then Ned looked at the lock of the desk. +It had been out of repair at his previous visit, +but was in excellent shape now. He removed +the new key and inserted the one with the broken +stem which had so excited the interest of Albert +Lemon and Jap on occasion of his previous visit. +</p> +<p> +The key with the broken stem did not fit. +A new lock had been put on. Next Ned went +to a mantel over a gas grate and lifted the cover +from a little ivory box which stood there. At +the very bottom of the box, under buttons, pins, +needles, and odds and ends, he found a key. +This one was whole, and it was an exact duplicate +of the one with the broken stem. +</p> +<p> +Ned had been in San Francisco three days, +and Jimmie was not far away. On bringing the +aeroplane to the plateau on the day of his return +to Missoula he had found Ernest Whipple, +Jack, Pat, Liu, and a small party of rangers +anxiously awaiting him. Also “several tough +ones waitin’ for an introduction,” as Jimmie +put it. It seems that the fake foresters had returned +to the cave after the fire in the cañon had +burned itself out and had at once discovered +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_232'></a>232</span> +that the prisoner had vanished, also that Liu, +the Chinese boy, had disappeared with him. +</p> +<p> +There had been a long search for the missing +boys, as the outlaws knew very well that the +escape meant the bringing of officers to the caves, +but they had not been discovered until a short +time before the arrival of the aeroplane. +</p> +<p> +When Ned reached the plateau—in fact, before +he reached it—he heard the whistling of +bullets aimed at the big bird. The outlaws +were trying to cripple the aeroplane and so give +the riders a tumble. The boys landed in safety, +however, and joined the others. +</p> +<p> +Seeing the boys thus reinforced, the outlaws +had withdrawn, and the rangers had conducted +them to a pass which led over the divide. So +it was that Ned had left them, making their way +down toward the Valley of the Wild Animals, +where a large number of rangers were encamped, +and where Frank was to come for them with the +aeroplane as soon as Ned landed at Missoula. +</p> +<p> +There were numerous shots fired at the aeroplane +as it mounted into the sky again, but no +harm was done. +</p> +<p> +“If they had been shootin’ at that cat last +night,” Jimmie said, in derision, “they would +’a’ been eaten alive.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_233'></a>233</span> +</p> +<p> +“They are nervous,” Frank said, “and don’t +dare come out of their hiding places so as to get +a good sight at us. They are afraid of the +rangers, and afraid that we’ll drop a bomb or +something of that sort down on them.” +</p> +<p> +This explanation of the bad marksmanship, +as well as the failure of the outlaws to rush the +aeroplane, was accepted by the boys, who had +anticipated a fight with the fellows. It was +afterwards learned, too, that there were only +half a dozen outlaws in the group, and that they +had been sent back to guard the caves and not +to fight rangers unless they were attacked. +</p> +<p> +Ned had been very busy since his return to +the city, having made many inquiries concerning +Albert Lemon and his servant, the Japanese +attendant who had given the boy such a chilly +reception on the night of the first visit. +</p> +<p> +Lemon, he had been informed, was a millionaire +of eccentric habits. According to Ned’s +source of information, he would absent himself +from his usual haunts for days at a time, and +would then return to shut himself up in his +rooms, at home to no one, and attended only by +Jap. +</p> +<p> +After a time the clatter of dishes grew louder +in the adjoining room, giving notice, doubtless, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_234'></a>234</span> +that the luncheon being prepared was nearly +ready to serve. Then the boy seated himself +behind a screen which cut off a corner of the +room and waited. He had occupied his retreat +only a short time when a key turned in the door +and the man he had talked with on his first visit +entered. +</p> +<p> +It was not the old, half-dazed, disreputable +Lemon who stepped into the room, but a young +man handsomely dressed and evidently very +wide awake and in the best of spirits. After +seeing that the window shades were closely +drawn he turned on the lights and dropped into +a chair at the writing desk. +</p> +<p> +Ned saw him rummage the pigeon-holes for +a moment, extract a folded paper, and fall to +checking off the items. The boy had examined +this sheet while at the desk, and so knew +what it contained. After checking the items +the man drew out a long pocket-book and placed +its contents on the writing board. +</p> +<p> +The boy gave a quick start when he saw +what the book had contained, for a large package +of yellow-back bank notes lay exposed to +view. The man counted them carefully, compared +the total with the figures he had marked +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_235'></a>235</span> +on the sheet, and then sat back in his chair with +a satisfied smile on his face. +</p> +<p> +“Everything correct!” he said. +</p> +<p> +Then he lighted a cigar and turned to the +door opening into the inner room. +</p> +<p> +“Jap!” he called softly. “Oh, Jap!” +</p> +<p> +The door opened and the servant looked in. +</p> +<p> +“Come here!” Lemon commanded. “What +have you been doing?” he added, as the Jap +stood before him. +</p> +<p> +“Nothing,” was the reply. +</p> +<p> +“You are not telling the truth,” Lemon said. +“You have been seen about the city, in tea +houses, talking with strangers.” +</p> +<p> +“I have not been out of the rooms,” the +other insisted, stubbornly. +</p> +<p> +“Let it pass,” Lemon said, in a moment. +“There may be some mistake. Any one been +here?” +</p> +<p> +“No one.” +</p> +<p> +The servant appeared to have a perfect +knowledge of English. He looked into his master’s +face with a bland smile, but now and then +his eyes sought the screen behind which Ned +was hidden. +</p> +<p> +“Well, some of the boys will be up here to-night,” Lemon +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_236'></a>236</span> +said. “See that there is plenty +to eat. Go, now.” +</p> +<p> +The servant turned to the door opening into +the private hall, stood with his hand on the knob +for an instant, and then, apparently changing +his mind, went out through the doorway by +which he had entered. If Lemon had been listening +intently he would have heard a quick +movement in the back room as Jap closed the +door. +</p> +<p> +In a moment there was another movement in +the private hall, and then Ned heard the corridor +door open. He pushed the screen aside and +stepped out before the astonished occupant of +the rooms. +</p> +<p> +“What does this mean?” Lemon demanded, +a quiver of excitement—or it might have been +consternation—in his voice. +</p> +<p> +While he spoke he moved toward a table +where a revolver lay in full view. +</p> +<p> +“Never mind that,” Ned said, coolly. “We +can arbitrate our differences without its assistance. +Besides, it is not loaded.” +</p> +<p> +“What are you doing here?” Lemon almost +shouted, his face growing white, either with rage +or fear. “Leave the room immediately.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_237'></a>237</span> +</p> +<p> +Ned dropped into a chair and motioned toward +another. +</p> +<p> +“Sit down!” he ordered. +</p> +<p> +“Your impudence is amazing,” Lemon said, +but he took the chair. +</p> +<p> +In a moment, however, he turned to the door. +</p> +<p> +“Jap!” he called. +</p> +<p> +Again the door opened and the servant looked +in. +</p> +<p> +“Are you armed?” Lemon asked. +</p> +<p> +The servant nodded, fixing a pair of inscrutable +eyes on Ned’s face as he did so. +</p> +<p> +“Very well,” was the reply. “Stand there +by the door. How did this man gain entrance +here?” +</p> +<p> +The only reply was a shrug of the shoulders. +</p> +<p> +“Let it pass for the present,” Lemon said, +with a smile of triumph. “Stand there and +shoot when I give the word.” +</p> +<p> +The servant nodded again. Ned remained +seated, his eyes fixed coolly on the face of the +master. +</p> +<p> +“Now, what do you want?” demanded +Lemon. “You don’t look exactly like a common +sneak thief.” +</p> +<p> +“You doubtless remember,” Ned began, in +a level voice, “that I did myself the honor of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_238'></a>238</span> +calling at these rooms not long ago in quest of +information of one—of one Felix Emory?” +</p> +<p> +Lemon started at the name, but gained confidence +as he glanced toward the servant at the +door. +</p> +<p> +“Yes, I remember,” he said. “What about +it?” +</p> +<p> +There was a sharp ring at the corridor door +before Ned spoke again. The Jap looked inquiringly +at his master. +</p> +<p> +“Company may prove of value just now,” +Lemon said. “Will you see who is there?” +</p> +<p> +It was clear to Ned that Lemon expected +some of the associates he had mentioned as +“the boys” when giving instructions about the +luncheon, and there was a smile of welcome on +his face when a bustle in the hall told of an +arrival. +</p> +<p> +There was only one man, however, and +Lemon at first seemed disappointed, but in a +moment he had his face under perfect control +again. +</p> +<p> +“Father!” he cried, springing to his feet. +“It is good to see you here!” +</p> +<p> +The newcomer, a man of perhaps sixty, +well dressed and with the air of a man to whom +marked attention was due, stood looking into +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_239'></a>239</span> +Lemon’s face for an instant and then grasped +his hand. +</p> +<p> +“You have changed little, my son,” he said. +</p> +<p> +Lemon smiled and indicated Ned with a +slight motion of the hand. +</p> +<p> +“Permit me to present to you my father, +Mr. Leon Lemon,” he said, “and this, father, +is a boy burglar who broke into my rooms in +quest of plunder a short time ago,” he added. +“We were having quite a cheerful talk when you +came. I don’t know his name, unfortunately.” +</p> +<p> +The old gentleman gave a start and attempted +to rise from his chair. +</p> +<p> +“Don’t distress yourself,” Lemon said. “He +is quite harmless. Besides, Jap has him covered +with the cannon he delights to carry.” +</p> +<p> +“This is a strange situation,” the other said, +wiping the sweat of excitement from his face. +</p> +<p> +“One of the incidents which add to the joy +of life,” Lemon said. “You remember Felix +Emory?” he added. “Well, his pretense for +this call is that he came to ask about him. Go +ahead, Mr. Burglar.” +</p> +<p> +“Perhaps you will also remember,” Ned +went on, “that on my former visit here I exhibited +a key with a broken stem—the key to +that writing desk?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_240'></a>240</span> +</p> +<p> +Lemon’s face hardened and he glanced furtively +at the servant, but said not a word. +</p> +<p> +“This key,” Ned said, producing the one +mentioned, “was found in the pocket of the man +who was found dead in the Rocky Mountains. +You think you left it in the suit of clothes you +gave Emory?” +</p> +<p> +“Possibly,” was the strained reply. “But +we have had enough of this,” Lemon added. +“Call the police, Jap.” +</p> +<p> +“Just a moment,” Ned went on, when the +Jap moved toward the door. “When you could +not find the key, Mr. Lemon, why didn’t you +use the duplicate. The duplicate you kept in +the box on the shelf? Why did you think it +necessary to break the lock?” +</p> +<p> +“The servant did that,” was the angry +reply. +</p> +<p> +“I see,” Ned replied, coolly, “perhaps that +was done while you were up in the mountains +with Emory—before he was killed?” +</p> +<p> +“Possibly,” Lemon gritted out. +</p> +<p> +“Now, since talking with you,” Ned continued, +“I have been up in the mountains. +There I found a man using a typewriter. By +the way, have you a machine here?” +</p> +<p> +“Certainly not,” was the angry reply. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_241'></a>241</span> +</p> +<p> +“But you formerly used one here?” +</p> +<p> +“Never!” was the reply. +</p> +<p> +“That is strange,” Ned said, “for when I +came in here not long ago I took the liberty of +looking through some papers in your desk, for +which I ask your pardon. Well, I discovered +that the machine you used here carried a defective +letter ‘c.’ It looked in the writing like an +‘o.’ The machine the man was using under +the divide had the same defect. If you will +observe the sheet you were examining a few +moments ago, you will note the imperfect letter.” +</p> +<p> +Lemon’s teeth clinked together sharply, but +he did not speak. +</p> +<p> +“When I came here last,” Ned continued, +“you lay in an opium stupor on that couch. +You had recently returned from a trip to Lake +Kintla, where Emory was found dead. While +in that section you visited a cavern on the eastern +slope of the divide. There is where you +used the typewriter taken from these rooms.” +</p> +<p> +“My son never learned the keyboard,” said +the old gentleman, an angry snap in his eyes. +“He has never found it necessary to earn +money.” +</p> +<p> +Lemon turned to the old man and bowed, +gratefully. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_242'></a>242</span> +</p> +<p> +“When you lay on the couch that night,” +Ned continued, “there was the smear of the +typewriter on the middle finger of your left hand, +close to the nail. I use a double keyboard +machine myself, and sometimes smut my finger +on the ribbon when I turn the platen. Some +papers I chanced upon in the mountains bear +the mark of a smudged hand. You are careless +in using the machine. You even left a blue +record ribbon in the cave headquarters where +the dead man was found. That was my first +valuable clue!” +</p> +<p> +“What papers did you steal while in the +mountains?” demanded Lemon, springing to +his feet, his face deadly white, his fists swinging +aimlessly in the air. +</p> +<p> +“Lists,” Ned replied. “Lists of Chinamen +brought from over the border, and lists of opium +cases smuggled in. I have the papers in my +possession now. They match with the statement +you examined just before I made my appearance +in the room—just before you counted +the money you received from this illegal traffic.” +</p> +<p> +The old man leaped at Ned, but the boy +moved away and stood by the door. The Jap +stepped closer. There came a sound of whispering, a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_243'></a>243</span> +noise of footsteps, from the hall outside. +Then the door was opened and Greer, +Slocum, Chang Chee and two others entered, +glancing keenly at Ned as they passed him, +still standing by the door. +</p> +<p> +“Do you mean to accuse my son of crime?” +shouted the old man, not noticing the new-comers +in his rage and excitement. “You +scoundrel!” +</p> +<p> +“How do you know,” Ned asked, with a +smile at the others, “that this man is Albert +Lemon, your son?” +</p> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_244'></a>244</span><a name='chXIX' id='chXIX'></a>CHAPTER XIX.—THE MAN BEHIND THE SCENES.</h2> +<p> +“Not my son!” shouted the old man. “This +has gone quite far enough! Jap, call the police, +and order this mad youngster taken away.” +</p> +<p> +The younger man broke into a harsh laugh +and turned to those who had just entered. Slocum +and Chang Chee were whispering together, +and a dangerous looking knife showed in the +hand of the false ranger. +</p> +<p> +“You hear what father says, boys,” Lemon +said. “Remember that.” +</p> +<p> +“What is this kid doing here, anyway?” +demanded Slocum. +</p> +<p> +“He came here, evidently, for the purpose +of blackmailing me,” Lemon said. “He has +papers stolen from the mountains—lists, he +says they are—and they should be taken from +him by force.” +</p> +<p> +Slocum and Chang Chee started toward the +boy, but he waved them back with his hand. +</p> +<p> +“I will lay the papers on the table,” he said. +“You are quite welcome to them for the present.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_245'></a>245</span> +</p> +<p> +“I’ll take him down to the police station,” +said Chang. “He ought not to be at large. +Come, youngster.” +</p> +<p> +“You seem to be able to talk pretty good +English now,” laughed Ned. “Much better +than the slang you gave out in the mountains.” +</p> +<p> +“Come!” shouted the Chinaman. “You +are here alone, so there is no need of a fight. +Come along!” +</p> +<p> +“We’ll see about my being here alone presently,” +Ned said. “Anyhow, I’d better be +here alone than with any one of you in the dark +streets. I should be murdered before a block +was passed. That is what you came to Frisco +for, to murder me—just as the man in the lake +cavern was murdered.” +</p> +<p> +Those in the room looked at each other and +remained silent. There was a tense moment, +when every person there seemed gathering for a +spring, when the lust of blood seemed in every +glaring eye, but it passed. +</p> +<p> +“Where are the Chinamen you brought away +from the British border?” asked Ned of Chang +Chee. “Are they in this city? Oh,” he continued, +as Chang glared at him, “we knew that +you were about to bring in a batch. You usually +light forest fires in order to attract the attention +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_246'></a>246</span> +of the rangers when you get ready to unload a +band of Chinese on Uncle Sam. That is Doyers +street cunning, Chang!” +</p> +<p> +“You see,” he went on, “we have had the +good luck to discover why the forests in Northern +Idaho and Montana have been set on fire +so frequently. I don’t care to say what I think +of the wisdom of your course in so attempting +to hide your movements, except that it attracted +attention instead of diverting it. You +firebugs might have been arrested long ago,” +he continued, turning to Slocum, “but it was +thought best to wait until the head center of +the whole conspiracy was in the hands of the +law. Now that this has been accomplished, I +may speak.” +</p> +<p> +The people standing around the boy looked +into each other’s faces, and there was a movement +as if to draw weapons. +</p> +<p> +“Permit me to congratulate you on the +discovery of the leader of the outlaws,” the old +man said with a snarl. “Perhaps you will be +kind enough to give us his name?” +</p> +<p> +“There are no objections that I know of,” +was the reply. “His name is Felix Emory. +You may have heard of him.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_247'></a>247</span> +</p> +<p> +“An old acquaintance of my son Albert,” +the old man said. +</p> +<p> +“That is the name of the man who was so +mysteriously murdered in the Kintla lake +cave,” Slocum observed. “Why do you place +the crime on the dead?” +</p> +<p> +“Felix Emory,” Ned said, “is not dead. +He is alive at this moment—alive and in this +room!” +</p> +<p> +The young man broke into a jarring laugh +and turned to the old man. +</p> +<p> +“You remember the strange resemblance between +Felix and myself,” he said. “Well, it +seems to have deceived this clever young man. +By the way, Slocum, why don’t you take the +lad to the police station? We have no more +time for him here.” +</p> +<p> +Slocum and another sprang forward, but Ned +opened the door with a quick motion and stood +beyond their reach. +</p> +<p> +“The man found dead in the cave,” the boy +said, facing the old man, “had met with an accident +in his youth. The first joint of the little +finger of the right hand was missing. Also, +there was a scar over his left eye—a trifling scar, +made with a knife in the hands of a playmate. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_248'></a>248</span> +Do you recall these marks of identification, Mr. +Lemon?” he added. +</p> +<p> +The old man threw his hands to his face and +stood silent for a moment while the others looked +on in perplexed silence. When he uncovered +his face again he stepped forward to the man he +had called his son on entering the room. +</p> +<p> +“Let me see your hands, Albert,” he said, +kindly. “Bend down so I can see the scar on +your forehead!” +</p> +<p> +“Step aside, you old fool!” the young man +cried, pushing the old man back rudely. “We +have had enough of this, boys,” he continued, +turning to the others. “The game is up unless +we get rid of this dotard and this boy. Why +don’t you get busy?” +</p> +<p> +The old man dropped into a chair and lifted +his face to Ned’s. +</p> +<p> +“You found my son murdered?” he asked. +“Then this man Felix Emory stands in his +shoes! Even I was deceived by him! Why, he +has been calling upon me for large sums of money +during the past month. He has taken possession +of my boy’s rooms. Was it this man Emory +who killed him?” +</p> +<p> +“We believe so,” was the reply. “The +proof is within reaching distance.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_249'></a>249</span> +</p> +<p> +“Out with them both!” shouted Emory. +</p> +<p> +“Your son Albert took this man in and tried +to do something for him,” Ned went on, “and +was robbed and murdered for his pains. This +man Emory was the leader of this choice band +of smugglers and firebugs when he came to your +son. The band was on the point of scattering +because the officers were close on their track. +They needed a man well up in the world—a man +against whom the breath of suspicion had never +been blown—to represent them in the opium +market and the smuggled Chinamen market. +They sent this man Emory to your son with a +proposition, and he turned him down. Then +they parted. But Albert knew too much and +so he was lured to the woods and killed, and +Emory stood before the world as your son. It +was a devilish plot, great wealth being the object. +If you will look at the stubs in this check-book +you will see the difference in the hand-writing.” +</p> +<p> +“I rather admire your nerve, boy,” Slocum +said to Ned. “You’ve got the right kind of +courage to stand up here and tell all this to us. +You know very well that we can never let you +go out of this place alive? That even this old +man must suffer for your bit of foolish daring?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_250'></a>250</span> +</p> +<p> +“I’d like to have the training of that kid for +a few years,” Chang said. “I could beat the +world with him!” +</p> +<p> +“Well, you all know what we’ve got to do,” +Emory said, angrily. “We’ve got to get rid of +the boy and this old man. If we do not, there +is an end of a rather profitable business. Besides, +with Albert Lemon dead, I become his +heir, with no possible chance of being identified +as Felix Emory.” +</p> +<p> +“You devil!” shouted the old man. “You +murderer!” +</p> +<p> +Enraged by the exclamation, Emory made +a rush for the old man, but was stopped by a +voice from the doorway opening into the rear +room. +</p> +<p> +“That’ll be all for you!” the voice said. +</p> +<p> +It was Jimmie who stood in the doorway, +smiling, and making about the worst bow a Boy +Scout ever made. +</p> +<p> +“Don’t wiggle about so, gentlemen,” he +added, “for the men behind this partition have +you all covered with repeating rifles, and some +of them are nervous. Stand still while a friend +of mine presents you with wristlets.” +</p> +<p> +Jap turned and faced the frightened group +and then pointed to the wall, near the ceiling, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_251'></a>251</span> +where a line of two-inch holes were seen, at each +hole a shining eye. +</p> +<p> +“You see,” he said, “I cut those holes there +to-night, so the boys wouldn’t have to lie hidden +under the furniture. There’s a gun behind +every one of them. And now, with your permission—” +</p> +<p> +Jimmie passed out a bunch of clattering, +ringing handcuffs, and Jap slipped them on the +wrists of the prisoners. As he did so Frank +came dashing into the room, swinging his cap +aloft. Ernest, Jack, Pat and Liu were there, +too, overjoyed at the great victory. +</p> +<p> +“Wow!” he cried. “Here’s a wire saying +that the bunch was captured at Portland to-night, +and another from Missoula says the men +left in the caverns were caught yesterday. I +have the honor to report, Mr. Sherlock Holmes +Nestor,” he added, with a low bow, “that the +round-up is complete.” +</p> +<p> +“Our day will come directly,” Emory shouted. +“You haven’t a word of proof against any +of us. Your story sounds all right here, but +wait until you get into court. Our lawyers will +pick your yarn apart like a rag doll. And you, +Jap,” he went on, turning to the servant, “when +did you turn against me?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_252'></a>252</span> +</p> +<p> +“There have been two instances of false personation +in this case,” Ned said. “You, Emory, +personated Albert Lemon, whom you murdered, +and you, Jap, personated the servant Emory +brought here after he had seen you carried out +of the rooms for dead.” +</p> +<p> +“Then that isn’t my servant at all?” asked +Emory. +</p> +<p> +“I was in the employ of Albert Lemon,” +answered the Jap, “when you took him away +and killed him. When you came back from the +mountains you caused me to be drugged and +killed, as you supposed. But your servant hesitated +in the work. He finally turned against +you, and permitted me to come here in his stead. +It was he who disclosed the hiding place of the +duplicate key. He told me, and I told Mr. Nestor.” +</p> +<p> +“It is all a blackmailing conspiracy!” cried +Emory. +</p> +<p> +“When Mr. Nestor came back to the city, +three days ago,” the servant went on, “I was +told by the man I was personating in these +rooms that the whole plot was known. He said +that Mr. Nestor knew that you were not Albert +Lemon, also that I, Albert Lemon’s servant, still +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_253'></a>253</span> +lived. I didn’t have much to tell him when he +came to me, but I told him all I knew.” +</p> +<p> +“And you let him search my rooms?” cried +Emory. +</p> +<p> +“Of course,” was the cool reply. “He has +everything required to send you to the gallows +for the murder of Albert Lemon, and everything +necessary in the case against the smugglers and +firebugs, too. He found Emory’s servant,” he +added, facing the father, “in a Japanese tea +house, and brought him here to me after the +closing scene was set for to-night. You may +talk with him if you want to. He can tell you +how the murder of your son was planned, also +how the plot to kill Mr. Nestor in the mountains +was laid—here in these rooms.” +</p> +<p> +Again the old man sank into a chair and +buried his face in his hands. It was a severe +blow to him. He had arrived in San Francisco +that day, anticipating a pleasant month with +his son. And now to find him dead! +</p> +<p> +“It would be interesting,” said Slocum, +speaking for the first time since the arrests, “to +know just how this remarkable boy discovered +the connection between this flat and the mountain +caves.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_254'></a>254</span> +</p> +<p> +“The murder brought the clue,” Ned replied. +“From the first the clue led here. And +then the key without a stem, the smudge on +Emory’s finger, the typewritten sheets, the machine +in the mountains—oh, it was all easy +enough after the discovery that this man Emory +did not know where Albert Lemon kept his +duplicate key to that desk! +</p> +<p> +“The case is ended,” Ned continued, “and +all the parties wanted by the law are under arrest, +so, if you don’t mind, gentlemen, I’ll go +to bed!” +</p> +<p> +Jack, Pat, Ernest and Liu now advanced +into the room and looked smilingly at their +leader. +</p> +<p> +“You can’t lose us,” Jack said. “If you +don’t mind, we’ll take you back to the Rocky +Mountains for a little fun with the aeroplane. +I guess there won’t be any bold bad smugglers +up there to distract our attention for a few +weeks.” +</p> +<p> +“And then,” Jimmie cut in, “I hope you’ll +all go back to little old New York. I’m hungry +and thirsty, and sleepy for a walk down the +good old Bowery and the wise old White Way!” +</p> +<p> +The case against Felix Emory was so complete +that he pleaded guilty on being arraigned +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_255'></a>255</span> +in court and was sentenced to the gallows. +Chang received a long sentence for his connection +with the murder, and the smugglers and +firebugs were sent to prison for ten years each. +</p> +<p> +The clean-up was so complete that Ned was +requested to visit Washington and confer with +the Secret Service chief regarding other cases. +</p> +<p> +“But, after all,” he said, on leaving Jimmie +and the other boys, including Ernest and Liu, +in New York, “I don’t think I want any more +fighting forest fires assignments in the Secret +Service. We’ll go back some day and look over +the ground, but I don’t think I’ll ever be able +to get some of those rides in the air out of my +mind.” +</p> +<div class='center'> +<p>THE END.</p> +</div> +<p> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /> +</p> +<p> +BEST BOOKS—NOW READY +</p> +<p> +<span style='font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'>Oliver Optic Series</span> +</p> +<p> +For a full generation the youth of America has been +reading and re-reading “Oliver Optic.” No genuine +boy ever tires of this famous author who knew just +what boys wanted and was always able to supply his +wants. Books are attractively bound in art shades of +English vellum cloth, three designs stamped in three +colors. Printed from large type on an extra quality of +clean flexible paper. 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