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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Bert Wilson at the Wheel, by J. W. Duffield
+
+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: Bert Wilson at the Wheel
+
+Author: J. W. Duffield
+
+Release Date: January 12, 2012 [EBook #38560]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BERT WILSON AT THE WHEEL ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was
+produced from images generously made available by The
+Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+BERT WILSON AT THE WHEEL
+
+
+
+
+THE BERT WILSON SERIES
+
+BY J. W. DUFFIELD
+
+
+An excellent series of stories for boys, full of outdoor life and
+adventures, athletic sports, etc. Wholesome, clean and instructive.
+
+    1. BERT WILSON AT THE WHEEL.
+    2. BERT WILSON'S FADEAWAY BALL.
+    3. BERT WILSON WIRELESS OPERATOR.
+    4. BERT WILSON MARATHON WINNER.
+
+_Others in preparation._
+
+12mo. cloth with four illustrations in each, by H. G. Richards.
+
+Price each, 60 cents.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: He wrenched the steering wheel around, and headed it
+directly up the track.--(_See page 168_)]
+
+
+
+
+ BERT WILSON
+ at
+ the Wheel
+
+ BY
+ J. W. DUFFIELD
+
+ AUTHOR OF "BERT WILSON'S FADEAWAY BALL,"
+ "BERT WILSON WIRELESS OPERATOR,"
+ "BERT WILSON MARATHON WINNER."
+
+
+ [Illustration]
+
+
+ NEW YORK
+ SULLY AND KLEINTEICH
+ 1913
+
+
+
+
+ COPYRIGHT, 1913, BY
+ SULLY AND KLEINTEICH
+
+ All rights reserved.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+ CHAPTER                                         PAGE
+     I. THE "RED SCOUT"                             1
+    II. THE FLYING AUTO                             8
+   III. THE COPPERHEAD                             19
+    IV. THE CHALLENGE                              30
+     V. THE HOBOES AND THE BEES                    39
+    VI. SHORTY GOES TO THE ANT                     50
+   VII. THE ANTS GO MILKING                        61
+  VIII. THE GIPSY CARAVAN                          76
+    IX. HOW THE "RED SCOUT" CLIMBED DOBB'S HILL    94
+     X. QUICK WORK                                111
+    XI. THE FOUR-LEGGED RECRUIT                   118
+   XII. THE YOUNGSTERS' GREAT DAY                 127
+  XIII. DAVE'S TIGER STORY                        148
+   XIV. WITH DEATH BEHIND                         160
+    XV. MOUNTAIN SCOUTING                         176
+   XVI. BY A HAIR'S-BREADTH                       186
+  XVII. BIDDY HARRIGAN REMEMBERS                  199
+ XVIII. THE RACE                                  206
+
+
+
+
+LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+
+ He wrenched the steering wheel around and
+ headed it directly up the track, _see page
+ 168_                                   _Frontispiece_
+
+                                                 PAGE
+ Three men of the roughest order were dancing
+ distractedly around                               46
+
+ Then he swung the "Red Scout" squarely across
+ the road, _see page 89_                           90
+
+ Across the line it flew like a rocket, _see
+ page 217_                                        218
+
+
+
+
+Bert Wilson at the Wheel
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+THE "RED SCOUT"
+
+
+"What dandy luck."
+
+"It's too good to be true."
+
+"Who'd ever thought we'd have the luck to get it?"
+
+"It can't be true. I shan't believe it till it gets here."
+
+"Anyway, it _is_ true, and won't we have the niftiest time ever?"
+
+"Well, you might as well sit down, Bob. Running around like a hen with
+her head cut off won't make it come any sooner."
+
+"Aw, how's a fellow to sit still when a thing like that's on the way? I
+wonder how long we'll have to wait. What can be keeping him?"
+
+A score of voices, talking singly, two together, all together, woke the
+woodland echoes, silent through the long winter and tardy spring, gone
+at last. Summer had come and with it the annual encampment of a score or
+more of manly, healthy youngsters, overflowing with animal spirits and
+vitality. For several years past, substantially the same group under the
+supervision of a Mr. Hollis, a gentleman of sterling character and
+considerable means, had gone into camp together for two or three weeks
+of the heated season. Brimming over with life, the boys always made the
+camp a lively place; but this summer a new and enveloping excitement
+seemed to have taken possession of everyone, and now all were plunged
+into a discussion of the cause of the hullabaloo, the voices rising
+higher and higher as each one sought to make himself heard above the
+rest.
+
+Turning a bend in the road that brought the camp into view, Mr. Hollis,
+as he witnessed the excited gestures of the boys, and heard the volume of
+sound caused by every enthusiast trying to talk at once, instinctively
+quickened his pace, for it almost seemed as though a serious altercation
+were in progress; but as he came near enough to distinguish words and
+heard--"Six cylinders," "Forty-eight horsepower," "Chrome nickel steel,"
+"Wheel base one hundred and twelve inches," "Diamond tires," "Autometer,"
+"Safety treads," "Grip treads"--he realized that nothing more serious was
+going on than a discussion of the relative merits of automobiles and
+their fittings. No wonder there was gesturing and loud talking. What boy
+would not rise to the topmost heights of enthusiasm at the thought of an
+automobile in which he was to have a personal interest? Such a delight
+had come to the camp, and since the announcement in the morning that on
+account of the long trips that the summer's plans would make necessary,
+the boys would be allowed an automobile for their own exclusive use,
+nothing else had been thought or talked about; and each eager boy was
+impatiently awaiting the return of Mr. Hollis to learn the make and all
+other details of that most wonderful car.
+
+Now, as he came into camp, the boys crowded around him and the wood rang
+with cheers as he told them that the car would arrive the following
+morning. A volley of questions overwhelmed him: "How large is it?" "What
+speed?" "What color is it?" "How many of us can ride in it at a time?"
+Question followed question in quick succession, until Mr. Hollis put his
+hands over his ears, and, refusing to answer any more, proposed dinner
+as a means of quelling the noise.
+
+The boys could scarcely have told of what their dinner consisted that
+night, so great was their excitement. All were glad to turn in early as
+the surest way to bring the morning and the longed-for car. A full hour
+earlier than usual the lights were out and silence settled over the
+camp, broken only by nature's mysterious night sounds. A belated rabbit
+homeward bound, keeping ceaseless vigil with round bright eyes,
+encouraged by the unusual quiet, crept close to the door of the mess
+tent, and snatching a stray cracker from the grass, scurried joyfully
+away. At the distant menacing "Tu-whit, tu-whoo" of the night owl, the
+birds stirred uneasily and nestled closer under cover of the sheltering
+leaves. The quiet hours crept on till at last morning dawned and gave
+promise of a glorious day.
+
+Frank Edgewood was the first to open sleepy eyes, and seeing a few
+clouds not yet dissipated by the early sun, woke the camp with the
+dismal wail: "Fellows, it's going to rain."
+
+"Put him out," "Smother him," "Duck him in the brook," came in a chorus;
+and Frank, taking to his heels, dropped the flap of his tent, with not a
+moment to spare.
+
+"Run early and avoid the rush," sang out Tom Henderson.
+
+    "To pass he had such scanty room,
+    The descending grazed his plume,"
+
+chanted Dick Trent.
+
+"Let's forgive and forget," said Ben Cooper.
+
+"Be glad we let you live, Frank," Bob Ward chimed in; and so the
+culprit, reassured, ventured out to breakfast.
+
+Again the all-absorbing topic was renewed, two vital questions claiming
+them. What should they name their auto? Who would be able to run it? The
+first was easy enough, for almost from the first they had decided, the
+color permitting, to call it the "Red Scout." The second was not so easy,
+for Mr. Hollis must be assured, for the sake of the general safety, that
+the driver should be fully capable. If only Bert Wilson were there, the
+question would be answered, for capable Bert in New York had studied the
+mechanism of automobiles and grown very proficient in handling them; but
+they were not sure that he would be able to be in camp with them this
+year. Expressions of regret were heard on all sides, for Bert had a very
+warm place in their hearts. His splendid qualities had easily made him
+their natural leader and his absence was far more keenly felt than that
+of any other fellow in the camp would have been.
+
+Still, Bert not being there, they must choose someone else, so Mr. Hollis
+called for volunteers. Several answered, but their qualifications were
+rather doubtful, until Bob Ward said that he had had a lot of experience
+in driving his uncle's machine, and felt very sure he could handle it. So
+it was decided that the next day Bob should take them on their first
+trip, which would be in search of a new camp site, the old one proving
+too small for this year's requirements.
+
+While the question as to who should be chosen to drive the automobile
+was being decided, Sam Fielding and Philip Strong, two of the younger
+boys, had placed a long plank over a big rock which rested under the
+shade of a low-branched tree, and thus improvised a capital see-saw.
+When the question was settled, there was a general movement among the
+boys, and one of them, thoughtless of consequences, jumped upon Sam's
+end of the board. This added weight gave the other end a sudden jerk
+upward, and in a twinkling Philip was tossed into the boughs of the
+tree, where, his foot catching in a forked branch, he hung suspended,
+head downward, his jacket falling about and covering his head and face,
+while he yelled like a Comanche Indian.
+
+In an instant the entire camp was aroused and Phil was quickly extricated
+from his uncomfortable position. At the sight of his astonished face, the
+whole camp went into paroxysms of mirth, while peal after peal of
+laughter made the woods echo again. Even Phil, now "right side up with
+care," could not resist the contagion and joined in the merriment.
+
+It was many minutes before a normal condition of things was re-established,
+but at last the boys fell to discussing the proposed change of camp.
+
+"It's a shame that we have to change," said Charlie Adams; "I don't
+believe we'll have such bully times in the new camp as we have had
+here."
+
+"Oh, I don't know," said Tom cheerily; "we'll have the dandiest fun,
+hunting new caves and things."
+
+"It will at least have the charm of novelty," joined in Dick Trent--Dick
+was eighteen and sometimes used words and phrases so ponderous as to
+give him added dignity in the eyes of the other fellows. "Things will be
+altogether different this summer," he went on; "having the auto will
+make a great change."
+
+"Well, we're going to have a great time to-day, anyway," said Bob Ward;
+"Mr. Hollis says we are to make a flying trip in the new machine, and I
+will have a chance, while the man who brings it is here, to study
+handling the car."
+
+As Bob finished speaking, a distant but distinct "honk-honk" sent each
+boy tearing down the road, where in due time a great, red, glistening
+car came up the turnpike like a gleaming streak of light, and, with a
+graceful curve to the side of the road, stopped. The car, _their_ car,
+the "Red Scout" had come!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+THE FLYING AUTO
+
+
+A group of the campers stood regarding the big red touring car rather
+dubiously.
+
+"The fact is," Bob Ward was saying, as he meditatively chewed a long
+piece of grass, "you never can tell when the fool thing is going to go
+back on you. I used to drive my uncle's car a good deal, but I never
+could go very far without some part of the machinery breaking down.
+Uncle Jack said I was a Jonah and I guess I was, because he could run
+the pesky thing all over the country if I wasn't with him, and it would
+go like a bird. One day I ran it into a fence and nearly got killed, so
+I took the hint and haven't fooled with one since."
+
+"But we ought to make a try at locating a site for the new camp," Frank
+Edgewood objected. "We volunteered, and we'll be the laughing stock of
+the whole camp if we don't succeed, besides breaking our word to Mr.
+Hollis."
+
+"Yes, I don't see why you said you could do it, if you are going to get
+cold feet at the last minute," said Jim.
+
+"I haven't got cold feet," Bob defended hotly, then virtuously, "it
+isn't because of my own danger that I hesitate, but I don't like to drag
+you fellows into it with me."
+
+"If you don't mind breaking your own neck, you needn't worry about
+ours," said Dave Ferris; "we'll stay here while you take a little spin
+across country," grinning wickedly. "Of course, if you should find a
+good camp location in the meantime, you could claim all the glory"--this
+last condescendingly.
+
+Before Bob had time to retort, a cry of "Bert, Bert Wilson!" caught the
+boys' attention, and they turned in time to see a young fellow take a
+flying leap over one of the fences and land in the midst of a group of
+excited, welcoming friends.
+
+"Make believe we're not glad to see you, Bert. We thought you wouldn't
+be able to get off this year."
+
+"Tom Henderson spread that report. Where is he?"
+
+"Wait till I get at him."
+
+"He ought to have a ducking," and other undeserved threats were hurled
+at poor Tom's innocent head.
+
+"Hold on, fellows," said Bert, laughing; "Tom wasn't to blame. I didn't
+know myself that I could make the camp till yesterday."
+
+At that moment the maligned Tom dashed up, nearly upsetting his friend
+in an ecstasy of delight.
+
+"You're a brick with a capital B and the best kind of a sight for sore
+eyes," gasped Tom, getting his breath back by degrees. "I never was so
+glad to see anyone in my life. And you came just in the nick of time,
+too, to help us out."
+
+Then, dragging his friend away unceremoniously, Tom explained the
+situation in which he and the other volunteers found themselves.
+
+"You will help us out, won't you, Bert?" he asked appealingly.
+
+By this time the rest of the volunteers had come up and were eagerly
+awaiting the decision. When they heard Bert's hearty "Surest thing you
+know," they went wild, and after giving him "three cheers and a tiger,"
+marched him off to the mess tent, there to partake of corn bread and
+maple syrup. This last had such a good effect on Bert as to lead him to
+say that the fellow who had never known the gastronomic delight of corn
+bread spread thick with maple syrup didn't know what it was to live.
+
+The dramatic arrival of Bert at the camp just when they most felt the
+need of him had been almost as unexpected to him as to the other
+campers.
+
+Through the recommendation of Mr. Hollis, he had secured a position
+with a large manufacturing business in New York. There from the very
+start he had made good and his industry and ability were soon noted by
+his employer. It was not long before his salary was increased and larger
+opportunities afforded him, and he soon found himself treading the path
+that was bound to lead to success.
+
+Of course, like every other healthy boy, he felt the need of friends and
+recreation. The first he found in Tom Henderson, with whom he struck up
+a great friendship. Another crony was Frank Edgewood, who worked on the
+same floor as himself. When the work of the day was done they were
+usually found together, either in each other's rooms or at some of the
+places of wholesome recreation of which the city offers so great a
+variety.
+
+If Bert had one trait that stood out more prominently than any of the
+others it was his love for mechanics. Anything in the way of a clever
+mechanical toy, a puzzle, or a machine attracted him immensely. He
+wanted to "see the wheels go 'round." Especially was this true in the
+case of automobiles. The huge machine moving so swiftly, so noiselessly,
+with such a sense of freedom and the sensation of flying, drew him like
+a magnet. He scarcely dared to dream that one day he might be the actual
+owner of a motor car, but he did hope that some day or other his hand
+might be on the wheel, his foot upon the brake, while he steered the
+flying monster as it sped like a flash across the country.
+
+His dream seemed perceptibly nearer being realized when Tom introduced
+him to the owner of a garage in the vicinity of his home. There he
+speedily became familiar with every joint and crank and lever of the
+great machines. He saw them taken apart and put together, he saw them
+brought in battered, broken, almost wrecked, and made as good as new.
+From theory to practice was not far. Little by little he was permitted
+to help in the minor repairs. After a while he was entrusted with short
+trips, at first in the company of an experienced chauffeur and at last
+on his own responsibility. It was not long before he felt capable to
+handle, steer, drive, and repair, and, if he had cared to do so, he
+would have had no difficulty in passing an examination and securing a
+license to drive a car.
+
+His idea of recreation ran in the same direction. Whenever there was a
+motor meet anywhere within reach, especially on Saturday afternoon, which
+was a half holiday at the factory, Bert could be found, accompanied by
+either Tom or Frank, or both, watching with intense delight the exciting
+incidents of the race. The crowd--the start--the great machines flying by
+like streaks of lightning--the roar of the partisans of each car as
+their favorite took the lead, and above all the frantic excitement and
+enthusiasm at the finish as the victor flew across the line--all these
+things stirred his blood with inexpressible delight.
+
+On another occasion he and his chums had visited the "Greatest Show on
+Earth." He had laughed at the clowns and had been thrilled by the
+acrobats. Every pore of his body had drunk in with delight the
+tremendous feats of skill and daring that appeal so strongly to a boy.
+But the one supreme thrill, the one he never forgot, the one that
+repeated itself over and over again in his dreams, was when the
+automobile with its daring operator starting from the very top of the
+immense building, amid the deathlike hush of the crowd, flew like a
+flash down the steep incline, sprang into space, turned a complete
+somersault, and, lighting on the further side of the gap, rushed across
+the arena. This was the climax of everything. Little else appealed to
+Bert; he talked of nothing else on the way home. There was no use
+talking, the "auto fever" was in his blood.
+
+With this passionate delight in his favorite machine, Bert's feeling can
+be understood when he learned that the chief feature of the boys'
+encampment when the summer opened was to be an automobile "hike," the
+car itself having been kindly loaned by Mr. Hollis. At first, owing to
+conditions at the factory, he had feared that he would not be able to go
+at the time set for the encampment, and his disappointment was crushing.
+A quiet little talk of Mr. Hollis's with his employer, however, had
+adjusted things so that he learned at the last moment he would be able
+to go. We have already seen how uproariously he had been received by his
+old companions when he came so unexpectedly into the howling mob of
+enthusiasts at the summer camp.
+
+In less time after his arrival than it takes to tell, Bert was clad in
+khaki and had obtained the ready permission of Mr. Hollis to take the
+boys on their desired expedition.
+
+The fellows scrambled into their adored "Red Scout" with more haste than
+grace, while Bert was busy cranking it. Then with a cry of "All right
+back there?" and an answering shout of "You bet your life," the great
+car started smoothly up the ascent.
+
+As it quickened its speed and disappeared around a bend of the road,
+more than one of the boys at the camp wished he had been quicker to
+offer his services.
+
+"If I'd only known that Bert would be here I'd been one of the first to
+volunteer, but I must say I wasn't anxious to trust my neck to Bob's
+safe-keeping. He doesn't know any more about running an automobile than
+I do;" and when Jim said that he was saying a great deal.
+
+Meanwhile the "Red Scout's" passengers were having the time of their
+lives.
+
+"Gee, it's like flying," said Frank joyfully.
+
+"It's a heap sight better," challenged Tom. "Can't you make it go
+faster?" he asked of Bert.
+
+"I guess yes," Bert shouted, as he put on more speed.
+
+The automobile darted forward like a live thing and the boys were
+enraptured by the rapidity of its motion. It almost seemed to them as
+though the "Red Scout" were standing still and all the scenery were flying
+past. Hardly did the farmhouses come in sight than they were passed and
+lost in the distance.
+
+Scores of timid little woodland creatures scurried away to the shelter
+of holes and empty logs, surprised and alarmed at the streak of red
+lightning that flashed by. Mother birds hovered protectingly over their
+fledglings, ready to defend them against the whole world if necessary,
+while excited squirrels scolded noisily from the treetops long after
+they had any excuse for it.
+
+On, on they rushed along roads over which giant trees met, past meadow
+lands where cattle grazed lazily, over bridges, past sparkling brooks
+that formed miniature waterfalls as they rushed over the stones--on, on!
+
+As they slowed up to take a sharp bend in the road they came face to
+face with another automobile dashing along at a reckless speed.
+
+Fortunately both Bert and the driver of the other machine kept their
+presence of mind. Before anyone had a chance to realize what was
+happening, Bert had swerved the Scout way over to the right side of the
+road. There happened to be a fairly deep depression on that side, so
+Bert had the choice of two evils. He had either to crash squarely into
+the other automobile or he had to run the risk of having his own machine
+turn turtle. He chose the lesser danger and ran into the ditch. However,
+it wasn't as bad as it easily might have been, for only the front and
+rear wheels of one side of the car were in the depression. Even at that
+they had come within a hair's-breadth of being upset.
+
+As soon as the boys could pull themselves together, they tumbled out of
+the car. The occupants of the other car were four men, who sprang out at
+once to see if they could be of service in any way.
+
+"I think we'd better improvise a lever," Bert suggested.
+
+"That may look all right in print," grumbled Bob, "but how are you going
+to do it?"
+
+"I know how we can work it all right," said one of the men. "See those
+big stones over there? Well, the first thing to do is to bring them over
+here."
+
+"Oh, I see what you mean to do," Bert chimed in eagerly. "There are lots
+of big tree branches lying around. Looks as if they had been blown down
+in some storm. We can use them for levers."
+
+"Guess you've got the right idea, son," said the man who had first
+spoken. "Now let's get down to business."
+
+It was a work of time to place the stones in the right position and to
+pick out branches that would stand the strain. It proved a tremendous
+task to lift the heavy car. At times they almost despaired of moving it.
+However, it was that very desperation that gave them strength at last.
+Inch by inch, slowly, carefully, they finally forced the great car
+upward, until with a sigh of relief they realized that the task was
+finished.
+
+The boys dropped to the ground, exhausted by the unusual exertion. It
+doesn't take very long, though, for strong, healthy boys to recover from
+any strain, however great; so in a few minutes they were again in the
+car and ready to start for camp. It was too late to go further, and
+after thanking the men for their help they started back--slowly this
+time.
+
+It was after dark when they reached the camp, and Mr. Hollis, although
+confident of Bert's resourcefulness, was beginning to be slightly
+worried when the wanderers appeared at last upon the scene.
+
+In a very few moments the half-famished boys were seated at a most
+appetizing meal, to which they did full justice.
+
+The rest of the fellows listened with the greatest interest, while Tom
+related the adventure. Bert and Mr. Hollis at a little distance
+discussed the events of the day and planned to renew the trip on the
+following morning.
+
+It was only when everything was quiet in the camp and the boys were
+supposed to be asleep, that Tom, rising on his elbow, called out softly:
+
+"Hello. Are you asleep over there?"
+
+"Just turning the corner," came a sleepy voice.
+
+"Well, stay on this side for a minute. I was just thinking that in that
+wild ride we never even looked for a place to pitch camp."
+
+"Gee, that's so," came the voice, a little less sleepy this time. "Well,
+of all the boneheads we're the limit. I always thought my head was hard,
+but now I know it's solid. Oh, well," and again the voice grew sleepy,
+"we'll have plenty of time to-morrow to think of that. I'm too tired
+now. Good night. I've just got to--turn--the--corner."
+
+Where Tom promptly joined him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+THE COPPERHEAD
+
+
+Bright and early next morning Bert awoke to find the sunbeams playing
+all over his tent. He noticed lazily what funny spots they made on Tom's
+sleeping face. Then, with a start, he remembered that Tom had grumbled
+the night before because they would have to get up early to catch a mess
+of fish for breakfast.
+
+Thinking that he would wait a little while till Tom woke up, he rolled
+off his cot on to the floor so that he could command a view of the brook
+through the open tent flap. He had just made himself comfortable when an
+irritable voice hailed him from the direction of Tom's cot:
+
+"That you, Bert? What are you doing awake at this unearthly hour?"
+
+"Same as yourself, I suppose," came the calm reply.
+
+"Humph! Well, you're not going to rout me out at five o'clock in the
+morning."
+
+"Don't be a bear, Tom. We've got to help the fellows catch that fish and
+you know it, so the sooner we start the better. A couple of the fellows
+are down there now."
+
+"Oh, well, I suppose we've got to, then, worse luck. They probably will
+guy us unmercifully, too, about yesterday. It's a wonder they didn't,
+last night," which was all the credit the boys got for trying to save
+the feelings of the reckless volunteers.
+
+As the two comrades ran swiftly down to the water's edge, they noticed
+that Shorty--Philip Strong had been nicknamed Shorty because of his very
+small figure--was tugging hard at his line.
+
+"Got a bite, Shorty?" they shouted, when they came within hailing
+distance.
+
+"Bet your life, and it's pulling like a good fellow, too."
+
+"Better let me help; I'm stronger than you," offered Bob, who was
+sitting a little distance down the bank and whose luck hadn't been of
+the best up to that time.
+
+Now, a very sore point with Shorty was his lack of strength, and whenever
+anybody referred to it, no matter with what good intentions, he always
+bristled up as if at a personal insult. This morning that very touchiness
+proved to be his undoing, for, as he got to his feet, intending to inform
+Bob that he could do very well without any of his help, the fish gave a
+sudden jerk to the line that made Shorty lose his balance and tumble
+head-first into the water.
+
+The boys, convulsed with laughter, fished him up, dripping and sheepish.
+Without thanking the boys for their help, Shorty zig-zagged up to the
+tent, making, it must be confessed, a rather sorry figure. When they
+finally had managed to get the line up they found that the cause of
+Shorty's undoing had escaped.
+
+"Poor little Shorty, he's always getting into trouble," one of the boys
+said when he had breath enough.
+
+Then, as the time was getting short, they all settled down in good
+earnest to their task and, before the camp was awake at half-past six,
+had caught a "corking mess," as they expressed it.
+
+As each tent poured forth its several occupants, the fishermen took
+their mornings catch to the mess tent and went to report--some of them
+with sinking hearts, it is to be feared--to Mr. Hollis.
+
+However, the leader was very lenient with the offenders, merely
+reprimanding their carelessness and cautioning them not again to forget
+that they had pledged their word of honor to render him the most
+absolute obedience in every particular.
+
+Upon the boys eagerly promising that they wouldn't offend again and upon
+Bert's asking to be allowed to have another chance to find the camp
+site, permission was given and they sauntered away, filled with the
+happy anticipation of laurels still to be won.
+
+Soon after breakfast the "Red Scout" was brought out and the original
+volunteers, their ranks swelled by three new recruits, Shorty among
+them, started off up the hill amid the cheers and good wishes of the
+fellows.
+
+For an hour they rode steadily up hill and down dale until they saw far
+off through the trees the faint gleam of water. Running the auto into
+the woods for a short distance, they all jumped out and started to
+investigate.
+
+The boys thought they had never seen the woods when they were as
+beautiful as on that day. They had not gone very far before Bert, who
+was in the lead, called back, "Come here, fellows and see this grove of
+chestnut trees. Isn't it great?"
+
+The boys all hurried forward and there, sure enough, was a regular
+colony of chestnut trees, their huge branches giving promise of abundant
+harvest, when the frost came.
+
+"Say, fellows, its a shame not to be able to get any good out of these
+nuts that are sure to be so plentiful in the fall. Don't you suppose we
+might arrange to stay until the frost comes?" Shorty asked.
+
+"I should think we ought to be able to fix it up," said Frank. "We can
+ask Mr. Hollis about it anyway."
+
+Then they started again, on the lookout for other finds. All the way
+along they came across numbers of clear, cold springs and never failed
+to test each one. More than once they had to cross brooks on stones that
+were not over steady and, at one time, a very loose one nearly caused
+Shorty another ducking.
+
+At last they reached the border of the woods and looked out upon a sight
+that held them spellbound. There before them was a smooth, grassy stretch
+of ground, dotted here and there with beautiful, spreading oak trees.
+Sloping gently down, it stopped at the edge of a clear, transparent lake
+that reflected the radiant brightness of the sun. On the other side the
+ground was level for a short distance and then rose forming a small hill,
+richly carpeted with low shrubs and gorgeously colored wild flowers.
+Branches of trees drooped low over the lake, as if trying to catch their
+own reflections in its clear depths. Birds twittered and sang in the
+branches, joyously mingling their bubbling notes with the music of a
+rippling brook near by. It seemed as if the soft voice of Nature spoke to
+them in the murmuring of the trees, sang to them in the song of the
+birds, joyously called to them in the babble of the brook, smiled a
+welcome to them from the bright surface of the lake.
+
+"Gee!" said Tom, drawing a long breath. "It sure is wonderful!"
+
+"Wonderful!" Bert exclaimed. "It's by far the most beautiful place I've
+ever had the luck to locate! Come on, fellows, let's take a look
+around."
+
+So look around they did and found that every thing about this ideal spot
+was all they could possibly ask for--and more. After examining everything
+in sight they found that they were just about starved, so they sat down
+under one of the trees near the lake and spread out the contents of the
+lunch basket. After a feast of chicken, canned salmon, cornbread, maple
+syrup, and sweetened lemon juice, which, when mixed with cold spring
+water made a very tempting drink, they started off with the empty lunch
+basket, the latter being, as one of the boys remarked, "a heap sight
+lighter than it was when we started."
+
+"That's all right," said Frank, "but I feel a heap sight heavier."
+
+"You shouldn't have eaten so much," Shorty reproved him.
+
+"If I'd eaten as much as you have, Philip Strong," Frank retorted, "I
+wouldn't be able to walk."
+
+"Speaking of eating," said Shorty, sniffing the air inquiringly, "do any
+of you fellows smell cucumbers?"
+
+"What's the matter, Shorty? Has the little ducking you indulged in this
+morning addled your brains? Whoever heard of cucumbers in the woods?"
+said Frank contemptuously.
+
+"I know it sounds foolish but it's the truth just the same," and Shorty
+stood his ground stoutly.
+
+"Shorty's right, boys: I noticed the cucumber smell quite a while ago
+and it seems to grow stronger the farther we go," said Bert.
+
+"By George, that's so! I smell it myself, now." "I do, too." "So do I."
+and various other exclamations of the same sort showed that Shorty was
+right.
+
+The boys scattered all over trying to locate the odor, which was very
+strong at this time. Tom was the first to discover the cause of it. At
+his low, imperative, "Come here quick, fellows, but don't make a noise,"
+they all ran to see what was the matter.
+
+Excitedly he pointed to a long, copper-colored snake, that seemed to be
+watching a bird's nest built low in one of the bushes. The mother bird
+was hovering distractedly over her nest, uttering shrill, excited cries
+that brought her mate to her side. Just then the snake coiled ready to
+strike and the boys looked around desperately for stones but Bert had
+gotten ahead of them. As soon as he had seen what was happening he had
+slipped noiselessly away to a brook they had just passed and, snatching
+up a heavy stone, had hurried back to the scene of the tragedy. So, as
+soon as the snake had its head in a position to strike he hurled the
+stone directly at it. Slowly and convulsively the snake untwined and
+finally lay still.
+
+"It's strange I didn't think of that cucumber smell being caused by a
+copperhead," said Bert; "I used to kill them every once in a while when
+I was at my uncle's farm."
+
+Just then, Tom called their attention to the mother bird. "Doesn't it
+almost seem as if she were thanking us?" And it really did seem so. The
+little bird had settled back on her nest with her black eyes fixed
+gratefully on her rescuers and making little, low, gurgling noises way
+down in her throat. Nearby on a low branch the father bird was swaying
+back and forth, pouring out his musical notes straight from a little
+heart bursting with gratitude and joy.
+
+Leaving the happy family to its own devices, the boys took up the trail
+again. In high spirits, they chased each other over fallen logs and
+through the dense foliage, peered into squirrels' holes and rabbits'
+burrows, commented upon the appearance and habits of the sly little
+chipmunk and other interesting, woodland creatures.
+
+Before they realized it they had come upon the "Red Scout" standing just
+as they had left it in its leafy garage.
+
+While they were on the way home they examined the snake skin. It was a
+beauty of its kind. It was about a yard long and the sixteen copper-red,
+moccasin-shaped stripes were very clearly defined.
+
+As soon as they reached camp they gave in their report to Mr. Hollis.
+The boys all crowded around, eager to hear about the snake and camp
+site. The heroes of the day were deluged with questions. "How did you
+get it?" "Have you found a good place for camp?" "Where is it?" "What
+does it look like?" "Tell us all about it."
+
+Finally, Mr. Hollis, seeing how tired and hungry they were, came to
+their rescue, proposing that they eat their supper first and save the
+tale of adventure until the camp council. At first they agreed rather
+hesitatingly but, as an appetizing smell issued forth from the mess
+tent, they found that they couldn't get there fast enough.
+
+After supper the boys made a roaring fire and squatted around it,
+waiting for the roll-call. Then Mr. Hollis called the roll, beginning
+with Adams and ending with Taylor. As everybody was there, the reports
+were called for. Every boy reported his adventures and experiences
+during the day; all of which would have been intensely interesting to
+the boys as a rule, but they were so anxious to hear Bert's report that
+they passed over the others rapidly.
+
+When at last Bert's turn came, they all crowded forward with eager
+interest, and they were not disappointed. Bert told his story simply
+and well, and was not once interrupted.
+
+When the tale was finished the boys fairly exploded. Cries of "Isn't it
+great?" "Everything is sure going our way this year," mingled with "How
+did you manage to get the stone without the snake hearing you?" "What
+are you going to do with the skin now that you've got it?" And to all
+Bert gave a satisfactory answer.
+
+It was a long time before the boys could quiet down and even then they
+felt like hearing something exciting.
+
+"Who can tell a good ghost story?" Bob asked.
+
+"Dave's the boy. Come on, Dave, put on your thinking cap."
+
+Dave Ferris had been elected official story teller at the beginning,
+because he always had a stock on hand, and they were generally thrilling
+tales of adventure or weird ghost stories, the kind that boys always
+revel in.
+
+Dave was silent, thinking for a little while. Then he said, "All right
+boys, here goes. Are you ready?"
+
+To a chorus of "Sure thing, fire away, and break the speed limit," they
+all gathered closer together around the fire and Dave began his story.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+THE CHALLENGE
+
+
+Dave certainly could not complain of a bored or indifferent audience.
+Even Mr. Hollis was absorbed and listened with a smile on his kindly
+face. He was always intensely interested in anything the boys said or
+did, and was never happier than when he saw that they were especially
+enjoying themselves.
+
+Dave had just reached the most thrilling part of his story, and in their
+imaginations the boys could hear the wailings of the ghost and the
+clanking of his chains. He was describing the awful appearance of its
+sunken fiery eyes, when Shorty happened to glance apprehensively around
+and immediately emitted a blood-curdling yell.
+
+"The ghost! The ghost!" he stammered, pointing in the direction of the
+road. All leaped to their feet and followed the direction of Shorty's
+trembling finger, and for a moment even Bert Wilson felt a queer little
+tightening sensation about the heart, for there, apparently coming
+directly toward them, were the fiery eyes that Dave had just described
+with such gusto.
+
+"Why, you simps," laughed Bert, "that's no ghost, or if it is, it is the
+most solid spook I ever heard of. Those are the acetylene lamps of
+another auto," and as he spoke he exchanged significant glances with Mr.
+Hollis.
+
+Somewhat ashamed of having been so startled, the boys now fell to
+guessing at the mission of the strange car. They had not long to wait.
+In a few minutes they could hear the purring of its exhaust, and soon a
+great gray automobile dashed into camp and drew up in front of the fire.
+
+From it descended a genial looking man, apparently of about the same age
+as Mr. Hollis, followed by five clean cut young fellows.
+
+Mr. Hollis and Mr. Thompson, as the new comer's name proved to be,
+evidently knew each other and shook hands heartily. Meanwhile the camp
+boys mingled with their unexpected guests and with the freemasonry of
+youth soon became chummy.
+
+The only fault perhaps that could be found with the new arrivals was
+that they seemed to be a trifle overbearing, and evidently thought that
+their car, which they called the "Gray Ghost," could beat any other
+automobile ever made.
+
+It is needless to state that Bert's crowd felt the same way regarding the
+"Red Scout," so that the boys were soon engaged in a heated argument
+concerning the respective merits of their cars.
+
+"Why," maintained Tom, hotly, "you fellows have no idea what our 'Red
+Scout' can do in the way of speed and hill climbing. Just to-day we were
+out on a run and, though I didn't actually time it, I am dead sure there
+were stretches where we did as well as a mile a minute. What do you
+think of that?" he asked triumphantly.
+
+Indeed, this seemed to cool the visitors down somewhat and they
+exchanged surprised glances. But they soon recovered their confidence
+and went on to describe the speed qualities of their car with
+ever-increasing enthusiasm.
+
+"It was just a short time ago," said one whose name turned out to be
+Ralph Quinby, "that we took the 'Gray Ghost' around the old race track
+just outside the town, and we averaged over fifty miles an hour. We
+could have gone much faster too, only Mr. Thompson would not let us.
+I'll just bet your auto couldn't go as fast as that."
+
+It was now the turn of their hosts to look doubtful. They were sure,
+however, that the "Red Scout" could hold its own with any other car, and
+as they thought of their idolized driver, Bert Wilson, their confidence
+came back with a rush.
+
+"Well," replied Tom, drawing a long breath, "you fellows evidently
+think you could win in a race and we just _know_ that we could, so I
+guess the only way to settle the dispute is to run off a race somewhere
+and prove which is the better machine. I know we'd be willing if you
+would, wouldn't we, boys?"
+
+There was a chorus of approving shouts from his companions, but the
+visitors only smiled in a superior fashion, and evidently thought there
+could be but one conclusion to any race in which their car was entered.
+
+Meanwhile, Mr. Hollis and Mr. Thompson were holding an earnest
+conversation in which the latter seemed to be urging some point about
+which Mr. Hollis apparently hesitated. In fact, Mr. Thompson was trying
+to get Mr. Hollis to give his consent to a race between the cars owned
+by the two camps. But the latter thought that it would involve too much
+risk for the boys who drove the machines.
+
+"You see, it's this way," he was saying, "you and I, Thompson, are
+responsible for the safety of these boys. We both feel toward them as
+though they belonged to us and if anything happened to them we would
+never forgive ourselves. It seems to me too big a risk to take merely
+for the sake of seeing who owns the faster car."
+
+"Yes, you're dead right there, of course," returned Mr. Thompson, "but
+then I don't think the risk is so great as you imagine. I have seen the
+track they would use, provided the race was run, and I think there would
+be little, if any, danger. The track has not been used for several years
+and most of the fence is missing, so that if they ran off the course
+itself, it would only be a matter of running over the grass until they
+stopped. You know me well enough to realize that I would not sanction
+anything that contained too large an element of peril. As for the slight
+risk that undoubtedly exists, it seems to me that it would not hurt the
+boys to take it, and it would teach them self-reliance and confidence."
+
+"As far as that goes," said Mr. Hollis, smiling reluctantly, "my boys
+have too much confidence in themselves and I have to be constantly
+curbing their tendencies toward taking chances. However, I have every
+confidence in your judgment, so I suppose I might as well consent this
+once. I wish to have it understood, however, that this is the last as
+well as the first race they ever run, win or lose."
+
+"That suits me all right, so I guess we can consider it settled,"
+answered Mr. Thompson, "what do you say to going over and having a look
+at the machines? You haven't seen our car yet, have you?"
+
+"No, that's a pleasure still in store for me," replied Mr. Hollis; and
+the two men rose and strolled over to where the cars stood, their brass
+work glittering in the light of the dancing campfire.
+
+By this time most of the boys had gathered around the cars, but they
+saluted and made way respectfully for their leaders as they came up.
+They both smiled when they saw Bert and Ralph Quinby, for they were so
+engrossed in the discussion of the respective merits and appliances of
+their cars that they did not even notice the coming of their leaders.
+
+Such terms as "gear ratios," "revolutions per minute" and "three point
+suspension" filled the air, and Mr. Hollis whispered to Mr. Thompson:
+"I'll wager that those boys saturate their handkerchiefs with gasoline,
+so that whenever they get a block away from a machine they can smell
+gasoline and feel at home again."
+
+"Wouldn't be surprised if they did," laughed Mr. Thompson.
+
+"Here, you fellows come out of your trance," called Dick, and Bert and
+Ralph turned quickly around and saluted.
+
+Their leaders returned the salute, and Mr. Thompson said: "Well, I
+suppose both you boys think you have a pretty fast machine there. How
+would you like to have a test of speed?"
+
+There was a chorus of excited cries and exclamations from the boys, and
+their leaders smiled indulgently.
+
+Bert stepped forward and said: "I think, sir, that I speak for Mr.
+Quinby as well as myself when I say that nothing would suit us better."
+Ralph gave a nod of assent and Bert went on: "We will both promise to be
+cautious, and I think if we take proper precautions we will be able to
+run off a good race without an accident. How long do you think the race
+ought to be?"
+
+"How long is the track that you propose using?" inquired Mr. Hollis.
+
+"Why, it's just one mile, isn't it Ralph?" asked Mr. Thompson.
+
+"Yes, sir," replied Ralph.
+
+"Well, it seems to me," said Mr. Thompson, "that ten miles, that is ten
+full laps around the track, ought to be about right. Will that be
+satisfactory to you, Mr. Hollis?"
+
+"Yes, I can see no objection to that," replied the latter, "what day
+shall we have the race?"
+
+"How would a week from today suit you?"
+
+"Let me see, that will be Tuesday, won't it? I guess that will be
+satisfactory to all concerned. How do you boys feel about it?"
+
+They voiced a unanimous assent to these arrangements, and both sides
+started discussing the various chances and possibilities of the contest,
+but with perfect good humor and friendly feeling.
+
+It was now getting late, however, and the discipline of the camps could
+not be too much relaxed, even in the face of such an important event as
+this. Accordingly, hearty farewells were exchanged, and the visitors
+climbed into their big gray car.
+
+All the boys gathered around expectantly to note the behavior of the car
+when it started, and it must be admitted that even Bert Wilson's expert
+eye could find no defect in the handling or running of the rival machine.
+Ralph started it smoothly and without a jerk, and soon all they could see
+of it was the angry gleam of its red tail-light.
+
+As they turned away to prepare for sleep, Jim remarked: "Aw, I bet we'll
+have a walkover in that race."
+
+Bert knew better, however, and was convinced that he would have to use
+every ounce of power that the "Red Scout" possessed to beat the "Gray
+Ghost." But one thing he was sure of, and that was that whoever won it
+was going to be a mighty close race. He did not make the mistake of
+underrating his rival, as so many boys in his position would have done,
+but made up his mind to do the very best he could, right from the
+start.
+
+For a long time he stood staring at the "Red Scout," and then raised its
+shining hood and patted the spotless cylinders.
+
+"I guess we can do it, old boy, but you will have to stand by me and
+work as you have never worked before," he said, and gently lowered the
+hood and walked off toward his tent.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+THE HOBOES AND THE BEES
+
+
+Early in the morning the boys began to break camp and start for the new
+location. Groups of three or four were detailed by Mr. Hollis to
+accomplish certain tasks and they started to carry out his directions
+right merrily. Some were sent to store the provisions and cooking
+utensils; others to take down the tents and gather together their
+blankets and other bedding; still others got together the fishing tackle
+and all was done to the accompaniment of songs and jests and laughter,
+so that before they knew it everything was ready to dump into the old
+farm wagons they had hired for the purpose. When everything was packed
+in the wagon that would possibly go in, Mr. Hollis selected Tom to ride
+beside the driver and show him where to go.
+
+After the wagon had started off, some of the boys' own personal
+belongings that were left over were put in the "Red Scout" and seven of
+the fellows scrambled in someway--trust boys to find room if there is
+any to be found--and started away after the wagon. They soon passed it
+and went on until they came to the turn in the road where the lake could
+be dimly seen through the trees. There Bert stopped and the boys got
+out, taking the packages with them. Shorty had been detailed to lead
+them to the lake and then to come back and wait for the farm wagon.
+
+Then Bert went back to pick up Mr. Hollis and Dick Trent who had stayed
+behind to see that nothing had been forgotten.
+
+On the way back he passed the wagon and hailed Tom with a "How are you
+getting along, old man?"
+
+"Pretty badly, I thank you. I wish Mr. Hollis had picked out somebody
+else for this job--someone who didn't care if he spent hours getting
+nowhere," Tom replied sourly.
+
+"Cheer up, the worst is yet to come," laughed Bert. "Never mind, even
+the worst trials have to end some time," he added consolingly and
+started off again while Tom looked enviously after the red car, now fast
+disappearing in the distance.
+
+When Bert reached the old camp site, now looking very bare and forlorn,
+he found Mr. Hollis and the boys waiting impatiently for him. Mr. Hollis
+and Dick got in, followed by six of the boys. Bert promised to come back
+for the rest right away and the "Red Scout" started off with its second
+load. In a little while, for Bert had found a second and much shorter
+road to the lake, they came once more to "Campers' Crossing" as the boys
+had named it. There they found that the wagon had just arrived with its
+load, but the boys had delayed unloading it until Mr. Hollis should
+reach the scene of action. In a minute the Camp Master had taken charge
+and the boys were busy unloading and carrying everything to the camp.
+
+Once more Bert started back with the reliable "Red Scout" for his last
+load. When he got to the old camp the boys greeted him with the news
+that Jim Dawson had disappeared and couldn't be found anywhere.
+
+"He was here just a few minutes ago," said Steve Thomas. "But when I
+went to ask him a question just now he was gone. We have hunted high and
+low but we can't find a trace of him."
+
+Bert was troubled at first, but suddenly a thought struck him and his
+face lighted up as he exclaimed: "I think I can explain the mystery.
+Follow me, fellows."
+
+He led them through a dense thicket to the side of a hill, covered with
+underbrush. Pulling a bush aside, he disclosed to the boys' astonished
+gaze, a great, black hole which was evidently the mouth of a cave.
+
+"Come on out, Jim," Bert called. "We don't want to keep Mr. Hollis
+waiting _too_ long, you know."
+
+Jim Dawson was one of those hungry boys who never can get enough to eat,
+so, having discovered the cave one day, while chasing a butterfly, he
+had secretly brought food there in a tin box, so that if he chanced to
+get hungry, he always had something to eat at hand.
+
+Bert had discovered the cave and its secret long ago but he was not
+given to tale-bearing and so had kept his own counsel.
+
+As Bert spoke, a sound was heard inside the cave, and, in a minute,
+out came the culprit with an accusing piece of cornbread in his hand,
+blinking like an owl brought suddenly into the glare of the sun.
+
+At the look of complete surprise and dismay on his face the boys burst
+into a shout of laughter.
+
+"Oh, you lemon," gasped Steve. "You full-sized lemon! How did you ever
+manage to get away with it?"
+
+"No wonder we have been short of grub, lately," Dave said, holding his
+sides as if he were afraid he would burst.
+
+"Aw, I don't see why you can't leave a fellow alone," said Jim, sulkily.
+"I only brought grub here that belonged to me."
+
+"Don't be sore, Jim," Bert said, good-naturedly. "I wouldn't have
+disturbed you if we hadn't been in a hurry. That reminds me that we've
+wasted a good deal of valuable time, already. I guess we had better be
+getting along."
+
+At that they all started back on the run and soon had Jim in such a good
+humor that he even told them how he had escaped being found out by a
+narrow margin many a time, and that nobody but Bert had even suspected
+the cave's existence.
+
+They all piled into the "Red Scout" in a hurry because they feared that
+Mr. Hollis would worry on account of their prolonged absence.
+
+They arrived at "Campers' Crossing" just in time to carry the last
+barrel of provisions. When they reached the new camp the boys were
+surprised to see how much had been done in their absence. The tents had
+been set up and from the mess tent came the clattering of utensils and
+the savory odor of creamed salmon on toast.
+
+Soon, the call to dinner was heard, and the boys all gathered around the
+table, chattering like magpies.
+
+"It seems as if we'd always camped here," said Shorty. "There's
+something about the place that makes you feel at home right away."
+
+"It's the classiest place I've ever been in," Dave Ferris declared,
+enthusiastically. "It makes you imagine that Nature might have had a
+little time on her hands and devoted it to making this one spot a little
+paradise."
+
+"Hear! Hear!" Tom cried, clapping his hands in mock praise. "Dave will
+be a poet if he doesn't look out. Give us some more, old man, the
+sample's good."
+
+"You'd better be careful how you
+
+    "'Beard the lion in his den
+    The Ferris in his hall,'"
+
+said Dick Trent, warningly. "He won't favor us with any more stories if
+you are not careful how you offend him."
+
+"I'd just as soon he'd spout all the poetry he wants to if it relieves
+him any, as long as he doesn't forget how to tell stories," Shorty
+remarked as he contentedly munched a piece of toast.
+
+"How very kind of you," said Dave, sarcastically. "I thank you with all
+my heart for your liberality."
+
+"My which? Say, Dave, if that ever belonged to me, I call you all to
+witness that I disown it from this time on. It's no friend of mine from
+this time on."
+
+"You'd better hang on to it, Shorty. It's the best kind of thing to
+have around at times," said Mr. Hollis, as he rose to leave the table.
+
+In the afternoon scouting parties were sent out in all directions to
+find out the nature of the surrounding country. Steve Thomas, Bert, Tom,
+Bob, Shorty, and Jim Dawson were sent off to scour the woods in an
+easterly direction from the lake.
+
+For a considerable distance they tramped along, talking of the different
+plants and shrubs they came across and naming the birds they saw in the
+trees. They threw peanuts to the squirrels that peeped inquiringly at
+them from branches over their heads or ventured shyly from the shelter
+of their holes. They imitated the clear notes of the birds until the
+little songsters paused to look wonderingly at these strange creatures
+that could not fly and yet sang like themselves. Timid little rabbits
+watched the boys with soft, brown eyes, not knowing whether or not to
+sally forth from their security even for the tempting carrot that Bert
+held out so coaxingly. When he threw it at a distance, however, one
+little fellow, braver than the others, his appetite overcoming his
+fears, ran forth quickly, snatched the carrot and scurried back in a
+panic to his burrow, where, with his bright eyes fixed on these humans
+who had been so kind to him, he ate contentedly.
+
+Suddenly the quiet woods rang with shouts and cries, the barking of a
+dog and the noise of people running to and fro furiously. Alarmed, the
+boys started on a run for the place from which the cries seemed to come.
+They fairly gasped when they came upon the cause of all the commotion.
+Three men, of the roughest order, were dancing distractedly around,
+trying to beat off a swarm of bees that surrounded them, and yelling
+like mad, while a big collie dog, wild with excitement, barked with all
+his might.
+
+[Illustration: Three men of the roughest order were dancing distractedly
+around.]
+
+"Say, this is better than a circus," Shorty shouted, "only I'm glad that
+those hoboes and not I are the whole show now."
+
+"Shut up, Shorty. The question now, is, what we can do to help the poor
+fellows out," said Tom; then, turning to the tramps, he yelled, "You'd
+better make a dive for the brook and get under water. It's right through
+the trees to your left," he added, as the men, now nearly crazy with
+pain, started to follow his advice.
+
+Rushing frantically to the brook, they plunged in head first, while the
+bees, deprived of their prey, flew off angrily into the woods to search
+for new victims upon whom they might vent their spite. When the tramps
+came up, dripping from the water, they were a sight to behold. Their
+faces were swollen so that their eyes seemed to be mere slits and
+their ears appeared to be twice their natural size.
+
+The boys at once ran to get mud to put on the red, angry wounds. The
+tramps submitted with indifferent grace to the treatment, grumbling that
+they "didn't see what good being all smeared up with mud was going to
+do."
+
+As soon as the boys had done what they could to ease the pain, the
+tramps declared that they would have to be moving on "because them pesky
+critters might come back to finish up their business."
+
+So the boys watched the strange company of sullen, muttering men
+disappear through the trees. As they were lost to view, the comical side
+of the adventure struck Shorty and he began to laugh and the longer he
+laughed, the harder he laughed. The others caught the infection and in a
+second the woods were ringing with the unrestrained roars of the boys.
+They laughed until they could laugh no more and then lay on the grass,
+gasping for breath.
+
+"Oh, they did look _so_ funny!" said Shorty between gasps. "I never
+shall forget that sight until my dying day."
+
+At that minute Bert sat up suddenly, exclaiming, "Fellows, look who's
+here!"
+
+With one accord they turned and saw the collie which they had entirely
+forgotten, sitting near and regarding them with inquiring, wistful eyes.
+
+"Come here, Beauty," Bert called, and the dog came unhesitatingly and
+stuck his cold, black muzzle in Bert's hand.
+
+"Did they desert you, old fellow?" Bert asked, putting his arm around
+the dog's neck.
+
+The collie waved his beautiful brush and, lifting his soft eyes to Bert's
+face saw something there that made him his slave forevermore. For the
+collie, with true dog instinct, had recognized that in Bert he had a
+friend.
+
+"I wonder where those tramps got him." "Probably swiped him." "Doesn't
+look as if he'd had very good treatment." "He doesn't and it's a shame,
+too. Isn't he a beauty?" were some of the comments of the boys as they
+gathered around the dog, patting his head gently. The collie waved his
+tail and in his eyes was a great longing for sympathy and love. And you
+may be sure the boys gave him what he asked for.
+
+Tired out, the boys finally went back to camp, followed by their new
+friend who soon became a favorite with everyone. That night Don, as they
+called the dog, sat with the rest around the camp fire and answered
+whenever they spoke to him with a wave of his silver brush. Bert made
+him a bed on the floor of his tent and Don gladly took possession of
+it. Just before he got into bed Bert put his hand on the dog's head,
+saying, "I guess we're going to be good friends aren't we, old fellow?"
+
+And Don, looking up in his master's face, with eyes that held a world of
+gratitude and love, answered to Bert's entire satisfaction.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+SHORTY GOES TO THE ANT
+
+
+The next morning, when the boys drew aside the flaps of their tents, the
+sky was dark and lowering. A good many anxious glances were thrown at
+the clouds and open disapproval of the outlook was not slow in breaking
+out.
+
+"Gee, what a fearful day," said Jim.
+
+"You bet it is," chimed in Shorty.
+
+"That's our luck," wailed Dave, "just when I wanted to go to town to get
+a new blade for the jack-knife I broke yesterday."
+
+"Oh, come off, you pessimists," sang out Bert, who had just plunged his
+head in a bucket of cold water and now was rubbing his face until it
+shone, "somewhere the sun is shining."
+
+"Heap of good that does us," grumbled Shorty, "but say," as he turned to
+Bert suspiciously, "what sort of thing was that you called us?"
+
+"I said you were pessimists."
+
+"Well, what does that jawbreaker mean?"
+
+"Why," said Bert, who could not resist his propensity to tease, "that
+means that you are not optimists."
+
+"Worse and worse and more of it," complained Shorty.
+
+"That's just as clear as mud," echoed Jim.
+
+"Well," said Bert, tantalizingly, "listen my children----"
+
+    "'Listen, my children and you shall hear
+    Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere,'"
+
+chanted Frank, who had recited that identical poem in his elocution
+class at the last term of school.
+
+A well-aimed pillow made him duck, and Bert resumed:
+
+"You see, Shorty, it's just like this: The optimist is the fellow that
+sees the doughnut. The pessimist sees only the hole in the doughnut.
+Now, for my part, there is no nourishment in the hole, but there's lots
+of it in the doughnut."
+
+"Aw say, don't make a fellow's mouth water," said Shorty, before whose
+practical vision rose up his mother's kitchen, fragrant with the smell
+of the crisp, brown, sizzling beauties, as they were lifted from the
+pan, "and me so far from home."
+
+If there were no doughnuts at the breakfast to which all hands came
+running, their place was more than taken by the golden corn bread and the
+savory bacon that formed the meal to which they sat down with all the
+enthusiasm of hungry boys. The food disappeared as if by magic and the
+table had been replenished more than once before the boys cried enough.
+Many a sated millionaire would have willingly exchanged a substantial
+part of his hoarded wealth for one of those unjaded appetites. But in
+pure, undiluted satisfaction, the boys would have been the losers by the
+exchange.
+
+That very thought struck Mr. Hollis as he watched the havoc made at
+table by these valiant young trenchermen, and, turning to Dick, who sat
+at his right, he spoke of the starving King Midas. Jim, who overheard
+the name, which, as he said "was a new one on him," wanted to know who
+Midas was, and how, if he were a king, he couldn't get grub enough to
+keep him from starving. The boys, who had by this time taken the first
+keen edge off their appetite, were equally eager to hear the story, and
+Mr. Hollis went on to tell about the avaricious king of the olden time
+who could never get enough, but was always asking the gods for more.
+After a while they became wearied and disgusted and granted his request
+that everything he touched should turn to gold. The king was delighted
+at this beyond all measure. Now, at last, he was to have his heart's
+desire. He put the gift to the test at once. He touched his sword and
+it changed to gold. That was fine. He stroked his beard and every hair
+became a glistening yellow spike. That wasn't so fine. He began to get a
+little worried. Wasn't this too much of a good thing? Well, anyway there
+was no use in fretting. He would go to dinner and get his mind off. But
+when he touched the food, it too became gold. He lifted a goblet of
+wine, only to find that it held molten metal. In the midst of plenty, he
+was starving. Upon his knees, he begged the gods to take back their
+fatal gift, and, thinking he had learned his lesson well, they did so.
+His gold vanished, but, oh, how delicious was the first taste of food.
+"And to-day," concluded Mr. Hollis, "there is many a millionaire whose
+gold doesn't give him the pleasure that a square meal gives the ravenous
+appetite of a healthy boy."
+
+"Well," said Tom, expressing the general sentiment, "I'd sure like the
+money, but, oh, you corn bread."
+
+After breakfast, the boys broke up into separate groups. One went off
+under the guidance of Mr. Hollis to gather some fossils that were to be
+found in great abundance in the limestone that jutted out from a quarry
+at a little distance from the camp. Another group of the fellows with
+Dick in charge, who were especially interested in bird and insect
+life--the "bug squad" as they were commonly and irreverently referred
+to in camp--went to a little clearing about half a mile away that was
+especially rich in specimens. The day before, Tom had secured an
+uncommonly beautiful species of butterfly that topped anything in his
+experience so far, and the other boys wanted to add one to their rapidly
+growing collection. Whether the lowering day had anything to do or not
+with the absence of these fluttering beauties who love the sunshine,
+their search was without result, and after two hours spent in this way
+they threw aside their butterfly nets and sat down in the shade of a
+spreading beech to rest and as Shorty called it "to have a gabfest."
+
+Almost directly beneath the eastern branches was a large mound nearly
+three feet above the surrounding level and perhaps twenty feet in
+circumference. As Shorty flung himself down on the centre of the mound,
+a curious expression came into the eyes of Dick. He glanced quickly at
+Frank, who returned his look and added a wink that might have aroused
+suspicion in Shorty's mind, had not that guileless youth been lying
+stretched out at full length with his hat over his eyes. The warmth and
+general mugginess of the air saturated almost to the raining point,
+together with the constant activity of the last two hours, had tired him
+out, and after a little badinage growing less and less spirited, he
+began to doze. The other boys who had been given the tip by Frank and
+Dick, let the conversation drag on purpose, and with a wicked glint of
+mischief in their eyes watched the unsuspecting Shorty slip away into
+the land of sleep. Soon his arms relaxed, his chest rose and fell with
+his regular breathing and horrors! an undeniable snore told that Shorty
+was not "faking," but was off for good.
+
+From being a spot of perfect peace and quiet, the mound suddenly burst
+into life. From numberless gates a swarm of ants issued forth and rushed
+about here and there to find out the cause of this invasion. The weight
+of Shorty's body and his movements as he composed himself for sleep had
+aroused them to a sense of danger and they poured out in thousands. Soon
+the ground was covered with little patches of black and red ants, and as
+though by common consent they began to surround the unconscious Shorty.
+Some crept up his legs, others his arms, while others climbed over his
+collar and slipped inside.
+
+First, an arm twitched violently. Then a sleepy hand stole down and
+scratched his leg. The boys were bursting with laughter, and Tim grew
+black in the face as he crowded his handkerchief into his mouth. Shorty
+shook his head as a horse does when a fly lights on it. Again he
+twitched and this time seemed to realize that there was something wrong.
+Still half asleep, he snapped:
+
+"Aw, why don't you fellows quit your kidding? Stop tickling me with
+that----"
+
+A yell ended the sentence as a nip more vicious than usual brought
+Shorty to his feet, this time wide awake beyond all question. He cast
+one glance at the boys, who now made no pretence of restraint but roared
+with laughter. Then he saw the swarm of ants surrounding him and took in
+the situation. He tore his hat from his head, his coat from his
+shoulders, shook off his tormentors and spinning around like a dancing
+dervish, dashed off toward the brook. A moment later there was a splash
+and they heard Shorty blowing, spluttering, diving, rubbing, until
+finally he had rid himself of the swarms that clung closer to him than a
+brother.
+
+At last he succeeded and came up the bank. Before resuming his clothes,
+he had to take each garment separately and search every seam and crease
+to make sure that not a single ant remained. Then he came back into the
+group like a raging lion. His temper never was any of the best, and the
+sudden awakening from sleep, the stings and ticklings of the invaders,
+and perhaps most of all, the unrestrained laughter of the boys had
+filled his cup to the brim. He "saw red," as the saying is, and
+regardless of age and size was rushing toward the rest with doubled up
+fists and rage in his heart, when Dick caught him by the wrists and held
+him in his strong grasp until his fury had spent itself somewhat and he
+began to get control of himself.
+
+"Phil," said Dick--he never called him Shorty, and at this moment that
+recollection helped to sober the struggling boy--"remember that the
+first duty of boy or man is to control his temper. The boys didn't mean
+any harm. It looked to them like a splendid joke, and perhaps we let it
+go a little too far. I am really to blame more than any one else because
+I am older and in charge of the squad. I'm awfully sorry, Phil, and I
+beg your pardon."
+
+The kindly tone and sincere apology were not lost on Phil, who was not
+without a sense of humor, which through all his anger began to struggle
+to the surface. The other boys, too, thoughtless and impulsive though
+they might be, were sound and kind at heart, and following Dick's
+example crowded about Phil and joined in the apology. The most flaming
+anger must melt before such expressions of regard and goodwill and Phil
+was at last compelled to smile sheepishly and say that it was all right.
+
+"You're a sport, Phil, all right," called out Frank, and at this highest
+of commendations from a boy's point of view, the last vestige of Phil's
+resentment faded away.
+
+"Well, anyway, fellows," he said, "I don't bear any grudge against you,
+but I am sure going to get even with those pesky ants. I never did care
+much for ants anyway. I've been told so often to 'go to the ant, thou
+sluggard,' that now I'm going to them for fair, and what I do to them
+will be a plenty."
+
+As he said this, he turned toward the ant hill as though to demolish it,
+but Dick put up a friendly hand:
+
+"No, Phil," said he, "you wouldn't destroy a wonderful and beautiful
+palace, would you?"
+
+"Palace," said Phil in amazement, thinking for a moment that Dick was
+"stringing" him. "What do you mean by that?"
+
+"Just what I say," returned Dick; "a wonderful and beautiful palace.
+There is a queen there and she walks about every day in state, surrounded
+by a throng of courtiers. There are princesses there that are taken out
+daily to get the air, accompanied by a governess, exactly as you have
+seen a group of boarding-school girls walking out with their teachers.
+Surrounding the palace is a city where there are hundreds of carpenters
+and farmers and sentinels and soldiers. If you waited round a while, you
+would see the farmers going out to milk their cows----"
+
+At that point, Dick was interrupted by a roar of laughter that burst
+from every boy at once. They had listened in growing amazement that had
+rapidly become stupefaction, but this was really too much. What was the
+matter with Dick? Was it a joke, a parable, a fairy story? They might be
+kids all right, but there was a limit to everything, and when Dick
+talked of ants going out to milk the cows--well! It was up to him to
+explain himself or prove his statement, and that they felt sure he could
+never do.
+
+Dick waited good-naturedly while they pelted him with objections and
+plied him with questions. Then he took from his kit a strong magnifying
+glass and told them that he was going to prove to them all what he had
+said.
+
+"He laughs best who laughs last," he said, "and I am going to show you
+that all I said is true. That is," he modified, "I cannot _prove_
+everything just now, as I would have to destroy this wonderful palace if
+I were to try to show you how marvelous it is and how perfect in all its
+appointments. But what we don't see ourselves has been seen time and
+time again by hundreds of wise and truthful men, and their testimony is
+as strong as though it were given under oath in a court of law."
+
+"Well," said Frank, "I'm willing to take everything else on faith, but
+I'm afraid I'd have to see the milking done myself in order to believe
+it."
+
+"All right," said Dick, "as it happens that is just the thing I can show
+you more easily than anything else."
+
+The boys crowded eagerly around him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+THE ANTS GO MILKING
+
+
+"You know," said Dick, as the boys threw themselves down at the side of
+the mound and looked at it with an entirely new interest, "if these were
+African ants, you wouldn't be taking any such liberties with them.
+Instead of hanging around this mound you would be running away like all
+possessed. And if you didn't make tracks in a hurry the only thing left
+here would be your skeleton picked as clean as the one you saw the other
+day in old Dr. Sanford's office."
+
+"What?" cried Jim, "do you mean to say that I would run away from a
+little thing like an ant. Not on your life, I wouldn't."
+
+"Let's see," said Dick, "you'd run away from a boa-constrictor, wouldn't
+you?"
+
+"Who wouldn't," retorted Jim.
+
+"Well, if you'd run away from the boa-constrictor, and he'd run away
+from the ants, where do _you_ get any license to face the ants."
+
+"Do you mean to say that those monster snakes are afraid of such tiny
+things?"
+
+"I should say they were," replied Dick, "the ants go from place to
+place through the great African forest in countless numbers, millions at
+a time, a regular army of them. Nothing can stand before them. They
+strip every shrub, eat every blade of grass. They swarm over every
+living thing they find in their way. Sometimes they come across a snake
+unawares, and climb all over him. He squirms and twists and rushes away,
+trying to brush them off, against the bushes. At last he turns and bites
+frantically, but they never let up. They actually eat him alive, and in
+less than ten minutes they pass on leaving his bones picked clean as a
+whistle. The natives take their wives and children and flee for their
+lives whenever they see an army of ants approaching."
+
+"But that, of course, has nothing to do with these little American
+neighbors of ours. They are perfectly harmless and though they are
+fierce scrappers among themselves, inflict no injury on any one else.
+And there is nothing in the whole animal or insect world, except perhaps
+the bees, that have a society and government so much like that of men."
+
+"In one respect they are like their African brothers and that is in
+their fondness for travel. Every once in a while they make up their
+minds to emigrate and then they fly in swarms of millions----"
+
+"What?" interrupted Frank, "do you mean to say they fly? I never knew
+that an ant had wings."
+
+"Of course they have," said Dick, "they often have to cross rivers to
+get to their new home. How could they do that without wings?"
+
+"Oh, I don't know," hummed Shorty:
+
+    "The bed bug has no wings at all
+    But he gets there just the same."
+
+A rather severe glance from Dick quenched Phil's exuberant spirits which
+had all come back to him since his ducking.
+
+"Now," continued Dick, "these swarms are sometimes so vast that they
+darken the sun in certain localities. Men working on high buildings have
+been surrounded and almost blinded by them. While these emigrations last
+they are a bother, if not a peril, and the only ones that are really
+happy are the fish in the brooks and rivers over which they pass.
+Sometimes the surface is fairly black with them and the trout and little
+troutlings have the time of their lives. Once the flight is ended,
+however, and the new locality chosen, the wings disappear. Nature has no
+use for needless things and from that time on the air knows them no
+more. The carpenter ants get busy right away. The place is marked off as
+accurately as a surveyor marks out a plot in the suburbs of a city. The
+queen ant is given a royal room apart from all the others. She is a good
+mother and takes the best of care of her little ones. As they grow
+older, they in turn help the queen to care for their little brothers and
+sisters. They are excessively neat and clean in their personal habits.
+They spend hours preening and combing and cleaning until they are
+immaculate----"
+
+"Regular dudes," muttered Jim.
+
+"Well," said Tom, "that's something that will never be laid up against
+you, Jim."
+
+Jim, who indeed had a hard time keeping up to a high ideal of
+cleanliness, and whose hair was usually tumbled while his nails too
+often were draped in mourning, looked a little confused, and while he
+was thinking up something to hurl back at Tom, Dick went on.
+
+"There is one thing, however, about the ants that I don't admire. They
+like to get somebody else to do their work. A certain number of their
+own colony are 'hewers of wood and drawers of water' for the rest.
+Indeed, the aristocrats among them get so lazy after a while that they
+will not even feed themselves. The workers not only have to hustle for
+the grub, but actually have to feed it to the lords and dukes. And
+talking of hustling for grub, just look here."
+
+The boys followed the direction of Dick's finger, and there coming up a
+little beaten path they saw a procession of ants dragging along a big
+fat caterpillar. It had evidently put up a good fight, judging from the
+numbers that had been necessary to capture it, but they had proved too
+strong. A little convulsive movement showed that it was not yet quite
+dead, but it no longer made any resistance. The formic acid that the
+ants secrete had partly paralyzed it and made defence impossible. There
+was an almost comical disproportion between its large helpless bulk and
+the tiny size of its conquerors, but this was a case where numbers
+counted. The victors all pulled like good fellows and passing through
+one of the entrances of the mound finally dragged their booty into the
+inner cave.
+
+"Another thing," said Dick, when the keenly interested boys had again
+gathered about him, "the red ants are slaveholders. When their working
+force has been weakened or diminished, they get a big army together and
+raid some colony of black ants a few hundred feet or yards distant in
+order to carry them away as slaves. There is nothing haphazard or
+slouchy about the way they go about it. Everything is arranged as
+carefully and precisely as in the case of an American or European power
+getting ready to go to war. At a given signal the troops come out and
+get in order of battle. There is perfect order and system everywhere.
+When there is a very large army, a sort of hum or buzz arises from it
+almost as though they were beating drums to inspire the soldiers for
+battle. They march forward in perfect time and dash upon the enemy with
+irresistible fury. The black ants through their scouts have been told of
+the enemy's approach and have made all the preparation they can to beat
+them off. The infant ants, together with their household goods, have
+been tucked away in upper galleries where they can see the fight but not
+be in it."
+
+"Reserved seats as it were," murmured Frank.
+
+"The ants have two weapons. One is the nipper, that can cut off their
+enemy's head as neatly as a pair of shears. Then they have the formic
+acid that, used against ants or other insects, has a poisonous quality.
+With both of these weapons they fight with the greatest desperation
+until victory declares for one side or the other. The red ants are
+usually victorious, as they are larger and stronger and more aggressive.
+In case they win, they carry away all the little ones of their black
+opponents and bring them up as slaves. They are treated kindly, and
+after a while seem to grow content and take their place as the humbler
+members of the community. After the battle is over the wounded ants are
+carried home by their companions and the dead are buried in a regular
+ants' cemetery."
+
+The boys had listened with a fascinated interest to these marvelous
+stories of life going on all around them and to which they had never
+given more than a passing thought.
+
+"Well," said Jim, "it sure is the queerest thing I ever heard about. If
+anyone else but Dick had told me this I wouldn't have believed it."
+
+"Yes," said Tom, "it certainly sounds like a fairy story."
+
+"What gets me," said Shorty, "is that the queen seems to be the most
+important of the whole bunch. What about the king? It must be a regular
+suffragette colony."
+
+"Yes," replied Dick, "in a certain sense it is. The males of the
+community don't amount to much. One by one their privileges are taken
+away from them. They even lose their wings before the females do. After
+they have taken their flight and safely escorted the queen to her future
+home they drop out of sight. Their wings fall off and in some cases are
+pulled off by the more ill-tempered females of the family. They hang
+around a little while and then drop out of sight altogether. Nobody
+seems to care what becomes of them. They can't even get back to the
+place from which they started. Their wings are gone and they can't
+walk. They remind me of the cat--they are so different--the cat came
+back--the male ants can't."
+
+"Gee," said Jim, "how do the rest get on without them?"
+
+"Oh," replied Dick, "they don't seem to mind the males at all. It takes
+away some of the conceit of the male sex when they see how easily one
+can get along without them."
+
+"Well," said Shorty, who was never partial to work, "they at least get
+rid of a lot of trouble. How about the carpenter ants, the soldier ants,
+the foraging ants? Are they all females?"
+
+"Every one of them," said Dick. "It is a regular colony of Amazons."
+
+"It seems to me," said Shorty, "that in all the bunch the queen is the
+only one who has a snap."
+
+"Don't you believe it," returned Dick, "as a matter of fact, she is the
+hardest worker of all, that is, at the start. She is the busiest kind of
+a mother, brings up all the little ants, washing their faces, combing
+their hair----"
+
+"Oh, say," interrupted Shorty, "aren't you putting it a little bit too
+strong, Dick?"
+
+"Not at all," said Dick; "here, take up this ant and look at it through
+the magnifying glass."
+
+Under the lens the boys, crowding around, saw that there, sure enough,
+was a fine silky down resembling very much the hair upon the human head.
+
+"Of course," said Dick, "as in every other part of the animal or insect
+world, this only lasts for a little while. Men and women are the only
+creatures in the whole universe that stick by their children through
+thick and thin. There is no better mother than a cat, for instance,
+while the kittens are small and they need her help, but just as soon as
+they are able to shift for themselves, nothing more doing for Mrs. Cat.
+Out they go to hustle for their own living, and if some of the slower
+and lazier ones still hang around, the mother's claws soon give them a
+sharp reminder that it is time to be up and doing. The same is true of
+the birds. See how the mother bird sits brooding over her eggs. With
+what tender care she watches them while they are still unable to feed
+themselves. How the father bird scratches from morning to night to find
+worms to put down those scrawny little beaks. But after a while they,
+too, go to the edge of the nest, and with many a timid flutter stretch
+their wings and drop off the edge. And with the laggards, the parental
+beak is ready to push them off into the new world where they hustle for
+themselves. It is only a fellow's father and mother that stand by him to
+the end. No matter how bad he is, how often he wrenches their hearts,
+how many times he has sinned and been forgiven and sinned again, the
+mother heart clings to him to the end. I tell you what, boys, you can't
+make too much of that father and mother of yours."
+
+"You bet," came in a responsive murmur from the boys.
+
+"Now, going back to the queen," said Dick, "it sure does seem that after
+the kids have grown up she'd have a dandy time. She is by far the biggest
+figure in the colony. The worker ants can't do too much for her. She has
+the finest room and the choicest food, and yet, after all, I suppose this
+becomes tiresome. It is just as it is with human queens. So many things
+are done for them, so much pomp and ceremony surrounds them, that no
+doubt they often sigh for freedom and would exchange their places with
+almost any of their subjects. They are something like a little girl that
+was a rich man's daughter. Her milk was pasteurized, the water she drank
+was sterilized, so that after a while her only thought was to grow big
+enough to do as she chose and the very first thing she was going to do
+was to eat a germ."
+
+The boys laughed and Dick resumed.
+
+"It is almost pathetic to see the poor old queen going out for a walk.
+She moves in a perfect circle of courtiers. As long as she keeps in the
+middle she is all right, but the minute she strays to one side or
+attempts to go further, this surrounding group push her back. Sometimes
+they thrust their shoulders against her and at other times simply mass
+themselves in front of her, and even, at times, are undignified enough,
+if these hints are not sufficient, to take her by one of her antennae
+and lead her back into the center of the circle, for all the world like
+a mother taking home a naughty child by the ear. No, you can bet it is
+not all 'peaches and cream' where the queen is concerned."
+
+"Well," said Shorty, only partly convinced, "even if the queen has
+troubles of her own, it must be nice to be the aristocrat. Think of
+having nothing to do but just hang around and let the carpenter ants
+build your house and the farmer ants store up the grain and the foraging
+ants bring in the caterpillars and the soldier ants do the fighting."
+
+"No," said Dick, "you are wrong again, Shorty. They do so little and
+become so dependent upon the work of others that after a while they seem
+to lose their faculties. They wander around in a crazy and feeble way,
+trying to kill time, I suppose, and after a while become so lazy and
+helpless that they can't even eat without help."
+
+"Can't eat!" said Jim, whose appetite was a standing joke in camp; "then
+no lords and dukes for me."
+
+"I really think," resumed Dick, "that just as it is in human life, the
+workers are the lucky ones after all. There is something doing every
+minute. Their lives are full of interest. They are too busy to be
+unhappy. Don't make any mistake, fellows, work is the salvation of the
+world. The happiest are the busiest; the drones and sluggards are
+almost, without exception, the most miserable creatures on the face of
+the earth. If I were----"
+
+But just at this moment a curious thing happened. The afternoon had worn
+on while the boys were talking, and so keen was their interest in the
+wonders that were being brought before their eyes that they had failed
+to realize how late it was. The ants had been wandering around in an
+aimless way--that is, it seemed aimless to the boys, but doubtless they
+knew what they were about and had a definite object, even though the
+boys couldn't understand it. But now a sudden stir and bustle seemed to
+arouse the colony. From numerous gates the throng came forth with almost
+military order and precision.
+
+"Ah," said Dick, "here's just the thing you want to see, boys. It is
+milking time and the ants are going to herd their cows. Now we will
+follow one of these lines and see just how they do it."
+
+At a few feet distant from the mound there was a little shrub about
+three feet high, covered with foliage and with widely extended branches.
+The column of ants reached the foot of this, climbed it, and scattered
+among the branches.
+
+The boys at a signal from Dick followed him softly, so that the ants
+might not be disturbed.
+
+"See," said Dick, gently taking hold of a branch that projected beyond
+the others, "look through this magnifying glass."
+
+One by one the boys stole up, each eager for a sight that they had never
+before seen or dreamed of. On the upper side of the branch which Dick
+held between his thumb and finger were little groups of parasites,
+almost too small to be seen by the naked eye. All day long they had been
+feeding upon the sap that came from a branch until their bodies were
+swollen with a transparent honey dew. An ant approached one of them,
+placed its antennae over the throat and extracted a tiny drop of the
+colorless liquid. Again and again this was repeated. It seemed like rank
+robbery, but there was no resistance on the part of the herd. They
+seemed just as glad that milking time had come as do the cows that stand
+lowing at the bars of the fence and calling for the farmer. Drop after
+drop of the honey dew was extracted, until finally the aphid, as the
+little creature is called, grew lank and thin, while the ant became
+correspondingly large. From time to time the antennae of the ant stroked
+the tiny hair on the back, just as a farmer would stroke the cow in
+order to soothe it and keep it perfectly still.
+
+Finally the milking was completed and the farmer ants retraced their way
+along the branch and down the stem and, falling into line with their
+comrades similarly laden, resumed their march to the colony. The boys
+had watched with bated breath and almost awe-struck interest.
+
+"Well," said Jim, at last breaking the silence, "those ants are surely
+not going hungry to bed."
+
+"Gee," said Shorty, "I bet they will suffer from indigestion."
+
+"Not a bit of it," said Dick. "You don't suppose they keep this all to
+themselves, do you? Just look here."
+
+He lifted a stone about eighteen inches from the foot of the mound. Under
+the magnifying glass they could see a number of tiny apertures that
+evidently led in the direction of the colony, and on one side an ant
+waiting for the return of the milking party. As Dick selected one and
+placed his magnifying glass directly upon the opening, the boys could see
+one of the ants laden with the honey dew stop and, placing its mouth
+close to that of the waiting ant, exude a tiny drop of its burden. Moving
+the glass around quickly in the arc of a circle, they saw this process
+repeated until finally the round was finished and the farmer ants, more
+lightly laden than before, went on toward the main entrance of the
+colony.
+
+"Those," said Dick, "are the lords and dukes getting their supper."
+
+"Well," said Tom, "after this I am ready to believe anything. I tell you
+what, Dick, I never learned so much in my life as I have to-day."
+
+"Yes," said Shorty, as the boys picked up their kits and prepared to
+return to camp, "I am glad enough now that I didn't smash that ant nest
+when I tried to. After all, they are good sports and I would hate to
+spoil their fun."
+
+"Yes," replied Dick, "you know that one of the most important principles
+in life is kindness to anything that breathes. Of course there are
+certain pests that are harmful to human life and we are compelled to
+kill in self-defense, but for anything that is harmless the one great
+principle that should govern us always is found in those two lines that
+Mr. Hollis repeated the other day:
+
+    "'Never to blend our pleasure or our pride
+    With sorrow to the meanest thing that feels.'"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+THE GIPSY CARAVAN
+
+
+"Hello, fellows. Look at this. Well, of all the----"
+
+The boys looked up at Bob's startled exclamation, and for a moment
+everything else was forgotten, while they stared with wide-open eyes at
+the grotesque procession that came into view.
+
+Down the road crawled a little caravan of ten or a dozen ramshackle
+wagons, drawn by tired-looking horses. At their heads or alongside
+walked a number of men of various ages, dressed in all sorts of
+nondescript costumes. Their swarthy faces and dark eyes, together with
+the large earrings that they wore, gave them a distinctly piratical
+appearance, and to the boys they looked as though they might have been
+taken bodily from one of the old romances of the Spanish Main. They
+might easily have been the blood brothers of the rascals who sang in
+thundering chorus:
+
+    "Fifteen men on the dead man's chest,
+    Sing heigho, and a bottle of rum."
+
+But, alas! there were no murderous pistols thrust in their belts or
+cutlasses held between their teeth to complete the illusion, and the
+picturesque crowd resolved itself into a troop of gipsies going into
+camp.
+
+The place they had pitched upon for their temporary stay was about three
+miles distant from the boys' camp and had been chosen with a keen eye to
+its advantages. Either through a scout sent ahead or simply by that
+marvelous sixth sense so highly developed in wandering peoples, they had
+elected to stop at a little ravine through which ran a brook of sparkling
+water and surrounded by a wood that furnished ample supplies for their
+campfires. It was fascinating to see the dexterity, born of long
+experience, with which the camp was pitched. The horses were unhitched
+in a twinkling and turned out to graze, while the wagons were ranged in
+a single circle around the camp. Some brown, dirty canvas and a few
+branches of trees were quickly transformed into tents. Wood was cut, a
+rough fireplace built, a huge kettle suspended over the flames that
+crackled merrily beneath, and the women and girls who had descended
+from the wagons busied themselves in bringing water from the brook
+and preparing supper for the tired and hungry crew. The men, after
+the rougher work was done, sprawled around upon the grass, talking
+in a language unintelligible to the boys, and occasionally casting an
+indifferent look at the group in the automobile, who had watched the
+scene with breathless interest.
+
+"Well," said Bert at last, as he roused himself with an effort, "they
+haven't asked us to stay to supper, and I suppose it isn't good manners
+to hang around while they are eating, even if this is a public place. So
+here goes," and throwing in the clutch he started the "Red Scout" off
+toward camp.
+
+The liveliest interest, not unmixed with envy, was shown by the other
+boys at the recital by the auto squad of the afternoon's adventure.
+
+"Gee," said Jim Dawson, "you fellows certainly do have all the luck. If
+I'd been with you there'd have been nothing more exciting than a rabbit
+scurrying across the road. To-day I stayed behind and here you fellows
+have watched the pitching of a gipsy camp."
+
+"Never mind, Jim," said Tom, "we'll all go over soon and take it in. I
+suppose they'll be there for some time."
+
+"There's no telling," remarked Dick. "Sometimes they stay in one place
+for two or three weeks, until the call of the road becomes so strong
+that they can't resist it. Then again, after a day or two, they
+
+    "'Fold their tents like the Arabs
+    And silently steal away.'"
+
+"'Steal' is a very good word to use in that connection, Dick," said Mr.
+Hollis, as he joined the group, when after an abundant supper they sat
+around the campfire; "for if what we hear of gipsies in general is true,
+they spend most of their time in stealing."
+
+"Perhaps, though," he went on, "that is putting it a little too harshly.
+There is a strong prejudice against them because of their vagrant mode
+of life, and there is no doubt that the distinction between 'mine'
+and 'thine' is very vague in their minds. Hen-roosts are apt to be
+mysteriously thinned out when they are in the neighborhood, and many a
+porker has uttered his last squeal when gripped by a gipsy hand. Horses,
+too, occasionally vanish in a way that would mean a short shrift and a
+rope in the Western country, if the thief were caught. But, on the other
+hand, they seldom commit deeds of violence. You never hear of their
+blowing open a safe, and, though they are passionate and hot tempered,
+they are not often charged with murder. The Bowery thug and yeggman are
+much more dangerous enemies to society than the average gipsy. Perhaps
+the worst indictment to be brought against them is that in years past
+they were frequently guilty of kidnapping. But that was in the earlier
+days, when the country was sparsely settled and communication was
+difficult. Then, if they got a good start, it was often impossible to
+overtake them. But to-day, with the country thickly populated and the
+telegraph and telephone everywhere, they would most certainly be caught.
+No doubt the elders of the tribe shake their heads sadly as they reflect
+that the kidnapping industry is no longer what it has been."
+
+"How do they make a living, anyway?" interjected Dave. "What they steal
+isn't enough to keep them alive."
+
+"Well," returned Mr. Hollis, "the men are very keen traders in horses.
+They know a horse from mane to hoof. They can take a poor old wreck
+of a cart horse and doctor him up until he looks and acts like a
+thoroughbred. Very few men can get ahead of them in a trade, as many
+a farmer has found to his cost. The women are often very expert in
+embroidery and find a ready sale for their really beautiful work. Then,
+too, as fortune tellers they are proverbial the world over. Cross a
+gipsy's palm with gold or silver and she'll predict for you a future
+that kings and queens might envy. It is safe to say that during their
+stay here they will reap quite a harvest--enough at least to suffice for
+the simple needs of to-day. As for to-morrow, they don't care. That
+can take care of itself. They are as irresponsible as crickets or
+butterflies. They 'never trouble trouble till trouble troubles them.'"
+
+"Well," said Dave, "they get rid of a whole lot of needless worry,
+anyway. They don't suffer as much as the old lady did who said that
+she had had an awful lot of trouble in her life and most of it had
+never happened."
+
+The boys laughed, and Tom asked:
+
+"Where do they get their name from? Why do they call them gipsies?"
+
+"Because," answered Mr. Hollis, "they were supposed to be descended
+from the old Egyptians. They resemble them in features, and many
+words in their language are derived from Egypt. Many scholars think,
+however, that their original home was India. Europe has been familiar
+with them for the last four hundred years. They have always been
+Ishmaelites--their hand against every man and every man's hand against
+them--and by some they have been believed to be the actual descendants
+of Ishmael, the outcast son of Abraham. Everywhere they have been
+despised and persecuted. In the old days they were accused of being
+sorcerers and witches. They have been banished, burned at the stake,
+broken on the wheel, hung, drawn and quartered. It is one of the
+miracles of history that they have not been wiped out altogether.
+But they have always clung closely together and persisted in their
+strange, wandering way of life. They have a language of their own
+and certain rude laws that all the tribes acknowledge. The restless
+instinct is in their blood and probably will be there forever. They
+are a living protest against civilization as we understand it.
+Occasionally, one of them will join the ranks of ordinary men, but, far
+more frequently, they gain recruits from those who want to throw off
+the shackles and conventions of the settled life. More than one man and
+woman have listened to the 'call of the wild' and followed the gipsies,
+as the children in the fable followed the Pied Piper of Hamelin. But
+now, boys," he said, rising, "it's time for 'taps.' To-morrow evening
+we'll all go over and take a closer look at these gipsies of yours."
+
+All through the following day the boys, though attentive to what they
+were doing, were keenly alive to the promised treat that night. There
+was an early supper, to which, despite the under-current of excitement,
+they did full justice, and then in the gathering dusk the boys set out
+for the grove. Since not all could go in the automobile, it was decided
+that all should go on foot, and with jest and laughter they covered the
+three miles almost before they knew it.
+
+Quite different from that of the day before was the sight that burst
+upon them as they rounded a curve in the road and came upon the
+picturesque vagrants. Here and there were torches of pitch pine that
+threw a smoky splendor over the scene and hid all the squalor and sordid
+poverty that had been so evident in the broad light of day. By this time
+it was fully dark, but a full moon cast its beauty over the trees and
+flecked the ground with bright patches that added to the torches made
+the whole grove like a fairyland. The news of the gipsies' coming had
+reached the surrounding towns, and there was quite a gathering of pretty
+girls and country swains, whose buggies stood under the trees at the
+roadside, while youths and maidens wandered among the wagons of the
+caravan. At the open door of one of the vans a young gipsy drew from a
+violin the weird, heart-tugging strains that have made their music
+famous throughout the world. Others sat around their fire and talked
+together in a low tone, casting furtive glances at the visitors, whose
+coming they seemed neither to welcome nor resent. With their instinctive
+appreciation of the fine points in any animal, the eyes of some of them
+brightened as Don threaded his way through the different groups, but,
+apart from that, they gave no sign that they were conscious of the
+newcomers.
+
+With the gipsy women, however, it was different. This was their hour and
+they improved it to the utmost. Withered crones and handsome girls with
+curious turbans wound about their heads went from group to group,
+offering to tell their fortunes, provided their palms were crossed.
+There was no difficulty about this, as most of the girls had come there
+with that one desire and the gallant youths who escorted them urged them
+to gratify it regardless of expense. If the recording angel put down
+that night all the lies that were told, all the promises of wealth and
+title and position that sent many a giddy head awhirl to its pillow, he
+was kept exceedingly busy. Just for a lark, the boys themselves were
+willing patrons of these priestesses of the future; but little of what
+was promised them remained in their memory, except that Tom was to meet
+a "dark lady" who was to have a great and happy influence upon his life.
+The boys chaffed him a good deal about this mystical brunette, but he
+maintained with mock gravity that "one never knows" and that perhaps the
+swarthy soothsayer "knew what she was talking about after all."
+
+In view of the unusual circumstances, Mr. Hollis had not insisted upon
+the ordinary rules, and it was nearly midnight when the boys, having
+trudged back to camp, prepared to retire.
+
+"What time is it, anyway, Dick?" yawned Bert, as they started to
+undress.
+
+"I'll see," said Dick, as he reached for his watch; "it's just----"
+
+He stopped aghast as the chain came out of his pocket with a jerk. His
+watch was gone.
+
+At this instant a shout came from Bob Ward's tent: "Say, fellows, have
+any of you seen my scarfpin? I can't find it anywhere. I'm sure I had it
+on when I started."
+
+Bert looked at Dick and Dick stared back at Bert. The same thought came
+into their minds at once.
+
+"Stung," groaned Dick, as he sank down heavily on his bed.
+
+At once the camp was in commotion. Everyone made a hasty inventory of
+his belongings and the relief was general when it was found that nothing
+else was missing. Their hearts were hot with indignation, however, at
+the loss of their comrades. Dick's gold watch had been a graduation
+present and Bob's scarfpin had held a handsome stone, so that the money
+loss was considerable. But deeper yet was the sense of chagrin voiced by
+Jim Dawson:
+
+"Well," said he, disgustedly, "if this isn't the limit. Here we are,
+city fellows who think we are up to snuff. We are surrounded by
+pickpockets every day and nothing happens. Then we come out in the
+country and are roasted brown by a band of wandering gipsies."
+
+By this time Mr. Hollis, aroused by the unusual stir, had hastily dressed
+and joined the excited group. The facts were quickly detailed to him,
+and, as he listened, his face set in hard lines that boded ill for the
+thieves. He first directed that a thorough search be made in order to be
+perfectly sure that the missing articles were not somewhere about the
+camp. When careful examination failed to reveal them, doubt became
+certainty. If only one thing had been lost it might have been set down to
+carelessness or accident, but that two should disappear at the same time
+pointed to but one explanation--theft. And it was a foregone conclusion
+that the thieves were to be found in the gipsy camp.
+
+The more hot-headed were for starting out at once to regain the watch
+and pin at any cost. But this was vetoed by Mr. Hollis, who recognized
+the futility of attempting anything at so late an hour. He promised that
+early in the morning they should all go together, and with that promise
+they were forced to be content.
+
+There was very little sleep for the boys that night, and at the first
+streak of dawn the whole camp was astir. Breakfast was swallowed
+hastily, and Bert whistled for Don as the boys made ready to start.
+
+"Here, Don, old fellow, good dog," he called when the whistle failed to
+bring him; but no Don appeared. Then a thought suddenly struck Bert.
+When had he last seen the collie? In the excitement last night he and
+the other boys had given no thought to the dog. He recalled with a
+sudden sick feeling that he had last seen him in the light of the gipsy
+torches. His heart smote him for his forgetfulness. Was it possible that
+the gipsies had stolen Don also? Why not? He never would have stayed
+away of his own accord. The collie was a splendid animal of the purest
+breed and would easily bring a large price if offered for sale anywhere.
+A fierce rage flamed in Bert--a rage shared by all the others when he
+hastily told them of the suspicion that every moment was becoming a
+conviction--and it was lucky for the abductor of Don that he did not at
+that moment meet Bert Wilson face to face.
+
+With Dick, Tom and Bob, he leaped into the "Red Scout", and taking up Mr.
+Hollis as they came to the door of his tent, they swung into the broad
+high road, leaving the others to follow as fast as they could.
+
+"Now, purr, old Scout," said Bert as he threw in the clutch; and the "Red
+Scout" purred. It leaped forward like a living thing, as though it pulsed
+with the indignation and determination of its riders. They fairly ate up
+the three miles in as many minutes, turned the curve of the road just
+this side of the gipsy camp and--
+
+The camp was gone!
+
+Gone as though it had dropped into the earth. Gone as though it had
+melted into the air. Utterly and completely gone. The ashes of last
+night's fires, some litter scattered here and there, alone remained to
+mark the spot that a few hours before had been so full of life and
+animation.
+
+They leaped from the car and scattered everywhere looking for signs to
+indicate the direction the caravan had taken. They had certainly not
+come south by the boys' camp. It was equally certain that they had not
+gone directly north, as this led straight to a large town that they
+would instinctively avoid. This narrowed the search to east and west
+roads, from which, however, many byroads diverged, so that it left them
+utterly at sea.
+
+"The telephone," cried Bert; "let's try that first."
+
+They bundled into the car and a few minutes brought them to the nearest
+town. Picking out half a dozen addresses along different roads, they
+called them up. Had they seen a band of gipsies going by? The answer
+"No" came with exasperating monotony, until suddenly Bert leaped to his
+feet.
+
+"Here we are, boys," he cried. "Bartlett on the Ashby road, eight miles
+from here, saw them go by two hours ago. Now let's get busy."
+
+They flew down the Ashby road and in a few minutes came to the Bartlett
+farm. Yes, they had passed there and they certainly were traveling some.
+A couple of miles further on the road forked. There was a negro cabin at
+that place and they might get some information there. He hoped so,
+anyway. Good luck, and with a word of thanks, the boys rushed on.
+
+A stout negress washing clothes under the tree at the fork of the road
+wiped the suds from her hands with her apron as she came forward.
+
+"Dey sholy did go pass hyar, gemmun, and dey wuz drivin' as do de ole
+Nick was affer dem. Dat's a pow'ful po' road up dataway and der hosses
+wuz plum tired. Dey kain't be ve'y far ahaid, I specs."
+
+Exultingly Bert threw in the high speed. Their quarry had been run down
+at last. The motor fairly sang as they plunged up the road. Turning a
+curve to the right they came upon the procession of carts, now toiling
+along painfully. Bert never hesitated a second, but rushed past the line
+of wagons until he had reached the head of the caravan. Then he swung
+the "Red Scout" squarely across the road and with Mr. Hollis, Dick, Tom
+and Bob, sprang to the ground.
+
+[Illustration: Then he swung the "Red Scout" squarely across the
+road.--(_See page 89_)]
+
+Consternation plainly reigned in the halted carts. The men crowded
+forward and hastily consulted. A moment later an old man, evidently the
+chief, came forward. He was prepared to try diplomacy first, and with an
+ingratiating smile held out his hand to Mr. Hollis. The latter, ignoring
+the extended hand, came straight to the point.
+
+"I want three things," he said, "and unless you are looking for trouble,
+you'll hand them over at once. I want the pin and watch and dog your
+people stole from us last night."
+
+The leader's smile faded, to be replaced by an ominous scowl.
+
+"It's a lie," he said sullenly, "my people stole nothing. Get out of our
+road," he snarled viciously, while his followers gathered threateningly
+around him.
+
+The air was surcharged with danger and a fight seemed imminent, when
+suddenly a familiar bark came from one of the vans. Bert dashed forward,
+thrusting aside a young gipsy who sprang to intercept him. He threw open
+the van door, and out rushed Don, mad with delight. He had chewed in
+half the rope that held him and the frayed remnant hung about his neck
+as he leaped on Bert and capered frantically about him.
+
+The game was up! Fear and chagrin were painted on the gipsies' faces.
+They might have bluffed through as regards the stolen articles and it
+would have been almost impossible to prove their guilt. But here was
+the living proof of theft--proof strong enough to land their party
+behind the bars. Moreover, the great dog was no mean addition to the
+little force that faced them so undauntedly. It was plainly up to them
+to temporize. As Bob with regrettable slanginess, but crisp brevity,
+summed up the case: "They had thought to make a quick touch and getaway,
+but fell down doing it."
+
+The chief held up his hand. "Wait," he said, "while I talk to my people.
+Perhaps they have found something. I will see."
+
+A whispered conversation followed and then he came forward sheepishly,
+holding out the watch and pin. "They found them on the grounds. I did
+not know," he mumbled.
+
+Mr. Hollis took them without a word and motioned Bert to get the auto
+ready. He had gained his point and did not care to press his advantage
+further. After all, they were almost like irresponsible children, and,
+despite his resentment, he felt a deep pity for these half-wild sons of
+poverty and misfortune. Their code was not his code, nor their laws his
+laws. They were the "under dogs" in the fight of life. Let them go.
+
+The motor began to hum. The party piled in, with Don between them,
+barking joyfully, and they swept down the shabby line of carts with not
+a glance behind them. They waved gaily to the old black mammy, who
+beamed upon them as they went by. A thought struck Bert, and turning to
+Tom, he shouted:
+
+"The dark lady, Tom. The dark lady that the gipsy prophesied would bring
+you luck."
+
+"Sure thing," grinned Tom. "It certainly is luck enough to get old Don
+back, to say nothing of the watch and pin. Isn't it, old fellow?" and he
+patted the dog's head lovingly.
+
+So thought the rest of the boys, also, when the "Red Scout" reached camp.
+Don was overwhelmed with caresses and strutted about as though he had
+done it all. As Jim put it: "Napoleon on his return from Elba had
+nothing on Don." It was late when the excitement subsided and the
+campers went weary but happy to bed.
+
+Mr. Hollis, Bert and Dick lingered about the fire. Only these older ones
+had realized how ticklish a situation they had faced that day. They
+didn't like to think what might have happened if it had come to an open
+fight.
+
+"The way you faced that crowd was the pluckiest thing I ever saw, Mr.
+Hollis," said Bert; "but suppose it had come to a showdown?"
+
+"Well," laughed Mr. Hollis, "it was a case of touch and go for a minute.
+But I counted on the fact that we were right and they were wrong.
+'Conscience makes cowards of us all.' Behind us were law and order and
+civilization. Behind them crowded nameless shapes of fear and dread that
+robbed their arms of strength and turned their hearts to water. It was
+simply a confirmation," he concluded, as he rose to say good night, "of
+the eternal truth:
+
+    "'Thrice is he armed that hath his quarrel just.'"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+HOW THE "RED SCOUT" CLIMBED DOBB'S HILL
+
+
+The morning of the long anticipated day in the "Red Scout" dawned bright
+and clear, and the campers who were to go were astir soon after dawn.
+Most of them would willingly have dispensed with breakfast, but Mr.
+Hollis insisted that they take their time and eat a hearty meal.
+However, everything comes to him who waits, and at last they were ready
+to start. It had been arranged that on their trip they were to stop in
+town, and get supplies and some camp appliances that Mr. Hollis
+required. Otherwise they were to do as they pleased, subject only to
+Bert's authority.
+
+The car was ready to start, and Bert had received Mr. Hollis' last
+instructions.
+
+"Well, fellows," said Bert, "pile in, and we'll start for town right
+away. It rather looks now as though we might have a little rain before
+the day is over. I don't like the looks of the sky over there any too
+much, but we've got to have grub anyway, even if we have to go after it
+in boats."
+
+"Yes, or we might swim, I suppose," suggested Shorty, sarcastically.
+
+"In that case, we'd let you try it, as its only a matter of twenty miles
+or so each way, and see if you are as strong as your name," retorted
+Bert, and Shorty subsided.
+
+Meanwhile the others had taken their appointed places in the auto, and,
+after adjusting spark and throttle levers, Bert walked to the front of
+the machine and cranked the motor.
+
+On the first turn, such was the beautiful condition in which he kept the
+car, the engine started with a roar, and he quickly climbed into the
+driver's seat and threw in the clutch. Without a tremor the big car
+glided away as if moving on air, which indeed it was, in a way, if the
+air in the tires could be counted.
+
+With the ease of a driver who thoroughly understands his car, Bert
+steered the machine around and between the bumps in the road, and even
+one who had never ridden in an automobile before would have appreciated
+his masterly handling of this machine.
+
+Suddenly Tom, who, as usual, was riding in the seat beside Bert, leaned
+over and said, "Say, Bert, do you suppose she would take Dobb's hill?"
+
+Now, the hill to which Tom referred was one notorious in the
+neighborhood. More than one gray-haired farmer had shaken his head
+dubiously while inspecting the "Red Scout," and said, "Yes, that there
+contraption may be all right on the level, and there's no getting over
+the fact that it can run circles around a streak of greased lightning,
+but I'll bet a dollar to a doughnut that it could never get up Dobb's
+hill."
+
+So Bert thought a moment before answering Tom's question, and then said,
+"Well, that's an awfully steep hill, but the old 'Scout' has never
+balked at anything yet, and I have a sneaking feeling that it wouldn't
+even stop at Dobb's hill. However, there is only one way of finding out
+about it, and that is to try it. What do you say, fellows, shall we try
+it and show these people around here just what our machine can do?"
+
+There was a unanimous chorus of assent from the other occupants of the
+car, so at the next crossing Bert turned off the main road in the
+direction of the famous Dobb's hill. Soon the hill itself loomed up in
+front of them, and Bert opened the throttle a trifle. The machine
+immediately picked up speed, but to the occupants of the machine it
+seemed almost impossible that anything but an elevator could get up that
+hill. It looked to them almost like a high wall. Bert, however, was
+thinking more of the machine than of the hill. He had been gradually
+giving the engine more gas, and now, when they were almost at the foot
+of the hill, he realized that the moment had come to call forth the
+supreme effort of the motor. He opened the muffler so as to get rid of
+all back pressure, and opened the throttle to its widest extent. With a
+bound and a roar the powerful machine took the hill, and to the boys in
+the car it seemed as though they had some powerful, willing animal
+working for them. Up the great machine climbed, with scarcely diminished
+speed, the engine emitting unbroken and exhilarating music, or at least
+that is what it sounded like to the tense boys in the auto. At last with
+a final roar of the motor, and rumble of the straining gears, the
+machine topped the hill and started on its long downward coast. Bert
+threw out the clutch, and giving the engine a well-earned rest after its
+strenuous work, allowed the "Red Scout" to glide rapidly and smoothly
+down the hill.
+
+Every boy in the car seemed half-crazy with delight over the performance
+of their mechanical pet. Some even went so far as to pat the sides of
+the car, and Bob expressed the general feeling when he said, "Well, I'd
+rather be a camper and be able to say I held part ownership in a car
+like this, than to be King of England."
+
+The boys also realized that a lot of credit was due Bert for the success
+of their climb, as even such a car as the "Red Scout" could never have
+gotten up that hill without expert handling.
+
+Down the long hill glided the "Red Scout" with constantly increasing
+momentum, and long before they reached the bottom Bert had to apply the
+powerful brakes with which the machine was equipped, and check its
+speed.
+
+Gradually he slowed it down to a safer, but less exciting speed, and at
+the bottom eased in the clutch and the willing motor took up the load.
+
+In the meantime the sky had taken on a more threatening appearance, and
+while the happy-go-lucky boys in the tonneau gave it little thought,
+Bert, to whom the care of the car and its occupants were intrusted, cast
+more than one dubious and anxious glance in the direction in which the
+storm might be expected to break. He hoped that they might at least make
+the necessary trip to town and back before the rain could catch them,
+however, and so held a steady pace, and they were soon rolling down the
+main street.
+
+Bert got out his list of the things they would need, and detailed the
+boys to different stores so that they could get started again as soon as
+possible.
+
+Bert's last remark to them was, "Now, fellows, step just as lively as
+you know how, and whatever else you do, don't come back drunk." This
+raised a general laugh, as, it is needless to say, the boys had had no
+such intentions.
+
+Bert and Tom remained with the car, and while Bert said less than the
+other boys about his love for the machine, it was easy to see that he
+had a real affection for it, and took pleasure in cleaning and adjusting
+it.
+
+"Say, Tom," he called after a few minutes, "bring me grandfather, will
+you?" Now, "grandfather" was not what that word usually means, but an
+immense monkey-wrench, with jaws on it like a vise. It was called
+grandfather for no particular reason that anybody knew of, but someone
+had called it that once, and the name had stuck. The boys sometimes used
+it to exercise and perform feats of strength with, so heavy was it. So
+now, when Tom got it out of the tool box on the running board and
+handled it with loving care, Bert took it from him, and for several
+minutes was busy adjusting and tightening bolts and nuts around the
+motor and transmission case. Finally he handed the wrench back to Tom
+with a sigh of relief.
+
+"Well!" he exclaimed. "There's a good job well done. I'll bet we
+could take that hill now even a little better than we did, if that's
+possible."
+
+"I don't know about that," replied Tom, "this old Scout went up that
+hill better than I thought it could, and I guess you ought to have as
+much credit as the machine. After this I will back you and the 'Red
+Scout' against all comers."
+
+From this it may be seen that there was more than a little hero worship
+mingled with Tom's love for Bert, and no wonder. Bert was the sort of
+fellow that everyone had to admire and like.
+
+By this time the boys had begun to return with their bundles and boxes,
+and soon everything was safely stored in the tonneau, and the boys had
+time to wonder how they were going to get themselves in too, as the
+supplies seemed to take up about all the room.
+
+Finally it was arranged that Jim and Dave should stay in the tonneau to
+see that nothing was shaken overboard, while Bob and Frank ranged
+themselves on the running board.
+
+In this fashion they started, but it soon became evident to everybody
+that they would never be able to get back to camp before the storm
+broke, even with the help of the "Red Scout."
+
+Thunder could be heard coming nearer and nearer, and soon they felt the
+first warm drops of rain. Bert wished then that they had a top to their
+car, but unfortunately the leather covering ordered by Mr. Hollis had
+not yet arrived at the camp.
+
+"What do you think we'd better do, Bert; make a run for camp or hunt
+shelter around here?" asked Tom.
+
+"Why, this road is pretty rough, and we can't make much speed," replied
+Bert. "I guess we'd better hunt cover right away," as a vivid streak of
+lightning split the sky, followed by a crash of thunder.
+
+"We noticed an old barn over toward the right when we were on a botany
+expedition the other day," said Frank, "and I think that if you swing
+into that dirt road we're coming to, it will lead us right to it."
+
+"Well, here goes," said Bert, and swung the "Red Scout" into the old
+road. Sure enough, before they had gone a quarter of a mile they sighted
+the old barn, and were soon snugly established in it. To be sure, the
+roof leaked in places, but it was fairly tight, and what did a bunch of
+hardy campers, in the pink of condition, care for a few drops of rain?
+
+There was some hay left in the barn, and they lounged comfortably around
+on this, talking and listening to the rain, which by this time had
+increased to a downpour, and beat fiercely on the roof and sides of the
+old barn.
+
+The boys started a discussion about the hill-climbing feat of the "Red
+Scout," and while all agreed that it had been a splendid performance,
+Bob seemed to be inclined to sneer at Bert's handling of the car. He
+firmly believed that he knew more about automobiles than Bert, and was
+sometimes a little jealous of the praise given him by the other boys.
+
+"Oh, I don't know," he finally remarked, when Tom remarked that some
+people seemed able to coax more out of a car than others, "I don't see
+that that makes much difference. I'll bet that if I had been running the
+'Red Scout' this morning it would have gone up that hill just the same.
+Why, when I used to run my uncle's car----" but here he was interrupted
+by cries of derision, and Tom remarked:
+
+"I suppose that if Bob had been running the 'Red Scout' he would have
+run it up the hill backwards so that it would think it was going
+downhill, and so got to the top without any trouble."
+
+This sally caused a general laugh at Bob's expense and he subsided, but
+was heard to mutter about "getting the right mixture," and "easing her
+down to second speed," which nobody but Bert understood, but which
+seemed to make him feel much better.
+
+In justice to Bob, it must be said, however, that he did know quite a
+little about automobiles, but usually lacked nerve when it came to
+putting his knowledge into practice.
+
+By this time the boys were all hungry, and as there seemed to be a
+small chance of the rain letting up for a while, Bert proposed that they
+have lunch. There was plenty of food in the automobile, and Bert started
+the boys to fishing out crackers and jam.
+
+Suddenly a thought struck him. "Say, fellows," he called, "how about
+making some cornbread and having a real bang-up meal? We've got bacon
+and all the fixings here, and we all know how to cook, thanks to our
+experience as campers. I'll make the corn bread, and Tom here will fry
+the bacon."
+
+There was such a joyous and noisy consent to this plan that Bert could
+not help laughing. "All right," he cried, "some of you fellows dive into
+the car and bring out the new frying pan and the Dutch oven we bought
+to-day. We'll build a fire on that slab of stone over there, and have
+something to eat in next to no time."
+
+This was no sooner said than done, and as the odor of frying bacon and
+hot "corn pone" filled the old barn, the boys thanked their lucky stars
+for the thousandth time that they had come on this camping trip.
+
+In a short time everything was ready, and they seated themselves near
+the fire. Tom dished out the sizzling bacon and steaming "corn pone."
+
+Under the cheering influence of this feast even Bob Ward forgot his
+grudge of the morning, and when he shouted, "What's the matter with
+Wilson?" the resulting "He's all right!" almost lifted the roof off the
+old barn.
+
+Soon they had finished and cleared away the meal, and when they opened
+the barn door were surprised and delighted to find that the sun had
+struggled through the clouds and was now shining brightly. Quickly they
+packed the tonneau, and were soon ready to start.
+
+"All right, fellows, get to your places," sang out Bert, and soon they
+were chugging out of the old barn that had offered them such timely
+shelter.
+
+Once outside and fairly on the disused road, however, it soon became
+apparent that only with great difficulty could they make any progress at
+all. The rain had converted the road into a quagmire, and although Bert
+brought the "Red Scout" from third speed to second, and finally to
+first, he saw that they must soon stop altogether, and indeed this soon
+proved to be the case.
+
+The faithful motor apparently had plenty of power, but the car sank into
+the mud up to its axles, and the rear wheels simply turned around
+without propelling it. Bert finally threw out the clutch and the "Red
+Scout" stopped as though he had applied the brakes, so great was the
+opposition formed by the mud.
+
+"Well, this is a pretty fix, to be sure," exclaimed Bert. "We're going
+to have the time of our lives getting this machine out. What you need
+for this road is not so much an automobile as a boat. However, it
+wouldn't speak well for us if we couldn't get our car out of this scrape
+after all it has done for us, so let's get busy."
+
+"That's all very well," said Jim, "but the question is, how are you
+going to do it? This isn't exactly a flying machine, although it can go
+pretty fast, and it seems to me that we will need something like that to
+get us out of here."
+
+"Say, you ought to be ashamed of yourself, Jim Dawson," exclaimed Tom,
+indignantly, "here you call yourself one of the crowd, and yet you are
+willing to give up before you have fairly begun to try. That isn't the
+right spirit."
+
+"Oh, it's easy enough to talk," answered Jim, sulkily, "but I'd just
+like to know how you are going to do it, that's all."
+
+"Well, I can't say I have a plan right now, but I'm sure that our old
+'Red Scout' isn't going to leave us in the lurch now after all it has
+done so far," and here he patted the vibrating car lovingly.
+
+Meanwhile Bert had been thinking deeply, and had finally hit on a plan.
+"Here, some of you fellows, run back and bring me all the hay you can
+carry from that barn, will you? We want to get out of here as soon as
+we can, because Mr. Hollis will be anxious about us. Lively's the word."
+
+Tom, Bob, and Frank ran back to the barn and soon reappeared, carrying
+armfuls of hay. When they reached the car Bert took charge of it, and
+placed it carefully under the rear wheels, and made a path in front of
+each wheel for about six feet.
+
+"If we can only get over to the side of the road and up on that grass
+there," he explained, "we will be on firmer ground and can get better
+traction. I only wish we had tire chains."
+
+"What are tire chains, Bert, and what are they for?" inquired Frank.
+
+"Why, you see how it is," replied Bert, "we have plenty of power, but
+the wheels can't get a grip on the ground, and just skid around. If we
+had a network of chains over the tires they would bite through the mud
+to solid ground and get the grip we need. Understand?"
+
+"Sure thing, and much obliged for the explanation," said Frank,
+heartily.
+
+By this time Bert had arranged things to his satisfaction, and now
+climbed into the driver's seat, while the boys looked on expectantly.
+
+Bert threw out the clutch, advanced the spark slightly, and opened
+the throttle a few notches. Immediately the motor increased its
+revolutions, and when it had reached a good speed Bert gently eased in
+the clutch. There was a grinding sound of clutch and gears as the power
+was transmitted to the rear wheels, and the "Red Scout" lunged forward.
+
+The front wheels were so firmly embedded by this time, however, that
+even the "Red Scout" was helpless. Again and again Bert raced his engine
+and let in the clutch, and each time the machine made a gallant attempt
+to free itself, but could never quite make it. Finally he reversed, but
+with no better result. At last he gave up the attempt, and leaving the
+motor turning over slowly, descended to hold a consultation with the
+other boys.
+
+"Have you any suggestions to make, fellows?" he asked, "I confess I'm up
+a tree just at present. What do you say, Bob? Can you think of
+anything?"
+
+"Why, I was thinking," answered Bob, flattered by this direct appeal to
+his vaunted experience, "that if we could dig out a path in front of the
+machine up onto the grass we might get it out that way."
+
+"Say! you've hit the nail on the head this time!" exclaimed Bert,
+enthusiastically. "That's just what we'll do. Get that spade out of the
+tonneau, will you Frank, and we'll get to work."
+
+Frank immediately complied, and in an incredibly short space of time the
+boys had a path dug in front of the auto down to hard gravel, and were
+ready for another attempt to extricate their beloved car.
+
+Bert climbed into his seat with a do-or-die expression on his handsome
+young face, and repeated his former tactics, but this time with
+greater success. The "Red Scout" surged forward with a roar, like some
+imprisoned wild creature suddenly given its liberty. Bert took no
+chances this time, but plugged steadily onward until he reached high,
+firm ground. Here he stopped the panting machine, and waited for the
+cheering boys to catch up.
+
+They soon reached the faithful car, and quickly jumped into their
+places. Before starting again Bert turned around and said, "Fellows, I
+think we owe Bob a vote of thanks. All who agree please say 'Aye'."
+
+There was a hearty chorus of "Ayes," and Bob flushed with pleasure at
+this tribute from his comrades. He thought, and with reason, that he had
+demonstrated his knowledge of automobiles to good advantage, as well as
+his ability to meet emergencies.
+
+By this time it was getting near dusk, and Bert knew that Mr. Hollis
+would be worried over their continued absence. Accordingly, when he got
+on to the main road, he threw the gears into high speed, and soon they
+were bowling along at a rapid, but safe, pace toward their camp.
+
+It would be hard to imagine a happier set of boys in the world than those
+who sat in the big red automobile in the silence of good fellowship and
+listened to the contented purring of the "Red Scout's" powerful motor.
+
+As they revolved in their minds the exciting occurrences of the day, and
+thought of other equally happy days yet to come, it seemed to them that
+there was indeed nothing more desirable in life than to be campers with
+such leaders as Mr. Hollis, Bert Wilson, and Dick Trent. It is safe to
+say that they would not have changed places with any other set of boys
+on earth.
+
+"Say, Bert," said Jim Dawson, breaking the long silence, "that race is
+as good as won already. I'm sure that with this machine and you driving
+it, we couldn't lose if we tried. What do you think?"
+
+Bert did not answer for a moment, and when he did his eyes twinkled
+merrily. "Well, Jim," he said, "I don't know whether we'll win or not
+and that 'Gray Ghost' is certainly some racer. From what I have seen of
+our old 'Red Scout' to-day, however,--but there, I'm not going to say
+any more just now. There is no use raising your hopes, and then perhaps
+have nothing come of that in the end." And with that they were forced
+to be content.
+
+By this time they had almost reached the camp, and could see the smoke
+of the fire. Soon they rolled smoothly into camp, and Mr. Hollis came to
+meet them with a relieved look on his face. At first he seemed inclined
+to blame them, but Bert soon explained matters to his entire
+satisfaction.
+
+The boys mingled with their comrades, and many were the exclamations of
+wonder over their day's experiences. After a short rest, supper was
+prepared, and while they all voted it delicious, still they claimed that
+nothing had ever tasted quite as good as their lunch in the old barn.
+
+As Tom and Bert were dropping off to sleep that night, Tom murmured
+drowsily, "Say, Bert, did we or didn't we have a bully time to-day, eh?"
+
+"Just bet your hat we did."
+
+"Well, say, isn't the old 'Red Scout' about the greatest automobile that
+ever turned a wheel?"
+
+"That's whatever it is," concurred Bert, and dropped off to sleep with a
+smile on his face, and the image of a big red automobile enthroned in
+his heart.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+QUICK WORK
+
+
+"You fellows get it all," complained Steve Thomas, with as ugly a look
+as such a round good-natured face as his could wear.
+
+"You sure do seem to move in a charmed circle," chimed in another
+grumbler.
+
+"Don't they?" echoed a third. "They ought to be called the lucky three.
+This is the fourth time in less than two weeks that they've had the
+auto."
+
+The "lucky three," to whom these remarks were addressed, stood grinning
+happily at the disgusted faces of the other fellows in camp.
+
+The question to be settled was as to what ones should take the auto into
+town for some supplies that were unexpectedly but urgently needed. There
+had been quite a lively dispute, waxing louder and louder until it
+threatened to end in a genuine quarrel.
+
+Mr. Hollis, busily finishing some letters that he wanted to send into
+town by the boys, was at first too absorbed in his writing to notice the
+unusual disturbance, but as the recriminations grew hotter he saw that
+immediate action was necessary.
+
+Rising hastily and taking in his hand a sheet of paper on which he had
+been writing, he stepped from his tent into the group of heated boys.
+
+The clamor ceased at once and when he learned the cause of the
+discussion, Mr. Hollis proposed to draw lots. The fellows who should
+draw the numbers one, two and three were to be the autoists for the
+trip.
+
+This seemed fair to all, and cutting the paper into equal strips Mr.
+Hollis wrote a number on each and, shaking them well in a hat passed
+them around. When they had all been drawn, each one turned over his slip
+and looked eagerly for the sign that fate had been good to him.
+
+The lot had fallen to Bert, Tom, and Ben. There was no appeal and the
+rest of the camp had to submit, some, however, with so poor a grace that
+Mr. Hollis, smilingly genially remarked:
+
+"Come, boys, be sports. Any fellow can growl but it takes an all-around
+manly one to bear defeat smilingly. There's always the chance of better
+luck next time."
+
+His words and manner speedily dissipated what shreds of ill-temper
+remained, so that the boys gave a rousing cheer for a send-off as the
+car, gleaming like red gold in the brilliant morning sunshine, shot off
+up the road and disappeared from their longing eyes.
+
+As for the fortunate three in the car, everything unpleasant was
+forgotten in the twinkling of an eye. A great splendid flying auto is no
+place for disagreeable memories, and the woods rang with song and jokes
+and laughter as the car flew on.
+
+Out of the woods at last they swept into a wide well-kept turnpike,
+where they could safely ride at greater speed.
+
+Bert opened up the throttle and the "Red Scout" fairly "burned up the
+ground." They passed a number of lumbering ox carts and farm wagons
+drawn by sedate old horses, whom nothing could dismay. Now just in front
+of them they saw a runabout, drawn by two spirited bay horses evidently
+of the thoroughbred type.
+
+As they came up behind the carriage, Tom noticed that one of the horses
+began to prance and that the lady who held the reins glanced behind
+nervously.
+
+"Wouldn't you better go rather slow," he cautioned Bert; "one of those
+horses doesn't seem to have any love for automobiles."
+
+Accordingly, Bert was very careful as he attempted to pass the runabout;
+but at the first glimpse of the car the prancing horse reared up on his
+hind legs and lurched heavily against his mate. Startled, the other
+horse plunged forward, jerking the reins from the driver's hands. The
+feel of the loose reins on their backs completed their panic, and before
+anyone realized what was happening, the horses had taken the bit between
+their teeth and were dashing down the road, utterly beyond control. The
+carriage swayed frightfully from side to side, and the two ladies, their
+faces blanched with fear, clung desperately to the seats.
+
+The "lucky three," feeling not a bit lucky at that moment, were filled
+with dismay.
+
+"I suppose that's our fault," groaned Tom, "although I don't for the
+life of me see how we could have helped it."
+
+"That's not the question," said Bert, anxiously, "the only thing now is
+how to help them."
+
+"It seems to me," said Tom, "that the thing to do is to overtake them,
+range up alongside and then one of us jump into the carriage and get
+hold of the reins."
+
+This seemed the only feasible thing and the speeding auto soon came
+within a few feet of the runaways. Bert waited till the road widened and
+then shot the auto over the intervening space and drew alongside. Tom
+grasped the wheel and Bert, watching his chance, sprang into the
+carriage. The double motion hurled him backward and almost out on the
+road, but with a desperate effort, he succeeded in grasping the back of
+the seat and held on. Then climbing over, he made his perilous way out
+upon the shaft between the flying horses and snatched the reins. Upon
+these he pulled and sawed with all his strength until he at last brought
+the frightened beasts under control.
+
+Tom and Ben, seeing their opportunity, stopped the machine, and, running
+to the horses' heads, brought them to a standstill. They helped the
+trembling women to alight and with cushions and robes hastily brought
+from the auto made them a comfortable seat at the foot of a tree by the
+roadside. Ben, bethinking himself of the drinking cup that was part of
+the auto's equipment, filled it with water from a nearby spring, and
+under these attentions the ladies somewhat recovered from their
+terrifying experience. The elder of the two turned to the boys and tried
+to express her heartfelt gratitude, while, if the younger was to be
+believed, they had proved themselves veritable heroes. This they
+modestly disclaimed and declared they were only too delighted to have
+been able to stop the team before any serious harm had been done.
+
+Meanwhile the horses stood panting and trembling at the side of the
+road. Evidently it would not be safe to attempt to drive them again at
+present, and they were greatly relieved when a young farmer, who had
+seen the runaway, came up and offered to keep them overnight in his
+barn.
+
+The horses thus disposed of, the "lucky three" offered gallantly to
+drive the ladies home in their car. So, fastening the runabout to the
+rear of the auto and seating their guests comfortably in the tonneau,
+the boys crowded into the driver's seat and were soon gliding up a broad
+avenue of elms that ended at the spacious and elegant home to which they
+had been directed. Declining a pressing invitation to enter, the boys,
+followed by their repeated thanks, started off with redoubled speed on
+their original errand.
+
+Without further adventure they secured their supplies and turned
+toward home. What was their surprise as they neared the camp to see
+a procession of the fellows coming down the road, some beating on
+imaginary drums, others blowing on horns, still others with harmonicas
+and jewsharps, but managing in some unaccountable way to evolve the
+well-known air of
+
+    "Hark! The Conquering Hero Comes!"
+
+It was evident that the news of their adventure had preceded them.
+
+The "Gray Ghost," coming over to the camp to discuss some detail of the
+forthcoming race, had overtaken the farmer leading the runaway horses
+and had learned the particulars. Hence the impromptu band and the
+nerve-racking rendition of the triumphal welcome. It was comical but
+cordial, and the boys would not have been human had they failed to
+appreciate it. And later on their hearts thrilled with still greater
+pleasure at Mr. Hollis' earnest words of commendation.
+
+They were soon seated at the table with their guests from the rival
+camp, and in the discussion of the anticipated race all else was
+forgotten. They had not finished before a strange automobile rolled up
+and the colored chauffeur lifting a large basket from the car and bowing
+low, announced that it was for Mr. Bert Wilson and his friends from the
+ladies whom they had rescued that day from deadly peril.
+
+Many and loud were the exclamations of delight when the basket was found
+to be filled with the mostly costly and delicious fruit. Before the
+onslaught of the crowd it vanished like magic and Jim urged the boys to
+stop a team of runaways every day that summer.
+
+The fruit seemed to the boys the last souvenir of that memorable day, so
+crowded with incident and accident. But it was not. The "lucky three"
+were to be reminded of this day's adventure in a most unexpected manner
+before the season ended.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+THE FOUR-LEGGED RECRUIT
+
+
+"Don, boy, look here," cried Bert, coming out of the mess tent after
+dinner with a plate of scraps. "Now how are you going to thank me for
+it?" he asked as Don pranced up, barking and wig-wagging with his tail.
+
+Don's answer was to stick his cold muzzle into Bert's hand and to
+wig-wag a little harder.
+
+"Now, old fellow," said Bert when Don had cleared the plate, "some of
+the boys are hunting butterflies over there and I want you to get this
+note to them right away. Do you understand, Beauty?"
+
+The dog looked up with full understanding in the eyes that said so much
+and barked joyfully as Bert tied the note to his collar. He started off
+in the direction pointed out to him perfectly happy in the thought that
+he was serving his master.
+
+Bert looked fondly after the proudly lifted head and waving silver brush
+of his favorite. The dog had been a mystery to the whole camp. He seemed
+to know what was said to him and scarcely ever failed to carry out any
+directions given him. He had learned a great many tricks in the few
+days he had been in camp besides displaying some he had mastered
+previously. With one accord they decided that he must have been stolen
+by the tramps, who, in the discomfort and excitement of the other day,
+had forgotten all about him.
+
+A squad of the boys had that morning been sent over to the hills on an
+all-day hike to hunt for butterflies and to study ants--the last had
+become a favorite amusement among them since Dick's talk of a few days
+before. Bert had expected to go with them, but, as more supplies were
+needed from the village, he had volunteered to go over for them in the
+"Red Scout," although he would much rather have gone with the "bug
+squad." The note that he had entrusted to Don contained a warning to the
+boys to come home by the main road and not attempt to come over the
+hills as they contained many dangerous holes and pitfalls. He was sure
+that Don could find the boys because he had gone with them more than
+once on their hikes among the hills.
+
+Meanwhile, up in the hills, one of the boys, Arthur Gray by name, had
+wandered way off from his fellows before he realized it. A strikingly
+beautiful butterfly had led him on and on, now lingering on one flower,
+now on another, always flitting away at the very instant when Arthur
+felt sure of success. Finally, with a lazily graceful motion of its
+delicately marked wings, it flew away and was lost to sight, leaving
+Arthur to "mop his fevered brow," as Dick would have said.
+
+Looking around him he discovered that the boys were nowhere to be found.
+He reached for his pocket compass and found, to his great surprise and
+dismay, that it wasn't there.
+
+By this time, really worried, he tried to remember where he was and
+which way he had come, but all with no result. The butterfly had led him
+there by such a roundabout path that he could not, for the life of him,
+point out the direction from which he had come. What should he do? In a
+moment he thought that he had brought his watch with him--more by luck
+than anything else, for he often left it at the camp--and he remembered
+that he could find in what direction the South lay by means of it.
+
+By that time it was exactly four o'clock, and, pointing the hour hand
+toward the sun, he found that the number 2 on his watch-face pointed to
+the South: that is, half the distance between four o'clock and twelve
+when the other hand is pointed toward the sun, marks the southerly
+direction. Of course, when he had one point of the compass it was very
+simple for him to find the others--that being a necessary part of summer
+camp training. Arthur knew that the camp lay somewhere to the East so
+he started to get there as fast as his legs would carry him.
+
+But, alas. The time when we think fate has been most kind to us often
+turns out to be the time when it is hardest. So it was in Arthur's case.
+As he hurried along, congratulating himself on having thought of so easy
+and quick a way to get out of his difficulty, he forgot that the passes
+over the hills had been reported dangerous.
+
+Going happily along he had no warning of what was in store for him
+until, with a groan, he sank to the ground and began to rub his ankle.
+He had stepped into one of those treacherous holes that covered the
+whole countryside and had sprained his ankle very badly.
+
+Painfully, he tried to get up, but when he attempted to bear his weight
+on the injured ankle, it pained so cruelly that he winced.
+
+"Oh, I can't, I can't," he moaned aloud in his misery. "What shall I do,
+what shall I do?" and, sinking to the ground, he covered his face with
+his hands.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Meanwhile, the boys had missed him and had begun to search all over for
+him. Not finding him, they became anxious and looked desperately for him
+in every place they could think of.
+
+"I wonder if he could be hiding in a cave the way Jim was doing the
+other day," Shorty suggested.
+
+"Don't be a fool, Shorty," said Tom, rather sharply. "Arthur isn't that
+kind. Probably he's chased some butterfly way off somewhere and can't
+find his way back."
+
+"He ought to be able to find his way easily enough with his pocket
+compass. The thing I'm afraid of is that he may have met with some
+accident," said Frank.
+
+Just then Don came trotting up to Tom, calling attention to the note
+tied to his collar by a series of short, imperative barks. Tom patted
+his head lovingly and called him a "good fellow" at which Don wig-wagged
+vigorously. The boys all crowded around, eager to see what was in the
+note.
+
+"It's from Bert," Tom announced, "and he says that Mr. Hollis wants
+us to come home by the main road because of the dangerous holes and
+pitfalls. Say, fellows," as the truth dawned upon him, "do you think
+that Arthur can be hurt so that he can't get to us?"
+
+"Nobody knows. But I know one thing," said Shorty stoutly, "and that is,
+that I won't leave these hills to-night until we have found him."
+
+"Good for you, Shorty," said Frank. "I know we all feel the same way so
+we had better get down to business in a hurry."
+
+All the time the boys had been speaking Don had stood with his head
+cocked knowingly on one side, watching their every action. When they
+started to go he looked up into Tom's face, mutely asking to be allowed
+to go too. And Tom answered heartily, "You just bet you can come along,
+Don. We couldn't do without you."
+
+Then the boys began to scour the woods in good earnest. For half an hour
+they worked hard with a dull, aching sensation at their hearts. They
+looked behind rocks, pulled aside dense underbrush, gazed down deep
+ravines with the awful fear that they might see their comrade lying at
+the bottom. They were coming now into the most dangerous part of the
+country and they were forced to work slowly and with the utmost care.
+
+When they paused, weary and discouraged, to consult on what course was
+best to follow, Don's short bark reached their ears and in a minute the
+dog himself rushed up to them. Then, running back and forth between them
+and the direction from which he had come, he plainly showed them that he
+wished them to follow him.
+
+"We'd better go," Tom said. "He may have found him, or at least some
+trace of him."
+
+So, with Don in the lead the boys started once more. As they went they
+called Arthur's name, but at first nothing but the echoes answered them.
+They were so torn by thorns and briers and so wearied by the long search,
+that nothing but the thought that their poor comrade was in a much worse
+plight than they, could have kept them to their task. Finally, when they
+were beginning to think that Don was leading them on a wrong scent, they
+heard a faint cry. Joyfully, they called out again and again and each
+time the answer came nearer. When they came upon the runaway at last they
+were so happy that they didn't notice his condition at once. When they
+did realize how badly he was hurt, they forgot how tired they were and
+set about at once to relieve him.
+
+The poor boy had tried to drag himself along on his hands but had not
+been able to get very far. The boys bandaged the ankle and then began
+making a litter. It wasn't very long before they had Arthur fairly
+comfortable on the improvised bed. With light hearts the procession
+started for camp, Don proudly taking the lead. The boys thought it was
+best not to question Arthur until he had had time to recover from the
+shock.
+
+It was nearly dark, when, tired and hungry, the "bug squad" reached
+camp. It is a well known fact that boys are not worth much when they
+are hungry. Mr. Hollis, who was a good judge of human nature, hurried
+the troop into supper, declaring that curiosity could be much better
+satisfied on a full stomach than an empty one.
+
+After supper the boys made the usual camp fire and made the wounded hero
+of the day comfortable before it. When the preliminaries were over the
+boys called for the story of the "bug squad's" adventures.
+
+Tom told as much of the story as he knew and then, turning to Arthur,
+asked, "Did Don really find you there? We weren't sure but that he might
+just have struck the trail."
+
+"He did both," Arthur replied. "He struck my trail and followed it until
+he found me. I don't think I was ever so glad in my life as I was to see
+our Don come trotting up ready for some petting. He saw that I was hurt,
+though, and started away like a streak of lightning to bring you to
+my help. At first I thought that he was deserting me, but even as the
+thought came to me I knew it was unjust. Think of our gallant Don
+deserting anyone in distress. Then in a few minutes I heard you hail
+and answered as well as I could. I will always carry a picture of you
+fellows as you came into sight, with Don in the lead. Believe me, it was
+the finest I ever saw or expect to see. And now, fellows, I want you to
+give three cheers for the hero of the day and the finest dog that ever
+lived. Come on, now----
+
+"HOORAY-HOORAY-HOORAY--Now let 'er out fellows--HOORAY," and in spite of
+his sprained ankle, Arthur led the cheers that echoed and re-echoed
+through the trees for rods around.
+
+All the time the cause of all the enthusiasm was lying with his head on
+Bert's knee, watching the boys contentedly. When they all crowded
+around, he took the praises they showered on him as a true gentleman
+should--with courtesy and dignity, only those speaking eyes of his
+telling of the love in his heart for the boys that would have made him
+die for any one of them.
+
+If ever a dog was glad and happy, his name was Don that night. Although
+he didn't understand what it was all about, he knew that he was being
+honored and showed that he appreciated it.
+
+The happiest moment in the whole day for Don came when Bert put both
+arms lovingly around his neck and whispered, "You're a trump, old man."
+
+And so the four-legged recruit went happily to sleep to dream that he
+was rescuing all the boys in camp.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+THE YOUNGSTERS' GREAT DAY
+
+
+"Say, fellows," said Bert, as he lay stretched out lazily beneath the
+limbs of a spreading beech, "isn't this the finest day ever?"
+
+"You bet it is," said Tom, "the mould was broken when this day was
+made."
+
+It was, indeed, one of the perfect days that come sometimes to break the
+heat of sweltering midsummer. A brisk wind stirred the branches through
+which the sunlight, flecking lazily the ground beneath, played over the
+group of boys, who lay in all sorts of abandoned attitudes on a bit of
+rising ground a little removed from the camp. They had had a splendid
+morning's sport. The coolness of the day and the fine condition of the
+roads and meadows had suggested to them the game of Hare and Hounds. Up
+hill and down dale they had raced with occasional intervals of rest.
+When the hares had successfully shaken off their pursuers, still the
+bewildered hounds had nosed about, so to speak, seeking to pick up the
+lost trail. Bert and Tom had been the hares and their escape from
+capture had added to the delight occasioned by the day and the game
+itself. It was only after the rice that they had carried in their
+pouches to make a trail had been almost exhausted, that they thought of
+doubling on their tracks and making for camp.
+
+The hounds had trailed in a little later on, looking a bit discomfited
+but not disheartened. As Pete Hart, one of the hounds, said "though
+slightly disfigured they were still in the ring." And, oh, how that
+dinner tasted and how impossible it was almost for the famished boys to
+wait while the fish snatched from the brook that morning were frizzling
+in the pan and came in tantalizing whiffs to the nostrils of the boys.
+Something more substantial than whiffs, however, did quickly follow, and
+now like gorged anacondas full to the brim, they lay stretched out upon
+the grass and talked over the events of the morning.
+
+"I tell you what, boys," said Frank, "it sure was the luckiest day in my
+life when I struck this camp."
+
+"Well," said Tom, "I reckon we all say amen to that. Think of being out
+in these woods on such a day as this with a lot of jolly good fellows
+and not a thing to do but be happy. When I think of the people in town
+roasting under the summer heat while we are out here under the trees,
+you bet I feel sorry for them."
+
+"Yes," said Jim, who, as usual, had eaten more even than the others and
+hadn't before had energy enough to speak, "the town is all right in the
+fall and spring, but when the summer comes, me for the long hike and the
+camp in the woods."
+
+"It sure does us a lot of good," said Bert. "I know that when I go back
+to the city after a summer like this I feel so strong that I could lift
+a ton."
+
+"God made the country but man made the town," chimed in Dick who was
+great on quotations. "I think it does everybody good to get away
+somewhere where they can come in contact with the woods and the brooks
+and the squirrels and the birds. Who was it we used to read about--that
+fellow in the old Grecian stories--I think his name was Antaeus, who got
+into a fight with one of the old heroes and every time he was knocked
+down, refreshed by contact with mother earth, got up ten times stronger
+than before. I guess that is the way we feel after a summer spent in the
+woods."
+
+While they were speaking, Mr. Hollis had joined the group. The boys
+quickly moved aside to make room for him. Although he was so much older
+than they, his genial spirit and unfailing friendliness kept him in
+touch with every one of the boys. At heart he was still a boy and
+always would be one. He was a stickler for discipline, but not in the
+slightest degree a martinet. With him it was always the "iron hand in
+the velvet glove," and he was so just, so considerate, he understood boy
+nature so thoroughly and in the case of each was able so accurately to
+put himself in his place, that the boys regarded him as a father or
+rather an older brother, instead of a commander.
+
+"I heard what you said, Tom," he said, smiling, "about not having a
+thing to do but be happy. Are you quite sure you have nothing to do but
+that?"
+
+Tom stared a moment, "why yes," he said slowly, "to make somebody else
+happy."
+
+"That's the thing," said Mr. Hollis. "You hit the nail right on the head
+that time, Tom. There is no higher aim in life than to make some one
+else happy."
+
+A murmur of assent arose from the boys.
+
+"Now," said Mr. Hollis, "we ought to do some one a good turn every day.
+It doesn't matter especially what that good turn is. It may be a thing
+so slight as almost to escape notice. It is just in some way or other to
+add to the sweetness of human life. It may be to give somebody a lift in
+the automobile--it may be a word of appreciation to kindle a smile on
+some tired face; it may be guiding a blind man across the street, or
+giving your seat to a woman in the street car, or even so slight a thing
+as to kick a banana peel off the sidewalk. The essence of the whole
+thing is self-forgetfulness. To lend a hand, to give a lift, to make
+life brighter and easier for someone even in the smallest degree.
+
+"But what I have in mind just now is a sort of wholesale lift. When I
+was in town the other day I passed the orphan asylum. You know the one I
+mean. That building just off the Court House Square with a stone wall
+around it and a pretty lawn in front."
+
+The boys remembered perfectly. Every one of them at some time or other
+had passed the place and seen the childish faces at the windows.
+
+"Now," said Mr. Hollis, "my idea is this. There are from forty to fifty
+children in that building. It serves as the asylum for all the towns in
+the county. I happen to know it is carried on in a splendid way. The
+officials at the head are kind and humane and the matrons in charge
+take the best possible care of the little ones, but after all they
+need variety. They want individual attention. In a home of that kind
+even with the best intentions there has to be a certain monotony and
+uniformity. They have to rise at a certain hour, sit down at the table
+at the same moment, go to the school room at a given time, and even
+play under the direction of somebody else. Now, what a glorious thing it
+would be if for one day those children could come out into the woods and
+roll in the grass and chase the squirrels and kick up their heels like
+young colts let loose in the pasture. What do you say boys, to giving up
+one whole day of this vacation and make those little ones think they
+have had a glimpse of heaven?"
+
+What they said was plenty. As Shorty said, "it hit them where they
+lived."
+
+There was a chorus of excited exclamations, "Will we?" "You bet!"
+"Just try us and see." "When's it going to be?" "Why can't we have it
+to-morrow?" "How many kids are there in the asylum?" "What's the best
+way to get them here?" At last Mr. Hollis, smiling, had to raise his
+hand, in order to be heard.
+
+"Well," said he, "I haven't fixed upon the date. As a matter of fact,
+I haven't spoken to the officers of the institution at all and am
+not absolutely sure that they will see their way clear to make the
+arrangement. Of course, they have a great responsibility upon them
+in caring for so many little ones and they would have to look at the
+question from every side. Still I don't think there will be much trouble
+in arranging it. They are just as eager to see the children have a good
+time as we are, and I think the idea will strike them as a capital one.
+One or two of the people in charge will, of course, have to come with
+them. Ordinarily they might feel a little timid about letting the
+children spend a whole day in the woods in company with a lot of
+high-spirited boys who might be reckless, and, even with the best
+intentions, lead them into danger. Still, you boys have established such
+a good reputation in this neighborhood," and here Mr. Hollis looked
+about on the eager faces with an expression of pride, "that I don't
+think there will be any real trouble in arranging the affair."
+
+"It is a capital idea," said Dick, warmly. "How did you come to think
+about it?"
+
+"Well," said Mr. Hollis, "it wasn't original with me. It's a custom in
+the city to set aside a day each year as 'Orphans' Day.' There are
+thousands of well-to-do people, owners of automobiles, who have the
+tenderest sympathy with these little ones deprived, by nature, of their
+natural guardians, and on that one day of the year they give up all
+thought of selfish enjoyment and try to give the children the time of
+their lives. It's a splendid sight and warms the heart to see the long
+line of automobiles coming down the avenues decked with flags and
+overflowing with the little tots. Off they go to the beach where all
+sorts of amusements have been prepared for them. They dig in the sand.
+They paddle about with bare feet at the edge of the breakers. They take
+in every innocent amusement from one end of the island to another. They
+haven't any money to spend, but they couldn't spend it if they had.
+Everything is free. The spirit of kindness and good feeling is shared
+by all the owners of the different resorts, and the doors are flung
+wide open the minute the children come in sight. They see the moving
+pictures. They ride in the merry-go-round. They hold their breath as
+they speed up and down the scenic railways. They watch, with awed
+admiration, the wandering artist who moulds tigers and lions in the
+sand. The life guards take them in their boats and row around the
+different piers. They go to the great animal shows and see the big
+brutes put through their wonderful tricks. They sit in the weighing
+machines. They throw base-balls at the clay figures and the larger boys
+are even permitted--supreme pleasure for a boy--to fire at the target in
+the shooting galleries. They watch the great ocean steamers as they go
+past at a distance, and the smaller vessels, like white-winged birds,
+that hug the shore. And eat! How they do eat! They are like a flock of
+ravenous locusts and the food disappears as if by magic. It's a day of
+days for the poor little youngsters, to be talked over and dreamed over
+for months to come, and when at the end of the day they pile into the
+autos, tired, full, happy as larks, for the swift return journey to the
+only place they know as home, it is a question who are the happier, the
+little ones to whom this means so much or the owners of the machines
+who, for that one day at least have spent themselves gladly for the
+happiness of others."
+
+The boys listened with rapt attention, and when Mr. Hollis had finished
+they were chock full of enthusiasm.
+
+"Well," said Tom, "we haven't any beach here, but I am willing to bet
+that by the time we get through with those kids they will have had just
+as good a time as any youngster in the big city ever had."
+
+The boys all chimed assent to this, and Shorty, who was always impulsive
+and never could bear to wait for anything that he greatly desired,
+suggested, "Why not fix it up right away?"
+
+"Well," said Mr. Hollis, "I don't see any objection to that. If Bert has
+the automobile in shape we will go over at once."
+
+So many of the boys wanted to go with him that, to avoid any selection,
+Mr. Hollis suggested that they draw lots. Of course it went without
+saying that Bert would go to drive the machine, but in addition fate
+decreed that Tom, Frank, Jim, and Shorty should pile in with them. Off
+they went along the smooth country roads, their hearts leaping not only
+with the delight of the glorious day and the thrilling swiftness with
+which the great machine sped over the turnpike, but also from the
+feeling that they were going to carry gladness and sunshine into a lot
+of wistful little hearts to whom father and mother were only names.
+
+In what seemed only a few minutes from the time they left the camp, they
+reached the asylum. Bert went in with Mr. Hollis while the rest of the
+boys stayed outside in the machine of which they never tired, and where
+they much preferred to stay rather than wander about the streets of the
+town. The interview with the officers of the asylum was most cordial.
+They knew Mr. Hollis as a courteous gentleman and a capable and careful
+ruler of his little kingdom. The matron in charge was called in at the
+conference and she also assented heartily and thankfully.
+
+It was arranged that on the second day thereafter, provided, of course,
+the weather was suitable, the outing should take place. Then arose the
+question of transportation. How were they to get there? The automobile
+would only carry a few of the little ones even though they were packed
+in like sardines. The superintendent suggested that no doubt they would
+be able to find plenty of the townspeople who would be glad to furnish
+teams to carry the rest.
+
+But just before this arrangement was concluded a thought occurred to
+Bert. He knew how much the auto appealed to a youngster. They were used
+to seeing horses and wagons and at times would be taken for a ride in
+them, but automobiles were scarce in that locality and seemed almost
+like a fairy vehicle to the little ones, as with faces pressed against
+the panes they would see an occasional touring car glide swiftly along
+the road in front. "Where were the horses?" "What made them go?" "Why do
+they go so fast?" It seemed to Bert that half the delight of the little
+ones would be in the automobile ride and as he pictured the little wave
+of envy and discontent that would inevitably come over the youngsters
+who were forced to take the more prosaic and common place wagons, he
+said:
+
+"What's the matter with taking them all over in the machine? Of course
+we would have to make a good many trips, but what of that? It only takes
+a few minutes to get from here to the camp and turn our load loose in
+the woods and then come back for another. The whole thing could be
+managed in a couple of hours. Bob and I could take turns in driving the
+machine. I am sure Bob would be glad to, and I know I would, and as for
+the kids, there is no question of the way they would feel about it."
+
+"All right," said Mr. Hollis, while the superintendent and matron
+greeted gratefully this further example of Bert's thoughtfulness and
+kindness of heart.
+
+When the machine returned to camp and the boys who had been left behind
+learned of the arrangement, everything was bustle and stir at once.
+Although the camp was always kept in first-class order, this being one
+of their cardinal principles, yet there were a good many little things
+that needed doing in order that the youngsters should have the glorious
+time that the boys had mapped out for them. Some of them took a long
+rope and fixed up a great swing between two oaks at a little distance
+from the camp. Others arranged an archery butt and prepared bows and
+arrows for the larger boys to use. A number of fishing lines with
+sinkers and hooks were prepared so that the children might have the rare
+delight of trying to catch their own dinner. Then, too, it was necessary
+to go to town on several different occasions to secure supplies. Their
+own store had to be replenished, and besides, they wanted to get a lot
+of extra dainties that would appeal especially to the appetites of their
+little guests.
+
+There had been a heavy rain a day or two before and the prospects were
+that nothing in the way of bad weather would mar the outing. This had
+been a question of a little anxiety because their stay in camp was
+rapidly nearing a close. Many of the boys had only a limited time to
+stay and had to return to their employment in the city. And even those
+who could extend the period had no desire to do so after their fellows
+had gone.
+
+In all this rush of preparation the automobile race was not neglected.
+Every boy in the camp felt as though his own personal reputation was
+involved in winning. Rumors had filtered in from different quarters that
+Ralph Quinby, the driver of the "Gray Ghost", was simply burning up the
+roads in exercise. It was even said that for a short distance he had
+attained the speed of a mile a minute.
+
+While there was no bitterness in the rivalry between the two camps, yet
+their desire to win was extremely keen.
+
+"You have simply got to get there, old fellow," said Dick as he and Bert
+were tinkering at the machine on the morning before that set for the
+outing. "It would never do to have those fellows say that the 'Red Scout'
+had to take the dust of the 'Gray Ghost.'"
+
+"Well," said Bert, who, as the driver of the car, naturally felt a
+greater weight of responsibility than anybody else, "there are just
+three things we need in order to come in first. Above everything else,
+we've got to have the car in splendid condition. It must be stripped of
+every single thing that might furnish wind resistance and make its work
+that much harder. Every bolt and nut must be examined and tightened. The
+lever, the clutch, the gear, has to be thoroughly examined. Many a race
+is won in advance in this way, even before the machine leaves the post.
+In the next place, we've got to have good judgment. By this I mean
+judgment of pace. It isn't only what the speedometer says, but there is
+a little something that tells the man who has his hand on the wheel just
+when and just how hard he should hit it up. Sometimes it is wise to
+trail the other fellow. At other times it may be well to set the pace,
+but the ability to do either one or the other is the thing that, other
+things being equal, is bound to tell in the long run. Then, greatest of
+all, perhaps, is nerve. I don't know whether you have ever ridden, Dick,
+in a machine that goes a mile a minute, but if you have, especially on a
+circular track, you'll know something of what I mean. A fellow's nerves
+must be like iron. The least hesitation, the least doubt, the least
+shakiness even for the merest fraction of a second, may be fatal. This
+is true even if one were riding without anything especially at stake,
+but when we know that all the fellows will be yelling like Indians,
+begging us to win, and know the bitter disappointment that will come to
+them if the other fellow shows us the way over the line, I tell you it
+is a sure enough test of a fellow's nerve."
+
+"Well," said Dick, "as to that last point I haven't any doubt about you
+having plenty of nerve, Bert. If that were the only thing in question I
+would call the race won just now, but how about the machines themselves?
+Don't they enter into the calculation?"
+
+"Of course," said Bert, "that counts for an awful lot. You can't make a
+cart horse beat a thoroughbred, no matter how well he is ridden. There's
+got to be the speed there or everything else counts for nothing. But
+take two machines of about equal power, and from all I hear the 'Red
+Scout' hasn't much, if anything, on the 'Gray Ghost' in this particular,
+it puts the matter right up to the drivers of the cars. Under those
+conditions, nine times out of ten, it's the best man and not the best
+machine that wins."
+
+While Tom and Bert discussed the thing in this way soberly, the rest of
+the troop hadn't a doubt in the world that their hero would win. They
+idolized Bert. They had seen him under a variety of circumstances and
+never once had he shown the white feather. Never once had he failed to
+measure up to an emergency. Never once had he failed to use every ounce
+of energy and power that he possessed. If he _should lose_--and this
+thought was instantly dismissed as traitorous--they knew that, although
+beaten, he would not be disgraced, and so, with a vast amount of
+excitement but with scarcely the slightest feeling of trepidation, they
+awaited the momentous day when the "Gray Ghost" and the "Red Scout"
+should battle for supremacy.
+
+"Orphans' Day" dawned clear and beautiful. There was just enough breeze
+to temper the heat of the sun. The skies were cloudless. Many a tousled
+little head up at the asylum had tossed restlessly on its pillow through
+that night and almost all of the expectant youngsters needed no rising
+bell to call them from their dreams. Even breakfast was dispatched more
+quickly than usual, and the feverish impatience of the little tots made
+it almost impossible to wait for the coming of that glorious automobile.
+
+As it was necessary to save all possible space in the auto for the
+children themselves, Bert drove the car over alone. When he came in
+sight he was hailed with a yell of delight by a little group of seven or
+eight gathered on the lawn, who had been told off, to the envy of their
+less fortunate companions, for the first ride. The matron in charge made
+a pretense of keeping order, but she had been a child herself and the
+attempt was only half-hearted. In they piled, one after the other,
+tumbling over the sides, or tossed in by the strong arms of Bert, and
+untangled themselves somehow, some on the seats, some on the bottom of
+the car between the last and the driver's seat. Brown heads, black
+heads, blond heads, yes, even one little red head--that of Teddy
+Mulligan--made what Shorty said when he saw it was "a sure enough color
+scheme."
+
+As soon as they were safely ensconced, Bert blew his horn, swung the car
+around, and then made off for the camp. Oh, the delight of that swift
+trip on that glorious morning. Oh, the chatter that rose from those
+eager lips. Oh, the joy that bubbled in those little, motherless hearts.
+It wasn't earth--it was heaven. On sped the machine, noiselessly,
+softly, swiftly as a bird. If it had not been for the other groups who
+were eagerly waiting their turn Bert would surely have turned off into a
+side road and given the kids a good many extra miles; but the others had
+to be considered, too, and time was passing, so into the camp they
+glided, all alive with eagerness, delight and anticipation. The ready
+hands of the other boys lifted the little ones from the machine, which
+instantly turned about for its second trip. Again and again this was
+repeated, until the last little group on the lawn of the asylum had
+melted away, and the woods resounded with their childish prattle.
+
+The boys had surely spread themselves to give "the kids" a day that
+they'd never forget. Frank took some of the larger boys to the little
+glade where the archery practice was on, put the bows and arrows into
+their hands that had been prepared and showed them how to shoot. The
+girls were taken to a swing that the boys had rigged up and swung
+to and fro to their hearts' content. Tom showed them how to make
+jack-o'-lanterns and told them about the time when Bert had put one up
+in a great cave and frightened him so badly when he caught a first
+glimpse of it. A little group under the guidance of Dick went down to
+the brook and watched the sunfish dart to and fro under the gleaming
+surface and the great perch and catfish lying lazily under the reeds
+that fringed the bank. Shorty, who was an expert fisherman, threw his
+line while the boys looked on with bated breath, and in a few minutes
+pulled up a plump catfish.
+
+"Why do they call them that?" said little Tony Darimo.
+
+"Well," said Shorty, "maybe it's because of the whiskers they have;
+perhaps because the face looks something like a cat, or else because of
+the noise they make when you take them off the hook."
+
+Little Billy Jackson seemed unconvinced.
+
+"It doesn't seem to me like a cat," he said.
+
+Just then Shorty, who had turned his head to put the fish in the basket,
+uttered a loud "meow." Billy jumped.
+
+"I guess you are right after all," he said. "It surely does sound like a
+pussy cat."
+
+In the shallow part of the brook some of the little ones under the
+guidance of the matron were permitted to take off their shoes and
+stockings and paddle about. The water was less than a foot deep. One of
+the children slipped and fell. In a moment Don, who had been racing along
+the bank, jumped in and grabbed him by the collar of his blouse. The
+child was on his feet in a minute and had never been in the slightest
+danger at all, but Don felt just as proud of his exploit as though he had
+saved him from a raging torrent. The boys laughed and called him a "fake
+hero," and yet every one of them knew in his heart that, however great
+might have been the danger, Don would have jumped just the same. Don
+outdid himself that day. He made the children scream with delight. Under
+the guidance of Bert he played soldier, shouldered the stick and marched,
+rolled over and played dead, and did it all with such a keen sense of
+enjoyment in his tricks that the children stood about and watched him,
+with endless wonder and delight.
+
+But the one whom the children remembered above all the others was
+Bert. He was everywhere. He told them stories. He carried them on his
+shoulders. He imitated the calls of the different birds. He summoned the
+squirrels and the timid little creatures, who long since had lost all
+fear of him, came readily forward, ate out of his hand and perched upon
+his finger tips. The children looked on with wide-eyed amazement,
+delight and admiration.
+
+Then came dinner, and such a dinner! The kids had never seen anything
+like it before. Fish caught fresh from the brook, the golden corn bread
+made by the boys themselves, the maple syrup, the cakes, the pies, the
+countless goodies that melted away before those famished youngsters
+would have filled a dyspeptic's heart with envy.
+
+But all things come to an end, and in the late afternoon, amid the
+shouted good-byes and waving of hands from all the boys in the camp, the
+"Red Scout" took up its burden--and it had never borne a happier one--and
+carried the kids away, their little hearts full of unspeakable content,
+at the end of the best day's outing they had ever known.
+
+The boys were tired that night. Even Tom, who prided himself on never
+owning up to weariness, admitted fairly and squarely that he was "clean
+tuckered out." But it was a delightful weariness. They had forgotten
+themselves. They had worked and planned for others. They had not looked
+for their own happiness, and just because they had not, they found it.
+They had learned the one supreme lesson of life, "that to give is better
+than to receive," "that he who seeks pleasure as an end in itself never
+finds it," and that he who bestows happiness upon another has his own
+heart flooded with peace.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+DAVE'S TIGER STORY
+
+
+The next night, while Dave, who had promised to tell them a tiger yarn,
+was pulling his "thinking cap" on tight, and trying to select his most
+fetching story, the boys gathered closer about him, and with hearts
+beating a little faster at the very mention of the word "tiger,"
+prepared to listen.
+
+At last Dave looked up, and in order to make his story a trifle more
+thrilling, gave a little talk on the bloodthirstiness of his majesty,
+the tiger. When he concluded by the tense look on his hearers' faces
+that the right moment had arrived, he plunged into
+
+     THE STORY OF THE TIGER
+
+"One calm evening in the summertime, somewhat later than usual, a
+gentleman stepped from the train at a railroad station in a suburban
+town and walked up the street toward his home. Deep in thoughts of
+business, he did not notice at first that a most unusual silence
+pervaded the town. In a short time the deadly stillness roused him, and
+he noticed, wonderingly, that he was the only person to be seen on the
+streets. Not a man, woman, or child could he see, a most unusual thing,
+as at that time, in the early evening, the town was always a very lively
+place indeed. He noticed, too, with amazement, that the doors and
+windows of the houses were all closed. Not a face appeared at any of
+them. All the windows that had blinds or shutters attached had them
+drawn tightly, and fastened securely. Not a sign of life anywhere. What
+had happened? Had everybody gone crazy?
+
+"Amazed and frightened, he hurried on, up one street and down another,
+until his own house came into view. That, too, was closed and shuttered.
+The welcoming face that had never failed to greet him was not at door or
+window. Now, thoroughly alarmed, he ran up the steps of the porch and
+wildly rang the bell. The door was opened cautiously, just a little
+crack, and to his great relief the face of his wife appeared at the tiny
+opening.
+
+"At the sight of him the door opened wider. He was clutched by the
+sleeve and hurried into the house with scant ceremony. Before he could
+get his breath after this amazing treatment the door was closed and
+locked and double-locked on the instant, and the white face of his wife
+confronted the dazed man.
+
+"His dinner was ready, but without waiting for him to be seated at the
+table his wife commenced to tell him the cause of the unusual state of
+affairs. 'Did he remember that the wild animal show was to have arrived
+in the town that day?' 'No,' he had not remembered, 'but go on.'
+
+"Well, it did come, and while the show was in progress one of the
+animals, a tiger, had escaped from the tent and raced up Main Street,
+while everyone on the street hurried to the nearest refuge. At the
+end of Main Street he dashed into the woods, and though the crowd of
+pursuing men and boys did their best to recapture him, he was still at
+large. The manager of the show told the people, while they ran madly in
+pursuit, that the tiger was a new one, scarcely at all trained, and by
+far the fiercest and most savage of all the animals in the show. He
+warned everyone to stay closely within doors that night, and assured
+them that as soon as daylight appeared every possible effort would be
+made to capture and cage him. That is why everybody is barricaded within
+doors.
+
+"Of course, being a man, he laughed at his wife's fears, said there
+was no danger, and that it was extremely foolish for everyone to be
+so scared, and that, as for him, he would not lose a wink of sleep
+worrying about it. His wife noticed, however, that although he talked so
+bravely, he kept closely within doors all the evening, and that when
+they were ready to go upstairs for the night he looked with unusual care
+at the fastenings of all the doors and windows, both upstairs and down.
+Once, as he fastened the bolt of a window, he had stopped and grown a
+little white at a slight scratching noise just outside the window."
+
+Here a decided shiver ran around the camp, furtive looks were cast over
+hiked shoulders, and Sam, who for some minutes had been watching a
+moving shadow just outside the line of camp firelight, decided that the
+shadow was decidedly tigerlike, and wanted to know if they did not think
+the fire needed some more logs. "All right, old man," said Bob, and the
+logs went on. They blazed up brightly, and gave every man Jack, even the
+bravest of them, a more comfortable feeling of security, and Dave went
+on with the story:
+
+"In the middle of that night the man found himself suddenly awake, with
+an intense feeling that someone or something was in the room. Raising
+himself upon one elbow, he gazed searchingly about the dim room, and was
+just about to give himself a lecture for imagining things, when, in
+the farthest and darkest corner, he saw what appeared to be two great
+balls of green fire glaring straight at him. At once the thought of the
+escaped tiger leaped into his mind, and he knew that the fierce and
+savage beast was within his room. For a moment his heart fairly stopped
+beating, but, gaining control of himself with an effort, he tried to
+think what he should do. He reached over and laid his hand softly over
+his wife's lips and whispered in her ear. Then together they watched the
+two glowing points of fire, wondering with sick hearts how soon the
+tiger would be upon them.
+
+"They had not long to wait, for now the tiger began crawling toward
+them, inch by inch, inch by inch----"
+
+At this point in the story the boys, utterly forgetful of the world
+and everything in it, had crowded close about the story teller, and
+with flesh creeping and hair rising on their heads were listening,
+open-mouthed, to the story. Dave had paused to take breath, when every
+heart stood still as a fierce scratching on the bark of a nearby tree
+and a deep, savage growling were heard.
+
+All sprang to their feet. Dick Trent was the only one who remained cool.
+Having seen Bert Wilson (who never lost an opportunity for a little fun
+and mischief) steal quietly away under cover of the darkness, he more
+than suspected that something was going to happen, and so was prepared.
+
+Suddenly a burst of ringing laughter made itself heard, and there
+on the grass lay Bert, rolling over and over, holding his sides and
+saying between gasps, "Oh, my! Oh, my! you did look so funny! Hold me,
+somebody, or I _will_ go to pieces. Oh, my! Oh, my!"
+
+At first the boys were inclined to be angry, but they were good fellows
+and always ready to laugh at a joke, even when it was on themselves, and
+so with many a laughing threat to "get even with Bert, and that mighty
+soon," they came, a little sheepishly, back to the fire and with one
+accord begged Dave to go on with the story.
+
+"Well," resumed Dave, "we left the tiger creeping inch by inch, inch by
+inch, toward his two victims, and feeling very sure of his capture; but
+the man was not the one to give up his life or that of his wife without
+a brave effort to save them. He whispered hastily to his wife, 'Be
+prepared'"--here a voice interrupted to exclaim, "They ought to have
+been campers"--"'to jump out and roll way back under the bed the instant
+I say Now!'
+
+"By this time the tiger had come to within a few feet of them, and they
+could see him in the dim light, every muscle quivering, crouched for a
+spring. The man had slipped his feet over the side of the bed to the
+floor, and his hands clutched the bedclothes from underneath.
+
+"As the beast sprang the man shouted, 'Now!' and at the same time flung
+the bedclothes over the head and body of the tiger. The two terrified
+people used the few minutes the angry, snarling beast took to get out
+from the tangle of bedclothes to roll as far under the bed as they
+could. The bed was a very low one, and the man knew that the tiger, who
+was very large, could not creep under without raising the bed with his
+shoulders. So the two resolved that when he tried to get under, as they
+knew he would, they would grip the steel springs above them and hold on
+like grim death, and try to hold the bed down.
+
+"All too soon they found themselves holding on to those springs with all
+the combined strength of their muscles. The tiger tried again and again
+to lift the bed, but could not get enough of his shoulders under to get
+a purchase, and finding himself baffled, crept away to his far corner to
+consider what to do.
+
+"The man knew that they could not keep the tiger at bay in this way very
+long, for their strength was nearly gone. Groping about desperately, his
+hand touched his son's tool box, pushed carelessly under the bed. How
+thankful he was that their boy was visiting relatives at a distance. He,
+at least, was safe. He grasped the box as a drowning man grasps a straw,
+and lifting a lid searched for and found a screw driver, and, oh, joy!
+a few large screws.
+
+"Working desperately, and more rapidly than ever in his life before,
+he drove a couple of the screws through the two top legs of the bed,
+securing them to the floor. Another two minutes and he had one of the
+bottom legs in the same condition. Before he could touch the fourth leg
+the tiger, angered by the noise of the screw driving, bounded forward
+and again tried to lift the bed. Finding he could not get at them, the
+tiger suddenly sprang upon the bed and began tearing at the mattress.
+Very soon there was nothing between him and the now almost despairing
+couple but the woven wire springs. These springs were of extra strong,
+fine quality, but even these could not hold out long against the
+onslaught of those terrible, powerful claws.
+
+"Almost mechanically the man again thrust his hand into the box, and
+drew out a small saw. The idea came to him to cut a hole through the
+floor into the ceiling of the room below, slip through, and rush for
+help. He spoke to his wife, and found she had fainted. He worked
+desperately, faster and faster, while all the time the tiger tore more
+and more fiercely at the tough springs. His hot, terrible breath swept
+across their faces, so close to that snarling one above them, while the
+saliva dropped from his savage jaws.
+
+"Almost fainting with disgust and terror, the man worked on still more
+desperately, for dear life now. At last one side was finished, then
+another, now the third, and a little hope came back to the man's heart.
+If he could only finish that other side he would have at least a slight
+chance of escape. But now the tough woven wire links began to give way
+under the tearing of the tiger's savage claws. In one place a small hole
+is broken in the wire. In mad haste the man tears the saw through the
+wood. It seems as if it would never give way. Once the saw slips and
+bends. What if it should break! One more desperate, despairing effort.
+Only two more inches now, only one, only a half inch. At last it is
+over, and the saw drops from his nerveless hand. He makes a last effort
+to arouse his wife, but without avail. He cannot bear to leave her, for
+he fears that before he can get help and return the tiger will be upon
+her. What can he do? It is his only chance to save her. He _must_ take
+it.
+
+"The tiger, as if he knew a crisis had come, ceased his tearing and lay
+above them, watching with angry fire flashing from his eyes, and keeping
+up a low, savage snarling.
+
+"With a muttered prayer for protection for his poor wife and help for
+himself, the man lowered himself through the opening until he found
+himself suspended from the ceiling of the lower room. In desperate haste
+to go for help, he is about to drop to the floor, but pauses to hear if
+there is any sound or movement in the room above. Not a sound. There is
+comfort in that, for his poor wife must be safe as yet, but what is the
+tiger doing? Why is everything so deadly quiet? Incensed at the escape
+of one of his victims, one would suppose him to be all the more eager to
+secure the other; but there is no sound. What can he be doing?
+
+"At this moment an awful thought comes to him. What if the cunning tiger
+had crept silently down the stairs into the room below? He remembers
+that the door into that room was open when they passed it on their way
+upstairs. How safe they had felt then! How little had they dreamed that
+this awful thing would come upon them! Could it be only a few hours
+since they had gone upstairs, chatting cheerfully together? It seemed
+days and days ago. Perhaps the tiger was at that moment crouched below
+him there in the darkness, ready to spring upon him the moment, yes,
+even before, his feet touched the ground.
+
+"The awful thought made him pause, and he hung there with fiercely
+throbbing heart, undecided what to do. If he could hear one sound of
+the tiger moving in the room above him he could drop, quickly close
+the door, and rush away for help. Still no sound from his wife's room.
+What should he do? Perhaps it would be better to try to hold on until
+morning, when he could at least have the blessed light to aid him. It
+could not be long now before daybreak. Surely out of doors there must be
+daylight now. Soon it would come into the room and enable him to look
+about him. Yes, that would be the best and only thing to do.
+
+"But no; he cannot! His strength is failing. Already his numbed fingers
+are slipping--slipping--another moment and the tiger will be upon him and
+all will be over. He can hold on no longer. He is falling--falling----
+
+"'John! Oh, John!' comes a cheerful voice from below. 'Aren't you coming
+down? It is almost train time, and breakfast is ready.'
+
+"John sits up in bed, looking with dazed eyes all around the bright
+room, flooded with morning sunshine, and it is minutes before he
+realizes that it is _all a dream_!"
+
+If anyone could have taken a photograph of the boys' faces just before
+the conclusion of the story and another just after it, the two pictures
+would have been a comic study; but they could not have given the
+transition from faces filled with rapt, motionless, breathless interest
+to the astonished, somewhat disgusted look as the totally unexpected
+ending of the story filtered in upon them.
+
+Mr. Hollis, who had listened to the last part of the story with as much
+interest as the boys, thanked Dave for the pleasure he had given them,
+but could not keep back a smile as Shorty voiced the general sentiment,
+"You ought to be ashamed, Dave Ferris, for handing us such a lemon."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+WITH DEATH BEHIND
+
+
+Pop! Pop! Bang! The "Red Scout's" motor gave a few preliminary
+explosions, and then started off with a sound like a whole battery of
+field guns going off at once. A cloud of black smoke issued from the
+exhaust, and in a few seconds had enveloped the car so that it could
+hardly be seen. Some of the boys came running up with consternation
+written in their faces, evidently thinking that the automobile was about
+to explode, or run away, or do some equally disastrous thing. They were
+reassured by Bert's broad grin, however, and Bob Ward gave a relieved
+laugh.
+
+"Gee!" he exclaimed, "what's the matter with the old machine, anyway,
+Bert? You had us scared stiff there for a few minutes. I thought that
+after this when we wanted to get anywhere we'd have to walk, sure. It
+looked as though the old 'Scout' were on fire."
+
+"It sure did," confirmed Frank. "What _was_ the matter, Bert?"
+
+"Oh, nothing to speak of," replied Bert airily. "I had just washed the
+engine out with a little kerosene oil, and, when I started it, why, of
+course that burned, and gave out the smoke you saw. I don't wonder that
+you thought something was up, though," he continued, laughing. "It
+certainly did look like the 'last days of Pompeii' for a few seconds,
+didn't it?"
+
+"That's what it did," broke in Shorty, "and seeing all that smoke
+reminded me of a riddle I heard a little while ago."
+
+"Go on, Shorty, tell us the riddle and get it out of your system,"
+laughed Bert. "If you don't it might grow inward and kill you. Some
+brands of humor are apt to work that way, you know."
+
+"Well, the riddle is this," said Shorty. "Why is it that an automobile
+smokes?"
+
+Many were the answers to this, but at each one Shorty shook his head.
+Finally he said, "Well, do you give it up?"
+
+"I guess we'll have to, fellows," grinned Bert. "Go on and tell us,
+Shorty; why _is_ it that an automobile smokes?"
+
+"Because it can't chew," crowed Shorty triumphantly, and dodged just in
+time to avoid a piece of greasy waste that Bert threw with unerring aim
+at his head. Amid cries of "Lynch him!" and "This way out!" and "Don't
+let him escape alive, fellows," Shorty took nimbly to his heels and
+skipped behind a tree. After the excitement had subsided Bert returned
+to his grooming of the "Red Scout," and soon had matters fixed to his
+entire satisfaction.
+
+It was a hot, sticky afternoon, and the boys had nothing particular to
+do outside of the routine duties of the camp. They had been lying around
+on the grass, lazily talking and listening to the drowsy hum of an
+occasional locust, when one had said:
+
+"Gee, I wish to goodness there was a little wind stirring. I feel as
+though in about five minutes I would become a mere grease spot on the
+landscape."
+
+"Well," Bert had replied, "if you feel that way about it, why not
+manufacture a little wind of our own?"
+
+"Manufacture it," had come a chorus of surprised protest, "how in time
+can you manufacture wind?"
+
+"Oh, it's very simple when you know how," Bert replied, in an offhand
+manner. "What's to prevent us from piling into the auto and taking a
+spin? When we get out on the road I think I can promise you all the
+breeze you want. What do you say, fellows? Want to try it?"
+
+The answer was an uproarious shout of approval, and accordingly Bert had
+been getting the machine in shape.
+
+In a short time they were ready to start, and as they were getting in
+they discerned Shorty's stocky form emerging from the trees. He signaled
+frantically for them to wait, and soon came up panting.
+
+"Say, you weren't going without me, were you?" he asked reproachfully.
+
+"Well," laughed Bert, "you deserve almost anything after springing a
+thing like that on us, but I guess we can forgive you, if we try real
+hard. Shall we take him along, fellows?"
+
+"I don't see what Shorty needs to come for, anyway," said Ben, slyly.
+"It seems to me that a fellow that can run as fast as Shorty did a
+little while ago can make all the wind he needs himself. He doesn't have
+to get in an automobile to get swift motion."
+
+"That's so," agreed Bert, with a serious face, "still, probably Philip
+has other views, and so we might as well give him the benefit of the
+doubt. Jump in, old scout."
+
+This was easier said than done, however, as the big red auto was already
+literally overflowing with perspiring boys, but they managed to squeeze
+in, and started off, singing three or four different songs all at the
+same time, and each one in a different key.
+
+Nobody seemed to be bothered much by this, however, and they soon
+reached the hard, level, macadam high road. Bert "opened her up" a few
+notches, as he expressed it, and they were soon bowling along at an
+exhilarating pace. The breeze that Bert had promised them soon made
+itself felt, and you may be sure it felt very grateful to the overheated
+boys.
+
+"This beats lying around on the grass and whistling for a wind, doesn't
+it?" asked Frank, and, needless to say, all the rest of the boys were
+emphatically of his opinion.
+
+They had been going along at a brisk pace for several miles when they
+heard the purr of another motor car in back of them, and glancing back
+saw a handsome-looking blue auto creeping up to them. A flashily dressed
+young man, smoking a cigarette, was driving it, and three girls were
+sitting in the tonneau. The blue machine overtook them steadily, and
+soon was abreast of them.
+
+"Gee, Bert," exclaimed Frank, excitedly, but in a low voice, "you're not
+going to let them pass us, are you?"
+
+"Oh, let them, if they want to," replied Bert; "we didn't come out for a
+race, and I feel just like loafing along and taking things easy. What's
+the use of getting excited about things on a hot day like this? Besides,
+I don't think those people are looking for trouble, anyway."
+
+At this point the blue car passed them, however, and as it did so one
+of the girls in the tonneau looked back and called, "How does the dust
+taste, boys? Like it?" The fellow driving it laughed at this sally, and
+shouted, "Hey, youse, why don't you get a horse?"
+
+All the boys looked at Bert to see how he would take this. He said never
+a word, but his grip tightened on the steering wheel, and the "Red
+Scout" gave a lunge forward that almost jerked some of the boys out of
+their seats. Faster and faster the powerful car flew, and it was evident
+that they would soon overtake the blue car. The latter was also a first
+rate machine, however, and the boys could see one of the girls in the
+tonneau lean over and speak to the driver. The blue car started to draw
+slowly away, and Bert opened the throttle a few more notches. The motor
+took on a deep, vibrating note, and the hum of the gears rose to a
+higher pitch. Soon they began to overtake the car in front, and now it
+became evident that the latter was doing its best. The "Red Scout"
+fairly "ate up" the intervening space, and in a few moments had come up
+to within a few yards of the laboring blue car. The driver looked back,
+and seeing that the big red car in back of him would surely pass him in
+another few seconds, swerved his own car over so that it was squarely in
+the middle of the narrow country road. There was a shallow ditch on
+each side of the road, and the only way Bert could pass him was to take
+a chance of overturning and run two wheels in this ditch. Usually he
+would not have thought of exposing the boys to such a risk, but now he
+threw caution to the winds. Amid hoarse and excited cries from the boys
+he "gave her the limit," to use his own expression, and the "Red Scout"
+seemed fairly to leap ahead.
+
+He swerved the big machine into the ditch, and the wheels bumped and
+pounded over the uneven surface. The big car fairly shot by the blue
+machine, however, and amid a triumphant shout from the frenzied boys
+regained the smooth road and hid the defeated challenger in a cloud of
+dust.
+
+Then Bert slowed it down a little, but kept well in the lead. The blue
+machine had evidently given up in despair, however, and gradually
+dropped back until a turn in the road hid it from their view. The boys
+broke into an excited discussion of the recent "brush," and all were
+enthusiastic in their praise of the staunch old "Red Scout." They also
+had many flattering things to say in regard to Bert's driving, until he
+was forced to protest that he would have to buy a hat about five sizes
+larger, as he could fairly feel his head swelling.
+
+Finally the excitement subsided somewhat, and the boys had time to look
+around them and get their bearings. It did not take them long to find
+that they were in unfamiliar surroundings. They had gone at such a fast
+pace that they had covered more ground than they would have believed
+possible. Bert consulted the odometer, or distance recording instrument,
+and announced that they had covered almost thirty-five miles!
+
+"Say!" he exclaimed, "we'll have to do some tall hustling to get back to
+the camp in time for lunch. We'll keep on a little way, until we get to
+a place where the road is wide enough to turn around in, and then we'll
+beat it back as fast as possible."
+
+As he finished speaking, they rounded a sudden turn in the road and a
+gasp arose from every boy in the car. Not fifteen feet ahead of them was
+a railroad crossing, and giving a lightning-like glance up and down the
+track Bert saw that there was a train approaching from both directions.
+It was obvious that the automobile would not be able to get across in
+time, and at the brisk rate at which they were traveling, it was equally
+impossible to stop the machine. It seemed inevitable that the auto would
+be struck by one or both of the ponderous locomotives, and it and its
+occupants be crushed to atoms.
+
+The boys turned sick with horror, and gripped the sides of the
+automobile without being able to say a word. Their eyes gazed without
+winking at the two rushing locomotives, and they were unable to move.
+
+But Bert saw that they had one, and only one, bare chance of life. He
+did not try to apply the brakes, which would have been useless and
+fatal, but as the big auto reached the railroad tracks he wrenched the
+steering wheel around and headed it directly up the track in front of
+the northbound train. As he did this he opened the throttle, and bent
+over the wheel in a desperate and almost hopeless attempt to beat the
+flying locomotive until the engineer, who of course was using every
+means in his power to stop his train, could check its momentum and give
+them a chance to escape.
+
+The "Red Scout" bumped and swayed wildly over the uneven ballasting
+and ties, and the boys breathed heartfelt prayers that nothing on the
+staunch car would break. In spite of all Bert could do, the fast express
+train gained on them, although sparks were streaming from the wheels
+where the brakes were clamped against them. The engineer had reversed
+the locomotive, and the great driving wheels were revolving backward.
+
+The momentum of a fast and heavy express train is not a thing to
+be checked in a moment, however, and the boys in the rear of the
+automobile could feel the heat from the locomotive boiler.
+
+But the powerful automobile had gotten "into its stride" by this time,
+and was fairly flying over the uneven roadbed, and to the boys it felt
+as though it were only hitting the high places, as Frank afterward
+expressed it. For a hundred or two hundred feet the train failed to gain
+an inch, and then the brakes began to tell and it gradually fell to the
+rear.
+
+Shorty leaned over and thumped Bert on the back and yelled: "Slow up,
+Bert, slow up! We're out of danger now, I guess."
+
+Bert glanced back, and saw that Shorty was right. They were drawing
+rapidly away from the locomotive, so he reduced speed, and the automobile
+gradually attained a safer pace, and at the first opportunity Bert swung
+it up off the tracks and onto a country road. This done, he stopped the
+machine, and leaning on the steering wheel, buried his face in his hands.
+He said not a word, and the boys could see that he was trembling like a
+leaf. In a few moments he recovered himself, however, and the boys began
+to overwhelm him with questions:
+
+"How did you ever think of going up the track instead of trying to get
+across, Bert?" inquired Frank. "If you had tried to cross that would
+have been the last of us, because we could never have made it."
+
+"I did it because it was the only thing to be done, I guess," replied
+Bert, in a shaky voice. "I'm no end of a fool to go at that speed on a
+road that I don't know, anyway. I don't know what I could have been
+thinking of to take such chances. Mr. Hollis will never have any
+confidence in me again, I guess."
+
+"Nonsense!" retorted Bob, indignantly. "Why, if Mr. Hollis could have
+seen the presence of mind you showed, I think he would trust you all the
+more, if that is possible. Not one person in a hundred would have
+thought of doing what you did."
+
+"Yes, but that's not all of it, by any means," said Bert, in a mournful
+voice. "I'll bet that we've broken something on the old car, as well as
+almost getting ourselves converted into sausage meat. Here goes to look
+things over, anyway."
+
+A thorough inspection failed to reveal any break in the mechanism or
+frame, however, and even the tires were intact. Finally Bert straightened
+up with a relieved expression on his face, and said: "Well, I can't seem
+to find anything at present, that's one comfort. However, I wouldn't have
+believed that any car could stand such punishment and hold together. We
+won't kick against fate, though, for not smashing our car for us, will
+we?"
+
+"I guess not," agreed Shorty, heartily, "I think we ought to thank our
+lucky stars that any of us are left to talk about it, even. It's more
+than we had a right to expect fifteen minutes ago."
+
+"I guess you're right, Shorty, at that," agreed Bert, "but now, we'd
+better make a quick sneak back to camp. Mr. Hollis will have given us up
+for lost."
+
+Accordingly the boys all climbed into the car, and they were soon
+humming along on their homeward journey. You may be sure that Bert
+slowed down almost to a walking pace at every turn they came to,
+however, and once, just for fun, he said, "Say, Shorty, I don't like the
+looks of that curve ahead of us. Perhaps you had better get out and go
+on ahead to make sure that the coast is clear. I intend to be on the
+safe side this time."
+
+Shorty immediately entered into the spirit of the joke, and vaulted out
+over the side of the tonneau while the auto was yet in motion, and
+disappeared around the curve. As the auto crept around the bend its
+occupants could see Shorty waving his handkerchief and signaling for
+them to come on. Bert laughingly complied, and, as they passed Shorty,
+stopped a moment to give him a chance to climb aboard. Shorty was soon
+in his place, and Frank laughed.
+
+"Gee, Bert, that's being careful for fair. If Mr. Hollis could have seen
+that I think it would have made up for our going too fast and almost
+getting smashed up. What do _you_ say, fellows?"
+
+There was a unanimous chorus of assent to this proposition, but Bert
+did not join in the laughter. He felt in his heart that he had been
+careless, and he knew that even his subsequent presence of mind in
+getting them out of a tight scrape did not wholly atone. His mind was
+filled with these thoughts, when Bob said, "Say, fellows, I don't see
+why we have to say anything to Mr. Hollis about our near accident, at
+all. It will just make him angry at us, and maybe he will not want to
+let us use the car again. Besides, now that it's all over, it won't do
+him any good to know what a narrow escape we've had."
+
+"No, no, Bob, that would never do in the wide world," replied Bert,
+quickly, and in a reproving voice. "The last thing we ought to think of
+is to deceive Mr. Hollis, and you know it. I'm surprised that you should
+even have mentioned such a thing."
+
+"Well, there's no harm done, is there?" replied Bob, but in a rather
+shame-faced manner. "We won't do it if you don't think we ought to,
+so there's no use getting mad about it. I just offered that as a
+suggestion, that's all."
+
+"Well," replied Bert, "the chief blame for this thing lies on me,
+anyway, and as soon as we get back to camp I intend to make a clean
+breast of the whole matter to Mr. Hollis, and he can do as he thinks
+best."
+
+"Oh, all right, have it your own way," growled Bob, sullenly, and they
+relapsed into silence. By this time it was almost dark, and Bert was
+forced to drive very slowly, as he had never been over that particular
+road before. He had a well-developed sense of location, however, and was
+pretty sure that he was going in the right direction.
+
+As it proved he was not deceived in this, and they shortly struck a road
+with which they were all familiar. Bert ventured to accelerate their
+pace somewhat, and it was not long before they came in sight of the
+cheery camp fire, around which Mr. Hollis and the boys who had not gone
+on the automobile trip were seated. As they heard the sound of the
+machine the group around the fire leaped to their feet, and Mr. Hollis
+walked slowly toward them. When the auto swung into the circle of fire
+light and came to an abrupt halt, he said:
+
+"What has been detaining you, boys? It seems to me that you are not
+treating me quite right by going off in this manner and returning at
+such an hour as this. Why, you should have been back two hours ago."
+
+A chorus of excited exclamations rose from the boys, but Mr. Hollis
+raised his hand for silence. When this had been restored, he said, "One
+at a time, boys, one at a time. Here, Bert, let's hear your
+explanation."
+
+This Bert proceeded to give in a very straightforward manner, and did
+not attempt to gloss over any of the details of his recklessness, as he
+was pleased to call it.
+
+Mr. Hollis listened with a serious face, and when Bert had finished,
+said, "Well, Bert, you were certainly to blame for taking chances in the
+manner that you did, but, on the other hand, you deserve credit for the
+presence of mind and courage you showed in extricating your companions
+and yourself from what might very easily have been a fatal accident.
+Still, you were right to tell me all about it, and I think that to-day's
+experiences may have the effect of making you more careful in the
+future."
+
+"You may be sure, sir, that I will never be so careless again," promised
+Bert, and by the tone of his voice, Mr. Hollis knew that he meant it.
+
+It was a hungry lot that sat down to supper that evening, and little was
+spoken of except their thrilling experiences of the day. After supper,
+however, they began to feel the effects of the exciting day, and all
+expressed themselves "tuckered out." As Frank said, "He felt too tired
+to take the trouble of going to sleep."
+
+They all managed to overcome this very important objection, however, and
+soon there was no sound to be heard in the camp except the rustling of
+the embers in the camp fire as they slowly burnt themselves out and
+settled into ashes.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+MOUNTAIN SCOUTING
+
+
+Sunshine! glorious, golden sunshine! Was ever sunshine more bright? Was
+ever sky more blue? Was ever day more beautiful? So questioned our
+campers as, fresh and glowing from a cold plunge in the lake, a hearty
+breakfast despatched, bedding aired and cots freshly made up, camp
+cleared up and morning duties all attended to in tip-top fashion, they
+mustered about Mr. Hollis to receive the day's commissions.
+
+It mattered little what might be the commission allotted to each squad.
+Anything, everything that might come to them in the way of camp duty,
+could not but be a pleasure on such a glorious day as this. With young
+bodies aglow with health, young minds, awake and alert for all new
+impressions, young hearts filled with desire to live right, to do right,
+to be kind and helpful to all with whom they came in contact, how could
+they help being happy?
+
+The camp was full of merriment, but perhaps the happiest squad of all
+was the auto squad. In fact this was always the case, but today the
+autoists had a special expedition. They were to play the mountain
+scouting game, and as the nearest mountains were at a distance from
+camp the squad had been detailed for the automobile.
+
+Gaily the fellows piled in and away they flew. As the roads which they
+must travel today were rough, their progress was much less rapid than
+usual; but, despite this they reached their destination in about half an
+hour.
+
+"Hurrah for the 'Red Scout,'" cried Bob, as they tumbled out of the car.
+"If she can travel like that over these roads, what'll she do on the
+race track? Oh, say, fellows, the 'Gray Ghost' won't be in it. She'll
+fade away like a real ghost."
+
+"Don't I wish the day of the race was here," said Tom. "Seems as if it
+would never come, doesn't it, fellows?" and "It sure does," they all
+chorused.
+
+The "mountains" were really very high, rocky hills, but, as they were
+known to embrace many very steep and dangerous ravines, some of them
+nearly as perilous as mountain precipices, many and earnest had been
+the warnings given by Mr. Hollis as the boys had started on their
+expedition, and each boy carried in the pockets of his jacket some part
+of the equipment for first aid to the injured that was a part of the
+camp outfit. Thus safe-guarded, they felt no fear.
+
+As soon as they had arrived the three "hares," who had been coached in
+the game, went to hide themselves in the mountain, and, after sufficient
+time had been given them for this purpose, the "hounds" followed them;
+while Bert and Dave Ferris remained in the auto to watch for any signal
+that might be given them from the mountain.
+
+The game of mountain-scouting consists in the "hounds," who must stay
+within certain limits of ground, finding or "spotting" the "hares"
+within a given time. If they find or spot them even with field glasses,
+it counts, provided that the finder can tell who it is he has spotted.
+The hounds write down the names of any of the hares that they may see.
+If at the end of the allotted time no hare has been spotted, the hares
+win.
+
+To-day two hours had been the given time and the boys in the mountains
+were to signal to Bert the news as each hare was found.
+
+Time was nearly up. Three hares had been found. The chase had been a
+merry one and now hares and hounds together, no longer pursuers and
+pursued, but just happy-hearted campers were hiking down to the two in
+the automobile.
+
+The return signal had been given, and Bert and Dave, relieved of the
+slight anxiety they had felt while the game was going on, expected each
+moment to see the boys come into view.
+
+Suddenly Dave sprang to his feet. "Look, Bert," said he, "another
+signal."
+
+Breathlessly the boys read the signal wig-wagged to them from a point
+high up on the side of the hill. "Come quick! Fred hurt. Bring splints
+and kit and ropes."
+
+It took only a very short time for the boys to reach the scene of the
+accident, and one glance took in the situation. Turning a corner the
+boys had come, all unknowing, upon a spot where the rocks shelved
+suddenly down into a deep ravine. The edge of the descent was hidden by
+a fringe of breast-high bushes, and Fred Morse, all unconscious of his
+danger, had stepped upon a piece of rock which gave under his foot, and,
+before the boys could even put out a hand to save him, had slipped
+through the bushes, and the horrified boys had heard their comrade go
+crashing through the bushes on the side of the ravine. His frightened
+cry, "Help, fellows, I'm falling!" still echoed in their ears. While two
+of the boys were signalling, the others had called to Fred but no reply
+had come back to them. When Bert reached them, Bob was running along the
+edge of the cliff, in great danger of going over himself, in a vain
+effort to find a place to climb down.
+
+Now, not waiting for the call for volunteers, he ran to Bert and begging
+him to hurry and help him, began fastening the ropes about himself. In a
+twinkling, the rope was adjusted, the knots securely tied, and the rope
+firmly held by four boys, Bob was lowered slowly and carefully over the
+side of the cliff.
+
+Down, down he went till, just as the boys began to fear that the rope
+would not be long enough, it lay slack in their hands, and they knew
+that Fred was found. Presently came the signal, three distinct pulls on
+the rope, and soon poor Fred was lifted tenderly over the edge and laid
+gently down. A few minutes more and good old Bob was back with them.
+
+Now, all attention was turned to Fred. After a careful examination from
+head to toe, Bert relieved the anxious fears of his comrades by the
+announcement that he was sure that Fred's life was not in danger. A
+faint cheer went up, which faded when Bert said Fred's leg was broken.
+
+Consternation filled their hearts, for the nearest doctor was miles
+away, and though Bert felt sure there was no more serious injury than
+the broken limb, it was hard to tell what internal injury might have
+been sustained, and a long ride in the motor with the leg in the present
+condition might prove a serious matter. There was no doubt about it,
+the leg must be set at once.
+
+Not one of the boys had anything but the simplest knowledge of
+first-aid-to-the-injured, but, though at first hearts feared and hands
+trembled, they conquered fear and each boy went steadily to work to do
+his part. Whether it was to hand the cotton batting or to pull with full
+strength upon the poor broken limb, or hold the splints while Bert wound
+yards of bandage around them, not a boy flinched, and at last the work
+was done, and well done.
+
+Then with faces scarcely less white than Fred's own, they turned to the
+task of making a litter on which to carry him down to the motor.
+
+After a long search, for the hill was almost barren of trees, being
+covered mostly with scrubby bushes, two short and two long saplings were
+found and, laying two of the boys' jackets on the ground and running
+each of the long poles through the sleeves of a jacket, the two jackets
+were buttoned together with buttons down. Then the short poles were
+lashed on and a comfortable stretcher was ready to their hand.
+
+In the auto on smooth roads, carried tenderly by his fellows over the
+rougher places, they at last reached the office of the crusty old
+village doctor and laid Fred on the couch for the doctor's examination.
+But though the doctor was crabbed, he was skilful, and in a very short
+time the temporary splints were replaced by permanent ones and the party
+turned toward camp.
+
+Homeward-bound in the auto at last, the boys drew a great sigh of relief
+and weariness. What an eventful day it had been! Begun so brightly, it
+had nearly ended in a tragedy, and at the thought their hearts swelled
+with gratitude that they were taking dear old Fred home with them alive,
+and, if not well, at least only the worse for a broken leg and some
+severe bruises. They could not be thankful enough.
+
+"Who's that going along the road ahead?" asked one of the boys, and all
+saw, walking in the middle of the road and directly in the path of the
+motor, a little bent old woman's figure, the most conspicuous article of
+whose dress was a bright red, very draggled looking feather which
+drooped from the brim of a very ancient hat.
+
+Very tired and pathetic, the old figure looked to the boys as they
+brought the machine to a stop beside her, and the old wrinkled face, wet
+with tears that was turned to them when they spoke to her, made every
+warm boy's heart ache with pity.
+
+"Why it's Kitty Harrigan's old mother, who has just come over from
+Ireland," said Dick, in a low voice. "Don't you remember, fellows, how
+we laughed when Mr. Hollis told us about her the other night? He said,
+you know, that the poor old lady had been quite a village belle in her
+young days, and now, in her age, she imagines herself back in her
+girlhood. Look at her now."
+
+Indeed, the old lady was a study, for no sooner did her old eyes fall on
+Bert's handsome face as he spoke to her, than tears were brushed hastily
+aside, and with a coquettish glance from her brown eyes that, despite
+the years, were still bright, she made him so deep a curtsey that her
+long black coat swept the ground.
+
+She had eluded all watchful eyes, and slipped off by herself for a walk,
+and when she wished to return, had taken the wrong direction, and was
+walking away from home instead of toward it. She had enjoyed herself
+immensely at first, making the most of her seldom-obtained freedom, but
+now her old feet were very tired and the old limbs that had carried her
+sturdily for nearly ninety years were growing weak at last, and, after
+such unusual exertion, were trembling beneath her.
+
+At the boys' proposal to take her into the car and give her an automobile
+ride, the tired old face broke into a smile, and, as the boys settled her
+in the most comfortable seat in the tonneau, she leaned back luxuriously,
+and, clasping her old hands, said in ecstasy, "Did annybody iver see the
+loike of Biddy Harrigan ridin' in an artymobile, no less." She beamed
+upon the boys, she patted the hands and shoulders of all of them within
+her reach, and in her rich Irish brogue showered compliments upon them;
+for a very demonstrative creature was old Biddy Harrigan. She did
+not notice that mischievous Bert, whom she had called a "rale foine
+gintleman," took advantage of her flow of talk to sing in a very low
+tone, "'H-a-double r-i-g-a-n spells Harrigan'," but the boys found it
+very hard to keep their faces straight.
+
+On Fred's account, poor Fred, who had, perhaps, shown more courage than
+anyone else in that day's ordeal, for not one word of complaint had he
+uttered through all his pain, the boys felt that they must go on to the
+camp where he could get the rest and attention he so sadly needed. They
+did not know that what was causing him keener anguish than the physical
+pain was the fear that he would be unable to be on hand on that day of
+days which he, like every other fellow in camp, had thought of every
+waking moment, dreamed of every night and looked forward to with
+daily-increasing impatience--the day of the race between their adored
+"Red Scout" and the challenged "Gray Ghost." To miss seeing the "Red
+Scout" come in gloriously victorious (not a single doubt of her victory
+entered any boy's mind), what was the pain of a broken leg to the
+misery of that possibility! But they did know that he needed care, so
+they carried Biddy Harrigan with them. As supper was ready when they
+reached camp, they placed Biddy in the seat of honor and regaled her
+with the best of the camp fare.
+
+Never had an old women enjoyed herself so much. She could not get over
+the fact that the delicious supper had been cooked by boys. "If Oi hadnt
+of seen it and tashted it, Oi niver, niver would have belaved," she said
+over and over again.
+
+After supper they hurried the old woman, gesturing and exclaiming at the
+delight of another "artymobile" ride, into the auto and soon had her
+home.
+
+Irish Kitty, who washed for the camp, was overjoyed at her old mother's
+safe return and overwhelmed them with gratitude.
+
+The boys last view of Biddy was a grateful, curtseying, waving, delighted
+old woman who repeated over and over again, "O'll not forgit yez, B'ys,
+O'll not forgit yez. Yez'll hear from old Biddy agin," and they did.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+BY A HAIR'S-BREADTH
+
+
+Tap, tap, tap, tap--tap, tap--tap, tap, tap--sounded in Ben's ears
+before he was fully awake and conscious. He sat up in bed and listened,
+and asked himself what that sound was. Was it rain? At the thought his
+heart grew heavy with apprehension. Rain on _this_ day, when he and Bert
+and Tom were going to auto ten miles over to the Red River for a day of
+trout fishing. The other fellows, who did not care so much for fishing,
+were going on a tramp with Mr. Hollis, and he and his chums were to have
+the auto all to themselves the whole day.
+
+Slipping noiselessly from his cot, he lifted the tent flap and stepped
+outside. The first rays of morning sunshine beamed full in his face, and
+the insistent noise that had aroused him proved to be the tap-tapping of
+an energetic woodpecker out for the proverbial "early worm."
+
+Delighted at the prospect of such a glorious day, he rushed back into
+the tent with a hop, skip and a jump, at sight of which Don, always
+ready for a frolic, began frisking about and barking joyfully.
+
+Of course, there was no sleep after that for the other fellows, and,
+bath and dressing and breakfast dispatched as soon as possible, the
+three boys, seated in their beloved auto, and bidding a noisy good by to
+the rest of the camp, sped away on their quest for trout enough for a
+rousing fish dinner that evening.
+
+You would have had to go a long way to find a merrier or more care-free
+set of boys than our three adventurers. Used as they were, by this time,
+to the automobile, it never became an old story to them, and now, as the
+swift motion of the car sent the cool air rushing against their young
+faces, with the sunshine turning everything to gold, and with the
+prospect of a day of rare sport before them, they gave full vent to
+their overflowing spirits. They shouted and laughed, and chaffed each
+other until many a staid farmer or farm hand, starting early work in the
+fields, or doing chores about the barns, found themselves smiling in
+sympathy. They recalled the time when they were boys, and the whole
+world just a place to be happy and jolly in.
+
+The boys had enjoyed the ride so much, that all three were almost sorry
+when Tom pointed out the gleam of water through the trees, and they knew
+that Red River was at hand; but in a moment nothing was thought of but
+the fun of getting ready for their day's sport.
+
+Tumbling out of the "Red Scout," laden with fishing baskets and tackle
+and rods, they raced down to the river bank, selected each a shady,
+grassy, comfortable spot, and, line and reel and hook adjusted, were
+obliged at last to curb their wild spirits, still their noisy chatter,
+and settle down to fisherman's quiet, although irrepressible Tom, unable
+to subside at once, sang softly:
+
+    "Hush, hush, not a breath, not a breath,
+    I've a nibble, still as death, still as death."
+
+The others could not resist joining in the chorus of the old song, and
+regardless of consequences sang lustily:
+
+    "Oh, the joys of angling!
+    Oh, the joys of angling!
+    Oh, the joys, oh, the joys,
+    The joys, the joys of angling."
+
+Then a Sabbath stillness descended on the party, until Ben shouted,
+"first bite," and giving his line a sudden jerk and swing, landed a
+beautiful speckled trout upon the grass a few feet away.
+
+For a few moments excitement reigned, and cries of "Hurrah for Ben,"
+"good for us," "isn't he a beauty?" "let's keep it up," were heard,
+until Bert's "We certainly won't keep it up unless we keep quiet," sent
+them back to their places and again quiet reigned.
+
+Ten, fifteen, twenty minutes went by, and there were no more nibbles.
+The boys were beginning to get restless, when Bert landed the second
+fish, and, a couple of minutes after re-baiting his hook, added a third
+beauty to their collection.
+
+Tom, seeing the success of his comrades, began to feel as though he
+were being left on the outside of things, but Bert encouraged him by
+reminding him, "First the worst, second the same, last the best of all
+the game," and sure enough, after nearly half an hour of most trying
+waiting, he suddenly felt his line twitch, and had the joy of landing
+the largest and finest fish yet caught.
+
+When the excitement had a little subsided, Ben said, "I think we ought
+to celebrate that dandy catch, and the very finest way would be to have
+a feast."
+
+As, what with the stirring ride and the excitement of the sport, each
+fellow felt, with Bert, that he was hungry enough to "eat nails," the
+hamper was brought from the "Red Scout" and unpacked with scant
+ceremony.
+
+Every boy who has spent a day in the open will know exactly how _good_
+those cold chicken and ham sandwiches tasted; and the way the doughnuts
+vanished was something to see. Washed down with a drink of cool water
+from a nearby spring, it was a luncheon to be remembered.
+
+Again settling themselves in their chosen places, they continued to try
+"the heedless finny tribe to catch"; for four trout, even though they
+were fine, large ones, would, Tom said, regardless of the aptness of his
+simile, be no more than "a drop in the bucket for all those hungry
+fellows"; but their luck seemed to have changed.
+
+For more than two hours not a nibble disturbed the quiet of those
+exasperating lines, and, as the ground, although covered with springy
+grass, is not the softest seat in the world, the boys' patience was
+tested to the utmost. They lay outstretched, resting on both elbows, and
+Tom, tempted by the heat and the absolute quiet, was just falling into a
+doze, when he was aroused to immediate action by the violent twitching
+of his line. A moment more, and another speckled victim was added to
+their store.
+
+For the next hour and a half the fish bit almost as fast as they could
+bait their hooks, and they were kept busy hauling in one after another,
+until, in the joy and excitement of the sport, they lost all count of
+time. Fortunately for the camp, Bert suddenly made the double discovery
+that they had more than enough fish, and that if there was to be a fish
+dinner at camp that night, they would have to stop at once.
+
+"We'll have to make a quick sneak," said Ben, who, in moments of
+excitement, sometimes forgot his most polished English.
+
+Hastily packing their catch in the fishing baskets they had brought,
+they tossed them and the tackle into the auto, scrambled in themselves,
+and were off and away.
+
+"The 'Red Scout' goes fine," said Tom, as the great car gathered
+headway. From the beginning, the auto race, which even the wonderful
+day's sport could not completely banish from their minds, had been the
+almost exclusive topic of conversation among the campers, and now that
+the day was rapidly drawing near, they could think of little else. "Is
+she in first-class condition, Bert?" asked Ben.
+
+"Yes," Bert replied, "except that I noticed on the way out this morning
+that the brake did not work as well as usual. As soon as we reach home I
+will find and remedy the trouble, whatever it is. If worst comes to
+worst I can send to the factory for a new part, which would reach us
+inside of twenty-four hours."
+
+By this time about half the ten mile stretch had been covered, and now
+they had begun to descend a very steep hill. Suddenly Bert's face went
+white. Tom, chancing to look at him, exclaimed, "What's the matter,
+Bert?" and Bert replied, "The brake won't work, fellows. Something's
+stuck. I can't control the car."
+
+Then for a moment all yielded to a panic of fear. "Oh, Bert," said Ben,
+"you _must_ stop her." "There must be _something_ you can do," begged
+Tom.
+
+Looking into the frightened faces of his two companions, Bert recovered
+his self-control, and resolved to do his best to avert an accident.
+"Don't be frightened, fellows," he said. "The steering gear is all
+right. Just sit tight and keep a stiff upper lip, and we'll come
+through."
+
+"But, Bert, the bridge!" gasped Tom, and at the same moment a vision of
+the narrow bridge, scarcely wide enough for two autos to pass, which
+crossed the river at the foot of the steep hill, and just where the
+stream was deepest, flashed before their eyes. All realized that should
+the automobile fail to pass over the center of the bridge, and should
+strike the frail railing on either side--Well, they didn't dare to think
+of that.
+
+Calling up all their courage, the brave boys resolved to face, without
+flinching, whatever awaited them. Once past the bridge and onto the
+broad roadway beyond, they knew that they would be safe. On level
+ground, with the power shut off, they would come to a standstill.
+
+But "would they ever reach that level roadway?" each boy asked himself,
+with sinking heart.
+
+Bert renewed his efforts to use the worthless brake, but without avail.
+Down, down, they flew, gaining speed with every passing moment, and now
+the bridge was in sight. Another moment, and they would be upon it.
+
+"Courage, fellows," said Bert, in low, tense tones, and bracing himself,
+he concentrated all his mind and energy in guiding the car to the center
+of the bridge.
+
+When a few hundred feet away the forward wheel struck a large stone, and
+the machine, which had been headed directly for the bridge, swerved to
+one side, and now sped onward toward the river.
+
+With lightning-like rapidity Bert wrenched the steering wheel around,
+and once more, with only a few feet of space to spare, the "Red
+Scout"--good old "Red Scout," was headed _almost_ for the middle of the
+bridge--not quite--the space had been too small. To the boys, looking
+ahead with straining, despairing eyes, it seemed that they _must_ crash
+into the railing, and that nothing could save them.
+
+Instinctively they closed their eyes, as the car dashed upon the bridge,
+expecting each minute to hear the crash of breaking timbers, and to
+feel themselves falling into the engulfing waters of the rushing river.
+
+But the expected did not happen. Like a bird the "Red Scout" skimmed
+over the bridge, missing the railing by a hair's breadth, and was out
+upon the broad roadway. Almost before the boys could realize their
+escape from the awful danger that had threatened them, it was over, and
+the "Red Scout" gradually losing its speed, at last stood still.
+
+Breathless, speechless, dazed, almost overcome, the boys sat looking at
+each other for a few moments, until, the full realization of their
+wonderful escape coming upon them, they grasped each other's hands
+convulsively. Each knew that in the other's heart, none the less earnest
+for being unexpressed, was a fervent prayer of thankfulness for their
+deliverance; but as speech returned to them, the first words uttered by
+Tom, were, "What do you think of that for classy driving, fellows?" at
+which they all laughed nervously.
+
+Their laugh did not last long, however, for in the midst of it, out from
+among the trees and shrubbery that skirted the roadway emerged two rural
+constables. As if one overwhelming experience were not enough, the
+constables informed them that they were arrested for exceeding the speed
+limit.
+
+Bert was the first to recover from the shock, and giving his companions
+a comical, but reassuring look, he stepped forward and said, "We have
+been speeding some, officers, but we simply couldn't help it," and he
+proceeded to explain. But the boys' faces expressed their consternation
+when they found that their explanation was not credited.
+
+"We only have your word for that," said one of the men, "and you will
+have to convince the judge that you are telling the truth."
+
+"Why, you certainly won't arrest us for an accident to our brake, for
+which we are not at all to blame!" cried Tom, indignantly.
+
+"Well," said one constable, giving his fellow a knowing wink, "perhaps
+if you have a 'tenner' that you have no use for, we might forget all
+about it."
+
+Bert, flushed and indignant, refused, and without further protest, the
+three boys, followed by the two constables, took their places in the
+car. As they were only a short distance from town, they soon arrived at
+the court house, and were left in an ante room to await their turn for a
+hearing.
+
+Once alone, the three comrades stood for the second time within an hour,
+looking into each other's faces. As Tom afterwards said, "too full for
+utterance."
+
+Suddenly Ben began strutting around the room in a most pompous manner,
+remarking, "I guess you don't know who we are. You know," said he, "that
+one is not a howling swell until he has been pinched for speeding, so
+behold us three aristocrats!" with another strut across the room.
+
+The boys could not help laughing, but Bert said, "Well, if this is being
+an aristocrat, I'd rather be excused. It won't be quite such a laughing
+matter if we find ourselves fined fifty or a hundred dollars."
+
+"But," began Tom, and said no more, for at that moment they were called
+before the judge.
+
+They were obliged to stand by and hear the constable's charge against
+them, given in detail. Then the judge turned to them----
+
+"What are your names?" was the first question.
+
+Bert replied for the three. Upon hearing the names the magistrate
+started, and looked keenly at them, but said nothing further than to ask
+what they had to say to the charge brought against them. Bert gave a
+clear and connected account of the accident to the auto brake, and its
+consequences, and ended by saying, that if any proof were needed, an
+examination of the brake would show the truth of their account.
+
+The judge accepted the boy's statement, dismissed the charge against
+them, and turned to them a face from which all sternness had vanished,
+and been replaced by such a genial, friendly smile, that the three
+comrades were filled with wonderment. This was not lessened when the
+magistrate asked them if they were the three brave fellows who had
+stopped the two runaways a few days before, and saved the lives of the
+ladies who were driving.
+
+With amazement that the judge should know of the runaway, plainly
+written on their faces, the boys acknowledged that they had stopped
+the horses, but added that it was their auto that had frightened the
+animals, and so it had plainly been up to them to help.
+
+The magistrate smiled more broadly at this, but repeated that they were
+brave boys, and that he was glad to meet them.
+
+Looking quizzically at them, he said: "I have a special interest in
+those two ladies. One of them is my wife, and the other my daughter, and
+I can never repay you for what you have done for me. You have made me
+your debtor for life. If I can ever do anything for you, be sure and let
+me know."
+
+Another handshake all around, and the boys found themselves free once
+more. Were they happy?--well, you should have seen them as they climbed
+into the car and headed toward camp.
+
+Events had so crowded upon each other that for the first mile or so the
+three speeders sat silently reviewing the occurrences of this most
+amazing day. And Tom, recalling their court room experience, broke out
+with:
+
+    "Gee whiz, I'm glad I'm free
+    No prison cell for me."
+
+This provoked a laugh and broke the tension, and a moment afterward a
+scouting party from the camp hailed them boisterously: "Where are those
+fish?" "How long do you think we can live without eating?" "Stand and
+deliver or take the consequences"--and as the auto came to a standstill,
+the basket was snatched and hurried off to the mess tent. Soon a
+delicious odor made every hungry boy's mouth water, and when at last
+they gathered around the table it was with wolfish appetites that they
+paid their respects to that belated fish dinner.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+BIDDY HARRIGAN REMEMBERS
+
+
+    "Cast thy bread--cast thy bread upon the waters,
+
+"And it shall return--it shall return unto thee after many days,"
+chanted a clear, high voice, truly a wonderful voice, which Bert claimed
+as his own discovery.
+
+It was almost bed-time in the camp. The day had been a most fatiguing
+one, and all had returned so weary that no one cared for the usual
+lively evening entertainment. Even Mr. Hollis had said that he was
+"dog-tired," and he felt with the boys that the very finest thing in the
+world was just stretching out on the grass, resting weary feet, and
+saying to one's self: "Nothing to do till tomorrow."
+
+It was a perfect evening, cool and quiet. There was no moon, but the
+stars twinkled brightly, and the boys had been looking up at them and
+trying to make out some of the six constellations that everyone should
+be familiar with. But even that, in their present state of laziness, was
+too much like work, and now they lay doing and almost thinking nothing.
+
+Even Don, the big collie, that the tramps had deserted, was not inclined
+to romp with the boys as usual, but lay quietly with his great head
+resting upon his paws. He had become the pet and plaything of the whole
+camp and treated them all impartially except Bert whom he had chosen as
+his one particular master. He wanted no other heaven than this--to lie,
+as now, close to Bert, whose hand caressed his head while he said now
+and again: "Good dog"; "Good old fellow!" Don, like the boys, was at
+peace with all the world.
+
+Suddenly, someone started a popular air in which all joined. This put
+them in a musical humor, and song followed song, changing after a while
+from popular music and rollicking college songs to those of a more
+sentimental nature. Most of the boys had good voices. With the soprano
+of some, the tenors of the older fellows and Mr. Hollis' fine bass, the
+camp singing would have delighted any lover of music.
+
+Whenever the boys had sung together, they had noticed that Phil's voice
+had never joined in with the others. They had guyed him about it but as
+he would never answer them, they had come to the conclusion that he
+could not sing and was sensitive about it, so they had stopped teasing
+him.
+
+To-night, as the notes of "The Soldier's Farewell" floated over the
+camp, Bert noticed that Shorty was singing for the first time, and
+though his voice was low as though he were purposely holding it back,
+for fear the attention of the boys might be drawn to it, the notes were
+remarkably clear and pure.
+
+When the song ended, Bert turned to Phil and asked him if he liked
+music. Phil answered that he loved it and added more as if he were
+thinking aloud than talking, that it was "the finest thing on earth."
+
+The boys sat up and stared. There was a moment of surprised silence and
+then a chorus of voices:
+
+"Then you can sing?"
+
+"We never dreamed you could."
+
+"Why didn't you tell us?"
+
+"Why wouldn't you sing for us?"
+
+"Because," said Phil, who had decided to tell them the real reason at
+last, "because all you big fellows thought that just because I was
+small, I couldn't do anything worth while, and I was sore."
+
+The fellows expressed their regret and then in responses to a few kindly
+questions put by Mr. Hollis, they learned that Shorty's ambition was to
+obtain a thorough musical education. They learned too that for two years
+past he had been the soloist in the boy choir of one of the prominent
+churches in New York. He had joined the boy choir because there he could
+gain, without cost, a knowledge of sight reading and voice control.
+
+Bert's "Won't you sing something for us, Phil?" was not to be resisted
+and after a moment's thought his clear notes rose in a burst of melody:
+
+    "Cast thy bread upon the waters"----
+
+The boys fairly held their breath as the flutelike notes of one of the
+finest voices they had ever heard, floated off into the woodland spaces.
+
+When he had finished, every one sat spellbound, paying the highest
+tribute of a moment of perfect silence. Even when the silence was broken
+by hearty hand clapping, the spell of the music still brooded over them.
+It had been too fine for noisy applause.
+
+The boys' appreciation of his singing was very grateful to Phil, and not
+the least tribute was Tom's: "Gee, Phil, I hope the birds didn't wake up
+to hear that. They would have been green with envy."
+
+The tension was broken by Sam's asking: "What does that mean, 'Cast thy
+bread upon the waters'--and how can it return?" Mr. Hollis was glad to
+explain that no kind deed or word is ever wasted, but is sure to return
+blessings on the one who gave it, if only in the glow that a kind action
+always brings.
+
+But, uplifted as the boys had been, it is not in boy nature to stay long
+upon the heights and they soon came down to earth again.
+
+Jim showed how fully he had come back to earth by remarking as he
+suddenly remembered that owing to a miscalculation as to the elastic
+nature of a boy's capacity, both flour and corn meal had given out, and
+that in consequence, nothing in the shape of bread had come their way
+that night: "I wish some real bread were coming tomorrow. I am not
+particular about its coming by water. It can get here any old way, as
+long as it comes."
+
+The sound of someone approaching the camp aroused them. Irish Kitty
+appeared, with a big basket on one arm and a great bunch of red roses in
+her apron.
+
+As soon as the boys saw the flowers, a shout went up: "Roses! roses!
+What beauties!" and on Kitty saying that she had counted them and there
+was one for each, they were seized upon and distributed in a twinkling.
+
+Now, Kitty stated that she had a "prisint for the young gintlemin" from
+her mother, Mrs. Harrigan, "to thank thim for the foine illigant ride in
+the artymobile."
+
+The big basket was uncovered and there lay revealed to the eyes of the
+delighted boys a number of large loaves of delicious homemade bread.
+One did not need to taste that bread to know its value. The firm white
+loaves spoke for themselves. Corn bread they had in plenty every day,
+but white wheat flour bread was not included in their regular camp
+rations, so that this was indeed a treat. They were all devouring it
+already in imagination, and each wished it were morning so that they
+might begin in reality.
+
+Kitty departed amid "Good nights" and hearty thanks to her mother, and,
+camp bed time having arrived, all drifted toward their tents, Tom gaily
+singing:
+
+    "'Tis a name
+    That no shame
+    Has iver been connected with
+    Harrigan! That's me."
+
+All at once some one shouted: "Look at Ben Cooper." They turned to see
+Ben standing like a statue, eyes fixed on nothing, staring straight
+ahead of him.
+
+"Say, fellows," said he, "that bread that we cast on the waters on our
+way home from the doctor's the other day sure did come back, didn't
+it?"
+
+"It certainly did and it didn't take 'many days' either to get here,"
+said Tom.
+
+"And," chimed in Shorty, "a big bunch of red roses thrown in, too."
+
+"Yes, Caruso," added Bert, throwing his arm affectionately over Phil's
+shoulder, "you must be a prophet as well as a singer."
+
+Very soon the tired boys were off to dreamland, where visions of loaves
+of fluffy white bread, each loaf with a red rose growing out of it,
+floated about, and imaginative Dave dreamed that old Biddy made a
+"prisint" of a loaf to each one, singing in a high cracked voice as she
+handed them around: "Harrigan! That's me!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+THE RACE
+
+
+"Well," exclaimed Bert, drawing a long breath as he rose from his
+cramped position beside the "Red Scout," "this machine is in as good
+condition as I know how to put it, and if nothing happens I guess we can
+show you fellows some speed this afternoon."
+
+It was the morning of the long wished-for race and Bert was addressing
+an excited group of boys, who were holding wrenches, oil cans, and such
+other appliances as he might need in putting the finishing touches on
+the pampered machine. The whole camp was in a ferment of excitement and
+expectancy, and many were the heartfelt wishes for Bert's success.
+
+To these boys it seemed the most important thing on earth that their
+machine should win, and it is safe to say that if Bert had wanted to
+remove a piece of black grease from the car and had not a cloth handy,
+any one of them would have sacrificed his best handkerchief without a
+moment's hesitation, and been glad to do it.
+
+Fortunately, such a contingency did not arise, however, and finally the
+last nut had been tightened and the last fine adjustment made, and
+everything was ready for the start.
+
+The race was scheduled to start at two o'clock, but as the boys had to
+walk to the track, and this necessitated a long detour around the lake,
+they started almost immediately after breakfast, so as to get there in
+plenty of time.
+
+The boys in the two rival camps were not the only persons interested in
+the race by any means. News of it had leaked out over the surrounding
+countryside during the week between the completion of arrangements and
+the actual race, and now there promised to be a goodly attendance of
+farmers and their families.
+
+Considerable interest was taken in the camp by the kindly country folk,
+and now the boys were surprised at the number of carriages and farm
+wagons, full of jolly youngsters, that they met on their march.
+
+Every one they met shouted cheery greetings to them, which they returned
+with interest. It made them very happy to see the interest taken in them
+by the farmers, and the very evident good will expressed by them. They
+didn't take the trouble to figure out the reason for this, but it
+was not very hard to find. The fact is, the boys were so manly and
+well-behaved that they won their way into all hearts.
+
+Many a time they had seen the boys stop their machine rather than
+frighten a skittish horse, and more than one weary farmer had been
+given a lift on his way home from some distant field.
+
+So, as has been said, the boys were greeted with expressions of good
+will on every side as they marched along, and it made them realize,
+perhaps more than anything else could, that it paid to live a manly,
+upright life.
+
+Meanwhile, back in camp Mr. Hollis, Bert, and Dick, were having a final
+discussion before leaving for the rival camp in the "Red Scout." It had
+been decided that Dick was to ride with Bert in the race, and give him
+any help that he might need.
+
+The other boys had been bitterly disappointed, especially Tom, who had
+counted right along on going.
+
+"It only seems fair that I should go," he had contended. "Bert and I
+have always been special pals, and I wanted to share any risk he is
+going to take."
+
+But Mr. Hollis was firm as a rock, as he well knew how to be when he
+thought circumstances required it of him.
+
+"I'm a little bit uneasy about the race, anyway," he explained, "and as
+long as somebody has to take chances I want it to be some boy who is old
+enough to be responsible for his own actions. I know nobody could fill
+the place better than you, my boy, but I am sure that when you think
+over what I have said you will agree with me in my decision," and Tom
+had to admit to himself that, as usual, Mr. Hollis was right.
+
+But now the time had come to leave for the rival camp, and Mr. Hollis
+and Tom climbed into the tonneau, while Bert and Dick occupied the two
+front seats.
+
+Soon they had started, and as they went along Bert gave Dick his last
+instruction. "Remember," said he, "that when we take the turns you must
+lean as far toward the inside of the track as you can. This may not seem
+to help much in keeping those inside wheels on the ground, but every
+little thing like that does help, and I think that we will have to do
+everything we know how to beat that 'Gray Ghost' of theirs. That car is no
+slouch, as the saying goes, and Ralph Quinby knows his business."
+
+"All right, Bert," replied Dick, "I'll try to remember all the things
+you have told me. I really believe," he continued, laughing, "that I
+have forgotten more about automobiles in the last week than I ever knew
+before. I never had any idea that there was so much to know about a car,
+and you certainly have got it down to perfection."
+
+Bert was pleased at this evidently sincere tribute from Dick, and could
+not prevent a slight flush of pleasure from mounting to his face.
+
+"Well, Dick," he remarked after a moment, "all I've got to say is that
+if such a trio as you and I and the old 'Red Scout' can't win that race,
+there must be something the matter with the universe, that's all."
+
+The rival camp all felt as confident as did Mr. Hollis' troop, however,
+and to the impartial observer it would certainly have seemed as though
+there was little to choose between the autos and their crews.
+
+By this time they had come in sight of the old race track, and were
+astonished, and, it must be confessed, somewhat confused at the sight
+that met their eyes. There was an old rickety grand stand along one side
+of the course, and this was literally packed with a bright-colored mass
+of humanity. Even scattered around the infield there were quite a few
+farm wagons, with their complement of folks out for a holiday.
+
+"Say," said Dick to Bert in a low tone, "I didn't count on having an
+audience like this. They'll guy the life out of us if we lose."
+
+"Well," said Bert, who by this time had recovered from his first
+astonishment, "that's all the more reason why we should win. We simply
+can't let ourselves be beaten now, that's all there is about it."
+
+But there was no time for further speculation, as Mr. Hollis was seen
+approaching them, and it was evident the race must soon begin.
+
+Bert ran the "Red Scout" around to a small shed in back of the grandstand,
+and he and Dick made their final preparations. These consisted in taking
+off the hood, or bonnet, altogether, and removing the exhaust pipes from
+the motor. As Bert had already explained to Dick, this was done to
+eliminate any back pressure from the exhaust gases. Under ordinary
+conditions, this makes such a small difference in the power of a car
+that it can hardly be said to count, but in a race every ounce of power
+is required. This is done on every racing car, and that is why the
+explosions make such loud, sharp reports when the car is in action.
+
+It need hardly be said that every boy in Mr. Hollis's troop, except poor
+Fred, was present, and many were the anxious looks cast at Bert and Dick
+to see, if possible, how they felt about the outcome of the race. Both
+had been trained to have control of their feelings, however, and so
+outwardly they appeared to be very calm.
+
+This was far from being the real state of their feelings, and both felt
+as though their hearts had suddenly become too large and were trying to
+get out between their ribs. They realized that it was not only their own
+reputation that would suffer if they were defeated, but the whole camp
+was involved. What would Mr. Hollis think of them if the other boys were
+victorious? What would the boys who had such blind confidence in them
+and the "Red Scout" do or say if the "Gray Ghost" won?
+
+Such thoughts were demoralizing, however, and neither Bert nor Dick
+entertained them any longer than they could help. Into both their faces
+came that stern, resolved look that all the boys had seen at times and
+come to love, and in the minds of Tom and the others all doubts as to
+the final result vanished.
+
+Meanwhile, Mr. Thompson's troop had been giving the "Gray Ghost" its
+final touches, and now, at the sound of a mellow whistle, both Bert and
+Ralph cranked their motors.
+
+None of the boys had ever heard the unmuffled exhaust of a racing car
+before, and at the savage roar that now issued from both cars all the
+boys fell back several steps with scared faces. As soon as they realized
+that the gasoline tank had not exploded, nor any other equally awful
+thing occurred, they came forward and tried to ask questions, but in the
+confined shed they could hardly hear the sound of their own voices.
+
+Slowly the fire-spitting monsters were backed out of the shed, and their
+respective drivers swung them around and on to the track. They were
+greeted by a wave of cheering both from the boys and from the assembled
+farmers, and more than one burly countryman who had come to the "kids'
+racket" under protest was seen to sit up straight and open his eyes
+wide.
+
+No doubt many of them had expected to see a rather tame affair, and
+in fact few of them had ever seen an automobile race, or knew the
+tremendous speed of which a good car was capable, or realized the cool
+head and steady nerves required to control the condensed power of forty
+horses traveling at a speed of close to a mile a minute.
+
+However, they were soon to experience a few of the thrills attendant on
+such an occasion. The two leaders had been holding a consultation, and
+now they approached the vibrating, eager cars.
+
+Mr. Hollis was forced to shout to make himself heard above the din of
+the exhausts. "It is understood," he said, "that this race is to be run
+from a standing start, and is to be for a distance of ten miles, or ten
+laps around the track. The cars must line up on the tape that we have
+stretched in front of the grandstand, and at the report of my pistol
+they are to start, each driver getting away as best he can. We have
+drawn lots for the choice of position, and the 'Gray Ghost' won, and is
+to have the inside position. Mr. Thompson and I will act as judges. Is
+that perfectly clear?" to Bert and Ralph.
+
+"Yes, sir," they both responded, and proceeded to manoeuvre their cars
+into the appointed positions.
+
+Mr. Hollis and Mr. Thompson took their places in the grandstand, part of
+which the boys had been directed to reserve for them.
+
+By this time the cars were in position, each one with its front wheels
+resting on the strip of white tape. The "Gray Ghost" had a decided
+advantage to start with, as it is evident that in any race the car that
+has the inside position, that is, the part of the track nearest to the
+center of the field, has a slightly lesser distance to travel than the
+car on the outside, and in a close race every few feet count.
+
+But now there was a breathless hush over the grandstand, and all eyes
+were on Mr. Hollis's hand, holding the pistol aloft. Bert and Ralph were
+bent over their levers, every muscle tense, and nerves stretched to the
+breaking point.
+
+Crack! went the pistol. With a mighty roar, and the blue flames spitting
+from the exhaust ports, the two great machines bounded forward, and
+almost with one movement Bert changed the gears from first to second,
+from second to high. At every change the willing car leaped ahead with
+ever-increasing momentum, and Bert felt a wild thrill run through his
+body as he realized the vast force beneath him, subject only to his
+control.
+
+The "Gray Ghost" had made almost as good a start, however, and now,
+although the "Red Scout" had a slight lead, the inside position began to
+tell, and the "Gray Ghost" gained a trifle.
+
+Dick, who had been looking back over his shoulder, now turned to Bert
+and yelled excitedly in his ear, "Sock it to her, Bert! Give her the
+gas! They're gaining on us!"
+
+They had now covered the first lap, and the speedometer hand on the "Red
+Scout's" dashboard registered a speed of fifty miles an hour. Bert knew
+he could do better than that, but remembered Mr. Hollis's instructions
+not to take any unnecessary chances. The machine was working beautifully,
+and a wave of pride surged over him as he thought that this was largely
+due to the care and work he had bestowed upon it.
+
+But now the "Gray Ghost" was ranging alongside--ahead--
+
+"Give her a pump full of oil, Dick," yelled Bert to his friend, and
+opened the throttle a trifle wider.
+
+The machine answered like a thing of life. The wind whistled in their
+ears, the track seemed a mere gray blur racing away behind them, and
+the mighty speed song of the ravening motor was like music in their
+ears.
+
+Faster and faster they flew, the two cars keeping pace side by side, and
+the speedometer hand creeping up--up.
+
+Fifty-two, fifty-three, fifty-six! it registered, and the flying cars
+seemed barely to touch the ground. On the straight stretch in front of
+the grandstand they gathered such speed that at the turns the rear
+wheels skidded, throwing up showers of dirt, and the drivers were forced
+to slow down a little or the machines would surely have collided.
+
+Up to that time neither car had a decided advantage, but now they had
+covered the eighth lap, and both crews realized that the time had
+arrived to call on the racing engines for their final and greatest
+effort.
+
+The crowds in the stands were yelling like maniacs, as each car in turn
+pushed its nose ahead of the other. But Bert and Dick heard nothing
+but the terrific roar of the racing cars. Their pulses beat like
+trip-hammers; their eyes were starting from their heads. They felt
+rather than saw that the "Gray Ghost" was gaining--gaining only a
+little, inch by inch, but gaining. Now it had come abreast; now it was
+slowly but surely forging ahead. It looked as though the "Red Scout" had
+"shot its bolt," and its partisans in the grandstand groaned in an
+agony of apprehension that was fast becoming despair, while their rivals
+danced up and down and shrieked encouragement to their gray champion.
+
+Now they were on the last lap, and suddenly Bert leaned forward and
+advanced his spark to the limit. It was do or die. His heart exulted as
+he felt the splendid car leap forward. He took a firmer grip on the
+wheel and threw the throttle wide open. His mysterious "sixth sense" had
+told him that he had something in reserve, and now the "Red Scout"
+justified his judgment. It leaped, it flew. It collared the "Ghost"
+just as they turned into the stretch, and tore down the course, the
+explosions of its motor blending together in one deafening volley of
+defiance as it drew away from its rival. Across the line it flew like a
+rocket, the pistol cracked, and--_the race was won_!
+
+[Illustration: Across the line it flew like a rocket.--(_See page 217_)]
+
+Both cars made another circuit of the track before they were able to
+stop, and then drew up in front of the grandstand.
+
+Immediately the crowd surged down, and in a moment the two contestants
+were surrounded by a frenzied mob of shouting and hat-throwing boys, and
+almost equally excited, if less demonstrative, country people.
+
+Mr. Hollis pressed forward and grasped the hands of Bert and Dick, one
+in each of his. "You did nobly, boys," he exclaimed, but there was a
+catch in his voice, and his face looked gray and drawn, "you did great
+work, but I would not consent to your racing again for all the money in
+the world. It is altogether too dangerous."
+
+But by this time the defeated boys belonging to Mr. Thompson's troop had
+recovered a little from their chagrin, and now elbowed their way through
+the crowd, headed by their leader and Ralph Quinby.
+
+Like the clean-cut and manly fellow that he was, Ralph walked up and
+shook hands with Bert and Dick in turn.
+
+"Well," he said, "you fellows certainly put up a great race, and we have
+nothing more to say. It was simply a case of the best car winning,
+that's all."
+
+Bert appreciated his manly spirit, and replied, "It was simply a matter
+of the 'Red Scout' having a little more speed. If we exchanged cars, you
+would win and we would lose. You gave us a hard tussle up to the last
+second."
+
+All the other boys showed the same feeling as had Ralph, and both
+parties separated with mutual expressions of esteem and good will.
+
+All the members of Mr. Hollis's troop that could do so crowded into the
+"Red Scout," and various good-natured farmers volunteered to make room
+in their capacious wagons and take the rest home. Room was even found
+for Don, who had been an excited spectator of the race and was now
+regarded by the jubilant boys as their mascot.
+
+"It's little enough to do at that," remarked one husky agriculturist.
+"I'd be willing to cart the whole outfit over and back a dozen times for
+the sake of seeing another race like that. I wish old Dobbin could hike
+along like them things."
+
+And in this he expressed the general sentiment of the crowd.
+
+As they traveled campward through the cool twilight the boys shouted and
+sang, and in a thousand other noisy but harmless ways found a vent for
+their overflowing enthusiasm.
+
+Bert and Dick were the heroes of the day, as they well deserved to be.
+The race was run again at least a hundred times, and by the time they
+struck camp they had quieted down to some extent. Their beloved car had,
+of course, reached camp ahead of them, and now, as they alighted and
+caught sight of Bert and Dick, their enthusiasm flamed up again, and
+cheer after cheer resounded through the silent woods.
+
+At last they cooled down sufficiently to go to bed, but it was a long
+time before they finally got to sleep. Bert and Dick shook hands before
+parting to go to their different tents. For a few seconds they looked
+into each other's eyes, and the grip of their hands tightened before
+they finally separated and said good night. For when two good comrades
+meet danger face to face and win out, a new and never-to-be-forgotten
+bond is riveted between them that lasts through life.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+It was a wildly hilarious group of campers who sat down to a piping hot
+breakfast the next morning. Some, indeed, had hardly slept at all, so
+great was their rejoicing at the "Red Scout's" glorious victory. They
+had won and the much-vaunted "Gray Ghost" had had to "take their dust."
+What if it were their last day in camp? As Jim, who was famous for
+mixing his figures of speech, said, "The camp, anyway, was breaking up
+in a blaze of glory." Every exciting detail of the great struggle was
+rehearsed and enlarged upon, times without number. They crowded round
+the splendid car and praised it and patted it as though it were alive
+and could understand how proud they were of its victory.
+
+And Bert! If he had been anything but the fine, manly fellow he was, he
+would have been utterly spoiled by the plaudits heaped upon him. He had
+been their hero before; now he was their idol. His skill, his judgment,
+his nerve, were dwelt upon to the exclusion of everything else; but he
+modestly disclaimed any credit and put it all up to the car. "This is
+the fellow that did it all," he said, patting the great machine
+affectionately.
+
+"Yes," quoted Dick,
+
+    "'This is the steed that saved the day,
+    By carrying Sheridan into the fight
+    From Winchester, twenty miles away,'
+
+but all the same," he went on, "the steed saved the day because Sheridan
+was on his back, and the 'Red Scout' saved the day because Bert Wilson
+was at the wheel." And to this the whole camp gave a thundering chorus
+of assent.
+
+And Bert was at the wheel that afternoon, when, after "three times
+three" given for the "Red Scout" and its driver, the noble car stood
+panting, crowded to the guards with as many as could tumble in, ready to
+lead the way to the station where they were to take the train to the
+city.
+
+"I tell you, Tom," he said, as he grasped the wheel and the great car
+sprang forward, "I never expect to have so much pleasure and excitement
+in my life as I have had this summer."
+
+But Bert was mistaken. A broader field and greater triumphs lay before
+him--exploits that would tax every ounce of brain and muscle; victory
+snatched from defeat amid the applause of excited thousands. How he met
+the test and won his fight will be told in the next volume, "Bert
+Wilson's Fadeaway Ball."
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+THE BERT WILSON SERIES
+
+By J. W. DUFFIELD
+
+An excellent series of stories for boys, full of outdoor life and
+adventures, athletic sports, etc. Wholesome, clean and instructive.
+
+
+=BERT WILSON AT THE WHEEL=
+
+An absorbing story of automobile exploits, abounding in stirring
+experiences and exciting adventures.
+
+=BERT WILSON'S FADEAWAY BALL=
+
+How a baseball pennant was won by the masterly pitching of the young
+Freshman recruit is told in crisp, snappy fashion, with a wealth of
+thrilling detail that will delight the lovers of the great national
+game.
+
+=BERT WILSON, WIRELESS OPERATOR=
+
+Perils of storm and shipwreck, head-hunters and pirates, are woven into
+a romance of compelling power that chains the attention at once and
+holds it to the end.
+
+=BERT WILSON, MARATHON WINNER=
+
+How the pick of the world's athletes struggled for supremacy and how the
+representative of the Stars and Stripes carried off the crowning victory
+at the great Olympic games.
+
+_Others in preparation_
+
+12mo, cloth, with four illustrations in each, by H. G. Richards.
+
+Price each, 60 cents.
+
+=SULLY AND KLEINTEICH--NEW YORK=
+
+
+
+
+THE BERT WILSON SERIES
+
+By J. W. DUFFIELD
+
+_THE FOLLOWING TITLES ARE IN PREPARATION_
+
+
+=BERT WILSON AT PANAMA=
+
+A host of thrilling adventures is woven into this stirring story of the
+young American who thwarts by his quick wit and determined courage a
+plot to destroy the great canal. Brimming with interest from cover to
+cover.
+
+=BERT WILSON'S TWIN-CYLINDER RACER=
+
+A motor-cycle romance of speed and daring that will stir the blood and
+make the heart beat faster. How sheer pluck that refused to be downed
+won out against foul play and tremendous odds.
+
+=BERT WILSON ON THE GRIDIRON=
+
+The "never-say-die" spirit of college football that makes it such a
+glorious game sparkles on every page. A gripping story of "bucking the
+line" and "going round the ends," culminating in the great run down the
+field in the last minute of play that snatched victory from defeat.
+
+=BERT WILSON IN THE ROCKIES=
+
+Full of life and spirit, dash and danger in the wild regions of the
+West. The picturesque figures of the frontier--greasers and grizzlies,
+rustlers and road agents--appear in adventures that make one throb and
+tingle with excitement.
+
+12mo, cloth, with four illustrations in each, by H. G. Richards.
+
+Price each, 60 cents.
+
+=SULLY AND KLEINTEICH--NEW YORK=
+
+
+
+
+Publications of Sully and Kleinteich
+
+
+THE "HOW" BOOKS
+
+
+ =HOW TO MAKE THINGS=
+
+ By Archibald Williams
+
+ Author of "How It is Done," "How It is Made," "How It Works."
+
+This is just the book for the active youth who has got beyond the period
+when he asks, "How is it done?" and now wishes to do it himself. The
+book is very fully illustrated with useful diagrams drawn exactly to
+scale.
+
+12mo. Cloth, 450 pages, with numerous illustrations and diagrams.
+
+Price $1.20 net
+
+
+ =HOW IT IS DONE=
+ _OR, VICTORIES OF THE ENGINEER_
+
+ By Archibald Williams
+
+ Author of "How It is Made," "How It Works," "How To Make Things."
+
+Describing in simple language how the great engineering achievements in
+all parts of the world have been accomplished. It is a book brimful of
+interest for everybody, and especially to the younger generation with a
+turn for engineering in any of its many branches.
+
+12 mo. Cloth. 450 pages, with 268 illustrations and diagrams.
+
+Price $1.20 net
+
+
+ =HOW IT IS MADE=
+
+ By Archibald Williams
+
+ Author of "How It Works," "How It is Done," "How To Make Things."
+
+Describing in simple language how various machines and many articles in
+common use are manufactured from the raw material.
+
+12mo. Cloth. 474 pages, with numerous illustrations and diagrams.
+
+Price $1.20 net
+
+
+ =HOW IT WORKS=
+
+ By Archibald Williams
+
+ Author of "How It is Done," "How To Make Things," "How It is Made."
+
+It deals in simple language with Steam, Electricity, Light, Heat, Sound,
+Hydraulics, Optics, etc., and with their application to apparatus in
+common use.
+
+12mo. Cloth. 461 pages, with illustrations and diagrams.
+
+Price $1.20 net
+
+
+ =HOW IT FLIES=
+ _OR, THE CONQUEST OF THE AIR_
+
+ By Richard Ferris, B. S., C. E.
+
+The story of man's endeavors to fly and of the inventions by which he
+has succeeded.
+
+12mo. Cloth. 476 pages, with numerous illustrations and diagrams.
+
+Price $1.20 net
+
+
+
+
+THE GATEWAY SERIES
+
+
+=GATEWAY TO CHAUCER=
+
+Stories told by EMILY UNDERDOWN, from the Canterbury Tales of GEOFFREY
+CHAUCER. With 16 colored plates and numerous marginal illustrations
+after drawings by Anne Anderson.
+
+ 8vo. Cloth.      Net $2.00
+
+
+=THE GATEWAY TO SPENSER=
+
+Tales, retold by EMILY UNDERDOWN, from "The Faerie Queene" of EDMUND
+SPENSER. With 16 colored plates and numerous marginal illustrations from
+drawings by F. G. PAPÉ.
+
+ 8vo. Cloth.      Net $2.00
+
+
+=THE GATEWAY TO ROMANCE=
+
+Tales retold by EMILY UNDERDOWN, from "The Earthly Paradise," by WILLIAM
+MORRIS. With 16 colored plates and many other illustrations.
+
+ 8vo. Cloth.      Net $2.00
+
+
+=THE GATEWAY TO TENNYSON=
+
+Tales and extracts from the poet's works, with an introduction by MRS.
+ANDREW LANG. With 16 colored illustrations from drawings by NORMAN
+LITTLE.
+
+ 8vo. Cloth.      Net $2.00
+
+
+=THE GATEWAY TO SHAKESPEARE=
+
+Containing a life of Shakespeare, by MRS. ANDREW LANG, a selection from
+the plays, and from "Lamb's Tales." With 16 colored plates and many
+other illustrations.
+
+ 8vo. Cloth.      Net $2.00
+
+
+
+
+THE SUNSHINE AND SHADOW SERIES
+
+
+=IN THE SERVICE OF THE KING, and Other Stories=
+
+=IN THE HEART OF THE FOREST=
+
+=AFTER LONG YEARS, and Other Stories=
+
+These books translated from the German by Sophia A. Miller and Anes M.
+Dunne.
+
+ 16mo.      Illustrated. Each $.75
+
+The ethical stories in the Sunshine and Shadow Series have been
+translated from the German with the view of instilling into the minds
+of youthful readers such truths as will help materially toward building
+a character that will withstand the trials and temptations of life.
+
+It is conceded by educators that ethics presented in the lecture form
+fails of its purpose; therefore the writers have presented this subject
+in the form most appealing to children--the story.
+
+
+
+
+=THE BOOK OF GOLDEN DEEDS.=
+
+By CHARLOTTE M. YONGE. With 16 full page colored illustrations, 12
+full-page illustrations in black and white (photo engravings) and
+marginal illustrations all through the book.
+
+ 8vo. Cloth.      Net $2.50
+
+
+=TALES OF THE GODS AND HEROES.=
+
+By SIR G. W. COX, M. A. With sixteen colored plates from drawings by
+JAMES FRIPP.
+
+ 8vo. Cloth.      Net $2.00
+
+CONTENTS
+
+The Sorrow of Demeter -- The Sleep of Endymion -- Niobe and Leto --
+Orpheus and Eurydice -- Phryxus and Helle -- Cadmus and Europa --
+Odysseus and Polyphemus -- Odysseus and Circe -- Odysseus and the
+Seirens -- Odysseus and Nausicaa -- The Story of Arion -- The Treasures
+of Rhampsnitus -- Cephalos and Procris -- Daphne -- The Delian Apollo --
+The Pythian Apolli -- The Vengeance of Apollo -- The Toils of
+Heracles -- Althaea and the Burning Brand -- Phaethon -- Io and
+Prometheus -- Briareos -- Arethusa -- Tyro -- Poseidon and Athene --
+Ariadne -- Narcissus -- Medeia -- Cyrene -- Bellerophon -- Iphigeneia --
+Hector and Andromache -- Sarpedon -- Memnon -- Oenone -- The
+Lotos-Eaters -- The Cattle of Helios -- Odysseus and Calypso -- Atys
+and Adrastos.
+
+
+ =LIVES OF GREAT MEN,
+ TOLD BY GREAT MEN=
+
+Edited by RICHARD WILSON. With 31 full-page illustrations in color.
+
+ Quarto. Cloth. 448 pp.      Net $2.00
+
+CONTENTS
+
+Alexander the Great -- Alfred the Great -- The Black Prince -- The Story
+of William Wallace -- Sir Thomas More -- Francisco Pizarro -- Sir
+Richard Grenville -- Sir Francis Drake -- Sir Phillip Sidney -- John
+Hampden -- Oliver Cromwell -- John Bunyan -- Benjamin Franklin's Boyhood
+-- Dr. Johnson -- Oliver Goldsmith -- Flora Macdonald -- The Boyhood of
+James Watt -- Robert Burns -- Charles Lamb -- William Wordsworth -- The
+Boyhood of Turner -- George Borrow -- The Boyhood of George Stephenson.
+
+
+ =THE STORY OF HEATHER=
+
+ By MAY WYNNE
+
+12mo. Cloth, 6 colored illustrations. _Price_, net $1.00
+
+This is the autobiography of a pony, simply told for young children, and
+full of action and interest. The volume is excellently illustrated in
+color by Dorothy Pope, and attractively presented in cloth cover.
+
+
+ =EXMOOR STAR=
+ The Autobiography of a Pony
+
+ By A. E. BONSER
+
+12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. _Price_, net 50c; postpaid 55c.
+
+The sympathy of children in the humane treatment of animals will be
+enlisted by this charming story. They see how cruel our thoughtlessness
+and lack of attention to the needs of our dumb servants often are. They
+will share the views of this bright little pony in regard to man's
+attitude to animals. The story is fascinating and as circus performer or
+polo pony, Star is a most interesting character. After many strange
+experiences he saves the lives of twelve people, receives a medal from
+the Royal Humane Society and retires from public life. The story is not
+marred by a sad ending. The book is fully illustrated.
+
+
+ =A BOOK OF BIRDS AND BEASTS=
+ OR
+ _THE LAW OF KINDNESS_
+
+134 pages and 32 colored illustrations
+
+_Price_, net $1.00
+
+It is full of interesting stories, all about animals and their doings,
+and of such a character that no child who reads them will ever dream of
+being unkind to bird, beast, fish, or insect; for when people get to
+know God's creatures and their wonderful ways, they learn how to leave
+them alone and to watch them patiently, just because they are so well
+worth watching.
+
+
+ =THE OLD FAIRY TALES=
+
+189 pages and 32 colored illustrations
+
+_Price_, net $1.00
+
+A book of Fairy Tales for Boys and Girls containing; The Three Bears --
+Brother and Sister -- Little Red Riding-Hood -- Hansel and Grethel --
+The Golden Goose -- The Magic Key -- Little One Eye, Little Two Eyes,
+and Little Three Eyes -- The Story of Catskin -- Cinderella, or, The
+Little Glass Slipper -- The Frog-Prince -- The Sleeping Beauty in the
+Wood -- The Iron Stove -- Shemus and the Little People -- Prince Curly
+Chin -- Queen Mab and Oberon -- The Merry Tricks of Tom Thumb -- Prince
+Cherry -- Little Snowdrop -- The Goose Girl -- The Fairies of the
+Caldon-Low.
+
+
+ =THE WONDERS OF THE WORLD=
+
+ Formerly published under the title of
+ "The World by the Fireside."
+
+By MARY and ELIZABETH KIRBY. Crown. 8 vo. Cloth. Hundreds of
+illustrations. Price $1.50
+
+This volume brings the world, that is so full of wonders, to our own
+fireside.
+
+The book is embellished with pictures of the various scenes and objects
+described, in order to make it more attractive.
+
+
+ =THE WONDERS OF THE SEA=
+
+ Formerly published under the title of
+ "The Sea and Its Wonders."
+
+By MARY and ELIZABETH KIRBY. Crown. 8 vo. Cloth. Hundreds of
+illustrations. Price $1.50
+
+Wonders abound in the Ocean. It is a world in itself, and is subject to
+its own laws.
+
+"In this great and wide sea are creeping things innumerable, both small
+and great."
+
+The various chapters are amply illustrated with drawings taken from
+life, and on which the utmost care has been bestowed.
+
+
+Sully and Kleinteich--New York
+
+
+
+
+ THE
+ BOOK OF INDOOR
+ AND
+ OUTDOOR GAMES
+
+ BY
+ MRS. BURTON KINGSLAND
+
+With suggestions for entertainments. Illustrated.
+
+ 12mo. Cloth.      $1.00
+
+A veritable encyclopaedia of games, pastimes, and entertainment.
+
+CONTENTS
+
+Games of Thought, Wit and Memory -- Progressive Games -- Card Games --
+Children's Games -- Children's Singing Games -- Games for Sunday
+Evenings -- Catches and Riddles -- Fortune Telling -- Mesmerism --
+Children's Parties -- Special Dinners, Dances and Luncheons --
+Tableaux -- Wedding Anniversaries.
+
+"Without touching on the side of profit-yielding occupations, and with
+more stress laid down upon the social side of life, this book will prove
+a real treasure for those lacking in invention, and will bring delight
+to many a dull or rainy day."--_The Dial_
+
+=Sully and Kleinteich--New York=
+
+
+
+
+The Golden River Series
+
+=Bound in cloth 16mo. With a colored panel Illustration on front
+cover--title stamped in gold=
+
+ =PRICE EACH=      =50 Cents=
+
+ Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.          8 colored illustrations.
+ Anderson's Fairy Tales. (Ugly Duckling.)   4 colored illustrations.
+ Water Babies.                              4     "         "
+ The King of the Golden River.              8     "         "
+ Arabian Nights.                            5     "         "
+ Gulliver in Lilliput.                      4     "         "
+ Don Quixote.                               4     "         "
+ Stories from Hiawatha.                     6     "         "
+ Tanglewood Tales.                          4     "         "
+ John Halifax's Boyhood.                    4     "         "
+ Tales of a Grandfather.                    6     "         "
+ David and Emily.                           6     "         "
+ Nell and Her Grandfather.                  4     "         "
+ Stories from Spenser.                      8     "         "
+ Rose and the Ring.                         4     "         "
+ Knights of the Grail.                      8     "         "
+ Sir Thomas Thumb.                          8     "         "
+ Linden Leaf.                               8     "         "
+ Undine.                                    8     "         "
+ Maggie and Tom Tulliver.                   4     "         "
+ Children of the Old Testament.             6     "         "
+ Children of the New Testament.             6     "         "
+ Six Gifts.                                 6     "         "
+ Kingsley's Heroes.                         4     "         "
+ Adventures of Ulysses.                     6     "         "
+ Golden Deeds.                              6     "         "
+ Stories from Tennyson.                     6     "         "
+ Tales from Shakespeare.                    6     "         "
+ Stories from Chaucer.                      4     "         "
+ Cox's Greek Heroes.                        4     "         "
+
+=SULLY & KLEINTEICH--NEW YORK=
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's Notes:
+
+
+ --Text in italics is enclosed by underscores (_italics_).
+
+ --Text in bold is enclosed by "equal" signs (=bold=).
+
+ --Punctuation and spelling inaccuracies were silently corrected,
+   except as noted below.
+
+ --Colon (:) punctuation has been retained as in original.
+
+ --Normalized variations of Red Scout and Gray Ghost to 'Red Scout'
+   and 'Gray Ghost' within quoted speech and "Red Scout" and
+   "Gray Ghost" in all other cases.
+
+ --Archaic and variable spelling has been preserved.
+
+ --Variations in hyphenation and compound words have been preserved.
+
+ --Spaced dashes used in some back matter for better wrapping of text.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Bert Wilson at the Wheel, by J. W. Duffield
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+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Bert Wilson at the Wheel, by J. W. Duffield
+
+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
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+Title: Bert Wilson at the Wheel
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+Author: J. W. Duffield
+
+Release Date: January 12, 2012 [EBook #38560]
+
+Language: English
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+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BERT WILSON AT THE WHEEL ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was
+produced from images generously made available by The
+Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 378px;">
+<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="378" height="600" alt="cover" title="cover" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+<h1>BERT WILSON AT THE WHEEL</h1>
+
+
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+<div class="adpage">
+<p class="noi adtitle">THE BERT WILSON SERIES</p>
+<p class="noi adauthor"><span class="smcap">By J. W. DUFFIELD</span></p>
+
+<p>An excellent series of stories for boys, full of
+outdoor life and adventures, athletic sports, etc.
+Wholesome, clean and instructive.</p>
+
+<ol>
+<li><span class="smcap">Bert Wilson at the Wheel.</span></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">Bert Wilson&rsquo;s Fadeaway Ball.</span></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">Bert Wilson Wireless Operator.</span></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">Bert Wilson Marathon Winner.</span></li>
+</ol>
+
+<p class="noic"><i>Others in preparation.</i></p>
+
+<p>12mo. cloth with four illustrations in each, by
+H. G. Richards.</p>
+
+<p class="noic">Price each, 60 cents.</p>
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 380px;">
+<a name="image01" id="image01">
+<img src="images/image01.jpg" width="380" height="600"
+alt="He wrenched the steering wheel around, and headed it directly up the track."
+title="He wrenched the steering wheel around, and headed it directly
+up the track." /></a><br />
+<span class="caption">
+<a href="#Page_168">He wrenched the steering wheel around, and headed it directly
+up the track.</a>&mdash;(<i>See page 168</i>)</span>
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+<h1>BERT WILSON<br />
+at<br />
+the Wheel</h1>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p class="noic">BY</p>
+<p class="noi author">J. W. DUFFIELD</p>
+
+<p class="works"><span class="smcap">Author of &ldquo;Bert Wilson&rsquo;s Fadeaway Ball,&rdquo;<br />
+&ldquo;Bert Wilson Wireless Operator,&rdquo;<br />
+&ldquo;Bert Wilson Marathon Winner.&rdquo;</span></p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 80px">
+<img src="images/logo.jpg" width="100%" alt="logo" title="logo" />
+</div>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p class="noic">NEW YORK<br />
+SULLY AND KLEINTEICH<br />
+1913
+</p>
+
+
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+<p class="noic"><span class="smcap">Copyright, 1913, by</span><br />
+SULLY AND KLEINTEICH<br />
+<br />
+All rights reserved.<br />
+</p>
+
+
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+<h2>CONTENTS</h2>
+
+
+<table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents">
+<col style="width: 20%;" />
+<col style="width: 70%;" />
+<col style="width: 10%;" />
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdrt">CHAPTER</td>
+  <td class="tdl"></td>
+  <td class="tdrt">PAGE</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdrt">I.</td>
+  <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">The &ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo;</a></td>
+  <td class="tdrb">1</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdrt">II.</td>
+  <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">The Flying Auto</a></td>
+  <td class="tdrb">8</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdrt">III.</td>
+  <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">The Copperhead</a></td>
+  <td class="tdrb">19</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdrt">IV.</td>
+  <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">The Challenge</a></td>
+  <td class="tdrb">30</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdrt">V.</td>
+  <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">The Hoboes and the Bees</a></td>
+  <td class="tdrb">39</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdrt">VI.</td>
+  <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">Shorty Goes to the Ant</a></td>
+  <td class="tdrb">50</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdrt">VII.</td>
+  <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">The Ants Go Milking</a></td>
+  <td class="tdrb">61</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdrt">VIII.</td>
+  <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">The Gipsy Caravan</a></td>
+  <td class="tdrb">76</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdrt">IX.</td>
+  <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">How the &ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; Climbed Dobb&rsquo;s Hill</a></td>
+  <td class="tdrb">94</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdrt">X.</td>
+  <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">Quick Work</a></td>
+  <td class="tdrb">111</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdrt">XI.</td>
+  <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">The Four-Legged Recruit</a></td>
+  <td class="tdrb">118</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdrt">XII.</td>
+  <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">The Youngsters&rsquo; Great Day</a></td>
+  <td class="tdrb">127</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdrt">XIII.</td>
+  <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">Dave&rsquo;s Tiger Story</a></td>
+  <td class="tdrb">148</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdrt">XIV.</td>
+  <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">With Death Behind</a></td>
+  <td class="tdrb">160</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdrt">XV.</td>
+  <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">Mountain Scouting</a></td>
+  <td class="tdrb">176</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdrt">XVI.</td>
+  <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">By a Hair&rsquo;s-Breadth</a></td>
+  <td class="tdrb">186</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdrt">XVII.</td>
+  <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">Biddy Harrigan Remembers</a></td>
+  <td class="tdrb">199</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdrt">XVIII.</td>
+  <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">The Race</a></td>
+  <td class="tdrb">206</td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+
+
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+<h2>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h2>
+
+
+
+<table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" summary="Illustrations">
+<col style="width: 80%;" />
+<col style="width: 20%;" />
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl"><a href="#image01">He wrenched the steering wheel around and
+    headed it directly up the track</a>, <i>see page
+    168</i></td>
+  <td class="tdrb"><i>Frontispiece</i></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl">&nbsp;</td>
+  <td class="tdrb smfont">PAGE</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl"><a href="#image02">Three men of the roughest order were dancing
+distractedly around</a></td>
+  <td class="tdrb">46</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl"><a href="#image03">Then he swung the &ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; squarely across
+the road</a>, <i>see page 89</i></td>
+  <td class="tdrb">90</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl"><a href="#image04">Across the line it flew like a rocket</a>, <i>see page
+217</i></td>
+  <td class="tdrb">218</td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+
+
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p>
+<h1>Bert Wilson at the Wheel</h1>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I</h2>
+
+<h3><span class="smcap">The &ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo;</span></h3>
+
+
+<p class="cap">&ldquo;What dandy luck.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s too good to be true.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Who&rsquo;d ever thought we&rsquo;d have the luck to
+get it?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;It can&rsquo;t be true. I shan&rsquo;t believe it till it
+gets here.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Anyway, it <i>is</i> true, and won&rsquo;t we have the
+niftiest time ever?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well, you might as well sit down, Bob.
+Running around like a hen with her head cut
+off won&rsquo;t make it come any sooner.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Aw, how&rsquo;s a fellow to sit still when a thing
+like that&rsquo;s on the way? I wonder how long we&rsquo;ll
+have to wait. What can be keeping him?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>A score of voices, talking singly, two together,
+all together, woke the woodland echoes,
+silent through the long winter and tardy spring,
+gone at last. Summer had come and with it the
+annual encampment of a score or more of manly,
+healthy youngsters, overflowing with animal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span>
+spirits and vitality. For several years past, substantially
+the same group under the supervision
+of a Mr. Hollis, a gentleman of sterling character
+and considerable means, had gone into
+camp together for two or three weeks of the
+heated season. Brimming over with life, the
+boys always made the camp a lively place; but
+this summer a new and enveloping excitement
+seemed to have taken possession of everyone,
+and now all were plunged into a discussion of
+the cause of the hullabaloo, the voices rising
+higher and higher as each one sought to make
+himself heard above the rest.</p>
+
+<p>Turning a bend in the road that brought the
+camp into view, Mr. Hollis, as he witnessed the
+excited gestures of the boys, and heard the volume
+of sound caused by every enthusiast trying
+to talk at once, instinctively quickened his pace,
+for it almost seemed as though a serious altercation
+were in progress; but as he came near
+enough to distinguish words and heard&mdash;&ldquo;Six
+cylinders,&rdquo; &ldquo;Forty-eight horsepower,&rdquo; &ldquo;Chrome
+nickel steel,&rdquo; &ldquo;Wheel base one hundred and
+twelve inches,&rdquo; &ldquo;Diamond tires,&rdquo; &ldquo;Autometer,&rdquo;
+&ldquo;Safety treads,&rdquo; &ldquo;Grip treads&rdquo;&mdash;he realized
+that nothing more serious was going on than a
+discussion of the relative merits of automobiles
+and their fittings. No wonder there was gesturing
+and loud talking. What boy would not rise<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span>
+to the topmost heights of enthusiasm at the
+thought of an automobile in which he was to
+have a personal interest? Such a delight had
+come to the camp, and since the announcement
+in the morning that on account of the long trips
+that the summer&rsquo;s plans would make necessary,
+the boys would be allowed an automobile for
+their own exclusive use, nothing else had been
+thought or talked about; and each eager boy
+was impatiently awaiting the return of Mr.
+Hollis to learn the make and all other details
+of that most wonderful car.</p>
+
+<p>Now, as he came into camp, the boys crowded
+around him and the wood rang with cheers as
+he told them that the car would arrive the following
+morning. A volley of questions overwhelmed
+him: &ldquo;How large is it?&rdquo; &ldquo;What
+speed?&rdquo; &ldquo;What color is it?&rdquo; &ldquo;How many
+of us can ride in it at a time?&rdquo; Question followed
+question in quick succession, until Mr.
+Hollis put his hands over his ears, and, refusing
+to answer any more, proposed dinner as a means
+of quelling the noise.</p>
+
+<p>The boys could scarcely have told of what
+their dinner consisted that night, so great was
+their excitement. All were glad to turn in early
+as the surest way to bring the morning and the
+longed-for car. A full hour earlier than usual
+the lights were out and silence settled over the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span>
+camp, broken only by nature&rsquo;s mysterious night
+sounds. A belated rabbit homeward bound,
+keeping ceaseless vigil with round bright eyes,
+encouraged by the unusual quiet, crept close to
+the door of the mess tent, and snatching a stray
+cracker from the grass, scurried joyfully away.
+At the distant menacing &ldquo;Tu-whit, tu-whoo&rdquo; of
+the night owl, the birds stirred uneasily and nestled
+closer under cover of the sheltering leaves.
+The quiet hours crept on till at last morning
+dawned and gave promise of a glorious
+day.</p>
+
+<p>Frank Edgewood was the first to open sleepy
+eyes, and seeing a few clouds not yet dissipated
+by the early sun, woke the camp with the dismal
+wail: &ldquo;Fellows, it&rsquo;s going to rain.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Put him out,&rdquo; &ldquo;Smother him,&rdquo; &ldquo;Duck him
+in the brook,&rdquo; came in a chorus; and Frank, taking
+to his heels, dropped the flap of his tent,
+with not a moment to spare.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Run early and avoid the rush,&rdquo; sang out
+Tom Henderson.</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">&ldquo;To pass he had such scanty room,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The descending grazed his plume,&rdquo;<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p class="noi">chanted Dick Trent.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Let&rsquo;s forgive and forget,&rdquo; said Ben Cooper.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Be glad we let you live, Frank,&rdquo; Bob Ward<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span>
+chimed in; and so the culprit, reassured, ventured
+out to breakfast.</p>
+
+<p>Again the all-absorbing topic was renewed,
+two vital questions claiming them. What should
+they name their auto? Who would be able to
+run it? The first was easy enough, for almost
+from the first they had decided, the color permitting,
+to call it the &ldquo;Red Scout.&rdquo; The second
+was not so easy, for Mr. Hollis must be assured,
+for the sake of the general safety, that the driver
+should be fully capable. If only Bert Wilson
+were there, the question would be answered, for
+capable Bert in New York had studied the mechanism
+of automobiles and grown very proficient
+in handling them; but they were not sure that
+he would be able to be in camp with them this
+year. Expressions of regret were heard on all
+sides, for Bert had a very warm place in their
+hearts. His splendid qualities had easily made
+him their natural leader and his absence was far
+more keenly felt than that of any other fellow
+in the camp would have been.</p>
+
+<p>Still, Bert not being there, they must choose
+someone else, so Mr. Hollis called for volunteers.
+Several answered, but their qualifications
+were rather doubtful, until Bob Ward said that
+he had had a lot of experience in driving his
+uncle&rsquo;s machine, and felt very sure he could handle
+it. So it was decided that the next day Bob<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span>
+should take them on their first trip, which would
+be in search of a new camp site, the old one
+proving too small for this year&rsquo;s requirements.</p>
+
+<p>While the question as to who should be chosen
+to drive the automobile was being decided, Sam
+Fielding and Philip Strong, two of the younger
+boys, had placed a long plank over a big rock
+which rested under the shade of a low-branched
+tree, and thus improvised a capital see-saw.
+When the question was settled, there was a general
+movement among the boys, and one of them,
+thoughtless of consequences, jumped upon Sam&rsquo;s
+end of the board. This added weight gave the
+other end a sudden jerk upward, and in a twinkling
+Philip was tossed into the boughs of the
+tree, where, his foot catching in a forked branch,
+he hung suspended, head downward, his jacket
+falling about and covering his head and face,
+while he yelled like a Comanche Indian.</p>
+
+<p>In an instant the entire camp was aroused and
+Phil was quickly extricated from his uncomfortable
+position. At the sight of his astonished
+face, the whole camp went into paroxysms of
+mirth, while peal after peal of laughter made the
+woods echo again. Even Phil, now &ldquo;right side
+up with care,&rdquo; could not resist the contagion and
+joined in the merriment.</p>
+
+<p>It was many minutes before a normal condition
+of things was re-established, but at last the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span>
+boys fell to discussing the proposed change of
+camp.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a shame that we have to change,&rdquo; said
+Charlie Adams; &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t believe we&rsquo;ll have such
+bully times in the new camp as we have had
+here.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, I don&rsquo;t know,&rdquo; said Tom cheerily;
+&ldquo;we&rsquo;ll have the dandiest fun, hunting new caves
+and things.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;It will at least have the charm of novelty,&rdquo;
+joined in Dick Trent&mdash;Dick was eighteen and
+sometimes used words and phrases so ponderous
+as to give him added dignity in the eyes of the
+other fellows. &ldquo;Things will be altogether different
+this summer,&rdquo; he went on; &ldquo;having the
+auto will make a great change.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well, we&rsquo;re going to have a great time to-day,
+anyway,&rdquo; said Bob Ward; &ldquo;Mr. Hollis
+says we are to make a flying trip in the new
+machine, and I will have a chance, while the man
+who brings it is here, to study handling the car.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>As Bob finished speaking, a distant but distinct
+&ldquo;honk-honk&rdquo; sent each boy tearing down the
+road, where in due time a great, red, glistening
+car came up the turnpike like a gleaming streak
+of light, and, with a graceful curve to the side
+of the road, stopped. The car, <i>their</i> car, the
+&ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; had come!</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II</h2>
+
+<h3><span class="smcap">The Flying Auto</span></h3>
+
+
+<p class="cap">A group of the campers stood regarding
+the big red touring car rather dubiously.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;The fact is,&rdquo; Bob Ward was saying, as he
+meditatively chewed a long piece of grass, &ldquo;you
+never can tell when the fool thing is going to go
+back on you. I used to drive my uncle&rsquo;s car a
+good deal, but I never could go very far without
+some part of the machinery breaking down.
+Uncle Jack said I was a Jonah and I guess I
+was, because he could run the pesky thing all
+over the country if I wasn&rsquo;t with him, and it
+would go like a bird. One day I ran it into a
+fence and nearly got killed, so I took the hint
+and haven&rsquo;t fooled with one since.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;But we ought to make a try at locating a
+site for the new camp,&rdquo; Frank Edgewood objected.
+&ldquo;We volunteered, and we&rsquo;ll be the
+laughing stock of the whole camp if we don&rsquo;t
+succeed, besides breaking our word to Mr.
+Hollis.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, I don&rsquo;t see why you said you could do
+it, if you are going to get cold feet at the last
+minute,&rdquo; said Jim.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t got cold feet,&rdquo; Bob defended hotly,
+then virtuously, &ldquo;it isn&rsquo;t because of my own danger
+that I hesitate, but I don&rsquo;t like to drag you
+fellows into it with me.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;If you don&rsquo;t mind breaking your own neck,
+you needn&rsquo;t worry about ours,&rdquo; said Dave Ferris;
+&ldquo;we&rsquo;ll stay here while you take a little spin
+across country,&rdquo; grinning wickedly. &ldquo;Of course,
+if you should find a good camp location in the
+meantime, you could claim all the glory&rdquo;&mdash;this
+last condescendingly.</p>
+
+<p>Before Bob had time to retort, a cry of &ldquo;Bert,
+Bert Wilson!&rdquo; caught the boys&rsquo; attention, and
+they turned in time to see a young fellow take
+a flying leap over one of the fences and land in
+the midst of a group of excited, welcoming
+friends.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Make believe we&rsquo;re not glad to see you,
+Bert. We thought you wouldn&rsquo;t be able to get
+off this year.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Tom Henderson spread that report. Where
+is he?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Wait till I get at him.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;He ought to have a ducking,&rdquo; and other undeserved
+threats were hurled at poor Tom&rsquo;s
+innocent head.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Hold on, fellows,&rdquo; said Bert, laughing;
+&ldquo;Tom wasn&rsquo;t to blame. I didn&rsquo;t know myself
+that I could make the camp till yesterday.&rdquo;</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>At that moment the maligned Tom dashed up,
+nearly upsetting his friend in an ecstasy of delight.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;You&rsquo;re a brick with a capital B and the best
+kind of a sight for sore eyes,&rdquo; gasped Tom, getting
+his breath back by degrees. &ldquo;I never was
+so glad to see anyone in my life. And you came
+just in the nick of time, too, to help us out.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Then, dragging his friend away unceremoniously,
+Tom explained the situation in which he
+and the other volunteers found themselves.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;You will help us out, won&rsquo;t you, Bert?&rdquo; he
+asked appealingly.</p>
+
+<p>By this time the rest of the volunteers had
+come up and were eagerly awaiting the decision.
+When they heard Bert&rsquo;s hearty &ldquo;Surest thing you
+know,&rdquo; they went wild, and after giving him
+&ldquo;three cheers and a tiger,&rdquo; marched him off to
+the mess tent, there to partake of corn bread and
+maple syrup. This last had such a good effect
+on Bert as to lead him to say that the fellow who
+had never known the gastronomic delight of corn
+bread spread thick with maple syrup didn&rsquo;t know
+what it was to live.</p>
+
+<p>The dramatic arrival of Bert at the camp just
+when they most felt the need of him had been
+almost as unexpected to him as to the other
+campers.</p>
+
+<p>Through the recommendation of Mr. Hollis,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span>
+he had secured a position with a large manufacturing
+business in New York. There from the
+very start he had made good and his industry and
+ability were soon noted by his employer. It was
+not long before his salary was increased and
+larger opportunities afforded him, and he soon
+found himself treading the path that was bound
+to lead to success.</p>
+
+<p>Of course, like every other healthy boy, he felt
+the need of friends and recreation. The first he
+found in Tom Henderson, with whom he struck
+up a great friendship. Another crony was Frank
+Edgewood, who worked on the same floor as himself.
+When the work of the day was done they
+were usually found together, either in each other&rsquo;s
+rooms or at some of the places of wholesome
+recreation of which the city offers so great a
+variety.</p>
+
+<p>If Bert had one trait that stood out more prominently
+than any of the others it was his love for
+mechanics. Anything in the way of a clever mechanical
+toy, a puzzle, or a machine attracted him
+immensely. He wanted to &ldquo;see the wheels go
+&rsquo;round.&rdquo; Especially was this true in the case
+of automobiles. The huge machine moving so
+swiftly, so noiselessly, with such a sense of freedom
+and the sensation of flying, drew him like a
+magnet. He scarcely dared to dream that one
+day he might be the actual owner of a motor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span>
+car, but he did hope that some day or other his
+hand might be on the wheel, his foot upon the
+brake, while he steered the flying monster as it
+sped like a flash across the country.</p>
+
+<p>His dream seemed perceptibly nearer being
+realized when Tom introduced him to the owner
+of a garage in the vicinity of his home. There
+he speedily became familiar with every joint and
+crank and lever of the great machines. He saw
+them taken apart and put together, he saw them
+brought in battered, broken, almost wrecked, and
+made as good as new. From theory to practice
+was not far. Little by little he was permitted to
+help in the minor repairs. After a while he was
+entrusted with short trips, at first in the company
+of an experienced chauffeur and at last on his own
+responsibility. It was not long before he felt
+capable to handle, steer, drive, and repair, and,
+if he had cared to do so, he would have had no
+difficulty in passing an examination and securing
+a license to drive a car.</p>
+
+<p>His idea of recreation ran in the same direction.
+Whenever there was a motor meet anywhere
+within reach, especially on Saturday afternoon,
+which was a half holiday at the factory,
+Bert could be found, accompanied by either Tom
+or Frank, or both, watching with intense delight
+the exciting incidents of the race. The crowd&mdash;the
+start&mdash;the great machines flying by like<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span>
+streaks of lightning&mdash;the roar of the partisans
+of each car as their favorite took the lead, and
+above all the frantic excitement and enthusiasm
+at the finish as the victor flew across the line&mdash;all
+these things stirred his blood with inexpressible
+delight.</p>
+
+<p>On another occasion he and his chums had visited
+the &ldquo;Greatest Show on Earth.&rdquo; He had
+laughed at the clowns and had been thrilled by
+the acrobats. Every pore of his body had drunk
+in with delight the tremendous feats of skill and
+daring that appeal so strongly to a boy. But the
+one supreme thrill, the one he never forgot, the
+one that repeated itself over and over again in
+his dreams, was when the automobile with its
+daring operator starting from the very top of
+the immense building, amid the deathlike hush of
+the crowd, flew like a flash down the steep incline,
+sprang into space, turned a complete somersault,
+and, lighting on the further side of the gap,
+rushed across the arena. This was the climax of
+everything. Little else appealed to Bert; he
+talked of nothing else on the way home. There
+was no use talking, the &ldquo;auto fever&rdquo; was in his
+blood.</p>
+
+<p>With this passionate delight in his favorite machine,
+Bert&rsquo;s feeling can be understood when he
+learned that the chief feature of the boys&rsquo; encampment
+when the summer opened was to be an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span>
+automobile &ldquo;hike,&rdquo; the car itself having been
+kindly loaned by Mr. Hollis. At first, owing to
+conditions at the factory, he had feared that he
+would not be able to go at the time set for the
+encampment, and his disappointment was crushing.
+A quiet little talk of Mr. Hollis&rsquo;s with his
+employer, however, had adjusted things so that
+he learned at the last moment he would be able
+to go. We have already seen how uproariously
+he had been received by his old companions when
+he came so unexpectedly into the howling mob
+of enthusiasts at the summer camp.</p>
+
+<p>In less time after his arrival than it takes to
+tell, Bert was clad in khaki and had obtained the
+ready permission of Mr. Hollis to take the boys
+on their desired expedition.</p>
+
+<p>The fellows scrambled into their adored &ldquo;Red
+Scout&rdquo; with more haste than grace, while Bert was
+busy cranking it. Then with a cry of &ldquo;All right
+back there?&rdquo; and an answering shout of &ldquo;You
+bet your life,&rdquo; the great car started smoothly up
+the ascent.</p>
+
+<p>As it quickened its speed and disappeared
+around a bend of the road, more than one of
+the boys at the camp wished he had been quicker
+to offer his services.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;If I&rsquo;d only known that Bert would be here
+I&rsquo;d been one of the first to volunteer, but I must
+say I wasn&rsquo;t anxious to trust my neck to Bob&rsquo;s<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span>
+safe-keeping. He doesn&rsquo;t know any more about
+running an automobile than I do;&rdquo; and when Jim
+said that he was saying a great deal.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile the &ldquo;Red Scout&rsquo;s&rdquo; passengers were
+having the time of their lives.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Gee, it&rsquo;s like flying,&rdquo; said Frank joyfully.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a heap sight better,&rdquo; challenged Tom.
+&ldquo;Can&rsquo;t you make it go faster?&rdquo; he asked of
+Bert.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I guess yes,&rdquo; Bert shouted, as he put on more
+speed.</p>
+
+<p>The automobile darted forward like a live
+thing and the boys were enraptured by the rapidity
+of its motion. It almost seemed to them
+as though the &ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; were standing still and
+all the scenery were flying past. Hardly did the
+farmhouses come in sight than they were passed
+and lost in the distance.</p>
+
+<p>Scores of timid little woodland creatures scurried
+away to the shelter of holes and empty logs,
+surprised and alarmed at the streak of red lightning
+that flashed by. Mother birds hovered protectingly
+over their fledglings, ready to defend
+them against the whole world if necessary, while
+excited squirrels scolded noisily from the treetops
+long after they had any excuse for it.</p>
+
+<p>On, on they rushed along roads over which
+giant trees met, past meadow lands where cattle
+grazed lazily, over bridges, past sparkling brooks<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span>
+that formed miniature waterfalls as they rushed
+over the stones&mdash;on, on!</p>
+
+<p>As they slowed up to take a sharp bend in the
+road they came face to face with another automobile
+dashing along at a reckless speed.</p>
+
+<p>Fortunately both Bert and the driver of the
+other machine kept their presence of mind. Before
+anyone had a chance to realize what was
+happening, Bert had swerved the Scout way over
+to the right side of the road. There happened
+to be a fairly deep depression on that side, so
+Bert had the choice of two evils. He had either
+to crash squarely into the other automobile or
+he had to run the risk of having his own machine
+turn turtle. He chose the lesser danger and ran
+into the ditch. However, it wasn&rsquo;t as bad as it
+easily might have been, for only the front and
+rear wheels of one side of the car were in the
+depression. Even at that they had come within
+a hair&rsquo;s-breadth of being upset.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as the boys could pull themselves together,
+they tumbled out of the car. The occupants
+of the other car were four men, who sprang
+out at once to see if they could be of service in
+any way.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I think we&rsquo;d better improvise a lever,&rdquo; Bert
+suggested.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;That may look all right in print,&rdquo; grumbled
+Bob, &ldquo;but how are you going to do it?&rdquo;</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I know how we can work it all right,&rdquo; said
+one of the men. &ldquo;See those big stones over
+there? Well, the first thing to do is to bring
+them over here.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, I see what you mean to do,&rdquo; Bert chimed
+in eagerly. &ldquo;There are lots of big tree branches
+lying around. Looks as if they had been blown
+down in some storm. We can use them for
+levers.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Guess you&rsquo;ve got the right idea, son,&rdquo; said
+the man who had first spoken. &ldquo;Now let&rsquo;s get
+down to business.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>It was a work of time to place the stones in
+the right position and to pick out branches that
+would stand the strain. It proved a tremendous
+task to lift the heavy car. At times they almost
+despaired of moving it. However, it was that
+very desperation that gave them strength at last.
+Inch by inch, slowly, carefully, they finally forced
+the great car upward, until with a sigh of relief
+they realized that the task was finished.</p>
+
+<p>The boys dropped to the ground, exhausted by
+the unusual exertion. It doesn&rsquo;t take very long,
+though, for strong, healthy boys to recover from
+any strain, however great; so in a few minutes
+they were again in the car and ready to start
+for camp. It was too late to go further, and
+after thanking the men for their help they started
+back&mdash;slowly this time.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>It was after dark when they reached the camp,
+and Mr. Hollis, although confident of Bert&rsquo;s resourcefulness,
+was beginning to be slightly worried
+when the wanderers appeared at last upon the
+scene.</p>
+
+<p>In a very few moments the half-famished boys
+were seated at a most appetizing meal, to which
+they did full justice.</p>
+
+<p>The rest of the fellows listened with the greatest
+interest, while Tom related the adventure.
+Bert and Mr. Hollis at a little distance discussed
+the events of the day and planned to renew the
+trip on the following morning.</p>
+
+<p>It was only when everything was quiet in the
+camp and the boys were supposed to be asleep,
+that Tom, rising on his elbow, called out softly:</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Hello. Are you asleep over there?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Just turning the corner,&rdquo; came a sleepy voice.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well, stay on this side for a minute. I was
+just thinking that in that wild ride we never even
+looked for a place to pitch camp.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Gee, that&rsquo;s so,&rdquo; came the voice, a little less
+sleepy this time. &ldquo;Well, of all the boneheads
+we&rsquo;re the limit. I always thought my head was
+hard, but now I know it&rsquo;s solid. Oh, well,&rdquo; and
+again the voice grew sleepy, &ldquo;we&rsquo;ll have plenty
+of time to-morrow to think of that. I&rsquo;m too
+tired now. Good night. I&rsquo;ve just got to&mdash;turn&mdash;the&mdash;corner.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Where Tom promptly joined him.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III</h2>
+
+<h3><span class="smcap">The Copperhead</span></h3>
+
+
+<p class="cap">Bright and early next morning Bert awoke
+to find the sunbeams playing all over his tent.
+He noticed lazily what funny spots they made on
+Tom&rsquo;s sleeping face. Then, with a start, he remembered
+that Tom had grumbled the night before
+because they would have to get up early to
+catch a mess of fish for breakfast.</p>
+
+<p>Thinking that he would wait a little while till
+Tom woke up, he rolled off his cot on to the floor
+so that he could command a view of the brook
+through the open tent flap. He had just made
+himself comfortable when an irritable voice
+hailed him from the direction of Tom&rsquo;s cot:</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;That you, Bert? What are you doing awake
+at this unearthly hour?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Same as yourself, I suppose,&rdquo; came the calm
+reply.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Humph! Well, you&rsquo;re not going to rout me
+out at five o&rsquo;clock in the morning.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t be a bear, Tom. We&rsquo;ve got to help
+the fellows catch that fish and you know it, so
+the sooner we start the better. A couple of the
+fellows are down there now.&rdquo;</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, well, I suppose we&rsquo;ve got to, then, worse
+luck. They probably will guy us unmercifully,
+too, about yesterday. It&rsquo;s a wonder they didn&rsquo;t,
+last night,&rdquo; which was all the credit the boys got
+for trying to save the feelings of the reckless
+volunteers.</p>
+
+<p>As the two comrades ran swiftly down to the
+water&rsquo;s edge, they noticed that Shorty&mdash;Philip
+Strong had been nicknamed Shorty because of his
+very small figure&mdash;was tugging hard at his line.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Got a bite, Shorty?&rdquo; they shouted, when
+they came within hailing distance.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Bet your life, and it&rsquo;s pulling like a good fellow,
+too.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Better let me help; I&rsquo;m stronger than you,&rdquo;
+offered Bob, who was sitting a little distance down
+the bank and whose luck hadn&rsquo;t been of the best
+up to that time.</p>
+
+<p>Now, a very sore point with Shorty was his
+lack of strength, and whenever anybody referred
+to it, no matter with what good intentions, he
+always bristled up as if at a personal insult. This
+morning that very touchiness proved to be his undoing,
+for, as he got to his feet, intending to inform
+Bob that he could do very well without any
+of his help, the fish gave a sudden jerk to the line
+that made Shorty lose his balance and tumble
+head-first into the water.</p>
+
+<p>The boys, convulsed with laughter, fished him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span>
+up, dripping and sheepish. Without thanking
+the boys for their help, Shorty zig-zagged up to
+the tent, making, it must be confessed, a rather
+sorry figure. When they finally had managed to
+get the line up they found that the cause of
+Shorty&rsquo;s undoing had escaped.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Poor little Shorty, he&rsquo;s always getting into
+trouble,&rdquo; one of the boys said when he had
+breath enough.</p>
+
+<p>Then, as the time was getting short, they all
+settled down in good earnest to their task and,
+before the camp was awake at half-past six, had
+caught a &ldquo;corking mess,&rdquo; as they expressed it.</p>
+
+<p>As each tent poured forth its several occupants,
+the fishermen took their mornings catch to the
+mess tent and went to report&mdash;some of them with
+sinking hearts, it is to be feared&mdash;to Mr. Hollis.</p>
+
+<p>However, the leader was very lenient with the
+offenders, merely reprimanding their carelessness
+and cautioning them not again to forget that they
+had pledged their word of honor to render him
+the most absolute obedience in every particular.</p>
+
+<p>Upon the boys eagerly promising that they
+wouldn&rsquo;t offend again and upon Bert&rsquo;s asking to
+be allowed to have another chance to find the
+camp site, permission was given and they sauntered
+away, filled with the happy anticipation of
+laurels still to be won.</p>
+
+<p>Soon after breakfast the &ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span>
+brought out and the original volunteers, their
+ranks swelled by three new recruits, Shorty
+among them, started off up the hill amid the
+cheers and good wishes of the fellows.</p>
+
+<p>For an hour they rode steadily up hill and
+down dale until they saw far off through the
+trees the faint gleam of water. Running the
+auto into the woods for a short distance, they all
+jumped out and started to investigate.</p>
+
+<p>The boys thought they had never seen the
+woods when they were as beautiful as on that
+day. They had not gone very far before Bert,
+who was in the lead, called back, &ldquo;Come here,
+fellows and see this grove of chestnut trees.
+Isn&rsquo;t it great?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>The boys all hurried forward and there, sure
+enough, was a regular colony of chestnut trees,
+their huge branches giving promise of abundant
+harvest, when the frost came.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Say, fellows, its a shame not to be able to
+get any good out of these nuts that are sure to
+be so plentiful in the fall. Don&rsquo;t you suppose we
+might arrange to stay until the frost comes?&rdquo;
+Shorty asked.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I should think we ought to be able to fix it
+up,&rdquo; said Frank. &ldquo;We can ask Mr. Hollis about
+it anyway.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Then they started again, on the lookout for
+other finds. All the way along they came across<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span>
+numbers of clear, cold springs and never failed
+to test each one. More than once they had to
+cross brooks on stones that were not over steady
+and, at one time, a very loose one nearly caused
+Shorty another ducking.</p>
+
+<p>At last they reached the border of the woods
+and looked out upon a sight that held them spellbound.
+There before them was a smooth, grassy
+stretch of ground, dotted here and there with
+beautiful, spreading oak trees. Sloping gently
+down, it stopped at the edge of a clear, transparent
+lake that reflected the radiant brightness
+of the sun. On the other side the ground was
+level for a short distance and then rose forming
+a small hill, richly carpeted with low shrubs and
+gorgeously colored wild flowers. Branches of
+trees drooped low over the lake, as if trying to
+catch their own reflections in its clear depths.
+Birds twittered and sang in the branches, joyously
+mingling their bubbling notes with the music
+of a rippling brook near by. It seemed as
+if the soft voice of Nature spoke to them in the
+murmuring of the trees, sang to them in the song
+of the birds, joyously called to them in the babble
+of the brook, smiled a welcome to them from
+the bright surface of the lake.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Gee!&rdquo; said Tom, drawing a long breath.
+&ldquo;It sure is wonderful!&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Wonderful!&rdquo; Bert exclaimed. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s by far<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span>
+the most beautiful place I&rsquo;ve ever had the luck
+to locate! Come on, fellows, let&rsquo;s take a look
+around.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>So look around they did and found that every
+thing about this ideal spot was all they could possibly
+ask for&mdash;and more. After examining
+everything in sight they found that they were
+just about starved, so they sat down under one
+of the trees near the lake and spread out the
+contents of the lunch basket. After a feast of
+chicken, canned salmon, cornbread, maple syrup,
+and sweetened lemon juice, which, when mixed
+with cold spring water made a very tempting
+drink, they started off with the empty lunch
+basket, the latter being, as one of the boys remarked,
+&ldquo;a heap sight lighter than it was when
+we started.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s all right,&rdquo; said Frank, &ldquo;but I feel
+a heap sight heavier.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;You shouldn&rsquo;t have eaten so much,&rdquo; Shorty
+reproved him.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;If I&rsquo;d eaten as much as you have, Philip
+Strong,&rdquo; Frank retorted, &ldquo;I wouldn&rsquo;t be able to
+walk.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Speaking of eating,&rdquo; said Shorty, sniffing the
+air inquiringly, &ldquo;do any of you fellows smell
+cucumbers?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;What&rsquo;s the matter, Shorty? Has the little<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span>
+ducking you indulged in this morning addled your
+brains? Whoever heard of cucumbers in the
+woods?&rdquo; said Frank contemptuously.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I know it sounds foolish but it&rsquo;s the truth
+just the same,&rdquo; and Shorty stood his ground
+stoutly.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Shorty&rsquo;s right, boys: I noticed the cucumber
+smell quite a while ago and it seems to grow
+stronger the farther we go,&rdquo; said Bert.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;By George, that&rsquo;s so! I smell it myself,
+now.&rdquo; &ldquo;I do, too.&rdquo; &ldquo;So do I.&rdquo; and various
+other exclamations of the same sort showed that
+Shorty was right.</p>
+
+<p>The boys scattered all over trying to locate
+the odor, which was very strong at this time.
+Tom was the first to discover the cause of it.
+At his low, imperative, &ldquo;Come here quick, fellows,
+but don&rsquo;t make a noise,&rdquo; they all ran to
+see what was the matter.</p>
+
+<p>Excitedly he pointed to a long, copper-colored
+snake, that seemed to be watching a bird&rsquo;s nest
+built low in one of the bushes. The mother bird
+was hovering distractedly over her nest, uttering
+shrill, excited cries that brought her mate to her
+side. Just then the snake coiled ready to strike
+and the boys looked around desperately for stones
+but Bert had gotten ahead of them. As soon as
+he had seen what was happening he had slipped<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span>
+noiselessly away to a brook they had just passed
+and, snatching up a heavy stone, had hurried
+back to the scene of the tragedy. So, as soon
+as the snake had its head in a position to strike
+he hurled the stone directly at it. Slowly and
+convulsively the snake untwined and finally lay
+still.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s strange I didn&rsquo;t think of that cucumber
+smell being caused by a copperhead,&rdquo; said Bert;
+&ldquo;I used to kill them every once in a while
+when I was at my uncle&rsquo;s farm.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Just then, Tom called their attention to the
+mother bird. &ldquo;Doesn&rsquo;t it almost seem as if she
+were thanking us?&rdquo; And it really did seem so.
+The little bird had settled back on her nest with
+her black eyes fixed gratefully on her rescuers
+and making little, low, gurgling noises way down
+in her throat. Nearby on a low branch the
+father bird was swaying back and forth, pouring
+out his musical notes straight from a little heart
+bursting with gratitude and joy.</p>
+
+<p>Leaving the happy family to its own devices,
+the boys took up the trail again. In high spirits,
+they chased each other over fallen logs and
+through the dense foliage, peered into squirrels&rsquo;
+holes and rabbits&rsquo; burrows, commented upon the
+appearance and habits of the sly little chipmunk
+and other interesting, woodland creatures.</p>
+
+<p>Before they realized it they had come upon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span>
+the &ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; standing just as they had left it in
+its leafy garage.</p>
+
+<p>While they were on the way home they examined
+the snake skin. It was a beauty of its
+kind. It was about a yard long and the sixteen
+copper-red, moccasin-shaped stripes were very
+clearly defined.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as they reached camp they gave in
+their report to Mr. Hollis. The boys all
+crowded around, eager to hear about the snake
+and camp site. The heroes of the day were
+deluged with questions. &ldquo;How did you get
+it?&rdquo; &ldquo;Have you found a good place for
+camp?&rdquo; &ldquo;Where is it?&rdquo; &ldquo;What does it look
+like?&rdquo; &ldquo;Tell us all about it.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Finally, Mr. Hollis, seeing how tired and
+hungry they were, came to their rescue, proposing
+that they eat their supper first and save the
+tale of adventure until the camp council. At
+first they agreed rather hesitatingly but, as an
+appetizing smell issued forth from the mess tent,
+they found that they couldn&rsquo;t get there fast
+enough.</p>
+
+<p>After supper the boys made a roaring fire and
+squatted around it, waiting for the roll-call.
+Then Mr. Hollis called the roll, beginning with
+Adams and ending with Taylor. As everybody
+was there, the reports were called for. Every
+boy reported his adventures and experiences during<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span>
+the day; all of which would have been intensely
+interesting to the boys as a rule, but they
+were so anxious to hear Bert&rsquo;s report that they
+passed over the others rapidly.</p>
+
+<p>When at last Bert&rsquo;s turn came, they all crowded
+forward with eager interest, and they were not
+disappointed. Bert told his story simply and
+well, and was not once interrupted.</p>
+
+<p>When the tale was finished the boys fairly
+exploded. Cries of &ldquo;Isn&rsquo;t it great?&rdquo; &ldquo;Everything
+is sure going our way this year,&rdquo; mingled
+with &ldquo;How did you manage to get the stone
+without the snake hearing you?&rdquo; &ldquo;What are
+you going to do with the skin now that you&rsquo;ve
+got it?&rdquo; And to all Bert gave a satisfactory
+answer.</p>
+
+<p>It was a long time before the boys could quiet
+down and even then they felt like hearing something
+exciting.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Who can tell a good ghost story?&rdquo; Bob
+asked.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Dave&rsquo;s the boy. Come on, Dave, put on
+your thinking cap.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Dave Ferris had been elected official story
+teller at the beginning, because he always had a
+stock on hand, and they were generally thrilling
+tales of adventure or weird ghost stories, the kind
+that boys always revel in.</p>
+
+<p>Dave was silent, thinking for a little while.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span>
+Then he said, &ldquo;All right boys, here goes. Are
+you ready?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>To a chorus of &ldquo;Sure thing, fire away, and
+break the speed limit,&rdquo; they all gathered closer
+together around the fire and Dave began his
+story.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2>
+
+<h3><span class="smcap">The Challenge</span></h3>
+
+
+<p class="cap">Dave certainly could not complain of a bored
+or indifferent audience. Even Mr. Hollis
+was absorbed and listened with a smile on his
+kindly face. He was always intensely interested
+in anything the boys said or did, and was never
+happier than when he saw that they were especially
+enjoying themselves.</p>
+
+<p>Dave had just reached the most thrilling part
+of his story, and in their imaginations the boys
+could hear the wailings of the ghost and the
+clanking of his chains. He was describing the
+awful appearance of its sunken fiery eyes, when
+Shorty happened to glance apprehensively around
+and immediately emitted a blood-curdling yell.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;The ghost! The ghost!&rdquo; he stammered,
+pointing in the direction of the road. All leaped
+to their feet and followed the direction of
+Shorty&rsquo;s trembling finger, and for a moment
+even Bert Wilson felt a queer little tightening
+sensation about the heart, for there, apparently
+coming directly toward them, were the fiery eyes
+that Dave had just described with such gusto.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Why, you simps,&rdquo; laughed Bert, &ldquo;that&rsquo;s no
+ghost, or if it is, it is the most solid spook I
+ever heard of. Those are the acetylene lamps
+of another auto,&rdquo; and as he spoke he exchanged
+significant glances with Mr. Hollis.</p>
+
+<p>Somewhat ashamed of having been so startled,
+the boys now fell to guessing at the mission of
+the strange car. They had not long to wait.
+In a few minutes they could hear the purring of
+its exhaust, and soon a great gray automobile
+dashed into camp and drew up in front of the
+fire.</p>
+
+<p>From it descended a genial looking man, apparently
+of about the same age as Mr. Hollis,
+followed by five clean cut young fellows.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Hollis and Mr. Thompson, as the new
+comer&rsquo;s name proved to be, evidently knew each
+other and shook hands heartily. Meanwhile the
+camp boys mingled with their unexpected guests
+and with the freemasonry of youth soon became
+chummy.</p>
+
+<p>The only fault perhaps that could be found
+with the new arrivals was that they seemed to be
+a trifle overbearing, and evidently thought that
+their car, which they called the &ldquo;Gray Ghost,&rdquo;
+could beat any other automobile ever made.</p>
+
+<p>It is needless to state that Bert&rsquo;s crowd felt
+the same way regarding the &ldquo;Red Scout,&rdquo; so
+that the boys were soon engaged in a heated argument<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span>
+concerning the respective merits of their
+cars.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Why,&rdquo; maintained Tom, hotly, &ldquo;you fellows
+have no idea what our &lsquo;Red Scout&rsquo; can do in
+the way of speed and hill climbing. Just to-day
+we were out on a run and, though I didn&rsquo;t
+actually time it, I am dead sure there were
+stretches where we did as well as a mile a minute.
+What do you think of that?&rdquo; he asked triumphantly.</p>
+
+<p>Indeed, this seemed to cool the visitors down
+somewhat and they exchanged surprised glances.
+But they soon recovered their confidence and
+went on to describe the speed qualities of their
+car with ever-increasing enthusiasm.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;It was just a short time ago,&rdquo; said one whose
+name turned out to be Ralph Quinby, &ldquo;that we
+took the &lsquo;Gray Ghost&rsquo; around the old race track
+just outside the town, and we averaged over fifty
+miles an hour. We could have gone much faster
+too, only Mr. Thompson would not let us. I&rsquo;ll
+just bet your auto couldn&rsquo;t go as fast as that.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>It was now the turn of their hosts to look
+doubtful. They were sure, however, that the
+&ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; could hold its own with any other
+car, and as they thought of their idolized driver,
+Bert Wilson, their confidence came back with a
+rush.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; replied Tom, drawing a long breath,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span>
+&ldquo;you fellows evidently think you could win in
+a race and we just <i>know</i> that we could, so I guess
+the only way to settle the dispute is to run off a
+race somewhere and prove which is the better
+machine. I know we&rsquo;d be willing if you would,
+wouldn&rsquo;t we, boys?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>There was a chorus of approving shouts from
+his companions, but the visitors only smiled in a
+superior fashion, and evidently thought there
+could be but one conclusion to any race in which
+their car was entered.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile, Mr. Hollis and Mr. Thompson
+were holding an earnest conversation in which
+the latter seemed to be urging some point about
+which Mr. Hollis apparently hesitated. In fact,
+Mr. Thompson was trying to get Mr. Hollis to
+give his consent to a race between the cars owned
+by the two camps. But the latter thought that
+it would involve too much risk for the boys who
+drove the machines.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;You see, it&rsquo;s this way,&rdquo; he was saying, &ldquo;you
+and I, Thompson, are responsible for the safety
+of these boys. We both feel toward them as
+though they belonged to us and if anything happened
+to them we would never forgive ourselves.
+It seems to me too big a risk to take merely for
+the sake of seeing who owns the faster car.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, you&rsquo;re dead right there, of course,&rdquo; returned
+Mr. Thompson, &ldquo;but then I don&rsquo;t think<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span>
+the risk is so great as you imagine. I have seen
+the track they would use, provided the race was
+run, and I think there would be little, if any,
+danger. The track has not been used for several
+years and most of the fence is missing, so that
+if they ran off the course itself, it would only be
+a matter of running over the grass until they
+stopped. You know me well enough to realize
+that I would not sanction anything that contained
+too large an element of peril. As for the
+slight risk that undoubtedly exists, it seems to
+me that it would not hurt the boys to take it,
+and it would teach them self-reliance and confidence.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;As far as that goes,&rdquo; said Mr. Hollis, smiling
+reluctantly, &ldquo;my boys have too much confidence
+in themselves and I have to be constantly
+curbing their tendencies toward taking chances.
+However, I have every confidence in your judgment,
+so I suppose I might as well consent this
+once. I wish to have it understood, however,
+that this is the last as well as the first race they
+ever run, win or lose.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;That suits me all right, so I guess we can
+consider it settled,&rdquo; answered Mr. Thompson,
+&ldquo;what do you say to going over and having a
+look at the machines? You haven&rsquo;t seen our
+car yet, have you?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;No, that&rsquo;s a pleasure still in store for me,&rdquo;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span>
+replied Mr. Hollis; and the two men rose and
+strolled over to where the cars stood, their brass
+work glittering in the light of the dancing campfire.</p>
+
+<p>By this time most of the boys had gathered
+around the cars, but they saluted and made way
+respectfully for their leaders as they came up.
+They both smiled when they saw Bert and Ralph
+Quinby, for they were so engrossed in the discussion
+of the respective merits and appliances
+of their cars that they did not even notice the
+coming of their leaders.</p>
+
+<p>Such terms as &ldquo;gear ratios,&rdquo; &ldquo;revolutions per
+minute&rdquo; and &ldquo;three point suspension&rdquo; filled the
+air, and Mr. Hollis whispered to Mr. Thompson:
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll wager that those boys saturate their
+handkerchiefs with gasoline, so that whenever
+they get a block away from a machine they can
+smell gasoline and feel at home again.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Wouldn&rsquo;t be surprised if they did,&rdquo; laughed
+Mr. Thompson.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Here, you fellows come out of your trance,&rdquo;
+called Dick, and Bert and Ralph turned quickly
+around and saluted.</p>
+
+<p>Their leaders returned the salute, and Mr.
+Thompson said: &ldquo;Well, I suppose both you
+boys think you have a pretty fast machine there.
+How would you like to have a test of speed?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>There was a chorus of excited cries and exclamations<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span>
+from the boys, and their leaders
+smiled indulgently.</p>
+
+<p>Bert stepped forward and said: &ldquo;I think,
+sir, that I speak for Mr. Quinby as well as myself
+when I say that nothing would suit us better.&rdquo;
+Ralph gave a nod of assent and Bert went on:
+&ldquo;We will both promise to be cautious, and I
+think if we take proper precautions we will be
+able to run off a good race without an accident.
+How long do you think the race ought to
+be?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;How long is the track that you propose
+using?&rdquo; inquired Mr. Hollis.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Why, it&rsquo;s just one mile, isn&rsquo;t it Ralph?&rdquo;
+asked Mr. Thompson.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, sir,&rdquo; replied Ralph.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well, it seems to me,&rdquo; said Mr. Thompson,
+&ldquo;that ten miles, that is ten full laps around the
+track, ought to be about right. Will that be
+satisfactory to you, Mr. Hollis?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, I can see no objection to that,&rdquo; replied
+the latter, &ldquo;what day shall we have the race?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;How would a week from today suit you?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Let me see, that will be Tuesday, won&rsquo;t it?
+I guess that will be satisfactory to all concerned.
+How do you boys feel about it?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>They voiced a unanimous assent to these arrangements,
+and both sides started discussing the
+various chances and possibilities of the contest,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span>
+but with perfect good humor and friendly feeling.</p>
+
+<p>It was now getting late, however, and the
+discipline of the camps could not be too much relaxed,
+even in the face of such an important event
+as this. Accordingly, hearty farewells were exchanged,
+and the visitors climbed into their big
+gray car.</p>
+
+<p>All the boys gathered around expectantly to
+note the behavior of the car when it started,
+and it must be admitted that even Bert Wilson&rsquo;s
+expert eye could find no defect in the handling or
+running of the rival machine. Ralph started it
+smoothly and without a jerk, and soon all they
+could see of it was the angry gleam of its red
+tail-light.</p>
+
+<p>As they turned away to prepare for sleep,
+Jim remarked: &ldquo;Aw, I bet we&rsquo;ll have a walkover
+in that race.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Bert knew better, however, and was convinced
+that he would have to use every ounce of power
+that the &ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; possessed to beat the &ldquo;Gray
+Ghost.&rdquo; But one thing he was sure of, and that
+was that whoever won it was going to be a
+mighty close race. He did not make the mistake
+of underrating his rival, as so many boys in his
+position would have done, but made up his mind
+to do the very best he could, right from the
+start.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>For a long time he stood staring at the &ldquo;Red
+Scout,&rdquo; and then raised its shining hood and patted
+the spotless cylinders.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I guess we can do it, old boy, but you will
+have to stand by me and work as you have never
+worked before,&rdquo; he said, and gently lowered the
+hood and walked off toward his tent.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V</h2>
+
+<h3><span class="smcap">The Hoboes and the Bees</span></h3>
+
+
+<p class="cap">Early in the morning the boys began to break
+camp and start for the new location.
+Groups of three or four were detailed by Mr.
+Hollis to accomplish certain tasks and they
+started to carry out his directions right merrily.
+Some were sent to store the provisions and cooking
+utensils; others to take down the tents and
+gather together their blankets and other bedding;
+still others got together the fishing tackle
+and all was done to the accompaniment of songs
+and jests and laughter, so that before they knew
+it everything was ready to dump into the old
+farm wagons they had hired for the purpose.
+When everything was packed in the wagon that
+would possibly go in, Mr. Hollis selected Tom
+to ride beside the driver and show him where
+to go.</p>
+
+<p>After the wagon had started off, some of the
+boys&rsquo; own personal belongings that were left
+over were put in the &ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; and seven of the
+fellows scrambled in someway&mdash;trust boys to
+find room if there is any to be found&mdash;and started<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span>
+away after the wagon. They soon passed it and
+went on until they came to the turn in the road
+where the lake could be dimly seen through the
+trees. There Bert stopped and the boys got out,
+taking the packages with them. Shorty had been
+detailed to lead them to the lake and then to come
+back and wait for the farm wagon.</p>
+
+<p>Then Bert went back to pick up Mr. Hollis
+and Dick Trent who had stayed behind to see
+that nothing had been forgotten.</p>
+
+<p>On the way back he passed the wagon and
+hailed Tom with a &ldquo;How are you getting along,
+old man?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Pretty badly, I thank you. I wish Mr. Hollis
+had picked out somebody else for this job&mdash;someone
+who didn&rsquo;t care if he spent hours getting
+nowhere,&rdquo; Tom replied sourly.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Cheer up, the worst is yet to come,&rdquo; laughed
+Bert. &ldquo;Never mind, even the worst trials have
+to end some time,&rdquo; he added consolingly and
+started off again while Tom looked enviously
+after the red car, now fast disappearing in the
+distance.</p>
+
+<p>When Bert reached the old camp site, now
+looking very bare and forlorn, he found Mr.
+Hollis and the boys waiting impatiently for him.
+Mr. Hollis and Dick got in, followed by six of
+the boys. Bert promised to come back for the
+rest right away and the &ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; started off<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span>
+with its second load. In a little while, for Bert
+had found a second and much shorter road to the
+lake, they came once more to &ldquo;Campers&rsquo; Crossing&rdquo;
+as the boys had named it. There they
+found that the wagon had just arrived with its
+load, but the boys had delayed unloading it until
+Mr. Hollis should reach the scene of action. In
+a minute the Camp Master had taken charge and
+the boys were busy unloading and carrying everything
+to the camp.</p>
+
+<p>Once more Bert started back with the reliable
+&ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; for his last load. When he got to
+the old camp the boys greeted him with the news
+that Jim Dawson had disappeared and couldn&rsquo;t
+be found anywhere.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;He was here just a few minutes ago,&rdquo; said
+Steve Thomas. &ldquo;But when I went to ask him
+a question just now he was gone. We have
+hunted high and low but we can&rsquo;t find a trace of
+him.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Bert was troubled at first, but suddenly a
+thought struck him and his face lighted up as he
+exclaimed: &ldquo;I think I can explain the mystery.
+Follow me, fellows.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>He led them through a dense thicket to the
+side of a hill, covered with underbrush. Pulling
+a bush aside, he disclosed to the boys&rsquo; astonished
+gaze, a great, black hole which was evidently
+the mouth of a cave.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Come on out, Jim,&rdquo; Bert called. &ldquo;We don&rsquo;t
+want to keep Mr. Hollis waiting <i>too</i> long, you
+know.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Jim Dawson was one of those hungry boys
+who never can get enough to eat, so, having discovered
+the cave one day, while chasing a butterfly,
+he had secretly brought food there in a
+tin box, so that if he chanced to get hungry, he
+always had something to eat at hand.</p>
+
+<p>Bert had discovered the cave and its secret
+long ago but he was not given to tale-bearing
+and so had kept his own counsel.</p>
+
+<p>As Bert spoke, a sound was heard inside the
+cave, and, in a minute, out came the culprit with
+an accusing piece of cornbread in his hand, blinking
+like an owl brought suddenly into the glare
+of the sun.</p>
+
+<p>At the look of complete surprise and dismay
+on his face the boys burst into a shout of
+laughter.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, you lemon,&rdquo; gasped Steve. &ldquo;You full-sized
+lemon! How did you ever manage to get
+away with it?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;No wonder we have been short of grub,
+lately,&rdquo; Dave said, holding his sides as if he
+were afraid he would burst.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Aw, I don&rsquo;t see why you can&rsquo;t leave a fellow
+alone,&rdquo; said Jim, sulkily. &ldquo;I only brought
+grub here that belonged to me.&rdquo;</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t be sore, Jim,&rdquo; Bert said, good-naturedly.
+&ldquo;I wouldn&rsquo;t have disturbed you if we
+hadn&rsquo;t been in a hurry. That reminds me that
+we&rsquo;ve wasted a good deal of valuable time, already.
+I guess we had better be getting along.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>At that they all started back on the run and
+soon had Jim in such a good humor that he even
+told them how he had escaped being found out
+by a narrow margin many a time, and that nobody
+but Bert had even suspected the cave&rsquo;s existence.</p>
+
+<p>They all piled into the &ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; in a hurry
+because they feared that Mr. Hollis would worry
+on account of their prolonged absence.</p>
+
+<p>They arrived at &ldquo;Campers&rsquo; Crossing&rdquo; just in
+time to carry the last barrel of provisions. When
+they reached the new camp the boys were surprised
+to see how much had been done in their
+absence. The tents had been set up and from
+the mess tent came the clattering of utensils
+and the savory odor of creamed salmon on
+toast.</p>
+
+<p>Soon, the call to dinner was heard, and the
+boys all gathered around the table, chattering
+like magpies.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;It seems as if we&rsquo;d always camped here,&rdquo;
+said Shorty. &ldquo;There&rsquo;s something about the
+place that makes you feel at home right away.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s the classiest place I&rsquo;ve ever been in,&rdquo;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span>
+Dave Ferris declared, enthusiastically. &ldquo;It
+makes you imagine that Nature might have had
+a little time on her hands and devoted it to
+making this one spot a little paradise.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Hear! Hear!&rdquo; Tom cried, clapping his
+hands in mock praise. &ldquo;Dave will be a poet if
+he doesn&rsquo;t look out. Give us some more, old
+man, the sample&rsquo;s good.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;You&rsquo;d better be careful how you</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">&ldquo;&lsquo;Beard the lion in his den<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The Ferris in his hall,&rsquo;&rdquo;<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p class="noi">said Dick Trent, warningly. &ldquo;He won&rsquo;t favor
+us with any more stories if you are not careful
+how you offend him.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;d just as soon he&rsquo;d spout all the poetry he
+wants to if it relieves him any, as long as he
+doesn&rsquo;t forget how to tell stories,&rdquo; Shorty remarked
+as he contentedly munched a piece of
+toast.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;How very kind of you,&rdquo; said Dave, sarcastically.
+&ldquo;I thank you with all my heart for
+your liberality.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;My which? Say, Dave, if that ever belonged
+to me, I call you all to witness that I disown
+it from this time on. It&rsquo;s no friend of mine
+from this time on.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;You&rsquo;d better hang on to it, Shorty. It&rsquo;s the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span>
+best kind of thing to have around at times,&rdquo; said
+Mr. Hollis, as he rose to leave the table.</p>
+
+<p>In the afternoon scouting parties were sent
+out in all directions to find out the nature of the
+surrounding country. Steve Thomas, Bert,
+Tom, Bob, Shorty, and Jim Dawson were sent
+off to scour the woods in an easterly direction
+from the lake.</p>
+
+<p>For a considerable distance they tramped
+along, talking of the different plants and shrubs
+they came across and naming the birds they saw
+in the trees. They threw peanuts to the squirrels
+that peeped inquiringly at them from
+branches over their heads or ventured shyly from
+the shelter of their holes. They imitated the
+clear notes of the birds until the little songsters
+paused to look wonderingly at these strange
+creatures that could not fly and yet sang like
+themselves. Timid little rabbits watched the
+boys with soft, brown eyes, not knowing whether
+or not to sally forth from their security even for
+the tempting carrot that Bert held out so coaxingly.
+When he threw it at a distance, however,
+one little fellow, braver than the others, his appetite
+overcoming his fears, ran forth quickly,
+snatched the carrot and scurried back in a panic
+to his burrow, where, with his bright eyes fixed
+on these humans who had been so kind to him, he
+ate contentedly.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Suddenly the quiet woods rang with shouts
+and cries, the barking of a dog and the noise of
+people running to and fro furiously. Alarmed,
+the boys started on a run for the place from which
+the cries seemed to come. They fairly gasped
+when they came upon the cause of all the commotion.
+<a href="#image02">Three men, of the roughest order, were
+dancing distractedly around</a>, trying to beat off a
+swarm of bees that surrounded them, and yelling
+like mad, while a big collie dog, wild with
+excitement, barked with all his might.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 384px;">
+<a name="image02" id="image02"><img src="images/image02.jpg" width="384" height="600" alt="Three men of the roughest order were dancing distractedly around." title="Three men of the roughest order were dancing distractedly around." /></a>
+<br /><span class="caption"><a href="#Page_46">Three men of the roughest order were dancing distractedly around.</a></span>
+</div>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Say, this is better than a circus,&rdquo; Shorty
+shouted, &ldquo;only I&rsquo;m glad that those hoboes and
+not I are the whole show now.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Shut up, Shorty. The question now, is, what
+we can do to help the poor fellows out,&rdquo; said
+Tom; then, turning to the tramps, he yelled,
+&ldquo;You&rsquo;d better make a dive for the brook and
+get under water. It&rsquo;s right through the trees
+to your left,&rdquo; he added, as the men, now nearly
+crazy with pain, started to follow his advice.</p>
+
+<p>Rushing frantically to the brook, they plunged
+in head first, while the bees, deprived of their
+prey, flew off angrily into the woods to search for
+new victims upon whom they might vent their
+spite. When the tramps came up, dripping from
+the water, they were a sight to behold. Their
+faces were swollen so that their eyes seemed to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span>
+mere slits and their ears appeared to be twice
+their natural size.</p>
+
+<p>The boys at once ran to get mud to put on the
+red, angry wounds. The tramps submitted with
+indifferent grace to the treatment, grumbling that
+they &ldquo;didn&rsquo;t see what good being all smeared up
+with mud was going to do.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>As soon as the boys had done what they could
+to ease the pain, the tramps declared that they
+would have to be moving on &ldquo;because them pesky
+critters might come back to finish up their business.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>So the boys watched the strange company of
+sullen, muttering men disappear through the
+trees. As they were lost to view, the comical
+side of the adventure struck Shorty and he began
+to laugh and the longer he laughed, the harder
+he laughed. The others caught the infection
+and in a second the woods were ringing with the
+unrestrained roars of the boys. They laughed
+until they could laugh no more and then lay on
+the grass, gasping for breath.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, they did look <i>so</i> funny!&rdquo; said Shorty between
+gasps. &ldquo;I never shall forget that sight
+until my dying day.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>At that minute Bert sat up suddenly, exclaiming,
+&ldquo;Fellows, look who&rsquo;s here!&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>With one accord they turned and saw the collie<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span>
+which they had entirely forgotten, sitting near
+and regarding them with inquiring, wistful eyes.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Come here, Beauty,&rdquo; Bert called, and the
+dog came unhesitatingly and stuck his cold, black
+muzzle in Bert&rsquo;s hand.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Did they desert you, old fellow?&rdquo; Bert
+asked, putting his arm around the dog&rsquo;s neck.</p>
+
+<p>The collie waved his beautiful brush and, lifting
+his soft eyes to Bert&rsquo;s face saw something
+there that made him his slave forevermore. For
+the collie, with true dog instinct, had recognized
+that in Bert he had a friend.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I wonder where those tramps got him.&rdquo;
+&ldquo;Probably swiped him.&rdquo; &ldquo;Doesn&rsquo;t look as if
+he&rsquo;d had very good treatment.&rdquo; &ldquo;He doesn&rsquo;t
+and it&rsquo;s a shame, too. Isn&rsquo;t he a beauty?&rdquo; were
+some of the comments of the boys as they gathered
+around the dog, patting his head gently.
+The collie waved his tail and in his eyes was a
+great longing for sympathy and love. And you
+may be sure the boys gave him what he asked
+for.</p>
+
+<p>Tired out, the boys finally went back to camp,
+followed by their new friend who soon became
+a favorite with everyone. That night Don, as
+they called the dog, sat with the rest around the
+camp fire and answered whenever they spoke to
+him with a wave of his silver brush. Bert made
+him a bed on the floor of his tent and Don gladly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span>
+took possession of it. Just before he got into
+bed Bert put his hand on the dog&rsquo;s head, saying,
+&ldquo;I guess we&rsquo;re going to be good friends aren&rsquo;t
+we, old fellow?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>And Don, looking up in his master&rsquo;s face, with
+eyes that held a world of gratitude and love, answered
+to Bert&rsquo;s entire satisfaction.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2>
+
+<h3><span class="smcap">Shorty Goes to the Ant</span></h3>
+
+
+<p class="cap">The next morning, when the boys drew aside
+the flaps of their tents, the sky was dark
+and lowering. A good many anxious glances
+were thrown at the clouds and open disapproval
+of the outlook was not slow in breaking out.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Gee, what a fearful day,&rdquo; said Jim.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;You bet it is,&rdquo; chimed in Shorty.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s our luck,&rdquo; wailed Dave, &ldquo;just when
+I wanted to go to town to get a new blade for
+the jack-knife I broke yesterday.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, come off, you pessimists,&rdquo; sang out Bert,
+who had just plunged his head in a bucket of cold
+water and now was rubbing his face until it
+shone, &ldquo;somewhere the sun is shining.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Heap of good that does us,&rdquo; grumbled
+Shorty, &ldquo;but say,&rdquo; as he turned to Bert suspiciously,
+&ldquo;what sort of thing was that you called
+us?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I said you were pessimists.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well, what does that jawbreaker mean?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Why,&rdquo; said Bert, who could not resist his
+propensity to tease, &ldquo;that means that you are not
+optimists.&rdquo;</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Worse and worse and more of it,&rdquo; complained
+Shorty.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s just as clear as mud,&rdquo; echoed Jim.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Bert, tantalizingly, &ldquo;listen my
+children&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">&ldquo;&lsquo;Listen, my children and you shall hear<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere,&rsquo;&rdquo;<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p class="noi">chanted Frank, who had recited that identical
+poem in his elocution class at the last term of
+school.</p>
+
+<p>A well-aimed pillow made him duck, and Bert
+resumed:</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;You see, Shorty, it&rsquo;s just like this: The optimist
+is the fellow that sees the doughnut. The
+pessimist sees only the hole in the doughnut.
+Now, for my part, there is no nourishment in the
+hole, but there&rsquo;s lots of it in the doughnut.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Aw say, don&rsquo;t make a fellow&rsquo;s mouth water,&rdquo;
+said Shorty, before whose practical vision rose
+up his mother&rsquo;s kitchen, fragrant with the smell
+of the crisp, brown, sizzling beauties, as they
+were lifted from the pan, &ldquo;and me so far from
+home.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>If there were no doughnuts at the breakfast to
+which all hands came running, their place was
+more than taken by the golden corn bread and
+the savory bacon that formed the meal to which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span>
+they sat down with all the enthusiasm of hungry
+boys. The food disappeared as if by magic and
+the table had been replenished more than once
+before the boys cried enough. Many a sated
+millionaire would have willingly exchanged a substantial
+part of his hoarded wealth for one of
+those unjaded appetites. But in pure, undiluted
+satisfaction, the boys would have been the losers
+by the exchange.</p>
+
+<p>That very thought struck Mr. Hollis as he
+watched the havoc made at table by these valiant
+young trenchermen, and, turning to Dick, who
+sat at his right, he spoke of the starving King
+Midas. Jim, who overheard the name, which,
+as he said &ldquo;was a new one on him,&rdquo; wanted to
+know who Midas was, and how, if he were a
+king, he couldn&rsquo;t get grub enough to keep him
+from starving. The boys, who had by this time
+taken the first keen edge off their appetite, were
+equally eager to hear the story, and Mr. Hollis
+went on to tell about the avaricious king of the
+olden time who could never get enough, but was
+always asking the gods for more. After a
+while they became wearied and disgusted and
+granted his request that everything he touched
+should turn to gold. The king was delighted at
+this beyond all measure. Now, at last, he was
+to have his heart&rsquo;s desire. He put the gift to
+the test at once. He touched his sword and it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span>
+changed to gold. That was fine. He stroked
+his beard and every hair became a glistening yellow
+spike. That wasn&rsquo;t so fine. He began to
+get a little worried. Wasn&rsquo;t this too much of a
+good thing? Well, anyway there was no use in
+fretting. He would go to dinner and get his
+mind off. But when he touched the food, it too
+became gold. He lifted a goblet of wine, only
+to find that it held molten metal. In the midst
+of plenty, he was starving. Upon his knees, he
+begged the gods to take back their fatal gift,
+and, thinking he had learned his lesson well, they
+did so. His gold vanished, but, oh, how delicious
+was the first taste of food. &ldquo;And to-day,&rdquo; concluded
+Mr. Hollis, &ldquo;there is many a millionaire
+whose gold doesn&rsquo;t give him the pleasure that a
+square meal gives the ravenous appetite of a
+healthy boy.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Tom, expressing the general sentiment,
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;d sure like the money, but, oh, you
+corn bread.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>After breakfast, the boys broke up into separate
+groups. One went off under the guidance
+of Mr. Hollis to gather some fossils that were
+to be found in great abundance in the limestone
+that jutted out from a quarry at a little distance
+from the camp. Another group of the fellows
+with Dick in charge, who were especially interested
+in bird and insect life&mdash;the &ldquo;bug squad&rdquo;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span>
+as they were commonly and irreverently referred
+to in camp&mdash;went to a little clearing about half
+a mile away that was especially rich in specimens.
+The day before, Tom had secured an uncommonly
+beautiful species of butterfly that topped
+anything in his experience so far, and the other
+boys wanted to add one to their rapidly growing
+collection. Whether the lowering day had anything
+to do or not with the absence of these fluttering
+beauties who love the sunshine, their
+search was without result, and after two hours
+spent in this way they threw aside their butterfly
+nets and sat down in the shade of a spreading
+beech to rest and as Shorty called it &ldquo;to have a
+gabfest.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Almost directly beneath the eastern branches
+was a large mound nearly three feet above the
+surrounding level and perhaps twenty feet in circumference.
+As Shorty flung himself down on
+the centre of the mound, a curious expression
+came into the eyes of Dick. He glanced quickly
+at Frank, who returned his look and added a
+wink that might have aroused suspicion in
+Shorty&rsquo;s mind, had not that guileless youth been
+lying stretched out at full length with his hat
+over his eyes. The warmth and general mugginess
+of the air saturated almost to the raining
+point, together with the constant activity of the
+last two hours, had tired him out, and after a little<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span>
+badinage growing less and less spirited, he began
+to doze. The other boys who had been
+given the tip by Frank and Dick, let the conversation
+drag on purpose, and with a wicked glint
+of mischief in their eyes watched the unsuspecting
+Shorty slip away into the land of sleep.
+Soon his arms relaxed, his chest rose and fell
+with his regular breathing and horrors! an undeniable
+snore told that Shorty was not
+&ldquo;faking,&rdquo; but was off for good.</p>
+
+<p>From being a spot of perfect peace and quiet,
+the mound suddenly burst into life. From numberless
+gates a swarm of ants issued forth and
+rushed about here and there to find out the
+cause of this invasion. The weight of Shorty&rsquo;s
+body and his movements as he composed himself
+for sleep had aroused them to a sense of danger
+and they poured out in thousands. Soon the
+ground was covered with little patches of black
+and red ants, and as though by common consent
+they began to surround the unconscious Shorty.
+Some crept up his legs, others his arms, while
+others climbed over his collar and slipped inside.</p>
+
+<p>First, an arm twitched violently. Then a
+sleepy hand stole down and scratched his leg.
+The boys were bursting with laughter, and Tim
+grew black in the face as he crowded his handkerchief
+into his mouth. Shorty shook his head<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span>
+as a horse does when a fly lights on it. Again he
+twitched and this time seemed to realize that
+there was something wrong. Still half asleep, he
+snapped:</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Aw, why don&rsquo;t you fellows quit your kidding?
+Stop tickling me with that&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>A yell ended the sentence as a nip more vicious
+than usual brought Shorty to his feet, this time
+wide awake beyond all question. He cast one
+glance at the boys, who now made no pretence
+of restraint but roared with laughter. Then he
+saw the swarm of ants surrounding him and took
+in the situation. He tore his hat from his head,
+his coat from his shoulders, shook off his tormentors
+and spinning around like a dancing dervish,
+dashed off toward the brook. A moment
+later there was a splash and they heard Shorty
+blowing, spluttering, diving, rubbing, until finally
+he had rid himself of the swarms that clung
+closer to him than a brother.</p>
+
+<p>At last he succeeded and came up the bank.
+Before resuming his clothes, he had to take each
+garment separately and search every seam and
+crease to make sure that not a single ant remained.
+Then he came back into the group like
+a raging lion. His temper never was any of the
+best, and the sudden awakening from sleep, the
+stings and ticklings of the invaders, and perhaps
+most of all, the unrestrained laughter of the boys<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span>
+had filled his cup to the brim. He &ldquo;saw red,&rdquo; as
+the saying is, and regardless of age and size was
+rushing toward the rest with doubled up fists and
+rage in his heart, when Dick caught him by
+the wrists and held him in his strong grasp until
+his fury had spent itself somewhat and he began
+to get control of himself.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Phil,&rdquo; said Dick&mdash;he never called him
+Shorty, and at this moment that recollection
+helped to sober the struggling boy&mdash;&ldquo;remember
+that the first duty of boy or man is to control his
+temper. The boys didn&rsquo;t mean any harm. It
+looked to them like a splendid joke, and perhaps
+we let it go a little too far. I am really to blame
+more than any one else because I am older and
+in charge of the squad. I&rsquo;m awfully sorry, Phil,
+and I beg your pardon.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>The kindly tone and sincere apology were not
+lost on Phil, who was not without a sense of
+humor, which through all his anger began to
+struggle to the surface. The other boys, too,
+thoughtless and impulsive though they might be,
+were sound and kind at heart, and following
+Dick&rsquo;s example crowded about Phil and joined
+in the apology. The most flaming anger must
+melt before such expressions of regard and goodwill
+and Phil was at last compelled to smile
+sheepishly and say that it was all right.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;You&rsquo;re a sport, Phil, all right,&rdquo; called out<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span>
+Frank, and at this highest of commendations from
+a boy&rsquo;s point of view, the last vestige of Phil&rsquo;s
+resentment faded away.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well, anyway, fellows,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t
+bear any grudge against you, but I am sure going
+to get even with those pesky ants. I never
+did care much for ants anyway. I&rsquo;ve been told
+so often to &lsquo;go to the ant, thou sluggard,&rsquo; that
+now I&rsquo;m going to them for fair, and what I do
+to them will be a plenty.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>As he said this, he turned toward the ant hill
+as though to demolish it, but Dick put up a
+friendly hand:</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;No, Phil,&rdquo; said he, &ldquo;you wouldn&rsquo;t destroy
+a wonderful and beautiful palace, would
+you?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Palace,&rdquo; said Phil in amazement, thinking
+for a moment that Dick was &ldquo;stringing&rdquo; him.
+&ldquo;What do you mean by that?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Just what I say,&rdquo; returned Dick; &ldquo;a wonderful
+and beautiful palace. There is a queen
+there and she walks about every day in state, surrounded
+by a throng of courtiers. There are
+princesses there that are taken out daily to get the
+air, accompanied by a governess, exactly as you
+have seen a group of boarding-school girls walking
+out with their teachers. Surrounding the palace
+is a city where there are hundreds of carpenters
+and farmers and sentinels and soldiers.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span>
+If you waited round a while, you would see the
+farmers going out to milk their cows&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>At that point, Dick was interrupted by a roar
+of laughter that burst from every boy at once.
+They had listened in growing amazement that
+had rapidly become stupefaction, but this was
+really too much. What was the matter with
+Dick? Was it a joke, a parable, a fairy story?
+They might be kids all right, but there was a limit
+to everything, and when Dick talked of ants going
+out to milk the cows&mdash;well! It was up to him to
+explain himself or prove his statement, and that
+they felt sure he could never do.</p>
+
+<p>Dick waited good-naturedly while they pelted
+him with objections and plied him with questions.
+Then he took from his kit a strong magnifying
+glass and told them that he was going to prove
+to them all what he had said.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;He laughs best who laughs last,&rdquo; he said,
+&ldquo;and I am going to show you that all I said is
+true. That is,&rdquo; he modified, &ldquo;I cannot <i>prove</i>
+everything just now, as I would have to destroy
+this wonderful palace if I were to try to show you
+how marvelous it is and how perfect in all its
+appointments. But what we don&rsquo;t see ourselves
+has been seen time and time again by hundreds
+of wise and truthful men, and their testimony
+is as strong as though it were given under oath
+in a court of law.&rdquo;</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Frank, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m willing to take
+everything else on faith, but I&rsquo;m afraid I&rsquo;d have
+to see the milking done myself in order to believe
+it.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;All right,&rdquo; said Dick, &ldquo;as it happens that is
+just the thing I can show you more easily than
+anything else.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>The boys crowded eagerly around him.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII</h2>
+
+<h3><span class="smcap">The Ants Go Milking</span></h3>
+
+
+<p class="cap">&ldquo;You know,&rdquo; said Dick, as the boys threw
+themselves down at the side of the mound
+and looked at it with an entirely new interest,
+&ldquo;if these were African ants, you wouldn&rsquo;t be taking
+any such liberties with them. Instead of
+hanging around this mound you would be running
+away like all possessed. And if you didn&rsquo;t
+make tracks in a hurry the only thing left here
+would be your skeleton picked as clean as the one
+you saw the other day in old Dr. Sanford&rsquo;s
+office.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;What?&rdquo; cried Jim, &ldquo;do you mean to say
+that I would run away from a little thing like an
+ant. Not on your life, I wouldn&rsquo;t.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Let&rsquo;s see,&rdquo; said Dick, &ldquo;you&rsquo;d run away from
+a boa-constrictor, wouldn&rsquo;t you?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Who wouldn&rsquo;t,&rdquo; retorted Jim.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well, if you&rsquo;d run away from the boa-constrictor,
+and he&rsquo;d run away from the ants, where
+do <i>you</i> get any license to face the ants.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Do you mean to say that those monster
+snakes are afraid of such tiny things?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I should say they were,&rdquo; replied Dick, &ldquo;the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span>
+ants go from place to place through the great
+African forest in countless numbers, millions at
+a time, a regular army of them. Nothing can
+stand before them. They strip every shrub, eat
+every blade of grass. They swarm over every
+living thing they find in their way. Sometimes
+they come across a snake unawares, and climb
+all over him. He squirms and twists and rushes
+away, trying to brush them off, against the
+bushes. At last he turns and bites frantically,
+but they never let up. They actually eat him
+alive, and in less than ten minutes they pass on
+leaving his bones picked clean as a whistle. The
+natives take their wives and children and flee for
+their lives whenever they see an army of ants
+approaching.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;But that, of course, has nothing to do with
+these little American neighbors of ours. They
+are perfectly harmless and though they are fierce
+scrappers among themselves, inflict no injury on
+any one else. And there is nothing in the whole
+animal or insect world, except perhaps the bees,
+that have a society and government so much like
+that of men.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;In one respect they are like their African
+brothers and that is in their fondness for travel.
+Every once in a while they make up their minds
+to emigrate and then they fly in swarms of millions&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;What?&rdquo; interrupted Frank, &ldquo;do you mean
+to say they fly? I never knew that an ant had
+wings.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Of course they have,&rdquo; said Dick, &ldquo;they
+often have to cross rivers to get to their new
+home. How could they do that without wings?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, I don&rsquo;t know,&rdquo; hummed Shorty:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">&ldquo;The bed bug has no wings at all<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">But he gets there just the same.&rdquo;<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>A rather severe glance from Dick quenched
+Phil&rsquo;s exuberant spirits which had all come back
+to him since his ducking.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Now,&rdquo; continued Dick, &ldquo;these swarms are
+sometimes so vast that they darken the sun in
+certain localities. Men working on high buildings
+have been surrounded and almost blinded by
+them. While these emigrations last they are a
+bother, if not a peril, and the only ones that are
+really happy are the fish in the brooks and rivers
+over which they pass. Sometimes the surface is
+fairly black with them and the trout and little
+troutlings have the time of their lives. Once the
+flight is ended, however, and the new locality
+chosen, the wings disappear. Nature has no use
+for needless things and from that time on the air
+knows them no more. The carpenter ants get
+busy right away. The place is marked off as accurately<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span>
+as a surveyor marks out a plot in the
+suburbs of a city. The queen ant is given a
+royal room apart from all the others. She is a
+good mother and takes the best of care of her
+little ones. As they grow older, they in turn
+help the queen to care for their little brothers
+and sisters. They are excessively neat and clean
+in their personal habits. They spend hours
+preening and combing and cleaning until they are
+immaculate&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Regular dudes,&rdquo; muttered Jim.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Tom, &ldquo;that&rsquo;s something that
+will never be laid up against you, Jim.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Jim, who indeed had a hard time keeping up
+to a high ideal of cleanliness, and whose hair was
+usually tumbled while his nails too often were
+draped in mourning, looked a little confused, and
+while he was thinking up something to hurl back
+at Tom, Dick went on.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;There is one thing, however, about the ants
+that I don&rsquo;t admire. They like to get somebody
+else to do their work. A certain number of their
+own colony are &lsquo;hewers of wood and drawers
+of water&rsquo; for the rest. Indeed, the aristocrats
+among them get so lazy after a while that they
+will not even feed themselves. The workers
+not only have to hustle for the grub, but actually
+have to feed it to the lords and dukes. And talking
+of hustling for grub, just look here.&rdquo;</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The boys followed the direction of Dick&rsquo;s
+finger, and there coming up a little beaten path
+they saw a procession of ants dragging along a
+big fat caterpillar. It had evidently put up a
+good fight, judging from the numbers that had
+been necessary to capture it, but they had proved
+too strong. A little convulsive movement showed
+that it was not yet quite dead, but it no longer
+made any resistance. The formic acid that the
+ants secrete had partly paralyzed it and made defence
+impossible. There was an almost comical
+disproportion between its large helpless bulk and
+the tiny size of its conquerors, but this was a case
+where numbers counted. The victors all pulled
+like good fellows and passing through one of the
+entrances of the mound finally dragged their booty
+into the inner cave.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Another thing,&rdquo; said Dick, when the keenly
+interested boys had again gathered about him,
+&ldquo;the red ants are slaveholders. When their
+working force has been weakened or diminished,
+they get a big army together and raid some colony
+of black ants a few hundred feet or yards
+distant in order to carry them away as slaves.
+There is nothing haphazard or slouchy about the
+way they go about it. Everything is arranged as
+carefully and precisely as in the case of an American
+or European power getting ready to go to
+war. At a given signal the troops come out<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span>
+and get in order of battle. There is perfect
+order and system everywhere. When there is
+a very large army, a sort of hum or buzz arises
+from it almost as though they were beating
+drums to inspire the soldiers for battle. They
+march forward in perfect time and dash upon
+the enemy with irresistible fury. The black ants
+through their scouts have been told of the enemy&rsquo;s
+approach and have made all the preparation
+they can to beat them off. The infant ants,
+together with their household goods, have been
+tucked away in upper galleries where they can
+see the fight but not be in it.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Reserved seats as it were,&rdquo; murmured Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;The ants have two weapons. One is the nipper,
+that can cut off their enemy&rsquo;s head as neatly
+as a pair of shears. Then they have the formic
+acid that, used against ants or other insects, has
+a poisonous quality. With both of these weapons
+they fight with the greatest desperation until
+victory declares for one side or the other. The
+red ants are usually victorious, as they are
+larger and stronger and more aggressive. In
+case they win, they carry away all the little ones
+of their black opponents and bring them up as
+slaves. They are treated kindly, and after a
+while seem to grow content and take their place
+as the humbler members of the community.
+After the battle is over the wounded ants are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span>
+carried home by their companions and the dead
+are buried in a regular ants&rsquo; cemetery.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>The boys had listened with a fascinated interest
+to these marvelous stories of life going on
+all around them and to which they had never
+given more than a passing thought.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Jim, &ldquo;it sure is the queerest
+thing I ever heard about. If anyone else but
+Dick had told me this I wouldn&rsquo;t have believed
+it.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Tom, &ldquo;it certainly sounds like a
+fairy story.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;What gets me,&rdquo; said Shorty, &ldquo;is that the
+queen seems to be the most important of the
+whole bunch. What about the king? It must
+be a regular suffragette colony.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; replied Dick, &ldquo;in a certain sense it is.
+The males of the community don&rsquo;t amount to
+much. One by one their privileges are taken
+away from them. They even lose their wings
+before the females do. After they have taken
+their flight and safely escorted the queen to her
+future home they drop out of sight. Their
+wings fall off and in some cases are pulled off
+by the more ill-tempered females of the family.
+They hang around a little while and then drop
+out of sight altogether. Nobody seems to care
+what becomes of them. They can&rsquo;t even get
+back to the place from which they started.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span>
+Their wings are gone and they can&rsquo;t walk.
+They remind me of the cat&mdash;they are so different&mdash;the
+cat came back&mdash;the male ants can&rsquo;t.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Gee,&rdquo; said Jim, &ldquo;how do the rest get on
+without them?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Oh,&rdquo; replied Dick, &ldquo;they don&rsquo;t seem to
+mind the males at all. It takes away some of
+the conceit of the male sex when they see how
+easily one can get along without them.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Shorty, who was never partial
+to work, &ldquo;they at least get rid of a lot of
+trouble. How about the carpenter ants, the
+soldier ants, the foraging ants? Are they all
+females?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Every one of them,&rdquo; said Dick. &ldquo;It is a
+regular colony of Amazons.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;It seems to me,&rdquo; said Shorty, &ldquo;that in all
+the bunch the queen is the only one who has a
+snap.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t you believe it,&rdquo; returned Dick, &ldquo;as a
+matter of fact, she is the hardest worker of all,
+that is, at the start. She is the busiest kind of
+a mother, brings up all the little ants, washing
+their faces, combing their hair&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, say,&rdquo; interrupted Shorty, &ldquo;aren&rsquo;t you
+putting it a little bit too strong, Dick?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Not at all,&rdquo; said Dick; &ldquo;here, take up this
+ant and look at it through the magnifying glass.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Under the lens the boys, crowding around,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span>
+saw that there, sure enough, was a fine silky
+down resembling very much the hair upon the
+human head.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Of course,&rdquo; said Dick, &ldquo;as in every other
+part of the animal or insect world, this only
+lasts for a little while. Men and women are
+the only creatures in the whole universe that
+stick by their children through thick and thin.
+There is no better mother than a cat, for instance,
+while the kittens are small and they need
+her help, but just as soon as they are able to
+shift for themselves, nothing more doing for
+Mrs. Cat. Out they go to hustle for their own
+living, and if some of the slower and lazier ones
+still hang around, the mother&rsquo;s claws soon give
+them a sharp reminder that it is time to be up
+and doing. The same is true of the birds. See
+how the mother bird sits brooding over her
+eggs. With what tender care she watches them
+while they are still unable to feed themselves.
+How the father bird scratches from morning to
+night to find worms to put down those scrawny
+little beaks. But after a while they, too, go to
+the edge of the nest, and with many a timid flutter
+stretch their wings and drop off the edge.
+And with the laggards, the parental beak is ready
+to push them off into the new world where they
+hustle for themselves. It is only a fellow&rsquo;s father
+and mother that stand by him to the end. No<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span>
+matter how bad he is, how often he wrenches
+their hearts, how many times he has sinned and
+been forgiven and sinned again, the mother heart
+clings to him to the end. I tell you what, boys,
+you can&rsquo;t make too much of that father and
+mother of yours.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;You bet,&rdquo; came in a responsive murmur from
+the boys.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Now, going back to the queen,&rdquo; said Dick,
+&ldquo;it sure does seem that after the kids have grown
+up she&rsquo;d have a dandy time. She is by far the
+biggest figure in the colony. The worker ants
+can&rsquo;t do too much for her. She has the finest
+room and the choicest food, and yet, after all, I
+suppose this becomes tiresome. It is just as it
+is with human queens. So many things are done
+for them, so much pomp and ceremony surrounds
+them, that no doubt they often sigh for freedom
+and would exchange their places with almost any
+of their subjects. They are something like a little
+girl that was a rich man&rsquo;s daughter. Her milk
+was pasteurized, the water she drank was sterilized,
+so that after a while her only thought was
+to grow big enough to do as she chose and the
+very first thing she was going to do was to eat
+a germ.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>The boys laughed and Dick resumed.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;It is almost pathetic to see the poor old
+queen going out for a walk. She moves in a perfect<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span>
+circle of courtiers. As long as she keeps in
+the middle she is all right, but the minute she
+strays to one side or attempts to go further, this
+surrounding group push her back. Sometimes
+they thrust their shoulders against her and at
+other times simply mass themselves in front of
+her, and even, at times, are undignified enough,
+if these hints are not sufficient, to take her by one
+of her antennae and lead her back into the center
+of the circle, for all the world like a mother
+taking home a naughty child by the ear. No,
+you can bet it is not all &lsquo;peaches and cream&rsquo;
+where the queen is concerned.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Shorty, only partly convinced,
+&ldquo;even if the queen has troubles of her own, it
+must be nice to be the aristocrat. Think of having
+nothing to do but just hang around and let
+the carpenter ants build your house and the
+farmer ants store up the grain and the foraging
+ants bring in the caterpillars and the soldier ants
+do the fighting.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;No,&rdquo; said Dick, &ldquo;you are wrong again,
+Shorty. They do so little and become so dependent
+upon the work of others that after a
+while they seem to lose their faculties. They
+wander around in a crazy and feeble way, trying
+to kill time, I suppose, and after a while become
+so lazy and helpless that they can&rsquo;t even eat
+without help.&rdquo;</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Can&rsquo;t eat!&rdquo; said Jim, whose appetite was a
+standing joke in camp; &ldquo;then no lords and dukes
+for me.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I really think,&rdquo; resumed Dick, &ldquo;that just as
+it is in human life, the workers are the lucky
+ones after all. There is something doing every
+minute. Their lives are full of interest. They
+are too busy to be unhappy. Don&rsquo;t make any
+mistake, fellows, work is the salvation of the
+world. The happiest are the busiest; the drones
+and sluggards are almost, without exception, the
+most miserable creatures on the face of the earth.
+If I were&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>But just at this moment a curious thing happened.
+The afternoon had worn on while the
+boys were talking, and so keen was their interest
+in the wonders that were being brought before
+their eyes that they had failed to realize how
+late it was. The ants had been wandering around
+in an aimless way&mdash;that is, it seemed aimless to
+the boys, but doubtless they knew what they were
+about and had a definite object, even though the
+boys couldn&rsquo;t understand it. But now a sudden
+stir and bustle seemed to arouse the colony.
+From numerous gates the throng came forth with
+almost military order and precision.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Ah,&rdquo; said Dick, &ldquo;here&rsquo;s just the thing you
+want to see, boys. It is milking time and the
+ants are going to herd their cows. Now we will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span>
+follow one of these lines and see just how they
+do it.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>At a few feet distant from the mound there
+was a little shrub about three feet high, covered
+with foliage and with widely extended branches.
+The column of ants reached the foot of this,
+climbed it, and scattered among the branches.</p>
+
+<p>The boys at a signal from Dick followed him
+softly, so that the ants might not be disturbed.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;See,&rdquo; said Dick, gently taking hold of a
+branch that projected beyond the others, &ldquo;look
+through this magnifying glass.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>One by one the boys stole up, each eager for
+a sight that they had never before seen or
+dreamed of. On the upper side of the branch
+which Dick held between his thumb and finger
+were little groups of parasites, almost too small
+to be seen by the naked eye. All day long they
+had been feeding upon the sap that came from a
+branch until their bodies were swollen with a
+transparent honey dew. An ant approached one
+of them, placed its antennae over the throat and
+extracted a tiny drop of the colorless liquid.
+Again and again this was repeated. It seemed
+like rank robbery, but there was no resistance on
+the part of the herd. They seemed just as glad
+that milking time had come as do the cows that
+stand lowing at the bars of the fence and calling
+for the farmer. Drop after drop of the honey<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span>
+dew was extracted, until finally the aphid, as the
+little creature is called, grew lank and thin, while
+the ant became correspondingly large. From
+time to time the antennae of the ant stroked the
+tiny hair on the back, just as a farmer would
+stroke the cow in order to soothe it and keep it
+perfectly still.</p>
+
+<p>Finally the milking was completed and the
+farmer ants retraced their way along the branch
+and down the stem and, falling into line with
+their comrades similarly laden, resumed their
+march to the colony. The boys had watched with
+bated breath and almost awe-struck interest.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Jim, at last breaking the silence,
+&ldquo;those ants are surely not going hungry to bed.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Gee,&rdquo; said Shorty, &ldquo;I bet they will suffer
+from indigestion.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Not a bit of it,&rdquo; said Dick. &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t suppose
+they keep this all to themselves, do you?
+Just look here.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>He lifted a stone about eighteen inches from
+the foot of the mound. Under the magnifying
+glass they could see a number of tiny apertures
+that evidently led in the direction of the colony,
+and on one side an ant waiting for the return
+of the milking party. As Dick selected one and
+placed his magnifying glass directly upon the
+opening, the boys could see one of the ants laden
+with the honey dew stop and, placing its mouth<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span>
+close to that of the waiting ant, exude a tiny drop
+of its burden. Moving the glass around quickly
+in the arc of a circle, they saw this process repeated
+until finally the round was finished and
+the farmer ants, more lightly laden than before,
+went on toward the main entrance of the colony.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Those,&rdquo; said Dick, &ldquo;are the lords and dukes
+getting their supper.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Tom, &ldquo;after this I am ready to
+believe anything. I tell you what, Dick, I never
+learned so much in my life as I have to-day.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Shorty, as the boys picked up their
+kits and prepared to return to camp, &ldquo;I am glad
+enough now that I didn&rsquo;t smash that ant nest
+when I tried to. After all, they are good sports
+and I would hate to spoil their fun.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; replied Dick, &ldquo;you know that one of
+the most important principles in life is kindness
+to anything that breathes. Of course there are
+certain pests that are harmful to human life and
+we are compelled to kill in self-defense, but for
+anything that is harmless the one great principle
+that should govern us always is found in those
+two lines that Mr. Hollis repeated the other
+day:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">&ldquo;&lsquo;Never to blend our pleasure or our pride<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">With sorrow to the meanest thing that feels.&rsquo;&rdquo;<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+<hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h2>
+
+<h3><span class="smcap">The Gipsy Caravan</span></h3>
+
+
+<p class="cap">&ldquo;Hello, fellows. Look at this. Well, of
+all the&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>The boys looked up at Bob&rsquo;s startled exclamation,
+and for a moment everything else was forgotten,
+while they stared with wide-open eyes at
+the grotesque procession that came into view.</p>
+
+<p>Down the road crawled a little caravan of ten
+or a dozen ramshackle wagons, drawn by tired-looking
+horses. At their heads or alongside
+walked a number of men of various ages, dressed
+in all sorts of nondescript costumes. Their
+swarthy faces and dark eyes, together with the
+large earrings that they wore, gave them a distinctly
+piratical appearance, and to the boys they
+looked as though they might have been taken
+bodily from one of the old romances of the Spanish
+Main. They might easily have been the
+blood brothers of the rascals who sang in thundering
+chorus:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">&ldquo;Fifteen men on the dead man&rsquo;s chest,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Sing heigho, and a bottle of rum.&rdquo;<br /></span></div></div>
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>But, alas! there were no murderous pistols
+thrust in their belts or cutlasses held between
+their teeth to complete the illusion, and the picturesque
+crowd resolved itself into a troop of
+gipsies going into camp.</p>
+
+<p>The place they had pitched upon for their temporary
+stay was about three miles distant from
+the boys&rsquo; camp and had been chosen with a keen
+eye to its advantages. Either through a scout
+sent ahead or simply by that marvelous sixth
+sense so highly developed in wandering peoples,
+they had elected to stop at a little ravine through
+which ran a brook of sparkling water and surrounded
+by a wood that furnished ample supplies
+for their campfires. It was fascinating to see the
+dexterity, born of long experience, with which the
+camp was pitched. The horses were unhitched
+in a twinkling and turned out to graze, while the
+wagons were ranged in a single circle around the
+camp. Some brown, dirty canvas and a few
+branches of trees were quickly transformed into
+tents. Wood was cut, a rough fireplace built, a
+huge kettle suspended over the flames that crackled
+merrily beneath, and the women and girls
+who had descended from the wagons busied themselves
+in bringing water from the brook and preparing
+supper for the tired and hungry crew.
+The men, after the rougher work was done,
+sprawled around upon the grass, talking in a language<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span>
+unintelligible to the boys, and occasionally
+casting an indifferent look at the group in the
+automobile, who had watched the scene with
+breathless interest.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Bert at last, as he roused himself
+with an effort, &ldquo;they haven&rsquo;t asked us to stay to
+supper, and I suppose it isn&rsquo;t good manners to
+hang around while they are eating, even if this
+is a public place. So here goes,&rdquo; and throwing
+in the clutch he started the &ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; off toward
+camp.</p>
+
+<p>The liveliest interest, not unmixed with envy,
+was shown by the other boys at the recital
+by the auto squad of the afternoon&rsquo;s adventure.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Gee,&rdquo; said Jim Dawson, &ldquo;you fellows certainly
+do have all the luck. If I&rsquo;d been with you
+there&rsquo;d have been nothing more exciting than a
+rabbit scurrying across the road. To-day I
+stayed behind and here you fellows have watched
+the pitching of a gipsy camp.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Never mind, Jim,&rdquo; said Tom, &ldquo;we&rsquo;ll all go
+over soon and take it in. I suppose they&rsquo;ll be
+there for some time.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;There&rsquo;s no telling,&rdquo; remarked Dick. &ldquo;Sometimes
+they stay in one place for two or three
+weeks, until the call of the road becomes so
+strong that they can&rsquo;t resist it. Then again, after
+a day or two, they</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">&ldquo;&lsquo;Fold their tents like the Arabs<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">And silently steal away.&rsquo;&rdquo;<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>&ldquo;&lsquo;Steal&rsquo; is a very good word to use in that
+connection, Dick,&rdquo; said Mr. Hollis, as he joined
+the group, when after an abundant supper they
+sat around the campfire; &ldquo;for if what we hear
+of gipsies in general is true, they spend most of
+their time in stealing.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Perhaps, though,&rdquo; he went on, &ldquo;that is putting
+it a little too harshly. There is a strong
+prejudice against them because of their vagrant
+mode of life, and there is no doubt that the distinction
+between &lsquo;mine&rsquo; and &lsquo;thine&rsquo; is very vague
+in their minds. Hen-roosts are apt to be mysteriously
+thinned out when they are in the neighborhood,
+and many a porker has uttered his last
+squeal when gripped by a gipsy hand. Horses,
+too, occasionally vanish in a way that would mean
+a short shrift and a rope in the Western country,
+if the thief were caught. But, on the other hand,
+they seldom commit deeds of violence. You
+never hear of their blowing open a safe, and,
+though they are passionate and hot tempered,
+they are not often charged with murder. The
+Bowery thug and yeggman are much more dangerous
+enemies to society than the average gipsy.
+Perhaps the worst indictment to be brought
+against them is that in years past they were frequently<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span>
+guilty of kidnapping. But that was in
+the earlier days, when the country was sparsely
+settled and communication was difficult. Then, if
+they got a good start, it was often impossible to
+overtake them. But to-day, with the country
+thickly populated and the telegraph and telephone
+everywhere, they would most certainly be caught.
+No doubt the elders of the tribe shake their heads
+sadly as they reflect that the kidnapping industry
+is no longer what it has been.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;How do they make a living, anyway?&rdquo; interjected
+Dave. &ldquo;What they steal isn&rsquo;t enough to
+keep them alive.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; returned Mr. Hollis, &ldquo;the men are
+very keen traders in horses. They know a horse
+from mane to hoof. They can take a poor old
+wreck of a cart horse and doctor him up until he
+looks and acts like a thoroughbred. Very few
+men can get ahead of them in a trade, as many
+a farmer has found to his cost. The women are
+often very expert in embroidery and find a ready
+sale for their really beautiful work. Then, too,
+as fortune tellers they are proverbial the world
+over. Cross a gipsy&rsquo;s palm with gold or silver
+and she&rsquo;ll predict for you a future that kings and
+queens might envy. It is safe to say that during
+their stay here they will reap quite a harvest&mdash;enough
+at least to suffice for the simple needs of
+to-day. As for to-morrow, they don&rsquo;t care. That<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span>
+can take care of itself. They are as irresponsible
+as crickets or butterflies. They &lsquo;never trouble
+trouble till trouble troubles them.&rsquo;&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Dave, &ldquo;they get rid of a whole
+lot of needless worry, anyway. They don&rsquo;t suffer
+as much as the old lady did who said that
+she had had an awful lot of trouble in her life
+and most of it had never happened.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>The boys laughed, and Tom asked:</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Where do they get their name from? Why
+do they call them gipsies?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Because,&rdquo; answered Mr. Hollis, &ldquo;they were
+supposed to be descended from the old Egyptians.
+They resemble them in features, and many
+words in their language are derived from Egypt.
+Many scholars think, however, that their original
+home was India. Europe has been familiar
+with them for the last four hundred years. They
+have always been Ishmaelites&mdash;their hand against
+every man and every man&rsquo;s hand against them&mdash;and
+by some they have been believed to be the
+actual descendants of Ishmael, the outcast son of
+Abraham. Everywhere they have been despised
+and persecuted. In the old days they were accused
+of being sorcerers and witches. They have
+been banished, burned at the stake, broken on the
+wheel, hung, drawn and quartered. It is one of
+the miracles of history that they have not been
+wiped out altogether. But they have always<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span>
+clung closely together and persisted in their
+strange, wandering way of life. They have a
+language of their own and certain rude laws that
+all the tribes acknowledge. The restless instinct
+is in their blood and probably will be there forever.
+They are a living protest against civilization
+as we understand it. Occasionally, one of
+them will join the ranks of ordinary men, but, far
+more frequently, they gain recruits from those
+who want to throw off the shackles and conventions
+of the settled life. More than one man
+and woman have listened to the &lsquo;call of the wild&rsquo;
+and followed the gipsies, as the children in the
+fable followed the Pied Piper of Hamelin. But
+now, boys,&rdquo; he said, rising, &ldquo;it&rsquo;s time for &lsquo;taps.&rsquo;
+To-morrow evening we&rsquo;ll all go over and take a
+closer look at these gipsies of yours.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>All through the following day the boys, though
+attentive to what they were doing, were keenly
+alive to the promised treat that night. There
+was an early supper, to which, despite the under-current
+of excitement, they did full justice, and
+then in the gathering dusk the boys set out for
+the grove. Since not all could go in the automobile,
+it was decided that all should go on foot,
+and with jest and laughter they covered the three
+miles almost before they knew it.</p>
+
+<p>Quite different from that of the day before
+was the sight that burst upon them as they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span>
+rounded a curve in the road and came upon the
+picturesque vagrants. Here and there were
+torches of pitch pine that threw a smoky splendor
+over the scene and hid all the squalor and sordid
+poverty that had been so evident in the broad
+light of day. By this time it was fully dark, but
+a full moon cast its beauty over the trees and
+flecked the ground with bright patches that added
+to the torches made the whole grove like a fairyland.
+The news of the gipsies&rsquo; coming had
+reached the surrounding towns, and there was
+quite a gathering of pretty girls and country
+swains, whose buggies stood under the trees at
+the roadside, while youths and maidens wandered
+among the wagons of the caravan. At the open
+door of one of the vans a young gipsy drew from
+a violin the weird, heart-tugging strains that have
+made their music famous throughout the world.
+Others sat around their fire and talked together
+in a low tone, casting furtive glances at the visitors,
+whose coming they seemed neither to welcome
+nor resent. With their instinctive appreciation
+of the fine points in any animal, the eyes of
+some of them brightened as Don threaded his
+way through the different groups, but, apart from
+that, they gave no sign that they were conscious
+of the newcomers.</p>
+
+<p>With the gipsy women, however, it was different.
+This was their hour and they improved it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span>
+to the utmost. Withered crones and handsome
+girls with curious turbans wound about their
+heads went from group to group, offering to tell
+their fortunes, provided their palms were crossed.
+There was no difficulty about this, as most of the
+girls had come there with that one desire and the
+gallant youths who escorted them urged them to
+gratify it regardless of expense. If the recording
+angel put down that night all the lies that
+were told, all the promises of wealth and title
+and position that sent many a giddy head awhirl
+to its pillow, he was kept exceedingly busy. Just
+for a lark, the boys themselves were willing patrons
+of these priestesses of the future; but little
+of what was promised them remained in their
+memory, except that Tom was to meet a &ldquo;dark
+lady&rdquo; who was to have a great and happy influence
+upon his life. The boys chaffed him a good
+deal about this mystical brunette, but he maintained
+with mock gravity that &ldquo;one never
+knows&rdquo; and that perhaps the swarthy soothsayer
+&ldquo;knew what she was talking about after
+all.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>In view of the unusual circumstances, Mr. Hollis
+had not insisted upon the ordinary rules, and
+it was nearly midnight when the boys, having
+trudged back to camp, prepared to retire.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;What time is it, anyway, Dick?&rdquo; yawned
+Bert, as they started to undress.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll see,&rdquo; said Dick, as he reached for his
+watch; &ldquo;it&rsquo;s just&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>He stopped aghast as the chain came out of
+his pocket with a jerk. His watch was gone.</p>
+
+<p>At this instant a shout came from Bob Ward&rsquo;s
+tent: &ldquo;Say, fellows, have any of you seen my
+scarfpin? I can&rsquo;t find it anywhere. I&rsquo;m sure I
+had it on when I started.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Bert looked at Dick and Dick stared back at
+Bert. The same thought came into their minds
+at once.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Stung,&rdquo; groaned Dick, as he sank down
+heavily on his bed.</p>
+
+<p>At once the camp was in commotion. Everyone
+made a hasty inventory of his belongings
+and the relief was general when it was found
+that nothing else was missing. Their hearts were
+hot with indignation, however, at the loss of their
+comrades. Dick&rsquo;s gold watch had been a graduation
+present and Bob&rsquo;s scarfpin had held a handsome
+stone, so that the money loss was considerable.
+But deeper yet was the sense of chagrin
+voiced by Jim Dawson:</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said he, disgustedly, &ldquo;if this isn&rsquo;t the
+limit. Here we are, city fellows who think we
+are up to snuff. We are surrounded by pickpockets
+every day and nothing happens. Then
+we come out in the country and are roasted brown
+by a band of wandering gipsies.&rdquo;</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>By this time Mr. Hollis, aroused by the unusual
+stir, had hastily dressed and joined the excited
+group. The facts were quickly detailed to
+him, and, as he listened, his face set in hard
+lines that boded ill for the thieves. He first directed
+that a thorough search be made in order
+to be perfectly sure that the missing articles were
+not somewhere about the camp. When careful
+examination failed to reveal them, doubt became
+certainty. If only one thing had been lost it
+might have been set down to carelessness or accident,
+but that two should disappear at the same
+time pointed to but one explanation&mdash;theft. And
+it was a foregone conclusion that the thieves were
+to be found in the gipsy camp.</p>
+
+<p>The more hot-headed were for starting out at
+once to regain the watch and pin at any cost.
+But this was vetoed by Mr. Hollis, who recognized
+the futility of attempting anything at so
+late an hour. He promised that early in the
+morning they should all go together, and with
+that promise they were forced to be content.</p>
+
+<p>There was very little sleep for the boys that
+night, and at the first streak of dawn the whole
+camp was astir. Breakfast was swallowed hastily,
+and Bert whistled for Don as the boys made
+ready to start.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Here, Don, old fellow, good dog,&rdquo; he called
+when the whistle failed to bring him; but no Don<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span>
+appeared. Then a thought suddenly struck Bert.
+When had he last seen the collie? In the excitement
+last night he and the other boys had given
+no thought to the dog. He recalled with a sudden
+sick feeling that he had last seen him in the
+light of the gipsy torches. His heart smote him
+for his forgetfulness. Was it possible that the
+gipsies had stolen Don also? Why not? He
+never would have stayed away of his own accord.
+The collie was a splendid animal of the purest
+breed and would easily bring a large price if offered
+for sale anywhere. A fierce rage flamed in
+Bert&mdash;a rage shared by all the others when he
+hastily told them of the suspicion that every
+moment was becoming a conviction&mdash;and it was
+lucky for the abductor of Don that he did not
+at that moment meet Bert Wilson face to face.</p>
+
+<p>With Dick, Tom and Bob, he leaped into the
+&ldquo;Red Scout,&rdquo; and taking up Mr. Hollis as they
+came to the door of his tent, they swung into the
+broad high road, leaving the others to follow as
+fast as they could.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Now, purr, old Scout,&rdquo; said Bert as he threw
+in the clutch; and the &ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; purred. It
+leaped forward like a living thing, as though it
+pulsed with the indignation and determination of
+its riders. They fairly ate up the three miles in
+as many minutes, turned the curve of the road
+just this side of the gipsy camp and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span>&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>The camp was gone!</p>
+
+<p>Gone as though it had dropped into the earth.
+Gone as though it had melted into the air. Utterly
+and completely gone. The ashes of last
+night&rsquo;s fires, some litter scattered here and there,
+alone remained to mark the spot that a few hours
+before had been so full of life and animation.</p>
+
+<p>They leaped from the car and scattered everywhere
+looking for signs to indicate the direction
+the caravan had taken. They had certainly not
+come south by the boys&rsquo; camp. It was equally
+certain that they had not gone directly north, as
+this led straight to a large town that they would
+instinctively avoid. This narrowed the search to
+east and west roads, from which, however, many
+byroads diverged, so that it left them utterly at
+sea.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;The telephone,&rdquo; cried Bert; &ldquo;let&rsquo;s try that
+first.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>They bundled into the car and a few minutes
+brought them to the nearest town. Picking out
+half a dozen addresses along different roads, they
+called them up. Had they seen a band of gipsies
+going by? The answer &ldquo;No&rdquo; came with exasperating
+monotony, until suddenly Bert leaped to
+his feet.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Here we are, boys,&rdquo; he cried. &ldquo;Bartlett on
+the Ashby road, eight miles from here, saw them
+go by two hours ago. Now let&rsquo;s get busy.&rdquo;</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>They flew down the Ashby road and in a few
+minutes came to the Bartlett farm. Yes, they had
+passed there and they certainly were traveling
+some. A couple of miles further on the road
+forked. There was a negro cabin at that place
+and they might get some information there. He
+hoped so, anyway. Good luck, and with a word
+of thanks, the boys rushed on.</p>
+
+<p>A stout negress washing clothes under the tree
+at the fork of the road wiped the suds from her
+hands with her apron as she came forward.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Dey sholy did go pass hyar, gemmun, and
+dey wuz drivin&rsquo; as do de ole Nick was affer dem.
+Dat&rsquo;s a pow&rsquo;ful po&rsquo; road up dataway and der
+hosses wuz plum tired. Dey kain&rsquo;t be ve&rsquo;y far
+ahaid, I specs.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Exultingly Bert threw in the high speed. Their
+quarry had been run down at last. The motor
+fairly sang as they plunged up the road. Turning
+a curve to the right they came upon the procession
+of carts, now toiling along painfully. Bert
+never hesitated a second, but rushed past the line
+of wagons until he had reached the head of the
+caravan. <a href="#image03">Then he swung the &ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; squarely
+across the road</a> and with Mr. Hollis, Dick, Tom
+and Bob, sprang to the ground.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 382px;">
+<a name="image03" id="image03"><img src="images/image03.jpg" width="382" height="600" alt="Then he swung the &ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; squarely across the road." title="Then he swung the &ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; squarely across the road." /></a>
+<br /><span class="caption"><a href="#Page_89">Then he swung the &ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; squarely across the road.</a>&mdash;(<i>See page 89</i>)</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>Consternation plainly reigned in the halted
+carts. The men crowded forward and hastily
+consulted. A moment later an old man, evidently<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span>
+the chief, came forward. He was prepared to
+try diplomacy first, and with an ingratiating smile
+held out his hand to Mr. Hollis. The latter,
+ignoring the extended hand, came straight to the
+point.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I want three things,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;and unless
+you are looking for trouble, you&rsquo;ll hand them
+over at once. I want the pin and watch and dog
+your people stole from us last night.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>The leader&rsquo;s smile faded, to be replaced by
+an ominous scowl.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a lie,&rdquo; he said sullenly, &ldquo;my people stole
+nothing. Get out of our road,&rdquo; he snarled viciously,
+while his followers gathered threateningly
+around him.</p>
+
+<p>The air was surcharged with danger and a
+fight seemed imminent, when suddenly a familiar
+bark came from one of the vans. Bert dashed
+forward, thrusting aside a young gipsy who
+sprang to intercept him. He threw open the van
+door, and out rushed Don, mad with delight.
+He had chewed in half the rope that held him
+and the frayed remnant hung about his neck as
+he leaped on Bert and capered frantically about
+him.</p>
+
+<p>The game was up! Fear and chagrin were
+painted on the gipsies&rsquo; faces. They might have
+bluffed through as regards the stolen articles and
+it would have been almost impossible to prove<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span>
+their guilt. But here was the living proof of
+theft&mdash;proof strong enough to land their party
+behind the bars. Moreover, the great dog was
+no mean addition to the little force that faced
+them so undauntedly. It was plainly up to them
+to temporize. As Bob with regrettable slanginess,
+but crisp brevity, summed up the case:
+&ldquo;They had thought to make a quick touch and
+getaway, but fell down doing it.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>The chief held up his hand. &ldquo;Wait,&rdquo; he said,
+&ldquo;while I talk to my people. Perhaps they have
+found something. I will see.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>A whispered conversation followed and then
+he came forward sheepishly, holding out the
+watch and pin. &ldquo;They found them on the
+grounds. I did not know,&rdquo; he mumbled.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Hollis took them without a word and
+motioned Bert to get the auto ready. He had
+gained his point and did not care to press his
+advantage further. After all, they were almost
+like irresponsible children, and, despite his resentment,
+he felt a deep pity for these half-wild
+sons of poverty and misfortune. Their code was
+not his code, nor their laws his laws. They were
+the &ldquo;under dogs&rdquo; in the fight of life. Let them
+go.</p>
+
+<p>The motor began to hum. The party piled in,
+with Don between them, barking joyfully, and
+they swept down the shabby line of carts with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span>
+not a glance behind them. They waved gaily to
+the old black mammy, who beamed upon them as
+they went by. A thought struck Bert, and turning
+to Tom, he shouted:</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;The dark lady, Tom. The dark lady that
+the gipsy prophesied would bring you luck.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Sure thing,&rdquo; grinned Tom. &ldquo;It certainly is
+luck enough to get old Don back, to say nothing
+of the watch and pin. Isn&rsquo;t it, old fellow?&rdquo; and
+he patted the dog&rsquo;s head lovingly.</p>
+
+<p>So thought the rest of the boys, also, when the
+&ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; reached camp. Don was overwhelmed
+with caresses and strutted about as though he had
+done it all. As Jim put it: &ldquo;Napoleon on his
+return from Elba had nothing on Don.&rdquo; It was
+late when the excitement subsided and the campers
+went weary but happy to bed.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Hollis, Bert and Dick lingered about the
+fire. Only these older ones had realized how
+ticklish a situation they had faced that day.
+They didn&rsquo;t like to think what might have happened
+if it had come to an open fight.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;The way you faced that crowd was the pluckiest
+thing I ever saw, Mr. Hollis,&rdquo; said Bert;
+&ldquo;but suppose it had come to a showdown?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; laughed Mr. Hollis, &ldquo;it was a case
+of touch and go for a minute. But I counted on
+the fact that we were right and they were wrong.
+&lsquo;Conscience makes cowards of us all.&rsquo; Behind<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span>
+us were law and order and civilization. Behind
+them crowded nameless shapes of fear and dread
+that robbed their arms of strength and turned
+their hearts to water. It was simply a confirmation,&rdquo;
+he concluded, as he rose to say good night,
+&ldquo;of the eternal truth:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">&ldquo;&lsquo;Thrice is he armed that hath his quarrel just.&rsquo;&rdquo;<br /></span></div></div>
+<hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX</h2>
+
+<h3><span class="smcap">How the &ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; Climbed Dobb&rsquo;s Hill</span></h3>
+
+
+<p class="cap">The morning of the long anticipated day in
+the &ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; dawned bright and clear,
+and the campers who were to go were astir soon
+after dawn. Most of them would willingly have
+dispensed with breakfast, but Mr. Hollis insisted
+that they take their time and eat a hearty
+meal. However, everything comes to him who
+waits, and at last they were ready to start. It
+had been arranged that on their trip they were
+to stop in town, and get supplies and some camp
+appliances that Mr. Hollis required. Otherwise
+they were to do as they pleased, subject only to
+Bert&rsquo;s authority.</p>
+
+<p>The car was ready to start, and Bert had received
+Mr. Hollis&rsquo; last instructions.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well, fellows,&rdquo; said Bert, &ldquo;pile in, and we&rsquo;ll
+start for town right away. It rather looks now
+as though we might have a little rain before the
+day is over. I don&rsquo;t like the looks of the sky
+over there any too much, but we&rsquo;ve got to have
+grub anyway, even if we have to go after it in
+boats.&rdquo;</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, or we might swim, I suppose,&rdquo; suggested
+Shorty, sarcastically.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;In that case, we&rsquo;d let you try it, as its only
+a matter of twenty miles or so each way, and see
+if you are as strong as your name,&rdquo; retorted Bert,
+and Shorty subsided.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile the others had taken their appointed
+places in the auto, and, after adjusting
+spark and throttle levers, Bert walked to the front
+of the machine and cranked the motor.</p>
+
+<p>On the first turn, such was the beautiful condition
+in which he kept the car, the engine started
+with a roar, and he quickly climbed into the driver&rsquo;s
+seat and threw in the clutch. Without a
+tremor the big car glided away as if moving on
+air, which indeed it was, in a way, if the air in
+the tires could be counted.</p>
+
+<p>With the ease of a driver who thoroughly understands
+his car, Bert steered the machine
+around and between the bumps in the road, and
+even one who had never ridden in an automobile
+before would have appreciated his masterly
+handling of this machine.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly Tom, who, as usual, was riding in
+the seat beside Bert, leaned over and said, &ldquo;Say,
+Bert, do you suppose she would take Dobb&rsquo;s
+hill?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Now, the hill to which Tom referred was one
+notorious in the neighborhood. More than one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span>
+gray-haired farmer had shaken his head dubiously
+while inspecting the &ldquo;Red Scout,&rdquo; and said,
+&ldquo;Yes, that there contraption may be all right on
+the level, and there&rsquo;s no getting over the fact
+that it can run circles around a streak of greased
+lightning, but I&rsquo;ll bet a dollar to a doughnut
+that it could never get up Dobb&rsquo;s hill.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>So Bert thought a moment before answering
+Tom&rsquo;s question, and then said, &ldquo;Well, that&rsquo;s an
+awfully steep hill, but the old &lsquo;Scout&rsquo; has never
+balked at anything yet, and I have a sneaking
+feeling that it wouldn&rsquo;t even stop at Dobb&rsquo;s hill.
+However, there is only one way of finding out
+about it, and that is to try it. What do you say,
+fellows, shall we try it and show these people
+around here just what our machine can
+do?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>There was a unanimous chorus of assent from
+the other occupants of the car, so at the next
+crossing Bert turned off the main road in the direction
+of the famous Dobb&rsquo;s hill. Soon the hill
+itself loomed up in front of them, and Bert
+opened the throttle a trifle. The machine immediately
+picked up speed, but to the occupants of
+the machine it seemed almost impossible that
+anything but an elevator could get up that hill.
+It looked to them almost like a high wall. Bert,
+however, was thinking more of the machine than
+of the hill. He had been gradually giving the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span>
+engine more gas, and now, when they were almost
+at the foot of the hill, he realized that the
+moment had come to call forth the supreme effort
+of the motor. He opened the muffler so as
+to get rid of all back pressure, and opened the
+throttle to its widest extent. With a bound and
+a roar the powerful machine took the hill, and to
+the boys in the car it seemed as though they had
+some powerful, willing animal working for them.
+Up the great machine climbed, with scarcely diminished
+speed, the engine emitting unbroken
+and exhilarating music, or at least that is what
+it sounded like to the tense boys in the auto. At
+last with a final roar of the motor, and rumble
+of the straining gears, the machine topped the
+hill and started on its long downward coast.
+Bert threw out the clutch, and giving the engine
+a well-earned rest after its strenuous work, allowed
+the &ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; to glide rapidly and
+smoothly down the hill.</p>
+
+<p>Every boy in the car seemed half-crazy with
+delight over the performance of their mechanical
+pet. Some even went so far as to pat the
+sides of the car, and Bob expressed the general
+feeling when he said, &ldquo;Well, I&rsquo;d rather be a
+camper and be able to say I held part ownership
+in a car like this, than to be King of England.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>The boys also realized that a lot of credit was
+due Bert for the success of their climb, as even<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span>
+such a car as the &ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; could never have
+gotten up that hill without expert handling.</p>
+
+<p>Down the long hill glided the &ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo;
+with constantly increasing momentum, and long
+before they reached the bottom Bert had to apply
+the powerful brakes with which the machine
+was equipped, and check its speed.</p>
+
+<p>Gradually he slowed it down to a safer, but
+less exciting speed, and at the bottom eased in
+the clutch and the willing motor took up the
+load.</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime the sky had taken on a more
+threatening appearance, and while the happy-go-lucky
+boys in the tonneau gave it little thought,
+Bert, to whom the care of the car and its occupants
+were intrusted, cast more than one dubious
+and anxious glance in the direction in which the
+storm might be expected to break. He hoped
+that they might at least make the necessary trip
+to town and back before the rain could catch
+them, however, and so held a steady pace, and
+they were soon rolling down the main street.</p>
+
+<p>Bert got out his list of the things they would
+need, and detailed the boys to different stores so
+that they could get started again as soon as possible.</p>
+
+<p>Bert&rsquo;s last remark to them was, &ldquo;Now, fellows,
+step just as lively as you know how, and
+whatever else you do, don&rsquo;t come back drunk.&rdquo;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span>
+This raised a general laugh, as, it is needless to
+say, the boys had had no such intentions.</p>
+
+<p>Bert and Tom remained with the car, and
+while Bert said less than the other boys about
+his love for the machine, it was easy to see that
+he had a real affection for it, and took pleasure
+in cleaning and adjusting it.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Say, Tom,&rdquo; he called after a few minutes,
+&ldquo;bring me grandfather, will you?&rdquo; Now,
+&ldquo;grandfather&rdquo; was not what that word usually
+means, but an immense monkey-wrench, with
+jaws on it like a vise. It was called grandfather
+for no particular reason that anybody knew of,
+but someone had called it that once, and the name
+had stuck. The boys sometimes used it to exercise
+and perform feats of strength with, so heavy
+was it. So now, when Tom got it out of the tool
+box on the running board and handled it with
+loving care, Bert took it from him, and for several
+minutes was busy adjusting and tightening
+bolts and nuts around the motor and transmission
+case. Finally he handed the wrench back to
+Tom with a sigh of relief.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well!&rdquo; he exclaimed. &ldquo;There&rsquo;s a good job
+well done. I&rsquo;ll bet we could take that hill now
+even a little better than we did, if that&rsquo;s possible.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know about that,&rdquo; replied Tom, &ldquo;this
+old Scout went up that hill better than I thought<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span>
+it could, and I guess you ought to have as much
+credit as the machine. After this I will back
+you and the &lsquo;Red Scout&rsquo; against all comers.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>From this it may be seen that there was more
+than a little hero worship mingled with Tom&rsquo;s
+love for Bert, and no wonder. Bert was the
+sort of fellow that everyone had to admire and
+like.</p>
+
+<p>By this time the boys had begun to return with
+their bundles and boxes, and soon everything was
+safely stored in the tonneau, and the boys had
+time to wonder how they were going to get themselves
+in too, as the supplies seemed to take up
+about all the room.</p>
+
+<p>Finally it was arranged that Jim and Dave
+should stay in the tonneau to see that nothing
+was shaken overboard, while Bob and Frank
+ranged themselves on the running board.</p>
+
+<p>In this fashion they started, but it soon became
+evident to everybody that they would never be
+able to get back to camp before the storm broke,
+even with the help of the &ldquo;Red Scout.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Thunder could be heard coming nearer and
+nearer, and soon they felt the first warm drops
+of rain. Bert wished then that they had a top
+to their car, but unfortunately the leather covering
+ordered by Mr. Hollis had not yet arrived
+at the camp.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;What do you think we&rsquo;d better do, Bert;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span>
+make a run for camp or hunt shelter around
+here?&rdquo; asked Tom.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Why, this road is pretty rough, and we can&rsquo;t
+make much speed,&rdquo; replied Bert. &ldquo;I guess we&rsquo;d
+better hunt cover right away,&rdquo; as a vivid streak
+of lightning split the sky, followed by a crash of
+thunder.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;We noticed an old barn over toward the
+right when we were on a botany expedition the
+other day,&rdquo; said Frank, &ldquo;and I think that if you
+swing into that dirt road we&rsquo;re coming to, it will
+lead us right to it.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well, here goes,&rdquo; said Bert, and swung the
+&ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; into the old road. Sure enough,
+before they had gone a quarter of a mile they
+sighted the old barn, and were soon snugly established
+in it. To be sure, the roof leaked in
+places, but it was fairly tight, and what did a
+bunch of hardy campers, in the pink of condition,
+care for a few drops of rain?</p>
+
+<p>There was some hay left in the barn, and they
+lounged comfortably around on this, talking and
+listening to the rain, which by this time had increased
+to a downpour, and beat fiercely on the
+roof and sides of the old barn.</p>
+
+<p>The boys started a discussion about the hill-climbing
+feat of the &ldquo;Red Scout,&rdquo; and while all
+agreed that it had been a splendid performance,
+Bob seemed to be inclined to sneer at Bert&rsquo;s<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span>
+handling of the car. He firmly believed that he
+knew more about automobiles than Bert, and
+was sometimes a little jealous of the praise given
+him by the other boys.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, I don&rsquo;t know,&rdquo; he finally remarked,
+when Tom remarked that some people seemed
+able to coax more out of a car than others, &ldquo;I
+don&rsquo;t see that that makes much difference. I&rsquo;ll
+bet that if I had been running the &lsquo;Red Scout&rsquo;
+this morning it would have gone up that hill just
+the same. Why, when I used to run my uncle&rsquo;s
+car&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; but here he was interrupted by cries of
+derision, and Tom remarked:</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I suppose that if Bob had been running the
+&lsquo;Red Scout&rsquo; he would have run it up the hill
+backwards so that it would think it was going
+downhill, and so got to the top without any
+trouble.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>This sally caused a general laugh at Bob&rsquo;s expense
+and he subsided, but was heard to mutter
+about &ldquo;getting the right mixture,&rdquo; and &ldquo;easing
+her down to second speed,&rdquo; which nobody but
+Bert understood, but which seemed to make him
+feel much better.</p>
+
+<p>In justice to Bob, it must be said, however, that
+he did know quite a little about automobiles, but
+usually lacked nerve when it came to putting his
+knowledge into practice.</p>
+
+<p>By this time the boys were all hungry, and as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span>
+there seemed to be a small chance of the rain
+letting up for a while, Bert proposed that they
+have lunch. There was plenty of food in the
+automobile, and Bert started the boys to fishing
+out crackers and jam.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly a thought struck him. &ldquo;Say, fellows,&rdquo;
+he called, &ldquo;how about making some cornbread
+and having a real bang-up meal? We&rsquo;ve
+got bacon and all the fixings here, and we all
+know how to cook, thanks to our experience as
+campers. I&rsquo;ll make the corn bread, and Tom
+here will fry the bacon.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>There was such a joyous and noisy consent to
+this plan that Bert could not help laughing. &ldquo;All
+right,&rdquo; he cried, &ldquo;some of you fellows dive into
+the car and bring out the new frying pan and the
+Dutch oven we bought to-day. We&rsquo;ll build a
+fire on that slab of stone over there, and have
+something to eat in next to no time.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>This was no sooner said than done, and as
+the odor of frying bacon and hot &ldquo;corn pone&rdquo;
+filled the old barn, the boys thanked their lucky
+stars for the thousandth time that they had come
+on this camping trip.</p>
+
+<p>In a short time everything was ready, and they
+seated themselves near the fire. Tom dished out
+the sizzling bacon and steaming &ldquo;corn pone.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Under the cheering influence of this feast even
+Bob Ward forgot his grudge of the morning, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span>
+when he shouted, &ldquo;What&rsquo;s the matter with Wilson?&rdquo;
+the resulting &ldquo;He&rsquo;s all right!&rdquo; almost
+lifted the roof off the old barn.</p>
+
+<p>Soon they had finished and cleared away the
+meal, and when they opened the barn door were
+surprised and delighted to find that the sun had
+struggled through the clouds and was now shining
+brightly. Quickly they packed the tonneau,
+and were soon ready to start.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;All right, fellows, get to your places,&rdquo; sang
+out Bert, and soon they were chugging out of
+the old barn that had offered them such timely
+shelter.</p>
+
+<p>Once outside and fairly on the disused road,
+however, it soon became apparent that only with
+great difficulty could they make any progress at
+all. The rain had converted the road into a
+quagmire, and although Bert brought the &ldquo;Red
+Scout&rdquo; from third speed to second, and finally
+to first, he saw that they must soon stop altogether,
+and indeed this soon proved to be the
+case.</p>
+
+<p>The faithful motor apparently had plenty of
+power, but the car sank into the mud up to its
+axles, and the rear wheels simply turned around
+without propelling it. Bert finally threw out the
+clutch and the &ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; stopped as though
+he had applied the brakes, so great was the opposition
+formed by the mud.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well, this is a pretty fix, to be sure,&rdquo; exclaimed
+Bert. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re going to have the time
+of our lives getting this machine out. What you
+need for this road is not so much an automobile
+as a boat. However, it wouldn&rsquo;t speak well for
+us if we couldn&rsquo;t get our car out of this scrape
+after all it has done for us, so let&rsquo;s get busy.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s all very well,&rdquo; said Jim, &ldquo;but the
+question is, how are you going to do it? This
+isn&rsquo;t exactly a flying machine, although it can go
+pretty fast, and it seems to me that we will need
+something like that to get us out of here.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Say, you ought to be ashamed of yourself,
+Jim Dawson,&rdquo; exclaimed Tom, indignantly,
+&ldquo;here you call yourself one of the crowd, and
+yet you are willing to give up before you have
+fairly begun to try. That isn&rsquo;t the right spirit.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, it&rsquo;s easy enough to talk,&rdquo; answered Jim,
+sulkily, &ldquo;but I&rsquo;d just like to know how you are
+going to do it, that&rsquo;s all.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well, I can&rsquo;t say I have a plan right now,
+but I&rsquo;m sure that our old &lsquo;Red Scout&rsquo; isn&rsquo;t going
+to leave us in the lurch now after all it has done
+so far,&rdquo; and here he patted the vibrating car lovingly.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile Bert had been thinking deeply, and
+had finally hit on a plan. &ldquo;Here, some of you
+fellows, run back and bring me all the hay you
+can carry from that barn, will you? We want<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span>
+to get out of here as soon as we can, because Mr.
+Hollis will be anxious about us. Lively&rsquo;s the
+word.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Tom, Bob, and Frank ran back to the barn
+and soon reappeared, carrying armfuls of hay.
+When they reached the car Bert took charge of
+it, and placed it carefully under the rear wheels,
+and made a path in front of each wheel for about
+six feet.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;If we can only get over to the side of the
+road and up on that grass there,&rdquo; he explained,
+&ldquo;we will be on firmer ground and can get better
+traction. I only wish we had tire chains.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;What are tire chains, Bert, and what are
+they for?&rdquo; inquired Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Why, you see how it is,&rdquo; replied Bert, &ldquo;we
+have plenty of power, but the wheels can&rsquo;t get
+a grip on the ground, and just skid around. If
+we had a network of chains over the tires they
+would bite through the mud to solid ground and
+get the grip we need. Understand?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Sure thing, and much obliged for the explanation,&rdquo;
+said Frank, heartily.</p>
+
+<p>By this time Bert had arranged things to his
+satisfaction, and now climbed into the driver&rsquo;s
+seat, while the boys looked on expectantly.</p>
+
+<p>Bert threw out the clutch, advanced the spark
+slightly, and opened the throttle a few notches.
+Immediately the motor increased its revolutions,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span>
+and when it had reached a good speed Bert gently
+eased in the clutch. There was a grinding sound
+of clutch and gears as the power was transmitted
+to the rear wheels, and the &ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; lunged
+forward.</p>
+
+<p>The front wheels were so firmly embedded by
+this time, however, that even the &ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo;
+was helpless. Again and again Bert raced his
+engine and let in the clutch, and each time the
+machine made a gallant attempt to free itself,
+but could never quite make it. Finally he reversed,
+but with no better result. At last he
+gave up the attempt, and leaving the motor turning
+over slowly, descended to hold a consultation
+with the other boys.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Have you any suggestions to make, fellows?&rdquo;
+he asked, &ldquo;I confess I&rsquo;m up a tree just
+at present. What do you say, Bob? Can you
+think of anything?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Why, I was thinking,&rdquo; answered Bob, flattered
+by this direct appeal to his vaunted experience,
+&ldquo;that if we could dig out a path in front
+of the machine up onto the grass we might get
+it out that way.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Say! you&rsquo;ve hit the nail on the head this
+time!&rdquo; exclaimed Bert, enthusiastically.
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s just what we&rsquo;ll do. Get that spade out
+of the tonneau, will you Frank, and we&rsquo;ll get to
+work.&rdquo;</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Frank immediately complied, and in an incredibly
+short space of time the boys had a path
+dug in front of the auto down to hard gravel,
+and were ready for another attempt to extricate
+their beloved car.</p>
+
+<p>Bert climbed into his seat with a do-or-die expression
+on his handsome young face, and repeated
+his former tactics, but this time with
+greater success. The &ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; surged forward
+with a roar, like some imprisoned wild
+creature suddenly given its liberty. Bert took no
+chances this time, but plugged steadily onward
+until he reached high, firm ground. Here he
+stopped the panting machine, and waited for the
+cheering boys to catch up.</p>
+
+<p>They soon reached the faithful car, and quickly
+jumped into their places. Before starting again
+Bert turned around and said, &ldquo;Fellows, I think
+we owe Bob a vote of thanks. All who agree
+please say &lsquo;Aye&rsquo;.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>There was a hearty chorus of &ldquo;Ayes,&rdquo; and
+Bob flushed with pleasure at this tribute from
+his comrades. He thought, and with reason,
+that he had demonstrated his knowledge of automobiles
+to good advantage, as well as his ability
+to meet emergencies.</p>
+
+<p>By this time it was getting near dusk, and Bert
+knew that Mr. Hollis would be worried over
+their continued absence. Accordingly, when he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span>
+got on to the main road, he threw the gears into
+high speed, and soon they were bowling along
+at a rapid, but safe, pace toward their camp.</p>
+
+<p>It would be hard to imagine a happier set of
+boys in the world than those who sat in the big
+red automobile in the silence of good fellowship
+and listened to the contented purring of the &ldquo;Red
+Scout&rsquo;s&rdquo; powerful motor.</p>
+
+<p>As they revolved in their minds the exciting
+occurrences of the day, and thought of other
+equally happy days yet to come, it seemed to
+them that there was indeed nothing more desirable
+in life than to be campers with such leaders
+as Mr. Hollis, Bert Wilson, and Dick Trent. It
+is safe to say that they would not have changed
+places with any other set of boys on earth.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Say, Bert,&rdquo; said Jim Dawson, breaking the
+long silence, &ldquo;that race is as good as won already.
+I&rsquo;m sure that with this machine and you
+driving it, we couldn&rsquo;t lose if we tried. What
+do you think?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Bert did not answer for a moment, and when
+he did his eyes twinkled merrily. &ldquo;Well, Jim,&rdquo;
+he said, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know whether we&rsquo;ll win or not
+and that &lsquo;Gray Ghost&rsquo; is certainly some racer.
+From what I have seen of our old &lsquo;Red Scout&rsquo; to-day,
+however,&mdash;but there, I&rsquo;m not going to say
+any more just now. There is no use raising
+your hopes, and then perhaps have nothing come<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span>
+of that in the end.&rdquo; And with that they were
+forced to be content.</p>
+
+<p>By this time they had almost reached the
+camp, and could see the smoke of the fire. Soon
+they rolled smoothly into camp, and Mr. Hollis
+came to meet them with a relieved look on his
+face. At first he seemed inclined to blame them,
+but Bert soon explained matters to his entire satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>The boys mingled with their comrades, and
+many were the exclamations of wonder over their
+day&rsquo;s experiences. After a short rest, supper was
+prepared, and while they all voted it delicious,
+still they claimed that nothing had ever tasted
+quite as good as their lunch in the old barn.</p>
+
+<p>As Tom and Bert were dropping off to sleep
+that night, Tom murmured drowsily, &ldquo;Say, Bert,
+did we or didn&rsquo;t we have a bully time to-day,
+eh?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Just bet your hat we did.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well, say, isn&rsquo;t the old &lsquo;Red Scout&rsquo; about
+the greatest automobile that ever turned a
+wheel?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s whatever it is,&rdquo; concurred Bert, and
+dropped off to sleep with a smile on his face, and
+the image of a big red automobile enthroned in
+his heart.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X</h2>
+
+<h3><span class="smcap">Quick Work</span></h3>
+
+
+<p class="cap">&ldquo;You fellows get it all,&rdquo; complained Steve
+Thomas, with as ugly a look as such a
+round good-natured face as his could wear.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;You sure do seem to move in a charmed circle,&rdquo;
+chimed in another grumbler.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t they?&rdquo; echoed a third. &ldquo;They ought
+to be called the lucky three. This is the fourth
+time in less than two weeks that they&rsquo;ve had the
+auto.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>The &ldquo;lucky three,&rdquo; to whom these remarks
+were addressed, stood grinning happily at the
+disgusted faces of the other fellows in camp.</p>
+
+<p>The question to be settled was as to what ones
+should take the auto into town for some supplies
+that were unexpectedly but urgently needed.
+There had been quite a lively dispute, waxing
+louder and louder until it threatened to end in
+a genuine quarrel.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Hollis, busily finishing some letters that
+he wanted to send into town by the boys, was at
+first too absorbed in his writing to notice the unusual
+disturbance, but as the recriminations grew<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span>
+hotter he saw that immediate action was necessary.</p>
+
+<p>Rising hastily and taking in his hand a sheet
+of paper on which he had been writing, he stepped
+from his tent into the group of heated boys.</p>
+
+<p>The clamor ceased at once and when he learned
+the cause of the discussion, Mr. Hollis proposed
+to draw lots. The fellows who should draw the
+numbers one, two and three were to be the autoists
+for the trip.</p>
+
+<p>This seemed fair to all, and cutting the paper
+into equal strips Mr. Hollis wrote a number on
+each and, shaking them well in a hat passed them
+around. When they had all been drawn, each
+one turned over his slip and looked eagerly for
+the sign that fate had been good to him.</p>
+
+<p>The lot had fallen to Bert, Tom, and Ben.
+There was no appeal and the rest of the camp
+had to submit, some, however, with so poor a
+grace that Mr. Hollis, smilingly genially remarked:</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Come, boys, be sports. Any fellow can
+growl but it takes an all-around manly one to
+bear defeat smilingly. There&rsquo;s always the
+chance of better luck next time.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>His words and manner speedily dissipated
+what shreds of ill-temper remained, so that the
+boys gave a rousing cheer for a send-off as the
+car, gleaming like red gold in the brilliant morning<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span>
+sunshine, shot off up the road and disappeared
+from their longing eyes.</p>
+
+<p>As for the fortunate three in the car, everything
+unpleasant was forgotten in the twinkling
+of an eye. A great splendid flying auto is no
+place for disagreeable memories, and the woods
+rang with song and jokes and laughter as the
+car flew on.</p>
+
+<p>Out of the woods at last they swept into a
+wide well-kept turnpike, where they could safely
+ride at greater speed.</p>
+
+<p>Bert opened up the throttle and the &ldquo;Red
+Scout&rdquo; fairly &ldquo;burned up the ground.&rdquo; They
+passed a number of lumbering ox carts and farm
+wagons drawn by sedate old horses, whom nothing
+could dismay. Now just in front of them
+they saw a runabout, drawn by two spirited bay
+horses evidently of the thoroughbred type.</p>
+
+<p>As they came up behind the carriage, Tom
+noticed that one of the horses began to prance
+and that the lady who held the reins glanced behind
+nervously.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Wouldn&rsquo;t you better go rather slow,&rdquo; he cautioned
+Bert; &ldquo;one of those horses doesn&rsquo;t seem
+to have any love for automobiles.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Accordingly, Bert was very careful as he attempted
+to pass the runabout; but at the first
+glimpse of the car the prancing horse reared up
+on his hind legs and lurched heavily against his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span>
+mate. Startled, the other horse plunged forward,
+jerking the reins from the driver&rsquo;s hands.
+The feel of the loose reins on their backs completed
+their panic, and before anyone realized
+what was happening, the horses had taken the bit
+between their teeth and were dashing down the
+road, utterly beyond control. The carriage
+swayed frightfully from side to side, and the
+two ladies, their faces blanched with fear, clung
+desperately to the seats.</p>
+
+<p>The &ldquo;lucky three,&rdquo; feeling not a bit lucky at
+that moment, were filled with dismay.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I suppose that&rsquo;s our fault,&rdquo; groaned Tom,
+&ldquo;although I don&rsquo;t for the life of me see how we
+could have helped it.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s not the question,&rdquo; said Bert, anxiously,
+&ldquo;the only thing now is how to help
+them.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;It seems to me,&rdquo; said Tom, &ldquo;that the thing
+to do is to overtake them, range up alongside and
+then one of us jump into the carriage and get
+hold of the reins.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>This seemed the only feasible thing and the
+speeding auto soon came within a few feet of
+the runaways. Bert waited till the road widened
+and then shot the auto over the intervening space
+and drew alongside. Tom grasped the wheel
+and Bert, watching his chance, sprang into the
+carriage. The double motion hurled him backward<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span>
+and almost out on the road, but with a desperate
+effort, he succeeded in grasping the back
+of the seat and held on. Then climbing over, he
+made his perilous way out upon the shaft between
+the flying horses and snatched the reins. Upon
+these he pulled and sawed with all his strength
+until he at last brought the frightened beasts under
+control.</p>
+
+<p>Tom and Ben, seeing their opportunity, stopped
+the machine, and, running to the horses&rsquo;
+heads, brought them to a standstill. They
+helped the trembling women to alight and with
+cushions and robes hastily brought from the auto
+made them a comfortable seat at the foot of a
+tree by the roadside. Ben, bethinking himself
+of the drinking cup that was part of the auto&rsquo;s
+equipment, filled it with water from a nearby
+spring, and under these attentions the ladies
+somewhat recovered from their terrifying experience.
+The elder of the two turned to the
+boys and tried to express her heartfelt gratitude,
+while, if the younger was to be believed, they had
+proved themselves veritable heroes. This they
+modestly disclaimed and declared they were only
+too delighted to have been able to stop the team
+before any serious harm had been done.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile the horses stood panting and
+trembling at the side of the road. Evidently it
+would not be safe to attempt to drive them again<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span>
+at present, and they were greatly relieved when
+a young farmer, who had seen the runaway,
+came up and offered to keep them overnight in
+his barn.</p>
+
+<p>The horses thus disposed of, the &ldquo;lucky
+three&rdquo; offered gallantly to drive the ladies home
+in their car. So, fastening the runabout to the
+rear of the auto and seating their guests comfortably
+in the tonneau, the boys crowded into
+the driver&rsquo;s seat and were soon gliding up a broad
+avenue of elms that ended at the spacious and
+elegant home to which they had been directed.
+Declining a pressing invitation to enter, the boys,
+followed by their repeated thanks, started off
+with redoubled speed on their original errand.</p>
+
+<p>Without further adventure they secured their
+supplies and turned toward home. What was
+their surprise as they neared the camp to see a
+procession of the fellows coming down the road,
+some beating on imaginary drums, others blowing
+on horns, still others with harmonicas and
+jewsharps, but managing in some unaccountable
+way to evolve the well-known air of</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Hark! The Conquering Hero Comes!&rdquo;<br />
+</p>
+
+<p>It was evident that the news of their adventure
+had preceded them.</p>
+
+<p>The &ldquo;Gray Ghost,&rdquo; coming over to the camp
+to discuss some detail of the forthcoming race,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span>
+had overtaken the farmer leading the runaway
+horses and had learned the particulars. Hence
+the impromptu band and the nerve-racking rendition
+of the triumphal welcome. It was comical
+but cordial, and the boys would not have been
+human had they failed to appreciate it. And
+later on their hearts thrilled with still greater
+pleasure at Mr. Hollis&rsquo; earnest words of commendation.</p>
+
+<p>They were soon seated at the table with their
+guests from the rival camp, and in the discussion
+of the anticipated race all else was forgotten.
+They had not finished before a strange automobile
+rolled up and the colored chauffeur lifting a
+large basket from the car and bowing low, announced
+that it was for Mr. Bert Wilson and
+his friends from the ladies whom they had rescued
+that day from deadly peril.</p>
+
+<p>Many and loud were the exclamations of delight
+when the basket was found to be filled with
+the mostly costly and delicious fruit. Before
+the onslaught of the crowd it vanished like magic
+and Jim urged the boys to stop a team of runaways
+every day that summer.</p>
+
+<p>The fruit seemed to the boys the last souvenir
+of that memorable day, so crowded with incident
+and accident. But it was not. The &ldquo;lucky
+three&rdquo; were to be reminded of this day&rsquo;s adventure
+in a most unexpected manner before the season
+ended.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI</h2>
+
+<h3><span class="smcap">The Four-Legged Recruit</span></h3>
+
+
+<p class="cap">&ldquo;Don, boy, look here,&rdquo; cried Bert, coming
+out of the mess tent after dinner with a
+plate of scraps. &ldquo;Now how are you going to
+thank me for it?&rdquo; he asked as Don pranced up,
+barking and wig-wagging with his tail.</p>
+
+<p>Don&rsquo;s answer was to stick his cold muzzle into
+Bert&rsquo;s hand and to wig-wag a little harder.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Now, old fellow,&rdquo; said Bert when Don had
+cleared the plate, &ldquo;some of the boys are hunting
+butterflies over there and I want you to get this
+note to them right away. Do you understand,
+Beauty?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>The dog looked up with full understanding in
+the eyes that said so much and barked joyfully
+as Bert tied the note to his collar. He started
+off in the direction pointed out to him perfectly
+happy in the thought that he was serving his
+master.</p>
+
+<p>Bert looked fondly after the proudly lifted
+head and waving silver brush of his favorite.
+The dog had been a mystery to the whole camp.
+He seemed to know what was said to him and
+scarcely ever failed to carry out any directions<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span>
+given him. He had learned a great many tricks
+in the few days he had been in camp besides displaying
+some he had mastered previously. With
+one accord they decided that he must have been
+stolen by the tramps, who, in the discomfort and
+excitement of the other day, had forgotten all
+about him.</p>
+
+<p>A squad of the boys had that morning been
+sent over to the hills on an all-day hike to hunt
+for butterflies and to study ants&mdash;the last had
+become a favorite amusement among them since
+Dick&rsquo;s talk of a few days before. Bert had expected
+to go with them, but, as more supplies
+were needed from the village, he had volunteered
+to go over for them in the &ldquo;Red Scout,&rdquo; although
+he would much rather have gone with the &ldquo;bug
+squad.&rdquo; The note that he had entrusted to Don
+contained a warning to the boys to come home
+by the main road and not attempt to come over
+the hills as they contained many dangerous holes
+and pitfalls. He was sure that Don could find
+the boys because he had gone with them more than
+once on their hikes among the hills.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile, up in the hills, one of the boys,
+Arthur Gray by name, had wandered way off
+from his fellows before he realized it. A strikingly
+beautiful butterfly had led him on and on,
+now lingering on one flower, now on another,
+always flitting away at the very instant when Arthur<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span>
+felt sure of success. Finally, with a lazily
+graceful motion of its delicately marked wings,
+it flew away and was lost to sight, leaving Arthur
+to &ldquo;mop his fevered brow,&rdquo; as Dick would
+have said.</p>
+
+<p>Looking around him he discovered that the
+boys were nowhere to be found. He reached
+for his pocket compass and found, to his great
+surprise and dismay, that it wasn&rsquo;t there.</p>
+
+<p>By this time, really worried, he tried to remember
+where he was and which way he had
+come, but all with no result. The butterfly had
+led him there by such a roundabout path that he
+could not, for the life of him, point out the direction
+from which he had come. What should
+he do? In a moment he thought that he had
+brought his watch with him&mdash;more by luck than
+anything else, for he often left it at the camp&mdash;and
+he remembered that he could find in what direction
+the South lay by means of it.</p>
+
+<p>By that time it was exactly four o&rsquo;clock, and,
+pointing the hour hand toward the sun, he found
+that the number 2 on his watch-face pointed to
+the South: that is, half the distance between four
+o&rsquo;clock and twelve when the other hand is pointed
+toward the sun, marks the southerly direction.
+Of course, when he had one point of the compass
+it was very simple for him to find the others&mdash;that
+being a necessary part of summer camp<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span>
+training. Arthur knew that the camp lay somewhere
+to the East so he started to get there as
+fast as his legs would carry him.</p>
+
+<p>But, alas. The time when we think fate has
+been most kind to us often turns out to be the
+time when it is hardest. So it was in Arthur&rsquo;s
+case. As he hurried along, congratulating himself
+on having thought of so easy and quick a way
+to get out of his difficulty, he forgot that the
+passes over the hills had been reported dangerous.</p>
+
+<p>Going happily along he had no warning of
+what was in store for him until, with a groan, he
+sank to the ground and began to rub his ankle.
+He had stepped into one of those treacherous
+holes that covered the whole countryside and had
+sprained his ankle very badly.</p>
+
+<p>Painfully, he tried to get up, but when he attempted
+to bear his weight on the injured ankle,
+it pained so cruelly that he winced.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, I can&rsquo;t, I can&rsquo;t,&rdquo; he moaned aloud in
+his misery. &ldquo;What shall I do, what shall I
+do?&rdquo; and, sinking to the ground, he covered his
+face with his hands.</p>
+
+<hr class="tb" />
+
+<p>Meanwhile, the boys had missed him and had
+begun to search all over for him. Not finding
+him, they became anxious and looked desperately
+for him in every place they could think of.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I wonder if he could be hiding in a cave the
+way Jim was doing the other day,&rdquo; Shorty suggested.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t be a fool, Shorty,&rdquo; said Tom, rather
+sharply. &ldquo;Arthur isn&rsquo;t that kind. Probably
+he&rsquo;s chased some butterfly way off somewhere and
+can&rsquo;t find his way back.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;He ought to be able to find his way easily
+enough with his pocket compass. The thing
+I&rsquo;m afraid of is that he may have met with some
+accident,&rdquo; said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>Just then Don came trotting up to Tom, calling
+attention to the note tied to his collar by a
+series of short, imperative barks. Tom patted
+his head lovingly and called him a &ldquo;good fellow&rdquo;
+at which Don wig-wagged vigorously.
+The boys all crowded around, eager to see what
+was in the note.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s from Bert,&rdquo; Tom announced, &ldquo;and he
+says that Mr. Hollis wants us to come home by
+the main road because of the dangerous holes
+and pitfalls. Say, fellows,&rdquo; as the truth
+dawned upon him, &ldquo;do you think that Arthur
+can be hurt so that he can&rsquo;t get to us?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Nobody knows. But I know one thing,&rdquo;
+said Shorty stoutly, &ldquo;and that is, that I won&rsquo;t
+leave these hills to-night until we have found
+him.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Good for you, Shorty,&rdquo; said Frank. &ldquo;I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span>
+know we all feel the same way so we had better
+get down to business in a hurry.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>All the time the boys had been speaking Don
+had stood with his head cocked knowingly on one
+side, watching their every action. When they
+started to go he looked up into Tom&rsquo;s face, mutely
+asking to be allowed to go too. And Tom answered
+heartily, &ldquo;You just bet you can come
+along, Don. We couldn&rsquo;t do without you.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Then the boys began to scour the woods in
+good earnest. For half an hour they worked
+hard with a dull, aching sensation at their
+hearts. They looked behind rocks, pulled aside
+dense underbrush, gazed down deep ravines with
+the awful fear that they might see their comrade
+lying at the bottom. They were coming now into
+the most dangerous part of the country and they
+were forced to work slowly and with the utmost
+care.</p>
+
+<p>When they paused, weary and discouraged, to
+consult on what course was best to follow,
+Don&rsquo;s short bark reached their ears and in a minute
+the dog himself rushed up to them. Then,
+running back and forth between them and the
+direction from which he had come, he plainly
+showed them that he wished them to follow him.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;d better go,&rdquo; Tom said. &ldquo;He may have
+found him, or at least some trace of him.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>So, with Don in the lead the boys started once<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span>
+more. As they went they called Arthur&rsquo;s name,
+but at first nothing but the echoes answered
+them. They were so torn by thorns and briers
+and so wearied by the long search, that nothing
+but the thought that their poor comrade was in
+a much worse plight than they, could have kept
+them to their task. Finally, when they were beginning
+to think that Don was leading them on a
+wrong scent, they heard a faint cry. Joyfully,
+they called out again and again and each time
+the answer came nearer. When they came upon
+the runaway at last they were so happy that they
+didn&rsquo;t notice his condition at once. When they
+did realize how badly he was hurt, they forgot
+how tired they were and set about at once to relieve
+him.</p>
+
+<p>The poor boy had tried to drag himself along
+on his hands but had not been able to get very
+far. The boys bandaged the ankle and then began
+making a litter. It wasn&rsquo;t very long before
+they had Arthur fairly comfortable on the improvised
+bed. With light hearts the procession
+started for camp, Don proudly taking the lead.
+The boys thought it was best not to question Arthur
+until he had had time to recover from the
+shock.</p>
+
+<p>It was nearly dark, when, tired and hungry, the
+&ldquo;bug squad&rdquo; reached camp. It is a well known
+fact that boys are not worth much when they are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span>
+hungry. Mr. Hollis, who was a good judge of
+human nature, hurried the troop into supper, declaring
+that curiosity could be much better satisfied
+on a full stomach than an empty one.</p>
+
+<p>After supper the boys made the usual camp fire
+and made the wounded hero of the day comfortable
+before it. When the preliminaries were over
+the boys called for the story of the &ldquo;bug
+squad&rsquo;s&rdquo; adventures.</p>
+
+<p>Tom told as much of the story as he knew and
+then, turning to Arthur, asked, &ldquo;Did Don really
+find you there? We weren&rsquo;t sure but that he
+might just have struck the trail.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;He did both,&rdquo; Arthur replied. &ldquo;He struck
+my trail and followed it until he found me. I
+don&rsquo;t think I was ever so glad in my life as I was
+to see our Don come trotting up ready for some
+petting. He saw that I was hurt, though, and
+started away like a streak of lightning to bring
+you to my help. At first I thought that he was
+deserting me, but even as the thought came to
+me I knew it was unjust. Think of our gallant
+Don deserting anyone in distress. Then in a
+few minutes I heard you hail and answered as
+well as I could. I will always carry a picture of
+you fellows as you came into sight, with Don in
+the lead. Believe me, it was the finest I ever
+saw or expect to see. And now, fellows, I want
+you to give three cheers for the hero of the day<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span>
+and the finest dog that ever lived. Come on,
+now&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;HOORAY-HOORAY-HOORAY&mdash;Now let
+&rsquo;er out fellows&mdash;HOORAY,&rdquo; and in spite of his
+sprained ankle, Arthur led the cheers that
+echoed and re-echoed through the trees for rods
+around.</p>
+
+<p>All the time the cause of all the enthusiasm
+was lying with his head on Bert&rsquo;s knee, watching
+the boys contentedly. When they all crowded
+around, he took the praises they showered on him
+as a true gentleman should&mdash;with courtesy and
+dignity, only those speaking eyes of his telling of
+the love in his heart for the boys that would have
+made him die for any one of them.</p>
+
+<p>If ever a dog was glad and happy, his name
+was Don that night. Although he didn&rsquo;t understand
+what it was all about, he knew that he
+was being honored and showed that he appreciated
+it.</p>
+
+<p>The happiest moment in the whole day for
+Don came when Bert put both arms lovingly
+around his neck and whispered, &ldquo;You&rsquo;re a
+trump, old man.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>And so the four-legged recruit went happily
+to sleep to dream that he was rescuing all the
+boys in camp.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII</h2>
+
+<h3><span class="smcap">The Youngsters&rsquo; Great Day</span></h3>
+
+
+<p class="cap">&ldquo;Say, fellows,&rdquo; said Bert, as he lay stretched
+out lazily beneath the limbs of a spreading
+beech, &ldquo;isn&rsquo;t this the finest day ever?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;You bet it is,&rdquo; said Tom, &ldquo;the mould was
+broken when this day was made.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>It was, indeed, one of the perfect days that
+come sometimes to break the heat of sweltering
+midsummer. A brisk wind stirred the branches
+through which the sunlight, flecking lazily the
+ground beneath, played over the group of boys,
+who lay in all sorts of abandoned attitudes on a
+bit of rising ground a little removed from the
+camp. They had had a splendid morning&rsquo;s
+sport. The coolness of the day and the fine condition
+of the roads and meadows had suggested
+to them the game of Hare and Hounds. Up hill
+and down dale they had raced with occasional intervals
+of rest. When the hares had successfully
+shaken off their pursuers, still the bewildered
+hounds had nosed about, so to speak, seeking
+to pick up the lost trail. Bert and Tom had
+been the hares and their escape from capture had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span>
+added to the delight occasioned by the day and
+the game itself. It was only after the rice that
+they had carried in their pouches to make a trail
+had been almost exhausted, that they thought of
+doubling on their tracks and making for camp.</p>
+
+<p>The hounds had trailed in a little later on,
+looking a bit discomfited but not disheartened.
+As Pete Hart, one of the hounds, said &ldquo;though
+slightly disfigured they were still in the ring.&rdquo;
+And, oh, how that dinner tasted and how impossible
+it was almost for the famished boys to wait
+while the fish snatched from the brook that morning
+were frizzling in the pan and came in tantalizing
+whiffs to the nostrils of the boys. Something
+more substantial than whiffs, however, did
+quickly follow, and now like gorged anacondas
+full to the brim, they lay stretched out upon the
+grass and talked over the events of the morning.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I tell you what, boys,&rdquo; said Frank, &ldquo;it sure
+was the luckiest day in my life when I struck this
+camp.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Tom, &ldquo;I reckon we all say
+amen to that. Think of being out in these woods
+on such a day as this with a lot of jolly good fellows
+and not a thing to do but be happy. When
+I think of the people in town roasting under the
+summer heat while we are out here under the
+trees, you bet I feel sorry for them.&rdquo;</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Jim, who, as usual, had eaten
+more even than the others and hadn&rsquo;t before had
+energy enough to speak, &ldquo;the town is all right
+in the fall and spring, but when the summer
+comes, me for the long hike and the camp in the
+woods.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;It sure does us a lot of good,&rdquo; said Bert. &ldquo;I
+know that when I go back to the city after a
+summer like this I feel so strong that I could
+lift a ton.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;God made the country but man made the
+town,&rdquo; chimed in Dick who was great on quotations.
+&ldquo;I think it does everybody good to get
+away somewhere where they can come in contact
+with the woods and the brooks and the squirrels
+and the birds. Who was it we used to read
+about&mdash;that fellow in the old Grecian stories&mdash;I
+think his name was Antaeus, who got into a fight
+with one of the old heroes and every time he was
+knocked down, refreshed by contact with mother
+earth, got up ten times stronger than before. I
+guess that is the way we feel after a summer
+spent in the woods.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>While they were speaking, Mr. Hollis had
+joined the group. The boys quickly moved aside
+to make room for him. Although he was so
+much older than they, his genial spirit and unfailing
+friendliness kept him in touch with every
+one of the boys. At heart he was still a boy and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span>
+always would be one. He was a stickler for
+discipline, but not in the slightest degree a martinet.
+With him it was always the &ldquo;iron hand
+in the velvet glove,&rdquo; and he was so just, so considerate,
+he understood boy nature so thoroughly
+and in the case of each was able so accurately
+to put himself in his place, that the boys
+regarded him as a father or rather an older
+brother, instead of a commander.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I heard what you said, Tom,&rdquo; he said, smiling,
+&ldquo;about not having a thing to do but be
+happy. Are you quite sure you have nothing to
+do but that?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Tom stared a moment, &ldquo;why yes,&rdquo; he said
+slowly, &ldquo;to make somebody else happy.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s the thing,&rdquo; said Mr. Hollis. &ldquo;You
+hit the nail right on the head that time, Tom.
+There is no higher aim in life than to make some
+one else happy.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>A murmur of assent arose from the boys.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Now,&rdquo; said Mr. Hollis, &ldquo;we ought to do
+some one a good turn every day. It doesn&rsquo;t
+matter especially what that good turn is. It may
+be a thing so slight as almost to escape notice.
+It is just in some way or other to add to the
+sweetness of human life. It may be to give
+somebody a lift in the automobile&mdash;it may be a
+word of appreciation to kindle a smile on some
+tired face; it may be guiding a blind man across<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span>
+the street, or giving your seat to a woman in the
+street car, or even so slight a thing as to kick a
+banana peel off the sidewalk. The essence of
+the whole thing is self-forgetfulness. To lend a
+hand, to give a lift, to make life brighter and
+easier for someone even in the smallest degree.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;But what I have in mind just now is a sort
+of wholesale lift. When I was in town the other
+day I passed the orphan asylum. You know the
+one I mean. That building just off the Court
+House Square with a stone wall around it and a
+pretty lawn in front.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>The boys remembered perfectly. Every one
+of them at some time or other had passed the
+place and seen the childish faces at the windows.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Now,&rdquo; said Mr. Hollis, &ldquo;my idea is this.
+There are from forty to fifty children in that
+building. It serves as the asylum for all the
+towns in the county. I happen to know it is
+carried on in a splendid way. The officials at
+the head are kind and humane and the matrons
+in charge take the best possible care of the little
+ones, but after all they need variety. They want
+individual attention. In a home of that kind
+even with the best intentions there has to be a
+certain monotony and uniformity. They have to
+rise at a certain hour, sit down at the table at
+the same moment, go to the school room at a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span>
+given time, and even play under the direction of
+somebody else. Now, what a glorious thing it
+would be if for one day those children could
+come out into the woods and roll in the grass and
+chase the squirrels and kick up their heels like
+young colts let loose in the pasture. What do
+you say boys, to giving up one whole day of this
+vacation and make those little ones think they
+have had a glimpse of heaven?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>What they said was plenty. As Shorty said,
+&ldquo;it hit them where they lived.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>There was a chorus of excited exclamations,
+&ldquo;Will we?&rdquo; &ldquo;You bet!&rdquo; &ldquo;Just try us
+and see.&rdquo; &ldquo;When&rsquo;s it going to be?&rdquo; &ldquo;Why
+can&rsquo;t we have it to-morrow?&rdquo; &ldquo;How many kids
+are there in the asylum?&rdquo; &ldquo;What&rsquo;s the best
+way to get them here?&rdquo; At last Mr. Hollis,
+smiling, had to raise his hand, in order to be
+heard.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said he, &ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t fixed upon the
+date. As a matter of fact, I haven&rsquo;t spoken to
+the officers of the institution at all and am not
+absolutely sure that they will see their way clear
+to make the arrangement. Of course, they have
+a great responsibility upon them in caring for so
+many little ones and they would have to look at
+the question from every side. Still I don&rsquo;t think
+there will be much trouble in arranging it. They
+are just as eager to see the children have a good<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span>
+time as we are, and I think the idea will strike
+them as a capital one. One or two of the people
+in charge will, of course, have to come with
+them. Ordinarily they might feel a little timid
+about letting the children spend a whole day in
+the woods in company with a lot of high-spirited
+boys who might be reckless, and, even with the
+best intentions, lead them into danger. Still,
+you boys have established such a good reputation
+in this neighborhood,&rdquo; and here Mr. Hollis
+looked about on the eager faces with an expression
+of pride, &ldquo;that I don&rsquo;t think there will
+be any real trouble in arranging the affair.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;It is a capital idea,&rdquo; said Dick, warmly.
+&ldquo;How did you come to think about it?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Mr. Hollis, &ldquo;it wasn&rsquo;t original
+with me. It&rsquo;s a custom in the city to set aside a
+day each year as &lsquo;Orphans&rsquo; Day.&rsquo; There are
+thousands of well-to-do people, owners of automobiles,
+who have the tenderest sympathy with
+these little ones deprived, by nature, of their
+natural guardians, and on that one day of the
+year they give up all thought of selfish enjoyment
+and try to give the children the time of their
+lives. It&rsquo;s a splendid sight and warms the heart
+to see the long line of automobiles coming down
+the avenues decked with flags and overflowing
+with the little tots. Off they go to the beach
+where all sorts of amusements have been prepared<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span>
+for them. They dig in the sand. They
+paddle about with bare feet at the edge of the
+breakers. They take in every innocent amusement
+from one end of the island to another.
+They haven&rsquo;t any money to spend, but they
+couldn&rsquo;t spend it if they had. Everything is free.
+The spirit of kindness and good feeling is shared
+by all the owners of the different resorts, and
+the doors are flung wide open the minute the children
+come in sight. They see the moving pictures.
+They ride in the merry-go-round. They
+hold their breath as they speed up and down the
+scenic railways. They watch, with awed admiration,
+the wandering artist who moulds tigers and
+lions in the sand. The life guards take them in
+their boats and row around the different piers.
+They go to the great animal shows and see the
+big brutes put through their wonderful tricks.
+They sit in the weighing machines. They throw
+base-balls at the clay figures and the larger boys
+are even permitted&mdash;supreme pleasure for a boy&mdash;to
+fire at the target in the shooting galleries.
+They watch the great ocean steamers as they go
+past at a distance, and the smaller vessels, like
+white-winged birds, that hug the shore. And
+eat! How they do eat! They are like a flock
+of ravenous locusts and the food disappears as
+if by magic. It&rsquo;s a day of days for the poor little
+youngsters, to be talked over and dreamed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span>
+over for months to come, and when at the end
+of the day they pile into the autos, tired, full,
+happy as larks, for the swift return journey to
+the only place they know as home, it is a question
+who are the happier, the little ones to whom
+this means so much or the owners of the machines
+who, for that one day at least have
+spent themselves gladly for the happiness of
+others.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>The boys listened with rapt attention, and
+when Mr. Hollis had finished they were chock
+full of enthusiasm.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Tom, &ldquo;we haven&rsquo;t any beach
+here, but I am willing to bet that by the time we
+get through with those kids they will have had
+just as good a time as any youngster in the big
+city ever had.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>The boys all chimed assent to this, and Shorty,
+who was always impulsive and never could bear
+to wait for anything that he greatly desired, suggested,
+&ldquo;Why not fix it up right away?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Mr. Hollis, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t see any
+objection to that. If Bert has the automobile in
+shape we will go over at once.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>So many of the boys wanted to go with him
+that, to avoid any selection, Mr. Hollis suggested
+that they draw lots. Of course it went
+without saying that Bert would go to drive the
+machine, but in addition fate decreed that Tom,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span>
+Frank, Jim, and Shorty should pile in with them.
+Off they went along the smooth country roads,
+their hearts leaping not only with the delight of
+the glorious day and the thrilling swiftness with
+which the great machine sped over the turnpike,
+but also from the feeling that they were going to
+carry gladness and sunshine into a lot of wistful
+little hearts to whom father and mother were
+only names.</p>
+
+<p>In what seemed only a few minutes from the
+time they left the camp, they reached the asylum.
+Bert went in with Mr. Hollis while the rest of
+the boys stayed outside in the machine of which
+they never tired, and where they much preferred
+to stay rather than wander about the streets of
+the town. The interview with the officers of the
+asylum was most cordial. They knew Mr. Hollis
+as a courteous gentleman and a capable and
+careful ruler of his little kingdom. The matron
+in charge was called in at the conference and she
+also assented heartily and thankfully.</p>
+
+<p>It was arranged that on the second day thereafter,
+provided, of course, the weather was suitable,
+the outing should take place. Then arose
+the question of transportation. How were they
+to get there? The automobile would only carry
+a few of the little ones even though they were
+packed in like sardines. The superintendent
+suggested that no doubt they would be able to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span>
+find plenty of the townspeople who would be glad
+to furnish teams to carry the rest.</p>
+
+<p>But just before this arrangement was concluded
+a thought occurred to Bert. He knew
+how much the auto appealed to a youngster.
+They were used to seeing horses and wagons and
+at times would be taken for a ride in them, but
+automobiles were scarce in that locality and
+seemed almost like a fairy vehicle to the little
+ones, as with faces pressed against the panes they
+would see an occasional touring car glide swiftly
+along the road in front. &ldquo;Where were the
+horses?&rdquo; &ldquo;What made them go?&rdquo; &ldquo;Why do
+they go so fast?&rdquo; It seemed to Bert that half the
+delight of the little ones would be in the automobile
+ride and as he pictured the little wave of
+envy and discontent that would inevitably come
+over the youngsters who were forced to take the
+more prosaic and common place wagons, he
+said:</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;What&rsquo;s the matter with taking them all over
+in the machine? Of course we would have to
+make a good many trips, but what of that? It
+only takes a few minutes to get from here to the
+camp and turn our load loose in the woods and
+then come back for another. The whole thing
+could be managed in a couple of hours. Bob and
+I could take turns in driving the machine. I am
+sure Bob would be glad to, and I know I would,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span>
+and as for the kids, there is no question of the
+way they would feel about it.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;All right,&rdquo; said Mr. Hollis, while the superintendent
+and matron greeted gratefully this further
+example of Bert&rsquo;s thoughtfulness and kindness
+of heart.</p>
+
+<p>When the machine returned to camp and the
+boys who had been left behind learned of the arrangement,
+everything was bustle and stir at once.
+Although the camp was always kept in first-class
+order, this being one of their cardinal principles,
+yet there were a good many little things that
+needed doing in order that the youngsters should
+have the glorious time that the boys had mapped
+out for them. Some of them took a long rope
+and fixed up a great swing between two oaks at
+a little distance from the camp. Others arranged
+an archery butt and prepared bows and arrows
+for the larger boys to use. A number of fishing
+lines with sinkers and hooks were prepared so
+that the children might have the rare delight of
+trying to catch their own dinner. Then, too, it
+was necessary to go to town on several different
+occasions to secure supplies. Their own store
+had to be replenished, and besides, they wanted
+to get a lot of extra dainties that would appeal
+especially to the appetites of their little guests.</p>
+
+<p>There had been a heavy rain a day or two before
+and the prospects were that nothing in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span>
+way of bad weather would mar the outing. This
+had been a question of a little anxiety because
+their stay in camp was rapidly nearing a close.
+Many of the boys had only a limited time to
+stay and had to return to their employment in
+the city. And even those who could extend the
+period had no desire to do so after their fellows
+had gone.</p>
+
+<p>In all this rush of preparation the automobile
+race was not neglected. Every boy in the camp
+felt as though his own personal reputation was
+involved in winning. Rumors had filtered in
+from different quarters that Ralph Quinby, the
+driver of the &ldquo;Gray Ghost,&rdquo; was simply burning up
+the roads in exercise. It was even said that for
+a short distance he had attained the speed of a
+mile a minute.</p>
+
+<p>While there was no bitterness in the rivalry
+between the two camps, yet their desire to win
+was extremely keen.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;You have simply got to get there, old fellow,&rdquo;
+said Dick as he and Bert were tinkering
+at the machine on the morning before that set
+for the outing. &ldquo;It would never do to have
+those fellows say that the &lsquo;Red Scout&rsquo; had to take
+the dust of the &lsquo;Gray Ghost.&rsquo;&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Bert, who, as the driver of the
+car, naturally felt a greater weight of responsibility
+than anybody else, &ldquo;there are just three<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span>
+things we need in order to come in first. Above
+everything else, we&rsquo;ve got to have the car in
+splendid condition. It must be stripped of every
+single thing that might furnish wind resistance
+and make its work that much harder. Every bolt
+and nut must be examined and tightened. The
+lever, the clutch, the gear, has to be thoroughly
+examined. Many a race is won in advance in
+this way, even before the machine leaves the
+post. In the next place, we&rsquo;ve got to have good
+judgment. By this I mean judgment of pace. It
+isn&rsquo;t only what the speedometer says, but there
+is a little something that tells the man who has
+his hand on the wheel just when and just how
+hard he should hit it up. Sometimes it is wise to
+trail the other fellow. At other times it may be
+well to set the pace, but the ability to do either
+one or the other is the thing that, other things
+being equal, is bound to tell in the long run.
+Then, greatest of all, perhaps, is nerve. I don&rsquo;t
+know whether you have ever ridden, Dick, in a
+machine that goes a mile a minute, but if you
+have, especially on a circular track, you&rsquo;ll know
+something of what I mean. A fellow&rsquo;s nerves
+must be like iron. The least hesitation, the least
+doubt, the least shakiness even for the merest
+fraction of a second, may be fatal. This is true
+even if one were riding without anything especially
+at stake, but when we know that all the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span>
+fellows will be yelling like Indians, begging us
+to win, and know the bitter disappointment that
+will come to them if the other fellow shows us
+the way over the line, I tell you it is a sure
+enough test of a fellow&rsquo;s nerve.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Dick, &ldquo;as to that last point I
+haven&rsquo;t any doubt about you having plenty of
+nerve, Bert. If that were the only thing in
+question I would call the race won just now, but
+how about the machines themselves? Don&rsquo;t they
+enter into the calculation?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Of course,&rdquo; said Bert, &ldquo;that counts for an
+awful lot. You can&rsquo;t make a cart horse beat a
+thoroughbred, no matter how well he is ridden.
+There&rsquo;s got to be the speed there or everything
+else counts for nothing. But take two machines
+of about equal power, and from all I hear the
+&lsquo;Red Scout&rsquo; hasn&rsquo;t much, if anything, on the &lsquo;Gray
+Ghost&rsquo; in this particular, it puts the matter right
+up to the drivers of the cars. Under those conditions,
+nine times out of ten, it&rsquo;s the best man
+and not the best machine that wins.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>While Tom and Bert discussed the thing in
+this way soberly, the rest of the troop hadn&rsquo;t a
+doubt in the world that their hero would win.
+They idolized Bert. They had seen him under
+a variety of circumstances and never once had
+he shown the white feather. Never once had
+he failed to measure up to an emergency. Never<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span>
+once had he failed to use every ounce of energy
+and power that he possessed. If he <i>should
+lose</i>&mdash;and this thought was instantly dismissed as
+traitorous&mdash;they knew that, although beaten, he
+would not be disgraced, and so, with a vast
+amount of excitement but with scarcely the
+slightest feeling of trepidation, they awaited the
+momentous day when the &ldquo;Gray Ghost&rdquo; and the
+&ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; should battle for supremacy.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Orphans&rsquo; Day&rdquo; dawned clear and beautiful.
+There was just enough breeze to temper the heat
+of the sun. The skies were cloudless. Many a
+tousled little head up at the asylum had tossed
+restlessly on its pillow through that night and
+almost all of the expectant youngsters needed no
+rising bell to call them from their dreams. Even
+breakfast was dispatched more quickly than
+usual, and the feverish impatience of the little
+tots made it almost impossible to wait for the
+coming of that glorious automobile.</p>
+
+<p>As it was necessary to save all possible space
+in the auto for the children themselves, Bert
+drove the car over alone. When he came in
+sight he was hailed with a yell of delight by a
+little group of seven or eight gathered on the
+lawn, who had been told off, to the envy of their
+less fortunate companions, for the first ride. The
+matron in charge made a pretense of keeping
+order, but she had been a child herself and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span>
+attempt was only half-hearted. In they piled,
+one after the other, tumbling over the sides, or
+tossed in by the strong arms of Bert, and untangled
+themselves somehow, some on the seats,
+some on the bottom of the car between the last
+and the driver&rsquo;s seat. Brown heads, black heads,
+blond heads, yes, even one little red head&mdash;that
+of Teddy Mulligan&mdash;made what Shorty said
+when he saw it was &ldquo;a sure enough color
+scheme.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>As soon as they were safely ensconced, Bert
+blew his horn, swung the car around, and then
+made off for the camp. Oh, the delight of that
+swift trip on that glorious morning. Oh, the
+chatter that rose from those eager lips. Oh, the
+joy that bubbled in those little, motherless hearts.
+It wasn&rsquo;t earth&mdash;it was heaven. On sped the machine,
+noiselessly, softly, swiftly as a bird. If it
+had not been for the other groups who were eagerly
+waiting their turn Bert would surely have
+turned off into a side road and given the kids a
+good many extra miles; but the others had to be
+considered, too, and time was passing, so into the
+camp they glided, all alive with eagerness, delight
+and anticipation. The ready hands of the
+other boys lifted the little ones from the machine,
+which instantly turned about for its second
+trip. Again and again this was repeated, until
+the last little group on the lawn of the asylum<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span>
+had melted away, and the woods resounded with
+their childish prattle.</p>
+
+<p>The boys had surely spread themselves to give
+&ldquo;the kids&rdquo; a day that they&rsquo;d never forget.
+Frank took some of the larger boys to the little
+glade where the archery practice was on, put the
+bows and arrows into their hands that had been
+prepared and showed them how to shoot. The
+girls were taken to a swing that the boys had
+rigged up and swung to and fro to their hearts&rsquo;
+content. Tom showed them how to make jack-o&rsquo;-lanterns
+and told them about the time when
+Bert had put one up in a great cave and frightened
+him so badly when he caught a first glimpse
+of it. A little group under the guidance of Dick
+went down to the brook and watched the sunfish
+dart to and fro under the gleaming surface and
+the great perch and catfish lying lazily under the
+reeds that fringed the bank. Shorty, who was
+an expert fisherman, threw his line while the boys
+looked on with bated breath, and in a few minutes
+pulled up a plump catfish.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Why do they call them that?&rdquo; said little
+Tony Darimo.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Shorty, &ldquo;maybe it&rsquo;s because of
+the whiskers they have; perhaps because the face
+looks something like a cat, or else because of the
+noise they make when you take them off the
+hook.&rdquo;</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Little Billy Jackson seemed unconvinced.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;It doesn&rsquo;t seem to me like a cat,&rdquo; he
+said.</p>
+
+<p>Just then Shorty, who had turned his head to
+put the fish in the basket, uttered a loud
+&ldquo;meow.&rdquo; Billy jumped.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I guess you are right after all,&rdquo; he said.
+&ldquo;It surely does sound like a pussy cat.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>In the shallow part of the brook some of the
+little ones under the guidance of the matron were
+permitted to take off their shoes and stockings
+and paddle about. The water was less than a
+foot deep. One of the children slipped and fell.
+In a moment Don, who had been racing along
+the bank, jumped in and grabbed him by the
+collar of his blouse. The child was on his feet
+in a minute and had never been in the slightest
+danger at all, but Don felt just as proud of his
+exploit as though he had saved him from a raging
+torrent. The boys laughed and called him a
+&ldquo;fake hero,&rdquo; and yet every one of them knew in
+his heart that, however great might have been
+the danger, Don would have jumped just the
+same. Don outdid himself that day. He made
+the children scream with delight. Under the
+guidance of Bert he played soldier, shouldered
+the stick and marched, rolled over and played
+dead, and did it all with such a keen sense of enjoyment
+in his tricks that the children stood<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span>
+about and watched him, with endless wonder and
+delight.</p>
+
+<p>But the one whom the children remembered
+above all the others was Bert. He was everywhere.
+He told them stories. He carried them
+on his shoulders. He imitated the calls of the
+different birds. He summoned the squirrels and
+the timid little creatures, who long since had lost
+all fear of him, came readily forward, ate out
+of his hand and perched upon his finger tips.
+The children looked on with wide-eyed amazement,
+delight and admiration.</p>
+
+<p>Then came dinner, and such a dinner! The
+kids had never seen anything like it before.
+Fish caught fresh from the brook, the golden
+corn bread made by the boys themselves, the
+maple syrup, the cakes, the pies, the countless
+goodies that melted away before those famished
+youngsters would have filled a dyspeptic&rsquo;s heart
+with envy.</p>
+
+<p>But all things come to an end, and in the late
+afternoon, amid the shouted good-byes and waving
+of hands from all the boys in the camp, the
+&ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; took up its burden&mdash;and it had never
+borne a happier one&mdash;and carried the kids away,
+their little hearts full of unspeakable content, at
+the end of the best day&rsquo;s outing they had ever
+known.</p>
+
+<p>The boys were tired that night. Even Tom,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span>
+who prided himself on never owning up to weariness,
+admitted fairly and squarely that he was
+&ldquo;clean tuckered out.&rdquo; But it was a delightful
+weariness. They had forgotten themselves.
+They had worked and planned for others. They
+had not looked for their own happiness, and just
+because they had not, they found it. They had
+learned the one supreme lesson of life, &ldquo;that to
+give is better than to receive,&rdquo; &ldquo;that he who
+seeks pleasure as an end in itself never finds it,&rdquo;
+and that he who bestows happiness upon another
+has his own heart flooded with peace.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII</h2>
+
+<h3><span class="smcap">Dave&rsquo;s Tiger Story</span></h3>
+
+
+<p class="cap">The next night, while Dave, who had promised
+to tell them a tiger yarn, was pulling
+his &ldquo;thinking cap&rdquo; on tight, and trying to select
+his most fetching story, the boys gathered closer
+about him, and with hearts beating a little faster
+at the very mention of the word &ldquo;tiger,&rdquo; prepared
+to listen.</p>
+
+<p>At last Dave looked up, and in order to make
+his story a trifle more thrilling, gave a little talk
+on the bloodthirstiness of his majesty, the tiger.
+When he concluded by the tense look on his
+hearers&rsquo; faces that the right moment had arrived,
+he plunged into</p>
+
+<p class="noic"><span class="smcap">The Story of the Tiger</span></p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;One calm evening in the summertime, somewhat
+later than usual, a gentleman stepped from
+the train at a railroad station in a suburban town
+and walked up the street toward his home. Deep
+in thoughts of business, he did not notice at first
+that a most unusual silence pervaded the town.
+In a short time the deadly stillness roused him,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span>
+and he noticed, wonderingly, that he was the only
+person to be seen on the streets. Not a man,
+woman, or child could he see, a most unusual
+thing, as at that time, in the early evening, the
+town was always a very lively place indeed. He
+noticed, too, with amazement, that the doors and
+windows of the houses were all closed. Not a
+face appeared at any of them. All the windows
+that had blinds or shutters attached had them
+drawn tightly, and fastened securely. Not a sign
+of life anywhere. What had happened? Had
+everybody gone crazy?</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Amazed and frightened, he hurried on, up
+one street and down another, until his own house
+came into view. That, too, was closed and shuttered.
+The welcoming face that had never failed
+to greet him was not at door or window. Now,
+thoroughly alarmed, he ran up the steps of the
+porch and wildly rang the bell. The door was
+opened cautiously, just a little crack, and to his
+great relief the face of his wife appeared at the
+tiny opening.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;At the sight of him the door opened wider.
+He was clutched by the sleeve and hurried into
+the house with scant ceremony. Before he could
+get his breath after this amazing treatment the
+door was closed and locked and double-locked
+on the instant, and the white face of his wife
+confronted the dazed man.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;His dinner was ready, but without waiting for
+him to be seated at the table his wife commenced
+to tell him the cause of the unusual state of affairs.
+&lsquo;Did he remember that the wild animal
+show was to have arrived in the town that day?&rsquo;
+&lsquo;No,&rsquo; he had not remembered, &lsquo;but go on.&rsquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well, it did come, and while the show was
+in progress one of the animals, a tiger, had
+escaped from the tent and raced up Main Street,
+while everyone on the street hurried to the nearest
+refuge. At the end of Main Street he dashed
+into the woods, and though the crowd of pursuing
+men and boys did their best to recapture him,
+he was still at large. The manager of the show
+told the people, while they ran madly in pursuit,
+that the tiger was a new one, scarcely at all
+trained, and by far the fiercest and most savage
+of all the animals in the show. He warned
+everyone to stay closely within doors that night,
+and assured them that as soon as daylight appeared
+every possible effort would be made to
+capture and cage him. That is why everybody
+is barricaded within doors.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Of course, being a man, he laughed at his
+wife&rsquo;s fears, said there was no danger, and that
+it was extremely foolish for everyone to be so
+scared, and that, as for him, he would not lose
+a wink of sleep worrying about it. His wife
+noticed, however, that although he talked so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span>
+bravely, he kept closely within doors all the evening,
+and that when they were ready to go upstairs
+for the night he looked with unusual care at the
+fastenings of all the doors and windows, both
+upstairs and down. Once, as he fastened the bolt
+of a window, he had stopped and grown a little
+white at a slight scratching noise just outside the
+window.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Here a decided shiver ran around the camp,
+furtive looks were cast over hiked shoulders, and
+Sam, who for some minutes had been watching
+a moving shadow just outside the line of camp
+firelight, decided that the shadow was decidedly
+tigerlike, and wanted to know if they did not
+think the fire needed some more logs. &ldquo;All
+right, old man,&rdquo; said Bob, and the logs went on.
+They blazed up brightly, and gave every man
+Jack, even the bravest of them, a more comfortable
+feeling of security, and Dave went on with
+the story:</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;In the middle of that night the man found
+himself suddenly awake, with an intense feeling
+that someone or something was in the room.
+Raising himself upon one elbow, he gazed searchingly
+about the dim room, and was just about to
+give himself a lecture for imagining things, when,
+in the farthest and darkest corner, he saw what
+appeared to be two great balls of green fire
+glaring straight at him. At once the thought of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span>
+the escaped tiger leaped into his mind, and he
+knew that the fierce and savage beast was within
+his room. For a moment his heart fairly stopped
+beating, but, gaining control of himself with an
+effort, he tried to think what he should do. He
+reached over and laid his hand softly over his
+wife&rsquo;s lips and whispered in her ear. Then together
+they watched the two glowing points of
+fire, wondering with sick hearts how soon the
+tiger would be upon them.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;They had not long to wait, for now the tiger
+began crawling toward them, inch by inch, inch
+by inch&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>At this point in the story the boys, utterly forgetful
+of the world and everything in it, had
+crowded close about the story teller, and with
+flesh creeping and hair rising on their heads were
+listening, open-mouthed, to the story. Dave had
+paused to take breath, when every heart stood
+still as a fierce scratching on the bark of a nearby
+tree and a deep, savage growling were heard.</p>
+
+<p>All sprang to their feet. Dick Trent was the
+only one who remained cool. Having seen Bert
+Wilson (who never lost an opportunity for a little
+fun and mischief) steal quietly away under
+cover of the darkness, he more than suspected
+that something was going to happen, and so was
+prepared.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly a burst of ringing laughter made itself<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span>
+heard, and there on the grass lay Bert, rolling
+over and over, holding his sides and saying
+between gasps, &ldquo;Oh, my! Oh, my! you did look
+so funny! Hold me, somebody, or I <i>will</i> go to
+pieces. Oh, my! Oh, my!&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>At first the boys were inclined to be angry,
+but they were good fellows and always ready to
+laugh at a joke, even when it was on themselves,
+and so with many a laughing threat to &ldquo;get even
+with Bert, and that mighty soon,&rdquo; they came, a
+little sheepishly, back to the fire and with one
+accord begged Dave to go on with the story.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; resumed Dave, &ldquo;we left the tiger
+creeping inch by inch, inch by inch, toward his
+two victims, and feeling very sure of his capture;
+but the man was not the one to give up his life
+or that of his wife without a brave effort to save
+them. He whispered hastily to his wife, &lsquo;Be prepared&rsquo;&rdquo;&mdash;here
+a voice interrupted to exclaim,
+&ldquo;They ought to have been campers&rdquo;&mdash;&ldquo;&lsquo;to
+jump out and roll way back under the bed the
+instant I say Now!&rsquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;By this time the tiger had come to within a
+few feet of them, and they could see him in the
+dim light, every muscle quivering, crouched for
+a spring. The man had slipped his feet over the
+side of the bed to the floor, and his hands
+clutched the bedclothes from underneath.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;As the beast sprang the man shouted,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span>
+&lsquo;Now!&rsquo; and at the same time flung the bedclothes
+over the head and body of the tiger.
+The two terrified people used the few minutes
+the angry, snarling beast took to get out from
+the tangle of bedclothes to roll as far under the
+bed as they could. The bed was a very low one,
+and the man knew that the tiger, who was very
+large, could not creep under without raising the
+bed with his shoulders. So the two resolved that
+when he tried to get under, as they knew he
+would, they would grip the steel springs above
+them and hold on like grim death, and try to
+hold the bed down.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;All too soon they found themselves holding
+on to those springs with all the combined strength
+of their muscles. The tiger tried again and again
+to lift the bed, but could not get enough of his
+shoulders under to get a purchase, and finding
+himself baffled, crept away to his far corner to
+consider what to do.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;The man knew that they could not keep the
+tiger at bay in this way very long, for their
+strength was nearly gone. Groping about desperately,
+his hand touched his son&rsquo;s tool box, pushed
+carelessly under the bed. How thankful he was
+that their boy was visiting relatives at a distance.
+He, at least, was safe. He grasped the box as
+a drowning man grasps a straw, and lifting a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span>
+lid searched for and found a screw driver, and,
+oh, joy! a few large screws.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Working desperately, and more rapidly than
+ever in his life before, he drove a couple of the
+screws through the two top legs of the bed, securing
+them to the floor. Another two minutes
+and he had one of the bottom legs in the same
+condition. Before he could touch the fourth leg
+the tiger, angered by the noise of the screw driving,
+bounded forward and again tried to lift the
+bed. Finding he could not get at them, the tiger
+suddenly sprang upon the bed and began tearing
+at the mattress. Very soon there was nothing
+between him and the now almost despairing
+couple but the woven wire springs. These springs
+were of extra strong, fine quality, but even these
+could not hold out long against the onslaught of
+those terrible, powerful claws.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Almost mechanically the man again thrust
+his hand into the box, and drew out a small saw.
+The idea came to him to cut a hole through the
+floor into the ceiling of the room below, slip
+through, and rush for help. He spoke to his
+wife, and found she had fainted. He worked
+desperately, faster and faster, while all the time
+the tiger tore more and more fiercely at the
+tough springs. His hot, terrible breath swept
+across their faces, so close to that snarling one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span>
+above them, while the saliva dropped from his
+savage jaws.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Almost fainting with disgust and terror, the
+man worked on still more desperately, for dear
+life now. At last one side was finished, then another,
+now the third, and a little hope came back
+to the man&rsquo;s heart. If he could only finish that
+other side he would have at least a slight chance
+of escape. But now the tough woven wire links
+began to give way under the tearing of the tiger&rsquo;s
+savage claws. In one place a small hole is broken
+in the wire. In mad haste the man tears the saw
+through the wood. It seems as if it would never
+give way. Once the saw slips and bends. What
+if it should break! One more desperate, despairing
+effort. Only two more inches now, only one,
+only a half inch. At last it is over, and the saw
+drops from his nerveless hand. He makes a last
+effort to arouse his wife, but without avail. He
+cannot bear to leave her, for he fears that before
+he can get help and return the tiger will be upon
+her. What can he do? It is his only chance to
+save her. He <i>must</i> take it.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;The tiger, as if he knew a crisis had come,
+ceased his tearing and lay above them, watching
+with angry fire flashing from his eyes, and keeping
+up a low, savage snarling.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;With a muttered prayer for protection for his
+poor wife and help for himself, the man lowered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span>
+himself through the opening until he found
+himself suspended from the ceiling of the lower
+room. In desperate haste to go for help, he is
+about to drop to the floor, but pauses to hear if
+there is any sound or movement in the room
+above. Not a sound. There is comfort in that,
+for his poor wife must be safe as yet, but what
+is the tiger doing? Why is everything so deadly
+quiet? Incensed at the escape of one of his victims,
+one would suppose him to be all the more
+eager to secure the other; but there is no sound.
+What can he be doing?</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;At this moment an awful thought comes to
+him. What if the cunning tiger had crept silently
+down the stairs into the room below? He
+remembers that the door into that room was
+open when they passed it on their way upstairs.
+How safe they had felt then! How little had
+they dreamed that this awful thing would come
+upon them! Could it be only a few hours since
+they had gone upstairs, chatting cheerfully together?
+It seemed days and days ago. Perhaps
+the tiger was at that moment crouched below him
+there in the darkness, ready to spring upon him
+the moment, yes, even before, his feet touched
+the ground.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;The awful thought made him pause, and he
+hung there with fiercely throbbing heart, undecided
+what to do. If he could hear one sound<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span>
+of the tiger moving in the room above him he
+could drop, quickly close the door, and rush
+away for help. Still no sound from his wife&rsquo;s
+room. What should he do? Perhaps it would
+be better to try to hold on until morning, when
+he could at least have the blessed light to aid
+him. It could not be long now before daybreak.
+Surely out of doors there must be daylight now.
+Soon it would come into the room and enable him
+to look about him. Yes, that would be the best
+and only thing to do.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;But no; he cannot! His strength is failing.
+Already his numbed fingers are slipping&mdash;slipping&mdash;another
+moment and the tiger will be upon
+him and all will be over. He can hold on no
+longer. He is falling&mdash;falling&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;&lsquo;John! Oh, John!&rsquo; comes a cheerful voice
+from below. &lsquo;Aren&rsquo;t you coming down? It is
+almost train time, and breakfast is ready.&rsquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;John sits up in bed, looking with dazed eyes
+all around the bright room, flooded with morning
+sunshine, and it is minutes before he realizes
+that it is <i>all a dream</i>!&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>If anyone could have taken a photograph of
+the boys&rsquo; faces just before the conclusion of the
+story and another just after it, the two pictures
+would have been a comic study; but they could
+not have given the transition from faces filled
+with rapt, motionless, breathless interest to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span>
+astonished, somewhat disgusted look as the totally
+unexpected ending of the story filtered in
+upon them.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Hollis, who had listened to the last part
+of the story with as much interest as the boys,
+thanked Dave for the pleasure he had given
+them, but could not keep back a smile as Shorty
+voiced the general sentiment, &ldquo;You ought to be
+ashamed, Dave Ferris, for handing us such a
+lemon.&rdquo;</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV</h2>
+
+<h3><span class="smcap">With Death Behind</span></h3>
+
+
+<p class="cap">Pop! Pop! Bang! The &ldquo;Red Scout&rsquo;s&rdquo;
+motor gave a few preliminary explosions,
+and then started off with a sound like a whole
+battery of field guns going off at once. A cloud
+of black smoke issued from the exhaust, and in
+a few seconds had enveloped the car so that it
+could hardly be seen. Some of the boys came
+running up with consternation written in their
+faces, evidently thinking that the automobile was
+about to explode, or run away, or do some
+equally disastrous thing. They were reassured
+by Bert&rsquo;s broad grin, however, and Bob Ward
+gave a relieved laugh.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Gee!&rdquo; he exclaimed, &ldquo;what&rsquo;s the matter
+with the old machine, anyway, Bert? You had
+us scared stiff there for a few minutes. I thought
+that after this when we wanted to get anywhere
+we&rsquo;d have to walk, sure. It looked as though the
+old &lsquo;Scout&rsquo; were on fire.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;It sure did,&rdquo; confirmed Frank. &ldquo;What <i>was</i>
+the matter, Bert?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, nothing to speak of,&rdquo; replied Bert airily.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span>
+&ldquo;I had just washed the engine out with a little
+kerosene oil, and, when I started it, why, of
+course that burned, and gave out the smoke you
+saw. I don&rsquo;t wonder that you thought something
+was up, though,&rdquo; he continued, laughing.
+&ldquo;It certainly did look like the &lsquo;last days of Pompeii&rsquo;
+for a few seconds, didn&rsquo;t it?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s what it did,&rdquo; broke in Shorty, &ldquo;and
+seeing all that smoke reminded me of a riddle
+I heard a little while ago.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Go on, Shorty, tell us the riddle and get it
+out of your system,&rdquo; laughed Bert. &ldquo;If you
+don&rsquo;t it might grow inward and kill you. Some
+brands of humor are apt to work that way, you
+know.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well, the riddle is this,&rdquo; said Shorty.
+&ldquo;Why is it that an automobile smokes?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Many were the answers to this, but at each
+one Shorty shook his head. Finally he said,
+&ldquo;Well, do you give it up?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I guess we&rsquo;ll have to, fellows,&rdquo; grinned Bert.
+&ldquo;Go on and tell us, Shorty; why <i>is</i> it that an
+automobile smokes?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Because it can&rsquo;t chew,&rdquo; crowed Shorty triumphantly,
+and dodged just in time to avoid a
+piece of greasy waste that Bert threw with unerring
+aim at his head. Amid cries of &ldquo;Lynch
+him!&rdquo; and &ldquo;This way out!&rdquo; and &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t let
+him escape alive, fellows,&rdquo; Shorty took nimbly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span>
+to his heels and skipped behind a tree. After the
+excitement had subsided Bert returned to his
+grooming of the &ldquo;Red Scout,&rdquo; and soon had
+matters fixed to his entire satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>It was a hot, sticky afternoon, and the boys
+had nothing particular to do outside of the routine
+duties of the camp. They had been lying
+around on the grass, lazily talking and listening
+to the drowsy hum of an occasional locust, when
+one had said:</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Gee, I wish to goodness there was a little
+wind stirring. I feel as though in about five minutes
+I would become a mere grease spot on the
+landscape.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; Bert had replied, &ldquo;if you feel that
+way about it, why not manufacture a little wind
+of our own?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Manufacture it,&rdquo; had come a chorus of surprised
+protest, &ldquo;how in time can you manufacture
+wind?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, it&rsquo;s very simple when you know how,&rdquo;
+Bert replied, in an offhand manner. &ldquo;What&rsquo;s to
+prevent us from piling into the auto and taking
+a spin? When we get out on the road I think I
+can promise you all the breeze you want. What
+do you say, fellows? Want to try it?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>The answer was an uproarious shout of approval,
+and accordingly Bert had been getting
+the machine in shape.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>In a short time they were ready to start, and
+as they were getting in they discerned Shorty&rsquo;s
+stocky form emerging from the trees. He signaled
+frantically for them to wait, and soon came
+up panting.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Say, you weren&rsquo;t going without me, were
+you?&rdquo; he asked reproachfully.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; laughed Bert, &ldquo;you deserve almost
+anything after springing a thing like that on us,
+but I guess we can forgive you, if we try real
+hard. Shall we take him along, fellows?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t see what Shorty needs to come for,
+anyway,&rdquo; said Ben, slyly. &ldquo;It seems to me that
+a fellow that can run as fast as Shorty did a little
+while ago can make all the wind he needs himself.
+He doesn&rsquo;t have to get in an automobile
+to get swift motion.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s so,&rdquo; agreed Bert, with a serious face,
+&ldquo;still, probably Philip has other views, and so
+we might as well give him the benefit of the
+doubt. Jump in, old scout.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>This was easier said than done, however, as
+the big red auto was already literally overflowing
+with perspiring boys, but they managed to
+squeeze in, and started off, singing three or four
+different songs all at the same time, and each one
+in a different key.</p>
+
+<p>Nobody seemed to be bothered much by this,
+however, and they soon reached the hard, level,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span>
+macadam high road. Bert &ldquo;opened her up&rdquo; a
+few notches, as he expressed it, and they were
+soon bowling along at an exhilarating pace. The
+breeze that Bert had promised them soon made
+itself felt, and you may be sure it felt very grateful
+to the overheated boys.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;This beats lying around on the grass and
+whistling for a wind, doesn&rsquo;t it?&rdquo; asked Frank,
+and, needless to say, all the rest of the boys were
+emphatically of his opinion.</p>
+
+<p>They had been going along at a brisk pace for
+several miles when they heard the purr of another
+motor car in back of them, and glancing
+back saw a handsome-looking blue auto creeping
+up to them. A flashily dressed young man,
+smoking a cigarette, was driving it, and three
+girls were sitting in the tonneau. The blue machine
+overtook them steadily, and soon was
+abreast of them.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Gee, Bert,&rdquo; exclaimed Frank, excitedly, but
+in a low voice, &ldquo;you&rsquo;re not going to let them
+pass us, are you?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, let them, if they want to,&rdquo; replied Bert;
+&ldquo;we didn&rsquo;t come out for a race, and I feel just
+like loafing along and taking things easy. What&rsquo;s
+the use of getting excited about things on a hot day
+like this? Besides, I don&rsquo;t think those people are
+looking for trouble, anyway.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>At this point the blue car passed them, however,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span>
+and as it did so one of the girls in the tonneau
+looked back and called, &ldquo;How does the
+dust taste, boys? Like it?&rdquo; The fellow driving
+it laughed at this sally, and shouted, &ldquo;Hey,
+youse, why don&rsquo;t you get a horse?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>All the boys looked at Bert to see how he
+would take this. He said never a word, but his
+grip tightened on the steering wheel, and the
+&ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; gave a lunge forward that almost
+jerked some of the boys out of their seats.
+Faster and faster the powerful car flew, and it
+was evident that they would soon overtake the
+blue car. The latter was also a first rate machine,
+however, and the boys could see one of
+the girls in the tonneau lean over and speak to
+the driver. The blue car started to draw slowly
+away, and Bert opened the throttle a few more
+notches. The motor took on a deep, vibrating
+note, and the hum of the gears rose to a higher
+pitch. Soon they began to overtake the car in
+front, and now it became evident that the latter
+was doing its best. The &ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; fairly
+&ldquo;ate up&rdquo; the intervening space, and in a few
+moments had come up to within a few yards of
+the laboring blue car. The driver looked back,
+and seeing that the big red car in back of him
+would surely pass him in another few seconds,
+swerved his own car over so that it was squarely
+in the middle of the narrow country road.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span>
+There was a shallow ditch on each side of the
+road, and the only way Bert could pass him was
+to take a chance of overturning and run two
+wheels in this ditch. Usually he would not have
+thought of exposing the boys to such a risk, but
+now he threw caution to the winds. Amid
+hoarse and excited cries from the boys he &ldquo;gave
+her the limit,&rdquo; to use his own expression, and the
+&ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; seemed fairly to leap ahead.</p>
+
+<p>He swerved the big machine into the ditch,
+and the wheels bumped and pounded over the
+uneven surface. The big car fairly shot by the
+blue machine, however, and amid a triumphant
+shout from the frenzied boys regained the smooth
+road and hid the defeated challenger in a cloud
+of dust.</p>
+
+<p>Then Bert slowed it down a little, but kept
+well in the lead. The blue machine had evidently
+given up in despair, however, and gradually
+dropped back until a turn in the road hid
+it from their view. The boys broke into an excited
+discussion of the recent &ldquo;brush,&rdquo; and all
+were enthusiastic in their praise of the staunch
+old &ldquo;Red Scout.&rdquo; They also had many flattering
+things to say in regard to Bert&rsquo;s driving,
+until he was forced to protest that he would have
+to buy a hat about five sizes larger, as he could
+fairly feel his head swelling.</p>
+
+<p>Finally the excitement subsided somewhat,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span>
+and the boys had time to look around them and
+get their bearings. It did not take them long to
+find that they were in unfamiliar surroundings.
+They had gone at such a fast pace that they had
+covered more ground than they would have believed
+possible. Bert consulted the odometer, or
+distance recording instrument, and announced
+that they had covered almost thirty-five miles!</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Say!&rdquo; he exclaimed, &ldquo;we&rsquo;ll have to do some
+tall hustling to get back to the camp in time for
+lunch. We&rsquo;ll keep on a little way, until we get
+to a place where the road is wide enough to
+turn around in, and then we&rsquo;ll beat it back as
+fast as possible.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>As he finished speaking, they rounded a sudden
+turn in the road and a gasp arose from
+every boy in the car. Not fifteen feet ahead of
+them was a railroad crossing, and giving a
+lightning-like glance up and down the track Bert
+saw that there was a train approaching from
+both directions. It was obvious that the automobile
+would not be able to get across in time,
+and at the brisk rate at which they were traveling,
+it was equally impossible to stop the machine.
+It seemed inevitable that the auto would
+be struck by one or both of the ponderous locomotives,
+and it and its occupants be crushed to
+atoms.</p>
+
+<p>The boys turned sick with horror, and gripped<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span>
+the sides of the automobile without being able
+to say a word. Their eyes gazed without winking
+at the two rushing locomotives, and they
+were unable to move.</p>
+
+<p>But Bert saw that they had one, and only one,
+bare chance of life. He did not try to apply the
+brakes, which would have been useless and fatal,
+but as the big auto reached the railroad tracks
+<a href="#image01">he wrenched the steering wheel around and
+headed it directly up the track</a> in front of the
+northbound train. As he did this he opened the
+throttle, and bent over the wheel in a desperate
+and almost hopeless attempt to beat the flying locomotive
+until the engineer, who of course was
+using every means in his power to stop his train,
+could check its momentum and give them a
+chance to escape.</p>
+
+<p>The &ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; bumped and swayed wildly
+over the uneven ballasting and ties, and the boys
+breathed heartfelt prayers that nothing on the
+staunch car would break. In spite of all Bert
+could do, the fast express train gained on them,
+although sparks were streaming from the
+wheels where the brakes were clamped against
+them. The engineer had reversed the locomotive,
+and the great driving wheels were revolving
+backward.</p>
+
+<p>The momentum of a fast and heavy express
+train is not a thing to be checked in a moment,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span>
+however, and the boys in the rear of the automobile
+could feel the heat from the locomotive
+boiler.</p>
+
+<p>But the powerful automobile had gotten &ldquo;into
+its stride&rdquo; by this time, and was fairly flying over
+the uneven roadbed, and to the boys it felt as
+though it were only hitting the high places, as
+Frank afterward expressed it. For a hundred
+or two hundred feet the train failed to gain an
+inch, and then the brakes began to tell and it
+gradually fell to the rear.</p>
+
+<p>Shorty leaned over and thumped Bert on the
+back and yelled: &ldquo;Slow up, Bert, slow up!
+We&rsquo;re out of danger now, I guess.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Bert glanced back, and saw that Shorty was
+right. They were drawing rapidly away from
+the locomotive, so he reduced speed, and the automobile
+gradually attained a safer pace, and at
+the first opportunity Bert swung it up off the tracks
+and onto a country road. This done, he stopped
+the machine, and leaning on the steering wheel,
+buried his face in his hands. He said not a
+word, and the boys could see that he was
+trembling like a leaf. In a few moments he recovered
+himself, however, and the boys began to
+overwhelm him with questions:</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;How did you ever think of going up the
+track instead of trying to get across, Bert?&rdquo;
+inquired Frank. &ldquo;If you had tried to cross that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span>
+would have been the last of us, because we could
+never have made it.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I did it because it was the only thing to be
+done, I guess,&rdquo; replied Bert, in a shaky voice.
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m no end of a fool to go at that speed on a
+road that I don&rsquo;t know, anyway. I don&rsquo;t know
+what I could have been thinking of to take such
+chances. Mr. Hollis will never have any confidence
+in me again, I guess.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Nonsense!&rdquo; retorted Bob, indignantly.
+&ldquo;Why, if Mr. Hollis could have seen the presence
+of mind you showed, I think he would trust
+you all the more, if that is possible. Not one
+person in a hundred would have thought of doing
+what you did.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, but that&rsquo;s not all of it, by any means,&rdquo;
+said Bert, in a mournful voice. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll bet that
+we&rsquo;ve broken something on the old car, as well
+as almost getting ourselves converted into sausage
+meat. Here goes to look things over, anyway.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>A thorough inspection failed to reveal any
+break in the mechanism or frame, however, and
+even the tires were intact. Finally Bert straightened
+up with a relieved expression on his face, and
+said: &ldquo;Well, I can&rsquo;t seem to find anything at
+present, that&rsquo;s one comfort. However, I
+wouldn&rsquo;t have believed that any car could stand
+such punishment and hold together. We won&rsquo;t<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span>
+kick against fate, though, for not smashing our
+car for us, will we?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I guess not,&rdquo; agreed Shorty, heartily, &ldquo;I
+think we ought to thank our lucky stars that any
+of us are left to talk about it, even. It&rsquo;s more
+than we had a right to expect fifteen minutes
+ago.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I guess you&rsquo;re right, Shorty, at that,&rdquo; agreed
+Bert, &ldquo;but now, we&rsquo;d better make a quick sneak
+back to camp. Mr. Hollis will have given us up
+for lost.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Accordingly the boys all climbed into the car,
+and they were soon humming along on their
+homeward journey. You may be sure that Bert
+slowed down almost to a walking pace at every
+turn they came to, however, and once, just for
+fun, he said, &ldquo;Say, Shorty, I don&rsquo;t like the looks
+of that curve ahead of us. Perhaps you had
+better get out and go on ahead to make sure
+that the coast is clear. I intend to be on the
+safe side this time.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Shorty immediately entered into the spirit of
+the joke, and vaulted out over the side of the
+tonneau while the auto was yet in motion, and
+disappeared around the curve. As the auto
+crept around the bend its occupants could see
+Shorty waving his handkerchief and signaling
+for them to come on. Bert laughingly complied,
+and, as they passed Shorty, stopped a moment to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span>
+give him a chance to climb aboard. Shorty was
+soon in his place, and Frank laughed.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Gee, Bert, that&rsquo;s being careful for fair. If
+Mr. Hollis could have seen that I think it would
+have made up for our going too fast and almost
+getting smashed up. What do <i>you</i> say, fellows?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>There was a unanimous chorus of assent to
+this proposition, but Bert did not join in the
+laughter. He felt in his heart that he had been
+careless, and he knew that even his subsequent
+presence of mind in getting them out of a tight
+scrape did not wholly atone. His mind was
+filled with these thoughts, when Bob said, &ldquo;Say,
+fellows, I don&rsquo;t see why we have to say anything
+to Mr. Hollis about our near accident, at all. It
+will just make him angry at us, and maybe he will
+not want to let us use the car again. Besides,
+now that it&rsquo;s all over, it won&rsquo;t do him any good
+to know what a narrow escape we&rsquo;ve had.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;No, no, Bob, that would never do in the
+wide world,&rdquo; replied Bert, quickly, and in a reproving
+voice. &ldquo;The last thing we ought to
+think of is to deceive Mr. Hollis, and you know
+it. I&rsquo;m surprised that you should even have
+mentioned such a thing.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well, there&rsquo;s no harm done, is there?&rdquo; replied
+Bob, but in a rather shame-faced manner.
+&ldquo;We won&rsquo;t do it if you don&rsquo;t think we ought to,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span>
+so there&rsquo;s no use getting mad about it. I just
+offered that as a suggestion, that&rsquo;s all.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; replied Bert, &ldquo;the chief blame for this
+thing lies on me, anyway, and as soon as we get
+back to camp I intend to make a clean breast of
+the whole matter to Mr. Hollis, and he can do
+as he thinks best.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, all right, have it your own way,&rdquo; growled
+Bob, sullenly, and they relapsed into silence. By
+this time it was almost dark, and Bert was forced
+to drive very slowly, as he had never been over
+that particular road before. He had a well-developed
+sense of location, however, and was
+pretty sure that he was going in the right direction.</p>
+
+<p>As it proved he was not deceived in this, and
+they shortly struck a road with which they were
+all familiar. Bert ventured to accelerate their
+pace somewhat, and it was not long before they
+came in sight of the cheery camp fire, around
+which Mr. Hollis and the boys who had not gone
+on the automobile trip were seated. As they
+heard the sound of the machine the group around
+the fire leaped to their feet, and Mr. Hollis
+walked slowly toward them. When the auto
+swung into the circle of fire light and came to
+an abrupt halt, he said:</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;What has been detaining you, boys? It
+seems to me that you are not treating me quite<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span>
+right by going off in this manner and returning
+at such an hour as this. Why, you should have
+been back two hours ago.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>A chorus of excited exclamations rose from
+the boys, but Mr. Hollis raised his hand for
+silence. When this had been restored, he said,
+&ldquo;One at a time, boys, one at a time. Here, Bert,
+let&rsquo;s hear your explanation.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>This Bert proceeded to give in a very straightforward
+manner, and did not attempt to gloss
+over any of the details of his recklessness, as he
+was pleased to call it.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Hollis listened with a serious face, and
+when Bert had finished, said, &ldquo;Well, Bert, you
+were certainly to blame for taking chances in
+the manner that you did, but, on the other hand,
+you deserve credit for the presence of mind and
+courage you showed in extricating your companions
+and yourself from what might very easily
+have been a fatal accident. Still, you were right
+to tell me all about it, and I think that to-day&rsquo;s
+experiences may have the effect of making you
+more careful in the future.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;You may be sure, sir, that I will never be so
+careless again,&rdquo; promised Bert, and by the tone
+of his voice, Mr. Hollis knew that he meant it.</p>
+
+<p>It was a hungry lot that sat down to supper
+that evening, and little was spoken of except
+their thrilling experiences of the day. After<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span>
+supper, however, they began to feel the effects of
+the exciting day, and all expressed themselves
+&ldquo;tuckered out.&rdquo; As Frank said, &ldquo;He felt too
+tired to take the trouble of going to sleep.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>They all managed to overcome this very important
+objection, however, and soon there was
+no sound to be heard in the camp except the
+rustling of the embers in the camp fire as they
+slowly burnt themselves out and settled into
+ashes.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV</h2>
+
+<h3><span class="smcap">Mountain Scouting</span></h3>
+
+
+<p class="cap">Sunshine! glorious, golden sunshine! Was
+ever sunshine more bright? Was ever sky
+more blue? Was ever day more beautiful? So
+questioned our campers as, fresh and glowing
+from a cold plunge in the lake, a hearty breakfast
+despatched, bedding aired and cots freshly
+made up, camp cleared up and morning duties all
+attended to in tip-top fashion, they mustered
+about Mr. Hollis to receive the day&rsquo;s commissions.</p>
+
+<p>It mattered little what might be the commission
+allotted to each squad. Anything, everything
+that might come to them in the way of
+camp duty, could not but be a pleasure on such
+a glorious day as this. With young bodies
+aglow with health, young minds, awake and alert
+for all new impressions, young hearts filled with
+desire to live right, to do right, to be kind and
+helpful to all with whom they came in contact,
+how could they help being happy?</p>
+
+<p>The camp was full of merriment, but perhaps
+the happiest squad of all was the auto squad.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span>
+In fact this was always the case, but today the
+autoists had a special expedition. They were
+to play the mountain scouting game, and as the
+nearest mountains were at a distance from camp
+the squad had been detailed for the automobile.</p>
+
+<p>Gaily the fellows piled in and away they flew.
+As the roads which they must travel today were
+rough, their progress was much less rapid than
+usual; but, despite this they reached their destination
+in about half an hour.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Hurrah for the &lsquo;Red Scout,&rsquo;&rdquo; cried Bob,
+as they tumbled out of the car. &ldquo;If she can
+travel like that over these roads, what&rsquo;ll she do
+on the race track? Oh, say, fellows, the &lsquo;Gray
+Ghost&rsquo; won&rsquo;t be in it. She&rsquo;ll fade away like a
+real ghost.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t I wish the day of the race was here,&rdquo;
+said Tom. &ldquo;Seems as if it would never come,
+doesn&rsquo;t it, fellows?&rdquo; and &ldquo;It sure does,&rdquo; they
+all chorused.</p>
+
+<p>The &ldquo;mountains&rdquo; were really very high,
+rocky hills, but, as they were known to embrace
+many very steep and dangerous ravines, some of
+them nearly as perilous as mountain precipices,
+many and earnest had been the warnings given
+by Mr. Hollis as the boys had started on their
+expedition, and each boy carried in the pockets
+of his jacket some part of the equipment for
+first aid to the injured that was a part of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span>
+camp outfit. Thus safe-guarded, they felt no
+fear.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as they had arrived the three &ldquo;hares,&rdquo;
+who had been coached in the game, went to hide
+themselves in the mountain, and, after sufficient
+time had been given them for this purpose, the
+&ldquo;hounds&rdquo; followed them; while Bert and Dave
+Ferris remained in the auto to watch for any
+signal that might be given them from the mountain.</p>
+
+<p>The game of mountain-scouting consists in the
+&ldquo;hounds,&rdquo; who must stay within certain limits
+of ground, finding or &ldquo;spotting&rdquo; the &ldquo;hares&rdquo;
+within a given time. If they find or spot them
+even with field glasses, it counts, provided that
+the finder can tell who it is he has spotted. The
+hounds write down the names of any of the
+hares that they may see. If at the end of the
+allotted time no hare has been spotted, the hares
+win.</p>
+
+<p>To-day two hours had been the given time
+and the boys in the mountains were to signal
+to Bert the news as each hare was found.</p>
+
+<p>Time was nearly up. Three hares had been
+found. The chase had been a merry one and
+now hares and hounds together, no longer
+pursuers and pursued, but just happy-hearted
+campers were hiking down to the two in the automobile.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The return signal had been given, and Bert
+and Dave, relieved of the slight anxiety they had
+felt while the game was going on, expected each
+moment to see the boys come into view.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly Dave sprang to his feet. &ldquo;Look,
+Bert,&rdquo; said he, &ldquo;another signal.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Breathlessly the boys read the signal wig-wagged
+to them from a point high up on the side
+of the hill. &ldquo;Come quick! Fred hurt. Bring
+splints and kit and ropes.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>It took only a very short time for the boys to
+reach the scene of the accident, and one glance
+took in the situation. Turning a corner the boys
+had come, all unknowing, upon a spot where the
+rocks shelved suddenly down into a deep ravine.
+The edge of the descent was hidden by a fringe of
+breast-high bushes, and Fred Morse, all unconscious
+of his danger, had stepped upon a piece
+of rock which gave under his foot, and, before
+the boys could even put out a hand to save him,
+had slipped through the bushes, and the horrified
+boys had heard their comrade go crashing
+through the bushes on the side of the ravine.
+His frightened cry, &ldquo;Help, fellows, I&rsquo;m falling!&rdquo;
+still echoed in their ears. While two of
+the boys were signalling, the others had called
+to Fred but no reply had come back to them.
+When Bert reached them, Bob was running along
+the edge of the cliff, in great danger of going<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span>
+over himself, in a vain effort to find a place to
+climb down.</p>
+
+<p>Now, not waiting for the call for volunteers, he
+ran to Bert and begging him to hurry and help
+him, began fastening the ropes about himself.
+In a twinkling, the rope was adjusted, the knots
+securely tied, and the rope firmly held by four
+boys, Bob was lowered slowly and carefully over
+the side of the cliff.</p>
+
+<p>Down, down he went till, just as the boys began
+to fear that the rope would not be long
+enough, it lay slack in their hands, and they knew
+that Fred was found. Presently came the signal,
+three distinct pulls on the rope, and soon
+poor Fred was lifted tenderly over the edge and
+laid gently down. A few minutes more and good
+old Bob was back with them.</p>
+
+<p>Now, all attention was turned to Fred. After
+a careful examination from head to toe, Bert relieved
+the anxious fears of his comrades by the
+announcement that he was sure that Fred&rsquo;s life
+was not in danger. A faint cheer went up, which
+faded when Bert said Fred&rsquo;s leg was broken.</p>
+
+<p>Consternation filled their hearts, for the nearest
+doctor was miles away, and though Bert felt
+sure there was no more serious injury than the
+broken limb, it was hard to tell what internal
+injury might have been sustained, and a long ride
+in the motor with the leg in the present condition<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span>
+might prove a serious matter. There was no
+doubt about it, the leg must be set at once.</p>
+
+<p>Not one of the boys had anything but the
+simplest knowledge of first-aid-to-the-injured, but,
+though at first hearts feared and hands trembled,
+they conquered fear and each boy went steadily
+to work to do his part. Whether it was to hand
+the cotton batting or to pull with full strength
+upon the poor broken limb, or hold the splints
+while Bert wound yards of bandage around
+them, not a boy flinched, and at last the work
+was done, and well done.</p>
+
+<p>Then with faces scarcely less white than
+Fred&rsquo;s own, they turned to the task of making a
+litter on which to carry him down to the motor.</p>
+
+<p>After a long search, for the hill was almost
+barren of trees, being covered mostly with
+scrubby bushes, two short and two long saplings
+were found and, laying two of the boys&rsquo; jackets
+on the ground and running each of the long poles
+through the sleeves of a jacket, the two jackets
+were buttoned together with buttons down. Then
+the short poles were lashed on and a comfortable
+stretcher was ready to their hand.</p>
+
+<p>In the auto on smooth roads, carried tenderly
+by his fellows over the rougher places, they at
+last reached the office of the crusty old village
+doctor and laid Fred on the couch for the doctor&rsquo;s
+examination. But though the doctor was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span>
+crabbed, he was skilful, and in a very short time
+the temporary splints were replaced by permanent
+ones and the party turned toward camp.</p>
+
+<p>Homeward-bound in the auto at last, the boys
+drew a great sigh of relief and weariness. What
+an eventful day it had been! Begun so brightly,
+it had nearly ended in a tragedy, and at the
+thought their hearts swelled with gratitude that
+they were taking dear old Fred home with them
+alive, and, if not well, at least only the worse for
+a broken leg and some severe bruises. They
+could not be thankful enough.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Who&rsquo;s that going along the road ahead?&rdquo;
+asked one of the boys, and all saw, walking in
+the middle of the road and directly in the path
+of the motor, a little bent old woman&rsquo;s figure,
+the most conspicuous article of whose dress was
+a bright red, very draggled looking feather which
+drooped from the brim of a very ancient hat.</p>
+
+<p>Very tired and pathetic, the old figure looked
+to the boys as they brought the machine to a
+stop beside her, and the old wrinkled face, wet
+with tears that was turned to them when they
+spoke to her, made every warm boy&rsquo;s heart ache
+with pity.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Why it&rsquo;s Kitty Harrigan&rsquo;s old mother, who
+has just come over from Ireland,&rdquo; said Dick, in
+a low voice. &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t you remember, fellows,
+how we laughed when Mr. Hollis told us about<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span>
+her the other night? He said, you know, that
+the poor old lady had been quite a village belle
+in her young days, and now, in her age, she
+imagines herself back in her girlhood. Look at
+her now.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Indeed, the old lady was a study, for no sooner
+did her old eyes fall on Bert&rsquo;s handsome face as
+he spoke to her, than tears were brushed hastily
+aside, and with a coquettish glance from her
+brown eyes that, despite the years, were still
+bright, she made him so deep a curtsey that her
+long black coat swept the ground.</p>
+
+<p>She had eluded all watchful eyes, and slipped
+off by herself for a walk, and when she wished
+to return, had taken the wrong direction, and
+was walking away from home instead of toward
+it. She had enjoyed herself immensely at first,
+making the most of her seldom-obtained freedom,
+but now her old feet were very tired and
+the old limbs that had carried her sturdily for
+nearly ninety years were growing weak at last,
+and, after such unusual exertion, were trembling
+beneath her.</p>
+
+<p>At the boys&rsquo; proposal to take her into the car
+and give her an automobile ride, the tired old
+face broke into a smile, and, as the boys settled
+her in the most comfortable seat in the tonneau,
+she leaned back luxuriously, and, clasping her
+old hands, said in ecstasy, &ldquo;Did annybody iver<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span>
+see the loike of Biddy Harrigan ridin&rsquo; in an artymobile,
+no less.&rdquo; She beamed upon the boys, she
+patted the hands and shoulders of all of them
+within her reach, and in her rich Irish brogue
+showered compliments upon them; for a very
+demonstrative creature was old Biddy Harrigan.
+She did not notice that mischievous Bert, whom
+she had called a &ldquo;rale foine gintleman,&rdquo; took
+advantage of her flow of talk to sing in a very low
+tone, &ldquo;&lsquo;H-a-double r-i-g-a-n spells Harrigan&rsquo;,&rdquo;
+but the boys found it very hard to keep their
+faces straight.</p>
+
+<p>On Fred&rsquo;s account, poor Fred, who had, perhaps,
+shown more courage than anyone else in
+that day&rsquo;s ordeal, for not one word of complaint
+had he uttered through all his pain, the boys felt
+that they must go on to the camp where he could
+get the rest and attention he so sadly needed.
+They did not know that what was causing him
+keener anguish than the physical pain was the
+fear that he would be unable to be on hand on
+that day of days which he, like every other fellow
+in camp, had thought of every waking moment,
+dreamed of every night and looked forward
+to with daily-increasing impatience&mdash;the
+day of the race between their adored &ldquo;Red
+Scout&rdquo; and the challenged &ldquo;Gray Ghost.&rdquo; To
+miss seeing the &ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; come in gloriously
+victorious (not a single doubt of her victory entered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span>
+any boy&rsquo;s mind), what was the pain of a
+broken leg to the misery of that possibility! But
+they did know that he needed care, so they carried
+Biddy Harrigan with them. As supper was
+ready when they reached camp, they placed Biddy
+in the seat of honor and regaled her with the
+best of the camp fare.</p>
+
+<p>Never had an old women enjoyed herself so
+much. She could not get over the fact that the
+delicious supper had been cooked by boys. &ldquo;If
+Oi hadnt of seen it and tashted it, Oi niver,
+niver would have belaved,&rdquo; she said over and
+over again.</p>
+
+<p>After supper they hurried the old woman,
+gesturing and exclaiming at the delight of another
+&ldquo;artymobile&rdquo; ride, into the auto and soon
+had her home.</p>
+
+<p>Irish Kitty, who washed for the camp, was
+overjoyed at her old mother&rsquo;s safe return and
+overwhelmed them with gratitude.</p>
+
+<p>The boys last view of Biddy was a grateful,
+curtseying, waving, delighted old woman who repeated
+over and over again, &ldquo;O&rsquo;ll not forgit yez,
+B&rsquo;ys, O&rsquo;ll not forgit yez. Yez&rsquo;ll hear from old
+Biddy agin,&rdquo; and they did.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI</h2>
+
+<h3><span class="smcap">By a Hair&rsquo;s-Breadth</span></h3>
+
+
+<p class="cap">Tap, tap, tap, tap&mdash;tap, tap&mdash;tap, tap, tap&mdash;sounded
+in Ben&rsquo;s ears before he was fully
+awake and conscious. He sat up in bed and listened,
+and asked himself what that sound was.
+Was it rain? At the thought his heart grew
+heavy with apprehension. Rain on <i>this</i> day,
+when he and Bert and Tom were going to auto
+ten miles over to the Red River for a day of
+trout fishing. The other fellows, who did not
+care so much for fishing, were going on a tramp
+with Mr. Hollis, and he and his chums were to
+have the auto all to themselves the whole day.</p>
+
+<p>Slipping noiselessly from his cot, he lifted the
+tent flap and stepped outside. The first rays of
+morning sunshine beamed full in his face, and
+the insistent noise that had aroused him proved
+to be the tap-tapping of an energetic woodpecker
+out for the proverbial &ldquo;early worm.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Delighted at the prospect of such a glorious
+day, he rushed back into the tent with a hop,
+skip and a jump, at sight of which Don, always
+ready for a frolic, began frisking about and barking
+joyfully.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Of course, there was no sleep after that for
+the other fellows, and, bath and dressing and
+breakfast dispatched as soon as possible, the
+three boys, seated in their beloved auto, and
+bidding a noisy good by to the rest of the camp,
+sped away on their quest for trout enough for a
+rousing fish dinner that evening.</p>
+
+<p>You would have had to go a long way to find
+a merrier or more care-free set of boys than our
+three adventurers. Used as they were, by this
+time, to the automobile, it never became an old
+story to them, and now, as the swift motion of
+the car sent the cool air rushing against their
+young faces, with the sunshine turning everything
+to gold, and with the prospect of a day of rare
+sport before them, they gave full vent to their
+overflowing spirits. They shouted and laughed,
+and chaffed each other until many a staid farmer
+or farm hand, starting early work in the fields,
+or doing chores about the barns, found themselves
+smiling in sympathy. They recalled the
+time when they were boys, and the whole world
+just a place to be happy and jolly in.</p>
+
+<p>The boys had enjoyed the ride so much, that
+all three were almost sorry when Tom pointed
+out the gleam of water through the trees, and
+they knew that Red River was at hand; but in a
+moment nothing was thought of but the fun of
+getting ready for their day&rsquo;s sport.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Tumbling out of the &ldquo;Red Scout,&rdquo; laden with
+fishing baskets and tackle and rods, they raced
+down to the river bank, selected each a shady,
+grassy, comfortable spot, and, line and reel and
+hook adjusted, were obliged at last to curb their
+wild spirits, still their noisy chatter, and settle
+down to fisherman&rsquo;s quiet, although irrepressible
+Tom, unable to subside at once, sang softly:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">&ldquo;Hush, hush, not a breath, not a breath,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">I&rsquo;ve a nibble, still as death, still as death.&rdquo;<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>The others could not resist joining in the
+chorus of the old song, and regardless of consequences
+sang lustily:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">&ldquo;Oh, the joys of angling!<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Oh, the joys of angling!<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Oh, the joys, oh, the joys,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The joys, the joys of angling.&rdquo;<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Then a Sabbath stillness descended on the
+party, until Ben shouted, &ldquo;first bite,&rdquo; and giving
+his line a sudden jerk and swing, landed a beautiful
+speckled trout upon the grass a few feet
+away.</p>
+
+<p>For a few moments excitement reigned, and
+cries of &ldquo;Hurrah for Ben,&rdquo; &ldquo;good for us,&rdquo;
+&ldquo;isn&rsquo;t he a beauty?&rdquo; &ldquo;let&rsquo;s keep it up,&rdquo; were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span>
+heard, until Bert&rsquo;s &ldquo;We certainly won&rsquo;t keep it
+up unless we keep quiet,&rdquo; sent them back to their
+places and again quiet reigned.</p>
+
+<p>Ten, fifteen, twenty minutes went by, and there
+were no more nibbles. The boys were beginning
+to get restless, when Bert landed the second
+fish, and, a couple of minutes after re-baiting his
+hook, added a third beauty to their collection.</p>
+
+<p>Tom, seeing the success of his comrades, began
+to feel as though he were being left on the
+outside of things, but Bert encouraged him by
+reminding him, &ldquo;First the worst, second the
+same, last the best of all the game,&rdquo; and sure
+enough, after nearly half an hour of most trying
+waiting, he suddenly felt his line twitch, and
+had the joy of landing the largest and finest fish
+yet caught.</p>
+
+<p>When the excitement had a little subsided,
+Ben said, &ldquo;I think we ought to celebrate that
+dandy catch, and the very finest way would be
+to have a feast.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>As, what with the stirring ride and the excitement
+of the sport, each fellow felt, with Bert,
+that he was hungry enough to &ldquo;eat nails,&rdquo; the
+hamper was brought from the &ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; and
+unpacked with scant ceremony.</p>
+
+<p>Every boy who has spent a day in the open
+will know exactly how <i>good</i> those cold chicken
+and ham sandwiches tasted; and the way the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span>
+doughnuts vanished was something to see.
+Washed down with a drink of cool water from
+a nearby spring, it was a luncheon to be remembered.</p>
+
+<p>Again settling themselves in their chosen
+places, they continued to try &ldquo;the heedless finny
+tribe to catch&rdquo;; for four trout, even though they
+were fine, large ones, would, Tom said, regardless
+of the aptness of his simile, be no more than
+&ldquo;a drop in the bucket for all those hungry fellows&rdquo;;
+but their luck seemed to have changed.</p>
+
+<p>For more than two hours not a nibble disturbed
+the quiet of those exasperating lines, and,
+as the ground, although covered with springy
+grass, is not the softest seat in the world, the
+boys&rsquo; patience was tested to the utmost. They
+lay outstretched, resting on both elbows, and
+Tom, tempted by the heat and the absolute quiet,
+was just falling into a doze, when he was aroused
+to immediate action by the violent twitching of
+his line. A moment more, and another speckled
+victim was added to their store.</p>
+
+<p>For the next hour and a half the fish bit almost
+as fast as they could bait their hooks, and
+they were kept busy hauling in one after another,
+until, in the joy and excitement of the sport, they
+lost all count of time. Fortunately for the camp,
+Bert suddenly made the double discovery that
+they had more than enough fish, and that if there<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span>
+was to be a fish dinner at camp that night, they
+would have to stop at once.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;ll have to make a quick sneak,&rdquo; said
+Ben, who, in moments of excitement, sometimes
+forgot his most polished English.</p>
+
+<p>Hastily packing their catch in the fishing
+baskets they had brought, they tossed them and
+the tackle into the auto, scrambled in themselves,
+and were off and away.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;The &lsquo;Red Scout&rsquo; goes fine,&rdquo; said Tom, as
+the great car gathered headway. From the beginning,
+the auto race, which even the wonderful
+day&rsquo;s sport could not completely banish from
+their minds, had been the almost exclusive topic
+of conversation among the campers, and now that
+the day was rapidly drawing near, they could
+think of little else. &ldquo;Is she in first-class condition,
+Bert?&rdquo; asked Ben.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; Bert replied, &ldquo;except that I noticed
+on the way out this morning that the brake did
+not work as well as usual. As soon as we reach
+home I will find and remedy the trouble, whatever
+it is. If worst comes to worst I can send
+to the factory for a new part, which would reach
+us inside of twenty-four hours.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>By this time about half the ten mile stretch
+had been covered, and now they had begun to
+descend a very steep hill. Suddenly Bert&rsquo;s face
+went white. Tom, chancing to look at him, exclaimed,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span>
+&ldquo;What&rsquo;s the matter, Bert?&rdquo; and Bert
+replied, &ldquo;The brake won&rsquo;t work, fellows.
+Something&rsquo;s stuck. I can&rsquo;t control the car.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Then for a moment all yielded to a panic of
+fear. &ldquo;Oh, Bert,&rdquo; said Ben, &ldquo;you <i>must</i> stop
+her.&rdquo; &ldquo;There must be <i>something</i> you can do,&rdquo;
+begged Tom.</p>
+
+<p>Looking into the frightened faces of his two
+companions, Bert recovered his self-control, and
+resolved to do his best to avert an accident.
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t be frightened, fellows,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;The
+steering gear is all right. Just sit tight and keep
+a stiff upper lip, and we&rsquo;ll come through.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;But, Bert, the bridge!&rdquo; gasped Tom, and at
+the same moment a vision of the narrow bridge,
+scarcely wide enough for two autos to pass, which
+crossed the river at the foot of the steep hill,
+and just where the stream was deepest, flashed
+before their eyes. All realized that should the
+automobile fail to pass over the center of the
+bridge, and should strike the frail railing on
+either side&mdash;Well, they didn&rsquo;t dare to think of
+that.</p>
+
+<p>Calling up all their courage, the brave boys
+resolved to face, without flinching, whatever
+awaited them. Once past the bridge and onto
+the broad roadway beyond, they knew that they
+would be safe. On level ground, with the power
+shut off, they would come to a standstill.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>But &ldquo;would they ever reach that level roadway?&rdquo;
+each boy asked himself, with sinking
+heart.</p>
+
+<p>Bert renewed his efforts to use the worthless
+brake, but without avail. Down, down, they
+flew, gaining speed with every passing moment,
+and now the bridge was in sight. Another moment,
+and they would be upon it.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Courage, fellows,&rdquo; said Bert, in low, tense
+tones, and bracing himself, he concentrated all
+his mind and energy in guiding the car to the center
+of the bridge.</p>
+
+<p>When a few hundred feet away the forward
+wheel struck a large stone, and the machine,
+which had been headed directly for the bridge,
+swerved to one side, and now sped onward toward
+the river.</p>
+
+<p>With lightning-like rapidity Bert wrenched the
+steering wheel around, and once more, with only
+a few feet of space to spare, the &ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo;&mdash;good
+old &ldquo;Red Scout,&rdquo; was headed <i>almost</i> for
+the middle of the bridge&mdash;not quite&mdash;the space
+had been too small. To the boys, looking
+ahead with straining, despairing eyes, it seemed
+that they <i>must</i> crash into the railing, and that
+nothing could save them.</p>
+
+<p>Instinctively they closed their eyes, as the car
+dashed upon the bridge, expecting each minute
+to hear the crash of breaking timbers, and to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span>
+feel themselves falling into the engulfing waters
+of the rushing river.</p>
+
+<p>But the expected did not happen. Like a bird
+the &ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; skimmed over the bridge,
+missing the railing by a hair&rsquo;s breadth, and was
+out upon the broad roadway. Almost before
+the boys could realize their escape from the awful
+danger that had threatened them, it was over,
+and the &ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; gradually losing its speed,
+at last stood still.</p>
+
+<p>Breathless, speechless, dazed, almost overcome,
+the boys sat looking at each other for a
+few moments, until, the full realization of their
+wonderful escape coming upon them, they grasped
+each other&rsquo;s hands convulsively. Each knew
+that in the other&rsquo;s heart, none the less earnest
+for being unexpressed, was a fervent prayer of
+thankfulness for their deliverance; but as speech
+returned to them, the first words uttered by
+Tom, were, &ldquo;What do you think of that for
+classy driving, fellows?&rdquo; at which they all
+laughed nervously.</p>
+
+<p>Their laugh did not last long, however, for in
+the midst of it, out from among the trees and
+shrubbery that skirted the roadway emerged two
+rural constables. As if one overwhelming experience
+were not enough, the constables informed
+them that they were arrested for exceeding
+the speed limit.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Bert was the first to recover from the shock,
+and giving his companions a comical, but reassuring
+look, he stepped forward and said, &ldquo;We
+have been speeding some, officers, but we simply
+couldn&rsquo;t help it,&rdquo; and he proceeded to explain.
+But the boys&rsquo; faces expressed their consternation
+when they found that their explanation was
+not credited.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;We only have your word for that,&rdquo; said one
+of the men, &ldquo;and you will have to convince the
+judge that you are telling the truth.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Why, you certainly won&rsquo;t arrest us for an
+accident to our brake, for which we are not at
+all to blame!&rdquo; cried Tom, indignantly.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said one constable, giving his fellow
+a knowing wink, &ldquo;perhaps if you have a &lsquo;tenner&rsquo;
+that you have no use for, we might forget
+all about it.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Bert, flushed and indignant, refused, and without
+further protest, the three boys, followed by
+the two constables, took their places in the car.
+As they were only a short distance from town,
+they soon arrived at the court house, and were
+left in an ante room to await their turn for a
+hearing.</p>
+
+<p>Once alone, the three comrades stood for the
+second time within an hour, looking into each
+other&rsquo;s faces. As Tom afterwards said, &ldquo;too
+full for utterance.&rdquo;</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Suddenly Ben began strutting around the
+room in a most pompous manner, remarking, &ldquo;I
+guess you don&rsquo;t know who we are. You know,&rdquo;
+said he, &ldquo;that one is not a howling swell until
+he has been pinched for speeding, so behold us
+three aristocrats!&rdquo; with another strut across the
+room.</p>
+
+<p>The boys could not help laughing, but Bert
+said, &ldquo;Well, if this is being an aristocrat, I&rsquo;d
+rather be excused. It won&rsquo;t be quite such a
+laughing matter if we find ourselves fined fifty or
+a hundred dollars.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;But,&rdquo; began Tom, and said no more, for
+at that moment they were called before the
+judge.</p>
+
+<p>They were obliged to stand by and hear the
+constable&rsquo;s charge against them, given in detail.
+Then the judge turned to them&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;What are your names?&rdquo; was the first question.</p>
+
+<p>Bert replied for the three. Upon hearing
+the names the magistrate started, and looked
+keenly at them, but said nothing further than to
+ask what they had to say to the charge brought
+against them. Bert gave a clear and connected
+account of the accident to the auto brake, and its
+consequences, and ended by saying, that if any
+proof were needed, an examination of the brake
+would show the truth of their account.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The judge accepted the boy&rsquo;s statement, dismissed
+the charge against them, and turned to
+them a face from which all sternness had vanished,
+and been replaced by such a genial, friendly
+smile, that the three comrades were filled with
+wonderment. This was not lessened when the
+magistrate asked them if they were the three
+brave fellows who had stopped the two runaways
+a few days before, and saved the lives of the
+ladies who were driving.</p>
+
+<p>With amazement that the judge should know
+of the runaway, plainly written on their faces,
+the boys acknowledged that they had stopped the
+horses, but added that it was their auto that had
+frightened the animals, and so it had plainly been
+up to them to help.</p>
+
+<p>The magistrate smiled more broadly at this,
+but repeated that they were brave boys, and that
+he was glad to meet them.</p>
+
+<p>Looking quizzically at them, he said: &ldquo;I have
+a special interest in those two ladies. One of
+them is my wife, and the other my daughter, and
+I can never repay you for what you have done
+for me. You have made me your debtor for life.
+If I can ever do anything for you, be sure and
+let me know.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Another handshake all around, and the boys
+found themselves free once more. Were they
+happy?&mdash;well, you should have seen them as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span>
+they climbed into the car and headed toward
+camp.</p>
+
+<p>Events had so crowded upon each other that
+for the first mile or so the three speeders sat
+silently reviewing the occurrences of this most
+amazing day. And Tom, recalling their court
+room experience, broke out with:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">&ldquo;Gee whiz, I&rsquo;m glad I&rsquo;m free<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">No prison cell for me.&rdquo;<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>This provoked a laugh and broke the tension,
+and a moment afterward a scouting party from
+the camp hailed them boisterously: &ldquo;Where are
+those fish?&rdquo; &ldquo;How long do you think we can
+live without eating?&rdquo; &ldquo;Stand and deliver or take
+the consequences&rdquo;&mdash;and as the auto came to a
+standstill, the basket was snatched and hurried
+off to the mess tent. Soon a delicious odor made
+every hungry boy&rsquo;s mouth water, and when at
+last they gathered around the table it was with
+wolfish appetites that they paid their respects to
+that belated fish dinner.</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII</h2>
+
+<h3><span class="smcap">Biddy Harrigan Remembers</span></h3>
+
+
+<p class="cap">&ldquo;Cast thy bread&mdash;cast thy bread upon the
+waters,</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;And it shall return&mdash;it shall return unto thee
+after many days,&rdquo; chanted a clear, high voice,
+truly a wonderful voice, which Bert claimed as
+his own discovery.</p>
+
+<p>It was almost bed-time in the camp. The day
+had been a most fatiguing one, and all had returned
+so weary that no one cared for the usual
+lively evening entertainment. Even Mr. Hollis
+had said that he was &ldquo;dog-tired,&rdquo; and he felt
+with the boys that the very finest thing in the
+world was just stretching out on the grass, resting
+weary feet, and saying to one&rsquo;s self: &ldquo;Nothing
+to do till tomorrow.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>It was a perfect evening, cool and quiet.
+There was no moon, but the stars twinkled
+brightly, and the boys had been looking up at
+them and trying to make out some of the six constellations
+that everyone should be familiar with.
+But even that, in their present state of laziness,
+was too much like work, and now they lay doing
+and almost thinking nothing.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Even Don, the big collie, that the tramps had
+deserted, was not inclined to romp with the boys
+as usual, but lay quietly with his great head resting
+upon his paws. He had become the pet and
+plaything of the whole camp and treated them
+all impartially except Bert whom he had chosen
+as his one particular master. He wanted no
+other heaven than this&mdash;to lie, as now, close to
+Bert, whose hand caressed his head while he said
+now and again: &ldquo;Good dog&rdquo;; &ldquo;Good old fellow!&rdquo;
+Don, like the boys, was at peace with
+all the world.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly, someone started a popular air in
+which all joined. This put them in a musical
+humor, and song followed song, changing after
+a while from popular music and rollicking college
+songs to those of a more sentimental nature.
+Most of the boys had good voices. With
+the soprano of some, the tenors of the older fellows
+and Mr. Hollis&rsquo; fine bass, the camp singing
+would have delighted any lover of music.</p>
+
+<p>Whenever the boys had sung together, they
+had noticed that Phil&rsquo;s voice had never joined in
+with the others. They had guyed him about it
+but as he would never answer them, they had
+come to the conclusion that he could not sing and
+was sensitive about it, so they had stopped teasing
+him.</p>
+
+<p>To-night, as the notes of &ldquo;The Soldier&rsquo;s Farewell&rdquo;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span>
+floated over the camp, Bert noticed that
+Shorty was singing for the first time, and though
+his voice was low as though he were purposely
+holding it back, for fear the attention of the
+boys might be drawn to it, the notes were remarkably
+clear and pure.</p>
+
+<p>When the song ended, Bert turned to Phil
+and asked him if he liked music. Phil answered
+that he loved it and added more as if he were
+thinking aloud than talking, that it was &ldquo;the
+finest thing on earth.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>The boys sat up and stared. There was a moment
+of surprised silence and then a chorus of
+voices:</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Then you can sing?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;We never dreamed you could.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Why didn&rsquo;t you tell us?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Why wouldn&rsquo;t you sing for us?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Because,&rdquo; said Phil, who had decided to tell
+them the real reason at last, &ldquo;because all you
+big fellows thought that just because I was small,
+I couldn&rsquo;t do anything worth while, and I was
+sore.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>The fellows expressed their regret and then in
+responses to a few kindly questions put by Mr.
+Hollis, they learned that Shorty&rsquo;s ambition was
+to obtain a thorough musical education. They
+learned too that for two years past he had been
+the soloist in the boy choir of one of the prominent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span>
+churches in New York. He had joined the
+boy choir because there he could gain, without
+cost, a knowledge of sight reading and voice control.</p>
+
+<p>Bert&rsquo;s &ldquo;Won&rsquo;t you sing something for us,
+Phil?&rdquo; was not to be resisted and after a moment&rsquo;s
+thought his clear notes rose in a burst of
+melody:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">&ldquo;Cast thy bread upon the waters&rdquo;&mdash;&mdash;<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>The boys fairly held their breath as the flutelike
+notes of one of the finest voices they
+had ever heard, floated off into the woodland
+spaces.</p>
+
+<p>When he had finished, every one sat spellbound,
+paying the highest tribute of a moment
+of perfect silence. Even when the silence was
+broken by hearty hand clapping, the spell of the
+music still brooded over them. It had been too
+fine for noisy applause.</p>
+
+<p>The boys&rsquo; appreciation of his singing was
+very grateful to Phil, and not the least tribute
+was Tom&rsquo;s: &ldquo;Gee, Phil, I hope the birds didn&rsquo;t
+wake up to hear that. They would have been
+green with envy.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>The tension was broken by Sam&rsquo;s asking:
+&ldquo;What does that mean, &lsquo;Cast thy bread upon
+the waters&rsquo;&mdash;and how can it return?&rdquo; Mr.
+Hollis was glad to explain that no kind deed or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span>
+word is ever wasted, but is sure to return blessings
+on the one who gave it, if only in the glow
+that a kind action always brings.</p>
+
+<p>But, uplifted as the boys had been, it is not in
+boy nature to stay long upon the heights and they
+soon came down to earth again.</p>
+
+<p>Jim showed how fully he had come back to
+earth by remarking as he suddenly remembered
+that owing to a miscalculation as to the elastic
+nature of a boy&rsquo;s capacity, both flour and corn
+meal had given out, and that in consequence,
+nothing in the shape of bread had come their
+way that night: &ldquo;I wish some real bread were
+coming tomorrow. I am not particular about its
+coming by water. It can get here any old way,
+as long as it comes.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>The sound of someone approaching the camp
+aroused them. Irish Kitty appeared, with a big
+basket on one arm and a great bunch of red
+roses in her apron.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as the boys saw the flowers, a shout
+went up: &ldquo;Roses! roses! What beauties!&rdquo;
+and on Kitty saying that she had counted them
+and there was one for each, they were seized
+upon and distributed in a twinkling.</p>
+
+<p>Now, Kitty stated that she had a &ldquo;prisint for
+the young gintlemin&rdquo; from her mother, Mrs.
+Harrigan, &ldquo;to thank thim for the foine illigant
+ride in the artymobile.&rdquo;</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The big basket was uncovered and there lay
+revealed to the eyes of the delighted boys a
+number of large loaves of delicious homemade
+bread. One did not need to taste that bread to
+know its value. The firm white loaves spoke for
+themselves. Corn bread they had in plenty
+every day, but white wheat flour bread was not
+included in their regular camp rations, so that
+this was indeed a treat. They were all devouring
+it already in imagination, and each wished
+it were morning so that they might begin in
+reality.</p>
+
+<p>Kitty departed amid &ldquo;Good nights&rdquo; and
+hearty thanks to her mother, and, camp bed time
+having arrived, all drifted toward their tents,
+Tom gaily singing:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">&ldquo;&lsquo;Tis a name<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">That no shame<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Has iver been connected with<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Harrigan! That&rsquo;s me.&rdquo;<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>All at once some one shouted: &ldquo;Look at Ben
+Cooper.&rdquo; They turned to see Ben standing like
+a statue, eyes fixed on nothing, staring straight
+ahead of him.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Say, fellows,&rdquo; said he, &ldquo;that bread that we
+cast on the waters on our way home from the
+doctor&rsquo;s the other day sure did come back, didn&rsquo;t
+it?&rdquo;</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;It certainly did and it didn&rsquo;t take &lsquo;many
+days&rsquo; either to get here,&rdquo; said Tom.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;And,&rdquo; chimed in Shorty, &ldquo;a big bunch of
+red roses thrown in, too.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, Caruso,&rdquo; added Bert, throwing his arm
+affectionately over Phil&rsquo;s shoulder, &ldquo;you must
+be a prophet as well as a singer.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Very soon the tired boys were off to dreamland,
+where visions of loaves of fluffy white
+bread, each loaf with a red rose growing out of
+it, floated about, and imaginative Dave dreamed
+that old Biddy made a &ldquo;prisint&rdquo; of a loaf to
+each one, singing in a high cracked voice as she
+handed them around: &ldquo;Harrigan! That&rsquo;s
+me!&rdquo;</p><hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII</h2>
+
+<h3><span class="smcap">The Race</span></h3>
+
+
+<p class="cap">&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; exclaimed Bert, drawing a long
+breath as he rose from his cramped position
+beside the &ldquo;Red Scout,&rdquo; &ldquo;this machine is
+in as good condition as I know how to put it,
+and if nothing happens I guess we can show you
+fellows some speed this afternoon.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>It was the morning of the long wished-for race
+and Bert was addressing an excited group of
+boys, who were holding wrenches, oil cans, and
+such other appliances as he might need in putting
+the finishing touches on the pampered machine.
+The whole camp was in a ferment of excitement
+and expectancy, and many were the heartfelt
+wishes for Bert&rsquo;s success.</p>
+
+<p>To these boys it seemed the most important
+thing on earth that their machine should win, and
+it is safe to say that if Bert had wanted to remove
+a piece of black grease from the car and
+had not a cloth handy, any one of them would
+have sacrificed his best handkerchief without a
+moment&rsquo;s hesitation, and been glad to do it.</p>
+
+<p>Fortunately, such a contingency did not arise,
+however, and finally the last nut had been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span>
+tightened and the last fine adjustment made, and
+everything was ready for the start.</p>
+
+<p>The race was scheduled to start at two o&rsquo;clock,
+but as the boys had to walk to the track, and
+this necessitated a long detour around the lake,
+they started almost immediately after breakfast,
+so as to get there in plenty of time.</p>
+
+<p>The boys in the two rival camps were not
+the only persons interested in the race by any
+means. News of it had leaked out over the
+surrounding countryside during the week between
+the completion of arrangements and the actual
+race, and now there promised to be a goodly attendance
+of farmers and their families.</p>
+
+<p>Considerable interest was taken in the camp
+by the kindly country folk, and now the boys
+were surprised at the number of carriages and
+farm wagons, full of jolly youngsters, that they
+met on their march.</p>
+
+<p>Every one they met shouted cheery greetings
+to them, which they returned with interest. It
+made them very happy to see the interest taken
+in them by the farmers, and the very evident
+good will expressed by them. They didn&rsquo;t take
+the trouble to figure out the reason for this, but
+it was not very hard to find. The fact is, the
+boys were so manly and well-behaved that they
+won their way into all hearts.</p>
+
+<p>Many a time they had seen the boys stop<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span>
+their machine rather than frighten a skittish
+horse, and more than one weary farmer had
+been given a lift on his way home from some distant
+field.</p>
+
+<p>So, as has been said, the boys were greeted
+with expressions of good will on every side as
+they marched along, and it made them realize,
+perhaps more than anything else could, that it
+paid to live a manly, upright life.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile, back in camp Mr. Hollis, Bert,
+and Dick, were having a final discussion before
+leaving for the rival camp in the &ldquo;Red Scout.&rdquo;
+It had been decided that Dick was to ride with
+Bert in the race, and give him any help that he
+might need.</p>
+
+<p>The other boys had been bitterly disappointed,
+especially Tom, who had counted right along on
+going.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;It only seems fair that I should go,&rdquo; he had
+contended. &ldquo;Bert and I have always been special
+pals, and I wanted to share any risk he is
+going to take.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>But Mr. Hollis was firm as a rock, as he well
+knew how to be when he thought circumstances
+required it of him.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m a little bit uneasy about the race, anyway,&rdquo;
+he explained, &ldquo;and as long as somebody
+has to take chances I want it to be some boy who
+is old enough to be responsible for his own<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span>
+actions. I know nobody could fill the place better
+than you, my boy, but I am sure that when
+you think over what I have said you will agree
+with me in my decision,&rdquo; and Tom had to admit
+to himself that, as usual, Mr. Hollis was right.</p>
+
+<p>But now the time had come to leave for the
+rival camp, and Mr. Hollis and Tom climbed
+into the tonneau, while Bert and Dick occupied
+the two front seats.</p>
+
+<p>Soon they had started, and as they went along
+Bert gave Dick his last instruction. &ldquo;Remember,&rdquo;
+said he, &ldquo;that when we take the turns you
+must lean as far toward the inside of the track
+as you can. This may not seem to help much in
+keeping those inside wheels on the ground, but
+every little thing like that does help, and I think
+that we will have to do everything we know how
+to beat that &lsquo;Gray Ghost&rsquo; of theirs. That car is
+no slouch, as the saying goes, and Ralph Quinby
+knows his business.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;All right, Bert,&rdquo; replied Dick, &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll try to
+remember all the things you have told me. I
+really believe,&rdquo; he continued, laughing, &ldquo;that I
+have forgotten more about automobiles in the
+last week than I ever knew before. I never had
+any idea that there was so much to know about
+a car, and you certainly have got it down to perfection.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Bert was pleased at this evidently sincere<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span>
+tribute from Dick, and could not prevent a slight
+flush of pleasure from mounting to his face.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well, Dick,&rdquo; he remarked after a moment,
+&ldquo;all I&rsquo;ve got to say is that if such a trio as
+you and I and the old &lsquo;Red Scout&rsquo; can&rsquo;t win
+that race, there must be something the matter
+with the universe, that&rsquo;s all.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>The rival camp all felt as confident as did Mr.
+Hollis&rsquo; troop, however, and to the impartial observer
+it would certainly have seemed as though
+there was little to choose between the autos and
+their crews.</p>
+
+<p>By this time they had come in sight of the old
+race track, and were astonished, and, it must be
+confessed, somewhat confused at the sight that
+met their eyes. There was an old rickety grand
+stand along one side of the course, and this was
+literally packed with a bright-colored mass of humanity.
+Even scattered around the infield
+there were quite a few farm wagons, with their
+complement of folks out for a holiday.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Say,&rdquo; said Dick to Bert in a low tone, &ldquo;I
+didn&rsquo;t count on having an audience like this.
+They&rsquo;ll guy the life out of us if we lose.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Bert, who by this time had recovered
+from his first astonishment, &ldquo;that&rsquo;s all
+the more reason why we should win. We simply
+can&rsquo;t let ourselves be beaten now, that&rsquo;s all there
+is about it.&rdquo;</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>But there was no time for further speculation,
+as Mr. Hollis was seen approaching them, and
+it was evident the race must soon begin.</p>
+
+<p>Bert ran the &ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; around to a small shed
+in back of the grandstand, and he and Dick made
+their final preparations. These consisted in taking
+off the hood, or bonnet, altogether, and removing
+the exhaust pipes from the motor. As
+Bert had already explained to Dick, this was
+done to eliminate any back pressure from the
+exhaust gases. Under ordinary conditions, this
+makes such a small difference in the power of a
+car that it can hardly be said to count, but in a
+race every ounce of power is required. This is
+done on every racing car, and that is why the
+explosions make such loud, sharp reports when
+the car is in action.</p>
+
+<p>It need hardly be said that every boy in Mr.
+Hollis&rsquo;s troop, except poor Fred, was present,
+and many were the anxious looks cast at Bert and
+Dick to see, if possible, how they felt about the
+outcome of the race. Both had been trained to
+have control of their feelings, however, and so
+outwardly they appeared to be very calm.</p>
+
+<p>This was far from being the real state of their
+feelings, and both felt as though their hearts had
+suddenly become too large and were trying to get
+out between their ribs. They realized that it
+was not only their own reputation that would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span>
+suffer if they were defeated, but the whole camp
+was involved. What would Mr. Hollis think of
+them if the other boys were victorious? What
+would the boys who had such blind confidence
+in them and the &ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; do or say if the
+&ldquo;Gray Ghost&rdquo; won?</p>
+
+<p>Such thoughts were demoralizing, however,
+and neither Bert nor Dick entertained them any
+longer than they could help. Into both their
+faces came that stern, resolved look that all the
+boys had seen at times and come to love, and in
+the minds of Tom and the others all doubts as
+to the final result vanished.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile, Mr. Thompson&rsquo;s troop had been
+giving the &ldquo;Gray Ghost&rdquo; its final touches, and
+now, at the sound of a mellow whistle, both Bert
+and Ralph cranked their motors.</p>
+
+<p>None of the boys had ever heard the unmuffled
+exhaust of a racing car before, and at the
+savage roar that now issued from both cars all
+the boys fell back several steps with scared faces.
+As soon as they realized that the gasoline tank
+had not exploded, nor any other equally awful
+thing occurred, they came forward and tried to
+ask questions, but in the confined shed they could
+hardly hear the sound of their own voices.</p>
+
+<p>Slowly the fire-spitting monsters were backed
+out of the shed, and their respective drivers
+swung them around and on to the track. They<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span>
+were greeted by a wave of cheering both from
+the boys and from the assembled farmers, and
+more than one burly countryman who had come
+to the &ldquo;kids&rsquo; racket&rdquo; under protest was seen to
+sit up straight and open his eyes wide.</p>
+
+<p>No doubt many of them had expected to see a
+rather tame affair, and in fact few of them had
+ever seen an automobile race, or knew the tremendous
+speed of which a good car was capable,
+or realized the cool head and steady nerves required
+to control the condensed power of forty
+horses traveling at a speed of close to a mile a
+minute.</p>
+
+<p>However, they were soon to experience a few
+of the thrills attendant on such an occasion. The
+two leaders had been holding a consultation,
+and now they approached the vibrating, eager
+cars.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Hollis was forced to shout to make himself
+heard above the din of the exhausts. &ldquo;It is
+understood,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;that this race is to be run
+from a standing start, and is to be for a distance
+of ten miles, or ten laps around the track. The
+cars must line up on the tape that we have
+stretched in front of the grandstand, and at the
+report of my pistol they are to start, each driver
+getting away as best he can. We have drawn
+lots for the choice of position, and the &lsquo;Gray
+Ghost&rsquo; won, and is to have the inside position.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span>
+Mr. Thompson and I will act as judges. Is that
+perfectly clear?&rdquo; to Bert and Ralph.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, sir,&rdquo; they both responded, and proceeded
+to man&#339;uvre their cars into the appointed
+positions.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Hollis and Mr. Thompson took their
+places in the grandstand, part of which the boys
+had been directed to reserve for them.</p>
+
+<p>By this time the cars were in position, each
+one with its front wheels resting on the strip of
+white tape. The &ldquo;Gray Ghost&rdquo; had a decided
+advantage to start with, as it is evident that in
+any race the car that has the inside position, that
+is, the part of the track nearest to the center of
+the field, has a slightly lesser distance to travel
+than the car on the outside, and in a close race
+every few feet count.</p>
+
+<p>But now there was a breathless hush over the
+grandstand, and all eyes were on Mr. Hollis&rsquo;s
+hand, holding the pistol aloft. Bert and Ralph
+were bent over their levers, every muscle tense,
+and nerves stretched to the breaking point.</p>
+
+<p>Crack! went the pistol. With a mighty roar,
+and the blue flames spitting from the exhaust
+ports, the two great machines bounded forward,
+and almost with one movement Bert changed the
+gears from first to second, from second to high.
+At every change the willing car leaped ahead
+with ever-increasing momentum, and Bert felt a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span>
+wild thrill run through his body as he realized
+the vast force beneath him, subject only to his
+control.</p>
+
+<p>The &ldquo;Gray Ghost&rdquo; had made almost as good
+a start, however, and now, although the &ldquo;Red
+Scout&rdquo; had a slight lead, the inside position
+began to tell, and the &ldquo;Gray Ghost&rdquo; gained a
+trifle.</p>
+
+<p>Dick, who had been looking back over his
+shoulder, now turned to Bert and yelled excitedly
+in his ear, &ldquo;Sock it to her, Bert! Give her
+the gas! They&rsquo;re gaining on us!&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>They had now covered the first lap, and the
+speedometer hand on the &ldquo;Red Scout&rsquo;s&rdquo; dashboard
+registered a speed of fifty miles an hour.
+Bert knew he could do better than that, but remembered
+Mr. Hollis&rsquo;s instructions not to take
+any unnecessary chances. The machine was
+working beautifully, and a wave of pride surged
+over him as he thought that this was largely due
+to the care and work he had bestowed upon it.</p>
+
+<p>But now the &ldquo;Gray Ghost&rdquo; was ranging
+alongside&mdash;ahead&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Give her a pump full of oil, Dick,&rdquo; yelled
+Bert to his friend, and opened the throttle a
+trifle wider.</p>
+
+<p>The machine answered like a thing of life.
+The wind whistled in their ears, the track seemed
+a mere gray blur racing away behind them, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span>
+the mighty speed song of the ravening motor was
+like music in their ears.</p>
+
+<p>Faster and faster they flew, the two cars keeping
+pace side by side, and the speedometer hand
+creeping up&mdash;up.</p>
+
+<p>Fifty-two, fifty-three, fifty-six! it registered,
+and the flying cars seemed barely to touch the
+ground. On the straight stretch in front of the
+grandstand they gathered such speed that at the
+turns the rear wheels skidded, throwing up showers
+of dirt, and the drivers were forced to slow
+down a little or the machines would surely have
+collided.</p>
+
+<p>Up to that time neither car had a decided advantage,
+but now they had covered the eighth
+lap, and both crews realized that the time had
+arrived to call on the racing engines for their
+final and greatest effort.</p>
+
+<p>The crowds in the stands were yelling like
+maniacs, as each car in turn pushed its nose
+ahead of the other. But Bert and Dick heard
+nothing but the terrific roar of the racing cars.
+Their pulses beat like trip-hammers; their eyes
+were starting from their heads. They felt rather
+than saw that the &ldquo;Gray Ghost&rdquo; was gaining&mdash;gaining
+only a little, inch by inch, but gaining.
+Now it had come abreast; now it was slowly but
+surely forging ahead. It looked as though the
+&ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; had &ldquo;shot its bolt,&rdquo; and its partisans<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span>
+in the grandstand groaned in an agony of
+apprehension that was fast becoming despair,
+while their rivals danced up and down and
+shrieked encouragement to their gray champion.</p>
+
+<p>Now they were on the last lap, and suddenly
+Bert leaned forward and advanced his spark to
+the limit. It was do or die. His heart exulted
+as he felt the splendid car leap forward. He
+took a firmer grip on the wheel and threw the
+throttle wide open. His mysterious &ldquo;sixth
+sense&rdquo; had told him that he had something in
+reserve, and now the &ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; justified his
+judgment. It leaped, it flew. It collared the
+&ldquo;Ghost&rdquo; just as they turned into the stretch, and
+tore down the course, the explosions of its motor
+blending together in one deafening volley of defiance
+as it drew away from its rival. <a href="#image04">Across the
+line it flew like a rocket</a>, the pistol cracked, and&mdash;<i>the
+race was won</i>!</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 382px;">
+<a name="image04" id="image04"><img src="images/image04.jpg" width="382" height="600" alt="Across the line it flew like a rocket." title="Across the line it flew like a rocket." /></a>
+<br /><span class="caption"><a href="#Page_217">Across the line it flew like a rocket.</a>&mdash;(<i>See page 217</i>)</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>Both cars made another circuit of the track
+before they were able to stop, and then drew
+up in front of the grandstand.</p>
+
+<p>Immediately the crowd surged down, and in a
+moment the two contestants were surrounded by
+a frenzied mob of shouting and hat-throwing
+boys, and almost equally excited, if less demonstrative,
+country people.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Hollis pressed forward and grasped the
+hands of Bert and Dick, one in each of his.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span>
+&ldquo;You did nobly, boys,&rdquo; he exclaimed, but there
+was a catch in his voice, and his face looked gray
+and drawn, &ldquo;you did great work, but I would
+not consent to your racing again for all the
+money in the world. It is altogether too dangerous.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>But by this time the defeated boys belonging
+to Mr. Thompson&rsquo;s troop had recovered a little
+from their chagrin, and now elbowed their way
+through the crowd, headed by their leader and
+Ralph Quinby.</p>
+
+<p>Like the clean-cut and manly fellow that he
+was, Ralph walked up and shook hands with Bert
+and Dick in turn.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;you fellows certainly put up
+a great race, and we have nothing more to say.
+It was simply a case of the best car winning,
+that&rsquo;s all.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Bert appreciated his manly spirit, and replied,
+&ldquo;It was simply a matter of the &lsquo;Red Scout&rsquo;
+having a little more speed. If we exchanged
+cars, you would win and we would lose. You
+gave us a hard tussle up to the last second.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>All the other boys showed the same feeling as
+had Ralph, and both parties separated with mutual
+expressions of esteem and good will.</p>
+
+<p>All the members of Mr. Hollis&rsquo;s troop that
+could do so crowded into the &ldquo;Red Scout,&rdquo; and
+various good-natured farmers volunteered to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span>
+make room in their capacious wagons and take
+the rest home. Room was even found for Don,
+who had been an excited spectator of the race
+and was now regarded by the jubilant boys as
+their mascot.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s little enough to do at that,&rdquo; remarked
+one husky agriculturist. &ldquo;I&rsquo;d be willing to cart
+the whole outfit over and back a dozen times for
+the sake of seeing another race like that. I wish
+old Dobbin could hike along like them things.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>And in this he expressed the general sentiment
+of the crowd.</p>
+
+<p>As they traveled campward through the cool
+twilight the boys shouted and sang, and in a
+thousand other noisy but harmless ways found a
+vent for their overflowing enthusiasm.</p>
+
+<p>Bert and Dick were the heroes of the day, as
+they well deserved to be. The race was run
+again at least a hundred times, and by the time
+they struck camp they had quieted down to some
+extent. Their beloved car had, of course,
+reached camp ahead of them, and now, as they
+alighted and caught sight of Bert and Dick, their
+enthusiasm flamed up again, and cheer after
+cheer resounded through the silent woods.</p>
+
+<p>At last they cooled down sufficiently to go to
+bed, but it was a long time before they finally
+got to sleep. Bert and Dick shook hands before
+parting to go to their different tents. For a few<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span>
+seconds they looked into each other&rsquo;s eyes, and
+the grip of their hands tightened before they
+finally separated and said good night. For when
+two good comrades meet danger face to face and
+win out, a new and never-to-be-forgotten bond is
+riveted between them that lasts through life.</p>
+
+<hr class="tb" />
+
+<p>It was a wildly hilarious group of campers who
+sat down to a piping hot breakfast the next morning.
+Some, indeed, had hardly slept at all, so
+great was their rejoicing at the &ldquo;Red Scout&rsquo;s&rdquo;
+glorious victory. They had won and the much-vaunted
+&ldquo;Gray Ghost&rdquo; had had to &ldquo;take their
+dust.&rdquo; What if it were their last day in camp?
+As Jim, who was famous for mixing his figures
+of speech, said, &ldquo;The camp, anyway, was breaking
+up in a blaze of glory.&rdquo; Every exciting detail
+of the great struggle was rehearsed and enlarged
+upon, times without number. They crowded
+round the splendid car and praised it and patted
+it as though it were alive and could understand
+how proud they were of its victory.</p>
+
+<p>And Bert! If he had been anything but the
+fine, manly fellow he was, he would have been
+utterly spoiled by the plaudits heaped upon him.
+He had been their hero before; now he was their
+idol. His skill, his judgment, his nerve, were
+dwelt upon to the exclusion of everything else;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span>
+but he modestly disclaimed any credit and put it
+all up to the car. &ldquo;This is the fellow that did
+it all,&rdquo; he said, patting the great machine affectionately.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; quoted Dick,</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">&ldquo;&lsquo;This is the steed that saved the day,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">By carrying Sheridan into the fight<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">From Winchester, twenty miles away,&rsquo;<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p class="noi">but all the same,&rdquo; he went on, &ldquo;the steed saved
+the day because Sheridan was on his back, and
+the &lsquo;Red Scout&rsquo; saved the day because Bert
+Wilson was at the wheel.&rdquo; And to this the whole
+camp gave a thundering chorus of assent.</p>
+
+<p>And Bert was at the wheel that afternoon,
+when, after &ldquo;three times three&rdquo; given for the
+&ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; and its driver, the noble car stood
+panting, crowded to the guards with as many as
+could tumble in, ready to lead the way to the
+station where they were to take the train to the
+city.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I tell you, Tom,&rdquo; he said, as he grasped the
+wheel and the great car sprang forward, &ldquo;I
+never expect to have so much pleasure and excitement
+in my life as I have had this summer.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>But Bert was mistaken. A broader field and
+greater triumphs lay before him&mdash;exploits that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span>
+would tax every ounce of brain and muscle; victory
+snatched from defeat amid the applause of
+excited thousands. How he met the test and won
+his fight will be told in the next volume, &ldquo;Bert
+Wilson&rsquo;s Fadeaway Ball.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p class="p2 noic">THE END</p>
+
+
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+<div class="adpage">
+<p class="noi adtitle">THE BERT WILSON SERIES</p>
+<p class="noi adauthor">By J. W. DUFFIELD</p>
+
+<p>An excellent series of stories for boys, full of outdoor
+life and adventures, athletic sports, etc.
+Wholesome, clean and instructive.</p>
+
+<p class="p2 noic"><b>BERT WILSON AT THE WHEEL</b></p>
+
+<p>An absorbing story of automobile exploits, abounding in
+stirring experiences and exciting adventures.</p>
+
+<p class="noic"><b>BERT WILSON&rsquo;S FADEAWAY BALL</b></p>
+
+<p>How a baseball pennant was won by the masterly pitching
+of the young Freshman recruit is told in crisp, snappy
+fashion, with a wealth of thrilling detail that will delight
+the lovers of the great national game.</p>
+
+<p class="noic"><b>BERT WILSON, WIRELESS OPERATOR</b></p>
+
+<p>Perils of storm and shipwreck, head-hunters and pirates,
+are woven into a romance of compelling power that chains
+the attention at once and holds it to the end.</p>
+
+<p class="noic"><b>BERT WILSON, MARATHON WINNER</b></p>
+
+<p>How the pick of the world&rsquo;s athletes struggled for
+supremacy and how the representative of the Stars and
+Stripes carried off the crowning victory at the great
+Olympic games.</p>
+
+<p class="noic"><i>Others in preparation</i></p>
+
+<p>12mo, cloth, with four illustrations in each, by
+H. G. Richards.</p>
+
+<p class="noic">Price each, 60 cents.</p>
+
+<p class="noic"><b>SULLY AND KLEINTEICH&mdash;NEW YORK</b></p>
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+<div class="adpage">
+<p class="noi adtitle">THE BERT WILSON SERIES</p>
+<p class="noi adauthor">By J. W. DUFFIELD</p>
+
+<p class="noic"><i>THE FOLLOWING TITLES ARE
+IN PREPARATION</i></p>
+
+<p class="p2 noic"><b>BERT WILSON AT PANAMA</b></p>
+
+<p>A host of thrilling adventures is woven into this stirring
+story of the young American who thwarts by his quick wit
+and determined courage a plot to destroy the great canal.
+Brimming with interest from cover to cover.</p>
+
+<p class="noic"><b>BERT WILSON&rsquo;S TWIN-CYLINDER RACER</b></p>
+
+<p>A motor-cycle romance of speed and daring that will stir
+the blood and make the heart beat faster. How sheer pluck
+that refused to be downed won out against foul play and
+tremendous odds.</p>
+
+<p class="noic"><b>BERT WILSON ON THE GRIDIRON</b></p>
+
+<p>The &ldquo;never-say-die&rdquo; spirit of college football that makes
+it such a glorious game sparkles on every page. A gripping
+story of &ldquo;bucking the line&rdquo; and &ldquo;going round the ends,&rdquo;
+culminating in the great run down the field in the last minute
+of play that snatched victory from defeat.</p>
+
+<p class="noic"><b>BERT WILSON IN THE ROCKIES</b></p>
+
+<p>Full of life and spirit, dash and danger in the wild regions
+of the West. The picturesque figures of the frontier&mdash;greasers
+and grizzlies, rustlers and road agents&mdash;appear in adventures
+that make one throb and tingle with excitement.</p>
+
+<p>12mo, cloth, with four illustrations in each, by
+H. G. Richards.</p>
+
+<p class="noic">Price each, 60 cents.</p>
+
+<p class="noic"><b>SULLY AND KLEINTEICH&mdash;NEW YORK</b></p>
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+<div class="adpage">
+<p class="noi adtitle">Publications of Sully and Kleinteich</p>
+
+<p class="noi adtitle">THE &ldquo;HOW&rdquo; BOOKS</p>
+
+<p class="p2 noic"><b>HOW TO MAKE THINGS</b></p>
+
+<p class="noic">By Archibald Williams</p>
+
+<p class="noic">Author of &ldquo;How It is Done,&rdquo; &ldquo;How It is Made,&rdquo; &ldquo;How It Works.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>This is just the book for the active youth who has got beyond the period when he
+asks, &ldquo;How is it done?&rdquo; and now wishes to do it himself. The book is very fully
+illustrated with useful diagrams drawn exactly to scale.</p>
+
+<p class="noic">12mo. Cloth, 450 pages, with numerous illustrations and diagrams.</p>
+
+<p class="noic">Price $1.20 net</p>
+
+
+<p class="p2 noic"><b>HOW IT IS DONE</b><br />
+<i>OR, VICTORIES OF THE ENGINEER</i></p>
+
+<p class="noic">By Archibald Williams</p>
+
+<p class="noic">Author of &ldquo;How It is Made,&rdquo; &ldquo;How It Works,&rdquo; &ldquo;How To Make Things.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Describing in simple language how the great engineering achievements in all parts
+of the world have been accomplished. It is a book brimful of interest for everybody,
+and especially to the younger generation with a turn for engineering in any of its
+many branches.</p>
+
+<p class="noic">12 mo. Cloth. 450 pages, with 268 illustrations and diagrams.</p>
+
+<p class="noic">Price $1.20 net</p>
+
+
+<p class="p2 noic"><b>HOW IT IS MADE</b></p>
+
+<p class="noic">By Archibald Williams</p>
+
+<p class="noic">Author of &ldquo;How It Works,&rdquo; &ldquo;How It is Done,&rdquo; &ldquo;How To Make Things.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>Describing in simple language how various machines and many articles in common
+use are manufactured from the raw material.</p>
+
+<p class="noic">12mo. Cloth. 474 pages, with numerous illustrations and diagrams.</p>
+
+<p class="noic">Price $1.20 net</p>
+
+
+<p class="p2 noic"><b>HOW IT WORKS</b></p>
+
+<p class="noic">By Archibald Williams</p>
+
+<p class="noic">Author of &ldquo;How It is Done,&rdquo; &ldquo;How To Make Things,&rdquo; &ldquo;How It is Made.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>It deals in simple language with Steam, Electricity, Light, Heat, Sound, Hydraulics,
+Optics, etc., and with their application to apparatus in common use.</p>
+
+<p class="noic">12mo. Cloth. 461 pages, with illustrations and diagrams.</p>
+
+<p class="noic">Price $1.20 net</p>
+
+
+<p class="p2 noic"><b>HOW IT FLIES</b><br />
+<i>OR, THE CONQUEST OF THE AIR</i></p>
+
+<p class="noic">By Richard Ferris, B. S., C. E.
+</p>
+
+<p>The story of man&rsquo;s endeavors to fly and of the inventions by which he has
+succeeded.</p>
+
+<p class="noic">12mo. Cloth. 476 pages, with numerous illustrations and diagrams.</p>
+
+<p class="noic">Price $1.20 net</p>
+
+
+<p class="p4 noi adtitle">THE GATEWAY SERIES</p>
+
+<p class="p2 noic"><b>GATEWAY TO CHAUCER</b></p>
+
+<p>Stories told by EMILY UNDERDOWN, from the Canterbury
+Tales of GEOFFREY CHAUCER. With 16 colored plates and
+numerous marginal illustrations after drawings by Anne Anderson.</p>
+
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="price">
+<col style="width: 10%;" />
+<col style="width: 10%;" />
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl">8vo. Cloth.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">Net $2.00</td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+
+
+<p class="p2 noic"><b>THE GATEWAY TO SPENSER</b></p>
+
+<p>Tales, retold by EMILY UNDERDOWN, from &ldquo;The Faerie
+Queene&rdquo; of EDMUND SPENSER. With 16 colored plates and
+numerous marginal illustrations from drawings by F. G. PAPÉ.</p>
+
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="price">
+<col style="width: 10%;" />
+<col style="width: 10%;" />
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl">8vo. Cloth.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">Net $2.00</td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+
+
+<p class="p2 noic"><b>THE GATEWAY TO ROMANCE</b></p>
+
+<p>Tales retold by EMILY UNDERDOWN, from &ldquo;The Earthly
+Paradise,&rdquo; by WILLIAM MORRIS. With 16 colored plates and
+many other illustrations.</p>
+
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="price">
+<col style="width: 10%;" />
+<col style="width: 10%;" />
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl">8vo. Cloth.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">Net $2.00</td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+
+
+<p class="p2 noic"><b>THE GATEWAY TO TENNYSON</b></p>
+
+<p>Tales and extracts from the poet&rsquo;s works, with an introduction
+by MRS. ANDREW LANG. With 16 colored illustrations from
+drawings by NORMAN LITTLE.</p>
+
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="price">
+<col style="width: 10%;" />
+<col style="width: 10%;" />
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl">8vo. Cloth.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">Net $2.00</td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+
+
+<p class="p2 noic"><b>THE GATEWAY TO SHAKESPEARE</b></p>
+
+<p>Containing a life of Shakespeare, by MRS. ANDREW LANG,
+a selection from the plays, and from &ldquo;Lamb&rsquo;s Tales.&rdquo; With 16
+colored plates and many other illustrations.</p>
+
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="price">
+<col style="width: 10%;" />
+<col style="width: 10%;" />
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl">8vo. Cloth.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">Net $2.00</td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+
+
+<p class="p4 noi adtitle">THE SUNSHINE
+AND SHADOW SERIES</p>
+
+<p class="p2 noi"><b><span class="smcap">In the Service of the King</span>, and
+Other Stories</b></p>
+
+<p class="noi"><b><span class="smcap">In the Heart of the Forest</span></b></p>
+
+<p class="noi"><b><span class="smcap">After Long Years</span>, and Other Stories</b></p>
+
+<p>These books translated from the German by
+Sophia A. Miller and Anes M. Dunne.</p>
+
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="price">
+<col style="width: 10%;" />
+<col style="width: 10%;" />
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl">16mo.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">Illustrated. Each $.75</td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+
+<p>The ethical stories in the Sunshine and
+Shadow Series have been translated from the
+German with the view of instilling into the minds
+of youthful readers such truths as will help materially
+toward building a character that will
+withstand the trials and temptations of life.</p>
+
+<p>It is conceded by educators that ethics presented
+in the lecture form fails of its purpose;
+therefore the writers have presented this subject
+in the form most appealing to children&mdash;the
+story.</p>
+
+
+<p class="p4 noic"><b>THE BOOK OF GOLDEN DEEDS.</b></p>
+
+<p>By CHARLOTTE M. YONGE. With 16 full page colored
+illustrations, 12 full-page illustrations in black and white (photo
+engravings) and marginal illustrations all through the book.</p>
+
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="price">
+<col style="width: 10%;" />
+<col style="width: 10%;" />
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl">8vo. Cloth.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">Net $2.50</td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+
+
+<p class="p2 noic"><b>TALES OF THE GODS AND HEROES.</b></p>
+
+<p>By SIR G. W. COX, M. A. With sixteen colored plates from
+drawings by JAMES FRIPP.</p>
+
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="price">
+<col style="width: 10%;" />
+<col style="width: 10%;" />
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl">8vo. Cloth.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">Net $2.00</td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+
+<p class="noic">CONTENTS</p>
+
+<p>The Sorrow of Demeter &mdash; The Sleep of Endymion &mdash; Niobe and Leto &mdash; Orpheus
+and Eurydice &mdash; Phryxus and Helle &mdash; Cadmus and Europa &mdash; Odysseus and Polyphemus &mdash; Odysseus
+and Circe &mdash; Odysseus and the Seirens &mdash; Odysseus and Nausicaa &mdash; The
+Story of Arion &mdash; The Treasures of Rhampsnitus &mdash; Cephalos and Procris &mdash; Daphne &mdash; The
+Delian Apollo &mdash; The Pythian Apolli &mdash; The Vengeance of Apollo &mdash; The
+Toils of Heracles &mdash; Althaea and the Burning Brand &mdash; Phaethon &mdash; Io and Prometheus &mdash; Briareos &mdash; Arethusa &mdash; Tyro &mdash; Poseidon
+and Athene &mdash; Ariadne &mdash; Narcissus &mdash; Medeia &mdash; Cyrene &mdash; Bellerophon &mdash; Iphigeneia &mdash; Hector
+and Andromache &mdash; Sarpedon &mdash; Memnon &mdash; Oenone &mdash; The
+Lotos-Eaters &mdash; The Cattle of Helios &mdash; Odysseus and
+Calypso &mdash; Atys and Adrastos.</p>
+
+
+<p class="p2 noic"><b>LIVES OF GREAT MEN,<br />
+TOLD BY GREAT MEN</b></p>
+
+<p>Edited by RICHARD WILSON. With 31 full-page illustrations
+in color.</p>
+
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="price">
+<col style="width: 10%;" />
+<col style="width: 10%;" />
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Quarto. Cloth. 448 pp.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">Net $2.00</td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+
+<p class="noic">CONTENTS</p>
+
+<p>Alexander the Great &mdash; Alfred the Great &mdash; The Black Prince &mdash; The Story of William
+Wallace &mdash; Sir Thomas More &mdash; Francisco Pizarro &mdash; Sir Richard Grenville &mdash; Sir
+Francis Drake &mdash; Sir Phillip Sidney &mdash; John Hampden &mdash; Oliver Cromwell &mdash; John Bunyan &mdash; Benjamin
+Franklin&rsquo;s Boyhood &mdash; Dr. Johnson &mdash; Oliver Goldsmith &mdash; Flora
+Macdonald &mdash; The Boyhood of James Watt &mdash; Robert Burns &mdash; Charles Lamb &mdash; William
+Wordsworth &mdash; The Boyhood of Turner &mdash; George Borrow &mdash; The Boyhood of George
+Stephenson.</p>
+
+
+<p class="p2 noic"><b>THE STORY OF HEATHER</b></p>
+
+<p class="noic">By MAY WYNNE</p>
+
+<p class="noic">12mo. Cloth, 6 colored illustrations. <i>Price</i>, net $1.00
+</p>
+
+<p>This is the autobiography of a pony, simply told for young children, and full of action and
+interest. The volume is excellently illustrated in color by Dorothy Pope, and attractively
+presented in cloth cover.</p>
+
+
+<p class="p2 noic"><b>EXMOOR STAR</b><br />
+The Autobiography of a Pony</p>
+
+<p class="noic">By A. E. BONSER</p>
+
+<p class="noic">12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. <i>Price</i>, net 50c; postpaid 55c.
+</p>
+
+<p>The sympathy of children in the humane treatment of animals will be enlisted by this
+charming story. They see how cruel our thoughtlessness and lack of attention to the needs
+of our dumb servants often are. They will share the views of this bright little pony in regard
+to man&rsquo;s attitude to animals. The story is fascinating and as circus performer or polo
+pony, Star is a most interesting character. After many strange experiences he saves the
+lives of twelve people, receives a medal from the Royal Humane Society and retires from
+public life. The story is not marred by a sad ending. The book is fully illustrated.</p>
+
+
+<p class="p2 noic"><b>A BOOK OF BIRDS AND BEASTS</b><br />
+OR<br />
+<i>THE LAW OF KINDNESS</i></p>
+
+<p class="noic">134 pages and 32 colored illustrations</p>
+
+<p class="noic"><i>Price</i>, net $1.00</p>
+
+<p>It is full of interesting stories, all about animals and their doings, and of such a character
+that no child who reads them will ever dream of being unkind to bird, beast, fish, or insect;
+for when people get to know God&rsquo;s creatures and their wonderful ways, they learn how to
+leave them alone and to watch them patiently, just because they are so well worth watching.</p>
+
+
+<p class="p2 noic"><b>THE OLD FAIRY TALES</b></p>
+
+<p class="noic">189 pages and 32 colored illustrations</p>
+
+<p class="noic"><i>Price</i>, net $1.00</p>
+
+<p>A book of Fairy Tales for Boys and Girls containing; The Three Bears &mdash; Brother and
+Sister &mdash; Little Red Riding-Hood &mdash; Hansel and Grethel &mdash; The Golden Goose &mdash; The Magic
+Key &mdash; Little One Eye, Little Two Eyes, and Little Three Eyes &mdash; The Story of Catskin &mdash; Cinderella,
+or, The Little Glass Slipper &mdash; The Frog-Prince &mdash; The Sleeping Beauty in the
+Wood &mdash; The Iron Stove &mdash; Shemus and the Little People &mdash; Prince Curly Chin &mdash; Queen Mab
+and Oberon &mdash; The Merry Tricks of Tom Thumb &mdash; Prince Cherry &mdash; Little Snowdrop &mdash; The
+Goose Girl &mdash; The Fairies of the Caldon-Low.</p>
+
+
+<p class="p2 noic"><b>THE WONDERS OF THE WORLD</b></p>
+
+<p class="noic">Formerly published under the title of<br />
+&ldquo;The World by the Fireside.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>By MARY and ELIZABETH KIRBY. Crown.
+8 vo. Cloth. Hundreds of illustrations. Price $1.50</p>
+
+<p>This volume brings the world, that is so full of wonders,
+to our own fireside.</p>
+
+<p>The book is embellished with pictures of the various
+scenes and objects described, in order to make it more
+attractive.</p>
+
+
+<p class="p2 noic"><b>THE WONDERS OF THE SEA</b></p>
+
+<p class="noic">Formerly published under the title of<br />
+&ldquo;The Sea and Its Wonders.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>By MARY and ELIZABETH KIRBY. Crown.
+8 vo. Cloth. Hundreds of illustrations. Price $1.50</p>
+
+<p>Wonders abound in the Ocean. It is a world in itself,
+and is subject to its own laws.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;In this great and wide sea are creeping things innumerable,
+both small and great.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>The various chapters are amply illustrated with drawings
+taken from life, and on which the utmost care has
+been bestowed.</p>
+
+
+<p class="p2 noi adtitle"><b>Sully and Kleinteich&mdash;New York</b></p>
+</div>
+
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+<div class="adpage">
+<p class="noi adtitle">THE
+BOOK OF INDOOR
+AND
+OUTDOOR GAMES</p>
+
+<p class="noic">BY<br />
+MRS. BURTON KINGSLAND</p>
+
+<p>With suggestions for entertainments. Illustrated.</p>
+
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="price">
+<col style="width: 10%;" />
+<col style="width: 10%;" />
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl">12mo. Cloth.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">$1.00</td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+
+<p>A veritable encyclopaedia of games, pastimes,
+and entertainment.</p>
+
+<p class="noic">CONTENTS</p>
+
+<p>Games of Thought, Wit and Memory &mdash; Progressive
+Games &mdash; Card Games &mdash; Children&rsquo;s
+Games &mdash; Children&rsquo;s Singing Games &mdash; Games for
+Sunday Evenings &mdash; Catches and Riddles &mdash; Fortune
+Telling &mdash; Mesmerism &mdash; Children&rsquo;s Parties &mdash; Special
+Dinners, Dances and Luncheons &mdash; Tableaux &mdash; Wedding
+Anniversaries.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Without touching on the side of profit-yielding
+occupations, and with more stress laid down
+upon the social side of life, this book will prove
+a real treasure for those lacking in invention, and
+will bring delight to many a dull or rainy day.&rdquo;<br />
+<span class="cite">&mdash;<i>The Dial</i></span></p>
+
+
+<p class="p2 noic"><b>Sully and Kleinteich&mdash;New York</b></p>
+</div>
+
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+<div class="adpage">
+<p class="noi adtitle">The Golden River Series</p>
+
+<p class="noic"><b>Bound in cloth 16mo. With a colored panel<br />
+Illustration on front cover&mdash;title stamped in gold</b></p>
+
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="price">
+<col style="width: 10%;" />
+<col style="width: 10%;" />
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl"><b>PRICE EACH</b></td>
+  <td class="tdrb"><b>50 Cents</b></td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+
+<div class="noic">
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="5" summary="booklist">
+<col style="width: 50%;" />
+<col style="width: 15%;" />
+<col style="width: 15%;" />
+<col style="width: 15%;" />
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Alice&rsquo;s Adventures in Wonderland.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">8</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">colored</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">illustrations.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Anderson&rsquo;s Fairy Tales. (Ugly Duckling.)</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">4</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">colored</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">illustrations.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Water Babies.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">4</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl">The King of the Golden River.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">8</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Arabian Nights.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">5</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Gulliver in Lilliput.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">4</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Don Quixote.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">4</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Stories from Hiawatha.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">6</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Tanglewood Tales.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">4</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl">John Halifax&rsquo;s Boyhood.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">4</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Tales of a Grandfather.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">6</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl">David and Emily.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">6</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Nell and Her Grandfather.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">4</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Stories from Spenser.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">8</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Rose and the Ring.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">4</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Knights of the Grail.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">8</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Sir Thomas Thumb.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">8</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Linden Leaf.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">8</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Undine.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">8</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Maggie and Tom Tulliver.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">4</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Children of the Old Testament.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">6</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Children of the New Testament.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">6</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Six Gifts.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">6</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Kingsley&rsquo;s Heroes.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">4</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Adventures of Ulysses.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">6</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Golden Deeds.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">6</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Stories from Tennyson.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">6</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Tales from Shakespeare.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">6</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Stories from Chaucer.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">4</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class="tdl">Cox&rsquo;s Greek Heroes.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">4</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+  <td class="tdcb">&rdquo;</td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+</div>
+
+<p class="noic"><b>SULLY &amp; KLEINTEICH&mdash;NEW YORK</b></p>
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+<div class="tnote">
+<p class="noi tntitle">Transcriber&rsquo;s Notes:</p>
+
+<p>Except for the frontispiece, illustrations have been moved to follow
+the text that they illustrate, so the page number of the illustration
+may not match the page number in the List of Illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>Punctuation and spelling inaccuracies were silently corrected,
+except as noted below.</p>
+
+<p>Colon (:) punctuation has been retained as in original.</p>
+
+<p>Normalized variations of Red Scout and Gray Ghost to &lsquo;Red Scout&rsquo;
+and &lsquo;Gray Ghost&rsquo; within quoted speech and &ldquo;Red Scout&rdquo; and
+&ldquo;Gray Ghost&rdquo; in all other cases.</p>
+
+<p>Archaic and variable spelling has been preserved.</p>
+
+<p>Variations in hyphenation and compound words have been preserved.</p>
+
+<p>Spaced dashes used in some back matter for better wrapping of text.</p>
+</div>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Bert Wilson at the Wheel, by J. W. Duffield
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+</pre>
+
+</body>
+</html>
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Bert Wilson at the Wheel, by J. W. Duffield
+
+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: Bert Wilson at the Wheel
+
+Author: J. W. Duffield
+
+Release Date: January 12, 2012 [EBook #38560]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
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+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BERT WILSON AT THE WHEEL ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was
+produced from images generously made available by The
+Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
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+
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+
+
+
+
+BERT WILSON AT THE WHEEL
+
+
+
+
+THE BERT WILSON SERIES
+
+BY J. W. DUFFIELD
+
+
+An excellent series of stories for boys, full of outdoor life and
+adventures, athletic sports, etc. Wholesome, clean and instructive.
+
+    1. BERT WILSON AT THE WHEEL.
+    2. BERT WILSON'S FADEAWAY BALL.
+    3. BERT WILSON WIRELESS OPERATOR.
+    4. BERT WILSON MARATHON WINNER.
+
+_Others in preparation._
+
+12mo. cloth with four illustrations in each, by H. G. Richards.
+
+Price each, 60 cents.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: He wrenched the steering wheel around, and headed it
+directly up the track.--(_See page 168_)]
+
+
+
+
+ BERT WILSON
+ at
+ the Wheel
+
+ BY
+ J. W. DUFFIELD
+
+ AUTHOR OF "BERT WILSON'S FADEAWAY BALL,"
+ "BERT WILSON WIRELESS OPERATOR,"
+ "BERT WILSON MARATHON WINNER."
+
+
+ [Illustration]
+
+
+ NEW YORK
+ SULLY AND KLEINTEICH
+ 1913
+
+
+
+
+ COPYRIGHT, 1913, BY
+ SULLY AND KLEINTEICH
+
+ All rights reserved.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+ CHAPTER                                         PAGE
+     I. THE "RED SCOUT"                             1
+    II. THE FLYING AUTO                             8
+   III. THE COPPERHEAD                             19
+    IV. THE CHALLENGE                              30
+     V. THE HOBOES AND THE BEES                    39
+    VI. SHORTY GOES TO THE ANT                     50
+   VII. THE ANTS GO MILKING                        61
+  VIII. THE GIPSY CARAVAN                          76
+    IX. HOW THE "RED SCOUT" CLIMBED DOBB'S HILL    94
+     X. QUICK WORK                                111
+    XI. THE FOUR-LEGGED RECRUIT                   118
+   XII. THE YOUNGSTERS' GREAT DAY                 127
+  XIII. DAVE'S TIGER STORY                        148
+   XIV. WITH DEATH BEHIND                         160
+    XV. MOUNTAIN SCOUTING                         176
+   XVI. BY A HAIR'S-BREADTH                       186
+  XVII. BIDDY HARRIGAN REMEMBERS                  199
+ XVIII. THE RACE                                  206
+
+
+
+
+LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+
+ He wrenched the steering wheel around and
+ headed it directly up the track, _see page
+ 168_                                   _Frontispiece_
+
+                                                 PAGE
+ Three men of the roughest order were dancing
+ distractedly around                               46
+
+ Then he swung the "Red Scout" squarely across
+ the road, _see page 89_                           90
+
+ Across the line it flew like a rocket, _see
+ page 217_                                        218
+
+
+
+
+Bert Wilson at the Wheel
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+THE "RED SCOUT"
+
+
+"What dandy luck."
+
+"It's too good to be true."
+
+"Who'd ever thought we'd have the luck to get it?"
+
+"It can't be true. I shan't believe it till it gets here."
+
+"Anyway, it _is_ true, and won't we have the niftiest time ever?"
+
+"Well, you might as well sit down, Bob. Running around like a hen with
+her head cut off won't make it come any sooner."
+
+"Aw, how's a fellow to sit still when a thing like that's on the way? I
+wonder how long we'll have to wait. What can be keeping him?"
+
+A score of voices, talking singly, two together, all together, woke the
+woodland echoes, silent through the long winter and tardy spring, gone
+at last. Summer had come and with it the annual encampment of a score or
+more of manly, healthy youngsters, overflowing with animal spirits and
+vitality. For several years past, substantially the same group under the
+supervision of a Mr. Hollis, a gentleman of sterling character and
+considerable means, had gone into camp together for two or three weeks
+of the heated season. Brimming over with life, the boys always made the
+camp a lively place; but this summer a new and enveloping excitement
+seemed to have taken possession of everyone, and now all were plunged
+into a discussion of the cause of the hullabaloo, the voices rising
+higher and higher as each one sought to make himself heard above the
+rest.
+
+Turning a bend in the road that brought the camp into view, Mr. Hollis,
+as he witnessed the excited gestures of the boys, and heard the volume of
+sound caused by every enthusiast trying to talk at once, instinctively
+quickened his pace, for it almost seemed as though a serious altercation
+were in progress; but as he came near enough to distinguish words and
+heard--"Six cylinders," "Forty-eight horsepower," "Chrome nickel steel,"
+"Wheel base one hundred and twelve inches," "Diamond tires," "Autometer,"
+"Safety treads," "Grip treads"--he realized that nothing more serious was
+going on than a discussion of the relative merits of automobiles and
+their fittings. No wonder there was gesturing and loud talking. What boy
+would not rise to the topmost heights of enthusiasm at the thought of an
+automobile in which he was to have a personal interest? Such a delight
+had come to the camp, and since the announcement in the morning that on
+account of the long trips that the summer's plans would make necessary,
+the boys would be allowed an automobile for their own exclusive use,
+nothing else had been thought or talked about; and each eager boy was
+impatiently awaiting the return of Mr. Hollis to learn the make and all
+other details of that most wonderful car.
+
+Now, as he came into camp, the boys crowded around him and the wood rang
+with cheers as he told them that the car would arrive the following
+morning. A volley of questions overwhelmed him: "How large is it?" "What
+speed?" "What color is it?" "How many of us can ride in it at a time?"
+Question followed question in quick succession, until Mr. Hollis put his
+hands over his ears, and, refusing to answer any more, proposed dinner
+as a means of quelling the noise.
+
+The boys could scarcely have told of what their dinner consisted that
+night, so great was their excitement. All were glad to turn in early as
+the surest way to bring the morning and the longed-for car. A full hour
+earlier than usual the lights were out and silence settled over the
+camp, broken only by nature's mysterious night sounds. A belated rabbit
+homeward bound, keeping ceaseless vigil with round bright eyes,
+encouraged by the unusual quiet, crept close to the door of the mess
+tent, and snatching a stray cracker from the grass, scurried joyfully
+away. At the distant menacing "Tu-whit, tu-whoo" of the night owl, the
+birds stirred uneasily and nestled closer under cover of the sheltering
+leaves. The quiet hours crept on till at last morning dawned and gave
+promise of a glorious day.
+
+Frank Edgewood was the first to open sleepy eyes, and seeing a few
+clouds not yet dissipated by the early sun, woke the camp with the
+dismal wail: "Fellows, it's going to rain."
+
+"Put him out," "Smother him," "Duck him in the brook," came in a chorus;
+and Frank, taking to his heels, dropped the flap of his tent, with not a
+moment to spare.
+
+"Run early and avoid the rush," sang out Tom Henderson.
+
+    "To pass he had such scanty room,
+    The descending grazed his plume,"
+
+chanted Dick Trent.
+
+"Let's forgive and forget," said Ben Cooper.
+
+"Be glad we let you live, Frank," Bob Ward chimed in; and so the
+culprit, reassured, ventured out to breakfast.
+
+Again the all-absorbing topic was renewed, two vital questions claiming
+them. What should they name their auto? Who would be able to run it? The
+first was easy enough, for almost from the first they had decided, the
+color permitting, to call it the "Red Scout." The second was not so easy,
+for Mr. Hollis must be assured, for the sake of the general safety, that
+the driver should be fully capable. If only Bert Wilson were there, the
+question would be answered, for capable Bert in New York had studied the
+mechanism of automobiles and grown very proficient in handling them; but
+they were not sure that he would be able to be in camp with them this
+year. Expressions of regret were heard on all sides, for Bert had a very
+warm place in their hearts. His splendid qualities had easily made him
+their natural leader and his absence was far more keenly felt than that
+of any other fellow in the camp would have been.
+
+Still, Bert not being there, they must choose someone else, so Mr. Hollis
+called for volunteers. Several answered, but their qualifications were
+rather doubtful, until Bob Ward said that he had had a lot of experience
+in driving his uncle's machine, and felt very sure he could handle it. So
+it was decided that the next day Bob should take them on their first
+trip, which would be in search of a new camp site, the old one proving
+too small for this year's requirements.
+
+While the question as to who should be chosen to drive the automobile
+was being decided, Sam Fielding and Philip Strong, two of the younger
+boys, had placed a long plank over a big rock which rested under the
+shade of a low-branched tree, and thus improvised a capital see-saw.
+When the question was settled, there was a general movement among the
+boys, and one of them, thoughtless of consequences, jumped upon Sam's
+end of the board. This added weight gave the other end a sudden jerk
+upward, and in a twinkling Philip was tossed into the boughs of the
+tree, where, his foot catching in a forked branch, he hung suspended,
+head downward, his jacket falling about and covering his head and face,
+while he yelled like a Comanche Indian.
+
+In an instant the entire camp was aroused and Phil was quickly extricated
+from his uncomfortable position. At the sight of his astonished face, the
+whole camp went into paroxysms of mirth, while peal after peal of
+laughter made the woods echo again. Even Phil, now "right side up with
+care," could not resist the contagion and joined in the merriment.
+
+It was many minutes before a normal condition of things was re-established,
+but at last the boys fell to discussing the proposed change of camp.
+
+"It's a shame that we have to change," said Charlie Adams; "I don't
+believe we'll have such bully times in the new camp as we have had
+here."
+
+"Oh, I don't know," said Tom cheerily; "we'll have the dandiest fun,
+hunting new caves and things."
+
+"It will at least have the charm of novelty," joined in Dick Trent--Dick
+was eighteen and sometimes used words and phrases so ponderous as to
+give him added dignity in the eyes of the other fellows. "Things will be
+altogether different this summer," he went on; "having the auto will
+make a great change."
+
+"Well, we're going to have a great time to-day, anyway," said Bob Ward;
+"Mr. Hollis says we are to make a flying trip in the new machine, and I
+will have a chance, while the man who brings it is here, to study
+handling the car."
+
+As Bob finished speaking, a distant but distinct "honk-honk" sent each
+boy tearing down the road, where in due time a great, red, glistening
+car came up the turnpike like a gleaming streak of light, and, with a
+graceful curve to the side of the road, stopped. The car, _their_ car,
+the "Red Scout" had come!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+THE FLYING AUTO
+
+
+A group of the campers stood regarding the big red touring car rather
+dubiously.
+
+"The fact is," Bob Ward was saying, as he meditatively chewed a long
+piece of grass, "you never can tell when the fool thing is going to go
+back on you. I used to drive my uncle's car a good deal, but I never
+could go very far without some part of the machinery breaking down.
+Uncle Jack said I was a Jonah and I guess I was, because he could run
+the pesky thing all over the country if I wasn't with him, and it would
+go like a bird. One day I ran it into a fence and nearly got killed, so
+I took the hint and haven't fooled with one since."
+
+"But we ought to make a try at locating a site for the new camp," Frank
+Edgewood objected. "We volunteered, and we'll be the laughing stock of
+the whole camp if we don't succeed, besides breaking our word to Mr.
+Hollis."
+
+"Yes, I don't see why you said you could do it, if you are going to get
+cold feet at the last minute," said Jim.
+
+"I haven't got cold feet," Bob defended hotly, then virtuously, "it
+isn't because of my own danger that I hesitate, but I don't like to drag
+you fellows into it with me."
+
+"If you don't mind breaking your own neck, you needn't worry about
+ours," said Dave Ferris; "we'll stay here while you take a little spin
+across country," grinning wickedly. "Of course, if you should find a
+good camp location in the meantime, you could claim all the glory"--this
+last condescendingly.
+
+Before Bob had time to retort, a cry of "Bert, Bert Wilson!" caught the
+boys' attention, and they turned in time to see a young fellow take a
+flying leap over one of the fences and land in the midst of a group of
+excited, welcoming friends.
+
+"Make believe we're not glad to see you, Bert. We thought you wouldn't
+be able to get off this year."
+
+"Tom Henderson spread that report. Where is he?"
+
+"Wait till I get at him."
+
+"He ought to have a ducking," and other undeserved threats were hurled
+at poor Tom's innocent head.
+
+"Hold on, fellows," said Bert, laughing; "Tom wasn't to blame. I didn't
+know myself that I could make the camp till yesterday."
+
+At that moment the maligned Tom dashed up, nearly upsetting his friend
+in an ecstasy of delight.
+
+"You're a brick with a capital B and the best kind of a sight for sore
+eyes," gasped Tom, getting his breath back by degrees. "I never was so
+glad to see anyone in my life. And you came just in the nick of time,
+too, to help us out."
+
+Then, dragging his friend away unceremoniously, Tom explained the
+situation in which he and the other volunteers found themselves.
+
+"You will help us out, won't you, Bert?" he asked appealingly.
+
+By this time the rest of the volunteers had come up and were eagerly
+awaiting the decision. When they heard Bert's hearty "Surest thing you
+know," they went wild, and after giving him "three cheers and a tiger,"
+marched him off to the mess tent, there to partake of corn bread and
+maple syrup. This last had such a good effect on Bert as to lead him to
+say that the fellow who had never known the gastronomic delight of corn
+bread spread thick with maple syrup didn't know what it was to live.
+
+The dramatic arrival of Bert at the camp just when they most felt the
+need of him had been almost as unexpected to him as to the other
+campers.
+
+Through the recommendation of Mr. Hollis, he had secured a position
+with a large manufacturing business in New York. There from the very
+start he had made good and his industry and ability were soon noted by
+his employer. It was not long before his salary was increased and larger
+opportunities afforded him, and he soon found himself treading the path
+that was bound to lead to success.
+
+Of course, like every other healthy boy, he felt the need of friends and
+recreation. The first he found in Tom Henderson, with whom he struck up
+a great friendship. Another crony was Frank Edgewood, who worked on the
+same floor as himself. When the work of the day was done they were
+usually found together, either in each other's rooms or at some of the
+places of wholesome recreation of which the city offers so great a
+variety.
+
+If Bert had one trait that stood out more prominently than any of the
+others it was his love for mechanics. Anything in the way of a clever
+mechanical toy, a puzzle, or a machine attracted him immensely. He
+wanted to "see the wheels go 'round." Especially was this true in the
+case of automobiles. The huge machine moving so swiftly, so noiselessly,
+with such a sense of freedom and the sensation of flying, drew him like
+a magnet. He scarcely dared to dream that one day he might be the actual
+owner of a motor car, but he did hope that some day or other his hand
+might be on the wheel, his foot upon the brake, while he steered the
+flying monster as it sped like a flash across the country.
+
+His dream seemed perceptibly nearer being realized when Tom introduced
+him to the owner of a garage in the vicinity of his home. There he
+speedily became familiar with every joint and crank and lever of the
+great machines. He saw them taken apart and put together, he saw them
+brought in battered, broken, almost wrecked, and made as good as new.
+From theory to practice was not far. Little by little he was permitted
+to help in the minor repairs. After a while he was entrusted with short
+trips, at first in the company of an experienced chauffeur and at last
+on his own responsibility. It was not long before he felt capable to
+handle, steer, drive, and repair, and, if he had cared to do so, he
+would have had no difficulty in passing an examination and securing a
+license to drive a car.
+
+His idea of recreation ran in the same direction. Whenever there was a
+motor meet anywhere within reach, especially on Saturday afternoon, which
+was a half holiday at the factory, Bert could be found, accompanied by
+either Tom or Frank, or both, watching with intense delight the exciting
+incidents of the race. The crowd--the start--the great machines flying by
+like streaks of lightning--the roar of the partisans of each car as
+their favorite took the lead, and above all the frantic excitement and
+enthusiasm at the finish as the victor flew across the line--all these
+things stirred his blood with inexpressible delight.
+
+On another occasion he and his chums had visited the "Greatest Show on
+Earth." He had laughed at the clowns and had been thrilled by the
+acrobats. Every pore of his body had drunk in with delight the
+tremendous feats of skill and daring that appeal so strongly to a boy.
+But the one supreme thrill, the one he never forgot, the one that
+repeated itself over and over again in his dreams, was when the
+automobile with its daring operator starting from the very top of the
+immense building, amid the deathlike hush of the crowd, flew like a
+flash down the steep incline, sprang into space, turned a complete
+somersault, and, lighting on the further side of the gap, rushed across
+the arena. This was the climax of everything. Little else appealed to
+Bert; he talked of nothing else on the way home. There was no use
+talking, the "auto fever" was in his blood.
+
+With this passionate delight in his favorite machine, Bert's feeling can
+be understood when he learned that the chief feature of the boys'
+encampment when the summer opened was to be an automobile "hike," the
+car itself having been kindly loaned by Mr. Hollis. At first, owing to
+conditions at the factory, he had feared that he would not be able to go
+at the time set for the encampment, and his disappointment was crushing.
+A quiet little talk of Mr. Hollis's with his employer, however, had
+adjusted things so that he learned at the last moment he would be able
+to go. We have already seen how uproariously he had been received by his
+old companions when he came so unexpectedly into the howling mob of
+enthusiasts at the summer camp.
+
+In less time after his arrival than it takes to tell, Bert was clad in
+khaki and had obtained the ready permission of Mr. Hollis to take the
+boys on their desired expedition.
+
+The fellows scrambled into their adored "Red Scout" with more haste than
+grace, while Bert was busy cranking it. Then with a cry of "All right
+back there?" and an answering shout of "You bet your life," the great
+car started smoothly up the ascent.
+
+As it quickened its speed and disappeared around a bend of the road,
+more than one of the boys at the camp wished he had been quicker to
+offer his services.
+
+"If I'd only known that Bert would be here I'd been one of the first to
+volunteer, but I must say I wasn't anxious to trust my neck to Bob's
+safe-keeping. He doesn't know any more about running an automobile than
+I do;" and when Jim said that he was saying a great deal.
+
+Meanwhile the "Red Scout's" passengers were having the time of their
+lives.
+
+"Gee, it's like flying," said Frank joyfully.
+
+"It's a heap sight better," challenged Tom. "Can't you make it go
+faster?" he asked of Bert.
+
+"I guess yes," Bert shouted, as he put on more speed.
+
+The automobile darted forward like a live thing and the boys were
+enraptured by the rapidity of its motion. It almost seemed to them as
+though the "Red Scout" were standing still and all the scenery were flying
+past. Hardly did the farmhouses come in sight than they were passed and
+lost in the distance.
+
+Scores of timid little woodland creatures scurried away to the shelter
+of holes and empty logs, surprised and alarmed at the streak of red
+lightning that flashed by. Mother birds hovered protectingly over their
+fledglings, ready to defend them against the whole world if necessary,
+while excited squirrels scolded noisily from the treetops long after
+they had any excuse for it.
+
+On, on they rushed along roads over which giant trees met, past meadow
+lands where cattle grazed lazily, over bridges, past sparkling brooks
+that formed miniature waterfalls as they rushed over the stones--on, on!
+
+As they slowed up to take a sharp bend in the road they came face to
+face with another automobile dashing along at a reckless speed.
+
+Fortunately both Bert and the driver of the other machine kept their
+presence of mind. Before anyone had a chance to realize what was
+happening, Bert had swerved the Scout way over to the right side of the
+road. There happened to be a fairly deep depression on that side, so
+Bert had the choice of two evils. He had either to crash squarely into
+the other automobile or he had to run the risk of having his own machine
+turn turtle. He chose the lesser danger and ran into the ditch. However,
+it wasn't as bad as it easily might have been, for only the front and
+rear wheels of one side of the car were in the depression. Even at that
+they had come within a hair's-breadth of being upset.
+
+As soon as the boys could pull themselves together, they tumbled out of
+the car. The occupants of the other car were four men, who sprang out at
+once to see if they could be of service in any way.
+
+"I think we'd better improvise a lever," Bert suggested.
+
+"That may look all right in print," grumbled Bob, "but how are you going
+to do it?"
+
+"I know how we can work it all right," said one of the men. "See those
+big stones over there? Well, the first thing to do is to bring them over
+here."
+
+"Oh, I see what you mean to do," Bert chimed in eagerly. "There are lots
+of big tree branches lying around. Looks as if they had been blown down
+in some storm. We can use them for levers."
+
+"Guess you've got the right idea, son," said the man who had first
+spoken. "Now let's get down to business."
+
+It was a work of time to place the stones in the right position and to
+pick out branches that would stand the strain. It proved a tremendous
+task to lift the heavy car. At times they almost despaired of moving it.
+However, it was that very desperation that gave them strength at last.
+Inch by inch, slowly, carefully, they finally forced the great car
+upward, until with a sigh of relief they realized that the task was
+finished.
+
+The boys dropped to the ground, exhausted by the unusual exertion. It
+doesn't take very long, though, for strong, healthy boys to recover from
+any strain, however great; so in a few minutes they were again in the
+car and ready to start for camp. It was too late to go further, and
+after thanking the men for their help they started back--slowly this
+time.
+
+It was after dark when they reached the camp, and Mr. Hollis, although
+confident of Bert's resourcefulness, was beginning to be slightly
+worried when the wanderers appeared at last upon the scene.
+
+In a very few moments the half-famished boys were seated at a most
+appetizing meal, to which they did full justice.
+
+The rest of the fellows listened with the greatest interest, while Tom
+related the adventure. Bert and Mr. Hollis at a little distance
+discussed the events of the day and planned to renew the trip on the
+following morning.
+
+It was only when everything was quiet in the camp and the boys were
+supposed to be asleep, that Tom, rising on his elbow, called out softly:
+
+"Hello. Are you asleep over there?"
+
+"Just turning the corner," came a sleepy voice.
+
+"Well, stay on this side for a minute. I was just thinking that in that
+wild ride we never even looked for a place to pitch camp."
+
+"Gee, that's so," came the voice, a little less sleepy this time. "Well,
+of all the boneheads we're the limit. I always thought my head was hard,
+but now I know it's solid. Oh, well," and again the voice grew sleepy,
+"we'll have plenty of time to-morrow to think of that. I'm too tired
+now. Good night. I've just got to--turn--the--corner."
+
+Where Tom promptly joined him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+THE COPPERHEAD
+
+
+Bright and early next morning Bert awoke to find the sunbeams playing
+all over his tent. He noticed lazily what funny spots they made on Tom's
+sleeping face. Then, with a start, he remembered that Tom had grumbled
+the night before because they would have to get up early to catch a mess
+of fish for breakfast.
+
+Thinking that he would wait a little while till Tom woke up, he rolled
+off his cot on to the floor so that he could command a view of the brook
+through the open tent flap. He had just made himself comfortable when an
+irritable voice hailed him from the direction of Tom's cot:
+
+"That you, Bert? What are you doing awake at this unearthly hour?"
+
+"Same as yourself, I suppose," came the calm reply.
+
+"Humph! Well, you're not going to rout me out at five o'clock in the
+morning."
+
+"Don't be a bear, Tom. We've got to help the fellows catch that fish and
+you know it, so the sooner we start the better. A couple of the fellows
+are down there now."
+
+"Oh, well, I suppose we've got to, then, worse luck. They probably will
+guy us unmercifully, too, about yesterday. It's a wonder they didn't,
+last night," which was all the credit the boys got for trying to save
+the feelings of the reckless volunteers.
+
+As the two comrades ran swiftly down to the water's edge, they noticed
+that Shorty--Philip Strong had been nicknamed Shorty because of his very
+small figure--was tugging hard at his line.
+
+"Got a bite, Shorty?" they shouted, when they came within hailing
+distance.
+
+"Bet your life, and it's pulling like a good fellow, too."
+
+"Better let me help; I'm stronger than you," offered Bob, who was
+sitting a little distance down the bank and whose luck hadn't been of
+the best up to that time.
+
+Now, a very sore point with Shorty was his lack of strength, and whenever
+anybody referred to it, no matter with what good intentions, he always
+bristled up as if at a personal insult. This morning that very touchiness
+proved to be his undoing, for, as he got to his feet, intending to inform
+Bob that he could do very well without any of his help, the fish gave a
+sudden jerk to the line that made Shorty lose his balance and tumble
+head-first into the water.
+
+The boys, convulsed with laughter, fished him up, dripping and sheepish.
+Without thanking the boys for their help, Shorty zig-zagged up to the
+tent, making, it must be confessed, a rather sorry figure. When they
+finally had managed to get the line up they found that the cause of
+Shorty's undoing had escaped.
+
+"Poor little Shorty, he's always getting into trouble," one of the boys
+said when he had breath enough.
+
+Then, as the time was getting short, they all settled down in good
+earnest to their task and, before the camp was awake at half-past six,
+had caught a "corking mess," as they expressed it.
+
+As each tent poured forth its several occupants, the fishermen took
+their mornings catch to the mess tent and went to report--some of them
+with sinking hearts, it is to be feared--to Mr. Hollis.
+
+However, the leader was very lenient with the offenders, merely
+reprimanding their carelessness and cautioning them not again to forget
+that they had pledged their word of honor to render him the most
+absolute obedience in every particular.
+
+Upon the boys eagerly promising that they wouldn't offend again and upon
+Bert's asking to be allowed to have another chance to find the camp
+site, permission was given and they sauntered away, filled with the
+happy anticipation of laurels still to be won.
+
+Soon after breakfast the "Red Scout" was brought out and the original
+volunteers, their ranks swelled by three new recruits, Shorty among
+them, started off up the hill amid the cheers and good wishes of the
+fellows.
+
+For an hour they rode steadily up hill and down dale until they saw far
+off through the trees the faint gleam of water. Running the auto into
+the woods for a short distance, they all jumped out and started to
+investigate.
+
+The boys thought they had never seen the woods when they were as
+beautiful as on that day. They had not gone very far before Bert, who
+was in the lead, called back, "Come here, fellows and see this grove of
+chestnut trees. Isn't it great?"
+
+The boys all hurried forward and there, sure enough, was a regular
+colony of chestnut trees, their huge branches giving promise of abundant
+harvest, when the frost came.
+
+"Say, fellows, its a shame not to be able to get any good out of these
+nuts that are sure to be so plentiful in the fall. Don't you suppose we
+might arrange to stay until the frost comes?" Shorty asked.
+
+"I should think we ought to be able to fix it up," said Frank. "We can
+ask Mr. Hollis about it anyway."
+
+Then they started again, on the lookout for other finds. All the way
+along they came across numbers of clear, cold springs and never failed
+to test each one. More than once they had to cross brooks on stones that
+were not over steady and, at one time, a very loose one nearly caused
+Shorty another ducking.
+
+At last they reached the border of the woods and looked out upon a sight
+that held them spellbound. There before them was a smooth, grassy stretch
+of ground, dotted here and there with beautiful, spreading oak trees.
+Sloping gently down, it stopped at the edge of a clear, transparent lake
+that reflected the radiant brightness of the sun. On the other side the
+ground was level for a short distance and then rose forming a small hill,
+richly carpeted with low shrubs and gorgeously colored wild flowers.
+Branches of trees drooped low over the lake, as if trying to catch their
+own reflections in its clear depths. Birds twittered and sang in the
+branches, joyously mingling their bubbling notes with the music of a
+rippling brook near by. It seemed as if the soft voice of Nature spoke to
+them in the murmuring of the trees, sang to them in the song of the
+birds, joyously called to them in the babble of the brook, smiled a
+welcome to them from the bright surface of the lake.
+
+"Gee!" said Tom, drawing a long breath. "It sure is wonderful!"
+
+"Wonderful!" Bert exclaimed. "It's by far the most beautiful place I've
+ever had the luck to locate! Come on, fellows, let's take a look
+around."
+
+So look around they did and found that every thing about this ideal spot
+was all they could possibly ask for--and more. After examining everything
+in sight they found that they were just about starved, so they sat down
+under one of the trees near the lake and spread out the contents of the
+lunch basket. After a feast of chicken, canned salmon, cornbread, maple
+syrup, and sweetened lemon juice, which, when mixed with cold spring
+water made a very tempting drink, they started off with the empty lunch
+basket, the latter being, as one of the boys remarked, "a heap sight
+lighter than it was when we started."
+
+"That's all right," said Frank, "but I feel a heap sight heavier."
+
+"You shouldn't have eaten so much," Shorty reproved him.
+
+"If I'd eaten as much as you have, Philip Strong," Frank retorted, "I
+wouldn't be able to walk."
+
+"Speaking of eating," said Shorty, sniffing the air inquiringly, "do any
+of you fellows smell cucumbers?"
+
+"What's the matter, Shorty? Has the little ducking you indulged in this
+morning addled your brains? Whoever heard of cucumbers in the woods?"
+said Frank contemptuously.
+
+"I know it sounds foolish but it's the truth just the same," and Shorty
+stood his ground stoutly.
+
+"Shorty's right, boys: I noticed the cucumber smell quite a while ago
+and it seems to grow stronger the farther we go," said Bert.
+
+"By George, that's so! I smell it myself, now." "I do, too." "So do I."
+and various other exclamations of the same sort showed that Shorty was
+right.
+
+The boys scattered all over trying to locate the odor, which was very
+strong at this time. Tom was the first to discover the cause of it. At
+his low, imperative, "Come here quick, fellows, but don't make a noise,"
+they all ran to see what was the matter.
+
+Excitedly he pointed to a long, copper-colored snake, that seemed to be
+watching a bird's nest built low in one of the bushes. The mother bird
+was hovering distractedly over her nest, uttering shrill, excited cries
+that brought her mate to her side. Just then the snake coiled ready to
+strike and the boys looked around desperately for stones but Bert had
+gotten ahead of them. As soon as he had seen what was happening he had
+slipped noiselessly away to a brook they had just passed and, snatching
+up a heavy stone, had hurried back to the scene of the tragedy. So, as
+soon as the snake had its head in a position to strike he hurled the
+stone directly at it. Slowly and convulsively the snake untwined and
+finally lay still.
+
+"It's strange I didn't think of that cucumber smell being caused by a
+copperhead," said Bert; "I used to kill them every once in a while when
+I was at my uncle's farm."
+
+Just then, Tom called their attention to the mother bird. "Doesn't it
+almost seem as if she were thanking us?" And it really did seem so. The
+little bird had settled back on her nest with her black eyes fixed
+gratefully on her rescuers and making little, low, gurgling noises way
+down in her throat. Nearby on a low branch the father bird was swaying
+back and forth, pouring out his musical notes straight from a little
+heart bursting with gratitude and joy.
+
+Leaving the happy family to its own devices, the boys took up the trail
+again. In high spirits, they chased each other over fallen logs and
+through the dense foliage, peered into squirrels' holes and rabbits'
+burrows, commented upon the appearance and habits of the sly little
+chipmunk and other interesting, woodland creatures.
+
+Before they realized it they had come upon the "Red Scout" standing just
+as they had left it in its leafy garage.
+
+While they were on the way home they examined the snake skin. It was a
+beauty of its kind. It was about a yard long and the sixteen copper-red,
+moccasin-shaped stripes were very clearly defined.
+
+As soon as they reached camp they gave in their report to Mr. Hollis.
+The boys all crowded around, eager to hear about the snake and camp
+site. The heroes of the day were deluged with questions. "How did you
+get it?" "Have you found a good place for camp?" "Where is it?" "What
+does it look like?" "Tell us all about it."
+
+Finally, Mr. Hollis, seeing how tired and hungry they were, came to
+their rescue, proposing that they eat their supper first and save the
+tale of adventure until the camp council. At first they agreed rather
+hesitatingly but, as an appetizing smell issued forth from the mess
+tent, they found that they couldn't get there fast enough.
+
+After supper the boys made a roaring fire and squatted around it,
+waiting for the roll-call. Then Mr. Hollis called the roll, beginning
+with Adams and ending with Taylor. As everybody was there, the reports
+were called for. Every boy reported his adventures and experiences
+during the day; all of which would have been intensely interesting to
+the boys as a rule, but they were so anxious to hear Bert's report that
+they passed over the others rapidly.
+
+When at last Bert's turn came, they all crowded forward with eager
+interest, and they were not disappointed. Bert told his story simply
+and well, and was not once interrupted.
+
+When the tale was finished the boys fairly exploded. Cries of "Isn't it
+great?" "Everything is sure going our way this year," mingled with "How
+did you manage to get the stone without the snake hearing you?" "What
+are you going to do with the skin now that you've got it?" And to all
+Bert gave a satisfactory answer.
+
+It was a long time before the boys could quiet down and even then they
+felt like hearing something exciting.
+
+"Who can tell a good ghost story?" Bob asked.
+
+"Dave's the boy. Come on, Dave, put on your thinking cap."
+
+Dave Ferris had been elected official story teller at the beginning,
+because he always had a stock on hand, and they were generally thrilling
+tales of adventure or weird ghost stories, the kind that boys always
+revel in.
+
+Dave was silent, thinking for a little while. Then he said, "All right
+boys, here goes. Are you ready?"
+
+To a chorus of "Sure thing, fire away, and break the speed limit," they
+all gathered closer together around the fire and Dave began his story.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+THE CHALLENGE
+
+
+Dave certainly could not complain of a bored or indifferent audience.
+Even Mr. Hollis was absorbed and listened with a smile on his kindly
+face. He was always intensely interested in anything the boys said or
+did, and was never happier than when he saw that they were especially
+enjoying themselves.
+
+Dave had just reached the most thrilling part of his story, and in their
+imaginations the boys could hear the wailings of the ghost and the
+clanking of his chains. He was describing the awful appearance of its
+sunken fiery eyes, when Shorty happened to glance apprehensively around
+and immediately emitted a blood-curdling yell.
+
+"The ghost! The ghost!" he stammered, pointing in the direction of the
+road. All leaped to their feet and followed the direction of Shorty's
+trembling finger, and for a moment even Bert Wilson felt a queer little
+tightening sensation about the heart, for there, apparently coming
+directly toward them, were the fiery eyes that Dave had just described
+with such gusto.
+
+"Why, you simps," laughed Bert, "that's no ghost, or if it is, it is the
+most solid spook I ever heard of. Those are the acetylene lamps of
+another auto," and as he spoke he exchanged significant glances with Mr.
+Hollis.
+
+Somewhat ashamed of having been so startled, the boys now fell to
+guessing at the mission of the strange car. They had not long to wait.
+In a few minutes they could hear the purring of its exhaust, and soon a
+great gray automobile dashed into camp and drew up in front of the fire.
+
+From it descended a genial looking man, apparently of about the same age
+as Mr. Hollis, followed by five clean cut young fellows.
+
+Mr. Hollis and Mr. Thompson, as the new comer's name proved to be,
+evidently knew each other and shook hands heartily. Meanwhile the camp
+boys mingled with their unexpected guests and with the freemasonry of
+youth soon became chummy.
+
+The only fault perhaps that could be found with the new arrivals was
+that they seemed to be a trifle overbearing, and evidently thought that
+their car, which they called the "Gray Ghost," could beat any other
+automobile ever made.
+
+It is needless to state that Bert's crowd felt the same way regarding the
+"Red Scout," so that the boys were soon engaged in a heated argument
+concerning the respective merits of their cars.
+
+"Why," maintained Tom, hotly, "you fellows have no idea what our 'Red
+Scout' can do in the way of speed and hill climbing. Just to-day we were
+out on a run and, though I didn't actually time it, I am dead sure there
+were stretches where we did as well as a mile a minute. What do you
+think of that?" he asked triumphantly.
+
+Indeed, this seemed to cool the visitors down somewhat and they
+exchanged surprised glances. But they soon recovered their confidence
+and went on to describe the speed qualities of their car with
+ever-increasing enthusiasm.
+
+"It was just a short time ago," said one whose name turned out to be
+Ralph Quinby, "that we took the 'Gray Ghost' around the old race track
+just outside the town, and we averaged over fifty miles an hour. We
+could have gone much faster too, only Mr. Thompson would not let us.
+I'll just bet your auto couldn't go as fast as that."
+
+It was now the turn of their hosts to look doubtful. They were sure,
+however, that the "Red Scout" could hold its own with any other car, and
+as they thought of their idolized driver, Bert Wilson, their confidence
+came back with a rush.
+
+"Well," replied Tom, drawing a long breath, "you fellows evidently
+think you could win in a race and we just _know_ that we could, so I
+guess the only way to settle the dispute is to run off a race somewhere
+and prove which is the better machine. I know we'd be willing if you
+would, wouldn't we, boys?"
+
+There was a chorus of approving shouts from his companions, but the
+visitors only smiled in a superior fashion, and evidently thought there
+could be but one conclusion to any race in which their car was entered.
+
+Meanwhile, Mr. Hollis and Mr. Thompson were holding an earnest
+conversation in which the latter seemed to be urging some point about
+which Mr. Hollis apparently hesitated. In fact, Mr. Thompson was trying
+to get Mr. Hollis to give his consent to a race between the cars owned
+by the two camps. But the latter thought that it would involve too much
+risk for the boys who drove the machines.
+
+"You see, it's this way," he was saying, "you and I, Thompson, are
+responsible for the safety of these boys. We both feel toward them as
+though they belonged to us and if anything happened to them we would
+never forgive ourselves. It seems to me too big a risk to take merely
+for the sake of seeing who owns the faster car."
+
+"Yes, you're dead right there, of course," returned Mr. Thompson, "but
+then I don't think the risk is so great as you imagine. I have seen the
+track they would use, provided the race was run, and I think there would
+be little, if any, danger. The track has not been used for several years
+and most of the fence is missing, so that if they ran off the course
+itself, it would only be a matter of running over the grass until they
+stopped. You know me well enough to realize that I would not sanction
+anything that contained too large an element of peril. As for the slight
+risk that undoubtedly exists, it seems to me that it would not hurt the
+boys to take it, and it would teach them self-reliance and confidence."
+
+"As far as that goes," said Mr. Hollis, smiling reluctantly, "my boys
+have too much confidence in themselves and I have to be constantly
+curbing their tendencies toward taking chances. However, I have every
+confidence in your judgment, so I suppose I might as well consent this
+once. I wish to have it understood, however, that this is the last as
+well as the first race they ever run, win or lose."
+
+"That suits me all right, so I guess we can consider it settled,"
+answered Mr. Thompson, "what do you say to going over and having a look
+at the machines? You haven't seen our car yet, have you?"
+
+"No, that's a pleasure still in store for me," replied Mr. Hollis; and
+the two men rose and strolled over to where the cars stood, their brass
+work glittering in the light of the dancing campfire.
+
+By this time most of the boys had gathered around the cars, but they
+saluted and made way respectfully for their leaders as they came up.
+They both smiled when they saw Bert and Ralph Quinby, for they were so
+engrossed in the discussion of the respective merits and appliances of
+their cars that they did not even notice the coming of their leaders.
+
+Such terms as "gear ratios," "revolutions per minute" and "three point
+suspension" filled the air, and Mr. Hollis whispered to Mr. Thompson:
+"I'll wager that those boys saturate their handkerchiefs with gasoline,
+so that whenever they get a block away from a machine they can smell
+gasoline and feel at home again."
+
+"Wouldn't be surprised if they did," laughed Mr. Thompson.
+
+"Here, you fellows come out of your trance," called Dick, and Bert and
+Ralph turned quickly around and saluted.
+
+Their leaders returned the salute, and Mr. Thompson said: "Well, I
+suppose both you boys think you have a pretty fast machine there. How
+would you like to have a test of speed?"
+
+There was a chorus of excited cries and exclamations from the boys, and
+their leaders smiled indulgently.
+
+Bert stepped forward and said: "I think, sir, that I speak for Mr.
+Quinby as well as myself when I say that nothing would suit us better."
+Ralph gave a nod of assent and Bert went on: "We will both promise to be
+cautious, and I think if we take proper precautions we will be able to
+run off a good race without an accident. How long do you think the race
+ought to be?"
+
+"How long is the track that you propose using?" inquired Mr. Hollis.
+
+"Why, it's just one mile, isn't it Ralph?" asked Mr. Thompson.
+
+"Yes, sir," replied Ralph.
+
+"Well, it seems to me," said Mr. Thompson, "that ten miles, that is ten
+full laps around the track, ought to be about right. Will that be
+satisfactory to you, Mr. Hollis?"
+
+"Yes, I can see no objection to that," replied the latter, "what day
+shall we have the race?"
+
+"How would a week from today suit you?"
+
+"Let me see, that will be Tuesday, won't it? I guess that will be
+satisfactory to all concerned. How do you boys feel about it?"
+
+They voiced a unanimous assent to these arrangements, and both sides
+started discussing the various chances and possibilities of the contest,
+but with perfect good humor and friendly feeling.
+
+It was now getting late, however, and the discipline of the camps could
+not be too much relaxed, even in the face of such an important event as
+this. Accordingly, hearty farewells were exchanged, and the visitors
+climbed into their big gray car.
+
+All the boys gathered around expectantly to note the behavior of the car
+when it started, and it must be admitted that even Bert Wilson's expert
+eye could find no defect in the handling or running of the rival machine.
+Ralph started it smoothly and without a jerk, and soon all they could see
+of it was the angry gleam of its red tail-light.
+
+As they turned away to prepare for sleep, Jim remarked: "Aw, I bet we'll
+have a walkover in that race."
+
+Bert knew better, however, and was convinced that he would have to use
+every ounce of power that the "Red Scout" possessed to beat the "Gray
+Ghost." But one thing he was sure of, and that was that whoever won it
+was going to be a mighty close race. He did not make the mistake of
+underrating his rival, as so many boys in his position would have done,
+but made up his mind to do the very best he could, right from the
+start.
+
+For a long time he stood staring at the "Red Scout," and then raised its
+shining hood and patted the spotless cylinders.
+
+"I guess we can do it, old boy, but you will have to stand by me and
+work as you have never worked before," he said, and gently lowered the
+hood and walked off toward his tent.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+THE HOBOES AND THE BEES
+
+
+Early in the morning the boys began to break camp and start for the new
+location. Groups of three or four were detailed by Mr. Hollis to
+accomplish certain tasks and they started to carry out his directions
+right merrily. Some were sent to store the provisions and cooking
+utensils; others to take down the tents and gather together their
+blankets and other bedding; still others got together the fishing tackle
+and all was done to the accompaniment of songs and jests and laughter,
+so that before they knew it everything was ready to dump into the old
+farm wagons they had hired for the purpose. When everything was packed
+in the wagon that would possibly go in, Mr. Hollis selected Tom to ride
+beside the driver and show him where to go.
+
+After the wagon had started off, some of the boys' own personal
+belongings that were left over were put in the "Red Scout" and seven of
+the fellows scrambled in someway--trust boys to find room if there is
+any to be found--and started away after the wagon. They soon passed it
+and went on until they came to the turn in the road where the lake could
+be dimly seen through the trees. There Bert stopped and the boys got
+out, taking the packages with them. Shorty had been detailed to lead
+them to the lake and then to come back and wait for the farm wagon.
+
+Then Bert went back to pick up Mr. Hollis and Dick Trent who had stayed
+behind to see that nothing had been forgotten.
+
+On the way back he passed the wagon and hailed Tom with a "How are you
+getting along, old man?"
+
+"Pretty badly, I thank you. I wish Mr. Hollis had picked out somebody
+else for this job--someone who didn't care if he spent hours getting
+nowhere," Tom replied sourly.
+
+"Cheer up, the worst is yet to come," laughed Bert. "Never mind, even
+the worst trials have to end some time," he added consolingly and
+started off again while Tom looked enviously after the red car, now fast
+disappearing in the distance.
+
+When Bert reached the old camp site, now looking very bare and forlorn,
+he found Mr. Hollis and the boys waiting impatiently for him. Mr. Hollis
+and Dick got in, followed by six of the boys. Bert promised to come back
+for the rest right away and the "Red Scout" started off with its second
+load. In a little while, for Bert had found a second and much shorter
+road to the lake, they came once more to "Campers' Crossing" as the boys
+had named it. There they found that the wagon had just arrived with its
+load, but the boys had delayed unloading it until Mr. Hollis should
+reach the scene of action. In a minute the Camp Master had taken charge
+and the boys were busy unloading and carrying everything to the camp.
+
+Once more Bert started back with the reliable "Red Scout" for his last
+load. When he got to the old camp the boys greeted him with the news
+that Jim Dawson had disappeared and couldn't be found anywhere.
+
+"He was here just a few minutes ago," said Steve Thomas. "But when I
+went to ask him a question just now he was gone. We have hunted high and
+low but we can't find a trace of him."
+
+Bert was troubled at first, but suddenly a thought struck him and his
+face lighted up as he exclaimed: "I think I can explain the mystery.
+Follow me, fellows."
+
+He led them through a dense thicket to the side of a hill, covered with
+underbrush. Pulling a bush aside, he disclosed to the boys' astonished
+gaze, a great, black hole which was evidently the mouth of a cave.
+
+"Come on out, Jim," Bert called. "We don't want to keep Mr. Hollis
+waiting _too_ long, you know."
+
+Jim Dawson was one of those hungry boys who never can get enough to eat,
+so, having discovered the cave one day, while chasing a butterfly, he
+had secretly brought food there in a tin box, so that if he chanced to
+get hungry, he always had something to eat at hand.
+
+Bert had discovered the cave and its secret long ago but he was not
+given to tale-bearing and so had kept his own counsel.
+
+As Bert spoke, a sound was heard inside the cave, and, in a minute,
+out came the culprit with an accusing piece of cornbread in his hand,
+blinking like an owl brought suddenly into the glare of the sun.
+
+At the look of complete surprise and dismay on his face the boys burst
+into a shout of laughter.
+
+"Oh, you lemon," gasped Steve. "You full-sized lemon! How did you ever
+manage to get away with it?"
+
+"No wonder we have been short of grub, lately," Dave said, holding his
+sides as if he were afraid he would burst.
+
+"Aw, I don't see why you can't leave a fellow alone," said Jim, sulkily.
+"I only brought grub here that belonged to me."
+
+"Don't be sore, Jim," Bert said, good-naturedly. "I wouldn't have
+disturbed you if we hadn't been in a hurry. That reminds me that we've
+wasted a good deal of valuable time, already. I guess we had better be
+getting along."
+
+At that they all started back on the run and soon had Jim in such a good
+humor that he even told them how he had escaped being found out by a
+narrow margin many a time, and that nobody but Bert had even suspected
+the cave's existence.
+
+They all piled into the "Red Scout" in a hurry because they feared that
+Mr. Hollis would worry on account of their prolonged absence.
+
+They arrived at "Campers' Crossing" just in time to carry the last
+barrel of provisions. When they reached the new camp the boys were
+surprised to see how much had been done in their absence. The tents had
+been set up and from the mess tent came the clattering of utensils and
+the savory odor of creamed salmon on toast.
+
+Soon, the call to dinner was heard, and the boys all gathered around the
+table, chattering like magpies.
+
+"It seems as if we'd always camped here," said Shorty. "There's
+something about the place that makes you feel at home right away."
+
+"It's the classiest place I've ever been in," Dave Ferris declared,
+enthusiastically. "It makes you imagine that Nature might have had a
+little time on her hands and devoted it to making this one spot a little
+paradise."
+
+"Hear! Hear!" Tom cried, clapping his hands in mock praise. "Dave will
+be a poet if he doesn't look out. Give us some more, old man, the
+sample's good."
+
+"You'd better be careful how you
+
+    "'Beard the lion in his den
+    The Ferris in his hall,'"
+
+said Dick Trent, warningly. "He won't favor us with any more stories if
+you are not careful how you offend him."
+
+"I'd just as soon he'd spout all the poetry he wants to if it relieves
+him any, as long as he doesn't forget how to tell stories," Shorty
+remarked as he contentedly munched a piece of toast.
+
+"How very kind of you," said Dave, sarcastically. "I thank you with all
+my heart for your liberality."
+
+"My which? Say, Dave, if that ever belonged to me, I call you all to
+witness that I disown it from this time on. It's no friend of mine from
+this time on."
+
+"You'd better hang on to it, Shorty. It's the best kind of thing to
+have around at times," said Mr. Hollis, as he rose to leave the table.
+
+In the afternoon scouting parties were sent out in all directions to
+find out the nature of the surrounding country. Steve Thomas, Bert, Tom,
+Bob, Shorty, and Jim Dawson were sent off to scour the woods in an
+easterly direction from the lake.
+
+For a considerable distance they tramped along, talking of the different
+plants and shrubs they came across and naming the birds they saw in the
+trees. They threw peanuts to the squirrels that peeped inquiringly at
+them from branches over their heads or ventured shyly from the shelter
+of their holes. They imitated the clear notes of the birds until the
+little songsters paused to look wonderingly at these strange creatures
+that could not fly and yet sang like themselves. Timid little rabbits
+watched the boys with soft, brown eyes, not knowing whether or not to
+sally forth from their security even for the tempting carrot that Bert
+held out so coaxingly. When he threw it at a distance, however, one
+little fellow, braver than the others, his appetite overcoming his
+fears, ran forth quickly, snatched the carrot and scurried back in a
+panic to his burrow, where, with his bright eyes fixed on these humans
+who had been so kind to him, he ate contentedly.
+
+Suddenly the quiet woods rang with shouts and cries, the barking of a
+dog and the noise of people running to and fro furiously. Alarmed, the
+boys started on a run for the place from which the cries seemed to come.
+They fairly gasped when they came upon the cause of all the commotion.
+Three men, of the roughest order, were dancing distractedly around,
+trying to beat off a swarm of bees that surrounded them, and yelling
+like mad, while a big collie dog, wild with excitement, barked with all
+his might.
+
+[Illustration: Three men of the roughest order were dancing distractedly
+around.]
+
+"Say, this is better than a circus," Shorty shouted, "only I'm glad that
+those hoboes and not I are the whole show now."
+
+"Shut up, Shorty. The question now, is, what we can do to help the poor
+fellows out," said Tom; then, turning to the tramps, he yelled, "You'd
+better make a dive for the brook and get under water. It's right through
+the trees to your left," he added, as the men, now nearly crazy with
+pain, started to follow his advice.
+
+Rushing frantically to the brook, they plunged in head first, while the
+bees, deprived of their prey, flew off angrily into the woods to search
+for new victims upon whom they might vent their spite. When the tramps
+came up, dripping from the water, they were a sight to behold. Their
+faces were swollen so that their eyes seemed to be mere slits and
+their ears appeared to be twice their natural size.
+
+The boys at once ran to get mud to put on the red, angry wounds. The
+tramps submitted with indifferent grace to the treatment, grumbling that
+they "didn't see what good being all smeared up with mud was going to
+do."
+
+As soon as the boys had done what they could to ease the pain, the
+tramps declared that they would have to be moving on "because them pesky
+critters might come back to finish up their business."
+
+So the boys watched the strange company of sullen, muttering men
+disappear through the trees. As they were lost to view, the comical side
+of the adventure struck Shorty and he began to laugh and the longer he
+laughed, the harder he laughed. The others caught the infection and in a
+second the woods were ringing with the unrestrained roars of the boys.
+They laughed until they could laugh no more and then lay on the grass,
+gasping for breath.
+
+"Oh, they did look _so_ funny!" said Shorty between gasps. "I never
+shall forget that sight until my dying day."
+
+At that minute Bert sat up suddenly, exclaiming, "Fellows, look who's
+here!"
+
+With one accord they turned and saw the collie which they had entirely
+forgotten, sitting near and regarding them with inquiring, wistful eyes.
+
+"Come here, Beauty," Bert called, and the dog came unhesitatingly and
+stuck his cold, black muzzle in Bert's hand.
+
+"Did they desert you, old fellow?" Bert asked, putting his arm around
+the dog's neck.
+
+The collie waved his beautiful brush and, lifting his soft eyes to Bert's
+face saw something there that made him his slave forevermore. For the
+collie, with true dog instinct, had recognized that in Bert he had a
+friend.
+
+"I wonder where those tramps got him." "Probably swiped him." "Doesn't
+look as if he'd had very good treatment." "He doesn't and it's a shame,
+too. Isn't he a beauty?" were some of the comments of the boys as they
+gathered around the dog, patting his head gently. The collie waved his
+tail and in his eyes was a great longing for sympathy and love. And you
+may be sure the boys gave him what he asked for.
+
+Tired out, the boys finally went back to camp, followed by their new
+friend who soon became a favorite with everyone. That night Don, as they
+called the dog, sat with the rest around the camp fire and answered
+whenever they spoke to him with a wave of his silver brush. Bert made
+him a bed on the floor of his tent and Don gladly took possession of
+it. Just before he got into bed Bert put his hand on the dog's head,
+saying, "I guess we're going to be good friends aren't we, old fellow?"
+
+And Don, looking up in his master's face, with eyes that held a world of
+gratitude and love, answered to Bert's entire satisfaction.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+SHORTY GOES TO THE ANT
+
+
+The next morning, when the boys drew aside the flaps of their tents, the
+sky was dark and lowering. A good many anxious glances were thrown at
+the clouds and open disapproval of the outlook was not slow in breaking
+out.
+
+"Gee, what a fearful day," said Jim.
+
+"You bet it is," chimed in Shorty.
+
+"That's our luck," wailed Dave, "just when I wanted to go to town to get
+a new blade for the jack-knife I broke yesterday."
+
+"Oh, come off, you pessimists," sang out Bert, who had just plunged his
+head in a bucket of cold water and now was rubbing his face until it
+shone, "somewhere the sun is shining."
+
+"Heap of good that does us," grumbled Shorty, "but say," as he turned to
+Bert suspiciously, "what sort of thing was that you called us?"
+
+"I said you were pessimists."
+
+"Well, what does that jawbreaker mean?"
+
+"Why," said Bert, who could not resist his propensity to tease, "that
+means that you are not optimists."
+
+"Worse and worse and more of it," complained Shorty.
+
+"That's just as clear as mud," echoed Jim.
+
+"Well," said Bert, tantalizingly, "listen my children----"
+
+    "'Listen, my children and you shall hear
+    Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere,'"
+
+chanted Frank, who had recited that identical poem in his elocution
+class at the last term of school.
+
+A well-aimed pillow made him duck, and Bert resumed:
+
+"You see, Shorty, it's just like this: The optimist is the fellow that
+sees the doughnut. The pessimist sees only the hole in the doughnut.
+Now, for my part, there is no nourishment in the hole, but there's lots
+of it in the doughnut."
+
+"Aw say, don't make a fellow's mouth water," said Shorty, before whose
+practical vision rose up his mother's kitchen, fragrant with the smell
+of the crisp, brown, sizzling beauties, as they were lifted from the
+pan, "and me so far from home."
+
+If there were no doughnuts at the breakfast to which all hands came
+running, their place was more than taken by the golden corn bread and the
+savory bacon that formed the meal to which they sat down with all the
+enthusiasm of hungry boys. The food disappeared as if by magic and the
+table had been replenished more than once before the boys cried enough.
+Many a sated millionaire would have willingly exchanged a substantial
+part of his hoarded wealth for one of those unjaded appetites. But in
+pure, undiluted satisfaction, the boys would have been the losers by the
+exchange.
+
+That very thought struck Mr. Hollis as he watched the havoc made at
+table by these valiant young trenchermen, and, turning to Dick, who sat
+at his right, he spoke of the starving King Midas. Jim, who overheard
+the name, which, as he said "was a new one on him," wanted to know who
+Midas was, and how, if he were a king, he couldn't get grub enough to
+keep him from starving. The boys, who had by this time taken the first
+keen edge off their appetite, were equally eager to hear the story, and
+Mr. Hollis went on to tell about the avaricious king of the olden time
+who could never get enough, but was always asking the gods for more.
+After a while they became wearied and disgusted and granted his request
+that everything he touched should turn to gold. The king was delighted
+at this beyond all measure. Now, at last, he was to have his heart's
+desire. He put the gift to the test at once. He touched his sword and
+it changed to gold. That was fine. He stroked his beard and every hair
+became a glistening yellow spike. That wasn't so fine. He began to get a
+little worried. Wasn't this too much of a good thing? Well, anyway there
+was no use in fretting. He would go to dinner and get his mind off. But
+when he touched the food, it too became gold. He lifted a goblet of
+wine, only to find that it held molten metal. In the midst of plenty, he
+was starving. Upon his knees, he begged the gods to take back their
+fatal gift, and, thinking he had learned his lesson well, they did so.
+His gold vanished, but, oh, how delicious was the first taste of food.
+"And to-day," concluded Mr. Hollis, "there is many a millionaire whose
+gold doesn't give him the pleasure that a square meal gives the ravenous
+appetite of a healthy boy."
+
+"Well," said Tom, expressing the general sentiment, "I'd sure like the
+money, but, oh, you corn bread."
+
+After breakfast, the boys broke up into separate groups. One went off
+under the guidance of Mr. Hollis to gather some fossils that were to be
+found in great abundance in the limestone that jutted out from a quarry
+at a little distance from the camp. Another group of the fellows with
+Dick in charge, who were especially interested in bird and insect
+life--the "bug squad" as they were commonly and irreverently referred
+to in camp--went to a little clearing about half a mile away that was
+especially rich in specimens. The day before, Tom had secured an
+uncommonly beautiful species of butterfly that topped anything in his
+experience so far, and the other boys wanted to add one to their rapidly
+growing collection. Whether the lowering day had anything to do or not
+with the absence of these fluttering beauties who love the sunshine,
+their search was without result, and after two hours spent in this way
+they threw aside their butterfly nets and sat down in the shade of a
+spreading beech to rest and as Shorty called it "to have a gabfest."
+
+Almost directly beneath the eastern branches was a large mound nearly
+three feet above the surrounding level and perhaps twenty feet in
+circumference. As Shorty flung himself down on the centre of the mound,
+a curious expression came into the eyes of Dick. He glanced quickly at
+Frank, who returned his look and added a wink that might have aroused
+suspicion in Shorty's mind, had not that guileless youth been lying
+stretched out at full length with his hat over his eyes. The warmth and
+general mugginess of the air saturated almost to the raining point,
+together with the constant activity of the last two hours, had tired him
+out, and after a little badinage growing less and less spirited, he
+began to doze. The other boys who had been given the tip by Frank and
+Dick, let the conversation drag on purpose, and with a wicked glint of
+mischief in their eyes watched the unsuspecting Shorty slip away into
+the land of sleep. Soon his arms relaxed, his chest rose and fell with
+his regular breathing and horrors! an undeniable snore told that Shorty
+was not "faking," but was off for good.
+
+From being a spot of perfect peace and quiet, the mound suddenly burst
+into life. From numberless gates a swarm of ants issued forth and rushed
+about here and there to find out the cause of this invasion. The weight
+of Shorty's body and his movements as he composed himself for sleep had
+aroused them to a sense of danger and they poured out in thousands. Soon
+the ground was covered with little patches of black and red ants, and as
+though by common consent they began to surround the unconscious Shorty.
+Some crept up his legs, others his arms, while others climbed over his
+collar and slipped inside.
+
+First, an arm twitched violently. Then a sleepy hand stole down and
+scratched his leg. The boys were bursting with laughter, and Tim grew
+black in the face as he crowded his handkerchief into his mouth. Shorty
+shook his head as a horse does when a fly lights on it. Again he
+twitched and this time seemed to realize that there was something wrong.
+Still half asleep, he snapped:
+
+"Aw, why don't you fellows quit your kidding? Stop tickling me with
+that----"
+
+A yell ended the sentence as a nip more vicious than usual brought
+Shorty to his feet, this time wide awake beyond all question. He cast
+one glance at the boys, who now made no pretence of restraint but roared
+with laughter. Then he saw the swarm of ants surrounding him and took in
+the situation. He tore his hat from his head, his coat from his
+shoulders, shook off his tormentors and spinning around like a dancing
+dervish, dashed off toward the brook. A moment later there was a splash
+and they heard Shorty blowing, spluttering, diving, rubbing, until
+finally he had rid himself of the swarms that clung closer to him than a
+brother.
+
+At last he succeeded and came up the bank. Before resuming his clothes,
+he had to take each garment separately and search every seam and crease
+to make sure that not a single ant remained. Then he came back into the
+group like a raging lion. His temper never was any of the best, and the
+sudden awakening from sleep, the stings and ticklings of the invaders,
+and perhaps most of all, the unrestrained laughter of the boys had
+filled his cup to the brim. He "saw red," as the saying is, and
+regardless of age and size was rushing toward the rest with doubled up
+fists and rage in his heart, when Dick caught him by the wrists and held
+him in his strong grasp until his fury had spent itself somewhat and he
+began to get control of himself.
+
+"Phil," said Dick--he never called him Shorty, and at this moment that
+recollection helped to sober the struggling boy--"remember that the
+first duty of boy or man is to control his temper. The boys didn't mean
+any harm. It looked to them like a splendid joke, and perhaps we let it
+go a little too far. I am really to blame more than any one else because
+I am older and in charge of the squad. I'm awfully sorry, Phil, and I
+beg your pardon."
+
+The kindly tone and sincere apology were not lost on Phil, who was not
+without a sense of humor, which through all his anger began to struggle
+to the surface. The other boys, too, thoughtless and impulsive though
+they might be, were sound and kind at heart, and following Dick's
+example crowded about Phil and joined in the apology. The most flaming
+anger must melt before such expressions of regard and goodwill and Phil
+was at last compelled to smile sheepishly and say that it was all right.
+
+"You're a sport, Phil, all right," called out Frank, and at this highest
+of commendations from a boy's point of view, the last vestige of Phil's
+resentment faded away.
+
+"Well, anyway, fellows," he said, "I don't bear any grudge against you,
+but I am sure going to get even with those pesky ants. I never did care
+much for ants anyway. I've been told so often to 'go to the ant, thou
+sluggard,' that now I'm going to them for fair, and what I do to them
+will be a plenty."
+
+As he said this, he turned toward the ant hill as though to demolish it,
+but Dick put up a friendly hand:
+
+"No, Phil," said he, "you wouldn't destroy a wonderful and beautiful
+palace, would you?"
+
+"Palace," said Phil in amazement, thinking for a moment that Dick was
+"stringing" him. "What do you mean by that?"
+
+"Just what I say," returned Dick; "a wonderful and beautiful palace.
+There is a queen there and she walks about every day in state, surrounded
+by a throng of courtiers. There are princesses there that are taken out
+daily to get the air, accompanied by a governess, exactly as you have
+seen a group of boarding-school girls walking out with their teachers.
+Surrounding the palace is a city where there are hundreds of carpenters
+and farmers and sentinels and soldiers. If you waited round a while, you
+would see the farmers going out to milk their cows----"
+
+At that point, Dick was interrupted by a roar of laughter that burst
+from every boy at once. They had listened in growing amazement that had
+rapidly become stupefaction, but this was really too much. What was the
+matter with Dick? Was it a joke, a parable, a fairy story? They might be
+kids all right, but there was a limit to everything, and when Dick
+talked of ants going out to milk the cows--well! It was up to him to
+explain himself or prove his statement, and that they felt sure he could
+never do.
+
+Dick waited good-naturedly while they pelted him with objections and
+plied him with questions. Then he took from his kit a strong magnifying
+glass and told them that he was going to prove to them all what he had
+said.
+
+"He laughs best who laughs last," he said, "and I am going to show you
+that all I said is true. That is," he modified, "I cannot _prove_
+everything just now, as I would have to destroy this wonderful palace if
+I were to try to show you how marvelous it is and how perfect in all its
+appointments. But what we don't see ourselves has been seen time and
+time again by hundreds of wise and truthful men, and their testimony is
+as strong as though it were given under oath in a court of law."
+
+"Well," said Frank, "I'm willing to take everything else on faith, but
+I'm afraid I'd have to see the milking done myself in order to believe
+it."
+
+"All right," said Dick, "as it happens that is just the thing I can show
+you more easily than anything else."
+
+The boys crowded eagerly around him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+THE ANTS GO MILKING
+
+
+"You know," said Dick, as the boys threw themselves down at the side of
+the mound and looked at it with an entirely new interest, "if these were
+African ants, you wouldn't be taking any such liberties with them.
+Instead of hanging around this mound you would be running away like all
+possessed. And if you didn't make tracks in a hurry the only thing left
+here would be your skeleton picked as clean as the one you saw the other
+day in old Dr. Sanford's office."
+
+"What?" cried Jim, "do you mean to say that I would run away from a
+little thing like an ant. Not on your life, I wouldn't."
+
+"Let's see," said Dick, "you'd run away from a boa-constrictor, wouldn't
+you?"
+
+"Who wouldn't," retorted Jim.
+
+"Well, if you'd run away from the boa-constrictor, and he'd run away
+from the ants, where do _you_ get any license to face the ants."
+
+"Do you mean to say that those monster snakes are afraid of such tiny
+things?"
+
+"I should say they were," replied Dick, "the ants go from place to
+place through the great African forest in countless numbers, millions at
+a time, a regular army of them. Nothing can stand before them. They
+strip every shrub, eat every blade of grass. They swarm over every
+living thing they find in their way. Sometimes they come across a snake
+unawares, and climb all over him. He squirms and twists and rushes away,
+trying to brush them off, against the bushes. At last he turns and bites
+frantically, but they never let up. They actually eat him alive, and in
+less than ten minutes they pass on leaving his bones picked clean as a
+whistle. The natives take their wives and children and flee for their
+lives whenever they see an army of ants approaching."
+
+"But that, of course, has nothing to do with these little American
+neighbors of ours. They are perfectly harmless and though they are
+fierce scrappers among themselves, inflict no injury on any one else.
+And there is nothing in the whole animal or insect world, except perhaps
+the bees, that have a society and government so much like that of men."
+
+"In one respect they are like their African brothers and that is in
+their fondness for travel. Every once in a while they make up their
+minds to emigrate and then they fly in swarms of millions----"
+
+"What?" interrupted Frank, "do you mean to say they fly? I never knew
+that an ant had wings."
+
+"Of course they have," said Dick, "they often have to cross rivers to
+get to their new home. How could they do that without wings?"
+
+"Oh, I don't know," hummed Shorty:
+
+    "The bed bug has no wings at all
+    But he gets there just the same."
+
+A rather severe glance from Dick quenched Phil's exuberant spirits which
+had all come back to him since his ducking.
+
+"Now," continued Dick, "these swarms are sometimes so vast that they
+darken the sun in certain localities. Men working on high buildings have
+been surrounded and almost blinded by them. While these emigrations last
+they are a bother, if not a peril, and the only ones that are really
+happy are the fish in the brooks and rivers over which they pass.
+Sometimes the surface is fairly black with them and the trout and little
+troutlings have the time of their lives. Once the flight is ended,
+however, and the new locality chosen, the wings disappear. Nature has no
+use for needless things and from that time on the air knows them no
+more. The carpenter ants get busy right away. The place is marked off as
+accurately as a surveyor marks out a plot in the suburbs of a city. The
+queen ant is given a royal room apart from all the others. She is a good
+mother and takes the best of care of her little ones. As they grow
+older, they in turn help the queen to care for their little brothers and
+sisters. They are excessively neat and clean in their personal habits.
+They spend hours preening and combing and cleaning until they are
+immaculate----"
+
+"Regular dudes," muttered Jim.
+
+"Well," said Tom, "that's something that will never be laid up against
+you, Jim."
+
+Jim, who indeed had a hard time keeping up to a high ideal of
+cleanliness, and whose hair was usually tumbled while his nails too
+often were draped in mourning, looked a little confused, and while he
+was thinking up something to hurl back at Tom, Dick went on.
+
+"There is one thing, however, about the ants that I don't admire. They
+like to get somebody else to do their work. A certain number of their
+own colony are 'hewers of wood and drawers of water' for the rest.
+Indeed, the aristocrats among them get so lazy after a while that they
+will not even feed themselves. The workers not only have to hustle for
+the grub, but actually have to feed it to the lords and dukes. And
+talking of hustling for grub, just look here."
+
+The boys followed the direction of Dick's finger, and there coming up a
+little beaten path they saw a procession of ants dragging along a big
+fat caterpillar. It had evidently put up a good fight, judging from the
+numbers that had been necessary to capture it, but they had proved too
+strong. A little convulsive movement showed that it was not yet quite
+dead, but it no longer made any resistance. The formic acid that the
+ants secrete had partly paralyzed it and made defence impossible. There
+was an almost comical disproportion between its large helpless bulk and
+the tiny size of its conquerors, but this was a case where numbers
+counted. The victors all pulled like good fellows and passing through
+one of the entrances of the mound finally dragged their booty into the
+inner cave.
+
+"Another thing," said Dick, when the keenly interested boys had again
+gathered about him, "the red ants are slaveholders. When their working
+force has been weakened or diminished, they get a big army together and
+raid some colony of black ants a few hundred feet or yards distant in
+order to carry them away as slaves. There is nothing haphazard or
+slouchy about the way they go about it. Everything is arranged as
+carefully and precisely as in the case of an American or European power
+getting ready to go to war. At a given signal the troops come out and
+get in order of battle. There is perfect order and system everywhere.
+When there is a very large army, a sort of hum or buzz arises from it
+almost as though they were beating drums to inspire the soldiers for
+battle. They march forward in perfect time and dash upon the enemy with
+irresistible fury. The black ants through their scouts have been told of
+the enemy's approach and have made all the preparation they can to beat
+them off. The infant ants, together with their household goods, have
+been tucked away in upper galleries where they can see the fight but not
+be in it."
+
+"Reserved seats as it were," murmured Frank.
+
+"The ants have two weapons. One is the nipper, that can cut off their
+enemy's head as neatly as a pair of shears. Then they have the formic
+acid that, used against ants or other insects, has a poisonous quality.
+With both of these weapons they fight with the greatest desperation
+until victory declares for one side or the other. The red ants are
+usually victorious, as they are larger and stronger and more aggressive.
+In case they win, they carry away all the little ones of their black
+opponents and bring them up as slaves. They are treated kindly, and
+after a while seem to grow content and take their place as the humbler
+members of the community. After the battle is over the wounded ants are
+carried home by their companions and the dead are buried in a regular
+ants' cemetery."
+
+The boys had listened with a fascinated interest to these marvelous
+stories of life going on all around them and to which they had never
+given more than a passing thought.
+
+"Well," said Jim, "it sure is the queerest thing I ever heard about. If
+anyone else but Dick had told me this I wouldn't have believed it."
+
+"Yes," said Tom, "it certainly sounds like a fairy story."
+
+"What gets me," said Shorty, "is that the queen seems to be the most
+important of the whole bunch. What about the king? It must be a regular
+suffragette colony."
+
+"Yes," replied Dick, "in a certain sense it is. The males of the
+community don't amount to much. One by one their privileges are taken
+away from them. They even lose their wings before the females do. After
+they have taken their flight and safely escorted the queen to her future
+home they drop out of sight. Their wings fall off and in some cases are
+pulled off by the more ill-tempered females of the family. They hang
+around a little while and then drop out of sight altogether. Nobody
+seems to care what becomes of them. They can't even get back to the
+place from which they started. Their wings are gone and they can't
+walk. They remind me of the cat--they are so different--the cat came
+back--the male ants can't."
+
+"Gee," said Jim, "how do the rest get on without them?"
+
+"Oh," replied Dick, "they don't seem to mind the males at all. It takes
+away some of the conceit of the male sex when they see how easily one
+can get along without them."
+
+"Well," said Shorty, who was never partial to work, "they at least get
+rid of a lot of trouble. How about the carpenter ants, the soldier ants,
+the foraging ants? Are they all females?"
+
+"Every one of them," said Dick. "It is a regular colony of Amazons."
+
+"It seems to me," said Shorty, "that in all the bunch the queen is the
+only one who has a snap."
+
+"Don't you believe it," returned Dick, "as a matter of fact, she is the
+hardest worker of all, that is, at the start. She is the busiest kind of
+a mother, brings up all the little ants, washing their faces, combing
+their hair----"
+
+"Oh, say," interrupted Shorty, "aren't you putting it a little bit too
+strong, Dick?"
+
+"Not at all," said Dick; "here, take up this ant and look at it through
+the magnifying glass."
+
+Under the lens the boys, crowding around, saw that there, sure enough,
+was a fine silky down resembling very much the hair upon the human head.
+
+"Of course," said Dick, "as in every other part of the animal or insect
+world, this only lasts for a little while. Men and women are the only
+creatures in the whole universe that stick by their children through
+thick and thin. There is no better mother than a cat, for instance,
+while the kittens are small and they need her help, but just as soon as
+they are able to shift for themselves, nothing more doing for Mrs. Cat.
+Out they go to hustle for their own living, and if some of the slower
+and lazier ones still hang around, the mother's claws soon give them a
+sharp reminder that it is time to be up and doing. The same is true of
+the birds. See how the mother bird sits brooding over her eggs. With
+what tender care she watches them while they are still unable to feed
+themselves. How the father bird scratches from morning to night to find
+worms to put down those scrawny little beaks. But after a while they,
+too, go to the edge of the nest, and with many a timid flutter stretch
+their wings and drop off the edge. And with the laggards, the parental
+beak is ready to push them off into the new world where they hustle for
+themselves. It is only a fellow's father and mother that stand by him to
+the end. No matter how bad he is, how often he wrenches their hearts,
+how many times he has sinned and been forgiven and sinned again, the
+mother heart clings to him to the end. I tell you what, boys, you can't
+make too much of that father and mother of yours."
+
+"You bet," came in a responsive murmur from the boys.
+
+"Now, going back to the queen," said Dick, "it sure does seem that after
+the kids have grown up she'd have a dandy time. She is by far the biggest
+figure in the colony. The worker ants can't do too much for her. She has
+the finest room and the choicest food, and yet, after all, I suppose this
+becomes tiresome. It is just as it is with human queens. So many things
+are done for them, so much pomp and ceremony surrounds them, that no
+doubt they often sigh for freedom and would exchange their places with
+almost any of their subjects. They are something like a little girl that
+was a rich man's daughter. Her milk was pasteurized, the water she drank
+was sterilized, so that after a while her only thought was to grow big
+enough to do as she chose and the very first thing she was going to do
+was to eat a germ."
+
+The boys laughed and Dick resumed.
+
+"It is almost pathetic to see the poor old queen going out for a walk.
+She moves in a perfect circle of courtiers. As long as she keeps in the
+middle she is all right, but the minute she strays to one side or
+attempts to go further, this surrounding group push her back. Sometimes
+they thrust their shoulders against her and at other times simply mass
+themselves in front of her, and even, at times, are undignified enough,
+if these hints are not sufficient, to take her by one of her antennae
+and lead her back into the center of the circle, for all the world like
+a mother taking home a naughty child by the ear. No, you can bet it is
+not all 'peaches and cream' where the queen is concerned."
+
+"Well," said Shorty, only partly convinced, "even if the queen has
+troubles of her own, it must be nice to be the aristocrat. Think of
+having nothing to do but just hang around and let the carpenter ants
+build your house and the farmer ants store up the grain and the foraging
+ants bring in the caterpillars and the soldier ants do the fighting."
+
+"No," said Dick, "you are wrong again, Shorty. They do so little and
+become so dependent upon the work of others that after a while they seem
+to lose their faculties. They wander around in a crazy and feeble way,
+trying to kill time, I suppose, and after a while become so lazy and
+helpless that they can't even eat without help."
+
+"Can't eat!" said Jim, whose appetite was a standing joke in camp; "then
+no lords and dukes for me."
+
+"I really think," resumed Dick, "that just as it is in human life, the
+workers are the lucky ones after all. There is something doing every
+minute. Their lives are full of interest. They are too busy to be
+unhappy. Don't make any mistake, fellows, work is the salvation of the
+world. The happiest are the busiest; the drones and sluggards are
+almost, without exception, the most miserable creatures on the face of
+the earth. If I were----"
+
+But just at this moment a curious thing happened. The afternoon had worn
+on while the boys were talking, and so keen was their interest in the
+wonders that were being brought before their eyes that they had failed
+to realize how late it was. The ants had been wandering around in an
+aimless way--that is, it seemed aimless to the boys, but doubtless they
+knew what they were about and had a definite object, even though the
+boys couldn't understand it. But now a sudden stir and bustle seemed to
+arouse the colony. From numerous gates the throng came forth with almost
+military order and precision.
+
+"Ah," said Dick, "here's just the thing you want to see, boys. It is
+milking time and the ants are going to herd their cows. Now we will
+follow one of these lines and see just how they do it."
+
+At a few feet distant from the mound there was a little shrub about
+three feet high, covered with foliage and with widely extended branches.
+The column of ants reached the foot of this, climbed it, and scattered
+among the branches.
+
+The boys at a signal from Dick followed him softly, so that the ants
+might not be disturbed.
+
+"See," said Dick, gently taking hold of a branch that projected beyond
+the others, "look through this magnifying glass."
+
+One by one the boys stole up, each eager for a sight that they had never
+before seen or dreamed of. On the upper side of the branch which Dick
+held between his thumb and finger were little groups of parasites,
+almost too small to be seen by the naked eye. All day long they had been
+feeding upon the sap that came from a branch until their bodies were
+swollen with a transparent honey dew. An ant approached one of them,
+placed its antennae over the throat and extracted a tiny drop of the
+colorless liquid. Again and again this was repeated. It seemed like rank
+robbery, but there was no resistance on the part of the herd. They
+seemed just as glad that milking time had come as do the cows that stand
+lowing at the bars of the fence and calling for the farmer. Drop after
+drop of the honey dew was extracted, until finally the aphid, as the
+little creature is called, grew lank and thin, while the ant became
+correspondingly large. From time to time the antennae of the ant stroked
+the tiny hair on the back, just as a farmer would stroke the cow in
+order to soothe it and keep it perfectly still.
+
+Finally the milking was completed and the farmer ants retraced their way
+along the branch and down the stem and, falling into line with their
+comrades similarly laden, resumed their march to the colony. The boys
+had watched with bated breath and almost awe-struck interest.
+
+"Well," said Jim, at last breaking the silence, "those ants are surely
+not going hungry to bed."
+
+"Gee," said Shorty, "I bet they will suffer from indigestion."
+
+"Not a bit of it," said Dick. "You don't suppose they keep this all to
+themselves, do you? Just look here."
+
+He lifted a stone about eighteen inches from the foot of the mound. Under
+the magnifying glass they could see a number of tiny apertures that
+evidently led in the direction of the colony, and on one side an ant
+waiting for the return of the milking party. As Dick selected one and
+placed his magnifying glass directly upon the opening, the boys could see
+one of the ants laden with the honey dew stop and, placing its mouth
+close to that of the waiting ant, exude a tiny drop of its burden. Moving
+the glass around quickly in the arc of a circle, they saw this process
+repeated until finally the round was finished and the farmer ants, more
+lightly laden than before, went on toward the main entrance of the
+colony.
+
+"Those," said Dick, "are the lords and dukes getting their supper."
+
+"Well," said Tom, "after this I am ready to believe anything. I tell you
+what, Dick, I never learned so much in my life as I have to-day."
+
+"Yes," said Shorty, as the boys picked up their kits and prepared to
+return to camp, "I am glad enough now that I didn't smash that ant nest
+when I tried to. After all, they are good sports and I would hate to
+spoil their fun."
+
+"Yes," replied Dick, "you know that one of the most important principles
+in life is kindness to anything that breathes. Of course there are
+certain pests that are harmful to human life and we are compelled to
+kill in self-defense, but for anything that is harmless the one great
+principle that should govern us always is found in those two lines that
+Mr. Hollis repeated the other day:
+
+    "'Never to blend our pleasure or our pride
+    With sorrow to the meanest thing that feels.'"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+THE GIPSY CARAVAN
+
+
+"Hello, fellows. Look at this. Well, of all the----"
+
+The boys looked up at Bob's startled exclamation, and for a moment
+everything else was forgotten, while they stared with wide-open eyes at
+the grotesque procession that came into view.
+
+Down the road crawled a little caravan of ten or a dozen ramshackle
+wagons, drawn by tired-looking horses. At their heads or alongside
+walked a number of men of various ages, dressed in all sorts of
+nondescript costumes. Their swarthy faces and dark eyes, together with
+the large earrings that they wore, gave them a distinctly piratical
+appearance, and to the boys they looked as though they might have been
+taken bodily from one of the old romances of the Spanish Main. They
+might easily have been the blood brothers of the rascals who sang in
+thundering chorus:
+
+    "Fifteen men on the dead man's chest,
+    Sing heigho, and a bottle of rum."
+
+But, alas! there were no murderous pistols thrust in their belts or
+cutlasses held between their teeth to complete the illusion, and the
+picturesque crowd resolved itself into a troop of gipsies going into
+camp.
+
+The place they had pitched upon for their temporary stay was about three
+miles distant from the boys' camp and had been chosen with a keen eye to
+its advantages. Either through a scout sent ahead or simply by that
+marvelous sixth sense so highly developed in wandering peoples, they had
+elected to stop at a little ravine through which ran a brook of sparkling
+water and surrounded by a wood that furnished ample supplies for their
+campfires. It was fascinating to see the dexterity, born of long
+experience, with which the camp was pitched. The horses were unhitched
+in a twinkling and turned out to graze, while the wagons were ranged in
+a single circle around the camp. Some brown, dirty canvas and a few
+branches of trees were quickly transformed into tents. Wood was cut, a
+rough fireplace built, a huge kettle suspended over the flames that
+crackled merrily beneath, and the women and girls who had descended
+from the wagons busied themselves in bringing water from the brook
+and preparing supper for the tired and hungry crew. The men, after
+the rougher work was done, sprawled around upon the grass, talking
+in a language unintelligible to the boys, and occasionally casting an
+indifferent look at the group in the automobile, who had watched the
+scene with breathless interest.
+
+"Well," said Bert at last, as he roused himself with an effort, "they
+haven't asked us to stay to supper, and I suppose it isn't good manners
+to hang around while they are eating, even if this is a public place. So
+here goes," and throwing in the clutch he started the "Red Scout" off
+toward camp.
+
+The liveliest interest, not unmixed with envy, was shown by the other
+boys at the recital by the auto squad of the afternoon's adventure.
+
+"Gee," said Jim Dawson, "you fellows certainly do have all the luck. If
+I'd been with you there'd have been nothing more exciting than a rabbit
+scurrying across the road. To-day I stayed behind and here you fellows
+have watched the pitching of a gipsy camp."
+
+"Never mind, Jim," said Tom, "we'll all go over soon and take it in. I
+suppose they'll be there for some time."
+
+"There's no telling," remarked Dick. "Sometimes they stay in one place
+for two or three weeks, until the call of the road becomes so strong
+that they can't resist it. Then again, after a day or two, they
+
+    "'Fold their tents like the Arabs
+    And silently steal away.'"
+
+"'Steal' is a very good word to use in that connection, Dick," said Mr.
+Hollis, as he joined the group, when after an abundant supper they sat
+around the campfire; "for if what we hear of gipsies in general is true,
+they spend most of their time in stealing."
+
+"Perhaps, though," he went on, "that is putting it a little too harshly.
+There is a strong prejudice against them because of their vagrant mode
+of life, and there is no doubt that the distinction between 'mine'
+and 'thine' is very vague in their minds. Hen-roosts are apt to be
+mysteriously thinned out when they are in the neighborhood, and many a
+porker has uttered his last squeal when gripped by a gipsy hand. Horses,
+too, occasionally vanish in a way that would mean a short shrift and a
+rope in the Western country, if the thief were caught. But, on the other
+hand, they seldom commit deeds of violence. You never hear of their
+blowing open a safe, and, though they are passionate and hot tempered,
+they are not often charged with murder. The Bowery thug and yeggman are
+much more dangerous enemies to society than the average gipsy. Perhaps
+the worst indictment to be brought against them is that in years past
+they were frequently guilty of kidnapping. But that was in the earlier
+days, when the country was sparsely settled and communication was
+difficult. Then, if they got a good start, it was often impossible to
+overtake them. But to-day, with the country thickly populated and the
+telegraph and telephone everywhere, they would most certainly be caught.
+No doubt the elders of the tribe shake their heads sadly as they reflect
+that the kidnapping industry is no longer what it has been."
+
+"How do they make a living, anyway?" interjected Dave. "What they steal
+isn't enough to keep them alive."
+
+"Well," returned Mr. Hollis, "the men are very keen traders in horses.
+They know a horse from mane to hoof. They can take a poor old wreck
+of a cart horse and doctor him up until he looks and acts like a
+thoroughbred. Very few men can get ahead of them in a trade, as many
+a farmer has found to his cost. The women are often very expert in
+embroidery and find a ready sale for their really beautiful work. Then,
+too, as fortune tellers they are proverbial the world over. Cross a
+gipsy's palm with gold or silver and she'll predict for you a future
+that kings and queens might envy. It is safe to say that during their
+stay here they will reap quite a harvest--enough at least to suffice for
+the simple needs of to-day. As for to-morrow, they don't care. That
+can take care of itself. They are as irresponsible as crickets or
+butterflies. They 'never trouble trouble till trouble troubles them.'"
+
+"Well," said Dave, "they get rid of a whole lot of needless worry,
+anyway. They don't suffer as much as the old lady did who said that
+she had had an awful lot of trouble in her life and most of it had
+never happened."
+
+The boys laughed, and Tom asked:
+
+"Where do they get their name from? Why do they call them gipsies?"
+
+"Because," answered Mr. Hollis, "they were supposed to be descended
+from the old Egyptians. They resemble them in features, and many
+words in their language are derived from Egypt. Many scholars think,
+however, that their original home was India. Europe has been familiar
+with them for the last four hundred years. They have always been
+Ishmaelites--their hand against every man and every man's hand against
+them--and by some they have been believed to be the actual descendants
+of Ishmael, the outcast son of Abraham. Everywhere they have been
+despised and persecuted. In the old days they were accused of being
+sorcerers and witches. They have been banished, burned at the stake,
+broken on the wheel, hung, drawn and quartered. It is one of the
+miracles of history that they have not been wiped out altogether.
+But they have always clung closely together and persisted in their
+strange, wandering way of life. They have a language of their own
+and certain rude laws that all the tribes acknowledge. The restless
+instinct is in their blood and probably will be there forever. They
+are a living protest against civilization as we understand it.
+Occasionally, one of them will join the ranks of ordinary men, but, far
+more frequently, they gain recruits from those who want to throw off
+the shackles and conventions of the settled life. More than one man and
+woman have listened to the 'call of the wild' and followed the gipsies,
+as the children in the fable followed the Pied Piper of Hamelin. But
+now, boys," he said, rising, "it's time for 'taps.' To-morrow evening
+we'll all go over and take a closer look at these gipsies of yours."
+
+All through the following day the boys, though attentive to what they
+were doing, were keenly alive to the promised treat that night. There
+was an early supper, to which, despite the under-current of excitement,
+they did full justice, and then in the gathering dusk the boys set out
+for the grove. Since not all could go in the automobile, it was decided
+that all should go on foot, and with jest and laughter they covered the
+three miles almost before they knew it.
+
+Quite different from that of the day before was the sight that burst
+upon them as they rounded a curve in the road and came upon the
+picturesque vagrants. Here and there were torches of pitch pine that
+threw a smoky splendor over the scene and hid all the squalor and sordid
+poverty that had been so evident in the broad light of day. By this time
+it was fully dark, but a full moon cast its beauty over the trees and
+flecked the ground with bright patches that added to the torches made
+the whole grove like a fairyland. The news of the gipsies' coming had
+reached the surrounding towns, and there was quite a gathering of pretty
+girls and country swains, whose buggies stood under the trees at the
+roadside, while youths and maidens wandered among the wagons of the
+caravan. At the open door of one of the vans a young gipsy drew from a
+violin the weird, heart-tugging strains that have made their music
+famous throughout the world. Others sat around their fire and talked
+together in a low tone, casting furtive glances at the visitors, whose
+coming they seemed neither to welcome nor resent. With their instinctive
+appreciation of the fine points in any animal, the eyes of some of them
+brightened as Don threaded his way through the different groups, but,
+apart from that, they gave no sign that they were conscious of the
+newcomers.
+
+With the gipsy women, however, it was different. This was their hour and
+they improved it to the utmost. Withered crones and handsome girls with
+curious turbans wound about their heads went from group to group,
+offering to tell their fortunes, provided their palms were crossed.
+There was no difficulty about this, as most of the girls had come there
+with that one desire and the gallant youths who escorted them urged them
+to gratify it regardless of expense. If the recording angel put down
+that night all the lies that were told, all the promises of wealth and
+title and position that sent many a giddy head awhirl to its pillow, he
+was kept exceedingly busy. Just for a lark, the boys themselves were
+willing patrons of these priestesses of the future; but little of what
+was promised them remained in their memory, except that Tom was to meet
+a "dark lady" who was to have a great and happy influence upon his life.
+The boys chaffed him a good deal about this mystical brunette, but he
+maintained with mock gravity that "one never knows" and that perhaps the
+swarthy soothsayer "knew what she was talking about after all."
+
+In view of the unusual circumstances, Mr. Hollis had not insisted upon
+the ordinary rules, and it was nearly midnight when the boys, having
+trudged back to camp, prepared to retire.
+
+"What time is it, anyway, Dick?" yawned Bert, as they started to
+undress.
+
+"I'll see," said Dick, as he reached for his watch; "it's just----"
+
+He stopped aghast as the chain came out of his pocket with a jerk. His
+watch was gone.
+
+At this instant a shout came from Bob Ward's tent: "Say, fellows, have
+any of you seen my scarfpin? I can't find it anywhere. I'm sure I had it
+on when I started."
+
+Bert looked at Dick and Dick stared back at Bert. The same thought came
+into their minds at once.
+
+"Stung," groaned Dick, as he sank down heavily on his bed.
+
+At once the camp was in commotion. Everyone made a hasty inventory of
+his belongings and the relief was general when it was found that nothing
+else was missing. Their hearts were hot with indignation, however, at
+the loss of their comrades. Dick's gold watch had been a graduation
+present and Bob's scarfpin had held a handsome stone, so that the money
+loss was considerable. But deeper yet was the sense of chagrin voiced by
+Jim Dawson:
+
+"Well," said he, disgustedly, "if this isn't the limit. Here we are,
+city fellows who think we are up to snuff. We are surrounded by
+pickpockets every day and nothing happens. Then we come out in the
+country and are roasted brown by a band of wandering gipsies."
+
+By this time Mr. Hollis, aroused by the unusual stir, had hastily dressed
+and joined the excited group. The facts were quickly detailed to him,
+and, as he listened, his face set in hard lines that boded ill for the
+thieves. He first directed that a thorough search be made in order to be
+perfectly sure that the missing articles were not somewhere about the
+camp. When careful examination failed to reveal them, doubt became
+certainty. If only one thing had been lost it might have been set down to
+carelessness or accident, but that two should disappear at the same time
+pointed to but one explanation--theft. And it was a foregone conclusion
+that the thieves were to be found in the gipsy camp.
+
+The more hot-headed were for starting out at once to regain the watch
+and pin at any cost. But this was vetoed by Mr. Hollis, who recognized
+the futility of attempting anything at so late an hour. He promised that
+early in the morning they should all go together, and with that promise
+they were forced to be content.
+
+There was very little sleep for the boys that night, and at the first
+streak of dawn the whole camp was astir. Breakfast was swallowed
+hastily, and Bert whistled for Don as the boys made ready to start.
+
+"Here, Don, old fellow, good dog," he called when the whistle failed to
+bring him; but no Don appeared. Then a thought suddenly struck Bert.
+When had he last seen the collie? In the excitement last night he and
+the other boys had given no thought to the dog. He recalled with a
+sudden sick feeling that he had last seen him in the light of the gipsy
+torches. His heart smote him for his forgetfulness. Was it possible that
+the gipsies had stolen Don also? Why not? He never would have stayed
+away of his own accord. The collie was a splendid animal of the purest
+breed and would easily bring a large price if offered for sale anywhere.
+A fierce rage flamed in Bert--a rage shared by all the others when he
+hastily told them of the suspicion that every moment was becoming a
+conviction--and it was lucky for the abductor of Don that he did not at
+that moment meet Bert Wilson face to face.
+
+With Dick, Tom and Bob, he leaped into the "Red Scout", and taking up Mr.
+Hollis as they came to the door of his tent, they swung into the broad
+high road, leaving the others to follow as fast as they could.
+
+"Now, purr, old Scout," said Bert as he threw in the clutch; and the "Red
+Scout" purred. It leaped forward like a living thing, as though it pulsed
+with the indignation and determination of its riders. They fairly ate up
+the three miles in as many minutes, turned the curve of the road just
+this side of the gipsy camp and--
+
+The camp was gone!
+
+Gone as though it had dropped into the earth. Gone as though it had
+melted into the air. Utterly and completely gone. The ashes of last
+night's fires, some litter scattered here and there, alone remained to
+mark the spot that a few hours before had been so full of life and
+animation.
+
+They leaped from the car and scattered everywhere looking for signs to
+indicate the direction the caravan had taken. They had certainly not
+come south by the boys' camp. It was equally certain that they had not
+gone directly north, as this led straight to a large town that they
+would instinctively avoid. This narrowed the search to east and west
+roads, from which, however, many byroads diverged, so that it left them
+utterly at sea.
+
+"The telephone," cried Bert; "let's try that first."
+
+They bundled into the car and a few minutes brought them to the nearest
+town. Picking out half a dozen addresses along different roads, they
+called them up. Had they seen a band of gipsies going by? The answer
+"No" came with exasperating monotony, until suddenly Bert leaped to his
+feet.
+
+"Here we are, boys," he cried. "Bartlett on the Ashby road, eight miles
+from here, saw them go by two hours ago. Now let's get busy."
+
+They flew down the Ashby road and in a few minutes came to the Bartlett
+farm. Yes, they had passed there and they certainly were traveling some.
+A couple of miles further on the road forked. There was a negro cabin at
+that place and they might get some information there. He hoped so,
+anyway. Good luck, and with a word of thanks, the boys rushed on.
+
+A stout negress washing clothes under the tree at the fork of the road
+wiped the suds from her hands with her apron as she came forward.
+
+"Dey sholy did go pass hyar, gemmun, and dey wuz drivin' as do de ole
+Nick was affer dem. Dat's a pow'ful po' road up dataway and der hosses
+wuz plum tired. Dey kain't be ve'y far ahaid, I specs."
+
+Exultingly Bert threw in the high speed. Their quarry had been run down
+at last. The motor fairly sang as they plunged up the road. Turning a
+curve to the right they came upon the procession of carts, now toiling
+along painfully. Bert never hesitated a second, but rushed past the line
+of wagons until he had reached the head of the caravan. Then he swung
+the "Red Scout" squarely across the road and with Mr. Hollis, Dick, Tom
+and Bob, sprang to the ground.
+
+[Illustration: Then he swung the "Red Scout" squarely across the
+road.--(_See page 89_)]
+
+Consternation plainly reigned in the halted carts. The men crowded
+forward and hastily consulted. A moment later an old man, evidently the
+chief, came forward. He was prepared to try diplomacy first, and with an
+ingratiating smile held out his hand to Mr. Hollis. The latter, ignoring
+the extended hand, came straight to the point.
+
+"I want three things," he said, "and unless you are looking for trouble,
+you'll hand them over at once. I want the pin and watch and dog your
+people stole from us last night."
+
+The leader's smile faded, to be replaced by an ominous scowl.
+
+"It's a lie," he said sullenly, "my people stole nothing. Get out of our
+road," he snarled viciously, while his followers gathered threateningly
+around him.
+
+The air was surcharged with danger and a fight seemed imminent, when
+suddenly a familiar bark came from one of the vans. Bert dashed forward,
+thrusting aside a young gipsy who sprang to intercept him. He threw open
+the van door, and out rushed Don, mad with delight. He had chewed in
+half the rope that held him and the frayed remnant hung about his neck
+as he leaped on Bert and capered frantically about him.
+
+The game was up! Fear and chagrin were painted on the gipsies' faces.
+They might have bluffed through as regards the stolen articles and it
+would have been almost impossible to prove their guilt. But here was
+the living proof of theft--proof strong enough to land their party
+behind the bars. Moreover, the great dog was no mean addition to the
+little force that faced them so undauntedly. It was plainly up to them
+to temporize. As Bob with regrettable slanginess, but crisp brevity,
+summed up the case: "They had thought to make a quick touch and getaway,
+but fell down doing it."
+
+The chief held up his hand. "Wait," he said, "while I talk to my people.
+Perhaps they have found something. I will see."
+
+A whispered conversation followed and then he came forward sheepishly,
+holding out the watch and pin. "They found them on the grounds. I did
+not know," he mumbled.
+
+Mr. Hollis took them without a word and motioned Bert to get the auto
+ready. He had gained his point and did not care to press his advantage
+further. After all, they were almost like irresponsible children, and,
+despite his resentment, he felt a deep pity for these half-wild sons of
+poverty and misfortune. Their code was not his code, nor their laws his
+laws. They were the "under dogs" in the fight of life. Let them go.
+
+The motor began to hum. The party piled in, with Don between them,
+barking joyfully, and they swept down the shabby line of carts with not
+a glance behind them. They waved gaily to the old black mammy, who
+beamed upon them as they went by. A thought struck Bert, and turning to
+Tom, he shouted:
+
+"The dark lady, Tom. The dark lady that the gipsy prophesied would bring
+you luck."
+
+"Sure thing," grinned Tom. "It certainly is luck enough to get old Don
+back, to say nothing of the watch and pin. Isn't it, old fellow?" and he
+patted the dog's head lovingly.
+
+So thought the rest of the boys, also, when the "Red Scout" reached camp.
+Don was overwhelmed with caresses and strutted about as though he had
+done it all. As Jim put it: "Napoleon on his return from Elba had
+nothing on Don." It was late when the excitement subsided and the
+campers went weary but happy to bed.
+
+Mr. Hollis, Bert and Dick lingered about the fire. Only these older ones
+had realized how ticklish a situation they had faced that day. They
+didn't like to think what might have happened if it had come to an open
+fight.
+
+"The way you faced that crowd was the pluckiest thing I ever saw, Mr.
+Hollis," said Bert; "but suppose it had come to a showdown?"
+
+"Well," laughed Mr. Hollis, "it was a case of touch and go for a minute.
+But I counted on the fact that we were right and they were wrong.
+'Conscience makes cowards of us all.' Behind us were law and order and
+civilization. Behind them crowded nameless shapes of fear and dread that
+robbed their arms of strength and turned their hearts to water. It was
+simply a confirmation," he concluded, as he rose to say good night, "of
+the eternal truth:
+
+    "'Thrice is he armed that hath his quarrel just.'"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+HOW THE "RED SCOUT" CLIMBED DOBB'S HILL
+
+
+The morning of the long anticipated day in the "Red Scout" dawned bright
+and clear, and the campers who were to go were astir soon after dawn.
+Most of them would willingly have dispensed with breakfast, but Mr.
+Hollis insisted that they take their time and eat a hearty meal.
+However, everything comes to him who waits, and at last they were ready
+to start. It had been arranged that on their trip they were to stop in
+town, and get supplies and some camp appliances that Mr. Hollis
+required. Otherwise they were to do as they pleased, subject only to
+Bert's authority.
+
+The car was ready to start, and Bert had received Mr. Hollis' last
+instructions.
+
+"Well, fellows," said Bert, "pile in, and we'll start for town right
+away. It rather looks now as though we might have a little rain before
+the day is over. I don't like the looks of the sky over there any too
+much, but we've got to have grub anyway, even if we have to go after it
+in boats."
+
+"Yes, or we might swim, I suppose," suggested Shorty, sarcastically.
+
+"In that case, we'd let you try it, as its only a matter of twenty miles
+or so each way, and see if you are as strong as your name," retorted
+Bert, and Shorty subsided.
+
+Meanwhile the others had taken their appointed places in the auto, and,
+after adjusting spark and throttle levers, Bert walked to the front of
+the machine and cranked the motor.
+
+On the first turn, such was the beautiful condition in which he kept the
+car, the engine started with a roar, and he quickly climbed into the
+driver's seat and threw in the clutch. Without a tremor the big car
+glided away as if moving on air, which indeed it was, in a way, if the
+air in the tires could be counted.
+
+With the ease of a driver who thoroughly understands his car, Bert
+steered the machine around and between the bumps in the road, and even
+one who had never ridden in an automobile before would have appreciated
+his masterly handling of this machine.
+
+Suddenly Tom, who, as usual, was riding in the seat beside Bert, leaned
+over and said, "Say, Bert, do you suppose she would take Dobb's hill?"
+
+Now, the hill to which Tom referred was one notorious in the
+neighborhood. More than one gray-haired farmer had shaken his head
+dubiously while inspecting the "Red Scout," and said, "Yes, that there
+contraption may be all right on the level, and there's no getting over
+the fact that it can run circles around a streak of greased lightning,
+but I'll bet a dollar to a doughnut that it could never get up Dobb's
+hill."
+
+So Bert thought a moment before answering Tom's question, and then said,
+"Well, that's an awfully steep hill, but the old 'Scout' has never
+balked at anything yet, and I have a sneaking feeling that it wouldn't
+even stop at Dobb's hill. However, there is only one way of finding out
+about it, and that is to try it. What do you say, fellows, shall we try
+it and show these people around here just what our machine can do?"
+
+There was a unanimous chorus of assent from the other occupants of the
+car, so at the next crossing Bert turned off the main road in the
+direction of the famous Dobb's hill. Soon the hill itself loomed up in
+front of them, and Bert opened the throttle a trifle. The machine
+immediately picked up speed, but to the occupants of the machine it
+seemed almost impossible that anything but an elevator could get up that
+hill. It looked to them almost like a high wall. Bert, however, was
+thinking more of the machine than of the hill. He had been gradually
+giving the engine more gas, and now, when they were almost at the foot
+of the hill, he realized that the moment had come to call forth the
+supreme effort of the motor. He opened the muffler so as to get rid of
+all back pressure, and opened the throttle to its widest extent. With a
+bound and a roar the powerful machine took the hill, and to the boys in
+the car it seemed as though they had some powerful, willing animal
+working for them. Up the great machine climbed, with scarcely diminished
+speed, the engine emitting unbroken and exhilarating music, or at least
+that is what it sounded like to the tense boys in the auto. At last with
+a final roar of the motor, and rumble of the straining gears, the
+machine topped the hill and started on its long downward coast. Bert
+threw out the clutch, and giving the engine a well-earned rest after its
+strenuous work, allowed the "Red Scout" to glide rapidly and smoothly
+down the hill.
+
+Every boy in the car seemed half-crazy with delight over the performance
+of their mechanical pet. Some even went so far as to pat the sides of
+the car, and Bob expressed the general feeling when he said, "Well, I'd
+rather be a camper and be able to say I held part ownership in a car
+like this, than to be King of England."
+
+The boys also realized that a lot of credit was due Bert for the success
+of their climb, as even such a car as the "Red Scout" could never have
+gotten up that hill without expert handling.
+
+Down the long hill glided the "Red Scout" with constantly increasing
+momentum, and long before they reached the bottom Bert had to apply the
+powerful brakes with which the machine was equipped, and check its
+speed.
+
+Gradually he slowed it down to a safer, but less exciting speed, and at
+the bottom eased in the clutch and the willing motor took up the load.
+
+In the meantime the sky had taken on a more threatening appearance, and
+while the happy-go-lucky boys in the tonneau gave it little thought,
+Bert, to whom the care of the car and its occupants were intrusted, cast
+more than one dubious and anxious glance in the direction in which the
+storm might be expected to break. He hoped that they might at least make
+the necessary trip to town and back before the rain could catch them,
+however, and so held a steady pace, and they were soon rolling down the
+main street.
+
+Bert got out his list of the things they would need, and detailed the
+boys to different stores so that they could get started again as soon as
+possible.
+
+Bert's last remark to them was, "Now, fellows, step just as lively as
+you know how, and whatever else you do, don't come back drunk." This
+raised a general laugh, as, it is needless to say, the boys had had no
+such intentions.
+
+Bert and Tom remained with the car, and while Bert said less than the
+other boys about his love for the machine, it was easy to see that he
+had a real affection for it, and took pleasure in cleaning and adjusting
+it.
+
+"Say, Tom," he called after a few minutes, "bring me grandfather, will
+you?" Now, "grandfather" was not what that word usually means, but an
+immense monkey-wrench, with jaws on it like a vise. It was called
+grandfather for no particular reason that anybody knew of, but someone
+had called it that once, and the name had stuck. The boys sometimes used
+it to exercise and perform feats of strength with, so heavy was it. So
+now, when Tom got it out of the tool box on the running board and
+handled it with loving care, Bert took it from him, and for several
+minutes was busy adjusting and tightening bolts and nuts around the
+motor and transmission case. Finally he handed the wrench back to Tom
+with a sigh of relief.
+
+"Well!" he exclaimed. "There's a good job well done. I'll bet we
+could take that hill now even a little better than we did, if that's
+possible."
+
+"I don't know about that," replied Tom, "this old Scout went up that
+hill better than I thought it could, and I guess you ought to have as
+much credit as the machine. After this I will back you and the 'Red
+Scout' against all comers."
+
+From this it may be seen that there was more than a little hero worship
+mingled with Tom's love for Bert, and no wonder. Bert was the sort of
+fellow that everyone had to admire and like.
+
+By this time the boys had begun to return with their bundles and boxes,
+and soon everything was safely stored in the tonneau, and the boys had
+time to wonder how they were going to get themselves in too, as the
+supplies seemed to take up about all the room.
+
+Finally it was arranged that Jim and Dave should stay in the tonneau to
+see that nothing was shaken overboard, while Bob and Frank ranged
+themselves on the running board.
+
+In this fashion they started, but it soon became evident to everybody
+that they would never be able to get back to camp before the storm
+broke, even with the help of the "Red Scout."
+
+Thunder could be heard coming nearer and nearer, and soon they felt the
+first warm drops of rain. Bert wished then that they had a top to their
+car, but unfortunately the leather covering ordered by Mr. Hollis had
+not yet arrived at the camp.
+
+"What do you think we'd better do, Bert; make a run for camp or hunt
+shelter around here?" asked Tom.
+
+"Why, this road is pretty rough, and we can't make much speed," replied
+Bert. "I guess we'd better hunt cover right away," as a vivid streak of
+lightning split the sky, followed by a crash of thunder.
+
+"We noticed an old barn over toward the right when we were on a botany
+expedition the other day," said Frank, "and I think that if you swing
+into that dirt road we're coming to, it will lead us right to it."
+
+"Well, here goes," said Bert, and swung the "Red Scout" into the old
+road. Sure enough, before they had gone a quarter of a mile they sighted
+the old barn, and were soon snugly established in it. To be sure, the
+roof leaked in places, but it was fairly tight, and what did a bunch of
+hardy campers, in the pink of condition, care for a few drops of rain?
+
+There was some hay left in the barn, and they lounged comfortably around
+on this, talking and listening to the rain, which by this time had
+increased to a downpour, and beat fiercely on the roof and sides of the
+old barn.
+
+The boys started a discussion about the hill-climbing feat of the "Red
+Scout," and while all agreed that it had been a splendid performance,
+Bob seemed to be inclined to sneer at Bert's handling of the car. He
+firmly believed that he knew more about automobiles than Bert, and was
+sometimes a little jealous of the praise given him by the other boys.
+
+"Oh, I don't know," he finally remarked, when Tom remarked that some
+people seemed able to coax more out of a car than others, "I don't see
+that that makes much difference. I'll bet that if I had been running the
+'Red Scout' this morning it would have gone up that hill just the same.
+Why, when I used to run my uncle's car----" but here he was interrupted
+by cries of derision, and Tom remarked:
+
+"I suppose that if Bob had been running the 'Red Scout' he would have
+run it up the hill backwards so that it would think it was going
+downhill, and so got to the top without any trouble."
+
+This sally caused a general laugh at Bob's expense and he subsided, but
+was heard to mutter about "getting the right mixture," and "easing her
+down to second speed," which nobody but Bert understood, but which
+seemed to make him feel much better.
+
+In justice to Bob, it must be said, however, that he did know quite a
+little about automobiles, but usually lacked nerve when it came to
+putting his knowledge into practice.
+
+By this time the boys were all hungry, and as there seemed to be a
+small chance of the rain letting up for a while, Bert proposed that they
+have lunch. There was plenty of food in the automobile, and Bert started
+the boys to fishing out crackers and jam.
+
+Suddenly a thought struck him. "Say, fellows," he called, "how about
+making some cornbread and having a real bang-up meal? We've got bacon
+and all the fixings here, and we all know how to cook, thanks to our
+experience as campers. I'll make the corn bread, and Tom here will fry
+the bacon."
+
+There was such a joyous and noisy consent to this plan that Bert could
+not help laughing. "All right," he cried, "some of you fellows dive into
+the car and bring out the new frying pan and the Dutch oven we bought
+to-day. We'll build a fire on that slab of stone over there, and have
+something to eat in next to no time."
+
+This was no sooner said than done, and as the odor of frying bacon and
+hot "corn pone" filled the old barn, the boys thanked their lucky stars
+for the thousandth time that they had come on this camping trip.
+
+In a short time everything was ready, and they seated themselves near
+the fire. Tom dished out the sizzling bacon and steaming "corn pone."
+
+Under the cheering influence of this feast even Bob Ward forgot his
+grudge of the morning, and when he shouted, "What's the matter with
+Wilson?" the resulting "He's all right!" almost lifted the roof off the
+old barn.
+
+Soon they had finished and cleared away the meal, and when they opened
+the barn door were surprised and delighted to find that the sun had
+struggled through the clouds and was now shining brightly. Quickly they
+packed the tonneau, and were soon ready to start.
+
+"All right, fellows, get to your places," sang out Bert, and soon they
+were chugging out of the old barn that had offered them such timely
+shelter.
+
+Once outside and fairly on the disused road, however, it soon became
+apparent that only with great difficulty could they make any progress at
+all. The rain had converted the road into a quagmire, and although Bert
+brought the "Red Scout" from third speed to second, and finally to
+first, he saw that they must soon stop altogether, and indeed this soon
+proved to be the case.
+
+The faithful motor apparently had plenty of power, but the car sank into
+the mud up to its axles, and the rear wheels simply turned around
+without propelling it. Bert finally threw out the clutch and the "Red
+Scout" stopped as though he had applied the brakes, so great was the
+opposition formed by the mud.
+
+"Well, this is a pretty fix, to be sure," exclaimed Bert. "We're going
+to have the time of our lives getting this machine out. What you need
+for this road is not so much an automobile as a boat. However, it
+wouldn't speak well for us if we couldn't get our car out of this scrape
+after all it has done for us, so let's get busy."
+
+"That's all very well," said Jim, "but the question is, how are you
+going to do it? This isn't exactly a flying machine, although it can go
+pretty fast, and it seems to me that we will need something like that to
+get us out of here."
+
+"Say, you ought to be ashamed of yourself, Jim Dawson," exclaimed Tom,
+indignantly, "here you call yourself one of the crowd, and yet you are
+willing to give up before you have fairly begun to try. That isn't the
+right spirit."
+
+"Oh, it's easy enough to talk," answered Jim, sulkily, "but I'd just
+like to know how you are going to do it, that's all."
+
+"Well, I can't say I have a plan right now, but I'm sure that our old
+'Red Scout' isn't going to leave us in the lurch now after all it has
+done so far," and here he patted the vibrating car lovingly.
+
+Meanwhile Bert had been thinking deeply, and had finally hit on a plan.
+"Here, some of you fellows, run back and bring me all the hay you can
+carry from that barn, will you? We want to get out of here as soon as
+we can, because Mr. Hollis will be anxious about us. Lively's the word."
+
+Tom, Bob, and Frank ran back to the barn and soon reappeared, carrying
+armfuls of hay. When they reached the car Bert took charge of it, and
+placed it carefully under the rear wheels, and made a path in front of
+each wheel for about six feet.
+
+"If we can only get over to the side of the road and up on that grass
+there," he explained, "we will be on firmer ground and can get better
+traction. I only wish we had tire chains."
+
+"What are tire chains, Bert, and what are they for?" inquired Frank.
+
+"Why, you see how it is," replied Bert, "we have plenty of power, but
+the wheels can't get a grip on the ground, and just skid around. If we
+had a network of chains over the tires they would bite through the mud
+to solid ground and get the grip we need. Understand?"
+
+"Sure thing, and much obliged for the explanation," said Frank,
+heartily.
+
+By this time Bert had arranged things to his satisfaction, and now
+climbed into the driver's seat, while the boys looked on expectantly.
+
+Bert threw out the clutch, advanced the spark slightly, and opened
+the throttle a few notches. Immediately the motor increased its
+revolutions, and when it had reached a good speed Bert gently eased in
+the clutch. There was a grinding sound of clutch and gears as the power
+was transmitted to the rear wheels, and the "Red Scout" lunged forward.
+
+The front wheels were so firmly embedded by this time, however, that
+even the "Red Scout" was helpless. Again and again Bert raced his engine
+and let in the clutch, and each time the machine made a gallant attempt
+to free itself, but could never quite make it. Finally he reversed, but
+with no better result. At last he gave up the attempt, and leaving the
+motor turning over slowly, descended to hold a consultation with the
+other boys.
+
+"Have you any suggestions to make, fellows?" he asked, "I confess I'm up
+a tree just at present. What do you say, Bob? Can you think of
+anything?"
+
+"Why, I was thinking," answered Bob, flattered by this direct appeal to
+his vaunted experience, "that if we could dig out a path in front of the
+machine up onto the grass we might get it out that way."
+
+"Say! you've hit the nail on the head this time!" exclaimed Bert,
+enthusiastically. "That's just what we'll do. Get that spade out of the
+tonneau, will you Frank, and we'll get to work."
+
+Frank immediately complied, and in an incredibly short space of time the
+boys had a path dug in front of the auto down to hard gravel, and were
+ready for another attempt to extricate their beloved car.
+
+Bert climbed into his seat with a do-or-die expression on his handsome
+young face, and repeated his former tactics, but this time with
+greater success. The "Red Scout" surged forward with a roar, like some
+imprisoned wild creature suddenly given its liberty. Bert took no
+chances this time, but plugged steadily onward until he reached high,
+firm ground. Here he stopped the panting machine, and waited for the
+cheering boys to catch up.
+
+They soon reached the faithful car, and quickly jumped into their
+places. Before starting again Bert turned around and said, "Fellows, I
+think we owe Bob a vote of thanks. All who agree please say 'Aye'."
+
+There was a hearty chorus of "Ayes," and Bob flushed with pleasure at
+this tribute from his comrades. He thought, and with reason, that he had
+demonstrated his knowledge of automobiles to good advantage, as well as
+his ability to meet emergencies.
+
+By this time it was getting near dusk, and Bert knew that Mr. Hollis
+would be worried over their continued absence. Accordingly, when he got
+on to the main road, he threw the gears into high speed, and soon they
+were bowling along at a rapid, but safe, pace toward their camp.
+
+It would be hard to imagine a happier set of boys in the world than those
+who sat in the big red automobile in the silence of good fellowship and
+listened to the contented purring of the "Red Scout's" powerful motor.
+
+As they revolved in their minds the exciting occurrences of the day, and
+thought of other equally happy days yet to come, it seemed to them that
+there was indeed nothing more desirable in life than to be campers with
+such leaders as Mr. Hollis, Bert Wilson, and Dick Trent. It is safe to
+say that they would not have changed places with any other set of boys
+on earth.
+
+"Say, Bert," said Jim Dawson, breaking the long silence, "that race is
+as good as won already. I'm sure that with this machine and you driving
+it, we couldn't lose if we tried. What do you think?"
+
+Bert did not answer for a moment, and when he did his eyes twinkled
+merrily. "Well, Jim," he said, "I don't know whether we'll win or not
+and that 'Gray Ghost' is certainly some racer. From what I have seen of
+our old 'Red Scout' to-day, however,--but there, I'm not going to say
+any more just now. There is no use raising your hopes, and then perhaps
+have nothing come of that in the end." And with that they were forced
+to be content.
+
+By this time they had almost reached the camp, and could see the smoke
+of the fire. Soon they rolled smoothly into camp, and Mr. Hollis came to
+meet them with a relieved look on his face. At first he seemed inclined
+to blame them, but Bert soon explained matters to his entire
+satisfaction.
+
+The boys mingled with their comrades, and many were the exclamations of
+wonder over their day's experiences. After a short rest, supper was
+prepared, and while they all voted it delicious, still they claimed that
+nothing had ever tasted quite as good as their lunch in the old barn.
+
+As Tom and Bert were dropping off to sleep that night, Tom murmured
+drowsily, "Say, Bert, did we or didn't we have a bully time to-day, eh?"
+
+"Just bet your hat we did."
+
+"Well, say, isn't the old 'Red Scout' about the greatest automobile that
+ever turned a wheel?"
+
+"That's whatever it is," concurred Bert, and dropped off to sleep with a
+smile on his face, and the image of a big red automobile enthroned in
+his heart.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+QUICK WORK
+
+
+"You fellows get it all," complained Steve Thomas, with as ugly a look
+as such a round good-natured face as his could wear.
+
+"You sure do seem to move in a charmed circle," chimed in another
+grumbler.
+
+"Don't they?" echoed a third. "They ought to be called the lucky three.
+This is the fourth time in less than two weeks that they've had the
+auto."
+
+The "lucky three," to whom these remarks were addressed, stood grinning
+happily at the disgusted faces of the other fellows in camp.
+
+The question to be settled was as to what ones should take the auto into
+town for some supplies that were unexpectedly but urgently needed. There
+had been quite a lively dispute, waxing louder and louder until it
+threatened to end in a genuine quarrel.
+
+Mr. Hollis, busily finishing some letters that he wanted to send into
+town by the boys, was at first too absorbed in his writing to notice the
+unusual disturbance, but as the recriminations grew hotter he saw that
+immediate action was necessary.
+
+Rising hastily and taking in his hand a sheet of paper on which he had
+been writing, he stepped from his tent into the group of heated boys.
+
+The clamor ceased at once and when he learned the cause of the
+discussion, Mr. Hollis proposed to draw lots. The fellows who should
+draw the numbers one, two and three were to be the autoists for the
+trip.
+
+This seemed fair to all, and cutting the paper into equal strips Mr.
+Hollis wrote a number on each and, shaking them well in a hat passed
+them around. When they had all been drawn, each one turned over his slip
+and looked eagerly for the sign that fate had been good to him.
+
+The lot had fallen to Bert, Tom, and Ben. There was no appeal and the
+rest of the camp had to submit, some, however, with so poor a grace that
+Mr. Hollis, smilingly genially remarked:
+
+"Come, boys, be sports. Any fellow can growl but it takes an all-around
+manly one to bear defeat smilingly. There's always the chance of better
+luck next time."
+
+His words and manner speedily dissipated what shreds of ill-temper
+remained, so that the boys gave a rousing cheer for a send-off as the
+car, gleaming like red gold in the brilliant morning sunshine, shot off
+up the road and disappeared from their longing eyes.
+
+As for the fortunate three in the car, everything unpleasant was
+forgotten in the twinkling of an eye. A great splendid flying auto is no
+place for disagreeable memories, and the woods rang with song and jokes
+and laughter as the car flew on.
+
+Out of the woods at last they swept into a wide well-kept turnpike,
+where they could safely ride at greater speed.
+
+Bert opened up the throttle and the "Red Scout" fairly "burned up the
+ground." They passed a number of lumbering ox carts and farm wagons
+drawn by sedate old horses, whom nothing could dismay. Now just in front
+of them they saw a runabout, drawn by two spirited bay horses evidently
+of the thoroughbred type.
+
+As they came up behind the carriage, Tom noticed that one of the horses
+began to prance and that the lady who held the reins glanced behind
+nervously.
+
+"Wouldn't you better go rather slow," he cautioned Bert; "one of those
+horses doesn't seem to have any love for automobiles."
+
+Accordingly, Bert was very careful as he attempted to pass the runabout;
+but at the first glimpse of the car the prancing horse reared up on his
+hind legs and lurched heavily against his mate. Startled, the other
+horse plunged forward, jerking the reins from the driver's hands. The
+feel of the loose reins on their backs completed their panic, and before
+anyone realized what was happening, the horses had taken the bit between
+their teeth and were dashing down the road, utterly beyond control. The
+carriage swayed frightfully from side to side, and the two ladies, their
+faces blanched with fear, clung desperately to the seats.
+
+The "lucky three," feeling not a bit lucky at that moment, were filled
+with dismay.
+
+"I suppose that's our fault," groaned Tom, "although I don't for the
+life of me see how we could have helped it."
+
+"That's not the question," said Bert, anxiously, "the only thing now is
+how to help them."
+
+"It seems to me," said Tom, "that the thing to do is to overtake them,
+range up alongside and then one of us jump into the carriage and get
+hold of the reins."
+
+This seemed the only feasible thing and the speeding auto soon came
+within a few feet of the runaways. Bert waited till the road widened and
+then shot the auto over the intervening space and drew alongside. Tom
+grasped the wheel and Bert, watching his chance, sprang into the
+carriage. The double motion hurled him backward and almost out on the
+road, but with a desperate effort, he succeeded in grasping the back of
+the seat and held on. Then climbing over, he made his perilous way out
+upon the shaft between the flying horses and snatched the reins. Upon
+these he pulled and sawed with all his strength until he at last brought
+the frightened beasts under control.
+
+Tom and Ben, seeing their opportunity, stopped the machine, and, running
+to the horses' heads, brought them to a standstill. They helped the
+trembling women to alight and with cushions and robes hastily brought
+from the auto made them a comfortable seat at the foot of a tree by the
+roadside. Ben, bethinking himself of the drinking cup that was part of
+the auto's equipment, filled it with water from a nearby spring, and
+under these attentions the ladies somewhat recovered from their
+terrifying experience. The elder of the two turned to the boys and tried
+to express her heartfelt gratitude, while, if the younger was to be
+believed, they had proved themselves veritable heroes. This they
+modestly disclaimed and declared they were only too delighted to have
+been able to stop the team before any serious harm had been done.
+
+Meanwhile the horses stood panting and trembling at the side of the
+road. Evidently it would not be safe to attempt to drive them again at
+present, and they were greatly relieved when a young farmer, who had
+seen the runaway, came up and offered to keep them overnight in his
+barn.
+
+The horses thus disposed of, the "lucky three" offered gallantly to
+drive the ladies home in their car. So, fastening the runabout to the
+rear of the auto and seating their guests comfortably in the tonneau,
+the boys crowded into the driver's seat and were soon gliding up a broad
+avenue of elms that ended at the spacious and elegant home to which they
+had been directed. Declining a pressing invitation to enter, the boys,
+followed by their repeated thanks, started off with redoubled speed on
+their original errand.
+
+Without further adventure they secured their supplies and turned
+toward home. What was their surprise as they neared the camp to see
+a procession of the fellows coming down the road, some beating on
+imaginary drums, others blowing on horns, still others with harmonicas
+and jewsharps, but managing in some unaccountable way to evolve the
+well-known air of
+
+    "Hark! The Conquering Hero Comes!"
+
+It was evident that the news of their adventure had preceded them.
+
+The "Gray Ghost," coming over to the camp to discuss some detail of the
+forthcoming race, had overtaken the farmer leading the runaway horses
+and had learned the particulars. Hence the impromptu band and the
+nerve-racking rendition of the triumphal welcome. It was comical but
+cordial, and the boys would not have been human had they failed to
+appreciate it. And later on their hearts thrilled with still greater
+pleasure at Mr. Hollis' earnest words of commendation.
+
+They were soon seated at the table with their guests from the rival
+camp, and in the discussion of the anticipated race all else was
+forgotten. They had not finished before a strange automobile rolled up
+and the colored chauffeur lifting a large basket from the car and bowing
+low, announced that it was for Mr. Bert Wilson and his friends from the
+ladies whom they had rescued that day from deadly peril.
+
+Many and loud were the exclamations of delight when the basket was found
+to be filled with the mostly costly and delicious fruit. Before the
+onslaught of the crowd it vanished like magic and Jim urged the boys to
+stop a team of runaways every day that summer.
+
+The fruit seemed to the boys the last souvenir of that memorable day, so
+crowded with incident and accident. But it was not. The "lucky three"
+were to be reminded of this day's adventure in a most unexpected manner
+before the season ended.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+THE FOUR-LEGGED RECRUIT
+
+
+"Don, boy, look here," cried Bert, coming out of the mess tent after
+dinner with a plate of scraps. "Now how are you going to thank me for
+it?" he asked as Don pranced up, barking and wig-wagging with his tail.
+
+Don's answer was to stick his cold muzzle into Bert's hand and to
+wig-wag a little harder.
+
+"Now, old fellow," said Bert when Don had cleared the plate, "some of
+the boys are hunting butterflies over there and I want you to get this
+note to them right away. Do you understand, Beauty?"
+
+The dog looked up with full understanding in the eyes that said so much
+and barked joyfully as Bert tied the note to his collar. He started off
+in the direction pointed out to him perfectly happy in the thought that
+he was serving his master.
+
+Bert looked fondly after the proudly lifted head and waving silver brush
+of his favorite. The dog had been a mystery to the whole camp. He seemed
+to know what was said to him and scarcely ever failed to carry out any
+directions given him. He had learned a great many tricks in the few
+days he had been in camp besides displaying some he had mastered
+previously. With one accord they decided that he must have been stolen
+by the tramps, who, in the discomfort and excitement of the other day,
+had forgotten all about him.
+
+A squad of the boys had that morning been sent over to the hills on an
+all-day hike to hunt for butterflies and to study ants--the last had
+become a favorite amusement among them since Dick's talk of a few days
+before. Bert had expected to go with them, but, as more supplies were
+needed from the village, he had volunteered to go over for them in the
+"Red Scout," although he would much rather have gone with the "bug
+squad." The note that he had entrusted to Don contained a warning to the
+boys to come home by the main road and not attempt to come over the
+hills as they contained many dangerous holes and pitfalls. He was sure
+that Don could find the boys because he had gone with them more than
+once on their hikes among the hills.
+
+Meanwhile, up in the hills, one of the boys, Arthur Gray by name, had
+wandered way off from his fellows before he realized it. A strikingly
+beautiful butterfly had led him on and on, now lingering on one flower,
+now on another, always flitting away at the very instant when Arthur
+felt sure of success. Finally, with a lazily graceful motion of its
+delicately marked wings, it flew away and was lost to sight, leaving
+Arthur to "mop his fevered brow," as Dick would have said.
+
+Looking around him he discovered that the boys were nowhere to be found.
+He reached for his pocket compass and found, to his great surprise and
+dismay, that it wasn't there.
+
+By this time, really worried, he tried to remember where he was and
+which way he had come, but all with no result. The butterfly had led him
+there by such a roundabout path that he could not, for the life of him,
+point out the direction from which he had come. What should he do? In a
+moment he thought that he had brought his watch with him--more by luck
+than anything else, for he often left it at the camp--and he remembered
+that he could find in what direction the South lay by means of it.
+
+By that time it was exactly four o'clock, and, pointing the hour hand
+toward the sun, he found that the number 2 on his watch-face pointed to
+the South: that is, half the distance between four o'clock and twelve
+when the other hand is pointed toward the sun, marks the southerly
+direction. Of course, when he had one point of the compass it was very
+simple for him to find the others--that being a necessary part of summer
+camp training. Arthur knew that the camp lay somewhere to the East so
+he started to get there as fast as his legs would carry him.
+
+But, alas. The time when we think fate has been most kind to us often
+turns out to be the time when it is hardest. So it was in Arthur's case.
+As he hurried along, congratulating himself on having thought of so easy
+and quick a way to get out of his difficulty, he forgot that the passes
+over the hills had been reported dangerous.
+
+Going happily along he had no warning of what was in store for him
+until, with a groan, he sank to the ground and began to rub his ankle.
+He had stepped into one of those treacherous holes that covered the
+whole countryside and had sprained his ankle very badly.
+
+Painfully, he tried to get up, but when he attempted to bear his weight
+on the injured ankle, it pained so cruelly that he winced.
+
+"Oh, I can't, I can't," he moaned aloud in his misery. "What shall I do,
+what shall I do?" and, sinking to the ground, he covered his face with
+his hands.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Meanwhile, the boys had missed him and had begun to search all over for
+him. Not finding him, they became anxious and looked desperately for him
+in every place they could think of.
+
+"I wonder if he could be hiding in a cave the way Jim was doing the
+other day," Shorty suggested.
+
+"Don't be a fool, Shorty," said Tom, rather sharply. "Arthur isn't that
+kind. Probably he's chased some butterfly way off somewhere and can't
+find his way back."
+
+"He ought to be able to find his way easily enough with his pocket
+compass. The thing I'm afraid of is that he may have met with some
+accident," said Frank.
+
+Just then Don came trotting up to Tom, calling attention to the note
+tied to his collar by a series of short, imperative barks. Tom patted
+his head lovingly and called him a "good fellow" at which Don wig-wagged
+vigorously. The boys all crowded around, eager to see what was in the
+note.
+
+"It's from Bert," Tom announced, "and he says that Mr. Hollis wants
+us to come home by the main road because of the dangerous holes and
+pitfalls. Say, fellows," as the truth dawned upon him, "do you think
+that Arthur can be hurt so that he can't get to us?"
+
+"Nobody knows. But I know one thing," said Shorty stoutly, "and that is,
+that I won't leave these hills to-night until we have found him."
+
+"Good for you, Shorty," said Frank. "I know we all feel the same way so
+we had better get down to business in a hurry."
+
+All the time the boys had been speaking Don had stood with his head
+cocked knowingly on one side, watching their every action. When they
+started to go he looked up into Tom's face, mutely asking to be allowed
+to go too. And Tom answered heartily, "You just bet you can come along,
+Don. We couldn't do without you."
+
+Then the boys began to scour the woods in good earnest. For half an hour
+they worked hard with a dull, aching sensation at their hearts. They
+looked behind rocks, pulled aside dense underbrush, gazed down deep
+ravines with the awful fear that they might see their comrade lying at
+the bottom. They were coming now into the most dangerous part of the
+country and they were forced to work slowly and with the utmost care.
+
+When they paused, weary and discouraged, to consult on what course was
+best to follow, Don's short bark reached their ears and in a minute the
+dog himself rushed up to them. Then, running back and forth between them
+and the direction from which he had come, he plainly showed them that he
+wished them to follow him.
+
+"We'd better go," Tom said. "He may have found him, or at least some
+trace of him."
+
+So, with Don in the lead the boys started once more. As they went they
+called Arthur's name, but at first nothing but the echoes answered them.
+They were so torn by thorns and briers and so wearied by the long search,
+that nothing but the thought that their poor comrade was in a much worse
+plight than they, could have kept them to their task. Finally, when they
+were beginning to think that Don was leading them on a wrong scent, they
+heard a faint cry. Joyfully, they called out again and again and each
+time the answer came nearer. When they came upon the runaway at last they
+were so happy that they didn't notice his condition at once. When they
+did realize how badly he was hurt, they forgot how tired they were and
+set about at once to relieve him.
+
+The poor boy had tried to drag himself along on his hands but had not
+been able to get very far. The boys bandaged the ankle and then began
+making a litter. It wasn't very long before they had Arthur fairly
+comfortable on the improvised bed. With light hearts the procession
+started for camp, Don proudly taking the lead. The boys thought it was
+best not to question Arthur until he had had time to recover from the
+shock.
+
+It was nearly dark, when, tired and hungry, the "bug squad" reached
+camp. It is a well known fact that boys are not worth much when they
+are hungry. Mr. Hollis, who was a good judge of human nature, hurried
+the troop into supper, declaring that curiosity could be much better
+satisfied on a full stomach than an empty one.
+
+After supper the boys made the usual camp fire and made the wounded hero
+of the day comfortable before it. When the preliminaries were over the
+boys called for the story of the "bug squad's" adventures.
+
+Tom told as much of the story as he knew and then, turning to Arthur,
+asked, "Did Don really find you there? We weren't sure but that he might
+just have struck the trail."
+
+"He did both," Arthur replied. "He struck my trail and followed it until
+he found me. I don't think I was ever so glad in my life as I was to see
+our Don come trotting up ready for some petting. He saw that I was hurt,
+though, and started away like a streak of lightning to bring you to
+my help. At first I thought that he was deserting me, but even as the
+thought came to me I knew it was unjust. Think of our gallant Don
+deserting anyone in distress. Then in a few minutes I heard you hail
+and answered as well as I could. I will always carry a picture of you
+fellows as you came into sight, with Don in the lead. Believe me, it was
+the finest I ever saw or expect to see. And now, fellows, I want you to
+give three cheers for the hero of the day and the finest dog that ever
+lived. Come on, now----
+
+"HOORAY-HOORAY-HOORAY--Now let 'er out fellows--HOORAY," and in spite of
+his sprained ankle, Arthur led the cheers that echoed and re-echoed
+through the trees for rods around.
+
+All the time the cause of all the enthusiasm was lying with his head on
+Bert's knee, watching the boys contentedly. When they all crowded
+around, he took the praises they showered on him as a true gentleman
+should--with courtesy and dignity, only those speaking eyes of his
+telling of the love in his heart for the boys that would have made him
+die for any one of them.
+
+If ever a dog was glad and happy, his name was Don that night. Although
+he didn't understand what it was all about, he knew that he was being
+honored and showed that he appreciated it.
+
+The happiest moment in the whole day for Don came when Bert put both
+arms lovingly around his neck and whispered, "You're a trump, old man."
+
+And so the four-legged recruit went happily to sleep to dream that he
+was rescuing all the boys in camp.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+THE YOUNGSTERS' GREAT DAY
+
+
+"Say, fellows," said Bert, as he lay stretched out lazily beneath the
+limbs of a spreading beech, "isn't this the finest day ever?"
+
+"You bet it is," said Tom, "the mould was broken when this day was
+made."
+
+It was, indeed, one of the perfect days that come sometimes to break the
+heat of sweltering midsummer. A brisk wind stirred the branches through
+which the sunlight, flecking lazily the ground beneath, played over the
+group of boys, who lay in all sorts of abandoned attitudes on a bit of
+rising ground a little removed from the camp. They had had a splendid
+morning's sport. The coolness of the day and the fine condition of the
+roads and meadows had suggested to them the game of Hare and Hounds. Up
+hill and down dale they had raced with occasional intervals of rest.
+When the hares had successfully shaken off their pursuers, still the
+bewildered hounds had nosed about, so to speak, seeking to pick up the
+lost trail. Bert and Tom had been the hares and their escape from
+capture had added to the delight occasioned by the day and the game
+itself. It was only after the rice that they had carried in their
+pouches to make a trail had been almost exhausted, that they thought of
+doubling on their tracks and making for camp.
+
+The hounds had trailed in a little later on, looking a bit discomfited
+but not disheartened. As Pete Hart, one of the hounds, said "though
+slightly disfigured they were still in the ring." And, oh, how that
+dinner tasted and how impossible it was almost for the famished boys to
+wait while the fish snatched from the brook that morning were frizzling
+in the pan and came in tantalizing whiffs to the nostrils of the boys.
+Something more substantial than whiffs, however, did quickly follow, and
+now like gorged anacondas full to the brim, they lay stretched out upon
+the grass and talked over the events of the morning.
+
+"I tell you what, boys," said Frank, "it sure was the luckiest day in my
+life when I struck this camp."
+
+"Well," said Tom, "I reckon we all say amen to that. Think of being out
+in these woods on such a day as this with a lot of jolly good fellows
+and not a thing to do but be happy. When I think of the people in town
+roasting under the summer heat while we are out here under the trees,
+you bet I feel sorry for them."
+
+"Yes," said Jim, who, as usual, had eaten more even than the others and
+hadn't before had energy enough to speak, "the town is all right in the
+fall and spring, but when the summer comes, me for the long hike and the
+camp in the woods."
+
+"It sure does us a lot of good," said Bert. "I know that when I go back
+to the city after a summer like this I feel so strong that I could lift
+a ton."
+
+"God made the country but man made the town," chimed in Dick who was
+great on quotations. "I think it does everybody good to get away
+somewhere where they can come in contact with the woods and the brooks
+and the squirrels and the birds. Who was it we used to read about--that
+fellow in the old Grecian stories--I think his name was Antaeus, who got
+into a fight with one of the old heroes and every time he was knocked
+down, refreshed by contact with mother earth, got up ten times stronger
+than before. I guess that is the way we feel after a summer spent in the
+woods."
+
+While they were speaking, Mr. Hollis had joined the group. The boys
+quickly moved aside to make room for him. Although he was so much older
+than they, his genial spirit and unfailing friendliness kept him in
+touch with every one of the boys. At heart he was still a boy and
+always would be one. He was a stickler for discipline, but not in the
+slightest degree a martinet. With him it was always the "iron hand in
+the velvet glove," and he was so just, so considerate, he understood boy
+nature so thoroughly and in the case of each was able so accurately to
+put himself in his place, that the boys regarded him as a father or
+rather an older brother, instead of a commander.
+
+"I heard what you said, Tom," he said, smiling, "about not having a
+thing to do but be happy. Are you quite sure you have nothing to do but
+that?"
+
+Tom stared a moment, "why yes," he said slowly, "to make somebody else
+happy."
+
+"That's the thing," said Mr. Hollis. "You hit the nail right on the head
+that time, Tom. There is no higher aim in life than to make some one
+else happy."
+
+A murmur of assent arose from the boys.
+
+"Now," said Mr. Hollis, "we ought to do some one a good turn every day.
+It doesn't matter especially what that good turn is. It may be a thing
+so slight as almost to escape notice. It is just in some way or other to
+add to the sweetness of human life. It may be to give somebody a lift in
+the automobile--it may be a word of appreciation to kindle a smile on
+some tired face; it may be guiding a blind man across the street, or
+giving your seat to a woman in the street car, or even so slight a thing
+as to kick a banana peel off the sidewalk. The essence of the whole
+thing is self-forgetfulness. To lend a hand, to give a lift, to make
+life brighter and easier for someone even in the smallest degree.
+
+"But what I have in mind just now is a sort of wholesale lift. When I
+was in town the other day I passed the orphan asylum. You know the one I
+mean. That building just off the Court House Square with a stone wall
+around it and a pretty lawn in front."
+
+The boys remembered perfectly. Every one of them at some time or other
+had passed the place and seen the childish faces at the windows.
+
+"Now," said Mr. Hollis, "my idea is this. There are from forty to fifty
+children in that building. It serves as the asylum for all the towns in
+the county. I happen to know it is carried on in a splendid way. The
+officials at the head are kind and humane and the matrons in charge
+take the best possible care of the little ones, but after all they
+need variety. They want individual attention. In a home of that kind
+even with the best intentions there has to be a certain monotony and
+uniformity. They have to rise at a certain hour, sit down at the table
+at the same moment, go to the school room at a given time, and even
+play under the direction of somebody else. Now, what a glorious thing it
+would be if for one day those children could come out into the woods and
+roll in the grass and chase the squirrels and kick up their heels like
+young colts let loose in the pasture. What do you say boys, to giving up
+one whole day of this vacation and make those little ones think they
+have had a glimpse of heaven?"
+
+What they said was plenty. As Shorty said, "it hit them where they
+lived."
+
+There was a chorus of excited exclamations, "Will we?" "You bet!"
+"Just try us and see." "When's it going to be?" "Why can't we have it
+to-morrow?" "How many kids are there in the asylum?" "What's the best
+way to get them here?" At last Mr. Hollis, smiling, had to raise his
+hand, in order to be heard.
+
+"Well," said he, "I haven't fixed upon the date. As a matter of fact,
+I haven't spoken to the officers of the institution at all and am
+not absolutely sure that they will see their way clear to make the
+arrangement. Of course, they have a great responsibility upon them
+in caring for so many little ones and they would have to look at the
+question from every side. Still I don't think there will be much trouble
+in arranging it. They are just as eager to see the children have a good
+time as we are, and I think the idea will strike them as a capital one.
+One or two of the people in charge will, of course, have to come with
+them. Ordinarily they might feel a little timid about letting the
+children spend a whole day in the woods in company with a lot of
+high-spirited boys who might be reckless, and, even with the best
+intentions, lead them into danger. Still, you boys have established such
+a good reputation in this neighborhood," and here Mr. Hollis looked
+about on the eager faces with an expression of pride, "that I don't
+think there will be any real trouble in arranging the affair."
+
+"It is a capital idea," said Dick, warmly. "How did you come to think
+about it?"
+
+"Well," said Mr. Hollis, "it wasn't original with me. It's a custom in
+the city to set aside a day each year as 'Orphans' Day.' There are
+thousands of well-to-do people, owners of automobiles, who have the
+tenderest sympathy with these little ones deprived, by nature, of their
+natural guardians, and on that one day of the year they give up all
+thought of selfish enjoyment and try to give the children the time of
+their lives. It's a splendid sight and warms the heart to see the long
+line of automobiles coming down the avenues decked with flags and
+overflowing with the little tots. Off they go to the beach where all
+sorts of amusements have been prepared for them. They dig in the sand.
+They paddle about with bare feet at the edge of the breakers. They take
+in every innocent amusement from one end of the island to another. They
+haven't any money to spend, but they couldn't spend it if they had.
+Everything is free. The spirit of kindness and good feeling is shared
+by all the owners of the different resorts, and the doors are flung
+wide open the minute the children come in sight. They see the moving
+pictures. They ride in the merry-go-round. They hold their breath as
+they speed up and down the scenic railways. They watch, with awed
+admiration, the wandering artist who moulds tigers and lions in the
+sand. The life guards take them in their boats and row around the
+different piers. They go to the great animal shows and see the big
+brutes put through their wonderful tricks. They sit in the weighing
+machines. They throw base-balls at the clay figures and the larger boys
+are even permitted--supreme pleasure for a boy--to fire at the target in
+the shooting galleries. They watch the great ocean steamers as they go
+past at a distance, and the smaller vessels, like white-winged birds,
+that hug the shore. And eat! How they do eat! They are like a flock of
+ravenous locusts and the food disappears as if by magic. It's a day of
+days for the poor little youngsters, to be talked over and dreamed over
+for months to come, and when at the end of the day they pile into the
+autos, tired, full, happy as larks, for the swift return journey to the
+only place they know as home, it is a question who are the happier, the
+little ones to whom this means so much or the owners of the machines
+who, for that one day at least have spent themselves gladly for the
+happiness of others."
+
+The boys listened with rapt attention, and when Mr. Hollis had finished
+they were chock full of enthusiasm.
+
+"Well," said Tom, "we haven't any beach here, but I am willing to bet
+that by the time we get through with those kids they will have had just
+as good a time as any youngster in the big city ever had."
+
+The boys all chimed assent to this, and Shorty, who was always impulsive
+and never could bear to wait for anything that he greatly desired,
+suggested, "Why not fix it up right away?"
+
+"Well," said Mr. Hollis, "I don't see any objection to that. If Bert has
+the automobile in shape we will go over at once."
+
+So many of the boys wanted to go with him that, to avoid any selection,
+Mr. Hollis suggested that they draw lots. Of course it went without
+saying that Bert would go to drive the machine, but in addition fate
+decreed that Tom, Frank, Jim, and Shorty should pile in with them. Off
+they went along the smooth country roads, their hearts leaping not only
+with the delight of the glorious day and the thrilling swiftness with
+which the great machine sped over the turnpike, but also from the
+feeling that they were going to carry gladness and sunshine into a lot
+of wistful little hearts to whom father and mother were only names.
+
+In what seemed only a few minutes from the time they left the camp, they
+reached the asylum. Bert went in with Mr. Hollis while the rest of the
+boys stayed outside in the machine of which they never tired, and where
+they much preferred to stay rather than wander about the streets of the
+town. The interview with the officers of the asylum was most cordial.
+They knew Mr. Hollis as a courteous gentleman and a capable and careful
+ruler of his little kingdom. The matron in charge was called in at the
+conference and she also assented heartily and thankfully.
+
+It was arranged that on the second day thereafter, provided, of course,
+the weather was suitable, the outing should take place. Then arose the
+question of transportation. How were they to get there? The automobile
+would only carry a few of the little ones even though they were packed
+in like sardines. The superintendent suggested that no doubt they would
+be able to find plenty of the townspeople who would be glad to furnish
+teams to carry the rest.
+
+But just before this arrangement was concluded a thought occurred to
+Bert. He knew how much the auto appealed to a youngster. They were used
+to seeing horses and wagons and at times would be taken for a ride in
+them, but automobiles were scarce in that locality and seemed almost
+like a fairy vehicle to the little ones, as with faces pressed against
+the panes they would see an occasional touring car glide swiftly along
+the road in front. "Where were the horses?" "What made them go?" "Why do
+they go so fast?" It seemed to Bert that half the delight of the little
+ones would be in the automobile ride and as he pictured the little wave
+of envy and discontent that would inevitably come over the youngsters
+who were forced to take the more prosaic and common place wagons, he
+said:
+
+"What's the matter with taking them all over in the machine? Of course
+we would have to make a good many trips, but what of that? It only takes
+a few minutes to get from here to the camp and turn our load loose in
+the woods and then come back for another. The whole thing could be
+managed in a couple of hours. Bob and I could take turns in driving the
+machine. I am sure Bob would be glad to, and I know I would, and as for
+the kids, there is no question of the way they would feel about it."
+
+"All right," said Mr. Hollis, while the superintendent and matron
+greeted gratefully this further example of Bert's thoughtfulness and
+kindness of heart.
+
+When the machine returned to camp and the boys who had been left behind
+learned of the arrangement, everything was bustle and stir at once.
+Although the camp was always kept in first-class order, this being one
+of their cardinal principles, yet there were a good many little things
+that needed doing in order that the youngsters should have the glorious
+time that the boys had mapped out for them. Some of them took a long
+rope and fixed up a great swing between two oaks at a little distance
+from the camp. Others arranged an archery butt and prepared bows and
+arrows for the larger boys to use. A number of fishing lines with
+sinkers and hooks were prepared so that the children might have the rare
+delight of trying to catch their own dinner. Then, too, it was necessary
+to go to town on several different occasions to secure supplies. Their
+own store had to be replenished, and besides, they wanted to get a lot
+of extra dainties that would appeal especially to the appetites of their
+little guests.
+
+There had been a heavy rain a day or two before and the prospects were
+that nothing in the way of bad weather would mar the outing. This had
+been a question of a little anxiety because their stay in camp was
+rapidly nearing a close. Many of the boys had only a limited time to
+stay and had to return to their employment in the city. And even those
+who could extend the period had no desire to do so after their fellows
+had gone.
+
+In all this rush of preparation the automobile race was not neglected.
+Every boy in the camp felt as though his own personal reputation was
+involved in winning. Rumors had filtered in from different quarters that
+Ralph Quinby, the driver of the "Gray Ghost", was simply burning up the
+roads in exercise. It was even said that for a short distance he had
+attained the speed of a mile a minute.
+
+While there was no bitterness in the rivalry between the two camps, yet
+their desire to win was extremely keen.
+
+"You have simply got to get there, old fellow," said Dick as he and Bert
+were tinkering at the machine on the morning before that set for the
+outing. "It would never do to have those fellows say that the 'Red Scout'
+had to take the dust of the 'Gray Ghost.'"
+
+"Well," said Bert, who, as the driver of the car, naturally felt a
+greater weight of responsibility than anybody else, "there are just
+three things we need in order to come in first. Above everything else,
+we've got to have the car in splendid condition. It must be stripped of
+every single thing that might furnish wind resistance and make its work
+that much harder. Every bolt and nut must be examined and tightened. The
+lever, the clutch, the gear, has to be thoroughly examined. Many a race
+is won in advance in this way, even before the machine leaves the post.
+In the next place, we've got to have good judgment. By this I mean
+judgment of pace. It isn't only what the speedometer says, but there is
+a little something that tells the man who has his hand on the wheel just
+when and just how hard he should hit it up. Sometimes it is wise to
+trail the other fellow. At other times it may be well to set the pace,
+but the ability to do either one or the other is the thing that, other
+things being equal, is bound to tell in the long run. Then, greatest of
+all, perhaps, is nerve. I don't know whether you have ever ridden, Dick,
+in a machine that goes a mile a minute, but if you have, especially on a
+circular track, you'll know something of what I mean. A fellow's nerves
+must be like iron. The least hesitation, the least doubt, the least
+shakiness even for the merest fraction of a second, may be fatal. This
+is true even if one were riding without anything especially at stake,
+but when we know that all the fellows will be yelling like Indians,
+begging us to win, and know the bitter disappointment that will come to
+them if the other fellow shows us the way over the line, I tell you it
+is a sure enough test of a fellow's nerve."
+
+"Well," said Dick, "as to that last point I haven't any doubt about you
+having plenty of nerve, Bert. If that were the only thing in question I
+would call the race won just now, but how about the machines themselves?
+Don't they enter into the calculation?"
+
+"Of course," said Bert, "that counts for an awful lot. You can't make a
+cart horse beat a thoroughbred, no matter how well he is ridden. There's
+got to be the speed there or everything else counts for nothing. But
+take two machines of about equal power, and from all I hear the 'Red
+Scout' hasn't much, if anything, on the 'Gray Ghost' in this particular,
+it puts the matter right up to the drivers of the cars. Under those
+conditions, nine times out of ten, it's the best man and not the best
+machine that wins."
+
+While Tom and Bert discussed the thing in this way soberly, the rest of
+the troop hadn't a doubt in the world that their hero would win. They
+idolized Bert. They had seen him under a variety of circumstances and
+never once had he shown the white feather. Never once had he failed to
+measure up to an emergency. Never once had he failed to use every ounce
+of energy and power that he possessed. If he _should lose_--and this
+thought was instantly dismissed as traitorous--they knew that, although
+beaten, he would not be disgraced, and so, with a vast amount of
+excitement but with scarcely the slightest feeling of trepidation, they
+awaited the momentous day when the "Gray Ghost" and the "Red Scout"
+should battle for supremacy.
+
+"Orphans' Day" dawned clear and beautiful. There was just enough breeze
+to temper the heat of the sun. The skies were cloudless. Many a tousled
+little head up at the asylum had tossed restlessly on its pillow through
+that night and almost all of the expectant youngsters needed no rising
+bell to call them from their dreams. Even breakfast was dispatched more
+quickly than usual, and the feverish impatience of the little tots made
+it almost impossible to wait for the coming of that glorious automobile.
+
+As it was necessary to save all possible space in the auto for the
+children themselves, Bert drove the car over alone. When he came in
+sight he was hailed with a yell of delight by a little group of seven or
+eight gathered on the lawn, who had been told off, to the envy of their
+less fortunate companions, for the first ride. The matron in charge made
+a pretense of keeping order, but she had been a child herself and the
+attempt was only half-hearted. In they piled, one after the other,
+tumbling over the sides, or tossed in by the strong arms of Bert, and
+untangled themselves somehow, some on the seats, some on the bottom of
+the car between the last and the driver's seat. Brown heads, black
+heads, blond heads, yes, even one little red head--that of Teddy
+Mulligan--made what Shorty said when he saw it was "a sure enough color
+scheme."
+
+As soon as they were safely ensconced, Bert blew his horn, swung the car
+around, and then made off for the camp. Oh, the delight of that swift
+trip on that glorious morning. Oh, the chatter that rose from those
+eager lips. Oh, the joy that bubbled in those little, motherless hearts.
+It wasn't earth--it was heaven. On sped the machine, noiselessly,
+softly, swiftly as a bird. If it had not been for the other groups who
+were eagerly waiting their turn Bert would surely have turned off into a
+side road and given the kids a good many extra miles; but the others had
+to be considered, too, and time was passing, so into the camp they
+glided, all alive with eagerness, delight and anticipation. The ready
+hands of the other boys lifted the little ones from the machine, which
+instantly turned about for its second trip. Again and again this was
+repeated, until the last little group on the lawn of the asylum had
+melted away, and the woods resounded with their childish prattle.
+
+The boys had surely spread themselves to give "the kids" a day that
+they'd never forget. Frank took some of the larger boys to the little
+glade where the archery practice was on, put the bows and arrows into
+their hands that had been prepared and showed them how to shoot. The
+girls were taken to a swing that the boys had rigged up and swung
+to and fro to their hearts' content. Tom showed them how to make
+jack-o'-lanterns and told them about the time when Bert had put one up
+in a great cave and frightened him so badly when he caught a first
+glimpse of it. A little group under the guidance of Dick went down to
+the brook and watched the sunfish dart to and fro under the gleaming
+surface and the great perch and catfish lying lazily under the reeds
+that fringed the bank. Shorty, who was an expert fisherman, threw his
+line while the boys looked on with bated breath, and in a few minutes
+pulled up a plump catfish.
+
+"Why do they call them that?" said little Tony Darimo.
+
+"Well," said Shorty, "maybe it's because of the whiskers they have;
+perhaps because the face looks something like a cat, or else because of
+the noise they make when you take them off the hook."
+
+Little Billy Jackson seemed unconvinced.
+
+"It doesn't seem to me like a cat," he said.
+
+Just then Shorty, who had turned his head to put the fish in the basket,
+uttered a loud "meow." Billy jumped.
+
+"I guess you are right after all," he said. "It surely does sound like a
+pussy cat."
+
+In the shallow part of the brook some of the little ones under the
+guidance of the matron were permitted to take off their shoes and
+stockings and paddle about. The water was less than a foot deep. One of
+the children slipped and fell. In a moment Don, who had been racing along
+the bank, jumped in and grabbed him by the collar of his blouse. The
+child was on his feet in a minute and had never been in the slightest
+danger at all, but Don felt just as proud of his exploit as though he had
+saved him from a raging torrent. The boys laughed and called him a "fake
+hero," and yet every one of them knew in his heart that, however great
+might have been the danger, Don would have jumped just the same. Don
+outdid himself that day. He made the children scream with delight. Under
+the guidance of Bert he played soldier, shouldered the stick and marched,
+rolled over and played dead, and did it all with such a keen sense of
+enjoyment in his tricks that the children stood about and watched him,
+with endless wonder and delight.
+
+But the one whom the children remembered above all the others was
+Bert. He was everywhere. He told them stories. He carried them on his
+shoulders. He imitated the calls of the different birds. He summoned the
+squirrels and the timid little creatures, who long since had lost all
+fear of him, came readily forward, ate out of his hand and perched upon
+his finger tips. The children looked on with wide-eyed amazement,
+delight and admiration.
+
+Then came dinner, and such a dinner! The kids had never seen anything
+like it before. Fish caught fresh from the brook, the golden corn bread
+made by the boys themselves, the maple syrup, the cakes, the pies, the
+countless goodies that melted away before those famished youngsters
+would have filled a dyspeptic's heart with envy.
+
+But all things come to an end, and in the late afternoon, amid the
+shouted good-byes and waving of hands from all the boys in the camp, the
+"Red Scout" took up its burden--and it had never borne a happier one--and
+carried the kids away, their little hearts full of unspeakable content,
+at the end of the best day's outing they had ever known.
+
+The boys were tired that night. Even Tom, who prided himself on never
+owning up to weariness, admitted fairly and squarely that he was "clean
+tuckered out." But it was a delightful weariness. They had forgotten
+themselves. They had worked and planned for others. They had not looked
+for their own happiness, and just because they had not, they found it.
+They had learned the one supreme lesson of life, "that to give is better
+than to receive," "that he who seeks pleasure as an end in itself never
+finds it," and that he who bestows happiness upon another has his own
+heart flooded with peace.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+DAVE'S TIGER STORY
+
+
+The next night, while Dave, who had promised to tell them a tiger yarn,
+was pulling his "thinking cap" on tight, and trying to select his most
+fetching story, the boys gathered closer about him, and with hearts
+beating a little faster at the very mention of the word "tiger,"
+prepared to listen.
+
+At last Dave looked up, and in order to make his story a trifle more
+thrilling, gave a little talk on the bloodthirstiness of his majesty,
+the tiger. When he concluded by the tense look on his hearers' faces
+that the right moment had arrived, he plunged into
+
+     THE STORY OF THE TIGER
+
+"One calm evening in the summertime, somewhat later than usual, a
+gentleman stepped from the train at a railroad station in a suburban
+town and walked up the street toward his home. Deep in thoughts of
+business, he did not notice at first that a most unusual silence
+pervaded the town. In a short time the deadly stillness roused him, and
+he noticed, wonderingly, that he was the only person to be seen on the
+streets. Not a man, woman, or child could he see, a most unusual thing,
+as at that time, in the early evening, the town was always a very lively
+place indeed. He noticed, too, with amazement, that the doors and
+windows of the houses were all closed. Not a face appeared at any of
+them. All the windows that had blinds or shutters attached had them
+drawn tightly, and fastened securely. Not a sign of life anywhere. What
+had happened? Had everybody gone crazy?
+
+"Amazed and frightened, he hurried on, up one street and down another,
+until his own house came into view. That, too, was closed and shuttered.
+The welcoming face that had never failed to greet him was not at door or
+window. Now, thoroughly alarmed, he ran up the steps of the porch and
+wildly rang the bell. The door was opened cautiously, just a little
+crack, and to his great relief the face of his wife appeared at the tiny
+opening.
+
+"At the sight of him the door opened wider. He was clutched by the
+sleeve and hurried into the house with scant ceremony. Before he could
+get his breath after this amazing treatment the door was closed and
+locked and double-locked on the instant, and the white face of his wife
+confronted the dazed man.
+
+"His dinner was ready, but without waiting for him to be seated at the
+table his wife commenced to tell him the cause of the unusual state of
+affairs. 'Did he remember that the wild animal show was to have arrived
+in the town that day?' 'No,' he had not remembered, 'but go on.'
+
+"Well, it did come, and while the show was in progress one of the
+animals, a tiger, had escaped from the tent and raced up Main Street,
+while everyone on the street hurried to the nearest refuge. At the
+end of Main Street he dashed into the woods, and though the crowd of
+pursuing men and boys did their best to recapture him, he was still at
+large. The manager of the show told the people, while they ran madly in
+pursuit, that the tiger was a new one, scarcely at all trained, and by
+far the fiercest and most savage of all the animals in the show. He
+warned everyone to stay closely within doors that night, and assured
+them that as soon as daylight appeared every possible effort would be
+made to capture and cage him. That is why everybody is barricaded within
+doors.
+
+"Of course, being a man, he laughed at his wife's fears, said there
+was no danger, and that it was extremely foolish for everyone to be
+so scared, and that, as for him, he would not lose a wink of sleep
+worrying about it. His wife noticed, however, that although he talked so
+bravely, he kept closely within doors all the evening, and that when
+they were ready to go upstairs for the night he looked with unusual care
+at the fastenings of all the doors and windows, both upstairs and down.
+Once, as he fastened the bolt of a window, he had stopped and grown a
+little white at a slight scratching noise just outside the window."
+
+Here a decided shiver ran around the camp, furtive looks were cast over
+hiked shoulders, and Sam, who for some minutes had been watching a
+moving shadow just outside the line of camp firelight, decided that the
+shadow was decidedly tigerlike, and wanted to know if they did not think
+the fire needed some more logs. "All right, old man," said Bob, and the
+logs went on. They blazed up brightly, and gave every man Jack, even the
+bravest of them, a more comfortable feeling of security, and Dave went
+on with the story:
+
+"In the middle of that night the man found himself suddenly awake, with
+an intense feeling that someone or something was in the room. Raising
+himself upon one elbow, he gazed searchingly about the dim room, and was
+just about to give himself a lecture for imagining things, when, in
+the farthest and darkest corner, he saw what appeared to be two great
+balls of green fire glaring straight at him. At once the thought of the
+escaped tiger leaped into his mind, and he knew that the fierce and
+savage beast was within his room. For a moment his heart fairly stopped
+beating, but, gaining control of himself with an effort, he tried to
+think what he should do. He reached over and laid his hand softly over
+his wife's lips and whispered in her ear. Then together they watched the
+two glowing points of fire, wondering with sick hearts how soon the
+tiger would be upon them.
+
+"They had not long to wait, for now the tiger began crawling toward
+them, inch by inch, inch by inch----"
+
+At this point in the story the boys, utterly forgetful of the world
+and everything in it, had crowded close about the story teller, and
+with flesh creeping and hair rising on their heads were listening,
+open-mouthed, to the story. Dave had paused to take breath, when every
+heart stood still as a fierce scratching on the bark of a nearby tree
+and a deep, savage growling were heard.
+
+All sprang to their feet. Dick Trent was the only one who remained cool.
+Having seen Bert Wilson (who never lost an opportunity for a little fun
+and mischief) steal quietly away under cover of the darkness, he more
+than suspected that something was going to happen, and so was prepared.
+
+Suddenly a burst of ringing laughter made itself heard, and there
+on the grass lay Bert, rolling over and over, holding his sides and
+saying between gasps, "Oh, my! Oh, my! you did look so funny! Hold me,
+somebody, or I _will_ go to pieces. Oh, my! Oh, my!"
+
+At first the boys were inclined to be angry, but they were good fellows
+and always ready to laugh at a joke, even when it was on themselves, and
+so with many a laughing threat to "get even with Bert, and that mighty
+soon," they came, a little sheepishly, back to the fire and with one
+accord begged Dave to go on with the story.
+
+"Well," resumed Dave, "we left the tiger creeping inch by inch, inch by
+inch, toward his two victims, and feeling very sure of his capture; but
+the man was not the one to give up his life or that of his wife without
+a brave effort to save them. He whispered hastily to his wife, 'Be
+prepared'"--here a voice interrupted to exclaim, "They ought to have
+been campers"--"'to jump out and roll way back under the bed the instant
+I say Now!'
+
+"By this time the tiger had come to within a few feet of them, and they
+could see him in the dim light, every muscle quivering, crouched for a
+spring. The man had slipped his feet over the side of the bed to the
+floor, and his hands clutched the bedclothes from underneath.
+
+"As the beast sprang the man shouted, 'Now!' and at the same time flung
+the bedclothes over the head and body of the tiger. The two terrified
+people used the few minutes the angry, snarling beast took to get out
+from the tangle of bedclothes to roll as far under the bed as they
+could. The bed was a very low one, and the man knew that the tiger, who
+was very large, could not creep under without raising the bed with his
+shoulders. So the two resolved that when he tried to get under, as they
+knew he would, they would grip the steel springs above them and hold on
+like grim death, and try to hold the bed down.
+
+"All too soon they found themselves holding on to those springs with all
+the combined strength of their muscles. The tiger tried again and again
+to lift the bed, but could not get enough of his shoulders under to get
+a purchase, and finding himself baffled, crept away to his far corner to
+consider what to do.
+
+"The man knew that they could not keep the tiger at bay in this way very
+long, for their strength was nearly gone. Groping about desperately, his
+hand touched his son's tool box, pushed carelessly under the bed. How
+thankful he was that their boy was visiting relatives at a distance. He,
+at least, was safe. He grasped the box as a drowning man grasps a straw,
+and lifting a lid searched for and found a screw driver, and, oh, joy!
+a few large screws.
+
+"Working desperately, and more rapidly than ever in his life before,
+he drove a couple of the screws through the two top legs of the bed,
+securing them to the floor. Another two minutes and he had one of the
+bottom legs in the same condition. Before he could touch the fourth leg
+the tiger, angered by the noise of the screw driving, bounded forward
+and again tried to lift the bed. Finding he could not get at them, the
+tiger suddenly sprang upon the bed and began tearing at the mattress.
+Very soon there was nothing between him and the now almost despairing
+couple but the woven wire springs. These springs were of extra strong,
+fine quality, but even these could not hold out long against the
+onslaught of those terrible, powerful claws.
+
+"Almost mechanically the man again thrust his hand into the box, and
+drew out a small saw. The idea came to him to cut a hole through the
+floor into the ceiling of the room below, slip through, and rush for
+help. He spoke to his wife, and found she had fainted. He worked
+desperately, faster and faster, while all the time the tiger tore more
+and more fiercely at the tough springs. His hot, terrible breath swept
+across their faces, so close to that snarling one above them, while the
+saliva dropped from his savage jaws.
+
+"Almost fainting with disgust and terror, the man worked on still more
+desperately, for dear life now. At last one side was finished, then
+another, now the third, and a little hope came back to the man's heart.
+If he could only finish that other side he would have at least a slight
+chance of escape. But now the tough woven wire links began to give way
+under the tearing of the tiger's savage claws. In one place a small hole
+is broken in the wire. In mad haste the man tears the saw through the
+wood. It seems as if it would never give way. Once the saw slips and
+bends. What if it should break! One more desperate, despairing effort.
+Only two more inches now, only one, only a half inch. At last it is
+over, and the saw drops from his nerveless hand. He makes a last effort
+to arouse his wife, but without avail. He cannot bear to leave her, for
+he fears that before he can get help and return the tiger will be upon
+her. What can he do? It is his only chance to save her. He _must_ take
+it.
+
+"The tiger, as if he knew a crisis had come, ceased his tearing and lay
+above them, watching with angry fire flashing from his eyes, and keeping
+up a low, savage snarling.
+
+"With a muttered prayer for protection for his poor wife and help for
+himself, the man lowered himself through the opening until he found
+himself suspended from the ceiling of the lower room. In desperate haste
+to go for help, he is about to drop to the floor, but pauses to hear if
+there is any sound or movement in the room above. Not a sound. There is
+comfort in that, for his poor wife must be safe as yet, but what is the
+tiger doing? Why is everything so deadly quiet? Incensed at the escape
+of one of his victims, one would suppose him to be all the more eager to
+secure the other; but there is no sound. What can he be doing?
+
+"At this moment an awful thought comes to him. What if the cunning tiger
+had crept silently down the stairs into the room below? He remembers
+that the door into that room was open when they passed it on their way
+upstairs. How safe they had felt then! How little had they dreamed that
+this awful thing would come upon them! Could it be only a few hours
+since they had gone upstairs, chatting cheerfully together? It seemed
+days and days ago. Perhaps the tiger was at that moment crouched below
+him there in the darkness, ready to spring upon him the moment, yes,
+even before, his feet touched the ground.
+
+"The awful thought made him pause, and he hung there with fiercely
+throbbing heart, undecided what to do. If he could hear one sound of
+the tiger moving in the room above him he could drop, quickly close
+the door, and rush away for help. Still no sound from his wife's room.
+What should he do? Perhaps it would be better to try to hold on until
+morning, when he could at least have the blessed light to aid him. It
+could not be long now before daybreak. Surely out of doors there must be
+daylight now. Soon it would come into the room and enable him to look
+about him. Yes, that would be the best and only thing to do.
+
+"But no; he cannot! His strength is failing. Already his numbed fingers
+are slipping--slipping--another moment and the tiger will be upon him and
+all will be over. He can hold on no longer. He is falling--falling----
+
+"'John! Oh, John!' comes a cheerful voice from below. 'Aren't you coming
+down? It is almost train time, and breakfast is ready.'
+
+"John sits up in bed, looking with dazed eyes all around the bright
+room, flooded with morning sunshine, and it is minutes before he
+realizes that it is _all a dream_!"
+
+If anyone could have taken a photograph of the boys' faces just before
+the conclusion of the story and another just after it, the two pictures
+would have been a comic study; but they could not have given the
+transition from faces filled with rapt, motionless, breathless interest
+to the astonished, somewhat disgusted look as the totally unexpected
+ending of the story filtered in upon them.
+
+Mr. Hollis, who had listened to the last part of the story with as much
+interest as the boys, thanked Dave for the pleasure he had given them,
+but could not keep back a smile as Shorty voiced the general sentiment,
+"You ought to be ashamed, Dave Ferris, for handing us such a lemon."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+WITH DEATH BEHIND
+
+
+Pop! Pop! Bang! The "Red Scout's" motor gave a few preliminary
+explosions, and then started off with a sound like a whole battery of
+field guns going off at once. A cloud of black smoke issued from the
+exhaust, and in a few seconds had enveloped the car so that it could
+hardly be seen. Some of the boys came running up with consternation
+written in their faces, evidently thinking that the automobile was about
+to explode, or run away, or do some equally disastrous thing. They were
+reassured by Bert's broad grin, however, and Bob Ward gave a relieved
+laugh.
+
+"Gee!" he exclaimed, "what's the matter with the old machine, anyway,
+Bert? You had us scared stiff there for a few minutes. I thought that
+after this when we wanted to get anywhere we'd have to walk, sure. It
+looked as though the old 'Scout' were on fire."
+
+"It sure did," confirmed Frank. "What _was_ the matter, Bert?"
+
+"Oh, nothing to speak of," replied Bert airily. "I had just washed the
+engine out with a little kerosene oil, and, when I started it, why, of
+course that burned, and gave out the smoke you saw. I don't wonder that
+you thought something was up, though," he continued, laughing. "It
+certainly did look like the 'last days of Pompeii' for a few seconds,
+didn't it?"
+
+"That's what it did," broke in Shorty, "and seeing all that smoke
+reminded me of a riddle I heard a little while ago."
+
+"Go on, Shorty, tell us the riddle and get it out of your system,"
+laughed Bert. "If you don't it might grow inward and kill you. Some
+brands of humor are apt to work that way, you know."
+
+"Well, the riddle is this," said Shorty. "Why is it that an automobile
+smokes?"
+
+Many were the answers to this, but at each one Shorty shook his head.
+Finally he said, "Well, do you give it up?"
+
+"I guess we'll have to, fellows," grinned Bert. "Go on and tell us,
+Shorty; why _is_ it that an automobile smokes?"
+
+"Because it can't chew," crowed Shorty triumphantly, and dodged just in
+time to avoid a piece of greasy waste that Bert threw with unerring aim
+at his head. Amid cries of "Lynch him!" and "This way out!" and "Don't
+let him escape alive, fellows," Shorty took nimbly to his heels and
+skipped behind a tree. After the excitement had subsided Bert returned
+to his grooming of the "Red Scout," and soon had matters fixed to his
+entire satisfaction.
+
+It was a hot, sticky afternoon, and the boys had nothing particular to
+do outside of the routine duties of the camp. They had been lying around
+on the grass, lazily talking and listening to the drowsy hum of an
+occasional locust, when one had said:
+
+"Gee, I wish to goodness there was a little wind stirring. I feel as
+though in about five minutes I would become a mere grease spot on the
+landscape."
+
+"Well," Bert had replied, "if you feel that way about it, why not
+manufacture a little wind of our own?"
+
+"Manufacture it," had come a chorus of surprised protest, "how in time
+can you manufacture wind?"
+
+"Oh, it's very simple when you know how," Bert replied, in an offhand
+manner. "What's to prevent us from piling into the auto and taking a
+spin? When we get out on the road I think I can promise you all the
+breeze you want. What do you say, fellows? Want to try it?"
+
+The answer was an uproarious shout of approval, and accordingly Bert had
+been getting the machine in shape.
+
+In a short time they were ready to start, and as they were getting in
+they discerned Shorty's stocky form emerging from the trees. He signaled
+frantically for them to wait, and soon came up panting.
+
+"Say, you weren't going without me, were you?" he asked reproachfully.
+
+"Well," laughed Bert, "you deserve almost anything after springing a
+thing like that on us, but I guess we can forgive you, if we try real
+hard. Shall we take him along, fellows?"
+
+"I don't see what Shorty needs to come for, anyway," said Ben, slyly.
+"It seems to me that a fellow that can run as fast as Shorty did a
+little while ago can make all the wind he needs himself. He doesn't have
+to get in an automobile to get swift motion."
+
+"That's so," agreed Bert, with a serious face, "still, probably Philip
+has other views, and so we might as well give him the benefit of the
+doubt. Jump in, old scout."
+
+This was easier said than done, however, as the big red auto was already
+literally overflowing with perspiring boys, but they managed to squeeze
+in, and started off, singing three or four different songs all at the
+same time, and each one in a different key.
+
+Nobody seemed to be bothered much by this, however, and they soon
+reached the hard, level, macadam high road. Bert "opened her up" a few
+notches, as he expressed it, and they were soon bowling along at an
+exhilarating pace. The breeze that Bert had promised them soon made
+itself felt, and you may be sure it felt very grateful to the overheated
+boys.
+
+"This beats lying around on the grass and whistling for a wind, doesn't
+it?" asked Frank, and, needless to say, all the rest of the boys were
+emphatically of his opinion.
+
+They had been going along at a brisk pace for several miles when they
+heard the purr of another motor car in back of them, and glancing back
+saw a handsome-looking blue auto creeping up to them. A flashily dressed
+young man, smoking a cigarette, was driving it, and three girls were
+sitting in the tonneau. The blue machine overtook them steadily, and
+soon was abreast of them.
+
+"Gee, Bert," exclaimed Frank, excitedly, but in a low voice, "you're not
+going to let them pass us, are you?"
+
+"Oh, let them, if they want to," replied Bert; "we didn't come out for a
+race, and I feel just like loafing along and taking things easy. What's
+the use of getting excited about things on a hot day like this? Besides,
+I don't think those people are looking for trouble, anyway."
+
+At this point the blue car passed them, however, and as it did so one
+of the girls in the tonneau looked back and called, "How does the dust
+taste, boys? Like it?" The fellow driving it laughed at this sally, and
+shouted, "Hey, youse, why don't you get a horse?"
+
+All the boys looked at Bert to see how he would take this. He said never
+a word, but his grip tightened on the steering wheel, and the "Red
+Scout" gave a lunge forward that almost jerked some of the boys out of
+their seats. Faster and faster the powerful car flew, and it was evident
+that they would soon overtake the blue car. The latter was also a first
+rate machine, however, and the boys could see one of the girls in the
+tonneau lean over and speak to the driver. The blue car started to draw
+slowly away, and Bert opened the throttle a few more notches. The motor
+took on a deep, vibrating note, and the hum of the gears rose to a
+higher pitch. Soon they began to overtake the car in front, and now it
+became evident that the latter was doing its best. The "Red Scout"
+fairly "ate up" the intervening space, and in a few moments had come up
+to within a few yards of the laboring blue car. The driver looked back,
+and seeing that the big red car in back of him would surely pass him in
+another few seconds, swerved his own car over so that it was squarely in
+the middle of the narrow country road. There was a shallow ditch on
+each side of the road, and the only way Bert could pass him was to take
+a chance of overturning and run two wheels in this ditch. Usually he
+would not have thought of exposing the boys to such a risk, but now he
+threw caution to the winds. Amid hoarse and excited cries from the boys
+he "gave her the limit," to use his own expression, and the "Red Scout"
+seemed fairly to leap ahead.
+
+He swerved the big machine into the ditch, and the wheels bumped and
+pounded over the uneven surface. The big car fairly shot by the blue
+machine, however, and amid a triumphant shout from the frenzied boys
+regained the smooth road and hid the defeated challenger in a cloud of
+dust.
+
+Then Bert slowed it down a little, but kept well in the lead. The blue
+machine had evidently given up in despair, however, and gradually
+dropped back until a turn in the road hid it from their view. The boys
+broke into an excited discussion of the recent "brush," and all were
+enthusiastic in their praise of the staunch old "Red Scout." They also
+had many flattering things to say in regard to Bert's driving, until he
+was forced to protest that he would have to buy a hat about five sizes
+larger, as he could fairly feel his head swelling.
+
+Finally the excitement subsided somewhat, and the boys had time to look
+around them and get their bearings. It did not take them long to find
+that they were in unfamiliar surroundings. They had gone at such a fast
+pace that they had covered more ground than they would have believed
+possible. Bert consulted the odometer, or distance recording instrument,
+and announced that they had covered almost thirty-five miles!
+
+"Say!" he exclaimed, "we'll have to do some tall hustling to get back to
+the camp in time for lunch. We'll keep on a little way, until we get to
+a place where the road is wide enough to turn around in, and then we'll
+beat it back as fast as possible."
+
+As he finished speaking, they rounded a sudden turn in the road and a
+gasp arose from every boy in the car. Not fifteen feet ahead of them was
+a railroad crossing, and giving a lightning-like glance up and down the
+track Bert saw that there was a train approaching from both directions.
+It was obvious that the automobile would not be able to get across in
+time, and at the brisk rate at which they were traveling, it was equally
+impossible to stop the machine. It seemed inevitable that the auto would
+be struck by one or both of the ponderous locomotives, and it and its
+occupants be crushed to atoms.
+
+The boys turned sick with horror, and gripped the sides of the
+automobile without being able to say a word. Their eyes gazed without
+winking at the two rushing locomotives, and they were unable to move.
+
+But Bert saw that they had one, and only one, bare chance of life. He
+did not try to apply the brakes, which would have been useless and
+fatal, but as the big auto reached the railroad tracks he wrenched the
+steering wheel around and headed it directly up the track in front of
+the northbound train. As he did this he opened the throttle, and bent
+over the wheel in a desperate and almost hopeless attempt to beat the
+flying locomotive until the engineer, who of course was using every
+means in his power to stop his train, could check its momentum and give
+them a chance to escape.
+
+The "Red Scout" bumped and swayed wildly over the uneven ballasting
+and ties, and the boys breathed heartfelt prayers that nothing on the
+staunch car would break. In spite of all Bert could do, the fast express
+train gained on them, although sparks were streaming from the wheels
+where the brakes were clamped against them. The engineer had reversed
+the locomotive, and the great driving wheels were revolving backward.
+
+The momentum of a fast and heavy express train is not a thing to
+be checked in a moment, however, and the boys in the rear of the
+automobile could feel the heat from the locomotive boiler.
+
+But the powerful automobile had gotten "into its stride" by this time,
+and was fairly flying over the uneven roadbed, and to the boys it felt
+as though it were only hitting the high places, as Frank afterward
+expressed it. For a hundred or two hundred feet the train failed to gain
+an inch, and then the brakes began to tell and it gradually fell to the
+rear.
+
+Shorty leaned over and thumped Bert on the back and yelled: "Slow up,
+Bert, slow up! We're out of danger now, I guess."
+
+Bert glanced back, and saw that Shorty was right. They were drawing
+rapidly away from the locomotive, so he reduced speed, and the automobile
+gradually attained a safer pace, and at the first opportunity Bert swung
+it up off the tracks and onto a country road. This done, he stopped the
+machine, and leaning on the steering wheel, buried his face in his hands.
+He said not a word, and the boys could see that he was trembling like a
+leaf. In a few moments he recovered himself, however, and the boys began
+to overwhelm him with questions:
+
+"How did you ever think of going up the track instead of trying to get
+across, Bert?" inquired Frank. "If you had tried to cross that would
+have been the last of us, because we could never have made it."
+
+"I did it because it was the only thing to be done, I guess," replied
+Bert, in a shaky voice. "I'm no end of a fool to go at that speed on a
+road that I don't know, anyway. I don't know what I could have been
+thinking of to take such chances. Mr. Hollis will never have any
+confidence in me again, I guess."
+
+"Nonsense!" retorted Bob, indignantly. "Why, if Mr. Hollis could have
+seen the presence of mind you showed, I think he would trust you all the
+more, if that is possible. Not one person in a hundred would have
+thought of doing what you did."
+
+"Yes, but that's not all of it, by any means," said Bert, in a mournful
+voice. "I'll bet that we've broken something on the old car, as well as
+almost getting ourselves converted into sausage meat. Here goes to look
+things over, anyway."
+
+A thorough inspection failed to reveal any break in the mechanism or
+frame, however, and even the tires were intact. Finally Bert straightened
+up with a relieved expression on his face, and said: "Well, I can't seem
+to find anything at present, that's one comfort. However, I wouldn't have
+believed that any car could stand such punishment and hold together. We
+won't kick against fate, though, for not smashing our car for us, will
+we?"
+
+"I guess not," agreed Shorty, heartily, "I think we ought to thank our
+lucky stars that any of us are left to talk about it, even. It's more
+than we had a right to expect fifteen minutes ago."
+
+"I guess you're right, Shorty, at that," agreed Bert, "but now, we'd
+better make a quick sneak back to camp. Mr. Hollis will have given us up
+for lost."
+
+Accordingly the boys all climbed into the car, and they were soon
+humming along on their homeward journey. You may be sure that Bert
+slowed down almost to a walking pace at every turn they came to,
+however, and once, just for fun, he said, "Say, Shorty, I don't like the
+looks of that curve ahead of us. Perhaps you had better get out and go
+on ahead to make sure that the coast is clear. I intend to be on the
+safe side this time."
+
+Shorty immediately entered into the spirit of the joke, and vaulted out
+over the side of the tonneau while the auto was yet in motion, and
+disappeared around the curve. As the auto crept around the bend its
+occupants could see Shorty waving his handkerchief and signaling for
+them to come on. Bert laughingly complied, and, as they passed Shorty,
+stopped a moment to give him a chance to climb aboard. Shorty was soon
+in his place, and Frank laughed.
+
+"Gee, Bert, that's being careful for fair. If Mr. Hollis could have seen
+that I think it would have made up for our going too fast and almost
+getting smashed up. What do _you_ say, fellows?"
+
+There was a unanimous chorus of assent to this proposition, but Bert
+did not join in the laughter. He felt in his heart that he had been
+careless, and he knew that even his subsequent presence of mind in
+getting them out of a tight scrape did not wholly atone. His mind was
+filled with these thoughts, when Bob said, "Say, fellows, I don't see
+why we have to say anything to Mr. Hollis about our near accident, at
+all. It will just make him angry at us, and maybe he will not want to
+let us use the car again. Besides, now that it's all over, it won't do
+him any good to know what a narrow escape we've had."
+
+"No, no, Bob, that would never do in the wide world," replied Bert,
+quickly, and in a reproving voice. "The last thing we ought to think of
+is to deceive Mr. Hollis, and you know it. I'm surprised that you should
+even have mentioned such a thing."
+
+"Well, there's no harm done, is there?" replied Bob, but in a rather
+shame-faced manner. "We won't do it if you don't think we ought to,
+so there's no use getting mad about it. I just offered that as a
+suggestion, that's all."
+
+"Well," replied Bert, "the chief blame for this thing lies on me,
+anyway, and as soon as we get back to camp I intend to make a clean
+breast of the whole matter to Mr. Hollis, and he can do as he thinks
+best."
+
+"Oh, all right, have it your own way," growled Bob, sullenly, and they
+relapsed into silence. By this time it was almost dark, and Bert was
+forced to drive very slowly, as he had never been over that particular
+road before. He had a well-developed sense of location, however, and was
+pretty sure that he was going in the right direction.
+
+As it proved he was not deceived in this, and they shortly struck a road
+with which they were all familiar. Bert ventured to accelerate their
+pace somewhat, and it was not long before they came in sight of the
+cheery camp fire, around which Mr. Hollis and the boys who had not gone
+on the automobile trip were seated. As they heard the sound of the
+machine the group around the fire leaped to their feet, and Mr. Hollis
+walked slowly toward them. When the auto swung into the circle of fire
+light and came to an abrupt halt, he said:
+
+"What has been detaining you, boys? It seems to me that you are not
+treating me quite right by going off in this manner and returning at
+such an hour as this. Why, you should have been back two hours ago."
+
+A chorus of excited exclamations rose from the boys, but Mr. Hollis
+raised his hand for silence. When this had been restored, he said, "One
+at a time, boys, one at a time. Here, Bert, let's hear your
+explanation."
+
+This Bert proceeded to give in a very straightforward manner, and did
+not attempt to gloss over any of the details of his recklessness, as he
+was pleased to call it.
+
+Mr. Hollis listened with a serious face, and when Bert had finished,
+said, "Well, Bert, you were certainly to blame for taking chances in the
+manner that you did, but, on the other hand, you deserve credit for the
+presence of mind and courage you showed in extricating your companions
+and yourself from what might very easily have been a fatal accident.
+Still, you were right to tell me all about it, and I think that to-day's
+experiences may have the effect of making you more careful in the
+future."
+
+"You may be sure, sir, that I will never be so careless again," promised
+Bert, and by the tone of his voice, Mr. Hollis knew that he meant it.
+
+It was a hungry lot that sat down to supper that evening, and little was
+spoken of except their thrilling experiences of the day. After supper,
+however, they began to feel the effects of the exciting day, and all
+expressed themselves "tuckered out." As Frank said, "He felt too tired
+to take the trouble of going to sleep."
+
+They all managed to overcome this very important objection, however, and
+soon there was no sound to be heard in the camp except the rustling of
+the embers in the camp fire as they slowly burnt themselves out and
+settled into ashes.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+MOUNTAIN SCOUTING
+
+
+Sunshine! glorious, golden sunshine! Was ever sunshine more bright? Was
+ever sky more blue? Was ever day more beautiful? So questioned our
+campers as, fresh and glowing from a cold plunge in the lake, a hearty
+breakfast despatched, bedding aired and cots freshly made up, camp
+cleared up and morning duties all attended to in tip-top fashion, they
+mustered about Mr. Hollis to receive the day's commissions.
+
+It mattered little what might be the commission allotted to each squad.
+Anything, everything that might come to them in the way of camp duty,
+could not but be a pleasure on such a glorious day as this. With young
+bodies aglow with health, young minds, awake and alert for all new
+impressions, young hearts filled with desire to live right, to do right,
+to be kind and helpful to all with whom they came in contact, how could
+they help being happy?
+
+The camp was full of merriment, but perhaps the happiest squad of all
+was the auto squad. In fact this was always the case, but today the
+autoists had a special expedition. They were to play the mountain
+scouting game, and as the nearest mountains were at a distance from
+camp the squad had been detailed for the automobile.
+
+Gaily the fellows piled in and away they flew. As the roads which they
+must travel today were rough, their progress was much less rapid than
+usual; but, despite this they reached their destination in about half an
+hour.
+
+"Hurrah for the 'Red Scout,'" cried Bob, as they tumbled out of the car.
+"If she can travel like that over these roads, what'll she do on the
+race track? Oh, say, fellows, the 'Gray Ghost' won't be in it. She'll
+fade away like a real ghost."
+
+"Don't I wish the day of the race was here," said Tom. "Seems as if it
+would never come, doesn't it, fellows?" and "It sure does," they all
+chorused.
+
+The "mountains" were really very high, rocky hills, but, as they were
+known to embrace many very steep and dangerous ravines, some of them
+nearly as perilous as mountain precipices, many and earnest had been
+the warnings given by Mr. Hollis as the boys had started on their
+expedition, and each boy carried in the pockets of his jacket some part
+of the equipment for first aid to the injured that was a part of the
+camp outfit. Thus safe-guarded, they felt no fear.
+
+As soon as they had arrived the three "hares," who had been coached in
+the game, went to hide themselves in the mountain, and, after sufficient
+time had been given them for this purpose, the "hounds" followed them;
+while Bert and Dave Ferris remained in the auto to watch for any signal
+that might be given them from the mountain.
+
+The game of mountain-scouting consists in the "hounds," who must stay
+within certain limits of ground, finding or "spotting" the "hares"
+within a given time. If they find or spot them even with field glasses,
+it counts, provided that the finder can tell who it is he has spotted.
+The hounds write down the names of any of the hares that they may see.
+If at the end of the allotted time no hare has been spotted, the hares
+win.
+
+To-day two hours had been the given time and the boys in the mountains
+were to signal to Bert the news as each hare was found.
+
+Time was nearly up. Three hares had been found. The chase had been a
+merry one and now hares and hounds together, no longer pursuers and
+pursued, but just happy-hearted campers were hiking down to the two in
+the automobile.
+
+The return signal had been given, and Bert and Dave, relieved of the
+slight anxiety they had felt while the game was going on, expected each
+moment to see the boys come into view.
+
+Suddenly Dave sprang to his feet. "Look, Bert," said he, "another
+signal."
+
+Breathlessly the boys read the signal wig-wagged to them from a point
+high up on the side of the hill. "Come quick! Fred hurt. Bring splints
+and kit and ropes."
+
+It took only a very short time for the boys to reach the scene of the
+accident, and one glance took in the situation. Turning a corner the
+boys had come, all unknowing, upon a spot where the rocks shelved
+suddenly down into a deep ravine. The edge of the descent was hidden by
+a fringe of breast-high bushes, and Fred Morse, all unconscious of his
+danger, had stepped upon a piece of rock which gave under his foot, and,
+before the boys could even put out a hand to save him, had slipped
+through the bushes, and the horrified boys had heard their comrade go
+crashing through the bushes on the side of the ravine. His frightened
+cry, "Help, fellows, I'm falling!" still echoed in their ears. While two
+of the boys were signalling, the others had called to Fred but no reply
+had come back to them. When Bert reached them, Bob was running along the
+edge of the cliff, in great danger of going over himself, in a vain
+effort to find a place to climb down.
+
+Now, not waiting for the call for volunteers, he ran to Bert and begging
+him to hurry and help him, began fastening the ropes about himself. In a
+twinkling, the rope was adjusted, the knots securely tied, and the rope
+firmly held by four boys, Bob was lowered slowly and carefully over the
+side of the cliff.
+
+Down, down he went till, just as the boys began to fear that the rope
+would not be long enough, it lay slack in their hands, and they knew
+that Fred was found. Presently came the signal, three distinct pulls on
+the rope, and soon poor Fred was lifted tenderly over the edge and laid
+gently down. A few minutes more and good old Bob was back with them.
+
+Now, all attention was turned to Fred. After a careful examination from
+head to toe, Bert relieved the anxious fears of his comrades by the
+announcement that he was sure that Fred's life was not in danger. A
+faint cheer went up, which faded when Bert said Fred's leg was broken.
+
+Consternation filled their hearts, for the nearest doctor was miles
+away, and though Bert felt sure there was no more serious injury than
+the broken limb, it was hard to tell what internal injury might have
+been sustained, and a long ride in the motor with the leg in the present
+condition might prove a serious matter. There was no doubt about it,
+the leg must be set at once.
+
+Not one of the boys had anything but the simplest knowledge of
+first-aid-to-the-injured, but, though at first hearts feared and hands
+trembled, they conquered fear and each boy went steadily to work to do
+his part. Whether it was to hand the cotton batting or to pull with full
+strength upon the poor broken limb, or hold the splints while Bert wound
+yards of bandage around them, not a boy flinched, and at last the work
+was done, and well done.
+
+Then with faces scarcely less white than Fred's own, they turned to the
+task of making a litter on which to carry him down to the motor.
+
+After a long search, for the hill was almost barren of trees, being
+covered mostly with scrubby bushes, two short and two long saplings were
+found and, laying two of the boys' jackets on the ground and running
+each of the long poles through the sleeves of a jacket, the two jackets
+were buttoned together with buttons down. Then the short poles were
+lashed on and a comfortable stretcher was ready to their hand.
+
+In the auto on smooth roads, carried tenderly by his fellows over the
+rougher places, they at last reached the office of the crusty old
+village doctor and laid Fred on the couch for the doctor's examination.
+But though the doctor was crabbed, he was skilful, and in a very short
+time the temporary splints were replaced by permanent ones and the party
+turned toward camp.
+
+Homeward-bound in the auto at last, the boys drew a great sigh of relief
+and weariness. What an eventful day it had been! Begun so brightly, it
+had nearly ended in a tragedy, and at the thought their hearts swelled
+with gratitude that they were taking dear old Fred home with them alive,
+and, if not well, at least only the worse for a broken leg and some
+severe bruises. They could not be thankful enough.
+
+"Who's that going along the road ahead?" asked one of the boys, and all
+saw, walking in the middle of the road and directly in the path of the
+motor, a little bent old woman's figure, the most conspicuous article of
+whose dress was a bright red, very draggled looking feather which
+drooped from the brim of a very ancient hat.
+
+Very tired and pathetic, the old figure looked to the boys as they
+brought the machine to a stop beside her, and the old wrinkled face, wet
+with tears that was turned to them when they spoke to her, made every
+warm boy's heart ache with pity.
+
+"Why it's Kitty Harrigan's old mother, who has just come over from
+Ireland," said Dick, in a low voice. "Don't you remember, fellows, how
+we laughed when Mr. Hollis told us about her the other night? He said,
+you know, that the poor old lady had been quite a village belle in her
+young days, and now, in her age, she imagines herself back in her
+girlhood. Look at her now."
+
+Indeed, the old lady was a study, for no sooner did her old eyes fall on
+Bert's handsome face as he spoke to her, than tears were brushed hastily
+aside, and with a coquettish glance from her brown eyes that, despite
+the years, were still bright, she made him so deep a curtsey that her
+long black coat swept the ground.
+
+She had eluded all watchful eyes, and slipped off by herself for a walk,
+and when she wished to return, had taken the wrong direction, and was
+walking away from home instead of toward it. She had enjoyed herself
+immensely at first, making the most of her seldom-obtained freedom, but
+now her old feet were very tired and the old limbs that had carried her
+sturdily for nearly ninety years were growing weak at last, and, after
+such unusual exertion, were trembling beneath her.
+
+At the boys' proposal to take her into the car and give her an automobile
+ride, the tired old face broke into a smile, and, as the boys settled her
+in the most comfortable seat in the tonneau, she leaned back luxuriously,
+and, clasping her old hands, said in ecstasy, "Did annybody iver see the
+loike of Biddy Harrigan ridin' in an artymobile, no less." She beamed
+upon the boys, she patted the hands and shoulders of all of them within
+her reach, and in her rich Irish brogue showered compliments upon them;
+for a very demonstrative creature was old Biddy Harrigan. She did
+not notice that mischievous Bert, whom she had called a "rale foine
+gintleman," took advantage of her flow of talk to sing in a very low
+tone, "'H-a-double r-i-g-a-n spells Harrigan'," but the boys found it
+very hard to keep their faces straight.
+
+On Fred's account, poor Fred, who had, perhaps, shown more courage than
+anyone else in that day's ordeal, for not one word of complaint had he
+uttered through all his pain, the boys felt that they must go on to the
+camp where he could get the rest and attention he so sadly needed. They
+did not know that what was causing him keener anguish than the physical
+pain was the fear that he would be unable to be on hand on that day of
+days which he, like every other fellow in camp, had thought of every
+waking moment, dreamed of every night and looked forward to with
+daily-increasing impatience--the day of the race between their adored
+"Red Scout" and the challenged "Gray Ghost." To miss seeing the "Red
+Scout" come in gloriously victorious (not a single doubt of her victory
+entered any boy's mind), what was the pain of a broken leg to the
+misery of that possibility! But they did know that he needed care, so
+they carried Biddy Harrigan with them. As supper was ready when they
+reached camp, they placed Biddy in the seat of honor and regaled her
+with the best of the camp fare.
+
+Never had an old women enjoyed herself so much. She could not get over
+the fact that the delicious supper had been cooked by boys. "If Oi hadnt
+of seen it and tashted it, Oi niver, niver would have belaved," she said
+over and over again.
+
+After supper they hurried the old woman, gesturing and exclaiming at the
+delight of another "artymobile" ride, into the auto and soon had her
+home.
+
+Irish Kitty, who washed for the camp, was overjoyed at her old mother's
+safe return and overwhelmed them with gratitude.
+
+The boys last view of Biddy was a grateful, curtseying, waving, delighted
+old woman who repeated over and over again, "O'll not forgit yez, B'ys,
+O'll not forgit yez. Yez'll hear from old Biddy agin," and they did.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+BY A HAIR'S-BREADTH
+
+
+Tap, tap, tap, tap--tap, tap--tap, tap, tap--sounded in Ben's ears
+before he was fully awake and conscious. He sat up in bed and listened,
+and asked himself what that sound was. Was it rain? At the thought his
+heart grew heavy with apprehension. Rain on _this_ day, when he and Bert
+and Tom were going to auto ten miles over to the Red River for a day of
+trout fishing. The other fellows, who did not care so much for fishing,
+were going on a tramp with Mr. Hollis, and he and his chums were to have
+the auto all to themselves the whole day.
+
+Slipping noiselessly from his cot, he lifted the tent flap and stepped
+outside. The first rays of morning sunshine beamed full in his face, and
+the insistent noise that had aroused him proved to be the tap-tapping of
+an energetic woodpecker out for the proverbial "early worm."
+
+Delighted at the prospect of such a glorious day, he rushed back into
+the tent with a hop, skip and a jump, at sight of which Don, always
+ready for a frolic, began frisking about and barking joyfully.
+
+Of course, there was no sleep after that for the other fellows, and,
+bath and dressing and breakfast dispatched as soon as possible, the
+three boys, seated in their beloved auto, and bidding a noisy good by to
+the rest of the camp, sped away on their quest for trout enough for a
+rousing fish dinner that evening.
+
+You would have had to go a long way to find a merrier or more care-free
+set of boys than our three adventurers. Used as they were, by this time,
+to the automobile, it never became an old story to them, and now, as the
+swift motion of the car sent the cool air rushing against their young
+faces, with the sunshine turning everything to gold, and with the
+prospect of a day of rare sport before them, they gave full vent to
+their overflowing spirits. They shouted and laughed, and chaffed each
+other until many a staid farmer or farm hand, starting early work in the
+fields, or doing chores about the barns, found themselves smiling in
+sympathy. They recalled the time when they were boys, and the whole
+world just a place to be happy and jolly in.
+
+The boys had enjoyed the ride so much, that all three were almost sorry
+when Tom pointed out the gleam of water through the trees, and they knew
+that Red River was at hand; but in a moment nothing was thought of but
+the fun of getting ready for their day's sport.
+
+Tumbling out of the "Red Scout," laden with fishing baskets and tackle
+and rods, they raced down to the river bank, selected each a shady,
+grassy, comfortable spot, and, line and reel and hook adjusted, were
+obliged at last to curb their wild spirits, still their noisy chatter,
+and settle down to fisherman's quiet, although irrepressible Tom, unable
+to subside at once, sang softly:
+
+    "Hush, hush, not a breath, not a breath,
+    I've a nibble, still as death, still as death."
+
+The others could not resist joining in the chorus of the old song, and
+regardless of consequences sang lustily:
+
+    "Oh, the joys of angling!
+    Oh, the joys of angling!
+    Oh, the joys, oh, the joys,
+    The joys, the joys of angling."
+
+Then a Sabbath stillness descended on the party, until Ben shouted,
+"first bite," and giving his line a sudden jerk and swing, landed a
+beautiful speckled trout upon the grass a few feet away.
+
+For a few moments excitement reigned, and cries of "Hurrah for Ben,"
+"good for us," "isn't he a beauty?" "let's keep it up," were heard,
+until Bert's "We certainly won't keep it up unless we keep quiet," sent
+them back to their places and again quiet reigned.
+
+Ten, fifteen, twenty minutes went by, and there were no more nibbles.
+The boys were beginning to get restless, when Bert landed the second
+fish, and, a couple of minutes after re-baiting his hook, added a third
+beauty to their collection.
+
+Tom, seeing the success of his comrades, began to feel as though he
+were being left on the outside of things, but Bert encouraged him by
+reminding him, "First the worst, second the same, last the best of all
+the game," and sure enough, after nearly half an hour of most trying
+waiting, he suddenly felt his line twitch, and had the joy of landing
+the largest and finest fish yet caught.
+
+When the excitement had a little subsided, Ben said, "I think we ought
+to celebrate that dandy catch, and the very finest way would be to have
+a feast."
+
+As, what with the stirring ride and the excitement of the sport, each
+fellow felt, with Bert, that he was hungry enough to "eat nails," the
+hamper was brought from the "Red Scout" and unpacked with scant
+ceremony.
+
+Every boy who has spent a day in the open will know exactly how _good_
+those cold chicken and ham sandwiches tasted; and the way the doughnuts
+vanished was something to see. Washed down with a drink of cool water
+from a nearby spring, it was a luncheon to be remembered.
+
+Again settling themselves in their chosen places, they continued to try
+"the heedless finny tribe to catch"; for four trout, even though they
+were fine, large ones, would, Tom said, regardless of the aptness of his
+simile, be no more than "a drop in the bucket for all those hungry
+fellows"; but their luck seemed to have changed.
+
+For more than two hours not a nibble disturbed the quiet of those
+exasperating lines, and, as the ground, although covered with springy
+grass, is not the softest seat in the world, the boys' patience was
+tested to the utmost. They lay outstretched, resting on both elbows, and
+Tom, tempted by the heat and the absolute quiet, was just falling into a
+doze, when he was aroused to immediate action by the violent twitching
+of his line. A moment more, and another speckled victim was added to
+their store.
+
+For the next hour and a half the fish bit almost as fast as they could
+bait their hooks, and they were kept busy hauling in one after another,
+until, in the joy and excitement of the sport, they lost all count of
+time. Fortunately for the camp, Bert suddenly made the double discovery
+that they had more than enough fish, and that if there was to be a fish
+dinner at camp that night, they would have to stop at once.
+
+"We'll have to make a quick sneak," said Ben, who, in moments of
+excitement, sometimes forgot his most polished English.
+
+Hastily packing their catch in the fishing baskets they had brought,
+they tossed them and the tackle into the auto, scrambled in themselves,
+and were off and away.
+
+"The 'Red Scout' goes fine," said Tom, as the great car gathered
+headway. From the beginning, the auto race, which even the wonderful
+day's sport could not completely banish from their minds, had been the
+almost exclusive topic of conversation among the campers, and now that
+the day was rapidly drawing near, they could think of little else. "Is
+she in first-class condition, Bert?" asked Ben.
+
+"Yes," Bert replied, "except that I noticed on the way out this morning
+that the brake did not work as well as usual. As soon as we reach home I
+will find and remedy the trouble, whatever it is. If worst comes to
+worst I can send to the factory for a new part, which would reach us
+inside of twenty-four hours."
+
+By this time about half the ten mile stretch had been covered, and now
+they had begun to descend a very steep hill. Suddenly Bert's face went
+white. Tom, chancing to look at him, exclaimed, "What's the matter,
+Bert?" and Bert replied, "The brake won't work, fellows. Something's
+stuck. I can't control the car."
+
+Then for a moment all yielded to a panic of fear. "Oh, Bert," said Ben,
+"you _must_ stop her." "There must be _something_ you can do," begged
+Tom.
+
+Looking into the frightened faces of his two companions, Bert recovered
+his self-control, and resolved to do his best to avert an accident.
+"Don't be frightened, fellows," he said. "The steering gear is all
+right. Just sit tight and keep a stiff upper lip, and we'll come
+through."
+
+"But, Bert, the bridge!" gasped Tom, and at the same moment a vision of
+the narrow bridge, scarcely wide enough for two autos to pass, which
+crossed the river at the foot of the steep hill, and just where the
+stream was deepest, flashed before their eyes. All realized that should
+the automobile fail to pass over the center of the bridge, and should
+strike the frail railing on either side--Well, they didn't dare to think
+of that.
+
+Calling up all their courage, the brave boys resolved to face, without
+flinching, whatever awaited them. Once past the bridge and onto the
+broad roadway beyond, they knew that they would be safe. On level
+ground, with the power shut off, they would come to a standstill.
+
+But "would they ever reach that level roadway?" each boy asked himself,
+with sinking heart.
+
+Bert renewed his efforts to use the worthless brake, but without avail.
+Down, down, they flew, gaining speed with every passing moment, and now
+the bridge was in sight. Another moment, and they would be upon it.
+
+"Courage, fellows," said Bert, in low, tense tones, and bracing himself,
+he concentrated all his mind and energy in guiding the car to the center
+of the bridge.
+
+When a few hundred feet away the forward wheel struck a large stone, and
+the machine, which had been headed directly for the bridge, swerved to
+one side, and now sped onward toward the river.
+
+With lightning-like rapidity Bert wrenched the steering wheel around,
+and once more, with only a few feet of space to spare, the "Red
+Scout"--good old "Red Scout," was headed _almost_ for the middle of the
+bridge--not quite--the space had been too small. To the boys, looking
+ahead with straining, despairing eyes, it seemed that they _must_ crash
+into the railing, and that nothing could save them.
+
+Instinctively they closed their eyes, as the car dashed upon the bridge,
+expecting each minute to hear the crash of breaking timbers, and to
+feel themselves falling into the engulfing waters of the rushing river.
+
+But the expected did not happen. Like a bird the "Red Scout" skimmed
+over the bridge, missing the railing by a hair's breadth, and was out
+upon the broad roadway. Almost before the boys could realize their
+escape from the awful danger that had threatened them, it was over, and
+the "Red Scout" gradually losing its speed, at last stood still.
+
+Breathless, speechless, dazed, almost overcome, the boys sat looking at
+each other for a few moments, until, the full realization of their
+wonderful escape coming upon them, they grasped each other's hands
+convulsively. Each knew that in the other's heart, none the less earnest
+for being unexpressed, was a fervent prayer of thankfulness for their
+deliverance; but as speech returned to them, the first words uttered by
+Tom, were, "What do you think of that for classy driving, fellows?" at
+which they all laughed nervously.
+
+Their laugh did not last long, however, for in the midst of it, out from
+among the trees and shrubbery that skirted the roadway emerged two rural
+constables. As if one overwhelming experience were not enough, the
+constables informed them that they were arrested for exceeding the speed
+limit.
+
+Bert was the first to recover from the shock, and giving his companions
+a comical, but reassuring look, he stepped forward and said, "We have
+been speeding some, officers, but we simply couldn't help it," and he
+proceeded to explain. But the boys' faces expressed their consternation
+when they found that their explanation was not credited.
+
+"We only have your word for that," said one of the men, "and you will
+have to convince the judge that you are telling the truth."
+
+"Why, you certainly won't arrest us for an accident to our brake, for
+which we are not at all to blame!" cried Tom, indignantly.
+
+"Well," said one constable, giving his fellow a knowing wink, "perhaps
+if you have a 'tenner' that you have no use for, we might forget all
+about it."
+
+Bert, flushed and indignant, refused, and without further protest, the
+three boys, followed by the two constables, took their places in the
+car. As they were only a short distance from town, they soon arrived at
+the court house, and were left in an ante room to await their turn for a
+hearing.
+
+Once alone, the three comrades stood for the second time within an hour,
+looking into each other's faces. As Tom afterwards said, "too full for
+utterance."
+
+Suddenly Ben began strutting around the room in a most pompous manner,
+remarking, "I guess you don't know who we are. You know," said he, "that
+one is not a howling swell until he has been pinched for speeding, so
+behold us three aristocrats!" with another strut across the room.
+
+The boys could not help laughing, but Bert said, "Well, if this is being
+an aristocrat, I'd rather be excused. It won't be quite such a laughing
+matter if we find ourselves fined fifty or a hundred dollars."
+
+"But," began Tom, and said no more, for at that moment they were called
+before the judge.
+
+They were obliged to stand by and hear the constable's charge against
+them, given in detail. Then the judge turned to them----
+
+"What are your names?" was the first question.
+
+Bert replied for the three. Upon hearing the names the magistrate
+started, and looked keenly at them, but said nothing further than to ask
+what they had to say to the charge brought against them. Bert gave a
+clear and connected account of the accident to the auto brake, and its
+consequences, and ended by saying, that if any proof were needed, an
+examination of the brake would show the truth of their account.
+
+The judge accepted the boy's statement, dismissed the charge against
+them, and turned to them a face from which all sternness had vanished,
+and been replaced by such a genial, friendly smile, that the three
+comrades were filled with wonderment. This was not lessened when the
+magistrate asked them if they were the three brave fellows who had
+stopped the two runaways a few days before, and saved the lives of the
+ladies who were driving.
+
+With amazement that the judge should know of the runaway, plainly
+written on their faces, the boys acknowledged that they had stopped
+the horses, but added that it was their auto that had frightened the
+animals, and so it had plainly been up to them to help.
+
+The magistrate smiled more broadly at this, but repeated that they were
+brave boys, and that he was glad to meet them.
+
+Looking quizzically at them, he said: "I have a special interest in
+those two ladies. One of them is my wife, and the other my daughter, and
+I can never repay you for what you have done for me. You have made me
+your debtor for life. If I can ever do anything for you, be sure and let
+me know."
+
+Another handshake all around, and the boys found themselves free once
+more. Were they happy?--well, you should have seen them as they climbed
+into the car and headed toward camp.
+
+Events had so crowded upon each other that for the first mile or so the
+three speeders sat silently reviewing the occurrences of this most
+amazing day. And Tom, recalling their court room experience, broke out
+with:
+
+    "Gee whiz, I'm glad I'm free
+    No prison cell for me."
+
+This provoked a laugh and broke the tension, and a moment afterward a
+scouting party from the camp hailed them boisterously: "Where are those
+fish?" "How long do you think we can live without eating?" "Stand and
+deliver or take the consequences"--and as the auto came to a standstill,
+the basket was snatched and hurried off to the mess tent. Soon a
+delicious odor made every hungry boy's mouth water, and when at last
+they gathered around the table it was with wolfish appetites that they
+paid their respects to that belated fish dinner.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+BIDDY HARRIGAN REMEMBERS
+
+
+    "Cast thy bread--cast thy bread upon the waters,
+
+"And it shall return--it shall return unto thee after many days,"
+chanted a clear, high voice, truly a wonderful voice, which Bert claimed
+as his own discovery.
+
+It was almost bed-time in the camp. The day had been a most fatiguing
+one, and all had returned so weary that no one cared for the usual
+lively evening entertainment. Even Mr. Hollis had said that he was
+"dog-tired," and he felt with the boys that the very finest thing in the
+world was just stretching out on the grass, resting weary feet, and
+saying to one's self: "Nothing to do till tomorrow."
+
+It was a perfect evening, cool and quiet. There was no moon, but the
+stars twinkled brightly, and the boys had been looking up at them and
+trying to make out some of the six constellations that everyone should
+be familiar with. But even that, in their present state of laziness, was
+too much like work, and now they lay doing and almost thinking nothing.
+
+Even Don, the big collie, that the tramps had deserted, was not inclined
+to romp with the boys as usual, but lay quietly with his great head
+resting upon his paws. He had become the pet and plaything of the whole
+camp and treated them all impartially except Bert whom he had chosen as
+his one particular master. He wanted no other heaven than this--to lie,
+as now, close to Bert, whose hand caressed his head while he said now
+and again: "Good dog"; "Good old fellow!" Don, like the boys, was at
+peace with all the world.
+
+Suddenly, someone started a popular air in which all joined. This put
+them in a musical humor, and song followed song, changing after a while
+from popular music and rollicking college songs to those of a more
+sentimental nature. Most of the boys had good voices. With the soprano
+of some, the tenors of the older fellows and Mr. Hollis' fine bass, the
+camp singing would have delighted any lover of music.
+
+Whenever the boys had sung together, they had noticed that Phil's voice
+had never joined in with the others. They had guyed him about it but as
+he would never answer them, they had come to the conclusion that he
+could not sing and was sensitive about it, so they had stopped teasing
+him.
+
+To-night, as the notes of "The Soldier's Farewell" floated over the
+camp, Bert noticed that Shorty was singing for the first time, and
+though his voice was low as though he were purposely holding it back,
+for fear the attention of the boys might be drawn to it, the notes were
+remarkably clear and pure.
+
+When the song ended, Bert turned to Phil and asked him if he liked
+music. Phil answered that he loved it and added more as if he were
+thinking aloud than talking, that it was "the finest thing on earth."
+
+The boys sat up and stared. There was a moment of surprised silence and
+then a chorus of voices:
+
+"Then you can sing?"
+
+"We never dreamed you could."
+
+"Why didn't you tell us?"
+
+"Why wouldn't you sing for us?"
+
+"Because," said Phil, who had decided to tell them the real reason at
+last, "because all you big fellows thought that just because I was
+small, I couldn't do anything worth while, and I was sore."
+
+The fellows expressed their regret and then in responses to a few kindly
+questions put by Mr. Hollis, they learned that Shorty's ambition was to
+obtain a thorough musical education. They learned too that for two years
+past he had been the soloist in the boy choir of one of the prominent
+churches in New York. He had joined the boy choir because there he could
+gain, without cost, a knowledge of sight reading and voice control.
+
+Bert's "Won't you sing something for us, Phil?" was not to be resisted
+and after a moment's thought his clear notes rose in a burst of melody:
+
+    "Cast thy bread upon the waters"----
+
+The boys fairly held their breath as the flutelike notes of one of the
+finest voices they had ever heard, floated off into the woodland spaces.
+
+When he had finished, every one sat spellbound, paying the highest
+tribute of a moment of perfect silence. Even when the silence was broken
+by hearty hand clapping, the spell of the music still brooded over them.
+It had been too fine for noisy applause.
+
+The boys' appreciation of his singing was very grateful to Phil, and not
+the least tribute was Tom's: "Gee, Phil, I hope the birds didn't wake up
+to hear that. They would have been green with envy."
+
+The tension was broken by Sam's asking: "What does that mean, 'Cast thy
+bread upon the waters'--and how can it return?" Mr. Hollis was glad to
+explain that no kind deed or word is ever wasted, but is sure to return
+blessings on the one who gave it, if only in the glow that a kind action
+always brings.
+
+But, uplifted as the boys had been, it is not in boy nature to stay long
+upon the heights and they soon came down to earth again.
+
+Jim showed how fully he had come back to earth by remarking as he
+suddenly remembered that owing to a miscalculation as to the elastic
+nature of a boy's capacity, both flour and corn meal had given out, and
+that in consequence, nothing in the shape of bread had come their way
+that night: "I wish some real bread were coming tomorrow. I am not
+particular about its coming by water. It can get here any old way, as
+long as it comes."
+
+The sound of someone approaching the camp aroused them. Irish Kitty
+appeared, with a big basket on one arm and a great bunch of red roses in
+her apron.
+
+As soon as the boys saw the flowers, a shout went up: "Roses! roses!
+What beauties!" and on Kitty saying that she had counted them and there
+was one for each, they were seized upon and distributed in a twinkling.
+
+Now, Kitty stated that she had a "prisint for the young gintlemin" from
+her mother, Mrs. Harrigan, "to thank thim for the foine illigant ride in
+the artymobile."
+
+The big basket was uncovered and there lay revealed to the eyes of the
+delighted boys a number of large loaves of delicious homemade bread.
+One did not need to taste that bread to know its value. The firm white
+loaves spoke for themselves. Corn bread they had in plenty every day,
+but white wheat flour bread was not included in their regular camp
+rations, so that this was indeed a treat. They were all devouring it
+already in imagination, and each wished it were morning so that they
+might begin in reality.
+
+Kitty departed amid "Good nights" and hearty thanks to her mother, and,
+camp bed time having arrived, all drifted toward their tents, Tom gaily
+singing:
+
+    "'Tis a name
+    That no shame
+    Has iver been connected with
+    Harrigan! That's me."
+
+All at once some one shouted: "Look at Ben Cooper." They turned to see
+Ben standing like a statue, eyes fixed on nothing, staring straight
+ahead of him.
+
+"Say, fellows," said he, "that bread that we cast on the waters on our
+way home from the doctor's the other day sure did come back, didn't
+it?"
+
+"It certainly did and it didn't take 'many days' either to get here,"
+said Tom.
+
+"And," chimed in Shorty, "a big bunch of red roses thrown in, too."
+
+"Yes, Caruso," added Bert, throwing his arm affectionately over Phil's
+shoulder, "you must be a prophet as well as a singer."
+
+Very soon the tired boys were off to dreamland, where visions of loaves
+of fluffy white bread, each loaf with a red rose growing out of it,
+floated about, and imaginative Dave dreamed that old Biddy made a
+"prisint" of a loaf to each one, singing in a high cracked voice as she
+handed them around: "Harrigan! That's me!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+THE RACE
+
+
+"Well," exclaimed Bert, drawing a long breath as he rose from his
+cramped position beside the "Red Scout," "this machine is in as good
+condition as I know how to put it, and if nothing happens I guess we can
+show you fellows some speed this afternoon."
+
+It was the morning of the long wished-for race and Bert was addressing
+an excited group of boys, who were holding wrenches, oil cans, and such
+other appliances as he might need in putting the finishing touches on
+the pampered machine. The whole camp was in a ferment of excitement and
+expectancy, and many were the heartfelt wishes for Bert's success.
+
+To these boys it seemed the most important thing on earth that their
+machine should win, and it is safe to say that if Bert had wanted to
+remove a piece of black grease from the car and had not a cloth handy,
+any one of them would have sacrificed his best handkerchief without a
+moment's hesitation, and been glad to do it.
+
+Fortunately, such a contingency did not arise, however, and finally the
+last nut had been tightened and the last fine adjustment made, and
+everything was ready for the start.
+
+The race was scheduled to start at two o'clock, but as the boys had to
+walk to the track, and this necessitated a long detour around the lake,
+they started almost immediately after breakfast, so as to get there in
+plenty of time.
+
+The boys in the two rival camps were not the only persons interested in
+the race by any means. News of it had leaked out over the surrounding
+countryside during the week between the completion of arrangements and
+the actual race, and now there promised to be a goodly attendance of
+farmers and their families.
+
+Considerable interest was taken in the camp by the kindly country folk,
+and now the boys were surprised at the number of carriages and farm
+wagons, full of jolly youngsters, that they met on their march.
+
+Every one they met shouted cheery greetings to them, which they returned
+with interest. It made them very happy to see the interest taken in them
+by the farmers, and the very evident good will expressed by them. They
+didn't take the trouble to figure out the reason for this, but it
+was not very hard to find. The fact is, the boys were so manly and
+well-behaved that they won their way into all hearts.
+
+Many a time they had seen the boys stop their machine rather than
+frighten a skittish horse, and more than one weary farmer had been
+given a lift on his way home from some distant field.
+
+So, as has been said, the boys were greeted with expressions of good
+will on every side as they marched along, and it made them realize,
+perhaps more than anything else could, that it paid to live a manly,
+upright life.
+
+Meanwhile, back in camp Mr. Hollis, Bert, and Dick, were having a final
+discussion before leaving for the rival camp in the "Red Scout." It had
+been decided that Dick was to ride with Bert in the race, and give him
+any help that he might need.
+
+The other boys had been bitterly disappointed, especially Tom, who had
+counted right along on going.
+
+"It only seems fair that I should go," he had contended. "Bert and I
+have always been special pals, and I wanted to share any risk he is
+going to take."
+
+But Mr. Hollis was firm as a rock, as he well knew how to be when he
+thought circumstances required it of him.
+
+"I'm a little bit uneasy about the race, anyway," he explained, "and as
+long as somebody has to take chances I want it to be some boy who is old
+enough to be responsible for his own actions. I know nobody could fill
+the place better than you, my boy, but I am sure that when you think
+over what I have said you will agree with me in my decision," and Tom
+had to admit to himself that, as usual, Mr. Hollis was right.
+
+But now the time had come to leave for the rival camp, and Mr. Hollis
+and Tom climbed into the tonneau, while Bert and Dick occupied the two
+front seats.
+
+Soon they had started, and as they went along Bert gave Dick his last
+instruction. "Remember," said he, "that when we take the turns you must
+lean as far toward the inside of the track as you can. This may not seem
+to help much in keeping those inside wheels on the ground, but every
+little thing like that does help, and I think that we will have to do
+everything we know how to beat that 'Gray Ghost' of theirs. That car is no
+slouch, as the saying goes, and Ralph Quinby knows his business."
+
+"All right, Bert," replied Dick, "I'll try to remember all the things
+you have told me. I really believe," he continued, laughing, "that I
+have forgotten more about automobiles in the last week than I ever knew
+before. I never had any idea that there was so much to know about a car,
+and you certainly have got it down to perfection."
+
+Bert was pleased at this evidently sincere tribute from Dick, and could
+not prevent a slight flush of pleasure from mounting to his face.
+
+"Well, Dick," he remarked after a moment, "all I've got to say is that
+if such a trio as you and I and the old 'Red Scout' can't win that race,
+there must be something the matter with the universe, that's all."
+
+The rival camp all felt as confident as did Mr. Hollis' troop, however,
+and to the impartial observer it would certainly have seemed as though
+there was little to choose between the autos and their crews.
+
+By this time they had come in sight of the old race track, and were
+astonished, and, it must be confessed, somewhat confused at the sight
+that met their eyes. There was an old rickety grand stand along one side
+of the course, and this was literally packed with a bright-colored mass
+of humanity. Even scattered around the infield there were quite a few
+farm wagons, with their complement of folks out for a holiday.
+
+"Say," said Dick to Bert in a low tone, "I didn't count on having an
+audience like this. They'll guy the life out of us if we lose."
+
+"Well," said Bert, who by this time had recovered from his first
+astonishment, "that's all the more reason why we should win. We simply
+can't let ourselves be beaten now, that's all there is about it."
+
+But there was no time for further speculation, as Mr. Hollis was seen
+approaching them, and it was evident the race must soon begin.
+
+Bert ran the "Red Scout" around to a small shed in back of the grandstand,
+and he and Dick made their final preparations. These consisted in taking
+off the hood, or bonnet, altogether, and removing the exhaust pipes from
+the motor. As Bert had already explained to Dick, this was done to
+eliminate any back pressure from the exhaust gases. Under ordinary
+conditions, this makes such a small difference in the power of a car
+that it can hardly be said to count, but in a race every ounce of power
+is required. This is done on every racing car, and that is why the
+explosions make such loud, sharp reports when the car is in action.
+
+It need hardly be said that every boy in Mr. Hollis's troop, except poor
+Fred, was present, and many were the anxious looks cast at Bert and Dick
+to see, if possible, how they felt about the outcome of the race. Both
+had been trained to have control of their feelings, however, and so
+outwardly they appeared to be very calm.
+
+This was far from being the real state of their feelings, and both felt
+as though their hearts had suddenly become too large and were trying to
+get out between their ribs. They realized that it was not only their own
+reputation that would suffer if they were defeated, but the whole camp
+was involved. What would Mr. Hollis think of them if the other boys were
+victorious? What would the boys who had such blind confidence in them
+and the "Red Scout" do or say if the "Gray Ghost" won?
+
+Such thoughts were demoralizing, however, and neither Bert nor Dick
+entertained them any longer than they could help. Into both their faces
+came that stern, resolved look that all the boys had seen at times and
+come to love, and in the minds of Tom and the others all doubts as to
+the final result vanished.
+
+Meanwhile, Mr. Thompson's troop had been giving the "Gray Ghost" its
+final touches, and now, at the sound of a mellow whistle, both Bert and
+Ralph cranked their motors.
+
+None of the boys had ever heard the unmuffled exhaust of a racing car
+before, and at the savage roar that now issued from both cars all the
+boys fell back several steps with scared faces. As soon as they realized
+that the gasoline tank had not exploded, nor any other equally awful
+thing occurred, they came forward and tried to ask questions, but in the
+confined shed they could hardly hear the sound of their own voices.
+
+Slowly the fire-spitting monsters were backed out of the shed, and their
+respective drivers swung them around and on to the track. They were
+greeted by a wave of cheering both from the boys and from the assembled
+farmers, and more than one burly countryman who had come to the "kids'
+racket" under protest was seen to sit up straight and open his eyes
+wide.
+
+No doubt many of them had expected to see a rather tame affair, and
+in fact few of them had ever seen an automobile race, or knew the
+tremendous speed of which a good car was capable, or realized the cool
+head and steady nerves required to control the condensed power of forty
+horses traveling at a speed of close to a mile a minute.
+
+However, they were soon to experience a few of the thrills attendant on
+such an occasion. The two leaders had been holding a consultation, and
+now they approached the vibrating, eager cars.
+
+Mr. Hollis was forced to shout to make himself heard above the din of
+the exhausts. "It is understood," he said, "that this race is to be run
+from a standing start, and is to be for a distance of ten miles, or ten
+laps around the track. The cars must line up on the tape that we have
+stretched in front of the grandstand, and at the report of my pistol
+they are to start, each driver getting away as best he can. We have
+drawn lots for the choice of position, and the 'Gray Ghost' won, and is
+to have the inside position. Mr. Thompson and I will act as judges. Is
+that perfectly clear?" to Bert and Ralph.
+
+"Yes, sir," they both responded, and proceeded to manoeuvre their cars
+into the appointed positions.
+
+Mr. Hollis and Mr. Thompson took their places in the grandstand, part of
+which the boys had been directed to reserve for them.
+
+By this time the cars were in position, each one with its front wheels
+resting on the strip of white tape. The "Gray Ghost" had a decided
+advantage to start with, as it is evident that in any race the car that
+has the inside position, that is, the part of the track nearest to the
+center of the field, has a slightly lesser distance to travel than the
+car on the outside, and in a close race every few feet count.
+
+But now there was a breathless hush over the grandstand, and all eyes
+were on Mr. Hollis's hand, holding the pistol aloft. Bert and Ralph were
+bent over their levers, every muscle tense, and nerves stretched to the
+breaking point.
+
+Crack! went the pistol. With a mighty roar, and the blue flames spitting
+from the exhaust ports, the two great machines bounded forward, and
+almost with one movement Bert changed the gears from first to second,
+from second to high. At every change the willing car leaped ahead with
+ever-increasing momentum, and Bert felt a wild thrill run through his
+body as he realized the vast force beneath him, subject only to his
+control.
+
+The "Gray Ghost" had made almost as good a start, however, and now,
+although the "Red Scout" had a slight lead, the inside position began to
+tell, and the "Gray Ghost" gained a trifle.
+
+Dick, who had been looking back over his shoulder, now turned to Bert
+and yelled excitedly in his ear, "Sock it to her, Bert! Give her the
+gas! They're gaining on us!"
+
+They had now covered the first lap, and the speedometer hand on the "Red
+Scout's" dashboard registered a speed of fifty miles an hour. Bert knew
+he could do better than that, but remembered Mr. Hollis's instructions
+not to take any unnecessary chances. The machine was working beautifully,
+and a wave of pride surged over him as he thought that this was largely
+due to the care and work he had bestowed upon it.
+
+But now the "Gray Ghost" was ranging alongside--ahead--
+
+"Give her a pump full of oil, Dick," yelled Bert to his friend, and
+opened the throttle a trifle wider.
+
+The machine answered like a thing of life. The wind whistled in their
+ears, the track seemed a mere gray blur racing away behind them, and
+the mighty speed song of the ravening motor was like music in their
+ears.
+
+Faster and faster they flew, the two cars keeping pace side by side, and
+the speedometer hand creeping up--up.
+
+Fifty-two, fifty-three, fifty-six! it registered, and the flying cars
+seemed barely to touch the ground. On the straight stretch in front of
+the grandstand they gathered such speed that at the turns the rear
+wheels skidded, throwing up showers of dirt, and the drivers were forced
+to slow down a little or the machines would surely have collided.
+
+Up to that time neither car had a decided advantage, but now they had
+covered the eighth lap, and both crews realized that the time had
+arrived to call on the racing engines for their final and greatest
+effort.
+
+The crowds in the stands were yelling like maniacs, as each car in turn
+pushed its nose ahead of the other. But Bert and Dick heard nothing
+but the terrific roar of the racing cars. Their pulses beat like
+trip-hammers; their eyes were starting from their heads. They felt
+rather than saw that the "Gray Ghost" was gaining--gaining only a
+little, inch by inch, but gaining. Now it had come abreast; now it was
+slowly but surely forging ahead. It looked as though the "Red Scout" had
+"shot its bolt," and its partisans in the grandstand groaned in an
+agony of apprehension that was fast becoming despair, while their rivals
+danced up and down and shrieked encouragement to their gray champion.
+
+Now they were on the last lap, and suddenly Bert leaned forward and
+advanced his spark to the limit. It was do or die. His heart exulted as
+he felt the splendid car leap forward. He took a firmer grip on the
+wheel and threw the throttle wide open. His mysterious "sixth sense" had
+told him that he had something in reserve, and now the "Red Scout"
+justified his judgment. It leaped, it flew. It collared the "Ghost"
+just as they turned into the stretch, and tore down the course, the
+explosions of its motor blending together in one deafening volley of
+defiance as it drew away from its rival. Across the line it flew like a
+rocket, the pistol cracked, and--_the race was won_!
+
+[Illustration: Across the line it flew like a rocket.--(_See page 217_)]
+
+Both cars made another circuit of the track before they were able to
+stop, and then drew up in front of the grandstand.
+
+Immediately the crowd surged down, and in a moment the two contestants
+were surrounded by a frenzied mob of shouting and hat-throwing boys, and
+almost equally excited, if less demonstrative, country people.
+
+Mr. Hollis pressed forward and grasped the hands of Bert and Dick, one
+in each of his. "You did nobly, boys," he exclaimed, but there was a
+catch in his voice, and his face looked gray and drawn, "you did great
+work, but I would not consent to your racing again for all the money in
+the world. It is altogether too dangerous."
+
+But by this time the defeated boys belonging to Mr. Thompson's troop had
+recovered a little from their chagrin, and now elbowed their way through
+the crowd, headed by their leader and Ralph Quinby.
+
+Like the clean-cut and manly fellow that he was, Ralph walked up and
+shook hands with Bert and Dick in turn.
+
+"Well," he said, "you fellows certainly put up a great race, and we have
+nothing more to say. It was simply a case of the best car winning,
+that's all."
+
+Bert appreciated his manly spirit, and replied, "It was simply a matter
+of the 'Red Scout' having a little more speed. If we exchanged cars, you
+would win and we would lose. You gave us a hard tussle up to the last
+second."
+
+All the other boys showed the same feeling as had Ralph, and both
+parties separated with mutual expressions of esteem and good will.
+
+All the members of Mr. Hollis's troop that could do so crowded into the
+"Red Scout," and various good-natured farmers volunteered to make room
+in their capacious wagons and take the rest home. Room was even found
+for Don, who had been an excited spectator of the race and was now
+regarded by the jubilant boys as their mascot.
+
+"It's little enough to do at that," remarked one husky agriculturist.
+"I'd be willing to cart the whole outfit over and back a dozen times for
+the sake of seeing another race like that. I wish old Dobbin could hike
+along like them things."
+
+And in this he expressed the general sentiment of the crowd.
+
+As they traveled campward through the cool twilight the boys shouted and
+sang, and in a thousand other noisy but harmless ways found a vent for
+their overflowing enthusiasm.
+
+Bert and Dick were the heroes of the day, as they well deserved to be.
+The race was run again at least a hundred times, and by the time they
+struck camp they had quieted down to some extent. Their beloved car had,
+of course, reached camp ahead of them, and now, as they alighted and
+caught sight of Bert and Dick, their enthusiasm flamed up again, and
+cheer after cheer resounded through the silent woods.
+
+At last they cooled down sufficiently to go to bed, but it was a long
+time before they finally got to sleep. Bert and Dick shook hands before
+parting to go to their different tents. For a few seconds they looked
+into each other's eyes, and the grip of their hands tightened before
+they finally separated and said good night. For when two good comrades
+meet danger face to face and win out, a new and never-to-be-forgotten
+bond is riveted between them that lasts through life.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+It was a wildly hilarious group of campers who sat down to a piping hot
+breakfast the next morning. Some, indeed, had hardly slept at all, so
+great was their rejoicing at the "Red Scout's" glorious victory. They
+had won and the much-vaunted "Gray Ghost" had had to "take their dust."
+What if it were their last day in camp? As Jim, who was famous for
+mixing his figures of speech, said, "The camp, anyway, was breaking up
+in a blaze of glory." Every exciting detail of the great struggle was
+rehearsed and enlarged upon, times without number. They crowded round
+the splendid car and praised it and patted it as though it were alive
+and could understand how proud they were of its victory.
+
+And Bert! If he had been anything but the fine, manly fellow he was, he
+would have been utterly spoiled by the plaudits heaped upon him. He had
+been their hero before; now he was their idol. His skill, his judgment,
+his nerve, were dwelt upon to the exclusion of everything else; but he
+modestly disclaimed any credit and put it all up to the car. "This is
+the fellow that did it all," he said, patting the great machine
+affectionately.
+
+"Yes," quoted Dick,
+
+    "'This is the steed that saved the day,
+    By carrying Sheridan into the fight
+    From Winchester, twenty miles away,'
+
+but all the same," he went on, "the steed saved the day because Sheridan
+was on his back, and the 'Red Scout' saved the day because Bert Wilson
+was at the wheel." And to this the whole camp gave a thundering chorus
+of assent.
+
+And Bert was at the wheel that afternoon, when, after "three times
+three" given for the "Red Scout" and its driver, the noble car stood
+panting, crowded to the guards with as many as could tumble in, ready to
+lead the way to the station where they were to take the train to the
+city.
+
+"I tell you, Tom," he said, as he grasped the wheel and the great car
+sprang forward, "I never expect to have so much pleasure and excitement
+in my life as I have had this summer."
+
+But Bert was mistaken. A broader field and greater triumphs lay before
+him--exploits that would tax every ounce of brain and muscle; victory
+snatched from defeat amid the applause of excited thousands. How he met
+the test and won his fight will be told in the next volume, "Bert
+Wilson's Fadeaway Ball."
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+THE BERT WILSON SERIES
+
+By J. W. DUFFIELD
+
+An excellent series of stories for boys, full of outdoor life and
+adventures, athletic sports, etc. Wholesome, clean and instructive.
+
+
+=BERT WILSON AT THE WHEEL=
+
+An absorbing story of automobile exploits, abounding in stirring
+experiences and exciting adventures.
+
+=BERT WILSON'S FADEAWAY BALL=
+
+How a baseball pennant was won by the masterly pitching of the young
+Freshman recruit is told in crisp, snappy fashion, with a wealth of
+thrilling detail that will delight the lovers of the great national
+game.
+
+=BERT WILSON, WIRELESS OPERATOR=
+
+Perils of storm and shipwreck, head-hunters and pirates, are woven into
+a romance of compelling power that chains the attention at once and
+holds it to the end.
+
+=BERT WILSON, MARATHON WINNER=
+
+How the pick of the world's athletes struggled for supremacy and how the
+representative of the Stars and Stripes carried off the crowning victory
+at the great Olympic games.
+
+_Others in preparation_
+
+12mo, cloth, with four illustrations in each, by H. G. Richards.
+
+Price each, 60 cents.
+
+=SULLY AND KLEINTEICH--NEW YORK=
+
+
+
+
+THE BERT WILSON SERIES
+
+By J. W. DUFFIELD
+
+_THE FOLLOWING TITLES ARE IN PREPARATION_
+
+
+=BERT WILSON AT PANAMA=
+
+A host of thrilling adventures is woven into this stirring story of the
+young American who thwarts by his quick wit and determined courage a
+plot to destroy the great canal. Brimming with interest from cover to
+cover.
+
+=BERT WILSON'S TWIN-CYLINDER RACER=
+
+A motor-cycle romance of speed and daring that will stir the blood and
+make the heart beat faster. How sheer pluck that refused to be downed
+won out against foul play and tremendous odds.
+
+=BERT WILSON ON THE GRIDIRON=
+
+The "never-say-die" spirit of college football that makes it such a
+glorious game sparkles on every page. A gripping story of "bucking the
+line" and "going round the ends," culminating in the great run down the
+field in the last minute of play that snatched victory from defeat.
+
+=BERT WILSON IN THE ROCKIES=
+
+Full of life and spirit, dash and danger in the wild regions of the
+West. The picturesque figures of the frontier--greasers and grizzlies,
+rustlers and road agents--appear in adventures that make one throb and
+tingle with excitement.
+
+12mo, cloth, with four illustrations in each, by H. G. Richards.
+
+Price each, 60 cents.
+
+=SULLY AND KLEINTEICH--NEW YORK=
+
+
+
+
+Publications of Sully and Kleinteich
+
+
+THE "HOW" BOOKS
+
+
+ =HOW TO MAKE THINGS=
+
+ By Archibald Williams
+
+ Author of "How It is Done," "How It is Made," "How It Works."
+
+This is just the book for the active youth who has got beyond the period
+when he asks, "How is it done?" and now wishes to do it himself. The
+book is very fully illustrated with useful diagrams drawn exactly to
+scale.
+
+12mo. Cloth, 450 pages, with numerous illustrations and diagrams.
+
+Price $1.20 net
+
+
+ =HOW IT IS DONE=
+ _OR, VICTORIES OF THE ENGINEER_
+
+ By Archibald Williams
+
+ Author of "How It is Made," "How It Works," "How To Make Things."
+
+Describing in simple language how the great engineering achievements in
+all parts of the world have been accomplished. It is a book brimful of
+interest for everybody, and especially to the younger generation with a
+turn for engineering in any of its many branches.
+
+12 mo. Cloth. 450 pages, with 268 illustrations and diagrams.
+
+Price $1.20 net
+
+
+ =HOW IT IS MADE=
+
+ By Archibald Williams
+
+ Author of "How It Works," "How It is Done," "How To Make Things."
+
+Describing in simple language how various machines and many articles in
+common use are manufactured from the raw material.
+
+12mo. Cloth. 474 pages, with numerous illustrations and diagrams.
+
+Price $1.20 net
+
+
+ =HOW IT WORKS=
+
+ By Archibald Williams
+
+ Author of "How It is Done," "How To Make Things," "How It is Made."
+
+It deals in simple language with Steam, Electricity, Light, Heat, Sound,
+Hydraulics, Optics, etc., and with their application to apparatus in
+common use.
+
+12mo. Cloth. 461 pages, with illustrations and diagrams.
+
+Price $1.20 net
+
+
+ =HOW IT FLIES=
+ _OR, THE CONQUEST OF THE AIR_
+
+ By Richard Ferris, B. S., C. E.
+
+The story of man's endeavors to fly and of the inventions by which he
+has succeeded.
+
+12mo. Cloth. 476 pages, with numerous illustrations and diagrams.
+
+Price $1.20 net
+
+
+
+
+THE GATEWAY SERIES
+
+
+=GATEWAY TO CHAUCER=
+
+Stories told by EMILY UNDERDOWN, from the Canterbury Tales of GEOFFREY
+CHAUCER. With 16 colored plates and numerous marginal illustrations
+after drawings by Anne Anderson.
+
+ 8vo. Cloth.      Net $2.00
+
+
+=THE GATEWAY TO SPENSER=
+
+Tales, retold by EMILY UNDERDOWN, from "The Faerie Queene" of EDMUND
+SPENSER. With 16 colored plates and numerous marginal illustrations from
+drawings by F. G. PAPE.
+
+ 8vo. Cloth.      Net $2.00
+
+
+=THE GATEWAY TO ROMANCE=
+
+Tales retold by EMILY UNDERDOWN, from "The Earthly Paradise," by WILLIAM
+MORRIS. With 16 colored plates and many other illustrations.
+
+ 8vo. Cloth.      Net $2.00
+
+
+=THE GATEWAY TO TENNYSON=
+
+Tales and extracts from the poet's works, with an introduction by MRS.
+ANDREW LANG. With 16 colored illustrations from drawings by NORMAN
+LITTLE.
+
+ 8vo. Cloth.      Net $2.00
+
+
+=THE GATEWAY TO SHAKESPEARE=
+
+Containing a life of Shakespeare, by MRS. ANDREW LANG, a selection from
+the plays, and from "Lamb's Tales." With 16 colored plates and many
+other illustrations.
+
+ 8vo. Cloth.      Net $2.00
+
+
+
+
+THE SUNSHINE AND SHADOW SERIES
+
+
+=IN THE SERVICE OF THE KING, and Other Stories=
+
+=IN THE HEART OF THE FOREST=
+
+=AFTER LONG YEARS, and Other Stories=
+
+These books translated from the German by Sophia A. Miller and Anes M.
+Dunne.
+
+ 16mo.      Illustrated. Each $.75
+
+The ethical stories in the Sunshine and Shadow Series have been
+translated from the German with the view of instilling into the minds
+of youthful readers such truths as will help materially toward building
+a character that will withstand the trials and temptations of life.
+
+It is conceded by educators that ethics presented in the lecture form
+fails of its purpose; therefore the writers have presented this subject
+in the form most appealing to children--the story.
+
+
+
+
+=THE BOOK OF GOLDEN DEEDS.=
+
+By CHARLOTTE M. YONGE. With 16 full page colored illustrations, 12
+full-page illustrations in black and white (photo engravings) and
+marginal illustrations all through the book.
+
+ 8vo. Cloth.      Net $2.50
+
+
+=TALES OF THE GODS AND HEROES.=
+
+By SIR G. W. COX, M. A. With sixteen colored plates from drawings by
+JAMES FRIPP.
+
+ 8vo. Cloth.      Net $2.00
+
+CONTENTS
+
+The Sorrow of Demeter -- The Sleep of Endymion -- Niobe and Leto --
+Orpheus and Eurydice -- Phryxus and Helle -- Cadmus and Europa --
+Odysseus and Polyphemus -- Odysseus and Circe -- Odysseus and the
+Seirens -- Odysseus and Nausicaa -- The Story of Arion -- The Treasures
+of Rhampsnitus -- Cephalos and Procris -- Daphne -- The Delian Apollo --
+The Pythian Apolli -- The Vengeance of Apollo -- The Toils of
+Heracles -- Althaea and the Burning Brand -- Phaethon -- Io and
+Prometheus -- Briareos -- Arethusa -- Tyro -- Poseidon and Athene --
+Ariadne -- Narcissus -- Medeia -- Cyrene -- Bellerophon -- Iphigeneia --
+Hector and Andromache -- Sarpedon -- Memnon -- Oenone -- The
+Lotos-Eaters -- The Cattle of Helios -- Odysseus and Calypso -- Atys
+and Adrastos.
+
+
+ =LIVES OF GREAT MEN,
+ TOLD BY GREAT MEN=
+
+Edited by RICHARD WILSON. With 31 full-page illustrations in color.
+
+ Quarto. Cloth. 448 pp.      Net $2.00
+
+CONTENTS
+
+Alexander the Great -- Alfred the Great -- The Black Prince -- The Story
+of William Wallace -- Sir Thomas More -- Francisco Pizarro -- Sir
+Richard Grenville -- Sir Francis Drake -- Sir Phillip Sidney -- John
+Hampden -- Oliver Cromwell -- John Bunyan -- Benjamin Franklin's Boyhood
+-- Dr. Johnson -- Oliver Goldsmith -- Flora Macdonald -- The Boyhood of
+James Watt -- Robert Burns -- Charles Lamb -- William Wordsworth -- The
+Boyhood of Turner -- George Borrow -- The Boyhood of George Stephenson.
+
+
+ =THE STORY OF HEATHER=
+
+ By MAY WYNNE
+
+12mo. Cloth, 6 colored illustrations. _Price_, net $1.00
+
+This is the autobiography of a pony, simply told for young children, and
+full of action and interest. The volume is excellently illustrated in
+color by Dorothy Pope, and attractively presented in cloth cover.
+
+
+ =EXMOOR STAR=
+ The Autobiography of a Pony
+
+ By A. E. BONSER
+
+12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. _Price_, net 50c; postpaid 55c.
+
+The sympathy of children in the humane treatment of animals will be
+enlisted by this charming story. They see how cruel our thoughtlessness
+and lack of attention to the needs of our dumb servants often are. They
+will share the views of this bright little pony in regard to man's
+attitude to animals. The story is fascinating and as circus performer or
+polo pony, Star is a most interesting character. After many strange
+experiences he saves the lives of twelve people, receives a medal from
+the Royal Humane Society and retires from public life. The story is not
+marred by a sad ending. The book is fully illustrated.
+
+
+ =A BOOK OF BIRDS AND BEASTS=
+ OR
+ _THE LAW OF KINDNESS_
+
+134 pages and 32 colored illustrations
+
+_Price_, net $1.00
+
+It is full of interesting stories, all about animals and their doings,
+and of such a character that no child who reads them will ever dream of
+being unkind to bird, beast, fish, or insect; for when people get to
+know God's creatures and their wonderful ways, they learn how to leave
+them alone and to watch them patiently, just because they are so well
+worth watching.
+
+
+ =THE OLD FAIRY TALES=
+
+189 pages and 32 colored illustrations
+
+_Price_, net $1.00
+
+A book of Fairy Tales for Boys and Girls containing; The Three Bears --
+Brother and Sister -- Little Red Riding-Hood -- Hansel and Grethel --
+The Golden Goose -- The Magic Key -- Little One Eye, Little Two Eyes,
+and Little Three Eyes -- The Story of Catskin -- Cinderella, or, The
+Little Glass Slipper -- The Frog-Prince -- The Sleeping Beauty in the
+Wood -- The Iron Stove -- Shemus and the Little People -- Prince Curly
+Chin -- Queen Mab and Oberon -- The Merry Tricks of Tom Thumb -- Prince
+Cherry -- Little Snowdrop -- The Goose Girl -- The Fairies of the
+Caldon-Low.
+
+
+ =THE WONDERS OF THE WORLD=
+
+ Formerly published under the title of
+ "The World by the Fireside."
+
+By MARY and ELIZABETH KIRBY. Crown. 8 vo. Cloth. Hundreds of
+illustrations. Price $1.50
+
+This volume brings the world, that is so full of wonders, to our own
+fireside.
+
+The book is embellished with pictures of the various scenes and objects
+described, in order to make it more attractive.
+
+
+ =THE WONDERS OF THE SEA=
+
+ Formerly published under the title of
+ "The Sea and Its Wonders."
+
+By MARY and ELIZABETH KIRBY. Crown. 8 vo. Cloth. Hundreds of
+illustrations. Price $1.50
+
+Wonders abound in the Ocean. It is a world in itself, and is subject to
+its own laws.
+
+"In this great and wide sea are creeping things innumerable, both small
+and great."
+
+The various chapters are amply illustrated with drawings taken from
+life, and on which the utmost care has been bestowed.
+
+
+Sully and Kleinteich--New York
+
+
+
+
+ THE
+ BOOK OF INDOOR
+ AND
+ OUTDOOR GAMES
+
+ BY
+ MRS. BURTON KINGSLAND
+
+With suggestions for entertainments. Illustrated.
+
+ 12mo. Cloth.      $1.00
+
+A veritable encyclopaedia of games, pastimes, and entertainment.
+
+CONTENTS
+
+Games of Thought, Wit and Memory -- Progressive Games -- Card Games --
+Children's Games -- Children's Singing Games -- Games for Sunday
+Evenings -- Catches and Riddles -- Fortune Telling -- Mesmerism --
+Children's Parties -- Special Dinners, Dances and Luncheons --
+Tableaux -- Wedding Anniversaries.
+
+"Without touching on the side of profit-yielding occupations, and with
+more stress laid down upon the social side of life, this book will prove
+a real treasure for those lacking in invention, and will bring delight
+to many a dull or rainy day."--_The Dial_
+
+=Sully and Kleinteich--New York=
+
+
+
+
+The Golden River Series
+
+=Bound in cloth 16mo. With a colored panel Illustration on front
+cover--title stamped in gold=
+
+ =PRICE EACH=      =50 Cents=
+
+ Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.          8 colored illustrations.
+ Anderson's Fairy Tales. (Ugly Duckling.)   4 colored illustrations.
+ Water Babies.                              4     "         "
+ The King of the Golden River.              8     "         "
+ Arabian Nights.                            5     "         "
+ Gulliver in Lilliput.                      4     "         "
+ Don Quixote.                               4     "         "
+ Stories from Hiawatha.                     6     "         "
+ Tanglewood Tales.                          4     "         "
+ John Halifax's Boyhood.                    4     "         "
+ Tales of a Grandfather.                    6     "         "
+ David and Emily.                           6     "         "
+ Nell and Her Grandfather.                  4     "         "
+ Stories from Spenser.                      8     "         "
+ Rose and the Ring.                         4     "         "
+ Knights of the Grail.                      8     "         "
+ Sir Thomas Thumb.                          8     "         "
+ Linden Leaf.                               8     "         "
+ Undine.                                    8     "         "
+ Maggie and Tom Tulliver.                   4     "         "
+ Children of the Old Testament.             6     "         "
+ Children of the New Testament.             6     "         "
+ Six Gifts.                                 6     "         "
+ Kingsley's Heroes.                         4     "         "
+ Adventures of Ulysses.                     6     "         "
+ Golden Deeds.                              6     "         "
+ Stories from Tennyson.                     6     "         "
+ Tales from Shakespeare.                    6     "         "
+ Stories from Chaucer.                      4     "         "
+ Cox's Greek Heroes.                        4     "         "
+
+=SULLY & KLEINTEICH--NEW YORK=
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's Notes:
+
+
+ --Text in italics is enclosed by underscores (_italics_).
+
+ --Text in bold is enclosed by "equal" signs (=bold=).
+
+ --Punctuation and spelling inaccuracies were silently corrected,
+   except as noted below.
+
+ --Colon (:) punctuation has been retained as in original.
+
+ --Normalized variations of Red Scout and Gray Ghost to 'Red Scout'
+   and 'Gray Ghost' within quoted speech and "Red Scout" and
+   "Gray Ghost" in all other cases.
+
+ --Archaic and variable spelling has been preserved.
+
+ --Variations in hyphenation and compound words have been preserved.
+
+ --Spaced dashes used in some back matter for better wrapping of text.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Bert Wilson at the Wheel, by J. W. Duffield
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