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diff --git a/40262-0.txt b/40262-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6319fdd --- /dev/null +++ b/40262-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11472 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 40262 *** + + FRANK MERRIWELL'S TRIUMPH + + OR + + THE DISAPPEARANCE OF FELICIA + + BY + BURT L. STANDISH + + AUTHOR OF + _The World-renowned "Merriwell Stories"_ + + PUBLISHED EXCLUSIVELY IN PAPER-COVERED + EDITION IN THE NEW MEDAL LIBRARY + + STREET & SMITH, PUBLISHERS + 79-89 SEVENTH AVE., NEW YORK CITY + + + + + Copyright, 1904 + By STREET & SMITH + + Frank Merriwell's Triumph + + All rights reserved, including that of translation + into foreign languages, including the Scandinavian. + + + + +Publisher's Note + +Very few of our readers have any idea of the task that the growing +popularity of the S. & S. novel imposes upon us. + +We don't refer to the mere manual labor of manufacturing, but to the +vast expenditure of time, money and energy necessary to keep the quality +of our lines up to the high standard that we have educated our readers +to demand. + +In order that the S. & S. novel may continue to be all that we claim for +it, we have invaded cloth-book fields and have made arrangements with +several well-known publishers to print exclusive editions of books by +famous authors--books about whose great merit there is not a single +doubt. + +The S. & S. novel has prospered mightily and for that reason we can well +afford to give our readers that literature that is acceptable to every +man and woman who seeks mental relaxation after a hard day's work at the +office, store or factory. + +The S. & S. novels are great popular educators, reaching, as they do, +every city and hamlet in this vast country of ours, instilling a desire +to read in thousands of persons who would have cared nothing for +literature if they had not become aware of the wholesome, unalloyed +pleasure that the S. & S. novels afford. + +Please send for our complete catalogue showing the S. & S. 2700. + + STREET & SMITH, Publishers + NEW YORK + + + + +"ALGER" + +What a pleasant sound the name of Horatio Alger, Jr., has to boys who +read clean, wholesome stories of adventure! + +His name on a book means that it is a "good one"; that the money +invested in it is well invested. + +Street & Smith publish the most complete list of his works in their +famous S. & S. novels--it contains nearly all of them. + +If you want your boys to read helpful books, buy the "Algers" in the +Medal and New Medal Libraries. + +PRICE, 10c. and 15c. PER COPY AT ALL NEWSDEALERS + +If sent by mail, add four cents per copy to cover postage. Complete +catalogue upon request. + +STREET & SMITH, Publishers, NEW YORK + + + + + CONTENTS + + I. A COMPACT OF RASCALS. 5 + II. DAYS OF RETRIBUTION. 12 + III. THE MAP VANISHES. 24 + IV. THE NIGHT WATCH. 34 + V. WILEY'S DISAPPEARANCE. 54 + VI. WILEY MEETS MISS FORTUNE. 70 + VII. A STARTLING TELEGRAM. 79 + VIII. FELIPE DULZURA. 90 + IX. WHAT THE MONK TOLD THEM. 104 + X. THREE IN A TRAP. 112 + XI. RUFFIANS AT ODDS. 122 + XII. A LIVELY FISTIC BOUT. 136 + XIII. MACKLYN MORGAN APPEARS. 148 + XIV. THE MESSENGER. 157 + XV. A DESPERATE SITUATION. 172 + XVI. CROWFOOT MAKES MEDICINE. 184 + XVII. HOW THE MEDICINE WORKED. 190 + XVIII. A BUNCH OF PRISONERS. 195 + XIX. THE VALLEY OF DESOLATION. 206 + XX. THE FINDING OF THE BABES. 220 + XXI. THE LOTTERY OF DEATH. 227 + XXII. AN ACT OF TREACHERY. 244 + XXIII. NEW RICHES PROMISED. 259 + XXIV. WHAT HAPPENED TO DICK. 272 + XXV. HOW WAS IT DONE? 286 + XXVI. FORCED TO WRITE. 296 + XXVII. COMPLETE TRIUMPH. 303 + + + + +FRANK MERRIWELL'S TRIUMPH. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +A COMPACT OF RASCALS. + + +They were dangerous-looking men, thirty of them in all, armed to the +teeth. They looked like unscrupulous fellows who would hesitate at no +desperate deed. Some of them had bad records, and yet they had served +Frank Merriwell faithfully in guarding his mine, the Queen Mystery, +against those who tried to wrest it from him by force and fraud. + +Frank had called these men together, and he now stood on his doorstep in +Mystery Valley, Arizona, looking them over. Bart Hodge, Frank's college +chum and companion in many adventures, was behind him in the doorway. +Little Abe, a hunchback boy whom Merriwell had rescued from ruffians at +a mining camp and befriended for some time, peered from the cabin. Merry +smiled pleasantly as he surveyed the men. + +"Well, boys," he said, "the time has come when I shall need your +services no longer." + +Some of them stirred restlessly and looked regretful. + +"To tell you the truth," Frank went on, "I am genuinely sorry to part +with you. You have served me well. But I need you no more. My enemies +have been defeated, and the courts have recognized my rightful claim to +this property. You fought for me when it was necessary. You risked your +lives for me." + +"That's what we is paid for, Mr. Merriwell," said Tombstone Phil, the +leader. "We tries to earn our money." + +"You have earned it, every one of you. I remember the day we stood off a +hundred painted ruffians in the desert; I remember the hunting of Jim +Rednight; and I don't forget that when Hodge and I stood beneath a tree +near Phoenix, with ropes about our necks, that you charged to the rescue +and saved us. Have I paid you in a satisfactory manner?" + +"Sure thing!" + +"You bet!" + +"That's whatever!" + +"You don't hear us kick any!" + +"We're satisfied!" + +These exclamations were uttered by various men in the gathering. + +"I am glad to know, boys," declared Frank, "that you are all satisfied. +If you must leave me, I like to have you leave feeling that you have +been treated on the square." + +"Mr. Merriwell," said Mexican Bob, a wizened little man, "I ken chew up +the galoot what says you ain't plumb on the level. Thar's nary a critter +in the bunch whatever makes a murmur about you." + +"You can see, boys," Frank went on, "that I have no further use for you +as a guard to my property. If any of you wish to remain, however, I +shall try to find employment for you. There's work enough to be done +here, although it may not be the sort of work you care to touch. I need +more men in the mine. You know the wages paid. It's hard work and may +not be satisfactory to any of you." + +The men were silent. + +"As we are parting," Merry added, "I wish to show my appreciation of you +in a manner that will be satisfactory to you all. For that purpose I +have something to distribute among you. Hand them out, Hodge." + +Bart stepped back and reappeared some moments later loaded down with a +lot of small canvas pouches. + +"Come up one at a time, boys," invited Merry, as he began taking these +from Bart. "Here you are, Phil." + +He dropped the first pouch into Tombstone Phil's hand, and it gave forth +a musical, clinking sound that made the eyes of the men sparkle. + +One by one they filed past the doorstep, and into each outstretched hand +was dropped a clinking canvas pouch, each one of which was heavy enough +to make its recipient smile. + +When the last man had received his present, they gathered again in front +of the door, and suddenly Tombstone Phil roared: + +"Give up a youp, boys, for the whitest man on two legs, Frank +Merriwell!" + +They swung their hats in the air and uttered a yell that awoke the +echoes of the valley. + +"Thanks, men," said Merry quietly. "I appreciate that. As long as you +desire to remain in Mystery Valley you are at liberty to do so; when you +wish to depart you can do so, also. So-long, boys. Good luck to you." + +He waved his hand, and they answered with another sharp yell. Then they +turned and moved away, declaring over and over among themselves that he +was the "whitest man." One of those who repeated this assertion a number +of times was a leathery, bowlegged, bewhiskered individual in greasy +garments known as Hull Shawmut. If anything, Shawmut seemed more pleased +and satisfied than his companions. + +The only one who said nothing at all was Kip Henry, known as "the +Roper," on account of his skill in throwing the lariat. Henry was thin, +supple, with a small black mustache, and in his appearance was somewhat +dandified, taking great satisfaction in bright colors and in fanciful +Mexican garments. He wore a peaked Mexican hat, and his trousers were +slit at the bottom, Mexican style. Several times Shawmut glanced at +Henry, noting his lack of enthusiasm. When the Thirty retired to their +camp down the valley and lingered there, Henry sat apart by himself, +rolling and smoking a cigarette and frowning at the ground. + +"What's the matter, pard?" asked Shawmut, clapping him on the shoulder. +"Didn't yer git yer little present?" + +"Yes, I got it," nodded the Roper. + +"Then what's eating of yer?" + +"Well, Shawmut, I am a whole lot sorry this yere job is ended. That's +what's the matter. It certain was a snap." + +"That's right," agreed Kip, sitting down near the other. "We gits good +pay for our time, and we works none to speak of. It certain was a snap. +Howsomever, such snaps can't last always, partner. Do you opine we've +got any kick coming?" + +"The only thing I was a-thinking of," answered Kip, "is that here we +fights to keep this yere mine for him, we takes chances o' being called +outlaws, and--now the job is done--we gits dropped. You knows and I +knows that this yere mine is a mighty rich one. Why don't we have the +luck to locate a mine like that? Why should luck always come to other +galoots?" + +"I ain't explaining that none," confessed Shawmut, as he filled his +pipe. "Luck is a heap singular. One night I bucks Jimmy Clerg's bank +down in Tucson. I never has much luck hitting the tiger, nohow. This +night things run just the same. I peddles and peddles till I gits down +to my last yeller boy. If I loses that I am broke. I has a good hoss and +outfit, and so I says, 'Here goes.' Well, she does go. Jim's dealer he +rakes her in. I sets thar busted wide. When I goes into that place I has +eight hundred in my clothes. In less than an hour I has nothing. + +"Clerg he comes ambling along a-looking the tables over. I sees him, and +I says: 'Jim, how much you let me have on my hoss and outfit?' 'What's +it wurth?' says he. 'Three hundred, cold,' says I. 'That goes,' says he. +And he lets me have the coin. Then I tackles the bank again, and I keeps +right on peddling. Yes, sir, I gits down once more to my last coin. This +is where I walks out of the saloon on my uppers. All the same, I bets +the last red. I wins. Right there, Kip, my luck turns. Arter that it +didn't seem I could lose nohow. Pretty soon I has all the chips stacked +up in front of me. I cashes in once or twice and keeps right on pushing +her. I knows luck is with me, and I takes all kinds o' long chances. +Well, pard, when I ambles out of the place at daylight the bank is +busted and I has all the ready coin of the joint. That's the way luck +works. You gits it in the neck a long time; but bimeby, when she turns, +she just pours in on yer." + +"But it don't seem any to me that my luck is going to turn," muttered +the Roper. + +"Mebbe you takes a little walk with me," said Shawmut significantly. +"Mebbe I tells you something some interesting." + +They arose and walked away from the others, so that their talk might not +be heard. + +"Did you ever hear of Benson Clark?" asked Shawmut. + +"Clark? Clark? Why, I dunno. Seems ter me I hears o' him." + +"I knows him well once. He was a grubstaker. But his is hard luck and +a-plenty of it. All the same, he keeps right on thinking sure that luck +changes for him. Something like two years ago I loses track of him. I +never sees him any since. But old Bense he hits it rich at last. +Somewhere in the Mazatzals he located a claim what opens rich as mud. +Some Indians off their reservation finds him there, and he has to run +for it. He gits out of the mountains, but they cuts him off and shoots +him up. His luck don't do him no good, for he croaks. But right here is +where another lucky gent comes in. This other gent he happens along and +finds old Bense, and Bense he tells him about the mine and gives him a +map. Now, this other lucky gent he proposes to go and locate that mine. +He proposes to do this, though right now he owns two of the best mines +in the whole country. Mebbe you guesses who I'm talking about." + +"Why," exclaimed Henry, "you don't mean Mr. Merriwell, do yer?" + +"Mebbe I does," answered Shawmut, glancing at his companion slantwise. +"Now, what do yer think of that?" + +"What do I think of it?" muttered the Roper. "Well, I will tell yer. I +think it's rotten that all the luck is to come to one gent. I think Mr. +Merriwell has a-plenty and he can do without another mine." + +"Just what I thinks," agreed Shawmut. "I figgers it out that way myself. +But he has a map, and that shows him where to find old Bense's claim." + +"See here," said Kip, stopping short, "how do you happen to know so much +about this?" + +"Well, mebbe I listens around some; mebbe I harks a little; mebbe I +finds it out that way." + +"I see," said Henry, in surprise; "but I never thinks it o' you. You +seem so satisfied-like I reckons you don't bother any." + +"Mebbe I plays my cards slick and proper," chuckled Shawmut. "You sees I +don't care to be suspected now." + +"What do you propose to do?" + +"Well, partner, if I tells you, does you opine you're ready to stick by +me?" + +"Share even and I am ready for anything," was the assurance. + +"Mr. Merriwell he proposes hiking out soon to locate that thar claim o' +Benson Clark's. I am none in a hurry about getting away from here, so I +lingers. When he hikes I follers. When he locates the claim mebbe he has +to leave it; mebbe I jump it; mebbe I gits it recorded first. If he +don't suspect me any, if he don't know I'm arter it, he don't hurry any +about having it recorded. That gives me time to get ahead of him. If +you're with me in this, we goes even on the claim. It's a heap resky, +for this yere Merriwell is dangerous to deal with. Is it settled?" + +"Yere's my hand," said Kip Henry. + +Shawmut clasped the proffered hand, and the compact was made. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +DAYS OF RETRIBUTION. + + +When Merry had dismissed the men, he turned back into the cabin and sat +down near the table. + +"Well, that's the end of that business, Bart," he said. + +"Yes," nodded Hodge, sitting opposite. "I congratulate you on the way +you handled those men, Merry. No one else could have done it as well. If +ever I saw a collection of land pirates, it was that bunch." + +Frank smiled. + +"They were a pretty tough set," he confessed; "but they were just the +men I needed to match the ruffians Sukes set against me." + +Milton Sukes was the chief conspirator against Frank in the schemes to +deprive him of the Queen Mystery Mine. + +"Sukes will hire no more ruffians," said Hodge. + +"I should say not. He has perpetrated his last piece of villainy. He has +gone before the judgment bar on high." + +"And the last poor wretch he deluded is an imbecile." + +"Poor Worthington!" said Merry. "I fear he will never be right again. It +was his bullet that destroyed Sukes, yet no man can prove it. What he +suffered after that during his flight into the desert, where he nearly +perished for water, completely turned his brain." + +"You want to look out for him, Frank. I think he is dangerous." + +Merry laughed. + +"Ridiculous, Hodge! He is as harmless as a child. When I let him, he +follows me about like a dog." + +Even as Frank said this, a crouching figure came creeping to the door +and peered in. It was a man with unshaven, haggard face and eyes from +which the light of reason had fled. + +"There he is!" exclaimed this man. "There is my ghost! Do you want me, +ghost?" + +"Come in, Worthington!" called Frank. + +The man entered hesitatingly and stood near the table, never taking his +eyes from Merry's face for a moment. + +"What you command, ghost, I must obey," he said. "You own me, body and +soul. Ha! ha! body and soul! But I have no soul! I bartered it with a +wretch who deceived me! I was an honest man before that! Perhaps you +don't believe me, but I swear I was. You must believe me! It's a +terrible thing to be owned by a ghost who has no confidence in you. But +why should my ghost have confidence! Didn't I deceive him? Didn't I kill +him? I see it now. I see the fire! It is burning--it is burning there! +He has found me as I am setting it. He springs upon me! He is strong--so +strong! Ha! his feet slip! Down he goes! His head strikes! He is +unconscious!" + +The wretch seemed living over the terrible experiences through which he +had passed on a certain night in Denver, when he set fire to Merriwell's +office and tried to burn Frank to death. He thought he had accomplished +his purpose, and the appearance of his intended victim alive had turned +his brain. + +As he listened Hodge shivered a little. + +"Never mind, Worthington," said Frank. "He is all right. He will escape +from the fire." + +"No, no, no!" gasped the man, wringing his hands. "See him lying there! +See the fire flashing on his face! See the smoke! It is coming thick. I +must go! I must leave him. It is a fearful thing to do! But if he +escapes he will destroy me. He will send me to prison, and I must leave +him to die!" + +He covered his eyes with his hands, as if to shut out a terrible +spectacle. + +"No one sees me!" he whispered. "Here are the stairs! It is all +dark--all dark! I must get out quick, before the fire is discovered. I +have done it! I am on the street! I mustn't run! If I run they will +suspect me. I will walk fast--walk fast!" + +Merry glanced at Hodge and sadly shook his head. + +"Now the engines are coming!" exclaimed the deranged man. "Hear them as +they clang and roar along the streets! See the people run! See the +horses galloping! They are coming to try to put out the fire. What if +they do it in time to save him! Then he will tell them of my treachery! +Then he will send me to prison! I must see--I must know! I must go back +there!" + +"He shall not send you to prison, Worthington," asserted Merry +soothingly. "He shall be merciful to you." + +"Why should he? Here is the burning building. Here are the engines, +panting and throbbing. See! they pour streams of water on the building. +No use! It is too late; you cannot save him. He is dead long before +this. Who shall say I was to blame? What if they do find his charred +body? No man can prove I had a hand in it. I defy you to prove it!" + +Shaking his trembling hands in the air, the wretch almost shrieked these +words. + +"This," muttered Bart Hodge, "is retribution." + +"I must go away," whispered Worthington. "I must hide where they can't +see me. Look how every one stares at me! They seem to know I have done +it! These infernal lights betray me! I must hide in the darkness. Some +one is following me everywhere. I am afraid of the darkness! I will +always be afraid of the darkness! In the darkness or in the light, there +is no rest for me--no rest! Did you hear that voice? Do you hear? It +accuses me of murder! I am haunted! My God! Haunted, haunted!" + +With this heartbroken cry he sank on his knees and crept toward Frank. + +"You're the ghost that haunts me!" he exclaimed. "It is my punishment! I +must always be near you, and you must haunt me forever!" + +Merry touched him gently. + +"Get up, Worthington," he said regretfully. "Your punishment has been +too much. Look at me. Look me straight in the eyes, Worthington. I am +not dead. You didn't kill me." + +"No use to tell me that; I know better." + +"It is hopeless now, Hodge," said Merry, in a low tone. "The only chance +for him is that time will restore his reason. You may go, Worthington." + +"I must stay near by, mustn't I?" + +"You may stay outside." + +With bowed head and unsteady steps the man left the cabin and +disappeared. + +Little Abe had remained speechless and frightened in a corner. Now he +picked up his fiddle, and suddenly from it came a weird melody. It was a +crazy tune, filled with wild fancies and ghostly phantoms. + +"He is playing the music of that deranged soul," murmured Frank. + +The sound of the fiddle died in a wail, and the boy sat shivering and +silent in the corner. + +"This is a little too much of a ghostly thing!" exclaimed Merry as he +arose and shook himself. "Let's talk of something else, Hodge. To-morrow +we start for the Mazatzals, and I have everything ready. If we can +locate that mine, one-half of it is yours." + +He took from his pocket a leather case and removed from it a torn and +soiled map, which he spread on the table. Together he and Bart examined +the map once more, as they had done many times before. + +"There," said Frank, "is Clear Creek, running down into the Rio Verde. +Somewhere to the northwest of Hawley Peak, as this fellow indicated here +on the map, in the valley shown by this cross, is Benson Clark's claim." + +"The location is vaguely marked," said Bart. "We may search for it a +year without discovering it." + +"That's true; but we know approximately somewhere near where it is." + +"Well," said Hodge, "we will do our best. That's all any one can do. It +is your fortune, Frank, to be lucky; and for that reason we may be +successful." + +"Something tells me we shall be," nodded Merriwell. + +The start was made next day, and the journey continued until one +afternoon Merry and Bart Hodge stood looking down into a deep, oblong +valley in the heart of the Northern Mazatzals. With them was Cap'n +Walter Wiley, a former seafaring man, who had been Frank's friend in +many thrilling adventures in the West. Little Abe had come with them +from Mystery Valley, as had Worthington, but they were at the camp Merry +had established some distance behind. + +"I believe this valley is the one," Merry declared; "but how are we +going to get into it? That's the question that bothers me." + +"There must be an inlet or outlet or something to the old valley," said +Hodge. "It cannot be just a sink hole dropped down here like a huge oval +basin in the mountains. There is a stream running through it, too. It is +wooded and watered, and there is plenty of grass for grazing." + +"I am almost positive this valley is the one Benson Clark told me of. I +am almost positive it is the one marked on my map. Clark was shot and +dying when I found him. He didn't have time to tell me how to get into +the valley." + +"We seem to have struck something that impedes navigation and +investigation and causes agitation," put in Cap'n Wiley. "I would truly +love to have the wings of a dove that I could fly from these heights +above. Poetry just bubbles from me occasionally. I must set my colossal +intellect at work on this perplexing problem and demonstrate my +astounding ability to solve entangling enigmas. (Webster's Dictionary +does contain the loveliest words!) Let me think a thought. Let all +nature stand hushed and silent while I thunk a think." + +His companions paid little heed to him; but he continued to discuss the +problem of descending into the valley. + +"I have visited the northern end and the southern end," said Frank, "and +I have explored this side and surveyed the other side through my field +glasses. There seems no break in these perpendicular walls. This valley +seems like one of those Southwestern mesas inverted. They rise sheer +from the plains, and it is impossible to reach the top of many of them. +This drops straight down here, and it seems impossible to reach its +bottom." + +"The more difficult it is," said Bart, "the greater becomes my desire to +get down there." + +"Same here," smiled Frank. "The difficulty makes it something of a +mystery. Scientific expeditions have spent thousands of dollars in +reaching the top of the Mesa Encantada, in New Mexico. By Americans it +is called the Enchanted Mesa. Now, the mere fact that we can't seem to +get down into this valley throws an atmosphere of mystery over it, and +to me it is an enchanted valley." + +"Hush!" whispered Wiley, with one finger pressed against his forehead. +"A mighty thought is throbbing and seething in my cohesive brain. If I +only had my gravity destroyer here! Ha! Then I could simply jump down +into the valley and look around, and, when I got ready, jump back up +here. By the way, mates, did you ever know why it was that Santos-Dumont +retired from this country in confusion and dismay? You know he came over +here with his old flying machine, and was going to do stunts to amaze +the gaping multitudes. You know he suddenly packed his Kenebecca and +took passage to foreign shores. The secret of his sudden departure has +never been told. If you will promise to whisper no word of it to the +world, I will reveal the truth to you. + +"Just before Santy arrived in the United States I succeeded in +perfecting my great gravity destroyer. As I have on other occasions +explained to you, it was about the size of an ordinary watch, and I +carried it about in my pocket. By pressing a certain spring I +immediately destroyed the force of gravity so that, by giving an easy, +gentle sort of a jump into the air, I could sail right up to the top of +a church steeple. When I got ready to come down, I just let go and +sailed down lightly as a feather. When I heard that Santy was going to +amaze this country with his dinky old flying machine, I resolved to have +a little harmless amusement with him. + +"With this object in view, I had a flying machine of my own invented. It +was made of canvas stretched over a light wooden frame, and along the +bottom, to keep it upright, I had a keel of lead. My means of expulsion +was a huge paddle wheel that I could work with my feet. That was the +only thing about the machine that I didn't like. There was some work +connected with it. To the rear end of the arrangement I attached a huge +fanlike rudder that I could operate with ropes running to the cross +pieces, like on ordinary rowboats. + +"Mates, there never was a truer word spoken from the chest than that the +prophet is not without honor save in his own country. I had this flying +machine of mine constructed in Cap'n Bean's shipyard, down in Camden, +Maine, my home. The villagers turned out in swarms, and stood around, +and nudged each other in the ribs, and stared at my contrivance, and +tried to josh me. Even Billy Murphy gave me a loud and gleeful ha-ha! +They seemed to think I had gone daffy, but I kept right on about my +business, and one day the _Snowbird_, as I called her, was finished. She +was a beauty, mates, as she lay there, looking so light and airy and +fragile. + +"By that time I had become decidedly hot under the collar on account of +so much chaffing from the rustic populace. Says I to myself, says I: +'Cap'n, these Rubes don't deserve to see you fly. If you let them see +you fly you will be giving every mother's son of them two dollars' worth +of entertainment free of charge.' Now, it isn't my custom to give +anything free of charge. Therefore I advertised in the _Herald_ that on +a certain day I would sail the aërial atmosphere. I stated that before +doing so I would pass around the hat, and I expected every person +present to drop two dollars into it. I thought this was a clever idea of +mine. + +"On the day and date the people came from near and far. They journeyed +even from Hogansville, South Hope, and Stickney's Corner. When I saw +them massed in one great multitude in and around that shipyard and on +the steamboat wharf, I made merry cachinnation. + +"But alas! when I passed through that crowd with my hat and counted up +the collection, I found I had a lead nickel, a trousers button, and a +peppermint lozenger. That was all those measly, close-fisted people +donated for the pleasure of seeing me navigate the ambient air. Although +I am not inclined to be over-sensitive, I felt hurt, and pained, and +disappointed. I then made a little speech to them, and informed them +that over in Searsmont there was a man so mean that he used a wart on +the back of his neck for a collar button to save the expense of buying +one, but I considered him the soul of generosity beside them. I further +informed them that I had postponed sailing. I minded it not that they +guffawed and heaped derision upon me. I was resolute and unbending, and +they were forced to leave without seeing me hoist anchor that day. + +"In the soft and stilly hours of the night which followed I seated +myself in the _Snowbird_, applied my feet to the mechanism, pressed the +spring of the gravity destroyer, and away I scooted over Penobscot Bay. +When the sun rose the following morning it found Cap'n Bean's shipyard +empty and little Walter and his flying machine gone. + +"I was on hand when Santos-Dumont arrived in New York. I sought an +interview with him, and I told him I proposed making him look like a +plugged quarter when he gave his exhibition. I challenged him to sail +against me and told him I would show him up. Santy didn't seem to like +this, and he made remarks which would not look well in the _Sabbath +School Herald_. Indeed, he became violent, and, though I tried to soothe +him, I discovered myself, when the interview ended, sitting on the +sidewalk outside of the building and feeling of my person for bumps and +sore spots. + +"You can imagine with what dignity I arose to my feet and strode +haughtily away. More than ever was I determined to make old Santy look +like an amateur in the flying business. However, he took particular +pains while in New York to scoot around in his machine when he knew I +was not informed that such was his intention. With a great deal of craft +and skill he avoided coming in competition with me. One day some part of +his jigger got out of gear and he had it removed into the country to fix +it. I located him and followed him up. I have forgotten the name of the +village where I found him; but the people were getting much excited, for +he had stated that at a certain time he would show them what he could +do. + +"He had gathered scientific men from Oshkosh, Skowhegan, Chicago, and +other centres of culture and refinement. Among them was Professor +Deusenberry, of the Squedunk Elementary College of Fine Fatheads. I +succeeded in getting at Professor Deusenberry's ear. He had a generous +ear, and there was not much trouble in getting at it. I told him all +about my _Snowbird_, and informed him that I had her concealed near at +hand and proposed to show up Santos when he broke loose and sailed. I +took him around to see my craft; but when he looked her over he shook +his head and announced that she'd never rise clear of the skids on which +I had her elevated above the ground. + +"Well, mates, the great day came around, and promptly at the hour set +Santos rose like a bird in the air. I was watching for him, and when I +saw him gliding about over the village I promptly started the _Snowbird_ +going. The moment I shut off the power of gravitation I scooted upward +like a wild swan. I made straight for Dumont's old machine, and there +before the wildly cheering people, whose shouts rose faint and sweet to +my ear, I proceeded to do a few stunts. I circled around Santos when he +was at his best speed. I sailed over him and under him, and I certain +gave him an attack of nervous prostration. In his excitement he did +something wrong and knocked his machine out of kilter, so that he +suddenly took a collapse and fell into the top of a tree, where his old +craft was badly damaged. I gently lowered myself to the ground, and as I +stepped out of the _Snowbird_ Professor Deusenberry clasped me to his +throbbing bosom and wept on my breast. + +"'Professor Wiley!' he cried, 'beyond question you have solved the +problem of aërial navigation. Professor Wiley----' 'Excuse me, Professor +Deusenberry' said I, 'but I am simply plain Cap'n Wiley, a salty old tar +of modesty and few pretensions. I have no rightful claim to the title of +professor.' + +"'But you shall have--you shall have!' he earnestly declared. 'I will +see that you're made professor of atmospheric nullity at the Squedunk +Elementary College of Fine Fatheads. Your name shall go ringing down +through the corridor of the ages. Your name shall stand side by side in +history with those of Columbus, Pizarro, and Richard Croker.' + +"That night I was wined, and dined, and toasted in that town, while +Santos-Dumont stood outside and shivered in the cold. The scientific men +and professors and men of boodle gazed on me in awe and wonderment and +bowed down before me. Professor Deusenberry was seized with a +determination to own the _Snowbird_. He was fearful lest some one else +should obtain her, and so he hastened to get me to set a price upon her. +I was modest. I told him that I was modest. I told him that in the cause +of science I was ready to part with her for the paltry sum of five +thousand dollars. In less than ten minutes he had gathered some of the +moneyed fatheads of his college and bought my flying machine. + +"I suggested to them that the proper way to start her was to get her +onto some eminence and have some one push her off. The following morning +they raised her to the flat roof of a building, and, with no small +amount of agitation, I saw that Professor Deusenberry himself +contemplated making a trip in her. When they pushed her off he started +the paddle wheels going, but without the effect of my little gravity +destroyer to keep her from falling. She dropped straight down to the +ground. When they picked the professor up, several of his lateral ribs, +together with his dispendarium, were fractured. I thought his confidence +in me was also broken. At any rate, I hastened to shake the dust of that +town from my feet and make for the tall timber. + +"Nevertheless, mates, my little experience with Santos-Dumont so +disgusted and discouraged him that he immediately left this country, +which explains something that has been puzzling the people for a long +time. They wondered why he didn't remain and do the stunts he had +promised to do. Even now I fancy that Santy often dreams in terror of +Cap'n Wiley and his _Snowbird_." + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +THE MAP VANISHES. + + +While Cap'n Wiley had been relating this yarn Merriwell seemed utterly +unconscious of his presence. Having produced his field glasses from the +case at his side, he was surveying the impregnable valley. Suddenly he +started slightly and touched Bart's arm. + +"Look yonder, Hodge," he said, in a low tone. "Away up at the far end of +the valley where the timber is, I can see smoke rising there." + +"So can I!" exclaimed Hodge. "What does it mean?" + +"There is but one thing it can mean, and that is----" + +"There's some one in the valley." + +"Sure, sure," agreed Cap'n Wiley. "Somebody has found a passage into +that harbor." + +"Do you suppose," asked Hodge, in consternation, "that there are other +parties searching for that mine?" + +"It's not unlikely." + +"But you were the only one told of its existence by Benson Clark." + +"Still, it's likely others knew he was prospecting in this vicinity." + +"It will be hard luck, Merry, if we find that some one has relocated +that claim ahead of us." + +"That's right," nodded Frank. "The fact that there is smoke rising from +that part of the valley proves it is not impossible to get down there. +It's too late to-day to make any further effort in that direction. We +will return to the camp and wait for morning." + +"And if you find other men on the claim, what will you do?" + +"I haven't decided." + +"But it belongs to you!" exclaimed Hodge earnestly. "Clark located it, +and when he died he gave you the right to it." + +"Nevertheless, if some one else has found it and has registered his +claim, he can hold it." + +"Not if you can prove Clark staked it off and posted notices. Not if you +can prove he gave it to you." + +"But I can't prove that. Clark is dead. He left no will. All he left was +quartz in his saddlebags and some dust he had washed from the placer, +together with this map I have in my pocket. You see, I would find it +impossible to prove my right to the mine if I discovered other parties +in possession of it." + +Bart's look of disappointment increased. + +"I suppose that's right, Merry," he confessed; "but it doesn't seem +right to me. The Consolidated Mining Association of America tried to +take your Queen Mystery Mine from you on a shabbier claim than you have +on this mine here." + +"But I defeated them, Bart. You must not forget that." + +"I haven't forgotten it," Hodge declared, nodding his head. "All the +same, you had hard work to defeat them, and, later, Milton Sukes made it +still harder for you." + +"But I triumphed in both cases. Right is right, Bart; it makes no +difference whether it is on my side or the other fellow's." + +"That's so," Hodge confessed. "But it would be an almighty shame to find +some one else squatting on that claim. I'd like to get down into that +valley now!" + +"It can't be done before nightfall, so we will go back to camp." + +They set out, and an hour later they reached their camp in a small +valley. There they had pitched a tent near a spring, and close at hand +their horses grazed. As they approached the tent, little Abe came +hobbling up to them. + +"I am glad you're back," he declared. "That man has been going on just +awful." + +"Who? Worthington?" questioned Merry. + +"Yes; he said over and over that he knew his ghost would be lost. He +declared his ghost was in danger. He said he could feel the danger +near." + +"More of his wild fancies," said Hodge. + +"Mates," observed Cap'n Wiley, "if there's anything that upsets my zebro +spinal column it is a crazy gentleman like that. I am prone to confess +that he worries me. I don't trust him. I am afraid that some morning I +will wake up and find a hatchet sticking in my head. I should hate to do +that." + +"I am positive he is harmless," declared Merry. "Where is he, Abe?" + +"I don't know now. A while ago he just rushed off, calling and calling, +and he's not come back." + +Frank looked alarmed. "He promised me he would stay near the camp. He +gave me his word, and this is the first time he has failed to obey me +implicitly in everything." + +"He said he'd have to go to save you." + +"It was a mistake bringing him here, Frank," asserted Hodge. + +"But what could I do with him? He wouldn't remain behind, and I knew the +danger of leaving him there. Any day he might escape from the valley and +lose himself in the desert to perish there." + +"Perhaps that is what will happen to him now." + +Merry was sorely troubled. He made preparations to go in search of +Worthington without delay. But even as he was doing so the deranged man +came running back into the camp and fell panting at his feet. + +"I have found you again, my ghost!" he cried. "They are after you! You +must beware! You must guard yourself constantly!" + +"Get up, Worthington!" said Merry. "I am in no danger. No one can hurt a +ghost, you know." + +"Ah! you don't know them--you don't know them!" excitedly shouted the +lunatic. "They are wicked and dangerous. I saw them peering over those +rocks. I saw their evil eyes. Abe was asleep. I had been walking up and +down, waiting for you to return. When I saw them I stood still as a +stone and made them believe I was dead. They watched and watched and +whispered. They had weapons in their hands! You must be on your guard +every minute!" + +"I have heard about crazy bedbugs," muttered Wiley; "but I never saw one +quite as bad as this. Every time I hear him go on that way I feel the +need of a drink. I could even partake of a portion of Easy Street +firewater with relish." + +Worthington seized Frank's arm. + +"You must come and see where they were--you must come and see," he +urged. + +"Never mind that now," said Merry. "I will look later." + +"No! no! Come, now!" + +"Be still!" commanded Merry sharply. "I can't waste the time." + +But the maniac continued to plead and beg until, in order to appease +him, Merry gave in. + +Worthington led him to a mass of bowlders at a distance, and, pointing +at them, he declared in a whisper: + +"There's where they were hiding. Look and see. There is where they were, +I tell you!" + +More to pacify the poor fellow than anything else, Frank looked around +amid the rocks. Suddenly he made a discovery that caused him to change +countenance and kneel upon the ground. Bart, who had sauntered down, +found him thus. + +"What is it, Frank?" he asked. + +"See here, Hodge," said Merry. "There has been some one here amid these +rocks. Here's a track. Here's a mark where the nails of a man's boot +heel scratched on the rocks." + +Hodge stood looking down, but shook his head. + +"You have sharper eyes than I, Frank," he confessed. "Perhaps +Worthington has been here himself." + +"No! no!" denied the deranged man. "I was afraid to come! I tell you I +saw them! I tell you I saw their wicked eyes. This is the first time I +have been here!" + +"If he tells the truth," said Frank, "then it is certain some one else +has been here." + +Behind Worthington's back Bart shook his head and made signals +expressive of his belief that whatever signs Frank had discovered there +had been made by Worthington. + +"Now, you see," persisted the madman; "now you know they were here! Now +you know you must be on your guard!" + +"Yes, yes," nodded Merry impatiently. "Don't worry about that, +Worthington. I will be on my guard. They will not take me by surprise." + +This seemed to satisfy the poor fellow for the time being, and they +returned to the tent. There a fire was again started and supper was +prepared. Shadows gathered in the valley and night came on. Overhead the +bright stars were shining with a clear light peculiar to that +Southwestern land. + +After supper they lay about on the ground, talking of the Enchanted +Valley, as Merry had named it, and of the mysterious smoke seen rising +from it. Later, when little Abe and Cap'n Wiley were sleeping and +Worthington had sunk into troubled slumber, through which he muttered +and moaned, Frank and Bart sat in the tent and examined the map by the +light of a small lantern. + +"Beyond question, Merry, the mine is near here. There is not a doubt of +it. Here to the east is Hawley Peak, to the south lies Clear Creek. Here +you see marked the stream which must flow through that valley, and here +is the cross made by Clark, which indicates the location of his claim." + +They bent over the map with their heads together, sitting near the end +of the tent. Suddenly a hand and arm was thrust in through the +perpendicular slit in the tent flap. That arm reached over Frank's +shoulder, and that hand seized the map from his fingers. It was done in +a twinkling, and in a twinkling it was gone. + +With shouts of astonishment and dismay, both Frank and Bart sprang up +and plunged from the tent. They heard the sounds of feet running swiftly +down the valley. + +"Halt!" cried Merry, producing a pistol and starting in pursuit. + +In the darkness he caught a glimpse of the fleeing figure. + +"Stop, or I fire!" he cried again. + +There was no answer. Flinging up his hand, he began shooting into the +gloom. He did not stop until he had emptied the weapon. Having run on +some distance, he paused and listened, stopping Bart with an +outstretched hand. + +Silence lay over the valley. + +"Did you hit him?" asked Bart. + +"I don't know," confessed Frank. + +"I can hear nothing of him." + +"Nor I." + +"You may have dropped him here." + +"If not----" + +"If not, my map is gone." + +As he was talking, Frank threw open his pistol and the empty shells were +ejected. He deftly refilled the cylinder. + +"By George, Merry!" whispered Bart, "Worthington may have been right +when he told you he saw some one beyond those bowlders." + +"He was." + +"Then we have been followed! We have been spied upon!" + +"No question about it." + +"Who did it?" + +"That's for us to find out." + +Together they searched for the man at whom Frank had fired in the +darkness. They found nothing of him. From the tent little Abe began +calling to them. Then Worthington came hurrying and panting through the +darkness seeking them. + +"They have gone!" declared the man wildly. "They were here! In my sleep +I felt them! In my sleep I saw them!" + +"We must have a light, Hodge," said Frank. "Bring the lantern." + +Bart rushed back to the tent and brought the lantern. With it Frank +began examining the ground. + +"Poor show of discovering any sign here," he muttered. + +After a time, however, he uttered an exclamation and bent over. + +"What have you found?" questioned Hodge excitedly. + +"See here," said Frank, pointing on the ground before him. + +On a rock at their feet they saw fresh drops of blood. + +"By Jove, you did hit him!" burst from Bart's lips. "If we can follow +that trail----" + +"We will find the man who has that map," said Merry grimly. "I wonder +how badly he is wounded." + +"Blood!" moaned Worthington. "There is blood on the ground! There is +blood in the air! There is death here! Wherever I go there is death!" + +"Keep still!" said Frank sharply. "Look out for Abe, Bart." + +Then he began seeking to follow the sanguine trail with the aid of the +lighted lantern. It was slow work, but still he made some progress. + +"We're taking big chances, Merry," said Bart, who had a pistol in his +hand. + +"It's the only way we can follow him." + +"Beware!" warned Worthington, in a hollow whisper. "I tell you there is +death in the air!" + +They had not proceeded far when suddenly a shot rang out and the bullet +smashed the lantern globe, extinguishing the light. Hodge had been +expecting something of the sort, and he fired almost instantly in +return, aiming at the flash he had vaguely seen. + +"Are you hurt, Merry?" he asked. + +"No; the lantern was the only thing struck. Did you see where the shot +came from?" + +"I caught a glimpse of the flash." + +Then a hoarse voice hailed them from the darkness farther down the +valley. + +"You gents, there!" it called. + +They did not answer. + +"Oh, Frank Merriwell!" again came the call. + +"It's somebody who knows you," whispered Hodge. + +"What is it?" called Merry, in response. + +"You holds up where you are!" returned the voice, "or you eats lead +a-plenty." + +"Who are you?" + +"That's what you finds out if you come. If you wants to know so bad, +mebbe you ambles nearer and takes your chances o' getting shot up." + +"It's sure death to try it," warned Hodge, in a whisper. + +"Death and destruction!" Worthington screamed. "It is here! Come away! +Come away!" + +He seized Merry and attempted to drag him back. Frank was forced to +break the man's hold upon him. + +"I must save you!" the deranged man panted. "I knew it would come! Once +I left you to perish in the flames; now I must save you!" + +He again flung himself on Frank, and during the struggle that followed +both Hodge and Wiley were compelled to render assistance. Not until the +madman had been tripped and was held helpless on the ground did he +become quiet. + +"It's no use!" he groaned; "I can't do it! It is not my fault!" + +Merry bent close and stared through the gloom at the eyes of the +unfortunate man. + +"You must obey me," he said, in that singular, commanding tone of his. +"You have to obey me! Go back to the tent!" + +Then he motioned for Hodge to let Worthington up, and Bart did so. +Without further resistance or struggling, the man turned and walked +slowly back to the tent. + +"Go with him, Wiley, and take Abe with you." + +Although Wiley protested against this, Frank was firm, and the sailor +yielded. Then, seeking such shelter as they could find amid the rocks +and the darkness, Bart and Frank crept slowly toward the point from +which that warning voice had seemed to come. A long time was spent in +this manner, and when they reached the spot they sought they were +rewarded by finding nothing. + +"He has gone, Frank," muttered Hodge. "While we were struggling with +Worthington, he improved the opportunity to escape." + +"I fear you are right," said Merriwell. + +Further investigation proved this was true. In vain they searched the +valley. The mysterious unknown who had snatched the map and who had been +wounded in his flight by Frank had made good his escape. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +THE NIGHT WATCH. + + +They were finally compelled to give up the search, although they did so +with the greatest reluctance. + +"Unless it aids the other fellow to locate the claim first," said Bart, +"the loss of the map cannot be much of a disadvantage to you, Merry. It +could give us no further assistance in finding the claim." + +"That's true," muttered Frank. "But the fact that mysterious men have +been prowling around here and one of them has secured the map seems to +indicate there are others who are searching for Benson Clark's lost +claim. If they locate it first----" + +"It's rightfully yours!" growled Hodge. "No one else has a real claim to +it. Clark gave it to you." + +"But he made no will." + +"All the same, you know he gave it to you." + +"We have discussed all that, Hodge," said Merry as they returned to the +tent. "If other parties find the claim first and begin work on it, they +can hold it." + +Wiley was teetering up and down in front of the tent, apparently in an +uneasy state of mind. + +"I have faced perils by sea and land!" he exclaimed, as they approached. +"It doesn't behoove any one to shunt me off onto a lunatic and a cripple +when there is danger in the air. My fighting blood is stirred, and I +long to look death in the mouth and examine his teeth." + +Neither Merry nor Bart paid much attention to the spluttering sailor. +They consulted about the wisdom of changing their camping place for the +night. + +"I don't think it is necessary," said Frank. "Whoever it was, the +prowler secured the map, and I fancy it will satisfy him for the +present. Something assures me that was what he was after, and we have +nothing more of interest to him now." + +After a time they decided to remain where they were and to take turns in +guarding the camp. The first watch fell on Bart, while Frank was to take +the middle hours of the night, and Wiley's turn came toward morning. It +was found somewhat difficult to quiet Worthington, who remained +intensely wrought up over what had happened; but in time Merry induced +him to lie down in the tent. + +Little Abe crept close to Frank and lay there, shivering somewhat. + +"You have so many enemies, Frank," he whispered. "Who are these new +enemies you have found here?" + +"I don't know at present, Abe; but I will find out in time." + +"Why must you always have enemies?" + +"I think it is the fortune of every man who succeeds to make enemies. +Other men become jealous. Only idiots and spineless, nerve-lacking +individuals make no enemies at all." + +"But sometime your enemies will hurt you," muttered the boy fearfully. +"You can't always escape when they are prowling about and striking at +your back." + +"Of course, there is a chance that some of them may get me," confessed +Frank; "but I am not worrying over that now." + +"Worthington frightens me, too," confessed the boy. "He is so strange! +But, really and truly, he seems to know when danger is near. He seems to +discover it, somehow." + +"Which is a faculty possessed by some people with disordered brains. I +fancied the fellow was dreaming when he declared he saw some one hiding +behind those rocks to-day; but now I know he actually saw what he +claimed to see." + +"Oh, I hope they don't get that mine away from you! You have taken so +much trouble to find it!" + +"Don't worry," half laughed Merry. "If they should locate the mine ahead +of me, I can stand it. I have two mines now, which are owned jointly by +myself and my brother." + +"Your brother!" exclaimed Abe, in surprise. "Why, have you a brother?" + +"Yes; a half-brother." + +"Where is he?" + +"He is attending school far, far away in the East. I received some +letters from him while you were in Denver." + +"Is he like you?" + +"Well, I don't know. In some things he seems to be like me; in others he +is different." + +"He is younger?" + +"Yes, several years younger." + +"Oh, I'd like to see him!" breathed Abe. "I know I'd like him. What's +his name?" + +"Dick." + +"Perhaps I'll see him some day." + +"Yes, Abe, I think you will. By and by we will go East, and I will take +you to see him at Fardale. That's where he is attending school." + +"It must be just the finest thing to go to school. I never went to +school any. What do they do there, Frank?" + +"Oh, they do many things, Abe. They study books which prepare them for +successful careers, and they play baseball and football and take part in +other sports. They have a fine gymnasium, where they exercise to develop +their bodies, which need developing, as well as their brains. In some +schools, Abe, the development of the body is neglected. Scholars are +compelled to study in close rooms, regardless of their health and of +their individual weaknesses. And many times their constitutions are +wrecked so that they are unfitted to become successful men and women +through the fact that they have not the energy and stamina in the battle +of life, at which successes must be won. + +"I don't know that you understand all this, Abe, but many parents make +sad mistakes in seeking to force too much education into the heads of +their children in a brief space of time. It is not always the boy or +girl who is the smartest as a boy or girl who makes the smartest and +most successful man or woman. Some of the brightest and most brilliant +scholars fail after leaving school. Although at school they were wonders +in their classes, in after life others who were not so brilliant and +promising often rise far above them." + +"I don't know nothing about those things, Frank," said the boy. "You +seem to know all about everything. But I want you to tell me more about +the school and the games they play and the things they do there." + +"Not to-night, Abe," said Merry. "Go to sleep now. Sometime I will tell +you all about it." + +Long after Merry's regular breathing indicated that he was slumbering, +little Abe lay trying to picture to himself that wonderful school, where +so many boys studied, and lived, and prepared themselves for careers. It +was a strange school his fancy pictured. At last he slept also, and he +dreamed that he was in the school with other boys, that he was straight, +and strong, and handsome, and that Dick Merriwell was his friend and +companion. He dreamed that he took part in the sports and games, and was +successful and admired like other lads. It was a joyful dream, and in +his sleep he smiled and laughed a little. But for the poor little +cripple it was a dream that could never come true. + +In the night Frank was aroused by Bart, who lay down, while Merry took +his place on guard outside the tent. The night was far spent when Frank +awakened Wiley to take a turn at watching over the camp. + +"Port your helm!" muttered the sailor thickly, as Merry shook him. +"Breakers ahead! She's going on the rocks!" + +"Turn out here," said Frank. "It's your watch on deck!" + +"What's that?" mumbled the sailor. "Who says so? I am cap'n of this +ship. I give off orders here." + +Merry seized him by the shoulders and sat him upright. + +"In this instance," declared Frank, "you're simply the man before the +mast. I am captain this voyage." + +"I deny the allegation and defy the alligator," spluttered Wiley, waving +his arms in the dark. "I never sailed before the mast." + +Frank was finally compelled to drag him bodily out of the tent, where at +length Wiley became aware of his surroundings and stood yawning and +rubbing his eyes. + +"This is a new turn for me, mate," he said. "It has been my custom in +the past to lay in my royal bunk and listen to the slosh of bilge water +and the plunging of my good ship through the billows, while others did +the real work. I always put in my hardest work at resting. I can work +harder at resting than any man I know of. I have a natural-born talent +for it. Nevertheless, Cap'n Merriwell, I now assume my new duties. You +may go below and turn in with the perfect assurance that little Walter +will guard you faithfully from all harm. Though a thousand foes should +menace you, I will be on hand to repel them." + +"That's right, Wiley; keep your eyes open. There may be no danger, but +you know what happened early this night." + +"Say no more," assured Wiley. "I am the embodied spirit of active +alertness. Permit rosy slumber to softly close your dewy eyes and dream +sweet dreams of bliss. Talk about real poetry; there's a sample of it +for you." + +Smiling a little at the eccentricities of the sailor, Frank slipped into +the tent and again rolled himself in his blanket. + +Rosy dawn was smiling over the eastern peaks when Frank opened his eyes. +The others were still fast asleep, and Merry wondered if Wiley had +already started a fire preparatory for breakfast. It seemed singular +that the sailor had not aroused them before this. Stealing softly from +the tent, Merry looked around for the captain. At first he saw nothing +of him, but after some minutes he discovered Wiley seated on the ground, +with his back against a bowlder and with his head bowed. Approaching +nearer, Frank saw the sailor was fast asleep, with a revolver clutched +in his hand. + +"Sleeping at your post, are you?" muttered Frank, annoyed. "Had there +been enemies near, they might have crept on us while you were sleeping +and murdered the whole party. You deserve to be taught a lesson." + +Making no noise, he drew nearer, keeping somewhat to one side and behind +the sailor, then bent over and uttered a piercing yell in Wiley's ear. +The result was astonishing. With an answering yell, the sailor bounded +into the air like a jack-in-the-box popping up. As he made that first +wild, electrifying leap he began shooting. When his feet struck the +ground he started to run, but continued shooting in all directions. + +"Repel boarders!" he yelled. "Give it to them!" + +Frank dropped down behind the bowlder to make sure that he was protected +from the bullets so recklessly discharged from the cap'n's revolver. +Peering over it, he saw Wiley bound frantically down the slope toward +the spring, catch his toe, spin over in the air, and plunge headlong. By +a singular chance, he had tripped just before reaching the spring, and +he dived into it, splashing the water in all directions. This +termination of the affair was so surprising and ludicrous that Merry was +convulsed with laughter. He ran quickly out, seized the sailor by the +heels, and dragged him out. Wiley sat up, spluttering and gurgling and +spouting water, very stupefied and very much bewildered. + +This sudden commotion had brought Hodge leaping from the tent, a weapon +in hand, while Abe and Worthington crawled forth in alarm. + +Merry's hearty laughter awoke the echoes of the valley. + +"Why do you disturb the placid peacefulness of this pellucid morning +with the ponderous pyrotechnics of your palpitating pleasure?" inquired +Wiley. "Did it amuse you so much to see me take my regular morning +plunge? Why, I always do that. I believe in a cold bath in the morning. +It's a great thing. It's a regular thing for me. I do it once a year +whether I need it or not. This was my morning for plunging, so I +plunged. But what was that elongated, ear-splitting vibration that +pierced the tympanum of my tingling ear? Somehow I fancy I heard a +slight disturbance. I was dreaming just at that moment of my fearful +encounter with Chinese pirates in the Indian Ocean some several years +agone. Being thus suddenly awakened, I did my best to repel boarders, +and I fancy I shot a number of holes in the ambient atmosphere around +here." + +"You did all of that," smiled Merry. "I found it necessary to get under +cover in order to be safe. Cap'n, you certainly cut a queer caper. It +was better than a circus to see you jump and go scooting down the slope; +and when you plunged into the spring I surely thought you were going +right through to China." + +"Well," said the sailor, wiping his face and hands on the tail of his +coat, "that saves me the trouble of washing this morning. But I still +fail to understand just how it happened." + +"You were sleeping at your post." + +"What? Me?" + +"Yes, you." + +"Impossible; I never sleep. I may occasionally lapse a little, but I +never sleep." + +"You were snoring." + +Wiley arose, looking sad and offended. + +"If I did not love you even as a brother I should feel hurt by your +cruel words," he muttered, picking up an empty pistol that had fallen +near the spring. "But I know you're joking." + +"You just said you were dreaming, Wiley," reminded Frank. "Is this the +way you are to be trusted? What if our enemies had crept upon us while +you were supposed to be guarding the camp?" + +"Don't speak of it!" entreated the marine marvel. "It hurts me. In case +I closed my eyes by accident for a moment, I hope you will forgive me +the oversight. Be sure I shall never forgive myself. Oh, but that was a +lovely dream! There were seventeen pirates coming over the rail, with +cutlasses, and dirks, and muskets, and cannon in their teeth, and I was +just wading into them in earnest when you disturbed the engagement. + +"In that dream I was simply living over again that terrible contest with +the Chinese pirates in which I engaged while commanding my good ship, +the _Sour Dog_. That was my first cruise in Eastern waters. The _Sour +Dog_ was a merchantman of nine billion tons burthen. We were loaded with +indigo, and spice, and everything nice. We had started on a return +voyage, and were bound southward to round the Cape of Good Hope. I had +warned my faithful followers of the dangers we might encounter in the +Indian Ocean, which was just literally boiling over with pirates of +various kinds. + +"One thing that had troubled us greatly was the fact that our good ship +was overrun with rats. I set my nimble wits to work to devise a scheme +of ridding us of those rats. I manufactured a number of very crafty +traps, and set them where I believed they would be the most efficacious. +You should have seen the way I gathered in those rats. Every morning I +had thirty or forty rats in those traps, and soon I was struck with a +new scheme. Knowing the value of rats in China, I decided to gather up +those on board, put about, and deliver them as a special cargo at +Hongkong. With this object in view, I had a huge cage manufactured on +the jigger deck. In this cage I confined all the rats captured, and soon +I had several hundred of them. These rats, Mr. Merriwell, saved our +lives, remarkable though it may seem to you. Bear with me just a moment +and I will elucidate. + +"We had put about and set our course for the Sunda Islands when an +unfortunate calm befell us. Now, a calm in those waters is the real +thing. When it gets calm there it is so still that you can hear a man +think a mile away. The tropical sun blazed down on the blazing ocean, +and our sails hung as still and silent as Willie Bryan's tongue after +the last Presidential election. The heat was so intense that the tar in +the caulking of the vessel bubbled and sizzled, and the deck of the +_Sour Dog_ was hot as a pancake griddle. Suddenly the watch aloft sent +down a cry, 'Ship, ho!' We sighted her heaving up over the horizon and +bearing straight down on us." + +"But I thought you said there was no wind," interrupted Merry. "How +could a ship come bearing down upon you with no wind to sail by?" + +"It was not exactly a ship, Mr. Merriwell; we soon saw it was a Chinese +junk. She was manned with a great crew of rowers, who were propelling +her with long oars. We could see their oar blades flashing in the sun as +they rose and fell with machine-like regularity. I seized my marine +glasses and mounted aloft. Through them I surveyed the approaching +craft. I confess to you, sir, that the appearance of that vessel +agitated my equilibrium. I didn't like her looks. Something told me she +was a pirate. + +"Unfortunately for us, we were not prepared for such an emergency. Had +there been a good breeze blowing, we could have sailed away and laughed +at her. As there was no breeze, we were helpless to escape. It was an +awful moment. When I told my crew that she was a pirate they fell on +their knees and wept and prayed. That worried me exceedingly, for up to +that time they had been the most profane, unreligious set of lubbers it +was ever my fortune to command. I told them in choice language just +about what I thought of them; but it didn't seem to have any effect on +them. I told them that our only chance for life was to repel those +pirates in some manner. I warned them to arm themselves with such +weapons as they could find and to fight to the last. We didn't have a +gun on board. One fellow had a good keen knife, but even with the aid of +that we seemed in a precarious predicament. + +"The pirate vessel came straight on. When she was near enough, I hailed +her through my speaking trumpet and asked her what she wanted. She made +no answer. Soon we could see those yellow-skinned, pigtailed wretches, +and every man of them was armed with deadly weapons. Having heard the +fearful tales of butcheries committed by those monsters, I knew the fate +in store for us unless we could repulse them somehow. Again I appealed +to my men, and again I saw it was useless. + +"The pirate swung alongside and fastened to us. Then those yellow fiends +came swarming over the rail with their weapons in their teeth, intent on +carving us up. The whole crew boarded us as one man. Just as they were +about to begin their horrid work a brilliant thought flashed through my +brain. I opened the rat cage and let those rats loose upon the deck. As +the Chinamen saw hundreds of rats running around over the deck they +uttered yells of joy and started in pursuit of them. + +"When they yelled they dropped their cutlasses and knives from their +teeth, and the clang of steel upon the deck was almost deafening. It was +a surprising sight to see the chinks diving here and there after the +rats and trying to capture them. To them those rats were far more +valuable than anything they had expected to find on board. For the time +being they had wholly forgotten their real object in boarding us. + +"Seeing the opening offered, at the precise psychological moment I +seized a cutlass and fell upon them. With my first blow I severed a +pirate's head from his body. At the same time I shouted to my crew to +follow my example. They caught up the weapons the pirates had dropped, +and in less time than it takes to tell it that deck ran knee-deep in +Chinese gore. Even after we had attacked them in that manner they seemed +so excited over those rats that they continued to chase the fleeing +rodents and paid little attention to us. + +"If was not more than ten minutes before I finished the last wretch of +them and stood looking around at that horrible spectacle. With my own +hand I had slain forty-one of those pirates. We had wiped out the entire +crew. Of course, I felt disappointed in having to lose the rats in that +manner, but I decided that it should not be a loss, and straightway I +began shaving the pigtails from the Chinamen's heads. We cut them off +and piled them up, after which we cast the bodies overboard and washed +the deck clean. + +"When I arrived in New York I made a deal with a manufacturer of hair +mattresses and sold out that lot of pigtails for a handsome sum. It was +one of the most successful voyages of my life. When Congress heard of +the wonderful things I had done in destroying the pirates, it voted me a +leather medal of honor. That's the whole story, Mr. Merriwell. I was +dreaming of that frightful encounter when you aroused me. Perhaps you +may doubt the veracity of my narrative; but it is as true as anything I +ever told you." + +"I haven't a doubt of it," laughed Frank. "It seems to me that the most +of your wonderful adventures are things of dreams, cap'n. According to +your tell, you should have been a rich man to-day. You have had chances +enough." + +"That's right," nodded the sailor. "But my bountiful generosity has kept +me poor. In order to get ahead in this world a fellow has to hustle. He +can't become a Rockefeller or a Morgan if he's whole-souled and generous +like me. I never did have any sympathy with chaps who complain that they +had no chance. I fully agree with my friend, Sam Foss, who wrote some +touching little lines which it would delight me to recite to you. Sam is +the real thing when it comes to turning out poetry. He can oil up his +machine and grind it out by the yard. Listen, and I will recite to you +the touching stanzas in question." + +In his own inimitable manner Wiley began to recite, and this was the +poem he delivered: + + "Joe Beall 'ud set upon a keg, + Down to the groc'ry store, an' throw + One leg right over t'other leg, + An' swear he'd never had a show. + 'O, no,' said Joe, + 'Hain't hed no show;' + Then shift his quid to t'other jaw, + An' chaw, an' chaw, an' chaw, an' chaw. + + "He said he got no start in life, + Didn't get no money from his dad + The washing took in by his wife + Earned all the funds he ever had. + 'O, no,' said Joe, + 'Hain't hed no show;' + An' then he'd look up at the clock, + An' talk, an' talk, an' talk, an' talk. + + "'I've waited twenty year--let's see---- + Yes, twenty-four, an' never struck, + Altho' I've sot roun' patiently, + The fust tarnation streak er luck. + 'O, no,' said Joe, + 'Hain't hed no show;' + Then stuck like mucilage to the spot, + An' sot, an' sot, an' sot, an' sot. + + "'I've come down regeler every day + For twenty years to Piper's store; + I've sot here in a patient way, + Say, hain't I, Piper?' Piper swore. + 'I tell yer, Joe, + Yer hain't no show; + Yer too dern patient'----ther hull raft + Just laffed, an' laffed, an' laffed, an' laffed." + +"That will about do for this morning," laughed Frank. "We will have +breakfast now." + +That day Frank set about a systematic search for some method of getting +into the Enchanted Valley, as he had called it. Having broken camp and +packed everything, with the entire party he set about circling the +valley. It was slow and difficult work, for at points it became +necessary that one or two of them should take the horses around by a +détour, while the others followed the rim of the valley. + +Midday had passed when at last Merry discovered a hidden cleft or +fissure, like a huge crack in the rocky wall, which ran downward and +seemed a possible means of reaching the valley. He had the horses +brought to the head of this fissure before exploring it. + +"At best, it is going to be a mighty difficult thing to get the horses +down there," said Bart. + +"We may not be able to do it," acknowledged Merry; "but I am greatly in +hopes that we can get into the valley ourselves at last." + +When they had descended some distance, Frank found indications which +convinced him that other parties had lately traversed that fissure. +These signs were not very plain to Bart, but he relied on Merry's +judgment. + +They finally reached a point from where they could see the bottom and +look out into the valley. + +"We can get down here ourselves, all right," said Hodge. "What do you +think about the horses?" + +"It will be a ticklish job to bring them down," acknowledged Merry; "but +I am in for trying it." + +"If one of the beasts should lose his footing and take a tumble----" + +"We'd be out a horse, that's all. We must look out that, in case such a +thing happens, no one of us is carried down with the animal." + +They returned to the place where Wiley, Worthington, and little Abe were +waiting. When Frank announced that they could get into the valley that +way, the deranged man suddenly cried: + +"There's doom down there! Those who enter never return!" + +"That fellow is a real cheerful chap!" said the sailor. "He has been +making it pleasant for us while you were gone, with his joyful +predictions of death and disaster." + +They gave little heed to Worthington. Making sure the packs were secure +on the backs of the animals, they fully arranged their plans of descent +and entered the fissure. More than an hour later they reached the valley +below, having descended without the slightest mishap. + +"Well, here we are," smiled Merry. "We have found our way into the +Enchanted Valley at last." + +"Never to return! Never to return!" croaked Worthington. + +"It's too late to do much exploring to-night, Merry," said Hodge. + +"It's too late to do anything but find a good spot and pitch our tent." + +"Where had we better camp?" + +After looking around, Merriwell suggested that they proceed toward the +northern end of the valley, where there was timber. + +"It's up that way we saw smoke, Frank," said Hodge. + +"I know it." + +As they advanced toward the timber they came to a narrow gorge that cut +for a short distance into the side of a mighty mountain. The stream +which ran through the valley flowed from this gorge, and further +investigation showed that it came from an opening in the mountainside +itself. Beside this stream they found the dead embers of a camp fire. + +"Who built it, Frank?" asked Bart, as Merry looked the ground over. "Was +it Indians, do you think?" + +Merriwell shook his head. + +"No; it was built by white men." + +Hodge frowned. + +"It makes little difference," he said. "One is likely to be as dangerous +as the other." + +"We will camp here ourselves," decided Merry. + +The animals were relieved of their packs, and they busied themselves in +erecting a tent and making ready for the night. Little Abe was set to +gathering wood with which to build a fire. Darkness came on ere they had +completed their tasks, but they finished by the light of the fire, which +crackled and gleamed beside the flowing stream. + +Wiley had shown himself to be something of a cook, and on him fell the +task of preparing supper. He soon had the coffeepot steaming on a bed of +coals, and the aroma made them all ravenous. He made up a batter of corn +meal and cooked it in a pan over the fire. This, together with the +coffee and their dried beef, satisfied their hunger, and all partook +heartily. + +"Now," said Wiley, as he stretched himself on the ground, "if some one +had a perfecto which he could lend me, I would be supinely content. As +it is, I shall have to be satisfied with a soothing pipe." + +He filled his pipe, lighted it, and lay puffing contentedly. Bart and +Merry were talking of what the morrow might bring forth, when suddenly +Worthington uttered a sharp hiss and held up his hand. Then, to the +surprise of all, from some unknown point, seemingly above them, a voice +burst forth in song. It was the voice of a man, and the narrow gorge +echoed with the weird melody. Not one of them could tell whence the +singing came. + + "Where dead men roam the dark + The world is cold and chill; + You hear their voices--hark! + They cry o'er vale and hill: + 'Beware! + Take care! + For death is cold and still.'" + +These were the words of the song as given by that mysterious singer. +They were ominous and full of warning. + +"That certainly is a soulful little ditty," observed Wiley. "It is so +hilariously funny and laughable, don't you know." + +Frank kicked aside the blazing brands of the fire with his foot and +stamped them out, plunging the place into darkness. + +"That's right," muttered Hodge. "They might pick us off any time by the +firelight." + +A hollow, blood-chilling groan sounded near at hand, and Wiley nearly +collapsed from sudden fright. The groan, however, came from the lips of +Worthington, who was standing straight and silent as a tree, his arms +stretched above his head in a singular manner. + +"The stars are going to fall!" he declared, in a sibilant whisper that +was strangely piercing. "Save yourselves! Hold them off! Hold them off! +If they strike you, you will be destroyed!" + +"Say, Worth, old bughouse!" exclaimed Wiley, slapping the deranged man +on the shoulder; "don't ever let out another geezly groan like that! +Why, my heart rose up and kicked my hair just about a foot into the air. +I thought all the ghosts, and spooks, and things of the unseen world had +broken loose at one break. You ought to take something for that. You +need a tonic. I would recommend Lizzie Pinkham's Vegetable Compound." + +"Keep still, can't you!" exclaimed Hodge, in a low tone. "If we hear +that voice again, I'd like to locate the point from whence it comes." + +"Oh, I will keep still if you will guarantee to muzzle Worth here," +assured the sailor. + +The deranged man was silent now, and they all seemed to be listening +with eager intentness. + +"Why doesn't he sing some more, Merry?" whispered Bart. + +After some moments, the mysterious voice was heard again. It seemed to +come from the air above them, and they distinctly heard it call a name: + +"Frank!" + +Merry stood perfectly still, but, in spite of himself, Bart Hodge gave a +start of astonishment. + +"Frank Merriwell!" + +Again the voice called. + +"Great Cæsar's ghost!" panted Hodge in Merry's ear. "Whoever it is, he +knows you! He is calling your name. What do you think of that?" + +"That's not so very strange, Bart." + +"Why not?" + +"Since we came into the valley, either you, or Wiley, or Abe have spoken +my name so this unknown party overheard it." + +"Frank Merriwell!" distinctly spoke the mysterious voice; "come to me! +You must come! You can't escape! You buried me in the shadow of Chaves +Pass! My bones lie there still; but my spirit is here calling to you!" + +"Booh!" said Wiley. "I've had more or less dealings with spirits in my +time, but never with just this kind. Now, ardent spirits and _spritis +fermenti_ are congenial things; but a spooky spirit is not in my line." + +"I tell you to keep still," whispered Hodge once more. + +"I am dumb as a clam," asserted the sailor. + +"Do you hear me, Frank Merriwell?" again called the mysterious voice. "I +am the ghost of Benson Clark. I have returned here to guard my mine. +Human hands shall never desecrate it. If you seek farther for it, you +are doomed--doomed!" + +At this point Worthington broke into a shriek of maniacal laughter. + +"Go back to your grave!" he yelled. "No plotting there! No +violence--nothing but rest!" + +"Now, I tell you what, mates," broke in Cap'n Wiley protestingly; +"between spook voices and this maniac, I am on the verge of nervous +prostration. If I had a bottle of Doctor Brown's nervura, I'd drink the +whole thing at one gulp." + +Having shouted the words quoted, Worthington crouched on the ground and +covered his face with his hands. + +"What do you think about it now?" whispered Bart in Frank's ear. +"Whoever it is, he knows about Benson Clark and his claim. He knows you +buried Clark. How do you explain that?" + +"I can see only one explanation," answered Frank, in a low tone. "This +man has been near enough at some time when we were speaking of Clark to +overhear our words." + +"This man," muttered Wiley. "Why, jigger it all! it claims to be an +ethereal and vapid spook." + +"Don't be a fool, Wiley!" growled Hodge. "You know as well as we do that +it is not a spook." + +"You relieve me greatly by your assurance," said the sailor. "I have +never seen a spook, but once, after a protracted visit on Easy Street, I +saw other things just as bad. I don't think my nerves have gained their +equilibrium." + +"What will we do about this business, Merry?" asked Hodge. + +"I don't propose to be driven away from here by any such childish +trick," answered Frank grimly. "We will not build another fire to-night, +for I don't care to take the chances of being picked off by any one +shooting at us from the dark. However, we will stay right here and show +this party that he cannot frighten us in such a silly manner." + +"That's the talk!" nodded Hodge. "I am with you." + +"Don't forget me," interjected the sailor. + +"You!" exclaimed Frank sharply. "How can we depend on a fellow who +sleeps at his post when on guard?" + +"It's ever thus my little failings have counted against me!" sighed +Wiley. "Those things have caused me to be vastly misunderstood. Well, it +can't be helped. If I am not permitted to take my turn of standing guard +to-night, I must suffer and sleep in silence." + +Having said this in an injured and doleful manner, he retreated to the +tent and flung himself on the ground. + +Frank and Bart sat down near the tent, and listened and waited a long +time, thinking it possible they might hear that voice once more. The +silence remained undisturbed, however, save for the gurgle of the little +brook which ran near at hand. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +WILEY'S DISAPPEARANCE. + + +Night passed without anything further to disturb or annoy them. The +morning came bright and peaceful, and the sun shone pleasantly into the +Enchanted Valley. Wiley turned out at an early hour, built the fire, and +prepared the breakfast. + +"Seems like I had an unpleasant dream last eve," he remarked. "These +measly dreams are coming thick and fast. Night before last it was +pirates; last night it was spooks. It seems to be getting worse and +worse. If this thing keeps up, I will be in poor condition when the +baseball season opens in the spring." + +"Then you intend to play baseball again, do you, cap'n?" asked Merry. + +"Intend to play it! Why, mate, I cannot help it! As long as my good +right arm retains its cunning I shall continue to project the sphere +through the atmosphere. To me it is a pleasure to behold a batter wildly +swat the empty air as one of my marvelous curves serenely dodges his +willow wand. I have thought many times that I would get a divorce from +baseball and return to it no more. But each spring, as the little birds +joyfully hie themselves northward from their winter pilgrimage in the +Sunny South, the old-time feeling gets into my veins, and I amble forth +upon the turf and disport myself upon the chalk-marked diamond. Yes, I +expect to be in the game again, and when little Walter gets into the +game he gets into it for keeps." + +"What if some one should offer you a prominent position at a salary of +ten thousand a year where you would be unable to play baseball?" +inquired Merry, with a sly twinkle in his eye. "You'd have to give it up +then." + +"Not on your tintype!" was the prompt retort. + +"What would you do?" + +"I'd give up the position." + +Frank laughed heartily. + +"Cap'n, you're a confirmed baseball crank. But if you live your natural +life, there'll come a time when your joints will stiffen, when +rheumatism may come into your good arm, when your keen eye will lose its +brightness, when your skill to hit a pitched ball will vanish--then what +will you do?" + +The sailor heaved a deep sigh. + +"Don't," he sadly said, wiping his eye. "Talk to me of dreadful +things--funerals, and deaths, and all that; but don't ever suggest to me +that the day will dawn when little Walter will recognize the fact that +he is a has-been. It fills my soul with such unutterable sadness that +words fail me. However, ere that day appears I propose to daze and +bewilder the staring world. Why, even with my wonderful record as a ball +player, it was only last year that I failed to obtain a show on the +measly little dried-up old New England League. I knew I was a hundred +times better than the players given a show. I even confessed it to the +managers of the different teams. Still, I didn't happen to have the +proper pull, and they took on the cheap slobs who were chumps enough to +play for nothing in order to get a chance to play at all. + +"I knew my value, and I refused to play unless I could feel the coin of +the realm tickling my palm. I rather think I opened the eyes of some of +those dinky old managers. But even though Selee, McGraw, and others of +the big leagues have been imploring me on their knees to play with them, +I have haughtily declined. What I really desire is to get into the New +England League, where I will be a star of the first magnitude. I had +much rather be a big toad in a little puddle than a medium-sized toad in +a big puddle. The manager who signs me for his team in the New England +League will draw a glittering prize. If I could have my old-time chum, +Peckie Prescott, with me, we'd show those New England Leaguers some +stunts that would curl their hair. + +"Speaking of Peckie, Mr. Merriwell, reminds me that there is a boy lost +to professional baseball who would be worth millions of dollars to any +manager who got hold of him and gave him a show. Play ball! Why, Peckie +was born to play ball! He just can't help it. He has an arm of iron, and +he can throw from the plate to second base on a dead line and as quick +as a bullet from a rifle. As a backstop he is a wizard. And when it +comes to hitting--oh, la! la! he can average his two base hits a game +off any pitcher in the New England League. To be sure, the boy is a +little new and needs some coaching; but give him a show and he will be +in the National or American inside of three seasons." + +"Are you serious about this fellow, cap'n?" asked Frank. "I am aware +that you know a real baseball player when you see him, but you have a +little way of exaggerating that sometimes leads people to doubt your +statements." + +"Mr. Merriwell, I was never more serious in all my life. I give you my +word that everything I have said of Prescott is true; but I fear, like +some sweet, fragile wild-woods flower, he was born to blush unseen. I +fear he will never get the show he deserves. While these dunkhead +managers are scrabbling around over the country to rake up players, he +remains in the modest seclusion of his home, and they fail to stumble on +him. He is a retiring sort of chap, and this has prevented him from +pushing himself forward." + +"You should be able to push him a little yourself, cap'n." + +"What! When I am turned down by the blind and deluded managers, how am I +to help another? Alas! 'tis impossible! Coffee is served, Mr. Merriwell. +Let's proceed to surround our breakfast and forget our misfortunes." + +After breakfast Frank and Bart discussed the programme for the day. They +decided to make an immediate and vigorous search for the lost mine. It +was considered necessary, however, that one of the party should remain +at the camp and guard their outfit. Neither Abe nor Worthington was +suitable for this, and, as both Frank and Bart wished to take part in +the search, Wiley seemed the only one left for the task. + +"Very well," said the sailor, "I will remain. Leave me with a Winchester +in my hands, and I will guarantee to protect things here with the last +drop of my heroic blood." + +In this manner it was settled. The sailor remained to guard the camp and +the two pack horses, while the others mounted and rode away into the +valley. + +Late in the afternoon they returned, bringing with them a mountain goat +which Merry had shot. As they came in sight of the spot where the tent +had stood they were astonished to see that it was no longer there. + +"Look, Frank!" cried Bart, pointing. "The tent is gone!" + +"Sure enough," nodded Merriwell grimly. "It's not where we left it." + +"What do you suppose has happened?" + +"We will soon find out." + +Not only had the tent and camping outfit disappeared, but the two pack +horses were missing. Nor was Wiley to be found. + +Hodge looked at Merry in blank inquiry. + +"Where is this fellow we left to guard our property?" he finally +exclaimed. + +"You know as well as I," confessed Frank. + +"As a guard over anything, he seems to be a failure." + +"We can't tell what has happened to him." + +"What has happened to him!" cried Bart. "Why, he has taken French leave, +that's what has happened! He has stolen our horses and piked out of the +valley." + +Merry shook his head. + +"I don't believe that, Hodge," he said. "I don't think Wiley would do +such a thing." + +"Then, why isn't he here?" + +"He may have been attacked by enemies." + +"If that had been the case, we would see some signs of the struggle. You +can see for yourself that no struggle has taken place here." + +"It's true," confessed Merry, "that there seem to be no indications of a +struggle." + +"Do you know, Frank, that I never have fully trusted that chap." + +"I know, Bart, you made a serious mistake on one occasion by mistrusting +him. You must remember that yourself." + +"I do," confessed Hodge, reproved by Merry's words. "All the same, this +disappearance is hard to explain. Our tent and outfit are gone. We're +left here without provisions and without anything. In this condition it +is possible we may starve." + +"The condition is serious," Frank acknowledged. "At the same time, I +think it possible Wiley decided this location was dangerous and +transferred the camp to some other place. That's a reasonable +explanation of his disappearance." + +"A reasonable one perhaps; but if that had happened! he should be here +on the watch for our return." + +"Perhaps we have returned sooner than he expected." + +"Well, what's to be done, Merry?" + +"We will sit here a while and see if he doesn't turn up. At least, we +can make some sort of a meal off this mountain goat." + +"A mighty poor meal it will be!" muttered Hodge disgustedly. + +A fire was built, however, and the mountain goat served to appease their +hunger somewhat, although without salt it was far from palatable. There +was plenty of feed and drink for the horses, therefore the animals did +not suffer. In vain they waited for Wiley to return. Afternoon faded +into nightfall and the sailor came not. + +"Do you propose to remain here all night, Merry?" inquired Bart. + +Frank shook his head. + +"I don't think it advisable. We will find another spot." + +With the gloom of night upon them, they set out, Frank in the lead. He +had taken notice of a clump of thick timber in another part of the +valley, and toward this he rode. In the timber they ensconced themselves +and prepared to pass the night there. Worthington was strangely silent, +but seemed as docile and as harmless as a child. When all preparations +to spend the night in that spot were made, Frank announced to Bart that +he proposed to go in search of their missing companion. + +"What can you do in the night?" questioned Hodge. "You can't find him." + +"Perhaps not," said Merry; "but I am going to try." + +"I hate to have you do it alone." + +"You must remain here to look out for Abe and Worthington." + +When this was settled, Merry set out on foot. During their exploration +of the valley he had observed a deep, narrow fissure near the southern +extremity, into which the stream plunged before disappearing into the +underground channel. To him on discovering this it had seemed a possible +hiding place for any one seeking to escape observation. Something caused +him to set his course toward this spot. + +An hour later, from a place of concealment high up on a steep bank, +Frank was peering into the fissure. What he discovered there surprised +and puzzled him not a little. On a little level spot close by the stream +a tent had been pitched. Before the tent a small fire was burning, and +squatted around this fire were three persons who seemed to be enjoying +themselves in fancied security. The moment Merry's eyes fell on two of +them he recognized them as having been members of the Terrible Thirty. +They were the ruffians Hank Shawmut and Kip Henry. The third person, who +seemed perfectly at his ease as he reclined on the ground and puffed at +a corn-cob pipe, was Cap'n Wiley! + +Was Wiley a traitor? This question, which flashed through Frank's mind, +seemed answered in the affirmative by the behavior of the sailor, who +was chatting on intimate terms with his new associates. + +Of course Frank had decided at once that Shawmut and Henry had somehow +learned of his expedition in search of Benson Clark's lost mine and had +followed him. Henry's left hand was swathed in a blood-stained bandage, +the sight of which convinced the watching youth that it was this fellow +who had snatched the map and who afterward had been winged in the +pursuit. In spite of appearances, Frank did not like to believe that +Cap'n Wiley had played him false. From his position he was able to hear +the conversation of the trio, and so he lay still and listened. + +"We sartain is all right here fer ter-night," observed Shawmut. "We will +never be disturbed any afore morning." + +"Perchance you are right, mate," said the sailor; "but in the morning we +must seek the seclusion of some still more secure retreat. My late +associate, the only and original Frank Merriwell, will be considerable +aroused over what has happened. I am positive it will agitate his +equipoise to a protracted extent. My vivid imagination pictures a look +of supine astonishment on his intellectual countenance when he returns +and finds his whole outfit and little Walter vanished into thin, +pellucid air." + +Shawmut laughed hoarsely. + +"I certain opine he was knocked silly," he said. + +"But he is a bad man," put in Henry. "To-morrow he rakes this valley +with a fine-toothed comb. And he is a heap keerless with his shooting +irons. Look at this yere paw of mine. He done that, and some time I'll +settle with him." + +The fellow snarled the final words as he held up his bandaged hand. + +"Yes," nodded the sailor, "he has a way of shooting in a most +obstreperous manner. The only thing that is disturbing my mental +placitude is that he may take to the war path in search of my lovely +scalp." + +"Confound you!" thought Frank, in great anger. "So you are a traitor, +after all! Hodge was right about you. You're due for a very unpleasant +settlement with me, Cap'n Wiley." + +"What binds me to you with links of steel, mates," said the sailor, "is +the fact that you are well supplied with that necessary article of +exuberancy known to the vulgar and unpoetical as tanglefoot. Seems to me +it's a long time between drinks." + +"You certain must have a big thirst," observed Shawmut, as he produced a +cold bottle and held it toward the sailor, who immediately arose and +clutched it with both hands. + +"Mates, it has been so long since I have looked a drink in the face that +it seems like a total stranger to me. Excuse me while I absorb a small +portion of mountain dew." + +His pipe was dropped, and he wiped the mouth of the bottle with his hand +after drawing the cork. He then placed the bottle to his lips and turned +its bottom skyward. + +"So it is for that stuff you sell your friends, is it?" thought Frank. + +Having remained with his eyes closed and the bottle upturned for some +moments, the sailor finally lowered it and heaved a sigh of mingled +satisfaction and regret. + +"My only sorrow," he said, "is that I haven't a neck as long as a +giraffe's. If the giraffe should take to drink, what delight he would +enjoy in feeling the ardent trickle down his oozle! Have something on +me, boys." + +He then returned the bottle, and the ruffians drank from it. + +"There," said Wiley, picking up his pipe, "my interior anatomy glows +with golden rapture. I am once more myself. Oh, booze, thou art the +comforter of mankind! You cause the poor man to forget his sorrows and +his misfortunes. For him you build bright castles and paint glorious +pictures. For him you remove far away the cares and troubles of life. +You make him a king, even while you make him still more of a pauper. You +give him at first all the joys of the world and at last the delirium +tremens. + +"Next to women, you are the best thing and the worst thing in this whole +wide world. Mates, you see I am both a poet and a philosopher. It's no +disparagement to me, for I was born that way, and I can't help it. Ever +since my joyful boyhood days on Negro Island I have looked with a loving +eye on the beauties of nature and on the extracted fluid of the corn. +But what of this world's riches has my mighty intellect and my poetic +soul brought me? I am still a poor man." + +"But you won't be long arter we diskeevers this mine," said Shawmut. "If +you sticks by us, we gives you a third share." + +"Your generosity overwhelms me. But it must not be forgotten that we yet +have Frank Merriwell to dispose of. It is vain for you to try to +frighten him away from this valley. Last night you attempted it with +your spook trick, but it didn't work." + +"What's that?" exclaimed Henry. "What are you talking about?" + +"Oh," said the sailor, "you can't deceive little Walter. We heard you +doing that spook turn. But it was time wasted." + +Henry and Shawmut exchanged puzzled looks. + +"You certain will have to explain what you are driving at," growled +Shawmut. + +"Don't you know?" + +"None whatever." + +"I fear you are still seeking to deceive me." + +"Not a bit of it," averred Henry. "Whatever was yer talking about, +Wiley?" + +"Why, last eve, after we had partaken of our repast and were disporting +ourselves in comfort on the bosom of mother earth, there came through +the atmosphere above us a singing voice which sang a sweet song all +about dead men and such things. Afterward the voice warned us to hoist +anchor, set sail, and get out of this port. It claimed to be the voice +of Benson Clark, the man who first found the mine here, and who was +afterward shot full of holes by some amusement-seeking redskins. I +surely fancied you were concerned in that little joke, mates." + +Both the ruffians shook their heads. + +"We has nothing to do with it," denied Shawmut. + +"Well, now it is indeed a deep, dark mystery," observed the sailor. "Do +you suppose, mates, that the spook of Benson Clark is lingering in this +vicinity?" + +"We takes no stock in spooks," asserted Henry. + +"And thus you show your deep logical sense," slowly nodded the sailor. +"I congratulate you; but the mystery of that voice is unsolved, and it +continues to perplex me." + +The listening man high up on the embankment was also perplexed. If +Shawmut and Henry knew nothing of the mysterious warning voice, the +enigma was still unsolved. As he thought of this matter, Merry soon +decided that these ruffians had spoken the truth in denying all +knowledge of the affair. These men talked in the rough dialect of their +kind. The unseen singer had not used that dialect; and, therefore, the +mystery of the valley remained a mystery still. + +Frank continued to watch and listen. + +"It's no spook we're worried about," declared Henry. "If we dispose of +this yere Merriwell, we will be all right. With you ter help us, Wiley, +we oughter do the trick." + +"Sure, sure," agreed the sailor. + +"Thar is three of us," said Shawmut, "and that certain makes us more +than a match for them. The kid and the crazy galoot don't count. We has +only Merriwell and Hodge to buck against." + +"They are quite enough, mates--quite enough," put in the sailor. "We +will have to get up early in the morning to get ahead of them." + +"This yere Merriwell certain is no tenderfoot," agreed Shawmut. + +Wiley arose and slapped the speaker on the shoulder in a friendly, +familiar manner. + +"Now you're talking," he nodded. "He is a bad man with a record longer +than your arm. I have dealt with hundreds of them, however; and I think +my colossal brain will be more than a match for him. Did you ever hear +how I got the best of Bat Masterson? It's a thrilling tale. Listen and I +will unfold it to you. You know Bat was the real thing. Beyond question, +he was the worst bad man that ever perambulated the border. Yet I +humbled him to his knees and made him beg for mercy. That was some +several years ago. At that time--" + +Wiley was fairly launched on one of his yarns, but at that moment Frank +Merriwell heard a slight movement and attempted to turn quickly, when he +was given a thrust by a powerful pair of hands, which hurled him forward +from the embankment and sent him whirling down toward the tent below. + +Frank struck on the tent, which served to break his fall somewhat, but +he was temporarily stunned. When he recovered, he found himself bound +hand and foot and his three captors surveying him by the light of the +fire. + +"Well, wouldn't it jar you!" exclaimed the sailor. "It was almost too +easy. Why, mates, he must 'a' been up there listening to our innocent +conversation, and somehow he lost his hold and took a tumble." + +Shawmut laughed hoarsely. + +"It was a mighty bad tumble for him," he said. "He falls right into our +paws, and we has him foul. Now we're all right. Talk about luck; this is +it!" + +Kip Henry shook his wounded and bandaged hand before Frank's eyes. + +"You did that, hang you!" he snarled. "Now you gits paid fer it!" + +As the ruffian uttered these words he placed a hand on his revolver and +seemed on the point of shooting the helpless captive. + +"Wait a minute, mate," urged Wiley. "Let's not be too hasty. There are +three of us here, and I have a sagacious opinion that any one of us will +take morbid pleasure in putting Mr. Merriwell out of his misery. I +propose that we draw lots to see who will do the little job." + +"You seem mighty anxious to take a hand at it!" growled Henry. + +"I wish to prove my readiness to stand by you through thick and thin," +asserted the sailor. "In this way I shall win your absolute confidence. +Should it fall on me to do this unpleasant task, you will see the job +most scientifically done." + +As he made this assertion Wiley laughed in a manner that seemed wholly +heartless and brutal. + +"I didn't think it of you, cap'n!" exclaimed Frank. + +"That's all right," returned the sailor brazenly. "I'm a solicitor of +fortune; I am out for the dust. These gents here have assured me that I +shall have a third interest in the mine when it is located. Every bird +feathers its own nest. I have a chance to feather mine, and I don't +propose to lose the opportunity. If the task devolves upon me to +transport you to the shining shore, rest easy in the assurance that I'll +do a scientific job. I will provide you in short order with a pair of +wings." + +"That's the talk!" chuckled Shawmut. "How does we settle who does it?" + +"Have you a pack of cards?" inquired Wiley. + +"Sartin," said Shawmut, fishing in his pocket and producing a greasy +pack. "We has 'em." + +"Then I propose that we cut. The one who gets the lowest does the +trick." + +That was agreed to, and a moment later the cards had been shuffled and +placed on a flat stone near the fire. Henry cut first and exposed a +king. + +"That lets you out," said the sailor. "I can beat that. Come ahead, Mate +Shawmut." + +Shawmut cut and turned up a trey. + +"I reckon I'm the one," he said. + +Then Wiley cut the cards and held up in the firelight a deuce! + +Both Henry and Shawmut uttered exclamations. + +"Well, you has your wish," said the latter. "Now it's up to you to go +ahead with the business." + +Wiley actually smiled. + +"Let me take your popgun, mate," he said, extending his hand toward +Henry. "Mine is a little too small to do the trick properly." + +Henry handed over his pistol. + +Wiley examined it critically, finally shaking his head. + +"It's a mighty poor gun for a man of your standing to carry, mate," he +asserted. "Perhaps you have a better one, Shawmut? Let me see." + +Shawmut also gave up his pistol. + +Having a revolver in each hand, Cap'n Wiley cocked them both. + +"They seem to be in good working order," he said. "I should fancy either +of them would kill a man quicker than he could wink his eye." + +"You bet your boots!" said Henry. + +"That being the case," observed Wiley, "I will now proceed to business." + +Then, to the surprise of the two ruffians, he leveled the pistols +straight at them. + +"Now, you double-and-twisted yeller dogs!" he cried, "if you so much as +wiggle your little finger, I will perforate both of you! I have the +pleasure to inform you that I am a fancy pistol shot, and I think I can +soak you with about six bullets each before you can say skat." + +The astounded ruffians were taken completely by surprise. + +"What in blazes does you mean?" snarled Shawmut. + +"I mean business," declared the sailor. "Did you low-born whelps think +that Cap'n Wiley would go back on his old side pard, Frank Merriwell? If +you fancied such a thing for the fraction of a momentous moment, you +deceived yourselves most erroneously. Now you keep still where you are, +for I give you my sworn statement that I will shoot at the first move +either of you make." + +As Wiley said this he stepped close to Frank, beside whom he knelt, at +the same time keeping the ruffians covered. He placed one of the +revolvers on the ground and drew his hunting knife. With remarkable +swiftness he severed the cords which held Frank helpless. + +"Pick up that shooting iron, Merry," he directed. "I rather think we +have these fine chaps just where we want them." + +Frank lost no time in obeying, and the tables were completely turned on +Shawmut and Henry. + +"Stand up, you thugs!" ordered Merry. "Stand close together, and be +careful what you do." + +Infuriated beyond measure, they obeyed, for they were in mortal terror +of their lives. + +"Take those ropes, Wiley, and tie their hands behind their backs," +directed Frank. + +"With the greatest pleasure," laughed the sailor. And he proceeded to do +so. + +When the ruffians were thus bound Merry turned to Wiley, whose hand he +grasped. + +"Cap'n, forgive me!" he cried. "I was mistaken in you. I couldn't +believe it possible; still, everything was against you. How did it +happen?" + +"A few words will clear up my seeming unworthiness," said the sailor. +"When you departed to-day I found everything calm, and peaceful, and +serene about the camp, and, after smoking my pipe a while, I fell asleep +beside the tent. When I awoke these fine gentlemen had me. They +proceeded to tie me up to the queen's taste. Seeing my predicament, I +made no resistance. I permitted them to do just as they liked. I +depended on my tongue, which has never failed me, to get me out of the +predicament, I saw them gather up the outfit, pack it on the horses and +prepare to remove it. During this I craftily assured them that I would +gleefully embrace the opportunity to join issues with them. + +"It's needless to enter into details, but they decided that it was best +to let me linger yet a while on this mundane sphere while thinking my +proposition over. So I was brought thither, along with the goods and +chattels, and I further succeeded in satisfying them that they could +trust me. It was my object, when I found they were well supplied with +corn juice, to get them both helplessly intoxicated, after which I hoped +to capture them alone and unaided. Your sudden tumble into this little +nest upset my plans in that direction, but everything has worked out +handsomely." + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +WILEY MEETS MISS FORTUNE. + + +When they returned with their captives and the stolen horses and outfit +to the timber in which Frank had left Hodge and the others it was +learned that Worthington had disappeared. In vain they searched for him. +He had slipped away without attracting Hodge's attention, and he failed +to answer their calls. In the morning the search was continued. They +returned to their former camping place at the head of the valley where +the mysterious voice had been heard, and there Frank finally discovered +some rude steps in the face of the cliff, by which he mounted to an +opening which proved to be the mouth of a cave. + +There were evidences that this cave had been occupied by some person. +Merry saw at once that this unknown person might have been in the mouth +of the cave at the time the mysterious voice was heard, and that beyond +question he was the singer and the one who had warned them. + +It was midday when Worthington was found. They discovered him in a +thicket, locked fast in the arms of another man, whose clothes were +ragged and torn, and who looked like a hermit or a wild man. The thicket +in that vicinity was smashed and broken, and betrayed evidences of a +fierce struggle. Worthington's hands were fastened on the stranger's +throat, and both men were stone-dead. + +"I know that man!" cried Merry, in astonishment. "I met him in Holbrook +last spring. I told him of Benson Clark's death. He was once Clark's +partner. Since that time he must have searched for Clark's mine and made +his way to this valley. This explains the mystery. This explains how he +knew me and knew of Benson Clark." + +"Yes, that explains it," nodded Hodge. "But now, Frank--what are we to +do?" + +"We will give these poor fellows decent burial, and after that----" + +"After that--what?" + +"Shawmut and Henry must be turned over to the law. We must dispose of +them as soon as possible. Then there will be plenty of time to return +here and locate Benson Clark's lost mine." + +And that plan was carried out. In a few days Frank Merriwell, Bart +Hodge, Cap'n Wiley and little Abe rode into Prescott, Arizona, escorting +their captives, whom they turned over to the officers of the law. Merry +was ready to make a serious charge against the men, but, after listening +to his story, the city official said: + +"Better not trouble yourself about it, Mr. Merriwell. Those chaps are +old offenders! They have been wanted for some time for stage robbing, +horse stealing, and for the malicious murder of a man in Crown King and +another in Cherry. Did you ever hear of Spike Riley?" + +"Seems to me," said Frank, "I have heard of him as a bad man who was +associated with the Kid Grafton gang." + +"Well, sir, this chap you call Shawmut is Spike Riley. Since then little +has been heard from him. I am glad to get my hands on him." + +"Then I'll leave him to your gentle care," said Frank, with a smile. +"You will relieve me of further bother on his part. As for Henry----" + +"Henry!" laughed the official. "Why, he's got a record pretty nearly as +bad as that of Riley. He is known down in Northern Mexico as one Lobo, +and he has been concerned with Juan Colorado in some few raids. I think +there is a reward offered for both of these men. In that case I presume +you will claim it, sir." + +Cap'n Wiley, who had listened with his head cocked on one side and a +peculiar look in his eyes, now coughed suggestively. Frank glanced at +the sailor and smiled. + +"In case there is a reward, sir," he said, "it belongs to this +gentleman." + +As he rested a hand on Wiley's shoulder the latter threw out his chest +and swelled up like a toad taking in air. + +"Thanks, mate," he said. "My modesty would have prevented me from +mentioning such a trifling matter." + +"Oh, I will give you all the credit that's your due, cap'n," assured +Merry. "You pulled me out of a bad pickle and tricked those ruffians +very handsomely." + +"That will do, that will do," said the sailor. "Let it go at that, +Frank, old side partner. It is as natural for me to do such things as +for the sweet flowers to open in the blooming spring. I never think +anything about them after I do them. I never mention them to a soul. +Why, if I were to relate half of the astounding things that have +happened to me some people might suspect me of telling what is not +strictly true. That's what binds my tongue to silence. That's why I +never speak of myself. Some day my history will be written up, and I +shall get great glory even though I do not collect a royalty." + +"This is a pretty good thing, Merry," said Hodge. "It relieves you of +all responsibility in regard to those ruffians, and you can now go about +your business." + +In this manner it was settled, and Frank left the two ruffians to be +locked up in the Prescott jail. + +Rooms were obtained at the best hotel in the place, and both Frank and +Bart proceeded without delay to "spruce up." Having bathed, and shaved, +and obtained clean clothes, they felt decidedly better. + +It was useless for Cap'n Wiley to indulge in such needless trouble, as +he regarded it. + +"This is not my month to bathe," he murmured, as he sat with his feet on +the sill of Frank's window and puffed leisurely at a cigar. "Besides, I +am resting now. I find myself on the verge of nervous prostration, and +therefore I need rest. Later I may blossom forth and take the town by +surprise." + +Later he did. Although he had jocosely stated that it was not his month +to bathe, he indulged in such a luxury before nightfall, was shaved at a +barber's shop and purchased a complete outfit of clothes at a clothing +store. He even contemplated buying a silk hat, but finally gave this up +when he found that silk hats of the latest style were decidedly scarce +in Prescott. When he swaggered into Frank's room, where Merry and Hodge +were holding a consultation, they both surveyed him in surprise. + +"I am the real thing now," he declared. + +"What has brought about this sudden change on your part?" questioned +Frank. + +"Hush!" said the sailor. "Breathe it softly. When I sat by yonder window +musing on my variegated career I beheld passing on the street a charming +maiden. I had not fancied there could be such a fair creature in this +town. When I beheld her my being glowed. I decided that it was up to me +to shed my coat of dust and grime and adorn myself. I have resolved to +make my ontray into the midst of society here." + +"But aren't you going back with us to the Mazatzals?" questioned Merry. + +"When do you contemplate such a thing?" + +"We expect to leave to-morrow." + +"Why this agitated haste?" + +"You know we've not definitely located Benson Clark's lost claim, +although we feel certain it must be in the Enchanted Valley or in that +vicinity. We're going back to prospect for that mine. If you return with +us and we discover it, of course you will have an interest in it." + +"Thanks for your thoughtful consideration, mate. At the same time, it +seems to me that I have had about enough prospecting to do me for a +while." + +"Do you mean that you're not going with us?" exclaimed Hodge, in +surprise. "Why, if we discover that mine it may make you rich!" + +"Well, I will think the matter over with all due seriousness," said +Wiley easily. "I know you will miss my charming society if I don't go." + +"It may be the chance of your lifetime," said Merry. + +"I'm not worrying about that. Wherever I go, Dame Fortune is bound to +smile upon me. I have a mash on that old girl. She seems to like my +style." + +"I think you will make a mistake, Wiley, if you don't go," asserted +Frank. + +"Possibly so; but I've made so many mistakes in the brief span of my +legitimate life that one or two more will hardly ruffle me. If I have to +confess the truth to you, that valley is to me a ghastly and turgid +memory. When I think of it I seem to hear ghostly voices, and I remember +Worthington raving and ranting about death and destruction, and I +picture him as we discovered him in the thicket, dead in the clutch of +another dead man. These things are grewsome to me, and I fain would +forget them." + +"All right, cap'n," said Frank; "you are at liberty to do as you like." + +Then he and Bart continued arranging their plans. + +That evening Wiley disappeared. Frank and Bart left little Abe at the +hotel and went out to "see the sights." In the biggest gambling place of +the town they found the sailor playing roulette. Wiley had a streak of +luck, and he was hitting the bank hard. Around him had gathered a crowd +to watch his plunging, and the coolness with which he won large sums of +money commanded their admiration. + +"It's nothing, mates," he declared--"merely nothing. When I was at Monte +Carlo I won eleventeen thousand pesoses, or whatever they call them, at +one turn of the wheel. Such a streak of luck caused the croupier to die +of apoplexy, broke the bank, and put the Prince of Monte Carlo out of +business for twenty-four hours. The next day the prince came to me and +besought me to leave the island. He declared that if I played again he +feared he would die in the poorhouse. As it was, he found it necessary +to mortgage the Casino in order to raise skads to continue in business. +To-night I am merely amusing myself. Five thousand on the red." + +"Well, what do you think of that?" asked Hodge in Frank's ear. + +"I think," said Frank, "that it is about time for Cap'n Wiley to cash in +and stop playing." + +He pushed his way through the throng and reached the sailor. + +"Now is the time for you to stop," said Frank in Wiley's ear, speaking +in a low tone, in order not to attract attention, for he knew such +advice would not be relished by the proprietor and might get him into +trouble. + +"Never fear about me, mate," returned the sailor serenely. "Ere morning +dawns I shall own this place. Talk about your gold mines! Why, this +beats them all!" + +"It's a wise man who knows when to stop," said Frank. + +"It's a wise man who knows how to work a streak clean through to the +finish," was the retort. "I have my luck with me to-night, and the world +is mine. In the morning I shall build a fence around it." + +"Red wins," quietly announced the croupier. + +"You observe how easy it is, I presume," said Wiley, smiling. "I can't +help it. It's as natural as breathing." + +Frank saw that it was useless to argue with the sailor, and so he and +Hodge left him still playing, while they strolled through the place. +There was a dance hall connected, which provided amusement for them a +while, although neither danced. Barely half an hour passed before Frank, +who was somewhat anxious about Wiley, returned to note how Wiley was +getting along. + +Luck had turned, and Wiley was losing steadily. Still he continued to +bet with the same harebrained carelessness, apparently perfectly +confident that his bad luck could not keep up. + +"He will go broke within twenty minutes if he sticks to it, Frank," said +Hodge. + +Merry nodded. + +"That's right," he agreed; "but he won't listen to advice. If we attempt +to get him away, we will simply kick up a disturbance and find ourselves +in a peck of trouble. Even if he should cash in now and quit ahead of +the game, he'd come back to it and lose all he's won. Therefore we may +as well let him alone." + +They did so, and Bart's prophecy came true. The sailor's reckless +betting lowered his pile so that it seemed to melt like dew before the +sun. Finally he seemed to resolve on a grand stroke, and he bet +everything before him on the red. + +The little ball clicked and whirred in the whirling wheel. The +spectators seemed breathless as they watched for the result of that +plunge. Slower and slower grew the revolutions of the wheel. The ball +spun around on its rim like a cork on the water. At length it dropped. + +"He wins!" panted an excited man. + +"No--see!" exclaimed another. + +The ball had bobbed out of its pocket and spun on again. + +"Lost!" was the cry, as it finally settled and rested securely in a +pocket. + +Wiley swallowed down a lump in his throat as the man behind the table +raked in the wager. + +"Excuse me," said the sailor, rising. "I hope you will pardon me while I +go drown myself. Can any one direct me to a tub of tanglefoot?" + +As he left the table, knowing now that it would cause no disturbance, +Frank grasped his arm and again advised him to leave the place. + +"I admit to you," said Wiley, "that I was mistaken when I stated that I +had a mash on Dame Fortune. I have discovered that it was her daughter, +Miss Fortune. Leave me--leave me to my fate! I shall now attempt to lap +up all the liquids in the place, and in the morning I'll have a large +aching head." + +Frank insisted, however, and his command led Wiley reluctantly to permit +them to escort him from the place. + +"I might read you a lecture on the evils of gambling, cap'n," said +Merry; "but I shall not do so to-night. It strikes me that you have +learned your lesson." + +"It is only one of many such lessons," sighed the sailor. "By this time +I should have them by heart, but somehow I seem to forget them. I wish +to tell you a secret that I have held buried in my bosom these many +years. It is this: + +"Somewhere about my machinery there is a screw loose. In vain I have +sought to find it. I know it is there just as well as I know that I am +Cap'n Wiley. Now, you are a perfect piece of machinery, with everything +tight, and firm, and well oiled, and polished. As an example you are the +real thing. Perhaps to-morrow I may conclude to follow in your +footsteps. Just tuck me in my little bed and leave me to dreamy +slumber." + +After being left in his room, however, Wiley did not remain long in bed. +Knowing they would not suspect such a thing of him, he arose, and +dressed, and returned to the gambling house. When morning came he was +not only broke, but he had pawned everything of value in his possession +and was practically destitute. + +"Well," said Merry, having discovered the cap'n's condition, "I presume +now you will return with us to the Mazatzals?" + +"No use," was the answer; "I shall stay here in Prescott. I have my eye +on a good thing. Don't worry about me." + +It was useless to urge him, for he persisted in his determination to +stay there. And so before leaving Frank made some final arrangements +with him. + +"I have wired for my mail to be forwarded here, Wiley," he said. "If +anything of importance comes, anything marked to be delivered in haste, +I wish you would see that it reaches me. Cannot you do so?" + +"Depend upon me, Frank," assured the sailor. "I will not fail you in +this. But before departing it seems to me that you should make +arrangements that any such message be delivered into my hands." + +"I will do so," said Merry. "Now, see here, cap'n, I don't like to leave +you strapped in this town. At the same time, I don't care to let you +have money of mine to gamble with. If I provide you with some loose +change, will you give me your word not to use it in gambling?" + +"Your generosity is almost ignoble!" exclaimed Wiley. "However, I accept +it in the same manner that it is tendered. I give you my word." + +"Well, that goes with me," nodded Merry. "Before leaving I shall see +that you are fixed with ready money." + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +A STARTLING TELEGRAM. + + +Sunset in the Enchanted Valley. Below the little waterfall which plunged +down into the fissure at the southern end of the valley Frank and Bart +had toiled hard all through the day. Their sleeves were rolled up and +their clothes mud-bespattered. There they had worked in the sandy soil +near the stream, and there they had found the shining stuff for which +they sought. Every panful was carefully washed in the stream, showing +dull yellow grains in the bottom when the last particles remained. + +Not far away, on the level of the valley above them, set near the +stream, was their tent. In front of it little Abe was building a fire +and was seeking to prepare supper for them, knowing they would be +ravenously hungry when they quit work for the night. At intervals the +cripple hobbled to the brink of the fissure and looked down at them as +they toiled. + +No one had troubled them since their return to the valley. No longer did +the place seem enchanted or mysterious. All the mysteries were solved, +and it lay sleeping and silent amid that vast mountainous solitude. + +"Well, Bart," said Frank, as he dropped his spade, "it seems to me that +the thing is done to our satisfaction. At the northern end of the valley +we have found Clark's quartz claim, and the specimens we have taken from +it seem decidedly promising. Here we have located this placer, and we +know from what we have washed out that it is rich and will prove +extremely valuable while it lasts. Now it's up to us to register our +claims and open them for operation in the proper manner. We ought to be +satisfied." + +"Satisfied!" exclaimed Bart. "You bet I am satisfied! What if I had +remained in Boston, Merry? Why, I would be plugging away to-day on a +poor paying job, with decidedly poor prospects ahead of me. It was a +most fortunate thing for me when I decided to stick by you and come +West." + +Frank smiled. + +"It was lucky, Hodge," he agreed. "But I don't forget that you came +without a selfish thought on your part. You came to help me in my fight +against Milton Sukes. I am far better pleased for your sake than for my +own that we have had this streak of luck. Let's knock off for the night, +old man. There's no reason why we should stick to it longer." + +As they were climbing from the fissure by the narrow and difficult path, +little Abe came rushing excitedly to the brink above and called to them. + +"Come quick! Come quick!" he cried. + +"What's the matter, Abe?" asked Frank, alarmed by the boy's manner. + +"Somebody's coming," said the hunchback; "a man on a horse. He is coming +right this way. He has seen the tent!" + +"We may have some trouble after all, Merry," said Hodge. + +Ere they could reach the head of the path near the waterfall they +plainly heard the thudding hoofs of the horse coming rapidly in that +direction. When they had reached the level ground above they beheld the +horseman approaching. It seemed that he observed them at the same time, +for he suddenly waved his hat in the air and gave a yell. + +"By Jove!" exclaimed Merry, "I know him! It is Wiley!" + +"Right you are!" agreed Hodge. "What the dickens could have brought him +here at this time?" + +"Perhaps he has some message for me. You know I made arrangements with +him to bring any message of importance." + +The sailor drew up his horse as he approached. + +"Ahoy there, mates!" he cried. "At last I have struck port, although I'd +begun to wonder if I'd ever find it. This confounded old valley has +moved since I was here last. I thought I knew just where it was, but I +have spent two whole days cruising around in search of it." + +"Hello, cap'n!" said Frank. "You're just in time for supper." + +"Supper!" exclaimed the sailor. "Say it again! Supper! Why, I have been +living on condensed air for the last twenty-four hours. Look at me! I am +so thin and emaciated that I can't cast a shadow. Hungry! Mates, a +bootleg stew would be a culinary luxury to me. I will introduce ravage +and devastation among your provisions. This morning I found an empty +tomato can and another that once contained deviled ham, and I lunched +off them. They were rather hard to digest, but they were better than +nothing." + +He sprang down from his horse, which betrayed evidence of hard usage. + +"How did you happen to come?" asked Merry. + +Wiley fumbled in his pocket and brought forth a telegram. + +"I believe I made arrangements to deliver anything of importance +directed to you," he said. "This dispatch arrived in Prescott, and I +lost no time in starting to fulfill my compact." + +Merry took the telegram and quickly tore it open. There was a look of +anxiety on his face when he had read its contents. + +"Anything serious the matter?" asked Hodge. + +"It's a message from my brother, Dick," answered Frank. "You know I +wired him to address his letters to Prescott. He didn't stop to send a +letter. Instead he sent this telegram. You know Felicia Delores, Dick's +cousin, with whom he was brought up? The climate of the East did not +agree with her, therefore I provided a home for her in San Diego, +California, where she could attend school. Dick has learned that she is +ill and in trouble. He wants me to go to her at once." + +"What will you do?" asked Hodge. + +"I must go," said Frank quietly. + + * * * * * + +Frank mounted the steps of a modern residence, standing on a palm-lined +street in San Diego, and rang the bell. He was compelled to ring twice +more before the door was opened by a sleepy-looking Mongolian. + +"I wish to see Mr. Staples at once," said Merry. "Is he home?" + +"Mistal Staple not home," was the serene answer, as the Chinaman moved +to close the door. + +Frank promptly blocked this movement with a foot and leg. + +"Don't be so hasty," he said sharply. "If Mr. Staples is not home, where +can I find him?" + +"No tellee. Velly solly." + +"Then I must see Mrs. Staples," persisted Merry. + +"She velly sick. Velly solly. She can't slee anyblody." + +"Well, you take her my card," directed Merry, as he took out a card-case +and tendered his card to the yellow-skinned servant. + +"No take cald. She tellee me no bothal her. Go 'way. Come +bimeby--to-mollow." + +"Now, look here, you son of the Flowery Kingdom," exclaimed Merry, "I am +going to see Mrs. Staples immediately, if she's in condition to see +anyone. If you don't take her my card, you will simply compel me to +intrude without being announced." + +"Bold, blad man!" chattered the Chinaman, with growing fear. "I callee +police; have you 'lested." + +"You're too thick-headed for the position you hold!" exasperatedly +declared Merry. "Take my card to Mrs. Staples instantly, and she will +see me as soon as she reads my name, Frank Merriwell, upon it." + +"Flank Mellowell!" almost shouted the Celestial. "You Flank Mellowell? +Clome light in, quickee! Mladam, she expectee you." + +The door was flung open now, and Frank entered. + +"Well, you have come to your senses at last!" he said. + +"You no undelstand. Blad men velly thick. Blad men make velly glate +tloubal. Little glil she glone; mladam she cly velly much, velly much!" + +"Hustle yourself!" ordered Frank. "Don't stand there chattering like a +monkey. Hurry up!" + +"Hully velly flast," was the assurance, as the Mongolian turned and +toddled away at a snail's pace, leaving Frank in the reception room. + +A few moments later there was a rustle of skirts, and a middle-aged +woman, whose face was pale and eyes red and who carried a handkerchief +in her hand, came down the stairs and found him waiting. + +"Oh, Mr. Merriwell!" she exclaimed, the moment she saw him. "So it's +really you! So you have come! We didn't know where to reach you, and so +we wired your brother. He wired back that he had dispatched you and that +he thought you would come without delay." + +Her agitation and distress were apparent. + +"Felicia," questioned Frank huskily; "what of her?" + +"Oh, I can't tell you--I can't tell you!" choked the woman, placing the +handkerchief to her eyes. "It's so dreadful!" + +"Tell me, Mrs. Staples, at once," said Frank, immediately cool and +self-controlled. "Don't waste time, please. What has happened to +Felicia? Where is she?" + +"She's gone!" came in a muffled voice from behind the handkerchief. + +"Gone--where?" + +The agitated woman shook her head. + +"No one knows. No one can tell! Oh, it's a terrible thing, Mr. +Merriwell!" + +"Where is Mr. Staples?" questioned Frank, thinking he might succeed far +better in obtaining the facts from the woman's husband. + +"That I don't know. He is searching for her. He, too, has been gone +several days. I heard from him once. He was then in Warner, away up in +the mountains." + +Merry saw that he must learn the truth from the woman. + +"Mrs. Staples," he said, "please tell me everything in connection with +this singular affair. It's the only way that you can be of immediate +assistance. You know I am quite in the dark, save for such information +as I received from my brother's telegram. It informed me that Felicia +was in trouble and in danger. What sort of trouble or what sort of +danger threatens her, I was not told. In order for me to do anything I +must know the facts immediately." + +"It was nearly a month ago," said Mrs. Staples, "that we first +discovered anything was wrong. Felicia had not been very well for some +time. She's so frail and delicate! It has been my custom each night +before retiring to look in upon her to see if she was comfortable and +all right. One night, as I entered her room, light in hand, I was nearly +frightened out of my senses to see a man standing near her bed. He saw +me or heard me even before I saw him. Like a flash he whirled and sprang +out of the window to the veranda roof, from which he easily escaped to +the ground. + +"I obtained barely a glimpse of him, and I was so frightened at the time +that I could not tell how he looked. Felicia seemed to be sleeping +soundly at the time, and didn't awake until I gave a cry that aroused +her and the whole house as well. I never had a thought then that the man +meant her harm. She was so innocent and helpless it seemed no one would +dream of harming her. I took him for a burglar who had entered the house +by the way of her window. After that we took pains to have her window +opened only a short space, and tightly locked in that position, so that +it could not be opened further from the outside without smashing it and +alarming some one. I was thankful we had escaped so easily, and my +husband felt sure there would be no further cause for worry. He said +that, having been frightened off in such a manner, the burglar was not +liable to return. + +"Somehow it seemed to me that Felicia was still more nervous and pale +after that. She seemed worried about something, but whenever I +questioned her she protested she was not. The doctor came to see her +several times, but he could give her nothing that benefited her. I +continued my practice of looking in at her each night before retiring. +One night, a week later, after going to bed, something--I don't know +what--led me to rise again and go to her room. Outside her door I paused +in astonishment, for I distinctly heard her voice, and she seemed to be +in conversation with some one. I almost fancied I heard another voice, +but was not certain about that. I pushed open the door and entered. +Felicia was kneeling by her partly opened window, and she gave a great +start when I came in so quickly. A moment later I fancied I heard a +sound as of some one or something dropping from the roof upon the +ground. + +"I was so astonished that I scarcely knew what to say. 'Felicia!' I +exclaimed. 'What were you doing at that window?' + +"'Oh, I was getting a breath of the cool night air,' she answered. 'With +my window partly closed it is almost stuffy in here. Sometimes I can't +seem to breathe.' + +"'But I heard you talking, child,' I declared. 'Who were you talking +to?' + +"'I talk to myself sometimes, auntie, you know,' she said, in her +innocent way. She always called me auntie. I confess, Mr. Merriwell, +that I was completely deceived. This came all the more natural because +Felicia was such a frank, open-hearted little thing, and I'd never known +her to deceive me in the slightest. I decided that my imagination had +led me to believe I heard another voice than her own, and also had +caused me to fancy that some one had dropped from the roof of the +veranda. After that, however, I was uneasy. And my uneasiness was +increased by the fact that the child seemed to grow steadily worse +instead of better. + +"Often I dreamed of her and of the man I had seen in her room. One night +I dreamed that a terrible black shadow was hanging over her and had +reached out huge clawlike hands to clutch her. That dream awoke me in +the middle of the night, and I could not shake off the impression that +some danger menaced her. With this feeling on me I slipped out of bed, +lighted a candle, and again proceeded to her room. This time I was +astonished once more to hear her talking as if in conversation with some +one. But now I knew that, unless I was dreaming or bewitched, I also +heard another voice than her own--that of a man. My bewilderment was so +great that I forgot caution and flung her door wide open. The light of +the candle showed her sitting up in bed, while leaning on the footboard +was a dark-faced man with a black-pointed mustache. I screamed, and, in +my excitement, dropped the candle, which was extinguished. I think I +fainted, for Mr. Staples found me in a dazed condition just outside +Felicia's door. She was bending over me, but when I told her of the man +I had seen and when she was questioned, she behaved in a most singular +manner. Not a word would she answer. Had she denied everything I might +have fancied it all a grewsome dream. I might have fancied I'd walked in +my sleep and dreamed of seeing a man there, for he was gone when my +husband reached the spot. + +"She would deny nothing, however, and what convinced us beyond question +that some one had been in her room was the fact that the window was +standing wide open. After that we changed her room to another part of +the house and watched her closely. Although we persisted in urging her +to tell everything, not a word could we get from her. Then it was that +Mr. Staples wired Richard, your brother. + +"Three days later Felicia disappeared. She vanished in the daytime, when +every one supposed her to be safe in the house. No one saw her go out. +She must have slipped out without being observed. Of course we notified +the police as soon as we were sure she was gone, and the city was +searched for her. Oh! it is a terrible thing, Mr. Merriwell; but she has +not been found! Mr. Staples believes he has found traces of her, and +that's why he is now away from home. That's all I can tell you. I hope +you will not think we were careless or neglected her. She was the last +child in the world to do such a thing. I can't understand it. I think +she must have been bewitched." + +Frank had listened quietly to this story, drinking in every word, the +expression on his face failing to show how much it affected him. + +"I am sure it was no fault of yours, Mrs. Staples," he said. + +"But what do you think has happened to her? She was too young to be led +into an intrigue with a man. Still, I----" + +"You mustn't suspect her of that, Mrs. Staples!" exclaimed Merry. +"Whatever has happened, I believe it was not the child's fault. When I +placed her in your hands, you remember, I hinted to you of the fact that +there was a mystery connected with her father's life, and that he was an +outcast nobleman of Spain. Where he is now I cannot say. I last saw him +in Fardale. He was then hunted by enemies, and he disappeared and has +never been heard from since. I believe it was his intention to seek some +spot where he would be safe from annoyance and could lead his enemies to +believe he was dead. I believe this mystery which hung like a shadow +over him has fallen at last on little Felicia. I would that I had known +something of this before, that I might have arrived here sooner. I think +Felicia would have trusted me--I am sure of it!" + +"But now--now?" + +"Now," said Frank grimly, shaking his head, "now I must find her. You +say you heard from your husband, who was then in a place called Warner?" + +"Yes." + +"Then he may have tracked her thus far. It's a start on the trail." + +Mrs. Staples placed a trembling hand on Frank's sleeve. + +"If you find her--the moment you find her," she pleaded, "let me know. +Remember I shall be in constant suspense until I hear from you." + +"Depend upon me to let you know," assured Frank. + +A moment later he was descending the steps. He walked swiftly along the +palm-lined streets, revolving in his mind the perplexing problem with +which he was confronted. Seemingly he was buried in deep thought and +quite oblivious of his surroundings. As he passed around a corner into +another street he glanced back without turning his head. Already he had +noted that another man was walking rapidly in the same direction, and +this sidelong glance gave him a glimpse of the man. + +Three corners he turned, coming at length to the main street of the +city. There he turned about a moment later and was face to face with the +man who had been following him. This chap would have passed on, but +Frank promptly stepped out and confronted him. He saw a small, wiry, +dark-skinned individual, on whose right cheek there was a triangular +scar. + +"I beg your pardon," said Merry. + +"_Si, señor_," returned the man with the scar, lifting his eyebrows in +apparent surprise. + +"You seem very interested in me," said Merry quietly. "But I wish to +tell you something for your own benefit. It is dangerous for you to +follow me, and you had better quit it. That's all. _Adios!_" + +"_Carramba!_" muttered the man, glaring at Frank's back as Merriwell +again strode away. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +FELIPE DULZURA. + + +Frank did not find Rufus Staples at Warner. He had been there, however, +and gone; but no one seemed to know where. The afternoon of a sunny day +found Merry mounted on a fine horse, emerging from the mountains into a +black valley that was shut in on either side by savage peaks. Through +this valley lay a faint trail winding over the sand and through the +forests of hideous cactus and yucca trees. + +He had not journeyed many miles along this trail ere he drew up. Turning +his horse about, he took a powerful pair of field glasses from a case +and adjusted them over his eyes. With their aid he surveyed the trail +behind him as far as it could be seen. + +"I thought I was not mistaken," he muttered, as his glasses showed him a +mounted man coming steadily along from the foothills of the mountains. +"I wonder if he is the gentleman with the scarred cheek. I think I will +wait and see." + +He dismounted and waited beside the trail for the horseman to approach. +The man came on steadily and unhesitatingly and finally discovered Frank +lingering there. Like Merry, the stranger was well mounted, and his +appearance seemed to indicate that there was Spanish blood in his veins. +He had a dark, carefully trimmed Van Dyke beard and was carelessly +rolling a cigarette when he appeared in plain view. His clothing was +plain and serviceable. + +Merry stood beside his horse and watched the stranger draw near. Frank's +hand rested lightly on his hip close to the butt of his holstered +revolver, but the unknown made no offensive move. Instead of that he +called, in a pleasant, musical voice: + +"Good-day, sir. I have overtaken you at last. I saw you in advance, and +I hastened somewhat." + +"Did you, indeed?" retorted Merry, with a faint smile. "I fancied you +were coming after me in a most leisurely manner. But, then, I suppose +that's what you call hurrying in this country." + +"Oh, we never rush and exhaust ourselves after the manner of the East," +was the smiling declaration, as the handsome stranger struck a match and +lighted the cigarette. + +Although Frank was confident the man was a Spaniard, he spoke with +scarcely a hint of an accent. In his speech, if not in his manner, he +was more like an American. + +"Seems rather singular," questioned Frank, "that you should be traveling +alone through this desolate region." + +"The same question in reference to you has been troubling me, sir," +retorted the stranger, puffing lightly at his cigarette. "To me it seems +altogether remarkable to find you here." + +"In that case, we are something of a mystery to each other." + +"Very true. As far as I am concerned, the mystery is easily solved. My +name is Felipe Dulzura. I am from Santa Barbara. I own some vineyards +there." + +Having made this apparently frank explanation, the man paused and looked +inquiringly at Merry, as if expecting at least as much in return. + +Frank did not hesitate. + +"My name is Frank Merriwell," he said, "and I am a miner." + +"A miner?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"You can't have any mines in this vicinity." + +"Possibly I am looking the country over for an investment." + +"It's possible," nodded Dulzura. "But from your intelligent appearance, +I should fancy it hardly probable." + +"Thanks for the compliment. In regard to you, being a planter, it seems +quite unlikely that you should be surveying this region in search of a +vineyard. It seems to me that I have been fully as frank, sir, as you +have." + +Felipe Dulzura lifted an objecting hand. + +"I have not finished," he protested. "I didn't mean to give you the +impression that I was seeking vineyards here. Far from it. On the +contrary, having a little leisure, I am visiting the old missions in +this part of the country. They interest me greatly. There was a time, +long ago, you know, when this land belonged to my ancestors. My +grandfather owned a vast tract of it. That was before gold was +discovered and the great rush of 'forty-nine occurred. + +"I presume it is needless to state that my grandfather's title to his +lands was regarded as worthless after that and he lost everything. He +died a poor man. My father was always very bitter about it, and he +retired to Old Mexico where he spent his last days. I am happy to say +that he did not transfer his bitterness toward the people of this +country to me, and I have found it to my advantage to return here and +engage in my present occupation. You should see my vineyard, Mr. +Merriwell. I think I have one of the finest in the State." + +The manner in which this statement was made seemed frankly open and +aboveboard. To all appearances, Felipe Dulzura had nothing to conceal +and was unhesitating in telling his business. + +"I, too," declared Merry, "am interested in the old Spanish missions. +They remind me of the days of romance, which seem so far removed." + +"Ah!" cried Dulzura, "then it may happen that we can journey a while in +company. That will be agreeable to me. I confess that the trail has been +lonely." + +The planter was most agreeable and friendly in his manner, and his smile +was exceedingly pleasant. In every way he seemed a most harmless +individual, but experience had taught Merry the danger of always +trusting to outward appearances. + +"Company of the right sort will not be disagreeable to me," assured +Frank. + +"Good!" laughed Dulzura. "I am sick of talking to myself, to my horse, +or to the landscape. I am a sociable chap, and I like some one to whom I +can talk. Do you smoke, Mr. Merriwell? I have tobacco and papers." + +"Thank you; I don't smoke." + +"Ah, you miss one of the soothing friends of life. When I have no other +company, my cigarette serves as one. This beastly valley is hot enough! +The mountains shut it in and cut off all the cool breezes. However, ere +nightfall we should get safely out of it and come to San Monica Mission. +It lies yonder near the old Indian reservation. I have heard my father +tell of it, and it has long been my object to see it." + +For some little time they chatted, Dulzura seeming to be in the most +communicative mood, but finally they prepared to go on together. When +they were ready Frank suggested that his companion lead the way, as it +was far more likely that he knew the trail better. + +"No, no, Mr. Merriwell," was the protest. "There is but one trail here. +Like you, I have never passed over it. You were in advance; it would +scarcely be polite for me to take the lead." + +Frank, however, had no thought of placing himself with his back turned +on the self-styled planter, and, therefore, he insisted that Dulzura +should proceed in advance, to which the latter acquiesced. As they rode +on through the somewhat stifling heat of the valley, the Spaniard +continued to talk profusely, now and then turning his head and smiling +back at Merry. + +"Next year," he said, "I mean to visit Spain. I have never been there, +you know. Years and years ago my ancestors lived there. I trust you will +pardon the seeming egotism, Mr. Merriwell, if I say it's not poor blood +that runs in my veins. My ancestors far back were grandees. Did you ever +hear of the Costolas? It's likely not. There were three branches of the +family. I am a descendant of one branch." + +"Costola?" murmured Frank. "The name seems familiar to me, but I presume +there are many who bear it." + +"Quite true. As for our family, however, an old feud has nearly wiped it +out. It started in politics, and it divided the Costolas against +themselves. A divided house, you know, cannot stand. My grandmother was +a Costola. She was compelled to leave Spain. At that time another branch +of the family was in power. Since then things have changed. Since then +that powerful branch of the family has declined and fallen. It was not +so many years ago that the sole surviving member was compelled, like my +grandmother, to escape secretly from Spain. He came to this country and +here lived under another name, taking that of his mother's family. I +don't even remember the name he assumed after reaching America; but I +did know that the surviving Costolas hunted him persistently, although +he managed to evade and avoid them. What has become of him now is +likewise a mystery. Perhaps he is dead." + +The speaker suddenly turned so that he could look fairly into Frank's +face, smiling a little, and said: + +"It's not likely this interests you, sir." + +"On the contrary," Merry smiled back, "I find it quite interesting. To +me Spain is a land of romance. Being a plain American, the tales of +those deadly feuds are fascinating to me. I presume the Costolas must +have possessed large estates in Spain?" + +"Once they did." + +"And the one you speak of--the one who was compelled to flee from the +country--was he wealthy?" + +"I believe he was reckoned so at one time." + +"And now," said Frank, "if this feud were ended, if any offense of his +were pardoned, could he not claim his property?" + +"That I don't know," declared Dulzura, shaking his head. + +"Well, then, if he has any descendants, surely they must be the rightful +heirs to his estate." + +"I doubt, sir, if they could ever possess it. It must eventually be +divided among his living relatives." + +"Ah!" cried Merry. "I understand, Mr. Dulzura, why you must have a +particular interest in visiting Spain. It seems probable that you, being +distantly related to this exiled nobleman, may finally come into +possession of a portion of his property." + +"It's not impossible," was the confession, as the man in advance rolled +a fresh cigarette. "But I am not counting on such uncertainties. +Although my grandfather and my father both died poor, I am not a pauper +myself. To be sure, I am not immensely rich, but my vineyards support me +well. I have lived in this country and in Mexico all my life. In fact, I +feel that I am more American than anything else. My father could not +understand the democracy of the Americans. He could not understand their +disregard of title and royalty." + +Frank laughed. + +"Had he lived in these days," he said, "and associated with a certain +class of degenerate Americans, he would have discovered that they are +the greatest worshipers of titles and royal blood in the whole world." + +"I think that may be true," agreed the Spaniard, puffing at his +cigarette. "I have seen some of it. I know that many of your rich +American girls sell themselves for the sake of titles to broken-down and +rakish noblemen of other countries. I think most Americans are ashamed +of this." + +"Indeed they are," seriously agreed Merry. "It makes them blush when a +rich American girl is led to the altar by some broken-down old _roué_ +with a title, who has spent his manhood and wrecked his constitution in +dissipation and licentiousness. Almost every week we read in the papers +of some titled foreigner who is coming to America in search of a rich +wife. We don't hear of the scores and scores of American girls with +wealthy parents who go abroad in search of titles. But we have forgotten +the Costolas. Can you tell me anything more of them?" + +"You seem strangely interested in them," said Dulzura, again glancing +back. "It almost seems as if you had heard of them before." + +"And it almost seems so to me," confessed Frank. "I think I must have +heard of them before. Sometime I shall remember when it was and what I +have heard." + +But, although they continued to talk, the Spaniard told Merry nothing +more of interest in that line. Finally they relapsed into silence and +rode on thus. + +Frank's thoughts were busy when his tongue became silent. He remembered +well that the most malignant and persistent enemy of little Felicia's +father was a man who called himself Felipe Costola. This man had made +repeated efforts to get possession of Felicia, but had been baffled by +Delores and had finally lost his life in Fardale. Beyond question, +Felipe Costola was dead, and what had become of Juan Delores no man +seemed to know. + +Putting two and two together, Frank began to wonder if Delores might not +be a Costola who had assumed the name of his mother's family while +living in Spain, thus arousing the everlasting enmity of all the +Costolas, and who had finally been compelled to flee to America. In many +respects the history of this man agreed with that told by Juan Delores +himself. He had once told Frank the name and title by which he was known +in Spain, but never had he explained the fierce enmity of Felipe +Costola. Now Merry was speculating over the possibility that Delores +must have once been a Costola. + +If this was true, then little Felicia was, by the statement of Dulzura, +the rightful heir to the estate in Spain. Meditating on this +possibility, Frank fancied he obtained a peep behind the curtain which +hid the mystery of Felicia's disappearance. With the child out of the +way, a false heir might be substituted, and the schemers behind the plot +would reap their reward. + +The shadows of evening were thickening in the mountain when Merry and +his companion passed from the valley and reached the abrupt foothills. +Here the trail was more clearly defined, and soon they were startled to +see standing beside it an aged Indian, who regarded them with the stony +gaze of the Sphinx. Dulzura drew up and asked the Indian in Spanish if +the San Monica Mission was near. The reply was that it was less than +half a mile in advance. + +They came to it, sitting on a little plateau, silent and sad in the +purple twilight. It was worn and battered by the storms of years. On its +ancient tower the cross stood tremblingly. A great crack showed in its +wall, running from base to apex. In the dark opening of the tower a huge +bell hung, silent and soundless. + +Merry drew up and sat regarding the ancient pile in almost speechless +awe and reverence. It was a monument of other days in that sunny land. +Here, long before the coming of the gold seekers, the Spanish priest had +taught the Indian to bow his knee to the one true God. Here they had +lived their calm and peaceful lives, which were devoted to the holy +cause. + +"Come," urged Dulzura, "let's get a peep within ere it becomes quite +dark. There must be an Indian village somewhere near, and there, after +looking into the mission, we may find accommodations." + +Frank did not say that he was doubtful if such accommodations as they +might find in an Indian village could satisfy him; but he followed his +companion to the stone gate of the old mission, where Dulzura hastily +dismounted. Even as Frank sprang from his horse he saw a dark figure +slowly and sedately approaching the gate. It proved to be a bare-headed +old monk in brown robes, who supported his trembling limbs with a short, +stout staff. + +Dulzura saluted the aged guardian of the mission in a manner of mingled +worship and respect. + +"What do ye here, my son?" asked the father, in a voice no less unsteady +than his aged limbs. + +"We have come, father, to see the mission," answered the Spaniard. "We +have journeyed for that purpose." + +"It's now too late, my son, to see it to-night. On the morrow I will +take you through it." + +"You live here alone, father?" + +"All alone since the passing of Father Junipero," was the sad answer, as +the aged monk made the sign of the cross. + +Frank was deeply touched by the melancholy in the old man's voice and in +the lonely life he led there in the ruined mission. + +"What is the mission's income?" questioned Merry. + +"Our lands are gone. We have very little," was the reply. "Still Father +Perez has promised to join me, and I have been looking for him. When I +heard your horse approaching I thought it might be he. It was but +another disappointment. Still, it matters not." + +"Let us take a peep inside," urged Dulzura. "Just one peep to-night, +father." + +"You can see nothing but shadows, my son; but you shall look, if you +wish." + +He turned and moved slowly along the path, aided by the staff. They +followed him through the gate and into the long stone corridor, where +even then the twilight was thick with shadows. In the yard the foliage +grew luxuriantly, but in sad neglect and much need of trimming and +attention. + +At the mission door they paused. + +"Let's go in," urged Dulzura. + +"To-morrow will be time enough," answered Frank, a sudden sensation of +uneasiness and apprehension upon him. + +At this refusal Dulzura uttered a sudden low exclamation and took a +swift step as if to pass Merry. Frank instantly turned in such a manner +that he placed his back against the wall, with the door on his left and +the old monk close at hand at his right. + +Suddenly, from beyond the shadows of the foliage in the yard, dark forms +sprang up and came bounding into the corridor. Out from the door rushed +another figure. Dulzura uttered a cry in Spanish and pointed at Frank. +They leaped toward him. + +Merry's hand dropped toward the holster on his hip, but with a gasp he +discovered that it was empty. Instead of grasping the butt of his +pistol, he found no weapon there with which to defend himself. + +For all of the shadows he saw the glint of steel in the hands of those +men as they leaped toward him, and he knew his life was in frightful +peril. + +How his pistol had escaped from the holster, whether it had slipped out +by accident, or had in some inexplicable manner been removed by human +hands, Frank could not say. It was gone, however, and he seemed +defenseless against his murderous assailants. + +In times of danger Frank's brain moved swiftly, and on this occasion it +did not fail him. With one sudden side-step, he snatched from the old +monk's hand the heavy staff. With a swift blow from this he was barely +in time to send the nearest assailant reeling backward. The others did +not pause, and during the next few moments Frank was given the liveliest +battle of his career. + +"Cut him down! Cut him down!" cried Dulzura, in Spanish. + +They responded by making every effort to sink their knives in Frank. +They were wiry, catlike little men, and in the gloom their eyes seemed +to gleam fiercely, while their lips curled back from their white teeth. + +Merriwell's skill as a swordsman stood him in good stead now. He took +care not to be driven against the wall. He whirled, and cut, and struck +in every direction, seeking ample room for evolutions. He knew full well +that to be pressed close against the wall would put him at a +disadvantage, for then he would not have room for his leaps, and swings, +and thrusts, and jabs. + +The fighting American bewildered and astounded them. He seemed to have +eyes in the back of his head. When one leaped at him from behind to sink +a knife between his shoulders Frank suddenly whirled like lightning and +smote the fellow across the wrist, sending the steel flying from his +fingers to clang upon the stones. The old monk lifted his trembling +hands in prayer and tottered away. What had happened seemed to him most +astounding and appalling. + +"Come on, you dogs!" rang Frank's clear voice. "Come on yourself, Felipe +Dulzura, you treacherous cur! Why do you keep out of reach and urge your +little beasts on?" + +The Spaniard uttered an oath in his own language. + +"Close in! Close in!" he directed. "Press him from all sides! Don't let +one man beat you off like that!" + +"You seem to be taking good care of your own precious hide," half +laughed Frank. Then, as the opportunity presented, he made a sudden rush +and reached Dulzura with a crack of the staff that caused the fellow to +howl and stagger. + +It did not seem, however, that, armed only with that stick, Merry could +long contend against such odds. Soon something must happen. Soon one of +those little wretches would find the opportunity to come in and strike +swift and sure with a glittering knife. + +The racket and uproar of the conflict startled the echoes of the mission +building, and in that peaceful, dreamy spot such sounds seemed most +appalling. Frank knew the end must come. Had he possessed a pistol he +might have triumphed over them all in spite of the odds. + +Suddenly in the distance, from far down the trail toward the valley, +came the sound of singing. As it reached Merry's ears he started in the +utmost amazement, for he knew that tune. Many a time had he joined in +singing it in the old days. Although the words were not distinguishable +at first, he could follow them by the sound of the tune. This is the +stanza the unseen singers voiced: + + "Deep in our hearts we hold the love + Of one dear spot by vale and hill; + We'll not forget while life may last + Where first we learned the soldier's skill; + The green, the field, the barracks grim, + The years that come shall not avail + To blot from us the mem'ry dear + Of Fardale--fair Fardale." + +"Fair Fardale!"--that was the song. How often Frank had joined in +singing it when a boy at Fardale Military Academy. No wonder Frank knew +it well! By the time the stanza was finished the singers were much +nearer, and their words could be plainly distinguished. Dulzura and his +tools were astounded, but the man urged them still more fiercely to +accomplish their task before the singers could arrive. + +The singing of that song, however, seemed to redouble Merry's wonderful +strength and skill. He was now like a flashing phantom as he leaped, and +dodged, and swung, and thrust with the heavy staff. His heart was +beating high, and he felt that he could not be defeated then. + +Finally the baffled and wondering assailants seemed to pause and draw +back. Frank retreated toward the wall and stood waiting, his stick +poised. The musical voices of the unseen singers broke into the chorus, +and involuntarily Frank joined them, his own clear voice floating +through the evening air: + + "Then sing of Fardale, fair Fardale! + Your voices raise in joyous praise + Of Fardale--fair Fardale! + Forevermore 'twixt hill and shore, + Oh, may she stand with open hand + To welcome those who come to her-- + Our Fardale--fair Fardale!" + +It was plain that, for some reason, Dulzura and his band of assassins +had not wished to use firearms in their dreadful work. Now, however, the +leader seemed to feel that there was but one course left for him. Merry +saw him reach into a pocket and felt certain the scoundrel was in search +of a pistol. + +He was right. Even as Dulzura brought the weapon forth, Frank made two +pantherish bounds, knocking the others aside, and smote the chief rascal +a terrible blow over the ear. Dulzura was sent whirling out between two +of the heavy pillars to crash down into the shrubbery of the yard. + +That blow seemed to settle everything, for with the fall of their master +the wretches who had been urged on by him took flight. Like frightened +deer they scudded, disappearing silently. Merry stood there unharmed, +left alone with the old monk, who was still breathing his agitated +prayers. From beyond the gate came a call, and the sound of that voice +made Frank laugh softly with satisfaction. + +He leaped down from the corridor and ran along the path to the gate, +outside which, in the shadows, were two young horsemen. + +"Dick--my brother!" exclaimed Merry. + +"Frank!" was the cry, as one of the two leaped from the horse and sprang +to meet him. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +WHAT THE MONK TOLD THEM. + + +"By all that's wonderful!" exclaimed Merry, as he beheld his brother. "I +thought I must be dreaming when I heard you singing. Dick, how did you +come here?" + +"I heard nothing from you, Frank," was the reply. "I didn't know for +sure that you had received my message. I did know that Felicia was in +trouble and in danger, and so I resolved to hasten to her at once. When +I reached San Diego I found she was gone and that you had been there +ahead of me. I have been seeking to overtake you ever since. This +afternoon we saw you far away in the valley, although we could not be +certain it was you. You had a companion. We thought it might be Bart +Hodge." + +Dick had made this explanation hastily, after the affectionate meeting +between the brothers. + +"It was not Hodge," said Frank; "far from it! It was a man I fell in +with on the trail, and a most treacherous individual he proved to be." + +Then he told of the encounter with Dulzura's ruffianly crew, upon +hearing which Dick's companion of the trail uttered a cry. + +"Whoop!" he shouted. "That certain was a hot old scrimmage. Great +tarantulas! Why didn't we come up in time to get into the fracas! +Howling tomcats! but that certain would have been the real stuff! And +you beat the whole bunch off, did you, Mr. Merriwell? That's the kind of +timber the Merriwells are made of! You hear me gently warble!" + +"Hello, Buckhart!" exclaimed Frank, as the chap swung down from the +saddle. Brad Buckhart and Dick Merriwell were chums at the Fardale +Military Academy, and Frank knew him for one of the pluckiest young +fellows he had ever met. Buckhart was a Texan through and through. + +"Put her there, Mr. Merriwell," said Brad, as he extended his hand--"put +her there for ninety days! It does my optics a heap of good to rest them +on your phiz. But I'll never get over our late arrival on the scene of +action." + +"We knew you were here somewhere, Frank, when we heard you join in 'Fair +Fardale,'" said Dick. + +"And by that sound the greasers knew I had friends coming," added Merry. +"It stopped them and sent them scurrying off in a hurry." + +"Where are they now?" asked Brad. "Why don't they sail right out here +and light into us? Oh, great horn spoon! I haven't taken in a red-hot +fight for so long that I am all rusty in the joints." + +"Where is Felicia, Frank?" anxiously asked Dick. + +Merry shook his head. + +"I can't answer that question yet," he confessed. "I have followed her +thus far; of that I am satisfied, for otherwise I don't believe these +men would have attacked me." + +Through the shadows a dark figure came slowly toward them from the +direction of the mission building. + +"Whoever is this yere?" exclaimed Buckhart. + +"It's the old priest," said Merry, as he saw the cloaked and hooded +figure. + +The old man was once more leaning on his crooked staff, which Merry had +dropped as he hastened to meet his brother. Even in the gathering +darkness there was about him an air of agitation and excitement. + +"My son," he said, in a trembling voice, still speaking in Spanish, "I +hope you are not harmed." + +"Whatever is this he is shooting at you?" inquired Buckhart. "Is it +Choctaw or Chinese?" + +Paying no attention to Brad, Merry questioned the monk, also speaking in +Spanish. + +"Father," he said, "who were those men, and how came they to be here?" + +"My son, I knew not that there were so many of them. Two came to me to +pray in the mission. The others, who were hidden outside, I saw not +until they appeared. Why did they attack you?" + +"Because they are wicked men, father, who have stolen from her home a +little girl. I am seeking her, hoping to restore her to her friends." + +"This is a strange story you tell me, my son. Who is the child, and why +did they take her from her home?" + +"There's much mystery about it, father. She's the daughter of a Spanish +gentleman, who became an exile from his own country. There are reasons +to suppose she may be an heiress. Indeed, that seems the only +explanation of her singular abduction. I have traced her hither, father. +Can you tell me anything to assist in my search?" + +The old man shook his hooded head, his face hidden by deep shadows. + +"Nothing, my son--nothing," he declared, drawing a little nearer, as if +to lay his hand upon Frank. "I would I could aid you." + +Suddenly, to the astonishment of both Dick and Brad, Merry flung himself +upon the monk, grasping his wrist and dropping him in a twinkling. He +hurled the agitated recluse flat upon his back and knelt upon his chest. + +"Frank! Frank!" palpitated Dick. "What are you doing? Don't hurt him!" + +"Strike a match, one of you," commanded Merry. "Give us a look at his +face." + +The man struggled violently, but Frank's strength was too much for him, +and he was pinned fast. + +Dick quickly struck a match and bent over, shading it with his hands, +flinging the light downward upon the face of the man Merry held. + +"Just as I thought!" Merry exclaimed, in satisfaction, as the light +showed him, not the features of the old monk, but those of a much +younger man, with dark complexion and a prominent triangular scar on his +right cheek. "This is not the holy father. He couldn't deceive me with +his attempt to imitate the father's voice. I have seen this gentleman on +a previous occasion. He dogged my steps in San Diego after I left Rufus +Staples' house." + +It was, in truth, the same man Merry had warned on the street corner in +San Diego. The little wretch swore savagely in Spanish and glared at his +captors. + +"Spare your breath, my fine fellow," said Frank. "Profanity will not +help you." + +"Well, whatever was the varmint trying to do?" cried Buckhart. "I +certain thought he was going to bless you." + +"He would have blessed me with a knife between my ribs had I been +deceived by him," asserted Merriwell. "In my saddlebags you will find +some stout cord. Give it to me." + +A few moments later, in spite of his occasional struggles, the captured +rascal was securely bound. + +"There," said Merry, "I think that will hold you for a while. Now, boys, +I am going to see what has become of the holy father. This is his +cloak." + +"You're not going back there alone," protested Dick, at once. + +"Not on your life!" agreed Buckhart. "We are with you, Frank." + +They followed him into the yard, where the darkness was now deep, and +came together to the entrance of the mission, but without discovering +anything of the aged monk. Standing in the corridor, they peered in at +the yawning door, but could see or hear nothing. Frank called to the +monk, but only echoes answered him from the black interior of the +mission. + +"Here's where you may get all the fight you want, Buckhart," he said +grimly. "Be ready for anything, boys." + +"I am a heap ready, you bet your boots!" answered the Texan, who had a +pistol in his hand. + +"Same here," said Dick. + +Frank struck a match on the cemented wall. A cold wind from the interior +of the building came rushing through the open door and blew it out. It +was like the breath of some dangerous, unseen monster hidden within the +mission. Merry promptly struck another match. This time he shaded it +with his hands and protected it until it sprang into a strong glow. +Then, with his hands concaved behind it, he advanced through the +doorway, throwing its light forward. Almost immediately an exclamation +escaped his lips, for a few feet within, lying on the cold floor, he +discovered a human form. As he bent over the figure, he saw to his +dismay it was the monk from whose body the brown cloak had been +stripped. + +Then the match went out. + +"Is he dead, Frank?" whispered Dick. + +"I can't tell," answered Merry. "I didn't get a fair look at him. We +will know in a moment." + +He lighted another match and bent over the prostrate man. The light +showed him the eyes of the monk fixed stonily on his face. It also +showed him that a gag had been forced between the old man's teeth and +fastened there. The father was bound securely with a lariat. + +"He is far from dead!" exclaimed Merry, in satisfaction. "Here, Dick, +cut this rope and set him free. Get that gag out of his mouth, while I +hold matches for you to do so." + +Soon the rope was cut, the gag removed, and together they lifted the old +man to his feet. Frank then picked him up and carried him out into the +open air. + +"You seem to have met with misfortune, father," he said. "I sincerely +hope you are not harmed much." + +"My son," quavered the agitated monk, "it is not my body that is harmed; +it is my spirit. Against no living creature in all the world would I +raise my hand. Why should any one seize me and choke me in such a +manner? Much less, why should any who profess to be of the holy faith do +such a thing?" + +"They were frauds, father--frauds and rascals of the blackest dye." + +"But two of them came here to pray," murmured the priest, as if he could +not believe such a thing possible. "Have we not suffered indignities +enough? Our lands have been taken from us and we have been stripped of +everything." + +"They were infidels, father. You may be sure of that." + +"Infidels and impostors!" exclaimed the old man, with a slight show of +spirit. "But I couldn't think men who spoke the language of old Spain +and who prayed to Heaven could be such base creatures." + +"What they certain deserve," growled Buckhart, unable to repress his +indignation longer, "is to be shot up a whole lot, and I'd sure like the +job of doing it." + +"I don't understand it--I cannot understand it!" muttered the monk. +"It's far beyond me to comprehend. Why did they set upon me, my son?" he +questioned, his unsteady hand touching Frank's arm. "Why did they seek +to slay you?" + +"Wait a minute, father, and I will explain," said Merry. + +He then told briefly of the abduction of Felicia and his pursuit of her +captors. As he spoke, the aged listener betrayed some signs of +excitement. + +"My son, is all this true?" he solemnly questioned. "You are not one of +our faith, yet your words ring true." + +"I swear it, father." + +"Then I have been twice deceived!" cried the old man, with surprising +energy, shaking his hands in the empty air. "Yesterday there came here +two men and a sweet-faced child. They told me they were taking her home. +I believed them. With her they knelt at the shrine to pray. I blessed +them, and they went on their way." + +"At last!" burst from Merry's lips. "Now there's no question. Now we +know we're on the right trail! Father, that little girl is a cousin of +my half-brother here. He will tell you if I have spoken the truth." + +"Every word of it is true," affirmed Dick, who spoke Spanish as fluently +as Frank. "If you can tell us whither they were taking her, father, you +may aid us greatly in our search for her." + +"Alas! it is not possible for me to tell you! I know that they were +bound eastward. Beyond these mountains are the great San Bernardino +plains, a mighty and trackless desert. Where they could go in that +direction I cannot say." + +"Is it possible to cross the desert?" questioned Dick. + +"It is a waste of burning sand. Who tries to cross it on foot or mounted +is almost certain to leave his bones somewhere in that desert." + +"Then if they kept straight on----" + +"If they kept straight on," said the old monk, "I fear greatly you will +never again behold the child you seek." + +"They are not fools!" exclaimed Frank. "It is not likely they will try +to cross the desert. The fact that they have taken so much trouble to +endeavor to check pursuit here is proof they felt hard pushed. Is there +no town, no human habitation beyond these mountains?" + +"No town," declared the father. "Straight over to the east you will come +to the El Diablo Valley. It is deep and wild, and in it are some ruined +buildings of stone and cement. Tradition says they were built long ago +by Joaquin Murietta, a Californian outlaw, who waged war on all +Americans. He expected to retreat there some day and defend himself +against all assailants. At least, so the legend runs, although I much +doubt if he built the castle which is now called Castle Hidalgo. Of late +it has another occupant, who has taken the name of Joaquin--Black +Joaquin he is called." + +"Well, this is somewhat interesting, too," declared Merry. "Is this new +Joaquin endeavoring to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor?" + +"I believe there is a price upon his head." + +Merry turned to Dick with sudden conviction. + +"Our trail leads to Castle Hidalgo," he asserted. "I am satisfied of +that. I am also satisfied that I have here encountered some of Black +Joaquin's satellites." + +"And I will wager something," Dick added, "that we have one of them this +minute, bound hand and foot, a short distance away." + +"That's right," said Frank, "and we may be able to squeeze a little +information from him. Father, the man who has your cloak is outside the +gate. Perhaps you may know him. Come and look at him." + +Together they left the yard and came to the spot where the man with the +scar was supposed to be. On the ground lay the old monk's cloak, but the +man was gone. Undoubtedly he had been set free by some of his comrades. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +THREE IN A TRAP. + + +The day was declining when Frank, Dick, and Brad came down into El +Diablo Valley. It was, indeed, a dark, wild place, and for some time it +seemed almost impossible of access. No plain trail led into it. On an +elevation in the valley they had seen a ruined pile that bore a strong +resemblance to a crumbling castle. The very appearance of these +buildings belied the tale that Joaquin Murietta had built them there. +Had they been so recently constructed their ruined condition was +unaccountable. It seemed certain that at least a hundred years had +passed since their erection. About the valley and the castle appeared +hanging an air of mystery and romance. + +That any one should choose such a remote and desolate spot to rear those +buildings was beyond comprehension to the three young Americans who now +beheld the ruins for the first time. Somehow those crumbling stones +reminded them of the march of Cortez and his conquering treasure +hunters. What Spaniard of that day, left behind in Mexico and supposed +to be dead, had enriched himself with the treasures of the Aztecs and +had escaped northward, only to find himself imprisoned in the new land, +and to finally use a part of his treasures to erect this castle? + +During the middle hours of the day alone did the southern sunshine fall +soft and golden in El Diablo Valley. Therefore, they descended into the +shadows and approached the castle, which seemed to lie silent and +deserted in the midst of the valley. + +"It's a whole lot strange we never heard of this place before," observed +Buckhart. "Of course, others have seen it." + +There was a cloud on Dick's face. + +"Do you think, Frank," he questioned, "that there is any hope of finding +Felicia here? Since leaving the mission we have seen nothing to indicate +that we were still on the right trail." + +"It's a good deal like hunting for a needle in a hay-stack," confessed +Merry. + +"Maybe those galoots who have her doubled back on us," suggested Brad. +"Maybe they turned on us there at the mission." + +"It's not impossible," was Merry's regretful admission. "However, we are +here, and we will find what there is to find." + +There were no echoes in the valley. It seemed a place of silence and +gloom. As they approached the ruins they surveyed them with increasing +wonder. There were old turrets and towers, crumbling and cracked, as if +shaken by many earthquakes. The black windows glared at them like grim +eyes. + +"I will bet my boots that there is no one around this yere ranch," +muttered Buckhart. "Perhaps that old priest fooled us a whole lot." + +Merry shook his head. + +"I am sure not," he said. + +They mounted the rise on which the castle was built and passed through a +huge gate and dark passage, coming into a courtyard, with the crumbling +ruins all around them. Here they paused. Suddenly at one of the narrow, +upper windows of the old turret a face appeared. Some one was there +looking out at them. Frank's keen eyes were the first to discover it. +Then to their ears came the cry of a voice electrifying them. The face +at the window pressed nearer, and, together with the voice, it was +recognized. + +Dick gave a shout of joy. + +"Felicia!" he exclaimed. "There she is, Frank. Can you see her in that +window up there? Felicia! Felicia!" + +But even as he called to her thus she suddenly vanished. As they stared +at the window, another face showed for a moment and another pair of eyes +looked down at them. + +Then these also disappeared. + +"Waugh!" exploded Brad Buckhart. "Here's where we get into action." + +"She's there," declared Frank. "She's there--a captive!" + +"It's sure to be a red-hot scrimmage," said Buckhart, looking at his +revolver. "Take care that your guns are ready for action." + +They leaped from their horses and swiftly approached the ruins, leaving +the animals to wander where they might in the valley, well knowing they +would not leave it. + +Up the stone steps they bounded, coming to the deepset door, which by +its own weight or by the working of time had fallen from its hinges. +Nothing barred them there, and they entered. As they dashed in, there +was a sudden whirring sound, and they felt themselves struck and beaten +upon as by phantom hands. This was startling enough, but Frank +immediately comprehended that they were bats and the creatures were +fluttering wildly about them. From one dark room to another they +wandered, seeking the stairs that should lead them up into the turret. + +"We need a light," said Merry. + +"That certain is correct, pardner," agreed Buckhart. "We are a heap +likely to break our necks here in the dark." + +"But we have no light," panted Dick, "and no time to secure a torch. If +we waste time for that we may lose her." + +"Where are those pesky stairs?" growled the Texan. + +Their search led them into a huge echoing room that seemed windowless. +Frank was exasperated by the aimlessness of their search. Had they not +seen Felicia's face at the window and heard her voice, the silence and +desolation of the place must have convinced them that it was in truth +deserted. But now, of a sudden, there was a sound behind them. It was a +creak on the rusty stairs. It was followed by a heavy thud and absolute +silence. + +"What was that?" asked Dick. + +"It sounded to me," muttered Merry, "like the closing of a massive +door." + +A moment later he struck a match, and by its light they looked around. +Holding it above his head, it served to illumine the chamber dimly. + +"Wherever did we get into this hole?" asked Brad. "I fail to see any +door." + +The repeated lighting of matches seemed to show them only four bare +walls. At last Frank found the door, but he discovered it was closed. +More than that, he discovered that it was immovable. + +"Boys," he said grimly, as the match in his fingers fluttered out and +fell into a little glowing, coal at his feet, "we are trapped. It's +plain now that we did a foolish thing in rushing in here without a +light. That glimpse of Felicia lured us into the snare, and it will be +no easy thing to escape." + +"Let me get at that door!" growled Buckhart. + +He flung himself against it with all his strength, but it stood +immovable. They joined in using their united strength upon it, but still +it did not stir. + +"Well, this certain is a right bad scrape," admitted the Texan. "I don't +mind any a good hot fight with the odds on the other side, but I admit +this staggers me." + +"What are we to do, Frank?" whispered Dick. + +"Easier asked than answered," confessed Merry. "It's up to us to find +some means of escape, but how we can do so I am not ready to say." + +"Pards," said the Texan, "it seems to me that we are going to get +a-plenty hungry before we leave this corral. We are some likely to +starve here. The joke is on us." + +"Hush!" cautioned Merry. "Listen!" + +As they stood still in the dense darkness of that chamber they heard a +muffled voice speaking in English. It seemed to be calling to them +derisively. + +"You're very courageous, Frank Merriwell," mocked the voice; "but see +what your courage has brought you to. Here you are trapped, and here you +will die!" + +"Hello!" muttered Merry. "So my friend, Felipe Dulzura, is near at +hand!" + +The situation was one to appall the stoutest heart, but Frank Merriwell +was not the one to give up as long as there was the slightest gleam of +hope. Indeed, in that darkness there seemed no gleam. It is not +wonderful that even stout-hearted Brad Buckhart began to feel that "the +jig was up." + +In most times of danger, perplexity, or peril, Dick relied solely on +himself and his own resources; now, however, having Frank at hand, he +turned to him. + +"Is there any chance for us to escape?" + +"Boys," said Merry, "we must not think of giving up until we have made +every effort in our power. The first thing to be done is to sound the +walls. You can help me in this. Go around the walls, rapping on them and +listening. See if you can find a hollow place. This is not the donjon, +and it may have been originally intended for something different from a +prison room." + +Directed by him, they set about their task, sounding the walls. Hopeless +enough it seemed as they went knocking, knocking through the darkness. +When the room had been circled once and no discovery made, Buckhart +seemed quite ready to give up the effort in that direction. Frank was +not satisfied, but continued feeling his way along the walls, rapping +and listening as he went. Finally he remained a long time in one place, +which aroused the curiosity of his boy comrades. + +"Have you discovered anything?" asked Dick. + +Before replying Merry struck a match. + +"Here, boys," he said, "you will see there is a crack in the wall. That +may be the cause of the hollow sound I fancied it gave. But, look!" he +added, holding the match high above his head, "see how the crack widens +as it rises toward the ceiling. By Jove, boys! it's almost wide enough +up there for a cat to get through." + +Then the match burned too short to be held longer, and he dropped it. +Several moments he stood in silence, paying no heed to the words of Dick +or Brad. His mind was busy. Finally he said: + +"Get up here, boys, both of you. Face this wall and stand close +together. I want to climb on your shoulders. I am going to examine that +crack. It may be our only hope of salvation." + +They followed instructions, and Merry mounted to their shoulders, on +which he stood. In this manner he was high enough to reach some distance +into the crack in the wall. He found nothing but crumbling bits of +cement and stone, which was a disappointment to him. + +"Keep your heads down," he said. "I am going to see if I can loosen some +of this outer coat of cement here. It may rattle down about your ears." + +He pulled away at the cement, cleaving it off easily and exposing the +fact that the wall was somewhat shabbily built above a distance of eight +feet from the floor. An earthquake or convulsion of nature, or whatever +had caused the crack in the wall, had seriously affected it, and it +seemed very shaky and unstable indeed. + +Several times he shifted about on the boys' shoulders to give them rest, +as his heavy boots were rather painful after remaining in one position a +few moments. They were eager to know what progress he was making. + +"I can't tell what it amounts to, boys," he declared. "This crack may +lead nowhere, even if I can make an opening large enough to enter." + +At length he was compelled to descend in order to give them a chance to +rest. Three times he mounted on their shoulders and worked at the cement +and stones until the skin of his fingers was torn and his hands +bleeding. He was making progress, nevertheless, and it seemed more and +more apparent that, if given time enough, an opening might be made there +at that height in the wall. In his final efforts he loosened a mass of +the stuff, that suddenly gave way and went rattling and rumbling down +into the wall somewhere. To his intense satisfaction, this left a hole +large enough for a human being to creep into. + +"Brace hard, boys," he whispered. "I am going to make a venture here. I +am going to crawl into this place." + +"Be careful, Frank!" palpitated Dick. "What if you get in there and the +old wall crumbles on you! You will be buried alive! You will be +smothered, and killed!" + +"Better that than starvation in this wretched hole," he half laughed. +"We will have to take chances if we ever escape at all. Steady now." + +They stiffened their bodies, and he gave a little spring, diving into +the opening as far as he could and slowly wiggling and dragging himself +forward. In this manner he gradually crept into it, although it was no +simple matter. There was barely room enough for him to accomplish this +feat, and when it was done he lay still a few moments to rest. As he lay +thus he heard some of the stones and cement rattling and falling beneath +him, and felt the whole wall seem to settle. His heart leaped into his +throat, for it seemed, indeed, that he was about to be smothered and +crushed to death in that place. Still he did not retreat. Instead of +that, he squirmed and crawled forward as fast as possible. Suddenly a +mass of the wall came down upon his back and shoulders, and he was +pinned fast. + +Trying to squirm forward still farther, he found himself held as if in +the jaws of a vise, and never in his adventurous career had his position +seemed more desperate and helpless. Dust filled his eyes and nostrils, +and he seemed smothered. + +Summoning all his wonderful strength, Merry made a mighty effort. +Suddenly, as he did so, the wall beneath him seemed to give way, and +downward he fell, amid showers of stones and cement, which rained upon +him. He had fallen into some sort of open space, and, although somewhat +dazed and stunned, he quickly crept forward to escape the falling mass +of stuff. In this he was successful, and, although the air of the place +seemed dense and stifling, he was practically uninjured. + +As soon as possible, he sought to learn what kind of a place he had +dropped into so unexpectedly. There were yet a few matches left in his +match safe, and one of these he lighted. Its light showed him a small, +narrow passage, leading away he knew not where. Behind him there was a +mass of fallen debris where the top of the passage had caved in. Even +then still more was threatening to fall, and he quickly moved away. + +"I have heard of secret passages in old castles and mansions," Frank +muttered, "and this must be one of them. Where will it lead me? It must +take me somewhere, and this is better than remaining in the chamber +where we were trapped." + +For a long time he felt his way cautiously onward along the passage. He +came in time to its end. His hand could feel nothing but the bare +stones, and it seemed that the passage terminated there. Once more he +struck a match, the light of which revealed to him nothing of an +encouraging nature. + +"Well," he said, "I seem to be in a trap still. It can't be possible +this was simply a blind passage. Why was it constructed? There must be +some way of getting out of it." + +Again at the end of the passage he fell to sounding the wall and +listening. His hands roamed over it, feeling every protrusion or +irregularity. Finally he touched something that was loose. Immediately +he pressed it with considerable vigor, upon which there was a faint +muffled click, and a heavy door that had been skillfully covered by +cement swung slowly against his hands. + +Frank's wonderful command of his nerves kept him from uttering an +exclamation of satisfaction. He quickly seized the edge of the door and +pulled it wide open. Fresh air rushed in upon him, and he filled his +lungs with a sensation of satisfaction and relief. + +He now thought of returning and seeking to assist Dick and Brad in +following him, but after a few moments he decided to investigate still +further. Soon he found himself on a high terrace, which opened into an +inclosed courtyard of the ruins. As he leaned there, looking down, the +ring of ironshod hoofs came through the arched gate, reaching his ears. +A moment later two horsemen rode into the courtyard, leading behind them +three animals. The clank and clang of the horses' feet upon the +flagstones echoed in the inclosure. Merry drew back, watching and +listening. + +"Three fine beasts," said a voice in Spanish. "And they are ours, +comrade. The chief said we were to have them if we captured them." + +"Why not?" sullenly returned the other man. "Are we to have nothing? Is +the chief to get it all?" + +"Hush, Jimenez!" hastily warned the first speaker. "Better not let him +hear you utter such words." + +"At least one can think, Monte," retorted Jimenez. "We take all the +risks, and what do we get? Not even when we faced that young devil +Americano at the mission did the chief put himself in peril. He urged us +on, but he took good care of his precious self, I noticed." + +"If you talk more in this manner, Jimenez," exclaimed Monte, "with you I +will have nothing whatever to do!" + +"Bah! You are a coward," snarled the other. "Now, be not hasty in your +movements, for I, too, am armed." + +"Fly at it!" whispered Frank, in satisfaction. "Go at each other, and do +your prettiest. Cut each other's throats, and I will applaud you, you +rascals!" + +But the two scoundrels did not engage in an encounter. After growling a +little at each other, they proceeded with the horses to a part of the +courtyard where the stables seemed to be, and there disappeared. Merry +did not have to watch long for their return. They again crossed the open +space below and disappeared; but, listening where he stood, he heard +their voices, and they seemed ascending stairs not far away. + +His curiosity now fully aroused, with a pistol in his hand, Frank stole +onward as swiftly as possible in an attempt to keep track of them. He +left the terrace and came to the stairs by which they ascended. Even as +he stole like a panther up those stairs, he caught the hum of voices and +the flash of a light. + +Thus it was that the daring young man at last reached a dark nook, from +which sheltered spot he could peer through an open door into a lighted +room where several men were gathered. Beyond doubt these were the +members of Black Joaquin's band, several of whom had set upon him at San +Monica Mission. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +RUFFIANS AT ODDS. + + +Some of the men were idly lounging about as they smoked, while others +were playing cards. The card players were gambling, and money clinked on +the table before them. A picturesque and desperate-looking group they +were, yet Merriwell felt and knew by experience that they were far more +dangerous in appearance than in actual fact. He had met a number of them +face to face, and succeeded in holding them in check with no more than +the crooked staff of the old monk for his weapon of defense. They were +the kind to strike at a man's back and cower before his face. + +The card players did not always get along amicably. At times they +quarreled excitedly, over their game. Finally one of them lost +everything and flew into a passion, roundly berating his more lucky +companions. They laughed at him as they puffed their cigarettes. + +"What matters it, Pachuca?" cried one. "It is only a little. Soon you +will have more." + +"Oh, yes, much more!" smiled another. "The chief has promised you plenty +when he shall get the girl safely away." + +"I much prefer money to promises," solemnly retorted Pachuca. "It's an +honest game I play. Why should I win with you?" + +"Now, it's best that you have a care with your tongue," rather hotly +returned one of the winners. "Yesterday it was your luck to win; now it +is mine." + +"Is it luck you call it?" sneered Pachuca. "Ha! ha!" + +"Yes, luck. What was it when you won?" + +"It was my skill," declared Pachuca loftily. "But even skill is no match +for some methods." + +At this the little fellow who had won the most sprang up and struck the +table with his fist, glaring across at Pachuca. + +"Do you dare say to my face that I cheat?" he sharply cried. "Speak it +out, if you do!" + +Merry was quite satisfied by the course events seemed to be taking, for +he felt that it might be much to his advantage if a quarrel between +these two men followed. + +Pachuca, however, shrugged his shoulders and showed his teeth, as he +rolled a cigarette. + +"You have won, Ramon," he returned. "Keep the money. My turn comes." + +"Any time you like," was the defiant challenge. "When I lose it is not +like a stuck pig that I squeal." + +Then Ramon sat down as if quite satisfied, and the game proceeded +without Pachuca participating further. + +Merry was disappointed. Still he saw there was bad blood among the men, +and he felt that what he had heard in the courtyard and since indicated +dissension and dissatisfaction. + +As the gamblers continued they again fell to speaking of "the girl." + +Suddenly behind him, toward the stairs, Merry heard a soft footfall. He +pressed himself closer into the darkness of his niche and scarcely +breathed as a man brushed past. This man halted in the door, hearing +something of the words of the gamblers. Suddenly he stepped forward. + +"What is this?" he demanded angrily. "Again you are talking too much. I +have warned you before. You are not to speak at all of the girl. You +know she's here; let that be enough, and hold your tongues!" + +"Hello, my fine friend!" whispered Frank to himself, as the light fell +on the face of the newcomer and he saw that there was a scar on the +man's cheek. "So it's you?" + +Sudden silence fell upon the men. The man with the the scar singled out +Ramon, at whom he pointed. + +"You are always talking too much," he declared. "When will you learn +better?" + +As he stood behind the table, Ramon's hand slipped down to his sash, +where it touched the hilt of a knife, and the look on his face was far +from pleasant. + +"It's me you always single out, Carlos!" he exclaimed. "Why do you never +talk thus to the others?" + +"Because it is you who make trouble. It is you I have been compelled to +caution. What think you the chief would say should he hear you?" + +"The chief!" cried Ramon. "Where is he? It is easy to make promises, +Carlos. How know we that we are to receive all that is promised?" + +"Have you not been satisfied in the past?" + +"Not always," was the bold retort. "I am not the only one; there are +others here who have not been satisfied. It is time to speak plainly. +When all danger is over----" + +"It is already," was the assertion. + +"How so?" + +"You know the three dogs who followed the trail have been trapped. They +are secure, and never from this place will they go forth." + +"But there may be others. There was another who followed us far." + +"What of him?" sneered Carlos, snapping his fingers. "He has long lost +the scent. It is only these three fellows who tracked us here, and +better for them had they never come. Here their bones will rot!" + +"If that is true, there is now nothing to prevent the chief from +carrying the girl whither he likes. Who is she? That you have not told +us, Carlos." + +"That is nothing to you. It is a matter to concern the chief alone." + +"Ah! we know she must be of great value to him, else he would have never +taken so many chances. Why was she deceived with the tale that she was +to be carried to her father?" + +"How know you so much?" grimly demanded Carlos. + +Then suddenly he wheeled on Jimenez. + +"It's you who talk a great deal likewise!" he snarled. + +Up to this point Jimenez had been silent. Now, like a flash, he sprang +up and advanced to the side of Ramon. + +"My tongue is my own," he harshly said. "On it no one has placed a lock. +What harm has the child done that she should be deceived? We are the men +who did the work; why should not we be trusted? Answer that--if you can. +I know that she was told that she should find her father here. I know, +too, that he is a fugitive and has long hidden from his enemies. +However, I know that she was led to believe that he had sent for her. +Where is this man?" + +"You fool!" burst from Carlos. "I knew that it was a mistake when you +were placed to guard her. I knew it was unsafe that she should tell you +too much. Wait until the chief learns of this." + +"Let him pay us what he has promised," said Ramon. "We will take it and +be silent. He may then go where he pleases and carry the girl. Carlos, +we are not the only ones here who demand to see this money and to hear +it clink in our hands. Comrades, it is time we show our colors. Let +those who are with me stand forth." + +At this there was a stir. Some of the men seemed to hesitate, but a +moment later two more men came over to the side of Ramon and Jimenez. + +"This is not all," Ramon declared. "There are still others who are not +satisfied with bare promises. Let the chief satisfy us. Where is he?" + +Merry had been so deeply interested that he failed to hear a step behind +him, and had not he been cautiously pressed in the shadows of his nook +he might have been observed. The approaching man, however, had heard +sounds of a quarrel in that room, and he strode past Frank and entered +by the door. + +"Who calls for me?" he demanded, in a clear, steady voice. "Why all this +uproar?" + +"Joaquin!" muttered one, while others exclaimed, "The chief!" + +And Frank recognized Felipe Dulzura! + +Sudden silence fell upon them. Dulzura, whom Frank now knew to be Black +Joaquin, stood boldly looking them over. Despite the assertion made by +one of the men that the chief was one who avoided danger, his bearing +now seemed that of utter fearlessness and command. + +"Speak!" he exclaimed. "What is the meaning of this?" + +"Ask Ramon," said Carlos. "He will tell you--perhaps." + +Ramon drew himself up. The time had come that he must face the matter +unflinchingly. + +"It is this," he said; "we have been promised much and have received +little. Some of us are not satisfied." + +"Indeed!" exclaimed Black Joaquin. "And you are one of the dissatisfied, +I see." + +"I am," was the admission; "but I am not alone. You will find that there +are many more. Ask them. You will find nearly all are dissatisfied." + +The chief glanced them over, and what he saw in their faces convinced +him that Ramon spoke truly. Suddenly he smiled on them in that pleasant +manner of his, and his voice was soft and musical as he spoke again. + +"I would not have any of my faithful fellows dissatisfied," he declared. +"If there is anything I can do in justice, let them name it." + +Carlos seemed disappointed by this unexpected manner of their leader. + +"It is that you have promised us a great deal we have not received," +said Ramon. + +"And is it yet time?" was the placid question. + +"Why not? You said the time would come when the girl was safely yours, +with no danger of pursuit. To me it seems that time has come. The three +Americans who pursued you are captured and cannot escape. The girl is +now yours to do with as you like. Is it strange we suspect she is a +prize of great value? If she were not, why should Black Joaquin put +himself to so much trouble?" + +"You are right," smiled the man Merry knew as Dulzura. "But you are +hasty. It is only lately the pursuers I most feared have fallen into my +hands. Had you waited a little it might have given me more satisfaction. +You were always too hasty, Ramon." + +The rebuke was of the mildest sort, and Ramon accepted it without a show +of anger. + +"However," continued the chief, "I can pardon you this once, but you +shall be satisfied. I have not at hand all I have promised you, but it +is where I can soon secure it. Nevertheless, I have something here, and +it shall be divided among you." + +As he said this, he drew forth a leather pouch, which he flung with a +careless gesture upon the table. It struck with a heavy thud and a +slight clanking sound. + +"I call upon you," he said, "to see that it is divided equally and +fairly. The rest shall be paid you soon. Carlos, I would speak with +you." + +He then turned toward the door, and Carlos followed him. Outside, in the +shadows, they halted not fifteen feet from Frank. + +"Carlos," said Joaquin, "not one coin more will those dogs get. I have +no further use for them. You and I must abandon them and get away before +the coming of another day. It is no longer well for us to remain in this +land. As Black Joaquin my work is done. Can we reach Spain in safety +with the girl, our fortunes are made. But those snarling curs will +object if they suspect we are contemplating leaving them behind. You I +depend on. You know where the wine is kept. Take this which I give you +and with it drug the wine. When you have done so, bring it for them to +drink. Make merry with them, and encourage them to drink deeply. They +will sleep soundly after that, and we shall have no trouble. I will get +the girl ready. Before those fools awaken I shall be far from here, and +we can laugh at them." + +"Good!" said Carlos, having accepted from Joaquin's hand the bottle +proffered him. "It shall be done. Leave it to me." + +The chief clapped his trusted comrade upon the shoulder. + +"Faithful Carlos!" he said. "With me you shall share the reward. Lose no +time, for time is precious now." + +"The Americans," questioned Carlos, "what of them?" + +"Leave them where they are. Let them starve there." + +Little did they dream when they turned away that they were followed by +Frank Merriwell, who observed the greatest possible caution. They +separated, and it was Black Joaquin whose footsteps led Frank through +many winding ways and up long flights of stairs into one of the turrets. +When Joaquin unbarred the door and entered the little room up there +Frank was near at hand. Merry stole forward and peered into that room, +from which the light shone forth. + +"She's there!" he told himself, in deep satisfaction, as he beheld +Felicia. + +The captive girl had been weeping. When Joaquin saw this he spoke to her +in a voice that seemed full of tenderness and compassion. + +"My dear child," he said, "why do you shed these foolish tears?" + +"Oh, sir!" exclaimed Felicia, "where are the friends I saw from the +window? Why are they not permitted to come to me?" + +"They are near and you shall see them soon," was the treacherous +promise. + +"How am I to believe you?" cried the girl. "You told me I should find my +father here. You told me he was hiding here to escape his enemies. You +told me he had sent for me to come to him, longing to see my face once +more. I believed you. I trusted you. At your command I even deceived the +good friends I knew in San Diego. Now I fear it was wrong and wicked for +me to do so. Now I know it was wrong! But what was I to do? You told me, +over and over, that my father would be placed in awful peril if I +breathed a word of the truth." + +"Which clears up that part of the mystery," thought Frank, as he +listened outside. + +"I told you nothing but the truth," declared Joaquin. "Your father sent +that message to you by me." + +"But he is not here--he is not here!" panted the distressed child. "You +said I should find him here. If you deceive me in that, why not in +everything?" + +"Your father was here, but ere we could reach this place he found it +necessary to depart. Enemies were searching for him, and he was forced +to flee; but he left a message for me, telling me whither he went and +directing me to bring you. Trust me, Felicia, and you shall soon see +him." + +Frank quivered a little with rage as he listened to the lying wretch. + +Felicia drew a little nearer and looked earnestly into the face of the +man. + +"Oh, I can't believe you are deceiving me!" she said. "You do not seem +so terribly wicked." + +He laughed pleasantly. + +"I know it must seem suspicious to you, child; but trust me a little +longer." + +"If you had only let my friends come to me!" + +"Within two hours you shall be with them. Some of my men, I regret to +say, I cannot trust, and so I hastened to send your friends away. They +are not far from here, and we will join them. Are you ready to go, +child?" + +"Quite ready," she answered. + +"Then give me your hand and trust me in everything." + +She placed her hand confidingly in his, and they turned toward the door. +Then Black Joaquin found himself face to face with a great surprise, for +in that doorway stood Frank Merriwell, a cocked pistol leveled straight +toward the scoundrel's heart. + +"Up with your hands, Joaquin!" commanded Merry sharply. "One moment of +hesitation on your part and I shall pull the trigger. I will send your +black soul to the bar of judgment as true as my name is Frank +Merriwell!" + +The villain paled and was utterly dumfounded by the marvelous appearance +of the man he believed secure in the dungeon. + +"Put up your hands!" palpitated Frank, and in that second command there +was something that caused Black Joaquin to quickly lift his hands above +his head. + +"One cry, one sound, even a murmur from your lips, will cause me to +shoot you on the spot," declared the young American. + +Felicia had been spellbound, but now she started forward, uttering a +cry. + +"Be careful," warned Frank, not taking his eyes off Joaquin for an +instant. "Don't touch me! Keep out of the way!" + +She paused and hastened to say: + +"You must not hurt him, Frank. He is taking me to my father." + +"He has lied to you from start to finish, like the treacherous snake he +is," asserted Merry. "He doesn't mean to take you to your father." + +Then he advanced two steps, and another command came from his lips. + +"Face about, Joaquin," he said, "and walk straight toward that wall. Be +quick about it, too." + +Now, for all of the complaints of his followers that he seldom placed +himself in danger, Black Joaquin was not a coward. Nevertheless, in +those terrible, gleaming eyes of the American youth he had seen +something that robbed him of his usual nerve and convinced him beyond +doubt that unless he obeyed to the letter he would be shot on the spot. +This being the case, he turned as directed and advanced until his face +was against the wall. + +"Stand thus," said Frank, "and don't move for your very life." + +One glance around showed him a blanket upon a couch. Behind Joaquin's +back he quickly took out and opened a knife. + +"Here, Felicia, take this and cut that blanket into narrow strips. +Hasten as much as possible." + +She was, however, too trembling and excited to make the needed haste. +Seeing this, Frank lost no time in searching Joaquin's person and +disarming him, removing every dangerous weapon he found upon the man. + +When this was done, he directed Felicia to bring the blanket, and, +holding his pistol ready in his left hand, he gave her directions and +assistance in cutting and tearing it into strips. As soon as one good, +strong strip had been removed from the blanket Frank took it, seized +Joaquin's hands, twisting them downward and backward behind his back, +and tied them thus. After this he was able to remove from the blanket +further strips he needed, although as he worked his pistol was ready for +instant use. All the while he kept Joaquin with his face toward the +wall, three times cautioning the man against turning his head in the +slightest. + +With the strips removed from the blanket Joaquin's ankles were securely +tied. Then Frank unceremoniously kicked the fellow's feet from beneath +him and lowered him to the floor upon his back. The rage, fury, and +hatred in the conquered fellow's eyes was terrible to behold, but +Merriwell heeded it not in the least. Deftly he rolled a wad of the +blanket and forced it between Joaquin's teeth. With another piece of the +torn blanket he fastened it there, knotting a strip behind the man's +head. He took pains to make this as secure as possible, so that it would +require no simple effort to remove it. + +"Now, Black Joaquin, otherwise known as Felipe Dulzura," said Frank, +standing over the man and looking down on him, "we will bid you +good-night. You can rest easy here until your comrades recover on the +morrow and release you. Perhaps they will find you. I hope, for your +sake, that you do not smother before they awaken and come here. You have +my best wishes for a short life and a speedy hanging." + +With Felicia he left the chamber, closing and barring the door behind +them. + +Thus far Frank's success had been enough to astonish himself, but now he +thought with dismay of Dick and Brad still confined in the chamber from +which he had escaped. As with Felicia he descended the stairs he paused, +hearing in some distant portion of the ruins the sound of singing. + +"Carlos is doing his work," he thought. "He has brought them the wine. +Thanks, Carlos; you have given me great assistance." + +Merry decided that it would be necessary to conceal Felicia somewhere +while he sought to return to Dick and Brad by means of the secret +passage. + +He found his way back to the terrace from which he had first looked down +into the courtyard after his escape. As they reached that place, Merry +heard beneath him some slight sound that caused him to again look +downward. He was surprised to see a dark figure coming from the +direction of the stables and leading three horses. His surprise +increased when the feet of the horses gave forth no more than a faint, +muffled sound on the courtyard flagging. + +"What's up now?" he asked himself. "That must be Carlos preparing for +flight. Whoever it is, he has muffled the feet of those horses. More +than that, I believe they are our horses." + +The human being and the horses crossed the courtyard and disappeared +into the arched passage that led outward. + +"Keep close behind me, Felicia," whispered Merry. "Be courageous. I may +have to leave you for a short time; but I will return as soon as +possible." + +He had decided to conceal her in the secret passage while he endeavored +to return to the prison chamber. The door of the passage he found to be +slightly ajar. Swinging it open, he entered, with Felicia at his heels. +Barely had he advanced ten feet into the passage before he felt himself +suddenly clutched by a pair of strong hands. + +"Keep still, Felicia!" called Frank, knowing she would be greatly +frightened by the struggle. + +Instantly the hold of these hands slackened and a joyous voice exclaimed +in his ear: + +"Frank! Frank! my brother, is it you?" + +"Dick!" gasped Frank; "how did you get here?" + +"We managed to pry open a hidden door which was disclosed when a part of +the wall fell after you crept into that opening," said Dick. + +"Where is Brad?" + +"That's what I'd like to know. We separated to search for you. He was to +meet me here. We agreed on a signal. When you entered the passage +without giving the signal I thought you must be an enemy." + +"It's up to us now," said Merry, "to find Brad and get away from here in +a hurry. We have a fine chance to do so. I can't explain everything, but +I will tell you later. Here is Felicia." + +"Felicia!" gasped Dick. + +She uttered a low cry of joy, and the cousins were clasped in each +other's arms. + +"Come," said Merry. "Moments are precious." + +"But Brad----" + +"We will hope that luck may lead us to him." + +But it was something more than luck, for Brad Buckhart was returning to +meet Dick as he had promised when they encountered him. He heard them, +and, thinking it might be Dick, whistled the soft signal agreed upon. +Immediately Dick answered, and when the Texan found them all together, +he came very near throwing up his hat and giving a cowboy yell. + +"Oh, great jumping horned toads!" he whispered. "If this don't beat the +record you can have my horse, saddle, and the whole blamed outfit! Talk +about your miracles! So help me Davy Crockett, this is the greatest on +record. You hear me gurgle!" + +"There is yet danger in the air," said Merry. "As we were seeking the +passage I saw a man, leading three horses with muffled feet, crossing +the courtyard below. It must have been Carlos, Black Joaquin's +lieutenant, for they planned a flight to-night, and Joaquin's wretched +gang has been drugged." + +"Guess again," advised the Texan, chuckling. "The gent you observed was +yours truly, Bradley Buckhart." + +"You?" gasped Frank, astonished. + +"Precisely, pard--precisely. I was it. In my perambulations I discovered +our horses, and it struck me as being something a whole lot proper to +get them outside and have them where we could straddle them in a hurry +when we took to our heels. I muffled their feet with the aid of +blankets, and I can lead the way straight to them." + +"Brad, you're a dandy!" laughed Frank softly. "Watch out for Carlos and +lead on, you son of the Lone Star State." + +They had come down into the courtyard when somewhere above, amid the +ruins, there was a sudden sound of high-pitched voices, followed by a +single pistol shot. Then came silence. + +"If fortune is still with us," said Merry, "the bullet from that pistol +lodged in the carcass of Carlos. Evidently he has kicked up some sort of +trouble, and I fancy a little chap by the name of Ramon fired that +shot." + +Outside the ruins they came upon the horses where Buckhart had concealed +them. They were not long in mounting. Frank took up Felicia behind him, +and away they rode into the night, with no hand raised to stay them. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +A LIVELY FISTIC BOUT. + + +Three days later they arrived in San Diego, where Felicia was returned +to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Staples, the former having given up the +search in despair. + +It was Frank who led a party of Americans to the Castle Hidalgo, in El +Diablo Valley. The only human being found there was a man who had been +shot and left where he fell in one of the chambers of the ruins. As +Merry looked at the body, he grimly said: + +"Retribution, swift and terrible, overtook you, Carlos, on that dark +night. Who can say the hand of Providence was not in it? You were the +only one who might have given us trouble, for your chief was bound and +gagged, and your mates were drugged by your own hands. It is likely that +Black Joaquin yet lives; but it is certain he must in time meet his just +deserts." + +Fearing that Black Joaquin would not give up his scheming to get +possession of the girl, Frank decided that it was unsafe to leave her in +San Diego. Therefore, when he started on his return to Arizona, +accompanied by Dick and Brad, he took Felicia along. + +The railroad journey to Prescott was made without any incident worth +recording. Having arrived there, Merry secured accommodations at the +best hotel, for he expected to remain in the place a day or more before +setting out for his new mines in the Enchanted Valley, where he had left +Wiley and Hodge. + +Little Abe was found safe in Prescott, where he had been left by Merry. +But for the fact that what she had passed through had shaken Felicia's +nerves and left her in a very excited frame of mind, the whole party +would have been in high spirits. Dick was anxious to visit the mines, +and the prospect was also attractive to Buckhart. + +Imagine Frank's surprise, on leaving the hotel an hour after his +arrival, to encounter Cap'n Wiley on the street. The sailor looked +somewhat battered and weather-worn, and there was an unnatural flush in +his cheeks and a suspicious odor upon his breath. The moment his eyes +fell on Merry he stopped short and made a profound salute. + +"Mate Merriwell!" he cried, "it is with a sensation of the most profound +satisfaction that my eyes again behold your unexpected reappearance." + +"Cap'n," said Frank soberly, shaking his head, "I fear you have been +looking on the corn juice. There is something suspicious about your +breath and your heightened color." + +"Hush!" said the marine marvel. "The dreadful ordeal through which I +have lately promulgated myself made it necessary for me to take +something in the way of medicine. Mr. Merriwell, there have been riotous +doings since you departed." + +"Any trouble in regard to the new mine?" asked Merry, somewhat +anxiously. + +"Oh, no; nothing of that sort. I have been tending strictly to business. +At the suggestion of Mate Hodge, I gathered up in Cottonwood, Central +Butte, Stoddard, Bigbug, Cherry and elsewhere a score of hale and hearty +laborers and piloted them safely to the valley, where they now are. He +then sent me hither for supplies and other needed articles. I have +secured half a dozen more good men, who will journey with us to the +valley." + +"Now, Wiley," said Frank, "tell me about these men you say you have +engaged. What sort of men are they?" + +"They are charming," assured the sailor. "You remember your Terrible +Thirty." + +"Yes." + +"Well, they are men of the same class. They are the real thing." + +"But I am afraid such men are not just what we want, cap'n." + +The sailor looked surprised. + +"Why not?" he questioned. + +"What we need are miners, not fighting men. It happened that I was able +to control the Thirty, and they proved valuable to me at that time. You +remember that as miners I couldn't retain one of them. You say you have +picked up some more men here?" + +"Sure, sure." + +"I'd like to look them over, cap'n. Where are they?" + +"If you will perambulate with me, I will present you to the bunch. I +have them corralled not far away." + +"Lead on," said Frank. "I will look them over." + +Wiley led the way straight to a saloon, which they entered. As they +walked in, several men were drinking at the bar, and Merry distinctly +heard one of them, a huge, pockmarked fellow, say: + +"It sure is ten chances to one the gent loses his mine afore he ever +sets eyes on it again." + +Frank recognized the fellow at a glance. He was a desperado with a bad +reputation, and was known as Spotted Dan. + +"There they are," said Wiley. "Those fine boys I have collected. You can +see at a glance that they are the real thing." + +"Altogether too real!" muttered Frank. + +He was confident that the words of Spotted Dan referred to him, and in a +twinkling his mind was made up. + +"Mates," said Wiley, calling the attention of the ruffians, "it gives me +untold pleasure to introduce you to Mr. Merriwell, the owner of the +mines I told you about." + +They turned and looked Frank over. His youthful appearance seemed to +surprise them, and it was evident that they regarded him as a +tenderfoot. + +Frank lost no time. + +"It's my duty to inform you, gentlemen," he said, "that Cap'n Wiley has +made a slight mistake. I shall not need you." + +This seemed to astonish them. + +"What's that?" cried Spotted Dan hoarsely. "Whatever is this you says, +mister?" + +Frank quietly repeated his words, upon which one of the ruffians swore. + +"I reckons you is the one mistaken," said Spotted Dan, stepping out. "I +opines, sir, that you does need us." + +"Then you opine wrong." + +"We has been engaged all fair and square, and we sticks by it. We +proposes to see that you sticks by it, too." + +"Cap'n Wiley had no authority from me to engage anybody," declared +Merry. "That being the case, you can see at once that no agreement made +with him counts for anything." + +"Say you so?" sneered Dan. "Well, now, we thinks a heap different." + +"What you think is a matter of indifference to me," said Merry, looking +the ruffian straight in the eyes. + +"Whatever does you take us fer?" snarled the pox-marked fellow. "We're +no kids to be fooled with this yere way. You shakes us none whatever. If +you tries it----" + +"What then?" asked Merry, in a low tone. + +"What then? Well, by the everlasting, I chaws you up! I flattens you +out! There will be a funeral in Prescott to-morrow!" + +"There may be," said Frank; "but, if there is, you will be highly +interested, and yet you will know nothing about it." + +Spotted Dan glared at Merry in his fiercest manner. It seemed to +astonish him that the smooth-faced young man was not in the least awed +by this fierceness. + +"Look a here, Mr. Merriwell," he said, "do yer know who yer dealing with +in this yere piece of business?" + +"From all appearances, I should say that I am dealing with a +thoroughbred ruffian," was the serene answer. + +"Yer dealing with a bad man with a record, and don't yer forget it," +snarled Dan. "My record is as long as my arm. And whar I goes I leaves +graves in my footsteps. I adds to the population of the cemeteries." + +"You're plainly a big bluffer and a blowhard," said Frank. + +Then, as Spotted Dan made a suspicious movement, quick as a flash of +light a pistol appeared in Merriwell's hand. + +"Don't try to pull a gun on me, you big duffer!" exclaimed the youth. +"If you do, I will run a couple of tunnels in you." + +"Correct in the most minute particular," chipped in Cap'n Wiley. "He +will do it scientifically and skillfully. When it comes to shooting, he +is a shooter from Shooterville. Say, you oughter see him shoot out a +pigeon's eye at four thousand yards! Why, he can shoot with his feet +better than any man in this bunch! At the same time I happen to be +provided with a couple of large-bore fowling pieces, and I shall feel it +my duty to shed real gore in case any of you other gents take a notion +to chip in to this little circus." + +While speaking the sailor had produced a pair of Colt's revolvers, which +he now flourished with reckless abandon. + +"Oh, that is the way yer does it, is it?" sneered Spotted Dan. "Mebbe +yer thinks this settles it. Well, wait and see. You has the drop now; +but our turn comes. It's a good thing fer you, young feller," he +declared, still glaring at Frank, "that I don't git my paws on yer. Ef +I'd ever hit yer a crack with my maul you would sprout wings instanter. +Sometimes I gits at yer, tenderfoot, and I hammers yer all up." + +"You think you will," retorted Merry. "You might find yourself up +against a snag." + +"Waal, ef I can't knock you stiff in less than one minute, I'll take to +my hole and stay thar for a year." + +"I presume you would consider this engagement ended in case you fail to +put me down and out in short order?" said Merry. "If you were the one +whipped, you would call all dealings off?" + +"Sartin sure. I'd be so ashamed of myself I'd never look a dog in the +face again." + +"Give your weapons to one of your pards there," directed Merry. "I will +pass mine to Wiley, and I'll agree to take off my coat and give you a +chance to do me up right here." + +"I think I smell smoke," murmured the sailor, sniffing the air. "I think +I smell fire and brimstone. I think there will be doings around here +directly." + +"Whoop!" cried Spotted Dan. "It's a go! Say, I makes you look like a +piece of fresh beefsteak in just about two shakes." + +Then he turned to one of his companions and handed over a pistol and +knife. He wore no coat, and when he had cast his old hat on the floor +and thrust back his sleeves, exposing his brawny, hairy arms, he +declared he was ready. + +The barkeeper had remonstrated. Merry was known in Prescott, and to the +man behind the bar he said: + +"Whatever damage is done I will pay for. I will set 'em up for every one +who comes in for the next hour besides." + +Then he placed his revolver on the bar and coolly drew off his coat, +which he lay beside the pistol. + +"Keep your ellipticals parabolically peeled," warned Cap'n Wiley. "The +gent with the dented countenance looks like a Peruvian dog. I don't know +as there is a Peruvian dog, but I judge so, because I have heard of +Peruvian bark." + +Merry said nothing. His face was calm and grim as he thrust back the +sleeves of his woolen shirt. He had a handsome forearm, finely developed +and finely moulded, with the flesh firm and hard and the supple muscles +showing beneath the silken skin. + +"Come on!" cried Spotted Dan eagerly. "Step right out yere and git yer +medicine." + +The ruffian's friends were chuckling and muttering among themselves. + +"Dan paralyzes him the first time he hits him," declared one. + +"You bet your boots he does!" put in another. + +"I seen him break Bill Goddard's neck with a blow down in Buckeye," said +a third. + +Frank removed his wide-brimmed hat and laid it on the bar, tossing back +his head with a slight shaking motion to fling a lock of hair out of his +eyes. Then he suddenly advanced to meet his antagonist, his arms hanging +straight at his sides and his hands open. It seemed as if he invited +annihilation, and Spotted Dan improved the occasion by making a strong +swinging blow with his huge fist, aiming straight at the face of the +fearless youth. + +Quick as a flash of light, Merry ducked just the slightest and tipped +his head to one side. + +Dan's fist shot over Frank's shoulder. With a quick movement of his +foot, Merriwell struck the ruffian's feet from beneath him, and the +giant crashed to the floor so heavily that the glasses and bottles +rattled on the shelves behind the bar. + +With a roar of surprise, Spotted Dan made a spring and landed on his +feet. Before him stood Merriwell, still with his hands hanging at his +sides, regarding him with just the faintest suggestion of an amused +smile. That smile was enough to infuriate the bruiser beyond +description. + +"Dodges, does yer!" snarled the man. "Well, dodge this if yer ken!" + +Again he struck, and again Merry escaped by simply tipping his head like +a flash over upon his shoulder and crouching the least bit. He did not +lift a hand to ward off the blow. Like a panther he leaped to one side, +and his outstretched toe caught his enemy's ankle as the force of that +blow, wasted on the empty air, sent Dan staggering forward. A second +time the fellow went crashing to the floor. A second time he sprang up +with amazing agility for one so huge and ponderous. + +"Whatever kind of fighting does yer call this?" he shouted, in a rage. +"Why don't yer stand up like a man and fight? Is that all yer can do? +Does yer know nothing else but jest ter dodge?" + +"You're too easy," declared Frank. "I hate to hurt you--really I do. It +seems a shame." + +"Yah!" shouted the infuriated man. "You would hurt nobody if yer hit +um." + +"I beg you to pause a moment, Daniel," put in Wiley. "Have you made your +will? If not, I entreat you to do so. If he ever hits you--oh, luddy, +luddy! you'll think you've been kicked by a can of dynamite." + +The ruffian's companions had been astonished by the ease with which +Merriwell escaped Dan's blows; but they, too, believed the fight would +quickly end if Merry stood up and met his enemy. + +Spotted Dan slyly edged around Frank, seeking to force him into a +corner. Apparently without suspecting the fellow's object, Merry +permitted himself to be driven back just as Dan seemed to desire. +Getting the young mine owner cornered, as he thought, the bruiser +quickly advanced, seeking now to seize him with one hand, while the +other hand was drawn back and clinched, ready for another terrible blow. + +With a snapping movement, Frank clutched the wrist of Dan's outstretched +arm. There was a sudden twist and a whirl, and although the ruffian +struck with all his force, he felt his shoulder wrenched in the socket +and knew he had missed even as he delivered the blow. That twisting +movement turned the fellow about and brought his arm up behind him on +his back. Then Merry sent him forward with a well-directed and vigorous +kick. + +"It is too easy!" sighed Cap'n Wiley, sadly shaking his head. "It isn't +even interesting. I fancied possibly there might be some excitement in +the affair, but I am growing sleepy, and I fear I shall miss the finish +while I take a nap." + +Spotted Dan was astonished now. Never had he encountered any one who +fought in such a singular manner, and he could not understand it. Just +when he felt certain that he had the youth where he wanted him, Merry +would thwart his design and trip him, or, with the utmost ease, send him +staggering. + +"Dern yer! What makes yer fight with yer feet?" rasped the ruffian. +"That ain't no way whatever ter fight. Fight with yer fists on the +squar, and I will annihilate yer." + +"I don't believe that anything was said about the style of fighting," +retorted Merry pleasantly. "However, if you don't like my methods I will +agree not to use my feet any more." + +"That settles it!" roared Dan. "I will fix yer in thirty seconds now." + +"Dear, dear!" yawned Wiley, leaning on the bar. "How sleepy I am! I +think this bout should have been pulled off under Marquis of Deusenbury +rules. I, too, am against the use of feet. Cut it out, mates, and come +down to real business." + +"Very well," said Frank. + +"You kick no more?" questioned the ruffian. + +"Not to-day." + +"Then I thumps the head off you right away." + +Spotted Dan sailed into it then, and for a few moments the fight was +rather lively, although the ruffian was doing all the hitting. That is, +he was trying to do all the hitting, but he was wasting his blows on the +air, for Frank parried them all or ducked and dodged and escaped by such +cleverness as none of Dan's comrades had ever before witnessed. Still +the bruiser was the aggressor, and they were confident he would soon +weary the youth, when a single blow would bring about the finish of the +encounter. + +Indeed, one thing that led Dan on and made him force the fight harder +and harder was the fact that Merry seemed to be panting heavily and +betrayed signs of great exhaustion. The desperado was sure the youth was +giving out, and so, although he was likewise somewhat winded, he +continued to follow Merry up. At length, quick as a flash, Frank's +manner changed. He no longer retreated. He no longer sought to escape +his enemy. He made Dan parry two heavy blows aimed at him. Then he +countered, and the big fellow was sent reeling. Like a wolf Frank +followed the bruiser up, hitting him again and again until he went down. + +Cap'n Wiley roused up a little at this and observed: + +"That's somewhat better. Now it grows slightly interesting. But he +hasn't oiled his machinery and started in earnest yet. Wait a few +moments, gents, and see him cut parabolical circles through the +diametrical space around Daniel's dizzy cranium." + +Spotted Dan sat up, astonished beyond measure at what had happened. He +saw Frank standing at a little distance, with his hands on his hips, +smiling down at him and showing not the least sign of exhaustion. The +man who had seemed winded a few moments before and ready to drop was now +as fresh and unwearied as if nothing had happened. + +Through the bruiser's dull brain crept a suspicion that he had been +deceived by this handsome, smooth-faced young man. He knew now that +Merriwell could fight in the most astounding manner. This, however, +enraged him to such an extent that he banished reason and coolness and +rose to charge on Merry, with a roar like that of a mad bull. Frank +avoided the rush, but hit the ruffian a staggering blow on the ear as he +went past. Dan turned quickly and charged again. + +Four times the big bruiser charged, and four times Merry avoided him and +sent him reeling. The fourth time Frank followed him up. He gave Spotted +Dan no chance to recover. Blow after blow rained on the man's face and +body. Dan was driven back until he was close upon the card table that +sat in the rear of the room. Then, with a swinging upward blow, +Merriwell's fist hit the fellow on the point of the jaw, and the ruffian +was actually lifted off his feet and hurled clean over the table against +the wall. He fell to the floor and lay there in a huddled, senseless +heap, literally knocked out. + +Frank turned toward the bar, rolling down his sleeves. + +"Watch his pards like a hawk, Wiley," he said. "Now is the time they may +try treachery, if ever." + +"Depend on me," nodded the sailor. + +Frank quickly slipped on his coat and placed his hat upon his head. Then +he turned to the amazed ruffians, saying, quietly: + +"Gents, you heard the agreement between us. If I whipped that fellow, +the engagement which he claims to have made for himself and for you +through Cap'n Wiley was off. I think you will acknowledge that he is +whipped. That settles it." + +He backed toward the door of the saloon, followed by the sailor, also +backing in the same manner and keeping his pistols ready. When the door +was reached Merry turned and disappeared, and Wiley followed him. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +MACKLYN MORGAN APPEARS. + + +"Mate," said Cap'n Wiley, as they hurried along the street on their way +back to the hotel, "you are in every minute particular the finest +specimen of exuberant manhood that it has ever been my fortune to +associate with. Of course, I felt sure you would do up that fellow, but +you came through the seething and turgid fray without so much as a scar. +I don't believe he even touched you once." + +"Yes, he did," said Merry, "a couple of times. He hit me on the +shoulder, but the blow was spent, and he caught me a fair one over the +heart. I leaped away just in time to spoil the effectiveness of that." + +"But you are certainly the supreme fighter of this period of scrappers. +If you chose to enter the ring, you might be champion of the world. It +would delight my soul to be able to put up a real fight like that." + +"It disgusts me," returned Merry. + +"Wha-a-at?" gasped the sailor. "I think I fail to catch your meaning." + +"It disgusts me," repeated Merry. "If there is anything that makes me +feel degraded, it is being compelled to take part in a fight of that +sort. I was practically forced into it on this occasion. I saw those +fellows meant mischief, and I felt that the only way to settle the +affair was to give that big duffer a thumping. It's about the only +reasoning a man can use on men of his calibre. Words and arguments fail +to affect them, and a good thrashing moves them to respect." + +"But do you mean to tell me," said Wiley, "that you are not an admirer +of the manly art of self-defense? Do you mean to tell me that you take +no interest in the prize ring and the glorious heroes of it?" + +"If there is anything for which I have absolutely no use," said Merry, +"it is a professional prize fighter. To me prize fighting is the most +degrading of all the so-called sports." + +"This is more than passing strange," said the sailor. "If such can be +the case, will you elucidate to me how it happened that you ever learned +to use your little dukes in such a marvelously scientific manner?" + +"I think it is the duty of every American youth to learn to defend +himself with his fists. No matter how peacefully inclined he is, no +matter how much of a gentleman he is, no matter how much forbearance he +may have, there is bound to come a time in his life when he will be +forced to fight or suffer insults or bodily injury. As a rule, I never +fight if I can avoid it. In this instance I might have avoided it for +the time being, but I was certain that if I did so the matter would +culminate in something more serious than a fistic encounter. Had I +escaped from that saloon without meeting Spotted Dan, he and all his +partners would have regarded me as afraid of them, and you know very +well that they would have sought to force trouble on me at every +opportunity. The easiest way to settle the whole matter was to fight +then and there, and therefore I did so." + +"Well, you oughter feel proud of the job you did!" + +"Instead of that, I feel as if I had lowered and degraded myself. I'll +not throw off the feeling for some time. To make the matter still worse, +it was a saloon fight. However, I do not go there to drink. Out in this +country the man who does business with the men he finds here is +sometimes compelled to enter a saloon." + +"That's true--quite true," sighed Wiley. "I sometimes find it necessary +to enter one myself." + +By this time they had reached the hotel, and as they entered the office +Merry suddenly paused in surprise, his eyes fastened on a man who stood +before the desk. + +This man was tall and well dressed, with a somewhat ministerial face and +flowing grayish side whiskers. He was speaking to the clerk. + +"I see here the name of Mr. Frank Merriwell on the register," he was +saying. "Can you tell me where to find him?" + +"Mr. Merriwell!" called the clerk. "Here is a gentleman inquiring for +you." + +The man at the desk turned and faced Frank. + +"Is that so?" muttered Frank. "It is Macklyn Morgan!" + +Morgan, one of the money kings of the great Consolidated Mining +Association of America, looked Merriwell over with a glance as cold as +ice. + +"How do you do, sir?" he said, in a calm, low voice. "It seems that I +have found you at last." + +"From your words," returned Merry, "I should fancy you had been looking +for me for some time?" + +"I have." + +"Indeed?" + +"Yes, I have looked for you in Denver, in Holbrook, and at your Queen +Mystery Mine." + +"It appears that I have given you considerable trouble?" + +"Not a little; but I was determined to find you." + +"You have done so." + +"Yes; you can't hide from me." + +"I have not the least desire in the world to hide from you, Mr. Morgan." + +"You say so," returned the man, with a cold sneer; "but I am certain you +have taken pains to keep out of my way for the last two weeks." + +"You are utterly mistaken. I would not take pains to keep out of your +way for two minutes. What do you want of me?" + +"I have a little matter to talk over with you--some private business." + +"I was not aware that there could be business dealings of any sort +between us, Macklyn Morgan." + +"Be careful!" warned Morgan, lifting a thin finger. "You are putting on +a very bold face." + +"And is there any reason why I should not? I know, Mr. Morgan, of your +methods at the time of my affair with the C. M. A. of A." + +"I have not forgotten that." + +"Nor I. Nor do I regret that, although the C. M. A. of A. was compelled +to give up its unlawful efforts to rob me, you entered into a +combination with another moneyed rascal to accomplish the work." + +"Be careful!" again warned Morgan. "I am not the man to whom you can +talk in such a manner." + +"Like any other man, you are one to whom I can tell the truth. If the +truth cuts, so much the worse for you, sir." + +"Don't get on your high horse, young man; it will be better for you if +you refrain. Don't be so free with your accusations, for you will soon +find that there is an accusation against you of a most serious nature." + +"What new game are you up to, Mr. Morgan? It seems to me that the +failures of the past should teach you the folly of your plots and +schemes." + +"I have told you that I wish to have a private talk with you, young man. +Perhaps you had better grant me the privilege." + +"As far as I am concerned, there is no necessity of doing so; but really +I am curious to know just what you're up to. This being the case, I will +not object. I have a room, and we may go there." + +"Your record indicates that you are a desperate character, Merriwell. I +should hesitate to place myself alone with you in any room unless you +were first disarmed. If you will leave your weapons here at the desk we +will go to your room." + +"I am quite willing in case you leave your own revolver, sir." + +"I never carry a revolver, Merriwell." + +"But you have one in your pocket now," declared Frank positively. + +He seemed to know this to be a fact, and, after a moment's hesitation, +Morgan took out a small revolver, which he laid upon the desk. + +"I thought it best to provide myself with such an article while in this +part of the country," he said. "There it is. I will leave it here." + +Immediately Frank walked to the desk and placed his own pistol upon it. + +"Come," he said. "You may follow me to my room." + +In Frank's room, with the door closed behind them, Merry motioned to a +chair. + +"Sit down, Mr. Morgan," he said, "and make whatever statement you +choose. I will listen." + +Morgan took the chair. + +"First," observed Morgan, "I wish to speak of Milton Sukes." + +"I thought likely." + +"You know the interests of Mr. Sukes and myself were closely allied." + +Frank laughed. + +"Yes; although Sukes was at the head of the concern, I know that you +conspired with him to defraud me." + +"Have a care!" again warned Morgan. "You are now dealing with a man of +power and influence." + +"I have dealt with such men before. As a bugaboo, the mere fact that you +have money does not frighten me in the least, Mr. Morgan. If, like +Sukes, you fancy that money gives you power to commit any fraud, like +Sukes, you are to learn your mistake." + +"I know all about your scandalous attack on Mr. Sukes in Denver. I know +of your attempted blackmailing of him, Merriwell. You did try to +blackmail him, and you can't deny it." + +"You lie, Morgan!" retorted Frank, with perfect control of himself. + +"Then what was the meaning of your threat to expose his mining +operations?" + +"Morgan, Milton Sukes pitted himself against me and attempted to rob me +of my mine. When he did so he aroused my fighting blood. He was defeated +in every effort he made against me, and the decision against him in the +courts of the Territory was the final blow that upset his plans. In the +meantime I had learned that his Great Northwest Territory Mining Company +was a swindle of the most outrageous sort. I had threatened to expose +him, and, when he found himself whipped to a standstill, he sought to +enter into a compact with me, by which I was to remain silent and let +him go on with his dishonest work. + +"He sent one of his tools to me with a contract for me to sign. I tore +it up. As I say, my blood had been aroused, and I warned him then that +neither cajolery nor money could silence me. I warned him that I would +expose and disgrace him, so that every honest man in the country would +regard him with scorn and aversion. Had it been mere blackmail, Sukes +could have silenced me with money. He sought to do so, but found he was +barking up the wrong tree. He threatened libel suits and all that; but I +kept on at my work. As a last desperate resort he paid an employee of +mine to fire my office in Denver, and the result of that affair was that +the treacherous fellow who betrayed me fancied I had perished in the +fire. It drove him insane. He pursued Sukes relentlessly, and it is +certain that Sukes was finally killed by that man's hand." + +"So you say, Merriwell; but I hold quite a different opinion--quite a +different opinion." + +"Whatever your opinion may be, Morgan, it is a matter of absolute +indifference to me." + +Macklyn Morgan showed his teeth. + +"You may think so just now, young man, but you will change your mind. I +have been investigating this matter thoroughly. I have followed it up +faithfully. I know how and where Sukes was shot. I have taken pains to +secure all the evidence possible. You were present at the time. You were +there in disguise. Why did you pursue and hunt him in disguise? It looks +black for you, Mr. Merriwell--it looks black. These things will count +against you at the day of reckoning, which is surely coming. How will +you explain your behavior to the satisfaction of the law?" + +"That's no matter to worry you, Macklyn Morgan," calmly returned +Merriwell. "If there is anything of explanation, I shall have the +explaining to do. Don't trouble yourself over it." + +"You have a great deal of nerve just now, young man; but it will +weaken--it will weaken. Wait until you are arrested on the charge of +murder. Had you killed an ordinary man it might have been different; but +Milton Sukes was a man of money, a man of power, a man of influence. All +his money, if necessary, will be used to convict you. You cannot escape. +Just as true as this case is put into the hands of the law you will +eventually be hanged." + +In his cold, calm, accusing way, Morgan was doing everything in his +power to unsettle Frank's nerves. As he spoke, he watched the youth as a +hawk watches its prey. + +"I fail to see your object in coming to me with this," said Merry. "It +seems most remarkable. If you intend to push such a charge against me, +why don't you go ahead and do it? Why do you tell me what you +contemplate doing? The proper method is to secure every scrap of +evidence and then have me arrested without warning and thrown into +jail." + +"I have all the evidence I need," asserted the money king. "Merriwell, I +have men who will swear that you fired that shot." + +"Did they see me do it?" + +"They did." + +"Most amazing, Morgan! Are you aware of the fact that Sukes was shot in +the dark? Are you aware that every light in the place had first been +extinguished by other shots? Will you explain to me how any one could +have seen me shoot him under such circumstances?" + +"One of the men was standing within two feet of you. He saw the flash of +your weapon, as did the other man, who was a little farther away." + +Frank smiled derisively. + +"Wonderful evidence!" he said. "I doubt a great deal if a jury anywhere +in this country would convict a man on such proof. At the time, as I +think you will acknowledge, there was another man who did some shooting. +I deny that I fired the shot. But even had I done so, who could say that +it was not I who shot out the lights and the other man who killed Milton +Sukes?" + +"Did you know that you left a pistol with your name upon it in a hotel +where you stopped in Snowflake?" + +"I did nothing of the sort." + +"You did, Merriwell! The bullet that killed Sukes is in my possession. +It is a bullet such as would have been fired from that pistol. The +pistol is in my possession, Merriwell! I have the evidence against you, +and you can't escape!" + +"Although you are lying in every particular, Morgan, I am curious to +know what your game may be. What is behind this singular procedure of +yours?" + +Macklyn Morgan seemed to hesitate for a few moments, and then, leaning +forward on the edge of his chair and holding up one finger, he suddenly +exclaimed: + +"There is only one escape for you!" + +"And that is----" + +"If I abandon the case you may escape. If I drop it there will be no one +to push it." + +"And you will drop it?" questioned Merry, with pretended anxiety. "On +what inducements?" + +"Now you're coming to your senses," nodded the man. "Now I fancy you +comprehend just where you are. You possess several mines, and they are +of considerable value. I have spent some money to get possession of one +of those mines, having, as both Milton Sukes and I believed, a good +claim to it. I speak of the Queen Mystery. Frank Merriwell, the day you +deed over to me the Queen Mystery and give me possession of it I will +abandon my determination to prosecute you for murder. I will even place +such proofs as I have in your hands and you may destroy them. Of course +there will remain the two men who are ready to swear they saw you fire +the shot, but they may be easily silenced. That's my proposition. And it +is by that method alone you can save your neck. Now give me your +answer." + +"I will!" exclaimed Merriwell suddenly. + +And then, with a spring, he seized Macklyn Morgan by the collar. +Immediately he ran the man to the door, which he hurled open. + +"That is my answer!" he cried, as he kicked Morgan out of the room. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +THE MESSENGER. + + +As Morgan was hurled headlong from Merry's room he collided with a man +outside, who was very nearly upset. This young man caught a glimpse of +Frank in the act of violently ejecting the man of money, and what +immediately happened to Morgan was the result of this discovery. + +"What's the meaning of this great agitation by which you seek to +overthrow my corporosity?" savagely demanded Cap'n Wiley, for it was he. +"This insult to my indignity is several degrees beyond my comprehension, +and without waste of verbosity or the expenditure of violent language, I +feel called upon to precipitate your corporosity on its journey." + +Saying which, he sprang, catlike, on the millionaire, seized him, ran +him swiftly along the corridor and flung him head over heels down the +stairs. As Morgan crashed to the bottom, Wiley stood at the head of the +stairs, his arms akimbo, nodding with satisfaction, and remarked: + +"Possibly that jarred you some." + +Morgan was not seriously hurt, but he arose in a terrible fury. + +"I will land you both where you belong for this outrage!" he declared, +white to the lips. "I will place you both behind iron bars!" + +Then he limped away. Merriwell had followed, and his hand fell on the +sailor's shoulder. + +"Why do you mix up in this, Wiley?" he demanded sternly. "It was not +your quarrel." + +"If I have offended by my impulsive and impetuous demeanor, I entreat +pardon," said the sailor. "When the gent bumped me and I saw that he had +been scientifically ejected by you, I couldn't resist the temptation to +give him another gentle boost." + +"And by doing so you may find yourself in a peck of trouble," said +Frank. "That man has power and influence, and he will try to make good +his threat, which you heard. He is a money king." + +"What is money?" loftily returned Wiley. "I scorn the filthy stuff. But, +regardless of his money, it seems to me that you unhesitatingly elevated +his anatomy with the toe of your boot." + +"It was my quarrel, Wiley; and there is no reason why you should pitch +in." + +"My dear comrade, I ever feel it my duty to stand by my friends, and +your quarrel in some degree must be mine. I inferred that in some manner +he offended you most copiously." + +"He did arouse my ire," admitted Merry, as he walked back to his room, +followed by the sailor. "But he is the sort of a man who will seek to +make good his threat and place us behind bars." + +"It will not be the first time your humble servant has lingered in +endurance vile. In connection with that, I might mention another little +nannygoat. On the last occasion when I indulged too freely in Western +jag juice I was living in regal splendor in one of those hotels where +they have lots of furniture and little to eat. I started out to put a +red stripe on the city, and somewhere during my cruise I lost my +bearings. I didn't seem to remember much of anything after that until I +awoke with my throat feeling as dry as the desert of Sahara and my head +splitting. + +"Just where I was I couldn't tell. I had some vague remembrance of +whooping things up in glorious style, and knew I had been hitting the +redeye. In a somewhat dormant condition I stretched my hands above my +head, and, to my horror, they encountered iron bars. This aroused me +slightly, and I looked in that direction and beheld before me, to my +unutterable dismay, the bars I had touched. 'Cap'n,' says I, 'you have +again collided with the blue-coated guardians of the peace, and you are +pinched.' + +"I noted, however, that these iron bars seemed somewhat frail and +slender, and it struck me that my colossal strength might be able to +bend them. With the thought of escape, I wrenched the bars apart and +thrust my head between them. By vigorous pushing I injected my +shoulders, but there I stuck. In spite of all my desperate efforts, I +could not crawl through, and I finally discovered that I couldn't get +back. I floundered and kicked a while and then gave it up and yelled for +help. My cries finally brought some one, who entered the place and +dragged me from the trap, at the same time nearly shaving off my left +ear with one of the bars. My rescuer proved to be a hotel attendant, who +asked me, in no small astonishment, what I was trying to do. Then, to my +inexpressible relief, on sitting up and looking round, I found that I +was in my own room at the hotel, where I had somehow landed, and that my +delusion had led me to endeavor to escape from limbo by crawling through +the bars at the head of my iron bedstead. I gave the attendant who had +dragged me out seven thousand dollars and pledged him to eternal +silence. This is the first time my lips have ever betrayed the tale to +mortal ears." + +In spite of the humor of the sailor's whimsical story, Merry did not +laugh. This convinced Wiley that the affair with Macklyn Morgan was far +more serious than he had at first apprehended. + +"Cap'n," said Frank, "I wish you would find Dick and send him here. +After that, if you can get track of Morgan and keep watch of his +movements it will be a good thing. I'd like to know just what he means +to do." + +"Depend upon me," nodded the sailor. "I will shadow him with all the +skill of those heroes about whom I used to read in the yellow-backed +literature." + +Saying which, he hastily left the room. Within ten minutes Dick appeared +and found Merry walking up and down. + +"What's the matter, Frank?" he asked. "From Wiley's words I inferred +there was trouble in the air." + +"There is," Merry nodded; and he proceeded to tell his brother the whole +story. + +Dick's indignation burst forth. + +"The unmitigated scoundrel!" he cried. "Tried to force you to give up +the Queen Mystery, did he?" + +"That was his game." + +"Well, you didn't give him half what he deserves. And he threatened to +have you arrested for murder--you, Frank, arrested for murder!" + +Merry smiled grimly. + +"That was the threat he made." + +"But it was a bluff, Frank--a bluff pure and simple. He will never try +that game." + +"You can't tell what a man like Morgan may try. Sukes was desperate and +dangerous, but I regard Macklyn Morgan as even more so. As a rule, he is +quiet, cold, and calculating, and he lays his plans well. He would not +have started in on this thing had he not been convinced that there was a +good prospect of succeeding." + +"Why, he can't succeed! It is impossible!" + +"I don't propose to let him succeed, but I feel certain I am going to +have a hot time with him. I am ready for it; let it come." + +Again Frank's fighting blood was aroused, and Dick saw it in the +sternness of his handsome face and the gleam of his flashing eyes. + +"That's the talk, Frank!" cried the boy, thrilled by the spirit of his +brother. "They can't down you. They've tried it and failed too many +times. But what are your plans now? You intend to start for the new +mines early to-morrow?" + +"I may alter my plans. I may remain here for a while to face Macklyn +Morgan. For all of his power and his money, I think I have a few friends +and some influence in Prescott. There is one, at least, whom I can +depend upon, and that is Frank Mansfield. He is white to the bone, and +he always stands by his friends." + +"But you cannot depend upon your friends alone in an emergency like +this," said Dick. "You will have to rely on yourself. Of course, Brad +and I will stand by you, no matter what happens." + +While they were talking Wiley came rushing in. + +"The gent who lately descended the stairs with such graceful impetuosity +is now in consultation with the city marshal," he declared. "I traced +him thither, and I have left one Bradley Buckhart to linger near and +keep an eagle eye upon his movements." + +"By Jove!" exclaimed Dick; "I believe he does mean to have you arrested, +Frank." + +"His movement seems to indicate something of the sort," was Frank's cool +confession. "I suppose he will make a charge of personal assault, with +the idea of putting me to inconvenience and detaining me until he can +again try the effect of his threats of arrest on a more serious charge. +Were I sure things are all right at the Enchanted Valley, I would not +mind. I am afraid you have made a mess of it, cap'n, in sending those +men there." + +"It seems that I have a clever little way of putting my foot into it," +retorted the sailor. "When I seek to do what I supremely consider to be +for the best I make a bobble." + +"Yet we will not worry over that now," said Merry. "However, in case of +emergency, Dick, I wish you to have my horse constantly ready for me. If +anything happens that I decide to get out in a hurry, you, and Brad, and +Wiley are to take care of Felicia and little Abe." + +"All right," nodded Dick. "I will see to it at once." + +Ten minutes later Frank was standing alone upon the steps of the hotel, +when a man on horseback came riding furiously down the street. He was +covered with dust, and his horse was so spent that it was only by the +most savage urging that the beast was forced into a gallop. Behind the +man, at a distance, came two more horsemen, who were likewise spurring +their mounts mercilessly. Plainly they were in pursuit of the man in +advance. + +As Merry was wondering what it meant, the horse of the fugitive went +down, as if shot, directly in front of the hotel, flinging the rider, +who seemed stunned. + +With a great clatter of hoofs, the pursuers came up and stopped short, +leaping from their saddles. As one of them dismounted, he whipped out a +wicked-looking knife. Both seemed to be desperadoes, and it was evident +that their intention toward the fugitive was anything but friendly. + +Now, it was not Frank's nature to stand idly by and see two men jump on +a third who was helpless and do him up. Without a moment's hesitation, +Merry leaped from the steps and rushed upon those men. A heavy blow sent +one of them to the ground. + +The other had stooped above the fallen man when Frank's toe precipitated +him headlong and caused him to roll over and over in the dust. + +At the same time Merriwell drew a pistol. + +"Get up and sneak, both of you!" he ordered. "If you linger, I will blow +a window in each of you!" + +Muttering oaths, the ruffians rose, but the look they saw in Frank's +face caused them to decide that the best thing they could do would be to +obey. + +"It's none of your funeral!" cried one, as he grasped the bridle rein of +his horse. + +"But it will be yours if you linger here ten seconds!" retorted Merry. +"Git! If you value your skins, don't even turn to look back until you +are out of shooting distance." + +As the baffled ruffians were retreating, the fugitive sat up, slowly +recovering from his shock. + +"Thank you, pard," he said. "It was mighty lucky for me you pitched in +just as you did. But for you, they had me dead to rights, and I opine +they would have finished me." + +"What is it all about?" questioned Merry. + +"Got a message," answered the man. "Got to send it without fail. They +meant to stop me. It has been a hot run. They headed me off from Bigbug, +and I had to strike for this town. They've wasted lots of lead on me; +but they were riding too fast to shoot well. And I didn't hold up to +give them an easy chance at me." + +As the man was speaking, Merry assisted him to his feet. His horse had +likewise risen, but stood with hanging head, completely pegged out. + +"Poor devil!" said the man, sympathetically patting the creature's neck. +"It's a wonder I didn't kill you. But even if I did, I was going to send +the message to Frank Merriwell, if possible." + +"What's that?" shouted Frank, in astonishment. "A message to Frank +Merriwell! Man, I am Frank Merriwell!" + +"You?" was the almost incredulous answer. "Why, Hodge told me to wire to +San Diego. He said it might reach you there." + +"I am just back from San Diego. Give me the message." + +The man fumbled in his pocket and brought forth a crumpled piece of +paper, which he placed in Merriwell's hand. + +Opening the paper, this was what Merry read: + + "If possible, come at once. Trouble at the mines. Plot to seize + them. --Hodge." + +"Come into the hotel," said Frank, turning to the man who had brought +this message. "We will send some one to take charge of your horse." + +The man followed him. Having asked that the horse be cared for, Merry +instructed his companion to follow, and he proceeded to his room. + +"What's your name?" he asked. + +"It's Colvin--Dash Colvin." + +"Well, Colvin, you are from the Enchanted Valley?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"You were one of the men engaged by Wiley, I presume?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"It seems that Hodge trusts you?" + +"He did, sir." + +"What's the trouble there?" + +"Those men are plotting a heap to take the mines, sir. Hodge discovered +it." + +"How did he make the discovery?" + +"That I don't know. He discovers it, somehow, and he sends me with this +yere message. He picks me out and asks me could he trust me a whole lot. +I tells him he could, and he chances it. I plans with him to git out in +the night, and I does so." + +"But you were followed?" + +"Yes. One of the crew sees me a-talking with Mr. Hodge, and they +suspects me. Arter that they watches me mighty close. That makes it +plenty hard for me to git away. I don't opine I am much more than out of +the valley afore they finds out I am gone. I didn't think they'd git on +so quick, and so I fails to push as hard as I might at first. Shortly +after sun-up I sees two horsemen coming miles behind me. Even then I'm +not dead sure they're arter me. But they was, sir--they was. I had a +hard run for it, but I have made good by getting the message to you." + +"And you shan't lose by it, Colvin. Be sure of that. Did you know about +this plot to seize the mines--before Hodge discovered it?" + +"I knows there was something up, sir; but the rest of the gang they +don't trust me complete, and so I don't find out just what was a-doing. +I sees them whispering and acting queer, and I thinks there's trouble +brewing before Hodge speaks to me about it." + +"What sort of men are they?" + +"A right tough lot, Mr. Merriwell. They has liquor, too. Somehow it's +brought to them, but the head one of the bunch, Texas Bland, he don't +ladle it out free at once. He seems to keep it for some occasion later." + +Merry's face wore a serious expression. + +"How many men do you think there are in this plot?" + +"Fifteen or twenty, sir." + +"All armed?" + +"Every mother's son of them." + +"If I had my Thirty!" muttered Frank. + +But he was not prepared with an organized force to meet the plotting +ruffians, and he felt that it would require precious time in order to +get together a band of fighting men. + +"Whatever do you propose to do, Mr. Merriwell?" asked Colvin. + +"I see it is necessary for me to lose no time in reaching the mines." + +"But you don't go alone, I judge? You takes some good men with you?" + +"If possible." + +"Better do it, sir. That gang is a heap tough, and it takes twice as +many men to down 'em." + +"Not twice as many of the right sort. I have two or three comrades I can +depend upon." + +"But two or three are no good, Mr. Merriwell; you hears me." + +"Perhaps not; but if I can get the move on those rascals it will count +in my favor." + +"Now, don't you reckon any on holding those mines with the aid of two or +three backers," warned Dash Colvin. "You will never do it." + +At this juncture Dick came in. + +"Your horse is ready, Frank," he said. "I have given orders to have it +saddled and held prepared for you." + +"I may have to use it within an hour." + +Dick immediately perceived that some new development had transpired, and +he glanced from his brother to the stranger in the room. + +"What is now, Frank?" he anxiously questioned. + +"Read that," said Merry, thrusting the message into his hand. + +"By Jove!" exclaimed Dick, "this is bad business, Frank--bad business! +How did you get this?" + +"It was brought by Mr. Colvin here. He was pursued and barely reached me +with his life." + +"Which I allows I would not have done but for Mr. Merriwell himself," +said Colvin. "My horse throws me unexpected, and the two galoots arter +me has me down and is about to silence me some when Mr. Merriwell takes +a hand." + +"Are you sure this is straight goods?" questioned Dick. + +"That's Bart's writing," declared Merry. "I'd know it anywhere." + +"Then there can be no mistake." + +"Certainly not. Colvin tells me that there are fifteen or more ruffians +in this plot." + +"Do you believe, Frank, that it is their scheme?" + +"I can't say." + +"Perhaps this Macklyn Morgan is behind it." + +"He may be." + +"I believe he is!" cried Dick. "Somehow I am confident of it, Frank. If +he detains you here in Prescott, you will lose those mines. You must get +out of this place without delay." + +"It certainly looks that way. I shall do so, Dick." + +"But we must go with you." + +"Have you thought of Felicia? She is here. Some one must remain to look +after her." + +"But, good gracious, Frank! I can't stay here, knowing that you are in +such difficulties. It is impossible!" + +"It may seem impossible to you, Dick, but you know the peril through +which Felicia has lately passed. You also know that Black Joaquin is at +liberty and may find her again." + +"But can't we take her?" + +"Do you think she is prepared to endure the hardships she would be +compelled to face? No, Dick, it can't be done. You will have to stay +with her." + +"I will be crazy, Frank. When I think of you pitting yourself against +such odds I will literally explode." + +Dick's cheeks were flushed and he was panting with excitement. It seemed +that even then the scent of battle was in his nostrils and he longed for +the fray. + +"Don't let your hot blood run away with your judgment, boy," half smiled +Merriwell. "Colvin, do you know anybody in Prescott?" + +"I reckons not, sir." + +"You don't know a man you can depend upon--a good fighter who will stick +by us if paid well?" + +"Nary a one, sir." + +"Then that's not to be reckoned on." + +Merriwell frowned as he walked the floor. Of a sudden there came a sound +of heavy feet outside and the door burst open. Into the room strode Brad +Buckhart, color in his cheeks and fire in his eyes. + +"Waugh!" he cried. "Get out your artillery and prepare for action!" + +"What's up now, Brad?" demanded Frank. + +"I certain judge they're after you in earnest," said the Texan. "Cap'n +Wiley left me to watch a fine gent named Morgan. I did the trick, and +I'll bet my shooting irons that Morgan has a warrant sworn out for you +this minute, and he is on his way here with officers. They mean to jug +you, pard, sure as shooting. You hear me gently murmur!" + +"Then," said Frank calmly, "it's about time for me to make myself scarce +in Prescott." + +"If you're going, you want to get a move on," declared Brad. "I am not a +whole lot ahead of old Morgan and the officers." + +Even as he spoke there reached their ears the sound of many feet +outside. + +"Here they come!" said Dick. + +With a leap, the Texan reached the door and pressed himself against it. +A hand fell on the knob of the door, but the powerful shoulder of +Buckhart prevented any one from entering. Immediately there was a heavy +knock. + +"Open this door!" commanded a voice. + +"Who is there? and what do you want?" demanded Buckhart. + +"We want Frank Merriwell. Open this door!" + +"Perhaps you will wait some," retorted Brad. + +Then another voice was heard outside, and it was that of Morgan himself. + +"Break down the door!" he commanded. "Merriwell is in there! Break it +down!" + +"Remember my instructions, Dick," said Frank, as he coolly turned and +opened a window. "Just hold this window a moment." + +On the door there fell a crashing blow. + +"That's right!" growled Buckhart, who remained immovable. "I hope you +don't damage yourself in doing it." + +Frank balanced himself on the window ledge, glancing downward. + +"Remember, Dick," he said again. + +Crash, crash! fell the blows upon the door. It could not withstand such +shocks, and the hinges began to break clear. + +"I am good for four seconds more!" grated Brad, maintaining his +position. + +Frank made a light spring outward and dropped. It was more than fifteen +feet to the ground, but he landed like a cat upon his feet, turned to +wave his hand to Dick, and disappeared round the corner. + +Dick quietly lowered the window. + +"Let them in, Brad," he said. + +The Texan sprang away from the door and two men came plunging into the +room as it fell. Behind them was a third, and behind him was Macklyn +Morgan. + +Dick faced them, his eyes flashing. + +"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded. + +"Where is Frank Merriwell?" questioned one of the officers. + +"He is here! He is here!" asserted Morgan, in the doorway. "I know he is +here!" + +"You're a whole lot wise," sneered Buckhart. "You certain could have +given old Solomon a few points! I admire you a great deal--not!" + +"He is hiding somewhere in this room," asserted Morgan, paying no +attention to the Texan. + +"If that is so, he may as well come out," said the leading officer. "We +will have him in a minute." + +"Go ahead," said Dick, beginning to laugh. "Pull him out." + +Dick's laughter was tantalizing, and one of the officers became enraged +and threatened him. + +"Why, you're real amusing!" said Dick. "Ha! ha! ha! Oh! ha! ha! ha! Some +one has a door to pay for. There is a joke on somebody here." + +"Who are you?" demanded Morgan. + +Dick took a step nearer, his dark eyes fixing on the man's face. + +"Who am I? I will tell you who I am. I am Frank Merriwell's brother." + +"His brother? I have heard of you." + +"Not for the last time, Macklyn Morgan; nor have you heard of Frank for +the last time. Your plot will fizzle. Your infamous schemes will fail. +You know what the plotting of your partner, Milton Sukes, brought him +to. Look out, Mr. Morgan--look out for yourself!" + +"Don't you dare threaten me, you impudent young whelp!" raged Morgan. + +"You will find, sir, that I dare tell you just what you are. Your money +and your power do not alarm me in the least. You're an unscrupulous +scoundrel! You have trumped up a charge against my brother. He will fool +you, and he will show you up, just as he did Milton Sukes. Where is +Sukes now? Look out, Macklyn Morgan!" + +Although usually able to command his passions and appear cold as ice, +the words of this fearless, dark-eyed lad were too much for Morgan, and +he lifted his clinched fist. + +Quick as thought, his wrist was seized by Buckhart, who growled in his +ear: + +"If you ever hit my pard, you will take a trip instanter to join Milton +Sukes down below!" + +Then he thrust Morgan aside. In the meantime the officers had been +searching the room. They opened the closet, looked under the bed, and +inspected every place where a person could hide. + +"You're mistaken," said one of them. "Your man is not here." + +"He must be!" asserted Morgan. "I know it!" + +"You can see for yourself he is not here." + +"Then where is he?" + +As this question fell from Morgan's lips there was a clatter of hoofs +outside. Morgan himself glanced from the window and quickly uttered a +cry of baffled rage. + +"There he is now!" he shouted. "There he goes on a horse! He is getting +away! After him!" + +"And may the Old Nick give you the luck you deserve!" laughed Dick. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +A DESPERATE SITUATION. + + +Morning in the Enchanted Valley. Bart Hodge was standing in front of a +newly constructed cabin. His ear was turned to listen for sounds of +labor from the lower end of the valley, where a crew of men was supposed +to be at work building other cabins. The valley was strangely still. + +"They're not working," muttered Hodge, a dark frown on his face. "They +have quit. What will this day bring? Oh, if Frank were only here!" + +Finally, as he stood there, to his ears from far down the valley came a +faint sound of hoarse voices singing. + +"I know the meaning of that!" he declared. "They're drinking. At last +Bland has given them the liquor. They're getting ready for their work." + +He turned back into the cabin, the door of which stood open. From a peg +on the wall he took down a Winchester rifle and carefully examined it, +making sure the magazine was filled and the weapon in perfect working +order. He also looked over a brace of revolvers, which he carried ready +for use. + +Tossing the rifle in the hollow of his left arm, he left the cabin and +turned toward the end of the valley where the men were engaged. He +observed some caution in approaching that portion of the valley. At last +he reached a point amid some bowlders from which he could look down into +a slight hollow, where stood some half-constructed cabins upon which the +men had been working. + +Not one of them was at work now. They were lying around carelessly, or +sitting in such shade as they could find, smoking and drinking. Several +bottles were being passed from hand to hand. Already two or three of +them seemed much under the influence of liquor, and one bowlegged fellow +greatly amused the others by an irregular, unsteady dance, during which +he kicked out first with one foot and then with the other, like a skirt +dancer. At intervals some of them sang a melancholy sort of song. + +"The miserable dogs!" grated Bart. "They're ready to defy me now and +carry out their treacherous plans." + +A tall man, with a black mustache and imperial, stepped among the +others, saying a word now and then and seeming to be their leader. + +"You're the one, Texas Bland!" whispered Hodge. "You have led them into +this!" + +As he thought of this his fingers suddenly gripped the rifle, and he +longed to lean over the bowlder before him, steady his aim, and send a +bullet through Texas Bland. Bart was unaware that two men were +approaching until they were close upon him. This compelled him, if he +wished to escape observation, to draw back somewhat, and he did so. He +did not crouch or make any great effort at hiding, for such a thing he +disdained to do. He was not observed, however, although the men stopped +within a short distance. + +"Well, what do yer think o' this game, Dug?" said one of them, who was +squat and sandy. + +"I reckons the boss has it all his own way, Bight," retorted the other, +a leathery-faced chap with tobacco-stained beard. + +"The boss!" exclaimed Bight. "Mebbe you tells me who is the boss?" + +"Why, Bland, of course," said Dug. "He is the boss." + +"Mebbe he is, and then--mebbe again," returned the sandy one. + +"Well, we takes our orders from him." + +"Sartin; but I reckons he takes his orders from some one else." + +Bight pulled out a bottle. + +"Now," he said, "he furnished plenty o' this. My neck is getting dry. +How is yourn, Dug?" + +"Ready to squeak," returned Dug, grasping the bottle his comrade +extended. + +When they had lowered its contents until very little was left, Bight +observed: + +"I s'pose Bland he's going to chaw up this yere chap, Hodge?" + +"Sure thing," nodded Dug. "Pretty soon he calls Hodge down yere on a +pretense o' business or something, and then he kicks up a fuss with him. +He has it all fixed for several of the boys to plug him as soon as the +fuss starts. That settles his hash." + +The eyes of Bart Hodge gleamed savagely. + +"I wonder how he gits onter it that anything's up?" questioned Dug. +"Mebbe that sneak, Colvin, tells him." + +"Mebbe so," nodded Bight. "Anyhow, nobody trusts Colvin none, and I +opines he'd been polished off here ef he'd stayed." + +"And he'll sartin never git very fur," declared Dug. "Them boys arter +him will sure run him down and make buzzard bait o' him." + +Hearing this, Hodge knew for the first time that there were men in +pursuit of Colvin, his messenger, who had slipped out of the valley the +previous night. Colvin had sworn, if he lived, to carry the message for +Frank to the nearest telegraph station and send it. But he was pursued +by ruffians who meant to slay him. It was doubtful if he reached a +telegraph office. If he failed, of course Merriwell would remain +uninformed as to the situation in the Enchanted Valley and would not +hurry about returning there. + +Even if Colvin succeeded, it might be too late. Bart believed it +probable that Merry was in San Diego or that vicinity, and therefore it +would take him some time to reach Prescott and travel by horse from +Prescott to the valley. Long before he could make such a journey the +mutineers would be able to accomplish their evil design. + +"Who do you s'pose is back of this yere business, Dug?" said Bight. "You +thinks Bland is not behind it, does yer?" + +"Dead sartin. Bland he never does this fer hisself. He wouldn't dare. It +wouldn't do him no good." + +"Why not?" + +"Because he can't hold this yere mine and work it. Somebody locates him, +and he has to evaporate, for his record counts agin' him. Howsomever, he +can jump the mine for some other gent and git paid fer doing the trick, +arter which he ambles into the distance and gently disappears. This is +his little game, and I will bet on it." + +"I wonders some who the gent is behind it." + +"That's nothing much ter us as long as we gits our coin." + +"Does we git it sure?" + +"You bet I gits mine. Ef I don't, there'll be blazes a-roaring around +yere." + +"Why, you don't buck up agin' Bland none?" half laughed the other. "You +knows better than ter do that." + +"I don't do it by my lonesome; but if I raises a holler there is others +does the same thing. But I will git my dust, all right. Don't you worry +about that." + +At this point several of the men in the vicinity of the unfinished +cabins set up a wild yell of laughter. One of their number had attempted +to imitate the awkward motions of the former dancer and had fallen +sprawling on his stomach. Immediately after this burst of laughter the +men began to sing again. + +"That oughter bring this yere Hodge over this way," said Dug, with a +hoarse laugh. "Ordinarily he comes a-whooping to see what is up, and he +raises thunder. He sets himself up as a boss what is to be obeyed, and I +reckons so far he has had the boys jumping when he gives orders." + +"If he comes over now," observed Bight, "he gits his medicine in a +hurry. I don't care any about shooting him up, so I am for staying away +from the rest of the bunch." + +"Oh! what ails yer?" growled Dug. + +"It's murder!" said Bight. + +"Well, I opines you has cooked yer man afore this?" + +"Ef I ever has," retorted Bight, "it certain was in self-defense." + +"I reckon you're something of a squealer, pard," sneered Dug. "You wants +to git your share o' the dust without taking no part in the danger. You +tells how you raises a roar if you don't git your coin, but what does +yer do to earn it?" + +"Well, I fights some when I has to," returned Bight, rather savagely. +"Mebbe you talks too much to me, Dug, and you gits yourself into some +trouble." + +Bight was ugly now, and his companion involuntarily retreated a step, +for the squat chap had a reputation as a fighter. + +"Go slow, pard!" exclaimed Dug. "I am not a-picking trouble with you." + +"All right, all right," nodded Bight, "Only just be a little keerful--a +little keerful. Don't think just because a gent don't keer about +shooting another gent down promiscuous-like that he is soft and easy. +There's Texas Bland out yander. He has a reputation as a bad man. Well, +partner, I picks no quarrels with him, but if he stomps on my tail he +gets my claws." + +"What's that?" exclaimed Dug, in astonishment. "You ain't a-giving it +ter me that you bucks up agin' Bland, are yer?" + +"I am a-giving it ter yer that I does in case I has to. I don't propose +any ter have ter do it. I jines in with this yer move because it seems +popular with the gang, and I am none anxious ter work myself. This yere +is a nice bunch o' miners, now, ain't it? Why, the gent what hires this +outfit and brings it yere had a whole lot better stick to his sailoring +business! He may know how to pick out seamen, but it's right certain he +makes a mess of it when it comes to engaging miners." + +"That's right," agreed Dug. "And he certain is the biggest liar it ever +were my pleasure to harken unto. The way he can tell things to make a +galoot's eyes bug out is a whole lot remarkable. Whither he gits his +lively imagination I cannot surmise. Let's see, whatever was his name?" + +"Wiley--Cap'n Wiley he calls himself." + +"Well, however does he happen to be hiring men for this yere mine? I +don't judge any that he is interested in it." + +"Not a whole lot. The mine is owned by a gent named Merriwell, and by +this yere Hodge. Them two locates it." + +"Relocates it, you mean. I onderstand it were located original by +another gent what is dead now. And I reckons some that it is through +this other gent's action that the man that is back o' this yere jumping +movement is going to stake his claim to the mine. I hears one o' the +boys say that if Bland ain't back o' the game, it sartin is a gent with +heaps o' money--one o' them yere money kings we hears about." + +This conversation was of no simple interest to Hodge, for, although it +did not reveal the instigator of the movement, it satisfied him that the +plot did not originate among the men themselves. Some enemy of Frank +Merriwell must be behind it all. As Sukes was dead, it was not easy for +Bart to conjecture who this new enemy was. + +After a few moments more the two ruffians finished the contents of the +bottle and moved slowly away. This gave Hodge an opportunity to turn +back toward his cabin, and he hastened to get away from that dangerous +locality. + +"It's well for me that I suspected what was up," he muttered, as he +hurried along. "Under ordinary circumstances, failing to hear the men at +work and hearing their singing and shouts, I should have hastened over +and demanded to know the meaning of it. As a result they would have +finished me in short order. Now I am prepared for them. But what can I +do? What can I do alone?" + +The situation seemed desperate and hopeless. + +Another fellow in Bart's position, and realizing his desperate peril, +might have lost no time in getting out of the valley. Even though he +happened to be a courageous person, his judgment might have led him to +pursue such a course, for certainly it seemed a wild and hopeless plan +to think of remaining there alone and contending against those ruffians. + +Bart, however, was an obstinate chap and one in whom fear was an emotion +seldom experienced. Not that he had always been fearless, for as a boy +he had sometimes felt the thrill of terror; but his iron will had +conquered, and time after time he had refused to submit to the approach +of the slightest timidity, until at last fear seemed banished from his +heart. Now, as he hastened back to the cabin, he revolved in his mind +certain thoughts in regard to the situation; but not once did he +entertain the idea of leaving the valley and abandoning it to those +desperadoes. + +"I will stay," he muttered. "I will stay as long as I am able to shoot. +While I live they will never gain full possession of the valley. Merry +left me here to guard this property, and I will do it with my life. But +for Wiley's carelessness----" + +He stopped, suddenly struck by a startling suspicion. + +"Was it carelessness?" he asked himself. + +An instant later he was ashamed of the suspicion, for he remembered how +on other occasions he had suspected Wiley, and each time had found +himself wrong. + +"No, no," murmured Hodge; "it was simply a blunder, on Wiley's part. He +remembered Merriwell's thirty, and thought he was doing the right thing +in engaging men of similar calibre. The cap'n is on the level." + +Still troubled and perplexed by his thoughts, he grew, if possible, more +fixed in his determination to defend the mines single-handed. He +approached the cabin, the door of which was still standing open as he +left it. Hurrying in, he stopped, suddenly turned to stone as he saw +sitting on the floor, with his back against the wall, a human being, who +was calmly smoking a long pipe. + +A moment later the muzzle of Bart's revolver covered this figure, which, +however, did not stir or lift a hand. Coming, as he did, from the bright +light outside into the shadows within the cabin, Hodge failed at first +to note more than that the smoker who sat thus was wrapped in an old +blanket. After a moment or two, however, he finally saw that he was face +to face with an aged, wrinkled, leathery-skinned Indian. The little +sharp eyes of the old savage were fixed steadily on Bart's face, and he +betrayed not a symptom of alarm as Hodge brought the rifle to bear upon +him. With stoical calmness he deliberately pulled at his pipe. + +"What in thunder are you doing here?" demanded Hodge, in astonishment. + +"Ugh!" was the only reply vouchsafed. + +Somehow that grunt seemed familiar. Bart had heard it before, but it +simply increased his amazement. Lowering the rifle, he stared +wonderingly. + +"Great Scott!" he breathed. "Is it possible? Are you old Joe?" + +"Heap same," was the curt answer. + +In a twinkling Bart dropped the rifle on the table and strode forward to +shake the hand of an old friend. + +"Old Joe Crowfoot!" he shouted. "Where under the stars did you drop +from?" + +"Joe he come visit. How, how!" + +"Why, you amazing old Nomad!" cried Bart, in delight. "You're always +turning up just when you're wanted the most, and if ever you were wanted +it is now." + +"Frank him not here?" + +"No." + +"Joe he want see Frank." + +"If that's the case, you will have to wait a while." + +"Strong Heart he better be here," declared the aged redskin. "Heap lot +o' trouble pretty soon." + +"That's right, Joe. But how do you know anything about it?" + +"Joe he know. Him no fool. Him find out." + +Bart had extended his hand, and now he assisted the old man to his feet. +Although old Joe tried to conceal the fact, he seemed rather stiff in +his joints just then. + +"What's the matter, Crowfoot?" questioned Bart. "Rheumatism troubles you +again?" + +"Debble got old Joe in his bones," indignantly returned the savage. "Old +Joe him no good any more. Make old Joe mad when him think he no good." + +Under other circumstances the indignation of the redskin over his +infirmities might have been somewhat amusing. + +"But tell me--tell me how you came to be here at this time," questioned +Hodge. "We last saw you away up in Wyoming. You said then that you'd +never travel south again." + +"Heap think so then. When winter he come Joe have debble ache in his +bones plenty bad. Sabe?" + +"And so the rheumatism and cold weather drove you south, eh?" + +"One time," said the redskin, drawing his blanket about his shoulders +with an air of dignity, "Joe him face cold and never feel um. One time +him no care how cold. One time he laugh at snow and ice. Then all him +bones be good. Then old Joe a heap strong to hunt. Now it ain't the +same. Once Joe him hunt the grizzly bear for game; now he hunt poker." + +In spite of himself, Bart was forced to smile. He knew something of the +skill of old Joe at the white man's game of poker, and the thought of +the old Indian who had once tracked the grizzly now turned to gambling +was both amusing and remarkable. + +"So that is what brought you south. You turned this way to escape the +cold and to find at the same time the kind of game you were after?" + +"Heap so," nodded Crowfoot, as he produced from beneath his blanket a +greasy pack of cards. "I came to play some. Mebbe I find um good players +here." + +"I don't know where, Joe," said Hodge. + +"Mebbe over yon," suggested the Indian, waving his hand toward the +southern end of the valley. + +"See here, Joe," said Bart, "those men down there are my enemies. They +have betrayed me. There are valuable mines in this valley, and they +belong to Frank Merriwell and myself. These ruffians mean to seize them. +Even now they are ready to shoot me on sight, and intend to drop Frank +when he appears." + +"Heap bad," observed Joe, without betraying the slightest emotion. + +"Bad!" cried Hodge. "I should say so!" + +"Too many for you, Black Eyes," asserted the redskin. "Mebbe you pull up +stake and lope?" + +"Not by a blamed sight!" grated Hodge. "I will stay here and defend +these mines as long as I am able to lift a weapon." + +The Indian shook his head. + +"Heap young, heap young," he declared, as if speaking to himself. "Blood +hot. Joe him know. Once him blood hot." + +"Well, you don't suppose I'd let them drive me out, do you?" indignantly +demanded Hodge. "You don't think I'd betray Frank like that! He left me +here in charge of the property, and here I will remain. I want you to +stick by me, Joe." + +"Ugh!" grunted the old fellow noncommittally. "Mebbe not much difference +to old Joe. I may croak pretty soon now. Mebbe only make it some +quicker." + +"Perhaps that's right," said Hodge slowly. "I have no right to ask you +to lose your life in helping me fight against overwhelming odds. It's +not your quarrel, Joe. You can do as you please." + +"Joe him think it over," said the Indian. "No like to see Frank lose um +mines, but him have plenty more." + +Bart turned away, not without a feeling of disappointment. As he did so, +through the still open door he caught a glimpse of a man who was +advancing toward the cabin. Instantly he strode toward the door, and his +eyes rested on Texas Bland, who was several rods away. + +"Oh, Mr. Hodge!" Bland called at once. "I want yer ter come over yon. +The men has quit work, and they refuse to strike another stroke." + +Trying to repress and conceal his indignation, Bart asked, as if wholly +unsuspicious of the real situation: + +"What's the matter, Bland?" + +"I dunno," lied the scoundrel. "I can't make 'em work; perhaps you can, +sir." + +Suddenly, almost without being aware of what was happening, Bart +permitted his hot indignation to get the best of his judgment. +Instantly, as he stepped out of the cabin, he blazed: + +"You're lying, Bland, and I know it! I am on to the whole dastardly +game! You're at the bottom of it, too! You have incited the men to +mutiny. I know your plot, you treacherous whelp! I know you meant to get +me over there for the purpose of assassinating me. The end of this +business will be a rope for you, Bland. Go back and tell your dogs I am +onto their game. Go back and bring them here. They will meet a hot +reception!" + +Texas Bland had been astonished, but now, quick as a flash, he whipped +out a revolver for the purpose of taking a shot at Hodge, whose hands +were empty. Rapid though he was in his movements, he was not quick +enough, for within the cabin sounded the loud report of a rifle, and the +bullet knocked Bland's pistol from his hand, smashing two of his +fingers. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +CROWFOOT MAKES MEDICINE. + + +Although taken by surprise, the man looked at his benumbed and bleeding +hand a moment, then pulled from his neck a handkerchief tied there and +wrapped it around the mutilated member. By this time Hodge had his own +pistol out, and Bland was covered. + +"You're lucky to get off with your life, you treacherous cur!" he cried. +"Now make tracks, and hurry about it, too." + +"All right," said the leader of the ruffians, still with amazing +coolness. "But you pays dear for this hand--you and the gent inside who +fires the shot." + +With that he turned his back and hastily strode away, the handkerchief +already dripping with blood and leaving a red trail behind him. + +Hodge watched until the hurrying man disappeared down the valley. +Reentering the cabin, he found old Joe standing near the table on which +still lay Bart's Winchester. The Indian had refilled his pipe and was +smoking again in his most imperturbable manner. + +"Crowfoot," said Hodge, with sincere gratitude, "I owe you my life. It's +lucky for me you fired just when you did. An instant more and Bland +would have shot me down. How did you happen to be so quick with the +shot?" + +"Look um rifle over," grunted the old man. "Pick um rifle up. When Black +Eyes him go out, Joe think mebbe white man act crooked. Joe watch him +white man. When white man tries to shoot, Joe him shoot." + +"You're a jewel, Crowfoot!" declared Bart; "but this thing will bring +trouble to the cabin in a hurry. As soon as Bland can have his hand +cared for, he will lead those ruffians over here to wipe us out. Now is +your chance to get away." + +"Oh, no great hurry," returned Crowfoot. "Plenty time, plenty time." + +"On the contrary, there may be very little time. If you're going, you +had better go at once." + +"Plenty time," persisted the old man placidly. "Joe too old to hurry. +They no come right away. Mebbe Joe him look around a little." + +As the old fellow was leaving the cabin, Bart called: + +"Here's your own rifle, Joe, standing in the corner. Don't you want to +take it?" + +"Leave him there now," returned the redskin. "Take him bimeby." + +Outside the door, leaning against the wall, were a pick and spade. To +Bart's surprise, the old man picked these implements up and shouldered +them; after which he found Bland's revolver where it had fallen on being +knocked from the man's hand by the bullet, and took that along. Crowfoot +turned northward toward a tangled wild thicket, into which Bart saw him +disappear. + +"Well, of all peculiar things for him to do!" muttered Hodge, completely +puzzled. "What the dickens is he up to?" + +This question bothered Bart not a little, and, after a time, having made +sure none of the ruffians were yet approaching from the south, Bart +caught up his rifle and ran swiftly toward the thicket. On entering the +tangled underbrush, he soon came in sight of Crowfoot, who, although he +must have heard the other approaching, paid no attention whatever. The +defender of the mines paused in amazement as he noted the Indian's +occupation, for old Joe was busily at work, engaged with pick and +shovel, digging in the ground. + +"What in the name of all mysteries are you doing, Crowfoot?" asked +Hodge, as he approached and stood nearer. + +"Dig a little," returned the old man, with something like a joking +twinkle in his keen black eyes. "Mebbe get some exercise. Strong Heart +him great on exercise. Crowfoot hear Strong Heart tell exercise much big +thing." + +Now, Hodge knew well enough that the aged redskin was not expending so +much energy and labor in mere exercise, and he lingered to watch a while +longer. Pretty soon old Joe unearthed a long root that ran beneath the +ground, which he immediately seized and dragged forth with considerable +grunting. Hodge noted then that he had one or two similar roots lying +near. + +"Mebbe him be 'nuf," observed Crowfoot, as he severed the last root +unearthed and placed it with the others. "Think him be. Joe he get +plenty exercise for to-day." + +Then, abandoning the pick and shovel where he had dropped them, the old +man gathered up the roots and started to retrace his steps to the cabin. +Still wondering at Crowfoot's strange actions, Hodge followed. + +The sunshine lay warm on the valley, which seemed deserted save for +themselves. + +"Man git hand hurt, him no hurry back much," observed Crowfoot. + +"Not yet," said Hodge. "But he will come and bring his dogs with him +soon enough." + +When the cabin was reached Crowfoot stood some moments looking at a +little pile of wood lying in a corner near the open fireplace. + +"You build a fire, Black Eyes," he said. "Joe him cold--him cold." + +"Well, your blood must be getting thin," declared Hodge. "You can bake +out in the sun to-day if you want to." + +"No like sun bake," was the retort. "Too slow; not right kind. Want fire +bake." + +"Oh, all right," said Bart, ready to humor the old man. "I will have a +fire directly." + +To his surprise, while he was starting the fire, old Joe brought in more +wood that had been gathered in a little pile outside and threw it down +in the corner. Several times he came with an armful of wood, but +finally, seemed satisfied. + +"There's a good hot fire for you, Joe," said Hodge. "Now toast yourself, +if you want to." + +"Ugh!" grunted the Indian. "You keep watch. Keep eye open wide. Mebbe +bad palefaces come soon." + +Bart knew this was a good suggestion, and he proceeded to watch for the +possible approach of the enemy. At the same time, he occasionally turned +from the open doorway to observe what Crowfoot was about. The old Indian +did not seem very anxious to warm himself at the fire. Instead of that, +he took the roots he had dug and held them toward the fireplace, turning +them over and over and warming them thoroughly, after which he beat off +the particles of dirt that clung to them. While he was beating one of +the roots by holding it toward the fire, he had the others arranged on +the flat stones of the hearth quite near the blaze, where they also +would receive warmth from the flames. + +At last, his curiosity reaching a point where he could repress it no +longer, Hodge again asked old Joe what he was doing. + +For some minutes the Indian did not reply. Once or twice he grunted to +himself, but finally said: + +"Joe him make medicine. Sometime him big medicine maker." + +"Oh, so that's it," said Hodge. "You are making medicine for your +rheumatism?" + +"Ugh!" was the answer to this. + +Bart was surprised and almost annoyed as the day dragged on and the +ruffians failed to appear. It seemed remarkable that they should delay +the attack so long; still, he was confident that it must come sooner or +later. All through the day after securing his roots old Joe worked over +them patiently by the fire. He dried them and turned them over and over. +And, while he was handling one of them and turning it before the heat +like a thing he was toasting, the others remained in a long mound of hot +ashes. The patience of the Indian over such a trifling task was +something to wonder at. + +As night came on Crowfoot paused to say: + +"Now, Black Eyes, keep sharp watch. Bad white men come to-night. Mebbe +they try to ketch um sleeping." + +The first half of the night, however, passed without alarm. During these +hours the old redskin continued to putter with his roots, which he +carefully scraped with a keen knife. At midnight he buried them in the +ashes, on which hot coals were heaped, and then directed Bart to lie +down and sleep. + +"Joe him watch now," said the old fellow. + +Trusting everything to the redskin, Hodge rolled himself in a blanket +and slept soundly for two hours. He was awakened by Joe, who stirred him +with a moccasin foot. + +"Get up, Black Eyes," said the old fellow, in a whisper. "Pretty soon we +fight." + +"Those ruffians?" questioned Bart, as he leaped to his feet. + +"They coming," declared Crowfoot. + +He was right. Bland and his desperadoes were creeping on the cabin, +hoping to take its defenders by surprise. Crowfoot pointed them out, and +when they were near enough, Hodge called from the window for them to +halt. Realizing they were discovered, they sprang up and charged. + +Instantly Bart and the redskin opened fire on them, Hodge working his +repeater swiftly and accurately, while the clear spang of Crowfoot's +rifle was heard at irregular intervals. The ruffians were unprepared for +such a defense, and, as they saw several of their number fall and others +were wounded, they halted, wavered, then turned and fled. Looking from +the window, the starlight showed the defenders a few wounded men +dragging themselves away. + +"Pretty good," said Joe. "No more bother to-night." + +With which he turned from the window, uncovered his roots, and replanted +them in a fresh pile of hot ashes. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +HOW THE MEDICINE WORKED. + + +Having left their horses picketed in a secluded spot, four men came +stealing down the steep and narrow fissure that was the one entrance +into the Enchanted Valley. Three days had passed since Dash Colvin stole +out of that valley in his desperate attempt to carry the message to +Frank. The third night had fallen. + +Frank had arrived, and with him were Pete Curry, of Cottonwood, an +officer who knew him well and liked him, and two deputies whom Curry had +called into service. Frank had picked these men up at Cottonwood after +his flight from Prescott. The promise of a liberal reward under any +circumstances, and possibly of a big capture, had led them to accompany +him. Before seeking to descend into the valley they had seen from the +heights above, far away to the southern end, the glow of two or three +bright fires, and had heard at intervals something like singing. + +Frank feared the entrance to the valley might be in the hands of the +enemy and guarded. He was relieved on discovering that this was not so, +and his satisfaction was great when, with his companions, he found +himself in the valley with no one to block the way. + +"What next, Mr. Merriwell?" asked Curry, in a low tone. + +"I am for finding out what is going on down there to the south," said +Frank. + +"All right, sir. Lead on. We're with you." + +In time they approached near enough to look down upon that portion of +the valley where the unfinished cabins were, and saw two or three fires +burning there. Men were lying around on the ground in the light of these +fires. Others were staggering about in a peculiar manner. Now and then +one of them would utter a wild yell and dance about like a crazy man, +sometimes keeping it up until, apparently exhausted, he ended by +flinging himself on the ground and seemed immediately to fall asleep. + +As Frank and his companions watched these singular movements they saw +three men join hands and execute a singular dance in the firelight. + +"Cæsar's ghost!" muttered Merry, "am I dreaming?" + +"What's the matter, pard?" asked Curry. + +"Look at those three men--look at them closely. One of them is an +Indian." + +"Sure thing," said Curry. + +"And I know him!" palpitated Merry. "If my eyes don't fail me, it is old +Joe Crowfoot." + +"Who is old Joe Crowfoot?" + +"A redskin I have believed to be my friend." + +"Waugh!" ejaculated Curry, in disgust. "There never was a red whelp as +could be trusted." + +"But you don't know Crowfoot." + +"I know 'em all. Here is this yere Crowfoot a-whooping her up with your +enemies, Mr. Merriwell. What do you think of that?" + +"It's mighty singular," confessed Merry. "Look! look! they are +drinking!" + +It was true. The dance had stopped and one of the three had flung +himself on the ground. Crowfoot bent over this fellow and offered him a +bottle, which he eagerly seized. The Indian snatched it from the man's +lips, refusing to let him drink all he seemed to desire. It was then +given to the other men, and afterward the old redskin passed from one to +another of the reclining men, rousing those he could and offering them +the bottle. Some drank, but others seemed too nerveless to hold the +bottle in their hands. + +"Well, this yere is lucky for us," declared Curry. "The whole bunch is +paralyzed drunk. We oughter be able to scoop 'em in without any great +trouble." + +"I wonder where Hodge is," speculated Merry. "I wonder if they have +killed him." + +This possibility so aroused Frank that he was determined to seek Bart +without delay. Curry was opposed to this; but Frank had his way, and +they stole off leaving Crowfoot and his newly chosen companions to +continue their carousal. As they approached Bart's cabin, there came +from the window a sharp command for them to halt. Merry recognized the +voice and uttered a cry of satisfaction. + +"Hodge!" he called. "It is I--Frank." + +From within the cabin there was another cry of joy, and a moment later +the door flew open and Hodge came running toward them. + +"Merry, thank Heaven you're here!" he exclaimed, + +"Thank Heaven you're still alive!" returned Frank. "I was afraid I might +arrive too late. Tell me what has happened. How have you managed to +stand those ruffians off?" + +"They attacked the cabin twice," said Hodge; "but we were ready for them +both times." + +"We? But aren't you alone?" + +"I am now; but old Joe Crowfoot----" + +"Crowfoot--what of him?" + +"He was with me. I don't know what has become of the old man now. He +left to-night as soon as darkness fell, saying he was going to take a +look at the ruffians down yonder. The old man is pretty well used up; he +is nearly dead with rheumatism. He spent the greater part of the time +after coming here in digging roots and making them into medicine by +drying them at the fire, scraping them, then grinding them into powder +between stones, finally preparing a decoction with water and the powder +of the roots." + +Frank then told Bart what he had lately seen, and Hodge was greatly +astonished. + +"Old Joe down there with those men?" he muttered. "Why, I don't see----" + +"Ugh!" grunted a voice near at hand, and out of the shadows slipped +another shadow that unhesitatingly approached. It was Crowfoot himself, +as they immediately perceived. + +"How, how, Strong Heart!" said the old man, extending his hand to Frank. +"Heap glad to see um." + +"Why, you old wretch!" cried Merry. "We saw you a short time ago down +there with that bunch of claim jumpers drinking and whooping things up. +What do you mean by such conduct?" + +"Old Joe him got very bad rheumatism," returned the redskin. "Him make +medicine. Him think mebbe um white men down there got bad rheumatism, +too. He give um white men some medicine. He find um white man drinking a +heap. Joe he mix um medicine with drink. They like medicine pretty good. +One white man, who lead um, him get shot up a great lot. Him in no shape +to lead um some more. So white men they wait for more men to come. Now +they very much tired. They sleep a lot. Come down see um sleep. You like +it." + +Of a sudden the truth dawned on Frank. + +"Why, you clever old rascal!" he laughed. "Hanged if I don't believe +you've drugged them some way!" + +"Joe he give um medicine, that all," protested the redskin. "Sometimes +medicine make um sleep. Come see." + +"Come on," said Frank, "we will follow this slick old rascal and find +out how hard they are sleeping." + +As they approached the cabins at the lower end of the valley they saw +the fires were dying down, while from that locality no longer came +shouts and singing, and, in truth, all the ruffians seemed fast asleep +on the ground, where they had fallen or flung themselves. + +Unhesitatingly Crowfoot led them amid the mass of drugged men, and the +sinking firelight revealed on his leathery face a ghost of a shriveled +smile. + +"Medicine heap good sometimes," he observed. "Strong Heart find him +enemies sleeping. Mebbe he takes hatchet and chop um up? Joe he get many +scalps." + +"You're a dandy, Crowfoot!" laughed Frank. "Here they are, Curry, the +whole bunch. You can gather them and escort them to Cottonwood, or +anywhere you please." + +"And a great haul it is, pard," nodded Curry. "I sees three gents now +what has rewards offered for them. It's my opinion that they hangs. Get +to work, boys, and we will tie up the whole bunch so they can't wiggle +when they awake." + +Old Joe looked on in apparent dissatisfaction and dismay. + +"You no chop um up some?" he questioned. "You no kill um a heap. Then +what Joe him get? He no have a scalp." + +"What do you get, Joe?" exclaimed Merry. "You have saved my mines for +me. You get anything you want--anything but scalps." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +A BUNCH OF PRISONERS. + + +Pete Curry and his two deputies set off the next morning with their +prisoners--thirteen in all. They were taking the ruffians direct to the +nearest point where they could be confined and afterward delivered for +trial into the hands of certain officers, who would take several of them +to different parts of Arizona where they had committed crimes. At noon +the second day they reached a point in a barren valley where the sun +beat fiercely. Scorched mountains rose to the east and west. They came +to a halt. + +In the party of sixteen there were only three horses, ridden by the +officers. The prisoners had been compelled to tramp over the desert, the +mountains, and valleys. The wrists of each captive were bound behind his +back. + +A tough-looking, desperate lot they were, taken all together. There were +Mexicans and men with Indian blood in their veins among them. They had +weather-beaten, leathery, bearded faces. Many of them had a hangdog +expression. Their eyes were shiftless and full of treachery. + +It was a most important capture for Curry, as there were among those men +desperate characters for whose apprehension rewards had been offered. In +short, it was a round-up of criminals that would make Curry's name known +as that of a wonderfully successful officer of the law. He was proud of +his accomplishment, although he regretfully admitted to himself that he +deserved very little credit for it. He and his two companions had +already been well paid by Frank Merriwell. + +Now, with his weapons ready, Curry was watching the prisoners, while his +two companions sought for water in the bed of the creek. + +"How are you hitting her, Bill?" he called. + +"She's moist, Pete," answered one of the diggers. "There's water here." + +"It takes a right good while for her to gather in the hole," said the +other digger. "If we makes a hole big enough, we will have some in an +hour or so." + +Curry took a look at the sky, the mountains, and the westering sun. + +"Well, I opines we stops here a while," he said. "We may as well." + +A big, burly fellow among the captives carelessly stalked toward Curry, +who watched him with a keen eye. + +"I say, Pete," said the prisoner familiarly, "mebbe you tells me just +how this yere thing happens. I am a whole lot bothered over it." + +"Why, Bland, I has you--I has you foul," retorted Curry, with a grim +smile. + +"That I certain admits," nodded the other; "but how it was did is what +puzzles me a-plenty." + +"You has some bad habits, Bland," returned the captor. "You monkeys with +firewater, and, for a man like you, with a price on him, it's a keerless +thing to do." + +"No firewater ever lays me out," proudly retorted he of the drooping +black mustache. "I knows my capacity when it come to the real stuff. But +what I gits against this yere time is different a whole lot." + +The deputy sheriff smiled again. + +"Mebbe you're right, Bland," he admitted. "You thinks yourself a heap +clever, but this time you is fooled right slick." + +Texas Bland frowned. + +"I confess, Pete, that it cuts me deep to realize it, but it certain is +a fact that I gits tripped up. However, how it happened is what I wants +ter know. There sure was dope in that booze." + +"Likely you're correct," nodded Curry. + +"How does it git there?" + +"Have you noticed a certain old Injun in this bunch sence we started +out?" asked the officer. + +"No," said Bland, shaking his head. "I looks fer him some, but he is not +yere. Does yer mean to insinuate that the old varmint loaded this bunch +with dope?" + +"Well, how does it look to you?" + +"Why, ding his old pelt!" exclaimed the captive indignantly. "Some of +the boys knowed him. Some o' them had seen him afore. One or two had +seen him to their sorrer. They say to me that he plays poker somewhat +slick. When he comes ambling into our camp, seeming a whole lot jagged +hisself, I was a bit suspicious; but the boys what knowed him says he is +all right, and so I takes a drink with him. Arter that I gits a heap +sleepy and snoozes. Next I knows you is there, Pete, and you has us +nailed solid." + +"That's about the way of it," nodded Curry. + +"And the old whelp dopes us, does he!" growled Texas Bland. "Whatever +does he do that fer?" + +"Why, Bland, that yere old redskin is a friend of Mr. Merriwell. He +gives you the dope to help Merriwell. When we comes down into the valley +there and finds you all sleeping sweetly, the old Injun proposes to +scalp you up some. To be course, we objects, and then he seems mighty +disappointed-like. He seems to think he is cheated. He seems to reckon +that, having done the job so slick, your scalps belong to him." + +Bland listened with a strange look on his face and a vengeful glare in +his deepset eyes. + +"So that's however it is!" he growled. "Well, I am some glad I finds it +out." + +"Mebbe it relieves your mind some of worry," returned the captor; "but +it does you little good." + +"Don't you think it!" returned Bland harshly. "I settles with that old +Injun, you bet your boots!" + +"First you settles with the law, Bland. You roams free a long time with +a good price on your head. I am sorry fer you, but I reckons you are due +to stretch hemp." + +Texas Bland actually laughed. + +"Pete," he said, "the rope ain't made yet what hangs me." + +"Your nerve is good, but I opine you're wrong this yere time. I has you, +Bland, and I keeps you. I deliver you to them what wants you bad." + +"That's all right, Pete," was the cool retort. "No hard feelings on my +account, you understand. I takes my medicine when I has to, and so I +swallows this all pleasant and smiling. Just the same, you mark what I +tells you, the rope ain't made what hangs Texas Bland. I goes back +a-looking for that red skunk later, and I pots him. When I gits a +chance, I starts a lead mine in his carcass. The idea of being fooled by +a redskin galls me up a heap. But you don't tell me any how it happens +you drops down thar and gathers us in just then." + +"I am some acquainted with Frank Merriwell. I has done business for him +before. When he comes sailing into Cottonwood and locates me, he says: +'Curry, I am up against it some, and I needs assistance.' 'I am yours to +order,' says I. 'Whatever is a-doing?' + +"Then he up and tells me that a gent with a whole lot of coin, what +calls himself a money king, is trying to get possession of some new +mines he has located. This gent, he says, has faked up a false charge +against him and gives him a heap o' trouble. This gent's partner once +tried mighty hard to get his paws on another mine belonging to +Merriwell, and in the end he runs up against a bullet and lays down +peaceful and calm. This gent's name were Sukes. The one what is +a-bothering Merriwell now is Macklyn Morgan." + +"You interest me a-plenty," nodded Bland. "Now, there were some gent +behind this yere deal what says it pays us well if we seizes those +mines. Just who it were that puts up the coin fer the job I didn't know +for sure. All I knows is that it comes straight through a gent what I +depends on, and the coin is in sight the minute we delivers the mines +over. I reckons, Pete, the gent you speak of is the one what lays the +job out fer us." + +Curry nodded. + +"Likely that's all correct, Bland. But he makes a big mistake if he +thinks this yere Merriwell is easy. Merriwell is a fighter from 'Way +Back." + +"He is a whole lot young." + +"In experience he is a whole lot old. Mebbe he don't grow whiskers much, +but he gets there just the same. Whiskers don't always make the man, +Bland. With all his money, this yere Sukes don't get ahead of Merriwell +any. When Morgan he tackles the job he finds it just as hard or harder. +It does him no good to fake a charge that Merriwell shoots up Sukes." + +"Where did this yere shooting happen, Pete?" + +"Over yon in Snowflake." + +Bland shook his head. + +"Then it's ten to one he gits disturbed none fer it. If he proves +conclusive this yere Sukes bothers him, why, supposing he did do the +shooting, it convicts him of nothing but self-defense down in this yere +country!" + +"Sukes was a whole lot wealthy, you understand." + +"All the same, I reckons it is pretty hard to put murder on a gent +yereabouts in case he is defending his rights." + +"That's so," nodded Curry, at the same time lifting his eyes and +watching with interest several horsemen who now appeared far up the +valley, riding toward them through the heat haze. + +Bland noticed Curry's look and turned in the same direction. + +"Who does you allow is coming?" he questioned, with repressed eagerness. + +Instead of answering, Curry called to the men who were laboring in the +bed of the creek. + +"Oh, Bill! Oh, Abe! Come up yere right away." + +The inflection of his voice indicated that something was wrong, and the +two men hastened to join him. + +Curry motioned toward the approaching horsemen. + +"Mebbe we is troubled some," he observed. "We needs to be ready." + +The horsemen came on rapidly. There were seven of them in all. Like +Curry and his two companions, the captives watched the approaching men +with no small amount of anxiety. As the horsemen drew near, having told +Bill and Abe to watch the prisoners closely, Curry rode forward. + +"Howdy, gents!" he called. + +"Howdy!" returned one of the men. "Is that you, Curry?" + +"Surest thing you know," said the deputy sheriff. "Somehow I don't seem +to recall you any." + +"That's none strange," said the spokesman of the party. "I am Gad +Hackett. No particular reason why you should know me." + +"Whatever are you doing yere?" inquired the officer suspiciously. + +"Just making a short cut, leaving all trails, from Fulton to Oxboro." + +"Say you so? Seems ter me you're hitting in the wrong direction." + +"I reckon I know my course," returned Hackett. "I have traveled this +section a-plenty. There seems to be a good bunch of you gents. Whatever +are you a-doing?" + +"We're holding up for water now," answered Curry evasively. "Mebbe you +hurries right along? Mebbe you has no great time to waste?" + +"We look some for water ourselves," returned the other man. + +"Well, you has to look mighty sharp yereabouts. We digs our own water +hole, and unfortunately we can't share it any. If you goes down the +valley a mile or two, mebbe you finds a locality where water is easier +to reach." + +"Seems ter me you're some anxious to hurry us on," laughed Hackett. +"We're slightly tired, and I reckons we holds up for rest, water or no +water." + +"That being the case," said Curry, "let me give you some advice. Yander +I has a few gents what are wanted for various little doings in different +parts, and I am takin' pains careful-like to deliver them over. They're +lawbreakers to the last galoot of the bunch. Mebbe you bothers them +none. I does my duty." + +"Oh--ho!" retorted Hackett, "so that's how the wind blows! Why, certain, +Curry, we interferes none whatever with your business. Instead o' that, +we helps you any we can in running in your bunch of bad men." + +"Thanks," returned the deputy sheriff coolly. "So long as I am not +bothered with, I needs no help." + +Hackett laughed again. + +"I see, pard," he said, "you counts on gathering in the reward money +yourself, and proposes to divide it none. All right; you're welcome." + +Then, with his companions, he again rode forward. Curry looked them over +critically. In his eyes, with one or two exceptions, they appeared +little different from the collection of ruffians who were his prisoners. +With them he recognized one man, at least, who had an unenviable +reputation--a tall, pockmarked individual--no less a person than Spotted +Dan. + +There was in the party a man who seemed strangely out of place there. +His every appearance was that of a tenderfoot, while his face, with his +shaven lips and iron-gray beard, looked like that of a stern old church +deacon. Somehow this person interested Curry more than all the others. +He wondered not a little at the appearance of such a man in such a +party. + +"Who is the parsonish gentleman?" asked the deputy sheriff, as Hackett +came up with him. He spoke in a low tone and jerked his hand slightly +toward the tenderfoot. + +"That?" said Hackett loudly. "Why, that is Mr. Felton Cleveland, a +gentleman what is looking around some for mining property, and it is him +we escorts to Oxboro. He engages us to see that he gets there all +safe-like, and he is in a hurry." + +The man indicated did not betray that these words had reached his ears, +although he had not missed the statement. + +"He looks more like a missionary than a mining man," declared Curry. + +As the new arrivals reached the captives and their guards, Felton +Cleveland was soon looking the captives over with an expression of +interest, not to say of sympathy. He turned to the deputy sheriff and +observed: + +"It seems hardly possible, sir, that so many men could be lawbreakers; +still, their faces indicate that they are desperate characters." + +"I reckon you're some unfamiliar with this part of the country," +returned the officer. "We tries to keep our towns clean, but down along +the Mexican border there are a few bad men. Sometimes they go in +bunches." + +"But it is remarkable that you should capture so many of them at one +time. Do you mind telling how it happened?" + +"I am not feeling a whole lot like talking just now," returned the +deputy sheriff. "I opines you takes my word for it that they are just +what I says." + +"Oh, certainly, sir--certainly," nodded Cleveland. "I don't dispute you +in the least. I assure you it is not mere idle curiosity on my part, for +I have interests in this part of the country, and I wish to be well +informed about it and its inhabitants. However, if you don't care to +tell me what these men have been doing, we will let it drop." + +"Well, I don't mind saying that they was caught redhanded trying to jump +a claim. Mebbe that is the charge made agin' a few o' them, but I +reckons the most of the bunch is to face things a heap more serious." + +"Trying to jump a claim?" said Cleveland. "Where was this, if you don't +mind giving that much information?" + +"Over yon," answered Pete indefinitely, with a wave of his hand. + +"Well, it's truly remarkable that you should be able to capture so many +of them. They outnumber you, it appears. If they are such desperate men, +it surely is a strange thing that you could take them all." + +"We has a way of doing things sometimes, mister. Let me advise you to +keep your own eyes open. Mebbe some o' that bunch you has is not to be +trusted too far." + +"There is no reason why they should betray me," was the assertion. "I +have nothing on my person that could tempt them. They will be paid well +when we reach our destination. That should be enough to guarantee their +faithfulness to me." + +"You're some wise in leaving your valuables behind," nodded Curry. + +Some of the captives attempted to converse with the newcomers, but +Curry's companions promptly put a stop to that. Between Spotted Dan and +one or two of them passed significant looks. The horsemen dismounted, as +if to take a brief rest and give their animals a breathing spell. + +Gad Hackett lighted his pipe and engaged one of Curry's comrades in +conversation. Seeing this, Curry approached them and quietly said: + +"You talks a little, Bill--a very little." + +Bill nodded. + +"I knows my business, Pete," he assured. + +Hackett laughed. + +"Why does he seem so mighty suspicious?" he asked. "We don't bother him +none." + +After talking with Bill a few moments, however, he turned to Abe and +engaged him in conversation. He seemed careless and indifferent in his +manner, and occasionally a few low words passed between them. After a +time, Abe examined the water hole and announced that water was rising in +it. Bill joined him, and they were on their knees beside the hole when a +startling thing happened. Curry suddenly felt something thrust against +the back of his head and heard a harsh voice commanding him to stand +still or be shot in his tracks. + +The voice was that of Spotted Dan, who held the muzzle of a revolver +touching the deputy sheriff's head. Curry knew on the instant that he +was in for it. He knew better than to attempt the drawing of a weapon, +although one hung ready in the holster at his side. Hackett, a pistol in +his hand, appeared before the officer. + +"We don't care to shoot you up, Curry," he said; "but we has to do it if +you gits foolish. Put up your hands." + +"Whatever is this game?" exclaimed the startled man. "You arrays +yourself agin' the law. You gits yourself into a heap o' trouble." + +"Put up your hands," repeated Hackett sharply. "If you delays any, the +gent behind you blows off the top of your head." + +Knowing the folly of refusing to obey, Curry lifted his empty hands. +Hackett then removed the revolver from the officer's holster. +Instinctively Curry turned his eyes toward the water hole to see what +was happening to his assistants there. He found them on their feet, but +covered by drawn weapons of several men. He saw them also disarmed. Then +one of the newcomers went among the captives and rapidly cut their bonds +and set them free. + +Texas Bland turned to Curry and laughed in his face. + +"Pete," he said, "I tells you a while ago that the rope is not made that +hangs me." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +THE VALLEY OF DESOLATION. + + +Six persons, all mounted, sat on their horses and gazed down the valley. +From that elevation they were able to see its full length. The six were +Dick Merriwell, Brad Buckhart, Cap'n Wiley, Dash Colvin, little Abe, and +Felicia Delores. Being aware that Macklyn Morgan had started with a +number of desperate men in pursuit of Frank, in spite of Frank's +admonition to stay in Prescott and care for Felicia, Dick found it +impossible to remain quiet. + +He knew his brother was in deadly danger, and he longed to be with him +when the tug of war came. Feeling certain likewise that the men employed +by Cap'n Wiley and taken to the Enchanted Valley as miners were +desperate characters, it did not seem possible to Dick that Frank and +Bart unaided could cope with so many and overcome them. + +Dick had not worried long over the matter. Calling Brad, he said: + +"Buckhart, I am going to follow Frank and the men who are in pursuit of +him." + +The eyes of the Texan gleamed. + +"Pard," he said, "I observed that you were notified to stay hereabouts +and guard your cousin. Frank told you to do that. Do you let on that +you're going to disobey orders?" + +"I can't stay here, Brad. I feel certain Frank needs me. His enemies are +very powerful and desperate. What would I think of myself if anything +serious happened to my brother? I should hate myself forever afterward." + +The rancher's son nodded. + +"I allow that's dead right, partner," he agreed. "I am feeling some that +way myself. I certain smell smoke in the air, and I have an itching to +be in the midst of the fray. But whatever are you going to do with +Felicia?" + +"Why, I did think of leaving her here with you. I thought of leaving you +in charge of her." + +"What, me?" squealed the Texan. "Leave me behind when there's a ruction +brewing? Do you mean, pard, that you propose to cut me out of this yere +scrimmage? Oh, say, Dick, you'd never treat me that low down! I came +West to stick by you a heap close, and I am going to do it. Why don't +you leave your cousin in the care of Cap'n Wiley?" + +"I wouldn't dare," answered Dick. "Wiley is square enough; but he is +careless. Besides that, how can I find my way to the Enchanted Valley +unless guided by Wiley himself?" + +"That's so. I never thought of that. You've got to take Wiley +along--unless you can get hold of that man Colvin, who brought the +message to Merry." + +Dick frowned a little, seeming deep in serious thought. + +"Then there's the hunchback boy," he finally muttered. "Possibly he +might know the trail, but I doubt it." + +"You can't depend on him none whatever," put in Buckhart. "He looks like +a good wind would blow him away." + +Dick rose to his feet. + +"Brad," he said, "we will find Wiley and talk this matter over." + +The sailor was found, and he turned an attentive ear to Dick's words. + +"My young mate," he observed, resting a hand on Dick's shoulder, "I have +been seriously meditating on the problematical problem of hoisting +anchor and setting my course for the Enchanted Valley all by my +lonesome. In my mouth danger leaves a sweet and pleasant taste. I love +it with all my yearning heart. If you are bound to set sail for the +Enchanted Valley, I am ready to ship with you as pilot. It may be well +for me to do so. If I linger here I may dally with the delusive +jag-juice. When there is no temptation I can be the most virtuous man in +the world. Yes, my boy, we will pull out of Prescott and cut away toward +the valley in question. You may depend on me." + +"Then let's lose no time!" impatiently exclaimed Dick, feeling a +powerful desire to hasten to his brother's side. "Let's make +preparations without the least delay." + +This was done. Dick found Felicia and little Abe together, for the two +had become fast friends in a short time. Felicia settled the question in +regard to herself by immediately declaring that she was ready to +accompany them. + +"It will do me good," she said. "The doctor in San Diego told me that +what I most needed was more open-air exercise. I am feeling much better +now. Oh, you will take me with you, won't you, Dick? Please take me!" + +"Me, too," urged little Abe. "You can't leave me behind." + +It was found necessary to take them both, and when the time for starting +came Cap'n Wiley appeared in company with Dash Colvin, the messenger. +Colvin likewise was anxious to return to the Enchanted Valley, for he +declared that there were two of his late companions in the valley with +whom he had a score to settle. Although they had pursued him into the +very heart of Prescott, on recovering from the effects of that desperate +race he had sought them in vain. He learned, however, that they had +joined Macklyn Morgan's party in the pursuit of Frank. + +Thus it may be seen how it happened that Dick and his friends were +watching to see what transpired in the barren valley amid the mountains +at the time when Morgan's party released Texas Bland and his ruffians +from the custody of Pete Curry, of Cottonwood. Wiley had pressed forward +with such restless determination that they were close on the heels of +Morgan and his men when this valley was reached, although this fact was +not known by any of the men in advance. Provided with a powerful pair of +field glasses, Dick watched what transpired, and saw Curry and his +assistants held up while the captured desperadoes were set free. + +Although he had only his eyes to observe what was taking place, Buckhart +grew greatly excited and eagerly proposed a dash into the valley for the +purpose of aiding Curry. + +"Steady, Brad, old man!" warned Dick. "We're too far away for that. By +the time we got there the whole thing would be over. The best we can do +is to keep quiet and take care that we are not seen." + +"Who do you suppose those men are?" asked Buckhart. + +"It doesn't seem possible!" Dash Colvin was muttering to himself. + +"What is it that doesn't seem possible?" questioned Dick. + +"Let me take your glass a moment," requested Colvin. + +Dick handed it over. The man took a hasty look through it. + +"Well, of all things wonderful, this is the most remarkable!" he +exclaimed. + +"What is it?" questioned Dick impatiently. + +"Yes, whatever is it you're driving at?" demanded Buckhart. + +"Speak up, you, and keep us no longer in suspenders!" cried Wiley. + +"Those men--those men who have been released----" + +"What of them?" demanded Dick. + +Colvin passed the glass quickly to Wiley. + +"Take a look yourself, cap'n," he directed. "You oughter to know some of +them." + +After one glance, the sailor ejaculated: + +"Dash my toplights! Shiver my timbers! May I be keelhauled if they ain't +that sweet little aggregation I gathered for the purpose of operating +the new mines! Why, there's Texas Bland! I recognize his sable mustache +and flowing hair." + +"That's it," nodded Colvin--"that's it exactly. They are the very men. +What air they doin' here?" + +"A short time ago they seemed to be in endurance vile. If I mistake not, +three gentlemen in that party were escorting them as captives of war to +some unknown port. Mates, I will stake my life there have been +voluminous doings in the Enchanted Valley. Something of a critical +nature surely happened there." + +"But Frank is not in that party," said Dick. "Where can he be?" + +"At this precise moment," confessed Wiley, "I am in no calm and placid +frame of mind, therefore I am unable to answer the riddle. One thing, at +least, is certain: Those gay boys have not seized your brother's +property. That should relieve your agitated mental equilibrium to a +conclusive susceptibility." + +"We take chances of being seen here," said Dick. "Let's retire." + +They did so, but from a point of partial concealment continued to watch +everything that occurred in the valley. Within an hour Morgan's men, +accompanied by the rescued ruffians, turned toward the south, which +action assured the watchers that once more they were headed for the +Enchanted Valley. They appropriated the horses of Curry and his two +assistants, taking also the weapons of the three men, who were left +a-foot and unarmed in that desolate region. The trio was warned not to +follow and were further advised to make straight for Cottonwood or the +nearest camp. Apparently Curry and his assistants decided this was the +only course to pursue, for they turned to the north and hurried up the +valley. Morgan and his men soon disappeared far away to the south. + +Burning with eagerness to know the truth, Dick rode forward into the +valley the moment the ruffians were beyond view. He was followed closely +by Buckhart and Colvin. Cap'n Wiley remained long enough to caution Abe +and Felicia to remain where they were, for, knowing nothing of Curry and +his companions, Wiley fancied it possible there might be trouble of some +sort. + +"I will look out for Felicia," declared little Abe, whose violin was +hung over his back by a cord. "I will take care of her." + +"All right, my noble tar," said the sailor. And then he also rode +forward into the valley. + +Curry and his assistants halted in some alarm when they saw four +horsemen dashing swiftly toward them. As they were unarmed, they could +not think of offering resistance in case the quartette proved to be +enemies. Being on foot, they could not escape, and, therefore, they did +the only thing possible, which was to wait for the approaching riders. + +Dick was the first to reach them. + +"We have been watching this whole affair," he said. "We don't understand +it." + +"Well, we do!" growled Curry in disgust, while his companions growled +likewise. "We understands that we have lost a bunch of valuable +prisoners." + +"But how did you happen to have such prisoners in the first place?" +questioned Dick. + +"That's our business, yonker. Why should we be for telling you any?" + +"Because I am interested. Because those men are my brother's enemies." + +"Who is your brother, kid?" + +"Frank Merriwell." + +"What?" shouted Curry. "Whatever are you giving us?" + +"He is giving you the dead-level truth, stranger," put in Brad, + +"That's right," agreed Dash Colvin, coming up. "Look here, Pete Curry, +you knows me and I knows you. This boy is Frank Merriwell's brother." + +"That being the case," said Curry, "he wants to get a hustle on and join +his brother some lively. That fine bunch you saw hiking down the valley +is bound for Frank Merriwell's new mines, which they propose seizing a +heap violent. We counts ourselves some in luck to get off with whole +skins from such a measly outfit. All the same, if we had played our hand +proper I reckon they'd never set that lot of mavericks loose. I am +a-plenty ashamed of myself." + +"But tell me," urged Dick, "how you came to have those men as +prisoners?" + +Curry then briefly related the whole story, to which Dick and his +friends listened with the greatest interest. + +"That's how it were," finished Curry. "I allows to your brother I sure +could take that gang to the nearest jail. He and his pard, Hodge, stays +to guard their mines, leaving the job of disposing of those tough gents +to we three. We makes a fizzle of it, and now the whole outfit is bound +back for the Enchanted Valley. They are frothing to get at your brother +and do him up. At the same time, they counts on salivating the old Injun +what fools them a-plenty." + +"Frank will fight to the last," said Dick. "We must help him some way. +We're all armed, and I think we can furnish you with weapons. Are you +with us, or are you ready to give up?" + +"Pete Curry, of Cottonwood, gives up none at all," was the reply. "I +counts on hiking somewhar to get weapons and horses and then hustling +back for the purpose of doing whatever I can to help your brother." + +"If you try to do that, you will be too late to render any assistance," +declared Dick. + +"Then give us some shooting irons and what goes in 'em and we're with +yer," said Curry. + +This arrangement was quickly settled on, after which Dick rode back for +Felicia and little Abe. When he reached the spot where they had been +left, however, he was not a little surprised and alarmed to find they +were no longer there. In vain he looked for them. He called their names, +but his voice died in the silence of the desolate hollows. There was no +answer, and Dick's fears grew apace. + + * * * * * + +What had become of Felicia and little Abe? + +Left to themselves, they fell to talking of the singular things which +had happened. + +Felicia's horse champed its bit and restlessly stamped the ground. + +"That horse acts awful queer," said the boy. "He has got a funny look in +his eye, just the same as a horse I once saw that was locoed. You know +what that is, don't you?" + +Felicia laughed. + +"I was born in the West," she said. "Of course I know what it means when +an animal is locoed. They have been eating loco weed and it makes them +crazy. But I don't think this horse has been doing that." + +"Never can tell," said the hunchback. + +"Why, it should have shown on him before." + +"Not always. Sometimes it breaks out awful unexpected. Look how your +horse rolls its eyes. Say, I'm going to----" + +Abe did not tell what he was going to do, for, starting his own horse +forward, he reached for the bridle of Felicia's animal. To the horse it +seemed that the boy's hand was large as a grizzly bear. The animal +started back with a snort of alarm, quivering with sudden terror. + +"Whoa! whoa!" cried Abe, hastening in his attempt to seize the +creature's bit. + +These efforts simply served to add to the horse's fear, and suddenly he +wheeled and went tearing away, Felicia being unable to check its flight. + +Immediately the hunchback pursued, his one thought being to overtake the +girl and save her from danger, for he was now confident that something +was the matter with the horse. + +If the creature was really locoed, Abe knew it might do the most +astonishing and crazy things. To a horse thus afflicted a little gully a +foot wide sometimes seems a chasm a mile across, or a great ravine, +yawning a hundred feet deep and as many in width, sometimes appears no +more than a crack in the surface of the earth. Deluded by this distorted +view of things, horses and cattle frequently plunge to their death in +gorges and ravines, or do other things equally crazy and unaccountable. + +Felicia's horse fled madly, as if in fear of a thousand pursuing demons. +The girl was a good rider, and she stuck to the animal's back with +comparative ease, although unable to check its wild career. + +Doing everything in his power to overtake the runaway, the hunchback boy +continued the pursuit, regardless of the direction in which it took +them. The flying horse turned hither and thither and kept on and on +until it was in a lather of perspiration and was almost exhausted to the +point of dropping. Mile after mile was left behind them in this manner, +Abe finding it barely possible to keep the runaway in sight. At length +they came from the hills into a broad plain, and there, in the very +midst of the waste, the runaway halted with such suddenness that Felicia +barely saved herself from a serious fall. What had caused this sudden +stopping of the horse was impossible to imagine, but the beast stood +still with its fore feet braced, as if fearing to advance another inch. +It quivered in every limb and shook all over. + +Felicia heard the clatter of horses' hoofs and turned to see little Abe +coming with the greatest haste. The boy cried out to her, and she +answered him. + +"Oh, Felicia!" he panted, as he came up on his winded horse; "I'm so +glad you're safe! Get down, quick--get down! He might run again!" + +She slipped from the saddle to the ground, and little Abe also +dismounted, but now neither of the horses showed the slightest +inclination to run. Both were in such an exhausted condition that they +stood with hanging heads, their sides heaving. + +"I was afraid you'd be killed, Felicia!" gasped the boy. + +Then he saw her suddenly sink to the ground and cover her pale face with +her hands. Quickly he knelt beside her, seeking to soothe and reassure +her. + +"It's all right--it's all right," he said. "Don't you cry, Felicia." + +"Where are we, Abe?" she whispered. + +"We're right here," was the answer, which seemed the only one he could +give. + +"Where is Dick?" + +"He will come pretty soon. Don't you worry." + +"We must find our way back. Can you do that, Abe?" + +"Of course I can," he assured stoutly. "Just you trust me." + +Then once more he did his best to reassure her, and after a while +succeeded in calming her somewhat. To his relief, she did not cry or +become hysterical. Over and over the boy assured her that he could find +the way back without the least trouble, and after a while he must have +convinced her this was true. + +"You're so brave, Abe," she half smiled. + +"Brave!" he exclaimed. "Me! I reckon you don't know me! Why, I ain't +brave at all! I'm just the biggest coward that ever lived." + +She shook her head. + +"Don't tell me that," she said. "I know better. You're just as brave as +you can be." + +"Well, I never knowed it before," he said wonderingly. "If I am brave, +it is something I never found out about myself. My, but I was scared +when I saw that horse run!" + +"What will Dick think when he finds us gone?" + +"Oh, he will foller us, he will foller us," nodded the boy. "Don't you +worry about that. We'll meet him coming." + +"But I will never dare mount that horse again." + +"Course you won't. You will take my horse. I will ride that critter. +Just let him try to run with me!" He said this as if he really fancied +he could control the animal in case it attempted to run away with him. + +The horses were submissive enough while the hunchback removed and +changed their saddles. The animal that had lately seemed crazy and +frantic with fear was now calm and docile. Apparently the furious run +had worked off the effect of the loco weed. + +After a while, Abe did what he could to assist Felicia to mount, and +then managed to scramble and pull himself with no small difficulty to +the back of the other horse. They turned their animals to retrace the +course over which they had come. This, however, was to prove no small +task, for the runaway had twisted and turned in a score of different +directions during its flight; and, shortly after entering the hills, Abe +found himself quite bewildered as to the proper course they should +pursue. This fact, however, he tried to conceal from Felicia, knowing it +would add to her alarm. So they rode on and on until finally they came +to a tiny stream that lay in the little hollows of a broad watercourse. +There they found water for themselves and horses. + +Now, for the first time, Felicia began to suspect that they were not +retracing the course over which they had come. + +"I don't remember this place," she said. + +"Of course you don't," put in Abe quickly. "It's a wonder you remember +anything. By jing! you must 'a' been awful scart when that horse was +running so. Course you didn't notice much of anything else." + +"But are you sure, Abe--are you sure we're taking the right course?" + +"Just you leave it to me," nodded the hunchback. + +"But what if we should miss Dick? If we should not find him, what would +become of us, Abe? We might starve here, perish from thirst, or be +killed by Indians or something." + +Abe did his best to laugh reassuringly. + +"Don't you go to getting all fussed up that way. We're all right. Let's +hurry up now, for it is getting late." + +It was getting late. The sun hung low in the west and the afternoon was +far spent. In the boy's heart there was a great fear that night would +come upon them and find them alone in that wild region. When they sought +to push on, the horses barely crept forward, having been badly used up +by the mad flight and pursuit. + +Lower and lower sank the great golden sun. + +"Abe," said Felicia, at last, her face pale and drawn, "we're lost. +Don't try to deceive me; I know it." + +"Mebbe we are turned round some," he admitted. "But that ain't any +reason why you should get frightened. There are lots of mining camps +pretty near here. And even if we don't find Dick--which we shall--we +will be just sure to find a town." + +The girl's chin quivered, and it was with no small difficulty that she +kept back her tears. Finally, as the sun dropped behind the western +ranges, the horses seemed to give out entirely, refusing to proceed +farther. + +"No use, Abe!" murmured Felicia. "We may as well give up and stop right +here to-night." + +"I am just awful sorry," murmured the boy; "but don't you be afraid. I +will guard you. I will watch you all night long. There shan't anything +touch you, I tell you that." + +They were in a long, shallow valley where there was some scanty herbage, +and the horses were permitted to find such grazing as they could. The +western sky glowed with glorious colors, which gradually faded and +passed away, after the bright, silvery stars gleamed forth, and the heat +of the day passed before the night was fairly on them. + +Felicia lay down in the silence, gazing up at the millions of stars +above them. Abe sat near, wondering what he could do to reassure her. At +length he thought of his fiddle and pulled it round from his back, where +it hung. Lifting the loop of the cord over his head, he held the fiddle +to his bosom, softly patting and caressing it. After a time, he found +his rosin and applied it to the bow. Then he put the instrument in tune +and began to play. + +The music was soft, and sweet, and soothing, like the lullaby of a +mother over a sleeping child. With this sound throbbing in her ears, +Felicia finally slept. When he knew she was fast asleep, the boy slipped +off his coat and spread it over her shoulders. + +The silence of the night was awesome, and he felt keenly the lonely +desolation of their situation. So again he lifted the fiddle to his +chin, and again it throbbed with such a soft, sweet melody that even the +twinkling stars seemed bending to listen. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +THE FINDING OF THE BABES. + + +"Get up yere, pard," said one of the two men who were standing guard +over Macklyn Morgan's bivouac. "I sure hears some queer sort of a wild +critter a-yowling out yander." + +Morgan himself had been eager to push forward through the night toward +Merriwell's valley, but the men lately released from the custody of Pete +Curry were exhausted by their tramp and refused at nightfall to proceed +farther. Therefore, it had been necessary for the party to divide or to +stop where they were and make camp. The latter course had been decided +upon. + +Not feeling positive that Curry and his comrades would not follow them, +Morgan had given orders for two of the men to remain constantly on guard +through the night. Of course the guard was to be changed at intervals. +Now, shortly after nightfall, one of the original two appointed to watch +over the camp called his comrade for the purpose of listening to certain +strange sounds which came to his ears through the darkness. + +They advanced cautiously to the top of a ridge, where they halted and +stood listening. The sounds could be faintly heard now and then. + +"Whatever does yer make of it, partner?" asked the one who had first +heard them. + +"Mighty quar sounds for a wild critter to make," declared the other. + +"Just what I thought. More like some sort o' music." + +"That's it. Dinged if it ain't something like a fiddle!" + +"Mebbe we'd better nose out that way and see if we can diskeever what it +is." + +"We leaves the camp onprotected." + +"Only for a short time. There won't anything happen, partner. This yere +standing guard is all foolishness, anyhow." + +"I reckon you're right." + +"Then come on." + +Together they advanced in the direction from which the strange sounds +seemed to proceed. As they made their way slowly and cautiously into the +valley they were able to hear those sounds more and more distinctly, and +before long both were satisfied that it was indeed a fiddle. + +"Well, wouldn't that chaw yer up!" muttered one. "Whoever does yer +reckon is a-playing a fiddle out yere?" + +"You have got me." + +"Well, we will certain find out. Have your gun ready, pard, in case we +runs into a muss." + +Pretty soon they saw through the starlight two horses grazing unhobbled +and unpicketed. + +"Only two," whispered one of the men. "We are as many as they be." + +"Whar are they?" + +The violin was silent now, and they remained crouching and awaiting +until it began again. It led them straight to the spot where little Abe +sat playing beside the sleeping girl. So absorbed was he in his music, +with his head bowed over the violin, that he failed to observe the +approach of the men until they were right beside him and one of them +stooped and took him by the shoulder. With a cry of terror, the boy +sprang up. + +Felicia awoke in great alarm and sat up, staring bewildered at Abe and +the two men. + +"Oh, ho!" said one of the guards. "What is this we finds? It is a +strange bird we diskeevers." + +"There's two," said the other. "And, by smoke, t'other one is a gal!" + +"Don't you touch her!" shrilly screamed the boy. "Don't you put a hand +on her!" + +He endeavored to jerk himself from the grip of the man who had seized +him, but the strong hand held him fast. + +"Whatever is the use to jump around this yere way?" said the man. "We +ain't a-hurting you none. Don't git so excited-like. Mebbe it's a right +good thing we finds ye yere." + +"Who are they, Abe? Who are they?" whispered Felicia. + +"I dunno," confessed the boy, filled with regret and despair at his own +carelessness in permitting the men to come upon them in such a manner +while he was absorbed in his playing. "But they shan't hurt yer. I won't +let um." + +"Mebbe you tells us what you're doing yere, you two kids," suggested one +of the men. + +"We're jest lost," said Abe. + +"Only that?" laughed the man. "Well, that sure is nothing much. Perhaps +if we don't find yer you stays lost. Where did yer get lost from?" + +"Oh, I know you won't hurt us!" said Felicia quickly. "Why should you? +We can't hurt any one. My horse was frightened and ran away. Abe tried +to catch him. That was how we got separated from Dick and the others." + +"Dick! Who is this yere Dick?" + +Before Abe could check her, Felicia answered. + +"Why, Dick Merriwell!" + +"Hey?" ejaculated one of the men. "Merriwell! Why, I sure opines that +name is a heap familiar. Dick Merriwell! Mebbe you means Frank +Merriwell?" + +"No! no! I mean Dick Merriwell, his brother." + +"His brother?" burst from both of the men. + +"Yes," said Felicia. + +"Then he has a brother, has he? Well, this is right interesting and no +mistake." + +"You bet it is!" ejaculated the other. "Where is this yere Dick +Merriwell, Hunchy?" + +It was the old hateful name which Abe detested, and his soul revolted +against it. + +"Don't you call me Hunchy!" he shrilly exclaimed. "I won't be called +Hunchy!" + +In his excitement he actually bristled at the ruffian. + +"Ho! ho!" laughed the other man. "What do yer think of that, partner? +Why, he is going ter soak me one." + +"Ho! ho!" came hoarsely. "That's what he is. Don't let him hit yer hard, +for he'll sure fix yer!" + +The one who had addressed Abe as "Hunchy" now removed his hat and made a +profound bow. + +"I begs yer pardon, your royal highness," he said. "If I treads on the +tail of yer coat any, I hopes you excuses me. I am not counting to rile +you up any, for I reckon you might be a whole lot dangerous." + +Abe knew this was said in derision, but he muttered: + +"I won't have anybody calling me Hunchy no more. Don't you forget that!" + +Felicia was clinging to the cripple now, and he could feel her +trembling. He put one of his long arms about her and sought to reassure +her by a firm pressure. + +"If I hasn't offended your highness," said the man who had asked the +question, "perhaps you tells me now where this Dick Merriwell is?" + +"Don't tell him, Abe!" whispered the girl. "They are bad men. I'm afraid +of them." + +"I wist you could tell me," said the boy. "I'd like ter find him +myself." + +"Then he is somewhere yereabouts?" + +"Don't tell!" breathed Felicia again. + +"I dunno 'bout that," said Abe. "Mebbe he is two hundred miles away now. +I dunno." + +"Ef he is so fur, however is it you expects ter find him in a hurry?" + +Barely a moment, did the boy hesitate, and then he declared: + +"Why, he was a-going through to Californy on the train. We live down on +the Rio Verde. Our dad, he's got a cattle ranch down there. Yesterday we +started out to go to Flagstaff. They wouldn't let us go alone, so we +runned away. We thought mebbe we could find the way there all right, but +I guess we can't." + +The two men looked at each other in the starlight and shook their heads. + +"Sounds fishy," said one, immediately detecting that this statement +conflicted with the one made by Felicia. + +"A whole lot," agreed the other. + +Felicia had gasped when she heard Abe fabricate so glibly. It was a +surprise to her, and she was almost sorry she had cautioned him not to +tell the facts to those men. + +"Well, you certain is off the trail, kids, providing you're bound for +Flagstaff. It's right lucky we finds you. We takes you to the camp, and +mebbe your dad what you speaks of pays us well if we returns you to him +safe and sound. I opines he runs a pretty big ranch." + +"You bet," said the boy quickly. "He's got one of the biggest down that +way. He has jest heaps of cattle and keeps lots of cowpunchers." + +"That being the case," chuckled the man who had grasped the boy's +shoulder, "he certain pays liberal when he gits his children back. Now +you two come along with us." + +He marched them along, one on either side, while his companion set out +to catch the grazing horses and bring them. + +Felicia slipped from the man's hand and again sought Abe's side, +pressing close to him. In his ear she whispered: + +"I am afraid we're in awful trouble now, Abe. You remember the bad men +we saw in the valley before my horse ran. Perhaps these are two of +them." + +"Better be ketched by bad men than starve," he returned, with an effort +to reassure her. "I have seen heaps of bad men before this, and I am +still alive." + +One of the horses was easily captured, but, to the surprise of the man, +the other one charged viciously at him. When he sought to get at its +head, the creature wheeled with a squeal and kicked wildly. + +The man swore. + +"What ails ye, drat yer?" he growled. + +Then he released the docile animal and turned his attention to the +other. + +To his astonishment, the creature was fierce as a raging lion. It +charged on him repeatedly, and he escaped only by the utmost nimbleness. +It squealed, and whirled, and kicked in all directions. Apparently it +fancied a thousand men were trying to capture it, and its wild gyrations +were exceedingly surprising, to say the least. + +After a little, the man ran away when he found the opportunity and stood +at a distance, with his hands on his hips, watching the cavorting +creature. + +"The dinged hoss is sure crazy!" he declared. "Why, its a-trying to chew +itself up, or kick itself to pieces. Never see but one critter act that +way before." + +"It's locoed," said Abe to the man with him. + +Immediately this man called to his companion, saying: + +"Let the beast alone. The kid says it's locoed, and ef that's so, I +reckon it's no good to anybody." + +"Never see no locoed horse feed nateral like this one was," returned the +other. "I opines the critter is just ugly, that's all." + +But, suddenly uttering snorts and squeals, the horse went dashing off +into the distance, as if pursued by some frightful thing. Nor did it +stop until it had disappeared far, far away. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +THE LOTTERY OF DEATH. + + +Men were lying about on the ground, sleeping where they had dropped. +Picketed horses were grazing at a little distance. The most of the men +slept heavily, but one or two routed up as the guards brought the boy +and girl and the captured horse to the bivouac. + +"Whatever has you there?" growlingly asked one of the men who had +awakened. + +"Some lost children we finds near yere," was the answer. + +Macklyn Morgan, wrapped in his blanket, had also awakened. His curiosity +was aroused, and he flung off the blanket and got up. + +"Children!" he said. "How does it happen that there are children in this +wretched region?" + +One of the men explained how he had heard the sound of the fiddle, which +had led them to the boy and girl. He also repeated Abe's story, adding +that it sounded "fishy." The interest of Morgan was redoubled at once. +He immediately turned his attention to the hunchback. + +"Going to Flagstaff to meet Frank Merriwell's brother, did you say?" he +questioned, attempting a kindly manner. "Seems to me that was rather a +crazy undertaking, my lad. And what is Frank Merriwell's brother doing +in Flagstaff?" + +"He jest said he was going there on his way to Californy," declared Abe, +trying to stick to his original story and make it seem consistent. "We +hope to see him there." + +Felicia was silent; but she felt that Abe's yarn was not believed by the +men. + +"How did you happen to know this Dick Merriwell?" questioned Morgan. + +Abe started to reply, but faltered and stammered a little, whereupon +Felicia quickly said: + +"I am his cousin." + +Instantly the man's interest was redoubled. + +"His cousin, eh?" he exclaimed. "Now we're getting at it. Curtis, start +a fire. I want to look these children over." + +While the man thus ordered was complying Morgan continued to question +the girl and boy, but now his interest seemed centred in Felicia. + +"So you are also the cousin of Frank Merriwell?" he said. "Tell me more +about these two Merriwells. I have heard of Frank Merriwell, and I +consider him a most excellent young man. I admire him very much." + +He endeavored to make his words sound sincere, but little Abe fancied +there was a false ring in them. + +"You know Dick is Frank's half-brother, sir," said the girl. "He attends +school in the East. I was at school in the same place once, but the +climate didn't agree with me, and so Frank sent me West for my health." + +"Have you seen him lately?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"When?" + +"In Prescott, a few days ago. He was there, but some bad men made a lot +of trouble for him and he left." + +"This boy is your brother?" asked Morgan, indicating Abe. + +"Why, yes, sir!" broke in Abe, quickly, seeing that Felicia would soon +be trapped. "I am a sort of brother; an adopted brother, you know." + +"Oh, that's it?" said Morgan. "But if you were living on a ranch down on +the Rio Verde, how did you happen to be in Prescott when Frank Merriwell +was there?" + +"Why, we jest went there. Dad he took us there," hastily asserted the +hunchback, seeking to maintain the original deception. + +"Is that true?" asked Morgan of Felicia. + +She was silent. + +"Of course it's true!" indignantly exclaimed the boy. + +"It seems to me that you are somewhat mixed, my child. Now, I advise you +to trust me. It will be the best thing you can do. I advise you to tell +me the truth. At this time we're on our way to join Frank Merriwell and +help him to defend his new mines. He has many enemies, you know. We +might take you directly to him." + +"Oh, splendid!" exclaimed the girl, all her suspicions disarmed. "Frank +will be so glad! We thought, perhaps, you might be his enemy; that's why +we were afraid of you." + +Macklyn Morgan forced a laugh, which he tried to make very pleasant and +reassuring. + +"You see how wrong you were," he said. "You see now that it's a mistake +to try to deceive me. It's best to tell me the truth and nothing else. +This story about living on a ranch--how about it?" + +"Oh, Abe told you that when he thought you must be Frank's enemy," said +Felicia. + +"Then it wasn't quite true?" + +"No, no." + +"And you were not on your way to Flagstaff to meet Dick Merriwell +there?" + +"No; we left Prescott in company with Dick and some friends, who were on +their way to join Frank." + +Felicia hastened on and told the entire story. + +Abe listened in doubt as to the wisdom of this, shaking his head a +little, but remaining silent. + +"Now we're getting at the facts," smiled Morgan, as the fire was started +and its light fell on his face. "It's much better for us all." + +He had assumed a free, benevolent, kindly expression, and to the girl it +seemed that he could not be deceiving them. Morgan continued to question +her until at length he learned everything he desired. + +"Now, my child," he said, "just you rest easy. We will soon join Frank +Merriwell, and, of course, this brother of his with his friends will +arrive all right in due time." + +Morgan then stepped over to where one of the sleeping men lay and +aroused him. + +"Wake up, Hackett," he said, in a low tone. "Something mighty important +has taken place." + +He then told the man what had happened, and Hackett listened +attentively. + +"It seems to me," he said, "that these yere kids are going to be an +incumbrance on us." + +"That's where you're wrong," asserted Morgan. "With the aid of these +children we ought to be able to bring Frank Merriwell to some sort of +terms." + +"I don't see how, sir." + +"Why, it's plain he thinks a lot of this girl. We have her. If that +doesn't trouble him some, I am greatly mistaken." + +"Mebbe you're right," nodded Hackett. "I reckon I begin to see your +little game, Mr. Morgan. Let me look these yere kids over some." + +He arose and proceeded to the fire, in company with Morgan, who +cautioned him, however, to say little to the boy and girl, fearing +Hackett might make some observation that would betray the truth. + +"She's some pretty, sir," said Gad, admiring Felicia; "though she's +nothing but a kid. I reckon she makes a stunner when she gits older." + +"Hush!" said Morgan. "That's nothing to you." + +"Oh, I has an eye for female beauty!" grinned Hackett. "It's nateral +with me." + +Suddenly, to their surprise, without the least warning, a man seemed to +rise from the ground a short distance away and walk straight toward the +fire. Hackett had his pistol out in a twinkling, but he stood with mouth +agape as he saw the newcomer was an old Indian, about whose shoulders a +dirty red blanket was draped. It was Felicia, however, who was the most +surprised, and a cry left her lips, for she recognized old Joe Crowfoot. + +Even as she uttered that cry the eyes of the old redskin shot her a +warning look that somehow silenced her. Without giving Hackett as much +as a glance, old Joe walked up to the fire, before which he squatted, +extending his hands to its warmth. + +"Well, dern me, if that don't beat the deck!" growled Hackett. "These +yere red wards of the government are a-getting so they makes theirselves +to home anywhere. And you never knows when they're around. Now, this +yere one he pops right out o' the ground like." + +Then he turned savagely on Joe. + +"What are you prowling around yere for, you old vagrant?" he demanded +threateningly. "Who are you?" + +Crowfoot rolled his little beady eyes up at the man. + +"Heap flying bird," he answered. "Go through air; go everywhere. Go +through ground. White man did him see red snake with horse's head? Injun +ride on red snake like the wind." + +"What's this jargon?" muttered Morgan. + +"Hark!" warned the Indian, lifting a hand. "You hear the flying lizard +sing? See that big one up there. See um great green eyes." + +Then he stared straight upward, as if beholding something in the air. +Involuntarily both men looked upward, but they saw nothing above them +save the stars of the sky. + +Felicia, who knew old Joe very well, was more than astonished by his +singular manner and remarkable words. Her first impulse had been to +spring up and greet him joyously, but the look from his black eyes had +stopped her. Now, as if she were a total stranger to him, he gave her no +attention. Suddenly he thumped himself on the breast with his clinched +fist. + +"Injun him all iron!" he declared. "Him like pale-face iron horse. When +sun he comes up again Injun he go on white man's iron track. He blow +smoke and fire and shriek same as iron horse." + +"Well, bat me, if the old whelp ain't daffy!" exclaimed Hackett. "He's +plumb off his nut, sure as shooting." + +"When Injun him lay down to sleep," said Crowfoot, "many stars come and +jump like antelope over him. No let him sleep. Him try to scare um away, +but star no scare. Bimeby Injun he get sick. He get up and run away. +Then star chase um Injun." + +"You're right, Hackett," said Morgan, "He's loony, for a fact." + +At this point one of the guards came walking up to the fire. The moment +his eyes fell on Crowfoot he uttered a shout that instantly aroused +every one of the sleeping men. + +"By the great horn toads!" he exploded savagely; "that's the old skunk +what drugged the whole bunch of us when Pete Curry nabbed us! Whatever +is he doing here?" + +Without even looking up, Crowfoot began to chant a strange, doleful song +in his own language. + +"The boys will certain salivate him," asserted the guard, as the men +were rising and approaching the fire. + +Old Joe apparently heard nothing and saw nothing. That singular chant +continued. + +"He is dead loony," said Hackett. + +"Then mebbe he's been taking some of his own dope," growled the guard. +"The boys will knock some o' his looniness out o' him, you bet!" + +As the men gathered around, a number of them recognized the aged +redskin, and immediately there was a great commotion. Several drew their +weapons, and it seemed that Joe would be murdered on the spot. With a +scream of terror, Felicia flung herself before the old man, to whom she +clung. + +"No! no! no!" she cried. "You shall not hurt him!" + +In the excitement old Joe whispered in her ear: + +"Keep still, Night Eyes. Um bad men no hurt Joe. Him touched by Great +Spirit. Nobody hurt um man touched by Great Spirit." + +This, then, was the old fellow's scheme. This explained how it happened +that he dared venture into the nest of desperadoes. Among the Indians of +all tribes a deranged man is regarded with awe as one who has felt the +touch of the Great Spirit. No redskin will harm a deranged person, +believing the vengeance of the Great Father must fall on whoever does +such a thing. Shrewd as he was, Crowfoot had not yet discovered that +palefaces did not regard crazed people with such a feeling of awe. + +"Take the girl away," roared several of the men. "Let us settle with the +old Injun." + +If Morgan thought of interfering, he was too late, for rude hands seized +Felicia and dragged her away, in spite of her struggles. She cried and +pleaded, but all her efforts were useless. Crowfoot paid no attention to +her, nor did he heed the threatening weapons in the hands of the +ruffians. Rising to his feet, he did a solemn dance around the fire, at +the same time continuing his doleful chant. + +"That yere certain is a death dance for him," muttered Hackett, who +realized that the men were aroused to a pitch at which they would insist +on wiping the fellow out. + +"The black moon him soon come up," said Joe, standing with one hand +outstretched as he finished his dance. "Then we see spirits of many dead +warriors chase um buffalo over it." + +"You will have a chance to take a chase with the rest o' the bunch," +snarled one of the men. "Stand back, boys, and watch me cook him." + +"Hold on!" cried another, catching the man's wrist. "I opine I am in +this yere." + +Immediately an argument arose as to which of them should have the +satisfaction of killing the Indian who had once fooled them so +thoroughly. While this was taking place Joe continued, apparently +oblivious of his danger, talking of flying horses and a dozen other +impossible creatures. He must have realized that his apparent madness +was making no impression on these men, but he seemed determined to play +the game through to the finish. At length, he squatted again beside the +fire, resuming his doleful chant. + +By this time it had been settled that some one of the party should have +the privilege of shooting the Indian, for it was agreed that to waste a +number of bullets on him was folly. There was some discussion as to the +manner of choosing the slayer, but the desperadoes finally decided on +drawing lots. + +Hackett, who took no part in this demand for the Indian's life, was +chosen to prepare the lots, which he did. Then the men eagerly pressed +forward to draw. The one who drew the shortest piece was to be the +"fortunate" individual. All the while Crowfoot was guarded by men with +drawn and ready weapons. Had he made an effort to get away he would have +been riddled immediately. + +Finally the lots were compared, and a half-blood Mexican, with leathery +skin, drooping mustache, deep-furrowed face, and matted black hair, was +the one who held the shortest piece. He laughed as he displayed it. + +"Stand back!" he cried, flashing a pistol and striding forward to within +four paces of the Indian. "I will settle him with one piece of lead." + +Then, as this wretch lifted his weapon, old Joe realized at last that +his game had failed utterly. There was no escape for him. His long life +had led him at last to this, and he believed he stood at the gateway of +the happy hunting grounds. Had there been hope of escape he would have +made the attempt. Now, as he still crouched by the fire, he drew his red +blanket over his head, and from beneath its muffling folds came the sad +and doleful chant of the redman's death song. + +The executioner stood fair and full in the firelight. He brought his +weapon to a level and a shot rang out. It was not he, however, who +fired. From somewhere near at hand a report sounded, and the pistol flew +from his hand as the bullet tore through his forearm. A yell of pain +escaped his lips. + +Instantly the ruffians were thrown into the utmost confusion. Feeling +that they were about to be attacked, they hastened to get away from the +fire, the light of which must betray them to the enemy. + +In spite of his age, like a leaping panther, old Joe shot to his feet. +With one hand he seized little Abe, whom he snatched clear of the +ground. And the next instant the old savage was running for his life. +Two or three shots were fired, but in the excitement Crowfoot was +untouched. + +They were given no further time to turn their attention on him. From out +of the shadows came a single horseman, bearing straight down upon them, +his weapons flashing. The recklessness of this charge and the astounding +suddenness with which it came was too much for the nerves of those men. + +Felicia had been released by the man who was holding her as the first +shot was fired. This man pulled a weapon and fired once at the shadowy +horseman, after which he ran like a frightened antelope, for a screaming +bullet had cut his ear. It seemed that the horseman meant to ride +Felicia down. In her fear she stood still, as if turned to stone, which +was the best thing she could have done. + +As he swept past her, the rider swung low to one side in the saddle, and +somehow one strong young hand grasped her and snatched her from the +ground. She felt herself lifted with such suddenness that her breath +seemed snapped away, and then she lay across the horse in front of the +rider, who now bent low over her. + +Bullets whined, and whistled, and sang about them, but some good fairy +must have guarded them, for they were untouched. On they went. The +sounds of irregular shooting fell farther and farther behind them. + +Felicia had not fainted, although her senses swam and she seemed on the +verge of losing consciousness. She could not understand just what had +taken place. Suddenly her rescuer began to laugh, and a strange, wild, +boyish laugh it was. It thrilled her through and through. + +"Dick!" she gasped. "Oh, Dick!" + +He straightened up and lifted her, holding her before him with one +strong arm. + +"Felicia!" he exclaimed, "are you hurt?" + +"Oh, Dick! Dick!" she repeated, in wonder. "And is it you?" + +"You are not hurt?" he persisted in questioning. + +"No, Dick--no." + +"Thank goodness!" + +"But how was it? My head is swimming; I can't understand. I am dazed." + +"Well, I fancy I dazed those fine gentlemen a little," said the boy. +"Felicia, I have been searching, searching everywhere for you. We +followed your trail as well as we could. When night came we had not +found you. I couldn't rest. What fate it was that led me to those +ruffians I cannot say, but I believe the hand of Heaven was in it. In +their excitement over Crowfoot none of them heard my approach. I was +quite near when that brute lifted his weapon to shoot Joe. I didn't want +to kill him, and I fired at his arm. It was a lucky shot, for I hit him. +He stood between me and the firelight, so that the light fell on the +barrel of my pistol. Crowfoot took his cue quickly enough, for I saw him +scamper." + +"How brave you are! How brave you are!" murmured the girl, in untold +admiration. "Oh, Dick, I can't believe it now." + +"It was not such a brave thing, after all," he said. "I suppose most +people would call it folly. But I had to do it. Why, old Joe saved my +life a dozen times when I used to hunt with him years ago. He loved me +as a father might love a son. You see it was impossible for me to keep +still and see him murdered. I had to do something to save him. He can +hide like a gopher on the open plain." + +"But Abe, Dick--Abe?" + +"I saw Crowfoot snatch him up as he ran. We must leave Abe to old Joe." + +"Listen, Dick! Are they pursuing us?" + +"We have the start on them, Felicia, and I don't believe they will be +able to overtake us if they try it." + +Through the night they rode. At the first opportunity Dick turned from +his course and doubled in a manner intended to baffle the pursuers. + +"It will be a long pull back to Bart and the others, Felicia," he said; +"but I think we can make it all right. For all of the time I have spent +at school, I have not forgotten the lessons taught me by Crowfoot when I +was a mere kid. He taught me to set my course by the stars, the wind, +the trees, by a score of things. To-night our guide shall be the stars." + +Brad Buckhart was worried and troubled greatly over Dick's long absence, +and was on guard where they had camped as night fell. The Texan tramped +restlessly up and down, now and then pausing to listen. The others +slept. Wiley snored lustily and muttered in his sleep. + +"Avast, there!" he mumbled. "Put her to port, you lubber!" + +Then, after snoring again in the most peaceful manner, he broke out: + +"Right over the corner of the pan, Breck, old boy. Let's see you make a +home run off that bender!" + +Brad moved still farther away that he might listen without being +disturbed by the sailor. Far in the night he seemed to hear a sound. +Kneeling, he leaned his ear close to the ground and listened +attentively. + +"Horseman coming," he decided. "It must be Dick--it must be!" + +Finally the hoofbeats of the approaching horse became more and more +distinct. Then through the still, clear night came a clear, faint +whistle. + +"Dick it is!" exclaimed the Texan joyously. + +Dick it was, and with him he brought Felicia safely back to them. They +did not arouse the others, but she was wrapped in blankets and left to +sleep, if possible, through the remainder of the still, cool night. +Young Merriwell's story filled the Texan with unbounded astonishment and +admiration. He seized Dick's hand and shook it with almost savage +delight. + +"Talk about a howling terror on ten wheels!" he exclaimed. "Why, you +simply beat the universe. You hear me gurgle! Now you just turn in, for +I reckon you're a whole lot pegged out." + +"Well, sleep won't hurt me if I can corral some of it," acknowledged +Dick. + +Brad continued to stand guard, thinking that later he would arouse one +of the others to take his place. His restlessness and worry had passed +somewhat, and after a time he sat down, thinking over the startling +things that had happened. It was thus that, exhausted more than he knew, +he finally slid to the ground and also slept. The night passed without +any of them being disturbed. But in the morning the first man to awaken +was Pete Curry, who sat up, rubbing his eyes, and uttered a shout of +astonishment. The remaining sleepers awoke and started up. + +What they saw astounded them no less than it had Curry, for on the +ground near at hand lay little Abe, with Joe Crowfoot's dirty red +blanket tucked about him, and within three feet sat the redskin, calmly +and serenely smoking his pipe. + +Dick flung off his blanket and was on his feet in a twinkling. + +"Crowfoot!" he joyously cried, rushing forward with his arms +outstretched. + +For one who complained of rheumatism and advancing age the redskin rose +with remarkable quickness. Usually stolid and indifferent in manner, the +look that now came to his wrinkled, leathery face was one of such deep +feeling and affection that it astounded every one but himself. The old +man clasped Dick in his arms as a father might a long-lost son. To Curry +and his companions this was a most singular spectacle. Curry had seized +a weapon on discovering Crowfoot. He did not use it when the old fellow +remained silent and indifferent after his shout of astonishment and +alarm. + +That the boy should embrace the Indian in such an affectionate manner +seemed almost disgusting to Curry and his assistants, all three of whom +held Indians in the utmost contempt. For a moment it seemed that the old +man's heart was too full for speech. Finally, with a strange tenderness +and depth of feeling in his voice, he said: + +"Injun Heart, Great Spirit heap good to old Joe! He let him live to see +you some more. What him eyes see make him heart swell with heap big +gladness. Soon him go to happy hunting ground; now him go and make um no +big kick 'bout it." + +"Joe, I have longed to see you again," declared Dick, his voice unsteady +and a mist in his eyes. "Sometimes my heart has yearned for the old days +with you on the plains and amid the mountains. I have longed to be with +you again, hunting the grizzly, or sleeping in the shade by a murmuring +brook and beneath whispering trees. Then you taught me the secrets of +the wild animals and the birds. I have forgotten them now, Joe. I can no +longer call the birds and tiny animals of the forest to me. In that way +I am changed, Joe; but my heart remains the same toward you, and ever +will." + +Now the old redskin held Dick off by both shoulders and surveyed him up +and down with those beady eyes, which finally rested on the boy's +handsome face with a look of inexpressible admiration. + +"Heap fine! Heap fine!" said the old man. "Joe him know it. Joe him sure +you make great man. Joe him no live to see you have whiskers on um face, +but you sure make great man. Joe him getting heap close to end of trail. +Rheumatism crook him and make um swear sometime." + +"Don't talk about getting near the end of the trail, Crowfoot," laughed +Dick, whose heart was full of delight over this meeting. "You old +hypocrite! I saw you last night! I saw you when you took to your heels +after I perforated the gentleman who contemplated cutting your thread of +life short. Rheumatism! Why, you deceptive old rascal, you ran like a +deer! If your rheumatism was very bad, you couldn't take to your heels +in that fashion." + +Crowfoot actually grinned. + +"Injun him have to run," he asserted. "Bullets come fast and thick. If +Injun him run slow mebbe he get ketched by bullet." + +Little Abe had risen on one elbow, the blanket falling from his +shoulders, and watched the meeting between Dick and the old savage. +Felicia also was awakened, and now she came hastening forward, her dark +eyes aglow and a slight flush in her delicate cheeks. + +"Joe! Joe! have you forgotten me?" she asked. + +The redskin turned at once and held out his hands to her. + +"Night Eyes," he said, with such softness that all save Dick and Felicia +were astonished, "little child of silent valley hid in mountains, next +to Injun Heart, old Joe him love you most. You good to old Joe. Long +time 'go Joe he come to valley hid in mountains and he sit by cabin +there. He see you play with Injun Heart. Warm sun shine in valley +through long, long day. All Joe do he smoked, and sat, and watched. +Bimeby when Night Eyes was very tired she come crawling close up side +old Joe and lean her head 'gainst Joe, and sleep shut her eyes. Then old +Joe him keep still. When Injun Heart he come near old Joe, him say, +'Sh-h!' He hold up his hand; he say, 'Keep much still.' Then mebbe Night +Eyes she sleep and sleep, and sun he go down, and birds they sing last +good-night song, and stars shine out, and old Joe him sit still all the +time. Oh, he no forget--he no forget!" + +Somehow the simple words of the old redskin brought back all the past, +which seemed so very, very far away, and tears welled from Felicia's +eyes. + +"Oh, those were happy days, Joe--happy days!" she murmured. "I fear I +shall never be so happy again--never, never!" + +"Oh, must be happy!" declared the old fellow. "Dick him make um Night +Eyes happy. Him look out for Night Eyes." + +"Just the same," she declared, "I would give anything, anything, to be +back in that valley now, just as I was long, long ago." + +With his head cocked on one side, Cap'n Wiley had been watching the +meeting between the Indian and his young friends. Wiley now turned to +Buckhart and remarked: + +"I am learning extensively in this variegated world. As the years roll +on my accumulation of knowledge increases with susceptible rapidity. Up +to the present occasion I have been inclined to think that about the +only thing a real Injun could be good for was for a target. It seems to +my acute perception that in this immediate instance there is at least +one exception to the rule. Although yonder copper-hued individual looks +somewhat scarred and weather-beaten, I observe that Richard Merriwell +hesitates in no degree to embrace him. Who is the old tike, mate?" + +"Why, old Joe Crowfoot!" answered Brad. "The only Indian I ever saw of +his kind." + +Immediately Wiley approached old Joe, walking teeteringly on the balls +of his feet, after his own peculiar fashion, made a salute, and +exclaimed: + +"I salute you, Joseph Crowfoot, Esquire, and may your shadow never grow +less. May you take your medicine regularly and live to the ripe round +age of one hundred years. Perhaps you don't know me. Perhaps you haven't +heard of me. That is your misfortune. I am Cap'n Wiley, a rover of the +briny deep and a corking first-class baseball player. Ever play +baseball, Joe, old boy? It's a great game. You would enjoy it. In my +mind's eye I see you swing the bat like a war club and swat the sphere +hard enough to dent it. Or perchance you are attempting to overhaul the +base runner, and I see him fleeing wildly before you, as if he fancied +you were reaching for his scalp locks." + +"Ugh!" grunted old Joe. "No know who um be; but know heap good name for +um. Joe he give you name. He call you Wind-in-the-head." + +At this the others, with the exception of Wiley himself, laughed +outright. The sailor, however, did not seem at all pleased. + +"It's plain, Joseph," he observed, "that you have a reckless little +habit of getting gay occasionally. Take my advice and check that habit +before it leads you up against a colossal calamity." + +"Wind-in-the-head he talk heap many big words," said the Indian. "Mebbe +sometime he talk big words that choke him." + +"That's a choke, Wiley," laughed Dick. + +"And that certainly is the worst pun it has ever been my misfortune to +hear," half sobbed the sailor. "One more like that would give me heart +failure. Did you ever hear of the time I had heart failure in that +baseball game with the Cleveland Nationals? Well, mates, it was----" + +"We can't stand one of them before breakfast, Wiley," interrupted Dick. +"It may prove too much for us. After breakfast we will endeavor to +listen while you relate one of your harrowing experiences." + +"But this thing is burning in my bosom. I long to disgorge it." + +"You have to let it burn, I think. We should be on the move by this +time." + +Thus Wiley was repressed and prevented from relating one of his +marvelous yarns, not a little to his disgust. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +AN ACT OF TREACHERY. + + +It was past midday. Guided by Wiley, who seemed to know the way well, +the party had pushed on into the mountains and followed a course that +led them over ragged slopes and steep declivities. + +Finally the sailor paused and turned. + +"There, mates," he said, stretching out his hand, "barely half a mile +away lies the Enchanted Valley. I have a tickling fancy that we have +reached it ahead of that delectable crew we sought to avoid." + +Even as he said this, Pete Curry uttered an exclamation and pointed +toward the mouth of a ragged ravine or fissure, from which at this +moment several horsemen suddenly debouched. They were followed closely +by a band of men on foot. + +"That's the whole bunch!" exclaimed Curry. "And they're coming as fast +as they can chase theirselves. They are heading to cut us off." + +"That's right!" burst from Dick. "We've got to make a dash for it. Lead +the way, Wiley, and be sure you make no mistake." + +A hot dash it was for the fissure that led into the Enchanted Valley. +The enemy, yelling like a lot of savages, did their best to cut the +party off. Seeing they would fail at this, they opened fire, and a few +bullets sang dangerously near the fugitives. + +"Oh, bilge-water and brine!" muttered the sailor. "There'll certainly be +doings when we attempt to scurry down that crack into the valley! It's +going to be a very disagreeable piece of business for us." + +Nearer and nearer they came to the fissure for which they were heading. +Straight toward the beginning of it they raced, Wiley telling Dick it +would be necessary for several of them to halt there and try to stand +off the enemy while the rest of the party descended. But as they reached +the beginning of the fissure, from behind some bowlders two young men +opened fire with repeating rifles on the pursuers. In a moment the hail +of bullets sent into the ranks of the enemy threw them into confusion. A +horse dropped in its tracks, and another, being wounded, began bucking +and kicking. One man was hit in the shoulder. + +This unexpected occurrence threw the pursuers into consternation, so +that they wheeled immediately and sought to get beyond rifle range. + +"Avast there, my hearties!" cried Wiley, as he caught sight of the +youths who knelt behind the bowlders. "Permit me to lay alongside and +join you in the merry carnage." + +"Hello, Wiley!" called Frank, who, aided by Hodge, had checked the +ruffians. "It seems that we happened up this way at just about the right +time." + +"At the precise psychological moment," nodded the marine marvel. "This +being just in time is getting habitual with you." + +While the enemy was still in confusion Frank and Bart hastened to join +the new arrivals and greet them. Of course they were surprised to see +Curry and his companions, and the story told by the deputy sheriff, who +explained everything in a few words, made clear the cause of his +unexpected reappearance at the valley. + +"A ministerial-looking gentleman who called himself Felton Cleveland, +eh?" said Frank. "He was with the gang that cut loose your prisoners, +was he? Well, I am dead sure Felton Cleveland is----" + +"Macklyn Morgan!" cried Dick. "I saw him last night. He is the man." + +"And Macklyn Morgan is the instigator of this whole business," said +Frank. "Wiley, get Abe and Felicia down into the valley without delay. +We have got to stand this gang off right here. We can't afford to let +them reach this entrance to the valley. We're in for a siege. You will +find provisions down there at the cabin. Bring supplies when you return. +Abe and Felicia will be safe down there as long as we hold this +passage." + +"Ay, ay, sir!" said the sailor. "I am yours to command." + +Fortunately near the mouth of the fissure there were heaped-up bowlders +which seemed to form something of a natural fortress. Behind these rocks +the defenders concealed themselves, their horses being taken down into +the valley one after another. For a long time the enemy made no +offensive move. It seemed to Frank and his friends that the ruffians had +been dismayed by their warm reception, and they seemed disagreeing. + +"If they will only chew the rag and get into trouble among themselves, +it will be greatly to our advantage," said Hodge. + +"Let them sail right into us if they are looking for a warm time!" +exclaimed Brad Buckhart, who seemed thirsting for more trouble. "I opine +we can give them all they want." + +Wiley brought a supply of provisions from the valley, and the defenders +satiated their hunger while ensconced behind the bowlders. + +"This is even better than salt horse," declared Wiley, munching away. +"One time when shipwrecked in the South Atlantic, longitude unty-three, +latitude oxty-one, I subsisted on raw salt horse for nineteen +consecutive days. That was one of the most harrowing experiences of my +long and sinuous career." + +"Spare us! Spare us!" exclaimed Frank. "We have got to stand off those +ruffians, so don't deprive us of our nerve and strength." + +"Look here!" exclaimed the sailor, "this thing is getting somewhat +monotonous! Whenever I attempt to tell a little nannygoat somebody rises +up and yells, 'Stop it!' Pretty soon I will get so I'll have to talk to +myself. There was a man I knew once who kept a bowling alley and the +doctor told him he mustn't talk; but he kept right on talking. He talked +everybody deaf, and dumb, and black, and blue, and stone-blind, so at +last there was nobody left for him to talk to but himself. Then he went +to talking to himself in his sleep, which disturbed him so that he +always woke up and couldn't sleep. The result was that he became so +utterly exhausted for the want of rest that it was necessary to take him +to the hospital. But even in the hospital they couldn't keep him still +until they gagged him. That was the only thing that saved his life. What +a sad thing it would be if anything like that should happen to me!" + +Late in the afternoon the enemy made a move. Protected by rocks and such +cover as they could find, they attempted to close in on the defenders of +the valley. + +Frank was keenly alert, and he discovered this move almost as soon as it +began. Immediately he posted his companions where they could watch, and +they agreed on a dead line, across which they would not permit the +ruffians to creep without firing on them. As the ruffians drew nearer +the cover was less available, and when the dead line was crossed the +defenders opened fire on them. Within three minutes several of the enemy +had been wounded, and the advance was not only checked, but the ruffians +were filled with such dismay that the greater part of them took to their +heels and fled. Several of these might have been shot down, but Frank +would not permit it. + +"I opine that just about gives them all they want for a while," said +Brad Buckhart. + +It seemed that he was right. The besiegers disappeared amid the rocks, +and the afternoon crept on with no further effort in that direction to +enter the valley by assault. + +Some of the defenders were beginning to wonder if the enemy had not +given up when, with the sun hanging low, a man appeared in the distance, +waving a white handkerchief, attached like a flag to the end of a stick. + +"Whatever's up now?" muttered Pete Curry. + +"It is a flag of truce," said Merry. + +"Look out, Frank!" exclaimed Bart. "It may be a trick." + +Merry rose and stood on a mound of bowlders, drawing out his own +handkerchief and waved it in return. + +"What are you going to do?" asked Hodge. + +"I am going to find out what they are up to," was the answer. + +"I tell you it may be a trick." + +"We will see." + +The man in the distance with the flag of truce immediately advanced +alone. Barely had he walked out into full view when Merry said: + +"It is Macklyn Morgan, or my eyes are no good!" + +"Old Joe he fix um," said the aged Indian, carefully thrusting his rifle +over the rocks and preparing to take aim. + +"Stop him!" exclaimed Merry. "Don't let him fire on a man with a white +flag!" + +The old savage seemed greatly surprised and disappointed when he was +prevented from shooting. + +"When um Morgan man he is killed that stop all trouble," said Joe. "Good +chance to do it." + +"Watch him close, Dick," directed Frank. "I am going out there to meet +Morgan." + +"Let me go with you." + +"No; he's alone. I will go alone. He is taking his chances. If anything +happens to me, if one of those ruffians should fire on me, Morgan knows +my friends here will shoot him down. Still, there may be some trick +about it, and I want every one of you to watch close and be on the +alert." + +"Depend on us, Frank," said Dick. "Only I'm sorry you won't let me go +with you." + +A few moments later Merriwell strode out boldly from the rocks, with the +white handkerchief still fluttering in his hand, advancing to meet +Morgan, who was slowly coming forward. + +They met in the centre of the open space near the little heap of +bowlders. In grim silence, regarding his enemy with accusing eyes, Merry +waited for Morgan to open the conversation. + +"This is a very unfortunate affair, young man," said the hypocritical +money king. "I am sorry it has happened." + +"Are you?" asked Frank derisively. + +"I am, I am," nodded Morgan. "It's very bad--very bad." + +"If you feel so bad about it, sir, it's the easiest thing in the world +for you to bring it to an end." + +"But you are the one to terminate it, young man." + +"How do you make that out?" + +"You know how you can settle this affair without delay. You heard my +proposition in Prescott." + +"I believe I did. It was very interesting as the proposition of a +thoroughly unscrupulous man." + +"Don't get insulting, Mr. Merriwell. I am doing my duty. Milton Sukes +was my partner. Do you think I can conscientiously ignore the fact that +he was murdered?" + +"I fail to understand what that has to do with me." + +"You know I have proofs," said Morgan sternly. "You know they will +convict you." + +"I know nothing of the sort. You have no proofs that are worth being +called that." + +"Everything points accusingly and decisively at you. You were Mr. Sukes' +bitter enemy. It was to your advantage that he should be put out of the +way. He annoyed you. He gave you great trouble." + +"And I fancy, Macklyn Morgan, that I annoyed him a little. But why do +you pretend that it is on his account you are carrying out this lawless +piece of business? You know its nature. You know in your heart that you +are a hypocrite. You have even offered, if I turn over my property to +you here, to make no proceeding against me. Is that the way you obtain +justice for your dead partner? Is that the sort of justice you are +looking for, Morgan? Don't talk to me of justice! I know the sort of man +you are! I know you from the ground up!" + +"Be careful! Be careful! You are making a mistake, young man. Mr. Sukes +annoyed you and harassed you because he believed you held property that +he should possess--property that rightfully belonged to him. He obtained +no satisfaction from you. If I am willing to settle with you by securing +possession of this undeveloped mine here, which I now offer to do, you +ought to think yourself getting off easy. It is not often that I enter +into an affair of this sort. It is not often that I take hold of it +personally. I allow my agents to carry such things through under my +directions. In this case, however, I have considered it best to see the +matter to an end myself. I confess that it seemed probable that you +might be too slick for my agents." + +"No thanks whatever for the compliment. Have you anything new to +propose, Mr. Morgan?" + +"My proposition is this: that you and your companions retire at once +from this vicinity, and if you do I give you my word that you will not +be molested. It is an easy and simple way to settle this whole affair. +If you comply, we will let the Sukes matter drop where it is. You will +escape prosecution for murder. Think well of it--think well. It is the +best thing you can do. You are trapped now. You are penned in here and +you can't get out. If we see fit, we can lay siege to this place and +keep you here until we starve you out. In the end you will be compelled +to surrender. In the end you will lose everything. If you force me to +such a course, not only will I obtain possession of this undeveloped +mine, but I tell you now that I shall do my best to see you hanged for +the murder of Milton Sukes." + +Frank laughed in the man's face. + +"It's plain," he said, "that even now, Macklyn Morgan, you don't +understand me. It's plain that you still fancy it possible to frighten +me. You are wasting your time, sir. Go ahead with your siege and see +what comes of it." + +This seemed to enrage Morgan, for suddenly he violently shook the flag +at Frank and cried: + +"Then take the result of your obstinacy!" + +Instantly there were several puffs of white smoke from beyond the +distant rocks and Frank pitched forward upon his face. + +At the same moment Macklyn Morgan made a spring and dropped behind a +little pile of bowlders, where he was fully protected from the defenders +of the valley. + +Apparently Frank had been treacherously shot down in cold blood while +under the flag of truce. + +The watchers of the defense were horrified as they saw Frank fall. Dick +uttered a savage cry and would have rushed out from behind the rocks had +he not been seized by Brad Buckhart. + +"Steady, pard--steady!" warned the Texan, finding it difficult to detain +young Merriwell. + +"Let go!" panted Dick. "Don't you see! My brother! The dastardly +wretches have shot him!" + +"And do you propose to prance out there and let them shoot you up, too? +Do you propose to let these measly galoots wipe out the Merriwell family +in a bunch? Cool down, pard, and have some sense." + +Bart Hodge had been no less excited than Dick, and nothing could have +prevented him from rushing forth to Frank had he not suddenly made a +discovery as he sprang up. His eyes were on his chum of school and +college days, and he saw Frank quickly roll over and over until he lay +close against a bowlder, where he would be protected in case the enemy +fired again. Then, as he lay thus, Merry lifted the hand that still +clutched the white handkerchief and waved it in a signal to his friends. + +Hodge was shaking in every limb. + +"He is not killed!" he exclaimed. + +"Heap keep still," came from old Joe. "No shot at all. Him all right. +Him see gun flash, him drop quick, bullets go over um. Him fool bad +palefaces a heap." + +"What's that?" fluttered Dick. "Do you mean that he wasn't hurt, Joe?" + +"No hurt him much," asserted the old savage, "Strong Heart he have keen +eye. He watch all the time. He see gun flash. He see smoke. He drop +quick." + +It was not easy to make Dick believe his brother had not been hurt, but +Frank managed to convey to them by signals that he was all right. Their +relief was unbounded. Indeed, Dick's eyes filled with a mist of joy, +although his anxiety was intense, for he feared that his brother might +still be in a position where the enemy could get further shots at him. +Frank, however, hugged the rocks closely, and there was no more +shooting. + +On the other side of the bowlders lay Macklyn Morgan, his evil heart +filled with triumph, for he believed Merriwell had been slain. His +astonishment was unbounded when he heard Frank's voice calling his name. + +"Morgan," called Merry, "can you hear me?" + +"Yes, I hear you," answered the astounded villain. "So they didn't kill +you outright, did they?" + +"Hardly that," returned Merry. "They didn't even touch me." + +"What did you say?" burst from Morgan. "Why, those men were the best +shots in our party! They were carefully chosen for this piece of +business." + +"A fine piece of business, Macklyn Morgan!" contemptuously retorted +Merry. "And you planned it, I presume! You are a smooth-faced, +hypocritical man of wealth, known far and wide and greatly respected +because of your riches. Yet you have descended to a piece of business +like this! Sukes was bad enough, Morgan; but you're a hundred times +worse. You have failed in your most dastardly plot, just as you will +fail in everything. Lie still, Macklyn Morgan. Keep close to those rocks +where you are, for if you show yourself you will be riddled by my +watching friends. From this time on your life will not be worth a pinch +of snuff if they get a chance at you." + +So the two men, the fearless youth and the treacherous money king, lay +each sheltered by the bowlders while the sun sank in the west and day +slipped softly into night. When the shadows had deepened sufficiently, +Frank crept away on his stomach toward the valley, taking the utmost +pains not to expose himself, and, through his skill in this, returned at +last in safety to his friends, who welcomed him joyously. + +"Heap well done!" grunted old Joe. "But now Strong Heart him know more +than to trust um bad men. No do it some more." + +Dick was able to repress his emotion, although Frank read in the few +words his brother said the intense anxiety he had felt. + +"What will be their next move?" exclaimed Hodge. + +"They will attempt to overpower us by some sudden move to-night," said +Frank. "We must remain on the alert every moment." + +The stars came out bright and clear, as they always do in that +Southwestern land, and, if possible, their light seemed more brilliant +than usual. The night advanced, and still the enemy before them remained +silent. It was Curry who discovered something down in the valley that +attracted his attention and interested him. He called the attention of +Frank, who saw down there a light waving to and fro and then in circles. + +"Whatever does yer make of that, pard Merriwell?" asked Curry. + +"It's a signal," said Frank--"a signal from Abe and Felicia. They are +seeking to attract our attention. I must go down there at once." + +"There's trouble of some sort down there, Frank," said Dick, who had +reached his brother's side. "Let's go quickly." + +Merry found Bart and directed him to take charge of the defense at that +point and be constantly on the alert. With Dick close behind him, he +hastened down the fissure leading into the valley. In the narrow place +through which they descended the starlight was dim and uncertain, yet +they hastened with reckless speed. Reaching the valley, they made +straight for the cabin, where the signal light was still waving. As they +drew near, they saw the grotesque figure of little Abe swinging a +lighted torch over his head and then waving it round and round. The +flaring torch revealed Felicia, who stood near. + +"What's the matter, Abe?" demanded Frank, as he dashed up. + +"I am glad you saw it! I am glad you came!" said the boy. "Frank, those +men are trying to get into the valley another way." + +"Where? How?" + +"Felicia saw them first. Some of them are on the other side." + +"But there is no entrance save the one we are defending." + +"They are planning to get in by descending the face of the precipice. We +saw them creep down over the rocks, three or four of them, and it took +them a long time. They have reached a precipice that is perpendicular." + +"That should stop them." + +"I watched them through your field glasses, which I found in the cabin. +They were letting themselves down with the aid of ropes." + +"Ropes?" exclaimed Dick. + +"A new game," said Frank. + +"Can they descend that way?" questioned the boy. + +"It's possible," admitted Frank. "Show us where they are, Abe. Drop that +torch and lose not a moment." + +The hunchback led the way, running on before them, and they followed him +closely. As they came at length to the vicinity of the precipice, they +saw through the pale starlight that Abe had spoken truly, for already +long lariats had been spliced together, and, by the aid of these, which +now dangled from the top of the precipice to the bottom, one of the men +had already begun to descend. They saw the shadowy figure of his +companions waiting above, and it seemed that the men did not dare trust +themselves more than one at a time upon the spliced rope. + +"We've got to stop that, Frank!" panted Dick. + +"We will stop it," said Merry. "Don't attract attention. Let's get +nearer." + +They stole forward still nearer, watching the man as he came down slowly +and carefully. This man had descended almost half the distance when a +sudden rifle shot broke the stillness of the valley. Immediately, with a +cry, the dark form of a man dropped like a stone. + +Frank and his companions had been startled by the shot, but Merry +instantly recognized the peculiar spang of the rifle. + +"Old Joe!" whispered Merry. + +As they stood there a silent figure came slipping toward them, and the +old Indian stopped close at hand. + +"Bad men no come down that way," he said quietly. "Joe him shoot pretty +good--pretty good. Joe him think mebbe he shoot four, five, six times, +he might cut rope. Joe him shoot once, him cut rope. Joe him got +rheumatism. Him pretty old, but him shoot pretty good." + +"Was that what you fired at?" asked Merry, in astonishment. "You didn't +shoot at the man on the rope?" + +"Plenty time to shoot man when Joe him find out he no cut rope," was the +retort. "When rope him cut one man he come down pretty fast. Him strike, +bump! Mebbe it jar him some." + +"The fall must have killed him instantly," said Frank. "If you cut that +rope, Joe, you have spoiled their attack on this side of the valley. +Stay here. Watch sharp, and make sure they don't resume the attempt. If +they do, Abe can signal again." + +"All right," said Crowfoot. "Me watch." + +With this assurance, Frank felt safe to return again to the defenders +above, and Dick returned with him. When he told what had taken place in +the valley Cap'n Wiley observed: + +"I had it in for Joseph Crowfoot, Esquire, for calling me +Wind-in-the-head; but I will overlook the insult. Evidently the old boy +is a whole army in himself." + +As they lay waiting for the attack they fully expected must take place, +there came to their ears from the direction in which the enemy was +supposed to be the sounds of shots, followed immediately by hoarse +yelling and more shooting. + +"Well, what do you make of that, Merry?" cried Hodge. "There seems to be +a ruction of some sort going on over there." + +Frank listened a few moments. The sound of the shooting receded, and the +yelling seemed dying out in the distance. + +"It may be a trick," he said; "but I am in hopes those ruffians have +quarreled among themselves. If it is a trick, we will keep still and +wait. Time will tell what has happened." + +Time did tell, but all through the rest of the night they waited in vain +for the attack. When morning finally dawned the mountains lay silent in +the flood of light which poured from the rising sun. Nowhere was the +enemy to be discovered. + +Old Joe came up to them from the valley and declared that the men on the +other side had been driven away. The fate of their comrade seemed to +dishearten them, and they had crept back like snails over the rocks and +vanished during the night. + +It was the old Indian who set out to find what had happened among the +besiegers led by Morgan. He slipped away among the rocks and brush and +vanished like a phantom. He was gone an hour or more when he suddenly +reappeared and beckoned to them. + +"Come see," he invited. + +They knew it was safe to follow him, and they did so. Where the enemy +had been ensconced they found one man, sorely wounded and in a critical +condition. That was all. The others, to the last rascal of them, had +vanished. + +"Where have they gone, Joe?" exclaimed Frank. + +"Ask him," directed the Indian, motioning toward the wounded man. "Mebbe +he tell." + +This man was questioned, and the story he told surprised and satisfied +the defenders beyond measure. Disgusted over their failure to get into +the valley, the ruffians had plotted among themselves. A number of them +had devised a plan which to them seemed likely to be profitable. Knowing +Macklyn Morgan was a very rich man, they had schemed to take him +personally, carry him off, and hold him in captivity until he should pay +them handsomely for his freedom. Not all the ruffians had been taken +into this plot, and when the schemers started to carry Morgan off there +was an outbreak and some shooting, but they got away successfully. + +With Morgan and the leading spirits of the affair gone, the others +quickly decided to give up the assault on the valley, and that was why +they had departed in the night, leaving the wounded man behind to such +mercy as Merriwell and his friends might show. + +"Well, what do you think of that?" exclaimed Dick. + +"Think?" said Frank, with a laugh. "Why, I think Macklyn Morgan has been +caught in his own trap. Now let him get out of it!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +NEW RICHES PROMISED. + + +When a week had passed Frank and his friends began to feel that all +their troubles were over, for the time being, at least. Old Joe +Crowfoot, who had been scouting in the vicinity, reported that he found +no signs of probable marauders and himself settled down contentedly to +smoke and loaf in the warm sunshine of the valley. With Dick and Felicia +near, where he could watch them occasionally or hear their voices, the +peaceful happiness of the old fellow seemed complete. + +Cap'n Wiley likewise loafed to his heart's content And if ever a person +could make a whole-souled and hearty success of loafing it was the +cap'n. He became so friendly with Crowfoot that old Joe even permitted +him sometimes to smoke his pipe. + +One beautiful morning the entire party was gathered in front of +Merriwell's cabin talking things over. + +"There seems nothing now, Frank, to prevent us from securing miners and +opening up this new claim," said Hodge. "Macklyn Morgan seems to have +disappeared off the face of the earth." + +"Perhaps he has learned that it is dangerous for a man like him to +attempt dealing with the ruffians of this part of the country," put in +Dick. "It seems certain now that he was actually carried into captivity +by the very gang he employed to seize these mines." + +"But he will get free all right," declared Frank. "He will turn up again +sometime." + +"If they don't kill him any," said Buckhart. + +"They won't do that," asserted Merriwell. "They can make nothing out of +him in that fashion; but they might make a good thing by forcing him to +pay a large sum for his liberty." + +"Well, now that everything seems all right here, Frank," said Dick, "I +suppose Brad and I will have to light out for the East and old Fardale." + +"Waugh! That certain is right!" exclaimed the Texan. "We must be on +hand, pard, when Fardale gets into gear for baseball this spring." + +"Baseball!" cried Wiley, giving a great start. "Why, that word thrills +my palpitating bosom. Baseball! Why, I will be in great shape for the +game this season! My arm is like iron. Never had such a fine arm on me +before. Speed! Why, I will put 'um over the plate like peas! Curves! +Why, my curves will paralyze 'um this year!" + +"Ugh!" grunted old Joe. "Wind-in-the-head blow a heap. Him talk a lot +with him jaw. Mebbe him jaw git tired sometime." + +"Look here, Joseph," expostulated Wiley, "I don't like sarcasm. If I +didn't love you as a brother, I might resent it." + +"Great horn spoon!" cried Buckhart, scratching vigorously. "These fleas +are the biggest and worst I ever saw. You hear me murmur!" + +"What, these?" squealed Wiley, in derision. "Why, these little creatures +are nothing at all--nothing at all. They just tickle a fellow up a bit. +Fleas! Say, mates, you should have seen the fleas I have beheld in my +tempestuous career. You should have seen the fleas I met up with in the +heart of darkest Africa. Those were the real thing. Don't 'spose I ever +told you about those fleas?" + +And he told them a long and wonderful story about African fleas. + +"Ugh!" grunted the old Indian, when Wiley had finished. +"Wind-in-the-head biggest blame liar old Joe ebber see." + +Some days later, with the exception of Hodge and Crowfoot, Frank and the +rest of his party arrived in Prescott. Hodge and the aged redskin were +left, together with one of Pete Curry's men, to guard the valley after a +fashion. Besides going to Prescott for the purpose of seeing his brother +and Buckhart off, Frank had several other objects in view. With him he +brought considerable ore, taken from the quartz vein they had located in +the valley, and also a small leather pouch that was nearly filled with +dull yellow grains and particles washed from the placer mine. With these +specimens Frank proceeded direct to an assayer, who was instructed to +make an assay and give a report. + +Following this, Frank set about picking up some genuine miners who knew +their business and who could be relied on. It was his purpose to keep a +few men at work on the claims while he completed the plans talked over +by himself and Hodge and arrange for the transportation to the valley of +such machinery as they needed to work the mines. As far as the placer +was concerned, this was not such a difficult problem. With the quartz +mine, however, it was quite a serious matter, as the valley was far from +any railroad and extremely difficult of access. + +Frank knew very well that it would cost a big sum of money to begin +practical operations on the quartz claim, and already, for a young man +of his years, he had his hands pretty full. Hodge, however, had been +enthusiastic, and Merry felt that Bart would, with the greatest +readiness and satisfaction, remain where he could oversee everything and +carry all plans out successfully. + +Merry felt that he was greatly indebted to Wiley, and he saw that the +sailor had one of the best rooms in the best hotel of Prescott and was +provided with every comfort the house could afford. This was not the +only way in which Frank intended to reward the captain. + +Wiley himself was somewhat "sore" because he had declined to accompany +Frank and Bart at the time they had returned to the valley and +successfully located Benson Clark's lost mines. + +"'Tis ever thus," he sighed wearily, when the matter was spoken of. "I +will bet eleventeen thousand dollars that I have lost more than a barrel +of good opportunities to become rotten with wealth during my sinuous +career. Not that I haven't felt the salubrious touch of real money to an +extensive extent, for sometimes I have been so loaded down with it that +it rattled out of my clothes every step I took. When I sauntered +carelessly along the street in days past I have shed doubloons, and +picaroons, and silver shekels at every step, and I have often been +followed by a tumultuous throng, who fought among themselves over the +coin that rained from my radiant person. Still to-day here I am broke, +busted, while the world jogs on just the same, and nobody seems to care +a ripityrap. Excuse these few lamentations and wails of woe. By and by I +will take a little medicine for my nerves and feel a great deal better." + +"Don't worry over it, Wiley," said Frank, laughing. "It will all come +out in the wash. I don't think you will die in the poorhouse." + +"Not on your tintype!" cried the sailor. "I propose to shuffle off this +mortal coil in a palace." + +"Wiley," cried Frank, "I believe you would joke in the face of old Death +himself!" + +"Why not? I regard life as a joke, and I don't propose to show the white +feather when my time comes. I will have no mourning at my funeral. I +propose to have my funeral the gayest one on record. Everybody shall +dress in their best, and the band shall play quicksteps and ragtime on +the way to the silent tomb. And then I shall warn them in advance to be +careful, if they want to finish the job, not to pass a baseball ground +where a game is going on, for just as sure as such a thing happened I'll +kick off the lid, rise up, and prance out onto the diamond and git into +the game." + +"Don't you worry about what will become of you, cap'n," advised Merry. +"For all that you failed to stick by us in relocating those claims, I +fancy we shall be able to make some provisions for you." + +"That's charity!" shouted Wiley. "I will have none of it! I want you to +understand that little Walter is well able to hustle for himself and +reap his daily bread. Not even my best friend can make me a pauper by +giving me alms." + +"Oh, all right, my obstinate young tar," smiled Merry. "Have your own +way. Go your own course." + +"Of course, of course," nodded Wiley. "I always have, and I always will. +Now leave me to my brooding thoughts, and I will evolve some sort of a +scheme to make a few million dollars before sundown." + +Wiley's schemes, however, did not seem to pan out, although his brain +was full of them, and he had a new one every day, and sometimes a new +one every hour of the day. Knowing they were soon to be separated again, +Dick and Felicia spent much of their time together. It was Merriwell's +plan, of which he had spoken, to take Felicia to Denver and find her a +home there where she could attend school. + +The assay of the quartz Merry had brought to Prescott showed that the +mine was marvelously rich. Beyond question it would prove a good thing, +for all of the great expense that must be entailed in working it. On the +day following the report of the assayer, Merry was writing letters in +the little room of the hotel provided for such use when a man entered, +approached him, and addressed him. + +"Excuse me," said this man, who was middle-aged and looked like a +business man from the ground up. "I suppose you are Mr. Frank +Merriwell?" + +"That's my name." + +"Well, my name is Kensington--Thomas Kensington. Perhaps you have not +heard of me?" + +"On the contrary, I have heard of you, Mr. Kensington. I believe you +have a mine in this vicinity?" + +"Yes, and another in Colorado. I hear that you have lately located a +promising quartz claim. I understand that the assay indicates it is a +valuable find." + +"Perhaps that's right," admitted Merry; "but I am at a loss just how you +acquired the information." + +"My eyes and ears are open for such things. I am in Prescott to have a +little assaying done myself, and I happened, by the merest chance, to +hear Mr. Given, the assayist, speaking with an assistant about the +result of his investigation of your specimens. You understand that it +was barely a chance." + +"I presume so," said Merry. "I don't suppose that Given would talk of +such matters publicly." + +"And he did not, sir--he did not. I assure you of that. I have also +learned, Mr. Merriwell, that you have other mines?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"And this new claim of yours is inconveniently located at a distance +from any railway town?" + +"That is correct." + +"Now, I am a man of business, Mr. Merriwell, and if you care to have me +do so, I would like to investigate your property with the possibility of +purchasing this new mine of yours." + +Frank was somewhat surprised. + +"I am not at all certain, Mr. Kensington, that I wish to sell. Besides +that, I have a partner who would have to be consulted in the matter." + +"But we might talk it over, sir--we might talk it over. Are you willing +to do so?" + +"I have no objections to that." + +Kensington then drew up a chair and sat down close by the desk at which +Merry had been writing. + +"If I were to make you an offer for your property, on being satisfied +with it as something I want," he said, "would you consider it?" + +"It's not impossible. But you must remember that my partner is to be +consulted in the matter." + +"Of course, of course." + +"He might not care to sell. In that case I can do nothing." + +"You might use your influence." + +Frank shook his head. + +"I wouldn't think of that, sir. I would leave the question entirely to +Hodge, and he could do as he pleased." + +"Do you fancy that there is a possibility that he might be induced to +sell in case the offer seemed an advantageous one?" + +"Yes, I think it possible." + +"Good!" nodded Kensington. "That being the case, we can discuss the +matter further. Do you mind showing me the report of the assayer?" + +"Not at all. Here it is." + +Merry took the paper from his pocket and handed it to Kensington, who +glanced over the figures and statements, lifted his eyebrows slightly, +puckered his lips, and whistled softly. + +"Do you mean to tell me, Mr. Merriwell, that this assay was made from an +average lot of quartz from your mine, or was it from specially chosen +specimens?" + +"Mr. Kensington, I had this assay made for myself, and not for the +public. I had it made in order that I might find out just how valuable +the mine is. That being the case, you can understand that I would not be +foolish enough to pick what appeared to be the richest ore. On the +contrary, sir, I took it as it came." + +Again Kensington whistled softly, his eyes once more surveying the +figures. + +"How far is this mine from the nearest railroad point?" + +"Just about one hundred miles." + +"And in a difficult country as to access?" + +"Decidedly so," was Merry's frank answer. + +"It will cost a huge sum to open this mine and operate it." + +"There is no question on that point." + +"Still, this report shows it will be worth it, if the vein pans out to +be one-half as promising as this assay of your specimens." + +Merry laughed. + +"Mr. Kensington," he said, "it is my belief that we have not fully +uncovered the vein. It is my conviction that it will prove twice as +valuable as it now seems when we get into it in earnest." + +For some moments Kensington continued to whistle softly to himself. It +seemed to be a habit of his when thinking. + +"Are your other mines valuable, Mr. Merriwell?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"As valuable as this one?" + +"I believe they are." + +"And you have them in operation?" + +"I have one of them in operation." + +"That is the Queen Mystery, I believe?" + +"Then you have heard of it, sir?" + +"There is not much going on in mining matters in Arizona that I have not +heard of. It's my business to keep posted. You have never thought of +selling the Queen Mystery?" + +"Mr. Kensington, the Mystery is opened and is in operation. I have not +contemplated selling it, and I do not think I shall do so. If you wish +to talk of this new mine, all right. I can listen. Nothing whatever may +come of it, but I see no harm in hearing whatever you have to say." + +"Now we're getting at an understanding, Mr. Merriwell. Of course, I +wouldn't think of making you any sort of an offer for your mine unless +thoroughly satisfied as to its value. I should insist on having it +inspected by men of my own choice, who are experts. Their report I can +rely on, and from that I would figure." + +"That would be business-like," Merry nodded. + +"And you would have no objections to that, of course?" + +"Certainly not, sir. Still, you must not forget that I have a partner +who might object. It will be necessary to consult him before anything of +the sort is done." + +"All right, all right. Where is he?" + +"He is at the mine." + +Kensington seemed somewhat disappointed. + +"I was in hopes he might be in Prescott." + +"He is not." + +"Another point, Mr. Merriwell. Are you certain your title to this +property is clear?" + +"Absolutely certain, sir." + +"I am glad to hear that. Of course, I should look into that matter +likewise. Unless the title was clear, I wouldn't care to become +involved." + +"In that case," said a voice behind them, which caused them both to +start slightly, "I advise you, Mr. Kensington, to let that property +alone." + +Merriwell turned quickly and found himself face to face with Macklyn +Morgan! + +"Morgan!" exclaimed Frank. + +To the ministerial face of the money king there came a smile of grim +satisfaction, for he knew he had startled Frank. + +"Yes, Mr. Kensington," he said, "you had better be careful about this +piece of business. There are some doubts as to the validity of this +young man's claim to that mine." + +Kensington did not seem pleased, and immediately he demanded: + +"How do you happen to know so much about it, sir?" + +"Because I am interested. My name is Macklyn Morgan. It is barely +possible you have heard of me?" + +"Macklyn Morgan!" exclaimed Thomas Kensington. "Why, not--why, not----" + +"Exactly," nodded Morgan. "I belong to the Consolidated Mining +Association of America. You may know something of that association; it's +quite probable that you do." + +"I should say so!" exclaimed Kensington, rather warmly. "I know that +it's a trust and that it has been gobbling up some of the best mines in +the country." + +"Very well. You know, then, that the C. M. A. of A. makes few mistakes. +As a member of that association I warn you now that you may involve +yourself in difficulty if you negotiate with this young man for this +mine which he claims." + +Frank rose to his feet, his eyes flashing with indignation. + +"That will about do for you, Morgan!" he exclaimed. "I think I have +stood about as much from you as I am in the mood to stand. Mr. +Kensington, this man does belong to the Consolidated Mining Association. +That association attempted to get possession of my Queen Mystery and San +Pablo mines. I fought the whole bunch of them to a standstill and made +them back water. They have given up the fight. But after they did so +this Mr. Morgan, in conjunction with another one of the trust, did his +level best to wring the Queen Mystery from me. + +"The matter was finally settled right here in the courts. They were +beaten. It was shown that their claims to my property were not worth a +pinch of snuff. Since then Sukes, this man's partner, met his just +deserts, being shot by one of his tools, a half-crazed fellow whom he +led into an infamous piece of business. This Morgan is persistent and +vengeful. He has trumped up some silly charge against me and tried to +frighten me into giving up to him my Queen Mystery or my new mine. It is +a pure case of bluff on his part, and it has no further effect on me +than to annoy me." + +Both Kensington and Morgan had listened while Frank was speaking, the +latter with a hard smile on his face. + +"You can judge, Mr. Kensington," said Morgan, "whether a man of my +reputation would be the sort to take part in anything of that kind. When +it comes to bluff, this young fellow here is the limit. I tell you once +more that you will make a serious mistake if you have any dealings with +him. Any day he is likely to be arrested on the charge of murder, for +there is evidence that he conspired in the assassination of my partner. +It even seems possible that he fired the fatal shot. That's the kind of +a chap he is." + +"Mr. Kensington," said Frank, with grim calmness, "this man, Morgan, has +done his level best in trying to blackmail me out of one of my mines. +This murder charge he talks about he has trumped up in hopes to frighten +me; but I fancy he has found by this time that I am not so easily +frightened. I can prove that he employed ruffians to jump my claim--to +seize these new mines. We were forced to defend it with firearms. Morgan +himself tried to have me treacherously shot, but he was not the kind of +a man to deal with the ruffians he had employed, and he fell into a +trap, from which he has now somehow escaped. He was captured and carried +off by those same ruffians of his, whose object it was to hold him until +he should pay a handsome sum for his liberty. Either he has managed to +escape or he has paid the money demanded by those rascals." + +Morgan laughed. + +"It is not possible, Mr. Kensington, that you will believe such a +ridiculous story. I give you my word--the word of a gentleman and a man +of business and honor--that the whole thing is a fabrication." + +"Morgan," said Frank, "I propose to make this statement public just as +you have heard it from my lips. If it is not true, you can have me +arrested immediately for criminal libel. I dare you to have me arrested! +If you do, I shall prove every word of what I have just said and show +you up as the black-hearted rascal you really are. Instead of having me +arrested, it is more than likely that you will employ some ruffian to +shoot at my back. I'll guarantee you will never try it yourself. If I +were to step out here now and make a similar charge against Mr. +Kensington, what would be the result?" + +"By thunder!" burst from Kensington, "I'd shoot you on sight!" + +"Exactly," nodded Frank. "And so would Macklyn Morgan if the statement +were false and if he dared." + +Morgan snapped his fingers. + +"I consider you of too little consequence to resort to any such method. +I am not a man who shoots; I'm a man who crushes. Frank Merriwell, you +may fancy you have the best of me, but I tell you now that I will crush +you like an eggshell." + +As he said this his usually mild and benevolent face was transformed +until it took on a fierce and vengeful look, which fully betrayed his +true character. Quickly lifting his hand, Merry pointed an accusing +finger straight at Morgan's face. + +"Look at him, Mr. Kensington!" he directed. "Now you see him as he is +beneath the surface. This is the real Macklyn Morgan. Ordinarily he is a +wolf in sheep's clothing, and it is only the clothing he reveals to +those with whom he has dealings." + +Instantly the look vanished from Morgan's face, and in its place there +returned the mild, hypocritical smile he sometimes wore. + +"I acknowledge that my indignation was aroused," he said. "And I know it +was foolish of me. I have said all I care to. I think Mr. Kensington +will have a care about making any negotiations with you, Merriwell. Good +day, Mr. Kensington." + +Bowing to Frank's companion, Morgan coolly walked away and left the +room. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +WHAT HAPPENED TO DICK. + + +Just at dusk a horse came galloping madly up toward the front of the +hotel, bearing on its back an excited, frightened, pale-faced girl. It +was Felicia. Brad Buckhart happened to be leaving the hotel as the girl +pulled up her sweaty horse. + +"Oh, Brad!" she cried, and her voice was filled with the greatest +agitation and distress. + +The Texan made a bound down the steps. + +"What is it, Felicia?" he asked. "Whatever is the matter? My pard--he +went out to ride with you! Where is he now?" + +"Oh, where is he? Oh, where is he?" cried Felicia. + +"You don't know? Is that what you mean? Oh, say, Felicia, don't tell me +anything has happened to my pard!" + +"Brad! Brad!" she gasped, swaying in her saddle, "a strange thing has +happened. I can't account for it." + +In a moment he lifted her down in his strong arms and supported her, as +he tumultuously poured questions upon her. + +"What's this strange thing, Felicia? What has happened? Where is Dick? +Tell me, quick!" + +"Oh, I wish you could tell me!" she retorted. + +"He went out with you?" + +"Yes, yes!" + +The Texan made an effort to cool down. + +"Look here, Felicia," he said. "We're both so excited we don't hit any +sort of a trail and stick to it for shucks. If anything whatever has +happened to my pard, I want to know it right quick. Keep cool and tell +me all about it. What was it that happened?" + +"But I tell you I don't know--I don't know," came faintly from the girl. +"We rode some miles to the south. It was splendid. We laughed, and +chatted, and had such a fine time. Then, when we turned to come back, I +challenged Dick to a race. My horse was just eager to let himself out, +and we raced. I had the lead, but my horse was so hard-bitted that I +couldn't look back. Two or three times I called to Dick, and he +answered. I heard his horse right behind me, and felt sure he was near. +Once I thought he was trying to pass me, and I let my horse out more. + +"I don't know how far I went that way, but it was a long, long distance. +After a while his horse seemed letting up. He didn't push him so hard. +Then I pulled up some and called back to him again, but he didn't +answer. I had to fight my horse, for he had the bit in his teeth and was +obstinate. After a while I managed to turn, and then I saw something +that gave me an awful jump. Dick's horse was a long distance away, and +was going at a trot, but Dick was not in the saddle. The saddle was +empty, and Dick was nowhere to be seen." + +"Great tarantulas! Great horned toads! Great Panhandle!" exploded +Buckhart. "You don't mean to tell me that my pard let any onery horse +dump him out of the saddle? Say, I won't believe it! Say, I can't +believe it! Why, he can ride like a circus performer! He is a regular +centaur, if I ever saw one! Whatever is this joke you're putting up on +me, Felicia?" + +"No joke, no joke!" she hastily asserted. "It's the truth, Brad--the +terrible truth! Dick was not on the horse. I don't know what happened to +him, but he wasn't there. As soon as I could I rode back to find him. I +rode and rode, looking for him everywhere. I thought something must have +happened to him that caused him to fall from the saddle. I wondered that +I had heard no cry from him--no sound." + +"And you didn't find him?" + +She shook her head. + +"I found nothing of him anywhere. I rode until I was where we started to +race. After that I had called to him, and he had answered me more than +once. I know that, at first, he was close behind me." + +"Jumping jingoes!" spluttered Brad. "This beats anything up to date! You +hear me warble! You must have missed him, somehow." + +"It is not possible, Brad. I stuck to the road and followed it all the +way through the chaparral, beyond which we had started to race this +way." + +"Then you raced through a piece of woods, did you?" + +"Yes, yes." + +"Do you remember of hearing him answer any to your calls after you had +passed through those woods?" + +"I don't remember." + +"Oh, Brad, what if he was thrown from his horse and some wild animal +dragged him into the chaparral after he fell senseless on the road! You +must find him! Where is Frank? Tell Frank at once!" + +"That's good sense," declared the Texan. "But wherever is Dick's horse?" + +"I don't know where the animal is now. I paid no further attention to it +after I found Dick was missing." + +By this time the Texan had heard enough, and, lifting Felicia clear off +her feet, he strode into the hotel with her, as if carrying a feather. +Just inside the door he nearly collided with Cap'n Wiley. + +"Port your helm!" exclaimed the sailor. "Don't run me down, even if you +are overloaded with the finest cargo I ever clapped my eyes on." + +"Hold on, Wiley!" commanded Brad. "Just you drop anchor where you are. I +want you." + +"Ay, ay, sir!" retorted the marine. "I will lay to instantly. Ever hear +the little story about the captain who ran out of provisions and, +getting hard up, decided to have eggs for breakfast and made his ship +lay two?" + +"Cut your chestnuts out, now!" growled the Texan. "Where is Frank?" + +"I last saw his royal nibs in close communion with a gentleman who is +literally rotten with money." + +"Not Macklyn Morgan?" + +"Well, hardly. He is not chumming with old Mack to any salubrious +degree. It was Thomas Kensington." + +"Do you know where Frank is now? If you do, find him instantly and tell +him something has happened to Dick." + +"Ay! ay!" again cried Wiley. "Just you bear off and on right where you +are, and I will sight him directly and bring him round on this course." + +The sailor hurried away, leaving Brad to question Felicia still further +about the road they had taken outside of Prescott. + +Fortunately Frank was easily found, and Wiley came hurrying back with +him. + +"What is it, Brad?" asked Merry, controlling his nerves and betraying +little alarm, for all that he saw by the appearance of Felicia that some +serious thing had occurred. + +"Oh, Frank--Dick!" she panted. "You must find him--you must!" + +The Texan quickly told Merry what had happened as related by Felicia. + +Frank's face grew grim and paled a little--a very little. His jaw +hardened, and his eyes took on a strange gleam. + +"I opine I know just the road they took," said Buckhart. "She has told +me all about it. I am dead certain I can go straight back over that +trail." + +"Wiley," said Merry, still with that grim command of himself, "get a +move on and have some horses saddled and made ready." + +"Leave it to me," cried the sailor, immediately taking to his heels and +dusting away. + +By this time others in the hotel knew what had happened, and a number of +people had gathered around. Unmindful of them, Frank took Felicia on his +knee as he sat on a chair and questioned her. + +"Oh, Frank!" she suddenly sobbed, clasping him about the neck. "You will +find Dick, won't you?" + +"As sure as I am living, Felicia," he asserted, with that same confident +calmness. "Don't you doubt it for a moment, dear. Rest easy about that." + +"You don't think some wild animal has got him?" + +"I hardly fancy anything of that sort has happened to my brother." + +Merry called for the housekeeper, who soon came and he turned Felicia +over to her, saying: + +"Look out for her, Mrs. Jones. Take care of her and don't let her worry +more than can be helped." + +"Lord love her sweet soul!" exclaimed the housekeeper, as she received +the agitated girl from Frank and patted and petted her. "I will look +after her, Mr. Merriwell. Don't you be afraid of that. There, there, +dear," she said, softly stroking Felicia's cheek. "Don't you take on so. +Why, they will find your cousin all right." + +"You bet your boots!" muttered Brad Buckhart, who was examining a +long-barreled revolver as he spoke. "We will hit the trail and find him +in less than two shakes of a steer's hoof." + +Wiley now came panting back into the room, struck an attitude, and made +a salute. + +"Our land-going craft are at the pier outside." + +Frank paused only to kiss Felicia and whisper a last word in her ear. As +he turned to leave the room, he came face to face with Macklyn Morgan +near the door. + +Morgan looked at him in a singular manner and smiled. + +"Excuse me, sir. You seem to be in a great hurry about something." + +Merry stopped short and stood looking straight into the eyes of his +enemy. + +"What is your next low trick, Morgan?" he said. "Let me tell you here +and now, and don't forget it for an instant, if ever any harm comes to +me or mine through you, you'll rue it to the last moment of your +miserable life." + +With which he strode on out of the hotel. + +Away out of Prescott they clattered, and away into the gathering +darkness of a soft spring night. The cool breeze rushed past their ears +and fanned their hot cheeks. Frank was in the lead, for Wiley had taken +pains to see that Merriwell's own fine horse was made ready for him. + +"Is this the road, Buckhart?" the young mine owner called back. "This is +the one Felicia told us to take, isn't it?" + +"Sure as shooting!" answered the Texan. + +"We don't want to make any mistake in our course," put in the sailor. +"That would be fatal to the aspirations of our agitated anatomy. At the +same time we want to keep our optical vision clear for breakers ahead. +We may be due to strike troubled waters before long." + +"That's what we're looking for!" growled Buckhart, who seemed hot for +trouble of some sort. + +Onward they rode along the brown trail. Beneath them the ground seemed +speeding backward. The lights of the town twinkled far behind them. +Frank's keen eyes detected something that caused him to drop rein and +swerve from the road. At a short distance from the trail a horse was +grazing. This animal shied somewhat and moved away as Merry approached, +but Frank's skill enabled him, after a little, to capture the creature, +which proved to be saddled and bridled. + +"Dick's horse," he said. "Hold him, Buckhart. I want to make an +examination." + +Brad took the creature by the head, and a moment later Frank struck a +match, which he protected in the hollow of his hand until it was in full +blaze. He then examined the saddle and the creature's back. Several +matches were used for this purpose, while both Buckhart and Wiley waited +anxiously for the result. + +"What behold you, mate?" inquired the sailor. + +"Nothing," answered Frank. And it seemed there was relief in his voice. + +"Whatever did you expect to find?" questioned the Texan. + +"I hoped to find nothing, just as I have," was the answer. "Still, I +thought it possible there might be blood stains on the horse. It is not +likely there would be hostile savages in this vicinity. Indeed, such a +thing is almost improbable; yet it was my fancy that Dick might have +been silently shot from his saddle." + +"How silently?" asked Brad. "Shooting is pretty certain to be heard, I +opine." + +"Not if done with an arrow." + +"But the Injun of this day and generation is generally provided with a +different weapon." + +"That's true; but still some of them use the bow and arrow even to-day." + +"I don't reckon a whole lot on anything of that sort happening to my +pard," asserted the Texan. + +"Nor I," admitted Frank. "But I thought it best to investigate." + +The horse was again set at liberty. They had no time to bother with it +then. Once more they found the trail and rode on. + +Before them loomed the dark chaparral, into which wound the road they +followed. On either hand the tangled thicket was dark and grim. + +"A right nasty place for a hold-up!" muttered Buckhart, whose hand was +on his pistol. + +"If any one tries that little trick," observed Cap'n Wiley, "it's my +sagacious opinion that they are due to receive a surprise that will +disturb their mental condition and throw their quivering nerves into the +utmost agitation. I am ready to keep the air full of bullets, for in +that way something will surely be hit. Reminds me of the time when I +went gunning with Johnny Johnson. We came to a promising strip of +forest, and he took one side and I took the other. Pretty soon I heard +him banging away, and he kept shooting and shooting until I grew black +in the face with envy. I reckoned he was bagging all the game in that +preserve. In my seething imagination I saw him with partridges, and +woodcock, and other things piled up around him knee-deep. + +"For just about an hour he kept on shooting regular every few seconds. +At last I came to him, for I didn't find a single measly thing to pop +at. Imagine my astonishment when I found him idly reclining in a +comfortable position on the ground and firing at intervals into the air. +'John, old man,' says I, 'what are you doing?' 'Wiley,' he answered, 'I +am out for game. I haven't been able to find any, but I know where there +is some in this vicinity. I arrived at the specific conclusion that if I +could keep the air full of shot I'd hit something after a while, and so +I am carrying my wise plan into execution.' Oh, I tell you, John was a +great hunter--a great hunter!" + +"Better cut that out," said Frank. "This is a first-class time for you +to give your wagging jaw a rest, cap'n." + +"Thanks, mate; your suggestion will be appropriated unto me." + +Through the chaparral they went, their eyes searching the trail and +noting every dark spot on the ground. At length they came to the farther +border of the thicket, but without making any discovery. + +"Here's where Felicia said the race began," said Brad. "We haven't found +a thing, Frank--not a thing." + +Still Merry led them on a little farther before halting and turning +about. + +"What's to be done now?" anxiously inquired the Texan. + +"We will follow the trail back through the chaparral," said Frank. "We +will call to Dick. That's the only thing it seems possible for us to +do." + +Having decided on this, they rode slowly back; calling at intervals to +the missing lad. The thick chaparral rang with their voices, but through +it came no answer. The cold stars watched them in silence. By the time +they had again debouched from the chaparral Brad was in such a state of +mind that reason seemed to have deserted him. He actually proposed +plunging into the thicket and attempting to search through it. + +"You couldn't make your way through that tangle in broad daylight," +declared Merry. "Don't lose your head, Buckhart." + +"But, Frank--my pard, we must find him!" + +"We will do everything we can. We may not find him to-night. But I will +find him in time." + +"What has become of him?" groaned the Texan. + +"It's my belief," said Merry, "that he is in the hands of my enemies. +This is a new blow at me. I saw something of it in the eyes of Macklyn +Morgan when I faced him in the hotel just before we started. There was a +look of triumph on his face." + +"Whoop!" shouted Brad. "Then he's the galoot we want to git at! It's up +to us to light on him all spraddled out and squeeze the truth out of him +in a hurry. Just let me get at him!" + +"And you would simply make the matter worse than it is. You must leave +this thing to me, Buckhart. You must hold yourself in check unless you +want to injure Dick. I will deal with Macklyn Morgan." + +"You," said Wiley. "I fancy you have hit on the outrageous and egregious +truth. I don't know just what egregious means, but it sounds well there. +Morgan has scooped Richard and proposes to hold him hard and fast until +he can bring you to terms." + +"I think very likely such is his plot," nodded Merry. + +"He ought to be shot!" exploded Brad. "It was a whole lot unfortunate +that the ruffians who carried him off did not keep him." + +"How do you think the trick was done?" questioned Wiley. + +"I haven't decided yet," admitted Frank. "But I feel sure my brother is +nowhere in this vicinity now. It's my object to see Morgan again without +delay." + +With this object in view Merriwell lost no further time in riding +straight toward Prescott. When the town was reached he set out +immediately to find Morgan, having first told Brad to see Felicia and do +his best to soothe her fears. + +Felicia was waiting. She started up as the Texan tapped on her door. + +"There, there, child!" exclaimed Mrs. Jones, who was still with her. +"Sit down and keep quiet. I will see who it is." + +When the door was opened and Buckhart entered, Felicia cried out to him: + +"Dick--you have found him?" + +"Well, not exactly that," said the Texan; "but I opine Frank will find +him pretty quick now." + +The girl was greatly disappointed. + +"Then you know what has become of him?" she asked. + +"I opine we do," nodded Buckhart. + +"He is safe?" + +"You bet he is. He is all right, Felicia. We know well enough that he +isn't hurt a bit." + +She seized his hands. + +"Tell me," she pleaded, "tell me all about it." + +Brad was placed in an awkward position, and he felt that it was +necessary to draw on his imagination. + +"Why, there is not a great deal to tell," he said. "I reckon Dick's +horse must have stumbled and thrown him. It stunned him some, of course. +Then there were some gents what happened along and picked him up, and +that's about all." + +She looked at him in doubt and bewilderment. + +"But I didn't see any one. Why didn't I see them?" + +Buckhart coughed behind his hand to get a little time for thought. + +"Why, these yere gents I speak of," he said, "were afraid to be seen, +for they have been up to some doings that were not just exactly on the +level. That being the case, they took him up all quietlike and stepped +into the chaparral with him, and doctored him, and fixed him O. K. Of +course, they will want to be paid for that little job, and that's why +they are keeping him. You leave everything to Frank. He will settle with +them and bring Dick back as sound as a nut. You hear me chirp?" + +Having made this statement, the Texan felt greatly relieved. He had +managed to get through it some way, although it was a hard strain on +him. Still, Felicia was not entirely satisfied, and her fears were not +fully allayed. + +"If these men are bad men," she said, "won't they harm Dick some way?" + +"Ho! ho! ho!" laughed Brad. "What a foolish notion to get into your +head, Felicia. Whatever good would it do them to harm him? What could +they make out of that? It's up to them to take the best care of him, so +Frank will feel like coughing up liberal when he settles. You can see +that easy enough. So don't worry over it any more." + +"No, don't worry over it any more, child," put in Mrs. Jones. "Just go +to bed. The strain on you has been severe, and you must rest." + +"Oh, I'm afraid I can't rest until I see Dick! Don't you think I may see +him soon? Don't you think Frank will bring him here right away?" + +"Oh, mebbe not," said Brad. "It may take some time, for Frank thought +likely Dick had been carried to Goodwin, or Bigbug, or some place. You +see, we didn't find out just where they had taken him. All we found out +was that he had been taken somewhere and was all right. You let Mrs. +Jones tuck you in your little bed, and you just close your peepers and +get to the sleeps. That's the best thing for you to do." + +Fearing she might suspect that he had not stuck by the truth if she +questioned him further, Brad now made the excuse that he had to hurry +away, and quickly left the room. In the meantime Frank had been +searching for Morgan. He fully expected to find Morgan without trouble, +and in this he was not disappointed. The money king was talking with +Thomas Kensington in the hotel bar. + +"I beg your pardon, Mr. Kensington," said Merry. "If I'm not +interrupting an important matter, I'd like a word or two with this man." + +Morgan lifted a hand. + +"You will have to excuse me, sir," he said. "I am quite busy now." + +"On the other hand," said Kensington, "we have finished our business. +Mr. Morgan followed me here and wished to talk of mining matters. I am +in no mood to discuss such matters to-night." + +He bowed to Frank and turned away. + +Morgan gave Merriwell a defiant look. + +"I cannot waste my time on you, young man," he said. "It's altogether +too valuable." + +"You have wasted considerable time on me in the past, and I have been +compelled to waste some on you. This night has brought matters to a +climax. I know your game; but it will fail, just as every trick you have +tried has failed. I have a few words to say to you. My brother is +missing." + +"What's that to me? I care nothing about your brother." + +"Yet you attempted not so very long ago to hold him as a hostage. It was +your scheme to force me into dealing with you by holding my brother a +prisoner in the hands of your ruffians." + +"Be careful, young man! Don't accuse me of anything like that! If you +do, I'll----" + +"You'll what?" demanded Merry, grim as flint and cold as ice. "Now, what +will you do, Macklyn Morgan?" + +"I'll make you smart for it!" + +"It's about time you learned, sir, that your threats have no effect on +me whatever. As I have said, my brother is missing. If he is not in +Prescott to-morrow morning, it will be the worse for you. Do you know +how I dealt with Milton Sukes? Do you know that I investigated his +business methods and found out about his crooked dealings, so that when +I was ready to expose him he was driven desperate? Macklyn Morgan, are +you immaculate? Do you mean to tell me that your career as a maker of +millions has been unspotted? Do you mean to tell me that you never have +been concerned in any crooked schemes? I know better, Morgan. I know how +a man like you makes his money. As I dealt with Sukes, so I will deal +with you! I will investigate. I will learn the truth, and then I will +expose you. To-day you may be concerned in several questionable +projects. If those schemes are rotten, the world shall know it. I shall +take hold of this thing in earnest, and I'll do for you what I did for +Sukes." + +"That's a threat on my life!" cried Morgan, turning to the others who +were near. "Gentlemen, I call on you to bear witness that this man has +threatened my life." + +"You know better, sir, I have threatened nothing but your crooked +business. Your life is safe as far as I am concerned. But you will see +that my brother is in Prescott to-morrow, or I'll hold you up for the +inspection of the whole country and show people what a thoroughbred +scoundrel you are! That's all I have to say to you, sir. Good night." + +Frank turned his back on Morgan and walked out of the room. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +HOW WAS IT DONE? + + +What had happened to Dick? Intentionally he had permitted Felicia to +keep the lead in the race through the chaparral. It is possible he might +have overtaken her had he tried. He had no thought of danger, and he was +wholly unprepared when out from the shadows of the chaparral shot a +twisting, writhing coil, the loop of which fell over his shoulders and +jerked him like a flash from the saddle. The shock, as he struck the +ground, drove the breath from his body and partly stunned him. Before he +could recover he was pounced upon by two men, who quickly dragged him +into the edge of the thicket, where a third man--a half-blood +Mexican--was coiling the lariat with which the boy had been snatched +from the horse's back. + +These men threatened Dick with drawn weapons. + +"Make a sound or a cry, kid," growled one of them, "and we sure cuts you +up!" + +The boy's dark eyes looked fearlessly at them, and he coolly inquired: + +"What's your game? I have not enough money on me to pay you for your +trouble." + +"Ho, ho!" laughed one of the trio. "We gits our pay, all right, younker. +Don't worry about that. Tie his elbows close behind him, Mat. Mebbe we +best gags him some." + +"No, none of that," declared the one called Mat. "If he utters a cheep, +I'll stick him sure." + +But the other insisted that Dick should be gagged, and this they finally +and quickly did. With his arms bound behind him and a gag between his +teeth, he was lifted to his feet and forced into the depth of the +thicket. The Mexican, who was called Tony, seemed to know a path through +the chaparral, although it was dim and indistinct, and this they +followed. + +Thus it happened that when Felicia missed Dick and turned back she found +no trace of him. On through the thick chaparral they threaded their way, +now and then crouching low to push through thorny branches, their +progress necessarily being slow. For a long time they tramped on, coming +finally to an opening. + +Several horses were grazing there. No time was lost in placing the +captive boy on the back of a horse and fastening his feet together +beneath the animal's belly. Already it was growing dusky, but those men +knew the course they would pursue. The Mexican and Mat mounted one +animal and followed Dick, while the biggest man of the party, who had +once been addressed as Dillon, now took the lead. + +Starry night came as they still pushed on, but they had left the +chaparral behind and were on the trackless plain. Finally it was decided +that the captive should be blindfolded. By this time his jaws were +aching, and he was greatly relieved when the gag was removed. They +seemed to think there was little danger of his cries being heard should +he venture to shout for help. Dick did not shout; he felt the folly of +it. + +Long hours they rode, and the bandage over the boy's eyes prevented him +from telling what course they followed. At last they halted. The cords +about his ankles were released, and he was unceremoniously dragged from +the saddle to the ground. Following this, he was marched into some sort +of a building. There at last the bandage was removed from his eyes, and +even his arms were set free. Dillon and Mat were with him. The Mexican +had been left to care for the horses. + +"Now, kid," said the big man, "you makes yourself comfortable as you +can. Don't worry none whatever; you're all safe here. Nothing troubles +you, and we looks out for you. Oh, yes, we looks out for you." + +"Why have you brought me here?" asked Dick. + +"We lets you guess at that a while. It amuses you perhaps, and passes +away the time." + +"If my brother finds out who did this----" + +"Now, don't talk that way!" cried Mat. "We don't bother with your +brother any. We does our business with other parties." + +"So that's it--that's it!" exclaimed Dick, "My brother's enemies have +paid you for this piece of work." + +"That's one of the little things you has to guess about," hoarsely +chuckled Dillon. "Thar's a bunk in the corner. I sure opines this place +is stout enough to hold you, and all the while Mat or I sits in the next +room. If we hears you kick up restless-like, we comes to soothe you. +We're great at soothing--eh, Mat?" + +"Great!" agreed Mat. + +"If you has a good appetite," continued Dillon, "in the morning we gives +you a square feed. Oh, we treats you fine, kid--we treats you fine. We +has orders to be ca'm and gentle with you. We're jest as gentle as two +playful kittens--eh, Mat?" + +"Jest so," agreed Mat. + +"Of course, you being young, it disturbs you some to be introduced to us +so sudden-like. Still, you seems to have a lot of nerve. You don't git +trembly any, and you looks a heap courageous with them fine black eyes +of yours. By smoke! I almost believes you has it in yer ter tackle us +both, kid; but you'd better not--you'd better not. It does no good, and +it ruffles our feelings, although we is so ca'm and gentle. When our +feelings is ruffled we are a heap bad--eh, Mat?" + +"Sure," agreed Mat. + +"That's about all," said Dillon. "Now we bids you a pleasant good night, +and we hopes you sleeps sweet and dreams agreeable dreams--eh, Mat?" + +"We does," nodded Mat. + +Then they backed out through the door behind them, which led into the +front room of the building, leaving Dick in darkness, as the door was +closed and barred. + +Dick knew there was very little chance for him to escape unaided from +the clutches of those ruffians. Still, he was not the sort of a boy to +give up, and he resolved to keep his ears and eyes open for any +opportunity that might present itself. Left without a light, there was +no hope of making a satisfactory examination of his prison room until +the coming of another day. + +He flung himself down on the couch and meditated. But for the fact that +he was in fine physical condition, his fall when jerked from the saddle +might have injured him seriously. As it was, he had simply been somewhat +shaken up. He felt a slight soreness, but regarded it as of no +consequence. Of course, he understood the game the ruffians were +playing. Beyond question he was to be held as a hostage in order that +Frank's enemies might force Merry into some sort of a deal concerning +the mines. + +His one satisfaction lay in the belief that Felicia had escaped. As he +lay there on the bunk, he could hear the mumbling voices of his captors +in the next room. After a time his curiosity was aroused, and he felt a +desire to hear what they were saying. + +Silently he arose and stole over to the partition between the rooms. +This partition was strangely thick and heavy for a building in that part +of the country. Seemingly it had been constructed for the purpose of +safely imprisoning any one who should be thrust into that room. Although +he pressed his ear close to the partition, he was unable for some time +to understand anything the men were saying. He moved softly about, +seeking a place where he might hear better, and finally found it in a +crack beneath the massive door, through which shone a dim light. + +Lying flat on his back, with his ear near this crack, the boy listened. +To his satisfaction, he was now able to hear much of the talk that +passed between the men. Plainly but two of them, Mat and Dillon, were in +the outer room. + +"This piece of work certain pays us a good thing, Mat," said Dillon. +"The gent what has it done is rotten with coin, and we makes him plank +down a heap liberal." + +"What does yer know about him, pard?" inquired Mat. "Whoever is he, +anyhow?" + +"Why, sure, I hears his name is Morgan, though I deals with him direct +none at all myself." + +"Well, partner, this is better and some easier than the railroad job." + +"All the same, Dan gets a heap sore when he finds we has quit t'other +job. And, as for this being less dangerous, I am none certain of that." + +"Why not?" + +"Well, this yere Frank Merriwell they say is a holy terror. Dan hisself +has had some dealings with him, you know. He knocks the packing out of +Dan down at Prescott not so long ago." + +"Down at Prescott," thought the listening boy; "down at Prescott. Why, I +supposed it was up at Prescott. If it's down, Prescott must be to the +south. In that case these fellows doubled and turned north after +scooping me in." + +This was interesting to him, for one thing he desired to know very much +was just where he had been taken. As he was meditating on this, Dick +missed some of the talk between the men, for in order to understand what +they were saying it was necessary for him to listen with the utmost +intentness. + +"Do you allow, Dillon," he finally heard Mat say, "that Dan will stick +to his little plan to hold up that train?" + +"I opine not. He won't be after trying it all by his lonesome. One man +who holds up a train and goes through it has a heap big job on his +hands." + +"So that's the kind of a railroad job they were talking about!" thought +Dick. "They surely are a tough lot." + +"Mebbe he comes searching for us," suggested Dillon. + +"Mebbe so. Ef he does, we has to deceive him." + +"He gits a whole lot hot, I judge." + +"You bet he does. And when he is hot we wants to keep our eyes peeled +for a ruction." + +"That's whatever." + +Although Dick listened a long time after this, the conversation of the +ruffians seemed of no particular importance. Finally they ceased +talking, and evidently one of them at least prepared to sleep. Dick +arose and returned to the bunk, where he lay trying to devise some +possible method of escape. Scores of wild plans flittered through his +brain, but he realized that none of them were practical. + +"If I could get word to Frank," he thought. "But how can it be done--how +can it be done?" + +Such a thing seemed impossible. At last he became drowsy and realized +that he was sinking off to sleep, in spite of his unpleasant position. +He was fully awakened at last by sudden sounds in the outer room. There +came a heavy hammering at the door, followed by the voice of one of +Dick's captors demanding to know who was there. Dick sat upright on the +bunk, his nerves tingling as he thought of the possibility that the +ruffians had been followed by a party of rescuers, who were now at hand. + +The one who was knocking seemed to satisfy the men within, for Dick knew +the door was flung open. He swiftly crossed the floor and lay again with +his ear near the crack beneath the door. + +"Well, you two are a fine bunch!" declared a hoarse voice that seemed +full of anger. "You keeps your dates a heap well, don't yer! Oh, yes, +yer two nice birds, you are!" + +This was the voice of the newcomer. + +"Howdy, Dan?" said Mat. "We thinks mebbe yer comes around this yere +way." + +"Oh, yer does, does yer?" snarled the one called Dan. "Why does yer +think that so brightlike? Why does yer reckon that when you agrees ter +meet me at Win'mill Station I comes here to find you five miles away? +That's what I'd like to know." + +"Windmill Station," Dick said to himself. "Five miles from Windmill +Station, and Windmill Station is some twelve or fifteen miles north of +Prescott." + +"You seems excited, Dan," said Mat, in what was intended to be a +soothing manner. "Mebbe we has reasons why we didn't meet you any." + +"Reasons! If you has, spit 'em out." + +"Yes, we has reasons," quickly put in Dillon. "Dan, we finds we is +watched a whole lot. We finds somebody suspects that little game we +plans." + +"Is that so?" demanded the newcomer, with a sneering doubt in his voice. + +"That's what it is," asserted Mat. "We don't have a chance to move much +without being watched, and so we reckons we does best to drop this +little job for the time being." + +"Is that so?" sneered Dan. + +"Didn't we say it was?" indignantly demanded Dillon. "You hears us, I +judge." + +"Now, who is it what watches you so closelike?" questioned the +dissatisfied man. "Mebbe you tells me that." + +"We don't know just who it is, but we has been followed for the last two +days. You know a hold-up down on the Southern Pacific gits people +suspicious. Mebbe they thinks we had a hand in that." + +"Which we didn't have any at all," hastily put in Mat. + +"So you two fine chaps takes water?" contemptuously cried Dan. "You +throws up a chance to make a good thing? Why, it was a snap! We could +'a' stopped the train, gone through her, and then hiked it for Mexico +hot foot, and the Old Boy hisself wouldn't 'a' ketched us." + +"Mebbe not," admitted one of the other men. "But we opines it would 'a' +been a whole lot bad for us if the holding up had been expected. Look +here, Dan, we thinks it right and proper to put this thing off some. We +thinks mebbe in a week or so we is in fer it." + +"Oh, that's how you figgers. Why didn't you let me know about it any? +That's what I'd like ter have yer explain. You leaves me a-waiting and +a-watching fer yer while you bunks down yere all ca'm and serene-like. +That's what sores me to the limit." + +"We thinks," said Mat, "if we goes to meet you, mebbe we is seen, and +that makes more suspicions. We thinks the best thing to do is to lay +low. We're right sorry that we couldn't keep the app'intment, but it +happens that way, and there is nothing else fer it." + +"Well, it is evident ter me that you two are squealers. You both lack +nerve, and I quits you cold. The whole business is off, understand +that." + +"Well, if you gits hot and quits us that way, we can't help it," said +Dillon. + +"Well, I does quit. What I wants is my blanket I leaves in yar. I takes +that an' gits out, and you two goes to blazes for all of me." + +Evidently Dan started for the back room at this moment, and the +listening boy prepared to spring away from the door. At the same time +Dick was seized by a sudden determination to attempt a dash for freedom +the moment the door was opened. He knew he might not succeed, but there +was a slim chance of it, and he decided to take that chance. Both the +ruffians on guard, however, were startled when Dan proposed getting his +blanket from the back room. Quickly Dillon interposed. + +"Hold on, Dan!" he cried. "Never mind that blanket. We fixes that all +right with you. Yere is mine. You take that." + +Had Dick been able to see them he would have beheld the newcomer, a +huge, pockmarked individual, standing in the centre of the floor, +staring at the men before him in no small surprise. + +"Why, whatever is this?" asked Dan. "I opine I takes my own blanket." + +"But mine is worth more than yours," hastily asserted Dillon. + +"And you're a heap anxious ter give it up in place of mine, I sees. +That's right queer. I don't just understand your generosity. It seems +mighty curious." + +"It's all right, Dan," declared Mat. "Take the blanket." + +"Not by a blamed sight," roared the big man. "I takes my own blanket. I +goes into that room. I sees what you has in there." + +As he said this, he suddenly whipped out a long revolver, with which he +menaced the man who attempted to bar his progress. + +"Get out of the way," he commanded, "or I furnishes funeral stock for +the undertaker." + +"He's coming!" whispered Dick. "They can't stop him!" + +The boy rose to his hands and knees, where he listened a moment more. He +heard the men on guard protesting, but their protestations availed +nothing, and a moment later a hand was on the door. + +Dick sprang up. The bar that held the door fell, and it was flung open. +With a spring, Dick was out into the lighted room, bending low and +striking the man with the revolver like a battering-ram full and fair in +the pit of the stomach, bowling him over. As Dan went down, his fingers +contracted on the trigger of the pistol, and a shot rang out. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +FORCED TO WRITE. + + +Dick's daring and reckless break for liberty might have been successful +but for the fact that the outer door had been closed and securely +fastened after the entrance of Spotted Dan. + +Dan went down with a shock that jarred the whole building, and the boy +leaped toward the door. Both Dillon and Mat uttered cries of +astonishment and grabbed at him. He avoided their hands and reached the +door, but as he was trying to unfasten it they fell on him. + +Young Merriwell's fighting blood was up, and for at least five minutes +he gave the ruffians the hardest sort of a struggle. Using hands and +feet in unison, he made them howl as he repeatedly hit and kicked them. +With all his force, he drove his knee into Mat's stomach and doubled the +fellow up like a jackknife. + +At this juncture the boy had nearly whipped both the men. Dillon was +panting and dazed, but he had drawn a pistol and reversed it in his +hand, so that he gripped the barrel. With the butt of the weapon he +struck a blinding blow at the fighting boy's head, and by chance the +blow landed full and fair. + +Down Dick dropped and lay stunned on the floor. Dillon stood looking +down at the lad, muttering savagely, while Mat gasped for breath and +held both hands on his stomach. Spotted Dan had recovered from the first +shock, and now stood, with his hands on his hips and his feet wide +apart, watching what transpired. He had not even lifted a hand to take +part in the struggle. + +"Well, drat the kid!" snarled Dillon. "He sure comes nigh slipping right +through our fingers." + +"Confound him!" panted Mat, still gasping for breath. "He soaks his knee +inter my solar plexus and pretty nigh puts me out." + +"Haw! haw! haw!" laughed Spotted Dan, throwing back his head. "Well, you +two gents sure has a highly interesting time of it. So that was why yer +didn't want me to go for my blanket! So that's what yer had in the back +room yer didn't want me ter see! Well, I reckons I has clapped my +peepers on this yere youngster before. I opines I smells your little +game. I rather jedge I understands why you drops the railroad job. You +seems ter strike another job that interests you a heap more." + +Without paying any attention to the pockmarked fellow, Dillon bent over +the motionless boy, muttering: + +"I wonder if I cracks his skull? That certain was a good rap I gave +him." + +Blood was trickling down from Dick's hair, and on one side of his head +was a cut. + +"I don't care ef you did finish him!" grated Mat. + +"Well, I does," asserted Dillon. "We knocks ourselves out of a good +thing ef that happens." + +"A good thing," laughed Spotted Dan. "Well, gents, you counts me in on +that good thing. You plays no game like this on me, none at all!" + +Dick stirred and opened his eyes. + +"He is all right," said Mat. + +The boy looked up at the two ruffians near him and then struggled to his +elbow, his black eyes full of defiance. + +"Give me a fair show and I'll try it again!" he weakly exclaimed. "If +I'd a fair show then I wouldn't be here now. I was weaponless. You were +three to one against me, and still you had to use a weapon to put me +down and out." + +"Haw! haw! haw!" again roared Spotted Dan. "These yere Merriwells sure +is fighters." + +Mat turned on him hotly. + +"I reckon you found that out in Prescott the first time you met Frank +Merriwell," he said. + +Dan suddenly stopped laughing and scowled blackly. + +"Don't git so personal!" he cried. "Mebbe I don't like it any!" + +Dick lifted his hand to his head and saw blood on his fingers when he +looked at them. Then from his pocket he took a handkerchief, which he +knotted about his head. + +"Better put your bird back into the cage," advised Dan. "Ef yer don't, +mebbe he flutters some more. When he flutters he is dangerous." + +"That's right," nodded Dillon, laying hold of Dick. "We will chuck him +back there in a hurry." + +"Take your hands off me, you brute!" panted the boy. "I will go back of +my own accord. Let me alone." + +Dillon dragged him to his feet, but, with a wrench, he suddenly tore +free. If the ruffians expected him to resume the effort, they soon found +he had no such intention, for, with a remarkably steady step, he walked +across the floor to the open door of his prison room. + +In the doorway he turned and faced them, the handkerchief about his head +already showing a crimson stain on one side. His dark eyes flashed with +unutterable scorn and contempt. + +"I know you all three!" he exclaimed. "Wait till my brother finds out +about this business. The whole Southwest won't be large enough to hide +you in safety." + +Then he disappeared into the room, scornfully closing the door behind +him. + +"Gents," said Spotted Dan, "for real, genuine sand, give me a kid like +that!" + +Then the bar was once more slipped into its socket, and the door was +made secure. With throbbing head and fiery pulse, Dick lay on the bunk +in that back room as the remainder of the night slipped away. + +With the coming of another day he heard the faint hoofbeats of a horse +outside, and knew some one had ridden up. Then the muttering of voices +in the next room came to him, and his curiosity, in spite of his injury, +caused him to again slip to the door and listen at the crack beneath it. + +He heard the voice of a strange man saying: + +"I am to take the letter back myself. The youngster must be forced to +write it. Leave it to me; I will make him do it." + +"Partner," said the hoarse voice of Spotted Dan, "I opines you takes a +mighty big contract when you tries to force that kid inter doing +anything of the sort." + +"Leave it ter me," urged the stranger. "Let me in there, and I will turn +the trick." + +A few minutes later Dick hastily got away from the door and pretended to +be sleeping on the bunk, his ears telling him the bar was being removed. +A flood of light shone in, for there was no window to that dark room to +admit daylight. The four men entered, one of them bringing a lighted +lamp in his hand. + +The boy pretended to awaken and then sat up. He saw that the newcomer +had a mask over his face, making it plain he feared recognition by the +captive. + +"Yere," said Spotted Dan, "is a gent what wants ter see you some, my +young gamecock. He has a right important piece of business to transact +with yer, and I reckons it pays yer ter do as he tells yer." + +The masked man came and stood looking at the boy. + +"Kid," he said, in what seemed to be an assumed manner of fierceness, +"you've got to write a letter to your brother, and you will write it +just as I tells yer. Understand that? If you refuse, we will stop +bothering with you any by wringing your neck and throwing you out for +buzzard bait. We can't afford to waste time fooling, and we mean +business. Time is mighty important to us." + +"What do you want me to write?" asked Dick. + +"We wants you to write a letter telling your brother that you are in the +hands of men who proposes to carve you up piecemeal unless he makes +terms with a certain gent who wants to deal with him for some of his +property. No need to mention this gent's name, mind that. Don't put it +into the letter. You tells your brother nothing whatever about us save +that we has you all tight and fast. But you tells him that, onless he +comes to terms immediate, we sends him to-morrow one of your thumbs. In +case he delays a while longer, we sends him t'other thumb. Then, if he +remains foolish and won't deal any, we kindly sends him your right ear. +If that don't bring him around a whole lot sudden, we presents him with +your left ear. Arter that we gits tired when we waits twenty-four hours, +and we shoots you full of lead and lets it go at that. Mat, pull over +that yere box right close to the kid's bunk, where he can sit all +comfortable-like and write on it." + +A box was dragged out of a corner and placed before young Merriwell, who +sat on the edge of the bunk. Then a sheet of paper was produced and +spread in front of the lad, while the stub of a lead pencil was thrust +into his fingers. + +"Now write," savagely ordered the masked man--"write just what I tells +yer to a minute ago!" + +Dick hesitated, but seemed to succumb. Through his head a wild scheme +had flashed. It bewildered him for a moment, but quickly his mind +cleared and he began to write. He did so, however, with the utmost +slowness, as if the task was a difficult and painful one. Spotted Dan +was surprised to see the boy give in so quickly. He had fancied Dick +would have obstinately refused until compelled to obey. + +"Don't put in a thing but just what I tells yer to," commanded the +masked man. "If yer does, youngster, you has ter write another letter, +for we won't deliver this one any at all. If you wants to get free, you +has good sense and obeys all peaceful-like." + +"All right," muttered Dick, as he slowly labored over the beginning of +the message to Frank. + +"Why, seems ter me this yer boy's eddication has been a heap neglected," +said Dillon. "He finds it a whole lot hard to write." + +The masked man resumed his position where he could read what was being +written. Somehow it didn't seem to please him, for of a sudden he seized +the sheet of paper and tore it up. + +"Why for do you ramble around that yere way?" he demanded. "You puts it +down plain and brief, with no preliminaries. Understand that?" + +Then he produced another sheet of paper and laid it upon the box. +Immediately Dick flung down the pen and lay back on the bunk. + +"You go to Halifax!" he exclaimed, his eyes flashing. "I will write it +just as I want to, or I won't write it at all." + +The man instantly whipped out a long, wicked-looking knife. + +"Then I slits your oozle!" he snarled. + +"Slit away!" defiantly retorted the boy. + +Spotted Dan broke into a hoarse laughter. + +"What did I tell yer!" he cried. "I certain knowed how it would be." + +The masked man seized Dick and held the knife menacingly before his +eyes. + +"Will you do as I tell you?" he hissed. + +"I will do as I choose," retorted the nervy lad. "I don't propose to +write anything save what you order, but I will write it in my own way. +If I can't, then I won't write at all." + +The man hesitated, then straightened up. + +"Well, you sure has sand, or you're the biggest fool for a kid I ever +saw," he declared. "Go ahead and write her out, and then I'll examine +her and see that she's all right." + +So once more Dick took the pencil and began to write. He preserved the +same deliberate slowness in constructing the early portion of the +missive, but finally began to write faster and faster, and finished it +with a rush, signing his name. + +"Well, the kid's eddication seems to be all right, arter all," observed +Mat, as he admiringly watched the boy speedily scribble the last +sentence. "Mebbe he is out of practice some, to begin with, and so he +writes slow till he gits his hand in." + +The masked man took the letter and carefully read it over. + +"Why were you so particular to say, 'No house shelters me?'" he asked. +"That yere is dead crooked. Is you trying to fool your brother up some?" + +Dick actually laughed. + +"I put that in just to help you out, gentlemen," he declared. "You have +been so very kind to me I should hate to see anything happen to you." + +The masked man wondered vaguely if the boy was mocking them, but decided +almost immediately that he had really frightened Dick to such an extent +that the young captive had put those words in to show his willingness to +hold to the demands made upon him. + +"Well, this will do," nodded the wearer of the mask, folding the paper +and thrusting it into his pocket. "Now, pards, just keep the boy all +ca'm and quiet, and mebbe his brother comes to his senses and settles +the deal, arter which we evaporates and leaves them to meet up with each +other and rejoice." + +Then he strode out of the room, and his three companions followed, +closing the door and leaving Dick once more to gloom and solitude. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +COMPLETE TRIUMPH. + + +Frank found the letter thrust under the door of his room at the hotel in +Prescott. He was reading it over and over when Brad Buckhart, wearing a +long, doleful face, came into the room. + +"You don't find no trace whatever of my pard, do you, Frank?" he asked. + +"I have a letter from him here," said Frank. + +"What?" shouted the Texan, electrified by Merry's words. "A letter from +him?" + +"Yes." + +"Why should he write a letter? Why didn't he come himself, instead of +doing that?" + +"Well, from what he says in the letter, I fancy it is impossible for him +to come," said Merry. "Here, Buckhart, read it and see what you make of +it." + +He handed the missive to Brad, who read it through, his excitement +growing every moment. This is what the Texan read: + + "Dear Frank: I now am held fast in hands that care little for my + life. No house shelters me. I am not near Prescott. If you + search, you will find wind and nothing more. Have had a hot mill + with my captors, but to no use whatever. S.tay here I must. Brad + will worry, so don't fail to show him this. + + "The men who have me swear to mutilate and finally kill me + unless you come to terms immediately. You are to settle with the + man who has demanded from you your mines and has threatened you + with arrest for murder. As soon as you make terms with him, I am + to be set free. If you refuse to make terms, this man swears to + chop me up by inches. To-morrow you will receive one of my + thumbs; next day the other thumb. Then, if you still delay, an + ear will follow, and its mate will be delivered to you + twenty-four hours later. If you remain obstinate, I shall be + killed. + + "Your brother, + Dick." + +"Great horn spoon!" shouted Buckhart, flourishing the missive in the +air. "Great jumping tarantulas! This certain is a whole lot tough! Why, +Frank, what are you going to do about it? You've got to rescue him, or +else give in to old Morgan, for they will chop him up if you don't." + +"How am I going to rescue him," said Merry, "when I don't know where to +find him?" + +Brad now stood quite still, with his hands on his hips, a look of +perplexity and distress on his face. + +"That's so, Frank," he muttered, shaking his head. "I am afraid they've +got you." + +"Do you notice anything peculiar about that letter?" questioned Merry. + +"Peculiar? Why, I dunno. Somehow it don't sound just like Dick, though +I'll swear it's his writing. I know his writing." + +"Yes, I am certain it is his writing; still, the first part of it sounds +peculiar. I suppose that's because he was ordered to write certain +things and had to take them down from dictation. But look here, Brad," +Merry continued, taking the letter from the Texan's hand. "Notice that +word, 'sta.y.' Why do you suppose he dropped a period into the midst of +it?" + +"Accident," said Brad. "Must have been." + +Frank shook his head. + +"Somehow I don't think so," he declared. "Somehow there seems to me +there is a hidden meaning in this letter. I am half inclined to believe +it is a cipher letter." + +"Gee whilikins!" cried the Texan. "Mebbe that's so!" + +Together they puzzled over it a long time, and the Texan grew more and +more excited. Finally he shouted: + +"Let me have it, Frank--let me have it! That's why he wanted you to show +it to me. See, he says for you to show it to me. He opined I'd tumble to +the cipher and read it all right." + +The boy's hands were shaking as he held the letter. From head to feet he +quivered with the excitement he could not control. + +"Steady, Buckhart," said Merry, laying a calming hand on his shoulder. +"Then you believe there is a cipher in it, do you?" + +"Sure as shooting! I know there is! You hear me shout! Once on a time, +at Fardale, he studied out right before me a cipher letter that was +written this same way by one of his enemies. He reckoned I would +remember that. He reckoned I would tumble and read the cipher in this +letter." + +Although Frank must have been excited also, he still restrained himself. + +"If that's the case," he said, "you should be able to read this with +ease. Go ahead and do so." + +"Gimme a pencil," panted the Texan. + +Frank did so, and then Brad began by underscoring the first word of the +letter after Frank's name, following with the second word, having +skipped one, then he skipped two, and underscored the next word. Then +skipped three, underscoring the next, and so on through the greater part +of the first paragraph. When this was finished, the words underscored +read as follows: + + "I am in little house near windmill sta.y." + +"There she is!" Brad almost yelled, waving it wildly around his head. +"That's the message. I followed her up further, but it ends right there. +After that he just writes what they tell him to." + +"'I am in little house near windmill sta.y,'" read Frank, having taken +the paper from the Texan's hand. "Are you certain that 'sta.y' comes +into it?" + +"Well, part of her comes into it," averred Brad. "She comes into it up +to the period, at least. I reckons that's why the period comes in there. +'Sta.'--what does that stand for, Frank?" + +"Station," said Merry at once. "He has written that he is in a little +house near Windmill Station. That's it, Brad, my boy. We know where to +find him at last, thanks to you." + +"No, Frank; thanks to that fine head of his. What are we going to do?" + +Frank walked over to a corner of the room and picked up a Winchester +rifle, which he examined, a resolute grimness on his handsome face. + +"We're going to find that little house near Windmill Station," he said, +in a calm, low voice. "And when we find it, Buckhart, there will be +something doing." + + * * * * * + +Another night had fallen when a party of at least a dozen persons, all +armed and ready for anything that might take place, surrounded and crept +up to the little house where Dick was held a prisoner near Windmill +Station. Frank led this party, and when the house was thoroughly +surrounded, he advanced without hesitation to the door, Buckhart at his +side, carrying in his hand an axe. + +"Give me the axe!" whispered Merry, as he extended his rifle to Brad. + +A moment later a crashing blow fell on the heavy door. When of a sudden +Frank swung the axe and made blow after blow at the door, it shook, and +cracked, and splintered before the attack upon it. + +"Lay on! lay on!" urged Cap'n Wiley, who was close at hand and ready for +the encounter. "Knock the everlasting jimblistered stuffing out of her!" + +Within the hut there was no small commotion. + +Dick had been waiting. He heard the first blow, and it brought him to +his feet with a bound. He heard the ruffianly guards in the outer room +uttering excited exclamations. Then he shouted: + +"Beat it down, Frank--beat it down! Here I am!" + +He could not be sure his words were heard above the sounds of the +assault on the door, but at this moment, with a great splintering crash, +the door fell. Then came shouting, and shots, and sounds of a struggle. +It was over quickly, and Dick was waiting when the door of his prison +room was flung wide and his brother sprang in. + +"Hello, Frank!" he cried laughingly. "You're on time. They haven't begun +chopping me up yet." + +"Where's my pard?" shouted Buckhart, as he came tearing into the room. +"Here he is!" he whooped joyously, clasping Dick in his arms. "Say, +pard, you're a dandy! But I don't believe I'd tumbled to it that there +was a cipher message in that letter if Frank hadn't suspected such a +thing." + +At this moment Cap'n Wiley appeared at the door. + +"Mate Merriwell," he said, "there's a fine gent out here who has a +shattered knee and says he's bleeding to death. Perhaps you had better +take a look at him." + +Frank turned back, followed by Dick and Brad. In the outer room both Mat +and Dillon were prisoners in the hands of Merriwell's comrades, one of +them having a bullet in his shoulder. But on the floor lay another man, +who had been found there with them, having arrived a short time before +the appearance of the rescuers. It was Macklyn Morgan, and his knee, as +Wiley had declared, was shattered by a bullet. + +"I am dying, Merriwell!" said Morgan, his face ghastly pale. "You have +triumphed at last. I will bother you no more." + +Frank quickly knelt and ripped open the man's trousers leg with a keen +knife. Then he called sharply for a rope, which he tied loosely about +Morgan's leg above the knee, thrusting through a loop in it a strong +stick supplied him by Wiley. With this stick he twisted the rope until +it cut into the flesh and stopped the profuse bleeding. + +"Now, Morgan," said Merry, "we will do our best to save your life by +getting you to the nearest doctor in short order." + +"Why should you do that?" whispered the money king wonderingly. + +"I don't care to see even my worst enemy die in such a manner," was the +answer. + +Macklyn Morgan did not die, although he must have done so but for the +prompt action of Frank at that critical moment. He lost his leg, +however, for it was found necessary to amputate the limb at the knee. + +It was some days after this operation that Morgan called for Frank, +begging his attendant to bring Merry to him. When Merry stood beside the +cot on which the wretched man lay, Morgan looked up and said: + +"I have been thinking this thing over, Mr. Merriwell, and the more I +think about it the greater grows my astonishment at your action. The +doctor has told me that you saved my life. I can't do much to even up +for that; but from this time on, Frank Merriwell, I shall never lift a +hand against you." + +THE END. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Frank Merriwell's Triumph, by Burt L. Standish + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 40262 *** |